Retractable Wheel Carrier With Pivoting Sliding Plate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wheeled luggage faces issues with wheels protruding, increasing size and vulnerability to damage during travel, especially when improperly handled.
Innovation Solution
A carrier with retractable wheels featuring a main body, moving unit, and fastening member that allows the wheels to be pivoted inside the main body for storage, minimizing size and protecting against external impacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If wheels are attached to the bottom of luggage, then mobility is improved, but the overall size increases and wheels become vulnerable to damage
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel assembly is designed to be movable between an extended position (for mobility) and a retracted position (for compact storage). The movable plate allows the wheel to pivot between these positions, transforming the static wheel structure into a dynamic one that adapts to different usage states.
Solution Approach 2:
The wheel is nested within the inlet hole of the main body when retracted, with the movable plate covering the inlet hole to protect the wheel. This nesting arrangement allows the wheel to be stored inside the luggage body, reducing the overall external dimensions when mobility is not required.
2Ease of operation
If wheels protrude from the bottom of luggage, then mobility is improved, but wheels become easily damaged when improperly treated
Solution Approach 1:
The movable plate is positioned to cover the inlet hole and protect the wheel before any external impact can occur. This preliminary protective barrier prevents direct contact between external objects and the wheel, reducing the risk of damage during improper handling or storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The wheel is nested within the inlet hole when not in use, surrounded by the movable plate that acts as a protective cover. This nested configuration shields the wheel from external impacts and reduces its exposure to damaging forces during storage and transport.
3Volume of moving object
If wheels are made retractable, then size is reduced and protection is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel assembly is segmented into distinct components: the wheel itself, the movable plate, the inlet hole, and the fastening member. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently while simplifying the overall design and maintenance of the retractable mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable plate serves as an intermediary element between the wheel and the external environment. It mediates the transition between the extended and retracted states, providing a simple mechanical interface that reduces complexity by consolidating multiple functions (protection, support, and positioning) into a single component.
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 retractable design enhances mobility by allowing easier movement while reducing the overall size and protecting the wheels from damage, addressing the issues of size and durability in conventional luggage.
Implementation Method 1
a moving unit having a body pivotably provided in the inlet hole and a wheel attached to an end of the body
Implementation Method 2
an inlet hole formed in a bottom to be open or closed by a sliding plate
Implementation Method 3
a fastening member pivotably provided in the inlet hole in a position eccentric from the body. The fastening member, together with the body, is pivoted down to come in tight contact with the body to support the body
Data Source
AI summary
According to an embodiment, a carrier with retractable wheels comprises a main body including a storage space and an inlet hole formed in a bottom to be open or closed by a sliding plate and a moving unit having a body pivotably provided in the inlet hole and a wheel attached to an end of the body. When the inlet hole is closed by the sliding plate, the moving unit is pivoted up, the wheel is supported by the sliding plate to be positioned inside the inlet hole and, when the inlet hole is open, the moving unit is pivoted down to stick out of the inlet hole.