Roller Track Profile Rail with Pivoting Side Walls

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing roller tracks require complex assembly processes due to the need for precise alignment of rotating axles with transverse bearing openings, often necessitating additional securing elements and increased component parts, which complicates the assembly of multiple roller bodies.

Innovation Solution

The roller track features side walls with bearing openings formed as depressions extending from the free edge toward the base, allowing for easy insertion of roller bodies with rotating axles without requiring exact alignment, and incorporates self-centering and spring-loaded mechanisms to secure the axles in place, reducing the need for additional securing elements and simplifying assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If bearing openings are formed as transverse bores in side walls, then rotating axles can be inserted from the side, but the assembly process becomes complex requiring precise alignment and additional securing elements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of inserting rotating axlesVSAvoidcomplexity of assembly process

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of inserting rotating axles from the side as in conventional designs, the patent inverts the insertion direction by forming bearing openings as depressions extending from the free edge of the side wall toward the base, allowing axles to be inserted from above in a downward direction. This inversion simplifies the assembly process by eliminating the need for precise lateral alignment and additional securing elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The bearing opening is designed with a depression shape that provides self-centering functionality during insertion. As the rotating axle is lowered into the depression, the geometry of the depression automatically centers the axle, eliminating the need for external alignment tools or procedures and reducing assembly complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If additional securing elements such as nuts and holding clips are used to secure rotating axles, then the positions of axles are secured, but the number of component parts increases and assembling effort increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecuring of rotating axlesVSAvoidnumber of component parts

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functions of the bearing opening and the securing mechanism into a single integrated structure. The depression-shaped bearing opening simultaneously serves as both the mounting feature and the securing feature, with its geometry providing automatic retention of the rotating axle. This eliminates the need for separate securing elements like nuts and holding clips, reducing the total number of component parts while maintaining reliable axle positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of manufacture

If side walls are straddled to insert rotating axles into transverse bearing openings, then axles can be inserted, but the distance between side walls must be larger increasing the overall size

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsertion of rotating axlesVSAvoiddistance between side walls

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the insertion approach by changing from lateral insertion through transverse bores to vertical insertion through depressions from above. This allows the side walls to remain closer together, as the depression geometry provides the necessary insertion clearance without requiring the side walls to be straddled apart, thereby reducing the overall width of the profile rail.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 facilitates a quicker and more straightforward assembly of roller tracks by allowing roller bodies to be inserted from above, with self-centering and spring-loaded features ensuring secure positioning of the axles, thereby reducing assembly time and complexity while maintaining operational stability.

Implementation Method 1

the side walls being formed such that they are prone to pivot onto each other under the influence of a force directed toward the base

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the holding openings being formed as depressions extending from the free edge of the side walls toward the base

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS9981805B2Roller track having a profile rail

Publication Date: 2018.05.29 INTERROLL HLDG

AI summary

A roller track for transporting stored goods has a profile rail (1) with a base (11) and two side walls (12) extending at an angle from the base (11). The side walls (12) can pivot onto each other under the influence of a force directed toward the base (11). Roller bodies (2) are supported rotatably about axles (3) in bearing openings (4) of the side walls (12). The bearing openings (4), wherein the bearing openings (4) are designed as countersinks extending from the free end of the sides walls (12) in the direction of the base (12). The roller bodies (2) are inserted into the bearing openings (4) together with the rotating axles (3) substantially in the direction of the side walls (12).