Charging system

Abstract

This system provides a charging system that suppresses the connection of more cart-type terminals than anticipated. [Solution] The charging system according to the embodiment is a charging system installed in a cart storage area where a plurality of cart-type terminals equipped with terminals for registering products to be sold are arranged in a row, and comprises a power supply device and a travel path. The power supply device is connected to the leading cart-type terminal arranged in a row and supplies power to the cart-type terminal and the other cart-type terminals connected to it. The travel path obstructs the connection of the cart-type terminals by changing the height of the cart-type terminals that are placed among the plurality of cart-type terminals arranged in a row.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a charging system.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a cart-type terminal which is a shopping cart equipped with an operation terminal for registering products to be sold is known. Such a cart-type terminal needs to charge the power used by the operation terminal. Therefore, when the cart-type terminal is connected to an external power source provided, for example, in a cart storage area, the power supplied from the external power source is charged to a secondary battery. Also, when other cart-type terminals are connected, the cart-type terminal supplies the power supplied from a charging device to the connected cart-type terminal.

[0003] When the number of connected cart-type terminals increases, an excessive current may flow through the external power source, causing it to malfunction. Therefore, when the cart-type terminals are connected more than expected, a measure of installing an overcurrent protection circuit in the external power source can be considered to suppress the flow of an excessive current.

[0004] However, in this case, an overcurrent protection circuit has to be added to the external power source or the housing has to be modified.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a charging system that suppresses the connection of cart-type terminals more than expected.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The charging system according to this embodiment is a charging system installed in a cart storage area where a plurality of cart-type terminals equipped with terminals for registering products to be sold are arranged in a row, and comprises a power supply unit and a travel path. The power supply unit is connected to the leading cart-type terminal in the row and supplies power to the cart-type terminal and the other cart-type terminals connected to it. The travel path obstructs the connection of the cart-type terminals by changing the height of the cart-type terminals that are placed among the plurality of cart-type terminals arranged in a row. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows an example of a charging system. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a front view showing an example of the external appearance of a cart terminal according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a side view showing an example of the external appearance of a cart terminal according to this embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a top view showing an example of a cart base. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a side view showing an example of a cart terminal mounted on a cart base. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] The embodiments of the charging system will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. Note that the embodiments described below are just one example of a charging system and do not limit its configuration or specifications.

[0009] (Embodiment) Figure 1 shows an example of a charging system 1. The charging system 1 is a system for charging cart terminals 10. For example, the charging system 1 is installed in a cart storage area where multiple shopping carts, which are cart terminals 10 equipped with operation terminals 120 for registering products to be sold, are arranged in a row.

[0010] The charging system 1 includes a power supply unit 20 and a cart base 30. The power supply unit 20 is connected to the leading cart terminal 10 arranged in a row and supplies power to the leading cart terminal 10 and the other cart terminals 10 connected to the leading cart terminal 10. For example, the power supply unit 20 supplies power obtained from an external power source to the cart terminals 10.

[0011] Multiple cart terminals 10 are connected in a row in the cart storage area, with the power supply unit 20 at the front. Each cart terminal 10 is then charged by power supplied from the power supply unit 20 via the cart terminal 10 in front of it.

[0012] Figure 2 is a front view showing an example of the external appearance of the cart terminal 10 according to the embodiment. Figure 3 is a side view showing an example of the external appearance of the cart terminal 10 according to the embodiment.

[0013] The cart terminal 10 is a shopping cart equipped with an operation terminal 120 for registering products to be sold. In other words, the cart terminal 10 is a cart-type terminal. The cart terminal 10 is placed on a cart base 30 in the cart storage area.

[0014] More specifically, the cart terminal 10 has a trolley section 11. The trolley section 11 is positioned approximately parallel to the floor and has a U-shaped trolley frame 111 that widens from front to rear.

[0015] The trolley frame 111 is fitted with a first caster 112, a second caster 113, a third caster 114, and a fourth caster 115. The first caster 112 is a wheel located on the front right side of the trolley section 11. The second caster 113 is a wheel located on the front left side of the trolley section 11. The third caster 114 is a wheel located on the rear right side of the trolley section 11. The fourth caster 115 is a wheel located on the rear left side of the trolley section 11.

[0016] Furthermore, the cart terminal 10 has a columnar support section 12 that is erected approximately perpendicularly to the trolley section 11. The support section 12 supports the mounting base 13, the handle section 14, and the operation terminal 120. The mounting base 13 is a base on which a shopping basket containing goods is placed. The handle section 14 is a handle that is grasped by the operator, such as a customer.

[0017] The cart terminal 10 has a charging device 100 on the trolley section 11. The charging device 100 is a device that charges the secondary battery that supplies power to each part of the cart terminal 10. The charging device 100 has a first connecting terminal 101, a second connecting terminal 102, and a dummy terminal 103.

[0018] The first connection terminal 101 is a terminal located at the front of the cart terminals 10 arranged in a row. The first connection terminal 101 is an example of a first terminal. When the first connection terminal 101 is connected to an external power source such as another cart terminal 10 or a power supply unit 20 (see Figure 2) located in front of the device, it receives power from the external power source. That is, the first connection terminal 101 receives power from the second connection terminal 102 of the cart terminal 10 in front of it. For example, the first connection terminal 101 is an insertable pin.

[0019] The second connection terminal 102 is located on the rear side opposite to the front side of the cart terminals 10 arranged in a row, and is a terminal that outputs power supplied from the first connection terminal 101. The second connection terminal 102 is an example of a second terminal. That is, the second connection terminal 102 provides power to other cart terminals 10. For example, the second connection terminal 102 is a socket into which the first connection terminal 101 of the cart terminal 10 located at the rear is inserted.

[0020] The dummy terminal 103 is a dummy terminal provided above the second connection terminal 102. More specifically, when the self-device is not traveling on the first traveling path 311 (see FIG. 4), the second traveling path 312 (see FIG. 4), the third traveling path 313 (see FIG. 4), and the fourth traveling path 314 (see FIG. 4) of the cart pedestal 30, and when the rear cart terminal 10 is traveling on the first traveling path 31, the second traveling path 312, the third traveling path 313, and the fourth traveling path 314, the dummy terminal 103 is a socket into which the first connection terminal 101 of the rear cart terminal 10 is inserted.

[0021] Here, in the cart storage area, if the first connection terminal 101 is exposed, it may get wet or dirty. Also, if the first connection terminal 101 is exposed, there is a possibility of an object colliding with it. Therefore, the cart terminal 10 has a dummy terminal 103 that protects the inserted first connection terminal 101.

[0022] In addition, the cart terminal 10 has a weighing unit 130 that weighs the weight of the goods placed on the mounting table 13. Here, the cart terminal 10 executes a product registration process for registering the products to be sold. The cart terminal 10 compares the weight of the product registered by the product registration process with the weight of the product measured by the weighing unit 130. Thereby, the cart terminal 10 reduces the possibility that a product different from the product registered by the product registration process is placed on the mounting table 13.

[0023] In addition, the cart terminal 10 has an operation terminal 120 supported by the support portion 12. The operation terminal 120 is a device such as a tablet terminal or a smartphone. The operation terminal 120 executes a product registration process for registering the products to be sold. For example, the operation terminal 120 displays an image related to the product registration process. The operation terminal 120 accepts operations related to the product registration process. Note that the operation terminal 120 may display any image and accept any operation.

[0024] Scanner 140 is a device that reads code symbols such as barcodes and two-dimensional codes. For example, scanner 140 reads the barcode attached to a product.

[0025] Also, cart terminal 10 has a secondary battery (not shown) that supplies power to each unit such as operation terminal 120, weighing unit 130, and scanner 140. The secondary battery charges the power supplied from first connection terminal 101.

[0026] Also, when a plurality of cart terminals 10 are connected in series via charging device 100, the secondary battery is charged with the power supplied via another cart terminal 10.

[0027] Charging device 100 of cart terminal 10 has first connection terminal 101 on the front side and second connection terminal 102 on the rear side. Among the plurality of cart terminals 10 connected in series, first connection terminal 101 of the first cart terminal 10 from the front is connected to power supply device 20. Power supply device 20 is connected to an external power supply. Also, power supply device 20 supplies power to the first cart terminal 10 via first connection terminal 101.

[0028] First connection terminal 101 of the second cart terminal 10 from the front is connected to second connection terminal 102 of the first cart terminal 10. The first cart terminal 10 supplies power to the second cart terminal 10 from the front via second connection terminal 102. In this way, each of the plurality of cart terminals 10 connected in series charges the supplied power.

[0029] In this way, power supply device 20 supplies power to the plurality of connected cart terminals 10. Here, in order to prevent more cart terminals 10 than the assumed number from being connected to power supply device 20, cart pedestal 30 has a step that inhibits the connection between first connection terminal 101 of the front cart terminal 10 and second connection terminal 102 of the rear cart terminal 10.

[0030] Figure 4 is a top view showing an example of a cart base 30. On the cart base 30, the operator moves the cart terminal 10 in the Y-axis direction. The operator connects the first connection terminal 101 of the cart terminal 10 to the power supply unit 20. For subsequent cart terminals 10, the operator connects the first connection terminal 101 of the cart terminal 10 to the second connection terminal 102 of the cart terminal 10 in front.

[0031] The kart base 30 has a first track 311, a second track 312, a third track 313, and a fourth track 314. The first track 311, the second track 312, the third track 313, and the fourth track 314 are tracks provided on the upper surface 321 of the kart base 30.

[0032] The first track 311, second track 312, third track 313, and fourth track 314 change the height of the cart terminal 10 compared to the leading cart terminal 10 arranged in a row. Specifically, the first track 311, second track 312, third track 313, and fourth track 314 are tracks for the cart terminal 10 that are formed at a position higher than the upper surface 321 of the cart base 30.

[0033] The first, second, third, and fourth tracks 311, 312, 313, and 314 obstruct the connection of cart terminals 10 by changing the height of the cart terminals 10 that are positioned in a row. The first, second, third, and fourth tracks 314 are examples of tracks.

[0034] The first track 311 is the track on which the front wheels, the first casters 112, travel. The first track 311 has inclined surfaces on both the front end, where the power supply unit 20 is installed, and the rear end, opposite the front end, where the cart terminal 10 enters the cart base 30. This allows the operator to easily place the cart terminal 10 onto the first track 311.

[0035] The second track 312 is the track on which the front wheels, the second casters 113, travel. The second track 312 has inclined surfaces on both the front end, where the power supply unit 20 is installed, and the rear end, opposite the front end, where the cart terminal 10 enters the cart base 30. This allows the operator to easily place the cart terminal 10 onto the second track 312.

[0036] The third track 313 is the track on which the third caster 114, which is the rear wheel, travels. The third track 313 has inclined surfaces on the front side where the power supply unit 20 is installed, and on the opposite side of the front side where the cart terminal 10 enters the cart base 30. This allows the operator to easily place the cart terminal 10 onto the third track 313.

[0037] The fourth track 314 is the track on which the rear wheels, the fourth caster 115, travel. The fourth track 314 has inclined surfaces on both the front end, where the power supply unit 20 is installed, and the rear end, opposite the front end, where the cart terminal 10 enters the cart base 30. This allows the operator to easily place the cart terminal 10 onto the fourth track 314.

[0038] If the number of cart terminals 10 that have passed through the first track 311, second track 312, third track 313, and fourth track 314 is less than the number of connected carts assumed by the power supply unit 20, they are placed on the upper surface 321 of the cart base 30.

[0039] Here, if more cart terminals 10 are connected to the power supply unit 20 than the number assumed during the design phase, the power supply unit 20 may overheat due to overcurrent and malfunction. The assumed number of connected units is the number of cart terminals 10 that can be connected in a way that prevents overcurrent in the power supply unit 20.

[0040] If the number of connected cart terminals exceeds the assumed number for the power supply unit 20, the cart terminal 10 will not be placed on the upper surface 321 of the cart base 30 because it is located in front of the cart terminal 10. Therefore, the cart terminal 10 is placed on the first travel lane 311, the second travel lane 312, the third travel lane 313, and the fourth travel lane 314.

[0041] When a cart terminal 10 is located on the first track 311, second track 312, third track 313, and fourth track 314, it is positioned higher than a cart terminal 10 that is not located on the first track 311, second track 312, third track 313, and fourth track 314. In other words, when a cart terminal 10 is located on the first track 311, second track 312, third track 313, and fourth track 314, it is positioned higher than a cart terminal 10 located on the upper surface 321 of the cart base 30.

[0042] Therefore, the first connecting terminals 101 of the cart terminals 10 located on the first track 311, second track 312, third track 313, and fourth track 314 are not connected to the second connecting terminals 102 of the cart terminals 10 that are not located on the first track 311, second track 312, third track 313, and fourth track 314. In other words, the first connecting terminals 101 of the cart terminals 10 located on the first track 311, second track 312, third track 313, and fourth track 314 cannot be connected to the second connecting terminals 102 of the cart terminals 10 located on the upper surface 321 and in front of the cart base 30.

[0043] However, the first connection terminals 101 of the cart terminals 10 located on the first track 311, second track 312, third track 313, and fourth track 314 are connected to dummy terminals 103 of the cart terminals 10 that are not located on the first track 311, second track 312, third track 313, and fourth track 314 and do not supply power. The dummy terminals 103 are an example of a third terminal. In other words, the first connection terminals 101 of the cart terminals 10 located on the first track 311, second track 312, third track 313, and fourth track 314 are connected to dummy terminals 103 of the cart terminals 10 located on the upper surface 321 and in front of the cart base 30.

[0044] This prevents the cart base 30 from connecting more cart terminals 10 than the intended number to enable charging. Therefore, the cart base 30 prevents overcurrent from flowing to the power supply unit 20 due to more cart terminals 10 than the intended number being connected.

[0045] Furthermore, the cart base 30 reduces the time the first connecting terminal 101 is exposed by connecting the dummy terminal 103 and the first connecting terminal 101. Therefore, the cart base 30 suppresses the possibility of the first connecting terminal 101 becoming dirty or deformed.

[0046] Furthermore, the length in the Y-axis direction differs from the leading end of the first and second tracks 311 and 312, on which the front wheels travel, to the leading end of the third and fourth tracks 313 and 314, on which the rear wheels travel. Specifically, the difference in length in the Y-axis direction is approximately the same as the length from the front wheel to the rear wheel of the cart terminal 10. The first and second tracks 311 and 312 are examples of front wheel tracks. The third and fourth tracks 313 and 314 are examples of rear wheel tracks.

[0047] For example, if there is no difference in length in the Y-axis direction, the rear wheels of the cart terminal 10 will continue to travel on the third and fourth tracks 313 and 314 even after the front wheels have come down from the first and second tracks 311 and 312. In other words, the front wheels of the cart terminal 10 will be lower than the rear wheels in the Z-axis direction. In this case, the first connecting terminal 101 will be inserted into the second connecting terminal 102 at an angle, which may cause it to bend.

[0048] To prevent the first connecting terminal 101 from bending, the first and second travel paths 311 and 312 on which the front wheels travel, and the third and fourth travel paths 313 and 314 on which the rear wheels travel, are approximately the same length as the distance from the front wheel to the rear wheel of the cart terminal 10.

[0049] Figure 5 is a side view showing an example of a state in which the cart terminals 10 are placed on the cart base 30. In the cart base 30 shown in Figure 5, three cart terminals 10, the first cart terminal 10a, the second cart terminal 10b, and the third cart terminal 10c, are placed in a row. Figure 5 shows the state in which the first cart terminal 10a is located at the front, closest to the power supply unit 20, and the third cart terminal 10c is located at the rear.

[0050] The first cart terminal 10a and the second cart terminal 10b are placed at positions where they descend from the first track 311, the second track 312, the third track 313, and the fourth track 314. The third cart terminal 10c is placed on the first track 311, the second track 312, the third track 313, and the fourth track 314.

[0051] The first connection terminal 101b of the second cart terminal 10b is connected to the second connection terminal 102a of the leading first cart terminal 10a. As a result, the secondary battery of the second cart terminal 10b is charged with power supplied from the first connection terminal 101b.

[0052] Since the third cart terminal 10c is placed on the first track 311, the second track 312, the third track 313, and the fourth track 314, it is positioned higher than the second cart terminal 10b. Therefore, the first connecting terminal 101c of the third cart terminal 10c is connected to the dummy terminal 103b of the second cart terminal 10b. In other words, the first connecting terminal 101c of the third cart terminal 10c is not connected to the second connecting terminal 102b of the second cart terminal 10b. Thus, the first track 311, the second track 312, the third track 313, and the fourth track 314 can be prevented from having more cart terminals 10 than intended connected.

[0053] As described above, the charging system 1 according to the embodiment is installed in a cart storage area where multiple cart terminals 10 equipped with terminals for registering products to be sold are arranged in a row. The power supply unit 20 is connected to the leading cart terminal 10 in the row and supplies power to the cart terminal 10 and other cart terminals 10 connected to it. The first travel path 311, the second travel path 312, the third travel path 313, and the fourth travel path 314 prevent the connection of cart terminals 10 by changing the height of the cart terminals 10 that are placed among the multiple cart terminals 10 arranged in a row. Therefore, the charging system 1 can suppress the connection of more cart terminals 10 than anticipated.

[0054] In the above embodiment, it was explained that the position of the cart terminal 10 is higher than the upper surface 321 of the cart base 30 in the first track 311, second track 312, third track 313, and fourth track 314. As a result, it was explained that the first connecting terminal 101 of the cart base 30 is not connected to the second connecting terminal 102 of the front cart terminal 10, but is connected to the dummy terminal 103. However, the position of the cart terminal 10 may be lower than the upper surface 321 of the cart base 30 in the first track, second track, third track, and fourth track. In this case, the cart terminal may be provided with a dummy terminal below the charging device.

[0055] In the above embodiment, the cart base 30 was described as having a first travel path 311, a second travel path 312, a third travel path 313, and a fourth travel path 314. However, the first travel path 311, the second travel path 312, the third travel path 313, and the fourth travel path 314 may be formed in the floor surface. Alternatively, the first travel path 311, the second travel path 312, the third travel path 313, and the fourth travel path 314 may be formed by recessing the floor surface.

[0056] While several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be carried out in a variety of other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims of the invention and its equivalents. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0057] 1 Charging System 10 Cart terminals 10a First Cart Terminal 10b Second Cart Terminal 10c Third Cart Terminal 11 Bogie section 12 Support part 13. Mounting platform 14 Handle section 20 Power supply 30 Cart base 100 Charging device 101, 101b, 101c 1st connection terminal 102, 102a, 102b 2nd connection terminal 103 Dummy terminal 111 Bogie frame 112 First Caster 113 Second Caster 114 Third Caster 115. Fourth Caster 120 Operating terminals 130 Measuring section 140 Scanners 311 Track 1 312 Second Track 313 Third Track 314 Track 4 321 Top [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0058] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-173562

Claims

1. A charging system installed in a cart storage area where multiple cart-type terminals equipped with terminals for registering products to be sold are arranged in a vertical line, A power supply unit connected to the leading cart-type terminal arranged in a vertical column, which supplies power to the cart-type terminal and other cart-type terminals connected to it, Among the multiple cart-type terminals arranged in a row, a travel path that obstructs the connection of the cart-type terminals by changing the height of the arranged cart-type terminals, A charging system equipped with the following features.

2. The aforementioned cart-type terminal is A first terminal is provided at the front end of each of the multiple cart-type terminals arranged in a vertical column, A secondary battery that charges the power supplied from the first terminal, It includes a second terminal located on the opposite end from the aforementioned leading end, which outputs power supplied from the first terminal, The charging system according to claim 1.

3. The first terminal receives power from the second terminal of the cart-type terminal in front. The charging system according to claim 2.

4. The first terminal of the cart-type terminal located on the aforementioned travel path and the second terminal of the cart-type terminal not located on the aforementioned travel path are not connected. The charging system according to claim 3.

5. The first terminal of the cart-type terminal located on the aforementioned travel path is connected to a third terminal of a cart-type terminal not located on the aforementioned travel path that does not supply power. The charging system according to claim 3.

6. The aforementioned travel path comprises a front wheel travel path on which the front wheels of the cart-type terminal travel, and a rear wheel travel path on which the rear wheels of the cart-type terminal travel. The length from the leading end of the front wheel track to the leading end of the rear wheel track is the same as the length from the front wheel to the rear wheel of the cart-type terminal. A charging system according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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