WO1998053654A1

WO1998053654A1 - Board-mountable module guide

Info

Publication number: WO1998053654A1
Application number: PCT/US1998/010195
Authority: WO
Inventors: James P. Scholz; Benjamin H. Mosser, Iii; Kirk D. Ulery; Wayne S. Davis
Original assignee: The Whitaker Corporation
Priority date: 1997-05-22
Filing date: 1998-05-19
Publication date: 1998-11-26
Also published as: AU7497198A

Abstract

Guide assembly (10) having a frame (30) surrounding a receptacle connector (14) on a circuit board (12), and further having guide members (60) to facilitate mating of a circuit card (104) of a card-containing module (100) with the connector. The guide members (60, 62) are pivotably mounted to the frame (30) to be rotated between an upright orientation for module receipt, and a recumbent orientation parallel to the board when the module (100) is not mated to the connector.

Description

BOARD-MOUNTABLE MODULE GUIDE

The present invention relates to the field of electrical connections and more particularly to components mountable to a circuit board.

In computers and other electronic equipment, circuit boards are utilized to which are mounted numerous electrical and electronic components. Smaller circuit cards are utilized to establish electrical connections to a larger circuit board in a manner that permits removal and disconnection, by inserting an edge of the card into a receptacle connector mounted on the board and containing an array of contacts connected to circuits of the board; contact sections of the contacts are exposed within a card- receiving cavity of the connector that engage circuit pads on the card surfaces upon card insertion. It has become useful to secure certain cards within larger modules so that components mounted on the card are protected by the module covers during handling. Such modules need to be accurately guided during mating with the receptacle connector so that the leading end of the enclosed card is accurately received into the card- receiving cavity of the connector, since the module covers inhibit accurate visual alignment of the card with the cavity. It is known to provide elongate guide members projecting from the board from ends of receptacle connectors to facilitate mating in similar situations. Such elongate guide members may be mounted on the circuit board substantially prior to their actual use during module mating.

It is desired to provide a system for guiding the module during mating with the receptacle connector. It is also desired to provide module guides that maintain a low profile prior to module mating.

An assembly includes a frame mountable on the circuit board surrounding the receptacle connector or optionally as an integral portion of the connector housing. At opposed ends of the frame are mounted respective guide members containing inwardly facing channels precisely aligned with the card- receiving cavity of the connector. The guide members are pivotably secured to the frame, so that the members may be pivoted to a recumbent orientation parallel to the circuit board when a module is not mated to the connector, and be pivoted to an erect position for use. In a first embodiment, embossments of a frame end section extend through apertures of tab sections of each guide member to establish the pivotable connection. In a second embodiment, the tab sections of the guide members include preferably horizontal slots to permit sliding the embossments therealong to become seated in the pivot apertures. And in a third embodiment the guide member tab sections define the embossments while the end blocks define pivot apertures with preferably horizontal slots permitting insertion of the embossments into the pivot apertures . Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is an isometric view of the present invention with the guide members exploded from the frame;

FIGURE 2 is an isometric view of the frame with the guide members assembled thereto and positioned about a connector for module mating therewith;

FIGURE 3 is an isometric view of the assembly with the guide members in a retracted position;

FIGURE 4 is an isometric view of second assembly embodiment of guide members assembled to a frame and positioned about a connector for module mating therewith; FIGURE 5 is an isometric view of the assembly with the guide members in a retracted position; FIGURE 6 illustrates the guide member of FIGS. 4 and 5 exploded from an end block, with board locks and a vibration suppressor exploded from end block;

FIGURES 7 and 8 are section views of the guide member of FIGS. 4 to 6 mounted to a frame end section showing the pivot sections thereof, with the guide member lowered and erect, respectively; and

FIGURE 9 illustrates another embodiment of a guide member of the present invention exploded from an end block.

Guide assembly 10 includes a frame 30 and guide members 60,62 securable thereto, with the frame mountable to a circuit board 12 around a receptacle connector 14. Preferably, frame 30 and guide members 60,62 are molded of plastic material such as polycarbonate resin. Fasteners 32 are shown to be utilized to secure the guide assembly to the circuit board through the use of bolts (not shown) extending upwardly from the board to be threaded into fasteners 32, which are movably held captive in respective holes

34 of mounting flanges 36 at respective ends 38 of frame 30. Optionally, integral board fastening sections (not shown) may be formed that depend from the mounting flanges to extend through mounting holes of the circuit board, that latch beneath the board upon complete insertion therethrough, thereby eliminating the necessity for additional fastening hardware and also simplifying board mounting.

Frame 32 includes a connector aperture 40 within which is seated connector 14 disposed between guide members 60,62. Connector 14 may be, for example, a Slot 1 Connector sold by AMP Incorporated, Harrisburg, PA under Part Nos . 145251-1 and -2. Optionally, the connector housing may be formed to include the frame as an integral portion thereof.

Guide channels 64 are defined along inner surfaces of guide members 60,62 and are precisely aligned with card- receiving cavity 16 of connector 14 when the guide members are affixed to frame 30. The guide channels are dimensioned to receive therein side portions 102 of module 100 having a card 104 contained therein, so that leading end 106 of card 104 exposed along leading module end 108 becomes aligned for receipt into card- receiving cavity 14 of connector 14 as side portions 102 move along the guide channels toward the connector during mating. Entrances to the guide channels may be chamfered to facilitate insertion of the module side portions thereinto. Guide members 60,62 are positioned spaced apart so that the channel bottom surfaces 66 oppose each other the width of the module when in their upright orientation, so that the module is positioned accurately transversely for the card leading end to enter the card- receiving cavity. The guide channels may include chamfered inside corners 68 as shown serving to polarize the module and to assist in centering the module in the channels. The guide members may also include latch apertures 70 as shown within which corresponding latch projections (not shown) on side surfaces of the modules may latch for retention in the mated condition. Sufficient clearance around the connector is provided by guide assembly 10 for leading ends of the module covers therearound upon mating, when the card leading end is received within the card- receiving cavity.

Guide members 60,62 are affixable to upstanding flanges 42 of frame 30 in a manner that permits pivoting of the guide members between an upright orientation (FIG. 2) and a recumbent or horizontal orientation (FIG.

3). Upstanding flanges 42 include pivot sections while guide members 60,62 include cooperating pivot sections; in the embodiment shown, the pivot sections comprise cylindrical embossments 44, while the cooperating pivot sections are apertures 72 complementary to the embossments defined on tab sections 74 depending from body sections 76 of the guide members. To facilitate assembly, upper portions of the embossment ends may be chamfered to initiate outward deflection of tab sections 74, and the lower inside edge of the tab sections may also be chamfered. While embossments 44 are shown herein to be integrally molded to the frame member, separate metal pins could be similarly utilized secured in corresponding holes into the frame member for strength and durability.

Preferably, upstanding flanges 42 also include stop surfaces such as top edges 46 that become abutted by cooperating stop surfaces on frame-proximate ends of the guide members such as bottom edges 78 of body sections 76, so that pivoting of the guide members is stopped in the full upright orientation and the guide members are prepared to receive the module side portions therebetween. As shown, channel bottoms 66 abut top surfaces 46 of upstanding flanges 42 to stop pivoting in the recumbent orientation in FIG. 3. Guide members 60,62 preferably are polarized to allow module insertion only when the module is in a single correct orientation; as shown, oppositely facing channel bottoms 66 are canted in opposed directions each at an angle α from being orthogonal to the channel side surfaces, and angle α may be for example 3°, corresponding to side portions 102 of the module; further, the chamfered portions 68 on opposed sides of each channel 64 may be angled asymmetrically for polarization.

Advantageously, a detent or latch could be provided that cooperates with the upright flanges to lock the guide members in the fully erect orientation, to facilitate module insertion.

When guide members 60,62 are pivoted to their recumbent or horizontal position as shown in FIG. 3, the resulting low profile of the guide assembly 10 is advantageous during various handling and shipping procedures of the circuit board prior to its installation within electronic apparatus such as a computer. The guide members interfere less with assembly of various other components to the circuit board and are much less vulnerable to damage or destruction by inadvertently being struck by other objects, and also the circuit board is more easily handled and shipped in relatively compact containers. In FIGS. 4 to 8, a second embodiment of retention assembly 200 includes guide members 202 and end blocks 204. Optionally, end blocks 204 may be integral portions of a frame that surrounds the sides of connector 206 as in FIGS. 1 to 3. End blocks 204 each include a recess 208 within which is seated an end of a connector 206 disposed between guide members 202. Connector 206 may be, for example, a Slot 1 Connector sold by AMP Incorporated, Harrisburg, PA under Part Nos . 145251-1 and -2. Optionally, the connector housing may be formed to include the end blocks as integral portions thereof .

Guide channels 210 are defined along inner surfaces of guide members 202 and are precisely aligned with card- receiving cavity 212 (FIG. 4) of connector 206 when the guide members are affixed to end blocks 204. The guide channels are dimensioned to receive therein side portions 102 of module 100 having a card 104 contained therein, so that leading end 106 of card 104 exposed along leading module end 108 becomes aligned for receipt into card- receiving cavity 212 of connector 206 as side portions 102 move along the guide channels toward the connector during mating. Guide members 202 are positioned spaced apart so that the channel bottom surfaces 214 oppose each other the width of the module when in their upright orientation, so that the module is positioned accurately transversely for the card leading end to enter the card- receiving cavity. The guide members may also include latch apertures 216 as shown within which corresponding latch projections (not shown) on side surfaces of the modules may latch for retention in the mated condition. Sufficient clearance around the connector is provided by retention assembly 200 for leading ends of the module covers therearound upon mating, when the card leading end is received within the card- receiving cavity. The assembly preferably includes vibration suppressors 218, as seen in^" FIGS . 4 and 6. Each suppressor may be of elastomeric material and seated in a pocket 220 of a respective end block 204 adjacent the recess 208 and fitted around a connector end to become abutted by leading end 108 of processor module 100 upon insertion between guide members 202 and mated with connector 206. Board locks 222 are shown to be utilized to secure the guide assembly to the circuit board upon insertion into respective slots 224 of mounting flanges 226 of the end blocks 204.

Guide members 202 are affixable to upstanding flanges 228 of end blocks 204 in a manner that permits pivoting of the guide members between an upright orientation (FIG. 4) and a recumbent or horizontal orientation (FIG. 5) . Upstanding flanges 228 include pivot sections shown to be cylindrical embossments 230, while the cooperating pivot sections of the guide members are apertures 232 complementary to the embossments defined on tab sections 234 depending from body sections 236 of the guide members. Slots 238 extend from apertures 232 to entrances 240 at edges of tab sections 234 in a direction orthogonal to guide channels 210 and inwardly toward the receptacle connector 206 and the opposed guide member. While embossments 230 are shown herein to be integrally molded to the end block, separate metal pins could be similarly utilized secured in corresponding holes into the frame member for strength and durability.

Preferably, upstanding flanges 228 also include stop surfaces such as top edges 242 that become abutted by cooperating stop surfaces on frame-proximate ends of the guide members such as bottom edges 244 of body sections 236, so that pivoting of the guide members is stopped in the full upright orientation and the guide members are prepared to receive the module side portions therebetween. As shown, channel bottom surfaces 214 abut the top of connector 206 to stop pivoting in the recumbent orientation in FIG. 5. Guide members 202 may be polarized to allow module insertion only when the module is in a single correct orientation.

Advantageously, a detent or latch could be provided that cooperates with the upright flanges to lock the guide members in the fully erect orientation, to facilitate module insertion. Referring now to FIGS. 6 to 8, each guide member

202 is mountable to an end block 204 by being positioned with guide channel 210 facing downwardly toward the end block and extending toward the opposed end block, with tab sections 234 above the embossments 230 such that slots 238 are aligned therewith. Thereafter, the guide member is urged toward the end block, the embossments are received into slots 238 in a compression fit and are moved therealong to become seated in apertures 232. Aperture 232 permits pivoting movement in cooperation with cylindrical embossments 230 so that the guide member is pivotable between a recumbent position (FIG. 7) and an upright position (FIG. 8) .

Tab sections 234 are thickened to assure ruggedness, and slots 238 are defined in only half the thickness of the tab section. Slots 238 are slightly smaller than the diameter of embossments 230 such that the embossments will remain in apertures 232 after assembly. Preferably, entrances 240 of slots 238 are widened such as by being chamfered or rounded to facilitate receipt thereinto of a respective embossment 230. When guide members 202 are in their recumbent positions, no upward force tends to lift the guide members from the end blocks and disengage the pivot system. When the guide members are upright, the guide members will not become disengaged from the end blocks since the upward forces are orthogonal to slots 238. A third embodiment of retention assembly 300 is illustrated in FIG. 9. A guide member 302 ise mountable to an end block 304 that is to be positioned at an end of a board-mounted receptacle connector. Tab sections 306 of guide member 302 include pivot pins or embossments 308 extending laterally outwardly. Upstanding flanges 310 of end block 304 have defined therein slots 312 extending horizontally from an end face 314 and in communication with an inner surface 316, extending to a pivot or bearing surface 318 that will cooperate with a respective pivot pin 308 after assembly. Again, preferably the bearing surface 318 is only slightly larger than the diameter of pivot pin 308 to permit relative rotation, while the width of the slot is slightly less than the diameter of the pivot pin. Variations and modifications of the specific embodiment described herein, are possible -that are within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the claims. For example, the guide members may define guide channels of differing cross -sections or dimensions to correspond with differing module side portions, for polarization.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS;

1. A guide assembly (10,200,300) of the type mountable onto a surface for guiding a module (100) into position, comprising: a pair of end blocks (42,204,304), and a pair of guide members (60, 62 ;202, 302) defining opposed guide channels (64,210) and being pivotably secured to respective ones of said end blocks, so that said guide members are pivotable between upright orientations for guided receipt of said module (100) therebetween during movement of said module toward said surface, and recumbent orientations when said module is not present.

2. The guide assembly (10,200,300) as set forth in claim 1 wherein ones of said end blocks (42,204,304) and said guide members (60, 62 ; 202 , 302) include embossment - receiving apertures (72,232,318), and the others of said end blocks and said guide members include cylindrical embossments (44,230,308) complementary to said apertures, whereby pivoting of said guide members with respect to said end blocks is enabled.

3. The guide assembly (10,200,300) as set forth in claim 2 wherein said embossments (44,230) are defined on upstanding flanges (228) of each said end block (42,204), and said embossment-receiving apertures

(72,232) are defined on tab sections (74,234) of each said guide member (60,62;202).

4. The guide assembly (10,200,300) as set forth in any of claims 1 to 3 wherein cooperating stop surfaces (46, 78; 242 , 244) are defined on said guide members

(60, 62;202,302) and said end blocks (42,204,304), to stop pivoting of said guide members when pivoted to said upright orientation.

5. The guide assembly (200) as set forth in claim 2 wherein each said guide member (202) includes a pair of said apertures (232) extending into tab sections (234) thereof, each said end block (204) includes a pair of said embossments (230) extending from upstanding flanges (228) thereof toward said tab sections (234) , and a slot (238) extends from each said aperture (232) to an entrance (240) at an edge of said tab section

(234) permitting a said cylindrical embossment (230) to be received into said slot during assembly and moved therealong to become seated in said aperture

(72,232,318) in a manner permitting pivoting.

6. The guide assembly (200) as set forth in claim 5 wherein each said slot (238) extends only partially through a respective said tab section (234) .

7. The guide assembly (300) as set forth in claim 2 wherein each said end block (304) includes a pair of said apertures (318) extending into upstanding flanges (310) thereof, each said guide member (302) includes a pair of said embossments (308) extending from tab sections (306) thereof toward said upstanding flanges (310) , and a slot (312) extends from each said aperture (72,232,318) to an entrance at an end face (314) of said upstanding flange (310) permitting a said cylindrical embossment (308) to be received into said slot (312) during assembly and moved therealong to become seated in said aperture (318) in a manner permitting pivoting.

8. The guide assembly (300) as set forth in claim 7 wherein each said slot (312) extends only partially through a respective said upstanding flange (310) .

9. The guide assembly (200,300) as set forth in any of claims 5 to 8 wherein each said slot (238,312) is narrower than a diameter of a respective said embossment

(230,308) .

10. The guide assembly (200,300) as set forth in claim 9 wherein said entrance (240) to a said slot (238,312) is widened to facilitate receipt of a respective said embossment (230,308) thereinto during assembly.

11. The guide assembly (200,300) as set forth in any of claims 5 to 10 wherein each said slot (238,312) is oriented orthogonal to said guide channel (210) .

12. The guide assembly (10,200,300) as set forth in any of claims 1 to 11 to wherein said end blocks (42,204,304) are discrete members.

13. The guide assembly (10,200,300) as set forth in any of claims 1 to 11 wherein said end blocks

(42,204,304) are integral portions of a frame (30).