Patent Document

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is a division of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/035,595, filed Feb. 22, 2008, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. 
     
    
     TRADEMARKS 
       [0002]    IBM® is a registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, N.Y., U.S.A. Other names used herein may be registered trademarks, trademarks or product names of International Business Machines Corporation or other companies. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
       [0003]    This invention relates to electronic components, and particularly to connectors for electronic components. 
       Background 
       [0004]    Increasing needs for power for electronic components, for example, system processing units has led to increased volt-ampere requirements and an increase in the number of required power domains (or voltages) provided by power supplies (or Direct Current Adaptors) to the system processing units. Resulting connectors between the power supply and the system processing unit have high current ratings sometimes in the range of 1000 to 1400 amps and increasingly greater lengths to supply all of the required voltage domains while staying under the maximum allowed current per inch of card edge. These requirements all directly influence the force required to achieve connection between the power supply and the system processing unit. For example, a power supply configured to supply approximately 20 power domains with contact ratings ranging from 40 to 150 amps results in a connection force of approximately 110 lbs. 
         [0005]    Further, as connector length has increased, difficulty in successfully engaging the connector has also increased. The increased length increases the potential for angular deflection between the two connector halves, and also potentially increases deformation of each connector half. These factors, among others require employment of an accurate mechanism for engaging the connector halves to one another. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0006]    The shortcomings of the prior art are overcome and additional advantages are provided through the provision of a mechanism for electrically connecting a first electronic component to a second electronic component. The mechanism includes an actuating member disposed in the first electronic component including a first connector half and an actuation screw having a head and a threaded end. The actuation screw is located in the first electronic component wherein rotation of the actuation screw urges the actuating member in a direction substantially perpendicular to an axis of the actuation screw thereby engaging the first connector half to a second connector half disposed in the second electronic component. 
         [0007]    A method for electrically connecting a first electronic component to a second electronic component includes rotating an actuation screw disposed in the first electronic component and in operable communication with an actuating member disposed in the first electronic component, the actuating member including a first connector half The actuating member is urged in a direction substantially perpendicular to an axis of the actuation screw by the rotation of the actuation screw and the first connector half is engaged to a second connector half disposed in the second electronic component. 
         [0008]    Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present invention. Other embodiments and aspects of the invention are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed invention. For a better understanding of the invention with advantages and features, refer to the description and to the drawings. 
       TECHNICAL EFFECTS 
       [0009]    As a result of the summarized invention, technically we have achieved a solution which provides a mechanism for electrically connecting a first electrical component to a second electrical component utilizing mechanical advantage to overcome increasing engagement forces caused by the utilization of connectors of increasing length and voltage ratings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    The subject matter which is regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is a partially exploded view of an embodiment of a direct current adapter assembly including a connector actuation mechanism; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view on an embodiment of an a connector actuation mechanism installed on a card assembly of the direct current adapter of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a partial cross-sectional view of the assembly of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a detail view of an alternative embodiment of the assembly of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the assembly of  FIG. 2  in an engaged position; 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is an alternative embodiment of a connector actuation mechanism; 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  illustrates the mechanism of  FIG. 6  disposed in an engaged position; and 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  illustrates an embodiment of a screw drive for the mechanism of  FIG. 6 . 
       
    
    
       [0019]    The detailed description explains the preferred embodiments of the invention, together with advantages and features, by way of example with reference to the drawings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0020]    Turning now to the drawings in greater detail, it will be seen that in  FIG. 1  there is a card assembly  10  that includes at least one DCA connector  12  disposed along a length of and operably connected to the card assembly  10 . The card assembly  10  is moveably disposed in an electronic component, for example, a direct current adapter (DCA)  14 . The DCA  14  further includes an enclosure which in the embodiment of  FIG. 1  includes a chassis assembly  18  and a cover  20  assembled thereto. The enclosure defines a connector window  22  which allows for extension of the at least one DCA connector  12  therethrough. The DCA  14  is installable into, for example, a server  24  and the at least one DCA connector  12  is connectable to at least one server connector  26 . A connection between the DCA connector  12  and the server connector  26  is a blind connection wherein a direction of installation of the DCA  14  into the server  24  is substantially different from a direction of connection between the DCA connector  12  and the server connector  26 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , DCA  14  is inserted into the server  24  in an installation direction  28  and the DCA connector  12  is engaged to the server connector  26  in a connection direction  30  which is substantially perpendicular to the installation direction  28 . 
         [0021]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , an actuation mechanism  32  is illustrated which is capable of moving the card assembly  10  including the DCA connector  12  in the connection direction  30  to engage the DCA connector  12  with the server connector  26 . In the embodiment of the actuation mechanism  32  shown in  FIG. 2 , a guide bar  34  is affixed to the chassis assembly  18  by mechanical fasteners, for example, a plurality of screws  36 , or other means as shown best in  FIG. 1 . The chassis assembly  18  is omitted from  FIG. 2  merely to enable illustration of the remaining structure of the actuation mechanism  32 . The guide bar  34  of the present embodiment is disposed substantially perpendicularly to the connection direction  30 , but other orientations of the guide bar  34  are contemplated within the present scope. At least one driven ramp  38  is affixed to the card assembly  10 , for example, to the DCA connector  12  by one or more screws  36  or other means. The embodiment of  FIG. 2  includes two driven ramps  38 , but other quantities of driven ramps  38  may be utilized depending on factors such as length of the DCA connector  12 . Each driven includes a driven ramp edge  40  which is disposed such that it is parallel to neither of the installation direction  28  and the connection direction  30 . In some embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 2 , each driven ramp  38  is triangular in shape and each driven ramp edge  40  is substantially parallel to each other driven ramp edge  40 . Further, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the individual driven ramps  38  may be joined to each other by a spar  42  to integrally connect the individual driven ramps  38  into a single component. 
         [0022]    Referring again to  FIG. 2 , each driven ramp edge  40  abuts a drive ramp edge  44  of a drive ramp  46  which is disposed between the driven ramps  38  and the guide bar  34 . The drive ramp  46  of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2  interfaces with the guide bar  34  and each driven ramp  38  by an interleaving arrangement. For example, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the guide bar  34  is configured with a main slot  48  extending along a length of the guide bar  34  and a main tab  50  which may extend substantially perpendicular to the main slot  48 . The drive ramp  46  includes a guide slot  52  extending along a length of the drive ramp  46  which is capable of receiving the main tab  50  and a guide tab  54  which is insertable into the main slot  48  thus creating an interleaved arrangement between the guide bar  34  and the drive ramp  46  wherein the drive ramp  46  is moveable relative to the fixed guide bar  34  in a guide direction  56 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the drive ramp  46  also includes a drive slot  58  receivable of a driven tab  60  of the driven ramp  38 , and a drive tab  62  which is insertable into a driven slot  64  of the driven ramp  38 . When the drive ramp  46  is assembled to the driven ramp  38 , the drive ramp  46  is movable relative to the driven ramp  38  in a drive direction  66 . 
         [0023]    In an alternative embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , the drive ramp  46  and each driven ramp  38  have an interlocking interface. For example, the driven ramp  38  may include an interlocking feature  68  which prevents disengagement of the driven ramp  38  from the drive ramp  46 . 
         [0024]    Referring again to  FIG. 2 , an actuation screw  70  is disposed in the chassis assembly  18  and extends through the chassis assembly  18  via a screw retention bracket  72 . The screw retention bracket  72  maintains the position of the actuation screw  70  in the chassis assembly  18 . The actuation screw  70  includes a threaded end  74  which extends from the screw retention bracket  72  into an actuation hole  76  in the drive ramp  46 . The actuation hole  76  has a threaded configuration complimentary to the actuation screw  70 . 
         [0025]    In operation, the DCA  14  is installed into the server  24  by sliding the DCA  14  into the server  24  in the installation direction  28 . The actuation screw  70  is rotated in, for example, a clockwise direction as shown by arrow  78 . The rotation of the actuation screw  70  in the actuation hole  76  causes the drive ramp  46  to travel along the guide direction  56  toward a head  80  of the actuation screw  70 . As the drive ramp  46  moves along the guide direction  46 , each drive ramp edge  44  moves along the corresponding driven ramp edge  40 , urging the driven ramps  38  and therefore the card assembly  10  in the connection direction  30  until the DCA connector  12  fully engages the server connector  26  as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0026]    In some embodiments, low friction coatings or platings may be included in the guide bar  34 , the drive ramp  46 , and/or the at least one driven ramp  38 , for example, to maximize a mechanical advantage provided by the actuation mechanism  32 . The actuation mechanism  32  may be customized by, for example, adjusting a drive direction  66  to met requirements for connector travel and/or connection force. 
         [0027]    An alternative embodiment of a screw-driven actuation mechanism  32  is illustrated in  FIG. 6 . In this embodiment, the card assembly  10  is secured to a slider plate  82 . The card assembly  10  is not shown in this view so the structure of the mechanism  32  may be fully shown. A plurality of linkages  84  are each connected at a first end  86  to the slider plate  82  by a mechanical fastener, for example, a rivet  88 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6  four linkages  84  are utilized, but other quantities of linkages  84  are contemplated within the current scope. A second end  90  of each linkage  84  is secured to the chassis assembly  18  by a mechanical fastener, for example a link screw  92 . The link screws  92  allow for relative rotation between each linkage  84  and the chassis assembly  18 . Similarly, each rivet  88  allows for relative rotation between each linkage  84  and the slider plate  82 . The linkages  84 , slider plate  82 , chassis assembly  18 , and connections therebetween are configured such that as the linkages  84  rotate relative to the chassis assembly  18 , the slider plate is urged between a rotate, the slider plate  82  and the card assembly  10  disposed thereon is moved between a disengaged position (shown in  FIG. 6 ) and an engaged position as illustrated in  FIG. 7 . Moving the card assembly  10  from a disengaged position to an engaged position thereby engages the DCA connector  12  with the server connector  26 . 
         [0028]    As shown in  FIG. 7 , a linking arm  94  is secured at a plate end  96  to the slider plate  82  by a mechanical fastener, for example, a link screw  92 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , the linking arm  94  is secured at a nut end  98  to a sliding nut  100 . The sliding nut  100  is threaded onto the threaded end  74  of the actuation screw  70 . In this embodiment, a tip  102  of the actuation screw  70  is positioned in a clearance hole  104  of a fixed guide  106  which is fixed to the chassis assembly  18 . The actuation screw  70  is rotably secured in the clearance hole  104  by one or more snap rings  108  disposed on the actuation screw  70  at either or both ends of the clearance hole  104 . 
         [0029]    When it is desired to connect the DCA connector  12  with the server connector  26  in this embodiment, the actuation screw  70  is rotated, causing the sliding nut  100  to proceed away from the head  80  of the actuation screw  70 . The motion of the sliding nut  100  causes rotation of the linking arm  94  which results in translation of the slider plate  82  from the disengaged position to the engaged position, thereby engaging the DCA connector  12  with the server connector  26 . The DCA connector  12  may be disengaged from the server connector  26  by rotating the actuation screw  70  in an opposite direction. 
         [0030]    While the preferred embodiment to the invention has been described, it will be understood that those skilled in the art, both now and in the future, may make various improvements and enhancements which fall within the scope of the claims which follow. These claims should be construed to maintain the proper protection for the invention first described.

Technology Category: 5