Patent Description:
Electronic devices and electronic assemblies often have a modular concept. The benefit of a modular concept is flexibility and specialization. For example, an Industrial Personal Computer (IPC), may be constructed and designed either with a monolithic PCBA (Printed Circuit Board Assembly) or may have modularity. One example of a modular design may have a (Computer-on-Module) COM Express ® Module, a carrier (e.g., a PCBA), which may provide Input/Output (IO) connectivity, and various daughter cards. Documents <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT> describe known fixing arrangements for circuit boards or modules. Document <CIT> discloses a fixing arrangement for length-adjustable storage modules.

<FIG> illustrates examples of a standard daughter M. <NUM> modules, which are merely provided herein for reference, but the disclosure is not limited to use only with M. <NUM> modules. That is, the principles described herein may applicable to any daughter module installation on a carrier. <NUM> modules are available in different sizes, such as <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>. The modularity and the exchangeability are great advantages of those modules.

<FIG> illustrates the installation of a module to a carrier. The fixation of the exemplary module is realized with a solder in nut and a screw, which clamps the module. That is, as illustrated in the example of <FIG> , a carrier, e.g., a printed circuit board (PCB) <NUM> includes plurality of components, including plurality of mounting holes <NUM>. The mounting holes <NUM> have different locations on the PCB <NUM> to accommodate different sized modules. To mount an exemplary module <NUM> on the PCB, an "off the shelf solder in nut is installed using a surface-mount technology (SMT) soldering process. In such process, solder in nut <NUM> is provided in the PCB <NUM> for the mounting of the module. The module <NUM>, which may include a half-circle cut out at one end for mounting, is placed to abut the nut, pressed into place, and a screw <NUM> is inserted into the nut to secure the module.

This is approach works well as long the size of module required is known in advance of the SMT soldering process. For example, it is difficult to exchange a module once it is installed to replace it with a module of a different size, e.g., for a larger or smaller module. The difficulty arises because the solder in nut would need to be moved in order to the position the new module of different size. Such solder removal is nearly impossible to do in the field and could result in damage to the module, the board or the nut. Therefore, such "in-the-field" module change is impractical. Moreover, it is difficult to provide in advance all the solder in nuts in the board to accommodate later module change because the provided solder in nuts would interfere with the location and positioning of the modules. Other solutions on the market with spacers and nuts are not user-friendly because they require access from both sides of the carrier.

In an aspect, the disclosure relates to an electronic assembly according to annexed independent claim <NUM>. Other advantageous features are defined in the dependent claims.

In an aspect, the disclosure relates to a method of installing a daughter board according to annexed independent claim <NUM>. Other advantageous features are defined in the dependent claims.

Additional advantages of the disclosure will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the disclosure.

An advantage of the present disclosure is to provide an adaptable, multiple application system for attaching a daughter module to a carrier. Advantages of the present disclosure include post-factory ("in the field") removal and installation of modules without having to remove soldered-in pieces or causing damage to the modules or boards or other components.

Further examples, features, and advantages of the double-threaded spacer, as well as the structure and operation of the various examples of the double-threaded spacer, are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only, and are not restrictive of the claims.

The accompanying figures, which are incorporated herein and form part of the specification, illustrate the double-threaded connector. Together with the description, the figures further serve to explain the principles of the double-threaded connector described herein and thereby enable a person skilled in the pertinent art to make and use the double-threaded connector.

Reference will now be made in detail to examples of the double-threaded connector or spacer with reference to the accompanying figures, in which like reference numerals indicate like elements.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present disclosure without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Thus, it is intended that the present disclosure cover the modifications and variations of this disclosure provided they come within the scope of the appended claims.

<FIG> illustrates a double-threaded connector or spacer according to principles of the present disclosure that allow for installation and replacement of modules of various sizes on a carrier. While the term "spacer" is used herein to refer to the component detailed herein, the component is not limited to performing a spacer function and is not required to perform a spacing function. As illustrated in the <FIG> , an exemplary double-threaded connector, spacer or component according to principles of the present disclosure includes at least the following geometrical features: an outer body <NUM>, a cylindrical stage <NUM>, a recess <NUM> between the outer body <NUM> and an outer thread <NUM>, a cylindrical stage <NUM>, and a bore hole <NUM> may include inner threads (not shown). The inner thread may be of pitch to receive an "off the shelf screw of predetermined diameter and thread, but is not so limited. The outer body <NUM> may be hexagonal to accommodate a hexagon spanner.

The cylindrical stage <NUM> is sized to align with a half-circle cut out at one end of a module for mounting (see <FIG>). The cylindrical stage <NUM> is sized in relation to a mounting hole diameter in the PCB. The cylindrical stage <NUM> enables the right angled / upright installation of the double-threaded connector or spacer into the PCB. The cylindrical stage <NUM> may provide for adjustment of the daughter card relative to the connector and the double-threaded connector or spacer.

The double-threaded connector or spacer according to principles of the present disclosure may be self-threading such that insertion into a mounting hole in a PCB will cause the interior of the mounting hole to become threaded to match the double-threaded connector or spacer, for example, by deforming the material of the PCB. As illustrated in <FIG> , the self-threading feature of the double-threaded connector or spacer according to principles of the present disclosure may include a plurality of distal thread (or threads) <NUM> at a distal end of the double-threaded connector or spacer, where the plurality of distal thread (or threads) <NUM> may be compatible with regularly (e.g., "off-the-shelf) machined threads. Such regularly machined threads may be for use with a solder in nut on the underside of the carrier, such as a PCB. In place of the distal threads <NUM> may be a smooth cylinder adjacent a plurality of proximal outer threads <NUM>. The self-threading feature of the double-threaded connector or spacer may be facilitated by hills of the distal thread (or threads) <NUM> having a circular or arcuate topology at a distal end of cylindrical stage <NUM> of the double-threaded connector or spacer such that the thread (or threads) assists in first movement of the cylindrical stage <NUM> into a PCB mounting hole (not shown in <FIG> ). The proximal outer thread (or threads) <NUM> in the proximal portion of the cylindrical stage <NUM> may have the same profile as or a different profile than the distal thread (or threads) <NUM> in the distal portion of the double-threaded connector or spacer. In other examples, all of the threads of the may be "circular" or "arcuate" or "off-the-shelf or angular. That is, the outer thread <NUM> may have a thread so that the double-threaded connector or spacer can be screwed into a solder in nut, for example, mounted on the underside of the carrier or PCB. In an example for mounting an M4 board, the diameter of the proximal outer thread (or threads) <NUM> would be <NUM>, but this disclosure is not so limited and the thread diameter may range, for example, from <NUM> to <NUM>.

The double-threaded connector or spacer according to principles of the present disclosure is further illustrated in <FIG> illustrates a cross-sectional view of an example of the double-threaded connector or spacer according to principles of the present disclosure. <FIG> illustrates a side view of an example of the double-threaded connector or spacer according to principles of the present disclosure. <FIG> illustrates a side view of an example of the double-threaded connector or spacer without threads according to principles of the present disclosure. <FIG> illustrates a top view of an example of the double-threaded connector or spacer according to principles of the present disclosure. <FIG> illustrates an alternative example of the present disclosure in which some threads are replaced by a substantially smooth cylinder. As illustrated in <FIG> , an exemplary double-threaded connector or spacer or component according to principles of the present disclosure includes at least the following geometrical features: an outer body <NUM>, a cylindrical stage <NUM>, a recess <NUM> between the outer body <NUM>, a cylindrical stage <NUM>, a bore hole <NUM> which may include inner thread (or threads) (not shown), distal outer thread (or threads) <NUM> and proximal outer thread (or threads) <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates the usage of the double-threaded connector or spacer according to principles of the present disclosure. As illustrated in cross-section, a daughter card/module <NUM>, a connector <NUM>, a carrier <NUM>, a double-threaded connector or spacer <NUM>, and a screw <NUM> is shown. The double-threaded connector or spacer <NUM> can be installed to the required position depending on the size of the daughter card (e.g., M. <NUM> Module). According to principles of the present disclosure, the double-threaded connector or spacer <NUM> is screwed directly into the carrier or PCB <NUM>, for example, into a mounting hole <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG> , the mounting holes may be located in the carrier to accommodate various daughter card sizes, which may be commercial or standard, such as <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>. The mounting hole diameter in the PCB is in relation to the outer thread <NUM>. That is, the outer thread (or threads) <NUM> of the double-threaded connector or spacer are sized to be accommodated appropriately in the mounting holes <NUM>. A screw <NUM> is used to clamp the daughter card <NUM> to the double-threaded connector or spacer <NUM>.

The mounting holes in the carrier or PCB <NUM> may be plated with conductive metal, such as copper or other known conductive metal, or may be unplated, to facilitate reliable electrical contact for grounding of the daughter card to the mother card or other purpose. The mounting hole may be electrically connected pad at the top side if the daughter card needs grounding. The diameter of the mounting hole will depend on the interior mounting hole finish (e.g., plated or not). In addition, the diameter of the mounting hole is a function of the torque force to be applied during installation and the tightness of the installed double-threaded connector or spacer. Also, the acceptable deformation in the PCB and the mounting hole also is considered in determining the diameter of the mounting hole.

<FIG> illustrate a cut-away section of the PCB <NUM> at a mounting hole <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG> , the mounting hole <NUM> of the carrier <NUM>, for example, a PCB, may include a metalized cylinder <NUM> or cylindrical plate that makes contact with the underside of the double-threaded connector or spacer (not shown) when the double-threaded connector or spacer (not shown) is mounted on the carrier/PCB. The diameter of the board hole may range from about <NUM> to about <NUM>, but need not be so limited and may be as appropriate for the carrier used and the daughter card or board chosen for mounting. The cylinder <NUM> includes a center hole or central opening <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG> , the size (diameter) of the center hole <NUM> may be substantially matched to the size (diameter) of the mounting hole <NUM> in the carrier <NUM>. In an aspect, the center hole <NUM> size (diameter) may be larger than the size (diameter) of the mounting hole <NUM> such that a "gap ring" <NUM> of carrier may exist around the mounting hole. The cylinder <NUM> may be made of metal or metal alloy or other electrically conductive material or may be made of any suitable material that is coated with metal to create an electrically conductive contact. If the material making up the cylinder is not electrically conductive, or is not sufficiently electrically conductive, the cylinder may be fully or partially plated with an electrically conductive material to form an electrically conductive layer on an outer surface of the cylinder or cylindrical stage, as determined by the application of the device. In some aspects, torque force is applied to the double-threaded connector or spacer for insertion into a mounting hole <NUM> having a cylinder <NUM> such that the bottom surface of the outer body <NUM> of the double-threaded connector or spacer makes contact with an upper surface of the cylinder <NUM> to create an electrical contact between the cylinder and the double-threaded connector or spacer, which itself is in electrical contact with daughter card/module <NUM>.

The double-threaded connector or spacer may be made of metal, as illustrated in <FIG> , or may be made of any other suitable material, electrically conductive or not. If the material making up the double-threaded connector or spacer is not electrically conductive, or is not sufficiently electrically conductive, the surface of the double-threaded connector or spacer may be fully or partially electrically conductive, as determined by the application of the device. The surface may be made electrically conductive, by, for example, coating or plating on the surface of the double-threaded connector or spacer. <FIG> illustrates an outer body <NUM>, a cylindrical stage <NUM>, a recess <NUM> between the outer body <NUM>, a cylindrical stage <NUM>, a bore hole <NUM> which may include inner thread (or threads) (not shown), distal outer thread (or threads) <NUM> and proximal outer thread (or threads) <NUM>. As illustrated, the distal outer thread <NUM> and the proximal outer thread <NUM>, which together may make up an outer thread, may extend on an outer surface of the cylindrical stage an entire length of the cylindrical stage <NUM> or less than the entire length of the cylindrical stage <NUM>.

In use, the double-threaded connector or spacer in accordance with principles of the present disclosure facilitates exchange of the daughter card on a PCB. That is, the double-threaded connector or spacer can be removed from the PCB from the "top" side of the carrier without having to remove solder or to access the "under" side of the carrier simply be unscrewing or otherwise detaching the double-threaded connector or spacer from the top side. Thus a different size / length daughter card can be reinstalled at the new position using the double-threaded connector or spacer. The exchange can be done from one side. It is not necessary to disassemble the carrier in order to get access from the bottom.

<FIG> illustrates the installation of a daughter card to a carrier using a double-threaded connector or spacer according to principles of the present disclosure. As shown, a double-threaded connector or spacer <NUM> is installed in a mounting hole <NUM> of a carrier <NUM>. A "half circle" portion <NUM> of daughter card <NUM> is held in place between the double-threaded connector or spacer <NUM> and screw <NUM>. As can be seen, the half circle portion <NUM> of the daughter card is plated to make electrical contact with the double-threaded connector or spacer <NUM>, for example, to allow for grounding of the daughter card <NUM> via the carrier <NUM>, e.g., PCB. For example, an outer surface of the cylindrical stage may include an outer surface electrically conductive layer and the daughter board may include a daughter board electrically conductive region <NUM> so that the daughter board <NUM> is electrically connected to the mother board <NUM> via the daughter board electrically conductive region <NUM>, the outer surface electrically conductive layer of the double-threaded connector <NUM> and the cylindrical plate <NUM>.

Claim 1:
An electronic assembly, comprising:
a carrier (<NUM>) having at least one mounting hole (<NUM>) there through;
a daughter board (<NUM>) having a mounting recess along a side thereof;
a spacer (<NUM>) for installation on the carrier to provide mounting and fixation for the daughter board, the spacer extending through one of the at least one mounting holes, the spacer comprising:
an outer body (<NUM>);
a cylindrical cap (<NUM>) on the outer body, the cylindrical cap sized to align with the mounting recess of the daughter board and having a diameter less than a width of the outer body;
a cylindrical stage (<NUM>) extending from the outer body in a direction opposite the cylindrical cap and having a diameter less than a width of the outer body, the cylindrical stage sized in relation to a diameter of the at least one mounting hole on the carrier;
a threaded bore (<NUM>) extending through the cylindrical cap and outer body and into the cylindrical stage;
an outer thread (<NUM>) extending on an external surface of the cylindrical stage, the outer thread having a distal outer thread (<NUM>) and a proximal outer thread (<NUM>) for self-threading such that insertion of the spacer into the at least one mounting hole in the carrier causes an interior of the at least one mounting hole to become threaded; and
a screw (<NUM>) extending through the threaded bore,
wherein the electronic assembly is configured to removably clamp the daughter board at the mounting recess to the spacer (<NUM>), once the mounting recess of the daughter board is aligned with the cylindrical cap (<NUM>) on the outer body (<NUM>) of the spacer, by applying a screw (<NUM>) in the threaded bore.