Shelf and drawer assemblies for storing bottles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shelf and drawer assemblies for storing bottles lack efficient mechanisms for transitioning between horizontal storage and angled display configurations, which limits space utilization and visibility of bottles.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a shelf assembly with a frame assembly that moves between stowed and extended positions, coupled with a rack assembly that pivots and a linkage system, allowing bottles to be stored horizontally and displayed at an angle, utilizing a guide pin and elongate slot mechanism to facilitate this transition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If bottles are stored horizontally in a fixed position, then space utilization is efficient, but visibility and accessibility of bottles are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The rack assembly is designed to be movable between a stowed position (horizontal storage) and an extended position (angled display). The linkage assembly connects the rack assembly to the frame assembly, enabling dynamic reconfiguration. When the frame assembly moves from stowed to extended position, the linkage assembly transfers this motion to pivot the rack assembly, transforming bottles from horizontal storage to angled display configuration, thereby improving visibility and accessibility while maintaining space efficiency.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed rack assembly is used for bottle storage, then the structure is simple, but the ability to transition between storage and display configurations is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The shelf assembly is divided into distinct functional components: a frame assembly that moves between stowed and extended positions, a rack assembly that pivots to change bottle orientation, and a linkage assembly that connects these components. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently while working together to achieve the dual capability of compact storage and angled display, providing configuration flexibility without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The linkage assembly serves as an intermediary mechanism between the frame assembly and the rack assembly. It receives motion from the frame assembly and transforms it into the pivoting motion required by the rack assembly. This intermediary linkage enables the transfer and transformation of motion in a controlled manner, allowing the system to transition smoothly between configurations while maintaining structural integrity and mechanical advantage.
3Ease of operation
If the rack assembly is extended for display, then bottle visibility improves, but space utilization decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the rack assembly position based on storage needs. When space utilization is prioritized, the rack assembly remains in the stowed position with bottles stored horizontally in a compact configuration. When bottle visibility and accessibility are prioritized, the frame assembly is extended and the rack assembly is pivoted to an angled display position. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the same physical space to serve different functions at different times, optimizing both space utilization and visibility as needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A shelf assembly includes a frame assembly having a side member, wherein the frame assembly is operable between stowed and extended positions. A rack assembly includes a first rack hingedly coupled to a second rack. The first rack and the second rack are pivotally coupled to the side member of the frame assembly, and the rack assembly is operable between first and second positions. The first rack and the second rack are angled towards a pivot axis defined between the first rack and the second rack when the rack assembly is in the second position. The rack assembly moves from the first position to the second position as the frame assembly moves from the stowed position to the extended position.