Circuit Board Mounting Assembly with Clamp and Spring
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The assembly of servers and other electronic equipment in chassis-based systems is time-consuming and tool-intensive due to the need for precise alignment of midplane boards with multiple fasteners, leading to issues with connector mating and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A mounting assembly featuring a clamp and compression spring assembly that securely positions a circuit board between a lightweight bulkhead and a clamp member, using a single fastener for attachment, which simplifies alignment and reduces assembly time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a rigid bulkhead with multiple guide pins and fasteners is used to mount the midplane board, then alignment precision and connector mating reliability are improved, but assembly time and device complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting structure is divided into a bulkhead portion and a clamp member portion that can be assembled separately. The clamp member is attached to the bulkhead to create a complete mounting structure, reducing the complexity and assembly time of the overall structure while maintaining alignment precision through the coordinated design of these segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp member acts as an intermediary element between the bulkhead and the midplane board. It provides the necessary clamping force and alignment features without requiring multiple fasteners to be accessed and tightened manually, thus reducing assembly time while maintaining secure mounting.
2Reliability
If multiple fasteners are used to secure the midplane board to the bulkhead, then mounting reliability is improved, but assembly complexity and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp member combines multiple fastening functions into a single component that can be attached to the bulkhead with minimal fasteners. It integrates the clamping action and positioning features that would otherwise require multiple separate fasteners, reducing part count while maintaining mounting reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp member serves multiple functions: it provides clamping force to secure the midplane board, maintains alignment through its geometry, and reduces the number of fasteners needed. This multi-functional design simplifies the overall mounting structure while ensuring reliable attachment.
3Strength
If a heavy duty rigid bulkhead is used to support the midplane board, then structural strength and alignment stability are improved, but weight and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp member introduces a dynamic element to the otherwise static bulkhead structure. By using a clamp that can be attached and adjusted as needed, the structure gains flexibility while maintaining strength where required. This allows for weight reduction in the bulkhead itself while preserving structural integrity through the clamp mechanism.
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
This solution enables rapid and accurate assembly of circuit boards with improved connector engagement, reducing assembly time from 30 minutes to about 1 minute and lowering costs by minimizing the number of parts and tools required.
Implementation Method 1
a compression spring assembly provided on a board-facing side of the clamp member and applying a constant force to the circuit board
Implementation Method 2
The mechanical compliance of the elastomeric material provides tolerance compensation in the assembly
Data Source
AI summary
A mounting assembly for accurately positioning, attaching, and supporting a circuit board such as a midplane board within a chassis. The assembly's design facilitates an improved assembly method that includes fastening the board to the chassis so to provide reliable connector mate and rapid assembly. The mounting assembly includes a clamp member) and a spring assembly that act in combination to secure a circuit board onto datum features provided on a chassis and/or its modified and/or lightweight alignment bulkhead, which is part of the new assembly. The new assembly design enables a tight tolerance loop between mating components while also providing a more consistent connector engagement when compared with many prior device designs. In some embodiments, a single fastener (e.g., a nut) is used to attach the clamped and captured circuit board to the chassis. The board is “captured” as it is sandwiched between the modified bulkhead and the clamp.