Patent Grant
7344402
The present invention relates to computer systems, and more particularly to component modules and module connectors in computer systems.
Many computer systems include connection mechanisms that allow components of the systems to be removed and replaced with other compatible components. For example, functions such as video output, sound output, and data storage (hard disks, CD-ROM, etc.) are provided as removable components that are connected to the computer system via interface connectors. Some components are in the form of modules, circuit boards, or cards which are plugged into connectors, slots, or sockets on a circuit board of the computer system, such as a main board or motherboard.
For example, computer memory, such as Random Access Memory (RAM), often comes in the form of a removable module of a computer system, so that it can be upgraded or replaced with other memory. For many current personal computer systems, RAM typically comes in the form of Dual In-line Memory Modules (DIMMs), which include a number of semiconductor memory chips connected to a small circuit board. A DIMM is inserted into a DIMM connector of a motherboard or other circuit board to connect the DIMM to the computer system and allow a microprocessor to access the memory of the DIMM. RAM can alternatively be provided in the form of other types of memory modules or components.
A potential problem with the current DIMM devices occurs during insertion or removal of a DIMM (or similar memory module). In some system architectures, there is a need to provide power to the DIMMs at all times to preserve context, e.g., preserve the state of memory. This can lead to a servicer or operator to remove a DIMM without knowing that it is being powered by the system. If the DIMM is powered, its removal can result in damage to the DIMM or main board components via a short circuit between the power and a ground pin, or between power and a data pin on the DIMM. This can occur, for example, if the operator does not pull the DIMM out uniformly or evenly from the connector. In other cases, power might be currently provided to a DIMM connector when a DIMM is being inserted therein, possibly resulting in a similar short circuit.
One existing solution for reducing this possibility of damage to DIMM or main board is to provide recessed power and ground pins on the DIMM connector. The recessed pins are reduced in length compared to the other pins so that when the DIMM is removed, for example, the power and ground connections between DIMM and connector are removed first as the DIMM is pulled away, thus removing the power from the DIMM before the remainder of the pins have their connection to the main board removed. However, the possibility of damage to DIMM or main board components is still present, if, for example, the operator removes the DIMM unevenly or in some other way that causes a short.
Other component modules, like peripheral cards or interface cards, can similarly be plugged into interface connectors on motherboards or other boards of a computer system to provide or enhance peripheral capability of the system. Such interface cards can include peripheral functions such as network interface, wireless interface, or other communications capability, graphics video output, sound output, other I/O capability, etc. Some of these component modules also may have power shorting issues when the module is inserted or removed.
Accordingly, what is needed is the ability to insert and remove a memory module or other type of module from a connector without the possibility of a damaging short between power and other pins of the module or connector. The present invention addresses such a need.
The invention of the present application relates to protection of component modules and other system components during insertion and removal of the component modules from module connectors in computer systems. In one aspect of the invention, a connector assembly for providing power protection for inserting and removing a component module in a computer system, includes a connector that receives the component module and receives power from a power selection circuit, and a module attachment mechanism coupled to the connector and operative to secure the component module to the connector when a movable member is in an engaged position. When in a disengaged position, the movable member allows the component module to be removed from the connector. When the movable member is moved from the engaged position, the state of a switch of the power selection circuit is changed, causing the power selection circuit to remove power from the connector and from at least a portion of a circuit board to which the connector is electrically coupled.
In another aspect of the invention, an apparatus for providing power protection during insertion and removal of a component module in a computer system includes a connector coupled to a circuit board, the connector operative to receive the component module and including a module attachment mechanism, where the module attachment mechanism includes a movable member that secures the component module in the connector when in an engaged position and allows the component module to be removed from the connector when in a disengaged position. A power selection circuit is coupled to the circuit board and operative to provide power to the connector and to the component module received by the connector, the power selection circuit including a switch having a state changed by the movable member when the movable member is moved out of the engaged position. The switch's change in state causes power to be removed from the connector and from at least a portion of the circuit board by the power selection circuit.
In another aspect of the invention, a method for providing power protection for insertion and removal of a component module in a computer system includes providing a connector coupled to a circuit board, the connector operative to receive the component module and including a module attachment mechanism, where the module attachment mechanism includes a movable member that secures the component module in the connector when in an engaged position and allows the component module to be disconnected from the connector when in a disengaged position. Power is removed from the connector and from at least a portion of the circuit board when the state of a switch is changed by the movable member when the movable member is moved out of the engaged position toward the disengaged position.
The present invention provides a component module connector that has power automatically removed when a component module is able to be inserted into or removed from a connector. Power is also removed from related components on the circuit board connected to the connector. This prevents damage to components and connector from possible short circuits caused by the application of power during insertion or removal.
The present invention relates to computer systems, and more particularly to component modules and module connectors in computer systems. The following description is presented to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention and is provided in the context of a patent application and its requirements. Various modifications to the preferred embodiment and the generic principles and features described herein will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiment shown but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features described herein.
The present invention is mainly described in terms of particular systems provided in particular implementations. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that this method and system will operate effectively in other implementations. For example, the computer system implementations usable with the present invention can take a number of different forms.
To more particularly describe the features of the present invention, please refer to
RAM 18 is volatile memory connected to the main board of the computer system to store data for use in the operation of the system. Processor 16, for example, can access RAM 18 via the system bus 14. In the described embodiment, RAM 18 is provided as one or more component modules, i.e., memory modules (or “cards”). For example, one or more Dual In-line Memory Modules (DIMMs) are commonly used, which include semiconductor memory chips connected to a small circuit board. The small circuit board is plugged into main board 12 in the computer system 10 via a DIMM connector 20 that is connected to the main board, thus connecting the DIMM to the system bus 14. A DIMM can be removed from or replaced in the connector 20 as desired, e.g., to provide different amounts of RAM to the computer system 10. Connector 20 can include one or multiple slots, each slot receiving a DIMM. Other types of memory modules and connectors can be used in other embodiments. One embodiment of a memory module connector 20 of the present invention is described in greater detail below with respect to
Read-only memory (ROM) 22 can be provided as non-volatile memory for the computer system 10, and is connected to the system bus 14. ROM 22 can be any suitable type of non-volatile memory, e.g., erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM), flash memory, etc.
I/O controllers and circuitry 24 can also be connected to the main board 12 and to the system bus 14, and can connect the system 10 to components and peripherals, such as data storage devices (hard disk, CD-ROM, etc.), output devices (display, printer, etc.), input devices, other computer devices over a network, etc. In some embodiments, one or more of the I/O controllers 24 can be in the form of component modules, i.e., peripheral or interface cards, which plug into a compatible connector on the main board 12 similarly to a memory module. The connector for these interface cards (or other types of component modules for system 10) can be implemented according to the present invention similarly to the memory module connector 20.
It should be noted that the system 10 shown in
Memory module 102 provides RAM 18 to the system 10 and can be any suitable memory module that can be connected to or disconnected from a main board in a computer system to add or remove memory. For example, one common type of memory module is a DIMM used for RAM 18 of computer system 10, in which one or more memory semiconductor chips is connected to a small circuit board having edge connector contacts. In other embodiments, other types of memory modules can be used in the present invention. In some embodiments, the memory module 100 can include additional circuitry for other functions.
The memory module 102 is shown inserted in memory module connector 104 of the present invention. Connector 104 includes a base portion 106 and a module attachment mechanism 108.
Base portion 106 is mounted on and attached to a main circuit board 110, which can be the motherboard in a personal computer, a smaller circuit board that is plugged into a main board, or any other suitable board or support of a computer system. The connector base portion 106 includes several conductive contacts which are electrically connected to circuits of the circuit board 110 and which connect with associated contacts on the memory module 102 when the memory module is inserted into the connector 104.
The module attachment mechanism 108 is used to secure the memory module 102 within the memory module connector 104, and can be in an engaged position (shown in
The connector 104 of the present invention also includes a removal power protection feature. In the described embodiment, this protection feature includes a selection member 120a and a selection member 120b, each of which is rigidly coupled to the associated pivoting arm 112a and 112b, respectively. The selection members 120a and 120b can be provided as any rigid member, made of a suitable material such as plastic. The selection members 120a and 120b can be made separately and then attached to the pivoting arms 112a and 112b, or the selection members can be made as part of, and unitary with, the pivoting members 112a and 112b.
Beneath each selection member 120a and 120b is provided an associated contact switch 122a and 122b, respectively. Each contact switch 122a and 122b is coupled to the circuit board 110 to which the base portion 106 of connector 104 is connected. The switches can be any suitable type; e.g., a switch that includes a moving part that closes or opens the switch, a switch that senses when a conductive material, magnetic material, or other specific material contacts it, an optical switch, or other type of switch or sensor. The switches 122a and 122b are both connected to (and can be considered part of) a power selection circuit that is provided on the circuit board 110. The power selection circuit is described in greater detail below with respect to
The selection member 120a is positioned such that when the pivoting arm 112a is moved to a disengaged position or is otherwise positioned away from the fully engaged position, the end 124a of the member 120a will move downward to contact the contact switch 122a, which changes the state of that switch and has the effect of causing a different switch signal to be sent to the power selection circuit than in the engaged position, and may assist in causing the disconnecting of power to the connector 104 as described below. Similarly, the selection member 120b is positioned such that the end 124b moves to contact switch 122b when the arm 112b is not in the fully engaged position to similarly change the state of that switch and send a different switch signal to the power selection circuit. In the example embodiment shown, each switch 122a and 122b has a moving element 123 which changes the state of the switch as soon as a selection member 120a or 12b contacts it and moves it toward the circuit board 110, as described below.
Before removing the memory module 102, the operator must move the pivoting arms 112a and 112b to the disengaged positions.
When the operator moves both of the pivoting arms 112a and 112b, the end 124a and 124b of each of the selection members 120a and 120b moves with the pivoting arm and contacts the associated contact switch 122a or 122b. When either switch, or both switches, are so contacted, the state of the switch(es) is changed and the power is removed to the connector 104.
The removal of power allows the memory module 102 to be removed safely, with no possibility of a short circuit between power and other pins. In the described embodiment, either end of the memory module 102 cannot be removed until the associated pivoting arm is fully disengaged and the associated switch contacted. Note that in the described embodiment, if either one of the pivoting arms is moved (disengaged) and associated switch is contacted, the power is removed, thus preventing the possibility that only one end of the memory module is pulled out of the connector while power is being provided. The power removal operation is described in greater detail below with respect to
It should be noted that the switches 112a and 112b are preferably positioned so that they will be contacted (or otherwise caused to change state) even when the associated pivoting arm 112a or 112b is only slightly away from its engaged position. This allows the mechanism to disconnect power to the connector 104 (and other components) in cases where the memory module 102 is not fully seated in the connector or is otherwise incorrectly seated, since in such a case one or both pivoting arms 112a and 112b will typically not be able to fully move into the associated slot 116 of the memory module, and thus the associated switch 112a or 112b is still contacted or activated.
In the described embodiment, to accommodate the full motion of the pivoting arm, the moving element 123 of a switch 122a or 122b is contacted and then moved toward the circuit board with the end 124a or 124b of the contacting pivoting arm over the range of pivoting arm motion, to the disengaged position. Preferably, as explained above, the state of the switch is changed at or soon after contact. In other embodiments, the switch can be an optical switch or otherwise have a sensing field that can sense the pivoting arm from a position just out of the fully engaged position, up to the full disengaged position.
In an alternate embodiment, a different attachment mechanism can be used. For example, instead of pivoting members 112a and 112b, sliding or translating members can be used, where the sliding members change the state of the switches 122a and 122b when both moved away from the engaged position that secures the memory module in the connector 106.
In another embodiment, switches 122a and 122b can be provided in the base portion 106 of the memory connector under the pivoting arms 112a and 112b, or on the pivoting arms. For example, a switch having a moving element 123, similar to those in the embodiment described above, can be positioned in the connector 106 under or near each pivoting arm. The element 123 can be contacting and connecting two pins of the base 106 of the connector when the associated arm 112a or 112b is in the engaged position, which allows power to be received by the connector 104. The element 123 can be allowed to move away from the circuit board 110 and disconnect the pins to change the state of the switch when the end of the pivoting arm moves away as a user starts moving the pivoting arm to the disengaged position, thus disconnecting power. For example, one pin can be connected to a voltage source and the other pin connected to one terminal of an AND gate in a power selection circuit, as described below for
Selection switches 122a and 122b are provided in circuit 200, and each switch is, in the described embodiment, closed when the associated pivoting arm of the module attachment mechanism 108 is in the fully engaged position, and open when the associated arm contacts it when moved away from the engaged position toward the disengaged position. A voltage VDD can be connected to one terminal of the switches, and the VDD signal is allowed to pass through the switches when they are closed.
The other terminals of the switches 122a and 122b are connected as inputs to an AND gate 204. In addition, the inputs of the AND gate 204 are connected to ground via resistors 202a and 202b, each resistor connected between the associated input and ground. The output of the AND gate is coupled to an enable input of a voltage regulator 206. The voltage regulator 206 receives a voltage input 208 from a different power source in the computer system.
The output of the voltage regulator 206 is coupled to the memory module connector 104 and provides the power to the connector which is provided in turn to the memory module plugged into the connector 104. The voltage output of regulator 206 is also be provided to other components in the memory system of the computer, such as a memory controller 210 which interfaces control signals between the processor 16 and the memory (RAM 18 and ROM 20), and other memory or system components 212. The components 212 can be related to memory functionality, and/or other functionality in the computer system (I/O, processor functions, etc.) which may be desired to be powered down upon memory module insertion or removal. Any required components in power selection circuit 200 needed to drop the voltage to a required level for a particular memory or system component can also be provided. The memory controller 210 and other system components 212 are provided on a portion of the circuit board 110 that gets power from the voltage regulator 206. For example, some or all of these memory and system components 210 and 212 can be provided on the circuit board 110 in close proximity to the switches 122a and 122b.
The power selection circuit embodiment shown in
When one of the selection members 120a and 120b contacts (or otherwise changes the state of) its associated switch 122a or 122b, the switch changes to an open state. This causes a low signal to be provided to the corresponding input of the AND gate 104 from ground, and causes the output of the AND gate to go low. This disables the voltage regulator and prevents the voltage input 208 from being output from the voltage regular to the part of the circuit board 110 holding the related components, which in this case are the memory module connector, memory controller, and other memory components on the main board. Similarly, when both the selection members 120a and 120b contact (or otherwise change the state of) switches 122a and 122b, two low signals are provided to AND gate 104 and the resulting low signal disables the regulator and prevents voltage signal 208 from powering the portion of the circuit board having the memory connector and memory components.
It should be noted that other circuit implementations can be used in other embodiments which provide equivalent or similar functionality. For example, the switches can be open in the engaged position, and closed by the pivoting arms; and a NOR gate can be used to provide the enable signal to the voltage regulator, or an active low enable signal can be used for the regulator. In alternate embodiments, switches provided in other locations, such as in the base 106 of the connector, can be open in one arm position and closed in the other position, as appropriate for the particular power selection circuit 200 used.
In other embodiments in which a peripheral or interface card is provided as the component module, then a circuit for driving and/or controlling that peripheral card is also disconnected from power, that circuit located in the motherboard or main board which supports the connector. This is similar to removing the power from the memory components on the circuit board 110 in the memory module implementation described above.
Although the present invention has been described in accordance with the embodiments shown, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that there could be variations to the embodiments and those variations would be within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, many modifications may be made by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
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