Coextruded Roller Shutter Couplers for Wear Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Roller shutters with rigidly connected laths experience wear due to friction and require high force to roll in/out, while those with elastic couplers are prone to deformation and assembly issues due to friction and tensile forces.
Innovation Solution
The use of coextruded elastic couplers with cylindrical parts of higher Shore hardness than connecting parts, featuring cylindrical recesses and parts, reduces deformation and friction, allowing easier assembly and operation by enhancing durability and sliding ease.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If rigid, profiled laths are hinged together directly, then structural strength is improved, but wear due to friction increases and higher force is required to roll the shutter
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the material parameter of the coupler by using a composite structure with an elastomeric core (softer material) and a rigid outer layer (harder material). This parameter change allows the coupler to provide rigid connection for structural strength while the elastomeric core reduces friction and wear, resolving the contradiction between strength and wear resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupler is constructed as a composite material structure combining elastomeric material and rigid material in a coextruded configuration. The elastomeric core provides flexibility and reduces friction, while the rigid outer layer provides structural strength and wear resistance, simultaneously addressing both requirements of the contradiction.
2Reliability
If elastic couplers are used to connect laths, then wear and friction are reduced, but the couplers deform under tensile forces and may slide out of recesses
Solution Approach 1:
The composite coupler structure with rigid outer layer maintains dimensional stability and resists deformation under tensile forces, while the elastomeric core provides wear resistance and flexibility. This composite approach resolves the contradiction between wear resistance and structural stability.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the coupler have different material properties: the outer layer is rigid for stability and wear resistance, while the core is elastomeric for flexibility and shock absorption. This local differentiation of material quality allows the coupler to simultaneously achieve wear resistance and stability under load.
3Reliability
If elastomeric couplers are used, then friction between laths is reduced, but assembly becomes impeded due to friction between coupler and rigid recess
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomeric core material is selected to have low friction characteristics that reduce both operational friction between laths and assembly friction against the rigid recess. This parameter change in material selection simultaneously improves operational reliability and ease of assembly.
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 increases durability and reduces friction and assembly difficulties, enabling smoother operation and longer lifespan of the roller shutter.
Implementation Method 1
the friction between an elastomeric coupler and a rigid recess of a lath, sliding such couplers inside the recesses may impede assembling the roller
Implementation Method 2
elastic, elongated couplers made of a homogenous, usually elastomeric material
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4c
Figure 5
AI summary
The invention relates to a roller shutter (1), in particular for covering window and/or doors openings, comprising side guides (31), in which a shutter (4) is slidably disposed, said shutter (4) comprising a number of elongated, profiled laths (41) connected together by means of elastic, elongated couplers (42), wherein laths (41) are provided at their elongated edges with cylindrical, elongated recesses (412) with mouths (413), the width (S) of which is smaller than diameter (D) of the recesses (412), and said elongated couplers (42) comprise cylindrical, elongated parts (422), disposed in cylindrical recesses (412) of the laths (41) they connect, and elongated connecting parts (421) the width (s) of which is smaller than diameter (d) of the cylindrical part (422) and smaller than the width (S) of the mouth (413). In order to improve functional properties and durability of the roller shutter, cylindrical parts (422) of the couplers (42) are made of material having the Shore hardness exceeding by at least 50° ShA the Shore hardness of said connecting parts (421) of the couplers (42), and said couplers (42) are formed in a coextrusion process.