Patent Description:
A circuit board separation mechanism is disclosed, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure. The circuit board separation mechanism includes a separation block positioned within a separation block cut-out of a heatsink. The heatsink is positioned between a first circuit board including a first component of at least one connector and a second circuit board including a second component of the at least one connector. The circuit board separation mechanism includes a set screw inserted in the separation block. At least a portion of the set screw is configured to engage a surface of the heatsink. The separation block is configured to lift against a surface of the first circuit board when the set screw is rotated. The first component of the at least one connector and the second component of the at least one connector is configured to separate when the set screw is rotated and the separation block lifts against the surface of the first circuit board.

In some embodiments, the set screw may be configured to engage a set screw groove in the surface of the heatsink.

In some embodiments, the set screw may be tightened against the set screw groove when rotated.

In some embodiments, the set screw may be accessed via a primary channel within the separation block. The primary channel may be accessed via a primary opening in a surface of the separation block. The primary opening may be accessed via an opening within the second circuit board.

In some embodiments, the separation block may include at least one keyed section configured to mate with at least one corresponding groove within the separation block cut-out of the heatsink.

In some embodiments, the circuit board separation mechanism may include at least one actuation inhibitor. The at least one actuation inhibitor may be inserted in an auxiliary channel via an auxiliary opening in a surface of the separation block.

In some embodiments, the at least one actuation inhibitor may be inserted in at least one actuation inhibitor cut-out in the heatsink. The at least one actuation inhibitor cut-out may be accessible via the auxiliary channel.

In some embodiments, the at least one actuation inhibitor may be configured to engage a surface in the auxiliary channel when the set screw rotates, the separation block lifts against the surface of the first circuit board, and a selected amount of actuation occurs. The engaging of the surface in the auxiliary channel may prevent actuation of the separation block beyond the selected amount of actuation.

In some embodiments, the at least one connector may include at least one Switch Mezzanine Card (XMC) connector.

In some embodiments, the heatsink may include at least one XMC opening configured to receive the at least one XMC connector when the at least one XMC connector is mated.

In some embodiments, the at least one XMC connector may include two XMC connectors. The at least one XMC opening may include two XMC openings. The separation block cut-out may be positioned in the heatsink between the two XMC openings.

In some embodiments, the at least one connector may include at least one Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) Mezzanine Card (PMC) connector.

In some embodiments, the heatsink may include at least one PMC opening configured to receive the at least one PMC connector when the at least one PMC connector is mated.

In some embodiments, the first circuit board may include a mezzanine card. The second circuit board may include a base card.

An avionics module assembly is disclosed, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure. The avionics module assembly includes a first circuit board including a first component of at least one connector. The avionics module assembly includes a second circuit board including a second component of the at least one connector. The avionics module assembly includes a heatsink positioned between the first circuit board and the second circuit board. The avionics module assembly includes a circuit board separation mechanism. The circuit board separation mechanism includes a separation block positioned in a separation block cut-out of the heatsink. The circuit board separation mechanism includes a set screw inserted within the separation block cut-out. At least a portion of the set screw is configured to engage a surface of the heatsink. The separation block is configured to lift against a surface of the first circuit board when the set screw is rotated. The first component of the at least one connector and the second component of the at least one connector is configured to separate when the set screw is rotated and the separation block lifts against the surface of the first circuit board.

<FIG> generally illustrate a circuit board separation mechanism, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

Select avionics module assemblies may require the implementation of specific Circuit Card Assembly (CCA) designs due to avionics industry standards and/or guidelines, which may require a specific selection of parts, placement of the parts, and routing to/from the parts. For example, the standards and/or guidelines may be set forth by the VMEbus International Trade Association (VITA). For instance, the standards and/or guidelines may include, but are not limited to, VITA <NUM>, VITA <NUM>, and VITA <NUM>.

The select avionics module assemblies may require specific Switch Mezzanine Card (XMC) and Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) Mezzanine Card (PMC) connector designs, including one or more high-density connectors, in the VITA 3U and 6U-style module assemblies. For example, being a compliant VITA avionics module assembly may require placements of up to two XMC connectors and up to four PMC connectors in an avionics module assembly including a single base card and a single mezzanine card. The XMC and/or PMC connector designs may require a de-mating force that may be difficult to apply in a controlled manner, while attempting to ensure the protection of delicate connector interfaces, when separating a base card and a mezzanine card in the avionics module assembly.

The select avionics module assemblies may include specific cooling components necessary to counter potentially extreme thermal environments. For example, the standards and/or guidelines (e.g., set forth by VITA, set forth by purchasing customers, or set forth in other capacities) may require conduction cooling of the VITA 3U and 6U-style module assemblies. For instance, a heatsink may be incorporated between opposing faces of the base card and the mezzanine card to form the module assembly. The arrangement of the specific cooling components may further increase the difficulty in applying the de-mating force in a controlled manner when separating the base card and the mezzanine card in the avionics module assembly, as the specific cooling components may obstruct access to the delicate connector interfaces (e.g., in the event of needing to break down the avionics module assembly for rework or test).

As such, it would be beneficial to provide a circuit board separation mechanism capable of uncoupling the various components of the avionics module assembly. The circuit board separation mechanism should allow for a better application of force without providing additional stress or strain on the delicate connector interfaces.

<FIG> generally illustrate an avionics module assembly <NUM>, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

The avionics module assembly <NUM> includes a circuit board <NUM>. For example, the circuit board <NUM> may include, but is not limited to, a base card <NUM>. The avionics module assembly <NUM> may include a circuit board <NUM>. For example, the circuit board <NUM> may include, but is not limited to, a mezzanine card <NUM>. The avionics module assembly <NUM> includes a heatsink <NUM>. The heatsink <NUM> may be positioned between the circuit board <NUM> (e.g., the base card <NUM>) and the circuit board <NUM> (e.g., the mezzanine card <NUM>) within the avionics module assembly <NUM>.

The avionics module assembly <NUM> includes one or more connectors <NUM>. For example, the one or more connectors <NUM> may include, but are not limited to, one or more Switch Mezzanine Card (XMC) connectors <NUM>. For example, one component of an XMC connector <NUM> (e.g., a set of pins, a set of pin sockets, or the like) may be installed on the base card <NUM>, and a mating component of the XMC connector <NUM> (e.g., a corresponding set of pin sockets, a corresponding set of pins, or the like) may be installed on the mezzanine card <NUM>. The heatsink <NUM> may include one or more XMC openings <NUM>. For example, the components of the one or more XMC connectors <NUM> may be configured to mate within an XMC opening <NUM> when the avionics module assembly <NUM> is assembled.

The avionics module assembly <NUM> may include one or more connectors <NUM>. For example, the one or more connectors <NUM> may include, but are not limited to, one or more Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) Mezzanine Card (PMC) connectors <NUM>. For example, one component of a PMC connector <NUM> (e.g., a set of pins, a set of pin sockets, or the like) may be installed on the base card <NUM>, and a mating component of the PMC connector <NUM> (e.g., a corresponding set of pin sockets, a corresponding set of pins, or the like) may be installed on the mezzanine card <NUM>. The heatsink <NUM> may include one or more PMC openings <NUM>. For example, the components of the one or more PMC connectors <NUM> may be configured to mate within a PMC opening <NUM> when the avionics module assembly <NUM> is assembled.

The avionics module assembly <NUM> may include a circuit board separation mechanism <NUM>. The circuit board separation mechanism <NUM> may include a separation block <NUM>. The separation block <NUM> may be configured to set within a separation block cut-out <NUM> of the heatsink <NUM>. For example, where there are multiple XMC openings <NUM>, the separation block cut-out <NUM> may be positioned between the multiple XMC openings <NUM>. By way of another example, where there are multiple PMC openings <NUM>, the separation block cut-out <NUM> may be positioned between the multiple PMC openings <NUM>. By way of another example, the separation block cut-out <NUM> may be positioned between an XMC opening <NUM> and a PMC opening <NUM>. In general, the separation block cut-out <NUM> may be positioned in a centered or substantially centered location within the avionics module assembly <NUM>, to allow for as even a distribution of a force applied to components of the avionics module assembly <NUM> via the circuit board separation mechanism <NUM> as possible.

The separation block cut-out <NUM> may not pass through the heatsink <NUM>, as opposed to the one or more XMC openings <NUM> and/or the one or more PMC openings <NUM> which may need to pass through the heatsink <NUM> in order to allow the one or more XMC connectors <NUM> and/or the one or more PMC connectors <NUM>, respectively, to mate. It is noted herein, however, the separation block cut-out <NUM> may pass through the heatsink <NUM> where the design of the various components of the avionics module assembly <NUM> still allow for the separation block cut-out <NUM> to interact with (e.g., push against or lift) another component of the avionics module assembly <NUM> (e.g., the circuit board <NUM>, the circuit board <NUM>, the heatsink <NUM>, or the like).

As illustrated in at least <FIG> and <FIG>, a surface of the separation block <NUM> may include a primary opening <NUM>. The primary opening <NUM> may lead to a primary channel <NUM> through the separation block <NUM>. For example, the primary channel <NUM> may be threaded. The separation block <NUM> may include one or more keyed sections or protrusions <NUM> configured to mate with one or more corresponding grooves <NUM> of the separation block cut-out <NUM> when the separation block <NUM> is installed within the heatsink <NUM>. For example, the mating between the one or more keyed sections or protrusions <NUM> and the one or more corresponding grooves <NUM> may prevent the separation block <NUM> from moving (e.g., translating, rotating, or the like) within the avionics module assembly <NUM>.

As illustrated in at least <FIG> and <FIG>, the circuit board separation mechanism <NUM> may include a set screw <NUM>. The set screw <NUM> may be set within the separation block cut-out <NUM> of the heatsink <NUM>. The separation block <NUM> may be inserted within the separation block cut-out <NUM>, such that the set screw <NUM> is pinned between the separation block <NUM> and a surface <NUM> of the heatsink <NUM>. For example, the surface <NUM> may be a bottom or lower surface of the separation block cut-out <NUM>.

The set screw <NUM> may mate with the primary channel <NUM>. For example, where the primary channel <NUM> is threaded, the set screw <NUM> may include a corresponding threading. The set screw <NUM> (and the primary channel <NUM> of the separation block <NUM>) may be aligned with an opening <NUM> within the mezzanine card <NUM>. For example, the opening <NUM> may be a standard mounting opening in the mezzanine card <NUM>. By way of another example, the opening <NUM> may be custom-cut in the mezzanine card <NUM>.

At least a portion of the set screw <NUM> may be configured to engage the surface <NUM> of the heatsink <NUM>. For example, at least a portion of the set screw <NUM> may be configured to engage a set screw groove <NUM> within the surface <NUM> of the heatsink <NUM>. For instance, at least a portion of the set screw <NUM> may push against a surface in the set screw groove <NUM> of the heatsink <NUM> when the set screw <NUM> is rotated (e.g., tightened), which may cause the separation block <NUM> to lift.

The set screw <NUM> may be rotated in a first direction or a second direction via a tool interacting with a tool cut-out <NUM> of the set screw <NUM>, the tool cut-out <NUM> accessible via the opening <NUM> of the mezzanine card <NUM> and the primary opening <NUM> / primary channel <NUM> of the separation block <NUM>.

The separation block <NUM> may be configured to engage with a surface <NUM> of the mezzanine card <NUM>. For example, the surface <NUM> may be a bottom or lower surface of the mezzanine card <NUM>. The separation block <NUM> may push against the surface <NUM> of the mezzanine card <NUM> when the set screw <NUM> is rotated in the first direction, where pushing against the surface <NUM> of the heatsink <NUM> may cause the mezzanine card <NUM> to lift. By way of another example, the avionics module assembly <NUM> may be assembled (e.g., the one or more XMC connectors <NUM> and/or the one or more PMC connectors <NUM> may mate) when the set screw <NUM> is rotated in the second direction, as the separation block <NUM> may be pulled within the separation block cut-out <NUM>.

In this regard, the circuit board separation mechanism <NUM> may implement a mechanical advantage of the set screw <NUM> threads (e.g., similar to a jack screw) to lift the separation block <NUM> and the mezzanine card <NUM> via a controlled motion from the heatsink <NUM>. This controlled motion may cause the components of the one or more XMC connectors <NUM> and/or the components of the one or more PMC connectors <NUM> to separate in a particular direction, allowing the mezzanine card <NUM> to separate from the base card <NUM> without damage (e.g., damage to connector pins and/or pin sockets caused by an uneven motion and/or a twisting motion, which may be generated if disassembled via a force applied by hands).

Although embodiments of the disclosure illustrate the heatsink <NUM> as including the separation block cut-out <NUM>, it is noted herein the heatsink <NUM> may instead be configured to receive a bracket (e.g., held in place via friction, interference, one or more fasteners, an adhesive, or the like), where the bracket is configured to engage with the separation block <NUM>. Therefore, the above description should not be interpreted as a limitation on the present disclosure but merely an illustration.

As illustrated at least <FIG> and <FIG>, the circuit board separation mechanism <NUM> may include one or more actuation inhibitors <NUM>. For example, at least a portion of the one or more actuation inhibitors <NUM> may be threaded. The one or more actuation inhibitors <NUM> may be insertable within the separation block <NUM>. The one or more actuation inhibitors <NUM> may prevent actuation of the separation block <NUM> beyond a selected amount (e.g., distance of travel, angle of rotation, or the like) of actuation. For example, the one or more actuation inhibitors <NUM> may prevent actuation of the separation block <NUM> beyond a selected amount of actuation caused by the set screw <NUM> being rotated in the first direction and the separation block <NUM> (along with the heatsink <NUM> and the mezzanine card <NUM>) being lifted from the heatsink <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, a surface of the separation block <NUM> may include an auxiliary opening <NUM>. For example, the surface including the auxiliary opening <NUM> may be the same surface including the primary opening <NUM>. It is noted herein, however, that the primary opening <NUM> and the auxiliary opening <NUM> may be within different surfaces of the separation block <NUM>. The auxiliary opening <NUM> may lead to an auxiliary channel <NUM> through the separation block <NUM>. The auxiliary channel <NUM> may be counter-bored through the separation block <NUM>.

The auxiliary channel <NUM> may include one or more sections configured to receive an actuation inhibitor <NUM>. For example, the auxiliary channel <NUM> may include a first section having a first width and a second section having a second width. Where the auxiliary channel <NUM> includes multiple widths, the auxiliary channel <NUM> may include a surface <NUM> at least partially inset within the body of the separation block <NUM>.

As illustrated in at least <FIG>, the one or more actuation inhibitors <NUM> may be inserted within one or more corresponding actuation inhibitor cut-outs <NUM> within the heatsink <NUM> via the corresponding one or more auxiliary openings <NUM> / channels <NUM>. For example, where at least a portion of the one or more actuation inhibitors <NUM> are threaded, the corresponding one or more actuation inhibitor cut-outs <NUM> may be threaded. In general, the one or more actuation inhibitors <NUM> may include any device configured to be insertable within the one or more actuation inhibitor cut-outs <NUM> of the heatsink <NUM> and configured to engage with the surface <NUM> of the separation block <NUM>. For example, the one or more actuation inhibitors <NUM> may include, but are not limited to, one or more fasteners. For instance, the one or more fasteners may include, but are not limited to, a panhead screw with a flat or substantially flat under-head surface configured to engage with the surface <NUM> of the separation block <NUM>.

The one or more actuation inhibitors <NUM> engaging with the surface <NUM> of the separation block <NUM> may prevent the separation block <NUM> from fully separating from the heatsink <NUM> when the set screw <NUM> is rotated in the first direction. For example, the motion of the separation block <NUM> may be limited to a length of at least a portion of the auxiliary channel <NUM>. For instance, the length of the at least the portion of the auxiliary channel <NUM> may be enough to allow for complete separation of the components of the one or more XMC connectors <NUM> and/or the components of the one or more PMC connectors <NUM>. In addition, the length of the at least the portion of the auxiliary channel <NUM> may be enough to allow a user to more fully grasp onto the base card <NUM> and/or the mezzanine card <NUM>, to lessen the possibility of an incorrect application of force when disassembling the avionics module assembly <NUM>. In this regard, the one or more actuation inhibitors <NUM> may limit the overall motion of the separation block <NUM> to prevent the separation block <NUM> from being misplaced (e.g., via removal from the heatsink <NUM>) when the base card <NUM> and the mezzanine card <NUM> are separated from the heatsink <NUM>.

In this regard, the circuit board separation mechanism <NUM> may allow for controlled separation (e.g., in terms of applied force and/or selected timing to separate) of the base card <NUM> and the mezzanine card <NUM> of the avionics module assembly <NUM>. The controlled separation may be accomplished through a lifting force instead of more a complex mechanism including pushbuttons, push-pull mechanisms, springs, or other additional actuating or actuatable components. The lifting force may be applied at a single point in the avionics module assembly <NUM> as opposed to at multiple points within the avionics module assembly <NUM>.

Due to the interaction of the separation block <NUM> and the separation block cut-out <NUM>, the motion of separation may be in a direction that protects the pins and/or pin sockets of the one or more XMC connectors <NUM> and/or the one or more PMC connectors <NUM> from damage when the base card <NUM> and the mezzanine card <NUM> are separated. For example, an uneven motion and/or a twisting motion applied to the components of the one or more XMC connectors <NUM> on their respective base card <NUM> or mezzanine card <NUM> relative to one another, which may occur when disassembling by hand, may be prevented via the application of the lifting force by tightening the set screw <NUM>. By way of another example, an uneven motion and/or a twisting motion applied to the components of the one or more XMC connectors <NUM> on their respective base card <NUM> or mezzanine card <NUM> relative to one another, which may occur when disassembling by hand, may be prevented via the application of the lifting force by tightening the set screw <NUM>.

Although embodiments of the disclosure discuss conforming to standards and/or guidelines set forth by VITA, it is noted herein the circuit board separation mechanism <NUM> may need to be configured (e.g., in addition to or in the alternative to VITA) in accordance with aviation guidelines and/or standards put forth by, but not limited to, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) or any other flight certification agency or organization; the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), Aeronautical Radio, Incorporated (ARINC), or any other standards setting organization or company; the Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics (RTCA) or any other guidelines agency or organization; or the like. Therefore, the above description should not be interpreted as a limitation on the present disclosure but merely an illustration.

Although the present disclosure is directed to the avionics module assembly <NUM> including the circuit board separation mechanism <NUM>, it is noted herein the circuit board separation mechanism <NUM> may be implemented in any assembly (e.g., including, but not limited to, a set of circuit cards) requiring a separation of components of a connector (e.g., an electrical connector, a mechanical connector, or other connector known in the art), where the connector is located in close working quarters and/or requires an application of a force in a particular direction or set of directions to prevent damage of the components of the connector.

Claim 1:
An avionics module assembly, comprising:
a first circuit board (<NUM>) including a first component of at least one high density connector
a second circuit board (<NUM>) including a second component of the at least one high density connector;
a heatsink (<NUM>) positioned between the first circuit board and the second circuit board; and
a circuit board separation mechanism, comprising:
a separation block (<NUM>) positioned in a separation block cut-out of the heatsink; and
a set screw (<NUM>) inserted within the separation block cut-out, at least a portion of the set screw configured to engage a surface of the heatsink, the separation block being configured to lift against a surface of the first circuit board when the set screw is rotated,
the first component of the at least one connector and the second component of the at least one connector being configured to separate when the set screw is rotated and the separation block lifts against the surface of the first circuit board the first component of the at least one connector and the second component.