Extruded shelving system
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shelving systems for cylindrical containers face challenges in adjusting lane widths to accommodate different container sizes, as they are either costly or have limited adjustability, and struggle to resist lateral displacement of containers under pressure.
Innovation Solution
An extruded shelving system with interlocking, adjustable lane-forming members of inverted T-shaped configuration, allowing for various lane widths without a front rail, and featuring pushers mounted on vertical divider panels to resist lateral forces, enabling easy assembly and adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If traditional shelving systems with front-attached lane structures are used, then lane positioning can be fixed, but lateral forces from cylindrical containers cause misalignment and instability
Solution Approach 1:
The shelving system is divided into modular lane-forming members that can be independently positioned and connected. Each lane structure is a separate unit that can be adjusted without affecting the entire shelf system, allowing for stable lane alignment while maintaining flexibility in configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection method transitions from front-only attachment to full-length lateral connection between adjacent lanes. This dimensional change in the connection geometry provides continuous support along the entire length of each lane, effectively resisting lateral forces from cylindrical containers throughout the shelf depth.
2Force
If extruded lane-forming structures with full length attachment are used, then lateral force resistance is improved, but lane width adjustment range is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The lane-forming members incorporate movable adjustment mechanisms that allow the lane width to be dynamically changed. The connection elements can be repositioned along the length of adjacent members, enabling the system to adapt to different container sizes while maintaining full-length attachment for lateral force resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows change in the geometric parameter of lane width through adjustable connection points. By varying the position where adjacent lanes connect, the effective width of each lane can be modified to accommodate different cylindrical container diameters, while the full-length connection maintains structural stability.
3Ease of manufacture
If separate connector elements are used to join adjacent lanes, then lane assembly is possible, but device complexity and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The connection functionality is integrated directly into the lane-forming members themselves rather than requiring separate connector elements. The lateral connection features are built-in to the extruded profiles, allowing adjacent lanes to join directly through their own structural elements, thereby simplifying the overall device and reducing assembly complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A product display system is comprised of extruded left and right lane members and any number of extruded center lane members. The center lane members are of inverted T-shaped configuration including a vertical center wall and upper and lower base elements extending from opposite sides. The lower base elements are formed across their entire width with closely spaced, alternating grooves and projections. The upper base elements have elements at outer edges thereof to engage with a selected groove and/or projection of an adjacent lane member to form a lane of desired width. Pushers are mounted on the vertical walls to maximize the area available for grooves and projections.