A rigid-flexible board based network interface module connecting device

Abstract

The utility model discloses a network interface module connecting device based on rigid and flexible board, include: main circuit board, network interface module and rigid and flexible combination board subassembly, be provided with high -speed signal transceiver and first board to board connector on the main circuit board, network interface module is encapsulated with network transformer and interface terminal, rigid and flexible combination board subassembly is used for connecting main circuit board and network interface module. Rigid and flexible combination board subassembly includes: first rigid board, flexible circuit board and second rigid board, be provided with second board to board connector on the first rigid board, be used for with the first board to board connector of main circuit board on and insert, the one end of flexible circuit board is electrically connected with first rigid board, and the inside of flexible circuit board is arranged with a plurality of feature impedance controlled differential signal line, one end of second rigid board is electrically connected with the other end of flexible circuit board, and the pin of second rigid board other end is fixed with network interface module. Have interface layout nimble, signal integrity is good, and reliability is high and assemble simple and so on advantage.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model generally relates to the field of communication equipment technology, and more specifically, to a network interface module connection device based on a rigid-flex board. Background Technology

[0002] In high-performance computing and network communication equipment, the motherboard needs to exchange data with the outside world through network interface modules (such as RJ45, SFP, etc.). There are two main traditional connection methods.

[0003] The first method uses network interface modules directly soldered to the motherboard. This method has a stable structure, but the interface position is fixed and cannot adapt to diverse chassis structure designs. The mechanical stress of plugging and unplugging network cables directly affects the motherboard, which can easily lead to damage to the solder joints. At the same time, the interfaces are concentrated in the motherboard I / O area, resulting in crowded wiring and posing a significant challenge to the integrity of high-frequency signals.

[0004] The second method uses discrete cables and connectors for connection. This method offers some layout flexibility, but it has the following inherent drawbacks: First, poor signal integrity, as there are impedance discontinuities between the cable and the connector, which can easily cause signal reflection and make it difficult to meet the requirements of high-speed signal transmission at speeds of 10 Gigabit and above; second, low reliability, as the connector is prone to loosening and increased contact resistance due to repeated insertion and removal or vibration; third, cumbersome assembly, as the assembly process is complex due to the large number of parts, resulting in high production costs; and fourth, the risk of electromagnetic leakage, as the gap between the cable and the connector may become a leakage point for electromagnetic interference.

[0005] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a solution that combines high flexibility, high reliability, excellent signal integrity, and ease of assembly and maintenance. Utility Model Content

[0006] This application provides a network interface module connection device based on a rigid-flex board to solve the technical problems of inflexible interface layout, poor signal integrity, low reliability and complicated assembly in the prior art.

[0007] This application provides a network interface module connection device based on a rigid-flex board, comprising: a main circuit board, a network interface module, and a rigid-flex board assembly; the main circuit board is provided with a high-speed signal transceiver and a first board-to-board connector; the network interface module encapsulates a network transformer and interface terminals; the rigid-flex board assembly is used to connect the main circuit board and the network interface module. The rigid-flex board assembly includes: a first rigid board, a flexible circuit board, and a second rigid board; a second board-to-board connector is provided on the first rigid board for mating with the first board-to-board connector on the main circuit board; one end of the flexible circuit board is electrically connected to the first rigid board, and multiple differential signal lines with controlled characteristic impedance are arranged inside the flexible circuit board; one end of the second rigid board is electrically connected to the other end of the flexible circuit board, and the other end of the second rigid board is fixedly connected to the pins of the network interface module.

[0008] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the second rigid plate integrates a decoupling capacitor array and a common-mode choke for optimizing signal quality and power integrity.

[0009] According to some embodiments of this utility model, it also includes a metal shielding shell, which is disposed outside the network interface module and the second rigid plate, and forms good electrical contact with the grounding layer of the main circuit board through conductive foam or metal spring sheet, thus forming a complete electromagnetic shielding cavity.

[0010] According to some embodiments of this utility model, it also includes a modular fixing frame, which is used to support and fix the sub-component consisting of the network interface module, the second rigid plate and the metal shielding shell, and is detachably connected to the equipment chassis through a quick-lock mechanism.

[0011] According to some embodiments of this utility model, the modular fixing frame is provided with buckles, and the metal shielding shell is provided with slots on both sides that cooperate with the buckles.

[0012] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the flexible circuit board has a multilayer structure, and the characteristic impedance of the differential signal lines of the flexible circuit board is controlled by adjusting the line width, line spacing and dielectric thickness.

[0013] According to some embodiments of the present invention, a guide and anti-foolproof structure is provided at the connection between the first rigid plate and the main circuit board to ensure accurate insertion of the first board-to-board connector and the second board-to-board connector.

[0014] According to some embodiments of this utility model, the network interface module is an RJ45 module, an SFP module, or a QSFP module.

[0015] As can be seen from the above technical solution, the advantages and positive effects of the network interface module connection device based on rigid-flex board of this utility model are as follows:

[0016] 1. This utility model has good layout flexibility. Since the flexible circuit board can be bent freely, the network interface module can be independently arranged in any optimal position such as the front panel, rear panel or top of the chassis, effectively freeing up the motherboard layout.

[0017] 2. This utility model has good high-speed performance. By adopting an integrally molded rigid-flexible board, it eliminates the impedance change of traditional connectors and ensures the continuity of the signal transmission path. Moreover, the decoupling capacitor array and common-mode choke are integrated on the second rigid board to provide power decoupling and noise filtering for the network interface module nearby, which greatly improves signal quality and anti-interference ability.

[0018] 3. This utility model has high design reliability. It forms a stable connection with the motherboard through board-to-board connectors and fasteners, and has high mechanical strength. The force of network cable insertion and extraction is borne by the chassis and modular fixing frame, which effectively isolates stress and protects the solder joints.

[0019] 4. This utility model has excellent electromagnetic compatibility. The metal shielding shell provides all-round shielding for high-speed circuits and interface modules, significantly reducing electromagnetic radiation and sensitivity to external interference.

[0020] 5. This utility model is easy to maintain and upgrade. Due to its modular design, the entire network interface sub-component can be quickly replaced or upgraded as an independent unit without replacing the motherboard, which greatly reduces maintenance costs and time. Attached Figure Description

[0021] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall assembly of a network interface module connection device based on a rigid-flex board disclosed in an embodiment of this application;

[0023] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the rigid-flexible combined plate assembly structure of a network interface module connection device based on a rigid-flex plate disclosed in an embodiment of this application.

[0024] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0025] 100. Main circuit board; 200. Network interface module; 310. First rigid plate; 320. Flexible circuit board; 330. Second rigid plate; 110. First board-to-board connector; 311. Second board-to-board connector; 331. Surface mount pad; 332. Decoupling capacitor array; 333. Common mode choke; 400. Metal shielding cover; 500. Modular fixing frame; 600. Chassis panel. Detailed Implementation

[0026] The embodiments of this application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples. The detailed description of the following embodiments and the accompanying drawings are used to illustrate the principles of this application by way of example, but should not be used to limit the scope of this application. This application can be implemented in many different forms and is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, but includes all technical solutions falling within the scope of the claims.

[0027] These embodiments are provided to make the application thorough and complete, and to fully express the scope of the application to those skilled in the art. It should be noted that, unless otherwise specifically stated, the relative arrangement of components and steps, material composition, numerical expressions, and values ​​illustrated in these embodiments should be interpreted as merely exemplary and not as limiting.

[0028] It should be noted that, in the description of this application, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more; the terms "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicating orientation or positional relationship, are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this application. When the absolute position of the described object changes, the relative positional relationship may also change accordingly.

[0029] Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," and similar terms used in this application do not indicate any order, quantity, or importance, but are merely used to distinguish different parts. "Vertical" is not strictly vertical, but within the permissible margin of error. "Parallel" is not strictly parallel, but within the permissible margin of error. Terms such as "including" or "contains" mean that the element preceding the word encompasses the element listed after it, and do not exclude the possibility of encompassing other elements as well.

[0030] It should also be noted that, in the description of this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "joining" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application depending on the specific circumstances. When a specific device is described as being located between a first device and a second device, an intermediary device may or may not be present between the specific device and the first or second device.

[0031] All terms used in this application have the same meaning as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application pertains, unless otherwise specifically defined. It should also be understood that terms defined in general dictionaries should be interpreted as having meanings consistent with their meanings in the context of the relevant art, and not as idealized or highly formalized, unless expressly defined herein.

[0032] Techniques, methods, and equipment known to those skilled in the art may not be discussed in detail, but where appropriate, they should be considered part of the specification.

[0033] like Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown in the embodiment, a network interface module connection device based on a rigid-flex board includes: a main circuit board 100, a network interface module 200, and a rigid-flex board assembly; the main circuit board 100 is provided with a high-speed signal transceiver and a first board-to-board connector 110; the network interface module 200 encapsulates a network transformer and interface terminals; the rigid-flex board assembly is used to connect the main circuit board 100 and the network interface module 200. The rigid-flex board assembly includes: a first rigid plate 310, a flexible circuit board 320, and a second rigid plate 330. A second board-to-board connector 311 is provided on the first rigid plate 310 for mating with a first board-to-board connector 110 on the main circuit board 100. The first rigid plate 310 is fixed to the main circuit board 100 by fasteners. One end of the flexible circuit board 320 is electrically connected to the first rigid plate 310, and multiple differential signal lines with controlled characteristic impedance are arranged inside the flexible circuit board 320. One end of the second rigid plate 330 is electrically connected to the other end of the flexible circuit board 320, and the other end of the second rigid plate 330 is fixed to the pins of the network interface module 200 by surface mount soldering. This invention offers good layout flexibility. Because the flexible circuit board 320 can be bent freely, the network interface module 200 can be independently placed in any optimal position such as the front panel, rear panel, or top of the chassis, effectively freeing up the motherboard layout. Furthermore, by using an integrally molded rigid-flex board, the impedance abrupt changes of traditional connectors are eliminated, ensuring the continuity of the signal transmission path.

[0034] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, in some embodiments of this utility model, the second rigid plate 330 integrates a decoupling capacitor array 332 and a common-mode choke 333 to optimize signal quality and power integrity. Integrating the decoupling capacitor array 332 and the common-mode choke 333 on the second rigid plate 330 provides power decoupling and noise filtering for the network interface module 200 nearby, greatly improving signal quality and anti-interference capability.

[0035] like Figure 1 As shown, in some embodiments of this invention, a metal shielding housing 400 is also included. The metal shielding housing 400 is disposed outside the network interface module 200 and the second rigid plate 330, and forms good electrical contact with the grounding layer of the main circuit board 100 through conductive foam or metal springs, constituting a complete electromagnetic shielding cavity. This invention has excellent electromagnetic compatibility; the metal shielding housing 400 provides all-around shielding for high-speed circuits and interface modules, significantly reducing electromagnetic radiation and sensitivity to external interference.

[0036] like Figure 1As shown, in some embodiments of this utility model, a modular fixing frame 500 is also included. This modular fixing frame 500 is used to support and fix the sub-components consisting of the network interface module 200, the second rigid plate 330, and the metal shielding shell 400, and is detachably connected to the equipment chassis via a quick-lock mechanism. The design of the modular fixing frame 500 not only improves the overall structural strength of the device but also makes the installation and disassembly of each sub-component more convenient. Quick-lock mechanisms, such as thumb-type lockers and quick-release fasteners, are ingeniously designed to complete the connection and disconnection with the equipment chassis in a short time, greatly improving the efficiency of maintenance and upgrades. At the same time, this modular design also facilitates flexible configuration and expansion according to actual needs, meeting the application requirements of different scenarios.

[0037] like Figure 1 As shown, in some embodiments of this utility model, the modular fixing frame 500 is provided with buckles, and the metal shielding shell 400 has slots on both sides that cooperate with the buckles. Through the cooperation of the buckles and slots, the metal shielding shell 400 can be securely installed on the modular fixing frame 500, further enhancing the overall stability of the device. This design not only simplifies the installation process and reduces installation time, but also ensures the firmness of the metal shielding shell 400 after installation, effectively preventing loosening or detachment due to vibration or external forces. At the same time, the cooperation of the buckles and slots also provides a good positioning effect, enabling the metal shielding shell 400 to quickly and accurately find its predetermined position during installation, improving the accuracy and efficiency of installation.

[0038] like Figure 2 As shown, in some embodiments of this utility model, the flexible circuit board 320 has a multilayer structure, and the characteristic impedance of the differential signal lines of the flexible circuit board 320 is controlled by adjusting the line width, line spacing, and dielectric thickness. By precisely calculating the line width, line spacing, and dielectric thickness, its characteristic impedance is controlled at a target value.

[0039] like Figure 1 As shown, in some embodiments of this utility model, a guide and foolproof structure is provided at the connection between the first rigid plate 310 and the main circuit board 100 to ensure accurate insertion of the first board-to-board connector 110 and the second board-to-board connector 311. Simultaneously, a stable connection is formed with the motherboard through the board-to-board connectors and locking fasteners, resulting in high mechanical strength. The network cable insertion and extraction force is borne by the chassis and modular fixing frame 500, effectively isolating stress and protecting the solder joints.

[0040] In some embodiments of this invention, the network interface module 200 is an RJ45 module, an SFP module, or a QSFP module. The modular design allows the entire network interface sub-component to be quickly replaced or upgraded as an independent unit without replacing the motherboard, significantly reducing maintenance costs and time.

[0041] During implementation, the surface-mount pins of the network interface module 200 are aligned with the surface-mount pads 331 on the second rigid plate 330, and reflow soldering is used for fixation. The decoupling capacitor array 332 and the common-mode choke 333 are soldered onto the second rigid plate 330. The metal shielding shell 400 is placed over the network interface module 200 and the second rigid plate 330, and is fastened to the snap-fit ​​on the modular fixing frame 500 through the slots on its side, forming a complete, shielded interface sub-assembly. The second board-to-board connector 311 on the first rigid plate 310 of the rigid-flex board assembly is aligned with the first board-to-board connector 110 on the main circuit board 100 and inserted vertically. After ensuring correct alignment using guide posts, a locking screw is passed through the second locking hole on the first rigid plate 310 and screwed into the first locking hole on the main circuit board 100 to achieve rigid fixation. The flexible circuit board 320 is bent into a suitable shape according to the internal space of the device to avoid interference with other components. Push the modular mounting frame 500 into the pre-set opening on the equipment chassis panel 600 until the quick-lock mechanism on it makes a "click" sound, indicating that it is locked. When the quick-lock mechanism uses a thumb-operated locking device, it allows for quick disassembly of sub-components without the use of tools. This device frees the network interface from the fixed position of the motherboard and achieves high-performance electrical connections through a rigid-flex board, while the modular design greatly facilitates production assembly and on-site maintenance.

[0042] The embodiments of this application have now been described in detail. To avoid obscuring the concept of this application, some details known in the art have not been described. Those skilled in the art can fully understand how to implement the technical solutions disclosed herein based on the above description.

[0043] While specific embodiments of this application have been described in detail by way of examples, those skilled in the art should understand that the above examples are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of this application. Those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can be made to the above embodiments or equivalent substitutions can be made to some technical features without departing from the scope and spirit of this application. In particular, as long as there is no structural conflict, the various technical features mentioned in the embodiments can be combined in any manner.

Claims

1. A network interface module connection device based on a rigid-flex board, characterized in that, include: A main circuit board (100) is provided with a high-speed signal transceiver and a first board-to-board connector (110); A network interface module (200) is provided, wherein a network transformer and interface terminals are encapsulated within the network interface module (200); A rigid-flex board assembly for connecting the main circuit board (100) and the network interface module (200); The rigid-flexible composite plate assembly includes: A first rigid plate (310) is provided with a second board-to-board connector (311) for mating with the first board-to-board connector (110) on the main circuit board (100); A flexible circuit board (320) is provided, one end of which is electrically connected to the first rigid plate (310). The flexible circuit board (320) is provided with multiple differential signal lines with controlled characteristic impedance. The second rigid plate (330) has one end electrically connected to the other end of the flexible circuit board (320), and the other end of the second rigid plate (330) is fixedly connected to the pins of the network interface module (200).

2. The network interface module connection device based on a rigid-flex board according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second rigid plate (330) integrates a decoupling capacitor array (332) and a common-mode choke (333) for optimizing signal quality and power integrity.

3. The network interface module connection device based on a rigid-flex board according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a metal shielding shell (400), which is located outside the network interface module (200) and the second rigid plate (330), and forms good electrical contact with the grounding layer of the main circuit board (100) through conductive foam or metal spring sheet, thus forming a complete electromagnetic shielding cavity.

4. The network interface module connection device based on a rigid-flex board according to claim 3, characterized in that: It also includes a modular fixing frame (500), which is used to support and fix the sub-component consisting of the network interface module (200), the second rigid plate (330) and the metal shielding shell (400), and is detachably connected to the equipment chassis through a quick-lock mechanism.

5. The network interface module connection device based on a rigid-flex board according to claim 4, characterized in that: The modular fixing frame (500) is provided with buckles, and the metal shielding shell (400) has slots on both sides that cooperate with the buckles.

6. The network interface module connection device based on a rigid-flex board according to claim 1, characterized in that: The flexible circuit board (320) has a multilayer structure, and the differential signal lines of the flexible circuit board (320) control the characteristic impedance by adjusting the line width, line spacing and dielectric thickness.

7. The network interface module connection device based on a rigid-flex board according to claim 1, characterized in that: The connection between the first rigid plate (310) and the main circuit board (100) is provided with a guide and foolproof structure to ensure that the first board-to-board connector (110) and the second board-to-board connector (311) are accurately plugged in.

8. The network interface module connection device based on a rigid-flex board according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The network interface module (200) is an RJ45 module, an SFP module, or a QSFP module.

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