Variable Mechanical Adapter for Low-Profile PCIe Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Low-profile information handling system components, such as PCIe devices, become heavier due to increased densities and heatsinks, making them difficult to retain mechanically and electrically, especially under mechanical shock and vibrations, due to their smaller form factor and increased cooling airflow requirements.
Innovation Solution
A form factor adapter with variable mechanical features that include a first and second main body, a chassis engagement feature, and a card engagement feature, allowing for adjustable positioning to securely engage with the information handling resource and chassis, constraining movement relative to the chassis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If low-profile form factor components are used, then cooling airflow requirements are reduced, but mechanical retention difficulty increases due to increased weight from higher density and larger heatsinks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a adapter as an intermediary component between the low-profile card and the chassis. The adapter provides full-height retention features while accommodating the low-profile card, thereby mediating the mechanical retention issue without requiring changes to the card itself or the chassis structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The retention system is segmented into multiple functional parts: the adapter body, the card retention feature, and the chassis engagement feature. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the adapter can provide full-height retention while the card maintains its low-profile form factor with reduced cooling airflow requirements.
2Reliability
If retention mechanisms are developed to secure low-profile cards, then mechanical retention improves, but ease of insertion and removal deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter incorporates dynamic retention features that can transition between engaged and disengaged states. The card retention feature is designed to easily engage with the card during insertion and can be easily released during removal, providing dynamic adaptability that maintains both secure retention and operational ease.
3Adaptability or versatility
If variable positioning features are added to the adapter, then adaptability to different form factors improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter is designed with universal features that allow it to accommodate multiple card form factors (low-profile and full-height). The variable positioning features enable the same adapter structure to adapt to different card types without requiring multiple specialized adapters, achieving multi-functionality while controlling complexity through standardized design elements.
Data Source
AI summary
A method comprising may include mechanically coupling a first main body to a second main body mechanically via a first mechanical feature such that distance between the first main body and the second main body is variable in a first direction, mechanically coupling a chassis engagement feature to the first main body via a second mechanical feature such that distance between the chassis engagement feature and the first main body is variable in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, wherein the chassis engagement feature is configured to mechanically engage with a chassis when the information handling resource is engaged within the chassis, and mechanically coupling a card engagement feature to the first main body via a third mechanical feature such that distance between the card engagement feature and the first main body is variable in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction, wherein the card management feature is configured to mechanically engage with the information handling resource at an edge of the information handling resource opposite of an edge connector of the information handling resource, such that when the information handling resource is engaged within the chassis, the adapter mechanically constrains movement of the information handling resource relative to the chassis.