Simplified power and data connector for use with chassis system that houses multiple processors

• US 6,927,974 B2
• Filed: 10/30/2002
• Issued: 08/09/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Egenera Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Egenera Incorporated
• Inventors: Haney, Richard M., Busby, Daniel, Robillard, David, Degerstrom, Mike, DeRuntz, Otto
• Primary Examiner(s): Feild, Lynn
• Assistant Examiner(s): Edwards, Anthony Q.
• Application Number:
  US10/283,702
• Publication Number:
  US 20030081386A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,014 Days
• Field of Search: 439/247, 439/248, 439/701, 439/378, 439/246, 361724-727, 361784-789, 361/816.817, 361796-803, 361/767, 361/768, 361/733, 361/686
• US Class Current: 361/679.4
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/08 Resiliently-mounted rigid pins or blades
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6315 allowing relative movement between coupling parts, e.g. floating connection for coupling devices specially adapted for printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures, H01R12/91 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/1492 having electrical distribution arrangements, e.g. power supply or data communications
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/183 support rails therefor

Abstract

The present invention provides chassis for housing at least one processor, the chassis includes at least one compartment adapted to receive a processor, a connector for coupling the at least one processor to the chassis when the processor is installed in the at least one compartment. The connector includes a first component attached to the processor and a second component attached to the chassis and adapted to be mated with the first component, the connector may also be adapted to provide data and power connections between the chassis and the processor when coupled. Additionally, the first component aligns and mates with the second component during the insertion of the processor into the compartment without any visual alignment of the first and second components of the connector.

Claims

1. A connector adapted to connect a processor to a chassis, the connector comprising:

a plug component including a high speed data section adapted to transfer data at a rate greater than 15 MB/Sec, a low speed data section adapted to transfer data at less than 10 MB/Sec, and a power section adapted to provide power to the processor,

a socket component adapted to mate with the plug component and including a high speed data section, a low speed data section and a power section,

wherein the high speed data section of the socket component is adapted to move relative to the power section to align the high speed data section of plug with the socket when the plug is connected to the socket;

said connector further comprising a pair of rails onto which each section is placed, the high-speed data connector in a longitudinal center of the connector interface area.

2. A method of making a data and power connector adapted to transfer both data and power between plug and a socket, the method comprising:

assembling a power connector on a rail structure;

providing a data connector for data transmission;

assembling the data connector on the rail structure;

securing the rail structure so that the power connection and the data connector are securely held on the rail structure to form a plug;

forming a socket adapted to receive the plug by assembling a socket power connection on a second rail assembly and assembling a socket data connection to the second rail assembly and securing the socket power and socket data connections to the rail

wherein one of data connection and data socket connection is adapted to float within the rail structure to facilitate alignment of the connection.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising the step of assembling a high speed data connector on the rail in addition to the data connector.