U.S. patent application number 16/297140 was filed with the patent office on 2020-09-10 for swappable add-on card module.
The applicant listed for this patent is QUANTA COMPUTER INC.. Invention is credited to Chun CHANG, Ting-Kuang PAO, Yaw-Tzorng TSORNG.
Application Number | 20200285600 16/297140 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005047085 |
Filed Date | 2020-09-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20200285600 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
TSORNG; Yaw-Tzorng ; et
al. |
September 10, 2020 |
SWAPPABLE ADD-ON CARD MODULE
Abstract
The present disclosure provides a swappable card module for a
computer component. The swappable card module can be configured to
positioned in either the front side or back side of a server
system. Some examples of the present disclosure provide for a card
module holding at least one computer card, an adapter board, and a
module housing.
Inventors: |
TSORNG; Yaw-Tzorng; (Taoyuan
City, TW) ; CHANG; Chun; (Taoyuan City, TW) ;
PAO; Ting-Kuang; (Taoyuan City, TW) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
QUANTA COMPUTER INC. |
Taoyuan City |
|
TW |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005047085 |
Appl. No.: |
16/297140 |
Filed: |
March 8, 2019 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 13/4282 20130101;
G06F 13/4081 20130101; G06F 2213/0026 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G06F 13/40 20060101
G06F013/40; G06F 13/42 20060101 G06F013/42 |
Claims
1. A swappable add-on card module for at least one computer card,
comprising: an adapter board including at least one connector
element and at least one computer card slot communicatively coupled
to the at least one connector element, the at least one computer
card slot facing in a first direction, the at least one connector
element facing in a second direction generally perpendicular to the
first direction, wherein the at least one computer card slot is
configured to receive the at least one computer card; and a module
housing configured to receive the adapter board, wherein the module
housing has a first end with at least one opening, and a second end
with at least one opening opposite from the first end, wherein the
module housing is configured to receive the adapter board and an
end of the at least one computer card is configured to extend
through the at least one opening of the module housing, such that
the at least one computer card is supported by the module housing,
and such that the at least one computer card slot is positioned
adjacent to the at least one opening of the first end of the module
housing and the at least one connector element is accessible at the
at least one opening of the second end of the module housing, and
wherein the at least one connector element is configured to connect
the at least one computer card to corresponding connecting elements
in a server system, and wherein the server system is configured to
removably receive in a single opening at least the module housing
with the adapter board, and an additional module housing with a fan
module positioned therein.
2-3. (canceled)
4. The swappable add-on card module of claim 1, wherein the
corresponding connecting elements are communicatively coupled to a
motherboard of the server system.
5. The swappable add-on card module of claim 4, wherein the at
least one computer card slot communicatively couples the at least
one computer card to the the at least one connector element through
the adapter board.
6. The swappable add-on card module of claim 1, wherein the at
least one computer card comprises a PCie card, and the at least one
computer card slot comprises a PCie card slot.
7. The swappable add-on card module of claim 1, wherein the at
least one computer card slot and the at least one connector element
communicatively couple the at least one computer card to a
motherboard of a server system.
8. The swappable add-on card module of claim 1, wherein the
swappable add-on card module is configured to fit within a front
portion or a back portion of a server system.
9. (canceled)
10. A server system, comprising: a first end and a second end
opposite the first end; and an opening defined in the server system
located at either the first end or the second end; wherein the
opening is configured to alternatively receive a swappable add-on
card module and an expander module holding a fan module, wherein
the swappable add-on card module comprises: an adapter board
including at least one connector element and at least one computer
card slot communicatively coupled to the at least one connector
element, the at least one computer card slot facing in a first
direction, the at least one connector element facing in a second
direction generally perpendicular to the first direction, wherein
the at least one computer card slot is configured to receive at
least one computer card; and an add-on card module housing
configured to receive the adapter board, wherein the module housing
has a first end with at least one opening, and a housing second end
with at least one opening opposite from the first end, wherein the
module housing is configured to receive the adapter board such that
an end of the at least one computer card extends through the at
least one opening and is supported by the module housing, and such
that the at least one computer card slot is positioned adjacent to
the at least one opening of the first end of the module housing and
the at least one connector element is accessible at the at least
one opening of the second end of the module housing, and wherein
the at least one connector element of the adapter board is
configured to connect the at least one computer card to
corresponding connecting elements in the server system; and wherein
the expander module comprises: an expander module housing
configured to receive a fan module having a depth smaller than a
depth of the module housing, a first end portion of the fan module
being positioned at a first end of the expander module housing; and
an adapter element positioned between a second end portion of the
fan module and a second end of the expander module housing, the
adapter element being configured to connect the fan module to a
motherboard of the server system.
11-13. (canceled)
14. The server system of claim 10, wherein the motherboard is
communicatively coupled to the corresponding connecting elements in
the adapter board.
15. The server system of claim 14, wherein the at least one
computer card slot and the at least one connector element
communicatively couples the at least one computer card to the
motherboard.
16. The server system of claim 10, wherein the at least one
computer card comprises a PCie card, and the at least one computer
card receiver comprises a PCie card slot.
17. The server system of claim 10, wherein the expander module
housing is configured to alternatively receive one of, a hard drive
module, a solid state drive module, or an input/output port
module.
18-20. (canceled)
21. The swappable add-on card module of claim 1, wherein the end of
the at least one computer card extends through the at least one
opening of the module housing such that the end of the at least one
computer card is surrounded on four sides by edges of the module
housing defining the at least one opening.
22. The server system of claim 10, wherein the end of the at least
one computer card extends through the at least one opening of the
module housing such that the end of the at least one computer card
is surrounded on four sides by edges of the module housing defining
the at least one opening.
Description
FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a swappable add-on card
module for a server system.
BACKGROUND
[0002] As the server industry develops and matures, server system
designs are becoming more complex, with more varied architecture.
Add-on card modules in a server system allow computer cards of
certain sizes to fit into matching locations (in the server system)
that might have shapes or sizes that differ from the selected
computer card. For example, an add-on module can provide structural
support for a smaller card to fit into a larger space in the server
system. However, such add-on cards are typically non-swappable,
that is, they are received in a single location in a server system.
Therefore, if a user needs to switch the orientation of a server
system so that a particular side of the server system is accessible
by the user, an add-on card can become inaccessible. For example,
if an add-on card that is typically accessed from a front side
needs to be accessed from a rear side due to the change in
orientation of the server system, a conventional add-on card module
remains in the front side, and cannot be relocated to the rear
side.
[0003] These concerns and restrictions in the orientation of a
server system creates a demand for add-on card modules to have high
compatibility and flexibility in what the expansion card holds, and
where, in the server system, that the expansion card can be placed.
However, conventional add-on card modules do not provide this
flexibility.
[0004] Therefore, there is a need for an add-on card module that
can be installed at different locations within a server system.
SUMMARY
[0005] The various examples of the present disclosure are directed
towards a card module. The card module can include an adapter board
and a module housing. The adapter board can receive at least one
computer card, and the module housing can receive the adapter
board. The module housing can have a first end with at least one
opening. The at least one opening can receive a first portion of
the at least one computer card. In some examples, the card module
can fit within a front portion or a back portion of a server
system.
[0006] In some examples, the adapter board can receive the at least
one computer card via at least one receiving element. In some
examples, the adapter board can include at least one connector
element. The connector element can couple with an external computer
component. The external component can be, for example, a mother
board of a server system. The connector element can electrically
connect with the at least one receiving element via electrical
connections in the adapter board. Therefore, in some examples, the
at least one receiving element and the at least one connector
element can configure the at least one computer card to receive and
transmit data with the external computer component.
[0007] The module housing can include a second end on an opposite
end of the module housing as the first end. In some examples, the
second end can have a second opening corresponding to the at least
one connector element.
[0008] In some examples, the card module can be a PCIe module.
[0009] A second embodiment of the present disclosure can provide
for at least one removable computer component and at least one card
module. The at least one removable computer component can be
located in a first opening at a front portion of a server system.
The at least one card module can be located in a second opening at
a rear portion of the server system. The at least one card module
can include at least one computer card, an adapter board, and a
module housing. Further examples and characteristics of the at
least one card module can be as described above, with respect to
the first embodiment.
[0010] In some examples, the server system can provide for a first
configuration where the at least one removable computer component
is located at the front portion of the server system, and the at
least one card module is located at the rear portion of the server
system. The server system can also provide for a second
configuration where the at least one removable computer component
is located at a rear portion of the server system, and the at least
one card module is located at the front portion of the server
system.
[0011] In some examples, the at least one computer component and
the at least one card module are configured to removably exchange
positions in the server system.
[0012] In some examples, the at least one removable computer
component can be housed in an expander module. The expander module
can include a module housing, an adapter element, and the at least
one removable computer component.
[0013] The above summary is not intended to represent each
embodiment or every aspect of the present disclosure. Rather, the
foregoing summary merely provides an example of some of the novel
aspects and features set forth herein. The above features and
advantages, and other features and advantages of the present
disclosure, will be readily apparent from the following detailed
description of representative embodiments and modes for carrying
out the present invention, when taken in connection with the
accompanying drawings and the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] The accompanying drawings exemplify the embodiments of the
present invention and, together with the description, serve to
explain and illustrate principles of the invention. The drawings
are intended to illustrate major features of the exemplary
embodiments in a diagrammatic manner. The drawings are not intended
to depict every feature of actual embodiments nor relative
dimensions of the depicted elements, and are not drawn to
scale.
[0015] FIG. 1A shows an exploded view of an exemplary add-on card
module, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0016] FIG. 1B shows an exemplary add-on card module in a loaded
position, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0017] FIG. 2A shows an exemplary zoomed-in view of a loaded fan in
a front portion of a server system, according to an embodiment of
the present disclosure.
[0018] FIG. 2B shows an exemplary zoomed-in view of a loaded add-on
card module in a front portion of a server system, according to an
embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0019] FIGS. 3A-3B show exemplary loaded configurations of
swappable add-on card modules in a server system, according to
various embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0020] FIGS. 4A-4B show zoomed-in views of exemplary loaded
configurations of a rear portion of a server system, according to
various embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0021] FIG. 5A shows an exploded view of an exemplary computer
component expander module, according to an embodiment of the
present disclosure.
[0022] FIG. 5B shows an exemplary loaded configuration of a
computer component expander module, according to an embodiment of
the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] The present invention is described with reference to the
attached figures, where like reference numerals are used throughout
the figures to designate similar or equivalent elements. The
figures are not drawn to scale, and are provided merely to
illustrate the instant invention. Several aspects of the invention
are described below with reference to example applications for
illustration. It should be understood that numerous specific
details, relationships, and methods are set forth to provide a full
understanding of the invention. One having ordinary skill in the
relevant art, however, will readily recognize that the invention
can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or
with other methods. In other instances, well-known structures or
operations are not shown in detail to avoid obscuring the
invention. The present invention is not limited by the illustrated
ordering of acts or events, as some acts may occur in different
orders and/or concurrently with other acts or events. Furthermore,
not all illustrated acts or events are required to implement a
methodology in accordance with the present invention.
[0024] The present disclosure provides for a swappable add-on card
module for at least one computer component. The swappable add-on
card module can fit into both a front portion and a rear portion of
a server system, according to a desired design of the server
system. In some examples of the present disclosure, the swappable
add-on card module can removably exchange with another computer
component in the computer system (such as a fan module). In some
examples, said computer component can have a module housing so that
a sizing of said computer component matches a sizing of the
swappable add-on card module. In some examples of the present
disclosure, the swappable add-on card module can be a PCIe
module.
[0025] Therefore, the present disclosure provides for server system
components that have high compatibility and flexibility to be
placed in various locations in a server system. This answers an
increasing need in the server industry for user accessibility to
expansion cards from either end of a server system, according to a
current orientation of the server system.
[0026] FIG. 1A shows an exploded view of an exemplary add-on card
module 100A, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
The card module 100A can include at least one computer card 110, an
adapter board 120, and a module housing 130. FIG. 1B shows a loaded
configuration 100B of an exemplary add-on card module 100A,
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Various
features of the add-on card module 100A and the loaded
configuration 100B are discussed further below.
[0027] The at least one computer card 110 can be any computer
component configured to plug into a server system, for example,
PCIe cards. The adapter board 120 can receive the at least one
computer card 110 via at least one receiving element 122. The
adapter board 120 can have a plurality of receiving elements 122a,
122b, 122c, and 122d to receive a corresponding plurality of
computer cards 110a, 110b, 110c, and 110d. Each receiving element
122a, 122b, 122c, and 122d can mechanically and electrically couple
with a corresponding computer card 110a, 110b, 110c, and 110d such
that the at least one computer card 110 can receive and transmit
data through the adapter board 120. The adapter board 120 can
further comprise at least one connector element 121 to mechanically
and electrically couple with an external computer component (shown
in FIG. 2B). The at least one connector element 121 provides
communication channels for the adapter board 120 to receive and
transmit data with the external computer component. Therefore, when
in the loaded configuration 100B, the electrical connections
between the computer card 110, the at least one receiving element
122, the at least one connector element 121, and the external
computer component allow the at least one computer card 110 to
communicate with the external computer component.
[0028] The module housing 130 provides structural support for the
at least one computer card 110 and the adapter board 120. The
module housing 130 can have a first end 131 and a second end 132.
The first end 131 can have at least one opening 133. For example,
the module housing 130 can have a plurality of openings 133a, 133b,
133c, and 133d to receive an end portion of a corresponding
plurality of computer cards 110a, 110b, 110c, and 110d. These
openings 133a, 133b, 133c, and 133d can allow for cables to attach
to the plurality of computing cards 110a, 110b, 110c, and 110d.
Openings 133a, 133b, 133c, and 133d can also receive PCIe brackets,
other input/output modules, or other types of add-on cards.
[0029] The second end 132 can be an opposing end of the module
housing 130 from the first end 131 and can have a second opening
corresponding to the at least one connector element 121. When the
loaded add-on card module 100B is loaded into a server system, the
at least one connector element 121 can be configured to receive an
external computer component, and the first end 131 of the module
housing 130 can be accessible by a user.
[0030] FIG. 2A shows an exemplary first configuration 200A for a
front portion of a server system 200, according to an embodiment of
the present disclosure. Configuration 200A can provide for a
plurality of fans 210a, 210b, 210c, and 210d loaded into a
backplane 220 of a server system 200. An exemplary fan, 210a, can
connect to the backplane 220 at a connector location in the
midplane 222. First configuration 200A shows that the plurality of
fans 210a, 210b, 210c, and 210d can be inserted directly into the
midplane 222.
[0031] FIG. 2B shows an exemplary second configuration 200B for a
front portion of a server system 200, according to an embodiment of
the present disclosure. Configuration 200B can include many
components and similar labels to components in FIGS. 1-2A.
Configuration 200B shows a loaded add-on card module 100B in the
place of fan 210a. While fan 210a is connected to the midplane 222,
the loaded add-on card module 100B can be received by a motherboard
230. Therefore, a loaded add-on card module 100B, when loaded
according to configuration 200B, provides for direct communication
between the plurality of computer cards 110a, 110b, 110c, and 110d
and a motherboard 230.
[0032] FIGS. 2A-2B further demonstrate that the backplane 220 does
not need to be altered for the purposes of the present disclosure
because the swapping process does not concern any changes to the
printed circuit board; rather, the fan modules 210 and add-on card
modules 100B connect to different locations (connecting
respectively to the backplane 220 and the motherboard 230).
[0033] FIGS. 3A-3B show exemplary loaded configurations of
swappable add-on card modules in a server system, according to
various embodiments of the present disclosure. FIGS. 3A-3B include
many components and similar labels to components in FIGS. 1-2B.
FIGS. 3A-3B also show a server rear side 310, a server front side
320, at least one opening 330, a first configuration 300A (FIG.
3A), and a second configuration 300B (FIG. 3B).
[0034] In the first configuration 300A, fan modules 210a and 210c
can be loaded into openings 330b and 330a, respectively, at a front
side 320 of the server 200. Add-on card modules 100B can be loaded
into a rear side 310 of the server 300 (shown further with respect
to FIG. 4A). Therefore, FIG. 3A shows that the present disclosure
can provide for a server system 200 that loads computer cards 110
and fan modules 210 into a server system 200 in the same
configuration as conventionally used, so that the computer cards
110 are accessible from a rear side 310 of the server 200.
[0035] In the second configuration 300B, fan modules 210a and 210c
can be loaded into a rear side 310 of the server 300 (shown further
with respect to FIG. 4B). Add-on card modules 100B can be loaded
into openings 330a and 330b at a front side 320 of the server 200.
Therefore, FIG. 3B shows that the add-on card modules 100B can be
received in openings at a front side 320 of a server 200 where
other computer components (e.g. fans 210a and 210b) would typically
be located. This second configuration 300B demonstrates the
versatility of add-on card modules 100B, according to an embodiment
of the present disclosures.
[0036] Although two add-on card modules 100B are shown switching
locations with two fan modules 210a and 210b with respect to FIGS.
3A-3B, the present disclosure contemplates that any number of
add-on card modules 100B can switch locations with any number of
fan modules 210 located in a server system 200.
[0037] Additionally, although FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate add-on card
modules 100B switching placement locations with fan modules 210,
the present disclosure contemplates any the add-on card module 100B
can be swapped with any computer component located at the front
side 320 of a server system 200. Exemplary computer components can
include any components with height and width smaller or equal to
the height and width of the fan, including, for example, hard drive
modules, solid state drive modules, and input/output port modules.
In some examples, the module housing 130 can be sized according to
the size of the opening 330 that the add-on card module 100B will
be placed into.
[0038] FIGS. 4A-4B show zoomed-in views of exemplary loaded
configurations of a rear portion of a server system, according to
various embodiments of the present disclosure. FIGS. 4A-4B include
many components and similar labels to components in FIGS. 1-3B.
FIGS. 4A-4B also show a first rear-loaded configuration 400A, a
second rear-loaded configuration 400B, a first opening 410a, and a
second opening 410b.
[0039] FIG. 4A demonstrates a first rear-loaded configuration 400A,
corresponding to the first configuration 300A of FIG. 3A. Referring
back to FIG. 4A, the first rear-loaded configuration 400A shows how
loaded add-on card modules 100B can be received by openings 410a
and 410b. These openings 410a and 410b can be spaces configured to
receive any computer component. FIG. 4B demonstrates a second
rear-loaded configuration 400B, corresponding to the second
configuration 300B of FIG. 3B. Referring back to FIG. 4B, the
second rear-loaded configuration shows how fan modules 210a and
210c can be received, respectively, by openings 410a and 410b.
FIGS. 4A-4B show that fan modules 210a and 210c can be received in
the same openings 410a and 410b as add-on card modules 100B are
received into.
[0040] Therefore, FIGS. 3A-4B demonstrate that swappable add-on
card modules 100B, according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure, can allow computer cards 110 to removably exchange
positions with other computer components of the server system 200
(for example, exchange with fan modules 210).
[0041] In addition, the present disclosure contemplates that the
swappable add-on card modules 100B can be different sizes from said
other computer components of the server system 200 (for example,
fan modules 210). Accordingly, the present disclosure provides for
expander modules that can house said other computer components such
that the expander modules have a similar size to add-on card
modules 100B. Various features of exemplary expander modules are
discussed further with respect to FIGS. 5A-5B.
[0042] FIG. 5A shows an exploded view of an exemplary computer
component expander module 500A, according to an embodiment of the
present disclosure. The expander module 500A can include a module
housing 510, an adapter element 520, and at least one computer
component 530. FIG. 5B shows a loaded configuration 500B of a
computer component expander module 500A, according to an embodiment
of the present disclosure.
[0043] The module housing 510 can provide structural support to
receive at least one computer component 530. The module housing 510
can be similar in size to the module housing 130 of the add-on card
module 100A of FIG. 1A. Referring back to FIG. 5A, the module
housing 510 can have an adapter component 520 attached to a first
end 512 of the module housing 510. The module housing 510 can have
a second end 514 with at least one opening 516. The at least one
opening 516 can provide space for an end portion 532 of the at
least one computer component 530 to be accessed through. For
example, an inlet or outlet portion of a fan can intake or expel
air through the at least one opening 516.
[0044] The adapter element 520 can serve as an extension board
connector to connect a motherboard and a fan module. In some
examples, the adapter element 520 can be used where a depth of the
fan is shorter than the expander module 500A. The adapter element
520 can also be a signal connector to receive feedback signals from
fan and/or power connectors.
[0045] In some examples, the at least one computer component 530
can be a fan module 210, as discussed above with respect to FIGS.
2A-4B. The present disclosure additionally contemplates that the at
least one computer component can be any removable computer
component from a server system.
[0046] Therefore, a loaded configuration 500B can be loaded into an
exemplary server system 200 as discussed with respect to FIGS.
2A-4B. The expander module 500A can be used when the at least one
computer component has a smaller length than the add-on card module
100A. Such an expander module 500A therefore can allow a greater
variety of computer components in a server system to swap with an
add-on card module 100A, according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0047] While various examples of the present invention have been
described above, it should be understood that they have been
presented by way of example only, and not limitation. Numerous
changes to the disclosed examples can be made in accordance with
the disclosure herein without departing from the spirit or scope of
the invention. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention
should not be limited by any of the above described examples.
Rather, the scope of the invention should be defined in accordance
with the following claims and their equivalents.
[0048] Although the invention has been illustrated and described
with respect to one or more implementations, equivalent alterations
and modifications will occur to others skilled in the art upon the
reading and understanding of this specification and the annexed
drawings. In addition, while a particular feature of the invention
may have been disclosed with respect to only one of several
implementations, such feature may be combined with one or more
other features of the other implementations as may be desired and
advantageous for any given or particular application.
[0049] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular examples only and is not intended to be limiting of the
invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the"
are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise. Furthermore, to the extent
that the terms "including," "includes," "having," "has," "with," or
variants thereof, are used in either the detailed description
and/or the claims, such terms are intended to be inclusive in a
manner similar to the term "comprising."
[0050] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and
scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly
understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this
invention belongs. Furthermore, terms, such as those defined in
commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a
meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the
relevant art, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly
formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
* * * * *