Computer module device and method

• US 6,452,790 B1
• Filed: 07/05/2000
• Issued: 09/17/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/07/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Acqis Technology, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Acqis Technology, Inc.
• Inventors: Lin, Peng Cheng, Man, Tony, Chu, William W. Y.
• Primary Examiner(s): Schuberg, Darren
• Assistant Examiner(s): DATSKOVSKIY, MICHAIL V
• Application Number:
  US09/610,581
• Time in Patent Office: 804 Days
• Field of Search: 361/683, 361/686, 361/687, 361/699, 361/707-709, 361/692, 361/695, 361/704, 361/679, 361/724-727, 361/752, 361/753, 361/796, 364/708.1, 364/709.01, 364/709.02, 364/709-7-7, 395/186, 395/700, 395/275, 395/325, 710/101, 710/72, 710/129, 710/62, 710/71, 710/106, 710/100, 710/102, 710/200, 710/103, 345/169, 345/326, 345/327, 345/333, 345/302, 345/156, 345/418, 345/733, 345/500, 713/300, 713/322, 713/1, 713/310, 713/320, 713/323, 713/330, 713/340, 713/204, 713/200, 713/202
• US Class Current: 361/679.52
• 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 1/20 Cooling means

Abstract

A method for installing memory into a computer module. The method includes providing a used computer module, which comprises a housing to enclose a hard disk drive, a memory module for random access memory devices and a central processing unit coupled to the hard disk drive and coupled to the random access memory. The method also includes removing a top cover from a base of the housing to expose the hard disk drive and the memory module. Thereafter, the hard disk drive is removed from the base of the housing and a second hard disk drive is inserted onto the base. The top cover is reattached to the base of the housing to complete the installation process.

Claims

1. A computer module comprising:

a housing comprising a first end coupled to a second end, and a base plate coupled between the first end and the second end, the first end facing the second end, where the base plate is disposed between the first end and the second end;

a first region disposed on the base plate at the second end, the first region comprising a connector, the connector protrudes outwardly from the housing from the second end;

a second region disposed between the first end and the second end, the second region adjacent to the first end, the second region comprising a hard disk drive;

a third region disposed between the first end and the second end, the third region adjacent to the first region and adjacent to the second end, the third region comprising a microprocessing unit;

wherein the second region is disposed along the first end of the housing to maximize a distance between the microprocessing unit and the hard disk drive to prevent a possibility of thermal damage of the hard disk drive from thermal energy from the microprocessing unit, the computer module further comprising a horizontal air blower disposed between the first region and the third region to direct air flow across the third region out to the side of the housing.

2. The computer module of claim 1 further comprising a heat pipe overlying a region on top of the microprocessing unit in the third region such that the horizontal blower directs air across the heat pipe.

3. The computer module of claim 2 further comprising of a thermal conductive material that is thermally coupled with the microprocessing unit through the heat pipe.

4. The computer module of claim 2 wherein the heat pipe is directly in contact with the top cover for thermal conduction.

5. A computer module comprising:

a housing comprising a first end coupled to a second end, and a base plate coupled between the first end and the second end, the first end facing the second end, where the base plate is disposed between the first end and the second end;

a first region disposed on the base plate at the second end, the first region comprising a connector, the connector protrudes outwardly from the housing from the second end;

a second region disposed between the first end and the second end, the second region adjacent to the first end, the second region comprising a hard disk drive;

a third region disposed between the first end and the second end, the third region adjacent to the first region and adjacent to the second end, the third region comprising a microprocessing unit;

wherein the second region is disposed along the first end of the housing to maximize a distance between the microprocessing unit and the hard disk drive to prevent a possibility of thermal damage of the hard disk drive from thermal energy from the microprocessing unit, and wherein the base plate comprises a side channel along each bottom edge, each of the side channels being used to guide for insertion of the computer module such that the connector mates with a second connector inside a peripheral console.

6. A computer module comprising:

a housing comprising a first end coupled to a second end, and a base plate coupled between the first end and the second end, the first end facing the second end, where the base plate is disposed between the first end and the second end;

a first region disposed on the base plate at the second end, the first region comprising a connector, the connector protrudes outwardly from the housing from the second end;

a second region disposed between the first end and the second end, the second region adjacent to the first end, the second region comprising a hard disk drive;

a third region disposed between the first end and the second end, the third region adjacent to the first region and adjacent to the second end, the third region comprising a microprocessing unit;

wherein the second region is disposed along the first end of the housing to maximize a distance between the microprocessing unit and the hard disk drive to prevent a possibility of thermal damage of the hard disk drive from thermal energy from the microprocessing unit, the computer module further comprising of a partition between the hard disk drive and the microprocessing unit and associated power regulator, the partition isolating the hard disk drive from the microprocessing unit heat and from the electromagnetic radiation of the power regulator.