Window Frame Actuator Reinforcement for Screw Bending Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional actuation devices for windows and shading fins with high excursion are heavy, costly, and prone to structural instability due to peak loading, leading to screw bending and noise, especially when using smaller screw diameters or under conditions of misalignment.
Innovation Solution
The actuation device incorporates reinforcement members, such as sliders and spacers, to counteract flexion of the screw type element, maintaining alignment and reducing stress, allowing the use of smaller screw diameters while ensuring structural stability and noise reduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of stationary object
If smaller screw diameters are used to reduce weight and cost, then the actuation device becomes lighter and more economical, but the screw bends under peak loading causing damage and noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces reinforcement members that extend transversely across the screw, adding structural support in a perpendicular dimension. This allows the screw to maintain smaller diameter (reducing weight) while the reinforcement members prevent bending by providing lateral support during peak loading conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuation device combines the screw element with reinforcement members forming a composite structural system. The reinforcement members, positioned at specific locations along the screw, create a hybrid structure that distributes loads more effectively, enabling the use of smaller diameter screws without compromising reliability.
2Reliability
If larger screw diameters are used to prevent bending, then structural stability is maintained, but the actuation device becomes heavier and more costly
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single large-diameter screw, the patent segments the structural support function by introducing multiple reinforcement members at specific locations along the screw. This allows the screw itself to remain small-diameter while the distributed reinforcement provides the necessary structural stability, reducing overall weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcement members add structural support in a transverse dimension, perpendicular to the screw axis. This dimensional addition allows the screw to maintain small diameter while the reinforcement members bear part of the bending loads, achieving stability without increasing screw diameter and associated weight.
3Length of moving object
If the screw is subjected to peak loading during rod extension, then the rod can achieve full excursion, but the screw bends and causes damage to nut and thrust bearing
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcement members are pre-installed on the screw before operation, providing structural support in advance. This preliminary reinforcement prevents screw bending during peak loading events, thereby protecting the nut and thrust bearing from damage before such damage can occur during rod extension operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcement members act as a preventive measure, cushioning the screw against bending forces before they can transmit damaging loads to the nut and thrust bearing. This prior protection allows full rod excursion while preventing the chain reaction of damage that would otherwise occur.
4Length of moving object
If the screw bends under load, then the actuation device can accommodate larger excursions, but noise increases and degradation accelerates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potential harm of screw bending into a benefit by using the reinforcement members to control and manage the bending forces. Rather than allowing uncontrolled screw deflection that causes noise and wear, the reinforcement members channel and distribute these forces, enabling large excursion while preventing the harmful effects of uncontrolled bending.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration enables lighter, quieter, and more durable actuation devices with reduced noise and increased reliability, capable of handling larger loads with smaller screw diameters, maintaining performance and durability comparable to conventional devices.
Implementation Method 1
an actuator which has a motor, a screw type element which extends in the extension direction and a nut element which is connected to the screw type element
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~6
Figure 7~8
AI summary
An actuation device (10) for shading frames and fins which comprises: - a frame (11), - a rod (12) which is connected to the frame (11) in a sliding manner in an extension direction (A) and - an actuator (13) which has a motor (14), a screw type element (15) which extends in the extension direction (A) and a nut element (16) which is connected to the screw type element (15) and which is fixed to a first end (12a) of the rod (12). The motor (14) has a stator which is fixed to the frame (11) and a rotor which is fixed to the screw type element (15) in order to rotate it with respect to the extension direction (A) . The actuation device (10) comprises at least one reinforcement member (20, 120) which comprises: - a first slider (21) which has a first seat (21a) which is engaged by the rod (12) in a sliding manner in the extension direction (A), - a second slider (22) which has a second seat (22a) which is engaged by the screw type element (15) in a sliding manner in the extension direction (A), - a spacer element (23) which is rigidly fixed to the first slider (21) and the second slider (22) in order to maintain them at a predefined spacing. The actuation device (10) is configured so as to counteract offsetting of the first seat (21a) with respect to the second seat (22a).