A blank for a rack
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing exhibition stands are difficult to unfold and fold, lack stability and collapse resistance, and are expensive due to their weak cardboard material, leading to a short lifetime.
Innovation Solution
A starting plate made of a material that can be permanently deformed, designed with bending regions and elements that can be easily bent into a rack, eliminating the need for separate joinings and providing sufficient strength to carry loads, allowing for quick assembly and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If cardboard material is used for exhibition stands, then the stands are easy to manufacture initially, but they lack stability and collapse resistance, leading to short lifetime
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from cardboard to a material that can be permanently deformed (such as metal or plastic), enabling the material to maintain permanent bent shapes and resist collapse under load, thereby improving reliability while maintaining ease of manufacture through simple bending operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the static cardboard structure into a dynamic system where elements can be temporarily bent during assembly and then locked into permanent positions, creating a structure that transitions from flexible during assembly to rigid during use, thereby achieving both ease of manufacture and stability
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional folding lines are used in cardboard stands, then the stands can be folded for storage, but they are difficult and time-consuming to unfold and fold again
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates pre-formed bending regions with predetermined geometry and material properties into the starting plate, allowing the elements to be quickly bent into their final positions without requiring complex folding sequences or adjustments, thereby reducing the time required for assembly while maintaining foldability for storage
3Ease of manufacture
If cardboard stands are used, then initial production costs are low, but they require frequent replacement due to short lifetime, making them expensive in the long run
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from cardboard to a durable material capable of permanent deformation, creating a structure that can be assembled once and used repeatedly without degradation, thereby eliminating replacement costs and making the initial production cost economical over the long term
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the disposable approach by creating a permanent, reusable structure from a material that can be permanently deformed, eliminating the need for frequent replacement and making the exhibition stand economically viable for long-term use
4Ease of manufacture
If separate joinings and joining means are used to construct racks, then the structure can be assembled, but it requires additional time and costs for joinings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the structural elements and joining functions into a single integrated starting plate with pre-formed bending regions, eliminating the need for separate joinings and joining means, thereby simplifying the device complexity while maintaining assembly capability through simple bending operations
Solution Approach 2:
The bending regions are designed to self-lock into permanent positions through plastic deformation, eliminating the need for external joining mechanisms, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining assembly capability
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 solution enables quick and easy assembly of a strong, stable, and long-lasting exhibition stand that is cost-effective, as the bending regions can carry weights and are resistant to collapse, reducing production costs and extending the stand's lifetime.
Implementation Method 1
the plate consists of a material which will allow it to be permanently deformed
Data Source
AI summary
A blank for a. rack (19;21) with, at least one shelf (6;22) is designed as a starting plate (5, -21) with, at least one bending region {7;9;15;23;25;30;32) in the form a number of segments {3) and openings (4) . The starting plate (6, -22) comprises a number of elements (6; 8, -12; 14; 18, -22, -24; 28; 31) which each have a side extending along a bending region (7;9;15;23;25;30;32) while the other sides of the element are free whereby the rack (19; 21) is quickly and easily formed by bending these elements about their bending regions. The rack is strong and durable and has a long lifetime.