Abstract:
In accordance with one embodiment, the present invention relates to a support structure for an electronic component, such as a voltage regulator module for a computer device. The exemplary support structure has a body and a leg extending askew from the body, the leg and body cooperating to define a receiving region for receiving the electronic component. The leg has a resilient securement portion that is configured to releasably engage with an electronics substrate.

Description:
BACKGROUND  
       [0001]     The present invention, in a general sense, relates to a support structure for an electronic component, such as a computer component found in a computer device.  
         [0002]     In computer devices, power distribution is an important concern, because various components of such devices often operate at different power levels and types. Accordingly, most computer devices include power supply circuitry that distributes and conditions an input power—which is generally 110 or 220 Volt (V) alternating current (ac) power—to more appropriate direct current (dc) power levels for the various computer components, such as memory, graphics circuitry, storage media, etc. Of particular concern, the processor of a computer device benefits from well-conditioned power having a relatively constant power level without transient voltages.  
         [0003]     To provide the processor with well-conditioned power, computer devices generally include a voltage regulator module (VRM) that acts as a gatekeeper between the power supply circuitry and the processor. For example, VRMs further condition power from the power supply circuitry, to prevent transient voltages from reaching the processor and, in turn, possibly damaging the processor or negatively impacting the computer device&#39;s performance, for instance.  
         [0004]     In the past, VRMs have been mechanically and electrically coupled to the motherboard on which the processor is disposed via a connector-pin engagement. That is, conductive pins extending from the VRM engage with a corresponding connection portion on the motherboard, thus electrically and mechanically coupling the VRM to the motherboard. Accordingly, these pins bare much of mechanical loading placed on the VRM, leaving them susceptible to damage and, in certain instances, unable to provide sufficient support to pass quality-control tests, such as impact and vibration tests. For increased robustness, a few traditional computer devices employ a metal bracket structure to support the VRM. However, these metal assemblies are susceptible to shorting and, furthermore, require the use of screws and/or nuts that rely on machine tools for mounting to a motherboard. Resultantly, these traditional support structures increase the complexity of the manufacturing process and the costs of manufacture. Moreover, such traditional support structures consume a relatively large amount of valuable surface space on the motherboard, increasing the overall costs of the computer device. Further still, traditional VRM support structures are dedicated in design to a specific VRM type, thus hindering the ability to modify or change the underlying VRM without changing or modifying the VRM support. This rigidity in design can lead to increased lead-times that, as one among many negative impacts, can lead to delays in manufacturing.  
         [0005]     Therefore, there exists a need for improved electronic component support techniques.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     In accordance with one embodiment, the present invention relates to a support structure for an electronic component, such as a voltage regulator module for a computer device. The exemplary support structure has a body and a leg extending askew from the body, the leg and body cooperating to define a receiving region for receiving the electronic component. The leg has a resilient securement portion that is configured to releasably engage with an electronics substrate. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0007]     Advantages of one or more disclosed embodiments may become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings in which:  
         [0008]      FIG. 1  diagrammatically illustrates a computer system, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present technique;  
         [0009]      FIG. 2  diagrammatically illustrates a processor-based device, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present technique;  
         [0010]      FIG. 3  is a top perspective view of a support structure for supporting an electronic component, wherein the support structure is in a disengaged position with respect to a printed circuit board, in accordance with an embodiment of the present technique; and  
         [0011]      FIG. 4  is a bottom perspective view of the support structure of  FIG. 3 , wherein the support structure is in an engaged position with respect to the printed circuit board.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0012]     One or more specific embodiments of the present technique will be described below. In an effort to provide a concise description of these embodiments, not all features of an actual implementation are described in the specification. In view of this, it should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation-specific decisions will be made to achieve the developers&#39; specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which can vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a development effort can be complex and time consuming, but would remain a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure. In view of this, it should be noted that illustrated embodiments of the present technique throughout this text represent a general case.  
         [0013]     In accordance with certain embodiments, the present technique provides a support structure for supporting a voltage regulator module (VRM) coupled to a motherboard of a computer device. As discussed further below, this exemplary support structure facilitates tool-less coupling of the support structure to the motherboard, resultantly reducing manufacturing times and costs for computer devices. Moreover, the exemplary support structure consumes less circuit board space then traditional designs and, in turn, allows for placement of additional components on the motherboard. As yet another benefit, certain embodiments of the present technique relate to a support structure formed of a polycarbonate material that reduces the likelihood of shorting between the VRM and the support structure. However, prior to continuing, it is again worth noting that the following discussion is merely related to exemplary embodiments, and that the present technique is applicable to securing a host of electronic components to various kinds of electronic substrates—not just the securing of VRMs to printed circuit boards.  
         [0014]     Turning now to the drawings, and referring initially to  FIG. 1 , a block diagram depicting a computer system having an exemplary processor-based device  10  is illustrated. This device  10  may be any of a variety of different types, such as a computer device, pager, cellular telephone, personal organizer, control circuit, etc. In a typical processor-based device, a processor  12 , such as a microprocessor, controls many of the functions of the device  10 , often in cooperation with software.  
         [0015]     For operating power, the computer device is in communication with a power source  14 . For instance, if the device  10  is portable, the power source  14  can be permanent batteries, replaceable batteries, and/or rechargeable batteries. Of course, the power supply  14  may also include an ac adapter that rectifies incoming ac power to dc power. In fact, the power supply  14  may also include a dc adapter that conditions incoming dc power to a more appropriate dc level, facilitating powering of the device through a vehicle&#39;s cigarette lighter, for instance.  
         [0016]     Various other devices may be coupled to the processor  12 , depending upon the functions that the device  10  performs. For instance, a user interface  16  may be coupled to the processor  12 . As examples, the user interface  16  can be an input device, such as buttons, switches, a keyboard, a light pen, a mouse, and/or a voice recognition system, for instance. To further facilitate interaction with a user, the processor can be coupled to a display  18 , such as an LCD display, a CRT, LEDs, and/or an audio display. Furthermore, a radio frequency (RF) subsystem/baseband processor  20  may also be coupled to the processor  12 . The RF subsystem/baseband processor  20  may include an antenna that is coupled to an RF receiver and to an RF transmitter. A communication port  22  can also be coupled to the processor  12 . The exemplary communication port  22  is adapted for communications with a peripheral device  24 , such as a modem, a printer, or a computer, for instance, or to a network, such as a local area network or the Internet.  
         [0017]     Because the processor  12  controls the functioning of the device  10  generally under the control of software programming, memory is coupled to the processor  12  to store and facilitate execution of the software program. For instance, the processor  12  may be coupled to volatile memory  26 , which may include dynamic random access memory (DRAM), static random access memory (SRAM), Double Data Rate (DDR) memory, etc. The processor  12  may also be coupled to non-volatile memory  28 . The non-volatile memory  28  may include a read only memory (ROM), such as an EPROM or Flash Memory, to be used in conjunction with the volatile memory. The size of the ROM is typically selected to be just large enough to store any necessary operating system, application programs, and fixed data. The volatile memory  26 , on the other hand, is typically quite large so that it can store dynamically loaded applications. Additionally, the non-volatile memory  28  may include a high capacity memory such as a disk drive, tape drive memory, compact disc (CD) ROM drive, digital video (DVD), read/write CD ROM drive, universal serial bus (USB) drive, and/or a floppy disk drive.  
         [0018]     Focusing on power distribution in a computer device,  FIG. 2  diagrammatically illustrates an exemplary pathway through which operating power is provided to the processor  12 . As discussed above, operating power is initially provided by the power source  14 , whether ac power or dc power, depending on the kind of power source  14 . Power from the power source  14 , however, is not directly routed to the various components of the computer device  10 , because these components often operate at various levels and types of power generally different from that provided by the power source  14 . Accordingly, the computer device  10  has a power supply  30  that includes both conditioning and distribution circuitry, to provide appropriate levels of power to the various components in the device. By way of example, the power supply  30  can provide dc power at a first voltage level to the memory components while providing ac or dc power at a second, different voltage level to the disk-drive components.  
         [0019]     The processor  12 , however, benefits from power that is better conditioned, e.g., less likely to present transient voltages and oscillations in level, than is generally supplied to the remainder of the computer components. Accordingly, power to the processor  12  is routed through a voltage regulator module (VRM)  32  that well-conditions the power provided to the processor  12 , substantially reducing or preventing transient voltages, voltage fluctuations and the like from affecting the processor  12 . In effect, the VRM  32  acts as a gatekeeper for the power provided to the processor  12 . As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , both the VRM  32  and the processor  12  are mechanically coupled to and electrically in communication with a motherboard  34 . However, it is worth noting that the VRM  32  and processor  12  may be mechanically coupled to various components and not just a printed circuit board or motherboard. For example, the VRM  32  may be mechanically coupled to various types of electronics substrates that in some fashion facilitate power communication between the VRM  32  and the processor  12 .  
         [0020]     As best illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the electrical and initial mechanical engagement between the VRM  32  and the motherboard  34  is provided by connector pins  36  extending from the VRM  32 . In the exemplary embodiment, these pins  36  engage with corresponding connection portions (e.g., female connectors or receptacles) configured to receive the pins  36  and located on the motherboard  34 . To communicate with the processor  12 , these pins  36 , via the connection portions, are coupled to etched electrical pathways located on the motherboard  34  and electrically coupled to the processor  12  and the power supply  30 .  
         [0021]     To conserve valuable board space—on which various additional electronic components may be placed and electrically coupled—the exemplary VRM  32  is mounted in a generally vertical position with respect to the motherboard  34 . That is, the height (H) of the VRM  32  with respect to the motherboard  34  is greater than the width (W) of the VRM  32 . Accordingly, the footprint of the VRM  32  on the motherboard  34  is minimized, again, freeing up valuable real estate on the motherboard  34 . Vertical placement of the VRM  32 , however, tends to increase the size of moment forces borne by the pins  36 , making them susceptible to damage, for instance.  
         [0022]     In the exemplary embodiment, a support structure  40  provides additional support to the vertically mounted VRM  32 , particularly reducing the moment forces borne by the pins  36 . The exemplary support structure  40  has a body  42  and a pair of legs  44  that extend from the body  42 . As illustrated, the body  42  and legs  44  cooperate to define a C-shaped, or U-shaped, profile for the support structure  40 , and to define a receiving region  46  that is configured to receive the VRM  32 . In other words, the body  42  and legs  44  define three inner sides or support members, which can engage three sides (e.g., card edges) VRM  32 . Advantageously, the legs  44  can include grooves, slots, rails, or channels  46  that are open to the receiving portion and that are configured to capture a portion of the VRM  32  to support the VRM  32 . For example, the channels  44  are configured to receive opposite sides or edges of a printed circuit board  48  on which the VRM circuitry  50  is disposed. Accordingly, when the support structure  40  is placed over the VRM  32  (as represented by directional arrow  52 ), the engagement between the printed circuit board  48  and the channels  44  facilitates a transfer of the moment loads on the VRM  32  to the support structure  42 . Additionally, the abutment between the VRM  32  and the body  42  of the support structure  40 , when the body is fully seated, prevents separation of the VRM  32  from the motherboard  34 . In some embodiments, the body  42  also may include a groove, slot, rail, or channel to fit about a top side (e.g., card edge) of the VRM  32 . Furthermore, certain embodiments of the body may have a slight curvature, which flattens out and acts as a downward spring as the support structure  40  is coupled to the motherboard  34 .  
         [0023]     To mount the support structure  40  to the motherboard  34 , the support structure  40  includes a securement portion that has tool-free mounts or resilient fastener members  54  extending from the legs  44 . These resilient fastener members  54  are cooperative with apertures  56  in the motherboard  34  to block separation of support structure  40  from the motherboard  34 . Specifically, as best illustrated in  FIG. 4 , each resilient fastener member  54  includes a tabbed portion  58  having a shoulder that is configured to engage with the underside  60  of the motherboard  34 . Accordingly, when the support structure  40  fully seats with the motherboard  34 , the resilient fastener members  54  extend through the apertures  56 , with the tabbed portions  58  extending beyond the aperture  56  and abutting against the underside  60  of the motherboard  34 . For example, the tabbed portions  58  may include hooks, snaps, latches, or other tool-free fasteners. In alternative embodiments the support structure  40  may include female fasteners, while the motherboard  34  includes male fasteners.  
         [0024]     The engagement and disengagement of the exemplary support structure  40  with the motherboard  34  is facilitated by the moveablity of the resilient fastener members  54 . For example, as the support structure  40  is brought into engagement with the apertures  56  of the motherboard  34 , the tabbed portions  58  are compressed toward one another by the engagement of slopped surfaces on the tabbed portions  58  with the aperture  56 . That is, the slopped surfaces act as camming surfaces that drive the resilient fastener members  54  toward one another. This compression decreases the width of the securement portion and allows the apertures  56  to receive the tabbed portions  58 . However, as the tabbed portions  58  emerge from the apertures  56 , the resiliency of the resilient fastener members  54  causes them to return back to the unbiased state, and, thus, causes the tabbed portions  58  to extend beyond the periphery of the apertures  56 . In turn, the shoulders of the tabbed portions  58  abut against the underside  60  of the motherboard, blocking separation of the support structure  40  and motherboard  34  with respect to one another. Conversely, separation of the support structure  40  and the motherboard  34  is facilitated by compression of the resilient members  54 , as represented by directional arrows  64  of  FIG. 4 . Advantageously, the exemplary support structure  40  facilitates tool-less insertion and removal, thus reducing the costs of manufacture and assembly in comparison to traditional assemblies. In other embodiments, the resilient fastener members  54  may be replaced or supplemented with boss members, keyhole slots, hooks, latches, snap-fit mechanisms, leveraging mechanisms, springs, and so forth.  
         [0025]     When assembled, the support structure provides a robust mechanism for transferring moment loads on the VRM  32  to remainder of the computer device, particularly to the motherboard  34  and the support structure. This transference, in turn, mitigates the likelihood of damage to the pins  36  and provides better compliance with quality-control tests, such as impact and vibration tests. Moreover, the abutment of the VRM  32  with the secured body  42  of the support structure  40  prevents separation of the VRM from the motherboard and, thus, ensures a good electrical connection between these two structures. In fact, the body  40  can provide an axial force that biases the pins  36  toward engagement with the motherboard  34 . Furthermore, the support structure  40  can be formed of an electrically insulative material, such a polycarbonate. Advantageously, the use of an insulative material, like a polycarbonate, reduces the likelihood of shorting between the VRM  32  and the support structure  40 . In other embodiments, the support structure  40  may include a metal inner frame and an outer insulative coating or layer. Thus, the metal inner frame increases the rigidity and structural support of the structure  40 , while the outer insulative coating reduces the likelihood of electrical shorting. The illustrated support structure  40  is a single piece construction, which reduces costs and complexity. However, certain embodiments of the support structure  40  may have variable dimensions, e.g., via hinged or slidable joints between the body  42  and the legs  44 .  
         [0026]     Prior to concluding, it is again worth noting the present technique is not limited to the embodiments described above. Indeed, the present technique is applicable to the securement and/or the supporting of any number of electronic components in any number of devices. Accordingly, the appended claims are not intended to be limited to the examples and embodiments described above.