Thermal Processing Shelf With Projection-Based Column Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermal processing shelves face challenges in securely attaching a board to a column without compromising the board's strength, particularly due to the need for through holes which reduce the board's strength and require careful consideration of the weight distribution of the process target object.
Innovation Solution
A shelf design where a projection portion from the board is inserted into a concave portion of the column, and a pin and spacer system is used to prevent the board from moving relative to the column, ensuring secure attachment without through holes, allowing for improved positioning and stability during thermal processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If through holes are provided in the board to insert columns, then the board can be firmly attached to the columns, but the strength of the board is reduced in the vicinities of the through holes
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of inserting the column through holes in the board (traditional approach), the invention inverts the approach by having the board insert into a recess of the column. This reversal eliminates the need for through holes in the board, preserving its structural strength while achieving secure attachment through the projection portion engaging with the column's recess.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a two-dimensional attachment method (through holes in the board plane) to a three-dimensional engagement system where the projection portion extends vertically from the board and engages with the column's recess, adding a vertical dimension to the attachment mechanism.
2Strength
If the board is attached to the column without through holes, then the board strength is maintained, but the positioning of the board relative to the column becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The projection portion on the board and the recess in the column create a self-aligning, self-positioning mechanism. When the board is inserted into the column, the projection automatically engages with the recess, providing precise positioning without requiring additional alignment features or complex assembly procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The projection portion and recess are designed with asymmetric geometries that ensure proper orientation and positioning. The projection has specific dimensional characteristics that match the recess, allowing the board to be positioned accurately relative to the column through the shape-complementary interface.
3Reliability
If a projection portion is added to the board for attachment, then the board can be firmly attached to the column without through holes, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The projection portion is merged with the board as an integrated feature, and the recess is merged with the column structure. This combining of elements eliminates the need for separate fasteners, bolts, or additional attachment components, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining secure attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the attachment function from the traditional through-hole-and-fastener system and concentrates it into the projection portion-recess interface. This extraction simplifies the attachment mechanism by removing unnecessary components and focusing the attachment function in a single, efficient interface.
Data Source
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AI summary
A shelf (10) for thermal processing inludes a board (30) having a flat plate shape, a column (20) having a support part (24) which supports the board (30) from below, and an opposing part (22) which is located above the support part (24) and opposing an upper surface (30a) of the board (30), and a projection portion (40) projecting from one of the upper surface (30a) and a lower surface (30b) of the board (30) disposed between the support part (24) and the opposing part (22), wherein the projection portion (40) is restricted to move along the flat plate shape of the board (30). One of the support part (24) and the opposing part (22) that is located on a side of the one of the upper surface (30a) and the lower surface (30b) opposes a side surface of the projection portion (40), and makes contact with the projection portion (40) to restrict the board (30) from moving relative to the column (20) along the flat plate shape of the board (30).