Castor Pin-Activated Brake Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing castors lack an efficient, load-dependent, and concealed brake mechanism that ensures safe braking without visible installation, particularly in office chairs, where the brake device must be compact and powerful to prevent accidental rolling.
Innovation Solution
A recess in the housing contains a movable brake body supported by resilient elements, interacting with the runner pin's control surfaces to convert vertical movement into a directional stroke, engaging the brake surface with the wheel only when unloaded, ensuring a concealed and effective braking system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the brake device is integrated in the housing to be concealed, then the aesthetic appearance and protection from dirt/damage are improved, but the installation space is limited and the device becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The brake device is nested within the housing structure, with the brake body arranged in a recess in the housing. The resilient element and control surfaces are integrated into this nested configuration, allowing the brake mechanism to be concealed while maintaining functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The control surfaces are arranged at angles to each other, converting the vertical movement of the runner pin into lateral movement of the brake body. This dimensional transformation allows compact arrangement within the housing while maintaining effective brake actuation.
2Volume of moving object
If the brake device is made compact to fit in the housing, then the installation space requirement is reduced, but the braking force may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The control surfaces are designed with angular geometries (chamfers) that efficiently convert vertical runner pin movement into lateral brake body movement. This geometric design maximizes the mechanical advantage within the compact volume, ensuring sufficient braking force is generated despite the reduced size.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the brake body is supported by resilient elements, then the load-dependent braking action is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient element automatically adjusts the brake body position based on the load on the castor. When loaded, the runner pin moves vertically and actuates the brake body laterally via the control surfaces, releasing the brake. When unloaded, the resilient element returns the brake body to the braking position. This self-adjusting mechanism achieves load-dependent braking without complex control systems.
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 compact, efficient, and load-dependent braking mechanism that is concealed within the castor, ensuring safe operation by engaging the brake only when the castor is not loaded, thus preventing accidental movement.
Implementation Method 1
the brake body, on its side facing away from the at least one wheel, is supported on the housing via at least one resiliently elastic element, wherein the at least one resiliently elastic element urges the brake body against the at least one wheel when the castor is not loaded by a weight
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a castor with at least one wheel (16, 18), a housing (10) carrying the at least one wheel (16, 18), and a runner pin (14) which is arranged so as to be movable to a limited extent in a substantially vertically oriented housing opening (12) and which serves to connect the castor to an object, wherein the housing (10) accommodates a brake device which frees the at least one wheel (16, 18) in a state in which the castor is loaded by a weight via the runner pin (14) and which acts with a braking effect on the at least one wheel (16, 18) in a state when not loaded by a weight.