External Caster Attachment System with Floating Nut
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical/surgical systems face challenges in securing casters due to limited access and complexity in assembly, particularly with keyed caster designs that require internal locking nuts, making it difficult for field service personnel to easily attach or detach casters.
Innovation Solution
A caster attachment system with an upper section featuring a shaped opening and external threads, combined with a lower section including a caster mounting post and a floating nut, allowing secure attachment from the outside using a wrench, ensuring alignment and stability with a floating nut design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a keyed caster with internal locking nut is used, then the caster can be secured to the equipment, but the assembly complexity increases and accessibility for field service personnel deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional caster attachment approach by moving the threading mechanism from the interior to the exterior of the equipment. Instead of extending a keyed caster through the equipment and securing it with an internal locking nut, the caster mounting post with external threads allows the floating nut to be attached from the outside, reversing the attachment direction and simplifying field service operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the threading and locking mechanism from the equipment interior and relocates it to the exterior. The caster mounting post with externally formed threads and the floating nut are positioned outside the equipment housing, removing the need for internal access and complex internal assembly procedures
2Reliability
If a keyed caster with internal locking nut is used, then the caster can be secured to the equipment, but the ease of operation for field service personnel deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reverses the attachment sequence by allowing the caster to be secured from the exterior rather than requiring internal access. The floating nut threads onto the external mounting post and can be tightened with a wrench from the outside, making assembly and disassembly operations straightforward for field service personnel
Solution Approach 2:
The caster attachment system is designed to be self-servicing, allowing field personnel to independently attach and detach casters using simple external tools. The external threading and floating nut mechanism eliminates the need for specialized internal access procedures or complex assembly sequences
3Device complexity
If limited access is provided for caster attachment, then the equipment structure is simplified, but the ease of operation for securing casters deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the attachment mechanism from the equipment interior and positions it on the exterior surface. The caster mounting post with external threads protrudes from the equipment housing, allowing the floating nut to be attached from the outside without requiring internal access or complex structural modifications
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
Enables easy and secure external attachment and detachment of casters, simplifying maintenance and reducing assembly complexity while accommodating misalignments, thus improving accessibility and usability for field service personnel.
Implementation Method 1
externally formed threads surrounding the shaped opening... By threadably connecting the floating nut to the externally formed threads on the upper section
Implementation Method 2
tightening the connection with a wrench, the caster is secured to the piece of equipment
Data Source
AI summary
A caster attachment system includes an upper section and a lower section. The upper section mounts to a piece of equipment. The lower section provides a post for the mounting of a caster. A shaped key on the lower section fits within a receiver socket on the upper portion. The upper section and the lower section are held together by a threadable connection.