Accessory Mounting Rail for Modular Dust-Reducing Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing storage systems are inflexible and unable to accommodate different types of item containers and structures, leading to issues such as dust collection on shelves in pharmacy environments, which limits their adaptability and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A modular storage system with interchangeable modules, including rail support structures that allow various storage units to be secured in multiple orientations, enabling efficient use of space and easy access, while minimizing dust accumulation and assembly complexities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If shelves are used to hold items directly, then items can be stored and accessed, but dust accumulates on the shelf surfaces which is undesirable in pharmacy environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the item-holding function from the shelf surface itself by introducing separate containers (bins, trays, pegs) that attach to the shelf. The shelf becomes a mounting structure rather than a direct holding surface, eliminating dust accumulation on the shelf while maintaining storage functionality through the detachable containers.
Solution Approach 2:
The shelf is designed with multiple attachment points and compatibility with various container types (bins, trays, pegs), allowing the same shelf structure to serve multiple storage functions while maintaining a clean surface. The universal mounting system enables different container configurations based on storage needs.
2Ease of manufacture
If storage systems are designed with fixed configurations, then manufacturing and installation are simplified, but the systems cannot be easily modified to accommodate different item containers or environments
Solution Approach 1:
The storage system is divided into modular components: shelves, containers, mounting hardware, and attachment mechanisms. Each component can be manufactured independently using standardized processes, then assembled in various configurations. This segmentation enables both simplified manufacturing and high adaptability to different storage needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates adjustable and reconfigurable elements such as movable shelves, detachable containers, and repositionable mounting points. These dynamic features allow the storage system to be easily modified and reconfigured to accommodate different item types and container styles without requiring complete system replacement.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple types of storage containers and structures are integrated into a single system, then versatility and adaptability are improved, but the device complexity and assembly requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
A universal mounting interface is designed that works with all container types (bins, trays, pegs). This standardized attachment mechanism simplifies the integration of diverse storage options into a single coherent system, reducing the complexity that would otherwise result from multiple specialized mounting systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses consistent materials, colors, and mounting mechanisms across all components to create a visually and functionally homogeneous appearance. This homogeneity simplifies assembly and maintenance while allowing for diverse storage container types to be integrated seamlessly into the unified system design.
Data Source
AI summary
A storage system is provided including fixed and mobile frames disposed in modules forming the storage system. Each module also includes one or more mounting rails formed with engagement structures that can be utilized to attach storage bins and slat wall pegs, among other structures, to the rails in order to hold various items within the bins and rails in various configurations on the rails. The rails and other supporting structures such as shelves and work surfaces can also be secured to the frames, optionally in inclined configurations with respect to the frames. The frame structures and storage modules are readily conformable to accommodate different environments and uses for the storage system.