Abstract: Formation of a deformation along a surface of a sheet metal panel of an electronic device is minimized or prevented by determining an area of the surface to which a deformation has developed or is predicted to develop, where the deformation forms or is predicted to form in response to one or more of the surface features being provided into the surface. A score line is provided along the surface that is at or proximate the area.

Abstract: Formation of a deformation along a surface of a sheet metal panel of an electronic device is minimized or prevented by determining an area of the surface to which a deformation has developed or is predicted to develop, where the deformation forms or is predicted to form in response to one or more of the surface features being provided into the surface. A score line is provided along the surface that is at or proximate the area.

Abstract: Various implementations disclosed herein include a thermal management system suitable electronic devices. In some implementations, a thermal management system includes an air guide and a cage wall, which together provide: an air intake having a first airflow area to produce a first air pressure; an airflow constriction, following the air intake, having a second airflow area smaller than the first airflow area to produce a second air pressure, and defining a first region; and an outlet following the airflow constriction having a third airflow area greater than the second airflow area to produce a third air pressure. The device cage has at least one aperture in the first region. The second air pressure is less than the first air pressure and the third air pressure and is sufficiently low to draw heated air from within the device cage through the at least one aperture to be expelled through the outlet.

Abstract: Various implementations disclosed herein include a thermal management system suitable electronic devices. In some implementations, a thermal management system includes an air guide and a cage wall, which together provide: an air intake having a first airflow area to produce a first air pressure; an airflow constriction, following the air intake, having a second airflow area smaller than the first airflow area to produce a second air pressure, and defining a first region; and an outlet following the airflow constriction having a third airflow area greater than the second airflow area to produce a third air pressure. The device cage has at least one aperture in the first region. The second air pressure is less than the first air pressure and the third air pressure and is sufficiently low to draw heated air from within the device cage through the at least one aperture to be expelled through the outlet.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided in one example embodiment and includes a light guide configured to couple to an electronic unit. The electronic unit is a replaceable unit of an electronic component, the light guide extending along a body structure of the electronic unit and signaling an operational state of the electronic unit. In more specific embodiments, the light guide communicates optical energy from a light source coupled to the electronic unit and configured to indicate the operational state of the electronic unit. In still other embodiments, the light source is a light emitting diode (LED) that indicates the operational state of the electronic unit. The light guide can include a light input that enhances an optical coupling between the light source the light guide. In still other embodiments, the light guide includes a curved portion that changes a direction of optical energy propagating within the light guide.

Abstract: An apparatus to widen the light dispersion pattern of a light source shining through an overlay window from the viewing side of an electrical computer system. The overlay window is coupled to a panel of the system. The overlay window includes a transparent material, which has a first surface facing the light source and a second surface facing away from the light source to define a viewing side. An opaque material can be disposed on the first surface to partially cover the first surface to form a viewing window. A first diffusing mechanism is disposed on the first surface, and a second diffusing mechanism is disposed on the second surface. In response to the passage of the light output through the viewing window, the light dispersion pattern of the light output from the viewing side of the overlay window has a viewing angle of up to about 180 degrees.

Abstract: An apparatus to widen the light dispersion pattern of a light source shining through an overlay window from the viewing side of an electrical computer system. The overlay window is coupled to a panel of the system. The overlay window includes a transparent material, which has a first surface facing the light source and a second surface facing away from the light source to define a viewing side. An opaque material can be disposed on the first surface to partially cover the first surface to form a viewing window. A first diffusing mechanism is disposed on the first surface, and a second diffusing mechanism is disposed on the second surface. In response to the passage of the light output through the viewing window, the light dispersion pattern of the light output from the viewing side of the overlay window has a viewing angle of up to about 180 degrees.

Abstract: An apparatus to widen the light dispersion pattern of a light source shining through an overlay window from the viewing side of an electrical computer system. The overlay window is coupled to a panel of the system. The overlay window includes a transparent material, which has a first surface facing the light source and a second surface facing away from the light source to define a viewing side. An opaque material can be disposed on the first surface to partially cover the first surface to form a viewing window. A first diffusing mechanism is disposed on the first surface, and a second diffusing mechanism is disposed on the second surface. In response to the passage of the light output through the viewing window, the light dispersion pattern of the light output from the viewing side of the overlay window has a viewing angle of up to about 180 degrees.

Abstract: An apparatus to widen the light dispersion pattern of a light source shining through an overlay window from the viewing side of an electrical computer system. The overlay window is coupled to a panel of the system. The overlay window includes a transparent material, which has a first surface facing the light source and a second surface facing away from the light source to define a viewing side. An opaque material can be disposed on the first surface to partially cover the first surface to form a viewing window. A first diffusing mechanism is disposed on the first surface, and a second diffusing mechanism is disposed on the second surface. In response to the passage of the light output through the viewing window, the light dispersion pattern of the light output from the viewing side of the overlay window has a viewing angle of up to about 180 degrees.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided in one example implementation and includes a body portion that includes a first member and a second member. The members taper at one end and are configured to be coupled to an electronic component at another end. The apparatus also includes a securing portion coupled to the body portion and configured to form a cavity through which a cord passes, the cord having a cord head that is fixed to the electronic component. A portion of a force exerted on the cord is transferred to the securing portion such that detachment of the cord head from the electronic component is inhibited. In more specific embodiments, the body portion and the securing portion are integrally formed as a single wire.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided in one example embodiment and includes a light guide configured to couple to an electronic unit. The electronic unit is a replaceable unit of an electronic component, the light guide extending along a body structure of the electronic unit and signaling an operational state of the electronic unit. In more specific embodiments, the light guide communicates optical energy from a light source coupled to the electronic unit and configured to indicate the operational state of the electronic unit. In still other embodiments, the light source is a light emitting diode (LED) that indicates the operational state of the electronic unit. The light guide can include a light input that enhances an optical coupling between the light source the light guide. In still other embodiments, the light guide includes a curved portion that changes a direction of optical energy propagating within the light guide.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided in one example implementation and includes a body portion that includes a first member and a second member. The members taper at one end and are configured to be coupled to an electronic component at another end. The apparatus also includes a securing portion coupled to the body portion and configured to form a cavity through which a cord passes, the cord having a cord head that is fixed to the electronic component. A portion of a force exerted on the cord is transferred to the securing portion such that detachment of the cord head from the electronic component is inhibited. In more specific embodiments, the body portion and the securing portion are integrally formed as a single wire.

Abstract: A connector comprising an insulating body defining a slot that is adapted to receive a pluggable module. A plurality of conductive pins extend into the slot and at least one extension, coupled to the insulating body, protects the plurality of pins from being shorted by an incorrectly inserted pluggable module.

Abstract: A connector comprising an insulating body defining a slot that is adapted to receive a pluggable module. A plurality of conductive pins extend into the slot and at least one extension, coupled to the insulating body, protects the plurality of pins from being shorted by an incorrectly inserted pluggable module.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for blind alignment of electronic circuit boards. A receptacle with two vertical flanges and one horizontal flange is positioned relative to an electrical connection. A circuit board having a notch on a leading edge is proximally positioned to the receptacle. As the notched edge is moved toward the receptacle, the flanges guide the board into a registered position relative to the electrical connection. The method and apparatus may be used in any number of alignment situations including those as disparate as robotic assembly operations and assembly by untrained consumers and end-users.