Transport support device and transport support cart

Abstract

This invention provides a transport support device and a transport support cart that can assist in the transport of carts used by customers to carry goods in retail stores. [Solution] The transport support device comprises: a drive wheel that assists the movement of a cart between the bottom of the cart and the floor surface for transporting goods; a support part that rotatably supports the drive wheel; a motor integrally provided with the drive wheel and generating a driving force to rotate the drive wheel; a generator integrally provided with the drive wheel and generating electricity in response to the rotation of the drive wheel; a terminal provided on the drive wheel or the support part for receiving power from an external source; a secondary battery that is charged by the power received by the terminal and the power generated by the generator and supplies power to drive the motor; and a control unit built into the support part or the drive wheel for controlling the drive of the motor.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a conveyance support device and a cart with conveyance support.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, carts (so-called shopping carts) for transporting goods have been installed in stores such as retail stores and used by customers. In recent years, carts equipped with mobile terminals having at least some functions of POS terminals have also become widespread. The latter type of cart may include a secondary battery for supplying power to the mobile terminal.

[0003] As structural features different from other push carts of the above-described carts, for example, there are configurations in which they are partially folded or stacked during storage, and at the start of use, only need to be taken out from the storage place without any special assembly work.

[0004] Since any of the above types of carts are generally moved by customers by hand, the heavier the weight of the loaded goods, the greater the burden on the customers. Although there are existing technologies (for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2) equipped with an assist function for push carts, they are not suitable for the features of the above-described carts.

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 conveyance support device and a cart with conveyance support that can support the conveyance of a cart used by a customer for transporting goods in a retail store.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The transport support device of the embodiment includes a drive wheel that assists the movement of a cart between the bottom of the cart and the floor surface for transporting goods, a support part that rotatably supports the drive wheel, a motor integrally provided with the drive wheel and generating a driving force to rotate the drive wheel, a generator integrally provided with the drive wheel and generating electricity in response to the rotation of the drive wheel, a terminal provided on the drive wheel or the support part for receiving power from an external source, a secondary battery that is charged by the power received by the terminal and the power generated by the generator and supplies power to drive the motor, and a control unit built into the support part or the drive wheel for controlling the drive of the motor. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the external appearance of a transport support device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a perspective view showing an example of the appearance of a cart equipped with a transport support device. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a perspective view showing an example of how carts are stacked on the rails. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating the stop button. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the shape near the entrance to the rails. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the shape near the rail exit. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a block diagram showing an example of the electrical connections of the configuration of the transport support device. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a block diagram showing an example of the electrical connections in the rail configuration. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow executed by the control unit. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a side view showing an example of the external appearance of a transport support device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a side view showing an example of the external appearance of a transport support device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 12] Figure 12 is a perspective view showing an example of the appearance of a shopping cart with product registration functionality according to the third embodiment. [Figure 13] Figure 13 is a block diagram showing an example of the electrical connections in a shopping cart with a product registration function. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] (First Embodiment) Embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the external appearance of the transport support device 5 according to the first embodiment. Figure 2 is a perspective view showing an example of the external appearance of the cart 1 to which the transport support device 5 is attached. Note that the cart 1 alone is a general shopping cart, and the cart 1 to which the transport support device 5 is attached is an example of a "cart with transport support". Also, in the description, transport support may be referred to as "assist".

[0009] Each diagram is accompanied by a three-dimensional coordinate system to aid in understanding the structure. The width direction of the transport support device 5 is the X-axis direction, the front-to-back direction of the transport support device 5 is the Y-axis direction, and the height direction of the transport support device 5 is the Z-axis direction. The positive direction of the Y-axis is the forward direction of the transport support device 5, and the negative direction of the Y-axis is the backward direction of the transport support device 5. The positive direction of the X-axis is from left to right for the customer operating the cart 1 to which the transport support device 5 is attached. The positive direction of the Z-axis is from bottom to top.

[0010] The transport support device 5 includes drive wheels 51, terminals 52, 53, forks 54, motor 55, stop button 56, control unit 50, housing 59, and the like.

[0011] Terminals 52 and 53 are provided at both ends of the rotation axis of the drive wheel 51. Terminals 52 and 53 are power receiving terminals that receive power from an external source by contacting the power supply terminals of the power supply device (details will be described later).

[0012] The fork 54 connects the drive wheel 51 and the housing 59. More specifically, the fork 54 has a substantially U-shaped form with the central portions of both ends bent, the bent portions are attached to the housing 59, and both ends rotatably support both ends of the rotation axis of the drive wheel 51. The housing 59 is attached to the base portion 11 of the cart 1.

[0013] Note that the housing 59 and the fork 54 constitute an example of a support portion that rotatably supports the drive wheel 51 and is positioned between the bottom of the cart 1 and the floor surface.

[0014] The motor 55 is built into the drive wheel 51. The motor 55 generates a driving force that rotates the drive wheel 51. The drive wheel 51 rotates by the driving force of the motor 55.

[0015] The control unit 50 is built into the housing 59. The stop button 56 is provided on the front surface of the housing 59 and transmits (outputs) a signal indicating that to the control unit 50 when receiving a pressing force. When the control unit 50 receives the signal transmitted by the stop button 56, it controls the motor 55 to stop applying the driving force to the drive wheel 51.

[0016] Here, the control unit 50 is constituted by, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The control unit 50 functions as a predetermined functional unit by the CPU expanding and executing a program stored in a storage device such as a ROM in the RAM (in other words, the control unit 50 realizes the function as a predetermined functional unit).

[0017] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of a state where the carts 1 are stacked on the rail 8. The cart 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 3 in conjunction with FIG. 2. The rail 8 is installed at a place for stacking (stacking) the carts 1 and holds the carts 1. Also, in the present embodiment, the traveling direction of the cart 1 held by the rail 8 is one-way, and it is a stack in a first-in first-out system. The arrow A is the traveling direction of the cart 1 on the rail 8.

[0018] The cart 1 is moved by the operator's pushing, and is installed in a retail store such as a supermarket or a shopping mall, and is a so-called shopping cart used by customers in the store for carrying goods. The cart 1 includes a base portion 11, a holding portion 12, a vertical frame 13, a holder 14, and a handle 15.

[0019] The base portion 11 is located below the holding portion 12. The holding portion 12 is provided above the base portion 11. The vertical frame 13 connects the base portion 11 and the holding portion 12, supports the holding portion 12, and is positioned above the base portion 11. Incidentally, the vertical frame 13, together with the base portion 11, constitutes an example of a frame that supports the holding portion 12.

[0020] The handle 15 is a portion grasped by a customer (operator, user) who moves the cart 1 and is provided at the upper part of the vertical frame 13. Here, in the present embodiment, the handle 15 side is at the rear, and the protruding direction of the holding portion 12 protruding from the handle 15 is at the front.

[0021] The holding portion 12 is a cage-shaped container with an open upper surface, and loads and holds luggage (goods that the customer plans to purchase). The holding portion 12 includes a back plate 121 whose upper side is held rotatably inside the cage-shaped holding portion 12 at the rear side. The back plate 121 rotates when pushed from the rear to the front and can be flipped up. Thereby, a subsequent cart 1 can insert the holding portion 12 into the front holding portion 12 by pushing the back plate 121 of the front cart 1 at the front end portion of the holding portion 12. Further, the holding portion 12 gradually narrows in width and rises in bottom from the rear side to the front side. Thereby, when the carts 1 are stacked one on top of the other as shown in FIG. 3, the front and rear holding portions 12 are in a nested state.

[0022] Incidentally, the cart 1 does not necessarily have a form in which it itself includes a cage-shaped container (holding portion 12). For example, it may have a cage receiving portion that receives a product cage for storing products, and this cage receiving portion and the product cage function as the holding portion 12.

[0023] The base section 11 is equipped with wheels (a pair of front wheels 111 and 112 and a pair of rear wheels 113 and 114). The distance between the front wheels 111 and 112 is narrower than the distance between the rear wheels 113 and 114. The shafts 115 of each wheel 111 to 114 are supported by forks 72 having a swivel section 71. As a result, each wheel 111 to 114 can swivel by rotating around an axis 116 that is torsion of the shaft 115.

[0024] The transport support device 5 is mounted below the base section 11 and positioned between the front wheels 111 and 112. To facilitate the cart 1 moving straight forward, it is desirable that the drive wheel 51 of the transport support device 5 be positioned approximately in the center between the front wheels 111 and 112.

[0025] The base portion 11 comprises an outer frame portion 91, an inner frame portion 92, a contact portion 93, and a stopper 94.

[0026] The outer frame portion 91 has a roughly U-shape, with the bent portion at the front and the rear end open. The aforementioned wheels (a pair of front wheels 111, 112 and a pair of rear wheels 113, 114) are provided at the four corners of the outer frame portion 91.

[0027] The inner frame portion 92 is positioned within the outer frame portion 91 and, like the outer frame portion 91, has a roughly U-shape, with the bent portion at the front and the rear portion open. The bent portion of the inner frame portion 92 is folded to protrude upward and forms a contact portion 93. The inner frame portion 92 has dimensions in the front-to-back direction that are similar to the outer frame portion 91, but its width is narrower than the outer frame portion 91. The inner frame portion 92 is also formed to accommodate the bottom of a product basket for storing goods.

[0028] The outer frame 91 and inner frame 92 are designed so that their width increases from the front to the rear and their height from the floor increases. This allows the inner frame 92 of a subsequent cart 1 to be inserted into the inner frame 92, and the carts 1 can be stacked front to back.

[0029] The contact portion 93 holds down the front end of the product basket placed on the inner frame portion 92, and also has the function of restricting the spacing between carts 1 by interfering with the stopper 94 of the base portion 11 of the cart 1 in front when multiple carts 1 are stacked.

[0030] The stopper 94 is the object against which the contact portion 93 of the following cart 1 abuts (see Figure 3). The position of the stopper 94 is set to maintain an appropriate distance between the front and rear carts. As a result, when the contact portion 93 of the following cart 1 abuts against the stopper 94, the forward movement of the following cart 1 is stopped, and an appropriate distance is maintained between the front and rear carts. An appropriate distance between carts is such that, for example, the rear cart 1 does not become too deeply embedded in the front cart 1, making it difficult to detach.

[0031] Here, Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating the stop button 56. When multiple carts 1 are stacked and overlapping one after the other, the stop button 56 is pressed by the rear end of the housing 59 of the transport support device 5 located on the cart 1 in front of it. When a signal indicating that the stop button 56 has been pressed is output, the control unit 50 instructs the motor 55 to stop supplying driving force to the drive wheels 51.

[0032] Returning to Figure 3, the rail 8 has a passage 81 through which the transport support device 5 attached to the cart 1 passes, and a pair of side walls 82 and 83 erected on either side of the passage 81.

[0033] The side walls 82 and 83 of the rail 8 face each other, sandwiching the drive wheel 51 in the axial direction. The side walls 82 and 83 determine the direction of travel of the drive wheel 51, thereby setting the direction of travel of all wheels 111 to 114 to one direction, and the cart 1 moves along the direction (longitudinal direction) guided by the rail 8 without meandering.

[0034] Here, Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the shape near the entrance of rail 8. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the shape near the exit of rail 8.

[0035] The ends of the side walls 82 and 83 are beveled to form a slope 84. The slope 84 is inclined so that it is wider at the end and narrower at the back. The slope 84 guides the drive wheels 51 inward in the width direction of the rail 8.

[0036] Furthermore, the rail 8 is equipped with an upwardly projecting projection 86 at the entrance and exit of the passage 81. The projection height of the projection 86 is less than the radius of the drive wheel 51. The projection 86 has a slope 861 and a stepped portion 862. The slope 861 is inclined so that its height gradually decreases from the top of the projection 86 to the end of the rail 8 (in other words, it gradually increases in height from the end of the rail 8 to the top of the projection 86). The stepped portion 862 is the part that connects the top of the projection 86 to the passage 81 and is shaped to rise almost vertically from the passage 81. Because the stepped portion 862 is provided, there is a space between the part of the drive wheel 51 that contacts the passage 81 and the part that contacts the top of the projection 86, and it is not subjected to an upward force.

[0037] Due to the shape of the rail 8 as described above, when the drive wheel 51 is inserted from the outside to the inside of the rail 8, it climbs the slope 861 and falls from the top of the projection 86 through the step 862 to the passage 81. Also, when the drive wheel 51 is pushed out from the inside of the rail 8, it goes over the step 862 and rises from the passage 81 to the top of the projection 86, and then descends the slope 861 from the top of the projection 86.

[0038] Figure 7 is a block diagram showing an example of the electrical connections of the configuration of the transport support device 5. The transport support device 5 further includes a generator 551, a charging circuit 57, and a secondary battery 58.

[0039] The generator 551 generates electricity in response to the rotation of the drive wheels 51 and outputs the generated power to the charging circuit 57. The charging circuit 57 charges the secondary battery 58 with the input power. The secondary battery 58 supplies the power consumed by the control unit 50 and the motor 55.

[0040] Figure 8 is a block diagram showing an example of the electrical connections of the rail 8. The rail 8 is an example of a power supply device and further comprises a control unit 80, a power supply circuit 87, and a power supply circuit 88. The rail 8 also has power transmission terminals on the inner surfaces of its side walls 82 and 83. The power transmission terminals are provided along the longitudinal direction of the rail 8. The power transmission terminals are in contact with the terminals 52 and 53 of the transport support device 5 which is inserted into the rail 8.

[0041] The power supply circuit 87 supplies power to the power transmission terminals. The power transmission terminals send the power supplied from the power supply circuit 87 to terminals 52 and 53. Terminals 52 and 53 send the power received from the power transmission terminals to the charging circuit 57. The charging circuit 57 charges the secondary battery 58 using the input power.

[0042] The power supply circuit 88 is, for example, an AC / DC power supply. The control unit 80 and the power supply circuit 87 operate using the power from the power supply circuit 88. The control unit 80 controls the power supply circuit 87.

[0043] Figure 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow executed by the control unit 50. Note that the processing shown in Figure 9 is an example of the processing performed by the functional unit implemented by the control unit 50.

[0044] The control unit 50 monitors the current value of the electricity generated by the generator 551 and provides transport support according to the current value, thereby realizing transport support suitable for use as a shopping cart (usage scenario). Here, the current value is an example of a value indicating the amount of electricity generated by the generator 551.

[0045] As mentioned above, cart 1 is moved by being pushed by the operator and is used by customers (users, operators) within a store to transport goods. When cart 1 is used in this way, it should move forward when the operator pushes it to move it with their steps and stop when the operator stops walking. In addition, cart 1 generally does not have brakes to stop the rotation of the wheels 111-114, and moves and stops depending on the force the operator applies to the handle 15.

[0046] The control unit 50 controls the movement or stopping of cart 1 as described above. More specifically, the control unit 50 estimates the operator's actions from the current value of the generator 551 and reflects this in the control of the motor 55.

[0047] The control unit 50 first determines whether the increase in the current value of the electricity generated by the generator 551 is gradual (step S1). Whether or not it is gradual can be determined, for example, by whether or not the increase in the current value per unit time exceeds a first threshold. Specifically in this example, if the increase in the current value of the generator 551 per unit time is less than the first threshold, it is determined to be "gradual" (step S1_Yes), and if it is greater than or equal to the first threshold, it is determined to be "not gradual" (step S1_No).

[0048] If it is determined that the current value is slowly increasing (step S1_Yes), the control unit 50 determines whether the current value has decreased (step S2). If the current value is increasing or constant, i.e., not decreasing (step S2_No), the control unit 50 performs assist (transportation support) (step S3), that is, drives the motor 55 to rotate the drive wheels 51. As a result, the cart 1 obtains the driving force to move forward by the motor 55. This allows the operator to easily move the cart 1 forward.

[0049] Next, the control unit 50 determines whether the current value of the electricity generated by the generator 551 is less than the second threshold (step S4). This second threshold is the current value when the generator 551 is generating very little electricity. In other words, if the current value is less than the second threshold (step S4_Yes), the cart 1 indicates a near-stop state. In this case, it is determined that "the operator does not intend to transport the cart 1," so the control unit 50 terminates this process and ends the transport support, that is, stops the motor 55.

[0050] Furthermore, if the current value is above a threshold (step S4_No), the control unit 50 returns to step S1, and if it meets the criteria for step S1 or step S2, it continues the assistance (step S3).

[0051] In step S1, if the control unit 50 determines that the current value is not rising gradually (step S1_No), that is, if the increase in the current value per unit time is greater than the first threshold, the process proceeds to step S4. This control skips the assist process (step S3). In this case, the inconvenience of further acceleration occurring when cart 1 is in a rapidly accelerating state and transport assistance is not needed is avoided. As a result, cart 1 is not suddenly accelerated, making it safe.

[0052] In step S2, if the current value is decreasing (step S2_Yes), the control unit 50 proceeds to step S4. This control skips the assist process (step S3). In this way, when it is estimated that the operator is reducing the force with which they push the cart 1, that is, when it is estimated that the operator intends to slow down or stop the cart 1, unnecessary transport assistance is not provided.

[0053] In this embodiment, the transport support device 5 does not have a configuration that actively provides braking support for the cart 1. However, since the motor 55 and generator 551 are connected to the drive wheels 51, when the motor 55 is not providing transport support, the motor 55 and generator 551 act as resistance and function as passive braking support. As a result, when an operator who wants to slow down or stop the cart 1 reduces the force with which they push the cart 1, the cart 1 will decelerate quickly.

[0054] In the embodiment described above, when the user of cart 1 tries to push cart 1 to accelerate it, the transport support device 5 assists cart 1 in moving forward more easily. Also, when the user of cart 1 releases the force pushing cart 1, the transport support device 5 terminates the transport support.

[0055] According to this embodiment, by adding the transport support device 5 to the cart 1, transport support for the cart 1 can be easily provided. Furthermore, the transport support device 5 of this embodiment enables safe transport support while keeping the cart 1 from accelerating too rapidly. Furthermore, according to the transport support device 5 of this embodiment, the support is stopped when a certain speed is reached and acceleration is no longer necessary. With the transport support device 5 described above, it becomes possible to provide assistance specifically focused on the transport of the cart 1, which requires particular force to start moving.

[0056] In terms of implementation, the transport support device 5 may be retrofitted to an existing cart 1 in the store, or it may be pre-installed on the cart 1.

[0057] Furthermore, although the transport support device 5 in the above embodiment is equipped with a stop button 56, the implementation is not limited to this, and for example, detection by the stop button 56 may be replaced by control by the control unit 50. Specifically, for example, when terminals 52 and 53 receive power, the control unit 50 determines that they have been inserted into the rail 8 and drives the motor 55 to move forward, and when the current value from the generator 551 is depleted, it determines that it has hit the cart 1 in front and stops the motor 55.

[0058] The embodiments described above can also be modified and implemented as appropriate by changing some of the configurations or functions of each of the devices described above. Therefore, several modifications of the embodiments described above will be described below as other embodiments. In the following, we will mainly describe the differences from the embodiments described above, and the same reference numerals will be used for parts that are common with the content already described, and detailed explanations will be omitted. Furthermore, the modifications described below may be implemented individually or in combination as appropriate.

[0059] (Second Embodiment) Figures 10 and 11 are side views showing an example of the external appearance of the transport support device 501 according to the second embodiment. The housing 59 of the transport support device 501 has a structure divided into upper and lower halves, comprising a lower housing 591 and an upper housing 592, a shaft 593 and a spring 595 (see Figure 11).

[0060] The shaft 593 is located on the front side of the housing 59 and rotatably connects the lower housing 591 and the upper housing 592 to each other. The spring 595 is located on the rear side of the housing 59 and biases the lower housing 591 and the upper housing 592 to move away from each other. Figure 11 shows the state in which the rear ends of the lower housing 591 and the rear ends of the upper housing 592 are furthest apart. At this time, the position of the lower end of the drive wheel 51 is lower by a height g compared to the state in which the lower housing 591 and the upper housing 592 are closed. This height g is set to an extent that can absorb the maximum height difference of unevenness in the floor surface of the store on which the cart 1 travels.

[0061] This structure makes it possible to avoid problems such as the drive wheel 51, located between the front wheels 111 and 112 of cart 1, being unable to function because it is lifted off the floor. In other words, this structure makes it possible to use the "cart with transport support" even in stores where the floor surface is somewhat uneven.

[0062] (Third embodiment) Figure 12 is a perspective view showing an example of the appearance of a shopping cart 100 with a product registration function according to the third embodiment. Figure 13 is a block diagram showing an example of the electrical connections of the configuration of the shopping cart 100 with a product registration function.

[0063] The product registration cart 100 is an example of a "carriage support cart" and comprises a cart 1, an electronic device 2, a handheld scanner 3, and a secondary battery 4. It also includes a holder 14 for holding the secondary battery 4 and a support column 17 for supporting the electronic device 2.

[0064] The holder 14 is located below the holding portion 12 and holds (houses) the secondary battery 4. The secondary battery 4 supplies the power consumed by the electronic device 2, the control unit 50, and the motor 55. The secondary battery 4 is charged by the charging circuit 57. The charging circuit 57, terminals 52, 53, and power transmission terminals are the same as in the first embodiment, so their description is omitted.

[0065] The support column 17 is attached to the vertical frame 13 and supports the electronic device 2 for registering the products to be sold, and is positioned above the handle 15.

[0066] Electronic device 2 is a mobile terminal having at least some of the functions of a POS terminal. Here, "POS" is an abbreviation for "Point of Sale," meaning "point-of-sale information management." A POS terminal is a device that performs point-of-sale information management. Furthermore, a POS terminal is one embodiment of a sales data processing device that processes product registration and payment for registered products.

[0067] Electronic device 2 is a tablet-type information processing device attached to cart 1, which displays information for the customer and accepts operations corresponding to the displayed content. Electronic device 2 operates on power charged in its own built-in battery as well as power charged in secondary battery 4. Electronic device 2 also functions as a sales registration device, displaying and registering information about products identified by product codes read via handheld scanner 3.

[0068] The handheld scanner 3 reads the product code and outputs it to the electronic device 2. The product code is information (identification information) that can identify (or specify) a product. The product code is shown on the surface of the product in the form of a barcode or the like. In this embodiment, product identification is not limited to barcode reading by the handheld scanner 3; products may also be identified by technology that identifies objects from the surface characteristics of objects (object recognition).

[0069] A cart 100 with a product registration function configured in this way can be used by customers to transport goods using the cart 1, register product information using the electronic device 2, and be assisted by the transport support device 5. In addition, the cart 100 with a product registration function can be charged by the generator 551 provided in the transport support device 5, and can also receive power from a power supply device via terminals 52 and 53 provided in the transport support device 5.

[0070] The program executed by the control unit 50 in the above-described embodiment is provided pre-installed in ROM or the like. The program executed by each device in the above-described embodiment may be configured to be provided as an installable or executable file recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, flexible disk (FD), CD-R, or DVD (Digital Versatile Disk).

[0071] Furthermore, the programs executed by each of the above-described embodiments may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by being downloaded via the network. Alternatively, the programs executed by each of the above-described embodiments may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

[0072] 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, modifications, and combinations are possible 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]

[0073] 1. ...Cart (an example of a cart with transport support), 11...Base section (an example of the bottom of a cart), 111-114...wheels (111, 112...front wheels, 113, 114...rear wheels) 115... Shaft, 116... axis, 12...Holding part, 121...Back plate, 13…Vertical frame (combines with the base to form an example of a frame), 14...Holder, 15...Handle, 17...Support column, 2...Electronic devices, 3...Handheld scanners, 4...Rechargeable batteries, 5,501... Transport support device, 50... Control unit, 51...Drive wheel, 52, 53...Terminals, 54...Fork (constitutes an example of a support part), 55...motor, 551...generator 56... Stop button, 57...charging circuit, 58...secondary battery, 59... Housing (constitutes an example of a support part), 591...Lower casing, 592...Upper casing, 593...Axle, 595...Spring 71...Swivel section, 72...Fork, 8...rail, 81...passage, 82,83...side wall, 84...slope, 86...Protrusion, 861...Slope, 862...Step, 80...Control unit, 87...Power supply circuit, 88...Power supply circuit, 91...Outer frame part, 92...Inner frame part, 93...Contact part, 94...Stopper, 100... A cart with product registration functionality (an example of a cart with transport assistance). [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0074] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2006-290319 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-71244

Claims

1. A drive wheel that assists the movement of a cart between the bottom of the cart used to transport goods and the floor, A support portion that rotatably supports the aforementioned drive wheel, A motor is integrally mounted on the drive wheel and generates a driving force to rotate the drive wheel, A generator is provided integrally with the drive wheel and generates electricity in response to the rotation of the drive wheel, A terminal provided on the drive wheel or the support portion for receiving power from an external source, A secondary battery that is charged by the power received by the terminals and the power generated by the generator, and supplies power to drive the motor, A control unit, which is built into the support unit or the drive wheel and controls the drive of the motor, A transport support device equipped with the following features.

2. The control unit monitors a value indicating the amount of power generated by the generator, and drives the motor when the value is slowly increasing. The transport support device according to claim 1.

3. The control unit stops the motor when the value decreases. The transport support device according to claim 2.

4. The control unit stops the motor when the value exceeds the threshold. The transport support device according to claim 2.

5. A holding part for holding the product, A frame that supports the aforementioned holding part, Multiple wheels located between the frame and the floor surface, A drive wheel, along with the aforementioned wheel, is positioned between the frame and the floor surface. A support portion that rotatably supports the aforementioned drive wheel, A motor is integrally mounted on the drive wheel and generates a driving force to rotate the drive wheel, A generator is provided integrally with the drive wheel and generates electricity in response to the rotation of the drive wheel, A terminal provided on the drive wheel or the support portion for receiving power from an external source, A secondary battery that is charged by the power received by the terminals and the power generated by the generator, and supplies power to drive the motor, A control unit, which is built into the support unit or the drive wheel and controls the drive of the motor, A cart equipped with transport support.

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