Shelving Support Bracket Assembly to Reduce Fatigue and Impact Failure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional shelving systems often face premature failure due to loading conditions, such as deformation, fracture, and fatigue, particularly in cantilevered shelves subjected to repeated impact loading, leading to undesirable downtime and costs.
Innovation Solution
A shelving system design featuring a support post with vertically spaced retention members and a support bracket that includes an attachment portion for coupling to adjacent retention members, along with a support portion forming a C-shaped region to securely engage a shelf member, reducing mechanical stresses and enhancing structural integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional shelving system designs are used, then manufacturing simplicity and material cost are maintained, but strength and reliability deteriorate due to premature failure from bending, buckling, and fracture
Solution Approach 1:
The support bracket is divided into distinct functional segments: an attachment portion with aperture for mounting to the support post, and a support portion with C-shaped region for engaging the shelf member. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall structural integrity and strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The C-shaped region of the support portion is designed to nest around the shelf member, creating a nested configuration where the bracket envelops the shelf support element. This nesting arrangement provides encirclement and distribution of loads while maintaining a compact structure.
2Reliability
If conventional shelving system designs are used, then device simplicity is maintained, but reliability deteriorates due to fatigue-induced fracture and dynamic fracture under repeated impact loading
Solution Approach 1:
The C-shaped support portion is designed to provide beforehand cushioning by encircling the shelf member and distributing impact loads before they can concentrate at critical stress points. This pre-positioned structural support prevents fatigue-induced fracture and dynamic fracture under repeated impact loading conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket geometry is optimized with specific parameter values including the C-shaped region curvature, aperture positioning, and thickness variations that change stress distribution parameters. These parameter changes enhance fatigue resistance and prevent fracture under repeated loading while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.
3Strength
If support brackets are added to shelving systems, then strength and reliability are improved, but manufacturing complexity and material costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket is segmented into attachment and support portions that can be manufactured as separate components or as a single piece with distinct functional zones. This segmentation allows for optimized manufacturing processes for each section while maintaining overall strength and reliability improvements.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket design incorporates parameter optimizations such as wall thickness, curvature radii, and aperture dimensions that balance strength requirements with manufacturing ease. These parameter changes enable production through standard forming and cutting processes while achieving the necessary mechanical performance.
Data Source
AI summary
A shelving system includes a support post having a mounting surface and a plurality of vertically spaced retention members extending from the mounting surface. A shelf includes a bracket member configured for coupling to a first of the vertically spaced retention members. A support bracket includes an attachment portion configured for coupling to a second of the vertically spaced retention members adjacent the first vertically spaced retention member and a support portion configured for coupling to the bracket member.