HVAC Stacking Bracket With Sloped Rails for Transport Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for stacking and transporting HVAC units are inefficient due to the use of wood crating, which increases material and labor costs, generates waste, and provides insufficient resistance to disturbance forces during transportation, leading to sliding and dislodgement of units.
Innovation Solution
The use of stacking brackets with sloped surfaces and impact surfaces that couple to the base rail of the top HVAC unit, providing lateral resistance to prevent dislodgement while allowing vertical movement, thus securing the units during transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wood crating members are used to protect HVAC units during transport, then protection and spacing are provided, but material costs, labor costs, and waste generation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential protective function from wood crating and implements it through metal brackets that provide spacing and protection without requiring full wood crating structures. The brackets are attached to the HVAC unit and provide the necessary protection during transport while eliminating the need for extensive wood materials and assembly labor
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameter from wood to metal brackets, and changes the structural form from full crating to minimal bracket supports. This parameter change maintains protective functionality while dramatically reducing material costs, labor requirements, and waste generation
2Reliability
If wood crating is used to prevent sliding of HVAC units, then some resistance is provided, but the resistance is insufficient against disturbance forces during transportation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates ramp surfaces with inclined geometry on the brackets. These sloped surfaces interact with the base rail to provide mechanical resistance against sliding forces. The angular geometry creates friction and normal forces that effectively prevent lateral movement during transport while maintaining a simple bracket structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses metal brackets with combined geometric features (flat bases for attachment, ramp surfaces for friction resistance, and vertical elements for positioning). This composite geometric structure provides multi-mode resistance to sliding forces without requiring complex mechanisms or excessive materials
3Reliability
If straps are used to secure HVAC units, then some restraint is provided, but the straps may migrate and slide off during transportation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces brackets as intermediary structures between the HVAC unit and the restraining system. The brackets provide fixed attachment points and geometric features (ramp surfaces) that prevent strap migration by creating physical barriers and friction surfaces. This intermediary structure ensures reliable restraint without strap slippage
4Reliability
If stacking brackets with ramp surfaces are used, then lateral resistance is provided, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the bracket into distinct functional segments: a base portion for attachment to the HVAC unit, ramp surfaces for lateral resistance, and positioning features for vertical spacing. This segmentation allows each element to perform its specific function efficiently while keeping the overall structure simple and manufacturable
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
The solution effectively resists dislodgement and sliding of top HVAC units during transportation, reducing material costs and waste generation by eliminating the need for wood crating, while ensuring secure stacking and easy lifting of units.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the one or more ramp surfaces is configured to be positioned adjacent to an inner wall of a base rail of the top HVAC unit... configured to resist dislodgement of a top HVAC unit from the bottom HVAC unit
Implementation Method 2
Each of the one or more impact surfaces is configured to face an inner wall of a base rail of the top HVAC unit... configured to resist dislodgement of a top HVAC unit from the bottom HVAC unit
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides 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.