Multi-Surface Cart with Adjustable Wheel Assembly
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional carts struggle to navigate between different types of surfaces in materials handling facilities, such as planar and roller-element surfaces, due to wheel interference with protruding roller elements, hindering efficient movement of items and packages.
Innovation Solution
A multi-surface cart that can be modified into two configurations: wheels-down for planar surfaces and wheels-up for roller-element surfaces, using a spring-actuated locking mechanism and lever system to raise or lower the wheel assemblies, allowing the base panel to interface with the underlying surface, enabling smooth movement on various floor types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the cart uses wheels to interface with the underlying surface, then the cart can move along planar surfaces, but the wheels interfere with protruding roller elements on roller-element surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel assembly is made dynamically adjustable through a lifting mechanism that allows it to transition between a lowered position (for planar surfaces) and a raised position (for roller-element surfaces). The base panel can be selectively positioned to interface with different surface types, enabling the cart to adapt its configuration based on the underlying surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The cart is designed with multi-functionality to handle both planar surfaces and roller-element surfaces. By incorporating both wheels and a base panel as potential interface elements, and providing a mechanism to switch between them, the cart achieves universal compatibility with different floor types found in materials handling facilities.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the wheel assembly is raised to allow base panel interface with roller-element surfaces, then the cart can move along roller-element surfaces, but the cart cannot move along planar surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel assembly's vertical position is dynamically controllable through a lifting mechanism. When operating on roller-element surfaces, the wheels are raised and the base panel is lowered to interface with the surface. When transitioning to planar surfaces, the wheels are lowered and the base panel is raised, allowing the cart to adapt its configuration in real-time based on the surface type.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of having the wheels remain in contact with the surface as in conventional carts, the invention inverts the approach by raising the wheels and using the base panel to interface with roller-element surfaces. This inverted configuration allows the cart to roll along roller elements while the base panel remains elevated.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the cart includes a mechanism to raise and lower wheel assemblies, then the cart can adapt to different surface types, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A spring assembly is used as a counterweight mechanism to automatically balance the wheel assembly during lifting and lowering operations. The spring assembly reduces the force required to change configurations and automatically returns the wheel assembly to its initial position, simplifying the control mechanism while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The lifting mechanism is designed to be manually operated by the user without requiring external power sources or complex control systems. The spring assembly provides automatic assistance, and the system self-regulates through mechanical advantage, allowing the user to easily raise and lower the wheel assembly by applying minimal force.
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
Enables seamless transportation of items and packages across diverse surfaces within facilities, enhancing operational efficiency by allowing the cart to adapt to different floor conditions without manual intervention, reducing obstacles and improving load handling capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
a spring assembly coupled to the surface adjustment assembly and configured to counter a force associated with the modification of the surface adjustment assembly from the first configuration to the second configuration
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are various embodiments for a multi-surface cart that can be modified or configured to move along different underlying surfaces. The cart can include a transport unit and an adjustable base unit that extends below a bottom surface of the transport unit. The adjustable base unit can be adjusted such that the cart is movable along a first surface in a first configuration with a plurality of wheels on the first surface and is moveable along a second surface in a second configuration with an underlying panel of the adjustable base unit on the second surface.