Multi-row pluggable high-radix modules
View Patent ↗A computing system comprises a module cage for containing a system board and a plurality of pluggable modules, the module cage having a front face, the pluggable modules arranged in at least two rows of pluggable module locations extending parallel to the front face within the module cage. A layered module locking system including a sliding front locking handle and a sliding rear locking handle is provided. the sliding rear locking handle extending beneath the front locking handle. The sliding locking handles each includes at least one locking feature for slidably engaging with at least one foot of a pluggable module.
1 . A method of installing a pluggable module onto a system board, the method, comprising:
attaching the pluggable module to a loader carrier bracket;
causing insertion of the loader carrier bracket into a module cage containing the system board, the module cage having a front face, the insertion positioning the loader carrier bracket above a first row of pluggable module receptacles on the system board, the first row of pluggable module receptacles extending parallel to a second row, relative to the front face of the module cage, of pluggable module receptacles on the system board;
initiating lowering of the loader carrier bracket onto a pluggable module receptacle of the first row of pluggable module receptacles;
sliding a locking handle of the module cage, after the lowering, toward the loader carrier bracket, to restrict movement of the pluggable module in a direction opposite the lowering; and
establishing communicative coupling between the pluggable module and the system board.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the first row of pluggable module receptacles extends behind the second row of pluggable module receptacles, relative to the front face of the module cage.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the lowering of the loader carrier bracket is performed by rotation of at least one leadscrew coupled to the loader carrier bracket.
4 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
initiating raising of the loader carrier bracket after restricting movement of the pluggable module in the direction opposite the lowering, the raising of the loader carrier bracket causing detachment of the pluggable module from the loader carrier bracket.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the sliding of the locking handle causes at least one locking feature of the locking handle to engage with at least one foot of the pluggable module.
6 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the rotation of the leadscrew is driven by a worm drive shaft coupled to a worm gear on the at least one leadscrew.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein establishing communicative coupling between the pluggable module and the system board is accomplished via at least one blind-mate connection.
8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein sliding the locking handle toward the loader carrier bracket comprises sliding the locking handle in the direction of insertion of the loader carrier bracket.