Roller Gate Insulation via Segmented Pockets and Heating

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing quick roller gates have low insulation ability, leading to them often being non-operational during the day due to limited insulation effect and slow roll-up/roll-down times, which results in energy inefficiencies in freezing houses with high truck traffic.

Innovation Solution

A roller gate with transverse pockets and inwardly inclined longitudinal block-shaped members, allowing for efficient insulation and quick operation, featuring a flexible artificial web with Neoprene or similar insulation material and a driving mechanism for rapid rolling, and incorporating vertical side guards with electrical heating elements to manage heat and prevent thermal bridges.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If existing quick roller gates are used, then the gate can be operated quickly during working hours, but the insulation ability is too low to be effective

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveroll-up/roll-down speedVSAvoidinsulation ability
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The gate leaf is constructed as a composite structure with an outer flexible web layer and an inner insulation layer (such as foam or air gaps) formed by the pocket construction. This composite design allows the gate to maintain both quick operational speed and effective insulation capability, resolving the contradiction between speed and energy loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The pocket construction creates air-filled spaces within the gate leaf structure. These air pockets act as thermal insulators while maintaining the flexibility and quick-roll capability of the gate. The porous/air-filled structure provides insulation without compromising the rapid operation requirement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

2Loss of energy

If insulation material is added to improve insulation, then the insulation effect improves, but the roll-up time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsulation effectVSAvoidroll-up time
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The insulation is divided into discrete pocket sections rather than a solid continuous layer. This segmentation allows the insulation material to be compressed into a compact form during roll-up, reducing the time required, while still providing effective insulation when the gate is in the closed position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The outer flexible web structure allows the insulation layers to be compressed and folded during the roll-up process. This flexibility enables the gate to maintain insulation capability while achieving rapid roll-up and roll-down times, as the flexible outer layer accommodates the insulation material's volume changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Loss of energy

If thick insulation layers are used, then the insulation ability improves, but the gate complexity and maintenance requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsulation abilityVSAvoidgate structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The insulation is divided into discrete pocket sections rather than a solid continuous layer. This segmentation allows the insulation material to be compressed into a compact form during roll-up, reducing the time required, while still providing effective insulation when the gate is in the closed position.

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

The solution provides effective insulation and rapid operation, enabling the roller gate to maintain temperature control during peak hours with minimal maintenance, reducing energy consumption and ensuring the gate can be kept closed during the day, thus improving operational efficiency and energy savings.

Implementation Method 1

incorporating vertical side guards with electrical heating elements to manage heat and prevent thermal bridges

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

featuring a flexible artificial web with Neoprene or similar insulation material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP3362631B1Improvements in or relating to roller gates
Publication Date: 2020.07.15 DAN DOORS
  • EP3362631B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3362631B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP3362631B1 patent drawingFigure 6

AI summary

A roller gate (2) of the type which is typically used in gateways (4) in industrial buildings such as freezing houses or the like, where the gate or door leaf (6) by opening is rolled up around a reel system (8) operated by a driving mechanism (10), and where the gate or door leaf (6) consists of one or more layers of a flexible artificial web such as a reinforced tarpaulin web of PVC or polyester, where said one or more layers of said gate or door leaf (6) at a first side (12) of the gate or door leaf are factory-tailored with transverse directed pockets (14) and with a smooth surface at an opposite side (16) of the gate or door leaf (6) -as said first side (12) of the gate or door leaf (6) is facing inwards when rolled up around said reel system (8). By simple provisions may hereby be achieved very important improvements in the operation of the roller gate or door during daily use where a great number of trucks are passing in and out to and from a freezing house or room. In this connection it is very important that the claimed and described roller gate or door operates very quickly and with a minimum of maintenance work during the working day.