Pivotable Roller Receptacle for Sliding Sash Height Adjustment

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing roller housing designs for sliding sash systems are expensive to produce and require a large amount of space, limiting their compactness and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A roller device with a pivotably mounted roller receptacle and adjustable screw mechanism within the housing, allowing for compact design and easy height adjustment, along with integrated locking and hold-down features for enhanced functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a traditional roller housing design is used, then the roller can be mounted and adjusted, but the housing is expensive to produce and requires a large amount of space

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidspace required by housing
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The roller housing is divided into two separate components: a U-shaped housing and a roller support. The roller support can be pivoted independently within the housing, allowing for height adjustment without requiring the entire housing to be large or complex. This segmentation enables simpler, cheaper manufacturing of each component while reducing the overall space required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The roller support is designed to be pivotable within the housing through a controlled pivoting motion. This dynamic element allows the roller height to be adjusted by pivoting the roller support about a pivot axis, eliminating the need for complex adjustable mechanisms in the housing itself. The dynamic pivoting capability provides height adjustment functionality while keeping the housing structure simple and compact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If height adjustment mechanism is added to the roller housing, then the roller position can be adjusted, but the housing becomes more complex and requires more space

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheight adjustment capabilityVSAvoidhousing structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The height adjustment is achieved through the pivoting motion of the roller support, which rotates about a fixed pivot axis. This dynamic pivoting mechanism is simpler than traditional adjustable housing designs because the adjustment function is built into the roller support's ability to pivot, rather than requiring complex adjustable components in the housing. The pivoting roller support provides adaptability while maintaining housing simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The pivot axis acts as an intermediary element that enables height adjustment without requiring the housing itself to be complex. By introducing this intermediate pivot point, the roller support can be positioned at different heights through pivoting motion, achieving adjustability while keeping the housing structure simple and easy to manufacture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Area of stationary object

If a pivotable roller mount is used, then the space for height adjustment is reduced, but the mechanism for pivoting must be implemented

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace required for adjustmentVSAvoidimplementation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The roller support is segmented with a cylindrical section that fits into a corresponding cylindrical recess in the housing. This segmentation creates a simple pivot joint where the roller support can rotate about the pivot axis. The separation of the roller support from the housing, connected only by this simple pivot interface, reduces the space required while keeping the implementation straightforward through the cylindrical fit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The pivot connection is implemented using cylindrical sections and recesses, which provide a smooth rotational interface. The curved cylindrical surfaces allow the roller support to pivot easily about the pivot axis while maintaining a compact design. This curved geometry simplifies the pivoting mechanism compared to angular or flat-based rotation joints, reducing both space and manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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 reduces manufacturing costs and space requirements while enabling precise height adjustment and integrated locking and hold-down functions, enhancing the compactness and functionality of sliding sash systems.

Implementation Method 1

a spring arm being arranged on the axle seat, which is designed in such a way that it gives way when a roller axle is inserted into the axle seat and springs back into its original position after the roller axle has reached the storage position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the adjusting element is formed by a screw which can be screwed against the roller mount, as a result of which the roller mount can be pivoted

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectScrew mechanism: Screw

Data Source

PatentEP2476840B1Track roller device
Publication Date: 2015.01.07 SUNFLEX ALUMINUMSYST
  • EP2476840B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2476840B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2476840B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a roller device for insertion into the frame profile of a sliding sash, with a housing that accommodates at least one roller, wherein means for adjusting the height of the roller are arranged, wherein the means for adjusting the height of the roller (3) comprise a roller receptacle (2) pivotably mounted in the housing (1), which is pivotable via an adjusting element movable within the housing (1).