Adjustable Roller Shutter Flange for Large Bearing Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing roller shutter flanges are not compatible with large bearings, particularly those used in motorized systems, and lack fine adjustment capabilities to optimize the position of the winding tube relative to the flanges, leading to increased friction during winding and unwinding movements.

Innovation Solution

A flange design with a peripheral portion and a fixing portion that includes adjustment means, such as notches and teeth, allowing incremental adjustment along an adjustment axis, and stop means to prevent translational movements, ensuring compatibility with large bearings and reducing friction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the flange uses a fixed mounting design with small recesses, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but it is not compatible with large motor bearings and limits mounting options

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompatibility with different bearing sizesVSAvoidflange structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flange is divided into two separate parts: a peripheral portion that is fixed to the installation and a fixing portion that holds the bearing. These two portions can be assembled together in different configurations, allowing the flange to adapt to different bearing sizes while maintaining structural simplicity in each individual component

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The fixing portion can be adjusted relative to the peripheral portion along the adjustment axis to change the position of the bearing. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the flange to accommodate different bearing sizes and positions without requiring a completely different flange design for each case

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If the flange position is fixed during assembly, then the assembly process is quick and simple, but fine adjustment of the winding tube position is not possible, leading to increased friction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of assemblyVSAvoidfriction during operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The fixing portion is designed to be movable relative to the peripheral portion along the adjustment axis during assembly, allowing the installer to adjust the bearing position to optimize winding tube alignment and minimize friction. Once positioned, the assembly can be secured to maintain the adjusted position

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The slot is pre-formed in the peripheral portion with notches along the adjustment axis, allowing the fixing portion to be easily positioned and adjusted before final assembly. This preliminary preparation of adjustment features enables fine-tuning of the bearing position without complicating the overall assembly process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4455440B1Roller shutter flange, associated protection installation and assembly method
Publication Date: 2025.12.10 ZURFLUH FELLER SA
  • EP4455440B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4455440B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP4455440B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A roller shutter flange (300) comprising a peripheral portion (350) in which a slot (352) is provided, and a mounting portion (310) comprising a recess (312) configured to receive an end bearing (22) of the tube, which is configured to be assembled to the peripheral portion by being received in the slot. The flange includes notches (356) regularly spaced along one edge of the slot (352), and teeth (336) formed on the mounting portion (310) and configured to cooperate with some of the notches, so that during assembly of the flange, the position of the mounting portion relative to the peripheral portion along the adjustment axis is incrementally adjustable.