Modular Enclosure Door Integration with Vertical Posts

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing modular enclosures for laboratories and pressurized spaces require disassembly of entire panel lines to replace intermediate panels and lack proper tightness, especially with quick-opening doors that protrude motors and have inadequate sealing mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

The modular enclosure features vertical posts with longitudinal channels for easy door mounting and disassembly, an independent winding drum unit, and sealing gaskets and weights for tight closure, along with movable stops on the tarpaulin for enhanced lateral sealing, allowing for frontal door removal and integration without disassembling panels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If panels are mounted on support profiles with grooves and vertical posts for modular enclosure, then the enclosure structure is stable and modular, but replacing an intermediate panel requires disassembling the entire line of panels from one end

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of panel replacementVSAvoidtime for panel replacement
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The partition is divided into independent modular elements (panels, door, profiles) that can be assembled and disassembled independently. The door is specifically segmented from the panels through the use of fastening elements that connect to both the vertical posts and panels separately, allowing the door to be removed without affecting panel installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The vertical posts are pre-assembled with the door unit before final installation into the partition. The fastening elements are designed to be pre-attached to the vertical posts, allowing the entire door assembly to be installed as a complete unit between already-installed panels, rather than assembling the door piece-by-piece during final installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If quick-opening doors are used with motorized winding drums, then door operation is automated and convenient, but the motor protrudes laterally from the frame making integration difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of door operationVSAvoiddoor frame structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The motor is repositioned from a lateral protrusion to a location within the vertical plane of the partition space. By placing the motor between the vertical posts rather than on the outer lateral surface, the design utilizes the available depth dimension of the partition cavity to house the motor, eliminating lateral protrusion while maintaining automated operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Shape

If doors are made flush with panel faces for aesthetic integration, then the enclosure appearance is uniform, but proper tightness and sealing are difficult to achieve

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedoor flushness with panelsVSAvoidclosure tightness
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Sealing gaskets are introduced as intermediary elements between the door and the partition structure. These gaskets are attached to the vertical posts and work in conjunction with the tarpaulin's transversal bulge to create an effective seal, allowing the door to remain visually integrated with the panels while achieving proper tightness through the intermediary sealing components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Ease of repair

If the winding drum motor is placed on the outer part of the frame, then the drum is easily accessible for maintenance, but the door cannot be integrated into the partition space

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemotor accessibilityVSAvoiddoor integration into partition
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The motor position is changed from the lateral outer surface to the internal vertical space between the posts. This dimensional relocation allows the motor to be accessible from the front of the partition (maintaining ease of repair) while simultaneously enabling the door to be integrated into the partition's depth space (improving adaptability).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3187680B1Modular enclosure
Publication Date: 2019.10.30 AMISERRU
  • EP3187680B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3187680B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3187680B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The enclosure comprises: a partition (1) of panels (2) provided with longitudinal grooves (3) and a space for mounting a door (6); and a door (6) comprising: an upper box (7); and two vertical posts (9) with vertical guides (30) for moving a closing element (10), in addition to longitudinal channels (15) defining passages, with the longitudinal grooves (3), for housing fastening elements (16, 17) that can be vertically moved between a position wherein the door (6) is held and a position wherein the door (6) is released. The door comprises means for ensuring peripheral tightness in the closed position.