Electrical Connector Port Separator Airflow Channels

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electrical connector assemblies for high-speed fiber optical and copper communications face challenges in reducing electromagnetic interference (EMI) emissions and inadequate thermal cooling, particularly for transceivers in stacked configurations, where data transmission rates exceed 10 Gbps and operating temperatures need to be managed effectively.

Innovation Solution

The electrical connector assembly features a metal cage with multiple ports and port separators that include channel walls to direct airflow, providing both electrical shielding and enhanced thermal ventilation. The cage member includes upper and lower port separators with open channels at the front and rear to facilitate airflow, and port flanks with channels that pass between the communication connector and side walls, ensuring efficient heat dissipation and reduced EMI.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If conventional heat sink and airflow design is used, then electrical shielding is provided, but thermal cooling is inadequate particularly for lower row transceivers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransceiver operating temperatureVSAvoidcooling system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The port separator is segmented into multiple channel walls that create separate airflow channels. These channels divide the cooling airflow into multiple paths, allowing targeted cooling of different transceiver locations including the lower row transceivers that previously received insufficient cooling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The channel walls create localized airflow paths that direct cooling air specifically to areas with higher thermal loads. The port separator structure provides different cooling characteristics for different ports, with enhanced cooling for lower row transceivers through dedicated channels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Object-affected harmful factors

If metal cage shielding is used, then EMI protection is provided, but thermal management is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectromagnetic interferenceVSAvoidtransceiver operating temperature

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The port separator structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides EMI shielding through its metal construction, creates thermal management channels for airflow, and physically separates different ports. This multi-functional design addresses both EMI protection and thermal management without requiring separate systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The port separator acts as an intermediary structure between the metal cage shielding and the transceivers. It mediates the thermal management function by introducing airflow channels while maintaining the EMI shielding function through its metal construction, thus bridging the gap between EMI protection and thermal management requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If stacked transceiver configuration is used, then port density is increased, but cooling efficiency decreases for lower ports

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveport densityVSAvoidlower port transceiver temperature

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The port separator introduces a vertical dimension to airflow management by creating channels that extend between upper and lower ports. This vertical airflow path allows cooling air to reach lower port transceivers directly, compensating for the reduced cooling efficiency caused by the stacked configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 effectively reduces operating temperatures and minimizes EMI emissions, enabling higher performance and reliability in high-speed data transmission applications by improving airflow and thermal management within the connector assembly.

Implementation Method 1

The walls are manufactured from a metal material and provide electrical shielding for the upper port and the lower port

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic shielding: Faraday Cage

Implementation Method 2

The channels are open at a front and a rear of the port separator to direct airflow through the port separator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectForced convection: Forced Convection

Data Source

PatentUS9407046B1Electrical connector assembly

Publication Date: 2016.08.02 TE CONNECTIVITY SOLUTIONS GMBH

AI summary

An electrical connector assembly includes a cage member having a plurality of walls defining an upper port and a lower port for pluggable modules. The walls define side walls along sides of the upper and lower ports. The walls are manufactured from a metal material and providing electrical shielding for the upper port and the lower port. The walls define a port separator extending between the side walls below at least one of the upper port and the lower port. The port separator has an upper plate and a lower plate extending between the side walls of the cage member. The port separator has a plurality of channel walls extending between the upper plate and the lower plate to divide the port separator into a plurality of channels. The channels are open at a front and a rear of the port separator to direct airflow through the port separator.