Fluid-Filled Track Wheel for Non-Planar Surface Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional casters and carriage assemblies face difficulties in moving objects across uneven or irregular surfaces, leading to inefficiency and instability, particularly when encountering small obstructions or non-planar areas, which can result in objects coming to a sudden stop or tipping over.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a fluid-filled track wheel system that includes a track frame supporting forward and rearward wheel assemblies connected by a fluid-filled track, allowing the wheel to smoothly navigate over non-planar areas by lifting the leading wheel and keeping the trailing wheel on a planar surface, reducing the risk of tipping and obstruction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional caster wheel is used to move an object across a non-planar area, then the wheel encounters difficulty navigating the uneven surface, but this causes the object to come to a sudden stop or tip over, reducing stability and efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The caster assembly is divided into multiple independent wheels (typically three or more) that are distributed across the base. This segmentation allows the object to be supported at multiple points, and when encountering a non-planar area, individual wheels can navigate the unevenness independently while the others maintain contact with the planar surface, preventing sudden stops and tipping.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a third dimension of movement by allowing the caster wheels to pivot and rotate in multiple directions. The wheels are configured to rotate about vertical axes and can also tilt relative to the base, enabling the caster to navigate non-planar areas by changing the orientation of the wheels in three-dimensional space rather than being constrained to a single plane.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional caster wheel encounters a small obstruction or non-planar area, then the wheel can pass over it, but the object supporting the load becomes unstable and may tip over
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the support structure into multiple independently rotating wheels distributed across the base, the system can adapt to non-planar areas without compromising stability. When one wheel encounters an obstruction, the other wheels continue to provide stable support points, preventing the entire object from tipping over.
Solution Approach 2:
The caster assembly incorporates adjustable parameters such as the angle between the base and the wheel support arms, and the rotation capability of each wheel. These parameters can be modified to optimize the balance between the ability to traverse non-planar areas and maintain stability, allowing the system to adapt to various terrain conditions.
3Weight of moving object
If the load is heavy, then the object can be moved across the surface, but the caster becomes more difficult to control and more prone to tipping on non-planar areas
Solution Approach 1:
The segmentation of the caster into multiple wheels distributed across the base provides better weight distribution for heavy loads. This distribution reduces the concentration of force on any single point, making the system more stable and easier to control when moving heavy objects across non-planar areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-directional rotation capability of the wheels allows for better control of heavy loads on uneven terrain. The wheels can pivot and rotate in multiple directions to navigate obstacles, providing the operator with greater control over the movement of heavy objects compared to conventional single-wheel casters.
Data Source
AI summary
A track wheel for moving an object across a surface having a non-planar obstruction to allow smoother, easier and safer movement of the object over the obstruction. The track wheel has a track frame, a first wheel assembly, a second wheel assembly and a fluid-filled track assembly. The track frame interconnects the two wheel assemblies. The track assembly encircles the two wheel assemblies and frame in an endless loop manner. A mounting assembly connects the track frame to the object. The track assembly has a track link assembly and a pair of dampener tubes in the track link assembly. The track assembly passes into and out of a shield of the wheel assemblies that cleans the track assembly.