Connector Airflow Control via Impedance Restriction
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-speed connector systems face challenges in airflow control, leading to inconsistent cooling due to the cage's shielding effect, which restricts airflow and can result in overheating of modules, especially when not all ports are occupied.
Innovation Solution
A connector assembly with a cage and housing design that includes air passages with controlled airflow impedance, ensuring that airflow remains consistent across all ports, with an increase of no more than 50% when a module is inserted, using airflow restriction sections and strategically positioned plates to maintain uniform airflow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a cage is used to surround the connectors for increased shielding, then electromagnetic shielding is improved, but airflow is restricted and cooling performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The air passage is selectively positioned within the cage structure to provide localized airflow paths. The cage maintains its shielding function overall while containing specific open regions that allow air to flow through the connector assembly, achieving both electromagnetic protection and thermal management.
2Temperature
If air passages are provided in the cage, then airflow is improved, but airflow consistency across ports deteriorates when modules are not inserted in all ports
Solution Approach 1:
An airflow restrictive section is introduced as an intermediary element within the air passage to regulate and balance airflow distribution. This section ensures that air is distributed evenly across all ports regardless of whether modules are present, preventing airflow inconsistency and maintaining stable thermal conditions.
3Stability of the object's composition
If airflow restrictive sections are added to control airflow, then airflow consistency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The airflow restrictive section is integrated into the existing cage structure rather than being added as a separate component. This merging approach allows the cage to simultaneously provide electromagnetic shielding, define air passages, and control airflow distribution, reducing overall device complexity while achieving airflow consistency.
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
The solution ensures consistent airflow and cooling across all ports, preventing overheating and maintaining system performance regardless of module occupancy, thereby addressing the issue of inconsistent airflow and thermal management in high-speed connector systems.
Implementation Method 1
The air passage includes an airflow restrictive section and is configured so that an airflow impedance of the air passage does not increase in an undesirable manner upon insertion of a module into the port
Data Source
AI summary
A connector assembly includes a cage with a plurality of ports for receiving modules. An air passage is associated with each port and extends from a rear wall of the cage through a front face of the cage. The air passage way is configured to provide relatively consistent airflow regardless of whether or not a module is inserted into the corresponding port.