Offset Handle Design for Compact Trolley Stacking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current transport trolleys have a relatively large stacking distance due to the design of their handles, which limits the efficiency of space utilization when stacking multiple trolleys, leading to increased shipping costs.

Innovation Solution

The handles are designed with offset or angled handle sections relative to the fastening sections, allowing for an overlapping arrangement when trolleys are stacked, reducing the stacking distance and enabling more trolleys to be accommodated in the same space.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If the handles are arranged one behind the other in a stacked formation with conventional design, then the handles are structurally simple and easy to manufacture, but the stacking distance between individual trolleys is relatively large

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestacking distanceVSAvoidhandle structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The handle sections are arranged at an angle to the fastening sections, transitioning from a conventional linear arrangement to an angular/offset configuration. This dimensional change in the handle geometry allows the handle sections to overlap with fastening sections of adjacent trolleys when stacked, reducing the stacking distance without complicating the manufacturing process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The handle sections are positioned to nest within or overlap the fastening sections of adjacent trolleys in the stacked formation. This nested arrangement allows the handles of one trolley to occupy the same spatial envelope as the fastening sections of the trolley above or below it, minimizing the vertical space required for stacking

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Productivity

If the handles are arranged in a stacked formation with larger spacing, then the handle structure is simpler, but the space utilization when stacking multiple trolleys is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace utilizationVSAvoidhandle design complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

By changing the angular relationship between handle sections and fastening sections, the patent enables a more compact three-dimensional arrangement of stacked trolleys. This dimensional optimization allows trolleys to be stacked closer together, increasing the number of trolleys that can be accommodated in a given storage or shipping space

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The handle sections and fastening sections are merged in space through the overlapping arrangement. When trolleys are stacked, the handle sections of one trolley occupy the same spatial region as the fastening sections of adjacent trolleys, effectively combining their functional elements into a compact stacked configuration that maximizes space utilization

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2615008B1Manually moveable transport trolley, which can be stacked with the same trolley
Publication Date: 2015.09.23 EBERLEIN MARTIN
  • EP2615008B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2615008B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The hand movable carriage (1) has a pair of grips (2), which is provided for pushing and pulling the carriage. Each grip (3) of the pair of grips has a fastening section (4) for fastening the grip at the carriage. The grip also has a grip section (5), where the grip section is connected with each grip over a connecting section (6) with the fastening section. An arrangement of the connecting section of each grip is selected such that the grip section of each grip is arranged from above or in sliding direction of the carriage.