Modular Riser Card Connector for Expansion Card Pin Compatibility
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic devices often lack compatible connectors for expansion cards, necessitating cumbersome and costly replacement of riser cards to accommodate different pin connection configurations, leading to restricted utility and increased inventory needs.
Innovation Solution
A modular riser card with a detachable connector assembly that can be customized to match various expansion card types, allowing flexible configuration and compatibility through interchangeable connector bodies with 8-pair or 16-pair pin connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed connector assembly is used on the riser card, then the device structure is simple and manufacturing is easy, but the adaptability to different expansion card types is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The connector assembly is divided into a connector body and a separate circuit board that can be independently replaced. This segmentation allows the connector body to be customized for different expansion card types without replacing the entire riser card, thereby improving adaptability while maintaining reasonable structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The riser card is designed with a replaceable connector assembly that can be dynamically changed based on the required expansion card type. This dynamic configurability enables the system to adapt to different pin connection configurations (8-pair or 16-pair) without being locked into a fixed design.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the entire riser card is replaced to accommodate different expansion cards, then compatibility is ensured, but inventory costs and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the riser card into a permanent base and a replaceable connector assembly, the inventory requirement is reduced from multiple complete riser cards to just several connector assemblies. This significantly decreases the quantity of components needed in inventory while maintaining full compatibility with different expansion card types.
Solution Approach 2:
A single base riser card design can support multiple expansion card types through interchangeable connector assemblies. This universal base design reduces inventory needs by eliminating the requirement to stock multiple specialized riser cards, as one base unit can be configured for different purposes.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a modular detachable connector assembly is implemented, then adaptability and upgradability improve, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The connector assembly is designed as a separate manufacturable unit that can be produced independently using standard PCB fabrication processes. This segmentation allows specialized connector assemblies to be manufactured efficiently and assembled onto the base riser card, balancing manufacturing ease with configurational flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A modular riser card, an electronic device having a modular riser card, and a method of determining a type of modular riser card pin connection are disclosed. The modular riser card includes a circuit board and a removable connector assembly. The circuit board includes a first receptacle having a plurality of first pins. The removable connector assembly includes a connector body defining a second receptacle having a plurality of second pins, and an opening formed in the connector body adjacent to the second receptacle. The connector body is mounted on the circuit board such that the first receptacle protrudes through the opening and is aligned with the second receptacle. The first and second receptacles form a riser card connector that is configured to removably receive an expansion card of an electronic device.