DE202018106281U1 - Accommodation of electrical equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

Cabinet for housing electrical equipment, comprising:
a pedestal;
a plurality of walls each having a wear resistant outer surface and side edges;
Connecting means for connecting the plurality of walls to adjacent edges without penetrating the wear-resistant outer surfaces; and
a roof.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is the first application for a directed to the invention and the subject patent.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a device for housing electrical equipment. The present invention also relates to a method of constructing a housing for electrical equipment.

It is known to house electrical equipment to primarily support the equipment and also to restrict access to the equipment. Often equipment of this type is stored in a climate controlled environment, with normal metal racks and cabinets available for this purpose. However, it is sometimes necessary to house electrical equipment in outdoor locations, for example when equipment is needed relative to the operation of a railway. In addition, the equipment can handle voltages at normal network strengths or higher, making it more important to restrict access to the equipment.

Problems arise when metal cabinets are used for the purpose of housing outdoor electrical equipment. Regular maintenance is required, otherwise metal cabinets may be significantly affected by weathering. Cabinets of this type are also prone to graffiti, damage and theft.

In order to overcome problems associated with the use of metal cabinets, other materials have been used. These other materials are often available with highly protective exterior surfaces that add significant value to the integrity of the cabinet structure. However, structures of this type can be damaged if these outer surfaces are penetrated during a construction process.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a cabinet for housing electrical equipment, comprising: a base, a plurality of walls each having a wear-resistant outer surface and side edges; Connecting means for connecting the plurality of walls to adjacent edges without penetrating the wear-resistant outer surfaces; and a roof.

In one embodiment, the base includes a wear-resistant lower outer surface and a wear-resistant upper inner surface, the wear-resistant upper inner surface including a base recess for receiving lower edges of the walls. The edges may be chamfered so that the walls are joined at adjacent edges by abutting respective chamfered edges.

Embodiments of the invention will be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings. The detailed embodiments illustrate the best mode known to the inventor and provide support for the invention as claimed. However, they are exemplary only and should not be used to interpret or limit the scope of the claims. Its purpose is to provide a technical teaching to the skilled person. Components and processes that are distinguished by common phrases such as "first" and "second" inevitably do not define any order or ranking of any kind.

list of figures

• 1 shows a cabinet for housing electrical equipment;
• 2 represents a high pressure laminate;
• 3 shows a base plate of a cabinet;
• 4 shows a wall for a cabinet;
• 5 shows an opening cut into a chamfered edge;
• 6 shows parts of a connecting device;
• 7 shows the use of a picking tool;
• 8th shows the first part of the connecting element, which engages with the second part of the connecting element;
• 9 illustrates the connection of walls;
• 10 illustrates the formation of a gap between wall edges;
• 11 shows a chamfered edge with additional connecting devices; 12 shows the attachment of a second wall;
• 13 shows a first edge of a first wall connected to a second edge of a second wall;
• 14 shows the application of a reinforcing strip;
• 15 shows the attachment of a third wall;
• 16 shows the construction of a fourth wall and a roof to complete the cabinet; and
• 17 shows another connection means for connecting adjacent walls.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1

In 1 is a cupboard 101 for the placement of electrical equipment. In this example is the cabinet 101 near a railway track 102 and contains electrical equipment related to rail-related systems. In itself is the cupboard 101 exposed to the environment and should therefore be designed in a manner that will withstand environmental deterioration. In addition, the cabinet should also be resistant to vandalism including the application of unauthorized paint spraying.

The cupboard 101 contains a variety of walls and a roof. The walls and the roof are made of high pressure laminates of reference 2 described type.

FIG. 2

In 2 is a high pressure laminate 201 represented, which is a core 202 and an outer surface 203 includes. The outer surface contains a lacquer body made of polyurethane acrylate. In one embodiment, a similar inner surface 204 provided, which is also formed from a paint body made of polyurethane acrylate.

Material of in 2 The type shown is available from commercial sources such as Trespa International BV in the Netherlands under the trade name Trespa (Registered Trade Mark) Meteon (Registered Trade Mark). The material may be characterized as a "plate" based on the fact that it is designed primarily for use as an outer lining. Typical examples have a thickness of 8 mm, the material having an expected life of fifty years.

Trespa Meteon is a low-maintenance decorative building board made from 70% by weight paper or wood from the industrial processing of softwoods and 30% by weight from phenolic binder, the core 202 form. The binder is a fully cured, insoluble, hardening resin, which in this embodiment is phenol / formalin.

In this approach, the outer surface may be decorative and contain per se pigments in a solvent-free polyurethane acrylate paint body, which in turn is completely set and cured. This particular design does not use heavy metals, pesticides, plasticizers, inorganic fibers, halogens and any ozone-depleting products or preservatives.

Thus, in one embodiment, the walls and roof are cut from sheets of high pressure laminate and are themselves truncated edges. The trimmed edges are protected by the application of an adhesive. Before the adhesive is applied, a grinding operation is performed on the trimmed edges, followed by a cleaning process.

In one embodiment, the cabinet provides housing for electrical equipment and includes a base, a plurality of walls each having a wear resistant outer surface and side edges, connecting means for connecting the plurality of walls to adjacent edges without penetrating the wear resistant outer surfaces, and a roof.

FIG. 3

In 3 is a pedestal plate 301 shown for the cabinet. A preferred design method involves cutting a pedestal recess 302 in an upper surface 303 the pedestal plate 301 , edge 304 and the cut-out recess is protected by the use of an adhesive before being glued. For applications like those related to 1 described adhesives are considered to be useful, which are prepared for use in architectural glazing when the cabinet will be exposed to environmental conditions, assuming their own resistance to degradation under ultraviolet light. Adhesives of this type are provided by Sika Services AG of Switzerland and identified by the trade name Sikasil (Registered Trade Mark). Before using the adhesive, surfaces such as the base recess must be used 302 be clean, dry and free from lubricant. On the surfaces to be bonded, mechanical grinding is performed by using an orbital sander with a grain size value 80 is used.

Subsequent to the grinding process, the surface is cleaned with a clean, lubricant-free and lint-free cloth or cleaning paper which is dipped in a suitable cleaning solution such as that sold by Sika Services AG under the trade name Sika Cleaning 205 is available. Wiping should only be done in one direction and wipes should be changed regularly. Subsequently, a ventilation period of ten minutes is required before further action is taken.

After cleaning the surfaces, an adhesive such as that produced by Sika Services AG and available under the trade name Sika Tack Panel Primer is applied. This adhesive is applied evenly over the machined surface with a brush or felt and requires a venting time of at least thirty minutes before the adhesive is applied.

Although no adhesive is required per se, a similar priming process is also applied to the edges 304 the pedestal plate 301 applied.

FIG. 4

In 4 is a first wall 401 shown for the cabinet, which made the in 2 shown plate is cut. The wall 401 has a wear-resistant outer surface 402 and in this embodiment a similar, wear-resistant inner surface 403 , For connecting the walls to adjacent edges, such as the edge 404 , Connecting means are provided. In one embodiment, the integrity is maintained by connecting the walls to adjacent edges without penetrating the wear-resistant outer surfaces.

In order to achieve this, in the embodiment of FIG 4 the edges, including a first edge 404 , bevelled. The walls are then joined at adjacent edges by abutting respective beveled edges.

In this embodiment, a connection means includes a plurality of connection devices, as described with reference to FIG 6 is described.

FIG. 5

To account for the use of the connection devices, be in the beveled edge 404 an opening 501 cut. Similar openings are cut in the other bevelled edges, wherein in each beveled edge additional openings can be cut. In the in 5 shown example is a single opening for purposes of illustration 501 shown. However, each chamfered edge may contain additional openings with a suitable space therebetween for different cabinet sizes.

In terms of 11 to 16 described embodiment, a total of three openings was cut in each chamfered edge to accommodate three similar connecting means between the chamfered edges.

FIG. 6

In one embodiment, each connection device includes a first connection part 601 that with a second connecting part 602 engages. The first connection part 601 is located within a first beveled edge and the second connection part 602 within a second, co-acting, beveled edge.

In one embodiment, both beveled edges receive components via their respective openings, which are the second part 602 are essentially similar. The first part 601 Contains a positioning profile 603 and an extension profile 604 , Thus, the first connection part is located 601 first in a channel (similar to the channel 605 ) by its positioning profile 603 while an engagement is achieved by the extension profile 604 within the second part 602 is recorded.

FIG. 7

As in 7 is shown, becomes a second part 602 inside an opening 501 arranged by a suitable installation tool 701 is used.

FIG. 8th

After using the installation tool as described with reference to 7 described, will be the first part 601 (within a second part 602 ) through the positioning profile 306 arranged. The resulting combination effectively forms a first subset of subgroups, each subgroup of this type being mounted individually as shown in FIG 8th is shown.

Examples of connectors of this type are available from OVVO Technology (registered trademark) in County Louth, Republic of Ireland.

Installation instructions from OVVO Technology suggest that the devices in the openings 501 should be taken so that they are flush with the surface of the edge 404 lie. However, in this embodiment, the openings are 501 milled to a lesser depth, allowing it from the surface of the edge 404 light survive when the connecting parts are included. Thus, a gap is created between them for receiving an adhesive of the type specified above when the edges are brought together.

FIG. 9

As in 9 shown in this embodiment, walls are assembled by extension profiles 604 in respective channels 605 be recorded. Before she like in 9 shown connected, is applied to each of the surfaces adhesive.

FIG. 10

As in 10 pictured, became the first wall 401 with a second wall 1001 connected. The arrangement of the connecting devices results in a gap 1002 that is between the first wall 401 and the second wall 1001 is set up. The gap 1002 makes room for the previously on the beveled edges, including the edge 404 , applied adhesive ready.

Thus, the extension profile 604 within the channel 605 positioned. The extension profile is then passed through the channel by a displacement of the second wall 1001 relative to the first wall 401 attached.

FIG. 11

The invention provides a method of constructing a cabinet for receiving electrical equipment. As with respect to 3 is described in a surface 303 a subset 301 a pedestal recess 302 cut. The first wall 401 is placed in a section of the pedestal recess.

In the in 11 The arrangement shown comprises the bevelled edge 404 a first connection device 1101 , a second connection device 1102 and a third connection device 1103 ,

FIG. 12

According to the method of this embodiment, the second wall 1001 also in a section of the pedestal recess 302 arranged. Thus, as previously described, the first wall and the second wall include both wear-resistant outer surfaces and side edges.

FIG. 13

As in 13 is shown, the first edge was 404 the first wall 401 with a second edge of the second wall 1001 connected. In addition, this connection has been achieved without penetrating the wear-resistant outer surface of the first wall and the wear-resistant outer surface of the second wall.

FIG. 14

The inner surface 402 the first wall 401 is in 14 shown. Also shown is an inner surface 1401 the second wall 1001 , wherein the two walls are joined together at their edges. In this embodiment, the cabinet also includes a reinforcing bar 1402 which is located at the inner corner defined by the connected edges of the walls. In one embodiment, the reinforcing strip provides 1402 is a substantially triangular cross-section and is secured to the inner corner using an adhesive of the type previously described.

In one embodiment, a generous amount of adhesive is applied to ensure that a watertight seal is formed, and any excess adhesive found on the outside corner can be removed by the use of a suitable tool.

FIG. 15

After fixing the second wall 1001 on the first wall 401 as related to 12 and 13 described, and the use of the bar 1402 as related to 14 described, similar operations are performed to a third wall 1501 to fix.

FIG. 16

To complete the cabinet is a fourth wall 1601 on the third wall 1501 and the second wall 1001 attached. To allow access, there is a hinged door 1602 provided as part of the fourth wall.

It will be a roof 1603 attached, with a bottom surface of the roof 1603 a roof recess substantially similar to the pedestal recess 302 may include to receive upper edges of the walls.

In the in 16 In the embodiment shown, the side edges are at the top of each side wall including the third wall 1501 angular, leaving the roof 1603 slants down when it is engaged with the walls.

FIG. 16

To complete the cabinet is a fourth wall 1601 on the third wall 1501 and the second wall 1001 attached. To allow access, there is a hinged door 1602 provided as part of the fourth wall.

It will be a roof 1603 attached, with a bottom surface of the roof 1603 a roof recess substantially similar to the pedestal recess 302 may include to receive upper edges of the walls.

In the in 16 In the embodiment shown, the side edges are at the top of each side wall including the third wall 1501 angular, leaving the roof 1603 slants down when it is engaged with the walls.

FIG. 17

In 17 another connection means for connecting walls to adjacent edges is shown. In this alternative embodiment has a fitting piece 1701 an outer part 1702 and an inner part 1703 on. The outer part 1702 and the inner part 1703 may be formed of a thermoplastic material such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The outer part 1702 forms an elongated, rectangular channel profile with an element 1704 that extends inward from the tip of the channel. The inner part 1703 forms a second elongated, rectangular channel profile, the outer part 1702 is similar. The inner part 1703 has an element 1705 which extends from the tip of the channel to the outside. The two parts are joined by pushing the opposing halves towards each other to allow the element 1704 with the element 1705 engages.

Thus, in this alternative embodiment has the fitting 1701 a two-part construction comprising opposed halves which when connected form a V-shaped channel profile. As shown in the alternative embodiment, adjacent walls are to the outer part 1702 aligned and abut against the inwardly extending element 1704 , The inner part 1703 is then pressed against the inner edge of the adjacent wall and the inwardly extending element 1705 of the outer part 1703 comes with the outward-extending element 1704 of the inner part 1703 engaged to connect the two parts.

Claims (14)

The claimed invention is a: Cabinet for housing electrical equipment, comprising: a pedestal; a plurality of walls each having a wear resistant outer surface and side edges; Connecting means for connecting the plurality of walls to adjacent edges without penetrating the wear-resistant outer surfaces; and a roof. Device after Claim 1 wherein: the base comprises a wear resistant lower outer surface and a wear resistant upper inner surface; and the wear resistant upper inner surface comprises a pedestal recess for receiving lower edges of the walls. Device after Claim 1 wherein: the edges are chamfered; and the walls are joined at the adjacent edges by abutting respective beveled edges. Device after Claim 3 wherein: the connection means includes a plurality of connection devices; each connection device includes a first part that engages a second part; the first part is disposed in the first beveled edge; and a second part is disposed in the second beveled edge. Device after Claim 4 wherein: the first part is disposed in a first opening cut into a first beveled edge to form a channel; the second part is disposed in a second opening cut into a second beveled edge to form an extension extending from the second beveled edge; and the extension extending from the second beveled edge is received in the channel located in the first beveled edge. Device after Claim 5 wherein the extension is secured by the channel following a displacement of the second wall relative to the first wall. Device after Claim 4 wherein: two or more first parts are arranged in a first beveled edge; and two or more respective second parts are arranged in a second beveled edge. Device after Claim 1 , which further comprises reinforcing bars, wherein a respective reinforcing strip is arranged on each inner corner, which is formed by connected edges of the walls. Device after Claim 8 wherein each reinforcing bar has a substantially triangular cross-section. Device after Claim 1 wherein: the base, the walls and the roof are made of a high pressure laminate; wherein the high pressure laminate comprises a core and an outer surface; and the outer surface includes a polyurethane acrylate paint body to provide the wear-resistant outer surface. Device after Claim 10 wherein the core contains wood-based fibers impregnated with a thermosetting resin. Device after Claim 1 wherein a bottom surface of the roof includes a roof recess for receiving upper edges of the walls. Device after Claim 12 , wherein the side edges are angled, so that the roof falls obliquely when engaged on the walls.

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