Configurable Item Display Dolly with Self-Propulsion and Adjustable Arms

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Solution Overview

Problem

The task of restocking refrigerated display cases is labor-intensive and time-consuming due to the weight and size of pallets and individual items, often requiring multiple people for manual handling and movement.

Innovation Solution

A self-propelled item display dolly with a propulsion mechanism, wheels, and a lifting mechanism that adjusts support arms to change configuration from a transport mode to a display mode, allowing for autonomous movement and easy access to items, reducing the need for manual handling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual handling methods are used to transport and restock items, then equipment simplicity is maintained, but labor intensity and time consumption increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverestocking efficiencyVSAvoiddolly system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The dolly is equipped with a self-propulsion mechanism that enables autonomous movement without requiring manual pushing or pulling. The propulsion mechanism includes a motor drive system that automatically propels the dolly along the floor, reducing the physical effort required for transportation and allowing a single operator to control the device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The support arms are designed with adjustable positioning capabilities through a lifting mechanism that can vertically position the arms at multiple heights. This dynamic adjustment allows the support arms to adapt to different tray configurations and display requirements, optimizing both transport stability and display accessibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If support arms are positioned close together for compact transport, then space efficiency is improved, but item accessibility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveitem accessibilityVSAvoiddolly footprint

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of horizontally spreading the support arms to improve accessibility, the system utilizes vertical dimension by adjusting the height of the support arms through the lifting mechanism. This allows items to be accessed from the front while maintaining a compact horizontal footprint during transport.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of operation

If multiple people are used for manual handling, then safety is improved, but labor requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandling easeVSAvoidnumber of personnel

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The manual mechanical effort previously required for pushing heavy loads is replaced by an electric propulsion mechanism. The motor-driven wheels provide the necessary force to move the dolly and its cargo, substituting human physical effort with automated mechanical power.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Productivity

If trays are stacked closely for efficient transport, then space utilization is improved, but user access to items is hindered

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransport efficiencyVSAvoidtray accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS10865084B2Configurable item display dolly

Publication Date: 2020.12.15 WALMART APOLLO LLC

AI summary

Examples provide a configurable item display dolly. The item display dolly includes a plurality of attachment slots for attaching support arms that hold trays and/or items. In a closed configuration, the support arms are configured to hold the trays a minimum distance apart. In an open configuration, two or more of the support arms are separated a maximum distance apart to enable users to access items on the item display dolly. The item display dolly transports trays of items from a storage area in a transport mode and converts to an item display device in a display mode. A controller component analyzes sensor data, including weight data and temperature data, to update item display dolly inventory, identify broken/damaged items, alert users when trays are empty and/or trigger maintenance or other action if temperature levels fall outside acceptable cold-chain compliance temperature ranges.