Heat sink and connector assembly

Abstract

A heat sink for mounting on a housing (110) of a connector (100), and a connector assembly including the heat sink are provided. The radiator (200) comprises at least one radiator module (210), each radiator module comprises a plurality of radiating fins (211) extending in the longitudinal direction (Y) of the radiator module, and the radiating fins are stacked and assembled together in the width direction (X) of the radiator module in a spaced mode. An air channel extending in the longitudinal direction is defined between every two adjacent cooling fins. At least one of the plurality of air channels defined by the plurality of fins is dimensioned to allow a heat generating device (300) extending in the longitudinal direction to at least partially pass through and be positioned within one of the at least one air channel.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to the field of connectors, and more particularly, to a heat sink with improved heat dissipation effect, and a connector assembly including the heat sink. Background Art

[0002] During the operation of connectors such as high-speed electrical connectors or optoelectronic connectors, the heat generated will reduce the electrical performance of electronic equipment. For this reason, a radiator is usually installed on the housing of the connector to reduce the temperature of the electronic equipment. The connector usually includes a housing (or iron cage), a terminal module and a radiator. The terminal module is accommodated in the housing and is suitable for connecting to an inserted mating module. The radiator is installed on the housing to dissipate heat from the connector. In addition to the terminal module and the mating module that will dissipate heat during operation, other connecting devices connected to the terminal module or the mating module for electrical connection or optical communication will also generate heat, and these connecting devices also need to be cooled.

[0003] In conventional technology, due to differences in the size design, installation position, and arrangement design of multiple heat sinks constituting a single heat sink module of the connector housing and the heat sink, as well as the uniform spacing between the heat sinks and the inability to arrange other heat-generating devices between the heat sinks due to component cost factors, a combination of multiple heat sink modules has to be used to dissipate heat for such heat-generating devices, resulting in increased costs. If such a heat-generating device is placed on the side or beside the heat sink module, it will not dissipate heat sufficiently, and the effective heat dissipation width of the heat sink module will be reduced, resulting in reduced heat dissipation performance. Summary of the invention

[0004] The present disclosure is proposed to overcome at least one of the above and other problems and drawbacks of the prior art.

[0005] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a heat sink for installation on a housing of a connector is provided, comprising: at least one heat sink module, each heat sink module comprising a plurality of heat sinks extending in a longitudinal direction of the heat sink module, the plurality of heat sinks being stacked and assembled with each other in a spaced-apart manner in a width direction of the heat sink module, air channels extending in the longitudinal direction being defined between adjacent heat sinks, and a size of at least one of the plurality of air channels defined by the plurality of heat sinks being formed to allow a heat generating device extending in the longitudinal direction to at least partially pass through and be positioned within one of the at least one air channels.

[0006] In some embodiments, the dimensions of other air channels in the plurality of air channels in the width direction are different from the dimension of the at least one air channel in the width direction to prevent the heat generating device from being positioned in the other air channels.

[0007] In some embodiments, a dimension of the at least one air channel in the width direction is greater than a dimension of the other air channels in the width direction.

[0008] In some embodiments, the multiple air channels include multiple first channels and at least one second channel, the at least one air channel includes the at least one second channel, and the multiple first channels have the same size in the width direction and are smaller than the size of the second channel in the width direction so as to allow the heat generating device to be positioned only within the second channel.

[0009] In some embodiments, each second channel is positioned between adjacent first channels in the width direction.

[0010] In some embodiments, the at least one second channel includes two second channels spaced apart in the width direction, and the number of first channels between the two second channels is greater than the number of first channels located outside each second channel.

[0011] In some embodiments, the plurality of heat sinks of each heat sink module are fixedly assembled relative to each other, so that a spacing between the plurality of heat sinks in the width direction is fixed.

[0012] In some embodiments, the multiple heat sinks of each heat sink module are assembled together in a manner that allows them to move relative to each other along the width direction, so that the spacing between the multiple heat sinks in the width direction is adjustable to adjust the size of at least one air channel in the width direction to allow the corresponding heat generating device to be positioned therein.

[0013] In some embodiments, each heat sink has opposite bottom and top ends in the height direction of the heat sink module, and the plurality of heat sinks of each heat sink module are fixedly or detachably assembled with each other at one of the bottom and top ends.

[0014] In some embodiments, the heat sink further comprises a heat transfer base plate, the plurality of heat sinks are arranged on the heat transfer base plate, and the heat transfer base plate is suitable for being mounted on a housing of the connector to conduct heat from the connector to the plurality of heat sinks.

[0015] In some embodiments, the heat sink further comprises a retaining member adapted to engage with the plurality of heat sinks, the heat transfer base plate and a housing of the connector to fixedly retain the plurality of heat sinks and the heat transfer base plate relative to the housing.

[0016] In some embodiments, each heat sink is formed with a groove running through the heat sink along the width direction, and the grooves of the multiple heat sinks of each radiator module are aligned in the width direction to allow the retaining member to pass through the groove to fix the multiple heat sinks and the heat transfer base plate to the shell.

[0017] In some embodiments, a portion of the retaining member passing through the slot in the width direction is positioned close to the heat transfer base plate, so that a main body of the heat generating device positioned in the at least one air channel is located above the portion of the retaining member.

[0018] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a connector assembly is provided, comprising: a connector, which includes a shell, the shell defining a housing cavity for accommodating a connector module and suitable for receiving an insertion module of a mating connector; a heat sink described in any embodiment of the present disclosure, which is mounted on the shell to at least dissipate heat from the connector module or the insertion module located in the housing cavity; and a heating device, which extends in the longitudinal direction and at least partially passes through and is positioned in one of the at least one air channels, the heating device being connected to the connector module.

[0019] In some embodiments, the connector is a socket connector and the heat generating device comprises a light guide. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The above and other aspects, features and advantages of various embodiments of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0021] Figure 1 is a perspective view schematically showing the structure of a connector assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0022] Figure 2 is a side view schematically showing the structure of a connector assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0023] Figure 3 is an end view schematically illustrating the structure of a connector assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0024] Figure 4 is an exploded view schematically illustrating a structure of a connector assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0025] Figure 5 is an exploded view schematically illustrating a structure of a heat sink of a heat sink according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the heat sink is in a state before assembly. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] The embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In this specification, the same or similar parts are indicated by the same or similar figure numbers. The following description of the various embodiments of the present disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings is intended to illustrate the overall concept of the present disclosure and should not be construed as a limitation of the present disclosure.

[0027] In addition, in the detailed description below, for ease of explanation, many specific details are set forth to provide a comprehensive understanding of the embodiments of the present disclosure. However, it is apparent that one or more embodiments may be implemented without these specific details. In other cases, well-known structures and devices are embodied in a schematic manner to simplify the accompanying drawings.

[0028] In the following detailed description, directional terms such as "front", "back", "up", "down", "top", "bottom", "left", "right", "upper" and "lower", "inside" and "outside" are defined according to the accompanying drawings, but the shape and position of the components are not limited by these terms and can be adjusted according to actual applications.

[0029] In addition, the terms used herein are used to describe exemplary embodiments and are not intended to limit and / or constrain the present disclosure. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular forms of "one", "a", "said", "the" are also intended to include plural forms. In the present disclosure, "include", "comprise", "include", "have" and similar terms are used to list features, quantities, steps, operations, elements, parts, or combinations thereof, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more of the features, quantities, steps, operations, elements, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0030] Although the terms "first", "second", etc. may be used herein to describe a variety of different elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element. For example, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, a first element may be referred to as a second element, and a second element may be referred to as a first element. The term "and / or" includes multiple combinations of associated items or any one of a plurality of associated items.

[0031] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a connector assembly is provided, which has a heat sink for positioning a heat-generating device between heat sinks to improve heat dissipation, and is suitable for, for example, being used in a variety of connectors with higher heat dissipation requirements, such as electrical connectors, optoelectronic connectors, high-speed data connectors, etc.

[0032] like Figure 1-4 As shown, the connector assembly 10 includes a connector 100, and the connector 100 includes a housing 110 and a connector module (not shown) such as between terminal modules. The housing 110 has, for example, a substantially hexahedral form or a substantially rectangular cross section, and defines a housing cavity 101, in which the connector module of the connector 100 itself is disposed, and in the housing cavity 101, at least an insertion module or interconnection component of a mating connector (not shown) mated or connected with the connector module can also be accommodated or received, such as an electrical connection module, an optical module such as an optical fiber plug, an optoelectronic converter or a pluggable transceiver, etc. (not shown), so as to achieve electrical connection, communication connection or optical coupling connection between the two mating connectors.

[0033] Such a connector assembly is suitable for installation in an electronic device such as a router or a server, such as being installed and fixed on a circuit board (not shown) of the electronic device via the mounting legs 112 of the housing 110. As an example, such a connector can be a receptacle connector that cooperates with a plug connector such as a pluggable transceiver, suitable for use in a data communication system, such as being capable of executing one or more communication protocols, including but not necessarily limited to Ethernet, Fiber Channel, Infiniband technology, and Synchronous Optical Network (SONET) / Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (SDH). For example, such a connector assembly can be physically constructed (e.g., sized and shaped to meet industry standards for small form factor pluggable (SFP), enhanced SFP (SFP+), quad SFP (QSFP), micro QSFP, C-type form factor pluggable (CFP), and 10 Gigabit SFP (commonly referred to as XFP) or other small form factor standards.

[0034] As shown in the figure, the connector assembly 10 also includes a heat sink 200 mounted on the housing 110. The heat sink 200 can be mounted on the surface of the housing 110 to at least absorb heat from the connector module or the plug-in module located in the accommodating cavity 101 of the housing 110 and dissipate the absorbed heat to the surrounding environment. The heat sink 200 includes a heat sink module 210, and the heat sink module 210 is fixed on the mounting surface 111 of the housing 110, for example. Although in the illustrated embodiment, the heat sink 200 or the heat sink module 210 is mounted on the top wall of the housing 110, in other embodiments, the heat sink or the heat sink module can also be arranged on the side wall of the housing to meet different connector layout space requirements.

[0035] Exemplarily, the heat sink module 210 extends longitudinally along the length of the housing 110 and includes a plurality of heat sinks 211, each heat sink 211 extending along the longitudinal direction Y and the height direction Z of the heat sink module 210, such as forming a generally plate-like shape, and the plurality of heat sinks 211 are stacked and assembled together in a spaced manner in the width direction X of the heat sink module 210, and an air channel extending along the longitudinal direction Y is defined between adjacent heat sinks 211, and the external air flow flows into the air channel between adjacent heat sinks 211 to take away the heat absorbed or exchanged by the heat sink 200 and / or its heat sink 211 from the connector module or the plug-in module. In this article, the heat sink module refers to a single or integrated heat sink unit including a plurality of heat sinks assembled together, and the heat sink may include a plurality of such heat sink modules or units, which may be mounted or arranged on the same housing or heat transfer base plate (described below), but there is no connection relationship between the heat sinks of adjacent heat sink modules or units.

[0036] In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, it is suitable to additionally arrange other devices that are prone to generating heat (referred to as "heat generating devices" 300 in this article) in the air channel between the heat sinks of the heat sink 200. Such devices can be at least partially arranged outside the shell, such as connecting devices connected to the connector module terminal module of the connector 100 or the plug-in module of the mating connector for electrical connection or optical communication, such as light guides, etc., so as to facilitate the heat dissipation of such heat generating devices.

[0037] For example, in the heat sink module 210, the size of at least one of the multiple air channels defined by its multiple heat sinks 211 can be formed to allow the heating device 300 extending in the longitudinal direction Y to at least partially pass through and be positioned in one of the at least one air channel, that is, the heating device 300 can be at least partially arranged in the air channel between adjacent heat sinks 211 of the same heat sink module 210, thereby improving the heat dissipation effect. As an example, Figure 1-4 As shown, the heating device 300 includes an elongated main body portion 310 extending in the longitudinal direction Y, and an interface portion 301 may be formed or provided at the end of the main body portion 310, and the interface portion 301 may be partially positioned in the accommodating cavity 101, and is suitable for connecting with a connector module arranged in the shell 110 or an insertion module of a mating connector. Most of the main body portion 310 is suitable for being positioned in an air channel having the above-mentioned size, for example, the size may be greater than or equal to the width of the main body portion 310.

[0038] In an exemplary embodiment, the size of other air channels in the width direction X of the multiple air channels defined by the multiple heat sinks 211 of the heat sink module 210 may be different from the size of the at least one air channel in the width direction X, so as to prevent the heating device 300 from being inserted and positioned in the other air channels, and avoid mis-insertion. For example, the size of the at least one air channel in which the heating device 300 is inserted in the width direction X is larger than the size of the other air channels in the width direction X, while the size of the other air channels in the width direction X is smaller than the width of the heating device 300.

[0039] In some examples, the position of the air channel suitable for or allowing the heating device 300 to be inserted therein can be consistent with the position of the connector module of the connector 100 or the insertion module of the mating connector where the heating device 300 will be connected, such as aligned in the longitudinal direction Y, to facilitate assembly.

[0040] In the illustrated embodiment, the plurality of air channels include a plurality of first channels 212 and at least one second channel 213, the dimension (e.g., width) of each second channel 213 along the width direction is formed to allow the heat generating device 300 to at least partially pass through and be positioned in the second channel, and the dimension or width of the first channel 212 in the width direction X is smaller than the dimension or width of the second channel 213 in the width direction X, thereby only allowing the heat generating device 300 to be positioned in the second channel 213 having a larger dimension or width, and not being inserted into or positioned in the first channel 212 having a smaller dimension or width. Exemplarily, according to the actual arrangement requirements of the heat sink, the dimensions or widths of the plurality of first channels 212 along the width direction may be the same as or different from each other.

[0041] In such Figure 1 , 3 In the embodiments shown in FIG. 4 , each second channel 213 can be positioned between adjacent first channels 212 in the width direction X, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the second channel can also be the outermost air channel of the radiator module in the width direction.

[0042] In the specific example shown in the figure, Figure 1 , 3 As shown in FIG. 4 , the heat sink module 210 includes two second channels 213 spaced apart in the width direction X for inserting two heat generating devices 300 therein. Exemplarily, the number of first channels 212 between the two second channels 213 may be greater than the number of first channels 212 located outside each second channel 213, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the positions of the first channels and the second channels may be flexibly set according to actual needs.

[0043] In some embodiments, the multiple heat sinks 211 of each radiator module 210 can be fixedly assembled relative to each other so that the spacing between the multiple heat sinks 211 in the width direction X is fixed, that is, the size or width of the first channel 212 and the second channel 213 in the width direction X is fixed.

[0044] In some other embodiments, the spacing between the multiple heat sinks 211 of each heat sink module 210 in the width direction X is adjustable or variable. For example, the multiple heat sinks 211 are assembled together in a manner that allows them to move relative to each other in the width direction X, or the heat sinks can be repositioned or positioned at multiple positions, thereby adjusting or changing the size of at least one air channel in the width direction X to allow the corresponding heat generating device 300 to be at least partially inserted and positioned therein.

[0045] Each heat sink 211 has opposite bottom and top ends in the height direction Z of the heat sink module 210 , and the plurality of heat sinks 211 of each heat sink module 210 are fixedly or detachably assembled with each other at one or both of the bottom and top ends.

[0046] The plurality of heat sinks 211 of each heat sink module 210 may be assembled together in a variety of ways. For example, the plurality of heat sinks 211 may be interlocked or interlocked together in a zipper manner, or connected or engaged with each other through other connection mechanisms or engagement structures.

[0047] In the illustrated embodiment, Figure 1 , 4As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the plurality of heat sinks 211 include a first heat sink 2111 and a second heat sink 2112. The first heat sink 2111 has a substantially plate-shaped body 21111 and a first spacer 21112 extending transversely (e.g., in the width direction X) from the lower end and / or the top end of the plate-shaped body 21111. The second heat sink 2112 has a substantially plate-shaped body 21121 and a second spacer 21122 extending transversely (e.g., in the width direction X) from the lower end and the top end of the plate-shaped body 21121. The spacer may be formed on one or both sides of each plate-shaped body in the width direction, and all the spacers may extend in the same direction or in opposite directions to each other. Adjacent first heat sinks 2111 are assembled together to form a first channel 212, and a first spacer 21112 of one first heat sink 2111 abuts against another first heat sink 2111, so that the size or width of the first channel 212 in the width direction X is defined by the size or width of the first spacer 21112 in the width direction X. Similarly, adjacent first heat sinks 2111 and second heat sinks 2112 are assembled together to form a second channel 213, and a second spacer 21122 of the second heat sink 2112 abuts against the first heat sink 2111, so that the size or width of the second channel 213 in the width direction X is defined by the size or width of the second spacer 21122 in the width direction X.

[0048] A first protrusion 21113 and a corresponding first opening 21114 are formed on the first spacer 21112 at the top and / or bottom of each first heat sink 2111, and a first stopper 21115 is formed on the plate-like body 21111. The first protrusion 21113 protrudes from the first spacer 21112 along the width direction X, such as in a pile shape, the first opening 21114 penetrates the first spacer 21112 in the thickness direction, and the first stopper 21115 protrudes outwards along the thickness direction Z. The first protrusion 21113, the corresponding first opening 21114 and the first stopper 21115 are arranged in sequence along the width direction X, so that their positions in the width direction X are aligned. Similarly, a second protrusion 21123 and a corresponding second opening 21124 are formed on the second spacer 21122 at the top and / or bottom of each second heat sink 2112, and a second stopper 21125 is formed on the plate-like body 21121. The second protrusion 21123 protrudes from the second spacer 21122 along the width direction X, such as in a pile shape, and the second opening 21124 penetrates the second spacer 21122 in the thickness direction, and the second stopper 21125 protrudes outward along the thickness direction Z. The second protrusion 21123, the corresponding second opening 21124 and the second stopper 21125 are arranged in sequence along the width direction X, so that their positions in the width direction X are aligned.

[0049] When assembling the heat sink, the first protrusion 21113 of one of the two adjacent first heat sinks 2111 is engaged (e.g., embedded) in the first opening 21114 of the other first heat sink, and the first stopper 21115 of the first heat sink is inserted into the first opening 21114 of the first heat sink, thereby limiting or preventing the two first heat sinks from moving relative to each other in the longitudinal direction Y and the width direction. Similarly, when assembling the adjacent first heat sink 2111 and the second heat sink 2112, Figure 5 In the description, the first heat sink 2111 is located on the side of the second heat sink 2112 away from the second spacer 21122 in the width direction X (or vice versa), the first protrusion 21113 of the first heat sink 2111 is engaged (such as embedded) in the second opening 21124 of the second heat sink 2112, and the second stopper 21125 of the second heat sink 2112 is inserted into the first opening 21114 of the first heat sink 2111, so that the movement of the two heat sinks relative to each other in the longitudinal direction Y and the width direction can be limited or prevented. This assembly can be performed at at least one of the top end and the bottom end of each heat sink.

[0050] In the illustrated embodiment, as shown in 1-4, the heat sink 200 may further include a heat transfer base plate 220, on which a plurality of heat sinks 211 are arranged (such as directly contacting or attached, or connected via a thermally conductive adhesive, or welded or connected in other ways), and the heat transfer base plate 220 is suitable for being mounted on the housing 110 of the connector 100 to conduct heat from the connector 100 to the plurality of heat sinks 211. As shown in the figure, the mounting surface 111 of the housing 110 may be formed with an opening 113 communicating with the accommodating cavity 101, and the heat transfer base plate 220 may at least cover the opening 113, for example, may be in contact with a heat generating component or module in the accommodating cavity 101 to effectively transfer heat.

[0051] like Figure 1-4 As shown, the connector assembly 10 or its heat sink 200 may further include a retaining member 230, which is adapted to be coupled to the plurality of heat sinks 211, the heat transfer base plate 220 and the housing 110 of the connector 100 to fixedly retain the plurality of heat sinks 211 and the heat transfer base plate 220 relative to the housing 110. For example, as Figure 1 and 2 As shown, the housing 110 may be formed with a first engaging structure 114, such as a protrusion, and the retaining member 230 may be formed with a second engaging structure 234, such as an opening, and the second engaging structure 234 is engaged or snapped together with the first engaging structure 114 to fix the heat sink 200 on the housing 110. The retaining member may include an elastic member, such as an elastic clip.

[0052] like Figure 1 ,2 , 4 and 5, each heat sink 211 may be formed with a groove 215 that passes through the heat sink along the width direction X, and the grooves 215 of the multiple heat sinks 211 of each radiator module 210 may be aligned in the width direction X to allow the retaining member 230 to pass through the groove 215 to fix the multiple heat sinks 211 and the heat transfer base plate 220 on the shell 110.

[0053] In some examples, such as Figure 2 and 3 As shown, the portion of the retaining member 230 that passes through the slot 215 in the width direction X can be positioned close to the heat transfer base plate 220, so that the main body 310 of the heating device 300 positioned in the air channel 213 is located above the portion of the retaining member 230, thereby facilitating the insertion of the heating device 300 into the second channel 213.

[0054] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that these embodiments may be varied without departing from the principles and spirit of the present disclosure, and that the scope of protection of the present disclosure is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. It should also be noted that, unless otherwise indicated, the terms "include", "comprise", "have" used herein do not exclude other elements or steps. In addition, any element number of a claim should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A heat sink (200) for mounting on a housing (110) of a connector (100), comprising: At least one radiator module (210), each radiator module comprising a plurality of radiator fins (211) extending along a longitudinal direction (Y) of the radiator module, the plurality of radiator fins being stacked and assembled together in a spaced-apart manner in a width direction (X) of the radiator module, and air channels extending along the longitudinal direction being defined between adjacent radiator fins, The size of at least one of the plurality of air channels defined by the plurality of heat sinks is formed to allow a heat generating device (300) extending in the longitudinal direction to at least partially pass through and be positioned in one of the at least one air channel.

2. The heat sink according to claim 1, wherein: The sizes of other air channels of the plurality of air channels in the width direction are different from the size of the at least one air channel in the width direction to prevent the heat generating device from being positioned in the other air channels.

3. The heat sink according to claim 2, wherein: The at least one air passage has a dimension in the width direction that is greater than dimensions of the other air passages in the width direction.

4. The heat sink according to claim 3, wherein: The plurality of air channels include a plurality of first channels (212) and at least one second channel (213), the at least one air channel includes the at least one second channel, and The plurality of first channels have the same size in the width direction and are smaller than a size of the second channel in the width direction to allow the heat generating device to be positioned only within the second channel.

5. The heat sink according to claim 4, wherein: Each second channel is positioned between adjacent first channels in the width direction.

6. The heat sink according to claim 5, wherein: The at least one second channel includes two second channels spaced apart in the width direction, and the number of first channels between the two second channels is greater than the number of first channels located outside each second channel.

7. The heat sink according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: The plurality of heat sinks of each heat sink module are fixedly assembled relative to each other, so that the intervals between the plurality of heat sinks in the width direction are fixed.

8. The heat sink according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: The multiple heat sinks of each radiator module are assembled together in a manner that allows them to move relative to each other along the width direction, so that the spacing between the multiple heat sinks in the width direction is adjustable to adjust the size of at least one air channel in the width direction to allow the corresponding heat generating device to be positioned therein.

9. The heat sink according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: Each heat sink has a bottom end and a top end opposite to each other in the height direction (Z) of the heat sink module, and The plurality of heat sinks of each heat sink module are fixedly or detachably assembled with each other at one of the bottom end and the top end.

10. The heat sink according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: The heat sink further comprises a heat transfer base plate (220), on which the plurality of heat sinks are arranged, and the heat transfer base plate is suitable for being mounted on the housing of the connector to conduct heat from the connector to the plurality of heat sinks.

11. The heat sink according to claim 10, wherein: The heat sink also includes a retaining member (230) adapted to engage with the plurality of heat sinks, the heat transfer base plate and a housing of the connector to fixedly retain the plurality of heat sinks and the heat transfer base plate relative to the housing.

12. The heat sink according to claim 11, wherein: Each heat sink is formed with a slot (215) penetrating the heat sink along the width direction, and the slots of the multiple heat sinks of each heat sink module are aligned in the width direction to allow the retaining member to pass through the slot to fix the multiple heat sinks and the heat transfer base plate on the shell.

13. The heat sink according to claim 12, wherein: The portion of the retaining member that passes through the slot in the width direction is positioned close to the heat transfer bottom plate, so that the main body (310) of the heat generating device positioned in the at least one air channel is located above the portion of the retaining member.

14. A connector assembly comprising: A connector (100) comprising a housing (110) defining a receiving chamber (101) for receiving a connector module and adapted to receive an insert module of a mating connector; The heat sink (200) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, which is mounted on the housing to at least dissipate heat from the connector module or the plug-in module located in the accommodating cavity; and A heat generating device (300) extends in the longitudinal direction and at least partially passes through and is positioned in one of the at least one air channel, the heat generating device being connected to the connector module.

15. The connector assembly according to claim 14, wherein: The connector is a socket connector, and the heating device includes a light guide.

Images