CN212541202U - M.2 fastening system - Google Patents

Abstract

Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide an m.2 fastening system. The m.2 fastening system has two module receiving sides and a plurality of m.2 riser cards that are adjusted in position. The m.2 fastening system further has a pair of m.2 fasteners correspondingly mounted on the receiving side of the module. Each of the m.2 fasteners has a body defined by a top surface and a bottom surface, a module attachment extending from the top surface, a hook extending from the bottom surface along one side of the body. The hook of one of the m.2 fasteners is received through an attachment port of an adjustment location. The hook is pressed over the top surface of the body to which the other m.2 fastener is attached. The hook uses a tool-free way to secure the m.2 adapter card between a pair of m.2 fasteners.

Description

M.2 fastening system

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to fastening systems, and more particularly to m.2 fastening systems.

Background

M.2 is a specification standard for internally mounting computer expansion cards and related connectors. The m.2 standard adopts a more flexible physical specification than other standards (e.g., the mSATA standard). In particular, the m.2 standard may mount m.2 modules having different module widths and module lengths to a Printed Circuit Board (PCB). Therefore, m.2 modules become more important in server computer systems because of the flexible expansion interface.

Existing m.2 modules are coupled to a printed circuit board via either an m.2 single-sided mount design or an m.2 double-sided mount design. M.2 single-sided mounting designs are generally inefficient because common plastic components take up relatively large space on the main printed circuit board. Therefore, to increase the relative space usage efficiency on printed circuit boards, m.2 double-sided mounting designs are often used instead of m.2 single-sided mounting designs.

However, current m.2 double-sided mounting designs have several disadvantages. For example, current m.2 double-sided mounting designs require tools to secure m.2 nuts to m.2 riser cards. The additional tooling requirements add unnecessary complexity, including added time and cost to the installation and/or maintenance steps. In addition, the risk of damage to the printed circuit board is also increased.

The present disclosure is directed to an m.2 fastening system that addresses the foregoing problems and other needs.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

The terms embodiment and similar terms are intended to broadly refer to all subject matter (target) of the disclosure and claims. It should be understood that statements containing these terms are not intended to limit the meaning or scope of the subject matter described herein or the claims. Embodiments of the disclosure covered herein are defined by the claims, rather than by the claims. This summary is a high-level overview of aspects of the disclosure and introduces some concepts that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter. This summary is also not intended to be used solely to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter. The subject matter should be understood by reference to the appropriate portions of each of the entire specification, any or all drawings, and claims of this disclosure.

According to some aspects of the present disclosure, an m.2 fastening system is configured for mounting an m.2 module to a printed circuit board. The m.2 fastening system includes an m.2 riser card, the m.2 riser card having a first m.2 module receiving side and a second m.2 module receiving side. The m.2 riser card further has a plurality of adjustment positions disposed at respective distances from a distal end. Each of the adjustment positions includes a first attachment port and a second attachment port. The m.2 fastening system further includes a pair of m.2 fasteners including an m.2 first fastener and an m.2 second fastener. The m.2 first fastener is mounted on a first m.2 module receiving side, while the m.2 second fastener is mounted on a second m.2 module receiving side. Each m.2 fastener of a pair of m.2 fasteners has a body defined by a top surface and a bottom surface. Each m.2 fastener has a module attachment extending from the top surface for securing the m.2 module to the m.2 riser card. Each m.2 fastener further has a hook extending from the bottom surface along one side of the body. The hook of the m.2 first fastener is received through the first attachment opening and pressed over the top surface of the body to which the m.2 second fastener is attached. The hooks of the m.2 first fastener secure the m.2 riser card between the m.2 first fastener and the m.2 second fastener in a tool-free manner.

According to still further aspects of the present disclosure, an m.2 fastening system is configured for mounting an m.2 module to a printed circuit board. The m.2 fastening system includes an m.2 riser card having a first m.2 module receiving side and a second m.2 module receiving side. The M.2 adapting card further has a first attaching port and a second attaching port. The m.2 fastening system further includes an m.2 first fastener mounted on the receiving side of the first m.2 module. M.2 the first fastener has a first body defined by a first top surface and a first bottom surface and a first module attachment extending from the first top surface. M.2 the first fastener further has a first hook extending from the first base along a first side of the first body. The first hook is received through the first attachment port. The m.2 fastening system also includes an m.2 second fastener mounted on the receiving side of the second m.2 module. M.2 the second fastener has a second body defined by a second top surface and a second bottom surface. The first hook is press-fit connected over the second top surface in a tool-free manner. The m.2 second fastener has a second module attachment member extending from the second top surface and a second hook extending from the second bottom surface along a second side edge of the second body. The second hook is received through the second attachment opening and is press-fit tool-lessly over the first top surface.

The above summary is not intended to represent all embodiments or aspects of the present disclosure. Rather, the foregoing summary merely provides an exemplification of some of the novel aspects and features set forth herein. The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present disclosure will become further apparent from the following detailed description of representative embodiments and modes, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and claims. Additional aspects of the disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the detailed description of the various embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, a brief description of which is provided below.

Drawings

The disclosure, together with its advantages, may be best understood from the following description of exemplary embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. These drawings depict only exemplary embodiments and are not therefore to be considered to limit the scope of the various embodiments or the claims.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a single-sided mounting design according to one type of prior art design.

Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of an assembly of an m.2 module of another type with an m.2 riser card according to the prior art design.

Fig. 3 illustrates an exploded perspective view of an m.2 assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 4 shows an exploded perspective view of an m.2 fastening system according to the embodiment of fig. 3.

Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of a pair of m.2 fasteners according to the embodiment of fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a side view of an m.2 fastener according to the embodiment of fig. 3.

Fig. 7 is a top view of the m.2 fastener of fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a bottom view of the m.2 fastener of fig. 6.

Fig. 9 shows a perspective view of a pair of m.2 fasteners according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 10 shows a perspective view of a pair of m.2 fasteners according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 11 shows a top view of the m.2 fastening system.

Fig. 12 shows an enlarged view of a portion of the m.2 riser card of fig. 11.

Fig. 13 illustrates an enlarged view of fig. 12 with a complementary m.2 fastener, according to some exemplary representations of the present disclosure.

Fig. 14 is a sectional view taken along line "14" - "14" of fig. 11.

Fig. 15 shows an enlarged view of the portion of fig. 14 with the m.2 fastener installed.

Fig. 16 shows a side view of a pair of m.2 fasteners mounted to an m.2 riser card according to another exemplary representation of the present disclosure.

Fig. 17 shows the assembly of the m.2 assembly of fig. 3.

Fig. 18 is a top view of the m.2 assembly.

Fig. 19 is a sectional side view taken along line 19-19 of fig. 18.

Fig. 20 shows an enlarged view of the installed m.2 fastener of fig. 19.

Fig. 21 shows a side view example of an m.2 assembly with an m.2 fastener having a disc-shaped tip.

Fig. 22 is a side view example showing an m.2 assembly with an m.2 fastener having a rotating element.

FIG. 23 illustrates a perspective view of a first rotational position of the rotational element illustrated in FIG. 22.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of a second rotational position of the rotational element shown in FIG. 22.

While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in further detail herein. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Description of the symbols

100 printed circuit board assembly

102 printed circuit board

104,206,212,318,320 M.2 module

106a,312,323 distal end

106b,326,330 proximal end

108 module interface

110: M.2 plastic latch

112a first adjustment position

112b second adjustment position

114a first module position

114b second module position

200 M.2 nut

202 M.2 adapter card

204,324 adapting screw

208a,516a first side

208b,516b a second side

210 module screw

300: M.2 assembly

302 M.2 fastening system

304 M.2 adapter card

306,306a,306b,406a,406b,506a,506b: m.2 fastener

308a first M.2 module receiving side

308b second M.2 Module receiving side

310a first position

310b second position

310c third position

314a first attachment opening

314b second attachment opening

316 positioning port

321a,334a,337,434a,534a top surface

321b,334b bottom surface

322 module interface

325 lower surface

328 opening a hole

332 main body

336,436,536 Module attachment

338 internal thread nut

342a the first side

342b the second side

342c the third side

342d the fourth side

344 hook

344a first hook

344b second hook

346 positioning projection

346a first positioning projection

346b second positioning projection

348a,348b,348c,348d connecting projections

350: notch

352 inner concave part

407 support rib

409 disc-shaped end

411 interface surface

413 side support

500,502,504 step

507, hollow cylinder

509 rotating element

511 insertion end

513 receiving element

514 short adjusting piece

515 latch fastener

517 rod

518 Long adjustment sheet

519 attachment end

520 opening of the container

521 interface surface

C1 center point

H1, H2, H3 height

L1, L2, L3 Length

T1 thickness

W1, W2, W3W4, W5 width

X1, X2, X3, X4, X5, Y1, Z1 distance

Detailed Description

Various embodiments are described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like or equivalent elements throughout the various drawings. The figures are not drawn to scale and the figures provided are only intended to illustrate the invention. Several aspects of the invention are described below with reference to example applications for illustration. It should be understood that numerous specific details, relationships, and methods are set forth to provide a full understanding of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will readily recognize, however, that the invention may be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods. In other instances, well-known structures or operations are not shown in detail to avoid obscuring the invention. Because some acts may occur in different orders and/or concurrently with other acts or events, the various embodiments are not limited to the ordering of acts or events shown. In addition, not all illustrated acts or events are required to implement a methodology in accordance with the present invention.

Disclosed elements and limitations, for example, in the abstract, the utility model disclosure, and the detailed description, but not explicitly recited in the claims, should not be read into the claims, individually or collectively, by implication, assertion, or otherwise. For the purposes of this specification, unless specifically excluded, the singular includes the plural and vice versa. The terms "including" and "comprising" mean "including but not limited to". In addition, approximate terms, such as "about", "nearly", "substantially", "approximately", etc., may be used herein to represent "within", "near" or "close to" or "within 3% to 5% or" within acceptable manufacturing tolerances ", or a logical combination of any of the foregoing.

Please refer to fig. 1. According to one type of prior art, a Printed Circuit Board Assembly (PCBA) 100 includes a printed circuit board 102, wherein electronic components and other components are mounted to the printed circuit board 102. An m.2 module 104 has a distal end 106a secured to the printed circuit board 102 via a module interface 108. The m.2 module 104 also has a proximal end 106b that is secured to the printed circuit board 102 via an m.2 plastic latch 110. The m.2 plastic latch 110 is secured to the printed circuit board 102 in a first adjusted position 112a, wherein the length of the m.2 module received according to the illustrated embodiment is 110 millimeters.

The printed circuit board 102 includes a second adjustment position 112b, which is another of the plurality of adjustment positions. The first adjustment position 112a and the second adjustment position 112b are located at a first module position (or first module area) 114 a. The printed circuit board 102 has a second module position 114b having a first adjusted position 112a and a second adjusted position 112b for receiving the m.2 plastic latch 110. In other words, the printed circuit board 102 has a plurality of module positions, each of which includes a first adjustment position 112a and a second adjustment position 112 b.

Referring to fig. 2, an m.2 nut 200 is secured to an m.2 adapter card 202 according to a conventional two-sided design. Specifically, a tool such as a screwdriver is used to fasten an adapter screw 204 to the m.2 nut 200. An m.2 adapter card 202 is secured between the m.2 nut 200 and the adapter screw 204.

A first m.2 module 206 is then secured to the m.2 nut 200 on a first side 208a of the m.2 riser card 202. Specifically, a module screw 210 is tightened to the m.2 nut 200 using the same or other tools. A first m.2 module 206 is secured between the m.2 nut 200 and the module screw 210.

A second m.2 module 212 is further secured to the m.2 nut 200 on a second side 208b of the m.2 riser card 202. Specifically, another module screw 210 is secured to the m.2 nut 200 using the same or other tool. A second m.2 module 212 is secured between the m.2 nut 200 and a corresponding module screw 210. Thus, the m.2 nut 200 and the m.2 riser card 202 facilitate a double-sided mounting system to receive the first m.2 module 206 and the second m.2 module 212 on the respective first side 208a, second side 208 b.

The prior designs shown in both fig. 1 and 2 have deficiencies and problems. For example, existing designs all require assembly and/or maintenance of the m.2 modules 206, 212. Additionally, in other examples, conventional designs require a ground pad to protect the pcb assembly 100 from emi. Thus, time and cost to assemble and/or repair the m.2 modules 206,212 is unnecessarily increased.

Referring to fig. 3, an m.2 component 300 includes an m.2 fastening system 302, and the m.2 fastening system 302 includes an m.2 adapter card 304 and a pair of m.2 fasteners 306. The m.2 riser card 304 has a first m.2 module receiving side 308a and a second m.2 module receiving side 308 b.

The m.2 riser card 304 further has a plurality of adjustment positions 310a, 310b, 310c disposed at respective distances X1, X2, X3 from a distal end 312. Each of the adjustment positions 310a, 310b, 310c includes a first attachment port 314a and a second attachment port 314 b. The first attachment opening 314a and the second attachment opening 314b are separated by a positioning opening 316.

The m.2 assembly 300 further includes a first m.2 module 318 and a second m.2 module 320. The first m.2 module 318 may be fixed (fixed) on the first m.2 module receiving side 308 a. A second m.2 module 320 may be secured to the second m.2 module receiving side 308 b. Each of the first m.2 module 318 and the second m.2 module 320 may be secured between a module interface 322 and a respective one of the pair of m.2 fasteners 306. Specifically, a distal end 323 of each of the first m.2 module 318 and the second m.2 module 320 is coupled to the module interface 322 proximate the distal end 312 of the m.2 riser card 304. A proximal end 326 of each of the first m.2 module 318 and the second m.2 module 320 is fastened to a respective one of the pair of m.2 fasteners 306 via a set screw 324. The transfer screw 324 is received within an opening 328 of each of the first m.2 module 318 and the second m.2 module 320 to secure the respective first m.2 module 318 and the second m.2 module 320 to the respective fastener 306.

A pair of m.2 fasteners 306 are mounted to one of the adjustment locations 310a-310 c. In accordance with the illustrated example, a pair of m.2 fasteners 306 are mounted to a third location 310c generally proximate a proximal end 330 of the m.2 riser card 304.

Referring to fig. 4, the m.2 fastening system 302 includes an m.2 first fastener 306a mounted on a first m.2 module receiving side 308 a. The m.2 fastening system 302 further includes an m.2 second fastener 306b mounted on a second m.2 module receiving side 308 b. According to some examples, the first m.2 module receiving side 308a is a top side and the second m.2 module receiving side 308b is a bottom side. Optionally, one or more of the m.2 first fasteners 306a and the m.2 second fasteners 306b are made of a plastic material. Also, optionally, the m.2 first fastener 306a is identical to the m.2 second fastener 306 b.

The plurality of adjustment positions 310a-310c of the m.2 riser card 304 includes a first position 310a, a second position 310b, and a third position 310 c. According to some examples, the first location 310a is at a distance X1 from the distal end 312 that is approximately 60 millimeters from the distal end 312. According to other examples, the second location 310b is at a distance X2 from the distal end 312 that is approximately 80 millimeters from the distal end 312. According to still other examples, the third location 310c is at a distance X3 from the distal end 312 that is approximately 110 millimeters from the distal end 312.

Referring to fig. 5, the m.2 first fastener 306a is generally structurally identical to the m.2 second fastener 306 b. However, when installed, the m.2 first fastener 306a is in a mirrored position relative to the m.2 second fastener 306b in terms of the Y-axis of a three-axis coordinate system including the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis. Thus, when installed together, the m.2 first fastener 306a and the m.2 second fastener 306b provide a symmetrical installation arrangement.

Referring to fig. 6 and 7, each of the m.2 fasteners 306 (designated as m.2 first fastener 306a and m.2 second fastener 306b in fig. 5) has a body 332, and the body 332 is defined by a top surface 334a and a bottom surface 334b (shown only in fig. 6). A module attachment 336 extends from the top surface 334a and is configured to secure a respective one of the first m.2 module 318 and the second m.2 module 320 to the m.2 riser card 304 (as shown in fig. 3). In the exemplary embodiment shown, module attachment 336 has a generally cylindrical shape, optionally with a height H1 (shown only in fig. 6) of 4 millimeters extending along the Z-axis. The module attachment 336 includes an internal threaded nut 338 (shown only in fig. 7) for receiving the corresponding transfer screw 324 (shown in fig. 3), and the internal threaded nut 338 secures the corresponding first m.2 module 318 and second m.2 module 320 to the m.2 transfer card 304 (shown in fig. 3).

Referring specifically to fig. 7, the body 332 generally has a rectangular shape defined by a length L1 (along the X-axis) and a width W1 (along the Y-axis). According to some examples, the length L1 is approximately 11 millimeters and the width W1 is approximately 9.5 millimeters.

The outer perimeter of the body 332 surrounds the module attachment 336 and includes a first side 342a, a second side 342b, a third side 342c, and a fourth side 342 d. Optionally, module attachment 336 is symmetrically located between some or all of sides 342a-342 d. For example, as shown, the module attachment 336 is symmetrically disposed with respect to the X-axis (between the second side 342b and the fourth side 342 d), but asymmetrically disposed with respect to the Y-axis (between the first side 342a and the third side 342 c). With respect to the Y-axis, a center point C1 of module attachment 336 is offset from the Y-axis by a distance Y1.

Referring now to fig. 6 and 8, a hook 344 extends from the bottom surface 334b along the first side 342a of the body 332. Optionally, the hook 344 has a height H2 (shown only in fig. 6) of about 4.4 millimeters and a width W2 (shown only in fig. 8) of about 5 millimeters. According to the illustrated example, the hooks 344 are symmetrically disposed along the X-axis.

A positioning ridge 346 extends from the bottom surface 334b of the main body 332. According to the example shown in fig. 6, the positioning protrusion 346 has a height H3 of about 0.8 mm. The positioning projection 346 has four coupling projections 348a,348b,348c,348d, which surround the periphery of an inner recess 352 (shown only in fig. 8). According to the illustrated example, the positioning protrusions 346 generally have a square shape with rounded corners.

Alternatively, the positioning protrusions 346 are symmetrically arranged with respect to one or more of the X, Y, and Z axes. For example, as shown in fig. 8, the positioning projections 346 are symmetrically arranged with respect to the Y-axis. However, in accordance with the present example, the locating protrusions 346 are asymmetrically disposed with respect to the Z-axis (as shown in FIG. 6), but are offset from the Z-axis by a distance Z1. Optionally, the locating protrusions 346 are also asymmetrically disposed with respect to the X-axis (as shown in FIG. 8), but are offset from the X-axis by a distance X4.

Along the third side 342c, there is a notch 350 for receiving a hook 344 from a different m.2 fastener. Thus, the notches 350 are sized and shaped to assist in receiving corresponding hooks 344 of different m.2 fasteners. According to some exemplary embodiments, notch 350 has a width W3 of approximately 5.3 millimeters that is slightly larger than the width W2 of hook 344 of 5.0 millimeters.

Referring to fig. 9, the pair of m.2 fasteners 406a,406b is generally similar to the pair of m.2 fasteners 306a,306b previously disclosed (as shown in fig. 5) except for having a different type of module attachment 436. Specifically, the module attachment 436 extends from a top surface 434a in the form of a support rib 407. The support rib 407 has a disk-shaped end 409, the disk-shaped end 409 securing the respective first m.2 module 318, second m.2 module 320 in a press-fit connection between an interface surface 411 of the disk-shaped end 409 and a respective contact surface of the first m.2 module 318, second m.2 module 320. The module attachment 436 further includes a plurality of side supports 413 generally parallel to the support ribs 407. The side supports 413 provide additional rigidity to the m.2 fasteners 406a,406 b.

Referring to fig. 10, a pair of m.2 fasteners 506a,506b is generally similar to the pair of m.2 fasteners 306a,306b previously disclosed (as shown in fig. 5) except for having a different type of module attachment 536. Specifically, the module attachment 536 extends from a top surface 534a in the form of a hollow cylinder 507 with an inserted rotating element 509. The rotating member 509 has an insertion end 511 rotatably secured within a receiving member 513. The rotating element 509 further has a latch 515 generally perpendicular to a rod 517 at an attachment end 519. Latch 515 secures an interface surface 521 to a corresponding contact surface (as shown in fig. 3) of first m.2 module 318, second m.2 module 320.

Referring to fig. 11 and 12, m.2 riser card 304 is configured with a pair of m.2 fasteners 306 in a first position 310a, while a second position 310b and a third position 310c are available for subsequent adjustment. Referring to fig. 12, the second position 310b illustrates the available states of the first attachment port 314a, the second attachment port 314b and the positioning port 316. The first attachment port 314a is to receive a hook 344 (shown in fig. 6 and 8) of an m.2 first fastener 306a (shown in fig. 5). The second attachment port 314b is configured to receive a hook 344 (shown in fig. 6 and 8) of an m.2 second fastener 306b (shown in fig. 5). The locating port 316 is configured to receive a locating projection 346 (shown in FIG. 6) therein.

Referring to fig. 13, one of the m.2 fasteners 306 is shown in relation to a second location 310 b. According to the present example, the locating port 316 has a width W4 of approximately 5.7 millimeters and a length L2 of approximately 5.2 millimeters. These dimensions are configured to receive a suitably sized locating projection 346 within the locating opening 316. For example, the positioning protrusion 346 has a width W5 of about 5.5 millimeters and a length L3 of about 5.0 millimeters. Optionally, the centerlines of the positioning port 316 and the positioning protrusion 346 are offset from the central X axis by a distance X5. According to some examples, the distance X5 is approximately 0.75 millimeters.

Referring to fig. 14, the m.2 riser card 304 has two module interfaces 322 installed on the corresponding sides of the first m.2 module receiving side 308a and the second m.2 module receiving side 308 b. Additionally, the m.2 riser card 304 further has a pair of m.2 fasteners 306a,306b also mounted on respective ones of the first m.2 module receiving side 308a, the second m.2 module receiving side 308 b.

Referring to fig. 15, a pair of m.2 fasteners 306a,306b are tool-less such that the m.2 riser card 304 is secured between the m.2 first fastener 306a and the m.2 second fastener 306 b. For ease of understanding, the hook of the m.2 first fastener 306a is identified herein as the first hook 344a, and the hook of the m.2 second fastener 306b is identified herein as the second hook 344 b. The first hook 344a is inserted and received through the second attachment port 314 b. The first hook 344a is fastened over the top surface 334a of the body 332 of the m.2 second fastener 306b to secure (at least partially) the m.2 riser card 304 to the m.2 first fastener 306 a.

The second hook 344b is inserted and received through the first attachment port 314 a. The second hook 344b is fastened over the top surface 334a of the body 332 of the m.2 first fastener 306a to secure (at least partially) the m.2 riser card 304 to the m.2 second fastener 306 b. According to some examples, one or both of the first hook 344a, the second hook 344b is secured over the respective top surface 334a by a press-fit connection (press-fit).

For ease of understanding, the locating projection of the m.2 first fastener 306a is identified herein as a first locating projection 346a, and the locating projection of the m.2 second fastener 306b is identified herein as a second locating projection 346 b. In the illustrated installation position, the first locating projection 346a is inserted and received through the locating aperture 316 from the first module receiving side 308 a. Further, in the illustrated installation position, the second positioning projection 346b is inserted and received through the positioning aperture 316 from the second m.2 module receiving side 308 b.

Referring to fig. 16, a pair of m.2 fasteners 306a,306b are mounted to and secured between m.2 riser cards 304 (illustrated in fig. 15). According to some examples, m.2 riser card 304 has a thickness T1 (measured along the Z axis) of about 1.6 millimeters.

Referring to fig. 17, the m.2 component 300 is assembled in several sequential steps. Initially, in a first step 500, m.2 fasteners 306a,306b are mounted to the m.2 riser card 304 on respective first and second m.2 module receiving sides 308a, 308 b. In this example, the m.2 fasteners 306a,306b are tool-lessly installed to the third location 310 c. Then, in a second step 502, the m.2 modules 318,320 are mounted to the respective m.2 fasteners 306a,306b with the respective adaptor screws 324. Thus, in step 504, each m.2 module 318,320 is mounted to a respective module interface 322 at a distal end 323 and to a respective m.2 fastener 306a,306b at a proximal end 326.

Referring also to fig. 18-20, a fully assembled m.2 assembly 300 (shown in fig. 18 and 19) is shown in a double-sided design configuration that does not require any tools to mount the m.2 fasteners 306a,306b to the m.2 riser card 304. Referring also to fig. 20, each of the proximal ends 326 of the m.2 modules 318,320 has a top surface 321a in contact with a lower surface 325 of the corresponding adaptor screw 324.

Each of the proximal ends 326 of the m.2 modules 318,320 further has a bottom surface 321b in contact with a top surface 337 of the respective module attachment 336. Thus, the proximal ends 326 of the m.2 modules 318,320 are secured between the respective adapter screws 324 and the respective m.2 fasteners 306a,306 b.

Referring to fig. 21, the m.2 assembly 300 is installed with m.2 fasteners 306a,306b having alternative (e.g., disk-shaped) module attachments 436. The module attachment 436 has been illustrated in fig. 9, and the module attachment 436 is described in more detail in the foregoing. In such an assembly type, the interface surface 411 contacts the respective top surfaces 321a of the m.2 modules 318, 320. Thus, the m.2 modules 318,320 are secured with the disc-shaped ends 409 of the alternative module attachments 436 in place of the transfer screws 324 disclosed in the foregoing and shown in fig. 20.

Referring to fig. 22, the m.2 assembly 300 is mounted with m.2 fasteners 306a,306b having another alternative (e.g., rotating) module attachment 536. The module attachment 536 has been illustrated in fig. 10, and the module attachment 536 is described in more detail in the foregoing. In such an assembly type, the interface surface 521 contacts the respective top surfaces 321a of the m.2 modules 318, 320. Thus, the m.2 modules 318,320 are secured with the swivel elements 509 of the alternative module attachment 536 instead of the transfer screws 324 disclosed in the foregoing and shown in fig. 20.

Referring generally to fig. 23 and 24, the rotating element 509 of the m.2 fastener 306 is shown in two of a plurality of rotational positions. Referring to fig. 23, the rotating element 509 is in a first rotating position, which is a locked position. When rotated between positions, the rotating element 509 rotates with the receiving element 513. In the locked position, a short tab (tab)514 contacts a first side 516a of the hollow cylinder 507. In the locked position, an elongated tab 518 is aligned with an opening 520 of the hollow cylinder 507. More specifically, referring to FIG. 24, the rotating element 509 is in the second rotational position, which is an unlocked position. In the unlocked position, a short tab 514 is aligned with the opening 520 and a long tab 518 is in contact with a second side 516b (located opposite and symmetrical to the first side 516a) of the hollow cylinder 507.

The foregoing description of embodiments, including what is shown, has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description only and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the precise forms disclosed. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous variations, adaptations, and uses of the precise form disclosed may be made.

Although the disclosed embodiments have been shown and described with respect to one or more implementations, equivalent alterations and modifications will occur to others skilled in the art upon the reading and understanding of this specification and the annexed drawings. In addition, while a particular feature of the invention may have been disclosed with respect to only one of several implementations, such feature may be combined with one or more other features of the other implementations as may be desired and advantageous for any given or particular application.

While various embodiments of the present invention have been described in the foregoing, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. Numerous variations on the disclosed embodiments are possible in light of the disclosure herein. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described embodiments. Rather, the scope of the disclosure is defined in accordance with the claims and their equivalents.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Additionally, to the extent that the terms "includes," has, "" with, "or variants thereof are used in either the detailed description and/or the claims, they are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term" comprising.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. In addition, terms (e.g., those defined in commonly used dictionaries) should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

Claims (10)

1. An m.2 fastening system for mounting an m.2 module to a printed circuit board, the m.2 fastening system comprising:

an m.2 riser card having a first m.2 module receiving side and a second m.2 module receiving side, the m.2 riser card having a plurality of adjustment positions disposed at respective distances from a distal end, each of the plurality of adjustment positions including a first attachment port and a second attachment port; and

a pair of m.2 fasteners including an m.2 first fastener and an m.2 second fastener, the m.2 first fastener mounted on the first m.2 module receiving side, the m.2 second fastener mounted on the second m.2 module receiving side, each of the pair of m.2 fasteners having:

a body defined by a top surface and a bottom surface;

a module attachment extending from the top surface for securing the m.2 module to the m.2 riser card; and

a hook extending from the bottom surface along one side of the main body;

wherein the hook of the m.2 first fastener is received through the first attachment port, the hook of the m.2 first fastener is pressed over the top surface of the body to which the m.2 second fastener is connected, the hook of the m.2 first fastener securing the m.2 riser card between the m.2 first fastener and the m.2 second fastener.

2. The m.2 fastening system of claim 1 wherein the hook of the m.2 second fastener is received through the second attachment opening, the hook of the m.2 second fastener is pressed over the top surface of the body to which the m.2 first fastener is connected, the hook of the m.2 second fastener secures the m.2 first fastener and the m.2 second fastener to each other and secures the m.2 first fastener and the m.2 second fastener to the m.2 adapter card.

3. The m.2 fastening system of claim 1 wherein each of the pair of m.2 fasteners has a locating projection extending from the bottom surface of the body.

4. The m.2 fastening system of claim 3 wherein each of the plurality of adjustment positions further comprises a locating port disposed between the first attachment port and the second attachment port, and the locating projection is received within the locating port.

5. The m.2 fastening system of claim 4 wherein the locating projection has a size and a shape that fits the locating opening.

6. The m.2 fastening system of claim 1 wherein the module attachment has an internally threaded nut for receiving a screw with which to secure the m.2 module to the m.2 riser card.

7. The m.2 fastening system of claim 1 wherein the module attachment extends in the form of a support rib with a disc-shaped end that secures the m.2 module to the m.2 adapter card with a press-in connection.

8. The m.2 fastening system of claim 1 wherein the module attachment comprises a hollow cylinder and a rotating element having a rod with an insertion end rotationally fixed within the hollow cylinder.

9. The m.2 fastening system of claim 8 wherein the rotating element further has a latch perpendicular to the rod at an attachment end, the latch securing the m.2 module to the m.2 adapter card.

10. An m.2 fastening system for mounting an m.2 module to a printed circuit board, the m.2 fastening system comprising:

an M.2 adapter card having a first M.2 module receiving side and a second M.2 module receiving side, the M.2 adapter card further having a first attachment port and a second attachment port;

an M.2 first fastener mounted on the first M.2 module receiving side and having:

a first body defined by a first top surface and a first bottom surface;

a first module attachment extending from the first top surface; and

a first hook extending from the first bottom surface along a first side of the first body, the first hook being received through the first attachment opening; and

an M.2 second fastener mounted on the second M.2 module receiving side and having:

a second body defined by a second top surface and a second bottom surface, the first hook being press-fit connected above the second top surface;

a second module attachment extending from the second top surface; and

a second hook extending from the second bottom surface along a second side of the second body, the second hook being received through the second attachment opening, the second hook being press-fit over the first top surface.

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