Connector components

Abstract

The present invention provides a connector assembly, comprising a cover, a socket connector, a pluggable module, a heat sink, and a heat sink lifting structure. The cover has an internal plug-in space. The socket connector is arranged in the plug-in space of the cover. The pluggable module is used to be inserted into the plug-in space of the cover to dock with the socket connector. The heat sink has a downwardly protruding thermal coupling structure, and the thermal coupling structure has a thermal interface material arranged on the bottom surface. The heat sink lifting structure has a lifting portion for pushing up the rear section of the heat sink. When the pluggable module is not inserted into the cover, the lifting portion of the heat sink lifting structure is located in an active position for lifting the rear section of the heat sink; when the pluggable module is inserted into the plug-in space of the cover, the lifting portion of the heat sink lifting structure is moved to a non-active position for lowering the rear section of the heat sink.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector assembly, in particular to a connector assembly with a heat sink. Background Art

[0002] Chinese Invention Patent Publication No. CN109283635B (corresponding to U.S. Invention Patent Publication No. US10,295,767 B2) discloses a heat sink assembly for an optical transceiver. The invention discloses that the bottom of the heat sink of the heat sink assembly includes a front slot and a rear angled slot that guide the heat sink's movement relative to a cam structure. When the transceiver is partially inserted into the top bracket, a small gap exists between the heat sink's thermal interface material and the transceiver. At this point, the cam structure contacts the slot, positioning the heat sink higher relative to the transceiver. When the transceiver reaches the end of its travel in the top bracket, the rear connector interface engages the connector electronics. At this point, the cam structure moves relative to the slot, lowering the heat sink relative to the transceiver. In this lowered position, the thermal interface material contacts the transceiver's contact surface. A clamp connects to the heat sink and provides downward pressure, pushing the heat sink downward and into contact with the transceiver. When the transceiver is removed from the top bracket, the force of the spring pushing the cam structure forward is greater than the downward pressure of the clamp, so the heat sink is lifted away from the transceiver. This reduces the possibility of shear damage to the thermal interface material during the contact stroke when the transceiver is inserted or removed.

[0003] The prior art utilizes a cam structure to raise the heat sink, creating a gap between the heat sink and the transceiver, preventing the transceiver from contacting the thermal interface material when partially inserted. However, there's no specific, implementable structure for how the cam structure can raise the heat sink parallel to the transceiver. Furthermore, raising the entire heat sink parallel to the transceiver requires two cam structures (a front cam structure and a rear cam structure). Furthermore, after the transceiver reaches the end of its travel on the top bracket, both cam structures must operate simultaneously to push the heat sink further downward and contact the heat sink's thermal interface material. Summary of the Invention

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

[0005] Therefore, in some embodiments, the connector assembly of the present invention includes a cover, a socket connector, a pluggable module, a heat sink, a pressure member and a heat sink lifting structure. The cover has an internal plug-in space and a top wall constituting the plug-in space, and the top wall has a window. The socket connector is arranged in the plug-in space of the cover. The pluggable module is used to be inserted into the plug-in space of the cover to dock with the socket connector. The heat sink has a downwardly protruding thermal coupling structure, and the thermal coupling structure has a protective slope located in the front, a thermal coupling part located behind the protective slope, and a thermal interface material provided on the bottom surface of the thermal coupling part. The pressure member assembles the heat sink to the top wall of the cover and applies a downward force to the heat sink. The heat sink lifting structure has a lifting part located behind the pressure member and used to push up the rear section of the heat sink. When the pluggable module is not inserted into the plug-in space of the cover body, the lifting portion of the radiator lifting structure is located in an action position for lifting the rear section of the radiator, and at this time the thermal interface material extends obliquely backward and upward; when the pluggable module is inserted into the plug-in space of the cover body and docked with the socket connector, the pluggable module acts on the radiator lifting structure to move the lifting portion of the radiator lifting structure to a non-action position for lowering the rear section of the radiator, and at this time the force applied by the pressure member to the radiator causes the thermal interface material to move from an obliquely lifted state to a relatively horizontal state and contact the pluggable module through the window.

[0006] In some embodiments, when the lifting portion of the heat sink lifting structure is located at the active position and the rear section of the heat sink is lifted, the bottom of the protective slope is lower than the bottom of the thermal interface material.

[0007] In some embodiments, the thermal coupling structure forms a groove between the protective slope and the thermal coupling portion, and the front end of the thermal interface material extends into the groove.

[0008] In some embodiments, the radiator lifting structure is disposed within the cover and below the top wall, and the radiator lifting structure includes a fixed member, a movable member, and a support spring. The fixed member is assembled to the cover, and includes a spring extending rearward, and the lifting portion disposed at the end of the spring. The movable member is disposed on the fixed member so as to be movable forward and backward relative to the fixed member, and the movable member includes a relief portion corresponding to the lifting portion. The support spring is disposed on the movable member and provides an elastic restoring force to the movable member. When the pluggable module is not inserted into the plug-in space of the cover body, the lifting portion of the fixing member is supported by the movable member and is located in the active position; when the pluggable module is inserted into the plug-in space of the cover body and docked with the socket connector, the pluggable module pushes the movable member, causing the avoidance portion of the movable member to move backward and avoid the lifting portion, so that the lifting portion of the fixing member moves to the inactive position; when the pluggable module is withdrawn from the plug-in space of the cover body, the support spring provides an elastic restoring force to push the movable member back forward, so that the lifting portion of the fixing member is supported by the movable member and returns to the active position.

[0009] In some embodiments, the lifting portion is an integrally formed curled sheet at the end of the spring sheet and folded upward, the avoidance portion is an accommodating hole formed on the movable part and used to accommodate the lifting portion, and the movable part also has a pushing portion located at the rear end of the avoidance portion, the pushing portion has an upward-facing top surface, and a pushing-up inclined surface extending forward and downward from the front edge of the top surface, the top surface is used to support the lifting portion of the fixing part to the active position when the pluggable module is not inserted into the plug-in space of the cover body, and the pushing-up inclined surface is used to gradually push the lifting portion of the fixing part upward when the pluggable module is withdrawn from the plug-in space of the cover body.

[0010] In some embodiments, the support spring is a coil spring disposed between the moving member and the fixed member.

[0011] In some embodiments, the radiator lifting structure is arranged in the cover body and is located below the top wall, and the radiator lifting structure includes a fixed part, a movable part and a support spring. The fixed part is assembled on the cover body. The movable part can be arranged on the fixed part so as to move forward and backward relative to the fixed part, the movable part has the lifting part, and the radiator has a avoidance part corresponding to the lifting part. The support spring is arranged on the movable part and provides an elastic restoring force to the movable part. When the pluggable module is not inserted into the plug-in space of the cover body, the lifting part of the movable part is located in the active position; when the pluggable module is inserted into the plug-in space of the cover body and docked with the socket connector, the pluggable module pushes the movable part so that the lifting part of the movable part moves backward to the non-active position avoided by the avoidance part of the radiator; when the pluggable module withdraws from the plug-in space of the cover body, the support spring provides an elastic restoring force to push the movable part back forward so that the lifting part of the movable part moves forward to return to the active position.

[0012] In some embodiments, the lifting portion is an integrally formed protrusion of the moving member, and the avoidance portion is a groove formed in the heat sink and used to accommodate the lifting portion.

[0013] In some embodiments, the support spring is a spring structure integrally formed on the moving member.

[0014] In some embodiments, the radiator lifting structure includes a moving part and a support spring, the moving part is arranged at the rear section of the radiator and is located outside the cover, the moving part can be moved forward and backward relative to the radiator and connected to the radiator through the support spring, the moving part has the lifting part, and the radiator has a avoidance part corresponding to the lifting part. The support spring provides an elastic restoring force to the moving part. When the pluggable module is not inserted into the plug-in space of the cover, the lifting part of the moving part is located at the active position; when the pluggable module is inserted into the plug-in space of the cover and docked with the socket connector, the pluggable module pushes the moving part so that the lifting part of the moving part moves backward to the non-active position avoided by the avoidance part of the radiator; when the pluggable module withdraws from the plug-in space of the cover, the support spring provides an elastic restoring force to push the moving part back forward so that the lifting part of the moving part moves forward to return to the active position.

[0015] In some embodiments, the lifting portion is an integrally formed protrusion of the moving member, and the avoidance portion is a groove formed in the heat sink and used to accommodate the lifting portion.

[0016] In some embodiments, the support spring is a coil spring disposed between the moving member and the heat sink.

[0017] The connector assembly of the present invention raises the rear section of the heat sink through the lifting portion, so that the heat sink and the thermal interface material of the heat sink extend rearward and upward at an angle. In addition, combined with the cooperation of the protective slope located in the front of the heat sink, the pluggable module will not directly contact the thermal interface material when partially inserted into the cover, and the pluggable module can first contact the protective slope to avoid the thermal interface material being scratched or worn by the pluggable module during the insertion process. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Other features and effects of the present invention will be more clearly seen in the following embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0019] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a first embodiment of a connector assembly of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment;

[0021] Figure 3 is a partially cutaway perspective view of the cover and radiator lifting structure of the first embodiment;

[0022] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A partially cutaway perspective view of the cover and radiator lifting structure of the first embodiment viewed from another perspective;

[0023] Figure 5 This is a partially cutaway exploded perspective view of the cover and radiator lifting structure of the first embodiment;

[0024] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment, in which the pluggable module of the first embodiment is inserted into the cover;

[0025] Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of the connector assembly of the present invention, in which the bottom of the heat sink of the second embodiment is slightly turned upward;

[0026] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the second embodiment;

[0027] Figure 9 is a partially cutaway exploded perspective view of the cover and radiator lifting structure of the second embodiment;

[0028] Figure 10 yes Figure 9A partially cutaway perspective view of the cover and radiator lifting structure of the second embodiment viewed from another perspective;

[0029] Figure 11 is an exploded perspective view of the radiator lifting structure of the second embodiment;

[0030] Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of the second embodiment, in which the pluggable module of the second embodiment is inserted into the cover;

[0031] Figure 13 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a connector assembly of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 14 is an exploded perspective view of the third embodiment;

[0033] Figure 15 yes Figure 14 an exploded perspective view of the third embodiment viewed from another perspective;

[0034] Figure 16 is a partially cutaway perspective view of the third embodiment;

[0035] Figure 17 is a partial cross-sectional view of the third embodiment;

[0036] Figure 18 is a partially cutaway perspective view of the third embodiment, in which the pluggable module of the third embodiment is inserted into the housing; and

[0037] Figure 19 FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of the third embodiment, in which the pluggable module of the third embodiment is inserted into the cover.

[0038] The reference numerals are as follows:

[0039] 100 Connector Assembly

[0040] 1. Cover

[0041] 11 Top wall

[0042] 111 opening

[0043] 12 bottom wall

[0044] 13 Sidewall

[0045] 131 buckle protrusion

[0046] 132 card blocks

[0047] 14 posterior wall

[0048] 15 pins

[0049] 16 plug-in spaces

[0050] 161 front socket

[0051] 162 Window

[0052] 163 bottom opening

[0053] 17 Grounding piece

[0054] 171 Elastic fingers

[0055] 2 socket connectors

[0056] 21 base

[0057] 211 socket

[0058] 22 terminals

[0059] 3 pluggable modules

[0060] 31 housing

[0061] 311 Connector

[0062] 32 plug-in board

[0063] 321 contact finger

[0064] 4 Radiator

[0065] 41 substrate

[0066] 411 Thermally Coupled Structure

[0067] 411a Protected slope

[0068] 411b Thermal coupling unit

[0069] 411c groove

[0070] 411d Thermal Interface Material

[0071] 42 cooling fins

[0072] 43 Avoidance

[0073] 44 chute

[0074] 5 Pressure member

[0075] 51 elastic pressing portion

[0076] 52 Assembly Department

[0077] 521 buckle hole

[0078] 6 Radiator lifting structure

[0079] 61 fixings

[0080] 611 Shrapnel

[0081] 612 lifting part

[0082] 613 rail groove

[0083] 614 through hole

[0084] 62 moving parts

[0085] 62' moving parts

[0086] 621 rails

[0087] 622 Pushing part

[0088] 623 Avoidance Department

[0089] 624 Push-up Department

[0090] 624a Top height surface

[0091] 624b Push up the slope

[0092] 625 lifting part

[0093] 626 Slider

[0094] 63 Support spring

[0095] 63' support spring

[0096] 64 Spring support rod

[0097] D1 front-to-back direction

[0098] D2 Up and down direction

[0099] D3 left and right direction

[0100] H horizontal reference plane DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0101] Before the present invention is described in detail, it should be noted that similar elements are denoted by the same reference numerals in the following description.

[0102] See Figures 1 to 4 A first embodiment of a connector assembly 100 of the present invention includes a housing 1, a receptacle connector 2, a pluggable module 3, a heat sink 4, a pressure member 5, and a heat sink lifting structure 6. It should be noted that the number of the housing 1, the receptacle connector 2, the heat sink 4, the pressure member 5, and the heat sink lifting structure 6 can be adjusted as needed and can be stacked or combined, and is not limited to the number in this first embodiment.

[0103] The housing 1 is constructed, for example, from a metal sheet through stamping and bending, and serves to guide the pluggable module 3 and shield against electromagnetic interference. The housing 1 is intended to be mounted on a circuit board (not shown) and extends in a front-to-back direction D1 (the arrow indicates forward direction, the reverse direction indicates rearward direction). The housing 1 comprises a top wall 11, a bottom wall 12 spaced apart from the top wall 11 in a vertical direction D2 (the arrow indicates upward direction, the reverse direction indicates downward direction), two side walls 13 spaced apart in a left-right direction D3 (the arrow indicates right direction, the reverse direction indicates left direction) and connected between the top wall 11 and the bottom wall 12, a rear wall 14 connected to the top wall 11 and the rear edges of the side walls 13, and a plurality of pins 15 extending downward from the side walls 13 and adapted to be secured to the circuit board and / or connected to a ground trace (not shown). In addition, the cover body 1 also has an insertion space 16 defined by the top wall 11, the bottom wall 12, the two side walls 13 and the rear wall 14 and located inside, a front socket 161 located at the front end and connected to the insertion space 16 and for the pluggable module 3 to be inserted, a window 162 formed in the top wall 11 and extending rearward from the front section of the top wall 11 and connected to the insertion space 16, and a bottom opening 163 located behind the bottom wall 12 and connected to the insertion space 16.

[0104] The receptacle connector 2 is mechanically and electrically mounted on the circuit board. The receptacle connector 2 comprises an insulating base 21 and a plurality of terminals 22. The base 21 has a socket 211. The terminals 22 are positioned within the socket 211 and their rear ends are electrically and mechanically connected to the circuit board. The receptacle connector 2 is covered by the cover 1 through the bottom opening 163, such that the receptacle connector 2 is positioned at the rear of the insertion space 16, but this is not limiting.

[0105] The pluggable module 3 includes a housing 31, a plugboard 32, and a cable (not shown). The housing 31 includes a plug-in portion 311. The plugboard 32 protrudes from the plug-in portion 311 and has a plurality of contact fingers 321. The cable is disposed in the housing 31 and mechanically and electrically connected to the plugboard 32. After the pluggable module 3 enters the housing 1 through the front socket 161, the plugboard 32 at the end of the plug-in portion 311 of the pluggable module 3 can be inserted into the plug-in slot 211 of the receptacle connector 2, so that the contact fingers 321 of the plugboard 32 contact the terminals 22 in the plug-in slot 211 of the receptacle connector 2, thereby mating the pluggable module 3 and the receptacle connector 2. In addition, the front section of the cover body 1 can be set in a mounting hole of a casing (not shown) adjacent to the front socket 161. The front socket 161 of the cover body 1 is also provided with a plurality of grounding members 17. The grounding members 17 have a plurality of elastic fingers 171 extending backward from the front socket 161 and distributed on the outside and inside of the cover body 1. The elastic fingers 171 located on the outside of the cover body 1 are used to partially contact the periphery of the mounting hole of the casing, and the elastic fingers 171 located on the inside of the cover body 1 are used to contact the pluggable module 3.

[0106] The heat sink 4 is mounted on the top wall 11 of the housing 1. The heat sink 4 comprises a base plate 41 positioned on the top wall 11 and a plurality of heat dissipating fins 42 arranged side by side and interlocked along the left-right direction D3 and disposed on the top surface of the base plate 41. The base plate 41 has a thermal coupling structure 411 on its bottom surface, which protrudes downward and extends through the window 162 into the insertion space 16. The thermal coupling structure 411 comprises a protective slope 411a protruding downward and located forward, a thermal coupling portion 411b protruding downward and located behind the protective slope 411a, a groove 411c formed between the protective slope 411a and the thermal coupling portion 411b and extending along the left-right direction D3, and a thermal interface material 411d disposed on the bottom surface of the thermal coupling portion 411b. Specifically, in this first embodiment, the front end of the thermal interface material 411d extends into the groove 411c. The thermal interface material 411d (Thermal Interface Material) can fully fill the seams or gaps between the contact surfaces to reduce the contact thermal resistance between the contact surfaces. The thermal interface material 411d can be selected from a combination of materials with properties such as high thermal conductivity, high flexibility, compressibility, insulation, and wear resistance. For example, it can be a combination of a substrate and a phase change material. For example, it can be a two-layer structure, where the outer substrate can be a material with thermal conductivity, lubricity, wear resistance, and tear resistance (such as Teflon), while the inner layer material is a phase change material. In addition, the thermal interface material 411d can also have an electromagnetic wave shielding function (EMI shielding) by changing the combination of materials.

[0107] The pressure member 5 includes two elastic pressing portions 51 extending along the left-right direction D3 and pressing against the base plate 41 of the heat sink 4 from above, and two assembly portions 52 extending downward from both ends of the elastic pressing portions 51 and respectively engaging with the two side walls 13 of the housing 1. Specifically, each side wall 13 is formed with two engaging protrusions 131, and each assembly portion 52 is formed with two engaging holes 521 that engage with the corresponding engaging protrusions 131 of the side wall 13. The pressure member 5 is thereby used to assemble the heat sink 4 to the top wall 11 of the housing 1 and to apply a downward force to the heat sink 4.

[0108] See Figures 1 to 5In the first embodiment, the heat sink lifting structure 6 is provided in the rear section of the plug-in space 16 in the cover body 1 and is located below the top wall 11 and above the socket connector 2. The heat sink lifting structure 6 includes a fixed member 61, a movable member 62, and a plurality of support springs 63 and a plurality of spring support rods 64. The fixed member 61 and the movable member 62 are, for example, roughly plate-shaped, but not limited to this. The fixed member 61 is assembled to the cover body 1. Specifically, the side wall 13 of the cover body 1 has a plurality of blocks 132 formed on the inner side surface, and the fixed member 61 is clamped and limited between the top wall 11 of the cover body 1 and these blocks 132. The fixing member 61 has two spring plates 611 extending rearward, and two lifting portions 612 provided at the ends of the two spring plates 611. The two lifting portions 612 are located behind the pressure member 5 and are used to push up the rear section of the radiator 4. For example, the lifting portions 612 can be an integral structure formed at the ends of the spring plates 611 and folded upward. The movable member 62 can be provided on the fixing member 61 so as to be movable forward and backward relative to the fixing member 61. Specifically, the fixing member 61 has two rail grooves 613 formed on the left and right sides and extending along the front-to-back direction D1. The movable member 62 has two rails 621 formed on the left and right sides and extending along the front-to-back direction D1. The two rails 621 can be slidably provided in the two rail grooves 613 along the front-to-back direction D1, thereby allowing the movable member 62 to move forward and backward relative to the fixing member 61. The moving part 62 has a pushed portion 622 facing forward and used to be pushed backward by the pluggable module 3, two avoidance portions 623 corresponding to the lifting portion 612, and two pushing portions 624 located at the rear ends of the two avoidance portions 623. The avoidance portions 623 are accommodating holes formed on the moving part 62 and used to accommodate the lifting portion 612. Each pushing portion 624 has a top raising surface 624a facing upward, and a pushing inclined surface 624b extending forward and downward from the front edge of the top raising surface 624a.

[0109] These support springs 63 can be, for example, coil springs disposed between the movable member 62 and the fixed member 61 to provide elastic restoring force to the movable member 62. The front ends of the spring support rods 64 are disposed on the pushed portion 622 of the movable member 62, and the rear ends thereof are slidably disposed in the rear portion of the fixed member 61 and pass through the rear wall 14 of the housing 1. The support springs 63 are respectively sleeved on the spring support rods 64 for support.

[0110] See Figure 1 、 Figure 2 、 Figure 5 and Figure 6When the pluggable module 3 is not inserted into the plug-in space 16 of the cover body 1, the lifting portion 612 of the fixing member 61 of the radiator lifting structure 6 is supported by the top surface 624a of the pushing portion 624 of the moving member 62 and is located at an action position for lifting the rear section of the radiator 4. In this action position, the two lifting portions 612 of the fixing member 61 of the radiator lifting structure 6 pass through the two openings 111 on the top wall 11 of the cover body 1 and are supported on the rear section of the base plate 41 of the radiator 4. At this time, the radiator 4 together with the thermal interface material 411d of the radiator 4 extend backward and upward relative to a horizontal reference plane H. Further, in this state, the bottom of the protective slope 411a is lower than the bottom of the thermal interface material 411d. Figure 2 Then, when the plug-in portion 311 of the pluggable module 3 is partially inserted into the plug-in space 16 of the cover 1 , the top surface of the plug-in portion 311 of the pluggable module 3 contacts the bottom of the protective slope 411 a of the radiator 4 at a lower position.

[0111] When the plug-in portion 311 of the plug-in module 3 is fully inserted into the plug-in space 16 of the cover body 1 and docked with the socket connector 2, the plug-in module 3 acts on the radiator lifting structure 6 and pushes the pushed portion 622 of the movable member 62 backward so that the support springs 63 are compressed. At this time, the two avoidance portions 623 of the movable member 62 move backward and avoid the two lifting portions 612. That is to say, the two lifting portions 612 fall into the two avoidance portions 623 in the shape of the accommodating holes due to the elastic deformation of the spring piece 611, so that the lifting portion 612 of the radiator lifting structure 6 moves downward to a lower position and a non-active position that allows the rear section of the radiator 4 to descend. In this state, the downward force applied by the pressure member 5 to the heat sink 4 causes the heat sink 4 and the thermal interface material 411d of the heat sink 4 to move from the inclined raised state to a relatively horizontal state and contact the top surface of the plug-in portion 311 of the pluggable module 3 through the window 162, as shown in FIG. Figure 6 shown.

[0112] When the plug-in portion 311 of the pluggable module 3 is withdrawn from the insertion space 16 of the cover 1, the support springs 63 provide an elastic restoring force to push the movable member 62 forward. At this time, the pushing portion 624 of the fixed member 61 of the radiator lifting structure 6 slides along the pushing inclined surface 624b of the pushing portion 624 and returns to the top elevation surface 624a of the pushing portion 624. During this process, the pushing inclined surface 624b of the pushing portion 624 is used to gradually push the lifting portion 612 of the fixed member 61 upward when the plug-in portion 311 of the pluggable module 3 is withdrawn from the insertion space 16 of the cover 1. In this way, the lifting portion 612 of the fixed member 61 is supported by the movable member 62 and returns to the functional position of lifting the rear section of the radiator 4.

[0113] The rear section of the heat sink 4 is raised by the lifting portion 612, so that the heat sink 4 and the thermal interface material 411d of the heat sink 4 extend obliquely backward and upward. In addition, the protective slope 411a located at the front of the heat sink 4 cooperates with the pluggable module 3 to prevent direct contact with the thermal interface material 411d when the pluggable module 3 is partially inserted into the cover 1. Moreover, the pluggable module 3 can first contact the protective slope 411a to prevent the thermal interface material 411d from being scratched or worn by the pluggable module 3 during the insertion process. In addition, because the front end of the thermal interface material 411d extends into the groove 411c, the front end of the thermal interface material 411d can be further prevented from contacting the pluggable module 3 during the insertion process, thereby preventing the front end of the thermal interface material 411d from being pushed, warped, or scratched.

[0114] See Figures 7 to 11 A second embodiment of the connector assembly 100 of the present invention differs from the first embodiment in that the movable member 62 has two lifting portions 625, and the heat sink 4 has two avoidance portions 43 located at the rear section and corresponding to the two lifting portions 625. The two lifting portions 625 are integrally formed as protrusions on the movable member 62, and the two avoidance portions 43 are grooves formed on the bottom surface of the rear section of the base plate 41 of the heat sink 4 for accommodating the lifting portions 625. The fixed member 61 also has two through holes 614 corresponding to the two lifting portions 625 of the movable member 62. The two lifting portions 625 of the movable member 62 protrude out of the top wall 11 of the cover 1 through the two through holes 614 of the fixed member 61 and the two openings 111 of the cover 1. In addition, there is one support spring 63', which is integrally formed at the rear end of the movable member 62 and is used to abut against the spring structure of the rear wall 14 of the cover body 1. For example, the support spring 63' can be connected to the rear end of the movable member 62 at both ends.

[0115] See Figure 7 、 Figure 8 、 Figure 11 and Figure 12 When the pluggable module 3 is not inserted into the plug-in space 16 of the cover body 1, the lifting portion 625 of the moving member 62 of the heat sink lifting structure 6 is located at the action position for lifting the rear section of the heat sink 4. In this action position, the two lifting portions 625 of the moving member 62 of the heat sink lifting structure 6 are supported on the rear section of the base plate 41 of the heat sink 4. At this time, the heat sink 4 together with the thermal interface material 411d of the heat sink 4 extends backward and upward relative to the horizontal reference plane H. Further, in this state, the bottom of the protective slope 411a is lower than the bottom of the thermal interface material 411d. Figure 8Then, when the plug-in portion 311 of the pluggable module 3 is partially inserted into the plug-in space 16 of the cover 1 , the top surface of the plug-in portion 311 of the pluggable module 3 contacts the bottom of the protective slope 411 a of the radiator 4 at a lower position.

[0116] When the plug-in portion 311 of the pluggable module 3 is completely inserted into the plug-in space 16 of the cover 1 and is connected to the socket connector 2 (see FIG. Figure 1 ) docking, the pluggable module 3 acts on the radiator lifting structure 6 and pushes the pushed portion 622 of the movable member 62 backwards, so that the support spring 63' is compressed. At this time, the two lifting portions 625 of the movable member 62 move backwards to the non-acting position avoided by the two avoidance portions 43 of the radiator 4, that is, the two lifting portions 625 of the movable member 62 in the shape of a convex block move backwards and fall into the two avoidance portions 43 of the radiator 4 in the shape of a groove, so that the rear section of the radiator 4 is able to descend under the action of the pressure member 5. In this state, the downward force applied by the pressure member 5 to the radiator 4 causes the radiator 4 together with the thermal interface material 411d of the radiator 4 to move from the inclined raised state to a relatively horizontal state and contacting the top surface of the plug-in portion 311 of the pluggable module 3, as shown in FIG. Figure 12 shown.

[0117] When the plug-in portion 311 of the pluggable module 3 is withdrawn from the insertion space 16 of the housing 1, the support spring 63' provides an elastic restoring force to push the movable member 62 forward. During this process, the two raised portions 625 of the movable member 62, which are in the form of projections, move forward and escape from the two recessed escape portions 43 of the heat sink 4. This allows the raised portions 625 of the movable member 62 to return to their active position, where they lift the rear end of the heat sink 4.

[0118] See Figures 13 to 16, a third embodiment of the connector assembly 100 of the present invention differs from the second embodiment in that the number of the moving members 62' is two and the moving members 62' are extended along the front-to-back direction D1, the two moving members 62' are slidably arranged on the left and right sides of the rear section of the radiator 4 and are located outside the cover 1, and two slide grooves 44 are respectively formed on the left and right sides of the rear end of the radiator 4 along the up-down direction D2 and extending along the front-to-back direction D1, and a slider 626 is formed at the rear end of each moving member 62' that is slidably inserted into the corresponding slide groove 44, thereby allowing the two moving members 62' to move forward and backward relative to the radiator 4 and the cover 1, and in addition, the pushed portion 622 of each moving member 62' extends downward into the plug-in space 16 from the window 162 of the top wall 11 of the cover 1. Each moving part 62' has a lifting portion 625, and the radiator 4 has two avoidance portions 43 located in the rear section and corresponding to the lifting portions 625 of the two moving parts 62'. The two lifting portions 625 are formed as a protrusion of the moving part 62' in an integral structure, and the two avoidance portions 43 are grooves formed in the rear section of the radiator 4 and used to accommodate the lifting portions 625. In addition, the number of the support springs 63 is two, and the two support springs 63 are coil springs arranged between the ends of the sliders 626 of the corresponding moving parts 62' and the radiator 4. In addition, the heat dissipation fins 42 of the radiator 4 are formed as an integral structure on the base plate 41, but are not limited to this.

[0119] See Figures 16 to 19 When the pluggable module 3 is not inserted into the insertion space 16 of the cover body 1, the lifting portion 625 of the moving member 62' of the heat sink lifting structure 6 is located at the action position for lifting the rear section of the heat sink 4. In this action position, the lifting portions 625 of the two moving members 62' of the heat sink lifting structure 6 support the rear section of the heat sink 4. At this time, the heat sink 4 together with the thermal interface material 411d of the heat sink 4 extends backward and upward relative to the horizontal reference plane H. Further, in this state, the bottom of the protective slope 411a is lower than the bottom of the thermal interface material 411d. Figure 16 and Figure 17 Then, when the plug-in portion 311 of the pluggable module 3 is partially inserted into the plug-in space 16 of the cover 1 , the top surface of the plug-in portion 311 of the pluggable module 3 contacts the bottom of the protective slope 411 a of the radiator 4 at a lower position.

[0120] When the plug-in portion 311 of the pluggable module 3 is completely inserted into the plug-in space 16 of the cover 1 and is connected to the socket connector 2 (see FIG. Figure 1) docking, the pluggable module 3 acts on the radiator lifting structure 6 and pushes the pushed parts 622 of the two moving parts 62' backwards, so that the support spring 63 is stretched. At this time, the lifting parts 625 of the two moving parts 62' move backwards to the non-acting position avoided by the two avoidance parts 43 of the radiator 4, that is, the lifting parts 625 of the two moving parts 62' in the shape of convex blocks move backwards and fall into the two avoidance parts 43 of the radiator 4 in the shape of grooves, so that the rear section of the radiator 4 is able to descend under the action of the pressure member. In this state, the downward force applied by the pressure member 5 to the radiator 4 causes the radiator 4 together with the thermal interface material 411d of the radiator 4 to move from the inclined raised state to a relatively horizontal state and contacting the top surface of the plug-in part 311 of the pluggable module 3, as shown in FIG. Figure 18 and Figure 19 shown.

[0121] When the plug-in portion 311 of the pluggable module 3 is withdrawn from the insertion space 16 of the housing 1, the support spring 63 provides an elastic restoring force to push the two movable members 62' forward. During this process, the raised portions 625 of the two movable members 62', which are in the form of projections, move forward and escape from the two recessed escape portions 43 of the heat sink 4. This returns the raised portions 625 of the movable members 62' to their functional position, where they lift the rear end of the heat sink 4.

[0122] In summary, the connector assembly 100 of the present invention raises the rear section of the heat sink 4 through the lifting portion 612 (625), so that the heat sink 4 and the thermal interface material 411d of the heat sink 4 extend obliquely backward and upward. In addition, with the cooperation of the protective slope 411a located in the front of the heat sink 4, the pluggable module 3 will not directly contact the thermal interface material 411d when partially inserted into the cover body 1, and the pluggable module 3 can first contact the protective slope 411a to avoid the thermal interface material 411d being scratched or worn by the pluggable module 3 during the insertion process of the pluggable module 3.

[0123] However, the above is merely an embodiment of the present invention and should not be used to limit the scope of implementation of the present invention. All simple equivalent changes and modifications made according to the claims and the contents of the patent specification of the present invention are still within the scope of the patent of the present invention.

Claims

1. A connector assembly, wherein: Include: The cover body has an inserting space located inside and a top wall constituting the inserting space, wherein the top wall has a window; a socket connector, disposed in the plugging space of the cover; A pluggable module, configured to be inserted into the plugging space of the cover body to dock with the socket connector; The heat sink has a downwardly protruding thermal coupling structure, wherein the thermal coupling structure has a protective slope located in the front, a thermal coupling portion located behind the protective slope, and a thermal interface material provided on the bottom surface of the thermal coupling portion; a pressure member, assembling the radiator to the top wall of the cover and applying a downward force to the radiator; as well as a radiator lifting structure having a lifting portion located behind the pressure member and used to push up the rear section of the radiator; When the pluggable module is not inserted into the plug-in space of the cover body, the lifting portion of the radiator lifting structure is located in an action position for lifting the rear section of the radiator, and at this time the thermal interface material extends obliquely backward and upward; when the pluggable module is inserted into the plug-in space of the cover body and docked with the socket connector, the pluggable module acts on the radiator lifting structure to move the lifting portion of the radiator lifting structure to a non-action position for lowering the rear section of the radiator, and at this time the force applied by the pressure member to the radiator causes the thermal interface material to move from an obliquely lifted state to a relatively horizontal state and contact the pluggable module through the window.

2. The connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein When the lifting portion of the heat sink lifting structure is located at the action position and the rear section of the heat sink is lifted, the bottom of the protection slope is lower than the bottom of the thermal interface material.

3. The connector assembly according to claim 2, wherein: The thermal coupling structure forms a groove between the protection slope and the thermal coupling portion, and the front end of the thermal interface material extends into the groove.

4. The connector assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The radiator lifting structure is arranged in the cover body and is located below the top wall. The radiator lifting structure includes a fixed part, a movable part and a support spring; the fixed part is assembled with the cover body, and the fixed part has a spring piece extending backward and the lifting part is arranged at the end of the spring piece; the movable part is arranged on the fixed part so as to be movable forward and backward relative to the fixed part, and the movable part has a avoidance part corresponding to the lifting part; the support spring is arranged on the movable part and provides an elastic restoring force to the movable part; When the pluggable module is not inserted into the plug-in space of the cover, the lifting portion of the fixing member is supported by the moving member and is located at the active position; When the pluggable module is inserted into the plug-in space of the cover body and docked with the socket connector, the pluggable module pushes the movable part, causing the avoidance portion of the movable part to move backward and avoid the lifting portion, so that the lifting portion of the fixed part moves to the inactive position; when the pluggable module is withdrawn from the plug-in space of the cover body, the support spring provides an elastic restoring force to push the movable part back forward, so that the lifting portion of the fixed part is supported by the movable part and returns to the active position.

5. The connector assembly according to claim 4, wherein: The lifting portion is an integral structure formed at the end of the spring sheet and a curled sheet folded upward. The avoidance portion is an accommodating hole formed on the movable part and used to accommodate the lifting portion. The movable part also has a pushing portion located at the rear end of the avoidance portion. The pushing portion has an upward-facing top surface and a pushing-up inclined surface extending forward and downward from the front edge of the top surface. The top surface is used to support the lifting portion of the fixing member to the active position when the pluggable module is not inserted into the plug-in space of the cover body. The pushing-up inclined surface is used to gradually push the lifting portion of the fixing member upward when the pluggable module is withdrawn from the plug-in space of the cover body.

6. The connector assembly according to claim 5, wherein: The support spring is a coil spring arranged between the moving part and the fixed part.

7. The connector assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The radiator lifting structure is disposed in the cover body and below the top wall, the radiator lifting structure comprising a fixed part, a movable part, and a support spring; the fixed part is assembled to the cover body; the movable part is disposed on the fixed part so as to be movable forward and backward relative to the fixed part, the movable part having the lifting portion, and the radiator having a avoidance portion corresponding to the lifting portion; the support spring is disposed in the movable part and provides the movable part with an elastic restoring force; When the pluggable module is not inserted into the plug-in space of the cover, the lifting portion of the moving member is located at the action position; When the pluggable module is inserted into the plug-in space of the cover body and docked with the socket connector, the pluggable module pushes the movable part so that the lifting portion of the movable part moves backward to the non-active position avoided by the avoidance portion of the radiator; when the pluggable module is withdrawn from the plug-in space of the cover body, the support spring provides an elastic restoring force to push the movable part back forward, so that the lifting portion of the movable part moves forward to return to the active position.

8. The connector assembly of claim 7, wherein: The lifting portion is an integrally structured convex block formed on the moving member, and the avoiding portion is a groove formed on the heat sink and used to accommodate the lifting portion.

9. The connector assembly of claim 8, wherein: The support spring is an elastic sheet structure integrally formed on the moving part.

10. The connector assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The radiator lifting structure includes a moving member and a support spring; the moving member is arranged at the rear section of the radiator and outside the cover, the moving member is connected to the radiator through the support spring so as to be movable forward and backward relative to the radiator, the moving member has the lifting portion, and the radiator has an avoidance portion corresponding to the lifting portion; The support spring provides elastic restoring force to the moving member; When the pluggable module is not inserted into the plug-in space of the cover, the lifting portion of the moving member is located at the action position; When the pluggable module is inserted into the plug-in space of the cover body and docked with the socket connector, the pluggable module pushes the movable part so that the lifting portion of the movable part moves backward to the non-active position avoided by the avoidance portion of the radiator; when the pluggable module is withdrawn from the plug-in space of the cover body, the support spring provides an elastic restoring force to push the movable part back forward, so that the lifting portion of the movable part moves forward to return to the active position.

11. The connector assembly of claim 10, wherein: The lifting portion is an integrally structured convex block formed on the moving member, and the avoiding portion is a groove formed on the heat sink and used to accommodate the lifting portion.

12. The connector assembly of claim 11, wherein: The support spring is a coil spring provided between the moving member and the heat sink.

Images