Shelf
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Solution Overview
Problem
Foldable shelves have complex structures with many components, leading to high assembly and transportation costs due to cumbersome assembly processes and poor user experience.
Innovation Solution
A shelf design featuring a pivot mechanism and restricting mechanisms between the bottom, vertical, and side plates, allowing for simplified assembly and snap-fit installation, reducing space occupation and assembly difficulty, while maintaining structural stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If hinges are used to assemble multiple plates in a foldable shelf, then the shelf can be folded to reduce space occupation, but the product structure becomes complex with many components, increasing manufacturing costs and assembly complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the hinge function and restricting function into a single integrated structure. The restricting block with curved surface and flat surface is formed as one piece that both enables folding (hinge function) and limits the unfolding angle (restricting function), eliminating the need for separate hinge components and restricting mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The restricting block serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a hinge pivot point enabling folding, provides a curved surface for rotational movement, includes a flat surface to restrict the maximum unfolding angle, and serves as a structural connector between plates. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of components needed.
2Volume of moving object
If hinges are used to assemble multiple plates, then the shelf can be folded, but the assembly process becomes cumbersome requiring screws and locking mechanisms, reducing assembly efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the hinge function and restricting function into a single integrated structure. The restricting block with curved surface and flat surface is formed as one piece that both enables folding (hinge function) and limits the unfolding angle (restricting function), eliminating the need for separate hinge components and restricting mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The restricting block's curved surface automatically guides the rotational movement during assembly, and the flat surface automatically engages to restrict the unfolding angle without requiring additional locking operations. The structure assembles itself through simple insertion and automatic engagement, eliminating the need for screw tightening or locking procedures.
3Volume of moving object
If multiple components are used in foldable shelf assembly, then the shelf can achieve folding functionality, but the manufacturing costs of injection-molded components and packaging increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the hinge function and restricting function into a single integrated structure. The restricting block with curved surface and flat surface is formed as one piece that both enables folding (hinge function) and limits the unfolding angle (restricting function), eliminating the need for separate hinge components and restricting mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The shelf is divided into modular plates that can be independently manufactured and then assembled through the simplified inserting and snapping process, reducing the need for complex packaging and assembly instructions while maintaining the folding functionality.
4Ease of operation
If a pivot mechanism with engaging hooks is used to connect bottom plate and vertical plate, then the assembly is simplified, but the maximum unfolding angle needs to be restricted to ensure proper fitting of the side plate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the hinge function and restricting function into a single integrated structure. The restricting block with curved surface and flat surface is formed as one piece that both enables folding (hinge function) and limits the maximum unfolding angle (restricting function), eliminating the need for separate hinge components and restricting mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A shelf includes a bottom plate, a vertical plate, and a side plate. The bottom plate and the vertical plate are pivotally connected through a pivot mechanism and a first restricting mechanism that are disposed at a pivot joint of the bottom plate and the vertical plate. The pivot mechanism includes a rotating shaft disposed on the bottom plate and a first engaging hook disposed on the vertical plate. The first engaging hook is configured to catch the rotating shaft. The first restricting mechanism is configured to restrict a maximum unfolding angle of the bottom plate and the vertical plate. A second restricting mechanism is provided between the side plate and the vertical plate. The shelf simplifies installation steps and reduces installation and transportation costs.