Sloped Top Wall Frame for Network Interface Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Network interface devices often damage thermal interface materials during insertion into receptacle cages due to sharp or rough edges, leading to heat dissipation issues and potential damage to electronic components.

Innovation Solution

The design of a network interface device with a frame featuring a sloped and convex outer surface on its top wall, along with a fins assembly, ensures smooth insertion without damaging thermal interface materials by using a sloped outer surface and offsetting upper edges of bores, preventing contact with the heatsink's thermal interface material.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a frame with sharp or rough edges is used for network interface devices, then structural strength is improved, but thermal interface material is damaged during insertion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidthermal interface material damage

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The frame's outer surface is designed with a convex curved portion instead of sharp edges, creating a rounded profile that smoothly contacts the thermal interface material during insertion. This curvature eliminates stress concentration points while maintaining structural integrity, preventing scratches and peeling of the thermal interface material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the frame are designed with different surface characteristics: the outer surface features a convex curved portion for smooth contact, while the inner surface remains substantially parallel to the bottom wall for proper alignment. This localized differentiation allows the frame to simultaneously protect the thermal interface material and maintain structural strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of manufacture

If a frame with parallel outer and inner surfaces is used, then manufacturing is simplified, but thermal interface material is damaged during insertion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidthermal interface material damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The frame design applies different geometric properties to different surfaces: the inner surface maintains a parallel configuration for easy manufacturing and proper alignment, while the outer surface incorporates a convex curved portion to protect the thermal interface material. This localized quality differentiation resolves the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and material protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Temperature

If heatsinks are disposed on top of receptacle cages to dissipate heat, then heat dissipation is improved, but the thermal interface material is exposed to damage from frame contact

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat dissipationVSAvoidthermal interface material damage

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The convex curved portion on the frame's outer surface creates a rounded contact interface with the thermal interface material, preventing sharp edge contact that would cause scratches or peeling. This allows heatsinks to be effectively installed on receptacle cages for heat dissipation while protecting the thermal interface material from damage during insertion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The convex curved portion acts as a protective cushion during the insertion process, absorbing contact forces before they reach the thermal interface material. This preliminary protective action prevents damage to the thermal interface material while allowing the heatsink assembly to function effectively for heat dissipation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 prevents damage to thermal interface materials, ensuring effective heat dissipation and prolonging the lifespan of network interface devices and electronic components by facilitating smooth insertion without causing scratches or peeling of the thermal interface materials.

Implementation Method 1

The outer surface of the second longitudinal portion slopes towards the inner surface of the second longitudinal portion at an angle of from 5 to 10 degrees

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

heatsinks are typically disposed on top of the receptacle cages

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

In order to dissipate heat from the network interface devices, heatsinks are typically disposed on top of the receptacle cages

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS12019291B2Network interface device having a frame with a sloped top wall portion

Publication Date: 2024.06.25 MELLANOX TECHNOLOGIES LTD(IL)

AI summary

A network interface device which may include: an elongated frame having a first end, a second end, and, between the first and second ends, a top wall, a bottom wall opposing the top wall, a first lateral wall, and a second lateral wall opposing the first lateral wall; wherein the top wall includes: a first longitudinal portion that is adjacent to the first end of the frame; and a second longitudinal portion that is adjacent to the second end of the frame and whose outer surface slopes towards its inner surface in a direction of the second end of the frame.