Motorized horizontal docking station having integrated locking mechanism
Disclosed is a sliding arm for use with a docking station having a connector block with a plurality of plugs, the arm includes a block-side portion and a follower portion. The block-side portion can have a first end connected to the connector block. The follower portion can be connected to a second end of the block-side portion with a linear clutch. The linear clutch can include a bolt, a spring, and two sliding members. The bolt can pass through the block-side portion and the follower portion. A force on an end of the arm can cause the clutch to slip allowing the follower portion to move independently of the block-side portion. A sensor can detect a slippage of the linear clutch.
1. A sliding arm for use with a docking station having a connector block with a plurality of plugs, the sliding arm comprising:
a block-side portion of the arm having a first end connected to the connector block;
a follower portion of the arm; and
a linear clutch connecting a second end of the block-side portion to the follower portion;
wherein the linear clutch is operable to constrain the block-side portion and the follower portion to move together and, when a force on the linear clutch exceeds a limit, allow the block-side portion to move independently of the follower portion.
2. The sliding arm of claim 1 further comprising:
a sensor associated with the linear clutch, the sensor configured to detect a slippage of the linear clutch.
3. The sliding arm of claim 2 further comprising:
a resistive pad of the sensor connected to the follower portion; and
an electrical contact of the sensor connected to the block-side portion and touching the resistive pad.
4. The sliding arm of claim 1 further comprising:
a rack-gear on the follower portion.
5. The sliding arm of claim 1 further comprising:
a position indicating member for interfacing with a second sensor and indicating the position of the arm within the docking station.
6. The sliding arm of claim 1 further comprising:
a rail;
a sliding member connected to the arm and slidably connected to the rail.
7. The sliding arm of claim 1 further comprising:
a cutout in the block-side portion for receiving the linear clutch; and
a slot in the follower portion for receiving the linear clutch.
8. The sliding arm of claim 7 wherein the cutout in the block-side portion is larger than a bottom washer of the linear clutch.
9. The sliding arm of claim 1 further comprising:
a channel of the follower portion for receiving a bottom alignment member of the linear clutch.
10. The sliding arm of claim 1 further comprising:
a bolt of the linear clutch;
a bottom slider member of the linear clutch;
a top slider member of the linear clutch;
a spring of the linear clutch.
11. The sliding arm of claim 10 further comprising:
a bottom alignment member of the linear clutch.
12. The sliding arm of claim 10 further comprising:
a bottom washer of the linear clutch; and
a top washer of the linear clutch.
13. A sliding arm for use with a docking station having a connector block with a plurality of plugs, the arm comprising:
a block-side portion having a first end connected to the connector block;
a follower portion;
a linear clutch connecting a second end of the block-side portion to the follower portion;
a bolt of the linear clutch;
a bottom slider member of the linear clutch;
a top slider member of the linear clutch;
a spring of the linear clutch;
a cutout in the block-side portion for receiving the bolt of the linear clutch; and
a slot in the follower portion for receiving the bolt of the linear clutch.
14. The sliding arm of claim 13 further comprising:
a sensor associated with the linear clutch, the sensor configured to detect a slippage of the linear clutch.
15. The sliding arm of claim 14 further comprising:
a resistive pad of the sensor connected to the follower portion; and
an electrical contact of the sensor connected to the block-side portion and touching the resistive pad.
16. The sliding arm of claim 13 further comprising:
a rack-gear on the follower portion.
17. The sliding arm of claim 13 further comprising:
a position indicating member on the follower portion for interfacing with a second sensor and indicating the position of the arm within the docking station.
18. The sliding arm of claim 13 further comprising:
a rail;
a sliding member connected to the arm and slidably connected to the rail.
19. The sliding arm of claim 13 further comprising:
a channel of the follower portion for receiving a bottom alignment member of the linear clutch.
20. A sliding arm for use with a docking station having a connector block with a plurality of plugs, the arm comprising:
a block-side portion having a first end connected to the connector block;
a follower portion;
a linear clutch connecting a second end of the block-side portion to the follower portion;
a sensor associated with the linear clutch, the sensor configured to detect a slippage of the linear clutch;
a bolt of the linear clutch;
a bottom slider member of the linear clutch;
a top slider member of the linear clutch;
a spring of the linear clutch;
a cutout in the block-side portion for receiving the bolt of the linear clutch; and
a slot in the follower portion for receiving the bolt of the linear clutch.