Spring-Loaded Roller Assembly for Precise Telescopic Arm Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

The adjustment of rollers in telescopic arm segment assemblies to ensure a tight fit with the runner rail is challenging due to limited accessibility with standard tools, making precise alignment and adjustment difficult, especially when the segments are positioned horizontally or at various angles.

Innovation Solution

A rolling element assembly with two rotatably fixed rollers and a spring-loaded connecting element that automatically aligns the rollers within the runner rail, allowing for easy and optimal positioning without requiring specialized tools, ensuring the rollers remain in full contact with the rail during assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If standard adjustment methods are used for rollers in telescopic arm segments, then the rollers can be positioned between two segments, but the accessibility for adjustment is limited and precise alignment becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment precision of rollersVSAvoidadjustability of rollers
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting slits provide dynamic adjustment capability, allowing the positioner bolts to be moved along the slits to achieve optimal roller alignment. This dynamic positioning system enables precise alignment while maintaining ease of adjustment during assembly and maintenance operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting slits act as an intermediary mechanism between the fixed segment structure and the adjustable roller positions. They provide a guided path that facilitates precise roller positioning while remaining accessible for adjustment operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If rollers are tightly clamped against the runner rail to reduce noise and ensure reliable functioning, then the fit becomes tight, but the adjustment process becomes more difficult due to limited accessibility

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliable functioning of telescopic armVSAvoidease of assembly
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The spring-loaded connecting element performs preliminary clamping action automatically when the rolling element assembly is inserted into the runner rail. This eliminates the need for complex manual adjustment and tightening procedures, making assembly easier while ensuring reliable tight clamping for noise reduction and dependable operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The spring-loaded connecting element provides self-service clamping functionality, automatically adjusting and maintaining the tight fit between rollers and runner rail without requiring external adjustment tools or complex assembly procedures. The system self-regulates to ensure reliable functioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If multiple rollers are used to control linear movement between segments, then smooth and frictionless movement is achieved, but the complexity of positioning and adjusting all rollers increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesmoothness of movementVSAvoidcomplexity of roller positioning system
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple rolling element assemblies are merged into a single integrated unit with a common spring-loaded connecting element. This combining approach maintains the smooth movement benefits of multiple rollers while reducing the overall adjustment complexity by providing a unified positioning mechanism for all rollers in the assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 solution simplifies the adjustment process, reduces installation time and costs, and ensures high repeatability and alignment quality of the telescopic arm segments, enabling smooth and stable movement while minimizing noise and bending.

Implementation Method 1

a spring-loaded connecting element, connecting the two rolling elements such that the four rollers are clamped between the upper cover and lower termination of the runner rail

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3824813B1Rolling element assembly for adjustment of telescopic arm
Publication Date: 2022.03.16 AGFA NV
  • EP3824813B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3824813B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP3824813B1 patent drawingFigure 6~8

AI summary

This invention is related to a rolling element assembly that can be integrated into a telescopic arm segment assembly, comprising a pair of auto-adjusting rolling elements, that assume their optimal mounting position between two concentric telescopic arm segments, as they are spring-loaded by the presence of a connecting spring element. The final adjustment and fixation of the rolling elements (comprising each a pair of rollers) can then be subsequently be performed with high precision.