Abstract:
A system for removing a plurality of connectors from a circuit board includes two clamp plates. The system includes a divider plate coupled between the two clamp plates. The divider plate is configured to be positioned between adjacent rows of the plurality of connectors. The system further includes a tightening mechanism to tighten the clamp plates and the plurality of pin plates around the plurality of connectors. The system also includes an ejector coupled to the divider plate. The ejector includes a slot that corresponds to a projection on the divider plate, and the divider plate is configured to slide relative to the ejector.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention generally relates to repair equipment for electronics, and more particularly to removal of power pin connectors from circuit boards. 
     BACKGROUND 
     During normal assembly processing of circuit boards using connectors for telecommunications and other electronic equipment, occasional repairs must be made. Sometimes the repair requires removal of the power connector or similar connectors. Power connectors have a plurality of contact elements pressed into contact holes in a printed circuit board, and usually employ a plastic housing. Power connectors are usually arranged in groups on backplane boards, such as, groups of six in two rows of three connectors. In the past, each power connector is removed manually, one at a time. This process is generally slow and labor intensive, and may also lead to stress injuries for workers who have to remove a large number of power connectors. Further, the removal of the power connector may be difficult to do without damaging the circuit board. Simple hand tools, like pliers, may also be used to remove power connectors, but these are also inadequate for many situations. 
     Power connectors are well-known and widely used in the electronics manufacturing industry. Power connectors are usually press-fit connectors and have a plurality of contact elements (pins) pressed into contact holes in a printed circuit board. The pins create connections between the printed circuit board and whatever components are plugged into the top side of the press-fit connector. Press-fit contacts rely on a tight-fitting mechanical mating engagement with plated holes on a circuit board in order to establish electrical contact. 
     SUMMARY 
     In particular embodiments, a system for removing a plurality of connectors from a circuit board includes two clamp plates. The system includes a divider plate coupled between the two clamp plates. The divider plate is configured to be positioned between adjacent rows of the plurality of connectors. The system further includes a tightening mechanism to tighten the clamp plates and the plurality of pin plates around the plurality of connectors. The system also includes an ejector coupled to the divider plate. The ejector includes a slot that corresponds to a projection on the divider plate, and the divider plate is configured to slide relative to the ejector. 
     In another embodiment, a method for removing a plurality of connectors from a circuit board includes. placing a removal tool on the plurality of connectors. The removal tool includes two clamp plates and a divider plate coupled between the two clamp plates. The divider plate is configured to be positioned between adjacent rows of the plurality of connectors. The removal tool further includes a tightening mechanism to tighten the clamp plates and the plurality of pin plates around the plurality of connectors. The removal tool also includes an ejector coupled to the divider plate. The ejector includes a slot that corresponds to a projection on the divider plate, and the divider plate is configured to slide relative to the ejector. The method includes tightening the removal tool, and actuating a lever to rotate a cam that is configured to exert force on a top surface of the ejector. 
     The object and advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by means of at least the features, elements, and combinations particularly pointed out in the claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an example power connector removal tool, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an exploded view of the example power connector removal tool shown in  FIG. 1 , in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a section of the example power connector removal tool shown in  FIG. 1 , in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an example method for removal of connectors, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments of the present invention and its advantages are best understood by referring to  FIGS. 1-4  of the drawings, like numerals being used for like and corresponding parts of the various drawings. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an example power connector removal tool  100 , in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. Multiple connectors  118  may be arranged in rows of connectors  118  based on a particular implementation. For example, connectors  118  may be arranged in groups of six and configured in two rows of three connectors  118  each. Connector  118  may be protruding from backplane  104 . Removal of connector  118  or groups of connectors  118  may be accomplished by the use of removal tool  100 . Although removal tool  100  is shown in association with backplane  104 , removal tool  100  may also be used with any other suitable type of circuit board that uses power connectors. Additionally, although removal tool  100  is shown with respect to a group of six connectors  118  (e.g., two rows of three connectors each), removal tool  100  may be of any size and configuration based on the arrangement of connectors  118  requiring removal. 
     In operation, removal tool  100  may sit on backplane  104 . Removal tool  100  may utilize one or more clamp plates  108  and divider plate  106  that may be pressed together to grasp connectors  118  for removal. Clamp plates  108  may be configured on either side of divider plate  106 . A spacer, such as spacer blocks  110 , may facilitate maintaining spacing between clamp plates  108  and divider plate  106 . Spacer blocks  110  may be coupled to clamp plates via shoulder screws  112 . Functionally, removal tool  100  may provide an arrangement that may allow divider plate  106  and clamp plates  108  to be pressed together so that they clamp connectors  118 . Thumb screw  114  may operate to loosely hold divider plate  106  in position between clamp plates  108 . Thumb screw  114  may also be used to clamp divider plate  106  and clamp plates  108  onto connectors  118  for removal. Thumb screw  114  may be tightened against jam nuts  116 . Jam nuts  116  may be configured to provide a stop to thumb screw  114  when sufficient tightening force is applied to grip connectors  118 . After removal tool  100  is sufficiently tight against connectors  118 , lever  120  may be actuated to rotate cam  122 . Cam  122  may provide pressure against an ejector (discussed with reference to FIG.  2 ) to detach connectors  118  from backplane  104 . Use of removal tool  100  may reduce the time and expense to remove groups of connectors  118  compared to use of individual connectors  118  removal methods, e.g. using pliers to remove connectors individually. Further, removal tool  100  may reduce repetitive stress injuries for users that remove a significant amount of connectors  118 . 
     In some embodiments, connector  118  may be a power connector that may be a press-fit backplane connector. Connector  118  may be electronically connected to backplane  104  by connector pins that are press fit into contact holes in backplane  104 . Connector  118  may be installed on backplane  104  using press fit, interference fit, and/or any other suitable installation method. Connector  118  may be of any suitable size and multiple connectors  118  may be grouped based on the requirements of a particular implementation. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates an exploded view of example power connector removal tool  100  shown in  FIG. 1 , in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. In this view, the individual pieces of removal tool  100  may be seen. Removal tool  100  may include divider plate  106 , clamp plates  108 , spacer blocks  110 , shoulder screws  112 , thumb screw  114 , jam nuts  116 , lever  120 , cam  122 , ejector  202 , and/or any other suitable components based on implementation. Removal tool  100  may be illustrated configured with particular dimensions, e.g., a particular height based on the height of the connector and/or group of connectors to be removed, a particular width based on the width of the connector and/or group of connectors to be removed, and a particular thickness based in part on the thickness of the connector and/or group of connectors to be removed. However, removal tool  100  may be of any dimensions suitable for a particular implementation or based on the dimensions of the connector and/or group of connectors to be removed. 
     Divider plate  106  may be configured to grasp connectors  118  when used in conjunction with clamp plates  108 . Divider plate  106  may be manufactured from a hard material, such as metal, or any other suitable material that may withstand the clamping force applied by clamp plates  108  and thumb screw  114 . The number and size of divider plates  106  may vary based on the configuration of connectors  118  to be removed, as shown in  FIG. 1 . The number of divider plates  106  may be based on the number of rows of connectors  118  to be removed. For example, three rows of three connectors  118  may necessitate the utilization of two divider plates  106 . The number of divider plates  106  may be sufficient to grasp, when used in conjunction with clamp plates  108 , two opposite sides of each connector  118  being removed. 
     In some embodiments, the size of divider plate  106  may vary. The thickness of divider plate  106  may be thin enough to fit between the rows of connectors  118 , yet thick enough to grasp connectors  118  when force is applied to the sides of divider plate  106 . Divider plate  106  may have one or more divider holes  214  allowing one or more thumb screws  114  to pass through. For example, thumb screw  114  may pass through divider hole  214  in divider plate  106  to hold divider plate  106  in parallel and aligned with any other divider plates  106  and/or clamp plates  108 . 
     Divider plate  106  may include grooves or other gripping mechanism that may correspond with connectors  118 . Grooves may allow divider plate  106  to grip connectors  118  during removal. As such, grooves may help prevent connectors  118  from slipping out when ejector  202  is activated and/or removal tool  100  is pulled away from backplane  104 . Further, grooves may also act to reduce the clamping force required to adequately grip connectors  118  during removal. 
     Divider plate  106  may include boss  212 . Boss  212  may protrude from divider plate  106 . Boss  212  may be have an exterior with a perimeter that may be circular. Further, boss  212  may include divider hole  214  that may have dimensions that correspond to thumb screw  114 . Exterior dimensions of boss  212  may correspond to dimensions of cam hole  234  in cam  122 . Boss  212  may be configured to facilitate rotation of cam  122  when lever  120  is actuated Divider plate  106  may further include projections (as discussed with reference to  FIG. 3  below) that insert into and correspond with slots  242  shown on ejector  202 . One or more base notches  218  may be included on divider plate  106  that may correspond with one or more feet  244  on ejector  202 . Divider plate  106  may also include one or more side notches  216  that may correspond with spacer blocks  110 . 
     In some embodiments, one clamp plate, e.g., clamp plates  108   a  and  108   b , collectively referred to as clamp plates  108 , may be configured on each side of divider plate  106 . In operation, clamp plates  108  may utilize spacer blocks  110  to maintain spacing to fit connectors  118  between clamp plates  108  and divider plate  106  based on the implementation. Clamp plates  108  may be manufactured of a hard, durable material, such as metal. In some embodiments, clamp plates  108  may have one or more holes that may be unthreaded or threaded based on the implementation. For example, clamp plate  108   a  may have thumb screw hole  204  and shoulder holes  206 . As another example, clamp plate  108   b  may have shoulder holes  206 . Thumb screw hole  204  and shoulder holes  206  may be threaded holes. Clamp plates  108  may also include one or more insets, such as U-shaped inset  224  on clamp plate  108   b . Inset  224  may be of any size and/or configuration to allow one end of thumb screw  114  to press against clamp plate  108   b . For example, during operation of removal tool  100 , thumb screw  114  may be tightened through thumb screw hole  204  in clamp plate  108   a , divider hole  214  in divider plate  106 , and the one end of thumb screw  114  may press against clamp plate  108   b  in inset  224 . 
     In some embodiments, spacer blocks  110  may provide spacing between clamp plates  108  and/or divider plate  106 . Spacer blocks  110  may restrict the movement of clamp plates  108  and/or divider plate  106  during operation of removal tool  100 . Spacer block  110  may contain one or more holes that may that may be unthreaded or threaded based on the implementation. For example, spacer blocks  110  may have shoulder screw holes  208  that may be threaded holes. Spacer blocks  110  may be manufactured of a hard, durable material, such as metal. Spacer blocks  110  may be configured with inset  240  that may correspond with side notch  216  on divider plate  106 . Inset  240  may allow spacer blocks  110  to lock in place divider plate  106  in removal tool  100 . Spacer blocks  110  may allow clamp plates  108  and divider plate  106  to be loose enough so that connectors  118  may be inserted between clamp plates  108  and divider plate  106 , as shown with reference to  FIG. 1 . Spacer blocks  110  also, however, may allow clamp plates  108  to rotate and/or slide slightly during operation of removal tool  100 . For example, as thumb screw  114  is tightened so that one end of thumb screw  114  presses against clamp plate  108   b  in inset  224 , the bottom of clamp plates  108  may rotate slightly toward connectors  118 . In such a case, this movement may cause clamp plates  108  and/or divider plate  106  to tighten against connectors  118 . 
     Ejector  202  may be configured between clamp plate  108   b  and divider plate  106 . Ejector  202  may be manufactured of a hard, durable material, such as metal or a hard plastic. Ejector  202  may include one or more slots  242 . Slots  242  may be configured to correspond with projections (discussed with reference to  FIG. 3  below) on divider plate  106 . Ejector  202  may also include one or more feet  244 . Feet  244  may be configured to correspond with base notches  218  on divider plate  106 . Feet  244  may rest against backplane  104  during placement of removal tool  100  over connectors  118  and tightening of thumb screw  114  to provide sufficient pressure at the bottom of clamp plates  108  to grip connectors  118 . During operation of removal tool  100 , cam  122  may rotate to cause ejector  202  to push against backplane  104 . As ejector  202  pushes against backplane  104 , divider plate  106  and the rest of removal tool  100  may be slide vertically and/or away from backplane  104 . This vertical motion of removal tool  100  may extract or remove connectors  118  from backplane  104 . 
     In some embodiments, cam  122  may be coupled to lever  120 . Cam  122  and lever  120  may be manufactured as one item or article of manufacture. Cam  122  and lever  120  may be manufactured of a hard durable material such as metal or hard plastic. Cam  122  and lever  120  may be configured such that movement or actuation of lever  120  rotates cam  122 . Cam  122  may include cam hole  234 . Cam hole  234  may correspond in dimensions to boss  212 . Thus, cam  122 , via cam hole  234 , may fit over boss  212  on divider plate  106 . As lever  120  is actuated, cam  122  may rotate about boss  212 . The outer perimeter of cam  122  may be shaped as partially oval or oblong such that the distance between the outer perimeter of cam  122  and cam hole  234  is not consistent. Cam  122  may be positioned in contact with upper surface  222  of ejector  202 . During rotation of cam  122 , the exterior of cam  122  may press against ejector  202  and slide the rest of removal tool  100  away from backplane  104 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a section of example power connector removal tool  100  shown in  FIG. 1 , in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. In this view, clamp plate  108   b  may be removed such that the details of ejector  202  and divider plate  106  may be seen. Slots  242  on ejector  202  may correspond to projections  302  on divider plate  106 . Slots  242  and projections  302  may be configured to allow ejector  202  to slide vertically with respect to divider plate  106 . Further, boss  212  may include clamp  303  to prevent cam  122  from coming off of boss  212  during operation of removal tool  100 . 
     When removal tool  100  is in place over connectors  118  to be removed, clamp plates  108  may be placed around connectors  118  and divider plate  106  may be placed between rows of connectors  118 . Then, thumb screw  114  may be tightened until the screw head makes contact with jam nuts  116 . Turning thumb screw  114  may extend thumb screw  114  through clamp plate  108   a  and divider plate  106 , and the end of tightening bolt  116  may push against clamp plate  108   b  creating tension between clamp plates  108 . This tension force at the top of clamp plates  108  may create a tightening force at the bottom of clamp plates  108 . The tightening force at the bottom of clamp plates  108  may compress clamp plates  108  around connectors  118 . Once thumb screw  114  has been tightened to where connectors  118  are sufficiently grasped by clamp plates  108  and divider plate  106 , lever  120  may be actuated to rotate cam  122 . 
     As cam  122  rotates, the exterior surface of cam  122  may push against top surface  222  of ejector  202 . The pressure exerted against top surface  222  may cause feet  244  to press against backplane  104 . Divider plate  106  with the rest of removal tool  100  may slide vertically and move away from backplane  104 . Since connectors  118  are gripped by removal tool  100 , this movement may extract connectors  118  from backplane  104 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates an example method  400  for removal of connectors, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. Method  400  may be implemented fully or in part by a user. For illustrative purposes, method  400  is described with respect to removal tool  100  of  FIG. 1 ; however, method  400  may be used for any other suitable removal tool configuration. Method  400  may be performed in association with a connector, such as connector  118  of  FIG. 1 . Method  400  may be repeated or performed in parallel for each set of connectors  118  illustrated in  FIG. 1  that require removal. In addition, although  FIG. 4  discloses a certain order of steps to be taken with respect to method  400 , the steps comprising method  400  may be completed in any suitable order. 
     At step  405 , a user may place the removal tool over the connectors to be removed. As example, removal tool  100  may be placed over a particular set of connectors  118  that requires removal. Removal tool  100  may be positioned so that rows of connectors  118  are located between divider plate  106  and/or clamp plates  108 . All connectors  118  that are between divider plate  106  and/or clamp plates  108  will be removed in operation of removal tool  100 . 
     At step  410 , a user may tighten the removal tool. The removal tool may be tightened in a variety of ways. For example, a user may turn thumb screw  114 , shown in  FIG. 1 , to tighten removal tool  100 . Turning thumb screw  114  may create tension at the top of clamp plates  108  and may allow the bottom of clamp plates  108  and/or divider plate  106  to grasp connectors  118  for removal. 
     At step  415 , a user may actuate a lever to rotate a cam positioned against an ejector that causes a divider plate to move vertically with respect to the ejector. For example, with reference to  FIG. 3 , lever  120  may be actuated to rotate cam  122 . Cam  122  may press against ejector  202  and cause divider plate  106  to slide vertically with respect to ejector  202 . This vertical movement may be away from backplane  104  and may also remove connectors  118  from backplane  104 . 
     At step  425 , a user may remove the connectors and removal tool from the backplane. For example, connectors  118  and removal tool  100  may be removed from backplane  104 . Thumb screw  114  may be loosened to remove connectors  118  from removal tool  100 . Lever  120  may be returned to the pre-operation position and prepared to remove additional connectors  118 . 
     All examples and conditional language recited herein are intended for pedagogical purposes to aid the reader in understanding the principles of the invention and the concepts contributed by the inventor to furthering the art, and are to be construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions, nor does the organization of such examples in the specification relate to a showing of the superiority and inferiority of the invention. Although the embodiments of the present inventions has been described in detail, it should be understood that the various changes, substitutions, and alterations could be made hereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.