Connecting device

By designing side-locking fasteners and limiting components, the problems of overheating and time-consuming assembly of connector assemblies are solved, achieving a compact and stable combination and assembly of the liquid cooling plate and connector assemblies, thus improving assembly convenience and stability.

CN121663267APending Publication Date: 2026-03-13MOLEX INC
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Applications(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-09-12
Publication Date
2026-03-13

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing connector assemblies suffer from overheating issues during assembly, and the frame and circuit board are secured with screws, preventing miniaturization. Furthermore, assembly is time-consuming and labor-intensive.

Method used

The design employs side-locking fasteners and limiting components, allowing the liquid cooling plate and connector assembly to be directly assembled through the frame, eliminating the need for screw tightening. The assembly direction is guided by guide grooves or guide surfaces to ensure a secure connection.

Benefits of technology

It achieves a compact integration of liquid cooling plate and connector assembly without increasing the board area occupied by the circuit board, improving assembly convenience and stability, and reducing assembly time and labor.

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Abstract

A connecting device comprises a connector assembly, a liquid cooling plate and a frame. The connector assembly includes a metal housing. The metal shell is provided with two side walls. Each side wall is provided with a protruding part and a side holding part. Cooling liquid circulates in the liquid cooling plate. The frame comprises two side frames fixed on the two sides of the liquid cooling plate. Each side frame is provided with a side locking piece and a first limiting piece. And the side lock fasteners are detachably buckled on the side holding parts respectively. Each first limiting piece is provided with a guide groove. And the protruding parts can slide into the guide grooves respectively. And the first limiting pieces enable the protruding parts to slide into the guide grooves respectively, so that the side locking pieces are buckled to the side holding parts respectively, and the liquid cooling plate is combined with the connector assembly.
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a connecting device, and more particularly to a connecting device having a frame. Background Technology

[0002] Typical connector assemblies often overheat during electrical connection and operation with pluggable components. Therefore, existing connector assemblies incorporate a liquid cooling plate for cooling. A common configuration involves mounting the liquid cooling plate onto a circuit board containing the connector assembly via a frame, allowing the liquid cooling plate to thermally bond with the pluggable component inserted into the connector assembly. However, the frame and circuit board are typically fastened with screws, requiring pre-drilled holes on the circuit board and hindering miniaturization. Furthermore, assembling the frame with the connector assembly or circuit board requires alignment and screw tightening, which is time-consuming and labor-intensive. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a connection device that can solve at least one of the above-mentioned problems.

[0004] Therefore, the connection device of the present invention includes a connector assembly, a liquid cooling plate and a frame.

[0005] The connector assembly includes a metal housing. The metal housing has two sidewalls. Each sidewall has a protrusion and a side retaining portion. The liquid cooling plate has a coolant circulating inside. The frame includes two side frames fixed to both sides of the liquid cooling plate. Each side frame has a side locking member and a first limiting member. The side locking members are releasably engaged with the side retaining portions. Each first limiting member has a guide groove. The guide groove allows the protrusion to slide into it. The first limiting member allows the protrusion to slide into the guide groove, thereby engaging the side locking members with the side retaining portions, connecting the liquid cooling plate to the connector assembly, and limiting the relative displacement between the liquid cooling plate and the connector assembly.

[0006] In some embodiments, the two side frames are fastened to the liquid cooling plate using screws.

[0007] In some embodiments, the frame further includes a front frame connected to the front side of the side frame on the left and right sides respectively, and a rear frame connected to the rear side of the side frame on the left and right sides respectively, wherein the front frame, the rear frame and the two side frames together surround the liquid cooling plate.

[0008] In some embodiments, the opening of the guide groove faces forward; the frame also includes a rear frame connected to the rear side of the side frame on the left and right sides respectively, and the metal housing also has a rear wall located on the rear side, the rear wall having a rear retaining portion protruding rearward; the rear frame has a rear positioning hole that is penetrated from the front and rear, the rear positioning hole allowing the rear retaining portion to pass through from front to rear.

[0009] In some embodiments, the opening of the guide groove faces forward; each sidewall has a sidewall body and a side retaining portion disposed on the sidewall body, each side retaining portion having a first guide surface extending outward and backward from the outer surface of the sidewall body; the side locking fastener is capable of elastic deformation under force, each side locking fastener having a first buckle hole penetrating the left and right sides and allowing the side retaining portion to pass through; during the process of the first limiting member allowing the protrusions to slide into the guide groove respectively, the side locking fastener is subjected to force and elastically deforms along the first guide surface in a direction away from the outer surface of the sidewall, so that the first buckle hole can be respectively inserted by the side retaining portion, thereby combining the liquid cooling plate with the connector assembly.

[0010] The connecting device of the present invention includes a connector assembly, a liquid cooling plate, and a frame. The connector assembly includes a metal housing with two side walls, each side wall having a side retaining portion and a lower stop portion. The liquid cooling plate has an internal cooling fluid circulation system. The frame includes two side frames fixed to both sides of the liquid cooling plate, each side frame having a side locking member and a second limiting member. The side locking members are detachably engaged with the side retaining portions. By engaging the side retaining portions with the side locking members and stopping the lower stop portion with the second limiting member, the liquid cooling plate and the connector assembly are connected.

[0011] In some embodiments, each of the sidewalls has two side retaining portions arranged in front and rear; each of the side frames has two side locking fasteners arranged in front and rear.

[0012] In some embodiments, each of the side retaining portions has a first guide surface extending outward and downward, each of the side locking fasteners is elastically deformable under force and has a first fastening hole through which the side retaining portion can pass, the side locking fasteners are elastically deformed along the first guide surface under force, so that the first fastening hole can be passed through by the side retaining portion, thereby combining the liquid cooling plate with the connector assembly.

[0013] In some embodiments, the side locking fastener further includes a side locking body and a first locking guide portion extending downward and outward from the bottom of the side locking body, the side locking body having the first locking hole; when the frame moves the liquid cooling plate from top to bottom towards the connector assembly, the first locking guide portion is pushed against by the side holding portion, causing the side locking body to elastically deform outward.

[0014] In some embodiments, when the side lock fastener is engaged with the side retaining portion, the second limiting member is restrained from moving downward by the lower stop portion, and the side lock fastener is restrained from moving upward by the side retaining portion.

[0015] In some embodiments, each of the sidewalls further has two side stops respectively disposed on the front and rear sides of the lower stop and between the adjacent side holding part; when the frame moves the liquid cooling plate from top to bottom towards the connector assembly, the side locking fasteners are restricted by the side stops and cannot move forward or backward.

[0016] In some embodiments, the metal housing further includes a rear wall located at the rear side, the rear wall having a rear wall body and a rear retaining portion disposed on the rear wall body, the rear retaining portion having a second guide surface extending outward and downward from the outer surface of the rear wall body; the frame further includes a rear frame fixed to the rear side of the liquid cooling plate, the rear frame having a rear locking member, the rear locking member extending downward and capable of elastic deformation under force, the rear locking member having a second fastening hole into which the rear retaining portion can pass; the rear locking member elastically deforms along the second guide surface under force, so that the second fastening hole can be inserted by the rear retaining portion.

[0017] In some embodiments, the rear locking member further includes a rear locking body and a second locking guide portion extending downward and outward from the bottom of the rear locking body, the rear locking body having a second locking hole; when the frame moves the liquid cooling plate from top to bottom towards the connector assembly, the second locking guide portion is pushed against by the rear retaining portion, causing the rear locking body to elastically deform outward.

[0018] In some embodiments, the rear frame further includes a clamping member having a downwardly extending and elastically deformable plate portion and a protrusion extending from the plate portion toward the rear wall; when the frame moves the liquid cooling plate from top to bottom toward the connector assembly, the protrusion is subjected to force from the rear wall, causing the plate portion to elastically deform away from the rear wall and generating a forward first elastic restoring force, which causes the frame to press forward against the connector assembly.

[0019] In some embodiments, each of the side frames further includes a guide member having a downwardly extending spring portion, a pressing portion extending downward from the spring portion toward the side wall, and a guide portion extending downward and outward from the bottom of the pressing portion. The spring portion is capable of elastic deformation under force. When the frame moves the liquid cooling plate from top to bottom toward the connector assembly, the guide portions are respectively pressed by the top edge of the side wall, causing the spring portion to elastically deform away from the side wall and generating a second elastic restoring force. The second elastic restoring force causes the pressing portion to press against the side wall.

[0020] In some embodiments, each of the side locking fasteners is capable of elastic deformation under force and has a first fastening hole through which the side retaining portion can pass. The second limiting member has a downwardly extending extension and an abutting portion extending inward from the bottom of the extension. When the side locking fastener is fastened to the side retaining portion, the abutting portion of the second limiting member is respectively pressed against the lower stop portion and restricted from moving downward, and the bottom edge of the inner wall of the first fastening hole is respectively pressed against the bottom surface of the side retaining portion and restricted from moving upward.

[0021] The connecting device of the present invention includes a connector assembly, a liquid cooling plate, and a frame. The connector assembly includes a metal housing with two side walls, each side wall having a one-sided retaining portion. The liquid cooling plate has a cavity for coolant flow. The frame includes two side frames fixed to both sides of the liquid cooling plate, and a rear frame on the left and right sides respectively connected to the side frames and fixed to the other side of the liquid cooling plate. The side frames and the rear frame together define an accommodating space for the liquid cooling plate to be inserted. Each side frame has a one-sided locking member, which is releasably engaged with the side retaining portion, thereby combining the liquid cooling plate with the connector assembly and restricting the relative displacement between the liquid cooling plate and the connector assembly.

[0022] In some embodiments, the frame further includes a front frame connected to the side frame on the left and right sides respectively, the front frame and the rear frame being fixed to the front and rear sides of the liquid cooling plate respectively, and the front frame, the rear frame and the two side frames together surrounding the liquid cooling plate.

[0023] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: By fastening the side retaining part with the side locking fastener, the liquid cooling plate can be directly assembled to the connector assembly via the frame, resulting in a compact connection between the liquid cooling plate and the connector assembly. This does not increase the board area occupied by the circuit board and eliminates the need for screws, thus improving assembly convenience. Furthermore, the design of the guide groove or the first guide surface guides the assembly direction of the frame, also improving assembly convenience. On the other hand, by accommodating the liquid cooling plate in the receiving space, and with the frame fixed to three sides of the liquid cooling plate, the liquid cooling plate can be securely assembled to the frame, improving durability. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Other features and beneficial effects of the present invention will be clearly presented in the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0025] Figure 1 This is a perspective view illustrating a first embodiment of the connecting device of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 2 This is an exploded perspective view of the first embodiment, with a circuit board of the first embodiment removed;

[0027] Figure 3 Is with Figure 1 A stereoscopic image from different perspectives;

[0028] Figure 4 It corresponds Figure 3 An exploded stereoscopic view from a specific perspective, with the circuit board removed;

[0029] Figure 5 yes Figure 3 A partially enlarged view, and the circuit board is removed;

[0030] Figure 6 It corresponds Figure 3 A partial exploded view illustrating the assembly method of a frame and a liquid cooling plate of the first embodiment assembled with a connector assembly of the first embodiment;

[0031] Figure 7 This is a perspective view illustrating a second embodiment of the connecting device of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 8 This is an exploded perspective view of the second embodiment, with a circuit board of the second embodiment removed;

[0033] Figure 9 Is with Figure 7 A stereoscopic image from different perspectives;

[0034] Figure 10 It corresponds Figure 9 An exploded stereoscopic view from a specific perspective, with the circuit board removed;

[0035] Figure 11 yes Figure 9 A magnified view of a portion;

[0036] Figure 12 It is along Figure 11 A sectional view of line XII-XII in the middle;

[0037] Figure 13 It is along Figure 11 A sectional view of line XIII-XIII in the middle; and

[0038] Figure 14 It corresponds Figure 9 A partial exploded view illustrating the assembly method of a frame and a liquid cooling plate of the second embodiment assembled with a connector assembly of the second embodiment.

[0039] Symbol Explanation

[0040] 100: Circuit board

[0041] 200, 200': Connector assembly

[0042] 300: Liquid cooling plate

[0043] 400, 400': Frame

[0044] 500a, 500b, 500c: Screws

[0045] 10: Connector

[0046] 10a: Dating slot

[0047] 1, 1': Metal casing

[0048] 11, 11': Sidewall

[0049] 111: Main body of the side wall

[0050] 112: Protrusion

[0051] 113, 113': Side retaining parts

[0052] 113a, 113a': First guiding surface

[0053] 114: Lower block

[0054] 115: Side guard section

[0055] 12, 12': Rear wall

[0056] 121: Main body of the rear wall

[0057] 122, 122': Rear holding section

[0058] 122a': Second guiding surface

[0059] 13: Plug-in Channel

[0060] 2, 2': Side frame

[0061] 21: Main body of the side frame

[0062] 22, 22': Side lock fastener

[0063] 221: Side Lock Body

[0064] 221a, 221a': First buckle hole

[0065] 222: First locking guide section

[0066] 23: First limiting component

[0067] 231: Guide groove

[0068] 24: Second limiting component

[0069] 241: Extension

[0070] 242: Relying on the front

[0071] 25: Guide components

[0072] 251: Shrapnel Section

[0073] 253: Pressing part

[0074] 254: Guiding Department

[0075] 3: Front frame

[0076] 4, 4': Back frame

[0077] 41: Main body of the rear frame

[0078] 42: Rear positioning hole

[0079] 43: Rear locking fastener

[0080] 431: Rear Lock Body

[0081] 431a: Second buckle hole

[0082] 432: Second locking guide section

[0083] 44: Urgent items

[0084] 441: Plate section

[0085] 442: convex strip

[0086] 443: Convex Rib

[0087] 5: Storage space

[0088] X: Forward / backward direction

[0089] Y: Left and right directions

[0090] Z: Up and down direction Detailed Implementation

[0091] Before the invention is described in detail, it should be noted that similar elements are represented by the same numbers in the following description.

[0092] See Figures 1 to 6 This is a first embodiment of the connecting device of the present invention. The connecting device is suitable for electrically connecting multiple pluggable components (not shown) and includes a circuit board 100, a connector assembly 200, a liquid cooling plate 300, a frame 400, and multiple screws. For ease of explanation thereafter, directional terms used regarding the connecting device will be defined according to the usage environment of the connecting device, i.e. Figure 1 The arrow in the forward-backward direction X points to the rear side of the connecting device, and the opposite direction is the front side; Figure 1 The left-right arrow (Y) points to the left side of the connecting device, and the opposite direction points to the right side. Figure 1 The arrow pointing in the vertical direction (Z) points to the upper side of the connecting device, and the opposite direction points to the lower side. Furthermore, for simplicity, the screws are exemplified as screws 500a, 500b, and 500c, depending on the connection relationship.

[0093] See Figure 1 and Figure 2 The circuit board 100 has a circuit pattern not shown in the figure, and the connector assembly 200 is disposed thereon. The connector assembly 200 includes a metal housing 1 that provides a plurality of insertion channels 13 inside, and a plurality of electrical connectors 10 respectively disposed at the rear end of the insertion channels 13 (see figure). Figure 2 Each of the electrical connectors 10 has a mating slot 10a for the pluggable component to be inserted for electrical connection. Each of the insertion channels 13 has an opening facing forward and extends along the front-to-back direction X, allowing the pluggable component to be inserted from front to back. In this embodiment, four insertion channels 13 are used as an example, and the insertion channels 13 are arranged along the left-to-right direction Y, but the number of insertion channels 13 can also be one, two, three, or five or more, and is not limited to a specific number.

[0094] See Figures 1 to 5The metal housing 1, for example, is constructed from a thin metal sheet through die stamping and bending, and can be used for electromagnetic shielding. The metal housing 1 is rectangular, but not limited to, and has two side walls 11 located on the left and right sides respectively, and a rear wall 12 connected to the rear side of each side wall 11 on the left and right sides respectively. Each side wall 11 has a side wall body 111, a plurality of protrusions 112 protruding outward in the left-right direction Y (i.e., away from the side wall body 111) from the outer surface of the side wall body 111, and a side retaining portion 113. Each side retaining portion 113 has a first guiding surface 113a extending outward and rearward from the outer surface of the side wall body 111 (see...). Figure 5 In this embodiment, the number of protrusions 112 is exemplified by two, but depending on the application, the number of protrusions 112 may be only one or more. Furthermore, the side retaining portion 113 and the two protrusions 112 are arranged along the front-rear direction X, but their arrangement may also be changed depending on the application.

[0095] The liquid cooling plate 300 is located above the connector assembly 200 and has a coolant flow passage inside it. It is used for thermal bonding with the pluggable component inserted into the insertion channel 13 to reduce the temperature of the pluggable component. The frame 400 includes: two side frames 2 spaced apart on the left and right; a front frame 3 connected to the front of the side frames 2 on the left and right sides respectively; and a rear frame 4 connected to the rear of the side frames 2 on the left and right sides respectively. The front frame 3, the rear frame 4, and the two side frames 2 together define an accommodating space 5, into which the liquid cooling plate 300 is placed, such that the front frame 3, the rear frame 4, and the two side frames 2 surround the liquid cooling plate. Preferably, the two side frames 2 are fixed to the left and right sides of the liquid cooling plate 300 using screws 500a, the front frame 3 is fixed to the front side of the liquid cooling plate 300 using screws 500b, and the rear frame 4 is fixed to the rear side of the liquid cooling plate 300 using screws 500c. In this way, the frame 400 and the liquid cooling plate 300 can be stably connected.

[0096] Each of the side frames 2 has a side frame body 21, a side locking member 22 extending downward from the bottom edge of the side frame body 21, and a plurality of first limiting members 23. The side locking member 22 is capable of elastic deformation under force. Each of the side locking members 22 has a first fastening hole 221a that penetrates the left and right sides and allows the side retaining part 113 to pass through. When the side retaining part 113 is respectively inserted into the first fastening hole 221a, the side locking member 22 is respectively restricted from moving up, down, forward, and backward by the side retaining part 113, that is, the side locking member 22 is respectively fastened to the side retaining part 113, so that the liquid cooling plate 300 is assembled to the connector assembly 200 through the frame 400, and is combined with the connector assembly 200 and stacked vertically, and the relative displacement between the liquid cooling plate 300 and the connector assembly 200 is restricted by the frame 400. When the side lock fastener 22 is subjected to force and elastically deforms in a direction away from the side wall body 111, the side retaining part 113 is released from the first fastening hole 221a, that is, the side lock fastener 22 is released from the side retaining part 113.

[0097] See Figure 5 and Figure 6 Each of the first limiting members 23 has a guide groove 231 with an opening facing the first guide surface 113a (i.e., forward). The guide groove 231 extends along the front-rear direction X and allows the protrusions 112 to slide into it relative to each other, thereby restricting the up-and-down movement of the frame 400 during the sliding of the protrusions 112 relative to the guide groove 231. Specifically, during the assembly of the liquid cooling plate 300 to the connector assembly 200 via the frame 400, the frame 400 is first operated to... Figure 6 As indicated by the solid arrow, the frame 400 moves downwards until the opening of the guide groove 231 aligns with the protrusion 112. Then, the frame 400 continues to be operated as follows: Figure 6 The solid arrow in the middle points forward (opposite to) Figure 6 The first limiting member 23 moves relative to the protrusion 112, allowing the protrusion 112 to slide into the guide groove 231. Finally, when the protrusion 112 is inserted into the end of the guide groove 231, the side locking member 22 is resisted by the side holding member 113 and elastically deforms along the first guide surface 113a in a direction away from the outer surface of the side wall body 111, so that the first buckle hole 221a can be inserted by the side holding member 113, and the liquid cooling plate 300 is combined with the connector assembly 200. In this way, the liquid cooling plate 300 can be assembled on the connector assembly 200 through the frame 400 without tools or screws, thus improving the assembly convenience.

[0098] Preferably, the rear wall 12 has a rear wall body 121 and two rear retaining portions 122 protruding outward (i.e., rearward) from the outer surface of the rear wall body 121 in the front-rear direction X and arranged side by side on the left and right. The rear frame 4 has two rear positioning holes 42 arranged on the left and right and penetrating through the front and rear. The rear positioning holes 42 allow the rear retaining portions 122 to pass through from front to rear, so that the rear locking fasteners 43 are restricted from moving up, down, left, and right by the rear retaining portions 122 respectively. In this way, as Figure 6 As shown, when the frame 400 is moved forward, the rear retaining part 122 will pass through the rear positioning hole 42 to restrict the movement of the frame 400 and improve the stability of the assembly.

[0099] See Figures 7 to 14 This is a second embodiment of the connecting device of the present invention. The connecting device is similar to the first embodiment described above, comprising a circuit board 100, a connector assembly 200', a liquid cooling plate 300, a frame 400', and a plurality of screws. One difference between the connecting device and the first embodiment is that each sidewall 11' of the metal housing 1' of the connector assembly 200' has: a sidewall body 111; two side retaining portions 113' disposed at the front and rear; a lower stop portion 114; and a side stop portion 115. Each side retaining portion 113' has a first guide surface 113a' extending outward (i.e., away from the sidewall body 111) and downward. The lower stop portion 114 is located between the two side retaining portions 113'. The side stop portions 115 are respectively disposed between the front and rear sides of the lower stop portion 114 and the adjacent side retaining portions 113'.

[0100] Another difference between the connecting device and the first embodiment described above is that each side frame 2' of the frame 400' has: a side frame body 21; two side locking fasteners 22' extending downward from the bottom edge of the side frame body 21 and arranged in a front-to-back manner; and a second limiting member 24. The side locking fasteners 22' are elastically deformable under force and have a first fastening hole 221a' into which the side retaining portions 113' respectively pass. Each side locking fastener body 221 is formed with the first fastening hole 221a'. Each second limiting member 24 has a downwardly extending extension portion 241 and a stop portion 242 extending inward from the bottom of the extension portion 241.

[0101] See Figures 11 to 14 During the process of assembling the liquid cooling plate 300 onto the connector assembly 200' via the frame 400', the frame 400' will be operated as follows: Figure 14As indicated by the solid arrow, the side locking fasteners 22' move downwards. At this time, the side locking fasteners 22' are subjected to force and elastically deform along the first guide surface 113a', allowing the first fastening holes 221a' to be inserted by the side retaining portions 113'. The side locking fasteners 22' are restricted from moving up, down, forward, and backward by the side retaining portions 113', that is, the side locking fasteners 22' are respectively fastened to the side retaining portions 113', so that the liquid cooling plate 300 is assembled to the connector assembly 200' through the frame 400' and combined with the connector assembly 200', and the relative displacement between the liquid cooling plate 300 and the connector assembly 200' is restricted by the frame 400'. Meanwhile, the abutting portion 242 of the second limiting member 24 is pressed against the lower stop portion 114 and restricted from moving downward, and the bottom edge of the inner wall of the first buckle hole 221a' is pressed against the bottom surface of the side holding portion 113' and restricted from moving upward, thereby preventing the frame 400' from shaking up and down relative to the connector assembly 200' after assembly. Preferably, the second limiting member 24 is an elastic member. In addition, in the second embodiment, when the frame 400' moves the liquid cooling plate 300 from top to bottom towards the connector assembly 200', the side locking member 22' will slide downward along the side edge of the side stop portion 115 and be restricted by the side stop portion 115, so that the side locking member 22' cannot move forward or backward, but can be guided towards the side holding portion 113'.

[0102] Preferably, each of the side locking fasteners 22' has a side locking body 221 and a first locking guide portion 222 extending downward and outward (i.e., away from the side frame body 21) from the bottom of the side locking body 221. When the frame 400' moves the liquid cooling plate 300 from top to bottom towards the connector assembly 200', the first locking guide portion 222 is pushed against by the side retaining portion 113', causing the side locking body 221 to elastically deform outward, which facilitates the side locking fastener 22' engaging the side retaining portion 113'.

[0103] Another difference between the connecting device and the first embodiment described above is that each rear wall 12' of the metal housing 1' has a rear wall body 121 and two rear retaining portions 122' disposed on the left and right sides of the rear wall body 121. Each rear retaining portion 122' has a second guide surface 122a' extending outward (i.e., away from the rear wall body 121) and downward from the outer surface of the rear wall body 12' of the rear wall 12. Furthermore, a rear frame 4' of the frame 400' has: a rear frame body 41; two rear locking fasteners 43 disposed on the left and right sides; and two clamping members 44 disposed on the left and right sides. The rear locking fasteners 43 extend downward and are capable of elastic deformation under force. Each rear locking fastener 43 has a second fastening hole 431a through which the rear retaining portions 122' can pass. The rear locking fasteners 43 are elastically deformed along the second guide surface 122a' under force, allowing the second fastening holes 431a to be inserted by the rear retaining portions 122'. The rear locking fasteners 43 are restricted from moving up, down, left, and right by the rear retaining portions 122', that is, the rear locking fasteners 43 are respectively fastened to the rear retaining portions 122', so that the rear side of the liquid cooling plate 300 is also assembled to the connector assembly 200' through the frame 400', making it more stable.

[0104] Preferably, each of the rear locking members 43 further comprises a rear locking body 431 and a second locking guide portion 432 extending downward and outward from the bottom of the rear locking body 431. The rear locking body 431 forms a second locking hole 431a. When the frame 400' moves the liquid cooling plate 300 from top to bottom towards the connector assembly 200', the second locking guide portion 432 is abutted by the rear retaining portion 122', causing the rear locking body 431 to elastically deform outward, which facilitates the rear locking member 43 engaging the rear retaining portion 122'.

[0105] Furthermore, each of the clamping members 44 has a downwardly extending and elastically deformable plate portion 441, a protrusion 442 extending from the plate portion 441 toward the rear wall 12', and a protruding rib 443 extending from the plate portion 441 away from the rear wall 12' and located above the protrusion rib 442. When the frame 400' moves the liquid cooling plate 300 from top to bottom toward the connector assembly 200', the protrusion rib 442 is subjected to force by the rear wall 12', causing the plate portion 441 to elastically deform away from the rear wall 12', generating a forward first elastic restoring force. This first elastic restoring force causes the frame 400' to press forward against the connector assembly 200', making the frame 400' more securely assembled to the connector assembly 200'. The protruding rib 443 is used to reinforce the structure of the clamping member 44, making the clamping member 44 less prone to deformation.

[0106] Preferably, each of the side frames 2' further includes a guide member 25. The guide member 25 has a downwardly extending spring portion 251, a pressing portion 253 extending downward from the spring portion 251 towards the side wall 11, and a guide portion 254 extending downward and outward from the bottom of the pressing portion 253. The spring portion 251 is capable of elastic deformation under force. Furthermore, the downward extension length of the guide member 25 is greater than the downward extension length of the side locking member 22'. Thus, when the frame 400' moves the liquid cooling plate 300 from top to bottom towards the connector assembly 200', the guide portion 254 will touch the connector assembly 200' before the side locking member 22'. At this time, the guide portion 254 is pressed against the top edge of the side wall 11', causing the spring portion 251 to elastically deform away from the side wall 11', generating a second inward elastic restoring force. The second elastic restoring force causes the pressing part 253 to press against the side wall 11' respectively, preventing the frame 400' from swaying left and right.

[0107] In summary, by using the side locking fasteners 22 and 22' to engage the side retaining parts 113 and 113', the liquid cooling plate 300 can be directly assembled to the connector assemblies 200 and 200' via the frames 400 and 400', ensuring a tight fit between the liquid cooling plate 300 and the connector assemblies 200 and 200' without increasing the board area occupied by the circuit board 100. Furthermore, the elimination of the screw tightening step further enhances assembly convenience. Additionally, the design of the guide groove 231 or the first guide surfaces 113a and 113a' guides the assembly direction of the frame 400, similarly improving assembly convenience. Moreover, the accommodating space 5 houses the liquid cooling plate 300, and the frames 400 and 400' are fixed to at least three sides of the liquid cooling plate 300, ensuring a stable assembly of the liquid cooling plate 300 to the frames 400 and 400'.

[0108] 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 scope of the patent application and the contents of the patent specification of the present invention shall still fall within the scope of the patent of the present invention.

Claims

1. A connecting device, comprising: A connector assembly includes a metal housing having two sidewalls, each sidewall having a protrusion and a one-sided retaining portion; A liquid-cooled plate, the interior of which is circulated with coolant; and A frame includes two side frames fixed to both sides of the liquid cooling plate. Each side frame has a side locking member and a first limiting member. The side locking member is detachably fastened to the side holding portion. Each first limiting member has a guide groove into which the protrusion can slide. The first limiting member allows the protruding parts to slide into the guide groove, so that the side locking fasteners are respectively fastened to the side holding parts, and the liquid cooling plate is combined with the connector assembly.

2. The connecting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The two side frames are fastened to the liquid cooling plate with screws.

3. The connecting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The frame also includes a front frame connected to the front side of the side frame on the left and right sides respectively, and a rear frame connected to the rear side of the side frame on the left and right sides respectively. The front frame, the rear frame and the two side frames together surround the liquid cooling plate.

4. The connecting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The opening of the guide groove faces forward; the frame also includes a rear frame connected to the rear side of the side frame on the left and right sides respectively, and the metal shell also has a rear wall located on the rear side, the rear wall having a rear retaining part protruding rearward; the rear frame has a rear positioning hole that is penetrated from the front and rear, the rear positioning hole allowing the rear retaining part to pass through from the front to the rear.

5. The connecting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The opening of the guide groove faces forward; each sidewall has a sidewall body and a side retaining portion disposed on the sidewall body, each side retaining portion having a first guide surface extending outward and backward from the outer surface of the sidewall body; the side locking fastener is capable of elastic deformation under force, each side locking fastener having a first buckle hole penetrating the left and right sides and allowing the side retaining portion to pass through; during the process of the first limiting member allowing the protruding portions to slide into the guide groove respectively, the side locking fastener is subjected to force and elastically deforms along the first guide surface in a direction away from the outer surface of the sidewall, so that the first buckle hole can be respectively inserted by the side retaining portion, thereby combining the liquid cooling plate with the connector assembly.

6. A connecting device, comprising: A connector assembly includes a metal housing having two sidewalls, each sidewall having a side retaining portion and a bottom stop portion; A liquid-cooled plate, the interior of which is circulated with coolant; and A frame includes two side frames fixed to both sides of the liquid cooling plate. Each side frame has a side locking member and a second limiting member. The side locking members are releasable and can be fastened to the side holding portion. The liquid cooling plate is engaged with the connector assembly by means of the side locking fastener fastening the side holding part, and the second limiting member is blocked by the lower stop part.

7. The connecting device as claimed in claim 6, wherein, Each of the side walls has two side retaining portions arranged in front and rear; each of the side frames has two side locking fasteners arranged in front and rear.

8. The connecting device as claimed in claim 6, wherein, Each of the side retaining portions has a first guide surface extending outward and downward. Each of the side locking fasteners is elastically deformable under force and has a first fastening hole through which the side retaining portion can pass. The side locking fasteners are elastically deformed along the first guide surface under force, so that the first fastening hole can be passed through by the side retaining portion, thereby combining the liquid cooling plate with the connector assembly.

9. The connecting device as claimed in claim 8, wherein, The side locking fastener also has a side locking body and a first locking guide portion extending downward and outward from the bottom of the side locking body. The side locking body has the first locking hole. When the frame moves the liquid cooling plate from top to bottom towards the connector assembly, the first locking guide portion is pushed against by the side holding portion, causing the side locking body to elastically deform outward.

10. The connecting device as claimed in claim 6, wherein, When the side lock fastener is engaged with the side retaining part, the second limiting member is restricted from moving downward by the lower stop, and the side lock fastener is restricted from moving upward by the side retaining part.

11. The connecting device as claimed in claim 6, wherein, Each of the side walls also has two side stops respectively disposed on the front and rear sides of the lower stop and between the adjacent side holding part; when the frame moves the liquid cooling plate from top to bottom towards the connector assembly, the side locking fasteners are restricted by the side stops and cannot move forward or backward.

12. The connecting device as claimed in claim 8, wherein, The metal housing also has a rear wall located at the rear side, the rear wall having a rear wall body and a rear retaining part disposed on the rear wall body, the rear retaining part having a second guide surface extending outward and downward from the outer surface of the rear wall body; the frame also includes a rear frame fixed to the rear side of the liquid cooling plate, the rear frame having a rear locking fastener, the rear locking fastener extending downward and capable of elastic deformation under force, the rear locking fastener having a second fastening hole into which the rear retaining part can pass; The rear locking member is subjected to force and elastically deforms along the second guide surface, so that the second buckle hole can be inserted by the rear retaining part.

13. The connecting device as claimed in claim 12, wherein, The rear locking component also has a rear locking body and a second locking guide portion extending downward and outward from the bottom of the rear locking body. The rear locking body has a second locking hole. When the frame moves the liquid cooling plate from top to bottom towards the connector assembly, the second locking guide portion is pushed against by the rear retaining portion, causing the rear locking body to elastically deform outward.

14. The connecting device as claimed in claim 12, wherein, The rear frame also has a clamping member, which has a downwardly extending and elastically deformable plate portion and a protrusion extending from the plate portion toward the rear wall; when the frame moves the liquid cooling plate from top to bottom toward the connector assembly, the protrusion is subjected to force by the rear wall, causing the plate portion to elastically deform away from the rear wall, and generating a forward first elastic restoring force, which causes the frame to press forward against the connector assembly.

15. The connecting device as claimed in claim 6, wherein, Each of the side frames also has a guide member, which has a downwardly extending spring portion, a pressing portion extending downward from the spring portion toward the side wall, and a guide portion extending downward and outward from the bottom of the pressing portion. The spring portion is capable of elastic deformation under force. When the frame moves the liquid cooling plate from top to bottom toward the connector assembly, the guide portion is pressed against the top edge of the side wall, causing the spring portion to elastically deform away from the side wall and generate a second elastic restoring force. The second elastic restoring force causes the pressing portion to press against the side wall.

16. The connecting device as claimed in claim 6, wherein, Each of the side locking fasteners is capable of elastic deformation under force and has a first fastening hole through which the side retaining part can pass. The second limiting member has a downwardly extending extension and a stop portion extending inward from the bottom of the extension. When the side locking fastener is fastened to the side retaining part, the stop portion of the second limiting member is respectively pressed against the lower stop portion and restricted from moving downward, and the bottom edge of the inner wall of the first fastening hole is respectively pressed against the bottom surface of the side retaining part and restricted from moving upward.

17. A connecting device, comprising: A connector assembly includes a metal housing having two sidewalls, each sidewall having a one-sided retaining portion; A liquid-cooled plate, the interior of which is circulated with coolant; and A frame includes two side frames fixed to both sides of the liquid cooling plate, and a rear frame connected to the side frames on the left and right sides and fixed to the other side of the liquid cooling plate, respectively. The side frames and the rear frame together define an accommodating space for the liquid cooling plate to be inserted. Each side frame has a side locking member, which can be released and fastened to the side holding part to combine the liquid cooling plate with the connector assembly and restrict the relative displacement between the liquid cooling plate and the connector assembly.

18. The connecting device as claimed in claim 17, wherein, The frame also includes a front frame connected to the side frame on the left and right sides respectively. The front frame and the rear frame are fixed to the front and rear sides of the liquid cooling plate respectively. The front frame, the rear frame and the two side frames together surround the liquid cooling plate.