Tray Handle Gear Mechanism for Circuit Board Alignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The assembly and disassembly of upper and lower circuit boards in electronic devices, such as servers, require significant force and precise alignment, which can lead to damage and misalignment issues, posing challenges for designers.
Innovation Solution
A tray system with a handle, gears, and a resilient block member that allows for smooth rising and descending movements, enabling precise alignment and connection of circuit board connectors through a mechanism involving racks and gears, ensuring secure engagement and disengagement without slanting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the upper and lower circuit boards are connected by corresponding connectors, then data and power transmitting paths are established, but much force is required for assembly and disassembly which may damage the circuit board or electronic components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a tray as an intermediary component between the upper and lower circuit boards. The tray includes a first rack and a second rack that engage with corresponding gears on both circuit boards, providing a mechanical mediation system. This intermediary mechanism distributes the assembly and disassembly forces through the gear-rack system rather than applying direct force to the connectors, thereby reducing the risk of damage while maintaining reliable connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a dynamic gear-rack mechanism where the tray can move between extended and retracted positions. During assembly, the tray is extended to guide the connectors into alignment, and during disassembly, the tray is retracted to facilitate easy separation. This dynamic positioning system allows the connection process to occur smoothly with minimal force, as the mechanical advantage of the gear-rack system reduces the effort required compared to direct connector engagement.
2Manufacturing precision
If the corresponding connectors are aligned without slant, then proper electrical connection is achieved, but precise alignment is difficult to accomplish
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary alignment action through the tray's gear-rack mechanism. Before the actual connector engagement occurs, the tray is positioned to pre-align the connectors of the upper and lower circuit boards. The gears on the tray engage with the racks on the circuit boards first, establishing precise geometric relationships, and only then do the connectors make contact. This preliminary mechanical alignment ensures that connectors are properly positioned before electrical connection, eliminating slant and improving alignment precision.
3Ease of operation
If the force-applied point is aligned with the connectors, then assembly is easier, but it is very difficult to make the corresponding connectors to be aligned with the force-applied point
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the assembly operation into distinct functional components: the tray body provides the force-applied interface, while the gears and racks provide the alignment function. The user applies force to the tray handle, and this force is transmitted through the segmented gear-rack mechanism which automatically ensures proper alignment. This segmentation allows the force application point to be separated from the connector location, with the mechanical transmission system bridging the gap and maintaining alignment precision throughout the process.
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
Facilitates safe and precise assembly and disassembly of circuit boards by allowing controlled movement and alignment, reducing the risk of damage and ensuring accurate connector alignment, thus improving the handling and maintenance of electronic devices.
Implementation Method 1
the block member has a resilient portion. When the handle rotates with respect to the tray body to a predetermined angle in an open direction, the resilient portion is engaged with the engaging portion, so as to restrain the handle from rotating with respect to the tray body in a close direction
Implementation Method 2
The first gear is fixed on the handle and pivotally connected to the tray body. The second gear is pivotally connected to the tray body and the second gear has an engaging portion. The linking member is connected to the first gear and the second gear
Implementation Method 3
the support frame has a first rack, a second rack and a rod member... the first gear contacts the first rack, the second gear contacts the second rack, and the handle is capable of being operated to rotate with respect to the tray body in the close direction
Data Source
AI summary
A tray includes a tray body, a handle, a first gear, a second gear, a linking member and a block member. The first gear is fixed on the handle and pivotally connected to the tray body. The second gear is pivotally connected to the tray body and has an engaging portion. The linking member is connected to the first gear and the second gear. The block member is fixed on the tray body and has a resilient portion. When the handle rotates with respect to the tray body to a predetermined angle in an open direction, the resilient portion is engaged with the engaging portion, so as to restrain the handle from rotating in a close direction. When the resilient portion is disengaged from the engaging portion, the handle is capable of being operated to rotate with respect to the tray body in the close direction.