Elastic Bracket for Tool-Free Hot Plugging of Electronic Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional adapter frames for electronic devices, such as hard disk drives, require tool-assisted screw fastening, making it difficult to quickly mount or detach devices, especially in applications like server hosts where hot plugging is necessary, and they do not efficiently utilize space for smaller devices.
Innovation Solution
A bracket with elastic arms and engaging posts that can slide along guiding rails, allowing for tool-free mounting and detachment of electronic devices, and a draw set assembly that includes an adapter member with positioning holes for accommodating multiple smaller devices within the space meant for larger ones.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional adapter frames with screw fastening are used, then electronic devices can be securely fixed, but mounting and detachment require tools and are time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket employs elastic arms that can dynamically change their clamping force. The arms are designed to be flexible enough to be manually pressed together for quick installation, yet rigid enough to securely hold the electronic device when engaged. This dynamic property eliminates the need for screw fastening while maintaining secure fixation.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic arms automatically clamp onto the electronic device when the bracket is installed, requiring no additional fastening operations. The elastic force inherent in the arms provides self-locking functionality, allowing the device to be securely held without tools. For removal, the arms automatically release when the clamping force is overcome, enabling tool-free detachment.
2Adaptability or versatility
If adapter frames are designed for 3.5 inch hard disks, then large devices are accommodated, but space utilization for smaller devices is inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket is designed with adjustable elastic arms and positioning structures that can accommodate electronic devices of various sizes, including both 3.5 inch and 2.5 inch hard disks. The same bracket structure can adapt to different device dimensions by adjusting the clamping position and arm flexibility, eliminating the need for separate adapter frames for different device sizes.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket utilizes variable parameters such as elastic arm deflection, clamping position, and engagement depth to adapt to different electronic device sizes. By changing these parameters, the bracket can securely hold devices ranging from small 2.5 inch hard disks to larger 3.5 inch devices, optimizing space utilization without requiring multiple specialized fixtures.
3Quantity of substance
If multiple 2.5 inch hard disks are placed in a 3.5 inch space, then device density increases, but conventional adapter frames only accommodate one device
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket is divided into multiple independent elastic arms, each capable of clamping onto a separate electronic device. This segmentation allows the single bracket structure to simultaneously accommodate multiple devices (e.g., two 2.5 inch hard disks) within the same space, increasing device density without requiring multiple separate adapter frames.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket structure allows smaller electronic devices to be nested within the space originally designed for larger devices. The elastic arms can be positioned to clamp onto smaller devices that fit within the overall bracket envelope, enabling efficient use of space by nesting multiple smaller devices in the volume of one larger device slot.
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
Enables quick and tool-free mounting and detachment of electronic devices, increasing the number of devices that can be accommodated by allowing multiple smaller devices to replace larger ones, and facilitates hot plugging while optimizing space usage.
Implementation Method 1
the main elastic arms can deform to depart from each other under a small force
Implementation Method 2
The main engaging posts are respectively disposed on sides of the two main elastic arms facing each other, so that the main engaging posts extend towards the clamping space and engages into lateral surfaces of the electronic device
Implementation Method 3
The two main elastic arms are provided for sliding along the two guiding rails respectively, so as to fix the electronic device into the frame
Data Source
AI summary
A bracket is used for an electronic device into a frame. The frame includes two opposite wall surfaces and at least one pair of guiding rails disposed on the two wall surfaces. The bracket includes a main connection portion, two main elastic arms, and main engaging posts. The main elastic arms respectively extend from two ends of the main connection portion. The two main elastic arms extend towards the same direction with a clamping space defined between the two main elastic arms for accommodating the electronic device. The main engaging posts are respectively disposed on sides of the two main elastic arms facing each other, so that the main engaging posts extend towards the clamping space for engaging lateral surfaces of the electronic device. The two main elastic arms respectively slide along the two guiding rails, so as to fix the electronic device into the frame.