Stackable Power Distribution Box with Interlocking Feet
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional portable power distribution boxes are unstable when stacked, leading to inefficient transportation and storage due to horizontal movement issues, resulting in excessive space usage and increased trips during relocation.
Innovation Solution
A support assembly with projections and feet that allow for vertical stacking of power distribution boxes, preventing horizontal movement by positioning the second box at a 90-degree offset on top of the first, with projections and feet interacting to restrict sliding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If power boxes are stacked vertically for transportation and storage, then space efficiency improves, but horizontal stability deteriorates due to sliding and movement
Solution Approach 1:
The support assembly features an L-shaped configuration with a vertical support portion and a horizontal support portion that extends perpendicular to the vertical support. This asymmetric design allows boxes to be stacked at 90-degree offsets, preventing horizontal sliding while maximizing space utilization. The projections on box covers engage with recesses in the horizontal support portions, creating a interlocking arrangement that eliminates lateral movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from conventional single-column stacking to multi-dimensional stacking by introducing horizontal support portions that extend perpendicular to the vertical support. This allows boxes to be arranged in alternating orientations (90-degree offset), utilizing both vertical and horizontal dimensions to create a stable three-dimensional stacking configuration that prevents sliding while optimizing storage density.
2Productivity
If conventional stacking methods are used, then transportation efficiency improves, but the number of trips required increases due to instability
Solution Approach 1:
The L-shaped support assembly with perpendicular horizontal extensions enables stable multi-box stacking configurations that can be safely transported in fewer trips. By preventing horizontal sliding through the 90-degree offset arrangement and projection-recess engagement, the system allows forklifts to transport multiple boxes simultaneously without the need for repeated trips to secure unstable stacks.
3Reliability
If power boxes are individually banded to pallets, then individual box stability improves, but storage space efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention eliminates the need for separate pallets and individual banding by integrating the support function directly into the box structure through the support assembly. Multiple boxes are merged into a unified stacked configuration where the support assembly of one box provides stability for itself and adjacent boxes, creating a space-efficient arrangement that maintains individual box stability without requiring external pallets.
Solution Approach 2:
Each power box incorporates its own support assembly that provides stability and support functions. The support assembly with vertical and horizontal portions, along with projections and recesses, enables the box to self-stabilize when stacked, eliminating the need for external pallets and banding materials while optimizing storage space utilization.
Data Source
AI summary
The power box can be stacked while limiting horizontal translation. The power box includes an electrical component box, a cover for the electrical component box, and a support assembly. The support assembly has feet that raise the electrical component box off of the ground. The cover includes one or more raised projections that restrict the horizontal translation of a power box positioned thereon, by dimensioning the projections apart by a distance slightly greater than an exterior width of the support assembly of the power box that rests upon the cover. Horizontal translation is further limited by dimensioning the feet such that, when placed on top of another power box, the interior dimension between two feet is slighting greater than the dimension of the cover. So, when the top power box attempts to slide, the feet of the top power box contact the cover of the bottom power box.