Adapter and electronic components

Abstract

An adapter and electronic assembly are disclosed, wherein the adapter is used to mount a first expansion card and a second expansion card to a motherboard assembly via a first fastener and a second fastener. The adapter includes an adapter plate, an assembly post, and a first assembly protrusion. The assembly post protrudes from one side of the adapter plate and has a through hole. The through hole allows the first fastener to pass through, thereby allowing the assembly post and the motherboard assembly to jointly hold the first expansion card. The assembly post and the first assembly protrusion protrude from opposite sides of the adapter plate. The first assembly protrusion has a first fastening hole. The first fastening hole and the through hole do not overlap in an axial direction. The first fastening hole allows the second fastener to be fastened, thereby allowing the first assembly protrusion and the second fastener to jointly hold the second expansion card.

Description

Adapter and electronic components Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an adapter and electronic components, and more particularly to an adapter and electronic components relating to an expansion card. Prior Technology

[0002] To expand the functionality of electronic devices such as computers, manufacturers or users plug expansion cards into connectors on the motherboard. In recent years, M.2 compliant network cards have been widely used as expansion cards. Under the M.2 specification, manufacturers or users have expansion cards of different lengths available. When installation space is limited, expansion cards of different lengths are usually electrically connected to the connectors on the motherboard via an adapter circuit board.

[0003] However, due to the complex design of adapter circuit boards, such as their circuit layout, using them to electrically connect expansion cards to connectors is relatively expensive. In summary, it has traditionally been difficult to make connectors compatible with expansion cards of different lengths at a lower cost. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention provides an adapter and electronic component that, through a first fastening hole and a through hole that do not overlap with each other in the axial direction, allows the connector to be used for expansion cards of different lengths at a lower cost.

[0005] An embodiment of this invention discloses an adapter for mounting a first expansion card and a second expansion card to a motherboard assembly via a first fastener and a second fastener. The adapter includes an adapter plate, an assembly post, and a first assembly protrusion. The assembly post protrudes from one side of the adapter plate and has a through hole. The through hole allows the first fastener to pass through, thereby allowing the assembly post and the motherboard assembly to jointly hold the first expansion card. The assembly post and the first assembly protrusion protrude from opposite sides of the adapter plate. The first assembly protrusion has a first fastening hole. The first fastening hole and the through hole do not overlap in an axial direction. The first fastening hole allows the second fastener to be fastened, thereby allowing the first assembly protrusion and the second fastener to jointly hold the second expansion card.

[0006] Another embodiment of the present invention discloses an electronic component comprising a motherboard assembly, a first expansion card, a second expansion card, an adapter frame, a first fastener, and a second fastener. The motherboard assembly includes a main circuit board, a first connector, a second connector, and a mounting post. The first and second connectors are disposed on a mounting surface of the main circuit board. The mounting post is disposed in the main circuit board and protrudes from the mounting surface. The first and second expansion cards are electrically connected to the first and second connectors, respectively. The adapter frame includes an adapter plate, an assembly post, and a first assembly protrusion. The assembly post protrudes from one side of the adapter plate and has a through hole. The assembly post and the first assembly protrusion protrude from opposite sides of the adapter plate. The first assembly protrusion has a first fastening hole. The first fastening hole and the through hole do not overlap each other along an axial direction. The first fastener passes through the through hole and is fastened in the mounting post, such that the assembly post and the mounting post together hold the first expansion card. The second fastener is secured in the first fastening hole, so that the assembly protrusion and the second fastener together clamp the second expansion card.

[0007] According to the adapter and electronic components disclosed in the above embodiments, since the first fastening hole and the through hole do not overlap each other in the axial direction, the first fastener can be inserted through the through hole and fastened in the mounting post, so that the assembly post and the motherboard assembly (such as the mounting post) jointly hold the first expansion card, and the second fastener can be fastened in the first fastening hole, so that the assembly protrusion and the second fastener jointly hold the second expansion card. Therefore, although the second expansion card cannot be directly assembled to the motherboard assembly (such as the mounting post) through the fastener, the second expansion card can be assembled to the motherboard assembly with the assistance of the adapter and the second fastener. In this way, the connector of the motherboard assembly can be used for second expansion cards of different lengths at a lower cost. Simple Explanation of the Diagram

[0008] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an electronic component according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the adapter frame for the electronic components in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a partially enlarged view of the side cross-sectional schematic diagram of the electronic component in Figure 1. Figure 4 is a perspective view of an electronic component according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 is a perspective view of the adapter frame for the electronic components in Figure 4. Figure 6 is a partially enlarged view of the side cross-sectional schematic diagram of the electronic component in Figure 4. Figure 7 is a side sectional view showing how the adapter in Figure 5 is used. Figure 8 is a perspective view of an electronic component according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Figure 9 is a perspective view of the adapter frame for the electronic components in Figure 8. Figure 10 is a partially enlarged view of the side cross-sectional schematic diagram of the electronic component in Figure 8. Implementation

[0009] The following detailed description of the embodiments of this invention outlines its features and advantages. This description is sufficient to enable anyone skilled in the art to understand the technical content of the embodiments of this invention and to implement them accordingly. Furthermore, based on the disclosure, patent claims, and drawings in this specification, anyone skilled in the art can easily understand the related objectives and advantages of this invention. The following embodiments further illustrate the viewpoints of this invention but are not intended to limit the scope of this invention in any way.

[0010] Please refer to Figures 1 to 3. Figure 1 is a perspective view of an electronic component according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the adapter frame of the electronic component in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a partially enlarged side sectional view of the electronic component in Figure 1.

[0011] In this embodiment, the electronic component 10 includes a motherboard component 100, a first expansion card 200, a second expansion card 300, an adapter 400, a first fastener 500, and a second fastener 600.

[0012] The motherboard assembly 100 includes a main circuit board 110, a first connector 120, a second connector 130, and a mounting post 140. The first connector 120 and the second connector 130 are disposed on a mounting surface 111 of the main circuit board 110. The mounting post 140 is disposed in the main circuit board 110 and protrudes from the mounting surface 111.

[0013] The first expansion card 200 and the second expansion card 300 are electrically connected to the first connector 120 and the second connector 130, respectively, and are electrically connected to the main circuit board 110 through the first connector 120 and the second connector 130, respectively. Since the height of the second connector 130 relative to the main circuit board 110 is greater than the height of the first connector 120 relative to the main circuit board 110, the first expansion card 200 will be positioned between the main circuit board 110 and the second expansion card 300. Alternatively, the second expansion card 300 will be farther from the main circuit board 110 than the first expansion card 200.

[0014] The first expansion card 200 is, for example, a Wi-Fi network card, and includes, for example, an expansion circuit board 210 and an antenna connector 220. The antenna connector 220 is disposed and electrically connected to the expansion circuit board 210. The first connector 120, the second connector 130, the first expansion card 200, and the second expansion card 300 are, for example, compliant with the M.2 specification. The second expansion card 300 is, for example, a 5G network card. The length specification of the second expansion card 300 is, for example, 3052. If the adapter bracket 400 is not used, the second connector 130 is suitable for expansion cards with a length specification of 3042 (not shown).

[0015] In this embodiment, the adapter frame 400 includes, for example, an adapter plate 410, two side plates 420, an assembly column 430, and a first assembly protrusion 440.

[0016] The adapter plate 410 has a top surface 411 and a bottom surface 412 facing each other. In this embodiment, the bottom surface 412 of the adapter plate 410 abuts against, for example, the side of the antenna connector 220 away from the expansion circuit board 210 to prevent the antenna connector 220 from detaching from the expansion circuit board 210. The two side plates 420 protrude from opposite sides of the adapter plate 410 to prevent the adapter frame 400 from being difficult to assemble due to excessive rotation when assembling the first expansion card 200 and the second expansion card 300 to the motherboard assembly 100. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the height H of the two side plates 420 protruding from the adapter plate 410 is, for example, 2.2 mm to ensure that the two side plates 420 can effectively prevent the adapter frame 400 from rotating too much.

[0017] The assembly post 430 protrudes from one side of the adapter plate 410 and has a through hole 431. The assembly post 430 and the first assembly protrusion 440 protrude from opposite sides of the adapter plate 410, such as from the bottom surface 412 and the top surface 411, respectively. The first assembly protrusion 440 has a first fastening hole 441. The first fastening hole 441 and the through hole 431 do not overlap with each other along an axial direction A. That is, on the top surface 411 or the bottom surface 412 of the adapter plate 410, the projection of the first fastening hole 441 and the projection of the through hole 431 do not overlap with each other. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the through hole 431 and the first fastening hole 441 are separated, for example, along a major axis direction L of the second expansion card 300 (parallel to the direction in which the second expansion card 300 is inserted into the second connector 130). In addition, the first assembly protrusion 440 and the assembly post 430 are located between the two side plates 420.

[0018] The first fastener 500 passes through the through hole 431 and is fastened in the mounting post 140, such that the mounting post 430 and the mounting post 140 together clamp the expansion circuit board 210 of the first expansion card 200. The second fastener 600 is fastened in the first fastening hole 441, such that the first assembly protrusion 440 and the head 610 of the second fastener 600 together clamp the second expansion card 300. The first fastener 500 and the second fastener 600 are, for example, screws, and the first fastening hole 441 is, for example, a screw hole.

[0019] As shown in Figure 3, in this embodiment, the electronic component 10 may further include a heat sink 700. The heat sink 700 is sandwiched between the expansion circuit board 210 and the adapter board 410 of the first expansion card 200. The adapter board 400 may be made of iron, for example. Therefore, the heat generated by the chip (not shown) in the expansion circuit board 210 can be effectively transferred to the adapter board 400 through the heat sink 700, so that the adapter board 400 assists in cooling the chip.

[0020] Since the first fastening hole 441 and the through hole 431 do not overlap along the axial direction A, the first fastener 500 can pass through the through hole 431 and be fastened in the mounting post 140. This allows the assembly post 430 and the motherboard assembly 100 (such as the mounting post 140) to jointly hold the first expansion card 200. The second fastener 600 can be fastened in the first fastening hole 441, allowing the first assembly protrusion 440 and the second fastener 600 to jointly hold the second expansion card 300. Therefore, although the second expansion card 300 cannot be directly assembled onto the motherboard assembly 100 (such as the mounting post 140) using fasteners, it can be assembled onto the motherboard assembly 100 with the assistance of the adapter bracket 400 and the second fastener 600. In this way, the second connector 130 of the motherboard assembly 100 can be used for second expansion cards 300 of different lengths at a lower cost.

[0021] Other embodiments will be listed below for illustration. It must be noted that the following embodiments use the component reference numerals and some content from the foregoing embodiments, with the same reference numerals representing the same or similar components, and descriptions of identical technical content omitted. For explanations of the omitted parts, please refer to the foregoing embodiments; these will not be repeated in the following embodiments.

[0022] This invention is not limited to the construction of the adapter frame. Please refer to Figures 4 to 6. Figure 4 is a perspective view of an electronic component according to a second embodiment of this invention. Figure 5 is a perspective view of the adapter frame of the electronic component in Figure 4. Figure 6 is a partially enlarged side sectional view of the electronic component in Figure 4. The difference between the electronic component 10a of this embodiment and the electronic component 10 of the first embodiment is that the adapter frame 400a of the electronic component 10a of this embodiment includes a second assembly protrusion 450a compared to the adapter frame 400 of the electronic component 10 of the first embodiment. The first assembly protrusion 440 and the second assembly protrusion 450a protrude from the same side of the adapter plate 410, such as both protruding from the top surface 411. The second assembly protrusion 450a has a second fastening hole 451a. The perforation 431 is located between the first fastening hole 441 and the second fastening hole 451a, and the distance D1 between the first fastening hole 441 and the perforation 431 is different from the distance D2 between the second fastening hole 451a and the perforation 431.

[0023] Please refer to Figures 6 and 7. Figure 7 is a side sectional view showing the usage of the adapter bracket in Figure 5. Second expansion cards 300a and 300 of different lengths can be installed on the motherboard assembly 100 through the first fastening hole 441 and the second fastening hole 451a, which are spaced at different distances from the through hole 431. For example, the length of the second expansion card 300a is 3050 mm.

[0024] Furthermore, this invention is not limited to the arrangement of the first assembly protrusion on the adapter plate. Please refer to Figures 8 to 10. Figure 8 is a perspective view of an electronic component according to a third embodiment of this invention. Figure 9 is a perspective view of the adapter frame of the electronic component in Figure 8. Figure 10 is a partially enlarged side sectional view of the electronic component in Figure 8. The difference between the electronic component 10b of this embodiment and the electronic component 10 of the first embodiment lies only in the manner in which the first assembly protrusion 440b is disposed on the adapter plate 410b. In this embodiment, the adapter plate 410b has a groove 415b. The groove 415b, for example, penetrates through the top surface 411 and the bottom surface 412. The first assembly protrusion 440b includes a fixing section 445b, a connecting section 446b, and a clamping section 447b. The connecting section 446b connects the fixing section 445b and the clamping section 447b. A first fastening hole 441 is located in the fixing section 445b. The connecting section 446b passes through the groove 415b. The adapter plate 410b is located between the fixing section 445b and the clamping section 447b. It should be noted that when the second fastener 600 is tightened into the first fastening hole 441, the fixing section 445b and the clamping section 447b will jointly clamp the adapter plate 410b, thus positioning the second expansion card 300b onto the adapter plate 410b. The length of the second expansion card 300b is, for example, 3080 mm. Through the aforementioned sliding design, the adapter plate 400b can more flexibly and conveniently mount second expansion cards 300b of different lengths onto the motherboard assembly 100.

[0025] According to the adapter and electronic components disclosed in the above embodiments, since the first fastening hole and the through hole do not overlap each other in the axial direction, the first fastener can be inserted through the through hole and fastened in the mounting post, so that the assembly post and the motherboard assembly (such as the mounting post) jointly hold the first expansion card, and the second fastener can be fastened in the first fastening hole, so that the assembly protrusion and the second fastener jointly hold the second expansion card. Therefore, although the second expansion card cannot be directly assembled to the motherboard assembly (such as the mounting post) through the fastener, the second expansion card can be assembled to the motherboard assembly with the assistance of the adapter and the second fastener. In this way, the connector of the motherboard assembly can be used for second expansion cards of different lengths at a lower cost.

[0026] Furthermore, by using an adapter bracket, the motherboard components do not need additional connectors for expansion cards of different specifications, thus improving the space utilization of the motherboard components.

[0027] Although the present invention has been disclosed above with reference to the foregoing embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Anyone skilled in the art may make some modifications and refinements without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of patent protection of the present invention shall be determined by the scope of the claims attached to this specification.

[0028] 10, 10a, 10b: Electronic components 100: Motherboard Components 110: Main circuit board 111: Mounting surface 120: First Connector 130: Second connector 140: Installation column 200: First Expansion Card 210: Expansion Circuit Board 220: Antenna connector 300, 300a, 300b: Second expansion card 400, 400a, 400b: Adapter bracket 410, 410b: Adapter board 411: Top surface 412: Bottom 415b: Slide 420: Side panel 430: Assembly Column 431: Perforation 440, 440b: First assembly protrusion 441: First fastening hole 445b: Fixed section 446b: Connecting Section 447b: Clamping section 450a: Second assembly protrusion 451a: Second fastening hole 500: First fastener 600: Second fastener 610: Head 700: Thermal pad H: Height A: Axial direction L: Major axis direction D1, D2: Distance

Claims

1. An adapter for mounting a first expansion card and a second expansion card to a motherboard assembly via a first fastener and a second fastener, the adapter comprising: an adapter plate; an assembly post protruding from one side of the adapter plate and having a through hole for the first fastener to pass through, thereby allowing the assembly post and the motherboard assembly to jointly hold the first expansion card; and a first assembly protrusion, the assembly post and the first assembly protrusion protruding from opposite sides of the adapter plate, the first assembly protrusion having a first fastening hole, the first fastening hole and the through hole not overlapping each other in an axial direction, the first fastening hole for the second fastener to fasten, thereby allowing the first assembly protrusion and the second fastener to jointly hold the second expansion card.

2. The adapter frame as described in claim 1 further includes two side plates that protrude from opposite sides of the adapter plate, and the first assembly protrusion and the assembly post are located between the two side plates.

3. The adapter as described in claim 2, wherein the two side plates protrude from the adapter plate by a height of 2.2 mm.

4. The adapter as claimed in claim 1 further includes a second assembly protrusion, the first assembly protrusion and the second assembly protrusion protruding from the same side of the adapter plate, the second assembly protrusion having a second fastening hole, the through hole being located between the first fastening hole and the second fastening hole, and the distance between the first fastening hole and the through hole being different from the distance between the second fastening hole and the through hole.

5. The adapter as claimed in claim 1, wherein the adapter plate has a groove, the first assembly protrusion includes a fixing section, a connecting section and a clamping section, the connecting section connects the fixing section and the clamping section, the first fastening hole is located in the fixing section, the connecting section passes through the groove, and the adapter plate is located between the fixing section and the clamping section.

6. An electronic component, comprising: a motherboard assembly including a main circuit board, a first connector, a second connector, and a mounting post, the first connector and the second connector being disposed on a mounting surface of the main circuit board, and the mounting post being disposed in the main circuit board and protruding from the mounting surface; a first expansion card and a second expansion card, respectively electrically connected to the first connector and the second connector; an adapter frame including: an adapter plate; an assembly post protruding from one side of the adapter plate and having a through hole; and A first assembly protrusion, the assembly post and the first assembly protrusion protruding from opposite sides of the adapter plate, the first assembly protrusion having a first fastening hole, the first fastening hole and the through hole not overlapping each other in an axial direction; and a first fastener, which passes through the through hole and is fastened in the mounting post, such that the assembly post and the mounting post together clamp the first expansion card; and a second fastener, which is fastened in the first fastening hole, such that the assembly protrusion and the second fastener together clamp the second expansion card.

7. The electronic component as described in claim 6 further includes a heat dissipation pad sandwiched between the first expansion card and the adapter board.

8. The electronic component as claimed in claim 6, wherein the first expansion card includes an expansion circuit board and an antenna connector disposed on the expansion circuit board, and the adapter plate abuts against the side of the antenna connector away from the expansion circuit board.

9. The electronic component as claimed in claim 6, wherein the perforation is separated from the first fastening hole along a long axis of the second expansion card.

10. The electronic component as claimed in claim 6, wherein the first connector, the second connector, the first expansion card, and the second expansion card conform to the M.2 specification.

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