Correctly dimensioning roller shutter gears

In the following, we would like to provide you with help for the correct design of a roller shutter drive.

Several components have to be taken into account:

1. roller shutter gear

What maximum output torque and reduction ratio must or should be used?

2. articulated crank/linkage

What crank projection is required for convenient operation in accordance with the standard?

3. spherical plain bearing

Which spherical plain bearing is suitable for the load?

Step 1: Calculating the required output torque using a "constant"

In order to simplify the calculation of the required output torque and make it more reliable, constants for the calculation were determined through extensive test series. The gearbox is selected in several steps:

Determining the armor weight

Width (of the curtain in m) x height (of the curtain in m) x weight per square meter (of the profile used in kg according to the manufacturer’s specifications) = curtain weight in kg

Selection of the appropriate constant determined by the hanging height, the profile used and the shaft used

ProfileMini profile (8 mm)Maxi profile (14 mm)
Hanging heightShaft40 mm shaft
8-edge shaft
60-shaft
8-edge-shaft
up to 140 cm0,350,600,60
up to 240 cm0,420,600,65

The “constant” includes the conversion from kg to Newtons, the effective lever length and a safety margin for friction.

Please note that various mechanical factors play a role in the calculation of the output torque, which cannot be taken into account in this “constant”.

These are for example:

  • Shaft geometry and shape used
  • Geometry and winding behavior of the roller shutter bars
  • Running-in behavior in the guide rails
  • Different piping materials
  • Friction in the overall system

The results are therefore approximate values for which we cannot accept any liability. The exact values can only be determined during a measurement by an experienced technician.

Calculation of the output torque

Armor weight x constant = required output torque of the gearbox

Example

A roller shutter with a width of 1.25 m and a height of 2.20 m is used for a door element. A mini profile on a 60 mm shaft is used as the curtain. The specific curtain weight is 3.4 kg per m². Class 1 operation is required.

Calculation of the armor weight:

1.25 m x 2.20 m x 3.4 kg = 9.35 kg

Calculation of the output torque:

9.35 kg x 0.6 (constant) = 5.6 Nm

Step 2: Determining the suitable crank projection

For normal operation, the force to be applied to the crank handle should not exceed 30 N (corresponds to approx. 3 kg). This force corresponds to operating class 1 in accordance with DIN EN 13659. For easy and comfortable operation, the force to be applied to the crank handle should not exceed 15 N (corresponds to approx. 1.5 kg). This amount of force corresponds to operating class 2 in accordance with DIN EN 13659. You can find the required crank projection from the operating force diagram, which you will find with the selected gearbox, in order to achieve operation in accordance with one of the aforementioned classes.

Example: Selection of gearbox 444F… with 8.5 Nm output torque and a reduction ratio of 2:1.

As you can see from the blue lines, operating class 1 can be achieved with a crank projection of 120 mm!

To achieve Class 2 operation, a different gearbox with a higher output torque and/or a different reduction ratio must be selected.

Alternative: Gearbox 446F… with 9 Nm output torque and a reduction ratio of 3:1

Thanks to the gear reduction (3:1), operating class 2 can be achieved here with an outreach of 180 mm.

Step 3: Calculation of the spherical plain bearing

For dimensioning the spherical plain bearing, it is important to know the resulting torque at the universal joint. For this purpose, after selecting the gearbox, the output torque calculated in step 1 is calculated with the values (reduction ratio and efficiency) of the gearbox.

Calculation of the spherical plain bearing torque:

(output torque : (reduction ratio)) : Efficiency = spherical plain bearing torque

Example

The selected gearbox 446F… has a reduction ratio of 3:1 and an efficiency of 0.86.

Calculation of the spherical plain bearing torque:

(5.6 Nm : (3:1)) : 0.86 = 2.17 Nm

Up to 3 Nm spherical plain bearing torque, a spherical plain bearing 816F… made of steel can be used. Between 3 and 5 Nm, a spherical plain bearing 818F… made of aluminum must be used.