Guide apparatus

Abstract

To provide a guide apparatus which easily couples a connector of a hand-push mobile to a connector of a connection object.SOLUTION: A guide apparatus guides a first connector of a hand-push mobile to a second connector of a connection object. The guide apparatus comprises a first guide part and a second guide part. The first guide part comes into contact with a part other than the first connector of the hand-push mobile that moves toward the connection object, and thereby guides the hand-push mobile so that the first connector is directed to the second connector. The second guide part comes into contact with the first connector of the hand-push mobile that moves toward the connection object in responce to a guide of the first guide part, and thereby guides the first connector to the second connector.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 18

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE An embodiment of the present invention relates to a guide device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a shopping cart has been proposed that is equipped with a product registration device, and allows customers to register the products they purchase while shopping in a store. For example, such a shopping cart is moved to a power supply unit to charge the battery for operating the product registration device (for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] In charging such a shopping cart, a person pushes the shopping cart to move it to the power supply unit and connects the charging connector of the shopping cart to the charging connector of the power supply unit. However, there is a problem that it is difficult to connect the charging connector of the shopping cart to the charging connector of the power supply unit. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a guide device that enables a connector of a hand-pushed mobile body to be easily coupled to a connector to be connected. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The guiding device of the embodiment is a guiding device that guides a first connector of a hand-pushed mobile body having a base, at least three wheels coupled to the base, and a first connector supported by the base, to a second connector of a connection target having a second connector connectable to the first connector. The guiding device includes a first guiding section and a second guiding section. The first guiding section guides the hand-pushed mobile body so that the first connector moves toward the second connector by contacting a portion of the hand-pushed mobile body other than the first connector as the hand-pushed mobile body moves toward the connection target. The second guiding section guides the first connector to the second connector by contacting the first connector of the hand-pushed mobile body that moves toward the connection target under the guidance of the first guiding section. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a first perspective view of a shopping cart according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a second perspective view of the shopping cart of the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state in which the batteries of the shopping carts according to the embodiment are being charged in a stacked state. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a hardware block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the shopping cart according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of a main part of an output connector provided in the shopping cart of the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a detailed structure of the output connector. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration of a main part of an input connector provided in the shopping cart of the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a detailed structure of the input connector. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a magnet attached to the output connector cover. [Figure 10]FIG. 10 is a first diagram showing how an input connector is inserted into an output connector. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a second diagram showing how the input connector is inserted into the output connector. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a third diagram showing how the input connector is inserted into the output connector. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a portion including an input connector in the shopping cart according to the embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a portion including an input connector in the shopping cart according to the embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of an input connector in the shopping cart according to the embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of an energization control circuit included in the shopping cart of the embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing a state in which the power supply unit and the shopping cart according to the embodiment are coupled together. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the power supply unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 19] Figure 19 is a cross-sectional view of a portion including a first guiding portion in a power supply unit of an embodiment and a portion including a guided portion in a shopping cart, showing a state in which the output connector of the power supply unit and the input connector of the shopping cart are separated from each other. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of a portion including a second guide portion in the power supply unit of the embodiment and a portion including an input connector in the shopping cart, showing a state in which the output connector of the power supply unit and the input connector of the shopping cart are separated from each other. [Figure 21] Figure 21 is a cross-sectional view of a portion including a first guiding portion in a power supply unit of an embodiment and a portion including a guided portion in a shopping cart, showing the state in which the output connector of the power supply unit and the input connector of the shopping cart are connected. [Figure 22]FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view of a portion including a second guide portion in the power supply unit of the embodiment and a portion including an input connector in the shopping cart, showing the state in which the output connector of the power supply unit and the input connector of the shopping cart are connected. [Diagram 23] FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between a first guiding portion and a guided portion in the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0007] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below.

[0008] Hereinafter, a shopping cart 10, a power supply unit 5, and a guidance device 600 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0009] (Outline of shopping cart configuration) A schematic configuration of a shopping cart 10 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 is a first perspective view of the shopping cart according to the embodiment. Figure 2 is a second perspective view of the shopping cart according to the embodiment.

[0010] As a customer walks through a store pushing the shopping cart 10, it reads product information for products that the customer wishes to purchase and registers the products. The customer places the registered products in the basket and continues shopping. After finishing shopping, the customer goes to an accounting machine (not shown) and has the accounting machine carry out payment processing for the registered products. The shopping cart 10 may also have a function for carrying out payment processing itself. The shopping cart 10 is an example of a hand-pushed mobile object.

[0011] For convenience, an XYZ coordinate system including an X-axis, a Y-axis, and a Z-axis is defined in this specification. The XYZ coordinate system is established for the shopping cart 10. The X-axis, the Y-axis, and the Z-axis are perpendicular to each other. The X-axis is established along the front-rear direction of the shopping cart 10. The Y-axis is established along the width direction (left-right direction) of the shopping cart 10. The Z-axis is established along the up-down direction of the shopping cart 10.

[0012] Furthermore, in this specification, an X direction, a Y direction, and a Z direction are defined. The X direction is a direction along the X axis, and includes the +X direction indicated by the X axis arrow and the -X direction opposite to the X axis arrow. The Y direction is a direction along the Y axis, and includes the +Y direction indicated by the Y axis arrow and the -Y direction opposite to the Y axis arrow. The Z direction is a direction along the Z axis, and includes the +Z direction indicated by the Z axis arrow and the -Z direction opposite to the Z axis arrow.

[0013] In addition, the +Z direction is the same as the vertical upward direction, and the -Z direction is the same as the vertical downward direction.

[0014] The shopping cart 10 includes a frame 20, a pair of front wheels 14, and a pair of rear wheels 15. The frame 20 includes a pair of left and right bottom frames 11, a lower frame 12, and an upper frame 13. The pair of left and right bottom frames 11, the lower frame 12, and the upper frame 13 are connected to each other. The pair of front wheels 14 and the pair of rear wheels 15 are attached to the bottom frame 11. The distance between the pair of front wheels 14 is narrower than the distance between the pair of rear wheels 15. The front wheels 14 and the rear wheels 15 are installed in the front-rear direction of the shopping cart 10. The front wheels 14 and the rear wheels 15 are attached to the bottom frame 11 by an attachment member (not shown). The front wheels 14 and the rear wheels 15 can be turned left and right around the attachment position to the bottom frame 11. Therefore, the traveling direction of the shopping cart 10 can be changed left and right according to the force applied to the handle 16 installed above the shopping cart 10. That is, the shopping cart 10 is turnable. A customer holds the handle 16 and pushes the shopping cart 10 while turning it from side to side. The handle 16 is a push part that the customer (user) can hold and push the shopping cart. The frame 20 is an example of a base. The front wheels 14 and the rear wheels 15 are an example of wheels.

[0015] The charging unit 4 is attached between the pair of left and right bottom frames 11. The charging unit 4 has a built-in charging circuit 41 (see FIG. 4) and charges the battery 29, which will be described later. A detailed charging method will be described later (see FIG. 3). The charging unit 4 also includes an input connector 7 and an output connector 8. The charging unit 4 also serves as a strength member that connects the left and right bottom frames 11 together.

[0016] The input connector 7 is a charging connector that connects to the power supply unit 5 (see FIG. 3). The input connector 7 receives power from the power supply unit 5 for charging the battery 29. The input connector 7 is also a charging connector that connects to an output connector 8 of another shopping cart 10. The input connector 7 receives power from the output connector 8 of the other shopping cart 10 for charging its own battery 29. The input connector 7 and the output connector 8 are installed at the same height from the floor. The detailed structure of the input connector 7 will be described later in detail (see FIG. 5 and FIG. 6).

[0017] The output connector 8 is a charging connector that is connected to the input connector 7 of another shopping cart 10. The detailed structure of the output connector 8 will be described later in detail (see Figs. 7 and 8, etc.).

[0018] A lower frame 12 is attached to the front side (+X direction side) of the bottom frame 11, rising upward (+Z direction side) and then extending diagonally upward toward the front. The lower frame 12 holds a battery 29. The battery 29 is a rechargeable secondary battery that supplies power to various electronic devices provided in the shopping cart 10. The battery 29 is, for example, a lithium ion battery, a nickel cadmium battery, a nickel metal hydride battery, a lead storage battery, etc.

[0019] A pair of upper frames 13 are attached to the upper end of the lower frame 12 facing upward (toward the +Z direction). A rod-shaped handle 16 is attached to the pair of upper frames 13 and extends along the left-right direction (Y direction) of the shopping cart 10. Various electronic devices equipped in the shopping cart 10 are attached to the upper frames 13 and the handle 16.

[0020] A lower basket support frame 18 is attached to the bottom frame 11 and the lower frame 12. A shopping basket (not shown) for accommodating products is placed on the lower basket support frame 18 when a customer goes shopping. The lower basket support frame 18 also has a pair of guide surfaces 181 on the left and right. The pair of guide surfaces 181 are provided spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction (horizontal direction) of the shopping cart 10, and approach each other as they move toward the output connector 8, i.e., toward the front (+X direction) of the front-rear direction of the shopping cart 10. The pair of guide surfaces 181 come into contact with the guided portion 120 of the lower frame 12 of the subsequent shopping cart 10 that has entered between them, thereby guiding (inducing) the subsequent shopping cart 10 so that the input connector 7 of the subsequent shopping cart 10 moves toward the output connector 62. Details of the guided portion 120 of the lower frame 12 will be described later.

[0021] An upper basket support frame 17 is attached to the upper frame 13. A shopping basket (not shown) for containing merchandise is placed on the upper basket support frame 17 when a customer goes shopping.

[0022] A weight sensor 28 is also installed on the lower frame 12 at a position extending toward the front. The weight sensor 28 is located below the upper basket support frame 17 and measures the weight of an item placed in a shopping basket placed on the upper basket support frame 17.

[0023] A cart terminal 2, a hand scanner 25, a card reader 26, and a camera 27 are mounted on the upper part of the upper frame 13. In addition, a fixed scanner 24 is mounted on the handle 16. These electronic devices are operated by power from a battery 29.

[0024] The cart terminal 2 registers products purchased by a customer. The cart terminal 2 includes a display unit 22 and an operation unit 23. The cart terminal 2 may further include a function for making payments for registered products.

[0025] The display unit 22 displays various information related to the registration of a product. The display unit 22 is, for example, a liquid crystal monitor or an organic EL monitor.

[0026] The operation unit 23 detects operations performed on various buttons displayed on the display unit 22. The operation unit 23 is, for example, a touch panel laminated on the display unit 22.

[0027] The fixed scanner 24 reads a code symbol such as a barcode attached to a product for sale that is held up to a reading window on the front. A product code that uniquely identifies the product is registered in the code symbol. The fixed scanner 24 obtains the product code by decoding the result of reading the code symbol.

[0028] The hand scanner 25, like the fixed scanner 24, reads the code symbol affixed to the product to obtain the product code. In particular, the hand scanner 25 is used to read the code symbol of a product that is difficult to read with the fixed scanner 24, such as a heavy or large product.

[0029] The card reader 26 reads information registered on an IC card or magnetic card held by a customer. For example, the card reader 26 reads membership information registered on a membership card of the customer. The cart terminal 2 may display bargain information and service information on products that match the customer's tastes on the display unit 22 based on the membership information read by the card reader 26, for example by referring to the purchase history of the customer. If the shopping cart 10 further has a function for performing payment processing, the card reader 26 may read registration information of a credit card used by the customer for payment, or the charge amount of an electronic money card, a prepaid card, etc.

[0030] The camera 27 captures an image of the area including the shopping basket placed on the upper basket support frame 17. The cart terminal 2 associates identification information for identifying itself, the image captured by the camera 27, the weight of the shopping basket measured by the weight sensor 28, and the product registration information at that time, and transmits them to a store server (not shown).

[0031] The store server analyzes the information sent from the shopping cart 10 and monitors whether an unregistered product has been put into the shopping cart. Specifically, if the weight of the shopping cart increases even though a product has not been registered, it is determined that the customer may have put an unregistered product into the shopping cart. In such a case, the store server transmits a signal to the cart terminal 2 to call attention. Then, the cart terminal 2 displays a message on the display unit 22 to call attention. The cart terminal 2 may also output a warning sound from a speaker (not shown). Furthermore, the store server may notify a mobile terminal carried by a store clerk of the identification number of the corresponding shopping cart 10. The clerk who receives the notification goes to the corresponding shopping cart 10 and checks the contents of the product that the customer plans to purchase and the product registration information. Such monitoring processing may be performed by the cart terminal 2 itself.

[0032] Although Figures 1 and 2 only show the camera 27 and weight sensor 28 monitoring the shopping basket placed on the upper basket support frame 17, a camera and weight sensor are also installed on the lower basket support frame 18 to monitor the shopping basket placed on the lower basket support frame 18 as well.

[0033] (How to charge the battery) A method of charging the battery 29 provided in the shopping cart 10 will be described with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing how the battery is being charged when the shopping carts of the embodiment are stacked.

[0034] By inserting a pair of bottom frames 11 of a shopping cart 10 between a pair of bottom frames 11 of a shopping cart 10 in the rear stage, it is possible to stack more shopping carts 10 in a small area, as shown in Fig. 3. Hereinafter, such a state in which multiple shopping carts 10 are stacked is referred to as a stacked state.

[0035] When stacking the shopping carts 10, the charging unit 4 of the front shopping cart 10 and the charging unit 4 of the rear shopping cart 10 are butted against each other in the front-to-rear direction (X-axis direction). At this time, the output connector 8 of the front shopping cart 10 and the input connector 7 of the rear shopping cart 10 are connected. In addition, the input connector 7 of the leading shopping cart 10 is connected to the output connector 8 of the power supply unit 5.

[0036] At this time, a voltage signal from the power supply unit 5 is supplied to the leading shopping cart 10 via the input connector 7. This voltage signal is supplied to the battery 29 of the leading shopping cart 10, thereby charging the battery 29 of the leading shopping cart 10.

[0037] The voltage signal supplied to the leading shopping cart 10 is supplied to its own battery 29, and is also supplied from the output connector 8 of that shopping cart 10 to the input connector 7 of the second shopping cart 10. This voltage signal is supplied to the battery 29 of the second shopping cart 10, thereby charging the battery 29 of the second shopping cart 10. Thereafter, the batteries 29 of subsequent shopping carts 10 are charged in a similar manner. The number of shopping carts 10 that can be charged simultaneously (the number of batteries 29) depends on the power capacity of the power supply unit 5 and the capacity of the batteries 29 provided in the shopping carts 10, but for example, the batteries 29 of approximately 10 shopping carts 10 can be charged at one time.

[0038] (Shopping cart hardware configuration) The hardware configuration of the shopping cart 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a hardware block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the shopping cart of the embodiment.

[0039] The shopping cart 10 comprises a cart terminal 2, a charging unit 4, a battery 29, an indicator 43, and peripheral devices such as a fixed scanner 24, a hand scanner 25, a card reader 26, a camera 27, and a weight sensor 28.

[0040] The cart terminal 2 performs various processes related to product registration. The cart terminal 2 includes a control unit 21, a display unit 22, and an operation unit 23. The cart terminal 2 is an example of a product sales data processing device in the present disclosure.

[0041] The control unit 21 controls the processing performed by the cart terminal 2 itself. The control unit 21 also controls the operation of various peripheral devices connected to the control unit 21. The control unit 21 includes a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, and a storage unit. The CPU causes the cart terminal 2 to perform predetermined processing related to product registration and the like by expanding a control program stored in the storage unit into the RAM and executing the control program. The functions of the display unit 22 and operation unit 23 included in the cart terminal 2 are as described above.

[0042] The functions of the fixed scanner 24, hand scanner 25, card reader 26, camera 27, and weight sensor 28, which are peripheral devices connected to the control unit 21, are as described above.

[0043] The charging unit 4 charges the battery 29. The charging unit 4 includes an input connector 7, an output connector 8, a charging circuit 41, an energization control circuit 42, and a housing 44. The housing 44 is fixed to the frame 20. The input connector 7 and the output connector 8 are supported by the housing 44 and exposed to the outside of the housing 44. The charging circuit 41 and the energization control circuit 42 are housed in the housing 44.

[0044] The input connector 7 inputs a voltage signal from the power supply unit 5. The input connector 7 also inputs a voltage signal from the output connector 8 of the charging unit 4 of the shopping cart 10 at the rear stage. As described above, the shopping cart 10 and the power supply unit 5 each have an output connector 8. Hereinafter, in order to distinguish between the shopping cart 10 and the power supply unit 5, the output connector 8 of the shopping cart 10 may be referred to as the output connector 61, and the output connector 8 of the power supply unit 5 may be referred to as the output connector 62. In other words, the output connector 8 is a general term for the output connector 61 of the shopping cart 10 and the output connector 62 of the power supply unit 5. The voltage signal is transmitted by two signal lines, a signal line that transmits the voltage signal and a ground line that transmits the ground (GND) level, which is a reference potential. That is, the input connector 7 has two terminals. In this embodiment, the input connector 7 is configured as a plug.

[0045] The output connector 8 outputs a voltage signal to the input connector 7 provided in the charging unit 4 of the downstream shopping cart 10. Two signal lines are connected to the output connector 8: a signal line for outputting a voltage signal, and a signal line for outputting a ground level. In this embodiment, the output connector 8 is configured as a socket.

[0046] The charging circuit 41 supplies the battery 29 with a voltage signal required for charging.

[0047] The energization control circuit 42 supplies a voltage signal to the subsequent shopping cart 10 only when the subsequent shopping cart 10 is connected to the preceding shopping cart 10. On the other hand, when the subsequent shopping cart 10 is not connected, the energization control circuit 42 does not output a voltage signal from the output connector 8. This prevents electric shock even if the output connector 8 is inadvertently touched.

[0048] Furthermore, the energization control circuit 42 supplies a voltage signal to the downstream shopping cart 10 when the socket that outputs the voltage signal and the plug that receives the voltage signal are in secure contact, and also when the socket connected to the ground line and the plug that takes over the ground potential are in secure contact. As a result, if the contact of either one of the signal lines is unstable, a voltage signal is not output, so there is no risk of interfering with the operation of the charging circuit 41 of the downstream shopping cart 10. The configuration of the energization control circuit 42 will be described in detail later (see FIG. 16).

[0049] The battery 29 is as described above.

[0050] The indicator 43 is configured with, for example, an LED, and indicates the state of charging the battery 29 by the charging circuit 41. The indicator 43 at least indicates a fully charged state and a charging state.

[0051] The various peripheral devices connected to the control unit 21 are as described above, and therefore will not be described again.

[0052] The power supply unit 5 is, for example, a DC power supply device that supplies power to the charging unit 4 for charging the battery 29. The power supply unit 5 includes a power transmission circuit 51, an energization control circuit 42, and an output connector 8.

[0053] The power transmission circuit 51 is a power source that supplies power required for charging the battery 29. The power transmission circuit 51 is composed of, for example, an inverter circuit that converts a commercial AC voltage of 100V into a DC voltage, and a rectifier circuit that rectifies the output of the inverter circuit and converts it into a DC voltage.

[0054] The current control circuit 42 and the output connector 8 are as described above.

[0055] (The structure of the output connector on the shopping cart) The structure of the output connector 8 provided in the shopping cart 10 of the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 5 and Fig. 6. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing the main configuration of the output connector provided in the shopping cart of the embodiment. Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing the detailed structure of the output connector.

[0056] The output connector 8 is installed on the −X direction side of the charging unit 4, i.e., on the rear side of the shopping cart 10, facing backward with respect to the shopping cart 10. The output connector 8 includes a socket 81, a socket 82, and a socket housing 83.

[0057] The socket 81 is formed of a conductive material, and outputs a voltage signal (for example, +24 V) from the power supply unit 5 to the downstream shopping cart 10. The socket 81 is also called a female terminal.

[0058] Socket 82 is made of a conductive material and equalizes the ground potential of power supply unit 5 with the ground potential of the downstream shopping cart 10. Note that socket 82 may be an output connector for a voltage signal, and socket 81 may be an output connector for a ground potential. Socket 82 is also called a female terminal.

[0059] Socket housing 83 is formed so as to surround the outer peripheries of socket 81 and socket 82, and supports socket 81 and socket 82 in parallel at a predetermined interval. That is, socket housing 83 has an outer periphery surface 831 that surrounds the outer peripheries of socket 81 and socket 82. Socket housing 83 is fixed to charging unit 4 by screw fastening or the like. Socket housing 83 is also referred to as a shell.

[0060] A switch 84 is embedded in the base of the outer circumferential surface 831 of the socket housing 83. The switch 84 includes a switch housing 841 and a switch button 842.

[0061] The switch housing 841 protects the internal structure of the switch 84 and supports the switch button 842 .

[0062] The switch button 842 is supported by an elastic member such as a spring relative to the switch housing 841 so as to be reciprocally movable along the extension direction (X-axis direction) of the sockets 81, 82. When the input connector 7 is inserted into the output connector 8, the switch button 842 is pressed in the +X direction. The switch 84 performs a momentary operation in which the switch button 842 is turned on when pressed by a predetermined amount and turned off when the pressed amount is less than the predetermined amount. When the switch 84 is turned on, the charging unit 4 outputs a voltage signal from the output connector 8, and when the switch 84 is turned off, the charging unit 4 stops outputting the voltage signal. That is, the switch 84 functions as a so-called interlock switch. The operation of the switch 84 will be described in detail later (see FIG. 10, FIG. 11, and FIG. 12).

[0063] An output connector cover 85 is attached to the outside of the socket housing 83. The output connector cover 85 has an opening 851 that exposes the outer peripheral surface 831 of the socket housing 83 and the switch button 842 to the outside. The opening 851 is formed to a size that prevents a finger from reaching the switch button 842 even if the finger is inserted from the outside. This prevents a voltage signal from being output from the sockets 81 and 82 due to inadvertent contact with the switch button 842.

[0064] A similar switch 84 is also provided in the output connector 8 of the power supply unit 5. The switch 84 functions as a so-called interlock switch.

[0065] In this embodiment, the switch 84 is configured as a push switch, but the form of the switch 84 is not limited to this. For example, the switch 84 may be configured as a photosensor configured of a pair of a light emitting element and a light receiving element. The switch 84 may also be configured as a magnetic sensor or a capacitive sensor.

[0066] (The structure of the input connector on the shopping cart) The structure of the input connector 7 provided in the shopping cart 10 of the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 7 and Fig. 8. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing the main configuration of the input connector provided in the shopping cart of the embodiment. Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing the detailed structure of the input connector.

[0067] The input connector 7 is installed on the +X direction side of the charging unit 4, i.e., on the front side of the shopping cart 10, and facing forward with respect to the shopping cart 10. The input connector 7 includes a plug 71, a plug 72, and a plug housing 73.

[0068] The plug 71 is formed of a conductive material, and is removably connected to the socket 81. The plug 71 inputs a voltage signal (e.g., +24 V) from the socket 81 to the charging unit 4 in which the plug 71 is installed. The plug 71 is also referred to as a male terminal.

[0069] The plug 72 is formed of a conductive material and is removably connected to the socket 82. The plug 72 equalizes its own potential with the ground potential of the socket 82. The plug 72 is an example of an input connector in the present disclosure. Note that the plug 72 may be an input connector for a voltage signal, and the plug 71 may be an input connector for a ground potential. The plug 72 is also referred to as a male terminal.

[0070] Plug housing 73 is formed to surround plug 71 and plug 72 with gaps between plug 71 and plug 72, and supports plug 71 and plug 72 in parallel at the same interval as socket 81 and socket 82. Plug housing 73 has an elongated cylindrical inner circumferential surface 731, and the depth of inner circumferential surface 731 is deeper than the length of plug 71 and the length of plug 72, and a tip portion 732 is formed at the tip of inner circumferential surface 731.

[0071] The plug housing 73 is fixed to the charging unit 4 by screwing or the like.

[0072] An input connector cover 74 is attached to the outside of the plug housing 73. The input connector cover 74 is formed with an opening 741 through which the plugs 71, 72 and an inner circumferential surface 731 that protects them penetrate. The input connector cover 74 is located below the input connector 7 and has a wall 75 that covers the input connector 7.

[0073] When connecting the input connector 7 to the output connector 8, the inner surface 731 of the plug housing 73 is inserted along the outer surface 831 of the socket housing 83, thereby connecting the plug 71 and the socket 81, and connecting the plug 72 and the socket 82.

[0074] In this embodiment, the input connector 7 includes the plugs 71 and 72, and the output connector 8 includes the sockets 81 and 82, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the input connector 7 may be configured as a pogo pin, and the output connector 8 may be configured as a flat terminal.

[0075] (Magnetic connection support structure) A structure for facilitating connection between the output connector 8 and the input connector 7 will be described with reference to Fig. 9. Fig. 9 is a diagram illustrating a magnet attached to the output connector cover.

[0076] Magnets 86 are installed on the rear surface side of the output connector cover 85 near the left and right sides of the opening 851. The magnets 86 are fixed to the rear surface side of the output connector cover 85 by magnet mounting members 87.

[0077] On the other hand, although not shown, a magnet or a ferromagnetic material (e.g., iron) that is attracted to magnet 86 is provided on the rear surface of input connector cover 74 at a position corresponding to magnet 86. Note that a ferromagnetic material may be provided on the rear surface of output connector cover 85, and a magnet may be provided on the rear surface of input connector cover 74.

[0078] When a customer stacks shopping carts 10, he or she inserts the pair of bottom frames 11 of the shopping cart 10 that he or she is pushing between the pair of bottom frames 11 of the shopping cart 10 in front, and the input connector 7 is attracted to the output connector 8 by the magnetic force of the magnet 86. This allows the customer to guide the input connector 7 and the output connector 8 to a position where they can be connected without having to align them.

[0079] (Connection status between output connector and input connector) A state in which the output connector 8 and the input connector 7 are connected will be described with reference to Figures 10, 11, and 12. Figure 10 is a first diagram showing a state in which the input connector is inserted into the output connector. Figure 11 is a second diagram showing a state in which the input connector is inserted into the output connector. Figure 12 is a third diagram showing a state in which the input connector is inserted into the output connector.

[0080] 10, 11, and 12 are XZ cross-sectional views taken at the positions of the plug 72 and the socket 82, showing how the input connector 7 and the output connector 8 are connected. The plug 72 is inserted into the socket 82 in the order of FIGS. 10, 11, and 12 over time.

[0081] 10 , the plug 72 is inserted into the socket 82 by inserting the inner circumferential surface 731 of the plug housing 73 along the outer circumferential surface 831 of the socket housing 83. At this time, the tip portion 732 of the inner circumferential surface 731 of the plug housing 73 approaches the switch button 842 of the switch 84.

[0082] When the plug housing 73 and the plug 72 are further inserted into the socket housing 83 and the socket 82, as shown in Fig. 11, the tip portion 732 of the inner circumferential surface 731 of the plug housing 73 comes into contact with the switch button 842 of the switch 84, and presses the switch button 842. At this time, when the amount of pressing of the switch button 842 reaches a predetermined value, the switch 84 is turned on.

[0083] The timing at which the switch 84 is turned on is set, for example, to a state in which the plug 72 and the socket 82 are in complete contact and the plug 71 and the socket 81 can be considered to be in complete contact. That is, when connecting the input connector 7 and the output connector 8, the switch 84 is not turned on at a timing when only one of the plug 72 and the socket 82 or the plug 71 and the socket 81 is in contact. This prevents the connector to which a voltage signal is supplied from the power source from coming into contact with the plug when the contact state of the ground line is insufficient, thereby preventing current from being applied to the charging unit 4 in an incomplete state.

[0084] More specifically, the timing at which switch 84 turns on is set appropriately depending on the length and shape of plug 72, the depth of socket 82, the depth of inner surface 731 of plug housing 73, the amount of protrusion of outer surface 831 of socket housing 83, the installation position of switch 84, the height of switch button 842, etc.

[0085] When the plug housing 73 and the plug 72 are further inserted, the switch button 842 is fully pressed in, as shown in Fig. 12. At this time, the plug housing 73 is fully inserted into the socket housing 83.

[0086] (Detailed structure of output connector and input connector) A detailed structure for improving the connectivity between the output connector 8 and the input connector 7 will be described with reference to Figs. 13 to 15. Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a portion including the input connector in the shopping cart of the embodiment. Fig. 14 is a perspective view of a portion including the input connector in the shopping cart of the embodiment. Fig. 15 is a perspective view of the input connector in the shopping cart of the embodiment.

[0087] 13 and 14, the input connector 7 of the shopping cart 10 is supported by a support part 200. The support part 200 is fixed to the bottom wall of the housing 44 of the charging unit 4. The input connector 7 is supported by the frame 20 via the housing 44.

[0088] As shown in Fig. 15, the input connector 7 has a plate portion 76. The plate portion 76 is connected to an end portion of the plug housing 73 on the rear side (-X direction) in the front-rear direction of the shopping cart 10, and extends in the left-right direction (Y direction) of the shopping cart 10. In other words, the plug housing 73 protrudes from the plate portion 76 forward in the front-rear direction of the shopping cart 10 (+X direction). The plate portion 76 is provided with a pair of left and right through holes 761. The through holes 761 penetrate the plate portion 76 in the front-rear direction (X direction) of the shopping cart 10. The plate portion 76 is an example of a supported portion.

[0089] 13 and 14 supports the entire input connector 7 including the plugs 71, 72 so that it can move relative to the frame 20 in the front-to-rear direction (front and rear) of the shopping cart 10 and in a direction intersecting the front-to-rear direction of the shopping cart 10. The direction intersecting the front-to-rear direction of the shopping cart 10 includes the left-to-right direction and the up-to-down direction of the shopping cart 10. In other words, the direction intersecting the front-to-rear direction of the shopping cart 10 includes a direction perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction of the shopping cart 10.

[0090] The support portion 200 has two fixed walls 201 and 202, two shaft portions 203, two elastic members 204, two washers 205, and a base 206. The fixed walls 201 and 202 are an example of a fixed portion.

[0091] The two fixed walls 201, 202 are disposed at a distance from each other in the front-to-rear direction of the shopping cart 10. That is, the two fixed walls 201, 202 are disposed at a distance from each other in the front-to-rear direction of the shopping cart 10. The fixed wall 201 is the front fixed wall of the two fixed walls 201, 202, and the fixed wall 202 is the rear fixed wall of the two fixed walls 201, 202.

[0092] The two fixed walls 201, 202 are fixed to a base 206. The base 206 is fixed to a housing 44 of the charging unit 4. That is, the two fixed walls 201, 202 are fixed to the frame 20 via the base 206 and the housing 44.

[0093] The two shafts 203 are provided across the two fixed walls 201, 202 and extend in the front-rear direction of the shopping cart 10. The two shafts 203 are inserted into two through holes 761 in the plate portion 76 of the input connector 7. The shafts 203 support the input connector 7 so that it can move in the front-rear direction of the shopping cart 10. The diameter of the shafts 203 is smaller than the diameter of the through holes 761. This allows the plate portion 76, and therefore the input connector 7, to move a predetermined amount in a direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction of the shopping cart 10.

[0094] The two elastic members 204 are, for example, coil springs. With the shaft portion 203 inserted inside, the elastic members 204 are interposed between the plate portion 76 of the input connector 7 and the fixed wall 202. A washer is interposed between the elastic members 204 and the plate portion 76. The elastic members 204 may be leaf springs or elastomers.

[0095] The elastic member 204 is interposed in a compressed state between the plate portion 76 of the input connector 7 and the fixed wall 202, and pushes the plate portion 76 and therefore the input connector 7 forward in the front-to-rear direction of the shopping cart 10. In other words, the elastic member 204 generates an elastic force that pushes the input connector 7 forward in the front-to-rear direction of the shopping cart 10. The elastic member 204 elastically supports the input connector 7. The elastic force of this elastic member 204 presses the plate portion 76 of the input connector 7 against the fixed wall 201.

[0096] As described above, the support portion 200 supports the input connector 7 so as to be movable relative to the frame 20 in the front-rear direction (front and rear) of the shopping cart 10 and in a direction intersecting the front-rear direction of the shopping cart 10. Therefore, when the output connector 8 moves while the input connector 7 and the output connector 8 are coupled, the input connector 7 can move in response to the movement of the output connector 8.

[0097] Furthermore, the elastic member 204 pushes the plate portion 76 and therefore the input connector 7 forward in the front-to-rear direction of the shopping cart 10. Therefore, when the input connector 7 and the output connector 8 are coupled, if a load (shock) is input from the output connector 8 to the input connector 7 toward the rear in the front-to-rear direction of the shopping cart 10, the input connector 7 can move rearward in the front-to-rear direction while the elastic member 204 is compressed in response to the load. In other words, the elastic member 204 can absorb the load (shock) acting on the input connector 7.

[0098] (Functional configuration of the current control circuit) The functional configuration of the energization control circuit 42 included in the charging unit 4 will be described with reference to Fig. 16. Fig. 16 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the energization control circuit included in the shopping cart of the embodiment.

[0099] The energization control circuit 42 includes a contact determination unit 421 and an energization control unit 422 .

[0100] The contact determination unit 421 is provided on the side of the sockets 81 and 82, i.e., on the output connector side, and detects whether the sockets 81, 82 and the plugs 71, 72 are in a predetermined contact state. The contact determination unit 421 is provided with a switch 84 that is installed in the socket housing 83 and detects that the plugs 71, 72 are inserted into the sockets 81, 82 by a predetermined amount, and determines that the output connector and the input connector are in a predetermined contact state on the condition that the switch 84 detects that the plugs 71, 72 are inserted into the sockets 81, 82 by a predetermined amount.

[0101] The contact determination unit 421 is configured, for example, by a circuit that is conductive or outputs a predetermined voltage when the switch 84 is turned on. There is no restriction on the specific circuit configuration. The contact determination unit 421 may be configured by a circuit that is non-conductive when the switch 84 is turned off.

[0102] The current control unit 422 causes current to flow from the sockets 81, 82 to the plugs 71, 72 when the contact determination unit 421 determines that a predetermined contact state exists, and does not cause current to flow from the sockets 81, 82 to the plugs 71, 72 when the contact determination unit 421 does not determine that a predetermined contact state exists.

[0103] The energization control unit 422 is configured, for example, by a switching circuit that is turned on when triggered by the output of the circuit configured by the contact determination unit 421. The specific circuit configuration of the switching circuit is not limited, and may be, for example, a switching circuit using a FET, or a mechanical or electrical relay. The energization control unit 422 only needs to control the energization state of at least the side of the sockets 81, 82 to which a voltage signal from a power source is output. The energization control unit 422 may be configured by a switching circuit that is turned off when triggered by the output of the circuit configured by the contact determination unit 421.

[0104] 4, the power supply unit 5 also includes a current control circuit 42. As a result, when the first shopping cart 10 is connected to the power supply unit 5, the power supply unit 5 applies current on the condition that it is determined that the sockets 81, 82 and the plugs 71, 72 are in a predetermined contact state.

[0105] (Details of the power supply unit structure) Fig. 17 is a perspective view showing a state in which the power supply unit and the shopping cart are coupled together according to the embodiment, and Fig. 18 is a perspective view of the power supply unit according to the embodiment.

[0106] 17 and 18, the power supply unit 5 includes a housing 500, an output connector 62, an output connector cover 511, and a guide device 600. The power supply unit 5 is installed (fixed) on, for example, a floor surface 1000 (see FIG. 3) of a store.

[0107] In this specification, for convenience, a UVW coordinate system including a U axis, a V axis, and a W axis is defined. The UVW coordinate system is provided for the power supply unit 5. The U axis, the V axis, and the W axis are perpendicular to each other. The U axis is provided along the front-rear direction of the power supply unit 5. The V axis is provided along the width direction (left-right direction) of the power supply unit 5. The W axis is provided along the up-down direction of the power supply unit 5.

[0108] Furthermore, in this specification, a U direction, a V direction, and a W direction are defined. The U direction is a direction along the U axis, and includes the +U direction indicated by the arrow of the U axis, and the -U direction opposite to the arrow of the U axis. The V direction is a direction along the V axis, and includes the +V direction indicated by the arrow of the V axis, and the -V direction opposite to the arrow of the V axis. The W direction is a direction along the W axis, and includes the +W direction indicated by the arrow of the W axis, and the -W direction opposite to the arrow of the W axis. Moreover, the +W direction is the same as the upward direction in the vertical direction, and the -W direction is the same as the downward direction in the vertical direction.

[0109] The housing 500 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape and houses the current control circuit 42 and the power transmission circuit 51 therein.

[0110] The output connector 62 protrudes from the front surface 501 of the housing 500 forward (+U direction) in the front-rear direction of the power supply unit 5, and is exposed to the outside of the housing 500. The output connector 62 is coupled by fitting with the input connector 7 of the shopping cart 10 moving backward (-U direction) in the front-rear direction of the power supply unit 5. That is, the backward (-U direction) in the front-rear direction of the power supply unit 5 is the mounting direction (insertion direction) of the input connector 7 to the output connector 62. In other words, the output connector 62 is coupled by fitting with the output connector 8 of the power supply unit 5 moving backward (first direction) in the front-rear direction of the shopping cart 10 relative to the plugs 71, 72 of the shopping cart 10. The backward in the front-rear direction of the shopping cart 10 is the mounting direction (insertion direction) of the output connector 62 to the input connector 7. The configuration of the output connector 62 is the same as the configuration of the output connector 61 of the shopping cart 10. The backward (-U direction) in the front-rear direction of the power supply unit 5 is an example of the first direction.

[0111] An output connector cover 511 is attached to the outside of the socket housing 83 of the output connector 62. The output connector cover 511 is fixed to a front surface 501 of the housing 500. The output connector cover 511 has an opening 512 that exposes an outer circumferential surface 831 of the socket housing 83 and a switch button 842 to the outside. The opening 512 is formed to a size that prevents a finger from reaching the switch button 842 even if the finger is inserted from the outside. This prevents a voltage signal from being output from the sockets 81 and 82 due to inadvertent contact with the switch button 842.

[0112] 18 is for guiding the input connector 7 of the shopping cart 10 to the output connector 62 of the power supply unit 5. In other words, the guiding device 600 is for guiding the input connector 7 of the shopping cart 10 to the output connector 62 of the power supply unit 5. The guiding device 600 is also referred to as a guiding device.

[0113] The guiding device 600 has a first guiding portion 601 and a second guiding portion 602 .

[0114] FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of a portion including a first guiding portion in the power supply unit and a portion including a guided portion in the shopping cart according to the embodiment, showing a state in which the output connector of the power supply unit and the input connector of the shopping cart are separated. As shown in FIG. 18 and FIG. 19, the first guiding portion 601 is provided on the front surface 501 of the housing 500. The first guiding portion 601 guides the shopping cart 10 so that the input connector 7 moves toward the output connector 62 by contacting the guided portion 120 (FIG. 19) of the shopping cart 10 moving toward the power supply unit 5. At this time, the first guiding portion 601 guides the shopping cart 10 so that the tip of the input connector 7 enters the second guiding portion 602 by contacting the guided portion 120 (FIG. 19) of the shopping cart 10 moving toward the power supply unit 5.

[0115] Here, the guided portion 120 of the shopping cart 10 guided by the first guiding portion 601 will be described. As shown in FIG. 19, the guided portion 120 is included in the lower frame 12. The guided portion 120 has a front surface 121, a pair of left and right side surfaces 122, and a pair of left and right corners 123. The pair of left and right corners 123 connect the front surface 121 to the pair of left and right side surfaces 122. The corners 123 are, for example, convex curved surfaces. The guided portion 120 is an example of a portion of the shopping cart 10 other than the input connector 7. The portion of the shopping cart 10 other than the input connector 7 may be a portion that forms the outer shape of the shopping cart 10.

[0116] 18 and 19, the first guide portion 601 is disposed at a position vertically offset from the input connector 7. Specifically, the first guide portion 601 is positioned vertically above the input connector 7.

[0117] The first guide section 601 has a pair of left and right guide members 610. The pair of left and right guide members 610 protrude forward in the front-rear direction of the power supply unit 5 from the front surface 501 of the housing 500. The pair of left and right first guide sections 601 are provided spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction (horizontal direction) of the power supply unit 5. The pair of left and right guide members 610 are symmetrical with respect to a predetermined plane perpendicular to the U direction. The guide members 610 are made of, for example, but not limited to, a metal material.

[0118] Each of the pair of left and right guide members 610 has a front surface 611, a side surface 612, and a guide surface 613. The side surface 612 of one guide member 610 and the side surface 612 of the other guide member 610 are spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction (horizontal direction) of the power supply unit 5 and face each other in the V direction. The guide surface 613 connects the front surface 611 and the side surface 612. The pair of guide surfaces 613 of the pair of left and right guide members 610 are provided spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction (horizontal direction) of the power supply unit 5 and approach each other toward the output connector 62, that is, toward the rear of the front-rear direction of the power supply unit 5 (-U direction). The guide surface 613 may be a flat surface or a curved surface. The pair of guide surfaces 613 contact the guided portion 120 that has entered between them, thereby guiding (guiding) the shopping cart 10 so that the input connector 7 moves toward the output connector 62.

[0119] 20 is a cross-sectional view of a portion including a second guide portion in the power supply unit of the embodiment and a portion including an input connector in the shopping cart, showing a state in which the output connector of the power supply unit and the input connector of the shopping cart are separated from each other. As shown in FIGS. 18 and 20, the second guide portion 602 is provided on the output connector cover 511. The second guide portion 602 comes into contact with the input connector 7 of the shopping cart 10 moving toward the power supply unit 5 under the guidance of the first guide portion 601, thereby guiding the input connector 7 to the output connector 62.

[0120] Specifically, the second guiding portion 602 has a cylindrical surface 621. The cylindrical surface 621 is provided on the output connector cover 511. The output connector cover 511 including the second guiding portion 602 is made of, for example, but not limited to, a synthetic resin material or a synthetic resin material containing fiber. The cylindrical surface 621 approaches the output connector 62 as it moves toward the rear (-U direction) in the front-rear direction of the power supply unit 5. The cylindrical surface 621 comes into contact with the input connector 7 that has entered inside the cylindrical surface 621 in the shopping cart 10 that is moving toward the power supply unit 5 under the guidance of the first guiding portion 601, thereby guiding (inducing) the input connector 7 to the output connector 62.

[0121] The amount of guiding of the input connector 7 by the second guiding portion 602 in the width direction (V direction) of the output connector 62 is smaller than the amount of guiding of the input connector 7 by the first guiding portion 601 in the width direction of the output connector 62. In other words, the amount of guiding of the input connector 7 by the first guiding portion 601 in the width direction of the output connector 62 is larger than the amount of guiding of the input connector 7 by the second guiding portion 602 in the width direction of the output connector 62. Specifically, the width L1 (see FIG. 23) of the guide surface 613 of the first guiding portion 601 in the width direction of the output connector 62 is larger than the width L3 (see FIG. 20) of the cylindrical surface 621 of the second guiding portion 602 in the width direction of the output connector 62.

[0122] FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view of a portion including a first guiding portion in the power supply unit of the embodiment and a portion including a guided portion in the shopping cart, showing a state in which the output connector of the power supply unit and the input connector of the shopping cart are coupled. FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view of a portion including a second guiding portion in the power supply unit of the embodiment and a portion including an input connector in the shopping cart, showing a state in which the output connector of the power supply unit and the input connector of the shopping cart are coupled. As shown in FIG. 21, when the guided portion 120 of the shopping cart 10 enters the first guiding portion 601 by a predetermined amount, as shown in FIG. 22, the input connector 7 of the shopping cart 10 is coupled to the output connector 62 of the power supply unit 5. That is, the guiding device 600 performs positioning of the input connector 7 relative to the output connector 62.

[0123] 23 is a diagram showing the relationship between the first guiding part and the guided part in the embodiment. In this embodiment, the first guiding part 601 guides the guided part 120 to guide the input connector 7 into the cylindrical surface 621 of the second guiding part 602. To achieve this, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 23, when the guided part 120 of the shopping cart 10 enters between the two side surfaces 612 of the first guiding part 601 and the input connector 7 of the shopping cart 10 and the output connector 62 of the power supply unit 5 are coupled, the distance L2 between the side surface 122 of the guided part 120 and the side surface 612 of the first guiding part 601 is smaller than the width L1 of the guide surface 613 of the first guiding part 601 in the width direction of the output connector 62. In other words, the width L 1 of the guide surface 613 of the first guiding portion 601 in the width direction of the output connector 62 is larger than the distance L 2 between the side surface 122 of the guided portion 120 and the side surface 612 of the first guiding portion 601 .

[0124] (Effects of the embodiment) As described above, the guiding device 600 guides the input connector 7 of the shopping cart 10 (hand-pushed mobile object) having the frame 20 (base), at least three wheels (front wheels 14, rear wheels 15) coupled to the frame 20, and the input connector 7 (first connector) supported by the frame 20, to the output connector 62 of the power supply unit 5 (connection target) having the output connector 62 (second connector) connectable to the input connector 7. The guiding device 600 includes a first guiding section 601 and a second guiding section 602. The first guiding section 601 guides the shopping cart 10 so that the input connector 7 is directed toward the output connector 62 by contacting the guided section 120, which is a section of the shopping cart 10 moving toward the power supply unit 5 other than the input connector 7. The second guiding section 602 guides the input connector 7 to the output connector 62 by contacting the input connector 7 of the shopping cart 10 moving toward the power supply unit 5 under the guidance of the first guiding section 601.

[0125] According to this configuration, the first guiding portion 601 guides the shopping cart 10 so that the input connector 7 faces the output connector 62, and then guides the input connector 7 to the output connector 62, so that the input connector 7 of the shopping cart 10 can be easily connected to the output connector 62 of the power supply unit 5.

[0126] Furthermore, the guiding amount of the first guiding portion 601 in the width direction of the output connector 62 is greater than the guiding amount of the second guiding portion 602 in the width direction of the output connector.

[0127] With this configuration, the position of the input connector 7 relative to the output connector 62 can be roughly adjusted by the first guiding portion 601, and then the position of the input connector 7 relative to the output connector 62 can be fine-tuned by the second guiding portion 602.

[0128] The first guiding portion 601 also has a pair of guiding surfaces 613. The pair of guiding surfaces 613 are provided spaced apart from each other in the horizontal direction and approach each other toward the output connector 62. The pair of guiding surfaces 613 come into contact with the guided portion 120 that has entered between them, thereby guiding the shopping cart 10 so that the input connector 7 moves toward the output connector 62.

[0129] With this configuration, the input connector 7 of the shopping cart 10 can be more easily coupled to the output connector 62 of the power supply unit 5 than with a configuration with only one guide surface 613, for example.

[0130] Moreover, the output connector 62 is coupled by fitting with the input connector 7 moving rearward (first direction) in the front-to-rear direction of the guiding device 600. The second guiding part 602 has a cylindrical surface 621 that approaches the output connector 62 as it moves toward the rearward in the front-to-rear direction of the guiding device 600. The cylindrical surface 621 comes into contact with the input connector 7 that enters inside the cylindrical surface 621 in the shopping cart 10 that is moving toward the power supply unit 5 under the guidance of the first guiding part 601, thereby guiding the input connector 7 to the output connector 62.

[0131] According to this configuration, the guide device 600 guides the input connector 7 to the output connector 62 by the cylindrical surface 621, so that the position of the input connector 7 can be adjusted in the vertical and horizontal directions. Therefore, the input connector 7 of the shopping cart 10 can be more easily coupled to the output connector 62 of the power supply unit 5.

[0132] Moreover, the first guide portion 601 is disposed at a position offset in the vertical direction with respect to the input connector 7 .

[0133] According to such a configuration, the input connector 7 is less likely to collide with the first guiding portion 601, so that damage to the input connector 7 can be suppressed.

[0134] The shopping cart 10 also includes a frame 20 (base), at least three wheels (front wheels 14, rear wheels 15), an input connector 7, and a support unit 200. The wheels (front wheels 14, rear wheels 15) are coupled to the frame 20. The input connector 7 has plugs 71, 72 (terminals), and is coupled by fitting with an external connector (the power supply unit 5 or the output connector 8 of the preceding shopping cart 10) that moves rearward in the fore-and-aft direction of the shopping cart 10 relative to the plugs 71, 72. The support unit 200 supports the plugs 71, 72 movably relative to the frame 20 in the fore-and-aft direction of the shopping cart 10 and in a direction intersecting the rearward direction.

[0135] According to this configuration, the support portion 200 supports the plugs 71, 72 movably relative to the frame 20 in the rear of the front-rear direction of the shopping cart 10 and in a direction intersecting the rear, so that when the input connector 7 of the shopping cart 10 is connected to the power supply unit 5 or the output connector 8 of the preceding shopping cart 10, damage to the plugs 71, 72 of the input connector 7 can be suppressed. In turn, damage to the external connector can also be suppressed.

[0136] Further, the support portion 200 supports the input connector 7 so as to be movable relative to the frame 20 in the rearward direction of the shopping cart 10 and in a direction intersecting the rearward direction.

[0137] According to such a configuration, when the input connector 7 of the shopping cart 10 is coupled to (the power supply unit 5 or the output connector 8 of the preceding shopping cart 10), damage to the entire input connector 7 can be suppressed.

[0138] The support portion 200 also has an elastic member 204 that generates an elastic force that pushes the input connector 7 in the opposite direction, toward the rear, in the front-rear direction of the shopping cart 10 .

[0139] With this configuration, when an external connector is coupled to the input connector 7, the rear impact in the front-rear direction of the shopping cart 10 acting on the input connector 7 can be absorbed by the elastic force of the elastic member 204. Therefore, damage to the input connector 7 can be suppressed even when an external connector is coupled to the input connector 7.

[0140] The input connector 7 also has a plate portion 76 (supported portion). The plate portion 76 is provided with a through hole 761 penetrating the plate portion 76 in a first direction. The support portion 200 has a pair of fixed walls 201, 202 (fixed portions), a shaft portion 203, and an elastic member 204. The pair of fixed walls 201, 202 are spaced apart in the front-rear direction (rear) of the shopping cart 10. The shaft portion 203 extends rearward in the front-rear direction of the shopping cart 10, is inserted in the through hole 761, and spans the pair of fixed walls 201, 202. The elastic member 204 is interposed between the plate portion 76 and the fixed wall 202 on the rear side in the front-rear direction of the shopping cart 10, of the pair of fixed walls 201, 202.

[0141] With this configuration, the elastic member 204 can press the plate portion 76 and therefore the input connector 7 against the fixed wall 201, so that the position of the input connector 7 can be maintained when the input connector 7 is not connected to an external connector.

[0142] In the above embodiment, the guide device 600 is provided on the power supply unit 5, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the guide device 600 may be provided on the shopping cart 10 and guide the input connector 7 of the shopping cart 10 at the rear stage of the shopping cart 10 to the output connector 8 of the shopping cart 10. In this case, for example, the first guide portion may be configured by the lower basket support frame 18 having a pair of left and right guide surfaces 181, and the second guide portion may be provided on the socket housing 83. In addition, at least one of the first guide portion and the second guide portion of the guide device 600 may be disposed on the floor surface 1000. For example, the first guide portion may be a rib or the like that contacts the front wheel 14 and guides the front wheel 14 to the output connector 8 of the power supply unit 5.

[0143] In the above embodiment, the input connector 7 and the output connector 8 are described as charging connectors for transmitting and receiving electric power, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the input connector 7 and the output connector 8 may be communication connectors for transmitting and receiving communication signals.

[0144] In the above embodiment, the support unit 200 supports the input connector 7 by the fixed shaft unit 203 so as to be movable with respect to the frame 20 in the front-rear direction (front and rear) of the shopping cart 10 and in a direction intersecting the front-rear direction of the shopping cart 10, but is not limited to this. For example, the support unit 200 may be configured to support the base end (-X direction side) of the input connector 7 so that the input connector 7 pivots around the base end (-X direction side) as a fulcrum.

[0145] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. This novel embodiment can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0146] 5...Power supply unit (to be connected) 7...Input connector (first connector) 14…Front wheel (wheel) 15...Rear wheel (wheel) 20…Frame (base) 10. Shopping cart 8,61,62...Output connector (second connector) 120...Guided part (part) 600...Guidance device 601…First guide section 602...Second guide section 613...Guide surface 621...Cylinder surface [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0147] [Patent Document 1] JP 2023-102931 A

Claims

1. A guide device for guiding a first connector of a hand-pushed mobile body having a base, at least three wheels connected to the base, and a first connector supported by the base, to a second connector of a connection target having a second connector connectable with the first connector, a first guide portion that guides the hand-pushed mobile object so that the first connector moves toward the second connector by coming into contact with a portion of the hand-pushed mobile object that moves toward the connection target, other than the first connector; a second guide portion that guides the first connector to the second connector by coming into contact with the first connector of the hand-pushed mobile object that moves toward the connection target under the guidance of the first guide portion; A guide device comprising:

2. a guiding amount of the first guiding portion in a width direction of the second connector is greater than a guiding amount of the second guiding portion in the width direction of the second connector; The guidance device according to claim 1 .

3. the first guide portion has a pair of guide surfaces spaced apart from each other in a horizontal direction and approaching each other toward the second connector, The pair of guide surfaces contact the portion that has entered between the pair of guide surfaces, thereby guiding the hand-pushed mobile body so that the first connector moves toward the second connector. The guidance device according to claim 1 .

4. the second connector is mated with the first connector that moves in a first direction; the second guide portion has a cylindrical surface that approaches the second connector as it moves in the first direction, the cylindrical surface guides the first connector to the second connector by contacting the first connector that has entered inside the cylindrical surface of the hand-pushed movable body that moves toward the connection target under the guidance of the first guiding portion; The guidance device according to claim 1 .

5. The first guide portion is disposed at a position vertically offset from the first connector. The guidance device according to claim 1 .

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