Enclosure Corner Post with Centering Pin for Panel Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing equipment enclosures for electrical equipment are difficult to assemble and expand without specialized tools, and require multiple parts, making them cumbersome and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A corner structure for equipment enclosures featuring post members with centering pins and apertures that securely attach top, bottom, and side panels to a back panel, allowing for easy assembly and expansion by using standard fasteners, and enabling the connection of multiple enclosures for increased size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional corner blocks and multiple fasteners are used to join frame members, then the enclosure structure is secure, but the assembly process requires specialized tools and is time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The corner structure merges the corner block and fastener functions into a single integrated post member that includes built-in fastening features (apertures and fastening portions) to secure panels directly, eliminating the need for separate corner blocks and multiple fasteners, thereby simplifying assembly and reducing time
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and eliminates the need for specialized corner blocks and complex fastening hardware by incorporating all necessary fastening functions directly into the post member structure itself, allowing assembly with standard fasteners only
2Device complexity
If multiple different parts are used to construct the enclosure, then the structural requirements are met, but the number of parts increases making assembly cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The post member combines multiple functions (corner support, panel securing, rack rail positioning) into a single integrated component, reducing the total number of parts needed while maintaining all necessary structural requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The post member is designed as a multi-functional element that simultaneously serves as a corner support, a mounting structure for panels, and a positioning feature for rack rail members, thereby reducing part count while meeting diverse structural requirements
3Manufacturing precision
If alignment members are positioned precisely in corner regions, then the panel connections are planar and secure, but the positioning accuracy must be maintained during assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The post members are pre-positioned at corner locations with alignment members precisely positioned before panel installation, establishing accurate reference points that guide subsequent panel placement and ensure planar connections without requiring complex alignment procedures during assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment members on the post members serve as intermediary reference features that mediate between the post member position and the panel edges, ensuring precise and planar panel connections while simplifying the assembly process
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3A~3D
AI summary
A post member (502) for securing a plurality of enclosure panels (110,106,108) together. The post member (502) includes a first end having at least one fixation hole (504) configured to engage an alignment member (506) of a first one of the enclosure panels, and a centering pin (508) configured to engage the first one (222) of the enclosure panels. The post member also includes a second end having at least one aperture configured for engagement with at least one other of the enclosure panels.