JP2010092231A - Information processing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To achieve an information processing apparatus for preventing a memory module from being easily removed from a connector even when any impact or vibration is added from the outside to an information processing apparatus such as a notebook-sized personal computer. <P>SOLUTION: A support member 14 is installed at a position faced to a connector 13 with a gap 15 interposed so that a memory module 41 mounted on the connector 13 can be regulated from being greatly displaced to a direction shown by an arrow B. Thus, even when any impact or vibration is added to a first casing 1, the memory module 41 can be prevented from being removed from the connector 13. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus capable of mounting various electric circuit modules such as a memory module in the apparatus.

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, information processing apparatuses such as notebook personal computers are often configured so that users can perform various function expansions such as memory expansion. Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which a memory module is mounted on a connector mounted on a motherboard in a notebook computer.
JP 2007-12862 A

  However, since the conventional memory module is only held by the connector, it may be detached from the connector when an external impact or vibration is applied to the notebook computer. If the memory module is disconnected from the connector, the memory module will not function as a storage means in the notebook computer, and the memory module can be moved freely inside the notebook computer. This can damage the board and electronic components, and makes it difficult to remove the memory module from the notebook computer.

  The present invention realizes an information processing apparatus capable of preventing an electrical circuit module such as a memory module from being easily detached from a connector even when an external shock or vibration is applied to the information processing apparatus such as a laptop computer. With the goal.

  An information processing apparatus according to the present invention includes an electric circuit board disposed in a housing, and a concave shape mounted on the electric circuit board and electrically connectable to a connection terminal disposed on one end of the electric circuit module. A connector having a connection portion; and a support member disposed at a position facing the connection portion across a gap in which the electric circuit module can be contained. The support member has the electrical connection to the connector. It is arranged at a position that restricts the displacement of the module in the insertion / removal direction of the circuit module.

  According to the present invention, even if an external impact or vibration is applied to an information processing apparatus such as a notebook computer, it is possible to prevent the electric circuit module from being easily detached from the connector.

  In the information processing apparatus of the present invention, an opening formed in the housing so that the connector and the support member can be visually observed, a lid that can open and close the opening, and a state in which the opening is closed And the support member is disposed at a position overlapping with a screw hole for screwing the screw formed in the housing in the screwing direction of the screw. It can be set as the structure which has. With this configuration, if a screw with a long screw length is accidentally screwed into the screw hole, even if the screw penetrates the screw hole, the tip of the screw is attached to the electric circuit board. It is possible to prevent the mounting pattern or the protective film formed on the mounting surface of the electric circuit board from being peeled off.

(Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment, and shows a first state of a notebook personal computer that is an example of the information processing apparatus. In this embodiment, a notebook personal computer is used as an example of the information processing apparatus. However, the information processing apparatus includes a slot into which various electric circuit modules can be mounted, such as a mobile phone terminal or a portable game machine. That's fine. In the present embodiment, the memory module is described as an example of the electric circuit module, but other electric circuit modules such as a communication module may be used.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the notebook computer includes an electric circuit board on which various electric components are mounted, a first casing 1 containing an information processing circuit, a hard disk drive, and the like, and a second casing having a liquid crystal display 2a. It consists of a body 2. The 1st housing | casing 1 and the 2nd housing | casing 2 are supported by the hinge part 3 so that rotation is mutually possible. By rotating the second casing 2 from the position (first state) shown in FIG. 1 in the direction indicated by the arrow A, the liquid crystal display 2a and the keyboard 5 are shifted to the second state in which they face and face each other. be able to. In addition, when the surface of the first housing 1 facing the second housing 2 in the second state is the upper side, a keyboard capable of inputting various characters is provided on the upper surface 1a of the first housing 1. 5 and a pointing device 6 capable of moving the cursor displayed on the liquid crystal display 2a to a desired position. The information signal input / output from the keyboard 5 or the hard disk drive is subjected to predetermined processing by the information processing circuit, and is converted into, for example, a display signal to be displayed on the liquid crystal display 2a.

  FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the configuration of the lower surface 1 b side of the first housing 1. The lower surface 1b is the back surface of the first housing 1 that faces the upper surface 1a. As shown in FIG. 2, the first housing 1 includes a slot 21 into which a memory module 41 (described later) can be mounted on the lower surface 1b. In the present embodiment, a DIMM (Dual Inline Memory Module) is used as the memory module 41, but it may be a memory module of other specifications, and any electronic component is mounted on a small board. It is not limited to memory modules. The slot 21 can be opened and closed by the lid 11, and FIG. 2 shows a closed state. The lid 11 can be screwed to the first housing 1 with a screw 51, and FIG. 2 shows a state in which the lid 11 is screwed with the screw 51.

  FIGS. 3 and 4 are perspective views of the main part near the memory module mounting portion of the electric circuit board 12 arranged in the first housing 1. 3 shows a state in which the memory module 41 is not attached, and FIG. 4 shows a state in which the memory module 41 is attached to the connector 13. FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a state in which the memory module 41 is attached to the connector 13. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line ZZ in FIG.

  The memory module mounting portion shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is disposed in the slot 21 at a position where it can be seen from the outside when the lid 11 is in the open state. The memory module mounting portion includes a connector 13 and a support member 14. The connector 13 is electrically connected to a predetermined conductive pattern on the electric circuit board 12 and is mechanically fixed to the electric circuit board 12 using means such as claw engagement. The connector 13 includes an opening 13a into which the terminal portion 44 of the memory module 41 can be inserted, and a plurality of contacts (not shown) that can be electrically connected to the terminal portion 44 of the memory module 41 in the opening 13a. ). The opening 13a and the contact are examples of the connecting portion in the present invention. The support member 14 is disposed at a position facing the opening 13 a of the connector 13 with a gap 15 having a predetermined width dimension interposed therebetween. Further, the support member 14 is made of resin in the present embodiment, and is mechanically fixed to the electric circuit board 12.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the memory module 41 is configured by mounting a plurality of memory chips 43 on a main plane on a substrate 42. The memory chip 43 incorporates a memory element and is packaged with a resin. In this embodiment, the memory chip 43 is mounted on only one main plane of the substrate 42. However, the memory chip 43 may be mounted on the front and back main planes of the substrate 42. One long side end of the substrate 42 is provided with a terminal portion 44 that is inserted into the opening 13 a of the connector 13 and includes a plurality of terminals that can contact a contact disposed inside the connector 13. As shown in FIG. 4, the memory module 41 can be electrically connected and mechanically attached to the connector 13 by inserting the terminal portion 44 into the opening 13a. At this time, the memory module 41 is located in the gap 15 between the connector 13 and the support member 14 as shown in FIGS. That is, the support member 14 is fixed to a position where the width dimension w1 of the gap 15 is at least larger than the width dimension w2 of the substrate 42 of the memory module 41 in the electric circuit board 12 (see FIG. 4 and the like). The dimension w1 is determined when the end 45 of the memory module 41 attached to the connector 13 comes into contact with the regulating surface 14b of the support member 14 (the surface of the support member 14 that faces the opening 13a of the connector 13). 13 is set to a size that does not release the electrical connection between the contact in the terminal 13 and the terminal portion 44. Specifically, when the memory module 41 is mounted on the connector 13 and the gap between the substrate 42 and the support member 14 is w3 and the width dimension of the terminal portion 44 is w4, the relationship of “w3 <w4” is satisfied. The connector 13 and the support member 14 are arranged so as to be. However, this relationship is a case where the contact disposed in the connector 13 is disposed at a position closest to at least the end surface 13b of the connector 13 (the surface facing the regulating surface 14b of the support member 14). In addition, although the terminal part 44 is formed in a part of the board | substrate 42, in the description of this Embodiment, it has demonstrated that the terminal part 44 is not included in the width dimension w2 of the board | substrate 42. FIG.

  By providing the support member 14 in this way, it is possible to restrict the memory module 41 attached to the connector 13 from being greatly displaced in the direction indicated by the arrow B. That is, when an impact or vibration is applied to the first housing 1 with the memory module 41 attached to the connector 13 and the memory module 41 attempts to move in the direction indicated by the arrow B, the other length of the memory module 41 is The side end portion 45 abuts on the regulating surface 14b of the support member 14, and the displacement of the memory module 41 in the direction indicated by the arrow B can be regulated. The memory module 41 is electrically and mechanically detached from the connector 13. Can be prevented. Therefore, the memory module 41 can maintain the function as the storage means in the notebook computer.

  Further, the width dimension w1 of the gap 15 is set to a dimension that ensures electrical connection between the contact of the connector 13 and the terminal section 44 of the memory module 41 in a state where the end 45 is in contact with the regulating surface 14b. Therefore, even if the end portion 45 comes into contact with the regulating surface 14b, the electrical connection between the contact arranged in the connector 13 and the terminal portion 44 of the memory module 41 is cut off. Can be prevented.

  When the memory module 41 is attached to the connector 13, the terminal portion 44 is aligned with the position of the opening 13 a while the substrate 42 is in contact with the upper surface of the support member 14, and the substrate 42 is pressed from the support member 14 side. It can be easily installed. 5 illustrates a configuration in which the width of the substrate 42 perpendicular to the mounting direction in which the memory module 41 is mounted in the connector 13 direction is shorter than the width of the support member 14. When a configuration longer than the width of the support member 14 is employed, the substrate 42 longer than the support member 14 can be pressed, and the terminal portion 44 can be securely attached to the opening 13.

  Next, the screw receiving structure in the support member 14 will be described.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the support member 14 includes a recess 14 a having a substantially circular opening. As shown in FIG. 6, the recess 14 a overlaps the hole 11 b formed in the lid 11 and the screw hole 16 formed in the first housing 1 in the thickness direction of the first housing 1. Formed in position. Moreover, the recessed part 14a is a recessed part with a bottom.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the screw 51 for fixing the lid body 11 in the closed state in the present embodiment has a screw length that is the thickness dimension of the lid body 11 and the wall thickness dimension of the first housing 1. The same thickness as the total thickness dimension or shorter than that is used. Therefore, when the screw 51 is screwed into the screw hole 16 through the hole 11b, the tip of the screw 51 is the inner surface 1d (the lower surface 1b of the first housing 1 with respect to the lower surface 1b). A slight protrusion that does not reach the electric circuit board 12 even if it protrudes from the inner surface 1d to the inner space side of the first housing 1 without protruding beyond the inner surface). Amount.

  However, when the user mistakenly tries to screw another screw having a screw length longer than the screw length of the screw 51 into the screw hole 16 through the hole portion 11b, the tip of the screw has the screw hole 16. In some cases, the electric circuit board 12 may be penetrated. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the lower surface 1b of the first housing 1 is provided with a slot 61 other than the slot 21 (for example, a slot for mounting a communication module). This may occur when the screw length of the screw 63 for fixing the lid 62 that closes the 61 is longer than the screw length of the screw 51. At this time, if the tip of the screw 63 reaches the mounting surface of the electric circuit board 12, there arises a problem that a mounting pattern or a protective film formed on the mounting surface of the electric circuit board 12 is damaged. Further, even if the tip of the screw 63 does not reach the electric circuit board 12, if the gap between the tip of the screw 63 and the mounting surface of the electric circuit board 12 is very small, the first casing 1 and the lid When the body 11 is elastically deformed in the direction indicated by the arrow C, the tip of the screw 63 comes into contact with the mounting surface of the electric circuit board 12 and damages the mounting pattern and protective film formed on the mounting surface of the electric circuit board 12. Cause problems.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 and 7, a bottomed recess 14 a is provided at a position corresponding to the screw hole 16 in the support member 14. By adopting such a configuration, even if a screw 63 having a screw length longer than that of the screw 51 is mistakenly screwed into the screw hole 16, the tip of the screw 63 becomes a bottomed recess 14a as shown in FIG. It is possible to restrict the displacement of the screw 63 in the direction indicated by the arrow C. Therefore, the tip of the screw 63 does not reach the electric circuit board 12, and the mounting pattern and the protective film of the electric circuit board 12 can be prevented from being damaged by the screw 63.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the memory module 41 attached to the connector 13 is moved to the arrow B by providing the support member 14 at a position facing the connector 13 across the gap 15. The displacement of the memory module 41 from the connector 13 can be prevented even if an impact or vibration is applied to the first housing 1. Therefore, since the memory module 41 does not move freely in the first housing 1, the electric circuit board 12 is not damaged by the memory module 41 and is not electrically short-circuited. Further, the memory module 41 is detached from the connector 13 and can move freely within the first housing 1. For example, the memory module 41 can be moved freely within the first housing 1 from the opening range where the memory module 41 is closed by the lid 11. However, if the configuration restricts the position of the memory module 41 as in the present embodiment, the memory module 41 becomes difficult to be removed from the first housing 1. Such a problem does not occur.

  In addition, since the support member 14 includes the bottomed recess 14 a, even if the user mistakenly tries to screw the screw 63 having a screw length longer than the screw length of the screw 51 into the screw hole 16, It is possible to prevent the tip from coming into contact with the bottom of the recess 14a to reach the electric circuit board 12, and to prevent damage to the mounting pattern and the protective film of the electric circuit board 12.

  Further, since the recess 14a for receiving the tip of the screw 63 is provided integrally with the support member 14, it is not necessary to separately provide a member for receiving the tip of the screw 63, so that the component cost can be reduced and the electric circuit board can be reduced. 12 can improve the space efficiency and downsize the notebook personal computer.

  In this embodiment, the support member 14 is formed by resin molding. However, at least a large displacement of the memory module 41 in the direction indicated by the arrow B can be prevented, and a screw having a long screw length is used. As long as it is possible to prevent the tip of the screw from reaching the electric circuit board 12 when the screw is about to be screwed, it may be formed of another material (for example, metal).

  In the present embodiment, the support member 14 is arranged at a position where electrical connection between the memory module 41 and the connector 13 can be ensured. However, at least mechanical attachment between the memory module 41 and the connector 13 is ensured. It is good also as a structure arrange | positioned in the position which can do. That is, even if the impact is applied to the notebook personal computer and the memory module 41 is displaced away from the connector 13 so that the terminal portion 44 and the contact of the connector 13 are separated, the memory module 41 is mechanically connected to the connector 13. Since the memory module 41 does not move freely in the first housing 1 if the position is regulated by the mounting member 14 that is mounted, the electric circuit board 12 may be damaged or the memory module 41 may be It can prevent moving to the position in the housing | casing 1 where it is hard to take out.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the bottomed recess 14a is provided to receive the screw 63 penetrating the screw hole 16. However, if the tip of a screw having a long screw length can be received, the recess 14a is necessarily formed in a concave shape. There is no. For example, it is good also as a structure which does not provide the recessed part 14a and receives on the surface (plane) of the supporting member 14. FIG.

  Further, the support member 14 may be provided with a cable holding structure. In recent years, notebook computers that support wireless communication such as a wireless LAN system and a wide area network system are increasing, and are often provided with a communication module for performing such wireless communication. Such a communication module is electrically connected to an antenna module (not shown) built in the second housing 2, but the connection between the antenna module and the communication module is to ensure resistance against unnecessary noise. In many cases, the cable is electrically connected with a cable covered with an insulator such as vinyl. This cable has one end connected and fixed to the communication module, and the other end connected and fixed to the antenna module. It is necessary to fix in place. Conventional notebook computers often have a separate space for fixing cables on the inner wall of an enclosure or on an electric circuit board, which has been a factor that hinders downsizing of notebook computers.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, a cable holding structure for holding the cable can be provided in the empty space in the support member 14. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a main part of the memory module mounting portion including the support member 14 provided with the cable holding portion 70. FIG. 9 is a plan view of the main part in a state where the cable 80 is held by the support member 14 of the memory module mounting part shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 8, it can be set as the structure provided with the cable holding part 70 which can hold | maintain the cable 80 (refer FIG. 9) to the supporting member 14. As shown in FIG. The cable holding portion 70 is disposed on the upper surface 14c of the support member 14 (the back surface of the surface fixed to the electric circuit board 12 in the support member 14), and the engagement portions 71, 72, 73 are substantially L-shaped in side view. And substantially cylindrical projections 74 and 75. The cable holding portion 70 is integrally formed with the support member 14. The engaging portions 71 to 73 are formed so as to protrude from the upper surface 14c of the support member 14 in a substantially vertical direction (in the direction of arrow E1) and project in the horizontal direction (D-axis direction) from the vicinity of the top of the vertical wall portion. And a horizontal wall portion. The horizontal wall portions of the engaging portions 71 and 73 are formed so as to protrude in the direction of arrow D2 with respect to the vertical wall portion, and the horizontal wall portion of the engaging portion 72 is formed to protrude in the direction of arrow D1 with respect to the vertical wall portion. Therefore, there is a gap between the lateral wall portion and the upper surface 14c.

  When the cable 80 is held by the engaging portions 71 to 73, the cable 80 is disposed in a gap between the lateral wall portion of the engaging portions 71 to 73 and the upper surface 14 c of the support member 14. At this time, the projection forming direction of the horizontal wall portion with respect to the vertical wall portion in the engaging portions 71 and 73 and the projection forming direction of the horizontal wall portion with respect to the vertical wall portion in the engaging portion 72 are opposed to each other. 73 forms the displacement of the cable 80 in the direction of arrow D1, and the engaging portion 72 can restrict the displacement of the cable 80 in the direction of arrow D2. Further, the displacement of the cable 80 in the arrow E1 direction can be restricted by the lateral wall portions of the engaging portions 71 to 73. Further, the protrusion 74 can regulate the displacement of the cable 80 in the direction of the arrow D1. Further, the protrusion 75 can regulate the displacement of the cable 80 in the direction of the arrow D2. With such a configuration, the displacement of the cable 80 in the D-axis direction and the E-axis direction can be restricted, and the cable 80 can be held by the support member 14. Therefore, it is not necessary to secure a space for arranging the structure for holding the cable 80 on the inner wall of the first housing 1 or the electric circuit board 12, and thus the notebook personal computer can be miniaturized.

  8 and 9, the support member 14 includes the engaging portions 71 to 73 and the protruding portions 74 and 75. However, the configuration includes only the engaging portions 71 to 73, or the protruding portion 74. , 75 only. However, since the protrusions 74 and 75 are not restricted in the direction of the arrow E1 of the cable 80, in order to hold the cable 80 more reliably, it is preferable to adopt a configuration including the engaging portions 71 to 73. Further, the engagement portions 71 and 73 can hold the cable 80 even if only one of them is provided.

  The information processing apparatus of the present invention is useful for a device having a slot into which various modules can be mounted, such as a notebook personal computer.

The perspective view which shows the external appearance of the notebook personal computer which is an example of the information processing apparatus in this Embodiment The top view which shows the structure of the lower surface side of information processing apparatus Perspective view of the memory module mounting part with no memory module installed Perspective view of the memory module mounting part with the memory module installed Top view of the memory module mounting part with the memory module installed Sectional drawing of the ZZ part in FIG. Sectional view of the memory module mounting part showing a state where a long screw is screwed The perspective view which shows the other structural example of a memory module mounting part The top view which shows the other structural example of a memory module mounting part

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 1st housing | casing 13 Connector 14 Support member 41 Memory module

Claims (2)

An electric circuit board disposed in the housing;
A connector that is mounted on the electric circuit board and has a concave connection portion that can be electrically connected to a connection terminal disposed at one end of the electric circuit module;
A support member disposed at a position facing the connection part across a gap in which the electric circuit module can be contained;
The information processing apparatus, wherein the support member is disposed at a position that restricts displacement of the electric circuit module in the insertion / removal direction of the module relative to the connector. An opening formed in the housing so that the connector and the support member are visible;
A lid capable of opening and closing the opening;
A screw for fixing the lid in a state of closing the opening,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the support member is disposed at a position overlapping with a screw hole for screwing the screw formed in the housing in a screwing direction of the screw.

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