Telecom Enclosure With Repositionable Upright Frame Members

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing enclosures for telecommunications and data communications networks lack versatility in configuration, as they are typically designed with fixed upright frame member positions, which limits their adaptability for applications requiring either maximum strength or enhanced access.

Innovation Solution

An enclosure with upright frame members and mounting angles that can be assembled in multiple configurations, allowing the frame members to be positioned in various locations along the sides and the mounting angles to be continuously adjusted, enabling selection of the most suitable configuration for specific applications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If upright frame members are positioned at the front and rear of the enclosure, then structural strength is improved, but access to equipment is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidaccess to equipment
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The upright frame members are designed to be repositionable between fixed locations along the sides of the enclosure. This dynamic positioning capability allows the frame members to be moved forward or backward to optimize the balance between structural strength and equipment access, resolving the contradiction by making the structure adaptable to different operational requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If upright frame members are positioned in the center of the enclosure, then access to front and rear is improved, but structural strength is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess to equipmentVSAvoidstructural strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The repositionable upright frame members can be strategically placed at different locations along the sides. When center positioning is desired for improved access, the members can be moved to central locations, and when maximum strength is needed, they can be repositioned to front and rear locations, allowing dynamic optimization of both access and strength

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of manufacture

If the enclosure is designed for a specific configuration, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but adaptability to different applications is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidconfiguration versatility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The upright frame members are designed with universal repositioning capability, allowing the same enclosure structure to serve multiple configurations and applications. The members can be positioned at various fixed locations along the sides, enabling the enclosure to adapt to different operational requirements without requiring multiple specialized designs, thus achieving multi-functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Adaptability or versatility

If multiple fixed configurations are provided, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfiguration versatilityVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sides of the enclosure are divided into multiple fixed positions where upright frame members can be attached. This segmentation approach provides discrete, predetermined locations for member placement, offering configuration versatility while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through standardized attachment points, thereby avoiding the complexity of fully continuous adjustment mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2641404B8enclosure
Publication Date: 2017.08.23 COOPER B LINE LIMITED

AI summary

An enclosure, suitable for use in a telecommunications or data communications network, is of generally cuboidal shape. The enclosure includes an upper frame assembly (1) that extends across an upper region of the enclosure, a lower frame assembly (2) that extends across a lower region of the enclosure, and first, second, third and fourth upright frame members (3 to 6) connectible between the upper frame assembly (1) and the lower frame assembly (2) in a plurality of different positions in the regions of the sides of the enclosure to provide different configurations of the enclosure and upright mounting angles (23 to 26) suitable for mounting equipment for use in a telecommunications or data communications network. The enclosure is able to be assembled in various configurations. In a first configuration the first and second upright frame members (3, 4) are disposed in a front region of the enclosure at opposite sides thereof and the third and fourth upright frame members (5, 6) are disposed in a rear region of the enclosure at opposite sides thereof. In a second configuration the first, second, third and fourth upright frame members (3 to 6) are disposed in regions spaces from the front and rear regions of the enclosure.