Motor Locking Mechanism for Roller Shutter Emergency Manual Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drive devices for building closing systems, such as doors, windows, and roller shutters, are locked in position during motor failures or power cuts, preventing manual operation and potentially hindering evacuation in emergency situations.
Innovation Solution
A drive device with locking means, including a dog clutch device and locking pin, allows for immobilization and release of the motor for manual control, enabling emergency operation by switching between locking and unlocking positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If locking means are added to allow manual operation during motor failure, then safety and emergency evacuation capability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the locking means (dog clutch device) with the motor housing and drive tube assembly, integrating the emergency manual operation capability into the existing motor structure. The locking pin and dog clutch are positioned within the motor housing, merging multiple functions (motor mounting, locking, and manual operation) into a unified structure, thereby improving reliability without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking means are designed to be dynamically switchable between locked and unlocked positions. The locking pin can move between engaging the dog clutch (locked position) and disengaging from it (unlocked position), allowing the system to adapt between automatic motor-driven operation and manual operation modes. This dynamic capability enables emergency evacuation while maintaining normal automated function.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the motor is fixed in rotation in the housing, then the motor is securely held and positioned, but manual control of the drive tube becomes impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The locking means provide a dynamic positioning system for the motor. In normal operation, the locking pin engages the dog clutch to firmly secure the motor in a specific rotational position, ensuring stable motor positioning and proper alignment with the drive tube. When manual control is needed, the locking pin can be moved to disengage from the dog clutch, allowing the motor to rotate freely within its housing. This dynamic switching between fixed and movable states resolves the contradiction between stability and manual controllability.
3Ease of operation
If locking means are implemented to release the motor, then manual operation is enabled during power cuts, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The locking means are segmented into distinct, modular components: a locking pin, a dog clutch device with multiple lobes, and a spring mechanism. Each component can be manufactured separately using standard machining processes, and then assembled into the motor housing. This segmentation allows for simplified manufacturing and assembly compared to designing a completely integrated locking mechanism, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity while still enabling manual operation capability.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~7
AI summary
The device has an electric motor (2) rotationally mounted in a tubular case (3) for controlling in rotation or in translation a driving tube (5 2), where the case is integrated with a cheek support which equips a rolling shutter. A locking unit (9) immobilizes the rotation of the electric motor in the case in its locking position and liberates the rotation of the motor in its unlocking position.