Article Support Rack with Rib Portions for Closer Horizontal Spacing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing article support racks have inefficient storage due to large distances between horizontally adjacent articles, which compromises storage efficiency while maintaining structural strength.
Innovation Solution
The article support rack design incorporates shelf rows with rib portions that extend from shelf support members, positioned between adjacent articles to reduce separation distance and enhance structural strength by supporting articles from below with plate-shaped main body portions and cantilever-fashion shelf support members, ensuring proper structural integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If vertical support frame members are provided to separate storage sections, then structural strength is maintained, but the distance between horizontally adjacent articles increases, reducing storage efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a conventional vertical support structure to a horizontal support structure by inverting the rack so that the back surface serves as the support base. This dimensional reorientation eliminates the need for vertical support frame members that would obstruct article placement, allowing articles to be arranged closely in the horizontal direction while the back surface provides the necessary structural support.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies inversion by flipping the conventional rack orientation - instead of supporting articles from below with vertical frames, the rack is inverted so that the back surface becomes the support structure. This inversion removes the obstructing vertical support frame members and allows for maximum article density while maintaining structural integrity through the inverted configuration.
2Productivity
If articles are placed closer together, then storage efficiency improves, but structural strength of rack portions may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
By reorienting the support structure from vertical to horizontal (using the back surface as the support base), the patent enables closer horizontal article spacing without compromising strength. The structural support function is transferred to the back surface and horizontal support members, allowing articles to be positioned at minimum spacing while maintaining adequate support strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the support function into separate components: the back surface provides the primary support structure, while horizontal support members provide additional reinforcement. This segmentation allows articles to be placed closer together while the distributed support system maintains overall structural strength.
Data Source
AI summary
An article support rack is disclosed having a plurality of rack portions. Each shelf row includes one or more main body portions and rib portions, and is supported by shelf support members in a cantilever fashion from a back-face side. Each of the rib portions is located, in plan view, between two articles that are adjacent to each other along a first direction and that are supported by a lower level shelf row which is one of the shelf rows that is located one level below a shelf row to which the rib portion is provided. Each of the rib portions has a first portion located higher than lower level articles each of which is an article supported by the lower level shelf row, and a second portion located lower than the first portion. Each second portion is so located that the second portion does not overlap with the maximum width areas of a lower level article as seen along the first direction.