Enclosure Lid Locking via Resilient Element and Recess Channels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mechanical enclosures with screw-based assembly face challenges such as increased production time, risk of screw damage, unauthorized disassembly, lack of electromagnetic compliance (EMC) sealing, and passive intermodulation (PIM) issues due to multiple metal-to-metal connections.
Innovation Solution
An enclosure design featuring a body, lid, and resilient element with aligned recesses forming channels to receive locking members, which exert a resistive force to seal the enclosure, reducing the number of components and metal-to-metal connections, thereby enhancing EMC shielding and reducing PIM.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If screws are used to assemble the enclosure halves, then the mechanical strength and IP class requirements are met, but the production time increases and the risk of screw damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The enclosure assembly is segmented into two functional parts: a sealing mechanism (resilient element) and a locking mechanism (locking member). This segmentation allows the sealing function to be achieved through elastic deformation rather than multiple fastening points, reducing the number of components and assembly steps while maintaining mechanical strength
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient element changes its physical state from uncompressed to compressed, altering its shape and volume to create the sealing channel. This parameter change enables the sealing function without requiring multiple screws, thereby reducing assembly time and component count while maintaining the required mechanical strength
2Reliability
If multiple screws are used to secure the enclosure, then the sealing and mechanical requirements are fulfilled, but the amount of components increases and production yield decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function and locking function are merged into a single integrated mechanism. The resilient element provides sealing while the locking member secures the assembly, eliminating the need for separate sealing gaskets and multiple screws. This merging reduces component count and assembly complexity while maintaining sealing reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The locking member serves multiple functions: it mechanically secures the enclosure halves together, maintains compression on the resilient element for sealing, and prevents unauthorized disassembly. This multi-functionality reduces the number of components needed while ensuring reliable sealing
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional screw assembly is used, then the enclosure can be assembled, but EMC sealing is not achieved and additional EMC gaskets are required
Solution Approach 1:
The EMC sealing function is merged with the mechanical locking mechanism. The locking member, when inserted into the aligned recesses, creates continuous electrical contact between the two enclosure halves, providing both mechanical security and EMC shielding in a single component rather than requiring separate EMC gaskets
Solution Approach 2:
The locking member acts as an intermediary that bridges the two enclosure halves electrically. By making continuous contact with both halves through the aligned recesses, it mediates the electromagnetic shielding requirement while simultaneously providing mechanical fastening, eliminating the need for additional EMC gaskets
4Strength
If multiple metal-to-metal connections are made with screws, then the enclosure is securely fastened, but passive intermodulation issues increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening function is segmented from the sealing function, allowing the locking member to provide secure mechanical fastening with minimal metal-to-metal contact points. The resilient element handles the sealing function, reducing the number of screw connections that could generate passive intermodulation while maintaining fastening security
Solution Approach 2:
The multiple screw connections that cause passive intermodulation are extracted from the design. The locking member provides equivalent or superior fastening security with far fewer contact points, eliminating the source of PIM issues while maintaining the required mechanical strength
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 provides a reliable, efficient, and secure locking mechanism that reduces production time, increases yield, and minimizes PIM while ensuring EMC compliance without additional gaskets, by using fewer and more controlled metal connections.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient element arranged between the body and the lid, the resilient member being arranged to exert a resistive force on the lid when pressed between the body and the lid
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to an enclosure comprising a body, a lid, a locking member, and a resilient element arranged between the body and the lid. The resilient member is arranged to exert a resistive force on the lid when pressed between the body and the lid to seal the enclosure in a sealed position. The body includes at least a first recess and the lid includes at least a second recess, where each pair of a first recess and second recess is arranged to align in the sealed position, and to form a corresponding channel when aligned against the resistive force such that the enclosure is in the sealed position, and to then receive a corresponding locking member in the channel.