Double Suitcase Caster Brake Pedal for Durable Side-Wheel Braking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing swivel casters for luggage suffer from complex braking mechanisms that wear out quickly, obscure the design of the wheels, and make wheel replacement difficult, while also failing to provide effective and durable braking without completely locking the wheels, leading to unintentional rolling or tipping.
Innovation Solution
A brakeable swivel caster design with a pivotably mounted brake pedal and brake shoes positioned to exert braking force parallel to the wheel axle, allowing for a simple, durable, and attractive design that enables easy wheel replacement and maintains wheel contact area for optimal traction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a complex braking mechanism is used to achieve effective braking, then the braking force is sufficient, but the device complexity increases and manufacturing cost rises
Solution Approach 1:
The braking device is segmented into distinct functional components: a brake pedal for actuation, brake shoes for friction contact, and a fork-like structure for positioning. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall simplicity, resolving the contradiction between achieving sufficient braking force and keeping the mechanism simple.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the caster housing surrounds the wheels in a fork-like manner to provide structural support, then the structural stability is improved, but the wheel design becomes obscured and aesthetic appeal is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The braking device including the fork-like structure is extracted as a separate, removable component from the main caster housing. This allows the wheel design to be fully visible and aesthetic when the brake is not in use, while still providing the necessary structural support for braking function when engaged, thus resolving the contradiction between structural stability and design visibility.
3Ease of operation
If the brake pedal is pressed into holes formed in the arms of the caster housing to achieve braking, then the braking function is achieved, but the mounting and bearing experience fatigue early due to repeated forcing apart
Solution Approach 1:
The brake shoes are pre-positioned on the brake pedal in a ready state, and the pedal is pre-mounted on the caster housing with proper clearance. This preliminary arrangement ensures that when braking is actuated, the forces are distributed evenly across pre-designed contact points rather than forcing the mounting and bearing apart repeatedly, thereby preventing early fatigue and improving reliability.
4Force
If the braking mechanism acts primarily in the upper part of the wheels to provide braking, then the braking effect is achieved, but the wheels are forced apart at the top and compressed at the bottom, resulting in positive camber that reduces contact area and grip
Solution Approach 1:
The braking force is applied in a dimension parallel to the wheel axle rather than vertically on the wheel surface. The brake shoes contact the wheel's rim or flange area, generating friction force that opposes wheel rotation without creating camber or reducing the contact patch. This dimensional change in force application resolves the contradiction between achieving braking effect and maintaining wheel grip.
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 solution provides a low-wear, durable braking effect that prevents unintentional rolling and tipping, ensures even weight distribution, and allows for easy wheel replacement without disturbing the aesthetic appeal of the caster design.
Implementation Method 1
the brake shoe (14) exerts a braking force (Fb) directly on one side of at least one wheel (7)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The present invention relates to a brakeable swivel caster (1) for suitcases, comprising a caster housing (3) pivotable in a direction of travel (L) via pivot means (10) and two wheels (7) rotatably mounted on the caster housing (3) on a horizontal wheel axle (5), wherein the pivot means are arranged in front of the wheel axle (5) when viewed against the direction of travel (L), and comprising a brake device which is adjustable between a brake position in which the brake device exerts a braking force on at least one wheel (7) and a freewheel position in which the brake device releases the wheels (7).A brake pedal (11) for generating the braking force is pivotably mounted on the roller housing (3) via a pedal axle (15) running parallel to the wheel axle (5) and arranged between the running wheels (7), and at least one brake shoe (14) arranged on the brake pedal (11) exerts a braking force parallel to the wheel axle (5) directly on one side of at least one running wheel (7) in the braking position.