Folding Shopping Cart Design Lab

EDSGN 100, Introduction to Engineering Design, Section 202, Team 6

Abstract:

Group 6 designed a shopping cart that was cut into three sections where each third collapses into

each other due to drawer slides connected to the bottom of the cart. Throughout this report you

will find specific design specifications, prototype and digital images including features and

operation instructions.
Table of Contents:

1. Introduction

2. Description of Design Task

a. Problem Statement

b. Mission Statement

c. Design Specifications

3. Design Approach

a. Project Management - Gantt Chart

b. Customer Needs Assessment

c. Concept Generation

d. Design Selection Matrices

4. The Final Design and Prototype

a. Complete Set of Working Drawings of Final Design

b. Prototype Scale and Digital Images Prototype

c. Design Features

d. Operation Instructions

5. Engineering Analysis

b. Cost Analysis

6. Summary and Conclusions

7. References and Acknowledgements

Introduction

Shopping carts are a necessity when it comes to shoppers with grocery lists of all sizes

with families big and small. However, some shoppers may have different uses and needs when it

comes to shopping carts. For instance, shoppers that do not have cars and have to either use

public transportation or walk to the nearest store will have different requirements for a shopping

cart than those with an easier access to proficient transportation. Thankfully, to make this chore

easier for all shoppers a foldable shopping cart is an option. Group six produced a foldable

shopping cart where the sides are cut into three separate parts able to slide into each other due to

the drawer slides connected to the bottom of two of the faces. Completely collapsed, the cart is 8

inches wide and 12 inches in height. This cart is easy to collapse and enlarge with a simple

design that allows for anyone to use. The capacity is 100lbs due to the sturdy plastic used to form

the box of the cart. Furthermore, this design is unique and proficient for all households.
Description of the Design Task

Problem Statement: People struggle transporting groceries from one place to another due to

limitations such as physical ability, lack of access to a car or other form of transportation, and

living location.

Mission Statement:

To create a foldable shopping cart that is easily stored and easily used and helps people carry

their items daily. It will improve the lives of those who use it.

Design Specifications:

The folding shopping cart should be easy to use (and assemble, if required).

The folding shopping cart should be ideal for transporting groceries and some other

materials.

The folding shopping cart should fold compactly for easy storage.

The material cost for the folding shopping cart should not exceed $50 unless it can be

justified.

The folding shopping cart should have a weight capacity of 100 lbs.
Design Approach

Gantt Chart:
Design Matrices:
Customer needs Assessment:

Questions and Answers

1. What is an affordable price?

a. Price under $100.00

2. What is an appropriate size (for carrying and storage)?

a. small enough to store in an average sized closet but able to carry a full load of

groceries

3. What is an appropriate weight?

a. 5lbs or less

4. What is the best material to use for the product?

a. Cloth or plastic (something light, easy to clean and sturdy)

5. What is the most difficult part about your current grocery transportation?

a. The transportation to the market (many people use a vehicle however lower income

families have to rely on public transportation, walk or ride a bike) and families tend to

not go the closest supermarket compared to those that have to walk.

6. How often do you use this product?

a. At least once a week

7. What is your current shopping cart amenity like?

a. Normally use standard shopping cart that is provided at the store. Then use plastic bags

to carry to the various transportation vehicles.

8. What are some challenges are you currently facing or possibly could face in the future?

a. Lots of bags that are too heavy to carry as well as long distances to travel that make it

hard to carry the groceries to specified area.

Final Design and Prototype

A. Concept Generation:

Design A: (Front Hinge Cart)

Design B: (Double Bin Side Hinge Cart)

Design C: (Sliding Front Panel Cart)

Design D: (Mesh Bag Cart)

Design E: (Top Collapsing Cart)

Design F: (Sliding Side Collapsing Cart)

Prototype Images:
B. Prototype Images (Scale 1:4) :
C. Design Features

This cart entails drawer slides connected to the bottom of the cart with allows for a

smooth glide opening and closing the shopping cart. This feature will provide the

ability for the most space for groceries as well as the least amount of space for

storage. This cart is made out of a sturdy plastic that grants for a capacity of at

least 100lbs as well as easy cleaning. The aluminum poles that connect the handle

to the cart are carefully constructed to lock into place when fully extruded which

can tolerate being pulled up stairs if need be. Lastly, on the first panel on the

bottom of the cart we manufactured two feet that will hold the cart into place to

prevent it from falling while not being handled.

D. Operation Instructions

To expand the collapsible shopping cart, pull outward the end of the box area of

the cart and place pins into designated holes to lock the folding cart into place. To

raise the handle, grab by the top surface and pull vertically until it slides out and locks

into place. To compress the cart push in the pins on the sides and push back the front

panel and the rest will continue to slide into its resting positions. Lastly, to contract the

handle back to its compressed position slide downward until it is flush with the surface

of the shopping cart.

Engineering Analysis

A. Cost analysis
 Summary and Conclusion:

In this project, we were attempting to create a foldable shopping cart that would be easily

used and stored to help people carry their groceries along with any personal items that they have.

Many people, especially those who dont have cars, or anywhere to park their cars close to home,

currently need to transport their groceries a relatively long distance, so we were trying to give

them an easier time in transporting these necessities. We believe that we created a very good

design that met all the design specifications, and that would be very easy to operate and to

collapse into a much smaller item for when it is being stored. Our 3D model was one of the

strongest parts of our project because it was very well done and really captured the essence of

our collapsible shopping cart. One thing that we would improve upon is our prototype because it

didnt showcase all that our final product wouldve been able to do, but we didnt have a lot of

time to make a really good one for our presentation.

Acknowledgements:

Group 6 would like to thank Professor Xinli Wu as well as teaching assistants Chris

Trianosky and Michael Gillett for the ability to express new concepts and answer questions

proficiently while adding constructive criticism to help better our understanding and skill level to

develop the best design for this project.

References

"0.250" D X 0.280" H Single End A Style Spring Leg Snap Button, 10 Pk." Zoro the Fox. N.p.,
n.d. Web. 8 July 2017.

"McMaster-Carr." McMaster-Carr. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 July 2017.