Switchgear Housing Z-Hinge Instrument Panel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing switchgear housings with hinged doors face issues when accommodating longer modules, as they either block door rotation or require wider housings, and existing solutions that allow door opening do not facilitate easy removal of modules.
Innovation Solution
A housing design featuring a Z-shaped hinge arrangement between the door and instrument panel, where the door hinge axis is parallel to one side wall and the instrument panel hinge axis is adjacent to the opposite side wall, allowing the instrument panel to move parallel to the walls before rotating, thus enabling longer modules or narrower housings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the housing width is reduced to save space, then the space requirements are reduced, but the door rotation is blocked by the housing walls
Solution Approach 1:
The instrument panel hinge axis is positioned adjacent to the second side wall, creating a Z-shaped hinge arrangement. This positions the rotation axis in a different spatial dimension relative to the door hinge axis, allowing the instrument panel to rotate along a path that clears the housing walls even when the housing width is reduced.
2Length of moving object
If longer modules are arranged to the hinged door, then the functionality is improved, but the door rotation is blocked by the housing walls
Solution Approach 1:
By positioning the instrument panel hinge axis adjacent to the second side wall rather than at the door hinge axis, the invention creates a Z-shaped hinge that moves the rotation path into a different dimensional plane. This allows longer modules to be accommodated without blocking door rotation, as the instrument panel swings along a trajectory that clears the housing boundaries.
3Device complexity
If the instrument panel hinge axis is positioned at the door hinge axis, then the structure is simplified, but the door cannot open when the instrument panel has substantial length
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge system is segmented into two distinct hinge axes: the door hinge axis for door rotation and the instrument panel hinge axis positioned adjacent to the second side wall. This segmentation allows each component to rotate independently along its own axis, preventing the instrument panel from blocking door opening while maintaining operational simplicity.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 2C~3
AI summary
The invention relates to a housing for example for switchgear, which housing comprises: - first and second parallel side walls connected by a frame, top wall and / or bottom wall; - a door extending between the first and second side walls and arranged hingedly to the first side wall, wherein the door hinge axis is parallel to the side walls; - an instrument panel comprising a front face and third and fourth parallel side walls extending perpendicular from the front face; wherein the door has an opening through which the third and fourth side walls of the instrument panel extend; and wherein the instrument panel is hingedly arranged to the door, wherein the instrument panel hinge axis is parallel to the door hinge axis and wherein the instrument panel hinge axis is positioned adjacent to the second side wall.