Stiffened Component Enclosure for Flexible Mounting Without Thick Walls
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing enclosures for electronic and electric components lack flexibility and structural integrity, leading to increased material costs and reduced durability due to the need for thicker side walls to withstand fastener forces, and often require multiple enclosures for various component mounting arrangements.
Innovation Solution
A latchable enclosure design featuring a removable stiffening ring, vertical mounting stiffeners with multiple attachment points, and mounting brackets with closely spaced holes for fine adjustments, which enhances structural support and flexibility in component placement while minimizing twisting motion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the side wall thickness is increased to withstand fastener forces, then the structural integrity is improved, but the material costs and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The side wall is segmented into a main side wall structure and separate reinforcing elements (stiffening rings and vertical mounting stiffeners). These reinforcing elements are strategically positioned at high-stress areas where fasteners engage, providing localized strength without requiring increased thickness of the entire side wall, thus reducing overall material usage while maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of uniformly increasing side wall thickness, the patent applies reinforcement only at specific locations where fastener forces are concentrated. The stiffening rings are positioned at top and bottom edges, and vertical mounting stiffeners are placed at mounting locations, creating local quality enhancement precisely where needed to withstand fastener forces without unnecessary material consumption.
2Adaptability or versatility
If custom enclosures are produced for different component mounting arrangements, then the adaptability is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The enclosure design incorporates multiple stiffening rings and vertical mounting stiffeners with multiple holes that can accommodate various component sizes and mounting arrangements. The same enclosure structure can be used for different component configurations by simply repositioning mounting brackets or adjusting component positions, eliminating the need for custom enclosures for each application while maintaining full adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The enclosure provides dynamic mounting flexibility through multiple holes in the vertical mounting stiffeners and adjustable bracket positions, allowing the mounting configuration to be changed without modifying the enclosure structure itself. This enables a single enclosure design to adapt to varying component arrangements while maintaining standardized manufacturing processes.
3Ease of operation
If fasteners are repeatedly repositioned and retightened into the side wall, then the ease of operation is improved, but the structural integrity deteriorates over time
Solution Approach 1:
The side wall is segmented with integrated vertical mounting stiffeners that provide dedicated mounting zones. These stiffeners contain multiple holes for fastener engagement and are designed to distribute and absorb the repeated mechanical stresses of fastener installation and repositioning, protecting the main side wall structure from cumulative damage while allowing easy component reconfiguration.
Solution Approach 2:
The vertical mounting stiffeners act as pre-positioned cushioning elements that absorb and distribute the concentrated forces from fasteners before they can damage the side wall. By providing these reinforcing structures in advance at all potential mounting locations, the design allows repeated fastener operations without compromising side wall integrity, enabling easy component repositioning over time.
Data Source
AI summary
A latchable enclosure in the form of a box having a base, four sidewalls, and an open top face which may be closed by a cover plate or lid over its open top for covering components stored in the enclosure. The enclosure may be stiffened by providing a removable or permanent stiffening ring around the inside surface of the open top. This stiffening ring may also provide locations for attachment of components or mounting tracks. The enclosure may also include vertical mounting stiffeners that act to further increase the stiffness of the enclosure while also acting as mounting tracks for direct or indirect (through separate mounting brackets) attachment of components. The vertical mounting stiffeners may include a plurality of holes for said attachment.