Parallel Plugged Circuit Card Removal via Pivoting Lever Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
In compact computer systems, the perpendicular configuration of expansion cards makes it difficult to safely remove them from the main board without damaging the components or connectors, often requiring special tools and risking uneven force application.
Innovation Solution
A pivoting assembly with lever arms is coupled to the main circuit board, allowing a force applied to the assembly to be translated into a parallel force away from the board, effectively disengaging the expansion card connectors without damaging them.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If expansion cards are configured perpendicular to the main board, then the card edges are accessible for grasping and pulling, but the chassis size increases to accommodate the card height
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from perpendicular card orientation to parallel orientation relative to the main board. This dimensional change allows cards to be inserted and removed from the same side of the chassis, reducing the required chassis height while maintaining accessibility through the use of a pivoting lever mechanism that provides mechanical advantage for card ejection
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a pivoting lever assembly as an intermediary mechanism between the user's manual force and the expansion card. This lever provides mechanical advantage, allowing easy removal of cards without requiring direct grasping of the card edges, thus maintaining ease of operation while enabling compact parallel configuration
2Reliability
If special tools are used to remove expansion cards, then the risk of damage is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pivoting lever assembly is integrated directly into the main board structure, allowing users to remove expansion cards using the built-in mechanism without requiring external special tools. The lever provides sufficient mechanical advantage to eject cards safely, making the system self-sufficient for card removal operations
Solution Approach 2:
The removal mechanism is segmented into discrete pivoting levers that can be independently actuated for each card slot. This segmentation allows the mechanism to be distributed across the board structure, providing localized card ejection capability without requiring a complex centralized tool system
3Ease of operation
If manual force is applied directly to remove expansion cards, then the removal process is simple, but uneven force application may cause damage
Solution Approach 1:
The pivoting lever assembly acts as an intermediary that translates simple manual downward pressure into controlled upward ejection force on the expansion card. This mechanical mediation ensures that force is applied evenly through the card's connector interface, preventing damage while maintaining operational simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The pivoting lever mechanism changes the force application parameters by providing mechanical advantage and force distribution. The lever's pivot point and arm length are designed to transform a small input force into a larger, evenly distributed output force that safely ejects the card without creating stress concentrations that could damage connectors
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
This method enables safe and efficient removal of expansion cards without external tools, reducing the risk of damage and connector binding by distributing force evenly, thus maintaining the integrity of both cards and connectors.
Implementation Method 1
a pivoting assembly comprising a plurality of lever arms, the pivoting assembly being coupled to main circuit board such that a first circuit board connector is disposed between a first pair of lever arms and a second circuit board connector is disposed between a second pair of lever arms, wherein a force applied to the pivoting assembly in direction approaching the main circuit board is translated to a force applied by each lever arm in direction away from the main circuit board
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses, methods, and systems directed to a circuit board assembly configured for parallel plugged card removal are disclosed. A circuit board assembly includes a main circuit board configured to dock an expansion card in a parallel arrangement, at least two circuit board connectors disposed on a surface of the main circuit board and operable to receive respective plug connectors of the expansion card, and a pivoting assembly comprising a plurality of lever arms, the pivoting assembly being coupled to main circuit board such that a first circuit board connector is disposed between a first pair of lever arms and a second circuit board connector is disposed between a second pair of lever arms, wherein a force applied to the pivoting assembly in direction approaching the main circuit board is translated to a force applied by each lever arm in direction away from the main circuit board.