An improved computer motherboard

Abstract

The application provides an improved structure of a computer mainboard, which comprises a mainboard and an interface board; at least one external data transmission interface is arranged on the interface board; the mainboard and the interface board are electrically connected through a pluggable M.2 connector; the connector is defined with mainboard power supply pins, interface board power supply pins and data signal pins for transmitting signals of the external data transmission interface; the mainboard provides working power to the interface board and transmits and receives data signals through the mainboard power supply pins and the data signal pins via the connector; the power input end of the external data transmission interface is electrically connected with the interface board power supply pins on the connector; wherein the external data transmission interface comprises a Type-C interface and an HDMI interface; a PD protocol chip corresponding to the Type-C interface and a switching driving chip for relaying signals of the HDMI interface are arranged on the interface board. The application can solve the problems of maintenance difficulty and inconvenient upgrade of external interfaces on the mainboard.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of motherboard hardware structure technology, and in particular to an improved structure for a computer motherboard. Background Technology

[0002] As portable devices such as laptops become increasingly thinner and lighter, internal space is becoming more compact. High-speed data transmission interfaces such as Type-C and HDMI are widely used due to their high integration. However, these interfaces are typically soldered directly onto the motherboard, which presents the following inherent drawbacks: 1. Difficult and costly repair: Type-C, HDMI, and other interfaces are physical ports that are frequently plugged and unplugged. After long-term use, they are prone to damage due to mechanical wear, electrostatic discharge, and other reasons. Once damaged, since the interface is directly integrated on the motherboard, repair requires replacing or re-repairing the entire motherboard, which is a complicated and costly process.

[0003] 2. Inconvenient upgrades and iterations: When new interface standards (such as new USB or DP protocols) are introduced, users cannot upgrade the interface module individually; they can only replace the entire machine or perform complex motherboard-level modifications.

[0004] In existing technologies, although there are designs that connect sub-boards via flexible printed circuit boards (FPCs) or board-to-board connectors (BTBs), these connection methods suffer from poor signal integrity and insufficient reliability when transmitting high-speed signals (such as USB 3.2 Gen2 and HDMI 2.1 TMDS signals), and they are usually not capable of handling high-power power supply, thus having limited functionality. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide an improved structure for computer motherboards, which aims to solve the problems of difficult maintenance and inconvenient upgrades of external interfaces on the motherboard, and improve the flexibility of use.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the solution of the present invention is as follows: An improved structure for a computer motherboard includes a motherboard and an interface board; The interface board is equipped with at least one external data transmission interface; The motherboard and the interface board are electrically connected via a pluggable M.2 connector; The connector is defined with motherboard power supply pins, interface board power supply pins, and data signal pins for transmitting external data transmission interface signals. The motherboard provides power to the interface board and transmits and receives data signals via connectors through its power supply pins and data signal pins. The power input terminal of the external data transmission interface is electrically connected to the power supply pin of the interface board on the connector; The external data transmission interfaces include a Type-C interface and an HDMI interface; The interface board is equipped with a PD protocol chip corresponding to the Type-C interface, as well as a converter driver chip for HDMI interface signal relay.

[0007] In a preferred embodiment, the data signal pins defined on the M.2 connector for transmitting the Type-C interface signals include: The first set of differential signal pins is used to transmit TCP signals for the Type-C interface; The second set of differential signal pins is used to transmit the TX / RX signals of USB 3.0 and above versions of the Type-C interface; And pins for transmitting USB 2.0 signals and CC communication signals for the Type-C interface.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment, the data signal pins defined on the M.2 connector for transmitting the HDMI interface signals include: Differential clock pin used for transmitting the TMDS clock signal for HDMI; Differential data pins used for transmitting TMDS data channel 0 signals for HDMI; Differential data pins used for transmitting TMDS data channel 1 signals for HDMI; Differential data pins used for transmitting TMDS data channel 2 signals for HDMI; And pins for transmitting HPD signals.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment, conductive fixing connection parts are correspondingly provided on the interface board and the main board; When the external power adapter is connected to the Type-C interface on the interface board, the 20V charging voltage output by the external power adapter is transmitted to the motherboard through the fixed connection part to power the motherboard.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the fixed connection part includes power supply screw holes provided on the motherboard and the interface board, and conductive screws passing through the power supply screw holes and locking the two together.

[0011] After adopting the above solution, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: 1. This invention places the external data transmission interface on an interface board. The motherboard and the interface board are electrically connected via a pluggable connector. The connector has motherboard power supply pins, interface board power supply pins, and data signal pins for transmitting signals from the external data transmission interface. The motherboard provides power to the interface board and transmits and receives data signals via the connector through the motherboard power supply pins and data signal pins. The power input terminal of the external data transmission interface is electrically connected to the interface board power supply pins on the connector. When the interface is damaged, only the interface board needs to be disassembled and replaced, without replacing or repairing the entire motherboard, which greatly simplifies the repair process and reduces repair and operating costs.

[0012] 2. This invention sets the external data transmission interface on the interface board. The motherboard and the interface board are electrically connected through a pluggable connector. The interface board is an independent functional module. If it is necessary to support the updated interface standard, it can be redesigned and replaced, which improves the upgradeability and flexibility of the device. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1 This is a schematic block diagram illustrating data transmission between the motherboard and the interface board via an M.2 connector in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the RTS5453H-GR PD protocol chip and its peripheral circuitry in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 This is a circuit schematic diagram of the first Type-C interface and the FA7615 power management chip in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a circuit schematic diagram of the second Type-C interface and the FA7615 power management chip in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the PI3HDX1204B adapter driver chip, HDMI interface, APL3517 chip and its peripheral circuits in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 This is a circuit diagram of the M.2 connector on the motherboard side in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7 This is a circuit diagram of the M.2 connector on the interface board in this embodiment of the invention; Figure 8 This is a circuit schematic diagram of the CPU-side TCP and HDMI signal connection in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 9 This is a circuit diagram of the CPU-side USB 2.0 signal connection in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] Label Explanation: 100. Motherboard; 200. M.2 connector; 300. Interface board; 1. VBUS; 2. Power supply pin; 3. TCP signal; 4. DP / DN differential pair; 5. CC1 / CC2 signal; 6. TMDS differential signal; 7. HPD signal; 8. Power supply screw hole; Detailed Implementation The present invention will now be further described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0015] This embodiment provides an improved structure for a computer motherboard, such as... Figure 1 As shown, it includes the motherboard and interface boards. Of course, the motherboard houses core components such as the CPU, memory slots, and peripheral circuitry.

[0016] The interface board is equipped with at least one external data transmission interface. In this embodiment, the interface board includes a first Type-C interface, a second Type-C interface, and an HDMI interface. The specific circuit diagram is shown in Figures 3 to 4. Figure 5 As shown.

[0017] The motherboard and the interface board are electrically connected via a pluggable connector. In this embodiment, the pluggable connector is an M.2 connector.

[0018] The connector is defined with motherboard power supply pins, interface board power supply pins, and data signal pins for transmitting external data transmission interface signals. The motherboard provides power to the interface board and transmits and receives data signals via the motherboard power supply pins and data signal pins and a connector.

[0019] The power input terminal of the external data transmission interface is electrically connected to the power supply pins of the interface board on the connector. That is, for each external data transmission interface on the interface board, its own power input pins (power input terminals) do not draw power directly from the interface board, but are connected to dedicated power supply pins on the connector. These dedicated power supply pins ultimately originate from the motherboard.

[0020] Furthermore, the external data transmission interfaces include a Type-C interface and an HDMI interface; The interface board includes a PD protocol chip corresponding to the Type-C interface and an adapter driver chip for HDMI interface signal relay. In this embodiment, the PD protocol chip is model RTS5453H-GR, and the adapter driver chip is model PI3HDX1204B. The specific circuit schematic is shown below. Figure 2 and Figure 5 As shown.

[0021] Furthermore, the data signal pins defined on the M.2 connector for transmitting the Type-C interface signals include: The first set of differential signal pins is used to transmit TCP signals for the Type-C interface; The second set of differential signal pins is used to transmit the TX / RX signals of USB 3.0 and above versions of the Type-C interface; And pins for transmitting USB 2.0 signals and CC communication signals for the Type-C interface.

[0022] Furthermore, the data signal pins defined on the M.2 connector for transmitting the HDMI interface signals include: Differential clock pin used for transmitting the TMDS clock signal for HDMI; Differential data pins used for transmitting TMDS data channel 0 signals for HDMI; Differential data pins used for transmitting TMDS data channel 1 signals for HDMI; Differential data pins used for transmitting TMDS data channel 2 signals for HDMI; And pins for transmitting HPD signals.

[0023] Furthermore, conductive fixing connection parts are correspondingly provided on the interface board and the main board; When the external power adapter is connected to the Type-C interface on the interface board, the 20V charging voltage output by the external power adapter is transmitted to the motherboard through the fixed connection part to power the motherboard.

[0024] Specifically, the fixed connection part includes power supply screw holes on the motherboard and the interface board, and conductive screws that pass through the power supply screw holes and lock the two together.

[0025] Combination Figures 1 to 9 The following describes in detail the principle of communication and functional interaction between the CPU of the motherboard and the interface board through the M.2 connector in this embodiment.

[0026] 1. Power supply and signal transmission path from the motherboard to the interface board: After the motherboard powers on, its power management unit generates a +V5A 5V power supply. This +V5A power is transmitted to the interface board through the motherboard power supply pins defined on the M.2 connector. (The motherboard power supply pins and the interface board power supply pins are electrically connected. From the motherboard's perspective, the motherboard power supply pins output +V5A power to the interface board through these pins. From the interface board's perspective, the interface board receives +V5A power from the motherboard through these pins.) On the interface board: The +V5A power supply is input to the FA7615 power management chip, which converts and regulates it, outputting a stable 5V voltage to the VBUS pins of the first Type-C interface and the second Type-C interface (CN15, CN16). Figure 3 As shown in label 1, it is used to power the connected USB device.

[0027] The other input goes to the APL3517 power management chip, which converts and regulates the voltage, outputting a stable 5V voltage to the power pin of the HDMI interface, such as... Figure 5 As shown in label 2, it is used to power the connected HDMI device and to pull up the HPD signal.

[0028] Meanwhile, the motherboard's CPU communicates with the interface board at high speed via the data signal pins defined on the M.2 connector.

[0029] 2. Type-C interface signal path: The first set of differential signal pins: used for transmitting TCP signals (such as...). Figure 7 (As shown in label 3, TCP1_TXRX1_P / N, TCP1_TXRX0_P / N, TCP0_TXRX1_P / N, TCP0_TXRX0_P / N, etc.). This signal is used to support DisplayPort AltMode. It is issued by the motherboard CPU, transmitted through the M.2 connector to the RTS5453H-GR PD protocol chip on the interface board, and then switched to the corresponding first or second Type-C interface.

[0030] The second set of differential signal pins is used to transmit the TX / RX signals of USB 3.2 Gen2. When a USB 3.0 or higher device is connected, high-speed data is transmitted between the motherboard CPU and the Type-C interface through this differential pair.

[0031] Other pins: include DP / DN differential pairs for USB 2.0 communication, such as... Figure 6 As shown by label 4, and the CC1 / CC2 signal pins used for connection detection and role negotiation, as follows: Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown in label 5, the CC signal communicates with the RTS5453H-GR PD protocol chip to complete the power supply protocol (PD) negotiation.

[0032] 3. HDMI interface signal path: Four pairs of TMDS differential signal pins, including one pair for transmitting the TMDS clock signal (CLK_P / N) and three pairs for transmitting the TMDS data channel signal (D0_P / N, D1_P / N, D2_P / N), as follows. Figure 8 As shown in label 6.

[0033] The HPD signal pin is used to transmit hot-plug detection signals, such as... Figure 5 As shown in label 7. HDMI data is sent from the motherboard CPU, transmitted to the interface board via the TMDS differential pin pair and the M.2 connector, then input to the PI3HDX1204B adapter driver chip for signal relay and amplification, and finally output to the HDMI interface to drive the external display.

[0034] 4. The path for external power to charge the motherboard: When an external power adapter is plugged into any Type-C port on the interface board (such as the first Type-C port CN15), the voltage output by the external power adapter enters the interface board through the VBUS pin. The PD protocol chip RTS5453H-GR communicates and negotiates with the adapter through the CC pin to confirm support for 20V charging.

[0035] After successful negotiation, the 20V charging voltage (+V_CHGR_VIN) is not routed through the M.2 connector, but instead guided to the power supply screw hole on the edge of the interface board, such as... Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown by reference numeral 8. When the conductive screw tightens the interface board and the main board, it simultaneously electrically connects the power supply screw hole. Thus, the 20V charging voltage is directly transmitted through the conductive screw to the corresponding pad on the main board, charging the main board's power system and battery.

[0036] Of course, the reference numerals in the accompanying drawings of this embodiment only represent some of the pins corresponding to the signals, and do not represent all the pins corresponding to the signals. The pin labels provided in the drawings can provide clear and complete instructions for those skilled in the art.

[0037] This invention places the external data transmission interface on an interface board. When the interface is damaged, only the interface board needs to be removed and replaced, eliminating the need to replace or repair the entire motherboard. This greatly simplifies the repair process and reduces repair and operating costs. Furthermore, as an independent functional module, the interface board can be redesigned and replaced to support newer interface standards, improving the device's upgradeability and flexibility. Regarding the power supply path, this invention provides 5V operating power from the motherboard to the peripherals on the interface board, and another path provides 20V charging voltage from the external adapter to the motherboard. This physically separates the high-current charging path from the low-current device power supply path, ensuring charging stability and safety while optimizing the pin resource allocation of the M.2 connector. By customizing the pin definitions of the M.2 connector, dedicated differential pairs and pins are assigned to the TCP, USB 3.0 TX / RX signals of Type-C, and the TMDS clock / data and HPD signals of HDMI. The signals are relayed and enhanced by a dedicated chip on the interface board, which effectively ensures the integrity of ultra-high-speed signals such as USB 3.2 Gen2 (10Gbps) and HDMI 2.1 (48Gbps) when they are transmitted through the connector.

[0038] The directional terms used in this specification are defined relative to the structures shown in the accompanying drawings. They are relative concepts and may therefore vary depending on their location and usage. Therefore, these or other directional terms should not be interpreted as restrictive.

[0039] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the design of this case. All equivalent changes made based on the key design features of this case shall fall within the protection scope of this case.

Claims

1. An improved structure for a computer motherboard, characterized in that: Including the motherboard and interface boards; The interface board is equipped with at least one external data transmission interface; The motherboard and the interface board are electrically connected via a pluggable M.2 connector; The connector is defined with motherboard power supply pins, interface board power supply pins, and data signal pins for transmitting external data transmission interface signals. The motherboard provides power to the interface board and transmits and receives data signals via connectors through its power supply pins and data signal pins. The power input terminal of the external data transmission interface is electrically connected to the power supply pin of the interface board on the connector; The external data transmission interfaces include a Type-C interface and an HDMI interface; The interface board is equipped with a PD protocol chip corresponding to the Type-C interface, as well as a converter driver chip for HDMI interface signal relay.

2. The improved computer motherboard structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The data signal pins defined on the M.2 connector for transmitting the Type-C interface signals include: The first set of differential signal pins is used to transmit TCP signals for the Type-C interface; The second set of differential signal pins is used to transmit the TX / RX signals of USB 3.0 and above versions of the Type-C interface; And pins for transmitting USB 2.0 signals and CC communication signals for the Type-C interface.

3. The improved computer motherboard structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The data signal pins defined on the M.2 connector for transmitting HDMI interface signals include: Differential clock pin used for transmitting the TMDS clock signal for HDMI; Differential data pins used for transmitting TMDS data channel 0 signals for HDMI; Differential data pins used for transmitting TMDS data channel 1 signals for HDMI; Differential data pins used for transmitting TMDS data channel 2 signals for HDMI; And pins for transmitting HPD signals.

4. The improved computer motherboard structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The interface board and the main board are respectively provided with conductive fixed connection parts; When the external power adapter is connected to the Type-C interface on the interface board, the 20V charging voltage output by the external power adapter is transmitted to the motherboard through the fixed connection part to power the motherboard.

5. The improved computer motherboard structure as described in claim 4, characterized in that: The fixed connection part includes power supply screw holes on the motherboard and the interface board, and conductive screws that pass through the power supply screw holes and lock the two together.

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