Self-adjusting expansion card supporting device and supporting method

Abstract

The invention provides a self-adjusting expansion card supporting device and a method thereof. The self-adjusting expansion card supporting device comprises a supporting piece, a detection unit, a driving module and a control unit. The supporting piece is used for supporting the expansion card. The detection unit is used for detecting the supporting state of the expansion card. The driving module is connected with the supporting piece and can drive the supporting piece to move upwards. When the control unit receives the data of the detection unit and judges that the data is abnormal, a control signal is generated to control the driving module to drive the supporting piece to move upwards.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to computer accessories, and in particular to a supporting device and a supporting method for an expansion card. Background Art

[0002] Computers play a pivotal role in modern society. Virtually every aspect of daily life can be facilitated by computers, not to mention the entertainment they provide as a medium for information transmission, such as electronic games and multimedia. High-performance computers rely on increasingly advanced expansion cards. For example, graphics cards are being equipped with an increasing number of chips to enhance visual quality, while larger fans are being added to dissipate heat. Consequently, the size and weight of graphics cards have increased significantly, reaching a point where they risk bending or breaking without proper support. Consequently, the industry is actively developing support devices.

[0003] Conventional support devices primarily use a bracket placed on the bottom of the graphics card and then secured with screws, or a clamp that clamps the graphics card and then secures it with screws to prevent the graphics card from sagging due to its weight. However, these various support devices and methods cannot completely prevent the graphics card from sagging due to excessive weight. Once the graphics card sags, it is impossible to restore the card to its normal supported state, which can exacerbate the sagging and ultimately lead to graphics card failure or damage. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention aims to provide a self-adjusting expansion card support device and support method to solve at least one of the above problems.

[0005] To solve the aforementioned problem, the present invention provides a self-adjusting expansion card support device, which includes: a support member for supporting the expansion card; a detection unit, which is used to detect the support status of the expansion card; a drive module, which is connected to the support member and can drive the support member to produce an upward displacement; and a control unit, which is electrically connected to the detection unit and the drive module. When the control unit receives data from the detection unit and determines that it is abnormal, it generates a control signal to control the drive module to drive the support member to move upward.

[0006] In one embodiment, the detection unit includes a pressure sensor disposed on the support member for detecting the pressure exerted by the expansion card on the support member.

[0007] The control unit has a built-in pressure standard value range. If the data measured by the detection unit exceeds the pressure standard value range, the support state of the expansion card is determined to be abnormal.

[0008] In one embodiment, the driving module drives the supporting member to move upward until the data measured by the detection unit falls within a standard pressure value range.

[0009] In one embodiment, the detection unit directly or indirectly detects the tilt of the expansion card to determine the support status of the expansion card.

[0010] The detection unit includes a plurality of pressure sensors provided on the support member, which are used to detect the pressure exerted on the support member by different parts of the expansion card. If the difference in the data measured by any two pressure sensors exceeds a standard value, the support status of the expansion card is judged to be abnormal.

[0011] In one embodiment, the driving module drives the supporting member to move upward until the difference between the data measured by any two pressure sensors is smaller than a standard value.

[0012] In one embodiment, the driving module includes a motor and a lead screw connected to the motor, and the lead screw is connected to the support member.

[0013] The present invention also provides a method for self-adjusting support of an expansion card, which includes: detecting the support state of the expansion card; judging the support state of the expansion card; if the support state of the expansion card is judged to be abnormal, controlling a driving module to lift the expansion card and move it upward.

[0014] The method further includes: using a supporting piece to support the expansion card, and driving the supporting piece to move upward.

[0015] In one embodiment, the driving module lifts the expansion card and moves it upward until the supporting state of the expansion card is determined to be normal.

[0016] The beneficial effect of the present invention lies in that the feature of the present invention is that while using the support member to hold the expansion card to form a supporting effect, the support status of the expansion card is further monitored. After discovering that its support status is abnormal (the expansion card is drooping), the drive module is automatically controlled to push up the support member to return the expansion card to its original position. Compared with the known support structure, the present invention can produce a positive supporting effect, thereby extending the service life of the expansion card. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 is a flow chart of the method of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 2 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the device of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the device of the present invention in use, showing an abnormal state of the display card support;

[0020] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the device of the present invention in use, showing a normal display card support state;

[0021] Figure 5 for Figure 3 Enlarged schematic diagram of part A.

[0022] The reference numerals are as follows:

[0023] Support 1

[0024] Platform Department 11

[0025] Driver module 2

[0026] Motor 21

[0027] Lead screw 22

[0028] Detection unit 3

[0029] First pressure sensor 31

[0030] Second pressure sensor 32

[0031] Expansion Card 4

[0032] Motherboard 5

[0033] Slot 51 DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] See also Figure 1 , shown is a method for self-adjusting support of an expansion card provided by the present invention, which includes: detecting the support status of the expansion card; judging the support status of the expansion card; if the support status of the expansion card is judged to be abnormal, controlling a driving module to lift the expansion card and move it upward; and the driving module lifts the expansion card and moves it upward until the support status of the expansion card is judged to be normal.

[0035] The purpose of the above method is to restore an expansion card inserted into a motherboard slot to its normal supporting state after it sags, thereby preventing the abnormal supporting state from persisting and ultimately causing the expansion card to break or be damaged. To achieve this goal, the expansion card's supporting state must be monitored. When the supporting state is determined to be abnormal, the expansion card is lifted and moved upward, and this action is continued until the expansion card's supporting state is determined to be normal.

[0036] The above method can be achieved by the self-adjusting expansion card support device provided by the present invention. The device of the present invention includes a support member 1, a detection unit 3, a drive module 2 and a control unit (not shown). Figure 2As shown, the support member 1 has a platform portion 11 with an appropriate area for supporting the expansion card from the bottom. The drive module 2 is connected to the support member 1 and can drive the support member 1 to produce an upward displacement. In this embodiment, the drive module 2 includes a motor 21 and a lead screw 22 connected to the motor 21. The lead screw 22 is connected to the support member 1, wherein the support member 1 can be formed by deforming a nut that matches the lead screw 22. When the motor 21 drives the lead screw 22 to rotate in one direction, the lead screw 22 can drive the support member 1 to move upward along the lead screw 22. Of course, if the motor 21 drives the lead screw 22 to rotate in the opposite direction, the lead screw 22 can drive the support member 1 to move downward along the lead screw 22. However, this function may not be required in the present invention.

[0037] Furthermore, the lead screw 22 may be a ball screw, that is, a steel ball is provided between the lead screw 22 and the support member 1 , and the steel ball may be of an external circulation type or an internal circulation type.

[0038] In addition to the above-mentioned lead screw and ball screw, the driving module 2 can also be driven by oil pressure or air pressure to achieve the purpose of pushing the support member upward.

[0039] The detection unit 3 is used to detect the support state of the expansion card and transmit the measured data to the control unit, which determines whether the support state of the expansion card is normal or abnormal. The support state of the expansion card can be determined by detecting the pressure applied by the expansion card to the support member 1. For example Figure 2 As shown, the detection unit 3 includes a first pressure sensor 31, which is disposed on the platform portion 11 of the support member 1. When the platform portion 11 is supported on the bottom surface of the expansion card, part of the weight of the expansion card is applied to the platform portion 11, and a pressure value is measured by the first pressure sensor 31. The amount of pressure applied by the expansion card on the platform portion 11 depends on its support status. Specifically, if the expansion card has cracked or even broken due to excessive weight, that is, the expansion card has lost some or all support and has caused it to sag, the pressure applied to the platform portion 11 will be greater than that in a normal support state.

[0040] The pressure value measured by the first pressure sensor 31 is transmitted to the control unit, which has a built-in pressure standard value range. The control unit compares the pressure value with the pressure standard value range. If the pressure value falls within the pressure standard value range, the support status of the expansion card is determined to be normal; if the pressure value exceeds the pressure standard value range (usually refers to being greater than the maximum value of the pressure standard value range), the support status of the expansion card is determined to be abnormal.

[0041] When the control unit determines that the support status of the expansion card is abnormal, the control unit will generate a control signal to the drive module 2, causing the motor 21 to drive the lead screw 22, thereby moving the support member 1 upward, thereby lifting the expansion card to return to its normal position. At this time, the pressure value measured by the first pressure sensor 31 will return to the pressure standard value range again, and the control unit will stop the operation of the drive module 2 to stop the expansion card from continuing to rise.

[0042] In addition, the support state of the expansion card can also be determined by detecting the horizontal state of the expansion card, that is, when the tilt degree of the expansion card is within a certain range, the support state is determined to be normal; if the tilt degree of the expansion card exceeds the range, the support state is determined to be abnormal. The detection unit 3 can determine the tilt degree of the expansion card by the pressure applied by the expansion card to the support member. For example Figure 2 As shown, the platform portion 11 of the support member 1 is provided with a plurality of second pressure sensors 32, which are distributed at different positions. When the platform portion 11 is supported on the bottom surface of the expansion card, the expansion card will exert pressure on these second pressure sensors 32, and each second pressure sensor 32 will measure a different pressure value depending on the degree of inclination of the expansion card. Specifically, if the expansion card is in a horizontal state, it will form the same degree of downward pressure contact with each second pressure sensor 32, so that each second pressure sensor 32 will measure the same pressure value; if the expansion card is in a tilted state, then the second pressure sensor 32 will measure the same pressure value. Figure 5 , the pressure value applied to the second pressure sensor 32 at the corresponding position at the lower position of the expansion card 4 will be larger, while the pressure value applied to the second pressure sensor 32 at the corresponding position at the higher position of the expansion card 4 will be smaller.

[0043] The pressure values ​​measured by the second pressure sensors 32 are transmitted to the control unit, which calculates the difference between the data measured by any two second pressure sensors 32 and compares it with a standard value. If the difference is less than the standard value, the support status of the expansion card is determined to be normal; if the difference is greater than the standard value, the support status of the expansion card is determined to be abnormal.

[0044] When the control unit determines that the support status of the expansion card is abnormal, the control unit will generate a control signal to the drive module 2, causing the motor 21 to drive the lead screw 22, thereby moving the support member 1 upward, thereby lifting the expansion card back to its normal position. At this time, the pressure values ​​measured by each second pressure sensor 32 will tend to be consistent again. That is, if the difference between any two pressure values ​​is less than the standard value, the control unit will stop the operation of the drive module 2 to stop the expansion card from continuing to rise.

[0045] The above two methods, namely, determining the support status of the expansion card by detecting the pressure exerted on the support member 1 by the first pressure sensor 31 and determining the tilt degree of the expansion card by detecting the pressure exerted on different positions of the support member 1 by the second pressure sensor 32, can be selected. In this embodiment, both methods are used. The distribution positions of the first pressure sensor 31 and the second pressure sensor 32 are as follows: Figure 2 As shown, however, it is not limited to this configuration.

[0046] With the above structure, when the expansion card 4 is inserted into the slot 51 of the motherboard 5, Figure 3 As shown, when the expansion card 4 tilts downward due to excessive weight, it will exert greater pressure on the support member 1, causing the reading of the first pressure sensor 31 to increase. On the other hand, the downward tilt of the expansion card 4 will also cause the readings of the second pressure sensors 32 on the support member 1 to differ. Accordingly, when the reading of the first pressure sensor 31 exceeds the pressure standard value range built into the control unit, or when the difference between the readings of any two second pressure sensors 32 exceeds the standard value built into the control unit, the control unit will be triggered to generate a control signal, such as Figure 4 As shown, the driving module 2 is controlled to push up the supporting member 1 , thereby returning the expansion card 4 to a normal supporting state.

[0047] The present invention is characterized in that while utilizing the support member 1 to support the expansion card 4, the support status of the expansion card 4 is further monitored. Upon detecting an abnormal support status (ie, the expansion card 4 drooping), the drive module 2 is automatically controlled to push up the support member 1, returning the expansion card 4 to its original position. Compared to conventional support structures, this can produce a positive support effect, thereby extending the service life of the expansion card.

[0048] However, the disclosure of the above embodiments is only used to illustrate the present invention, not to limit the present invention. Any replacement of equivalent elements should still fall within the scope of the present invention.

[0049] In summary, it is clear to those skilled in the art that the present invention can indeed achieve the aforementioned objectives, and has complied with the provisions of the Patent Law, and an application can be filed in accordance with the Patent Law.

Claims

1. A self-adjusting expansion card support device, characterized in that: Includes: A support member for supporting an expansion card; a detection unit for detecting the supporting status of the expansion card; a driving module connected to the supporting member and capable of driving the supporting member to move upward; as well as A control unit is electrically connected to the detection unit and the driving module. When the control unit receives data from the detection unit and determines that the data is abnormal, it generates a control signal to control the driving module to drive the support member to move upward.

2. The self-adjusting expansion card support device according to claim 1, wherein: The detection unit includes a pressure sensor arranged on the support component for detecting the pressure exerted on the support component by the expansion card.

3. The self-adjusting expansion card support device according to claim 2, wherein: The control unit has a built-in pressure standard value range. If the data measured by the detection unit exceeds the pressure standard value range, the support state of the expansion card is determined to be abnormal.

4. The self-adjusting expansion card support device according to claim 3, wherein: The driving module drives the supporting member to move upward until the data measured by the detection unit falls within the pressure standard value range.

5. The self-adjusting expansion card support device according to claim 1, wherein: The detection unit directly or indirectly detects the tilt degree of the expansion card to determine the supporting state of the expansion card.

6. The self-adjusting expansion card support device according to claim 5, wherein: The detection unit includes a plurality of pressure sensors provided on the support member for detecting the pressure exerted on the support member by different parts of the expansion card. If the difference between the data measured by any two pressure sensors exceeds a standard value, the support status of the expansion card is judged to be abnormal.

7. The self-adjusting expansion card support device according to claim 6, wherein: The driving module drives the supporting member to move upward until the difference between the data measured by any two pressure sensors is smaller than the standard value.

8. The self-adjusting expansion card support device according to claim 1, wherein: The driving module includes a motor and a lead screw connected to the motor, and the lead screw is connected to the support member.

9. A method for self-adjusting support of an expansion card, characterized in that: Includes: Detect the support status of the expansion card; Determining the support status of the expansion card; and If the supporting state of the expansion card is determined to be abnormal, a driving module is controlled to lift the expansion card and move it upward.

10. The method for self-adjusting and supporting an expansion card according to claim 9, wherein: The invention also includes: a supporting member is used to support the expansion card, and the driving module drives the supporting member to move upward.

11. The method for self-adjusting and supporting an expansion card according to claim 9, wherein: The driving module lifts the expansion card and moves upward until the supporting state of the expansion card is judged to be normal.

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