BACKGROUND

[0001] Computing devices are used to execute various applications. The computing devices may include various internal components such as discrete processors, graphics cards, memory modules, storage devices, printed circuit assemblies, and the like. An example component may include an expansion card. Expansion cards may be physical cards that can be inserted into internally located interfaces of a computing device. Expansion cards may come in various different sizes and/or lengths. The expansion cards may include solid state drives that can provide additional storage for the computing devices over mechanical hard-disk drives.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0002] FIG. 1 A is a block diagram of a cross-sectional view of an example computing device having an expansion card holder of the present disclosure; [0003] FIG. 1 B is a close up view of the expansion card holder in the computing device of the present disclosure;

[0004] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the expansion card holder of the present disclosure;

[0005] FIG. 3 is a front view of the expansion card holder of the present disclosure;

[0006] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the various components of the expansion card holder of the present disclosure;

[0007] FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of an example process flow of how the expansion card holder is coupled to a board of the present disclosure; [0008] FIG. 6 illustrates a bottom view of an example process flow of how the expansion card holder is coupled to the board of the present disclosure; and [0009] FIG. 7 illustrates a top view of an example process flow of how an expansion card is inserted into to an interface and the expansion card holder of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0010] Examples described herein provide an expansion card holder for computing devices. As discussed above, expansion cards may be physical cards that can be inserted into internally located interfaces of a computing device. Expansion cards may come in various different sizes and/or lengths.

The expansion cards may include solid state drives that can provide additional storage for the computing devices over mechanical hard-disk drives.

[0011] The expansion cards may be coupled to a board using a combination of stand-offs and screws. The board may include various-stands offs inserted at varying locations to accommodate different sized expansion cards. In addition, a screw is used to secure an end opposite an end that is inserted into the expansion card interface that makes the electrical connections between the expansion card and the computing device.

[0012] Replacing expansion cards that are secured by screw is difficult. The screws may be very small. Most users may not have the right sized tools to remove the screws. Also, the screws present additional small metallic parts that can be dropped inside of the computing device when removed. The metallic screws can contact other electrical components and potentially cause shorts to other electrical components if dropped.

[0013] The present disclosure provides a screw-less expansion card holder. The expansion card holder of the present disclosure may be coupled to a board (e.g., a printed circuit board (PCB) or metal chassis) without the use of screws. The expansion card holder may secure the expansion card and provide a spring loaded clip to easily insert and remove the expansion card. In addition, the expansion card holder may include a metal member that can ground the expansion card via contact to the metal chassis or metal ground plane on the PCB. The expansion card holder may also include feet to secure the expansion card holder to the board and prevent the expansion card holder from turning and becoming disconnected from the board.

[0014] FIG. 1A illustrates an example computing device 100 with an expansion card holder 102 of the present disclosure. The computing device 100 may include a housing 150 that encloses various electrical components of the computing device 100. For example, the computing device 100 may include a processor, a memory, a power supply, communication interfaces, input/output interfaces, and the like (not shown) that can be enclosed by the housing 150. [0015] In an example, the computing device 100 may include an expansion card interface 152 to connect to an expansion card 154 and an expansion card holder 102 of the present disclosure. The expansion card interface 152 may be coupled to a circuit board 156 and may be communicatively coupled to a processor (not shown). The expansion card 154 may be an M.2 module expansion card.

[0016] The M.2 module expansion card may have various form factors, and the expansion card holder 102 of the present disclosure may be designed to accommodate various form factors using a single design and without using screws. The expansion card interface 152 may accommodate various types of expansion cards 154, such as peripheral component interconnect (PCI) Express 4.0, Serial advanced technology attachment (ATA) 3.0, universal serial bus (USB) 3.0, and the like, which can be used for non-volatile memory express (NVMe) devices, solid state drives, and the like.

[0017] The expansion card holder 102 may also be coupled to the circuit board 156. Although a printed circuit board 156 is illustrated in FIG. 1A, it should be noted that the expansion card holder 102 may be coupled to any substrate, include a metal board or metal chassis, as illustrated in FIGs. 5-7 and described below.

[0018] The expansion card holder 102 may be coupled to the circuit board 156 without screws. In addition, the expansion card 154 may be secured by the expansion card holder 102 without screws.

[0019] FIG. 1 B illustrates a larger, more detailed view of the expansion card holder 102. A cross-sectional side view of the expansion card holder 102 is illustrated in FIG. 1. In an example, the expansion card holder 102 may include a body 106 and a top sliding portion 104. A spring 108 may be inserted between the body 106 and the top sliding portion 104. The spring 108 may allow the top sliding portion 104 to be a spring loaded top portion. The spring 108 may be a compression spring.

[0020] The spring 108 may be placed horizontally or along a length of the top sliding portion 104. Said another way, the spring 108 may be located such that when a force is applied to the top sliding portion 104 from right to left in FIG. 1 B, the top sliding portion 104 may compress the spring 108. When the force is removed from the top sliding portion 104, the restoring force of the spring 108 may cause the top sliding portion 104 to return to a default closed position, as shown in FIG. 1 B.

[0021] The expansion card holder 102 may also include a grounding spring 110. The grounding spring 110 is to provide some tolerance to allow the grounding spring 110 to contact a metal contact on the expansion card 154 to provide electrical grounding. The grounding spring 110 may also contact a metal grounding portion of the circuit board 156 or any portion of metal on a metal board or metal chassis. Although a spring is used for grounding in FIG.

1 B, it should be noted that any type of metal may be used to provide an electrical grounding.

[0022] In an example, the expansion card holder 102 may include a locking member 112 that can be inserted and turned to lock the expansion card holder 102 in place without using screws. Thus, the expansion card holder 102 can be removably coupled from the circuit board 156 to allow the expansion card holder 102 to be moved to accommodate expansion cards 154 having different lengths.

[0023] FIG. 2 illustrates an isometric view of the expansion card holder 102 of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 illustrates the body 106, the top sliding portion 104, the grounding spring 110, and the locking member 112 illustrated in FIG.

1 B. However, FIG. 2 also illustrates some additional features of the expansion card holder 102. [0024] In an example, the expansion card holder 102 may include a support member 114 that includes a protrusion 116. The expansion card holder 102 may also include a second support member 114 with a respective protrusion 116 on the opposite side of the body 106 that is occluded from view in FIG. 2. Both support members 114 are illustrated in a front view illustrated in FIG. 3 (labeled respectively as 114i and 114 ₂ ), and discussed below.

[0025] The support member 114 may be flexible curved portion. For example, the support member 114 may have a shape that slightly curves downward towards the locking member 112 and may be formed to be flexible. For example, the support member 114 may be formed from a plastic material that is thin enough to provide a slight give or flex when a force is applied to an end of the support member 114.

[0026] The support member 114 may be flexible to allow some movement of the support member 114 vertically (e.g., up towards the top sliding portion 104 and down towards the locking member 112). The protrusion 116 of the support member 114 may align with a hole on a circuit board or metal chassis to prevent the expansion card holder 102 from rotating and coming unlocked from the circuit board or metal chassis.

[0027] In an example, the support member 114 may be located on a side 130 of the body 106 adjacent to a bottom side 132 of the body 106. The support member 114 may be positioned closer to the grounding spring 110 than to a backside 134 of the body 106. In an example, the protrusion 116 may be located on a bottom side (e.g., a side of the support member 114 that faces the locking member 112 or the bottom side 132 of the body 106) of an end of the support member 114 that is furthest away from the body 106.

[0028] As noted above, FIG. 3 illustrates both support members 114i and 114 ₂ . The support member 114i may include a protrusion 116i and the support member 114 ₂ may include a protrusion 1162. The support members 114i and 114 ₂ may be located on opposite sides of the body 106. The locking member 112 may be positioned on the bottom side 132 of the body 106 and located between the support members 114i and 114 ₂ .

[0029] In an example, the locking member 112 and the support members 114i and 114 ₂ may be set in an aligned position. In other words, when viewing the expansion card holder 102 from above, a single line could be drawn through a center of the support member 114i, the locking member 112, and the support member 114 ₂ .

[0030] FIGs. 2 and 3 also illustrate further details of the locking member 112. In an example the locking member 112 may include a locking body 126 and a neck 124. The locking body 126 may be wider than the neck 124. For example, the locking body 126 may have an oblong or oval shape, and the neck 124 may have a circular or cylindrical shape. The locking body 126 may be fit through a corresponding opening of the circuit board or metal chassis having a similar shape. When the expansion card holder 102 is rotated, opposite ends 140 of the locking body 126 may rest against a bottom side of the circuit board or metal chassis. An example is illustrated in FIG. 6, and discussed below.

[0031] The neck 124 may be long enough to allow the locking body 126 to clear a thickness of the circuit board or metal chassis. In other words, a length of the neck 124 may be slightly greater than a thickness of the circuit board or metal chassis.

[0032] Referring back to FIG. 2, the top sliding portion 104 may be movably coupled to the body 106. The top sliding portion 104 may move horizontally along a top of the body 106 away from the expansion card 154 that is held by the expansion card holder 102, as shown by an arrow 118. In an example, the top sliding portion 104 may include an angled surface 120. The angled surface 120 may be a smooth surface to guide an end of the expansion card 154 towards a surface 142. When the end of the expansion card 154 clears a bottom of the angled surface 120, the top sliding portion 104 may move back to a closed default position (e.g., via the restoring force of the spring 108) to secure the expansion card 154 in place.

[0033] In an example, the top sliding portion 104 may also include a textured surface 122. The textured surface 122 may comprise a plurality of rib like structures that provide a grip for a user to slide the top sliding portion 104. In another example, the textured surface 122 may comprise a plurality of bumps, grooves, or any other physical feature. The textured surface 122 may include a rubber surface that can be adhered to the top of the top sliding portion 104.

[0034] FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded view of the expansion card holder 102 of the present disclosure. The expansion card holder 102 may include two main components, e.g., the body 106 and the top sliding portion 104. The body 106 and the top sliding portion 104 may be molded from plastic. In an example, the body 106 may include a first compartment 128 to hold the grounding spring 110 and a second compartment 130 to hold the spring 108.

[0035] In an example, the first compartment 128 may have a cylindrical or semi-cylindrical shape. The first compartment 13 may have a volume that fits the grounding spring 110. The first compartment 128 may include a notch 144 to secure a first end 160 of the grounding spring 110 and an opening 146 to allow a second end 162 of the grounding spring 110 to extend beyond a top of the surface 142. Thus, when the expansion card 154 is placed on the surface 142, the metal contact of the expansion card 154 may contact and slightly compress the second end 162 of the grounding spring 110.

[0036] In an example, the second compartment 130 may be defined by guides 132. The spring 108 may be placed between the guides 132. The top sliding portion 104 may have a structure that corresponds with a shape of the guides 132. The guides 132 may have a length that is shorter than a length of the top sliding portion 104. The guides 132 may allow the top sliding portion 104 to freely move back and forth along a top side of the body 106.

[0037] In an example, the guides 132 may have a stopping surface 134. A corresponding structure inside of the top sliding portion 104 may rest against the stopping surface 134 to prevent the top sliding portion 104 from sliding completely off of the guides 132 and from the body 106. Thus, the stopping surface 134 allows the top sliding portion 104 to move a distance that is defined by the length of the guides 132.

[0038] Thus, the present disclosure provides an expansion card holder that can be coupled to a board without screws. In addition, the expansion card holder of the present disclosure can also hold expansion cards without screws. Thus, expansion cards can be easily replaced in a computing device. In addition, the expansion card holder of the present disclosure provides built-in electrical grounding.

[0039] FIG. 5 illustrates an example process flow chart showing how the expansion card holder 102 of the present disclosure can be coupled to a board 508. An example process flow 500 begins at block 502. At block 502, the expansion card holder 102 may be positioned over the board 508. The board 508 may be a metal chassis or a printed circuit board.

[0040] The board 508 may include several sets of openings (510i, 512i,

514i), (510 ₂ , 512 ₂ , 514 ₂ ), and (510 _n , 512 _n , 514 _n ). Each set of openings may include a respective center opening 510 and respective side openings 512 and 514. The center opening 510 may have a shape that corresponds to a shape of the locking member 112. In other words, the outline or the shape of the outer perimeter of the locking member 112 may be the same shape as the center opening 510.

[0041] The various sets of openings (510i , 512i , 514i), (510 ₂ , 512 ₂ , 514 ₂ ), and (51 O _n , 512 _n , 514 _n ) may be arranged at varying distances away from the expansion card interface 152. The varying distances of the sets of openings (510i , 512i , 514i ), (510 ₂ , 512 ₂ , 514 ₂ ), and (510 _n , 512 _n , 514 _n ) may allow the expansion card holder 102 to be moved to different distances away from the expansion card interface 152 to accommodate different lengths or form factors of the expansion card 154.

[0042] The side opening 512 may correspond to a position of the protrusion 116i on the support member 114i. The side opening 514 may correspond to a position of the protrusion 116 ₂ on the support member 114 ₂ .

[0043] In an example, the expansion card holder 102 may be positioned over the board 508 over a desired set of openings (e.g., openings 510 ₂ , 512 ₂ , 514 ₂ in FIG. 5). The expansion card holder 102 may be initially rotated 90 degrees from a final position. Said another way, the expansion card holder 102 may be positioned such that the locking member 112 is aligned with the center opening 510 such that the locking member 112 may fit through the center opening 510 when moved towards the board 508, as shown by an arrow 516.

[0044] At block 504, the locking member 112 is inserted into the center opening 510 ₂ . At block 506, the expansion card holder 102 may be rotated 90 degrees, as shown by an arrow 518, such that the protrusions 116 of the support members 114 align with the side openings 512 ₂ and 514 ₂ . Rotating the expansion card holder 102 by 90 degrees may also lock the locking member 112 against the bottom side of the board 508. For example, the width of the locking member 112 may be perpendicular to a width of the center opening 5102. Said another way, the opposing ends 140 of the locking member 112 may be positioned to press against the bottom side of the board 508.

[0045] The insertion of the protrusions 116 into the side openings 512 ₂ and 514 ₂ may prevent the expansion card holder 102 from accidentally rotating 90 degrees against minimal force caused by normal movement, vibrations, and the like applied to the computing device 100. Such a rotation may cause the locking member 112 to be aligned with the center opening 5102 again and cause the expansion card holder 102 to be freed or decoupled from the board 508.

[0046] However, when enough force is applied by a user to remove the expansion card holder 102, the force may cause the protrusions 116 to slide out of the side openings 512 ₂ and 514 ₂ via an angled surface 520 inside of the side openings 512 ₂ and 514 ₂ . The angled surface inside of the side openings 512 ₂ and 514 ₂ may push the protrusions 116 upward, and the support members 114 may flex upward slightly to allow the protrusions 116 to escape the side openings 512 ₂ and 514 ₂ .

[0047] FIG. 6 illustrates an example process flow of a bottom view showing how the expansion card holder 102 of the present disclosure is coupled to the board 508. An example process flow 600 begins at block 602. Block 602 illustrates a bottom side of the board 508. In an example, the block 602 may correspond to block 504 of FIG. 5. For example, the locking member 112 has been aligned with the center opening 5102 and inserted through the center opening 5102.

[0048] As noted above, the neck 124 of the locking member 112 may have a length that is equal to, or greater than, a thickness of the board 508. As such, the length of the neck 124 allows the entire locking body 126 clear the bottom side of the board 508. [0049] At block 604, the expansion card holder 102 may be rotated 90 degrees as shown by an arrow 606. When the expansion card holder 102 is rotated, a width of the locking body 126 may be positioned to be perpendicular to a width of the center opening 5102. As a result, the opposing ends 140 may rest against the bottom side of the board 508 to prevent the expansion card holder 102 from decoupling from the board 508. As shown in FIG. 5, the protrusions 116 in the side openings 512 ₂ and 514 ₂ may prevent the expansion card holder 102 from rotating back, without sufficient force applied by a user, to fall out of the board 508.

[0050] FIG. 7 illustrates an example process flow of a top view showing how an expansion card 154 is coupled to the expansion card holder 102. An example process flow 700 begins at block 702. At block 702, a first end (not shown) of the expansion card 154 may be inserted into the expansion card interface 152, illustrated in FIG. 1A, at an angle. A second end 170 of the expansion card 154 may be positioned over the expansion card holder 102, as shown in block 702.

[0051] In an example, a user may pull the top sliding portion 104 horizontally away from the expansion card 154, as shown by an arrow 706. In another example, the second end 170 of the expansion card 154 may be pressed down against the angled surface 120. As the second end 170 is pressed against the angled surface 120, the downward force may cause the top sliding portion 104 automatically move horizontally away from the second end 170 of the expansion card 154.

[0052] In block 704, the second end 170 may be pressed or moved downwards until the second end 170 clears a bottom side of the top sliding portion 104 and rests against the surface 142. When the second end 170 clears the bottom side of the top sliding portion 104, the spring 108 inside the second compartment 130 may cause the top sliding portion 104 to return to a closed or default position. Thus, an end of the top sliding portion 104 may secure the second end 170 of the expansion card 154 against the surface 142. [0053] A metal contact located on the second end 170 of the expansion card 154 may contact the second end 162 of the grounding spring 110. Thus, the first end 160 of the grounding spring 110 may be grounded to the metal chassis if the board 508 is a metal chassis (or a metal via or connection if the board 508 is a printed circuit board). Thus, the expansion card holder 102 also provides an electrical grounding for the expansion card 154.

[0054] To remove the expansion card 154, the sliding top portion 104 may be moved horizontally away from the expansion card 154. The second end 170 may be lifted away from the surface 142 and removed from the expansion card interface 152.

[0055] It will be appreciated that variants of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined into many other different systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.