Receptacle Thermal Transfer Assembly for Pluggable Modules

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing receptacle assemblies for pluggable modules face challenges in evenly dissipating heat, leading to overheating issues due to the limited thermal communication of heat sinks with all modules, especially in configurations where ports are arranged in columns and rows, resulting in some modules not receiving adequate cooling.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a receptacle assembly with a divider and a thermal transfer assembly that includes a base, spring, and heat pipes, where the spring biases the base into thermal contact with the module, and heat pipes extend to carry heat away from the base, ensuring effective heat dissipation from all modules within the assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a heat sink is mounted to the cage for thermal communication with pluggable modules, then heat dissipation is improved for some modules, but other modules may overheat due to limited thermal communication coverage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat dissipationVSAvoidmodule overheating

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the thermal management system into multiple independent thermal transfer assemblies, each responsible for a specific port. Each assembly includes its own base, spring, and heat pipe configuration, allowing independent thermal communication with each pluggable module inserted into the cage, thereby ensuring all modules receive adequate cooling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention applies localized thermal management by positioning thermal transfer assemblies at specific ports where pluggable modules are inserted. Each thermal transfer assembly is locally configured to thermally communicate with its corresponding module, providing targeted heat dissipation where needed rather than relying on a single centralized heat sink.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If ports are arranged in multiple columns and rows to increase density, then device capacity is improved, but thermal communication coverage becomes insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice densityVSAvoidthermal communication coverage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The cage is divided into multiple ports arranged in columns and rows, with each port receiving a dedicated thermal transfer assembly. This segmentation allows the thermal management system to scale with the port configuration, ensuring that each module regardless of position has access to independent thermal communication pathways.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extends thermal management into the dimensional space occupied by multiple port arrangements. By configuring thermal transfer assemblies to correspond to each port's spatial location within the cage structure, the system provides three-dimensional thermal coverage that matches the multi-column, multi-row port layout, ensuring comprehensive heat dissipation across all modules.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 solution ensures uniform heat dissipation across all pluggable modules, preventing overheating and maintaining performance and reliability, even in dense module configurations.

Implementation Method 1

The spring is operatively connected between the divider and the base such that the spring is configured to bias the base toward the first port and thereby press the module side of the base into thermal communication with the first pluggable module

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic force: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The heat pipe includes a base segment that is connected in thermal communication with the base. The heat pipe includes a transfer segment that extends away from the base segment for carrying heat away from the base.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat pipe effect: Heat Pipe

Data Source

PatentUS9518785B2Receptacle assembly for receiving a pluggable module

Publication Date: 2016.12.13 TE CONNECTIVITY SOLUTIONS GMBH

AI summary

A receptacle assembly includes a cage having an interior cavity and a divider that divides the interior cavity into first and second ports. The cage has a front end that is open to the first and second ports, which are configured to receive first and second pluggable modules, respectively, therein through the front end. The divider includes an internal compartment that extends between the first and second ports. The receptacle assembly includes a thermal transfer assembly having a base and a spring. The base is received within the internal compartment of the divider and includes a module side that faces the first port. The spring is operatively connected between the divider and the base such that the spring is configured to bias the base toward the first port and thereby press the module side of the base into thermal communication with the first pluggable module.