Integrated connector module for personal computers

• US 6,404,626 B1
• Filed: 07/09/1999
• Issued: 06/11/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/09/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: HTC Corporation
• Original Assignee: Compaq Computer Corporation (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Huang, Hai, Low, Chor Leng
• Primary Examiner(s): Schuberg, Darren
• Assistant Examiner(s): Chang, Yean Hsi
• Application Number:
  US09/350,507
• Time in Patent Office: 1,068 Days
• Field of Search: 361/679, 361/683-686, 361/737, 361/749, 361/727, 439/928.1, 439/131, 439/946
• US Class Current: 361/679.41
• 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 built-in integrated connector module for a portable computer includes a support plate that attaches to a mini-PCI card and two communication jacks. Electronic interconnection such as a flex cable or wiring is provided between the jack and the mini-PCI card. The entire module is secured in supporting structures provided within the housing of a portable computer such that the module may be installed reliably and conveniently.

Claims

1. An integrated connector module for mounting in a computer housing, comprising:

at least one communication jack that includes a front face capable of mating with an external communication network, said communication jack including metallic pins extending therefrom, and wherein the communication jack includes a top, back and bottom surface, and said metallic pins extend from the bottom surface of said communication jack; and

;

a flex cable with a first end and a second end, with the first end of said flex cable soldered to said metallic pins to form an electrical connection with said communication jack, and the second end of said flex cable includes a PCI card connector capable of connecting to a PCI card; and

wherein said flex cable is configured to wrap around the back and top surfaces of said communication jack.

2. An integrated connector module as in claim 1, further comprising a support plate that extends between the top surface of said communication jack and said flex cable.

3. An integrated connector module as in claim 2, further comprising a riser board attached to said support plate, said riser board extending generally parallel to said PCI card connector for supporting a PCI card.

4. An integrated connector module as in claim 3, wherein said riser board includes a connector assembly coupling the PCI card to a motherboard mounted within the computer housing.

5. An integrated connector module as in claim 4, wherein said riser board connector assembly includes a first connector that connects electrically to the PCI card, and a second connector that extends from said riser board to connect to the motherboard.

6. An integrated connector module as in claim 4, wherein said support board includes a standoff that attaches to the computer housing.

7. An integrated connector module as in claim 2, wherein said PCI card connector extends in a direction substantially opposite the front face of said communication jack.

8. An integrated connector module as in claim 2, wherein said at least one communication jack comprises two communication jacks that are capable of mating with two different external communication networks.

9. An integrated connector module for mounting in a computer housing, comprising:

at least one communication jack that includes a front face capable of mating with an external communication network, and a top, back and bottom surface, and said communication jack also includes metallic pins;

a flex cable with a first end and a second end, with the first end of said flex cable soldered to said metallic pins to form an electrical connection with said communication jack, and the second end of said flex cable including a PCI card connector capable of connecting to a PCI card;

a support plate that extends between the top surface of said communication jack and said flex cable; and

a riser board attached to said support plate, said riser board extending generally parallel to said PCI card connector for supporting a PCI card.

10. An integrated connector module as in claim 9, wherein said metallic pins extend from the bottom surface of said communication jack, and said flex cable is configured to wrap around the back and top surfaces of said communication jack.

11. An integrated connector module as in claim 10, wherein said PCI card connector extends in a direction substantially opposite the front face of said communication jack.

12. An integrated connector module as in claim 11, wherein said riser board includes a connector assembly coupling the PCI card to a motherboard mounted within the computer housing.

13. An integrated connector module as in claim 12, wherein said riser board connector assembly includes a first connector that connects electrically to the PCI card, and a second connector that extends from said riser board to connect to the motherboard, and wherein said support board includes a standoff that attaches to the computer housing.

14. An integrated connector module as in claim 9, wherein said at least one communication jack comprises two communication jacks that are capable of mating with two different external communication networks through an opening in said computer housing.

15. A portable computer system, comprising:

a housing that includes a top surface, a bottom surface, and four side walls, with at least one of the four side walls including an opening to permit connection to an external communication network;

a central processing unit controlling the operation of said computer system;

a motherboard mounted within said housing, said motherboard electrically connected to said central processing unit;

a power source connected to said motherboard that supplies operating power to components on said motherboard and to said central processing unit;

an integrated connector module that includes;

at least one communication jack that includes a front face capable of mating with the external communication network through the opening in said side wall, said communication jack including metallic pins extending therefrom; and

a flex cable with a first end and a second end, with the first end of said flex cable soldered to said metallic pins to form an electrical connection with said communication jack, and the second end of said flex cable includes a PCI card connector capable of connecting to a PCI card; and

wherein said flex cable is configured to wrap around at least one surface of said communication jack to connect electrically to metallic pins extending through said at least one surface.

16. A portable computer system as in claim 15, wherein the bottom surface of said housing includes ridge sections for supporting said communication jack.

17. A portable computer system as in claim 16, wherein the communication jack includes a top, back and bottom surface, and said metallic pins extend from the bottom surface of said communication jack.

18. A portable computer system as in claim 17, wherein at least one of the ridge sections include a positioning pin, and said flex cable includes an opening for receiving said positioning pin.

19. A portable computer as in claim 18, wherein said PCI card connector extends in a direction substantially opposite the front face of said communication jack.

20. A portable computer system as in claim 19, wherein the integrated connector module also includes a support plate that extends between the top surface of said communication jack and said flex cable.

21. A portable computer as in claim 20, wherein the integrated connector module also includes a riser board attached to said support plate, with said riser board extending generally parallel to said PCI card connector for supporting a PCI card.

22. A portable computer as in claim 21, wherein said riser board includes a connector assembly coupling the PCI card to said motherboard.

23. A portable computer as in claim 22, wherein said riser board connector assembly includes a first connector that connects electrically to the PCI card, and a second connector that extends from said riser board to connect to said motherboard.

24. A portable computer as in claim 20, wherein said support board includes a standoff that attaches to the computer housing.

25. A portable computer as in claim 24, wherein said at least one communication jack comprises two communication jacks that are capable of mating with two different external communication networks.