Sliding Display Rail Adapter for Flexible Shelf Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing product display systems are inflexible and difficult to integrate with commercially available shelving systems, as they require complex manufacturing and cannot be easily adapted to different heights or sizes, and often lack sufficient guidance for sliding elements.

Innovation Solution

An attachment system featuring guide rails with holes or slots at equidistant intervals that can be attached to conventional shelving systems, allowing for universal and flexible placement at various heights, with optional horizontal or vertical movement and servo assistance for easier handling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If attachment elements are made to be displaceable on the shelf floor via roller systems, then goods can be presented behind the attachment element, but the guidance of the attachment element is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplaceability of attachment elementVSAvoidguidance of attachment element
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces guide rails as an intermediary component between the attachment element and the shelf. The guide rails provide proper guidance and constraint for the attachment element, mediating the interaction between the displaceable attachment element and the shelf structure to ensure both ease of operation and reliable guidance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If sliding panels extend over the entire height of the display rack with fixed rails, then goods can be displayed, but the design cannot be changed and sliding panels of any size and height cannot be arranged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stability of display rackVSAvoidflexibility of sliding panel arrangement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the guide rail system into multiple adjustable sections with holes or slots at equidistant intervals. This allows the attachment elements to be positioned at different heights and configurations while maintaining structural stability, enabling versatile arrangement of sliding panels of various sizes and heights.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes the rail system dynamic by providing adjustable attachment points through holes or slots at equidistant intervals. This allows the configuration of the display rack to be changed as needed, enabling sliding panels of any size and height to be arranged flexibly while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If attachment systems are designed with complex manufacturing requirements, then functional requirements can be met, but the attachment element and frame are complicated to manufacture and cannot be readily attached to commercially available shelving systems

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional performance of attachment systemVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity of attachment element
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs the attachment system with universal guide rails that can be attached to commercially available shelving systems through standardized mounting methods. The guide rails serve multiple functions: providing guidance, enabling adjustment at different heights, and ensuring stable attachment, thereby simplifying manufacturing while meeting functional requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2187785B1Adapter system for a merchandise presentation system
Publication Date: 2011.04.20 CONTEXT MARKETING SERVICES
  • EP2187785B1 patent drawingFigure 1~1a
  • EP2187785B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2187785B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to an adapter system for a merchandise presentation system, such as in the form of a sales shelf or a sales rack, wherein the merchandise presentation system has perpendicular rails or posts (S), between which merchandise (W) can be disposed on a surface and/or on the shelf bottom (B) for presentation, wherein the adapter system has at least one merchandise presentation element (E), which is disposed at least in front of part of the merchandise (W) of the merchandise presentation system and is supported on the merchandise presentation system in a slidable manner by means of at least one guide rail (F), and having at least one bracket for attaching, or at least one support surface for supporting the merchandise (W), wherein the guide rail (F) is held by carriers (T), which in turn are attached, or can be attached to the perpendicular rails or posts (S) of the merchandise presentation system.