Modular Roller Shutter Drive with Solar Charging

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices for actuating drives in mobile protection systems, such as solar control systems, require full disassembly for maintenance or replacement, leading to increased waste and difficult assembly processes.

Innovation Solution

A modular design with separable components, including a solar panel for battery charging and integrated control electronics, allows for easy replacement and maintenance of individual modules without disassembling the entire system, using adjustable aluminum profiles and plug connections for efficient assembly and waste reduction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If components are mounted in the roller shutter box in prior art devices, then the system is compact, but the entire roller shutter system must be dismantled and disassembled for maintenance or replacement

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveEase of maintenanceVSAvoidAssembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into separate functional modules: a drive module containing the motor and a separate control module containing the control unit and interface. These modules can be independently accessed, removed, and replaced without dismantling the entire roller shutter system, enabling easy maintenance while maintaining compact integration within the roller shutter box.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the entire roller shutter system is replaced when a component fails, then system reliability is maintained, but waste increases and assembly becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveSystem reliabilityVSAvoidWaste
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The control module and drive module are extracted as separate, independently replaceable units from the overall roller shutter system. When a component fails, only the specific module containing that component needs to be replaced, not the entire system. This extraction principle reduces waste by allowing reuse of functional modules while maintaining system reliability through targeted replacements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of repair

If a modular design with separable components is used, then maintenance and replacement are easy, but the device structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveEase of component replacementVSAvoidModular structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Related functional components are merged into integrated modules: the motor and its mounting structure form a drive module, while the control unit, interface, and power supply form a control module. These merged modules maintain internal complexity for functional integration but present a simplified, unified interface for installation and replacement, making maintenance easy while managing structural complexity through functional grouping.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 easy and cost-effective maintenance and replacement of components, reducing waste and assembly complexity while maintaining system performance, with the ability to integrate various control features and power supply configurations.

Implementation Method 1

a solar panel for charging batteries

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSolar energy conversion: Photovoltaic Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3175072B1Device for actuating drives for movable protection systems, and method for using a device for actuating drives for movable protection systems
Publication Date: 2018.12.19 RINN FRIEDRICH KARL
  • EP3175072B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3175072B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3175072B1 patent drawingFigure 3a

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for actuating drives for movable protection systems, in particular weather protection systems, in particular sun protection systems, in particular roller shutters, comprising: a means for generating current from sunlight, a means for storing current, and a controller. The means for storing current and the controller are arranged in at least one separate section of a first profiled means, in particular two sections, in particular in a separate first profiled means, in a separately removable manner. The means for generating current from sunlight is accommodated in a separate second section of the profiled means, in particular in a second profiled means, and the second section, in particular the second profiled means, is adapted to the first section, in particular the first profiled means, such that a uniform structural design of the profiled means is provided, in particular at a connection point with respect to size and shape, and the sections in particular, in particular the profiled means, are secured to one another in a releasable manner by means of connecting means.