DIMM Vibration Damping Cap for Harsh Environments

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Solution Overview

Problem

The fragility of JEDEC style DIMM connectors in server class compute platforms, particularly in harsh environments, leads to electrical disconnection due to wear and tear from vibrations, causing reliability issues in military vehicles, construction vehicles, and space launch systems.

Innovation Solution

A multi-DIMM vibration damping cap system with an interstitial base and coupler is used to bias the cap toward the motherboard, reducing relative movement and wear between the DIMM connector and the gold plated pads, thereby enhancing the robustness of connections between memory modules and the DIMM connector.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a leaf spring style contact is used in a JEDEC DIMM connector, then electrical connection is established between the connector and DIMM, but relative movement during vibration causes wear and eventual loss of electrical connectivity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical connectivityVSAvoidvibration-induced wear

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies beforehand cushioning by introducing a vibration damping cap that absorbs and reduces vibrational forces before they can cause wear to the leaf spring contact and gold plated pad. The cap is positioned to engage the top edge of the DIMM and dampen vibrations during operation, preventing the harmful relative movement that leads to contact degradation and loss of electrical connectivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Adaptability or versatility

If DIMMs are latched into JEDEC DIMM connectors in harsh environments, then compute platforms can be used in military vehicles and space launch systems, but the leaf spring contacts and gold plated pads become worn and lose electrical connection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental adaptabilityVSAvoidelectrical connection stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The vibration damping cap is installed beforehand to protect against the harsh environmental conditions. It dampens vibrations from military vehicles, construction vehicles, and space launch systems before they can cause wear to the electrical contacts, enabling reliable operation in these demanding environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The vibration damping cap acts as an intermediary between the harsh external environment and the delicate electrical contacts. It absorbs and reduces vibrational forces, preventing direct transmission of harmful vibrations to the leaf spring contact and gold plated pad, thereby maintaining electrical connection stability in adaptable environmental conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If a multi-DIMM vibration damping cap is used to reduce relative movement, then electrical disconnection is reduced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoidconnector structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple functions into a single vibration damping cap component. The cap simultaneously dampens vibrations, engages with the DIMM top edge, and works with the biasing mechanism to maintain contact pressure. This consolidation reduces the number of separate parts needed while achieving reliable connection stability across multiple DIMMs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The vibration damping cap is designed as a universal component that can protect multiple DIMMs simultaneously. The cap spans across adjacent DIMM connectors and dampens vibrations for all engaged DIMMs, providing multi-functional protection while adding minimal complexity to the overall connector structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution significantly reduces inadvertent electrical disconnections of memory modules in harsh environments by maintaining stable contact and reducing wear on the gold pads, ensuring reliable operation.

Implementation Method 1

a coupler biasing said multi-DIMM vibration damping cap toward a parallel plurality of memory module top edges

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 2

a multi-DIMM vibration damping cap having a cap longitudinal axis and a parallel plurality of cap to memory module top edge engaging regions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration damping: Damping

Data Source

PatentUS10998671B2DIMM/expansion card retention method for highly kinematic environments

Publication Date: 2021.05.04 CRYSTAL GROUP INC

AI summary

A system and method for stabilizing a DIMM in a DIMM connector so as to reduce wear related electrical disconnections therebetween. A base is disposed between adjacent DIMM connectors and is coupled to the motherboard. A cap engages a top edge of a plurality of DIMMs and an adjustable force is applied to the top of the DIMMS by turning a screw which extends from the cap into the base.