Dual Riser Card Mounting for Full Height Expansion in Small Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge is to enable the use of full height PCI and PCI/PCIe graphics cards in smaller form factor information handling systems without significantly increasing the system's cost, as existing solutions are expensive and do not accommodate the reduced height requirements of newer systems like the BTX form factor.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves a dual-riser card apparatus with connectors that allow full height expansion cards to be used in reduced form factor systems, where a first riser card with multiple connections is coupled to a second riser card via connectors, enabling electrical coupling and mechanical stability, allowing for the use of full height cards in smaller systems at a lower cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If full height expansion cards are used in reduced form factor systems, then card compatibility is improved, but system cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The riser card is divided into multiple segments or sections, each capable of supporting different card configurations. The riser card includes multiple card slots arranged in different orientations and heights, allowing the system to accommodate both full height and low profile cards through a single segmented structure
Solution Approach 2:
The riser card is designed as a universal mounting structure that can accommodate multiple types of expansion cards simultaneously. It provides both full height card slots and low profile card slots on the same card, enabling a single component to serve multiple functions and support different card form factors without requiring separate mounting solutions
2Length of stationary object
If reduced height expansion cards are used, then system height is reduced, but card compatibility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The riser card utilizes three-dimensional space by incorporating card slots at different heights and orientations on the same card body. This dimensional approach allows full height cards to be mounted vertically while low profile cards are mounted horizontally or at lower positions, effectively using vertical and horizontal dimensions simultaneously to accommodate different card types within the reduced system height
3Area of stationary object
If multiple card slots are provided on a single riser card, then space utilization is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple card slots that would traditionally require separate riser cards are merged into a single integrated riser card structure. The design combines full height card slots and low profile card slots on one card, utilizing shared mounting holes, connection interfaces, and structural support elements to reduce the total number of components while maintaining manufacturing feasibility
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for mounting a card in an information handling system provides a first riser card including a plurality of first connections. A second riser card is coupled to the first riser card by a plurality of connectors, the second riser card including a plurality of second connections. A first card slot extends from the first riser card and is electrically coupled to the plurality of first connections, and a second card slot extends from the first riser card and is electrically coupled to the plurality of second connections. The apparatus may be coupled to an information handling system in a chassis to provide for the mounting of cards in the chassis.