Luggage Spinner Wheel Assembly with Extended Footprint
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional luggage articles are prone to tipping over due to unstable wheel positioning, leading to potential damage to the exterior and contents.
Innovation Solution
The luggage article features spinner wheel assemblies integrally formed around each corner, with a shaft system that allows the wheel support to be positioned outside the body perimeter, increasing the footprint and stability by providing a greater distance between supports.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If wheels are positioned at the perimeter of the bottom sidewall near the corners, then the luggage article can stand upright and be transported easily, but the luggage article becomes prone to tipping over
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel assembly extends the support point outward from the conventional perimeter location to a position beyond the lateral sides of the luggage body. This dimensional extension creates a larger support footprint that increases stability while maintaining ease of transport. The wheel support structure projects laterally from the body, positioning the wheel contact point further from the center of gravity.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the vertical axis of the wheel support is positioned outside the body perimeter, then the footprint is increased and stability is enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel support, wheel, and connecting shaft are integrated into a unified assembly that is directly attached to the luggage body. This merging of components simplifies the overall structure despite the extended wheel position. The wheel support and body extension form an integrated unit, reducing the number of separate parts and assembly steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The wheel assembly serves multiple functions: it provides the primary support contact with the ground, enables lateral movement of the luggage, and the extended position creates a stabilizing moment arm. The shaft component simultaneously connects the wheel support to the body and allows rotational movement. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional stabilizing structures.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the wheel support is positioned outside the body perimeter, then the distance between supports is increased, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel assembly is designed as a separable unit that can be manufactured independently and then attached to the luggage body. The wheel support, shaft, and wheel are configured to allow modular assembly. This segmentation enables each component to be manufactured using standard processes without requiring complex integrated tooling.
Solution Approach 2:
The shaft passes through the wheel support and connects to the body extension, creating a nested arrangement where components are inserted into one another. The first portion of the shaft is inserted into the body extension, and the second portion is inserted into the wheel support, creating a telescoping-like assembly that simplifies manufacturing and assembly.
Data Source
AI summary
The luggage article described herein provides improved stability by creating an increased footprint at the bottom to improve stability. The footprint is increase by position the supports for the luggage article outside the perimeter of the body. The supports may be a plurality of wheel spinner assemblies. The wheel spinner assemblies may have an upright axis of rotation that is positioned outside of the perimeter of the body thereby improving stability.