An illuminated shelf system
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing retail shelf systems with integrated LED lighting face increased costs due to the need for electrically conductive materials and structural modifications, which also prevent adjacent shelves from sharing a common support structure, leading to electrical shorts.
Innovation Solution
A configurable retail shelf system with a discrete electrical pathway using insulated support rails and power supply rails, allowing for removable fixtures with resilient electrical contacts to power low-voltage LED arrays, maintaining structural integrity and aesthetics while preventing electrical shorts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If electrical conduction is integrated directly into the shelf support structure, then LED lighting can be powered, but repair costs increase and adjacent shelves cannot share common support structures
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical conduction function is segmented from the structural support function. Electrical supply rails are separate components that can be independently installed, maintained, and replaced without affecting the structural integrity or requiring replacement of the entire shelf support system.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical conduction pathway is extracted from the structural support structure. Electrical supply rails are separate elements that provide power without being integrated into the load-bearing framework, allowing independent maintenance and replacement.
2Ease of manufacture
If electrical conduction is integrated directly into the shelf support structure, then LED lighting can be powered, but adjacent shelves cannot share a common support structure due to electrical shorts
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical conduction function is segmented from the structural support function. Electrical supply rails are separate components that can be independently installed, maintained, and replaced without affecting the structural integrity or requiring replacement of the entire shelf support system.
Solution Approach 2:
Electrical supply rails act as intermediary components that provide electrical connection without requiring the structural support elements themselves to be conductive. This allows multiple shelves to share common structural support while maintaining electrical isolation where needed.
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
This solution reduces repair costs, eliminates the need for conductive materials, and enables adjacent shelves to share support structures, providing efficient and cost-effective LED illumination without electrical interference.
Implementation Method 1
an array of light emitting diodes disposed within the at least one fixture
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
An illuminated shelf system having configurable LED illuminated fixtures structurally supported on opposing support rails that are removed from or electrically insulated from a plurality of power supply rails disposed within a wall panel between opposing support rails.