Shelving structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional shelving structures are prone to structural failure due to inadequate contact between plastic connecting units and frames, leading to unsafe usage when objects are placed on the shelf.
Innovation Solution
A shelving structure featuring four vertical posts, four annular spacers, and a shelf board with a frame and panel, where the frame has tilted supporting boards with hook-like lip portions and concave grooves, and arc boards with wings that form a connecting tube to secure the spacers, enhancing structural strength and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If sleeves are secured inside recesses of the frame through ultrasonic welding, then the connection is firmly secured, but the contact area between the recesses and sleeves is small, leading to insufficient shearing strength
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from a single-point or linear contact connection (sleeve in recess) to a distributed areal contact connection (supporting boards with lip portions engaging the post). This dimensional change from 0D/1D to 2D contact significantly increases the contact area and distributes the load across multiple points, thereby improving shearing strength without compromising connection firmness.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame is segmented into multiple supporting boards (at least eight) distributed around the perimeter, each with its own lip portion. This segmentation distributes the connection function across multiple independent contact points, increasing the total contact area with the post and improving overall shearing strength while maintaining structural integrity.
2Ease of manufacture
If the frame structure is simplified to reduce manufacturing cost, then the manufacturing cost decreases, but the structural strength may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses thin lip portions (1.5-3mm thickness) bent into hook-like shapes to create effective connection structures. These thin, flexible elements are easy to manufacture through bending operations while providing sufficient structural strength through their geometric configuration and distributed arrangement around the post.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention optimizes the lip portion thickness parameter (1.5-3mm) to achieve the best balance between manufacturability and structural strength. This parameter change allows the use of thinner, easier-to-manufacture materials while maintaining adequate connection strength through the distributed multi-point engagement design.
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 design reduces manufacturing costs, improves structural strength, and enhances user safety by providing a larger contact area between components, preventing cuts during installation or movement.
Implementation Method 1
each of the arc boards has two wings extending from two lateral sides thereof, and the wings are configured to be welded with the frame, thereby forming a connecting tube
Data Source
AI summary
A shelving structure may include at least four vertical posts, at least four annular spacers, and at least a shelf board, and the posts are configured to be mounted on the shelf board through the annular spacers. The shelf board has a frame and a panel, and a convex portion is formed at an inner edge of the frame. At least eight horizontal supporting boards are formed at four upper edges and four lower edges of the frame respectively. Each two adjacent supporting boards are not connected to each other, and each of four corners of the frame is bent to form a concave groove. Moreover, four arc boards are respectively assembled with the four concave grooves, and each of the arc boards has two wings configured to be welded with the convex portion of the frame to improve the structural strength of the shelving structure.