Cable Pass-Through Panel With Split Brush and Tool-Less Securement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic equipment enclosures face challenges in tool-less installation of top panels, which can lead to detachment issues and damage from accommodating larger connectors, necessitating improvements in both installation processes and panel construction to ensure secure and damage-free cable pass-through.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves a top panel design with removable panel knockouts and sub-knockouts, a split brush assembly, and spring pin openings for tool-less securement, allowing for easy installation and customization without damaging the panel, and accommodating various cable sizes without the need for tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the top panel is permanently affixed through welding, then the panel securement reliability is improved, but the ease of installation and customization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The top panel is segmented into a removable panel portion and a base structure with spring pins. The panel portion can be detached and reattached, providing both securement when installed and ease of customization when removed, resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring pins provide a dynamic securement mechanism that automatically engages with the panel openings. This dynamic system allows the panel to be securely held when installed while enabling easy removal and reinstallation without tools, balancing reliability with ease of operation.
2Ease of operation
If the top panel is made removable without tools, then the ease of installation is improved, but the panel securement reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The spring pins are designed to be deflected by the panel itself during installation, requiring no external tools or manual intervention. The panel's own structure engages the spring pins to secure itself, providing both ease of installation and reliable securement through the self-actuating mechanism.
3Adaptability or versatility
If larger connectors are accommodated by deforming the top panel, then the adaptability is improved, but the panel integrity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Panel knockouts are pre-formed in the top panel during manufacturing, creating ready-made openings for cables and connectors of various sizes. This preliminary preparation allows adaptability for different connector sizes without requiring deformation or damage to the panel during installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The panel design incorporates variable opening sizes through different knockout configurations, allowing the same panel structure to accommodate various connector sizes. This parameter variation provides adaptability while maintaining panel integrity, as the openings are cleanly formed rather than deformed.
4Reliability
If the top panel is made permanently affixed, then the panel securement reliability is improved, but the ease of customization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The panel system is segmented into removable and fixed components. The removable panel portion allows for easy customization and reconfiguration, while the fixed base structure with spring pins maintains securement reliability. This segmentation enables both customization and reliable securement simultaneously.
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
This design enables secure, tool-less installation and customization of top panels in electronic equipment enclosures, preventing detachment and damage, while allowing for efficient cable pass-through without compromising the panel's integrity.
Implementation Method 1
engage the stiffening flange against one or more spring pins mounted to the frame structure such that the spring pin deflects and extends through the spring pin opening
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic equipment enclosure includes a frame structure and at least one panel secured to the frame structure. The at least one panel includes one or more panel knockouts arranged therein. Each panel knockout is configured to be removable from the at least one panel to provide a pass-through opening for a cable. The at least one panel further includes a split brush assembly seated in place of a removed one of the one or more panel knockouts.