Vertical Sag Correction for Roller Shutter Upper Crossmembers

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing closing installations, particularly those with rolling shutters, face issues with vertical deflection of the upper crosspiece due to horizontal stresses and weight, which impede proper opening and closing of the system, and existing solutions like steel reinforcement are not effective for all types of joinery, especially aluminum and long-length systems.

Innovation Solution

A device comprising a vertical reinforcement immobilized with respect to the carpentry's side uprights, a base to cooperate with the upper crosspiece, and adjustment means to correct vertical deflection by exerting upward traction on the base and upper crosspiece, utilizing a horizontal reinforcement to address vertical deflection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a steel tube is engaged inside the upper crosspiece to horizontally reinforce it, then the horizontal strength is improved, but the solution is not compatible with aluminum joinery and only works for short-length PVC joinery

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehorizontal strengthVSAvoidcompatibility with different joinery types
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

A steel plate is introduced as an intermediary reinforcement element that can be universally applied to different joinery types (aluminum, PVC, wood) without requiring internal modification of the crosspiece. The steel plate acts as a mediator that provides horizontal strength while being adaptable to various joinery materials and lengths.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Strength

If a horizontal steel plate is mounted and fixed on the upper crosspiece to reinforce it, then the horizontal strength is improved, but the plate bends vertically under its own weight causing vertical deflection that prevents opening and closing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehorizontal strengthVSAvoidvertical alignment
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The reinforcement system is segmented into multiple vertical supports distributed along the upper crosspiece, rather than using a single continuous horizontal plate. This segmentation reduces the span of each support, preventing vertical bending under self-weight while maintaining overall horizontal strength through the distributed support structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The solution transitions from a two-dimensional horizontal plate to a three-dimensional framework combining vertical supports with horizontal bracing. By adding the vertical dimension with multiple supports, the system eliminates vertical deflection while maintaining horizontal reinforcement.

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

3Ease of manufacture

If the box is fixed on the upper crosspiece, then the mounting is simplified, but the box does not have sufficient rigidity to remedy deformation caused by horizontal stress

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting simplicityVSAvoidrigidity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The box structure is merged with the reinforcement system by integrating vertical supports that are common to both the box mounting and the crosspiece reinforcement. This combination achieves both simple mounting (via the box) and sufficient rigidity (via the integrated vertical supports) without requiring separate complex structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2816189B1Device for correcting the vertical sag of an upper crossmember of the joinery of a closure system
Publication Date: 2017.08.02 BUBENDORFF SA
  • EP2816189B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2816189B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

The invention relates to a device (6) for correcting the vertical deflection of an upper rail (31) of the window or door frame (3) of a closure system (2), this device (6) comprising: - a horizontally extending vertical reinforcement (7) intended to extend substantially parallel to the upper rail (31) of the window or door frame (3) and to be fixed relative to this frame (3); - at least one base (8) intended to cooperate with the upper rail (31) of the window or door frame (3); - at least one means (9) for adjusting the vertical position of such a base (8) relative to the vertical reinforcement (7). The invention further relates to a roller shutter box (5) comprising such a correction device (6) as well as an installation (1) for closing an opening in a building incorporating such a roller shutter box (5).