Abstract:
An information handling system includes a chassis having a guide slot and a printed circuit board placed in guide slot of the chassis. The guide slot includes at least two opposing channels aligned adjacent the printed circuit board with a guide tab formed in one of the opposing channels. A daughter card electrically couples to the printed circuit board when placed in an attached position. The daughter card includes a first edge and a second edge that slides between the opposing channels of the guide slot such that the card aligns to couple to the printed circuit board. The card also includes a first detent formed in either the first edge or the second edge. The first detent releaseably interacts with the guide tab formed in the opposing channels such that the guide tab contacts the first detent when the card is placed in an intermediate position.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0001]     This disclosure relates in general to the field of computers, and more particularly to a daughter card service position.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     As the value and use of information continues to increase, individuals and businesses seek additional ways to process and store information. One option available to users is information handling systems. An information handling system generally processes, compiles, stores, and/or communicates information or data for business, personal, or other purposes thereby allowing users to take advantage of the value of the information. Because technology and information handling needs and requirements vary between different users or applications, information handling systems may also vary regarding what information is handled, how the information is handled, how much information is processed, stored, or communicated, and how quickly and efficiently the information may be processed, stored, or communicated. The variations in information handling systems allow for information handling systems to be general or configured for a specific user or specific use, such as financial transaction processing, airline reservations, enterprise data storage, or global communications. In addition, information handling systems may include a variety of hardware and software components that may be configured to process, store, and communicate information and may include one or more computer systems, data storage systems, and networking systems.  
         [0003]     Information handling systems typically require maintenance and servicing. For example, a system administrator may desire to replace a motherboard on the information handling system due to a system upgrade or a faulty component. Current designs of information handling systems, however, require the administrator to remove several wires and cables. As such, manufacturers strive to make improvements to information handling systems. One improvement includes a modular design that reduces or eliminates the internal wires or cables within the information handling system such as a modular based computer system.  
         [0004]     The modular based computer system uses modular components, such as daughter cards, that couple directly to each other via connectors. Typically, the daughter cards are placed along guide tracks, which allow the connector on the daughter cards to align with another component to connect and disconnect the daughter cards. For example, a modular based computer system may include a motherboard that has several slots. Each slot is able to receive a connector from a daughter card by moving the daughter card along a guide track to connect to the motherboard. By using modular components with connectors, the information handling system may reduce the amount of internal wiring within the system.  
         [0005]     In most modular based computer systems, a system administrator removes all the daughter cards connected to the motherboard in order to perform maintenance on the information handling system. Typically, the cards are lifted out of the system and set aside to allow the motherboard to be removed without the danger of the cards moving back into a connected position with the motherboard. If care is not taken with the removed daughter cards, the daughter cards may be subject to damage or loss. For example, a daughter card may accidentally fall from a counter top and become damaged.  
         [0006]     In addition to damage to the daughter card from outside of the information handling system, the daughter cards may be subject to further damage due to electrical shock from inadequate electrical grounding. Because each card is built as a modular component, each card may develop static electricity. In some instances, the static electricity may affect the operation of the card due to improper grounding.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0007]     Thus, a need has arisen for a daughter card with a service position.  
         [0008]     A further need has arisen for a daughter card to include a grounding device while connected to a motherboard.  
         [0009]     In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, the disadvantages and problems associated with a daughter card have been substantially reduced or eliminated. In some embodiments of the present invention an information handling system includes a chassis and a printed circuit board placed in the chassis. The chassis includes a guide slot formed in the chassis. The guide slot includes at least two opposing channels aligned adjacent the printed circuit board and a guide tab formed in one of the opposing channels. A card electrically couples to the printed circuit board when placed in an attached position. The card includes a first edge and a second edge that slides between the opposing channels of the guide slot such that the card aligns to couple to the printed circuit board. The card also includes a first detent formed in either the first edge or the second edge. The first detent releaseably interacts with the guide tab formed in the opposing channels such that the guide tab contacts the first detent when the card is placed in an intermediate position.  
         [0010]     In other embodiments, a card for coupling to a printed circuit board includes a first edge and a second edge forming opposite outer boundaries of the card, a connector, and a detent. The first edge and the second edge interact with a guide slot such that the card slides in the guide slot along the first edge and the second edge. The connector may be formed on a third edge of the card to communicatively couple the card to the printed circuit board when the card is placed in an attached position. The detent is formed along either the first edge or the second edge to engage with the guide slot to support the card in an intermediate position.  
         [0011]     In further embodiments, a method of removing a printed circuit board from a computer system includes moving a card from an attached position to an intermediate position by sliding the card along a guide slot in the computer system such that a connector on the card uncouples from the printed circuit board. The method automatically causes a guide tab to interact with a detent formed along an edge of the card when the card reaches the intermediate position such that the card is maintained apart from the printed circuit board. The method allows for removal of the printed circuit board from the computer system.  
         [0012]     The present disclosure contains a number of important technical advantages. One technical advantage is providing a system or method that maintains a daughter card in an intermediate position or a service position. When the card is moved from an attached position to an intermediate position, a detent on the card interacts with a guide tab on the guide slots to maintain the card at the intermediate position. In some embodiments, the guide tab is designed to extend into the detent to prevent the card from sliding along the guide slots. The intermediate position allows for the printed circuit board such as a motherboard to be removed from the computer system.  
         [0013]     Another technical advantage is providing an electrical ground for the card while attached to the printed circuit board. Providing a grounding pad on the card allows for the guide tab to contact the grounding pad when the card is placed in the attached position. In some embodiments, the guide tab may be electrically coupled to the chassis of the computer system. Thus, when the card is placed in the attached position, the guide tab may contact the grounding pad to provide a ground for the card.  
         [0014]     All, some, or none of these technical advantages may be present in various embodiments of the present invention. Other technical advantages will be apparent to one skilled in the art from the following figures, descriptions, and claims.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0015]     A more complete understanding of the embodiments of the present disclosure and advantages thereof may be acquired by referring to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numbers indicate like features, and wherein:  
         [0016]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a portion of a computer system having modular computer components according an example embodiment of the present disclosure;  
         [0017]      FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of a daughter card inserted into guide slots according to the present disclosure;  
         [0018]      FIG. 3  illustrates a front perspective view of guide slot showing a guide tab according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure;  
         [0019]      FIG. 4  illustrates a rear perspective view of guide slot including a guide tab according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure;  
         [0020]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  illustrate a rear view of a daughter card inserted between guide slots in an attached position according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure; and  
         [0021]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  illustrate a rear view of a daughter card inserted between guide slots at a service position according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0022]     Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure and their advantages are best understood by reference to  FIGS. 1 through 6 B, where like numbers are used to indicate like and corresponding parts.  
         [0023]     For purposes of this disclosure, an information handling system may include any instrumentality or aggregate of instrumentalities operable to compute, classify, process, transmit, receive, retrieve, originate, switch, store, display, manifest, detect, record, reproduce, handle, or utilize any form of information, intelligence, or data for business, scientific, control, or other purposes. For example, an information handling system may be a personal computer, a network storage device, or any other suitable device and may vary in size, shape, performance, functionality, and price. The information handling system may include random access memory (RAM), one or more processing resources such as a central processing unit (CPU) or hardware or software control logic, ROM, and/or other types of nonvolatile memory. Additional components of the information handling system may include one or more disk drives, one or more network ports for communicating with external devices, as well as various input and output (I/O) devices, such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a video display. The information handling system may also include one or more buses operable to transmit communications between the various hardware components.  
         [0024]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a portion of computer system  10  having modular computer components. Computer system  10  may be a type of information handling system including a rack mounted computer system such as a server. Typically, computer system  10  includes motherboard  14  that has modular components such as daughter card  20  connected to motherboard  14  via connectors  22  (as shown below in more detail). Computer system  10  may include guide slots  16  that may form a part of computer system  10  or may be coupled to chassis  12 .  
         [0025]     Chassis  12  may include the structural frame of computer system  10 . However, in some instances, chassis  12  may further include the housing or case of computer system  10 . In some embodiments, chassis  12  provides an electrical ground for computer system  10 .  
         [0026]     Motherboard  14  may be a printed circuit board with receiving slot  22   a  (shown below in more detail) that mate with connector  22  on daughter cards  20 . Computer system  10  uses guide slot  16  to align daughter card  20  to motherboard  14 . Motherboard  14  may also include handle  15  that allows a user to remove motherboard  14  from computer system  10 . In some embodiments, daughter cards  20  are lifted out of receiving slot  22   a  to allow motherboard  14  to be removed from computer system  10 .  
         [0027]      FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of daughter card  20  inserted into guide slots  16 . Daughter card  20  may connect at a receiving slot on motherboard  14  to allow computer system  10  to access daughter card  20  via connector  22 .  
         [0028]     Typically, daughter cards  20  are computer boards that may include computer components. Examples of computer components include a network connection, a video component, a input/output component such as a graphics controller, memory  24  such as RAM, a co-processor, a power supply, storage media (e.g., hard disk drives), media drives including an optical drive or any other computer component suitable for placement on daughter card  20 . In one example embodiment, daughter card  20  includes a memory riser card having memory  24  that connects to motherboard  14  to increase the amount of available computer memory for computer system  10 .  
         [0029]     Computer system  10  may access daughter card  20  via connector  22 . Connector  22  is formed and sized to mate with a receiving slot on motherboard  14 . Connector  22  includes a plurality of signal contacts that are used to mate with receiving slot  22   a . Typically, connector  22  is formed along connector edge  27  of daughter card  20  such that connector edge  27  is placed next to motherboard to allow daughter card  20  to connect with motherboard  14 . In certain embodiments, connector  22  may connect with a receiving slot on motherboard  14  if daughter card  20  is placed in guide slot  16  at the proper orientation to motherboard  14 .  
         [0030]     Guide slots  16  align daughter card  20  to a proper orientation for attaching to motherboard  14  using connector  22 . Typically, first edge  23  and second edge  25  of daughter card  20  are set in opposing guide slots  16  to align daughter card  20  for placement onto motherboard  14 .  
         [0031]     Daughter card  20  may include latch  18  to prevent movement of daughter card  20  along guide slots  16 . When daughter card  20  has been inserted into guide slot  16  such that a connection to motherboard  14  is made via connector  22 , latch  18  may be moved to a locked position to engage guide slot  16  to hold daughter card  20  connected to motherboard  14 . In some instances, latch  18  may be used to provide an additional force to hold daughter card  20  against motherboard  14 .  
         [0032]      FIG. 3  illustrates a front perspective view of guide slot  16  showing guide tab  30 . Guide slot  16  may be formed as a part of chassis  12 . Alternatively, guide slot  16  may be formed as a separate component and connected to chassis  12  through screw hole  31 . In some embodiments, guide slot  16  is formed from a U-shaped channel that receives first edge  23  of daughter card  20 .  
         [0033]     Typically, first edge  23  of daughter card  20  enters guide slot  16  at guide opening  35 . Guide opening  35  may be larger than channel  34  to allow a user to properly set daughter card  20  in guide slot  16 . As the user inserts daughter card  20  into channel  34  of guide slot  16 , daughter card  20  may encounter guide tab  30 .  
         [0034]     Guide tab  30  may be coupled to guide slot  16  to interact with first detent  28  (shown below in more detail) on daughter card  20 . Guide tab  30  may be formed from a flexible material such as metal or any other suitable material operable to deflect from an original position and apply pressure against daughter card  20 . In one example embodiment, guide tab  30  is a stainless steel leaf spring able to apply pressure in first detent  28  to support daughter card  20  in an intermediate position.  
         [0035]     In certain embodiments, guide tab  30  is forced behind channel  34  to allow daughter card  20  to move to along guide slot  16 . As first detent  28  passes over guide tab  30 , guide tab  30  may extend into first detent  28  to maintain daughter card  20  in a releaseable intermediate position, also known as a service position.  
         [0036]      FIG. 4  illustrates a rear perspective view of guide slot  16  including guide tab  30 . Guide slot  16  may include mounting surface  38 , which may be used to connect guide slot  16  to chassis  12  via screws  31   a  placed in screw holes  31  to properly align daughter card  20  to motherboard  14 . In some embodiments, mounting surface  38  aligns guide slot  16  substantially perpendicular to motherboard  14  to properly align daughter card  20  to connect with motherboard  14 .  
         [0037]     Guide slot  16  may be formed from a rigid material such as plastic that is able to guide daughter card  20  for connecting with motherboard  14 . While guide tab  30  may be formed as a part of guide slot  16 , guide tab  30  is typically constructed as a separate component and attached to guide slot  16  via tab mount  39 .  
         [0038]     Because guide tab  30  may be mounted at tab mount  39 , guide tab  30  may deflect and move in relation to tab mount  39 , which may allow daughter card  20  to move along guide slot  16 . For example, guide tab  30  may deflect back away from daughter card  20  as daughter card  20  is inserted in guide slot  16 . Thus, as guide tab  30  moves along the edge of daughter card  20  and encounters first detent  28 , guide tab  30  may return to an undeflected position and extend into first detent  28 .  
         [0039]     In some embodiments, guide tab  30  is constructed from an electrically conducting material to provide a ground between chassis  12  and daughter card  20 . In these instances, guide slot  16  is typically constructed from a non-conducting material, which may be used to electrically insulate guide tab  30 . For example, guide tab  30  may include contact area  30   a  that may be placed around tab mount  39  to allow guide tab  30  to form a ground with chassis  12 .  
         [0040]     Because guide tab  30  may be used to ground daughter card  20  to chassis  12 , guide tab  30  may contact ground pad  32  (shown below in more detail) on daughter card  20  when placed in an attached position. For example, when daughter card  20  is attached to motherboard  14 , guide tab  30  may be placed in second detent  26  (as shown below in more detail) on daughter card  20  that includes a ground pad  32 . Thus, the ground circuit would be disconnected if daughter card  20  is moved from the attached position.  
         [0041]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  illustrate a rear view of daughter card  20  inserted between guide slots  16  in an attached position. Daughter card  20  may include connector  22  formed on connector edge  27 . First edge  23  and second edge  25  may be inserted into guide slots  16 , which may be used to form opposing channels to direct daughter card  20  into proper alignment for connecting with motherboard  14 .  
         [0042]     First detent  28  may be formed along either of first edge  23  or second edge  25  to interact with guide tab  30 . While first detent  28  may be placed at any location along first edge  23  of daughter card  20 , first detent  28  is placed to allow for clearance to remove motherboard  14  from computer system  10  without interference from daughter card  20 . In one example embodiment, first detent  28  may be formed along both first edge  23  and second edge  25 .  
         [0043]     In the attached position, connector  22  on daughter card  20  may be seated onto receiving slot  22   a  on motherboard  14  to provide communications between computer system  10  and daughter card  20 . Latch  18  on daughter card  20  may be placed in a closed position to engage a part of guide slot  16  to prevent removal of daughter card  20 .  
         [0044]     Referring to  FIG. 5B , guide tab  30  is placed in a second detent  26  on daughter card  20  to interact with ground pad  32 . In certain embodiments, guide tab  30  may be used to ground daughter card  20  in the attached position. In one example embodiment, second detent  26  includes an L-shaped bracket to form ground pad  32 . The bracket is connected to ground for daughter card  20 , which permits contacts with guide tab  30  in the attached position.  
         [0045]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  illustrate a rear view of daughter card  20  inserted between guide slots  16  at a service position. Moving daughter card  20  to a service position, or intermediate position, causes connector  22  to disconnect from motherboard  14 . At the service position, daughter card  20  remains coupled to chassis  12  of computer system  10  but permits motherboard  14  to be removed from computer system  10 .  
         [0046]     Typically, a system user moves daughter card  20  from the attached position, as shown in  FIGS. 5A and 5B , to a service position before removing motherboard  14 . In one instance, daughter card  20  is attached to motherboard  14  at a substantially perpendicular orientation. The user may lift daughter card  20  from the attached position to disconnect connector  22  from motherboard  14 . In order to disconnect daughter card  20  from motherboard, guide tab  30  may be deflected to a position that allows daughter card  20  to move along first edge  23 . When guide tab  30  moves over first detent  28 , guide tab  30  extends into first detent  28  to provide lateral support for daughter card  20  to prevent daughter card  20  from moving along guide slot  16 .  
         [0047]     The lateral support imparted by guide tab  30  may include a spring force of the material extending into first detent  28 . In another embodiment, a frictional force between guide tab may create the lateral support  30  and first detent  28 . The frictional force may be varied depending upon the coefficient of friction, the geometry of guide tab  30  and the shape of first detent  28 . In one example embodiment, first detent  28  includes a rounded edge to allow a user to easily remove guide tab  30  away from a service position.  
         [0048]     Although the present disclosure has been described with respect to a specific embodiment, various changes and modifications will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art. The present disclosure is not limited to the illustrated embodiment, but encompasses such changes and modifications that fall within the scope of the appended claims.