BACKGROUND

Electronic devices such as computing devices may comprise a large number of hardware components. These components may be attached to or disposed within a housing of the computing device, however, sometimes the hardware components are removable. To assure that removable components can be extracted and/or inserted properly, a variety of support structures may be used.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Features of the present disclosure are illustrated by way of example and are not limited in the following figure(s), in which like numerals indicate like elements, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a clamping device for a hardware component, according to an example of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2A shows a system comprising a clamping device and a device housing, according to an example of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2B shows the system of FIG. 2A including a hardware component, according to an example of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of a clamping device, according to an example of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of a clamping device comprising a set of recesses, according to an example of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For simplicity and illustrative purposes, the present disclosure is described by referring mainly to examples. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. It will be readily apparent, however, that the present disclosure may be practiced without limitation to these specific details. In other instances, some methods and structures have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure the present disclosure.

Throughout the present disclosure, the terms "a" and "an" are intended to denote at least one of a particular element. As used herein, the term "includes" means includes but not limited to, the term "including" means including but not limited to.

Disclosed herein are examples of support structures for electronic devices. Hence, different examples of support structures and electronic devices are described.

Electronic devices comprise device housings in which their hardware components are contained. Among other things, factors that determine the size and the shape of device housings are the number and the size of hardware components contained within their inner volume. Those hardware components may be attached to the device housing such that the integrity of the electronic device is assured. However, since an electronic device may contain different hardware components to fulfill different specification requirements, some of the hardware components may be replaced during the lifecycle of the electronic device. In the same way, some hardware components may be extracted and inserted depending on the tasks to be performed by the electronic device. As a result, electronic devices may comprise removable attachments such as support structures to support some of its hardware components. In case that a user may want to replace or upgrade the hardware component, the user may detach or disengage the removable attachment or support structure to extract the hardware component and insert its replacement.

Examples of hardware components that may be removably attached to a device housing of an electronic device are network modules, for instance wireless local area network (WLAN) modules. However, other examples may be possible, such as expansion cards, printed circuit boards, storage drives, and the like. In some examples, a hardware component is attached to an electronic device by fixing it through mechanical fasteners to a slot of a device housing. Since a slot may be used for different functions (network purposes, memory purposes) and types of hardware components (for example a wireless network module or an expansion card), hardware components may comprise standard measures and/or shapes.

According to some examples, a hardware component is attached to a device housing through a support structure comprising fasteners such as screws.

Therefore, in case that a user may desire to replace the hardware component, additional tools such as a screwdriver may be used. Since device housings of electronic devices attempt to optimize their inner volumes, the space to perform the fastening and unfastening operations is limited. Hence, a user may face difficulties while trying to replace or upgrade its hardware component.

However, electronic devices may comprise support structures such as clamping devices. Since users may desire a user-friendly fastening and/or unfastening experience, such clamping devices may be tool-less, able to be fastened and unfastened by hand, and may also be able to be accessed and manipulated quickly to install or release a hardware component. Therefore, such clamping devices enable the quick and easy installation and removal of hardware components from an electronic device.

Throughout this description, the term “electronic device” refers generally to electronic devices that comprise support structures for external hardware elements. Examples of electronic devices comprise displays, computer desktops, all-in-one computers, portable computers, printers, and additive manufacturing machines (3D printers), among others.

Referring now to FIG.1 , a clamping device 100 for a hardware component is shown. The clamping device 100 comprises a base 110 and a head 120, wherein the base 110 is coupled to the head 120 by a tether 115. The clamping device 100 may be used to hold an edge of a hardware component (not shown in FIG. 1 ) in place so that its position is fixed. The base 110 of the clamping device 100 comprises an aperture 111 and a tab 112, wherein the tab 112 is connectable to an electronic device. The head 120 comprises a snap-fit element 121 and a cover 122, wherein the snap-fit element 121 is connectable to the aperture 111. The aperture 111 comprises a corresponding shape relative to the snap-fit element 121 so that upon connection of the snap-fit element 121 to the aperture 111 , the snap-fit element 121 is locked. The snap-fit element 121, upon being pulled with sufficient force, may disengage and unlock from the aperture 111 so as to release the head 120 from the base 110. The cover 122 may extend laterally with reference to the tether 115, however, in other examples, other configurations may be possible. In an example, the snap-fit element 121 is positioned at an intermediate position of the cover 122 and the cover 122 may also extend laterally in another direction. Therefore, when the clamping device 100 is holding a hardware component, a contact surface between the cover 122 and the hardware component is increased.

In the example of FIG.1 , the cover 122 comprises a projecting element 123 extending from a cover distal side. Upon connection of the snap-fit element 121 to the aperture 111 , the edge of the hardware component is to be held in place by the cover 122, the base 110, and the projecting element 123. The projecting element 123 may contact a lateral face of the hardware component. Additionally, the projecting element 123 may further comprise a hook element 124 so as to contact a bottom face of the hardware component when the snap-fit element 121 is connected to the aperture 111. Therefore, upon connection, the hardware component is held in place by the cover 122, the base 110, the projecting element 123, and the hook element 124. In other examples, however, the clamping device 100 may not comprise the hook element 124.

When the snap-fit element 121 is connected to the aperture 111 , the tether 115 is folded. The tether 115 may comprise elastic materials so as to be capable of being bent without being permanently deformed. The tether 115 may be alternatively referred to as a foldable tether. The tether 115 may keep the elements of the clamping device 100 together when the head 120 is not connected to the base 110.

Although the snap-fit element 121 corresponds to an annular snap-fit element, other alternatives may be possible, such as cantilever snap-fit elements, torsional snap-fit elements, or any other element comprising a protruding edge on a snap-in area.

In other examples, the snap-fit element 121 may comprise a series of snap-in areas so as to connect with the aperture 111 at a series of fitting positions. The series of fitting positions are defined as a series of relative positions between the snap-fit element 121 and the aperture 111. To provide a proper connection, the aperture 111 may comprise a corresponding geometry so as to be connectable with the snap-fit element 121 at different heights or relative spacing.

In the example of FIG. 1, the tab 112 comprises a protruding edge so as to fix the clamping device 100 with reference to a device housing of an electronic device. More specifically, the thickness of tab 112 increases from a distal side of the tab 112 until a proximal side of the tab 112 so as to be inserted easily in an aperture of the electronic device, for instance a slot. In some examples, the tab 112 may be a pair of tabs that each have a hook-like geometry to insert into the slot. However, other alternative geometries may be provided so as to fix the clamping device 100 with reference to a device housing of an electronic device.

According to some examples, the clamping device comprises a cover having an adjustable length. The adjustable length may be obtained by a relative positioning between a first element and a second element. The first element may comprise a protruding edge that is connectable to an aperture of a series of apertures of the second element. By connecting the protruding edge of the first element in one of the apertures, a length for the cover is defined. A series of lengths may be defined depending on the connection between the first element and the second element.

According to some other examples, the cover of the clamping device may comprise a connector, wherein the connector is to be connected to the hardware component. By connecting the hardware component to the connector, the installation of the hardware component is performed easily. The connector may be connected in its second side to a corresponding cable to the hardware component. In some other examples, the cover may comprise a plate on a face of the cover facing the hardware component. The plate may comprise magnet properties so as to attract the cables to its surface. Therefore, a connector and/or cables of the hardware component are to be attracted by the magnetic plate. Examples of materials for the plate comprise materials that produce a magnetic field, such as permanent ceramic magnets, bonded magnets, alnico magnets, and the like.

Referring now to FIG. 2A, a system comprising a clamping device 200 and a device housing 230 of an electronic device is shown. The clamping device 200 comprises a base 210 and a head 220, wherein the clamping device 200 holds a hardware component (not shown in FIG. 2A) in place upon connecting the head 220 to the base 210. The base 210 of the clamping device 200 comprises an aperture 211 and a tab (not visible in FIG. 2A), the tab being connectable to a slot of a device housing 230. The base 210 is coupled to the head 220 by a foldable tether 215. The head 220 comprises a snap-fit element 221 connectable to the aperture 211 and a cover 222, wherein the cover 222 comprises a projecting element 223 to contact the hardware component on one of its lateral faces. In other examples, the projecting element 223 may further comprise a hook element to contact a bottom face of the hardware component, as previously explained.

Although the device housing 230 extends outwards with reference to the inner volume of the electronic device, in other examples the clamping device 200 may be contained within the inner volume of the electronic device. The device housing 230 may correspond to the housing of one of the electronic devices previously described above.

Referring now to FIG. 2B, the system of FIG. 2A is shown as including a hardware component 240. As previously explained in reference to other examples, the clamping device 200 holds the hardware component 240 in place relatively with the device housing 230 upon the head 220 of the clamping device 200 being connected to the base 210. A connection may be obtained by inserting the snap-fit element 221 of the head 220 into the aperture 211 of the base 210. The hardware component 240 may comprise an indentation in which the snap-fit element 211 is fitted. Therefore, when the snap-fit element 221 is connected to the aperture 211 , the clamping device 200 contacts, covers, or otherwise engages with the edge of the hardware component 240, thereby holding it in place. Furthermore, the projecting element 223 contacts a lateral face of the hardware component 240. The connection between the head 220 and the base 210 fixes the hardware component 240 between the cover 220, the projecting element 223, and the base 210. During a connection between the snap-fit element 221 and the head aperture 211 , the foldable tether 215 is folded.

According to some examples, the projecting element 223 of the cover 222 may comprise a hook element to latch onto or contact a bottom face of the hardware component 240, as previously explained in other examples. When having a hook element, the hardware component 240 is to be held in place by the cover 222, the base 210, the projecting element 223, and the hook element.

In the example of FIG. 2B, a bottom face of the cover 222 contacts an edge of the hardware component 240. Flowever, in other examples, the cover 222 may have a different geometry so as to partially contact with the edge of the component 240 while providing a user-friendly connection of the hardware component 240 with further elements. In an example, the bottom face of the cover 222 comprises a first portion in which the cover 222 contacts the edge of the hardware component 240, and a second portion in which a connector is provided for the hardware component 240. The hardware component 240 may be connected to the connector so as to ease the connection and/or disconnection of the hardware component 240 to further elements, for instance, a cable.

In other examples, the face of the cover 222 that is to contact the hardware component 240, i.e. , the bottom face, may comprise a recess or a plate, as described below in reference to other examples.

In some other examples, the cover 222 may extend along both sides of the connection between the head 220 and the base 210, thereby providing a larger contact surface between the cover 222 and the edge of the hardware component 240. According to an example, the clamping device 200 may comprise an aperture having a geometry so as to provide a series of connections for the snap-fit element. The snap-fit element may be connected to the aperture at different heights or relative spacing, wherein one of the heights may correspond to a first type of hardware component and another height may correspond to a second type of hardware component.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a cross-sectional view of a clamping device 300 holding a hardware component 340 is shown. The clamping device 300 comprises a base 310 and a head 320, wherein the base 310 is coupled to the head 320 by a tether (not shown in FIG. 3). The hardware component 340 comprises an indentation 341 and a set of connectors 342, wherein the set of connectors 342 may be connected to further elements, such as cables. A cover 322 of the head 320 covers, contacts, or otherwise engages with the set of connectors 342 during a connection of the head 320 to the base 310. A projecting element 323 extends from a cover distal side, wherein the projecting element 323 contacts a lateral face of the hardware component 340. The projecting element 323 comprises at a distal side a hook element 324 which may contact or latch onto a bottom face of the hardware component 340 during a connection of a snap-fit element 321 into an aperture 311. The base 310 of the clamping device 300 further comprises a tab 312, wherein the tab 312 comprises a protruding element so as to fix its position when being inserted in a slot 331 of a device housing 330. Upon connecting the snap-fit element 321 to the aperture 311 through the indentation 341 of the hardware component 340, the hardware component 340 is held in place by the cover 322, the projecting element 323, the base 310, and the hook element 324.

In other examples, the set of connectors 342 may be disposed at a different location of the hardware component 340, and the cover 322 may contact, cover, or otherwise engage with a different element rather than the set of connectors 342, such as the edge of the hardware component 340. In other examples, the bottom face of the cover 322 may comprise a connector (or connectors) so as to simplify the connection of the hardware component 340 with further elements, e.g., cables. Referring now to FIG. 4, a cross-sectional view of a clamping device 400 is shown. The clamping device 400 is attached to a device housing 430 and holds a hardware component 440 in place. The clamping device 400 comprises a base 410 and a head 420, wherein the base 410 comprises a tab 412 connectable to a slot 431 of the device housing 430. The base 410 further comprises an aperture 411 in which a snap-fit element 421 of the head 420 is connected. The snap-fit element 421 is connected to the aperture 411 through an indentation 441 of the hardware component 440. The head 410 further comprises a cover 422 to contact or engage with the hardware component 440 or a portion thereof. A projecting element 423 extends from a cover distal side, wherein the projecting element 423 is to contact a lateral face of the hardware component 440. In the same way, a hook element 424 contacts a bottom face of the hardware component 440 during a connection between the snap-fit element 421 and the aperture 411.

In the example of FIG. 4, the cover 422 further comprises a set of recesses 425 contacting or engaging with a connector 442 of the hardware component 440. The connector 442 may be positioned among a pair of recesses of the set of recesses 425, as shown in FIG. 4. The set of recesses 425 may simplify how the hardware components are installed once the head 420 has been connected to the base 410. In other examples, the cover may comprise a set of recesses to guide a series of cables to the hardware components connectors. The recesses fix the position of the connector 442 with reference to the cover 422 of the clamping device 400. In other examples, the set of recesses 425 guides a series of cables to the hardware components connectors. The cover 422 may further comprise a magnetic plate 426 (represented in dashed lines) in one of its faces so as to attract the connector (or connectors) to the cover 422. In other examples in which the hardware component 440 may comprise more connectors, the number of recesses of the set of recesses 425 may vary.

As explained above, examples of materials for the magnetic plate 426 comprise materials that produce a magnetic field, such as permanent ceramic magnets, bonded magnets, alnico magnets, and the like. Upon the snap-fit element 441 being connected to the aperture 411 , the hardware component 440 is held in place by the cover 422, the projecting element 423, the base 410, and the hook element 424. In case of having the connectors positioned at a different location, the cover 422 may contact the edge of the hardware component 440 rather than the connectors.

According to some examples, a clamping device may comprise a multi-level aperture to define a series of fitting positions for the snap-fit element. Upon connection of the snap-fit element to the multi-level aperture, the snap-fit element may obtain the series of fitting positions. The series of fitting positions may correspond to a series of relative positions between the snap-fit element and the aperture. In an example, the first position of the series of fitting positions corresponds to a height to fix the position of a hardware component having connectors. The second position of the series of fitting positions may correspond to a height of a hardware component not having connectors in its top surface. The snap-fit element may comprise a geometry to fit in the multi-level aperture, such as multiple annular snap-fit areas along the snap-fit element. In an example, the snap- fit element may comprise a series of snap-in areas in order to provide the series of fitting positions.

According to some other examples, a clamping device may comprise a cover having an adjustable length. The cover may comprise a first element and a second element that can be connected at a series of positions so that to define a series of cover lengths. The first element may comprise a protruding edge that is connectable to an aperture of a series of apertures of the second element. By connecting the protruding edge of the first element to one of the apertures, a length for the cover is defined.

In other examples, the clamping device may have a cover comprising a distal portion and a proximal portion with reference to the hardware component. Since the hardware component may comprise a connector (or connectors), the distal portion may comprise a greater height with reference to the proximal portion so that to increase the interfacing area between the hardware component surface and the cover. Therefore, since the proximal portion may contact a surface of the hardware component and the distal portion may contact the connector (or connectors), upon connection of the snap-fit element and the aperture, the hardware component may be held in place.

However, it should be noted that in other examples, the clamping devices and/or hardware components previously described in reference to FIGs. 1 to 4 may be combined so as to obtain a system in which a hardware component is fixed on a device housing of an electronic device.

What has been described and illustrated herein are examples of the disclosure along with some variations. The terms, descriptions, and figures used herein are set forth by way of illustration only and are not meant as limitations. Many variations are possible within the scope of the disclosure, which is intended to be defined by the following claims (and their equivalents) in which all terms are meant in their broadest reasonable sense unless otherwise indicated.