Stroller Wheel Hub Braking Mechanism with Single Lever Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current jogging strollers lack a braking mechanism that can provide both modulated braking and a parking brake function with a single user control interface, which is essential for safe and convenient operation on varying terrain.
Innovation Solution
A braking mechanism integrated into the wheel hub carrier, featuring a moveable friction element and locking element, actuated by a single user control lever, allowing for both drag braking and parking brake functions, with a mechanism biased towards the locked position to prevent wheel rotation and enabling variable braking force application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate actuators are used for parking brake and drag brake, then each braking function can be independently controlled, but the device complexity increases and ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the parking brake actuator and drag brake actuator into a single integrated actuator mechanism. This single actuator has multiple positions (locked, neutral, braking) that can engage either the locking element for parking brake function or the friction element for drag brake function, thereby reducing the number of components while maintaining both braking functions
Solution Approach 2:
The single actuator mechanism is designed to perform multiple functions: it can engage the locking element to prevent wheel rotation (parking brake), apply friction to the braking surface for modulated braking (drag brake), or remain in neutral position allowing free wheel rotation. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate actuators
2Device complexity
If a single actuator controls both parking brake and drag brake, then device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but the measurement precision of braking force control may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator mechanism incorporates a spring-biased system that allows dynamic control of the friction element's engagement with the braking surface. The spring provides a biasing force that can be modulated by the actuator's position, enabling variable braking force application while maintaining precise control through the single actuator's positional control
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 safe and convenient operation by providing both modulated braking and parking brake functions through a single control interface, enhancing user control and safety on different terrains.
Implementation Method 1
a moveable friction element arranged adjacent to the braking surface, the friction element being moveable from a release position in which the friction element and braking surface are not in contact, and a braking position in which the friction element and braking surface are in adjacent contact
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A braking mechanism for a stroller having a parking brake (44, 53) which prevents rotation of a wheel and a drag brake (42, 51) which retards rotation of the wheel, the braking mechanism being controlled by a single brake lever (64). The lever has a neutral position in which neither the parking brake nor the drag brake is engaged and the wheel rotated freely, a parking position in which the parking brake is engaged, and a drag braking position in which a use can apply and modulate the drag brake to selectively retard wheel rotation. The combination braking mechanism is preferred for use on a conventional jogging stroller.