Modular enclosure for housing and protecting equipment

Abstract

Modular Enclosure for Housing and Protecting Equipment The present invention relates to an enclosure (10) for housing and protecting electronic, electromechanical, and / or electro-fluidic equipment, comprising: - a parallelepiped frame (20) including longitudinal members, cross members, and uprights; - at least one watertight cover (40) mounted on the frame (20) to delimit an enclosure (12) intended to house the electronic, electromechanical, and / or electro-fluidic equipment, the at least one cover (40) including a fabric (42). The at least one cover (40) is removably mounted on the frame (20). Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: Modular enclosure for housing and protecting equipment

[0001] The present invention relates to a housing for the containment and protection of electronic, electromechanical and / or electro-fluidic equipment, comprising:

[0002] - a parallelepiped frame comprising longitudinal members, cross members and amounts;

[0003] - at least one waterproof cover mounted on the frame to delimit an enclosure intended to house electronic, electromechanical and / or electro-fluid equipment, at least one cover including a tablecloth.

[0004] Such a box is also called a tactical box.

[0005] Such an enclosure is, for example, intended for deployment in so-called harsh environments, such as jungles, deserts, or polar regions. Such environments are considered harsh because they present, in particular, meteorological conditions that increase the risk of failure of the electronic, electromechanical, and / or electro-fluidic equipment that the enclosure is designed to protect. For example, humidity levels, the presence of sand and / or dust, and ambient temperature can, in certain situations, be detrimental to electronics.

[0006] Furthermore, such an enclosure is designed to withstand substantial mechanical stresses, particularly vibration and / or shock. These mechanical stresses also increase the risk of failure of the equipment that the enclosure is intended to protect.

[0007] Nowadays, it is known that such enclosures are manufactured specifically for predetermined conditions. The enclosures therefore incorporate certain equipment depending on these conditions. Such an enclosure is therefore not usable in any environment other than that intended at the time of its design.

[0008] One object of the invention is therefore to propose a box capable of being used in different environments presenting varied conditions, said box being easily adaptable according to needs.

[0009] For this purpose, the invention relates to a box of the aforementioned type, in which at least one cover is mounted removably on the frame.

[0010] Thanks to the invention, the enclosure is modular. At least one cover can be mounted or removed as needed. This allows the enclosure to be adapted to the conditions encountered in the field. When a cover is needed, it will be mounted on the frame. When the cover is not required (for example, to increase heat exchange between the equipment and the outside of the enclosure), the cover can be removed.

[0011] According to other advantageous aspects of the invention, the enclosure comprises one or more of the following features, taken individually or in all technically possible combinations:

[0012] - the framework comprises a plurality of mechanical connecting elements linking the longerons, crossbeams and uprights at the vertices of the parallelepiped formed by the framework;

[0013] - the mechanical connecting members comprise at least one element damping configured to absorb shocks to the casing;

[0014] - at least one cover comprises a plurality of damping elements arranged so that the damping elements extend to the vertices of the parallelepiped formed by the frame when at least one cover is mounted on the frame;

[0015] - the damping elements each comprise at least one element of stacking configured to allow stacking of the box on an auxiliary box substantially identical to the box or stacking of the auxiliary box on the box;

[0016] - the damping elements are removably mounted on the water sheet minus a cover;

[0017] - the tablecloth of at least one cover comprises:

[0018] - an appearance layer intended to at least partially camouflage the casing; and / or

[0019] - a faradizing layer intended to protect the enclosure from waves electromagnetic fields external to the enclosure and to prevent the emission of waves from inside the enclosure to the outside of the enclosure; and / or

[0020] - a thermal insulation layer intended to reduce heat exchange between the enclosure and the exterior of the box;

[0021] - at least one cover includes at least one attachment device intended to to allow the enclosure to be held in position in its environment by attaching at least one attachment device;

[0022] - at least one cover comprises a first portion and a second portion arrangable between:

[0023] - an assembled configuration in which the first portion and the second portions are arranged on the framework and connected by a watertight closing mechanism in order to delimit the enclosure;

[0024] - a disassembled configuration in which the first portion and the second portions are separated from each other;

[0025] - at least one cover comprises at least one front panel having a flap, the flap being movable between:

[0026] - a deployed configuration in which the flap covers an access opening to the enclosure;

[0027] - a retracted configuration in which the flap extends away from the opening access to allow access to the premises.

[0028] The invention will become clearer upon reading the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the drawings in which:

[0029] [Fig-1] [Fig.1] is a simplified schematic illustration of a box frame according to the invention;

[0030] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a simplified schematic illustration of the box of [Fig.1], in which a cover is mounted on the frame of [Fig.1];

[0031] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a simplified schematic illustration of a tablecloth of the cover of [Fig.2], in cross-section.

[0032] With reference to figures 1 to 3, a box 10 according to the invention is disclosed.

[0033] The enclosure 10 is intended for housing and protecting electronic equipment, electromechanical and / or electro-fluid. For example, enclosure 10 is intended to house IT (“Information Technology”) type equipment.

[0034] For example, such equipment has standard dimensions, in particular in 19-inch format. In particular, such equipment complies with IEC 60297-3-108:2014 and / or DIN 41494-8 and / or EIA 310-D.

[0035] Such equipment requires, for example, protection against water and / or protection against sand and dust and / or protection against heat or cold and / or protection against impacts. When deployed in certain environments, such equipment also requires, for example, camouflage to make its visual detection more difficult.

[0036] The enclosure 10 is intended to provide these protections. In addition, the enclosure 10 is subject to a significant mass constraint since such an enclosure must be easily transportable by an operator.

[0037] The box 10 includes a frame 20 and at least one cover 40.

[0038] The enclosure 10 conforms to NATO standard STANAG 4370.

[0039] The framework 20 is parallelepiped-shaped.

[0040] The framework 20 gives the box 10 its shape (that of a parallelepiped, in particular a rectangular parallelepiped or right-angled block) and its mechanical strength.

[0041] The frame 20 comprises longitudinal members 22, cross members 24 and uprights 26. Advantageously, the longitudinal members 22, the cross members 24 and the uprights 26 form the sides of the parallelepiped formed by the frame 20.

[0042] For example, the longitudinal members 22 and / or the cross members 24 and / or the uprights 26 are profiles, in particular formed from a metallic material, having a straight section in the shape of an L. Alternatively, the section of the profiles is other, for example square, rectangular, circular, U-shaped, etc.

[0043] Advantageously, the stringers 22 include a telescopic mechanical assembly allowing the length of the stringers 22 to be adapted according to requirements.

[0044] For example, the frame 20 further comprises a plurality of mechanical connecting elements 28 linking the longitudinal members 22, the cross members 24 and the uprights 26 to the vertices of the parallelepiped formed by the frame 20. In particular, as illustrated in [Fig.1], the mechanical connecting elements 28 form the vertices of the parallelepiped formed by the frame 20.

[0045] In particular, each mechanical connecting element 28 connects a longitudinal member 22 with a cross member 24 and a post 26.

[0046] Advantageously, each mechanical connecting element 28 is removably mounted on the longitudinal members 22, the cross members 24, and the uprights 26. Each mechanical connecting element 28 is thus replaceable when necessary. For example, when an operator wishes to replace one or more mechanical connecting elements 28, they replace them one by one, the overall structure of the frame 20 being maintained in a parallelepiped shape by the remaining mounted mechanical connecting elements 28.

[0047] Advantageously, the mechanical connecting members 28 include at least one damping element 30 configured to dampen shocks and falls suffered by the box 10. For example, the at least one damping element 30 is formed of an architectural or fusible material and is intended to be deformed when a certain force is applied to the frame 20 to absorb the energy of the shock.

[0048] For example, each mechanical connecting member 28 includes at least one damping element 30.

[0049] For example, each mechanical connecting element 28 includes connecting elements such as bolts, screws, etc. The connecting elements cooperate in particular with the longitudinal members 22, cross members 24 and uprights 26 to connect them together.

[0050] At least one cover 40 is waterproof. In particular, at least one cover 40 has an IP65 protection rating according to standard EN 60529.

[0051] At least one cover 40 is mounted on the frame 20 to delimit an enclosure 12 from the casing 10, intended to house the electronic, electromechanical and / or electro-fluidic equipment. In particular, the casing 10 is devoid of any other enclosure element delimiting the enclosure 12.

[0052] In particular, at least one cover 40 covers, in particular entirely, the frame 20.

[0053] In particular, at least one cover 40 is suitable to completely cover the enclosure 12.

[0054] At least one cover 40 is mounted removably on the frame 20.

[0055] At least one cover 40 includes a tablecloth 42.

[0056] Advantageously, at least one cover 40 comprises a first portion 50 and a second portion 52.

[0057] Even more advantageously, at least one cover 40 includes at least one front 56 having a flap 58.

[0058] Even more advantageously, at least one cover 40 further comprises a plurality of damping elements 62.

[0059] Even more advantageously, at least one cover 40 includes at least one attachment device 66.

[0060] For example, tablecloth 42 comprises:

[0061] - an appearance layer 44 intended to camouflage at least partially the box 10; and / or

[0062] - a faradizing layer 46 intended to protect the enclosure 12 from waves external electromagnetic fields outside the enclosure 10 and to prevent the emission of waves from inside the enclosure 12 to the outside of the enclosure 12; and / or

[0063] - a thermal insulation layer 48 intended to reduce heat exchange between speaker 12 and the outside of box 10.

[0064] In the example of [Fig. 3], the layer 42 comprises an appearance layer 44, a faradizing layer 46, and a thermal insulation layer 48. Naturally, the invention also relates to the boxes 10 in which the layer 42 comprises one or more of the layers 44, 46, 48 according to the various possible combinations. The invention also relates to the boxes 10 in which the same layer of the layer 42 has an appearance function and / or a faradizing function and / or a thermal insulation function.

[0065] Advantageously, the layer 42 is in a prestressed state. Furthermore, for example, the layer 42 exhibits at every point a tensile stress along two directions of weft and warp of fibers composing the layer 42, and a double reverse curvature.

[0066] The web 42 exhibits, for example, a breaking strength according to standard EN ISO 1421 and according to warp and weft directions of the web 42 between 600 daN / 5cm and 1200 daN / 5cm, in particular between 800 daN / 5cm and 1000 daN / 5cm, especially in a prestressed state.

[0067] Even more advantageously, the ribbon cable 42 is waterproof. In particular, the ribbon cable 42 has an IP65 protection rating according to standard EN 60529.

[0068] The first portion 50 of the cover 40 includes in particular a first portion of tablecloth 42.

[0069] The second portion 52 of the cover 40 includes in particular a second portion of tablecloth 42.

[0070] The first portion 50 and the second portion 52 of cover 40 can be arranged between:

[0071] - an assembled configuration in which the first portion 50 and the second portion 52 of cover 40 are arranged on the frame 20 and connected by a watertight closing mechanism 54 of cover 40 in order to delimit the enclosure 12;

[0072] - a disassembled configuration in which the first portion 50 and the second portion 52 of cover 40 are separated from each other.

[0073] For example, the watertight closure mechanism 54 includes a zipper, a snap closure, a hook and loop closure or other.

[0074] For example, as illustrated in [Fig.2], the first portion 50 of cover 40 forms a first half of parallelepiped and the second portion 52 of cover 40 forms a second half of parallelepiped complementary to the first half of parallelepiped, the first and second halves of parallelepiped being separated by a plane parallel to at least one facade 56.

[0075] At least one face 56 of the cover 40, including the flap 58, forms, for example, a small face of the parallelepiped formed by the housing 10. By "small face," it is understood that the parallelepiped is a rectangular parallelepiped (or cuboid), and that the small face is one of the two smaller faces of the cuboid. In particular, the small faces of the parallelepiped are arranged opposite portions of the equipment that form interfaces with the operator, that is, portions of the equipment with which the operator is intended to interact, for example, for the maintenance, repair, and / or adjustment of the equipment.

[0076] The flap 58 is advantageously a portion of the tablecloth 42 that can be moved between:

[0077] - a deployed configuration in which the flap 58 covers an access opening 14 to enclosure 12;

[0078] - a retracted configuration ([Fig.2]) in which the flap 58 extends away from the access port 14 to allow access to enclosure 12.

[0079] Thus, by manipulating the flap 58, the operator can easily access the equipment and in particular the portions of the equipment forming an interface with the operator.

[0080] For example, as illustrated in [Fig.2], the flap 58 is rollable so that in the deployed configuration, the flap 58 is unrolled over the access port 14 and in the retracted configuration, the flap 58 is rolled away from the access port 14.

[0081] According to a particular example, two opposite faces of the cover 40 each have such a flap.

[0082] Advantageously, the cover 40 further includes a watertight closure mechanism 60 configured to allow the flap 58 to be held in the deployed configuration.

[0083] The presence of such a flap 58 makes it possible to do without a removable cover, which could be lost when it is removed.

[0084] Advantageously, the damping elements 62 are arranged so that the damping elements 62 extend to the vertices of the parallelepiped formed by the frame 20 when at least one cover 40 is mounted on the frame 20.

[0085] In particular, the damping elements 62 are intended to be interposed between the frame 20 and a surface on which the box 10 rests, or between the frame 20 and objects in the vicinity of the box 10 with which the box 10 is likely to come into contact. Thus, the damping elements 62 are configured to absorb shocks between the box 10, in particular the frame 20, and the surface on which the box 10 rests, or between the box 10, in particular the frame 20, and other objects surrounding the box 10.

[0086] For example, the damping elements 62 each comprise at least one stacking element 64 configured to allow the stacking of the box 10 on an auxiliary box substantially identical to the box 10 or the stacking of the auxiliary box on the box 10. For example, the stacking element 64 is a substantially flat surface with an anti-slip structure. In particular, the stacking element 64 has a male or female geometry and, through the interaction of a stacking element 64 with a male geometry of a first box and a stacking element 64 with a female geometry of a second box, ensures a stable stacking of the second box on the first box.

[0087] Advantageously, the damping elements 62 are made of a damping material, for example of an elastomeric material.

[0088] Even more advantageously, the damping members 62 comprise at least one damping element configured to dampen the shocks suffered by the casing 10. For example, at least one damping element 62 is formed of an architected or fusible material and is intended to be deformed to absorb the energy of the shocks.

[0089] For example, the structured material is obtained by 3D printing. In particular, the structured material allows, by its geometry, to absorb mechanical energy by local buckling of the material's mesh.

[0090] Alternatively, the damping elements 62 are formed by a layer of foam or by a plurality of superimposed layers of foam, each layer having a different hardness. Such a superposition of layers makes it possible to cover a vibration spectrum of interest compared to the vibration profiles to which the enclosure 10 is subjected.

[0091] Even more advantageously, the damping elements 62 are mounted removably on the sheet 42 of at least one cover 40.

[0092] For example, the damping elements 62 are clippable and unclippable on the sheet 42 of at least one cover 40.

[0093] At least one attachment member 66 is advantageously designed to allow the enclosure 10 to be held in position in its environment. For example, at least one attachment member 66 is a ring to which a tethering cord can be attached.

[0094] Optionally, one or more handles are attached to the cover 40, for example, sewn onto the cover 40. These handles facilitate the transport of the container 10, for example, by allowing the container to be secured, particularly in the context of transport in an aircraft. For example, the handles are made of a textile material, in particular a textile material comprising polyethylene fibers, for example Dyneema®.

[0095] Thanks to the invention, the box 10 can be easily adapted to suit the varied needs imposed by different environments in which the box 10 is intended to be deployed.

[0096] The mechanical connecting elements 28 of the frame 20, the sheet 42 of the cover 40 and the damping elements 62 of the cover 40 are mounted in a removable manner so that they can be easily replaced if necessary.

[0097] This allows the box 10 to be modulated to optimize its weight and size according to needs, without requiring the manufacture of a multitude of boxes adapted for each situation.

Claims

Demands

1. Enclosure (10) for housing and protecting electronic, electromechanical and / or electro-fluidic equipment, comprising: - a parallelepiped frame (20) having longitudinal members (22), cross members (24) and uprights (26); - at least one watertight cover (40) mounted on the frame (20) to delimit an enclosure (12) intended to house the electronic, electromechanical and / or electro-fluidic equipment, the at least one cover (40) including a sheet (42); characterized in that the at least one cover (40) is removably mounted on the frame (20).

2. Box (10) according to claim 1, in which the frame (20) comprises a plurality of mechanical connecting members (28) connecting the stringers (22), the cross members (24) and the uprights (26) to the vertices of the parallelepiped formed by the frame (20).

3. Casing (10) according to claim 2, wherein the mechanical connecting members (28) comprise at least one damping element (30) configured to dampen the shocks suffered by the casing (10).

4. Casing (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one cover (40) comprises a plurality of damping members (62) arranged so that the damping members (62) extend to the vertices of the parallelepiped formed by the frame (20) when at least one cover (40) is mounted on the frame (20).

5. Casing (10) according to claim 4, wherein the damping members (62) each comprise at least one stacking element (64) configured to allow the casing (10) to be stacked on an auxiliary casing substantially identical to the casing (10) or the auxiliary casing to be stacked on the casing (10).

6. Casing (10) according to claim 4 or 5, in which the damping elements (62) are removably mounted on the sheet (42) of at least one cover (40).

7. A casing (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fabric (42) of at least one cover (40) comprises: - an appearance layer (44) intended to camouflage at least partially the enclosure (10); and / or - a faradizing layer (46) intended to protect the enclosure (12) from external electromagnetic waves to the enclosure (10) and to prevent the emission of waves from inside the enclosure (12) to the outside of the enclosure (12); and / or - a thermal insulation layer (48) intended to reduce heat exchange between the enclosure (12) and the outside of the enclosure (10).

8. Casing (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one cover (40) includes at least one attachment member (66) intended to allow the casing (10) to be held in position in its environment by attaching at least one attachment member (66).

9. A box (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one cover (40) comprises a first portion (50) and a second portion (52) which can be arranged between: - an assembled configuration in which the first portion (50) and the second portion (52) are arranged on the frame (20) and connected by a watertight closing mechanism (54) in order to delimit the enclosure (12); - a disassembled configuration in which the first portion (50) and the second portion (52) are separated from each other.

10. A housing (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one cover (40) comprises at least one front panel (56) having a flap (58), the flap (58) being movable between: - a deployed configuration in which the flap (58) covers an access hole (14) to the enclosure; - a retracted configuration in which the flap (58) extends away from the access hole (14) to allow access to the enclosure (12).