What are the differences in the brake structures of different caster types?

Differences in Braking Structures of Different Caster Types

The differences in brake structures of different casters are centered around the "locking object," "triggering method," and "force strength," designed to suit different load and scenario requirements. They are primarily categorized into single-brake, dual-brake, and special structures:

The single-brake structure only locks the wheel's rolling motion, offering a simple structure suitable for light-duty applications. The first type is the wheel friction type, which brakes by contacting a plastic/metal brake pad against the wheel's side. It's typically triggered by a foot press or a paddle. It has fewer components and is low-cost. It's used for household toy cars and small spice racks (load capacity ≤ 30kg), but the braking force is weak and it doesn't lock the steering. The second type is the axle bayonet type, which uses a metal bayonet inserted into the axle slot to apply the brake. This provides stronger braking force than the friction type and is suitable for medium-sized racks (load capacity 30-50kg), but it still doesn't lock the steering, and the bayonet is prone to dust accumulation and sticking.

The dual-brake structure simultaneously locks the wheel and steering axle, offering a high safety factor and suitable for medium- to heavy-duty applications. The mainstream linked dual brake system uses a single pedal to synchronously drive the wheel brake pads and steering shaft lock block via a connecting rod, offering convenient operation and suitable for cleaning carts and medical carts (load capacity 50-150kg). The industrial eccentric shaft dual brake system utilizes the rotation of the eccentric shaft to achieve dual locking through metal engagement and friction, compensating for wear and suitable for heavy-duty warehouse vehicles (load capacity 150-300kg). The separate dual brake system requires separate operation of the wheel and steering shaft locks and is suitable for ultra-heavy equipment (load capacity ≥ 300kg), but operation is more cumbersome.

Specialized structures are designed for extreme scenarios, such as the waterproof sealed dual brake system (fully sealed components for corrosion resistance, suitable for carts in aquatic workshops) and the silent dual brake system (soft brake pads for noise reduction, suitable for hospital carts), enhancing environmental adaptability through the basic structure.