Shelving system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional shelving systems for motor vehicles have limited ergonomic and variable loading capabilities, requiring high force to tilt loaded shelves back into a horizontal position, offering a fixed and insufficient angle for loading and unloading, and allowing access from only one side, which is not suitable for users of different body sizes and does not facilitate efficient loading and unloading of upper levels.
Innovation Solution
A shelving system with multiple base units, each supported by a pivoting axis, allowing independent adjustment between base and access positions, enabling variable angles and bi-directional access, which reduces the force required for loading and unloading and allows secure container placement within the vehicle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the entire shelf base is tilted into a loading position, then loading and unloading is simplified, but a particularly high force is needed to tilt the shelf base back into the base position when loaded
Solution Approach 1:
The shelf base is divided into multiple independent base elements (first base element, second base element) that can be tilted independently around different pivoting axes. This segmentation allows only the accessed portion to be tilted rather than the entire shelf, significantly reducing the force required while maintaining loading convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The base elements are made dynamically adjustable between a base position and an access position through pivoting mechanisms. This dynamic capability allows the shelf to adapt its configuration based on loading needs, providing ergonomic access while reducing the mechanical force required compared to tilting the entire rigid shelf structure.
2Ease of operation
If a fixed angle between base position and loading position is used, then the structure is simple, but the angle is insufficient (about 20 degrees) for simple loading and unloading
Solution Approach 1:
The pivoting axes enable the base elements to achieve a larger tilt angle than conventional fixed shelves (approximately 45 degrees), improving loading ergonomics. The dynamic pivoting mechanism allows angle adjustment without requiring complex additional components, as the pivot design inherently provides the necessary range of motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The tilt angle parameter is changed from a fixed small angle (20 degrees) to a variable larger angle (approximately 45 degrees) through the pivoting mechanism. This parameter change significantly improves loading and unloading ease while the pivot design keeps the structural complexity manageable.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the shelf base can pivot on only one side, then the structure is simple, but loading and unloading can only be performed from one side
Solution Approach 1:
The shelf is segmented into multiple base elements (first base element with first pivoting axis, second base element with second pivoting axis) that can pivot independently. This segmentation enables access from multiple sides simultaneously, as each base element can be tilted independently toward different access points, enhancing versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The pivoting axes are positioned asymmetrically on opposite sides of the shelf structure, allowing base elements to tilt in different directions. This asymmetric arrangement enables multi-sided access and loading operations, transforming the shelf from a single-sided to a multi-functional access system.
4Quantity of substance
If the shelf base is loaded, then cargo storage is achieved, but the force needed to return the shelf to horizontal position becomes particularly high
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the shelf into separate base elements that can be tilted independently, only the loaded portion being accessed needs to be tilted, not the entire cargo-carrying shelf. This segmentation maintains full cargo capacity while reducing the force required to tilt only the accessed segment.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of tilting the entire shelf base (excessive action), only the specific base element containing the cargo to be accessed is tilted (partial action). This partial tilting reduces the force requirement proportionally while still providing full access to the cargo, resolving the contradiction between cargo storage and return force.
Data Source
AI summary
A shelving system for a motor vehicle has at least one shelf, which includes a base unit with a base element supported in a base position allocated to the base element on a support element and is mounted on a pivoting axis. The base element can be shifted around the axis out of the base position allocated to it into an access position allocated to the base element, in which the base element is raised by the at least one support element. A further base element is supported in a base position allocated to the further base element on the support element and is mounted on a further pivoting axis arranged on the side of the support element opposite the first pivoting axis. The further base element can be shifted into an access position, in which the further base element is raised by the support element.