Rolling Shutter Assembly with Detachable Return Assemblies
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rolling shutter assemblies for roof windows are heavy and cumbersome, with guides protruding beyond the window frame, making installation difficult and inefficient, especially for roof windows with a sash rotating around a horizontal axis near the window's half-height.
Innovation Solution
A compact and lightweight assembly featuring flexible screens with sliding beams driven by cords, utilizing return assemblies with rotating pulleys and tensioning springs, and tilting guides that connect to the window sash using polygonal tenons and snap detents, allowing for easy installation by a person in the attic without needing to access the roof.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the guides are attached to the casing in parallel direction, then the assembly is complete and functional, but the guides protrude beyond the casing making the assembly heavy and cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The guide assembly is divided into separate components: the casing, the guides, and the return assemblies. The return assemblies are detachably attached to the casing during installation, allowing the guides to be installed separately without being permanently fixed to the casing, thus reducing the overall assembly weight while maintaining functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The return assemblies are extracted from the permanent structure of the casing and made detachable. This allows the guides to be installed without the additional weight of permanently attached return assemblies, while still providing the necessary functionality during installation and operation.
2Reliability
If the guides are made long to cover the window side, then the guides can properly guide the sliding beam, but the guides protrude beyond the casing making installation difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The guiding function is segmented between the guides and the return assemblies. The return assemblies are detachably attached to the casing and provide part of the guiding function, allowing the guides to be shorter and not protrude beyond the casing, thus making installation easier while maintaining reliable guiding function.
Solution Approach 2:
The return assemblies act as intermediaries between the casing and the guides. They are detachably attached to the casing and work together with the guides to provide the necessary guiding function, allowing the guides to be shorter and easier to install without compromising reliability.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the casing is installed on the roof window, then the rolling shutter can protect against solar radiation, but a person must go out on the roof for installation which is unsafe and difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The installation process is segmented into steps that can be performed from the attic. The return assemblies are detachably attached to the casing, allowing the casing to be installed first from the attic, and the guides to be installed separately, eliminating the need for roof access and improving installation safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The return assemblies are pre-attached to the casing in a detachable manner, allowing the casing to be installed from the attic first. This preliminary arrangement enables safe installation without roof access, while still allowing the guides to be properly positioned and attached later.
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 assembly facilitates easy and efficient installation of the rolling shutter on roof windows, reducing the risk of mismatched parts and handling difficulties, while the tensioning springs ensure proper cord tensioning, making the process faster and more manageable.
Implementation Method 1
The cords remain under the action of tensioning assembly which, in particular, is arranged in the form of springs which tension the cords and are located in the sliding beam.
Implementation Method 2
The ends of guides are equipped with return assemblies having the rotating pulleys for cords
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The assembly of rolling shutter with guides comprises the casing (1) containing the shaft for winding the flexible screen, and the guides for sliding beam (2) attached to this screen; the said beam during its movement away from the casing is driven by cords (6) threaded over the return pulleys (51) located in return assemblies (5). During installation of the casing (1) on the roof window, return assemblies with cords (6) connected to the supporting beam (2) are detachably attached to the casing (1) to form the mounting kit together with it. After installation, in ready for use configuration, the return assemblies (5) are connected to remote ends of screen guides (3) by polygonal tenons (52). The sliding beam contains the tensioning assembly in the form of springs which tension the cords. The tensioning assembly is equipped with locking means which neutralise the tensioning action of springs by fixing them in such positions that the cords are given slack. The method for installation of the assembly of rolling shutter with guides consists in that the mounting kit is installed and attached to the top of roof window, the said mounting kit containing the casing (1) with detachably attached return assemblies (5) with cords (6) threaded through them. Then return assemblies (5) are detached from the casing, the cords (6) are uncoiled, return assemblies (5) are connected to guides (3) and joined with the casing (1). Finally, the locks for tensioning springs are removed from the sliding beam.