Castor Brake Device with Elastic Friction Lining
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing castors with toothed brake systems often fail to engage properly, leading to blocked components, potential damage under overload, and increased production costs due to size-specific designs, and are prone to dirt accumulation, especially in medical settings.
Innovation Solution
A brake device with an elastic brake lining facing a smooth brake surface on the wheel, allowing secure and silent locking in any position, and using a thermoplastic polyurethane material for the brake lining, which can be used uniformly across different wheel diameters, and incorporating a brake pad to prevent castor rotation about the runner pin axis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a toothed brake system is used to lock the wheel, then the castor can be locked in position, but the teeth may fail to engage properly causing the brake components to become blocked and potentially damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the toothed mechanical engagement system with a friction-based braking system. The brake slide uses a friction lining that presses against the wheel's braking surface to create friction and stop the wheel, eliminating the problematic tooth engagement mechanism entirely.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental mechanism from discrete tooth engagement to continuous friction contact. By using a friction lining with specific material properties (soft, elastic material), the system achieves reliable locking through friction force rather than mechanical interlocking.
2Reliability
If a toothed brake system is used, then the wheel can be locked, but dirt accumulates in the tooth spaces which is problematic in medical settings
Solution Approach 1:
The friction-based braking system replaces the toothed mechanism, eliminating the crevices and spaces between teeth where dirt and contaminants could accumulate. The smooth friction surfaces are easier to clean and maintain hygiene standards required in medical environments.
3Reliability
If a toothed brake system is used, then the wheel can be locked, but the brake device may spin in the manner of a ratchet under overload causing damage to the toothing
Solution Approach 1:
The friction lining system replaces the vulnerable tooth structure. Under overload conditions, the friction system can slip or deform without the catastrophic failure that occurs when ratchet teeth damage each other. The soft elastic material absorbs shock and prevents structural damage.
4Reliability
If a size-specific brake slide design is used for every wheel size, then the braking can be optimized for each wheel, but the production expenditure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The brake slide with friction lining is designed as a universal component that can be used with wheels of different sizes. The friction-based system scales more easily than toothed systems, as the contact pressure and lining material properties can be adjusted to work effectively across various wheel diameters without requiring completely different brake slide designs.
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 reliable braking without tooth engagement issues, reduces dirt accumulation, and allows for a single component design suitable for various wheel sizes, enhancing durability and ease of production.
Implementation Method 1
the brake slide bears an elastic brake lining (36) which faces toward a braking section (32) of the at least one wheel (18, 18')
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a castor having a brake device with a housing (10) with a substantially vertically aligned receiving opening (12) for a runner pin (14) for connecting the castor to an object to be supported by the castor, and having an axle bolt (16) which extends through the housing transversely with respect to the receiving opening and which bears at least one wheel (18, 18′), with the brake device having a brake slide (20) which can be moved by an actuating lever (22) from the outside from a free-running position into a braked position. To provide inter alia a locking facility independently of the rotational position of the wheel, it is proposed according to the invention that the brake slide (20) bears an elastic brake lining (36) which faces toward a braking section (32) of the at least one wheel.