Height-Adjustable Swivel Caster for Uneven Furniture Leveling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing swivel casters fail to effectively compensate for height differences between adjacent tables or furniture due to manufacturing tolerances or uneven floors, necessitating relocation to level surfaces.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a height-adjustable sleeve with an external thread interacting with a rotating ring, allowing for stepless height adjustment and secure attachment to the housing, enabling compensation for uneven surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional swivel caster is used, then the design and manufacturing costs are low, but the height difference between adjacent tables cannot be compensated
Solution Approach 1:
The caster is divided into functionally independent segments: a fixed housing containing the wheel bearing, and a separate height-adjustable mounting element that can be independently positioned. This segmentation allows the mounting element to be adjusted for height compensation without affecting the structural integrity or increasing the complexity of the entire caster assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
A sleeve acts as an intermediary component between the housing and the external component. The sleeve can be freely positioned within the housing to compensate for height differences, while the locking lugs provide an intermediary locking mechanism that secures the sleeve at the desired height without requiring complex adjustment devices.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a height-adjustable mechanism is added to the swivel caster, then height compensation is enabled, but the design and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The height adjustment mechanism uses simple, inexpensive components such as a plain sleeve, locking lugs, and spring elements rather than precision-adjustable mechanisms. These simple components are easy to manufacture and assemble, keeping production costs low while providing sufficient height compensation functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element automatically pushes the locking lugs against the sleeve to maintain engagement, eliminating the need for additional actuators or complex locking mechanisms. The system self-regulates the locking force, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while ensuring reliable height adjustment.
3Ease of operation
If the rotating ring is located on the ground-facing side of the housing, then the attachment to the housing is secure, but the user accessibility for height adjustment is poor
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of placing the adjustment mechanism at the bottom of the housing (ground-facing side), the rotating ring and height adjustment mechanism are inverted to the top side of the housing. This inversion makes the adjustment mechanism easily accessible to users while the locking lugs extend downward to engage with the sleeve, maintaining secure attachment stability.
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 tables or furniture with swivel casters to be leveled despite uneven floors, maintaining stability and simplicity of use while minimizing design and manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
the sleeve is provided with an external thread which interacts with a rotating ring. The provision of this thread combination enables stepless height adjustment.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a swivel caster with at least one wheel (1) and with a housing (2) which has an axle about which the wheel (1) is rotatable, and which has a fastening element (4) for connection to an external component, wherein the fastening element (4) is formed by a sleeve (5) which is height-adjustable in the housing (2).