Modular wall system for displaying a product

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Solution Overview

Problem

Retail environments face challenges in creating flexible and modular display systems that can easily adapt to changing product offerings and designs, as existing solutions lack the ability to reconfigure and accommodate various types of display elements and products efficiently.

Innovation Solution

A modular wall system comprising a wall with a recess and a display structure that allows for the placement of multiple modular display units, which are removable, rearrangeable, and movable, featuring tracks and rolling systems for sliding and rolling mechanisms, and can include various display elements such as shelves, hooks, and graphic light boxes, enabling flexible configuration and reconfiguration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If existing display systems are used in retail environments, then product display functionality is provided, but flexibility and adaptability to changing product offerings and designs are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The display system is divided into modular display units that can be independently configured, removed, and rearranged within the display structure, enabling flexible adaptation to different product offerings without redesigning the entire system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The modular display units are designed with universal interfaces and standardized dimensions that allow them to be used in various configurations and positions within the display structure, serving multiple display needs through a single standardized component type

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If modular display units are made removable and rearrangeable, then reconfiguration capability is improved, but installation and operation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereconfiguration capabilityVSAvoidinstallation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The display units incorporate movable components including sliding mechanisms on tracks and rolling systems with wheels, allowing dynamic repositioning and reconfiguration of display units within the structure without permanent installation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Tracks and rolling systems serve as intermediary mechanisms between the display units and the display structure, facilitating easy movement and reconfiguration while maintaining structural support and alignment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Illumination intensity

If display structure extends through wall with recess, then visual presentation is enhanced, but wall structure requirements and installation difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisual presentationVSAvoidinstallation difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The display structure is segmented into a wall-mounted frame component and removable display unit components, allowing the wall installation to be completed separately from the display content, simplifying both wall structure requirements and overall installation process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3337355B1Modular wall system for displaying a product
Publication Date: 2021.01.27 APPLE INC
  • EP3337355B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3337355B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3337355B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A system for displaying a product (500) is disclosed. The system includes a wall (12) having a recess (110) therein and a display structure (200) that defines the recess (110). The display structure (200) extends through a front surface (249, 339) of the wall (12) and includes a frame (240, 330, 366) having a top panel (243), a bottom panel (245), and two side panels (241). The top and bottom panels are longer than the side panels (241). The system further includes a plurality of modular display units (300) disposed within the display structure (200). Each modular display unit (300) extends from the bottom panel (245) to the top panel (243). At least a first one of the modular display units (300) includes a frame (240, 330, 366) open to a front exterior of the display structure (200) and at least a second one of the modular display units (300) is not open to the front exterior of the display structure (200). The system further includes a plurality of display elements (400) disposed within the plurality of display units (300).