Storage system, cover strip, and method for producing a cover strip
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing storage systems with carrier rails, such as those made from sheet metal, tend to produce noise when devices are attached, which affects the consumer experience.
Innovation Solution
A flexible cover strip with elongated projections and snap elements is used to fit onto the carrier rail, providing sound dampening and a visually appealing, easy-to-clean surface, while allowing for selective exposure of slots for device attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a sheet metal carrier rail is used to support devices, then the structural strength and stability are improved, but noise is generated when devices are attached
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible cover strip is introduced as an intermediary element between the sheet metal carrier rail and the attached devices. This cover strip absorbs and dampens the noise generated during device attachment while maintaining the structural integrity of the rail system.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover strip is made from flexible material that can conform to the carrier rail and provide sound dampening. The flexibility allows it to adapt to the rail structure while its material properties absorb noise, resolving the contradiction between structural strength and noise generation.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If a cover strip is added to dampen noise, then the noise reduction is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cover strip integrates multiple functions into a single component: noise dampening, aesthetic coverage of the rail, and provision of attachment slots for devices. This merging approach adds noise reduction capability without proportionally increasing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover strip serves multiple purposes simultaneously - it acts as a sound dampening layer, a protective cover for the rail, and a template for device attachment slots. This multi-functionality justifies the added component by delivering multiple benefits from a single addition.
3Shape
If the cover strip is made smooth for aesthetic appeal, then the visual appearance and ease of cleaning are improved, but the attachment mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The cover strip is segmented with protrusions that correspond to the attachment slots in the carrier rail. This segmentation allows the smooth surface to be maintained for aesthetics while the protrusions provide the necessary attachment functionality, distributing the complexity across discrete elements rather than the entire surface.
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 cover strip effectively reduces noise propagation along the carrier rail, enhances the aesthetic appeal, and facilitates easy cleaning and device attachment by providing a smooth exterior and snap elements that secure the strip in place.
Implementation Method 1
a relatively softer cover strip of this type can help dampening sound propagating along the carrier rail
Implementation Method 2
A relatively softer cover strip of this type can help dampening sound propagating along the carrier rail such that noise is reduced to some extent
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a flexible cover strip for a storage system including a carrier rail (1) having a U-shaped cross section with first and second parallel rows (3, 5) of elongated substantially identical slots (7) in a front portion to accommodate a suspension element such as e.g. a bracket. The cover strip has an abutment face (17) and an exterior face (31), and a plurality of projections (19), rising from the abutment surface of the strip in first and second parallel rows matching the slots of the carrier rail, such that the cover strip can be fitted on the front portion with the projections entering the slots, and wherein at least some of the projections are provided with a snap element (27) at their distal ends, which snap elements prevent the cover strip from falling off the rail.