CN113970959B

CN113970959B - Fixing mechanism

Info

Publication number: CN113970959B
Application number: CN202010715871.7A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 陈振蔚; 赖康裕; 朱修颉
Original assignee: Asustek Computer Inc
Current assignee: Asustek Computer Inc
Priority date: 2020-07-23
Filing date: 2020-07-23
Publication date: 2024-03-26
Anticipated expiration: 2040-07-23
Also published as: CN113970959A

Abstract

A fixing mechanism is used for being arranged on an electronic device to fix an electronic module. The fixing mechanism comprises a shell, a fixing structure and a locking structure. The shell comprises a bottom plate and a side plate to define a space for accommodating the electronic module. The side plate comprises an opening and a combining seat. The fixing structure comprises a fixing piece and a pressing part. The fixing piece movably extends into the space from the outer side of the side plate through the opening. The pressing part is rotatably arranged on the combining seat and comprises a first part and a second part. The first portion includes an opening and the second portion corresponds to the fixing member. The locking structure is movably arranged in the opening and comprises a clamping piece. When the clamping piece is clamped in the opening, the locking structure passes through the opening to prop against the side plate so as to fix the pressing part.

Description

Fixing mechanism

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to fixing devices, and particularly to a fixing device for an electronic device.

Background

Hard disks are typically configured in computers for users to store data. Most of the conventional computers use screws to lock or use a tray to fix the hard disk with hooks. However, in the screw locking manner, the user needs to use a disassembling tool, and the operation is complex; in the manner of matching the tray with the hook, the computer casing has larger volume and higher cost of components.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention is directed to a fixing mechanism to solve at least one of the above problems.

The invention provides a fixing mechanism which is used for being arranged on an electronic device to fix an electronic module. The fixing mechanism comprises a shell, a fixing structure and a locking structure. The shell comprises a bottom plate and a side plate to define a space for accommodating the electronic module. The side plate comprises an opening and a combining seat.

The fixing structure comprises a fixing piece and a pressing part. The fixing piece movably extends into the space from the outer side of the side plate through the opening. The pressing part is rotatably arranged on the combining seat and comprises a first part and a second part. The first portion includes an opening and the second portion corresponds to the fixing member.

The locking structure is movably arranged in the opening and comprises a clamping piece. When the clamping piece is clamped in the opening, the locking structure passes through the opening to prop against the side plate so as to fix the pressing part.

The fixing mechanism provided by the invention can be convenient for a user to quickly assemble and disassemble the electronic module, and can firmly fix the electronic module.

The fixing mechanism provided by the invention has the beneficial effects that the fixing mechanism can be convenient for a user to quickly assemble and disassemble the electronic module, and tools are not needed. In addition, compared with the traditional fixing mode of utilizing the tray to match with the clamping hooks, the fixing mechanism provided by the invention can reduce the size of parts and the manufacturing cost, and can firmly fix the electronic module and prevent the electronic module from being damaged due to external force impact.

Drawings

FIG. 1A is a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a securing mechanism according to the present invention;

FIG. 1B is an exploded schematic view of the securing mechanism of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2A is an enlarged view of the fixing structure and locking structure of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2B is a perspective view showing the fixing structure of FIG. 2A to show the relative positional relationship among the locking structure, the fixing structure and the housing;

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of another view of the fastening structure of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another view of the locking structure of the present invention;

FIGS. 5A-5C illustrate an embodiment of an electronic module mounting process using the securing mechanism of FIG. 1A; and

fig. 6A to 6C illustrate an embodiment of a process of disassembling an electronic module using the fixing mechanism of fig. 1A.

Detailed Description

Specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the drawings. Advantages and features of the invention will become more apparent from the following description and claims. It should be noted that the drawings are in a very simplified form and are all to a non-precise scale, merely for convenience and clarity in aiding in the description of embodiments of the invention.

Fig. 1A is a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a fixing mechanism of the present invention. Fig. 1B is an exploded schematic view of the securing mechanism of fig. 1A. The fixing mechanism 100 is configured to be installed in an electronic device (not shown) to fix an electronic module, which may be a hard disk, a video disc drive, or an expansion device, and the invention is not limited thereto. The electronic device may be a desktop computer, a server, a notebook computer, or the like, and the invention is not limited thereto.

As shown in the figure, the fixing mechanism 100 includes a housing 120, a fixing structure 140, and a locking structure 160. The housing 120 includes a bottom plate 122, a top plate 128, and two side plates 124,126 on opposite sides of the bottom plate 122 to define a space A1 for accommodating the electronic module.

The space A1 has a mounting opening 129. The electronic module is thus mounted in the space A1 through the mounting opening 129. The side plate 124 includes an opening 1242 and a connecting seat 1244. The fixing structure 140 is rotatably mounted on the connecting seat 1244. The locking structure 160 is movably mounted on the fixing structure 140.

Referring to fig. 2A, fig. 2B and fig. 3 together, in which fig. 2A is an enlarged view showing the fixing structure 140 and the locking structure 160 of fig. 1A, fig. 2B is a perspective view showing the fixing structure 140 of fig. 2A to show the relative positional relationship among the locking structure 160, the fixing structure 140 and the housing 120, and fig. 3 is a perspective view of another view of the fixing structure 140 of the present invention.

As shown in the figure, the fixing structure 140 includes a fixing member 142 and a pressing portion 144. The fixing member 142 is movably disposed in the opening 1242, and extends from the outside of the side plate 124 through the opening 1242 into the space A1 to fix the electronic module.

In one embodiment, the fixing member 142 has a cylindrical shape. But is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the fixing member 142 may have a columnar shape or other irregular shapes.

The pressing portion 144 is rotatably disposed on the connecting seat 1244, and includes a first portion 144a and a second portion 144b. The first portion 144a and the second portion 144b are located on opposite sides of the joint seat 1244. The first portion 144a includes an opening 1442, and the second portion 144b is configured to drive the fixing member 142. In one embodiment, the fixing member 142 is connected to the second portion 144b of the pressing portion 144 and moves within the opening 1242 along with the rotation of the pressing portion 144. But is not limited thereto.

In one embodiment, as shown in the drawing, the pressing portion 144 further includes a spring 144c disposed between the first portion 144a and the side plate 124 of the housing 120. The elastic restoring force of the elastic piece 144c makes the second portion 144b of the pressing portion 144 drive the fixing member 142 to protrude toward the space A1 for fixing the electronic module 200.

In one embodiment, as shown in the drawing, the opening 1442 is elongated and has a first edge 1442a and a second edge 1442b opposite to each other, and the elastic piece 144c extends from the second edge 1442b of the opening 1442 to the side plate 124 obliquely so as to abut against the side plate 124. But is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the elastic piece 144c may be connected to other edges of the opening 1442 or to the upper and lower surfaces of the pressing portion 144.

In one embodiment, the first portion 144a, the second portion 144b and the elastic piece 144c of the pressing portion 144 are integrally formed, so as to reduce the manufacturing cost. But is not limited thereto.

In an embodiment, the elastic piece 144c may also be disposed on the side plate 124 of the housing 120, and is pressed against the first portion 144a of the pressing portion 144, so that the second portion 144b of the pressing portion 144 drives the fixing element 142 to protrude toward the space A1 to fix the electronic module 200.

Referring to fig. 2A, fig. 2B, fig. 3 and fig. 4, wherein fig. 4 is a perspective view of a locking structure 160 according to another aspect of the present invention. As shown, the locking structure 160 is movably disposed in the opening 1442 and includes a locking member 162 and a fastening member 164. The engaging member 162 is configured to engage the locking structure 160 in the opening 1442, and the engaging member 164 is configured to further engage the locking structure 160 with a first edge 1442a of the opening 1442.

When the engaging member 162 is engaged in the opening 1442 and the fastening member 164 is fastened to the first edge 1442a of the opening 1442, the locking structure 160 passes through the opening 1442 to abut against the side plate 124 to limit the rotation of the pressing portion 144, so as to prevent the first portion 144a of the pressing portion 144 from moving toward the side plate 124 to release the fixing member 142. Thus, the fixing member 142 of the fixing structure 140 can be ensured to firmly fix the electronic module 200.

In one embodiment, as shown in the drawings, the engaging members 162 are configured to engage with a pair of buckles on opposite sides of the opening 1442, so that the locking structure 160 is engaged in the opening 1442.

In one embodiment, the fastening member 164 has a notch 1642, the first portion 144a of the pressing portion 144 includes a protrusion 1444, and the protrusion 1444 is located at the first edge 1442a of the opening 1442 for being fastened to the fastening member 164, so that the locking structure 160 is fixed to the first edge 1442a of the opening 1442, thereby limiting the rotation of the pressing portion 144. But is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the locking structure 160 may be detachably fixed to the opening 1442 by directly engaging the notch 1642 with the first edge or other edges of the opening 1442, or by using other types of fasteners, such as hooks.

In one embodiment, as shown, the locking structure 160 further includes an abutment 166. When the engaging member 162 of the locking structure 160 and the engaging member 164 are engaged with the opening 1442, the abutting member 166 abuts against the side plate 124 to fix the pressing portion 144, and limit the first portion 144a of the pressing portion 144 to rotate toward the side plate 124.

In one embodiment, the width of the abutment 166 is greater than the width of the opening 1442, so as to improve the structural stability between the locking structure 160 and the side plate 124 and prevent the locking structure 160 from separating from the opening 1442 of the fixing structure 140. In addition, in one embodiment, as shown in the figure, the propping piece 166 is in a wing shape, so as to increase the contact area between the propping piece 166 and the side plate 124, and improve the structural stability. But is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the propping member 166 may also have other shapes, such as a disk shape, a plate shape, etc.

Fig. 5A to 5C illustrate an embodiment of an electronic module mounting process using the fixing mechanism 100 of fig. 1A.

First, referring to fig. 5A, the user presses the first portion 144a of the pressing portion 144 (as indicated by the arrow in the figure), so that the fixing member 142 is retracted toward the outside of the side plate 124. While the holder 142 is maintained in the withdrawn state, the user inserts the electronic module 200 into the space A1 of the housing 120 through the mounting port 129.

Next, referring to fig. 5B, after the electronic module 200 is inserted and positioned, the user releases the pressing portion 144. At this time, the pressing portion 144 drives the fixing member 142 to protrude toward the space A1 to fix the electronic module 200. Then, the user presses the locking structure 160 (as indicated by the arrow in the figure), so that the engaging member 162 of the locking structure 160 is engaged in the opening 1442 of the pressing portion 144, so as to fix the fixing structure 140 in the first stage.

Then, referring to fig. 5C, the user further moves the locking structure 160 engaged in the opening 1442 toward the first edge 1442a of the opening 1442 (as shown by the arrow in the figure), so that the fastening member 164 of the locking structure 160 is fastened to the first edge 1442a of the opening 1442, so as to fix the fixing structure 140 in the second stage. Thus, the pressing portion 144 can be prevented from rotating, and the electronic module 200 is prevented from being damaged due to the loosening of the fixing member 142.

Fig. 6A to 6C illustrate an embodiment of a process for removing an electronic module by using the fixing mechanism 100 of fig. 1A.

Referring to fig. 6A, when the locked state shown in fig. 5C is received, the user first pulls the locking structure 160 outwards (as indicated by the arrow in the figure), so that the engaging member 162 and the fastening member 164 of the locking structure are separated from the opening 1442 of the pressing portion 144. Thus, the pressing portion 144 can be returned to the pressing state.

Next, referring to fig. 6B, the user presses the first portion 144a of the pressing portion 144 (as indicated by the arrow in the figure), so that the fixing member 142 is retracted toward the outer side of the side plate 124 to release the electronic module 200.

Then, referring to fig. 6C, the user withdraws the electronic module 200 from the mounting port 129 (as shown by the arrow) while the fixing member 142 is kept withdrawn, so as to complete the electronic module disassembling process.

Compared with the conventional method of locking the electronic module by using screws, the fixing mechanism 100 provided by the invention can be convenient for a user to quickly assemble and disassemble the electronic module 200 without using tools. In addition, compared with the conventional fixing manner of using a tray and a hook, the fixing mechanism 100 provided by the invention can reduce the size of the parts and the manufacturing cost, and can stably fix the electronic module 200, thereby preventing the electronic module 200 from being damaged due to external impact.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the above embodiments, it should be understood that the invention is not limited thereto, but rather may be modified or altered somewhat by persons skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A fixing mechanism for being installed in an electronic device to fix an electronic module, the fixing mechanism comprising:

a housing including a bottom plate and a side plate to define a space for accommodating the electronic module, the side plate including an opening and a coupling seat;

a fixed structure, comprising:

a fixing member movably extending from the outside of the side plate into the space through the opening; and

the pressing part is rotatably arranged on the combining seat and comprises a first part and a second part, the first part comprises an opening, the second part corresponds to the fixing piece, and the pressing part also comprises a spring piece arranged between the first part and the second part; and

the locking structure is movably arranged in the opening and comprises a clamping piece, and when the clamping piece is clamped in the opening, the locking structure passes through the opening and abuts against the side plate to fix the pressing part.

2. The securing mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the locking structure further comprises a fastener for fastening the locking structure to the first edge of the opening.

3. The securing mechanism as claimed in claim 2 wherein the fastener has a notch and the first portion includes a projection located at the first edge of the opening for engaging the notch.

4. The securing mechanism of claim 1, wherein the tab extends from the second edge of the opening to the side plate.

5. The securing mechanism of claim 1, wherein the first portion, the second portion, and the spring are integrally formed.

6. The fixing mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the locking structure includes an abutment member that abuts against the side plate to fix the pressing portion when the engaging member is engaged with the opening.

7. The securing mechanism according to claim 6, wherein the abutment has a width greater than a width of the opening to prevent the locking structure from disengaging the opening.

8. The securing mechanism of claim 6, wherein the abutment member is wing-shaped.

9. The securing mechanism of claim 1, wherein the securing member is cylindrical.