Connector Housing Heat Sink Support for Stable Thermal Contact

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Solution Overview

Problem

The use of an ultra-long heat sink extending beyond a connector housing reduces the contact force between the heat sink and the housing, leading to suboptimal thermal contact and heat dissipation performance.

Innovation Solution

A connector housing assembly with a supporting device on the circuit board that secures the rear end of the heat sink, utilizing a spring or elastic supporting pad to maintain effective thermal contact and improve heat dissipation, while the front end is fixed to the housing using a fixing member.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If an ultra-long heat sink is used to improve heat dissipation, then the heat dissipation area is increased, but the contact force between the heat sink and the housing is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat dissipation performanceVSAvoidcontact force

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The supporting device divides the support function into two segments: the front end of the heat sink is supported by the housing through the fixing member, while the rear end is supported by the circuit board through the supporting device. This segmentation allows the heat sink to be ultra-long for improved heat dissipation while maintaining adequate contact force through distributed support points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The supporting device acts as an intermediary between the rear end of the heat sink and the circuit board, providing additional support force to compensate for the reduced contact force caused by the ultra-long design. This intermediary support ensures that the heat sink maintains reliable thermal contact with both the housing and the circuit board.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Temperature

If the heat sink extends beyond the housing, then the heat dissipation area is increased, but the center of gravity shifts outside the housing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat dissipation effectVSAvoidcenter of gravity position

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The supporting device provides an upward support force at the rear end of the heat sink that counteracts the gravitational effect of the extended mass. This counterbalancing support allows the heat sink to extend beyond the housing for improved heat dissipation while maintaining stable positioning and preventing excessive sagging or misalignment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

3Temperature

If the heat sink is pressed by an elastic clip on the housing, then the thermal contact is improved, but the contact force decreases when the heat sink is ultra-long

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal contactVSAvoidcontact force

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The support function is segmented between the elastic clip at the front end and the supporting device at the rear end. The elastic clip provides thermal contact pressure at the housing interface, while the supporting device provides additional support force at the circuit board interface, ensuring adequate contact force throughout the ultra-long heat sink structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The solution combines two support mechanisms: the elastic clip that provides thermal contact pressure and the supporting device that provides structural support. By merging these two functions, the system achieves both good thermal contact and adequate contact force even with an ultra-long heat sink design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enhances the thermal contact and heat dissipation performance of the heat sink without compromising the contact with the optical module, ensuring reliable heat transfer and improved cooling efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

utilizing a spring or elastic supporting pad to maintain effective thermal contact

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The lower protrusion of the heat sink is in a thermal contact with the optical module

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

improve the heat dissipation effect

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS11855371B2Connector housing assembly

Publication Date: 2023.12.26 TYCO ELECTRONICS (SHANGHAI) CO LTD

AI summary

A connector housing assembly includes a housing installed on a circuit board and a heat sink installed on the housing. The heat sink has a front end portion on a top of the housing and a rear end portion extending beyond the housing. A fixing member connected to the housing installs the front end portion of the heat sink on the housing. The connector housing assembly includes a supporting device on the circuit board. The supporting device supports the rear end portion of the heat sink on the circuit board.