Field replaceable unit

• US 20020004342A1
• Filed: 05/23/2001
• Published: 01/10/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/06/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sanmina-SCI Corporation
• Original Assignee: Richmount Computer Limited
• Inventors: Coffey, Aedan Diarmuid Cailean, Mullins, Barrie Jeremiah
• Granted Patent: US 6,419,528 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/700
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/2421 using coil springs
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/4863 Coil spring

Abstract

A field replaceable unit comprises a housing having a front and a rear and is configured for sliding insertion into and out of a rack from its rear. The unit includes a connector for, in use, completing an electrical circuit from a backplane of the rack to a component of the field replaceable unit. The connector comprises a first rear projecting electrically conductive spring loaded member operative to engage an electrical pad on the backplane when the housing is inserted in the rack.

Claims

1. A field replaceable unit comprising:

a housing having a front and a rear and being configured for sliding insertion into and out of a rack from its rear; and

a connector for, in use, completing an electrical circuit from a backplane of said rack to a component of said field replaceable unit, said connector comprising a first rear projecting electrically conductive spring loaded member operative to engage an electrical pad on said backplane when said housing is inserted in said rack.

2. A field replaceable unit as claimed in claim 1 incorporating a front plate removably attached to said housing and including said component, and said connector comprises a second front projecting electrically conductive spring loaded member electrically coupled to said first electrically conductive spring loaded member and operative, when said front plate is attached to said housing, to engage a second pad electrically coupled to said component and disposed behind said front plate.

3. A field replaceable unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein said electrically conductive member is adapted to engage a pad on said backplane.

4. A field replaceable unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein said connector transmits one or both of an input or an output signal.

5. A rack enclosure including a backplane and at least one field replaceable unit according to claim 1 operatively connected to said backplane.