Spring Clamping Element for Tool-Free Trolley Handle Fastening

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fastening systems for push handles on transport trolleys, such as shopping carts, are cumbersome and require manual adjustments like bending or tool-based methods to accommodate various trolley models and tolerances, lacking ease and universality.

Innovation Solution

A clamping element with multiple clamping sections, a holding element, and spring elements that securely attach the push handle to the trolley body without tools, ensuring a stable and adaptable fastening system across different trolley designs and tolerances.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If manual adjustments like bending are used to accommodate various trolley models and tolerances, then adaptability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates and time consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to various trolley modelsVSAvoidease of assembly
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The clamping element incorporates spring elements that enable elastic deformation and automatic adjustment to accommodate different trolley body dimensions and tolerance ranges. The spring mechanism allows the clamping element to adapt to various trolley models without manual bending or adjustment, achieving both adaptability and ease of assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The clamping element with spring elements performs self-adjustment to fit different trolley bodies without requiring manual intervention. The spring mechanism automatically compensates for dimensional variations and tolerance deviations, eliminating the need for operator bending or adjustment actions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If manual adjustments like bending are used to accommodate various trolley models and tolerances, then adaptability is improved, but productivity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to various trolley modelsVSAvoidassembly speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The spring elements enable the clamping element to elastically adapt to different trolley body dimensions, eliminating time-consuming manual bending operations. This allows rapid assembly across various trolley models while maintaining adaptability to dimensional variations and tolerance ranges.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The self-adjusting spring mechanism automatically compensates for dimensional variations without requiring operator intervention for bending or adjustment. This significantly reduces assembly time and increases productivity while maintaining universal adaptability to different trolley models.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of manufacture

If a standardized push handle bracket is used across different trolley designs, then ease of manufacture is improved, but adaptability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestandardization of push handleVSAvoidcompatibility with different trolley designs
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The clamping element maintains a standardized basic structure for ease of manufacture while incorporating spring elements that provide variable adjustment capability. This allows the same standardized component to adapt to different trolley body dimensions and designs through elastic deformation and spring mechanism adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The standardized clamping element with spring elements serves multiple functions: it provides a consistent manufacturing base while simultaneously adapting to various trolley designs through its elastic and adjustable characteristics. This single component achieves both standardization benefits and universal compatibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Reliability

If screw connection or wire support is used to achieve clamping fit, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity of fasteningVSAvoidcomplexity of fastening system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention combines the clamping function and locking function into a single integrated clamping element with spring elements. This unified structure eliminates the need for separate screw connections or wire supports, reducing device complexity while maintaining reliable fastening through the combined elastic clamping and locking mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The spring elements provide automatic clamping force and self-locking capability without requiring additional fastening components like screws or wires. The self-service mechanism achieves reliable fastening through the inherent elastic properties and geometric design of the clamping element itself, simplifying the overall system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 easy, tool-free assembly and secure attachment of push handles to transport trolleys, accommodating various designs and tolerances, while preventing wobbling and ensuring consistent positioning.

Implementation Method 1

the clamping element is provided with at least one spring element which is designed such that, in the assembled state, it presses resiliently against a section of the trolley body. This makes it possible to compensate for tolerances and to ensure that the clamping element is inserted in the assembled state in the trolley body, in particular in the handle bar, in a clamping and position-accurate manner.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4093649B1Clamping element and trolley
Publication Date: 2024.07.24 WANZL GMBH & CO KGAA
  • EP4093649B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4093649B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4093649B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The present invention relates to a clamping element (10) for fastening a push-handle (200) of a trolley (100), in particular a shopping trolley (100), at least having at least one clamping section (12) for clamping fastening to a trolley body (102), in particular to a trolley basket, and further having at least one latching element (20) for latching fastening of the push handle (200).