Shelf Electrical Supply System With Magnetic Guide Track

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing shelf electrical supply systems have complex structures, making them difficult to install and assemble, and require matching materials with the shelf, limiting flexibility and stability in power transmission.

Innovation Solution

A shelf electrical supply system utilizing a metal guide track as the power transmission medium, with a magnet block connecting electrical components to the track for stable contact and an insulating track groove allowing flexible installation options based on shelf material.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional electrical supply heads with small conductive transmission media are used, then the structure can be compact, but the conductive transmission medium area is too small and requires precise positioning to ensure stable electricity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestable electricityVSAvoidpositioning precision requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple conductive transmission media (metal guide track, conductive plate, and wire) into an integrated electrical supply system. The metal guide track provides a large-area conductive surface, the conductive plate ensures stable contact, and the wire connects to the power source, collectively ensuring stable electricity without requiring precise positioning of a single small conductor.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from point-contact or line-contact conductive transmission to a large-area surface contact using the metal guide track. This dimensional expansion from 0D/1D to 2D contact area significantly increases the effective conductive transmission medium area, thereby ensuring stable electricity supply.

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

2Reliability

If electrical supply heads require material matching with the shelf for installation, then the assembly can be firmly fixed, but the user selection and combination assembly flexibility are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly firmnessVSAvoidmaterial selection flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The electrical supply head is designed with universal adaptability to work with different shelf materials (metal, wood, plastic). The magnet block provides magnetic attraction for metal shelves, while the adhesive layer enables bonding to non-metallic surfaces. This multi-functional design allows the same electrical supply head to be firmly fixed to various shelf materials without requiring material-specific variants.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an adhesive layer as an intermediary between the electrical supply head and the shelf. This adhesive mediator enables reliable bonding to non-metallic shelf materials (wood, plastic) that cannot be magnetically attracted, thereby expanding material compatibility while maintaining assembly firmness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Stability of the object's composition

If the shelf is fully assembled before installing the electrical supply system, then the shelf structure is complete, but finding the corresponding slot hole for assembly becomes difficult and power taking is challenging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshelf structure completenessVSAvoidassembly convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The electrical supply system is designed to be dynamically installable at any stage of shelf assembly. The modular design with magnetic and adhesive mounting allows the electrical supply head to be easily attached to any vertical column regardless of whether the shelf is partially or fully assembled, eliminating the constraint of requiring pre-identified slot holes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The electrical supply system performs self-positioning and self-fixing through its magnetic and adhesive mounting mechanisms. The electrical supply head automatically adheres to the vertical column surface, eliminating the need for pre-drilled holes or complex alignment procedures, thereby simplifying installation on fully assembled shelves.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

Simplifies assembly, increases the area for conductive contact, ensures stable electricity, and allows for versatile installation options, enhancing user convenience and design flexibility.

Implementation Method 1

the magnet block connects the electrical component to the metal guide track by means of suction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic attraction: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentEP3618199B1Shelf electrical supply system
Publication Date: 2021.08.04 SELF ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3618199B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3618199B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3618199B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to A shelf electrical supply system, comprising electrical supply guide track fixedly connected to a shelf; electrical input part connected to the electrical supply guide track; electrical component disposed on the electrical supply guide track; the electrical supply guide track comprises track groove, metal guide track disposed in the track groove, and the electrical input part is electrically connected to one end of the metal guide track; the electrical component comprises magnet block and conductive contact arranged around the magnet block, and when the electrical component is disposed on the electrical supply guide track, the magnet block is attracted to the metal guide track and the conductive contact is in contact with the metal guide track. The system has simple structure, convenient assembly and better personalized design.