Vertical Communication Connector for High Density Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional communication systems face challenges in achieving high density and adequate signal shielding due to limited space, and struggle with heat dissipation, particularly for lower pluggable modules in stacked receptacle cages, where it is difficult to effectively mate a heat sink and provide airflow.
Innovation Solution
The communication system design includes a receptacle connector assembly with a vertically oriented receptacle cage and communication connector mounted at the bottom of the host circuit board, providing electrical shielding and improved airflow, along with a heat sink that can engage the pluggable module for effective thermal management, allowing for higher density and efficient heat dissipation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the communication connector is provided at the rear end of the receptacle cage, then electrical connection is achieved, but the overall length of the footprint increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a horizontal rear-end connector arrangement to a vertical bottom-mounted connector arrangement. The communication connector is moved from the rear end to the bottom of the receptacle cage, utilizing the vertical dimension to reduce the horizontal footprint while maintaining electrical connection functionality.
2Area of stationary object
If the width available for contacts is limited, then the footprint is compact, but increasing density of the communication connector and pluggable module is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent arranges contacts in a vertical array along the bottom edge of the receptacle cage rather than spreading them horizontally. This vertical orientation allows for higher contact density within the same footprint area, enabling increased connector density without expanding the horizontal footprint.
3Area of stationary object
If space is limited in the receptacle cage, then footprint is reduced, but adequate shielding for high-speed signal integrity is difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the shielding structure with the receptacle cage walls, where the side walls and bottom wall form a continuous shielding enclosure around the communication connector and contact array. This merged structure provides adequate electromagnetic shielding for high-speed signals while maintaining a compact footprint.
4Productivity
If pluggable modules are stacked in the receptacle cage, then density is increased, but heat dissipation becomes difficult particularly for lower modules
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the heat dissipation function from the traditional top-mounted heat sink arrangement and implements it at the bottom of the receptacle cage. A heat sink is positioned at the bottom to receive thermal energy from lower pluggable modules, allowing heat to be conducted away from the stacked modules and dissipated through the bottom of the assembly.
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 configuration enhances signal integrity by providing adequate shielding and heat dissipation, enabling higher density and efficient thermal management within the communication system.
Implementation Method 1
a heat sink that can engage the pluggable module for effective thermal management
Data Source
AI summary
A communication system includes a receptacle connector assembly and a pluggable module. The receptacle connector assembly includes a receptacle cage and a communication connector received in the receptacle cage and mounted to a host circuit board. The communication connector includes a connector housing holding contacts and extending between a front and a rear with a bottom of the connector housing mounted to the host circuit board and a longitudinal card slot open at a top of the connector housing. The pluggable module is received in the module channel in a loading direction and includes a module body and a plug board having a mating edge. The plug board is held in the module body in a vertical orientation with the mating edge at a bottom of the plug board being received in the card slot with the contact pads electrically coupled to corresponding contacts of the communication connector.