Swing Clamp Retainer for Tool-Free M.2 Card Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fastening mechanisms for M.2 solid state drives, such as screws and bolts, are inconvenient and costly, while existing latch structures are complex, space-inefficient, and wear the mounting surface due to frequent rotation, necessitating a more efficient and cost-effective solution for connecting and disconnecting electronic cards to substrates.
Innovation Solution
A retaining device with a swingable clamp member and seat that uses a pivot connection and snap-fit mechanism, allowing tool-free assembly and disassembly, and a hook-shaped locating section for secure attachment, facilitating easy and space-saving operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If screws and bolts are used to fasten solid state drives to the motherboard, then the connection is secure and reliable, but the assembly and disassembly process becomes inconvenient and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining device employs a swingable clamp member that can dynamically transition between a clamping state (retaining the electronic card) and a releasing state (allowing removal). This dynamic mechanism eliminates the need for static fasteners like screws, enabling quick tool-free assembly and disassembly while maintaining secure connection during operation
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic element automatically returns the clamp member to the clamping position after release, and the locating section with hook-shaped feature self-latches onto the stop section to maintain the releasing state without requiring additional tools or actions. The system serves itself by using elastic recovery and mechanical latching to maintain operational states
2Reliability
If a latch structure with rotation mechanism is used, then the connection can be secured, but the mounting surface experiences wear due to frequent rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp member swings on a pivot axis that is perpendicular to the mounting surface, allowing the connection to be secured through swinging motion rather than rotation. This dynamic positioning mechanism achieves secure connection without rotating components that would wear the mounting surface
Solution Approach 2:
The pivot axis is positioned perpendicular to the mounting surface, changing the dimension of motion from in-plane rotation to out-of-plane swinging. This dimensional change eliminates contact between rotating components and the mounting surface, preventing wear while maintaining connection security
3Reliability
If complex latch structures with multiple components are used, then the connection can be secured, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining device merges multiple functions into a single integrated clamp member: the clamping function (retaining the card), the pivoting function (enabling state transition), and the locating function (positioning via hook-shaped feature). This consolidation reduces the number of components and simplifies the overall structure while maintaining secure connection
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp member serves multiple purposes: it acts as both the retaining element and the locating element through its integrated hook-shaped locating section. The elastic element provides both the clamping force and the return mechanism. This multi-functionality reduces device complexity while ensuring reliable connection
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 retaining device enables quick, tool-free connection and disconnection of electronic cards to substrates, reducing manufacturing costs and wear, while maintaining structural integrity and operational simplicity.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic element disposed between the push button and the base... The push button is rotatable between a locking position and an unlocking position relative to the base, and is biased toward the locking position by the elastic element
Implementation Method 2
The swingable clamp member is pivotally connected at a middle section to the seat... The clamping recess is swung downward to retain the free end of the electronic card in place. The push section can be pressed to tip up the clamping recess
Data Source
AI summary
A retaining device includes a seat and a swingable clamp member. The seat is repeatedly, quickly and removably connectable to a predetermined substrate and has a stop section transversely extending over an open topped receiving space thereof, and the swingable clamp member has a middle section pivotally connected to the seat to be received in the open topped receiving space. The swingable clamp member has a clamping recess and a push section located at its front and rear ends, respectively; and a recessed section located between the clamping recess and the push section. When an electronic card has a free edge downward pressed against the clamping recess, the clamping recess can swing downward to clamp the free edge of the electronic card thereto. The push section can be pressed to tip up the clamping recess, so that the electronic card is released from the retaining device.