Dual-Material Roller Shutter Support Element Abrasion Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional roller shutter support elements experience high abrasion due to micro-movements between the support elements and the roller blind, leading to visible marks on the curtain, especially on heavy or white gates.

Innovation Solution

A support element with an inner part made of a high-strength material and an outer part made of a high-abrasion-resistant material, such as polyurethane, connected in a form-fitting manner with dovetail or T-shaped webs, which compensates for micro-movements and reduces friction through elasticity, ensuring minimal abrasion marks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the support element is made of a single high-strength material, then it can withstand different loads and ensure reliable connection to the winding shaft, but it causes high abrasion and visible marks on the roller blind

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload-bearing capacityVSAvoidabrasion marks on roller blind
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The support element is designed with different materials for different regions: the inner part (in contact with the winding shaft) is made of high-strength material, while the outer part (in contact with the roller blind) is made of low-abrasion material. This local differentiation allows each region to have the material properties it needs, resolving the contradiction between strength and abrasion resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The support element uses a composite structure with an inner part made of a first material (high strength) and an outer part made of a second material (low abrasion). This composite approach combines the advantages of different materials to simultaneously achieve both load-bearing capacity and low abrasion, directly resolving the technical contradiction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Stability of the object's composition

If the support element has a rigid structure, then it provides stable support for the roller blind, but it cannot compensate for micro-movements during winding, leading to increased abrasion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidabrasion due to micro-movements
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The outer part of the support element is made of a material with specific elastic properties that allow it to accommodate micro-movements during winding, while the inner part maintains structural stability. This local differentiation in material properties resolves the contradiction between stability and micro-movement compensation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The material of the outer part is selected to have different mechanical parameters (higher elasticity, lower abrasion) compared to the inner part. This parameter change allows the outer surface to adapt to micro-movements while maintaining overall structural stability, reducing abrasion marks on the roller blind.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 significantly reduces abrasion marks on the roller shutter by compensating for micro-movements and distributing forces evenly, maintaining high mechanical properties and low abrasion resistance along the circumference, thus enhancing the roller shutter's performance.

Implementation Method 1

the second material has a high abrasion resistance compared to the first material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbrasion resistance: Wear

Implementation Method 2

the outer part has an elasticity to compensate for micro-movements between the inner part of the support element and the roller blind

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2450521B1Overlay element for a rolling gate or rolling grille
Publication Date: 2016.07.06 HORMANN AG AMSHAUSEN
  • EP2450521B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2450521B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2450521B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a support element for a roller door or roller shutter (100), which support element (30) can be mounted on a winding shaft (20) in such a way that it serves as a support for a roller curtain (112) that is wound onto the winding shaft. This support element consists of at least two materials.