Panel Support Profile With Rollers for Low-Friction Installation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrical enclosure systems face challenges in efficiently mounting panels due to high friction between the panel and the support rails, which increases labor costs and installation difficulty.
Innovation Solution
The proposed panel support system includes a support profile with a base wall and apertures, featuring movable cylinders that adjust between an installation configuration for easy panel insertion and an installed configuration for secure panel support on the base wall, reducing friction during installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional support rails are used to mount panels, then the panel can be securely supported, but high friction increases labor costs and installation difficulty
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a support profile with a low-friction interface as an intermediary between the panel and the enclosure frame. This support profile includes a friction-reducing surface that mediates the contact between the panel bottom surface and the mounting structure, significantly reducing the friction force during panel installation while maintaining secure support in the installed position
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the friction parameter by using a support profile with a low coefficient of friction surface. The support profile is designed with specific material properties and surface characteristics that alter the friction parameter from high (conventional rails) to low (support profile), enabling easier panel installation while maintaining structural support
2Reliability
If high friction is present between panel and support rails, then secure panel support is achieved, but installation time and labor costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The support profile is designed to be dynamic in its friction characteristics - providing low friction during the installation phase to enable quick panel insertion, then transitioning to provide secure support stability once the panel is installed. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction between installation speed and support reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The support profile is pre-configured with the low-friction surface and geometric features that guide the panel into position before installation. The preliminary design of the support profile includes alignment features and friction-reducing surfaces that prepare the mounting location in advance, reducing installation time while ensuring reliable panel support
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 significantly reduces the force required for panel installation, decreases labor costs, and simplifies the installation process by minimizing friction between the panel and the support profile.
Implementation Method 1
In the installation configuration, the cylinders can extend through the apertures to protrude a first height above the base wall, to rollingly support the panel for installation along the support profile
Data Source
AI summary
A panel support system for mounting a panel to an enclosure can include support profiles mounted to a top and a bottom of the enclosure. The support profiles can define elongate channels that can be sized to receive a top or bottom portion of the panel. The bottom support profile can have apertures along a base wall of the profile. Elements for reducing friction, including, for example, rollers can extend through the apertures in an installation configuration, to facilitate insertion of a panel into the elongate channel. The friction-reducing elements can be moved to an installed configuration once the panel is in place, allowing the panel to rest on the base wall of the bottom support profile.