Interlocking Wedge Retainer for Easy Electronic Module Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional retainers for securing electronic modules to bodies, such as cold plates, often become stuck in the installed configuration due to frictional forces between interleaved wedges, making it difficult to remove the modules.
Innovation Solution
The retainer design incorporates interlocking features on the wedges that engage with each other, providing a positive retraction pulling force to facilitate easy installation and removal by overcoming frictional forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional retainers use interleaved wedges to secure electronic modules, then the modules can be held firmly in place, but the frictional forces between the wedges cause the retainer to become stuck and difficult to remove
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer is divided into multiple independent wedges that can move relative to each other along the rail. Each wedge has interlocking features that engage with adjacent wedges, allowing the system to maintain retention strength through distributed contact points while enabling individual wedge movement for easy removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The wedges are designed to be movable along the rail rather than fixed, allowing dynamic adjustment during installation and removal. The interlocking features provide positive retraction pulling force that actively pulls wedges back along the rail during removal, overcoming frictional forces dynamically.
2Ease of operation
If the wedges are made movable along the rail for easy installation and removal, then the retainer becomes easier to operate, but the frictional forces between interleaved wedges still cause them to become stuck
Solution Approach 1:
The interlocking features between adjacent wedges create a feedback mechanism where the movement of one wedge influences the others. During removal, the positive retraction pulling force generated by the interlocking features provides continuous feedback that pulls all wedges back along the rail, preventing them from becoming stuck.
Solution Approach 2:
The wedges are designed to self-align and self-move along the rail through the interlocking features. The positive retraction pulling force is generated automatically by the wedge geometry and interlocking arrangement, eliminating the need for external intervention to overcome frictional forces.
3Ease of operation
If interlocking features are added to the wedges to provide positive retraction pulling force, then the ease of removal is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The interlocking features are integrated directly into the wedge bodies themselves, merging the retention and retraction functions into a single structural element. The first and second interlocking features on each wedge engage with adjacent wedges, providing positive retraction pulling force without requiring separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The interlocking features serve multiple functions: they provide positive retraction pulling force during removal, maintain alignment during installation, and distribute loads during operation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components, minimizing the increase in device complexity.
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 interlocking features ensure that electronic modules can be easily secured and unsecured, preventing them from becoming stuck to the body, thus enhancing the reliability and ease of installation and removal processes.
Implementation Method 1
frictional forces between interleaved wedges
Implementation Method 2
compressing the plurality of wedges in a compression direction to urge a first ramped end portion of the first wedge against a second ramped end portion of the second wedge
Implementation Method 3
providing a positive retraction pulling force to facilitate easy installation and removal by overcoming frictional forces
Implementation Method 4
frictional forces between interleaved wedges
Data Source
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AI summary
A retainer (100) for securing an electronic module to a body can be provided. The retainer (100) can include a rail (104) that defines an extension axis (128) extending through a center of the rail (104), and a plurality of wedges arranged along the rail (104). The plurality of wedges can be engaged with the rail (104) to be adjustable axially and radially relative to the extension axis (128), to move between a first configuration and a second configuration. Each of a first wedge (116) and a second wedge (108) of the plurality of wedges can integrally include a wedge body (158), a first interlocking feature (188), and a second interlocking feature (188). An adjustment device (236) can adjust the plurality of wedges between the first and second configurations by compressing or expanding the wedges, causing the wedges to move radially and engage with adjacent wedges via the interlocking features (188).