Receptacle connector socket with embedded bus bar

An information handling system may include a printed circuit board and a plurality of connectors each electrically and mechanically coupled to the printed circuit board, each connector of the plurality of connectors configured to receive a respective modular information handling resource in order to electrically couple, via electrically-conductive pins of such connector, the respective modular information handling resource to the printed circuit board. Each connector may include a body comprising electrically non-conductive material and including a receptacle formed therein for receiving a mating edge connector of the respective modular information handling resource, a bus bar comprising electrically conductive material, other than the electrically-conductive pins of such connector, disposed within or upon the body and extending through at least a portion of the body, and an electrical termination electrically coupled to the bus bar.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates in general to information handling systems, and more particularly to systems and methods for providing a receptacle connector socket with an external electrical delivery apparatus.

BACKGROUND

Information handling systems often utilize memory, in the form of memory modules, such as dual in-line memory modules comprising a plurality of memory chips (e.g., random access memory). Memory modules are often implemented in accordance with an industry standard, such as Double Data Rate 5 Synchronous Dynamic Random-Access Memory (DDR5 SDRAM or simply “DDR5”). As compared to its predecessor standard, DDR5 uses a new power delivery scheme in which a Power Management Integrated Chip (PMIC) on a memory module receives a bulk input voltage (typically a 12-volt main voltage for servers and 5-volt main voltage for client machines) from a motherboard. A receptacle edge connector socket for receiving a memory module may have all of its pins for receiving such bulk input voltage at one end of the socket, in accordance with DDR5 module standards. In addition, modern processors are often pinned out such that half of the memory modules on a typical motherboard would require power from the rear side of a motherboard (e.g., where power sources are typically located) and half on the front side of the motherboard where the processor and other system components may reside.

This situation creates challenges in delivering power to components coupled to the motherboard, as high levels of electrical current may need to flow from the back of the motherboard (e.g., from power supply units) to the front of the motherboard (e.g., to memory, air movers, backplanes, etc.). Because the mid-section of the printed circuit board implementing a motherboard may be filled with numerous vias and high-speed routing (e.g., a 12-channel DDR5-based processor socket), the effective area of conductive metal within the printed circuit board may be limited. Thus, instead of flowing through a solid conductive metal plane, current may need to flow through a metal plane with numerous discontinuities (e.g., a “Swiss-cheese” like metal plane). Such discontinuity may lead to larger voltage drop across the plane (e.g., such drop proportional to the current multiplied by an electrical resistance of the plane), such that a receptacle edge connector socket for receiving a memory module may receive a desired bulk input voltage lower than the main voltage provided by power supply units).

SUMMARY

In accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure, the disadvantages and problems associated with existing approaches to electrical delivery in an information handling system may be reduced or eliminated.

In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, an information handling system may include a printed circuit board and a plurality of connectors each electrically and mechanically coupled to the printed circuit board, each connector of the plurality of connectors configured to receive a respective modular information handling resource in order to electrically couple, via electrically-conductive pins of such connector, the respective modular information handling resource to the printed circuit board. Each connector may include a body comprising electrically non-conductive material and including a receptacle formed therein for receiving a mating edge connector of the respective modular information handling resource, a bus bar comprising electrically conductive material, other than the electrically-conductive pins of such connector, disposed within or upon the body and extending through at least a portion of the body, and an electrical termination electrically coupled to the bus bar.

In accordance with these and other embodiments of the present disclosure, a connector for electrically coupling an information handling resource to a printed circuit board may include a body comprising electrically non-conductive material and including a receptacle formed therein for receiving a mating edge connector of the information handling resource and electrically coupling the information handling resource via electrically-conductive pins of such connector, a bus bar comprising electrically conductive material, other than the electrically-conductive pins of such connector, disposed within and upon the body and extending through at least a portion of the body, and an electrical termination electrically coupled to the bus bar.

In accordance with these and other embodiments of the present disclosure, a method may include forming within a body of a connector for electrically coupling an information handling resource to a printed circuit board, wherein the body comprises electrically non-conductive material, a receptacle for receiving a mating edge connector of the information handling resource to electrically couple the information handling resource via electrically-conductive pins of such connector, disposing within or upon the body and extending through at least a portion of the body, a bus bar comprising electrically conductive material, other than electrically-conductive pins of the connector, and an electrical termination electrically coupled to the bus bar.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Preferred embodiments and their advantages are best understood by reference toFIGS.1through4, wherein like numbers are used to indicate like and corresponding parts.

For the purposes of this disclosure, circuit boards may broadly refer to printed circuit boards (PCBs), printed wiring boards (PWBs), printed wiring assemblies (PWAs), etched wiring boards, and/or any other board or similar physical structure operable to mechanically support and electrically couple electronic components (e.g., packaged integrated circuits, slot connectors, etc.). A circuit board may comprise a substrate of a plurality of conductive layers separated and supported by layers of insulating material laminated together, with conductive traces disposed on and/or in any of such conductive layers, with vias for coupling conductive traces of different layers together, and with pads for coupling electronic components (e.g., packaged integrated circuits, slot connectors, etc.) to conductive traces of the circuit board.

FIG.1illustrates a block diagram of an example information handling system102. In some embodiments, information handling system102may comprise a server. In other embodiments, information handling system102may comprise networking equipment for facilitating communication over a communication network. In yet other embodiments, information handling system102may comprise a personal computer, such as a laptop, notebook, or desktop computer.

As shown inFIG.1, information handling system102may include a motherboard101, a processor103coupled to motherboard101, a plurality of connectors110mechanically and electrically coupled to motherboard101, and memory system104comprising a plurality of memory modules106each electrically coupled to motherboard101via a respective connector110. Motherboard101may comprise a circuit board configured to provide structural support for one or more information handling resources of information handling system102and/or electrically couple one or more of such information handling resources to each other and/or to other electric or electronic components external to information handling system102.

Memory system104may be communicatively coupled to processor103and may comprise any system, device, or apparatus operable to retain program instructions or data for a period of time (e.g., computer-readable media). Memory system104may comprise random access memory (RAM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a PCMCIA card, flash memory, magnetic storage, opto-magnetic storage, or any suitable selection and/or array of volatile or non-volatile memory that retains data after power to information handling system102is turned off. In particular embodiments, memory system104may comprise dynamic random access memory (DRAM).

As shown inFIG.1, memory system104may be implemented by a plurality of memory modules106removably coupled to connectors110. Each memory module106may include any system, device or apparatus configured to retain program instructions and/or data for a period of time (e.g., computer-readable media). A memory module106may comprise a dual in-line package (DIP) memory, a dual-inline memory module (DIMM), a Single In-line Pin Package (SIPP) memory, a Single Inline Memory Module (SIMM), a Ball Grid Array (BGA), or any other suitable memory module. In some embodiments, a memory module106may include a mating edge connector configured to mechanically and electrically couple to a corresponding receptacle slot or other opening of a connector110.

A connector110may comprise any system, device, or apparatus fixedly mounted on motherboard101and may be constructed to mechanically couple a corresponding memory module106to motherboard101and to electrically couple such memory module106to motherboard101, processor103, and/or other components of information handling system102. Connector110may comprise a socket including a receptacle slot or other opening configured to removably receive a corresponding mating edge connector of a memory module106.

In addition to motherboard101, processor103, connectors110, and memory modules106, information handling system102may include one or more other information handling resources.

FIG.2illustrates a perspective view of selected components of the example information handling system102shown inFIG.1, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. In particular,FIG.2illustrates information handling system102comprising processor103, and a plurality of connectors110(e.g., connectors110A and110B) unpopulated by memory modules106, for purposes of clarity and exposition.

Connectors110are shown inFIG.2as comprising two different types of connectors110: a first type of connector110A having a single bus bar202embedded within connector110A and a second type of connector110B having two bus bars202and206embedded within connector110B.FIG.3illustrates a perspective view of example receptacle connector110A, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, andFIG.4illustrates a perspective view of example receptacle connector110B, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

Although connector110A is depicted as having a single bus bar202and connector110B is depicted as having two bus bars202and206, it is understood that a connector110may include any suitable number of bus bars, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

As shown inFIGS.2and3, in some embodiments, connector110A may include bus bar202embedded within a groove or other recess formed within the exterior of a body302of connector110A, wherein body302may be formed of an electrically non-conductive material, such as plastic. In some embodiments, bus bar202may not be formed with a recess within the exterior of a body302of connector110A, but may instead be formed as a continuous bump or protrusion running alongside connector110A. Further, whileFIGS.2and3depict bus bar202as being visible from the exterior of connector110A, in some embodiments, bus bar202may be “buried” within body302, such that it is predominantly not visible from the exterior of connector110A.

Bus bar202may be formed from any suitable electrically-conductive material (e.g., copper or other metal). As also shown inFIGS.2and3, bus bar202may be terminated on at least one end of connector110A with a soldering pad304for electrically coupling bus bar202to a board pad204of conductive material (e.g., copper or other material). Accordingly, in operation, a power rail within motherboard101may be electrically coupled to pad204, allowing for transmission of electrical current through bus bar202. For example, in some embodiments, bus bar202may be used to deliver electrical current from pad204to pins of connectors110A. As another example, in some embodiments, soldering pads304and board pads204may be located at each end of connector110A, allowing for transmission of electrical energy from one end of connector110A to the other (e.g., to transmit electrical energy from components located on one side of connector110A to components located on the other side of connector110A).

As shown inFIGS.2and4, connector110B may include a first bus bar202embedded within a first groove or other recess formed within the exterior of a body402of connector110B and a second bus bar206embedded within a second groove or other recess formed within the exterior body402, wherein body402may be formed of an electrically non-conductive material, such as plastic. In some embodiments, either or both of bus bar202and206may not be formed with a recess within the exterior of a body402of connector110B, but may instead be formed as a continuous bump or protrusion running alongside connector110A. Further, whileFIGS.2and4depict bus bars202and206as being visible from the exterior of connector110B, in some embodiments, one or both of bus bars202and206may be “buried” within body402, such that they are predominantly not visible from the exterior of connector110B.

Bus bar202and bus bar206may each be formed from any suitable electrically-conductive material (e.g., copper or other metal). As also shown inFIGS.2and4, each bus bar202and206may be terminated on at least one end of connector110B with a respective cable connector404,406for electrically coupling bus bar202and bus bar206to a respective cable208. Accordingly, in operation, a power rail within a cable208may be electrically coupled to either of cable connector404,406, allowing for transmission of electrical current to or from such cable208through bus bar202or bus bar206. For example, in some embodiments, one or both bus bars202,206may be used to deliver electrical current from a cable208coupled to one of cable connectors404,406to pins of connectors110B. As another example, in some embodiments, cable connectors404,406may be located at each end of connector110B, allowing for transmission of electrical energy from one end of connector110B to the other (e.g., to transmit electrical energy from components located on one side of connector110B to components located on the other side of connector110B).

AlthoughFIGS.2and3depict the single bus bar connector110A being terminated by a soldering pad304and coupled to a board pad204, in some embodiments, a connector110in accordance with this disclosure may comprise a single bus bar connector110similar to connector110A but terminated on at least one end with a cable connector similar to connector110B. Further, althoughFIGS.2and4depict the dual bus bar connector110B being terminated by cable connectors404,406for coupling to one or more cables, in some embodiments, a connector110in accordance with this disclosure may comprise a dual bus bar connector110similar to connector110B but terminated on at least one end with a soldering pad similar to connector110A.

Further, in some embodiments, a connector110may be terminated by both a cable connector similar to connector110B and a soldering pad similar to connector110A. For example, a connector110may be terminated at one end by a cable connector similar to connector110B and terminated at its other end by a soldering pad similar to connector110A. As another example, a dual bus bar connector110similar to connector110B may be terminated at the same end by both a cable connector connected to one bus bar and a soldering pad coupled to the other bus bar.

Also, althoughFIG.2depicts an information handling system102comprising two different types of connectors110A and110B, an information handling system102may include only one type of connector110or multiple types of connectors110.

In addition, although the foregoing contemplates the use of bus bars202and206for delivery of power within information handling system102, in some embodiments, a bus bar202and/or206may be used for delivery of electrical signals in addition to or in lieu of power delivery.

Additionally, although the foregoing contemplates the use of bus bars202and206for delivery of power and electrical signals to motherboard101and memory modules106, within information handling system102, in some embodiments, a bus bar202and/or206may be used for delivery of electrical signals or power to any suitable component or information handling resource of information handling system102.

Moreover, although the foregoing contemplates use of bus bars202and206embedded in a receptacle connector socket for memory modules, any suitable type of receptacle connector socket for memory modules or any other type of information handling resource may have one or more bus bars embedded therein, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

Although exemplary embodiments are illustrated in the figures and described above, the principles of the present disclosure may be implemented using any number of techniques, whether currently known or not. The present disclosure should in no way be limited to the exemplary implementations and techniques illustrated in the figures and described above.

Unless otherwise specifically noted, articles depicted in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.