초록 ▼

There is described a motion control device for preventing free-fall of electronics modules during vertical movement into or out of a supporting structure. The system comprises a rotatable element on the module or structure engageable with surface on the structure or module, respectively, for rolling

There is described a motion control device for preventing free-fall of electronics modules during vertical movement into or out of a supporting structure. The system comprises a rotatable element on the module or structure engageable with surface on the structure or module, respectively, for rolling movement therealong. The rotatable element is provided with a clutch or brake to provide resistance to rotation at least when the module is moving downward relative to the structure. The rotatable element may be a gear engageable with a toothed rack, or a friction roller engageable with a friction surface.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A modular assembly for housing an electronic circuit, comprising a supporting structure having vertically extending guides, and at least one circuit module engageable with the guides for movement in a vertical direction between a mounted position and a dismounted position, the assembly further co

1. A modular assembly for housing an electronic circuit, comprising a supporting structure having vertically extending guides, and at least one circuit module engageable with the guides for movement in a vertical direction between a mounted position and a dismounted position, the assembly further comprising a motion control device having a first component provided on the module and a second component provided on the supporting structure, and wherein the first and second components of the motion control device are cooperable when the module is between the mounted and dismounted positions to apply a force to the module at least equal to the weight of the module to resist downward movement of the module relative to the supporting structure in engagement with the guides under its own weight, and to permit downward movement of the module when a downward force additional to the weight of the module is applied thereto,wherein one of the first and second components is an elongated engagement surface, and the other of the second and first components comprises a rotatable element engageable with the engagement surface for rolling movement therealong, and includes a retarding device for generating resistance to rotary movement of the rotatable element in at least one rotation direction.2. A modular assembly according to claim 1, wherein the module is moved from its dismounted position toward its mounted position by downward movement relative to the supporting structure.3. A modular assembly according to claim 1, wherein the module is moved from its mounted position toward its dismounted position by downward movement relative to the supporting structure.4. A modular assembly according to claim 1 wherein a plurality of motion control devices are provided for each module.5. A modular assembly according to claim 1, wherein the retarding devices generates resistance to rotation of the rotatable element in both rotation directions.6. A modular assembly according to claim 1, wherein the engagement surface is a toothed rack and the rotatable element is a gear wheel.7. A modular assembly according to claim 1, wherein the engagement surface is formed on the module and the rotatable element is mounted to the supporting structure.8. A modular assembly according to claim 1, wherein the engagement surface is provided on the supporting structure and the rotatable element is provided on the module.9. A modular assembly according to claim 1, wherein the rotatable element of the motion control device associated with one module cooperate with their respective engagement surfaces to provide different amounts of resistance to downward movement of that module relative to the supporting structure.10. A modular assembly according to claim 1, wherein one component of the motion control device is positioned adjacent a first side edge of the module, and the module further comprises a first reaction roller adjacent a lower end of said first edge.11. A modular assembly according to claim 10, wherein the other component of the motion control device is positioned on the supporting structure adjacent a guide engageable with said first side edge of said module, and a second reaction roller is positioned at an upper end of a guide engageable with the other side edge of said module.12. A modular assembly according to claim 1, wherein the retarding device comprises a friction element engaging the rotatable element to apply a force to resist rotation thereof.13. A modular assembly according to claim 12, wherein the friction element applies a first force to resist rotation of the rotatable element in a first rotation direction, and applies a second, smaller, force to resist rotation of the rotatable element in a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction.14. A modular assembly according to claim 13, wherein vertically downward movement of the module relative to the supporting structure causes rotation of the rotatable element in said first rotation direction.15. A modular assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first and second components of the motion control device are disengageable during vertically upward movement of the module relative to the supporting structure.16. A modular assembly according to claim 15, wherein the motion control device comprises a rotatable element and an engagement surface, and the rotatable element is mounted for movement into and out of engagement with said engagement surface.17. A modular circuit assembly according to claim 16, wherein the rotatable element is mounted to an end of a swinging arm.18. A modular assembly according to claim 16, wherein the rotatable element is an idler wheel movable into and out of engagement with the engagement surface, and the idler wheel is engageable with a second wheel whose rotation is resisted in at least one rotation direction.19. A circuit module for a modular assembly according to claim 1, wherein the module comprises side edges to cooperate with said guides, and an engagement surface extending parallel to said side edges.20. A circuit module according to claim 19, wherein the engagement surface is a toothed rack.21. A circuit module according to claim 19, wherein the engagement surface extends adjacent a first side edge of the module.22. A circuit module according to claim 21, further comprising a reaction roller adjacent a lower end of said first side edge.23. A circuit module for a modular assembly according to claim 1, wherein the module comprises side edges to cooperate with said guides, a rotatable element for engaging an engagement surface of said supporting structure, and a friction clutch or brake to resist rotation of said rotatable element.24. A module according to claim 23, wherein the rotatable element is a gear wheel.25. A module according to claim 23, wherein the friction clutch or brake applies retarding force to resist rotation of the rotatable element in both rotation directions thereof.26. A module according to claim 25, wherein the friction clutch or brake applies a first retarding force to resist rotation in the first rotation direction, and a second retarding force different from the first to resist rotation in the second rotation direction.27. A supporting structure to which a number of modules are mountable to form a modular assembly, comprising:guides for receiving respective modules for vertical movement relative to the supporting structure between respective mounted positions and dismounted positions;a motion control device component cooperable with a complementary motion control device component associated with one of the modules when the module is between the mounted and dismounted positions to apply a force to the module at least equal to the weight of the module to resist vertically downward movement of the module relative to the supporting structure under its own weight, and to permit downward movement of the module when a downward force additional to the weight of the module is applied thereto, wherein the motion control device component is a rotatable engagement with an engagement surface of the module.28. A supporting structure according to claim 27, wherein the rotatable element is a gear wheel.29. A supporting structure according to claim 27, wherein the motion control device component is an engagement surface extending parallel to said guides and engageable by a rotatable element associated with the module.30. A supporting structure according to claim 29, wherein the engagement surface is a toothed rack.31. A supporting structure according to claim 27, wherein two motion control device components are provided for each circuit module.32. A supporting structure according to claim 31, wherein the two motion control device components are rotatable elements providing different amounts of resistance to relative movement of the module and the supporting structure.33. A modular assembly for housing an electronic circuit, comprising a supporting structure having vertically extending guides, and at least one circuit module engageable with the guides for movement in a vertical direction between a mounted position and a dismounted position, the assembly further comprising a motion control device having a first component provided on the module and a second component provided on the supporting structure, and wherein the first and second components of the motion control device are cooperable when the module is between the mounted and dismounted positions to apply a force to the module at least equal to the weight of the module to resist downward movement of the module relative to the supporting structure in engagement with the guides, wherein one of the first and second components is an elongated engagement surface, and the other of the second and first components comprises a rotatable element engageable with the engagement surface for rolling movement therealong, and includes a retarding device for generating resistance to rotary movement of the rotatable element in at least one rotation direction.34. A modular assembly for housing an electronic circuit, comprising a supporting structure having vertically extending guides, and at least one circuit module engageable with the guides for movement in a vertical direction between a mounted position and a dismounted position, the assembly further comprising a motion control device having a first component provided on the module and a second component provided on the supporting structure, and wherein the first and second components of the motion control device are cooperable when the module is between the mounted and dismounted positions to apply a force to the module at least equal to the weight of the module to resist downward movement of the module relative to the supporting structure in engagement with the guides, wherein the first and second components of the motion control device are disengageable during vertically upward movement of the module relative to the supporting structure, wherein the motion control device comprises a rotatable element and an engagement surface, wherein the rotatable element is mounted for movement into and out of engagement with said engagement surface, and wherein the rotatable element is mounted to an end of a swinging arm.35. A modular assembly for housing an electronic circuit, comprising a supporting structure having vertically extending guides, and at least one circuit module engageable with the guides for movement in a vertical direction between a mounted position and a dismounted position, the assembly further comprising a motion control device having a first component provided on the module and a second component provided on the supporting structure, and wherein the first and second components of the motion control device are cooperable when the module is between the mounted and dismounted positions to apply a force to the module at least equal to the weight of the module to resist downward movement of the module relative to the supporting structure in engagement with the guides, wherein the first and second components of the motion control device are disengageable during vertically upward movement of the module relative to the supporting structure, wherein the motion control device comprises a rotatable element and an engagement surface, wherein the rotatable element is mounted for movement into and out of engagement with said engagement surface, and wherein the rotatable element is an idler wheel movable into and out of engagement with the engagement surface, and the idler wheel is engageable with a second wheel whose rotation is resisted in at least one rotation direction.36. A supporting structure to which a number of modules are mountable to form a modular assembly, comprising:guides for receiving respective modules for vertical movement relative to the supporting structure between respective mounted positions and dismounted positions;a motion control device component cooperable with a complementary motion control device component associated with one of the modules when the module is between the mounted and dismounted positions to apply a force to the module at least equal to the weight of the module to resist vertically downward movement of the module relative to the supporting structure, wherein the motion control device component is a rotatable element engageable with an engagement surface of the module.37. A supporting structure to which a number of modules are mountable to form a modular assembly, comprising:guides for receiving respective modules for vertical movement relative to the supporting structure between respective mounted positions and dismounted positions;a motion control device component cooperable with a complementary motion control device component associated with one of the modules when the module is between the mounted and dismounted positions to apply a force to the module at least equal to the weight of the module to resist vertically downward movement of the module relative to the supporting structure, wherein the motion control device component is an engagement surface extending parallel to said guides and engageable by a rotatable element associated with the module.38. A supporting structure to which a number of modules are mountable to form a modular assembly, comprising:guides for receiving respective modules for vertical movement relative to the supporting structure between respective mounted positions and dismounted positions;a motion control device component cooperable with a complementary motion control device component associated with one of the modules when the module is between the mounted and dismounted positions to apply a force to the module at least equal to the weight of the module to resist vertically downward movement of the module relative to the supporting structure, wherein two motion control device components are provided for each circuit moduleswherein one of the motion control device components is an elongated engagement surface, and another of the motion control device components comprises a rotatable element engageable with the engagement surface for rolling movement therealong, and includes a retarding device for generating resistance to rotary movement of the rotatable element in at least one rotation direction.