Connection device for connecting cleaning trolleys and cleaning system comprising two or more cleaning trolleys
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connecting devices for cleaning trolleys are cumbersome and unreliable, making it difficult for users to align and connect them correctly due to obscured views and unintended movement, leading to inefficient cleaning operations.
Innovation Solution
A connecting device with projection areas arranged laterally and perpendicular to the connection direction, featuring locking elements that engage automatically upon alignment, allowing for easy and secure attachment of cleaning trolleys, and enabling pivoting for navigating uneven surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a foot-operated connection device is used to connect cleaning trolleys close to the floor, then the connection can be made at a low position, but the user's view is obscured and correct relative positioning becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting parts are arranged laterally next to one another in a transverse direction perpendicular to the connection direction, transforming the alignment task from a vertical/difficult-to-see dimension to a lateral/easy-to-align dimension. This allows users to align trolleys by simple lateral positioning rather than difficult vertical alignment close to the floor.
2Ease of operation
If a bracket is used to hook onto a pole of the other cleaning trolley, then the connection can be made at a higher position, but the connection becomes unreliable
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is divided into multiple functional elements: laterally arranged projection areas for alignment, locking elements for secure engagement, and support elements for stability. This segmentation allows each element to perform its specific function optimally, achieving both ease of operation and connection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking elements are pre-positioned on the laterally arranged projection areas, so that when trolleys are brought together laterally, the locking elements are already in the correct position to automatically engage and secure the connection, ensuring reliability without requiring complex manual alignment.
3Ease of operation
If locking elements are arranged on projection areas that are laterally next to one another, then alignment is simplified, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functions are merged into the laterally arranged projection areas: they serve as both the alignment reference surfaces and the mounting bases for the locking elements. This integration simplifies the overall device structure while maintaining the alignment advantage, avoiding the need for separate alignment markers and locking mechanisms.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a connection device for connecting a first cleaning trolley (12) to a second cleaning trolley (14) along a connection direction (40), each designed for accommodating cleaning utensils and comprising castors (34) for moving on a floor surface (36), wherein the connection device (18) comprises a first connection part (48) that is/can be secured to the first cleaning trolley (12) and a second connection part (50) that is/can be secured to the second cleaning trolley (14), wherein the respective connection part (48, 50) comprises a base region (52) and a protrusion region (54, 56) projecting from same in the direction of the respective other connection part (48, 50), wherein a first locking element (94) is arranged on the first protrusion region (54) of the first connection part (48) and a second locking element (130) is arranged on the second protrusion region (56) of the second connection part (50), wherein the locking elements (94, 130) are designed to be engaged with one another in a locking position and to not be engaged in an unlocking position, and wherein the protrusion regions (54, 56) are arranged laterally next to one another transverse and in particular perpendicular to the connection direction (40). The invention also relates to a cleaning system comprising two or more cleaning trolleys and a connection device.