PCIe Adapter for Blind Mate Bay Installation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing information handling systems face challenges in accommodating standard PCIe expansion cards of varying sizes without requiring internal PCIe connector slots, limiting the flexibility and ease of adding functionality to these systems.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of adapters that include an interface PCB card with system-side and expansion card-side connectors, along with circuitry to route PCIe lanes and other signals, allowing standard PCIe expansion cards to be mechanically and electrically interfaced with blind mate PCIe interface bay connectors, enabling their installation in PCIe component bays without opening the chassis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If standard PCIe expansion cards are used with varying sizes, then the functionality and versatility of the system is improved, but the complexity of accommodating these cards without internal PCIe slots increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an adapter as an intermediary component that bridges the gap between standard PCIe expansion cards and the system's blind mate PCIe interface bay connectors. The adapter includes a first connector that interfaces with the blind mate connector and a second connector that interfaces with the PCIe expansion card, thereby enabling compatibility without requiring internal PCIe slots in the chassis.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter is designed to support multiple PCIe expansion card sizes and types through a universal interface mechanism. The blind mate connector and adapter architecture allow the same adapter to accommodate different card configurations (e.g., x1, x4, x8, x16 lanes) and physical sizes, providing multi-functionality and versatility in a single component design.
2Ease of operation
If PCIe expansion cards are installed in component bays without internal slots, then the ease of installation is improved, but the electrical interface complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter serves as an electrical intermediary that translates between the blind mate connector interface and the PCIe expansion card interface. It includes circuitry and conductors that route PCIe lanes and other signals from the blind mate connector through the adapter to the expansion card connector, managing the electrical interface complexity while maintaining ease of installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical interface is segmented into distinct functional sections within the adapter: a first interface section for the blind mate connector, a second interface section for the PCIe expansion card, and a routing section with conductors and circuitry that connects these sections. This segmentation allows each section to be optimized independently while simplifying the overall installation process.
3Reliability
If adapters with routeable conductors and circuitry are used, then the electrical connection reliability is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter employs parameter changes in the PCB design, including varying trace widths, adjusting conductor thickness, and modifying routing patterns to optimize electrical connections for different PCIe lane configurations. These parameter adjustments ensure reliable electrical connections while providing flexibility in manufacturing processes.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the adapter PCB are designed with local quality variations to match specific electrical requirements. High-speed PCIe lanes receive specialized routing with controlled impedance, while power and signal lines are optimized locally for their specific functions. This localized optimization ensures reliability without requiring uniform complexity throughout the entire adapter.
Data Source
AI summary
Adapters, systems and methods are provided that may be implemented to adapt a Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIe) expansion (or add-in) card for mounting into a PCIe component bay (e.g., front-accessible “flex bay”) of an information handling system chassis, such as desktop, server or tower computer chassis. An adapter may be provided that carries an edge mount PCIe expansion card that may be mechanically inserted (e.g., in place of a solid state drive “SSD” carrier or other PCIe peripheral component carrier) into the bay to electrically interface the PCIe expansion card with PCIe lane/s and other signal pins of a blind mate PCIe interface bay connector that extends outwardly into a component bay from the distal side (or rear) of the bay.