Plug-In Wheel Rack With Hooked T-Posts for Flexible Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shelving systems for storing vehicle wheels and tires are inflexible, leading to inefficient space utilization and stability issues due to fixed connections, which restrict adaptation to varying wheel and tire sizes, and are difficult to transport and assemble/disassemble.
Innovation Solution
A plug-in shelving unit with T-shaped longitudinal posts featuring a grid of holes on the side surfaces and end faces, allowing for adjustable compartment dimensions through the use of traverses and tire carriers with hooks, eliminating the need for mechanical connections like screws and enhancing stability by folding the profile ends for torsional rigidity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If shelves are connected by welding or screwing to achieve high stability, then stability is improved, but adaptability and ease of assembly/disassembly deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The shelving system is divided into separate modular components (longitudinal posts, traverses, shelves) that can be independently assembled and disassembled. Each component maintains its structural integrity while allowing flexible reconfiguration of the overall system, resolving the contradiction between stability and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection system transitions from fixed rigid connections (welding/screwing) to dynamic plug-in connections that allow easy assembly and disassembly. The traverses with downward-pointing hooks engage with upward-pointing engagement elements on longitudinal posts, enabling stable yet reconfigurable connections.
2Adaptability or versatility
If shelves are connected by tongue and groove or simple placement on bars to improve adaptability, then ease of assembly is improved, but stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The traverse acts as an intermediary component between longitudinal posts and shelves. It features downward-pointing hooks that engage with upward-pointing engagement elements on the longitudinal posts, creating a stable mechanical connection that prevents lateral movement while maintaining ease of assembly through simple insertion motions.
3Device complexity
If compartment sizes are standardized to simplify shelf design, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but space utilization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables dynamic adjustment of compartment dimensions by allowing traverses to be positioned at different heights and locations along the longitudinal posts. Users can configure compartment sizes to precisely match storage needs, optimizing space utilization without requiring custom-designed shelves for each configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The shelving system uses modular components that can be independently positioned and configured. The traverses can be placed at various intervals along the longitudinal posts, creating compartments of different sizes to accommodate varying storage requirements while using the same standardized components.
4Strength
If fixed connection methods are used to ensure structural integrity, then strength is improved, but ease of manufacture and assembly deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The shelving system consists of separate manufactured components (longitudinal posts, traverses, shelves) that are produced independently and then assembled through simple plug-in connections. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for manufacturing while maintaining strong overall structural integrity through proper connection design.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection system is designed to be self-aligning and self-securing. The downward-pointing hooks on traverses automatically engage with the upward-pointing engagement elements on longitudinal posts when inserted, providing stable connections without requiring tools or complex assembly procedures.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~6
Figure 7~8
AI summary
The invention relates to a plug-in rack (1), in particular for bearing sets of vehicle wheels and tyres (22), which are mounted one behind the other in an upright state, and with the running surfaces located opposite one another, in compartments (7) of the plug-in rack (1), having a plurality of sub-racks (2-4), which are spaced apart from one another on their longitudinal sides and each have a plurality of vertical, cross-sectionally T-shaped longitudinal posts (5), which each consist of a rolled hollow profile and are connected by a plurality of crossmembers (6) on the rack end sides, and tyre carriers (17) on the rack longitudinal sides, and thus form the compartments (7). On each longitudinal post (5), a row of holes is formed in each case on the two side surfaces (8) of its vertical part (9), and on the two end side surfaces (10) of its transverse part (11), and two spaced-apart rows of holes are formed in a grid-like manner on the upper outer surface (12) of its transverse part (11), this being done over the entire length of the longitudinal post (5). The holes (13) here are each identical in respect of shape, dimensioning and spacing, and, on the underside of the longitudinal post (5), the two vertical terminal edges (14) of the hollow profile are interengaged (15). The crossmembers (6), possibly with the tyre carriers (17), can be suspended vertically in the holes (13) of the longitudinal post (5) by way of in each case one pair of downwardly directed hooks (16), which are congruent in relation to the holes (13). The tyre carrier (17) here has a rear wall (18) and two convexities (20) which are arranged one above the other, each form a cavity (19) and each have holes (13), wherein the hooks (16) of the crossmember (6) engage, through the holes (13), in the cavities (19) of the convexities (20) of the tyre carrier (17).