Plug Thermal Interface With Segmented Transfer Plates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plug and receptacle assemblies face challenges in efficiently transferring heat while minimizing wear and damage to components, as friction between planar surfaces can lead to insufficient heat transfer and component degradation during repeated insertions and withdrawals.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a thermal interface region with series of transfer plates that extend parallel to each other, which engage with a heat sink in the receptacle assembly, providing a larger contact area for heat transfer and reducing the need for additional normal forces or surface smoothing, and incorporating chamfered edges to facilitate alignment and reduce damage risk.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If planar surfaces are finished or smoothed to increase contact area, then heat transfer is improved, but friction and wear during repeated insertions and withdrawals increase
Solution Approach 1:
The planar contact surface is segmented into multiple protrusions (heat transfer fins) that extend from the first heat block to engage with corresponding recesses in the second heat block. This segmentation increases the effective contact area for heat transfer while reducing the frictional contact area during insertion and withdrawal operations, thereby resolving the contradiction between heat transfer improvement and wear reduction.
2Temperature
If a normal force is imposed to press planar surfaces together, then heat transfer is improved, but wear and damage to components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The contact interface is segmented into multiple discrete protrusion-recess pairs instead of a single planar contact surface. This allows heat transfer to occur through multiple localized contact points without requiring a large normal force across the entire surface, thereby improving heat transfer while reducing overall wear and damage to components.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat transfer interface transitions from a two-dimensional planar contact to a three-dimensional protrusion-recess engagement. The protrusions extend in the direction perpendicular to the planar surface, creating additional contact area volume that enhances heat transfer without requiring increased normal force, thus resolving the contradiction between heat transfer improvement and wear reduction.
3Temperature
If planar surfaces intimately engage each other, then heat transfer is improved, but friction during insertion and withdrawal increases
Solution Approach 1:
The intimate engagement of planar surfaces is segmented into discrete protrusion-recess interactions. The protrusions provide localized intimate contact for heat transfer while the recesses provide clearance that reduces frictional resistance during insertion and withdrawal, thereby resolving the contradiction between heat transfer improvement and friction reduction.
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 configuration enhances heat transfer efficiency while minimizing wear and damage, allowing for repeated use without compromising thermal performance, even without additional surface smoothing or normal forces.
Implementation Method 1
The transfer plates of the thermal interface region transfer thermal energy generated within the pluggable connector to the transfer plates of the heat sink
Data Source
AI summary
Plug assembly including a pluggable connector having a mating end and a trailing end and a central axis extending therebetween. The pluggable connector includes internal electronics that generate thermal energy within the pluggable connector. The mating end is configured to engage a data connector. The pluggable connector also includes a thermal interface region that is coupled to the pluggable connector. The thermal interface region includes a series of transfer plates that extend parallel to each other and to the central axis. The transfer plates define a series of plate-receiving slots extending parallel to the central axis. The thermal interface region transfers the thermal energy generated by the internal electronics through the transfer plates.