Thermally Isolated Roller Shutter Slats for Fire-Resistant Insulation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing roller shutters face challenges in providing effective thermal insulation due to heat conduction through metal shells, leading to high manufacturing costs and operational difficulties, and existing fireproof solutions are cumbersome and costly.
Innovation Solution
A shutter curtain design featuring interconnected slats with thermal insulating units between unconnected slats, allowing for thermal separation and insulation without direct contact, enabling seamless operation and reduced weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a heat insulating slat assembly with front shell and rear shell made of metal is used, then fire resistance is improved, but heat conduction through the metal shells worsens thermal insulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining metal shells with thermal insulation material to create a slat assembly that achieves both fire resistance and thermal insulation. The metal front and rear shells provide fire resistance while the thermal insulation material filling the cavity between them reduces heat conduction, resolving the contradiction between fire resistance and heat insulation.
2Loss of energy
If an intermediate heat insulating body occupies the entire space between first casing and second casing, then heat insulation is improved, but weight increases making operation hazardous and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by using thermal insulation bars positioned at specific locations (such as at intervals along the slat assembly) rather than filling the entire space with insulation material. This provides sufficient thermal insulation performance while significantly reducing the weight compared to complete space occupation, making the shutter easier to operate and reducing motor power requirements.
3Strength
If metal shells are used for structural integrity, then strength is improved, but heat conduction through the metal worsens thermal insulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite structure where metal shells maintain structural integrity and strength while thermal insulation material is integrated into the cavity between them. This composite approach allows the metal components to provide mechanical strength and fire resistance while the insulation material prevents heat conduction, resolving the contradiction between strength and heat insulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal insulation material acts as an intermediary between the metal front shell and rear shell. It mediates the thermal interaction by blocking heat conduction paths while allowing the metal shells to maintain their structural function. This intermediary layer resolves the contradiction by decoupling the structural role from the thermal conduction role.
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 design provides enhanced thermal insulation, maintains structural integrity, and simplifies manufacturing and operation while maintaining security and fire resistance, reducing material costs and operational complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a thermal insulating unit (130) connected between said first slat (110) and said second slat (120) to thermally insulate said first slat from said second slat
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C~1E
AI summary
A shutter curtain including at least two primary slats pivotally interlocked in a longitudinal-edge-to-longitudinal-edge arrangement, each primary slat includes an elongated primary-slat-body integrally formed with a first interlockable longitudinal edge portion and an opposite second interlockable longitudinal edge portion, wherein the first interlockable longitudinal edge portion of the elongated primary-slat-body of a first primary slat is pivotally interlocked with the second interlockable longitudinal edge portion of the elongated primary-slat-body of a second primary slat to form a pivotable joint therebetween; at least two secondary slats unconnected from each other; and at least two thermal insulating units respectively connected between the at least two primary slats and the at least two secondary slats to hold apart each primary slat and a corresponding secondary slat in a manner so as to thermally insulate said primary slat from said secondary slat.