Shelf and drawer assemblies for storing bottles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shelf and drawer assemblies for storing bottles lack efficient mechanisms for transitioning between horizontal storage and angled display configurations, which limits space utilization and visibility of bottle labels.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a shelf assembly with a frame assembly that moves between stowed and extended positions, featuring a rack assembly with hinged front and rear racks that pivot and a linkage assembly with sliding and rotating arms, allowing the racks to transition from a horizontal storage position to an angled display position as the frame assembly extends.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If bottles are stored horizontally in a fixed position, then space utilization is improved, but visibility of bottle labels deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The rack assembly is designed to be dynamically adjustable between horizontal storage position and angled display position. The front rack and rear rack can pivot relative to each other via the linkage assembly, allowing the system to transition between minimizing footprint (horizontal) and maximizing label visibility (angled), thus resolving the contradiction between space utilization and information accessibility.
2Productivity
If the rack assembly is fixed in horizontal position, then storage efficiency is improved, but accessibility and display quality deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The rack assembly incorporates a linkage mechanism with arms that can be manually operated to pivot the racks between horizontal storage configuration and angled display configuration. This dynamic adjustment allows users to switch between storage-efficient mode and accessibility-optimized mode, resolving the contradiction between storage efficiency and ease of label reading.
3Device complexity
If a simple fixed rack is used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability between storage and display configurations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a hinged rack assembly with a linkage mechanism consisting of connected arms that enable the system to adapt between horizontal and angled configurations. This mechanical linkage provides the necessary adaptability while maintaining reasonable complexity through the use of simple pivoting joints and connected structural elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The rack assembly is divided into separate front rack and rear rack components that can pivot independently relative to each other. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while working together to achieve the dual capability of horizontal storage and angled display configurations.
Data Source
AI summary
A shelf assembly includes a frame assembly having a side member, wherein the frame assembly is operable between stowed and extended positions. A rack assembly includes a first rack hingedly coupled to a second rack. The first rack and the second rack are pivotally coupled to the side member of the frame assembly, and the rack assembly is operable between first and second positions. The first rack and the second rack are angled towards a pivot axis defined between the first rack and the second rack when the rack assembly is in the second position. The rack assembly moves from the first position to the second position as the frame assembly moves from the stowed position to the extended position.