Electronic device and expansion module

Abstract

This invention provides an electronic device comprising a housing and an expansion module. The housing includes an electronic component placement area, a wiring area, and a vertical wall, with the wiring area located between the electronic component placement area and the vertical wall. The expansion module is disposed in the wiring area of ​​the housing and includes a frame and a circuit board. The frame is fixed to the vertical wall. The frame includes a support portion, a first limiting portion, a second limiting portion, and multiple cable management structures. The first limiting portion, the second limiting portion, and the support portion together form a receiving groove. These cable management structures protrude from a second surface of the support portion to collectively form a cable management channel. The receiving groove and the cable management channel are located on opposite sides of the frame. The circuit board is disposed within the receiving groove of the frame. According to the electronic device provided by this invention, even if the expansion module is disposed in the wiring area between the electronic component placement area and the vertical wall, the wires in the wiring area can be organized in the cable management channel of the frame to avoid affecting the assembly and disassembly of the expansion module.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an electronic device and an expansion module. Background Technology

[0002] With the advancement of technology, electronic devices are increasingly equipped with more and more electronic modules, resulting in increasingly powerful functions. However, the limited internal space of electronic devices forces electronic modules to be placed in areas that house internal circuitry. However, the circuitry in these areas is often haphazardly distributed, making the assembly and disassembly of electronic modules difficult. In view of this, researchers in this field are dedicated to solving the aforementioned problems. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present invention provides an electronic device and an expansion module that allows the electronic module to be easily installed and removed from the wiring area inside the electronic device.

[0004] An embodiment of the present invention discloses an electronic device comprising a housing and an expansion module. The housing includes an electronic component placement area, a wiring area, and a vertical wall, the wiring area being located between the electronic component placement area and the vertical wall. The expansion module is disposed in the wiring area of ​​the housing and includes a frame and a circuit board. The frame is fixed to the vertical wall. The frame includes a support portion, a first limiting portion, a second limiting portion, and a plurality of cable management structures. The first limiting portion, the second limiting portion, and the support portion together form a receiving groove. These cable management structures protrude from a second surface of the support portion to collectively form a cable management channel. The receiving groove and the cable management channel are located on opposite sides of the frame. The circuit board is disposed within the receiving groove of the frame.

[0005] Another embodiment of the present invention discloses an expansion module for installation between a vertical wall of a housing and an electronic component placement area. The expansion module includes a frame and a circuit board. The frame is fixed to the vertical wall. The frame includes a support portion, a first limiting portion, a second limiting portion, and multiple cable management structures. The first limiting portion, the second limiting portion, and the support portion together form a receiving groove. These cable management structures protrude from a second surface of the support portion to collectively form a cable management channel. The receiving groove and the cable management channel are located on opposite sides of the frame. The circuit board is disposed in the receiving groove of the frame.

[0006] According to the electronic device and expansion module disclosed in the above embodiments, the frame of the expansion module includes a cable management channel and a receiving channel, the receiving channel and the cable management channel are located on opposite sides of the frame, and the circuit board is disposed in the receiving channel of the frame. Even if the expansion module is disposed in the wiring area between the electronic component placement area and the vertical wall, the wires in the wiring area can be organized in the cable management channel of the frame to avoid affecting the disassembly and assembly of the expansion module.

[0007] 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

[0008] Figure 1 This is a partial perspective view of an electronic device disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0009] Figure 2 for Figure 1 An exploded view of an electronic device.

[0010] Figure 3 for Figure 1 A partial stereoscopic view of an electronic device from another perspective.

[0011] Figure 4 for Figure 1 A partial cross-sectional view of the electronic device.

[0012] Figure 5 for Figure 1 A 3D view of the expansion module.

[0013] Component designation explanation

[0014] 1: Electronic devices

[0015] 10: Chassis

[0016] 11: Electronic Component Placement Area

[0017] 12: Wiring Area

[0018] 13: Erecting walls

[0019] 131: First positioning slot

[0020] 132: Second positioning slot

[0021] 133: Locking hole

[0022] 20: Expansion Module

[0023] 21: Frame

[0024] 211: Cable Management Channel

[0025] 2111: Sub-groove

[0026] 212: Receiving slot

[0027] 213: Bearing section

[0028] 2131: First Surface

[0029] 2132: Second Surface

[0030] 214: First limiting part

[0031] 2141: Positioning hook

[0032] 2142: Connecting part

[0033] 2144: Spear arm section

[0034] 21441: Block

[0035] 215: Second limiting part

[0036] 2151: Positioning bump

[0037] 216: Linear Structure

[0038] 2161: Separating Rib

[0039] 2162: Limiting retaining wall

[0040] 2163: First limiting rib

[0041] 2164: Second limiting rib

[0042] 22: Circuit board

[0043] 23: Operating components

[0044] S: Memory

[0045] M: Motherboard

[0046] C: Wire

[0047] D: Direction

[0048] U: Upper edge

[0049] L: Lower edge Detailed Implementation

[0050] Please see Figure 1 and Figure 2 . Figure 1 This is a partial perspective view of an electronic device 1 disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 for Figure 1 An exploded view of electronic device 1. Figure 3 for Figure 1 A partial stereoscopic view of an electronic device from another perspective.

[0051] Electronic device 1 includes a housing 10 and an expansion module 20. The housing 10 includes an electronic component placement area 11, a wiring area 12, and a vertical wall 13. The electronic component placement area 11 is used, for example, to house memory S, which is plugged into a motherboard M inside the housing 10. The wiring area 12 is located between the electronic component placement area 11 and the vertical wall 13, and is used for multiple wires C inside the electronic device 1 to pass through. The expansion module 20 is, for example, a board management module. The expansion module 20 includes a frame 21 and a circuit board 22. The frame 21 is fixed to the vertical wall 13.

[0052] In one embodiment, the frame 21 may include a support portion 213, a first limiting portion 214, and a second limiting portion 215. The first limiting portion 214 and the second limiting portion 215 are connected to a first surface 2131 of the support portion 213 and are separate from each other. The first limiting portion 214, the second limiting portion 215, and the support portion 213 together form a receiving groove 212. The circuit board 22 is disposed in the receiving groove 212 of the frame 21 and is inserted into the main board M disposed in the housing 10. The support portion 213 is parallel to the vertical wall 13, and the first limiting portion 214 and the second limiting portion 215 are fixed to the vertical wall 13.

[0053] In one embodiment, the vertical wall 13 may include a first positioning groove 131 and a second positioning groove 132 that are separate from each other. The first limiting part 214 may include a positioning hook 2141, and the second limiting part 215 may include a positioning protrusion 2151. The positioning hook 2141 and the positioning protrusion 2151 are respectively separably positioned in the first positioning groove 131 and the second positioning groove 132. By matching the positioning hook 2141 and the positioning protrusion 2151 with the first positioning groove 131 and the second positioning groove 132 respectively, the expansion module 20 can be positioned at the desired location during the installation of the expansion module 20 in the wiring area 12, thereby restricting its horizontal displacement.

[0054] In one embodiment, the vertical wall 13 may further include a locking hole 133. The first limiting portion 214 may include a connecting portion 2142 and a spring arm portion 2144. The positioning hook 2141 and the spring arm portion 2144 are connected to the bearing portion 213 through the connecting portion 2142 and are separate from each other, and the positioning hook 2141 and the spring arm portion 2144 are partially parallel to the bearing portion 213. That is, the positioning hook 2141 and the spring arm portion 2144 form a U-shaped structure with the bearing portion 213 through the connecting portion 2142. The spring arm portion 2144 may include a locking block 21441, which is detachably locked into the locking hole 133 of the vertical wall 13. The mechanism of locking the expansion module 20 in the wiring area 12 by the locking block 21441 of the spring arm 2144 into the locking hole 133 of the vertical wall 13 allows the user to know that the expansion module 20 is installed in place by the popping sound emitted when the locking block 21441 of the spring arm 2144 is locked into the locking hole 133 of the vertical wall 13, and also restricts the vertical displacement of the expansion module 20.

[0055] Next, please refer to Figure 4 , Figure 4 for Figure 1 A partial cross-sectional view of the electronic device.

[0056] In one embodiment, the expansion module 20 may further include an operating member 23. The operating member 23 is, for example, a pull strap, and is connected to the spring arm portion 2144. By pulling the operating member 23 in a direction D away from the vertical wall 13, the locking block 21441 of the spring arm portion 2144 can be disengaged from the locking hole 133 of the vertical wall 13. In this way, the expansion module 20 can be separated from the housing 10.

[0057] In the above embodiments, the positioning hook 2141 and positioning protrusion 2151 are matched with the first positioning groove 131 and the second positioning groove 132 respectively, the locking block 21441 of the spring arm 2144 is matched with the locking hole 133 of the vertical wall 13, and the design of the operating member 23 allows the expansion module 20 to be installed and removed from the housing 10 without tools. It should be noted that the aforementioned structure and components for tool-free installation are optional. In other embodiments, the expansion module can be installed on the housing with tools. For example, the frame of the expansion module can be fixed to the vertical wall with screws, and the expansion module needs to be installed and removed with a screwdriver.

[0058] Next, please refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5 . Figure 5 for Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of the expansion module 20.

[0059] In some embodiments, the frame 21 may further include a plurality of cable management structures 216, which protrude from a second surface 2132 of the support portion 213 and together form a cable management groove 211. Please refer to the following: Figure 3 The cable management channel 211 is used to organize the wires C passing through the cable routing area 12. The receiving channel 212 and the cable management channel 211 are located on opposite sides of the frame 21.

[0060] In the above embodiment, the frame 21 of the expansion module 20 includes cable management channels 211 and receiving slots 212, which are located on opposite sides of the frame 21. The circuit board 22 is disposed within the receiving slots 212 of the frame 21. Even if the expansion module 20 is located in the wiring area 12 between the electronic component placement area 11 and the vertical wall 13, the wires C in the wiring area 12 can be organized in the cable management channels 211 of the frame 21. This prevents the wires C from affecting the assembly and disassembly of the expansion module 20, saves on the amount of cable ties used, and prevents the wires C from pressing against the memory S.

[0061] In some embodiments, these cable management structures 216 include a separating rib 2161 and at least one limiting wall 2162. The separating rib 2161 is configured to separate the upper edge U and lower edge L of the second surface 2132 of the support portion 213. The limiting wall 2162 is connected to the separating rib 2161, and extends parallel to the second surface 2132 of the support portion 213 and toward the upper edge U and lower edge L of the support portion 213, thereby dividing the cable management groove 211 into two sub-grooves 2111. In this way, the wires C (such as...) in the wiring area 12... Figure 3 (As shown) can be arranged in layers via two sub-channels 2111.

[0062] In some embodiments, the number of limiting walls 2162 may be multiple. These limiting walls 2162 are connected to the separating ribs 2161 separately.

[0063] In some embodiments, these wiring structures 216 may further include at least one first limiting rib 2163 and at least one second limiting rib 2164. The first limiting rib 2163 is located at the upper edge U of the support portion 213 and is staggered with the limiting baffle 2162. The second limiting rib 2164 is located at the lower edge L of the support portion 213 and is staggered with the limiting baffle 2162. In some embodiments, the number of first limiting ribs 2163 and second limiting ribs 2164 may be multiple.

[0064] It should be noted that the structure of the frame 21 forming the receiving groove 212 is not limited to the above structure, but can be adjusted arbitrarily according to the needs.

[0065] According to the electronic device and expansion module disclosed in the above embodiments, the expansion module's frame includes cable management channels and receiving slots, located on opposite sides of the frame. The circuit board is disposed within the receiving slots of the frame. Even if the expansion module is located in the wiring area between the electronic component placement area and the vertical wall, the wires in the wiring area can be organized in the cable management channels of the frame. This avoids wires interfering with the installation and removal of the expansion module, saves on cable ties, and prevents wires from pressing against the memory.

[0066] Furthermore, by matching the positioning hooks and positioning protrusions with the first positioning groove and the second positioning groove respectively, matching the locking block of the spring arm with the locking hole of the vertical wall, and designing the operating components, the expansion module can be installed and removed from the housing without tools.

[0067] The electronic device and expansion module of the present invention can be installed in a server, which can be used for artificial intelligence (AI) computing, edge computing, or as a 5G server, cloud server, or vehicle networking server.

[0068] Although the present invention has been disclosed above with reference to the preferred embodiments described above, 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 claims attached to this specification.

Claims

1. An electronic device, characterized in that, Include: A housing, comprising an electronic component placement area, a wiring area, and a vertical wall, wherein the wiring area is located between the electronic component placement area and the vertical wall; and An expansion module, disposed in the wiring area of ​​the housing, and comprising: A frame, fixed to the vertical wall, includes a support portion, a first limiting portion, a second limiting portion, and multiple cable management structures. The first limiting portion, the second limiting portion, and the support portion together form a receiving groove. The multiple cable management structures protrude from a second surface of the support portion to form a cable management channel. The receiving groove and the cable management channel are located on opposite sides of the frame. A circuit board is disposed in the receiving slot of the frame.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first limiting part and the second limiting part are connected to a first surface of the bearing part and are separated from each other. The bearing part is parallel to the vertical wall, and the first limiting part and the second limiting part are fixed to the vertical wall.

3. The electronic device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The vertical wall includes a first positioning groove and a second positioning groove that are separated from each other. The first limiting part includes a positioning hook, and the second limiting part includes a positioning protrusion. The positioning hook and the positioning protrusion are respectively separably positioned in the first positioning groove and the second positioning groove.

4. The electronic device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The vertical wall also includes a locking hole, and the first limiting part also includes a connecting part and a spring arm part. The positioning hook and the spring arm part are connected to the bearing part through the connecting part and are separated from each other. The positioning hook and the spring arm part are partially parallel to the bearing part. The spring arm part includes a locking block, and the locking block is detachably locked to the locking hole of the vertical wall.

5. The electronic device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The expansion module also includes an operating component connected to the spring arm.

6. The electronic device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The plurality of cable management structures include a separating rib and a limiting wall. The separating rib is configured to separate the upper edge and lower edge of the second surface of the bearing portion. The limiting wall is connected to the separating rib and is parallel to the second surface of the bearing portion and extends toward the upper edge and lower edge of the bearing portion, thereby dividing the cable management groove into two sub-grooves.

7. The electronic device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The plurality of cable management structures further include a first limiting rib and a second limiting rib. The first limiting rib is located at the upper edge of the bearing portion and is staggered with the limiting wall. The second limiting rib is located at the lower edge of the bearing portion and is staggered with the limiting wall.

8. An expansion module, characterized in that, The expansion module, designed for installation between a vertical wall of a housing and an area for placing electronic components, comprises: A frame for fixing to the vertical wall, comprising a support portion, a first limiting portion, a second limiting portion, and multiple cable management structures. The first limiting portion, the second limiting portion, and the support portion together form a receiving groove. The multiple cable management structures protrude from a second surface of the support portion to form a cable management channel. The receiving groove and the cable management channel are located on opposite sides of the frame. A circuit board is disposed in the receiving slot of the frame.

9. The expansion module according to claim 8, characterized in that, The first limiting part and the second limiting part are connected to a first surface of the bearing part and are separated from each other. The bearing part is parallel to the vertical wall, and the first limiting part and the second limiting part are used to fix to the vertical wall.

10. The expansion module according to claim 8, characterized in that, The plurality of cable management structures include a separating rib and a limiting wall. The separating rib is configured to separate the upper edge and lower edge of the second surface of the bearing portion. The limiting wall is connected to the separating rib and is parallel to the second surface of the bearing portion and extends toward the upper edge and lower edge of the bearing portion, thereby dividing the cable management groove into two sub-grooves.

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