CFRP Electronic Rack Enclosure for Vibration Isolation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic rack enclosures fail to effectively isolate electronic components from mechanical vibrations in hostile environments without increasing mass, which is undesirable in applications like aerospace and naval where weight reduction is critical.

Innovation Solution

A robust lightweight electronic rack enclosure design utilizing a carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) structure with an outer and inner chassis, and vibration isolators to minimize mass while providing structural integrity and vibration isolation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the mass of the electronic rack enclosure is increased to provide structural strength and vibration isolation, then the vibration isolation performance is improved, but the weight increases which is undesirable in aerospace and naval applications

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevibration isolation performanceVSAvoidweight of electronic rack enclosure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) composite materials for the rack enclosure structure. CFRP provides high specific strength and stiffness while maintaining low weight, enabling effective vibration isolation without increasing mass. The composite structure absorbs and dampens vibrations through its layered construction and material properties, resolving the contradiction between vibration protection and weight constraints in aerospace and naval applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If traditional metal materials are used for the rack enclosure, then structural strength is achieved, but the weight is excessive and vibration isolation is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidweight of rack enclosure

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional metal materials with carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) composite materials. CFRP provides equivalent or superior structural strength to metals while reducing weight by approximately 70-80%. The composite structure maintains rigidity and load-bearing capacity through its fiber reinforcement and layered construction, eliminating the need for heavy metal enclosures while achieving both strength and weight reduction goals.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Weight of moving object

If the rack enclosure is designed to be lightweight, then weight constraints are satisfied, but structural strength and vibration isolation capability are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveweight of rack enclosureVSAvoidstructural strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) composite materials that inherently provide high strength-to-weight ratio. The CFRP structure achieves lightweight design while maintaining structural integrity through the anisotropic properties of carbon fibers oriented in load-bearing directions. This resolves the contradiction by providing both lightweight construction and adequate structural strength simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates vibration isolation elements and damping structures within the lightweight CFRP enclosure design. These flexible elements absorb vibrations while maintaining the overall lightweight structure, preventing the need for heavy rigid construction. The thin-film and flexible component integration enables vibration protection without compromising the lightweight design objective.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 design effectively isolates electronic components from vibrations, maintaining structural strength and reducing mass, thus preventing damage and ensuring reliable functionality in critical applications.

Implementation Method 1

The inner chassis is isolated from the outer chassis by a plurality of vibration isolators

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration isolation: Damping

Implementation Method 2

A robust lightweight electronic rack enclosure design using a carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) structure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectComposite materials: Composite Materials

Data Source

PatentUS8556358B2Robust lightweight electronic rack enclosure

Publication Date: 2013.10.15 FRONTIER ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS CORP

AI summary

The embodiments of the instant invention comprise a lightweight, robust electronic rack enclosure. The embodiments are comprised of an outer chassis, an inner chassis, bottom vibration isolators, and top vibration isolators. The outer chassis is comprised of an outer chassis door, two outer chassis side assemblies, an outer chassis top panel, an outer chassis bottom panel, and an outer chassis back panel. The inner chassis is comprised of two inner chassis side assemblies, an inner chassis top panel, and an inner chassis bottom panel. Each outer chassis side assembly is comprised of a flat outer chassis side panel, one or more diagonal reinforcing members, one or more horizontal reinforcing members, and one or more vertical reinforcing members. Each inner chassis side assembly is comprised of an inner chassis flat side panel, and one or more inner chassis side panel horizontal supports.