Optical Transceiver Locking Assembly Thermal Interface Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Optical transceiver devices are prone to damage during connection with other devices due to forced wiping actions that can damage the thermal interface material when engaging with heat sinks.

Innovation Solution

A locking assembly comprising a slide with a projection, weighted stops, and a lift mechanism that secures the optical transceiver device in place, preventing accidental disengagement by ensuring the thermal interface material remains intact during connection and disconnection processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If the optical transceiver device is connected to heat sinks using thermal interface material, then thermal management is achieved, but the thermal interface material can be damaged during engagement due to forced wiping actions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal managementVSAvoidintegrity of thermal interface material

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The lift is elevated in advance before the thermal interface material engages with the heat sink, creating a gap that prevents the thermal interface material from being damaged during the engagement process. This preliminary positioning action resolves the contradiction by ensuring thermal management capability while protecting the integrity of the thermal interface material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the optical transceiver device is made secure with a locking assembly, then accidental disengagement is prevented, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of accidental disengagementVSAvoidlocking assembly structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The slide includes a projection that automatically engages with a receptacle on the shell to lock the slide in position. This self-locking mechanism provides reliable prevention of accidental disengagement while minimizing device complexity by using a simple geometric interlocking feature rather than a complex locking system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

The locking assembly effectively protects the optical transceiver device from damage by maintaining the integrity of the thermal interface material, enhancing thermal management and preventing accidental disengagement from heat sinks.

Implementation Method 1

a thermal interfacing structure configured to contact a heat-transferring device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP4042217B1Communication module engagement

Publication Date: 2025.06.25 INFINERA CORP

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AI summary

An optical transceiver having a locking assembly that prevents undesirable movement of the optical transceiver when engaged with another device is described. The locking assembly includes a slide with a projection, lift, and weighted stops. In a first configuration, the slide and weighted stops can sustain contact between a thermal interface material of the optical transceiver and the other device while locking the optical transceiver to prevent movement. In a second configuraton mode, the locking assembly disengages the thermal interface material from the other device and unlocks the weighted stops to permit disconnection from the other device.