Side-Loading Card Module for FHHL Card Hot Swapping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing computing units cannot accommodate Full Height Half Length (FHHL) cards due to their greater dimensions, as they protrude outside the chassis, preventing full insertion and connection to internal connectors.

Innovation Solution

A card module with a parallelepipedal chassis featuring aligned and misaligned openings on opposite side walls for FHHL cards, flanges for support, and blocking portions for secure insertion, allowing two FHHL cards to be inserted superimposed while maintaining the same chassis dimensions and enabling hot swapping.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If FHHL cards are inserted into the chassis, then the computing card capacity is improved, but the card protrudes outside the chassis preventing full insertion into the computing unit

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecard capacityVSAvoidinsertion capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the insertion dimension from vertical (front-to-back) to lateral (through side walls). By opening side walls and inserting cards horizontally through these openings, the card's greater width no longer prevents insertion, as the card slides in laterally rather than being pushed front-to-back where its width would cause protrusion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The chassis is segmented with separate openings in side walls rather than a single front opening. This allows cards to be inserted through specific lateral openings while maintaining the integrity of the front and back faces, enabling FHHL cards to be accommodated without modifying the overall chassis footprint.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the chassis dimensions are increased to accommodate FHHL cards, then the card insertion is enabled, but the compartment in the computing unit must be modified

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecard compatibilityVSAvoidcompartment modification

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The chassis is divided into functional sections with dedicated side wall openings for card insertion, separate from the front and back faces. This segmentation allows the chassis to maintain its original external dimensions while incorporating lateral access points that accommodate FHHL cards without requiring changes to the computing unit's compartment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The side wall openings act as intermediaries that bridge the gap between the card insertion requirement and the fixed compartment dimensions. These openings provide the necessary access without transmitting the need for dimensional changes to the computing unit's compartment structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If cards are inserted through the top face directly, then the installation is simple, but FHHL cards cannot be positioned correctly due to their greater dimensions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation simplicityVSAvoidcard size compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from vertical insertion (through top face) to lateral insertion (through side walls). This dimensional change allows FHHL cards to be inserted horizontally, where their greater width is accommodated by the lateral opening rather than causing protrusion or mispositioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of inserting cards from the front through the top face as in conventional designs, the patent inverts the insertion direction by using side wall openings. This reversal of the insertion pathway enables FHHL cards to be properly positioned within the chassis without dimensional conflicts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentEP4687377A1A card module for a computing unit of a high-performance computing cabinet

Publication Date: 2026.02.04 BULL SA

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AI summary

The invention relates to a card module (1) configured to be mounted in a computing unit (A1) comprising a chassis (A10) delimiting a card module compartment (A100), said card module comprising a chassis (10) configured to be mounted in said card module compartment (A100), said chassis (10) having a parallelepipedal shape, each side face (10E, 10F) comprising a side wall (10E1, 10F1), the card module (1) being characterized in that at least one side wall (10E1, 10F1) of the chassis (10) delimits at least one opening (10E11, 10F11) configured to insert a computing card (B1A, B1B) into a slot formed inside the card module (1) and in that the opposite side wall (10F1, 10E1) comprises on its internal face (10F12, 10E12) an internal connector (10F120, 10E120) positioned facing said at least one opening, said internal connector (10E120, 10F120) being configured to connect to an external connector (B11) of the computing card (B1A, B1B) when the computing card (B1A, B1B) is inserted into the slot up to the opposite side wall (10F1, 10E1).