Electronic module interconnection system

• US 4,899,254 A
• Filed: 07/22/1987
• Issued: 02/06/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 07/22/1987
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Tandem Computers Incorporated (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Pham, Hoa V., Diaz, Randall J., Ferchau, Joerg U.
• Primary Examiner(s): Thompson, Gregory D.
• Application Number:
  US07/076,458
• Time in Patent Office: 930 Days
• Field of Search: 211/41, 361/383, 361/384, 361/391-395, 361/399, 361/412-415, 361/424, 361/428, 361/429, 439/65, 439/74, 439/76, 439/246, 439/247, 439/607
• US Class Current: 361/695
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/20 Cooling means

Abstract

A system interconnects electronic modules with one another, to a power supply and to signal lines through a printed circuit board. The modules are electrically connected to traces on the printed circuit board using blind mateable connectors. EMI shielding plates are mounted to the circuit board at the I/O connectors for the external cables. Guide elements, such as pin and socket guides and printed circuit board edge guides, are mounted to the circuit board to guide the blind mateable connectors. The system eleminates the numerous cables which would otherwise be required. The printed circuit board is mounted within the system housing and acts as an air duct barrier to aid proper air circulation. The circuit board also acts as a structured element helping to stabilize the housing and various module supports and serves as a mounting structure for various elements, such as cooling fans.

Claims

1. An electronic system of the type including electronic modules coupled to a power supply and to signal lines, and system comprising:

a housing;

a circuit board mounted within the housing and forming a structural support element of the system, the circuit board including power supply traces and signal traces connected to the power supply and to the signal lines, respectively;

a first blind mateable connector mounted to each of the modules;

second blind mateable connectors mounted to chosen positions on the circuit board for connection with chosen ones of the power supply and signal traces, the second blind mateable connectors configured for mating engagement with respective ones of the first blind mateable connectors;

a fan mounted to the circuit board at a selected position;

the circuit board having an opening at the selected position to allow air to be forced therethrough by the fan, the circuit board configured to divide the housing into sections so the circuit board acts as an air duct barrier; and

module guide elements for guiding the modules into position adjacent the circuit board so the first and second blind mateable connectors engage one another thus interconnecting the modules with one another and connecting the modules to the power supply and to the signal lines.

2. The electronic system of claim 1 wherein at least one of the modules includes at least two first blind mateable connectors mounted to the at least one module for at least one of the two first blind mateable connectors mounted for floatable movement to aid proper alignment.

3. An electronic system of the type including electronic modules coupled to a power supply and to signal lines, and system comprising:

a housing;

a circuit board mounted within the housing and forming a structural support element of the system, the circuit board including power supply traces and signal traces connected to the power supply and to the signal lines, respectively;

a first blind mateable connector mounted to each of the modules;

second blind mateable connectors mounted to chosen positions on the circuit board for connection with chosen ones of the power supply and signal traces, the second blind mateable connectors configured for mating engagement with respective ones of the first blind mateable connectors;

a mounting block mounted to at least one of the modules; and

at least two first blind mateable connectors mounted to the mounting block, at least one of the two first blind mateable connectors floatably mounted to the mounted block to aid proper alignment.