Rolling Element Sliding Mechanism for Closure Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing closure elements with slat profiles, especially when their longitudinal directions are parallel to gravity, face difficulties in smooth movement between closed and open positions due to increased effort and wear, and generate unwanted noises during vibrations.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating sliding elements with rolling bodies and sliding plates that have an axis of rotation normal to the slat profiles' longitudinal direction, which include spring elements to apply contact pressure on guide rails, ensuring smooth movement and noise reduction by precise matching with guide rails and minimizing transverse movement during vibrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If the longitudinal directions of the slat profiles are arranged parallel to the direction of gravity, then the closure element can be installed in a space-efficient manner, but the weight rests heavily on the guide rails causing severe wear and difficult movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional sliding pin mechanism with a rolling element (wheel) mechanism. The rolling element rotates on its axis while moving along the guide rail, converting sliding friction into rolling friction. This substitution dramatically reduces wear on both the guide rail and the closure element, enabling reliable operation even when slat profiles are oriented parallel to gravity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the mechanical interaction parameter from sliding contact to rolling contact by introducing a rolling element with rotational degrees of freedom. This parameter change transforms the friction characteristics and wear patterns, allowing the system to handle heavy loads with minimal wear even in gravity-parallel orientations.
2Device complexity
If the closure element moves along guide rails with traditional pins, then the structure is simple, but vibrations cause transverse movement and rattling noises
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the pin-based sliding mechanism with a rolling element that contacts the guide rail at a specific point. This substitution eliminates the lateral play and transverse movement characteristic of pin-based systems, thereby preventing rattling noises during vibration while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The rolling element introduces a curved contact interface (circular cross-section) that naturally accommodates vibrational movements through rotation, preventing rigid impacts and rattling noises that occur with cylindrical pins. The curved geometry allows smooth absorption of vibrational energy.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional sliding pins are used in guide rails, then the device is simple to manufacture, but increased force is required to move the closure element between positions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes sliding friction with rolling friction by introducing a rolling element. This mechanical substitution reduces the force required to move the closure element significantly, as rolling friction is much lower than sliding friction, while the guide rail structure remains relatively simple to manufacture.
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 enables easy and long-lasting operation of closure elements with reduced noise and wear, even when slat profiles are parallel to gravity, by allowing smooth movement and minimizing rattling and noise during vibrations.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one sliding element comprises at least one rolling element for rolling on one of the guide rails
Implementation Method 2
the at least one sliding element has at least one spring element arranged along a longitudinal edge of the sliding plate in order to produce a contact pressure on the respective guide rail
Implementation Method 3
a sliding plate for rotatably supporting the at least one rolling element
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Device (1) for closing openings (2) comprising - a closing element (3) which has several articulatedly connected lamellar profiles (4) which each extend along a longitudinal direction (18) from a first end edge (6a) to a second end edge (6b), - opposing guide rails (7) by means of which the closing element can be moved from a closed position to an open position and back, and - at least one sliding element (10) for supporting a guided movement of the closing element between the closed position and the open position, of which at least one sliding element is arranged on at least one of the end edges (6a,6b) of at least one of the lamellar profiles.According to the invention, the at least one sliding element comprises at least one rolling element (11) for rolling on one of the guide rails and a sliding plate (12) for rotatably mounting the at least one rolling element, wherein the at least one rolling element has a directional component comprising an axis of rotation (5), which directional component is normal to the respective longitudinal direction.