Plastic Enclosure Rib Grooves for Panel Leveling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing industrial enclosures face challenges in precisely and easily fastening panels at uniform levels due to the complexity of rib guides, making it difficult for installers to achieve exact alignment.
Innovation Solution
The enclosure features a pair of rib members with equally spaced grooves and a support block with tongues and fastening elements, allowing for precise leveling and secure attachment of panels, along with snap-fit mechanisms and level markings for simplified installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If rib guides with sliding mounting brackets are used for panel fastening, then panels can be mounted at adjustable levels, but it becomes difficult to place all four brackets at exactly the same level
Solution Approach 1:
The support block automatically levels itself by engaging tongues with grooves at predetermined positions along the rib members. The installer simply places the support block into position and the tongue-and-groove mechanism self-aligns to ensure precise leveling without requiring manual adjustment or complex alignment procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The support block acts as an intermediary element between the rib members and the panel. It provides a standardized interface with fastening elements that simplify the connection process while ensuring precise positioning through its tongue-and-groove engagement mechanism with the rib members.
2Adaptability or versatility
If mounting brackets with sliding guides are used, then panels can be positioned at desirable levels, but the structure becomes more complex requiring separate brackets and guides
Solution Approach 1:
The support block merges multiple functions into a single component: it provides positioning (through tongue-and-groove engagement with rib members), support (as a mounting surface for the panel), and fastening (through integrated fastening elements). This eliminates the need for separate mounting brackets and guides, simplifying the overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The support block is a universal component that can be used at any position along the rib members to mount panels or other equipment. The same support block design works throughout the enclosure, providing consistent functionality for various mounting requirements without requiring different components.
3Strength
If metal inserts are used in the case for fastening panels, then secure attachment is achieved, but the entire enclosure must be replaced when metal inserts are damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening system is segmented into replaceable support blocks and permanent rib members. The support blocks can be independently replaced if damaged, while the rib members remain permanently attached to the enclosure. This modular approach eliminates the need to replace the entire enclosure when fastening components are damaged.
Solution Approach 2:
The support blocks are designed as economical, replaceable components made of plastic with integrated fastening elements. When a support block becomes damaged or worn, it can be replaced with a new inexpensive block rather than replacing the entire expensive enclosure, reducing maintenance costs.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a plastic enclosure (1) for enclosing industrial components. The enclosure comprising a case (2) made of plastics. The case comprises a rectangular rear wall (3) and four side walls (4, 5, 6, 7) delimiting an interior (8) having four corners (9, 10, 11, 12) at the junctures of side walls. The rear wall and the side walls together form a monolithic unitary box-like container which has a mouth opening (13) at one side enabling access to the interior. Each corner comprises fastening means for fastening of one or more panels (P; P1) inside the interior in parallel and at a desired distance relative to the rear wall. The fastening means comprises a pair of rib members (14, 15) molded integrally as unitary monolithic structures with the side walls. The rib members extend along the side walls between the rear wall and the mouth opening. Each rib member comprises a plurality of equally spaced grooves (16) extending at right angle relative to the longitudinal direction of the rib member. The grooves (16) in the pair of the rib members (14, 15) of each corner are arranged as pairs of grooves which are mutually aligned, mutually located at the same level and facing each other. A support block (17) made of plastics having at least one pair of tongues (18) is adapted to be inserted into the at least one pair of grooves (16) to form tongue-and-groove joints at the two sides of the support block for holding the support block when installed to the corner. The support block (17) has a fastening element (19) for fastening of the panel (P; P1) to the support block.