Rolling Shutter Slat Rotation Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing roller shutter systems with adjustable slats suffer from complexity and cost issues due to numerous components, excessive weight, and bulky kinematic chains, leading to increased production costs, transportation difficulties, and space occupation.

Innovation Solution

A simplified kinematic chain comprising chain link elements, motion transmission components, and support elements with a rotation pin system that allows angular displacement of slats using fewer and identical components, reducing complexity and weight while enabling adjustable slat orientation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional chain link components with multiple different parts are used to transmit rotary motion to slats, then the shutter can achieve adjustable slat orientation, but the number of components increases leading to higher production costs and device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustable slat orientationVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple separate components (chain link elements, motion transmission elements, support elements, rotation pins, and guides) into an integrated kinematic chain system where elements are interconnected through standardized coupling mechanisms, reducing the total number of different component types while maintaining adjustable slat orientation functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs universal coupling mechanisms and standardized connection interfaces that allow the same basic component designs to be used throughout the entire shutter system regardless of position, enabling each component to serve multiple functions and eliminating the need for position-specific variant components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If traditional metal chain components are used for motion transmission, then the shutter can achieve reliable slat rotation, but the weight of the system increases compromising transport and installation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveslat rotation reliabilityVSAvoidshutter weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameters and structural configuration of the chain components, transitioning from traditional heavy metal chains to a system with optimized link elements that use less material while maintaining structural integrity and rotational reliability through improved geometric design and distribution of mechanical loads

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If bulky sliding guides are used to accommodate the kinematic chain, then the shutter can achieve smooth slat movement, but the space occupied inside walls increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveslat movement smoothnessVSAvoidwall space occupation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent reconfigures the kinematic chain and sliding guides to utilize three-dimensional space more efficiently, arranging components along multiple spatial dimensions rather than requiring large two-dimensional wall openings, thereby achieving smooth slat movement while minimizing the projected footprint within wall cavities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Reliability

If multiple different components are used for each end of slats, then the shutter can achieve proper kinematic transmission, but the production cost increases due to molding different plastic components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvekinematic transmissionVSAvoidproduction cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs asymmetric coupling mechanisms that allow identical basic components to be installed in different orientations (left or right ends of slats) rather than requiring symmetric pairs of different components, thereby maintaining proper kinematic transmission while enabling standardized manufacturing of single-component types

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The patent inverts the traditional approach by making the components themselves reversible and interchangeable rather than creating dedicated left and right versions, allowing the same molded plastic components to serve both ends of slats by simply changing their installation orientation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentEP4097326B1Rolling shutter with adjustable slats

Publication Date: 2024.03.13 TBK SRL

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AI summary

A shutter with adjustable slats is described characterized by the presence of a rotation system of the slats composed of chain link elements containing inside them, components for transmission of the motion equipped with sliding pins inside suitably shaped guides belonging to support elements of the slats.