Modular Shelving System with Flexible Power Cable Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current modular shelving systems lack flexibility in power supply distribution and configuration options, making it difficult to easily adjust and modify shelf formations while ensuring access to power for electronic devices.
Innovation Solution
A shelving system featuring a mounting surface with elongate power supply rails and flexible power cables that connect to power fittings on shelf units, allowing for easy reconfiguration and hidden mounting systems with detachable front portions for access, enabling flexible placement and power distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a modular shelving system is designed with fixed power supply connections, then power distribution is simplified, but flexibility in shelf configuration and repositioning is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply system is segmented into modular components: power supply units integrated into individual shelf units, flexible power cables for connection, and mounting surface power distribution points. This segmentation allows shelf units to be independently configured and repositioned while maintaining power supply capability, resolving the contradiction between configuration flexibility and power distribution complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The power supply system incorporates flexible power cables that enable dynamic reconfiguration of shelf units. The cables can be easily connected and disconnected, allowing shelf positions to be changed without permanent wiring constraints. This dynamic connection method maintains power distribution capability while enabling adaptable shelf configurations.
2Ease of operation
If power supply rails are exposed for easy access, then power connection is simplified, but aesthetic appearance and hidden mounting are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The power connection interface is extracted and integrated into the shelf unit itself rather than being fixed to the mounting surface. The flexible power cable connects the shelf unit's power fittings to the mounting surface power distribution, allowing the connection point to be concealed within the shelf structure while maintaining easy access for connection and disconnection operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The power supply components are nested within the shelf unit structure. Power fittings are integrated into the shelf back panel, and the flexible power cable routes through the shelf unit to connect with the mounting surface, concealing the power distribution system within the shelf's internal volume while maintaining operational accessibility.
3Stability of the object's composition
If shelf units are permanently mounted for stability, then structural stability is improved, but ease of repositioning and reconfiguration is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Mounting holes are pre-drilled in the shelf unit back panel at multiple positions to accommodate different mounting configurations. This preliminary preparation allows the shelf unit to be stably mounted at various positions while enabling easy repositioning by simply changing which pre-drilled holes are used for connection, without requiring new drilling or modification.
Data Source
AI summary
A shelving system comprising a mounting surface and at least one shelf unit, the mounting surface comprises a plurality of mounting holes and one or more elongate power supply rails, the at least one shelf unit comprises aback face comprising at least two thru holes adapted for mounting the shelf unit on the mounting surface, the at least one shelf unit comprises power fittings, wherein the shelving system comprises a first power supply bracket and at least one flexible power cable comprising a first and a second end, the at least one flexible power cable is at the first end electrically connected to the first power supply bracket, and the second end of the at least one flexible power cable is electrically connected to the power fittings of the at least one shelf unit, and the first power supply bracket adapted to electrically connect the first end of the at least one flexible power cable and one of the one or more elongate power supply rails, the shelving system adapted to supply power from the elongate power supply rails to electronics connected to the power fittings at or inside the at least one shelf unit.