Segmented Roller Blind Guide Rail for Transport Rigidity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing roller shutter slides are cumbersome and prone to deformation during transport due to their large size, and standard lengths result in material waste and handling difficulties, while existing sectional solutions lack rigidity and adaptability to non-linear surfaces.

Innovation Solution

A slide composed of multiple sections with internal holding means, such as centering lugs and spacers, that secure and align the sections for improved rigidity and adaptability, facilitating transport and installation while preventing deformation and ensuring smooth apron progression.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the slide is made as a single integral piece to ensure structural integrity, then the guiding function is reliable, but the slide becomes difficult to handle and transport, and is prone to deformation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveguiding function reliabilityVSAvoidhandling and transport ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The slide is divided into multiple sections that can be assembled together to form the complete guiding structure. Each section maintains sufficient rigidity for its function while the segmented design enables easier handling, transport, and installation compared to a single integral piece of the same total length

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Stability of the object's composition

If the slide is made as a single integral piece to maintain structural integrity, then the guiding channel remains stable, but the slide is exposed to significant risk of deformation during transport

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveguiding channel stabilityVSAvoiddeformation risk during transport
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By dividing the slide into multiple shorter sections, each section has reduced length and improved rigidity relative to its function, while the complete assembled structure provides the necessary total length for guiding the apron over the full height of the door or window

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The design anticipates transport and handling challenges by creating sections that are individually more resistant to deformation, and by providing assembly features that ensure proper alignment and connection when the sections are joined together

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Ease of manufacture

If standard length slides are used to simplify manufacturing, then production is easier, but material waste increases due to scrap from non-customizable lengths

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidmaterial waste from scrap
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The slide is composed of multiple standardized sections that can be assembled in different combinations to achieve various total lengths. This modular approach maintains manufacturing simplicity through standardization while reducing material waste by allowing precise matching of slide length to the specific application requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The modular sectional design allows the slide configuration to be dynamically adapted to different installation scenarios by varying the number and arrangement of sections, rather than requiring custom-manufactured slides for each specific length requirement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Ease of operation

If a telescopic slide with sections of different widths is used to reduce size, then transport becomes easier, but the maintenance of sections becomes precarious and the apron progression is hindered

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransport easeVSAvoidsection maintenance reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Each slide section is designed with uniform width and standardized connection features, ensuring consistent quality and reliable maintenance throughout the structure. The uniform design eliminates the dimensional variations present in telescopic slides with different section widths

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

5Stability of the object's composition

If sections are joined using a plate with grooves and rims as described in DE 16 83 028 B1, then lateral displacement is prevented, but the solution is not suitable for plastic materials due to lack of rigidity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesection alignment stabilityVSAvoidmaterial compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The connection mechanism has been adapted for plastic materials by modifying the geometric parameters and structural characteristics of the joining features. The sections and their connection elements are designed with appropriate thickness, reinforcement, and geometry to provide sufficient rigidity and stability when made from plastic materials, unlike the metal-oriented design in DE 16 83 028 B1

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP1972750B1Roller blind guiderail
Publication Date: 2014.07.09 BUBENDORFF SA
  • EP1972750B1 patent drawingFigure 1~7

AI summary

The slide (1) has two sections (6A, 6B) including bases from where two wings are extended parallely between each other. A maintaining unit (8) maintains the sections in elongation from each other, and aligns the bases and the wings of the sections from interior and exterior of the slide. The unit has a centering tab inserted interiorly along the bases of the sections, and a slit cooperating with an edge of the wings.