Self-Balancing Sliding Wheel Device for Uneven Guide Rails

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing self-balancing wheel devices for sliding doors are complex and inconvenient to adjust, leading to uneven wear and potential derailing or noise due to uneven guide rails, and fail to maintain smooth operation over time as guide rails deform.

Innovation Solution

A self-balancing wheel device with a mounting block, hinge shaft, rotating column, and steering column that automatically adjusts wheel height through gravity-induced rotation, ensuring wheels remain on the same plane and preventing excessive swinging, featuring a simple structure and easy adjustment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple wheels are employed to prevent door leaf shaking, then the door leaf can be supported better, but the wheels may move unsteadily or derail when uneven places appear on the rail

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedoor leaf stabilityVSAvoidsliding smoothness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The balancing sheet is designed to rotate dynamically around the hinge shaft in response to height differences between guide rails. This dynamic adjustment allows the wheels to automatically adapt to uneven rail conditions, maintaining contact with the rail surface and preventing derailment while ensuring smooth door leaf sliding.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The wheel device incorporates a self-balancing mechanism where the balancing sheet automatically adjusts its angle based on the height difference between guide rails through gravity-induced rotation around the hinge shaft. This self-adjusting capability eliminates the need for external intervention or complex control systems, maintaining wheel-rail contact and door stability autonomously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If two parallel guide rails are adapted to carry the weight of the door leaf, then the door leaf can be supported, but the guide rail may deform over time resulting in door leaf swinging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedoor leaf supportVSAvoidguide rail service life
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The balancing sheet provides dynamic compensation for guide rail deformation by rotating around the hinge shaft to adjust wheel height positions. This dynamic adaptation ensures that the wheels remain properly aligned with the guide rails even when the rails deform over time, preventing door leaf swinging and extending the effective service life of the guide rail system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the height parameter of the wheels automatically through balancing sheet rotation to match the actual position of the guide rails. This parameter adjustment compensates for rail deformation, maintaining proper wheel-rail contact and door leaf stability throughout the service life of the guide rails.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Extent of automation

If existing self-balancing wheel devices are used, then automatic adjustment is achieved, but the structure becomes complex and adjustment is inconvenient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic adjustmentVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The wheel device is segmented into independent functional components: the balancing sheet, hinge shaft, mounting block, and adjusting member. This segmentation allows for simple individual parts that are easy to manufacture and adjust, while collectively providing automatic balancing functionality. The hinge shaft connects the balancing sheet to the mounting block, enabling automatic adjustment without complex mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The balancing sheet automatically adjusts the wheel height position through gravity-induced rotation around the hinge shaft when height differences between guide rails occur. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for complex motors, sensors, or control systems, achieving automatic adjustment with a simple mechanical structure that is easy to maintain and adjust.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

Ensures smooth sliding of the door leaf by maintaining wheels on a single plane despite uneven guide rails and preventing swinging due to rail deformation, with a simple structure and convenient adjustment, extending the device's service life.

Implementation Method 1

under the gravity of the door leaf, wheels rotate around the hinge shaft

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP3508673B1Self-balancing sliding wheel device
Publication Date: 2023.11.01 GUANGDONG OPK SMART HOME TECH CO LTD
  • EP3508673B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3508673B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3508673B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention discloses a self-balancing pulley device, comprising a mounting block (1). A balancing sheet (2) is hinged by a hinge shaft (10) through the side face of the mounting block (1); the balancing sheet (2) is provided with pulleys (3) arranged on two sides of the hinge shaft (10). Such a self-balancing pulley device is simple in structure and convenient to install. The pulleys (3) on both sides can realize automatic balancing.