Rotating Storage Module With Telescopic Slides for Full-Face Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing modular storage unit mounting devices are not suitable for supporting heavy loads and provide limited freedom of rotation due to restricted translational movement, making it difficult to present any face of the rotating furniture element frontally, especially in crowded configurations.

Innovation Solution

The module features a support plate with telescopic slides that allow for horizontal translation over the depth of the box, combined with a pivot mechanism for free rotation around a vertical axis, enabling larger amplitude movement and the ability to present any side face frontally by pivoting and locking in predefined positions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a plate on rollers is used to guide the axis of rotation in translation, then the device can move the furniture element in a preferred direction, but it cannot support heavy loads and limits the amplitude of translational movement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetranslational movement capabilityVSAvoidload support capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the plate-on-rollers mechanical system with a telescopic slide mechanism. The telescopic slides provide guided translational movement while being structurally capable of supporting heavy loads, thus substituting a weak mechanical system with a stronger one that maintains the desired functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The telescopic slides enable dynamic adjustment of the support plate position along the horizontal axis, allowing the box to move forward over its depth while maintaining rotational freedom. This dynamic positioning capability resolves the contradiction by providing both movement and load support.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the translational movement is limited by the end of guides, then the device structure is simple, but the amplitude of movement is restricted and cannot provide complete freedom of rotation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefreedom of rotationVSAvoidguide structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extends the translational movement distance to be equal to at least the depth of the box, providing sufficient clearance for complete rotation. By increasing the movement dimension along the horizontal axis, the system achieves full rotational freedom without requiring complex multi-axis guidance mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The guidance system is segmented into multiple telescopic slides that can extend incrementally. This segmentation allows the system to achieve large translational amplitude through coordinated extension of individual slide components, maintaining structural manageability while providing sufficient movement range.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Stability of the object's composition

If the telescopic slides are fixed at a fixed reference level, then the structure is stable, but the alignment precision during rotation may be affected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidalignment precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates alignment means that provide feedback during the rotation and translation process. These means detect the position and orientation of the box and adjust the telescopic slides accordingly to maintain precise alignment, thus resolving the contradiction between structural stability and alignment precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The alignment means are positioned to establish correct alignment before the box begins its rotational movement. By pre-positioning the telescopic slides and guiding surfaces, the system ensures that rotation occurs from a precisely aligned starting position, maintaining both stability and precision throughout the operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2322056B1Module for a modular storage set
Publication Date: 2012.05.16 MENUISERIES FERREYROLLES
  • EP2322056B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2322056B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2322056B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The module has a parallelepiped caisson (11) whose lower face (12) is coupled to a support plate (20) having dimension same as that of the lower face, by a pivot mechanism of a caisson displacing mechanism such that the caisson is mounted free in rotation on the plate around a vertical axis (Z). A guiding unit comprises telescopic slides (22, 23) that are fixed on a lower face of the plate. The slides drive the plate in translation along a horizontal axis (X), in a releasing direction (D), over a displacement length (L) equal to a depth of the caisson. An independent claim is also included for a method for forming a space defined by a partition.