Retractable Partition Curtain Folding Zone Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing partition curtains face challenges in achieving the required sound insulation and sound absorption values while maintaining a compact and practical design, particularly due to the rigidity of highly sound-absorbing materials which impede easy gathering and replacement.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a folding zone achieved by reducing the thickness and compacting the curtain panel material, or using partial curtain panels connected with a fold layer, allowing for a targeted disturbance in the material course that minimizes curvature and enables easier gathering, while maintaining sound insulation and absorption values.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If heavy and thick sound-absorbing material is used to achieve high sound insulation (22 dB(A)), then sound insulation is improved, but the curtain becomes cumbersome and difficult to gather

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesound insulationVSAvoidgathering capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The curtain panel is divided into multiple layers with distinct functions: outer perforated layers for sound absorption, intermediate sound-absorbing layers, and inner insulation layers. This segmentation allows each layer to contribute specifically to sound insulation or absorption without requiring the entire curtain to be excessively thick or heavy, improving gatherability while maintaining acoustic performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the curtain have different material properties optimized for their specific functions. The outer surfaces have perforations for sound absorption, inner layers provide insulation, and intermediate layers provide sound absorption. This local differentiation allows the curtain to achieve high sound insulation (22 dB(A)) and sound absorption (0.5 or more) without requiring uniform thickness throughout, reducing overall bulk and improving gathering capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If thick sound-absorbing material is used to achieve sound absorption coefficient of 0.5 or more, then sound absorption is improved, but the curtain width when gathered increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesound absorptionVSAvoidgathered curtain width
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The curtain is segmented into multiple functional layers that can be compactly folded. The perforated outer layers, intermediate sound-absorbing layers, and inner insulation layers are arranged in a compact stacked configuration when gathered, reducing the overall gathered width compared to a single thick layer design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The curtain design transitions from a single thick dimension to multiple thinner layers stacked in multiple dimensions. When gathered, the layers stack compactly in the width direction while maintaining their sound absorption properties, reducing the gathered curtain width while preserving sound absorption coefficient of 0.5 or more.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If heavy covering material is used to achieve sound insulation of 22 dB(A), then sound insulation is improved, but the curvature radius in the gathered section increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesound insulationVSAvoidcurvature radius
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The curtain is divided into multiple flexible layers rather than a single heavy layer. This segmentation allows each layer to bend more easily, reducing the curvature radius in gathered sections while collectively providing the required sound insulation of 22 dB(A).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The curtain uses composite material construction with multiple layers of different properties (perforated fabrics, sound-absorbing materials, insulation layers) bonded together. This composite structure provides the required sound insulation through material composition rather than sheer thickness, improving flexibility and reducing curvature radius when gathered.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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

This design allows for effective sound insulation (22dB(A)) and sound absorption (0.5 or more) while ensuring the curtain can be easily gathered, with reverberation times of less than 2 seconds, and a more compact package width compared to traditional designs.

Implementation Method 1

The folding zone is given by a reduction in the thickness a of the web segment (9, 19), or the compression of the curtain panel (2, 3) material in the area of the folding zone (13)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 2

sound absorption values of 0.5 or more, while simultaneously ensuring that the required sound insulation of 22 dB(A) is achieved

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSound absorption: Acoustic Absorption

Implementation Method 3

sound insulation of 22 dB(A) or higher, while two outer perforated wall surfaces, made of, for example, fleece-coated fabric, simultaneously provide sound absorption of 0.5 and higher

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSound insulation: Acoustics

Data Source

PatentEP3556985B1Partition curtain that can be drawn up
Publication Date: 2023.09.13 TRENOMAT
  • EP3556985B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3556985B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3556985B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a retractable partition curtain (1) for sports halls, multi-purpose halls, event and exhibition halls, industrial halls, auditoriums or the like, with at least one curtain support device (8) and at least two curtain panels (2, 3) made of artificial leather, plastic film, non-woven fabric, textile fabric or the like, arranged opposite each other on this device, which curtain panels (2, 3) are connected to the curtain support device (8) by substantially horizontally extending tension elements (4), and in conjunction with vertically extending tension elements (6), for retraction together, wherein, in relation to a lowered state, several vertically extended rows (R) of the same vertical height of adjacent horizontally extending tension elements (4) are provided.In order to further improve a partition curtain of the type in question, it is proposed that in a curtain panel (2, 3) in the lowered state between two vertically immediately successive rows (R) a horizontally running folding zone (13) is formed to specify a folding of the curtain panel (2, 3) in the course of a gathering.