Mobile Cart Charging Unit for Reliable Multi-Cart Powering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current shopping carts lack efficient and robust charging solutions, particularly in terms of maintenance and charging capabilities, which are essential for their operation and user convenience in self-service shopping environments.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a shopping cart with a terminal and an energy storage unit, along with a mobile charging unit featuring a housing, power supply device, and daisy chain socket, allowing for simplified and efficient charging of multiple carts, even in heavy-duty conditions, with features like rechargeable batteries, shock-absorbing coupling, and a charge distributer for multiple ports.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed charging station is used for shopping carts, then charging reliability is improved, but cart mobility and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of bringing the charging station to the carts (fixed charging), the patent inverts the approach by bringing the charging unit to the carts (mobile charging). The charging unit is mounted on a mobile platform that can move to different locations and connect to multiple carts, thereby maintaining charging reliability while preserving cart mobility.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging system transitions from a static fixed charging station to a dynamic mobile charging unit. The mobile platform can be moved to different locations and repositioned as needed, providing flexible charging solutions that adapt to varying operational requirements while maintaining reliable power supply to shopping carts.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate charging units are used for multiple carts, then charging coverage is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple charging functions into a single mobile charging unit. This unit is equipped with multiple charging ports and can simultaneously charge multiple shopping carts, thereby achieving comprehensive charging coverage while reducing the number of separate charging devices needed and simplifying the overall system.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile charging unit is designed as a multi-functional device that can serve multiple purposes: it can charge multiple different carts simultaneously, move to various locations, and adapt to different charging scenarios. This universal design provides extensive charging coverage without requiring multiple specialized charging units, thereby reducing system complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If shopping carts have electronic components, then functionality is improved, but vulnerability to damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile charging unit incorporates protective measures such as shock-absorbing materials and robust housing design to cushion and protect the electronic components (charging ports, cables, and internal electronics) from shocks, drops, and rough handling. This beforehand cushioning ensures that the electronic components remain durable and reliable despite the mobile nature of the charging unit and the rough conditions in shopping environments.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system (10), comprising: at least one shopping cart (1) having a terminal (5) for outputting and/or receiving information, an energy storage unit (8) for supplying power to the terminal (5), and an interface unit (6) for at least receiving power for charging the energy storage unit (8); and at least one mobile charging unit (11) which comprises: a housing (12); a power supply device (13) configured to provide power for charging the energy storage unit (8), the power supply device (13) being positioned within the housing (12).