Electromagnetic interference shield for I/O ports
View Patent ↗A computer system is provided, including: a computer chassis configured to retain a motherboard having a plurality of I/O (input/output) connectors mounted thereon; and an electrically conductive door movable from an open position to a closed position, wherein when said door is in the open position, the I/O connectors are exposed, and when said door is in the closed position, the I/O connectors are covered. A method of operating a computer including a motherboard having a plurality of I/O (input/output) connectors mounted thereon is provided. The method includes operating the computer to generate electromagnetic signals, and blocking the electromagnetic signals with an electrically conductive door movable from an open position to a closed position, wherein when said door is in the open position, the I/O connectors are exposed, and when said door is in the closed position, the I/O connectors are covered.
1. A computer system, comprising:
a computer chassis configured to retain a motherboard having a plurality of input/output (I/O) connectors associated therewith;
an electrically conductive door movable from an open position to a closed position, wherein when the door is in the open position, the plurality of I/O connectors are exposed, and when the door is in the closed position, the plurality of I/O connectors are at least partially covered; and
an electrically-conductive grounding shield electrically coupled to the computer chassis and at least one of the plurality of I/O connectors.
2. The computer system of claim 1 , further comprising the motherboard contained in the computer chassis and comprising the plurality of I/O connectors.
3. The computer system of claim 2 , wherein:
the motherboard comprises at least one component generating electromagnetic signals; and
the door inhibits radiation of the electromagnetic signals beyond the computer chassis.
4. The computer system of claim 3 , further comprising gaps adjacent the plurality of I/O connectors through which electromagnetic signals can pass before reaching the door.
5. The computer system of claim 1 , wherein the door comprises a rotatable plate.
6. The computer system of claim 5 , wherein the rotatable plate has a plurality of apertures formed therein.
7. The computer system of claim 5 , wherein the door further comprises a compressible and conductive gasket that contacts at least one of the plurality of I/O connectors when the door is in the closed position.
8. The computer system of claim 1 , wherein the open position includes removing the door from the chassis.
9. The computer system of claim 1 , wherein the door further comprises a nonconductive portion.
10. The computer system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of I/O connectors comprise at least one network connection socket or at least one serial port.
11. The computer system of claim 1 , wherein the door defines an access aperture configured to allow a cable to pass through the door and mate with one of the plurality of I/O connectors.
12. The computer system of claim 1 , wherein:
the computer chassis comprises a wall having an I/O port access aperture;
the electrically conductive door is configured to cover the I/O port access aperture when in the closed position; and
the electrically-conductive grounding shield is smaller than the I/O port access aperture such that cooling air can pass through the I/O port access aperture into and out of the computer chassis.
13. The computer system of claim 1 , wherein the electrically-conductive grounding shield covers less than half of the I/O port access aperture such that cooling air can pass through the I/O port access aperture into and out of the computer chassis.
14. A computer system, comprising:
a computer chassis configured to retain a motherboard having a plurality of input/output (I/O) connectors associated therewith; and
an electrically conductive door movable from an open position to a closed position, wherein when the door is in the open position, the plurality of I/O connectors are exposed, and when the door is in the closed position, the plurality of I/O connectors are at least partially covered;
wherein the door comprises an electrically conductive grounding member configured to contact one or more of the plurality of I/O connectors when the door is in the closed position.
15. The computer system of claim 14 , wherein the electrically conductive grounding member comprises a compressible material.
16. The computer system of claim 14 , wherein the electrically conductive grounding member allows air to pass therethrough.
17. The computer system of claim 16 , wherein the electrically conductive grounding member is porous.