Rolling Shutter Control Unit Stationary Mounting

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solutions for the movement and control of sectional doors are complicated, expensive, and difficult to install, with increased risks of damaging electronics due to the rotation of control units with the winding tube, and they do not meet safety requirements or allow for easy integration of components.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus features a drive unit inserted inside one end of the tubular shaft, with a control device housed in a tubular casing at the opposite end, allowing the shaft to rotate independently while the control unit remains stationary, connected via external cabling, and includes a supplementary braking unit for safety, which can be remotely controlled and integrated for easy installation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the control unit is accommodated inside the winding tube and rotates with the tube, then the control unit is integrated with the drive system, but the risk of damaging or altering the electronics significantly increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintegration of control unit with drive systemVSAvoidrisk of electronic damage
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit is segmented from the rotating winding tube system. It is positioned in a stationary location outside the tube, while only the necessary mechanical drive components rotate inside the tube. This separation allows the control electronics to remain stationary and protected, eliminating the risk of damage from rotation while maintaining functional integration through external control signals.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Volume of moving object

If both the motor and control unit are accommodated in the winding tube with internal cabling, then the system is compact, but the construction becomes more complicated and expensive requiring a rotating collector

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompactness of drive systemVSAvoidcomplexity of installation
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit is extracted from the winding tube, positioned externally in a stationary location. The motor remains inside the tube for compactness, but the control unit is taken out to eliminate the need for complex rotating collectors and internal cabling. This extraction simplifies the system while maintaining the space-efficient motor placement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of manufacture

If the control unit is positioned outside the winding tube, then installation is simpler, but the electrical connections between control unit and motor become more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of installationVSAvoidcomplexity of electrical connections
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit is designed with multi-functionality to handle both control signals and power distribution through a single external connection interface. This universal interface simplifies the external cabling required, making installation easier while maintaining all necessary electrical connections between the stationary control unit and the motor inside the tube.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Reliability

If a supplementary holding brake outside the motor is provided, then safety requirements are met, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety complianceVSAvoidcomplexity of braking system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The supplementary holding brake is merged with the motor assembly, positioned outside the motor but integrated into the same structural housing. This combining approach meets safety requirements by providing an independent braking mechanism while avoiding the complexity of completely separate brake systems, as the brake shares the motor's mounting structure and control interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3480416B1Apparatus for the movement and control of a rolling shutter
Publication Date: 2021.05.26 TELECO AUTOMATION
  • EP3480416B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3480416B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3480416B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

An apparatus (15) for the movement and control of a rolling shutter, preferably of a sectional door (1), of the type comprising: - a tubular shaft (6) for winding the element or elements (2) forming said shutter (1), - a drive unit (17) which comprises a tubular motor (8) which is inserted in a first end (19) of said tubular shaft (6) and is configured to induce the rotation of said tubular shaft (6) about the longitudinal extension axis thereof, said drive unit (17) likewise comprising means (10) for the fastening thereof to an outer support structure (12), - a unit (24) for controlling said drive unit (17) and/or the functionality of the apparatus, and characterized in that it comprises a control device (16) which comprises: - a casing (18) inside of which said control unit (24) is accommodated and which is inserted in the other end (21), opposite with respect to said first end (19), of said tubular shaft (6), - means which electrically connect said control unit (24) with said drive unit (17) externally with respect to said tubular shaft (6), - means (20) for constraining said casing (18) to said outer support structure (12), - means (14', 14") interposed between said casing (18) and the tubular shaft (6) and configured to allow said casing (18) to support said tubular shaft (6) so that said tubular shaft (6) rotates about the axis thereof while said casing (18) remains fixed.