Tool-Free Chassis Foot and Castor Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional information handling system (IHS) chassis feet are cumbersome to install and require tools, and the addition of castors increases installation difficulty and height, compromising stability and mobility.

Innovation Solution

A chassis foot and optional castor assembly that allows tool-free coupling to the IHS chassis, featuring a chassis foot member with a coupling mechanism that engages the chassis without tools and a castor coupling member that attaches to the foot without additional height increase.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If conventional feet are used to stabilize the IHS chassis, then stability is improved, but installation becomes cumbersome and difficult requiring tools

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovestabilityVSAvoidinstallation difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the foot and castor into a single integrated assembly that attaches to the chassis as one unit. The foot member includes an integrated castor coupling member, eliminating the need for separate attachment operations. This merging resolves the contradiction by maintaining stability functionality while dramatically simplifying installation to a single tool-free operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling members are designed to be self-aligning and self-securing through snap-fit or click-fit mechanisms. The foot assembly attaches to the chassis without requiring external tools or complex manual operations. This self-service design resolves the contradiction by providing stable attachment while making installation trivial and tool-free.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If a castor is added to each foot to increase mobility, then mobility is improved, but installation difficulty increases and height increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovemobilityVSAvoidinstallation difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The castor is merged with the foot member into an integrated assembly where the castor is permanently attached to the foot. This eliminates the need to separately install castors to each foot, reducing installation steps from multiple complex operations to a single simple attachment. The integration resolves the contradiction by providing mobility while simplifying installation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The foot-castor assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides stability through the foot contact with the surface, enables mobility through the castor wheel, and simplifies installation through integrated single-unit attachment. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by combining mobility benefit with reduced installation complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If a castor is added to the foot to enable mobility, then mobility is improved, but the height of the IHS chassis increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovemobilityVSAvoidheight

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The castor is positioned within or adjacent to the foot member structure, with the castor wheel nested close to the chassis base. This nesting arrangement minimizes the vertical space occupied by the castor, reducing the overall height increase while still providing mobility functionality. The nested configuration resolves the contradiction by enabling mobility with minimal height penalty.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of extending the castor vertically which would increase height, the design positions the castor to roll along the horizontal plane adjacent to the chassis base. This dimensional repositioning provides mobility through horizontal rolling motion while minimizing vertical space consumption, resolving the contradiction between mobility and height.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS7600294B2Chassis foot and optional castor assembly

Publication Date: 2009.10.13 DELL PROD LP

AI summary

A chassis foot and optional castor apparatus includes a chassis foot member. A chassis coupling member is located on the chassis foot member and engageable with a chassis to couple the chassis foot member to the chassis without the use of a tool. A castor coupling member located on the chassis foot member and engageable with a castor to couple the castor to the chassis foot member without the use of a tool. The chassis foot member of the chassis foot and optional castor apparatus may be coupled to a chassis to provide additional stability to the chassis. A castor may be coupled to the chassis foot member to provide additional mobility to the chassis without substantially adding to the height of the chassis including the chassis foot member.