Caster brake control device

Abstract

The utility model relates to a kind of caster brake control device, including brake cable assembly and switch box, integrated with manual operating mechanism in switch box, brake cable assembly includes two brake cables for corresponding connection to the brake mechanism of caster, brake cable assembly further includes transition transmission unit and a root traction cable, transition transmission unit includes installation box and transmission mechanism on installation box, transmission mechanism has two cable connection ends for the corresponding connection of two brake cables, and one traction input end connected with traction cable, two cable connection ends synchronous traction two brake cables can be driven through traction input end, the manual operating mechanism has a hanging end connected with traction cable.It has the advantage of convenient installation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to a caster brake control device. Background Technology

[0002] Caster braking devices are commonly used in luggage, carry-on bags, and other similar items. They typically include a control device and a braking mechanism. The braking mechanism is located on the caster, while the control device can be either a foot brake (located on the caster) or a handbrake (located on the top of the bag for manual operation). In the handbrake mode, the braking control device is connected to the braking mechanism on the caster via a brake cable. On a bag, a set of two casters is designed for braking. Each caster's braking mechanism is connected to a brake cable, which in turn connects to a manual operating unit (usually an integrated manual operating mechanism within a switch box). This single manual operating unit allows for simultaneous locking (braking) and unlocking (unlocking) of the two casters. The two casters are often spaced apart, such as two braked casters located at opposite corners on one side of the bag. Therefore, in the current structure, with both brake cables directly connected to the manual operating unit, interference from the two brake cables makes it inconvenient to operate the switch box when mounted on the bag. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the defects of the existing technology and provide a caster brake control device with the advantage of easy installation.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution:

[0005] A caster brake control device includes a brake cable assembly and a switch box. A manual operating mechanism is integrated within the switch box. The brake cable assembly includes two brake cables for one-to-one connection to the brake mechanism of the caster. The device is characterized in that: the brake cable assembly further includes a transition transmission unit and a traction cable. The transition transmission unit includes a mounting box and a transmission mechanism disposed on the mounting box. The transmission mechanism has two cable connection ends for one-to-one connection of the two brake cables, and a traction input end connected to the traction cable. The traction input end can drive the two cable connection ends to synchronously pull the two brake cables. The manual operating mechanism has a hook-on end connected to the traction cable.

[0006] Preferably, the manual operating mechanism includes a slide button, which includes a slide base slidably fitted inside the switch box and a toggle key fixed on the slide base and exposed outside the switch box. The slide button reciprocates between a locked operating position where the braking mechanism of the caster is locked and a locked-out operating position where the braking mechanism of the caster is unlocked. The slide base is equipped with a return spring that drives the slide button back to the locked-out operating position. The slide base is also equipped with a slide button lock assembly for locking and unlocking the slide base in the locked operating position. The hook end is provided on the slide base.

[0007] Preferably, the slide lock assembly is mounted on the slide button and moves back and forth on the switch box following the slide button. A lock slot is provided inside the switch box. The slide lock assembly has a locking end, an unlocking operation end, and an automatic locking spring. The locking end cooperates with the lock slot for locking and unlocking. The automatic locking spring provides an automatic locking spring force to drive the locking end into the lock slot. The unlocking operation end can operate the locking end to disengage from the lock slot, thereby completing the unlocking of the slide button.

[0008] Preferably, the slide lock assembly includes a locking member, which includes a base and a locking block that protrudes from the base and forms a locking end. A key positioning cavity is provided on the slide base, and the key positioning cavity has a clearance opening for the locking block to extend out. The protruding direction of the toggle key is perpendicular to the sliding surface of the slide base. The key positioning cavity corresponds to the position of the toggle key. The toggle key has a hollow hole for communication between the key positioning cavity and the outside. The base is slidably fitted in the key positioning cavity, and the sliding direction of the base is consistent with the protruding direction of the toggle key on the slide base. An automatic locking spring abuts at the bottom end of the base, and an unlocking block that forms an unlocking operation end protrudes from the top end of the base. The unlocking block passes through the hollow hole.

[0009] Preferably, the transmission mechanism includes an active slider, a driven slider, and an elastic telescopic member. The active slider is linked to the driven slider via the elastic telescopic member. The active slider is provided with a traction input end, and the driven slider is provided with a wire connection end. The elastic telescopic member causes the wire connection end to displace by elastically transmitting the reciprocating motion of the active slider to the driven slider.

[0010] Preferably, the active slider has a support plate with two protruding push blocks. The driven slider has two slider units corresponding one-to-one with the brake wires. Each slider unit has a corresponding wire connection end. The slider unit is supported on the support plate and can slide relative to the active slider. The slider unit has an opening groove with an opening on one side of the slider unit supported on the support plate. The push blocks are inserted into the opening groove. The elastic telescopic member includes two compression springs that correspond one-to-one with the slider units. The compression springs are placed in the opening grooves, with one end of the compression spring abutting against the push block and the other end of the compression spring abutting against the slider unit.

[0011] By adopting the above technical solution, two brake cables are connected to the transition transmission module, which is then connected to the manual operating mechanism in the switch box via a traction cable. This means the switch box is connected to a single cable (specifically, the traction cable), making the installation of the switch box on equipment (such as luggage) simpler and more convenient. The length of the two brake cables is shortened, and part of the cable connecting to the switch box is replaced by a single traction cable, reducing the overall material usage. Furthermore, the structure of the manual operating mechanism is simplified. This allows for a multi-module design of the overall brake control device, with each module having a simpler structure and easier assembly, facilitating future maintenance.

[0012] The present invention will now be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the caster brake system of this utility model;

[0014] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Exploded view;

[0015] Figure 3 This is an exploded view of the manual operation unit of this utility model;

[0016] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the manual operation unit of this utility model;

[0017] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the manual operation unit (with panel removed) of this utility model;

[0018] Figure 6 for Figure 5 A sectional view taken along line AA.

[0019] Figure 7 for Figure 5 A sectional view cut along line BB.

[0020] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the transition transmission unit of this utility model;

[0021] Figure 9 This is an exploded view of the transition transmission unit of this utility model. Detailed Implementation

[0022] See appendix Figures 1-9This utility model discloses a caster brake control device for controlling the locking and unlocking of caster 9. The caster brake control device includes a brake cable assembly and a manual operation unit 1. The manual operation unit 1 includes a switch box 11, which is usually also equipped with a panel 10. A manual operation mechanism 12 is integrated inside the switch box 11. The panel 10 and the switch box 11 cooperate to clamp and fix the caster to a bag. The brake cable assembly includes brake cables 2 that are correspondingly connected to the braking mechanism (not shown in the figure) of the caster 9. Usually, the caster brake control device controls two casters 9 at the same time, so the brake cable assembly includes two brake cables 2, which are connected one-to-one to the two casters. To address the issue of inconvenience in mounting the switch box 11 onto a bag caused by directly connecting the two brake cables 2 to the manual operation unit 1, the brake cable assembly also includes a transition transmission unit 3 and a traction cable 4. The transition transmission unit 3 includes a mounting box 31 and a transmission mechanism 32 mounted on the mounting box 31. The transmission mechanism 32 has two cable connection ends a for one-to-one connection of the two brake cables 2, and a traction input end b connected to the traction cable 4. The traction input end b can drive the two cable connection ends a to synchronously pull the two brake cables 2. The manual operation mechanism 12 has a hook end c connected to the traction cable 4. The cables (such as the brake cables and traction cables mentioned above) are common accessories in this field, typically consisting of a metal inner core wire inserted into a flexible outer tube made of synthetic resin or similar material, and capable of reciprocating along its length. A common connection method for metal core wires is hanging mounting. Specifically, the metal core wire has a snap-fit ​​ball I at the end, and the wire connection end a, traction input end b, and hanging end c are designed with hanging holes, with the snap-fit ​​ball I snapping into the hanging hole. During operation, the manual operating mechanism drives the traction input end b of the transition transmission unit via the traction wire, which in turn drives the two brake wires via the wire connection end a. The brake wires control the locking and unlocking of the casters. A transition transmission unit and traction wire are introduced between the switch box and the two brake wires, allowing a single wire (traction wire) to connect to the switch box, facilitating installation of the switch box on a case. This multi-module design of the overall brake control device provides convenience for future maintenance.

[0023] Under the above design, the structure of a single module (such as a switch box) can be simplified, and the assembly operation of the module itself is simpler and more convenient. Further optimizations include: the manual operation mechanism 12 includes a slide button 121, which includes a slide base 1212 that slides within the switch box 11, and a toggle key 1213 fixed to the slide base 1212 and exposed outside the switch box 11. The slide button 121 has a locked operation position where the braking mechanism of the caster 9 is locked, and a locked release operation position where the braking mechanism of the caster 9 is unlocked (e.g., Figure 1 and Figure 6The slide block 1212 slides back and forth between the slide button 121 and the lock release position. The slide block 1212 is equipped with a return spring 122 that drives the slide button 121 back to the lock release position. A spiral compression spring is a simple and reliable option for the return spring 122. The slide block 1212 is equipped with a slide button lock assembly for locking and unlocking the slide block 1212 in the lock operation position. The hook end c is located on the slide block 1212. The manual operation mechanism uses a hook end directly connected to the slide button, meaning the traction cable is directly connected to the slide button. The manual operation mechanism has a simple structure, is easy and convenient to assemble and operate, and is reliable in operation. Of course, for feasible solutions of this utility model, the manual operating mechanism can also have other structures, such as a knob and slider structure, with an eccentric lever on the knob, the eccentric lever and slider cooperating, so that when the knob is rotated, the eccentric lever moves the slider to slide, and the slider is connected to the traction wire; or the manual operating mechanism can also have other functional structures, such as a telescopic traction structure, specifically, a main slider and a secondary slider connected by a spring linkage, the manual operating mechanism has a button to move the main slider, which can be a sliding button or a knob, the main slider acts on the spring, the spring acts on the secondary slider, that is, when the main slider slides back and forth, the secondary slider is driven to move back to the original position under the transmission of the spring, and the secondary slider is connected to the traction wire; of course, the manual operating mechanism can also have other structural forms, which will not be listed one by one in this utility model. As a preferred embodiment, the switch box preferably adopts the simple sliding button design disclosed in this specific embodiment (as shown in the figure).

[0024] To further facilitate operation, the slide lock assembly is mounted on the slide button 121 and reciprocates along with the slide button 121 on the switch box 11. A lock slot 111 is provided inside the switch box 11. The slide lock assembly has a locking end d, an unlocking operation end e, and an automatic locking spring 1233. A spiral compression spring is a simple and reliable option for the automatic locking spring. The locking end d engages with the lock slot 111 for locking and unlocking. The automatic locking spring 1233 provides the automatic locking spring force that drives the locking end d into the lock slot 111. The unlocking operation end e can operate the locking end d to disengage from the lock slot 111, thereby unlocking the slide button 121. The slide lock assembly is installed using a slide button, resulting in a more compact structure. Furthermore, the slide lock assembly automatically locks when the slide button is slid to the locking position, making operation simpler and more convenient. Of course, under the guidance of this invention, those skilled in the art can conceive of other solutions, such as a slide lock assembly mounted on a switch box.

[0025] Furthermore, the slide lock assembly includes a locking member 1231, which includes a base 12311 and a locking block 12312 that protrudes from the base 12311 and forms a locking end d. A key positioning cavity is provided on the slide block 1212, with a clearance for the locking block 12312 (locking end d) to extend out. The protruding direction of the toggle key 1213 is perpendicular to the sliding surface of the slide block 1212. The key positioning cavity corresponds to the position of the toggle key 1213. 1213 has a hollow hole 12131 for communication between the key positioning cavity and the outside. The base 12311 is slidably fitted in the key positioning cavity. The sliding direction of the base 12311 is consistent with the direction of the protrusion of the toggle key 1213 on the slide 1212. The bottom end of the base 12311 abuts against an automatic locking spring 1233. The top end of the base 12311 has a protruding unlocking block 12313 that constitutes the unlocking operation end e. The unlocking block 12313 passes through the hollow hole 12131. The overall structure is simple and compact, and the unlocking block is set on the toggle key. The unlocking operation is achieved by pressing, which is simple and convenient. The specific locking and unlocking process is as follows: Locking operation - operate the toggle key, slide the slider into the locking operation position, and the locking member follows the slider to the corresponding position. In this position, the locking member is driven by the automatic locking spring, and the locking block falls into the lock, thereby locking the slider in the locking operation position. Unlocking Operation - Pressing the unlocking block disengages the lock block from the lock slot, and the sliding button returns to the unlocked position under the drive of the return spring. To ensure smooth and reliable sliding of the sliding button, a clearance groove 112 is provided on the switch box 11. The clearance groove 112 is an elongated strip located in front of the lock slot 111 and extending along the sliding direction of the sliding button 121. The clearance groove 112 allows the lock block 12312 to be inserted into and suspended in the air. That is, when the sliding button moves from the unlocked position to the locked position, but before reaching the locked position, the lock block is in the clearance groove and is not pressed. In this way, the lock block has no contact friction with the switch box (or a small amount of friction exists under error), making the sliding button slide smoothly and reliably. The end wall of the clearance groove 112 near the lock slot 111 is sloping, which facilitates the lock block to move out of the clearance groove 112.

[0026] like Figures 1-2 and Figures 8-9In another embodiment of this utility model, to ensure reliable braking operation of the caster, a functional structure is needed to eliminate braking reliability issues caused by brake cable length errors. However, we also want the manual operation mechanism within the switch box to be simple. Therefore, as a preferred approach, a transition transmission unit is used to design the corresponding functional structure. Specifically, the transmission mechanism 32 includes an active slider 321, a driven slider 322, and an elastic telescopic member 323. The active slider 321 is linked to the driven slider 322 via the elastic telescopic member 323. The active slider 321 has a traction input end b, and the driven slider 322 has a cable connection end a. The elastic telescopic member 323 elastically transmits the reciprocating motion of the active slider 321 to the driven slider 322, thereby displacing the cable connection end a. Of course, under the guidance of this utility model and in conjunction with existing technology, the transmission mechanism can also have other structural forms, such as a simple slider with spring reset; the slider has a traction input end and two cable connection ends at both ends.

[0027] In this specific embodiment, the active slider 321 has a support plate 3211 with two protruding push blocks 3212. The driven slider 322 has two slider units 322-1 corresponding to the brake wires 2. Each slider unit 322-1 is provided with a wire connection end a. The slider unit 322-1 is supported on the support plate 3211 and can slide relative to the active slider 321. The slider unit 322-1 has an opening groove 322-11 with an opening on one side of the slider unit 322-1 supported on the support plate 3211. The push blocks 3212 are inserted into the opening groove 322-11. The elastic telescopic member 323 includes two compression springs 323-1 that correspond to the slider units 322-1. The compression springs are placed in the opening grooves, with one end of the compression spring abutting against the push block 3212 and the other end of the compression spring abutting against the slider unit 322-1. The specific structure that can eliminate braking reliability problems caused by brake wire length errors can also take other forms, such as the driven slider being a single molded part design that simultaneously has two wire connection ends, etc.

[0028] The above describes various embodiments of this utility model, but these embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope of this utility model. These new embodiments can be implemented using other embodiments, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made as long as they do not depart from the spirit of this utility model.

Claims

1. A caster brake control device, comprising a brake cable assembly and a switch box, wherein a manual operating mechanism is integrated within the switch box, and the brake cable assembly comprises two brake cables for corresponding connection to the brake mechanism of the caster, characterized in that: The brake cable assembly also includes a transition transmission unit and a traction cable. The transition transmission unit includes a mounting box and a transmission mechanism mounted on the mounting box. The transmission mechanism has two cable connection ends for one-to-one connection of the two brake cables, and a traction input end connected to the traction cable. The traction input end can drive the two cable connection ends to synchronously pull the two brake cables. The manual operation mechanism has a hook-on end connected to the traction cable.

2. The caster brake control device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The manual operating mechanism includes a slide button, which includes a slide base slidably fitted inside the switch box and a toggle key fixed on the slide base and exposed outside the switch box. The slide button reciprocates between a locked operating position where the braking mechanism of the caster is locked and a locked-out operating position where the braking mechanism of the caster is unlocked. The slide base is equipped with a return spring that drives the slide button back to the locked-out operating position. The slide base is also equipped with a slide button lock assembly for locking and unlocking the slide base in the locked operating position. The hook end is located on the slide base.

3. The caster brake control device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The slide lock assembly is mounted on the slide button and moves back and forth on the switch box following the slide button. The switch box has a lock slot. The slide lock assembly has a locking end, an unlocking operation end, and an automatic locking spring. The locking end cooperates with the lock slot for locking and unlocking. The automatic locking spring provides an automatic locking spring force to drive the locking end into the lock slot. The unlocking operation end can operate the locking end to disengage from the lock slot, thereby completing the unlocking of the slide button.

4. The caster brake control device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The slide lock assembly includes a locking member, which includes a base and a locking block that protrudes from the base to form a locking end. A key positioning cavity is provided on the slide base, and the key positioning cavity has a clearance opening for the locking block to extend out. The protruding direction of the toggle key is perpendicular to the sliding surface of the slide base. The key positioning cavity corresponds to the position of the toggle key. The toggle key has a hollow hole for communication between the key positioning cavity and the outside. The base slides within the key positioning cavity, and the sliding direction of the base is consistent with the protruding direction of the toggle key on the slide base. An automatic locking spring abuts at the bottom end of the base, and an unlocking block that forms an unlocking operation end protrudes from the top end of the base. The unlocking block passes through the hollow hole.

5. The caster brake control device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The transmission mechanism includes an active slider, a driven slider, and an elastic telescopic member. The active slider is linked to the driven slider via the elastic telescopic member. The active slider is provided with a traction input end, and the driven slider is provided with a wire connection end. The elastic telescopic member causes the wire connection end to displace by elastically transmitting the reciprocating motion of the active slider to the driven slider.

6. The caster brake control device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The active slider has a support plate with two protruding push blocks. The driven slider has two slider units corresponding to the brake cables. Each slider unit has a corresponding cable connection end. The slider units are supported on the support plate and can slide relative to the active slider. The slider unit has an opening slot with an opening on one side of the slider unit supported on the support plate. The push blocks are inserted into the opening slots. The elastic telescopic component includes two compression springs that correspond to the slider units. The compression springs are placed in the opening slots, with one end of the compression spring abutting against the push block and the other end of the compression spring abutting against the slider unit.

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