Charging device for shopping carts and shopping baskets using deposit lock systems

Abstract

Deposit lock for shopping carts, trolleys or shopping baskets with at least one contact for transmitting an electric current to supply digital devices to the respective shopping carts, trolleys or shopping baskets.

Description

[0001] Existing shopping carts and baskets are increasingly being equipped with digital technology. Digital technology enables many services for regular shopping trips.

[0002] Digital devices are often permanently attached to shopping carts or baskets. To charge their batteries, they must be connected to charging cables.

[0003] This invention enables the regular replenishment of shopping carts or baskets using a modified deposit lock with a coin slot and locking mechanism (13) and (13a). Deposit locks are well known and have been described in various patents.

[0004] In order to always supply shopping carts equipped with digital technology with sufficient energy, the charging power must be suitable to cope with the available charging time and the expected energy demand during the contactless period.

[0005] The shopping carts are regularly placed in so-called cart boxes {see Fig. 1) Shopping cart in cart box} and can be pushed together. There, a chain of the deposit lock (4) of the front cart is connected to the deposit lock (4) of the following cart. Fig. 1, an electrical supply unit (1) is already attached to the base frame (2). The supply unit (1) supplies the connected shopping carts with a suitable voltage, which ideally does not exceed 48V for safety reasons. The anchor cable (3) with deposit lock (4) are equipped according to the following invention and allow the connection and supply of various electrical devices to the shopping cart (5).

[0006] As in Fig. 2: "Detail of a lock armature design." As shown in Figure 2, "Detail of a lock armature design." The currently commonly used chain can be replaced by a robust anchor cable with at least two current-carrying conductors (6), and the armature (7) can be provided with two electrical contact surfaces (8). The anchor cable (6) can be protected, for example, by a metal braid around the live cable. If DC voltage is selected, the lock armature should be asymmetrical to ensure polarity. This is implemented in the sketch by the groove (9). Voltages between 4.8 V and 48 V are ideally used.

[0007] Fig. 3 “Deposit lock (simplified) with mechanical contact surfaces with inserted anchor” and Fig. 4 “Deposit lock (simplified) with mechanical contact surfaces without inserted anchor” show the deposit lock (13) in open and non-contacted situation in Fig. 3) as well as in closed and contacted situations in Fig. 4). As in Fig. As shown in Figure 1), the contact cascade always proceeds from the shopping cart (5) closest to the base station (2) to the following shopping cart (5a). The maximum number of shopping carts that can be connected in series is limited only by the available space. However, it is advisable to arrange approximately 20-30 carts in a row (cart box).

[0008] When the lock armature (7) is inserted into the lock of the shopping cart (5a) using the handle (10), a contact pin (11) on each side is pressed against the contact surface of the armature (8). This establishes contact with both current-carrying conductors in the armature cable (6) in the deposit lock. Ideally, the establishment of contact is supported mechanically, for example, by a lever mechanism (12). Alternatively, the contact pin (11) can be moved electromechanically.

[0009] Cables (16) lead from the contact pins (11) to a control unit (14). This is ideally equipped with a rectifier, standard microcontroller with memory, and a radio module (Wi-Fi, LoraWan). If a rechargeable battery (17) is installed in the shopping cart, e.g. in the handle (18), the control unit (14) should also be supplemented with a battery management system. The control unit offers a connection socket (15) for connecting additional consumers. This can be equipped exclusively for permanently installed consumers or with a connection (e.g. USB-C) for consumers. The electrical components are connected by cables (16a).

[0010] Ideally, the voltage is first applied to an electrical power regulator in the control unit (14). This converts the voltage according to the requirements of the electrical devices or their batteries mounted on the shopping cart. At the same time, the power electronics can ensure that the still freely suspended armature is only subjected to a very low test voltage. The regulated power should only be applied when full contact is made with another active deposit lock with a charging function.

[0011] If the power controller in the control unit (14) is supplemented with a communication module (Wi-Fi / LoraWan), central monitoring and control functions can be implemented. These can, for example, optimize the charging power of an individual shopping cart to such an extent that, based on the predicted dwell time in the cart box, the optimal charging state of all shopping carts is achieved depending on their position in the cart box, without exceeding the maximum current at the first cart in the cart chain.

[0012] In Fig. 5) "Anchor rope structure" shows the previously described anchor rope (6) in detail, including the two electrical conductors (19), the insulating layer (20), and the mechanical protection layer (21). Materials such as steel mesh or Kevlar fabric, as used in hydraulic lines, can be used for the mechanical protection layer. List of reference symbols for the drawings: 1 electrical supply unit 2 base frames 3 anchor rope with anchor for deposit lock 4 Deposit lock with contacts for receiving the armature and continuing the circuit 5 shopping carts 5a Following shopping cart 6 anchor rope with electrical cable (2 conductors) 7 anchors 8 Electrical contact surfaces 9 Groove for polarity for direct current 10 handle 11 contact pin 12 Lever mechanism for contact pin (11) 13 Deposit lock with lock mechanism (highly simplified) 13a Coin slot 14 Control unit with optional current transformer 15 connection socket 16 Electrical cables 16a Other electrical connections 17 Battery - rechargeable battery (optional) 18 Shopping cart handle 19 cables (2 pieces) 20 Insulation 21 Metal or Kevlar braid

Claims

[1] Deposit lock for shopping carts, trolleys or shopping baskets with at least one contact for transmitting an electric current to supply digital devices on the respective shopping cart, trolley or shopping basket. [2] Possibility of establishing the second phase via another contact in the deposit lock, the trolley or basket or a conductive contact with the ground. [3] Deposit lock as in 1) with a lock anchor which has at least 1 contact point for an electrical contact in order to establish contact with the following trolley when plugged in. [4] Deposit lock as in 1) with integrated power electronics [5] Power electronics as in 4) with a communication module [6] Power electronics as in 4) with a circuit to detect that the lock armature is plugged into an adjacent car. [7] Power electronics as in 6) which only provides the laying power for a neighboring car when it detects the plugging process. [8] Power electronics as in 4) with a charging management system [9] Deposit lock with an anchor rope protected by a metal or Kevlar mesh. [10] Armature with an asymmetrical profile to avoid incorrect polarity. [11] Deposit lock with power electronics connected to a rechargeable battery [12] Deposit lock with power electronics connected to a rechargeable battery for inductive charging of third-party devices on the shopping cart

Images