Roller Skate Detent Locking for Tool-Free Wheel Switching
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing roller skate designs require tools to switch rollers between in-line and side-by-side positions, which is time-consuming, and the secondary nuts are polygonal, making placement in recesses cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
A roller skate design featuring a boot with bores, a beam with recesses and stepped holes, a fastening unit with a non-rotatable nut, and connecting units with detents and springs, allowing easy switching of rollers between positions without the need for tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a primary nut and secondary nuts are used to switch rollers between positions, then the rollers can be secured in place, but tools are required to rotate the nuts which increases time and labor demand
Solution Approach 1:
The detent mechanism with spring automatically engages with the corresponding recesses on the beam to secure the roller in place without requiring manual rotation of nuts. The spring provides continuous engagement force, making the system self-securing and eliminating the need for tool-based adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The traditional nut-bolt rotational fastening system is replaced with a detent-spring engagement mechanism. The detent moves linearly within the stepped hole and engages with the recess through spring force, substituting the rotational mechanical action with a linear engagement system that requires no tools.
2Reliability
If polygonal secondary nuts are used in polygonal recesses, then secure engagement is achieved, but placement becomes time-consuming due to the complex geometry
Solution Approach 1:
The detent automatically engages with the corresponding recess on the beam through spring force without requiring manual positioning or alignment. The linear movement of the detent within the stepped hole allows for self-aligning engagement, eliminating the time-consuming manual placement required for polygonal nuts.
3Reliability
If multiple nuts are tightened to secure rollers in position, then stable fixation is achieved, but the operation becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded detent mechanism automatically engages with the beam recesses to secure the roller, eliminating the need for manual tightening operations. The system self-secures through spring force, making the operation simple and rapid without requiring multiple tightening steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixation function is segmented into discrete detent elements that independently engage with corresponding recesses on the beam. Each detent handles a specific engagement point, allowing for modular and simplified fixation compared to the integrated nut-bolt system.
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
Enables quick and tool-free conversion of rollers between in-line and side-by-side positions, reducing time and effort required for adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
The spring is compressed between the detent and a shoulder of a corresponding one of the stepped holes so that the spring tends to push the detent in a selected one of the bores.
Data Source
AI summary
A roller skate includes a sole, a beam, a fastening unit, supporting elements and connecting units. The sole includes bores around an aperture. The beam includes an orifice between two recesses and stepped holes in communication with the recesses. The fastening unit includes a nut engaged with a threaded bolt inserted in the orifice and the aperture. Each of the supporting elements includes an arched portion for supporting a roller and a positioning portion formed on the arched portion and insertable in a selected one of the recesses. Each of the connecting units includes a detent and a spring. The detent is movable in a corresponding one of the stepped holes. The spring is compressed between the detent and a shoulder of one of the stepped holes so that the spring tends to push the detent in one of the bores.