Enclosure Corner Seal Assembly for Variable-Angle Weather Tightness

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing telecommunications enclosures face challenges in effectively sealing corners against environmental intrusions such as rain, dust, and debris, particularly where corner angles are not perfectly uniform, leading to gaps that compromise the enclosure's weather-tightness.

Innovation Solution

A sealing assembly comprising a rigid bracket with latches and a flexible seal, designed to be releasably attached to the enclosure, where the bracket provides a force to couple the flexible seal into the corner, ensuring a secure and adjustable seal across varying corner angles without the need for adhesives or sealants.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional sealing methods are used for enclosure corners, then manufacturing is simpler, but sealing effectiveness deteriorates due to gaps and leaks from manufacturing tolerances and varying corner angles

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidsealing assembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a flexible seal member that can deform to accommodate varying corner angles and manufacturing tolerances. This flexible element is positioned within a bracket assembly that applies compressive force, allowing the seal to conform to the corner geometry and prevent environmental intrusions effectively.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing assembly utilizes the compressibility and elasticity parameters of the flexible seal material to adapt to different corner conditions. By applying mechanical compression through the bracket, the seal's physical parameters change to fill gaps created by manufacturing variations and angle deviations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If a rigid sealing approach is used, then structural stability is improved, but adaptability to varying corner angles deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to corner anglesVSAvoidsealing assembly stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible seal member serves as the adaptive element within the rigid bracket structure. It deforms to match varying corner angles while the bracket provides stable mounting and force application, combining rigidity for stability with flexibility for adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing assembly incorporates dynamic elements through the flexible seal that can adjust its shape and position in response to different corner geometries. This dynamic adaptation occurs while the overall assembly remains stably mounted through the bracket's attachment mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Strength

If adhesives or sealants are used for corner sealing, then sealing is simplified, but durability and weather-tightness deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseal durabilityVSAvoidsealing installation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces chemical sealing methods (adhesives and sealants) with a mechanical sealing system. The bracket assembly applies direct mechanical compression to the flexible seal, creating a physical barrier against environmental intrusions without requiring chemical bonding agents.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible seal member self-adjusts within the bracket assembly to achieve proper sealing contact. The compression applied by the bracket causes the seal to deform and conform to the corner geometry automatically, eliminating the need for additional sealing materials or complex installation procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 effectively seals corners of telecommunications enclosures, preventing environmental intrusions while allowing for easy installation and removal, maintaining the enclosure's weather-tightness and versatility across different corner angles and purposes.

Implementation Method 1

The bracket is configured to provide a force to couple a flexible seal to the corner of the enclosure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS8562084B2Enclosure corner seals and assemblies

Publication Date: 2013.10.22 VERTIV CORP

AI summary

A sealing assembly for sealing a corner of an enclosure is disclosed. The sealing assembly includes a substantially rigid bracket and a flexible seal. The bracket includes a first latch and a second latch. The first and second latches are configured for releasable connection to an enclosure adjacent a corner with the first and second latches on opposing sides of said corner. The bracket is configured to provide a force to couple the flexible seal to a corner of an enclosure when the bracket is attached to said enclosure. The flexible seal includes a first surface for coupling to the corner of the enclosure, and a second surface opposite the first surface. At least a portion of the second surface is configured for contact with the bracket. The flexible seal may include a connector for releasable connection to the bracket.