Castor wheel for a shelving unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing castor wheel systems for shelving units are cumbersome, unsafe, and prone to instability, requiring specialist installation and incurring additional costs, especially when handling heavy loads.
Innovation Solution
An intermediate fixing bracket for castor wheels with a simplified, sturdy, and versatile design that minimizes components, allowing easy installation and improved load distribution, enhancing stability and applicability to various shelving units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If castor wheels are directly fixed to the base of shelving units, then movement capability is improved, but structural stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediate fixing bracket as a mediator between the castor wheel and the shelving unit base. This bracket distributes the load across multiple attachment points and provides a more robust connection interface, thereby maintaining movement capability while preventing structural instability and overturning risks associated with direct wheel fixation.
2Stability of the object's composition
If high-quality castor wheels are used to prevent overturning, then stability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the wheel system into two functional components: standard castor wheels for movement and an intermediate fixing bracket for structural stabilization. This segmentation allows the use of simpler, less expensive wheels while the bracket provides the necessary stability, thereby reducing overall system complexity and cost while maintaining overturning resistance.
3Ease of operation
If the base of shelving units is modified to accommodate wheels, then movement capability is improved, but manufacturing cost and installation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate fixing bracket serves as a pre-fabricated intermediary component that attaches to the existing shelving unit base without requiring structural modifications. This approach preserves movement capability while avoiding the additional manufacturing costs and installation complexity that would result from modifying the base structure.
4Reliability
If specialist installation skills are required for wheel installation, then installation reliability is improved, but installation time and productivity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate fixing bracket is designed with self-aligning features and simplified attachment mechanisms that enable non-specialist personnel to install the wheel system reliably. The bracket's geometry and attachment points are configured to guide proper installation without requiring specialized skills, thereby maintaining installation reliability while significantly improving installation speed and productivity.
Data Source
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AI summary
Intermediate fixing bracket (10) for castor wheels (1) for shelving units (100), comprising a supporting portion (20) having an upper surface (21), configured to be applied to a lower wall (101) of a shelving unit (100), and a lower surface (22), configured to be fixed at least to one anchoring plate (3) of a castor wheel (2). The intermediate bracket (10) further comprises an anchoring portion (30), connected to the supporting portion (20) and extending transversely away from the upper surface (21) of the supporting portion (20). The anchoring portion (30) has an abutment surface (31), configured to be applied to a vertical wall (102) of the shelving unit (100).