Abstract:
An electrical connector assembly includes an electrical connector and a heat dissipate device disposed upon the electrical connector. The heat dissipate device includes a heat plate, a heat pipe secured on the heat plate and a load plate located between the heat plate and the heat pipe. The load plate has retention sections engaging with the heat plate for positioning the heat plate on the load plate in three directions.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to a heat dissipating device, and more particularly to a heat dissipating device for use with a socket connector. The heat dissipating includes a heat spread on which a heat pipe is thermally mounted, and a load plate pushing the heat spread toward an IC on which the heat spread is seated. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0004]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,722,848 issued to Lai on Mar. 3, 1998 discloses a typical connector socket, and which is generally referred to as a ZIF (Zero Insertion Force) socket. In general, the socket includes a base with a plurality of contacts assembled therein, and a cover moveably attached to the base. A lever with a cam mechanism is arranged between the base and cover to drive the cover from a first position to a second position. When the lever is located in a vertical position, the cover is located at the first position, in which a hole in the cover is completely in aligned with a corresponding passageway in the base. In this position, pins of the electrical package can be inserted from the cover into the passageway without any engagement with the contact. When the electrical package is properly seated on the cover, then the lever is moved from the vertical position to a horizontal position, and simultaneously driving the cover from the first position to the second position. During this process, the pins of the electrical package are then in contact with the contact within the base. The Lai &#39;848 is specially directed to a desk-top computer. 
         [0005]    CPU socket used on notebook is substantially similar to what is used on the desktop computer, and the only difference is on the lever used on &#39;848 patent was replaced by a screw with a cam mechanism. When the screw is driven or rotated, the cover is driven to move along the base, therefore the pins of the electrical package are then in contact with the contact within the base, and no detailed description is given here. 
         [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,001,197 issued to Shirai on Feb. 21, 2006 discloses another type of socket, and which can be generally called LGA socket. The original pins type of chip occupies more space on the bottom surface of the electrical package. In order to increase input/output speed, conductive pads are introduced to replace the pins so as to directly and electrically contact with contact terminals within the socket. No doubt, the speed is increased. 
         [0007]    As clearly shown in Figures of Shirai &#39;197, it is different configuration from to what Lai &#39;848 discloses. The socket generally includes a metal stiffener with a housing securely supported therein. Then a metal clip is pivotally assembled to the stiffener. On the other hand, the clip is pivotally assembled to one side of the stiffener and when the clip is closed to the stiffener, the lever has a cam which can lock the clip to a closed position. By this arrangement, the electrical package is seated on the housing before the clip is closed, and then the clip will tightly press the electrical package toward the housing for ensuring proper electrical connection therebetween. 
         [0008]    Shirai &#39;197 can be applied to the desktop computer for which has more room for the operation of the lever, while it is almost impossible to apply Shirai &#39;197 directly to the notebook in view of its compact, and thin space. 
         [0009]    Another factor to be considered is the configuration of the electrical package. The electrical package generally includes a substrate and a die mounted upon the substrate. Even the electrical package is rigid, it is still vulnerable to deform or warp for downward force applied thereon is not evenly distributed. In Shirai &#39;197 patent, the die is not pressed by the clip which has a window for it. The die is in direct contact with a heat sink. As a result, when applying the so-called LGA socket to notebook, how to provide a mechanism functionally similar to Shirai &#39;197, while keep downward force evenly distributes to both die and substrate, is a motive for the present invention. 
         [0010]    The configuration of heat sink is another factor to be considered. Typically, the heat sink device includes a bottom plate and a plurality of parallel heat sink clip disposed on the bottom plate. As the heat sink device generally has a big volume, it applied to the desktop computer is ok, while it is almost impossible to apply to the notebook in view of its compact and thin space. 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  disclose an electrical connector assembly related to the present invention and comprising an electrical connector  12  for electrical connecting with an electrical package  11  to the printed circuit board  13 , and a heat dissipate device mounted on the electrical package  11 . The dissipate device includes a heat plate  14  close to the electrical package  11 , a load plate  15  pressing edges  142  of the heat plate  14 , and a heat pipe  16  contacting with the heat plate  14 . The heat plate  14  has a rectangular configuration and includes a protruding portion  141  and edges  142 . The load plate has a pair of longitudinal edge  151 , a pair of transverse edge  152 , and an opening (not labeled) formed therebetween. 
         [0012]    In assembly, the electrical connector  12  is first attached to the PCB  13  and the CUP  11  is inserted into the connector  12 . The heat pipe  16  is soldered to the heat plate  14 . Put the heat plate  14  into the opening of the load plate  15  whereby longitudinal edges of the heat plate  14  is paralleled to the longitudinal edges  151  of the load plate  15  and the heat pipe  16  is supported by the load plate  15 . Then, rotate the heat plate  14  and the heat pipe  16  so that the longitudinal edges of the heat plate  14  are parallel to the transverse edges  152  of the load plate  15  and the edges  142  are pressed by the load plate  15 . Therefore, the load plate  15  is sandwiched by the heat pipe  16  and the heat plate  14 . Finally, the load plate  15 , heat pipe  16  and the heat plate  14  are mounted to the electrical package  11  and the PCB  13  simultaneously. It is can be seen that the assembly process of this type of connector is complicated. 
         [0013]    Therefore, there is need to supply an improved electrical connector assembly with a heat dissipating device. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an electrical connector assembly with a heat dissipate device which can simplify the assembly process. 
         [0015]    In order to achieve the object set forth, an electrical connector assembly comprising an electrical connector and a heat dissipate device disposed upon the electrical connector. The heat dissipate device comprises a heat plate, a heat pipe secured on the heat plate and a load plate located between the heat plate and the heat pipe. The load plate includes retention sections engaging with the heat plate and snugly holding the heat plate within the load plate. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  is an exploded view of a related electrical connector assembly, showing the heat dissipate device not mounting to the PCB; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is an assemble view of the electrical connector assembly shown in  FIG. 1 , showing the heat dissipate device having mounted to the PCB; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the electrical connector assembly of a preferred embodiment according to the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is an exploded view of the electrical connector assembly shown in  FIG. 3 , showing the heat dissipate device not mounting to the PCB; 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is an assemble view of the electrical connector assembly shown in  FIG. 3 , showing the heat dissipate device having mounted to the PCB; and 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  is a sectional view taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 5 . 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0022]    Reference will now be made to the drawings to describe the present invention in detail. 
         [0023]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , an electrical connector assembly of the present invention comprises an electrical connector  22  for establishing electrical connection between a printed circuit board  23  and an electrical package  21 , and a heat dissipating device  20  disposed on the electrical connector  20 . The electrical connector  22  comprises an insultive housing and a plurality of electrical contacts (not shown) for electrically connecting with the PCB  23  and the electrical package  21 . The heat dissipating device  20  comprises a heat plate  24  close to the electrical package  21 , a load pate  25  for securing the heat plate  24 , and a heat pipe  26  soldering on the heat plate  24 . 
         [0024]    The heat plate  24  is made of metal plate and comprises a plate portion  241  and a pair of wing portions  242  bending downwardly from opposite sides of the plate portion  241 . 
         [0025]    Please referring  FIGS. 4 to 6 , the load plate  25  is used for pressing the electrical package  21  toward the electrical connector  22 , and made of metal material or other material, in the present embodiment, the load plate  25  is made of metal material. The load plate  25  is substantially rectangular configuration and comprises a plate portion  255  and a pair of wing portions  251  at opposite sides of the plate portion  255 . The plate portion  255  defines a pair of longitudinal edges, a pair of transverse edges, and an opening  256  formed between the edges. The wing portions  251  are bending downwardly from the transverse edges of the plate portion  255 , respectively and each defines a pair of holes  257  thereon. The printed circuit board  23  defines two pair of holes  231  accordingly for securing the load plate  25  thereon. 
         [0026]    The body portion  255  also includes a pair of spring sidewalls  252  extending upwardly from the longitudinal edges thereof with retention section  250  thereon. The retention section  250  includes first tabs  253 , second tabs  254  and third tabs  258 . The first and second tabs  254  bend inwardly from the sidewalls  252  and the first tabs  253  is lower than the second tabs  254 . The third tabs  258  are formed by part of the sidewalls  252  and disposed at outer side of the heat plate  24  thereby the movement of the load plate are also limited in the front to back direction. 
         [0027]    When assemble heat dissipate device, firstly solder the hear pipe  26  to the heat plate  24 . Then pull the sidewalls  252  outwardly so that the heat plate  24  can attach thereon in a proper position. At this time, the wing portions  242  of the heat plate  24  are pressed by the second tabs  254  for limiting the upward movement of the heat plate  24 . Since the heat pipe  26  is supported on the plate portion  255  of the load plate  25 , the downward movement of the heat plate  24  is also restricted. The first tabs  253  are located at opposite sides of the heat plate  24  and in a same level with the heat plate  24 . Therefore, the first tabs  253  can abut against the heat plate  24  for preventing the movement thereof in the left to right direction. Furthermore, the third tabs  258  are formed by part of the sidewall  252  and disposed at outer side of the heat plate  24  thereby positioning the heat plate  24  on the load plate  25  in the front to back direction. 
         [0028]    In assembly, the electrical connector  22  is firstly mounted to the printed circuit board  23 . The electrical package  21  is inserted into the electrical connector  22 . Then the heat dissipate device  20  is attached to the electrical package  21  and the printed circuit board  23 . The load plate  25  is secured to the printed circuit board  23  by fasten elements (not shown) extending through the holes  231 ,  257 . The plate portion  241  of the heat plate  24  contacts with the electrical package  21  and the wing portions  242  press the electrical package  21 . Heat generated by the electrical package can be transmitted through the heat plate  24  and the heat pipe  26 . 
         [0029]    Although the heat plate and the heat pipe are secured to each other by soldering in the preferred embodiment, they also could attach to each other by other mechanical structures. The load pate  25  has flexibility so that the heat plate  24  can be mounted thereon during elastic deformation and positioned thereon when the load plate  25  return to original form. 
         [0030]    Although the present invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is not to be construed as being limited thereto. Various alterations and modifications can be made to the embodiments without in any way departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.