Adjustable Caster Wheel Assembly for Tool Cart Leveling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Casters on tool storage units can roll undesirably on unlevel floors, requiring external chocks that can obstruct drainage and pose safety risks, and these chocks do not move with the units.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable wheel assembly with a bolt movable between positions, a support arm, and a swing arm that pivots to adjust the caster wheel's height, allowing leveling without external chocks and enabling proper drainage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If external chocks (wooden blocks or heavy objects) are used to prevent caster wheel rolling on unlevel floors, then the object stability is improved, but additional material is required and the chocks do not travel with the tool storage unit when moved
Solution Approach 1:
The leveling mechanism is merged with the caster wheel assembly itself. The adjustable arm with aperture and bolt system is integrated into the caster structure, allowing the wheel height to be adjusted relative to the tool storage unit without requiring separate external chocks. This combines the stabilization function directly into the mobility component.
Solution Approach 2:
The caster wheel assembly incorporates an adjustable arm that can change its position vertically between a raised position and a lowered position. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the wheel height to be modified to compensate for unlevel floors, providing stability without fixed external blocks. The bolt movable between first and second positions enables this dynamic reconfiguration.
2Stability of the object's composition
If external chocks are used to prevent undesired rolling, then the object stability is improved, but the chocks can trap material such as chemical fluids and impede proper draining of the floor surface
Solution Approach 1:
The stabilization function is merged into the caster wheel assembly, eliminating the need for separate external chocks that would obstruct floor drainage. The adjustable arm mechanism achieves stability while maintaining clear floor contact through the wheel itself, allowing chemical fluids to drain properly without being trapped by blocks or heavy objects.
3Stability of the object's composition
If external chocks are used to prevent rolling, then the object stability is improved, but the chocks pose health and safety risks to people working in the area
Solution Approach 1:
The stabilization capability is merged into the caster wheel assembly with the adjustable arm mechanism, eliminating the need for external chocks that pose safety hazards. The integrated system provides stable positioning on unlevel floors without requiring separate blocks or heavy objects that could injure workers.
4Stability of the object's composition
If external chocks are used to prevent rolling, then the object stability is improved, but the chocks require additional material and do not travel with the tool storage unit when moved
Solution Approach 1:
The leveling and stabilization functions are merged into the caster wheel assembly itself. The adjustable arm with aperture and bolt system is an integrated component that travels with the tool storage unit, eliminating the need for separate external chocks or blocks. This reduces the quantity of additional material required while providing the same stability function.
Data Source
AI summary
A tool storage unit includes a housing configured to store a tool. The tool storage unit additionally includes an adjustable wheel assembly coupled to the housing. The adjustable wheel assembly includes a bolt movable between a first position and a second position, a support arm extending outwardly from the housing, a swing arm, and a caster wheel. The swing arm defining a first end and a second end, where the first end receives the bolt and is pivotally coupled to the support arm and the second end is rotatably coupled to the caster wheel. The swing arm is vertically movable between a raised position and a lowered position, where the caster wheel and swing arm are in the raised position when the bolt is in the first position and the caster wheel and swing arm are in the lowered position when the bolt is in the second position.