An alternating current/direct current input device includes an appliance input socket and an information and communications technology (ICT) device. The ICT device is powered by the appliance input socket. The appliance input socket includes a ground contact, a positive electrode contact, a negative electrode contact, and a signal switch. A contact depth of the signal switch in the appliance input socket is less than a contact depth of the positive electrode contact or the negative electrode contact in the appliance input socket. The signal switch is configured to generate a control signal when a direct current connector is separated from the appliance input socket. The control signal can be used to enable the ICT device to disconnect the appliance input socket from a conductive electrode of the direct current connector after the ICT device enters a no load state.

A guide assembly an enclosure-based device such as a computer provided in a rack-mountable chassis. The guide assembly is configured to facilitate blind connector mating such as electrical interconnection between a receiving connector on a previously-mounted board and an edge connector on a circuit board supported in a housing of a module that is slid or inserted into the interior space of the enclosure or chassis. The guide assembly (and devices that include a guide assembly) address the two design challenges discussed above of increasing numbers of circuits in devices that need to be connected and of decreasing pitch between the connectors. The guide assembly is configured, with its mechanical features, to decouple the degrees of freedom (DOFs) between the module being inserted into the chassis and the receiving/mating connector on the previously-mounted board. The guide assembly constrains five out of the six DOFs, which effectively ensures proper connector mating.

In one or more aspects, a determination is made as to whether a connector is securely fastened, whether the connector connected within a socket structure is the expected connector for that socket structure, and/or whether connectors coupled to one another via one or more cables are properly positioned for communication between them. Information on selected physical connection elements of a connector is used to determine one or more structural characteristics of the cable(s) connected to the connector and to determine whether the connector is the expected connector for a particular socket structure.

An information processing device (e.g. a server) is designed to install a plurality of electronic components (e.g. server modules) connectible to a plurality of connectors arranged in the bottom of a casing. A stopper is attached to the casing at a deviated position slightly deviated from the electronic component in its thickness direction perpendicular to the insertion direction of the electronic component. An interference member is disposed in an interference area asymmetrically located on a first face of the electronic component relative to a second face of the electronic device in its thickness direction with respect to the electronic device. The interference member interferes with the stopper only when the electronic component is inserted into the connectors at an irregular position or in a reverse manner.

Embodiments herein describe preventing a pluggable module from connecting to a chassis until ensuring there is no damage on the pluggable module, the chassis, or both. In one embodiment, the chassis includes a blocking element that prevents or blocks the pluggable module from mating with the chassis. The chassis can also include a camera for capturing an image of the pluggable module to determine whether there is damage to its connection elements (e.g., pins). If not, the chassis can release the locking pin to permit the pluggable module to mate with connection elements on the chassis.

A guide assembly an enclosure-based device such as a computer provided in a rack-mountable chassis. The guide assembly is configured to facilitate blind connector mating such as electrical interconnection between a receiving connector on a previously-mounted board and an edge connector on a circuit board supported in a housing of a module that is slid or inserted into the interior space of the enclosure or chassis. The guide assembly (and devices that include a guide assembly) address the two design challenges discussed above of increasing numbers of circuits in devices that need to be connected and of decreasing pitch between the connectors. The guide assembly is configured, with its mechanical features, to decouple the degrees of freedom (DOFs) between the module being inserted into the chassis and the receiving/mating connector on the previously-mounted board. The guide assembly constrains five out of the six DOFs, which effectively ensures proper connector mating.

A modularized server comprises a rack, a switching mechanism, and a removable electronic device. The rack comprises a first slot and a second slot. The switching mechanism is disposed on the rack. When the removable electronic device is inserted into the first slot, the removable electronic device is operable to drive the switching mechanism to a switching position. The switching mechanism at the switching position can stop another removable electronic device different from a specific design of the removable electronic device from being inserted into the second slot.

A field replaceable power supply cartridge is provided for coupling with a socket. The cartridge has a latch mechanism that can be actuated by the user to couple the cartridge to the socket, such that latches of the cartridge releasably engage recessed portions in the socket. The cartridge has a key feature that corresponds to a key feature on the socket, allowing the cartridge to be coupled to the socket in only one orientation, thereby preventing the incorrect electrical connection between the cartridge and the socket. The cartridge can have a multi-pin electrical connector for coupling to a corresponding connector on the socket. The socket can be a relatively short socket, where the electrical wires are bottom fed, or can be a relatively tall socket, where the electrical wires are side fed via one or more openings in the body of the socket.

A rail mounting backplane kit is provided and including a backplane assembly, a first mating structure and a second cooperating structure. The first mating structure is for cooperating with a first cooperating structure of a first cooperating backplane kit for allowing or restraining assembly of the backplane assembly and a first cooperating backplane assembly of the first cooperating backplane kit, and the first mating structure includes a plurality of first mating features, which can selectively be protruding, flat or recessed mating features. The second cooperating structure is for cooperating with a second mating structure of a second cooperating backplane kit for allowing or restraining assembly of the backplane assembly and a second cooperating backplane assembly of the second cooperating backplane kit, and the second cooperating structure includes a plurality of second cooperating features, which can selectively be protruding, flat, or recessed cooperating features.

A controller unit includes: a base unit having a slot; a module that includes a printed circuit board and that is mounted on the base unit; a pair of male and female connectors, one being included in the base unit and the other being included in the module; and a turning support that allows the module to be turned with respect to the base unit. A pair of a recess and a projection are provided to prevent wrong attachment. The base unit has one of the recess and the projection and the module has the other. The positions of the recess and the projection vary depending on the type of module.