Double Brake Structure for Caster Wheel Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional double brake structures for caster wheels are inefficient in simultaneously stopping two rollers and a connecting shaft, as they require complex mechanisms and multiple components that can be prone to misalignment and reduced effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A double brake structure comprising a body, connecting shaft, cover, central post, locking piece, fixing member, braking seat, resilient element, and bottom cap, where the locking piece and fixing member engage with the rollers and shaft through a U-shaped fixing member and a braking seat mechanism, allowing for synchronized stopping and releasing of the rollers and shaft.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional double brake structures use complex mechanisms with multiple components to stop two rollers and a connecting shaft, then the braking function is achieved, but the device complexity increases and reliability decreases due to misalignment issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the braking functions for two rollers and a connecting shaft into a single integrated brake mechanism. The brake arm simultaneously contacts both rollers and the connecting shaft through a unified structure, eliminating the need for separate braking mechanisms and reducing overall system complexity while improving reliability through synchronized operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The brake arm serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a braking surface for the rollers, a lever for amplifying braking force, and a connector to the actuating mechanism. This multi-functional design reduces the number of components needed and simplifies the overall brake structure while maintaining effective stopping capability for all moving parts.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional double brake structures use multiple components and complex mechanisms, then braking coverage is complete, but ease of manufacture and assembly deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The brake mechanism is segmented into distinct functional modules: a brake arm for roller contact, a connecting shaft integration point, and an actuating mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured and tested independently before assembly, simplifying the manufacturing process and reducing the complexity of integrating multiple components while maintaining complete braking coverage.
3Manufacturing precision
If conventional double brake structures use long peripheral fringes and multiple moving parts, then braking force is sufficient, but manufacturing precision requirements increase due to alignment sensitivity
Solution Approach 1:
The brake arm is designed as a dynamic lever system that amplifies the actuating force to generate sufficient braking force on both rollers and the connecting shaft. The lever arm lengths are optimized to provide mechanical advantage, ensuring that a small actuating force produces the necessary braking force while maintaining tolerance to alignment variations through the flexible lever mechanism.
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 proposed structure effectively stops and restarts the rollers and connecting shaft with a simpler mechanism, ensuring reliable operation and reduced complexity, thereby enhancing the braking efficiency and ease of assembly.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient element, and a bottom cap... the resilient element biases the fixing member to move between an engaged position and a disengaged position
Implementation Method 2
the fixing member engages with the rollers and shaft through a U-shaped fixing member and a braking seat mechanism, allowing for synchronized stopping and releasing
Data Source
AI summary
A double brake structure for a caster wheel contains a body, a connecting shaft, a cover, a central post, two rollers, a locking piece, a fixing member, a braking seat, a resilient element, and a bottom cap. The body includes a groove having a square hole and includes a receiving chamber. The locking piece includes a retaining recess for limiting a peripheral rib of the cover. The fixing member includes two engaging teeth, two through holes, a flange, a notch, and a recessed trench. The braking seat includes an opening, a tab extending, and a pedal portion. The bottom cap includes a pore defined thereon and a circular indention formed on a central position of a top surface thereof so as to insert one end of the resilient element.