Concealed Spring-Pin Shelf Assembly for Fast One-Person Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shelves require lengthy assembly times, often necessitate the use of multiple tools, and result in an unappealing aesthetic due to visible fixing pins, necessitating at least two persons for mounting.
Innovation Solution
The shelf incorporates elastic means and guide mechanisms for fixing pins, allowing single-person assembly without visible fasteners, as the pins are hidden once engaged, utilizing a spring-loaded pin system that moves from a non-operative to operative position within a guide housing for secure fixation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional fixing pins and through-holes are used to fix planes to uprights, then the shelf structure is stable, but the assembly process requires long working times and multiple tools
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing pin is transformed from a static component requiring manual insertion into a dynamic spring-loaded mechanism that automatically engages with the seating. The elastic means (spring) enables the pin to move between retracted and extended positions, allowing automatic engagement with the seating when the plane is inserted between uprights, thereby eliminating the need for tools and multiple persons while maintaining secure fixation.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixing pin system is designed to perform its own insertion and engagement operations without external assistance. The spring-loaded pin automatically extends and engages with the seating when the plane is positioned between the uprights, and the guide means ensures proper alignment. This self-servicing mechanism eliminates the need for tools and reduces assembly to a simple one-person operation.
2Reliability
If traditional fixing pins are used to secure planes to uprights, then the shelf is structurally sound, but the fixing pins and work operations are visible resulting in poor aesthetic appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The visible portion of the fixing pin is extracted or removed from the final assembled state. The guide means is designed to conceal the fixing pin within its housing, so that once the plane is assembled between the uprights, the fixing pin is not visible from the exterior. This extraction of the visible element maintains structural integrity while achieving a clean aesthetic appearance.
3Ease of manufacture
If multiple tools and persons are used for assembly operations, then the fixing pins can be properly inserted, but the assembly process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing pin system is designed to perform its own insertion and engagement operations without external assistance. The spring-loaded pin automatically extends and engages with the seating when the plane is positioned between the uprights, and the guide means ensures proper alignment. This self-servicing mechanism eliminates the need for tools and reduces assembly to a simple one-person operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixing pin is transformed from a static component requiring manual insertion into a dynamic spring-loaded mechanism that automatically engages with the seating. The elastic means (spring) enables the pin to move between retracted and extended positions, allowing automatic engagement with the seating when the plane is inserted between uprights, thereby eliminating the need for tools and multiple persons while maintaining secure fixation.
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 rapid, cost-effective assembly by one person, concealing fixing pins and operations, resulting in a more aesthetically pleasing and stable shelf structure.
Implementation Method 1
elastic means, associable to the pin (4) and fixable to the second element (3), such that the pin (4) is mobile from a non-operative position to an operative position
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A shelf (1), comprising:a first element (2) and a second element (3), fixable to one another;fixing means (4, 5, 9) for enabling the first element (2) to be fixed to the second element (3);the first element (2) comprising at least a seating (6) at a first surface (20, 21 ) thereof;the fixing means (4, 5, 9) comprising at least a fixing pin (4), associable to the second element (3) at a second surface (310, 320) thereof;the seating (6) of the first element (2) being conformed such as to receive the pin (4);the fixing means (4, 5, 9) further comprise: elastic means (5), associable to the pin (4) and fixable to the second element (3) at the second surface (310, 320), such that the pin (4) is mobile along a first direction perpendicular to the second surface (310, 320), from a non-operative position to an operative position, in which respectively it does not engage the seating (6) and it can engage the seating (6); guide means (9), arranged at the second surface (310, 320) of the second element (3), associable to the pin (4) and conformed such that the pin (4) is contained internally of the guide means (9) when it is in the non-operative position thereof, and partly projects from the guide means (9) when in the operative position thereof; the first element (2) and the second element (3) being positionable in such a way that the pin (4), when moving into the operative position thereof, engages the seating (6) and causes the fixing of the first element (2) to the second element (3).