Roller Cradle Support for Rolled Material Sagging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Rolled materials, such as window shades or projection screens, tend to sag at their center when the longitudinal length of the roller increases, disrupting uniform rolling due to inadequate support, which existing solutions have not effectively addressed.

Innovation Solution

A support system comprising a roller with a cradle positioned beneath it, where the cradle includes a base and a contact member that remains stationary as the material moves between rolled and extended configurations, providing vertical support to the roller and preventing sagging.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of moving object

If the longitudinal length of the roller is increased to accommodate wider rolled materials, then the coverage area is improved, but the roller sags at the center portion and disrupts uniform rolling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoverage areaVSAvoidroller stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure is segmented into multiple discrete support members distributed along the longitudinal length of the roller. These support members are positioned at specific intervals to provide localized support where needed, preventing center sagging without requiring a complete structural redesign of the entire roller assembly

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The solution introduces a vertical dimension element by extending support members upward from the housing to contact the bottom surface of the roller. This vertical support dimension counteracts the gravitational sagging force while maintaining the roller's horizontal span for wide material coverage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Stability of the object's composition

If support structures are added to prevent roller sagging, then the roller stability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveroller stabilityVSAvoidsupport structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Support members are strategically positioned only at critical locations where sagging occurs (center and intermediate portions of the roller), rather than providing continuous support along the entire length. This localized approach maintains stability while minimizing the addition of structural complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of supporting the roller from above or using complex internal reinforcement structures, the invention inverts the approach by providing support from below through the housing. The support members extend upward to contact the roller's bottom surface, simplifying the overall structure while effectively preventing sagging

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS10309153B2Support system for rolled material

Publication Date: 2019.06.04 DRAPER CORP

AI summary

A support system for moving a rolled material between a rolled configuration and an extended configuration. The support system may include a roller having a longitudinal axis, a housing supporting the roller, and a cradle extending along a first longitudinal length of the roller. The cradle may include a base removably coupled to the housing and a contact member supported by the base.