Vertically Adjustable Caster Wheel Top Access Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing caster wheel designs require partial disassembly or inconvenient access from the bottom or sides for height adjustment, making it a timely and cumbersome process to adjust the vertical height of heavy-duty caster wheels used in industrial vehicles.

Innovation Solution

A vertically adjustable caster wheel assembly with a lower and upper housing and an inner alignment post that allows for rotation to adjust the vertical displacement, enabling height increase or decrease without disassembly, accessible from the top for ease of use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional caster wheel designs are used with adjustment mechanisms accessible from bottom or sides, then structural stability is maintained, but adjustment convenience and speed deteriorate due to disassembly requirements and difficult access

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheight adjustment convenienceVSAvoidadjustment mechanism accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the traditional access direction for height adjustment by providing a top-accessible adjustment mechanism instead of bottom or side access. The adjustment knob is positioned on the top surface of the mounting plate, allowing operators to adjust caster height from above without disassembly, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining structural integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Productivity

If caster wheels require partial disassembly for height adjustment, then structural integrity is maintained, but adjustment time and operational efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustment speedVSAvoidtime required for height adjustment

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustment mechanism is pre-configured and permanently integrated into the caster assembly during manufacturing, with the adjustment knob positioned for immediate top access. This preliminary setup eliminates the need for disassembly or reconfiguration during field adjustments, allowing operators to quickly modify height by simply rotating the knob, thereby improving productivity and reducing adjustment time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables quick and simple vertical adjustment of caster wheels attached to industrial vehicles, eliminating the need for disassembly and improving operational efficiency by allowing height adjustment through a top-accessible mechanism.

Implementation Method 1

an inner alignment post (22) disposed within the lower and upper housings (16, 14). The upper housing (14) is at least partially disposed within the lower housing (16). Rotation of the inner alignment post (22) relative to the upper housing (14) adjusts vertical displacement of the lower housing (16) relative to the upper housing (14)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectScrew mechanism: Screw

Data Source

PatentEP3687833B1Vertically adjustable caster wheel

Publication Date: 2021.11.10 ROSS DESIGN & ENGINEERING INC

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AI summary

A caster wheel assembly for an industrial vehicle comprising a lower housing connected to a wheel, an upper housing connectable to the industrial vehicle, and an inner alignment post disposed within the lower and upper housings. The upper housing is at least partially disposed within the lower housing. Rotation of the inner alignment post relative to the upper housing adjusts vertical displacement of the lower housing relative to the upper housing.