System having a bracket for a shelf of a rack

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing shelving systems with electrical supply consoles cannot ensure stable electrically conductive connections between the console and the shelf post when the console is attached at different inclined positions, as the known solutions only guarantee contact at a predetermined position or inclination.

Innovation Solution

The console design includes a base body and a contacting element that can be pivoted relative to each other, allowing the console to be attached to the shelf post in multiple inclined positions, with the contacting element inserting into hanging openings to establish an electrically conductive connection with the shelf post's electrical conductor, ensuring contact in any intended inclination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the console is designed with a fixed predetermined inclination, then stable electrically conductive connection is guaranteed, but the console cannot be attached at different inclined positions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestable electrically conductive connectionVSAvoidattachment at different inclined positions
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The contacting element is designed to be movable relative to the base body, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position and maintain electrical contact with the shelf post regardless of the console's inclination angle. This dynamic mechanism resolves the contradiction by enabling both stable connection and adaptability to different positions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The console is divided into separate functional components: a base body for mechanical attachment and a contacting element for electrical connection. This segmentation allows the contacting element to independently adjust its position relative to the base body, maintaining reliable electrical contact while the base body remains attached at various inclined positions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the console is designed to be pivotable for different inclined positions, then adaptability is improved, but stable electrically conductive connection cannot be guaranteed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment at different inclined positionsVSAvoidstable electrically conductive connection
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The contacting element incorporates a dynamic adjustment mechanism that automatically compensates for changes in inclination angle. As the base body pivots to different positions, the contacting element moves accordingly to maintain continuous electrical contact with the shelf post, ensuring reliability across all inclined positions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The contacting element is designed to self-adjust its position in response to changes in the console's inclination. Through elastic deformation or mechanical movement, it automatically maintains contact with the shelf post without requiring external adjustment mechanisms, ensuring stable electrical connection regardless of the base body's orientation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of manufacture

If a rigid contacting element is used, then manufacturing precision is easier to achieve, but the contacting element cannot adapt to position changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontacting element fabricationVSAvoidcontacting element position adjustment
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The contacting element is designed with elastic properties that allow it to change its physical state between rigid and flexible. This enables the element to maintain a simple, manufacturable base structure while acquiring the ability to adapt its position through elastic deformation when needed, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3749144B1System having a bracket for a shelf of a rack
Publication Date: 2024.06.05 REHAU IND SE & CO KG
  • EP3749144B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3749144B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3749144B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a bracket (10) for a shelf, wherein the bracket (10) has a basic body (14), which can be mounted on a rack post (12) of the rack, and a contacting element (16), wherein the basic body (14) can be mounted on the rack post (12) in at least two oblique positions, wherein the contacting element (16) has at least one contact (22), wherein the contacting element (16) can be arranged, in each of the oblique positions, in a contacting position (24) on the rack post (12), in which position the contact (22) has an electrically conducting connection with the electric conductor (20) of the rack post (12), wherein, to mount the basic body (14) on the rack post (12), the basic body (14) and the contacting element (16) can be pivoted relative to one another in one of the oblique positions. The invention further relates to a system (32) having such a bracket (10).