Abstract:
Embodiments of the present invention may be directed to an electronic connector. More specifically, the electronic connector may include a single connector body and a mounting end operable to couple the single connector body with an electronic board of an electronics unit. The electronic connector may also include a lower jack portion disposed in the single connector body and include multiple lower pin receptacles, where the lower jack portion is disposed adjacent to the mounting end and is operable to receive a first connector end of a first cable. The electronic connector may further include an upper jack portion disposed in the single connector body and include multiple upper pin receptacles, where the upper jack portion is disposed above the lower jack portion and is operable to receive a second connector end of a second cable.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    Graphics cards commonly receive electrical power from a computer system board, for example, through a PCI Express (PCIe) connection. However, as the processing power of video cards has increased, so has their requirements for power. At the same time, computer system boards are often limited in the amount of power that they may provide. For example, the PCIe specification limits the power supply from the computer system board to 75 Watts. 
         [0002]    As a result, graphics cards that require more power may receive power from sources other than a computer system board, for example, graphics cards may receive power directly from a power supply unit. Such graphics cards may connect with the power supply unit through a connector that is separate from the connector that connects the graphics card to the computer system board. 
         [0003]    Some graphics cards may require so much power that two separate connectors are required. While the demand for graphics cards with a smaller form factor increases, the printed circuit boards included in the graphics cards become more densely populated. At the same time, manufacturers prefer to accommodate graphics card standards and specifications that require specific sizes and placement of the connectors, for example, the PCIe specification. For this reason, some graphics cards may include two printed circuit boards that are positioned in parallel, where each board may include a connector that is positioned across from the other connector. However, including two separate connectors is costly and disconnecting at least one of the connectors may be difficult without the use of a tool when the connectors are positioned across from each other. 
         [0004]    Other graphics cards include only one board that may include two connectors  104  and  108  positioned side-by-side (see  FIG. 1A ). Such a side-by-side connector configuration  110  may consume valuable area on the board (see  FIG. 1B ). In addition, such a side-by-side connector configuration may disadvantageously affect the placement or quality of a cooling fan  106  (see  FIG. 1B ). For example, due to inherent factors in graphics card design and other limitations such as specification limitations or OEM requirements, the power connectors may be located either directly under or directly adjacent to the fan  106 . The former location directly affects the geometry of the fan  106 , while the latter location indirectly affects fan size by impacting the shape of a scroll  106 , which may be necessary on blower-style fans to help develop air flow effectively. 
         [0005]    Moreover, as the power consumption of graphics cards has increased, manufacturers have relied on larger fans to cool components of the graphics card. The fan size may be limited by the size and location of the power connectors. In addition, a connector may encroach on a portion of the scroll of the fan, requiring the scroll to include an indentation or inset portion. As a result, the airflow of the fan may be obstructed, causing inefficient air flow and acoustic noise in the environment. 
         [0006]    While some specifications may permit the use of an adapter that couples a standard connector to a proprietary connector which attempts to address these issues, such an adapter may be prohibitively costly and less convenient for a user. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    Accordingly, a need exists for a low-cost connector that may provide more power with a smaller footprint, may be compatible with industry standards without the use of an adapter, and is easier and less costly to manufacture. Additionally, a need exists for a connector, e.g., for a graphics subsystem card, that may be easier for a user to disconnect plugs from and also is easier and less costly to manufacture. Embodiments of the present invention provide novel solutions to these needs and others as described below. 
         [0008]    Embodiments of the present invention may be directed to an electronic connector. More specifically, the electronic connector may include a single connector body and a mounting end operable to couple the single connector body with an electronic board of an electronics unit. The electronic connector may also include a lower jack portion disposed in the single connector body and include multiple lower pin receptacles, where the lower jack portion is disposed adjacent to the mounting end and is operable to receive a first connector end of a first cable. The electronic connector may further include an upper jack portion disposed in the single connector body and include multiple upper pin receptacles, where the upper jack portion is disposed above the lower jack portion and is operable to receive a second connector end of a second cable. 
         [0009]    In one embodiment, an electronic connector includes a connector body and a mounting end operable to couple the connector body with an electronic board of an electronics unit. The electronic connector may also include a lower jack portion disposed in the connector body and include multiple lower pin receptacles, where the lower jack portion is disposed adjacent to the mounting end and is operable to receive a first connector end of a first cable. The electronic connector may further include an upper jack portion disposed in the connector body and include multiple upper pin receptacles, where the upper jack portion is disposed above the lower jack portion and is operable to receive a second connector end of a second cable, and further where a lower mating plane defined by the lower jack portion is offset from an upper mating plane defined by the upper jack portion. 
         [0010]    Other embodiments of the present invention may be directed to graphics card. More specifically, the graphics card may include an electronic board, a graphics processor unit, a fan, and an electronic connector. The electronic connector may include a connector body and a mounting end operable to couple the connector body with the electronic board. The electronic connector may also include a lower jack portion disposed in the connector body and include multiple lower pin receptacles, where the lower jack portion is disposed adjacent to the mounting end and is operable to receive a first connector end of a first cable. The electronic connector may further include an upper jack portion disposed in the connector body and include multiple upper pin receptacles, where the upper jack portion is disposed above the lower jack portion and is operable to receive a second connector end of a second cable. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements. 
           [0012]      FIG. 1A  shows a prior art side-by-side power connector configuration on a printed circuit board. 
           [0013]      FIG. 1B  shows a prior art side-by-side power connector configuration on a graphics card. 
           [0014]      FIG. 1C  shows an exemplary computer system, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2A  shows a perspective view of an exemplary stacked power connector in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2B  shows a perspective view of an exemplary stacked power connector with connector plugs in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2C  shows a side view of an exemplary stacked power connector in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 2D  shows a side view of an exemplary stacked power connector with connector plugs in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 3A  shows a top view of an exemplary stacked power connector on a printed circuit board in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 3B  shows a front view of an exemplary stacked power connector on a graphics card in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 3C  shows a front view of an exemplary stacked power connector on a graphics card in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 4A  shows a perspective view of an exemplary offset stacked power connector in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 4B  shows a perspective view of an exemplary offset stacked power connector with connector plugs in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 4C  shows a side view of an exemplary offset stacked power connector in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 4D  shows a side view of an exemplary offset stacked power connector with connector plugs in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 4E  shows a side view of an exemplary offset stacked power connector with a connector plug in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 4F  shows a perspective view of an exemplary offset stacked power connector with an indented body in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 5A  shows a perspective view of an exemplary offset stacked power connector with a rotated upper jack portion and exposed solder tails in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 5B  shows a pin diagram of an exemplary offset stacked power connector in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0030]      FIG. 5C  shows a pin diagram of an exemplary offset stacked power connector with a rotated upper jack portion and exposed solder tails in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0031]    Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the present invention will be discussed in conjunction with the following embodiments, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the present invention to these embodiments alone. On the contrary, the present invention is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents which may be included with the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. Furthermore, in the following detailed description of the present invention, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, and circuits have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the present invention. 
         [0032]    For expository purposes, the term “horizontal” as used herein refers to a plane parallel to the plane or surface of an object, regardless of its orientation. The term “vertical” refers to a direction perpendicular to the horizontal as just defined. Terms such as “above,” “below,” “bottom,” “top,” “side,” “higher,” “lower,” “upper,” “over,” and “under” are referred to with respect to the horizontal plane. 
         [0033]      FIG. 1C  shows an exemplary computer system  150  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Computer system  150  depicts the components in accordance with embodiments of the present invention providing the execution platform for certain hardware-based and software-based functionality. In general, computer system  150  comprises a system board  170  including at least one central processing unit (CPU)  152  and a system memory  154 . The CPU  152  can be coupled to the system memory  154  via a bridge component/memory controller (not shown) or can be directly coupled to the system memory  154  via a memory controller (not shown) internal to the CPU  152 . 
         [0034]    Computer system  150  also comprises a graphics subsystem  172  including at least one graphics processor unit (GPU)  156 . For example, the graphics subsystem  172  may be included on a graphics card. The graphics subsystem  172  may be coupled to a display  158 . One or more additional GPUs can optionally be coupled to system  150  to further increase its computational power. The GPU(s)  156  may be coupled to the CPU  152  and the system memory  154  via a communication bus  160 . The GPU  156  can be implemented as a discrete component, a discrete graphics card designed to couple to the computer system  150  via a connector (e.g., AGP slot, PCI-Express slot, etc.), a discrete integrated circuit die (e.g., mounted directly on a motherboard), or as an integrated GPU included within the integrated circuit die of a computer system chipset component (not shown). Additionally, a local graphics memory  162  may be coupled with the GPU  156  for high bandwidth graphics data storage, e.g., the frame buffer. 
         [0035]    A power source unit (PSU)  174  may provide electrical power to the system board  170  and graphics subsystem  172 . The PSU  174  may couple with the graphics subsystem  172  through power cables and/or power connectors that connect with a power connector  176  in the graphics subsystem  172 . For example, the power connector  176  may be a connector on the edge of a graphics card that is operable to couple with power cables extending from the PSU  174 . 
         [0036]    The CPU  152  and the GPU  156  can also be integrated into a single integrated circuit die and the CPU and GPU may share various resources, such as instruction logic, buffers, functional units and so on, or separate resources may be provided for graphics and general-purpose operations. The GPU may further be integrated into a core logic component. Accordingly, any or all the circuits and/or functionality described herein as being associated with the GPU  156  can also be implemented in, and performed by, a suitably equipped CPU  152 . Additionally, while embodiments herein may make reference to a GPU, it should be noted that the described circuits and/or functionality can also be implemented and other types of processors (e.g., general purpose or other special-purpose coprocessors) or within a CPU. 
         [0037]    System  150  can be implemented as, for example, a desktop computer system or server computer system having a powerful general-purpose CPU  152  coupled to a dedicated graphics rendering GPU  156 . In such an embodiment, components can be included that add peripheral buses, specialized audio/video components, IO devices, and the like. Similarly, system  150  can be implemented as a portable device (e.g., cellphone, PDA, etc.), direct broadcast satellite (DBS)/terrestrial set-top box or a set-top video game console device such as, for example, the Xbox®, available from Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Wash., or the PlayStation3®, available from Sony Computer Entertainment Corporation of Tokyo, Japan. System  150  can also be implemented as a “system on a chip”, where the electronics (e.g., the components  152 ,  154 ,  156 ,  162 , and the like) of a computing device are wholly contained within a single integrated circuit die. Examples include a hand-held instrument with a display, a car navigation system, a portable entertainment system, and the like. 
         [0038]    Embodiments of the present invention provide a low-cost connector that may provide more power with a smaller footprint on a graphics card. However, embodiments of the present invention can be applied to provide any type of electrical signal, including data signals. In addition, embodiments of the present invention can be applied to other devices, for example, on a motherboard. 
         [0039]    Embodiments of the present invention allow a connector to occupy less area on a printed circuit board (PCB), thereby allowing for smaller PCBs, the inclusion of more components on the PCB, and/or more positioning options for components on the PCB, thereby providing better fan placement options and geometry. For example, a fan used for cooling a (GPU) may be larger or better positioned to more effectively cool the GPU. 
         [0040]    Additionally, embodiments of the present invention provide a connector that may be easier for a user to disconnect plugs from and also easier and less costly to manufacture. Embodiments of the present invention may achieve these and other novel improvements while complying with industry standard specifications without the use of an adapter. 
         [0041]      FIG. 2A  shows a perspective view of an exemplary stacked power connector  200  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The stacked power connector  200  may include a connector body  202  with an upper jack portion  204 , a latch portion  206 , and a lower jack portion  208 . 
         [0042]    The connector body  202  may be formed by a single and continuous material. For example, the connector body  202  may be formed by a single piece of plastic material. Accordingly, the connector body  202  may include multiple jack portions in a single body. For example, the upper jack portion  204  may be stacked above the lower jack portion  208  inside the single connector body  202 . Consequently, the connector body  202  lowers cost since a single and continuous connector body costs less to manufacture than two individual connectors. However, it should be appreciated that in other embodiments, the connector body  202  may be formed by separate materials. 
         [0043]    The upper jack portion  204  is operable to interconnect or mate with a connector plug (see  FIG. 2B ) that provides electrical power and/or data signals. For example, as depicted in  FIG. 2A , the upper jack portion  204  may include multiple pin receptacles  205  that allow the upper jack portion  204  to mate with a connector plug that may include multiple pins (see  FIG. 2B ). In other embodiments, the upper jack portion  204  may instead include multiple pins that allow the upper jack portion  204  to mate with a connector plug that may include multiple pin receptacles. It should be appreciated that the upper jack portion  204  may include other means for mating with a connector plug (e.g. coaxial connectors, genderless connectors, etc.). 
         [0044]    The latch portion  206  may include a cavity with latch keepers or strikes  210  (see also  FIG. 2C ) for securing connector plugs (see  FIG. 2B ) that may have mated with the upper jack portion  204  or the lower jack portion  208 . For example, the latch portion  206  may include a latch keeper  210  for the lower jack portion  208  and another latch keeper (see  FIG. 2C ) for the upper jack portion  204 . 
         [0045]    Similar to the upper jack portion  204 , the lower jack portion  208  is operable to mate with a connector plug (see  FIG. 2B ) that provides electrical power and/or data signals. For example, as depicted in  FIG. 2A , the lower jack portion  208  may include multiple pin receptacles  209  that allow the lower jack portion  208  to mate with a connector plug that may include multiple pins (see  FIG. 2B ). In other embodiments, the lower jack portion  208  may instead include multiple pins that allow the lower jack portion  208  to mate with a connector plug that may include multiple pin receptacles. It should be appreciated that the lower jack portion  208  may include other means for mating with a connector plug (e.g. coaxial connectors, genderless connectors, etc.). 
         [0046]    It should be appreciated that the upper jack portion  204  and lower jack portion  208  may include a different number of pin receptacles  205  and  209 . For example, as depicted in  FIG. 2A , the upper jack portion  204  may include six pin receptacles  205  and the lower jack portion  208  may include eight pin receptacles  209 . It should also be appreciated that the upper jack portion  204  and lower jack portion  208  may include different means for mating with a connector plug. For example, the upper jack portion  204  may include multiple pins while the lower jack portion  208  may include multiple pin receptacles. 
         [0047]    The stacked power connector  200  may include solder tails that are operable to electrically couple a connector plug with a printed circuit board (see  FIGS. 3A-3B ). For example, the upper solder tails  214  may extend from the upper jack portion  204  to a printed circuit board (PCB). One pin of the upper solder tails  214  may correspond to one pin receptacle of the upper jack portion  204 . Accordingly, when a connector plug has mated with the upper jack portion  204 , a connector plug pin may be electrically coupled with the PCB through one pin of the upper solder tails  214 . 
         [0048]    Similar to the upper solder tails  214 , the lower solder tails  218  may extend from the lower jack portion  208  to the PCB. One pin of the lower solder tails  218  may correspond to one pin receptacle of the lower jack portion  208 . Accordingly, when a connector plug has mated with the lower jack portion  208 , a connector plug pin may be electrically coupled with the PCB through one pin of the lower solder tails  218 . In some embodiments, the connector body  202  may include less material by not fully enclosing the solder tails  214  and  218 . As a result, the connector body  202  may reduce manufacturing cost in comparison to a connector body that does enclose solder tails since less material may be used. 
         [0049]      FIG. 2B  shows a perspective view of the exemplary stacked power connector  200  with connector plugs  224  and  228  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The connector body  202  of  FIG. 2B  may be similar to the connector body  202  of  FIG. 2A . 
         [0050]    The upper connector plug  224  may include connector cables  234  that provide electrical power and/or data signals. The upper connector plug  224  may mate with the upper jack portion  204  of the connector body  202 . As a result, the connector cables  234  may contact the upper solder tails  214  inside the pin receptacles  205  ( FIG. 2A ). Similarly, the lower connector plug  228  may include connector cables  238  that provide electrical power and/or data signals. The lower connector plug  228  may mate with the lower jack portion  208  of the connector body  202 . As a result, the connector cables  238  may contact the lower solder tails  218  inside the pin receptacles  209 . 
         [0051]    The connector plugs  224  and  228  may include latches  212  that are operable to secure the connector plugs  224  and  228  with the upper jack portion  204  or lower jack portion  208  (see  FIG. 2A ). For example, when the connector plug  228  mates with the lower jack portion  208 , the latch  212  may extend beyond and fall past the rear of the latch keeper  210  (see  FIG. 2A ). As a result, the latch  212  and latch keeper  210  will secure the connector plug  228  until the latch  212  is actuated and thereby released from the latch keeper  210 . It should be appreciated that other means for securing connector plugs with jacks may be used. 
         [0052]      FIG. 2C  shows a side view of an exemplary stacked power connector  201  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The connector body  203  of  FIG. 2C  may be similar to the connector body  202  of  FIG. 2A . However, the connector body  203  of  FIG. 2C  demonstrates that the solder tails  214  and  218  may be enclosed up to the PCB connection or mounting area of the connector body  203  by the connector body  203  to protect the solder tails from inadvertent contact (e.g., by a user, other components, etc.) in some embodiments. 
         [0053]    The upper jack portion  204  may include the pin receptacles  205  and the lower jack portion  208  may include the pin receptacles  209  for making electrical contact with a connector plug (see  FIG. 2D ). The upper solder tails  214  extend from the rear of the connector body  203  and into the pin receptacles  205 , allowing a connector plug to electrically couple with a PCB. Similarly, the lower solder tails  218  extend from the rear of the connector body  203  and into the pin receptacles  209 , allowing a connector plug to electrically couple with a PCB. 
         [0054]    Latch keepers  210  may be included in the cavity of the latch portion  206  formed between the upper jack portion  204  and lower jack portion  208 . A latch keeper  210  may be positioned adjacent to each of upper jack portion  204  and lower jack portion  208  for securing a connector plug. 
         [0055]      FIG. 2D  shows a side view of the exemplary stacked power connector  201  with connector plugs  224  and  228  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The connector body  203  of  FIG. 2D  may be similar to the connector body  203  of  FIG. 2C . 
         [0056]    The upper connector plug  224  may include connector cables  234  that provide electrical power and/or data signals. The upper connector plug  224  may mate with the upper jack portion  204  of the connector body  203 . As a result, the connector cables  234  may contact the upper solder tails  214  inside the pin receptacles  205 . Similarly, the lower connector plug  228  may include connector cables  238  that provide electrical power and/or data signals. The lower connector plug  228  may mate with the lower jack portion  208  of the connector body  203 . As a result, the connector cables  238  may contact the lower solder tails  218  inside the pin receptacles  209 . 
         [0057]    The connector plugs  224  and  228  may include latches  212  that are operable to secure the connector plugs  224  and  228  with the upper jack portion  204  or lower jack portion  208  (see  FIG. 2C ). For example, when the connector plug  228  mates with the lower jack portion  208 , the latch  212  may extend beyond and fall past the rear of the latch keeper  210  (see  FIG. 2C ). As a result, the latch  212  and latch keeper  210  will secure the connector plug  228  until the latch  212  is actuated and thereby released from the latch keeper  210 . 
         [0058]    As a result, since the stacked power connectors  200  and  201  may be capable of mating with the same standardized power connector plugs that may mate with the prior art connectors  104  and  108  of  FIG. 1A , the stacked power connectors  200  and  201  may continue to comply with industry standards without the use of an adapter. 
         [0059]      FIG. 3A  shows a top view of an exemplary stacked power connector  300  on a printed circuit board  330  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The connector body  202  of  FIG. 3A  may be similar to the connector body  200  of  FIG. 2A . Accordingly, the connector body  202  may include an upper jack portion  204 , a latch portion  206 , and a lower jack portion  208 . The upper jack portion  204  may include pin receptacles  205 , the latch portion  206  may include latch keepers  210 , and the lower jack portion  208  may include pin receptacles  209 . The stacked power connector  300  may be mounted on a PCB  330 . Accordingly, the solder tails  214  and  218  may extend at least partially through the mounting vias in the PCB  330 . 
         [0060]    Since the upper jack portion  204  and the lower jack portion  208  are stacked, it should be appreciated that the stacked power connector  300  occupies much less space on the surface of the PCB  330  as compared to the prior art side-by-side connector configuration  100  of  FIG. 1A . For example, the stacked power connector  300  occupies only the area on the PCB  330  required for one connector as opposed to multiple connectors. In addition, the stacked power connector  300  eliminates any gap that was required between multiple connectors. 
         [0061]      FIG. 3B  shows a front view of an exemplary stacked power connector  202  on a graphics card  304  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The stacked power connector  202  may be similar to the stacked power connector  202  of  FIG. 2A , the stacked power connector  201  of  FIG. 2C , or the stacked power connector  202  of  FIG. 3A . 
         [0062]    Since the stacked power connector  202  of  FIG. 3B  occupies much less area on the graphics card  304  than the prior art side-by-side power connector configuration  110  of  FIG. 1B , much more area is available for positioning a fan or scroll  306 . In an embodiment, the fan or scroll may be much larger than prior art fans. For example, the fan or scroll  306  may be much larger than the fan or scroll  106  in the prior art side-by-side connector configuration  102  of  FIG. 1B . As a result, the fan or scroll  306  may be better sized to more effectively cool graphics card  304  components including a GPU. 
         [0063]      FIG. 3C  shows a front view of an exemplary stacked power connector  202  on a graphics card  304  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In some embodiments, since much more area is available with the use of the exemplary stacked power connector  202 , the fan or scroll  306  may be positioned in more locations than with the prior art side-by-side connector configuration  110  of  FIG. 1B . 
         [0064]    For example, the fan or scroll  306  may be positioned higher in the Y-direction toward the top of the graphics card  304 . As a result, the fan or scroll  306  may be better positioned to more effectively cool graphics card  304  components including a GPU. In some embodiments, the fan or scroll  306  may be positioned farther in the X-direction toward the right side of the graphics card  304 . As a result, the fan or scroll  306  may be better positioned to more effectively cool graphics card  304  components including a GPU. 
         [0065]    In various embodiments, if a stacked power connector may include jack portions with a different number of pin receptacles, the jack portion with the least amount of pin receptacles may be positioned farthest away from the mounting end of the stacked power connector that mounts on a PCB. As a result, the stacked power connector may occupy less area on the graphics card by requiring less mounting area for solder tails. 
         [0066]    For example, in  FIG. 2C , the upper jack portion  204  with 6 pin receptacles  205  may include fewer pin receptacles than the lower jack portion  208  with 8 pin receptacles  209 . In addition, the upper jack portion  204  with 6 pin receptacles  205  may be positioned farthest away from the mounting end of the stacked power connector  202  that mounts on the PCB  330 . Since the upper jack portion  204  is positioned closest to the mounting area, the corresponding upper solder tails  214  extend farther to the rear than do the lower solder tails  218 . Further, since the upper solder tails  214  that extend farther are fewer in number than the lower solder tails  218 , the stacked power connector  202  occupies less space. 
         [0067]    As illustrated in  FIG. 3B , since there are fewer upper solder tails  214  than lower solder tails  218 , an area  336  is unoccupied by the solder tails of the stacked power connector  202  since the lower solder tails  218  do not extend to the area  336  and there are no upper solder tails  214  that correspond to the area  336 . Accordingly, the fan or scroll  306  may be positioned farther in the X- or Y-direction and into the area  336 . 
         [0068]      FIG. 4A  shows a perspective view of an exemplary offset stacked power connector  400  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The offset stacked power connector  400  may be similar to the stacked power connector  200  of  FIG. 2A . For example, the connector body  402  may include an upper jack portion  404 , a latch portion  406 , and a lower jack portion  408 . The connector body  402  may be formed in a single and continuous body. Accordingly, the connector body  402  may include multiple jack portions in a single body. 
         [0069]    The upper jack portion  404  may include pin receptacles  405 , the latch portion  406  may include latch keepers  410  and  411 , and the lower jack portion  408  may include pin receptacles  409 . The upper solder tails  414  may extend from a PCB mounting area to the pin receptacles  405  and the lower solder tails  418  may extend from the PCB mounting area to the pin receptacles  409 . 
         [0070]    However, the upper jack portion  404  and the latch portion  406  may be recessed with respect to the lower jack portion  408 . For example, an upper mating plane defined by the mating face of the upper jack portion  404  may be positioned farther toward the rear of the offset stacked power connector  400  with respect to a lower mating plane defined by the mating face of the lower jack portion  408 . As a result, the offset stacked power connector  400  may include jack portions that are offset with respect to one another. 
         [0071]    Since the upper jack portion  404  may be recessed, the latch keeper  410  that corresponds to the upper jack portion  404  may also be recessed with respect to the latch keeper  411  that corresponds to the lower jack portion  408 . It should be appreciated that the lower jack portion  408  may instead be recessed with respect to the upper jack portion  404  in some embodiments. 
         [0072]      FIG. 4B  shows a perspective view of the exemplary offset stacked power connector  400  with connector plugs  424  and  428  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The connector body  402  of  FIG. 4B  may be similar to the connector body  402  of  FIG. 4A . 
         [0073]    The upper connector plug  424  may include connector cables  434  that provide electrical power and/or data signals. The upper connector plug  424  may mate with the upper jack portion  404  of the connector body  402 . As a result, the connector cables  434  may contact the upper solder tails  414  inside the pin receptacles  405 . Similarly, the lower connector plug  428  may include connector cables  438  that provide electrical power and/or data signals. The lower connector plug  428  may mate with the lower jack portion  408  of the connector body  402 . As a result, the connector cables  438  may contact the lower solder tails  418  inside the pin receptacles  409 . 
         [0074]    The connector plugs  424  and  428  may include latches  412  that are operable to secure the connector plugs  424  and  428  with the upper jack portion  404  or lower jack portion  408  (see  FIG. 4A ). For example, when the connector plug  428  mates with the lower jack portion  408 , the latch  413  may extend beyond and fall past the rear of the latch keeper  411  (see  FIG. 4A ). As a result, the latch  413  and latch keeper  411  will secure the connector plug  428  until the latch  413  is actuated and thereby released from the latch keeper  411 . It should be appreciated that other means for securing connector plugs with jacks may be used. 
         [0075]      FIG. 4C  shows a side view of the exemplary offset stacked power connector  400  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The connector body  402  of  FIG. 4C  may be similar to the connector body  402  of  FIG. 4A . 
         [0076]    The upper jack portion  404  and the latch portion  406  may be recessed with respect to the lower jack portion  408 . For example, the plane of the face of the upper jack portion  404  may be positioned farther toward the rear of the offset stacked power connector  400  with respect to the plane of the face of the lower jack portion  408 . As a result, the offset stacked power connector  400  may include jack portions that are offset with respect to one another. 
         [0077]    Since the upper jack portion  404  may be recessed, the latch keeper  410  that corresponds to the upper jack portion  404  may also be recessed with respect to the latch keeper  411  that corresponds to the lower jack portion  408 . It should be appreciated that the lower jack portion  408  may instead be recessed with respect to the upper jack portion  404  in some embodiments. 
         [0078]      FIG. 4D  shows a side view of the exemplary offset stacked power connector  400  with connector plugs  424  and  428  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The connector body  402  of  FIG. 4D  may be similar to the connector body  402  of  FIG. 4A . 
         [0079]    The upper connector plug  424  and the lower connector plug  428  may be mated with the upper jack portion  404  and the lower jack portion  408 , respectively. Since the upper jack portion  404  and the latch portion  406  may be recessed with respect to the lower jack portion  408 , the upper connector plug  424  may be offset with respect to the lower connector plug  428  when both plugs  424  and  428  have mated with the jack portions  404  and  408 , respectively. 
         [0080]    As a result, there may be more free space around the latch  413  for a human finger  442  to comfortably extend into and comfortably maneuver to manipulate the latch  413  to remove the lower connector plug  428  without the spatial interference of the upper connector plug  424 . For example, since the upper connector plug  224  may be offset with respect to the lower connector plug  228 , human fingers  442  and  443  may have more space to more easily grasp the lower connector plug  428  and more easily squeeze the latch  413  and the side of the lower connector plug  428  opposite of the latch  413 . Consequently, the latch  413  may be caused to unlatch from the latch keeper  411  and the human fingers  442  and  443  may pull the lower connector plug  428  away from the lower jack portion  408 . 
         [0081]      FIG. 4E  shows a side view of the exemplary offset stacked power connector  400  with a connector plug  424  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The connector body  402  of  FIG. 4E  may be similar to the connector body  402  of  FIG. 4A . 
         [0082]    Once a lower connector plug has been disconnected, the upper connector plug  424  may be more comfortably disconnected by a user as well. For example, there may be more free space around the latch  412  for a human finger  443  to comfortably extend into and comfortably maneuver to manipulate the latch  412  to remove the upper connector plug  424  without the spatial interference of the lower connector plug. 
         [0083]      FIG. 4F  shows a perspective view of an exemplary offset stacked power connector  500  with an indented body  502  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The connector body  403  of  FIG. 4F  may be similar to the connector body  402  of  FIG. 4A . However, the connector body  403  of  FIG. 4F  may include an inset or indentation  460 . 
         [0084]    In some embodiments, the upper jack portion  404  may include fewer pin receptacles  405  than the lower jack portion  408 . For example, the upper jack portion  404  may include six pin receptacles  405  while the lower jack portion  408  may include eight pin receptacles  409 . As a result, there may be no pin receptacles or upper solder tails on the rightmost side of the connector body  403  if the pin receptacles  405  are positioned on the leftmost side of the connector body  403 . 
         [0085]    Accordingly, the connector body  403  may include an indentation  460  since there may be no upper solder tails to be enclosed and/or protected by the connector body  403 . The indentation  460  may extend from the upper end of the connector body  403  to the lower end of the connector body  403  that mounts on a PCB. As a result, the connector body  403  occupies less area on a PCB. Since the indentation  460  may be located on a corner of the connector body  403  that is closest to a fan, the fan may be even larger or have more positioning options. Further, the manufacturing cost of the connector body  403  may be reduced since less material will be used for manufacturing the connector body  403 . 
         [0086]    It should be appreciated that the upper jack portion  404  may be positioned on the rightmost side of the connector body  403  and that the indentation may be positioned on the leftmost side of the connector body  403 . As a result, more area may be provided to a fan that is instead located on the left side of the connector body  403 . 
         [0087]      FIG. 5A  shows a perspective view of an exemplary offset stacked power connector  500  with a rotated upper jack portion  504  and exposed solder tails  515  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The connector body  502  of  FIG. 5A  may be similar to the connector body  402  of  FIG. 4A . 
         [0088]    However, the pin receptacles of the upper jack portion  504  may be rotated 180 degrees with respect to the pin receptacles  405  of  FIG. 4A . In addition, a keeper  510  may be positioned on the top and outside of the connector body  502 . As a result, a connector plug  524  may mate with the upper jack portion  504  in a rotated orientation with respect to the connector plug  424  of  FIG. 4B , while a latch  512  may interact with the keeper  510 . Consequently, there may be more space to accommodate a human finger to manipulate the latch  512  and the latch  513 . 
         [0089]    In addition, as a consequence of the rotated orientation of the upper jack portion  504 , each of the upper solder tails  514  may be used for different purposes than when the upper jack portion  504  is oriented as in  FIG. 4B . Since the upper solder tails  514  may be used for different purposes, the upper solder tails  514  may be exposed instead of being enclosed up to the PCB connection area of the connector body  502  by the connector body  502  to protect the solder tails from inadvertent contact. It should be appreciated that in some embodiments the arrangement of the pin receptacles of the lower jack portion may be rotated 180 degrees with respect to the pin receptacles  409  of  FIG. 4A , regardless of whether the arrangement of the pin receptacles of the upper jack portion  504  are rotated. 
         [0090]      FIG. 5B  shows a pin diagram  501  of the exemplary offset stacked power connector  402  of  FIGS. 4A-4D  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The upper pin section  564  may correspond to the upper solder tails  414  of  FIGS. 4A-4D  while the lower pin section  568  may correspond to the lower solder tails  418  of  FIGS. 4A-4D . 
         [0091]    The top row of the upper pin section  564 , which corresponds to the rearmost solder tails of  FIGS. 4A-4D , may include power pins. The bottom row of the upper pin section  564  may include ground and sense pins. Since the rearmost solder tails may include power pins, components of a graphics card or a power source may be damaged if the rearmost solder tails are inadvertently contacted without the protection of an enclosure since the power pins are the most exposed pins. 
         [0092]      FIG. 5C  shows a pin diagram  505  of the exemplary offset stacked power connector  502  with a rotated upper jack portion  504  and exposed solder tails  515  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The upper pin section  574  may correspond to the upper solder tails  515  of  FIG. 5A  while the lower pin section  578  may correspond to the lower solder tails  518  of  FIG. 5A . 
         [0093]    Since the orientation of the upper jack portion  504  has been rotated, the pin layout or arrangement of the upper pin section  574  will be rotated as well. For example, the top row of the upper pin section  574 , which corresponds to the rearmost solder tails  515  of  FIG. 5A , may now include the ground and sense pins. The bottom row of the upper pin section  564  may now include the power pins. Since the rearmost solder tails  515  no longer include power pins, damage to components of the graphics card or the power source may be minimized or eliminated if the rearmost solder tails  515  are inadvertently contacted without the protection of an enclosure. 
         [0094]    Consequently, the connector body  502  may enclose and protect every rear pin except for the rearmost solder tails  515 . As a result, the manufacturing cost of the connector body  502  may be reduced since less material will be used for manufacturing the connector body  502 . Further, since the connector body does not extend to the rear of the rearmost solder tails  515 , the connector body  502  occupies less area on a PCB, allowing a fan to be larger or have more positioning options. In addition, similar to the connector body  403  of  FIG. 4F , the upper solder tails  514  may be positioned on the leftmost side of the connector body  502 . As a result, the offset stacked power connector  500  may occupy less space, allowing the fan to be even larger or have more positioning options. 
         [0095]    In various embodiments, a rotated upper jack portion may be included in a stacked power connector without an offset lower jack portion. For example, the stacked power connector  200  of  FIG. 2A  may include a rotated upper jack portion. 
         [0096]    It should be appreciated that embodiments of the present invention may allow for stacked power connectors with more than two jack portions. For example, a stacked power connector may include three or more jack portions that are stacked with and separated by latch sections. 
         [0097]    In some embodiments, each jack portion may include any number of pin receptacles. For example, the upper jack portion may include more pins than the lower jack portion, e.g., an upper jack portion may include eight pins while a lower jack portion may include six pins. Alternatively, the upper jack portion may include fewer pins than the lower jack portion. For example, an upper jack portion may include four pins while a lower jack portion may include six pins. In addition, both an upper jack portion and a lower jack portion may include the same number of pins. 
         [0098]    In the foregoing specification, embodiments of the invention have been described with reference to numerous specific details that may vary from implementation to implementation. Thus, the sole and exclusive indicator of what is, and is intended by the applicants to be, the invention is the set of claims that issue from this application, in the specific form in which such claims issue, including any subsequent correction. Hence, no limitation, element, property, feature, advantage, or attribute that is not expressly recited in a claim should limit the scope of such claim in any way. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. 
         [0099]    The foregoing description, for purpose of explanation, has been described with reference to specific embodiments. However, the illustrative discussions above are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings.