Shelf with plug-in structures

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing shelves lack versatility and stability, and existing solutions do not allow for easy replacement or customization of base plates and structural elements during use.

Innovation Solution

A shelf design featuring a base plate with a U-shaped profile that encloses the base plate, allowing for easy replacement, and includes profile openings for inserting structural elements such as side walls, corner posts, and floor rails, which can be anchored or snapped into place, enabling customization and enhanced stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the shelf uses a fixed base plate design, then the structural stability is maintained, but the versatility and ability to customize is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveversatilityVSAvoidstability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The base plate is divided into modular components including a profile structure with multiple openings and insertable elements. This segmentation allows different configurations to be created while maintaining overall structural stability through the standardized profile framework.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The profile structure with repeated openings serves multiple functions: providing structural support, enabling customization through various insertable elements, allowing base plate replacement, and facilitating the creation of different shelf configurations. This universal design resolves the contradiction between versatility and stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of repair

If the base plate is made interchangeable and replaceable, then the ease of replacement is improved, but the structural stability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of replacementVSAvoidstructural stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The base plate is designed as a separable component within the profile structure, allowing it to be removed and replaced independently. The profile framework maintains structural integrity during and after replacement, resolving the contradiction between ease of replacement and structural stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The profile structure acts as an intermediary framework that holds the base plate. This mediator allows the base plate to be easily replaced while the profile maintains the overall structural stability, enabling both ease of replacement and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple profile openings are added for customization, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecustomization capabilityVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple profile openings are merged into a standardized grid pattern within the profile structure. This consolidation allows various customization options to be achieved through a single, integrated profile design rather than multiple separate components, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The standardized profile opening design serves as a universal interface for multiple customization options. The same profile structure with repeated openings enables different configurations and insertable elements without requiring additional complex components, resolving the contradiction between customization capability and structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3827708B1Shelf with plug-in structures
Publication Date: 2023.06.07 ANTON SCHNEIDER GMBH
  • EP3827708B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP3827708B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~3b
  • EP3827708B1 patent drawingFigure 4~10

AI summary

In a shelf with a base plate (2) and with at least one profile (3) which encloses at least two opposite end faces of the base plate (2), wherein the profile (3) is attached to the base plate (2), preferably on the underside, top side or end face, and wherein the profile (3) has at least one upwardly open profile opening (4) for attaching superstructure elements.