# US 10,122,106 B2 · Connector system with thermal surface > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,122,106 B2 - Document ID: US10122106B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/881,985 - Filed: 2018-01-29 - Published: 2018-05-31 - Granted: 2018-11-06 - Earliest claimed: 2013-04-24 - Assignees: Molex Incorporated - Applicants: Molex, LLC - Inventors: Kent E. Regnier - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10122106B2 ## CPC - H01R 12/721: {cooperating directly with the edge of the rigid printed circuits} - H01R 13/6583: with separate conductive resilient members between mating shield members - H01R 13/6691: {with built-in signalling means (H01R13/717 takes precedence)} - H01R 24/30: with additional earth or shield contacts - H01R 43/205: {with a panel or printed circuit board} - H05K 7/20127: {Natural convection} - G02B 6/4269: {with heat sinks or radiation fins} - H01R 12/724: {containing contact members forming a right angle} - H05K 7/20154: {Heat dissipaters coupled to components} - H05K 7/20509: {Multiple-component heat spreaders; Multi-component heat-conducting support plates; Multi-component non-closed heat-conducting structures} - H01R: ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS - H05K: PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS ## Abstract A module can be configured to mate with a receptacle. The module includes a body with a thermal surface that is coupled to thermally active circuitry supported by the body. The receptacle is configured to allow air to flow over the thermal surface so as to dissipate thermal energy from the circuitry. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A receptacle connector, comprising: wafers with a card slot in a front face, the card slot having a first side and a second side, the wafers supporting a plurality of terminals, wherein some of the terminals are positioned on the first side and others of the terminals are positioned on the second side; and a cage defining a port, the cage having a front edge and a rear wall, the cage positioned around the wafers so that the wafers are adjacent the rear wall, the port extending from the front edge to the wafers, the port having a port inlet at the front edge having a first inner perimeter and a module inlet with a second inner perimeter adjacent the wafers, the port transitioning from the first inner perimeter to the second inner perimeter at a location between the front edge and the front face, the second inner perimeter being smaller than the first inner perimeter. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The receptacle connector of claim 1, wherein the port further includes an electromagnetic interference (EMI) gasket positioned in the module inlet, the EMI gasket configured, in operation, to engage a perimeter of an inserted plug connector so as to help reduce EMI. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The receptacle connector of claim 1, wherein the port includes a vent wall that extends between the first inner perimeter and the second inner perimeter, the vent wall being configured so as to allow air that flows in through the inlet to flow out through the vent wall. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The receptacle connector of claim 3, wherein the vent wall includes a plurality of apertures. ### Claim 5 A connector system, comprising; wafers with a card slot in a front face, the card slot having a first side and a second side, the wafers supporting a plurality of terminals, wherein some of the terminals are positioned on the first side and others of the terminals are positioned on the second side; a cage defining a port, the cage having a front edge and a rear wall, the cage positioned around the wafers so that the wafers are is adjacent the rear wall, the port extending from the front edge to the wafers, the port having a port inlet at the front edge having a first inner perimeter and a module inlet with a second inner perimeter adjacent the wafers, the port transitioning from the first inner perimeter to the second inner perimeter at a location between the front edge and the front face, the second inner perimeter being smaller than the first inner perimeter; and a module including a body having a mating face, the body having a thermal surface on a first side, the module having a paddle card positioned in the body and extending from the thermal surface to a position adjacent the mating face and circuitry positioned in the body, the circuitry configured to emit at least 1 watt of thermal energy, the circuitry thermally connected to the thermal surface. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The receptacle connector of claim 5, wherein the port includes a vent wall that extends between the first inner perimeter and the second inner perimeter. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The receptacle connector of claim 6, wherein the vent wall includes a plurality of apertures. ### Claim 8 A plug connector, comprising: a body having a mating face at a mating end, the body being elongated and extending in a first direction that is parallel with an insertion direction, the body having a thermal surface on a first side, the thermal surface having fins that extend along the first side toward the mating end; a paddle card positioned in the body and extending to a position adjacent the mating face; and circuitry positioned in the body, the circuitry configured to emit at least 1 watt of thermal energy, the circuitry thermally connected to the thermal surface, wherein the thermal surface includes at least 50% more surface area than a corresponding flat surface. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The connector of claim 8, wherein the paddle card is a first paddle card, the body further supporting a second paddle card. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The connector of claim 8, wherein the body has a height that is a first distance and the thermal surface extends above the first side a second distance that is at least half the first distance. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The connector of claim 8, wherein the body extends beyond a mating end of the paddle card at the mating end of the body.