Parts Box

Abstract

In one example, a component cage may include: a bracket for receiving a computing component; a grounding portion disposed on a first end of the bracket to electrically engage a grounding pad; and a connector lock disposed on the grounding portion. The connector lock may vertically attach the component cage to a vertically oriented connector disposed adjacent to a grounding pad on a system board, such that the computing component is operably engaged with the connector in a vertical orientation and electrically grounded to the grounding pad via the grounding portion on the bracket.

Description

Background Art

[0001] An electronic device, such as a computing device, may include various components and electronic devices. Such components may include a processor, storage drive, graphics card, memory, etc. Typically, such components are connected to connectors attached to a printed circuit board, system board, motherboard, daughterboard, etc. Such components may also be disposed within a housing or casing of such an electronic device, thereby occupying the interior volume of such a casing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0002] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary parts caddy.

[0003] Figure 2A is a perspective view of an exemplary bracket of an exemplary parts box.

[0004] Figure 2B Is a Figure 2A Exploded perspective view of an exemplary component box for a bracket.

[0005] Figure 2C yes Figure 2B A perspective view of an exemplary parts box.

[0006] Figure 2D yes Figure 2B A cross-sectional view of an exemplary parts box.

[0007] Figure 3A is a perspective view of another exemplary parts box.

[0008] Figure 3B Illustrated engaging a connector of an exemplary system board Figure 3A Various views of an exemplary parts box.

[0009] Figure 4 is a perspective cutaway view of an exemplary computing device having a system board with an exemplary component cassette. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0010] As described above, electronic devices such as computing devices may include various computing or electronic components to help perform the functions of the computing device. Such devices may include, but are not limited to, processors, memory, storage drives, expansion cards, graphics cards, power supplies, and other components suitable for use with the computing device. Such components are typically mechanically and electrically supported within the computing device through the use of connectors, contacts, wires, fasteners, various structural components, and the like. Such components and associated supporting components and devices occupy the interior volume of the housing, casing, or housing of such computing devices, where such volume is often at a premium.

[0011] In some cases, due to the orientation of a component's connector, the component may be positioned horizontally, thereby covering a portion of a printed circuit board or system board of a computing device. This often results in such a component occupying and / or covering circuit board area, thereby limiting the placement and / or orientation of the connector that will also be attached to such a circuit board or other components that interface with the connector. This may result in a computing device having a larger system board and / or chassis or enclosure than necessary due to the less-than-ideal orientation and placement of internal components.

[0012] Therefore, it may be desirable to orient certain components within a computing device in a vertical manner relative to the system board or circuit board to which they are attached in order to minimize the space occupied by the components. However, such an orientation often results in unstable component mounting and the possibility that such components may be knocked loose during shipping, assembly, or even use, thereby negatively impacting the performance or functionality of the computing device. Furthermore, some components may benefit from having multiple points of contact with the circuit board and / or substrate on which they are mounted, for example, to establish electrical grounding, which is typically not provided by vertical mounting.

[0013] In some situations, it may be desirable to optimally mount components within a computing device to efficiently utilize available internal volume and / or circuit board area. Furthermore, it may be desirable to ensure that such optimal orientation and mounting of components provides a stable arrangement of the components in all directions. Furthermore, it may be desirable to ensure that such components utilize beneficial additional contact areas, such as grounding pads.

[0014] Embodiments disclosed herein provide examples of component caddies to facilitate convenient and optimal installation of computing components within a computing device. Such examples of component caddies allow for slender, vertical installation of components, thereby preserving circuit board area for use by other components or enabling reduction in the size of such circuit boards used in computing devices. Finally, such examples of component caddies also provide the ability to utilize external contact areas, such as grounding pads, for components supported within the caddy to ensure reliable and robust performance of such components.

[0015] Now refer to Figure 1, which illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary component cassette 100. The component cassette 100 may include a bracket 102 to receive a computing component 104. Additionally, the component cassette 100 may include a grounding portion 106 disposed on a first end 108 of the bracket to electrically and / or conductively engage a grounding pad 110. The component cassette 100 may include a connector lock 112 disposed on the grounding portion 106 to vertically attach the component cassette 100 and / or its bracket 102 to a vertically oriented connector 114 disposed adjacent to the grounding pad 110 on a system board (not shown), such that the computing component 104 is operably engaged with the connector 114 in a vertical orientation and electrically grounded to the grounding pad 110 via the grounding portion 106.

[0016] Now refer to Figure 2A , illustrates a schematic diagram for use with another exemplary component box 200 (in Figures 2B-2D 2 and 3. A perspective view of an exemplary bracket 202 for use with an exemplary component cassette 200 (illustrated in FIG). The exemplary component cassette 200 can be similar to other exemplary component cassettes described herein. In addition, similarly named elements of the exemplary component cassette 200 can be similar in function and / or structure to corresponding elements of other exemplary component cassettes, as they are described herein.

[0017] In some examples, bracket 202 may be a rigid or semi-rigid component capable of mechanically supporting, attaching to, and / or receiving a computing component. In some examples, bracket 202 may be an elongated member, i.e., the width of bracket 202 may be shorter than the length of bracket 202. In some examples, bracket 202 may partially or completely enclose such a computing component and / or a portion thereof. Furthermore, bracket 202 may have a sufficiently rigid structure to support the size and weight of such a computing component when such a component is positioned upright or in a vertical orientation. In some embodiments, bracket 202 may be constructed from a metallic material, such as sheet metal. In other examples, bracket 202 may be formed by stamping or bending sheet metal from a single piece into a desired or appropriate shape to support the computing component. In other examples, bracket 202 may be formed from other materials, such as polymeric materials, and may be formed by plastic injection molding, overmolding, or the like. In still other embodiments, bracket 202 may be formed by assembling and / or attaching together multiple separate components.

[0018] In some examples, bracket 202 may include a central portion 216. Bracket 202 may also include a retaining clip 218 or multiple retaining clips 218. Such a retaining clip may extend from the central portion, and in other examples, may extend transversely or orthogonally from the central portion. Furthermore, in an assembled state, such a retaining clip 218 may retain, hold, or assist in retaining or holding a computing component to bracket 202. Furthermore, in other examples, bracket 202 may include a sidewall or multiple sidewalls 220, or portions thereof, extending from central portion 216. In some examples, sidewall portions 220 may be positioned adjacent to or aligned with retaining clip 218. Such sidewall portions 220 may extend orthogonally or transversely from central portion 216, such that central portion 216, retaining clip 218, and sidewall portions 220 form and / or define a valley, channel, or substantially U-shaped bracket 202 to enable the computing component to be received within bracket 202 and between retaining clip 218 and / or sidewall portions 220. In some examples, the bracket 202 or its central portion 216 , retaining clips 218 , and sidewall portions 220 may all be a single component formed from bent or stamped sheet metal.

[0019] The bracket 202 may also include a plurality of support pads 222 extending from the central portion 216 against which the computing component is supported when the computing component is engaged with or inserted into the bracket 202 .

[0020] In some examples, the component box 200 or its bracket 202 may include: a first ground portion 206a, which is arranged at the first end 208 of the bracket 202; and a second ground portion 206b, which is arranged at the first end 208 on the side opposite to the first ground portion 206a of the bracket 202. In some cases, the first ground portion 206a and the second ground portion 206b may be collectively referred to as the ground portion 206 or individually referred to as the ground portion 206. The ground portion 206 may be a curved or rounded member so that each can smoothly engage with an associated ground pad. In addition, each ground portion 206 may be made of a metal material or a material capable of conducting electricity so that the bracket 202 or a portion thereof can be electrically grounded to such a ground pad. In some examples, the bracket 202, the retaining clip 218, and the ground portion 206 may be integrally formed by a single bent or stamped metal sheet.

[0021] The component box 200 or its bracket 202 may also include a first connector lock 212a and a second connector lock 212b respectively disposed on the first ground portion 206a and the second ground portion 206b. Similarly, in some cases, the first and second connector locks 212a and 212b may be collectively referred to as connector locks 212 or individually as connector locks 212. The connector locks 212 may be openings or cavities in the respective ground portions 206 to receive or clip onto appropriately sized locks, such as the locks disposed on the connectors described below.

[0022] In some embodiments, the bracket 202 may further include a fastener post 224 that is conductively attached to the bracket 202 or its ground portion 206 at a second end 226 along the longitudinal or elongated length of the bracket 202, opposite the first end 208. The fastener post 224 may be an aperture, cavity, hole, or other opening suitably sized and configured to receive a fastener, such as a threaded fastener or bolt. In some examples, the fastener post 224 may be substantially centered along the width of the bracket 202 or its central portion 216 at the second end 226. Furthermore, the fastener post 224 may be specifically positioned or oriented to align with a fastener interface provided on a computing component with which the bracket 202 is to be assembled. As such, the fastener post 224 may be capable of abutting or mating against such a fastener interface, and in some examples, may be capable of conductively mating or engaging with such a fastener interface.

[0023] Now refer to Figure 2B , illustrates an exploded perspective view of component cassette 200 with bracket 202. Component cassette 200 may also include a heat sink 228. Heat sink 228 may be a thermal component capable of conducting heat energy or transferring heat away from computing component 204. In some examples, heat sink 228 may include fins, ribs, valleys, or other features to enhance or improve the heat transfer capabilities of heat sink 228. In some examples, component cassette 200 may also include a thermal pad 240 or thermal paste disposed between heat sink 228 and computing component 204. Thermal pad 240 may be made of a highly conductive material and may increase the thermal connection between the computing component and heat sink 228 to improve the efficiency of heat transfer between the two. In some embodiments, heat sink 228 may include a plurality of locking tabs 242 extending laterally from heat sink 228 to engage with, clip onto, or lock into the plurality of retention clips 218 on bracket 202 to secure heat sink 228 to bracket 202.

[0024] As described above, component enclosure 200 may also include a computing component 204. Computing component 204 may be a storage drive, such as flash memory or a solid-state storage drive (SSD), a graphics card, a processor, a network card, another type of expansion card, or the like. In some examples, computing component 204 may be a component that interfaces with a communication or expansion slot of a computing device using an edge connector 234 disposed at a first end 236 of computing component 204. Edge connector 234 may include electrical pads or contacts, including power and / or signal pads, that operably interface with complementary pads or contacts within the connector or its slot. Computing component 204 may include a printed circuit board (PCB) having electrical components disposed or attached thereto and in electrical communication with edge connector 234. In some embodiments, computing component 204 or its edge connector 234 may utilize a standardized communication and / or connectivity specification, such as the Next Generation Form Factor (NGFF), now referred to as the M.2 form factor or form factor, or another type of communication and / or connectivity standard. In some embodiments, computing component 204 may be a memory card utilizing the M.2 form factor standard.

[0025] In some examples, computing component 204 may also include a fastener interface 230 disposed along the length of computing component 204 at a second end 238 opposite first end 236. In some examples, fastener interface 230 may be an aperture, cavity, recess, or another type of opening suitable for receiving a fastener. In some examples, fastener interface 230 may be a circular aperture to receive and accommodate a threaded fastener, such as a screw or bolt. In yet other examples, fastener interface 230 may accommodate an electrical contact or conductive area to enable transmission or reception of electrical signals. In some examples, the electrical contact or conductive area may serve as a ground for computing component 204, such that attaching fastener interface 230 to another metal component with a fastener enables the other metal component to serve as a ground for computing component 204. In some examples, component box 200 may also include fasteners 232 to secure computing component 204 to bracket 202 and thereby electrically couple fastener interface 230 of computing component 204 to fastener posts 224 of bracket 202. In this way, the ground portion 206 of the bracket 202, if engaged with the ground pad, can serve as an electrical ground for the computing component 204 by virtue of the electrical connection between the fastener interface 230, the fastener 232, the fastener leg 224, and the conductive properties of the bracket 202 between the fastener leg 224 and the ground portion 206.

[0026] Now refer to Figure 2C, illustrates a perspective view of the component box 200 in an assembled state. The plurality of locking protrusions 242 of the heat sink 228 have each engaged one of the plurality of retaining clips 218 of the bracket 202 to retain the heat sink 228 to the bracket 202. Figure 2D , showing the Figure 2C 2D-2D of the exemplary component box 200. As shown, the computing component 204 is disposed within the bracket 202 and is held in place to the bracket 202 by the heat sink 228 and, in some examples, one or more thermally conductive pads 240. In other words, the engagement of the plurality of locking protrusions 242 with the plurality of retaining clips 218 holds the computing component 204 between the inner surface 244 of the heat sink 228 and the plurality of support pads 222 extending from the bracket 202, thereby retaining and holding the computing component 204 within the component box 200 in a secure state.

[0027] Now refer to Figure 3A , a perspective view of another exemplary parts box 300 is illustrated. Exemplary parts box 300 can be similar to other exemplary parts boxes described herein. In addition, similarly named elements of exemplary parts box 300 can be similar in function and / or structure to corresponding elements of other exemplary parts boxes, as they are described herein.

[0028] Component cassette 300 may include a bracket 302 and a computing component 304 disposed within and retained within bracket 302. Computing component 304 may include an edge connector 334 for engaging with a complementary engagement slot 346 in a vertically oriented connector 314. In this context, "vertical orientation" may refer to the relative lateral or substantially orthogonal positions of connector 314, component cassette 300, and computing component 304 relative to a printed circuit board (PCB) 352 upon which connector 314 may be disposed or operably attached. Component cassette 300 and computing component 304 disposed therein may also be vertically oriented such that edge connector 334 may be directly inserted into engagement slot 346, which is oriented away from PCB 352 due to the vertical orientation of connector 314. For example, component cassette 300, and therefore edge connector 334 of computing component 304, may be moved in direction 305 to engage connector 314, as described below and Figure 3B As shown in the picture.

[0029] Now refer to Figure 3B, illustrates various views of an exemplary component cage 300 engaged with a connector 314 of an exemplary system board or PCB. View 350 illustrates component cage 300 in proximity to connector 314. As shown in view 352, when first and second grounding portions 306a, 306b contact connector 314 or distal or opposing ends thereof, a pair of latches 348 disposed on such opposed distal ends of the connector push grounding portions 306 outward to create clearance for bracket 302 around connector 314. At this point, edge connector 334 and its electrical pads or contacts have begun to insert into complementary engagement slots 346 of connector 314. As shown in view 354, edge connector 334 and computing component 304 are fully operatively engaged with connector 314 and its engagement slots 346 in a vertical orientation to establish electrical communication between computing component 304 and PCB 352. In addition, the grounding portions 306 have each fully engaged, mated, or contacted an associated grounding pad 310 disposed on the PCB adjacent to the connector 314 or its distal end to establish an electrical ground between the grounding pad 310 and the bracket 302, and therefore between the grounding pad 310 and the computing component 304. Furthermore, the first and second connector locks 312a and 312b have fully engaged, clipped, or locked onto corresponding latches 348 extending laterally from opposite distal ends of the connector 314. This engagement between the latches 348 and the connector locks 312 holds the bracket 301 in a vertical orientation to the connector 314 and secures the bracket 302 against movement in all three Cartesian directions. Thus, the computing component 304 is operably engaged with the connector 314 in an elongated, vertical manner while also being securely mounted, resisting movement, and electrically grounded.

[0030] Now refer to Figure 4 , illustrates a perspective cutaway view of an exemplary computing device 403 having a system board 401 with an exemplary component cassette 400. The exemplary component cassette 400 can be similar to other exemplary component cassettes described herein. Additionally, similarly named elements of the exemplary component cassette 400 can be similar in function and / or structure to corresponding elements of other exemplary component cassettes, as they are described herein.

[0031] In some embodiments, computing device 403 can be a desktop or all-in-one (AIO) computer, a server, or another type of computing device 403 that can benefit from the use of expansion cards, such as computing components installed in vertically oriented connectors. Computing device 403 can include a housing 456 and a system board 401 disposed within housing 456. Housing 456 can be a housing, a shell, an enclosure, etc., and can house, structurally support, and protect the computing components disposed therein.

[0032] System board 401 may include a PCB 452, a processor 454 mounted on the PCB, and other suitable components mounted on the PCB, such as expansion slots or connectors 414. In some examples, system board 401 may be referred to as a motherboard, a printed circuit assembly (PCA), etc. The PCB may include electrical pathways for operably connecting various components of system board 401. In addition, system board 401 may include a vertically oriented connector 414 operably attached to the PCB, and one or more ground pads disposed adjacent to connector 414.

[0033] System board 401 may also include computing component 404, which is disposed within component cage 400 so as to engage connector 414 in a vertical manner to optimize placement of computing component 404 within chassis 456 and on PCB 452. Furthermore, component cage 400 securely holds computing component 404 in place so as to operatively engage connector 414 and, thereby, ground pads.

Claims

1. A component box comprising: a bracket for receiving a computing component; a grounding portion disposed on the first end of the bracket to electrically engage a grounding pad disposed on the system board; as well as A connector lock is provided on the grounding portion, the connector lock vertically attaching the component box to a vertically oriented connector, the connector being provided on the system board adjacent to the grounding pad so that the computing component is operably engaged with the connector in a vertical orientation and electrically grounded to the grounding pad through the grounding portion on the bracket.

2. The component box according to claim 1, wherein The bracket includes a central portion and a plurality of retention clips extending orthogonally from the central portion, the retention clips retaining the computing component to the bracket. 3 . The component box of claim 2 , further comprising a heat sink clipped into the plurality of retaining clips, the computing component being retained to the bracket by the heat sink.

4. The component box according to claim 2, wherein: The bracket also includes a plurality of side wall portions extending orthogonally from the central portion adjacent the retention clip.

5. The component box of claim 2, further comprising a plurality of support pads extending from the central portion, the computing component being supported against the support pads when the computing component is engaged with the bracket.

6. The component box according to claim 1, wherein The bracket further includes a fastener post at a second end opposite the first end, and the computing component includes a fastener interface for attaching to the fastener post with a fastener to secure the computing component to the bracket.

7. A system board comprising: printed circuit boards; a vertically oriented system board connector operably attached to the printed circuit board, the system board connector having an engagement slot facing away from the printed circuit board and a pair of latches disposed at a distal end of the system board connector relative to the printed circuit board; a computing component having an edge connector at a first end of the computing component to operably engage the engagement slot of the system board connector in a vertical orientation; as well as A component box comprising: an elongated bracket for receiving the computing component; a first ground portion disposed at a first end of the bracket and a second ground portion disposed at the first end of the bracket on a side of the bracket opposite the first ground portion, the first ground portion and the second ground portion each contacting a ground pad disposed on the printed circuit board adjacent to the system board connector; and First and second connector locks are provided on the first and second grounding portions, respectively, and each of the first and second connector locks engages a latch of the system board connector to hold the bracket to the system board connector in a vertical orientation.

8. The system board according to claim 7, wherein: The bracket also includes a fastener post conductively attached to the bracket at a second end of the bracket opposite the first end of the bracket.

9. The system board according to claim 8, wherein: The computing component also includes a fastener interface disposed at a second end of the computing component opposite the first end of the computing component, and the component box also includes a fastener to electrically engage the fastener interface to the fastener post so that the computing component is electrically grounded to the ground pad of the printed circuit board.

10. The system board according to claim 7, wherein: The computing component is an M.2 form factor storage drive.

11. A computing device comprising: chassis; as well as A system board is provided in the housing, the system board comprising: printed circuit boards; processor; a vertically oriented system board connector operably attached to the printed circuit board; a ground pad disposed on the printed circuit board adjacent to the system board connector; a computing component having an edge connector at a first end to engage the system board connector and a fastener interface at a second end opposite the first end; and A component box comprising: a bracket receiving the computing component and having a fastener post to conductively engage the fastener interface of the computing component; a grounding portion extending from the bracket to electrically contact the grounding pad; a connector lock disposed on the grounding portion to engage a latch on a distal end of the system board connector relative to the printed circuit board to retain the bracket, and thereby the computing component, to the system board connector in a vertical orientation; and A heat sink engages the plurality of retention clips of the bracket such that the heat sink retains the computing component to the bracket.

12. The computing device according to claim 11, wherein: The heat sink includes a plurality of locking tabs extending laterally from the heat sink to lock into the plurality of retaining clips to retain the heat sink to the bracket.

13. The computing device according to claim 12, wherein: Engagement of the plurality of locking protrusions with the plurality of retaining clips retains the computing component between an inner surface of the heat sink and a plurality of support pads extending from the bracket to retain the computing component within the component box.

14. The computing device according to claim 11, wherein: The bracket, the retaining clip, and the grounding portion are integrally formed from a bent metal sheet.

15. The computing device according to claim 11, wherein: The computing component is an M.2 form factor storage drive.

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