Acoustic Roller Shutter End Blade Slot Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Roller shutters allow noise and insect entry due to ventilation passages, and existing sound-insulating solutions are insufficient in reducing noise transmission effectively.

Innovation Solution

A roller shutter design with an end blade that closes the longitudinal passage slot in the rolled-up position, featuring transverse shutter facets and seals to create a watertight seal, and an optional ventilation bypass to maintain sanitation while blocking noise transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the end blade leaves the longitudinal passage slot open for ventilation, then air circulation for cleaning is improved, but insects can enter and noise transmission increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveventilation for cleaningVSAvoidinsect entry and noise transmission
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The end blade is divided into two functional segments: a first transverse facet that closes the longitudinal passage slot to block insects and noise, and a second transverse facet that maintains ventilation for cleaning purposes. This segmentation allows the single end blade to simultaneously address both ventilation needs and harmful factor prevention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the end blade are given different local qualities: the first transverse facet has a configuration optimized for closing the passage slot (with thickness greater than slot width), while the second transverse facet is positioned to maintain ventilation. This local differentiation allows simultaneous achievement of noise blocking and ventilation functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Object-affected harmful factors

If sound-insulating materials are applied to the protective box interior walls, then noise insulation is improved, but the solution remains insufficient and device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenoise transmissionVSAvoidprotective box structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of applying sound-insulating materials to the protective box walls, the invention extracts the noise blocking function to the end blade itself. The first transverse facet of the end blade directly closes the longitudinal passage slot, removing the need for additional sound-insulating materials and simplifying the overall device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The end blade performs the noise blocking function inherently through its geometric configuration (thickness greater than passage slot width), without requiring external sound-insulating materials. The structure itself provides the insulation function, making the system self-sufficient and simpler.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the end blade thickness is increased to close the passage slot, then noise blocking is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenoise transmissionVSAvoidend blade fabrication
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The first and second transverse facets are merged into a single integrated end blade structure. Both facets are formed as one piece with appropriate thickness, eliminating the need for separate components or complex assembly operations. This merging simplifies manufacturing while maintaining the noise blocking function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2003282B1Roller shutter with acoustic slats
Publication Date: 2016.04.13 VEKA AG
  • EP2003282B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2003282B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2003282B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Roller shutter for closing an opening (100), comprising: - a curtain (1), formed of longitudinal slats (L), and including an end longitudinal slat (L'), - an upper protective casing (2), suitable for containing the curtain (1), and including a lower longitudinal passage slot (3), - a winding shaft (4) in the protective casing (2), around which the curtain (1) can be wound, - drive means for rotating the winding shaft (4) and operating the curtain (1), in which: - the end slat (L') and the longitudinal passage slot (3) of the protective casing (2) are shaped so that the end slat (L') closes the longitudinal passage slot (3) of the protective casing (2) when the roller shutter is in the wound position, - the end slat (L') is a single piece,and - the end blade (L') comprises a sealing portion whose thickness (E) is greater than the width (L1) of the longitudinal passage slot (3) and of which two opposite faces (F1, F2) abut against the respective lips (3a, 3b) of the longitudinal passage slot (3) in the rolled-up position of the apron (1).