Step-Climbing Rolling Device with Movable Second Members
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional rolling devices with wheels or castors are unsuitable for navigating stepped surfaces, requiring manual lifting of objects like luggage cases, which complicates movement.
Innovation Solution
A rolling device featuring an axle with first and second rolling members, where the second rolling members are movable between retracted and extended positions, allowing the device to adapt to stepped surfaces by extending to contact higher surfaces, enabling smooth rolling across varying terrain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional wheel or castor is used for rolling, then the rolling device can roll smoothly on flat surfaces, but it cannot climb steps or navigate stepped surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The rolling device employs second rolling members that can dynamically extend and retract relative to the axle. When encountering a step, the second rolling members automatically extend to contact the higher surface, enabling the device to climb steps without manual intervention. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by providing both flat surface rolling capability and step climbing function.
Solution Approach 2:
The rolling device is segmented into multiple rolling members (first rolling members fixed to the axle and second rolling members that can extend/retract) rather than a single conventional wheel. This segmentation allows different parts of the system to perform different functions - first rolling members for flat surfaces and second rolling members for step climbing - thereby achieving versatility without compromising ease of operation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the second rolling members are extended to contact higher surfaces, then the rolling device can climb steps, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The second rolling members are nested within accommodating spaces formed by adjacent first rolling members when in the retracted position. This nesting arrangement minimizes the overall structure size and reduces complexity when the step-climbing function is not needed, while still allowing extension for step climbing.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning mechanisms (positioning holes and positioning pins) are designed to automatically maintain the second rolling members at selected positions (retracted or extended) without requiring external control systems. The reinforcing units with positioning pins cooperate with positioning holes to self-lock the second rolling members in place, reducing the need for complex actuation and control mechanisms.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the second rolling members are made movable between retracted and extended positions, then the rolling device can adapt to different surface heights, but the structural stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcing units are designed to be dynamically adjustable, allowing the structure to transition from a compact stable state (when second rolling members are retracted) to an extended stable state (when second rolling members are positioned outward for step climbing). The positioning mechanisms ensure structural stability is maintained in both states through self-locking capability.
Data Source
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AI summary
A rolling device (1) includes an axle (2) rotatable about an axis (C), a plurality of first rolling members (3), and a plurality of second rolling members (5). The first rolling members (3) are connected fixedly to the axle (2). Each of the first rolling members (3) includes a first body (30) having a first rolling surface (31) that is contactable with the ground surface and that is spaced apart from the axis (C) by a first radius (L1). Any two adjacent ones of the first rolling members (3) define an accommodating space (4) therebetween. Each of the second rolling members (5) is disposed movably within the accommodating space (4) between two adjacent ones of the first rolling members (3). Each of the second rolling members (5) includes a second body (50) having a second rolling surface (51) that is contactable with the ground surface and that is spaced apart from the axis (C) by a second radius (L2). Each of the second rolling members (5) is movable relative to the first rolling members (3) between a retracted position whereat the second radius (L2) is not more than the first radius (L1), and an extended position whereat the second radius (L2) is more than the first radius (L1).