Window Shade Cord Shrouds for Child Entanglement Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing window shades with cord lift systems pose a risk of entanglement and strangulation for children due to exposed cords, and previous safety improvements have not adequately addressed the issue of cord durability and aesthetics.
Innovation Solution
A window shade design featuring a rotatably mounted roller with cords encased in collapsible shrouds and stop brackets that prevent the cord from becoming loose, ensuring the cord is always enclosed and reducing the risk of entanglement by spacing cord guides closely together.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If cords are exposed for operation, then ease of operation is improved, but safety deteriorates due to entanglement risk
Solution Approach 1:
A shroud acts as an intermediary component that encases the cord, allowing the cord to remain functional for raising and lowering the shade while preventing direct access to the cord by children. The shroud material (fabric, mesh, or perforated material) allows operation while blocking entanglement risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The shroud is constructed from flexible material (fabric, mesh, or perforated material) that can move with the cord as it winds and unwinds, providing continuous coverage while maintaining operational flexibility. The flexible nature allows the shroud to conform to cord movement without restricting shade operation.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If cords are enclosed in shrouds, then safety is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to restricted cord movement
Solution Approach 1:
The shroud is constructed from flexible material that can move with the cord as it winds and unwinds, providing continuous coverage while maintaining operational flexibility. The flexible nature allows the shroud to conform to cord movement without restricting shade operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The shroud material properties (perforations, mesh size, fabric weave) are optimized to provide sufficient cord movement while maintaining safety. The material parameters are selected to balance encasement effectiveness with operational smoothness.
3Shape
If cord covers are made of low-strength yarn, then aesthetics are improved, but reliability deteriorates due to wear and failure
Solution Approach 1:
The shroud is constructed from composite materials combining strength and aesthetic properties. Options include fabric with embedded strong core, mesh with reinforced stitching, or perforated material with structural support, allowing both durability and visual appeal.
Solution Approach 2:
The material parameters (yarn strength, fabric weight, mesh density, perforation size) are optimized to provide sufficient mechanical strength while maintaining aesthetic appearance. The parameters are selected to prevent wear failure at attachment points while preserving visual appeal.
4Ease of operation
If positioning elements are attached to cord covers, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to wear at attachment points
Solution Approach 1:
The shroud incorporates reinforced attachment points using composite construction techniques, such as double stitching, reinforcement patches, or integrated bonding, to prevent wear and failure at the points where positioning elements are attached, while maintaining overall shroud integrity.
Data Source
AI summary
A window shade includes a headrail adapted for horizontal mounting above a window, a shading material attached to the headrail, and at least one cord for raising and lowering the shading material. The cord is attached to a location adjacent a lower end of the material, and extends upward through cord guides toward the headrail. The cord may be encased within a collapsible member attached to each cord guide. The collapsible member is adapted to longitudinally extend as the shading material is lowered toward a deployed position, and then longitudinally collapse as the shading material is raised toward a stowed position. The cord is secured to and is wound about a spring-loaded roller. The roller provides tension on the cord that counterbalances the weight of the shade so that the shading material may be positioned at any desired level. A stop bracket is disposed adjacent a face of the shading material and has a first portion attached to the headrail and a second portion containing a bore, wherein the cord extends from the roller through the bore and is secured to the shading material.