Adjustable Tray Cam Mechanism for Variable-Width Product Display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing merchandising systems fail to efficiently display and advance products of varying sizes towards the front of shelves, making them visible and accessible to consumers, as they lack adjustable solutions that accommodate different product dimensions and sizes effectively.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable tray system with rotatable cams and movable dividers that adjust the width to accommodate various product sizes, featuring a button mechanism to release the cam, allowing lateral movement and rotation, and guide rails for stability, ensuring products are displayed optimally without skewing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If fixed-width trays are used, then manufacturing is simple, but they cannot accommodate products of varying sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The tray width is made dynamically adjustable through movable side walls that can be repositioned along the tray body. Each side wall is connected via a cam mechanism that allows it to be moved to different locked positions, enabling the tray to adapt to various product sizes while maintaining structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The tray is divided into modular components including the tray body, movable side walls, cam mechanisms, and locking features. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently while contributing to the overall adjustability of the tray width
2Adaptability or versatility
If adjustable mechanisms are added, then product size accommodation improves, but ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The cam mechanism is designed to be actuated by the weight of the products themselves. When products are placed on the tray, their weight automatically pushes the side walls against the cam, causing the side walls to move and lock into position without requiring manual intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The cam acts as an intermediary mechanism that translates the force from product weight into lateral movement of the side walls. The cam's curved surface converts vertical downward force into horizontal movement, automatically adjusting the tray width to match the product size
3Adaptability or versatility
If movable panels are allowed to move freely, then adjustability improves, but stability and product skewing worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The cam mechanism is designed with predetermined locked positions that are optimized for different product sizes. These pre-engineered positions ensure that when the side walls are moved, they automatically settle into stable, properly aligned configurations that prevent product skewing
Solution Approach 2:
The continuous sliding motion is replaced with discrete locked positions using the cam and locking feature mechanism. This substitution provides stable, predetermined positions that maintain product alignment while still allowing adjustment between different size configurations
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
The adjustable tray system effectively displays and advances products of different sizes by allowing customizable width adjustments, ensuring they are prominently displayed and accessible, enhancing consumer visibility and accessibility.
Implementation Method 1
the cam is rotatably attached to an underside surface of the floor; and in which the first panel and the second panel are movably positioned between the floor and the cam and are configured such that lateral movement of the first and second adjustable dividers causes rotation of the cam
Implementation Method 2
the floor further comprises a support extending from a bottom of the floor, the support having a portion configured for placement in a notch of the cam, in which placement of the portion in the notch of the cam prevents rotation of the cam and prevents movement of the first and second adjustable dividers
Implementation Method 3
the floor further comprises a button positioned on a rail adjacent the cam, in which pressing the button releases the portion from the notch, allowing the cam to rotate and allowing movement of the first and second adjustable dividers
Implementation Method 4
the adjustable tray further comprises at least two cams... the adjustable tray further comprises guide rails extending vertically downward from the floor, in which the guide rails are positioned in corresponding channels in the first and second panels to allow only lateral movement between the first and second panels and the floor
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
An adjustable tray (1000) for a merchandise display system includes a floor surface (1024) for receiving products thereon, a retainer (150) for limiting the movement of products received on the floor surface (1024), and a first divider (1030a) comprising a first wall (1032a) and a second divider (1030b) comprising a second wall (1032b) for guiding products along the floor surface (1024). The spacing between the first and second dividers (1030a, 1030b) is adjustable. A cam (1100) having multiple notches (1120) is configured to prevent or allow movement of the first and second dividers (1030a, 1030b).