Window curtain
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional window curtains face issues with increased assembly difficulty, manufacturing cost, and noise due to the enlarged width of sliding tracks required for pulley sets, and height differences between inner and outer tracks affecting smoothness and noise during shade movement.
Innovation Solution
A window curtain design featuring a top track with two sleeved track rods, a sliding unit with adjustable pulley supports and sliding bases, and shades with U-shaped bottom tracks, allowing for smooth pulley set movement and adjustable shading area without height differences, reducing packaging costs and noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the sliding track width is enlarged to accommodate pulley sets, then the pulley sets can slide smoothly, but the assembly difficulty, manufacturing cost, and packing size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies nesting by placing the pulley sets inside the hollow track rod structure. The track rod is designed as a hollow cylinder with an inner cavity that accommodates the pulley sets, allowing them to move within the track rod itself rather than requiring a wider external track. This nested configuration enables smooth pulley movement while maintaining a compact overall structure, thereby reducing packing size and assembly complexity without compromising operational smoothness
2Device complexity
If the inner track and outer track are connected with height difference, then the structure is simplified, but the shade sliding becomes noisy and less smooth
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies equipotentiality by ensuring that the inner track and outer track are aligned at the same height level, eliminating the height difference that causes noise and rough sliding. The guide tracks formed by the lateral edges of the elongated openings in both tracks are positioned co-planarly, creating a smooth transition path for the shade. This alignment removes the harmful height differential while maintaining structural simplicity through the integrated track design
3Ease of manufacture
If the track rod width is increased to fit pulley sets, then the pulley sets can be installed, but the packing volume and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the hollow interior of the track rod to nest the pulley sets, eliminating the need to increase the external dimensions of the track rod. The pulley sets are positioned within the inner cavity of the cylindrical track rod, allowing easy installation through the open ends of the track rod while maintaining a compact external profile. This nesting approach enables straightforward pulley installation without increasing packing volume
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 design reduces the size of the sliding unit, lowers packaging and shipping costs, enhances smoothness and reduces noise, and increases the shading area by allowing adjustable positions of sliding bases and pulley sets, improving overall functionality and user experience.
Implementation Method 1
the channel comprises two vertical guide tracks respectively formed at two lateral edges of the first elongated opening toward an inner space of the channel
Implementation Method 2
A locating block having an elastic buffering piece is formed at a front end of the second locating groove
Data Source
AI summary
A window curtain may include a top track, at least a sliding unit, and a plurality of shades, and the top track has at least two track rods sleeved together, which reduces the packaging and shipping costs. Each of the track rods is hollow to form a channel therein, and the channel comprises two vertical guide tracks. The sliding unit comprises a plurality of first sliding bases formed in parallel, and each of the first sliding bases other than the innermost one is connected to a second sliding base. Each of the second sliding bases comprises a pulley support, and each of the pulley supports has at least a pulley set installed thereon. The pulley sets are adapted to slide along the track rods through the guide tracks which have no height difference so as to improve the smoothness of sliding movement of the pulley sets.