Patent US4199643A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
EP0452575A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Modular electrical apparatus
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1990-04-18
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2010-04-18
Abstract
Abstract Modular electrical apparatus is provided which comprises a plurality of customer removable electrical devices 22 inserted in one end of a drawer type tubular chassis 10 and various field replaceable support units 44,46 mounted at the other end of the chassis. The devices and support units are all blind pluggable into a removable central electrical distribution unit which includes complementary connectors 52,54,55 on opposite sides and a set of electrical conductors for connecting the devices and units. Internal electrical connection of all the units in the drawer is via the electrical distribution unit and external electrical connection is made only to the outer end of the support units. All the components can be removed for repair or replacement from either the front or rear entrance of the tubular chassis.
Inventors
- 👤 Ian Golledge
- 👤 David John Gray
- 👤 Richard O'regan
- 👤 Frank Eric Castle
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 01:20
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05K; H05K7/00; H05K7/14; H05K7/1438; H05K7/1447; H05K7/1449; H05K7/1422; H05K7/1427; H05K7/1429
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
162 words
Modular electrical apparatus comprising: a first group of replaceable functional units (22) each having an auto-plugging connector (48) at one end thereof, a second group of one or more replaceable functional units (44,46) each having an auto-plugging connector (66, 72) at one end thereof and a further electrical connector (88,90) at the opposite end thereof for enabling external electrical connection to the apparatus, a support structure (10) for supporting the two groups of functional units, an electrical distribution unit (30) mounted within in the support structure, such that the first and second group of units are mounted on opposite sides thereof, the distribution units including complementary connectors (52,54,56) mounted at said opposite sides for receiving the auto-plugging connectors of respective groups of units and a set of electrical conductors (57,58,59,60) between the complementary connectors for interconnecting the functional units whereby external information signals to the apparatus are routed via at least one unit of the second group and the electrical distribution unit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
26 words
Electrical apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electrical distribution units is a replaceable unit mounted within a central compartment 26 in the support structure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
Electrical apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the support structure comprises a chassis in the form of a rectangular tube having front and rear openings.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
Electrical apparatus as claimed in claim 3 as dependent on claim 2, wherein the chassis is adapted to receive the electrical distribution unit through either the front or rear chassis opening.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
67 words
Electrical apparatus as claimed in claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the chassis is adapted to receive units of the first group in a front compartment (16) of the chassis via the front chassis opening, the second group of units in the rear compartment (42) of the chassis and the electrical distribution unit in a central compartment (26) of the chassis, both via the rear chassis opening.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
50 words
Electrical apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the electrical distribution unit (30) comprises a cable assembly (50), including the complementary connectors and electrical conductors, which is removably mounted in a support frame (32), the complementary connectors being located in corresponding apertures in opposing panels (34,36) of the frame.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
Electrical apparatus as claimed in any of claims 2 to 6, further including cooling fans (40) mounted within the cable support frame for providing forced air cooling for both groups of functional units.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
52 words
Electrical apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the first group of functional units consists of a plurality of data storage devices (22), the second group of units consisting of a power supply unit and a controller unit (46) whereby external data and control signals are routed through the controller unit.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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