Modular Showcase Rear Wall With Concealed Power Strip Lighting

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing showcases face issues with vibrations and reduced stability due to thick metal sheets, which increase cost and weight, and conventional lighting solutions are non-aesthetic, cumbersome, and pose safety risks.

Innovation Solution

A modular showcase design with a rear wall made of corrugated metal sheets divided into panels for improved rigidity and a concealed electrical power strip integrated into the C-profile power strip for internal lighting, allowing for easier assembly and safer installation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the rear wall is made of thick metal sheets to ensure stability and reduce vibrations, then the stability and vibration resistance are improved, but the cost and weight of the showcase increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestabilityVSAvoidweight
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The rear wall is divided into multiple segments or panels that can be assembled together to form the complete wall structure. This segmentation allows for easier handling and installation of individual lighter components while maintaining the overall stability of the showcase through proper structural design and connection mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite construction techniques where metal sheets are combined with other materials or structural elements (such as reinforcing ribs, internal bracing, or hybrid material layers) to achieve the required stability and vibration resistance without increasing the weight proportionally. This allows optimizing the strength-to-weight ratio of the rear wall assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Stability of the object's composition

If the rear wall is made of thick metal sheets to ensure stability and reduce vibrations, then the stability and vibration resistance are improved, but the cost of the showcase increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestabilityVSAvoidcost
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Dividing the rear wall into segments enables standardized mass production of individual panels, which reduces manufacturing complexity and cost. The segmented design allows for efficient fabrication, inventory management, and assembly, thereby lowering the overall cost while maintaining stability requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Using composite construction methods with optimized material selection and structural design reduces the amount of expensive thick metal required. By combining materials strategically and using reinforcing elements, the showcase achieves the necessary stability at a lower manufacturing cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Illumination intensity

If conventional lighting solutions are used in the showcase, then the lighting function is provided, but the aesthetics are compromised and safety risks arise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelighting functionVSAvoidsafety risks
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The lighting system is nested within the structural elements of the showcase, such as embedding LED strips or light sources within the rear wall panels, shelves, or frame members. This integration conceals the lighting components, eliminating aesthetic compromises and reducing safety risks by removing exposed electrical elements while maintaining effective illumination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The lighting function is merged with the structural components of the showcase. Electrical wiring and lighting elements are integrated into the design of the rear wall, shelves, or posts, creating a unified structure where lighting is both functional and aesthetically pleasing while eliminating separate exposed electrical systems that pose safety risks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Ease of manufacture

If the rear wall is made of segments to facilitate manufacture and storage, then the ease of manufacture and storage is improved, but the structural integrity may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidstructural integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The rear wall is divided into segments that are designed with proper connection mechanisms (such as interlocking joints, welding points, or mechanical fasteners) to ensure that when assembled, the structural integrity matches or exceeds that of a monolithic wall. Each segment is optimized for manufacturing and handling while maintaining overall strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The segmented construction uses composite joining techniques and reinforced connection points to ensure that the assembly of segments achieves the required structural integrity. The use of appropriate materials and connection methods at the joints compensates for the segmentation, maintaining overall wall strength and rigidity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 enhances stability and reduces material thickness while providing a hidden, safe, and aesthetically pleasing lighting solution, improving the overall functionality and safety of the showcase.

Implementation Method 1

the rear wall is made with corrugated impressions, which increase the rigidity and allow for reducing the thickness of the sheets the rear wall is made of

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCorrugation: Corrugation

Data Source

PatentEP3323317B1A showcase, especially for stores
Publication Date: 2019.04.17 MAGO SA
  • EP3323317B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3323317B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3323317B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The subject of the invention provides a showcase, especially for shops, used, among other things, for use on exhibition stands at shops, markets, showrooms or warehouses. A showcase, especially for stores, according to the invention, includes a module (1) with two post-like legs (2) of a rectangular cross-section and a rear wall (3) removably installed to the legs (2) using a shaped link, where the rear wall (3) is a metal plate with impressions, where the impressions form parallel portions of the front surface (5) and portions of the rear surface (6) connected by means of skew sections (7), the rear wall (3), at the connection site of the elements of the front surface (5) and skew sections (7), near its side edge, is equipped with horizontal slots (8), in which a link (9) is installed formed as a flat element passing through at least two adjacent horizontal slots (8) and having shaped detents (10) at the external side in relation to the rear side (3), to connect with post-like legs (2), and it is characterised in that at least at one side of the rear wall (3), the horizontal slots (8), along part of their length, at the side opposite to the leg (2), have a channel (80) which receives a power strip (13) which supplies electrical energy.