Polygon-Supported Operation Handle for Stable Cart Steering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing operation devices for moving bodies on horizontal planes, such as carts, require significant user effort due to the displacement of the operation handle from the intended movement direction, causing discomfort and inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
An operation device with at least three leg parts extending upward from a vehicle body, an operation part connected to each leg, and displacement sensors to detect horizontal displacement, ensuring the leg parts resist rotational moments and stabilize the operation input, allowing for efficient translation and turning without excessive handle rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the operation handle is connected to the unit body via two plate members laterally spaced from each other, then the operation force can be detected by the sensor, but the connection part bends and the operation handle rotates about the connection part, causing the handle to displace in a direction different from the intended moving direction
Solution Approach 1:
The connection structure is divided into multiple leg parts (at least three) extending upward from the vehicle body, with each leg part positioned at vertices of a polygon. This segmentation distributes the operational loads across multiple connection points, preventing bending and rotation of individual connection parts while maintaining accurate handle positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The leg parts are arranged in a two-dimensional polygonal configuration rather than a single-line arrangement. This spatial distribution in multiple dimensions provides structural stability against moments and forces applied in various directions, preventing the handle from rotating or displacing unintentionally.
2Device complexity
If a single connection structure is used to support the operation handle, then the device complexity is reduced, but the operation handle rotates about the connection part when operation force is applied, causing discomfort to the user
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of a single connection structure, the patent uses multiple leg parts (at least three) positioned at vertices of a polygon. This segmentation provides rotational stability and prevents unwanted handle movement, significantly improving operation comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The leg parts act as intermediary structural elements between the vehicle body and the operation handle. These intermediaries distribute and resist moments and forces, preventing direct rotation at the connection points and ensuring smooth, comfortable operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the operation handle is allowed to rotate freely about the connection part, then the device can adapt to various operation directions, but the handle displacement causes the operation input to deviate from the intended moving direction of the moving body
Solution Approach 1:
The connection is segmented into multiple leg parts arranged in a polygonal configuration, which maintains adaptability for various operation directions while preventing unwanted rotation. Each leg part can independently accommodate forces from different directions.
Solution Approach 2:
The polygonal arrangement of leg parts in two-dimensional space provides adaptability for operations in multiple directions while maintaining structural stability. This spatial configuration allows the handle to move in intended directions without rotating about connection points.
Data Source
AI summary
An operation device for receiving an operation input regarding translation and/or turning about a vertical axis of a moving body from a user who operates the moving body includes: at least three leg parts extending upward from a vehicle body; an operation part joined to each of the leg parts and configured to receive an operation input from a user; and at least one displacement sensor configured to detect a horizontal displacement amount of the operation part. As seen in top view, each of the leg parts is in a position spaced from a straight line connecting selected two of other leg parts.