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US 9,882,297 B2Granted
Connector system with thermal surface
AssigneeMolex Incorporated
InventorKent E. Regnier
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
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.
Claims15
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 grooves that extend along the first side toward the mating end;
- 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, wherein the thermal surface includes at least 50% more surface area than a corresponding flat surface;
- wherein the grooves are formed by fins.
2 more elements
A receptacle connector, comprising:
- a housing with a card slot in a front face, the card slot having a first side and a second side, the housing 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 housing so that the housing is adjacent the rear wall, the port extending from the front edge to the housing, 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 housing, 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.
A connector system, comprising;
- a housing with a card slot in a front face, the card slot having a first side and a second side, the housing 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 housing so that the housing is adjacent the rear wall, the port extending from the front edge to the housing, 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 housing, 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, the cage including a vent wall with apertures;
- 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, wherein the thermal surface is aligned between the front edge and the vent wall.
2 more elements
A method of cooling a module, comprising:
- providing a receptacle in an enclosure, the receptacle defining a port with a port inlet;
- positioning a module in the port, the module including a thermal surface;
- and
- creating an air pressure differential between an exterior and an interior of the enclosure,
- wherein air flowing between the exterior and the interior due to the pressure differential is directed through the port and along the thermal surface, the air flowing through the port conducting thermal energy directly away from the thermal surface, wherein the thermal surface has grooves that extend along the first side in a direction parallel to that of entering the port via the port inlet;
- wherein the grooves are formed by fins.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.