Shelf system

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing shelving systems are complex and cumbersome to set up or reconfigure, particularly when changing levels or rearranging components, which is a challenge in dynamic environments like self-service stores where product offerings frequently change.

Innovation Solution

A shelving system design featuring offset or opposite vertical columns with a rear wall composed of horizontal and vertical wires, allowing for easy attachment and exchange of consoles and feet, enabling flexible configuration and rapid assembly/disassembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional shelving systems with complex stands and multiple components are used, then stability is achieved, but assembly and reconfiguration become cumbersome and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of assembly and reconfigurationVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The shelving system is divided into modular components: a rear wall assembly with integrated horizontal wires, separate uprights, consoles, and feet. Each component can be independently assembled and reconfigured, transforming a complex monolithic structure into manageable segments that are easier to handle and assemble.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple functions into integrated components. The rear wall assembly merges the back panel, horizontal support wires, and mounting structures into a single unit. The uprights integrate vertical support, horizontal wire attachment, and console mounting functions, reducing the total number of separate parts while maintaining stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Productivity

If numerous components are used to form the shelving system, then stability and functionality are achieved, but setup and rearrangement become cumbersome

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly speedVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the system into a rear wall assembly, uprights, consoles, and feet, the patent enables parallel assembly of multiple components simultaneously. This modular approach allows faster setup compared to assembling numerous small discrete parts sequentially, as entire functional modules can be installed at once.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The horizontal wires on the rear wall serve multiple functions: providing structural support, enabling console attachment at various heights, and allowing flexible configuration. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components for each function, decreasing the total number of parts while maintaining versatility.

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

3Adaptability or versatility

If fixed-level stands are used, then structural stability is maintained, but flexibility to change levels is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility to change levelsVSAvoidstructural stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from fixed-level stands to a dynamic configuration where consoles can be attached at multiple heights along the vertical wires of the rear wall. The uprights with horizontal wires at different levels enable flexible positioning while maintaining structural integrity through the wire framework that distributes loads across multiple attachment points.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of shelf height from fixed to variable by providing multiple horizontal wire levels on the rear wall and uprights. Consoles can be mounted at different vertical positions, allowing the shelving system to adapt to different storage needs while the overall wire framework maintains structural stability through geometric triangulation and distributed support.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2934240B1Shelf system
Publication Date: 2019.11.06 WANZL GMBH & CO KGAA
  • EP2934240B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2934240B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP2934240B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3c

AI summary

The invention relates to a shelf system comprising a rear wall, props, shelves that are arranged on the rear wall by means of brackets, and a base. The invention wherein each prop is formed by a vertical front column and a vertical rear column and in that the rear wall is stationarily arranged between the two columns.