This document pertains generally, but not by way of limitation, to a removable and replaceable memory component for a computer system.
Some computers have replaceable components allowing the user to modify the computer according to their needs. For example, a user may want to switch or modify the factory installed memory with larger memory, or memory with more storage or operating capacity. In such a situation, a user may need to remove a large panel, for example the back or bottom cover, of the computer to gain access to the desired component to be replaced. In such a situation, the user may risk damaging the internal systems when removing the cover or the user may damage other internal components when attempting to replace the component the user desires to replace. Further, when a component is to be replaced, the system may have extra layers of protective materials which, while protecting the system, also increase the dimensions of the internal components.
In the drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, like numerals may describe similar components in different views. Like numerals having different letter suffixes may represent different instances of similar components. The drawings illustrate generally, by way of example, but not by way of limitation, various embodiments discussed in the present document.
In a computer system there is hardware and components which users may want to replace such as the mainboard, memory, processor, power supply, storage or cooling systems. When replacing such components, users may need to remove significant parts of the computer to access the one piece to be replaced. If significant parts do not need to be replaced, at least whole panels of the computer may still need to be removed to gain access to the small part to be replaced. In a laptop or tablet, gaining access to the computer system usually requires the user to remove the entire bottom panel of the computer itself, if the panel can be removed at all.
Memory is an element of computer hardware which is commonly replaced. If a computer does not have enough memory, computer processes or activity can be hindered as low memory is a common cause of slow performance.
A computer system uses Random Access Memory (RAM) to store memory before the data is processed by the central processing unit (CPU). RAM is the memory unit which temporarily stores data while a chip is being engaged. It does not store data for the long term; instead, it stores data as it is needed for the computer's use. Therefore, as a computer system runs more programs, or more complicated programs, more RAM is used.
An example computer system 100 is illustrated in
A more detailed view of the layers of the example electronic system 100 is illustrated in
The memory socket 132 is sized and shaped according to the desired purpose. In an example memory socket 132, the memory socket footprint 130 can have connection points 134 arranged in a 15 by 21 rectangular pattern for a total of 315 connection points 134. However, any number of connection points 134 can be used. In an example memory socket 132, there are two arrangements of memory socket footprints 130. In an example, each of the memory socket footprints 130 are similar dimensions. A memory socket 132 with two arrangements of memory socket footprints 130 can support two separate removable memory components.
The memory socket 132 is aligned properly on the package 120 using alignment couplings 140. Examples of alignment couplings can be any indicator which is used to properly align the memory socket 132 to the substrate such as visual indications, protrusions, grooves, indentations, etc. The alignment pins 140 are one way of aligning the memory socket 132 properly to the package 120. The memory socket 132 needs to be properly aligned so the individual connection points on the memory socket 132 are aligned with the corresponding connection points 134 on the memory socket footprint 130 on the package 120.
In one example, as shown in
As illustrated in
Also illustrated in
As illustrated in
In the example exploded view shown in
In an example, a first z height 210 from the printed circuit board (PCB) 125 to the D cover 102 is between four millimeters to five millimeters. In an example, the first z height 210 is approximately four and a half millimeters. In another example, the first z height 210 is approximately 4.65 millimeters. In an example a second z height 212 as a distance from the memory socket 132 to the top of the removable memory package 150 is between two and three millimeters. In another example, the second z height 212 is approximately two and half millimeters. In another example, the second z height 212 is approximately 2.88 millimeters.
As illustrated in
When memory is being processed, the electrical components of the memory can generate heat. The processing system can also generate heat. For a computer system including memory and a processor to operate efficiently, the heat should be removed or dispersed. In an example shown in
At least on insert 185 or material coupled to the inner surface are disposed on an inner surface 184 of the load plate 180. The at least one insert 185 can be made from copper or aluminum or the like. The at least one insert 185 can also be made from any material which provides heat dissipation. The at least one insert can be a thermal interface material (TIM) to aid in the thermal management of the removable memory package 150. In an example using a metal TIM, the TIM provides for higher thermal conductivity in the system. The at least one insert 185 is coupled with the inner surface 184 of the load plate 180 on an area corresponding to the removable memory package 150.
The load plate 180, as illustrated in
In an example where a load is applied to the load plate 180, an underfill can be applied under the package to offset some of the load applied. The underfill could be applied completely under the SoC. In another example, solder balls can be applied under the corners of the package.
As illustrated in
The computer system 100 including the electronic system 110 and the cooling elements including at least the first fan 310 and the second fan 312 and the vapor chamber 170 and the remaining components of the computer system are covered by the C cover 104 on one side and the D cover 102 on the other. As illustrated in the example shown in
A user would gain access to the removable at least one removable memory package 150 by detaching the removable cover 410. The removable cover 410 can be coupled with the D cover 102 with fasteners, locking mechanism, latches, interference fits or the like. The user would then decouple the load plate 180 from the support plate 160 by removing the at least one fastener 168. For example, a fastener can be a screw which, when tightened applies the desired load to the load plate and thereby to the removable memory package 150 and memory socket 132. The user could then remove the load plate 180 from the modular memory component 400 and thereby gain access to the removable memory package 150 supported by the support plate 160. Once the load plate 180 is removed, a user would remove the removable memory package 150 from its location in the support plate. The user could then replace the removable memory package 150 with a new memory package.
To replace the removable memory package 150 with a new memory package, the user would align the new memory package in the appropriate location on the support plate 160. Aligning the new memory package would also align the memory package with a predetermined memory socket on the package. The user could apply some pressure to the new memory package to more completely couple the new memory package with the predetermined memory socket. The user, in this example, would then replace the load plate such that the load plate covers the newly installed memory package and the support plate. The user would then couple the load plate with the support plate with the same fasteners which were originally removed. When coupling the load plate, the user would couple the fasteners such that a predetermined load was applied to the load plate and thereby the memory package. The user would then reattach the removable cover to the D cover such that the removable cover is secured in place. In this example, the user would not have to remove the entire D cover from the computer to gain access to the modular memory component. Instead, only a small cover could be removed to gain access to a specific part of the computer system where the modular memory component is located.
In one embodiment, a processor 610 has one or more processor cores 612 and 612N, where 612N represents the Nth processor core inside processor 610 where N is a positive integer. In one embodiment, system 600 includes multiple processors including 610 and 605, where processor 605 has logic similar or identical to the logic of processor 610. In some embodiments, processing core 612 includes, but is not limited to, pre-fetch logic to fetch instructions, decode logic to decode the instructions, execution logic to execute instructions and the like. In some embodiments, processor 610 has a cache memory 616 to cache instructions and/or data for system 600. Cache memory 616 may be organized into a hierarchal structure including one or more levels of cache memory.
In some embodiments, processor 610 includes a memory controller 614, which is operable to perform functions that enable the processor 610 to access and communicate with memory 630 that includes the modular memory component 632 which is a volatile memory and/or a non-volatile memory 634. In some embodiments, processor 610 is coupled with the memory 630 and chipset 620. Processor 610 may also be coupled to a wireless antenna 678 to communicate with any device configured to transmit and/or receive wireless signals. In one embodiment, an interface for wireless antenna 678 operates in accordance with, but is not limited to, the IEEE 802.11 standard and its related family, Home Plug AV (HPAV), Ultra Wide Band (UWB), Bluetooth, WiMax, or any form of wireless communication protocol.
In some embodiments, modular memory component 632 includes, but is not limited to, Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (SDRAM), Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM), RAMBUS Dynamic Random Access Memory (RDRAM), and/or any other type of random access memory device. Non-volatile memory 634 includes, but is not limited to, flash memory, phase change memory (PCM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or any other type of non-volatile memory device.
Memory 630 through the modular memory component 632 stores information and instructions to be executed by processor 610. In one embodiment, memory 630 may also store temporary variables or other intermediate information while processor 610 is executing instructions. In the illustrated embodiment, chipset 620 connects with processor 610 via Point-to-Point (PtP or P-P) interfaces 617 and 622. Chipset 620 enables processor 610 to connect to other elements in system 600. In some embodiments of the example system, interfaces 617 and 622 operate in accordance with a PtP communication protocol such as the Intel® QuickPath Interconnect (QPI) or the like. In other embodiments, a different interconnect may be used.
In some embodiments, chipset 620 is operable to communicate with processor 610, 605N, display device 640, and other devices, including a bus bridge 672, a smart TV 676, I/O devices 674, nonvolatile memory 660, a storage medium (such as one or more mass storage devices) 662, a keyboard/mouse 664, a network interface 666, and various forms of consumer electronics 677 (such as a PDA, smart phone, tablet etc.), etc. In one embodiment, chipset 620 couples with these devices through an interface 624. Chipset 620 may also be coupled to a wireless antenna 678 to communicate with any device configured to transmit and/or receive wireless signals. In one example, any combination of components in a chipset may be separated by a continuous flexible shield as described in the present disclosure.
Chipset 620 connects to display device 640 via interface 626. Display 640 may be, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light emitting diode (LED) array, an organic light emitting diode (OLED) array, or any other form of visual display device. In some embodiments of the example system, processor 610 and chipset 620 are merged into a single SOC. In addition, chipset 620 connects to one or more buses 650 and 655 that interconnect various system elements, such as I/O devices 674, nonvolatile memory 660, storage medium 662, a keyboard/mouse 664, and network interface 666. Buses 650 and 655 may be interconnected together via a bus bridge 672.
In one embodiment, mass storage device 662 includes, but is not limited to, a solid state drive, a hard disk drive, a universal serial bus flash memory drive, or any other form of computer data storage medium. In one embodiment, network interface 666 is implemented by any type of well-known network interface standard including, but not limited to, an Ethernet interface, a universal serial bus (USB) interface, a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) Express interface, a wireless interface and/or any other suitable type of interface. In one embodiment, the wireless interface operates in accordance with, but is not limited to, the IEEE 802.11 standard and its related family, Home Plug AV (HPAV), Ultra Wide Band (UWB), Bluetooth, WiMax, or any form of wireless communication protocol.
While the modules shown in
Aspect 1 can include a modular memory component with a support plate with an upper side, a lower side, and at least one slot, wherein the support plate is coupled to a package having a memory socket footprint. A memory socket is coupled to the package on the memory socket footprint, wherein the support plate sandwiches the memory socket on the memory socket footprint and wherein the at least one slot exposes the memory socket. At least one removable memory component is disposed within the at least one slot, where the at least one removable memory component is connected to the memory socket at the at least one slot. The modular memory component can also include a load plate with a heat sink on a lower surface and at least one coupling area where the at least one coupling area is aligned with the memory socket and the load plate is coupled to a top surface of the support plate and where the support plate and the load plate are coupled at the memory socket footprint on the package.
Aspect 2 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Aspect 1, where the memory socket area includes a memory footprint on the substrate and a memory socket. The memory socket can include at least one alignment pin on the package and proximate to the memory footprint which can align the memory socket with the memory footprint. The memory socket can also be coupled with the memory footprint.
Aspect 3 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Aspect 1, where the modular memory a vapor chamber proximate to the support plate.
Aspect 4 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of claim 1, where the support plate is attached to a vapor chamber.
Aspect 5 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of claim 1 wherein the heat sink is a copper insert.
Aspect 6 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Aspect 1 where the load plate includes a plurality of fins on an upper surface of the load plate.
Aspect 7 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Aspect 1, further comprising at least one fastener which couples which couples the support plate with the substrate and the cooling plate with the substrate at the attachment area.
Aspect 8 can include an electronic system with a heat spreader, a substrate with a socketed memory area engaged with the heat spreader, a system on a chip fixed to the substrate, at least one alignment member proximate to the socketed memory area, a support plate with at least one opening, at least one alignment coupling, and a thermal dispersion component. Further, the support plate is aligned with the socketed memory area such that the at least one opening is configured to align with the socketed memory area, and at least one removable memory component supported in the at least one opening and coupled with the socketed memory area through the at least one opening. The electronic system can also include a heat transfer interface removably coupled with the support plate and covering the at least one removable memory component.
Aspect 9 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Aspect 8, where the system is a component of a portable personal computer.
Aspect 10 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Aspect 8 where the wherein the socketed memory area can include a memory footprint on a substrate a memory socket coupled with the memory footprint.
Aspect 11 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Aspect 8 where the removable memory component is RAM.
Aspect 12 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of claim 9 where the RAM is proximate to a processor on the substrate.
Aspect 13 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of claim 8, where the removable memory component is adjacent to the processor.
Aspect 14 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of claim 8, where the heat transfer interface is a vapor chamber and the vapor chamber is proximate to a fan.
Aspect 15 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of claim 8, where the heat transfer interface is a heat sink proximate to a fan.
Aspect 16 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of claim 8, further comprising the support plate has two openings and two removable memory packages.
Aspect 17 can include method of replacing a memory component in a system including the steps of removing a cover at a designated location on a computer; decoupling a cooling plate from a support plate; removing at least one memory component from the support plate; aligning at least one new memory component with a predetermined socket area on a substrate where the socket area is accessible through an opening in the support plate; coupling the at least one new memory component with the predetermined socket area; placing the cooling plate on top of the at least one new memory component; coupling the cooling plate with the support plate; and placing and securing the cover in the designated location on a computer.
Aspect 18 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of claim 16 where the computer is a portable personal computer.
Aspect 19 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of claim 17 where the predetermined socket area is on a substrate having a system on chip.
Aspect 20 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of claim 18 where the socket area includes a memory footprint on a substrate; and a memory socket aligned with the memory footprint where the memory socket is aligned with the memory footprint with at least one alignment coupling.
Each of these non-limiting aspects can stand on its own, or can be combined in various permutations or combinations with one or more of the other aspects.
The above description includes references to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the detailed description. The drawings show, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention can be practiced. These embodiments are also referred to herein as “aspects” or “examples.” Such aspects or example can include elements in addition to those shown or described. However, the present inventors also contemplate aspects or examples in which only those elements shown or described are provided. Moreover, the present inventors also contemplate aspects or examples using any combination or permutation of those elements shown or described (or one or more features thereof), either with respect to a particular aspects or examples (or one or more features thereof), or with respect to other Aspects (or one or more features thereof) shown or described herein.
In the event of inconsistent usages between this document and any documents so incorporated by reference, the usage in this document controls.
In this document, the terms “a” or “an” are used, as is common in patent documents, to include one or more than one, independent of any other instances or usages of “at least one” or “one or more.” In this document, the term “or” is used to refer to a nonexclusive or, such that “A or B” includes “A but not B,” “B but not A,” and “A and B,” unless otherwise indicated. In this document, the terms “including” and “in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and “wherein.” Also, in the following claims, the terms “including” and “comprising” are open-ended, that is, a system, device, article, composition, formulation, or process that includes elements in addition to those listed after such a term in a claim are still deemed to fall within the scope of that claim. Moreover, in the following claims, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc. are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects.
Geometric terms, such as “parallel”, “perpendicular”, “round”, or “square”, are not intended to require absolute mathematical precision, unless the context indicates otherwise. Instead, such geometric terms allow for variations due to manufacturing or equivalent functions. For example, if an element is described as “round” or “generally round,” a component that is not precisely circular (e.g., one that is slightly oblong or is a many-sided polygon) is still encompassed by this description.
The above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described aspects or examples (or one or more aspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other. Other embodiments can be used, such as by one of ordinary skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The Abstract is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. 1.72(b), to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. Also, in the above Detailed Description, various features may be grouped together to streamline the disclosure. This should not be interpreted as intending that an unclaimed disclosed feature is essential to any claim. Rather, inventive subject matter may lie in less than all features of a particular disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description as aspects, examples or embodiments, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment, and it is contemplated that such embodiments can be combined with each other in various combinations or permutations. The scope of the invention should be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.