Abstract:
A modular component receiving structure ( 10 ) includes a guide structure ( 25 ) for guiding a modular component ( 12 ) into a proper installed position and for ensuring that the module is handled properly during installation. A drive arrangement including a threaded drive opening ( 32 ) may be included with the guide structure ( 25 ) for use in applying a proper installation force to move the memory module ( 12 ) into a proper installed position. The drive arrangement facilitates the use of a rotary tool to apply the installation force.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to devices for receiving modular components and, more particularly, to devices and methods for installing modular electronic components in computer systems. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Computer systems and other electronic systems use numerous modular components. These modular components can provide substantial flexibility in system configuration. This flexibility in system configuration allows manufacturers to adapt or customize a basic system design to meet the needs of a broad range of customers. 
     One common example of modular componentry used in digital computer systems is random access memory (RAM). The RAM found in personal computer systems or workstations commonly comprises one or more memory modules, each module having a circuit board or other substrate carrying one or more individually packaged memory circuit chips. These memory modules include an electrical contact arrangement positioned along one edge of the substrate. Each memory module is operatively connected to the computer system by inserting the contact arrangement edge of the module into a receptacle or connector associated with a module receiving arrangement mounted on the system motherboard. 
     Relatively low-end computers systems may include only a single, relatively low capacity memory module installed in the module receiving structure. Manufacturers may accommodate customers desiring more memory capacity by simply installing a higher capacity module in an available receiving structure or installing memory modules in each of the several receiving structures commonly provided on a system motherboard. A user may also readily switch out memory modules as desired to increase or decrease the RAM available in the system. 
     Numerous different types of modular component receiving structures have been developed for receiving the various types of modular components which may be used in electronic systems. A receiving structure for receiving an electronic modular component will include a receptacle or connector for receiving and making electrical contact with the various elements of a contact arrangement associated with the modular component. The modular component receiving structure will also generally include an arrangement for ensuring good electrical contact is maintained between the connector and module contact arrangement. This arrangement for ensuring good electrical contact may be integral with the receptacle or connector itself and/or may include separate locking arrangements for physically locking the modular component in a proper installed position. 
     A popular receiving structure for memory modules such as single in line memory modules (SIMMs) and dual in line memory modules (DIMMs), for example, includes an elongated base having a connector receptacle and a locking arrangement. A memory module is installed in this type of receiving structure by first aligning the contact arrangement edge of the module with the connector receptacle and then pressing the edge into the receptacle to an installed position in which electrodes within the connector make good electrical contact with the contact elements on the module. Once the module is pressed into the installed position, the locking members may be pivoted into contact with a feature on the module. This contact between the locking members and module physically retains the module in the installed position. 
     Although designs utilizing modular components are very popular with system manufacturers and users alike, there remain significant problems associated with the use of modular components. Properly installing a modular component requires a certain level of skill and training. For example, the proper amount of force must be applied to push the module into the receptacle. Applying too much force could damage the module or receiving structure, while applying insufficient force could leave the module improperly installed. Care must also be taken to handle the module properly and apply the installation force at the proper locations on the module. SIMMs and DIMMs are preferably handled by the ends of the module and the manually applied installation force is best applied at the ends of the module. Handling the memory module improperly or applying force at the wrong points could damage the module. 
     The skill required to install modular components in prior receiving structures is of particular concern to manufacturers. Perhaps the most immediate concern is the cost of training system assemblers. Costs resulting from improper modular component installation include the costs of technical support, costs associated with returns, and the loss of goodwill associated with system failures. 
     Another problem relating to the use of modular components involves physical security. Modular components are intended to be easily installed and removed. Unfortunately, the ease with which modular components made the removed from a system applies not only to the system owner or user, but also others who may be intent on absconding with a modular component installed in another&#39;s system. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the invention to provide a modular component guide structure which overcomes the above-described problems and others associated with modular component receiving structures. The invention includes a complete modular component receiving structure, a guide for use with a prior art modular component receiving structure, and a computer system incorporating the new modular component receiving structure. The invention further encompasses a modular component installation method facilitated by the new receiving structure and guide structure. 
     These objects are accomplished with a modular component receiving structure which includes a special guide structure for guiding the modular component into a proper installed position and for ensuring that the module is handled properly during installation. Furthermore, a drive arrangement may be included with the guide structure for use in applying a proper installation force to move the memory module into a proper installed position. The drive arrangement facilitates the use of a rotary tool to apply the installation force. Using the rotary tool eliminates the manual application of force previously required to properly install modular components such as RAM modules in a computer system. 
     A modular component receiving structure according to the invention includes a connector for operatively connecting with a modular component in an installed position in the receiving structure. This connector may be similar to prior connectors used in modular component receiving structures. However, the present receiving structure further includes a guide structure having a guide opening aligned with the connector. The alignment between the guide opening and connector allows the modular component to extend through the guide opening and into proper contact with the connector when the modular component is moved to the installed position. An upper portion of the guide structure is adapted to cover a distal edge of the modular component when the component is in the installed position. However, access features associated with the guide structure leave proper contact points of the modular component exposed when the component is in the installed position. This covering or enclosure of the modular component distal edge, while leaving proper contact points exposed forces the installer to contact the module at the proper points while placing the module in the guide structure. Thus, the combination providing structure to cover the distal edge of the modular component while providing access to proper contact points on the component helps ensure that the modular component is properly handled during installation. 
     The drive arrangement according to the invention includes a drive opening positioned in the upper portion of the guide structure. This drive opening has a longitudinal axis extending generally perpendicular to the longitudinal dimension of the guide opening. The drive opening is also threaded about its longitudinal axis so that it may receive a receive a rotary drive element having a complementary thread. 
     To install a modular component into the receiving structure according to the invention, the module is first placed in an initial position in the guide opening. In this initial position, the edge of the modular component adapted to be received in the connector portion of the receiving structure lies adjacent to the connector in an aligned position. With the modular component in this initial position, the drive element is threaded into the threaded drive opening until an end of the drive element contacts the distal edge of the modular component. From this point, threading the drive element further into the drive opening applies an installation force between the guide structure and the modular component to press the component firmly into the proper installed position. Once pressed into the installed position a suitable locking arrangement included with the receiving structure may be moved into contact with the modular component to maintain the component in the installed position. 
     Although a modular component may be installed according to the invention by directly contacting the distal edge of the component with the drive element, the invention may also include an element for helping to protect the distal edge of the component. This edge protection element is adapted to be received in the drive opening after the modular component is placed in the initial position and prior to threading the drive element into the drive opening. The relatively soft, low friction material from which the edge protection element may be formed gently applies the desired installation force from the drive element to the modular component. 
     In some forms of the invention, the guide structure is incorporated into a complete modular component receiving structure. This embodiment is useful for use in new systems. Other forms of the invention may be used to retrofit prior art modular component receiving structures. In these alternate forms of the invention, the guide structure is provided with a mounting structure which allows the guide structure to be securely mounted on a prior art receiving structure having only a connector formed in a suitable base, and perhaps having a locking arrangement. With this form of the invention mounted on a prior art modular component receiving structure in an operating position, the guide opening is aligned with the prior art connector. The same upper guide structure portion, access features, and drive opening are incorporated into this alternate guide structure to provide the same benefits described above with reference to the complete modular component receiving structure. 
     These and other objects, advantages, and features of the invention will be apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments, considered along with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is an exploded, partial isometric view showing a portion of a computer system having a modular component receiving structure embodying the principles of the invention, and further showing a modular component adapted to be received in the receiving structure. 
     FIG. 2 is a side view of the receiving structure shown in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 is a top view of the receiving structure shown in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 4 is a side view similar to FIG. 2, but showing the modular component in an initial position. 
     FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 2, but showing the modular component in an installed position and also showing a drive element. 
     FIG. 6 is an isometric view of an edge protection element embodying the principles of the invention. 
     FIG. 7 is an in isometric view of an alternate form of the invention for use with a prior art modular component receiving arrangement. 
     FIG. 8 is a partial section view taken along line  8 — 8  in FIG. 7 showing the alternate form of invention shown in FIG. 7 as connected in an operating position with a prior art modular component receiving arrangement. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring particularly to FIGS. 1 through 3, a modular component receiving apparatus or structure  10  is adapted to be mounted on a computer system motherboard  11  or similar structure. Receiving structure  10  is particularly adapted for use in receiving a memory module  12 . Memory module  12  includes a suitable substrate  14  on which is mounted one or more individually packaged memory circuit chips  15 . Module  12  also includes a lower edge  19  having a contact structure  16  for making electrical contact with receiving structure  10  as will be described below. Memory module  12  further includes an upper or the distal edge  17  and may further include shoulder features  18  which may be used to help retain the module in the desired installed position in receiving structure  10  as will be described below. 
     Although the invention is described with reference to a receiving structure adapted to receive and inline memory module such as memory module  12 , it will be appreciated that a receiving structure according to invention is not limited to use with memory modules. Rather, the modular component receiving structure according to the invention may be used with substantially any other modular electronic components included in computer systems and other electronic systems. 
     Receiving structure  10  includes a connector shown generally at reference numeral  20 . Connector  20  is adapted to operatively connect with contact structure  16  on memory module  12  when the module is in an installed position in receiving structure  10 . This installed position will be described below with particular reference to FIG.  5 . In the illustrated form of the invention, connector  20  includes an elongated slot wide enough to receive the lower edge  19  of module  12 . An electrode structure is included with in connector  20  for making electrical contact with the various contact elements formed on contact structure  16 . These electronic elements of connector  20  are well-known in the field and are omitted from the drawings so as not to the obscure the invention in unnecessary detail. However, it will be appreciated that the electrodes within connector  20  lead to an arrangement of pins  21  on a lower surface of receiving structure  10 , and that these pins are preferably used to mount the receiving structure  10  on system motherboard  11 . 
     A locking arrangement is preferably associated with the lower portion of receiving structure  10 . The illustrated locking arrangement includes two locking members  24 . One locking member  24  is provided at each end of receiving structure  10 . Each locking member  24  is adapted to pivot between an unlocked position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and a locked position shown in phantom in FIG.  2 . As will be described below with reference to FIG. 5, each locking member  24  is adapted to make contact with one shoulder feature  18  on memory module  12  when the memory module is in the installed position and the respective locking member is pivoted to the locked position. This contact between the locking member  24  and shoulder feature  18  helps to retain memory module  12  securely in the installed position. 
     Referring to FIGS. 1 through 3, receiving structure  10  includes a guide structure  25  having a guide opening  26 . Guide opening  26  is aligned with connector  20  so that module  12  may extend through the guide opening to connector  20 . In order to accommodate chips  15  which extend from module  12 , guide opening  26  may include insets  27 . Also, one or more circulation openings  30  may be included in guide structure  25  to allow air to circulate freely over chips  15  when module  12  is in the installed position. An upper portion of the guide structure  25  is adapted to cover or enclose the distal edge  17  of memory module  12  when the module is in the installed position. By “covering” or “enclosing” distal edge  17  of module  12 , it is meant that the upper portion of guide structure  25  lies adjacent to the distal edge, blocking access to the distal edge of the module. However, guide structure  25  also includes access features at both ends of the structure. The first access feature is shown generally at reference to  28  while a second access feature is shown generally at reference numeral  29 . As shown particularly in FIGS. 4 and 5, access features  28  and  29  leave a portion of module  12  exposed when the module is received in both an initial position and the installed position. 
     In the preferred form of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 through 5, the upper portion of guide structure  25  includes a drive opening  32 . Drive opening  32  has a longitudinal axis A extending generally perpendicular to the longitudinal dimension L of guide opening  26 . Also, drive opening  32  is threaded about its longitudinal axis L. An edge protection element  34  is shown in FIG. 6, and is adapted to the received within drive opening  32 . Edge protection element  34  preferably includes an external thread  35  which is complementary to the thread of drive opening  32 . A engagement feature  36  is included on one end of edge protection element  34  for use in removing the edge protection element from drive opening  32  as will be discussed below. 
     Receiving structure  10  and edge protection element  34  may be formed from any suitable material. Suitable materials for the guide structure portion of receiving structure  10  include various rigid plastics. Edge protection element  34  is preferably formed from a low friction plastic material such as nylon. Alternatively, edge protection element  34  may include a plastic lower tip or a lower tip and drive portion which may rotate with respect to the lower tip (not shown). 
     Referring now particularly to FIG. 4, memory module  12  is adapted to be inserted into the guide opening  26  defined in guide structure  25 . Memory module  12  is first inserted into an initial position in which contact structure  16  resides adjacent to connector  20 . In this position, only the ends of memory module  12  are exposed. The bulk of distal edge  17  remains covered or enclosed in the upper portion of guide structure  25 . Leaving the ends a module  12  exposed in this fashion encourages and practically requires that the installer hold the memory module by the ends while inserting the module into the initial position in guide opening  26 . Thus, it is difficult for the installer to hold module  12  incorrectly while placing the module in the initial position. 
     From this initial position shown in FIG. 4, a drive element  38  (shown in phantom lines in FIG.  5  and having a thread complementary to the thread of drive opening  32 ) may be threaded into the drive opening until an end of drive element  38  contacts distal edge  17  of module  12 . Once contact is made between drive element  38  and memory module  12 , threading the drive element further causes the element to impart a downward force on module  12  generally in the direction shown at arrow F in FIG.  5 . It will be noted that the force the installer applies to drive element  38  is a simple rotational force to thread the drive element into drive opening  32 . The installer need not apply a downward force in direction F. The downward, installation force F on module  12  is generated as drive element  38  threads further into the threaded drive opening  32  and is actually applied from guide structure  25 . 
     Alternatively to applying the installation force F directly from drive element  38  to distal edge  17  of module  12 , the installation force may be applied indirectly through edge protection element  34  shown in FIG.  6 . In this case, once module  12  is in the initial position as shown in FIG. 4, the installer inserts edge protection element  34  into drive opening  32  and then threads drive element  38  into the drive opening  32  above the edge protection element  34 . Drive element  38  may then be threaded further into drive opening  32  to push or thread edge protection element  34  against distal edge  17  of module  12  and thus apply the installation force F to press module  12  into the installed position shown in FIG.  5 . Where edge protection element  34  includes an unthreaded tip which may rotate with respect a threaded drive section, the installation force is applied without any rotating friction or wear against distal edge  17 . 
     The preferred edge protection element  34  shown in FIG. 6 may be removed only with the aid of a special tool (not shown). In order to remove the illustrated edge protection element  34 , a tool adapted to mate with engagement feature  36  is inserted into drive opening  32  and rotated in reverse to back the edge protection element out of the threaded drive opening. Once edge protection element  34  is removed, the installer may grasp module  12  by the ends exposed by access features  28  and  29 , and then pull the module from the installed position. 
     FIGS. 7 and 8 show a form of the invention for use with a prior part modular component receiving structure. For purposes of example, this form of the invention is illustrated in connection with a prior art memory module socket  42  which has been installed on a system motherboard  43  as shown in FIG.  8 . This form of the invention includes a guide structure  45  adapted to connect to the prior art socket structure  42  in an operating position shown in FIG.  8 . In order to provide the desired connection, guide structure  45  includes lateral extensions  47  which are adapted to extend to a bottom edge  48  of socket structure  42 . An angled feature  49  at the bottom of each lateral extension  47  snaps over bottom edge  48  and provides a secure connection between guide structure  45  and prior art socket structure  42 . 
     As in the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 through 5, guide structure  45  includes a guide opening  46 . This guide opening  46  is oriented in guide structure  45  so as to align with socket  42  when the guide structure is in the operating position shown in FIG.  8 . The upper portion of guide structure  45  corresponds to the upper portion shown in FIGS. 1 through 5. The length of guide structure  45  is relatively shorter than the length of socket  42 . This leaves the ends of a memory module received in the structure  45  exposed similarly to the areas of the module  12  exposed by access features  28  and  29  shown in FIGS. 2,  4 , and  5  and described above. 
     The alternative guide structure  45  shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 also includes a drive opening  52  corresponding to the drive opening  32  shown in FIGS. 1 through 5. Drive opening  52  is threaded as previously described with reference to drive opening  32  and provides the identical function as that previously described drive opening. Edge protection elements such has the edge protection element  34  shown in FIG. 6 may be used with the form of invention shown FIGS. 7 and 8. 
     The above described preferred embodiments are intended to illustrate the principles of the invention, but not to limit the scope of the invention. Various other embodiments and modifications to these preferred embodiments may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the following claims.