Roller Door Curtain Segmentation for Wind Stability and Fast Running

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing roller doors face challenges in achieving high running speed and wind stability while ensuring easy repair and maintenance, with issues such as damage from vehicle collisions and the need to replace entire curtains due to minor damage.

Innovation Solution

A web-shaped curtain with detachable curtain segments connected by an elastically deformable connecting device, featuring a stabilizing device that counteracts deformation and allows easy replacement of individual segments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If extruded aluminum profiles are used to connect curtain segments, then stability against wind loads is improved, but running speed is reduced and noise level increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability against wind loadsVSAvoidrunning speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting device changes the material parameter from rigid extruded aluminum profiles to elastically deformable material, allowing the curtain segments to flex during high-speed operation and reducing mechanical interference with the winding shaft, thereby restoring high running speeds while maintaining connection functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting device is designed as an elastically deformable structure that can flex and deform during operation, similar to flexible shells and thin films, allowing the curtain to adapt to high-speed movement and winding operations without the rigidity-induced problems of aluminum profiles

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Stability of the object's composition

If extruded aluminum profiles are used to connect curtain segments, then stability against wind loads is improved, but noise level increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability against wind loadsVSAvoidnoise level
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Changing the material parameter from rigid aluminum to elastically deformable material reduces mechanical impacts and vibrations during operation, thereby reducing noise generation while maintaining the structural stability needed to resist wind loads

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Stability of the object's composition

If the curtain is made as a single piece or permanently attached segments, then stability against external influences is improved, but repair and maintenance cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability against external influencesVSAvoidrepair cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The curtain is divided into separate detachable segments that can be independently replaced. When damage occurs, only the affected segment needs to be removed and replaced, rather than replacing the entire curtain, thereby reducing repair costs and labor while maintaining overall curtain stability through the connecting device

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Damaged curtain segments can be easily discarded and replaced with new segments while retaining the connecting device and undamaged portions of the curtain, reducing material waste and repair expenses compared to replacing the entire curtain structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

4Reliability

If the curtain is made as a single piece, then running characteristics are improved, but replacement cost increases when damaged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverunning characteristicsVSAvoidreplacement cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The curtain is segmented into detachable sections connected by flexible connecting devices, maintaining smooth running characteristics similar to a single-piece curtain while enabling individual segment replacement, thereby reducing replacement cost when damage occurs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 high running speed and wind stability with reduced damage risk from collisions, allowing for simple and cost-effective repair and maintenance by replacing only damaged segments.

Implementation Method 1

a connecting device which is at least partially deformable, in particular elastically deformable, for detachably connecting the mutually facing edges of the curtain segments

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a stabilizing device which extends transversely, in particular approximately perpendicularly, to the movement path and which, at least in the closed position, counteracts a deformation of the curtain in a load direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical force resistance: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentEP4377546B1Door
Publication Date: 2025.07.16 SEUSTER
  • EP4377546B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4377546B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4377546B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The present invention relates to a door, in particular a roller door, having a door leaf which is at least partially configured as a web-like curtain made of flexible material and which is movable along a movement path between an open position, in which it at least partially opens a wall opening and possibly forms a multi-layer winding above the wall opening, and a closed position, in which it at least partially closes the wall opening, wherein the web-like curtain is assigned a stabilizing device which extends transversely, in particular approximately perpendicularly, to the movement path and which, at least in the closed position, counteracts deformation of the curtain in a load direction extending perpendicularly to a closing plane defined by the movement path and the stabilizing device, wherein the web-like curtain has at least two curtain segments which follow one another in the direction of the movement path and which are releasably connected to one another along at least one predetermined separating line, or a predetermined separating region, extending preferably approximately perpendicular to the movement path in the closing plane, in such a way that the mutually facing edges of the curtain segments that extend transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to the movement direction remain deformable.