Patent Publication Number: US-2020285600-A1

Title: Swappable add-on card module

Description:
FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to a swappable add-on card module for a server system. 
     BACKGROUND 
     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. 
     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. 
     Therefore, there is a need for an add-on card module that can be installed at different locations within a server system. 
     SUMMARY 
     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. 
     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. 
     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. 
     In some examples, the card module can be a PCIe module. 
     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. 
     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. 
     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. 
     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. 
     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 
       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. 
         FIG. 1A  shows an exploded view of an exemplary add-on card module, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 1B  shows an exemplary add-on card module in a loaded position, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         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. 
         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. 
         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. 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. 
         FIG. 5A  shows an exploded view of an exemplary computer component expander module, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 5B  shows an exemplary loaded configuration of a computer component expander module, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     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. 
     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. 
     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. 
       FIG. 1A  shows an exploded view of an exemplary add-on card module  100 A, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The card module  100 A can include at least one computer card  110 , an adapter board  120 , and a module housing  130 .  FIG. 1B  shows a loaded configuration  100 B of an exemplary add-on card module  100 A, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Various features of the add-on card module  100 A and the loaded configuration  100 B are discussed further below. 
     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  122   a ,  122   b ,  122   c , and  122   d  to receive a corresponding plurality of computer cards  110   a ,  110   b ,  110   c , and  110   d . Each receiving element  122   a ,  122   b ,  122   c , and  122   d  can mechanically and electrically couple with a corresponding computer card  110   a ,  110   b ,  110   c , and  110   d  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  100 B, 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. 
     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  133   a ,  133   b ,  133   c , and  133   d  to receive an end portion of a corresponding plurality of computer cards  110   a ,  110   b ,  110   c , and  110   d . These openings  133   a ,  133   b ,  133   c , and  133   d  can allow for cables to attach to the plurality of computing cards  110   a ,  110   b ,  110   c , and  110   d . Openings  133   a ,  133   b ,  133   c , and  133   d  can also receive PCIe brackets, other input/output modules, or other types of add-on cards. 
     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  100 B 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. 
       FIG. 2A  shows an exemplary first configuration  200 A for a front portion of a server system  200 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Configuration  200 A can provide for a plurality of fans  210   a ,  210   b ,  210   c , and  210   d  loaded into a backplane  220  of a server system  200 . An exemplary fan,  210   a , can connect to the backplane  220  at a connector location in the midplane  222 . First configuration  200 A shows that the plurality of fans  210   a ,  210   b ,  210   c , and  210   d  can be inserted directly into the midplane  222 . 
       FIG. 2B  shows an exemplary second configuration  200 B for a front portion of a server system  200 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Configuration  200 B can include many components and similar labels to components in  FIGS. 1-2A . Configuration  200 B shows a loaded add-on card module  100 B in the place of fan  210   a . While fan  210   a  is connected to the midplane  222 , the loaded add-on card module  100 B can be received by a motherboard  230 . Therefore, a loaded add-on card module  100 B, when loaded according to configuration  200 B, provides for direct communication between the plurality of computer cards  110   a ,  110   b ,  110   c , and  110   d  and a motherboard  230 . 
       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  100 B connect to different locations (connecting respectively to the backplane  220  and the motherboard  230 ). 
       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  300 A ( FIG. 3A ), and a second configuration  300 B ( FIG. 3B ). 
     In the first configuration  300 A, fan modules  210   a  and  210   c  can be loaded into openings  330   b  and  330   a , respectively, at a front side  320  of the server  200 . Add-on card modules  100 B 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 . 
     In the second configuration  300 B, fan modules  210   a  and  210   c  can be loaded into a rear side  310  of the server  300  (shown further with respect to  FIG. 4B ). Add-on card modules  100 B can be loaded into openings  330   a  and  330   b  at a front side  320  of the server  200 . Therefore,  FIG. 3B  shows that the add-on card modules  100 B can be received in openings at a front side  320  of a server  200  where other computer components (e.g. fans  210   a  and  210   b ) would typically be located. This second configuration  300 B demonstrates the versatility of add-on card modules  100 B, according to an embodiment of the present disclosures. 
     Although two add-on card modules  100 B are shown switching locations with two fan modules  210   a  and  210   b  with respect to  FIGS. 3A-3B , the present disclosure contemplates that any number of add-on card modules  100 B can switch locations with any number of fan modules  210  located in a server system  200 . 
     Additionally, although  FIGS. 3A-3B  illustrate add-on card modules  100 B switching placement locations with fan modules  210 , the present disclosure contemplates any the add-on card module  100 B 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  100 B will be placed into. 
       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  400 A, a second rear-loaded configuration  400 B, a first opening  410   a , and a second opening  410   b.    
       FIG. 4A  demonstrates a first rear-loaded configuration  400 A, corresponding to the first configuration  300 A of  FIG. 3A . Referring back to  FIG. 4A , the first rear-loaded configuration  400 A shows how loaded add-on card modules  100 B can be received by openings  410   a  and  410   b . These openings  410   a  and  410   b  can be spaces configured to receive any computer component.  FIG. 4B  demonstrates a second rear-loaded configuration  400 B, corresponding to the second configuration  300 B of  FIG. 3B . Referring back to  FIG. 4B , the second rear-loaded configuration shows how fan modules  210   a  and  210   c  can be received, respectively, by openings  410   a  and  410   b .  FIGS. 4A-4B  show that fan modules  210   a  and  210   c  can be received in the same openings  410   a  and  410   b  as add-on card modules  100 B are received into. 
     Therefore,  FIGS. 3A-4B  demonstrate that swappable add-on card modules  100 B, 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 ). 
     In addition, the present disclosure contemplates that the swappable add-on card modules  100 B 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  100 B. Various features of exemplary expander modules are discussed further with respect to  FIGS. 5A-5B . 
       FIG. 5A  shows an exploded view of an exemplary computer component expander module  500 A, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The expander module  500 A can include a module housing  510 , an adapter element  520 , and at least one computer component  530 .  FIG. 5B  shows a loaded configuration  500 B of a computer component expander module  500 A, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     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  100 A 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 . 
     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  500 A. The adapter element  520  can also be a signal connector to receive feedback signals from fan and/or power connectors. 
     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. 
     Therefore, a loaded configuration  500 B can be loaded into an exemplary server system  200  as discussed with respect to  FIGS. 2A-4B . The expander module  500 A can be used when the at least one computer component has a smaller length than the add-on card module  100 A. Such an expander module  500 A therefore can allow a greater variety of computer components in a server system to swap with an add-on card module  100 A, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     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. 
     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. 
     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.” 
     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.