# US 7,706,147 B2 · Computer housing with plug-in card module > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,706,147 B2 - Document ID: US7706147B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 12/205,244 - Filed: 2008-09-05 - Published: 2009-03-12 - Granted: 2010-04-27 - Earliest claimed: 2007-09-07 - Assignees: Digital-Logic AG - Inventors: Felix Kunz - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7706147B2 ## CPC - H05K 7/1429: {for circuits carrying a CPU and adapted to receive expansion cards} - G06F 1/183: Internal mounting support structures, e.g. for supporting printed circuit boards - H05K: PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) ## Abstract A computer housing (41) for free-standing use includes a computer (10) with slots for the insertion of extension cards, and further at least one card carrier (20) for carrying extension cards (51). The card carrier (20) includes a carrier connector (47) whereby the card carrier (20) is connectable, by inserting the card carrier (20) in the computer housing (41), via the carrier connector (47), with a communication connector (49) of the computer (10), at least one adapter connector (48) into which an extension card (51) is pluggable, and wherein the card carrier (20) includes a communication connection between the carrier connector (47) and the at least one adapter connector (48). ## Claims ### Claim 1 A computer housing for free-standing use, comprising a computer with slots for the insertion of extension cards, wherein the computer comprises a card carrier configured to carry extension cards of the computer, which card carrier comprises: a carrier connector whereby the card carrier is connectable by inserting the card carrier in the computer housing, via the carrier connector, with a communication connector of the computer, at least one adapter connector into which an extension card is pluggable, and wherein the card carrier comprises a communication connection between the carrier connector and the at least one adapter connector. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The computer housing according to claim 1, wherein the card carrier comprises a substantially planar carrier plate defining a plane of the carrier plate, the direction of movement when plugging in and unplugging the carrier connector is parallel to the plane of the carrier plate, and inserted extension cards are arranged in parallel to the plane of the carrier plate. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The computer housing of claim 1, wherein the card carrier is guided by guiding elements in the computer housing and can be pushed into the housing and pulled out of the housing by a linear movement. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The computer housing of claim 1, wherein the carrier plate of the card carrier is arranged parallel to the motherboard of the computer and can be pushed in and pulled out in a direction parallel to the motherboard. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The computer housing of claim 4, wherein the computer is arranged for passive cooling when in operation, and is configured to be, when in operation, arranged in an upright position, and in this position both the carrier plate and the motherboard are arranged vertically. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The computer housing of claim 1, wherein the carrier connector, for being inserted, comprises leading guiding elements for guiding the plugs, before the plug, and when the card carrier is inserted, moves into the communication connector of the computer. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The computer housing of claim 1, wherein the carrier connector comprises supply contacts for an electrical supply to the card carrier, which, when pulling out the card carrier, are interrupted after the remaining contacts of the carrier connector. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The computer housing of claim 1, wherein the carrier connector comprises signal contacts for a signaling connection of the card carrier, wherein these signal contacts, when pulling out the card carrier, are interrupted before the remaining contacts of the carrier connector. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The computer housing of claim 1, wherein the carrier connector is a PCI-Express interface and at least one adapter connector is a PCI-Express interface. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The computer housing of claim 1, wherein the carrier connector is a PCI-Express interface and at least one adapter connector is a PCI interface and the card carrier comprises a converter between the PCI-Express-Bus of the carrier connector and the PCI interface of the adapter connector. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) A card carrier for insertion in a computer housing of a computer, the card carrier being configured to carry extension cards of the computer, and the card carrier comprising: a carrier connector whereby the card carrier is connectable, by inserting the card carrier in the computer housing, via the carrier connector, with a communication connector of the computer, at least one adapter connector into which an extension card is pluggable, and wherein the card carrier comprises a communication connection between the carrier connector and the at least one adapter connector according to claim 1. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The card carrier of claim 11, wherein the carrier connector is a PCI-Express interface and at least one adapter connector is a PCI interface and the card carrier comprises a converter between the PCI-Express-Bus of the carrier connector and the PCI interface of the adapter connector. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The card carrier of claim 11, further comprising communication connectors for communicating with further devices, wherein these further devices are attached to the card carrier, the card carrier further comprising a device detector for determining information about these further devices via the communication connectors and for transmitting this information via the carrier connector. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The card carrier of claim 13, wherein the information detected and transmitted by the device detector comprises information identifying the type of the further devices. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The card carrier of claim 11, wherein the carrier connector comprises signal contacts for a signaling connection to the card carrier, wherein these signal contacts, when pulling out the card carrier, are interrupted before the remaining contacts of the carrier connector. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The card carrier of claim 12, further comprising communication connectors for communicating with further devices, wherein these further devices are attached to the card carrier, the card carrier further comprising a device detector for determining information about these further devices via the communication connectors and for transmitting this information via the carrier connector.