Electric Handcart Starting Mechanism for Manual-Electric Mode Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing handcarts require significant manual effort, especially when transporting heavy goods or navigating poor road conditions, and may become immovable or overturn.
Innovation Solution
A movable vehicle with a power supply unit, controller, and starting mechanism allowing for both manual and electrical operation, along with a clutch mechanism for mode switching, and a frame design that pivots for unloading to enhance stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If manual operation is used to transport heavy goods, then the handcart may become immovable or overturn, but adding electrical operation increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The handcart is designed with dual functionality, allowing it to operate in both manual mode (by pushing or pulling) and electrically assisted mode (with a motor providing additional driving force). This multi-functionality enables the same device to handle both light and heavy loads effectively, resolving the contradiction between maintaining manual operability and adding electrical assistance for heavy goods transportation.
Solution Approach 2:
A clutch mechanism is introduced as an intermediary component that mediates between the manual operation and electrical operation. The clutch allows the user to selectively engage or disengage the motor's driving force, enabling smooth transitions between manual and electric modes without increasing overall structural complexity. This intermediary mechanism resolves the contradiction by providing a controlled interface between the two operational modes.
2Ease of operation
If electrical operation is added to reduce manual effort, then operational convenience is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The handcart integrates electrical assistance while maintaining manual operation capability, allowing users to switch between modes based on load requirements. This multi-functionality improves ease of operation for heavy goods without requiring a completely new electric vehicle design, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The clutch mechanism is designed to be manually operated by the user, allowing self-service mode selection between manual and electric operation. This keeps the control system simple and intuitive, improving ease of operation without adding complex automated control systems that would increase device complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a clutch mechanism is added for mode switching, then versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The clutch mechanism serves as a simple intermediary device that enables mode switching between manual and electric operation. By using a mechanically simple clutch rather than a complex electronic control system, the patent achieves versatility in mode selection while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
4Ease of operation
If the first frame portion is made pivotable for unloading, then ease of operation is improved, but stability during transport may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The first frame portion is designed to be dynamically adjustable, allowing it to pivot from a stable transport position to an inclined unloading position. This dynamic capability enables easy unloading operation while maintaining frame stability during transport when the frame portion is held in its fixed position. The pivotability is controlled to ensure stability is maintained when needed.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides a movable vehicle. The movable vehicle comprises a carrying mechanism and a holding mechanism connected to the carrying mechanism, and the bottom of the carrying mechanism is provided with wheels, wherein the movable vehicle further comprises a starting mechanism arranged on the holding mechanism, the starting mechanism comprising a starting unit, a power supply unit, and a controller. The starting unit is configured to be switchable between an initial position and a start position. The controller is configured to be electrically connectable to the power supply unit, wherein when the starting unit is in the start position, the starting unit is coupled to the controller to activate the electrical connection between the controller and the power supply unit, and when the starting unit is in the initial position, the starting unit is decoupled from the controller. According to the above solution, a user can easily activate the electrical connection between the controller and the power supply unit simply by operating the starting unit on the holding mechanism, thereby allowing the controller to further perform various control operations.