Abstract: Dual operation centrifugal fan apparatus and methods of operating same that may be used, for example, to cool the internal heat-generating components of an information handling system or other device. The dual operation centrifugal fan apparatus may be implemented in one embodiment as a self-cleaning blower apparatus that is operated in a first normal cooling direction to dissipate heat from internal components of an information handling system, and operated in second cleaning direction to reverse airflow and expel accumulated dust from the interior of the information handling system.

Abstract: Dual operation centrifugal fan apparatus and methods of operating same that may be used, for example, to cool the internal heat-generating components of an information handling system or other device. The dual operation centrifugal fan apparatus may be implemented in one embodiment as a self-cleaning blower apparatus that is operated in a first normal cooling direction to dissipate heat from internal components of an information handling system, and operated in second cleaning direction to reverse airflow and expel accumulated dust from the interior of the information handling system.

Abstract: An information handling system (IHS) chassis defines a component housing. An IHS component is located in the component housing. The IHS component defines a module channel, a module chassis locating slot adjacent the module channel, and a pair of module chassis securing apertures adjacent the module channel. The IHS component includes a module chassis retaining surface that is spaced apart from the module channel. A module chassis is located in the module channel, includes a retaining wall that engages the module chassis retaining surface and a locating member that extends into the module chassis locating slot, and defines a module housing. The module chassis is secured to the component through the pair of module chassis securing apertures. A latching module is located in the module housing and secured to the module chassis. The latching module engages the IHS chassis to resist removal of the IHS component from the component housing.

Abstract: A securing system includes a base member. A display member is rotatably coupled to the base member by a shaft. A locking member is operable to move axially relative to the shaft and engage the display member in order to restrict the display member from rotating relative to the base member. The base member and the display member may be part of an information handling system (IHS). A lock including a cable that is coupled to a stationary object may be used to secure the IHS to the stationary object and prevent the use of the IHS by positioning the lock in the base member in order to move the locking member such that it engages the display member.

Abstract: An information handling system can include a base, a printed circuit board including a capacitive switch, and a cover. The printed circuit board can be attached to the base, and the cover can lie adjacent to the printed circuit board. The capacitive switch can be configured to change state when an object is close to the cover. The cover can be configured such that it can be detached from the remainder of the information handling system while the printed circuit board remains attached to the base. The configuration of the printed circuit board and cover can be particularly useful when maintaining a keyboard or a touch pad or when replacing the cover.

Abstract: An information handling system (IHS) chassis defines a component housing. An IHS component is located in the component housing. The IHS component defines a module channel, a module chassis locating slot adjacent the module channel, and a pair of module chassis securing apertures adjacent the module channel. The IHS component includes a module chassis retaining surface that is spaced apart from the module channel. A module chassis is located in the module channel, includes a retaining wall that engages the module chassis retaining surface and a locating member that extends into the module chassis locating slot, and defines a module housing. The module chassis is secured to the component through the pair of module chassis securing apertures. A latching module is located in the module housing and secured to the module chassis. The latching module engages the IHS chassis to resist removal of the IHS component from the component housing.

Abstract: A portable information handling system's integrated keyboard stows keys into a retracted position when the portable information handling system transitions from an open to a closed position, such as by rotating a lid to a closed position relative to a chassis having the keyboard. A cover plate disposed in the keyboard engages the keyboard keys to retract the keys into the information handling system when the lid of the information handling system rotates to a closed position and releases the keys to be biased out from the information handling systems when the lid rotates to an open position.

Abstract: A securing system includes a base member. A display member is rotatably coupled to the base member by a shaft. A locking member is operable to move axially relative to the shaft and engage the display member in order to restrict the display member from rotating relative to the base member. The base member and the display member may be part of an information handling system (IHS). A lock including a cable that is coupled to a stationary object may be used to secure the IHS to the stationary object and prevent the use of the IHS by positioning the lock in the base member in order to move the locking member such that it engages the display member.

Abstract: A metal laminate assembly includes a plastic film and a metal film bonded together using a pressure-sensitive adhesive between them. The bonded films may be formed into a desired shape. A plastic part is formed to the bonded films using a single-shot in-mold film molding system. Accordingly, the laminate assembly has the plastic part on a first side and the metal film on a second side, opposite the first side of the assembly.

Abstract: A portable information handling system's integrated keyboard stows keys into a retracted position when the portable information handling system transitions from an open to a closed position, such as by rotating a lid to a closed position relative to a chassis having the keyboard. A cover plate disposed in the keyboard engages the keyboard keys to retract the keys into the information handling system when the lid of the information handling system rotates to a closed position and releases the keys to be biased out from the information handling systems when the lid rotates to an open position.

Abstract: An information handling system can include a base, a printed circuit board including a capacitive switch, and a cover. The printed circuit board can be attached to the base, and the cover can lie adjacent to the printed circuit board. The capacitive switch can be configured to change state when an object is close to the cover. The cover can be configured such that it can be detached from the remainder of the information handling system while the printed circuit board remains attached to the base. The configuration of the printed circuit board and cover can be particularly useful when maintaining a keyboard or a touch pad or when replacing the cover.

Abstract: An electrical plug is disclosed with a slidable earth pin that can be manually positioned in a stored position in a plug body of the electrical plug when the electrical plug is not in use. The slidable earth pin is movable in the channel and retained by an interlocking mechanism between the earth pin and the channel on the plug body. The earth pin has a pair of protruding fingers that snap into a first set of grooves in the channel of the plug body in a first position, and that snap into a second set of grooves in the channel of the plug body in a second or stored position. When the earth pin is in its stored position, the physical dimension of the plug is significantly more compact than conventional three pin plugs.

Abstract: An electrical plug is disclosed having a rotatable earth pin that can be folded into a plug body by rotating the rotatable earth pin from an unfolded position to a folded position. In the unfolded position, the rotatable earth pin is interlocked with the plug body through a locking tab on a snap lock that latches onto the plug body. To release the rotatable earth pin from its unfolded position, pressure is exerted onto the locking tab to release the snap lock, which allows the rotatable earth pin to move and rotate to a folded position. Locking pins and associated grooves releasably retain the rotatable earth pin in its folded position.