Mini-ITX Chassis Design with Horizontal GPU Slots

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mini ITX chassis designs face challenges in accommodating normal size GPU cards while maintaining a slim form factor, as existing solutions either restrict expansion cards or compromise on cooling efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The design features horizontally mounted PCI expansion slots in a B-side orientation, combined with a unique three-piece chassis structure and mesh material, allowing for efficient cooling without chassis fans and enabling the use of normal size GPU cards in a significantly smaller form factor.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If mini ITX chassis uses traditional vertical expansion slot orientation, then cooling efficiency is improved, but case size must be increased to accommodate GPU cards

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling efficiencyVSAvoidcase size

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the traditional vertical orientation of PCI expansion slots to a horizontal orientation. This inversion allows the GPU card to be positioned horizontally within the chassis, enabling the use of normal-size GPU cards while maintaining a slim form factor case design, thus resolving the contradiction between cooling efficiency and case size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the dimensional orientation of the expansion slots from vertical (one dimension) to horizontal (another dimension). This dimensional change allows for efficient airflow paths and cooling while accommodating full-size GPU cards in a compact chassis, effectively reducing case size without compromising thermal management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If mini ITX chassis accommodates normal size GPU cards, then expansion capability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexpansion capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

By inverting the expansion slot orientation to horizontal, the patent simplifies the mounting structure and chassis design. This approach allows normal-size GPU cards to be accommodated without requiring complex cooling systems or additional chassis components, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining expansion capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Volume of moving object

If mini ITX chassis uses horizontal PCI expansion slots in B-side orientation, then case size is reduced, but expansion slot orientation becomes non-standard

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecase sizeVSAvoidexpansion slot orientation

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent deliberately inverts the standard PCI slot orientation to achieve a horizontal B-side configuration. This non-standard orientation enables significant case size reduction while maintaining full compatibility with normal-size GPU cards through custom mounting brackets and adapter cards, prioritizing compact form factor over conventional orientation standards.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS9710027B2Chassis design and component layout for a mini-ITX format computer

Publication Date: 2017.07.18 PALADIN INNOVATORS

AI summary

Chassis design and component layout for a mini-ITX format computer are disclosed herein. The essential practice of the design and layout described herein allows for expansion cards and normal size Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) cards in a slim mini-ITX format case. This is achieved through component layout and a special extension cable for the expansion slot on mini-ITX motherboards.