Reversible Power Supply Enclosure with Offset Flanges

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing LED power supply enclosures are not versatile enough to meet the mounting requirements in wet/damp locations, as they are typically designed for either vertical or horizontal orientation, and lack isolation between high and low voltage areas, necessitating inefficient installation methods and separate components.

Innovation Solution

A reversible power supply enclosure with offset flanges for elevated mounting, a conduit cover for secure connections, and a removable partition for voltage isolation, allowing for both vertical and horizontal mounting while maintaining moisture resistance and compliance with UL standards.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If existing power supply enclosures are designed for either vertical or horizontal mounting, then the mounting orientation is fixed and simple, but the versatility and adaptability to different mounting requirements is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting orientation versatilityVSAvoidenclosure structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The enclosure is designed with a square base and four identical mounting surfaces, each capable of serving as a bottom surface with integrated offset flanges. This allows the enclosure to be mounted in any orientation (vertical or horizontal) while maintaining compliance with wet/damp location requirements, eliminating the need for different enclosure designs for different orientations.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The enclosure features an asymmetric design where only one mounting surface is active at a time, with offset flanges positioned to create a predetermined distance from the mounting surface. The asymmetric placement of the active mounting surface allows flexibility in orientation while maintaining the required elevation for moisture drainage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

2Productivity

If offset flanges are integrated into the mounting surfaces, then the mounting is simplified and time-efficient, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation speedVSAvoidenclosure component complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The offset flanges are integrated directly into the mounting surfaces of the enclosure base, combining the mounting function and the elevation function into a single structural element. This eliminates the need for separate shims, washers, or brackets that would otherwise be required to achieve the predetermined distance from the mounting surface, thereby simplifying the installation process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If a partition is added to isolate high voltage areas, then the safety and compliance with UL standards is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoltage isolation safetyVSAvoidenclosure internal structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The enclosure interior is divided into separate compartments by partitions that isolate high voltage areas from low voltage areas. This segmentation provides the required electrical isolation to meet UL standards for wet/damp locations, while the modular partition design allows for flexible configuration based on specific installation requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Adaptability or versatility

If multiple mounting surfaces with offset flanges are provided, then the adaptability to different orientations is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting orientation flexibilityVSAvoidenclosure manufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The enclosure is designed with four identical mounting surfaces, each capable of serving as an active mounting surface with integrated offset flanges. This universal design allows the same enclosure to be mounted in any orientation without requiring different manufacturing processes or additional components, as each surface is designed to be functionally equivalent.

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

Data Source

PatentUS11482841B2Multi-orientation power supply enclosure
Publication Date: 2022.10.25 MARMON POWER SYSTEMS INC
  • US11482841B2 patent drawing
  • US11482841B2 patent drawing
  • US11482841B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Provided in this disclosure is a reversible power supply enclosure. A base component defines a body of the power supply enclosure. The base component includes a base surface and side surfaces formed along opposing edges of the base surface. An offset flange is formed along the base surface. A closed end component is connected to the base component and includes a second offset flange. The offset flanges displace the base component the predetermined distance from the mounting surface. A cover component includes a primary surface and a perpendicular secondary surface for enclosing the base component. A lip portion substantially surrounds the peripheries of the primary and secondary surfaces, thereby enabling the power supply enclosure to be reversibly mounted in either a vertical orientation or a horizontal orientation such that both orientations provide a moisture-resistant power supply enclosure.