Modular Cleaning Trolley With Quick-Release Linked Sections

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cleaning trolleys are not easily adaptable to customer needs, difficult to handle, and have a bulky design.

Innovation Solution

A modular cleaning trolley design with independently mobile units, adjustable cross walls, and innovative self-closing hinges that allow for easy assembly and disassembly, enabling customization and improved handling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional cleaning trolley design is used, then structural stability is maintained, but adaptability to customer needs deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to customer needsVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning trolley is divided into modular components including removable cross walls, interchangeable wall elements, and separable frame sections. Each cross wall consists of two separate wall elements that can be independently selected and attached, allowing customization of the trolley's interior configuration to meet different customer requirements while maintaining a manageable structural complexity through standardized connection mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If modular design with multiple units is implemented, then adaptability improves, but handling difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemodular configurabilityVSAvoidhandling ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple independently mobile units are designed with complementary connection mechanisms that allow them to be easily joined together. The cross walls feature standardized attachment points and interlocking elements that enable quick assembly and disassembly without requiring complex tools or procedures, thus maintaining handling ease while achieving modular configurability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If lateral doors with conventional hinges are used, then door functionality is achieved, but trolley bulkiness increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedoor operationVSAvoidtrolley volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using conventional hinges that protrude outward from the trolley body, the hinge mechanism is inverted or recessed into the trolley structure. This allows the lateral doors to be mounted with minimal external protrusion, maintaining smooth contours and reducing overall trolley volume while preserving full door opening and closing functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentEP2341811B1Cleaning trolley
Publication Date: 2015.04.22 ECOLAB INC
  • EP2341811B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2341811B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2341811B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention refers to a cleaning trolley comprising a base plate supported by rolling members; at least four upright hollow profiles for fixing cross walls arranged on the base plate, wherein each cross wall consists of two separate wall elements removably arranged back-to-back to each other and fixed by said upright hollow profiles; and an upper frame for securing the at least four upright hollow profiles. Further, the invention provides a cleaning trolley comprising a primary section and a secondary section, each section having a base plate supported by rolling members, wherein the primary section and the secondary section are removably connected by a connection mechanism, which connection mechanism contains a pedal pivotably attached to the bottom side of the base plate of the secondary section, and its actuation releases claws which in connection position are engaged with the primary section.