Movable Panel Cover With Resilient Contactors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electronic equipment units often interfere with each other due to electromagnetic noise, and existing solutions for shielding are either complex or ineffective across a broad frequency spectrum, especially in industrially used 19-inch rack systems where easy access is necessary.

Innovation Solution

A cover for electronic equipment featuring movable metal panel elements joined by resilient metal contacting devices, which compress against spring force to ensure effective electrical contact and shielding across a wide frequency range, allowing for quick and secure mounting and dismounting without compromising shielding properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a large number of bolted joints are used to improve electric contact between cover parts, then shielding effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshielding effectivenessVSAvoidnumber of bolted joints
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines mechanical joining and electrical contacting functions into a single connector component. The connector includes a resilient contacting device that simultaneously provides mechanical attachment and electrical conduction between panel elements, eliminating the need for separate bolted joints and wiring connections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The connector is designed to perform multiple functions: mechanical joining of panel elements, providing electrical contact between panels, and maintaining shielding effectiveness. This multi-functional design reduces the overall number of components needed in the shielded enclosure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If bolted joints are used to ensure good electric contact, then shielding is improved, but ease of operation for mounting and dismounting deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectric contact qualityVSAvoidmounting and dismounting speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The resilient contacting device incorporates elastic elements (springs) that provide dynamic, flexible contact pressure. This allows the connector to maintain reliable electrical contact while enabling quick insertion and removal of panel elements without permanent deformation or complex fastening procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of manufacture

If simple cover designs are used to reduce cost, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but shielding effectiveness over broad frequency spectrum deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidshielding over frequency spectrum
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The resilient contacting device allows for adjustable contact pressure and contact point distribution along the edges of panel elements. By optimizing these parameters, the design achieves effective shielding across a broad frequency spectrum while maintaining a simple, cost-effective connector structure without requiring multiple complex components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 provides efficient and well-controlled shielding of electromagnetic disturbances across a broad frequency spectrum while maintaining ease of assembly and disassembly, ensuring reliable operation in industrial settings.

Implementation Method 1

the spring force acts against the surfaces of both the respective joined together panel elements and connects them to each other electrically

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP2491775B1Cover for electronic equipment
Publication Date: 2016.06.29 CLAMCO INVEST
  • EP2491775B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2491775B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP2491775B1 patent drawingFigure 3a

AI summary

Cover (200) for electronic equipment comprising at least two in relation to each other movable metal panel elements (210,220,230,240,250,260), wherein the panel elements are arranged to be joined together along respective edges of the panel elements, so that they in a joined together and in relation to each other immobile state form the cover. The invention is characterised in that the cover comprises a respective connector (290,291,292,300,400,500,600) for me¬ chanical joining and good electric contacting along each one of the edges along which the panel elements are arranged to be joined together, in that each connector comprises a re¬ spective resilient metal contacting device (310,410,510,610), which contacting device is arranged between the respectively- joined together panel elements and in direct contact with both panel elements when the panel elements are in the joined together state, and thereby is compressed against the spring force (362,462,516,616) of the contacting device, so that the spring force acts against the surfaces of both the respective joined together panel elements and connects them to each other electrically.