Gathering-Type Folding Cart Frame with Multi-Directional Compact Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional folding carts are inconvenient to store due to their large volume after folding, lack of flexibility in folding directions, and safety hazards from sharp angles, with existing solutions being heavy, prone to hinge failures, and inadequate support leading to reduced service life.
Innovation Solution
A gathering-type folding cart frame with a central folding mechanism, support mechanisms, and enclosure folding mechanisms that allow folding in both length and width directions, featuring a three-section bending design for connecting rods and sliding blocks to facilitate compact storage and reduce stress on central connectors, along with enclosures to enhance strength and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If folding mechanisms in both length and width directions are provided simultaneously, then the cart can be folded in multiple directions, but the cart becomes heavy and difficult to carry due to more hinges and connecting rods
Solution Approach 1:
The cart frame is divided into multiple support mechanisms (first, second, third, and fourth support mechanisms) that can be independently folded. Each support mechanism includes connecting rods that can be folded relative to support legs, enabling segmented folding in different directions without requiring a complex centralized folding mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting rods are designed with hinged connections that allow dynamic folding motion. The first connecting rod can be folded relative to the first support leg, and the second connecting rod can be folded relative to the second support leg, providing adaptive flexibility while maintaining structural simplicity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If more hinges are used to enable multi-directional folding, then the cart can be folded in both length and width directions, but the service life is reduced due to hinge failures
Solution Approach 1:
The folding functionality is distributed across multiple independent support mechanisms rather than concentrated in a single complex mechanism. Each support mechanism has its own connecting rods and hinges, which simplifies the design of individual hinge components and reduces the cumulative failure risk.
Solution Approach 2:
Each hinge and connecting rod is designed to handle specific local folding requirements. The first connecting rod handles folding of the first support mechanism, while the second connecting rod handles folding of the second support mechanism, optimizing each component for its specific function and improving overall reliability.
3Device complexity
If straight rods are used for central connector and connecting rods, then the structure is simple, but the support is insufficient and stress is excessive at the central connector
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting rods are designed with curved surfaces instead of straight rods. The first connecting rod has a first curved surface, and the second connecting rod has a second curved surface. This curvature provides better load distribution and support capability while maintaining structural simplicity.
4Device complexity
If the cart is folded using traditional flat-folding structure, then the folding mechanism is simple, but the folded volume is large making it inconvenient to store
Solution Approach 1:
The cart frame is divided into multiple independently foldable support mechanisms. The first support mechanism can be folded relative to the third support mechanism, and the second support mechanism can be folded relative to the fourth support mechanism, enabling compact multi-directional folding that reduces overall folded volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The support mechanisms are designed with hinged connections that allow dynamic folding in multiple directions. The connecting rods can be folded at various angles relative to the support legs, enabling the cart to transition from an extended configuration to a compact folded state with reduced volume.
5Device complexity
If traditional folding structure is used, then the folding mechanism is simple, but sharp-angled structures are formed at hinges posing safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting rods are designed with curved surfaces instead of straight rods. The first connecting rod has a first curved surface, and the second connecting rod has a second curved surface. This curvature eliminates sharp angles at hinge connections, reducing safety hazards while maintaining folding functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
A gathering-type folding cart frame comprises a plurality of support mechanisms and corresponding wheels arranged under the support mechanisms, a central folding mechanism is arranged between the support mechanisms, enclosure folding mechanisms are arranged on the cart frame, and a handle is arranged on one side of the cart frame in the direction of travel; after the central folding mechanism is folded, the support mechanisms gather towards the central folding mechanism. The invention adopts a gathering-type folding method, and can be folded in the length direction and width direction at the same time after folding, the folding method is simple, easy to use, the folded volume is small, there is no sharp angle structure, and there is no safety hazard. The invention is provided with enclosures on the top of the cart frame, which can improve the strength of the top of the cart frame.