Abstract:
A component and card coupling alignment and support apparatus includes a card. A primary component connector is mounted to the card. A primary component including a connection edge engages the primary component connector. A secondary component extends from the primary component. An alignment and support member is included on the secondary component, whereby the card engages the alignment and support member on the secondary component. The engagement of the alignment and support member with the card aligns the primary component with the primary component connector during their coupling and supports the primary component in the primary component connector after their coupling. The card may then be coupled to an information handling system connector in an information handling system.

Description:
BACKGROUND  
       [0001]    The present disclosure relates generally to information handling systems, and more particularly to an alignment and support apparatus for a component and card coupling in an information handling system. 
         [0002]    As the value and use of information continues to increase, individuals and businesses seek additional ways to process and store information. One option is an information handling system (IHS). An IHS generally processes, compiles, stores and/or communicates information or data for business, personal, or other purposes. Because technology and information handling needs and requirements may vary between different applications, IHSs may also vary regarding what information is handled, how the information is handled, how much information is processed, stored, or communicated, and how quickly and efficiently the information may be processed, stored, or communicated. The variations in IHSs allow for IHSs to be general or configured for a specific user or specific use such as financial transaction processing, airline reservations, enterprise data storage, or global communications. In addition, IHSs may include a variety of hardware and software components that may be configured to process, store, and communicate information and may include one or more computer systems, data storage systems, and networking systems. 
         [0003]    Some IHSs include cards such as, for example, PowerEdge Raid Controller (PERC) cards, that include a processor such as, for example, an Input Output (I/O) processor, that uses a primary component such as, for example, a memory device, that is coupled to a connector on the card. For example, some PERC cards include Dual Inline Memory Module (DIMM) components that connect to a connector on the PERC card that is oriented at a right angle to the surface of the PERC card such that the DIMM component is oriented substantially parallel to the surface of the PERC card. These DIMM components can include a secondary component such as, for example, a battery, that have a mass and volume that greatly exceeds the DIMM component and makes it cumbersome to couple the DIMM component and battery combination to the PERC card. For example, conventional systems provide no means to ensure that the DIMM component and battery combination are aligned with the connector on the PERC card, which can result in damage to the DIMM component and/or the connector and can lead to reliability issues for the entire system. Furthermore, the center of gravity of the DIMM component and battery combination is not in alignment with the connector mating location, which creates a torque on the connector when the DIMM component is coupled to the connector, the stress of which can cause failures in the connector and/or the DIMM component. 
         [0004]    Conventional solutions to this include using a screw to secure the DIMM component to the PERC card. This provides support for the DIMM component and battery combination but does not ensure alignment of the DIMM component with the connector on the PERC card. Furthermore, if a user forgets to remove the screw and attempts to use the release features on the connector to remove the DIMM component from the connector, the release features can fail, requiring a new connector for the PERC card. 
         [0005]    Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide an alignment and support apparatus for a component and card coupling absent the disadvantages found in the prior methods discussed above. 
       SUMMARY  
       [0006]    A component and card coupling alignment and support apparatus includes a card, a primary component connector mounted to the card, a primary component including a connection edge engaging the primary component connector, a secondary component extending from the primary component, and an alignment and support member on the secondary component, whereby the alignment and support member engages the card to align the primary component with the primary component connector and support the primary component in the primary component connector. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is a schematic view illustrating an embodiment of an IHS. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a primary component. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3   a  is a front perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a secondary component used with primary component of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 3   b  is a rear perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the secondary component of  FIG. 3   a.    
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a card used with the primary component of  FIG. 2  and the secondary component of  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b.    
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of an IHS chassis used with the primary component of  FIG. 2 , the secondary component of  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b,  and the card of  FIG. 4 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 6   a  is a flow chart illustrating an embodiment of a method for aligning and supporting a component on a card. 
           [0014]      FIG. 6   b  is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the secondary component of  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b  being coupled to the primary component of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 6   c  is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the secondary component of  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b  coupled to the primary component of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 6   d  is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the secondary component and the primary component of  FIG. 6   c  being coupled to the card of  FIG. 4 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 6   e  is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the secondary component and the primary component of  FIG. 6   c  coupled to the card of  FIG. 4 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 6   f  is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the secondary component, the primary component, and the card of  FIG. 6   e  being coupled to the IHS chassis of  FIG. 5 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 6   g  is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the secondary component, the primary component, and the card of  FIG. 6   e  coupled to the IHS chassis of  FIG. 5 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0020]    For purposes of this disclosure, an IHS may include any instrumentality or aggregate of instrumentalities operable to compute, classify, process, transmit, receive, retrieve, originate, switch, store, display, manifest, detect, record, reproduce, handle, or utilize any form of information, intelligence, or data for business, scientific, control, entertainment, or other purposes. For example, an IHS may be a personal computer, a PDA, a consumer electronic device, a network server or storage device, a switch router or other network communication device, or any other suitable device and may vary in size, shape, performance, functionality, and price. The IHS may include memory, one or more processing resources such as a central processing unit (CPU) or hardware or software control logic. Additional components of the IHS may include one or more storage devices, one or more communications ports for communicating with external devices as well as various I/O devices, such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a video display. The IHS may also include one or more buses operable to transmit communications between the various hardware components. 
         [0021]    In one embodiment, IHS  100 ,  FIG. 1 , includes a processor  102 , which is connected to a bus  104 . Bus  104  serves as a connection between processor  102  and other components of computer system  100 . An input device  106  is coupled to processor  102  to provide input to processor  102 . Examples of input devices include keyboards, touchscreens, and pointing devices such as mouses, trackballs and trackpads. Programs and data are stored on a mass storage device  108 , which is coupled to processor  102 . Mass storage devices include such devices as hard disks, optical disks, magneto-optical drives, floppy drives and the like. IHS  100  further includes a display  110 , which is coupled to processor  102  by a video controller  112 . A system memory  114  is coupled to processor  102  to provide the processor with fast storage to facilitate execution of computer programs by processor  102 . In an embodiment, a chassis  116  houses some or all of the components of IHS  100 . It should be understood that other buses and intermediate circuits can be deployed between the components described above and processor  102  to facilitate interconnection between the components and the processor  102 . 
         [0022]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a primary component  200  is illustrated. In an embodiment, the primary component  200  is a memory device such as, for example, a DIMM and/or the system memory  114 , described above with reference to  FIG. 1 . The primary component  200  includes a base  202  having a front surface  202   a,  a rear surface  202   b  located opposite the front surface  202   a,  a top edge  202   c  extending between the front surface  202   a  and the rear surface  202   b,  a bottom connection edge  202   d  located opposite the top edge  202   c  and extending between the front surface  202   a  and the rear surface  202   b,  and a pair of opposing side edges  202   e  and  202   f  extending between the front surface  202   a,  the rear surface  202   b,  the top edge  202   c,  and the bottom connection edge  202   d.  A pair of secondary component coupling channels  204   a  and  204   b  are defined by the base  202  and located on the top edge  202   c  of the base  202  in a spaced apart orientation. A pair of secondary component coupling apertures  206   a  and  206   b  are defined by the base  202  and extend through the base  202  from the front surface  202   a  to the rear surface  202   b  in a spaced apart orientation from each other. A connector coupling channel  208   a  is defined by the base  202  and located on the side edge  202   e  of the base  202  substantially midway between the top edge  202   c  and the bottom connection edge  202   d.  A connector coupling channel  208   b  is defined by the base  202 , located on the side edge  202   f  of the base  202  opposite the connector channel  208   a  and substantially midway between the top edge  202   c  and the bottom connection edge  202   d.  A electrical connector  210  extends from the front surface  202   a  of the base  202 , is located adjacent the top edge  202   c  and the side edge  202   e,  and may be electrically coupled to components on the primary component  200  (which have been omitted for clarity.) 
         [0023]    Referring now to  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b,  a secondary component  300  is illustrated. In an embodiment, the secondary component  300  is a battery such as, for example, a Transportable Battery Back Up (TBBU) for a DIMM, as illustrated. However, in an alternative embodiment, the secondary component  300  may be a heat sink, a fan, and/or a variety of other secondary components known in the art. The secondary component  300  includes a base  302  having a front surface  302   a,  a rear surface  302   b  located opposite the front surface  302   a,  a top surface  302   c  extending between the front surface  302   a  and the rear surface  302   b,  a bottom surface  302   d  located opposite the top surface  302   c  and extending between the front surface  302   a  and the rear surface  302   b,  and a pair of opposing side surfaces  302   e  and  302   f  extending between the front surface  302   a,  the rear surface  302   b,  the top surface  302   c,  and the bottom surface  302   d.  A coupling member  304   a  extends from the side surface  302   e  of the base  302  and includes a beveled surface  304   aa  and a securing surface  304   ab  located adjacent the beveled surface  304   aa.  A coupling member  304   b  extends from the side surface  302   f  of the base  302  opposite the coupling member  304   a  and includes a beveled surface  304   ba  and a securing surface  304   bb  located adjacent the beveled surface  304   ba.  An alignment and support member  306   a  extends from the side surface  302   e  of the base  302  adjacent the top surface  302   c  and defines a primary component coupling channel  306   aa  located adjacent the rear surface  302   b  of the base  302  and an alignment and support channel  306   ab  extending substantially perpendicular to the side surface  302   e.  An alignment and support member  306   b  extends from the side surface  302   f  of the base  302  adjacent the top surface  302   c  and defines a primary component coupling channel  306   ba  located adjacent the rear surface  302   b  of the base  302  and an alignment and support channel  306   bb  extending substantially perpendicular to the side surface  302   f.  The coupling member  304   a  and primary component coupling channel  306   aa  combination and the coupling member  306   a  and primary component coupling channel  306   ba  provide a pair of coupling features on the secondary component  300  operable to couple the secondary component  300  to the primary component  200 , described in further detail below. A cable  308  extends from the side surface  302   e  of the base  302  and includes a plug  308   a  on its distal end. 
         [0024]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a card  400  is illustrated. In an embodiment, the card  400  may be a PERC card, a graphics card, and/or a variety of other cards known in the art. The card  400  includes a base  402  having a front surface  402   a,  a rear surface  402   b  located opposite the front surface  402   a,  a top edge  402   c  extending between the front surface  402   a  and the rear surface  402   b,  a bottom IHS connection edge  402   d  located opposite the top edge  402   c  and extending between the front surface  402   a  and the rear surface  402   b,  and a pair of opposing side edges  402   e  and  402   f  extending between the front surface  402   a,  the rear surface  402   b,  the top edge  402   c,  and the bottom IHS connection edge  402   d.  A primary component connector  404  extends from the front surface  402   a  of the card  400  approximately midway between and substantially parallel to the top edge  402   c  and the bottom IHS connection edge  402   d  of the base  402 . In an embodiment, the primary component connector  404  may be, for example, a Joint Electron Device Engineering Council (JEDEC) form factor connector. A connection channel  404   a  is defined by the primary component connector  404  and is located along the length of the primary component connector  404 . A pair of coupling members  404   b  are located on opposite ends of the primary component connector  404  and moveably coupled to the primary component connector  404 . A secondary component channel  406  is defined by the base  402  and extends from the top edge  402   c  of the base  402  to a location adjacent the connector  404 . A pair of alignment and support edges  408   a  and  408   b  are located on the base  402  on opposite sides of the secondary component channel  406  and help define the secondary component channel  406 . A card processor  410  is mounted to the front surface  402   a  of the card  402  and is electrically coupled to the primary component connector  404 . A heat sink  414  is coupled to the card processor  410 . An IHS coupling member  414  extends from the side edge  402   e  of the base  402 . 
         [0025]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , an IHS chassis  500  is illustrated. In an embodiment, the IHS chassis  500  is the chassis  116 , described above with reference to  FIG. 1 , and houses some or all of the components of the IHS  100 , described above with reference to  FIG. 1 . The IHS chassis  500  includes a base  502  having a bottom wall  502   a  and a side wall  502   b  oriented substantially perpendicularly to the bottom wall  502   a.  A plurality of card coupling sections  504  are located adjacent each other on the side wall  502   b  of the base  502  in a substantially parallel and spaced apart orientation. A board  506  is coupled to the IHS chassis  500 , is oriented substantially parallel to the bottom wall  502   a  of the base  502 , and includes a top surface  506   a.  A plurality of card connectors  508 , each defining a card channel  508   a  along its length, are mounted to the top surface  506   a  of the board  506  and are located adjacent respective card coupling sections  504  on the side wall  502   b.  In an embodiment, a board processor such as, for example, the processor  102  described above with reference to  FIG. 1 , is mounted to the board  508  and electrically coupled to the connectors  508 . 
         [0026]    Referring now to  FIGS. 2 ,  3   a,    3   b,    6   a,    6   b  and  6   c,  a method  600  for aligning and supporting a component on a card is illustrated. The method  600  begins at step  602  where a primary component including a secondary component that defines an alignment and support channel is provided. The primary component  200 , described above with reference to  FIG. 2 , is provided. The secondary component  300 , described above with reference to  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b,  is then positioned adjacent the primary component  200  such that rear surface  302   b  of the secondary component  300  is located adjacent the front surface  202   a  of the primary component  200 , the coupling members  304   a  and  304   b  on the secondary component  300  are aligned with the secondary component coupling apertures  206   a  and  206   b,  respectively, defined by the primary component  200 , and the alignment and support members  306   a  and  306   b  on the secondary component  300  are aligned with the secondary component coupling channels  204   a  and  204   b,  respectively, on the primary component  200 , as illustrated in  FIG. 6   b.  The secondary component  300  is then moved in a direction A such that the top edge  202   c  of the primary component  200  that defines the secondary component coupling channels  204   a  and  204   b  becomes located in the primary component coupling channels  306   aa  and  306   ba,  respectively, defined by the alignment and support members  306   a  and  306   b,  respectively. Movement of the secondary component  300  in the direction A also results in the beveled surfaces  304   aa  and  304   ba  on the coupling members  304   a  and  304   b,  respectively, engaging the base  202  adjacent the secondary component coupling apertures  206   a  and  206   b,  respectively, such that the coupling members  304   a  and  304   b  deflect into the secondary component coupling apertures  206   a  and  206   b,  respectively, until the securing surfaces  304   ab  and  304   bb  on the coupling members  304   a  and  304   b,  respectively, engage the rear surface  202   b  on the primary component  200  and couple the secondary component  300  to the primary component  200 , as illustrated in  FIG. 6   c.  The plug  308   a  on the cable  308  that extends from the secondary component  300  is then engaged with the electrical connector  210  that extends from the front surface  202   a  of the primary component  200 . While the secondary component  300  has been shown being coupled to the primary component  200 , in an alternative embodiment, the secondary component  300  may be fabricated as part of the primary component  200  and be an integral part of the primary component  200  such that it extends from the primary component  200  and cannot be decoupled from the primary component  200 . 
         [0027]    Referring now to  FIGS. 2 ,  3   a,    3   b,    4 ,  6   a,    6   c,    6   d  and  6   e,  the method  600  then proceeds to step  604  where the primary component is aligned with the primary component connector on the card. The primary component  200  and secondary component  300  combination are positioned adjacent the card  400 , described above with reference to  FIG. 4 , such that the bottom connector edge  202   d  of the primary component  200  is located adjacent the top edge  402   c  of the card  400  with the secondary component  300  substantially aligned with the secondary component channel  406  defined by the card  400 . The primary component  200  and secondary component  300  combination are then moved in a direction B such that the alignment and support edges  408   a  and  408   b  on the card  400  become positioned in the primary component coupling channels  306   aa  and  306   ba,  respectively, defined by the alignment and support members  306   a  and  306   b,  respectively. The positioning of the alignment and support edges  408   a  and  408   b  in the primary component coupling channels  306   aa  and  306   ba,  respectively, aligns the bottom connector edge  202   d  of the primary component  200  with the connection channel  404   a  defined by the primary component connector  404  such that the bottom connector edge  202   d  and the primary component connector  404  are not damaged during the coupling of the primary component  200  with the primary component connector  404 . The method  600  then proceeds to step  606  where the primary component is connected to the primary component connector on the card. The continued movement in the direction B of the primary component  200  and secondary component  300  combination results in the bottom connection edge  202   d  engaging the connection channel  404   a  defined by the primary component connector  404  and electrically coupling the primary component  200  to the processor  410  on the card  400 , as illustrated in  FIG. 6   e.  In an embodiment, the secondary component  300  and/or the secondary component channel  406  are dimensioned such that the bottom surface  302   d  of the secondary component  300  engages the edge of the secondary component channel  206  that is adjacent the primary component connector  404  such that the primary component  200  may be coupled to the primary component connector  404  but it may not overstress the primary component connector  404  during coupling. The method  600  then proceeds to step  608  where the primary component is supported. With the primary component  200  coupled to the primary component connector  400 , the positioning of the alignment and support edges  408   sa  and  408   b  on the card  400  in the alignment and support channels  306   ab  and  306   bb,  respectively, on the alignment and support members  306   a  and  306   b,  respectively, prevents the top edge  202   c  of the primary component  200  from moving relative to the primary component connector  404  such that the primary component is flexed or torqued, which provides support for the primary component  200  and prevents damage to the primary component  200  and the primary component connector  404 . 
         [0028]    Referring now to  FIGS. 2 ,  3   a,    3   b,    4 ,  4 ,  6   a,    6   e,    6   f  and  6   g,  the method  600  then proceeds to step  610  where the card is coupled to an IHS connector. The card  400  including the primary component  200  and the secondary component  300  is positioned adjacent the IHS chassis  500 , described above with reference to  FIG. 5 , such that the IHS coupling member  414  on the card  400  engages one of the card coupling sections  504  on the side wall  502   b  of the IHS chassis  500  and the bottom IHS connection edge  402   d  is aligned with one of the card channels  508   a  on one of the card connectors  508 , as illustrated in  FIG. 6   f.  The card  400  is then moved in a direction C such that the bottom IHS connection edge  402   d  engages the card channel  508   a  on the card connector  508 , coupling the card to the board  506 . A fastener  610   a  such as, for example, a threaded fastener, may be used to engage the IHS coupling member  414  and the card coupling section  504  on the side wall  502   b  of the IHS chassis  500  in order to secure the card  400  in the IHS chassis  500 , as illustrated in  FIG. 6   g.  Thus, a method and apparatus are provided which allow a primary component to be aligned with a card in order to ensure the proper mating of the primary component with a connector on the card and then supported on the card to prevent damage of the connector or the primary component once the primary component is coupled to the card. 
         [0029]    Although illustrative embodiments have been shown and described, a wide range of modification, change and substitution is contemplated in the foregoing disclosure and in some instances, some features of the embodiments may be employed without a corresponding use of other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the embodiments disclosed herein.