Universal Clamp Structure for Reliable Resource Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for mechanically securing information handling resources within information handling systems are prone to breakage and interference, limiting placement options and causing irreversible damage.
Innovation Solution
A clamp design featuring two planar plates with perpendicular teeth and a concave tongue, which compresses when a fastener is applied, allowing for dual-direction clamping force, and a mounting rail with grooves and semi-cylindrical notches for secure engagement with the clamp.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If tabs are used to mechanically affix information handling resources, then the resources can be mounted within the enclosure, but the tabs are susceptible to breakage causing irreversible damage
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp divides the mounting function into separate components: the clamp body with teeth that engage with the rail, and the fastener that secures the assembly. This segmentation eliminates the need for fragile tabs while maintaining secure mounting capability through distributed mechanical engagement points.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of extending tabs from the resource that need to be inserted into holes, the invention inverts the approach by providing a clamp that actively engages with grooves and notches on the resource. The mounting feature (clamp) initiates the connection rather than the resource passive tabs.
2Ease of operation
If tabs are used to secure information handling resources, then mounting is achieved, but the tabs may mechanically interfere with other components such as printed circuit boards
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the mounting function from the information handling resource itself (removing the need for tabs on the resource) and places it on a separate clamp assembly. This separation eliminates interference with other components while preserving the mounting capability through the clamp's engagement with the resource's grooves and notches.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp acts as an intermediary component between the fastener and the information handling resource. It provides the mounting function while its compact design and engagement mechanism (teeth with grooves and notches) prevent mechanical interference with surrounding components like printed circuit boards.
3Adaptability or versatility
If tabs are placed on information handling resources, then mounting locations are defined, but the placement limits where the resource can be positioned within the enclosure
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp is designed as a universal mounting component that can engage with various information handling resources through standardized grooves and notches. The adjustable fastener position along the rail allows the same clamp design to accommodate different resource locations and configurations, providing placement flexibility without requiring resource-specific tab designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp assembly incorporates dynamic adjustability through the fastener's ability to be positioned at different locations along the mounting rail. This dynamic positioning capability allows flexible adaptation to various resource placements while maintaining a simple, standardized clamp structure that doesn't require complex custom designs for each mounting scenario.
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 clamp design reduces the risk of breakage and interference, providing flexible placement options and secure mounting of information handling resources while minimizing damage.
Implementation Method 1
a tongue opposite from and mechanically interfaced between the two plates, such that the tongue has a concave curved profile between the plates, and such that when a force is applied in a first direction by a fastener engaging with the clamp through the mounting holes, compression of the plates towards one another causes deflection of the tongue in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction
Data Source
AI summary
A clamp may include two substantially planar plates opposite from and generally parallel to one another, each plate having a mounting hole formed therein for receiving a fastener, two teeth, each tooth extending from a respective one of the two plates, such that each tooth is generally perpendicular to the plates, and such that each tooth extends towards the other from its respective plate, and a tongue opposite from and mechanically interfaced between the two plates, such that the tongue has a concave curved profile between the plates, and such that when a force is applied in a first direction by a fastener engaging with the clamp through the mounting holes, compression of the plates towards one another causes deflection of the tongue in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction.