Knowledge

In modern healthcare environments, whether it involves surgical tables, hospital beds,
or precision diagnostic instruments, the balance between mobility and stability is paramount.
As a global leader in medical casters,
HAION Caster is renowned for its precision mechanical design and ergonomic excellence.
When selecting casters, the braking function is the primary performance indicator.
Below, we provide an in-depth analysis of
the two core braking types offered by HAION Caster: Individual and Central Locking.
1. Free Swivel
The Swivel mode is the most fundamental state of HAION Caster medical casters.
It grants equipment 360-degree omnidirectional movement,
which is the key to maintaining smooth workflows in tight medical corridors or clinical spaces.
   ◆Functional Features: Neither the wheel rotation nor the swivel housing is locked,
   allowing the equipment to be pushed in any direction or turned on the spot.
   ◆Typical Applications: Lightweight trolleys, IV stands, and mobile workstations. 
2. Individual Braking System
The Individual Braking System refers to having an independent brake pedal on each HAION Caster.
This system does not require complex linkages and is widely used in
various small-to-medium mobile medical devices.
   A. Total Lock
   When medical equipment requires absolute stationary operation,
   the Total Lock function of HAION Caster is the top choice for safety.
      ◆Functional Features: It simultaneously locks both the wheel rotation and the swivel housing.
      Once the brake is engaged, the equipment will not shift or rotate,
      acting as if it were fixed to the ground.
      ◆Typical Applications: Mobile examination tables and operating room equipment.
   B. Directional Lock
   Moving heavy medical equipment or pushing carts down long corridors
   often results in "fishtailing" or "drifting."
   The Directional Lock from HAION Caster was specifically designed to solve this pain point.
      ◆Functional Features: It locks the swivel function of the housing
      while keeping the wheel rotation free. This transforms the swivel caster into
      a fixed caster, forcing the equipment to maintain a straight path.
      ◆Typical Applications: Stretchers, heavy instrument carts, and equipment that
      frequently travels between wards and examination rooms.
3. Central Locking System
For large hospital beds or emergency stretchers, operating individual brakes on four separate casters is
both time-consuming and labor-intensive.
The HAION Caster Central Locking System is the gold standard for hospital bed configurations.
   ◆Functional Features: Connected via a linkage mechanism, the operator only needs to step on
   a single pedal on one side of the equipment to switch between
   Total Lock, Directional Lock, and Swivel modes across all wheels.
   ◆HAION Advantage: HAION Caster provides standardized hexagonal rod sockets that
    integrate seamlessly with bed frames, ensuring precise synchronous action.
  ◆Typical Applications: Electric hospital beds, manual ward beds, and emergency stretchers.
4.How to Choose the Right HAION Caster Braking Function?

Functional Requirement	Recommended Brake Type	Core Benefit
High mobility, lightweight movement	Swivel Caster	Effortless 360-degree turning
Stationary operation, patient safety	Total Lock (Individual)	Dual-locking for absolute stability
Long-distance straight-line pushing	Directional Lock (Individual)	Prevents drifting; precise guidance
High-frequency operation, hospital beds	Central locking System	Single-point control; maximum efficiency

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
    Q1: How does the pedal of the Central Locking System work?
       A: This is achieved through a synchronous linkage mechanism.
       Typically, the four casters of a hospital bed are connected in pairs by a hexagonal bar.
       When you depress a pedal on one side, the force is transmitted through the bar to engage
       the internal cam of the caster on the opposite side,
       achieving simultaneous braking or unlocking.
    Q2: Why does the Central Locking System use a "Hexagonal Bar" instead of a round one?
       A: The Hex Bar design ensures high torque transmission without slipping.
       When the pedal is operated, the force must be instantly transferred to
       the internal cams of the HAION Caster.
       The hexagonal structure fits perfectly into the caster’s socket,
       avoiding the "free-spinning" issues common with round bars.
    Q3: How does the "Dual Locking" of the Individual Total Lock work internally?
       A: HAION Caster's Total Lock mechanism utilizes an integrated linkage cam design.
      When the pedal is depressed, the internal mechanism simultaneously
      drives two braking components: one presses vertically against the wheel tread to stop rotation,
      while the other engages a toothed lock into the swivel bearing to stop orientation.
      This ensures absolute stability in both horizontal and vertical planes with a single action.