Corner-Profile Shelf Assembly With Recessed Panel Connections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shelf designs with vertical angle profiles at corners face issues in connecting adjacent shelf elements without wasting space, particularly when upper plate elements or side walls interfere with the angle profiles, preventing proper alignment and attachment.
Innovation Solution
The shelf element features recesses in the upper and/or lower panel elements or side walls near the angle profiles, allowing the ends of adjacent shelf elements to be pushed further than the plate or side wall would normally allow, with angled cuts in the corner areas to facilitate connection without space wastage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the upper ends of angle profiles protrude upwards over the plate to enable connection with adjacent shelf elements, then the connection capability is improved, but the space between the lower sloping shelf and the top panel is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the angle profile ends from the constraint of the plate surface by creating recesses in the plate at the corner regions. This allows the angle profile ends to protrude beyond the plate surface for connection purposes without occupying additional vertical space, as the recesses provide the necessary clearance. The harmful protrusion is thus converted into a beneficial feature that enables connection while minimizing space waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent solves the spatial conflict by transitioning from a two-dimensional plate surface to a three-dimensional recess structure. The recesses create additional vertical clearance within the corner regions, allowing the angle profile ends to extend beyond the plate surface without increasing the overall height of the shelf element. This dimensional change enables connection capability while preserving usable space.
2Strength
If side walls reach up to the upper edge of angle profiles, then the structural integrity is improved, but proper attachment of adjacent shelf elements cannot be done
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the side wall material from the corner regions where recesses are formed, creating localized clearances. This allows the angle profile ends to protrude beyond the side wall plane for connection purposes. The side walls maintain their structural integrity by extending to the upper edge of the angle profiles in most regions, while the recesses provide the necessary clearance for attachment capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different structural qualities to different regions of the shelf element. The side walls maintain full height for structural integrity in most areas, while localized recesses are created in the corner regions to enable angle profile protrusion for connections. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between overall structural integrity and local attachment capability.
3Strength
If the ends of angle profiles are connected by stamping legs inwards, then the connection strength is improved, but the outer sides cannot run flush when shelf elements are stacked
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the angle profile ends from the constraint of the plate surface by creating recesses, allowing the profile ends to protrude beyond the plate surface. This protrusion compensates for the setback caused by inward stamping, enabling the outer sides of stacked shelf elements to run flush while maintaining the connection strength provided by the stamped legs.
Data Source
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Figure 3
AI summary
A shelf element which is intended to be incorporated in a shelf contains, at each of its corners, an angular profile (1) whose upper and/or lower ends are to be connected to a similar angular profile (1). The shelf element contains at least one plate element (2). The plate element (2) is cut out at the corners in such a way that an angular profile (1) of another shelf element can be inserted into the angle between the two limbs (8) of the angular profile (1) without being disturbed by the plate element (2).