Nestable Modular Shelving With Releasable Corner Connectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modular shelving systems face inefficiencies in space utilization during shipping and storage due to non-nestable shelf members, leading to higher costs and concerns about strength and reinforcement when assembled.
Innovation Solution
The design includes nestable shelf main bodies with corner connectors that can be releasably coupled, allowing for compact stacking and maximizing strength and reinforcement when assembled, using lightweight materials like polypropylene and featuring recesses, box supports, and reinforcing ribs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If shelf members are designed with retaining features for receiving support posts, then the strength and reinforcement of the shelving system is improved, but the nestability of shelf members when stacked deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The shelf member is divided into separate functional components: the shelf main body and the corner connectors. The retaining features are integrated into the corner connectors rather than the shelf main body, allowing the shelf main bodies to nest while the connectors remain attached to support posts during assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The shelf main bodies are designed to nest within each other when stacked for shipping and storage. The corner connectors are positioned at the corners of the shelf main bodies and can be releasably coupled, allowing the shelf members to be compacted into a nested configuration while maintaining the capability to assemble into a strong structure when deployed.
2Weight of moving object
If shelf members are made lightweight, then the ease of assembly and shipping is improved, but the strength and reinforcement of the shelving system deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The shelf members utilize composite construction with the shelf main body and corner connectors formed from lightweight materials like polypropylene. The strength is achieved through the geometric design and interlocking mechanisms rather than material density, allowing lightweight components to maintain structural integrity when assembled.
Solution Approach 2:
By segmenting the shelf member into a shelf main body and corner connectors, the design allows lightweight materials to be used throughout while concentrating the strength-reinforcing features in the corner connectors where they are most needed for structural integrity.
3Strength
If corner connectors are permanently attached to shelf main bodies, then the strength of the shelf assembly is improved, but the ease of assembly and disassembly for shipping deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The corner connectors are designed with releasable coupling mechanisms that allow them to be easily attached to and detached from the shelf main bodies. This dynamic connection system enables the shelf members to be quickly assembled and disassembled for shipping while maintaining strong structural integrity when assembled into the shelving system.
Data Source
AI summary
A shelf assembly includes a shelf main body. The shelf assembly further includes a plurality of corner connectors releasably coupled to the shelf main body. Each of the corner connectors is configured to receive at least one post. Each of the corner connectors also has an insert for coupling the corner connectors to the shelf main body.