Side Column Arm Configuration for Roll-Up Door Wind Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Overhead roll-up doors face challenges in resisting high winds while allowing disengagement from side columns when impacted by vehicles or objects, as existing solutions either fail to enhance wind resistance or result in damage due to the inability to easily disengage the door panel.
Innovation Solution
A side column configuration with an arm that moves in two directions in response to moment forces, increasing wind load resistance when the force has an inward component and allowing disengagement when the force has an outward component, utilizing a flexible door panel with thickened edges and a gap mechanism to facilitate easy disengagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a thickened edge is used to engage side columns for wind resistance, then wind load resistance is improved, but the door panel cannot disengage when impacted by vehicles or objects
Solution Approach 1:
The side column is divided into a fixed portion and a movable portion that can disengage from each other. The movable portion includes an arm that pivots about a pivot point, allowing the door panel to disengage when impacted while the fixed portion remains stationary to maintain wind resistance when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The side column transitions from a static structure to a dynamic one where the movable portion can pivot and disengage based on applied forces. The arm moves between an engaged position (providing wind resistance) and a disengaged position (allowing impact release).
2Ease of operation
If windbars or strips are made disengageable to allow door panel release on impact, then disengagement capability is improved, but wind resistance is reduced and re-attachment is required after each impact
Solution Approach 1:
The movable portion automatically engages and disengages based on the force applied to the door panel. When impacted, the arm pivots to disengage and remains disengaged until manually reset, eliminating the need for periodic re-attachment while maintaining wind resistance during normal operation.
3Ease of operation
If springs are used to allow side column pivot for disengagement, then disengagement capability is improved, but wind resistance is compromised and springs may break or wear out
Solution Approach 1:
The spring component is extracted from the side column assembly and replaced with a simpler pivot mechanism. The movable portion pivots about a fixed pivot point without requiring springs, eliminating wear and breakage issues while maintaining disengagement capability through geometric design rather than elastic deformation.
4Ease of operation
If sloping surfaces are used to allow side column deformation on impact, then disengagement capability is improved, but wind resistance enhancement is lost
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than relying on deformation of a continuous sloping surface, the side column is segmented into fixed and movable portions. The movable portion with the arm provides controlled disengagement through pivoting motion, maintaining the geometric engagement surfaces needed for wind resistance while enabling impact release.
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
Enhances wind load resistance while enabling the door panel to disengage from the side columns upon impact, reducing the risk of damage to the door assembly, surrounding structures, and vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
an arm configured to move in a first and second direction in response to a moment of force (moment) or torque being applied to the arm by the door panel
Implementation Method 2
each vertical side has a vertical margin extending along the edge of the door panel... configured to engage at least a portion of one of the vertical margins
Data Source
AI summary
An overhead roll-up door assembly for a vertically moving door to permit and prohibit access to an opening in a wall, the door assembly having a flexible door panel and side columns located proximate opposite sides of the opening. The side columns each include an arm configured to engage the door panel as the door panel moves vertically, the arms being configured to move in a first direction in response to a first threshold moment being applied to the arms by the door panel wherein movement of each arm in the first direction prevents the door panel from escaping the side columns. The arms may be further configured to move in a second direction in response to a second threshold moment being applied on the arms by the door panel in a substantially vertical direction perpendicular to and away from the door panel.