KR200319924Y1 - Structure for modular computer - Google Patents

Abstract

Modular computer architectures are disclosed. According to the present invention, a CPU module for system control of a personal computer; HDD module and ODD module for parallel-ATA and Serial-ATA type disk drive signal control; A rear connection module for connecting to various input / output devices; A power supply module for supplying power to the ODD module, HDD module, CPU module, I / O expansion module and back connection module; It has a front hole for accommodating the ODD module, HDD module, CPU module and I / O expansion module on the front side, and a rear hole for accommodating the back connection module and the power supply module on the back side. A housing having respective levers for mounting / removing the modules to both sides corresponding to the receiving positions of the modules; And an interface module fixedly installed between the front hole and the rear hole of the housing, the interface module having a connection means with each module, and modularizing a personal computer for each function to add a function of a personal computer having a short life cycle. This extremely easy effect can be obtained, and specification changes can be made for each module, thereby reducing the cost of replacing a computer and selling the system for each module, thereby facilitating the manufacture, sale, and after-service of a personal computer.

Description

Modular Computer Architecture {STRUCTURE FOR MODULAR COMPUTER}

The present invention relates to a computer, and more particularly, to a modular computer structure that can be attached and detached for each module according to the function of the personal computer, the signal exchange for each module is made stable.

In general, a personal computer is equipped with various peripheral devices such as a hard drive, a CD-ROM drive, a motherboard, and various option cards in a case of a predetermined shape to perform a computer function. In the case of such a personal computer, if a user or a personal computer repairer wants to change or add a hard drive, a CD-ROM drive, or the like, he or she must disassemble the case of the personal computer and mount / remove a plurality of peripheral devices.

Therefore, it is a fact that it is difficult to change the specifications of a personal computer or to disassemble the computer for troubleshooting, which is performed by a user who does not have expertise. In particular, since the personal computer has a very short life cycle, frequent replacement of parts is performed. Personal computers are causing unnecessary resource waste.

For this purpose, "Korean Utility Model Publication No. 1999-0014622 Applicant: Samsung Electronics, application name: a computer system having a main body divided into a plurality of modules" has been published, and the computer system is divided into each module design It is showing.

As shown in the published document, it comprises a power supply unit, a first main body unit for mounting a plurality of option cards, and a second main body unit for mounting a memory device such as a hard disk driver, a floppy disk driver, a CD-ROM, and the like. The module configured as described above is connected to a power cable for supplying power from the power supply unit to the first body unit, and supplying power from the power supply unit to the second body unit, and control signals and information of the first body unit and the second body unit. Flexible cables for alternating current are connected.

Therefore, it is possible to replace each module, to obtain a volume reduction effect of the personal computer through a modular system, it is possible to install a system suitable for the user's taste. However, in the above module replacement, a large number of connecting means, that is, a power cable, a flexible cable, and the like must be detached and detached, which threatens the stability of the system. In addition, each module can change the specification of the module itself, but it is practically impossible to expand the module. In other words, the interface between each module is impossible, there is a limit to the specification change, and the problem is that it is difficult to perform the fundamental function of the modularization.

The present invention was devised to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a modular computer structure for maximizing the life cycle of a computer system by allowing easy change of modules and stable inter-module interfacing. have.

The modular computer structure according to the aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object has a plurality of connectors for receiving information received from the outside, including system control of the personal computer, information received from the plurality of connectors A CPU module for performing data control, communication control, and input / output control based on the control unit; An I / O expansion module connected to the CPU module and configured to mount or expand a video card, a LAN card, a modem card, and a TV reception card; Parallel-ATA signal, Serial-ATA signal and USB for USB-based hard disk drive signal control of Parallel-ATA type and Serial-ATA type HDD module for inputting and outputting a signal; Parallel-ATA, Serial-ATA and USB An ODD module for inputting and outputting signals; Keyboard / Mouse connection port, serial port, parallel port, AlJ45 (RJ-45) port, audio port, VGA port, DVI port, antenna port for wireless LAN, USB port, AlJ 11 ( RJ-11) rear port module having a phone jack port; A power supply module for supplying power to the ODD module, HDD module, CPU module, I / O expansion module and back connection module; It has a predetermined shape, the front hole for accommodating the ODD module, HDD module, CPU module and I / O expansion module in the front surface, and the rear connection module and the power supply module in the rear surface A housing having a rear hole for mounting and detaching each module to both sides corresponding to a receiving position of each module; And fixedly installed between the front hole and the rear hole of the housing, having a connection means between the CPU module, the ODD module and the HDD module, and a connection means between the CPU module and the rear connection module. Has a connection means of a module and the I / O expansion module, and has a connection means of the CPU module, the ODD module, the HDD module and the I / O expansion module and the power supply module, and each of the connection means Characterized in that it consists of an interface module mounted on the PCB so as to correspond to the receiving position of each module.

1 is an overall configuration diagram of a modular computer according to the present invention.

2 is a block diagram illustrating a housing of a modular computer according to the present invention.

3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the interface module of FIG. 2.

4 is a configuration diagram illustrating the connector of FIG. 3 according to an embodiment.

5 is a configuration diagram illustrating the CPU module of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an I / O expansion module of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the HDD module of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a rear connection module of FIG. 1. FIG.

9 is a configuration diagram illustrating an interface module of FIG. 1.

<Description of Symbols for Main Drawings>

101: interface module 103: rear connection module

105: power supply module 109: ODD module

111: HDD module 113: heat dissipation fan module

115: CPU module 117: I / O expansion module

201: housing 203: long / detachable lever

301: PCB 303-315: connector

401: Connection part for Parallel-ATA 403: Connection part for Serial-ATA

519: power input connector 521: AGP expansion slot

523: control connector 601: AGP / PCI connector

603: PCI connector 607: AGP connector

703: Interface Board 705: D-Connector

801: I-connector 901: C-connector

903: R-connector 905: power connector

Referring to the present invention in detail based on the accompanying drawings as follows.

1 is a block diagram of a personal computer showing modularization according to the present invention. As shown, an interface module 101, rear port module 103, a power supply module 105, a spare module 107, an audio module 109, as shown in FIG. : It consists of ODD Module, HDD Module (111: HDD Module), CPI Module (115: CPU Module), and I / O Expansion Module (117: I / O Expansion Module). 113 and the heat dissipation module 119 may be added. Each of the above modules is mounted in a housing (not shown) of a predetermined shape that allows matrix arrangement of the modules.

The interface module 101 is composed of a plurality of connectors to which control signal lines and bus lines are wired, and connected to a PCB and a PCB shaped according to the rear structure of the housing. The connector includes a connector for connecting with the CPU module 115, a connector for connecting with the rear connection module 103, and a plurality of slots for connecting with the ODD module 109 and the HDD module 111. Is done.

The back connection module 103 includes a connector for connecting with the interface module 101 and constitutes a port for connecting with a plurality of input / output devices. These input and output ports are connected to the keyboard / mouse, serial port / parallel port, RJ45 port for LAN connection, line in / out, audio port, VGA port / DVI port for monitor connection, and antenna port for wireless LAN. It is equipped with a USB port, RJ11 phone jack for telephone line connection. The ODD module 109 includes a parallel-ATA type or a Serial-ATA type ODD to allow the installation of a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, a CD-RW, and a DVD-RW. -It has connector to input / output ATA, Serial-ATA, USB signals.

The HDD module 111 has a connector for inputting and outputting Parallel-ATA, Serial-ATA, and USB signals from the interface module 101, and internally interfaces between an optical disk drive and a connector of the HDD module. Board (Interface Board) is mounted. The interface board performs LED blink control and the Parallel-ATA and Serial-ATA signal provision and power supply according to the operation of the ODD.

The CPU module 115 includes a CPU, a North Bridge, a South Bridge, a BIOS, a main memory, a PCMCIA Card, a DVI transmitter, and a front panel, a connector for receiving power from the interface module 101, and the I / O. An AGP / PCI Expansion connector for connecting with the expansion module 117 and a connector for transmitting and receiving various bus signals with the interface module 101 are mounted. The I / O expansion module 117 includes an AGP slot for a video card and a PCI slot for a LAN card, a modem card, a TV receiving card, and the like. The I / O expansion module 117 may be implemented as a first type having two PCI slots and a second type having one AGP slot and one PCI slot.

The first type has a connector for transmitting and receiving PCI signals and AGP signals through the CPU module and two PCI slots, the second type has a connector for transmitting and receiving PCI signals and AGP signals through the CPU module and one It has a PCI slot and one AGP slot.

The power supply module 105 is equipped with a connector for supplying power to the interface module 101, and includes a self-diagnostic device, that is, a power supply state including an output voltage / current of the power supply module 105. ) Is provided to the CPU module 115, and displays the operation state of the power supply through a predetermined display element.

The spare module 107 is to allow the ODD module 109 and the HDD module 111 to be added when the I / O expansion module 117 is not used by a user. And a connector connectable with the HDD module 111.

2 is a block diagram showing a housing for mounting each module and each module according to the present invention. As shown, the housing 201 for accommodating a plurality of modules in a matrix arrangement, the ODD module 109, HDD module 111, I / O expansion module (the front opening of the housing 201) 117 and the CPU module 115 are accommodated, and the rear connection module 103, the power supply module 105, and the heat radiating fan module 113 are accommodated in the rear surface of the housing 201. The housing 201 may have a quadrangular shape such that each module accommodated in the front opening is arranged in a matrix, but the shape of the housing 201 may be changed according to the number of modules or the shape of the module.

A detachable lever 203 for detaching each module is provided at each side of the housing 201 for each module, and a description of the detachable lever 203 and the mechanism of each module is omitted. In addition, the inside of the housing 201 is equipped with an interface module 101 for connection between each module accommodated in the front portion of the housing 201 and each module accommodated in the back of the housing 201. Each module has a respective connector for connector connection with the interface module 101, and the connector of each module is connected to the interface module 101 when each module is accommodated in the front or the back of the housing 201. Guide guides are formed in the housing 201 so as to make a seamless connection with the plurality of connectors.

The interface module 101 is illustrated in FIG. 3, and has a plurality of connectors mounted on a predetermined shape on a PCB 301 and a PCB 301 of a predetermined shape, and the PCB 301 is formed between connectors. Patterns are formed according to the signal flow and the amount of current in the signal. In addition, the shape of the interface module 211 may vary depending on the shape of the housing 201 or the accommodation arrangement of each module. 3 illustrates an example of a personal computer in the form of a desk top or a mini tower shown in the embodiment of the present invention.

When the ODD module 109 is inserted into the housing 201 on which the interface module 101 is mounted, a corresponding connector formed on the rear surface of the ODD connector 307 and the ODD module 109 mounted on the PCB 301 and Fastening is made. In addition, the detachment lever in a position opposed to the side of the ODD module 109 prevents the separation of the housing 201 and the corresponding module. It is preferable that a predetermined groove (not shown) is provided in the side portion of each module for this purpose.

In addition, the HDD module 111 is connected to the HDD connector 309 while being inserted into the housing 201, and the I / O expansion module 117 is an I / O expansion connector 305 and an I / O power connector 303. And the CPU module 115 are fastened to the CPU connector 315. In addition, the power supply module 105 drawn into the rear surface of the housing 201 is fastened to the power connector 313 mounted on the rear surface of the PCB 301, the rear connection module 103 is the rear connection connector 311 And the heat dissipation fan module 113 are also fastened with a predetermined connector (eg, a 3-pin connector: not shown). The system power is connected to the back of the power supply module 105 and is not shown.

Figure 4 is a block diagram showing a connector for the ODD module or HDD module mounted on the PCB 301 according to the present invention. As shown in the figure, one connector is equipped with a parallel-ATA type and a serial-ATA type, or a connection for parallel-ATA so that a DVD-ROM, CD-RW, DVD-RW, or the like can be mounted. 401) and a connection part 403 for Serial-ATA. Therefore, the back of the ODD module or the HDD module has a connector according to the module type, and is inserted into the parallel-ATA connector 401 or the Serial-ATA connector 403 regardless of the structure of the connector according to the module type. have.

These connectors are used to maintain the compatibility of peripheral devices as a communication means for communication between modules, and PCI Bus, LPC Bus, Serial ATA, Parallel ATA, USB, AC-Link, AGP, which are general specifications of personal computers. In accordance with the structure of the connector according to the module-specific specifications.

5 is a block diagram showing a CPU module according to the present invention. Each of the components shown in the drawing shows only the coupling state, and description of the functions of each component will be omitted. As illustrated, the CPU module 115 may include a CPU 501, a North Bridge 503, a South Bridge 505, a DVI Transmitter 507, a BIOS 509, It consists of a DIMM Module (511), a front panel (Front Pannel: 513), and a memory (Memory Stick: 515).

Meanwhile, the north bridge 503 is connected to the AGP expansion slot 521, and the AGP / PCI expansion slot 521 is connected to the I / O expansion module 117. The AGP / PCI expansion slot 521 has an AGP bus h connected to the northbridge 503 and the PCI bus i connected to the control connector 523. The north bridge 503, the south bridge 505, and the DV eye transmitter 507 are connected to the control connector 523 and then to the interface module 101. In addition, each device of the CPU module 115 receives a power supply, for example, + 12V, -12V, + 5V, + 5VSB, 3.3V, PG switch, and the like from a power input connector (519). Therefore, the power input connector 519 is connected to the interface module 101.

The CPU 501 is connected to the northbridge 503 via the CPU BUS (a) to control the bus protocol, graphics adapter, AGP and memory bus. The northbridge 503 is connected to the AGP expansion slot 521 and is connected to the south bridge 505 through a hub link (b). In addition, the north bridge 503 is connected to the DIMM Module (511) and is connected to the DRAM memory (DDR Memory: 524) for stable data transmission. The south bridge 505 manages the PCI slots or performs the ATA66 IDE interface and system management. South bridge 505 is connected to the control connector 523, USB (d), SM-BUS (e) and AC-Link (f), the LPC (g) line of the South bridge 505 is the BIOS ( 509 and control connector 523 in parallel.

6 is a block diagram showing an I / O expansion module according to the present invention. As shown, a first type having two PCI slots and a second type having one PCI slot and one AGP slot are divided. In the case of the first type, the AGP / PCI connector 601 is connected to the CPU module 115 and has two PCI connectors 603 to be connected in parallel with the AGP / PCI connector 601. In the case of the second type, it is connected to the CPU module 115 through the AGP / PCI connector 605, and holds the AGP connector 607 and the PCI connector 609 in parallel with the AGP / PCI connector 605. do.

7 is a block diagram showing an HDD module or ODD module according to the present invention. Since the illustrated drawings have the same hardware for operating the Hard Disk Drive and the Optical Disk Drive, they are used as the same drawings for convenience of description. The ODD module 109 or the HDD module 111 holds each drive, that is, a hard disk drive 701 or an optical disk drive 701. The disk drive 701 is connected to the D-connector 705 for transmitting and receiving Parallel-ATA, Serial-ATA and USB signals from the interface module 101, so that the disk drive 701 and the D-connector 705 ) Has an interface board (703).

The interface board 703 provides Parallel-ATA, Serial-ATA and USB signals to the disk drive 701 and performs power control of the disk drive 701. In addition, when the disk drive 701 is an HDD, the display module (LED) 707 is displayed in which the CPU module 115 diagnoses an abnormality of the HDD and displays a diagnosis result. On the other hand, when the disk drive 701 is an ODD, the display element 707 diagnoses the abnormality of the ODD from the CPU module 115 and displays a diagnosis result.

8 shows a rear connection module according to the present invention. The rear connection module 103, that is, the rear port module, is mounted to the rear surface of the housing 201 to make a connection with the interface module 101. As shown, an I-connector 801 connected to the interface module 101 is provided to provide P1394 signals that are PCI, LPC, AC-Link, DVI, SM-BUS, USB, RGB, Audio, Power, and IEEE1394. Input and output

The I-connector 801 is connected to the SUPER I / O controller 807 and is connected to an AC-97 Audio CODEC 805, an MDC connector 803, a LAN controller 809, and a Mini PCI connector 811. . The I-connector 801 is also connected to the IEEE 1394 port 813, the VGA connector 819, and two USB ports 833. The SUPER I / O controller 807 is connected to a serial port 815, a parallel port 827, and a keyboard / mouse port 825. The LAN controller 809 is connected to the RJ-45 LAN port 817, the Mini PCI connector 811 is connected to the antenna 821, the MDC connector 803 is an RJ-11 phone jack 823 Connected with

9 is a block diagram showing an interface module according to the present invention. As shown, the cooling fan 207 control signal including the PCI, LPC, AC-Link, DVI, SM-BUS, USB, RGB, Audio, Power, and IEEE1394 P1394 signal is received from the CPU module 115 C-connector 901 and PCI, LPC, USB / SM, IDE signals provided through the C-connector 901 through the respective bus lines ODD module 109, HDD module 111, etc. A plurality of slots 907 are formed for connection.

The C-connector 901 is connected to the R-connector 903 connected to the rear connection module 103, and the R-connector 903 is connected to the AC-Link, DVI, RGB, P1394 from the C-connector 901. It is connected to each bus to provide control signal of HP, out, MIC-in and Fan. On the other hand, the interface module 101 is equipped with a power connector 905 for receiving power from the power supply module 105, the power provided through the power connector 905 is the respective slots 907, C-connector 901 and R-connector 903.

As described above, the modular computer structure according to the present invention is characterized by modularizing a personal computer by function, and making each module detachable / mountable into a predetermined housing, thereby adding a function of a personal computer having a short life cycle. The change has an extremely easy effect. In addition, specification changes can be made for each module to reduce the replacement cost of the computer, and the system can be sold for each module, thus facilitating the manufacture, sale and after-service of personal computers.

In addition, it is possible to change the model of the housing for accommodating each module, it is possible to change the design according to the mounting of the module according to the effect that can easily solve the user's computer replacement needs.

What has been described above is just one embodiment for implementing a modular computer structure according to the present invention, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, as claimed in the utility model registration claims below Without departing from the gist, any person having ordinary knowledge in the field to which the present invention belongs will have a technical spirit of the present invention to the extent that various modifications can be made.

Claims (12)

A CPU module having a plurality of connectors for connecting with information received from the outside, including system control of the personal computer, and performing data control, communication control, and input / output control based on the information received from the plurality of connectors; An I / O expansion module connected to the CPU module and configured to mount or expand a video card, a LAN card, a modem card, and a TV reception card; Parallel-ATA signal, Serial-ATA signal, and USB to control the hard disk drive signals of the Parallel-ATA and Serial-ATA types. HDD module for inputting and outputting a signal; Parallel-ATA, Serial-ATA and USB An ODD module for inputting and outputting signals; Keyboard / Mouse connection port, serial port, parallel port, AlJ45 (RJ-45) port, audio port, VGA port, DVI port, antenna port for wireless LAN, USB port, AlJ 11 ( RJ-11) rear port module having a phone jack port; A power supply module for supplying power to the ODD module, HDD module, CPU module, I / O expansion module and back connection module; Has a predetermined shape, the front hole for accommodating the ODD module, HDD module, CPU module and I / O expansion module in the front surface, and the rear connection module and the power supply module in the rear surface A housing having a rear hole for mounting and detaching each module to both sides corresponding to a receiving position of each module; And It is fixedly installed between the front hole and the rear hole of the housing, has a connection means of the CPU module, the ODD module and the HDD module, has a connection means of the CPU module and the rear connection module, the CPU module And means for connecting the I / O expansion module, and means for connecting the CPU module, the ODD module, the HDD module, and the I / O expansion module and the power supply module. A modular computer structure comprising an interface module mounted on a PCB so as to correspond to a receiving position of each module. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a heat dissipation module for dissipating heat dissipated from the CPU module, and further comprising connection means for controlling the heat dissipation module from the CPU module onto a PCB of the interface module. Modular computer structure, characterized in that. The CPU module of claim 1, wherein the CPU module includes a control connector for connecting with the interface module, a power input connector for receiving power from the interface module, and an AGP / PCI expansion slot for connecting with the I / O expansion module. Modular computer structure characterized in that having. 4. The CPU module of claim 3, wherein the CPU module comprises a CPU, a North Bridge, a South Bridge, a DVI Transmitter, a BIOS, a BIOS module, a front panel (DIMM Module). Front pannel) and a memory stick, the AGP / PCI expansion slot is connected to the north bridge through an AGP bus and a PCI bus, and the PCI bus is connected to the control connector, and the north bridge and south A bridge and a DV eye transmitter are connected to the interface module after being connected to the control connector, the interface module is supplied with power from the power input connector, the CPU is connected to the north bridge through a CPU BUS, and the north bridge Is connected to the AGP expansion slot, the north bridge is connected to the south bridge through a hub link, and the north bridge Is connected to the DIMM module and the DRAM memory, and the south bridge is connected to the control connector for USB, SM-BUS and AC-Link signal transmission, and the LPC line of the south bridge. Modular computer structure characterized in that connected in parallel with the BIOS and the control connector. The modular computer architecture of claim 1, wherein the I / O expansion module comprises two PCI connectors connected to the CPU module via an AGP / PCI connector and connected in parallel with the AGP / PCI connector. The I / O expansion module of claim 1, wherein the I / O expansion module is connected to the CPU module via an AGP / PCI connector, and includes an AGP connector and a PCI connector connected in parallel with the AGP / PCI connector 605. Modular computer structure. The HDD module of claim 1, wherein the HDD module comprises a hard disk drive, a D-connector for connection with the interface module, and a Parallel-ATA, Serial-ATA, and USB signal received through the D-connector. Modular computer structure comprising an interface board for providing to the hard disk drive. 8. The modular computer structure according to claim 7, further comprising a display element for diagnosing an abnormality of the HDD module from the CPU module and displaying a diagnosis result. The ODD module of claim 1, wherein the ODD module stores an optical disk drive, an O-connector for connection with the interface module, and a Parallel-ATA, Serial-ATA, and USB signal received through the O-connector. Modular computer structure comprising an interface board for providing a hard disk drive. 10. The modular computer structure of claim 9, further comprising a display element for diagnosing an abnormality of the ODD module from the CPU module and displaying a diagnosis result. 2. The rear connection module of claim 1, wherein the rear connection module is connected to the interface module and includes an I-connector for inputting / outputting PCI, LPC, AC-Link, DVI, SM-BUS, USB, RGB, Audio, Power, and IEEE1394 signals. The I-connector is connected to a SUPER I / O controller, and is connected to an AC-97 Audio CODEC, MDC connector, a LAN controller and a Mini PCI connector, an IEEE1394 port, a VGA connector, and two USB ports. The controller is connected to the serial port, the parallel port and the keyboard / mouse port. The LAN controller is connected to the RJ-45 LAN port. The Mini PCI connector is connected to the wireless LAN antenna. The MDC connector is the RJ-11 phone jack. Modular computer structure characterized in that connected with. The C-connector of claim 1, wherein the interface module comprises: a C-connector for receiving PCI, LPC, AC-Link, DVI, SM-BUS, USB, IDE, RGB, Audio, Power, and IEEE1394 signals from the CPU module; Multiple slots for providing PCI, LPC, USB / SM, and IDE signals provided through the C-connector to the ODD module and the HDD module through respective bus lines, and AC-Link, DVI from the C-connector. R-connector for receiving RGB, P1394, HP-out, MIC-in, Fan control signals and providing them to the rear connection module, and receiving power from the power supply module for each slot, C-connector, and R A modular computer structure comprising a power connector for providing as a connector.