Motorized Window Shade Assembly With Pulley Drive and Brake Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motorized window shade mechanisms for aircraft windows face challenges such as light bleeding around the edges due to limited width, uncommanded motion, and complexity in motor placement and cable management, which restricts size and performance.
Innovation Solution
A motorized window shade mechanism with a pulley system that eliminates the need for a flexible power cable, secures motors within a housing, and uses electromagnetic brakes to prevent uncommanded motion, allowing for wider shades and simplified motor integration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the drive channel width is increased to accommodate motorized components, then the motors can be properly installed and powered, but the window shade width must be reduced, causing light to bleed around the sides
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the flexible power cable from the drive channel by routing it through a dedicated cable access opening in the window shell, separate from the drive channel. This removes the cable space requirement from the drive channel, allowing the channel to be narrower and the shade to be wider without light bleeding.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a cable access opening as an intermediary pathway that connects the external power source to the motors without requiring the power cable to traverse through the drive channel. This mediator structure resolves the conflict between motor power requirements and shade width.
2Length of stationary object
If motors are installed in the rail to save space, then the drive channel can be narrower, but the rail size increases and stack height becomes excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the motor installation location from the rail component. Motors are installed in the housing rather than in the rail, separating the drive function (rail) from the power function (housing-mounted motors). This allows the rail to remain compact while accommodating wider shades.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a flexible power cable is used to energize motors that move with the rail, then motors can be integrated into the moving assembly, but additional space is required in the drive channel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power cable from the moving assembly by routing it through a fixed cable access opening in the window shell, external to the drive channel. This removes the flexible cable space requirement from the drive channel, enabling narrower channels and wider shades.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the window shade is made wider to block more light, then light bleeding is reduced, but the drive channel must be narrower, complicating motor installation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cable access opening as an intermediary structure that provides external power connection without requiring a wide drive channel. This mediator enables the drive channel to be narrow (supporting wide shades) while still accommodating motorized operation through externally routed power.
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 effectively reduces light bleeding, minimizes uncommanded motion, and simplifies motor usage, enhancing the reliability and efficiency of the window shade operation while accommodating wider shades within the constrained aircraft window dimensions.
Implementation Method 1
A motor is secured to the housing and coupled to a motor-driven pulley
Implementation Method 2
which provides convenient and reliable operation... eliminate the occurrence of uncommanded motion
Data Source
AI summary
A motorized mechanism for actuating motion within a housing of a window shade arrangement having first and second window shades for controlling the amount of light admitted through a window. The motorized mechanism comprises a first rail assembly movable in the housing and connected to a first end of the first window shade and a first end of the second window shade, a second rail assembly movable in the housing and connected to a second end of the second window shade, a second end of the first window shade being fixed to the housing, said first and second window shades being adapted to be extended and compressed relative to the window in accordance with motion within the housing of at least one of said first and second rail assemblies. A first cable is looped between a motor-driven first pulley and a second pulley along a first path. A second cable is looped between a motor-driven third pulley and a fourth pulley along a second path. Corresponding ends at one side of said first and second rail assemblies are in said first path, with only one of said first and second rail assemblies being connected to the first cable, and corresponding ends at the other side of said first and second rail assemblies being in said second path, with only the other one of said first and second rail assemblies being connected to the second cable.