Rotatable Shelf Assembly With Sledge Movement to Prevent Protrusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rotatable shelf assemblies for product storage in limited spaces require complex refilling operations due to protrusion during position changes and lack of adjustable shelf heights, complicating the process.
Innovation Solution
A shelf assembly with a rotatable shelving section supported by a sledge and arm mechanism, allowing for forward and rearward movement within the space, and featuring adjustable height clamping portions and low-friction wheels, ensuring the shelving section does not protrude more in the refill position than in the display position, and allowing arbitrary height adjustments for simplified refilling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the shelving section is made rotatable to facilitate refilling, then refilling accessibility is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the rotation mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The shelving section is made rotatable about a vertical axis, transitioning from a static to a dynamic configuration. This allows the shelf to rotate between display and refill positions, improving refilling accessibility while maintaining a relatively simple mechanical structure through the use of a sledge and arm mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure is divided into separate functional components: a sledge for movement, an arm for positioning, and a rotation mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, simplifying the overall system while achieving the desired refilling accessibility
2Ease of operation
If the shelving section protrudes during position changes to enable rotation, then refilling accessibility is improved, but the space occupancy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sledge moves in the depth dimension (forward-rearward direction) while the shelving section rotates in the horizontal plane. This use of additional spatial dimensions allows the shelf to access refill positions without requiring excessive protrusion into the limited space, optimizing space occupancy while maintaining refilling accessibility
3Device complexity
If the shelf height is fixed to simplify the structure, then device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The shelf height is made adjustable through movable clamping portions that can be positioned at different heights along the side posts. This dynamic configuration allows the same structure to adapt to different product types and storage requirements while maintaining relatively simple construction through the use of standardized clamping mechanisms
4Device complexity
If the sledge remains stationary during rotation to simplify the mechanism, then device complexity is reduced, but the space occupancy increases due to protrusion
Solution Approach 1:
The sledge is made movable in the forward-rearward direction and is coordinated to move in conjunction with the rotation of the shelving section. This dynamic interaction allows the sledge to retract during rotation, minimizing space occupancy and protrusion while maintaining a relatively simple mechanical linkage through the arm connection
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 solution simplifies the refilling operation by maintaining the same space occupancy in both display and refill positions and enabling adjustable shelf heights, reducing operational complexity and friction during movement.
Implementation Method 1
The combination of a rotation solution where the shelving section does not protrude more from the space in the refill position than in the display position, contrary to the shelving section of the above-mentioned prior art, and the shelf, or shelves, being arbitrarily height adjustable does indeed simplify the refilling operation.
Implementation Method 2
an arm having a first end pivotally connected with the shelving section at a bottom end thereof, at a distance from the axis of rotation, and having a second end pivotally connected with a fixed portion of the support, such that when the shelving section is rotated from the display position to the refill position, due to the arm, which is pivoting during the rotation, the sledge is first moved forwards a distance from a starting position, and then rearwards back to its starting position
Implementation Method 3
each clamping portion comprises a hook portion engaged with a respective side post at a first surface thereof, and a tightening portion engaged with an opposite second surface of the side post, whereby the side post is clamped between the hook portion and the tightening portion
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4~5
AI summary
A shelf assembly (1) for products comprising a shelving section (5) with at least one shelf (6), which is rotatable about an axis of rotation (13) between a display position, in which the shelf is accessible from the front (7) of the shelving section, and a refill position, in which the shelf is accessible from the rear (8) of the shelving section. The shelf assembly further comprises a support (9), which has a sledge (10) rotatably supporting the shelving section, and being movable in a forward-rearward direction. When the shelving section is rotated from the display position to the refill position, the sledge is first moved forwards, and then rearwards back to its starting position. The shelving section further comprises a frame (16) having opposite first and second side posts (17, 18), wherein the shelf is mounted between the side posts at an arbitrary height. The shelf is provided with a respective clamping portion at opposite ends of the shelf, fixing the shelf at the side posts. Each clamping portion comprises a hook portion engaged with a respective side post at a first surface thereof, and a tightening portion engaged with an opposite second surface of the side post, wherein the tightening portion is untightenable for arbitrary height movement of the shelf.