Foldable Utility Cart Coupling for Modular Unit Stacking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transportation devices for modular units are inefficient in terms of space utilization and mobility, particularly on worksites where multiple units need to be moved and stacked efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A foldable utility cart with a pivotally coupled upper and lower housing and a foot, equipped with male and female couplers, allowing for multiple configurations to accommodate different sizes and orientations of modular units, and enabling easy stacking and integration within a modular system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the mobile support device uses a rigid, non-folding structure to support utility modules, then the structural strength and stability are improved, but the device complexity and transport difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile support device is divided into separable components including an upper housing, lower housing, and foot assembly that can be independently positioned and configured. This segmentation allows the device to maintain structural integrity when needed while enabling folding and reconfiguration for transport, resolving the contradiction between strength and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates dynamic elements such as the foot assembly that can rotate between extended and retracted positions, and the upper and lower housings that can be positioned in different configurations. This dynamic capability allows the structure to adapt between a rigid support configuration and a compact transport configuration, maintaining strength when needed while reducing complexity during transport.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the mobile support device is designed with a fixed, non-folding structure, then the stability and support capability are improved, but the ease of operation and transport ease deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The foot assembly is designed to rotate between extended and retracted positions, allowing the device to achieve a stable extended configuration during operation and a compact retracted configuration for transport. This dynamic capability directly resolves the contradiction between stability and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates self-latching mechanisms and automatic engagement features for the couplers that reduce the manual effort required to configure and secure utility modules. This self-service capability maintains stability while improving ease of operation during module attachment and device configuration.
3Device complexity
If the mobile support device uses a simple, non-modular design, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability and versatility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile support device incorporates universal couplers (male and female) that can engage with various utility modules with different configurations. This universal interface design allows a single device to support multiple types of modules and configurations without increasing overall device complexity, directly resolving the contradiction between complexity and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The device allows for parameter changes in its configuration through the adjustable positioning of the upper and lower housings and the rotatable foot assembly. These parameter changes enable the device to adapt to different utility module sizes, weights, and configurations while maintaining a relatively simple base structure, resolving the contradiction between complexity and versatility.
4Productivity
If the mobile support device maintains an extended configuration, then the support capacity and functionality are improved, but the storage space requirement and transport difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The foot assembly is designed to rotate between extended and retracted positions, allowing the device to achieve a stable extended configuration during operation for maximum support capacity and a compact retracted configuration for reduced storage volume during transport, directly resolving the contradiction between productivity and volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The upper housing and foot assembly are designed to nest within or alongside the lower housing when in the retracted configuration. This nesting arrangement minimizes the overall volume of the device during transport while maintaining full functionality when extended, resolving the contradiction between support capacity and storage space requirement.
Data Source
AI summary
A transportation device configured to detachably engage with units, such as modular units, is provided. The transportation device is configured to actuate between an open position and a closed position. In the open position the transportation device is configured to couple to and help move one or more units, such as modular units. In the closed position, the transportation device is configured to engage with units, such as modular units, for easier movement of the transportation device.