Sprung Display Case with Single Spring and Tether to Prevent Snaking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sprung display cases for heavy products, such as multipack beverages, face issues with snaking and high manufacturing costs due to the use of multiple springs and bespoke components, limiting their functionality and economic viability.
Innovation Solution
A sprung display case with a single resiliently compressible member, such as a coil spring, and a tether to prevent overextension, combined with a platform having air holes for smooth movement, allowing for a cost-effective and reliable display solution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple springs and bespoke components are used to prevent snaking in heavy product display, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The single spring is divided into multiple functional zones using dividers that create separate compartments within the chamber. This segmentation allows the spring to be divided into sections, each supporting specific products, preventing snaking without requiring multiple separate springs or complex components.
Solution Approach 2:
Dividers are introduced as intermediary elements between the spring and the products. These dividers act as mediators that distribute the load and prevent the spring from snaking by creating defined sections, thereby maintaining reliability while avoiding the need for multiple springs or bespoke components.
2Device complexity
If a single resilient member is used to reduce complexity, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to snaking
Solution Approach 1:
The single spring chamber is segmented into multiple compartments using dividers. This segmentation prevents the spring from snaking by creating defined sections, allowing a single resilient member to maintain reliability while keeping device complexity low.
Solution Approach 2:
The dividers create local zones within the chamber where products are contained in specific areas. This local organization prevents snaking by ensuring that spring force is distributed locally rather than allowing uncontrolled movement, maintaining reliability with a simple single-spring design.
3Productivity
If the chamber is filled more than half full, then productivity is improved by maximizing display capacity, but the spring snakes and reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The chamber is divided into multiple compartments using dividers, allowing products to be stacked to the top of the chamber in organized sections. This segmentation prevents snaking by containing spring movement within each compartment, enabling maximum display capacity while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
Products are organized into local zones within the chamber using dividers. This local organization allows the chamber to be filled to capacity while preventing snaking, as each zone independently manages spring force and product weight, maintaining stability throughout.
4Reliability
If bespoke injection moulded components are used to create a functional sprung display case, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The dividers serve multiple functions: they segment the chamber, prevent snaking, organize products, and provide structural support. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for bespoke injection moulded components, reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining reliability through a simpler, more universal design.
Solution Approach 2:
The design replaces expensive bespoke injection moulded components with simpler, cheaper alternatives such as dividers and standard spring components. This approach maintains functional reliability while significantly reducing manufacturing cost by using more economical materials and construction methods.
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 case effectively displays heavy products at an accessible height, preventing snaking and reducing manufacturing costs by using a single resilient member and tether, ensuring smooth operation and efficient product retrieval.
Implementation Method 1
a coil spring 25 mounted within the chamber 22 beneath the platform 24
Implementation Method 2
a single resiliently compressible member mounted in the chamber between a lower side of the platform and an upper side of a base of the chamber
Implementation Method 3
a tether 26 attached at a first end to the platform 24 and at a second end to the base of the chamber 22
Implementation Method 4
the platform 24 having at least one air hole formed therethrough
Data Source
AI summary
A sprung display case for dispensing products, particularly heavy products such as beverage multipacks. The case comprises a vertical chamber that is open at an upper end (and is sized and shaped such that a plurality of the products can be vertically stacked within the chamber; a horizontal platform that is mounted to be vertically slidable within the chamber, the platform having at least one air hole formed therethrough; a single resiliently compressible member mounted in the chamber between a lower side of the platform and an upper side of a base of the chamber to bias the platform towards the upper end of the chamber; and a tether fixed at a first end to the platform and at a second end to the base of the chamber to prevent the platform moving out of the upper end of the chamber.