Retractable Roller Shutter Flange Assembly Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing roller shutter assembly devices require deformable plastic materials to accommodate assembly lugs, limiting their application to metal flanges and prone to bending or tilting under torque, especially when the shutter is operated.

Innovation Solution

A retractable assembly device using a guide and locking lug system that allows the assembly of metal flanges, such as aluminum, without material deformation, featuring a notch on the side plate for tab positioning and a stud to maintain the tab in place, along with abutment means to prevent tilting and rotation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If deformable plastic material is used for the cheek to accommodate assembly lugs, then assembly is enabled, but the material is prone to bending or tilting under torque

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly capabilityVSAvoidstructural stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The assembly device is divided into separate functional components: the cheek (flange), the guide and locking lug, and the tab. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the cheek can be rigid metal while the lug provides the necessary guidance and locking function without requiring the cheek material to deform.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The guide and locking lug acts as an intermediary element between the cheek and the slide. It provides the assembly guidance and locking function without requiring the cheek material itself to deform, thereby maintaining structural integrity while enabling assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If metal flanges are used for the cheek, then structural stability is improved, but assembly becomes more difficult without material deformation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidassembly capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The guide and locking lug is designed to be deployed in a predetermined manner during assembly. The tab is positioned in advance within the cheek, and the lug is deployed to engage with the slide before final assembly, eliminating the need for material deformation while maintaining assembly capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The tab is designed to be retractable, allowing it to move between a retracted position during assembly and a deployed position for locking. This dynamic element enables the rigid metal cheek to be assembled without deformation while maintaining structural stability during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If the assembly lug is deployed to engage the slide, then locking is achieved, but the size increases during packaging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking capabilityVSAvoidpackaging size
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The tab is designed as a retractable element that can be pulled back into the cheek during packaging and deployment during assembly. This dynamic design allows the assembly device to minimize its volume for packaging while maintaining full locking capability when deployed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The tab is positioned within the cheek, and the guide and locking lug is deployed from the cheek to engage the slide. This nested arrangement allows the components to be compact during packaging while maintaining full functionality during assembly and operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentEP2000626B1Mounting device for a roller shutter
Publication Date: 2016.09.21 DEPRAT JEAN
  • EP2000626B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2000626B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4

AI summary

The device (1) has a flange (3) including a notch (17) opened on an outer edge (19) of a contour (15) of the flange and arranged on a lower side (21) of the contour. A locking and guiding leg (5) is guided in support with respect to bottom (9) of the flange. The leg includes an opening (101) with an upper end (105) and arranged to receive a plot (103) that maintains sliding of the leg on the flange. An end (25) of a part (23) of a saw guide (7) is arranged to form thrust on the leg and to maintain the leg on the bottom of the flange.