Magnetic Control Devices for Enclosure Sealing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Enclosures in hazardous environments, such as military or industrial settings, face challenges in maintaining environmental integrity due to gaps between control devices and enclosures, which can lead to environmental ingress and loss of integrity if not properly sealed within specified tolerances, necessitating innovative sealing solutions.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of magnetic control devices within enclosures, featuring a plunger and magnets with varying polarities to change the state of electrical devices without the need for apertures, thereby eliminating the need for traditional apertures and maintaining enclosure integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional control devices are integrated with the enclosure, then control functionality is achieved, but apertures must be created in the enclosure which compromises environmental integrity and creates flame paths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical control devices that require physical apertures with a magnetic field-based control system. Magnets positioned outside the enclosure interact with magnetically actuated components inside the enclosure through the enclosure wall, eliminating the need for apertures and maintaining enclosure integrity while providing control functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The enclosure wall itself serves as an intermediary medium that allows magnetic field penetration while blocking environmental ingress. The magnetic field passes through the enclosure wall to actuate internal components without creating physical openings, thus the wall mediates between external control inputs and internal device operation while preserving密封性.
2Ease of operation
If apertures are created in the enclosure for control devices, then control access is enabled, but sealing requirements and material usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the control mechanism from the interior of the enclosure and positions it externally. The magnets are placed outside the enclosure, and only magnetic field interaction is required, completely removing the need for apertures and associated sealing complexities.
3Ease of operation
If apertures are created in the enclosure, then control device integration is achieved, but flame paths and safety compliance issues arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes mechanical aperture-based control with magnetic field-based control. Since magnetic fields can penetrate non-conductive or properly designed conductive enclosure walls, control functionality is achieved without creating flame paths, thereby improving safety compliance in hazardous environments.
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 allows for the control of electrical devices within enclosures without creating flame paths, meeting safety standards and reducing material usage by eliminating the need for apertures, thus enhancing the enclosure's structural integrity and compliance with safety regulations.
Implementation Method 1
The second magnet, when in the engaged position, generates a magnetic force with the first magnet, where the magnetic force moves the plunger to force the contact into the first state.
Implementation Method 2
moving, using a magnetic field generated by the first polarity of the first magnet in the second position, a second magnet having a second polarity from a third position to a fourth position
Data Source
AI summary
A control device for an enclosure is disclosed, where the control device includes a first portion positioned proximate to a back side of an enclosure surface of the enclosure, and a second portion positioned proximate to a front side of the enclosure surface. The first portion can include a plunger having a proximal end and a distal end, where the proximal end is adjacent to the enclosure surface. The first portion can also include a first magnet having a first polarity and disposed at the proximal end of the plunger. The first portion can further include at least one contact in communication with the distal end of the plunger, where the at least one contact has a first state and a second state. The second portion can include a second magnet having a second polarity, where the second magnet has an engaged position and a disengaged position.