Adjustable Roller Shutter Slats for Ventilation and Security

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing roller shutters with adjustable slats fail to provide effective protection and adequate ventilation while allowing light modulation, as they compromise on burglary safety and allow entry by crawling animals due to the design of adjustable wings.

Innovation Solution

A roller shutter with adjustable slats featuring a support and pivotally mounted wings, where the pivots are arranged to automatically switch between open and closed positions based on weight and thrust force, ensuring effective protection and ventilation control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If adjustable wings are made to open automatically from lower blades for ventilation, then ventilation and light modulation are improved, but burglary protection is compromised and animal entry risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveventilation and light modulationVSAvoidburglary protection
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The wing is designed to be dynamically adjustable between closed and open positions. The pivot arrangement allows the wing to automatically open when not constrained by the upper slat, enabling ventilation while maintaining the ability to close for security when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The position parameter of the wing is changed based on the force applied by the upper slat. When the upper slat applies thrust, the wing moves to closed position; when force is removed, gravity causes the wing to open, achieving automatic adjustment between security and ventilation modes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If adjustable wings are pivotally mounted to enable automatic opening, then ventilation is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional pivot arrangements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic wing adjustmentVSAvoidpivot arrangement
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses the weight of the curtain itself to automatically open the wings when not constrained. The gravitational force on the lower part of the support automatically positions the pivots to open the wing, eliminating the need for additional motors or actuators.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The pivot arrangement is designed so that in the absence of constraining force, the system naturally settles into a position where the pivots are substantially superimposed, allowing the wing to open automatically due to gravity without requiring additional energy input.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #12Equipotentiality

3Reliability

If fixed slats are used for complete occultation, then protection is improved, but ventilation capability is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection and occultationVSAvoidventilation capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The slat is segmented into a fixed support portion and a movable adjustable wing portion. The fixed support maintains structural integrity and connection to the upper slat, while the movable wing can independently adjust between closed and open positions to provide both protection and ventilation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The adjustable slat assembly serves multiple functions: when the wing is closed, it provides complete occultation and burglary protection similar to fixed slats; when the wing is open, it provides ventilation and light modulation. This single assembly replaces the need for separate fixed slats and ventilation mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 simple design that ensures effective protection and adjustable ventilation while preventing burglary and animal entry, maintaining safety and functionality.

Implementation Method 1

in the absence of a force exerted by the upper slat on the wing, the effect of the weight of the curtain exerted on the lower part of the support, causes the first pivot and the second pivot to occupy a substantially superimposed position so that the wing occupies its openwork position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

the application of a thrust force by the upper blade on the wing causes a lateral offset between the first pivot and the second pivot so that this wing occupies its closed position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentEP3263826B1Roller shutter with adjustable slats
Publication Date: 2019.02.06 AXIOM
  • EP3263826B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3263826B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3263826B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a roller shutter comprising a series of superimposed slats articulated to form a blackout curtain, including at least one adjustable slat comprising a support and an adjustable wing (10) pivotally mounted on the support via a first pivot (11) and on the successive upper slat via a second pivot (13). According to the invention, the pivots (11, 13) are arranged such that, on the one hand, in the absence of any force exerted on the wing (10), the effect of the weight of the curtain exerted on the lower part of the support causes the pivots (11, 13) to occupy a superimposed position so that the wing (10) occupies an open position, and that, on the other hand, the application of a pushing force by the upper slat on the wing (10) causes a lateral offset between the pivots so that this wing occupies a closed position.