Cart Connection Assembly With Spring-Biased Engagement Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cart connection assemblies are inconvenient, difficult to use, and prone to misalignment or improper coupling, leading to uncontrolled movement of carts, which can result in property damage or personal injury.
Innovation Solution
A cart connection assembly with a housing and engagement member that rotates between open and closed positions, secured by a latch and biased by a spring, allowing easy attachment and detachment to a cart retriever without the need for manual insertion of securing components, and featuring adjustable lateral spacing for various cart widths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual securing components are used in cart connection assemblies, then the connection can be secured, but the operation becomes inconvenient and difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The connection assembly uses a spring-biased engagement member that automatically engages with the cart frame when the cart is pushed into position. The system self-secures without requiring manual insertion of pins or bolts, yet maintains reliable connection through the spring-loaded locking mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement member is pre-positioned in a ready-to-engage state by the spring bias, so that when the cart approaches, the connection is already prepared to lock automatically. This eliminates the need for manual preparation of securing components
2Device complexity
If fixed lateral spacing is used in connection assemblies, then the structure is simpler, but it cannot accommodate various cart widths
Solution Approach 1:
The connection assembly incorporates laterally adjustable engagement members that can be repositioned along the housing to accommodate different cart widths. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the same device to adapt to various cart sizes while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure
Solution Approach 2:
The housing is divided into sections that allow independent adjustment of engagement members. This segmentation enables flexible configuration for different cart widths without requiring complete structural redesign
3Reliability
If complex securing mechanisms are used, then the connection is more secure, but misalignment and improper coupling increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-biased engagement member automatically self-aligns with the cart frame opening when the cart is pushed into position. The spring force guides the engagement member into proper alignment, eliminating the need for high-precision manual alignment while maintaining secure connection
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement member is pre-configured with the spring bias to create a tolerance-absorbing mechanism that automatically compensates for minor misalignments, reducing the precision requirements for manual positioning
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Facilitates quick and secure attachment and detachment of carts to a cart retriever, reducing the risk of uncontrolled movement and improving operational efficiency while accommodating different cart sizes.
Implementation Method 1
Some embodiments include a biasing element, such as a spring, that is configured to bias the engagement member toward the first position
Data Source
AI summary
In certain embodiments, a connection assembly can engage a cart, such as a retail shopping cart, to facilitate pushing and/or pulling the cart or a number of carts that have been nested together. In some embodiments, the connection assembly includes an engagement member with a recess. In an open position of engagement member, the recess can be configured to receive a portion of a frame member of the cart. In a closed position of the engagement member, the portion of the frame member can be secured with the connection assembly, thereby providing a secure connection with the cart to facilitate movement of the cart to a desired location.