Patent Publication Number: US-2023156954-A1

Title: Slot cover and integrated circuit access device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of priority to Taiwan Patent Application No. 110142881, filed on Nov. 18, 2021. The entire content of the above identified application is incorporated herein by reference. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Technical Field 
     The present disclosure relates to a slot cover and an integrated circuit access device having the slot cover, and more particularly, to a slot cover and an integrated circuit access device configured to be inserted into an electronic device. 
     Description of Related Art 
     An integrated circuit access device generally has an integrated circuit card like solid-state drive (SSD) and may be used in servers. A latch member or a handle could be installed at a front end of the integrated circuit access device, so users can grab the integrated circuit access device by the latch member or the handle and input the integrated circuit access device into the server or remove the integrated circuit access device from the server. The latch member can further be fixed to a slot of the server to provide dustproof, antistatic, and anti-electromagnetic interference functions as well as to prevent air backflow in the server. 
     In practice, the integrated circuit access device is restricted to a single slot by the latch member. However, some integrated circuit access devices may be configured to have a heat sink that takes up the space of two slots. In such case, it would be difficult for a user to tell whether a slot next to the integrated circuit access device is being occupied or not, and components of the integrated circuit access device placed in the slot could be damaged by other integrated circuit access devices inserted thereinto by the user. 
     Hence, how to prevent the insertion of devices into occupied slots is an issue to be solved. 
     SUMMARY 
     It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a slot cover for being removably inserted into a slot of an electronic device. The slot cover includes a frame, a positioning portion, an engaging portion, and at least one conductive elastic plate. The frame has a center sheet, a first-side sheet, and a second-side sheet. The first-side sheet is located at a first side of the center sheet and is configured to connect to an integrated circuit access module, and the second-side sheet is located at a second side of the center sheet. The positioning portion is located above the center sheet, and the engaging portion is located below the center sheet. The at least one conductive elastic plate is disposed at the second-side sheet. When the slot cover is inserted in the slot of the electronic device, the center sheet blocks an opening of the slot, the positioning portion abuts against an inner top surface of the slot, and the engaging portion is restricted by a bottom groove of the slot. 
     It is another object of the present disclosure to provide an integrated circuit access device for being removably inserted into two adjacent slots of an electronic device. The integrated circuit access device includes an integrated circuit access module and a slot cover. The integrated circuit access module has a main body, a heat sink, and a latch cover. The heat sink is disposed at one side of the main body, and the latch cover is attached to one end of the main body and has a connecting sideboard located at the side. The slot cover is connected to the connecting sideboard and has a frame, a positioning portion, an engaging portion, and at least one conductive elastic plate. The frame includes a center sheet, a first-side sheet, and a second-side sheet. The first-side sheet is located at a first side of the center sheet and configured to connect to the integrated circuit access module and to abut to the connecting sideboard. The second-side sheet is located at a second side of the center sheet. The positioning portion is located above the center sheet, and the engaging portion is located below the center sheet. The at least one conductive elastic plate is disposed at the second-side sheet. When the integrated circuit access module is inserted into one of the two adjacent slots, the slot cover is inserted into another one of the two adjacent slots, the center sheet blocks an opening of the another one of the slots, the positioning portion abuts against an inner top surface of the another one of the slots, and the engaging portion is restricted by a bottom groove of the another one of the slot. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present disclosure can be more fully understood by reading the following detailed description of the embodiment, with reference made to the accompanying drawings as follows: 
         FIG.  1    is a schematic perspective view of an integrated circuit access module and a slot cover being implemented in an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  2    is a schematic exploded view of the integrated circuit access module shown in  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  3    is a schematic top view of the integrated circuit access module shown in  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  4    is a three-dimensional schematic view of the slot cover shown in  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  5    is a schematic front view of the slot cover shown in  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  6    is another three-dimensional schematic view of the integrated circuit access module implemented in the electronic device shown in  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  7    is a three-dimensional schematic view of a slot cover according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present disclosure is more particularly described in the following examples that are intended as illustrative only since numerous modifications and variations therein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Like numbers in the drawings indicate like components throughout the views. As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, the meaning of “a”, “an”, and “the” includes plural reference, and the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on”. Titles or subtitles can be used herein for the convenience of a reader, which shall have no influence on the scope of the present disclosure. 
     The terms used herein generally have their ordinary meanings in the art. In the case of conflict, the present document, including any definitions given herein, will prevail. The same thing can be expressed in more than one way. Alternative language and synonyms can be used for any term(s) discussed herein, and no special significance is to be placed upon whether a term is elaborated or discussed herein. A recital of one or more synonyms does not exclude the use of other synonyms. The use of examples anywhere in this specification including examples of any terms is illustrative only, and in no way limits the scope and meaning of the present disclosure or of any exemplified term. Likewise, the present disclosure is not limited to various embodiments given herein. Numbering terms such as “first”, “second” or “third” can be used to describe various components, signals or the like, which are for distinguishing one component/signal from another one only, and are not intended to, nor should be construed to impose any substantive limitations on the components, signals or the like. 
     Referring to  FIG.  1    to  FIG.  3   , an integrated circuit access device  1000  and a slot cover  1200  are implemented in an electronic device E 1 , and a tool T 1  is also shown in  FIG.  1   . The integrated circuit access device  1000  is configured to be removably inserted into two adjacent slots S 1  of the electronic device E 1  and includes an integrated circuit access module  1100  and a slot cover  1200 . 
     The integrated circuit access module  1100  includes a main body  1110 , a heat sink  1120 , and a latch cover  1130 . The heat sink  1120  is located at one side of the main body  1110 , and the latch cover  1130  is attached to one end of the main body  1110  and includes a connecting sideboard  1131  located at the abovementioned one side of the latch cover  1130 . The slot cover  1200  is connected to the connecting sideboard  1131  and includes a frame  1210 , a positioning portion  1220 , an engaging portion  1230  (shown in  FIG.  5   ), and at least one conductive elastic plate  1240 . The frame  1210  includes a center sheet  1213 , a first-side sheet  1211 , and a second-side sheet  1212 . The first-side sheet  1211  is located at a first side of the center sheet  1213  and is configured to connect to the integrated circuit access module  1100  and to abut to the connecting sideboard  1131 . The second-side sheet  1212  is located at a second side of the center sheet  1213 . 
     The positioning portion  1220  is located above the center sheet  1213 , and the engaging portion  1230  is located below the center sheet  1213 . The at least one conductive elastic plate  1240  is disposed at the second-side sheet  1212 . As the integrated circuit access module  1100  is inserted into one of the two adjacent slots S 1 , the slot cover  1200  is inserted into the other one of the two adjacent slots S 1  (hereinafter “the other slot S 1 ”), and when the slot cover  1200  is inserted in the other slot S 1 , the center sheet  1213  blocks an opening S 11  of the other slot S 1  while the positioning portion  1220  abuts against an inner top surface S 12  of the other slot S 1  and the engaging portion  1230  is restricted by a bottom groove S 13  of the other slot S 1 . 
     Thus, a user is able to identify the condition of the other slot S 1  because of the slot cover  1200  blocking the opening S 11  of the other slot S 1 , and no other element would be unnecessarily inserted by the user. Moreover, the slot cover  1200  can be connected to the integrated circuit access module  1100  to form, as a whole, an integrated circuit access device  1000  and be inserted into two adjacent slots S 1  at the same time as shown in  FIG.  1   , or it can be used alone and be inserted into a single slot S 1 . In other words, the slot cover  1200  is detachably connected to the integrated circuit access module  1100 , and therefore the slot cover  1200  is flexible in its utility as it can be used alone/individually or in combination with the integrated circuit access module  1100 . The integrated circuit access device  1000  will be described in detail below, especially the details on the slot cover  1200 . 
     The electronic device E 1  can be, for example, a server with a plurality of slots S 1 , and each of the slots S 1  is adapted for the integrated circuit access module  1100  or the slot cover  1200  to be inserted therein. Each slot S 1  has an opening S 11  that is approximately rectangular in shape, and has an inner top surface S 12  and an inner bottom surface on which a bottom groove S 13  is disposed. The main body  1110  of the integrated circuit access module  1100  includes an external housing and an internal integrated circuit card. The heat sink  1120  and the latch cover  1130  are fixed to the external housing, and the latch cover  1130  corresponds to the opening S 11  of a single slot S 1  and is restricted by the bottom groove S 13  of the slot S 1 . The structure of the electronic device E 1  and the integrated circuit access module  1100  are known in the art and is not the focal point of the improvement by the present disclosure, and therefore will not be further described herein. 
     Referring further to  FIG.  4    to  FIG.  6    with references of  FIG.  1    to  FIG.  3   , the frame  1210  further includes a slanted sheet  1214  as shown in  FIG.  3    and  FIG.  4   . The slanted sheet  1214  is integrally connected between the center sheet  1213  and the first-side sheet  1211 , and an included angle θ is formed between the slanted sheet  1214  and the center sheet  1213 . The included angle θ is between 105 degrees to 135 degrees. 
     In specific, the frame  1210  is, for example, made of a sheet metal material and pre-cut to a predetermined shape, and the slanted sheet  1214  is formed by a bent portion from the frame  1210  toward a depth direction Y of the slot cover  1200  at an angle of 45 degrees to 75 degrees. The first-side sheet  1211  is bent from the slanted sheet  1214  and extends in parallel to the depth direction Y so as to abut to the latch cover  1130 . The second-side sheet  1212  is formed by perpendicular bending the frame  1210  toward the depth direction Y, and the second-side sheet  1212  is further bent and extended to form a top sheet located above the center sheet  1213  and to form a bottom sheet located below the center sheet  1213 . However, the frame  1210  of the present disclosure is not limited by the abovementioned process. 
     The positioning portion  1220  may be disposed at the top sheet, and the engaging portion  1230  may be disposed at the bottom sheet. More specifically, each of the positioning portion  1220  and the engaging portion  1230  has a conductive metal elastic plate structure, which allows the positioning portion  1220  to be deformed so as to abut against the inner top surface S 12  and allows the engaging portion  1230  to be deformed before being restored and engaged with the bottom groove S 13 . 
     Moreover, the second-side sheet  1212  further includes a first-step portion  1212   a  and a second-step portion  1212   b . The first-step portion  1212   a  is integrally connected to the center sheet  1213 , and the second-step portion  1212   b  is integrally connected to the first-step portion  1212   a  and protrudes more outward in a width direction X of the slot cover  1200  than the first-step portion  1212   a . The at least one conductive elastic plate  1240  is disposed at the second-step portion  1212   b . In particular, the quantity of the at least one conductive elastic plate  1240  is two, and the two conductive elastic plates  1240  are disposed in a spaced-apart arrangement along a height direction Z of the slot cover  1200 . The conductive elastic plate  1240  provides antistatic and anti-electromagnetic interference functions, and these effects are further enhanced through the protruding second-step portion  1212   b  which narrows the gap between the first side and the second side as the slot cover  1200  is inserted in the slot S 1 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  4    and  FIG.  6   , the frame  1210  further includes a blocking portion  1217  which protrudes and extends downward from the slanted sheet  1214  along the height direction Z. When the slot cover  1200  is inserted in the slot S 1 , the blocking portion  1217  corresponds to a pin S 15  inside the slot S 1 , and if the slot cover  1200  were to be pushed inward with an excessive force, the blocking portion  1217  would abut against the pin S 15  to prevent the slot cover  1200  from being pushed too deep into the slot S 1 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  5    and  FIG.  6   , the center sheet  1213  has an upper edge  1213   a , and the slanted sheet  1214  has a slanted edge  1214   a . A gap between the upper edge  1213   a  and the slanged edge  1214   a  along the height direction Z of the slot cover  1200  forms a first yielding space R 1 , and the first yielding space R 1  corresponds to a separation board S 14  of the slot S 1 . More particularly, through the height difference between the slanted sheet  1214  and the center sheet  1213 , the slot cover  1200  does not interfere with the separation board S 14 . The slanted edge  1214   a  further includes a slope structure, which increases the connecting length between center sheet  1213  and the slanted sheet  1214  and therefore enhances the structural strength. In addition, besides forming the first yielding space R 1 , the frame  1210  may also be bent to form a second yielding space R 2  located next to the blocking portion  1217  and at the first side of the center sheet  1213  where the first yielding space R 1  corresponds, and to form a third yielding space R 3  and a fourth yielding space R 4  at the second side of the center sheet  1213 , but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. 
     As shown in  FIG.  2   ,  FIG.  4   , and  FIG.  5   , the frame  1210  further includes at least one fixing hole  1219  and at least one through hole  1218 . The at least one fixing hole  1219  is disposed at the first-side sheet  1211 , and the at least one through hole  1218  is disposed at the first-step portion  1212   a  and corresponds to the at least one fixing hole  1219 . The integrated circuit access device  1000  further includes at least one fastener  1300 , and the latch cover  1130  further includes at least one mounting hole  1132 . The at least one mounting hole  1132  is disposed at the connecting sideboard  1131 , and through the at least one through hole  1218 , a fastening tool is able to fasten the at least one fastener  1300  in the at least one mounting hole  1132  and the at least one fixing hole  1219 . For example, when the at least one fastener  1300  has a screw-like structure and the quantity of the at least one fastener  1300  is two, the quantities of the at least one through hole  1218 , the at least one mounting hole  1132 , and the at least one fixing holes  1219  are all two. In other embodiments, the quantities of the through holes, the mounting holes, and the fixing holes are not limited, and the fastener may have a push-pin structure so that the slot cover and the latch cover are detachably connected; or, the fastener may have a rivet structure or a blind rivet structure so that the slot cover and the latch cover are fixedly connected. Moreover, the slot cover and the latch cover may also be fixed directly by hot-melting so that the two are non-detachably connected, but the present disclosure is not limited thereby. 
     To improve heat-dissipation or airflow in the electronic device E 1 , the frame  1210  further includes at least one venting hole  1216  disposed at at least one of the center sheet  1213  and the slanted sheet  1214 . As shown in  FIG.  4   , the quantity of the at least one venting hole  1216  is six, among which two venting holes  1216  are disposed at the slanted sheet  1214  and four venting holes  1216  are disposed at the center sheet  1213 , however, the quantity, shape, location of the venting hole  1216  are adjustable according to practical needs. 
     In addition, the frame  1210  further includes a hook portion  1215  located below the center sheet  1213  as shown in  FIG.  1   ,  FIG.  2   , and  FIG.  6   . The hook portion  1215  works with a tool T 1  to release the restriction between the slot cover  1200  and the slot S 1 . In specific, the hook portion  1215  is formed by bending the bottom sheet toward the height direction Z, and the first-step portion  1212   a  has a missing-corner at its bottom. A groove portion is formed between the hook portion  1215  and the missing-corner, and the tool T 1 , such as a pen, is inserted into the groove portion to push the hook portion  1215  outward so as to pull out the slot cover  1200 . Moreover, the hook portion  1215  is slightly more protruded than the second side of the center sheet  1213 , such that the hook portion  1215  corresponds to another pin S 15  of the slot S 1  and provides blocking function. 
     Referring to  FIG.  7   , a slot cover  2200  according to another embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated. The slot cover  2200  is similar to the slot cover  1200  in  FIG.  1    to  FIG.  6   , and the difference is that the slot cover  2200  does not have the slanted sheet  1214 . Instead, the first-side sheet  2211  of the slot cover  2200  is defined by a direct and perpendicular bent portion from the frame (not marked in  FIG.  7   ) along the depth direction (not marked in  FIG.  7   ) of the slot cover  2200 . The center sheet  2213  includes a notch  2213   a  that corresponds to the separation board (not marked in  FIG.  7   ) of the slot (not marked in  FIG.  7   ). In other words, the first yielding space (not marked in  FIG.  7   ) in the embodiment in  FIG.  7    is defined by the notch  2213   a  which is also able to prevent interference. 
     The foregoing description of the exemplary embodiments of the disclosure has been presented only for the purposes of illustration and description and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. 
     The embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the disclosure and their practical application so as to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the disclosure and various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. Alternative embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains without departing from its spirit and scope.