Foldable Trolley Adapter for Low Car Trunk Loading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing foldable wheeled trolleys are difficult and complex to load into a car's luggage compartment with a lowered loading platform, requiring significant physical effort and complicating the transfer process.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a wheeled trolley with a pantograph foldable frame and an adapter device that interacts with the trolley, allowing it to be easily loaded into a vehicle's luggage compartment with a lowered platform by using sliding guides, rotating joints, and adjustable tubes to compensate for height differences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a foldable wheeled trolley is used to transport goods, then the mobility and transport capability are improved, but the difficulty and effort required to load it into a car with lowered loading platform increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter device acts as an intermediary mechanism between the trolley and the car's lowered loading platform. It includes a base that rests on the loading platform and an extendable support structure with adjustable tubes that can be introduced into the empty space between the basket and tray, providing mechanical support to bridge the height gap and reduce the lifting effort required
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter device features height adjustable tubes that can be extended or retracted depending on the specific loading situation. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the support structure to adapt to different height requirements, optimizing the mechanical advantage provided during the loading process
2Stability of the object's composition
If the loading platform is lowered relative to the tailgate opening, then the stability of the car is improved, but the complexity of the loading operation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter device is segmented into distinct functional components: a base that interfaces with the loading platform, extendable support tubes for height adjustment, and connection mechanisms for the trolley. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, simplifying the overall loading operation while maintaining car stability
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter device serves as an intermediary structure that connects the lowered loading platform to the trolley basket. By providing this intermediate support mechanism, the system eliminates the need for complex manual lifting operations while preserving the stability benefits of the lowered platform position
3Ease of operation
If the basket is designed to slide horizontally on guides, then the ease of loading is improved, but the structural complexity of the trolley increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sliding guides with rollers are integrated directly into the trolley's tray structure, allowing the basket to slide horizontally on its own without requiring external assistance or additional complex mechanisms. The rollers automatically reduce friction and enable smooth movement during the loading operation
Solution Approach 2:
The sliding guide mechanism is merged with the tray structure, combining the support function of the tray with the movement facilitation function of the guides. This integration reduces the number of separate components needed while maintaining the horizontal sliding capability that simplifies loading
Data Source
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AI summary
System comprising a trolley and an adapter device configured to interact with said trolley, said adapter being configured to be positioned in the luggage compartment of a vehicle, said trolley comprising a frame, a tray and a basket, two rotating joints and two sliding joints; said tray comprising a couple of sliding guides so that the basket can slide relative to the tray only in horizontal direction, a couple of outer sliding guides for said frame; said basket being configured to slide relative to said tray by means of said couple of sliding guides; said adapter having a base configured to be supported on the plane of the luggage compartment and a couple of height adjustable tubes, wherein said guides force said basket to slide so that a lower rim of the basket is higher than said tray's one, so that between said lower rim and the tray remains an empty space and wherein said couple of tubes of said adapter can be introduced in said empty space.