Wire Grid Freezer Pusher Shelf for Easy Spring Replacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spring-driven pusher plates in product display shelves face issues such as spring breakage, requiring disassembly for replacement and limited reconfiguration options due to fixed tracks, which hinder flexibility in accommodating varying product widths and configurations.
Innovation Solution
A pusher shelf assembly featuring a wire grid assembly with slidingly engaged pushers and adjustable dividers, allowing for easy replacement of springs and reconfiguration to accommodate different product widths, with pushers powered by a spring coil and hook mechanism that can be easily engaged and disengaged from track wires.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If spring driven pusher plates are used to automatically push product forward, then product fronting is improved, but spring breakage occurs and requires disassembly for replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The pusher plate assembly is divided into separable components: the pusher plate itself, the spring mechanism, and the mounting brackets. This segmentation allows the spring to be replaced independently by simply detaching the pusher plate from the brackets, without requiring disassembly of the entire shelf structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring is designed as a removable component that can be extracted from the pusher plate assembly. The mounting brackets feature openings that allow the spring to be easily removed and replaced, separating the spring replacement task from the main shelf structure disassembly.
2Reliability
If pushers are fixed on tracks to maintain stability, then reliability is improved, but reconfiguration options are limited for varying product widths
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting brackets are designed with movable and adjustable features, allowing the pushers to be repositioned along the shelf width. The brackets can be detached and reattached at different positions, enabling dynamic reconfiguration of the display layout while maintaining stable operation when installed.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting brackets serve multiple functions: they provide stable attachment of pushers to the shelf, enable easy repositioning along the shelf width, and accommodate different product configurations. This multi-functionality allows the same bracket system to support both reliability and adaptability requirements.
3Extent of automation
If spring driven pusher plates are implemented, then automated product advancement is achieved, but device complexity increases due to fixed track requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The complex fixed track structure is removed and replaced with simple mounting brackets that have openings for spring attachment. This extraction of the track system simplifies the overall device structure while preserving the automated product advancement function through the spring-pusher mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a complex fixed track to guide and constrain the pusher, the invention uses simple brackets that allow the pusher to move freely along the shelf front. The automation is achieved through the spring force alone, without requiring guiding tracks, thereby inverting the conventional approach and reducing complexity.
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 efficient product fronting without disassembling the tray unit, allows for flexible reconfiguration to accommodate various product sizes, and reduces stress on anchoring points, maintaining product visibility and reducing jostling.
Implementation Method 1
pushers powered by a spring coil and hook mechanism
Data Source
AI summary
A pusher shelf assembly may comprise a wire grid assembly affixed to a left bracket and to a right bracket. The wire grid assembly may have a plurality of wires and one or more pushers slidingly engaged to at least two wires in the wire grid assembly. The left bracket and the right bracket may be configured for removable engagement to a wall of a product display. The product display may be a freezer.