Wall unit with mobile frame
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wall units with high shelves are difficult to access, especially for elderly and disabled users, as they require the use of stools or ladders, which are unsafe and impractical, and impossible for users in wheelchairs.
Innovation Solution
A wall unit with a mobile frame and lever mechanism that allows the support surfaces to be lowered, enabling easy and safe access to objects stored on high shelves, using a gas compensation spring and retention device to facilitate smooth movement between raised and lowered positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of stationary object
If the wall unit is fixed at a height of 130-140 cm from the ground to maximize storage capacity, then the storage capacity is improved, but the accessibility of objects on the shelves deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the mobile frame movable between a raised position (inside the compartment) and a lowered position (outside the compartment). The lever mechanism enables the frame to be easily moved between these positions, allowing users to access objects at comfortable heights while maintaining high storage capacity when the frame is in the raised position.
2Ease of operation
If stools or ladders are used to reach objects on top shelves, then the accessibility is improved, but the safety deteriorates due to risk of losing balance and falling
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using unstable external aids like stools or ladders, the patent provides a stable, integrated mobile frame that is part of the wall unit structure. The frame can be safely lowered to an accessible height and secured in position, eliminating the need for separate climbing equipment and the associated safety risks.
3Ease of operation
If stools or ladders are moved in front of the wall unit for each access operation, then the accessibility is improved, but the time required for operation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the accessibility function directly into the wall unit structure by integrating the mobile frame with the compartment. This eliminates the need to separately move stools or ladders, as the frame is already positioned within the wall unit and can be quickly lowered and raised as needed, significantly reducing operation time.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the wall unit structure is made fixed and stable, then the structural stability is improved, but the adaptability to different user needs deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by making part of the structure dynamic while keeping the overall framework stable. The mobile frame can be moved between raised and lowered positions to adapt to different user needs, while the wall unit itself remains structurally stable and fixed to the wall, providing both stability and adaptability.
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 safe and practical access to high shelves without the need for stools or ladders, making it suitable for users of all mobility levels, including those in wheelchairs, by allowing the support surfaces to be easily lowered and raised.
Implementation Method 1
using a gas compensation spring and retention device to facilitate smooth movement between raised and lowered positions
Implementation Method 2
The actuating unit comprises a lever mechanism of articulated parallelogram type comprising at least one pair of levers that are directly or indirectly connected to a wall of the wall unit and to the mobile frame in order to roto-translate said mobile frame relative to the walls of the wall unit
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 2A
AI summary
A wall unit (100) comprises: walls (1), at least one support surface (2) and one actuating unit (3) to actuate the support surface (2); the actuating unit (3) comprises: a mobile frame (4) and a lever mechanism (5) of parallelogram type, comprising at least one pair of levers (50, 51) that are directly or indirectly connected to a wall of the wall unit (100) and to the mobile frame (4) to roto-translate said mobile frame (4) relative to the walls of the wall unit (100), in such a way that said mobile frame (4) can be in a raised position, wherein the mobile frame (4) is inside the compartment (10), and a lowered position, wherein the mobile frame (4) is outside the compartment (10) and is at least partially disposed in lower position relative to a bottom wall of the wall unit (100).