Hinged Flap Battery Compartment for Tubular Actuator

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing electromechanical actuators for solar protection installations face challenges in battery replacement, as the cover for the battery compartment can be difficult to handle, leading to batteries slipping out and falling, causing pollution and operational hazards during maintenance.

Innovation Solution

A tubular electromechanical actuator with a hinged flap that selectively closes and opens the battery compartment access, forming an obstacle to prevent battery exit and allowing controlled removal by pivoting and offsetting, facilitated by a flexible synthetic material flap with a relief and elastic return mechanism.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a battery compartment cover is used to protect the batteries, then the batteries are secured in the compartment, but the cover becomes difficult to handle during battery replacement and may fall to the ground causing pollution and operational hazards

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery securityVSAvoidcover handling
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The battery compartment cover is segmented into a hinged flap that remains attached to the housing and a removable portion. The flap pivots open to allow battery access while the attached portion remains secured, preventing the entire cover from falling and causing pollution hazards.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The static battery compartment cover is transformed into a dynamic hinged flap system that can pivot between closed and open positions. This dynamic mechanism allows easy access during battery replacement while maintaining security when closed, eliminating handling difficulties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If the battery compartment is easily accessible for maintenance, then battery replacement is simplified, but batteries may accidentally slip out and fall causing pollution and operational hazards

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery replacementVSAvoidbattery ejection risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The hinged flap is positioned and configured beforehand to automatically form an obstacle that prevents battery ejection. During battery replacement, the flap remains in place as a safety barrier while allowing controlled access, preventing accidental battery drop before it can cause pollution or operational hazards.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The hinged flap acts as an intermediary element between the battery compartment opening and the external environment. It provides controlled access for battery replacement while simultaneously serving as a physical barrier that prevents batteries from slipping out and falling, thus mediating between ease of access and safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3830360B1Electromechanical actuator, screen driving system, closing installation or solar protection installation comprising such a system and method for replacing a battery in such an actuator or system
Publication Date: 2022.10.19 SOMFY ACTIVITES SA
  • EP3830360B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3830360B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3830360B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

This tubular electromechanical actuator serves for driving a mobile screen in a closing installation or solar protection installation, the winding tube (5) being mobile in rotation about an axis of rotation (X-X'). The actuator comprises a casing (30a) which defines a recess (L26) for receiving at least one battery (262) for supplying power to an electric motor of the tubular electromechanical actuator. The tubular electromechanical actuator comprises a flap (100) for selectively closing an access opening (O26) to the receiving recess (L26) created on the side of the first end (52) of the winding tube (5). The flap (100) is articulated with respect to the casing about an axis of articulation (Y100) which is orthoradial to a longitudinal axis (A26) of the receiving recess (L26). The flap is able to pivot about its axis of articulation (Y100), between a first position in which it closes the access opening (O26) and a second position in which it allows access to this opening. In its second position, the flap (100) bears against a stop (56) and forms an obstacle (124) preventing the battery (262) leaving the receiving recess (L26).