Electric shelf

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electric shelves are unstable during rising or descending, leading to insecurity and increased installation costs, while also occupying valuable space due to fixed configurations.

Innovation Solution

An electric shelf design featuring a column mounted on the wall with a slidable component and a linear driving device, allowing the shelf board to move vertically along the column, reducing friction and enhancing stability, with a simpler and safer installation process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a pulley and motor are employed to achieve rising and declining of a ceiling type shelf, then the shelf can be raised and lowered, but instability during rising or declining causes the shelf to waggle and results in insecurity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshelf accessibilityVSAvoidshelf stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional pulley-motor mechanical system with a linear driving device that directly actuates the slidable component along the column. This substitution eliminates the intermediate pulley mechanisms that cause instability and wagging, providing more reliable and stable shelf movement while maintaining ease of operation through motor control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If a ceiling type shelf is designed with ropes and pulleys, then rising and declining is achieved, but installation becomes difficult and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshelf movement capabilityVSAvoidinstallation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the shelf system into modular components: a fixed column mounted on the wall, a slidable component that moves along the column, and a shelf board component connected to the slidable component. This segmentation allows for simpler installation compared to traditional pulley systems, as each component can be independently mounted and assembled, reducing installation complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If a fixed shelf is mounted at a lower height for easier access, then accessibility is improved, but more usable home space is occupied

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveitem accessibilityVSAvoidoccupied space
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the fixed shelf into a dynamic system where the shelf board component can move vertically along the column. Users can lower the shelf to access items at a convenient height, then raise it back up to save space when not in use. This dynamic capability allows the shelf to adapt between accessibility and space-saving modes, resolving the contradiction between easy access and space occupation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Area of stationary object

If a fixed shelf is mounted at a higher height to save space, then occupied space is reduced, but difficulty in accessing placed items increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoccupied spaceVSAvoiditem accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables the shelf to dynamically adjust its height along the vertical column. When space saving is needed, the shelf can be positioned at a higher location. When accessibility is required, the shelf can be lowered to a more convenient height. This dynamic positioning capability allows the system to switch between space-saving and accessibility modes as needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 and space-efficient electric shelf that is easier to install and use, reducing the risk of item collision or dropping, while saving space and labor through motor-actuated vertical movement.

Implementation Method 1

a linear driving device connected to the slidable component and the column to actuate the slidable component to move relative to the column

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLinear motion:

Implementation Method 2

reducing friction and enhancing stability

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction reduction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3524096B1Electric shelf
Publication Date: 2021.05.05 LOCTEK ERGONOMIC TECH CORP
  • EP3524096B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3524096B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3524096B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an electric shelf which comprises at least one column to be installed on a wall, a slidable component arranged on the column to slide along the column vertically, at least one layer of shelf board component connected to the slidable component to move simultaneously with the slidable component, and a linear driving device connected to the slidable component and the column to actuate the slidable component to move relative to the column. Advantages of the present disclosure compared to prior arts include a simpler structure and less space occupied by the shelf board component.