Card actuator

Details Card actuator Card actuator

2000-12-27

2001-11-13

Ta, Tho D. (Department: 2833)

Electrical connectors

With coupling separator

Including retainer or joiner

C439S064000, C439S160000, C439S377000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06315586

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to apparatus and processes for inserting a peripheral card into a slot on a substrate. In particular, the present invention relates to an actuator that imparts a sufficient and even force on a peripheral card to seat it in a slot with no residual force after the peripheral card has been seated.
2. State of the Art
In the assembly of computer devices, such as personal computers, servers, and the like, optional devices are generally attached to primary functional components of the computer device by means of peripheral cards inserted into slots mounted on a main substrate with carries the primary functional components. The main substrate is generally referred to as the “motherboard”. The primary functional components may include, but are not limited to, a central processing unit (e.g., CPU or microprocessor), memory (e.g., DRAM, SRAM, DDRAM, etc.), signal buses, system controllers, etc.
As shown in
FIG. 11
, a slot
202
is electrically attached to a motherboard
200
(generally planar extending perpendicular to FIG.
11
). The slot
202
includes electrical contacts
204
within a recess
206
in the slot
202
(shown in the “cut away” portion of the slot
202
). The slot electrical contacts
204
are electrical coupled to specific traces (not shown) within or on the motherboard
200
. The peripheral card
210
includes a tab portion
212
, which has electrical contacts
214
that are positioned to make electrical contact with the slot electrical contacts
204
. The peripheral card electrical contacts
214
may be electrically coupled to components
216
(mounted on the peripheral card
210
and shown in shadow lines) through traces (not shown). The peripheral card
210
may include a mounting bracket
218
that can be affixed to a computer chassis (not shown).
As shown in
FIG. 12
, electrical contact between the peripheral card
210
and the motherboard
200
is accomplished by seating the peripheral card tab portion
212
in the slot
202
. This is accomplished by pressing on the peripheral card
210
in direction
220
generally by a person, either by hand or with the assistance of a pneumatic press (not shown). However, both methods may result in pressure being exerted on the peripheral card
210
after it has been properly seated in the slot
202
, which may result in damage to the peripheral card
210
and/or the motherboard
200
. The risk of damage is also increased if an uneven pressure is exerted on the peripheral card
210
.
Therefore, it would be advantageous to develop an apparatus and technique to seat a peripheral card into a slot, while lessening or eliminating the potential of damaging the motherboard or the peripheral card.


REFERENCES:
patent: 5644470 (1997-07-01), Benedict et al.
patent: 5657204 (1997-08-01), Hunt
patent: 5967824 (1999-10-01), Neal et al.
patent: 6171120 (2001-01-01), Bolich et al.

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