Fastening system

Abstract

The present invention discloses a snap-on system, including a computing system, a snap-on rivet, and a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA). The computing system includes a frame. The snap-on rivet includes a rivet and a cap, and the cap is fixed to the frame. The printed circuit board assembly includes a pin base. The pin base has a washer portion, and the washer portion has a hole. The pin base is configured to receive the cap through the hole. The cap protrudes through the hole and mechanically engages the rivet to fix the printed circuit board assembly to the frame. The snap-on rivet provides a tool-free installation and removal method for installing and removing the printed circuit board assembly from the frame of the computing system.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to snap-fit ​​systems and methods for securing printed circuit board assemblies within a housing of a computing system, and more particularly to snap-fit ​​rivets for tool-less securing of printed circuit board assemblies. Background Art

[0002] Computing systems (e.g., desktop computers, blade servers, rack servers, etc.) are widely used in various applications. The computing system includes one or more printed circuit boards (PCBs) with electronic components (e.g., resistors, capacitors, inductors, transistors, integrated circuits, transformers, etc.). These printed circuit boards with assembled components are called printed circuit board assemblies (PCBAs). PCBs are an important part of computing systems (e.g., servers). PCBs are typically fixed to the server's frame or motherboard tray using screws. During maintenance or assembly of the server, users often lose the screws that secure the PCBs. Losing fixing components such as PCB assembly screws can cause damage to the server during transportation. Thumb-twist screws have been proposed as an alternative to typical screws, but thumb-twist screws are more expensive than screws. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The terms embodiment and similar terms (e.g., implementation, configuration, features, examples, and options) are intended to broadly refer to all of the subject matter of the present invention and the appended claims. Several statements containing these terms should be understood as not limiting the subject matter described herein or limiting the meaning or scope of the appended claims. The embodiments of the invention covered herein are defined by the following claims, not by this summary. This summary is a high-level overview of the various features of the invention and introduces some of the concepts further described in the following implementation paragraphs. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used independently to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter. This subject matter should be understood by reference to appropriate portions of the complete specification of the invention, any or all of the drawings, and each claim.

[0004] According to certain aspects of the present invention, a snap-fit ​​system is disclosed, comprising a computing system, a snap-fit ​​rivet, and a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA). The computing system includes a frame. The snap-fit ​​rivet includes a rivet and a cap secured to the frame. The PCBA includes a pin base. The pin base has a washer portion having a hole. The washer portion has a hole. The pin base is configured to receive the cap through the hole. The cap protrudes through the hole and mechanically engages the rivet to secure the PCBA to the frame.

[0005] In one embodiment, the rivet is attached to the pin base using a flexible arm. In one embodiment, the pin base includes one or more ring portions extending from a washer portion, the one or more ring portions being configured to receive a screw to attach the pin base to a printed circuit board assembly. In one embodiment, the washer portion has a height greater than the one or more ring portions. In one embodiment, the pin base includes one or more shims that provide a surface area for gluing the pin base to the printed circuit board assembly. In one embodiment, the washer portion includes a slope such that the diameter of the hole in the washer portion of the pin base varies with the height of the washer portion.

[0006] In one embodiment, the cap includes a plurality of structural members. Each of the structural members has a stem, a ridge, a groove, and an end. When the printed circuit board assembly is secured to the frame, the printed circuit board assembly is configured to be secured to the stems of the structural members, and the ridges of the structural members prevent the printed circuit board assembly from being removed from the cap. In one embodiment, the rivet includes a plurality of hooks that engage with the grooves of the structural members, such that the ends of the structural members prevent the rivet from being removed from the grooves of the structural members. In one embodiment, the plurality of hooks are arranged around a main axis of a longitudinal member of the rivet. In one embodiment, the rivet includes a longitudinal member configured to engage with each of the plurality of structural members, such that the longitudinal member prevents the respective structural member from bending. In one embodiment, the rivet includes a cylindrical head and a cylindrical hook base connected to a cylindrical transition portion, wherein the cylindrical transition portion has a diameter smaller than the diameters of the cylindrical head and the cylindrical hook base. In one embodiment, the cap is a metal component or a plastic component. In one embodiment, the pin base is fixed to the PCB assembly using a hook or glue.

[0007] According to certain aspects of the present invention, a snap rivet is disclosed, comprising a rivet and a cap for use in a computing system having a frame. The rivet has a longitudinal member. The cap has a plurality of structural members, each of which has a stem, a ridge, a groove, and a distal end. The longitudinal member engages the respective structural member to prevent the longitudinal member from bending.

[0008] In one embodiment, the structural members are each separated by a spacing and extend from a trunk of the cap. In one embodiment, the structural members are configured to flex due to the spacing to facilitate attachment of the printed circuit board assembly to the cap and removal from the cap. In one embodiment, when the longitudinal members engage their respective structural members, the cap protrudes through a hole provided in the printed circuit board assembly. In one embodiment, the rivet includes a plurality of hooks. The rivet is secured to at least one of the slots of the cap via the hooks. In one embodiment, the rivet is connected to a portion of a printed circuit board assembly using a flexible arm. In one embodiment, at least one of the rivet or the cap is metal.

[0009] The foregoing summary is not intended to present every embodiment or every feature of the present invention. Rather, the foregoing summary merely provides examples of some of the novel features and characteristics set forth herein. The above features and advantages, as well as other features and advantages of the present invention, will become apparent from the following detailed description of representative embodiments and modes for practicing the invention, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims. Additional features of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the detailed description of various embodiments provided below with reference to the accompanying drawings and the accompanying numerically simplified illustrations. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The present invention and its advantages will be better understood from the following description of exemplary embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which depict only exemplary embodiments and therefore should not be considered limiting of the various embodiments or the claims.

[0011] Figure 1 For certain features of the present invention, a perspective view of a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA);

[0012] Figure 2 For certain features of the present invention, a perspective view of a pin base;

[0013] Figure 3 A perspective view of a cap pressed onto a frame of a computing system for certain aspects of the present invention;

[0014] Figure 4 For some features of the present invention, Figure 3 A three-dimensional view of a hat;

[0015] Figure 5 For some features of the present invention, Figure 1 The printed circuit board assembly is mounted on Figure 3 A perspective view of a computing system frame;

[0016] Figure 6 For certain features of the present invention, a rivet engaging Figure 3 A three-dimensional view of a hat;

[0017] Figure 7 For some features of the present invention, Figure 6 A three-dimensional view of a rivet;

[0018] Figure 8 For some features of the present invention, Figure 6 Rivet fitting Figure 6 a cross-sectional view of a cap;

[0019] Figure 9 For certain features of the present invention, a perspective view of a rivet and pin base combination;

[0020] Figure 10 For some features of the present invention, Figure 9 A cross-sectional view of a rivet and pin base combination being used to secure a printed circuit board.

[0021] Explanation of symbols

[0022] 100:Printed Circuit Board Assembly

[0023] 102: Printed Circuit Board

[0024] 104: Screw

[0025] 106: Pin base

[0026] 108,110: Connectors

[0027] 202: Hole

[0028] 204: Ring part

[0029] 206: Transition plane

[0030] 208: Washer part

[0031] 210: hole

[0032] 212: Slope

[0033] 214, 216, 218: Height

[0034] 300:Frame

[0035] 302: Stopper

[0036] 304: Cap

[0037] 402: Structural components

[0038] 404: Flat bottom

[0039] 406: Trunk

[0040] 408: Rod

[0041] 410: Spine

[0042] 412: Slot

[0043] 414: End

[0044] 416:Central axis

[0045] 600: Rivets

[0046] 602: Hook

[0047] 702: Headend

[0048] 704: Transition

[0049] 706:Hook base

[0050] 708: Longitudinal member

[0051] 710: End

[0052] 900: Rivet and pin base assembly

[0053] 902: Flexible arm DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0054] Embodiments of the present invention provide snap rivets for securing a printed circuit board assembly in a computing system. Snap rivets improve practicality by preventing problems associated with screws (e.g., lost screws, tool dependency for securing the screws, etc.). Snap rivets are also cost-effective compared to thumb-twist screws. According to some embodiments of the present invention, a snap rivet is configured to engage a cap. The snap rivet mates with the cap to secure the printed circuit board assembly to a frame of the computing system. This can result in tool-free maintenance and reduced costs compared to thumb-twist screws.

[0055] Various embodiments are described with reference to the accompanying drawings, and similar reference symbols are used to designate similar or equivalent elements throughout the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings are not drawn to scale, and the accompanying drawings are provided only to illustrate the features and characteristics of the present invention. It should be understood that many specific details, relationships, and methods are set forth to provide a comprehensive understanding. However, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that various embodiments can be practiced without one or more specific details or in other ways. In some cases, for illustrative purposes, well-known structures or operations are not shown in detail. Various embodiments are not limited to the order in which actions or events are displayed, as some actions can occur in different orders and / or simultaneously with other actions or events. In addition, not all of the actions or events shown are required for implementing certain features and characteristics of the present invention.

[0056] For purposes of this embodiment, unless expressly stated otherwise, the singular includes the plural and vice versa. The term "including" means "including, but not limited to." In addition, approximate words such as "about," "almost," "substantially," and "approximately," and their equivalents, may be used herein to mean, for example, "at," "near," "nearly at," "within 3-5% of," "within acceptable manufacturing tolerances," or any logical combination thereof. Similarly, the terms "vertical" or "horizontal" are intended to additionally include "within 3-5% of" the vertical or horizontal direction, respectively. In addition, directional words such as "top," "bottom," "left," "right," "above," and "below" are intended to be relative to equivalent directions depicted in the referenced figures; to be understood from the context of the referenced object or element, such as from the usual position of the object or element; or other such descriptions.

[0057] Reference Figure 1 According to some embodiments of the present invention, a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) 100 is provided. The PCBA 100 includes a printed circuit board (PCB) 102 having two connectors 108 and 110 mounted on the PCB 102. The PCB 100 may include a microcontroller, an integrated circuit, a resistor, a surface-mounted capacitor, etc., and the connectors 108 and 110 are provided as examples only. The PCB 100 also includes a pin base 106. The pin base 106 is secured to the PCB 100 using a screw 104. Other methods (e.g., glue, hooks, etc.) may be used to secure the pin base 106 to the PCB 100, and the screw 104 is provided as an example only.

[0058] Reference Figure 2According to some embodiments of the present invention, a pin base 106 is provided. The pin base 106 includes at least one ring portion 204 having at least one hole 202 for receiving the screw 104 ( Figure 1 ) to secure the pin base 106 to the printed circuit board 102. The ring portion 204 extends from a washer portion 208 of the pin base 106. The washer portion 208 has a height 214 that is greater than a height 216 of the ring portion 204. Figure 2 As shown, the pin base 106 includes a transition plane 206 that provides structural support and increases contact between the ring portion 204 and the washer portion 208. The transition plane 206 has a height 218 that is less than the height 214 of the washer portion 208. The washer portion 208 has a hole 210 for receiving a cap (not shown). The washer portion 208 may include a slope 212 such that a diameter of the hole 210 formed by the washer portion 208 varies with the height 214 of the washer portion 208. The hole 210 may be a countersunk hole.

[0059] In some embodiments, the ring portion 204 extending from the washer portion 208 has the same height. In this embodiment, the transition plane 206 is omitted. In some embodiments, the pin base 106 includes only one ring portion 204. In some embodiments, more than two ring portions 204 are provided (e.g., three ring portions, four ring portions, etc.). In some embodiments, a washer (not shown) extends from the washer portion 208 in place of the ring portion 204. This washer does not have a hole and can provide a larger surface area (compared to the ring portion 204) for gluing the pin base 106 to the printed circuit board 102. The ring portion 204 has a smaller outer diameter than the outer diameter of the washer portion 208. The ring portion 204 can have a larger inner diameter than the minimum inner diameter of the washer portion 208.

[0060] Reference Figure 3 , a frame 300 of a computing system is provided, with a cap 304 mounted to the frame 300. The frame 300 may also include a stop 302. In some embodiments, the cap 304 is metal and is pressed onto the frame 300. In some embodiments, the cap 304 is a plastic component that is glued to the frame 300.

[0061] Figure 4 A perspective view of the cap 304 is provided. The cap 304 includes a flat bottom 404, a trunk 406, and at least one structural member 402 extending from the trunk 406. The flat bottom 404 may have a hexagonal shape to make it easier for the cap 304 to be pressed onto the frame 300 ( Figure 3 ).like Figure 4As shown, the trunk 406 connected to the flat base 404 can be cylindrical; however, in some embodiments, the trunk 406 can be a rectangular corner post. The trunk 406 provides a thick base for attaching each structural member 402. Each structural member 402 is identical and includes a stem 408, a ridge 410, a groove 412, and an end 414.

[0062] The structural members 402 are arranged around a central axis 416 of the cap 304. In some embodiments, there is a spacing between each structural member 402 so that the structural members 402 do not touch each other. This spacing allows for slight bending along the length of the structural members 402, so that the end 414 of at least one structural member 402 is drawn closer to the end 414 of another structural member 402. This bending allows for a change in the radius of the circle formed by the ends 414 of the structural members 402.

[0063] although Figure 4 Four structural members 402 are provided in the embodiment. In some embodiments, the number of structural members may be one, two, three, four, five, six, etc. In the case of one structural member, a compressible or deformable material should be used to accommodate changes in the radius of the circle formed by the end of the structural member. The rod 408 of the structural member 402 provides an area to which a printed circuit board (not shown) can be fixed. The trunk 406 and the ridge 410 prevent the printed circuit board (not shown) from being removed from the rod 408. Similarly, the groove 412 of the structural member 402 provides an area in which a rivet (not shown) can be fitted into the cap 304. The end 414 and the ridge 410 prevent the rivet (not shown) from being removed from the cap 304. The end 414 can be tilted to facilitate sliding the printed circuit board (not shown) onto the rod 408.

[0064] Reference Figure 5 , the printed circuit board 102 is engaged to the cap 304 using the pin base 106. The pin base 106 is pressed to the frame 300, as shown Figure 3 The pin base 106 on the printed circuit board 102 is matched to the cap 304 so that the structural member 402 of the cap 304 is aligned with the hole 210 ( Figure 2 ) are fitted. From the perspective of the cap 304, the hole 210 ( Figure 2 ) transitions from a smaller diameter to a larger diameter. Thus, when the printed circuit board 102 is mounted to the frame 300, the structural members 402 of the cap 304 are initially squeezed together and then released once the pin base 106 passes the ridge 410. The ridge 410 can seat in the hole 210 ( Figure 2 ) in the larger diameter portion of the structural member 402 without being squeezed together. The printed circuit board 102 is supported on the rods 408 of the structural member 402, and the ridges 410 prevent the printed circuit board 102 from moving out of the rods 408.

[0065] The cap 304 is located at the pin base 106 and receives the printed circuit board 102. Figure 6 A rivet 600 is shown that can be engaged with the cap 304 to further prevent the printed circuit board 102 from being removed from the cap 304. The cap 304 and the rivet 600 form a snap rivet. The rivet 600 includes one or more hooks 602 that latch onto at least one structural member 402 ( Figure 4 ) on the groove 412 area. Figure 7 A perspective view of the rivet 600 is shown.

[0066] The rivet 600 includes a longitudinal member 708 and a head 702. The head 702 is connected to a hook base 706 via a transition portion 704. The transition portion 704, the head 702, and the hook base 706 can be cylindrical in nature, with the transition portion 704 having the smallest diameter. The head 702 has a larger diameter than the transition portion 704 to facilitate placement and removal of the rivet 600 on the cap 304. Figure 6 The extended portion of the head end 702 can be easily controlled by a human hand or a machine tool to easily remove the rivet 600 from the cap 304 ( Figure 6 ). The hook 602 on the rivet 600 extends from a hook base 706. The longitudinal member 708 also extends from the hook base 706. The longitudinal member 708 may have a narrowed end 710 to facilitate engagement of the longitudinal member 708 with the cap 304. The hook 602 is arranged around a major axis of the longitudinal member 708.

[0067] Figure 8 1 is a cross-sectional view of a rivet 600 engaged with a cap 304 according to some embodiments of the present invention. The cap 304 is attached to the frame 300. The cap 304 passes through the printed circuit board 102. The screw 104 secures the pin base 106 to the printed circuit board 102. The longitudinal member 708 of the rivet 600 prevents the structural member 402 ( Figure 4 ) bends, thereby ensuring that the hook 602 ( Figure 6 ) remains in the groove 412 ( Figure 6 ), and the ridge 410 prevents the printed circuit board 102 from sliding along the length of the cap 304.

[0068] Figure 9 A rivet and pin base assembly 900 is shown that can be mounted to a printed circuit board (e.g., Figure 1 In some embodiments, a flexible arm 902 can be used to mate the rivet 600 with the pin base 106 to prevent loss of the rivet 600. During removal of the PCB assembly, the paired rivets will remain in the PCB assembly rather than being placed separately. Figure 10A cross-sectional view of a rivet and pin base assembly 900 used to secure the printed circuit board 102 to the frame 300 in accordance with certain aspects of the present invention.

[0069] Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described with respect to one or more embodiments, equivalents and modifications will occur to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding this specification and the accompanying drawings. In addition, although a particular feature of the invention may have been disclosed with respect to only one of several embodiments, such feature may be combined with one or more other features of the other embodiments as may be desired and advantageous for any given or particular application.

[0070] Although various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that these are presented by way of example only and not limitation. Various modifications may be made to the embodiments disclosed herein without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. Therefore, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described embodiments. Rather, the scope of the present invention should be defined by the following claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A fastening system comprising: Computing systems, including frameworks; a snap rivet comprising a rivet and a cap, a first end of the cap being fixed to the frame, the cap having an outer surface having a diameter that varies along a central axis of the cap; as well as A printed circuit board assembly includes a pin base having a washer portion having a hole, the pin base being configured to receive the second end of the cap through the hole, the second end of the cap protruding through the hole so that the rivet mechanically engages the outer surface of the cap to secure the printed circuit board assembly to the frame.

2. The fastening system of claim 1, wherein the rivet is attached to the pin base using a flexible arm.

3. The snap-fit ​​system of claim 1 , wherein the pin base comprises one or more ring portions extending from the washer portion, the one or more ring portions being configured to receive a screw to attach the pin base to the printed circuit board assembly.

4. The fastening system of claim 3, wherein the height of the gasket portion is greater than the height of the one or more loop portions.

5. The snap fit system of claim 1, wherein the pin base includes one or more pads that provide a surface area for gluing the pin base to the printed circuit board assembly.

6. The fastening system of claim 1, wherein the washer portion includes a slope such that a diameter of the hole within the washer portion of the pin base varies with a height of the washer portion.

7. The fastening system of claim 1 , wherein the cap comprises a plurality of structural members, each of the plurality of structural members having a rod, a ridge, a groove, and an end, wherein when the printed circuit board assembly is secured to the frame, the printed circuit board assembly is configured to be secured to the plurality of rods of the plurality of structural members, and the plurality of ridges of the plurality of structural members prevent the printed circuit board assembly from being removed from the cap.

8. The fastening system of claim 7, wherein the rivet comprises a plurality of hooks that engage the plurality of slots of the plurality of structural members such that the plurality of ends of the plurality of structural members prevent the rivet from being removed from the plurality of slots of the plurality of structural members.

9. The fastening system of claim 8, wherein the plurality of hooks are arranged around a main axis of the longitudinal member of the rivet.

10. The fastening system of claim 7, wherein the rivet comprises longitudinal members configured to engage respective ones of the plurality of structural members, the plurality of longitudinal members preventing the respective ones of the plurality of structural members from bending.

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