Foldable Trolley Triangular Support and Lock Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing foldable trolleys have insufficient support after expansion, leading to safety issues when heavy objects or children are placed on them, and their folding mechanisms are complex and inconvenient.
Innovation Solution
A foldable trolley with a convenient folding structure, featuring a foldable frame with a support rod assembly and a folding lock-release mechanism. The support rod assembly includes an intermediate upright rod and sliding upright rods that form a triangular support structure upon expansion, enhancing stability and safety. The folding lock-release mechanism allows for easy expansion and folding with a simple unlocking process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the foldable frame uses a simple single rod structure, then the folding operation is simple, but the supporting strength is insufficient and safety is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The single supporting rod is segmented into multiple components: an intermediate upright rod divided into first and second segments, along with front and rear sliding upright rods. This segmentation allows the structure to maintain strength while enabling folding operations through relative movement of segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The supporting structure transitions from a one-dimensional single rod to a two-dimensional triangular configuration by adding front and rear sliding upright rods that extend laterally. This dimensional change creates a stable triangular support structure that significantly enhances supporting strength while maintaining foldability.
2Strength
If the foldable frame uses a triangular support structure, then the stability and supporting strength are improved, but the folding operation becomes complicated and inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The triangular support structure incorporates dynamic elements: the front and rear sliding upright rods can slide along the first and second segments of the intermediate upright rod. This dynamic capability allows the structure to transition between an expanded stable configuration and a folded compact configuration, resolving the contradiction between stability and ease of folding.
Solution Approach 2:
The sliding connection mechanism acts as an intermediary between the fixed triangular support structure and the folding requirement. It mediates the transition by allowing controlled relative movement of the rods while maintaining the structural integrity of the triangular configuration during the folding process.
3Strength
If the intermediate upright rod is made longer to improve support, then the supporting strength increases, but the rod is more prone to damage and fracture
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate upright rod is segmented into a first segment and a second segment, which can move relative to each other. This segmentation reduces the length of any single rod segment, thereby reducing the risk of fracture while maintaining the overall supporting height and strength through the extended configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of increasing the length of a single vertical rod, the support structure distributes the height across multiple rods arranged in a triangular configuration. This dimensional redistribution reduces the stress on any single rod while maintaining overall supporting capability.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the foldable frame uses multiple rods to improve stability, then the overall structure becomes more complex, but the folding mechanism remains inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The multiple rods are connected through dynamic sliding joints rather than fixed connections. This allows the complex multi-rod structure to move as a coordinated unit during folding, reducing the operational complexity despite the increased structural complexity. The sliding mechanism provides a natural folding path for all rods simultaneously.
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
The design provides improved stability and safety by distributing weight more evenly and preventing the intermediate upright rod from damage. The folding mechanism is simplified, making it easier and more convenient to fold and expand the trolley.
Implementation Method 1
a first elastic element, which is arranged between the front lower rod and the second limiting member for pushing the second limiting member along the radial direction of the front lower rod
Implementation Method 2
a second elastic element, which is arranged between the rear lower rod and the fourth limiting member for pushing the fourth limiting member along the radial direction of the rear lower rod
Implementation Method 3
a third elastic element, which is arranged between the front unlocking slider and the front lower rod, wherein the third elastic element is compressed when the front unlocking slider moves along the length direction close to the lower connecting rod
Implementation Method 4
a fourth elastic element, which is arranged between the rear unlocking slider and the rear lower rod, wherein the fourth elastic element is compressed when the rear unlocking slider moves along the length direction close to the lower connecting rod
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses a foldable trolley with convenient folding structure, comprising an tipper folding frame, a lower folding frame and a supporting rod assembly. Sliding ends of both the front and rear sliding upright rods slide closely or backwardly as the lower folding frame is folded or expanded, thus to form a triangular support arm structure, thereby strengthening the stability of overall structure. Besides, a folding lock-release mechanism is provided, when the foldable frame is expanded, the front and rear locking assemblies thereof respectively limit the front and rear sliding upright rods to slide; when the foldable frame is folded, the front and rear locking assemblies release limitation of the front and rear sliding upright rods respectively through the unlocking assembly. The foldable frame can be folded by simply lifting the upper connecting rod up, thus one key locking or unlocking is achieved, and the operation is convenient.