Horizontal And Vertical Clamp Assembly for Shock-Secure Electronics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commercial off-the-shelf electronic equipment is not designed to withstand severe shocks and vibrations in rugged environments, risking damage or ejection from cabinets, which can cause secondary damage or injury.
Innovation Solution
A clamping assembly with horizontal and vertical clamps is used to secure electronic equipment to cabinets, applying adjustable clamping forces to prevent ejection and maintain equipment stability under shock and vibration loads, compatible with standards like MIL-STD-810.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If standard COTS equipment is used, then cost and availability are improved, but reliability under shock and vibration is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a clamping assembly as an intermediary component between the COTS equipment and the cabinet. This assembly includes adjustable clamps that apply controlled forces to secure the equipment, acting as a mediator that protects the equipment from shocks and vibrations without requiring modification to the equipment itself. The clamping assembly with adjustable clamps serves as the intermediary solution that enables COTS equipment to operate reliably in rugged environments.
2Reliability
If equipment is securely clamped to prevent ejection, then reliability is improved, but device complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping assembly is segmented into multiple independent adjustable clamps, each capable of being individually positioned and secured. This segmentation allows the complex function of securing equipment in multiple directions to be divided into simpler, modular clamp units that can be independently adjusted and maintained, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamps are designed to be adjustable and repositionable along the side rails, providing dynamic adaptability to different equipment sizes and mounting requirements. This dynamic capability allows the same clamping assembly to securely hold various equipment configurations without requiring multiple different assembly designs, thereby managing complexity through versatility.
3Stability of the object's composition
If multiple clamps are used to apply clamping forces in different directions, then stability under shock and vibration is improved, but ease of operation is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The clamps are designed with dynamic adjustability, allowing operators to easily reposition them along the side rails to accommodate different equipment dimensions. The adjustable mechanism enables simple operation during installation and maintenance while maintaining stable multi-directional clamping forces on the equipment, resolving the contradiction between stability and ease of operation.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes a clamping assembly configured to receive and secure a component in or to a support structure. The clamping assembly includes first and second side rails configured to be coupled to the support structure. The clamping assembly also includes at least one first clamp. Each first clamp is mounted to one of the side rails and is configured to slide along that side rail. Each first clamp is also configured to apply at least one first clamping force to the component in a first direction. The clamping assembly further includes at least one second clamp. Each second clamp is mounted to one of the side rails and is configured to slide along that side rail. Each second clamp is also configured to apply at least one second clamping force to the component in a second direction different from the first direction.