Shopping Cart Holder with Dual Locking and Movable Carriage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solutions for securing smartphones to shopping carts lack effective mechanisms to prevent unauthorized removal and accommodate varying smartphone sizes and types, with inadequate security and compatibility features.

Innovation Solution

A holder system with a first locking mechanism for the smartphone and a second locking mechanism for attaching to a shopping cart handle, featuring a movable carriage or adjustable bracket to secure different sizes, along with an electronic interface for data and energy transmission, and a base station for secure identification and holder allocation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a locking mechanism is added to prevent unauthorized removal of smartphones, then security is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking system is divided into two independent mechanisms: a first locking mechanism for securing the smartphone in the receptacle and a second locking mechanism for attaching the holder to the shopping cart. This segmentation allows each lock to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall system by separating security functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary authorization verification before releasing the first locking mechanism. The control unit checks authorization status and only then releases the smartphone lock, preventing unauthorized removal while maintaining simple mechanical locking components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If the holder is designed to accommodate various smartphone sizes with adjustable components, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The holder features a movable carriage that can be adjusted along the receptacle to accommodate different smartphone lengths. The carriage position is dynamically adjustable while maintaining a simple overall structure, allowing the holder to adapt to various smartphone sizes without requiring complex mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If electronic interfaces for data and energy transmission are integrated into the holder, then functionality is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The electronic interface is integrated into the movable carriage, combining data transmission and energy transfer functions within the existing mechanical structure. This merging approach adds functionality without requiring separate complex systems, as the interface utilizes the carriage's positioning and connection capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3399729B1Automatic provisioning of holding devices for mobile telecommunication terminals
Publication Date: 2020.03.11 WIETH FRANZ
  • EP3399729B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3399729B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3399729B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for automatically providing a holder according to the invention in a base station, in which it is secured against unauthorized removal. After a customer has been identified, the system checks whether a smartphone type is associated with the feature used to identify the customer and whether a holder suitable for this smartphone type is available in the base station. If suitable holders are available, one of these holders is assigned to the customer and made available to them. Furthermore, the invention relates to a base station for receiving a plurality of holders according to the invention, in particular for carrying out a method according to the invention.