Offset Card Support Device for 3U to 6U Chassis Adaptation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic systems with a 6U chassis and 3U format cards require considerable handling for insertion and extraction, making them impractical.

Innovation Solution

A system with a smaller number of support devices that hold multiple electronic cards in separate, offset planes, facilitating easier insertion and extraction by acting as a mechanical adapter between 3U and 6U formats.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional support devices are used to hold 3U format cards in a 6U chassis, then mechanical adaptation is achieved, but handling complexity and time increase considerably

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical adaptationVSAvoidhandling time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple card holding positions into a single integrated support device. The support device holds multiple 3U format electronic cards in separate planes simultaneously, allowing all cards to be inserted or extracted together as one unit rather than individually, thereby reducing handling time while maintaining mechanical adaptation between 3U and 6U formats

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The support device acts as an intermediary component between the 3U format electronic cards and the 6U format chassis. This mediator enables mechanical compatibility by providing the necessary interface and structural adaptation, allowing cards of one format to be installed in a chassis designed for another format without requiring modification of the cards or chassis

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple support devices are used to hold electronic cards in separate planes, then mechanical adaptation is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical adaptationVSAvoidnumber of support devices
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the function of multiple separate support devices into a single integrated support device. This unified device holds multiple electronic cards in separate planes offset laterally relative to each other, thereby reducing the total number of support devices required while maintaining the capability to accommodate cards in multiple planes for proper mechanical adaptation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Area of stationary object

If electronic cards are held vertically one above the other in the same plane, then space utilization is improved, but handling difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechassis space utilizationVSAvoidhandling ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from holding all cards in a single vertical plane to holding cards in multiple planes offset laterally relative to each other. This dimensional change allows cards to be arranged in three-dimensional space, maintaining efficient space utilization within the chassis while improving handling by distributing cards across different lateral positions, making insertion and extraction more accessible

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3478043B1Electronic system with at least one card support device
Publication Date: 2021.02.17 ALSTOM TRANSPORT TECH SAS
  • EP3478043B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3478043B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

This electronic system (10) comprises a chassis (12) and at least one support device (14) configured to hold electronic cards (16), each support device (14) being removable from the chassis (12), and at least two electronic cards (16) being capable of being held vertically one above the other. Each support device (14) is further configured to hold several electronic cards (16) in separate planes, offset laterally from one another.