Optical Module Cage Assembly With Adjacent-Space Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical modules with high power consumption, such as those compatible with QSFP, QSFP-DD, or OSFP-XD form factors, require efficient cooling solutions, as conventional heat sinks are not optimized for effective heat dissipation.
Innovation Solution
A cage assembly with a design that includes a cage housing an optical module and a heat sink, featuring adjacent spaces and strategically placed holes for airflow, along with shield members to guide cooling air and prevent noise leakage, while maintaining a compact structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If heat sinks are attached to a cage to cool optical modules with high power consumption, then cooling capability is improved, but the structural complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The heat sink is integrated with the cage structure itself, merging two previously separate components (cage and heat sink) into a unified structure. The cage's side walls are designed to directly contact and thermally couple with the optical module, eliminating the need for separate heat sink attachments while maintaining effective cooling.
Solution Approach 2:
The cage structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical housing for the optical module, acts as a thermal conduction path for heat dissipation, and maintains structural integrity. The side walls of the cage perform both structural support and heat sinking functions.
2Productivity
If optical modules are mounted in high density, then productivity is improved, but heat dissipation becomes more difficult due to reduced airflow
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling solution is localized to each individual module housing position, with each cage's side walls providing dedicated thermal conduction paths. This allows modules to be densely packed while each module maintains its own effective heat dissipation channel through direct contact with the cage structure.
3Volume of moving object
If the cage structure is made compact to reduce size, then device dimensions are reduced, but airflow for cooling is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces airflow-based convective cooling with direct thermal conduction through the cage's side walls. The solid metal cage structure serves as a heat sink, conducting heat away from the optical module through thermal contact, eliminating the need for large air circulation spaces.
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 design enhances cooling efficiency by facilitating airflow and heat dissipation, ensuring effective thermal contact between the heat sink and module, and allowing for high-density module mounting without deformation.
Implementation Method 1
a heat sink configured to thermally contact with the external module
Implementation Method 2
since cooling air flows into the second adjacent space, cooling of the external module can be facilitated
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a cage assembly and a receptacle assembly that can efficiently cool a heat sink. An embodiment includes: a cage 100 configured to house an optical module 310; and a heat sink 50 configured to thermally contact with the optical module 310, the cage 100 has a port wall 110 defining a port Sp in which the optical module 310 is housed, a first adjacent wall 120 defining a first adjacent space S1 that is adjacent to the port Sp in the second direction, and a second adjacent wall 130 defining a second adjacent space S2 that is adjacent to the port Sp in the third direction and in which the optical module 310 is not housed, and the heat sink 50 is housed in the first adjacent space S1.