Window Shade Control Module With Rotary Arrester Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional window shades with longer operating cords are inconvenient to use, prone to entanglement, and pose a risk of child strangulation, while also being less safe and more difficult for regular users to operate effectively.
Innovation Solution
A window shade control module with a shorter operating cord and an actuator that can be easily operated to turn the arrester from a locking to an unlocking state, allowing the window shade to be raised and lowered conveniently, reducing the risk of child strangulation and improving user safety and ease of operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If a longer operating cord is used to raise window shades with greater vertical lengths, then the window shade can be operated, but the operating cord may become entangled and pose a risk of child strangulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful function of the long operating cord by introducing a separate actuator mechanism. The actuator handles the lowering function while the operating cord is shortened and dedicated only to raising, thereby removing the strangulation hazard while preserving operational capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the raising and lowering functions into separate control mechanisms. The operating cord is shortened and dedicated to raising, while a distinct actuator mechanism handles lowering, eliminating the need for a long cord and reducing safety risks
2Length of moving object
If a longer operating cord is used to raise window shades with greater vertical lengths, then the window shade can be operated, but the operating cord may become entangled and manipulation becomes less convenient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the control functions into separate mechanisms: a shortened operating cord for raising and a dedicated actuator for lowering. This segmentation prevents cord entanglement and simplifies user interaction with each control element
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the operating cord is maintained at a higher position to reduce child access, then child safety is improved, but the operating cord may still move to a lower position when pulled and become accessible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the lowering function from the operating cord system entirely by introducing a separate actuator mechanism. This extraction ensures the operating cord remains short and high-positioned without risk of becoming accessible during operation
Solution Approach 2:
By segmenting the control functions, the patent creates a dedicated actuator for lowering that remains stationary and out of child reach, while the operating cord is shortened and positioned high for raising only, eliminating the safety reliability issue
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 solution provides a safer and more convenient operation of window shades by using a shorter operating cord and an actuator that allows easy transition between locking and unlocking states, enhancing user experience and reducing the risk of accidents.
Implementation Method 1
an unlocking state in which rotation of the sleeve and the drive axle is allowed to lower the shading structure by gravity action
Data Source
AI summary
A window shade comprises a head rail, a shading structure, a bottom part, suspension cords connected with cord winding units, and a control module. The control module includes a drive axle assembled with the cord winding units, a sleeve affixed with the drive axle, an arrester assembled around the drive axle, and a release unit. The arrester has a locking state in which the arrester blocks a rotational displacement of the sleeve and the drive axle to keep the bottom part at a desired position, and an unlocking state in which rotation of the sleeve and the drive axle is allowed to lower the bottom part by gravity action. The release unit includes an actuator that is operatively connected with the arrester and has an elongated shape. The actuator can rotate about its lengthwise axis to turn the arrester from the locking to unlocking state.