Angled DIMM Socket Reduces Riser Card Width
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Dual In-line Memory Module (DIMM) riser cards have a large effective width, limiting their placement on motherboards and introducing stub effects due to long electrical traces, which reduce their usefulness and memory density in computer systems.
Innovation Solution
The design includes a printed circuit board with angled and straddle mount DIMM sockets that allow DIMMs to be inserted at an angle, reducing the effective width of the riser card and minimizing stub effects by shortening electrical traces, thereby enabling closer placement and increased memory density.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If traditional DIMM riser cards are used with perpendicular sockets, then the sockets can be easily manufactured and installed, but the effective width is large which limits placement density on motherboards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by configuring DIMM sockets at non-perpendicular angles (e.g., 45 degrees) relative to the PCB edge, rather than using traditional perpendicular orientations. This angular configuration reduces the effective width of the riser card footprint, allowing closer placement of multiple riser cards on the motherboard while maintaining proper electrical connections and mechanical fitment.
2Quantity of substance
If DIMM sockets are placed close together to increase density, then memory density increases, but long electrical traces are required which introduce stub effects and signal degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes dimensional optimization by carefully positioning DIMM sockets at specific angular orientations and locations on the PCB. This spatial arrangement allows electrical traces to connect to the memory bus through the first edge of the PCB in a more direct path, reducing trace length and minimizing stub effects while maintaining high placement density.
3Area of stationary object
If angled DIMM sockets are used to reduce effective width, then placement density increases, but the socket orientation becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by specifying precise angular parameters for socket orientation (e.g., 45-degree angles) and trace routing. These defined parameters standardize the angled configuration, making the complex orientation manageable through clear design specifications while achieving reduced effective width and improved placement density.
Data Source
AI summary
A DIMM riser card that includes a PCB having a first edge, a second edge, and one or more faces. The first edge of the PCB is configured for insertion into a main board DIMM socket. The first edge includes electrical traces that electrically couple to a memory bus. The DIMM riser card includes an angled DIMM socket mounted on one face of the PCB, where the angled DIMM socket is configured to accept a DIMM at an angle not perpendicular to the PCB and electrically couple the DIMM to the memory bus. The DIMM riser card includes a straddle mount DIMM socket mounted on the second edge of the PCB. The straddle mount DIMM socket is configured to accept a DIMM and electrically couple the DIMM to the memory bus through the electrical traces on the first edge of the PCB.