Collapsible Parts Rack With Slider Pivot Legs for Safe Stacking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing collapsible racks for assembly lines are either unstable when folded due to protruding components or require complex and costly designs with removable parts, posing safety hazards and increased production difficulties, while also interfering with the rack surface when stacked.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible and stackable rack design featuring leg assemblies with a slider pivot bearing mechanism that allows for linear motion and axial rotation, eliminating the need for welding or intricate mating surfaces, and ensuring components remain within the rack footprint, preventing interference with the surface and allowing safe, quick collapse and unfolding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If foldable opposing end frames are used to provide strength and stability, then structural strength is improved, but the rack surface becomes interfered with when collapsed
Solution Approach 1:
The rack is divided into four separate leg assemblies that can be independently collapsed, allowing the structural framework to be simplified while maintaining strength through the segmented configuration. Each leg assembly operates independently, enabling the rack to collapse without requiring complex opposing end frames that would interfere with the surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The leg assemblies collapse inward toward the center of the rack rather than folding outward, changing the dimensional pattern of collapse. This inward collapse pattern allows the rack surface to remain fully accessible while still providing structural strength through the constrained movement of the leg assemblies.
2Volume of moving object
If dismantling is used to provide collapsibility, then space reduction is improved, but safety hazards and breakdown time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The leg assemblies incorporate sliding mechanisms that allow dynamic movement between extended and retracted positions without requiring complete disassembly. The legs slide along guided paths within the rack structure, enabling quick transformation between deployed and collapsed states while maintaining component integrity and eliminating safety hazards associated with loose parts.
Solution Approach 2:
Guiding surfaces and constraint mechanisms act as intermediaries between the leg assemblies and the rack frame, controlling the collapse motion and ensuring that all components remain properly positioned throughout the transformation. This eliminates the need for complete disassembly while preventing loose components during the collapsing process.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If sliding leg configurations are used to avoid protruding parts, then safety is improved, but stability becomes shaky due to loose-fitting parts
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between leg assemblies and the rack frame is replaced from traditional mechanical joints with protruding pins or fasteners to a sliding interface system. The legs slide along precision-guided surfaces within the frame, eliminating protruding connection elements that could pose safety hazards while maintaining stable positioning through the constraint of the sliding paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The sliding mechanisms are designed to self-align and self-constrain the leg assemblies during collapse and deployment. The geometry of the sliding interfaces automatically maintains proper positioning and stability without requiring additional adjustment mechanisms or tight-fitting components, achieving both safety and stability through the self-regulating sliding action.
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 design provides a stable, safe, and efficient collapsible rack that is stackable in both upright and collapsed positions without protruding parts, reducing safety hazards and production complexity, while maintaining access to the rack surface and facilitating easy storage and transportation.
Implementation Method 1
a slider pivot bearing joining the leg member to the bearing bracket at a pivot axis and having a journal in contact with a linear bearing surface and a circular bearing surface, wherein the slider pivot bearing constrains, via the journal, the pivot axis to linear motion along the linear bearing surface and axial rotation along the circular bearing surface
Implementation Method 2
having a journal in contact with a linear bearing surface and a circular bearing surface, wherein the slider pivot bearing constrains, via the journal, the pivot axis to linear motion along the linear bearing surface
Implementation Method 3
a slider pivot bearing joining the leg member to the bearing bracket at a pivot axis and having a journal in contact with a linear bearing surface and a circular bearing surface, wherein the slider pivot bearing constrains, via the journal, the pivot axis to linear motion along the linear bearing surface and axial rotation along the circular bearing surface
Data Source
AI summary
A rack for holding articles, components, parts and other such items and further being collapsible and stackable upon other similar racks whether any of the racks are in an upright or collapsed position. The rack includes a shelf and a plurality of leg assemblies distributed about the shelf perimeter, the leg assemblies each having a leg footer, a leg member, and a slider pivot bearing joining the proximal ends of the leg footer and leg member thereby constraining relative motion between the leg footer and leg member to two degrees of freedom. Embodiments of the rack further include retaining tabs on the leg member and corresponding notches on the leg footer to lock leg members in the upright position. Pairs of leg assemblies may be connected by primary connecting frame elements forming a portion of the perimeter, with the pairs being connected by secondary connecting frame elements forming another portion of the perimeter.