Roller Shutter Lintel Assembly with Removable Inertia Reinforcement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing roller shutter box assemblies, especially those made of thermally insulating materials, fail to meet both thermal and safety standards, particularly wind resistance requirements in France, and existing reinforcement solutions are either inaccessible or not pre-assemblable in the factory.
Innovation Solution
A roller shutter box assembly featuring a tubular body made of thermally insulating material with a removable inertia reinforcement profile that can be accessed by dismantling the inspection hatch, which provides additional stability and wind resistance while avoiding thermal bridges and maintaining aesthetics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the roller shutter box is made of thermally insulating material to meet thermal standards, then thermal performance is improved, but wind resistance and structural stability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The roller shutter box combines thermally insulating material (such as expanded polystyrene) with a metal reinforcement profile (inertia reinforcement profile) to create a composite structure. The insulating material provides thermal performance while the metal profile embedded within it provides the necessary wind resistance and structural stability, allowing the box to meet both thermal and safety standards simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The metal reinforcement profile is strategically positioned at specific locations within the thermally insulating material where structural strength is most needed, particularly at the lower face of the inner side and at connection points for fixing to the window frame. This localized reinforcement provides wind resistance only where required, while maintaining thermal insulation in other areas.
2Strength
If a reinforcement profile is added to improve wind resistance, then structural stability is improved, but accessibility for assembly and maintenance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcement profile is designed as a separate, removable component that can be independently accessed through the inspection hatch. The profile is segmented into sections that can be removed and reinstalled without dismantling the entire roller shutter box, allowing for easy assembly, disassembly, and maintenance while maintaining structural stability when installed.
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcement profile transitions from a static, permanently fixed component to a dynamic, removable component. It can be inserted and removed through the inspection hatch, allowing the system to adapt between its installed state (providing structural stability) and its removed state (allowing accessibility for maintenance or replacement).
3Ease of operation
If the reinforcement profile is made accessible by dismantling the inspection hatch, then ease of assembly is improved, but aesthetic appearance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The inspection hatch serves as an intermediary element that provides access to the reinforcement profile without being permanently visible or disruptive to the aesthetic appearance. When closed, the inspection hatch maintains the neat external appearance of the roller shutter box, while when opened, it allows access for assembly and maintenance of the reinforcement profile.
4Ease of repair
If the reinforcement profile is positioned externally for easy access, then ease of maintenance is improved, but thermal bridge formation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The metal reinforcement profile is nested within the thermally insulating material, with the insulating material surrounding the profile. This nesting arrangement allows the reinforcement to be accessible through the inspection hatch for maintenance while being thermally isolated by the insulating material, preventing thermal bridge formation between the metal profile and the external environment.
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 enhances wind resistance and thermal performance while meeting French construction standards, with the removable reinforcement profile improving stability and hiding the reinforcement from view, thus addressing the shortcomings of previous solutions.
Implementation Method 1
at least two profiles made of heat-insulating material and a lower profile... The main part of this tubular body 1 consists of at least two sections 2,2' made of thermally insulating material
Data Source
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AI summary
The assembly has an inertia reinforcement section (6') for reinforcing inertia that is removable or to be erased by dismounting an inspection door (5). The reinforcement section is placed in an interior side (INT) of a tubular body (1) under thermally insulating material sections (2, 2'), which partially cover a lower surface (103) of the interior side of the body. The reinforcement section is provided with a connection unit for connecting to a reinforcement cross-piece (7') of an upper frame (7) of a window on which a roller shutter lintel is to be fixed.