Suitcase Auxiliary Wheel Frame for Stable Tilting and Stair Rolling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional wheeled suitcases are unstable when tilted, requiring users to maintain an upright position, leading to user fatigue and difficulty in accessing contents, especially for larger suitcases or those with mobility issues, as the weight distribution is not evenly supported by the wheels during movement.

Innovation Solution

A suitcase design featuring adjustable support legs with secondary wheels that allow the suitcase to lean on main wheels and auxiliary wheels, enabling stable rolling and tilting, with optional features like a handle that pivots for adjustable height and a frame that can be secured to the suitcase for enhanced mobility and access.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional wheeled suitcases are designed with only main wheels at the bottom, then the structure is simple and payload space is maximized, but the suitcase becomes unstable when tilted and requires users to maintain an upright position which causes user fatigue

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser fatigue reductionVSAvoidwheel structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The wheel system is segmented into two functional groups: main wheels at the bottom for primary support and auxiliary wheels on adjustable legs for stability during tilting. This segmentation allows each wheel set to serve a specific function, resolving the contradiction by adding complexity only where needed for stability while maintaining simplicity in the overall structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The auxiliary wheels are mounted on adjustable legs that can be extended or retracted based on the suitcase's tilting angle. This dynamic adjustment allows the stability mechanism to activate only when needed (during tilting), rather than being a fixed complex structure, thus reducing user fatigue while controlling device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Stability of the object's composition

If auxiliary wheels are added to support tilted positions, then stability during tilting improves, but the device complexity increases and payload space decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesuitcase stability during tiltingVSAvoidpayload space inside suitcase

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The auxiliary wheels and their mounting legs are designed to nest within or alongside the main body structure of the suitcase when not in use. This nesting approach minimizes the volume occupied by the stability mechanism, thereby preserving maximum payload space while still providing the necessary stability during tilting operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The stability-enhancing auxiliary wheels are positioned locally at specific points along the bottom edges of the suitcase, rather than adding a comprehensive structural framework. This localized approach provides stability where needed during tilting while minimizing the overall volume consumed by the stability mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If the suitcase is designed to stand upright on main wheels only, then the structure is simple, but it is difficult for elderly or frail persons to open and access contents without squatting

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to contentsVSAvoidsupport structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustable legs with auxiliary wheels enable the suitcase to dynamically adapt its standing angle. Users can tilt the suitcase to a more accessible angle while the auxiliary wheels provide stable support, eliminating the need to squat. The dynamic leg adjustment allows the stability mechanism to activate only when tilting occurs, controlling the added complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Speed

If conventional suitcases are pulled on rough surfaces, then mobility is maintained, but the weight borne by the user increases causing fatigue

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemobility on rough surfacesVSAvoidforce required to pull suitcase

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of requiring the user to pull the suitcase upright on rough surfaces, the invention inverts the approach by allowing the suitcase to be tilted backward for rolling. The auxiliary wheels on extended legs provide stability in this inverted/tilted position, enabling users to roll the suitcase with less effort while maintaining mobility on rough surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS20100175960A1Wheeled suitcase with auxiliary wheels on legs and undercarriage therefor

Publication Date: 2010.07.15 MOSKOWITZ MAX

AI summary

A wheeling frame for a suitcase which has its own rolling wheels includes a frame supporting a pair of leaning wheels arranged at ends of a pair of pivotable legs, with a first wheel arranged at the end of a first leg and a second wheel arranged at the end of a second leg. The leg positions are adjustable between a stowed position and a deployed, adjustable position extending at an angle to the frame. The legs have a movable pivoting axis and adjustable lengths. A handle system at a proximal end of the frame is adjustable in length and angle, and is operable in conjunction with the leaning wheels to roll the suitcase in a stable leaning position, to allow walking the suitcase on steps of a staircase, and to be converted into a suitcase table, to ease packing and unpacking.