Folded Shelf Support Assembly for Impact-Stable Display Cases
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Solution Overview
Problem
Prior art product display cases are prone to collapse upon accidental impact and have complex assembly processes, making them unstable and difficult to assemble.
Innovation Solution
A product display case design featuring a frame with vertical members and shelves supported by folded portions of the vertical members, where tongues on the supports slot into holes on the shelves to secure them, providing stability and simplifying assembly by eliminating the need for complex connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If shelves are supported by protuberances sliding in slots on the rear wall, then the display case can be assembled with simple components, but the shelves become unstable and collapse when struck accidentally
Solution Approach 1:
The support merges the functions of the vertical member, support structure, and shelf connector into a single integrated component. The folded portion of the vertical member creates an L-shaped support that is made as one with the vertical member, eliminating separate connection components and creating a more stable structure that resists accidental impacts while maintaining ease of assembly through folding.
2Ease of operation
If multiple separate components are used to connect shelves to the frame, then the display case allows for easy disassembly, but the assembly process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The support integrates multiple functions into a single component made as one with the vertical member, reducing the number of separate parts that need to be assembled. The folded portion creates an integrated L-shaped support that combines the vertical member extension, support surface, and shelf connector functions, simplifying the assembly process while maintaining ease of disassembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The support is pre-formed by folding the vertical member into the L-shape configuration before final assembly with the shelf. This preliminary folding action prepares the support in its final configuration, eliminating the need for complex on-site assembly operations and reducing the number of steps required during the assembly process.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the rear wall is made of flexible material to allow folding, then the display case can be collapsed for storage, but the wall deforms elastically under impact causing shelves to become unstable
Solution Approach 1:
The support merges the structural support function with the flexible material properties, creating a structure that can deform elastically under impact but maintains shelf stability. The L-shaped support made as one with the vertical member distributes impact forces more effectively than separate connection components, allowing the flexible material to provide both collapsibility and impact resistance.
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 ensures shelves remain stable even when struck accidentally and facilitates easy assembly and disassembly, maintaining the integrity of the display case's exterior for labeling or advertising while reducing the number of assembly steps.
Implementation Method 1
Each support comprises a folded portion of the respective vertical member
Implementation Method 2
Each support comprises a tongue slotted into a hole made in the shelf in such a way as to prevent the shelf from sliding relative to the support in a horizontal plane
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A product display case comprises: a frame (2) comprising two vertical members (5), each vertical member (5) having an outside surface (7) and an inside surface (6), the inside surfaces (6) being positioned to face each other; and at least one shelf (3) which comprises a first end (8) and a second end (9), each engaged by a respective support (4) on each vertical member (5).