Wedge-Lock Rack Mount Thermal Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wedge locks in rack-mount systems do not effectively enhance heat transfer between the rack-mount device and the chassis, and they lack sufficient mechanical stability to securely retain the device.
Innovation Solution
A wedge-lock design featuring an elongate top and bottom plate with incline surfaces and wedge blocks, where a tensioning member passes through the wedge blocks and retaining channel, allowing for thermal contact and improved mechanical retention by separating the plates, and optionally using a separation member like a coil spring or thermoplastic resin for enhanced stability and heat transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a traditional wedge lock design is used, then mechanical retention is achieved, but thermal communication between the device and chassis is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The wedge lock is divided into separate top and bottom plates, each capable of making independent thermal contact with the chassis rails. This segmentation allows both plates to serve as thermal pathways while maintaining the mechanical locking function through the wedge blocks.
Solution Approach 2:
The top and bottom plates serve dual functions: they provide mechanical structural support for the wedge locking mechanism and simultaneously act as thermal conduction pathways. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by making the retention structure itself responsible for heat transfer.
2Temperature
If the top plate and bottom plate are made separate, then thermal contact is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal conduction function is merged with the mechanical retention structure by making the top and bottom plates integral parts of the wedge lock assembly. The plates are not separate add-on components but are combined with the locking mechanism itself, reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The top and bottom plates perform multiple functions simultaneously: providing structural support, enabling wedge block movement, and conducting heat. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby simplifying the overall device structure despite the separation of plates.
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 wedge-lock design significantly improves thermal communication and mechanical stability, effectively retaining the device and enhancing cooling by increasing heat transfer between the device and the chassis.
Implementation Method 1
As the tensioning member is tensioned, the incline surfaces of the wedge blocks ride up on the incline surfaces at both ends of the bottom plate and cause the top plate to be forced away from the bottom plate
Implementation Method 2
both the top plate and the bottom plate make thermal contact with the rails of the rack-mount chassis in which the wedge-lock is disposed, thus enabling enhanced thermal communication between the rack-mount device that is secured by the wedge-lock and the rack-mount chassis
Implementation Method 3
In some embodiments the separation member is a coil spring
Data Source
AI summary
A wedge-lock for a rack mount system having a top plate with slots formed in each end. A bottom plate is disposed adjacent the top plate, and has an incline surface at each end, with a channel formed between the two inclines. Wedge blocks are disposed between the top plate and the bottom plate, with one wedge block at each end. Each wedge block includes an incline surface, a receiving channel formed from the incline surface to an opposing end surface, and a guide for engaging the slot of the top plate. A tensioning member passes through the receiving channels of the wedge blocks and the channel of the bottom plate, thereby retaining the wedge blocks to the bottom plate. As the tensioning member is tensioned, the incline surfaces of the wedge blocks ride up on the incline surfaces at both ends of the bottom plate and cause the top plate to be forced away from the bottom plate.