Window Covering Rail Calibration for Lifting Cord Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing window coverings with upper, middle, and lower rails experience issues with lifting cords falling off due to disrupted balance and elasticity, leading to malfunctions and aesthetically undesirable creases, as the safe distance between the middle and lower rails is not adequately maintained, especially in cellular types with honeycomb structures.
Innovation Solution
A window covering system with position detectors and controllers that adjust the positions of the middle and lower rails using driving devices, ensuring a safe distance is maintained by detecting cord tension and rail positions, and controlling the movement of the rails to prevent excessive slack or compression.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed safe distance is preset between the middle rail and lower rail during manufacturing, then the lifting cords can be prevented from falling off due to excessive slack, but the covering body cannot be fully retracted during initial usage and creates aesthetic issues, and may cause unexpected creases after prolonged usage when the covering body becomes more elastic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the safe distance between the middle rail and lower rail adjustable rather than fixed. The system dynamically changes the safe distance based on the retraction state of the covering body: using a first safe distance during initial usage when the covering body is fully retracted, and a second (larger) safe distance after prolonged usage when the covering body becomes more elastic. This dynamic adjustment prevents lifting cord malfunctions while ensuring aesthetic appearance during initial use.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of safe distance based on usage conditions. It transitions from a fixed parameter to a variable parameter that adapts to the covering body's elastic properties at different stages of usage. The controller adjusts the safe distance parameter according to whether the covering body is in its initial state or has undergone prolonged usage and elastic degradation.
2Reliability
If the safe distance is preset to a greater value to prevent middle rail from being pushed by elastic covering body after prolonged usage, then lifting cord malfunction is prevented, but the covering body cannot be fully retracted during initial usage causing unaesthetic visual effect
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the safe distance parameter based on the covering body's elastic state. During initial usage when the covering body maintains its shape, a smaller first safe distance is used, allowing full retraction and aesthetic appearance. After prolonged usage when the covering body becomes more elastic and prone to pushing the middle rail, the system switches to a larger second safe distance to prevent lifting cord malfunction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by detecting the retraction state of the covering body in advance and proactively adjusting the safe distance before malfunction occurs. The controller monitors whether the covering body is fully retracted and pre-adjusts the safe distance accordingly, preventing both aesthetic issues during initial use and lifting cord malfunctions after prolonged usage.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the middle rail and lower rail are allowed to move freely to adjust light transmittance, then flexibility of controlling the window covering is improved, but the lifting cords become excessively loose when rails are too close, causing them to fall off from spools
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary control mechanism (the controller and safe distance setting) between the rail movement and lifting cord tension. The controller monitors the positions of the middle and lower rails and maintains an appropriate safe distance, acting as an intermediary that allows rail movement for light control while preventing the rails from getting too close and causing lifting cords to become excessively loose and fall off.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring the positions of the middle and lower rails and adjusting the safe distance accordingly. When the rails approach each other too closely, the feedback mechanism triggers an adjustment to maintain the minimum safe distance, preventing lifting cord malfunction while still allowing sufficient rail movement for light transmittance control.
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
The system effectively prevents lifting cord malfunctions and maintains optimal rail positions, ensuring smooth operation and aesthetic appearance by dynamically adjusting the safe distance between the middle and lower rails, accommodating material elasticity and initial retraction needs.
Implementation Method 1
The switch is configured to transmit a first signal in response to the first lifting cord in a first status, and configured to stop transmitting the first signal in response to the first lifting cord in a second status
Implementation Method 2
The first position detector is disposed on the first driving device for detecting a current position of the middle rail and generating a middle rail position message
Implementation Method 3
The first driving device and the second driving device are disposed on the upper rail. The first lifting cord is connected between the first driving device and the middle rail, and is drivable by the first driving device to be wound up or unwound for moving the middle rail upwardly or downwardly
Implementation Method 4
The covering bodies having this structure possess elasticity with a tendency to extend, which becomes more pronounced after prolonged usage
Data Source
AI summary
A window covering system and a calibration method therefor are provided for generating a safe distance between a middle rail and a lower rail according to status of a first lifting cord. The calibration method includes moving the middle and lower rails upwardly until reaching their initial positions, moving down the lower rail a predetermined distance and storing the detected position thereof as a first position, moving down the middle rail until a switch transmits a first signal as the first lifting cord running through the switch becomes loose, moving up the middle rail until the switch stops transmitting the first signal as the first lifting cord becomes tense, storing the detected position of the middle rail as a second position, and generating the safe distance according to the first and the second positions such that the middle rail is prevented from being pushed by the lower rail.