Hospital Castor with Coupled Swivel and Wheel Blocking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing castors for furniture, particularly in hospital settings, fail to effectively block swiveling and wheel rotation independently and efficiently, leading to incomplete satisfaction of functional and structural requirements.
Innovation Solution
A castor design featuring controllable blocking means for swiveling and wheel rotation, actuated by separate control mechanisms, with a coupling system that ensures independent operation of these mechanisms, allowing for precise control over movement directions by using pedals to engage and disengage blocking mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If existing castors are used to block swiveling and wheel rotation, then movement control is partially achieved, but the blocking mechanisms cannot operate independently and efficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The castor is divided into functionally independent blocking mechanisms: a first controllable blocking means for blocking swiveling movement of the casing, and a second controllable blocking means for blocking rotation of the wheel. Each blocking mechanism can be actuated independently through its own control means, allowing precise control over different movement types without interfering with each other.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking mechanisms are designed to be controllable and dynamic rather than fixed. The first and second controllable blocking means can be selectively engaged or disengaged based on operational needs, enabling the castor to adapt its movement characteristics dynamically during use.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate control mechanisms are provided for swiveling and wheel rotation blocking, then independent control is achieved, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling means serves multiple functions: it mechanically links the first and second control means, ensures coordinated operation of the blocking mechanisms, and maintains structural integration. This multi-functional element reduces the need for additional separate components, balancing independence with structural efficiency.
3Measurement precision
If blocking mechanisms are made easily controllable, then operational precision is improved, but the risk of unintended blocking increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling means acts as an intermediary element between the first and second control means. It ensures that when the second controllable blocking means is actuated, the first controllable blocking means is also properly engaged, preventing unintended partial blocking states and ensuring reliable coordinated operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A castor with combined blocking includes a casing 10, a wheel 12, 14 mounted to rotate relative to the casing about an axis 18, a swivel 20 of axis 22 mounted to pivot relative to the casing, the axis being perpendicular to the axis, blocking elements 100 for blocking the swivel, control elements 102 for actuating the blocking elements, blocking elements 200 for blocking the wheel, control elements 202 for actuating the blocking elements 200, and elements 300 for coupling the control elements 102, 202 in such a manner that when the blocking elements 100 are actuated alone by the control elements 102, the blocking elements 200 are not actuated, and when the blocking elements 200 are actuated by the second control elements, the first blocking elements 202 are also actuated by the first control elements 102. The castor is applicable for hospital use, such hospital beds or the like.