Shopping cart with positioning function and wheels

Abstract

The utility model discloses a shopping cart and wheels with a positioning function, which comprise a frame, a storage basket is arranged on the frame, three or four wheels are arranged at the bottom of the frame, one of the wheels has the positioning function, each wheel comprises a wheel body, a wheel shaft is fixedly arranged on a wheel carrier, the wheel body comprises a rotating part and a fixed part, the fixed part is fixedly arranged on the wheel shaft, and the rotating part is fixedly arranged on the wheel shaft. The rotating part is rotationally arranged on the wheel shaft, and a positioning module and a communication module are arranged in the fixed part. According to the shopping cart with the positioning function and the wheels, the positioning function is configured in the wheels, the shopping cart is suitable for various shopping carts, a positioning device does not need to be additionally arranged, the original appearance and functionality of the shopping cart are kept, the wheels serve as basic function parts for pushing the shopping cart, and the shopping cart cannot be used after being detached; the situation that the shopping cart cannot be positioned and found due to the fact that a thief removes the positioning function can be effectively avoided, the wheel body is divided into the rotating part and the fixed part, and the stability of an antenna signal arranged in the fixed part is ensured.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of shopping cart positioning technology, and relates to the technology of how to determine the location of a shopping cart, specifically the positioning of a wheeled, pushable shopping cart. Background Technology

[0002] Shopping carts used in supermarkets and similar establishments are often left haphazardly by customers after use, either in non-designated collection points or even pushed outside the supermarket grounds, to places far away, such as the roadside. This leads to cart theft and other problems. All of these issues result in direct losses for supermarket operators, or force them to incur significant costs to recover carts that have been pushed outside the supermarket or stolen.

[0003] To facilitate the retrieval of shopping carts that have been pushed out of the supermarket, some businesses install individual positioning devices on the carts. These devices consist of a positioning module housed within a casing and a communication module that transmits location information. The casing also features a mounting structure for securing the cart to the frame. When a shopping cart is pushed out of the supermarket, staff use the location information from the device to pinpoint its location and then retrieve it.

[0004] This method of installing independent positioning devices on shopping carts can solve most shopping cart loss problems. However, it also has drawbacks: 1. It increases the installation cost for businesses. 2. There are no pre-designed installation locations or structures for the positioning devices on the shopping cart frame, and the addition of the positioning devices damages the original appearance and integrity of the shopping cart. 3. The positioning device is an add-on to the shopping cart; removing it does not affect the normal use of the shopping cart. Therefore, shopping cart thieves can remove the positioning device without damaging the normal function of the shopping cart, making it difficult to prevent losses in this situation. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to construct a shopping cart and its wheels with positioning function based on existing shopping cart positioning technology and the need to prevent shopping cart loss.

[0006] A shopping cart with positioning function includes a frame, a storage basket on the frame, and three or four wheels at the bottom of the frame, one of which is a wheel with positioning function.

[0007] The wheel includes a wheel body with a mounting structure at its center for mounting on a wheel frame. An axle is fixedly mounted on the wheel frame. The wheel body includes a rotating part and a fixed part. The fixed part is fixedly mounted on the axle, and the rotating part is rotatably mounted on the axle via a bearing. The fixed part contains a positioning module, a communication module for transmitting the position information output by the positioning module, and a power supply for powering the positioning module and the communication module. Both the communication module and the positioning module are equipped with antennas.

[0008] If the antenna moves in a circle as the wheel rolls, it will move to a position blocked by the wheel frame with each rotation, resulting in signal blockage and poor signal quality. Therefore, the wheel is divided into a rotating part and a fixed part to ensure that the antenna in the fixed part does not move in a circle as the wheel rolls, thus ensuring the stability of the antenna signal.

[0009] Specifically, the axle passes through the inner ring of the bearing and is interference-fitted with it. The length of the axle is greater than the width of the wheel body. The two ends of the axle are located on both sides of the wheel body. The wheel is mounted on the shopping cart via a wheel frame. The two ends of the axle are fixedly connected to the wheel frame.

[0010] Furthermore, as an alternative to the internal structure of the fixed part, the fixed part is provided with a cavity, and the positioning module, the communication module, and the power supply are all disposed within the cavity.

[0011] The cavity has an opening, and the fixed part has a cover plate that covers the opening of the cavity.

[0012] Optionally, the opening of the cavity is located on the surface of the fixed part, and the cover plate is fixed to the fixed part by screws. The screws for fixing the cover plate are located on the fixed part in a position that is always covered by the wheel frame.

[0013] By using the shopping cart's wheel frame to cover the fixing screws of the cover plate, it is impossible to remove the positioning module and communication template located in the fixed part without removing the wheels.

[0014] Preferably, the cover plate is non-detachably connected to the fixing part, effectively preventing the positioning function from being removed without damaging the wheel.

[0015] Furthermore, the cover plate is sealed to the fixed part by ultrasonic welding. This provides good waterproofing, preventing water damage to internal electronic components. It also effectively prevents the positioning function from being removed without damaging the wheel.

[0016] If a thief steals a shopping cart, they need to remove the wheels to disable its location tracking function. However, removing the wheels renders the cart unusable, thus eliminating its value to the thief. If the thief steals the shopping cart without removing the wheels, the cart can be located and retrieved.

[0017] Furthermore, the cover plate is seamlessly connected to the fixed part. The cover plate is not visible on the surface, thus preventing it from being opened to some extent.

[0018] As an alternative to the internal structure of the wheel body, the fixing part is made of plastic or rubber, and the circuit board, antenna, and power supply are injection molded into the plastic or rubber body.

[0019] Furthermore, a rubber outer ring is provided on the circumferential surface of the rotating part, a flange protruding radially from the circumferential surface of the rotating part is provided on the first side of the rotating part, and a side cover is provided on the second side, with the opening of the cavity facing the side cover. The edge of the side cover protrudes from the circumferential surface of the rotating part, and the rubber outer ring is located between the flange on the first side and the side cover on the second side.

[0020] Furthermore, the cover plate is disposed on the inner side of the side cover. The cover plate and the fixed part are sealed together by ultrasonic welding.

[0021] Furthermore, the positioning module is a satellite positioning module (GNSS), and the communication module is a LoRa communication module, an NB-IoT communication module, or an LTE-M communication module.

[0022] The beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows: 1. By configuring the positioning function within the wheel, there is no need to install a special positioning device on the shopping cart, making it directly applicable to various shopping carts; 2. It does not require adding an additional positioning device to the original structure of the shopping cart, thus maintaining the original appearance and functionality of the shopping cart; 3. As the basic functional component for pushing the shopping cart, removing the wheel renders the shopping cart unusable, effectively preventing thieves from removing the positioning function and making the shopping cart unrecoverable; 4. By disassembling the wheel into a rotating part and a fixed part, it ensures that the antenna installed in the fixed part does not move in a circular motion with the rolling of the wheel, thereby guaranteeing the stability of the antenna signal.

[0023] The above description is merely an overview of the technical solution of this utility model. In order to better understand the technical means of this utility model and to implement it in accordance with the contents of the specification, and to make the above and other objects, features and advantages of this invention more apparent and understandable, preferred embodiments are described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0024] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0025] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of a specific example of the shopping cart wheel of this utility model;

[0026] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the wheel body in a specific example of the shopping cart wheel of this utility model;

[0027] Figure 3 This is a partial structural schematic diagram of a specific example of the shopping cart wheel of this utility model;

[0028] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of a specific example of the shopping cart wheel of this utility model;

[0029] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 The right view;

[0030] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the circuit board structure in a specific example of a shopping cart wheel of this utility model;

[0031] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of a second specific example of the shopping cart wheel of this utility model;

[0032] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of a third specific example of the shopping cart wheel of this utility model. Detailed Implementation

[0033] To make the technical problems solved, technical solutions, and beneficial effects of this utility model clearer, the present utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the present utility model and are not intended to limit the present utility model.

[0034] The present invention provides a shopping cart with positioning function and wheels, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0035] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, the wheel described in this embodiment has a positioning function and is used on a shopping cart. The wheel includes a wheel body and a rubber outer ring 103 disposed on the circumferential surface of the wheel body. A wheel axle 106 is fixedly installed on the wheel frame. The wheel body includes a roller and a fixing core. The roller is rotatably disposed on the wheel axle 106 through a bearing, and the fixing core is fixedly installed on the wheel axle 106.

[0036] The roller includes a locking ring 101 and an outer ring cover 104. The locking ring 101 includes a retaining edge and a mounting portion. A rubber outer ring 103 is fitted onto the mounting portion of the locking ring 101. The retaining edge of the locking ring 101 is located on its left side and protrudes radially from the circumferential surface of the mounting portion of the locking ring 101. An outer ring cover 104 is provided on the right side of the locking ring 101. The outer ring cover 104 is fixed to the locking ring 101 by screws. The edge of the outer ring cover 104 protrudes from the circumferential surface of the mounting portion of the locking ring 101. The rubber outer ring 103 is located between the retaining edge of the locking ring 101 and the outer ring cover 104, and the rubber outer ring 103 is limited by the retaining edge of the locking ring 101 and the outer ring cover 104.

[0037] like Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the fixed core includes a wheel core 109 and a wheel core cover 108. The wheel core 109 has a cavity inside, and the opening of the cavity faces the outer ring cover 104. The wheel core cover 108 is located at the right end of the wheel core 109 to close the cavity opening. The wheel core 109 and the wheel core cover 108 are connected by ultrasonic welding.

[0038] The cavity of the wheel core 109 contains a circuit board 112, on which a satellite positioning module (GNSS) 113 and a LoRa communication module 114 (excluding the antenna) are mounted. The cavity of the wheel core 109 also contains a battery 111 and a communication module antenna 110. The battery 111 is used to power the satellite positioning module 113 and the LoRa communication module 114.

[0039] The installation positions of the satellite positioning module 113 and the communication module antenna 110 are not obstructed by the wheel frame, and the communication module antenna 110 is connected to the Lora communication module 114 (excluding the antenna).

[0040] The wheels are mounted on the shopping cart via wheel frames. The two ends of the wheel axle 106 are fixedly connected to the wheel frame. The wheel axle 106 passes through the inner ring of the bearing and is interference-fitted with it. The length of the wheel axle 106 is greater than the width of the wheel body. The two ends of the wheel axle 106 are located on both sides of the wheel body.

[0041] like Figure 7As shown, the aforementioned fixing core consists of a first wheel core 201 and a first wheel core cover 202. The wheel core has a cavity for installing a positioning module, a communication module, and a power supply. The opening of the cavity faces the first wheel core cover 202. The first wheel core cover 202 is fixed to the opening side of the wheel core to close the cavity. The first wheel core 201 has a mounting hole, and the first wheel core cover 202 is disposed at the mounting hole. The first wheel core cover 202 is detachably disposed on the first wheel core 201 by screws. The screws for fixing the first wheel core cover 202 are located on the first wheel core 201 at a position that is always covered by the wheel frame.

[0042] like Figure 8 As shown, the aforementioned fixing core consists of a second wheel core 301 and a second wheel core cover 302. The wheel core has a cavity for installing a positioning module, a communication module, and a power supply. The opening of the cavity faces the second wheel core cover 302. The second wheel core cover 302 is fixed to the opening side of the wheel core to close the cavity. The second wheel core 301 has a mounting hole, and the second wheel core cover 302 is disposed at the mounting hole. The second wheel core cover 302 is seamlessly connected to the second wheel core 301.

[0043] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present utility model, but the protection scope of the present utility model is not limited thereto. Any equivalent substitutions or changes made by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present utility model, based on the technical solution and the inventive concept of the present utility model, should be included within the protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A shopping cart with positioning function, comprising a frame, a basket is arranged on the frame, and three or four wheels are arranged at the bottom of the frame, characterized in that, One of the three or four wheels is a wheel with a positioning function. The wheel includes a wheel body, and a mounting structure for mounting on a wheel frame is provided at the center of the wheel body. The wheel body includes a rotating part and a fixed part. The rotating part is rotatably connected to the wheel frame, and the fixed part is fixedly connected to the wheel frame. The fixed part is provided with a positioning module and a communication module. Both the communication module and the positioning module are equipped with antennas.

2. A shopping cart with positioning function according to claim 1, characterized in that, A wheel axle is fixedly installed on the wheel frame, the fixed part is fixedly installed on the wheel axle, the rotating part is rotatably mounted on the wheel axle through a bearing, and the fixed part is also provided with a power supply for the positioning module and the communication module.

3. The shopping cart with positioning function according to claim 2, characterized in that, The fixed part has a cavity, and the positioning module, the communication module and the power supply are all disposed in the cavity. The cavity has an opening, and the fixed part has a cover plate that covers the opening of the cavity. The cover plate is non-detachably connected to the fixed part.

4. The shopping cart with positioning function according to claim 3, characterized in that, The cover plate is sealed to the fixed part by ultrasonic welding.

5. A shopping cart wheel with positioning function, comprising a wheel body, a mounting structure for mounting on a wheel frame is arranged at the center of the wheel body, characterized in that, The wheel body includes a rotating part and a fixed part. The rotating part is rotatably connected to the wheel frame, and the fixed part is fixedly connected to the wheel frame. The fixed part is provided with a positioning module and a communication module. Both the communication module and the positioning module are equipped with antennas.

6. The shopping cart wheel with positioning function according to claim 5, wherein, A wheel axle is fixedly installed on the wheel frame, the fixed part is fixedly installed on the wheel axle, the rotating part is rotatably mounted on the wheel axle through a bearing, and the fixed part is also provided with a power supply for the positioning module and the communication module.

7. The shopping cart wheel with positioning function according to claim 6, wherein, The fixed part has a cavity, the positioning module and the communication module are mounted on the circuit board, and the circuit board, antenna and power supply are located inside the cavity. The cavity has an opening, and the fixed part is provided with a cover plate that covers the opening of the cavity. The cover plate is non-detachably connected to the wheel.

8. The shopping cart wheel with positioning function according to claim 6, wherein, The fixed part has a cavity, the positioning module and the communication module are mounted on the circuit board, and the circuit board, antenna and power supply are located inside the cavity. The cavity has an opening, and the fixed part is provided with a cover plate that covers the opening of the cavity. The cover plate is sealed to the fixed part by ultrasonic welding.

9. The shopping cart wheel with positioning function according to claim 6, wherein, The fixed part has a cavity, the positioning module and the communication module are mounted on the circuit board, and the circuit board, antenna and power supply are located inside the cavity. The cavity has an opening, and the fixed part is provided with a cover plate that covers the opening of the cavity. The opening of the cavity is located on the surface of the fixed part, and the cover plate is fixed to the fixed part by screws. The screws used to fix the cover plate are located on the fixed part in a position that is always covered by the wheel frame.

10. A shopping cart wheel with a positioning function according to any one of claims 7-9, characterized in that, A rubber outer ring is provided on the circumferential surface of the rotating part. A flange protruding radially from the circumferential surface of the rotating part is provided on the first side of the rotating part, and a side cover is provided on the second side. The opening of the cavity faces the side cover, and the edge of the side cover protrudes from the circumferential surface of the rotating part. The rubber outer ring is located between the flange on the first side and the side cover on the second side.

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