TWI702491B - Main board and detachable module thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an main board, the main board includes a signal transmitting terminal and a plurality of connectors. The connectors are connected to the signal transmitting terminal respectively; wherein each connector can support for multiple connecting specifications, so that a detachable module can be installed with the connector, and the detachable module includes a card edge connecting unit and a specific specification port.

Description

Motherboard and detachable module

This disclosure relates to a motherboard.

The motherboard of the current computer usually has an interface module for connecting with external electronic devices. The input and output interface has a variety of input and output ports (input/output ports, I/O ports), such as universal serial bus (USB) input and output ports, local area network (LAN) input and output ports, wireless compatible certification (WiFi) input Output ports, etc. The slot positions of these input and output ports correspond to the openings on the computer case, so users can insert the corresponding connectors. Traditionally, these input and output ports are directly soldered on the motherboard, and therefore the positions of these input and output ports are fixed. However, when the input and output ports are broken, the broken input and output ports cannot be replaced; or when the number of input and output ports of a certain specification does not meet the requirements (for example, more USB input and output ports are required without LAN In the case of input and output ports), the user cannot replace the input and output ports on the motherboard, so there are still many inconveniences in use, and the idle input and output ports will also cause waste of resources.

The disclosure provides a motherboard, which includes a signal transmitter and a plurality of connectors. The connectors are respectively connected to the signal sending end; among them, each connector supports a variety of connection specifications to provide a detachable module for assembly, and the detachable module includes golden finger connection elements and input and output ports.

The disclosure also provides a detachable module that can be installed on a motherboard, where the motherboard includes a signal transmitter and a plurality of connectors. The connectors are respectively connected to the signal sending end, and each connector supports a variety of connection specifications to provide a detachable module for assembly. The detachable module includes: golden finger connection components and input and output ports.

The following will illustrate the implementation aspects and operating principles of the motherboard or detachable module of the disclosure through a number of embodiments. Those skilled in the art can understand the features and effects of the disclosure through the embodiments, and Based on the spirit of the present disclosure, it can be combined, modified, replaced or converted.

In this disclosure, "fixed" or "locked" is defined as the two elements are fixedly arranged together, the two elements will not rotate or move relative to each other, and it does not rule out that the two elements can still be removed when a specific force is reached In the case of “fixed” or “locking”, there is no limitation; “pivot” is defined as two elements that can rotate axially relative to each other, and the direction of rotation is not limited, and there is no axis between the two elements. The setting of the set is limited; and the "connection" is defined as a fixed relationship or a pivotal relationship between the two components, which is explained here first. In addition, the terms "connection", "electrical connection" or "coupling" in this disclosure, if not particularly emphasized, mean that they include direct connection and indirect connection. In addition, the terms "include", "include", "have", "have" and other terms in this disclosure are expressed as open-ended descriptions.

Furthermore, the description of "when..." or "...when" in this disclosure means "now, before, or after", etc., and is not limited to situations that occur simultaneously, which is described here first. In addition, when the present disclosure records multiple functions (or multiple elements), if the word "or" is used between the functions (or elements), it means that the functions (or elements) can exist independently, but multiple functions (or elements) are not excluded ( Or components) can exist at the same time.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a motherboard 1 and a detachable module 2 according to an embodiment of the disclosure. As shown in FIG. 1, the motherboard 1 may include a module setting area 10, a signal sending end 12 and a plurality of connectors 14, wherein the connector 14 may be provided in the module setting area 10. Each connector 14 can support multiple connection specifications to provide detachable modules 2 for assembly. Therefore, these detachable modules 2 have the same connection specifications or different connection specifications with each other, and this case is not limited. The detachable module 2 includes a golden finger connection element 22 and an input/output port 24.

The connectors 14 are connected to the signal sending end 12 respectively, so the signal sending end 12 can send a signal to each connector 14. The connector 14 can be used to connect with the detachable module 2. For example, each connector 14 can be provided with a connector slot 141, the connector slot 141 can include a plurality of pins, and the golden finger connection element 22 It may also include a plurality of pins corresponding to the connector slot 141, so the detachable module 2 can be inserted into the connector slot 141 of the connector 14 through the golden finger connection element 22, and be locked with each other. In one embodiment, each connector 14 can be connected to one detachable module 2 at a time. In one embodiment, the connector 14 is a next generation form factor (NGFF) connector (hereinafter referred to as NGFF connector), such as NGFF B-KEY connector, NGFF E-KEY connector, NGFF M- KEY connector, or other M2 specification connectors, etc., but not limited to this.

One of the features of the present disclosure is that each detachable module 2 can have at least one input/output port 24, where the input/output port 24 can be a slot device for connecting with a connector of other electronic devices. The input and output ports 24 of each detachable module 2 can have different connection specifications. In one embodiment, the type of the input and output ports 24 can include a universal serial bus (USB) input and output port (hereinafter referred to as USB input and output). Port), a local area network (LAN) input and output port (hereinafter referred to as the LAN input and output port), a wireless compatible certification (WiFi) input and output port (hereinafter referred to as the WiFi input and output port) or an audio input and output port, and no Limited to this. In one embodiment, as long as the electronic circuit inside the detachable module 2 can be realized, the detachable module 2 may also include more than two input and output ports 24. For example, a detachable module 2 may include two A USB input and output port.

Another feature of the present disclosure is that the connector 14 can support different connection specifications, which means that the same connector 14 can be connected to different detachable modules 2, so these detachable modules 2 have the same There are no restrictions on connection specifications or different connection specifications in this case.

The above-mentioned features of the present disclosure may exist alone or at the same time, and the features of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

Next, each element will be described in detail.

First, the details of the motherboard 1 will be described. The motherboard 1 can be used by various electronic devices. The electronic device can be a desktop computer, a notebook computer, a tablet computer or other electronic products equipped with the motherboard 1, and is not limited to this; for the convenience of description, the motherboard is used in the following 1 is an example of the motherboard of a desktop computer. The module setting area 10 can be a setting area for input and output ports, where the input and output ports are various slot devices connected to electronic devices outside the computer. The module setting area 10 is usually located in the peripheral area of the motherboard 1 to facilitate the installation of slot devices; therefore, when the motherboard 1 is installed inside the computer, the module setting area 10 can be adjacent to the computer shell, and the computer shell Can have openings, and various input and output ports can be exposed at the openings.

Traditionally, various input and output ports are directly welded to the module setting area 10, so they cannot be removed. In contrast, the module setting area 10 of the present disclosure is provided with a connector 14, while a detachable module 2 Equipped with the golden finger connecting element 22 corresponding to the connector 14, so the detachable module 2 can be engaged with the connector 14 without welding on the module setting area 10, and the detachable module 2 can be used at any time Was demolished. It can be seen from this that the present disclosure allows the user to arbitrarily replace the type of the detachable module 2 according to requirements.

In one embodiment, the multiple connectors 14 provided in the module setting area 10 are of the same specification, for example, they are all NGFF KEY-E connectors, but it is not limited. In one embodiment, the signal sending end 12 can transmit an original signal of the same specification to each connector 14. In one embodiment, the original signal is a universal serial bus signal (hereinafter referred to as a USB signal) or a Express Peripheral Interconnection Standard (PCIE) signal (hereinafter referred to as a PCIE signal), but it is not limited. In an embodiment, the signal sending end 12 may be, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), a south-bridge chip or a clock generator on the motherboard 1, but it is not limited. In one embodiment, the connector 14 obtains the power required for operation from the motherboard 1, but it is not limited.

Next, the details of the detachable module 2 will be described with FIGS. 2(A) to 2(C), and please refer to FIG. 1 at the same time.

FIG. 2(A) is an exploded view of the detachable module 2 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, which shows that the detachable module 2 is a USB specification. As shown in Figure 2(A), the detachable module 2 includes a golden finger connection element 22, a circuit board 23, an input/output port 24, a first housing 25 and a second housing 26, wherein the input and output Port 24 is a USB input and output port (such as a USB slot), and the number of USB slots is not limited to one. In addition, the circuit board 23 may have a control chip 231. The first housing 25 may have an opening 251.

In an embodiment, the golden finger connecting element 22 may be disposed on the circuit board 23, for example, disposed on an edge of the circuit board 23. The input and output ports 24 can be arranged on the circuit board 23 and can be electrically connected to the golden finger connection element 22, wherein the electrical connection can be through, but not limited to, electrical connection by means of circuit wiring (layout wire). As shown in Figures 1 and 2(A), since the golden finger connecting element 22 can be inserted into the connector slot 141 of the connector 14, the number of pins of the golden finger connecting element 22 must be less than or equal to that of the connector The number of pins of the socket 141, and the pin position of the golden finger connecting element 22 must correspond to the pin position of the connector socket 141. Thereby, the signal from the motherboard 1 can be transmitted to the circuit board 23 through the connector 14 and the golden finger connecting element 22, and can be processed by the control chip 231 and then transmitted to the input/output port 24; or, received by the input/output port 24 The received external signal can be transmitted to the motherboard 1 through the connector 14 and the golden finger connection element 22. In one embodiment, the control chip 231 is an integrated circuit and may include passive components such as resistors, capacitors, or inductors.

In an embodiment, the circuit board 23 and the first housing 25 may have corresponding connecting elements to be assembled together. For example, a corresponding position of the circuit board 23 and the first housing 25 may be provided with a screw hole 27 , And locked by screw 28, but not limited. In an embodiment, the first housing 25 and the second housing 26 may have corresponding connecting elements to be assembled together. For example, the relative positions of the first housing 25 and the second housing 26 may be provided with screws. It can be locked by screws, but it is not limited. In an embodiment, when the circuit board 23 is assembled with the first housing 25, and the first housing 25 and the second housing 26 are assembled, the first housing 25 and the second housing 26 can connect most of the circuit The board 23 is covered, and the golden finger connecting element 22 can be exposed outside the first shell 25 and the second shell 26. In one embodiment, when the circuit board 23 is assembled with the first casing 25, the position of the opening 251 of the first casing 25 may correspond to the input/output port 24, so that the input/output port 24 can be exposed at the opening 251.

FIG. 2(B) is an exploded view of the detachable module 2 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, which is used to illustrate the case where the detachable module 2 is of a LAN specification. As shown in Figure 2(A), the detachable module 2 includes a golden finger connecting element 22, a circuit board 23, an input and output port 24, a first housing 25 and a second housing 26, wherein the input and output port 24 is LAN input and output ports (such as LAN slots), and the number of LAN slots is not limited to one. In addition, the circuit board 23 may also include a control chip 231. The first housing 25 may also have an opening 251.

The details of each element in FIG. 2(B) can be applied to the description of FIG. 2(A), so the detailed description is omitted.

FIG. 2(C) is an exploded view of the detachable module 2 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, which is used to illustrate the situation that the detachable module 2 is a WiFi specification. As shown in FIG. 2(A), the detachable module 2 includes a golden finger connecting element 22, a circuit board 23, an input and output port 24, a first housing 25 and a second housing 26, wherein the input and output port 24 It is a WiFi input and output port (such as a WiFi connector), and the number of WiFi connectors is not limited to one. In addition, the circuit board 23 may also include a control chip 231. The first housing 25 may also have an opening 251.

The details of each element in FIG. 2(C) can be applied to the description of FIG. 2(A), so the detailed description is omitted.

In addition, please refer to Figures 1 to 2(C) again. In one embodiment, the connector 14 on the motherboard 1 can use an NGFF KEY-E connector (for example, NGFF KEY-E 67P G/F 5.3HS/T connector), and some pins of the NGFF KEY-E connector Can be redefined. Since most of the NGFF KEY-E connectors of existing products can be used for WiFi connectors, the definition of each pin has been adapted to the specifications of WiFi connectors. But in fact, when the WiFi connector is combined with the NGFF KEY-E connector (and may be welded together), some of the pins of the NGFF KEY-E connector are still idle, that is, they are not used by the WiFi connector. Unused pins can be redefined. Also, because other specifications of input and output ports (such as USB sockets, LAN sockets) may require more power or bandwidth, these unused pins can be redefined to enable the NGFF KEY-E connector Suitable for input and output ports of other specifications. In one embodiment, the state in which some pins of the NGFF KEY-E connector are "redefined" may include increased power, increased signal bandwidth, or increased reset control (reset), and is not limited thereto.

Next, the details of the control chip 231 will be described with FIGS. 3(A) and 3(B), and please refer to FIGS. 1 to 2(C) at the same time.

3(A) is a schematic diagram of the operation of the control chip 231 of the detachable module 2 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The detachable module 2 is the detachable module 2(a) of the USB specification. Take the detachable module 2(b) of LAN specification and the detachable module 2(c) of WiFi specification as examples.

In one embodiment, the detachable module 2(a) of the USB specification includes the first control chip 231(a). The first control chip 231(a) can have the function of a signal converter, and this function can be achieved at least through the electronic circuit design inside the first control chip 231(a). The first control chip 231(a) is used to convert the original signal S1 (PCIE signal or USB signal) from the signal sending end 12 into a specific specification signal S2 applicable to the input/output port 24, for example, to convert a USB signal or a PCIE signal It is the signal of USB2.0, USB3.0 (such as USB3.2 GEN1 or USB3.2 GEN2), and even later generations of USB, and is not limited to this. In addition, in one embodiment, the first control chip 231(a) can also be used to convert the external signal received by the input/output port 24 into a signal suitable for components on the motherboard 1 (such as a central processing unit).

In one embodiment, the detachable module 2(b) of the LAN specification includes the second control chip 231(b). The second control chip 231(b) can have the function of a signal converter, and this function can be achieved at least through the electronic circuit design inside the second control chip 231(b). The second control chip 231(b) can be used to convert the original signal S1 from the signal transmitter 12 into a specific specification signal S2 applicable to the input and output ports 24, such as converting USB signals or PCIE signals into LAN 1G, LAN 2.5G, Signals of specifications such as LAN 5G or LAN 10G are not limited to this. In an embodiment, the second control chip 231(b) can also be used to convert the external signal received by the input/output port 24 into a signal suitable for the components on the motherboard 1 (such as a central processing unit).

In one embodiment, the detachable module 2(c) of WiFi specification includes a third control chip 231(b). The third control chip 231(c) can have the function of a signal converter, and this function can be achieved at least through the electronic circuit design inside the third control chip 231(c). The third control chip 231(c) can be used to convert the original signal S1 from the signal transmitter 12 into a specific specification signal S2 applicable to the input/output port 24, such as converting a USB signal or PCIE signal into a WiFi specification signal, such as WiFi 1/2/3/4/5/6 (based on 802.11) specifications, etc., but not limited to this. In one embodiment, the third control chip 231(c) can also be used to convert external signals received by the input and output ports 24 into signals suitable for components on the motherboard 1 (such as a central processing unit).

Because each connector 14 on the motherboard 1 can support a variety of connection specifications, each connector 14 can be connected to different detachable modules 2, and these detachable modules 2 are connected to each other. With the same connection specifications or different connection specifications, this case is not limited. In addition, the aforementioned input and output ports 24 are not limited to the aforementioned content. For example, other common input and output connectors or slots, such as audio connectors, can also form the detachable module 2 of the present disclosure according to the aforementioned design.

In addition, the control chip 231 may also have different aspects. 3(B) is a schematic diagram of the operation of the control chip 231 of the detachable module 2 of another embodiment of the present disclosure. The control chip 231 of the detachable module 2 can be changed to have the function of a multiplexer. Receive the original signal S1 (PCIE signal/USB signal/audio signal) and output multiple original signals S1 (PCIE signal/USB signal/audio signal). In one embodiment, the multiplexer function of the control chip 231 can be achieved at least through the design of the internal electronic circuit design. This disclosure is not limited to this.

FIG. 4(A) is a schematic diagram of the assembly of the motherboard 1 and the detachable module 2 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, and please refer to FIG. 1 at the same time. As shown in Figure 1 and Figure 4, the detachable module 2 can be assembled on or removed from the motherboard 1 at any time. Therefore, when the current input and output port types on the motherboard 1 do not meet the needs of the user, The user can replace the detachable module 2 on the motherboard 1 at any time. In this way, the present disclosure can avoid problems arising when existing products do not meet requirements or are damaged.

FIG. 4(B) is a schematic diagram of the assembly of the motherboard 1 and the detachable module 2 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, which is a bottom view of the structure of FIG. 4(A). As shown in FIG. 4(B), the detachable module 2 and the motherboard 1 can have corresponding fixing elements, such as screw holes 29, and can be fixed together by screws, but is not limited thereto.

In this way, the product of the present disclosure can be changed according to the needs of users, and the currently unnecessary or damaged connectors can be replaced at any time, so that the motherboard can be used more effectively.

The above-mentioned embodiments are merely examples for the convenience of description, and the scope of rights claimed in this disclosure should be subject to the scope of the patent application, not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments.

1: Motherboard

2: Detachable module

10: Module setting area

12: Signal sender

14: Connector

141: connector slot

22: Golden finger connection element

24: Input and output port

23: circuit board

231: control chip

25: The first shell

251: open

26: second shell

27, 29: screw holes

28, 30: Screw

2(a): Detachable module of USB specification

2(b): Detachable module of LAN specification

2(c): Detachable module of WiFi specification

231(a): control chip

231(b): control chip

231(c): control chip

S1: Original signal

S2: Specific specification signal

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a motherboard and a detachable module according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2(A) is an exploded view of the detachable module according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2(B) is an exploded view of a detachable module according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2(C) is an exploded view of a detachable module according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3(A) is a schematic diagram of the operation of the control chip of the detachable module according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 3(B) is a schematic diagram of the operation of the control chip of the detachable module according to another embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 4(A) is a side view of the detachable module assembled on the motherboard of an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4(B) is a bottom view of the detachable module assembled on the motherboard of an embodiment of the disclosure.

1: Motherboard

2: Detachable module

10: Module setting area

12: Signal sender

14: Connector

141: connector slot

22: Golden finger connection element

24: Input and output port

Claims (8)

A motherboard includes: a signal sending end; and a plurality of connectors respectively connected to the signal sending end; wherein the connectors are the primary generation type specification (NGFF) connectors of the same specification, and each connector supports Various connection specifications are provided to provide a detachable module for assembly, and the detachable module includes a golden finger connection element and an input and output port. The motherboard according to claim 1, wherein the type of the input and output port includes a universal serial bus (USB) input and output port, a local area network (LAN) input and output port, and a wireless compatible authentication (WiFi) input Output port or an audio input and output port. The motherboard according to claim 2, wherein the signal transmitter is used to send an original signal to the connectors, and the original signal is a Universal Serial Bus (USB) signal or a Fast Peripheral Interconnection Standard (PCIE) ) Signal. The motherboard according to claim 3, wherein the detachable module further includes a signal converter for converting the original signal into a signal of a specific specification applicable to the input and output port. A detachable module for installation on a motherboard. The motherboard includes a signal transmitter and a plurality of connectors. The connectors are NGFF connectors of the same specification. These connectors are respectively connected to the signal sending end, and each connector supports a variety of connection specifications to provide the detachable module for assembly, wherein the detachable module includes: a golden finger connection element; and an input Output port. The detachable module according to claim 5, wherein the type of the input and output port includes a universal serial bus (USB) input and output port, a local area network (LAN) input and output port, and a wireless compatible certification ( WiFi) input and output port or an audio input and output port. The detachable module according to claim 6, wherein the signal sending end is used to send an original signal to the connectors, and the original signal is a universal serial bus (USB) signal or a quick peripheral interconnection Standard (PCIE) signal. The detachable module described in claim 7 further includes a signal converter for converting the original signal into a specific specification signal applicable to the specific specification connector.

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