Clip-On Adaptor for Pivotable Shelf Divider on Wire Shelves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Many wire shelves have only one set of uniformly spaced parallel wires with few cross wires, making it difficult to mount pivotable dividers that require perpendicular axes for rotation, limiting their functionality in inventory management systems.
Innovation Solution
An adaptor with a frame, axle, and snap-fit connectors that secures onto parallel wires, allowing the divider to pivot around an axis perpendicular to the wires, enabling the use of hinge clips for rotation and locking mechanisms for easy mounting and dismounting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If wire shelves have only one set of uniformly spaced parallel wires with few cross wires, then the shelf structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but it becomes difficult to mount pivotable dividers that require perpendicular axes for rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The adaptor serves as an intermediary component between the wire shelf and the pivotable divider. It includes a frame with simulated wires that attach to the existing parallel wires of the shelf, creating a perpendicular mounting surface. This mediator enables the divider to pivot around an axis perpendicular to the shelf wires without requiring the shelf itself to have a complex wire configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The adaptor introduces a new dimensional orientation by creating simulated wires that extend perpendicular to the shelf's parallel wires. The frame structure adds a second spatial dimension for wire engagement, allowing the divider to rotate around an axis that is perpendicular to the original wire direction, thus solving the mounting limitation
2Ease of operation
If pivotable dividers are mounted on wire shelves with perpendicular rotation axes, then easy access to reserve stock is enabled, but the shelf structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into three independent components: the wire shelf, the adaptor, and the pivotable divider. The adaptor is a separate module that can be attached to the simple wire shelf to provide pivotable divider mounting. This segmentation allows the shelf structure to remain simple while adding the functionality of easy stock access through the detachable adaptor-divider assembly
3Ease of operation
If adaptor is secured onto parallel wires using snap-fit connectors, then easy mounting and dismounting is achieved, but the connection strength may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The snap-fit connectors provide a dynamic connection that can be easily engaged and disengaged. The connectors are designed to flex and lock onto the parallel wires securely during normal operation, then can be deliberately released when needed. This dynamic characteristic enables both easy mounting/dismounting and adequate connection strength during use
Data Source
AI summary
An adaptor for facilitating mounting of a shelf divider for pivoting around an axis perpendicular to uniformly spaced apart wires of a shelf include a frame having side members that are fixedly spaced apart, an axle extending between the side members on which a shelf divider can be pivotably mounted, and snap-fit connectors configured to releasably secure the adaptor onto spaced apart parallel wires of a wire shelf.