19-Inch Rack Unit Stacking Without Dedicated Carrying Rails
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing 19-inch rack-mounting unit arrangements require dedicated carrying rails for each unit, increasing installation complexity, weight, and cost, as well as limiting the ability to easily remove and replace units without dismantling the entire frame.
Innovation Solution
The proposed unit arrangement supports stacking units directly on a base unit via positioning feet, eliminating the need for carrying rails and allowing for reduced material usage and easier unit handling by recessing the feet within the stacking unit, which provides mechanical decoupling and maintains a compact gap, enabling stress-free fastening and easy installation/removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dedicated carrying rails are installed for each rack-mounting unit, then the unit is securely supported in the 19-inch frame, but the installation complexity, weight, and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the dedicated carrying rails from the rack-mounting unit structure. Instead of requiring separate rails for each unit, the positioning feet are integrated directly into the unit housing, allowing the unit to be supported and positioned without the complex rail system that previously was necessary for each individual unit installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning feet are merged with the unit housing structure itself, combining the support function with the unit body. This integration eliminates the need for separate carrying rails and simplifies the overall system by having the unit's own structure provide its positioning and support features.
2Reliability
If dedicated carrying rails are installed for each rack-mounting unit, then the unit is securely supported in the 19-inch frame, but the weight and material usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the dedicated carrying rails from the system, thereby eliminating their weight contribution to the overall frame assembly. The positioning feet integrated into each unit replace the rail system, resulting in a lighter overall structure while maintaining support functionality.
3Reliability
If units are fastened to the 19-inch frame at the front panel, then the unit is securely mounted, but the front panel experiences force-related loading
Solution Approach 1:
The invention shifts the support function from the front panel dimension to the bottom dimension by introducing positioning feet at the rear and bottom of the unit. This dimensional relocation transfers the force-bearing function from the front panel to the positioning feet, relieving the front panel of force-related loading while maintaining secure mounting through the frame's side structures.
4Adaptability or versatility
If carrying rails are used for each unit, then units can be mounted in the 19-inch frame, but installation and maintenance require dismantling the entire frame
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the mounting system so that each unit with its integrated positioning feet can be independently installed and removed from the 19-inch frame without affecting other units. The positioning feet enable individual unit manipulation, allowing maintenance personnel to access and service specific units by simply sliding them in or out of position rather than dismantling the entire frame structure.
Data Source
AI summary
Electrical and electronic devices are often installed in so-called racks. Racks of this type are shelf-like frames into which the devices are inserted and can be fastened, for example by means of screws. The racks commonly provide a pair of support rails for each device, upon which rails the device can be placed and can be inserted into the rack. The device can be subsequently fixed to the rack, for example screwed in. Within the scope of the invention, a device arrangement (1) is disclosed comprising at least one stacking device (4), wherein the stacking device (4) has adjustable feet (15) on the bottom surface (11) for supporting on a placement surface, comprising a base device (3), wherein the at least one stacking device (4) is arranged on the base device (3) so that these form a device tower (13), wherein the adjustment feet (15) of the stacking device (4) stand on the base device (3), wherein the device arrangement (1) comprises a 19-inch frame (2) and the stacking device (4) and the base device (3) are designed as insert devices with front plates (6) for the 19-inch frame (2), wherein the base device (3) and the at least one stacking device (4) are arranged as a device tower (13) in the 19-inch frame (2), and wherein the front plates (6) are connected to the 19-inch frame (2).