Metal working – Means to assemble or disassemble – Means to assemble electrical device
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-20
2001-11-20
Arbes, Carl J. (Department: 3729)
Metal working
Means to assemble or disassemble
Means to assemble electrical device
C029S830000, C312S101000, C312S321000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06317967
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to aviation electronics, or avionics, and more particularly relates to multi-card avionics boxes, and even more particularly relates to a system and method for extracting circuit cards from avionics boxes having blind mated circuit cards therein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the past, designers of avionics systems have endeavored to provide systems with improved reliability and improved serviceability. One crucial element in such systems has been the use of spare component parts, including field replaceable spare circuit cards. These field replaceable circuit cards allow for repair of avionics equipment without extended downtimes which are often associated with sending an avionics LRU to a service center for repair. One common method of assisting in quick removal of circuit cards has been the use of pivoting cam extractors, which are attached to the circuit card and pivoted to create a camming action, causing motion of the circuit card away from a connector in the LRU.
While these pivoting camming extractors have many advantages, often including low cost and ease of manufacture, they also have significant drawbacks.
First of all, the pivoting camming extractors often result in extraction or insertion forces which have significant components in directions other than the desired direction of insertion or extraction.
Secondly, the insertion and extraction forces often approach or exceed the force limits of these cam extractors, especially with circuit cards having high pin counts and limited displacements. Consequently, there exists a need for improvement in systems and methods for inserting and extracting circuit cards.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide enhanced reliability for avionics boxes having extractable circuit cards therein.
It is a feature of the present invention to include a multi-tooth rack and pinion arrangement.
It is an advantage of the present invention to reduce the undesired extraction forces in a direction other than the primary direction of travel of the circuit card during the insertion and/or extraction process.
It is another advantage of the present invention to increase the mechanical advantage of the extractor for generating strong insertion and extraction forces required for circuit cards with high pin counts, and at the same time, maintaining or increasing the displacement insertion or extraction.
It is yet another advantage of the present invention to improve the reliability of avionics boxes by reducing pin damage during insertion.
The present invention is an apparatus and method for inserting circuit cards in circuit card cases, such as, but not limited to, avionics LRUs, which are designed to satisfy the aforementioned needs, provide the previously stated objects, include the above-listed features, and achieve the already articulated advantages. The present invention is carried out with a “cam-less extractor” in a sense that the amount of undesired pivoting of the circuit card during insertion and extraction has been greatly reduced.
Accordingly, the present invention is a system and method for inserting and extracting circuit cards from a case by use of a multi-toothed rack in association with a pivoting toothed member.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4256356 (1981-03-01), Roth
Arbes Carl J.
Eppele Kyle
Jensen Nathan O.
Rockwell Collins
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