Hemispherical Luggage Wheel Assembly for Impact Shock Absorption

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional suitcase wheels are prone to damage from impact and drop testing, leading to alignment issues and increased shock transmission to the suitcase and its contents, as rigid wheel constructions absorb impact forces without adequate deformation.

Innovation Solution

A wheel assembly with hemispherical wheels and a central support structure allows for elastic deformation and impact deflection, reducing damage risk and shock transmission by maintaining wheels in alignment and enabling efficient energy transfer during impacts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If rigid wheel constructions are used to withstand impact events during drop testing, then the wheels can withstand the impact events, but the consequence is that a large proportion of the impact must then be absorbed by the suitcase body and the contents within, causing mechanical or physical shock to the contents

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact resistance of wheelsVSAvoidshock transmission to suitcase contents

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The wheel is designed with a hollow spherical shell structure that can elastically deform during impact events. This flexible shell absorbs impact energy through controlled deformation rather than rigid resistance, significantly reducing shock transmission to the suitcase contents while maintaining wheel strength during drop testing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The hollow spherical structure provides inherent cushioning capacity before impact occurs. The air or vacuum within the hollow sphere acts as a pre-configured energy absorber, allowing the wheel to cushion impact events through compression of the enclosed space rather than rigid material deformation alone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Reliability

If conventional rigid wheels are used, then they can withstand drop testing, but they do not allow for elastic deformation which reduces their ability to absorb impact energy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewithstand drop testingVSAvoidelastic deformation capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The hollow spherical shell is designed with appropriate wall thickness and material properties to enable elastic deformation within safe limits during drop testing. The shell flexes during impact and returns to its original shape, providing both reliability in withstanding tests and adaptability through elastic response.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The wheel design changes the physical parameters of the wheel structure from solid rigid to hollow flexible, fundamentally altering how the wheel responds to impact. This parameter change enables the wheel to transition from rigid strength-based resistance to flexible energy absorption while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If the wheels are exposed to make contact with the ground, then they enable the suitcase to travel along the ground, but the wheels are prone to damage from impact and side knocks during transit

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemobility of suitcaseVSAvoidimpact damage to wheels

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The spherical shape of the wheel provides inherent impact resistance from all directions, not just the bottom contact point. Side knocks and impacts are distributed across the curved surface rather than concentrated at a single point, reducing damage risk while maintaining full ground contact capability for mobility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The hollow spherical shell structure combines the mobility needed for ground contact with impact resistance. The flexible nature of the hollow shell allows it to absorb side knocks and impacts during transit without the rigid brittleness of conventional solid wheels, protecting against damage while enabling ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 hemispherical wheel design with a central support structure enhances impact resistance and shock absorption, maintaining wheel alignment and reducing the likelihood of damage and shock experienced by the suitcase and its contents.

Implementation Method 1

Each of the first wheel and the second wheel are substantially hemispherical in shape... allows for elastic deformation and impact deflection... enhancing impact resistance and shock absorption

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11832696B2Luggage wheel assembly

Publication Date: 2023.12.05 IT LUGGAGE LTD

AI summary

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a wheel assembly (104) for an article of luggage, such as a suitcase (100). The wheel assembly (104) comprises: a central support element (200); a first wheel (132) rotatably attached to the central support element (200); a second wheel (134) rotatably attached to the central support element (200) on an opposing side to the first wheel (132), wherein the first wheel (132) and the second wheel (134) share a common axis of rotation X; and wherein each of the first wheel (132) and the second wheel (134) are substantially hemispherical in shape.