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A connector assembly that includes a communication connector comprising a base frame and a moveable side that is supported by the base frame. The moveable side has a mating array of terminals thereon and is configured to move with respect to the base frame between retracted and engaged positions to

A connector assembly that includes a communication connector comprising a base frame and a moveable side that is supported by the base frame. The moveable side has a mating array of terminals thereon and is configured to move with respect to the base frame between retracted and engaged positions to engage a communication component. The connector assembly also includes a flexible circuit including a flex interconnect that has opposite exterior surfaces. The flexible circuit is coupled to the moveable side. The connector assembly also includes a plurality of heat-dissipation elements that are attached to the flex interconnect and project away from one of the exterior surfaces. The heat-dissipation elements are configured to conduct thermal energy from the flex interconnect and transfer the thermal energy to an ambient environment.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A connector assembly comprising: a communication connector comprising a base frame and a moveable side that is supported by the base frame, the base frame including a mounting side that is configured to be mounted to a board surface of a circuit board, the moveable side having a mating array of t

1. A connector assembly comprising: a communication connector comprising a base frame and a moveable side that is supported by the base frame, the base frame including a mounting side that is configured to be mounted to a board surface of a circuit board, the moveable side having a mating array of terminals thereon, the moveable side being configured to move with respect to the base frame between retracted and engaged positions to engage a communication component, wherein the moveable side moves away from the base frame and the mounting side when the moveable side moves toward the communication component to the engaged position;a flexible circuit including a flex interconnect that has opposite exterior surfaces, the flexible circuit being coupled to the moveable side; anda plurality of heat-dissipation elements attached to the flex interconnect and projecting away from one of the exterior surfaces, the heat-dissipation elements configured to conduct thermal energy from the flex interconnect and transfer the thermal energy to an ambient environment. 2. The connector assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein the heat-dissipation elements move with the flex interconnect when the moveable side is moved between the retracted and engaged positions. 3. The connector assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein the flex interconnect includes a plurality of stacked layers between the exterior surfaces, the stacked layers including a conductor layer having electrical conductors for transmitting at least one of data signals or power, the heat-dissipation elements being in direct contact with one of the conductor layer or a stacked layer that is immediately adjacent to the conductor layer and directly interfaces with the conductor layer. 4. The connector assembly in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a thermal-control component attached to the flex interconnect that includes a shroud that defines a passage therethrough, the passage extending alongside the flex interconnect and the heat-dissipation elements being disposed within the passage. 5. The connector assembly in accordance with claim 4, wherein the thermal-control component provides structural support so that the flex interconnect remains in a predetermined condition when the moveable side is moved between the retracted and engaged positions. 6. The connector assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein the plurality of heat-dissipation elements include first and second sets of heat-dissipation elements, the flex interconnect including a flex section that is located between the first and second sets, the flex interconnect being folded at the flex section during operation of the connector assembly such that the heat-dissipation elements of the first and second sets project in different directions away from the base frame. 7. The connector assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein the base frame extends along a longitudinal axis, the moveable side being moved in a mating direction that is substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis, wherein a separation distance between the moveable side and the mounting side of the base frame increases as the moveable side is moved away from the base frame to the engaged position. 8. The connector assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein the moveable side is driven in a linear manner between the engaged and retracted positions. 9. The connector assembly in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a coupling mechanism that is operatively coupled to the moveable side, the coupling mechanism driving the moveable side between the retracted and engaged positions. 10. The connector assembly in accordance with claim 9, wherein the coupling mechanism comprises an operator-controlled actuator that is movably supported by the base frame, the coupling mechanism including at least one intermediate component that operatively couples the actuator to the moveable side. 11. The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the flexible circuit includes first and second mating panels joined by the flex interconnect, the first mating panel being coupled to the movable side and including the mating array, the second mating panel including a different mating array and being secured to the mounting side in a fixed position, wherein the first mating panel is movable with respect to the base frame and the second mating panel. 12. The connector assembly of claim 1, further comprising the circuit board, wherein the base frame is mounted to the board surface at the mounting side, and wherein a separation distance between the moveable side and the mounting side of the base frame increases as the moveable side is moved away from the base frame to the engaged position. 13. The connector assembly of claim 12, wherein the flexible circuit includes first and second mating panels joined by the flex interconnect, the first mating panel including the mating array and the second mating panel including a different mating array, the second mating panel and the base frame being secured to the circuit board and having fixed positions relative to each other. 14. The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the moveable side moves in a direction that is parallel to the board surface or away from the board surface when the moveable side moves away from the base frame toward the communication component to the engaged position. 15. The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the base frame has a central longitudinal axis that extends along a length of the base frame, the flexible circuit being folded about the longitudinal axis such that a portion of the flex interconnect extends away from the board surface, the portion of the flex interconnect moving toward the base frame as the moveable side moves toward the communication component to the engaged position. 16. A connector assembly comprising: a communication connector comprising a base frame and a moveable side that is supported by the base frame, the moveable side has a mating array of terminals thereon, the moveable side being configured to move with respect to the base frame between retracted and engaged positions to engage a communication component;a flexible circuit including a flex interconnect that has opposite exterior surfaces, the flexible circuit being coupled to the moveable side; anda plurality of heat-dissipation elements attached to the flex interconnect and projecting away from one of the exterior surfaces, the heat-dissipation elements configured to conduct thermal energy from the flex interconnect and transfer the thermal energy to an ambient environment;wherein the flex interconnect includes a plurality of stacked layers between the exterior surfaces, the heat-dissipation elements extending through said one of the exterior surfaces and through at least one of the stacked layers into the flex interconnect. 17. The connector assembly of claim 16, wherein the plurality of heat-dissipation elements include first and second sets of heat-dissipation elements, the flex interconnect including a flex section that is located between the first and second sets, the flex interconnect being folded at the flex section during operation of the connector assembly such that the heat-dissipation elements of the first and second sets project in different directions. 18. The connector assembly of claim 16, wherein moveable side moves away from the base frame when moved toward the communication component to the engaged position. 19. The connector assembly of claim 16, further comprising a coupling mechanism that is operatively coupled to the moveable side, the coupling mechanism driving the moveable side between the retracted and engaged positions. 20. The connector assembly of claim 19, wherein the coupling mechanism comprises an operator-controlled actuator that is movably supported by the base frame, the coupling mechanism including at least one intermediate component that engages the actuator and operatively couples the actuator to the moveable side.