Foldaway Shutter Gear Drive Eliminates Chain Noise
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing foldaway security shutters face issues with mechanical stress, security vulnerabilities, noise, and maintenance needs due to compression-stressed transverse elements, chain or belt systems, and elastic detention means.
Innovation Solution
A foldaway security shutter design featuring articulated transverse elements connected by pivoted connecting-rods, a horizontal inferior guide with notches for temporary retention, and an electric motor-driven toothed wheel system, eliminating chain or belt noise and requiring less maintenance, with enhanced security and noise absorption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If chain or belt systems are used to drive transverse elements, then the shutter can be operated remotely, but noise increases and security decreases due to accessible control components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the noise-generating chain or belt system and replaces it with a direct drive mechanism where the motor directly drives the toothed wheel that engages with the rack on the transverse elements. This eliminates the intermediate belt/chain transmission that caused noise while maintaining remote operation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the traditional belt or chain mechanical transmission system with a direct gear engagement system. The motor drives a toothed wheel that directly engages with racks on the transverse elements, eliminating the need for belts or chains and thereby eliminating the associated noise and security vulnerabilities.
2Ease of operation
If chain or belt systems run the entire length of the upright, then transverse elements can be driven, but security deteriorates due to accessible control components at the base
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the vulnerable chain or belt system that ran along the uprights and replaces it with a compact direct drive mechanism. The motor and toothed wheel assembly is extracted from the traditional belt-driven configuration and repositioned to directly engage with the racks on the transverse elements, eliminating the exposed control components at the base.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the exposed chain or belt mechanical transmission with a enclosed direct gear drive system. The toothed wheel engaged by the motor directly connects to the racks on the transverse elements through a compact mechanism that does not require exposed control components along the uprights, thereby improving security while maintaining operational capability.
3Ease of operation
If elastic detention means are used in the folding-box, then transverse elements can be retained, but maintenance requirements increase due to spring wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the expensive and maintenance-intensive elastic springs with a simpler, more durable mechanical retention system. The notches in the horizontal inferior guide provide a straightforward mechanical retention mechanism that does not require elastic components, eliminating spring wear and associated maintenance requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the elastic spring-based retention system with a direct mechanical notch-based retention system. The notches in the horizontal inferior guide provide a simple, maintenance-free mechanical retention mechanism that replaces the complex elastic spring system, eliminating wear issues and reducing maintenance needs while maintaining the retention function.
4Device complexity
If transverse elements are stressed in compression, then the shutter structure is simplified, but the risk of putting elements out of square increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional compression-based driving mechanism with a tension-based direct drive system. Instead of compressing the transverse elements to move them, the motor-driven toothed wheel engages with racks that pull the elements in a controlled manner, reducing the risk of misalignment while maintaining structural simplicity.
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
The solution reduces mechanical stress, noise, and maintenance needs while enhancing security and ease of manufacturing, providing a more efficient and secure operation with reduced wear and improved user safety.
Implementation Method 1
operating means for the transverse elements, characterised in that the box houses a horizontal inferior guide provided with a plurality of consecutive notches suitable for the temporary anelastic retainment of transversal elements
Implementation Method 2
a horizontal inferior guide provided with a plurality of consecutive notches suitable for the temporary anelastic retainment of transversal elements
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A foldaway security shutter (1) is described, comprising a plurality of transverse elements (2) articulated together by means of connecting-rods (3) pivoted at the ends (4) of said transverse elements (2), two lateral uprights (6) within which the ends (4) of the transverse elements (2) and the connecting-rods (3) slide between a closed position in which said transverse elements (2) extend along the uprights (6) and an open position in which the transverse elements (2) are gathered in an upper box (8), and operating means (7) for the transverse elements (2). Said operating means (7) are equipped with a toothed wheel (9) operated by an electric motor (17), suitable for engaging the internal teeth (10) of rack connecting-rods (3), causing the upward or downward movement of the transverse elements (2).