System and method for extracting a processor from a socket

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates in general to the field of information handling system processors and sockets, and more particularly to a system and method for removing a processor from a socket.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] As the value and use of information continues to increase, individuals and businesses seek additional ways to process and store information. One option available to users is information handling systems. An information handling system generally processes, compiles, stores, and/or communicates information or data for business, personal, or other purposes thereby allowing users to take advantage of the value of the information. Because technology and information handling needs and requirements vary between different users or applications, information handling systems may also vary regarding what information is handled, how the information is handled, how much information is processed, stored, or communicated, and how quickly and efficiently the information may be processed, stored, or communicated. The variations in information handling systems allow for information handling systems to be general or configured for a specific user or specific use such as financial transaction processing, airline reservations, enterprise data storage, or global communications. In addition, information handling systems may include a variety of hardware and software components that may be configured to process, store, and communicate information and may include one or more computer systems, data storage systems, and networking systems.

[0005] Information handling system performance generally increases in proportion to increases in the number and rate of calculations performed by a processor, which are generally increased through fabrication of greater numbers of transistors into, processor integrated circuits. However, increased operating speed and complexity of processor integrated circuits also calls for increased bus data transfer rates to and from memory and other devices to support processor operations. Traditionally processors connect to other devices through a motherboard that has wire line buses to communicate electronic signals. A socket coupled to the motherboard and in electronic communication with the buses accepts a processor by inserting processor “pins” extending from the outer edge of the processor package into socket openings. One difficulty that arises with the insertion of pins into a socket is that electromagnetic interference tends to distort data signals through lengthy pin connections, especially at higher bus data transfer rates. Another difficulty is that the number of pins that can extend from a processor is limited by the size of the processor's circumference.

[0006] In order to increase data transfer rates between a processor and motherboard, INTEL has developed a Socket-T that uses a land grid array (LGA) connector. LGA connectors extend from the bottom surface of a processor to permit a direct electrical connection between a module substrate and a motherboard. The bottom surface socket connection allows processors to have a higher density of pins, however, also provides less guidance for proper insertion of a processor package into a motherboard socket. Misdirected insertion of a processor package's LGA connector into a motherboard LGA socket or movement of the processor in the socket after insertion can cause damage to the LGA connectors and socket. In order to ensure firm connection of a LGA processor package into a LGA socket, the Socket-T arrangement applies a spring force against a load plate that forces a heat spreader along the outer edge of a processor against a processor socket. Although the Socket-T aids in proper alignment and firm coupling of LGA pins into a LGA socket, once a processor package is inserted into a socket, removal of the socket is often difficult. Removal of a processor package from a socket by hand sometimes introduces unintended rotation or dragging of the socket contacts, resulting in damage to the processor package or socket. To avoid rotational or dragging forces during removal of a LGA processor from a LGA socket, a vacuum tool is typically used to connect to the processor and lift the processor straight from the socket.

[0007] Therefore a need has arisen for a system and method which provides tooless removal of a processor from a socket with reduced risk of introduction of rotational or dragging forces to the processor relative to the socket.

[0008] In accordance with the present invention, a system and method are provided which substantially reduce the disadvantages and problems associated with previous systems and methods for removal of a processor from a socket. A processor extraction device extracts a processor from a socket to allow tooles removal of the processor with reduced risk of damage to processor and socket connectors from inadvertent dragging or rotation of the processor in the socket.

[0009] More specifically, a processor extraction device extracts a LGA processor from a LGA socket by coordinating extraction of the processor with movement of a load plate that compresses the processor into the socket from a closed position to an opened position. For instance an adhesive disposed between the load plate and processor couples the load plate to the processor so that the processor lifts from the socket as the load plate moves from the closed to the open position. As another example, springs disposed along the heat spreader of the processor compress at movement of the load plate to the closed position and provide a bias against the processor that extracts the processor from the socket as the load plate moves to the open position. In one embodiment, adhesive and one or more springs are used in combination so that the spring initiates movement of the processor from the socket and the adhesive grasps the processor to allow ease of access for manual grasping of the processor with the processor and socket connectors distal from each other.

[0010] The present invention provides a number of important technical advantages. One example of an important technical advantage is that tooless removal of a processor having LGA connectors from a LGA socket is supported with reduced risk of damage to the connectors and socket from dragging or rotational forces. Translating load plate movement into a removal force applied to the processor overcomes the residual socket connection force and frees the processor for tooless removal without subjecting the processor to dragging or rotational movement relative to the socket. Reduced introduction of dragging or rotational movement to the processor relative to the socket reduces the risk of damage to processor or socket connectors that result in failure of an information handling system.

[0015] Automatic and tooless extraction of a processor from a socket of an information handling system motherboard is provided by initiating a processor extraction device with movement of a load plate from a closed position that compresses the processor into the socket to an open position. For purposes of this disclosure, an information handling system may include any instrumentality or aggregate of instrumentalities operable to compute, classify, process, transmit, receive, retrieve, originate, switch, store, display, manifest, detect, record, reproduce, handle, or utilize any form of information, intelligence, or data for business, scientific, control, or other purposes. For example, an information handling system may be a personal computer, a network storage device, or any other suitable device and may vary in size, shape, performance, functionality, and price. The information handling system may include random access memory (RAM), one or more processing resources such as a central processing unit (CPU) or hardware or software control logic, ROM, and/or other types of nonvolatile memory. Additional components of the information handling system may include one or more disk drives, one or more network ports for communicating with external devices as well as various input and output (I/O) devices, such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a video display. The information handling system may also include one or more buses operable to transmit communications between the various hardware components.

[0016] Referring now to FIG. 1, a blow-up view of a land grid array processor and socket having a processor extraction device is depicted. A socket frame 10 provides a stiff foundation body that couples to a circuit board, such as an information handling system motherboard. A load plate 12 rotationally couples to socket frame 10 and locks with a load lever 14 to encase a land grid array processor 16 and a socket body 18 within socket frame 10. Load plate 12 rotates about hinge hooks 20 engaged with hinge slots 22 from an open position to a closed position. In the closed position, depicted by FIG. 2, load lever 14 engages a load lever lock 24 with a load lever lock slot 26 so that load plate 12 compresses down upon processor 16 to engage the processor connectors with the socket connectors.

[0017] Once the processor and socket connectors are compressed together, movement of load plate 12 to an open position distal socket 18 exposes processor 16 for lifting out of socket 18. However, attempts to lift processor 16 by hand introduce rotational and drag forces that tend to damage the connectors. One type of processor extraction device that limits the risk of damage to connectors is an adhesive 28 disposed between load plate 12 and processor 16. Adhesive 28 couples processor 16 to load plate 12, such as at the heat spreader located at the outer circumference of processor 16, so that opening load plate 12 raises processor 16 away from socket 18 to allow manipulation of processor 16 by hand with reduced risk of damaging contact between the socket and processor land grid array connectors. Coupling of adhesive 28 is aided by compression of load plate 12 against socket frame 10. Release of processor 16 from adhesive 28 is managed by selection of an adhesive that has a desired retention force to maintain processor 16 coupled with load plate 12 until sufficient manual force is applied to ensure that inadvertent release does not occur.

[0018] Another example of an extraction device is one or more springs 30 aligned to apply an extraction force upon activation of load lever 14 to release compression of processor 16 by load plate 12. For example, as depicted by FIG. 1, springs 30 disposed about the circumference of processor 16 lift processor 16 as load plate 12 is released so that the processor and socket connectors are out of contact and the processor is accessible for manual movement. FIG. 3 depicts an extraction device that includes another arrangement of springs 30 and adhesive to extract processor 16 from socket 18 and hold processor 16 in load plate 12 for access by fingers. Spring 30 aligns on opposing sides of the heat spreader of processor 16 to apply a compressing force that extracts the processor as the load plate lifts. Alternatively, springs 30 may align beneath load plate 12 which translates the extraction force of spring 30 to processor 16 through the coupling provided by adhesive 28. As depicted by FIG. 3, when load plate 12 is in the open position with processor 16 adhered to load plate 12, socket LGA connectors 32 are held distal from processor LGA connectors 34.

[0019] Although the present invention has been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made hereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.