Low Profile Power Connector Cooling Slots
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for an electrical connector assembly that can carry high current between circuit boards while maintaining a low profile and effectively dissipating heat, as existing connectors face challenges with overheating due to dense packaging and increasing current demands.
Innovation Solution
The electrical connector assembly features a plug and receptacle connector design with a dielectric plastic housing, high-strength materials, and strategically positioned cooling slots for enhanced airflow and heat dissipation, allowing for secure and reliable high-current connections between circuit boards without excessive height or space requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the connector is designed to carry high current, then the current carrying capacity is improved, but heat generation increases leading to overheating
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful heat generated by high current into a beneficial cooling effect by designing cooling apertures that channel airflow directly over the power contacts. The heat that would otherwise cause overheating is now utilized to drive convection currents through the apertures, enhancing passive cooling efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs airflow dynamics by creating cooling apertures that allow air to flow through the connector housing and over the power contacts. This pneumatic approach uses forced or natural convection to remove heat from the contacts, directly addressing the overheating issue while maintaining high current capacity
2Temperature
If cooling apertures are added to enhance heat dissipation, then heat dissipation is improved, but the connector profile height increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the height conflict by transitioning the cooling aperture design from a vertical dimension to a horizontal dimension. The apertures are formed as slots or openings in the side walls of the housing rather than requiring additional vertical space, allowing cooling functionality to be integrated within the existing profile height constraints
Solution Approach 2:
The housing structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical support, electrical insulation, and integrated cooling pathways. The cooling apertures are incorporated into the existing housing walls, which also serve as structural and insulating elements, eliminating the need for separate cooling components that would increase height
3Area of stationary object
If dense packaging is used to reduce space, then space utilization is improved, but heat dissipation becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces air as an intermediary cooling medium that flows through the connector housing via the cooling apertures. This air flow acts as a heat transfer mediator between the power contacts and the surrounding environment, enabling effective heat dissipation even in densely packaged configurations where direct contact cooling or large heat sinks are not feasible
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 enables efficient heat dissipation and reliable high-current connections between circuit boards, addressing the challenge of overheating and dense packaging by maintaining a low profile and ensuring secure, reliable power transfer.
Implementation Method 1
strategically positioned cooling slots for enhanced airflow and heat dissipation
Data Source
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AI summary
An electrical connector assembly comprises a plug connector (10) and a receptacle connector (15). The plug connector includes a plug housing (11) having a plug tail section (30) and a plug shroud section and at least one plug power contact (20). The receptacle connector includes a receptacle housing (16) having a receptacle tail section and a receptacle shroud section and at least one receptacle power contact (21). The plug connector (10) and the receptacle connector (15) are configured to mate with each other by insertion of the receptacle shroud section into the plug shroud section to establish an electrical connection between the plug power contact (20) and the receptacle power contact (21). The plug housing (11) includes at least one cooling slot (50) in the plug shroud section, and the receptacle housing (16) includes at least one cooling slot (50) in the receptacle shroud section that is aligned with the at least one cooling slot in the plug shroud section to enhance cooling airflow through the plug shroud section and the receptacle shroud section when the plug connector (10) and the receptacle connector (15) are mated.