FIXING ASSEMBLY FOR HEAT SINK

A fixing assembly includes a main body, a fixing member, and a limiting member secured to the main body. The limiting member angles with the main body to form a limited but resiliently deformable space for mounting of the fixing member, but then restores to hold the fixing member captive and avoid the displacement or loss of the fixing member at any time. A heat sink using the fixing assembly is also provided.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring toFIG. 1, a heat sink100in accordance with an embodiment is shown. The heat sink100includes a heat-dissipating module10, and a plurality of fixing assemblies20for fixing the head-dissipating module10to a base (not shown).

Referring toFIG. 2, each fixing assembly20includes a main body210, a fixing member220, and a limiting member230. The main body210is fixed to the heat-dissipating module10. An end of the main body220away from the heat-dissipating module10defines a through slot212. The through slot212has a length D1in a longitudinal direction of the main body210, and a width D2less than the length D1. The main body210in the embodiment is made of metal having high thermal conduction, to provide high heat dissipation capability.

The fixing member220is mounted to main body210by being inserted through the through slot212, and is adapted to fix the main body210to the base. The fixing member220in the embodiment is a screw or bolt. The fixing member220includes a head portion222and a threaded shank224fixed to the head portion222. The diameter of the head portion222is greater than the length D1of the through slot212. The diameter of the threaded shank224is slightly less than the width D2of the through slot212, whereby the threaded shank224is fitted in the through slot212in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the main body210. The diameter of the threaded shank224is greater than the length D1of the though hole212, to allow slanted or canted entry of the fixing member210.

Also referring toFIG. 3, the limiting member230is made of non-rigid and resilient material. The limiting member230is secured to the main body210and is arranged at one side of the through slot212. The limiting member230keeps the fixing member220always captive after the fixing member220is mounted to the main body210. The limiting member230in the embodiment is integral and bent from an end of the main body210away from the head-dissipating module10, and is further slanted toward the head-dissipating module10. The limiting member230makes an angle with the main body210, to form a limiting space234. After the fixing member220is mounted to the main body210, the head portion222is held captive, prevented from being displaced or falling off. The projection of a distal end231to the main body210is vertically above the longitudinal direction of the through slot212. The distal end231is recessed to form a substantially V-shaped recess232for facilitating the mounting of the fixing member220to the through slot212. The width of the recess232gradually reduces inwards from the distal end231.

Referring toFIG. 5, in assembly, the shank224of the fixing member220is slantingly inserted into the through slot212, and a portion of the head portion222is received in the recess232. At this time, the limiting member230is in an original state to prevent the fixing member220from moving toward the main body210. An external force F is exerted to the head portion222, to force the head portion222to slide along the recess232toward the main body210. At this time, the head portion222abuts and presses against the limiting member230, and the limiting member230gives way to make room for allowing the fixing member220to be mounted to the main body210. Referring also toFIGS. 3 and 4, after the fixing member220is mounted to the main body210, the limiting member230restores to its original shape to limit the head portion222in the limiting space234. As a result, the limiting member220is prevented from being displaced or falling off.

In the embodiment, when the head portion222is mounted to the main body210and the stopping portions232restores to its original shape, the shank224abuts an edge of the through slot212away from the limiting member230, opposite surfaces of an end of the head portion222abut the main body210and the limiting member230simultaneously, whereby movement of the limiting member220is tightly limited.

Although information as to, and advantages of, the present embodiments have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structures and functions of the present embodiments, the disclosure is illustrative only; and changes may be made in detail, especially in the matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the present embodiments to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.