Door Support Rail with Detent Locking for Wind-Resistant Enclosure
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Electrical distribution system enclosures with large door panels are cumbersome to open and secure, posing safety risks due to accidental closure, which can lead to injury or electrical shorts, especially in high wind conditions and when assist mechanisms fail.
Innovation Solution
A door support system with a rail and support member that slides between extended and retracted positions, featuring a detent mechanism to lock the door panel in an open position, allowing secure opening and closing without exposing personnel to live components and withstanding wind forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional prop mechanisms are used to hold the door panel open, then the door panel can be kept open, but high wind conditions can disengage the props and enable accidental closure
Solution Approach 1:
The support member dynamically adjusts its position along the rail to match the door panel's angular position, maintaining optimal support throughout the door's range of motion. This dynamic adaptation allows the support member to effectively counteract varying wind forces at different door angles, preventing accidental closure while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the support function and locking function into a single integrated support member that slides along the rail. The support member simultaneously provides support to hold the door open and engages with the detent mechanism to lock in position, creating a unified system that resists wind forces more effectively than separate prop mechanisms.
2Ease of operation
If assist mechanisms like gas springs are used to hold the door panel open, then opening the door becomes easier, but the door can still accidentally close if the assist mechanisms fail or wind overcomes their force
Solution Approach 1:
The support member acts as an intermediary between the door panel and the rail, providing mechanical support and positioning. It slides along the rail to match the door's angular position and engages with the detent to lock, serving as a reliable mediator that prevents accidental closure regardless of assist mechanism status or wind conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The support member dynamically positions itself along the rail corresponding to the door panel's angular position, providing continuous support throughout the door's range of motion. This dynamic adjustment ensures the support member can counteract forces at any door angle, maintaining reliability even when assist mechanisms fail.
3Area of stationary object
If large door panels are used to provide adequate enclosure coverage, then security and protection are improved, but the door panels become cumbersome to remove and require multiple personnel
Solution Approach 1:
The support member dynamically adjusts its position along the rail to correspond with the door panel's angular position throughout opening and closing operations. This dynamic support system enables a single person to safely maneuver large door panels by providing continuous positional support, eliminating the need for multiple personnel while maintaining adequate enclosure coverage.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the support member is allowed to move freely along the rail, then it can adapt to different door positions, but it cannot reliably maintain the door in an open position against wind forces
Solution Approach 1:
The support member dynamically positions itself along the rail to match the door panel's angular position, providing adaptability to different door positions. The detent mechanism then locks the support member in its current position, maintaining reliability by preventing movement that could lead to accidental closure while preserving the ability to accommodate various door angles.
Solution Approach 2:
The support member automatically positions itself along the rail as the door moves to different angles, and the detent mechanism automatically engages to lock it in place. This self-positioning and self-locking system provides both adaptability to different door positions and reliability to maintain stability without requiring active control.
Data Source
AI summary
A door support system is provided for an enclosure of an electrical distribution system. The door support system includes a rail fixedly secured to a door panel of the enclosure. The rail includes at least one notch. The door support system also includes a support member mounted to a frame of the enclosure. The support member is slidably mounted to the rail such that the support member slides along a length of the rail between an extended position and a retracted position. The extended position of the support member supports the door panel in an open position. The support member is in the retracted position when the door panel is in a closed position. The support member includes a detent configured to be received into the notch of the rail to releasably lock the support member in the extended position along the length of the rail.