electronic machinery

Abstract

The heatsink (thermal conductive sheet) is pressed against the plug shell without sliding it. [Solution] The electronic device 10 has a heat sink 51 that is supported so as to be movable in a first and second direction relative to the receptacle shell 61, and is provided with a first pressing means 63 that presses the heat sink 51 in a positive first direction relative to the receptacle shell 61, and a second pressing means 64 that presses the heat sink 51 in a negative second direction relative to the receptacle shell 61, and the receptacle shell 61 has a guide portion (cam groove 62) formed therein, and the heat sink 51 has a guided portion (cylindrical projection 57) that is guided by the guide portion (cam groove 62), and the heat sink 51 and the plug connector 20 each have contact surfaces 25, 55 that come into contact with each other in a first direction when the plug connector 20 is inserted into the opening 42 of the receptacle housing 41.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an electronic device.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, due to requirements such as an increase in communication speed and improvement in processing power, the power consumption of electronic components mounted in electronic devices has been increasing, and thus higher heat dissipation efficiency is required. Therefore, there is a demand for an electronic device that can reasonably obtain a high heat dissipation effect only by contact between solids, such as an optical transceiver provided with a heat sink.

[0003] The structure of this type of electronic device is disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 1 below. As an optical transceiver (13) as a conventional electronic device disclosed in Patent Document 1 below, as shown in FIGS. 38 and 39, it is of a type in which a heat conduction sheet (18) is pressed against a transceiver housing (14) by cam projections (19a, 19b). More specifically, an optical transceiver (13) as a conventional electronic device has a soft heat conduction sheet (18) attached to either the contact surface between a heat sink (15) disposed above a cage (12) installed on a host substrate (11) and the transceiver housing (14). The heat sink (15) is elastically supported so as to be movable downward within a predetermined range with respect to the cage (12), and cam projections (19) are provided to separate the contact surface (15a) of the heat sink (15) from the contact surface (14a) side of the transceiver housing (14) within a predetermined range. And Patent Document 1 below discloses that the transceiver housing (14) is inserted without rubbing the contact surface of the heat conduction sheet (18), and at the final insertion position of the transceiver housing (14), the contact surfaces of the heat sink (15) and the transceiver housing (14) sandwiching the heat conduction sheet (18) are pressed against each other. Note that the reference numerals regarding the description of the prior art documents are distinguished from the embodiments of the present disclosure by enclosing them in parentheses.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2009-152428 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0005] However, in the optical transceiver (13) disclosed in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, as shown in subdivision (E) in Figure 39 which shows the pressure-contact state, there is a problem that when the cam protrusions (19a, 19b) are in contact with the upper surface of the cam groove (20d), it becomes difficult to stably press-contact the entire surface of the thermal conductive sheet (18). As a measure to avoid this problem, it is conceivable to provide a clearance such that the cam protrusions (19a, 19b) are not in contact with the upper surface of the cam groove (20d) in the pressure-contact state shown in subdivision (E) in Figure 39. However, if there is an inclined surface on either the inclined surface (20c) or the cam protrusion (19b), the transceiver housing (14) and the thermal conductive sheet (18) will slide and rub against each other just before the final insertion position of the optical transceiver (13).

[0006] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide an electronic device having a structure that allows a heat sink (or a heat conductive sheet if one is attached) to be stably pressed against a plug shell, which is a heat-generating element, across its entire surface without sliding. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The electronic device according to this disclosure comprises a plug connector including a plug shell and a plug housing, a receptacle housing having an opening into which the plug connector can be inserted and removed, and a heat sink that is installed via a receptacle shell attached to the receptacle housing so as to be movable relative to the receptacle housing, wherein when the plug connector is inserted into the opening of the receptacle housing and is in a mated state, the heat sink dissipates heat generated from the plug connector by the heat sink coming into contact with the heat dissipation surface of the plug shell, and the insertion / removal direction of the plug connector to the opening of the receptacle housing is defined as the first direction, the removal direction of the plug connector to the opening is defined as the positive first direction, the insertion direction is defined as the negative first direction, the direction perpendicular to the first direction is defined as the second direction, and the separation direction between the heat shell and the heat dissipation surface of the heat sink is defined as the positive second direction, and the approach direction is defined as the negative second direction, and the heat sink The plug connector is supported so as to be movable in a first and second direction relative to the receptacle shell, and between the heat sink and the receptacle shell are disposed a first pressing means for pressing the heat sink in a positive first direction relative to the receptacle shell and a second pressing means for pressing the heat sink in a negative second direction relative to the receptacle shell, and the receptacle shell has a guide portion formed thereon that lifts the heat sink in a positive second direction when the heat sink is positioned in a positive first direction relative to the receptacle shell, and allows the heat sink to move in a negative second direction when the heat sink is positioned in a negative first direction relative to the receptacle shell, and the heat sink has a guided portion that is guided by the guide portion formed on the receptacle shell, and the heat sink and the plug connector each have a contact surface formed thereon that abut against each other in a first direction when the plug connector is inserted into the opening of the receptacle housing.

[0008] In other words, in the electronic device according to this disclosure, when a plug connector is inserted into the opening of the receptacle housing, the contact surfaces of the heat sink and the plug shell do not rub against each other. After the contact surfaces of the heat sink and the plug shell come into contact with each other, the heat sink is pressed against the plug shell and moves as an integrated unit until it reaches the final insertion position of the plug shell, thus preventing problems such as wear.

[0009] Furthermore, in the electronic device according to the present disclosure, a locking portion is formed in the plug housing as a fixing means, and a locking portion is formed in the receptacle housing as a fixed means, and when the plug connector is inserted into the opening of the receptacle housing and is in a fitted state, the locking portion and the locking portion engage with each other, thereby maintaining the fitted state of the plug connector to the receptacle housing against the pressing force exerted by the first pressing means.

[0010] In other words, in the electronic device relating to this disclosure, when a plug connector is inserted into the opening of the receptacle housing and mated, the mated state is stably maintained.

[0011] Furthermore, in the electronic device relating to this disclosure, the first pressing means and the second pressing means can be configured as integral components with the receptacle shell.

[0012] Furthermore, in the electronic device relating to this disclosure, the first pressing means and the second pressing means may be configured as components separate from the receptacle shell.

[0013] Furthermore, in the electronic device according to this disclosure, a relief groove is formed in the portion of the heat sink that receives pressure from the second pressing means, so that in the state before the plug connector is inserted into the opening of the receptacle housing, the second pressing means is positioned at the location where the relief groove is formed, so that all or part of the pressure from the second pressing means does not reach the heat sink, and when the plug connector is inserted into the opening of the receptacle housing and is in a fitted state, the position of the second pressing means moves away from the location where the relief groove is formed, so that all or part of the pressure from the second pressing means reaches the heat sink.

[0014] Furthermore, in the electronic device according to this disclosure, when the plug connector is inserted into the opening of the receptacle housing and is in a mated state, the surface of the heat sink to which the second pressing means applies a pressing force can be formed as an inclined surface such that at least a portion of the load component of the pressing force faces the first direction.

[0015] Furthermore, in the electronic device relating to this disclosure, the first pressing means and the second pressing means may be formed as a cantilever spring having a cantilever beam shape, or as a double-supported spring having a double-supported beam shape.

[0016] Furthermore, in the electronic device according to the present invention, it is preferable to configure it so that the inequality P1 > P2 holds, where P1 is the pressing force of the first pressing means and P2 is the force in the negative first direction due to the pressing force of the second pressing means.

[0017] Furthermore, in the electronic device relating to this disclosure, a heat conductive sheet may be installed on the heat dissipation surface of the heat sink.

[0018] Furthermore, in the electronic device relating to this disclosure, the guide portion is formed as a cam groove having a groove shape, and it is preferable that the groove shape of the guide portion is formed in a substantially L-shape.

[0019] Furthermore, in the electronic device according to the present disclosure, the object part inside is formed as a cylindrical protrusion part having a cylindrical protrusion shape that fits into the groove shape of the guide part, and in the substantially L-shaped groove shape of the guide part, an invitation shape for guiding the movement of the object part inside the groove is formed by the groove inner diameter of the substantially L-shaped bent right angle part being widened.

Effect of the Invention

[0020] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide an electronic device having a structure capable of stably pressing the entire surface against the plug shell, which is a heating element, without sliding the heat sink (when a heat conduction sheet is attached, the heat conduction sheet).

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021] [Figure 1] It is an external perspective view showing the overall configuration of the electronic device according to the present embodiment, and is a view when the state where the receptacle connector and the plug connector constituting the electronic device are fitted is seen from the upper left front. [Figure 2] It is an external perspective view showing the overall configuration of the electronic device according to the present embodiment, and is a view when the state where the receptacle connector and the plug connector constituting the electronic device are not fitted is seen from the upper left front. [Figure 3] It is an external perspective view of the receptacle connector according to the present embodiment when seen from the upper left front. [Figure 4] It is an exploded perspective view showing the state where the components of the receptacle connector according to the present embodiment shown in FIG. 3 are disassembled. [Figure 5] It is an external perspective view of the heat sink, which is a component of the receptacle connector according to the present embodiment, when seen from the upper left front. [Figure 6] It is an external perspective view of the heat sink, which is a component of the receptacle connector according to the present embodiment, when seen from the lower left front. [Figure 7]This is an external perspective view of the receptacle shell, which is a component of the receptacle connector according to this embodiment, as seen from the upper left of the front. [Figure 8] This is an external perspective view of the receptacle shell, which is a component of the receptacle connector according to this embodiment, as seen from the lower left of the front. [Figure 9] This is an external perspective view of the receptacle shell, which is a component of the receptacle connector according to this embodiment, as seen from the lower left of the rear. [Figure 10] This is an external perspective view of the plug connector according to this embodiment, as seen from the upper left of the front. [Figure 11] ]>This is an external perspective view of the plug connector according to this embodiment, as seen from the upper right of the rear. [Figure 12] This is a diagram for explaining the operation of the electronic device according to this embodiment, and it is a view of the state where the plug connector is not inserted into the opening of the receptacle housing and is in an un-mated state, as seen from the upper left of the front. [Figure 13] This is a diagram for explaining the operation of the electronic device according to this embodiment, and it is a top view of the state where the plug connector is not inserted into the opening of the receptacle housing and is in an un-mated state. [Figure 14] This is a diagram for explaining the operation of the electronic device according to this embodiment, and it is a left side view of the state where the plug connector is not inserted into the opening of the receptacle housing and is in an un-mated state. [Figure 15] This is a left side view of the longitudinal section showing the section taken along line XV-XV in FIG. 13. [Figure 16] This is a bottom view of the cross section showing the section taken along line XVI-XVI in FIG. 14. [Figure 17] This is a diagram for explaining the operation of the electronic device according to this embodiment, and it is a view of the state during the fitting process where the plug connector is inserted into the opening of the receptacle housing, as seen from the upper left of the front. [Figure 18] This is a diagram for explaining the operation of the electronic device according to this embodiment, and it is a top view of the state during the fitting process where the plug connector is inserted into the opening of the receptacle housing. [Figure 19]This figure illustrates the operation of the electronic device according to this embodiment, and is a left side view showing the plug connector in the process of being inserted into the opening of the receptacle housing. [Figure 20] This is a left side view of the longitudinal section showing the cross-section along the line XX-XX in Figure 18. [Figure 21] This is a left side view of the longitudinal section showing the cross-section along line XXI-XXI in Figure 18. [Figure 22] This is a lower cross-sectional view showing the section along line XXII-XXII in Figure 19. [Figure 23] This diagram illustrates the operation of the electronic device according to this embodiment, and shows the mated state in which the plug connector is fully inserted into the opening of the receptacle housing, as viewed from the upper left front. [Figure 24] This figure illustrates the operation of the electronic device according to this embodiment, and is a top view showing the mated state in which the plug connector is fully inserted into the opening of the receptacle housing. [Figure 25] This figure illustrates the operation of the electronic device according to this embodiment, and is a left side view showing the plug connector fully inserted into the opening of the receptacle housing in a mated state. [Figure 26] This is a left side view of the longitudinal section showing the cross-section along line XXVI-XXVI in Figure 24. [Figure 27] This is a left side view of the longitudinal section showing the cross-section along line XXVII-XXVII in Figure 24. [Figure 28] This is a lower cross-sectional view showing the section along line XXVIII-XXVIII in Figure 25. [Figure 29] This diagram illustrates the operation of the electronic device according to this embodiment, and shows the positional relationship of the cylindrical projection with respect to the cam groove. [Figure 30] This is a perspective view of the receptacle shell, a component of the receptacle connector in the example of a modified form, as seen from the upper left front. [Figure 31] This is a perspective view of the heat sink, a component of a receptacle connector in an example of a modified form, as seen from the upper left front. [Figure 32]This diagram illustrates the operation of an electronic device in a modified form, and is a top view showing the plug connector in the process of being inserted into the opening of the receptacle housing. [Figure 33] This is a left side view of the longitudinal section showing the section along line XXXIII-XXXIII in Figure 32. [Figure 34] This is a left side view of the longitudinal section showing the cross-section along line XXXIV-XXXIV in Figure 32. [Figure 35] This diagram illustrates the operation of an electronic device in a modified form, and is a top view showing the mated state in which the plug connector is fully inserted into the opening of the receptacle housing. [Figure 36] This is a left side view of the longitudinal section showing the cross-section along line XXXVI-XXXVI in Figure 35. [Figure 37] This is a left side view of the longitudinal section showing the cross-section along line XXXVII-XXXVII in Figure 35. [Figure 38] This is a schematic diagram illustrating the general outline of a heat dissipation device for an optical transceiver in the conventional technology. [Figure 39] This diagram illustrates the operating state of a conventional heat dissipation mechanism. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0022] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments for carrying out the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. For the sake of clarity, the drawings define a first direction, a second direction, and a third direction. In this specification, the first direction is the front-rear direction. In the drawings, the front-rear direction is indicated as the Y direction. Specifically, the front is the +Y direction and the rear is the -Y direction. The first direction is the insertion and removal direction of the receptacle housing 41 and the plug connector 20 that constitute the electronic device 10 according to this embodiment. That is, the direction in which the plug connector 20 is moved in the +Y direction relative to the receptacle housing 41 is the removal direction, and the direction in which the plug connector 20 is moved in the -Y direction relative to the receptacle housing 41 is the insertion direction.

[0023] Furthermore, in this specification, the second direction is the vertical direction. In the figures, the vertical direction is shown as the Z direction. Specifically, the upward direction is the +Z direction and the downward direction is the -Z direction. The second direction is the direction of separation and approach between the plug shell 21 and the heat dissipation surface of the heat sink 51 that constitute the electronic device 10 according to this embodiment. That is, the direction in which the heat dissipation surface of the heat sink 51 moves in the +Z direction relative to the plug shell 21 is the separation direction, and the direction in which the heat dissipation surface of the heat sink 51 moves in the -Z direction relative to the plug shell 21 is the approach direction.

[0024] Furthermore, in this specification, the third direction is the left-right direction. In the figures, the left-right direction is indicated as the X direction. In particular, the left is the +X direction and the right is the -X direction. However, the first direction, the Y direction, the second direction, the Z direction, and the third direction, the X direction, as defined herein, do not limit the direction in which the electronic device 10 of this embodiment can be used. The electronic device 10 of this embodiment can be used in any direction.

[0025] First, the overall configuration of the electronic device 10 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 11. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the electronic device 10 according to this embodiment is configured to have a plug connector 20 and a receptacle connector 30. The plug connector 20 is insertable into and removable from the receptacle connector 30.

[0026] The plug connector 20 is comprised of a plug shell 21 and a plug housing 22, as shown in Figures 10 and 11. The plug shell 21 is made of a conductive metal material, and a plug-side mating terminal 27 is located inside it, as shown in Figure 11. The plug housing 22, on the other hand, is made of a non-conductive material such as resin or elastomer, and is positioned to cover the outer circumference of the plug shell 21.

[0027] A cable attachment section 23 for attaching cables such as electrical cables and optical fibers is provided on the front side of the plug housing 22. By connecting cables (not shown) via the cable attachment section 23 to the plug-side mating terminal 27, it becomes possible to transmit electrical signals, power, optical information, etc.

[0028] Furthermore, the plug housing 22 has a locking portion 24 formed therein, which serves as a fixing means to maintain the mated state between the plug connector 20 and the receptacle housing 41 (described later) when the plug connector 20 and the receptacle connector 30 are mated together. The locking portion 24 in this embodiment has the shape of a double-supported beam and has a claw shape 24a formed in its center. Therefore, when the plug connector 20 is inserted into the receptacle housing 41 (described later), the claw shape 24a in the center bends downward upon contact with the locking portion 45 formed as a fixing means on the receptacle housing 41 (described later), and when it overcomes the locking portion 45, the claw shape 24a returns to its original position and engages with the locking portion 45, thus functioning as a fixing means. Conversely, when the connector is mated, the user can press the locking portion 24 downwards in the -Z direction from above, causing the claw shape 24a in the center to bend and move downwards, releasing the engagement with the locked portion 45 of the receptacle housing 41, which will be described later. In this state, the user can then remove the plug connector 20 from the receptacle housing 41, which will be described later, thereby releasing the plug connector 20 from the mated state with the receptacle connector 30.

[0029] Furthermore, the plug housing 22 has a plug contact surface 25 that contacts the heat sink 51 in the first direction (Y direction) when the plug connector 20 is inserted into the opening 42 of the receptacle housing 41, which will be described later. The plug contact surface 25 is formed as a vertical plane facing the rear, in the -Y direction.

[0030] Furthermore, a plug opening 26 is formed behind the plug contact surface 25, opening upward. This plug opening 26 exposes the plug shell 21, which is installed inside the plug housing 22, to the upper side. The heat conductive sheet 56, which is installed on the heat dissipation surface of the heat sink 51 (described later), comes into contact with the upper surface of the plug shell 21, which is open upward due to the plug opening 26, so that the heat sink 51 can dissipate the heat generated from the plug connector 20.

[0031] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the receptacle connector 30 comprises a substrate 31, a receptacle housing 41, a heat sink 51, and a receptacle shell 61.

[0032] The circuit board 31 includes printed circuits (not shown) and is configured to transmit electrical signals, power, optical information, etc., by being electrically connected to a receptacle housing 41 mounted on the upper surface of the circuit board 31.

[0033] Furthermore, the substrate 31 has a plurality of mounting holes 32, as shown in Figure 4 in particular. The legs, terminals, etc., of the receptacle housing 41 and receptacle shell 61 are inserted into the plurality of mounting holes 32, thereby fixing these components to the substrate 31.

[0034] The receptacle housing 41 has an opening 42 that opens to the front, and by inserting and removing the plug connector 20 into and out of this opening 42, it is possible to achieve a mated state and an unmated state between the plug connector 20 and the receptacle connector 30.

[0035] Furthermore, a receptacle-side mating terminal 43 is located inside the receptacle housing 41. As shown in Figure 36, this receptacle-side mating terminal 43 is surface-mounted to the circuit board 31 by soldering, and can be electrically connected to the circuit board 31, which includes printed circuits (not shown). When the plug connector 20 and the receptacle connector 30 are mated, the receptacle-side mating terminal 43 and the plug-side mating terminal 27 come into contact, allowing electrical signals, power, optical information, etc., from cables (not shown) to be transmitted to the circuit board 31 via the plug connector 20 and the receptacle connector 30.

[0036] Furthermore, an upward-opening hole 44 is formed in the upper center of the receptacle housing 41, allowing it to exit upward. This upward-opening hole 44 is shaped to allow the plug shell 21, which is inserted into the opening 42 of the receptacle housing 41, and the heat dissipation surface of the heat sink 51 (described later) to face each other and make contact.

[0037] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, a locking portion 45 is formed above and in front of the receptacle housing 41, serving as a means for fixing the locking portion 24 of the plug connector 20 to engage. The locking portion 45 is formed as a hole shape into which the claw shape 24a constituting the locking portion 24 can fit, and a horizontal wall surface in front of the hole shape. Therefore, when the plug connector 20 is inserted into the receptacle housing 41, the claw shape 24a constituting the locking portion 24 contacts the horizontal wall surface constituting the locking portion 45 of the receptacle housing 41 and bends downward. When it overcomes the horizontal wall surface constituting the locking portion 45, the claw shape 24a returns to its original position and engages with the hole shape constituting the locking portion 45, thus functioning as a fixing means. Conversely, when the connector is mated, the user can press the locking portion 24 downwards in the -Z direction from above, causing the claw shape 24a to bend and move downwards, disengaging from the hole shape that constitutes the locked portion 45 and releasing the engagement. In this state, the user can then remove the plug connector 20 from the receptacle housing 41, thereby releasing the plug connector 20 from the mated state with the receptacle connector 30.

[0038] The heat sink 51, as shown particularly in Figures 5 and 6, has a base portion 52 that is flat at the bottom and a fin-shaped portion 53 that is formed as a plurality of walls and extends upward from the base portion 52. The heat sink 51 is made of a metal material with high thermal conductivity, such as an aluminum alloy. Because the heat sink 51 has a large surface area due to the presence of the fin-shaped portion 53 that is formed as a plurality of walls, it is a component that has high heat dissipation efficiency.

[0039] Furthermore, since the plug shell 21, which is the target of heat dissipation by the heat sink 51, is located below the heat sink 51, a rectangular projection 54 is formed on the lower side of the base portion 52 that constitutes the heat sink 51. The lower side of this projection 54 is the heat dissipation surface of the heat sink 51, and therefore a thermal conductive sheet 56 is installed there. By installing the thermal conductive sheet 56 at the location that comes into contact with the plug shell 21, the thermal resistance (difficulty in transferring heat) can be reduced, and a higher heat dissipation effect can be achieved.

[0040] The front surface of the protrusion 54 is the heat sink contact surface 55 that contacts the plug contact surface 25 described above, and is formed as a vertical plane facing forward in the +Y direction. Therefore, when the plug connector 20 is inserted into the opening 42 of the receptacle housing 41, the heat sink contact surface 55 of the heat sink 51 and the plug contact surface 25 of the plug housing 22 are positioned opposite each other in the first direction and are formed as contact surfaces that face each other.

[0041] Furthermore, cylindrical projections 57, consisting of four cylindrical protrusions projecting in the left-right direction, are formed on the left and right sides of the base portion 52 of the heat sink 51. These four cylindrical projections 57 are formed as guided portions of this disclosure. The four cylindrical projections 57 are components that fit into the cam grooves 62, which are guide portions of this disclosure formed on the receptacle shell 61, which will be described later.

[0042] Furthermore, four downwardly recessed relief grooves 58 are formed on the front and rear left and right positions of the upper surface of the base portion 52 of the heat sink 51. These four relief grooves 58 have the function of adjusting the pressing force from the second pressing means of the receptacle shell 61, which will be described later, to an appropriate value.

[0043] The receptacle shell 61 is a component for mounting the heat sink 51 in a movable manner relative to the receptacle housing 41. Specifically, the receptacle shell 61 has a total of four cam grooves 62, two on each of its left and right sides. These four cam grooves 62 are formed as guide portions in this disclosure. The four cylindrical projections 57 of the heat sink 51 are fitted into the four cam grooves 62, so that the heat sink 51 is supported to move relative to the receptacle shell 61 within the formation range of the four cam grooves 62. Furthermore, since the groove shape of the four cam grooves 62 is formed to be approximately L-shaped, the heat sink 51 attached to the receptacle shell 61 is supported to move in a first direction, the front-to-back direction, and a second direction, the up-and-down direction.

[0044] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 7 to 9, the receptacle shell 61 has a first pressing means 63 for pressing the heat sink 51, which is attached using the cam groove 62, forward (+Y direction) relative to the receptacle shell 61, and a second pressing means 64 for pressing the heat sink 51 downward (-Z direction) relative to the receptacle shell 61, which is a negative second direction. In this embodiment, the first pressing means 63 and the second pressing means 64 are formed as cantilever springs with a cantilever beam shape, which are configured as integral members with the receptacle shell 61.

[0045] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 7 to 9, the receptacle shell 61 has a stopper portion 65 that contacts the heat sink 51 when the heat sink 51, which is mounted using the cam groove 62, is pressed forward (+Y direction), which is the positive first direction, by the pressing force of the first pressing means 63, thereby defining the stopping position of the heat sink 51. The stopper portion 65 defines the limit of the range of movement of the heat sink 51 in the positive first direction, which is the forward (+Y direction), when pressed by the first pressing means 63.

[0046] The receptacle shell 61 of this embodiment has the above-described configuration, and is configured such that the receptacle connector 30 is completed by inserting it into the receptacle housing 41 from above downwards (-Z direction) with the heat sink 51 attached using the cam groove 62.

[0047] The heat sink 51, which is attached using the cam groove 62 of the receptacle shell 61, is configured such that, due to the action of the shape of the cam groove 62 and the spring elastic force from the first pressing means 63 and the second pressing means 64, when the heat sink 51 is positioned in the positive first direction forward (+Y direction) relative to the receptacle shell 61, it is lifted upward (+Z direction), which is the positive second direction (see, for example, the state in Figure 3), and when it is positioned in the negative first direction backward (-Y direction), it is moved downward (-Z direction), which is the negative second direction (see, for example, the state in Figure 1). By installing the heat sink 51 on the receptacle housing 41 via the receptacle shell 61 in this way, the heat sink 51 is installed so as to be movable relative to the receptacle housing 41.

[0048] The overall configuration of the electronic device 10 according to this embodiment has been described above with reference to Figures 1 to 11. Next, the specific operation of the electronic device 10 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 12 to 29. Here, Figures 12 to 16 show the un-mated state in which the plug connector 20 is not inserted into the opening 42 of the receptacle housing 41. Figures 17 to 22 show the intermediate state in which the plug connector 20 is inserted into the opening 42 of the receptacle housing 41. Furthermore, Figures 23 to 28 show the mated state in which the plug connector 20 is fully inserted into the opening 42 of the receptacle housing 41. In addition, Figure 29 shows the positional relationship of the cylindrical projection 57 with respect to the cam groove 62.

[0049] In the unmated state shown in Figures 12 to 16, when the plug connector 20 is not inserted into the opening 42 of the receptacle housing 41, the heat sink 51 is pressed forward (+Y direction), which is the first direction, by the first pressing means 63 provided on the receptacle shell 61. At this time, the front of the heat sink 51 is in contact with the stopper portion 65, and the cylindrical projections 57 provided on the left and right sides of the heat sink 51 are lifted upward (+Z direction), which is the second plus direction, by the cam grooves 62 provided on the receptacle shell 61 to a position where they do not interfere with the plug shell 21. Furthermore, the receptacle shell 61 has a second pressing means 64 formed therein to press the heat sink 51 downward (-Z direction), which is the negative second direction, when mated. However, in the un-matted state, the second pressing means 64 does not need to press the heat sink 51 downward (-Z direction), so the second pressing means 64 is located where the relief groove 58 formed in the heat sink 51 is located (this is the same as the state during mating described later, so see Figure 21). However, the downward (-Z direction) pressing force exerted by the second pressing means 64 may be set to press only slightly against the relief groove 58 formed in the heat sink 51.

[0050] Figures 17 to 22 show the intermediate mating state, from the unmated state to the state in which the plug connector 20 is inserted into the opening 42 of the receptacle housing 41. In particular, Figure 20 shows the state in the intermediate mating state where the plug contact surface 25 and the heat sink contact surface 55 first come into contact while the plug connector 20 is being inserted into the opening 42 of the receptacle housing 41. At this point, the heat sink 51 is in the same position as in the unmated state, and as shown in Figure 20, the thermal conductive sheet 56 is not in contact with the plug shell 21. Also, in the state shown in Figure 20, the locking portion 24 of the plug connector 20 is in a state where the claw shape 24a is bent downward by contacting the horizontal wall surface that constitutes the locked portion 45, and the locking portion 24 and the locked portion 45 are not yet engaged.

[0051] As the mating is deepened from the partially mated state, the plug contact surface 25 and the heat sink contact surface 55 remain in contact, so the heat sink 51 moves backward (-Y direction), which is the negative first direction, together with the plug connector 20. At this time, the cylindrical projection 57 of the heat sink 51 also moves backward (-Y direction) within the cam groove 62, and the rear (-Y direction) side of the cam groove 62 is relieved downward (-Z direction), so the heat sink 51 can move downward (-Z direction). In addition, the relief groove 58 of the heat sink 51 also moves backward (-Y direction), so the second pressing means 64 overcomes the slope provided on the front (+Y direction) side of the relief groove 58 and pushes the heat sink 51 downward (-Z direction). This state is shown in Figure 27. These actions cause the thermal conductive sheet 56 to be pressed against the plug shell 21, resulting in a mated state in which the plug connector 20 is fully inserted into the opening 42 of the receptacle housing 41, as shown in Figures 23 to 28.

[0052] When mated, as shown in Figure 28, the heat sink 51 flexes the first pressing means 63, so a force acts on the plug connector 20 in a forward (+Y direction) direction that would cause it to detach. However, as shown in Figure 26, the hole shapes that make up the locking part 24 and the locked part 45 engage with each other, so the force acting on the plug connector 20 in the detachment direction is absorbed by the locking part 24 and the locked part 45, thereby maintaining the mated state.

[0053] During the transition from the interim mating state to the mating state described above, the plug contact surface 25 remains in contact with the heat sink contact surface 55. As a result, the heat sink 51 and the plug connector 20 move relative to each other in the rearward direction (-Y direction) without shifting in the second direction, the Z direction (vertical direction), and the thermal conductive sheet 56 and the plug shell 21 achieve contact without sliding.

[0054] In this embodiment, the cam groove 62 is formed in a roughly L-shape. Although the relief of the groove shape below the cam groove 62 (in the -Z direction) is longer than necessary given the operation described above, this shape was adopted to facilitate the assembly of the heat sink 51 to the receptacle shell 61.

[0055] The above describes the operation of inserting the plug connector 20 into the opening 42 of the receptacle housing 41. Next, the operation of removing the plug connector 20 from the opening 42 of the receptacle housing 41 will be described.

[0056] When performing the detachment operation, the user presses the locking part 24 downwards (-Z direction) from above, causing the claw shape 24a to bend and move downwards, releasing the engagement between the locking part 24 and the locked part 45. While maintaining this state, the user can perform the detachment operation by pulling the plug connector 20 forward (+Y direction). At this time, the first pressing means 63 pushes the heat sink 51 forward (+Y direction), and the cylindrical projection 57 of the heat sink 51 moves forward (+Y direction) within the cam groove 62, causing the heat sink 51 to lift up to a partially fitted state, and the thermal conductive sheet 56 and the plug shell 21 to separate in the Z direction (up and down direction). This lifting of the heat sink 51 during separation is achieved when the cylindrical projection 57 moves forward (+Y direction) within the cam groove 62, and is moved upward (+Z direction) due to the action of the shape of the cam groove 62. Even during this detachment operation, when the thermal conductive sheet 56 and the plug shell 21 are in contact, they move relative to each other forward (+Y direction) without shifting in the second direction, the Z direction (vertical direction), together with the plug connector 20, so the thermal conductive sheet 56 and the plug shell 21 do not slide against each other.

[0057] Furthermore, when performing the detachment operation, in order to return the heat sink 51 to its original position, the pressing force of the first pressing means 63 (the load of the spring elastic force) must be greater than or equal to the pressing force of the second pressing means 64 (the frictional force with which the cylindrical projection 57 contacts the cam groove 62). These conditions will be explained with reference to Figure 29.

[0058] First, the positional relationship between the cam groove 62 and the cylindrical projection 57 in the unfitted state shown in Figures 12 to 16 and the partially fitted state shown in Figures 17 to 22 is shown in Figure 29 as (a: before fitting and partially fitted). In the unfitted state and partially fitted state, the heat sink 51 having the cylindrical projection 57 is pressed forward (+Y direction) with a force P1 by the first pressing means 63, and also pressed downward (-Z direction) with a force P2 by the second pressing means 64. In this embodiment, P2 is zero or a small value due to the presence of the relief groove 58.

[0059] When transitioning from this state to the fitted state shown in Figures 23 to 28, the positional relationship between the cam groove 62 and the cylindrical projection 57 becomes the state shown as (b: fitted state) in Figure 29. Even in the fitted state, the heat sink 51 is pressed forward (+Y direction) with a force P1 by the first pressing means 63, but the position of the cylindrical projection 57 is determined by the contact between the plug contact surface 25 and the heat sink contact surface 55, and is stably maintained by the engagement between the locking part 24 and the locked part 45. Furthermore, in the state where it is pressed downward (-Z direction) with a force P2 by the second pressing means 64, the position of the cylindrical projection 57 is determined by the contact between the upper surface of the plug shell 21 and the heat dissipation surface (thermal conductive sheet 56) of the heat sink 51.

[0060] Furthermore, when transitioning from the mated state to the partially mated state and then to the unmatted state, the transition occurs from the state shown as (b: mated state) in Figure 29 to the state shown as (a: pre-mating and partially mated state). This state is achieved when the user releases the engagement between the locking part 24 and the locked part 45 and pulls out the plug connector 20 forward (+Y direction). At this time, the first pressing means 63 pushes the heat sink 51 forward (+Y direction), and the cylindrical projection 57 of the heat sink 51 moves forward (+Y direction) within the cam groove 62, causing the heat sink 51 to rise to the partially mated state, and the thermal conductive sheet 56 and the plug shell 21 to separate in the Z direction (up and down direction). When the cylindrical projection 57 moves forward (+Y direction) within the cam groove 62, it moves along the roughly L-shaped groove of the cam groove 62. In the cam groove 62 of this embodiment, the inner diameter of the groove widens at the bent right-angle portion of the roughly L-shape, forming a guide shape 62a that smoothly guides the movement of the cylindrical projection 57 within the groove. Therefore, when transitioning from a fitted state to an intermediate fitted state and then to an unfitted state, the heat sink 51 can smoothly return to the initial unfitted state.

[0061] Furthermore, in this embodiment, in order to enable the cylindrical projection 57 to move smoothly within the cam groove 62 when transitioning from the fitted state to the partially fitted state and the unfitted state, when the pressing force of the first pressing means 63 is P1 and the force in the negative first direction, which is the rearward (-Y direction), due to the pressing force of the second pressing means 64 is P2, P1>P2 The configuration is such that the following inequality holds. By satisfying this condition, when the plug connector 20 is released by the force of the second pressing means 64, a frictional force acts on each part in the rearward direction (-Y direction), making it possible to smoothly perform the series of operations described above.

[0062] According to the electronic device 10 of this embodiment described above, when the plug connector 20 is inserted into the opening 42 of the receptacle housing 41 and mated, the plug shell 21 and the heat dissipation surface (thermal conductive sheet 56) of the heat sink 51 come into contact without rubbing against each other, allowing the heat sink 51 to efficiently dissipate the heat generated from the plug connector 20.

[0063] While preferred embodiments of this disclosure have been described above, the technical scope of this disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above. Various modifications or improvements can be made to the above embodiments.

[0064] For example, in the embodiment described above, the first pressing means 63 and the second pressing means 64 were cantilever springs with a cantilever beam shape formed on the receptacle shell 61. However, the first pressing means and the second pressing means of this disclosure can be formed as double-supported springs with a double-supported beam shape. Here, Figures 30 to 37 show an example of a modified form in which the second pressing means of this disclosure is formed as a double-supported spring with a double-supported beam shape. In the electronic device 100 relating to the modified form example described using Figures 30 to 37, components that are the same as or similar to those in the embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals and their description is omitted.

[0065] As shown in Figure 30, in the receptacle shell 161 according to the modified form example, the second pressing means 164 that presses the heat sink 151 downward (-Z direction), which is the negative second direction, relative to the receptacle shell 161 is formed as a double-sided spring with a double-sided beam shape. In this modified form example, the spring elastic force as pressing force is greater than that of the second pressing means 64 in this embodiment which is formed as a single-sided spring as described above. The configuration of the second pressing means 164 according to the modified form example is preferable because, for example, in order to prevent the heat sink 151 from moving even when a strong vibration shock is applied from the outside in the fitted state, it is necessary to press the heat sink 151 with a strong force, which leads to increasing the load based on the spring elastic force exerted by the second pressing means 164 to the required load. However, as explained in this embodiment, in order for the cylindrical projection 57 to move smoothly within the cam groove 62 when performing the release operation, when the pressing force of the first pressing means 63 is P1 and the force in the negative first direction, which is the rearward (-Y direction) direction, due to the pressing force of the second pressing means 164 is P2, P1>P2 It is necessary to configure the system so that the following inequality holds. If such a configuration is to be simply implemented, the pressing force of the first pressing means 63 (the load of the spring elastic force) must be greater than or equal to the pressing force of the second pressing means 164 (the frictional force with which the cylindrical projection 57 contacts the cam groove 62). Therefore, in order to withstand strong vibration shocks, the portion of the first pressing means 63 may become too large.

[0066] Therefore, in the modified example, as shown in Figure 31, the formation range of the four relief grooves 158 formed at the front and rear left and right positions on the upper surface of the base portion 52 of the heat sink 151 is made wider than in the embodiment described above, and the position of the contact portion of the second pressing means 164 during fitting is set to be in the middle of the slope 158a formed on the front side of the relief groove 158 (see Figure 37). In other words, as shown in Figure 37, when the plug connector 20 is inserted into the opening 42 of the receptacle housing 41 and is in a fitted state, the surface of the heat sink 151 to which the second pressing means 164 applies pressing force is formed as a slope 158a such that at least a portion of the load component of the pressing force faces the first direction (Y direction). With this configuration, the pressing force (spring elastic load) of the second pressing means 164 is tilted by the shape effect of the inclined surface 158a. Therefore, even if the pressing force (spring elastic load) of the second pressing means 164 is increased, it is not necessary to increase the pressing force (spring elastic load) of the first pressing means 63 unnecessarily. This is because a load component based on the horizontal component of the pressing force (spring elastic load) of the second pressing means 164 is added to the pressing force (spring elastic load) of the first pressing means 63. This configuration condition contributes to the realization of an electronic device 100 according to a modified form example that can exhibit the same effects as the electrical and electronic device 10 of this embodiment described above.

[0067] Furthermore, for example, in the embodiment and modified examples described above, the first pressing means 63 and the second pressing means 64, 164 were configured as integral components with the receptacle shell 61. However, the first pressing means and the second pressing means of this disclosure can also be configured as separate components from the receptacle shell. Specifically, by forming the first pressing means and the second pressing means of this disclosure as separate coil springs or leaf springs from the receptacle shell 61 and installing them between the receptacle shells 61, 161 and the heat sinks 51, 151, it is possible to realize electronic equipment that exhibits the same effects as the embodiment and modified examples described above.

[0068] Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, a configuration was illustrated in which a thermal conductive sheet 56 is installed on the heat dissipation surface of the heat sink 51 that contacts the upper surface of the plug shell 21. However, in the electronic device of this disclosure, the installation of the thermal conductive sheet 56 can be omitted.

[0069] Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, for example, the guide portion formed on the receptacle shell 61 is formed as a cam groove 62 having a groove shape, and the guided portion formed on the heat sink 51 is formed as a cylindrical projection 57 having a cylindrical projection shape that fits into the groove shape of the cam groove 62, which is the guide portion. However, regarding the shape of the guide portion and the guided portion in this disclosure, any shape can be adopted as long as it can achieve the same effects as in the embodiment described above.

[0070] Furthermore, although the above-described embodiments and modified embodiments assumed that the electronic devices 10 and 100 were optical transceivers, these embodiments are merely examples of possible forms of the electronic devices of this disclosure. The electronic devices of this disclosure can be applied to all types of electronic devices within a range that can exhibit similar effects and advantages to those that can be exhibited by the above-described embodiments and modified embodiments.

[0071] It is clear from the claims that such modified or improved forms may also fall within the technical scope of this disclosure. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0072] 10 Electronic equipment (this embodiment) 20 Plug Connectors 21 Plug Shells 22 Plug Housing 23 Cable mounting section 24 Locking mechanism (fixing means) 24a Claw shape 25 Plug contact surface (contact surface) 26 Plug opening 27 Plug-side mating terminal 30 Receptacle Connectors 31 circuit boards 32 mounting holes 41 Receptacle Housing 42 Opening 43 Receptacle-side mating terminal 44 Upper open hole 45 Locking portion (fixing means formed by a horizontal wall surface and a hole shape) 51 Heatsink 52 Base section 53 Fin-shaped section 54 Protrusion 55 Heatsink contact surface (contact surface) 56 Thermal conductive sheet 57 Cylindrical protrusion (guided part) 58 Escape groove 61 Receptacle Shell 62 Cam groove (guide section) 62a Inviting shape 63 First pressing means (cantilever spring having a cantilever beam shape) 64 Second pressing means (cantilever spring with a cantilever beam shape) 65 Stopper section 100 Electronic devices (examples of modified forms) 151 Heatsink 158 Escape ditch 158a Slope 161 Receptacle Shell 164 Second pressing means (a cantilevered spring with a cantilevered beam shape)

Claims

1. A plug connector including a plug shell and a plug housing, A receptacle housing having an opening from which the plug connector can be inserted and removed, A heat sink is installed via a receptacle shell attached to the receptacle housing, thereby being movably installed relative to the receptacle housing, Equipped with, An electronic device in which, when the plug connector is inserted into the opening of the receptacle housing and mated, the plug shell and the heat dissipation surface of the heat sink come into contact, causing the heat sink to dissipate heat generated from the plug connector, The insertion and removal direction of the plug connector into the opening of the receptacle housing is defined as the first direction, and the removal direction of the plug connector into the opening is defined as the positive first direction, and the insertion direction is defined as the negative first direction, When the direction perpendicular to the first direction is defined as the second direction, and the direction of separation between the plug shell and the heat dissipation surface of the heat sink is defined as the positive second direction, and the direction of approach is defined as the negative second direction, The heat sink is supported so as to be movable in a first direction and a second direction relative to the receptacle shell. Between the heat sink and the receptacle shell, a first pressing means for pressing the heat sink in a positive first direction relative to the receptacle shell and a second pressing means for pressing the heat sink in a negative second direction relative to the receptacle shell are arranged. The receptacle shell is provided with a guide portion that lifts the heat sink in a positive second direction when the heat sink is positioned in a positive first direction relative to the receptacle shell, and allows the heat sink to move in a negative second direction when it is positioned in a negative first direction relative to the receptacle shell. The heat sink has a guided portion that is guided by the guide portion formed on the receptacle shell, The electronic device is characterized in that each of the heat sink and the plug connector has a contact surface formed thereon that contacts each other in a first direction when the plug connector is inserted into the opening of the receptacle housing.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1, The plug housing is formed with a locking mechanism, The receptacle housing has a locking portion formed therein, which serves as a means of being fixed. An electronic device characterized in that, when the plug connector is inserted into the opening of the receptacle housing and mated, the locking portion and the locked portion engage, thereby maintaining the mated state of the plug connector with respect to the receptacle housing against the pressing force exerted by the first pressing means.

3. The electronic device according to claim 1 or 2, The electronic device is characterized in that the first pressing means and the second pressing means are configured as integral components with the receptacle shell.

4. The electronic device according to claim 1 or 2, The electronic device is characterized in that the first pressing means and the second pressing means are configured as components separate from the receptacle shell.

5. The electronic device according to claim 1 or 2, In the portion of the heat sink that receives pressure from the second pressing means, a relief groove is formed to release the pressure from the second pressing means. Before the plug connector is inserted into the opening of the receptacle housing, the second pressing means is positioned at the location where the relief groove is formed, so that all or part of the pressing force from the second pressing means does not reach the heat sink. An electronic device characterized in that, when the plug connector is inserted into the opening of the receptacle housing and mated, the position of the second pressing means moves away from the location where the relief groove is formed, so that all or part of the pressing force from the second pressing means reaches the heat sink.

6. The electronic device according to claim 1 or 2, The electronic device is characterized in that, when the plug connector is inserted into the opening of the receptacle housing and mated, the surface of the heat sink to which the second pressing means applies a pressing force is formed as an inclined surface such that at least a portion of the load component of the pressing force faces the first direction.

7. The electronic device according to claim 1 or 2, The electronic device is characterized in that the first pressing means and the second pressing means are formed as a cantilever spring having a cantilever beam shape, or as a double-supported spring having a double-supported beam shape.

8. The electronic device according to claim 1 or 2, When the pressing force of the first pressing means is P1, and the force in the negative first direction due to the pressing force of the second pressing means is P2, An electronic device characterized by being configured such that the inequality P1 > P2 holds.

9. The electronic device according to claim 1 or 2, An electronic device characterized in that a heat conductive sheet is installed on the heat dissipation surface of the heat sink.

10. The electronic device according to claim 1 or 2, The guide portion is formed as a cam groove with a groove shape, The electronic device is characterized in that the groove shape of the guide portion is formed in a substantially L-shape.

11. The electronic device according to claim 10, The guided portion is formed as a cylindrical projection that fits into the groove shape of the guide portion, The electronic device is characterized in that the groove shape of the guide portion, which is roughly L-shaped, has a guiding shape formed in which the inner diameter of the groove widens at the right-angled bend of the roughly L-shape, thereby guiding the movement of the guided portion within the groove.

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