Compact Circuit Board Ejector System for Server Rack Space Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional circuit board ejectors in data storage server racks consume significant space, limiting the capacity for housing additional devices and components within the server rack, thus necessitating a more compact solution to optimize footprint usage.
Innovation Solution
The development of compact circuit board ejector systems featuring a hub with rotatable ejector teeth and a lever mechanism that engages notches on the circuit board, allowing for efficient removal and insertion of circuit boards, with optional actuator assistance and gear train amplification for enhanced movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional circuit board ejectors are used, then circuit boards can be removed and inserted, but significant space is consumed within the server rack
Solution Approach 1:
The ejector mechanism is nested within the existing server rack structure, utilizing the vertical space efficiently. The hub and ejector teeth are positioned to engage with the circuit board from within the rack confines, allowing the ejector function to be embedded in the existing footprint without requiring additional horizontal space.
Solution Approach 2:
The ejector mechanism transitions from a horizontal extension into a vertical orientation, utilizing the vertical dimension of the server rack. The hub rotates in a plane that leverages the vertical space, allowing the ejector teeth to engage and move circuit boards along the vertical axis rather than requiring horizontal space for the ejector mechanism itself.
2Productivity
If more circuit boards are housed within a server rack, then footprint efficiency increases, but space for ejector mechanisms is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The ejector mechanism is designed to serve multiple circuit boards within the rack through a universal engagement design. The hub and ejector teeth can engage with notches on different circuit boards at different positions, allowing a single ejector mechanism to perform the ejector function for multiple devices without requiring dedicated space for each board's ejector.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple ejector functions are merged into a single compact mechanism. The hub integrates the rotation function, the ejector teeth provide engagement with multiple boards, and the lever or actuator provides actuation for all boards, combining what would traditionally be separate ejector mechanisms into one space-efficient unit.
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
These compact ejector systems enable the efficient use of server rack space by allowing for more circuit boards to be housed, facilitating better space management and reduced operational costs in data centers.
Implementation Method 1
A lever is connected or coupled to the hub, wherein the ejector tooth is mateable with the circuit board, whereby movement of the lever causes the tooth to move the circuit board
Implementation Method 2
In various embodiments, each circuit board ejector includes a plurality of gears coupling or connecting the lever and the hub
Data Source
AI summary
Technology is provided for a circuit board ejector system. The circuit board ejector systems include a chassis, a circuit board housed in the chassis, and a pair of circuit board ejectors. The circuit board ejectors each include a hub rotatably mountable to the chassis and at least one ejector tooth extending from the hub. A lever is coupled to the hub, wherein the ejector tooth is mateable with the circuit board, whereby movement of the lever causes the tooth to move the circuit board between an installed position and an ejected position.