Abstract:
A system and method for coupling a multi-pin device to a system board within an electronic device. A socket is used to couple the multi-pin device to the system board. A spring member biases the socket to a fully opened position for insertion of the multi-pin device. An actuator enables selective movement of the multi-pin device into operative engagement with the system board.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Processors are utilized in a variety of electronic devices, such as servers and other computer-based devices. In some devices, the processor is mounted to a system board by a socket which holds the processor in operative engagement with the system board. 
     Sockets are designed to receive the pins of a processor while in an open position and to transition those pins into conductive contact with the system board when in a closed position. However, when the processors are pressed into the socket while the socket is in a closed or partially open position, damage can result. For example, the processor pins can be bent or otherwise damaged. Also, the pins may be inserted into the wrong openings and moved into contact with the wrong contacts on the system board. This can lead to a damaged or destroyed system board and/or processor. Additionally, the socket can be cracked or otherwise damaged during the attempted installation. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Certain embodiments of the invention will hereafter be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements, and: 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a system utilizing a socket for mounting a multi-pin device to a system board according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of the system illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is an isometric view of an embodiment of the socket illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view taken generally along line  4 — 4  of  FIG. 2 ; and 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view taken generally along line  5 — 5  of FIG.  2 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring generally to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , an electronic device  10  is illustrated according to an embodiment of the present invention. Electronic device  10  may comprise a variety of devices, such as a server, a workstation, a personal computer or other electronic devices. In the embodiment illustrated, electronic device  10  comprises a socket  12  positioned between a system board  14  and a multi-pin device  16 , such as a processor. The socket  12  may be mounted to system board  14  and used to operatively engage processor  16  with system board  14 . The configuration of socket  12  may vary depending on the type of processor and system board. For example, socket  12  may be a 603 pin standard, 604 pin standard or other pin standard socket. 
     With further reference to  FIG. 3 , the illustrated embodiment of socket  12  comprises a socket base  18  and a socket cover  20  moveably mounted to socket base  18 . For example, socket cover  20  may be slideably mounted to socket base  18 . Socket cover  20  is moved relative to socket base  18  via an actuator  22 . Actuator  22  transitions socket cover  20  between a fully opened position for receiving processor  16  and a fully closed position that moves the pins of processor  16  into secure conductive engagement with system board  14 . 
     In the embodiment illustrated, actuator  22  is mounted to an extended portion  24  of socket base  18 . The actuator  22  acts against socket cover  20  via an actuator member  26  to force relative motion between socket cover  20  and socket base  18 . Actuator member  26  may comprise a variety of mechanisms, such as a screw engaging corresponding screw threads on socket cover  20 , a cammed surface acting against socket cover  20 , a plurality of angled slide surfaces acting against corresponding slide surfaces on socket cover  20  or other mechanisms to provide relative movement. Alternatively, actuator  22  can be mounted to socket cover  20  and positioned to act against socket base  18  to provide the relative motion between socket base  18  and socket cover  20 . 
     One embodiment of actuator  22  comprises a lever  28  coupled to actuator member  26  via a shaft  30 . Lever  28  may be moved between a fully opened position, as illustrated in  FIG. 3  in solid lines, and a fully closed position, as illustrated in  FIG. 3  in dashed lines. A catch  32  can be positioned to hold lever  28  in the fully closed position. 
     Furthermore, lever  28  is biased to the opened position. For example, a spring member  34  may be utilized to force actuator  22  to the fully opened position. In the embodiment illustrated, spring member  34  forces lever  28  to the fully opened position once lever  28  is released from catch  32 . 
     Referring generally to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , socket cover  20  comprises a generally planar wall  35  that slides over a top surface of socket base  18 . Wall  35  may be coupled to socket base  18  by side wall slides  36 . Socket cover  20  comprises a plurality of openings  38  through which the pins of processor  16  are inserted when processor  16  is mounted on socket  20 , as illustrated in FIG.  4 . Furthermore, socket base  18  comprises a plurality of base openings  40  into which the pins of processor  16  also extend. When actuator  22  is in the fully opened position, the openings  38  of socket cover  20  are properly aligned with the base openings  40  of socket base  18 . Thus, processor  16  may be securely and consistently mounted to socket  12  without damage to the processor pins or socket and without forcing the pins of processor  16  into the incorrect base openings  40 . Spring member  34  ensures that actuator  22  is moved to the fully opened position when a processor or other multi-pinned component is mounted on socket  12 . 
     Once processor  16  is properly mounted on socket  12 , as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , actuator  22  is moved to the fully closed position. In the example illustrated, lever  28  is transitioned from the fully opened position to the closed position illustrated by dashed lines in FIG.  3 . As actuator  22  is moved, socket cover  20  shifts with respect to socket base  18  to securely move the pins of processor  16  against appropriate conductive contacts  42  in base opening  40 . The conductive contacts  42  are appropriately engaged with given circuitry on system board  14 . 
     It should be noted that different types of spring members  34  may be utilized at a variety of locations to insure actuator  22  is always moved to a fully opened position. For example, spring member  34  may be positioned to act against lever  28 ; the spring member may be positioned around shaft  30 ; the spring member  34  may be positioned directly between socket base  18  and socket cover  20 ; and the spring member may be mounted externally of the socket. Similarly, a variety of spring types, such as torsion springs, compression springs, extension springs, leaf springs and other types of springs may be incorporated into the design to ensure that actuator  22  is transitioned to the fully opened position once released from the closed position. 
     By way of example, a torsion spring  44  is illustrated. In  FIG. 5 , torsion spring  44  is illustrated as mounted around shaft  30 . The torsion spring comprises a first spring arm  46  that acts against lever  28 . A second spring arm  48  is captured in a recess  50  formed in extended portion  24  of socket base  18 . The spring arms  46  and  48  are sufficiently preloaded to force actuator  22 , e.g. lever  28 , to the fully opened position for insertion of processor  16 . To transition actuator  22  to a fully closed position, a user must apply sufficient force against the actuator to overcome the spring bias and to move the actuator to the fully closed position. The actuator may be held in the closed position by, for example, catch  32 . Accordingly, processors or other multi-pinned devices can be operatively engaged with a variety of boards  14  via socket  12  with minimal risk of damage to the multi-pin device, socket or system board.