Magnetic Self-Aligning Swivel Castor for Container Stacking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing swivel castors require manual pivoting and are inconvenient due to the integration of magnets and rotation mechanisms, making them time-consuming and risky to use for stacking containers, as they need specially designed magnets and are prone to external influences.
Innovation Solution
The swivel castor design separates the magnet and rotation mechanism spaces, allowing for the use of any desired magnets and providing protection from external influences, with magnets configured to automatically align the castor for efficient stacking by maximizing attraction and repulsion forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If magnets and rotation mechanism are integrated in the same area, then the castor structure is compact, but the castor requires specially designed magnets and is vulnerable to external influences
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the castor structure into separate functional areas: the rotation mechanism remains in the central area while the magnets are positioned in the circumference area. This spatial segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, using standard magnets rather than specially designed ones, while maintaining overall compactness.
2Manufacturing precision
If manual pivoting is required for castor alignment, then the castor can be precisely positioned, but the stacking process is time-consuming and poses injury risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automatic self-alignment of the castor through magnetic interaction between the first magnet on the castor mount and the second magnet on the support plate. When the container is placed on the castor, the magnetic forces automatically guide the castor into the correct alignment position, eliminating the need for manual pivoting while maintaining precise positioning accuracy.
3Reliability
If magnets are enclosed by saucer and mounting plate, then the magnets are protected from external influences, but the castor structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the protective function into existing structural components. The saucer and mounting plate, which are already part of the castor structure, serve dual purposes: they provide structural support and simultaneously enclose/protect the magnets from external influences. This merging of functions avoids additional protective components and maintains structural simplicity.
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
This design enables faster and safer container stacking by automatically aligning the castor, reducing manual effort and risk of injury, while allowing for cost-effective manufacturing without the need for specially manufactured magnets.
Implementation Method 1
the magnets are magnetized and disposed so as to be mutually parallel including a gap in such a manner that in an alignment of the castor mount outside a defined basic alignment of the castor mount the magnets interact in such a manner that the castor mount swings into basic alignment
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The present invention relates to a swivel castor (1) comprising a support plate (2) for connection to a container, and furthermore comprising a castor mount (3) having a castor (6) which is rotatable about a horizontal rotation axis (H), wherein the castor mount (3) is connected to the support plate (2) so as to be rotatable about a vertical rotation axis (V). At least one first magnet (15a) is connected to the castor mount (3) and at least one second magnet (15b) is connected to the support plate (2). The magnets (15a, 15b) are magnetized and disposed so as to be mutually parallel including a gap in such a manner that in an alignment of the castor mount outside a defined basic alignment (G) of the castor mount (3) the magnets (15a, 15b) interact in such a manner that the castor mount (3) swings into basic alignment (G).