Vertical Cable Manager Slam-Shut Door With Integrated Hinge Latch
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vertical cable managers with slam-shut doors often have complex designs and high assembly costs due to a large number of components.
Innovation Solution
A simplified design for a vertical cable manager featuring a base frame with retractable hinge pins and elastic latch members that secure the door in a closed position, reducing the number of components and assembly costs while ensuring a positive latching mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a slam-shut door mechanism is implemented in existing vertical cable managers, then the door can be securely closed, but the design becomes complex with many components and high assembly costs
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge pin and latch member are combined into a single integrated component. The hinge pin serves dual functions: acting as the hinge pivot and as the element that engages with the catch portion of the latch member. This merging eliminates separate latch pins and reduces the overall component count while maintaining secure door closure functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic latch member is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides the latching action to secure the door closed, and simultaneously guides the hinge pin during door opening and closing operations. The flexible arm with catch portion serves as both a retention mechanism and a movement guide, reducing the need for separate guiding components.
2Reliability
If a slam-shut door mechanism is implemented in existing vertical cable managers, then the door can be securely closed, but assembly costs increase due to complex design
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge pin and latch member are combined into a single integrated component. The hinge pin serves dual functions: acting as the hinge pivot and as the element that engages with the catch portion of the latch member. This merging eliminates separate latch pins and reduces the overall component count while maintaining secure door closure functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic latch member automatically engages with the hinge pin when the door is closed, providing self-latching functionality without requiring separate actuators or complex mechanisms. The elastic deformation and recovery of the flexible arm provides automatic engagement and disengagement based on door position, reducing assembly complexity and cost.
3Ease of operation
If traditional hinge mechanisms are used, then the door can rotate open and closed, but the design requires multiple separate components increasing complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge pin and latch member are combined into a single integrated component. The hinge pin serves dual functions: acting as the hinge pivot and as the element that engages with the catch portion of the latch member. This merging eliminates separate latch pins and reduces the overall component count while maintaining secure door closure functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch member is designed with a flexible arm that can dynamically deform during door operation. The elastic material allows the catch portion to deflect during door closing and then spring back to secure the door, providing dynamic adaptation during movement while maintaining structural integrity.
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 provides a cost-effective and efficient slam-shut door mechanism with fewer components, ensuring secure closure and reduced assembly complexity, while maintaining the functionality of a slam-shut feature.
Implementation Method 1
The catch portions secure the hinge pins in the hinge rod receptacles with the door in a closed position and are deflectable through elastic deformation of the flexible arm to allow travel of the hinge pins through the hinge rod receptacles and past the catch portions when the door is moved from an open to a closed position
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A vertical cable manager includes a base frame and a door. The base frame has upper and lower support legs and upper and lower crossbars between the support legs. The door has retractable hinge pins at corners of the door. The crossbars have hinge rod receptacles to receive respective hinge pins and elastic latch members having a flexible arm and a catch portion. The catch portions secure the hinge pins in the hinge rod receptacles with the door closed and are deflectable through elastic deformation of the flexible arm to allow travel of the hinge pins through the hinge rod receptacles and past the catch portions when the door is moved from an open to a closed position.