Looped Rack Chassis Structure for Compact, Rigid Electronics Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic rack and mounting chassis systems occupy excessive internal space and weight, limiting the minimization of overall container dimensions and weight for a given payload capacity.
Innovation Solution
The use of a looped structure chassis with hollow tubular members, featuring folded corner sections and minimized joints, enhances rigidity and reduces weight, allowing for a compact and lightweight design that maximizes usable space within a container.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a conventional chassis design with separate vertical and horizontal members connected at corners is used, then the chassis provides adequate structural support, but the overall dimensions and weight of the chassis increase, reducing the usable storage space within the container
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the vertical and horizontal members into a single integrated looped structure formed from one continuous tubular element. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate corner joints and reduces the overall chassis volume while maintaining structural integrity through the continuous geometry of the looped design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces curved transition sections between vertical and horizontal members, replacing sharp angular corners with smooth curved geometries. This curvature reduces stress concentration points, maintains structural strength, and reduces the external dimensions of the chassis, thereby increasing usable storage space.
2Weight of moving object
If multiple joints are used to connect vertical and horizontal chassis members at corner sections, then the chassis can be assembled from separate components, but the weight and complexity of the chassis increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate chassis members into a single continuous looped structure, eliminating the need for joints and connections. This single-piece construction significantly reduces chassis weight and simplifies manufacturing, as the entire chassis can be formed from one tubular element through bending and shaping operations.
3Volume of stationary object
If the chassis dimensions are minimized to maximize storage space, then the container footprint is reduced, but the structural rigidity and strength of the chassis may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses curved transition sections in the looped structure to maintain structural rigidity while reducing overall dimensions. The curved geometry distributes stresses more effectively than sharp corners, providing enhanced rigidity within a compact footprint that minimizes container space requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the geometric parameters of the looped structure, including the radius of curved sections and the thickness of the tubular element, to achieve the optimal balance between compact dimensions and structural rigidity. By carefully controlling these parameters, the chassis maintains sufficient strength and stability while minimizing its external dimensions.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to an electronic rack and mounting chassis including: 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.