/inet-mbh

The Modular Board Holder design for the inet-nm from the INET working group

MIT LicenseMIT

inet-mbh

The Modular Board Holder design for the inet-nm from the INET working group.

Purpose

The goal of this (aside from learning) is to create a stackable, expandable case to hold the many different types of embedded development kits we use. We would like to have an easy way to connect and disconnect these development kits to a server via USB hubs (similar to quick swap HDDs or drives).

Glossary

  • mbh (Modular Board Holder) - The overall project
  • mc (Modular Container) - The large box that interconnects
  • bh (Board Holder) - The flat slot that the board and usb will clip into
  • ube (USB Bunny Ears) - The spring mechanism to push the usb cable up
  • uc (USB Cap) - The usb specific cap that clips in over top of the usb casing
  • cbc (Corner Board Clip) - A clip that connects to bh that holds the corner of boards
  • sbc (Side Board Clip) - A clip that connects to bh that holds the side of boards

Misc

The only thing that will need to be adapted is the uc, this will be adjusted by replacing parameters in the spreadsheet. The manufacturer name should be included in the namespace or just a number if manufacturer name is unavailable.

Requirements

Software version used to model this:

FreeCAD_0.20.2-2022-12-27-conda-Linux-x86_64-py310.AppImage

USB cable

Manufacturer: Stewart Connector
Manufacturer Product Number: SC-2AMK001
url: https://www.digikey.de/en/products/detail/stewart-connector/SC-2AMK001F/8544576

Panel Mount USB connector

Manufacturer Product Number: 4055
Manufacturer: Adafruit Industries LLC
url: https://www.digikey.de/en/products/detail/adafruit-industries-llc/4055/10107220

USB Hub (has power control with uhubctl)

Manufacturer Product Number: HU9003V1EBL
Manufacturer: Amazon Basics
url: https://www.amazon.de/-/en/Amazon-Basics-Ports-Power-Adapter/dp/B076YKYHCB/ref=sr_1_1?crid=WG8Y976FZ4DN&keywords=HU9003V1EBL&qid=1695201660&sprefix=hu9003v1ebl%2Caps%2C189&sr=8-1

Flashy Pictures

20 connected with 5 mcs offset mbh-full-front

Different form factor boards bh-4-boards

Empty mc mc-empty

All the different pieces: bh-ube-uc-cbc-seperated

Roadmap

  • Add more board clip variants to better fit possible boards.
  • Create a "service" where some basic parameters are entered and out pops an stl for those given parameters, eliminating the need for any setup or tuning.\
  • Try to make a more generic uc so everything is can be swapped.
  • Add a usb hub holder solution.
  • Refactor and improve the FreeCAD modelling.
  • Automate releases to provide all the stl files in a reproducible way.
  • Allow for vendor independent USB chassis clip.
  • Add a place to label the mc for location