Fixing / release device
Patent Information
- Application Number
- TW114114229
- Authority / Receiving Office
- TW · TW
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2025-02-14
- Filing Date
- 2025-04-15
- Publication Date
- 2026-08-16
- Estimated Expiration
- 2045-04-14
AI Technical Summary
Existing expansion card fixing and releasing devices are not convenient for users, requiring complex operations to secure and release the expansion card from the motherboard.
A fixing/releasing device with a base, limiting component, elastic members, and lever structure that allows for simple and convenient limitation and release of the expansion card's fixing hook through elastic force accumulation and branch deformation, facilitated by a button-activated mechanism.
Enables easy installation and removal of expansion cards by allowing the limiting component to return to its original position after fixing, and release by moving it to an exit position with a single button press, enhancing user convenience.
Smart Images
Figure TWG2TA001072434_001 
Figure TWG2TA001072434_002 
Figure TWG2TA001072434_003
Abstract
Description
[Technical Field]
[0001] The present invention relates to a fixing / releasing device, and more particularly to a fixing / releasing device for fixing and releasing an expansion card. [Previous Technology]
[0002] Currently, expansion cards can be installed or removed from the motherboard using a fixing / releasing device. Making the fixing and releasing process more convenient is a direction for research in this field. [Summary of the Invention]
[0003] This invention relates to a fixing / releasing device that can limit and release the fixing hook of an expansion card in a fairly simple and convenient way.
[0004] According to an embodiment of this case, a fixing / releasing device is suitable for limiting and releasing the fixing hook of an expansion card, comprising: a base, a limiting component, a first elastic member, and a lever structure. The base includes a receiving groove for accommodating the fixing hook. The limiting component is movably disposed on the base and includes a first limiting portion and a second limiting portion. The first limiting portion includes a first inclined surface exposed on the base and a first limiting surface facing the receiving groove, and the second limiting portion is erected on the first limiting surface. The first elastic member is located between the second limiting portion and the base. The lever structure includes a pivot, a first branch extending from the pivot, and a deformable second branch. The pivot is pivotally connected to the base, the first branch extends into the receiving groove, and the second branch includes a second limiting surface. When the fixing hook of the expansion card presses down on the first inclined surface of the limiting component, the limiting component moves toward an exit path, and the first elastic member accumulates elastic force. When the fixed hook leaves the first inclined surface and moves down into the receiving groove, the first elastic element releases, causing the limiting assembly to return to its original position. The first limiting surface is positioned above the fixed hook to restrict its upward movement. When the fixed hook is inside the receiving groove, it presses against the first branch, causing the second branch to rotate and enter the exit path of the second limiting part. As the limiting assembly moves along the exit path to the exit position, the second branch is compressed and deformed, allowing the limiting assembly to pass through. The second branch then returns to its original position. When the limiting assembly is in the exit position, the second limiting part is restricted by the second limiting surface and remains in the exit position. The first limiting part moves away from above the fixed hook, releasing the restriction on the fixed hook.
[0005] In the fixing / releasing device according to the embodiment of this case, the fixing / releasing device further includes a torsion spring disposed on the pivot so that when the first branch of the lever structure is not pressed, it normally forms a non-zero acute angle with the extension direction of the exit path, and the second branch exits the exit path of the second limiting portion.
[0006] In the fixing / releasing device according to the embodiment of this case, when the fixing hook located in the receiving groove presses against the first branch, the second branch abuts against the second limiting part.
[0007] In the fixing / releasing device according to an embodiment of the present invention, the second branch includes a groove, a second elastic member and a locking block, the locking block being movably disposed in the groove, and the second elastic member being located in the groove and abutting between the groove and the locking block.
[0008] In the fixing / releasing device according to the embodiment of this case, the locking block includes a second inclined surface and a second limiting surface. When the fixing hook abuts against the first support and the first limiting surface is above the fixing hook, the second limiting part abuts against the second inclined surface of the second support. When the limiting component is in the withdrawing position, the second limiting part abuts against the second limiting surface.
[0009] In the fixing / releasing device according to an embodiment of the present invention, the second branch includes a spring arm.
[0010] In the fixing / releasing device according to the embodiment of the present invention, the spring arm includes a second inclined surface and a second limiting surface. The second limiting surface is located at the edge of the spring arm. When the fixing hook abuts against the first support and the first limiting surface is above the fixing hook, the second limiting part abuts against the second inclined surface. When the limiting component is in the withdrawing position, the second limiting part abuts against the second limiting surface.
[0011] In the fixing / releasing device according to the embodiment of this case, the fixing / releasing device further includes a button and a moving member, the moving member being linked to the button, the moving member driving the limiting component to move to the exit position.
[0012] In the fixing / releasing device according to an embodiment of the present invention, the button includes a third inclined surface, and the moving member includes a fourth inclined surface corresponding to the third inclined surface. When the button is pressed down, the third inclined surface pushes the fourth inclined surface, thereby moving the moving member.
[0013] In the fixing / releasing device according to an embodiment of the present invention, the moving member includes a driving part for driving the second limiting part to move along the exit path, the driving part being offset from the second branch in the moving direction of the second limiting part.
[0014] Based on the above, the fixing / releasing device of this case, through the above design, when the fixing hook of the expansion card presses down on the first inclined surface of the limiting component, the limiting component moves towards the exit path, and the first elastic member accumulates elastic force. When the fixing hook leaves the first inclined surface and moves down to the receiving groove, the first elastic member releases, causing the limiting component to return to its original position, and the first limiting surface is located above the fixing hook to restrict the upward movement of the fixing hook, thereby completing the fixing operation, which is quite convenient.
[0015] When the fixing hook is located in the receiving groove, the fixing hook presses against the first branch, and the second branch rotates accordingly, entering the exit path of the second limiting part. To release the limiting of the fixing hook of the expansion card, simply move the limiting component along the exit path to the exit position. During this process, the second branch is squeezed and deformed, allowing the limiting component to pass through. After the limiting component passes the second branch, the second branch returns to its original position. Therefore, when the limiting component is in the exit position, the second limiting part is restricted by the returned second limiting surface and remains in the exit position. At this time, the first limiting part moves away from above the fixing hook, releasing the limiting of the fixing hook. Therefore, the user can unload the expansion card simply by moving the expansion card upwards. In other words, as long as the limiting component is moved to the exit position, the limiting component will be fixed in the exit position without needing to continuously pull the limiting component. In one embodiment, the limiting component can be driven by pressing down a button. Therefore, the user only needs to press the button once, and the limit component will be moved to the exit position, without having to press the button continuously, making the release operation quite convenient.
Implementation Method
[0016] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the appearance of a fixing / releasing device disposed on a motherboard according to an embodiment of this case. Figure 2A is a perspective view of the expansion card pushing the first inclined surface of the fixing / releasing device of Figure 1. Figures 2B and 2C are cross-sectional views of Figure 2A from different perspectives.
[0017] Referring to Figures 1 to 2C, the fixing / releasing device 100 of this embodiment is adapted to be disposed on the motherboard 10 and located next to the slot 12 of the motherboard 10. The slot 12 is, for example, a PCI-E slot, but the type of slot 12 is not limited thereto. The fixing / releasing device 100 is used to limit and release the fixing hook 22 of the expansion card 20 to assist in fixing the expansion card 20 to the motherboard 10.
[0018] As shown in Figures 2B and 2C, in this embodiment, the fixing / releasing device 100 includes a seat 110, a limiting component 120, a first elastic element 130, and a lever structure 140. The seat 110 includes a receiving groove 112 for accommodating the fixing hook 22.
[0019] The limiting component 120 is movably disposed on the base 110 and includes a first limiting part 122 and a second limiting part 125. The first limiting part 122 includes a first inclined surface 123 exposed outside the base 110 and a first limiting surface 124 facing the receiving groove 112. The second limiting part 125 is erected on the first limiting surface 124 and located inside the base 110.
[0020] The first elastic element 130 is located between the second limiting part 125 and the seat 110. In this embodiment, the first elastic element 130 is a linear spring that extends along the moving direction (left-right direction) of the limiting assembly 120, but the type of the first elastic element 130 is not limited thereto.
[0021] The lever structure 140 includes a pivot 141, a first branch 142 extending from the pivot 141, and a deformable second branch 143. The pivot 141 is pivotally connected to the seat 110, and the first branch 142 and the second branch 143 are similar to the structure of a seesaw with the pivot 141 as the fulcrum. The first branch 142 extends into the receiving groove 112, and the first branch 142 is similar to a cantilever extending from the pivot 141. The second branch 143 includes a second limiting surface 149.
[0022] Specifically, in this embodiment, the second branch 143 includes a groove 144, a second elastic member 145, and a locking block 146. The locking block 146 is movably disposed in the groove 144, and the second elastic member 145 is located within the groove 144 and abuts against the groove 144 and the locking block 146. The locking block 146 includes a second inclined surface 148 and a second limiting surface 149. In this embodiment, the second elastic member 145 is a linear spring, but the type of the second elastic member 145 is not limited thereto. When the locking block 146 is pushed, the second elastic member 145 can be compressed to allow the locking block 146 to enter the groove 144 further. When the locking block 146 is not pushed, the second elastic member 145 can lift the locking block 146 and make it protrude out of the groove 144.
[0023] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the fixing / releasing device 100 also includes a torsion spring 135 disposed on the pivot 141, so that when the first branch 142 of the lever structure 140 is not pressed, as shown in FIG2C, it normally forms a non-zero acute angle θ with the extension direction of the exit path, and the second branch 143 exits the exit path of the second limiting part 125. Therefore, the second branch 143 will not contact the second limiting part 125 in this state. When the limiting component 120 moves to the right, the second branch 143 will not block the second limiting part 125.
[0024] The following describes how the fixing hook 22 of the expansion card 20 is limited by the limiting component 120 and cannot move upward when the expansion card 20 is installed in the slot 12 of the motherboard 10.
[0025] When the expansion card 20 is to be installed in the slot 12 of the motherboard 10, as shown in Figures 2B to 2C, the fixing hook 22 of the expansion card 20 will press down on the first inclined surface 123 of the limiting component 120, causing the limiting component 120 to move to the right exit path. At this time, the first elastic member 130 is compressed by the second limiting part 125 and accumulates elastic force.
[0026] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the expansion card located in the receiving groove and limited by the first limiting part. Referring to Figure 3, when the fixing hook 22 leaves the first inclined surface 123 and the fixing hook 22 moves down to the receiving groove 112, the first elastic member 130 is released, causing the limiting component 120 to return to its original position. The first limiting surface 124 is located above the fixing hook 22 to limit the upward movement of the fixing hook 22.
[0027] Furthermore, when the fixing hook 22 is located in the receiving groove 112, the fixing hook 22 presses against the first branch 142, and the second branch 143 rotates accordingly, entering the exit path of the second limiting part 125. At this time, the second limiting part 125 abuts against the second inclined surface 148 of the locking block 146 of the second branch 143, and the second elastic member 145 is compressed to accumulate elastic force.
[0028] Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of line segment AA in Figure 1. Figure 5 is a partial perspective view of the limiting component, lever structure, and driving part of the hidden seat. Referring to Figures 1, 4, and 5, in this embodiment, the fixing / releasing device 100 further includes a button 150 (Figures 1 and 4) and a moving member 155 (Figures 4 and 5). The moving member 155 is linked to the button 150, and the moving member 155 drives the limiting component 120 to the exit position.
[0029] Specifically, as shown in FIG4, the button 150 includes a third inclined surface 152, and the movable member 155 includes a fourth inclined surface 157 corresponding to the third inclined surface 152. When the button 150 is pressed down, the third inclined surface 152 of the button 150 pushes the fourth inclined surface 157 of the movable member 155, causing the movable member 155 to move to the right of FIG4. It should be noted that, because the movable member 155 has a bend, only a small segment appears in the cross-section of FIG4, but in reality, as shown in FIG5, it extends to the left side of the second limiting portion 125.
[0030] In detail, as shown in FIG5, the movable member 155 includes a driving part 158, which is located at the left end of the movable member 155. The driving part 158 is used to drive the second limiting part 125 to move along the exit path. That is, in this embodiment, pressing the button 150 can drive the limiting component 120 to move along the exit path via the movable member 155. Since the button 150 does not need to be located next to the slot 12, it can be located at the edge of the motherboard 10 or in an empty space on the motherboard 10. This design not only allows the limiting component 120 to be easily driven via the button 150, but also allows the button 150 to be located at the far end without being blocked by the expansion card 20. Of course, in one embodiment, the limiting component 120 may also extend to have a lever part (not shown) for the user to operate, thus eliminating the need for the button 150 and the movable member 155.
[0031] Furthermore, as can be seen from FIG5, the driving part 158 is offset from the locking block 146 of the second branch 143 in the moving direction of the second limiting part 125. Therefore, the locking block 146 of the second branch 143 does not affect the movement of the driving part 158.
[0032] In this embodiment, the width of the second limiting part 125 is relatively large, at least covering a partial area of the width of each of the driving part 158 and the locking block 146 of the second branch 143. Therefore, the movement of the driving part 158 can drive the second limiting part 125 to move to the exit position, and when the second branch 143 moves up to the exit path of the second limiting part 125, as shown in FIG3, the second limiting part 125 can also abut against the second inclined surface 148 of the locking block 146, or as shown in FIG7, the second limiting part 125 can also be limited by the second limiting surface 149.
[0033] To unload the expansion card 20 from the slot 12, the user can simply press button 150 to move and fix the limiting component 120 to the exit position without limiting the expansion card 20. This will be explained in detail below.
[0034] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the expansion card inserted into the slot and the button pressed. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of line segment BB in Figure 6. Referring to Figures 6 and 7, when button 150 is pressed, the second limiting part 125 of the limiting component 120 is moved to the right by the driving part 158. As can be seen from Figures 3 and 7, during the process of the limiting component 120 moving along the exit path to the exit position, the second branch 143 is squeezed and deformed, allowing the limiting component 120 to pass through. After the limiting component 120 passes through, the second branch 143 returns to its original position.
[0035] Specifically, the second limiting part 125 presses against the second inclined surface 148 of the locking block 146, causing the locking block 146 to move downward into the locking groove. The second elastic member 145 is compressed, allowing the second limiting part 125 to move to the right and to the right side of the locking block 146. At this time, the first elastic member 130 is compressed.
[0036] When the second limiting part 125 moves to the right side of the locking block 146, the limiting component 120 is in the exit position. Since the locking block 146 is not pushed by the second limiting part 125, the elastic force accumulated by the second elastic member 145 causes the locking block 146 to reset upward.
[0037] As the compressed first elastic member 130 pushes against the second limiting part 125, the second limiting part 125 abuts to the left against the second limiting surface 149 of the latch 146 of the second branch 143. The second limiting part 125 is restricted by the second limiting surface 149 of the latch 146, thus keeping the limiting component 120 in the withdrawn position. The first limiting part 122 moves away from above the fixed hook 22, thus releasing the limitation on the fixed hook 22.
[0038] Therefore, the user can unload the expansion card 20 simply by moving the expansion card 20 upwards. In other words, pressing the button 150 once will move the limit component 120 to the exit position, and the limit component 120 will be fixed in the exit position without having to press the button 150 continuously, which is quite convenient to operate.
[0039] Figure 8 is a partial cross-sectional schematic diagram of a fixing / releasing device according to another embodiment of this case. Figure 9 is a partial cross-sectional schematic diagram of the expansion card being fixed by the fixing / releasing device of Figure 8. Figure 10 is a partial cross-sectional schematic diagram of the expansion card being located in the receiving slot of Figure 8 and after the button is pressed. Referring to Figures 8 to 10, the main difference between the embodiment of Figure 8 and the previous embodiment lies in the form of the second branches 143, 143a.
[0040] In this embodiment, the second branch 143a includes a spring arm. The spring arm includes a second inclined surface 148 and a second limiting surface 149, with the second limiting surface 149 located at the edge of the spring arm. In this embodiment, since the spring arm itself is flexible, the second branch 143a can achieve the limiting effect in a more streamlined manner.
[0041] Specifically, as shown in Figure 8, when the fixed hook 22 of the expansion card 20 has not yet pushed against the first inclined surface 123, the second branch 143a is affected by the torsion spring 135 and normally exits the exit path of the second limit part 125.
[0042] As shown in Figure 9, when the expansion card 20 enters the receiving slot 112 and presses against the first branch 142, the second branch 143a rotates upward and enters the exit path of the second limiting part 125. At this time, the second limiting part 125 abuts against the second inclined surface 148 of the second branch 143a. At this time, the second branch 143a itself is flexible and will be pushed and slightly deformed, thus not affecting the subsequent rightward movement of the second limiting part 125.
[0043] When you want to unload the expansion card 20, press the button 150 (Fig. 1), which will cause the driving part 158 to move the second limiting part 125 to the right. During the rightward movement of the second limiting part 125, it will move along the second inclined surface 148 of the second branch 143a. The second branch 143a itself is flexible and will deform downward until the second limiting part 125 moves to the right side of the second branch 143a, at which point the second branch 143a will spring back.
[0044] As shown in FIG10, the second limiting part 125 abuts against the second limiting surface 149 of the second branch 143a and is restricted to the exit position. Therefore, the user can unload the expansion card 20 simply by moving the expansion card 20 upward.
[0045] In summary, the fixing / releasing device of this invention, through the above design, allows the limiting component to move towards the exit path when the fixing hook of the expansion card presses down on the first inclined surface of the limiting component, and the first elastic member accumulates elastic force. When the fixing hook leaves the first inclined surface and moves down into the receiving groove, the first elastic member releases, causing the limiting component to return to its original position. The first limiting surface is located above the fixing hook to restrict the upward movement of the fixing hook, thus completing the fixing operation, which is quite convenient. When the fixing hook is located in the receiving groove, the fixing hook presses against the first branch, and the second branch rotates accordingly, entering the exit path of the second limiting part. To release the limiting of the fixing hook of the expansion card, simply move the limiting component along the exit path to the exit position. During this process, the second branch is squeezed and deformed, allowing the limiting component to pass through. After the limiting component passes through the second branch, the second branch returns to its original position. Therefore, when the limiting component is in the exit position, the second limiting part is restricted by the returned second limiting surface and remains in the exit position. At this point, the first limiting part moves away from above the fixed hook, thus releasing the limiting effect on the fixed hook. Therefore, the user can simply move the expansion card upwards to unload it. In other words, once the limiting component is moved to the exit position, it will be fixed in the exit position without needing to continuously pull it. In one embodiment, the limiting component can be moved by pressing a button. Therefore, the user only needs to press the button once to move the limiting component to the exit position, eliminating the need for continuous button pressing and making the release operation quite convenient. [Simplified Explanation of the Diagram]
[0046] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the appearance of a fixing / releasing device disposed on a motherboard according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2A is a perspective view of an expansion card pushing against the first inclined surface of the fixing / releasing device of Figure 1. Figures 2B and 2C are cross-sectional views of Figure 2A from different perspectives. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of an expansion card located in a receiving slot and limited by a first limiting part. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of line segment AA in Figure 1. Figure 5 is a partial perspective view of the limiting component, lever structure, and driving part of the hidden seat. Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the appearance of an expansion card inserted into a slot and a button pressed. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of line segment BB in Figure 6. Figure 8 is a partial cross-sectional view of a fixing / releasing device according to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 9 is a partial cross-sectional view of an expansion card fixed by the fixing / releasing device of Figure 8. Figure 10 is a partial cross-sectional view of an expansion card located in a receiving slot of Figure 8 and a button pressed.
Claims
1. A fixing / releasing device, suitable for limiting and releasing the fixing hook of an expansion card, comprising: A base body includes a receiving groove for accommodating the fixing hook; a limiting assembly movably disposed on the base body and including a first limiting portion and a second limiting portion, the first limiting portion including a first inclined surface exposed on the base body and a first limiting surface facing the receiving groove, the second limiting portion being erected on the first limiting surface; a first elastic member located between the second limiting portion and the base body; and a lever structure including a pivot, a first branch extending from the pivot, and a deformable second branch, the pivot being pivotally connected to the base body, the first branch extending into the receiving groove, and the second branch including a second limiting surface, wherein when the fixing hook of the expansion card presses down on the first inclined surface of the limiting assembly, the limiting assembly moves toward an exit path, the first elastic member accumulates elastic force, and when the fixing hook leaves the first inclined surface and moves down to the receiving groove, the first elastic member releases to return the limiting assembly to its original position, the first limiting surface being located above the fixing hook to limit the upward movement of the fixing hook. When the fixed hook is located in the receiving groove, the fixed hook presses against the first support, and the second support rotates accordingly, entering the exit path of the second limiting part; during the process of the limiting component moving along the exit path to the exit position, the second support is squeezed and deformed, allowing the limiting component to pass through, and the second support returns to its original position. When the limiting component is located in the exit position, the second limiting part is restricted by the second limiting surface and stays in the exit position, and the first limiting part moves away from the fixed hook, thus releasing the limitation on the fixed hook.
2. The fixing / releasing device as claimed in claim 1 further includes a torsion spring disposed on the pivot such that, when the first branch of the lever structure is not pressed, it normally forms a non-zero acute angle with the extension direction of the exit path, and the second branch exits the exit path of the second limiting portion.
3. The fixing / releasing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein when the fixing hook located in the receiving groove abuts against the first branch, the second branch abuts against the second limiting portion.
4. The fixing / releasing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second branch includes a groove, a second elastic member, and a locking block, the locking block being movably disposed in the groove, and the second elastic member being located in the groove and abutting between the groove and the locking block.
5. The fixing / releasing device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the locking block includes a second inclined surface and a second limiting surface, wherein when the fixing hook abuts against the first support and the first limiting surface is above the fixing hook, the second limiting part abuts against the second inclined surface of the second support, and when the limiting component is in the withdrawing position, the second limiting part abuts against the second limiting surface.
6. The fixing / releasing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second support includes a spring arm.
7. The fixing / releasing device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the spring arm includes a second inclined surface and a second limiting surface, the second limiting surface being located at the edge of the spring arm, the second limiting portion abutting against the second inclined surface when the fixing hook abuts against the first support and the first limiting surface is located above the fixing hook, and the second limiting portion abutting against the second limiting surface when the limiting component is in the withdrawing position.
8. The fixing / releasing device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: Button; And a movable component, which is linked to the button, causes the movable component to move the limiting component to the exit position.
9. The fixing / releasing device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the button includes a third inclined surface, the movable member includes a fourth inclined surface corresponding to the third inclined surface, and when the button is pressed down, the third inclined surface pushes the fourth inclined surface, thereby moving the movable member.
10. The fixing / releasing device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the moving member includes a driving part for driving the second limiting part to move along the exit path, the driving part being offset from the second branch in the moving direction of the second limiting part.