Outrigger Wheel Assembly for Tight Turns and Lower Wheel Scuffing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Material handling vehicles, particularly Class II narrow aisle forklifts, face challenges with increased wear on wheels due to scuffing during tight turns and limited load capacity, which is exacerbated by the need for smaller wheel diameters to fit in narrow warehouse spaces.
Innovation Solution
A wheel assembly with multiple wheels on each axle that rotate independently, allowing for a smaller turning radius and increased load capacity, while maintaining a compact design compatible with modern warehouse standards, by optimizing the distance and angle of axles and wheels relative to the pivot point.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the wheel diameter is increased to increase load-bearing capacity, then the load capacity is improved, but the wheel cannot fit within the limited height clearance of narrow warehouse aisles
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel assembly is segmented into multiple wheels (typically three) arranged in a triangular configuration on a single axle, replacing a single large wheel. This segmentation allows the load to be distributed across multiple smaller wheels that fit within the height clearance while collectively bearing the required load.
2Ease of operation
If the wheel assembly is designed for tight turning radius, then the turning capability is improved, but the wear on wheels increases due to scuffing during pivoting
Solution Approach 1:
The axle is designed to pivot dynamically relative to the outrigger, allowing the wheel assembly to orient itself during turning operations. This dynamic adjustment reduces scuffing wear on the wheels while enabling tight turning radius, as the axle angle can change to accommodate the turning motion.
3Strength
If two wheels are mounted in tandem on the outrigger, then the load capacity is increased, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple wheels are merged onto a single axle rather than using separate axles for each wheel. This combining approach increases load capacity while minimizing structural complexity, as all wheels share a common mounting structure and pivot mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
A wheel assembly for an outrigger of a material handling vehicle, comprising a first axle, a first wheel mounted on the first axle and a second wheel mounted on the first axle, whereby the first wheel and the second wheel rotate independently, and a second axle, a first wheel mounted on the second axle and a second wheel mounted on the second axle, whereby the first wheel and the second wheel rotate independently, wherein the first axle and the second axle are mounted on the outrigger, in tandem.