Shelf Rail with Integrated Power Supply and Spring-Loaded Contacts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shelving systems for shopfitting face challenges in providing a simple, cost-effective, and aesthetically pleasing way to supply electrical devices like lighting, with complex wiring and exposed conductors posing safety risks and limiting adjustability and aesthetics.
Innovation Solution
A shelving system with vertically aligned shelf rails featuring integrated power rails and resilient tapping contacts on brackets that automatically connect to conductors when hung, allowing easy adjustment and concealment of power supply lines, using conventional angle brackets and sheet material for flexibility and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional shelving systems with separate electrical rails are used, then electrical devices can be powered, but wiring becomes complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the mechanical support function of the shelf rail with the electrical power supply function by integrating conductors directly into the shelf rail structure. The shelf rail serves dual purposes: supporting shelves and providing electrical power through embedded conductors, eliminating the need for separate electrical rails and complex wiring systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The shelf rail is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously provides mechanical support and electrical power distribution. This universal design allows a single structure to fulfill multiple functions, reducing overall system complexity and manufacturing costs.
2Ease of operation
If conductor strips are exposed on brackets for electrical connection, then power supply is achieved, but safety risks increase due to accidental contact
Solution Approach 1:
The conductors are nested within the hollow interior of the shelf rail structure. The electrical conductors are embedded inside the rail's cavity, concealed from external view and contact, while still providing electrical connection points to brackets that support shelves and lighting devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The shelf rail acts as an intermediary barrier between the exposed external environment and the electrical conductors. The rail's wall structure serves as a protective medium that isolates users from direct contact with conductors while allowing electrical connections to be made through designated interfaces.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If electrical connections are made at discreet points along the rail, then safety is improved, but height adjustability of shelves is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The conductors extend continuously along the entire length of the shelf rail, providing uninterrupted electrical power supply. This continuous conductor arrangement allows brackets to be positioned at any height along the rail and still access electrical power, maintaining both safety through concealed conductors and versatility through unlimited height adjustability.
4Ease of operation
If visible cables and plugs are used for lighting fixtures, then electrical connection is achieved, but aesthetics are deteriorated
Solution Approach 1:
All electrical cables and connection components are nested within the hollow interior of the shelf rail. The rail structure conceals the wiring from external view, presenting a clean, aesthetic appearance while maintaining full electrical functionality for lighting devices mounted on shelves.
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 enables easy assembly, disassembly, and adjustment of shelves while ensuring safe and concealed electrical connections, reducing wiring complexity and costs, and enhancing safety by preventing accidental contact with conductors.
Implementation Method 1
The bracket has resilient tapping contacts which can be elastically pressed into the housing against the spring force
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
A shelving system (1), particularly for product presentation, has at least one vertically oriented shelf rail (3) with a series of vertically spaced slots (21) leading to an interior space (19) of the shelf rail (3). A power rail (22) for supplying power is arranged in the interior space (19). The power rail has a first and a second conductor (23, 24) running side by side at a distance along one of the side walls (17, 18) of the shelf rail (3) and being insulated from each other. A support element, e.g., a shelf element (6), is mounted on a bracket (7) designed to be inserted into the slots (21) of the shelf rail (3). A lighting device (13) is attached to the support element (6) or the bracket (7). The bracket (7) has at least one engagement section (37) for engaging in one of the slots (21).Furthermore, a current collector (56) is attached to the console (7), which has tap contacts (66, 67) protruding from a housing (61) and arranged on the engagement section (37) of the console (7). The tap contacts (66, 67) are spring-loaded and arranged such that, when the console (7) is inserted into the shelf rail (3), they can be elastically pressed into the housing (61) against the spring force and, as soon as they are in the interior (19) of the shelf rail (3), are pressed out of the housing (61) by the spring force and against the associated conductors (23, 24) of the busbar (22) to create an electrically conductive connection for the lighting device (13).