Modular cabinet shelf
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hair salons face inefficiencies due to multiple shades within hair-color lines and varying dimensions of hair-color boxes, leading to multiple products being opened, inventory issues, and wasted time searching for desired products.
Innovation Solution
A modular and adjustable shelf system that can be installed in a cabinet in multiple orientations, including level and tilted, using a unique design with tabs and slots to engage pins, allowing for customizable configurations to optimize product access and storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a shelf is designed with fixed predetermined subsections, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the system cannot accommodate varying product dimensions and orientations
Solution Approach 1:
The shelf is designed with a pivot mechanism that allows it to rotate between horizontal and tilted positions. The distal tab with curved radius acts as a hinge that engages with mounting pins, enabling dynamic reconfiguration of the shelf orientation to accommodate different product types and dimensions while maintaining a relatively simple structural design
Solution Approach 2:
The shelf design incorporates multiple functional features: the curved radius tab serves both as a mounting engagement point and a pivot hinge; the lip provides both structural support and product retention; the slots accommodate multiple pin positions. This multi-functionality allows a single shelf design to serve multiple purposes and orientations without requiring entirely different shelf structures
2Ease of operation
If a shelf is mounted in a fixed horizontal position, then installation is simple, but access to products behind the shelf is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The shelf can be tilted forward by pivoting on the curved radius tab engagement with the mounting pin. This dynamic adjustment allows the shelf to move from a horizontal position (simple installation) to a tilted position (improved accessibility), enabling users to reach products behind the shelf while maintaining a relatively simple mounting mechanism
3Productivity
If multiple hair-color products with varying dimensions are stored in fixed subsections, then inventory organization is simple, but time is wasted searching for desired products
Solution Approach 1:
The ability to tilt the shelf forward improves product retrieval efficiency by allowing direct access to products that would otherwise be hidden behind the shelf. This dynamic positioning capability enables faster access to both front and back products without requiring complex adjustable shelving systems
Solution Approach 2:
The slot and tab design divides the mounting system into discrete engagement points, allowing the shelf to be positioned at different angles and heights. This segmentation enables flexible configuration to optimize product arrangement and retrieval efficiency for different product dimensions
Data Source
AI summary
A shelf includes a first side edge and a second opposite side edge; a first lateral edge extending between the first and second side edges and having a lip extending substantially perpendicular to and away from a top surface of the shelf; and a second opposite lateral edge, extending between the first and second side edges and having a first lip extending substantially perpendicular to and away from a bottom surface of the shelf, and a second lip extending substantially perpendicular to the first lip back toward the shelf. Each of the side edges has tabs extending substantially perpendicular to and away from the bottom surface of the shelf, the tabs defining slots between respective tabs, and a slot between the first and second lips and one of the tabs. A tab most distal from the second laterally extending edge has a curved to engage a pin.