FIXTURE FOR FIXING STRUCTURES WITH EXPANSION CARDS, AND ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT

A fixture and electronic equipment for rapid assembly and disassembly of expansion cards. The fixture comprises a holder, a bracket, a first connector, and a second connector. The holder is configured to fix the expansion card. The first connector is positioned on the holder. A first slot is defined on the bracket. The first connector enters the first slot. Two walls of the first slot are stopped on opposite sides of the first connector along the second direction. The bracket supports the holder along the third direction. The second connector is positioned on the holder. A socket is defined on the bracket. The second connector is insertable into the socket to limit the holder from moving relative to the bracket along the first direction. The first direction, the second direction, and the third direction are perpendicular to each other.

FIELD

The subject matter herein generally relates to a fixed device, in particular to a fixture for fixing structures with expansion cards, and electronic equipment.

BACKGROUND

Expansion cards, such as PCIe cards (peripheral component interconnect express), are generally fixed on servers using screws. PCIe cards are inserted into the PCIe interface, and then locked onto electronic equipment using screws. The requirements for fault handling efficiency are increasingly high. When repairing or replacing a PCIe card, it is necessary to use tools to complete the disassembly and re-assembly of the PCIe card, causing great inconvenience to the consumers and maintenance personnel and the process is time consuming. There is an urgent need to provide a fixed structure for a fast and tool free installation and disassembly of the PCIe cards.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure, including the accompanying drawings, is illustrated by way of examples and not by way of limitation. Several definitions that apply throughout this disclosure will now be presented. It should be noted that references to “an” or “one” embodiment in this disclosure are not necessarily to the same embodiment, and such references mean “at least one.”

Without a given definition otherwise, all terms used have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art. The terms used herein in the description of the present disclosure are for the purpose of describing specific embodiments only, and are not intended to limit the present disclosure.

As shown inFIG.1andFIG.2, an embodiment of the present application provides a fixture100that could be tool free to install and disassemble the expansion card200to facilitate to improve the efficiency of machine assembly and maintenance.

The fixture100comprises a holder50, a bracket60, a first connector10, and a second connector20. The holder50is configured to fix the expansion card200. The bracket60is configured to fix the holder50.

The expansion card200is mainly configured for electrical connection with a circuit board to expand the circuit board performance. For example, the expansion card200comprises at least one of a PCIe card, a PCI card, a network card, a graphics card, an adapter card, a PCIe acquisition card, and other components with similar functions.

For ease of description, the length direction of holder50is defined as first direction X, the width direction of holder50is defined as second direction Y, and the thickness direction of holder50is defined as third direction Z.

As shown inFIGS.2,3and5, a connected cavity501and a first opening503are defined on the holder50and are connected. After passing the first opening503, the expansion card200enters the cavity501. The fixture100comprises a fastener51. The fastener51is rotatably positioned on the holder50and could be rotated to snap-fit attach to the holder50. The fastener51stops the part of the first opening503, and the fastener51and the holder50clamp and fix expansion card200.

The fastener51rotates about an axis parallel to third direction Z. The expansion card200moves along the second direction Y to pass through the first opening503and enter the cavity501. After inserting the expansion card200into the holder50, observe along the third direction Z and rotate the fastener51clockwise, and the fastener51and the holder50snap together to clamp the expansion card200. When it is necessary to remove the expansion card200from the holder50, observe along the third direction Z and rotate the fastener51counterclockwise to release the buckle connection between the fastener51and the holder50, allowing the expansion card200to be removed. The combination of the booster51and the holder50facilitates the quick tool free installation and disassembly of the expansion card200from the holder50.

As shown inFIG.3, the holder50is provided with a second shaft52. A hole is defined on the fastener51, and the hole matches the second shaft52. The fastener51is threaded through the hole, and the fastener51could rotate around the second shaft52.

The shape of the hole can be determined according to actual needs, and the shape of the hole is preferably circular.

A bucket hole505is defined on the holder50, and the fastener51is provided with a bucket part511. The buckle part511is connected to the buckle hole505to achieve a buckle connection between the holder50and the fastener51.

In an embodiment, when the fastener51is snapped into the holder50, the size of the fastener51on the third direction Z is approximately equal to the size of the holder50on the third direction Z. The Fastener51is a thin-walled structure, making it occupy little space in the width direction of the holder50.

As shown inFIG.1, the bracket60comprises first fixing plate61, second fixing plate62, and third fixing plate63. The first fixing plate61stops the holder50in a direction perpendicular to the first direction X. The second fixing plate62stops the holder50in a direction perpendicular to the third direction Z. The third fixing plate63stops the holder50in a direction perpendicular to the second direction Y. The bracket60limits the displacement of the holder50in three directions: first direction X, second direction Y, and third direction Z, improving the reliability of the positioning of the holder50by the bracket60.

As shown inFIGS.1,2and3, a window615is defined on the first fixing plate61. The first fixing plate61comprises a top plate611, a bottom plate612, a first side plate613, and a second side plate614. The top plate611, the bottom plate612, the first side plate613, and the second side plate614are surrounded by the window615.

When the holder50is placed in the bracket60, the fastener51passes through the window615and partially extends out of the window615. The first side plate613contacts or is close to the fastener51. The first side plate613limits the displacement of the fastener51to avoid the rotation of the fastener51causing the expansion card200to move away from the holder50, improving the stability of the fixture100in fixing the expansion card200.

As shown inFIGS.1and3, in an embodiment, the first connector10is positioned on the holder50. A first slot12is defined on the top plate611. The first connector10is buckled into the first slot12to position the holder50and the first fixing plate61relative to each other on the third direction Z.

In an embodiment, the number of the first connectors10is two. The two first connectors10are positioned on the holder50along the second direction Y, which can increase the balance of the holder50during fixation, thereby increasing the fixation stability of the holder50.

In another embodiment, the number of the first connectors10is such as three or four, which is not limited here.

In an embodiment, the first connector10comprises a first column part111and a first clamping part112. The first column part111is connected to the holder50. The first clamping part112is connected to the first column part111.

The first column part111is inserted into the first slot12. The first clamping part112is in contact with the top plate611. The side of the first clamping part112facing the second fixing plate62contacts the side of the top plate611away from the second fixing plate62, thereby preventing the first clamping part112and the top plate611from moving relative to each other along the third direction Z.

In an embodiment, the external diameter of the first column part111is smaller than the external diameter of the first clamping part112. When the first column part111extends into the first slot12in the opposite direction of the first direction X, the first column part111and the holder50are located on the opposite sides of the first slot12along the third direction Z. The first column part111and holder50are stopped along the third direction Z on opposite sides of the top plate611to limit the relative movement of the holder50and bracket60along the third direction Z.

In an embodiment, the first slot12is a U-shaped groove. The opening of the first slot12is away from the top plate611along the first direction X. The first slot12is in a flared shape, allowing the first connector10to quickly slide into the first slot12in the opposite direction of the first direction X.

As shown inFIGS.1and4, in an embodiment, the second fixing plate62comprises a support frame621and a plate body622. The plate body622is perpendicular to the third direction Z. The support frame621is fixedly connected to the plate body622. The second connector20is positioned on the holder50. A socket22is defined on the support frame621. The second connector20is snapped into the socket22to connect the holder50and the support frame621along the first direction X, and further to connect the holder50and the bracket60along the first direction X.

In an embodiment, the second connector20is a quick release lock, and the socket22is a through-hole. The second connector20comprises a handle211, a rod212, a first shift213, and a base214. The first shaft213is connected to the rod212. The rod212is slidably positioned at the base214. The handle211rotates around the first shift213. The handle211has an arcuate surface at one end near the base214. When the handle211rotates around the first shaft213, the arcuate surface slides on the side of the base214that is close to the handle211, causing the first shaft213to approach or move away from the base214along the third direction Z. The first shift213drives the rod212to move in the opposite direction of the third direction Z or the third direction Z relative to the base214.

Applying a force to the handle211causes the rod212driven by the first shift213to move relative to the base214along the third direction Z, and causes the rod212to enter the socket22along the third direction Z.

The rod212is blocked by the wall of the socket22to position the holder50and support frame621along the first direction X, enabling the connection between the holder50and the bracket60.

Applying force to the handle211causes the first shift213to drive the rod212to move in the opposite direction of the third direction Z relative to the base214, and causes the rod212to disengage from the socket22. The holder50and the support frame621are disconnected, that is, the holder50and the bracket60are disconnected. The second connector20enables quick tool free connection or disassembly of the holder50and the second fixing plate62.

As shown inFIGS.2and3, in an embodiment, the fixture100further comprises a third connector30. A third slot32is defined on the third fixing plate63. The third connector30is fixedly connected to the holder50. The connection between the third slot32and the third connector30enables the connection between the holder50and the third fixing plate63along the second direction Y.

In an embodiment, the third slot32comprises a second opening321and a sub slot322. The second opening321is connected to the sub slot322. The third connector30slides into the second opening321in the opposite direction of the first direction X and is positioned within the sub slot322to quickly connect holder50and third fixing plate63along second direction Y.

In an embodiment, the third connector30comprises a third column part311and a third clamping part312. The third clamping part312connects to the third column part311. The third column part311is connected to the holder50. The third clamping part312is configured to snapped into the third slot32.

In an embodiment, the external diameter of the third column part311is greater than the external diameter of the third clamping part312. Two opposite walls of the third slot32are stopped along the third direction Z on the opposite sides of the third clamping part312, and the third connector30and bracket60are positioned relative to each other along the third direction Z.

The second fixing plate62is stopped between the third column part311and the holder50to limit the displacement of the bracket60and the holder50along the second direction Y. When the third column part311slides into the sub slot322in the opposite direction of the first direction X, the sub slot322and the third clamping part312are coupled to achieve the connection of the holder50and the third fixing plate63along the second direction Y.

In another embodiment, the third connector30and the third slot32could be omitted, and the holder50is supported on the plate body622; Alternatively, the displacement of the holder50could be limited along the third direction Z, and the first connector10is blocked along the reverse direction of the third direction Z by the portion of the bracket60on the peripheral side of the first slot12, thus the bracket60limits the displacement of the holder50along the third direction Z.

As shown inFIGS.2and4, in an embodiment, the fixture100further includes a fourth connector40. A fourth slot42is defined on the holder50. The fourth connector40is fixedly connected to the support frame621. The snap fit of the fourth connector40and the fourth slot42further increases the stability of the connection between the holder50and the second fixing plate62along the third direction Z.

In an embodiment, the fourth slot42comprises interconnected wide mouth421and neck422. The wide mouth421and the neck422are set along the first direction X. The fourth connector40comprises a second column part411and a second clamping part412, and the second clamping part412connected to the second column part411. The second column part411is connected to the support frame621. The second clamping part412can pass through the wide mouth421, and the second column part411moves from the wide south421to the neck422along the first direction X. The opposite two walls of the neck422stop at the opposite sides of the second column part411along the second direction Y.

The external diameter of the second column part411is smaller than the external diameter of the second clamping part412. When the second column part411is located within the neck422, the holder50stops between the second clamping part412and the support frame621to limit the relative displacement of the holder50and the support frame621along the third direction Z. The second clamping part412moves in the opposite direction of the third direction Z and can only extend from the wide mouth421into the fourth slot42, but not from the neck422into the fourth slot42.

In another embodiment, the fourth connector40and two walls of the fourth slot42do not contact along the second direction Y.

Moving the holder50along the first direction X causes the second column part411to move from the neck422to the wide south421. When the second clamping part412is located at the wide south421, it can make the second clamping part412pass through the wide south421along the third direction Z to achieve the separation of the fourth connector40from the fourth slot42, and achieve the separation of the holder50and the second fixing plate62.

The holder50moves along the first direction X to move the second column part411from the neck422to the wide edge421. When the second clamping part412is located at the wide edge421, the second clamping part412passes through the wide edge421along the third direction Z, achieving the separation of the fourth connector40from the fourth slot42, and achieving the separation of the holder50and the second fixing plate62.

In an embodiment, the bracket60is an electronic equipment cabinet. Some areas of the box serve as the first fixing plate61, second fixing plate62, and third fixing plate63of the bracket60, and there is no need to additionally design the first fixing plate61, second fixing plate62, and third fixing plate63, which saves materials and costs.

In another embodiment, the bracket60could be installed on the cabinet.

In an embodiment, the first connector10, the third connector30, and the fourth connector40have the same structure, facilitating mold opening and installation, and reducing costs.

In an embodiment, the first connector10, the third connector30, and the fourth connector40are I-shaped pins. The I-shaped pins can be purchased directly on the market without additional processing, saving mold opening costs.

The tool free quick installation process for the expansion card200includes the following steps:

Install the expansion card200into the holder50. Observe it along the third direction Z, and rotate the fastener51clockwise, and the fastener51and the holder50cooperate to clamp the expansion card200, thereby securing the expansion card200to the holder50.

Thus, the second clamping part412of the fourth connector40passes through the wide south421of the fourth slot42in the opposite direction of the third direction Z, the holder50moves in the opposite direction of the first direction X, causing the second column part411to move into the nesting422. The nesting422and the fourth connector40are coupled to achieve the connection between the holder50and the second fixing plate62along the third direction Z.

The third connector30on the holder50slides into the second opening321of the third slot32in the opposite direction of the first direction X and is located within the sub slot322, enabling the holder50and the third fixing plate63to quickly connect along the second direction Y.

Press the handle211of the second connector20on the holder50to move the rod212along the third direction Z and insert rod212into the socket22, and the holder50and the support frame621are connected along the first direction X to achieve the connection between the holder50and the second fixing plate62, thereby completing the tool free quick installation of the expansion card200.

The tool free quick disassembly process of the expansion card200includes the following steps:

Lift the handle211of the second connector20on the holder50, and the rod212moves in the opposite direction of the third direction Z, leaving the socket22. The holder50and the socket22are disconnected along the first direction X.

The holder50moves along the first direction X, causing the third connector30on the holder50to slide out of the sub slot322and exit the third slot32through the second opening321. The connection between the holder50and the bracket60along the first direction X is released.

The first column part111of the first connector10on the holder50slides out of the first slot12along the first direction X, and the first connector10and the first slot12release the snap fit relationship along the second direction Y.

The fourth connector40slides along the first direction X from the connecting422into the wide mouth421, and the second clamping part412exits the fourth slot42in the opposite direction of the third direction Z through the wide mouth421, releasing the connection between the holder50and the bracket60along the third direction Z. The connection between the holder50and the bracket60is removed.

After taking out the holder50, observe along the third direction Z and rotate the fastener51counterclockwise to keep the fastener51away from the expansion card200, then take out the expansion card200.

On another hand, the embodiment of this application provides an electronic equipment that includes the fixture100described above. The electronic equipment could quickly install and disassemble the expansion card200without using tools. The electronic equipment could be, but not limited to, personal computers and servers.