Patent Application
20170133805
The present disclosure relates in general to information handling systems, and more particularly to systems and methods for providing a combination connector for receiving multiple types of corresponding connectors.
As the value and use of information continues to increase, individuals and businesses seek additional ways to process and store information. One option available to users is information handling systems. An information handling system generally processes, compiles, stores, and/or communicates information or data for business, personal, or other purposes thereby allowing users to take advantage of the value of the information. Because technology and information handling needs and requirements vary between different users or applications, information handling systems may also vary regarding what information is handled, how the information is handled, how much information is processed, stored, or communicated, and how quickly and efficiently the information may be processed, stored, or communicated. The variations in information handling systems allow for information handling systems to be general or configured for a specific user or specific use such as financial transaction processing, airline reservations, enterprise data storage, or global communications. In addition, information handling systems may include a variety of hardware and software components that may be configured to process, store, and communicate information and may include one or more computer systems, data storage systems, and networking systems.
In an information handling system, various connectors are often used to electrically couple the various components of the information handling system to one another. In some embodiments, such connectors may include external connectors having features externally facing from a chassis for housing components of the information handling system, thus allowing external devices and/or cables to be coupled externally to the information handling system. For example, external connectors may include connectors for coupling a cable to a network interface of an information handling system. Network connectors may take on a variety of form factors, including without limitation a female jack (oftentimes referred to as an RJ45 jack) for receiving an Ethernet over twisted pair cable (e.g., category 5 cable) and a female connector for a small form-factor pluggable (SFP) transceiver. Oftentimes, a manufacturer of information handling systems may have little or no certainly as to the type of network connector and end user may desire, and thus, to provide the most flexibility to a customer, may include multiple network connectors (e.g., at least one SFP connector in its own assembly and at least one RJ45 jack in its own assembly). However, provision of multiple connectors may require a significant amount of space, which may be problematic as dimensions of information handling systems continue to shrink.
In accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure, the disadvantages and problems associated with having multiple external connectors for an information handling system may be reduced or eliminated.
In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, an information handling system may include a processor, an information handling resource communicatively coupled to the processor, and a combination connector. The combination connector may include a housing, a first connector housed within the housing and communicatively coupled to the information handling resource, the first connector configured to receive corresponding connectors of a first form factor and to communicatively couple a corresponding connector of the first form factor received by the first connector to the information handling resource, and a second connector housed within the housing and communicatively coupled to the information handling resource, the second connector configured to receive corresponding connectors of a second form factor and to communicatively couple a corresponding connector of the second form factor received by the second connector to the information handling resource. A first footprint of the corresponding connector of the first form factor as engaged with the first connector may be overlapping with a second footprint of the corresponding connector of the second form factor as engaged with the second connector.
In accordance with these and other embodiments of the present disclosure, a combination connector may include a housing, a first connector housed within the housing and configured to be communicatively coupled to an information handling resource, the first connector configured to receive corresponding connectors of a first form factor and to communicatively couple a corresponding connector of the first form factor received by the first connector to the information handling resource, and a second connector housed within the housing and configured to be communicatively coupled to the information handling resource, the second connector configured to receive corresponding connectors of a second form factor and to communicatively couple a corresponding connector of the second form factor received by the second connector to the information handling resource. A first footprint of the corresponding connector of the first form factor as engaged with the first connector may be overlapping with a second footprint of the corresponding connector of the second form factor as engaged with the second connector.
In accordance with these and other embodiments of the present disclosure, a method may include housing a first connector within a housing wherein the first connector is configured to be communicatively coupled to an information handling resource, and the first connector is further configured to receive corresponding connectors of a first form factor and to communicatively couple a corresponding connector of the first form factor received by the first connector to the information handling resource and housing a second connector within the housing and wherein the second connector is configured to be communicatively coupled to the information handling resource, and the second connector is further configured to receive corresponding connectors of a second form factor and to communicatively couple a corresponding connector of the second form factor received by the second connector to the information handling resource. The first connector and the second connector are housed such that a first footprint of the corresponding connector of the first form factor as engaged with the first connector may be overlapping with a second footprint of the corresponding connector of the second form factor as engaged with the second connector.
Technical advantages of the present disclosure may be readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the figures, description and claims included herein. The objects and advantages of the embodiments will be realized and achieved at least by the elements, features, and combinations particularly pointed out in the claims.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are examples and explanatory and are not restrictive of the claims set forth in this disclosure.
A more complete understanding of the present embodiments and advantages thereof may be acquired by referring to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numbers indicate like features, and wherein:
Preferred embodiments and their advantages are best understood by reference to
For the purposes of this disclosure, an information handling system may include any instrumentality or aggregate of instrumentalities operable to compute, classify, process, transmit, receive, retrieve, originate, switch, store, display, manifest, detect, record, reproduce, handle, or utilize any form of information, intelligence, or data for business, scientific, control, entertainment, or other purposes. For example, an information handling system may be a personal computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a consumer electronic device, a network storage device, or any other suitable device and may vary in size, shape, performance, functionality, and price. The information handling system may include memory, one or more processing resources such as a central processing unit (“CPU”) or hardware or software control logic. Additional components of the information handling system may include one or more storage devices, one or more communications ports for communicating with external devices as well as various input/output (“I/O”) devices, such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a video display. The information handling system may also include one or more buses operable to transmit communication between the various hardware components.
For the purposes of this disclosure, computer-readable media may include any instrumentality or aggregation of instrumentalities that may retain data and/or instructions for a period of time. Computer-readable media may include, without limitation, storage media such as a direct access storage device (e.g., a hard disk drive or floppy disk), a sequential access storage device (e.g., a tape disk drive), compact disk, CD-ROM, DVD, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), and/or flash memory; as well as communications media such as wires, optical fibers, microwaves, radio waves, and other electromagnetic and/or optical carriers; and/or any combination of the foregoing.
For the purposes of this disclosure, information handling resources may broadly refer to any component system, device or apparatus of an information handling system, including without limitation processors, service processors, basic input/output systems (BIOSs), buses, memories, I/O devices and/or interfaces, storage resources, network interfaces, motherboards, and/or any other components and/or elements of an information handling system.
For the purposes of this disclosure, circuit boards may broadly refer to printed circuit boards (PCBs), printed wiring boards (PWBs), printed wiring assemblies (PWAs) etched wiring boards, and/or any other board or similar physical structure operable to mechanically support and electrically couple electronic components (e.g., packaged integrated circuits, slot connectors, etc.). A circuit board may comprise a substrate of a plurality of conductive layers separated and supported by layers of insulating material laminated together, with conductive traces disposed on and/or in any of such conductive layers, with vias for coupling conductive traces of different layers together, and with pads for coupling electronic components (e.g., packaged integrated circuits, slot connectors, etc.) to conductive traces of the circuit board.
As depicted in
Processor 103 may include any system, device, or apparatus configured to interpret and/or execute program instructions and/or process data, and may include, without limitation, a microprocessor, microcontroller, digital signal processor (DSP), application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or any other digital or analog circuitry configured to interpret and/or execute program instructions and/or process data. In some embodiments, processor 103 may interpret and/or execute program instructions and/or process data stored in memory 104, storage resource 108, and/or another component of information handling system 102.
Memory 104 may be communicatively coupled to processor 103 and may include any system, device, or apparatus configured to retain program instructions and/or data for a period of time (e.g., computer-readable media). Memory 104 may include random access memory (RAM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a PCMCIA card, flash memory, magnetic storage, opto-magnetic storage, or any suitable selection and/or array of volatile or non-volatile memory that retains data after power to its associated information handling system 102 is turned off.
Network interface 106 may comprise any suitable system, apparatus, or device operable to serve as an interface between information handling system 102 to one or more other information handling systems via a network. Network interface 106 may enable primary information handling system 102 to communicate using any suitable transmission protocol and/or standard. In these and other embodiments, network interface 106 may comprise a network interface card, or “NIC.” In other embodiments, network interface 106 may be implemented as a virtual NIC (e.g., implemented by software configured to execute on processor 103 of information handling system 102).
Storage resource 108 may include any system, device, or apparatus configured to store data. Storage resource 108 may include one or more hard disk drives, magnetic tape libraries, optical disk drives, magneto-optical disk drives, solid state storage drives, compact disk drives, compact disk arrays, disk array controllers, and/or any other systems, apparatuses or devices configured to store data. In certain embodiments, storage resource 108 may include one or more storage enclosures configured to hold and/or power one or more of such devices. In the embodiments represented by
User interface 110 may comprise any instrumentality or aggregation of instrumentalities by which a user may interact with information handling system 102. For example, user interface 110 may permit a user to input data and/or instructions into information handling system 102, and/or otherwise manipulate information handling system 102 and its associated components. User interface 110 may also permit information handling system 102 to communicate data to a user, e.g., by way of a display device.
Combination connector 112 may comprise an electrical connector in the form of a jack or socket for receiving multiple form factors of corresponding connectors. Such corresponding connectors may include one or more corresponding terminated cables (e.g., cable terminated in a plug) and/or other connectors that mate with a geometry of combination connector 112. In particular embodiments, as described in greater detail below, combination connector 112 may be configured to receive either of a plug-terminated Ethernet over twisted pair (e.g., category 5) cable and a small form-factor pluggable (SFP) (e.g., optical fiber) cable.
In addition to processor 103, memory 104, network interface 106, storage resource 108, user interface 110, and combination connector 112, information handling system 102 may include one or more other information handling resources. Such an information handling resource may include any component system, device or apparatus of an information handling system, including without limitation, a processor, bus, memory, I/O device and/or interface, storage resource (e.g., hard disk drives), network interface, electro-mechanical device (e.g., fan), display, power supply, and/or any portion thereof. An information handling resource may comprise any suitable package or form factor, including without limitation an integrated circuit package or a printed circuit board having mounted thereon one or more integrated circuits.
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By combining features of first connector 204 and second connector 206 into a single combination connector 112, the overall height of combination connector 112 may be reduced as compared to the combined heights of standalone assemblies for each of first connector 204 and 206. This advantage is demonstrated pictorially in
Similar to that described above with respect to movable portion 210, movable portion 210A may be positioned so as to define an identity of combination connector 112A. For example, in the first position (see, e.g.,
Similar to that described above with respect to movable portion 210 and movable portion 210B, movable portion 210B may be positioned so as to define an identity of combination connector 112B. For example, in the first position (see, e.g.,
As used herein, when two or more elements are referred to as “coupled” to one another, such term indicates that such two or more elements are in electronic communication or mechanical communication, as applicable, whether connected indirectly or directly, with or without intervening elements.
This disclosure encompasses all changes, substitutions, variations, alterations, and modifications to the example embodiments herein that a person having ordinary skill in the art would comprehend. Similarly, where appropriate, the appended claims encompass all changes, substitutions, variations, alterations, and modifications to the example embodiments herein that a person having ordinary skill in the art would comprehend. Moreover, reference in the appended claims to an apparatus or system or a component of an apparatus or system being adapted to, arranged to, capable of, configured to, enabled to, operable to, or operative to perform a particular function encompasses that apparatus, system, or component, whether or not it or that particular function is activated, turned on, or unlocked, as long as that apparatus, system, or component is so adapted, arranged, capable, configured, enabled, operable, or operative.
All examples and conditional language recited herein are intended for pedagogical objects to aid the reader in understanding the disclosure and the concepts contributed by the inventor to furthering the art, and are construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions. Although embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions, and alterations could be made hereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.
