Adjustable Shelving Rack Dividers with Low-Friction Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wire shelving units for refrigerated store cabinets lack adjustable divider spacing and efficient product support, leading to suboptimal product alignment and increased wire usage.
Innovation Solution
A shelving rack system with a wireframe base, divider supports, and adjustable dividers with legs that pass through holes in a low-friction support panel, allowing for perpendicular support and adjustable side-to-side spacing, reducing wire density and enhancing product alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If wire shelving units use a wire grid base for product support, then products can be supported, but more wires are required increasing complexity and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the product support function from the wire grid structure by introducing a separate bottom support panel. This panel is positioned below the wire grid and provides primary product support, allowing the wire grid to be simplified with fewer wires that primarily serve as a framework rather than direct product support.
Solution Approach 2:
The bottom support panel acts as an intermediary element between the wire grid and the products. It transfers the load from products to the wire frame structure, reducing the burden on individual wires and enabling a sparser wire configuration while maintaining adequate product support.
2Adaptability or versatility
If divider spacing is fixed in wire shelving units, then manufacturing is simpler, but adaptability to different product sizes is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements adjustable divider spacing by providing multiple sets of aligned holes at different positions along the wire frame. Dividers can be moved between these hole sets to accommodate different product sizes, transforming a static structure into a dynamic, reconfigurable one that adapts to various storage needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The wire frame structure is segmented with multiple discrete hole sets positioned at different locations. This segmentation allows dividers to be independently positioned at different spacing intervals, enabling flexible configuration for different product dimensions while maintaining a relatively simple overall manufacturing process.
3Ease of operation
If dividers are made heavy for stability, then positioning is more secure, but ease of adjustment is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a standardized hole pattern that is replicated at multiple positions along the wire frame. Dividers with legs fit into these replicated hole sets, providing stable positioning without requiring heavy materials. The stability comes from the precise geometric fit and distribution across multiple identical attachment points rather than material weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the positioning parameter by providing holes at multiple discrete locations rather than continuous support. This allows dividers to be easily moved between predefined positions by simply relocating them to different hole sets, maintaining stability through the structured hole pattern while enabling easy adjustment without requiring heavy divider construction.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables quick and easy adjustment of divider spacing to accommodate various product sizes, reducing wire usage and improving product support with a low-friction surface, enhancing product dispensing efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The optional support panel is preferably made of a low-friction material
Data Source
AI summary
A shelving rack system, having at least two divider supports extending across the bottom of a base, with a support panel positioned on top of the base, wherein the dividers are positionable from side-to-side to vary the width of the product dispensing channels between the dividers in the shelving rack. Each divider has legs that pass through holes in both an optional support panel and the divider supports.