Multi-function power distribution system

• US 5,808,876 A
• Filed: 06/20/1997
• Issued: 09/15/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 06/20/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Smid, Jan Douglas, Mullenbach, Brian Scott
• Primary Examiner(s): Picard, Leo P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): FOSTER, DAVID A
• Application Number:
  US08/880,044
• Time in Patent Office: 452 Days
• Field of Search: 361/788, 361/601, 361/622, 361/627, 361/633, 361/640, 361/679, 361/683, 361/791, 361/777, 361/785, 361/796, 361/803, 361/729, 361/733, 439/61, 439/928
• US Class Current: 361/788
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 27/02 for simultaneous co-operation with two or more dissimilar counterparts
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/1492 having electrical distribution arrangements, e.g. power supply or data communications
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/928 Modular electrically interengaging parts, e.g. stove with replaceable heating elements formed on coupling parts

Abstract

A power distribution system utilizing a power distribution circuit board having a front and back side with at least one connector on each side. The connector on the front side is disposed to mate with a selected power supply and the connector on the back side is disposed to mate with a substantially identical power supply. The connector on the back side is rotated 180° so that substantially identical power supplies can be located in close proximity to each other while maintaining required conductor spacing in order to provide an improved power distribution system.

Claims

1. A power distribution system for use in a computer comprising:

a circuit card having a front side and a back side;

said front side having a plurality of contacts disposed to mate with a selected power supply; and

said back side having a plurality of contacts disposed to mate with said selected power supply, wherein said backside plurality of contacts are rotated such that two of said selected power supplies can be located in close proximity to each other.

2. A power distribution system according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of contacts are mounted in connectors.

3. A power distribution system comprising:

a power distribution board having a first side opposite a second side, said first side having at least one connector mounted thereon, said second side having at least one connector mounted thereon;

a first power supply having at least one connector mounted thereon to mate with said connector(s) mounted on said first side of said power distribution board; and

a second power supply having at least one connector mounted thereon to mate with said connector(s) mounted on said second side of power distribution board;

wherein said first power supply and said second power supply are substantially identical.

4. A power distribution system according to claim 3, wherein said circuit board has an axis, said first power supply and said second power supply occupy positions translated 180 degrees about said circuit board axis.

5. The power distribution system according to claim 3, wherein said second power supply is rotated 180 degrees and is not inverted in relationship to said first power supply.

6. The power distribution system according to claim 3, further comprised of two connectors mounted on said first side of said circuit board and two connectors are mounted on said second side of said circuit board;

and

two connectors are mounted on said first power supply and two connectors are mounted on said second power supply.

7. A power distribution system comprising:

a power distribution board having a first side opposite a second side, said first side having a first and second connector mounted thereon, said second side having a third and fourth connector mounted thereon;

a first power supply having first power supply connector disposed to mate with said first power distribution board connector;

said first power supply having a second power supply board connector disposed to mate with said second distribution board connector;

a second power supply having a third power supply connector disposed to mate with said third connector of said power distribution board; and

said second power supply having a fourth power supply connector disposed to mate with said fourth power distribution board connector;

wherein said first power distribution board connector mounted on said power distribution board is closer to said third power distribution board connector than to both said second power distribution board connector and said fourth power distribution board connector and wherein said first power supply first connector is for supplying a first voltage and said first power supply second connector is for supplying a second voltage and wherein said second power supply third connector supplies said first voltage and said second power supply fourth connector supplies said second voltage.

8. The power distribution system according to claim 7, wherein said first voltage is different than said second voltage.

9. The power distribution system according to claim 7, wherein said second power distribution board connector mounted on said power distribution board is closer to said fourth power distribution board connector than to both said first power distribution board connector and said third power distribution board connector.