Motorized Shelf Assembly With Pivot Arms for Accessible High Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing manual shelf assemblies require physical effort and are limited by weight capacity, height, and number of shelves, posing challenges for accessibility and adaptability, especially in spaces with limited physical ability or space constraints.
Innovation Solution
A motorized shelf assembly with pivot arms and drive motors that allow shelves to be easily raised and lowered, eliminating the need for manual effort and expanding capacity and adaptability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual shelf assemblies are used, then the device complexity is low, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to physical effort requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operation with an automated motorized system. The motor assembly eliminates the need for users to manually lift and position shelves, substituting human physical effort with automated mechanical actuation through drive shafts, gears, and linkages connected to the motor.
Solution Approach 2:
The motorized shelf assembly performs the lifting and positioning function autonomously without requiring user intervention. The system serves itself by automatically adjusting shelf positions based on user input (e.g., button presses or remote control), eliminating the need for manual physical interaction with the heavy shelf structure.
2Quantity of substance
If manual shelf assemblies are used, then the device complexity is low, but the weight capacity deteriorates due to physical effort limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The motorized system replaces human physical capability with motor-driven mechanical advantage. The motor assembly, through gear reduction and linkage mechanisms, can generate sufficient force to lift heavy shelves and their contents, dramatically increasing weight capacity beyond what manual operation could achieve.
Solution Approach 2:
The motorized system provides counterbalancing force to offset the weight of the shelves and their contents. The drive mechanism creates an opposing force that neutralizes gravity's effect on the heavy shelf assembly, making it easy to move regardless of weight.
3Quantity of substance
If shelves are positioned above waist level, then the storage capacity is increased, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to accessibility issues
Solution Approach 1:
The shelf assembly transitions from a static fixed position to a dynamic movable position. The motorized system allows shelves to be easily raised to high storage positions and lowered when needed, providing dynamic adjustability that maintains accessibility while enabling high-capacity storage above waist level.
Solution Approach 2:
The motorized actuation system replaces the need for users to physically reach and manually maneuver heavy shelves at difficult-to-access heights. The automated system handles all the mechanical work of moving shelves between high storage positions and accessible positions, eliminating the physical strain and accessibility challenges of manual operation.
4Ease of operation
If motorized shelf assembly is implemented, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The motorized system is divided into modular functional components: motor assembly, drive shaft, gear mechanism, linkages, and mounting structures. This segmentation allows each component to perform a specific function and be independently maintained or replaced, managing overall system complexity through functional decomposition.
Solution Approach 2:
The motorized shelf assembly integrates multiple functions into a single system: the motor provides both lifting force and positioning control, the linkages simultaneously transmit motion and provide structural support, and the assembly serves multiple shelves through a shared drive mechanism. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The motorized shelf assembly facilitates effortless movement and increased storage capacity, accommodating various applications and user needs, including those with physical impairments and space-limited environments, while reducing operational costs and safety hazards.
Implementation Method 1
a drive motor (160, 170) operably coupled to the mounting plates (120)
Implementation Method 2
first and second pivot arms (260, 270), first ends of the first and second pivot arms (260, 270) being pivotally connected to a first end of the shelf (180, 210), second ends of the first and second pivot arms (260, 270) being pivotally connected to the cabinet (110)
Data Source
AI summary
A cabinet includes a first shelf disposed inside the cabinet at a height above waist level, the first shelf having a retracted position and a deployed position below and outwardly from the retracted position. First and second pivot arms are pivotally operably attached to the first end the first shelf and to the cabinet, the first and second pivot arms forming a first parallelogram. Third and fourth pivot arms are pivotally operably attached a second end of the first shelf and to the cabinet below the first shelf, the third and fourth pivot arms forming a second parallelogram. A first drive motor operably is operably to one of the first and second pivot arms and the third and fourth pivot arms to swing the first and the second parallelograms outwardly and downwardly from the cabinet to position the first shelf from the retracted position to the deployed position.