Container Wheel Axle Spring Rib Vibration Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional containers experience noise due to manufacturing tolerances causing relative movement of components during rolling, leading to vibrations and noise from wheel movements.

Innovation Solution

Assigning a spring to at least one bearing to elastically prestress the wheels away from each other, eliminating play and vibrations, with the rib designed as a spring to achieve this prestressing without needing a separate spring component.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manufacturing tolerances are accommodated with sufficient production play, then components can be joined together even in the worst case, but vibrations and noise occur during rolling due to relative movements of components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvejoinability of componentsVSAvoidnoise and vibrations
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an elastic element that changes the mechanical parameter of the connection between wheel axle and bearing. By incorporating a spring mechanism, the system transitions from a rigid connection with play to an elastic connection that dynamically adjusts to manufacturing tolerances while preventing relative movements that cause noise and vibrations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic element acts as an intermediary component between the wheel axle and the bearing. This mediator absorbs the manufacturing tolerances and prevents direct contact and relative movement between the rigid components, thereby eliminating the source of noise and vibrations while maintaining joinability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-generated harmful factors

If separate spring components are used to prestress the wheels, then vibrations are suppressed, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibrations and noiseVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the spring function with the existing bearing structure by designing the bearing body itself as an elastic element. The bearing body is configured with flexible walls that can deform elastically, combining the support function and the vibration suppression function into a single integrated component, thereby avoiding the need for separate spring components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The bearing body is designed to perform multiple functions: it supports the wheel axle, accommodates manufacturing tolerances, and suppresses vibrations through its elastic properties. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for additional dedicated vibration suppression components, reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 effectively suppresses vibrations and noise during container movement by ensuring the wheels, body, and axle are elastically prestressed, enhancing the structural integrity and reducing noise.

Implementation Method 1

at least one of the ribs, between which the body of the bearing in which the axle of the wheels is mounted, is designed as a spring in order to achieve the desired prestressing which suppresses vibrations

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4067261A1Container
Publication Date: 2022.10.05 EUROPLAST KUNSTBEHALTERIND
  • EP4067261A1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP4067261A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4067261A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A container (1) has a body (2), an axle (5) mounted on the body (2) in bearings (7), and two wheels (4) attached to the axle (5). The bearings (7) comprise bodies (8) on which a rib (9 and 10) is provided on the inside and outside. At least one outer rib (10), i.e., a rib (10) facing the adjacent wheel (4), is designed as a spring that bears against the shaft (6) of the adjacent wheel (4) under elastic preload.