Abstract:
An expansion card carrier is disclosed, the expansion card carrier including a top portion for covering an expansion card, at least one side portion for supporting the top portion, and at least one pair of card guides for allowing an expansion card to slide along into the expansion card carrier. A method for assembling an expansion card carrier is also disclosed, the method including casting a panel including a top portion for covering an expansion card and at least one side portion for supporting the top portion, forming at least one side portion by deforming the panel, and attaching at least one pair of card guides inside the expansion card carrier for allowing an expansion card to slide along into the expansion card carrier.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The invention relates to a carrier on a computer server for an expansion card and a method for assembling the same. 
   2. Background Art 
   An expansion card is a circuit board which is designed to extend or supplement the functionality of a mainboard in a computer. Sometimes, it is also used to modify and update the basic functionality of a mainboard. For example, when new features for a processor in a mainboard are developed, it could be advantageous in cost and time to plug an expansion card containing the newly developed features into a special port or connector on the mainboard rather than to completely re-design the previous processor. 
   As an example of such an expansion card, there is Advanced Mezzanine Card in the pertinent art, which can be abbreviated as AdvancedMC or AMC. Advanced Mezzanine Card is a printed circuit board (PCB) that follows the specifications of the PCI Industrial Computers Manufacturers Group (PICMG). Advanced Mezzanine Card, which meets the PICMG industrial standards, can be used as an expansion card to provide extended functionalities such as DSP and network communications to a blade server. A blade server is ideal for specific purposes such as web hosting and cluster computing. 
   A blade server is designed to have a chassis for housing a number of individual circuit boards, each having one or more processors, memory, storage, and network connections, but sharing, for example, a power supply and air-cooling resources (e.g., fans) of the chassis. Those skilled in the art will recognize that one of the aims in using a blade server is to be able to place many blades in a single chassis, thereby compacting increased computing power in an area less than that which would be necessary were each of the blades individually housed. 
   Because such a blade server aims to provide fundamental computing functions with space-efficiency, an expansion card may sometimes be needed, for example, to supplement storage, network connectivity, and image and sound information processing performance. An expansion card is typically added to a computer after being accommodated in a carrier and plugged into a connector. An expansion card carrier retains an expansion card inside and keeps the expansion card electrically connected to a socket in the connector. 
     FIG. 1A  illustrates a conventional expansion card assembly  100 . Typically, expansion card assembly  100  is inserted in the longitudinal direction into an expansion card carrier (not shown). An expansion card  130  can may contain necessary circuitry such as arithmetic processors, information processing units, and network communication processors. 
   A pin array  135  is provided along the rear edge of expansion card  130 . Pin array  135  can be electrically mated with a connector (not shown) on a mainboard of a computer upon insertion. A handle  110  is a leverage which can help a user grab, move, insert, or remove expansion card assembly  100 . On a faceplate  120 , indicators such as LEDs and labels may be provided for users&#39; convenience. 
   Referring next to  FIG. 1B , three expansion card assemblies  102 ,  104 ,  106  are inserted into an expansion card carrier  105 . The left two of expansion card assemblies  102 ,  104  are single-width expansion card assemblies whereas the rightmost expansion card assembly  106  is a double-width expansion card assembly. As can be seen in  FIG. 1B , expansion card assembly  106  is twice the size of expansion card assemblies  102 ,  104 . An ejecting mechanism  170  functions to lock the inserted expansion card assemblies to carrier  105  and, after use, to help the expansion card assembly easily to be released from carrier  105 . 
     FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of an exploded expansion card carrier  205  in the prior art. A covering panel  210  covers the entire carrier from the top. Card guides  250  have a groove  251  which can guide an expansion card (not shown) to be inserted into the proper position of carrier  205  and to be mated appropriately with a connector  294 . On upper portions of card guides  250 , protruding tabs  254  are formed to make card guides  250  secured to covering panel  210 . Receptacles  214  in covering panel  210  are dimensioned to accept and latch protruding tabs  254  so that card guides  250  can be fixed to covering panel  210 . Struts  257  support card guides  250  and covering panel  210  on a bottom panel  220 . 
     FIG. 2B  illustrates a card guide in further detail. In this type of card guide  255 , two grooves  257 ,  259  are formed to accept and retain two expansion cards. Protruding tabs  254 ′ provides a fastening mechanism as explained with reference to  FIG. 2A . A strut  258 ′ is a means for supporting card guide  255  on a bottom panel. In addition, strut  258 ′ is used as a means for supporting a cover panel on a bottom panel in the same manner as explained referring to  FIG. 2A . 
   SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
   One or more embodiments of the present invention provide an improved expansion card carrier made of less castings, thereby making the card carrier easier to assemble. One or more embodiments of the present invention provide an efficient method for assembling an expansion card carrier. One or more embodiments of the present invention provide a sturdier structure of expansion card carrier. 
   In general, in one aspect, embodiments disclosed herein relate to an expansion card carrier, the expansion card carrier including: a top portion for covering an expansion card; at least one side portion for supporting the top portion; and at least one pair of card guides for allowing an expansion card to slide along into the expansion card carrier. 
   In another aspect, embodiments disclosed herein relate to a method for assembling an expansion card carrier, the method including: casting a panel including a top portion for covering an expansion card and at least one side portion for supporting the top portion; forming at least one side portion by deforming the panel; and attaching at least one pair of card guides inside the expansion card carrier for allowing an expansion card to slide along into the expansion card carrier. 
   Other aspects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and the appended claims. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1A  shows a perspective view of a conventional expansion card. 
       FIG. 1B  shows a perspective view of a conventional expansion card carrier. 
       FIG. 2A  shows an exploded view of a conventional expansion card carrier. 
       FIG. 2B  shows a perspective view of a card guide. 
       FIG. 3  shows an exploded perspective view of an expansion card carrier according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 4A  shows a top view of an expansion card carrier according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 4B  shows a left side view of an expansion card carrier according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 4C  shows a right side view of an expansion card carrier according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 4D  shows a front view of an expansion card carrier according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 5  shows a top view of a piece of panel having a top portion and side portions according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 6  shows a perspective view of an expansion card carrier and a blade computer according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying figures. Like items in the figures are shown with the same reference numbers. 
   In embodiments of the invention, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known features have not been described in detail to avoid obscuring the invention. 
   Embodiments of the invention relate to a carrier on a computer for an expansion card. Also, one or more embodiments of the invention relate to a method for assembling and mounting a carrier on a computer. 
   Referring to  FIG. 3 , an exploded view of an expansion card carrier according to one or more embodiments of the present invention is shown. It is noted that side portions  20 ,  25  are formed monolithically with a top portion  10 . Advantageously, top portion  10  and side portions  20 ,  25  are manufactured as a single casting. For example, top portion  10  and side portions  20 ,  25  are cast as a single piece of panel. 
   Moreover, securing portions  30 ,  35 ,  40  may be formed monolithically with side portions  20 ,  25  and/or with top portion  10 . In the embodiment shown, securing portions  30 ,  35  are formed in the front part of carrier  5 , and securing portions  40  and  45  are formed in the rear part of carrier  5 . 
   In each securing portion, at least one means for mounting carrier  5  onto a mainboard (not shown) is provided. In one or more embodiments, at least one screw and at least one corresponding hole are provided in each securing portion. In  FIG. 3 , screws  33 ,  34 ,  38 ,  39 , and  43  fasten carrier  5  onto a mainboard (not shown) and/or a blade computer (not shown) through holes  31 ,  32 ,  36 ,  37 , and  41 , respectively. Other means for mounting carrier  5  includes, but not limited to, tabs and receptacles, clamps, weld, solder, and adhesive. 
   In addition, an insulator  90  may be provided below top portion  10  in order to prevent possible short-circuiting between top portion  10  and an expansion card (not shown). For example, insulating material such as polyester film and acrylic film can be used as an insulator. 
   Further, at least one pair of card guides are provided inside carrier  5 . The pair of card guides  50 ,  55  can allow an expansion card (not shown) to slide along into carrier  5 . The pair of card guides  50 ,  55  may be attached onto top portion  10  and/or side portions  20 ,  25  by an appropriate fastening mechanism. In an embodiment where the pair of card guides  50 ,  55  are attached onto top portion  10 , each of the pair of card guides  50 ,  55  may be attached onto each lateral edge inside top portion  10 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , a plurality of tabs  54 ,  56  are protruded from top portions of the pair of card guides  50 ,  55 . When assembled, tabs  54 ,  56  fit into receptacles  14 ,  16  provided in top portion  10 , respectively, and are latched to fasten card guides  50 ,  55  to top portion  10 . Alternatively, receptacles may be formed in side portions  20 ,  25  in an appropriate manner to fasten card guides to side portions  20 ,  25 . Also, one or more struts  58  may be used to support the pair of card guides  50  on a mainboard (not shown). 
   Additionally, an ejector assembly  70  may be provided with an expansion card carrier according to an embodiment of the present invention. Ejector assembly  70  is a mechanism for facilitating insertion, latching, and ejection of an expansion card within carrier  5 . Ejector assembly  70  may be compliant with the PICMG 3.0 standard. Also, a label  97  is attached on a front portion of carrier  5 . On the surface of label  97 , information such as directions, warnings, logos, models, etc., which may be necessary to users, is indicated. A gasket  95  may be attached inside carrier  5  to prevent carrier  5  from being affected by external vibration. 
   Shown in  FIGS. 4A-4D  are a top view, a left side view, a right side view, a front view, respectively, of an assembled expansion card carrier according to one or more embodiments of the present invention. Further,  FIG. 5  shows a top view of a single piece of panel having a top portion and side portions according to one embodiment of the present invention. In one or more embodiments, the single piece of panel is manufactured as a single casting. In one or more embodiments of the invention, side portion  20  is formed by bending the panel downwardly along the boundary line between top portion  10  and side portion  20  by an appropriate angle, for example, by a right angle. Likewise, side portion  25  is formed by bending the panel downwardly along the boundary line between top portion  10  and side portion  25 , for example, by the right angle. The boundary lines between top portion  10  and side portions  20 ,  25  are defined as being so wide that top portion  10  can cover an expansion card (not shown). By the bending motion as described above, side portions  20 ,  25  may be substantially perpendicular to and monolithic with top portion  10 . Further, securing portions  30 ,  35 ,  40 ,  45  are formed by bending the panel upwardly along the boundary lines between side portions  20 ,  25  and securing portions  30 ,  35 ,  40 ,  45 , for example, by a right angle. A panel according to one or more embodiments of the invention may be a solid sheet that can be bent by exerting pressure. The panel may be made of a metal, for example, aluminum. 
   One or more embodiments of the invention may follow necessary industrial standards. For example, the detailed dimensions and considerations of the carriers as explained above may comply with the PICMG 3.0 standard and the AdvancedMC standard. Specifically, one embodiment of the invention may be a single-width full-height AMC card carrier. Another embodiment of the invention may be a double-width full-height AMC card carrier. 
     FIG. 6  illustrates a way to mount an expansion card carrier on a mainboard of a blade server in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. An assembled expansion card carrier  105  is mounted on a mainboard  92  of a blade server  90 . Carrier  105  is fixed on mainboard  92  by means of suitable mounting mechanisms. In this embodiment, screws  133 ,  134 ,  138 ,  139 ,  148  fix securing portions  130 ,  135 ,  145  through holes  131 ,  132 ,  136 ,  137 ,  145  on main board  92 . Blade server  90  includes other components for necessary operations such as a processor  96 , a memory device  98 , and a connector  94 . After mounting carrier  105  on mainboard  92 , an expansion card is inserted through the clearance in the front of carrier  105  and is connected electrically to connector  94  so that the expansion card can function properly with circuitry of mainboard  92 . 
   One or more embodiments of the invention may include one or more of the following advantages. Embodiments can provide an expansion card carrier with low cost and manufacturing time. A robust structure of expansion card in accordance with embodiments of the invention may not only increase the top-mounting area strength, but also satisfy various national earthquake standards such as GR 63-CORE. Embodiments of the invention are formed without many separate components or many joints, which reduces assembly time. One or more embodiments are less adverse to external shock or pressure than conventional carriers. 
   While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art, having benefit of this disclosure, will appreciate that other embodiments can be devised which do not depart from the scope of the invention as disclosed herein. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be limited only by the attached claims.