Sliding Support Member Container for Ergonomic Product Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing container designs pose ergonomic challenges for workers accessing and removing parts, leading to strain, injury, and increased production costs due to inefficient access and product density limitations.
Innovation Solution
A container with sliding support member assemblies and stabilizers that allow products to be easily accessed from the front, reducing the need for workers to stretch or bend, and enabling multiple layers for increased product density and efficient loading/unloading.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If products are stored in traditional fixed containers, then product storage is simple and stable, but worker access requires bending and stretching causing ergonomic strain
Solution Approach 1:
The support members are made movable rather than fixed, allowing them to slide along tracks to reposition products. This dynamic configuration enables workers to access products at ergonomic positions without bending or stretching, while maintaining stable storage when members are positioned.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adds a horizontal dimension to product access by allowing support members to move along tracks. Instead of workers reaching vertically into fixed positions, they can horizontally reposition support members to bring products to ergonomic access points.
2Productivity
If container length is reduced to eliminate walking around, then worker efficiency improves, but product storage capacity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Movable support members allow the container to adapt its effective storage length dynamically. Multiple support members can be positioned to maximize product capacity while keeping the working end at a fixed ergonomic position, eliminating the need for workers to walk around.
Solution Approach 2:
The container is divided into multiple segments with individual movable support members. Each support member can be independently positioned to optimize both storage capacity and worker access, allowing products to be accessed from one end while maintaining extended storage capacity.
3Quantity of substance
If multiple layers of products are stored, then product density increases, but worker access to bottom layers requires leaning forward and bending
Solution Approach 1:
Support members for different layers can move independently along their respective tracks. When bottom layer products need access, the bottom support members slide forward to bring products to ergonomic height, while upper layer support members remain in position, maintaining multi-layer storage capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-layer storage system is segmented into independent movable support members for each layer. This segmentation allows each layer to be accessed independently by moving only the relevant support members, eliminating the need for workers to lean forward or bend to reach bottom layers.
4Stability of the object's composition
If support members are fixed in position, then container structure is simple and stable, but product access requires reaching to distal positions
Solution Approach 1:
Support members are designed to move along fixed tracks within the container. The tracks provide structural stability and guidance, while the movable support members enable dynamic repositioning of products to accessible positions without compromising overall container stability.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a container for holding product therein during shipment and being returned for reuse that has a body, tracks attached to opposite sides of the body, and a plurality of support members extending between the tracks. Sliders are located at the ends of tubular supports, the sliders being slidable in the tracks to move the support members. The support members support dunnage for supporting products for storage or shipment.