Abstract:
The system provided attaches a cartridge-type central processor unit (CPU) to a motherboard and includes a first device, a second device and a third device. The first device has a slot for receiving the cartridge-type CPU. The second device is disposed below the motherboard to fortify the strength of the motherboard. The third device functions to attach the first device and the motherboard to the second device. The weight of the cartridge-type CPU, via the first device and the third device, is substantially transferred to the second device with the second device being a primary carrier of weight of the cartridge-type CPU. Since weight of the cartridge-type CPU is not carried by the motherboard, motherboard will experience no damage.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a system attaching cartridge-type CPU to a motherboard of a computer system. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     CPU is the core component of a computer. Due to improvement of semiconductor production processes, the function and process speed of CPU progresses tremendously. On the other hand, with more functions built within the CPU, increase with respect to the weight and size of CPU has been observed. Using products of Intel® as an example, from the early 486 CPU to Pentium CPU, the products shipped out were packaged in single chip form. Depending on the choice of socket  5  or socket  7  architecture, the CPU is attached to the motherboard through a socket. Hence, under this arrangement, regardless of whether the motherboard is disposed vertically or horizontally in the computer casing, the weight of the CPU usually puts no loading on the motherboard. 
     Intel® unveiled, in close succession, new types of CPU, such as Pentium II. It is known, instead of the conventional chip BGA packaging approach, Pentium II architecture uses a print circuit board (PCB) to integrate the CPU and the required cache memory. At the same time, side edge contact cartridge (SECC) type packaging is employed to render a cartridge-type Pentium II (CPU). The cartridge-type CPU then copes with SLOT- 1  architecture on the motherboard to constitute the computer system. It is observed that the cartridge-type CPU results in the increase of the weight and size of the CPU module. Therefore, one conventional approach, as shown in FIG. 1, employs an insertion frame  12  which is affixed to the motherboard  11 . The insertion frame  12  provides a slot for receiving the cartridge-type CPU  13 . As the motherboard  11  is disposed horizontally within the computer casing, this arrangement will not create too much loading to the motherboard  11 . 
     Yet to consider the problem of heat dissipation inside the computer casing, most computer casings nowadays are designed to be disposed vertically. As such, the motherboard inside is placed vertically within the casing and the forced air convection approach is applied to improve the cooling ability. However, while the motherboard is disposed vertically, the motherboard must be capable of carrying weight of the cartridge-type CPU which is disposed vertically to the motherboard. If it is not well designed, the motherboard may experience damage due to the weight of the cartridge-type CPU Intel® company recently puts a more powerful cartridge-type CPU, i.e. Xeon, into the market. In addition to using a super-sized SECC, it is larger in size and weight compared with Pentium 11. Furthermore, based on the functions of Xeon, a multi-processor computer system may include two or four Xeon CPUs on a motherboard to enhance the parallel processing capability of the computer system. It is quite clear that, when several super-sized cartridge-type CPUs are simultaneously attached to a motherboard, there must be a suitable CPU attachment system to take care of the loading over the motherboard exerted by the cartridge-type CPUs. 
     As illustrated in FIG. 2, one conventional approach employs at least one vertically-disposed fixation stripe  22  which is attached to the computer casing  21 . 
     The fixation stripe  22  presses against the edge of cartridge-type CPU  23  tightly so that part of the weight of cartridge-type CPU  23  is transferred to casing  21  via the fixation stripe  22 . Under this approach, the casing  21  requires a corresponding structure to connect the fixation stripe  22 . And this corresponding structure on the casing  21  varies as size or shape of the fixation stripe  22  changes. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     In light of the above concerns, main objective of the invention is to bring about a system and method for attaching the cartridge-type CPU so that the cartridge-type CPU is precisely attached onto the motherboard without taking too much weight of the cartridge-type CPU. 
     The system provided attaches a cartridge-type central processor unit (CPU) to a motherboard and includes a first device, a second device and a third device. 
     The first device has a slot for receiving the cartridge-type CPU. The second device is disposed below the motherboard to fortify the strength of the motherboard. The third device functions to attach the first device and the motherboard to the second device. The weight of the cartridge-type CPU, via the first device and the third device, is substantially transferred to the second device with the second device being a primary carrier of weight of the cartridge-type CPU. 
     The attachment system doesn&#39;t interact with the computer casing, thus avoiding the compatibility issue between different motherboards and different computer casings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     To have a better understanding of the structure and characteristics of the invention, the following recitations regarding preferred embodiments of the invention are made with reference to the accompanied drawings.: 
     FIG. 1 illustrates one conventional approach to affix the cartridge-type CPU. 
     FIG. 2 illustrates one conventional approach to affix the cartridge-type CPUs. 
     FIG. 3 illustrates a first embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG.  4 ( a ) illustrates second embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG.  4 ( b ) illustrates how to remove the cartridge-type CPU using uprooting device. 
     FIG. 5 illustrates the second device of the invention. 
     FIG.  6 ( a ) illustrates the structure of the third device of the invention, which is used to attach the cartridge-type CPU. 
     FIG.  6 ( b ) illustrates the invention in assembly form. 
     FIG.  7 ( a ) illustrates the fourth device of the invention. 
     FIG.  7 ( b ) illustrates the assembly relationship of the fourth device with respect to other elements of the invention. 
     FIG. 8 depicts the second embodiment of the third device of the invention, which is used to attach multiple cartridge-type CPUs. 
     FIG. 9 illustrates multi-processors attached to a motherboard using the invention. 
     FIG.  10 ( a ) illustrates the invention without the fourth device in FIG.  7 ( a ) as the motherboard is placed vertically. 
     FIG.  10 ( b ) illustrates the invention with the fourth device in FIG.  7 ( a ) as the motherboard is placed vertically. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     As shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 5, FIG.  6 ( a ) and FIG.  6 ( b ), the attachment system of invention includes a first device  30 , a second device  50  and a third device  60 . The first device  30 , which mainly provides a space for receiving the cartridge-type CPU  34 , includes an insertion frame  31  and a retainer  32 . The second device  50 , which mainly acts as a reinforced board carrying weight of the cartridge-type CPU  34 , includes a metal support board  51  and a soft silicon isolation pad  52 . The third device  60 , which mainly functions to attach the first device  30  and the motherboard  33  to the second device  50 , includes a Π-shaped metal frame  61  and a soft cushion  62 . Through the third device  60 , the weight of the cartridge-type CPU  34  is transferred to the second device  50 . The details of each elements mentioned will be introduced hereinafter. 
     As shown in the explosive view of a first device  30  depicted in FIG. 3, the first device  30  includes an insertion frame  31  and a retainer  32 . The retainer  32  is attachable to and detachable from the insertion frame  31 . As afore-recited, the first device  30  mainly provides a space for receiving the cartridge-type CPU  34 . The insertion frame  31  is attached to a motherboard  33  and provides a slot in which the cartridge-type CPU  34  is removably inserted. In a preferred embodiment, each end of the insert frame  31  is in form of a strut structure. After the cartridge-type CPU  34  is inserted into the insertion frame  31 , two ends of the retainer  32  are then inserted into the corresponding respective slot of the insertion frame  31  with a central portion of the retainer  32  pressing toward the corresponding edge of the cartridge-type CPU  34 . In this way, the cartridge-type CPU  34  is entirely surrounded by the retainer  32 . Although not shown in the figure, it is well known the insertion frame  31  provides electrical signal paths between the cartridge-type CPU  34  and the electrical circuit on the motherboard  33 . 
     Refer to FIG.  4 ( a ), to allow the cartridge-type CPU  34  be conveniently inserted into or detached from the slot of insertion frame  31 , the second embodiment for the first device  30  includes an insertion frame  31 , a detachable retainer  32 , and an uprooting device  43 . The functions of the insertion frame  31  and the retainer  32  are as described regarding FIG.3. A tenon-mortise mechanism is provided between the uprooting device  43  and two upper corner ends of the cartridge-type CPU  34  to engage the uprooting device  43  respectively with two upper corner ends of the cartridge-type CPU  34 . 
     As illustrated in FIG.  4 ( b ), the uprooting device  43  includes a handle  44  at one end which may be pulled up by a fingertip of an operator. As the cartridge-type CPU  34  is within the insertion frame  31  with the uprooting device  43  connected at the upper corner ends of the CPU  34 , one may easily pull up the cartridge-type CPU  34  from dead-end location of slot of the insertion frame  31  by applying lifting force, indicated as arrow mark in FIG.  4 ( b ), at the handle  44 . The rotation action of handle  44  causes other end of the uprooting device  43  move downwards and pushes against the corresponding edge of the insertion frame  31 . This action results in an upwards force, which forces the cartridge-type CPU  34  move upwards and detach itself from the dead-end location of slot of the insertion frame  31 . 
     To avoid having the motherboard  33  carry entire weight of the cartridge-type CPU  34 , the second device  50  provided by the invention functions to carry most of the weight of the cartridge-type CPU  34  and fortify the strength of the motherboard  33 . Refer to FIG. 5, the second device  50  includes a metal support board  51  and a soft silicon isolation pad  52 . The metal support board  51  has multiple holes  53  which correspond to connection counterparts (not shown) on the casing. The holes  53  allow the metal support board  51  along with the motherboard  33  be attached to the computer casing (not shown). The soft silicon isolation pad  52  functions as the buffer layer between the motherboard  33  and the metal support board  51 . The soft silicon isolation pad  52  has multiple holes  54 , allowing the insertion frame  31 , the soft silicon isolation pad  52  together with the motherboard  33  be attached to the metal support board  51 . The metal support board  51  has multiple screws  55  which function to pass through the corresponding holes  54  of the soft silicon isolation pad  52  and the motherboard  33 , and connect to the insertion frame  31 . In a different embodiment, instead of two elements structure recited above, the second device  50  is an integral hard and non-conducting support board. 
     As shown in FIG.  6 ( a ) and FIG.  6 ( b ), the third device  60  functions to attach the first device  30 , the inserted cartridge-type CPU  34  and the motherboard  33  to the second device  50 . The third device  60  includes a Π-shaped metal frame  61 . The inner space defined by the Π-shaped metal frame  61  functions to house the strut structure of first device  30 . Each of two end sides of Π-shaped metal frame  61  has a hole allowing passage of the screw  55 . Through this arrangement the third device  60  is passed over the first device  30  and the cartridge-type CPU  34  is affixed to the second device  50 . This allows the weight of the cartridge-type CPU  34  placed within the first device  30  be transferred to second device  50  via the first device  30  and the third device  60 . In this way, the motherboard  33  will not experience damage coming from the loading of the cartridge-type CPU  34 . A soft cushion  62  is provided at the inside corners of the Π-shaped metal frame  61  functioning to provide more tight contact between the Π-shaped metal frame  61  and the upper surface of the retainer  32 . 
     The assembly operation of the cartridge-type CPU is performed in the following steps: 
     1) Place the motherboard  33  on top of the second device  50  with the screws  55  passing through the corresponding holes  54  respectively on the soft silicon isolation pad  52  and the motherboard  33 ; 
     2) Attach the insertion frame  31  of the first device  30  to the motherboard  33  and the second device  50  using the screws  55 ; 
     3) Install the uprooting device  43  on the two corner ends of the cartridge-type CPU  34 ; 
     4) Press the cartridge-type CPU  34  into the slot of insertion frame  31 ; 
     5) Attach the retainer  32  onto the insertion frame  31  such that the central portion of the retainer  32  pressing toward the corresponding edge of the cartridge-type CPU  34 ; 
     6) Wrap the first device  30  at the location of strut structure thereof using the third device  60  with the corresponding hole aligned to the screw  55 , and fasten the third device  60  along with the motherboard  33  to the second device  50  using the screw  55  and the corresponding bolts (not shown). 
     FIG.  6 ( b ) depicts the invention in assembly form. 
     It is known that a more advanced computer system, i.e. server system, usually provides two or more cartridge-type CPUs within the computer system. The present invention also applicable to such multi-processors computer system. FIG. 9 illustrates how the second embodiment of invention is applied to two cartridge-type CPUs provided on the motherboard  33 . This arrangement also may attach multiple cartridge-type CPUs without the motherboard taking too much weight from the cartridge-type CPUs  34 . 
     As shown in FIG.  7 ( a ), FIG.  7 ( b ) and FIG.  8  and FIG. 9, for motherboard accommodating two cartridge-type CPUs, the second embodiment of the invention includes two first devices  30 , a second device  50 , two third devices  91  and two fourth devices (hereinafter also referred to as fourth means)  81 . The first device  30  includes the insertion frame  31  and a retainer  32 . Since the structure and function of the first device  30  shown in FIG. 7 is substantially same as that shown in FIG. 3, similar recitations regarding the first device  30  will not be repeated here for brevity purpose. It is noted that, as shown in FIG.  7 ( a ), the preferred embodiment for the fourth device  81  is in form of a rod. The rod has a circumferential groove  82  provided on each end of the rod. The circumferential groove  82  corresponds to the edge  83  provided on the top edge portion of the insertion frame  31 . The arrangement allows the connection of the rod to two adjacent insertion frame  31  with the grooves  82  respectively engaging with the edge  83  illustrated in FIG.  7 ( b ). After the fourth device  81  is installed and the cartridge-type CPUs  34  are inserted into the insertion frames  31 , the retainer  32  then is affixed to the insertion frame  31  to complete the assembly process. 
     The second device  50  mainly includes a metal support board  51  and a soft silicon isolation pad  52 . Since the structure and function of the second device  50  shown in FIG. 9 is substantially same as that shown in FIG. 5, recitation regarding the second device  50  will not be repeated here for brevity purpose. 
     Similar to the third device  60  in FIG.  6 ( a ) and FIG.  6 ( b ), the third device  91  shown in FIG.  8  and FIG. 9 functions to attach the first device  30  and the motherboard  33  to the second device  50 . The third device  91  includes a Π-shaped metal frame. The inner space defined by the Π-shaped metal frame functions to house the strut structure of first device  30 . Each of two end sides of Π-shaped metal frame has a hole allowing passage of a screw. Through this arrangement and a bolt (not shown), as the first device  30  and the cartridge-type CPU are enveloped by the third device  91 , the third device  91  is affixed to the second device  50 . This allows the weight of the cartridge-type CPU  34  placed within the slot of first device  30  be transferred to second device  50  via the first device  30  and the third device  91 . In this way, the motherboard  33  will not experience damage coming from the loading of the cartridge-type CPU  34 . A soft cushion  92  is provided at the inside corner of the Π-shaped metal frame which functions to provide more tight contact between the Π-shaped metal frame and the upper surface of the retainer  32 . 
     As recited, the arrangement of the fourth device  81  allows the connection of the fourth device  81  to two adjacent insertion frame  31  with two grooves  82  respectively engaging with the edge of cavities as illustrated in FIG.  7 ( b ). Moreover, the fourth device  81  is also used to maintain the distance between two adjacent first device  30 . When the motherboard is placed vertically, the weight of the cartridge-type CPU can be transferred to the second device  50  via the third device  91 . 
     FIG.  10 ( a ) shows the present invention without the provision of the fourth device  81  while FIG.  10 ( b ) shows the present invention with the provision of the fourth device  81 . Under condition of FIG.  10 ( a ), it is still possible the motherboard experiences damage. Under condition of FIG.  10 ( b ), the weight of the upper cartridge-type CPU can be supported by the fourth device  81  and transferred to the second device  50  via the fourth device  81 . The possibility for the motherboard to break is much lower than that shown in FIG.  10 ( a ). 
     The assembly operation of the multiple cartridge-type CPUs is performed in the following steps: 
     (1) Place the motherboard  33  on the top of the second device  50  with the screws  55  passing through the corresponding holes respectively on the soft silicon isolation pad  52  and the motherboard; 
     (2) Attach the insertion frame  31  of the first device  30  to the motherboard  33  and the second device  50  using the screws  55 ; 
     (3) Install the uprooting device  43  on the two corner ends of the cartridge-type CPU  34 ; 
     (4) Press the cartridge-type CPUs  34  into the slot of insertion frame  31 ; 
     (5) Engage each fourth device with two adjacent insertion frames  31 ; 
     (6) Attach the retainer  32  onto the insertion frame  31  such that the central portion of the retainer  32  pressing toward the corresponding edge of the cartridge-type CPU  34 ; 
     (7) Wrap the first device  30  at the location of strut structure thereof using the third device  91  with the corresponding hole aligned to the screw  55 , and fasten the third device  91  along with the motherboard  33  to the second device  50  using the screw  55  and the corresponding bolts (not shown).