Trolley Shelf Hook Design for Even Load Distribution and Reduced Waste

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Solution Overview

Problem

Maintaining a pool of returnable transport trolleys is costly, especially when inferior quality items are added, and existing shelves do not efficiently distribute loads, leading to potential damage and increased maintenance costs.

Innovation Solution

The shelf features hooks formed from a metal strip bent perpendicular to the central plane, with diverging or parallel portions and notches, providing robust construction, efficient metal usage, and even load distribution, along with optional reinforcement and attachment methods like welding or clinching, to securely attach to trolley posts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If traditional shelf designs are used, then manufacturing is simpler, but load distribution is poor causing concentration of forces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveload distributionVSAvoidhook structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hook is segmented into two separate legs (first leg and second leg) that are bent from a metal strip at different angles. The first leg engages with the post at one location while the second leg engages at a different location, allowing the load to be distributed across multiple contact points rather than concentrated at a single point.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The hook structure transitions from a simple single-plane design to a multi-dimensional configuration where the metal strip is bent in multiple directions (different angles) to create legs that engage with the post at different locations and orientations, enabling three-dimensional load distribution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Strength

If more metal is used for robust hooks, then strength increases, but weight and waste increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehook strengthVSAvoidshelf weight

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The hook is formed by bending a metal strip into specific geometric configurations (different angles for the legs) rather than using additional material. The strength is achieved through optimized geometric parameters and structural design of the bent strip, maintaining high strength-to-weight ratio.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Strength

If complex hook designs are used to distribute loads, then load distribution improves, but manufacturing becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveload distributionVSAvoidmanufacturing simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple functional elements (two legs at different angles) are merged into a single continuous metal strip that is bent into the final hook shape. This integration allows the complex load-distributing structure to be manufactured as one piece through bending operations, simplifying the manufacturing process compared to assembling multiple separate components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3141453B1Shelf for a trolley

Publication Date: 2020.02.12 CONTAINER CENTRALEN AS

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AI summary

The invention relates to a shelf (10) for a trolley (1) comprising a plate (11) providing a surface (12) for carrying goods, such as potted plants and flowers, and hooks (20) for mounting the shelf (10) in the trolley (1). One or more of the hooks (20) are formed from a metal strip (21) bent about an axis (A) extending perpendicular to the central plane of the plate (11).