Patent Application
20070254508
The present invention will become more apparent from the following description and from the annexed drawings, wherein:
Said description and said drawings are only to be considered as non-limiting explanatory examples.
The drawings show two boards 10 and 20; the board 20 is positioned higher than the board 10. On the boards 10 and 20, two connector elements 1 and 2 are fixedly mounted which belong to the same GIG-Array connector pair manufactured by FCI.
A GIG-Array connector pair is an electrical device used for creating a plurality of electrical connections between two boards; to this purpose, it is provided with a plurality of electrical pins; the connector pair is so configured that the two boards are substantially parallel when its two connector elements are mated together. Therefore, such a connector pair provides an electrical as well as a mechanical connection between the two boards.
As stated above, mating and unmating such a connector pair requires a great force.
The drawings show a mechanical device, in one piece, which comprises two cam elements 11 and 12, two levers 13 and 14, and a handle 15; the cam element 11 is integral with a first end of the lever 13, and the cam element 12 is integral with a first end of the lever 14; both levers 13 and 14 essentially consist of two substantially parallel metal rods joined at the respective second ends by a handle 15. This mechanical device is rotatably mounted on the board 10 through two hinge elements 16 and 17; in particular, the cam element 11 is rotatably mounted on the hinge element 16, and the cam element 12 is rotatably mounted on the hinge element 17.
The hinge elements 16 and 17 are fixedly mounted on the board 10 on opposite sides with respect to the connector element 1; in particular, as clearly shown in
The hinge elements 16 and 17 create one axis of rotation for the cam elements 11 and 12, the rods 13 and 14, and the handle 15, and therefore for the entire mechanical device; this axis of rotation is parallel to the board 10 and to an axis of symmetry of the connector element 1. In the illustrated example, said axis of rotation almost coincides with said axis of symmetry, in particular being located at a distance of about 2 mm; however, depending on the dimensions of the cams, said distance may be greater up to, for example, 5 mm; thanks to this small distance, the points of the cams can be aligned properly with the axis of symmetry of the connector element 1.
When the handle 15 is operated manually, the levers 13 and 14 rotate together with the cam elements 11 and 12, as shown in
In the illustrated system example, the cam elements 11 and 12 are shaped in such a way that the connector pair is unmated by turning the two levers 13 and 14 by an angle being much smaller than 90°, in particular approximately 45°; thus it is not necessary to leave much free space above the boards 10 and 20 for the rotation of the levers 13 and 14 and of the handle 15. Still with reference to the illustrated system example, the angular travel of both levers 13 and 14 is limited mechanically; as shown in
There may also be reinforcement elements mounted on the board 20, so that the cam elements 11 and 12 apply the force directly to the reinforcement elements and indirectly to the board; this, in particular, reduces the risk of said force damaging the board 20 locally. As shown in the drawings, there is a first metallic U-shaped element 23 on the upper side and a second metallic U-shaped element on the underside, and the board 20 is fastened between the two U-shaped elements by means of screws.
In the system example illustrated in the drawings, there is a rest position of both levers 13 and 14, in particular, wherein said levers are substantially parallel to the board 10 (
The handle 15 essentially consists of a metal rod and has a special profile that makes it easy to grip the handle when the mechanical device is in its rest position; in fact, it comprises at least one bend, preferably in its central area, which allows the fingers to be inserted between the handle 15 and the board 10.
In the illustrated example, the connector element 2 is located close to one side of the board 20, more specifically close to a corner of the same. In order to allow one of the two levers, in particular the lever 14, to rotate, the board 20 has an inner cutout 21; as to the lever 13, the board 20 has a lateral cutout 22, although this is not strictly necessary.
In general, the unmating system according to the present invention is characterized in that it comprises at least two cam elements rotatably mounted on a first one of the two boards on opposite sides with respect to a corresponding first one of the two connector elements and rotation means adapted to manually rotate the cam elements so as to apply a force to a second one of the two boards when the two connector elements are mated together, thereby unmating the connector pair.
The rotation means may be manufactured in many different ways and not necessarily as a single, simple mechanical device as in the example shown in the drawings; for instance, the two levers may not be joined by a handle, or the two levers may transmit a rotary motion to both cam elements through transmission means, or the two levers may carry out a translation motion while imparting a rotary motion to the cam elements through suitable transmission elements.
As said, the rotation angle of the levers is a parameter which must be taken into account in order to avoid wasting valuable space inside electronic apparatuses; therefore, the levers rotate by an angle being preferably smaller than 90°, more preferably comprised between 30° and 60°, even more preferably of about 45°; consequently, the cam elements and/or the rotation means must be designed appropriately; in the illustrated example, the cams of the cam elements are shaped in such a way as to cause the connector pair to unmate after a rotation of 45°; as an alternative, for instance, the levers may rotate of just 45° whereas the cam elements may be rotated of 90° through suitable transmission means comprised in the rotation means.
As stated above, the rotation of the levers might be opposed by one of the two boards; this does not happen when the distance between the levers is greater than the width of the upper board in the corresponding area. In general, it will be necessary to provide an inner cutout in the upper board for each lever; of course, in those cases wherein a lever moves in the area corresponding to an edge of the upper board, the cutout may be lateral or even absent.
The unmating system according to the present invention may be incorporated in a connector pair, thereby improving its performance; this is a further aspect of the present invention.
In general, such an improved connector pair is characterized in that it comprises at least two cam elements rotatably mounted on a first one of its two connector elements on opposite sides and means adapted to manually rotate the cam elements so as to apply a force to a second one of its connector elements when said two connector elements are mated together, thereby unmating the connector pair.
All other features described above in connection with the unmating system also apply directly to the connector pair.
As to the possible use of hinge elements, these shall typically be integral with or fastened to one of the two connector elements.
Of course, the reinforcement elements on the boards will no longer be necessary, because the cam elements will act directly on the connector elements. However, when designing the connector elements it will be necessary to obtain a suitable strength in those positions of the connector elements wherein the cam elements operate.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| MI2006A000824 | Apr 2006 | IT | national |
