Roller Blind Hatch Retainer with Elastic Stop
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Solution Overview
Problem
Long roller shutter boxes experience central sagging of inspection hatches due to their own weight, leading to unsightly deformation and potential damage to fixing means, which affects the functioning and security of the shutter system.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of removable clips or fasteners along the hinge of the inspection hatch, equipped with elastic blocking means and a deformable stop, to maintain the hatch in a closed position and counteract sagging, allowing for secure closure without tools and maintaining functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the inspection hatch is made long to cover the entire box length, then the maintenance access is improved, but the hatch sags in the center under its own weight causing deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the long inspection hatch into multiple segments by introducing intermediate support points along its length. These support points break the continuous span of the hatch into smaller sections, preventing excessive deflection in the center while maintaining overall access capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds a third dimension to the hatch structure by incorporating intermediate support points that extend perpendicular to the main hatch plane. This creates a multi-level support system that prevents sagging without interfering with the primary closing function.
2Device complexity
If only two fixing points are used at the ends of the hatch, then the device complexity is reduced and operation is simplified, but the hatch cannot maintain its shape over long distances
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing system is segmented into multiple independent support points distributed along the hatch length. Each support point acts as an individual fixing element, providing localized support without requiring a complete redesign of the end-fixing mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate support points are designed to be self-supporting structures that attach to the hatch body and provide automatic support without requiring additional active components or complex adjustment mechanisms.
3Shape
If the hatch is supported at multiple points, then the sagging is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure uses local quality by making the intermediate support points modular and selectively placeable. Each support point is a simple, standardized component that can be installed only where needed along the hatch, allowing customization based on specific application requirements rather than universal complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of making the entire hatch structure more complex to prevent sagging, the invention inverts the approach by adding simple, discrete support elements to the existing simple fixing system. This maintains the simplicity of the base design while locally addressing the deformation problem.
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
Prevents central sagging and deformation of the inspection hatch, ensuring secure closure and operation without altering the handling of the shutter, maintaining the hatch's functionality and preventing damage to the fixing means.
Implementation Method 1
a stop (14) which can be retracted by elastic deformation and capable of maintaining in the closing position of the hatch a profile (23) of the longitudinal joining edge forming the hinge pin
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The invention relates to a roller shutter housing equipped with an access panel formed by at least a portion of a panel of the housing and pivotable relative to the rest of the housing between a closed and an open position by means of a hinge-type assembly of the panel and the housing located along a longitudinal joint edge of said panel. This housing is characterized in that it comprises at least one removable piece (10) for retaining the panel in the closed position, fixed to the housing at the hinge and comprising elastic locking means for the panel in the closed position.