System and method for rotatable information handling system power cable connection

• US 7,887,332 B2
• Filed: 02/19/2009
• Issued: 02/15/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/19/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dell Products LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dell Products LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Inventors: Bauer, John, Schwager, Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): TA, THO DAC
• Application Number:
  US12/388,591
• Publication Number:
  US 20100210119A1
• Time in Patent Office: 726 Days
• Field of Search: 439/131, 439/13
• US Class Current: 439/13
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 35/04 Turnable line connectors with limited rotation angle with frictional contact members

Abstract

A power connects at an information handling system housing through a rotational connector that allows the power cable to align with plural axes relative to the housing. For example, force applied to the cable causes the rotational connector to rotate from a rear surface of the housing to a side surface or bottom surface of the housing. Excessive force results in a breakaway mechanism releasing the rotational connector from the housing so that the connector and internal power subsystem components avoid damage.

Claims

1. An information handling system comprising:

a housing having four side surfaces and a bottom surface;

plural components disposed in the housing and operable to process information;

a power subsystem disposed in the housing and operable to power the plural components;

a rotational connector disposed at a side of the housing and interfaced with the power subsystem, the rotational connector operable to couple and decouple with a power cable for providing external power to the power subsystem and to rotate between at least a first and second axis with the power cable coupled to the rotational connector during rotation between the first and second axis;

wherein the first and second axis comprises a first axis that has the power cable perpendicular to a first side surface and a second axis that has the power cable perpendicular to the bottom surface.

2. An information handling system comprising:

a housing having four side surfaces and a bottom surface;

plural components disposed in the housing and operable to process information;

a power subsystem disposed in the housing and operable to power the plural components; and

a rotational connector disposed at a side of the housing and interfaced with the power subsystem, the rotational connector operable to couple and decouple with a power cable for providing external power to the power subsystem and to rotate between at least a first and second axis with the power cable coupled to the rotational connector during rotation between the first and second axis;

wherein the rotational connector is located at a corner defined by the intersection of a first and second side of the housing.

3. An information handling system comprising:

a housing having four side surfaces and a bottom surface;

plural components disposed in the housing and operable to process information;

a power subsystem disposed in the housing and operable to power the plural components;

a rotational connector disposed at a side of the housing and interfaced with the power subsystem, the rotational connector operable to couple and decouple with a power cable for providing external power to the power subsystem and to rotate between at least a first and second axis with the power cable coupled to the rotational connector during rotation between the first and second axis; and

a breakaway mechanism operable to release the rotational connector from the housing if a breakaway force is applied at the rotational connector;

wherein the breakaway mechanism is further operable to power down the processing components if the rotational connector releases from the housing.

4. A method for providing power to an information handling system, the method comprising:

coupling a cable to connector of the information handling system at a first axis;

providing power through the cable to the information handling system; and

applying a force at the cable to move the connector to align the cable at a second axis;

wherein applying a force at the cable to move the connector further comprises rotating the connector from the first to second axis; and

wherein the first axis comprises an axis having the power cable perpendicular to a first side of the information handling system and second axis comprises an axis having the power cable perpendicular to a second side of the information handling system.

5. A method for providing power to an information handling system, the method comprising:

coupling a cable to connector of the information handling system at a first axis;

providing power through the cable to the information handling system; and

applying a force at the cable to move the connector to align the cable at a second axis;

wherein applying a force at the cable to move the connector further comprises rotating the connector from the first to second axis; and

wherein the first axis comprises an axis having the power cable perpendicular to a first side of the information handling system and second axis comprises an axis having the power cable perpendicular to a bottom side of the information handling system.