IP Library › Granted Patent US 11,990,713
Granted Patent B2
US 11,990,713 · App. 17/509,976 · Granted May 21, 2024

Connector positioning system and method

Inventors: Ryan Albright (Beaverton, OR); Devarshi Patel (Cary, NC); Chris Fox (Portland, OR); Mark White (Santa Clara, CA); Rajeev Jayavant (Saratoga, CA); Susheela Narasimhan (Fremont, CA); Kelly McArthur (Washougal, WA); Ben Watkins (Hillsboro, OR)
Assignee: Nvidia Corporation
H01R13/73
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,990,713
App. No.
17/509,976
Granted
May 21, 2024
Kind
B2
Abstract

Apparatuses, systems, and methods to move end connectors. In at least one embodiment, a linkage system to move an end connector between at least a first position and a second position is driven by an actuator in a first direction to drive movement of the end connector in a second direction, perpendicular to the first direction.

Claims (30)

1. A system, comprising:

a linkage system to move an end connector between at least a first position and a second position, the end connector to couple to a server component, the linkage system to be driven by an actuator in a first direction to drive movement of the end connector in a second direction, perpendicular to the first direction;

a slot to receive one or more portions of the linkage system, the slot to further receive at least a portion of the actuator; and

a recessed portion at an end of the slot, the recessed portion to receive at least a portion of the linkage system and to block movement of at least the portion of the linkage system in a direction opposite the first direction.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first direction is a horizontal direction and the second direction is a vertical direction.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first direction is a vertical direction and the second direction is a horizontal direction.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the end connector is biased toward the first position and maintains the second position after removal of the actuator.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the actuator is to maintain the end connector in the second position and the end connector is to return to the first position after removal of the actuator.

6. A system, comprising:

a movable end connector to couple to a server component, the movable end connector positioned to move longitudinally along an axis in response to an actuation force perpendicular to the axis;

a slot to receive one or more portions of a linkage system associated with the movable end connector, the slot to further receive at least a portion of an actuator associated with the actuation force; and

a recessed portion at an end of the slot, the recessed portion to receive at least a portion of the linkage system and to block movement of at least the portion of the linkage system in a direction opposite the actuation force.

7. The system of claim 6 , wherein the movable end connector is movable between a first position associated with a first mating receptacle and a second position associated with a second mating receptacle.

8. The system of claim 6 , wherein the movable end connector is movable between a plurality of mating positions.

9. The system of claim 6 , further comprising:

a retention system comprising the recessed portion at the end of the slot, the retention system to receive and maintain a position of the linkage system associated with the movable end connector.

10. The system of claim 9 , wherein

an activation element is to transition along the slot responsive to the actuation force and to be moved into the recessed portion to secure the movable end connector in a predetermined position.

11. The system of claim 10 , wherein the retention system maintains the position of the linkage system after removal of the actuation force.

12. The system of claim 9 , wherein the retention system comprises:

a pivoting arm to permit movement of at least the portion of the linkage system in a first direction and to block movement of at least the portion of the linkage system in a second direction.

13. A system, comprising:

an end connector to couple to a server component;

a first linkage arm coupled to the end connector; and

a second linkage arm coupled to the first linkage arm, the second linkage arm positioned to receive an actuation force in a first direction and, responsive to the actuation force, drive the first linkage arm in a second direction, perpendicular to the first direction, wherein the second linkage arm is to be positioned within a slot, the slot extending in a direction parallel to the actuation force.

14. The system of claim 13 , further comprising:

a retention system to maintain a position of the second linkage arm.

15. The system of claim 14 , wherein the retention system is to permit movement of the second linkage arm in the first direction and to block movement of the second linkage arm in a third direction, opposite the first direction.

16. The system of claim 13 , wherein the first direction is a horizontal direction and the second direction is a vertical direction.

17. The system of claim 13 , wherein the actuation force is to be applied by an actuation device associated with a coupling element.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 2, 2021
From: ALBRIGHT, RYAN; PATEL, DEVARSHI; FOX, CHRIS; WHITE, MARK; JAYAVANT, RAJEEV; NARASHIMHAN, SUSHEELA; MCARTHUR, KELLY; WATKINS, BEN
To: NVIDIA CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 057996/0073 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20230129374A1 · Apr 27, 2023