Abstract:
A connector of the present invention is provided with a ventilation means that permits air to pass through along an electronic module with respect to a housing means holding said electronic module. The housing means includes a main body mounting thereon contacts to be connected with conductive pads provided at a front end of the electronic module and a pair of arms, projected from opposite ends of the main body, to hold the electronic module at opposite ends thereof. The ventilation means is provided at the main body and/or the pair of arms. The ventilation means thus formed can permit the electronic module to be cooled efficiently.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Technical Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a connector used for fitting thereto a plate-like electronic module such as a memory module and mounting it on a mother board and, more particularly, to a connector having a structure suitable for cooling the electronic module fitted to the connector. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     A plate-like electronic module comprises a card-like substrate, electronic chips, such as memory chips, mounted on both top and bottom surfaces of the substrate, and conductive pads formed at an end portion of the substrate and connected with the electronic chips. The plate-like electronic module is fitted to a connector for mounting on a mother board in position. 
     The connector comprises a housing having a main body mounting thereon contacts to be connected with the conductive pads on the electronic module and a pair of arms extending from both sides of the main body and holding both lateral ends of the electronic module. 
     When the electronic module is fitted to the connector, the front end of the electronic module is held by the main body and the both lateral ends of the same is held by the pair of arms. When the connector is mounted on the mother board, the electronic chips mounted on the top surface of the electronic module opens upward but the electronic chips mounted on the bottom surface of the electronic module confront the mother board with a little space therebeween. 
     In recent years, with development of high performance notebook-sized personal computers, tendency has been for an electronic module having high performance electronic chips on board to be placed on the mother board in the notebook-sized personal computer. The high performance electronic chips are prone to generate heat, so the notebook-sized personal computer employs the structure in which an airflow is produced in its case to cool the electronic chips and the like housed therein. The electronic module fitted to the connector is surrounded by the housing having the main body and the arms on three sides of the front end and both lateral ends. Thus, the current of air is hindered from flowing through between the bottom surface of the electronic module and the mother board, in particular, thus providing the problem of insufficient cooling of the bottom of the electronic module. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, it is a primary object of the invention to provide a novel connector having the structure that can permit an efficient cooling of an electronic module fitted to the connector by an airflow passing through it. 
     It is a secondary object of the invention to provide a novel connector having the structure that can permit an efficient cooling of an electronic module fitted to the connector by ventilation means set in place of the housing. 
     It is a tertiary object of the invention to provide a novel connector having the structure that can produce an airflow flowing over a plate-like electronic module fitted to the connector, particularly flowing along a short side direction of the plate-like electronic module. 
     It is a fourth object of the invention to provide a novel connector having the structure that can produce an airflow flowing over the plate-like electronic module fitted to the connector, particularly flowing along a long side direction of the plate-like electronic module. 
     It is a fifth object of the invention to provide a cooling method that can permit an efficient cooling of the electronic module fitted to the connector. 
     A first aspect of the invention to accomplish the primary object provides a connector fittable with an electronic module, the connector comprising a housing means to hold the electronic module and a ventilation means, arranged with respect to the housing means, to permit air to pass along the electronic module. 
     This produces the result that when the connector fitted with the electronic module is mounted on the mother board, air is permitted to pass through along the electronic module, passing through the ventilation means arranged with respect to the housing means. 
     A second aspect of the invention to accomplish the secondary object provides a connector fittable with an electronic module, the connector comprising a housing means having a main body mounting thereon contacts to be connected with conductive pads provided at a front end of the electronic module and a pair of arms, projected from opposite ends of the main body, to hold the electronic module at opposite end portions thereof; and a first ventilation means provided at the main body or at least one of a pair of second ventilation means provided at the pair of arms, respectively. 
     This produces the result that when the connector fitted with the electronic module is mounted on the mother board, air is permitted to pass through the bottom surface of the electronic module toward the first ventilation means or at least one of the second ventilation means. 
     It is preferable that a rectifying means which has an opening to take in air and on which an end of the electronic module at the side opposite the fitting side of the same is rested is mounted to the ends of the pair of arms. 
     It is preferable that a supporting means on which an end of the electronic module at the side opposite the fitting side of the same is rested is mounted to the ends of the pair of arms. Preferably, the second ventilation means has a configuration to extend in opening toward outside. 
     A third aspect of the invention to accomplish the tertiary object provides a connector fittable with a plate-like electronic module, the connector comprising a housing means having a main body mounting thereon contacts to be connected with conductive pads provided at a front end of the electronic module and a pair of arms, projected from opposite ends of the main body, to hold the electronic module at opposite end portions thereof; a ventilation means provided at the main body; and wall means provided at the pair of arms, respectively. 
     This produces the result that when the connector fitted with the electronic module is mounted on the mother board, both lateral sides thereof are closed by the wall means provided at the pair of arms, respectively, so that air flows toward the ventilation means provided at the main body. This permits air to pass through in a short side direction of the plate-like electronic module to achieve the cooling of the electronic chips aligned in a row in the longitudinal direction. 
     It is preferable that when air is commonly flown over the plurality of connectors, the wall members are attached to the front and rear attachment portions of the pair of arms. Also, it is preferable that the arms are interconnected by the front and rear engaging portions of the pair of arms. Preferably, an upper plate is attached for a topside space that appears when two or more adjacent connectors are coupled with each other. Further, it is preferable that a rectifying means which has an opening to take in air and on which an end of the electronic module at the side opposite the fitting side of the same is rested is mounted on the pair of arms at the ends thereof. 
     In the case where air flows toward the ventilation means provided under the main body, it is preferable that the contacts are streamlined in section and/or closure means are provided for closing space between the front contacts and the rear contacts, in order to facilitate the stream of air between the downward extending contacts. To prevent the collecting of air-borne dust at the contacts, shielding means or dustproof means are preferably provided for the contacts. Preferably, the dustproof means is a partition means to permit separation between adjacent contacts with respect to each of the front contacts and rear contacts. 
     A fourth aspect of the invention to accomplish the fourth object provides a connector fittable with a plate-like electronic module, the connector comprising a housing means having a main body mounting thereon contacts to be connected with conductive pads provided at a front end of the electronic module and a pair of arms, projected from opposite ends of the main body, to hold the electronic module at opposite end portions thereof; a pair of ventilation means provided at the pair of arms, respectively; and wall means provided at the main body. 
     This produces the result that when the connector fitted with the electronic module is mounted on the mother board, one lateral side thereof is closed by the wall means provided at the main body, so that air flows toward the ventilation means provided at the pair of arms. This permits air to pass through the plate-like electronic module in a long side direction thereof to achieve the cooling of the electronic chips aligned in a row in the longitudinal direction in a sequential order. 
     In order to facilitate the stream of air, the ventilation means preferably has a configuration to extend in opening toward outside. It is preferable that there is provided a wall member to interconnect ends of the pair of arms. Also, it is preferable that at least one of air suction means and air blowing means is adapted to be connectable with the ventilation means. 
     A fifth aspect of the invention to accomplish the fifth object provides a method for cooling an electronic module fitted to a connector, wherein a ventilation means is provided in a housing means to hold the electronic module and at least one of air suction means and air blowing means is set with respect to the ventilation means, so that an airflow passing through the connector can be produced over the electronic module fitted to said connector. 
     According to this method, the electronic module fitted to the connector is cooled efficiently by combination of the connector having the ventilation means with at least one of the air suction means and the air blowing means. 
     Other and further objects, features and advantages of the invention will appear more fully from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a connector according to the first embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a main body mounting contacts thereon; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the state in which the connector fitted with an electronic module is mounted on a mother board; 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the state in which a rectifying means is mounted on ends of the arms of the connector fitted with the electronic modules; 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the state in which another rectifying means is mounted on ends of the arms of the connector fitted with the electronic module; 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a connector of another embodiment according to the first embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a connector of the second embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the state in which two or more connectors fitted with the electronic modules are aligned in a row and their arms are connected to each other through wall members; 
     FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the state in which the rectifying means is mounted on the inlet side of the row of connectors; 
     FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the state in which upper plates are attached to cover the topside space between the connectors of FIG. 8 aligned in a row; 
     FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the state in which two or more connectors fitted with the electronic modules are aligned in a row and their arms are directly coupled to each other through engaging portions thereof; 
     FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the state in which two or more connectors fitted with the electronic modules are aligned in a row and a cover is put thereon; 
     FIG. 13 is a perspective view of front and rear contacts extending downward from the main body; 
     FIG. 14 are sectional views of the contacts of FIG. 12 showing streamlined configurations; 
     FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing closure means provided between the front and rear contacts extending downward from the main body; 
     FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing dustproof means provided at the front and rear contacts extending downward from the main body; 
     FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing another dustproof means provided at the front and rear contacts extending downward from the main body; 
     FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing dustproof partition means to partition adjacent contacts for each of the front and rear contacts extending downward from the main body; 
     FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing the connector of the third embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing the state in which rectifying means is mounted on the ends of the arms of the connector mounting the electronic modules thereon; 
     FIG. 21 is a perspective view showing the state in which two or more connectors fitted with the electronic modules are aligned in a row and suction means is fitted to the ventilation means provided under one of the arms; 
     FIG. 22 is a perspective view showing the state in which two or more connectors fitted with the electronic modules are aligned in a row; the suction means is fitted to the ventilation means provided under one of the arms; and air blowing means is fitted to the ventilation means provided under the other of the arms; and 
     FIG. 23 is a perspective view showing the connector of a still another embodiment according to the third embodiment of the invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     In the following, the preferred embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of a connector of the first embodiment corresponding to the first aspect of the invention and the second aspect of the invention having the structure suitable for air to flow through a bottom surface of the electronic module. FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a main body mounting contacts thereon. 
     The connector  1  shown in FIG. 1 comprises a housing (housing means)  10  having a main body  11  and a pair of arms  12 ,  13  integrally extending from both ends of the main body  11  in a perpendicular direction; base portions  14 ,  15  and  16 ,  17  of the pair of arms  12 ,  13  from front and rear of the pair of arms  12 ,  13 , respectively; and integrally extending downward, a first ventilation hole (ventilation means)  21  provided between base portions  14 ,  16  and under the main body  11 ; and a pair of second ventilation holes (ventilation means)  22 ,  23  which are provided between the base portions  14 ,  15  and under the arm  12  and between the base portions  16 ,  17  and under the arm  13 , respectively. 
     The plate-like electronic modules  2  fitted to the connector  1  comprises a case-like substrate  91 , electronic chips  92  such as memory chips mounted on a top surface of the substrate  91 , electronic chips  93  such as memory chips mounted on a bottom surface of the substrate  91 , conductive pads  94 ,  95  mounted on the top and bottom surfaces of the substrate  91  at front ends thereof, respectively, and recesses  96  at both lateral ends of the substrate  91 . In general, two or more electronic chips  92  mounted on the top and bottom surfaces of the substrate  91  are aligned in a row in the longitudinal direction of the substrate. 
     As shown in FIG. 2, the main body  11  has a cavity  25 , formed at about a thicknesswise center portion thereof, for receiving therein the front end of the electronic module  2 . The main body  11  has such a structure that front contacts  26  having one end connectable with the upper conductive pad  94  of the electronic module  2  and the other end connectable with a mother board (not shown) can be press-inserted into the main body and also rear contacts  27  having one end connectable with the lower conductive pad  95  of the electronic module  2  and the other end connectable with the mother board (not shown) can be press-inserted into the main body. 
     The front contacts  26  are stamped out into a cantilever arm shape, having one end  261  biased inwardly of the cavity  25 , a fitting portion  262  to be fitted into the main body  11 , a vertically extending portion  263  extending downward across the first ventilation hole  21 , and the other end  264  extending along a lower end of the base portion  14 . 
     The rear contacts  27  are stamped out into a cantilever arm shape, having one end  271  biased inwardly of the cavity  25 , a fitting portion  272  to be fitted into the main body  11 , a vertically extending portion  273  extending downward across the first ventilation hole  21 , and the other end  274  bent along the lower end of the base portion  14 . 
     In FIG. 1, the right and left arms  12 ,  13  are symmetric with respect to a center line of the main body  11 . The arms  12 ,  13  have slots  28  for both ends of the electronic module  2  to be guided or supported in. The slots  28  have projections  29  formed on the way thereof to correspond to the recesses  96  formed in the both ends of the electronic module  2 . 
     The first ventilation hole  21  is provided between the base portions  14 ,  16  and under the main body  11 . Although the front contacts  26  and rear contacts  27  extend downward from top to bottom across the ventilation hole  21 , air flows through gaps between the adjacent front contacts  26  and gaps between the adjacent rear contacts  27 . 
     The pair of second ventilation holes  22 ,  23  are provided between the base portions  14 ,  15  and under the arm  12  and between the base portions  16 ,  17  and under the arm  13 , respectively. Preferably, the ventilation holes  22 ,  23  each have such a slanted surface  31  as to increase in opening toward the outside, for ease of air suction. The first ventilation hole  21  and the second ventilation holes  22 ,  23  are not limited to the apertures opening to the bottom but may be formed into quadrangular apertures closing at the bottom. 
     The main body  11 , the arms  12 ,  13  and the base portions  14 ,  15 ,  16 ,  17  are formed into one piece by use of insulating resin. The main body  11  and the arms  12 ,  13  may be formed separately so that they can be combined into one by fitting engagement. The base portions  14 ,  15 ,  16 ,  17  may also be combined with the arms  12 ,  13  by fitting engagement. Further, in place of the base portions  14 ,  16  provided at the both ends of each of the arms  12 ,  13 , the base portions may alternatively be provided at both long side ends of the main body  11 . 
     The fitting of the connector  1  and the electronic module  2  thus structured will be described with reference to FIG.  1 . The both long side ends of the substrate  91  of the electronic module  2  are inserted in the slots  28 . While the pair of the arms  12 ,  13  are pushed outward by the projections  29  in the slots  28 , the electronic module  2  is inserted until the recesses  96  in the electronic module  2  are engaged with the projections  29 . Then, the front end of the electronic module  2  is received in the cavity  25  and the conductive pads  94 ,  95  are brought into contact with one ends  261 ,  271  of the contacts  26 ,  27 , to make electric connection between the electronic module  2  and the contacts  26 ,  27 , as shown in FIG.  2 . Thereafter, the electronic module  2  is held by the pair of arms  12 ,  13  at both ends thereof. 
     Referring to FIG. 3, there is shown the state in which the connector  1  fitted with an electronic module  2  is mounted on the mother board  3 . Cooling airstream  32  is produced along the mother board  3 . The airstream  32  entering from the side opposite the fitting side of the electronic module  2  is divided into three branches of an airstream  33  passing through the first ventilation hole  21  and airstreams  22 ,  23 . As a result of this, the airstream is produced on the bottom surface of the electronic module  2 , so that the electronic chips mounted on the bottom surface of the electronic module  2  are cooled by the airstream. Also, the airstream  32  is also produced on the top surface of the electronic module  2 , so that the electronic chips mounted on the top surface of the electronic module  2  are also cooled simultaneously. For establishing efficient cooling of the top surface of the electronic module  2 , a ventilation hole may be provided over the main body  11  or at least one of the pair of arms  12 ,  13 , in addition to or in place of the ventilation hole  21  under the main body  11  and the ventilation holes  22 ,  23  under the pair of arms  12 ,  13 . 
     Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, there are shown the connectors  1  in which rectifying plates  38 ,  39 , functioning as rectifying means, are attached to the front ends of the arms  12 ,  13 , respectively, so that the airstream  32  can easily be taken in toward the electronic module  2 . The rectifying plates  38 ,  39  also function as supporting means to rest thereon an end of the electronic module  2  on the side opposite the fitting side of the same. 
     The rectifying plate (rectifying means or supporting means)  38  of FIG. 4 is formed into one piece by use of resin or metal, including a plate material  381 , legs  382 ,  383  provided at both ends of the plate material  381  and a leg  384  provided at a center of the plate material  381 . The legs  382 ,  383  have a configuration to extend in opening toward outside so that the air flowing together with the airstream  32  can easily be taken in toward the bottom surface of the electronic module  2 . The plate material  381  is provided, at an end thereof on the side of the electronic module  2 , with a step (not shown) on which the end of the electronic module  2  on the side opposite the fitting side of the same is rested. This can prevent longitudinal deflection or deformation of the electronic module  2 . The fitting of the rectifying plate  38  to the connector  1  is performed by the following steps. After the connector  1  fitted with the electronic module  2  is mounted on the mother board  3 , parallel portions of the rectifying plate  38  at both ends thereof are inserted in between the arms  12 ,  13  and the end of the electronic module  2  on the side opposite the fitting side of the same is rested on the step (not shown) of the plate material  381 . Then, the legs  382 ,  383 ,  384  are fixed on the mother board  3  by a proper means such as an adhesive bond. 
     The rectifying plate (rectifying means or supporting means)  39  of FIG. 5 is formed into one piece by use of metal such as aluminum, including an upper plate  391 , an intermediate plate  392  and a lower plate  393 , and side plates  394 ,  395  at both ends of the rectifying plate, and three partition plates  396  for dividing into four parts. The side plates  394 ,  395  have a configuration to extend in opening toward outside so that the air flowing together with the airstream  32  can easily be taken in toward the bottom surface of the electronic module  2 . The intermediate plate  392  is provided, at an end thereof on the side of the electronic module  2 , with a step (not shown) on which the end of the electronic module  2  on the side opposite the fitting side of the same is rested. An air inlet for the top surface of the electronic module  2  is formed between the upper plate  391  and the intermediate plate  392 . An air inlet for the bottom surface of the electronic module  2  is formed between the intermediate plate  392  and the lower plate  393 . When the intermediate plate  392  of the rectifying plate  39  is so structured as to contact with the electronic module  2  and the entire rectifying plate  39  is formed of metal, the rectifying plate  39  carries out a function of a heat sink that takes heat in from the electronic module  2  and radiate heat from that plate. The fitting of the rectifying plate  39  to the connector  1  is performed by the same steps as in the-fitting of the rectifying plate  38  of FIG.  4 . Shown in FIG. 6 is a housing (housing means)  110  of a quadrangle form. The housing  110  comprises the main body  11 , the pair of arms  12 ,  13  integrated with the main body  11  at the both ends, and a seating  18  integrated with the arms  12 ,  13  at the ends. The seating  18  has a ventilation hole  24  formed thereunder so that airstream can be produced passing from the ventilation hole  24  through the first ventilation hole  21  and the second ventilation holes  22 ,  23 . 
     Referring to FIG. 7, there is shown a perspective view of a connector  101  of the second embodiment corresponding to the third aspect of the invention, having a structure suitable for air to flow in a short side direction of the electronic module. 
     The connector  101  of FIG. 7 is different from the connector  1  of FIG. 1 in that in place of the base portions  14 - 17  provided under the arms  12 ,  13 , a wall member (wall means)  41 ,  42  is provided under each of the arms  12 ,  13 . As the remaining structures of the connector  101  are identical to those of the connector  1  of FIG. 1, like elements are given like reference characters but instead the detailed description is omitted. 
     The wall members  41 ,  42  provide a ventilation hole (ventilation means)  43  formed only under the main body  11  but serve as a guide of a side surface of the ventilation hole  43 . It is preferable that the wall member  41 ,  42  and the arms  12 ,  13  are formed into one by use of resin and the like, and also the arms  12 ,  13  and the main body  11  are formed into one by use of resin and the like. Modification may be made by separately formed wall members  41 ,  42  being fitted into bottoms of the arms  12 ,  13  of an integrally molded product of the main body  11  and arms  12 ,  13 . 
     When the electronic module (not shown) is fitted to the connector  101 , the bottom surface of the electronic module is raised from the mother board (not shown), so that a airflow flowing toward the ventilation hole  43  is produced. By using two or more connectors  101  each having the ventilation hole  43  only under the main body  11 , the arrangement can be provided in which two or more connectors each fitted with the electronic module can be arranged with their main bodies  11  aligned on the mother boad (not shown) in parallel so that a common airstream running through the ventilation holes  43  can be provided. In addition to or in place of the ventilation hole  43  provided under the main body  11  and the wall members  41 ,  42  provided under the pair of arms  12 ,  13 , an upper ventilation hole and upper wall members may be provided at the main body  11  and the pair of arms, respectively, so that the airstream can run upward in a short side direction of the electronic module. 
     Shown in FIG. 8 is the state in which a plurality of connectors  101  fitted with the electronic modules  2  are aligned in series and mounted on the mother board  3 . The arms  12 ,  13  of each connector  101  are provided, at front and rear portions thereof, with slits  46  to attach separate, plate-like, wall members  45  thereto. As illustrated, three connectors  101  are aligned in series along the direction of the arms  12 ,  13  and mounted on the mother board  3 . When the plate-like wall members  45  are inserted in the slits  46  formed at the front and rear portions of the arms  12 ,  13  of the adjacent connectors  101 , the arms  12 ,  13  of the adjacent connectors  101  are connected with each other. 
     As illustrated, the part of airstreams  47  from the rear ends of the arms  12 ,  13  of the first connector  101  runs out from the ventilation hole  43  provided under the main body  11 , passing through the bottom surface of the electronic module  2 . The airstream from the ventilation hole  43  of the first connector  101  enters the second connector  101 . The airstream running out from the ventilation hole  43  of the second connector  101  enters the third connector  101  and flows out from the ventilation hole  43  of the third connector  101  as the airstream  48 . The wall members  45  linking the arms  12 ,  13  of the adjacent connectors  101  and closing the gaps between the adjacent connectors each other  101  facilitate the stream from the airstream  47  to the airstream  48 . 
     In order to facilitate taking in the airstream  47  running from the first connector  101  located at the most upstream side of the airstream  47 , a rectifying plate (rectifying means)  38  is preferably provided at an end of the electronic module  2  on the side opposite the fitting side of the same with respect to the arms  12 ,  13 , as shown in FIG.  9 . The rectifying plate  38  doubles as supporting means to rest thereon the end of the substrate of the electronic module  2  and has the same detailed structure as the one illustrated in FIG.  4 . In place of the rectifying plate  38  of FIG. 4, the rectifying plate (rectifying means)  39  of FIG. 5 may be attached to the first connector  101  of FIG.  9 . 
     Referring to FIG. 10, there is shown the state in which covers  51 , each doubling as the wall member, are attached to close topside spaces between adjacent connectors  101  coupled together through the wall members  45  of FIG.  8 . Each cover  51  is formed into one, including a wall portion  511 , an upper plate  512  and a bent portion  513 . The wall portion  511  is fitted in the front and rear slits  46  at the arms  12 ,  13  of the adjacent connectors  101  to close the gap between the adjacent connectors  101  at each side thereof. The upper plate  512  closes the topside space between the main body  11  and the electronic module  2  in the adjacent connector  101 . The bent portion  513  bridges a gap at the stepped portion extending from the arms  12 ,  13  to the electronic module  2 . The attachment of the cover  51  permits almost all of the air taken in by the first connector  101  located at the most upstream side of the airstream  47  to flow out as the airstream  48 , passing through the second and third connectors  101 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 11, there is shown an arrangement in which the arms  12 ,  13  of the adjacent connectors  101  are directly coupled together. The arms  12 ,  13  have female engaging portions  52  formed at rear ends thereof and male engaging portions  53  formed at front ends thereof. After one connector  101  is mounted on the mother board  3 , the other connector  101  is pushed down on it from above, so that the female engaging portions  52  and male engaging portions  53  are brought into engagement with each other to couple the adjacent connectors  101  with each other. The coupling of the arms  12 ,  13  of the adjacent connectors  101  among themselves eliminates the need for the separate wall members  45  as shown in FIG.  8  and produces a reduced topside space between the adjacent connectors  101 . A top plate for closing the topside space between the adjacent connectors  101  may be provided, as necessary. 
     Referring to FIG. 12, there is shown an arrangement that can facilitate the stream from the airstream  47  to the airstream  48  by mounting a separate cover  54  on the mother board  3 , rather than coupling the adjacent connectors together. The arms  12 ,  13  of the adjacent connectors  101  are not coupled with each other but are spaced apart from each other. The cover  54  comprises an upper plate  541  and both side plates  542 . A plurality of connectors  101  fitted with the electronic modules  2  are aligned in series and mounted on the mother board  3 , as illustrated. The cover  54  is laid over the plurality of connectors  10 t and fixed on the mother board  3 . An air blowing means (not shown) is set in place against the ventilation hole of the connector  101  located at the most upstream side or an air suction means (not shown) is set in place against the ventilation hole of the connector  101  located at the most downstream side. The each side plate  542  has a height to leave an adequate space between the upper plate  541  of the cover  54  and the main body  11 , so that the stream from airstream  47  to airstream  48  is produced on the top surface of the electronic module  2  as well. The side plates  542  of the cover  54  are placed in close vicinity to the arms  12 ,  13 , so that the airstream  47  taken in the bottom surface of the electronic module  2  passes from the first connector  101  on the upstream side to the third connector  101  on the downstream side in a sequential order and flows out as the airstream  48 . In place of the cover  54 , a part of case of a notebook-sided personal computer may be used. 
     Any of the connectors  101  of FIGS. 8 to  12  permits air to flow, Passing through the ventilation hole  43  under the main body  11  of FIG.  7 . While a number of front contacts  26  and rear contacts  27  are arranged in standing position in the ventilation hole  43 , air flow through between adjacent rear contacts  27  as well as between adjacent front contacts  26 . Referring to FIGS. 13 to  18 , contact structures that can facilitate the stream of airstream and also can prevent air-borne dust collecting at the front and rear contacts  26 ,  27  will be described below. 
     FIG. 13 is a partially enlarged view of front and rear contacts  26 ,  27  extending downward from the main body  11 . There are provided sufficient gaps between the adjacent contacts  26 ,  27  with respect to the arraying direction so that the airstream can run through the gaps. However, since a number of contacts  26 ,  27  stand in airstream&#39;s path, some turbulence is produced in front and rear of the contacts  26 ,  27  to increase the pressure loss. In order to reduce the pressure loss, downward extending portions of the contacts  26 ,  27  should preferably be streamlined in section. 
     FIG. 14 show some preferred examples of streamlined configuration. FIG.  14 ( a ) shows the contacts  26 ,  27  having a rhombic section. This configuration can reduce the turbulence in front and rear of the contacts  26 ,  27  even when the air flows from either front or rear direction. FIG.  14 ( b ) shows the contacts  26 ,  27  having a section of combination of semicircle and rectangle. This configuration can also reduce the turbulence in front and rear of the contacts  26 ,  27  even when the air flows from either front or rear direction. FIG.  14 ( c ) shows the contacts  26 ,  27  having a section of combination of triangle and rectangle. This configuration can reduce the turbulence in front and rear of the contacts  26 ,  27  when air flows toward the triangle projection. 
     FIG. 15 shows the arrangement in which thin plates (closure means)  55  to close narrow spaces between the front contacts  26  and the rear contacts  27  are provided therebetween. The thin plates  55  are integrally molded with the main body  11 . The closing of the narrow spaces between the front and rear contacts  26 ,  27  by the thin plates  55  serves the function of preventing collection of dust at the contacts  26 ,  27  as well as occurrence of the turbulence originating from the contacts  26 ,  27 . In the combination of the thin plates  55  with the contacts, the contacts  26 ,  27  should preferably have a streamlined section at downward extending portion thereof, through even the non-streamlined contacts can substantially serve the function noted above. 
     FIG. 16 shows combination of the front contacts  26  with a dustproof plate (dustproof means)  56 . The plate  56  is integrally molded with the main body  11 . The plate  56  which is to windward of the front contacts  26  can prevent collection of dust between the adjacent front contacts  26  to prevent short-circuit. Though the plate for the rear contacts  27  is not shown, the same plate should preferably be to windward of the rear contacts. The plate on the windward side of the rear contacts  27  can separately be mounted on the main body  11  after the contacts  27  are mounted on the main body  11 . 
     FIG. 17 shows combination of the front contacts  26  with dustproof enclosures (dustproof means)  57 . The enclosures  57 , each having a configuration to cover an upstream side of and both lateral sides of the front contact  26 , are integrally molded with the main body It. The enclosures  57  can prevent collection of dust between the adjacent front contacts  26  to prevent short-circuit. Though the enclosures for the rear contacts  27  which are to be inside are not shown, the same enclosures opening to the leeward side should preferably be combined with the rear contacts. The enclosures on the windward side of the rear contacts  27  can separately be mounted on the main body  11  after the contacts  27  are mounted on the main body  11 . 
     FIG. 18 shows dustproof partition plates (partition means)  58  provided between adjacent front contacts  26 . The partition plates  58  are integrally molded with the main body  11 . The partitioning between the adjacent front contacts  26  can prevent dust being collected in relation to link between the adjacent front contacts  26 . The partition plates  58  extends to between the rear contacts  27  located inside, to partition between adjacent the rear contacts  27 . 
     While the spacer, the thin plate, the plate, the enclosure and the partition plate illustrated in FIGS. 13 to  18  are of suitable for the connector  101  of the second embodiment of FIG. 7, any of the spacer, the thin plate, the plate, the enclosure and the partition plate may be applied to the structure wherein the airstream passes through the first ventilation hole  21  provided under the main body  11 , as in the connector  1  of the first embodiment of FIG.  1 . 
     Referring to FIG. 19, there is shown a perspective view of the connector  102  of the third embodiment corresponding to the fourth aspect of the invention, having the structure suitable for airstream to run in a longitudinal direction of the electronic module. 
     The connector  102  of FIG. 19 is different from the connector  1  of FIG. 1 in that a wall member (wall means)  61  is provided under the main body  11 . As the remaining structures of the connector  102  are identical to those of the connector  1  of FIG. 1, like elements are given like reference characters but instead the detailed description is omitted. 
     The wall member  61  has the same height as the base portions  14 ,  15 ,  16 ,  17 . For this, a pair of ventilation holes (ventilation means)  62 ,  63  are formed between the base portions  14 ,  15  and under the arm  12  and between the base portions  16 ,  17  and under the arm  13 , respectively, The wall member  61  serves as a guide of one side surface of the ventilation holes  62 ,  63 . It is preferable that the wall member  61  and the main body  11  are formed into one by use of resin and the like. Alternatively, the wall member  61  may be formed separately from the main body  11  and fitted into the bottom of the main body  11  of the integrally molded product of the main body  11  and arms  12 ,  13 . If the wall member  61  under the main body  11  enables the connector  102  to be mounted on the mother board (not shown), then the base portions  14 ,  15 ,  16 ,  17  may be omitted. 
     When the electronic module (not shown) is fitted to the connector  102 , the bottom surface of the electronic module is raised from the mother board (not shown), so that a airflow flowing from the ventilation hole  62  to the ventilation hole  63  and vice versa is produced. This permits the airstream to run along the electronic chips aligned longitudinally of the electronic modules. In addition to or in place of the wall member  61  provided under the main body  11  and the ventilation holes  62 ,  63  provided under the pair of arms  12 ,  13 , an upper wall member and upper ventilation holes may be provided over the main body  11  and the pair of arms, respectively, so that the airstream can run upward in a long side direction of the electronic module. 
     FIG. 20 shows a wall member  65  connecting between the ends of the arms  12 ,  13 . After the electronic module  2  is fitted to the connector  102 , the wall member  65  is fitted in between the opposing ends of the arms  12 ,  13 . The wall member  65  is preferably provided with a step for resting thereon the end of the electronic module  2 . This can reduce longitudinal deflection of the electronic module  2 . The wall member  65  is preferably bent inwardly at both ends thereof to form bent portions  651 . The bent portions  651  permits the rectifying of the airflow flowing from the ventilation hole  63  toward the ventilation hole  62 . The fitting of the wall member  65  to the connector  102  is performed by the following steps. After the connector  102  fitted with the electronic module  2  is mounted on the mother board (not shown), the wall member  65  is fitted in between the opposing ends of the arms  12 ,  13  and the end of the electronic module  2  on the side opposite the fitting side of the same is rested on the step (not shown) of the wall member  65 . Then, the bottom of the wall member  65  is fixed on the mother board (not shown) by a proper means such as an adhesive bond. With sandwiched in between the wall member  61  (not shown) provided under the main body  11  and the wall member  65 , the stream of air through the ventilation holes  62 ,  63  under the arms  12 ,  13  is facilitated. 
     FIGS. 21 and 22 show the embodiment corresponding to the fifth aspect of the invention in which an air suction means and an air blowing means are provided for forcibly producing the airstream running through the ventilation holes  62 ,  63  in the arrangement that a plurality of connectors  102  of FIG. 19 or of FIG. 20 are arranged in a row so that their main bodies  11  can be parallel with each other. 
     Referring to FIG. 21, the suction means  71  is connected with the one ventilation holes  62  of the connectors  102 , with spaced therefrom. The suction means  71  comprises a duct entrance  711  for sucking air, a main duct  712  and a suction fan  713 . The duct entrance  711  has a configuration corresponding to the one ventilation hole  62  of the connector  102 . The air sucked from the duct entrance  711  flows through the main duct  712  and is drawn out by the suction fan  713 . This produces the airflow going from the other ventilation hole  63  to the one ventilation hole  62 , so that the electronic chips mounted on the bottom of the electronic module  2 , in particular, are cooled. In order to facilitate taking in air from the other ventilation hole  63 , the ventilation hole  63  preferably has a slanted surface  66  increasing in opening toward the outside. In place of the main duct  712 , a part of a case of a notebook-sided personal computer may be used. 
     Referring now to FIG. 22, an air blowing means  72  is connected with the one ventilation holes  62  at one ends of the connectors  102 , with spaced therefrom, and an air suction means  73  is connected with the other ventilation holes  63  of connectors  102 , with spaced therefrom. The air blowing means  72  comprises a duct entrance  721  for blowing air, a main duct  722  and an air blowing fan  723 . The duct entrance  721  has a configuration corresponding to the one ventilation hole  62  of the connector  102 . The air fed from the air blowing fan  723  flows through the main duct  722  and is blown out from the duct entrance  721 . The air suction means  73  comprises a duct entrance  731 , a main duct  732  and an air suction fan  733 . The duct entrance  731  has a configuration corresponding to the other ventilation hole  62  of the connector  102 . The air blown out from the duct entrance  721  flows from the one ventilation hole  62  toward the ventilation hole  63  at the other end, and the air from the other ventilation hole  63  is sucked into the duct  731 . This produces the airflow going from the one ventilation hole  62  to the other ventilation hole  63 , so that the electronic chips mounted on the bottom of the electronic module  2 , in particular, are cooled. In place of the main ducts  722 ,  723 , a part of a case of a notebook-sided personal computer may be used. 
     The connection to the air blowing means and air suction means is applicable for the connectors of FIGS. 3 to  6  and of FIGS. 8 to  12 . 
     Shown in FIG. 23 is a connector  103  of another embodiment serving substantially the same function as the connector  102  of FIG.  19  and of FIG.  20 . The housing (housing means)  111  comprises the main body  11  at the front end of the electronic module  2  and the supporting portion  19  at the rear end of the electronic module  2  which are separated from each other. A pair of ventilation holes  241 ,  242  are formed between the main body  11  and the supporting portion  19 . The air passes through the pair of ventilation holes  241 ,  242 . The supporting portion  19  is provided with a locking means  191  for fixing the electronic module  2 . The locking means  191  switches between the locking mode and the unlocking mode selectively by pressing a rod  192 . 
     In the first to third embodiments, in place of the type of connector wherein the electronic module is fitted to the contacts by inserting the opposite ends of the electronic module into the slots  28  in the contacts, another type of connector wherein the electronic module is fixed to the locking means provided at the arms by inserting the electronic module obliquely toward the main body and then pressing it down toward the arms or still another type of connector wherein the electronic module is fitted to the contacts via a sliding plate may be used to put the invention into operation.