Receptacle cage for a receptacle connector assembly

A receptacle cage includes cage walls including a top wall, a first side wall, a second side wall, and a bottom wall. The cage walls form a module channel configured to receive a pluggable module. The cage walls extend between a front end and a rear end of the receptacle cage. The receptacle cage includes a lifting device located in the module channel proximate to the bottom wall. The lifting device is located remote from the front end. The lifting device has a lifting surface configured to engage the pluggable module and lift the pluggable module into the module channel to an elevated position lifted off of the bottom wall.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The subject matter herein relates generally to receptacle cages.

Some communication systems utilize receptacle assemblies having communication connectors to interconnect various components of the system for data communication. The receptacle assemblies include receptacle cages that receive pluggable modules, such as I/O modules, that are electrically connected to the communication connector. The receptacle cages provide electrical shielding, such as EMI shielding, for the pluggable modules. Some known communication systems provide heat sinks attached to the receptacle cage to dissipate heat from the pluggable module. The heat sinks are typically mounted to the receptacle cage by a clip or spring that provides downward force to press the heat sink into the receptacle cage to interface with the pluggable module.

Known receptacle cages are not without disadvantages. For instance, as the pluggable module is loaded into the receptacle cage, the top of the pluggable module engages the heat sink and biases the heat sink outward. The top of the pluggable module wipes against the bottom of the heat sink as the pluggable module is loaded into the receptacle cage. Such rubbing of the pluggable module and the heat sink causes wear on the heat sink and module surfaces. Additionally, the interference between the pluggable module and the heat sink increases the loading forces for the pluggable module. Furthermore, space is needed above the heatsink to allow the heat sink to move upward during mating. Additionally, mounting hardware is needed to hold the heat sink on the receptacle cage, allow the outward movement of the heat sink, and provide spring forces to press the heat sink downward against the pluggable module for efficient thermal connection therebetween.

A need remains for a receptacle cage having improved thermal mating between the pluggable module and a heat transfer device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, a receptacle cage for a receptacle connector assembly is provided. The receptacle cage includes cage walls including a top wall, a first side wall, a second side wall, and a bottom wall. The cage walls form a module channel configured to receive a pluggable module. The cage walls extend between a front end and a rear end of the receptacle cage. The receptacle cage includes a lifting device located in the module channel proximate to the bottom wall. The lifting device is located remote from the front end. The lifting device has a lifting surface configured to engage the pluggable module and lift the pluggable module into the module channel to an elevated position lifted off of the bottom wall.

In another embodiment, a receptacle connector assembly is provided. The receptacle connector assembly includes cage walls including a top wall, a first side wall, a second side wall, and a bottom wall. The cage walls form a module channel configured to receive a pluggable module. The cage walls extend between a front end and a rear end of the receptacle cage. The top wall includes a top opening. The receptacle connector assembly includes a heat transfer device above the top wall. The heat transfer device includes a heat transfer surface aligned with the top opening. The receptacle connector assembly includes a lifting device located in the module channel proximate to the bottom wall. The lifting device is located remote from the front end. The lifting device has a lifting surface configured to engage the pluggable module and lift the pluggable module to an elevated position lifted off of the bottom wall into thermal contact with the heat transfer surface of the heat transfer device.

In a further embodiment, a communication system is provided. The communication system includes a pluggable module including an outer housing extending between a mating end and a cable end. The pluggable module includes an upper wall and a lower wall. The pluggable module has a cavity between the upper wall and the lower wall. The pluggable module has a module circuit card in the cavity including a card edge proximate to the mating end of the outer housing. The communication system includes a receptacle connector assembly including a receptacle cage having cage walls forming a module channel receiving the pluggable module. The cage walls include a top wall, a first side wall, a second side wall, and a bottom wall. The cage walls extend between a front end and a rear end of the receptacle cage. The receptacle connector assembly includes a communication connector having a card slot received in the receptacle cage proximate to the rear end. The receptacle connector assembly includes a heat transfer device above the top wall having a heat transfer surface. The receptacle connector assembly includes a lifting device located in the module channel proximate to the bottom wall. The lifting device has a lifting surface. The pluggable module is loaded into the module channel to mate the card edge of the module circuit card with the communication connector. The pluggable module engages the lifting surface of the lifting device during loading to lift the pluggable module to an elevated position lifted off of the bottom wall. The lifting device aligns the module circuit card with the card slot of the communication connector in the elevated position. The lifting device presses the upper wall of the pluggable module into thermal contact with the heat transfer surface of the heat transfer device in the elevated position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1is a front perspective view of a communication system100formed in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. The communication system100includes a circuit board102and a receptacle connector assembly104mounted to the circuit board102. A pluggable module106(shown inFIG. 2) is configured to be electrically connected to the receptacle connector assembly104. The pluggable module106is electrically connected to the circuit board102through the receptacle connector assembly104.

In an exemplary embodiment, the receptacle connector assembly104includes a receptacle cage110and a communication connector112(shown in phantom) adjacent the receptacle cage110. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the communication connector112is received in the receptacle cage110. In other various embodiments, the communication connector112may be located rearward of the receptacle cage110. In various embodiments, the receptacle cage110encloses and provides electrical shielding for the communication connector112. The receptacle cage110is configured to surround at least a portion of the pluggable module106to provide shielding for the pluggable module106.

The receptacle cage110includes a plurality of cage walls114surrounding a cavity116. The cavity116may receive the communication connector112in various embodiments. The cavity116defines one or more module channels118for receipt of corresponding pluggable modules106. The cage walls114may be walls defined by solid sheets, perforated walls to allow airflow therethrough, walls with cutouts, such as for a heatsink or heat spreader to pass therethrough, or walls defined by rails or beams with relatively large openings, such as for airflow therethrough. In an exemplary embodiment, the receptacle cage110is a shielding, stamped and formed cage member with the cage walls114being shielding walls.

In the illustrated embodiment, the receptacle cage110includes a single module channel118for receiving a single pluggable module106. The receptacle cage110has a port that is open at the front of the receptacle cage110to receive the pluggable module106. Any number of module channels118may be provided in various embodiments. For example, the receptacle cage110may constitute a stacked cage member having upper and lower module channels118to receive multiple pluggable modules106in a stacked arrangement in an alternative embodiment. The upper and lower module channels118may be arranged in a single column; however, the receptacle cage110may include multiple columns of ganged module channels118in alternative embodiments (for example, 2X2, 3X2, 4X2, 4X3, etc.). In other various embodiments, rather than being a stacked cage member, the receptacle cage110may include ganged module channels118in a single row (for example, 1X2, 1X4, etc.). Optionally, multiple communication connectors112may be arranged within the receptacle cage110, such as when multiple columns or rows of module channels118are provided.

In an exemplary embodiment, the cage walls114of the receptacle cage110include a top wall130, a bottom wall132, a first side wall134, a second side wall136and a rear wall138. The bottom wall132may rest on the circuit board102. However, in alternative embodiments, the receptacle cage110may be provided without the bottom wall132. The receptacle cage110extends between a front end140and a rear end142. The ports is provided at the front end140to receive the pluggable module106through the front end140. The cage walls114define the cavity116. For example, the cavity116may be defined by the top wall130, the bottom wall132, the side walls134,136and the rear wall138. Other cage walls114may separate or divide the cavity116into a plurality of module channels118, such as stacked or ganged module channels. For example, the cage walls114may include a divider (not shown). The divider may be a horizontal divider positioned between upper and lower module channels118. In other various embodiments, the divider may define a vertical separator panel (not shown), such as parallel to the side walls134,136.

In an exemplary embodiment, the communication connector112is received in the cavity of the receptacle cage110, such as proximate to the rear wall138. However, in alternative embodiments, the communication connector112may be located behind the rear wall138exterior of the receptacle cage110and extend into the cavity116to interface with the pluggable module(s)106. For example, the rear wall138may include an opening to receive components therethrough. The communication connector112is coupled to the circuit board102. The receptacle cage110is mounted to the circuit board102over the communication connector112.

In an exemplary embodiment, the pluggable module106is loaded into the receptacle cage110through the front end140to mate with the communication connector112. The shielding cage walls114of the receptacle cage110provide electrical shielding around the communication connector112and the pluggable module106, such as around the mating interface between the communication connector112and the pluggable modules106. One or more gaskets may be provided at the front end140to interface with the pluggable module106to electrically connect the receptacle cage110to the pluggable module106and to shield any gaps between the pluggable module106and the receptacle cage110to prevent EMI leakage through such gaps. The gasket(s) may extend around the exterior of the receptacle cage110at the front end140to interface with a panel (not shown).

In an exemplary embodiment, the receptacle connector assembly104may include one or more heat sinks144for dissipating heat from the pluggable module(s)106. For example, the heat sink144may be coupled to the top wall130for engaging the pluggable module106when the pluggable module106is received in the module channel118. The heat sink144may extend through an opening in the top wall130to directly engage the pluggable module106. In an exemplary embodiment, the heat sink144may be fixed relative to the cage walls114. For example, the heat sink144may be fixed relative to the top wall130. The heat sink144may be secured to the cage walls114by a clip, fasteners, welding, adhesive, or other securing means. In other various embodiments, the heat sink144may be movable relative to the cage walls114. For example, a spring clip may be used to couple to the heat sink144to the cage walls114that allows the heat sink144to move relative to the top wall130(for example, move outward when coupled to the pluggable module106. The spring clip may impart a downward biasing force against the heat sink144to press the heat sink into thermal contact with the pluggable module106. The heat sink144may be a finned heat sink having heat dissipating fins that extend therefrom, such as from the top of the heat sink to dissipate heat into the air flowing around the heat sink144. Other types of heat sinks may be provided in alternative embodiments. For example, the heat sink144may be a thermal bridge having a plurality of stacked plates or may be a cold plate having liquid cooling flowing therethrough for active cooling of the cold plate.

In an exemplary embodiment, the receptacle cage110includes a lifting device200(shown schematically inFIG. 1) in the cavity116that is used to guide the pluggable module106into engagement with the heat sink144. The lifting device200transitions the pluggable module106into thermal contact with the heat sink144when the pluggable module106is fully loaded into the module channel118. In an exemplary embodiment, the lifting device200lifts the mating end of the pluggable module106toward the heat sink144to drive the pluggable module106into thermal contact with the heat sink144. In an exemplary embodiment, the pluggable module106is free to move relative to the heat sink144as the pluggable module106is plugged into the module channel until the very end of the loading process, where the lifting device200interacts with the pluggable module106and presses the pluggable module106into engagement with the heat sink144. For example, clearance is provided between the pluggable module106and the heat sink144as the pluggable module106is loaded into the module channel118for the majority of the loading process. Once the pluggable module106interfaces with the lifting device200, the pluggable module106is moved into engagement with the heat sink144, such as at the very end of the loading process. By separating the pluggable module106from the heat sink144for the vast majority of the loading process, insertion forces for the pluggable module106are reduced. Additionally, wear on the surfaces of the heat sink144and the pluggable module106are reduced.

FIG. 2is a front perspective view of the pluggable module106in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. The pluggable module106has a pluggable body180, which may be defined by one or more shells. For example, the pluggable body180may include an upper shell190and a lower shell192. The upper shell190includes a top wall191. The lower shell192includes a bottom wall193. The upper shell190and/or the lower shell192includes side walls194,195. The pluggable body180includes a cavity196defined between the upper shell190and the lower shell192. In an exemplary embodiment, the pluggable body180may be thermally conductive and/or may be electrically conductive, such as to provide EMI shielding for the pluggable module106. For example, the upper shell190and the lower shell192may be die cast shells manufactured from metal material, such as aluminum. The pluggable body180includes a mating end182and an opposite front end184. The front end184may be a cable end having a cable extending therefrom to another component within the system. The mating end182is configured to be inserted into the corresponding module channel118(shown inFIG. 1).

The pluggable module106includes a module circuit board186that is configured to be communicatively coupled to the communication connector112(shown inFIG. 1). The module circuit board186has an edge188at the front end184configured to be plugged into a card slot of the communication connector112(shown inFIG. 1). Contact pads are provided at the edge188, such as along the upper surface and the lower surface of the module circuit board186for electrical connection with contacts of the communication connector112. The module circuit board186is received in the cavity196and surrounded by the upper shell190and the lower shell192. The module circuit board186may be accessible at the mating end182. The module circuit board186may include components, circuits and the like used for operating and/or using the pluggable module106. For example, the module circuit board186may have conductors, traces, pads, electronics, sensors, controllers, switches, inputs, outputs, and the like associated with the module circuit board186, which may be mounted to the module circuit board186, to form various circuits.

In an exemplary embodiment, the pluggable body180provides heat transfer for the module circuit board186, such as for the electronic components on the module circuit board186. For example, the module circuit board186is in thermal communication with the upper shell190and/or the lower shell192. The pluggable body180transfers heat from the module circuit board186. In an exemplary embodiment, the upper shell190is configured to interface with the heat sink144(shown inFIG. 1) to dissipate heat from the pluggable module106. In various embodiments, the pluggable body180may include a plurality of heat transfer fins (not shown) along at least a portion of the pluggable module106, such as the top wall191. The fins transfer heat away from the main shell of the pluggable body180, and thus from the module circuit board186and associated components. In the illustrated embodiment, the fins are parallel plates that extend lengthwise; however, the fins may have other shapes in alternative embodiments, such as cylindrical or other shaped posts.

FIG. 3is a cross sectional view of a portion of the communication system100showing the receptacle cage110in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. The lifting device200is shown schematically inFIG. 3. The heat sink144is shown inFIG. 3coupled to the receptacle cage110. For example, the heat sink144is coupled to the top wall130. In an exemplary embodiment, the heat sink144extends through a top opening131in the top wall130. The heat sink144extends into the module channel118to interface with the pluggable module106when the pluggable module106is loaded into the module channel118. In an exemplary embodiment, the heat sink144includes a heat transfer surface146configured to interface with the pluggable module106. The heat transfer surface146is provided at the bottom of the heat sink144. In various embodiments, the heat transfer surface146may be generally coplanar with the interior surface of the top wall130. In other various embodiments, the heat sink144may extend into the module channel118such that the heat transfer surface146is below the interior surface of the top wall130.

The lifting device200is provided in the module channel118proximate to the communication connector112. The lifting device200is configured to interface with the pluggable module106at the end of the loading process of the pluggable module106into the module channel118(for example, when the mating end182of the pluggable module106is about to interface with the communication connector112). In the illustrated embodiment, the lifting device200is located in the module channel118proximate to the bottom wall132. The lifting device200is located remote from the front end140. For example, the lifting device200may be located at a rear edge133of the bottom wall132. The lifting device200is used to position the mating end182of the pluggable module106relative to the communication connector112.

In an exemplary embodiment, the lifting device200has a lifting surface202configured to engage the pluggable module106and lift the pluggable module106into the module channel118to an elevated position lifted off of the bottom wall132. When the pluggable module106engages the lifting surface202, the pluggable module106is forced upward toward the upper wall130and toward the heat sink144at the upper wall130. In an exemplary embodiment, the lifting surface202is located a first height204above the bottom wall132. The lifting device200is configured to hold the bottom of the pluggable module106at the first height204in an elevated position spaced apart from and off of the bottom wall132.

In an exemplary embodiment, the lifting surface202is located a first distance206from the top wall130. The bottom wall132is located a second distance208from the top wall130greater than the first distance206. When the pluggable module106is loaded into the module channel118, the bottom of the pluggable module106may be located at the second distance208. When the pluggable module106interfaces with the lifting device200, the bottom of the pluggable module106is located at the first distance206, and is thus closer to the top wall130. As the pluggable module106is lifted off of the bottom wall132, the top of the pluggable module106is driven closer to the top wall130, such as to interface with the heat sink144. The pluggable module106is moved toward the top wall130when the pluggable module106interfaces with the lifting device200. In an exemplary embodiment, the pluggable module106has a height198between the top wall191and the bottom wall193. The height198is less than the second distance208between the top wall130and the bottom wall132of the receptacle cage110providing a space in the module channel118allowing the pluggable module106to be movable (for example, vertically) within the module channel118. The extra space allows the top wall191of the pluggable module106to be spaced apart from the top wall130and the heat sink144. For example, prior to interfacing with the lifting device200, the top of the pluggable module106may be spaced apart from the heat sink144to reduce insertion forces and to reduce wear on the heat sink144and the pluggable module106.

FIG. 4is a cross sectional view of a portion of the communication system100in accordance with an exemplary embodiment showing the pluggable module106partially loaded into the receptacle cage110.FIG. 5is a cross sectional view of a portion of the communication system100in accordance with an exemplary embodiment showing the pluggable module106fully loaded into the receptacle cage110.

FIGS. 4 and 5include a front lifting device300. The front lifting device300is located proximate to the front end140of the receptacle cage110. The front lifting device300holds the pluggable module106off of the bottom wall132. The front lifting device300includes a front lifting surface302. In an exemplary embodiment, the pluggable module106is suspended between the front lifting surface302of the front lifting device300and the lifting surface202of the lifting device200in a lifted position. For example, the front lifting device300supports the front end184of the pluggable module106and the lifting device200supports the mating end182of the pluggable module106. In an exemplary embodiment, the pluggable module106is loaded into the module channel118at a slight angle. For example, the mating end182is loaded over the front lifting device300into the module channel118. The mating end182engages the bottom wall132and slides along the bottom wall132over the front lifting device300. When the mating end182engages the lifting device200, then the mating end182is lifted off of the bottom wall132to suspend the pluggable module106between the lifting surfaces202,302.

FIG. 6is a cross sectional view of a portion of the communication system100in accordance with an exemplary embodiment showing the pluggable module106partially loaded into the receptacle cage110.FIG. 7is a cross sectional view of a portion of the communication system100in accordance with an exemplary embodiment showing the pluggable module106fully loaded into the receptacle cage110.

In an exemplary embodiment, the lifting device200includes a ramp220. The ramp220has an inclined surface222extending between the bottom wall132and the lifting surface202. The inclined surface222begins at a front224of the ramp220. The lifting surface202is at a peak of the ramp220. The lifting surface202may be at a top of the ramp220. The lifting surface202may be provided at a rear226of the ramp220. In an exemplary embodiment, the inclined surface222is planar at an inclined angle. In other various embodiments, the inclined surface may be curved, such as being gradually inclined at the front224and steeply inclined at the rear226. The lifting surface202may be a point. Alternatively, the lifting surface may be a flat surface at the peak of the ramp220(for example, the ramp220may be plateaued).

The ramp220is configured to interface with the pluggable module106at the end of the loading process of the pluggable module106into the module channel118(for example, when the mating end182of the pluggable module106is about to interface with the communication connector112). In the illustrated embodiment, the ramp220is located remote from the front end140at the rear edge133of the bottom wall132.

During loading of the pluggable module106into the module channel118, the pluggable module106slides along an interior surface of the bottom wall132. The pluggable module106has a reduced height compared to the height of the module channel118to position the top wall191of the pluggable module106in a spaced apart position from the top wall130and the heat transfer surface146of the heat sink144(for example, to reduce wear of the surfaces during loading). When the pluggable module106engages the ramp220, the ramp220is used to lift the mating end182of the pluggable module upward into the module channel118. The bottom wall193is lifted off of the bottom wall132. The top wall191is moved upward toward the heat sink144. The pluggable module106slides along the inclined surface222to the lifting surface202. When the pluggable module106is moved along the ramp220to the lifting surface202, the pluggable module106is forced upward toward the heat sink144. The top wall191of the pluggable module106is forced into thermal engagement with the heat transfer surface146. The pluggable module106engages the lifting surface202at the end of the loading process in the fully loaded position (FIG. 7). As such, the pluggable module106engages the heat transfer surface146at the end of the loading process. In the fully loaded position, the ramp220holds the bottom wall193of the pluggable module106in an elevated position spaced apart from and off of the bottom wall132. The pluggable module106may be spaced apart from the heat sink144as the pluggable module is loaded into the module channel118when partially loaded (FIG. 6), such as prior to engaging the ramp220and while moving along the front of the inclined surface222.

FIG. 8is a cross sectional view of a portion of the communication system100in accordance with an exemplary embodiment showing the pluggable module106partially loaded into the receptacle cage110.FIG. 9is a cross sectional view of a portion of the communication system100in accordance with an exemplary embodiment showing the pluggable module106fully loaded into the receptacle cage110.

In an exemplary embodiment, the lifting device200includes a cam roller240. The cam roller240is rotatable relative to the receptacle cage110. The cam roller240may be automatically actuated, such as by engagement with the pluggable module106during the loading and unloading process. In other various embodiments, the cam roller240is manually actuated, such as by a lever or actuator accessible from the exterior of the receptacle cage110. The cam roller240includes a pocket242that receives the bottom edge of the pluggable module106. The pocket242is defined by the lifting surface202and an actuating surface244. The cam roller240is movable between a receiving position (FIG. 8) and a lifting position (FIG. 9). The pocket242faces the front end140of the receptacle cage110in the receiving position to receive the bottom edge of the pluggable module106. When the pluggable module106is received in the pocket242and continued to be moved in the loading direction, the pluggable module106engages the actuating surface244. The movement of the pluggable module106in the loading direction and pressing against the actuating surface244causes the cam roller240to rotate. As the cam roller240rotates, the lifting surface202engages the bottom wall193of the pluggable module106and lifts the pluggable module106off of the bottom wall132. The lifting surface202is movable relative to the bottom wall193and moves with the cam roller240.

The cam roller240is configured to interface with the pluggable module106at the end of the loading process of the pluggable module106into the module channel118(for example, when the mating end182of the pluggable module106is about to interface with the communication connector112). In the illustrated embodiment, the cam roller240is located remote from the front end140at the rear edge133of the bottom wall132.

During loading of the pluggable module106into the module channel118, the pluggable module106slides along an interior surface of the bottom wall132. The pluggable module106has a reduced height compared to the height of the module channel118to position the top wall191of the pluggable module106in a spaced apart position from the top wall130and the heat transfer surface146of the heat sink144(for example, to reduce wear of the surfaces during loading). When the pluggable module106engages the cam roller240, the cam roller240is used to lift the mating end182of the pluggable module upward into the module channel118. The bottom wall193is lifted off of the bottom wall132. The top wall191is moved upward toward the heat sink144. When the cam roller240is rotated, the lifting surface202forces the pluggable module106upward toward the heat sink144. The top wall191of the pluggable module106is forced into thermal engagement with the heat transfer surface146. The pluggable module106engages the heat transfer surface146at the end of the loading process (for example, when the cam roller240is rotated to the lifting position. In the fully loaded position, the cam roller240holds the bottom wall193of the pluggable module106in an elevated position spaced apart from and off of the bottom wall132. The pluggable module106may be spaced apart from the heat sink144as the pluggable module is loaded into the module channel118when partially loaded (FIG. 8), such as prior to engaging the cam roller240and while the cam roller240is rotated from the receiving position to the lifting position.