Front Port Dongle Layout for Server Faceplate Space Conflicts
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Solution Overview
Problem
In server type information handling systems, the available faceplate space is often insufficient to accommodate all desired features, leading to tradeoffs and combined features that can cause physical conflicts and accidental server removal in blind-mate powered scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A front port secured dongle that clips onto the server faceplate, separates multiple features, and guards the server mounting slam latch to prevent accidental removal, while providing separate connections for functions like USB, LAN, and video connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If multiple features are combined on the server faceplate to save space, then the quantity of features increases, but physical conflicts and accidental server removal occur
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the combined connection features into separate individual connectors on the dongle, allowing each feature (USB, LAN, video) to have its own dedicated connection point, thereby eliminating physical conflicts while maintaining space efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The dongle acts as an intermediary device that interfaces between the server's internal connection features and external devices, providing a protective barrier that prevents accidental server removal while maintaining all necessary connectivity functions
2Object-affected harmful factors
If features are separated into individual connectors, then physical conflicts are eliminated, but the faceplate space requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dongle is designed to fit within the existing server faceplate structure, nesting multiple individual connectors within a compact form factor that utilizes the available space efficiently without requiring additional faceplate area
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a two-dimensional faceplate layout to a three-dimensional dongle structure that protrudes from the faceplate, allowing multiple connectors to be arranged in vertical and lateral dimensions while minimizing the footprint on the faceplate itself
3Ease of operation
If a dongle protrudes beyond the server bezel to provide separate connections, then connection accessibility improves, but the device dimensions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The dongle provides localized connection points at its front end, concentrating all necessary connectors in a compact region that is easily accessible, while the body of the dongle remains compact and does not excessively protrude from the server bezel
Data Source
AI summary
A front port dongle component for a server type information handling system. The front port dongle component includes a housing, the housing including an insertion portion and a front portion, the insertion portion being configured to fit within a void defined by the server type information handling system, the front portion being configured to protrude beyond a front bezel of the server type information handling system; a server side connector, the server side connector interfacing with at least one of a plurality of connection features; and, a plurality of connectors mounted on the front portion of the housing, the plurality of connectors being coupled to the server side connector and providing separate connections for at least two functions from the at least one of the plurality of connection features.