Angled Vent Wall Connector Cooling Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Active connectors used in high-frequency communication channels face challenges with thermal management due to heat generation, and existing receptacle designs have mechanical limitations that hinder effective heat dissipation.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring a cage with angled vent walls and a chamber that allows air to flow from front to back, providing increased ventilation and cooling without the need for large heat sinks, by using an angled vent wall that increases surface area for airflow and includes an optional insert for structural support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If active connectors are used to amplify and retransmit signals, then communication channel viability is improved, but thermal management becomes problematic due to heat generation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the heat dissipation function from the connector body by introducing a separate cooling system with independent airflow channels. The cooling system includes a cooling fan, airflow channels, and heat dissipation structures that are distinct from the signal transmission components, allowing heat to be removed without interfering with the active connector's electrical function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces air as an intermediary cooling medium that flows through dedicated channels between the active connector components. The airflow acts as a heat transfer medium, carrying thermal energy away from the active components without direct thermal contact between moving parts, thus enabling efficient heat removal while maintaining electrical isolation.
2Temperature
If traditional heat sinks are used to manage thermal energy, then cooling is achieved, but mechanical limitations and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional passive mechanical heat sinks with an active airflow-based cooling system. Instead of relying on large thermal mass and conduction paths, the system uses a cooling fan to generate forced airflow through channels, substituting mechanical thermal management with a fluid dynamics-based approach that requires less space and mechanical complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs pneumatic cooling by using a cooling fan to generate airflow that passes through designated channels around the active connector components. The air flow serves as a mobile heat sink, carrying thermal energy away from the components without requiring large stationary heat dissipation structures, thus reducing mechanical complexity and space requirements.
3Temperature
If ventilation area is increased to improve cooling, then thermal management improves, but connector size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes three-dimensional airflow channels and vertical stacking of cooling paths to increase the effective heat dissipation area without proportionally increasing the connector's external footprint. The airflow moves through multiple levels and directions within the compact housing, effectively using vertical and lateral spaces to maximize cooling surface area within a confined volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent nests the cooling system within the connector housing by integrating airflow channels, cooling fins, and heat dissipation structures into the existing connector body. The cooling components are positioned within the housing space, utilizing otherwise wasted volume for thermal management functions, thus improving cooling efficiency without significantly increasing the overall connector dimensions.
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
This design enhances thermal management by improving airflow and cooling efficiency, allowing active modules to operate within safe temperature ranges without excessive heat sinks, thus addressing the limitations of existing active connector designs.
Implementation Method 1
A vent wall is positioned in the chamber and is angled so as to provide additional surface area for apertures. A aperture array can be provided in a rear wall of the cage and the vent wall and the aperture array can be in communication so that air can flow through the connector from front to back (or from back to front).
Data Source
AI summary
A connector includes a cage that surrounds a housing. The cage defines two vertically spaced apart ports. A chamber is positioned between the ports. The chamber includes a vent wall that is angled to provide additional vent area so as to improve cooling of the connector. An aperture array in a rear wall of the cage can be used to further improve the cooling capabilities of the connector.