ELECTRONIC UNIT RETENTION SYSTEM

An electronic Unit Retention System. With the present invention, electronic modules are kept retained within a system housing so long as power supplied to the module. A bracket is mounted within a module along its back wall. One or more guide pins extend from a back plane of the housing towards the center of the unit. A solenoid is mounded on the bracket and connected to the module's internal power supply. The solenoid is connected to the power supply in such away that whenever power is supplied to the module, the solenoid is energized. The solenoid is designed such that when power is disconnected from the solenoid, and the solenoid is de-energized, the solenoid pin in the solenoid is withdrawn into the solenoid body. When the solenoid is energized, the solenoid pin extends. The solenoid is mounted on the bracket in such a way that when the pin is extended, it interacts with the guide pin and prevents the module from being moved. The solenoid pin contacts the guide pin tangentially. Contact is made in a location where the diameter of the guide pin is narrower than the rest of the pin. The solenoid pin is locked into position in this recessed portion and prevents the module from moving.