Roller Spring Nesting for Compact Vertical Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing roller designs are vertically extensive due to the conventional support of springs between the transmission and activating parts, limiting their compactness and efficiency in nesting and movement.
Innovation Solution
A roller design where the support region for the spring is formed on the activating part, allowing the transmission part to pass through, enabling nesting and interaction between the springs and transmission part, with an electric motor drive using a linear actuator for vertical movement, and an emergency release mechanism for manual operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If springs are supported between the transmission part and housing, then the roller can achieve reliable spring force transmission, but the vertical extent becomes large
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission part is designed with a through-opening that allows it to pass through the activating part. The springs are supported on the activating part within the space created by this nested arrangement, enabling the transmission part to move vertically through the activating part while the springs remain contained within the same vertical envelope. This nesting eliminates the need for additional vertical space that would be required if springs were supported externally between the transmission part and housing.
2Ease of operation
If the transmission part moves vertically with compression or decompression of spring, then the locking mechanism can be actuated, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission part combines multiple functions within a single component: it serves as the moving element that transmits force, provides the support surface for the springs through its interaction with the activating part, and enables vertical movement for locking mechanism actuation. The through-opening in the transmission part allows it to both support springs and move freely vertically, merging what would traditionally be separate structural elements into one integrated component.
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
This design reduces vertical extent, enhances compactness, and allows for efficient movement and locking mechanisms, including emergency release functionality, preventing unintended blocking and ensuring reliable operation.
Implementation Method 1
a linear movement of a transmission part that is effected by said drive being transmitted via spring force to the activating part for moving same, and the spring being supported on the transmission part
Implementation Method 2
the drive is an electric motor drive, and a component that is comparable to a rotor shaft of a standard electric motor can be provided as a part that is (only) linearly displaceable
Implementation Method 3
an electric motor, the rotor shaft of which is formed as a hollow part having an internal thread that interacts with a part that has a central external thread and accordingly is linearly movable when the rotor rotates
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a roller (1), preferably comprising two wheels (2) and a locking device, an activating part (10) acting on the locking device for releasing or locking, and the activating part (10) being movable by a drive, a movement of a transmission part (7) that is generated by the drive being transmitted via spring force to the activating part (10) for moving same, and a spring (8) being supported on the transmission part. In order to provide a roller that allows an advantageous constructional design, it is proposed that a support region is formed for the spring (8) and/or the spring (9) and/or the compression spring (44) on the activating part (10), through which region the transmission part (7) can pass.