Systems and methods related to storage racks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional horizontal storage systems often have fixed vertical depths, impediments to horizontal translation, and difficulties in complete vertical access and easy removal of shelves, especially when dealing with heavy loads or large drawer sizes.
Innovation Solution
A shelving system with adjustable vertical storage space heights, complete vertical clearance between shelves, and ease of drawer removal and translation, featuring a frame with parallel side frames, track members, and followers with wheels for smooth movement, allowing shelves to be translated in opposite directions and easily removed without manual locks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If drawer stops are used to prevent accidental dislodgement, then drawer stability is improved, but complete vertical access to lower storage spaces is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The drawer stop function is segmented from the drawer structure itself and transferred to the shelf bottom through recesses. This allows the stop mechanism to be independent of the drawer frame, enabling complete vertical access while maintaining stability through the recess-engage ment system between shelf and drawer.
2Reliability
If manual locks are used to secure heavy drawers, then drawer stability is improved, but ease of removal and translation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The manual lock mechanism is completely removed from the system. Instead, drawer stability is achieved through the friction engagement of drawer ledges with shelf recesses, and drawer removal is facilitated by the same recess structure that provides stability during use.
Solution Approach 2:
The drawer and shelf structures serve their own locking and unlocking functions through their geometric design. The recesses and ledges automatically engage to provide stability and disengage to allow removal, eliminating the need for separate locking mechanisms.
3Ease of manufacture
If fixed vertical depth is used in storage spaces, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but vertical space utilization is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from fixed drawer depths to variable effective storage depths. By providing multiple shelf positions and allowing shelves to be placed at different vertical locations, the usable storage depth becomes dynamic and adaptable to different storage needs while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through standardized shelf components.
4Productivity
If drawers overlap vertically, then space efficiency is improved, but complete vertical access and removal capability are blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The overlap is segmented and repositioned to occur horizontally at the front edges rather than vertically across the entire drawer depth. This allows complete vertical access to the storage space while maintaining the space-efficient overlapping configuration through the recess-ledge mechanism at the drawer front.
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
Enables maximum utilization of vertical space, complete access to storage areas, and easy handling of heavy loads by allowing shelves to be moved and removed without mechanical assistance, improving the efficiency and accessibility of horizontal storage systems.
Implementation Method 1
followers with wheels for smooth movement
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods directed to shelving systems include a frame and one or more translatable shelves. The shelves are supported on rails and are horizontally translatable from a rearward position to a forward position. When adjacent shelves are respectively most rearward and most forward, certain shelf and frame structural cooperation enhance shelf access and shelf removability. Provided a single shelving kit, certain shelf configuration may be customized for particular end uses.