Ultra-thin Retractable Label Holder for Rack Chassis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rack-mounted computer products often require exterior labels that are difficult to read due to lack of flat surfaces, leading to labels being attached as loose tags or inside the product, which can cause operational issues if not retracted, such as interference with cabling or air vents.
Innovation Solution
A label holder with a frame, a window, and a flexible serpentine spring mechanism that allows the label to be slid in and out, featuring a frontal handle and label mounting surface, and stop tabs for controlled travel, enabling easy reading and retraction, and is thin enough to be mounted externally on a chassis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a label holder is made thin enough to be mounted externally on a chassis, then it avoids taking up valuable product space and interference with components, but the mechanism for sliding in and out becomes more complex and difficult to implement
Solution Approach 1:
The label holder is segmented into distinct functional portions: a frontal handle portion for manipulation, a label mounting surface portion for attaching labels, and a flexible serpentine spring portion for providing sliding motion. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized independently while maintaining overall thinness.
Solution Approach 2:
The label holder incorporates a flexible serpentine spring portion that provides dynamic sliding motion, allowing the label holder to move between retracted and extended positions. This dynamic mechanism enables thin profile when retracted while maintaining ease of operation when extended.
2Ease of operation
If labels are attached as loose tags or inside the product, then they can be made accessible, but they interfere with cabling, air vents, or sub-assembly installation if not retracted
Solution Approach 1:
The label holder is designed as a movable assembly that can dynamically transition between retracted and extended states. When retracted, it maintains a thin profile that avoids interference with chassis components. When extended, it provides accessible label reading surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The label holder is extracted from the traditional fixed or internal positioning and placed on an external chassis surface with a controlled sliding mechanism. This allows the label to be easily accessible when extended while avoiding interference when retracted.
3Ease of operation
If a slide-out mechanism is used to make labels accessible, then labels can be read easily, but the mechanism adds complexity and potential operational problems
Solution Approach 1:
The slide-out mechanism is segmented into simple, discrete portions: a handle for grasping, a mounting surface for the label, and a serpentine spring for providing sliding motion. This segmentation simplifies the overall mechanism while maintaining functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible serpentine spring portion provides self-contained sliding motion without requiring external actuators or complex mechanisms. The spring itself enables the slide-out and retraction motion, making the system self-service and reducing overall 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 label holder provides easy access for reading labels while maintaining a compact, ultra-thin design that avoids interference with chassis components, ensuring operational integrity.
Implementation Method 1
The spring portion has a plurality of elongated members traversing sides of the frame and interconnected at edges thereof by curved interconnecting sections, and wherein material forming the interconnecting sections is reduced progressively from a rearward portion of the spring towards a frontal portion of the spring
Data Source
AI summary
A label holder for a chassis having: a frame having a window therein and a flat, label holding member disposed within the window. The label holding member includes an integrally formed: frontal handle portion projecting outwardly from an outer edge of the chassis; label mounting surface portion disposed rearward of the handle; and flexible, serpentine spring portion disposed between the label mounting surface portion and a rearward end portion of the label holding member. The label holding member slides forward and rearward within the window. The spring portion has a plurality of elongated members traversing sides of the frame and interconnected at edges thereof by curved interconnecting sections, and wherein material forming the interconnecting sections is reduced progressively from a rearward portion of the spring towards a frontal portion of the spring.