Patent Publication Number: US-2023137375-A1

Title: Network interface device having heat dissipating members

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to the field of network interface devices, and more particularly, to network interface devices having heat dissipation members. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Network interfaces devices, for example small form-factor pluggable (SFP) devices, are typically used in data communication systems, for example in switch devices of data communication systems and other devices known in the art. In operation, such network interface devices typically produce heat that may cause reduction in their performance 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Some embodiments of the present invention may provide a network interface device including for example a frame having: a first frame end, a second frame end, a top frame surface, a bottom frame surface, a first lateral frame surface and a second lateral frame surface, wherein the top frame surface comprises a longitudinal frame indent extending along a portion of the top frame surface and between the first lateral frame surface and the second lateral frame surface; and heat dissipating members protruding from the longitudinal frame indent of the top frame surface. 
     In some embodiments, the heat dissipating members may extend above a plane of the top frame surface. 
     In some embodiments, the heat dissipating members may be longitudinal fins that are parallel to a central longitudinal frame axis extending between the first frame end and the second frame end. The longitudinal fins may be perpendicular to the top frame surface. The longitudinal fins may extend above a plane of at least one of the first longitudinal portion and the second longitudinal portion of the top frame surface. 
     In some embodiments, the longitudinal fins may be spaced by a fin pitch with respect to each other, and wherein the fin pitch is predefined such that each of the longitudinal fins contacts one of conductive members of a receptacle cage of a data communication system when the network interface device is inserted into the receptacle cage. 
     In some embodiments, the longitudinal fins have a trapezoidal cross-sectional shape. In some embodiments, the longitudinal fins have a rectangular cross-sectional shape. 
     In some embodiments, the heat dissipating members and at least the top frame surface may be formed of one piece. 
     In some embodiments, the heat dissipating members may be welded or soldered to the top frame surface. 
     In some embodiments, the network interface device may include a data communication system connector positioned at the first frame end to connect the network interface device to a data communication system. 
     In some embodiments, the network interface device may include a cable connector positioned at the second frame end to connect a cable to the network interface device. 
     In some embodiments, the network interface device may include electronic components within a hollow interior of the frame. 
     In some embodiments, the network interface device may include a handle positioned at the second frame end. 
     Some embodiments of the present invention may provide a network interface device including a frame having: a first frame end, a second frame end, a top frame surface, a bottom frame surface, a first lateral frame surface and a second lateral frame surface, wherein the top frame surface may include: a first longitudinal portion comprising or adjacent to the first frame end, a second longitudinal portion comprising or adjacent to the second end, and a third longitudinal portion disposed between the first longitudinal portion and the second longitudinal portion and offset with respect to the first longitudinal portion and the second longitudinal portion towards the bottom frame surface to form a longitudinal frame indent; and heat dissipating members protruding from the third longitudinal portion of the top frame surface. 
     In some embodiments, at least one of the first longitudinal portion and the second longitudinal portion of the top frame surface is disposed along a first plane positioned at a first height relative to the bottom frame surface, the third longitudinal portion of the top frame surface is disposed along a second plane positioned at a second height relative to the bottom frame surface, and the first height being higher than the second height. 
     In some embodiments, the heat dissipating members extend above a plane of at least one of the first longitudinal portion and the second longitudinal portion of the top frame surface. 
     In some embodiments, the heat dissipating members may include longitudinal fins being spaced by a fin pitch with respect to each other, and wherein the fin pitch is predefined such that each of the longitudinal fins contacts one of conductive members of a receptacle cage of a data communication system when the network interface device is inserted into the receptacle cage. 
     In some embodiments, the heat dissipating members may include a zipper fins assembly. 
     In some embodiments, the heat dissipating members and at least the top frame surface are formed of one piece. 
     In some embodiments, the heat dissipating members are welded or soldered to the top frame surface. 
     In some embodiments, the network interface device may include a data communication system connector positioned at the first frame end to connect the network interface device to a data communication system. 
     In some embodiments, the network interface device may include a cable connector positioned at the second frame end to connect a cable to the network interface device. 
     In some embodiments, the network interface device may include electronic components within a hollow interior of the frame. 
     In some embodiments, the network interface device may include a handle positioned at the second frame end. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a better understanding of embodiments of the invention and to show how the same can be carried into effect, reference will now be made, purely by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which like numerals designate corresponding elements or sections throughout. 
       In the accompanying drawings: 
         FIG.  1    is a three-dimensional (3D) diagram of a network interface device having heat dissipation members in a form of longitudinal fins, according to some embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG.  2    is a sectional view of the network interface device, according to some embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG.  3    is a transverse cross-sectional view of the network interface device, according to some embodiments of the invention; 
         FIGS.  4  and  5    are 3D diagrams of the network interface device and a data communication system having a receptacle cage mounted on a Printed Circuit Board (PCB), according to some embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG.  6    is a transverse cross-sectional view of the network interface device and the data communication system, according to some embodiments of the invention; and 
         FIGS.  7 A and  7 B  are 3D diagrams of the network interface device having heat dissipating members in a form of zipper fins assembly, according to some embodiments of the invention. 
     
    
    
     It will be appreciated that, for simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity. Further, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In the following description, various aspects of the present invention are described. For purposes of explanation, specific configurations and details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will also be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention can be practiced without the specific details presented herein. Furthermore, well known features can have been omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the present invention. With specific reference to the drawings, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the present invention only and are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the invention in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the invention can be embodied in practice. 
     Before at least one embodiment of the invention is explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is applicable to other embodiments that can be practiced or carried out in various ways as well as to combinations of the disclosed embodiments. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     Reference is now made to  FIG.  1   , which is a three-dimensional (3D) diagram of a network interface device  100  having heat dissipation members in a form of longitudinal fins  120 , according to some embodiments of the invention. 
     Reference is also made to  FIG.  2   , which is a sectional view of network interface device  100 , according to some embodiments of the invention. 
     Reference is also made to  FIG.  3   , which is a transverse cross-sectional view of network interface device  100 , according to some embodiments of the invention. 
     Reference is also made to  FIGS.  4  and  5   , which are 3D diagrams of network interface device  100  and a data communication system  90  having a receptacle cage  92  mounted on a Printed Circuit Board (PCB)  94 , according to some embodiments of the invention. 
     Reference is also made to  FIG.  6   , which is a transverse cross-sectional view network interface device  100  and data communication system  90 , according to some embodiments of the invention. 
     According to some embodiments of the present invention, network interface device  100  may include a frame  110  and heat dissipating members  120 . Network interface device  100  may be, for example, a pluggable network interface device, such as, e.g., a small form-factor pluggable (SFP) device (e.g., a quad SFP (QSFP) device or an octal SFP (OSFP) device) or any other form-factor device known in the art. Embodiments may include electronic components other than a network interface device including frame and heat dissipating structures as described herein. 
     Frame  110  of network interface device  100  may include a first frame end  111 , a second frame end  112 , a top frame surface  113 , a bottom frame surface  114 , a first lateral frame surface  115  and a second lateral frame surface  116 . In some embodiments, frame  110  may have a rectangular (or substantially rectangular) shape. For example, top frame surface  113  and bottom frame surface  114  may be parallel (or substantially parallel) to each other and/or first lateral frame surface  115  and second lateral frame surface  116  may be parallel (or substantially parallel) to each other. Frame  110  may include a hollow (or substantially hollow) frame interior  117 . Frame  110  may include a central longitudinal frame axis  118  extending between first frame end  111  and second frame end  112 . 
     Frame  110  may include a longitudinal frame indent  119  extending along a portion of top frame surface  113  and between first lateral frame surface  115  and second lateral frame surface  116 . For example, top frame surface  113  may include a first longitudinal portion  113   a  including or adjacent to first frame end  111 , a second longitudinal portion  113   c  including or adjacent to second frame end  112 , and a third longitudinal portion  113   e  disposed between first and second longitudinal portions  113   a,    113   c.  Third longitudinal portion  113   e  may be offset or displaced with respect to first and second longitudinal portions  113   a,    113   c  towards bottom frame surface  114  to form longitudinal frame indent  119 . For example, first longitudinal portion  113   a  and/or second longitudinal portion  113   c  of top frame surface  113  may be disposed along a plane positioned at a first height  113   i  relative to bottom frame surface  114 , and third longitudinal portion  113   e  of top frame surface  113  may be disposed along a plane positioned at a second height  113   k  relative to bottom frame surface  114 , wherein the first height  113   i  being higher than the second height  113   k.  In some embodiments, second height  113   k  may be at least 40% of first height  113   i.  For example, second height  113   k  may be 65% of first height  113   i.  For example, first height  113   i  may be at least 10.97 mm. In the same example, second height  113   k  may be at least 4.5 mm, for example 6.95 mm. 
     Network interface device  100  may include heat dissipating members or heat dissipating longitudinal fins  120  (e.g., also referred herein as “longitudinal fins  120 ”) protruding from longitudinal frame indent  119  on top frame surface  113 . In some embodiments, longitudinal fins  120  and at least top frame surface  113  may be formed of one piece (e.g., a molded piece of metal). In some embodiments, longitudinal fins  120  may be welded or soldered to top frame surface  113 . In some embodiments, longitudinal fins  120  may be perpendicular (or substantially perpendicular) to top frame surface  113 . For example, longitudinal fins  120  may be perpendicular (or substantially perpendicular) to third longitudinal portion  113   e  of top frame surface  113 . In some embodiments, longitudinal fins  120  may be parallel (or substantially parallel) to central longitudinal frame axis  118 . In some embodiments, longitudinal fins  120  may extend from the level of third longitudinal portion  113   e  to above a height of a plane  113   g  of first longitudinal portion  113   a  and/or of second longitudinal portion  113   c  of top frame surface  113 . In some embodiments, longitudinal fins  120  may have a trapezoidal (or substantially trapezoidal) transverse cross-sectional shape when viewed perpendicular to their longitudinal axis. For example, longitudinal fins  120  may have a rectangular (or substantially rectangular) cross-sectional shape. Longitudinal fins  120  may extend upward from a point below (relative to the bottom of device  100 ) the height of first longitudinal portion  113   a  and second longitudinal portion  113   c.    
     In some embodiments, network interface device  100  may include electronic components within frame interior  117 . In some embodiments, network interface device  100  may include a data communication system connector  132  positioned at first frame end  111  to connect network interface device  100  to data communication system  90 . Data communication system connector  132  may, for example, include mechanical and/or electrical connectors. In some embodiments, network interface device  100  may include a cable connector  134  positioned at second frame end  112  to connect network interface device  100  to a cable. Cable connector  134  may, for example, include mechanical and/or electrical connectors. In some embodiments, network interface device  100  may include a handle  136  positioned at second frame end  112 . 
     Typical network interface devices are designed according to a predefined set of technical characteristics. Typical network interface devices and/or any components thereof designed according to the predefined set of technical parameters are referred herein as “standard complaint”, “compliant with the standard” or “defined by the standard”. The predefined set of technical characteristics may, for example, define external dimensions of typical network interface devices, a height of longitudinal fins of typical network interface devices, a fin pitch, a number of longitudinal fins of typical network interface devices or any other technical characteristics known in the art. 
     Network interface device  100  according to embodiments of the present invention may have external dimensions that are compliant with external dimensions defined by the standard. Network interface device  100  having standard compliant external dimensions may be inserted into standard cage receptacle  92  of data communication system  90  (e.g., as shown in  FIGS.  4 ,  5  and  6   ). 
     For example, network interrace device  100  may have a height (measured from bottom frame surface  114  to top of longitudinal fins  120 ) ranging between 12.8 mm to 13.1 mm. In the same example, network interface device  100  and/or frame  110  may have a width (measured from first to second longitudinal frame surfaces  114 ,  115 ) ranging between 22.57 mm to 22.59 mm. In the same example, frame  110  may have a height (measured from bottom frame surface  114  to first or second longitudinal portions  113   a,    113   c  of top frame surface  113 ) of at least 10.97 mm. In the same example, network interface device  100  may have a length (measured from first frame end  111  to communication system connector  132  at second frame end  112 ) smaller than 116.4 mm. 
     Longitudinal fins  120  of network interface device  100  may protrude from longitudinal frame indent  119 /offset third longitudinal portion  113   e  of top frame surface  113  and may have a height (measured from top to bottom of the fins) determined to conform external transverse dimensions of network interface device  100  with external transverse dimensions defined by the standard. Prior art standard compliant network interface devices have no longitudinal indents on their top frame surfaces. For example, the first, second and third longitudinal portions of the top frame surfaces of prior art standard compliant network interface devices are disposed at the same level or having the same height measured from the bottom frame surfaces thereof. Accordingly, longitudinal fins  120  of network interface device  100  protruding from longitudinal indent  119 /offset third longitudinal portion  113 e of top frame surface  113  have a height (measured from top to bottom of the fins) that is greater than a height (measured from top to bottom of the fins) of longitudinal fins of prior art standard compliant network interface devices. It is noted that it is not possible to offset or displace the entire top frame surface  113  (extending from first to second frame ends  111 ,  112 ) towards bottom frame surface  114  of network interface device  100  at least because first frame end  111  and/or first longitudinal portion  113   a  of top frame surface  113  having data communication system connector  132  need to have standard compliant external dimensions to connect network interface device  100  to standard data communication system  90 . Thus, there is a need for longitudinal frame indent  119  on top frame surface  113  of network interface device  100  to increase the height of longitudinal fins  120  as compared to the height of longitudinal fins of prior art standard compliant network interface devices. The measure of indentation of longitudinal frame indent  119  into top frame surface  110  or the measure of offset of third longitudinal portion  113   e  with respect to first or second longitudinal frame portions  113   a,    113   c  of top frame surface  113  need to be carefully predefined. For example, the indentation/offset measures may be predefined such that longitudinal frame indent  119  does not reduce (or substantially does not reduce) the efficiency of the air flow between longitudinal fins  120 . The indentation/offset measures may be predefined based on, for example, the height of PCB being accommodated within network interface device  100  and/or based on heights of electronic components on the PCB. The indentation/offset measures may be predefined based on, for example, a manufacturing process and/or a material being used to manufacture network interface device  100 . Advantageously, network interface device  100  with longitudinal fins  120  having greater height or vertical extent than longitudinal fins of prior art standard compliant network interface devices may have better heat dissipation characteristics as compared to typical standard compliant network interface device. For example, network interface device  100  according to some embodiments of the present invention with longitudinal fins  120  having greater height or vertical extent than longitudinal fins of prior art standard compliant network interface devices may have thermal impedance that is lower by up to 17% as compared to thermal impedance of prior art standard compliant network interface devices. 
     Longitudinal fins  120  of network interface device  100  according to some embodiments of the present invention may be spaced by a fin pitch  122  with respect to each other. In some embodiments, fin pitch  122  may be smaller than a fin pitch value defined by the standard. For example, fin pitch  122  may be smaller by up to 65% of the fin pitch value defined by the standard. In some embodiments, fin pitch  122  may range between 4% and 14% of a distance between first and second longitudinal frame surfaces  115 ,  116 . Accordingly, in some embodiments, network interface device  100  may have a greater number of longitudinal fins  120  as compared to prior art standard compliant network interface devices. In some embodiments, fin pitch  122  is predefined such that each of longitudinal fins  120  contacts one of conductive members  96  of receptacle cage  92  of data communication system  90  (e.g., as shown in  FIG.  6   ). Advantageously, network interface device  100  having greater number of longitudinal fins  120  than prior art standard compliant network interface devices may have better heat dissipation characteristics as compared to typical standard compliant network interface device. 
     Advantageously, network interface device  100  according to embodiments of the present invention may have better heat dissipation characteristics as compared to prior art standard compliant network interface device (e.g., as described hereinabove). For example, in operation, network interface device  100  having twelve (12) longitudinal fins  120 , instead of eight (8) longitudinal fins as in prior art standard complaint network interface device, that are higher by 43% as compared to longitudinal fins of prior art standard complaint network interface device may have a temperature that is lower by at least 18% as compared to a temperature of prior art standard complaint network interface device in operation. 
     It is noted that although longitudinal fins  120  are described and shown in  FIGS.  1 - 6   , other embodiments of heat dissipating members may be used. 
     Reference is now made to  FIGS.  7 A and  7 B , which are 3D diagrams of network interface device  100  having heat dissipating members in a form of zipper fins assembly  130 , according to some embodiments of the invention.  FIG.  7 A  shows an assembled view of network interface  100 .  FIG.  7 B  shows an exploded view of frame  110  and zipper fins assembly  130  of network interface device  100 . 
     Zipper fins assembly  130  may, for example, include a top flat (or substantially flat) surface  132 , a bottom flat (or substantially flat) surface  134  and multiple longitudinal members  136  being connected between and perpendicular to top and bottom frame surfaces  132 ,  134  and spaced with respect to each other. Zipper fins assembly  130  may be, for example, welded or soldered at its bottom flat surface  134  to third longitudinal portion  113   e  of top frame surface  113  within longitudinal frame indent  119 . 
     When zipper fins assembly  130  being welded or soldered to third longitudinal portion  113 e of top frame surface  113  within longitudinal frame indent  119 , top flat surface  132  and at least a portion of longitudinal members  136  may extend above a plane of at least one of first longitudinal portion  113   a  and second longitudinal portion  113   c  of top frame surface  113 . 
     In the above description, an embodiment is an example or implementation of the invention. The various appearances of “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “certain embodiments” or “some embodiments” do not necessarily all refer to the same embodiments. Although various features of the invention can be described in the context of a single embodiment, the features can also be provided separately or in any suitable combination. Conversely, although the invention can be described herein in the context of separate embodiments for clarity, the invention can also be implemented in a single embodiment. Certain embodiments of the invention can include features from different embodiments disclosed above, and certain embodiments can incorporate elements from other embodiments disclosed above. The disclosure of elements of the invention in the context of a specific embodiment is not to be taken as limiting their use in the specific embodiment alone. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the invention can be carried out or practiced in various ways and that the invention can be implemented in certain embodiments other than the ones outlined in the description above. 
     The invention is not limited to those diagrams or to the corresponding descriptions. For example, flow need not move through each illustrated box or state, or in exactly the same order as illustrated and described. Meanings of technical and scientific terms used herein are to be commonly understood as by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention belongs, unless otherwise defined. While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as exemplifications of some of the preferred embodiments. Other possible variations, modifications, and applications are also within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should not be limited by what has thus far been described, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.