Stackable Furniture Cart Asymmetric Caster Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing furniture carts are unable to stack efficiently, leading to increased pitch and complexity in storage, and restless caster movement when stacked.
Innovation Solution
A stackable furniture cart design featuring a body portion with inclined support portions and casters arranged to minimize interference, allowing for compact stacking and stable positioning, with a horizontal surface for upper cart support and limited caster rotation to prevent restless turning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the body portion and support portion are positioned to avoid interfering with the first casters of the upper cart, then the stacking pitch is reduced and carts can be compactly gathered, but the configuration becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by positioning the body portion and support portion offset from the centerline, specifically locating them between the first casters in a plan view. This asymmetric arrangement allows the lower cart's components to fit into the space between the upper cart's first casters, enabling compact stacking while maintaining simplicity in the overall design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements nesting by designing the body portion and support portion to be located within the region between the pair of first casters. This allows the lower cart to be nested within the spatial envelope defined by the upper cart's caster arrangement, achieving compact stacking without requiring additional structural elements.
2Ease of operation
If the casters are allowed to rotate freely, then the cart is easy to maneuver, but the casters become restless when stacked
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by positioning the body portion and support portion to preemptively counteract the restless rotation of casters during stacking. The components are strategically located to contact or constrain the casters in a way that prevents unwanted rotation before it can occur, thereby maintaining stacking stability while preserving maneuverability during use.
3Reliability
If the inclined portions contact the furniture, then the furniture is securely supported, but the configuration becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the support portion to serve multiple functions: it provides structural support for the cart body, enables compact stacking through its positioning between the casters, and secures furniture through the inclined portions. This multi-functional design achieves reliable furniture support without requiring separate dedicated components, thereby avoiding increased complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A furniture cart includes a body portion and at least one support portion. The body portion is provided with a pair of first casters that are arranged at one end in a first direction and are spaced apart in a second direction. The support portion is provided with a first inclined portion and a second inclined portion which support furniture. The body portion and the support portion are at least partially located in a region between the pair of first casters in a plan view so as not to interfere with the pair of first casters of a furniture cart located on the upper side when the furniture carts are stacked.