Shower Panel Rack with Guides to Reduce Packaging Material and Space
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Solution Overview
Problem
Transporting shower panels is challenging due to their sensitivity to shocks and the cumbersome packaging required, which occupies significant space and uses excessive materials.
Innovation Solution
A rack system with guides and plates that support and space shower panels during transportation, allowing for efficient stacking and protection, and can be disassembled for compact storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If shower panels are packaged individually with cushioning materials, then protection against shock and damage is improved, but packaging material consumption and occupied space increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple shower panels are combined into a single transport unit by stacking them vertically on the rack structure. The panels are secured together using straps or bands that wrap around the entire stack, eliminating the need for individual packaging around each panel while maintaining protection during transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The rack structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides vertical support for stacking panels, lateral guidance through guides to prevent shifting, and secure fastening points for straps. This multi-functional design replaces multiple separate packaging components with a single integrated system.
2Reliability
If shower panels are stacked vertically with cushioning material between them, then protection during transportation is improved, but occupied space and packaging complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The protection system is segmented into distinct functional components: the rack structure provides vertical positioning, guides provide lateral constraint, and straps provide securing force. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall packaging process compared to bulky cushioning materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The rack structure acts as an intermediary between the shower panels, providing a rigid framework that maintains proper spacing and alignment. The guides serve as intermediaries between adjacent panels, preventing lateral movement without requiring soft cushioning materials between each panel.
3Productivity
If multiple shower panels are transported together, then transportation efficiency is improved, but risk of mutual damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guides extend in the lateral dimension perpendicular to the vertical stacking direction, creating a three-dimensional constraint system. This lateral guidance prevents panels from shifting horizontally during transport, eliminating the risk of mutual damage while allowing efficient vertical stacking for improved transportation efficiency.
4Volume of moving object
If shower panels are held close together to maximize space utilization, then transportation space efficiency is improved, but protection against shock and damage deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The rack structure provides pre-positioned support and spacing between panels before any shock or damage can occur during transport. The guides are positioned in advance to prevent lateral movement, and the overall structure is designed to distribute and absorb impact forces, protecting panels even when stacked closely together for maximum space utilization.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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Figure 5~6
AI summary
A rack (100) for shower panels (10) is provided. The rack comprises a plurality of first guides (1) and a plurality of second guides (2a, 2b), each first guide (1) being configured to support a longitudinal side (11) of a shower panel and each second guide (2a, 2b) being configured to support a transversal side (12) of a shower panel (10).