Method for precisely positioning an inner casing in an external casing of an air conditioned cabinet and air conditioned cabinet

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Solution Overview

Problem

The precise positioning of an inner boiler within an outer boiler in climate chambers is challenging due to manufacturing tolerances, leading to instability and reproducibility issues, even with two employees involved in the production process.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a component of the inner boiler with a lower height than the outer boiler, equipped with a movable foot that adjusts in height to ensure precise fitting by supporting the component on the ceiling and floor of the outer boiler, allowing for compensation of tolerances and easier assembly by applying force in the access direction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a component of the inner boiler is adapted precisely to the dimension of the outer boiler, then the fit between inner and outer boiler is improved, but the ease of assembly deteriorates due to difficulty in introducing the component into the outer boiler

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefit precisionVSAvoidassembly ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The foot is designed as a movable adjustment element that can be positioned at different heights along the guide rail. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the inner boiler component to be easily inserted in a reduced state and then precisely positioned against the ceiling of the outer boiler by moving the foot to the appropriate height, resolving the contradiction between easy assembly and precise fit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The height of the foot is variable and can be adjusted to compensate for manufacturing tolerances. By changing the height parameter of the foot, the system achieves precise positioning of the inner boiler component against the ceiling while maintaining ease of assembly through the adjustment mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If manufacturing tolerances are strictly controlled to achieve precise positioning, then the positioning accuracy is improved, but the production complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidproduction complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of controlling manufacturing tolerances strictly, the invention uses an adjustable foot with variable height to compensate for tolerances. This shifts the precision requirement from manufacturing to assembly, where the foot height can be adjusted to achieve accurate positioning without requiring complex production control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The adjustable foot mechanism allows operators to self-adjust the positioning of the inner boiler component during assembly. This self-adjustment capability eliminates the need for complex pre-control of manufacturing tolerances, simplifying production while maintaining positioning accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If two employees are involved in the production step to improve positioning reliability, then the positioning stability is improved, but the productivity deteriorates due to increased time consumption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning reliabilityVSAvoidproduction efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustable foot mechanism enables one operator to independently adjust and secure the positioning of the inner boiler component. The self-adjusting nature of the mechanism eliminates the need for a second employee, maintaining positioning reliability while improving productivity by reducing labor requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Ease of manufacture

If a component of the inner boiler with lower height is used, then the ease of assembly is improved, but the initial fit precision deteriorates until the foot is adjusted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly easeVSAvoidinitial fit precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The foot is designed as a dynamic adjustment element that transforms the initially imprecise fit (with lower height component) into a precise final fit. The movability of the foot allows it to be positioned at the correct height to contact the ceiling of the outer boiler, converting the reduced-height component into a precisely fitted assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3431908B1Method for precisely positioning an inner casing in an external casing of an air conditioned cabinet and air conditioned cabinet
Publication Date: 2023.11.01 BINDER GMBH
  • EP3431908B1 patent drawingFigure 1a
  • EP3431908B1 patent drawingFigure 1b
  • EP3431908B1 patent drawingFigure 1c

AI summary

A method for precisely positioning an inner vessel within the outer vessel (10) of a climate chamber (1) is provided, comprising the steps of: - providing an outer vessel (10) with a ceiling and a floor (11) opposite the ceiling, - providing at least one component (21) of an inner vessel, and - positioning the at least one component (21) of the inner vessel between the ceiling and floor (11) of the outer vessel (10), wherein at least one component (21) of the inner vessel is provided which has a lower height than the height of the interior of the outer vessel (10) determined by the distance between the ceiling and the floor (11) of the outer vessel (10), and on which at least one foot (30) is movably arranged such that the height of the at least one provided component (21) of the inner vessel, including the at least one movably arranged foot (30), is variable.in which a precise positioning is achieved by changing the position of at least one foot (30) of the component (21) of the inner vessel arranged in the outer vessel (10), in which the component (21) of the inner vessel is supported on the ceiling of the outer vessel (10) and the at least one foot (30) is supported on the bottom of the outer vessel (10), and in which the foot (30) is fixed in the position in which it achieves the precise positioning, and a climate chamber (1) that enables the execution of this method.