Removable Support Member for Enclosure Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing enclosures for mechanical, electrical, and electronic components face challenges in flexibility and cost due to fixed tracks and threaded inserts, which add unnecessary weight and cost while limiting component mounting arrangements.

Innovation Solution

A removable support member system for enclosures that includes a base and sidewalls with non-rotatably mating components, using non-circular cylindrical locating regions and alignment surfaces to prevent rotational movement, allowing for flexible component placement without the need for fixed tracks or integral threaded inserts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If fixed tracks and integral threaded inserts are used for mounting components, then mounting stability is improved, but enclosure weight and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting stabilityVSAvoidenclosure weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting system is divided into separate components: removable support members with threaded inserts that can be detached from the enclosure base. This segmentation allows the enclosure to achieve mounting stability when needed while avoiding the permanent weight penalty of integral threaded inserts throughout the entire enclosure structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Threaded inserts are placed only at specific locations on removable support members where mounting is actually needed, rather than being distributed throughout the entire enclosure base. This local concentration of mounting features reduces overall weight while maintaining stability at critical mounting points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If fixed tracks are used for component mounting, then mounting stability is improved, but enclosure cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting stabilityVSAvoidenclosure cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting system uses separate removable support members instead of fixed tracks integrated into the enclosure. This reduces manufacturing complexity and cost by eliminating the need for precision-machined fixed tracks while maintaining stable mounting capability through the support member design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The support members are designed as simpler, more economical components that can be manufactured at lower cost than fixed tracks. While they may need replacement occasionally, their lower individual cost and simpler manufacturing process reduce overall enclosure system cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Adaptability or versatility

If removable support members are used instead of fixed tracks, then flexibility in component placement is improved, but mounting stability may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility in component placementVSAvoidmounting stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The support members are designed to be removable and repositionable, providing dynamic flexibility in component placement. Despite this movability, stability is maintained through the threaded insert design and proper engagement mechanisms that secure components firmly when mounted.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The support members act as intermediary elements between the enclosure base and the components to be mounted. They provide a stable mounting interface through threaded inserts while maintaining flexibility by being removable and repositionable, mediating between the need for stability and the need for adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Ease of operation

If fixed tracks are used, then component mounting is simplified, but space for additional components is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent mounting simplicityVSAvoidspace for components

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

By using removable support members instead of fixed tracks, the enclosure interior space is freed from permanent mounting structures. Support members can be positioned only where needed, maximizing the usable space within the enclosure while maintaining ease of component mounting through the support member interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS10707664B2Enclosure and face plate support member for use with the enclosure

Publication Date: 2020.07.07 MUM INDS

AI summary

An enclosure system includes a box with a base and four sidewalls, and a support member having opposite first and second ends and defining a longitudinal axis between the opposite first and second ends for supporting components within the box. A component interface portion is formed on the first end, and an enclosure interface portion is formed on the second end. The component interface portion defines a first connection region for selective connection with a component to be located in the box, and the enclosure interface portion defines a non-circular cylindrical locating region for engagement with a corresponding oppositely formed non-circular cylindrical locating region on the base of the box. The engagement between the non-circular cylindrical locating region and the oppositely formed non-circular cylindrical locating region on the base of the box prevents rotational movement of the elongate body member about the longitudinal axis relative to the box.