Orthogonal Connector Housing for Higher Line Card Density
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Solution Overview
Problem
The capacity of communications devices is limited due to the orthogonal connection architecture between line cards and network boards, which restricts the number of line cards that can be connected, hindering the device's capacity improvement.
Innovation Solution
A connection apparatus with a housing case and dual connectors allows for orthogonal connections to both line cards and network boards, increasing the number of connectors and line cards that can be connected, using electrical or optical cables to reduce data loss and facilitate easy connection/disconnection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an orthogonal connection architecture is used to connect line cards and network boards, then data transmission loss is reduced, but the number of line cards that can be connected to each network board is limited
Solution Approach 1:
A connection apparatus is introduced as an intermediary component between line cards and network boards. This apparatus includes a first connector that orthogonally connects to line cards and a second connector that connects to network boards, serving as a mediator that enables additional line cards to connect to each network board while maintaining low data transmission loss through orthogonal connection geometry
Solution Approach 2:
The connection system is segmented into distinct functional components: the connection apparatus with its first connector for line cards and second connector for network boards. This segmentation allows the connection apparatus to act as an independent unit that expands connectivity without requiring changes to the fundamental orthogonal connection architecture between line cards and network boards
2Quantity of substance
If the length of network board is increased to connect more line cards, then the capacity of communications device is improved, but the network board design is constrained by PCB board making standards
Solution Approach 1:
The connection apparatus utilizes three-dimensional spatial arrangement with orthogonal connectors positioned on different faces of the apparatus. The first connector is disposed on a first side face and the second connector on a second side face, enabling connections in multiple spatial dimensions and allowing more line cards to connect to each network board without increasing the two-dimensional area of the network board itself
3Quantity of substance
If more connectors are added to increase the number of line cards connected, then the capacity of communications device is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple connection functions are merged into a single connection apparatus unit. The apparatus integrates the first connector for orthogonal connection to line cards and the second connector for connection to network boards within one housing, combining what would otherwise be separate connection components into a unified structure that reduces overall system complexity
Data Source
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AI summary
A connection apparatus, a network board connection system, and a communications device are provided. The connection apparatus includes: a housing case (31), where the housing case (31) includes a first side face and a second side face that are intersected and disposed adjacent to each other; a first connector (32), disposed on the first side face and configured to be connected to a connector of a first line card, so that the connection apparatus is orthogonally connected to the first line card; and a second connector (33), disposed on the second side face and connected to the first connector (32). The second connector (33) is configured to be connected to a connector of a network board. The connection apparatus can improve a capacity of the communications device.