Gravity-Expanded Folding Ball Trolley Frame
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ball trolleys have a high number of components, increasing manufacturing costs and assembly time, and require springs for bracing, making them inconvenient to fold and prone to unsmooth sliding due to manufacturing precision issues or rust.
Innovation Solution
A folding ball trolley design with reduced rods, using two main rod assemblies and four connecting rod assemblies that auto-expand under gravity without resilient elements, eliminating the need for springs and sliding seats, thus reducing manufacturing costs and simplifying assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If conventional ball trolley design with multiple rods and springs is used, then the bracing condition is maintained, but the manufacturing cost increases and assembly time is extended
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the sliding seats from the conventional design, extracting the problematic component that caused unsmooth sliding. The main rods directly connect to the bag without intermediate sliding mechanisms, simplifying the structure to 8 rods while maintaining bracing functionality through direct gravitational expansion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the functions of multiple components into fewer elements. The main rods serve both as structural supports and expansion mechanisms, eliminating the need for separate springs and sliding seats. The connecting rod assemblies integrate the bracing and expansion functions into a unified structure.
2Stability of the object's composition
If springs are used to maintain bracing condition, then the structural stability is achieved, but the manufacturing cost increases and user operation becomes inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service expansion where the main rods automatically expand outward under gravity when the bag is placed on the trolley. The gravitational force naturally drives the rods to their bracing position without requiring user force to compress springs or overcome resilient elements, making the operation convenient and automatic.
3Adaptability or versatility
If sliding seats are used for rod movement, then the expansion and folding mechanism functions, but unsmooth sliding occurs due to manufacturing precision issues or rust
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the sliding seats entirely from the design, eliminating the component that suffered from unsmooth sliding issues. The main rods connect directly to the bag and connecting rod assemblies through pivot points, removing the intermediate sliding mechanism that was prone to manufacturing precision problems and rust.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the complex sliding seat mechanism with simpler pivot connections that are less prone to wear and rust. The connecting rod assemblies use straightforward hinge joints that maintain reliability over time without requiring precise sliding surfaces or regular maintenance.
4Strength
If multiple rods are used in conventional design, then the structural integrity is maintained, but the manufacturing cost increases and assembly becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of 16 separate rods into 8 main rods and connecting rod assemblies. Each main rod serves multiple structural purposes, and the connecting rod assemblies provide the necessary lateral support. This consolidation maintains structural integrity while halving the number of components to assemble.
Solution Approach 2:
The main rods in the patent serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide vertical support, enable gravitational expansion, connect to the bag, and interface with the connecting rod assemblies. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of rods needed while maintaining comprehensive structural coverage.
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 achieves auto-expansion without external force, reduces manufacturing costs, and prevents unsmooth movement during expansion and folding, making the trolley easier to use and assemble with fewer components.
Implementation Method 1
the main rods and the connecting rods lean outward under gravity until the main rods brace the bag
Data Source
AI summary
A folding ball trolley has a frame and a bag. The frame has two main rod assemblies and two connecting rod assemblies. When the folding ball trolley is expanded, the main rods and the connecting rods lean outward under gravity until the main rods brace the bag. The bag holds the main rods at a specific angle, and the main rods hold the connecting rods at a specific angle. The main rod assemblies and the connecting rod assemblies are connected into a rectangle, such that the frame is expanded horizontally when the rods are leant outward. Thus, the folding ball trolley can achieve auto expansion without any resilient element, and therefore a user does not have to resist the resilient force when folding. Besides, the amount of the rods is reduced to eight (four main rods and four connecting rods), which reduces the manufacturing cost and facilitates ease of assembly.