Window Blind Connecting Strip Structure for Stable Folding Slots

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional window blind assemblies experience wrinkling and unstable slot dimensions due to flexible cloth strips, affecting the appearance and smooth operation of folding and unfolding the curtain.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a support rod into the connecting strip of the connecting members to stiffen them, combined with a fastening system that maintains dimensional stability of the slots between the connecting members and partitioning portions, ensuring a flat appearance and smooth operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the confining portion is stretched longitudinally prior to being fastened to maintain slot dimensions, then the dimensional stability of the slot is improved, but the curtain member experiences wrinkling and the appearance is adversely influenced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedimensional stability of the slotVSAvoidappearance of the curtain member

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting strip is changed from a flexible cloth material to a rigid or semi-rigid material that maintains its shape without requiring stretching. This parameter change in material rigidity allows the slot dimensions to remain stable without causing wrinkling of the curtain member, as the rigid connecting strip naturally holds its form.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting member is constructed as a composite structure combining a rigid connecting strip with flexible securing portions. This composite design allows the rigid strip to maintain slot dimensions while the flexible securing portions can accommodate the curtain fabric without creating wrinkles, resolving the contradiction between dimensional stability and appearance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Shape

If the confining portion is loosely fastened to avoid wrinkling, then the appearance of the curtain member is improved, but the dimensions of the slot become unstable affecting smooth folding and unfolding

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveappearance of the curtain memberVSAvoiddimensions of the slot

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting strip is changed from a flexible cloth material to a rigid or semi-rigid material that maintains its shape without requiring stretching. This parameter change in material rigidity allows the slot dimensions to remain stable without causing wrinkling of the curtain member, as the rigid connecting strip naturally holds its form.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting member is constructed as a composite structure combining a rigid connecting strip with flexible securing portions. This composite design allows the rigid strip to maintain slot dimensions while the flexible securing portions can accommodate the curtain fabric without creating wrinkles, resolving the contradiction between dimensional stability and appearance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Stability of the object's composition

If a rigid structure is used to maintain slot dimensions, then the dimensional stability is improved, but the flexibility and ease of operation may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedimensions of the slotVSAvoidsmooth folding and unfolding

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting member is segmented into two distinct functional parts: a rigid connecting strip that maintains slot dimensions and a flexible securing portion that enables easy operation. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function optimally without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting member is constructed as a composite structure combining a rigid connecting strip with flexible securing portions. This composite design allows the rigid strip to maintain slot dimensions while the flexible securing portions can accommodate the curtain fabric without creating wrinkles, resolving the contradiction between dimensional stability and appearance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentUS8695676B2Window blind assembly

Publication Date: 2014.04.15 LIN SHIH MING

AI summary

A window blind assembly includes a curtain having multiple partitioning portions, and a curtain control unit for bringing the curtain to fold upwardly and unfold downwardly. The curtain control unit includes a winding rod, a blind piece wound around and extended from the winding rod, and a plurality of connecting members each mounted on a respective one of the partitioning portions. Each connecting member and a corresponding partitioning portion define a slot therebetween. Each connecting member includes a connecting strip, a support rod mounted at the connecting strip to stiffen the connecting strip, and a fastener for removably fastening the connecting strip to the corresponding partitioning portion.