Receptacle Light Pipe Decoupled from Heat Sink Movement
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Solution Overview
Problem
In receptacle assemblies for electrical components, the light pipe structure is affected by the movement of the heat sink, leading to potential disruptions in light signal transmission, and there is a need for a design that minimizes part count and manufacturing steps.
Innovation Solution
A receptacle assembly design where the light pipe structure is directly engaged with the guideframe and supported by it, allowing it to remain stationary while the heat sink moves, and optionally includes a heat sink for thermal management, reducing the need for additional components like a bracket.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the light pipe structure is directly coupled to the bracket and/or heat sink, then the bracket can hold the heat sink, but the light pipe structure moves when the heat sink moves causing light signal transmission to be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the support functions by introducing a dedicated support member on the guideframe that independently supports the light pipe structure, separating it from the bracket's heat sink holding function. This segmentation allows the light pipe structure to remain stationary while the heat sink moves, resolving the contradiction between using fewer parts and maintaining light signal stability.
2Temperature
If a bracket is used to hold the heat sink, then thermal management is achieved, but the light pipe structure is affected by heat sink movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary support member that acts as a mediator between the guideframe and the light pipe structure. This support member provides a stable mounting point for the light pipe structure that is independent of the heat sink's movement, allowing thermal management to function while protecting light signal transmission from disruption.
3Reliability
If the light pipe structure is supported by the guideframe, then light signal transmission remains stable, but additional manufacturing steps are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the support member with the guideframe structure, integrating the light pipe support function into the existing guideframe. This merging approach allows the light pipe structure to be stably supported without requiring completely separate components or complex assembly steps, thus maintaining manufacturing simplicity while achieving light signal stability.
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 ensures stable light signal transmission and reduces the number of parts and manufacturing steps by decoupling the light pipe structure from the heat sink's movement, enhancing thermal management without additional components.
Implementation Method 1
a light pipe structure that is configured to convey light signals generated on the circuit board to a front end of the receptacle assembly
Implementation Method 2
a heat sink is used to absorb and dissipate heat from the SFP module
Data Source
AI summary
A receptacle assembly that is coupled to a host system and configured to receive an electrical component is provided. The receptacle assembly includes a guideframe having a front end, a back end, and a passage that extends therebetween. The guideframe is configured to receive the electrical component and includes a rear panel that is proximate to the back end and a side panel that has a support member extending therefrom. The receptacle assembly also includes a light pipe structure that has a light pipe that extends alongside the guideframe from the front end to the back end. The light pipe includes a rearward end portion that is configured to receive a status indication from the host system. The light pipe structure is directly engaged to the support member and the rearward end portion is directly engaged to at least one of the side panel and the rear panel.