Modular desktop computer having enhanced serviceability

• US 5,754,396 A
• Filed: 07/22/1996
• Issued: 05/19/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 07/22/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Compaq Computer Corporation (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Perez, Juan M., Frame, Kenneth B., Franke, Gregory C., Felcman, Frances A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Phillips, Michael W.
• Application Number:
  US08/681,060
• Time in Patent Office: 666 Days
• Field of Search: 364/708.1, 312/223.2, 312/263, 312/265.5, 361/683, 361/686, 361/725-727
• US Class Current: 361/679.6
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/18 Packaging or power distribution
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/181 Enclosures for portable computers G06F1/1613
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/183 Internal mounting support structures, e.g. for printed circuit boards, internal connecting means for buses G06F13/409

Abstract

A computer which includes modular structures incorporated therein provides enhanced serviceability. In a preferred embodiment, the computer has a chassis, a lid, a front bezel, an option card module, a system board module, a drive module, and a power supply module. The lid secures the option card module within the chassis. The option card module is removable from the chassis without disconnecting fasteners, option boards, or external cables therefrom. The system board module is received in the chassis and is secured therein by the option card module. The drive module has features which enable storage media devices to be conveniently installed therein and removed therefrom.

Claims

1. An electronic device, comprising:

a chassis having opposing laterally spaced apart front and rear portions, said front and rear portions being generally planar;

a removable first module structurally interconnecting said chassis front and rear portions, said first module having opposing laterally spaced apart front and rear portions, said first module front portion being releasably secured to said chassis front portion and said first module rear portion being releasably secured to said chassis rear portion, said first module further having a generally planar top portion structurally interconnecting said first module front portion and said first module rear portion, said first module top portion being orthogonally disposed relative to said chassis front portion, a plate structurally interconnecting said first module front, rear, and top portions, said plate being orthogonally disposed relative to said first module top portion, and a generally planar option card attached to said plate, said option card having opposite side surfaces, a peripheral edge, and at least one first card edge connector attached to each of said opposite side surfaces, each of said first card edge connectors being electrically interconnected with said option card peripheral edge, and said first module top portion forming a portion of an enclosure at least partially enclosing said first card edge connectors; and

a laterally slidingly removable second module operatively received in said chassis, said second module including a second card edge connector electrically interconnected with said option card peripheral edge,

said first module cooperatively engaging said second module and securing said second module against laterally sliding removal from said chassis.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising a circuit board carried on said chassis laterally intermediate said chassis front and rear portions, said second card edge connector being mounted on said circuit board and electrically interconnected therewith, said first card edge connectors being electrically interconnected with said circuit board when said first module is structurally interconnected with said chassis.

3. The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein said circuit board is structurally attached to said second module, wherein said second module has a first member projecting therefrom, and wherein said first module further has a second member projecting therefrom, said first and second members being complementarily shaped, and said second member cooperatively engaging said first member.

4. The electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising a cover removably attached to said chassis, said cover overlying said first module, and said cover securing said first module against structural disconnection from said chassis when said first module is structurally interconnected with said chassis and said cover is attached to said chassis.

5. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein said chassis rear portion has first and second laterally spaced apart side portions, an opening formed intermediate said first and second side portions, and a first member attached to each of said first and second side portions adjacent said opening, and wherein said first module rear portion further has laterally opposite ends and a second member formed on each of said rear portion opposite ends, said first and second members being complementarily shaped, and each of said first members cooperatively engaging one of said second members when said first module is structurally interconnected with said chassis.

6. The electronic device according to claim 5, wherein said first members are channel members, and wherein said second members are elongated tabs.

7. A computer, comprising:

a chassis having opposing laterally spaced apart first and second portions;

a removable first module having opposing laterally spaced apart first and second portions, said first module first portion being releasably secured to said chassis first portion and said first module second portion being releasably secured to said chassis second portion, said first module further having a generally planar third portion structurally interconnecting said first module first portion and said first module second portion, a fourth portion structurally interconnecting said first module first, second, and third portions, and an option card attached to said fourth portion, said option card having opposite side surfaces, a peripheral edge, and at least one first card edge connector attached to each of said opposite side surfaces, each of said first card edge connectors being electrically interconnected with said option card peripheral edge, and said third portion forming a portion of an enclosure at least partially enclosing said first card edge connectors; and

a laterally slidingly removable second module operatively received in said chassis, said second module including a second card edge connector electrically interconnected with said option card peripheral edge,

said first module cooperatively engaging said second module and securing said second module against laterally sliding removal from said chassis.

8. The computer according to claim 7, further comprising a circuit board carried on said chassis laterally intermediate said chassis first and second portions, said second card edge connector being mounted on said circuit board and electrically interconnected therewith, said first card edge connectors being electrically interconnected with said circuit board when said first module is structurally interconnected with said chassis.

9. The computer according to claim 8, wherein said circuit board is structurally attached to said second module, wherein said second module has a first member projecting therefrom, and wherein said first module further has a second member projecting therefrom, said first and second members being complementarily shaped, and said second member cooperatively engaging said first member.

10. The computer according to claim 7, further comprising a cover removably attached to said chassis, said cover overlying said first module, and said cover securing said first module against structural disconnection from said chassis.

11. The computer according to claim 7, wherein said chassis second portion has first and second laterally spaced apart side portions, an opening formed intermediate said first and second side portions, and a first member attached to each of said first and second side portions adjacent said opening, and wherein said first module second portion further has laterally opposite ends and a second member formed on each of said rear portion opposite ends, said first and second members being complementarily shaped, and each of said first members cooperatively engaging one of said second members.

12. The computer according to claim 11, wherein said first members are channel members, and wherein said second members are elongated tabs.

13. A computer, comprising:

a chassis having first and second upstanding sides;

a first module laterally slidingly received within the chassis; and

a second module removably securing the first side to the second side, the second module including a first portion configured for releasably engaging the first and second sides, a second portion attached and orthogonally disposed relative to the first portion, an option card attached to the second portion and having opposite sides, and at least one card connector attached to each of the opposite sides, the first portion forming a portion of an enclosure at least partially enclosing the card connectors, and the second module cooperatively engaging and securing the first module against laterally sliding removal from the chassis.