Abstract:
An apparatus for securing a modular component comprises a jointed cam arm including a first portion and a second portion pivotally connected to the first portion. A flexible member is included on the first portion. A pivot limiting catch is included on the second portion, the catch being operable to engage with the flexible member to position the first portion at an angle relative to the second portion. In response to a force applied to the first portion sufficient to flex the flexible member, the first portion is pivotable to reduce the relative angle with the second portion.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
   The present disclosure relates generally to information handling systems, and more particularly to securing modular components in an information handling system chassis. 
   As the value and use of information continues to increase, individuals and businesses seek additional ways to process and store information. One option available to users is information handling systems. An information handling system generally processes, compiles, stores, and/or communicates information or data for business, personal, or other purposes thereby allowing users to take advantage of the value of the information. Because technology and information handling needs and requirements vary between different users or applications, information handling systems may also vary regarding what information is handled, how the information is handled, how much information is processed, stored, or communicated, and how quickly and efficiently the information may be processed, stored, or communicated. The variations in information handling systems allow for information handling systems to be general or configured for a specific user or specific use such as financial transaction processing, airline reservations, enterprise data storage, or global communications. In addition, information handling systems may include a variety of hardware and software components that may be configured to process, store, and communicate information and may include one or more computer systems, data storage systems, and networking systems. 
   The connection of modular components into information handling systems is an emerging trend. The connection is typically electromechanical in nature, with the electrical connections often established through high density docking connectors on the modular component and the information handling system. These high density connectors tend to have high pin counts, which results in the need for relatively high forces in order to connect the modular component to the information handling system. Typically, a mechanical advantage is designed into the system in order to allow a user to make the connection. 
   One mechanical solution is a simple lever arm cam design, accessible to the user, to provide the needed mechanical advantage to make the connection. When mechanical system tolerances are considered in relation to the minimum engagement necessary between the modular component and the information handling system to maintain their connection, it is typically necessary to provide an over-mate condition into the system. Providing the over-mate condition into the system can lead to high forces being transmitted back to the user through the lever arm cam once the modular component and the information handling system are fully mated and additional travel is required by the lever arm cam to reach its final position. Between the point when the connectors on the modular component and information handling system are fully connected and the lever arm cam reaches its final position, forces build at a high rate because there is very little compliance left in the system. These high forces can detract from the usability of the design. For example, some securing solutions use a thumb screw to secure the lever arm cam in its final position, and the operation of holding the lever arm cam in place against these forces while trying to engage the thumb screw can be a difficult operation, resulting in a sub-optimal user experience. 
   Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide an apparatus for securing modular components in an information handling system absent the disadvantages found in the prior methods discussed above. 
   SUMMARY 
   According to one embodiment, an apparatus for securing a modular component includes a jointed cam arm including a first portion and a second portion pivotally connected to the first portion. A flexible member is included on the first portion. A pivot limiting catch is included on the second portion, the catch being operable to engage with the flexible member to position the first portion at an angle relative to the second portion. In response to a force applied to the first portion sufficient to flex the flexible member, the first portion is pivotable to reduce the relative angle with the second portion. 
   A principal advantage of this embodiment is that the apparatus will only transmit force back to the user up to a predetermined limit. Once the predetermined limit is reached, no additional force is transmitted back to the user, increasing the usability of the apparatus. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic view illustrating an embodiment of an information handling system. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of an apparatus for securing modular components. 
       FIG. 3   a  is a side view illustrating an embodiment of a first portion used on the apparatus of  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 3   b  is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a first portion used on the apparatus of  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 4   a  is a side view illustrating an embodiment of a second portion used on the apparatus of  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 4   b  is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a second portion used on the apparatus of  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 5   a  is a side view illustrating an embodiment of the apparatus of  FIG. 2  in a first position. 
       FIG. 5   b  is a side view illustrating an embodiment of the apparatus of  FIG. 2  in a second position. 
       FIG. 5   c  is a side view illustrating an embodiment of the apparatus of  FIG. 2  in a third position. 
       FIG. 6  is a side view illustrating an embodiment of a modular component used with the apparatus of  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 7  is a side view illustrating an embodiment of the modular component of  FIG. 6  pivotally coupled to the apparatus of  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 8  is a cross sectional view illustrating an embodiment of a chassis for securing the modular component of  FIG. 6 . 
       FIG. 9   a  is a cross sectional view illustrating an embodiment of an apparatus for securing modular components in a first position. 
       FIG. 9   b  is a cross sectional view illustrating an embodiment of the apparatus of  FIG. 9   a  in a second position. 
       FIG. 9   c  is a cross sectional view illustrating an embodiment of the apparatus of  FIG. 9   c  in a third position. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   For purposes of this disclosure, an information handling system may include any instrumentality or aggregate of instrumentalities operable to compute, classify, process, transmit, receive, retrieve, originate, switch, store, display, manifest, detect, record, reproduce, handle, or utilize any form of information, intelligence, or data for business, scientific, control, or other purposes. For example, an information handling system may be a personal computer, a network storage device, or any other suitable device and may vary in size, shape, performance, functionality, and price. The information handling system may include random access memory (RAM), one or more processing resources such as a central processing unit (CPU) or hardware or software control logic, ROM, and/or other types of nonvolatile memory. Additional components of the information handling system may include one or more disk drives, one or more network ports for communicating with external devices as well as various input and output (I/O) devices, such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a video display. The information handling system may also include one or more buses operable to transmit communications between the various hardware components. 
   In one embodiment, information handling system  10 ,  FIG. 1 , includes a microprocessor  12 , which is connected to a bus  14 . Bus  14  serves as a connection between microprocessor  12  and other components of computer system  10 . An input device  16  is coupled to microprocessor  12  to provide input to microprocessor  12 . Examples of input devices include keyboards, touchscreens, and pointing devices such as mouses, trackballs and trackpads. Programs and data are stored on a mass storage device  18 , which is coupled to microprocessor  12 . Mass storage devices include such devices as hard disks, optical disks, magneto-optical drives, floppy drives and the like. Computer system  10  further includes a display  20 , which is coupled to microprocessor  12  by a video controller  22 . A system memory  24  is coupled to microprocessor  12  to provide the microprocessor with fast storage to facilitate execution of computer programs by microprocessor  12 . It should be understood that other busses and intermediate circuits can be deployed between the components described above and microprocessor  12  to facilitate interconnection between the components and the microprocessor. A chassis  26  may be provided for housing some or all of the system  10  components. 
   Referring to  FIG. 2 ,  3   a ,  3   b ,  4   a , and  4   b  of the drawings, an exemplary embodiment of an apparatus  100  for securing modular components includes a first portion  102  with a first portion longitudinal axis  102   a . First portion  102  includes an elongated body  104  with a pivoting end  104   a  and a securing end  104   b  opposite pivoting end  104   a . Elongated body  104  defines a circular channel  106  adjacent pivoting end  104   a . Elongated body  104  defines a pivot hole  108  adjacent pivoting end  104   a . A securing member  110  is situated adjacent securing end  104   b , the securing member  110  defining a passageway  110   a . A handle  112  includes an arm  112   a  and an arm  112   b  extending from elongated body  104  and an arcuate section  112   c  coupling the arms  112   a  and  112   b  together. A channel  114  is defined by elongated body  104  and is situated adjacent circular channel  106 . A beam flexible member  116  extends from elongated body  104  and into channel  114 . Beam flexible member  116  includes a beveled surface  116   a  on a distal end of the beam flexible member  116 . A arcuate spring member  118  extends from elongated body member  104 , is situated adjacent circular channel  106 , and includes a spring member distal end  118   a.    
   A second portion  120  with a second portion longitudinal axis  120   a  includes a cam end  120   b  and a semi-circular pivoting end  120   c  opposite the cam end  102   a . The second portion  120  defines a system pivoting hole  122  adjacent the semi-circular pivoting end  120   c  and includes a pivot limiting catch  124  extending from the circumference of the semi-circular pivoting end  120   c . The second portion  120  includes a tooth  126  extending from cam end  120   b  and a tooth  128  also extending from cam end  120   b  and substantially parallel to tooth  126 . Tooth  126  includes a chassis engaging surface  126   a , and tooth  128  includes a chassis engaging surface  128   a . A component pivoting hole  130  is defined by the second portion  120  and is situated adjacent the cam end  120   a  and teeth  126   a  and  128   a.    
   Referring now to  FIGS. 2 ,  5   a ,  5   b , and  5   c , in an exemplary embodiment, during operation of the system  100 , first portion  102  and second portion  120  are pivotally coupled to each other by situating a pin  132  in pivot hole  108  on first portion  102  and in system pivoting hole  122  on second portion  120 . When pivotally coupled together, semi-circular pivoting end  120   c  on second portion  120  sits in circular channel  106  defined by first portion  102 . The system  100  begins operation in a first position A, as illustrated in  FIG. 5   a , with second portion  120  being held in a fixed position and with first portion longitudinal axis  102   a  and second portion longitudinal axis  120   a  forming a relative angle  134 . In position A, pivot limiting catch  124  is situated partially in channel  114  and engaged with beveled surface  116   a  on beam flexible member  116 . Spring member distal end  118   a  on arcuate spring member  118  is not engaged with second portion  120 . In an exemplary embodiment, in position A, spring member distal end  118   a  on arcuate spring member  118  may already be engaged with second portion  120  to provide a continuous anti-pivoting force to first portion  102  as the apparatus is operated. 
   Beam flexible member  116  is designed such that when a force which is below a predetermined force is applied to first portion  102  through handle  112 , that force is translated to second portion  120  through the contact between beveled surface  116   a  on beam flexible member  116  and pivot limiting catch  124  on second portion  120 . When a force is applied to first portion  102  which is above the predetermined force, beam flexible member  116  will begin to displace around pivot limiting catch  124 , putting the system in a second position B, as illustrated in  FIG. 5   b . In position B, the engagement of pivot limiting catch  124  with beveled surface  116   a  on beam flexible member  116  has displaced beam flexible member  116  into an upper portion of channel  114 , allowing first portion  102  to begin to pivot relative to second portion  120  about pin  132 . The pivoting of first portion  102  relative to second portion  120  results in first portion longitudinal axis  102   a  and second portion longitudinal axis  120   a  forming a relative angle  136  which is less than the relative angle  134  formed in position A. In position B, spring member distal end  118   a  on arcuate spring member  118  comes in contact with second portion  120  to provide an anti-pivoting force to first portion  102 . 
   Further application of the force above the predetermined force to first portion  102  will continue to pivot first portion  102  relative to second portion  120 , putting the system  100  in a third position C, as illustrated in  FIG. 5   c . In position C, first portion  102  has pivoted about pin  132  relative to second portion  120  resulting in first portion longitudinal axis  102   a  and second portion longitudinal axis  120   a  forming a relative angle  138  which is less than the relative angle  134  formed in position A. Pivot limiting catch  124  has rotated such that it is no longer in contact with beveled surface  116   a  on beam flexible member  116 , and pivot limiting catch  124  is now situated substantially below beam flexible member  116  on channel  114 . Arcuate spring member  118  continues to apply an anti-pivoting force to first portion  102  through engagement of spring distal end  118   a  with second portion  120 . 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 6 ,  7 ,  8  and  9   a , an alternative embodiment of an apparatus  200  for securing modular components is substantially identical in structure and operation to the apparatus  100  for securing modular components described above with reference to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3   a ,  3   b ,  4   a ,  4   b ,  5   a ,  5   b , and  5   c  with the addition of a modular component  202  and a component accepting member  204  on the chassis  26 . 
   A modular component  202  includes a component connection  206  extending from a rear surface  208  of the modular component  202 . In an exemplary embodiment, component connection  206  is a high density docking connector. A system support member  210  extends from a front surface  212  which is opposite the rear surface  208  and defines a hole  210   a . A system securing member  214  is situated on the front surface  212 . The second portion  120  is pivotally coupled to the modular component  202  by a pin  215  situated in component pivoting hole  130  on second portion  120  and hole  210   a  on system support member  210 . 
   A component accepting member  204  includes a base  216  and a pair of surfaces  218   a  and  218   b  extending from the base  216  and defining a cavity  220  in the component accepting member  204 . A connector  222  is situated adjacent the base  216  and surface  218   b  at the rear of cavity  220 . In an exemplary embodiment, connector  222  is coupled to the information handling system  10  illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The surface  218   b  includes a distal end  218   ba  which defines a channel  224  and includes a chassis support member  226  adjacent the channel  224 . 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 2 ,  3   a ,  3   b ,  4   a ,  4   b ,  5   a ,  5   b ,  5   c ,  7 ,  9   a ,  9   b , and  9   c , in an exemplary embodiment, during operation of the system  200 , the modular component  202  is placed in the cavity  220  of the component accepting member  204 , between surfaces  218   a  and  218   b , and rear surface  208  on modular component  202  is slid back toward connector  222  on component accepting member  204 . When component connection  206  begins to engage connector  222 , chassis engaging surface  126   a  on tooth  126  of second portion  120  engages chassis support member  226 , as illustrated in  FIG. 9   a.    
   Second portion  120  may then be pivoted relative to modular component  202  about pin  215  by applying a force to handle  112  on first portion  102 . Pivoting second portion  120  brings tooth  128  into channel  224  and chassis engaging surface  128   a  on tooth  128  into engagement with chassis support member  226 , as illustrated in  FIG. 9   b . With tooth  128  engaging chassis support member  226 , further application of a force to handle  112  on first portion  102  will translate the force applied to handle  112  to chassis support member  226  and begin to mate component connection  206  on modular component  202  into connector  222  on component accepting member  204 . 
   Beam flexible member  116  is designed such that when a force which is below a predetermined force is applied to first portion  102  through handle  112 , that force is translated to second portion  120  through the contact between beveled surface  116   a  on beam flexible member  116  and pivot limiting catch  124  on second portion  120 . In an exemplary embodiment, the predetermined force is the force required to fully mate component connection  206  with connector  222 . When the component connection  206  and connector  222  are fully mated, additional force applied to handle  112  on first portion  102  will exceed the predetermined force, and beam flexible member  116  will begin to displace around pivot limiting catch  124 . When beam flexible member has fully displaced around pivot limiting catch  124 , as illustrated in  FIG. 9   c , first portion  102  has pivoted relative to second portion  120  such that securing member  110  is engaging system securing member  214  on modular component  202 . In an exemplary embodiment, securing member  110  includes a threaded fastener  228  that may be threaded into internal threads provided on system securing member  214  in order to secure modular component  202  in component accepting member  204  on chassis  26 . 
   It is understood that variations may be made in the foregoing without departing from the scope of the disclosed embodiments. Furthermore, the elements and teachings of the various illustrative embodiments may be combined in whole or in part some or all of the illustrative embodiments. 
   Although illustrative embodiments have been shown and described, a wide range of modification, change and substitution is contemplated in the foregoing disclosure and in some instances, some features of the embodiments may be employed without a corresponding use of other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the embodiments disclosed herein.