Pop-up Wheel Device Pneumatic Piston Seal Wear
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pop-up units in material handling equipment face issues such as cumbersome component replacement, limited contact area for steering, and seal wear leading to gas leaks, which hinder efficient operation and require frequent unit replacement.
Innovation Solution
A pop-up wheel device with a removable contact wheel, a zinc-coated galvanized steel housing, and a coiled spring biasing mechanism, allowing for easy assembly, component replacement, and improved contact area for steering, while minimizing seal wear through a split seal design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the cap is secured to the housing to protect internal components, then the housing structure is stable and protected, but the internal components cannot be removed for replacement without removing the cap
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separable components: the contact wheel is separated from the piston assembly, allowing the contact wheel to be removed independently through the open top of the piston while the cap remains secured to the housing. This segmentation enables component replacement without compromising housing protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact wheel is extracted as a removable component from the piston assembly. The open top of the piston allows the contact wheel to be taken out for replacement while the cap remains fixed to the housing, solving the contradiction between protection and ease of repair.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a spherical primary ball is used to permit omnidirectional movement, then the article can be moved in any direction, but the contact area between the ball and article is very limited
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from a spherical primary ball to a wheeled contact element. The wheel maintains the rounded/curved geometry that enables omnidirectional movement while providing a larger surface area contact patch between the contact wheel and the article, resolving the contradiction between versatility and contact area.
3Reliability
If the rubber seal is positioned around the piston to prevent gas leaks, then the pneumatic sealing is effective, but the seal becomes worn over time due to repeated sliding
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible seal member is used around the piston to maintain pneumatic sealing. The seal's flexibility allows it to accommodate piston movement while maintaining contact with the housing wall to prevent gas leaks, and its material properties are selected to reduce wear from repeated sliding.
4Ease of operation
If the contact wheel extends above the cap when raised, then the steering capability is improved, but the device height increases
Solution Approach 1:
The contact wheel's position is made dynamic through the pneumatic piston system. The wheel can be raised to extend above the cap for improved steering capability, or lowered to reduce device height, allowing the system to adapt to different operational requirements.
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
The pop-up wheel device enables efficient operation with reduced maintenance, improved steering capabilities, and prolonged device performance by allowing easy replacement of components and minimizing seal wear, thus overcoming the limitations of existing pop-up units.
Implementation Method 1
a coiled spring for biasing the piston downwardly within the housing
Implementation Method 2
pressurized gas is admitted into the housing through the nipple, causing the piston to move upwardly
Implementation Method 3
a rubber seal fitted around the piston
Data Source
AI summary
A pop-up wheel device for use in material handling equipment. In one embodiment, the pop-up wheel device includes a housing, which is a can of generally track-shaped transverse cross-section. A nipple is mounted in the housing bottom to permit fluid under pressure to pass to and from the interior of the housing. A cap, which includes a central opening, is positioned over and is secured to the housing. A piston is slidably mounted within the housing between a lower position and an upper position. A seal is fitted around a lower portion of the piston and creates an air-tight chamber between the piston and the housing. A spring biases the piston towards the lower position. A wheel that is freely rotatable in one direction is coupled to the piston using a wheel mount. The wheel may be removed from the wheel mount without removing the cap from the housing.