Multidirectional Trolley for Wall Panel Track Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Movable wall panel systems face challenges in navigating intersections smoothly, leading to safety issues and hindered motion due to existing trolley designs that do not facilitate multidirectional travel or easy pathway changes.
Innovation Solution
A wall panel system with trolleys having wheels mounted along vertical axes and beveled surfaces for multidirectional travel, combined with diverters and guide assemblies that interact with the track to guide the panels along predetermined paths, allowing for sharp turns and easy navigation through intersections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional trolleys with horizontally rotating wheels are used, then the trolley can move along the track, but the trolley cannot negotiate intersections smoothly and may become entrapped
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the wheel axes rotatable rather than fixed. The wheel axes can rotate between being horizontal (for forward motion) and vertical (for lateral motion), allowing the trolley to dynamically adapt its wheel orientation to navigate intersections smoothly without becoming entrapped
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements another dimension by adding rotational freedom to the wheel axes themselves. Instead of wheels rotating only about horizontal axes, the axes can now rotate about vertical axes, adding a second degree of freedom that enables the trolley to change direction laterally and negotiate intersections
2Adaptability or versatility
If tracks with intersections are used to allow different configurations, then wall panel system versatility is improved, but safety issues arise as users cannot watch both the trolley and their footing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by enabling the trolley to navigate intersections autonomously through its ability to rotate wheel axes. The operator simply guides the trolley toward the intersection, and the trolley's dynamic wheel system automatically negotiates the transition, eliminating the need for the operator to continuously monitor both the trolley and their footing
3Speed
If trolleys with four wheels on parallel horizontal axes are used, then the trolley can travel fore and aft, but the trolley cannot travel laterally
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the wheel axis orientation dynamic rather than static. The wheel axes can rotate from horizontal to vertical orientations, allowing the trolley to switch between fore-and-aft motion (horizontal axes) and lateral motion (vertical axes), thereby achieving multidirectional travel capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the orientation parameter of the wheel axes. By rotating the wheel axes from horizontal to vertical orientations, the trolley can change its direction of travel, enabling both longitudinal and lateral movement along the track system
4Ease of operation
If sharp turns are enabled in the trolley design, then maneuverability is improved, but motion along other directions may be hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the wheel axes rotatable rather than fixed in orientation. When sharp turns are needed, the wheel axes rotate to vertical orientations enabling maneuverability. When straight-line motion is needed, the wheel axes return to horizontal orientations, restoring full motion capability in all directions
Data Source
AI summary
A wall panel system and method of installation and use are provided, in which wall panels are suspended from trolleys along a track system. The trolleys include guide devices that interact with diverters coupled to the tracks to allow the trolley to be directed as desired at intersections of the tracks, and to follow a predetermined path along the track system. The wall panel system is configurable to allow the wall panels to be aligned serially, such as for dividing the space within a room, or may be stacked, such as suitable for compact storage.