Annular Roller Structure for Heavy Sliding Door Load Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sliding window roller systems face issues with supporting large loads, leading to deformation, increased installation space requirements, and reduced field of view due to concentrated load transmission and limited applicability in non-flat surfaces.
Innovation Solution
An annular roller device with a cylindrical rolling unit and chain link system, supported by a split load support plate with guide rails, evenly distributes load across multiple rolling members, allowing for stable operation and reduced installation height.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a conventional roller with a single bearing unit is used to support the door chassis, then the structure is simple and installation space is minimized, but the concentrated load causes deformation of the ball spacing member and protection member, preventing smooth rolling operation
Solution Approach 1:
The single bearing unit is segmented into multiple bearing units (first bearing unit and second bearing unit) arranged in parallel. Each bearing unit independently supports a portion of the door chassis load, distributing the concentrated load to prevent deformation of structural members while maintaining rolling functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The load distribution is transitioned from a single-point contact in one dimension to a multi-point contact system across multiple bearing units. This dimensional expansion allows the load to be dispersed across multiple contact surfaces, preventing the deformation issues that occur with concentrated single-point loading
2Strength
If the thickness of the ball spacing member, protection member, and cylindrical outer member is increased to prevent deformation under large 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:
Instead of increasing the thickness of individual structural members to handle large loads, the system segments the load-bearing function across multiple bearing units. Each bearing unit can be maintained at a compact size while the collective arrangement of multiple units provides the necessary total load-bearing capacity
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple bearing units are combined in parallel to achieve the required load-bearing capacity. This merging of multiple smaller functional units provides equivalent or superior strength to a single thick member while maintaining a more compact overall footprint suitable for limited installation spaces
3Ease of operation
If a conventional roller with a central hole in the cylindrical bearing unit is used, then the shaft can be inserted for rotation, but the height of the installation space is increased, limiting the ability to maximize the field of view
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of creating a hole through the cylindrical bearing unit (which adds height), the shaft connection is inverted to engage with the bearing units from the side or through a different geometric configuration. This inversion eliminates the need for vertical clearance while maintaining rotational functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing units are designed with curved or spherical contact surfaces that allow rotational movement without requiring a central through-hole. The curved geometry enables the shaft to connect and rotate the bearing units while maintaining a compact height profile that does not interfere with the field of view
4Ease of operation
If a single bearing unit moves in line contact with the rail to enable smooth sliding, then the structure is simple, but the concentrated load causes the repulsive force to deform the protection member and cylindrical outer member, preventing the bearing unit from rolling over the fixed part
Solution Approach 1:
The single line-contact bearing unit is segmented into multiple bearing units that distribute the load. This segmentation reduces the repulsive force on each individual unit, preventing deformation of the protection member and cylindrical outer member while maintaining smooth sliding and rolling capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The contact interaction is expanded from a single line contact to multiple line contacts across several bearing units. This multi-dimensional contact distribution reduces the intensity of repulsive forces on each unit, preventing the deformation that would otherwise prevent rolling over fixed parts of the rail
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 provides enhanced load-bearing capacity, prevents deformation, and maximizes the open view by minimizing installation space while ensuring smooth operation on non-horizontal surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
an annular rolling unit wound around an upper surface and a lower surface of the load support plate... a plurality of rolling members formed in a cylindrical shape... to provide a rolling path of the plurality of rolling members
Data Source
Figure 1a~1c
Figure 1d~1e
Figure 2a
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.