Transportation rack with suspended support members
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transport racks lack flexibility and efficiency in adjusting to varying storage needs, particularly in environments where items at different heights need to be easily accessible without additional equipment like ladders.
Innovation Solution
A transportation rack with moveable and collapsible support members, featuring a frame with track members and actuated support members that can be raised or lowered, allowing suspended support members to collapse against the base, enabling adjustable storage height and easy access to items.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If support members are fixed at high positions, then storage capacity is improved, but accessibility to items requires additional equipment like ladders
Solution Approach 1:
The support members are designed to be moveable along vertical track members rather than fixed in position. The actuator enables the support members to dynamically adjust their height, allowing items to be stored at elevated positions for maximum space utilization while still being accessible when lowered to appropriate heights.
2Ease of operation
If support members are lowered to ground level, then accessibility is improved, but the rack cannot be transported efficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The support members can be dynamically positioned between a lowered state for accessibility and a raised state for compact transport. When transportation is needed, the actuator raises the support members to minimize the rack's vertical profile, enabling efficient transport while maintaining full accessibility when positioned at the facility.
3Adaptability or versatility
If support members are made moveable along tracks, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases due to actuators and track mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The rack is divided into modular components including separate track members, support members, and an actuator system. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and facilitates ease of assembly, maintenance, and adjustment, reducing the practical complexity despite the enhanced functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
A transportation rack includes a frame having a base configured for resting on a surface and first and second track members and positioned parallel to each other and extending upwardly away from the base between respective lower ends and upper ends, a first support member extending between the track members and respectively slidably connected with each of the first and second track members at opposite lateral ends of the first support member, and a second support member extending between the first and second track members and respectively slidably connected with each of the first and second track members at opposite lateral ends of the second support member, the second support member being coupled with the first support member by a flexible connection.