Walker Mounting Assembly Reducing Play With Threaded Shaft
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing walker apparatuses face issues with mounting assemblies for front wheel assemblies, which can dislodge or slip due to wear and tear, manufacturing defects, and require complex designs with multiple parts, leading to increased costs and manufacturing complexity.
Innovation Solution
A mounting assembly for a pivotable wheel fork that includes a frame portion with an upper recessed region and a shaft assembly with a threaded upper end, a connecting member that threadably engages with the shaft assembly, and a bearing system that reduces play and alignment issues, eliminating the need for additional bearings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single bearing is used to support the rotating shaft, then the device complexity is reduced, but the shaft alignment precision deteriorates due to bearing play
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing support structure is segmented into a stationary bearing portion integrated with the frame and a movable bearing portion that can shift position. This segmentation allows the bearing assembly to accommodate shaft alignment requirements while maintaining a single bearing configuration, thus reducing device complexity while preserving alignment precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing assembly incorporates a movable bearing portion whose position can be adjusted to change the effective bearing parameters. This allows optimization of shaft alignment precision by adjusting the bearing position within the assembly, resolving the contradiction between using fewer bearings and maintaining alignment precision.
2Ease of operation
If a rotating shaft connection is used for the front wheel assembly, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to shaft dislodgement and slippage
Solution Approach 1:
The connection assembly incorporates a spring element that provides beforehand cushioning against shaft dislodgement and slippage. The spring maintains constant contact pressure between the rotating shaft and the connection member, preventing separation and slippage while allowing smooth rotation, thus improving reliability without compromising ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
A connection member acts as an intermediary between the rotating shaft and the frame. This intermediary component includes a bearing that facilitates smooth rotation while the spring element ensures continuous engagement, thereby maintaining both ease of operation and reliability by mediating the interaction between the shaft and frame.
3Reliability
If a mounting assembly with many parts is used, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting assembly merges multiple functions into integrated components. The connection member combines bearing support, shaft retention, and positioning functions in a single part. The frame portion integrates the mounting structure with the overall frame design. This merging reduces the number of separate parts while maintaining reliability through functional integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting assembly is designed with universal features that perform multiple functions. The connection member serves as both a structural support and a rotational bearing. The spring element provides both cushioning and retention functions. This multi-functionality reduces part count while maintaining or improving reliability through consolidated design.
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 cost-effective and robust mounting assembly that prevents shaft dislodgement, reduces manufacturing complexity, and maintains alignment, enhancing the stability and operation of the walker apparatus while minimizing parts and manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
The mounting assembly includes a shaft assembly having a lower portion rotatably connecting to the wheel fork and a threaded upper end positionable within said upper recessed region
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a mounting assembly for connecting a wheel fork to a walker apparatus. The assembly comprises a frame portion of the walker apparatus having an upper bore, lower bore, and passageway extending between and positioned radially inwards relative to the bores. The frame portion has a first annular seat located between the upper bore and the passageway. A second annular seat is located between the lower bore and the passageway. The mounting assembly comprises a shaft assembly having a threaded upper end and an annular shoulder positioned below and extending radially outwards relative to the upper end. The annular shoulder is shaped to abut the second annular seat. The shaft assembly includes a lower portion spaced-apart from the upper end and rotatably connecting to the wheel fork. The mounting assembly comprises a connecting member threadably engageable with the upper end and abuttable with the first annular seat.