Collapsible Shelving Unit with Pivoting Frames for Tool-Free Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional article holding racks or shelving units are often complex to assemble and disassemble, making storage and setup inconvenient due to their intricate construction, which increases production costs and user inconvenience.
Innovation Solution
A preassembled, collapsible shelving unit with a rear support frame and pivotally connected side support frames and shelves, allowing for easy conversion between a shelf-supporting and collapsed condition, enabling simple unfolding and folding without tools or fasteners.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional shelving units use complex construction with multiple parts and fasteners, then structural strength and stability are improved, but assembly and disassembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The shelving unit is divided into modular components (side support frames, rear support frame, shelves) that can be independently assembled and disassembled through pivotal connections, allowing easy setup and storage while maintaining structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The side support frames are designed to nest within each other when folded, with one frame positioned inside the other, creating a compact collapsed configuration that reduces storage space while maintaining structural strength when deployed
2Volume of moving object
If shelving units are designed to be fully collapsible for compact storage, then storage convenience is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shelving unit employs dynamic pivotal connections that allow the structure to transition between rigid (when shelves are loaded) and flexible (when collapsing) states, enabling compact storage without requiring complex locking or fastening mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple functions are combined into single components: the side support frames serve both as structural supports and as folding mechanisms, while the shelves themselves act as both storage surfaces and structural elements that maintain rigidity when deployed
3Manufacturing precision
If shelving units use traditional assembly methods with tools and fasteners, then manufacturing precision is improved, but production cost and assembly time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pivotal connections are designed to self-align and self-lock through gravity and geometric constraints, eliminating the need for external tools or complex fastening procedures, thereby reducing assembly time while maintaining sufficient precision for functional requirements
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 shelving unit can be quickly and easily converted between a functional shelf-supporting position and a compact, collapsed storage condition, facilitating convenient transport and storage while reducing assembly complexity and costs.
Implementation Method 1
A first side support frame is pivotally mounted to one of the vertical side members of the rear support frame. A second side support frame is pivotally connected to the other of the vertical side members of the rear support frame.
Implementation Method 2
At least one shelf is pivotally mounted to the rear support frame for movement between a horizontal position supported upon the first and second side support frames, and a vertical position removed from the first and second side support frames.
Data Source
AI summary
A shelving unit movable between a shelf-supporting condition and a collapsed condition includes first and second side support frames pivotally connected to a rear support frame. At least one shelf is pivotally mounted to the rear support frame for movement between a horizontal position supported on the first and second side support frames, and a vertical position removed form the first and second side support frames. The first and second side support frames are folded upon one another forwardly of the at least one shelf in the vertical position thereof and parallel to the rear support frame to form a compact folded, layered, parallel arrangement so that the shelving unit is easy to store and transport.