WO2016171726A1 - Premier et second élément de fixation de dispositifs - Google Patents

Premier et second élément de fixation de dispositifs Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2016171726A1
WO2016171726A1 PCT/US2015/027578 US2015027578W WO2016171726A1 WO 2016171726 A1 WO2016171726 A1 WO 2016171726A1 US 2015027578 W US2015027578 W US 2015027578W WO 2016171726 A1 WO2016171726 A1 WO 2016171726A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
fastener
pcb
trace
traces
connector
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2015/027578
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
John Norton
Scott W. Briggs
James Kenneth Yates
Original Assignee
Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development Lp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development Lp filed Critical Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development Lp
Priority to PCT/US2015/027578 priority Critical patent/WO2016171726A1/fr
Publication of WO2016171726A1 publication Critical patent/WO2016171726A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F1/00—Details not covered by groups G06F3/00 - G06F13/00 and G06F21/00
    • G06F1/16—Constructional details or arrangements
    • G06F1/18—Packaging or power distribution
    • G06F1/183—Internal mounting support structures, e.g. for printed circuit boards, internal connecting means
    • G06F1/185—Mounting of expansion boards

Definitions

  • Computer expansion cards such as storage devices, may be based on various form factors.
  • Devices having an M.2 form factor are of interest in mobile systems due to the relatively small size of such devices.
  • M.2 devices may interface with a toe-in connector to secure the device to the system.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a system including a first member and a second member according to an example.
  • FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a system including a first member, a second member, a fastener, and an insulator according to an example.
  • FIG. 2B is a perspective cross-section view along line B-B of the system of FIG. 2A including a first member, a fastener, an insulator, and a second member according to an example.
  • FIG. 3 is a perspective cross-section view of a system including a first member, a fastener, and a second member according to an example.
  • FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a system including a first member, a second member, and a switch according to an example.
  • FIG. 4B is a perspective view of a system including a first member, a second member, and a switch according to an example.
  • FIG. 5 is a flow chart based on electrically coupling a first trace to a second trace via a fastener according to an example.
  • Devices having a compact form factor such as M.2 devices, are used in mobile computing systems as well as desktop computing systems. Such devices may be incorporated into the enterprise space, if such devices enable low additional costs to support the form factors while maintaining serviceability.
  • Examples described herein may incorporate a fastener, latch, or other mechanism to interact with devices, such as those based on the M.2 form factor, to leverage device interfaces and connectors and enable hot plug functionality.
  • a fastener, latch, or other mechanism to interact with devices, such as those based on the M.2 form factor, to leverage device interfaces and connectors and enable hot plug functionality.
  • M.2 device fastener hot insertion is enabled based on selectively controlling power delivery to the M.2 device. Examples are relatively low cost, and can be based on a single-movement enablement action for selectively enabling or disabling devices for supporting hot insertion and clean removal.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a system 100 including a first member 1 10 and a second member 120 according to an example.
  • the system 100 also includes a first trace 1 12 and a second trace 122 disposed on a printed circuit board (PCB) 130 that is to receive the device 102 based on a fastener 104.
  • PCB printed circuit board
  • the device 102 may be based on the M.2 standard, a small form factor implementation of the serial advanced technology attachment (SATA) express interface.
  • SATA express provides support for peripheral component interconnect (PCI) Express 3.0 and SATA 3.0.
  • PCI peripheral component interconnect
  • the device 102 may be based on other form factors, including next generation form factor (NGFF), mini SATA (mSATA), PCI express (PCIe), PCI Express mini cards, and the like.
  • NGFF next generation form factor
  • mSATA mini SATA
  • PCIe PCI express
  • PCI Express mini cards and the like.
  • the first and second members 1 10, 120 may provide a securing mechanism toward one end of the device 102, and are connected via the first and second traces 1 12, 122 to a mating interface connector (not shown in FIG. 1 ) provided by the PCB toward the other end of the device 102.
  • the operation of the first and second members 1 10, 120 to mechanically fasten the device 102 can also be used to electrically notify the mating interface connector for the device 102, to enable hot insertion of the device 102.
  • a fastener 104 may be used to electrically couple the first and second traces 1 12, 122 to instruct the interface connector to power on the device 102, providing a consistent power-on experience for the device 102.
  • first and second traces 1 12, 122 may interface with the interface connector to control various other features of the device 102, such as PCIe communications, universal serial bus (USB) communications, SATA communications, inter- integrated circuit (I2C) communications, audio communications, and so on, in order to enable hot insertion and/or hot removal of the device 102.
  • PCIe communications universal serial bus (USB) communications
  • SATA communications Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA) communications
  • I2C inter- integrated circuit
  • audio communications and so on
  • the system 100 may be a computing system based on a PCIe M.2 storage device 102, including suitable modifications to the computing system's basic input/output system (BIOS) to enable notifications and other communications for PCIe hot removal/hot swap functionality compatible with the first/second members 1 10, 120.
  • the system 100 may be based on a SATA M.2 storage device 102 that supports hot removal according to the SATA specification and the built-in mechanisms for software to support hot removal/hot swap functionality for SATA devices.
  • the first and second traces 1 12, 122 may be provided as conductive traces on the PCB 130. In alternate examples, the first and second traces 1 12, 122 may be provided as wires separate from the PCB 130. The first and second traces 1 12, 122 lead from the first and second members 1 10, 120 to interface with a connector (not shown) for the device 102. In alternate examples, the traces 1 12, 122 may interface with a controller (not shown in FIG. 1 ; see controller 408 of FIG. 4B) to interpret the status of the selective electrical coupling between the first and second traces 1 12, 122 according to whether the first and second members 1 10, 120 are fastening the device 102, and communicate such status to the device/interface connector (not shown in FIG. 1 )-
  • FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a system 200 including a first member (not visible in FIG. 2A; see FIG. 2B), a second member 220, a fastener 206, and an insulator 214 according to an example.
  • the system 200 also includes a first trace 212 coupled to the first member, and a second trace 222 coupled to the second member 220.
  • the first and second traces 212, 222 are disposed on PCB 230, which also includes through-holes 232 and connector 204.
  • the connector 204 is shown as a standard M.2 connector, although other form factors may be used.
  • the first member (not visible) and the second member 220 are to receive the fastener 206.
  • the members and fastener 206 may be formed of electrically conductive materials, such as metal.
  • the members may be secured to the PCB 230 via through holes such as through-holes 232, based on a press fit or other attachment technique. In alternate examples, the members may be surface mounted.
  • the members may be mounted via plated through-holes (PTHs) electrically coupled to the traces 212, 222, to establish electrical coupling between the traces 212, 222 and the members.
  • the PTHs may include plating along their side, top, and/or bottom surfaces of the through-hole.
  • the first and second members may establish electrical communication with the first and second traces 212, 222 via the PTHs.
  • system 200 may include a plurality of through-holes 232 for positioning the first and second members to accommodate different lengths of devices 202.
  • a system 200 may include a plurality of through- holes 232 and corresponding plurality of first/second members mounted to the PCB 230.
  • system 200 may be compatible with multiple sized devices 202.
  • a set of first/second members may be press-fit and repositionable between a plurality of through holes 232, so that the set of members may be pulled out and repositioned into a desired set of through-holes 232 corresponding to longer or shorter devices 202.
  • the plurality of multiple through holes 232 may be PTHs including corresponding first/second traces 212, 222 coupled to the connector 204.
  • FIG. 2B is a perspective cross-section view along line B-B of the system 200 of FIG. 2A including a first member 210, a fastener 206, an insulator 214, and a second member 220 according to an example.
  • the device 202 is shown gripped between the fastener 206 and a support 224 of the second member 220.
  • the first and second members 210, 220 are shown press-fit into plated through-holes (PTHs) 232 in the PCB 230.
  • a first trace 212 is shown extending toward the first member 210.
  • electrical coupling is established across the insulator 214 via the fastener 206, from the first trace 212, to the first member 210, to the second member 220, and on to the second trace (not visible in FIG. 2B).
  • the insulator 214 may be formed of electrically insulating materials, including plastic, ceramic, glass, wood, rubber, and the like.
  • the insulator 214 also may perform shock absorption and noise isolation.
  • the first and/or second members 210, 220 may be snapped into, or press-fit onto, the insulator 214 that can join the first/second members 210, 220 and insulator 214 as a unified mounting system 200, that in-turn may be mounted to the PCB 230.
  • the two conductive members 210, 220 are electrically separated by the insulator 214, until the fastener 206 is received at the first/second members 210, 220, to close the circuit via conductivity of the fastener 206.
  • example systems may include a controller to interpret whether the first/second traces 212, 222 are electrically coupled. Accordingly, the controller may interpret or otherwise compensate/amplify weaker signals that may arise in view of a dirty fastener or otherwise imperfect electrical coupling between the traces 212, 222, and in turn pass on a clean and/or newly generated signal to the device connector 204.
  • the first member 210, insulator 214, and second member 220 are shown having smooth inner walls (unthreaded). In alternate examples, any or all of such components may be threaded corresponding to receiving the threads of the fastener 206. As illustrated, the walls of the insulator 214 and first/second members 210, 220 are smooth and of sufficient softness to enable self-tapping insertion of the fastener 206, which may be a self-tapping screw made of zinc/nickel-plated carbon steel or other suitable conductive material. Thus, upon first installation, the fastener 206 may cut its own threads, while aligning the first/second members 210, 220 and the insulator 214.
  • the insulator 214 may include an orientation tolerance to allow the first/second members 210, 220 to move with respect to each other along the stack-up direction, to compensate for any alignment variation in threads between the various components (e.g., if receiving the fastener 206 in components that have already been threaded).
  • the self-tapping insertion of fastener 206 also may facilitate increased electrical conduction between the fastener 206 and the first/second members 210, 220.
  • FIG. 3 is a perspective cross-section view of a system 300 including a first member 310, a fastener 306, and a second member 320 according to an example.
  • the first member 310 is mounted to the PCB 330 via a press fit into PTH 332, and the second member 320 is surface mounted to the PCB 330.
  • the first trace 312 is electrically coupled to the first member 310, and the second member 320 is electrically coupled, e.g., by soldering to a pad per surface mounting, to a second trace (not visible in FIG. 3).
  • the first/second members 310/320 are to receive the fastener 306 as illustrated, allowing the fastener 306 to sandwich the device 302 between the fastener 306 and a support 324 of the first member 310, while also contacting a portion of the second member 320 to establish electrical coupling between the first and second members 310, 320.
  • the second member 320 may be surface mounted to the PCB 330 by soldering the second member 320 to a surface-mount technology (SMT) pad located on an underside of the PCB 330 along with the second trace.
  • SMT surface-mount technology
  • the second member 320 is thereby isolated from touching a side wall of the first member 310, and is positioned to contact the fastener 306 when received for securing the device 302.
  • the second member 320 may be spring loaded and resiliently deformable to ensure sufficient contact with the fastener 306 to establish electrical coupling.
  • the second member 320 also may be positioned to make contact with the fastener 306 in response to the fastener 306 having sufficiently secured the device 302.
  • the example of FIG. 3 may use a single through-hole in the PCB 330.
  • the PCB 330 may include multiple through-holes 332, including a pair of through-holes as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, in order to enable the PCB 330 to accept a plurality of different styles of device securing systems.
  • the system 300 of FIG. 3 may be used in the PCB 230 of FIG. 2A/2B, while allowing the smaller through-hole of PCB 230 to remain unused.
  • the system 300 may be secured to the PCB based on similar techniques as system 200, including press-fit.
  • FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a system 400 including a first member 410, a second member 420, and a switch 416 according to an example.
  • the second member 420 is pivotally mounted to the first member 410, to rotate about an axle 426 coupled to the first member 410.
  • the first member 410 includes a first detent 418
  • the second member 420 includes a second detent 428.
  • the second member 420 can selectively engage or disengage the switch 416 according to rotation of the second member 420 about the axle 426.
  • the switch 416 is to selectively electrically couple the first trace 412 to the second trace 422.
  • the first and/or second members 410, 420 may be made of various materials including conductive materials such as metal, and non-conductive materials such as plastic.
  • the first member 410 may be snap-fit or press-fit into the PCB 430, or otherwise suitably secured to the PCB 430.
  • the first and second detents 418, 428 may be formed as complementary features on the surfaces of the first/second members 410, 420, to serve as a retention mechanism for securing the second member in a closed/retaining position associated with securing the device 402 and closing the switch 416.
  • the second member may also be spring-loaded, based on a spring to rotatably bias the second member 420.
  • the switch 416 is illustrated as a push-button style of switch. In alternate examples, the switch 416 may be based on other styles, including toggle, lever, rotary, and so on, with corresponding variation in how the switch is actuated (vertically depressible as illustrated, or horizontally actuated etc.). The switch 416 also may provide the functionality of a detent, to resist further rotation of the second member 420 when rotated into the closed/latching position.
  • the switch 416 is shown coupled to the PCB 430, e.g., via a through- hole. In alternate examples, the switch 416 may be coupled to or otherwise integrated with the first member 410.
  • the switch 416 may be formed to mechanically support and unify the pair of vertical posts of the first member 410, to provide a unified structure that facilitates easy single-insertion assembly of the system 400 into the PCB 430.
  • the switch 416 When assembled with the PCB 430, the switch 416 is to contact the first and second traces 412, 422, and selectively electrically couple the first and second traces 412, 422 to each other according to a status of the switch 416 being open or closed by the second member 420.
  • the components of system 400 may include physical features to assist in orientation and assembly of the system 400 with the PCB 430.
  • through-holes in the PCB 430 may include different sizes/shapes to provide self-alignment/orientation (e.g., as with the two different sized through- holes 232 of FIG. 2A).
  • Various system members may be keyed or otherwise physically shaped to fit in a proper orientation and avoid improper installation (e.g., by end-users moving the fastener system to accommodate different length devices 202).
  • the second member 420 may be operated by a user to physically open the latch. During the process of opening the latch, the switch 416 is physically released and allowed to open to electrically de-couple the first and second traces 412, 422 from each other. This electrical decoupling is to cause the connector 404 to disable the device 402, e.g., by shutting off power to the device (and/or affecting other communications between the connector 404 and the device 402). With the second member 420 in an open position, the user may then proceed to remove the device.
  • the user may confirm that the second member 420 is in the open position, install the device in the connector 404, and then close the second member 420 (thereby closing the switch 416, allowing the device to be activated by the connector 404).
  • the second member 420 may be designed to close in response to insertion of the device 402, e.g., by forming the second member 420 to have a C-shaped cross section to contact the device 402 upon insertion while the second member 420 is in the open position, causing the second member 420 to rotate into the closed position.
  • FIG. 4B is a perspective view of a system 400 including a first member 410, a second member 420, and a switch 416 according to an example.
  • the device 402 is secured by the connector 404 at one end, and at the other end the device 402 is sandwiched between the second member 420 and a support 424 extending from the first member 410.
  • the second member 420 is illustrated as being pivoted about the axle 426 into a closed position, thereby closing the switch 416 and electrically coupling the first and second traces 412, 422.
  • the system also includes a controller 408, to interpret whether the first and second traces 412, 422 are electrically coupled, and communicate whether to enable or disable the device 402 via the connector 404.
  • the connector 404 may bias the device 402 upward, away from PCB 430, when the device 402 is inserted in the connector 404.
  • the device 402 may then be lowered downward against the spring bias of the connector 404 and secured in the horizontal position by the second member 420.
  • the first member 410 may include the support 424, to provide a stop and upward support against the underside of the device 402, allowing the device 402 to bottom out against the support 424 when secured by the second member 420 as shown.
  • the controller 408 is to identify whether the first/second traces 412, 422 are connected or disconnected from each other.
  • the controller 408 also may be used with other example systems as described throughout the present application.
  • the controller 408 may then send appropriate signal(s) to the connector 404 to enable or disable the device 402.
  • the controller 408 may selectively provide power (e.g., 3.3 volts) to the M.2 connector 404 according to whether the traces 412, 422 are electrically coupled.
  • the controller 408 may include logic to enable/disable the device 402 based on properties/communications, other than power, that are used by the connector 404.
  • FIG. 5 is a flow chart 500 based on electrically coupling a first trace to a second trace via a fastener according to an example.
  • a fastener is received at a first member to physically secure an M.2 device.
  • the first member is mountable to a printed circuit board (PCB) to electrically couple with a first trace of the PCB.
  • the first member may be generally cylindrical to receive a self-tapping screw fastener, thereby electrically coupling the screw to the first trace via a PTH of the PCB.
  • the fastener is received at a second member.
  • the second member is mountable to the PCB to electrically couple with a second trace of the PC.
  • the second member may be press-fit into a second PTH of the PCB that is electrically coupled to the second trace, and the second member may also include a through-hole to receive the screw.
  • the first trace is electrically coupled to the second trace via the fastener and the first and second members based on receiving the fastener.
  • the first and second traces are electrically coupled to an M.2 connector to enable hot insertion support for the M.2 connector.
  • a controller may identify the electrical coupling by the fastener between the first and second traces, and control output of the M.2 connector to enable operation of the M.2 device.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computer Hardware Design (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Details Of Connecting Devices For Male And Female Coupling (AREA)

Abstract

Un dispositif donné à titre d'exemple selon un aspect de la présente invention comprend un premier élément et un second élément. Le premier élément est destiné à recevoir un élément de fixation pour fixer physiquement un dispositif M.2, et peut être monté sur une carte de circuit imprimé (PCB) afin d'être couplé électriquement avec une première trace de la PCB. Le second élément est destiné à recevoir l'élément de fixation, et peut être monté sur la PCB afin d'être couplé électriquement avec une seconde trace de la PCB. Les premier et second éléments sont destinés à recevoir l'élément de fixation afin de coupler électriquement la première trace avec la seconde trace par l'intermédiaire de l'élément de fixation et des premier et second éléments.
PCT/US2015/027578 2015-04-24 2015-04-24 Premier et second élément de fixation de dispositifs WO2016171726A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US2015/027578 WO2016171726A1 (fr) 2015-04-24 2015-04-24 Premier et second élément de fixation de dispositifs

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US2015/027578 WO2016171726A1 (fr) 2015-04-24 2015-04-24 Premier et second élément de fixation de dispositifs

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2016171726A1 true WO2016171726A1 (fr) 2016-10-27

Family

ID=57144532

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2015/027578 WO2016171726A1 (fr) 2015-04-24 2015-04-24 Premier et second élément de fixation de dispositifs

Country Status (1)

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WO (1) WO2016171726A1 (fr)

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20050188149A1 (en) * 2004-02-24 2005-08-25 Paul Kaler Solid state disk with hot-swappable components
US7245507B2 (en) * 1999-07-15 2007-07-17 Dibene Ii Joseph T Method and apparatus for providing power to a microprocessor with integrated thermal and EMI management
US20130114230A1 (en) * 2011-11-07 2013-05-09 Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd. Motherboard assembly having serial advanced technology attachment dual in-line memory module
US20140099815A1 (en) * 2012-10-09 2014-04-10 International Business Machines Corporation Memory module connector with auxiliary power

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7245507B2 (en) * 1999-07-15 2007-07-17 Dibene Ii Joseph T Method and apparatus for providing power to a microprocessor with integrated thermal and EMI management
US20050188149A1 (en) * 2004-02-24 2005-08-25 Paul Kaler Solid state disk with hot-swappable components
US20130114230A1 (en) * 2011-11-07 2013-05-09 Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd. Motherboard assembly having serial advanced technology attachment dual in-line memory module
US20140099815A1 (en) * 2012-10-09 2014-04-10 International Business Machines Corporation Memory module connector with auxiliary power

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
TYCO ELECTRONICS AMP K.K.: "67 Positions 0.5 Pitch M.2(NGFF) MINICARD", APPLICATION SPECIFICATION 114-115006, REV. B, 19 May 2014 (2014-05-19), pages 1 - 8, XP055323561 *

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