Folded Looped Rack Chassis for More Usable Internal Space
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic containers with mounting chassis have inherent 'dead space' due to the dimensions of the chassis and anti-vibration mounts, necessitating larger overall dimensions and weight for a given payload capacity, which is undesirable for efficient storage and transport.
Innovation Solution
The use of a looped chassis structure with hollow tubular members having a square or rectangular cross-sectional profile, featuring folded corner sections and reduced joints, enhances rigidity and minimizes weight while allowing for a minimized footprint and increased usable space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If traditional chassis structures with multiple joints and straight members are used, then the chassis provides sufficient structural support, but the overall dimensions and weight of the container increase due to inherent dead space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by forming folded elements with curved outer faces at the corners of the chassis members. This curved geometry allows the chassis to achieve the required structural strength and rigidity while occupying less space compared to traditional straight-edged rectangular chassis, thereby reducing the overall container dimensions and eliminating dead space.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the structural parameters by using hollow tubular members instead of solid or thin-walled sections. This parameter change provides high strength-to-weight ratio, allowing the chassis to maintain structural support capability while minimizing weight and footprint, thus improving the usable internal space to weight ratio of the container.
2Stability of the object's composition
If more joints are used to connect chassis members, then the structural stability improves, but the weight and complexity of the chassis increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple chassis members into continuous folded elements that form looped structures. By combining horizontal and vertical members into single folded components with integrated corner sections, the design reduces the number of separate joints required while maintaining structural stability through the continuous geometry and self-reinforcing looped configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The curved outer face at each corner section of the folded elements provides geometric reinforcement that enhances structural stability without requiring additional joints. The curvature distributes stresses more effectively than sharp corners, maintaining chassis stability while reducing the need for complex joint assemblies.
3Volume of moving object
If the chassis dimensions are minimized for a given payload capacity, then the container footprint is reduced, but the structural strength and rigidity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs hollow tubular members that function as composite structures, providing high moment of inertia and section modulus relative to their outer dimensions. This composite geometry delivers the necessary chassis strength and rigidity in a minimized footprint, as the hollow section efficiently resists bending and torsional loads while occupying less space than solid sections.
Solution Approach 2:
The curved outer face at the corner sections enhances the structural efficiency of the minimized chassis dimensions. The curvature increases the section modulus at the critical corner regions, providing additional strength and rigidity where stresses are highest, thereby maintaining overall chassis strength while keeping the footprint minimized.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to an electronic rack and mounting chassis comprising: a front chassis member; a rear chassis member; a plurality of elongate chassis members extending in a front-to-rear direction and connecting the front and rear chassis members, wherein each of the front and rear chassis members comprises two opposing horizontal sections, two opposing vertical side sections and four corner sections, each of the four corner sections connecting a respective one of the horizontal sections to an adjacent one of the vertical side sections to form a looped structure, wherein each of the front and rear chassis members comprises one or more folded elements being folded to define the four corner sections, and wherein each of the front and rear chassis members further comprises at least one joint at which respective ends of the one or more folded elements are connected to form the looped structure, the or each joint being formed in one of the vertical and horizontal sections so as to be remote from each corner section. The disclosure also relates to a container comprising the chassis.