Composite Roller Shutter Slat Thermal Bridging Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Metallic roller shutter slats have poor thermal insulation due to their inherent thermal bridging effect, despite existing solutions that apply a polymeric coating, which still fail to adequately reduce energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A slat design comprising two elongated bodies, one made of metallic material and the other of plastic with lower thermal conductivity, where the plastic body defines part of the coupling cavity, reducing direct contact and thermal bridging, and the two are connected via snap-fitting means to minimize heat transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a coating of polymeric material is applied on the inner face of metal slats, then thermal insulation capacity is improved, but thermal bridging through metal structure still occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The slat is constructed as a composite structure with a metal elongated body providing mechanical strength and a plastic elongated body providing thermal insulation. The two materials are combined in a single integrated structure where the plastic body countershapes to the metal body, creating a composite element that simultaneously achieves structural integrity and thermal insulation without requiring separate coating layers.
2Loss of energy
If the plastic body covers the entire inner face including coupling zones, then thermal insulation is improved, but coupling functionality is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The plastic elongated body is designed to cover only specific portions of the metal body's inner face, specifically excluding the coupling appendage and coupling seat zones. This localized coverage approach allows the plastic insulation material to be present where it provides thermal benefit while leaving the metal coupling zones exposed to ensure proper mechanical engagement between slats.
3Ease of manufacture
If direct contact between metal and plastic is maximized, then manufacturing is simplified, but thermal bridging increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling zones are extracted from the thermal insulation coverage area. The plastic body is intentionally designed to leave gaps or voids at the coupling appendage and coupling seat regions, separating the thermal insulation function from the mechanical coupling function. This extraction ensures that metal-to-metal contact at coupling zones is maintained for proper slat connection while minimizing overall thermal bridging through the slat structure.
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 significantly enhances thermal insulation by reducing the thermal contact surface between the metallic and plastic components, leading to improved energy efficiency and cost-effectiveness in production.
Implementation Method 1
the plastic body defines part of the coupling cavity, reducing direct contact and thermal bridging
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2c
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The present invention relates to a slat (1) for rolling shutters, defined by the coupling of two elongated bodies (10, 20), both of which extend along a longitudinal direction (X) of the slat (1). A first elongated body (10) is made of a first material and defines the outer face (2) of the slat. A second elongated body (20) is made of a second material having a lower coefficient of thermal conductivity than the first material and defines an outer face (3) of the slat. The slat (1) comprises a coupling appendage (4), formed at an upper longitudinal edge (6) of the slat, and a coupling cavity (5), formed at a lower longitudinal edge (7) of the slat. The coupling appendage (4) is defined entirely by the first elongated body (10). The coupling cavity (5) is delimited in part by said first elongated body (10) and in part by said second elongated body (20).