Insect Screen Sealing with Elastic Shut-off Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing insect protection devices for building openings, such as roller shutters, are not reliable in preventing insect penetration due to gaps between the protective grille and the box, and lack effective sealing mechanisms, especially when the winding diameter changes during operation.
Innovation Solution
Inlet funnel arrangements with holding means for the shut-off element are attached to the upper end of the guide rails, ensuring the shut-off element is pressed against the protective grille, forming a reliable horizontal barrier and allowing the roller shutter and insect screen to be inserted or run in without tilting, with optional deflection elements and elastic sealing elements for enhanced sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sealing device is added to block bypass routes for insects, then the reliability of insect protection is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible sealing element made of elastomeric material that can deform and adapt to the guide rail structure. This flexible membrane blocks insect bypass routes through the gap between the guide rail and box while maintaining simplicity through its ability to conform to the existing structure rather than requiring rigid, complex sealing mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing element acts as an intermediary component between the guide rail and the box structure. It fills the gap and prevents insect penetration without requiring direct modification of the existing components, thus adding minimal complexity while effectively blocking bypass routes
2Reliability
If the shut-off element is pressed against the protective grille to form a reliable barrier, then the sealing effectiveness is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to increased friction and resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element is designed with non-uniform cross-section where the width varies along its length. The narrower sections are positioned at locations where contact with the protective grille is necessary for sealing, while wider sections are positioned where contact is not needed. This localized sealing approach maintains effectiveness while minimizing friction and resistance during operation
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing element is designed to be dynamically adaptable during operation. Its flexible nature allows it to deform and adjust its contact pressure with the protective grille based on the operational state, providing sufficient sealing when needed while reducing resistance during movement
3Manufacturing precision
If inlet funnel arrangements with holding means are attached to the upper end of guide rails, then the manufacturing precision and positioning accuracy are improved, but the ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The inlet funnel arrangements with integrated holding means are pre-assembled units that are attached to the upper end of the guide rails before final installation. This preliminary assembly ensures precise positioning and alignment, as the holding means are already in place to guide the shut-off element correctly, while the modular nature of the pre-assembled unit minimizes the complexity of the overall manufacturing process
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 provides a high degree of reliability and functional reliability in sealing against insects, ensuring a tight seal even in long-term operation by preventing insects from entering through gaps between the protective grille and adjacent surfaces, and allowing easy installation and retrofitting of the sealing device.
Implementation Method 1
optional deflection elements and elastic sealing elements for enhanced sealing
Data Source
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AI summary
The device has a case (2) that is arranged in an area of an upper edge of a building opening. An insect protection device is attached to a protective grid (6) that is wound on a winding shaft (5). A sealing device (15) is provided to block bypass ways for insects and is attached to the grid. The device (15) has a shut-off device (16) persisting over an inner case width and arranged behind the grid. A building-sided rear side of the grid is pressed at the device (16). The device (16) bypasses a gap between the grid rear side and an adjacent surface partially covering a rear side of the case.