Expansion card holding assembly

Abstract

An expansion card holding assembly is used to hold a first end of a first expansion card and a second end of a second expansion card. The expansion card holding assembly includes a frame and a supporting piece. The frame includes an extending portion and some first snapping portions disposed on the extending portion and arranged along a second direction. The extending portion extends along a first direction perpendicular to the second direction. Adjacent two of the first snapping portions define a groove therebetween. The supporting piece includes a first body and some second snapping portions. The first body includes oppositely a first and a second sides. The first end and the second end are disposed on the second side. The second snapping portions are disposed on the first side. At least one of the second snapping portions is slidably disposed within a corresponding one of the grooves.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an expansion card support assembly, and more particularly to a support assembly for a Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIE) card. Prior Technology

[0002] As people's living standards continue to improve, electronic products are becoming increasingly important in their lives. Faced with the huge demand for electronic products, major manufacturers are also striving to improve their brand's market competitiveness.

[0003] In fact, in addition to strengthening the research and development of electronic products' functions and performance, optimizing the assembly methods of electronic products to improve the commonality of components and thus reduce the production cost of electronic products is undoubtedly a topic that manufacturers attach great importance to. Summary of the Invention

[0004] One of the objectives of this invention is to provide an expansion card support component that can effectively improve both application flexibility and installation convenience.

[0005] According to one embodiment of the present invention, an expansion card support assembly is used to support a first end of a first expansion card and a second end of a second expansion card. The expansion card support assembly includes a bracket and at least one support member. The bracket includes an extension and a plurality of first latching portions. The extension extends along a first direction. The first latching portions are disposed on the extension and are at least partially arranged along a second direction, the first direction being perpendicular to the second direction, with adjacent first latching portions defining a groove therein. The support member includes a first body and a plurality of second latching portions. The first body includes opposing first and second sides, with the first end of the first expansion card and the second end of the second expansion card disposed on the second side. The second latching portions are disposed on the first side of the first body, with at least one of the second latching portions at least partially slidably disposed within a corresponding groove.

[0006] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the number of the first latching parts is at least three.

[0007] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the first latching portion and the second latching portion are at least partially hook-shaped and extend along a first direction.

[0008] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the second latching portions are arranged along a second direction, and at least one of the second latching portions can slidably latch one of the corresponding first latching portions.

[0009] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the two adjacent fasteners in the first fastener portion are separated by a first pitch in the second direction, and the two adjacent fasteners in the second fastener portion are separated by a second pitch in the second direction, wherein the first pitch is equal to the second pitch.

[0010] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the extension includes at least one opening and at least one inner edge, the inner edge surrounding the opening to define it. The support further includes a spring arm portion disposed on a first side of the first body, and a stop portion is provided on one side of the spring arm portion away from the first side, the stop portion at least partially passing through the opening and at least partially abutting the inner edge in a first direction.

[0011] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the support member further includes a first connecting portion, a second connecting portion, a third connecting portion and a fourth connecting portion, wherein the first connecting portion, the second connecting portion, the third connecting portion and the fourth connecting portion are disposed on the second side and arranged at least partially along the second direction, and are at least partially aligned and separated from each other in the second direction.

[0012] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, when the first end of the first expansion card is inserted into the first connecting portion, the second end of the second expansion card is inserted into the third connecting portion.

[0013] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, when the first end of the first expansion card is inserted into the second connecting portion, the second end of the second expansion card is inserted into the fourth connecting portion.

[0014] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the first connecting part, the second connecting part, the third connecting part and the fourth connecting part are slots, and the first end and the second end are at least partially plate-shaped.

[0015] The above-described embodiments of the present invention have at least the following advantages:

[0016] (1) Since the first expansion card and the second expansion card can be installed on the support at different heights, and the support can also be installed on the bracket at different heights, that is, during the assembly of the expansion card support assembly, the first expansion card and the second expansion card have multiple height settings relative to the bracket, thus effectively improving the application flexibility of the expansion card support assembly.

[0017] (2) Since the adjustment of the height of the first expansion card and the second expansion card relative to the bracket does not involve the use of other tools or fasteners, it can bring convenience to the user. Simple Explanation of the Diagram

[0018] Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating an expansion card support assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figures 2 and 3 are enlarged three-dimensional schematic diagrams of the support component in Figure 1 from different perspectives. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view showing line segment AA in Figure 1. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view along line segment AA in Figure 1, in which the position of the support relative to the bracket has been adjusted. Figure 6 is a rear-view magnified three-dimensional diagram of the support frame shown in Figure 1. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view showing line segment BB in Figure 6. Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view along line segment BB in Figure 6, in which the positions of the first expansion card and the second expansion card relative to the support have been adjusted. Implementation

[0019] The following drawings disclose several embodiments of the present invention. For clarity, many practical details will be described in the following description. However, it should be understood that these practical details are not intended to limit the invention. That is, in some embodiments of the invention, these practical details are not essential. Furthermore, for the sake of simplicity, some conventional structures and elements will be shown in a simple schematic manner in the drawings, and in all drawings, the same reference numerals will be used to denote the same or similar elements. And, where feasible, features of different embodiments can be used interchangeably.

[0020] Please refer to Figure 1. Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating an expansion card support assembly 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, an expansion card support assembly 100 is used to support a first expansion card 130 and a second expansion card 140, and includes a bracket 110 and at least one support member 120. Specifically, as shown in Figure 1, there are multiple support members 120, multiple first expansion cards 130, and multiple second expansion cards 140, and the first expansion card 130 and the second expansion card 140 are respectively connected to the bracket 110 via the support member 120. In practical applications, the first expansion card 130 and the second expansion card 140 are Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIE) cards.

[0021] Please refer to Figures 2 and 3. Figures 2 and 3 are enlarged perspective views of the support member 120 in Figure 1 from different angles. In this embodiment, the support member 120 includes a first body 121 and a plurality of second latching portions 122. The first body 121 includes a first side 121a and a second side 121b opposite to each other. The second latching portions 122 are disposed on the first side 121a of the first body 121, while the first expansion card 130 and the second expansion card 140 are slidably disposed on the second side 121b of the first body 121. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the second latching portions 122 are arranged along the second direction D2. Furthermore, each of the second latching portions 122 is at least partially hook-shaped and extends along the first direction D1, which is perpendicular to the second direction D2.

[0022] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the support member 120 further includes a first connecting portion 124, a second connecting portion 125, a third connecting portion 126, and a fourth connecting portion 127. The first connecting portion 124, the second connecting portion 125, the third connecting portion 126, and the fourth connecting portion 127 are respectively disposed on the second side 121b of the first body 121 and are at least partially arranged along the second direction D2, at least partially aligned in the second direction D2, and separated from each other. In practical applications, the first connecting portion 124, the second connecting portion 125, the third connecting portion 126, and the fourth connecting portion 127 are slots.

[0023] Please refer to Figure 4. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view showing line segment AA in Figure 1. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 4, the bracket 110 includes an extension 111 and a plurality of first latching portions 112. The extension 111 extends along a first direction D1. The first latching portions 112 are disposed on the extension 111 and are arranged at least partially along a second direction D2. Furthermore, each of the first latching portions 112 is at least partially hook-shaped and extends along the first direction D1.

[0024] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, at least one of the second latching portions 122 of the support member 120 slidably latches onto a corresponding one of the first latching portions 112. Specifically, two adjacent first latching portions 112 define a groove G therein, and at least one of the second latching portions 122 is at least partially slidably disposed within the corresponding groove G.

[0025] In other words, by slidably fastening the second latching part 122 of the support member 120 to different first latching parts 112, and simultaneously slidably setting at least one of the second latching parts 122 in the corresponding groove G, the user can easily adjust the height level of the support member 120 relative to the bracket 110.

[0026] In fact, as shown in Figure 4, adjacent fasteners in the first fastening portion 112 are separated by a first pitch X1 in the second direction D2, and adjacent fasteners in the second fastening portion 122 are separated by a second pitch X2 in the second direction D2. The first pitch X1 is equal to the second pitch X2, so that the first fastening portion 112 and the second fastening portion 122 can be slidably fastened to each other. Compared with Figure 4, for example, the support member 120 shown in Figure 5 is lowered in position relative to the bracket 110.

[0027] In practical applications, the number of first latching parts 112 is at least three. In other words, the number of grooves G is at least two. In this way, the user can at least partially slidably accommodate at least one of the second latching parts 122 of the support 120 in one of the two grooves G, and slidably latch the second latching part 122 onto the corresponding first latching part 112 to adjust the height level of the support 120 relative to the bracket 110.

[0028] Please refer to Figure 6. Figure 6 is a rear enlarged perspective view of the bracket 110 shown in Figure 1. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 6, the extension 111 of the bracket 110 includes at least one opening OP and at least one inner edge 111e, the inner edge 111e surrounding to define the opening OP. The support member 120 further includes a spring arm portion 128, which is disposed on the first side 121a of the first body 121. A stop portion 123 is provided on the side of the spring arm portion 128 away from the first side 121a. The stop portion 123 at least partially passes through the opening OP of the extension portion 111 and at least partially abuts against the inner edge 111e in the first direction D1 to restrict the second latch portion 122 from sliding relative to the first latch portion 112 in the first direction D1. By moving the spring arm portion 128 to cause a brief elastic deformation, the stop portion 123 can be moved away from the opening OP of the extension portion 111, and the support member 120 can be slidably disassembled from the bracket 110 along the first latch portion 112, thereby changing other height levels, thus improving the application flexibility and installation convenience of the expansion card support assembly 100.

[0029] Please refer to Figure 7. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view showing line segment BB of Figure 6. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 7, the first expansion card 130 includes a first end portion 131. A first connecting portion 124 and a second connecting portion 125 are selectively provided for the first end portion 131 to provide different height levels. The first end portion 131 is at least partially plate-shaped and configured to selectively insert into either the first connecting portion 124 or the second connecting portion 125 as a slot.

[0030] Similarly, as shown in Figure 7, the second expansion card 140 includes a second end portion 141. A third connecting portion 126 and a fourth connecting portion 127 are selectively provided for the second end portion 141 to provide different height levels. The second end portion 141 is at least partially plate-shaped and configured to selectively insert into the third connecting portion 126 or the fourth connecting portion 127 as a slot.

[0031] It is worth noting that, as described above, when the first end 131 of the first expansion card 130 is inserted into the first connecting portion 124, the second end 141 of the second expansion card 140 is inserted into the third connecting portion 126; when the first end 131 of the first expansion card 130 is inserted into the second connecting portion 125, the second end 141 of the second expansion card 140 is inserted into the fourth connecting portion 127. In this way, the user can easily adjust the height of the first expansion card 130 and the second expansion card 140 relative to the support member 120 and thus the bracket 110. Compared to Figure 7, for example, the first expansion card 130 and the second expansion card 140 shown in Figure 8 are lowered relative to the support member 120.

[0032] In summary, the technical solution disclosed in the above embodiments of the present invention has at least the following advantages:

[0033] (1) Since the first expansion card and the second expansion card can be installed on the support at different heights, and the support can also be installed on the bracket at different heights, that is, during the assembly of the expansion card support assembly, the first expansion card and the second expansion card have multiple height settings relative to the bracket, thus effectively improving the application flexibility of the expansion card support assembly.

[0034] (2) Since the adjustment of the height of the first expansion card and the second expansion card relative to the bracket does not involve the use of other tools or fasteners, it can bring convenience to the user.

[0035] In one embodiment of the present invention, the expansion card support component of the present invention can be used for artificial intelligence (AI) computing, edge computing, and can also be used in 5G servers, cloud servers or vehicle networking servers.

[0036] Although the present invention has been disclosed above by way of embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Anyone skilled in the art can make various modifications and refinements without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention shall be determined by the appended claims.

[0037] 100: Expansion Card Support Component 110: Bracket 111: Extension 111e: Inner edge 112: First buckle part 120: Support component 121:First body 121a: First side 121b: Second side 122: Second buckle part 123: Stop section 124: First connecting part 125: Second connecting part 126: Third connecting part 127: Fourth connecting part 128: Spear arm section 130: First Expansion Card 131: First end 140: Second Expansion Card 141: Second end AA, BB: line segments D1: First Direction D2: Second Direction G: Groove OP: Open X1: First pitch X2: Second pitch

[0038] Domestic storage information (please note in order of storage institution, date, and number) none Overseas storage information (please note in the order of storage country, institution, date, and number) none

Claims

1. An expansion card support assembly for supporting a first end of a first expansion card and a second end of a second expansion card, comprising: a support including: an extension extending along a first direction; and a plurality of first latching portions disposed on the extension and arranged at least partially along a second direction perpendicular to the second direction, wherein adjacent first latching portions define a groove therein; and at least one support member including: a first body including a first side and a second side opposite to each other, wherein the first end of the first expansion card and the second end of the second expansion card are disposed on the second side; and a plurality of second latching portions disposed on the first side of the first body, wherein at least one of the second latching portions is at least partially slidably disposed within a corresponding groove.

2. The expansion card holder assembly as described in claim 1, wherein the number of the first latches is at least three.

3. The expansion card holder assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first latching portions and the second latching portions are at least partially hooked and extend along the first direction.

4. The expansion card holder assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second latching portions are arranged along the second direction, and at least one of the second latching portions slidably latches a corresponding one of the first latching portions.

5. The expansion card holder assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein adjacent pairs of the first latching portions are spaced apart by a first pitch in the second direction, and adjacent pairs of the second latching portions are spaced apart by a second pitch in the second direction, the first pitch being equal to the second pitch.

6. The expansion card support assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the extension includes at least one opening and at least one inner edge surrounding to define the opening, and the support further includes a spring arm disposed on the first side of the first body, and a stop portion provided on one side of the spring arm away from the first side, the stop portion at least partially passing through the opening and at least partially abutting the inner edge in the first direction.

7. The expansion card support assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support further includes a first connecting portion, a second connecting portion, a third connecting portion and a fourth connecting portion, the first connecting portion, the second connecting portion, the third connecting portion and the fourth connecting portion being disposed on the second side and arranged at least partially along the second direction, and at least partially aligned and separated from each other in the second direction.

8. The expansion card holder assembly as claimed in claim 7, wherein when the first end of the first expansion card is inserted into the first connector, the second end of the second expansion card is inserted into the third connector.

9. The expansion card holder assembly as claimed in claim 7, wherein when the first end of the first expansion card is inserted into the second connector, the second end of the second expansion card is inserted into the fourth connector.

10. The expansion card holder assembly as claimed in claim 7, wherein the first connecting portion, the second connecting portion, the third connecting portion and the fourth connecting portion are slots, and the first end and the second end are at least partially plate-shaped.

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