DE202017104494U1 - computer system - Google Patents

Abstract

A computer system (1) comprising a chassis (4) in which a motherboard (3) is secured to a predetermined set of interface ports (7), the chassis (4) having a back (5) with a connector pad (6) which external peripheral components can be connected to the interface connections (7, 12) of the mainboard (3), characterized in that the mainboard (3) has a connector (17) fixedly connected to the mainboard (3) for selectively receiving an extension module (1) DB = EPODOC & ... PN = EP0354351, which has a further interface connection (12), and the rear side (5) of the chassis (4) has a wall region (19) which is predeterminedly breakable to form an aperture (20) associated with an accommodated extension module (1) so that another Peripheral component to the other interface port (12) of the recorded expansion module (1) can be connected.

Description

The invention relates to a computer system which has a chassis with a motherboard arranged therein.

Computer systems, in particular desktop computers or so-called stand-alone systems, have a chassis for accommodating all electronic components which can be screwed or otherwise fixed in or on the chassis. The chassis typically has a rear-facing area in which all ports are routed outwardly of the computer system from interfaces so that peripheral components can be connected from the outside. Such interfaces include, for example, a network (Local Area Network = LAN), serial ports such as the Universal Serial Bus (USB), keyboard and mouse ports, audio input and output ports, and / or ports for a monitor or display device , The area in which the connections are located is referred to as a connection field or input / output area (in short: I / O).

Following the trend of miniaturization, ever more compact computer systems are built, which are characterized by a high space parsimony. In particular, in such systems, but also other computer systems, the connection field is typically only a limited space available. This space is often not sufficient to be able to represent all customer requirements regarding the interface connections on the part of the manufacturer of such systems.

An object of the invention is to provide a concept for a computer system which contributes to interface flexibility.

The object is solved by a computer system having a chassis in which a motherboard is fixed with a predetermined group of interface terminals. The chassis has a rear panel with a connector panel, from which external peripheral components can be connected to the interface connectors of the motherboard. The computer system is characterized in that the motherboard has a connector fixedly connected to the motherboard for selectively receiving an expansion module, wherein the expansion module has a further interface connection. The rear side of the chassis has a wall region which can be predeterminedly knocked out to form an opening assigned to the expansion module, so that a further peripheral component can be connected to the further interface connection of an accommodated expansion module.

A computer system is provided, which in a basic variant has a predetermined number of interface connections (at least partially of different types). The computer system holds a certain area of the back, such as the connector panel, ready, which is designed to be flexible. Depending on requirements and wishes, a customer can use the basic version of the computer system or optionally extend the system with a specific interface. The computer system is thus flexibly expandable. Within this flexible range, different interfaces, such as high-speed interfaces, can be made available through the use of different expansion modules. If no further interface is required, the solution described represents a cost-effective basic variant in which only the connector on the motherboard and the break-out wall area must be kept. The connector may be a particularly simple expansion module slot. The provision of the break-out wall region can also be cost-effective in the production of the chassis or wall regions. When using the connector with an expansion module, only the wall area must be broken, so that the assembly effort is low.

The motherboard is a system board or motherboard of the computer system. The rear of the chassis may be a chassis wall itself, or a so-called "porthole" typically made of sheet metal. Such a connection panel can also be referred to as an I / O panel. In the described computer system, the connection pad has a predetermined number of openings for the corresponding interface connections of the main circuit board assigned to the openings. The breakthroughs correspond to the interface connections and are approximately adapted to the dimensions of these, such as their shapes. In other words, the interface connections are arranged in alignment with the corresponding openings. Optionally, this also applies to the broken-through opening or wall area assigned to the expansion module, which can be adapted to the further interface connection with regard to the shaping. However, alternatively, at least one further element may be provided, which is adapted to the further interface connection with respect to the shaping and which is inserted into the further opening or covers it.

According to one embodiment, the connector is designed according to the M.2 specification. Such a connector allows the advantages mentioned above, in particular high-speed interfaces are possible. In addition, it is a particularly simple slot that can be kept inexpensively by default on the motherboard. Typically, there are other such connectors for providing other functionalities, such as for accommodating WLAN or SSD modules, on the motherboard so that the manufacturer of the computer system can inexpensively purchase a variety of such connectors. Advantageously, implementation via plug-in cards on a reserved PCIe slot is avoided in which at least one PCIe slot is permanently occupied and thus no longer used for other, pure PCIe cards (for example graphics cards).

According to one embodiment, the computer system has an expansion module with the further interface connection, which is fastened to the motherboard and is mechanically and electrically coupled to the connector, wherein the expansion module has a mating connector corresponding to the connector, which is designed according to the M.2 specification. The mating connector is, in particular, a contact tongue, which is formed corresponding to the M.2 connector of the motherboard. This contributes to the aforementioned advantages and functions.

According to one embodiment, the connector is configured such that, for attachment, the extension module is inserted with a mating connector obliquely into the connector of the motherboard and then pivoted to a final mounting position, in which the expansion module mechanically secure and electrically coupled directly to the connector and the motherboard is determinable. In the described solution, an expansion module is contacted directly with the circuit board, which are inserted obliquely only in a lying on the motherboard connector pressed down and then attached. In particular, an expansion module is fixed on a side opposite the connector side. In this type of mounting a high mechanical stability is achieved due to the two-sided fixation, which is of high value especially for externally accessible graphic interfaces.

For example, it is advantageously not necessary to provide a so-called piggyback solution. In such a solution for an expansion module, an orthogonal mounting between plug and socket would take place. It would require two connectors, one on the motherboard and one on the expansion module. This expansion module would have to be fixed with two screws, since the orthogonal connector itself can be easily detached and typically does not provide sufficient stability. As a further advantage, a cable solution for connecting the further interface connection to the mainboard can be avoided. Compared to cable solutions as well as piggyback solutions, the described solution allows cost savings. Cable solutions would - especially in comparison to a M.2 solution - significantly more complex, such as in terms of assembly, and be more expensive. In addition, a cable solution would require considerably more space on the motherboard. Furthermore, a cable solution may be unsuitable for the requirement for the transmission of high-speed signals.

According to one embodiment, the motherboard has a fastening means for fastening the expansion module in the final mounting position. This is necessary in addition to the plug in the connector over a further additional fastening measure for fixing the expansion module in the final mounting position. The fastening means are, for example, a fastening bolt, fastening dome or screw dome.

According to one embodiment, at least one electrical and / or mechanical measure is provided which prevents the picking up of an inappropriate expansion module in the connector.

For example, an orientation of the connector to the mounting means of the motherboard is selected so that an expansion module, which is designed as a plug-in card having a shape factor according to the M.2 specification can not be connected by means of the fastening means with the motherboard. In other words, a conventional M.2 module which is formed as a plug-in card not only with respect to the mating connector but with respect to the entire shape according to the M.2 specification can not be used in the described computer system. In other words, a mechanical measure is provided which prevents the installation of a conventional M.2 module or other mismatched module. It is a complete insertion of such a standard M.2 module mechanically prevented.

For example, additionally or alternatively, a pin assignment of the connector is adapted to a plurality of predetermined interface standards. In other words, a smart pin assignment of the connector is a recorded The pinout provides many different interface standards, such as HDMI, DP, USB Type-C, VGA or others, and thus electrically prevents the plugging of other modules with other interface standards.

The above measures prevent electrical and mechanical faulty equipment, especially with standard M.2 modules, so that damage to the motherboard and expansion module can be excluded or avoided.

According to one embodiment, the wall region has broken out and an expansion module is provided with a further interface connection which is fixed to the main circuit board and mechanically and electrically coupled to the connector, wherein a sheet-metal bracket, which is electrically conductive and mechanically in contact, is arranged on the expansion module is in contact with a breakthrough area of the rear of the chassis. The connection to the rear of the chassis, such as the connection panel or a housing wall, EMC (electromagnetic compatibility) requirements are taken into account. This avoids or reduces the spread of electromagnetic interference in the computer system as well as from the outside.

According to one embodiment, the sheet-metal angle or the region surrounding the aperture has at least one spring element or a gasket for the formation of the mechanical contact. In a so-called gasket is electrically conductive material which is arranged around foam.

According to one embodiment, the sheet metal angle mechanically stabilizes the expansion module. In particular, if the expansion module is designed as a plug-in card with a printed circuit board, the latter can be stabilized by attachment to the sheet metal angle.

Further advantageous embodiments and functions are disclosed in the following detailed description of an embodiment.

The embodiment will be described below with the aid of the appended figures. Similar or equivalent elements are provided across the figures with the same reference numerals.

• 1 eine perspektivische, schematische Ansicht eines Erweiterungsmoduls mit einem Blechwinkel und
• 2 eine schematische, perspektivische Ansicht eines Computersystems zum Einbau des Erweiterungsmoduls.

In the figures show:

• 1 a perspective, schematic view of an expansion module with a metal bracket and
• 2 a schematic, perspective view of a computer system for installation of the expansion module.

1 shows schematically and in perspective an expansion module 1 for installation in a computer system 2 which is schematically and perspectively in 2 is shown. The computer system 2 is for example a mini PC and has a motherboard 3 on that inside a chassis 4 is arranged and fixed. The chassis 4 has a back 5 in the embodiment, a housing wall of the chassis 4 is. Alternatively, the back is 5 a connection panel or has such. The backside 5 has a connection field 6 , via which external peripheral components to interface connections 7 of which in 2 two examples are shown, can be connected. The interface connections 7 are on the motherboard 3 arranged and are over breakthroughs 8th that in the back 5 of the chassis are introduced, contactable from the outside. The breakthroughs 8th are adapted according to the shape of the respective interface connection, that is, the outer dimensions or their shapes. At the interface connections 7 This is a group of standard ports that make up the computer system 2 in a basic configuration.

The computer system 2 can be flexibly extended by a further interface connection according to customer requirements, whereby expansion modules such as in 1 shown are provided. Alternatively, the computer system 2 to be used in the standard variant.

The expansion module 1 is designed as a plug-in card and accordingly has a printed circuit board 9 , At one end of the circuit board 9 is a mating connector 10 formed in the form of a contact tongue. On the opposite side of the contact tongue 10 is a semi-cylindrical recess 11 for fixing the extension module 1 , The mating connector 10 is designed according to the M.2 specification, with the PCB 9 in terms of the form factor does not correspond to a standard M.2 specified module. The expansion module 1 has an additional interface connection 12 , Furthermore, the extension module 1 a sheet metal angle 13 on that with a thigh 14 on a bottom of the circuit board 9 is fixed and thus the expansion module 1 stabilized overall. The other, perpendicular to the first leg 14 protruding thighs 15 extends in the normal direction to the circuit board 9 and has a recess 16 for the additional interface connection 12 ,

In the basic version, that is without built-in module, is the computer system 2 just with one of the motherboard 3 connected additional connector 17 equipped according to the M.2 specification. Furthermore, the motherboard 3 a fastening bolt 18 for screw fixing on. In the connection field 6 has the back 5 a wall area 19 That's about making another breakthrough 20 is breakable. For this purpose, the wall area 19 For example, at the edge of a notch or other predetermined breaking point measure.

Depending on the customer's request, the in 1 shown module 1 with the additional interface connection 12 in the computer system 2 of the 2 be incorporated, for example, already in the production of the computer system 2 or later on the customer side. For this purpose, only the wall area 19 from the chassis 2 be broken out and the expansion module 1 with the motherboard 3 get connected.

This is the expansion module 1 with the mating connector 10 in the connector 17 in a first assembly step 21 introduced obliquely and then in a second assembly step 22 down into a final, parallel to the motherboard 3 transferred lying mounting position. In this case, the semi-cylindrical recess acts 11 the circuit board 9 positive fit with the bolt 18 together and then fixed via a screw connection. In the assembled state, the sheet metal angle covers 13 the breakthrough formed by the eruption 20 from, with the sheet metal angle 13 with a breakthrough 20 surrounding area of the back 5 mechanically in contact. This also ensures EMC compatibility. The mechanical contact may be through one or more gaskets or spring elements attached to the back 5 or the sheet metal angle 13 are arranged to be achieved.

From the outside can now another peripheral component to the other interface port 12 of the expansion module. This is the computer system 2 individually extended by one connection, without having to provide this connection in principle.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

expansion module

2

computer system

3

motherboard

4

chassis

5

back

6

connection panel

7

Interface connector

8th

breakthrough

9

circuit board

10

Mating connector

11

semi-cylindrical recess

12

further interface connection

13

Blechwinkel

14

first leg

15

second leg

16

recess

17

Connectors

18

bolts

19

wall region

20

another breakthrough

21

first assembly step

22

second assembly step

Claims (12)

A computer system (1) comprising a chassis (4) in which a motherboard (3) is fixed with a predetermined set of interface terminals (7), the chassis (4) having a back (5) with a terminal pad (6), in which external peripheral components can be connected to the interface connections (7, 12) of the main circuit board (3), characterized in that the main circuit board (3) has a connector (17) fixedly connected to the main circuit board (3) for selectively accommodating an expansion module (1 ), which has a further interface connection (12), and the rear side (5) of the chassis (4) has a wall region (19) which can be knocked out in a predetermined manner for forming an opening (20) assigned to an accommodated expansion module (1) in that a further peripheral component can be connected to the further interface connection (12) of the accommodated expansion module (1). A computer system (2) according to the preceding claim, wherein the connector (17) is designed according to the M.2 specification. Computer system (2) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising an expansion module (1) with the further interface connection (12) which is fastened to the main circuit board (3) and mechanically and electrically connected to the connector (17). is coupled, wherein the expansion module (1) to the connector (17) corresponding mating connector (10), which is formed according to the M.2 specification. Computer system (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the connector (17) is designed such that for attachment the expansion module (1) with a mating connector (10) obliquely inserted into the connector (17) of the motherboard (3) and then in a final mounting position is pivoted, in which the expansion module (1) mechanically and electrically coupled directly to the connector (17) and on the motherboard (3) can be fixed. A computer system (2) according to the preceding claim, wherein the motherboard (3) has a fastening means for fixing the expansion module (1) in the final mounting position. Computer system (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one electrical and / or mechanical measure is provided which prevents the picking up of an inappropriate expansion module (1). Computer system (2) after Claims 5 and 6 wherein an orientation of the connector (17) is selected to the attachment means so that an expansion module (1), which is designed as a plug-in card with a form factor according to the M.2 specification, not be connected by means of the fastening means with the motherboard (3) can. Computer system (2) after Claim 6 or 7 , wherein a pin assignment of the connector (17) is adapted to a plurality of predetermined interface standards. Computer system (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the wall region (19) has broken out and an expansion module (1) with a further interface connection (12) is provided which is fixed to the main circuit board (3) and mechanically and electrically connected to the connector ( 17), wherein on the extension module (1) a sheet metal bracket (13) is arranged, which is electrically conductive and mechanically in contact with a breakthrough (8) surrounding area of the back (5) is in contact. Computer system (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the sheet metal angle (13) or the area surrounding the aperture (8) have at least one spring element or a gasket for the formation of the mechanical contact. Computer system (1) after Claim 9 or 10 , wherein the sheet metal angle (13) mechanically stabilizes the expansion module (1). Computer system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the further interface connection (12) is formed according to one of the following standards: HDMI, DP, USB type C, VGA.

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