Sheet Shutter Rail Structure for Low-Friction Weather Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional sheet shutters face issues with frictional resistance, wear, and poor weather resistance due to the use of rectangular parallelepiped elastic members in their urging mechanisms, which impede smooth movement and durability.

Innovation Solution

The sheet shutter employs an elastic sheet section that partitions the gap space between the inner rail and the rail groove, using a bellows-shaped expanding/contracting section to reduce friction and prevent water and dust ingress, while maintaining stability and elasticity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a rectangular parallelepiped block-shaped elastic member is used as the urging member, then the sheet can be effectively prevented from coming off during strong wind or collision, but the inner rail cannot be smoothly moved due to large frictional resistance generated by compression and deformation of the urging member

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesheet retention during wind or collisionVSAvoidsmooth movement of inner rail

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The urging member is segmented into a thin plate-shaped structure with multiple bending sections instead of a single block-shaped unit. This segmentation allows the urging member to flex and deform more easily during inner rail movement, reducing frictional resistance while maintaining the ability to retain the sheet during wind or collision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The urging member transitions from a rigid block shape to a dynamic thin plate structure with multiple bending sections that can flex and adapt during operation. This dynamic configuration allows the urging member to accommodate the movement of the inner rail without generating excessive frictional resistance, while still providing sufficient urging force for sheet retention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Strength

If a sponge or synthetic resin material is used for the urging member, then the sheet can be stretched, but the urging member wears due to reciprocating movement and deteriorates early due to poor weather resistance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesheet stretching capabilityVSAvoiddurability and weather resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The material parameters of the urging member are changed by using a thin plate-shaped elastic member instead of sponge or synthetic resin. This parameter change results in improved weather resistance and reduced wear during reciprocating movement, while maintaining the elasticity needed for sheet stretching. The thin plate structure provides better durability against environmental factors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Stability of the object's composition

If the urging member becomes brittle, then it can maintain its shape, but fragments break off and enter the gap between the side wall and the rail base, reducing the mobility of the inner rail

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveurging member shape stabilityVSAvoidinner rail mobility

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The urging member is designed as a thin plate-shaped elastic member that maintains its shape through flexible elasticity rather than brittleness. This flexible thin film structure prevents fragment formation while maintaining shape stability, and the smooth thin plate surface does not generate fragments that could enter the gap between the side wall and rail base, thereby preserving inner rail mobility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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

This configuration allows for smooth movement of the inner rail, reduces wear, and enhances durability and weather resistance, preventing water and dust from entering the rail groove, even under strong winds or spray washing conditions.

Implementation Method 1

the inner rail 16 is elastically urged toward the left and right outer side by an elastic curving deformation or an elastic bending deformation of the elastic sheet section 29

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic curving deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the inner rail 16 is elastically urged toward the left and right outer side by an elastic curving deformation or an elastic bending deformation of the elastic sheet section 29

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic bending deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

using a bellows-shaped expanding/contracting section to reduce friction and prevent water and dust ingress

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction reduction through expansion: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS20120255683A1Sheet shutter

Publication Date: 2012.10.11 KOMATSU ELECTRIC SANGYO

AI summary

To provide a sheet shutter in which an urging member for urging an unwound, sheet toward the left and right outer side is provided so that the sheet is made to smoothly slide in the left and right direction and the wear of the urging member is suppressed. The sheet shutter according to the present invention is configured such that a rail groove is provided in each of left and right support posts, such that an inner rail is accommodated and supported in the rail grooves, such that engagement guides for guiding the lifting and lowering of the sheet formed in the inner rails, and such that, when the urging member is provided in the rail groove, an elastic sheet section for partitioning the inside of the rail groove into front and rear portions is provided at the urging member.