Rolling gate having a door leaf in the form of a flexible curtain
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional rolling gates with flexible curtains and rigid end plates face challenges in collision safety, as the rigid components can cause damage to people and objects, and existing solutions with elastic terminating elements require substantial weight for effective tensioning, which also poses a risk during collisions.
Innovation Solution
A rolling gate design where the driving force engages the terminating element to apply transverse force components for tensioning, allowing the element to deform and adapt to obstacles, reducing the risk of injury and damage, and enabling reliable closure without heavy components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid end plate is used to stiffen the curtain, then the structural stability is improved, but the risk of damage and injury during collision increases
Solution Approach 1:
The end plate transitions from a rigid structure to an elastically deformable structure. This parameter change in rigidity allows the end plate to absorb collision energy through elastic deformation while maintaining structural integrity during normal operation, thereby reducing collision damage risk without compromising structural stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastically deformable end plate inherently provides cushioning capability before collision occurs. The elastic properties are built into the structure in advance, allowing it to deform and absorb impact energy during collision, thus preventing the harmful effects of rigid impact on persons or objects.
2Reliability
If additional tensioning ropes with springs or weights are added to promote closing, then the closing reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drive unit is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides both the driving force for opening/closing the rolling gate and the transverse force components for tensioning the elastically deformable end plate. This merging of functions eliminates the need for separate tensioning ropes, springs, or weights, thereby maintaining closing reliability while reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive unit serves as a multi-functional component that accomplishes both the primary function of moving the gate and the secondary function of tensioning the end plate. This universal design approach allows a single component to fulfill multiple roles, simplifying the overall system while ensuring reliable operation.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the terminating element is made elastically deformable to reduce collision risk, then the safety is improved, but the tensioning capability in movement direction may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The drive unit applies transverse force components to the elastically deformable end plate, changing the force application direction from purely longitudinal to include transverse components. This parameter change in force application ensures that the end plate remains properly tensioned and positioned despite its elastic deformability, maintaining both safety and tensioning capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution introduces transverse force components (a new dimension of force application) to tension the end plate, rather than relying solely on longitudinal tensioning. This dimensional change in force application ensures proper positioning and tensioning of the elastic end plate without compromising its safety benefits.
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 provides a high-reliability, cost-efficient rolling gate that can operate at high speeds with reduced risk of injury or damage, as the elastic terminating element can deform and reset without permanent changes, and the drive system ensures precise control over the closing process.
Implementation Method 1
the door leaf comprises an elastically designed terminating element on a forward edge which is tensioned between the lateral guides by means of laterally applied transverse force components
Data Source
AI summary
A high-speed rolling gate comprising a door leaf in the form of a flexible curtain, lateral guides in which lateral edges of the door leaf are received, and a drive which generates a driving force for driving the door leaf, wherein the door leaf has an elastically designed terminating element on a forward edge which is tensioned between the lateral guides by means of laterally applied transverse force components. The driving force of the drive engages on the terminating element of the door leaf and provides the laterally applied transverse force components for tensioning the terminating element of the door leaf and a tension force component substantially directed in the movement direction of the door leaf for closing the door leaf.