Tubular Actuator Fixed-Point Assembly for Interchangeable Roller Blind Heads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tubular actuators for windable elements in buildings face challenges in mechanical and safety requirements, particularly in interchangeability, cost, and logistics due to a wide range of head designs, which complicates installation and maintenance, and may not be optimized for wet environments.
Innovation Solution
A tubular actuator design with a fixed-point comprising two portions, where the first portion is partially outside the tube and the second portion is assembled inside, allowing for simple and tool-free locking and unlocking, and featuring axial extensions for torque and weight bearing, with recesses and screw holes for secure attachment, enabling adaptation to various attachment accessories and ensuring mechanical and safety requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the head of the actuator is made interchangeable to simplify logistics and reduce costs, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to safety risks when interchangeability escapes the industrial environment
Solution Approach 1:
The head is divided into two separate portions: a first portion that is almost wholly inserted into the tube and a second portion that is locked by the first portion. This segmentation allows the first portion to be standardized for interchangeability while the second portion provides secure locking, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The first portion of the head is inserted into the tube and locked by the second portion, creating a nested structure. The locking means are almost wholly inserted into the tube and locked by the first portion, which itself is locked by the second portion. This nested arrangement ensures secure locking while maintaining standardized external dimensions for safety.
2Strength
If the head is firmly attached to the frame with high bearing capacity for weight and torque, then strength is improved, but device complexity increases due to specialized attachment accessories
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment accessory is designed with a universal structure that can accommodate different head types through standardized mounting interfaces. The attachment means include bearing surfaces and locking mechanisms that work with various head configurations, allowing a single attachment accessory design to serve multiple functions and reduce overall device complexity.
3Length of moving object
If the head size is minimized in the axial direction to reduce overall actuator width, then length is reduced, but strength deteriorates due to reduced attachment surface area
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment surface is extended in the radial direction rather than increasing axial length. The bearing surfaces are arranged perpendicular to the axial direction, allowing the head to maintain a compact axial profile while providing sufficient attachment surface area through radial expansion. This dimensional shift resolves the conflict between compactness and strength.
Data Source
AI summary
Tubular actuator (1) for driving a windable element in a building, comprising:in a tube (3) having a longitudinal axis (X-X′), a reduction gear and an output shaft (4) at a first end of the tube anda fixed-point (2) in two portions at a second end of the tube,the fixed-point comprising a first portion (20; 20′) at least partially outside the tube and a second portion (40; 40′) assembled in the tube, wherein the first portion comprises at least one torque and weight-bearing axial extension, this torque and weight-bearing axial extension being capable of being inserted into at least one recess of the second portion and being locked in translation along the longitudinal axis relative to the tube of the actuator by a first locking means (35, 37, 38).