Sliding system with improved mechanisms
Example embodiments provide a sliding system with improved mechanisms. According to embodiments, the sliding system may include a drive mechanism, a frame, a supporting device, and a connecting device. The drive mechanism is configurable to move a sliding panel along at least one track. The frame may house at least a portion of the drive mechanism. The supporting device may be detachably connected to the frame. The connecting device detachably connected the drive mechanism to the sliding panel.
1 . A sliding system comprises:
a drive mechanism configurable to move a sliding panel along at least one track;
a frame housing at least a portion of the drive mechanism;
a supporting device detachably connected to the frame and providing horizontal support for the drive mechanism; and
a connecting device detachably connecting the drive mechanism to the sliding panel to allow vertical movement therebetween by the connecting device any of lengthening and shortening by a deflection of deflectable first and second portions of the connecting device along each other as the sliding panel is moved along the at least one track.
2 . The sliding system according to claim 1 , wherein the connecting device comprises:
a first one of the deflectable first and second portions is attached to the drive mechanism; and
a second one of the deflectable first and second portions is attached to the sliding panel,
wherein the first one of the deflectable first and second portions is detachably connected to the second one of the deflectable first and second portions.
3 . The sliding system according to claim 2 , wherein:
the first one of the deflectable first and second portions comprises at least one female connector portion, and
the second one of the deflectable first and second portions comprises at least one male connector portion.
4 . The sliding system according to claim 2 , wherein:
the first one of the deflectable first and second portions is movable in relation to the second one of the deflectable first and second portions when the connecting device is moved from a first position to a second position, and
the connecting device has a first length at the first position and a second length at the second position.
5 . The sliding system according to claim 2 , wherein:
a part of the first one of the deflectable first and second portions is positioned between the frame and the supporting device.
6 . The sliding system according to claim 2 , wherein:
the drive mechanism comprises a plurality of pulleys and a belt wrapped around the plurality of pulleys,
at least one of the plurality of pulleys and at least a portion of the belt are housed within the frame, and
the first one of the deflectable first and second portions of the connecting device is attached to the belt.
7 . The sliding system according to claim 2 , wherein:
the drive mechanism comprises a plurality of pulleys and a belt wrapped around the plurality of pulleys, and
at least one of the plurality of pulleys and at least a portion of the belt are mounted on top of the frame.
8 . The sliding system according to claim 1 , wherein:
the frame comprises a plurality of protruding portions,
the supporting device comprises a receiving portion having a shape conforming the plurality of protruding portions of the frame, and
the supporting device is detachably connected to the frame by inserting the plurality of protruding portions of the frame into the receiving portion of the supporting device.
9 . The sliding system according to claim 1 , wherein:
the sliding panel comprises one of: a door panel and a window panel.
10 . The sliding system according to claim 1 , wherein:
the supporting device is interposed both between the at least one track and the sliding panel.
11 . The sliding system according to claim 1 , wherein
the deflection, of the deflectable first and second portions of the connecting device along each other as the sliding panel is moved along the at least one track, comprises a first one of the deflectable first and second portions any of inserting into and retracting from a second one of the deflectable first and second portions as the sliding panel is moved along the at least one track.
12 . The sliding system according to claim 11 , wherein
the deflection further comprises the first one of the deflectable first and second portions any of inserting into and retracting from the second one of the deflectable first and second portions as the sliding panel is moved along the at least one track and with, along a direction of the vertical movement, part of the supporting device interposed between a part of the first one of the deflectable first and second portions and a part of the second one of the deflectable first and second portions as the sliding panel is moved along the at least one track.
13 . The sliding system according to claim 1 , wherein
a first one of the deflectable first and second portions of the connecting device is, along a vertical direction, at a first side of the supporting device,
a second one of the deflectable first and second portions of the connecting device is, along the vertical direction, at a second side of the supporting device,
the first side of the supporting device is facing away from the frame and the drive mechanism, and the second side of the supporting device is facing towards the frame and the drive mechanism,
the first one of the deflectable first and second portions is inserted into the second one of the deflectable first and second portions, by a connection spanning, along the vertical direction, from the first side of the supporting device to the second side of the supporting device, and
the deflection of the deflectable first and second portions of the connecting device comprises the first one of the deflectable first and second portions being pressed into or released from being pressed into the second one of the deflectable first and second portions by force transmitted from the sliding panel to the deflectable first and second portions of the connecting device as the sliding panel is moved along the at least one track by the drive mechanism.
14 . A sliding system comprises:
a drive mechanism configurable to move a sliding panel along at least one track, the drive mechanism comprises a plurality of pulleys and a belt wrapped around the plurality of pulleys;
a frame housing at least a portion of the drive mechanism, and at least a first one of the plurality of pulleys and at least a first portion of the belt are housed within the frame, a first portion of a connecting device is attached to the belt, and at least a second one of the plurality of pulleys and at least a second portion of the belt are mounted on top of the frame;
a supporting device detachably connected to the frame and providing horizontal support for the drive mechanism; and
the connecting device detachably connecting the drive mechanism to the sliding panel to allow vertical movement therebetween.
15 . A sliding system comprises:
a drive mechanism configurable to move a sliding panel along at least one track, the drive mechanism comprises a plurality of pulleys and a belt wrapped around the plurality of pulleys;
a frame housing at least a portion of the drive mechanism, and at least part of a first one of the plurality of pulleys and at least a first portion of the belt are housed within the frame, a first portion of a connecting device is attached to the belt, and at least part of a second one of the plurality of pulleys and at least a second portion of the belt are mounted on top of the frame;
a supporting device detachably connected to the frame and providing horizontal support for the drive mechanism; and
the connecting device detachably connecting the drive mechanism to the sliding panel to allow vertical movement therebetween, the first portion is attached to the drive mechanism, and a second portion of the connecting device is attached to the sliding panel,
wherein the first portion of the connecting device is detachably connected to the second portion of the connecting device.