Patent Description:
The rotating button of the PCI-E connector is located at the end of the connector. The expansion card inserted in the PCI-E connector is lifted by pressing the rotating button. In response to the increasing size of electronic elements that disable users from pressing the rotating button, the rotating buttons on existing PCI-E connectors may be opened via a remote-control component. For example, pressing the button of the remote-control component to move the rotating button, thereby lifting the expansion card in the PCI-E connector. However, the remote-control component is vulnerable to accidental vibration caused by transportation or mis-touching that may cause the rotating button to move, resulting in electronic elements being accidentally lifted inside the PCI-E connector and affecting the operation of the circuit board.

<CIT> relates to a circuit board including a connector having a circuit module latch that includes a latch frame and pivot-able ejector assembly coupled to the latch frame. <CIT> relates to a parallel-plugged planar sandwich arrangement for a computer system including a first printed circuit board having a first electrical connector and a second printed circuit board having a second electrical connector.

The following disclosure serves a better understanding of the present invention. The disclosure provides a release component and a circuit board module including the release component, which prevent a connector from being accidentally opened.

The circuit board module of the disclosure includes a circuit board body, a connector, and a release component. The connector is disposed on the circuit board body and includes a base body and a rotating button rotatably disposed on the base body. The release component is disposed on the circuit board body and includes a linking member. The linking member is movably disposed beside the rotating button and does not contact the rotating button under normal conditions. When an external force triggers the release component, the linking member is driven to contact the rotating button, so that the rotating button rotates relative to the base body.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the linking member includes a first section and a second section that are linked to each other. The first section is disposed beside the rotating button. The first section does not contact the rotating button under normal conditions but contacts the rotating button when triggered by an external force. The second section is away from the connector and the first section and the second section extend in different directions.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the release component further includes a button disposed on the circuit board body and away from the connector. The button is linked to the second section and a movement direction of the button is different from a movement direction of the linking member.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the rotating button includes a protruding post. The first section includes an elongated hole. The protruding post is located in the elongated hole.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the elongated hole is a closed hole located inside the first section.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the elongated hole is an open hole recessed in an edge of the first section, and the open hole faces the circuit board body.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the elongated hole is an open hole recessed in an edge of the first section, and the open hole faces away from the circuit board body.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the first section includes a wall arranged to form an elongated hole. The wall includes a first portion away from the second section and a second portion close to the second section. A distance between the first portion of the wall and the protruding post is less than a distance between the second portion of the wall and the protruding post.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the first portion of the wall does not contact the protruding post under normal conditions but contacts and pulls the protruding post when triggered by the external force. The second portion of the wall does not contact the protruding post.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the rotating button includes a rotating button body and a protruding post protruding from the rotating button body. The first section extends next to the rotating button body and does not contact the rotating button body.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the circuit board module further includes a stand disposed on the circuit board body. The linking member is movably disposed between the stand and the circuit board body. The release component further includes an elastic member disposed between the stand and the linking member and configured to reset the linking member when the external force is released.

The release component of the disclosure is adapted to be disposed beside a connector, so that the rotating button of the connector is rotated relative to a base body. The release component includes a linking member, a button, and an elastic member. The linking member is movably disposed beside the rotating button and does not contact the rotating button under normal conditions. The button is linked to the linking member and away from the connector. A movement direction of the button is different from a movement direction of the linking member. The elastic member is abutting against the linking member. The linking member is driven to contact the rotating button when an external force triggers the button, so that the rotating button rotates relative to the base body and the elastic member is compressed. The elastic member recovers to reset the linking member when the external force is released.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the elongated hole is an open hole recessed in an edge of the first section.

Based on the above, the circuit board module of the disclosure includes a circuit board body and a release component and a connector disposed on the circuit board body. The release component is linked with the connector, and the user may remotely open the connector through the release component. The linking member of the release component does not contact the rotating button of the connector under normal conditions. When the user triggers the release component, the linking member needs to move a distance to contact the rotating button, so that the linking member may pull the rotating button and open the connector. When the release component is accidentally shaken due to transportation or mis-touching, the displacement caused by the vibration is not enough to make the linking member contact the rotating button. The linking member is unable to pull the rotating button, so the connector is kept closed. This ensures that the connector is not opened due to accidental vibration or unintentional operation, which improves the stability of the circuit board module.

<FIG> is a schematic view of a circuit board module according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Cartesian coordinates XYZ are also provided here to facilitate component description. Referring to <FIG>, the circuit board module <NUM> of the disclosure includes a circuit board body <NUM>, a connector <NUM>, a release component <NUM>, and a stand <NUM>. The connector <NUM>, the release component <NUM>, and the stand <NUM> are disposed on the circuit board body <NUM>. The connector <NUM> includes a base body <NUM> and a rotating button <NUM> rotatably disposed on the base body <NUM>.

The connector <NUM> is, for example, a PCI-E connector, but not limited thereto. The connector <NUM> is suitable for inserting a graphic card (not shown). Since the current graphic card is usually equipped with large cooling fins and fans, the rotating button <NUM> is easily covered, resulting in difficulty for the user in removing the graphic card by pulling the rotating button <NUM> directly.

For convenience in pulling the rotating button <NUM> to remove the graphic card, the release component <NUM> includes a linking member 150b and a button 150a. The button 150a is linked with the rotating button <NUM> through the linking member 150b. When an external force triggers the button 150a of the release component <NUM>, the linking member 150b is driven to contact and pull the rotating button <NUM>, so that the rotating button <NUM> rotates relative to the base body <NUM> to open the connector <NUM>. The button 150a is disposed on the circuit board body <NUM> and away from the connector <NUM>. Since an edge <NUM> of the circuit board body <NUM> is less disposed with large elements, disposing the button 150a on the edge <NUM> of the circuit board body <NUM> may prevent the button 150a from being covered by other elements.

In addition, the linking member 150b is movably disposed between the stand <NUM> and the circuit board body <NUM>. The stand <NUM> is disposed on the release component <NUM> (<FIG>), thereby limiting the movement direction of the release component <NUM>. The stand <NUM> and the release component <NUM> are substantially L-shaped, and the rotating button <NUM> and the button 150a are staggered in the X-axis direction, but not limited thereto. The user may change the disposition of the stand <NUM> and the release component <NUM> according to the layout of the elements on the circuit board body <NUM>, so that the button 150a is located at a position that is convenient for pressing.

<FIG> is a schematic three-dimensional cross-sectional view of a stand, a release component, and a part of the connector when the button of <FIG> is not yet pressed. <FIG> is a schematic bottom view of the stand, the release component, and the part of the connector of <FIG>. <FIG> is a partial side view of the rotating button and the linking member of <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG> at the same time, the linking member 150b is movably disposed beside the rotating button <NUM> and does not contact the rotating button <NUM> (<FIG>) under normal conditions. The linking member 150b includes a first section <NUM> and a second section <NUM> that are linked to each other. The first section <NUM> is disposed beside the rotating button <NUM>. The second section <NUM> is away from the connector <NUM>, and the first section <NUM> and the second section <NUM> extend in different directions.

The first section <NUM> extends along the X-axis direction and the second section <NUM> extends along the Y-axis direction. The first section <NUM> and the second section <NUM> are integrally formed, but not limited thereto. For example, in other embodiments, the first section <NUM> may be screwed to the second section <NUM>.

The button 150a is disposed beside the second section <NUM> and is linked to the second section <NUM>. A movement direction of the button 150a is different from a movement direction of the linking member 150b. For example, the button 150a of this embodiment may move along the Z-axis direction and the linking member 150b may move along the X-axis direction. The first section <NUM> does not contact the rotating button <NUM> (<FIG>) under normal conditions but contacts and pulls the rotating button <NUM> when triggered by an external force.

Specifically, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the rotating button <NUM> includes a rotating button body <NUM> and a protruding post <NUM> protruding from the rotating button body <NUM>. The first section <NUM> of the linking member 150b extends next to the rotating button body <NUM> and does not contact the rotating button body <NUM> (<FIG>). The first section <NUM> includes a wall <NUM> (<FIG>), and the wall <NUM> is arranged to form an elongated hole <NUM>. The protruding post <NUM> is located in the elongated hole <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the wall <NUM> includes a first portion P1 away from the second section <NUM> and a second portion P2 close to the second section <NUM>. A distance between the first portion P1 of the wall <NUM> and the protruding post <NUM> is less than a distance between the second portion P2 of the wall <NUM> and the protruding post <NUM>. The protruding post <NUM> is eccentrically penetrated through the elongated hole <NUM>. The elongated hole <NUM> is a closed hole located inside the first section <NUM>, but not limited thereto.

The first portion P1 and the second portion P2 of the wall <NUM> do not contact the protruding post <NUM> under normal conditions when the button 150a is not yet pressed. Referring to <FIG>, a distance D1 is provided between the first portion P1 of the wall <NUM> and the protruding post <NUM>. When the release component <NUM> is accidentally shaken due to transportation or mis-touching, the small displacement caused by the vibration is not enough to make the wall <NUM> contact the protruding post <NUM> (i.e., the displacement of the wall <NUM> is less than the distance D1). The linking member 150b is unable to pull the rotating button <NUM> so that the connector <NUM> is kept closed. In other words, this ensures that the connector <NUM> is not opened due to accidental vibration or unintentional operation, which improves the stability of the circuit board module <NUM>.

In addition, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the release component <NUM> further includes an elastic member 150c. The elastic member 150c is disposed between the stand <NUM> and the first section <NUM> of the linking member 150b. The elastic member 150c is not deformed when the button 150a is not yet pressed.

The left side of <FIG> shows the button 150a and a part of the second section <NUM> of the linking member 150b. The button 150a includes a first pushing area B1 and the first pushing area B1 is a slope. The second section <NUM> includes a corresponding second pushing area B2 and the second pushing area B2 is also a slope, but not limited thereto. The inclined first push area B1 is suitable for changing the movement direction.

<FIG> is a schematic three-dimensional cross-sectional view of a stand, a release component, and a portion of the connector when the button of <FIG> is pressed. <FIG> is a schematic bottom view of the stand, the release component, and the part of the connector of <FIG>. <FIG> is a partial side view of the rotating button and the linking member of <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG> at the same time, when the button 150a is pressed down along the -Z axis direction, the inclined first pushing area B1 pushes the second pushing area B2, so that the second pushing area B2 (the second section <NUM>) is moved to the +X-axis direction. Since the first section <NUM> is linked with the second section <NUM>, the first section <NUM> moves along the X-axis direction and pulls the rotating button <NUM> to rotate, and the connector <NUM> is opened.

Specifically, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the first portion P1 of the wall <NUM> of the first section <NUM> moves a distance D1 (<FIG>) to contact and pull the protruding post <NUM>. The protruding post <NUM> drives the rotating button body <NUM> to rotate counterclockwise relative to the base body <NUM> (i.e., toward the circuit board body <NUM> of <FIG>). At this time, the rotating button body <NUM> is in an open position, and the connector <NUM> is in an open state. The second portion P2 of the wall <NUM> still does not contact the protruding post <NUM> (<FIG>).

As shown in <FIG>, when the button 150a is pressed, the movement of the first section <NUM> of the linking member 150b drives the elastic member 150c to deform and accumulate elastic potential energy. For preventing the linking member 150b from rotating when moving along the +X-axis direction, the stand <NUM> of this embodiment includes a first limiting portion C1. The linking member 150b includes a second limiting portion C2 corresponding to the first limiting portion C1.

The first limiting portion C1 is, for example, a protrusion. The second limiting portion C2 is, for example, an opening extending along the X-axis direction. The first limiting portion C1 penetrates the second limiting portion C2. When the linking member 150b moves along the X-axis direction, the first limiting portion C1 and the second limiting portion C2 cooperate with each other so that the linking member 150b may only move along the X-axis direction without rotating. In this way, the linking member 150b may drive the rotating button <NUM> more stably.

In addition, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, no matter whether the button 150a is pressed or not, the first section <NUM> of the linking member 150b does not contact with the rotating button body <NUM>. Therefore, there is no friction between the linking member 150b and the rotating button body <NUM>. When the button 150a is pressed, the movement of the first section <NUM> is not affected by the rotating button body <NUM>, and the effect of labor-saving may be achieved.

The circuit board module <NUM> of this embodiment further includes a spring <NUM>. As shown on the left side of <FIG>, the spring <NUM> is disposed between the button 150a and the stand <NUM>. When the button 150a is pressed (<FIG>), the spring <NUM> deforms and accumulates elastic potential energy. When the external force is released, the spring <NUM> is adapted to lift the button 150a back to the position shown in <FIG> (and <FIG>).

<FIG> is a schematic three-dimensional cross-sectional view of the stand, the release component, and the part of the connector when the external force of <FIG> is released. <FIG> is a partial side view of the rotating button and the linking member of <FIG>. Referring to <FIG> and <FIG> at the same time, when the external force on the button 150a of <FIG> is released, the button 150a may be reset back to the position shown in <FIG> by the elastic potential energy provided by the spring <NUM>. At this time, the schematic bottom view of the release component <NUM> and the stand <NUM> is shown in <FIG>, which is not repeated herein.

The first pushing area B1 of the button 150a moves away from the second pushing area B2 of the linking member 150b. The linking member 150b may be reset back to the position shown in <FIG> by the elastic potential energy provided by the elastic member 150c.

As shown in <FIG>, when the linking member 150b is reset, the first portion P1 of the wall <NUM> moves away from the protruding post <NUM>, the second portion P2 moves close to the protruding post <NUM> but does not contact the protruding post <NUM>, and the rotating button <NUM> (<FIG>) is still in the open position. In light of the above, no matter how the linking member 150b moves, the second portion P2 of the wall <NUM> does not contact the protruding post <NUM>.

In this embodiment, since the second portion P2 does not contact the protruding post <NUM>, even if the external force on the button 150a is released, the connector <NUM> is still in an open state for the user to insert and remove the graphic card. In other words, the user does not need to keep pressing the button 150a when inserting and removing the graphic card, which may improve the convenience of using the circuit board module <NUM>.

In addition, when the user inserts the graphic card, the graphic card drives and resets the rotating button <NUM>. The rotating button <NUM> is rotated from the open position shown in <FIG> back to the closed position shown in <FIG>, at which time the connector <NUM> is in a closed state and may hold the graphic card firmly.

<FIG> is a side view of a rotating button and a linking member according to another embodiment of the disclosure. Referring to <FIG> and <FIG> at the same time, the elongated hole 157a of this embodiment is similar to the above-mentioned embodiment, and the difference between the two is: The elongated hole 157a of this embodiment is an open hole recessed in an edge of the first section <NUM>, and the open hole faces the circuit board body <NUM> shown in <FIG> (i.e., the C-shaped opening of the open hole is located on the lower side). The elongated hole 157a is substantially C-shaped. The elongated hole 157a of this embodiment are identical to those described in the above-mentioned embodiment. Hence, a detailed description thereof is omitted.

It is worth mentioning that the protruding post <NUM> may enter into the elongated hole 157a through the C-shaped opening of the elongated hole 157a, thereby improving the convenience of assembling between the linking member 150b and the connector <NUM>. When the first section <NUM> of the linking member 150b moves between the positions shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the protruding post <NUM> does not move out of the elongated hole 157a from the C-shaped opening.

<FIG> is a side view of a rotating button and a linking member according to another embodiment of the disclosure. Referring to <FIG> and <FIG> at the same time, the elongated hole 157b of this embodiment is similar to the above-mentioned embodiment, and the difference between the two is: The elongated hole 157b of this embodiment is an open hole, and open hole faces away from the circuit board body <NUM> shown in <FIG> (i.e., the C-shaped opening of the open hole is located on the upper side). The elongated hole 157b of this embodiment are identical to those described in the above-mentioned embodiment. Hence, a detailed description thereof is omitted. Users may dispose the elongated holes <NUM>, 157a, 157b according to their needs.

To sum up, the circuit board module of the disclosure includes a circuit board body and a connector and a release component disposed on the circuit board body. The release component is linked with the connector, and the user may remotely open the connector through the release component. The linking member of the release component does not contact the protruding post of the rotating button of the connector under normal conditions. When the button of the release component is triggered by an external force, the linking member needs to move a distance to contact the protruding post, so that the linking member may pull the protruding post and open the connector. Therefore, when the release component is accidentally shaken due to transportation or mis-touching, the displacement caused by the vibration is not enough to make the linking member contact the protruding post. The linking member is unable to pull the protruding post, so the connector is kept closed. This ensures that the connector is not opened due to accidental vibration or unintentional operation, which improves the stability of the circuit board module.

Claim 1:
A circuit board module (<NUM>), comprising:
a circuit board body (<NUM>);
a connector (<NUM>), disposed on the circuit board body (<NUM>) and comprising a base body and a rotating button (<NUM>) rotatably disposed on the base body (<NUM>); and
a release component (<NUM>), disposed on the circuit board body (<NUM>) and comprising a linking member (150b), wherein the linking member (150b) is movably disposed beside the rotating button (<NUM>) and is configured not to contact the rotating button (<NUM>) under normal conditions,
wherein the linking member (150b) is driven to contact the rotating button (<NUM>) when an external force triggers the release component (<NUM>), so that the rotating button (<NUM>) rotates relative to the base body (<NUM>),
wherein
the linking member (150b) comprises a first section (<NUM>) and a second section (<NUM>) that are linked to each other, the first section (<NUM>) is disposed beside the rotating button (<NUM>), the first section (<NUM>) is configured not to contact the rotating button (<NUM>) under normal conditions but to contact the rotating button (<NUM>) when triggered by the external force, the second section (<NUM>) is configured to be away from the connector (<NUM>), and the first section (<NUM>) and the second section (<NUM>) extend in different directions.