Connector component

Abstract

A connector component includes a cover body, a first liquid cooling plate, and a second liquid cooling plate arranged vertically. Each cover body includes a frame and a plurality of partition walls provided on the frame. The frame and the plurality of partition walls together define a plurality of plug-in spaces arranged horizontally. The first liquid cooling plate is disposed at the top of the upper cover body and forms the upper wall surface of the plurality of plug-in spaces of the upper cover body. The second liquid cooling plate is disposed between the upper cover body and the lower cover body, and forms the lower wall surface of the plurality of plug-in spaces of the upper cover body and the upper wall surface of the plurality of plug-in spaces of the lower cover body. Pressing springs are provided on the upper surface of the second liquid cooling plate corresponding to each plug-in space, and the pressing direction of the pressing springs is towards the first liquid cooling plate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector assembly, and particularly to a connector assembly with a liquid cooling plate. Background Art

[0002] U.S. Patent Publication No. US7,625,223 discloses a socket assembly, which includes a guiding frame, a heat sink, and a conductive gasket. The guiding frame includes a top wall and defines an internal chamber configured to receive a mating connector. The top wall defines an opening communicating with the internal chamber. The heat sink is held in the internal chamber such that when the mating connector is inserted into the internal chamber, the upper portion of the heat sink passes through the opening and the lower portion engages with the mating connector. The conductive gasket is held between the guiding frame and the heat sink. The heat sink includes a coupling portion that provides a heat conduction path for the mating connector when the mating connector is inserted into the internal chamber. The conductive gasket is configured to be compressed between the guiding frame and the heat sink to provide an electrical conduction path between the heat sink and the guiding frame. However, the heat sink disclosed in this prior art is generally a metal heat sink with heat dissipation fins, and its principle is to take out heat through the air flow flowing between the heat dissipation fins. In a connector assembly with a higher transmission speed and greater heat generation, its heat dissipation efficiency is slightly insufficient.

[0003] Chinese Patent Publication No. CN110139534A (corresponding to U.S. Patent Publication No. US2019 / 0246523A1) discloses a cooling device, which includes a manifold and a plurality of bases. The manifold includes a housing surrounding an inner cavity for accommodating a cooling liquid and allowing the cooling liquid to flow and circulate. Each base is individually and flexibly coupled to the housing of the manifold through a sealing and annular bellows. Each base is configured to extend outward from the bottom surface of the housing of the manifold when there is fluid pressure in the inner cavity. However, the bellows in this prior art only provides a flexible connection between the base and the manifold, and the base has enough force to extend outward from the bottom surface of the housing of the manifold only when there is fluid pressure in the inner cavity of the manifold. First, as a connection seal between the base and the manifold, the bellows has a complex structure and high manufacturing difficulty; second, since the base needs to extend outward through fluid pressure, when the fluid pressure is insufficient or unstable, it is easy to cause the outward protrusion amount of the base relative to the manifold to be insufficient, resulting in insufficient pressure of the base contacting the electrical module or even unable to contact the electrical module, thereby reducing the heat dissipation efficiency. Moreover, when multiple electrical modules need to contact the respective bases on the manifold simultaneously, in the case where the outward protrusion amount of the base relative to the manifold is insufficient and the elastic restoring force of the base relative to the manifold is insufficient, it is easy for each electrical module to be unable to contact the respective bases on the manifold due to the tolerance problems of each electrical module. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a connector assembly that can improve at least one drawback in the prior art.

[0005] Thus, in some embodiments, the connector assembly of the present invention includes a housing, a socket connector, a first liquid cooling plate, and a second liquid cooling plate. The housing includes a frame and a plurality of partition walls provided on the frame. The frame and the plurality of partition walls together define a plurality of insertion spaces arranged horizontally. The socket connector is accommodated in the housing. The first liquid cooling plate is disposed on the top of the housing, and the lower surface of the first liquid cooling plate spans the top of the housing and forms the upper wall surface of the plurality of insertion spaces. The second liquid cooling plate is disposed on the bottom of the housing, and the upper surface of the second liquid cooling plate spans the bottom of the housing and forms the lower wall surface of the plurality of insertion spaces. A pressing spring is provided on the upper surface of the second liquid cooling plate corresponding to each insertion space, and the pressing direction of the pressing spring is toward the direction of the first liquid cooling plate.

[0006] In some embodiments, the pressing spring is an independent component. The pressing spring has a mounting portion assembled on the upper surface of the second liquid cooling plate, and a spring piece extending from the mounting portion and extending into the corresponding insertion space.

[0007] In some embodiments, the mounting portion of the pressing spring has a plate body assembled on the upper surface of the second liquid cooling plate, and a frame body folded back from the plate body to the upper surface of the plate body. The spring piece is integrally extended from the inner edge of the frame body and extends into the corresponding insertion space.

[0008] In some embodiments, the mounting portion of the pressing spring is located at the front end, and the spring piece is integrally extended backward from the mounting portion and extends into the corresponding insertion space.

[0009] In some embodiments, the plurality of partition walls are assembled to the first liquid cooling plate and the second liquid cooling plate in an assembled structure.

[0010] In some embodiments, a plurality of first positioning recesses are formed on the lower surface of the first liquid cooling plate, and a plurality of second positioning recesses are formed on the upper surface of the second liquid cooling plate. Each partition wall is formed with a plurality of positioning protrusions respectively engaged with the corresponding first positioning recess and the corresponding second positioning recess.

[0011] In some embodiments, the frame is formed by die-casting metal, the plurality of partition walls are formed by metal thin plates, and the plurality of partition walls are assembled to the frame.

[0012] Thus, in some embodiments, the connector assembly of the present invention includes a housing, a socket connector, a first liquid cooling plate, and a second liquid cooling plate arranged vertically. Each housing includes a frame and a plurality of partition walls provided on the frame. The frame and the plurality of partition walls together define a plurality of horizontally arranged insertion spaces. Among them, the lower housing further includes a bottom plate provided on the frame and forming the lower wall surface of the plurality of insertion spaces of the lower housing. The socket connector is accommodated in the housing. The first liquid cooling plate is disposed on the top of the upper housing. The lower surface of the first liquid cooling plate spans the top of the upper housing and forms the upper wall surface of the plurality of insertion spaces of the upper housing. The second liquid cooling plate is disposed between the upper housing and the lower housing. The upper surface of the second liquid cooling plate spans the bottom of the upper housing and forms the lower wall surface of the plurality of insertion spaces of the upper housing. The lower surface of the second liquid cooling plate spans the top of the lower housing and forms the upper wall surface of the plurality of insertion spaces of the lower housing. The upper surface of the second liquid cooling plate is provided with a pressing spring corresponding to each insertion space, and the pressing direction of the pressing spring faces the direction of the first liquid cooling plate. The bottom plate is provided with a pressing spring corresponding to each insertion space, and the pressing direction of the pressing spring faces the direction of the second liquid cooling plate.

[0013] In some embodiments, the pressing spring is an independent component. The pressing spring has a mounting portion assembled on the upper surface of the second liquid cooling plate or the bottom plate, and a spring piece extending from the mounting portion and extending into the corresponding insertion space.

[0014] In some embodiments, the mounting portion of the pressing spring has a plate body assembled on the upper surface of the second liquid cooling plate or the bottom plate, and a frame body folded back from the plate body to the upper surface of the plate body. The spring piece is integrally extended from the inner edge of the frame body and extends into the corresponding insertion space, and the spring piece can be supported by the plate body.

[0015] In some embodiments, the mounting portion of the pressing spring is located at the front end, and the spring piece is integrally extended backward from the mounting portion and extends into the corresponding insertion space.

[0016] In some embodiments, the partition walls of the upper housing are assembled to the first liquid cooling plate and the second liquid cooling plate in an assembled structure, and the partition walls of the lower housing are assembled to the second liquid cooling plate and the bottom plate in an assembled structure.

[0017] In some embodiments, a plurality of first positioning recesses are formed on the lower surface of the first liquid cooling plate, a plurality of second positioning recesses are formed on the upper and lower surfaces of the second liquid cooling plate, a plurality of assembly holes are formed through the bottom plate, and a plurality of positioning protrusions that are respectively snapped into the corresponding first positioning recesses and the corresponding second positioning recesses are formed on each partition wall of the upper cover, and a plurality of positioning protrusions that are respectively snapped into the corresponding second positioning recesses, and a plurality of assembly pieces that are respectively snapped into the corresponding assembly holes are formed on each partition wall of the lower cover.

[0018] In some embodiments, the frame is formed by die-casting metal, the plurality of partition walls are formed by thin metal plates, and the plurality of partition walls are assembled to the frame.

[0019] In some embodiments, each partition wall is formed with engaging pieces extending from the top edge and the bottom edge, and the frame is formed with a plurality of engaging grooves for respectively and rearwardly snapping the engaging pieces of the plurality of partition walls.

[0020] In some embodiments, each partition wall is formed with engaging pieces extending from the top edge and the bottom edge, the frame is formed with a plurality of engaging grooves for respectively snapping the engaging pieces of the plurality of partition walls, the frame is further formed with a plurality of holding structures that extend rearward and are respectively used for assembling with the rear sections of the plurality of partition walls, each holding structure is formed with a clamping groove for accommodating the partition wall, the clamping groove has a plurality of side notches facing laterally, each partition wall is formed with a plurality of blocking pieces that respectively correspond to the plurality of side notches and extend laterally, the partition wall is accommodated in the clamping groove, and the plurality of blocking pieces are snapped into the plurality of side notches.

[0021] In some embodiments, the frame of the cover is formed with a front assembly groove located at the front section, formed forward and extending laterally, and a plurality of rear assembly grooves located behind the front assembly groove, first formed downward and then forward. The first liquid cooling plate is formed with a front assembly rib corresponding to and snapped into the front assembly groove of the upper cover forward, and a plurality of rear assembly posts respectively corresponding to and snapped into the rear assembly grooves of the cover forward. The second liquid cooling plate is formed with a front assembly rib corresponding to and snapped into the front assembly groove of the lower cover forward, and a plurality of rear assembly posts respectively corresponding to and snapped into the rear assembly grooves of the cover forward. The connector assembly further includes a plurality of fixing members for respectively fixing the first liquid cooling plate and the upper cover, and the second liquid cooling plate and the lower cover.

[0022] In the present invention, by means of the first liquid cooling plate and the second liquid cooling plate which are disposed on the cover body and directly form the walls of the plurality of plug-in spaces, and the pressing springs corresponding to the plurality of plug-in spaces and having a pressing direction towards the first liquid cooling plate and the second liquid cooling plate, the pluggable module inserted into the connector assembly can be pushed by the pressing springs to directly contact the surface of the first liquid cooling plate or the surface of the second liquid cooling plate, thereby enabling the first liquid cooling plate and the second liquid cooling plate to directly contact the heat source (the pluggable module), so as to improve the heat dissipation efficiency. Moreover, thereby, the structures of the first liquid cooling plate and the second liquid cooling plate can be further simplified, making the manufacturing and assembly of the connector assembly easier. Description of the Drawings

[0023] Other features and technical effects of the present invention will be clearly presented in the embodiments with reference to the drawings, wherein:

[0024] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a first embodiment of the connector assembly of the present invention, a circuit board, and a pluggable module;

[0025] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the first embodiment;

[0026] Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the upper cover body of the first embodiment;

[0027] Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the lower cover body of the first embodiment;

[0028] Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of the cover body, the first liquid cooling plate, and the second liquid cooling plate of the first embodiment;

[0029] Figure 6 is Figure 5 an exploded perspective view of the cover body, the first liquid cooling plate, and the second liquid cooling plate of the first embodiment in FIG.

[0030] Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view of the second liquid cooling plate and the pressing spring of the first embodiment;

[0031] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment;

[0032] Figure 9 is an exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of the connector assembly of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 10 is an exploded perspective view of the upper cover body of the second embodiment;

[0034] Figure 11 is an exploded perspective view of the lower cover of the second embodiment;

[0035] Figure 12 is an exploded perspective view of the cover, the first liquid cooling plate and the second liquid cooling plate of the first embodiment; and

[0036] Figure 13 is Figure 12 an exploded perspective view of the cover, the first liquid cooling plate and the second liquid cooling plate of the second embodiment in

[0037] 100 ···· Connector assembly

[0038] 1 ······ Cover

[0039] 1a ···· Upper cover

[0040] 1b ···· Lower cover

[0041] 11 ···· Frame

[0042] 111 ···· Front frame part

[0043] 111a ··· Plug-in frame

[0044] 111b ··· Clamping block

[0045] 111c ··· Front assembly groove

[0046] 111d ··· Main groove part

[0047] 111e ··· Alignment groove part

[0048] 112 ···· Side frame part

[0049] 112a ··· Positioning groove

[0050] 112b ··· Buckle block

[0051] 112c ··· Fixing structure

[0052] 112d ··· Positioning groove

[0053] 112e ··· Buckle block

[0054] 113 ···· Rear frame part

[0055] 1130 ··· Block

[0056] 113a ··· Rear assembly groove

[0057] 113b ··· Locking groove

[0058] 113c ··· Block

[0059] 114····Snap groove

[0060] 115····Retention structure

[0061] 115a··Clamping channel

[0062] 115b··Side notch

[0063] 12····Partition wall

[0064] 121····Snap piece

[0065] 122····Positioning protrusion

[0066] 123····Assembly piece

[0067] 124····Blocking piece

[0068] 125····Grounding pin

[0069] 13·····Insertion space

[0070] 14·····Locking member

[0071] 140····Locking portion

[0072] 141····Positioning piece

[0073] 142····Fixing portion

[0074] 142a··Buckling hole

[0075] 15·····Bottom plate

[0076] 151····Bottom plate portion

[0077] 151a··Window opening

[0078] 151b··Assembly hole

[0079] 152····Locking portion

[0080] 152a··Positioning piece

[0081] 153····Buckling portion

[0082] 153a··Buckling hole

[0083] 16·····First elastic grounding member

[0084] 161····First inner elastic finger

[0085] 162····First outer elastic finger

[0086] 162a··Locking hole

[0087] 17 ····· Second elastic grounding part

[0088] 171 ····· Second elastic finger part

[0089] 18 ····· Bottom frame bar

[0090] 181 ····· Buckling part

[0091] 181a · Buckling hole

[0092] 2 ····· Socket connector

[0093] 21 ····· Housing

[0094] 211 ····· Insertion slot

[0095] 22 ····· Terminal

[0096] 3 ····· First liquid cooling plate

[0097] 31 ····· Front assembly rib

[0098] 311 ····· Main rib part

[0099] 312 ····· Alignment rib part

[0100] 32 ····· Rear assembly post

[0101] 33 ····· First positioning recess

[0102] 4 ····· Second liquid cooling plate

[0103] 41 ····· Front assembly rib

[0104] 411 ····· Main rib part

[0105] 412 ····· Alignment rib part

[0106] 42 ····· Rear assembly post

[0107] 43 ····· Groove

[0108] 44 ····· Second positioning recess

[0109] 45 ····· Setting slot

[0110] 5 ····· Pressing spring

[0111] 50 ····· Installation part

[0112] 51 ····· Plate body

[0113] 52 ····· Frame body

[0114] 53 ····· Spring piece

[0115] 54 ····· Installation part

[0116] 55 ····· Spring piece

[0117] 6 ······· Rear cover

[0118] 61 ····· Assembly hole

[0119] 62 ····· Limit groove

[0120] 63 ····· Positioning post

[0121] 7 ······· Rear partition wall

[0122] 71 ····· Assembly piece

[0123] 8 ······· Sliding lock fastener

[0124] 81 ····· Locking block

[0125] 200 ····· Circuit board

[0126] 300 ····· Plug - in module

[0127] 301 ····· Docking part

[0128] 301a · Locking groove

[0129] 302 ····· Plug - in circuit board

[0130] 400 ····· Screwing lock part

[0131] 500 ····· Screwing lock part

[0132] D1 ····· Up - down direction

[0133] D2 ····· Left - right direction

[0134] D3 ····· Front - back direction

[0135] L ······· Locking piece

[0136] S ······· Circuit board fixing structure

[0137] P ······· Disk body

[0138] I ······· Inlet

[0139] O ······· Outlet

[0140] R ······· Flow channel

[0141] F ······ fin Detailed implementation mode

[0142] Before the present invention is described in detail, it should be noted that in the following description, similar elements are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0143] Refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , a first embodiment of the connector assembly 100 of the present invention is adapted to be disposed on a circuit board 200 and is adapted to be plugged into a pluggable module 300. The connector assembly 100 includes two housings 1, a plurality of socket connectors 2, a first liquid cooling plate 3, a second liquid cooling plate 4, and a plurality of pressing springs 5. It should be noted that for the sake of clarity and easy understanding of the drawings, only one of the plurality of socket connectors 2 and one of the pluggable modules 300 are shown in the drawings. Figure 1 One of the plurality of socket connectors 2 and one of the pluggable modules 300 are shown.

[0144] Refer to Figures 1 to 4 , the two housings 1 are arranged along an up-down direction D1 (the direction indicated by the arrow of D1 is up and the reverse direction is down). In the following description, the upper housing is called the upper housing 1a and the lower housing is called the lower housing (1b). Each housing 1 includes a frame 11 and a plurality of partition walls 12 provided on the frame 11 and spaced side by side along a left-right direction D2 (the direction indicated by the arrow of D2 is right and the reverse direction is left). In the present first embodiment, the frame 11 is formed by die casting of metal, and the plurality of partition walls 12 are formed by metal thin plates through, for example, stamping, so that the frame 11 as the main structure of the housing 1 can have higher strength, and the plurality of partition walls 12 are more cost-saving in manufacturing, so as to meet the requirements of both high strength and low cost at the same time. However, in other embodiments, the frame 11 and the plurality of partition walls 12 can be formed by other manufacturing methods together or separately. The plurality of partition walls 12 are assembled to the frame 11 in an assembled structure, and the frame 11 and the plurality of partition walls 12 together define a plurality of plugging spaces 13 arranged horizontally along the left-right direction D2 and opening forward along a front-back direction D3 (the direction indicated by the arrow of D3 is front and the reverse direction is back), and the plurality of plugging spaces 13 are for the pluggable module 300 to be inserted. In the present first embodiment, the lower housing 1b further includes a bottom plate 15 assembled to the frame 11 and forming the lower wall surface of the plurality of plugging spaces 13 of the lower housing 1b, and the bottom plate 15 is formed by a metal thin plate in the present first embodiment.

[0145] Specifically, the frame 11 of each housing 1 has a front frame portion 111 located at the front end and extending along the left-right direction D2, two side frame portions 112 extending rearward from the left and right sides of the front frame portion 111, and a rear frame portion 113 connecting between the two side frame portions 112 and located behind the front frame portion 111. The front end of the front frame portion 111 is formed with a plug-in frame 111a extending forward and surrounding the front ends of the plurality of plug-in spaces 13. Each partition wall 12 is formed with a plurality of engaging pieces 121 bent laterally from the front and rear ends of the top edge and the bottom edge. A plurality of engaging grooves 114 extending from the front to the rear and respectively for the engaging pieces 121 of the plurality of partition walls 12 to be snapped into rearward are formed together at the plug-in frame 111a of the frame 11 and the rear frame portion 113. Each side frame portion 112 of each housing 1 is formed with a positioning groove 112a extending upward from the bottom and a buckle 112b protruding outward from the outer side surface. The upper housing 1a further includes two locking members 14 assembled to the left and right two side frame portions 112 of the frame 11. Each locking member 14 includes a locking portion 140 located on the inner side surface of the side frame portion 112 and a fixing portion 142 buckled to the outer side surface of the corresponding side frame portion 112. The locking portion 140 has a locking piece L, and a positioning piece 141 is provided on the locking portion 140 and is snapped into the positioning groove 112a of the corresponding side frame portion 112. Further, the positioning piece 141 can also hook the outer side surface of the side frame portion 112. The fixing portion 142 is formed with a buckle hole 142a corresponding to accommodate the buckle 112b. The bottom plate 15 of the lower housing 1b has a bottom plate portion 151, locking portions 152 extending upward from the left and right side edges of the bottom plate portion 151, and buckling portions 153 extending upward from the left and right side edges of the bottom plate portion 151 and located outside the locking portions 152. The locking portions 152 are assembled to the inner side surfaces of the plurality of side frame portions 112, the buckling portions 153 are buckled to the outer side surfaces of the plurality of side frame portions 112. The locking portions 152 are formed with positioning pieces 152a snapped into the positioning grooves 112a of the corresponding side frame portions 112. Further, the positioning pieces 152a can also hook the outer side surfaces of the side frame portions 112. The buckling portions 153 are formed with buckle holes 153a corresponding to accommodate the buckles 112b. In addition, it is worth mentioning that the partition wall 12, the locking portion 140 of the locking member 14, and the side partition wall body 152 are all formed with locking pieces L protruding into the plug-in space 13. When the pluggable module 300 is inserted into the plug-in space 13, the locking pieces L are snapped into the locking grooves 301a on both sides of the docking portion 301 of the pluggable module 300 to lock the pluggable module 300 in the plug-in space 13.In addition, each housing 1 further includes a plurality of first elastic grounding members 16 assembled and disposed on the insertion frame 111a of the frame 11, and a plurality of second elastic grounding members 17 assembled and disposed at the front ends of the plurality of partition walls 12. Each first elastic grounding member 16 has a first inner elastic finger portion 161 disposed inside the insertion frame 111a and extending into the corresponding insertion space 13, and a first outer elastic finger portion 162 disposed outside the insertion frame 111a. A plurality of locking blocks 111b are formed on the outside of the insertion frame 111a, and the first outer elastic finger portion 162 is formed with locking holes 162a correspondingly tenoned to the locking blocks 111b. Each second elastic grounding member 17 has a plurality of second elastic finger portions 171 respectively located on the left and right sides of the corresponding partition wall 12 and extending into the corresponding insertion space 13. The plurality of first elastic grounding members 16 and the plurality of second elastic grounding members 17 are used to elastically contact the outer surface of the pluggable module 300 inserted into the insertion space 13.

[0146] In addition, a fixing structure 112c having a locking hole is formed on the outside of the frame 11 of the two housings 1 at the plurality of side frame portions 112. The fixing structures 112c of the frames 11 of the two housings 1 can be fixed to each other by a locking member (not shown in the figure) so that the two housings 1 are assembled and fixed relative to each other. Moreover, circuit board fixing structures S extending downward and having locking holes are respectively formed at the front sections of the two side frame portions 112 of the upper housing 1a. The circuit board fixing structures S can be locked to the circuit board 200 by locking members.

[0147] The multiple socket connectors 2 are received in the housing 1 and are arranged side by side in the left-right direction D2 on the circuit board 200. Each socket connector 2 includes an insulating housing 21 and a plurality of terminals 22. The housing 21 has two insertion slots 211 facing forward and arranged in the up-down direction D1. The two insertion slots 211 respectively correspond to one of the insertion spaces 13 of the upper housing 1a and one of the insertion spaces 13 of the lower housing 1b. The plurality of terminals 22 are arranged in the two insertion slots 211 and the tails (not shown in the figure) extend out of the housing 21 to be mechanically and electrically connected to the circuit board 200, but not limited thereto. For example, each terminal 22 of the socket connector 2 may not need to be connected to the circuit board 200, and each terminal 22 may also be connected to a cable. Additionally, in this first embodiment, the connector assembly 100 further includes a rear cover 6 covering the rear section of the housing 1 and covering the multiple socket connectors 2, and a plurality of rear partition walls 7 assembled and disposed between adjacent socket connectors 2 to separate the multiple socket connectors 2. Specifically, the rear cover 6 is generally in the shape of an L-shaped plate, and the rear cover 6 is formed with a plurality of assembly holes 61 penetrating through the top, and a plurality of limiting slots 62 formed on the front side of the rear section. The rear edges of the plurality of rear partition walls 7 are snapped into the plurality of limiting slots 62, and a plurality of assembly tabs 71 for snapping into the corresponding assembly holes 61 are formed on the top edges of each rear partition wall 7. During assembly, the plurality of assembly tabs 71 can be pressed and folded after passing through the corresponding assembly holes 61 to couple the plurality of rear partition walls 7 to the rear cover 6. Additionally, the rear cover 6 is formed with two positioning posts 63 located at the left and right sides of the front end. Two positioning grooves 112d for the two positioning posts 63 to be snapped into are respectively formed on the two side frame portions 112 of the upper frame 11. Furthermore, the rear cover 6 is further formed with a circuit board mounting structure S having a locking hole (see Figure 8 ), and the circuit board mounting structure S can be locked to the circuit board 200 by a locking member 400. When the docking portion 301 of the pluggable module 300 is inserted into the insertion space 13, the insertion circuit board 302 provided at the end of the docking portion 301 of the pluggable module 300 can be inserted into the corresponding insertion slot 211 to be docked with the terminals 22 of the socket connector 2.

[0148] Refer to Figure 1 、 Figures 5 to 8, the first liquid cooling plate 3 is disposed on the top of the upper cover 1a, and the lower surface of the first liquid cooling plate 3 straddles the top of the upper cover 1a and forms the upper wall surface of the plurality of insertion spaces 13 of the upper cover 1a. The second liquid cooling plate 4 is disposed between the upper cover 1a and the lower cover 1b. The upper surface of the second liquid cooling plate 4 straddles the bottom of the upper cover 1a and forms the lower wall surface of the plurality of insertion spaces 13 of the upper cover 1a. The lower surface of the second liquid cooling plate 4 straddles the top of the lower cover 1b and forms the upper wall surface of the plurality of insertion spaces 13 of the lower cover 1. The first liquid cooling plate 3 and the second liquid cooling plate 4 are used for cooling liquid to circulate internally. The first liquid cooling plate 3 and the second liquid cooling plate 4 each include a plate body P for the cooling liquid to flow internally. The cooling liquid can be, for example, water or other coolant. The plate body P is made of metal (such as copper, aluminum) for example and has a liquid inlet I and a liquid outlet O located on the left and right sides for the cooling liquid to flow in or out, a liquid channel R located inside and communicating between the liquid inlet I and the liquid outlet O, and a plurality of heat dissipation fins F provided in the liquid channel R. The plate body P is assembled in two parts up and down in this first embodiment, but this is not a limitation. The first liquid cooling plate 3 and the second liquid cooling plate 4 can be used in combination with other components of a liquid cooling system (not shown in the figure) so that the cooling liquid can absorb heat from the first liquid cooling plate 3 and the second liquid cooling plate 4 and then dissipate the heat through the liquid cooling system after leaving. The liquid cooling system can include, for example, fluid conduits, radiators, cooling fans, pumps, water tanks, etc. The above components can be provided outside the connector assembly 100.

[0149] It should be noted that the number of the covers 1 can also be only one. In this case, the first liquid cooling plate 3 and the second liquid cooling plate 4 are respectively located above and below the cover 1. And the number of the covers 1 can also be three or more, and the number of the first liquid cooling plate 3 and the second liquid cooling plate 4 can also be two or more respectively. That is to say, the number of the covers 1, the first liquid cooling plate 3 and the second liquid cooling plate 4 can be adjusted according to requirements and is not limited by this first embodiment.

[0150] Specifically, the frame 11 of each cover body 1 is formed with a front assembly groove 111c located on the inner side of the front frame portion 111 and formed and extending horizontally forward, and a plurality of rear assembly grooves 113a located in the rear frame portion 113 and formed first downward and then forward. The first liquid cooling plate 3 is formed with a front assembly rib 31 corresponding to and engaging forwardly into the front assembly groove 111c of the upper cover body 1a and formed forward, and a plurality of rear assembly posts 32 respectively corresponding to and engaging forwardly into the rear assembly grooves 113a of the cover body 1. The rear assembly posts 32 form an L-shaped structure facing forward. The second liquid cooling plate 4 is formed with a front assembly rib 41 corresponding to and engaging forwardly into the front assembly groove 111c of the lower cover body 1b and formed forward, and a plurality of rear assembly posts 42 respectively corresponding to and engaging forwardly into the rear assembly grooves 113a of the cover body 1. The rear assembly posts 42 form an L-shaped structure facing forward. Specifically, a stopper 1130 is formed at the front top of each rear assembly groove 113a. After the front assembly posts 41 and the rear assembly posts 42 forming the L-shaped structure facing forward are engaged forwardly into the rear assembly groove 113a, they will be blocked by the stopper 1130 to prevent them from disengaging from the rear assembly groove 113a. In this first embodiment, the front assembly groove 111c has a main groove portion 111d formed and extending horizontally forward, and a pair of alignment groove portions 111e formed forward and extending upward from the main groove portion 111d. The front assembly ribs 31 and 41 have a main rib portion 311 and 411 formed and extending in the left-right direction D2 forward, and a pair of alignment rib portions 312 and 412 formed forward and extending upward from the center of the main rib portions 311 and 411. The main groove portion 111d cooperates with the main rib portions 311 and 411 correspondingly, and the alignment groove portions 111e cooperate with the alignment rib portions 312 and 412 correspondingly. Through the cooperation of the alignment groove portions 111e and the alignment rib portions 312 and 412, the positions of the first liquid cooling plate 3 and the second liquid cooling plate 4 relative to the cover body 1 in the left-right direction D2 can be further ensured. The connector assembly 100 further includes a plurality of fixing members for fixing the first liquid cooling plate 3 and the upper cover body 1a and the second liquid cooling plate 4 and the lower cover body 1b. In this first embodiment, the plurality of fixing members are locking members 500 that are passed through and locked to the rear frame portions 113 of the first liquid cooling plate 3 and the upper cover body 1a and the rear frame portions 113 of the second liquid cooling plate 4 and the lower cover body 1b.When the first liquid cooling plate 3 and the second liquid cooling plate 4 are to be assembled to the upper cover 1a and the lower cover 1b respectively, first extend the plurality of post-assembly columns 32 and 42 downward into the plurality of post-assembly grooves 113a, and align the front-assembly ridges 31 and 41 with the front-assembly grooves 111c. Then, push the first liquid cooling plate 3 or the second liquid cooling plate 4 forward so that the front-assembly ridges 31 and 41 are snapped into the front-assembly grooves 111c and the plurality of post-assembly columns 32 and 42 are snapped into the plurality of post-assembly grooves 113a. Then, pass through and lock with a screw locking member 500 (fastening member), thereby assembling the first liquid cooling plate 3 and the second liquid cooling plate 4 to the upper cover 1a and the lower cover 1b respectively.

[0151] Refer to Figure 2 , Figure 4 , Figure 7 and Figure 8, the multiple pressing springs 5 are independent components and are assembled on the upper surface of the second liquid cooling plate 4 and on the bottom plate portion 151 of the bottom plate 15, and are respectively located in the multiple insertion spaces 13 correspondingly. The pressing directions of the multiple pressing springs 5 assembled on the upper surface of the second liquid cooling plate 4 are towards the direction of the first liquid cooling plate 3, and the pressing directions of the multiple pressing springs 5 assembled on the bottom plate portion 151 of the bottom plate 15 are towards the direction of the second liquid cooling plate 4. In this first embodiment, each pressing spring 5 has a mounting portion 50 assembled on the upper surface of the second liquid cooling plate 4 or the bottom plate portion 151 of the bottom plate 15, and two spring pieces 53 extending from the mounting portion 50 and extending into the corresponding insertion space. The mounting portion has a plate body 51 assembled on the upper surface of the second liquid cooling plate 4 or the bottom plate portion 151 of the bottom plate 15, and a frame body 52 folded back from the plate body 51 to the upper surface of the plate body 51. The two spring pieces 53 are integrally formed and extend rearward from the inner edge of the frame body 52 and extend into the corresponding insertion spaces 13. It should be noted that the number of the spring pieces 53 can also be adjusted to one or more than three according to requirements in other embodiments, and is not limited to this first embodiment. In addition, in this first embodiment, the lower surface of the plate body 51 of the mounting portion 50 of the multiple pressing springs 5 assembled on the upper surface of the second liquid cooling plate 4 is arranged on the upper surface of the second liquid cooling plate 4 by welding, and the upper surface of the second liquid cooling plate 4 is formed with multiple grooves 43 for arranging the plate bodies 51 of the multiple pressing springs 5. The bottom plate portion 151 of the bottom plate 15 is formed with openings 151a corresponding to the multiple pressing springs 5. The upper surface around the plate bodies 51 of the multiple pressing springs 5 assembled on the bottom plate 15 is arranged on the lower surface of the bottom plate portion 151 at the openings 151a by welding. The spring pieces 53 of the multiple pressing springs 5 extend into the multiple insertion spaces 13 through the openings 151a, and the plate bodies 51 of the pressing springs 5 form a complete plate shape and can cover the openings 151a after assembly. However, the setting method can be adjusted according to requirements. For example, the plate bodies 51 of the multiple pressing springs 5 can also be arranged on the second liquid cooling plate 4 and the bottom plate 15 by existing setting methods such as clamping and riveting. Furthermore, in a variant embodiment, the plate bodies 51 of the multiple pressing springs 5 can also be arranged on the upper surface of the bottom plate portion 151 of the bottom plate 15. Therefore, the bottom plate portion 151 of the bottom plate 15 does not need to have the openings 151a. In addition, the upper surface of the second liquid cooling plate 4 can also not be formed with the multiple grooves 43 for arranging the plate bodies 51 of the multiple pressing springs 5, and is not limited to this first embodiment. Furthermore, although in this first embodiment, the ends of the multiple spring pieces 53 can directly abut against the plate body 51 to be supported by the plate body 51 (see Figure 8), but in other embodiments, the ends of the plurality of spring pieces 53 may also be spaced from the plate body 51 by a certain distance and only abut against the plate body 51 when the plurality of spring pieces 53 are pressed, so as to be supported by the plate body 51, which is not limited to this first embodiment. By means of the first liquid cooling plate 3 and the second liquid cooling plate 4 provided on the cover body 1 and directly forming the walls of the plurality of insertion spaces 13, and the plurality of pressing springs 5 extending into the corresponding plurality of insertion spaces 13 and having a pressing direction facing the direction of the first liquid cooling plate 3 and the second liquid cooling plate 4, the pluggable module 300 (see Figure 1 ) inserted into the connector assembly 100 can be pushed by the pressing springs 5 to directly contact the surface of the first liquid cooling plate 3 or the surface of the second liquid cooling plate 4, thereby enabling the first liquid cooling plate 3 and the second liquid cooling plate 4 to directly contact the heat source (pluggable module 300) to improve the heat dissipation efficiency. Moreover, hereby, the structures of the first liquid cooling plate 3 and the second liquid cooling plate 4 can be further simplified, making the manufacturing and assembly of the connector assembly 100 easier.

[0152] Refer to Figure 1 、 Figures 4 to 8 , in addition, the partition walls 12 of the upper cover body 1a are also assembled to the first liquid cooling plate 3 and the second liquid cooling plate 4, and the partition walls 12 of the lower cover body 1b are also assembled to the second liquid cooling plate 4 and the bottom plate portion 151 of the bottom plate 15. A plurality of first positioning recesses 33 are formed on the lower surface of the first liquid cooling plate 3, a plurality of second positioning recesses 44 are formed on the upper surface and the lower surface of the second liquid cooling plate 4, and a plurality of assembly holes 151b are formed through the bottom plate portion 151 of the bottom plate 15. Each partition wall 12 of the upper cover body 1a is formed with a plurality of positioning protrusions 122 respectively engaging with the corresponding first positioning recesses 33 and the corresponding second positioning recesses 44, each partition wall 12 of the lower cover body 1b is formed with a plurality of positioning protrusions 122 respectively engaging with the corresponding second positioning recesses 44, and a plurality of assembly pieces 123 respectively engaging with the corresponding assembly holes 151b. It should be noted that the plurality of positioning protrusions 122 are formed by extending and bending from the plurality of partition walls 12. In addition, when assembling the plurality of partition walls 12 and the bottom plate 15, the plurality of assembly pieces 123 can be pressed and folded after passing through the corresponding assembly holes 151b to combine the plurality of partition walls 12 to the bottom plate 15.

[0153] Refer to Figures 9 to 11, a second embodiment of the connector assembly 100 of the present invention is different from the first embodiment in that, in this second embodiment, the rear cover 6 is integrally formed rearward from the rear ends of the side frame portion 112 and the rear frame portion 113 of the upper cover body 1a. The plurality of partition walls 12 are relatively long and extend rearward into the rear cover 6. Each frame 11 of the cover body 1 further forms a plurality of holding structures 115 located at the rear section and respectively used for assembling with the rear sections of the plurality of partition walls 12. Among them, the holding structure 115 of the upper cover body 1a is formed on the inner side surface of the rear cover 6, and the holding structure of the lower cover body 1b extends rearward from the rear frame portion 113. Each holding structure 115 forms a clamping channel 115a with a downward opening and used for accommodating the partition wall 12. The clamping channel has a plurality of side notches 115b facing laterally. Each partition wall 12 forms a plurality of stop pieces 124 respectively corresponding to the plurality of side notches 115b and extending forward and laterally inclined. When the rear section of the partition wall 12 is assembled rearward into the holding structure 115, the top edge of the rear section of the partition wall 12 is accommodated in the clamping channel 115a, and the plurality of stop pieces 124 are engaged with the plurality of side notches 115b. Thereby preventing the plurality of partition walls 12 from slipping relative to the frame 11. In addition, the upper cover body 1a further has a bottom frame strip 18 provided below the frame 11 and extending horizontally along the left-right direction D2. The bottom frame strip 18 forms two fastening portions 181 located at the left and right ends and buckling to the outer side surface of the side frame portion 112 of the buckling frame 11. Each fastening portion 181 forms a fastening hole 181a for accommodating the fastening block 112e on the outer side surface of the side frame portion 112. In addition, the partition wall 12 of the lower cover body 1 further forms an assembly hole 151b penetrating through the bottom plate portion 151 of the bottom plate 15 to insert a plurality of ground pins 125 of the circuit board 200 (see Figure 1 ).

[0154] Refer to Figure 9 , Figure 12 and Figure 13, furthermore, in this second embodiment, the plurality of fixing members are sliding locking fasteners 8 that are inserted and locked through the rear frame portion 113 of the first liquid cooling plate 3 and the upper cover 1a and the rear frame portion 113 of the second liquid cooling plate 4 and the lower cover 1b. A locking groove 113b is formed in the rear frame portion 113 of each cover 1, and a stopper 113c is formed in the locking groove 113b at the left rear. Two locking blocks 81 corresponding to the stopper 113c are formed at the bottom of each sliding locking fastener 8. The plurality of sliding locking fasteners 8 are slidably inserted downward through the first liquid cooling plate 3 and the second liquid cooling plate 4 in the left-right direction D2. When assembling the first liquid cooling plate 3 and the second liquid cooling plate 4 to the cover 1, first, the plurality of rear assembling posts 32 and 42 are extended downward into the plurality of rear assembling grooves 113a, and the front assembling ridges 31 and 32 are aligned with the front assembling grooves 111c. Then, the first liquid cooling plate 3 or the second liquid cooling plate 4 is pushed forward so that the front assembling ridges 31 and 41 are snapped into the front assembling grooves 111c and the plurality of rear assembling posts 32 and 42 are snapped into the plurality of rear assembling grooves 113a. Then, the sliding locking fastener 8 (fixing member) is toggled to the left so that the locking block 81 of the sliding locking fastener 8 is snapped under the stopper 113c of the locking groove 113b, thereby assembling the first liquid cooling plate 3 and the second liquid cooling plate 4 to the cover 1.

[0155] Refer to Figures 9 to 12 , in addition, in this second embodiment, the mounting portion 54 of each pressing spring 5 is located at the front end, and the spring piece 55 is integrally extended rearward from the mounting portion 54 and extends into the corresponding insertion space 13. Additionally, in detail, the mounting portions 54 of the plurality of pressing springs 5 are assembled to the upper surface of the second liquid cooling plate 4 or the upper surface of the bottom plate portion 151 of the bottom plate 15 by welding. However, in other embodiments, it can also be assembled by existing setting methods such as clamping and riveting, and is not limited thereto. A setting groove 45 for accommodating the mounting portions 54 of the plurality of pressing springs 5 is formed downward at the front end of the upper surface of the second liquid cooling plate 4 to enhance the holding force of the second liquid cooling plate 4 on the plurality of pressing springs 5.

[0156] In summary, in the present invention, the first liquid cooling plate 3 and the second liquid cooling plate 4, which are disposed on the housing 1 and directly form the walls of the plurality of insertion spaces 13, and the pressing springs 5 corresponding to the plurality of insertion spaces 13 and pressing in the direction towards the first liquid cooling plate 3 and the second liquid cooling plate 4, enable the pluggable module 300 inserted into the connector assembly 100 to be pushed by the pressing springs 5 to directly contact the surface of the first liquid cooling plate 3 or the surface of the second liquid cooling plate 4. Thereby, the first liquid cooling plate 3 and the second liquid cooling plate 4 can directly contact the heat source (the pluggable module 300) to improve the heat dissipation efficiency. Moreover, thereby, the structures of the first liquid cooling plate 3 and the second liquid cooling plate 4 can be further simplified, making the manufacturing and assembly of the connector assembly 100 easier.

[0157] The above are only the embodiments of the present invention, and the scope of implementation of the present invention cannot be limited thereby. All simple equivalent changes and modifications made according to the claims of the present invention and the content of the patent specification still fall within the scope covered by the patent of the present invention.

Claims

1. A connector assembly, comprising: A housing, including a frame and a plurality of partition walls provided on the frame. The frame and the plurality of partition walls jointly define a plurality of insertion spaces arranged horizontally; A socket connector accommodated in the housing; A first liquid cooling plate provided on the top of the housing. The lower surface of the first liquid cooling plate spans across the top of the housing and forms the upper wall surface of the plurality of insertion spaces; A second liquid cooling plate provided on the bottom of the housing. The upper surface of the second liquid cooling plate spans across the bottom of the housing and forms the lower wall surface of the plurality of insertion spaces; and On the upper surface of the second liquid cooling plate, a pressing spring is provided corresponding to each insertion space. The pressing direction of the pressing spring is towards the direction of the first liquid cooling plate, so that the pluggable module inserted into the insertion space is pushed by the pressing spring to directly contact the lower surface of the first liquid cooling plate.

2. The connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The pressing spring is an independent component. The pressing spring has a mounting portion assembled on the upper surface of the second liquid cooling plate, and a spring piece extending from the mounting portion and extending into the corresponding insertion space.

3. The connector assembly according to claim 2, wherein, The mounting portion of the pressing spring has a plate body assembled on the upper surface of the second liquid cooling plate, and a frame body folded back from the plate body to the upper surface of the plate body. The spring piece is integrally extended from the inner edge of the frame body and extends into the corresponding insertion space.

4. The connector assembly according to claim 2, wherein, The mounting portion of the pressing spring is located at the front end, and the spring piece extends integrally backward from the mounting portion and extends into the corresponding insertion space.

5. The connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The plurality of partition walls are assembled to the first liquid cooling plate and the second liquid cooling plate in an assembled structure.

6. The connector assembly according to claim 5, wherein, On the lower surface of the first liquid cooling plate, a plurality of first positioning recesses are formed. On the upper surface of the second liquid cooling plate, a plurality of second positioning recesses are formed. Each partition wall is formed with a plurality of positioning protrusions respectively engaging with the corresponding first positioning recess and the corresponding second positioning recess.

7. The connector assembly according to claim 5 or 6, wherein, The frame is formed by die-casting metal, and the plurality of partition walls are formed by thin metal plates. The plurality of partition walls are assembled to the frame.

8. A connector assembly, comprising: Hoods arranged vertically, each hood includes a frame, and a plurality of partition walls provided on the frame, the frame and the plurality of partition walls jointly define a plurality of insertion spaces arranged horizontally, wherein, The lower housing further includes a bottom plate provided on the frame and forming the lower wall surface of the plurality of insertion spaces of the lower housing; A socket connector accommodated in the housing; A first liquid cooling plate provided on the top of the upper housing. The lower surface of the first liquid cooling plate spans across the top of the upper housing and forms the upper wall surface of the plurality of insertion spaces of the upper housing; A second liquid cooling plate provided between the upper housing and the lower housing. The upper surface of the second liquid cooling plate spans across the bottom of the upper housing and forms the lower wall surface of the plurality of insertion spaces of the upper housing located above. The lower surface of the second liquid cooling plate spans across the top of the lower housing and forms the upper wall surface of the plurality of insertion spaces of the lower housing located below; And On the upper surface of the second liquid cooling plate, a pressing spring with a pressing direction towards the direction of the first liquid cooling plate is provided corresponding to each insertion space. On the bottom plate, a pressing spring with a pressing direction towards the direction of the second liquid cooling plate is provided corresponding to each insertion space, so that the pluggable module inserted into the insertion space is pushed by the pressing spring to directly contact the lower surface of the first liquid cooling plate or the lower surface of the second liquid cooling plate.

9. The connector assembly according to claim 8, wherein, The pressing spring is an independent component. The pressing spring has a mounting portion assembled on the upper surface of the second liquid cooling plate or the mounting portion of the base plate, and a spring piece extending from the mounting portion and extending into the corresponding insertion space.

10. The connector assembly according to claim 9, wherein, The mounting portion of the pressing spring has a plate body assembled on the upper surface of the second liquid cooling plate or the base plate, and a frame body folded back from the plate body to the upper surface of the plate body. The spring piece integrally extends from the inner edge of the frame body and extends into the corresponding insertion space.

11. The connector assembly according to claim 9, wherein, The mounting portion of the pressing spring is located at the front end, and the spring piece integrally extends backward from the mounting portion and extends into the corresponding insertion space.

12. The connector assembly according to claim 8, wherein, The partition wall of the upper cover is assembled to the first liquid cooling plate and the second liquid cooling plate in an assembled structure, and the partition wall of the lower cover is assembled to the second liquid cooling plate and the base plate in an assembled structure.

13. The connector assembly according to claim 12, wherein, A plurality of first positioning recesses are formed on the lower surface of the first liquid cooling plate, a plurality of second positioning recesses are formed on the upper surface and the lower surface of the second liquid cooling plate, a plurality of assembly holes are formed through the base plate, a plurality of positioning protrusions respectively engaging with the corresponding first positioning recesses and the corresponding second positioning recesses are formed on each partition wall of the upper cover, a plurality of positioning protrusions respectively engaging with the corresponding second positioning recesses are formed on each partition wall of the lower cover, and a plurality of assembly pieces respectively engaging with the corresponding assembly holes are formed.

14. The connector assembly according to claim 12 or 13, wherein, The frame is formed by die-casting of metal, the plurality of partition walls are formed by thin metal plates, and the plurality of partition walls are assembled to the frame.

15. The connector assembly according to claim 14, wherein, Each partition wall forms engaging pieces extending from the top edge and the bottom edge, and the frame forms a plurality of engaging grooves respectively for the engaging pieces of the plurality of partition walls to be inserted into.

16. The connector assembly according to claim 14, wherein, Each partition wall forms engaging pieces extending from the top edge and the bottom edge, the frame forms a plurality of engaging grooves respectively for the engaging pieces of the plurality of partition walls to be inserted into, the frame further forms a plurality of holding structures located at the rear section and respectively used for assembling with the rear sections of the plurality of partition walls, each holding structure forms a clamping channel for accommodating the partition wall, the clamping channel has a plurality of side notches facing laterally, each partition wall forms a plurality of blocking pieces respectively corresponding to the plurality of side notches and extending laterally, the partition wall is accommodated in the clamping channel, and the plurality of blocking pieces are engaged with the plurality of side notches.

17. The connector assembly according to claim 8, wherein, The frame of the cover forms a front assembly groove located at the front section, formed forward and extending laterally, and a plurality of rear assembly grooves located behind the front assembly groove, first formed downward and then forward. The first liquid cooling plate forms a front assembly rib corresponding to be inserted forward into the front assembly groove of the upper cover, and a plurality of rear assembly posts respectively corresponding to be inserted forward into the rear assembly grooves of the cover. The second liquid cooling plate forms a front assembly rib corresponding to be inserted forward into the front assembly groove of the lower cover, and a plurality of rear assembly posts respectively corresponding to be inserted forward into the rear assembly grooves of the cover. The connector assembly further includes a plurality of fixing members respectively fixing the first liquid cooling plate and the upper cover, and the second liquid cooling plate and the lower cover.

Images