Folding Cart with Sliding Hinge Mechanism for Compact Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing folding carts cannot be completely folded due to non-foldable frames on the front and back sides, resulting in significant space occupation and an unsatisfactory user experience.
Innovation Solution
A folding cart design featuring a frame with pillars, bottom folding frames, transverse folding frames, and longitudinal folding frames, where all sides can be folded by hinged connections and sliding mechanisms, allowing for complete folding and reduced space occupation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the front and back frames are made non-foldable to maintain structural stability, then the cart can support larger loads and maintain better posture, but the cart cannot be completely folded and occupies large space when not in use
Solution Approach 1:
The cart frame is divided into multiple independent folding sections: front folding frame, rear folding frame, left transverse folding frame, and right transverse folding frame. Each section can be folded independently through its own hinge mechanism, allowing the cart to be completely folded into a compact configuration while maintaining structural integrity during use.
Solution Approach 2:
The cart employs dynamic folding mechanisms with hinges and sliding blocks that allow the frame to transition between extended (usable) and folded (storage) states. The sliding blocks move along the pillars to enable controlled folding and unfolding of each frame section, providing adaptability between operational and storage configurations.
2Ease of operation
If the cart frame is designed to be completely foldable to reduce space occupation, then the cart becomes more portable and easy to store, but the folding mechanism becomes more complex and may reduce structural stability
Solution Approach 1:
The folding mechanism is segmented into independent units at each corner of the cart, with each corner having its own hinge and sliding block assembly. This modular approach allows the cart to be folded section by section without requiring a complex centralized folding system, maintaining ease of operation while distributing structural complexity across multiple simple, reliable components.
Solution Approach 2:
When folded, the frame sections nest within each other in a compact configuration. The sliding blocks move to positions that allow the transverse and longitudinal folding frames to collapse inward, creating a nested structure that minimizes the overall volume while keeping the mechanism relatively simple through efficient use of space.
3Ease of manufacture
If the cart uses simple fixed frame structure to maintain stability and ease of manufacture, then the cart is easier to produce and maintains good structural integrity, but the cart cannot be folded and occupies large space
Solution Approach 1:
The frame is segmented into modular sections that can be manufactured separately and then assembled using hinge connections. This segmentation allows each component to be produced using standard manufacturing processes while enabling the overall structure to be folded. The modular design does not significantly increase manufacturing complexity compared to a fixed frame, while achieving the desired folding capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The design incorporates simple dynamic elements (hinges and sliding blocks) that add folding capability without requiring complex mechanisms. These simple dynamic components are easily manufactured and assembled, providing the necessary folding function while maintaining relative ease of manufacture through the use of basic mechanical elements rather than complex systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A folding cart having a frame and casters mounted at the bottom of the frame. The frame having a plurality of pillars, a plurality of pairs of bottom folding frames hinged to the pillars, and a plurality of pairs of transverse folding frames and longitudinal folding frames hinged between the pillars, such that four sides of the folding cart can be folded. Fixing blocks are mounted at top ends of the pillars, slidable sliders are arranged on the pillars, lower ends of outer sides of the transverse folding frames and the longitudinal folding frames are hinged to the sliders, upper ends of the outer sides of the transverse folding frames and the longitudinal folding frames are hinged to the fixing blocks, and the sliders slide to drive the transverse folding frames and the longitudinal folding frames to be folded or unfolded.