Remote-Controlled Cart Distance Control on Uneven Ground
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing personal transportation devices for items, such as shopping carts and robots, are bulky, expensive, require physical effort, are not user-friendly, and struggle with uneven terrain, limiting their accessibility and convenience for various user groups, including the elderly and handicapped.
Innovation Solution
A remote-controlled personal cart system with a base, wheels, a battery, motor, sensor system, and a detachable basket, equipped with a back sliding system for stability on uneven ground, controlled via a remote device that maintains a user-defined distance and speed, allowing efficient navigation on various surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If autonomous devices are used for carrying purchased products, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex autonomous navigation systems with a simple remote control system using radio frequency communication. The cart responds to directional commands (forward, backward, left, right) and speed control signals from a handheld remote, eliminating the need for complex sensors, processors, and autonomous decision-making algorithms while maintaining transportation functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs inexpensive radio frequency transmitters and receivers instead of expensive autonomous navigation stacks. The remote control device uses standard RF communication modules that are cost-effective and widely available, making the system economically viable without requiring sophisticated autonomous technology
2Ease of operation
If traditional shopping carts are used, then ease of operation is improved for flat surfaces, but adaptability to uneven terrain deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a suspension system with springs and shock absorbers that dynamically adapts to terrain variations. The suspension allows the cart to maintain stability and comfort whether on flat surfaces or uneven ground, automatically adjusting to the terrain conditions without requiring manual intervention or complex active control systems
Solution Approach 2:
The cart is designed with universal terrain adaptability through its suspension system and robust wheel configuration, enabling it to function effectively across diverse surfaces including flat floors, cobblestones, grass, and slight inclines, making it suitable for multiple environments without requiring different specialized designs
3Productivity
If bulky autonomous robots are deployed, then productivity is improved, but ease of manufacture and storage deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cart is designed as a modular system with separable components including the basket, base, suspension system, and wheel assembly. This segmentation enables simplified manufacturing where each module can be produced independently and assembled together, reducing overall manufacturing complexity while maintaining functional integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The cart features a collapsible or foldable design capability that allows it to transition from an expanded operational state to a compact storage state. This dynamic configuration reduces the space required for storage and transportation of the cart itself, making it more practical despite its functional capabilities
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a remote-controlled personal cart system (100) for transporting items, the remote-controlled personal cart system comprising a cart (102), which comprises a base (104), a basket (110) and a remote-control device (140). The base comprises at least four wheels (106A, 106B, 106C, 106D) comprising at least two driving wheels (106A, 106B) on the front and at least two back wheels (106C, 106D), a back sliding system (108) between the at least two back wheels, the sliding system being configured to support the cart, when driving on an uneven ground, a battery (112), a receiver (114), at least one motor (116), and at least one sensor system (118) operable to detect obstacles. The basket (110) is detachably placed on the base, the basket comprises an empty space configured to accommodate the items. The remote- control device (140) is for controlling a movement and a speed (v1) of the cart. The remote-control device comprises a transmitter and at least one sensor element operable to measure a distance (L) between the remote-control device and the cart. The remote-control device is operable to control the speed of the cart to keep the distance (L) within a range from 1 meter up to 3 meters during the movement of the cart.