Angled Sliding Chute Return Device for Roller Shutter Friction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing windproof roller shutters face issues with unsmooth lifting due to friction between the shutter body and side rails, caused by the fabric wound on the reel pipe and rubber strips, which also reduces the service life of the system.
Innovation Solution
A return device with a sliding chute and sliding component is introduced, where the sliding chute is angled and the sliding component moves along it, reducing friction by allowing the reel pipe to move under gravity, and a supporting device adjusts to maintain parallel entry of the shutter body into the side rails, minimizing friction and wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a fixed reel pipe is used with fabric wound on it, then the roller shutter can be constructed with a simple structure, but friction between the shutter body and side rails increases, causing unsmooth lifting and reduced service life
Solution Approach 1:
The reel pipe is transformed from a fixed structure to a movable one, allowing it to slide along the sliding chute during operation. This dynamic adjustment enables the reel pipe to automatically return to its initial position after fabric unwinding, maintaining optimal alignment with side rails and minimizing friction throughout the lifting cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The sliding chute serves as an intermediary component between the fixed end cover and the movable reel pipe. It provides a controlled sliding path with proper orientation, enabling the reel pipe to move smoothly and return to position without direct contact constraints, thereby reducing friction and improving lifting operation.
2Ease of operation
If a very heavy low rail is arranged at the lower end of the shutter body to solve unsmooth lifting, then lifting smoothness improves, but the weight of the moving object increases, making it difficult to pull the windproof roller shutter
Solution Approach 1:
The heavy low rail component is completely removed from the system. Instead of adding weight to the shutter body, the invention extracts the friction problem from the shutter assembly and relocates it to the reel pipe-siding chute interface, where it can be resolved through the sliding mechanism without affecting shutter weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The sliding component with spring assembly provides self-service by automatically returning the reel pipe to its initial position after fabric unwinding. This self-adjusting mechanism maintains optimal alignment without requiring external intervention or additional weight, eliminating the need for the heavy low rail while keeping the shutter lightweight and easy to operate.
3Reliability
If rubber strips on two sides of the shutter body are used for sealing, then sealing performance improves, but friction with the side rails increases, affecting lifting smoothness and service life
Solution Approach 1:
The friction caused by rubber strips contacting side rails is converted into a beneficial alignment mechanism. As the reel pipe slides along the inclined sliding chute during fabric unwinding, the friction naturally guides the shutter body to maintain proper alignment with the side rails, transforming a harmful effect into a self-aligning feature that improves both sealing and lifting performance.
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
This solution enables smoother lifting and lowering of the windproof roller shutter without the need for a heavy low rail, reduces the motor load, and prolongs the service life of the system by minimizing friction and wear.
Implementation Method 1
the sliding chute is arranged slantly, and a horizontal height of a first end of the sliding chute is larger than a horizontal height of a second end of the sliding chute; a sliding component, wherein the sliding component moves along the sliding chute
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure discloses a return device and a windproof roller shutter formed by the return device. The return device includes an end cover, wherein a sliding chute is arranged on the end cover, the sliding chute is arranged slantly, and a horizontal height of a first end of the sliding chute is larger than a horizontal height of a second end of the sliding chute; a sliding component, wherein the sliding component moves along the sliding chute; and a fixed plate mounted at one end of a reel pipe, wherein the sliding component is mounted on the fixed plate. The windproof roller shutter includes a reel pipe, a shutter body, a low rail, two side rails and two return devices.