Asymmetric Roller Shutter End Plate for Clear Height and Auto-Stop

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional roller shutter end plates compromise between the clear height of the door opening and the rigidity of the door curtain, and require manual calibration of the upper end position, which is time-consuming and costly.

Innovation Solution

The end plate is designed with a first end profile on one side of the door curtain facing the winding shaft, shorter than the second end profile on the opposite side, to maximize clear height and rigidity, with the second end profile acting as a stop for automatic upper end position determination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the end plate is designed with a relatively flat metal profile to give the door curtain rigidity, then the rigidity of the door curtain is improved, but the clear height of the door opening is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverigidity of the door curtainVSAvoidclear height of the door opening
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The end plate is divided into two separate end profiles (first end profile and second end profile) that are attached to opposite sides of the door curtain. This segmentation allows each profile to be optimized independently - the first end profile can be shorter to maximize clear height while the second end profile can be longer to provide sufficient rigidity and deadweight

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The first end profile and second end profile are designed with different lengths, creating an asymmetric configuration. The first end profile has a shorter height to minimize obstruction of the door opening, while the second end profile has a longer height to provide adequate rigidity and deadweight for the door curtain

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

2Stability of the object's composition

If the end plate extends into the vertical guides to ensure the door curtain remains taut, then the tautness of the door curtain is improved, but the clear height of the door opening is further reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetautness of the door curtainVSAvoidclear height of the door opening
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The end plate design applies local quality by having different profile heights at different locations. The first end profile is kept short where it would obstruct the door opening, while the second end profile is extended to provide the necessary tautness and stability. This localized differentiation optimizes both clear height and door curtain stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Measurement precision

If manual calibration of the upper end position is performed to ensure proper operation, then the operational precision is improved, but the time and cost required for installation and maintenance increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveupper end position calibrationVSAvoidtime for manual calibration
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The second end profile serves a dual function: it provides structural support for the door curtain and automatically determines the upper end position of the winding shaft. When the door curtain is fully wound, the second end profile contacts a reference surface, automatically establishing the correct upper end position without requiring manual calibration or intervention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 design maximizes usable door opening height while ensuring sufficient rigidity and eliminates the need for manual calibration, enhancing operational efficiency and safety.

Implementation Method 1

the second end profile acting as a stop for automatic upper end position determination

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical stop contact:

Implementation Method 2

Due to its own weight, the end plate also ensures that the door curtain is taut between the winding shaft and the end plate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP4493782B1End plate for attaching to a leading edge of a door hanging
Publication Date: 2025.08.20 EFAFLEX INZENIRING D O O LJUBLJANA
  • EP4493782B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4493782B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4493782B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to an end plate (12) for attaching to a leading edge of a door hanging (16) which is arranged on a winding shaft (14), comprising a first end profile (18), which is arranged on a first face of the door hanging (16) and has a lower end edge, a second end profile (20), which is arranged on a second face of the door hanging (16) and has a lower end edge and an upper end edge (22), and to a roller shutter comprising such an end plate (12). In order to resolve the conflict of interest between a maximum clear height HI of the door opening and an inherent weight which is as high as possible and in order to satisfy the preconditions for automatically determining the upper end position, the first end profile (18) and the second end profile (20) have different heights.