Card holder assembly and industrial personal computer

Abstract

This application provides an example of a card holder assembly and an industrial personal computer. The card holder assembly includes: at least one card holder, each configured to hold an additional card in a device; a holder carrier configured to carry and secure the at least one card holder; and two carrier kits configured to be fixed to a fixing assembly of the device, and secured by a structure of positioning shafts and positioning slots. The technical solution of this application can provide reliable support for the card holder.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to mechanical technology, and more specifically, to a card holder assembly and an industrial personal computer (IPC). Background Technology

[0002] In the field of industrial personal computers (IPCs), an increasing number of add-on cards, such as peripheral component interconnect (PCI) / PCI Express (PCIe) cards, are used for different applications. When IPCs operate in shock and vibration environments, additional devices are needed to accommodate these cards.

[0003] Because PCI / PCIe cards vary in size in some applications, additional devices are required to include adjustable structures. In some applications, this additional device may be a card holder assembly, which includes a card holder for holding the card and a holder carrier for carrying and securing the card holder, with the holder carrier mounted to the IPC's housing or other fixing components. The structure must have good strength to hold the card and prevent the card holder from rotating, and must be easy to maintain when the user needs to replace these cards.

[0004] Therefore, those skilled in the art are dedicated to finding reliable card holder assemblies. Summary of the Invention

[0005] According to embodiments of this application, a card holder assembly and an IPC are provided to stably hold a card in the IPC and are easy to maintain.

[0006] The card holder assembly provided in the embodiments of this application includes: at least one card holder, each card holder configured to hold an additional card in a device; and a holder carrier configured to carry and secure the at least one card holder; the card holder assembly further includes: two carrier kits configured to be fixed to a fixing assembly of the device, and the holder carrier is secured by a structure of a positioning shaft and a positioning groove.

[0007] In one example, one end of the retainer carrier includes: a first positioning shaft structure and a block structure, the first positioning shaft structure having N1 first planes for limiting the rotation of the retainer carrier, and the block structure located at the end of the positioning shaft structure for limiting the axial position of the retainer carrier; the other end of the retainer carrier includes: a second positioning shaft structure and a radial position limiting structure, the second positioning shaft structure having N2 second planes for limiting the rotation of the retainer carrier; N1 and N2 are any integers from 1 to 4.

[0008] In one example, each of the two carrier kits includes: an inlet hole configured to insert one end of the retainer carrier; a positioning groove configured to mate with the first positioning shaft structure and the second positioning shaft structure, wherein the positioning groove and the inlet hole are connected and the connection area includes a ramp; and a block chamber located on the side of the positioning groove facing the fixing assembly, the block chamber being configured to receive the block structure.

[0009] In one example, each of the two carrier kits further includes a directional positioning hole configured to determine the mounting orientation of each carrier kit on the fixing assembly.

[0010] In one example, the inlet hole includes an opening for inserting one end of the retainer carrier into the inlet hole.

[0011] In one example, one of the two carrier kits includes: a first inlet opening configured to receive one end of the retainer carrier; a first positioning groove configured to mate with the first positioning shaft structure, wherein the first positioning groove and the inlet opening are connected, and the connection area includes a ramp; and a block chamber located on the side of the first positioning groove facing the retaining component, the block chamber being configured to receive the block structure; the other carrier kit includes: a second inlet opening configured to receive the other end of the retainer carrier; and a second positioning groove configured to mate with the second positioning shaft structure, wherein the second positioning groove and the second inlet opening are connected, and the connection area includes a ramp.

[0012] In one example, the radial position limiting structure is an axial threaded hole configured to match a through hole on the fixing assembly, so that the retainer carrier can be fastened to the fixing assembly by screws.

[0013] In one example, the radial position limiting structure is a radial pin hole configured to match a through hole on a corresponding carrier assembly, so that the retainer carrier can be secured to the corresponding carrier assembly by a pin.

[0014] In one example, each carrier kit further includes at least two countersunk mounting holes, each of the at least two countersunk mounting holes being configured to mate with mounting holes on the fixing component, such that the carrier kit can be secured to the fixing component by at least two rivets.

[0015] In one example, each carrier kit is welded to the fixing component.

[0016] The IPC provided in the embodiments of this application includes: the card holder assembly mentioned above.

[0017] As can be seen from the technical solutions in the above application examples, radial and axial degrees of freedom can be limited by screws at the second end and block structures at the first end. Rotational degrees of freedom can be limited by the matching of positioning shafts and slots between the retainer carrier and the carrier kit. Therefore, the retainer carrier can be completely fixed to the housing of the device and provides reliable support for the card retainer. Attached Figure Description

[0018] To better understand this application, reference should be made to the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, in which the same reference numerals refer to corresponding parts throughout the drawings.

[0019] Figure 1A This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a card holder assembly according to this application.

[0020] Figure 1B This is a partial cross-sectional view of the first end in direction I-I.

[0021] Figure 1C This is a partial cross-sectional view of the second end in direction I-I.

[0022] Figure 1D This is a partial cross-sectional view of the first end in direction II-II.

[0023] Figure 1E This is a partial cross-sectional view of the second end in direction III-III.

[0024] Figure 2 It is based on Figure 1A The example shown illustrates the relationship between the card holder and the card.

[0025] Figure 3 It is a display Figures 1A to 2 A schematic diagram of the retainer carrier in the card retainer assembly shown.

[0026] Figure 4 It is a display Figures 1A to 2 A schematic diagram of the carrier kit in the card holder assembly shown.

[0027] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram illustrating another carrier kit according to an example of this application.

[0028] Figures 6 to 9 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the steps for assembling a holder carrier with a card holder to the housing of the device.

[0029] The attached figures are labeled as follows: Figure label objects 1 Card Holder 2. Holder carrier 21 First positioning shaft structure 211 First Plane 22-block structure 23 Second positioning shaft structure 231 Second Plane 24 Radial position limiting structure 3. Carrier Kit 31 Inlet Hole 311 Opening 32 positioning slots 33 compartments 34-directional positioning holes 35 Countersunk mounting hole 4 cards 5. Outer shell 51 directional locating pin 52 Through Hole 6 screws 7 Rivets Detailed Implementation

[0030] In one application, the retainer carrier can be a plate-shaped metal support, and the retainers are mounted and adjusted via screws on the plate-shaped metal support. The plate-shaped metal support is mounted on a support fixed to the housing. Due to the low rigidity of plate metal, the plate-shaped metal support is typically large in size, but its anti-rotation effect is limited.

[0031] In another application, the retainer carrier can be a circular metal carrier, and the clamping retainer is held in place by the circular metal carrier and can be adjusted by rotating the clamping retainer around the circular metal carrier. The circular metal carrier can be easily inserted into the plastic bearing without tightening any screws. The absence of screws makes it easy to assemble and maintain, but the plastic bearing only provides limited anti-rotation effect for the clamping retainer, which will spring back when a heavy load is applied.

[0032] To obtain a more reliable card holder assembly, it is considered to provide a carrier kit for holding the holder carrier, the carrier kit having a good structure and easy assembly and disassembly.

[0033] Reference will now be made to the examples shown in the accompanying drawings. Numerous specific details are set forth in the following detailed description to provide a thorough understanding of the present application. Furthermore, the figures are illustrative of examples, and the assemblies shown are not necessarily essential for implementing the present application. In other instances, well-known assemblies, components, and circuits have not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring various aspects of the examples.

[0034] Figure 1A This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a card holder assembly according to this application. Figure 1B This is a partial cross-sectional view of the first end in direction I-I. Figure 1C This is a partial cross-sectional view of the second end in direction I-I. Figure 1D This is a partial cross-sectional view of the first end in direction II-II. Figure 1E This is a partial cross-sectional view of the second end in direction III-III. Figure 2 It is based on Figure 1A The example shown illustrates the relationship between the card holder and the card. Figure 3 It is a display Figures 1A to 2 A schematic diagram of the retainer carrier in the card retainer assembly shown. Figure 4 It is a display Figures 1A to 2 A schematic diagram of the carrier assembly in the card holder assembly is shown. Figures 1A to 4 As shown, the card holder assembly includes at least one card holder 1, a holder carrier 2, and two carrier kits 3.

[0035] Each card holder 1 is configured to hold an additional card 4 in a device (e.g., an IPC). In one example, the card holder 1 may be made of plastic. In another example, the card holder 1 may be made of other materials such as metal, but its contact area with the additional card 4 is made of an insulating material such as rubber or plastic.

[0036] The retainer carrier 2 is configured to support and secure at least one card retainer 1. Figures 1A to 4 In the example shown, the retainer carrier 2 has a circular cross-section. In another example, the cross-section of the retainer carrier 2 can be other shapes, such as hexagons and other polygons. In the example shown, the retainer carrier 2 can be made of metal.

[0037] Two carrier kits 3 are configured to be fixed to the fixing assembly of the device (e.g., housing 5) and to secure the retainer carrier 2 via a structure of positioning shafts and positioning slots. Each carrier kit 3 is used to secure one end of the retainer carrier 2. In the example described, the two carrier kits 3 may be made of metal and may be manufactured using machining processes. In one example, the thickness of the carrier kits may be approximately 3.5 mm.

[0038] exist Figures 1A to 4In the example shown, one end of the retainer carrier 2 (which may be referred to as the first end) includes: a first positioning shaft structure 21 and a block structure 22. The first positioning shaft structure has N1 first planes 211 for limiting the rotation of the retainer carrier 2. The block structure is located at the end of the first positioning shaft structure 21 for limiting the axial position of the retainer carrier 2. N1 is any integer from 1 to 4. Figures 1A to 4 In this example, two parallel first planes 211 are taken as an example. In one example, the first positioning shaft structure 21 and the block structure 22 can be formed by rotating the cylindrical holder carrier 2, that is, by machining N1 first planes on the cylindrical holder carrier 2.

[0039] The other end of the retainer carrier 2 (which may be referred to as the second end) includes: a second positioning shaft structure 23 and a radial position limiting structure 24. The second positioning shaft structure has N2 second planes 231 for limiting the rotation of the retainer carrier 2. N2 is any integer from 1 to 4. Figures 1A to 4 In this example, two parallel second planes 231 are taken as an example. In one example, the second positioning shaft structure 23 can be formed by rotating the cylindrical holder carrier 2, that is, by machining N2 second planes on the cylindrical holder carrier 2.

[0040] exist Figures 1A to 4 In the example shown, in order to reduce the number of parts and reduce the difficulty of processing, the two carrier kits 3 can have the same structure, that is, each carrier kit in the two carrier kits 3 includes: an inlet hole 31, a positioning groove 32 and a block chamber 33.

[0041] The inlet hole 31 is configured to insert one end of the retainer carrier 2. In another example, to facilitate the insertion of the retainer carrier 2, Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram illustrating another carrier kit according to an example of this application. (See attached diagram.) Figure 5 As shown, the inlet hole 31 may include an opening 311, which is configured to insert one end of the retainer carrier 2 into the inlet hole 31.

[0042] The positioning groove 32 is configured to match the first positioning shaft structure 21 and the second positioning shaft structure 23, wherein the positioning groove 32 is connected to the inlet hole 31, and the connection area includes the inclined surface 321.

[0043] The block chamber 33 is located on the side of the positioning groove 32 facing the fixed component (e.g., housing 5) and is configured to accommodate the block structure 22.

[0044] When the carrier kit 3 is used to fix the end to the first positioning shaft structure 21 and the block structure 22, the positioning groove 32 matches the first positioning shaft structure 21, and the block chamber 33 matches the block structure 22. When the carrier kit 3 is used to fix the end to the second positioning shaft structure 23, the positioning groove 32 matches the second positioning shaft structure 23, and the block chamber 33 does not need to cooperate with other structures.

[0045] Since the two carrier kits 3 have the same structure, to avoid incorrect installation of the carrier kits on the fixing assembly (e.g., housing 5), each of the two carrier kits 3 may further include: an orientation positioning hole 34 configured to determine the installation orientation of each carrier kit 3 on the fixing assembly. Simultaneously, there are corresponding orientation positioning pins 51 that will mate with the orientation positioning holes 34 on the fixing assembly (e.g., housing 5). The positions of the orientation positioning pins 51 corresponding to the two carrier kits 3 are different.

[0046] Of course, in another example, the two carrier kits 3 can have different structures. For example, in another example, one of the two carrier kits may include a first inlet opening, a first positioning groove, and a block chamber. The first inlet opening is configured to introduce a first end of the retainer carrier. The first positioning groove is configured to mate with a first positioning shaft structure 21, wherein the first positioning groove and the inlet opening are connected, and the connection area includes a ramp. The block chamber is located on the side of the first positioning groove facing the fixing component (e.g., housing 5) and is configured to receive the block structure 22.

[0047] Another carrier assembly in the two carrier assemblies 3 includes a second inlet opening and a second positioning groove. The second inlet opening is configured to insert into the second end of the retainer carrier 2. The second positioning groove is configured to mate with a second positioning shaft structure, wherein the second positioning groove and the second inlet opening are connected, and the connection area includes a bevel.

[0048] In one example, the carrier kit 3 can be manufactured by a CNC milling machine. Compared with plate-shaped metal supports or plastic bearings, the carrier kit has lower tolerances, which can minimize the matching gap of the card holder assembly and thus reduce idling.

[0049] exist Figures 1A to 4 In the example shown, the radial position limiting structure 24 is an axial threaded hole configured to match a through hole 52 on a fixing component (e.g., housing 5) so that the retainer carrier 2 can be fastened to the fixing component (e.g., housing 5) by screws 6.

[0050] In another example, the radial position limiting structure 24 may be a radial pin hole configured to match a through hole on the corresponding carrier kit 3, so that the retainer carrier 3 can be secured to the carrier kit 3 by means of a pin.

[0051] There are numerous methods for securing the carrier kit to a fixing component (e.g., housing 5). For example, each carrier kit 3 may further include at least two countersunk mounting holes 35, each of which is configured to mate with a mounting hole on the fixing component (e.g., housing 5) such that the carrier kit 3 can be secured to the fixing component by at least two rivets 7. In another example, each carrier kit 3 may be welded to the fixing component. In yet another example, each carrier kit 3 further includes at least two threaded holes, each of which is configured to mate with a countersunk mounting hole on the fixing component (e.g., housing 5) such that the carrier kit 3 can be secured to the fixing component by at least two screws.

[0052] In the example described, the purpose of using countersunk mounting holes 35 is to avoid adding additional space inside and / or outside the housing 5 occupied by fastening components (e.g., screws or rivets). In another example, when there is sufficient space inside and / or outside the housing 5, conventional mounting holes can be used instead of countersunk mounting holes.

[0053] Figures 6 to 9 A schematic diagram illustrates the steps of assembling a retainer carrier with a card holder to the housing of the device. The end with the radial position limiting structure 24 (e.g., an axial threaded hole) is still referred to as the second end, and the other end is referred to as the first end. The carrier kit corresponding to the second end is referred to as the second carrier kit, and the carrier kit corresponding to the first end is referred to as the first carrier kit.

[0054] Figure 6 Step 1 is shown, in which the retainer carrier is moved and rotated to insert the second end into the inlet hole of the second carrier kit while aligning the first end with the inlet hole of the first carrier kit.

[0055] Figure 7 Step 2 is shown, in which the retainer carrier is moved along the axis of the retainer carrier to insert the first end into the inlet hole of the first carrier kit until it is blocked by the surface of the housing.

[0056] Figure 8 Step 3 is shown, in which the retainer carrier is moved along the positioning groove 32 on the second carrier kit and the first carrier kit until it is blocked by the kit.

[0057] Figure 9Step 4 is shown, where only one screw is tightened into the threaded hole at the second end to lock the entire assembly into the housing of the device.

[0058] Examples of this application also provide an industrial personal computer (IPC). The IPC includes the card holder assembly mentioned above.

[0059] As can be seen from the technical solutions in the above application examples, radial and axial degrees of freedom can be limited by screws at the second end and block structures at the first end. Rotational degrees of freedom can be limited by the matching of positioning shafts and slots between the retainer carrier and the carrier kit. Therefore, the retainer carrier can be completely fixed to the housing of the device and provides reliable support for the card retainer.

[0060] In addition, since both the retainer carrier and the carrier kit are made of metal, and because the size of the positioning shaft and groove features between the retainer carrier and the carrier kit is small, the maximum torsional section modulus can be used to overcome rotational loads, thereby enhancing the overall structural strength of the card retainer assembly. Therefore, the carrier kit and retainer carrier can provide good anti-rotation effect to fix the card retainer, thus allowing for more accurate holding of PCI / PCIe cards.

[0061] Furthermore, because the carrier kit is smaller than a plate-shaped metal support or a plastic bearing, PCI / PCIe cards can be designed to be close to the device housing, allowing the overall IPC to be manufactured more compactly.

[0062] Therefore, the technical solution of this application can provide a reliable structure to ensure that the add-on card functions properly in shock and vibration environments. The compact structure will benefit from a limited product size.

[0063] It should be understood that, as configured herein, the singular form “a / a kind (a)” (“a (a)”, “an”, “the”) is intended to include the plural form unless the context explicitly supports an exception. It should also be understood that “and / or” as configured herein is intended to include any and all possible combinations of one or more of the related listed items.

[0064] The number of embodiments described in this application is for illustrative purposes only and does not represent any advantage of implementation.

[0065] For purposes of explanation, the foregoing description has been described with reference to specific examples. However, the above illustrative discussion is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the application to the precise form disclosed. In view of the above teachings, many modifications and variations are possible. The examples described have been selected and described in order to best explain the principles of this application and its practical application, thereby enabling other persons skilled in the art to make the best use of this application and various examples with modifications suitable for the particular intended use.

Claims

1. A card holder assembly comprising: at least one card holder, each card holder configured to hold one add-on card in a device; and a holder carrier configured to carry and secure the at least one card holder; characterized in that, The card holder assembly further includes: Two carrier kits are configured to be fixed to the fixing assembly of the device and to hold the holder carrier in place by means of a positioning shaft and a positioning groove.

2. The card holder assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, One end of the retainer carrier includes: a first positioning shaft structure and a block structure. The first positioning shaft structure has N1 first planes for limiting the rotation of the retainer carrier. The block structure is located at the end of the positioning shaft structure for limiting the axial position of the retainer carrier. The other end of the retainer carrier includes: a second positioning shaft structure and a radial position limiting structure, wherein the second positioning shaft structure has N2 second planes for limiting the rotation of the retainer carrier; N1 and N2 are any integers from 1 to 4.

3. The card holder assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that, Each of the two carrier kits contains: An inlet hole, which is configured to insert one end of the retainer carrier; A positioning groove, the positioning groove being configured to match the first positioning shaft structure and the second positioning shaft structure, wherein the positioning groove is connected to the inlet hole, and the connection area includes a bevel; as well as A block chamber located on the side of the positioning groove facing the fixing assembly, the block chamber being configured to accommodate the block structure.

4. The card holder assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that, Each of the two carrier kits further includes a directional positioning hole configured to determine the mounting orientation of each carrier kit on the fixing assembly.

5. The card holder assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that, The inlet hole includes an opening for inserting one end of the retainer carrier into the inlet hole.

6. The card holder assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that, One of the two carrier kits contains: A first inlet opening, the first inlet opening being configured to introduce one end of the retainer carrier; A first positioning groove is configured to match the first positioning shaft structure, wherein the first positioning groove is connected to the inlet opening, and the connection area includes a slope. as well as A block chamber located on the side of the first positioning groove facing the fixing component, the block chamber being configured to accommodate the block structure; The other carrier suite of the two carrier suites includes: A second inlet opening is configured to introduce the other end of the retainer carrier; as well as The second positioning groove is configured to match the second positioning shaft structure, wherein the second positioning groove and the second inlet opening are connected, and the connection area includes a bevel.

7. The card holder assembly according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that, The radial position limiting structure is an axial threaded hole configured to match a through hole on the fixing assembly, so that the retainer carrier can be fastened to the fixing assembly by screws.

8. The card holder assembly according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that, The radial position limiting structure is a radial pin hole, which is configured to match the through hole on the corresponding carrier assembly so that the retainer carrier can be fixed to the corresponding carrier assembly by means of a pin.

9. The card holder assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, Each carrier kit further includes at least two countersunk mounting holes, each of the at least two countersunk mounting holes being configured to mate with mounting holes on the fixing component, such that the carrier kit can be secured to the fixing component by at least two rivets.

10. The card holder assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, Each carrier kit is welded to the fixing component.

11. An industrial personal computer, characterized in that, It comprises: a card holder assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

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