Roller Shutter Suspension Lock with Groove-Nested Hinge Reinforcement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing roller shutter suspension assemblies are limited by size and mechanical resistance constraints, making it difficult to achieve a compact design while maintaining structural integrity and thermal insulation.
Innovation Solution
A suspension subassembly with reinforced hinges and grooves in the tube design, allowing for a compact rolled configuration by incorporating reinforcements that fit within grooves, ensuring strong locks with minimal thickness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of stationary object
If the tube diameter and lock thickness are minimized, then the box size is reduced, but the mechanical resistance of the suspension subassembly deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcement element is nested within the lock structure, specifically positioned inside the lock body where it provides structural support without increasing the external dimensions of the lock. This allows the lock to maintain minimal thickness while the internal reinforcement ensures adequate mechanical resistance for the suspension function
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of uniformly thickening the entire lock structure, the reinforcement is applied locally at critical stress points within the lock body. This localized reinforcement provides the necessary mechanical strength while keeping the overall lock thickness minimal, thereby maintaining a compact box size
2Volume of stationary object
If the deck slats are made thinner, then the rolled deck size is reduced, but the thermal insulation performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The deck slats are constructed using composite material structure, combining materials with different properties to achieve both thinness and thermal insulation. The composite construction allows the slats to maintain minimal thickness for compact rolling while incorporating insulating layers or structures that preserve thermal performance
3Length of moving object
If the lock thickness is minimized, then the suspension subassembly becomes more compact, but the structural integrity of the hinge connections deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcement element is nested within the lock body, positioned internally to strengthen the hinge connections without adding to the external thickness of the lock. This internal nesting allows the lock to remain thin while the embedded reinforcement ensures adequate hinge connection strength
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcement element is pre-positioned within the lock structure during manufacturing, creating a pre-strengthened hinge connection before the lock is assembled and put into service. This preliminary reinforcement ensures that the thin lock maintains sufficient structural integrity from the outset
Data Source
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AI summary
This suspension subassembly (300) for a roller shutter curtain (36) includes a curtain winding tube (100) and a lock (200) for connecting the curtain to the tube. The lock includes a front link (202), which is fixed to the tube, and a second link, which is rotationally hinged to the front link (202) around a front hinge (212). When the suspension subassembly (300) is in its wound configuration, an internal surface (208B) of the second link defines an internal casing (212B) of the lock. The front hinge (212) includes a reinforcement (216), which extends beyond the internal casing (212B) of the suspension subassembly in its wound configuration. The tube includes a first groove (104), which is set back from a contour (101) of the tube and is arranged to receive part of the reinforcement of the front hinge when the lock is wrapped around the tube, so that the internal surface (208B) of the second link is in contact with the tube.