Computer with readily accessible motherboard

Details Computer with readily accessible motherboard Computer with readily accessible motherboard

2000-04-19

2001-10-23

Picard, Leo P. (Department: 2835)

Electricity: electrical systems and devices

Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical...

For electronic systems and devices

C361S727000, C361S740000, C361S801000, C292S148000, C312S216000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06307742

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates generally to computers and, more particularly, to a computer in a tower configuration having a readily-accessible motherboard.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There has been a continuing trend since personal computers were introduced about twenty years ago to reduce the size of the computer housing or “box” that holds the basic computer components such as the motherboard, power supply and various drives. One of the reasons for this trend is that computer peripherals have become increasingly available and affordable and thus compete for desk top space with computers. For example it is not uncommon for a modern computer user to have a computer, mouse, keyboard, 21 inch monitor, personal printer and scanner on his/her desk top whereas twenty years ago a typical desk top would have had nothing on it other than a typewriter or calculator.
One technique now widely employed by designers for reducing a computer's desk top “footprint” is use of a “tower” configuration. Whereas a standard computer housing has a relatively small height and relatively larger length and width dimensions, a tower computer has a relatively small width and relatively larger length and height dimensions.
However there are certain considerations which are a challenge to a designer's ability to down size a computer, whether in a standard or tower configuration. To begin with there are certain features which all modern computer users expect to be provided in a desk top personal computer. A motherboard and power supply assembly are of course required to make the computer functional. Program and data storage devices of some type are also required. Presently the storage devices typically installed are a hard disk and a removable media drive. The removable media drive which is most commonly installed is an optical drive such as a CD or DVD drive. Thus the computer housing must have a space for each of these components.
One design technique for installing computer components in a small space is to increase component density, i.e., to pack the components tightly together within the housing. However a competing consideration is the need to provide adequate cooling of a modern computer's more powerful CPU (central processing unit) and high speed drives. If components are too tightly packed, cooling becomes problematic. Another consideration which cuts against dense packing is the desire of computer owners to be able to upgrade their computers by addition of RAM (random access memory) chips and expansion cards to the motherboard. A still further consideration is a desire by computer owners as well as computer manufacturers who must perform warranty repair work, for a computer configuration which provides easy access to various components which may require maintenance or replacement during the life of the computer. In densely packed housing it is often necessary to go through the tedious process of removing one or more components using special tools and techniques in order to gain access to the component which must be tested or replaced.
A need exists for a computer which is relatively compact and yet which has an easily accessible motherboard which may be upgraded or repaired with minimal effort. The computer should also be configured in a manner that enables an adequate airflow to cool the motherboard.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a computer having a motherboard which is easily accessible for upgrading or maintenance/repair/replacement. The motherboard is mounted in a motherboard bay that is substantially free of other computer components. The bay has an access opening which is selectively openable and closeable with a large side panel. The motherboard components face the opening. All components in the bay other than the motherboard are readily-displaceable so that they may be moved out of access interfering relationship with the motherboard. The bay has vent holes that provide fluid communication with the ambient air outside the housing. The bay has a relatively large amount of open air space around the motherboard to facilitate cooling of the motherboard CPU with a fan induced airflow.
Thus the invention may comprise a tower computer including: a laterally and longitudinally extending bate portion; a laterally and longitudinally extending top portion; a vertically and laterally extending front portion extending between said top and base portions; a vertically and laterally extending rear portion extending between said top and said base portions; a vertically and longitudinally extending first lateral side portion having a height and a length and having an inside surface and an outside surface and extending between said top and base portions and between said front and rear portions; a vertically and longitudinally extending second lateral side portion having a height and a length and having an inside surface and an outside surface and extending between said top and base portions and between said front and rear portions; a generally flat motherboard substrate having on one side a first flat surface upon which electronic components are mounted and having on an opposite side a second flat surface, said motherboard substrate having a length substantially the same as said length of said first lateral side portion and being mounted with said inside surface of said first lateral side portion positioned in fixed, next adjacent relationship with said second flat surface of said motherboard substrate; said second lateral side portion comprising an opening therein positioned opposite said motherboard substrate and being substantially coextensive therewith and a closure member displaceably, openably, and closeably associated with said opening; a motherboard chamber being defined by a space positioned between said motherboard substrate first flat surface and said opening, said motherboard chamber being substantially free of computer components other than components mounted on said motherboard substrate, said motherboard substrate and components mounted thereon being readily accessible through said opening.
The invention may also comprise a method of providing a tower computer with a readily accessible motherboard including: fixedly mounting the motherboard assembly to a stationary side wall portion of a motherboard chamber; providing an access opening into the motherboard chamber through a side wall portion of the motherboard chamber opposite from the side wall on which the motherboard assembly is mounted; maintaining the space between the access opening and the motherboard assembly free of computer components which are not readily-displaceable.
The invention may also comprise a tower computer including: motherboard enclosure means for electrically shieldingly and physically enclosing a motherboard; a motherboard assembly mounted on a fixed wall portion of said enclosure means; panel means having an open state and a closed state provided on said enclosure means for enabling access to said motherboard assembly in said open state and for maintaining said motherboard assembly in electrically shielded relationship within said enclosure in said closed state; computer component meant mounted in said enclosure means in spaced relationship from said motherboard assembly and having a normal operating position in which it is located between said panel means and said motherboard assembly in access interfering relationship with said motherboard assembly and a displaced operating position in access non-interfering relationship with said motherboard assembly for enabling computer operation in said first operating position and for enabling non-interfering access to said motherboard assembly in said second operating position, said computer component means being readily-displaceable between said normal operating position and said displaced position when said panel means is in said open state.


REFERENCES:
patent: 5593220 (1997-01-01), Seid et al.
patent: 5680295 (1997-10-01), Le et al.
patent: 5825626 (1998-10-01), Hulick et al.
patent: 5831822 (1998-11-01), H

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