V-Angled Spinner Wheel Assembly for Quiet, Stable Luggage Rolling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wheeled luggage articles with vertically orientated double casters face challenges in maneuverability, noise, and rolling efficiency due to the lack of mechanical advantage, and previous solutions involving expensive and heavy ball bearings or bushings are costly and weight-intensive.
Innovation Solution
A dual caster spinner wheel assembly with wheels angled in a V configuration and a cantilevered, rotatable strut or fork that positions the wheels to enhance straight-line tracking, stability, and quietness, reducing the need for heavy ball bearings or bushings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If vertically orientated double casters are used, then the luggage can be maneuvered, but the wheels do not turn easily due to lack of mechanical advantage and create noise and tracking issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by configuring the wheels at different angles relative to the direction of travel. The first wheel is angled at a first angle and the second wheel is angled at a second angle, creating an asymmetric V-configuration that provides mechanical advantage for turning while maintaining straight-line tracking stability. This asymmetric arrangement resolves the contradiction by enabling easy maneuverability without compromising tracking or generating noise.
2Productivity
If ball bearings or bushings are used to improve wheel performance, then rolling efficiency improves, but the assembly becomes heavy and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the need for heavy ball bearings or bushings by using a simplified strut-based wheel assembly. The invention achieves smooth rolling efficiency through the geometric V-configuration of the wheels and the rotatable strut mechanism, removing the harmful element of heavy bearings while maintaining or improving rolling performance. This resolves the contradiction by achieving high productivity without the weight penalty.
3Ease of operation
If vertically orientated double casters are used, then the luggage can be moved, but debris becomes caught between the wheels reducing rolling efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by transitioning from a vertical wheel orientation to an angled V-configuration. This angular arrangement in a different dimensional orientation prevents debris from being trapped between the wheels, as the angled surfaces naturally shed debris. The solution maintains mobility while eliminating the debris accumulation problem that reduces rolling efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A spinner wheel assembly for a luggage case is provided. The wheel assembly may include a housing, a support strut rotatably coupled to the housing about a spinner axis, and a plurality of wheels each rotatably coupled to the support strut about a wheel axis. Each wheel may rotate in a plane positioned at an angle to at least one other wheel. Each wheel may be coupled to the support strut in a spaced relationship thereto.


