Computer Case Rear Panel Screw Access Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing computer cases with screw-fixed expansion cards face poor accessibility issues due to the location of screws, making installation difficult.

Innovation Solution

A computer case design with a rear panel featuring a slot field and an expansion card slot bracket fixed laterally by a screw, where an opening is cut out next to the slot field to ensure the screw is easily accessible for tool mounting, along with a cover that can be opened to facilitate screw access and additional sealing features.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the screw is fixed to the slot bracket and strip in the conventional arrangement, then the expansion card can be secured to the computer case, but the screw becomes difficult to access and mount with a tool

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescrew accessibilityVSAvoidopening structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent repositions the screw from a conventional hidden location to an externally accessible location on the outer surface of the computer case. The screw is arranged to protrude through the rear panel towards the external environment, transforming the mounting operation from an internal to an external action, thereby improving tool accessibility while maintaining the structural integrity of the expansion card fixation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If an opening is cut out in the rear panel to improve screw accessibility, then the screw can be easily mounted, but the structural integrity and sealing of the rear panel may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescrew accessibilityVSAvoidrear panel structural integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The rear panel is segmented into functional zones: a slot field for expansion cards, a separate opening for screw access, and a cover element for protection. The opening is positioned adjacent to but separate from the slot field, allowing independent optimization of each function. The cover element can be detached to access the screw while maintaining the overall structural integrity of the rear panel when closed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If the screw is positioned for easy external access, then tool mounting is simplified, but the design complexity and potential interference with other components increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescrew accessibilityVSAvoidcomponent layout flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The screw accessibility feature is localized to a specific region on the rear panel, separate from the slot field and other critical components. This localized arrangement allows the screw to be externally accessible without interfering with the expansion card insertion path or other rear panel functions. The cover element can be opened specifically to access the screw, providing targeted access without requiring complete disassembly of the case.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS11481007B2Computer case and method of attaching an expansion card to a computer case

Publication Date: 2022.10.25 FUJITSU CLIENT COMPUTING LTD

AI summary

A computer cases includes a rear panel with a slot field and an expansion card with a slot bracket that is fixed laterally to the slot field by a screw. An opening is cut out on the rear panel next to the slot field so that the screw for fixing the expansion card is easily accessible and can be easily mounted with a corresponding tool.