Modular Storage Rack With Removable Shelves for Easy Packing

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional article-holding racks are difficult to fold or disassemble, leading to inconvenient storage and transportation due to complex construction, which increases production costs and user inconvenience.

Innovation Solution

A rack design featuring a foldable frame with removable shelves, where each shelf has a connecting bar and slats that fit into slots, and connectors that allow easy assembly and disassembly, enabling simple construction and efficient packing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If conventional racks use complex construction to achieve structural integrity, then strength is improved, but device complexity increases and ease of manufacture deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidconstruction complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rack is divided into modular components including frame members with integrated connectors, shelves with slot systems, and removable connector elements. Each component is designed to be a simple, standardized unit that combines multiple functions (e.g., frame members include built-in connectors and positioning features), eliminating the need for complex assembly mechanisms while maintaining structural integrity through standardized interlocking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Strength

If conventional racks use complex construction to achieve structural integrity, then strength is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidmanufacturing convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The rack is divided into modular components including frame members with integrated connectors, shelves with slot systems, and removable connector elements. Each component is designed to be a simple, standardized unit that combines multiple functions (e.g., frame members include built-in connectors and positioning features), eliminating the need for complex assembly mechanisms while maintaining structural integrity through standardized interlocking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If conventional racks are designed to be foldable or disassemblable, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly and disassembly easeVSAvoidconstruction complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connector elements are designed to integrate multiple functions into single components: positioning features guide shelf placement, locking mechanisms secure shelves to frame members, and release mechanisms enable quick removal. The frame members include built-in connectors and positioning features that work together as an integrated system, eliminating the need for separate fasteners, aligning pins, and locking devices, thereby simplifying the overall construction while maintaining ease of assembly and disassembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS10165855B2Storage rack

Publication Date: 2019.01.01 SEVILLE CLASSICS INC

AI summary

A rack has a frame and a plurality of shelves. Each shelf has an enclosing frame member that has two first sides connected by two second sides, a connecting bar that connects the first sides at about the center of the first sides, a plurality of slots provided on the inner surfaces of the second sides, and a plurality of slats, each slat having opposing ends that are fitted into opposing slots at the second sides, and with each slat being connected to the connecting bar. At least one connector is provided for removably connecting each shelf to a portion of the frame.