Vending Shelf Latching Structure for Weld-Free Console Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing sales shelves face difficulties in arranging shelves on consoles, particularly due to the complexity and inefficiency of the process, which often requires additional components and welding, increasing costs and part variability.

Innovation Solution

A simplified design where shelves are hooked into brackets with specific recesses, eliminating the need for additional support bars and welding, allowing for easy assembly and secure attachment using recesses and stiffening profile strips, and enabling universal use with various column types.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If additional components like support bars are used to secure shelves on consoles, then the reliability of shelf attachment is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshelf attachment securityVSAvoidnumber of parts

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the support bar function directly into the shelf structure by integrating stiffening profile strips with latching tongues into the shelf's longitudinal beams. This merging eliminates the need for separate support bars while maintaining the shelf attachment security function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The stiffening profile strips serve multiple functions: they provide structural stiffening to the shelf, contain latching tongues for securing to consoles, and enable universal compatibility with different column types through standardized bracket interfaces. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Strength

If welding is used to connect additional components to shelves, then the strength of attachment is improved, but the manufacturing cost and production complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment strengthVSAvoidproduction process simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces welding (a thermal/mechanical joining process) with a mechanical latching system where latching tongues engage with brackets through insertion and elastic deformation. This substitution eliminates welding operations while maintaining secure attachment through mechanical interlocking and elastic retention forces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple types of components are used for shelf arrangement, then the adaptability to different configurations is improved, but the ease of assembly deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshelf configuration flexibilityVSAvoidassembly convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The standardized bracket design with consistent recesses and the universal latching tongue mechanism work together across different shelf and column configurations. This universality allows adaptable arrangements while maintaining simple, consistent assembly procedures regardless of the specific configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system achieves adaptability through parameter variations in the standardized components - brackets can be positioned at different heights and locations on columns, and shelves can be configured with different numbers and positions of stiffening profile strips. These parameter changes within a standardized framework enable flexibility without requiring different component types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Reliability

If additional components and welding are used, then the reliability of shelf attachment is improved, but the production cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshelf attachment securityVSAvoidproduction cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By merging the support and attachment functions into the shelf's own structure through integrated stiffening profile strips and latching tongues, the patent eliminates the need for separate support bars and welding operations. This reduces material costs, manufacturing complexity, and production expenses while maintaining reliable attachment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2389836B1Vending shelf

Publication Date: 2013.07.17 WANZL METALLWARENFAB GMBH

Figure 1~6
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Figure 10~13

AI summary

The shelf has a shelf base (2) formed from grid bars (3) and a stiffening profile bar (4). A console (1) comprises recesses e.g. front recess (5), middle recess (6) and rear recess (7), for accommodating the profile bar. The front recess and the rear recess of a console are formed such that a latching tab of the stiffening profile is provided in the console. The front recess, the middle recess and the rear recess include bevels. Width of each recess is wider than thickness of each profile bar. A safety catch device comprises an undercut part and a web.