Shelf Connection Strip with Press-Fit Recesses for Stable Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing shelving systems face challenges with stability, ease of assembly and disassembly, space efficiency, and transportation due to permanent connections like welding or complex assembly requirements, leading to instability and difficulty in reconfiguring or disassembling.

Innovation Solution

A connection arrangement featuring recesses in the end strips of support boards that accommodate side ladder rods with a press fit, allowing for easy assembly and disassembly without tools, providing high stability and aesthetic appeal, and enabling space-saving and easy transportation by allowing components to be stacked.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If shelves are connected by welding or permanent fastening, then stability is improved, but ease of assembly and disassembly deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestabilityVSAvoidease of assembly and disassembly
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The connection arrangement is segmented into distinct components: recesses formed in the end strip of the support board, and corresponding protrusions on the longitudinal posts. This segmentation allows the shelf to be divided into separable parts that can be easily assembled and disassembled while maintaining stability when connected.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The recesses in the end strip are designed to receive and nest the longitudinal posts of the side ladders. The protrusions on the posts fit into the recesses, creating a nested connection that provides stability while allowing easy assembly and disassembly without welding or complex fastening.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Stability of the object's composition

If shelves are made with complex connecting elements, then stability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connection function is merged into the end strip itself by forming recesses directly in it. The longitudinal posts have corresponding protrusions that fit into these recesses. This integration eliminates the need for separate connecting elements, reducing device complexity while maintaining stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The end strip serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for the shelf and simultaneously contains the recesses that enable connection to longitudinal posts. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional connecting components, simplifying the overall device while ensuring stability.

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

3Ease of operation

If shelves are designed for easy disassembly, then ease of operation is improved, but stability when erected deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of disassemblyVSAvoidstability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The connection arrangement provides dynamic characteristics: it allows easy assembly and disassembly when needed, while providing firm, stable connection when erected. The recess-and-protrusion design enables the shelf to transition between assembled and disassembled states without requiring complex mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Stability of the object's composition

If shelves are constructed with additional connecting parts, then stability is improved, but volume of space increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestabilityVSAvoidvolume of space
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The connection features are merged into the existing structural components - recesses are formed in the end strip and protrusions are integrated on the longitudinal posts. This eliminates the need for separate connecting parts, reducing the volume and space required for storage and transportation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 solution enables easy assembly and disassembly of shelving systems without additional components, maintaining high stability and aesthetic value, while being space-efficient and easy to transport, allowing for flexible configuration and expansion.

Implementation Method 1

The recesses should be large enough to accommodate the rods of the longitudinal posts of the side ladder with a certain press fit. This results in a positive and non-positive connection between the recesses of the support shelf and the bars of the side ladders.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPress fit: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP2241214B1Connecting assembly for shelf systems
Publication Date: 2012.05.09 HANS GIESBERT
  • EP2241214B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2241214B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP2241214B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

The arrangement (5) has vertical side guides with two longitudinal posts, which are connected by spaced cross-beams. Two broad recesses (11, 12) corresponding thickness of two bars of the posts of the guides are formed at end sections of a connection strip (4). The recesses are formed by a chamfer (13) at the end sections. An intermediate bar (14) is arranged away from an end of the intermediate bar, and an additional bar (15) is arranged after the intermediate bar. A connecting support board (1) of a shelf system is made of wood or glass. The strip and side guide are made of metal e.g. steel.