JP2003522422A - Printed circuit card carrier for vertical online exchange - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] Connect horizontally installable cards vertically through openings in the outer wall of the computer system chassis, and continue supplying power to the remaining cards in the computer system. A system and method for maintaining an operating state. The system includes a carrier having a guide and a first system connector for receiving a card. The carrier further includes an associated second system connector configured to vertically connect to the system connector on the chassis. The computer system incorporates a light pipe that functions as a guide for inserting the carrier into the chassis, and the light pipe can be illuminated to indicate which card to replace. Insert the carrier into the chassis using the handle and lock the carrier in the installed position by the locking mechanism on the chassis.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to systems for installing (installing) a printed circuit board, and more particularly to a laterally installable computer system card, interrupting power from the chassis. Device for vertically (or longitudinally) connecting to a multi-card chassis without doing so, and a method for vertically inserting and withdrawing.

Personal computers (PCs), PC servers, UNIX servers, and other computer systems each typically have a chassis that carries a plurality of cards. And, these cards are usually composed of a rectangular printed circuit board configured with electronic components to realize one or more specific functions. Typical cards for computer systems include input / output (I / O) cards, sound cards, video cards, and modem cards. These cards are generally
It is housed in a female-type system connector that is constructed in parallel and spaced apart on a motherboard or other support structure.

Each of the printed circuit boards of a typical card has a male system connector that mates with a female system connector configured to connect the card to a computer system. Male and female connectors are generally a specific standard format (configuration) for the type of electrical connection made.
Is doing. For example, a PC is generally an ISA (Industry Standard Architectur).
e), EISA (Extended Industry Standard Architecture) and / or PCI (Perip
heral Component Interconnect) format system connector. Each of these formats conforms to the standard specifications for the respective bus format and / or connection format used by the computer system.

Many types of computer system cards are configured with a bulkhead that carries some type of external connector for the computer system. Common types of external connectors include parallel ports, serial ports, monitor ports, telephone jacks, audio ports and midi ports. When such a card is installed in a computer, the computer is configured to allow the bulkhead to be externally accessible to use the external connector without opening the chassis.

For many types of computer system cards, the system connector is located on the lower edge (lower edge) and the card bulkhead is located on the side of the card adjacent to the lower edge. Thus, the septum is oriented parallel to the card insertion and removal directions and perpendicular to the edge with the system connector. Common ISA, EISA and PCI cards are configured in this way. The heights and widths of these cards are often different from one another (eg, the distance between opposite edges of a PCI card may be different than that of other PCI cards).

The usual procedure for installing such a card involves powering down the computer, opening the chassis, and inserting the male system connector of the card into the female connector of the computer system. At the end of this procedure, the septum typically abuts the inner surface of the outer wall of the chassis. The outer wall includes an opening configured to expose the external connector of the partition. Usually, the card is held in place by the system connector and screws that secure the bulkhead to the chassis.

[0006] Occasionally, one has to insert and / or remove a card to change the configuration of a computer system or to repair a defective card. Often, more than one card must be removed and inserted. This is because successive cards are placed close together and the smaller card may not be accessible (ie, inaccessible). This is a time consuming and laborious task. Thus, without opening the chassis and / or powering off the rest of the system, the card can be inserted and / or
Or, a means for removal is needed.

Inserting a card into and / or removing a card from a system without interrupting the operation of the system typically involves on-line replacement.
placement: OLR). It is known to configure the card to have a septum and a system connector on opposite sides to enable OLR. Generally, the side of the card that forms the system connector is inserted into the opening in the chassis while the person inserting the card grasps the card at its septum, most commonly by the septum's handle. The other two sides of the card, which extend between the side with the system connector and the side with the septum, are housed in tracks that guide the system connector of the card to the female system connector on the chassis.

A fully configured system for OLR includes OLR hardware, system software and OS support, device drivers, and a user interface. Hardware and software work together to ensure that OLR activity is convenient for other devices connected to the computer bus. In general, OLR hardware separates the logic and power signals of one printed circuit card slot from all other devices connected to the computer bus. The digital OLR controller arbitrates the computer bus and controls all logic signals for each slot. The power control electronic circuit has the function of adjusting the power supply on the computer bus.
When performing R, it is possible to turn off the power to the card slot while continuing to supply stable power to other devices on the computer bus.

The OLR solution is one or two fixed sizes, VME or small
It has so far been provided by a system that is compatible with the industry standard for printed circuit cards with a Compact-PCI card. In these systems,
The card is configured to be supported by the card guide so that the card can be removed and installed without touching nearby cards. Generally, the bulkhead of such a card is oriented perpendicular to the withdrawal direction at an edge opposite and parallel to the edge on which the system connector is located. The typical force required to insert some cards into the system connector can be as high as 60 pounds (or even more). It is known to incorporate handles and latches into such bulkheads for convenient handling and replacement.

The solution described above is for non-constant size cards that comply with common industry standard formats that have bulkheads configured parallel to the insertion direction, such as ISA, EISA, and PCI cards. Can not do OLR. Moreover, the septum of such a card does not provide a handle or other detailed structure to facilitate insertion and removal.

Several OLR systems have been devised for use with PCI cards, such as placing a PCI card in a cage (or drawer), but these generally require expansion connectors and are designed for cooling. It interferes with the air flow. Some of these systems incorporate special adapters and handles, others handle size changes and prevent electrical shorting of adjacent cards. Along the way, it incorporates special dividers and guides. These known OLR systems for PCI cards use standard system connectors and maintain standard extraction procedures parallel to the bulkhead. As with the previous cases, this also typically requires opening the chassis and removing the cover and / or drawer to access the card.

Accordingly, an improved OLR system for PCI cards and similar cards, which allows safe and convenient card insertion and / or removal without interrupting the power supply to other cards, And a related card insertion method for OLR is needed. The present invention meets these and other needs and provides other related advantages as well.

[Summary of the Invention] The present invention provides a card insertion method for using a card of a computer system having a partition wall parallel to the insertion direction of the card, and related thereto, for performing online exchange. Provide an improved OLR system for use. According to this system and method, a card can be safely, conveniently inserted, replaced, and removed without interrupting the power supply to other cards.

The present invention comprises a computer system configured to connect to one or more printed circuit board cards. Each of these cards has a lower edge that forms a system connector that defines the insertion direction of the card. Each card also has a septum substantially parallel to the insertion direction defined by the card's system connector.

The computer system comprises a chassis having one or more openings that communicate with an interior portion of the chassis. These openings are configured to accommodate one or more cards. The central processing unit of the computer system is connected to a bus, which is connected to a system connector of one or more chassis mounted inside the chassis. The chassis system connector defines a chassis insertion direction with one or more openings in the chassis.

The invention features one or more carriers for connecting a card to a computer system. Each carrier has a front end and a rear end, a first system connector configured to mate with a card system connector in a card insertion direction, and a second system configured to mate with a chassis system connector. A body portion having a connector is provided. The first and second system connectors of each carrier are in communication (here, communication) with each other to enable the card to communicate with the computer system. The use of a carrier provides the advantage that the bulkhead of the card can be substantially flush with the chassis opening when each of the card's system connectors is in communication with the computer system. .

The system is further configured to guide the carrier through the opening in the chassis and to guide the second system connector of the guided carrier to mate with the system connector of the chassis. It is characterized by a truck (passage). The track extends from an end within the chassis to an end at the opening of the chassis. The track is made of translucent (or translucent) material,
A light source at the end of the track in the chassis serves to illuminate the end of the track at the chassis opening, thereby providing information regarding the status of the card. This feature has the advantage of providing an efficient communication system from the internal part of the chassis to the opening into which the card is inserted.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, which illustrates the principles of the invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS With reference to the exemplary drawings, a system for connection and a carrier 11 according to the invention and laterally without interruption of the power supply from the chassis A related method for vertically inserting and removing the PCI card 17 of the computer system that can be installed in the multi-card chassis 23 will be described. The carrier 11 is configured to mate with a laterally installable male (preferably) system connector 15 on a PCI card 17, a first,
A female (preferably) female system connector 13 is provided, and in addition, a vertically mountable female (preferably) system connector 2 on the chassis.
Second male (preferably) system connector 1 configured to mate with 1
9 is equipped.

It should be noted here that the terms lateral and vertical refer to the orientation of the card with respect to the bulkhead. Thus, the term "lateral" refers to the direction of the dimension (or spread) between the sides when the card is held by the septum while extending away from the holder. This term does not refer to the relative size of the card (ie, whether the length between the sides of the card is longer or longer than its width).

The system preferably comprises upper devices along the connecting structure, such as upper light pipe 25 and lower light pipe 27. The light pipe is preferably mounted on the chassis 23, and is further capable of guiding the carrier 11 longitudinally through an opening 29 defined in the chassis and allowing the second system connector 19 of the carrier to pass through. It is preferably configured as a track, which can be guided in a longitudinal connection with the system connector 21 of the chassis. The system also preferably comprises a general subsystem (not shown) for performing online card replacement (OLR). Such subsystems include OL
It may include R hardware, system software and OS support, device drivers, and user interfaces. These subsystems are configured to ensure that the OLR's activity is convenient for other devices connected to the computer.

The layout of the PCI card 17 is conventional, by allowing the male system connector 15 to be lowered and mated to the female connector, and then secured to the wall of the adjacent external chassis. It is configured to be installed. This procedure is not entirely satisfactory. This is because it is usually necessary to remove the cover and / or drawer to access the card.

Specifically, the card comprises an upper edge 41, a lower edge 43, a front edge 45 and a rear edge 47. However, the height of the card (ie, the lateral distance between the top and bottom edges at a given vertical position), and the length of the card (ie, the front at a given lateral position). The vertical distance between the rear edge and the rear edge) is not limited except possibly by the maximum size of a standard card of this type. Note that the terms top and bottom above are based on the configuration of a card that is inserted into a desktop PC, with the top and bottom edges on the laterally opposite sides of the card. Similarly, the front and back edges are on opposite sides of the card in the longitudinal direction.

The front edge 45 of the PCI card 17 is joined to a partition 49, which is
It has a main surface (main surface) 51 to which a connector for an external device (not shown) can be connected or mounted. For coupling to a conventional personal computer (PC), the septum comprises a lower tab 53 flush with the major surface and an upper tab 55 extending perpendicular to the front edge of the card. The top tab mounts the card in a conventional PC chassis, thereby defining a threaded hole 57 for securing and grounding the card.

The lower edge 43 of the card 17 defines a conventional PCI multi-pin system connector 15 that is configured for insertion and removal in the lateral card insertion direction 61. This lateral card insertion direction is substantially parallel to the front edge 45 of the card and the major dimension of the bulkhead (between lower tab 53 and upper tab 55). Traditional
To accommodate the PC system, the card's system connector is a standardized distance from the front edge of the card. As used herein, the direction defined by the connector for insertion and removal is taken to be the natural insertion direction for the male-female connector.

The carrier 11 is configured to receive, structurally support, and electrically connect to the PCI card. The carrier comprises a body 71 having an upper edge 73, a lower edge 75, a front end 77, and a rear end 79, and further for longitudinal insertion of the carrier into the chassis and longitudinal movement of the carrier from the chassis. A handle 81 is preferably provided along the front edge configured to control directional withdrawal. The first and second system connectors 13, 19 are preferably configured to receive both 32-bit and 64-bit cards, and the system connectors are adapted to apply 5 and 3.3 volts. preferable.

The carrier 11 guides the card 17 to the proper position on the carrier and / or
Alternatively, it is preferred to include one or more guides configured to provide structural support to the card. In particular, the carrier forms a rear guide 83 which forms a rear track 85 configured to slidably receive not only the carrier's first system connector 13 but also the longitudinally oriented rear edge 79 of the card. And a front guide 87 forming a front track 89 oriented to slidably receive one side of the main surface 51 of the partition wall 49 of the card. Each of these three structures laterally slidably receives and couples the card to the carrier. The rear track is adjustable by sliding along slots 96 to accommodate cards of different lengths. A spring-biased pin (not shown) locks the rear track in place, preferably the standard card length position.

The carrier 11 also comprises a card lock 97 that slides laterally downward on the partition 49 to lock the card 17 in the carrier. Specifically, the lock includes a pin 99 configured to mate with a threaded hole 57 in the septum and a flange 101 configured to structurally retain the sides of the septum. The carrier 11 further comprises a chassis lock button 105 configured to activate a lock that locks the carrier within the chassis.

The wiring 91 allows the carrier's first system connector 13 to
Is electrically connected to the system connector 19 of. The wires are preferably integrated with the carrier, but can be carried individually by the carrier. Preferably, the two system connectors of the carrier are of the same format, most preferably the two system connectors have a one-to-one relationship between their respective electrical connections.

The system connectors 21 of the chassis are preferably in spaced parallel relation to each other, and each is preferably configured to mate with a printed circuit card carrier similar to that described above. , Some other (preferably PC
I) Connector I / O backplane 93 that carries the system connector (not shown)
It is preferably attached to.

The upper and lower light pipes 25, 27 are connected to the computer chassis 23, preferably the upper part of the carrier 11 for guiding the second system connector 19 of the carrier to be coupled to the system connector 21 of the chassis. The edge 73 and the lower edge 75 are received vertically in the chassis insertion direction 63,
It is configured as a track that guides through the opening 29 in the chassis. Therefore,
The chassis opening and the system connector define a chassis insertion direction. The opening (s) defined in the chassis are aligned with one or more corresponding upper and lower light pipes to assist in insertion of the carrier, and Aligned with the system connectors on one or more chassis on the O backplane 93. A light emitting diode (LED) 95 connected to the backplane is used to illuminate the light pipe.

When the card 17 is completely inserted into the carrier 11 and locked, and further, the carrier 11 is completely inserted into the chassis 23, the main surface 51 of the partition wall 49 of the card is aligned with the outer wall (not shown) of the chassis. Since they are almost on the same plane and at the same height, the partition can be accessed from the outside. At the same time, the light pipes 25, 27 hold the carrier and card so that they do not come into contact with other carriers or cards that are inserted into the chassis by the system connectors of other chassis. Either the chassis or the carrier preferably comprises a compressible conductive member 90 configured to make an electrical connection between the chassis and the card when the carrier is inserted into the chassis. This compressible conductive member preferably contacts the periphery of the opening 29 to prevent leakage of electromagnetic energy.

The system of this embodiment is preferably configured for OLR and comprises an OLR subsystem with suitable OLR hardware, system software, operating system support, device drivers, and a user interface, It is preferable to perform OLR without electrically interfering with the operation of other cards. Specifically, for hardware and software, the OLR activity is (
The computer further cooperates to ensure that it is convenient to other devices connected to the computer bus (which connects to one or more central processing units). Typically, to replace the card 17, the OLR hardware separates the logic and power signals to the system connector 21 of the chassis from the signals of all other devices connected to the associated computer bus. . The digital OLR controller arbitrates the computer bus and controls all logic signals for each slot. Power control electronics regulate the supply of power on the computer bus to turn off power to the system connector 21 of the chassis during OLR, while turning off power to other devices connected to the computer bus. Ensure that a stable power supply is maintained. Typically, the central processing unit, bus and OLR subsystem are housed within chassis 23.

If the user notices that the PCI card 17 has failed, if the system test shows that the PCI card has failed, or the user simply replaces the given card. If so, the user or system
Notify the OLR system hardware or software to replace the card. In this case, the OLR system preferably emits light emitting diodes 95 arranged in alignment with the upper light pipe 25 and the lower light pipe 27 so that the visible end 103 of the light pipe is illuminated. To be Thus, the user can identify which card to remove by noticing the illuminated end of the light pipe. The light pipe can also be used to indicate the power status of the card and whether or not the correct card is inserted.

The carrier 11 is removed from the chassis by unlocking the lock 97 using the release button 105, grasping the handle 81 and pulling the carrier vertically from the chassis 23. The card 17 is then removed from the carrier by sliding the card along the front guide 83 and the rear guide 87 to separate the system connector 15 of the card from the first system connector 13 of the carrier. By performing these removal steps in reverse order, a new card can be inserted into the chassis.

As noted above, the present invention provides an improved apparatus, system, and method for removal and installation that allows a horizontally installable card to be mounted vertically on a side wall of a computer system. The other card of the computer system is supplied with power and maintained in an operating state.

While particular forms of the invention have been illustrated and described, it will be apparent that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, while the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the preferred embodiments only, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made without departing from the invention. Therefore, the invention is not limited to that shown and described, but rather should be defined by the following claims.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a computer system including an online exchange (OLR) device according to the present invention.
It is a perspective view showing an embodiment. In this figure, the device is in the removed position and the printed circuit is in the position to be installed in the device.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 in a position where an online exchange device is installed.

Claims (20)

[Claims] 1. A carrier for connecting a printed circuit board card to a chassis, wherein the card has a lower edge having a system connector defining a card insertion direction, and the insertion defined by the system connector of the card. A bulkhead oriented substantially parallel to a direction, the chassis defining an opening for receiving a card and arranged to communicate with a system connector of the housed card. A chassis is provided with a connector, and a chassis insertion direction is defined by the system connector of the chassis and an opening. A main body having a front end and a rear end; A first system connector configured to mate with a system connector of the card And a second system connector carried by the body and configured to mate with a system connector of the chassis, the second system connector in communication with the first system connector. The main body of the carrier and the first system connector are inserted into the opening of the second system connector of the carrier in the chassis insertion direction to be coupled to the system connector of the chassis, and A system connector configured to be connectable to a first system connector of the carrier. 2. The main body portion of the carrier and the first system connector of the card, the system connector of the card is coupled to the first system connector of the carrier, and the second system connector of the carrier is of the chassis. The carrier of claim 1, wherein the septum of the card is configured to lie substantially flush with the opening in the chassis when mated with a system connector. 3. The carrier of claim 2, wherein the body portion comprises integrated wiring that places the second system connector of the carrier in communication with the first system connector of the carrier. 4. The card system connector is configured to guide movement of the card in coupling the card system connector to the carrier first system connector, and the card system connector is configured to guide the carrier movement of the first system connector of the carrier. The carrier of claim 2, further comprising a guide at the front end of the body portion configured to support the card when mated to a system connector. 5. The carrier of claim 2, further comprising a guide and a handle, wherein the guide is at a front end of the body and the system connector of the card is a first system connector of the carrier. Configured to guide movement of the card when mating, and configured to support the card when the system connector of the card mates with the first system connector of the carrier. A carrier, wherein the handle is integral with the guide and is configured to manipulate insertion and removal of the carrier into and from the chassis. 6. The carrier according to claim 2, further comprising a first guide at a front end of the main body portion, and a second guide at a rear end of the main body portion. Is configured to guide movement of the card when coupling the system connector of the card to the first system connector of the carrier, the system connector of the card being the first system of the carrier. A carrier configured to support the card when mated to a connector, the second guide being adjustable to accommodate cards of different lengths. 7. The carrier of claim 2, wherein the first system connector of the carrier is suitably configured when the card is a PCI card. 8. A connection system for connecting a printed circuit board card to a chassis, comprising:
The card comprises a lower edge having a system connector defining a card insertion direction, and a partition wall oriented substantially parallel to the insertion direction defined by the card's system connector, the chassis comprising: A system connector of a chassis mounted inside the chassis, wherein the chassis insertion direction is defined by the connector and the opening. ,
A system connector of a chassis, a carrier, a main body having a front end and a rear end, and a first body configured to be carried by the main body and configured to be coupled to the system connector of the card in the card insertion direction. A second system connector, which is carried by the main body and configured to be coupled to the system connector of the chassis, and which is in communication with the first system connector.
A system connector of the chassis, wherein the main body of the carrier and the first system connector are inserted into the opening of the second system connector of the carrier in the chassis insertion direction. And a system connector of the card, wherein the system connector of the card is configured to be coupled to the first system connector of the carrier. The partition of the card is substantially flush with the opening of the chassis when mating with the first system connector of the carrier and with the second system connector of the carrier mating with the system connector of the chassis. To be configured as Made, connection system. 9. A guide configured to guide the carrier through an opening in the chassis and configured to guide a second system connector of the carrier to mate with a system connector of the chassis. The connection system according to claim 8, further comprising: 10. A guide extending from an end in the chassis to an end at an opening in the chassis, the guide being configured to guide the carrier through the opening in the chassis and the second guide of the carrier. A guide configured to guide the system connector to be coupled to the system connector of the chassis, the guide being configured as a track of translucent material; and a light source at the end of the guide in the chassis, 9. The connection system of claim 8, further comprising a light source configured to illuminate the end of the guide in the opening of the chassis and to provide information regarding the status of the card. 11. A compressible conductive material configured to contact both the carrier and the chassis when the carrier and the card are inserted into the chassis to electrically connect the chassis and the card. 9. The connection system of claim 8, further comprising a member. 12. A guide extending from an end within the chassis to an end at an opening in the chassis, the guide being configured to guide the carrier through the opening in the chassis and the second of the carrier. A guide configured to guide the system connector to be coupled to the system connector of the chassis, the guide being configured as a track of translucent material; and a light source at the end of the guide in the chassis, the guide comprising: A light source configured to illuminate the end of the guide in the opening of the chassis and to provide information regarding the condition of the card; and the carrier and the card for electrically connecting the chassis and the card. Make sure that you touch both the card and the chassis when you insert it into the chassis. Further comprising a configured compressible conductive member, the first system connector of said carrier consists of the card is configured with suitable when a PCI card, the connection system of claim 8. 13. A computer system configured to connect to a plurality of printed circuit board cards, each card defined by a lower edge having a system connector defining a card insertion direction, and a system connector of the card. A partition substantially parallel to the direction of insertion, the chassis defining an interior and one or more openings into the interior for receiving the plurality of cards. A central processing unit; a bus connecting to the central processing unit; and system connectors of a plurality of chassis mounted inside the chassis and connected to the bus, each connector having one or more openings. A system connection for a plurality of chassis comprising defining a chassis insertion direction with one of the parts. A main body having a front end and a rear end, the main body being carried by the main body and configured to couple with a system connector of the card in the card insertion direction. A first system connector, and a second system connector that is carried by the main body portion and is configured to be coupled to the system connector of the chassis and is in communication with the first system connector. A plurality of carriers and a plurality of guides, each guide being at least one of the plurality of carriers.
One carrier is configured to be guided through one of the one or more openings of the chassis, and the second system connector of the guided carrier is further coupled to one of the system connectors of the chassis. A plurality of guides, the main body of each carrier and the first system connector being configured to guide to couple to each other.
A system connector of at least one opening in the chassis insertion direction so that the system connector of the plurality of cards can be coupled with the system connector of the plurality of cards. One system connector and a first system connector of each carrier, wherein the system connector of the card is coupled to the first system connector of the carrier and the second system connector of the carrier. A computer system that comprises the card bulkhead configured to lie substantially flush with the chassis opening when the system connector mates with the chassis system connector. 14. The computer of claim 13, further comprising a subsystem configured to separate logic and power signals between one connector of the plurality of system connectors of the chassis and the remaining connectors. system. 15. A guide of each of the plurality of guides extends from an end within the chassis to an end at one of the one or more chassis openings, the guide comprising: Configured as a track of translucent material, the computer system further comprising a light source at each end of the plurality of guides in the chassis, the light source comprising the guide at an opening in the chassis. Is configured to illuminate the ends of the chassis and provide information about the status of the cards housed along its guides, the computer system comprising: one connector of the system connectors of the chassis and the remaining connector; It is configured to separate logic and power signals to and from the connector and provides information about the status of the card. Ku consists in further comprising a subsystem configured for operating the light source, the computer system of claim 13. 16. A connection system for connecting a system connector, in communication with a printed circuit board card, to a circuit board backplane inside a chassis defining an opening for receiving the card. A chassis system connector configured to be mounted on the backplane and defining a chassis insertion direction together with the opening; guiding the card through the chassis opening; A guide configured as a track for guiding in connection with a system connector of the chassis, the guide extending from an end adjacent the backplane to an end at an opening in the chassis. A guide of material and the end of the guide in the chassis A light source that is on the backplane and that is configured to illuminate the end of the guide in the opening of the chassis and to provide information regarding the condition of the card housed along the guide. A connection system comprising a subsystem configured to activate the light source to provide information regarding the status of the card. 17. A method for connecting a printed circuit board card to a computer, wherein the card has a lower edge having a system connector defining a card insertion direction, and the insertion defined by the system connector of the card. A partition substantially parallel to the direction, the computer defining a chassis defining an interior and an opening into the interior for receiving the card, and a chassis mounted within the chassis. And a system connector, wherein the system connector of the chassis defines a chassis insertion direction together with the opening,
The method comprises coupling a system connector of the card to a system connector on a carrier, the carrier carrying a body having a front end and a rear end, the carrier carried by the body, and the card insertion direction. A first system connector configured to mate with a system connector of the card, and communicating with the first system connector carried by the body and configured to mate with a system connector of the chassis. Comprising a second system connector in a state, guiding the carrier through the opening of the chassis in the chassis insertion direction, and inserting the second system connector of the carrier into the chassis. Consisting of steps to connect to the system connector After the system connector of the card is mated with the first system connector of the carrier, and the second system connector of the carrier is mated with the system connector of the chassis, the partition of the card is opened in the chassis. A method comprising configuring the body portion of the carrier and the first system connector to be substantially flush with the portion. 18. The guiding step is configured to guide the carrier through an opening in the chassis and guides a second system connector of the carrier to mate with a system connector of the chassis. 18. The method of claim 17, comprising guiding the carrier with a guide configured to. 19. The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of separating logic and power signals to the system connector of the chassis prior to coupling the second system connector of the carrier to the system connector of the chassis. . 20. A connection system for connecting a printed circuit board card to a chassis, comprising:
The card includes a lower edge having a system connector defining a card insertion direction and a partition wall substantially parallel to the insertion direction defined by the card's system connector, the chassis containing the card. And a system connector of the chassis mounted inside the chassis, wherein the chassis insertion direction is defined by the connector and the opening.
A system connector of the chassis and a means for placing the system connector of the card in communication with the system connector of the chassis, wherein the system connector of the card is in communication with the system connector of the chassis; A partition of the card disposed substantially flush with the opening of the chassis, the system connector of the chassis being not substantially parallel to the system connector of the card; Connection system.