Authors:
Salvador Gomez Alvarez, Israel Figueroa, Ian Munoz
Abstract:
This solution provides a a fastening method for M.2 SSDs that does not require tools or fine finger manipulation and saves time when assembling the M.2 SSD Card in a motherboard.
Background:
Methods for fastening a M.2 SSD Card to a motherboard depend on screw type: captive screws must be pushed and held to make it pass the SSD card notch into the thinnest part of the captive screw; wafer head screws have their thread passed across the SSD card notch while fastening the wafer head screw into the threaded standoff.
Each type of screw has manipulation issues: captive screws can fall back into threaded standoff hole when balanced on threaded standoff edge or when manipulating the screw with fingers, while wafer head screws are loose pieces that can fall outside work area or inside the case of the POS system. In both cases, time is consumed when pulling the captive screw outside the threaded standoff or when fetching back a wafer head screw.
For this case, having a fastening method that does not require tools or fine finger manipulation saves time when assembling the SSD Card in a motherboard.
Description:
A wafer head screw topped with a spring soldered to screw head. Spring must have enough bending strength to be pulled or pushed with moderate physical force while having enough stiffness to keep SSD M.2 Card in place (Table 1 SSD Spring Hold with SSD M.2 Card).
Spring is formed by two sections: a straight spring with enough height to clear the thickness of SSD M.2 Card, which holds the SSD M.2 Card; and a conic spring on top of the straight spring, (Table 2 SSD Spring Hold Views) which provides a structure to apply horizontal force to push the spring with fingers or tools (Table 3. Mechanism of SSD Spring holding an SSD M.2 Card).
The invention will be used to speed up the assembly process, as finding a loose screw consumes time.
The following figures describe the idea:
Claims:
- An SSD M.2 Card fastening method that does not require tools. The fastening method is a spring that presses the SSD M.2 Card against the M.2 slot.
- The invention does not rely on a complicated latch system made of metal and plastic.
- The invention uses a simple mechanism to fasten the SSD M.2 Card.
- The material of the spring is the same as the screw where is mounted.
- The invention can be used in any motherboard that has the right size of screw hole.
- Compatibility with current motherboard screw holes.
- Once the screw is mounted in the motherboard, fingers are used to hold the spring for inserting or removing the SSD M.2 Card.
Enabling Technology:
- Spring on top of a wafer head screw.
- Wafer head screw.
Supporting Art:
The invention works in a similar way to the M.2 screw latches, using a tapered spring, mounted on top of a screw, as a simpler mechanism for fastening.
https://www.fivetk.com/e-news/m2-screw-latches/
TGCS Reference 4647
