Support apparatus usable with electrical enclosure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrical enclosures with tall and heavy cover portions are difficult to maneuver and align during installation, posing challenges for technicians due to their size and weight, especially when installed at chest height.
Innovation Solution
A support apparatus with hook-shaped retention elements is used to provide vertical and horizontal alignment and support for the cover portion of an electrical enclosure, facilitating its installation onto the cabinet portion by allowing vertical support and alignment with the cabinet's upturned lips or base, and potentially being affixed to the cabinet.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the electrical enclosure is designed to accommodate more circuit interrupters and have higher current carrying capability, then the current carrying capability and circuit capacity are improved, but the cover portion becomes taller and heavier making it difficult to maneuver and align
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the cover portion into multiple segments or sections that can be separately handled and assembled. The cover is broken down into manageable parts that can be aligned and attached to the cabinet portion in stages, reducing the difficulty of maneuvering a single large heavy cover while maintaining the capacity to accommodate multiple circuit interrupters.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces temporary support structures or alignment tools as intermediaries between the technician and the heavy cover portion. These intermediaries provide mechanical advantage and control points that make it easier to maneuver, position, and align the cover during installation without requiring the technician to directly handle the entire weight.
2Quantity of substance
If the cover portion is made tall to accommodate more circuit interrupters, then the circuit capacity is improved, but the alignment of holes between cover and cabinet becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The invention incorporates preliminary alignment features such as pre-drilled guide holes, alignment pins, or marked reference points on both the cover portion and cabinet portion. These preliminary actions establish accurate alignment before the final fastening process, ensuring that holes align correctly even when dealing with tall cover portions that are difficult to maneuver.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces manual alignment methods with mechanical alignment systems such as self-aligning fasteners, cam-locked mechanisms, or tool-assisted alignment devices. These mechanical systems automatically guide the cover portion into correct alignment with the cabinet, reducing reliance on manual positioning and improving hole alignment precision.
3Strength
If the cover portion is heavy to provide structural strength, then the structural integrity is improved, but the ability to retain alignment during fastener installation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the fastening process into multiple steps with temporary support points. Instead of requiring the cover to maintain alignment throughout the entire installation process, the segmentation allows for staged attachment where portions of the cover are secured in sequence, with each segment providing its own local support and stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces temporary clamps, prop supports, or alignment fixtures as intermediaries that bear the weight and provide stabilization during fastener installation. These intermediary devices allow the heavy cover to be properly supported while technicians work on securing the fasteners, eliminating the need for the cover itself to maintain alignment under its own weight during installation.
Data Source
AI summary
A support apparatus is usable with an electrical enclosure to provide support to retain a cover portion of the electrical enclosure in proximity to a cabinet portion of the electrical enclosure. The support apparatus includes a shank having a hook-shaped retention element situated at an end thereof that is configured to provide vertical support to the cover portion. The support apparatus can further include a second hook-shaped retention element at an opposite end of the shank that is configured to rest upon an upturned lip of the cabinet portion, or the shank can potentially be affixed to the cabinet portion. Slots can additionally be provided in the cabinet portion, the cover portion, or both to additionally provide horizontal alignment of the cover portion with the cabinet portion.