Riser Assembly Latch Structure for Combined Expansion Card Retention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing information handling systems face challenges in efficiently retaining riser mechanical assemblies and expansion cards within a chassis, often leading to increased footprint and tracing or routing issues due to separate fasteners.

Innovation Solution

A combined retention feature using a first latch to secure the information handling resource assembly within the chassis and a second latch to retain expansion cards, ensuring alignment and secure installation through alignment features like pins or posts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate fasteners are used to retain the riser mechanical assembly and expansion cards, then each component can be independently secured, but the footprint of the riser mechanical assembly increases and tracing or routing issues in the motherboard occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveretention securityVSAvoidfootprint of riser mechanical assembly

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines two separate retention functions into a single integrated latch mechanism. The latch assembly includes a first latch for retaining the riser mechanical assembly and a second latch for retaining expansion cards, both integrated into one structure that couples to a single alignment feature on the chassis. This merging eliminates the need for separate fasteners and reduces the footprint while maintaining retention security for both components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated latch assembly serves multiple retention functions simultaneously. A single latch mechanism performs both the function of securing the riser mechanical assembly to the chassis and the function of retaining expansion cards within the riser assembly. This multi-functionality is achieved through the alignment feature that engages with both the riser assembly and expansion cards through its structural integration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If separate fasteners are used to retain the riser mechanical assembly and expansion cards, then each component can be independently secured, but tracing or routing issues in the motherboard occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveretention securityVSAvoidtracing or routing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the retention functions into a single integrated latch that couples to one alignment feature on the chassis. This eliminates the need for multiple separate fasteners that would require separate tracing or routing paths in the motherboard, thereby reducing routing complexity while maintaining secure retention for both the riser assembly and expansion cards.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Area of stationary object

If a unified retention mechanism is used for both riser assembly and expansion cards, then the footprint is reduced and routing issues are minimized, but the complexity of the retention mechanism itself increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefootprint of riser mechanical assemblyVSAvoidcomplexity of retention mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated latch assembly is segmented into distinct functional elements: a first latch portion for retaining the riser mechanical assembly and a second latch portion for retaining expansion cards. This segmentation allows each portion to perform its specific retention function while being part of a unified structure that couples to a single alignment feature, reducing footprint without excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes the vertical dimension by having the alignment feature extend through multiple levels - engaging with the riser assembly at one level and with expansion cards at another level. This dimensional approach allows a single latch mechanism to perform multiple retention functions without increasing the horizontal footprint, as the retention actions occur in different vertical planes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS20250344332A1Systems and methods for combined retention of riser assemblies and expansion cards housed therein

Publication Date: 2025.11.06 DELL PROD LP

AI summary

An information handling system may include a chassis and an information handling resource assembly configured to carry one or more information handling resources. The information handling resource assembly may include a first latch and a second latch configured to mechanically couple to an alignment feature mechanically coupled to the chassis such that the first latch retains the information handling resource assembly within the chassis, and the second latch retains the one or more information handling resources in the information handling resource assembly.