Expansion card switching assembly

Abstract

The invention relates to an expansion card switching assembly which is used for switching an expansion card and comprises a cantilever type fixing support, a switching card, an elastic arm type buckling piece, a reciprocating type buckling piece and an elastic element. The expansion card is arranged in a case provided with a first buckle structure and is provided with a first electric connection structure. The cantilever type fixing support is provided with a fixed end portion and a free end portion. The adapter card is fixed to the cantilever type fixing support and used for being connected to the first electric connection structure in an inserted mode. The elastic arm type buckling piece is fixed at the fixed end part and is used for buckling or releasing from the first buckling structure. The reciprocating buckling piece is movably arranged at the free end part and is used for buckling or unbuckling at a buckling end of the first electric connection structure. The elastic element is connected to the free end portion and the reciprocating type buckling piece and used for providing restoring force so that the reciprocating type buckling piece can be kept buckled to the buckling end.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to an adapter assembly, in particular to an expansion card adapter assembly. BACKGROUND

[0002] With the rapid development of information technology industry and data center, the operation demand of server continues to increase, which causes the number of expansion cards (such as display cards) that can be installed in a single server to increase. In order to meet the needs of high-density assembly and flexible configuration of the server, the installation method of the expansion card also faces changes.

[0003] Conventionally, the gold fingers (i.e. electrical connection structure) of the expansion card are arranged at the bottom of the card body, so as to be directly inserted into the slot of the circuit board (such as the mainboard) at the bottom of the server case. However, when the number of expansion cards increases, or the heat dissipation airflow and internal circuit configuration need to be improved, the gold fingers of some expansion cards may change the arrangement direction (such as being arranged at the top of the card body). At this time, a signal transmission channel needs to be established between the expansion card adapter assembly and the circuit board.

[0004] In the related art, the connection method between the expansion card and the adapter assembly generally has the problem that stability and disassembly efficiency are difficult to be considered. On the one hand, most structures only rely on the friction force between the gold fingers and the slot for insertion and fixation. If vibration or collision occurs during the operation of the server, the gold fingers are prone to loosen, poor contact, and even cause the expansion card to fall off, thereby affecting the stability of signal transmission and the reliability of the overall system. On the other hand, if a locking structure such as a screw is used, although the stability can be enhanced, it will take more time to repair, replace or upgrade the expansion card, which does not meet the needs of fast operation and maintenance of modern data centers. SUMMARY

[0005] In view of the problem that stability and disassembly efficiency are difficult to be considered in the related art. Therefore, the main purpose of the present application is to provide an expansion card adapter assembly, which first fixes the adapter card to the cantilever fixing support, and then arranges the elastic arm buckle and the reciprocating buckle at the fixed end and the free end of the cantilever fixing support, respectively. When the second electrical connection structure of the adapter card is inserted into the first electrical connection structure of the expansion card, the elastic arm buckle and the reciprocating buckle are buckled to the first buckle structure and the buckle end of the circuit board, respectively.

[0006] In addition, when the expansion card adapter assembly is removed, the push part of the elastic arm buckle and the operation part of the reciprocating buckle are operated, respectively, so that the elastic arm buckle and the reciprocating buckle are respectively unbuckled from the first buckle structure and the buckle end. In this way, the stability and the disassembly efficiency are considered at the same time.

[0007] Accordingly, the present application employs necessary technical means to solve the problems in the related art, and provides an expansion card adapter assembly for adapting an expansion card, and comprising a cantilever fixing support, an adapter card, a spring arm fastener, a reciprocating fastener and an elastic element. The expansion card is arranged in a case provided with a first fastening structure, and has a first electrical connection structure on a plug-in side.

[0008] The cantilever fixing support has a fixed end portion and a free end portion away from the fixed end portion, and the free end portion is provided with at least a first limiting structure. The adapter card is fixed to the cantilever fixing support, and is provided with a second electrical connection structure for plugging into the first electrical connection structure. The spring arm fastener is fixed to the fixed end portion, and is used to be fastened to the first fastening structure at a first fastening position, and is used to be released from the first fastening structure when being operated to move from the first fastening position to a first releasing position.

[0009] The reciprocating fastener is movably arranged at the free end portion, and comprises a body portion, an operating portion and a fastening portion. The body portion is provided with at least a second limiting structure which is limited with the first limiting structure. The operating portion protrudes from the body portion, and is used to limit the reciprocating fastener to move from a second fastening position to a second releasing position. The fastening portion extends from the body portion away from the operating portion, and is used to be fastened to a fastening end of the first electrical connection structure when the reciprocating fastener is located at the second fastening position, and is used to be released from the fastening end when the reciprocating fastener is located at the second releasing position.

[0010] The elastic element is connected to the free end portion and the body portion respectively, and is used to provide a restoring force for keeping the reciprocating fastener at the second fastening position, so as to keep the fastening portion fastened to the fastening end.

[0011] Based on the above necessary technical means, the following subsidiary technical means can be derived. Preferably, the first electrical connection structure and the second electrical connection structure are a gold finger and a slot type electrical connector for plugging in the gold finger respectively; the expansion card is one of a display card, a sound card and a network card; the elastic element is a tension spring; the fastening portion is provided with a fastening groove corresponding to the fastening end, for mutual fastening with the fastening end; the fastening end has a guide inclined surface, and the fastening portion has a guide curved surface, which is used to be guided by the guide inclined surface when the second electrical connection structure is plugged into the first electrical connection structure, so as to make the reciprocating fastener move from the second fastening position to the second releasing position.

[0012] Based on the above necessary technical means, the following subsidiary technical means can be derived. Preferably, the spring arm fastener comprises a fixed portion and a spring arm portion. The fixed portion is fixed to the fixed end portion. The spring arm portion is bent and extended from the fixed portion, and is provided with a second fastening structure corresponding to the first fastening structure, which is used to be mutually fastened with the first fastening structure.

[0013] More preferably, the spring-loaded buckle further includes a toggle part extending from the spring arm portion for toggle operation to cause elastic deformation of the spring arm portion, so that the spring-loaded buckle moves from the first snap-fit ​​position to the first unsnap position.

[0014] Based on the aforementioned necessary technical means, the following auxiliary technical means can be derived. Preferably, each of the aforementioned first limiting structures includes a limiting post and a limiting screw, and the limiting screw is used to lock onto the limiting post. More preferably, each of the aforementioned second limiting structures is a limiting elongated hole for the limiting post to pass through, so as to limit the reciprocating snap fastener.

[0015] In summary, the expansion card adapter assembly provided by the present invention first fixes the adapter card to a cantilever mounting bracket, and then respectively sets the spring-loaded latch and the reciprocating latch at the fixed end and the free end of the cantilever mounting bracket, so that when the second electrical connection structure of the adapter card is inserted into the first electrical connection structure of the expansion card, the spring-loaded latch and the reciprocating latch are respectively latched at the latching ends of the first latching structure and the first electrical connection structure of the chassis.

[0016] In addition, when disassembling the expansion card adapter assembly, the actuating part of the spring-loaded latch and the operating part of the reciprocating latch are operated respectively, so that the spring-loaded latch and the reciprocating latch are released from the first latch structure and the latch end respectively, thereby ensuring stability while taking into account the disassembly and assembly efficiency.

[0017] The specific embodiments adopted in this invention will be further explained through the following embodiments and figures. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the expansion card adapter assembly provided in a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2 An exploded perspective view of the expansion card adapter assembly provided in a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 3 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of the second electrical connection structure inserted into the first electrical connection structure according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 4 A partial three-dimensional schematic diagram of the second electrical connection structure inserted into the first electrical connection structure according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 5 This is a partial three-dimensional schematic diagram of the second electrical connection structure being inserted into the first electrical connection structure according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 6 A partial three-dimensional schematic diagram of the second electrical connection structure after being inserted into the first electrical connection structure according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 7 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the second electrical connection structure after being inserted into the first electrical connection structure, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

[0025] Figure 8 for Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the cross section along section AA.

[0026] Explanation of icon numbers:

[0027] 100. Expansion card adapter assembly;

[0028] 200. Expansion card;

[0029] 201. First electrical connection structure;

[0030] 202. Buckle end;

[0031] 203. Guide ramp;

[0032] 300. Chassis;

[0033] 301. First snap-fit ​​structure;

[0034] 1. Cantilevered fixed bracket;

[0035] 11. Fixed end;

[0036] 12. Free end;

[0037] 121. First limiting structure;

[0038] 1211, Limiting post;

[0039] 1212, Limit screw;

[0040] 2. Adapter card;

[0041] 21. Second electrical connection structure;

[0042] 3. Flexible arm type fastener;

[0043] 31. Fixing part;

[0044] 32. Spring arm section;

[0045] 321. Second snap-fit ​​structure;

[0046] 33. Actuating part;

[0047] 4. Reciprocating snap fasteners;

[0048] 41. Body part;

[0049] 411. Second limiting structure;

[0050] 42. Operations Unit;

[0051] 43. Buckle part;

[0052] 431. Buckle groove;

[0053] 432. Guiding arc surface;

[0054] 5. Elastic elements;

[0055] S, plug-in side;

[0056] P1, First buckle position;

[0057] P1', First unfastening position;

[0058] P2, Second buckle position;

[0059] P2', the second unfastening position. Detailed Implementation

[0060] Since the expansion card adapter provided by the present invention can be widely used in various electronic devices, it will not be described in detail here. Only a preferred embodiment is listed for specific explanation. This embodiment is only used to conveniently and clearly assist in explaining the purpose and effect of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0061] Please see Figures 1 to 3 , Figure 1 A perspective view of the expansion card adapter assembly provided in a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 2 An exploded perspective view of the expansion card adapter assembly provided in a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown; and Figure 3 A perspective view of the second electrical connection structure provided in a preferred embodiment of the present invention being inserted into the first electrical connection structure is shown.

[0062] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, an expansion card adapter assembly 100 is used to connect an expansion card 200, and includes a cantilevered fixing bracket 1, an adapter card 2, a spring-loaded latch 3, a reciprocating latch 4, and an elastic element 5. The expansion card 200 is disposed in a chassis 300 having a first latching structure 301, and has a first electrical connection structure 201 on a plug-in side S. In this embodiment, the expansion card 200 is a display card, but is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the expansion card 200 may be, for example, a network card, a sound card, etc.

[0063] The cantilever mounting bracket 1 has a fixed end 11 and a free end 12 away from the fixed end 11. In terms of fixing method, since only the fixed end 11 of the cantilever mounting bracket 1 is fixed to the chassis 300, it is called cantilever mounting bracket 1 because it is the same as or similar to a cantilever structure.

[0064] The free end 12 is provided with at least one first limiting structure 121 (in this embodiment, two first limiting structures 121 are used as an example, and only one of the first limiting structures 121 is indicated). Each first limiting structure 121 includes a limiting post 1211 and a limiting screw 1212, and the limiting screw 1212 is used to lock to the limiting post 1211.

[0065] The adapter card 2 is fixed to the cantilever bracket 1 and has a second electrical connection structure 21 for insertion into the first electrical connection structure 201. The adapter card 2 can be fixed by means of locking, welding, or snap-fitting, but is not limited to these methods. In this embodiment, the first electrical connection structure 201 and the second electrical connection structure 21 are respectively a gold finger and a slot-type electrical connector for insertion of the gold finger, but are not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the first electrical connection structure 201 and the second electrical connection structure 21 can be, for example, other types of sets of electrical connectors that can cooperate with each other.

[0066] To enable the switching function, the adapter card 2 may include, for example, a direct attach cable (DAC) (not shown) to transfer the signals generated by the expansion card 200 to a circuit board (e.g., a motherboard, not shown) via the direct attach cable. Since the specific switching structure of the adapter card 2 is prior art and not claimed in this invention, it will not be described in detail in this embodiment.

[0067] The spring-loaded latch 3 is fixed to the fixed end 11 to hold the latch in the first latch structure 301 at a first latch position P1, and to be operatively released from the first latch position P1 (marked on Figure 8 Move to a first unfastening position P1' (marked at) Figure 8 When the latch is released from the first latch structure 301, the spring-loaded latch 3 can be fixed by means of locking, welding or snap-fitting, but is not limited to the above means.

[0068] Structurally, the spring-loaded latch 3 includes a fixing part 31, a spring arm part 32, and a toggle part 33. The fixing part 31 is fixed to the fixing end 11. The spring arm part 32 extends from the fixing part 31 by bending, and provides a restoring force to keep the spring-loaded latch 3 in the first latching position P1, so that the spring-loaded latch 3 is held in the first latching structure 301. In addition, the spring arm part 32 is provided with a second latching structure 321 corresponding to the first latching structure 301, and the second latching structure 321 is used to interlock with the first latching structure 301.

[0069] In this embodiment, the first snap-fit ​​structure 301 is a protruding snap-fit ​​structure, and the second snap-fit ​​structure 321 is an inverted snap-fit ​​structure, but this is not a limitation. In other embodiments, it is sufficient for the two snap-fit ​​structures to be able to snap together; for example, the second snap-fit ​​structure 321 can be changed to a recessed snap-fit ​​structure. In practice, the first snap-fit ​​structure 301 can, for example, utilize existing components in the chassis 300 (in this embodiment, the first snap-fit ​​structure 301 is a bracket for fixing the expansion card 200 and protrudes towards the inside of the chassis 300), or for example, the corresponding structure can be directly machined into the chassis 300.

[0070] The actuating part 33 extends from the spring arm part 32 and is used for actuation operation to cause the spring arm part 32 to elastically deform, so that the spring arm type buckle 3 moves from the first buckling position P1 to the first unbuckled position P1'.

[0071] The reciprocating latching member 4 is movably disposed at the free end 12 and includes a body portion 41, an operating portion 42, and a latching portion 43. The body portion 41 is provided with at least one second limiting structure 411 that limits each other to the first limiting structure 121 (in this embodiment, two second limiting structures 411 are used as an example, and only one of the second limiting structures 411 is indicated). Each second limiting structure 411 is a limiting elongated hole for a limiting post 1211 to pass through, so as to limit the reciprocating latching member 4 and enable it to move in a limited manner. Specifically, the limiting post 1211 is first passed through the limiting elongated hole, and then the limiting screw 1212 is locked to the limiting post 1211 to limit the range of movement of the reciprocating latching member 4.

[0072] The operating part 42 protrudes from the main body 41 and is used to operatively restrict the reciprocating latch 4 from a second latching position P2 (indicated by...). Figure 8 Move to a second unfastening position P2' (marked at) Figure 8The latching portion 43 extends from the body portion 41 away from the operating portion 42, and is used to latch onto a latching end 202 of the first electrical connection structure 201 when the reciprocating latching member 4 is in the second latching position P2, and to release the latching member 4 from the latching end 202 when the reciprocating latching member 4 is in the second unlatching position P2'. In this embodiment, the latching portion 43 is provided with a latching groove 431 corresponding to the latching end 202 for interlocking with the latching end 202.

[0073] In addition, to improve assembly efficiency, the snap-on end 202 has a guide slope 203 and the snap-on part 43 has a guide arc surface 432. The guide arc surface 432 is guided by the guide slope 203 when the second electrical connection structure 21 is inserted into the first electrical connection structure 201, so that the reciprocating snap-on part 4 moves from the second snap-on position P2 toward the second unsnap position P2'.

[0074] The elastic element 5 is connected to the free end 12 and the main body 41 respectively, and provides a restoring force to keep the reciprocating latch 4 in the second latching position P2, so that the latching part 43 is kept latched at the latching end 202. In this embodiment, the elastic element 5 is a tension spring, but it is not limited thereto. In terms of connection method, the two ends of the tension spring can be respectively sleeved on the positioning pins (not shown in the figure) on the free end 12 and the main body 41, so that a restoring force can be generated when the main body 41 and the free end 12 move relative to each other. There are many feasible implementations of the type of elastic element 5 and the connection method, and only one example is used in this embodiment.

[0075] Please see Figures 4 to 8 , Figure 4 This is a partial perspective view of the second electrical connection structure provided in a preferred embodiment of the present invention being inserted into the first electrical connection structure; Figure 5 A partial perspective view of the second electrical connection structure provided in a preferred embodiment of the present invention being inserted into the first electrical connection structure is shown. Figure 6 This is a partial perspective view of the second electrical connection structure provided in a preferred embodiment of the present invention after being inserted into the first electrical connection structure; Figure 7 A perspective view of the second electrical connection structure provided in a preferred embodiment of the present invention after being inserted into the first electrical connection structure is shown; and Figure 8 It shows Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the cross section along section AA.

[0076] like Figure 4As shown, when assembling the expansion card adapter 100 onto the expansion card 200, the second electrical connection structure 21 is first aligned with the first electrical connection structure 201, at which point the reciprocating latch 4 is located at the second latch position P2. After the second electrical connection structure 21 is aligned with the first electrical connection structure 201, the second electrical connection structure 21 is moved toward the first electrical connection structure 201, so that the guide arc surface 432 contacts the guide slope surface 203.

[0077] like Figure 5 As shown, after the guide arc surface 432 comes into contact with the guide slope 203, it continuously moves the second electrical connection structure 21 toward the first electrical connection structure 201. At this time, the guide arc surface 432 is continuously guided by the guide slope 203, causing the reciprocating buckle 4 to move to the second unhooking position P2', and at this time the elastic element 5 undergoes elastic deformation and generates a restoring force.

[0078] Figure 6 As shown, after the second electrical connection structure 21 is inserted into the first electrical connection structure 201, under the action of the restoring force, the reciprocating fastener 4 moves from the second unfastening position P2' back to the second fastening position P2, so that the fastening part 43 (fastening groove 431) is fastened to the fastening end 202.

[0079] like Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, during the process of the second electrical connection structure 21 being inserted into the first electrical connection structure 201, the spring-loaded latch 3 undergoes elastic deformation and is latched onto the first latch structure 301 by the second latch structure 321. At this point, the expansion card adapter assembly 100 is assembled and can be used to connect the expansion card 200. Furthermore, since both ends of the expansion card adapter assembly 100 have quick-release latches (spring-loaded latch 3 and reciprocating latch 4), it can ensure stability while maintaining efficient assembly and disassembly.

[0080] Furthermore, if it is necessary to remove the expansion card adapter 100 from the expansion card 200, simply move the toggle part 33 and the operation part 42 respectively to move the spring-loaded latch 3 and the reciprocating latch 4 to the first release position P1' and the second release position P2' respectively, and the second electrical connection structure 21 can be pulled out from the first electrical connection structure 201 to complete the removal.

[0081] In summary, the expansion card adapter assembly 100 provided by the present invention first fixes the adapter card 2 to the cantilever fixed bracket 1, and then sets the spring-loaded latch 3 and the reciprocating latch 4 respectively at the fixed end 11 and the free end 12 of the cantilever fixed bracket 1. This is so that when the second electrical connection structure 21 of the adapter card 2 is inserted into the first electrical connection structure 201 of the expansion card 200, the spring-loaded latch 3 and the reciprocating latch 4 are respectively latched onto the first latch structure 301 and the latch end 202 of the first electrical connection structure 201 of the chassis 300.

[0082] In addition, when removing the expansion card adapter assembly 100, the actuating part 33 of the spring-arm type buckle 3 and the operating part 42 of the reciprocating type buckle 4 are operated respectively, so that the spring-arm type buckle 3 and the reciprocating type buckle 4 are released from the first buckle structure 301 and the buckle end 202 respectively, thereby ensuring stability while taking into account the efficiency of disassembly and assembly.

[0083] The detailed description of the preferred embodiments above is intended to more clearly illustrate the features and spirit of the present invention, but is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the preferred embodiments disclosed above. Rather, the aim is to include various modifications and equivalent arrangements within the scope of the patent claims made by the present invention.

Claims

1. An expansion card adapter assembly, characterized in that, For connecting an expansion card, the expansion card being disposed in a chassis and having a first electrical connection structure on a plug-in side, the chassis being provided with a first latching structure, the expansion card adapter assembly comprising: A cantilevered fixed bracket has a fixed end and a free end away from the fixed end, the free end being provided with at least a first limiting structure; An adapter card is fixed to the cantilevered fixing bracket and is provided with a second electrical connection structure for plugging into the first electrical connection structure; A spring-loaded buckle is fixed to the fixed end for holding the buckle in the first buckle structure at a first buckle position and for releasing the buckle from the first buckle structure when it is operatively moved from the first buckle position to a first unbuckle position. A reciprocating snap fastener, movably disposed at the free end, and comprising: A main body portion, having at least one second limiting structure that limits each other to the at least one first limiting structure; An operating part, protruding from the main body, is used to operably move the reciprocating latching member from a second latching position to a second unlatching position in a restricted position; and A latching portion, extending from the body portion away from the operating portion, is used to latch onto a latching end of the first electrical connection structure when the reciprocating latching member is in the second latching position, and to release the latching portion from the latching end when the reciprocating latching member is in the second unlatching position; and An elastic element is connected to the free end and the body respectively to provide a restoring force to keep the reciprocating latching member in the second latching position, so that the latching part is kept latched to the latching end.

2. The expansion card adapter assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first electrical connection structure and the second electrical connection structure are respectively a gold finger and a slot-type electrical connector for inserting the gold finger.

3. The expansion card adapter assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The expansion card is one of a display card, a sound card, and a network card.

4. The expansion card adapter assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The spring-loaded buckle includes: A fixing part, fixed to the fixing end; and A spring arm extends from the fixed part by bending, and a second snap-fit ​​structure is provided corresponding to the first snap-fit ​​structure. The second snap-fit ​​structure is used to snap with the first snap-fit ​​structure.

5. The expansion card adapter assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that, The spring-loaded buckle further includes a toggle part that extends from the spring arm and is used for toggle operation to cause the spring arm to elastically deform, so that the spring-loaded buckle moves from the first buckling position to the first unbuckled position.

6. The expansion card adapter assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each of the first limiting structures includes a limiting post and a limiting screw, and the limiting screw is used to lock the limiting post.

7. The expansion card adapter assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that, Each of the second limiting structures is a limiting elongated hole for the limiting post to pass through, so as to limit the reciprocating buckle.

8. The expansion card adapter assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The elastic element is a tension spring.

9. The expansion card adapter assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The buckle portion has a buckle groove corresponding to the buckle end, so as to buckle with the buckle end.

10. The expansion card adapter assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The latching end has a guide slope, and the latching part has a guide arc surface. The guide arc surface is used to guide the reciprocating latching member from the second latching position toward the second unlatching position when the second electrical connection structure is inserted into the first electrical connection structure.

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