Carding mechanism

Abstract

A locking mechanism is suitable for mounting on a housing and for securing at least one expansion card. The locking mechanism includes a fixing member, an operating member, a pressing member, and a resilient member. The fixing member includes a fixing frame and a support body. The fixing frame is fixed to the housing. The support body is connected to the fixing frame and carries at least one expansion card. The operating member is pivotally mounted to the fixing frame of the fixing member. The pressing member is pivotally mounted to the operating member. One end of the resilient member is fixed to the fixing frame of the fixing member, and the other end of the resilient member is fixed to the pressing member. The operating member is rotatable relative to the fixing member, causing the pressing member to rotate relative to the fixing member to press against or disengage from at least one expansion card.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a locking mechanism, and more particularly to a locking mechanism that can be assembled without the need for additional tools. Background Technology

[0002] With the development and progress of electronic technology, the current trend of electronic device development is towards strong computing power, high speed and small size. In other words, in order for electronic devices to be competitive, in addition to being fast and powerful, they also need to have advantages such as being thin, light, miniaturized and continuously expandable.

[0003] As electronic devices shrink in size, their internal space becomes increasingly limited. Therefore, when installing or replacing internal access devices or expansion interface cards, the available space is even more limited. In traditional electronic devices, fixed access devices or high-speed peripheral component interconnect buses (PCIe cards) are typically secured using a mounting bracket, which is then connected and secured to the device's housing to ensure a stable installation. Traditionally, this was achieved using screws for direct connection and securing.

[0004] However, the screw fastening process requires aligning each screw with its corresponding hole before tightening it, which is time-consuming, especially in confined spaces. If a screw accidentally falls, retrieving it further complicates the process. Furthermore, if a screw comes loose and is lost during the fastening process, or if the screw and hole are mismatched, or if excessive force is applied during fastening, damaging the corresponding hole, all these issues will prevent subsequent setup and replacement of the access device or PCIe card. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention provides a locking mechanism that enables the installation of expansion cards without the need for tools.

[0006] An embodiment of the present invention discloses a locking mechanism suitable for mounting in a housing and for securing at least one expansion card. The locking mechanism includes a fixing member, an operating member, a pressing member, and a resilient member. The fixing member includes a fixing frame and a support body. The fixing frame is fixed to the housing. The support body is connected to the fixing frame and carries at least one expansion card. The operating member is pivotally mounted to the fixing frame of the fixing member. The pressing member is pivotally mounted to the operating member. One end of the resilient member is fixed to the fixing frame of the fixing member, and the other end of the resilient member is fixed to the pressing member. The operating member can rotate relative to the fixing member and cause the pressing member to rotate relative to the fixing member to press against or disengage from at least one expansion card.

[0007] In one embodiment of the present invention, a first latching portion and a second latching portion are further included. The first latching portion and the second latching portion have matching concave and convex structures. The carrier has a bearing surface and a back surface facing each other. The bearing surface is used to bear the at least one expansion card. The first latching portion is disposed on the carrier and protrudes from the back surface. The second latching portion is disposed on the operating member and is used to fasten to the first latching portion.

[0008] In one embodiment of the present invention, a first pivot and a second pivot are further included. The operating member is pivotally mounted to the fixing member through the first pivot, and the pressing member is pivotally mounted to the operating member through the second pivot. When the second latching part is engaged with the first latching part, the line connecting the centers of the first pivot and the second pivot is not perpendicular to the normal direction of the bearing surface.

[0009] In one embodiment of the present invention, the second latching part and the first latching part are in an interference fit.

[0010] In one embodiment of the present invention, at least one positioning member is further included, which is disposed on the carrier and protrudes from the carrier surface, and the at least one positioning member is used to position a baffle of the at least one expansion card.

[0011] In one embodiment of the invention, the at least one positioning member is locked to the carrier.

[0012] In one embodiment of the present invention, a first limiting member and a second limiting member are further included. The first limiting member is connected to the housing, and the second limiting member is connected to the pressing member. The operating member is rotatable between an open position and a locked position. When the operating member is in the open position, the second latching part disengages from the first latching part, and the pressing member disengages from the at least one expansion card. When the operating member is in the locked position, the second latching part engages with the first latching part, and the pressing member presses against the at least one expansion card. During the process of the operating member rotating from the open position to the locked position, the first limiting member stops the second limiting member, so that the pressing member and the operating member retract.

[0013] In one embodiment of the invention, when the operating member is in the open position, the pressing member abuts against the operating member to position the operating member in the open position.

[0014] In one embodiment of the present invention, a first positioning protrusion and a second positioning protrusion are further included. The first positioning protrusion is fixed to the housing, and the second positioning protrusion is fixed to the operating member. When the operating member is in the open position, the first positioning protrusion is located on the rotation path of the second positioning protrusion and is used to stop the second positioning protrusion.

[0015] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first positioning protrusion and the second positioning protrusion are in an interference fit.

[0016] In one embodiment of the present invention, the elastic element is a tension spring, and the elastic element is stretched and deformed along a stretching direction. When the operating element is in the locking position, the stretching direction is parallel to the normal direction of the bearing surface.

[0017] In one embodiment of the present invention, the pressing member includes a pressing frame and a flexible pad. The pressing frame is pivotally mounted on the operating member, and the flexible pad is fixed to the pressing frame and presses against the at least one expansion card.

[0018] According to the above embodiment, the locking mechanism, through the design of the operating member pivotally mounted on the fixing member, the pressing member pivotally mounted on the operating member, and the elastic member connecting the fixing member and the pressing member, allows the user to install or remove the expansion card simply by operating the operating member. The operating member drives the pressing member to rotate relative to the fixing member, allowing the pressing member and the fixing member's support to jointly clamp the expansion card's baffle. In this way, the user can install the expansion card without using tools.

[0019] The above description of the content of this invention and the following description of the embodiments are used to demonstrate and explain the principles of this invention, and to provide a further explanation of the scope of the patent application of this invention. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the locking mechanism and expansion card installed in the housing according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of the operating parts of the locking mechanism when they are open;

[0022] Figure 3 for Figure 2 A three-dimensional diagram from another perspective;

[0023] Figure 4 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of local decomposition;

[0024] Figure 5 for Figure 2 A cross-sectional schematic diagram;

[0025] Figures 6 to 8 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the operation of the locking mechanism.

[0026] [Symbol Explanation]

[0027] 10: Fastening mechanism

[0028] 20: Chassis

[0029] 30: Expansion Card

[0030] 32: baffle

[0031] 34: Card Body

[0032] 100: Fasteners

[0033] 110: Fixed frame

[0034] 120: Carrier

[0035] 121: Bearing surface

[0036] 122: Back

[0037] 123: Connecting hole

[0038] 200: Operating component

[0039] 300: Pressing component

[0040] 310: Pressure frame

[0041] 311: First Side View

[0042] 312: Second side view

[0043] 320: Flexible pad

[0044] 400: Elastic element

[0045] 510: First Pivot

[0046] 520: Second Pivot

[0047] 610: First buckle part

[0048] 620: Second buckle part

[0049] 700: Positioning component

[0050] 810: First limiting component

[0051] 820: Second limiting component

[0052] 910: First positioning convex part

[0053] 920: Second positioning convex portion

[0054] E1~E4: Tension direction

[0055] A~C: Direction

[0056] L: Center line

[0057] N: Normal direction Detailed Implementation

[0058] Please see Figures 1 to 5 . Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the locking mechanism 10 and the expansion card 30 installed on the housing 20 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 for Figure 1 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of the operating component 200 of the locking mechanism 10 when it is open. Figure 3 for Figure 2 A three-dimensional diagram from another perspective. Figure 4 for Figure 1 A partial decomposition diagram. Figure 5 for Figure 2 A cross-sectional schematic diagram.

[0059] The locking mechanism 10 of this embodiment is adapted to be mounted on a housing 20 and to secure at least one expansion clip 30 without screws. The locking mechanism 10 includes a fixing member 100, an operating member 200, a pressing member 300, and an elastic member 400. In addition, the locking mechanism 10 may also include, for example, a first pivot 510 and a second pivot 520.

[0060] The fastener 100 includes a mounting frame 110 and a carrier 120. The mounting frame 110 is fixed to the housing 20 by assembly methods such as snap-fit, welding, riveting, or locking. The carrier 120 is connected to the mounting frame 110 and is used to carry at least one expansion card 30. The number of expansion cards 30 that the carrier 120 can carry is proportional to the width of the carrier 120.

[0061] The fixing frame 110 and the support body 120 of the fastener 100 are integrally formed structures, but this is not a limitation. In other embodiments, the fixing frame and the support body of the fastener may also be composed of two independent components.

[0062] The operating element 200 is made of, for example, plastic or metal. The operating element 200 is pivotally mounted to the fixing frame 110 of the fixing element 100 via, for example, a first pivot 510.

[0063] The material of the pressing member 300 is, for example, plastic or metal. The pressing member 300 includes a pressing frame 310 and a flexible pad 320. The pressing frame 310 is pivotally mounted to the operating member 200, for example, via a second pivot 520, and has a first side 311 and a second side 312 facing each other. The flexible pad 320 is, for example, a silicone pad or a rubber pad. The flexible pad 320 is fixed to the second side 312 of the pressing frame 310 and presses against the expansion card 30 mounted on the carrier 120.

[0064] The elastic element 400 is, for example, a tension spring, with one end of the elastic element 400 fixed to the fixing frame 110 of the fixing member 100, and the other end of the elastic element 400 fixed to the pressing member 300. In this way, during the rotation of the operating member 200 relative to the fixing member 100, the operating member 200 can drive the pressing member 300 to rotate relative to the fixing member 100 through the elastic force of the elastic element 400.

[0065] In this embodiment, the carrier 120 has a supporting surface 121 and a back surface 122. The supporting surface 121 is used to support the expansion card 30. The locking mechanism 10 may further include a first latching portion 610 and a second latching portion 620, and the first latching portion 610 and the second latching portion 620 have matching concave-convex structures that can be engaged. Specifically, the first latching portion 610 is, for example, a spherical rivet with a spherical protrusion. The first latching portion 610 is provided on the carrier 120 by riveting, for example, and the spherical protrusion protrudes from the back surface 122. The second latching portion 620 is integrally formed and connected to the operating member 200, for example, and has a groove structure. The second latching portion 620 is used to engage with the first latching portion 610.

[0066] In this embodiment, the first latching portion 610 with a protruding structure and the second latching portion 620 with a grooved structure are respectively disposed on the carrier 120 and the operating member 200, but this is not a limitation. In other embodiments, the positions of the first latching portion with a protruding structure and the second latching portion with a grooved structure can also be interchanged, that is, the first latching portion with a protruding structure and the second latching portion with a grooved structure are respectively disposed on the operating member and the carrier.

[0067] In this embodiment, the first latching part 610 is riveted to the carrier 120, but this is not a limitation. In other embodiments, the first latching part can also be attached to the carrier by means of snapping, screwing, protrusion, etc. Furthermore, the second latching part 620 is integrally formed and connected to the operating member 200, but this is not a limitation. In other embodiments, the second latching part can also be assembled to the operating member by combination.

[0068] In this embodiment, the carrier 120 may also have multiple engagement holes 123. The engagement holes 123 penetrate the bearing surface 121 and the back surface 122. The locking mechanism 10 may also include multiple positioning elements 700, each positioning element 700 being disposed in the engagement hole 123 of the carrier 120 by means of screwing, and at least partially protruding from the bearing surface 121 for positioning the expansion card 30. In detail, the expansion card 30 includes a baffle 32 and a card body 34. The baffle 32 is fixed to one side of the card body 34, and the baffle 32 has a through hole for the positioning element 700 to pass through. In this way, when the baffle 32 of the expansion card 30 is fitted onto the positioning element 700, the expansion card 30 can be pre-positioned on the carrier 120 through the positioning element 700.

[0069] In this embodiment, the connecting hole 123 of the carrier 120 penetrates the bearing surface 121 and the back surface 122, for example, as a through hole, but it is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the connecting hole of the carrier can also be changed to a blind hole.

[0070] In this embodiment, the number of positioning elements 700 is multiple, but not limited to this. In other embodiments, the number of positioning elements may be matched to the number of expansion cards, for example, if the number of expansion cards is single, then the number of positioning elements may also be single.

[0071] In this embodiment, the positioning element 700 is screwed onto the carrier 120, but this is not a limitation. In other embodiments, the positioning element may also be installed onto the carrier by riveting, snapping, pressing, welding, or other methods.

[0072] In this embodiment, the locking mechanism 10 may further include a first limiting member 810 and a second limiting member 820. The first limiting member 810 is made of, for example, metal and is integrally formed and connected to the housing 20. The second limiting member 820 is made of, for example, plastic and is integrally formed and connected to the pressing member 300.

[0073] In this embodiment, the first limiting member 810 is made of metal, but this is not a limitation. In other embodiments, the first limiting member may be made of plastic or other materials. If the first limiting member is made of plastic, it may be disposed on the housing, for example, by encapsulation injection molding. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the second limiting member 820 is made of plastic, but this is not a limitation. In other embodiments, the second limiting member may be made of metal or other materials. If both the second limiting member and the pressing member are made of metal, the second limiting member may be integrally connected to the pressing member, for example, by sheet metal bending technology.

[0074] In this embodiment, the locking mechanism 10 may further include a first positioning protrusion 910 and a second positioning protrusion 920. The first positioning protrusion 910 is integrally formed and connected to the housing 20. The second positioning protrusion 920 is fixed to the operating member 200. The first positioning protrusion 910 is located on the rotation path of the second positioning protrusion 920 and is used to stop the second positioning protrusion 920, and the combination relationship between the first positioning protrusion 910 and the second positioning protrusion 920 is an interference fit.

[0075] Please see Figures 5 to 8 . Figures 6 to 8 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the operation of the locking mechanism 10.

[0076] Operating element 200 can be in an open position (e.g.) Figure 5 (as shown) and a locking position (such as) Figure 8 Rotate between (as shown). In detail, as... Figure 5 As shown, when the operating member 200 is in the open position, the second latching part 620 disengages from the first latching part 610, and the pressing member 300 disengages from the expansion card 30 and the carrier 120. Furthermore, when the operating member 200 is in the open position, the elastic member 400 stretches in direction E1, and the first side 311 of the pressing member 300 abuts against the operating member, counteracting the elastic force of the elastic member 400 and maintaining the operating member 200 in the open position. In this way, the user can fix the operating member 200 in the open position without holding it, and can remove the expansion card 30 from or install the expansion card 30 onto the fixing member 100.

[0077] Next, if the installation and removal of expansion card 30 have been completed, then... Figure 6 As shown, the user can press down on the operating member 200 in direction A, causing the operating member 200 to rotate relative to the fixed member 100, and allowing the second positioning protrusion 920 on the operating member 200 to rotate past the position of the first positioning protrusion 910, thereby releasing the stop positioning effect between the first positioning protrusion 910 and the second positioning protrusion 920. In addition, the elastic member 400 will deform in direction E2, and the elastic force of the elastic member 400 will drive the pressing member 300 to rotate in direction B.

[0078] Next, as Figure 7As shown, the user can continue to press down on the operating member 200 in direction A. During the process of rotating the operating member 200 from the open position to the locked position, the first limiting member 810 stops the second limiting member 820, causing the pressing member 300 to close with the operating member 200, and the flexible pad 320 of the pressing member 300 to begin pressing against the baffle 32 of the expansion card 30. If the expansion card 30 is not provided on the carrier 120, the flexible pad 320 of the pressing member 300 will press against the carrier 120. In addition, when the second limiting member 820 of the pressing member 300 is stopped by the first limiting member 810, the pressing member 300 will rotate relative to the fixed member 100 in direction C and drive the elastic member 400 to stretch and deform in direction E3.

[0079] Next, as Figure 8 As shown, the user can continue to press down the operating member 200 in direction A until the second latching part 620 latches into the first latching part 610 and the operating member 200 is in the locked position. The expansion card 30 can be fixed to the carrier 120 by pressing the flexible pad 320 of the pressing member 300 against it.

[0080] Furthermore, when the operating member 200 is in the locked position, the center line L connecting the first pivot 510 and the second pivot 520 is not perpendicular to the normal direction N of the bearing surface 121, and the stretching direction E4 of the elastic member 400 is parallel to the normal direction N of the bearing surface 121. By utilizing the inconsistency of the force direction, the second latching part 620 located on the operating member 200 is more tightly fastened to the first latching part 610 located on the bearing body 120.

[0081] As can be seen from the operation of the aforementioned locking mechanism 10, when a user wants to install or remove the expansion card 30, they only need to operate the operating member 200. The operating member 200 drives the pressing member 300 to rotate relative to the fixing member 100, so that the pressing member 300 and the carrier 120 of the fixing member 100 can jointly clamp the baffle 32 of the expansion card 30. In this way, the user can complete the installation of the expansion card 30 without using screws.

[0082] According to the above embodiment, the locking mechanism, through the design of the operating member pivotally mounted on the fixing member, the pressing member pivotally mounted on the operating member, and the elastic member connecting the fixing member and the pressing member, allows the user to install or remove the expansion card simply by operating the operating member. The operating member drives the pressing member to rotate relative to the fixing member, allowing the pressing member and the fixing member's support to jointly clamp the expansion card's baffle. In this way, the user can install the expansion card without using tools.

[0083] Although the present invention has been disclosed above with reference to the foregoing embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any person 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 defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A locking mechanism, characterized in that, Suitable for mounting in a housing and for securing at least one expansion card, the securing mechanism includes: A fastener includes a mounting frame and a carrier. The mounting frame is fixed to the housing, and the carrier is connected to the mounting frame and is used to carry at least one expansion card. An operating component is pivotally mounted on the fixing frame of the fixing component; A pressing element, pivotally mounted on the operating element; and An elastic member, one end of which is fixed to the fixing frame of the fixing member, and the other end of which is fixed to the pressing member; The operating member can rotate relative to the fixing member and drive the pressing member to rotate relative to the fixing member in order to press against or disengage from the at least one expansion card.

2. The locking mechanism as described in claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a first latching part and a second latching part, the first latching part and the second latching part having matching concave and convex structures, the carrier having a supporting surface and a back surface, the supporting surface being used to support the at least one expansion card, the first latching part being disposed on the carrier and protruding from the back surface, the second latching part being disposed on the operating member and being used to fasten to the first latching part.

3. The locking mechanism as described in claim 2, characterized in that, It also includes a first pivot and a second pivot. The operating member is pivotally mounted to the fixing member through the first pivot, and the pressing member is pivotally mounted to the operating member through the second pivot. When the second latching part is engaged with the first latching part, the line connecting the centers of the first pivot and the second pivot is not perpendicular to the normal direction of the bearing surface.

4. The locking mechanism as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The second latching part and the first latching part are in an interference fit.

5. The locking mechanism as described in claim 2, characterized in that, It also includes at least one positioning element disposed on the carrier and protruding from the carrier surface, the at least one positioning element being used for positioning a baffle of the at least one expansion card.

6. The locking mechanism as described in claim 5, characterized in that, At least one positioning element is locked to the carrier.

7. The locking mechanism as described in claim 2, characterized in that, It also includes a first limiting member and a second limiting member. The first limiting member is connected to the housing, and the second limiting member is connected to the pressing member. The operating member can rotate between an open position and a locked position. When the operating member is in the open position, the second latching part disengages from the first latching part, and the pressing member disengages from the at least one expansion card. When the operating member is in the locked position, the second latching part engages with the first latching part, and the pressing member presses against the at least one expansion card. During the process of the operating member rotating from the open position to the locked position, the first limiting member stops the second limiting member, so that the pressing member and the operating member retract.

8. The locking mechanism as described in claim 7, characterized in that, When the operating element is in the open position, the pressing element abuts against the operating element to position the operating element in the open position.

9. The locking mechanism as described in claim 7, characterized in that, It also includes a first positioning protrusion and a second positioning protrusion. The first positioning protrusion is fixed to the housing, and the second positioning protrusion is fixed to the operating member. When the operating member is in the open position, the first positioning protrusion is located on the rotation path of the second positioning protrusion and is used to stop the second positioning protrusion.

10. The locking mechanism as described in claim 9, characterized in that, The first positioning protrusion and the second positioning protrusion are in an interference fit.

11. The locking mechanism as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The elastic element is a tension spring, and the elastic element is stretched and deformed along a stretching direction. When the operating element is in the locking position, the stretching direction is parallel to the normal direction of the bearing surface.

12. The locking mechanism as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The pressing member includes a pressing frame and a flexible pad. The pressing frame is pivotally mounted on the operating member, and the flexible pad is fixed to the pressing frame and presses against the at least one expansion card.

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