Van Shelving Bracket Assembly for Fast, Rigid Upright Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shelving structures for commercial vans are laborious to assemble due to the need for precise placement of caged nuts and often require additional stiffening elements, leading to increased weight and cost, while lacking flexibility and adaptability to withstand dynamic loads and potential collisions.
Innovation Solution
A shelving structure with a simplified assembly system using connecting brackets with elastically deformable intermediate parts and centring gudgeons, allowing for rapid and secure attachment of vessels to support uprights without the need for complex devices, ensuring structural integrity and flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If caged nuts are used in holes for fastening vessels to sides, then structural strength is improved, but assembling operation becomes laborious and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the caged nuts from the fastening system entirely. Instead, it uses self-tapping screws that directly thread into the side walls, eliminating the need for separate nuts and simplifying the assembly process while maintaining fastening strength
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the functions of the hole, nut, and screw into a single fastening operation. The self-tapping screw integrates the threading and fastening functions, allowing one-component attachment that previously required multiple components and steps
2Stability of the object's composition
If stiffening elements and bracing devices are added to increase shelf rigidity, then structural rigidity is improved, but weight and assembling complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the support and stiffening functions into the vertical side walls themselves. The sides are designed with integrated reinforcement features that provide structural support without requiring separate bracing devices, thereby maintaining rigidity while reducing component count and assembly complexity
3Reliability
If more fastening points and complex fastening systems are used, then reliability under dynamic loads is improved, but device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the fastening system into modular connecting brackets that can be independently attached at multiple locations. Each bracket is a simple, standardized component that provides reliable fastening, and multiple brackets distributed along the shelf provide the necessary redundancy and load distribution without complex individual components
4Strength
If traditional fastening systems with multiple components are used, then structural integrity is improved, but assembly time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple fastening operations into single-step processes. The self-tapping screws and integrated connecting brackets allow shelves and vessels to be attached in one motion without the need for separate alignment, nut installation, and tightening steps, thereby maintaining structural integrity while dramatically reducing assembly time
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
The solution enables rapid, secure assembly with reduced weight and cost, while providing enhanced flexibility and adaptability to withstand dynamic loads and collisions, ensuring safety and stability during vehicle movement and potential impacts.
Implementation Method 1
Each connecting bracket 7 has an intermediate folded part 7c, made of elastically deformable material, which is aimed at being freely introduced in a slot 50 made in each side wall 5
Data Source
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AI summary
A shelving structure comprising a plurality of vessels (1), which are provided, in their lower part, with a bottom wall (2), along whose perimeter extend a front wall (3), a back wall (4) and two opposite side walls (5). At least each front wall (3) has its opposite ends formed so as to define end contact surfaces (30) parallel to one another and aimed at contacting corresponding portions of surfaces of said opposite side walls (5) and of said support uprights (6). For each of said opposite ends, the connection between said vessel (1) and its support upright (6) is made by a connecting bracket (7), in which two portions can be defined and arranged on two different planes: a first, outer portion (7a) aimed at being placed inside said support upright (6) at the portion of said contact surface (30) where said side wall partially envelops said support upright (6); a second, inner portion (7b) aimed at being placed on an exterior surface of side wall (5) in an area where said support upright (6) is fitted within said side wall (5). Each lateral wall (5) has a slot (50), through which the connecting bracket (7) is aimed at being introduced freely at its folded intermediate part (7c), which connects said first, outer portion (7a) with said second, inner portion (7b). Said slot (50) facing a corresponding aperture of said support upright (6) Means are provided for stable connection of the second, inner portion (7b) to the relative support upright (6) and to said lateral wall (5) and centring and containing means aimed at maintaining said first, outer portion (7a) in a predetermined position on said end contact surface (30).