Annular Sliding Door Roller for Heavy Loads in Low-Profile Frames
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sliding window rollers face issues with supporting large loads due to deformation, increased size requirements, and limited installation space, which restricts the view and energy efficiency, especially when the rail and window surfaces are not perfectly horizontal or flat.
Innovation Solution
An annular roller device with a cylindrical rolling unit and chain link system is designed to distribute load evenly across multiple rolling members, featuring a split load support plate and guide rails to ensure stable operation and minimize installation height, allowing for a wider open view and improved energy efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the thickness of the ball spacing member, protection member, and cylindrical outer member is increased to prevent deformation under heavy load, then the load-bearing capacity is improved, but the size of the roller increases making it impossible to install in places with limited installation space
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the single cylindrical bearing part into multiple bearing units arranged in an annular configuration. Each bearing unit contains its own balls and ball spacing members, distributing the load across multiple smaller units rather than requiring a single large-thick structure. This segmentation allows the roller to bear heavy loads while maintaining a compact overall size suitable for limited installation spaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention combines multiple bearing units into a single integrated roller structure that functions as one cohesive component. By merging multiple load-bearing elements into an annular arrangement, the system achieves the load-bearing capacity of a thick structure while maintaining the compact footprint of individual small units.
2Ease of operation
If the bearing part is designed with a central hole to insert the shaft, then the shaft can be installed and fixed, but the height of the installation space cannot be reduced further as the central hole increases the bearing unit height
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from a single-point shaft insertion (central hole through the bearing unit) to a distributed annular shaft insertion approach. The shaft passes through the center of the annular roller structure, distributing the connection point across a larger radial area rather than requiring vertical clearance through a central hole in a thick bearing unit. This dimensional redistribution reduces the height requirement while maintaining shaft installation capability.
3Device complexity
If a conventional roller with a single bearing unit is used, then the structure is simple, but the concentrated load causes deformation of the ball spacing member and repulsive force deforms the protection member, preventing proper rolling operation
Solution Approach 1:
The single bearing unit is segmented into multiple bearing units arranged annularly around the shaft. This segmentation distributes the concentrated load from the door chassis across multiple contact points with the rail, preventing deformation of individual ball spacing members and protection members. Each unit experiences reduced load, maintaining structural integrity and reliable rolling operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the roller structure are given specialized functions: the annular arrangement provides load distribution, each bearing unit handles localized load bearing, the ball spacing members maintain optimal ball spacing under reduced individual loads, and the protection members are positioned to handle repulsive forces from the rail. This local optimization ensures reliable operation under heavy loads.
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
The solution effectively supports heavier sliding windows with a greater load distribution, prevents tilting and excessive load on individual members, and simplifies manufacturing and assembly, while maintaining energy efficiency and a wider open view.
Implementation Method 1
an annular rolling unit wound around a load support plate so as to rotate along a rail progress
Implementation Method 2
a chain link unit connecting the two rolling members to each other so that the plurality of rolling members are evenly arranged in an annular shape
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides an annular roller device for a sliding window/door, which is proposed as a roller device having a new structure wherein the roller device installed under a door sash can move a sliding window/door having heavy weight, and can maximize the open glass portion of the window/door by minimizing the height of the space required to install the roller device, thereby providing a more open view. The roller device has a structure in which, even when a rail installed on a window frame is not horizontal or the bottom portion of a window is not completely flat, all multiple rolling members, which constitute a ring-shaped rolling unit wound around a load-bearing plate (1220) comprising segment bodies (1221, 1222) rotatably connected to each other by a pivot pin (1225) extending therethrough, form contact points with the rail or the bottom portion, and thus each of the rolling members is prevented from being loaded with excessive weight.