Dual-Motor Roller Shutter Power Unit for Roof Windows

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing roller shutter power units for slatted shutters, particularly those installed on roof windows, face challenges in unwinding due to the window's inclination and variable angle, requiring additional space for external driving mechanisms and complex mechanical gear sets, which are inefficient and bulky.

Innovation Solution

A power unit utilizing two separate electric motors, one for the winding shaft and one for the drive shaft, with rotational speed control and a control system that calculates the angle of rotation and current supply to manage the movement of the slats, eliminating the need for external driving means and mechanical gear sets, and allowing for adjustable speed and overload protection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single motor with mechanical gear sets and spring tensioning is used, then the structure is compact, but the device complexity increases and reliability decreases due to mechanical wear and spring failure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical gear setsVSAvoidspring tensioning
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the single motor system into two separate motors: a drive motor for moving the curtain and a winding motor for winding/unwinding the curtain. This segmentation eliminates the need for mechanical gear sets and spring tensioning mechanisms, reducing device complexity while improving reliability by removing wear-prone mechanical components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical spring tensioning system with an electrically controlled winding motor that can independently adjust tension through controlled winding and unwinding actions. This substitution eliminates mechanical wear and spring failure risks while providing more precise control over the curtain movement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If external driving means are added to the shaft, then the unwinding function is improved, but the area occupied by the power unit increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveunwinding functionVSAvoidpower unit
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines both the drive function and winding function into a single integrated power unit housing, with both motors mounted inside the same compact structure. This merging approach allows the system to provide full unwinding functionality while maintaining a compact footprint, as the two motors share the same space rather than requiring separate external mounting locations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If rotational speed is regulated by controller, then the productivity is improved, but the device complexity increases due to control system

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecurtain movement speedVSAvoidcontrol system
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic speed regulation for both motors, allowing the rotational speed to be adjusted during operation based on the curtain's position and winding diameter. The drive motor speed can be optimized for different phases of curtain movement, while the winding motor speed is dynamically adjusted to match the changing radius as the curtain winds or unwinds, maximizing productivity through adaptive control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3441553B1Power unit for a roller shutter, in particular roller shutter with slats
Publication Date: 2020.01.08 FAKRO PP SPOLKA Z O O
  • EP3441553B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3441553B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3441553B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The roller shutter power unit, which has a cassette for storing the movable curtain in its wound state on roller shaft (3), also equipped with drive shaft (4), is characterized by the fact that both shafts are driven by separate electric motors, respectively driving motor (71) and winding motor (61). At least one of the motors, in particular winding motor (61), has a rotational speed controlled by the controller, depending on the stage of winding of the mobile curtain on winding shaft (3).