Patent Application
20130309894
The disclosure generally relates to input and output modules of electronic device.
Input and output (I/O) module is the communication between an electronic device and peripheral devices. The I/O module may include USB connectors, audio connectors, and video connectors, for example. These connectors are usually integrated to a single I/O bracket. The I/O bracket with the connectors is used in plurality of different electronic devices. However, different electronic devices may require different group of I/O connectors. The predefined integral I/O bracket cannot adapt all kinds of the electronic device. There are rooms for improvement within the art.
Many aspects of the embodiments can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the embodiments. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.
The disclosure is illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like references indicate similar elements. It should be noted that references to “an” or “one” embodiment in this disclosure are not necessarily to the same embodiment, and such references mean at least one.
The first I/O module 10 includes a first I/O enclosure 12, and a plurality of first connectors assembled in the first I/O enclosure 12. The plurality of first connectors may include a plurality of USB connectors 14 and a plurality of audio connectors 16. The plurality of USB connectors 14 and the plurality of audio connectors 16 are aligned in a straight line. The first I/O enclosure 12 is integrally formed and is made of plastic. The first I/O enclosure 12 is elongated. A first locking member 128 is located at a side of the first I/O enclosure 12. The first locking member 128 has an L-shaped cross-section. An extending direction of the first locking member 128 is substantially parallel to an insertion direction of the first connector. A baffle plate 129 is located on a back of the first locking member 128 for blocking the second I/O module 20. The USB connector 14 may be USB 2.0 bus, USB 3.0 bus or other standard USB bus. The plurality of audio connectors 16 may include audio input or audio output bus. In other embodiments, the first I/O module 10 may include a secure digital (SD) memory card reader connector.
The second I/O module 20 includes a second I/O enclosure 22. A second connector is mounted in the second I/O enclosure 22. The second connector may be an IEEE 1394 connector 24. A second locking member 228 is located on a side of the second connector, to engage with the first locking member. The second locking member 228 has an L-shaped cross-section. The second connector is a selective connector to the electronic device.
The bracket 50 may be made of sheet metal. The bracket 50 defines a receiving space 59 to receive the first I/O module 10 and the second I/O module 20. The bracket 50 defines a plurality of openings 51 to install the first connectors and the second connector.
It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages have been set forth in the foregoing description of embodiments, together with details of the structures and functions of the embodiments, the disclosure is illustrative only and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the disclosure to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 201210149657.5 | May 2012 | CN | national |
