초록 ▼

The subject invention relates to a expandable modular system for electrically interconnecting any number of printed circuit boards to a composite motherboard. The motherboard serves as a common connection for transmitting signals to all the printed circuit boards. The subject system includes a suppo

The subject invention relates to a expandable modular system for electrically interconnecting any number of printed circuit boards to a composite motherboard. The motherboard serves as a common connection for transmitting signals to all the printed circuit boards. The subject system includes a support module adapted to hold a fixed number of individual printed circuit boards. A motherboard is mounted within each support module and includes connectors to interface with the printed circuit boards. An electrical coupler is provided which is adapted to link the motherboard of one module to the motherboard of another module. In use, the desired number of printed circuit boards are mounted in a sufficient number of support modules. The couplers are used to electrically link the motherboards of each module in series such that the combination of motherboards and couplers define the composite motherboard. Preferably, each support module includes its own power supply and cooling system. Additional printed circuit boards may be added to a computer system merely by interconnecting additional support modules. In one preferred embodiment, the coupler is designed to permit the support modules to be physically separated thereby reducing heat concentrations and permitting greater flexibility in the design of the shape and size of the computer.

대표청구항 ▼

A modular system for electrically interconnecting any number of printed circuit boards to a composite motherboard, the motherboard serving as a common connection for all of the printed circuit boards, said system comprising: a support module defined by a housing adapted to hold a fixed number of ind

A modular system for electrically interconnecting any number of printed circuit boards to a composite motherboard, the motherboard serving as a common connection for all of the printed circuit boards, said system comprising: a support module defined by a housing adapted to hold a fixed number of individual printed circuit boards; a motherboard mounted within the support module, and having a generally planar configuration, said motherboard including a first connector means to facilitate the electrical connection of said fixed number of printed circuit boards thereto, and with each side edge of one opposed pair of side edges of the motherboard including a second electrical connector means; and coupling means adapted to link the motherboard of one module to the motherboard of another module, said coupling means having a pair of electrically interconnected third connector means each configured to mate with the second connector means of the motherboard whereby a plurality of printed circuit boards can be electrically interconnected by mounting the desired number of said printed circuit boards in a sufficient number of support modules and utilizing the coupling means to electrically link the motherboards of each module in series such that the combination of the motherboards and the coupling means defines a composite motherboard serving as a common connection for all the printed circuit boards.