Handle Assembly Force Sensing for Power Assist Carts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional carts require significant user force to move heavy or large items, and existing force-sensing technologies are complex and prone to noise interference, making accurate control challenging.
Innovation Solution
A handle assembly with a force sensing module that includes a frame supporter, a magnet, and a Hall sensor to detect the direction and magnitude of applied force, using primary and secondary springs to differentiate force stages and provide power assistance in the corresponding direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a force sensor is applied to sense the direction of force on a cart, then the cart can provide power assist function, but vibration noise occurs in vertical and front-to-back directions making accurate sensing difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the force sensing function from the cart body and relocates it to the handle bar, where only horizontal pushing/pulling forces act. This separates the sensing location from the vibration-prone cart body, eliminating vertical and front-to-back vibration interference while maintaining the ability to detect user-applied force direction for power assist control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a force sensing assembly as an intermediary component between the user and the cart body. This assembly includes a sensor positioned to detect only the horizontal component of applied force, acting as a mediator that filters out vertical vibrations while transmitting force direction information to the control system for power assist activation
2Measurement precision
If a complex sensor structure is used to accurately sense force direction, then sensing precision improves, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary sensing function from complex multi-axis force sensor systems. By positioning a single force sensor on the handle bar to detect only horizontal pushing/pulling forces, the system achieves accurate force direction sensing without requiring complex sensor arrays or multi-directional sensing capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a simplified sensor configuration that copies only the essential force detection capability needed for power assist operation. Instead of implementing a full 3D force sensing system, it replicates the critical function of detecting horizontal force direction and magnitude, eliminating unnecessary sensing dimensions and reducing overall system complexity
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 solution allows for accurate and efficient power assistance, reducing user effort and simplifying control algorithms, while maintaining stability and reducing manufacturing costs by eliminating complex sensor structures.
Implementation Method 1
a Hall sensor installed adjacent to the magnet, and configured to sense the position of the magnet
Implementation Method 2
a first moving bracket installed between the base frame and the cover pad, and including a plurality of primary springs each having one end set to a fixed end and the other end set to a free end
Data Source
AI summary
A handle assembly for a cart with a power assist function can sense the direction that a user's force is applied, and provide assist power in the corresponding direction, such that the user can easily move the cart. A cart including the handle assembly allows the user to conveniently move the cart.