Riser Retention System for Server Memory Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional riser systems used to expand the number of components in information handling systems, such as memory modules, become unstable due to increased size, weight, and heat dissipation challenges, and face manufacturing complexities with blind mating.
Innovation Solution
A riser retention apparatus comprising a board, a component connector, a support frame, a riser guide, and a riser retention member that provides a retaining force to securely engage the riser connector with the component connector, along with a method for retaining and cooling the risers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional risers are used to expand the number of DIMMs from 8 to 16, then the number of components that may connect to the IHS is increased, but the size and weight of the riser and memory module combination creates an unstable system that may fail due to shock and/or vibration events
Solution Approach 1:
The support frame is divided into multiple support structures, each supporting individual DIMMs or groups of DIMMs. This segmentation distributes the weight and stress across multiple independent support points, preventing system-wide instability while allowing expansion to 16 DIMMs.
Solution Approach 2:
The support frame and support structures are pre-installed and secured to the riser before DIMMs are installed. This preliminary action ensures that the structural framework is in place to handle shock and vibration loads before the full weight of the DIMMs is added, maintaining system stability.
2Quantity of substance
If conventional risers are used to expand the number of DIMMs, then the number of components that may connect to the IHS is increased, but the additional DIMMs create more heat that must be dissipated
Solution Approach 1:
The support frame includes multiple support structures positioned to provide airflow channels between and around the DIMMs. This segmentation of the support structure creates thermal zones that facilitate heat dissipation while supporting the increased number of DIMMs.
3Ease of manufacture
If blind mating of risers to memory connectors is used, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but it becomes a challenge when expanding to more DIMMs
Solution Approach 1:
The support frame and support structures are pre-installed on the riser before the blind mating connection is made to the memory connectors. This preliminary installation of the retention framework ensures that when the riser is connected, the DIMMs are automatically retained without requiring complex post-assembly operations, maintaining manufacturing simplicity while enabling expansion to 16 DIMMs.
Data Source
AI summary
A riser retention apparatus includes a board. A component connector is mounted to the board. A support frame is coupled to the board adjacent the component connector and extends from the board. A riser guide is located on the support frame and operable to engage a riser and guide a riser connector on the riser toward the component connector. A riser retention member is operable to couple to the support frame to provide a retaining force to a riser in order to retain the riser connector in engagement with the component connector. A riser including a plurality of components coupled to it may be coupled to the component connector and the support frame and riser retention member may be used to support the riser and retain the riser in the component connector.