SOLAR SHIELDS

Abstract

Systems and methods for proving solar shields are provided. In one embodiment, a solar shield system comprises at least one solar shield having a first set of snap-fit features positioned on the first solar shield to engage with attachment channels of an enclosure; at least one solar shield cover having a flexible hinge integrated therein, the at least one solar shield cover further comprises a second set of snap-fit features for coupling the at least one solar shield cover with the at least one solar shield; and a plurality of fastening devices for securing the at least one solar shield and the at least one solar shield cover to the attachment channels of the enclosure.

Description

BACKGROUND

Outdoor telecommunications enclosures that contain high-power electronic components require solar radiation protection to prevent excessive heat from accumulating on and within the enclosures. At the same time, it is often necessary to secure the electronic components in the outdoor enclosure to prevent tampering with the electronic components and to protect the electronic components from the outside environment.

Generally, these outdoor enclosures are subject to two forms of heat: heat generated by the electronic components and from the solar radiation mentioned above. In most cases, the high-power electronic components attach to one or more heat sinks. The heat sinks pass the heat energy generated from the components to any outer surface areas of the outdoor enclosure. However, increasing amounts of the internally generated heat energy, in addition to any accumulation of the solar radiation energy on the exterior of the outdoor enclosure, becomes detrimental to the performance of the electronic components within the outdoor enclosure over a period to time.

To date, attempts to mitigate the incremental effect of accumulating solar heat energy by enlarging the enclosure and the solar shield footprint have resulted in additional manufacturing costs for the enclosure. Moreover, enlargement of the solar shield footprint typically increases the weight of the enclosure and further reduces access to the enclosure, depending on the type of solar shielding material used for the solar shields. Thus, there is a need in the art for improvements in solar shields for outdoor electronics enclosures.

SUMMARY

The following specification provides for solar shields for outdoor electronics enclosures. This summary is made by way of example and not by way of limitation. It is merely provided to aid the reader in understanding some aspects of at least one embodiment described in the following specification.

In one embodiment, a solar shield system comprises at least one solar shield having a first set of snap-fit features positioned on the first solar shield to engage with attachment channels of an enclosure; at least one solar shield cover having a flexible hinge integrated therein, the at least one solar shield cover further comprises a second set of snap-fit features for coupling the at least one solar shield cover with the at least one solar shield; and a plurality of fastening devices for securing the at least one solar shield and the at least one solar shield cover to the attachment channels of the enclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages are better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of a solar shield system for an electronics enclosure;

FIGS. 2A and 2B are elevated perspective views of an embodiment of an electronics enclosure having solar shields;

FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C are plan views of an embodiment of an electronics enclosure having solar shields; and

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of a method for providing a solar shield system for an outdoor electronics enclosure.

The various described features are drawn to emphasize features relevant to the embodiments disclosed. Like reference characters denote like elements throughout the figures and text of the specification.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments disclosed herein relate to solar shields for an outdoor electronics enclosure. In one embodiment, the solar shields are constructed from a lightweight, plastic-like material during an extrusion process. The extrusion process allows for constructing relatively inexpensive solar shields with varying dimensions that match a profile for one or more similarly extruded access panels of the outdoor electronics enclosure. In addition, the solar shields discussed herein comprise a snap-fit installation for mounting to the access panels, and a flexible hinge system that provides for convenient access to electronic components housed within the outdoor electronics enclosure when necessary.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of a solar shield system for an electronics enclosure 100. In the example embodiment of FIG. 1, the enclosure 100 comprises a frame 102 having a plurality of sides, and a top plate 110 on the frame 102, the top plate 110 having at least an upper surface. In one implementation, at least one side of the frame 102 is fabricated from an extrusion profile for the electronics enclosure 100, similar to the extrusion profile disclosed in the '1034 and '1040 applications. The enclosure 100 further comprises at least one pair of access panels 103, and 1032, movably attached to at least two opposing vertical sides of the frame 102 and perpendicular to the top plate 110. In one implementation, a top access latch 112 secures the access panels 103₁ and 103₂ to the top plate 110, and a series of access latches 114₁ to 114_N secure the access panels 103₁ and 103₂ together. In addition, a bottom access latch 116 secures the access panels 103 to a bottom plate (not shown) of the frame 102.

The access panels 103₁ and 103₂ are attached to the frame 102 using a series of installation snap-fit features, as further discussed below with respect to FIG. 3C. In addition, each of the access panels 103₁ and 103₂ pivotally rotate on hinges 109₁, and 109₂, respectively. In one embodiment, the hinges 109₁ and 109₂ on the frame 102 are similar to the hinges disclosed in the '1037 application.

As shown in FIG. 1, at least one pair of access panels 103₁ and 103₂ include attachment channels 118₁ to 118_N and heat transfer fins 120₁ to 120_N. In one embodiment, an extrusion process for the access panels 103 forms the attachment channels 118₁ to 118_N and the heat transfer fins 120₁ to 120_N, similar to the extrusion profile process disclosed in the '1030, '1031, and '1032 applications. As shown in further detail below with respect to FIGS. 3A and 3C, the extrusion process for the access panels 103₁ and 103₂ positions the heat transfer fins 120₁ to 120_N around the attachment channels 118₁ and 118₂. It is understood that the enclosure 100 is capable of accommodating any appropriate number of attachment channels 118₁ to 118_N and heat transfer fins 120₁ to 120_N (for example, one or more attachment channels 118 and heat transfer fins 120) for a single enclosure 100.

The solar shield system for the electronics enclosure 100 comprises first and second side shields 104₁ and 104₂ and a cover shield 106. In one embodiment, the side shields 104₁ and 104₂ and the cover shield 106 comprise an extruded plastic material suitable for use as a solar shield material. The side shields 104₁ and 104₂ and the cover shield 106 are snap-fit solar shields fabricated using at least one extrusion profile process. In particular, the extrusion profile provides side shields 104₁ and 104₂ with a common profile so that either can be used with either of the access panels 103₁ or 103₂ by simply flipping reorienting the shield as appropriate. In one embodiment shields 104₁ and 104₂ are both pushed through the same profile form when extruded. As shown in FIG. 1, the solar shields 104₁ and 104₂ have a, generally “L”-shaped profile to match the profile of the outer surfaces of the access panels 103₁ and 103₂, respectively. The first solar shield 104₁ follows an outer surface of the access panel 103₁. The second solar shield 104₂ follows an outer surface of the access panel 103₂. In one implementation, the solar shields 104 extend around and over one or more edges of the outer surface of the access panels 103.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are elevated perspective views of one embodiment of an electronics enclosure having the solar shield system described with respect to FIG. 1. As shown, solar shield 104₁ attaches to and engages with the access panel 103₁ using snap-fit features described below. Solar shield 104₂ similarly attaches to and engages with the access panel 103₂ using snap-fit features described below. Cover shield 106 couples to solar shield 104₁ to form an access door to latches 112, 114 and 116. The cover shield 106 is a snap-fit solar shield that comprises a flexible hinge 108, shown in greater detail in FIG. 3A. The flexible hinge 108 allows the cover shield 106 to rotatably pivot. The cover shield 106 functions as an access door to both protect the latches 112, 114 and 116 (when the cover shield 106 is closed) and provide access to the latches 112, 114 and 116 (when the cover shield 106 is open). As shown in FIG. 2A, the flexible hinge 108 provides rotation of the cover shield 106 out of the way when access to the latches 112, 114 and 116 of the electronics enclosure 100 is necessary. The solar shield system shown in FIG. 2B, showing the cover shield 106 in a closed position, comprises a solar radiation dispersion area that provides suitable radiation protection for the electronics enclosure 100 while protecting the latches 112, 114, and 116. In one implementation, the material for the cover shield 106 comprises a flexible polyester vinyl chloride material, or other similar material. The flexible hinge 108 is formed by a profile feature integrated within the solar shield material of cover shield 106 that decreases in thickness from a first section having a first thickness to a second section having a second thickness (as shown in further detail below with respect to FIG. 3A). In one embodiment, the solar shield material and the flexible hinge material for the cover shield 106 are extruded in a single extrusion process. In an alternate embodiment, solar shields 104₁ and 104₂ and cover shield 106 are comprised of an extruded metal. In one such alternate embodiment, the flexible material for the flexible hinge 108 comprises a bonded flexible material such as, but not limited, to a rubber compound.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3A to 3C, solar shields 104₁ and 104₂ and cover shield 106 each include one or more snap-fit features that engage with attachment channels on access panels 103₁ and 103₂ in order to fasten solar shields 104₁ and 104₂ and cover shield 106 onto enclosure 100. FIGS. 3A to 3C are plan views of an embodiment of the electronics enclosure 100 as viewed from the top plate 110 of FIG. 1. FIG. 3A is a detailed view of Detail ‘A’ of FIG. 3C, and FIG. 3B is a detailed view of Detail ‘B’ of FIG. 3C.

The side shields 104₁ and 104₂ and the cover shield 106 each include extruded snap-fit features which are positioned to align with the attachment channels 118_1-4 of enclosure 100. As shown in FIG. 3A, the one or more attachment channels 118_1-4 are used to properly position side shields 104₁ and 104₂ onto enclosure 100. Once in place, fastening devices such as, but not limited to screw fixtures 122 are used to securely attach the shields onto the attachment channels 118_1-4 by engaging the screw fixtures 122 into the inner channel walls of the attachment channels 118_1-4. In one embodiment, screw fixtures 122 are self-drilling, self-taping fasteners which are screwed directly into attachment channels 118_1-4 as described in the '1039 application.

In order to couple cover shield 106 with side shield 104₂, cover shield 106 also includes tabs 304 which engage with snap-fit feature 310 of side shield 104₂. Screw fixtures 122 secures side shield 104₂ and cover shield 106 to channel 118₂ with the non-pivoting section of cover shield 106 sandwiched in between side shield 104₂ and channel 118₂, thus securing the non-pivoting side of hinge 108 to enclosure 100. As discussed above, cover shield 106 comprises a flexible profile integrated within the solar shield material that decreases in thickness from a first section having a first thickness to a second section having a second thickness to form the flexible hinge 108. In one implementation, the tab members 304 are co-extruded with the flexible hinge material of the cover shield 106.

Side shields 104₁ and 104₂ are further attached to the access panels 103₁ and 103₂ using the extruded snap-fit features shown generally at 308₁ and 308₂. Snap-fit features 308₁ and 308₂ align with attachment channels 118₄ and 118₃ to properly position side shields 104₁ and 104₂. Screw fixtures 122 thread into the attachment channels 118₄ and 118₃ to secure side shields 104₁ and 104₂ onto enclosure 100. In one implementation, the side shields 104₁ and 104₂ extend from the attachment channels 118₁ and 118₂ to the hinges 109₁ and 109₂ of the frame 102, respectively.

FIG. 3B illustrates a snap-fit closure feature 302 and a snap-fit keeper 306 for securing the cover shield 106 in to closed position shown in FIG. 2B. The snap-fit closure feature 302 and the snap-fit keeper 306 secure the cover shield 106 to the access panel 103₁. To access the latches behind the cover shield 106 via the snap-fit closure feature 302, the snap-fit closure feature 302 acts as a cam to rotatably open the cover shield 106 away and over (from the enclosure 100) using the flexible hinge 108. Once the cover shield 106 is opened, a user has access to all the latches behind the cover shield 106.

In the particular embodiment shown in FIG. 2B, solar shields 104₁ and 104₂ when installed form a generally “U”-shaped profile with the cover shield 106 attached adjacent to at least one of the first and second solar shields 104 to complete the solar shield system. As shown in FIG. 2A, the cover shield 106 extends across an access opening between access panels 103₁ and 103₂ when the pair of access panels 103₁ and 103₂ are latched closed, and further covers and protects the access latches 112, 114, and 116 from the environment as well as potential tampering. In one embodiment, when cover shield 106 opens, an outside skin of the cover shield 106 hardens along a seam of the flexible hinge 108 without reaching a particular strain-hardening point. The above-described properties of the flexible hinge 108 provide for opening and closing the cover shield 106 multiple times.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of a method 400 for providing a solar shield system for an outdoor electronics enclosure. The method 400 addresses providing solar shields that attach to the exterior of the outdoor electronics enclosure using one or more snap-fit features. The solar shield system further comprises a flexible hinge system that provides for convenient access to electronic components housed within the outdoor electronics enclosure when necessary.

The method begins at 402 with extruding a first side solar shield with one or more snap-fit features for attachment to a first set of attachment channels on a first access panel for an electronics enclosure. In one implementation, the method extrudes the first side solar shield to match a profile of the first access panel and extend around and over one or more edges of an outer surface of the first access panel. The method proceeds at 404 with extruding a second side solar shield having a common profile with the first side solar shield, the second side solar shield attaching to a second set of attachment channels on a second access panel of the electronics enclosure. The second side solar shield attaches to a second set of attachment channels on a second access panel of the electronics enclosure. At block 406, the method continues with extruding a cover solar shield with a flexible hinge integrated therein, and one or more snap-fit features for coupling with one of the first access panel and the second access panel. The cover solar shield engages with the first access panel and the second access panel of the outdoor electronics enclosure to protect the access panels from external environmental conditions. In one implementation, the extruded cover solar shield further comprises extruded flexible tab members to aid in securing the extruded cover solar shield to the second access panel. In a similar implementation, the extruded cover solar shield comprises a snap-fit closure feature extruded for a snap-fit keeper extruded on the first access panel to secure the cover solar shield to the first access panel.

This description has been presented for purposes of illustration, and is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. The embodiments disclosed are intended to cover any modifications, adaptations, or variations, which fall within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A solar shield system, comprising: at least one solar shield having a first set of snap-fit features positioned on the first solar shield to engage with attachment channels of an enclosure;at least one solar shield cover having a flexible hinge integrated therein, the at least one solar shield cover further comprising a second set of snap-fit features for coupling the at least one solar shield cover with the at least one solar shield; anda plurality of fastening devices for securing the at least one solar shield and the at least one solar shield cover to the attachment channels of the enclosure.

2. The solar shield system of claim 1, wherein the at least one solar shield and the at least one solar shield cover are extruded components.

3. The solar shield system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of fastening devices are screw fixtures.

4. The solar shield system of claim 3, wherein the screw fixtures are self-drilling, self-taping screw fixtures.

5. The solar shield system of claim 1, wherein the at least one solar shield comprises two extruded solar shields having a common profile.

6. The solar shield system of claim 1, wherein a profile of the at least one solar shield is based on following an exterior surface profile of an access panels of the enclosure.

7. The solar shield system of claim 1, further comprising: a first extruded solar shield for attaching to a first access panel of the enclosure; anda second extruded solar shield for attaching to a second access panel of the enclosure;wherein each of the first extruded solar shield and the second extruded solar shield are secured to the attachment channels of the enclosure using screw fixtures installed through the snap-fit features.

8. The solar shield system of claim 1, further comprising a set of flexible tab members extruded on the at least one solar shield cover to aid in securing the at least one solar shield cover with the at least one solar shield to an access panel of the enclosure.

9. The solar shield system of claim 1, wherein the at least one solar shield cover and the at least one solar shield comprises one of an extruded plastic material and an extruded metal.

10. The solar shield system of claim 1, wherein the at least one solar shield cover and the flexible hinge comprise material extruded in a single extrusion process.

11. The solar shield system of claim 1, wherein the flexible hinge comprises a flexible material having a profile feature within the at least one solar shield cover that decreases in thickness from a first section having a first thickness to a second section having a second thickness.

12. The solar shield system of claim 1, wherein the flexible hinge comprises one of a polyester vinyl chloride material and a rubber compound material.

13. The solar shield system of claim 1, wherein the at least one solar shield cover further comprises a snap-fit closure feature, the snap-fit closure feature secured by a snap-fit keeper on at least one of the access panels.

14. The solar shield system of claim 1, wherein the at least one solar shield cover attaches adjacent to the at least one solar shield such that when installed on the enclosure, the solar shield cover protects one or more access latches for the enclosure.

15. An electronics enclosure, comprising: a frame having a plurality of sides;at least one access panel movably attached to the frame, the at least one access panel having one or more sets of attachment channels; anda solar shield system that attaches to the at least one access panel, the solar shield system including: at least one side shield that follows an outer surface of the at least one access panel, the at least one side shield having one or more snap-fit features of the at least one side shield secured to a first set of the attachment channels; anda cover shield having a flexible hinge integrated therein, the cover shield rotatably coupled to the at least one side shield.

16. The enclosure of claim 15, wherein the at least one access panel comprises one or more access latches for securing at least one access panel, wherein the cover shield protects the one or more access latches when the cover shield is rotated to a closed position.

17. The enclosure of claim 15, wherein the one or more snap-fit features of the at least one side shield are secured to the first set of the attachment channels with one or more screw fixtures.

18. The enclosure of claim 15, wherein the cover shield comprises a plurality of flexible tab members extruded with the cover shield for securing the cover shield to the at least one side shield.

19. The enclosure of claim 15, the at least one access panel having generally an “L”-shape.

20. The enclosure of claim 15, the at least one side shield comprising a plurality of side shields each having a common profile.

21. The enclosure of claim 15, wherein the at least one side shield and the cover shield are extruded from one of an extruded plastic material and an extruded metal.

22. The enclosure of claim 15, wherein the flexible hinge comprises one of a polyester vinyl chloride material and a rubber compound material.

23. A method for providing a solar shield system for an enclosure, the method comprising: extruding a first side solar shield with one or more snap-fit features for attachment to a first set of attachment channels on a first access panel for an electronics enclosure;extruding a second side solar shield having a common profile with the first side solar shield, the second side solar shield attaching to a second set of attachment channels on a second access panel of the electronics enclosure; andextruding a cover solar shield with a flexible hinge integrated therein, and one or more snap-fit features for coupling with one of the first access panel and the second access panel.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein extruding the first side solar shield comprises extruding the first side solar shield with a profile based on an exterior surface of the first access panel.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein extruding the cover solar shield further comprises extruding flexible tab members.

26. The method of claim 23, wherein extruding the cover solar shield further comprises extruding a snap-fit closure feature positioned on the cover solar shield to engage a snap-fit keeper located on the electronics enclosure.

27. The enclosure of claim 23, wherein extruding a cover solar shield with a flexible hinge further comprises extruding the cover solar shield from metal wherein the flexible hinge comprises a bonded rubber hinge.