Scrollerwheel
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A scrollerwheel is a mechanical device composed of a number of rollers (four or more) and connective bands under tension, which wrap around and weave between the rollers forming a self-supporting cluster possessing a central roller. The cluster of rollers is bound by the connective bands in such a way that the static friction between the rollers and bands prevent the rollers from slipping as they roll and orbit the central roller. Scrollerwheels are related in operational principle to rolamite linear bearings, and like them, they display only rolling friction, and not the kinetic friction inherent in most mechanical bearings.
The rollers can have a cross section in a variety of shapes other than circular, such as: ovoids (which with a single ovoid roller as the central roller--or one of the outer rollers--results in a cammed motion), various varieties of superellipses and Reuleaux triangles.
