Concealable Retractable Luggage Wheels for Damage Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional luggage designs suffer from wheel damage during transport, storage, or handling, leading to inconvenience and increased repair or replacement costs, with a need for a retractable wheel system that protects and preserves wheel integrity.
Innovation Solution
A luggage apparatus with concealed retractable wheels and a multi-mode actuation system, featuring a spring-loaded or electrically powered mechanism to selectively deploy or retract wheels into recessed compartments, enhancing durability and portability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If wheels are exposed on the underside of luggage for rolling mobility, then ease of operation is improved, but wheel damage from impact and mishandling increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wheels are extracted from their fixed position on the luggage underside and made separable through a retraction mechanism. The wheels can be removed from the luggage body and stored separately in a compartment, allowing the luggage to transition between a wheeled configuration for mobility and a wheelless configuration for protection during storage or handling.
Solution Approach 2:
The wheel system transitions from a static, permanently attached state to a dynamic, retractable state. The wheels are connected to the luggage through a mechanism that allows them to be retracted into or extended from the luggage body, enabling the system to adapt between providing rolling mobility and protecting the wheels from damage.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If wheels are retracted into the luggage body for protection, then wheel damage is reduced, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel retraction system incorporates a spring-loaded mechanism that automatically propels the wheels into or out of the luggage body without requiring manual intervention. The spring mechanism stores and releases energy to facilitate wheel retraction, making the system self-servicing and eliminating the need for users to manually assemble or disassemble the wheels.
3Ease of operation
If a spring-loaded retraction mechanism is used, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel assembly is extracted as a separate, removable component from the luggage body. The wheels are connected through a mechanism that allows them to be completely removed and stored separately, simplifying the overall structure by eliminating permanent attachments and reducing the complexity of the retraction mechanism.
4Ease of operation
If an electric motor is used for wheel actuation, then ease of operation is improved, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel retraction system incorporates a spring-loaded mechanism that automatically propels the wheels into or out of the luggage body without requiring manual intervention. The spring mechanism stores and releases energy to facilitate wheel retraction, making the system self-servicing and eliminating the need for external power sources.
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 wheel protection, improved durability, and enhanced portability by concealing wheels when not in use, reducing the risk of damage and enabling convenient travel without manual carrying.
Implementation Method 1
In one embodiment, the luggage apparatus utilizes a spring-loaded retraction mechanism, wherein each wheel is coupled to a vertical shaft biased by a helical compression spring.
Data Source
AI summary
A luggage apparatus comprising a rigid case body having retractable wheels concealable within recessed compartments in the base is disclosed. The apparatus includes a control (i.e., actuation) interface disposed on the exterior of the case body, operable in a first position to retract the wheels into the compartments and in a second position to deploy or extend the wheels for rolling. Each wheel is coupled to either a spring-loaded mechanism or an electric motor system to enable vertical movement between the retracted and extended positions. The spring mechanism comprises a helical compression spring aligned around a vertical wheel shaft, while the motorized embodiment employs a mini electric motor coupled to a vertical actuator. The control (i.e., actuation) button is configured for dual-mode operation and is compatible with both mechanical and electrical systems.