Inclined shelving unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sloping shelves with spring devices to control movement can cause partially filled shelves to return to a partially open position during refilling, requiring additional effort and posing safety risks, especially when users need to handle the spring device manually.
Innovation Solution
A movable stop element that interacts with a stop to hold the shelf open, allowing for easy refilling without manual support, and a connecting element that automatically attaches the spring device to the shelf body during assembly, reducing the effort required for installation and operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If spring devices are used to brake the sloping shelf during pull-out, then the movement speed is reduced and safety is improved, but partially filled shelves are pulled back to a partially open position which complicates refilling operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by providing a stop element that is pre-positioned to engage with the sloping shelf at a predetermined location. This stop element prevents the shelf from being pulled back by the spring device during refilling operations, while still allowing the spring device to function for braking during normal pull-out operations. The stop element is activated only when needed, i.e., when the shelf is partially filled and the spring force would otherwise cause unwanted movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The stop element acts as an intermediary between the spring device and the sloping shelf. It mediates the interaction by providing a mechanical stop that counteracts the spring force when the shelf is in the refilling position. This intermediary component allows the spring device to continue functioning for safety braking while preventing the harmful effect of pulling the shelf back during refilling.
2Reliability
If the spring device must be reattached during reinsertion of the sloping shelf, then assembly effort increases and operation becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by designing the spring device with a retaining element that automatically retains the spring device on the sloping shelf during insertion and removal operations. The retaining element engages with a corresponding feature on the shelf structure, allowing the spring device to remain attached without requiring manual reattachment. This self-retaining mechanism eliminates the need for users to manually reattach the spring device, reducing assembly effort and preventing loss of the spring device.
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
Enables shelves to remain in an open position for efficient refilling without manual support, simplifies the assembly and operation of the spring device, and reduces the risk of accidental closure during use.
Implementation Method 1
Spring devices are therefore often provided which act between the shelf body and the sloping shelf and which slow down the sloping shelf while it is being pulled out
Implementation Method 2
when the lowest object is removed, the other objects move up as a result of the effect of gravity, so that there is always an object in a removal position
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3~4b
AI summary
In a sloping shelf rack (1) with a shelf body (2) with at least one sloping shelf (3) which slopes down towards the removal side (5) and has an abutment element holding stored objects (17) at its lower end, the at least one sloping shelf (3 ) is held on the shelf body (2) via guide rails (9) and is designed as an extension that runs on the guide rails (9) and can be pulled out towards the removal side (5) and is equipped with a spring device (19) for braking the sloping shelf (3) during the extension, which acts between the shelf body (2) and the sloping shelf (3), characterized by a movable stop element (35) which, when the sloping shelf (3) is in an open position, can be brought from a rest position into a stop position and by a stop element on the shelf body (2 ) or on the inclined shelf (3) arranged stop (37) with which the stop element (35) interacts.