Tiltable Wire Shelf Mounting for Modular Cabinet Bin Exchange
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modular storage cabinets lack the ability to adjust the angle of their shelves, limiting the ease of bin exchange and optimal viewing, as shelves are typically fixed horizontally, which restricts the flexibility in bin arrangement and access.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a tiltable wire shelf system with a pivot and sliding coupling mechanism that allows shelves to be adjusted over a range of angles, enabling bins to be easily exchanged and viewed by optimizing the angle of the shelves for bin placement and access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If shelves are fixed horizontally in modular storage cabinets, then the structure is simple and stable, but the ease of bin exchange and viewing is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The shelf is transformed from a fixed horizontal position to a tiltable configuration. The shelf can be adjusted to different angles relative to the horizontal plane, allowing it to transition between a stable horizontal state for storage and an inclined state for easier bin exchange and viewing. This dynamic adjustment capability resolves the contradiction by providing both structural simplicity and operational ease at different times.
Solution Approach 2:
The angle of the shelf relative to the horizontal plane is changed as a key parameter. By adjusting this angle parameter, the shelf can be optimized for different functions: a smaller angle (more horizontal) provides stability and simple structure, while a larger angle (more inclined) improves bin exchange ease and viewing. This parameter change allows the system to adapt to different operational requirements.
2Ease of operation
If shelves are tilted at an oblique angle, then bin exchange becomes easier and viewing is optimized, but the risk of bins falling out increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shelf design incorporates a preliminary anti-action mechanism by extending the shelf beyond the front vertical edge of the cabinet body. This overhang creates a physical barrier that prevents bins from falling out even when the shelf is tilted at an oblique angle. The extension acts as a preemptive measure against the potential harmful effect of bins sliding off, allowing the shelf to be tilted for easier bin exchange without compromising bin retention.
3Ease of operation
If the shelf angle is adjusted to optimize viewing, then the view into bins is improved, but the structural stability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The shelf mounting mechanism allows the shelf to be dynamically positioned at different angles. When viewing optimization is needed, the shelf can be tilted to a larger angle. When stability is the priority, the shelf can be returned to a more horizontal position. The mechanism provides controlled movement between these states, allowing the system to achieve viewing optimization without permanently compromising structural stability.
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
This solution provides users with flexible bin arrangement and easy access by allowing shelves to be adjusted over a wide range of angles, ensuring bins are exchanged efficiently without falling and optimizing the view into the bins.
Implementation Method 1
a bin located towards the rear bar of the tiltable wire shelf slides forward under the influence of gravity when a bin located near the front bar of the tiltable wire shelf is removed from the cabinet body
Data Source
AI summary
A cabinet assembly includes a cabinet body, a tiltable wire shelf, and a shelf mounting system. The cabinet body has a base, a top, and a pair of sides that extend between the base and the top to define an inner volume. The tiltable wire shelf is mounted in the inner volume of the cabinet body and includes a front bar, a rear bar, a pair of side bars, and a plurality of crossbars. The shelf mounting system supports the tiltable wire shelf on the cabinet body and comprises a pivot coupling between the cabinet body and the front or rear bar of the tiltable wire shelf, and a sliding coupling between the cabinet body and one of the side bars of the tiltable wire shelf. The couplings cooperate to provide tiltable adjustment of the tiltable wire shelf relative to the cabinet body over a range of angles.