Universal Recess Holding Device for Multi-Profile Circuit Boards
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high production costs and limited flexibility in computer systems due to the need for different housings to accommodate PCI or PCIe cards with varying form factors, such as low-profile and full-height boards, restrict the ability to easily retrofit or install additional cards with different height profiles.
Innovation Solution
A computer system design featuring a housing with a recess for attaching additional circuit boards of different height profiles, utilizing a holding device that can be fastened in the recess to secure boards parallel to the system board, and a removable panel to cover the opening, allowing for flexible installation of low-profile and full-height boards without requiring separate housings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If different housings are produced to accommodate additional boards with different height profiles, then the computer system can accommodate various form factors, but production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is designed with a universal recess structure that can accommodate both low-profile and full-height additional boards through a single configuration. The recess includes a holding device with adjustable panel coverage, allowing one housing design to serve multiple form factors without requiring separate housing variants for different board types.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing incorporates a dynamic panel that can be moved between different positions to cover the opening when a low-profile board is installed or removed. This dynamic element allows the same housing structure to adapt its appearance and functionality based on the installed board type, eliminating the need for different static housing designs.
2Adaptability or versatility
If different housings are produced for different board height profiles, then various form factors can be supported, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single housing design with a universal recess structure serves multiple functions by accommodating both low-profile and full-height boards. The holding device within the recess provides universal support across different board types, reducing the number of unique housing configurations needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable panel introduces dynamic adaptability to the housing structure, allowing it to change its configuration based on the installed board type. This dynamic element simplifies the overall device complexity by providing a single adaptable housing rather than multiple static housing variants.
3Volume of moving object
If additional boards are installed perpendicular to the system board, then space is utilized, but cooling efficiency and component mounting space are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The holding device extends the board mounting capability into a new dimensional orientation by allowing additional boards to be mounted parallel to the system board rather than only perpendicular. This dimensional change optimizes space utilization while maintaining proper cooling pathways and component mounting access through the extended holding structure.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a computer system (1), comprising a housing (4) having at least one housing wall (6), wherein the at least one housing wall (6) has a first cutout (12) for the attachment of a first additional circuit board having a first height profile. The computer system (1) also comprises a system circuit board (8) arranged in the housing (4) and extending at right angles to the at least one housing wall (6), wherein the first cutout (12) in the at least one housing wall (6) extends at right angles to the system circuit board (8). The computer system additionally comprises a holding device (15), which is configured to be fixed in the first cutout (12) and to fix a second, additional circuit board having a second height profile parallel to the system circuit board (8) in the computer system (1). The invention further relates to a holding device (15) and to a mounting method for an additional circuit board.