Shelf Accessory Mounting With Front-Lift Rear Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for securing shelf accessories to shelves often require reaching the rear end to displace or remove them, leading to ergonomic challenges and a risk of accidental disengagement, especially when subjected to knocks or reorganization needs, and fail to provide securement in both longitudinal and perpendicular directions.
Innovation Solution
A system featuring interacting stop faces on the rear engagement member and rear securing device, with a profiled element and elastic friction member, allows securement in the longitudinal direction while enabling easy intentional release and repositioning without needing to access the rear end, using magnets for attachment to prevent accidental disengagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the accessory is secured firmly to the shelf using existing systems, then the accessory is prevented from being accidentally removed or displaced, but the accessory cannot be easily repositioned or removed without reaching the rear end
Solution Approach 1:
The securing system is divided into two independent parts: a front securing device that provides reliable attachment and a rear release mechanism that enables easy disengagement. This segmentation allows the front to maintain firm securement while the rear facilitates simple repositioning operations without requiring access to the rear end of the accessory.
Solution Approach 2:
A rear release mechanism acts as an intermediary component between the accessory and the rear securing device. This intermediary allows users to disengage the rear securing connection by operating the release mechanism from the front, eliminating the need to reach the rear end while maintaining reliable securement during normal use.
2Ease of operation
If the accessory is allowed to be easily repositioned, then reorganization of the shelf is facilitated, but the accessory may be accidentally disengaged from the shelf
Solution Approach 1:
The rear release mechanism is designed with a specific engagement geometry where the rearwardly extending portion of the engagement member must be deliberately lifted or moved to disengage from the forwardly extending portion of the rear securing device. This preliminary anti-action prevents accidental disengagement while allowing intentional repositioning when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement interface between the rear engagement member and rear securing device uses asymmetric geometry where the engagement direction is easily permitted but disengagement requires a specific deliberate action. The rearwardly extending portion engages with the forwardly extending portion in a way that prevents accidental release while facilitating controlled repositioning.
3Ease of operation
If the front securing device is made detachable using magnets, then cleaning and reorganization is easier, but the front securing device may be accidentally displaced by knocks
Solution Approach 1:
The front securing device replaces traditional mechanical fastening (screws, clips) with magnetic attachment. This allows the securing device to be easily detached for cleaning and reorganization while maintaining firm hold during normal use. The magnetic force provides sufficient holding strength to resist accidental displacement from knocks while enabling deliberate removal when needed.
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 system effectively prevents accidental disengagement of shelf accessories during normal use and allows for easy repositioning and removal by lifting the front end, ensuring securement in both longitudinal and perpendicular directions without compromising accessibility or stability.
Implementation Method 1
These fastening devices comprise a magnet, usually one or more thin permanent magnets with which the securing device can be detachably fixed to shelves made of magnetic material, such as steel.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
System for securing a shelf accessory to a shelf, comprising a front securing device (20), a rear securing device (30) and a shelf accessory (10) having a front engagement member (11) configured for engagement with the front securing device, as well as a rear engagement member (40) configured for engagement with the rear securing device. The rear securing device comprises a first stop face (32a) and the rear engagement member comprises a second stop face (47), which first and second stop faces are configured to, in mutual contact, prevent the rear engagement member from being disengaged from the rear securing device when the shelf accessory is held substantially parallel with the top side of the shelf, and to allow the rear engagement member to be released from the rear securing device when the front end of the shelf accessory is lifted such that the shelf accessory has assumed an angle to the top side of the shelf.