Flexible Shutter Drum Closure With Edge Confinement Against Buckling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flexible shutter devices with a drum-based mechanism suffer from buckling and uncontrollable behavior due to the formation of folds between the roll and slideways, especially under wind pressure, which can damage the shutter and require manual intervention to correct.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of confinement elements, such as pressure elements or rods, to exert a radial thrust force on the lateral edges of the shutter, preventing buckling by maintaining continuous contact and guiding the edges during unwinding, ensuring controlled closure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the drum rotates to unwind the shutter during closure, then the shutter moves towards the closed position, but the lateral edges of the shutter may form folds and buckle in the free space between the roll and the slideways
Solution Approach 1:
A pressure element acts as an intermediary between the drum mechanism and the shutter lateral edges. This pressure element applies a thrust force to the lateral edges in the free space between the roll and slideways, preventing the edges from buckling or forming folds during rapid closure operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure element applies a preliminary counteracting force to the lateral edges before they can buckle or form folds. By continuously applying thrust force to keep the edges pressed against the pressure element, the system prevents the harmful buckling action from occurring in the first place during high-speed shutter closure.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If wind pressure acts on the shutter during closure, then the shutter experiences external force, but friction in the slideways increases opposing the drum thrust force
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure element serves as a mediator that distributes and manages the forces acting on the shutter lateral edges. By applying continuous thrust force through this intermediary element, the system compensates for the increased friction in the slideways caused by wind pressure, ensuring the drum can still effectively move the shutter during closure.
3Ease of operation
If the lateral edges of the shutter are not held by the slideways in the free space, then the shutter can move freely, but the flexible shutter becomes uncontrollable and deformable
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure element acts as a stabilizing intermediary in the free space where the lateral edges are not constrained by slideways. By applying continuous thrust force to keep the edges pressed against it, the pressure element provides the necessary stability and control to the flexible shutter edges without restricting their overall movement freedom.
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
Prevents the formation of folds and maintains controlled operation of the shutter, reducing the risk of damage and ensuring smooth operation even under high wind pressures.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure element for exerting a thrust force on the lateral edges (2, 3) of the shutter at the non-held part of the shutter
Implementation Method 2
the progression of the lateral edges of the shutter in the slideways may be slowed down (friction due to the wind pressure which may be as much as 160 km/h)
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a flexible shutter device, designed for closing a bay or other opening which cooperates with drive means which permit a displacementfo the flexible shutter between an open position and a closed position. The device comprises a drum which may turn about the axis thereof and about which the flexible shutter is wound in the open position thereof, forming a roll comprising turns made up of successive layers attaching one to the other and from which the flexible shutter can be unwound and pushed into the closed position thereof. Slides mounted on a fixed support provide guidance along the bay for the unwound part of the flexible shutter. Pressure or restriction elements (33, 50, 66) avoid buckling of the lateral edges (2,3) in the supported part thereof, extending between a first end (30) of the slides (4,5), nearest the roll and the roll.