HVAC Stacking Bracket With Sloped Insert to Prevent Displacement

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Solution Overview

Problem

The use of wood crating for HVAC units during transport and storage is costly and generates waste, as it requires materials and labor for protection and disposal, and there is a need for methods to reduce these costs and waste while maintaining component safety.

Innovation Solution

The development of a stacking apparatus with a base member and sloped surfaces that securely mount to the top cover of a bottom HVAC unit, preventing displacement and damage by acting as a ramp or impact surface, allowing for secure stacking and easy strap placement for transport.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If wood crating members are used to protect HVAC units during transport and storage, then the surfaces and internal components of the HVAC units are protected, but materials and labor costs increase and waste is generated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection of HVAC unit surfaces and componentsVSAvoidmaterials and labor costs

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential protective function from the complete wood crating system and implements only the necessary stacking support features through simple brackets with sloped surfaces. This eliminates unnecessary wood materials and complex crating structures while maintaining the core protection needed during stacking and transport.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces expensive, labor-intensive wood crating with inexpensive, simple metal brackets that can be easily attached and removed. These brackets serve their protective purpose during stacking and transport, then can be discarded or reused without significant cost or effort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Reliability

If wood crating members are used to separate stacked HVAC units, then displacement and damage are prevented, but materials and labor costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of displacement and damageVSAvoidmaterials and labor costs

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces simple stacking brackets as intermediary support elements between stacked HVAC units. These brackets provide the necessary separation and protection without requiring extensive wood crating materials, reducing both material costs and labor requirements while maintaining displacement prevention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the structural parameters from bulky wood crating to compact metal brackets with specific sloped surface angles. This parameter change maintains the protective function while dramatically reducing material usage and associated costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If wood crating is used for storage of stacked HVAC units, then protection is provided, but waste that must be disposed of is generated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection during storageVSAvoidwaste from wood crating

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses simple, inexpensive brackets that can be easily disposed of or reused after storage. These brackets provide necessary protection during warehouse storage but generate minimal waste compared to traditional wood crating, as they can be removed and discarded without significant environmental impact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The stacking brackets are designed to be easily removed and discarded after their protective function is complete. This allows for simple disposal or potential reuse without the waste management issues associated with wood crating, as the brackets can be quickly separated from the HVAC units.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

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 solution reduces material and labor costs, minimizes waste, and effectively protects HVAC units during transport and storage by preventing displacement and damage, while allowing for efficient strap placement for secure transport.

Implementation Method 1

The stacking insert has one or more sloped surfaces extending above the top surface of the base member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRamp/Inclined plane: Inclined Plane

Implementation Method 2

preventing displacement and damage by acting as a ramp or impact surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectImpact force: Impact Force

Data Source

PatentUS9151535B2Stacking bracket

Publication Date: 2015.10.06 LENNOX IND INC

AI summary

The present invention provides for an apparatus for supporting stacking of a top heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) unit on top of a bottom HVAC unit. The apparatus includes a base member configured to mount to a top cover of the bottom HVAC unit. The base member comprises an upper base portion with a top surface configured to receive at least a portion of a base rail of the top HVAC unit. The apparatus further comprises a stacking insert extending away from the base member. The stacking insert has one or more sloped surfaces extending above the top surface of the upper base portion. The top surface extends from a base of the one or more sloped surfaces in a plane substantially parallel to the top cover, when the base member is mounted to the top cover of the bottom HVAC unit.