Vertical Blind Connecting Member with Self-Aligning Hook Members

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional vertical blinds with curtain functions face installation challenges due to incorrect fixing of light blocking parts, leading to incomplete light blocking and uneven installation, which affects marketability, especially for DIY installations by less-skilled consumers.

Innovation Solution

A connecting member with hook members is designed, featuring connection holes on the blind sheet and protruding hook members on the connecting member, allowing for easy alignment and secure holding of the blind sheet, ensuring horizontal installation and balanced positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional connection tools are used to fix light blocking parts, then the vertical blind can be installed, but the light blocking parts may be incorrectly fixed leading to incomplete light blocking and uneven installation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight blocking functionalityVSAvoidinstallation difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting member is designed with hook members that automatically engage with the blind sheets through gravity and elastic deformation, allowing the blind to self-align and self-fix without requiring precise manual positioning or skilled installation operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting member acts as an intermediary between the rail and the blind sheets, providing a standardized interface with hook members that simplify the connection process and ensure consistent, correct positioning of light blocking parts without direct manual manipulation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If DIY installation is performed by less-skilled consumers, then the product can be installed independently, but the installation quality deteriorates with incorrect fixing and uneven alignment

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveDIY installation capabilityVSAvoidinstallation precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The hook members are designed to automatically guide and position the blind sheets during installation through their elastic deformation and gravity-assisted engagement, enabling less-skilled consumers to achieve precise alignment without specialized installation skills

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting member utilizes elastic deformation of the hook members as a controllable parameter change, allowing the hooks to flex during insertion and then lock into position, providing self-aligning functionality that maintains installation precision across different skill levels

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If the connecting member uses hook members to hold connection holes, then the installation process is simplified, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation simplicityVSAvoidconnecting member structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting member is segmented into distinct functional components: the main body for mounting and multiple hook members for securing blind sheets, allowing each component to perform its specific function independently and simplifying the overall installation process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS20240240517A1Connecting member having hook member for vertical blind, and curtain and vertical blind using same

Publication Date: 2024.07.18 WINPLUS CO LTD

AI summary

Provided is a connecting member having a hook member for a vertical blind and a curtain and vertical blind using same. In particular, the connecting member includes attachment tools which are coupled to runners that are successively arranged in an inner space of a rail coupled to a ceiling; bodies arranged at the lower sides of the attachment tools; and hook members which are formed in hanger shapes and protrude from both side surfaces of the bodies.