Window shade assembly
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional battery-powered roller window shades face challenges with battery placement and charging, as batteries are often visually exposed or require additional space, and extending wires can be unsightly or difficult, especially in buildings with solid concrete walls.
Innovation Solution
A battery-powered window shade assembly where batteries are integrated within the shade tube, with a battery housing that includes multiple battery bays along the central axis, allowing for energy storage and powering the motor assembly, and a slip ring assembly for charging from an external power source without external wiring, enabling rotation of the shade tube.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If batteries are positioned outside of the shade tube, then batteries can power the motors, but additional space is required outside the shade tube and batteries are visually exposed
Solution Approach 1:
The battery pack is nested inside the shade tube, with the battery housing positioned within the tubular structure. The battery pack is carried by the motor assembly and positioned within the shade tube, eliminating the need for external battery mounting space while keeping batteries hidden from view.
2Use of energy by moving object
If wires are extended to motors for power, then motors can be powered from power grid, but wires are visually exposed or difficult to install in solid concrete walls
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the power source from the external power grid and relocates it to self-contained batteries within the shade tube. This eliminates the need for wire installation through walls or visible external wiring, as the batteries are simply inserted into battery bays within the motor assembly.
3Use of energy by moving object
If batteries are positioned inside motor inserted into shade tube, then batteries are hidden, but additional space inside motor is required
Solution Approach 1:
The battery pack is segmented as a separate module with its own housing, carried by the motor assembly. The battery housing includes battery bays that receive and retain batteries, allowing the motor assembly to be mounted within the shade tube while accommodating batteries as an integrated but separable component.
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 compact, visually appealing, and efficient battery-powered window shade system that can be charged externally, eliminating the need for unsightly wires and allowing for automatic shade control based on battery charge levels.
Implementation Method 1
at least one battery carried within said at least one battery bay, wherein said at least one battery is configured to store energy, and wherein said at least one battery is configured to provide the energy to said motor assembly
Implementation Method 2
a photovoltaic element disposed on said shade configured to generate electrical energy in response to receiving light
Data Source
AI summary
A window shade assembly including a shade tube configured to support a shade and extending longitudinally, a mounting bracket, a motor assembly extending within the shade tube and coupled to the shade tube, and a battery pack extending within the shade tube. A central axis extends longitudinally through the center of the shade tube. The motor assembly is configured to rotate the shade tube relative to the mounting bracket about the central axis to at least one of raise and lower the shade. The battery pack includes a battery housing and at least one battery. The battery housing couples the motor assembly with the mounting bracket and defines at least one battery bay. The at least one battery is carried within the at least one battery bay. The at least one battery is configured to store and provide energy to the motor assembly for rotating the shade tube.