Removable Circuit Card Extractor Tool Leverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing card guided computer enclosures require significant force to insert and extract circuit card assemblies due to the large number of contacts, often necessitating the use of permanent levers that increase the system's weight and cost.
Innovation Solution
A removable tool with a toe, clevis, and handle is used to provide a leverage ratio of at least 4:1, allowing for the insertion and extraction of circuit card assemblies with minimal effort by positioning the toe in an enclosure notch and the clevis in a card hook, enabling the tool to be removed after use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If permanent levers are attached to the card guided computer enclosure or circuit card assemblies to reduce insertion force, then the insertion and extraction operation becomes easier, but the device complexity and weight increase due to additional permanent components
Solution Approach 1:
A removable tool with toe, body, and handle acts as an intermediary between the operator and the circuit card assembly. The toe engages with the card guide and the body engages with the card assembly, providing mechanical advantage without requiring permanent attachments to the enclosure or card. This mediator approach enables easy operation while maintaining system simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The lever arm transitions from a static permanent attachment to a dynamic removable tool. The tool can be inserted, positioned, used to apply force, and then removed - allowing the system to adapt between having leverage assistance and not having it, depending on operational needs. This dynamic approach reduces device complexity while maintaining ease of operation during insertion and extraction.
2Ease of operation
If permanent levers are attached to provide mechanical advantage for inserting and extracting circuit card assemblies, then the force required from the user is reduced, but the weight of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The removable tool serves as a temporary intermediary that provides mechanical advantage only when needed during insertion or extraction operations. By using a removable tool rather than permanent attached levers, the system gains the weight benefits of eliminating permanent components while still obtaining the force multiplication benefit during critical operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The removable tool functions as a temporary, disposable-like component that is used briefly during insertion/extraction and then removed. This approach provides the mechanical advantage of a lever system without the permanent weight penalty, as the tool is not continuously attached to the system like permanent levers would be.
3Ease of operation
If multiple levers are permanently attached to each slot or card assembly to provide sufficient mechanical advantage, then the insertion operation becomes easier, but the cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The removable tool is designed as a universal multi-functional device that can be used with any circuit card assembly in any slot. A single tool design handles all insertion and extraction operations across the entire system, eliminating the need for dedicated levers at each location. This universal approach reduces device complexity while maintaining ease of operation through consistent tool design.
Solution Approach 2:
The functions of multiple separate levers (one for each card slot or assembly) are merged into a single removable tool. This consolidation reduces the total number of components from many distributed levers to one centralized tool, significantly reducing device complexity and cost while maintaining the mechanical advantage benefit during operations.
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 solution reduces the effort required to insert and extract circuit card assemblies, prevents the tool from being left inside the computer, and decreases the overall weight and cost by eliminating the need for multiple levers per assembly.
Implementation Method 1
provide a leverage ratio of at least 4:1, allowing for the insertion and extraction of circuit card assemblies with minimal effort
Data Source
AI summary
A removable tool includes a toe, a clevis, and a handle. The toe is configured to be insertable into and removable from an enclosure notch of a card guided computer enclosure. The clevis is configured to be insertable into and removable from a card hook of a circuit card assembly. The handle is for receiving force for inserting or extracting an array of circuit card assembly contacts into or out of an array of motherboard contacts, respectively.