Retraction arm to extract a mezzanine circuit board connector from a motherboard connector

Abstract

An information handling system mezzanine circuit board disposed in a parallel configuration over a motherboard is selectively coupled and de-coupled at the motherboard with a retraction and latching device that translates retraction force applied at an accessible actuation portion to push upward from below the mezzanine circuit board. A retraction portion of the retraction and latching device provides an upward force at the bottom surface of the mezzanine circuit board to separate the mezzanine circuit board connector from the motherboard connector so that an end user can lift the mezzanine circuit board away from the motherboard.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]The present invention relates in general to the field of information handling system component assembly, and more particularly to an information handling system printed circuit board extraction and latching device.[0003]2. Description of the Related Art[0004]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 informat...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]In accordance with the present invention, a system and method are provided which substantially reduce the disadvantages and problems associated with previous methods and systems for coupling and de-coupling a mezzanine circuit board to a connector. A retraction arm translates an actuation force applied above a mezzanine circuit board to a retraction force applied from below the mezzanine circuit board to disengage a connector of the mezzanine circuit board from a motherboard connector for removal of the mezzanine circuit board from an information handling system.

[0011]The present invention provides a number of important technical advantages. One example of an important technical advantage is that a mezzanine circuit board couples and de-couples to a motherboard connector with the aid of a rotating extraction and latching device. During coupling of the mezzanine circuit board to a connector, the latching device guides the mezzanine circuit board into a proper alignment and provides audible and physical feedback of a proper coupling. During de-coupling, activation of the extraction lever translates an activation force to pivot around a rotation portion to provide an extraction force along the connector from beneath the mezzanine circuit board so that the risk of damage at the connectors and other critical components is reduced. The extraction lever presents itself as readily accessible to an end user and provides a one-handed extraction tool that an end user can actuate to free the connectors and then lift the mezzanine card away from the motherboard. The extraction and latching device does not add significantly to the footprint of the mezzanine card and, in one embodiment, folds when not in use to further reduce the footprint. The extraction and latching device improves the convenience of mezzanine circuit boards by providing greater ease of assembly and disassembly at an information handling system so that an information handling system chassis has a reduced height and is less expensive to build and maintain.

Problems solved by technology

A perpendicular assembly provides ready access to the PCB edges for assembly and removal, however, the height of the assembled system relative to the motherboard requires a relatively large chassis to contain the components.

One difficulty with the parallel configuration of a mezzanine board relative to a motherboard is that a restricted amount of space is typically available around the mezzanine board for assembly and disassembly to the motherboard.

Other components coupled to the motherboard near the mezzanine board make grasping the PCB edges difficult.

If, instead, an end user attempts to grasp a heat sink of the mezzanine board to pull the mezzanine board free from the motherboard connector, damage can occur to the mezzanine board.

Since the connector of the mezzanine board is not typically visible when coupled to the motherboard, pulling on the heat sink can create a lateral force that damages the motherboard connector, the mezzanine board connector or the components and wiring of the mezzanine circuit board.

These small retention hooks are difficult to manipulate in the small space typically available around the mezzanine board and easily broken.

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