Universal wheel

Abstract

The utility model discloses a universal wheel, belongs to the technical field of universal wheels, and is used for solving the problem of how to improve the braking reliability. Each universal wheel comprises a wheel seat, a roller assembly and a brake assembly; the roller assembly comprises a roller, a gear and a rotating shaft, the roller and the gear are rotatably connected with the wheel seat through the rotating shaft, and the roller and the gear are relatively fixed in the circumferential direction of the rotating shaft; the brake assembly comprises a brake block and an operating part, the brake block is movably arranged on the wheel seat and faces the gear, and the operating part is movably arranged on the wheel seat and is used for pushing the brake block to move towards the gear; wherein in the initial state, the brake block is separated from the gear; and in a braking state, the brake block is inserted between insections of the gear to prevent the gear and the roller from rotating around the rotating shaft. According to the universal wheel, the rolling wheels are braked in the mode that the brake blocks stop the gears from rotating, dependence on friction force is avoided, influences of the abrasion condition of the rolling wheels are avoided, and braking is more reliable.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of universal wheels, and in particular to a universal wheel. Background Art

[0002] Universal wheels, also known as multi-directional wheels, are designed to help other products move in any direction on a flat surface, enhancing mobility and maneuverability. Universal wheels are often equipped with brake components to prevent the wheels from rotating.

[0003] Traditional caster brake assemblies feature a locking mechanism mounted on the wheel axle. A movable part is located at the bottom of the locking mechanism, corresponding to the wheel. This movable part is equipped with a friction element to enhance friction. To stop the caster, the user simply pushes the locking mechanism downward, causing the friction element on the movable part to contact the wheel surface. This increases the friction between the locking mechanism and the wheel, preventing the wheel from rotating while stationary. While this method can achieve wheel braking, it has the following drawbacks and shortcomings:

[0004] During long-term sliding, the surface of the wheel will gradually wear and become smooth, resulting in a decrease in the friction between the wheel and the friction parts, and a decrease in the braking efficiency and reliability of the universal wheel, which in turn makes the product prone to accidental movement.

[0005] It should be noted that the information disclosed in the above background technology section is only used to enhance the understanding of the background of the present disclosure, and therefore may include information that does not constitute prior art known to ordinary technicians in the field. Utility Model Content

[0006] (1) Technical problems solved

[0007] The embodiment of the present application provides a universal wheel that can solve the problem of how to improve braking reliability in the prior art.

[0008] (2) Technical solution

[0009] To solve the above technical problems, this application provides the following technical solutions:

[0010] Provided is a universal wheel, comprising: a wheel seat, a roller assembly and a brake assembly;

[0011] The roller assembly includes a roller, a gear and a rotating shaft, wherein the roller and the gear are rotatably connected to the wheel seat via the rotating shaft, and the roller and the gear are relatively fixed in the circumferential direction of the rotating shaft;

[0012] The brake assembly includes a brake block and an operating member, wherein the brake block is movably disposed on the wheel seat and is disposed toward the gear, and the operating member is movably disposed on the wheel seat and is used to push the brake block to move toward the gear;

[0013] Wherein, in an initial state, the brake block is separated from the gear; in a braking state, the brake block is inserted between the teeth of the gear to prevent the gear and the roller from rotating around the rotating shaft.

[0014] In some embodiments, the wheel seat is provided with a guide groove arranged toward the gear, and the brake block is movably provided in the guide groove; in the braking state, the brake block is limited by the groove wall of the guide groove.

[0015] In some embodiments, the operating member is slidably connected to the wheel seat and is provided with an inclined surface facing the brake block; during braking, the operating member pushes the brake block to move toward the gear through the inclined surface.

[0016] In some embodiments, the wheel seat is provided with a sliding groove and is slidably connected to the operating member through the sliding groove.

[0017] In some embodiments, the operating member is provided with a blocking portion, which is connected to the inclined surface; in the braking state, the blocking portion is located at an end of the brake block away from the gear to prevent the brake block from disengaging from the gear.

[0018] In some embodiments, the operating member and the wheel seat are respectively provided with a positioning protrusion and a positioning recess; in the braking state, the positioning protrusion cooperates with the positioning recess, and the operating member and the wheel seat are relatively fixed.

[0019] In some embodiments, the universal wheel further includes an elastic reset member provided on the wheel seat, wherein the elastic reset member has elastic deformation capability and is used to drive the brake block to move toward the gear direction and then reset.

[0020] In some embodiments, the brake block is provided with a sliding hole, the elastic return member is rod-shaped, and one end is fixedly connected to the wheel seat, and the other end can be movably extended into the sliding hole of the brake block so as to be located in the sliding hole at the upper limit of the moving direction of the brake block.

[0021] In some embodiments, there are at least two rollers, and the gear is fixed between the two rollers.

[0022] In some embodiments, a connecting seat is rotatably provided on the top of the wheel seat, a cavity for accommodating the roller assembly and the brake block is provided in the middle, and a bottom cover is fixedly provided on the bottom. The bottom cover is used to seal the cavity and is provided with a clearance hole for the roller.

[0023] (3) Beneficial effects

[0024] Compared with the prior art, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application have at least the following beneficial effects:

[0025] The universal wheel of the present application achieves braking of the roller by cooperating with the gear through a brake assembly. Specifically, in the initial state, the brake block is separated from the gear, allowing the roller to rotate around the shaft, achieving the mobile function. During braking, the operating member pushes the brake block between the teeth of the gear, preventing the gear from rotating around the shaft. Because the gear and roller are relatively fixed in the circumferential direction of the shaft, the roller is prevented from rotating around the shaft, achieving the braking function. Compared to traditional friction braking methods, the universal wheel of the present application brakes the roller by using the brake block to prevent the gear from rotating. This method does not rely on the amount of friction and is not affected by roller wear, making braking more reliable. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present application. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without any creative work.

[0027] Figure 1 is a three-dimensional diagram of a universal wheel in an embodiment of the present application;

[0028] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional diagram of the universal wheel in the embodiment of the present application with the bottom cover removed;

[0029] Figure 3 is a top view of the universal wheel structure in an embodiment of the present application;

[0030] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A sectional perspective view of the middle universal wheel structure in its initial state at section A;

[0031] Figure 5 yes Figure 3 A sectional perspective view of the middle universal wheel structure in the braking state at section A.

[0032] Figure numerals: wheel seat 1, roller 2, gear 3, rotating shaft 4, brake block 5, operating member 6, elastic reset member 7, connecting seat 8, bottom cover 9, guide groove 11, slide groove 12, positioning protrusion 13, slide hole 50, inclined surface 61, blocking portion 62, positioning recess 63.

[0033] The above drawings illustrate specific embodiments of the present application, which will be described in more detail below. These drawings and the textual description are not intended to limit the scope of the present application in any way, but rather to illustrate the concepts of the present application to those skilled in the art by reference to specific embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] In order to make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of this application clearer, the implementation methods of this application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0035] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the embodiments described are part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0036] The existing universal wheel prevents the roller from rotating by the friction between the friction member and the roller. As the roller becomes smoother over time, the friction decreases, affecting the braking effect and reliability of the roller.

[0037] In order to solve the above technical problems, this embodiment provides a universal wheel. Figures 1 to 5 As shown, Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional diagram of the universal wheel in the embodiment of the present application. Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional diagram of the universal wheel in the embodiment of the present application after removing the bottom cover. Figure 3 is a top view of the universal wheel structure in the embodiment of the present application, Figure 4 yes Figure 3 The cross-sectional perspective view of the universal wheel structure in the initial state at section A. Figure 5 yes Figure 3 A sectional perspective view of the middle universal wheel structure in the braking state at section A.

[0038] The universal wheel provided in this embodiment includes: a wheel seat 1, a roller 2, a gear 3, a rotating shaft 4, a brake block 5 and an operating member 6.

[0039] The roller 2, gear 3 and rotating shaft 4 form a roller assembly. The roller 2 and gear 3 are rotatably connected to the wheel seat 1 through the rotating shaft 4. The roller 2 and gear 3 are relatively fixed in the circumferential direction of the rotating shaft 4. That is, when the rotation of the gear 3 is restricted, the rotation of the roller 2 will also be synchronously restricted due to the circumferentially fixed design.

[0040] The brake block 5 and the operating member 6 belong to the brake assembly. The brake block 5 is movably arranged on the wheel seat 1 and is arranged toward the gear 3. The operating member 6 is movably arranged on the wheel seat 1 and is used to push the brake block 5 to move toward the gear 3. In the initial state, Figure 4 As shown, the brake block 5 is separated from the gear 3; in the braking state, as shown Figure 5 As shown, the brake block 5 is inserted between the teeth of the gear 3 to prevent the gear 3 and the roller 2 from rotating around the rotating shaft 4.

[0041] The universal wheel of the above technical solution achieves precise braking of the roller 2 through the clever cooperation of the brake assembly and the gear 3. Figure 4 As shown, the brake block 5 is kept separate from the gear 3, ensuring that the roller 2 can rotate freely around the shaft 4 to meet the movement requirements. Figure 5 As shown, the operating member 6 quickly pushes the brake block 5 to precisely insert into the tooth gap of the gear 3, effectively preventing the gear 3 and the roller 2 fixed relative to it from rotating around the rotating shaft 4, thereby achieving the braking function. More importantly, the braking method of the above technical solution abandons the traditional friction braking principle and instead adopts the method of directly blocking the rotation of the gear 3 by the brake block 5. This innovative design not only avoids the dependence of the braking effect on the magnitude of the friction force, but also significantly reduces the impact of the wear of the roller 2 on the braking performance, making the braking more stable and reliable. Therefore, the universal wheel of the above technical solution not only improves the braking performance, but also extends the service life, and has significant practical value and product competitiveness.

[0042] In one embodiment of the above-mentioned brake block 5 being movably arranged on the wheel seat 1, see Figure 2 and Figure 4 As shown, the wheel base 1 is provided with a guide groove 11 facing the gear 3, and the brake shoe 5 is movably disposed within the guide groove 11. In the braking state, the brake shoe 5 is restrained by the groove wall of the guide groove 11 to prevent the gear 3 and the roller 2 from rotating about the rotating shaft 4. In other words, the guide groove 11 not only guides the brake shoe 5, allowing it to move more accurately and smoothly in the predetermined direction, but also prevents the brake shoe 5 from rotating with the gear 3, thereby preventing the gear 3 from rotating.

[0043] Exemplarily, the guide groove 11 includes four side walls for limiting the left-right and up-and-down movement of the brake block 5 , wherein the side walls may be ribs integrally formed on the wheel seat 1 or a bottom cover 9 fixed on the wheel seat 1 .

[0044] In an embodiment in which the operating member 6 is movably disposed on the wheel seat 1 and pushes the brake block 5 to move toward the gear 3, see Figure 4 and Figure 5As shown, the operating member 6 is slidably connected to the wheel seat 1 and has an inclined surface 61 facing the brake block 5. During braking, the operating member 6 pushes the brake block 5 toward the gear 3 via the inclined surface 61. The sliding path of the operating member 6 can be straight or curved, and the inclined surface 61 makes the movement of the operating member 6 pushing the brake block 5 smoother, which can significantly improve the smoothness of the braking operation.

[0045] For example, see Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, the slidable connection between the operating member 6 and the wheel seat 1 can be achieved in the following manner: the wheel seat 1 is provided with a sliding groove 12 and is slidably connected to the operating member 6 through the sliding groove 12.

[0046] It is understandable that the operating member 6 and the wheel seat 1 can be slidably connected and can also be connected through an existing slide rail structure.

[0047] For example, see Figure 4 As shown, the brake block 5 is also provided with inclined surfaces with the same function, and the cooperation between the inclined surfaces further improves the smoothness of cooperation with the operating member 6.

[0048] Further, in order to improve the stability of the brake pad 5 in the braking state, refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the operating member 6 is provided with a blocking portion 62, which is located at the upper end of the inclined surface 61 and connected to the inclined surface 61. In the braking state, the blocking portion 62 is limited to the end of the brake block 5 away from the gear 3 to prevent the brake block 5 from moving away from the gear 3, thereby preventing the brake block 5 from disengaging from the gear 3. The blocking portion 62 can be directly supported by the wheel seat 1 or indirectly supported by a portion slidably connected to the wheel seat 1 to achieve the function of blocking the movement of the brake block 5. Because the blocking portion 62 is connected to the inclined surface 61, the blocking portion 62 can quickly limit the brake block 5 after the inclined surface 61 pushes the brake block 5 to move, making the braking more reliable.

[0049] The operating member 6 can be kept in the braking state manually or fixed relative to the wheel seat 1 by an existing fixing structure to keep it in the braking state. Figure 4 As shown, the operating member 6 of the present application is provided with a positioning recess 63, and the wheel seat 1 is provided with a positioning protrusion 13, or the operating member 6 is provided with a positioning protrusion, and the wheel seat 1 is provided with a positioning recess; in the braking state, the positioning protrusion 13 cooperates with the positioning recess 63 to relatively fix the operating member 6 and the wheel seat 1.

[0050] It is understandable that the operating member 6 can also be fixed in the initial position by cooperating with the positioning protrusion 13 and the positioning recess 63 , which will not be described in detail here.

[0051] Exemplarily, the operating member 6 and the wheel seat 1 are made of plastic material with elastic deformation ability, or the positioning protrusion 13 alone is made of rubber or plastic material to ensure that the positioning protrusion 13 can enter the positioning recess 63 and disengage from the positioning recess 63 when resetting.

[0052] In another embodiment (not shown) in which the operating member 6 is movably provided on the wheel seat 1 and pushes the brake block 5 to move toward the gear 3, the operating member 6 is rotatably connected to the wheel seat 1 through a pin shaft and pushes the brake block 5 to move by rotating.

[0053] It is understandable that the operating member 6 and the brake block 5 may be a separate structure or an integrated structure, but it is necessary to ensure that the operating member 6 can push the brake block 5 to move toward the gear 3 through its own movement.

[0054] In order to realize that the brake block 5 automatically returns to the initial position when the roller 2 moves, see Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the universal wheel further includes an elastic reset member 7 provided on the wheel seat 1. The elastic reset member 7 has elastic deformation capability and is used to drive the brake block 5 to move toward the gear 3 and then reset.

[0055] In one embodiment of the elastic reset member 7, see Figure 2 and Figure 4 As shown, the brake block 5 is provided with a slide hole 50, and the elastic return member 7 is in the shape of a rod, which is an elastic rod. One end is fixedly connected to the wheel seat 1, and the other end can be movably extended into the slide hole 50 of the brake block 5, so that the upper limit of the movement direction of the brake block 5 is located in the slide hole 50. The member can be extended and retracted within the slide hole 50 to avoid interfering with the movement of the brake block 5. When braking, the brake block 5 pushes the elastic rod, causing it to bend and generate elastic force. When braking is released, the elastic force of the elastic rod drives the moving block out of the gear 3, allowing the gear 3 to return to a rotatable state, thus achieving the functions of automatic reset and brake release.

[0056] Exemplarily, the elastic rod is integrally formed inside the wheel seat 1 , or is connected to a preset threaded hole in the wheel seat 1 via a thread.

[0057] In another embodiment of the above-mentioned elastic return member 7 (not shown in the figure), the elastic return member 7 is a spring and is connected between the wheel seat 1 and the brake block 5. The spring can be a compression spring or a tension spring, and is deformed when the brake block 5 moves toward the gear 3, and then the brake block 5 is driven to reset by the elastic force generated by the deformation.

[0058] To improve the stability of roller 2 during braking, refer to Figure 2As shown, there are at least two rollers 2, the gear 3 is fixed between the two rollers 2, the brake block 5 is located at a relative position in the middle of the gear 3, and is inserted into the tooth pattern in the middle during braking, so that the rollers 2 on both sides can be evenly stressed, thereby improving the reliability of the braking action.

[0059] In order to facilitate the insertion of the brake block 5 between the teeth of the gear 3, see Figure 4 As shown, the end of the brake block 5 facing the gear 3 is a wedge-shaped or pointed structure, and a chamfer may be provided.

[0060] In one embodiment of the wheel seat 1, see Figure 1 and Figure 4 As shown, a connecting seat 8 is rotatably mounted on the top of the wheel seat 1. Connecting seat 8 is connected to the connecting hole of the wheel seat 1 via a connecting shaft. Connecting seat 8 is used to connect to the product on which the universal wheel is mounted, and its rotation axis is perpendicular to the rotating shaft 4. A cavity is defined in the center of the wheel seat 1 to accommodate the roller assembly and brake block 5. A bottom cover 9 is fixed to the bottom with screws. This bottom cover 9 seals the cavity and has a clearance hole for the roller 2. During use, the roller 2 passes through the clearance hole to contact the ground.

[0061] For example, see Figure 2 and Figure 4 As shown, an opening is provided at the bottom end of the chute 12 so that the operating member 6 can be installed into the chute 12 through the opening. At the same time, when the bottom cover 9 is fixedly connected to the wheel seat 1, the above opening is closed to prevent the operating member 6 from being separated from the chute 12. This design can not only facilitate the installation of the operating member 6, but also ensure the stability of the cooperation between the operating member 6 and the chute 2.

[0062] The above description is merely an optional embodiment of the present application and is not intended to limit the present application. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present application shall be included in the scope of protection of the present application.

Claims

1. A universal wheel, characterized in that: include: wheel seat, roller assembly and brake assembly; The roller assembly includes a roller, a gear and a rotating shaft, wherein the roller and the gear are rotatably connected to the wheel seat via the rotating shaft, and the roller and the gear are relatively fixed in the circumferential direction of the rotating shaft; The brake assembly includes a brake block and an operating member, wherein the brake block is movably disposed on the wheel seat and is disposed toward the gear, and the operating member is movably disposed on the wheel seat and is used to push the brake block to move toward the gear; Wherein, in an initial state, the brake block is separated from the gear; in a braking state, the brake block is inserted between the teeth of the gear to prevent the gear and the roller from rotating around the rotating shaft.

2. The universal wheel according to claim 1, characterized in that: The wheel seat is provided with a guide groove arranged toward the gear, and the brake block is movably arranged in the guide groove; in the braking state, the brake block is limited by the groove wall of the guide groove.

3. The universal wheel according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The operating member is slidably connected to the wheel seat and is provided with an inclined surface facing the brake block; during braking, the operating member pushes the brake block to move toward the gear through the inclined surface.

4. The universal wheel according to claim 3, characterized in that: The wheel seat is provided with a sliding groove and is slidably connected to the operating member through the sliding groove.

5. The universal wheel according to claim 3, characterized in that: The operating member is provided with a blocking portion, which is connected to the inclined surface; in the braking state, the blocking portion is located at an end of the brake block away from the gear to prevent the brake block from being disengaged from the gear.

6. The universal wheel according to claim 3, characterized in that: The operating member and the wheel seat are respectively provided with a positioning convex portion and a positioning concave portion; in the braking state, the positioning convex portion cooperates with the positioning concave portion, and the operating member and the wheel seat are relatively fixed.

7. The universal wheel according to claim 1, characterized in that: The universal wheel further comprises an elastic reset member provided on the wheel seat, wherein the elastic reset member has elastic deformation capability and is used for driving the brake block to move in the direction of the gear and then reset.

8. The universal wheel according to claim 7, characterized in that: The brake block is provided with a sliding hole, and the elastic reset member is rod-shaped, with one end fixedly connected to the wheel seat and the other end movably extending into the sliding hole of the brake block to be located in the sliding hole at the upper limit of the moving direction of the brake block.

9. The universal wheel according to claim 1, characterized in that: There are at least two rollers, and the gear is fixed between the two rollers.

10. The universal wheel according to claim 1, characterized in that: The top of the wheel seat is rotatably provided with a connecting seat, the middle is provided with a cavity for accommodating the roller assembly and the brake block, and the bottom is fixedly provided with a bottom cover, which is used to seal the cavity and is provided with a clearance hole for the roller.

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