Elastic Winch Mount for Roller Shutter Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing roller shutter winch and motor installation methods face challenges in flexibility and ease of adjustment, particularly during renovation when the final orientation of the exit angle is unknown, leading to excessive forces on bearings and potential damage, and requiring complex alignment procedures.

Innovation Solution

A device with a spiral spring mechanism that allows the winch or motor to be immobilized in rotation during transport and installation while enabling angular displacement for position adjustment, using a central loop and end strands to clamp the stud, facilitating alignment with the attack rod and reducing torque on the bearings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the winch is rigidly fixed in position during transport and installation, then the winch remains immobilized in rotation preventing premature apron lowering, but the winch cannot be adjusted to align with the final angular position of the attack rod after installation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of premature apron loweringVSAvoidangular position adjustment
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The support pin is replaced by an elastic means (spring) that provides dynamic clamping force. The spring maintains constant contact with the support pin, allowing the winch to be firmly held during transport while enabling angular displacement when needed for alignment during installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic means changes the mechanical parameter from rigid fixed connection to flexible clamping connection. This allows the winch to transition between being firmly secured (during transport) and being adjustable (during installation) without requiring two different fixing mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If the winch is allowed to rotate freely during installation for alignment, then the winch can be positioned correctly relative to the attack rod, but the winch cannot be securely immobilized during transport and operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment during installationVSAvoidimmobilization during transport
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic means acts as an intermediary between the fixed support pin and the winch casing. It transmits the immobilizing force while allowing controlled angular displacement, serving as a mediator that reconciles the conflicting requirements of secure fixation and installation flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic means provides dynamic response to different operational states: during transport it maintains firm clamping to prevent rotation, while during installation it allows angular displacement to enable alignment with the attack rod.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Stability of the object's composition

If the winch is securely clamped to prevent rotation, then the winch remains stable during transport and operation, but the winch cannot be adjusted to absorb tolerance variations in the attack rod angular position

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewinch stability during transportVSAvoidtolerance absorption
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic means changes the mechanical state from rigid constraint to flexible constraint. This allows the winch to maintain stability during transport while absorbing tolerance variations in the attack rod angular position through elastic deformation during installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic means is pre-installed on the support pin to provide built-in flexibility and tolerance absorption. This beforehand cushioning allows the winch to accommodate angular position variations without requiring additional adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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

Enables simple, rapid, and flexible installation of the winch or motor, preventing premature apron lowering and reducing stress on the winch or motor bearings, allowing for precise alignment and easy access during final adjustments.

Implementation Method 1

the casing of the winch or of the motor comprises an elastic means for clamping the stud capable of keeping the winch or the motor immobilized in rotation relative to the cheek during transport or after putting in place, in particular to absorb the resistive operating torque

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

allowing angular displacement of the winch or of the motor relative to the flange for position adjustment

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2304155B1Device for holding a winch or a motor of a roller shutter in a winding case, winch and case with such a device
Publication Date: 2017.01.25 ZURFLUH FELLER SA
  • EP2304155B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP2304155B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2304155B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Device for holding a winch (6) or a motor of a roller shutter in a winding case closed at each end by an end plate, the winch being positioned inside the case near a first end plate comprising, in its central part, a support stud able to be fitted into a housing (12) in the winch casing (13); the casing (13) comprises an elastic means (E) of clamping the stud able to keep the winch (6) immobilized in terms of rotation relative to the end plate during carriage or after installation, particularly in order to absorb the torque resisting operation, while at the same time allowing an angular movement of the winch relative to the end plate for position adjustment purposes.