Connector assembly

Abstract

A connector assembly includes a cage and a heat sink module. The cage has a mating passage for mating with a pluggable module, and a heat sink frame above the mating passage. The heat sink module is assembled to the heat sink frame, and includes a heat sink, a leaf spring and a support spring. The heat sink is movable relative to the heat sink frame between an upper release position and a lower contact position. The leaf spring has a pushed portion located at a rear and extendable into the mating passage, a pressing spring portion located at a front and used to press the heat sink, and a pivot portion located between the pushed portion and the pressing spring portion and pivoted to the heat sink frame. The pluggable module is insertable into the mating passage of the cage along a front-to-rear insertion direction, and pushes the pushed portion of the leaf spring rearward to rotate the leaf spring, and in turn directly presses the pressing spring portion at the front downward on a surface of the heat sink to move the heat sink from the upper release position to the lower contact position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a connector, and more particularly to a connector assembly. Background Technology

[0002] Chinese invention patent publication number CN110296628A (corresponding to US invention patent number US10651598B2) discloses a heat exchange structure comprising a metal component, a lever, and a frame. The frame supports the lever and the metal component, and the front end of the metal component is fixed to the front edge of the frame by fasteners such as rivets. When a heat source slides relative to a radiator, the heat source contacts one end of the lever, causing the other end of the lever to contact the rear end of the metal component. The metal component then pushes the radiator and thermal pad downwards to contact the heat source.

[0003] However, this existing technology requires an additional frame to mount the lever and metal component. Furthermore, the metal component needs to be located on the top surface of the radiator, requiring a groove to be cut into the radiator to accommodate it, thus reducing the radiator's heat dissipation area. Additionally, the metal component is only connected to the radiator at a single point (screw), and when the lever is pushed, it presses against the rear end of the metal component, making the radiator prone to tilting. Moreover, the metal component requires space to allow for vertical elastic deformation and movement, and the lever also needs vertical and horizontal space to allow for rotation and swing, thus occupying a significant amount of space within the radiator and making it difficult to achieve a thinner overall radiator design.

[0004] In addition, the actuation lever is only pushed when the heat source is inserted to a certain depth. After that, the metal part directly pushes the heat sink and thermal pad downwards to contact the heat source. At this time, the heat source still needs to move a certain distance. Therefore, there will still be friction between the heat sink and thermal pad and the heat source. In other words, there is still room for improvement in the above-mentioned existing technology regarding how to reduce the friction and damage of the thermal pad. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Therefore, one object of the present invention is to provide a connector assembly that can improve at least one problem in the prior art.

[0006] Therefore, in some embodiments, the connector assembly of the present invention includes a cage, a heat sink module, and a pluggable module. The cage has a mating channel and a heat sink frame located above the mating channel for mating a pluggable module. The heat sink module is assembled to the heat sink frame and includes a heat sink, a leaf spring, and a support spring. The heat sink is movable relative to the heat sink frame between an upper release position and a lower contact position. The leaf spring has a rearwardly extending portion that can extend into the mating channel, a frontally positioned portion for applying pressure to the heat sink, and a pivot portion located between the push portion and the pressure spring portion and pivotally connected to the heat sink frame. The pluggable module can be inserted into the insertion channel of the cage shell in a front-to-back insertion direction, and pushes the pushed part of the leaf spring backward to make the leaf spring rotate, thereby causing the front pressure spring to press directly downward on the surface of the heat sink, so as to move the heat sink from the upper release position to the lower contact position, and compress the support spring. The elastic force of the leaf spring makes the bottom of the heat sink face down and press against the surface of the pluggable module. When the pluggable module is withdrawn from the insertion channel, the leaf spring returns to its original position and the support spring lifts the heat sink upward to the release position where it does not contact the surface of the pluggable module.

[0007] In some embodiments, the radiator module includes two leaf springs that are sequentially actuated one after the other during the insertion of the pluggable module into the insertion channel of the cage to apply segmental pressure to the surface of the radiator and to move the radiator segmentally from the upper release position to the lower contact position.

[0008] In some embodiments, the lengths of the compression spring portions of the two leaf springs are not the same.

[0009] In some embodiments, during the insertion of the pluggable module into the insertion channel of the cage, the length of the compression spring portion of the leaf spring that is actuated first is greater than the length of the compression spring portion of the leaf spring that is actuated later.

[0010] In some embodiments, the leaf spring further has at least one curved portion located between the compression spring portion and the pivot portion.

[0011] In some embodiments, the radiator module includes at least two support springs, which are respectively constructed on the radiator frame and supported on the left and right sides of the radiator.

[0012] In some embodiments, the support spring includes two plate-shaped elastic support portions that support the radiator upwards, the two elastic support portions extending obliquely upwards and forwards and backwards, respectively.

[0013] In some embodiments, a radiator guide structure is provided between the radiator frame and the radiator, the radiator guide structure restricting the forward and backward movement of the radiator and guiding the up and down movement of the radiator.

[0014] In some embodiments, the radiator guide structure includes a guide hole formed on the side wall of the radiator frame and a guide protrusion formed on the side of the radiator, the guide protrusion being movably disposed in the guide hole.

[0015] In some embodiments, the heat sink has a base plate and a plurality of heat dissipation fins, with the leaf spring disposed between the heat dissipation fins.

[0016] This invention utilizes the rotation of the leaf spring to drive the pressure spring to directly press downwards onto the surface of the heat sink. This allows the heat sink to move to a position contacting the surface of the pluggable module only after the pluggable module has been inserted into the insertion channel of the housing. This reduces friction between the bottom of the heat sink and the pluggable module during insertion, preventing wear on the bottom of the heat sink and scratches on the thermal interface material. Furthermore, the elastic force of the leaf spring ensures that the bottom of the heat sink contacts the surface of the pluggable module downwards with pressure, improving heat conduction efficiency and enhancing heat dissipation. On the other hand, the leaf spring, being a long, thin plate, can be directly positioned between the heat sink fins, resulting in a low-profile design for the entire heat dissipation assembly. On the other hand, two or more leaf springs are sequentially actuated during the insertion of the pluggable module into the insertion channel of the cage. The two leaf springs can apply segmented pressure to the radiator, causing the radiator to move segmentally from the upper release position to the lower contact position. The two leaf springs have different lengths, allowing them to apply different elastic forces. Through the segmented pressure and segmented increase in elastic force, the pluggable module contacts the radiator and receives further contact pressure only after being inserted to a deeper position. This makes the movement of the radiator and its contact with the pluggable module more balanced and stable, further reducing frictional losses between the bottom of the radiator and the pluggable module during insertion. Furthermore, the at least one bent portion of the leaf spring located between the pressure spring portion and the pivot portion facilitates the assembly elasticity of the pivot portion and strengthens the structural elasticity between the pressure spring portion and the pivot portion. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Other features and effects of the present invention will be clearly presented in the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0018] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of an embodiment of the connector assembly of the present invention and a pluggable module;

[0019] Figure 2 This is an exploded perspective view of this embodiment;

[0020] Figure 3 This is a perspective view of the embodiment, showing the upper wall of the heat sink frame being lifted upwards;

[0021] Figure 4 This is an exploded perspective view of the heat sink frame and heat sink module of this embodiment, in which the upper wall of the heat sink frame is lifted upwards.

[0022] Figure 5 This is a top view of this embodiment;

[0023] Figure 6 It is along Figure 5 The figure shows a cross-sectional view taken by section line AA. The heat sink of the heat sink module is in the released position. The socket connector is omitted in the figure.

[0024] Figure 7 It is similar Figure 6 A cross-sectional view shows a pluggable module inserted into a connection channel in the cage housing. The leaf spring of the radiator module is actuated by the pluggable module and pressed against the surface of the radiator, causing the radiator to move downwards to the contact position. The socket connector is omitted from the figure.

[0025] Figure 8 This is a perspective view of the pluggable module and the heat sink module of this embodiment, in which only part of the heat sink module is shown.

[0026] The attached figures are labeled as follows:

[0027] 100 Connector Assembly

[0028] 1. Cage shell

[0029] 11. Shell

[0030] 11a Plug-in Channel

[0031] 11b Front End Socket

[0032] 11c window

[0033] 11d bottom opening

[0034] 111 Top Wall

[0035] 112 bottom wall

[0036] 113 Sidewall

[0037] 114 Rear wall

[0038] 115 Plug

[0039] 116 baffle

[0040] 117 Guide Piece

[0041] 118 First Assembly Structure

[0042] 118a pre-assembled plate

[0043] 118b Front limit groove

[0044] 118c post-assembly

[0045] 118d rear limit groove

[0046] 118e socket

[0047] 118f positioning buckle hole

[0048] 12 Heatsink Frame

[0049] 121 upper wall

[0050] 122 lower wall

[0051] 122a Side Assembly Unit

[0052] 122b seam

[0053] 122c Pivot

[0054] 123 Front connecting wall

[0055] 124 Sidewall

[0056] 124a guide hole

[0057] 125 Second Assembly Structure

[0058] 125a Front Limiting Plate

[0059] 125b rear limit plate

[0060] 125c insert

[0061] 125d positioning fastener

[0062] 125e ​​Reinforcing Ribs

[0063] 126 snap-fit ​​holes

[0064] 127 Fastener

[0065] 128 Radiator housing space

[0066] 129 Lower opening

[0067] 13 Grounding components

[0068] 131 Elastic finger

[0069] 2. Socket connector

[0070] 21 base

[0071] 211 Socket

[0072] 22 terminals

[0073] 3 Pluggable Modules

[0074] 31. Outer shell

[0075] 311 Connector

[0076] 311a stop

[0077] 311b guide slot

[0078] 4. Heatsink Module

[0079] 41 Radiator

[0080] 411 substrate

[0081] 411a Thermal coupling section

[0082] 411b bump

[0083] 412 Heatsink fins

[0084] 413 Guide protrusion

[0085] 42 leaf springs

[0086] 42' leaf spring

[0087] 421 Pushed part

[0088] 422 Compression Spring Section

[0089] 423 Pivot section

[0090] 424 Bending section

[0091] 43 Support spring

[0092] 431a Elastic support section

[0093] D1 Forward and backward directions

[0094] D2 Up and Down Direction

[0095] D3 left and right direction Detailed Implementation

[0096] Before the invention is described in detail, it should be noted that similar elements are represented by the same numbers in the following description.

[0097] See Figures 1 to 4 One embodiment of the connector assembly 100 of the present invention includes a housing 1, a socket connector 2, and a heat sink module 4. The connector assembly 100 of the present invention is used to insert a pluggable module 3.

[0098] The cage 1 includes a housing 11 and a heat sink frame 12 disposed on the housing 11. The housing 11 and the heat sink frame 12 are, for example, constructed of a metal sheet, formed by, for example, stamping and bending a thin metal sheet using a die. The housing 11 is disposed on a substrate 411 (e.g., a circuit board, not shown) and extends in a front-rear direction D1 (the arrow indicates front, and the reverse direction indicates rear). The housing 11 has a top wall 111, a bottom wall 112 spaced from the top wall 111 along a vertical direction D2 (arrow direction is up, reverse direction is down), two side walls 113 spaced from the top wall 111 and the bottom wall 112 along a horizontal direction D3 (arrow direction is right, reverse direction is left), a rear wall 114 connected to the rear edges of the top wall 111 and the two side walls 113, and a plurality of pins 115 extending downward from the two side walls 113 and adapted for fixing on the circuit board and / or connecting to a ground track (not shown). In addition, the housing 11 also has a plug-in channel 11a defined by the top wall 111, the bottom wall 112, the two side walls 113 and the rear wall 114 and located inside for plugging in the pluggable module 3; a front end socket 11b located at the front end and connected to the pluggable channel 11a for the pluggable module 3 to be inserted; a window 11c formed in the top wall 111 and extending rearward from the front section of the top wall 111 and connected to the pluggable channel 11a; and a bottom opening 11d located behind the bottom wall 112 and connected to the pluggable channel 11a.

[0099] The socket connector 2 is mechanically and electrically disposed on the circuit board. The socket connector 2 has an insulated base 21 and a plurality of terminals 22. The base 21 has a insertion slot 211, and the plurality of terminals 22 are disposed within the insertion slot 211, with their tails (not shown) electrically and mechanically connected to the circuit board. The socket connector 2 is covered by the housing 11 through the bottom opening 11d, so that the socket connector 2 is disposed at the rear end of the insertion channel 11a, but this is not a limitation. In another embodiment, the socket connector 2 may be assembled from the rear end of the housing 11 of the cage 1, and the tails of the plurality of terminals 22 may be electrically and mechanically connected to a plurality of wires (not shown), and these wires extend from the rear end of the housing 11 of the cage 1 to connect to another device (not shown).

[0100] The pluggable module 3 includes a housing 31, a connector plate (not shown), and a cable (not shown). The housing 31 includes a connector portion 311, and the connector plate is located at the end of the connector portion 311 and has a plurality of contact fingers (not shown). The cable is mechanically and electrically connected to the connector plate. After the pluggable module 3 is inserted into the connector channel 11a of the housing 11 of the cage shell 1 from the front end socket 11b in a front-to-back insertion direction, the connector plate at the end of the connector portion 311 of the pluggable module 3 can be inserted into the connector slot 211 of the socket connector 2, so that the contact fingers of the connector plate contact the terminals 22 in the connector slot 211 of the socket connector 2, thereby mating the pluggable module 3 and the socket connector 2. Furthermore, the front section of the housing 11 of the cage shell 1, near the front end socket 11b, can be provided with a mounting hole in a housing (not shown). The front end socket 11b of the cage shell 1 is also provided with a plurality of grounding members 13. The grounding members 13 have a plurality of elastic fingers 131 extending rearward from the front end socket 11b and distributed on the outer and inner sides of the housing 11 of the cage shell 1. The elastic fingers 131 located on the outer side of the housing 11 of the cage shell 1 are used to partially contact the periphery of the mounting hole of the housing, and the elastic fingers 131 located on the inner side of the housing 11 of the cage shell 1 are used to contact the pluggable module 3.

[0101] Additionally, it should be noted that in this first embodiment, the housing 11 also has a baffle 116 extending downward from the rear edge of the window 11c, and a guide plate 117 extending downward from the side edge of the window 11c. The top surface of the pluggable module 3's insertion portion 311 has a stop portion 311a that can be blocked by the baffle 116, and a guide groove 311b for accommodating the guide plate 117 to generate a guiding effect.

[0102] See Figures 1 to 5 The radiator frame 12 of the cage shell 1 is located above the insertion channel 11a and is disposed on the top wall 111 of the shell 1. The shell 11 has a first assembly structure 118 for assembling with the radiator frame 12. The radiator frame 12 has an upper wall 121 and a lower wall 122 that are opposite each other along the vertical direction D2, a front connecting wall 123 connecting the front edge of the upper wall 121 and the front edge of the lower wall 122, two side walls 124 extending downward from the left and right side edges of the upper wall 121, and a second assembly structure 125 for assembling with the first assembly structure 118. The radiator frame 12 also has a plurality of fastening holes 126 formed at the connection between the upper wall 121 and the two side walls 124, and a plurality of fastening tabs 127 formed at the edges of the four upwardly extending side assembly portions 122a of the lower wall 122 and respectively assembled to the plurality of fastening holes 126.

[0103] The first assembly structure 118 includes two front assembly pieces 118a extending upward from the front section of the two side walls 113 and each having a front limiting groove 118b with an opening facing forward, two rear assembly pieces 118c extending upward from the rear section of the two side walls 113 and each having a rear limiting groove 118d with an opening facing forward, two insertion holes 118e formed on the two side walls 113 with an opening facing forward, and a positioning buckle hole 118f located behind the window 11c, formed on the top wall 111, and extending along the left-right direction D3. The second assembly structure 125 includes two front limiting pieces 125a extending outward from the front sections of the two side edges of the lower wall 122 and engaging rearward into the two front limiting grooves 118b; two rear limiting pieces 125b extending outward from the rear sections of the two side edges of the lower wall 122 and engaging rearward into the two rear limiting grooves 118d; two insert pieces 125c extending downward from the two side walls 124 and being inserted rearward into the two insertion holes 118e; and a positioning fastener 125d formed at the rear end of the lower wall 122 and engaging downward into the positioning fastener hole 118f. By engaging the two front limiting pieces 125a and the two rear limiting pieces 125b, which are respectively inserted into the two front limiting slots 118b and the two rear limiting slots 118d, the position of the heat sink frame 12 relative to the housing 11 in the vertical direction D2 can be restricted. Furthermore, the two front limiting pieces 125a and the two rear limiting pieces 125b are bent downwards and abut against the outer surfaces of the two side walls 113 of the housing 11, thereby restricting the position of the heat sink frame 12 relative to the housing 11 in the horizontal direction D3. By inserting the two inserts 125c into the two insertion holes 118e, the position of the heat sink frame 12 relative to the housing 11 in both the horizontal direction D3 and the vertical direction D2 can be restricted. Furthermore, the positioning clip 125d and the positioning clip hole 118f engage to position the radiator frame 12 relative to the housing 11 in the front-rear direction D1. The lower wall 122 forms two slits 122b on the left and right sides of the positioning clip 125d, allowing the positioning clip 125d to move elastically. Therefore, during the assembly of the radiator frame 12 to the housing 11, the positioning clip 125d can first move elastically upwards to cross the top wall 111 from the window 11c, then return downwards and snap into the positioning clip hole 118f. The radiator frame 12 has reinforcing ribs 125e extending along the vertical direction D2 on the insert 125c.

[0104] See Figure 1 , Figures 4 to 7The radiator frame 12 also has a radiator receiving space 128 defined by the upper wall 121, the lower wall 122, the front connecting wall 123, and the two side walls 124, and a lower opening 129 formed on the lower wall 122 and corresponding to the window 11c of the housing 11, communicating with the radiator receiving space 128. The radiator module 4 is assembled into the radiator receiving space 128 of the radiator frame 12. It should be noted that in other embodiments, the number of the insertion channel 11a, the radiator frame 12, and the radiator module 4 may each be two or more, and should not be limited to this embodiment. The radiator module 4 includes a radiator 41, two leaf springs 42 and 42', and two support springs 43.

[0105] The heat sink 41 has a base plate 411 and a plurality of heat dissipation fins 412. The plurality of heat dissipation fins 412 are arranged side by side along the left-right direction D3, extend along the front-back direction D1, and extend integrally from the top surface of the base plate 411 upward. The substrate 411 has a thermal coupling portion 411a located at the bottom and protruding downwards to pass through the lower opening 129 and the window 11c to extend into the insertion channel 11a. In this embodiment, the thermal coupling portion 411a has a protruding bump 411b and a thermally conductive pad (not shown) disposed on the bottom surface of the bump 411b. The thermally conductive pad can be, for example, a thermal interface material. The thermal interface material can fully fill the seams or gaps of the contact surface to reduce the contact thermal resistance between the contact surfaces. The thermal interface material 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 structure with two or more layers. Its outer substrate can be a material with thermal conductivity, lubricity, wear resistance, and tear resistance (e.g., Teflon), while its inner material is a phase change material. In addition, this thermal interface material can also provide electromagnetic shielding (EMI shielding) through changes in the combination of materials.

[0106] The radiator 41 can be released in a relatively upper position relative to the radiator frame 12 (see...). Figure 6 ) and a contact point lower down (see Figure 7The heat sink 41 moves along the vertical direction D2. Specifically, in this embodiment, a heat sink guide structure is provided between the heat sink 41 and the heat sink frame 12. The heat sink guide structure includes two guide holes 124a constructed on the two side walls 124 of the heat sink frame 12, and two guide protrusions 413 constructed on the left and right sides of the heat sink 41 and movably disposed in the two guide holes 124a along the vertical direction D2. Through the cooperation between the two guide protrusions 413 and the two guide holes 124a, the movement of the heat sink 41 in the front-rear direction D1 is restricted, and the heat sink 41 can move up and down relative to the heat sink frame 12 along the vertical direction D2 between the upper release position and the lower contact position.

[0107] The radiator frame 12 also has two pivots 122c formed on the inner surfaces of the two rearwardly located side assembly portions 122a of the lower wall 122, extending inward along the left-right direction D3. The two leaf springs 42 and 42' are arranged along the left-right direction D3 and respectively disposed on the two pivots 122c of the radiator frame 12, and are located on opposite sides of the radiator 41. The two leaf springs 42 and 42' are constructed of elongated thin metal sheets, for example, by stamping and bending the thin metal sheet using a die. The two leaf springs 42 and 42' are disposed between the heat dissipation fins 412. Each leaf spring 42 and 42' is integrally constructed with a push portion 421 located at the rear and extending into the insertion channel 11a, a pressure spring portion 422 located at the front for applying pressure to the heat sink 41, a pivot portion 423 located between the push portion 421 and the pressure spring portion 422 and pivotally connected to the corresponding heat sink frame 122c, and a bent portion 424 located between the pressure spring portion 422 and the pivot portion 423. In this embodiment, the lengths of the pressure spring portions 422 of the two leaf springs 42 and 42' are different, wherein the length of the pressure spring portion 422 of leaf spring 42 is greater than that of the pressure spring portion 422 of leaf spring 42'. The pivot portion 423 of the two leaf springs 42 and 42' has a C-shaped structure sleeved on the two pivots 122c. The bending portion 424 of the leaf springs 42 and 42' located between the pressure spring portion 422 and the pivot portion 423 facilitates the assembly elasticity of the pivot portion 423 and strengthens the structural elasticity between the pressure spring portion 422 and the pivot portion 423. In addition, the number of bending portions 424 in other embodiments may be one or more, and is not limited to this embodiment.

[0108] The support spring 43 supports the radiator 41 upwards and elastically, providing an elastic force to move the radiator 41 to the release position. The two support springs 43 are integrally formed on the lower walls 122 (near the inner side of the side wall 124) of the lower opening 129 of the radiator frame 12, supporting the left and right sides of the radiator 41 upwards. In other embodiments, the two support springs 43 may also be assembled to the radiator frame 12 by welding or fastening. Each support spring 43 includes two plate-shaped elastic support portions 431a that support the radiator 41 upwards, extending obliquely forward and backward, respectively.

[0109] See Figures 4 to 8 The following describes the working relationship between the pluggable module 3 and the heat sink module 4.

[0110] like Figure 6 As shown, before the pluggable module 3 is inserted into the insertion channel 11a of the cage 1, the radiator 41 is in the upper release position due to the upward elastic force provided by the two support springs 43.

[0111] like Figure 7 As shown, when the pluggable module 3 is inserted into the insertion channel 11a of the cage 1 in the front-to-back insertion direction, it will push the pushed portion 421 of the two leaf springs 42 and 42' backward, so that the two leaf springs 42 and 42' rotate relative to the heat sink frame 12 through the pivot portion 423. At this time, the pressure spring portion 422 of the two leaf springs 42 and 42' applies pressure directly downward to the surface of the heat sink 41, so as to move the heat sink 41 from the upper release position to the lower contact position. Through the elastic force of the pressure spring portion 422 of the two leaf springs 42 and 42', the thermal coupling portion 411a at the bottom of the heat sink 41 faces downward and makes pressure contact with the surface of the pluggable module 3 insertion portion 311. Moreover, in this state, the force of the compression spring portion 422 of the two leaf springs 42 and 42' pushing the radiator 41 downward is greater than the force of the support spring 43 supporting the radiator 41 upward. The support spring 43 is compressed and provides an elastic force to drive the radiator 41 back to the released position.

[0112] like Figure 8As shown, it should be noted that during the insertion of the pluggable module 3 into the insertion channel 11a of the cage 1, the two leaf springs 42 and 42' are sequentially actuated by the front end and stop 311a of the pluggable module 3, respectively, to apply pressure to the surface of the radiator 41 in segments, causing the radiator 41 to move from the upper release position to the lower contact position in segments. Furthermore, during this process, the length of the pressure spring portion 422 of the leaf spring 42 that is actuated first is greater than the length of the pressure spring portion 422 of the leaf spring 42' that is actuated later. Because the two leaf springs 42 and 42' have different lengths, they can apply different elastic forces. Through the segmented pressure application and segmented increase of elastic force, the pluggable module 3 can contact the heat sink 41 and receive further contact pressure from the heat sink 41 only after being inserted to a deeper position. This makes the movement of the heat sink 41 and its contact with the pluggable module 3 more balanced and stable, and further reduces the frictional loss generated between the bottom of the heat sink 41 and the pluggable module 3 during the insertion of the pluggable module 3.

[0113] When the pluggable module 3 is disengaged from the insertion channel 11a, the elastic force provided by the support spring 43 lifts the heat sink 41 upwards to the release position where it does not contact the surface of the pluggable module 3. Furthermore, the heat sink 41 pushes the compression spring portions 422 of the two leaf springs 42 and 42' upwards, causing the two leaf springs 42 and 42' to rotate and reset.

[0114] It should be noted that when the heat sink 41 is in the released position, the thermal coupling part 411a at the bottom of the heat sink 41 may not extend into the plug-in channel 11a, or it may extend into the plug-in channel 11a but be located at a height that does not contact the upper surface of the pluggable module 3. Therefore, before the pluggable module 3 pushes the pushed part 421 of the two leaf springs 42 and 42', there is a gap between the thermal coupling part 411a at the bottom of the heat sink 41 and the upper surface of the pluggable module 3.

[0115] In summary, the present invention uses the rotation of the leaf springs 42 and 42' to drive the pressure spring 422 to directly press downwards onto the surface of the heat sink 41. This allows the heat sink 41 to move to a position contacting the surface of the pluggable module 3 only after the pluggable module 3 has been inserted into the insertion channel 11a of the cage 1. This reduces friction between the bottom of the heat sink 41 and the pluggable module 3 during insertion, preventing wear on the bottom of the heat sink 41 and scratching of the thermal interface material on the bottom of the heat sink 41. Furthermore, the elastic force of the leaf springs 42 and 42' causes the bottom of the heat sink 41 to contact the surface of the pluggable module 3 with downward pressure, improving heat conduction efficiency and increasing heat dissipation. On the other hand, the leaf springs 42 and 42', being elongated thin plates, can be directly positioned between the heat dissipation fins 412 of the heat sink 41, resulting in a low-profile design for the entire heat dissipation assembly. On the other hand, during the insertion of the pluggable module 3 into the insertion channel 11a of the cage 1, two or more leaf springs 42 and 42' are sequentially activated one after the other. The two leaf springs 42 and 42' can apply pressure to the radiator 41 in segments, causing the radiator 41 to move from the upper release position to the lower contact position in segments. The two leaf springs 42 and 42' have different lengths and can apply different elastic forces. Through the segmented pressure and segmented increase of elastic force, the pluggable module 3 can contact the radiator 41 and receive further contact pressure from the radiator 41 only after being inserted to a deeper position. This makes the movement of the radiator 41 and its contact with the pluggable module 3 more balanced and stable, and further reduces the frictional loss generated between the bottom of the radiator 41 and the pluggable module 3 during the insertion of the pluggable module 3. In addition, the at least one bent portion 424 of the leaf springs 42 and 42' located between the pressure spring portion 422 and the pivot portion 423 facilitates the assembly elasticity of the pivot portion 423 and strengthens the structural elasticity between the pressure spring portion 422 and the pivot portion 423.

[0116] However, the above description is merely an embodiment of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. Any simple equivalent changes and modifications made in accordance with the claims and description of the present invention shall still fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A connector assembly comprising: A cage shell having a plug-in channel and a heat sink frame located above the plug-in channel, the plug-in channel being for plugging in a pluggable module; and A radiator module, assembled on the radiator frame, includes a radiator, a leaf spring, and a support spring. The radiator is movable relative to the radiator frame between an upper release position and a lower contact position. The leaf spring has a rearward push portion that extends into the insertion channel, a frontal pressure spring portion for applying pressure to the radiator, and a pivot portion located between the push portion and the pressure spring portion and pivotally connected to the radiator frame. The pluggable module can be inserted into the insertion channel of the cage shell in a front-to-back insertion direction, and pushes the pushed part of the leaf spring backward to make the leaf spring rotate, thereby causing the front pressure spring to press directly downward on the surface of the heat sink, so as to move the heat sink from the upper release position to the lower contact position, and compress the support spring. The elastic force of the leaf spring makes the bottom of the heat sink face down and press against the surface of the pluggable module. When the pluggable module is withdrawn from the insertion channel, the leaf spring returns to its original position and the support spring lifts the heat sink upward to the release position where it no longer contacts the surface of the pluggable module. in, The radiator module includes two leaf springs, which are sequentially activated one after the other during the insertion of the pluggable module into the insertion channel of the cage. The length of the compression spring portion of the leaf spring activated first is greater than the length of the compression spring portion of the leaf spring activated later, so as to apply pressure to the surface of the radiator in segments and cause the radiator to move in segments from the release position above to the contact position below.

2. The connector assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The leaf spring also has at least one curved portion located between the compression spring portion and the pivot portion.

3. The connector assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The radiator module includes at least two support springs, which are respectively constructed on the radiator frame and supported on the left and right sides of the radiator.

4. The connector assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein, The support spring includes two plate-shaped elastic support portions that support the radiator upwards, and the two elastic support portions extend obliquely upwards and forwards and backwards respectively.

5. The connector assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein, A radiator guide structure is provided between the radiator frame and the radiator, which restricts the forward and backward movement of the radiator and guides the up and down movement of the radiator.

6. The connector assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein, The radiator guide structure includes a guide hole constructed on the side wall of the radiator frame and a guide protrusion constructed on the side of the radiator, the guide protrusion being movably disposed in the guide hole.

7. The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein, The radiator has a base plate and multiple heat dissipation fins, and the leaf spring is disposed between the heat dissipation fins.

Images