Surface-Mounted PCIe Bus Bar for Compact Rack Power Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current rack-mounted power systems face size constraints and airflow issues due to power cables connecting add-in cards, limiting the number of cards that can be accommodated and hindering airflow and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A surface-mounted connector bus bar system with a circuit board and electrical interface connectors that distribute power directly to add-in cards, reducing the need for individual power cables and allowing for more compact configurations, including in 3U chassis sizes, while enabling efficient power delivery and improved airflow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If individual power cables are used to connect add-in cards, then power delivery is achieved, but chassis height requirements increase and airflow is impeded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple electrical interface connectors and power connectors onto a single circuit board assembly (bus bar), eliminating the need for separate power cables. This integration reduces the height requirement from what would be needed for individual cables to a compact bus bar structure that can be surface-mounted directly to the chassis interior.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the power delivery function from separate power cables and integrates it into the electrical interface connectors themselves. The power connectors are directly mounted on the bus bar and provide power through the same interface that carries data signals, removing the need for additional cable height.
2Power
If individual power cables are used to connect add-in cards, then power delivery is achieved, but airflow is impeded
Solution Approach 1:
By merging power delivery and data communication into a single integrated bus bar structure, the invention eliminates bulky power cables that would obstruct airflow. The compact bus bar allows air to flow freely through the chassis while still providing adequate power delivery through integrated connectors.
3Volume of stationary object
If chassis size is decreased to reduce volume, then volume efficiency is improved, but the ability to include multiple add-in cards decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a vertical cable-based connection approach to a horizontal surface-mounted bus bar architecture. By laying out multiple connectors in a planar arrangement on the bus bar, the system can accommodate multiple add-in cards in a compact horizontal footprint, enabling high card density within reduced chassis volumes.
Solution Approach 2:
The bus bar is divided into multiple independent electrical interface connectors, each capable of connecting to a separate add-in card. This segmentation allows multiple cards to be supported simultaneously on a single compact bus bar structure, increasing system versatility without increasing chassis volume.
4Device complexity
If multiple add-in cards are supported on a single bus bar, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
By combining multiple electrical interface connectors onto a single rigid circuit board structure, the invention reduces the total number of separate components that need to be managed, installed, and connected. The rigid bus bar provides a stable platform that maintains precise connector positions during assembly and operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A system is provided relating to a peripheral component interconnect express bus bar. In use, the bus bar includes a circuit board and at least two electrical interface surface mount connectors attached to the circuit board, each of the at least two electrical interface surface mount connectors configured to be connected to a respective add-in card. Further, at least one power connector is attached to the circuit board and connected to at least one electrical interface surface mount connector of the at least two electrical interface surface mount connectors, and is configured to receive power and distribute the power to the at least two electrical interface surface connectors.