WO2022215012A1

WO2022215012A1 - Equipment enclosure

Info

Publication number: WO2022215012A1
Application number: PCT/IB2022/053244
Authority: WO
Inventors: David Howard Reeder
Original assignee: Inv Nylon Chemicals Americas, Llc; Invista Textiles (U.K.) Limited
Priority date: 2021-04-09
Filing date: 2022-04-06
Publication date: 2022-10-13

Abstract

Equipment enclosures are described herein for housing electronic equipment. In embodiments, an enclosure includes a base; a lid which secures to the base; a fan tray removable from the base; and a screen assembly secured to the fan tray.

Description

EQUIPMENT ENCLOSURE

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/172,955, fded on April 9, 2021, which is incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to equipment enclosures and, more particularly, to enclosures for electronic equipment, especially telecommunications equipment.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Equipment enclosures house equipment for protection from the environment. Generally, servicing the equipment includes opening the enclosure for access to the equipment followed by a subsequent reclosing of the enclosure when service is complete. It is therefore important that the opening and closing operations can be completed as simply and reliably as possible without loss or misalignment of different parts of the enclosure.

SUMMARY

[0003] In one aspect, the present application provides for an equipment enclosure having a base; a lid which is removably secured to the base; a fan tray supported by and removable from the base; and a screen assembly secured to the fan tray.

[0004] In another aspect, the present application provides for an equipment enclosure having a base having vent holes; a lid having vent holes; a fan tray removable from the base; and a plurality of screen assemblies covering the vent holes of the base and the vent holes of the lid, wherein one screen assembly of the screen assemblies is secured to the fan tray.

[0005] In another aspect, the present application provides for an equipment enclosure having a base having vent holes; a lid having vent holes; a fan tray removable from the base; and a screen assembly secured to a bottom of the fan tray for covering the vent holes of the base.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0006] FIGS. 1A and IB illustrate an equipment enclosure in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0007] FIGS. 2A-2C illustrate a lid of the equipment enclosure shown in FIGS 1A and IB. [0008] FIGS. 3A-3F illustrate a base of the equipment enclosure shown in FIGS 1A and IB.

[0009] FIGS. 4A-4E illustrate a fan tray of the equipment enclosure shown in FIGS 1A and IB.

[0010] FIGS. 5A-5D illustrate the fan tray positioned within the base of the equipment enclosure shown in FIGS 1A and IB.

[0011] FIGS. 6A-6F illustrate devices of the equipment enclosure shown in FIGS 1A and IB.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS [0012] Equipment for telecommunications includes antennas, receivers, and transponders, amongst other examples. Housing the equipment within an equipment enclosure allows protection of the equipment from the environment, amongst other factors. Accordingly, equipment enclosures allow for equipment to operate properly by preventing damage to the equipment.

[0013] Equipment enclosures also encounter issues. One issue is accessing the equipment within the enclosure for service. An additional issue is with respect to alignment between components of the enclosure, thereby exposing the electronic equipment to the environment outside because of openings from the misalignment. Another issue with equipment enclosures is a lack of flexibility for attaching the equipment.

[0014] The present disclosure seeks to address the problems arising from equipment enclosures. In embodiments, an equipment enclosure includes a removable fan tray that retains a screen assembly during removal of the fan tray. In this way, the equipment enclosure provides a fan tray which is removable without concern of losing the screen assembly during removal. In further embodiments, the equipment enclosure includes tabs for aligning a lid of the equipment enclosure with a base of the equipment enclosure. In this way, the equipment enclosure provides an enclosure around the electronic equipment by providing an accurate alignment between the lid and base so that there is no unintentional openings which will expose the equipment. In even further embodiments, the equipment enclosure includes a structural rib pattern which provides flexible attachment locations for the electronic equipment within the equipment enclosure. In this way, the equipment enclosure provides flexibility with respect to mounting of the electronic equipment and reconfiguring the electronic equipment within the equipment enclosure. [0015] FIGS. 1A-6F illustrate an equipment enclosure 100 for protecting electronic equipment, especially telecommunications equipment, according one aspect of the present disclosure. In embodiments, the equipment enclosure 100 is an enclosure for housing electronic equipment for a 5th generation (5G) mobile network. Examples of 5G electronic equipment include antennas, radios, and multiplexers, amongst other examples. In embodiments, the equipment enclosure 100 houses electronic equipment that needs servicing a number of times a year.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1A, the equipment enclosure 100 includes a lid 105 and a base 145. In embodiments, the lid 105 and the base 145 are made from a moldable material which provides structure to protect the electronic equipment. Non-limiting examples of suitable moldable materials may include thermoplastic resins, such as polyolefins, polyesters, polyamides, etc. Polyolefins such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutylene, and mixtures thereof may be molded into the equipment enclosure 100. Non-limiting examples of suitable polyamide resins may include, nylon-5, nylon-6, nylon-66, nylon-610, nylon-612, nylon- 12, and various commercially available combinations thereof. In further embodiments, the moldable material is a nylon 6,6 material, amongst other examples. Benefits of the lid 105 and the base 145 being made from nylon 6,6 include a careful tolerance control of thickness for the lid 105 and the base 145, thereby preventing transmission issues. Another benefit of nylon 6, 6 is the ability to incorporate curves and curved surfaces into the equipment enclosure 100 by adding curves to the lid 105 and the base 145. Additional benefits of nylon 6,6 include a decrease in parts, an ability to be colorable, and an ability to provide surface texture on the lid 105 and/or the base 145.

[0017] As shown in FIG. IB, the lid 105 includes a plurality of vent holes 110 adjacent to one end thereof of the lid 105 which, in use, is the upper end of the lid 105. The vent holes 110 to enable air flow from outside of the equipment enclosure 100 to inside the equipment enclosure 100 for cooling of the electronic equipment within the equipment enclosure 100. In another embodiment, the vent holes 110 may enable air flow from inside of the equipment enclosure 100 to the outside for cooling of the electronic equipment within the equipment enclosure 100. In further embodiments, the vent holes 110 are any number of openings and in any pattern which facilitates air flow. As shown in FIG. IB, a screen assembly 125 may be secured to the lid 105 to cover the vent holes 110 so as to prevent objects from entering into the equipment enclosure 100 through the vent holes 110, while still allowing air to flow into and out of the equipment enclosure 100. [0018] The lid 105 further includes a plurality of tabs 115, 120 which assist to align and secure the lid 105 to the base 145. In embodiments, the tabs 115 project substantially perpendicularly from the lid 105, with the base 145 including u-shaped projections to receive the tabs 115. In comparison to tabs 115, the angled tabs 120 extend downwardly from the lid 105 at an angle less than 90 degrees with respect to the lid 105. In embodiments, the base 145 includes v-shaped channels for receiving the angled tabs 120.

[0019] Continuing with FIG. IB, the base 145 includes a plurality of vent holes 150 adjacent one end thereof which, in use, is the upper end of the base 145. The vent holes 150 enable air to flow from outside of the equipment enclosure 100 to inside the equipment enclosure 100 for cooling of the electronic equipment within the equipment enclosure 100. In another embodiment, the vent holes 150 may enable air flow from inside of the equipment enclosure 100 to the outside for cooling of the electronic equipment within the equipment enclosure 100. In further embodiments, the vent holes 150 are any number of openings and in any pattern which facilitates air flow. In the assembled enclosure 100, the holes 150 in the base 145 are located adjacent the holes 110 in the lid 105.

[0020] As shown in FIG. IB, a screen assembly 165 is secured to the lid 105 to cover the vent holes 150 so as to prevent objects from entering into the equipment enclosure 100 through the vent holes 150, while still allowing air to flow into and out of the equipment enclosure 100.

[0021] In embodiments, the base 145 includes apertures 155 in accordance with aspects of the invention. In embodiments, the equipment enclosure 100 to facilitate placement of the equipment enclosure 100 onto a support surface. In an example, bolts are placed through the apertures 155 to secure the equipment enclosure 100 onto a surface of a utility pole, amongst other examples.

[0022] In embodiments, the base 145 further includes a structural rib pattern 160 to provide flexible attachment locations for attaching the electronic equipment within the equipment enclosure 100.

[0023] Continuing with FIG. IB, a fan tray 170 is removably secured to a lower end of the base 145 over a plurality of vent holes 150a in the base 145. In embodiments, the fan tray 170 includes a plurality of fans for cooling of the electronic equipment within the equipment enclosure 100. In embodiments, the fan tray 170 including the plurality of fans may facilitate the air flow in any desired direction for cooling of the electronic equipment within the equipment enclosure 100, i.e., from inside of the equipment enclosure 100 to the outside or from outside of the equipment enclosure 100 to the inside. The fan tray 170 slides into and out of to the base 145 by having plurality of edges 185 slide under guide ribs extending from an inside surface of the base 145. In embodiments, the fan tray 170 is made from a moldable material. In further embodiments, the fan tray 170 is made from nylon 6,6.

[0024] The equipment enclosure 100 also includes a screen assembly 165a disposed between the fan tray and the vent holes 150a in the base 145. In embodiments, the screen assembly 165a is secured to the fan tray 170, thereby allowing for removal of the fan tray 170 without losing the screen assembly 165a. In an example, removal of the fan tray 170 from the base 145 occurs to service the electronic equipment within the equipment enclosure 100. By having the screen assembly 165a secure to the fan tray 170, the fan tray 170 retains the screen assembly 165a upon removal of the fan tray 170 from the equipment enclosure 100. Accordingly, aspects of the present disclosure prevent the screen assembly 165a from falling from the equipment enclosure 100 during servicing of the electronic equipment.

[0025] FIGS. 2A-2C further illustrate the screen assembly 125 of the equipment enclosure 100 shown in FIGS. 1A and IB. FIG. 2B illustrates a cross-section of FIG. 2A along an axis A-A for further illustration of the connection between the screen assembly 125 and the lid 105. In embodiments, the screen assembly 125 is secured to the lid 105 by fasteners 130. As shown in FIG. 2C, each fastener 130 includes a pin 135 and a nut 140. In embodiments, the pin 135 passes through an opening in the screen assembly 125, while the nut 140 secures the screen assembly 125 to the pin 135. Any number of fasteners 130 may secure the screen assembly 125 to the lid 105 but, in the example shown, four of the fasteners 130 secure the screen assembly 125 to the lid 105.

[0026] FIGS. 3A-3F illustrate the base 145 of the equipment enclosure 100 depicted in FIGS. 1A and IB. As shown in FIG. 3A, the screen assembly 165 is secured to a top region of the base 145 to cover the vent holes 150, while the fan tray 170 is secured to a bottom region of the base 145 over the vent holes 150a. The base 145 further includes apertures 155 for securing the equipment enclosure 100 to a surface. FIG. 3B illustrates the base 145 with the structural rib pattern 160. In embodiments, the structural rib pattern 160 allows for flexible attachment locations for attaching the electronic equipment within the equipment enclosure 100.

[0027] FIGS. 3C to 3F illustrate the screen assembly 165 covering the vent holes 150 to prevent objects from entering the equipment enclosure 100 through the vent holes 150. The screen assembly 165 is secured to the base 145 by fasteners 130a. Any number of fasteners 130a may be used but, in the example shown, four of the fasteners 130a secure the screen assembly 165 to the base 145. [0028] Specifically, FIG. 3D illustrates a cross-section of FIG. 3C along an axis B-B, and FIG. 3E illustrates a cross-section of FIG. 3C along an axis C-C. As shown in FIG. 3F, fastener 130a includes a pin 135a and a nut 140a. In embodiments, the pin 135a passes through an opening in the screen assembly 165, while the nut 140a secures the screen assembly 165 to the pin 135a.

[0029] FIGS. 4A-4F illustrate the fan tray 170 of the equipment enclosure 100 depicted in FIGS. 1A and IB. As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the fan tray 170 includes an opening 175 for securing the fan tray 170 to the base 145.

[0030] FIG. 4C illustrates a top view of the fan tray 170 and shows that the fan tray 170 supports a plurality of fans 180 for cooling electronic equipment within the equipment enclosure 100. FIG. 4D illustrates a cross-section of FIG. 4C along an axis D-D, and FIG. 4E illustrates a cross-section of FIG. 4C along an axis E-E.

[0031] As shown in FIGS. 4D and 4E, the screen assembly 165a is secured to a bottom surface of the fan tray 170. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4D, the screen assembly 165a is secured to the bottom surface of the fan tray 170 by a screw 190. In this way, the fan tray 170 retains the screen assembly 165a upon removal of the fan tray 170 from the equipment enclosure 100. As shown in FIG. 4E, the fans 180 align over the screen assembly 165a.

[0032] FIGS. 5A-5D illustrate the configuration of the fan tray 170 with respect to the base 145. As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the fan tray 170 is secured to the base 145 over the vent holes 150a, with the screen assembly 165a between the vent holes 150a and the fan tray 170.

[0033] FIG. 5C illustrates a cross-section of FIG. 5B along an axis F-F, and FIG. 5D illustrates a cross-section of FIG. 5B along an axis G-G. As shown in FIGS. 5C and 5D, guide ribs 195 assist in allowing the fan tray 170 to slide into and out of the base 145. In this way, the fan tray 170 can be easily removed from the base 145. A screw 190a secures the fan tray 170 to the base 145. FIG. 5C illustrates an outward direction 200 for removing the fan tray 170 from the base 145.

[0034] FIGS. 6A-6F illustrate the alignment and closure arrangements of the equipment enclosure 100 shown in FIGS. FIGS 1A and IB. As shown in FIG. 6A, the equipment enclosure 100 includes a plurality of alignment devices 205, 205a. In embodiments, the alignment devices 205, 205a help maintain alignment between the sidewalls of the lid 105 and sidewalls of the base 145. In this way, aspects of the invention prevent water and insect intrusion, amongst other examples, by providing an accurate alignment between the lid 105 and the base 145 so that there is no unintentional openings which will expose the equipment. [0035] FIG. 6B illustrates the alignment devices 205, and FIG. 6C illustrates a cross- section of FIG. 6B along an axis H-H. As shown in FIGS. 6B and 6C, alignment devices 205 comprise tabs 115 projecting substantially perpendicularly from the lid 105 and u-shaped projections on the base 145. The sidewalls of the lid 105 and sidewalls of the base 145 align with respect to each other because of tabs 115 extending into u-shaped projections 215.

[0036] FIG. 6D illustrates the alignment devices 205a which include the angled tabs 120 which extend from the lid 105 and slide into v-shaped channels 210 within the base 145. In this way, the weight of the lid 105 facilitates the angled tabs 120 sliding into the channels 210 so that the lid 105 slides into an aligned position with respect to the base 145. Accordingly, the alignment devices 205a prevent the lid 105 from relatively easily disengaging from the base 145.

[0037] FIGS. 6E and 6F illustrate a securing device 220 for releasably securing the lid 105 to the base 145. Specifically, FIG. 6E illustrates a top view of the equipment enclosure 100, and FIG. 6F illustrates a cross-section of FIG. 6E along an axis I-I. In embodiments, the securing device 220 includes a u-shaped projection 230 which receives the tab 225. Further, the securing device 220 includes one or more screws 235 which passes through the tab 225. A nut 245 secures the one or more screws 235 to the tab. In this way, the securing device 220 includes a tab 225 extending from the lid 105 and a u-shaped projection 230 extending from the base 145 for receiving the tab 225. In embodiments, there may be a securing device 220 at a bottom surface of the equipment enclosure 100, in addition to the securing device 220 at atop surface of the equipment enclosure 100.

Claims

1. An equipment enclosure, comprising: a base; a lid which is removably secured to the base; a fan tray supported by and removable from the base; and a screen assembly secured to the fan tray.

2. The enclosure of claim 1, wherein the lid includes angled tabs extending downwardly from the lid at an angle less than 90 degrees with respect to the lid.

3. The enclosure of claim 2, wherein the base includes channels for receiving the angled tabs to align the lid to the base.

4. The enclosure of claim 1, wherein the lid includes further tabs extending from the lid substantially perpendicularly.

5. The enclosure of claim 4, wherein the base includes u-shaped projections for receiving the further tabs to align the lid to the base.

6. The enclosure of claim 1, further comprising a securing device for securing the lid to the base.

7. The enclosure of claim 6, wherein the securing device includes a tab extending from the lid and a u-shaped projection extending from the base for receiving the tab.

8. The enclosure of claim 7, wherein the securing device includes a screw which extends through the tab.

9. The enclosure of claim 8, wherein the securing device includes a nut for securing the screw to the tab.

10. The enclosure of claim 1, wherein the base and the lid are made from a moldable material.

11. The enclosure of claim 10, wherein the fan tray includes a plurality of fans.

12. An equipment enclosure, comprising: a base having vent holes; a lid having vent holes; a fan tray removable from the base; and a plurality of screen assemblies covering the vent holes of the base and the vent holes of the lid, wherein one of the screen assemblies is secured to the fan tray.

13. The enclosure of claim 12, wherein the lid aligns to the base by angled tabs which extend downwardly from the lid at an angle less than 90 degrees with respect to the lid.

14. The enclosure of claim 13, wherein the base includes channels for receiving the angled tabs to align the lid to the base.

15. The enclosure of claim 12, wherein the fan tray includes a plurality of fans.

16. The enclosure of claim 15, wherein the fans align over the one of the screen assemblies secured to the fan tray.

17. The enclosure of claim 12, wherein the base includes guide ribs for allowing the fan tray to slide into and out of the base.

18. The enclosure of claim 12, wherein the base and the lid are made from a nylon 6,6 material.

19. An equipment enclosure, comprising: a base having vent holes; a lid having vent holes; a fan tray removable from the base; and a screen assembly secured to a bottom of the fan tray for covering the vent holes of the base.

20. The enclosure of claim 19, wherein the fan tray includes a plurality of fans.