Base Pan Keyhole Mounting for Interference-Free PCB Trays

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing chassis designs for electronic systems cannot accommodate multiple different mounting trays due to interference issues caused by attachment mechanisms, leading to increased manufacturing costs and design constraints for printed circuit assemblies.

Innovation Solution

A base pan design that uses spools on the mounting tray and keyholes in the base pan, allowing multiple mounting trays with different arrangements to be attached without interference, by using spools that fit into keyholes without protruding into the chassis interior.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional attachment mechanisms are used in chassis designs, then the mounting tray can be securely attached to the base pan, but the attachment mechanisms protrude into the chassis interior and cause interference issues that prevent accommodation of multiple different mounting trays

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to accommodate multiple different mounting traysVSAvoidinterference caused by protruding attachment mechanisms

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the traditional attachment mechanism design by moving the protruding elements from the base pan to the mounting tray itself. The mounting tray now includes protruding attachment mechanisms (such as tabs or clips) that engage with recesses or features in the base pan, rather than having the base pan protrude into the chassis interior. This inversion eliminates the interference problem while maintaining secure attachment capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the protruding attachment mechanisms from the base pan and relocates them to the mounting tray. By removing the harmful protruding elements from the base pan, the design eliminates the interference issue that prevented accommodation of multiple different mounting trays, while the attachment function is preserved through the relocated mechanisms on the mounting tray.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple different mounting trays are accommodated, then adaptability increases, but manufacturing costs and design constraints increase due to the need for different attachment mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to support different printed circuit assembliesVSAvoidmanufacturing costs and design complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements universality by designing a standardized base pan with universal attachment features that can accommodate multiple different mounting trays. The base pan includes a set of attachment features (such as recesses, slots, or engagement points) that can work with various mounting tray designs, allowing a single base pan design to support different printed circuit assemblies without requiring different attachment mechanisms for each tray type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies dynamics by making the attachment system flexible and adaptable rather than fixed. The mounting tray's protruding attachment mechanisms can engage with different configurations of features in the base pan, allowing the same base pan to dynamically accommodate various mounting tray designs and layouts without requiring redesign of the base pan itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Strength

If attachment mechanisms protrude from the base pan, then secure attachment is achieved, but the protrusions create interference that limits mounting tray arrangement options

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment securityVSAvoidmounting tray arrangement flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves this contradiction by inverting which component has the protruding elements. Instead of the base pan having protrusions that limit tray arrangements, the mounting tray itself has the protruding attachment mechanisms. This maintains secure attachment (as the protrusions on the tray engage with features in the base pan) while eliminating the interference problem, as the tray's own attachment elements cannot interfere with other tray arrangements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS12575049B2Chassis having a base pan for use with different mounting trays

Publication Date: 2026.03.10 HEWLETT PACKARD ENTERPRISE DEV LP

AI summary

An assembly may comprise a mounting tray configured to have at least one printed circuit board mounted to its top surface and further comprises a set of spools extending from an outer surface of the first mounting tray, each spool including a barrel and a flange. The assembly may comprise a base pan including a set of keyholes, each keyhole including an entry hole and a slot extending from the entry hole. The base pan is configured to attach to the mounting tray by engaging the set of spools with a group of keyholes, respectively, by inserting the flange of each spool through the entry hole of a corresponding keyhole and moving the mounting tray relative to the base pan such that the barrel of each spool is received within the slot, and the flange of each spool of the set of spools is secured by a rim of the slot of the corresponding keyhole.