Adjustable Glide Apparatus for Sliding Panel Track Binding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional sliding panel assemblies face issues with rollers becoming dislodged and binding due to imperfections in the track, debris accumulation, and material wear, leading to difficulties in smooth movement.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable glide apparatus with a housing, cam, and receiver system that allows for adjustable distance between the glide and the track, featuring a contact surface for smooth engagement and reduced risk of dislodgment, even if damaged.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional rollers with circular contact surface are used, then the panel can roll between open and closed positions, but the rollers may be easily dislodged from the guide ridge and have limited engagement
Solution Approach 1:
The glide contact surface is formed with a curved configuration that matches the curvature of the guide ridge, replacing the traditional circular roller contact surface. This curved contact surface provides continuous engagement with the guide ridge, preventing dislodgment while maintaining smooth movement along the track.
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional plastic rollers are used, then the rollers can be manufactured easily with molds, but parting lines are formed on the contact surface interfering with engagement and the material wears out over time
Solution Approach 1:
The glide is constructed as a composite structure with a support portion and a contact surface portion, where the contact surface is formed with a curved configuration. This composite design eliminates parting lines on the contact surface while providing durable, wear-resistant material properties that maintain engagement with the guide ridge throughout the product lifecycle.
3Ease of operation
If adjustable roller apparatus is used to space the panel from the track, then the panel can be prevented from binding, but the complexity of the apparatus increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the adjustment mechanism from the traditional roller apparatus and integrates it directly into the glide structure. The glide includes a support portion and a contact surface portion with curved configuration, eliminating the need for separate adjustable roller apparatus while maintaining the spacing function to prevent binding.
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
Ensures smooth sliding and prevents binding by maintaining engagement with the track, accommodating imperfections, and reducing debris accumulation, while allowing for easy adjustment and compatibility with different tracks.
Implementation Method 1
A cam is rotatably supported within the cavity and coupled to the receiver for moving the receiver relative to the housing
Implementation Method 2
The cam comprises a plurality of teeth disposed about a periphery of the cam for engaging the thread to rotate the cam as the adjustment stem is rotated
Implementation Method 3
A cam is rotatably supported within the cavity and coupled to the receiver for moving the receiver relative to the housing
Implementation Method 4
The contact surface is adapted for sliding engagement with the track to slide the sliding panel between the open and the closed positions
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable glide apparatus is for a sliding panel to slide along a track between open and closed positions. The adjustable glide apparatus comprises a housing defining a cavity with at least one receiver disposed within the cavity. An adjustment stem has an end that has a thread and is disposed within the cavity. A cam is coupled to the receiver for moving the receiver relative to the housing. The cam comprises a plurality of teeth for engaging the thread to rotate the cam as the adjustment stem is rotated thereby moving the receiver relative. A glide is coupled to the receiver and comprises a contact surface. The contact surface is adapted for sliding engagement with the track to slide the sliding panel between the open and the closed positions. A distance between the contact surface and the housing is adjusted as the receiver is moved by the cam.