Apparatus for controlling the connection of an electrical module to an electrical receptacle

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the connection of an electrical module to an electrical receptacle. The module is provided with a power switch having a movable switch activator for inhibiting a flow of cur­ rent to the electrical module when the switch activator is in a first position and for flowing a current to the electrical module when the switch activator is in a second position. The switch activator has a side por­ tion which extends from a surface of the module when the switch activator is in the second position, but which does not extend from the surface of the module when the switch activator is in the first position. A lock member is disposed on a surface of the module and is slidable to a retracted position when the switch activator is in the first position. The lock member extends from the module and abuts against the side por­ tion of the switch activator when the switch activator is in the second position. When the lock member is in the retracted position, the module may be readily con­ nected to or disconnected from the receptacle. When the lock member is extended, the module is prevented from being positioned in the prescribed orientation for connecting to the electrical receptacle, or, when the module and receptacle are already connected, the lock member extends into a bounded opening in the surface of the receptacle and the module cannot be disconnected from the receptacle.

Description: The present invention relates to an electrical module for connecting to an electrical receptacle and to an apparatus for controlling the connection of an electrical module to an electrical receptacle. Many computer and other electronic systems are constructed so that individual electronic modules of the system may be selectively inserted and removed from the cabinet which houses them. Such modular construction greatly facilitates repair and replacement of the individual modules, but it creates a number of drawbacks. For example, if a power supply is either inserted or removed from an electrical receptacle within the cabinet while the power supply is turned on, voltage spikes may occur. These voltage spikes can be very detrimental to the components of the system. Accordingly, there exists a need for a mechanism which ensures that power is not being supplied to a module upon either insertion or removal of that module. On the other hand, the mechanism must not be so difficult to operate that the purpose of constructing modular components is thwarted. Furthermore, the mechanism must be capable of being used within crowded cabinets having very little space available for extraneous hardware. Finally, the mechanism must be simple and must not require specialised hardware which increases the complexity and cost of the system. EP-A-0038583, US-A-3932716 and US-A-3919507 disclose prior art systems for connecting electronic modules to electrical receptacles. EP-A-0038583, on which the precharacterising portions of appended claims 1 and 2 are based, in particular discloses a member on a module which may only slide between first and second positions when an electrical switch on the module is in a position which does not physically obstruct the member. An arm, which is connected to the member and pivots about a point on the module, is provided to move the module into and out of engagement with the receptacle. The arm may be pivoted and consequently, the module moved, only when the switch is in the appropriate position, permitting the member to slide on the module. The apparatus of the present invention is simple, compact, and readily adaptable to cabinets having very little extra space. According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electrical module for connecting to an electrical receptacle comprising: a first surface; a second surface disposed generally perpendicularly to the first surface; a switch affixed to the second surface, the switch having a switch activator having a first position for inhibiting a current flow to the module and having a second position for allowing a current flow through the switch, a lock member slidingly disposed on the second surface adjacent to the switch activator; the lock member being slidable from a first position to a second position, the lock member having a first portion which is disposed over a portion of the switch activator when the lock member is in the second position and the switch activator is in the first position, and the first portion of the lock member abutting against the switch activator when the switch activator is in the second position and the lock member is in the first position such that the lock member is prevented from being moved into the second position and the electrical module can thereby be locked to the electrical receptacle; characterised in that the switch is a rocker switch, said portion of the switch activator extending from the second surface when the switch activator is in the second position, and the portion of the switch activator being generally aligned with the second surface when the switch activator is in the first position; and the first position of the lock member is an extended position, wherein a second portion of the lock member extends beyond the first surface of the module and the second position of the lock member is a retracted position wherein the second portion of the lock member is generally aligned with the first surface of the module; and wherein the second portion of the lock member, in the extended position, is suitable for engaging with said electrical receptacle so as to prevent disconnection of the module from the electrical receptacle when the module is connected to an electrical receptacle. According to a second aspect of the invention an apparatus for controlling the electrical connection of an electrical module to an electrical receptacle is provided comprising: an electrical receptacle having a first surface and a second surface disposed generally perpendicularly to the first surface; a first electrical connector disposed on the first surface of the receptacle; an electrical module having a first surface and a second surface disposed generally perpendicularly to the first surface; a second electrical connector disposed on the first surface of the module for slidingly connecting with the first electrical connector; wherein the first surfaces of the module and the receptacle and the second surfaces of the module and receptacle are disposed adjacent to each other when the first and second electrical connectors are connected, and the second surfaces of the module and receptacle are oriented and move parallel to each other when the first and second electrical connectors are to be connected and disconnected from each other; a switch having a movable switch activator for inhibiting the flow of current to the electrical module when the switch activator is in a first position and for allowing current to the electrical module when the switch activator is in a second position; lock means comprising a lock member slidable on the module adjacent to the switch activator, for (a) preventing disconnection of the first and second electrical connectors when the switch activator is in the second position, and (b) preventing connection of the module to the receptacle when the switch activator is in the second position; characterised in that the lock member, when the switch activator is in the second position, immovably extends beyond the second surface of the module to prevent disconnection of the first and second electrical connectors by engaging with the second surface of the receptacle and thereby preventing the second surfaces of the module and receptacle from moving parallel to each other and to prevent connection of the module to the receptacle by preventing the second surfaces of the module and receptacle from moving parallel to each other when the first electrical connector is adjacent to, but not connected to, the receptacle. The apparatus of the present invention is simple, compact, and readily adaptable to cabinets having very little extra space. Advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description of the invention, which should be taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 is a perspective view of an electrical module according to the present invention. Figure 2 is a side view of the module of Figure 1 mounted to an electrical receptacle. Figures 1 and 2 are perspective and side views, respectively, of an apparatus 4, according to the present invention, for controlling the connection of an electrical module 8 to an electrical receptacle 12. Module 8 is adapted to slide on a surface 13 of receptacle 12 and assumes a prescribed orientation relative to surface 13 when connected to receptacle 12, as shown in Figure 2. Module 8 connects to receptacle 12 through well known electrical connectors 14 and 15, respectively. Surface 13 of electrical receptacle 12 includes a bounded opening 16 for reasons discussed below. As shown in Figure 1, module 8 includes a power switch 18 having a switch activator 20. Switch activator 20 is moved from a first "off" position, shown in phantom in Figure 2, for inhibiting a current flow to module 8, and to a second "on" position, shown in Figure 1, for flowing a current to module 8. Module 8 further includes a lock mechanism 24 for preventing connection of module 8 to or removal of module 8 from receptacle 12 when switch activator 20 is in a prescribed position, i.e. in the on position. Lock mechanism 24 includes a handle member 28 and a lock member 30 slidingly affixed to a surface 32 of module 8 by a pair of lugs 36 extending through a corresponding pair of slots 40 in surface 32. Affixed to surface 32 is a leaf spring 44 for engaging a pair of grooves 48 embedded in lock member 30 and for providing a detente when lock mechanism 24 is in an upper or lower position. Lock member 30 extends below a bottom surface 50 of module 8 when lock mechanism 24 is in the lower position, and lock member 30 generally aligns with bottom surface 50 when lock mechanism 24 is in the upper position. Switch activator 20 includes a side portion 64 which extends from surface 32 of module 8 when switch 18 is in the on position. When switch 18 is in this position, side 64 of switch activator 20 abuts against a portion 68 of lock member 30 and maintains lock member 30 in its extended position. On the other hand, when switch 18 is in the off portion, side 64 of switch activator 20 does not abut against portion 68, and portion 68 of lock member 30 may be slid past side 64 for allowing lock mechanism 24 to assume its upper, retracted position. In operation, switch activator 20 of switch 18 is placed in the off portion, and lock mechanism 24 is slid into the upper position whereby lock member 30 aligns with bottom 50 of module 8. Module 8 then is slid along surface 13 of receptacle 12 until module 8 assumes the proper orientation relative to surface 13 and electrical connector 14 mates with electrical connector 15. Lock mechanism 24 then may be slid into the lower position so that lock member 30 extends into bounded opening 16, and side 64 of switch activator 20 is exposed. Switch activator 20 then may be moved into the on position and current may flow through module 8 accordingly. As long as switch activator 20 is in the on position, side 64 abuts against portion 68 of lock member 30 for maintaining lock member 30 in the extended position. Lock member 30 thus is confined within bounded opening 16 and module 8 may not be disconnected from receptacle 12. When module 8 is to be disconnected from receptacle 12, switch activator 20 is moved into the off position. In this position, lock mechanism 24 may be readily slid into the upper position with lock member 30 disposed over side 64 of switch activator 20. When in the upper position, lock member 30 aligns with bottom surface 50 of module 8, free of bounded opening 16, and module 8 may be readily disconnected from receptacle 12. If an attempt is made to reconnect module 8 to receptacle 12, switch activator 20 must be in the off position and lock mechanism 24 must be in the upper position, or else lock member 30 will interfere with surface 13 and module 8 may not be positioned in the prescribed orientation relative to receptacle 12 for connection thereto. As a result of the foregoing, module 8 may not be connected to or disconnected from receptacle 12 unless switch activator 20 is in the off position. By constructing lock mechanism 20 so that it performs both the retaining function for module 8 and the locking function to prevent activation of switch 18, and by using switch 18 for performing part of the locking function, the number of hardware components is minimized and the device takes up minimal space. While the above is a complete description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, various modifications are obvious to those skilled in the art. For example, switch 18 may comprise separate buttons which are individually depressed and which alternately extend from surface 32, depending on whether the circuit is to be placed in the on or off mode Alternatively, switch 18 may control a separate pin, which moves in and out of a corresponding aperture within lock mechanism 24 for maintaining lock mechanism 24 in place. Consequently, the scope of the invention should not be limited except as properly described in the claims.

Claims: An electrical module (8) for connecting to an electrical receptacle (12) comprising: a first surface (50); a second surface (32) disposed generally perpendicularly to the first surface; a switch (18) affixed to the second surface, the switch having a switch activator (20) having a first position for inhibiting a current flow to the module (8) and having a second position for allowing a current flow to the module (8), a lock member (30) slidingly disposed on the second surface adjacent to the switch activator; the lock member being slidable from a first position to a second position, the lock member having a first portion (68) which is disposed over a portion (64) of the switch activator when the lock member is in the second position and the switch activator is in the first position, and the first portion (68) of the lock member abutting against the switch activator when the switch activator is in the second position and the lock member is in the first position such that the lock member is prevented from being moved into the second position and the electrical module can thereby be locked to the electrical receptacle; characterised in that the switch (18) is a rocker switch (18), said portion (64) of the switch activator extending from the second surface when the switch activator is in the second position, and the portion (64) of the switch activator being generally aligned with the second surface when the switch activator is in the first position; and the first position of the lock member is an extended position, wherein a second portion of the lock member extends beyond the first surface (50) of the module and the second position of the lock member is a retracted position wherein the second portion of the lock member is generally aligned with the first surface of the module; and wherein the second portion of the lock member, in the extended position, is suitable for engaging with said electrical receptacle (12) so as to prevent disconnection of the module (8) from the electrical receptacle (12) when the module (8) is connected to the electrical receptacle (12). An apparatus for controlling the electrical connection of an electrical module (8) to an electrical receptacle (12) comprising: an electrical receptacle (12) having a first surface (A) and a second surface (13) disposed generally perpendicularly to the first surface; a first electrical connector (15) disposed on the first surface of the receptacle; an electrical module (8) having a first surface (B) and a second surface (50) disposed generally perpendicularly to the first surface; a second electrical connector (14) disposed on the first surface of the module for slidingly connecting with the first electrical connector; wherein the first surfaces of the module and the receptacle and the second surfaces of the module and receptacle are disposed adjacent to each other when the first and second electrical connectors are connected, and the second surfaces of the module and receptacle are oriented and move parallel to each other when the first and second electrical connectors are to be connected and disconnected from each other; a switch (18) having a movable switch activator (20) for inhibiting the flow of current to the electrical module when the switch activator is in a first position and for allowing current to the electrical module when the switch activator is in a second position; lock means (24) comprising a lock member (30) slidable on the module adjacent to the switch activator, for (a) preventing disconnection of the first and second electrical connectors when the switch activator is in the second position, and (b) preventing connection of the module to the receptacle when the switch activator is in the second position; characterised in that the lock member (30), when the switch activator is in the second position, immovably extends beyond the second surface (50) of the module to prevent disconnection of the first and second electrical connectors by engaging with the second surface of the receptacle and thereby preventing the second surfaces of the module and receptacle from moving parallel to each other and to prevent connection of the module to the receptacle by preventing the second surfaces of the module and receptacle from moving parallel to each other when the first electrical connector is adjacent to, but not connected to, the receptacle. The apparatus according to claim 2 further comprising means (16), disposed on the second surface (13) of the receptacle (12), for confining the lock member (30) when the switch activator is in the second position and the module is connected to the receptacle, so that the second surfaces (50, 13) of the module and receptacle are prevented from moving parallel to each other. The apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the confining means includes a bounded opening (16) in the second surface (13) of the receptacle. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the lock means (24) includes means (68) for permitting the lock member (30) to move to a retracted position relative to the second surface (50) of the module when the switch activator is in the first position, so that the second surfaces of the module and receptacle may be moved parallel to each other. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the lock member (30) includes a second portion (68) and the switch activator (20) includes a portion (64) which abuts against the second portion (68) of the lock member when the switch activator is in the second position for maintaining the lock member in an extended position. The apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the portion (64) of the switch activator (20) does not abut against the second portion (68) of the lock member (30) when the switch activator is in the first position. The apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the switch activator (20) comprises a rocker switch (20) disposed adjacent to the lock member. The apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the rocker switch (20) is mounted on a third surface (32) of the module, the third surface being oriented generally perpendicularly to the second surface (50) of the module, and wherein a portion (64) of the rocker switch extends from the third surface when the rocker switch is in the second position. The apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the portion (64) of the rocker switch (20) is in a generally retracted position relative to the third surface (32) of the module when the rocker switch is in the first position. The apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the lock member (30) is slidably mounted along the third surface (32) of the module adjacent to the portion (64) of the rocker switch (20) so that the second portion (68) of the lock member may be moved past the portion (64) of the rocker switch (20) when the rocker switch is in the first position. The apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the second portion (68) of the lock member (30) is disposed over the portion (64) of the rocker switch (20) when the rocker switch is in the first position and the lock member is in the retracted position. The apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the rocker switch (20) is confined to the first position by the second portion (68) of the lock member (30) when the lock member is in the retracted position. The apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the portion (64) of the rocker switch (20) prevents the lock member (30) from moving to the retracted position when the rocker switch is in the second position.

Inventors: DIAZ RANDALL J, DIAZ, RANDALL J
Applicants: TANDEM COMPUTERS INC, TANDEM COMPUTERS INCORPORATED
Application year: 1988
Main classification: H01R13
IPC codes: H05K7, H01R13, G06F1