ES2376981T3 - Profile element for roller blind - Google Patents

Abstract

A plastic window shutter consists of a series of interlocking profiled plastic battens forming a front wall and a back wall which are separated by a void. The void is part-filled with insulating material and linked to the front wall by an aperture (7). The insulating material is esp. part of a noise-deadening element (8) which is in-line with the aperture (7).

Description

Profile element for roller blind.

The present invention relates to a profiled element according to the preamble of claim 1.

A profiled element of this type can be joined in an articulated manner to other adjacent profiled elements respectively to form a roller blind and has an anterior part and a rear part that are mutually separated and between which at least one cavity is disposed, into which it flows an opening made in the anterior wall and in which a soundproofing material is arranged.

A profiled element of this type is described, for example, in DE 1857655 U. The window blind described in said document, composed of sheets or narrow rods, if slightly slightly bulged, is arranged so that it can move parallel to the surface. of the window and, where appropriate, so that said sheets or rods can rotate with respect to each other, these sheets being composed of sound-absorbing materials or accompanied by such materials. The blind can also be formed by laminar bodies formed by partially perforated metal bands with openings, which enclose in pairs a cavity that is completely filled with a sound-absorbing fibrous material, for example rock wool.

A profiled element is known from DE 3032946. This describes blinds and profiled elements for roller blinds. In the case of profiled elements, these are hollow profiles filled with a soundproofing material. The anterior part oriented towards the interior space is perforated, to allow the penetration of the sound. With the profiled elements and roller blinds manufactured based on them, it is intended to achieve acoustic insulation. The sound has to penetrate here into the profiled element through the large number of perforations and penetrate the soundproofing material located behind, which fills the cavity of the profiled element. However, the acoustic insulation properties of such profiled elements cannot always meet the demands placed on them.

Therefore, the objective is to improve a profiled element of the type mentioned at the beginning, especially with regard to sound insulation properties.

The objective is achieved according to the invention by means of a profiled element with the characteristics of claim 1.

According to the invention, the profiled element is configured such that the soundproofing material is part of at least one soundproofing element, the rear wall has at least one opening and the soundproofing element is arranged towards the opening at least in the area of the opening.

This solution is simple and has the advantage that sound can penetrate through the opening into the profiled element and propagate there. Since, due to its configuration, the soundproofing element does not completely fill the cavity and can move towards and in the opposite direction to the opening at least in the area of the opening, the acoustic insulating element may already be separated from the anterior wall when the sound penetrates or is also separated by the acoustic pressure. Through the separation between the acoustic insulating element and the anterior wall, the sound is diffused in such a way that it comes into contact with at least a large part of the surface of the soundproofing element and is absorbed. Compared to conventional roller blinds, in which the cavity is completely filled with the soundproofing material, the soundproofing properties of the roller blind can be greatly improved.

Since the soundproofing element is essentially mat-shaped, the profiled element according to the invention is economical to perform.

In an advantageous development of the invention, the soundproofing material can be a fibrous material. With this type of materials, good soundproofing properties can be easily and economically achieved.

At the same time, it may be advantageous if the soundproofing material is a nonwoven material. The non-woven material is distinguished by very good soundproofing properties and a good processing capacity.

In an alternative embodiment, the soundproofing element may be formed by a membrane, preferably plastic. With such a membrane it is possible, depending on the material, to selectively absorb the desired sound frequencies.

In an advantageous development of the invention, only one opening can be provided in the anterior wall, seen in cross-section. Especially the configuration according to the invention of the soundproofing element with only one cross-sectional opening also allows the number of openings in the latter to be reduced in the longitudinal direction of the profiled element and simplify manufacturing.

At the same time, it may be advantageous if, seen in cross section, the width of the opening is less than one third and more than one tenth of the width of the anterior wall, preferably less than one quarter and more than one octave part. It has been proven that with these specifications good sound insulation effects can be achieved economically.

Furthermore, it may be advantageous that several mutually separate openings are provided in the longitudinal direction of the profiled element. In this way the sound insulation effects can also be improved.

It may also be favorable if the openings are uniformly separated from each other. In this way the sound insulation effect can be optimized.

At the same time, it may be favorable that the separation between the openings is less than or equal to the extent of the opening in the longitudinal direction of the profiled element.

It may also be advantageous if the extension of the opening in the longitudinal direction of the profiled element is less than or equal to twice the extension of the opening seen in the cross-section of the profiled element.

According to the invention on the rear wall, an additional opening is provided. With an additional opening so that it opens into the cavity or an additional cavity of the profiled element, the soundproofing properties of the roller blind can be further improved.

At the same time it may be favorable that the configuration of the openings be essentially the same in the anterior wall as in the posterior wall.

In an advantageous development of the invention, at least one intermediate wall can be provided between the front wall and the rear wall. Also in this way the acoustic properties can be further improved.

At the same time it may be favorable for the intermediate wall to be arranged such that at least a first cavity is formed between the anterior wall and the intermediate wall and at least a second cavity is formed between the rear wall and the intermediate wall. By this arrangement of one cavity after another, the soundproofing properties can be further improved.

If the openings of the anterior wall and the posterior wall are aligned with each other, the soundproofing properties can also be improved.

It may also be advantageous if the intermediate wall has at least one opening that communicates both cavities with each other. At the same time it can be advantageous if the opening of the intermediate wall is aligned with the opening of the front wall or with the opening of the rear wall. In this way, the sound can completely pass through the roller blind, being absorbed in its path mostly by the soundproofing element.

It may also be favorable for the soundproofing element to extend over the entire length of the profiled element. In this way manufacturing can be simplified.

In an advantageous development of the invention, the hollow profile may have fixing devices for fixing the soundproofing element. In this way an undesired displacement of the soundproofing element can be avoided.

The fixing devices may have flange housings and the soundproofing element may have a flange with which it can be fixed in the flange housings. In this way, a form drag between the profiled element and the soundproofing element can be guaranteed.

The profiled element may be formed by at least two pieces: a first profiled segment presenting the anterior wall and a second profiled segment presenting the posterior wall. In this way the soundproofing element assembly can be simplified. Thus, when the first profiled segment is removed, the soundproofing element can be inserted into the second profiled segment and then the first profiled segment is placed on top, to enclose the soundproofing element.

It may also be favorable that the intermediate wall is placed in the second profiled segment.

It may also be advantageous if the fixing device is placed in the second profiled segment. In this way, the fixing of the soundproofing element can be simplified.

To facilitate the assembly of the first and second profile segments there is a possibility that the first profiled segment can be attached to the second profiled segment by means of a retention device.

At the same time, it may be favorable that the first profiled segment can be snapped into a cover in the second profiled segment.

It may also be advantageous if the intermediate wall is formed by a profile insert arranged between the front wall and the rear wall.

If the profile insert has support segments through which it rests between the front wall and the rear wall, a secure fastening of the profile insert can be guaranteed.

In an advantageous development of the invention, the membrane can be fixedly attached to the profile insert.

Next, the mode of action and operation of the invention will be explained in more detail by means of several embodiments.

They show:

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Figure 1 a first embodiment of a profiled element in a sectional view;

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Figure 2 a second embodiment of a profiled element in a sectional view;

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Figure 3 a third embodiment of a profiled element in a sectional view;

10 -figure 4 a fourth embodiment of a profiled element in a sectional view;

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Figure 5 a fifth embodiment of a profiled element in a sectional view;

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Figure 6 shows a view of the anterior wall of several profiled elements according to Figure 1.

Figure 1 shows the profiled element 1 in a sectional view. The profiled element 1 is formed by a first profiled segment 2, which has a front wall 3, and a second profiled segment 4, which has a rear wall 5. The first and second profiled segment enclose a cavity 6.

The first and second profile segments may be composed, for example, of plastic and manufactured in an extrusion process in a known manner. The first and second profiled segments may be composed of different materials or also of the same materials. It is also conceivable to manufacture the first and second profile segments for example in aluminum.

20 The anterior wall 3 has an opening 7, which opens into the cavity 6. A soundproofing element 8 is provided in the cavity 6, which is composed of a fibrous material. In the present case, the soundproofing element 8 is composed of a nonwoven material.

In the rear wall 5 another opening 9 is provided, which is aligned with the opening 7. Additionally, two other cavities 10 and 11 are configured in the second profiled segment 4. The 25 cavities 10 and 11 are closed in cross section.

In the representation of Figure 1, the second profiled segment also has, on the right side, a joining means 12 having a fixing flange 13, which is connected to the second profiled segment articulated by means of a hinge of sheet 14 On the left side of the second profiled segment, in figure 1, there is a fixing housing 15, whose interior dimensions correspond essentially to the

30 external dimensions of the fixing element 13. In this way, the fixing element 13 of an adjacent profiled element can be engaged in a known manner in the fixing housing 15. By juxtaposing several profiled elements a roller blind is formed.

In the representation of Figure 1, the first profiled segment is essentially shaped as a hook on the left side, with a hook-shaped segment 16 that surrounds a retaining segment 17 35 of the second profiled segment 4. On the right side of the first profiled segment 2, in figure 1, the first profiled segment 2 has a retention spike 18 that intervenes in a retention housing 19 of the second profiled segment 4. The first profiled segment 2 is made of an elastic material and can be mounted on the second profiled segment 4 by first inserting the retention peak 18 into the retention housing 19 and then pressing it onto the retention segment 17. The

The sizing has been chosen so that the first profiled segment 2 is snapped onto the second profiled segment 4 with a small pre-tension.

The two openings 7 and 9 are essentially circular and have essentially the same dimensions. In the representation, the width, or the diameter, is approximately a quarter of the total width of the anterior wall.

45 Instead of circular openings, oblong openings can also be used, the length corresponding in the longitudinal direction of the rod, that is perpendicular to the representation of Figure 1, at most twice the width of the opening. In the longitudinal direction, several openings are then provided which are uniformly separated from each other, the separation between adjacent openings being less than or equal to the width of an opening in the representation of Figure 1. An arrangement of such openings is represented by

50 example in figure 6.

The dimensions of the soundproofing element 8 have been chosen so that its height Hg, in the representation of Figure 1, is less than the height HH of the cavity 6. The height of the soundproofing element is here approximately 15% less than the height of the cavity, to thereby guarantee, at least in the area of the opening 7, a mobility of the soundproofing element 8 in the axial direction of the opening. Since during the use of the roller shutter most of the time it is rolled on an axis or the anterior wall is in a vertical plane, it can happen that the soundproofing element 8 rests on the inner face of the anterior wall 3. However, the acoustic pressure can cause it to separate again from the anterior wall.

In the visual direction on the anterior wall 3 towards the inside of the opening 7, the soundproofing element covers the opening 7 completely.

In the transverse direction with respect to the height, that is to say in the horizontal direction in the representation of figure 1, the width of the soundproofing element may be sized so that it is slightly smaller than the interior width of the cavity 6. In the representation of Figure 1, the width of the soundproofing element 8 is at least 10% smaller than the interior width of the areas of the cavity 6, or of the second profiled segment, adjacent to the soundproofing element 8.

The mode of action and operation of the invention will be explained in more detail below.

As already mentioned at the beginning, inserting the fixing elements 13 into the fixing housings 15 of the respectively adjacent profiled elements forms a roller blind. This can be guided in a known way by lateral guide rails and wound in a curved rail or on an axis. This is already known in the current state of the art. In the unwound state, that is, for example, to close the opening of a piece of furniture in a room, the anterior wall 3 is oriented towards the interior space. The sound of the interior space enters through the opening 7 into the cavity 6 and can be absorbed therein by the soundproofing material of the soundproofing element 8. Due to the configuration of the soundproofing element 8 it is created between the anterior wall and this Finally, an air space through which sound can propagate through cavity 6, in order to take advantage of the entire surface of the soundproofing element to absorb sound. Since the soundproofing element can move at least in the axial direction of the opening in the area of the opening, a good acoustic decoupling is achieved between the soundproofing element 8 and the profiled element. In the event that the soundproofing element 8 comes to rest on the anterior wall 3 due to the winding and unwinding of the roller shutter, the acoustic pressure of the incoming sound can push the soundproofing element back in order to develop the soundproofing effect. Compared to conventional solutions, in which the cavity is completely filled with a soundproofing material, in the solution according to the invention the sound can be better propagated through the cavity, in order to take better advantage of the soundproofing properties of the soundproofing element 8 In addition, in this way the number of openings in the anterior wall can be reduced. At the same time the assembly of the profiled element according to the invention is facilitated. Especially in the embodiments that are not configured in two or more pieces, but have the profiled element made in one piece, the soundproofing element 8 can be introduced for example laterally into the profiled element. Since it is housed in the cavity, its introduction into the profiled element presents no problems.

The soundproofing properties can be further improved by the second opening 9. Due to the configuration of the soundproofing element 8, it can also move in relation to this opening. This configuration makes it possible to achieve additional reflections of the sound in the soundproofing element, the sound of the cavity 6 being able to exit through the opening 9 in a very attenuated and muffled form.

In another embodiment, which does not belong to the invention and is not represented here, the soundproofing element 8 is arranged, at least in the area of the opening 9, directed towards, on the side of the rear wall 5 opposite the cavity 6.22. In this way a further improvement of the sound insulation can be achieved.

A second embodiment is explained in more detail below. In order to avoid repetitions, only the differences with respect to the first embodiment are explained, the same elements being provided with equal references.

Unlike the first embodiment, the second embodiment has an intermediate wall 20, which is configured in one piece with the second profiled segment. The intermediate wall 20 also has an opening 21, which is aligned with the openings 7 and 9 and has the same dimensions. With the intermediate wall 20 an additional cavity 22 is created in the profiled element. It has been found that the additional intermediate wall 20 and the opening 21 make it possible to produce additional acoustic reflections within the additional cavity 22, which result in a further improvement of the acoustic insulation.

A third embodiment is explained in more detail below, dealing only with the differences with respect to the first embodiment to avoid unnecessary repetitions. Equal components are provided with equal references.

In the third embodiment, a plastic membrane, preferably polypropylene, is used as the soundproofing element 8 instead of a non-woven material. The soundproofing element 8 of the third embodiment has laterally 23 flanges 23 that are housed in flange housings 24 of the second profiled segment 4. In this way, a shape drag is produced between the soundproofing element 8 and the second profiled segment 4. Due to the configuration of the soundproofing element 8 of the third embodiment, the soundproofing element 8 is under pre-tension and forms a membrane. An additional cavity is located between the soundproofing element 8 and the intermediate wall 20. By configuring the third embodiment, the vibration behavior of the soundproofing element can be improved

8. In addition, its position within cavity 6 is exactly defined.

A fourth embodiment is described below, again treating only the differences with respect to the previous embodiments. Equal components are provided with equal references.

Like the third embodiment, the fourth embodiment has a soundproofing element 8 that is configured as a membrane. In the fourth embodiment, the soundproofing element 8 is also made of plastic and fixed to a profile insert 25, which constitutes a membrane support. The profile insert has support segments 26 with which it rests inside the profiled element 1, which is configured in one piece. The support segments 26 are here under a slight pre-tension, in order to ensure a secure fastening of the profile insert in the profiled element 1. The membrane can be manufactured with the profile insert, for example by co-extrusion.

An embodiment of the invention is shown in Figure 5. In order to avoid repetitions, only the differences with respect to the first embodiment are explained here, the same elements being provided with equal references.

In the embodiment, three profiled elements 1 are joined together by sheet hinges 14. The profiled elements themselves are configured in one piece. The rear wall is concave and forms a support segment 27, on which the soundproofing element 8 rests. The opening 9 is in the support segment 27. The distance between the support segment 27 and the rear wall 5 and the anterior wall 3 is sized approximately as in the first embodiment. This ensures the mobility of the soundproofing element 8 in the axial direction of the openings 7 and 9.

In the representation of FIG. 5, the three profiled elements have essentially the same shape, the left profiled element being provided with the fixing housing 15 and a fixing element 13 being joined in an articulated manner to the right profile. Joining the fixing housings 15 and the fixing elements 13 of adjacent profiled elements can be formed in a known manner a roller blind.

With the profiled elements and the roller blinds according to the invention, the soundproofing properties can be significantly improved, in comparison with the profiled elements and the conventional roller blinds. In addition, assembly is also simplified.

Claims (15)

one.

Shaped element that can be joined in an articulated manner to other adjacent respectively profiled elements to form a roller shutter and having an anterior wall (3) and a rear wall (5), which are mutually separated and between which at least one cavity is arranged (6.22) in which an opening (7) in the anterior wall flows, the rear wall (5) presenting at least one opening (9), and with a soundproofing material, characterized in that the soundproofing material forms part of at least one soundproofing element (8) and because said soundproofing element is arranged at least in the area of the opening (9) directed towards, only on the side of the rear wall (5) oriented towards the cavity ( 6.22).

2.

 Profile element according to claim 1, characterized in that the soundproofing element is essentially mat-shaped.

3.

 Shaped element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the soundproofing material is a fibrous material.

Four.

 Shaped element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the soundproofing material is a nonwoven material.

5.

 Profile element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an additional opening (9) is provided on the rear wall.

6.

 Profile element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the configuration of the openings is essentially the same in the anterior wall as in the posterior wall.

7.

Shaped element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one intermediate wall (20) is provided between the front wall and the rear wall.

8.

 Shaped element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the intermediate wall is arranged, such that at least one first cavity is formed between the front wall and the intermediate wall and at least one is formed between the rear wall and the intermediate wall second cavity

9.

 Shaped element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the openings of the front wall and the rear wall are aligned with each other.

10.

 Shaped element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the intermediate wall has at least one opening (21) that joins both cavities together.

eleven.

 Shaped element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the opening of the intermediate wall is aligned with the opening of the front wall or with the opening of the rear wall.

12.

 Profile element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the soundproofing element extends over the entire length of the profiled element.

13.

 Profile element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said profile element is formed by at least two pieces, with a first profiled segment (2) presenting the anterior wall (3) and a second profiled segment (4) presenting the wall posterior (5).

14.

 Profile element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first profile segment can be connected to the second profile segment by means of a retention device.

fifteen.

 Shaped element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first profiled segment can be snapped into a cover in the second profiled segment.

 REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION The list of references cited by the applicant is only for the utility of the reader, not being part of the European patent documents. Even when references have been carefully collected, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all responsibility in this regard.  Patent documents cited in the description • DE 1857655 U [0003] • DE 3032946 [0004]