Sliding-Rotating Storage Unit for Internal Compartment Access

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing storage units lack efficient mechanisms for improving accessibility to internal compartments, limiting ease of retrieval of stored items.

Innovation Solution

A storage device with slidably and rotatably coupled storage elements that actuate between stowed and forward positions, allowing the elements to rotate and slide with respect to sidewalls, enhancing access to storage compartments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If storage elements are fixed within the storage device, then the device structure is simple and stable, but accessibility to internal compartments is poor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccessibility to storage compartmentVSAvoidstorage element coupling mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The storage element is transformed from a fixed structure to a dynamic one capable of sliding and rotating movements. The coupling mechanism includes sliding surfaces allowing linear movement and rotating surfaces enabling angular displacement, making the storage element adaptable and accessible while maintaining structural integrity through controlled degrees of freedom.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If storage elements are made accessible through sliding and rotating mechanisms, then ease of access improves, but the device structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveretrieval of stored itemsVSAvoidcoupling mechanism between storage element and sidewalls

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sliding and rotating functions are merged into a single coupling mechanism between the storage element and sidewalls. The mechanism integrates sliding surfaces for linear movement and rotating surfaces for angular displacement, combining multiple degrees of freedom into one unified structure that reduces overall system complexity while achieving both accessibility and stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If the storage element can rotate and slide, then accessibility is enhanced, but stability of the storage element may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccessibility to storage compartmentVSAvoidstorage element position stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The storage element is transformed from a fixed structure to a dynamic one capable of sliding and rotating movements. The coupling mechanism includes sliding surfaces allowing linear movement and rotating surfaces enabling angular displacement, making the storage element adaptable and accessible while maintaining structural integrity through controlled degrees of freedom.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS20250296220A1Sliding Rotating Storage Unit

Publication Date: 2025.09.25 MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORP

AI summary

Various embodiments of a storage device are provided. The storage device includes one or more storage compartment that are slideable with respect to sidewalls of the storage device. The containers are also rotateable with respect to the sidewalls of the storage device, thereby permitting improved accessibility to the storage compartment in the container.