Movable Barrier Storage Unit Size Demonstrator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional storage facility processes are time-consuming and ineffective in allowing customers to visualize and compare storage unit sizes, often leading to incorrect size selections.
Innovation Solution
A demonstrative model system featuring a track and movement mechanism, with a barrier that moves along the track to predefined positions, displaying different storage unit sizes, and a method for dividing a space using fixed walls and a movable barrier.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If full size models of each storage unit are provided within the office or showroom, then customers can effectively visualize storage size space, but building cost and space requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses scaled-down replica storage units (e.g., 1:10 scale) instead of full-size models. These miniature replicas maintain accurate dimensional proportions and can be displayed within the existing office or showroom space, allowing customers to effectively visualize different storage unit sizes without requiring additional square footage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces vertical stacking of multiple replica units to represent different sizes. By arranging replicas vertically or in compact configurations, the system presents multiple storage size options within a limited horizontal footprint, effectively utilizing the vertical dimension to overcome space constraints.
2Ease of operation
If multiple full size storage unit models are displayed, then customers can compare sizes in real time, but the opportunity cost of fallow square footage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a multi-functional display system where a single compact space serves to demonstrate multiple storage unit sizes simultaneously. The replica units are designed to be universally representative of full-size units, allowing customers to compare all size options within one location rather than requiring separate demonstration areas for each size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple storage size demonstrations into a single integrated display unit or cluster. By merging the functionality of multiple full-size models into one compact replica system, the patent eliminates the need for separate demonstration spaces, thereby reducing the opportunity cost of fallow square footage while maintaining real-time comparison capabilities.
3Reliability
If conventional storage facility processes are used, then facility managers can show customers empty storage units, but the process becomes time consuming for both customer and manager
Solution Approach 1:
The patent prepares scaled-down replica storage units in advance with accurate dimensional representations. These replicas are pre-configured to represent different storage sizes, allowing customers to immediately view and compare options without requiring the facility manager to physically move or set up full-size units during the customer interaction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses replica models that accurately replicate the dimensional characteristics of full-size storage units. These copies provide sufficient visual information for customers to make accurate size decisions without requiring actual access to empty storage units, thereby significantly reducing the time required for both customers and managers while maintaining decision accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
A storage facility with a plurality of different unit sizes includes a demonstrative model to aid in the presentation of the different sizes to a potential customer. The available unit sizes each have a common nominal dimension; the demonstrative model includes a rectangular boundary sharing the common dimension. The model includes a plurality of vertically extending walls, a floor and a selectable wall that also shares the common nominal dimension. The selectable wall extends between first and second walls and the selectable wall is locatable at a plurality of predefined positions, such that each predefined position reflects the non-common dimension of a respective one of the plurality of the different unit sizes. The selectable wall is preferably biased to each of the predefined positions, such that each of the available sizes may be easily demonstrated to the customer by moving the selectable wall and without the need to separately visit each of the available sizes at different locations at the facility.