Equipment Rack Bracket with Movable Rod Parts for Variable Rail Spacing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional equipment racks face challenges with brackets that are not interchangeable and have complex, rigid, and heavy telescopic mechanisms, making them inconvenient and costly to manufacture, especially when the intervals of rack rails vary.
Innovation Solution
A bracket with a rod part that can be inserted into rack rails, providing a movement buffer for easy installation and adaptability to varying rail intervals, featuring a simpler structure with adjustable rod parts and a resilient holding mechanism for secure engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a telescopic mechanism is used to adjust bracket length, then the bracket can fit rack rails with various intervals, but the structure becomes complicated and the bracket becomes thick and heavy
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket is divided into three main segments: a bracket body and two rod parts (first and second rod parts) that can move relative to the bracket body. This segmentation allows each part to have simpler structure while the combination provides the telescopic function, reducing overall structural complexity compared to a single integrated telescopic mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The rod parts are designed to be movable relative to the bracket body, enabling dynamic adjustment of the bracket length. This dynamic structure allows the bracket to adapt to different rack rail intervals without requiring a complex fixed telescopic mechanism, simplifying the overall structure while maintaining adaptability.
2Reliability
If holding mechanisms are added at both ends of the bracket, then the bracket can be firmly installed on rack rails, but the bracket cannot be removed unless both holding mechanisms are disengaged simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The holding mechanisms are extracted from both ends of the bracket and placed only at the second end portion. This extraction simplifies the detachment process - users only need to operate one holding mechanism at the second end to remove the bracket, rather than simultaneously disengaging mechanisms at both ends, significantly improving ease of operation while maintaining reliable installation through the first connection device at the first end.
3Ease of manufacture
If the bracket structure is simplified to reduce manufacturing cost, then the bracket becomes more cost-effective, but the rigidity and stability of the telescopic mechanism are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Different parts of the bracket have different structural characteristics optimized for their specific functions. The bracket body maintains sufficient rigidity and stability, while the rod parts provide the necessary movement capability. The first connection device ensures firm connection at the first end, while the second connection device with holding mechanism provides secure attachment at the second end. This local optimization allows simplification in non-critical areas while maintaining strength where needed, reducing manufacturing cost without compromising overall rigidity and stability.
Data Source
AI summary
An equipment rack includes two rack rails and a bracket . The bracket includes a bracket body and a first and a second connection member disposed at the bracket body's ends. The first connection member includes a rod part extending outward relative to the bracket body. An engaging section and a supporting section are formed on the rod part in the extending direction of the rod part . The engaging section is between the supporting section and the bracket body. The bracket is installed on one rack rail by the supporting section being inserted into a hole of said rack rail and is installed on the other rack rail by the second connection member engaging with the other rack rail. The bracket body is operable to move relative to the rack rails so that the engaging section enters the hole and the second connection member is disengaged from the rack rail.