Apparatus for supporting printed wiring assemblies in a device housing

Apparatus for supporting printed wiring assemblies (PWAs) in a device housing is described. In one example, a frame is provided having first opposing sides, second opposing sides, a top side, and a bottom side. A lateral member extends between the second opposing sides and includes a plurality of inner clips proximate the bottom side. One of the first opposing sides includes a first plurality of outer clips proximate the bottom side. Another of the first opposing sides includes a second plurality of outer clips proximate the bottom side. The first opposing sides may also include a third plurality of outer clips proximate the top side. In this manner, the frame bottom side includes mounting sites for first and second PWAs. The frame top side includes a mounting site for a third PWA. The PWAs can be secured in the frame without the need for fasteners.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to mechanical supports for electronic devices and, more particularly, to an apparatus for supporting printed wiring assemblies in a device housing.

2. Description of the Background Art

Electronic devices typically include a housing that encloses one or more printed wiring assemblies, such as circuit boards. The printed wiring assemblies include various types of electronic components and connectors coupled together to perform the function of the device. The printed wiring assemblies are conventionally secured within the housing using various fasteners, such as screws. During manufacture of such a device, the tools are required to install the printed wiring assemblies within the housing. In an assembly line production, the use of tools to secure the printed wiring assemblies consumes a significant amount of time and increases costs. Accordingly, there exists a need in the art for an apparatus for supporting printed wiring assemblies that does not employ fasteners to secure the printed wiring assemblies within the device housing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Apparatus for supporting printed wiring assemblies (PWAs) in a device housing is described. In one embodiment, a frame is provided having first opposing sides, second opposing sides, a top side, and a bottom side. A lateral member extends between the second opposing sides. The lateral member includes a plurality of inner clips proximate the bottom side of the frame. One of the first opposing sides includes a first plurality of outer clips proximate the bottom side of the frame. Another of the first opposing sides includes a second plurality of outer clips proximate the bottom side of the frame. The first opposing sides may also include a third plurality of outer clips proximate the top side of the frame. In this manner, the bottom side of the frame includes mounting sites for first and second PWAs. The top side of the frame includes a mounting site for a third PWA. The PWAs can be secured in the frame without the need for fasteners.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1is a perspective view showing an exemplary embodiment of a support structure118for supporting printed wiring assemblies (PWAs) within a housing in accordance with one or more aspects of the invention. The support structure118includes first opposing sides120A and120B (collectively sides120) and second opposing sides122A and122B (collectively sides122). The sides120and122collectively form a frame of the support structure118. The frame defines a top and bottom sides of the support structure118. The support structure118is shown bottom-side up inFIG. 1. A lateral member132extends between the sides120. The lateral member132divides the top side of the support structure118into two mounting sites150and152. As described below, the mounting sites150and152are configured to support two PWAs. The lateral member132is positioned such that the mounting sites150and152are sized to support the corresponding PWAs.

The mounting site150includes a support element128, and the mounting site152includes a support element126. In the pictured embodiment, the support element128comprises a circular portion and a plurality of lateral supports radially extending therefrom and joining with the sides120, the side122A, and the lateral member132. The support element126comprises a circular portion and a plurality of lateral supports radially extending therefrom and joining with the sides120, the side122B, and the lateral member132. As described below, the support members126and128are configured to support PWAs within the mounting sites152and150, respectively. The support members126and128also provide support for the frame. While a specific structure for each of the support members126and128is shown and described, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the support members126and128may comprise other structures.

The support structure118provides a mounting system for three PWAs for support within a housing. The PWAs may comprise, for example, circuit boards having various types of circuit elements and electrical connectors. The support structure118is configured such that no mounting hardware (e.g., screws or other types of fasteners) is required to secure the PWAs. The support structure118may comprise plastic formed members using a conventional injection molding process. The PWAs may be installed within the support structure118without tools. In one embodiment, the support structure118supports a main PWA, a power supply PWA, and a battery charging and monitoring PWA for a VoIP cable modem. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the support structure118may be used to support other types of PWAs within a housing for other types of devices.

FIG. 2is a perspective view illustrating installation of a first PWA140onto the support structure118in accordance with one or more aspects of the invention. For clarity, reference characters for elements of the support structure118that are not associated with the PWA140are omitted. The PWA140includes mounting holes147(e.g., four are shown). The support structure118includes mounting posts145. The mounting holes147are configured to be registered with the mounting posts145such that the PWA140is supported within the mounting site152. To install, the PWA140is tilted such that an edge thereof is secured under inner clips134on the lateral member132. In one embodiment, the inner clips134comprise fixed retention clips. The support structure118is shown as having four inner clips134, although more or less may be used.

The PWA140is lowered into position such that the mounting holes147are registered with the mounting posts145. The edge of the PWA140opposite the edge secured by the inner clips134is secured under outer clips124A and124B (collectively outer clips124) on the side122B. In one embodiment, the outer clips124comprise flexible retention clips having a sloped or inclined face upon which the PWA140is pressed when mounted. Such pressing causes the outer clips124to flex to allow mounting. Once the PWA140is pressed into a level below the inclined face, the outer clips124spring back to the original positions and, together with the inner clips134, lock the PWA140in position in the mounting site152. The support structure118is shown as having two outer clips124, although more may be provided. The PWA140is supported by the support member126.

FIG. 3is a perspective view of the PWA140installed onto the support structure118. As shown, the PWA140is retained within the mounting site152by the outer clips124and the inner clips134. Notably, the PWA140is secured to the support structure118without fasteners, such as screws. In one embodiment, the PWA140comprises a power supply PWA for a device, such as a VoIP cable modem. The PWA140illustratively includes a power socket112and a jumper assembly142. It is to be understood that the PWA140may comprise other types of PWAs having other types of components.

FIG. 4is a perspective view illustrating installation of a second PWA144onto the support structure118in accordance with one or more aspects of the invention. For clarity, reference characters for elements of the support structure118that are not associated with the PWA144are omitted. The PWA144includes mounting holes161(e.g., four are shown). The support structure118includes mounting posts159. The mounting holes161are configured to be registered with the mounting posts159such that the PWA144is supported within the mounting site150. To install, the PWA144is tilted such that an edge thereof is secured under inner clips134on the lateral member132.

The PWA144is lowered into position such that the mounting holes161are registered with the mounting posts159. The edge of the PWA144opposite the edge secured by the inner clips134is secured under outer clips136A,136B,136C and136D (collectively outer clips136) on the side122A. In one embodiment, the outer clips136comprise flexible retention clips having a sloped or inclined face upon which the PWA144is pressed when mounted. Such pressing causes the outer clips136to flex to allow mounting. Once the PWA144is pressed into a level below the inclined face, the outer clips136spring back to the original positions and, together with the inner clips134, lock the PWA144in position in the mounting site150. The support structure118is shown as having two outer clips136, although more may be provided. The PWA144is supported by the support member128.

FIG. 5is a perspective view of the PWA144installed onto the support structure118. As shown, the PWA144is retained within the mounting site150by the outer clips136and the inner clips134. Notably, the PWA144is secured to the support structure118without fasteners, such as screws. In one embodiment, the PWA144comprises a battery charging and monitoring PWA for a device, such as a VoIP cable modem. The PWA144includes a connector146. The connector146may comprise any type of electrical connector known in the art. When the PWA144is installed onto the support structure118, the connector146is disposed in an area130defined by the support member128. The connector146is thus exposed to the top side of the support structure118. It is to be understood that the PWA144may comprise other types of PWAs for performing other types of functions.

FIG. 6is a perspective view illustrating installation of a third PWA116onto the support structure118in accordance with one or more aspects of the invention. InFIG. 6, the support structure118is shown rotated 180 degrees counter clockwise about an axis parallel to the sides120, thus exposing the top side of the support structure. For clarity, reference characters for elements of the support structure118that are not associated with the PWA116are omitted. The PWA116includes mounting holes163(e.g., four are shown). The support structure118includes mounting posts138. The mounting holes163are configured to be registered with the mounting posts138such that the PWA116is supported within a mounting site151defined by the frame of the support structure118.

To install, the PWA116is lowered onto the support structure118such that the mounting holes163register with the mounting posts138. The side122A includes an outer clip136C, and the side122B includes an outer clip136D. In one embodiment, the outer clips136C and136D comprise flexible retention clips having a sloped or inclined face upon which the PWA116is pressed when mounted. Such pressing causes the outer clips136C and136D to flex to allow mounting. Once the PWA116is pressed into a level below the inclined face, the outer clips136C and136D spring back to the original positions and lock the PWA116in position in the mounting site151. Although only two outer clips136C and136D are shown, it is to be understood that more outer clips may be used. Notably, the PWA116is secured to the support structure118without fasteners, such as screws.

In one embodiment, the PWA116comprises a main PWA for a device, such as a VoIP cable modem. The PWA116includes various types of components, such as connectors114, a button115, light emitting diodes (LEDs)117, and a connector170. The connectors114and146may comprise any type of electrical connectors known in the art. The button115may be a power button, reset button, or the like. The LEDs117are configured to display various types of information, such as status of the device. When the PWA116is installed onto the support structure118, the connector170is disposed in the area130defined by the support member128. In this manner, the connector170mates with the connector146on the PWA144. This allows the PWA116to be electrically coupled to the PWA144. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the PWA116may include any number of connectors that can be mated with matching connectors on the PWA140and/or the PWA144. In this manner, the support structure118of the invention is configured to enable the alignment and blind mate of one or more connectors between PWAS. That is, the support structure118supports PWAs such that a connector on one PWA is aligned with a corresponding connector on another PWA such that the connectors are mated to provide a connection between the PWAS. Since the final connection is obscured, the connection is referred to as a “blind” mate. It is to be understood that the PWA116may comprise other types of PWAs for performing other types of functions.

FIG. 7is a perspective view showing an exemplary embodiment of a housing100for a device. For example, the device may comprise a voice-over internet protocol (VoIP) cable modem. The housing100illustratively includes a bottom portion102and a top portion104.FIG. 8is a perspective view of the housing100with the top portion104removed. Referring toFIGS. 7–8, the support structure118is mounted within the bottom portion102. The bottom portion100includes an indicator panel106and a push button108. The indicator panel106is typically transparent or translucent plastic through which the light emitting diodes (LEDs)117on the PWA116can be viewed. The push button108is registered with the button115on the PWA116. The top portion104is secured to the bottom portion104to enclose the PWAs116,140, and144therein.