Roller Shutter Vibration De-icing Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
External shading or blackout systems, such as venetian blinds and roller shutters, often ice up in wintry weather, rendering them immobile and inaccessible for de-icing, especially at high window openings, where manual de-icing is not feasible.
Innovation Solution
A building element with a flat structure capable of surface vibrations, equipped with a drive device like a piezoelectric, eccentric, or electromagnetic actuator that induces forced vibrations to break the mechanical bond between ice and the fabric, allowing ice detachment and restoring mobility to the system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If external shading or blackout systems are used to close window openings, then window protection and shading functionality is improved, but the systems ice up in wintry weather causing loss of mobility and accessibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies mechanical vibration through a drive device (piezoelectric, electromagnetic, or eccentric actuator) that induces forced vibrations in the fabric structure. These vibrations break the mechanical bond between ice and the fabric surface, enabling ice detachment without manual intervention. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining ease of operation during icing conditions while preserving the reliability of the shading system.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If manual de-icing methods are used, then ice removal is possible, but high-lying window openings become inaccessible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by equipping the fabric structure with an integrated drive device that automatically generates vibrations to remove ice. The system serves itself by detecting ice accumulation and activating the vibration mechanism, eliminating the need for manual user intervention. This resolves the accessibility problem for high-lying windows while effectively addressing ice accumulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive device generates mechanical vibrations at frequencies that disrupt the bond between ice and fabric. This physical vibration method removes ice without requiring user presence or manual action, making the system suitable for high-lying openings that are otherwise inaccessible for traditional de-icing methods.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If heating or chemical de-icing agents are used, then ice melting is achieved, but environmental impact increases and energy consumption rises
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses mechanical vibration as a physical method to detach ice from the fabric surface without employing thermal or chemical agents. This approach eliminates the environmental harm associated with chemical de-icing agents and reduces energy consumption compared to heating methods. The vibration-based mechanism provides an environmentally friendly alternative that effectively removes ice layers.
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
Enables reliable de-icing of building elements like blinds and glazing without the need for melting ice or chemical agents, ensuring functionality and reducing environmental impact, while being suitable for remote locations with limited energy resources.
Implementation Method 1
A building element with a flat structure capable of surface vibrations, equipped with a drive device like a piezoelectric, eccentric, or electromagnetic actuator that induces forced vibrations to break the mechanical bond between ice and the fabric
Implementation Method 2
A building element with a flat structure capable of surface vibrations, equipped with a drive device like a piezoelectric, eccentric, or electromagnetic actuator
Implementation Method 3
A building element with a flat structure capable of surface vibrations, equipped with a drive device like a piezoelectric, eccentric, or electromagnetic actuator
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a building element (1) having a planar structure (10), which can be wound up by means of a winding device (115), wherein the building element also has a drive mechanism (2), with which the planar structure (10) can be caused to vibrate. Moreover, the invention relates to a method for de-icing a planar structure (10) of a building element (1), wherein the planar structure (10) can be wound up with a winding device (115) and is mounted such that it can vibrate and/or generate surface vibrations, wherein the planar structure (10) is caused to vibrate with a drive mechanism (2), so that the mechanical binding between an ice layer and the planar structure (10) underneath is released.