Micronics Computers, Inc.

Ji-Zhong Yin

Computer apparatus 10 includes mother board 10M, bracket 12 mounted on the mother board, a circuit board assembly 10A installed in the bracket, and a pair of assembly latches 13L and 13R. The mother board has connector slot 12E for electrically engaging corresponding contacts 10E on the circuit board assembly. The bracket has an elongated base member 12M positioned proximate the connector slot, and a pair of spaced retaining posts 12L and 12R extending generally away from the mother board, one at each end of the base member. The bracket receives the circuit board assembly into the space between the retaining posts. The circuit board assembly has heat conductive thermal plate 14 between circuit board 10C and heat sink 14H. The thermal plate has two end edges 14L and 14R, one proximate each retaining post, which are engaged by the retaining posts during and after installation. Each retaining post has a latch port 12P extending therethrough. Assembly latches 13L and 13R cooperate with the retaining posts through the latch port for latching the circuit board assembly into the bracket after installation. The assembly latches are displaceable from an engaged position E to a released position R, and further into a released-lock position L.

Bracket for mounting a circuit board assembly on a mother board

Computer apparatus 10 receives add-on electronic module 12 for installation into the computer apparatus. The add-on module has first end 12A and second end 12B with electrical contacts 12C therebetween for interfacing with the computer apparatus. Elongated electrical connector 14 mounted on the mother board, has first end 14A and second end 14B corresponding to the first end and second end of the add-on module. The electrical connector defines a module site within the computer apparatus for receiving the add-on module. The electrical connector has electrical contacts 14C between the ends thereof for electrically contacting corresponding electrical contacts 12C on the add-on module. First pivot base 16A secured to the mother board proximate the first end of the electrical connector defines first pivot axis 17A. Second pivot base 16B proximate the second end of the electrical connector defines second pivot axis 17B. First retaining arm 18A pivotally engages the first pivot base for pivoting about the first pivot axis to retain the first end of the add-on module. Second retaining arm 18B engages the second pivot base for pivoting about the second pivot axis to retain the second end of the add-on module. This pivotal engagement provides three positions of the retaining arm with respect to the pivot base, a folded storage position, an open receiving pivot position, and an unfolded retaining position.

Pivotal device for retaining an add-on module on a mother board

Computer apparatus 10 has enhanced convective flow 10F of circulating cooling air provided by improved fan 12. Fan support 12S is secured to the computer apparatus proximate fan port 10P formed in the housing. Fan blade 22B is rotatably mounted within fan support 22S. The propelling action of the fan blade defines a transition path for the cooling air through the fan. Stationary screen 24S is positioned adjacent to the blade traversing the transition path. Transition chamber 26 formed between the screen and the blade also traverses the transition path. The width of the transition chamber defines a transition gap dimension from the screen and to the blade that is optimally selected to enhance the cooling air flow. The transition chamber has a screen region 26S adjacent the screen and a blade region 26B adjacent the blade, and a middle region 26M between the screen region and the blade region. Cooling air flow through the screen and the screen region is generally linear. Cooling air flow through the blade and the blade region has a rotational component. When the transition gap dimension is an optimal, the middle region of the transition chamber is sufficiently wide to allow a flow transition between the linear flow and the rotational component flow. Transition spacer 24T extends between the screen and the blade maintaining the transition gap at a dimension sufficient to substantially isolate the linear flow through the screen region from the effects of the rotational component flow through the blade region.

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Fremont, CA, United States of America

Ji-Zhong Yin