Extendable Chassis Lever for Heavy Sled Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
The insertion and removal of larger and heavier sleds with connectors having high insertion and removal forces into and out of computer chassis are difficult, requiring a solution to facilitate easier handling and securement.
Innovation Solution
A sled design featuring extendable levers with rotatable bodies, primary and secondary arms that can move between retracted and extended positions, providing mechanical advantage for insertion and removal while allowing securement features to engage the chassis, and retracting to minimize occlusion of access openings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If extendable levers are used to facilitate insertion and removal of heavy sleds, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases due to the additional mechanical components
Solution Approach 1:
The secondary arm is nested within or alongside the primary arm, allowing it to be stored in a compact configuration when not in use. The secondary arm can be positioned inside the primary arm's structure or alongside it, reducing the overall profile of the lever mechanism while maintaining full functionality when extended.
Solution Approach 2:
The lever mechanism transitions from a static structure to a dynamic one where the secondary arm can move between extended and retracted positions. This dynamic configuration allows the lever to adapt its length based on operational needs, providing mechanical advantage during insertion/removal while minimizing complexity during normal operation.
2Ease of operation
If secondary arm is extended to provide mechanical advantage, then ease of operation is improved, but access to interface is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The secondary arm is designed to be movable between extended and retracted positions, allowing it to dynamically adapt its configuration. When extended, it provides the necessary mechanical advantage for handling heavy sleds; when retracted, it clears the path to the interface, ensuring unobstructed access for connection and disconnection operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The lever is divided into two functional segments: the primary arm that remains stationary or moves minimally, and the secondary arm that extends and retracts as needed. This segmentation allows the secondary arm to be positioned out of the way during interface access while providing leverage during insertion and removal operations.
3Ease of operation
If levers are made longer to increase mechanical advantage, then ease of operation is improved, but space occupied increases
Solution Approach 1:
The secondary arm is designed to nest within or alongside the primary arm when not in use, allowing the lever mechanism to maintain a compact overall length. The secondary arm can be positioned inside the primary arm's structure or alongside it in a retracted state, significantly reducing the space occupied while maintaining full mechanical advantage when extended.
Solution Approach 2:
The lever mechanism transitions from a static long structure to a dynamic one where the effective length can be adjusted. The secondary arm extends only when mechanical advantage is needed, and retracts to a compact configuration otherwise, allowing the lever to provide long lever arm benefits temporarily without permanently occupying excessive space.
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 extendable lever design enhances the mechanical advantage for handling sleds, facilitates secure and easy insertion and removal, and maintains access to interfaces by retracting when installed, addressing the challenges of handling heavy sleds and securing them within the chassis.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the first extendable lever and the second extendable lever comprises: a lever body rotatable about a pivot; a primary arm extending from the lever body
Data Source
AI summary
Extendable lever arms can be used to facilitate insertion and removal of a sled into and out of a chassis. Each extendable lever can include a rotatable body, a primary arm, and a secondary arm. The rotatable body can be rotatably coupled to the housing of the sled, and can optionally include latching elements to secure the sled within the chassis, as well as optional removal features to facilitate disengaging the sled from the chassis. The secondary arm can be coupled to the primary arm to move between a retracted position and an extended position. When in the retracted position, the secondary arm can be positioned adjacent to the primary arm to avoid blocking access to ports of the sled. When in the extended position, however, the secondary arm can be positioned to provide a longer lever arm to facilitate insertion and removal of the sled.