Folded Sheet-Metal Shelf Support for High Load Rigidity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shelf supports, particularly for elongate shelves, face challenges in achieving high load-bearing capacity and stability while being easy to manufacture and clean, especially in applications like canteen kitchens and medical fields.
Innovation Solution
The shelf support is designed with multiple folds in at least three layers of sheet metal, providing increased load capacity and torsional rigidity, and can be made from a single piece of sheet metal without additional support elements, with optional reinforcing elements and holding devices formed by notching, allowing for adjustable thickness and cost savings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If multiple folds in at least three layers are provided, then load capacity and torsional rigidity are increased, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sheet metal is divided into multiple layers through folding, creating at least three layers in the folded edges. This segmentation increases load capacity and torsional rigidity by distributing structural stress across multiple layers, effectively resolving the contradiction between strength and manufacturing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a single-layer flat structure to a multi-layer folded structure, adding dimensional complexity through folding. This creates at least three layers in the folded edges, significantly enhancing strength and rigidity while maintaining a relatively simple manufacturing process through sequential folding operations.
2Stability of the object's composition
If multiple folds in at least three layers are provided, then torsional rigidity is increased, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sheet metal is segmented into at least three layers through folding in the folded edges. This segmentation significantly enhances torsional rigidity by creating a multi-layered structure that resists twisting forces more effectively than a single-layer structure, while the folding process remains manufacturable.
Solution Approach 2:
By folding the sheet metal to create at least three layers, the invention adds dimensional complexity that directly improves torsional rigidity. The multi-layer configuration provides greater resistance to torsional forces compared to a flat single-layer structure, resolving the contradiction between stability and manufacturing complexity.
3Strength
If holding devices are formed by notching the sheet metal, then holding capacity is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The holding devices are merged with the folded edges, forming an integrated structure where the holding devices are created through notching the folded edges rather than being separate components. This integration improves holding capacity while avoiding the need for additional manufacturing steps for separate holding device attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding devices are formed by notching the sheet metal during the folding process or immediately thereafter, performing the holding device creation as a preliminary action before final assembly. This approach improves holding capacity while minimizing additional manufacturing complexity by combining operations.
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The support has an even supporting area (1) and two lateral folded bent sections (2a, 2b), where the support is made of sheet metal. The two oppositely arranged bent sections (2a) are formed by multiple folding from three layers of the sheet metal. The oppositely arranged bent sections have end-lateral retaining devices (3) that are formed by notches of the sheet metal. Lateral edges of the sheet metal are interior-laterally arranged at the oppositely arranged bent sections. The bent sections are arranged with respect to the supporting area at right angle.