Panel Support Profiles With Retractable Rollers for Easy Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrical enclosure systems face difficulties in panel installation due to high friction between the panel and rail members, requiring significant labor and resources, especially when multiple workers are needed to overcome the frictional resistance.
Innovation Solution
A panel support system featuring a first and second support profile with friction-reducing elements, such as rollers, that selectively extend above the base wall during installation to reduce friction, allowing easy panel alignment and subsequent support on the base wall, thereby reducing installation forces and labor costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional rail members are used to support the panel, then the panel can be mounted to the enclosure, but high friction between the panel and rail members requires significant labor and multiple workers to overcome the frictional resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The support profile includes movable friction-reducing elements (rollers or sliders) that can transition between different positions. During installation, these elements extend above the base wall to provide rolling/sliding support, reducing friction. After installation, the elements retract below the base wall to provide stable support. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between ease of installation and stable mounting.
Solution Approach 2:
The friction-reducing elements act as intermediary components between the panel and the support profile base wall. These elements (rollers or sliders) reduce direct frictional contact during installation, allowing the panel to be easily moved into position without requiring excessive force to overcome high friction between the panel and the rail members.
2Ease of operation
If friction-reducing elements extend above the base wall during installation, then friction is minimized and panel placement is easier, but the elements must be movable between different configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The friction-reducing elements are designed to automatically transition between extended and retracted configurations based on the installation state. During installation, the elements extend to reduce friction; after installation, they automatically retract to provide stable support. This self-service mechanism reduces the need for complex manual adjustment systems while maintaining both ease of placement and stable mounting.
Solution Approach 2:
The support profile incorporates movable friction-reducing elements that can dynamically adjust their position relative to the base wall. The elements transition from an extended configuration during installation to a retracted configuration after installation, allowing the system to adapt to different operational states without requiring complex manual intervention.
3Productivity
If multiple workers are used to overcome frictional resistance, then the panel can be installed, but labor costs and installation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The friction-reducing elements serve as intermediary components that facilitate single-person installation by reducing the frictional resistance that would otherwise require multiple workers. These elements (rollers or sliders) enable the panel to be moved and positioned with minimal force, eliminating the need for multiple workers while maintaining installation speed and reducing labor costs.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system significantly reduces the force required for panel installation by minimizing friction, allowing easier and faster panel placement within the enclosure, thereby lowering labor costs and installation complexity.
Implementation Method 1
In the installation configuration, the cylinders can extend through the mounting apertures to protrude a first height above the base wall, to rollingly support the panel for installation along the support profile
Implementation Method 2
relative to movement of the panel, the material of the cylinders can be configured to provide a lower coefficient of friction than the material of the base wall
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A panel support system (100) for mounting a panel to an enclosure can include support profiles (108, 110) mounted to a top and a bottom of the enclosure. The support profiles can define elongate channels (122, 172) that can be sized to receive a top or bottom portion of the panel. The bottom support profile can have apertures (124) along a base wall of the profile. Elements for reducing friction, including, for example, rollers (114) can extend through the apertures in an installation configuration, to facilitate insertion of a panel into the elongate channel. The friction-reducing elements can be moved to an installed configuration once the panel is in place, allowing the panel to rest on the base wall of the bottom support profile.