EDSGN 100

Introduction to Engineering Design

Section 204 Team 2

Design Project 1: Foldable Shopping Cart

Submitted by:
Christina DeMaio, Max Gillow, Alexis Glass, Kevin Harding
Submitted to: Xinli Wu

July 22, 2019

 Table of Contents
Abstract………………………………………………………………………………….......... 1 (Alexis)
Introduction…………………………………………………………………………………… 1 (Alexis)
Description of Design Task…………………………………………………………………… 2
Problem Statement…………………………………………....…..…… 2 (Christina and Alexis)
Mission Statement………………………………………….......…..........………… 2 (Christina)
Design Specifications…………………………………......……………………..…… 2 (Alexis)
Design Approach……………………………………………………………………………..… 3
Gantt Chart……………………………………………………………………….…..… 3 (Max)
Customer Needs Assessment ……………………………...………….….........….. 3 (Christina)
Concept Generation………………………………............…. 3 (Christina, Alexis, Kevin, Max)
Design Matrix…………………………………………......… 4 (Christina, Alexis, Kevin, Max)
Selection Matrix……………………………….....………..... 4 (Christina, Alexis, Kevin, Max)
The Final Design and Prototype…………………………………………………………...……5
Working Drawing………………………………....………………..……….……....5 (Christina)
Digital Image of Prototype………………………….......…………………………..…5 (Alexis)
Design Features………………………………………...……………………………...5 (Alexis)
Operating Instructions………………………………….......……………………...…..5 (Alexis)
Engineering Analysis ………………………………………………………………………...…6 (Kevin)
Working Mechanism………………………………………………………………..….6 (Kevin)
Model Size Selection Basis………………………………………………………….…7 (Kevin)
Cost Analysis…………………………………………………………………….....….7 (Kevin)
Summary and Conclusion……………………………………..………...…………………..7 (Christina)
Acknowledgments……………………………………………...……....……………...…….8 (Christina)
References………………………………………………………...……………..8 (Christina and Kevin)

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Abstract
There are many people who buy groceries and who must transport them long distances
without a vehicle. To solve this problem, the foldable shopping cart was created. The foldable
shopping cart was designed to transport groceries easily, hold at least one hundred pounds, and
to be used by one person.

Introduction
There are many people who buy groceries and who must transport them long distances
without using a vehicle. To solve this problem, Xinli challenged his class to design a foldable
shopping cart. The design task was to create a cart that is foldable, holds at least one hundred
pounds, and can be operated by one person. The cart needs to be convenient, reliable, and cost
efficient.

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Description of Design Task
Problem Statement
The problem is that there are many people who buy groceries and who must transport
their groceries long distances. This causes a need for an easy and convenient way for
people to transport their groceries without use of a vehicle.
Mission Statement
The mission is to design and build a prototype for a folding shopping cart following the
design specifications that the cart is easy to use, ideal for transportation, able to be folded,
does not exceed a material cost of fifty dollars, and has a weight capacity of one hundred
pounds.
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 thing shopping cart should not exceed $50 unless it can be
justified.
• The folding shopping cart should have a weight capacity of 100 lbs.

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Design Approach
Gantt Chart

Customer Needs Assessment

• “I need the cart to be big enough to transport all my goods from target back to my
dorm.” -Morgan
• “The shopping cart must be insulated to transport eggs and yogurt.” -Sean
• “It would be really cool if the cart was able to swivel in many different
directions.” -Nick
Concept Generation
Each member of the group was assigned to create a drawing for a potential shopping cart.
Discussions of strengths and weaknesses were conducted on each member’s design and then
using the design matrix and selection matrix, a design was picked.

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Design Selection Matrices
Table 1. Design Matrix

Criteria Versa Cart Insulation Trolley Cart Cylinder bag PVC Pipe Suitcase
Pouch cart
Ease of 0 + 0 0 0 +
handling
Ease of use 0 0 0 0 0 -
Durability 0 + + - - 0
Portability 0 0 + 0 0 0
Compatibilit 0 - - + + -
y
Cost 0 - 0 - 0 -
Efficient
Storage 0 + 0 + 0 0
Capacity
Sum +'s 0 3 2 2 1 1
Sum 0's 6 3 4 3 4 3
Sum -'s 0 2 1 2 1 3
Net Score 0 1 1 0 0 -2
Rank 2 1 1 2 2 3
Continue? No Yes Yes Yes No No
Table 2. Selection Matrix
Concepts
Reference Insulation Trolley Cylinder
Pouch
Cart Bag
Selection Weight Rating Weighted Rating Weighted Rating Weighted Rating Weighted
Criteria Score Score Score Score
Ease of 5% 3 0.15 4 0.20 3 0.15 2 0.1
handling
Ease of 15 3 0.45 3 0.45 3 0.45 3 0.45
use
Durability 10 3 0.30 5 0.50 2 0.20 3 0.3
Portability 25 3 0.75 4 1.00 3 0.75 3 0.75
Compatibility
20 3 0.60 3 0.60 2 0.40 4 0.8
Cost 10 3 0.30 3 0.30 3 0.30 2 0.2
Efficient
Storage 15 3 0.45 4 0.60 3 0.45 5 0.75
Capacity
Total 3.00 3.65 2.70 3.35
Score
Rank 3 1 4 2
Continue No Develop No No
?

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Final Design & Prototype
FIG. 1. Image of Prototype

FIG. 2. Image of Working Drawing

FIG. 3. Image of Prototype

Operating instructions:
To operate the cart, simply unfold it by pulling the front wheels away from the back wheels. This
will decompress the bags and allow the cart to stand on its own. When the cart is open, load
groceries that need to be refrigerated into the bottom bag through the zippered opening in the
front. Place all groceries that do not need refrigerated in the bag on top of the cart. Next, push the
cart using the handles to the desired location. Finally, unload the groceries and fold the cart back
up by pushing the front wheels to the back wheels.

Design Features:
• Insulation on the bottom to store groceries that need refrigerated
• Large wheels to travel upstairs easily
• A removable bag located above the insulated bag
• Cart is foldable
• Cart is easy to use

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Engineering Analysis
Fig. 4 Image of Aluminum Frame
Working Mechanisms
▪ Aluminum Tube Frame with Pivot Point
▪ The frame of the shopping cart was constructed using a ¼” rigid
aluminum tubing. This created a high strength frame able to
support large amount of weight to carry groceries. The frame also
had a pivot point placed on it to allow the shopping cart to fold
easily.

▪ 4” 360 Caster Polyurethane Wheels Fig. 5 Image of Wheels

▪ 4” Rubber 360 caster wheels were placed on the cart to allow for easy
turning with the cart. The polyurethane is also perfect for using the cart on
sidewalks and roadways, while still being large enough to move over rough
terrain.

Fig. 6 Image of Zipper Pocket

▪ Zipper Pocket
▪ On the front lower compartment, the design used a zipper pocket to
contain the items and keep the lower compartment cool.

▪ Handle Grip
The design included a handle grip constructed with the aluminum tube in
order to make the cart easy to push and maneuver.

Fig. 7 Image of Handle Grip

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Model Size Selection Basis
The prototype was constructed to a scale size of 2:3. This size was chosen to give the
client a better idea of the true size of the shopping cart.

Cost analysis
Material QTY. Cost
Zipper 3 ft $1.99
Water Repellent Canvas 13.5 sq ft $6.87
4” 360 Caster 4 $16.99
Polyurethane Wheels
¼” Rigid Aluminum 24 ft $17.32
Tubing
Insulated Box Liner 2 $5.85
Total Cost: $49.02

Summary and Conclusions

Throughout this project many skills of the design process were developed and utilized
throughout all team members. A lot of time was put into researching for each member to come
up with an innovative design in order to create a foldable shopping cart. After all potential
designs were finish, collaboration occurred in order to fill out the design matrices. The final
design was chosen and then the prototype process was commenced. Each member of the team
worked on a section of the cart and then collaborated for the final production of assembly. The
final prototype followed the exact with design with one exception. A cross piece in the front of
the shopping cart had to be added in order to hold up the cardboard that was representing canvas.
Our group was efficient and innovated with designing the best shopping cart given the
specifications.

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Acknowledgments
We would like to thank professor Xinli Wu for his guidance and helpfulness throughout
the project. Also, our TA Nate for being especially helpful in the building process of our
shopping cart.

References
“Carr.” McMaster, www.mcmaster.com/.

“JOANN Fabric and Craft Stores – Shop Online.” JOANN Fabric and Craft Stores – Shop
Online, www.joann.com/.

“Online Shopping for Electronics, Apparel, Computers, Books, DVDs & More.” Amazon,
Amazon, www.amazon.com/.