Venetian Blind Assembly Station Slat Stop Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing assembly stations for Venetian blinds with complete support ladders require manual disassembly and reassembly of the stop device, complicating operations and prolonging downtime due to the need for adjusting the stop position based on the length of the blind and position of stacking units.

Innovation Solution

The assembly station features multiple independently movable stacking units and end stop devices that can be activated or deactivated as needed, allowing for quick and easy adjustment of the slat stop position without requiring manual disassembly of a single stop device, using motorized means and pneumatic pistons for precise positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a single removable stop device is used, then the structure is simple, but the adjustment of stop position requires manual disassembly and reassembly which complicates operation and prolongs downtime

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustment of stop positionVSAvoiddowntime for adjustment
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The stop device is divided into multiple independent stop elements (first stop element, second stop element, third stop element) that can be individually positioned and activated. Each stop element can be independently moved along the support bar and locked at different positions, allowing the operational stop position to be changed without disassembling the entire stop device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The stop elements are made movable along the support bar through a positioning mechanism that allows each element to be independently repositioned. The elements can slide along the bar and be locked at different locations, enabling dynamic adjustment of the stop position without requiring disassembly of the overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If multiple stop elements are used, then the stop position can be adjusted quickly, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespeed of adjustmentVSAvoidnumber of stop elements
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple stop elements share the same support bar and positioning mechanism, serving the universal function of stopping slats at different positions. Each stop element is identical in structure and can perform the same stopping function, but at different locations along the support bar, reducing the need for completely different components for each position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The positioning mechanisms for multiple stop elements are combined into a single integrated system on the support bar. The support bar serves as a common track for all stop elements, and the positioning features (such as slots, grooves, or locking mechanisms) are integrated into the bar structure itself, reducing overall complexity compared to having separate positioning systems for each stop element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3530865B1Assembly station for venetian blinds with complete support ladders
Publication Date: 2021.03.10 DALLAN S R L CASTELFRANCO VENETO
  • EP3530865B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3530865B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3530865B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention concerns an assembly station 1 for Venetian blinds with complete support ladders, comprising three or more units 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 for stacking slats on complete support ladders. The stacking units are aligned along a slat insertion axis X and are slidably associated with a shared support structure 2. The station 1 comprises a first end stop device 30, which is slidably associated with the shared support structure downstream of the stacking units. Each of the stacking units 13, 14, 15, 16 arranged downstream of the first two stacking units 11, 12 is equipped with a second end stop device (20) that may be moved between an active position, wherein it engages a slat sliding lane, and a passive position, wherein it does not engage the lane. According to the operating needs of the assembly station, the stroke of a slat along the lane may be stopped selectively by the first end stop device or by one of the stacking units 13, 14, 15, 16 arranged downstream of the first two stacking units 11, 12, configured with the second end stop device 20 in the active position.