Shock-Absorbing Caster Assembly With Block Spring Suspension

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing shock absorbing caster wheel assemblies are inefficient and prone to losing tensility and elasticity over time, leading to discomfort and damage when navigating uneven ground surfaces, and require complex designs with coiled springs.

Innovation Solution

A shock absorbing caster assembly featuring a wheel volubly disposed within a spring bracket, pivotally disposed within a mounting bracket, utilizing a parallelepiped spring member that torsionally engages with a plate member, allowing the wheel axle to move within curved slots for upward compression and maintaining contact with the ground, thus absorbing shocks effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If coiled springs are used in shock absorbing caster assemblies, then shock absorption capability is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to losing tensility and elasticity over time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshock absorption capabilityVSAvoidservice life

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the fundamental parameter of spring geometry from a coiled three-dimensional structure to a parallelepiped block shape. This parameter change allows the spring to function through elastic deformation of the material itself rather than through coil compression, eliminating the degradation issues associated with coiled springs while maintaining shock absorption capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes the traditional coiled spring mechanical system with a parallelepiped block spring system. The block spring uses direct elastic deformation of a solid block rather than the mechanical compression and expansion of coils, replacing a system prone to fatigue and loss of tensility with one that maintains consistent elastic properties over time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If complex designs with coiled springs are used, then shock absorption is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshock absorptionVSAvoiddesign complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the complex coiled spring component from the caster assembly, replacing it with a simple parallelepiped block. This extraction removes the unnecessary complexity of coil windings, tension maintenance mechanisms, and associated hardware while retaining the essential shock absorption function through the block's elastic properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using a coiled spring that compresses along its length, the patent inverts the approach by using a block spring that deforms laterally or vertically through its bulk elastic properties. This inversion simplifies the design by eliminating the need for coil geometry while achieving shock absorption through material elasticity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Stability of the object's composition

If the wheel is constrained to remain on ground surface, then stability is improved, but ability to navigate uneven surfaces deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewheel stabilityVSAvoidterrain adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic system where the spring bracket can pivot relative to the mounting bracket, allowing the wheel to move vertically within curved slots. This dynamic arrangement enables the wheel to adapt to uneven surfaces by moving up and down while the spring mechanism actively works to return the wheel to ground contact, balancing adaptability with stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The spring mechanism is pre-loaded and positioned to exert a continuous upward force on the wheel assembly. This preliminary action ensures that the wheel is constantly pushed toward the ground surface, maintaining contact and stability even when the terrain becomes uneven, while still allowing temporary displacement for navigation.

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

The solution provides a durable, efficient, and cost-effective shock absorption mechanism that maintains wheel contact with the ground, reducing jolting and noise when navigating uneven surfaces, enhancing the maneuverability and comfort of shopping carts.

Implementation Method 1

a parallelepiped spring member configured to absorb shock by deforming

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS8607414B1Shock absorbing caster assembly

Publication Date: 2013.12.17 KINSELA OWEN T

AI summary

A shock absorbing caster assembly that includes a wheel volubly disposed within a spring bracket, said spring bracket pivotally disposed within a mounting bracket, said spring bracket compressively engagable with the mounting bracket by means of a parallelepiped spring member torsionally engaging with a plate member of the mounting bracket, wherein a wheel axle is permitted to move within extremes delimited by a pair of curved slots disposed upon the mounting bracket whereby the wheel is moveable upwardly against the action of the spring member when the present shock absorbing caster assembly is piloted over an uneven ground surface.