Stiffener for use with plug-in module

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12052839-B2
Application number	US-202218051986-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 2, 2022
Priority date	Nov 2, 2022
Publication date	Jul 30, 2024
Grant date	Jul 30, 2024

Abstract

A strengthening member for use with a plug-in module assembly includes a planar portion which extends across a width of a portion of a circuit board of the plug-in module assembly. The planar portion has a leading edge which approximately aligns with a leading surface of the circuit board, a trailing edge, and side edges which extend between the leading edge and the trailing edge. First mounting portions extend from the side edges and have first mounting openings. A second mounting portion extends from the trailing edge and has second mounting openings. First mounting hardware is positioned in the first mounting openings. The first mounting hardware cooperates with the first mounting portions and the circuit board. Second mounting hardware is positioned in the second mounting openings. The second mounting hardware cooperates with the second mounting portions, the circuit board and a cover of the plug-in module assembly.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A strengthening member for use with a plug-in module assembly, the strengthening member comprising:
a planar portion extending across a width of a portion of a circuit board of the plug-in module assembly, the planar portion having a leading edge which approximately aligns with a leading surface of the circuit board, a trailing edge, and side edges extending between the leading edge and the trailing edge, the planar portion having epoxy provided on a surface of the planar portion which faces the circuit board of the plug-in module assembly;
first mounting portions extending from the side edges, the first mounting portions having first mounting openings;
a second mounting portion extending from the trailing edge, the second mounting portion having second mounting openings;
first mounting hardware positioned in the first mounting openings, the first mounting hardware cooperating with the first mounting portions and the circuit board;
second mounting hardware positioned in the second mounting openings, the second mounting hardware cooperating with the second mounting portion, the circuit board and a cover of the plug-in module assembly.

2. The strengthening member as recited in claim 1 , wherein the second mounting portion extends in a different plane than the planar portion.

3. The strengthening member as recited in claim 2 , wherein the first mounting portions extend in a different plane than the planar portion.

4. The strengthening member as recited in claim 3 , wherein the second mounting portion extends in the same plane as the first mounting portions.

5. The strengthening member as recited in claim 1 , wherein the planar portion has electrical insulation provided on a surface of the planar portion which faces the circuit board of the plug-in module assembly.

6. The strengthening member as recited in claim 1 , wherein the strengthening member is made of conductive material.

7. The strengthening member as recited in claim 6 , wherein a ground path is provided from the strengthening member through the second mounting hardware and the cover to a chassis in which the plug-in module assembly is inserted.

8. A plug-in module assembly configured to be inserted into a slot of a chassis, the plug-in module assembly comprising;
a substrate with one or more connectors extending from a leading end of the substrate;
a frame positioned on sides of the substrate;
a cover extending over the substrate;
a strengthening member provided proximate the leading end of the substrate, the strengthening member comprising:
a planar portion extending across a width of the substrate, the planar portion having a leading edge, a trailing edge and side edges, the leading edge aligning with the leading end of the substrate, the side edges extending between the leading edge and the trailing edge, the planar portion positioned over mounting areas in the substrate in which terminals of the one or more connectors are secured;
first mounting portions extending from the side edges, the first mounting portions having first mounting openings;
first mounting hardware positioned in the first mounting openings, the first mounting hardware cooperating with the first mounting portions and the substrate.

9. The plug-in module assembly as recited in claim 8 wherein a second mounting portion extends from the trailing edge, the second mounting portion having second mounting openings, second mounting hardware positioned in the second mounting openings, the second mounting hardware cooperating with the second mounting portion, the substrate and the cover.

10. The plug-in module assembly as recited in claim 9 , wherein the cover has a first cover and a second cover, the second mounting portion is positioned between the second cover and the substrate, the second mounting hardware cooperates with the second mounting portion, the substrate and the first cover.

11. The plug-in module assembly as recited in claim 9 , wherein the strengthening member is made of conductive material.

12. The plug-in module assembly as recited in claim 11 , wherein a ground path is provided from the strengthening member through the second mounting hardware and the cover to the chassis.

13. The plug-in module assembly as recited in claim 9 , wherein the second mounting portion extends in a different plane than the planar portion.

14. The plug-in module assembly as recited in claim 13 , wherein the first mounting portions extend in a different plane than the planar portion.

15. The plug-in module assembly as recited in claim 14 , wherein the second mounting portion extends in the same plane as the first mounting portions.

16. The plug-in module assembly as recited in claim 11 , wherein the planar portion has electrical insulation provided on a surface of the planar portion which faces the substrate of the plug-in module assembly.

17. The plug-in module assembly as recited in claim 11 , wherein the planar portion has epoxy provided on a surface of the planar portion which faces the substrate of the plug-in module assembly.

18. The plug-in module assembly as recited in claim 11 , wherein the substrate is a printed circuit board with ground pads exposed on a surface of the printed circuit board which faces the strengthening member, wherein a ground path is provided from ground pads through the strengthening member, the second mounting hardware and the cover to the chassis, wherein electromagnetic interference leakage from the through holes of the printed circuit board reduced.

19. A strengthening member for use with a plug-in module assembly, the strengthening member comprising:
a planar portion extending across a width of a portion of a circuit board of the plug-in module assembly, the planar portion having a leading edge which approximately aligns with a leading surface of the circuit board, a trailing edge, and side edges extending between the leading edge and the trailing edge;
mounting portions extending from one or more of the side edges and trailing edge, the mounting portions having mounting openings;
mounting hardware positioned in the mounting openings;
the planar portion having electrical insulation provided on a surface of the planar portion which faces the circuit board of the plug-in module assembly.

Assignees

• Te Connectivity Solutions Gmbh

Inventors

• Annis Kyle Gary

Classifications

• H05K7/1461 Primary

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