Card Ejector Cam Latch Leverage Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge lies in securely inserting and removing computer cards from card sockets within a card cage without causing damage, as excessive force can lead to over-insertion, warpage, or improper electrical connections, and existing solutions lack efficient mechanisms for secure latching and easy ejection.
Innovation Solution
A card ejector system featuring tapered lever arms and a latching mechanism that provides leverage for proper insertion and secure latching without screws, using a cam block to engage with the card cage and automatically latch onto the card, ensuring secure positioning and easy release for removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a card is inserted into a card socket without a latching mechanism, then the card can be easily removed, but the card cannot be securely held in place against vibrations and mechanical shock
Solution Approach 1:
The latching mechanism automatically secures the card in place through a cam block that engages with the card cage when the card is inserted, without requiring manual intervention. The mechanism self-actuates through the insertion motion itself, transforming the insertion action into a latching action that securely holds the card against vibrations and mechanical shock while maintaining ease of removal through a release lever.
2Strength
If excessive force is applied during card insertion, then the card can be firmly secured, but the card or socket may be damaged causing over-insertion or warpage
Solution Approach 1:
The card ejector mechanism uses a cam block that dynamically adapts the insertion force throughout the insertion stroke. The cam profile is designed to provide increasing leverage as insertion progresses, automatically adjusting the force application to match the resistance encountered. This dynamic force application ensures firm securing without sudden excessive forces that could cause damage, warpage, or over-insertion.
Solution Approach 2:
The latching mechanism is pre-configured with a cam block and lever arm system that prepares the force application path before actual insertion occurs. The geometry of the cam block and lever arms is designed in advance to distribute and control the insertion force, preventing harmful excessive forces from being applied to the card or socket during the insertion process.
3Reliability
If a screw mechanism is used to secure the card, then the card can be firmly latched, but the insertion process becomes complex requiring additional manipulation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the latching function from complex multi-component screw mechanisms and implements it through a simplified cam block and lever arm system. The cam block, when actuated by the card insertion motion itself, rotates the lever arms to engage the latching mechanism that secures the card. This extraction of the essential latching function reduces device complexity while maintaining reliable secure latching.
4Ease of manufacture
If a card ejector provides high leverage for insertion, then the card can be inserted without damage, but the ejection mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The cam block and lever arm mechanism serves multiple functions: it provides high leverage during card insertion to prevent damage, automatically latches the card in place, and enables easy ejection through a simple lever action. By making the mechanism multi-functional, the design achieves high insertion leverage without proportionally increasing complexity, as the same components perform insertion, latching, and ejection functions.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively inserts cards without damaging them or the sockets, maintains secure latching against vibrations, and allows for easy ejection without tools, reducing the risk of over-insertion and ensuring proper electrical connections.
Implementation Method 1
a cam block coupling the pair of lever arms at the proximal end of the card ejector, the cam block rotatably coupled to a card and configured to engage a card cage, and urge the card into or out of the card cage when a rotational force is applied to the card ejector
Implementation Method 2
when the card ejector has been fully actuated in inserting a card, a hook portion of the latching mechanism is configured to hold a pair of lever arms of the card ejector in a state of tension
Implementation Method 3
the hook is configured as an over-center hook relative to a rotational point of the latching mechanism. Thus, the tension force generated in the lever arms applies a force to the over-center hook to rotate the over-center hook and the latching mechanism in a direction of locking against the front panel
Data Source
AI summary
A card ejector comprising a pair of tapered lever arms coupled at a proximal end of the card ejector and coupled at a distal end of the card ejector, a cam block coupling the pair of tapered lever arms at the proximal end of the card ejector, the cam block operable to be rotatably coupled to a card and to engage a card cage, the cam block operable to urge the card into or out of the card cage when a rotational force is applied to the card ejector, and a latching mechanism coupling the pair of tapered lever arms at the distal end of the card ejector, the latching mechanism operable to automatically and releasably secure the distal end of the card ejector in a position near a face portion of the card by engaging an opening in the face portion.