Enclosure Wall Mount Spacing to Prevent Dust and Moisture Ingress
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for fixing metal enclosures to walls, such as using holes or welded brackets, create moisture and dust entry points, are unsuitable for environments requiring high hygiene and may not work when wall structure limitations prevent direct fixing.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a support member with aligned apertures and fasteners, a spacer with a seal, and a second fastener to secure the enclosure away from the wall, creating a gap for easier cleaning and preventing contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If holes are formed in the rear panel of the enclosure to fix it to the wall, then the enclosure can be securely attached, but moisture and dust can enter through the holes creating hygiene issues
Solution Approach 1:
A support member acts as an intermediary component between the enclosure and the wall. The support member has apertures for fastening but creates a physical barrier that prevents direct contact between wall contaminants and the enclosure interior, while still providing secure mechanical attachment through the support member structure
Solution Approach 2:
The fixing system is divided into separate functional components: the enclosure, the support member with apertures, and the fasteners. This segmentation allows the support member to bear the mechanical loading while the enclosure remains sealed, with the gap between enclosure and wall providing additional protection against contaminant ingress
2Ease of operation
If external brackets are welded to the enclosure to elevate it away from the wall, then cleaning accessibility is improved, but the brackets create bacteria traps and are difficult to clean
Solution Approach 1:
The support member is designed to be a separate, removable component rather than a permanently welded bracket. This allows the support member to be extracted and cleaned separately, and the enclosure to be cleaned without the obstruction of fixed brackets, eliminating bacteria trap issues while maintaining cleaning accessibility
Solution Approach 2:
The support member provides a dynamic solution where the spacing and configuration can be adjusted or removed as needed. Unlike fixed welded brackets, the support member can be repositioned or taken away to facilitate thorough cleaning of the enclosure and wall area, adapting to different maintenance requirements
3Ease of manufacture
If the enclosure is fixed directly to the wall, then the installation is simple, but cleaning accessibility behind the enclosure is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The support member serves as a mediator that maintains a deliberate gap between the enclosure and the wall. This gap is sufficient to allow cleaning tools and hands to access the area behind the enclosure for thorough cleaning, while the support member itself provides the structural connection that simplifies installation compared to alternative mounting methods
4Strength
If the preferred fixing centres are used, then the enclosure can be securely attached, but the wall surface behind the enclosure may not be suitable to be drilled into
Solution Approach 1:
The support member extends the fixing system into a different spatial dimension by creating a lever arm that reaches from the enclosure back to the wall. This allows fasteners to be positioned at locations that are structurally suitable on the wall, rather than being constrained to positions directly behind the enclosure, providing flexibility to accommodate various wall structures and conditions
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
A device for fixing an enclosure to a wall is disclosed and in particular a device for fixing an enclosure at a distance away from the wall is disclosed. The device includes a support member, a first fastener, a spacer and a second fastener. The support member has a first aperture located adjacent a first end and a second aperture located adjacent a second end. The first fastener is used for fixing the first end to the enclosure through the first aperture, wherein when the support member is fixed to the enclosure said second end extends beyond an edge of the enclosure. The spacer includes a third aperture therethrough and is removably attached to the second end of the support member such that the second aperture and the third aperture align. The second fastener is used for fixing the second end to the wall such that the second fastener extends through the second aperture.