Final report on mobile vendors

Design a foldable vending cart for mobile vendors

SRISTI Summer School 2015

Parth Patel, IET, Ahmedabad University, [email protected]

Pranjal Srivastava, Thapar University, Patiala, [email protected]

Table of Contents

Abstract: .......................................................................................................................................... 3

Introduction: ................................................................................................................................... 3

Methodology:.................................................................................................................................. 3

Map of places visited in Ahmedabad:............................................................................................. 4

Existing cart used by vendors: ........................................................................................................ 5

Problems identified:........................................................................................................................ 6

Approach: ........................................................................................................................................ 8

Design analysis: ............................................................................................................................... 9

Cross- beam design ..................................................................................................................... 9

Cross- rectangular frames ........................................................................................................... 9

Simple bar design ........................................................................................................................ 9

Characteristics of all components of prototype: .......................................................................... 10

Material:........................................................................................................................................ 10

Table of components of prototype: .............................................................................................. 11

Prototyping: .................................................................................................................................. 12

Feedback from mentors:............................................................................................................... 13

Feedback from users:.................................................................................................................... 16

Future plans: ................................................................................................................................. 16

Table of Figures Figure 1: Legend .............................................................................................................................. 4

Figure 2: Existing cart ...................................................................................................................... 5

Figure 3: Kiran bhai who sells coconut ........................................................................................... 6

Figure 4: Divya ben who sells Fruits................................................................................................ 7

Figure 5: Final design sketch ......................................................................................................... 12

Figure 6: Sketch model with dimensions ...................................................................................... 12

Figure 7: Prototype without wooden platform. ........................................................................... 14

Figure 8: Prototype with wooden platform .................................................................................. 14

Figure 9: Prototype in folded state ............................................................................................... 15

Abstract:

Keeping in mind the current scenario of the space crunch that is prevalent in all the major cities

of India, especially the metropolitans; there is a serious need of urban equity to be

implemented for the mutual harmony of all the stakeholders in the current system. In the daily

life of a common vendor, the cart (lari) is an indispensible part of his/her life. It is used for

showcasing the goods of a vendor and as a storage place, sometimes doubling up as a place for

resting/sleeping. The problems identified in the current cart are: the absence of a proper

handle design to hold the cart for maneuvering; absence of any braking system or steering

mechanism; the proper storage of carts when not in use, which is the problem we decided to work upon.

Introduction:

“Street vendors form a very important segment of the unauthorized sector in the country. It is

estimated that in several cities street vendors count for about 2 per cent of the population.

Women constitute a large segment of these street vendors in almost every city. Street vending

is not only a source of self-employment to the poor in cities and towns but also a means to

provide ‘affordable’ as well as ‘convenient’ services to majority of the urban population”.

(MHUPA 2009: 1) This quotation in the National Policy on Urban Street Vendors, 2009,

describes the economic context of street trade in Indian cities, indicating their important role in the urban economies.

Methodology:

This study was carried out over a span of three weeks. The first round included going to

different places where the vendor population identifying locales for carrying out field work and

canvassing structured questionnaire that got modified while undertaking surveys and case

studies of some markets. The second round included understanding of the links of the vendors

with other stakeholders of the community and studying the daily activities of the mobile

vendors carefully.

Map of places visited in Ahmedabad:

Figure 1: Legend

2. Ahmedabad university 3. Vastrapur 4. I IMA Market 6. Delhi Darwaja 8. Jamalpur

Natura l Markets

This map shows the places that were visited during the immersion phase to interact with the

vendors and record the observations

Existing cart used by vendors:

Figure 2: Existing cart

Problems identified:

1. Muscular strain

The mobile vendors begin their routine early in the morning and finish their business late in the

evening. Their daily work involves a major part of walking around their usual market route

along with their lari (cart), shouting about and selling their goods throughout the day. They

usually carry around 200 - 250 kg. on their cart, although which decreases as the day

progresses. The combination of long distance of walking and the heavy load on the cart is quite

cumbersome for these vendors.

2. No mechanism for handling

The carts that exist in and around Ahmedabad, have a standard design which excludes any

mechanism for holding and maneuvering the cart. The vendors have to place their hands on the

edge of the boundary of the wooden platform or to grip the two cylindrical wooden protrusions

for this purpose. This causes extreme strain on the palm of the hands and sometimes causes

irritation or pain.

Moreover, the absence of any sort of braking and steering mechanism on the cart caused a

huge muscular effort to stop or slow the cart, when in momentum, and to steer the cart efficiently during turning.

Figure 3: Kiran bhai who sells coconut

3. Shelter from severe weather conditions

It was observed that between vendors who have fixed station throughout the day and those

who were mobile, the vendors with fixed stations always had some type of shelter structure to

shield themselves from direct sunlight and rain. On the other hand, the mobile vendors mostly

set up such a structure only when they were stationary at some place for a fixed period of time,

and not when they were mobile.

Figure 4: Divya ben who sells Fruits

4. Storage and parking of cart

The cart is useful for the vendors during the day, but is a bane to them when their daily

business is over. The following are the traits of this effect:

to either park the cart in a lodging and pay rent

to leave the cart on the side of the road, which is then in probable danger of

being impounded by the policemen, for which they have to pay a fine to free the

cart

to take the cart to their homes where it causes a decrement in the already

minimal space

The problems that we decided to work on were:

Storage and parking of cart

No mechanism for handling

Approach: The brainstorming sessions on these problems resulted in three prototype designs of which,

each was individually analyzed, the inputs from various mentors incorporated and the ideas re-

iterated. In all three prototype designs, the wooden platform on which the goods rest is made

detachable, but re- fixable by a locking mechanism. The initial two prototypes which are explained in brief below are in reference of the frame of the cart only.

Design analysis:

Cross- beam design

The rectangular frame has two rods along the length of the sides of the cart which are fixed at

one end and are free to move from the other end, but held by a hook. When the cart is to be

used for vending purpose, the rods are unhooked and put in a cross position on opposite

corners and fixed there by a lock mechanism. The cross beam structure provides rigidity and

added stability to the whole frame. But when the cart is to be folded, the cross members are

brought to their original position and the frame is folded.

Cross- rectangular frames

This design draws its analogy from the folding stretchers, chairs and tables that we see in our

everyday lives. Here, two rectangular frames are aligned in such a fashion so that they are joined at two points and which facilitates rotary motion of certain degrees to enable folding.

Simple bar design

The vending cart has a rectangular frame to reinforce the load capability of the cart. Hinges are

fitted on the corners and on the sides of the frame of the cart to enable folding. The hinges

need to be strong enough to sustain the pressure of the load and not get bent or deformed.

The material to be used is fixed as mild steel for the frame due to its strength. The detachable

wooden platform needs to be locked in such a fashion so as to bear the impulse when the cart

is suddenly pulled/pushed to stop/start the cart or for sudden turning and extreme

maneuvering. The hinges to be fitted in the corners need to be such that they do not move

beyond a right angle for the corners and not move beyond a straight angle for the side. The side

frame that encases the wheels has to be in the shape of an elongated 'U', over other options

i.e. rectangular block or a trapezium to maximize equivalent load distribution over the entire

frame to ensure stability.

Why not the cross- beam design?

The cross beams have different pressure points on its resting points. Moreover, the beams are a little longer than the length of the cart and can be dangerous in some cases.

Why not the rectangular frame design?

In this design, the entire load falls on the two points where the frames are joined together. This

reduces the equal load distribution system and may cause deformation.

Characteristics of all components of prototype:

Material:

Mild steel is used for constructing the components of the cart due to its strength and load

bearing capacity. The tires and rim are similar to those which are used in the standard carts in

existence.

Table of components of prototype:

Reference number of component

Quantity of the component

Name of component

Function of component

1 2 Handle To facilitate holding and

maneuvering of cart

2 4 Tire tube To enable efficient rolling

3 4 U- frame To stabilize the frame and maximize load distribution

4 4 Cylindrical fixture To hold the wooden platform

5 2 Straight angle hinge To enable bending

uni-directionally

6 4 Rim To support the wheel

7 2 Prismatic beam (length) Increased rigidity and load

capacity

8 2 Prismatic beam (width)

with hinge at ends and in the middle

To facilitate bending and added support

9 1 Lock To hold the frame in position in

folded state

10 4 U- frame support To hold the U- frame

11 1 Inter- beam hinged strip To stabilize the beams

12 1 Hinged prismatic bar To stabilize the U- frame

Prototyping:

Figure 5: Final design sketch

Figure 6: Sketch model with dimensions

Feedback from mentors:

Professor Anil K. Gupta :

Design a cart by focusing on one aspect at a time. Review existing designs exhaustively and iterate on various ideas. Emphasize on user aspects and their feedback.

Professor P V M Rao:

Can work on pedal operated cart as it is easier to pull and push, or automated carts like

battery operated carts. Give the prototype to the users for a few days.

" Test and modify.”

Javed Bhai (NIF) :

See the existing NIF cart and its principles. Think of a cart with hand- brakes.

Nitin Maurya

Are the current carts cheap to build, purchase and own? Why have people stuck to this

design of vending cart? Explore the existing system thoroughly before venturing for new solutions.

Kate Bissett Johnson

Find a clear statement of your design and create your priorities for the project. Focus on

what is the main problem you are trying to solve?

MP Ranjan

Observe the whole activity of the vendors throughout the day and try to find patterns in

them. Explore the possibility of pedal powered carts. Try and look at the prototype from a

business model point of view. It is useful to analyze negative feedback at early stage to refine

the prototype.

MK Mahala

Use lock mechanism when the cart is folded so it doesn't unfold. Attach a diagonal beam

to maintain stability of upper frame.

Abhinav (NIF)

Study simpler alternatives first and then ideate progressively.

Figure 7: Prototype without wooden platform.

Figure 8: Prototype with wooden platform

Figure 9: Prototype in folded state

Feedback from users:

Negative:

It takes time and effort to detach the tabletop and fold the frame and similarly for

attaching and unfolding. If the procedure can be made such as to reduce effort, it would

be beneficial.

We cannot keep our goods on the cart once it is folded. If there can be a mechanism on

the cart so that we can keep goods on it, in the cart's folded state, it would be better.

Positive:

It will be very beneficial to them and will save a lot of space in and around their home.

Such a design is very thoughtful and will help them in many ways.

Due to its compact size, it can be stored in small spaces and will save parking/ storage

rent.

Future plans:

We intend to take this project forward and implement useful modifications with the help of the

critical feedback, both from the users and the mentors, to solve remaining issues of mobile vendors.

The issues that we are trying to address next are:

absence of a braking mechanism

absence of a permanent shelter structure on the cart

reducing the cost of the prototype and optimizing components