Assembly Shelf Coupling Member for Tool-Free Shelf Repositioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Assembly shelves with L-angle posts require tools for assembly and can be cumbersome for middle shelf board removal, potentially causing hand injuries and complex operations.
Innovation Solution
A coupling member with linked support members and engagement holes on an L-shaped post, allowing for tool-free assembly and easy middle shelf board removal without affecting the shelf's external appearance or strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a shelf board member is provided with a locking protrusion to engage with the post, then assembly is achieved, but the external appearance is impaired and the user may be injured during assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The locking protrusion is extracted from the shelf board member and relocated to the post. The post now carries the engagement protrusions that interface with engagement holes in the coupling member, eliminating the need for protrusions on shelf board members and thereby removing the associated safety and appearance issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling member serves as an intermediary component between the post and the shelf board member. It provides the engagement holes that receive protrusions from the post, and simultaneously provides tapered surfaces that engage with the shelf board member, thereby mediating the connection and eliminating direct protrusion engagement with the shelf board member.
2Strength
If L-shaped metal fittings and bolts are used to assemble the shelf board to the post, then strong connection is achieved, but a bolting tool is required during assembly making it inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling member is designed to be self-assembling onto the post through the engagement of engagement holes with engagement protrusions. The tapered surfaces provide automatic alignment and engagement guidance, allowing the coupling member to self-position and secure itself without requiring external bolting tools or complex assembly operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The traditional bolt-and-fitting mechanical connection system is replaced with a tapered surface engagement system. The tapered outer surfaces of the coupling member engage with corresponding tapered inner surfaces, creating a friction-fit connection that eliminates the need for bolts, nuts, and bolting tools while maintaining connection strength.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple shelf board members are arranged vertically and a middle shelf board member needs to be removed, then repositioning is possible, but it requires removing shelf board members above it making the operation complex
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is segmented into independent coupling members at each post location. Each coupling member independently engages with its corresponding shelf board member through tapered surfaces, creating decoupled connection points. This allows any individual shelf board member to be removed or repositioned without affecting the connection status of other shelf board members on different posts.
Solution Approach 2:
The tapered surface engagement creates a dynamic, easily reversible connection. The coupling member can be quickly disengaged from and re-engaged with shelf board members by simply lifting and lowering actions, enabling flexible repositioning of middle shelf board members without complex disassembly procedures.
Data Source
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AI summary
A coupling member (1) includes a pair of support members (11a, 11b) that are linked at one end so that an opening is formed at the opposite end, and the back sides thereof are situated opposite to each other, and a pair of engagement holes (12a, 12b) that are respectively formed in the support members (11a, 11b) in the thickness direction so as to extend from the back sides, and are situated opposite to each other, the outer side (a to d) of each of the support members (11a, 11b) forming a tapered surface that gradually slopes outward in the downward direction. An assembly shelf utilizes the coupling member (1). The assembly shelf utilizes an L-shaped angle, and is configured so that a shelf board member is not provided with a protrusion, a tool is unnecessary during assembly, and a middle shelf board can be removed conditionally.