U.S. patent application number 17/169606 was filed with the patent office on 2021-06-03 for polarization feature for a receptacle cage.
The applicant listed for this patent is TE CONNECTIVITY CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Steven David Dunwoody, Richard James Long, Alex Michael Sharf.
Application Number | 20210167554 17/169606 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005387248 |
Filed Date | 2021-06-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210167554 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sharf; Alex Michael ; et
al. |
June 3, 2021 |
POLARIZATION FEATURE FOR A RECEPTACLE CAGE
Abstract
A receptacle cage includes shielding walls forming a module
channel configured to receive a pluggable module. The shielding
walls include first and second side walls extending from a top wall
to form a module channel configured to receive a pluggable module.
The top wall is non-planar and has a shroud extending therefrom
forming a cage polarization feature. The shroud has a first shroud
side wall, a second shroud side wall and a shroud top wall forming
a polarization feature channel configured to receive a polarization
feature of the pluggable module.
Inventors: |
Sharf; Alex Michael;
(Harrisburg, PA) ; Long; Richard James; (Columbia,
PA) ; Dunwoody; Steven David; (Middletown,
PA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
TE CONNECTIVITY CORPORATION |
Berwyn |
PA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005387248 |
Appl. No.: |
17/169606 |
Filed: |
February 8, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
16401263 |
May 2, 2019 |
10923856 |
|
|
17169606 |
|
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|
|
62676338 |
May 25, 2018 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01R 13/745 20130101;
H01R 13/64 20130101; H01R 13/6594 20130101; H01R 13/645 20130101;
H01R 13/6582 20130101; H01R 13/648 20130101; H01R 13/6456 20130101;
H01R 12/716 20130101; H01R 13/74 20130101; H01R 13/5213 20130101;
H01R 24/50 20130101; H01R 13/629 20130101; H01R 4/64 20130101; H01R
43/26 20130101; H01R 13/5202 20130101; H01R 13/6581 20130101; H01R
13/506 20130101; H01R 13/516 20130101; H01R 13/741 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H01R 13/645 20060101
H01R013/645; H01R 13/6582 20060101 H01R013/6582 |
Claims
1. A receptacle cage comprising: shielding walls forming a module
channel configured to receive a pluggable module, the shielding
walls including a top wall, a first side wall extending from the
top wall and a second side wall extending from the top wall
opposite the first side wall, wherein the top wall, the first side
wall and the second side wall form the module channel; and a shroud
extending from the top wall forming a cage polarization feature,
wherein the top wall is non-planar to define the shroud, the shroud
having a first shroud side wall, a second shroud side wall and a
shroud top wall forming a trapezoidal shaped polarization feature
channel configured to receive a polarization feature of the
pluggable module.
2. The receptacle cage of claim 1, wherein the shroud is formed by
the shielding walls being integral with the top wall.
3. The receptacle cage of claim 1, wherein the first shroud side
wall is integral with the top wall and extends non-parallel to the
top wall, and wherein the second shroud wall is integral with the
top wall and extends non-parallel to the top wall.
4. The receptacle cage of claim 1, wherein the first shroud side
wall is angled non-perpendicular to the shroud top wall and the
second shroud side wall is angled non-perpendicular to the shroud
top wall.
5. The receptacle cage of claim 1, wherein the first shroud side
wall is nonparallel to the second shroud side wall.
6. The receptacle cage of claim 1, wherein the receptacle cage
extends between a front end and a rear end, the top wall having a
front edge at the front end, the front edge being continuous
between the first side wall and the second side wall and extending
along the shroud over the polarization feature channel.
7. The receptacle cage of claim 1, further comprising a gasket
coupled to the top wall, the gasket having a plurality of spring
fingers deflectable relative to the top wall, the gasket being
coupled to the shroud.
8. The receptacle cage of claim 7, wherein the gasket includes a
base having a complementary shape as the top wall, the base
extending along the first shroud side wall, the second shroud side
wall and the shroud top wall, the base extending between the shroud
and the first side wall, and the base extending between the shroud
and the second side wall.
9. The receptacle cage of claim 7, wherein the gasket has at least
one spring finger extending along the first shroud side wall.
10. The receptacle cage of claim 9, wherein the spring finger along
the first shroud side wall is deflectable in a first deflection
direction non-orthogonal to a second deflection direction of the
nearest spring finger along the top wall.
11. The receptacle cage of claim 1, wherein the top wall includes a
panel, the shroud extending upward from the panel.
12. The receptacle cage of claim 11, wherein the panel of the top
wall includes a first segment between the first shroud side wall
and the first side wall and a second segment between the second
shroud side wall and the second side wall, the first and second
segments being coplanar.
13. The receptacle cage of claim 12, wherein the top wall includes
a first corner connecting the first segment and the first shroud
side wall and a second corner connecting the second segment and the
second shroud side wall, the top wall being continuous through the
first corner and through the second corner.
14. The receptacle cage of claim 12, wherein the shroud includes at
least one curved portion between the first segment and the second
segment.
15. The receptacle cage of claim 12, further comprising a gasket
coupled to the top wall, the gasket having a plurality of spring
fingers deflectable relative to the top wall, the gasket having at
least one spring finger extending along the first segment, the
gasket having at least one spring finger extending along the first
shroud side wall, the gasket having at least one spring finger
extending along the second shroud side wall, and the gasket having
at least one spring finger extending along the second segment.
16. The receptacle cage of claim 1, wherein at least one of the
first shroud side wall, the second shroud side wall and the shroud
top wall is curved.
17. The receptacle cage of claim 1, wherein the shroud is
triangular shaped having the first shroud side wall meeting the
second shroud side wall at the shroud top wall, the shroud top wall
being a point.
18. A receptacle cage comprising: shielding walls forming a module
channel configured to receive a pluggable module, the shielding
walls including a top wall, a first side wall extending from the
top wall and a second side wall extending from the top wall
opposite the first side wall, wherein the top wall, the first side
wall and the second side wall form the module channel; a shroud
extending from the top wall forming a cage polarization feature,
wherein the top wall is non-planar to define the shroud, the shroud
having a first shroud side wall, a second shroud side wall and a
shroud top wall forming a trapezoidal shaped polarization feature
channel configured to receive a polarization feature of the
pluggable module; and a gasket having a plurality of deflectable
spring fingers, the deflectable spring fingers extending along the
top wall and extending along the shroud.
19. The receptacle cage of claim 18, wherein at least one of the
spring fingers extend along the first shroud side wall and at least
one of the spring fingers extend along the second shroud side
wall.
20. The receptacle cage of claim 18, wherein at least one of the
spring fingers extends into the polarization feature channel.
21. A receptacle cage comprising: shielding walls forming a module
channel configured to receive a pluggable module, the shielding
walls including a top wall, a first side wall extending from the
top wall and a second side wall extending from the top wall
opposite the first side wall, wherein the top wall, the first side
wall and the second side wall form the module channel, the top wall
including a front edge at a front end of the receptacle cage, the
front edge being continuous between the first side and the second
side, the front edge being non-planar; and a shroud extending from
the top wall forming a cage polarization feature, the shroud having
a first shroud side wall, a second shroud side wall and a shroud
top wall forming a trapezoidal shaped polarization feature channel
configured to receive a polarization feature of the pluggable
module, wherein the front edge is non-planar to define a front edge
of the shroud extending along the first shroud side wall, the
shroud top wall, and the second shroud side wall.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation application U.S.
application Ser. No. 16/401,263 filed May 2, 2019, titled
"POLARIZATION FEATURE FOR A RECEPTACLE CAGE" (Now U.S. Pat. No.
10,923,856, issued Feb. 16, 2021), which claims benefit to U.S.
Provisional Application No. 62/676,338 filed May 25, 2018, titled
"POLARIZATION FEATURE FOR A RECEPTACLE CAGE", the subject matter of
which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The subject matter herein relates generally to polarization
features for receptacle cages.
[0003] Some communication systems utilize communication connectors
to interconnect various components of the system for data
communication. Some known communication systems use pluggable
modules, such as I/O modules, that are electrically connected to
the communication connector. Known communication systems provide
electrical shielding, such as in the form of a receptacle cage
surrounding the communication connector and the pluggable module to
provide electrical shielding. However, there is a desire to
increase throughput in communication systems. For example, high
speed pluggable modules and corresponding receptacle cages have
been proposed having similar geometries as conventional pluggable
modules and receptacle cages. However, the pluggable modules are
not backwards compatible with older receptacle cages and the
pluggable modules have a polarization feature included along the
top of the pluggable module in the form of a post or tab extending
form the top that restricts the possibility of loading the new high
speed pluggable module into one of the older receptacle cages. The
new high speed receptacle cages have corresponding polarization
features in the form of a channel that receives the tab of the new
high speed pluggable modules. The new high speed receptacle cages
are backwards compatible with older pluggable modules and will
accept older pluggable modules.
[0004] A need remains for a reliable way of forming the
polarization feature on the receptacle cage and providing EMI
shielding at the polarization feature on the receptacle cage.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In one embodiment, a receptacle cage is provided including
shielding walls forming a module channel configured to receive a
pluggable module. The shielding walls include first and second side
walls extending from a top wall to form a module channel configured
to receive a pluggable module. The top wall is non-planar and has a
shroud extending therefrom forming a cage polarization feature. The
shroud has a first shroud side wall, a second shroud side wall and
a shroud top wall forming a polarization feature channel configured
to receive a polarization feature of the pluggable module.
[0006] Optionally, the shroud may be trapezoidal shaped forming a
trapezoidal shaped polarization feature channel. The first shroud
side wall may be angled non-perpendicular to the shroud top wall
and the second shroud side wall may be angled non-perpendicular to
the shroud top wall. The first shroud side wall may be nonparallel
to the second shroud side wall.
[0007] Optionally, the receptacle cage may extend between a front
end and a rear end and the top wall may have a front edge at the
front end that is continuous between the first side wall and the
second side wall and that extends along the shroud over the
polarization feature channel.
[0008] Optionally, the receptacle cage may include a gasket coupled
to the top wall having a plurality of spring fingers deflectable
relative to the top wall. The gasket may be coupled to the shroud.
The gasket may include a base having a complementary shape as the
top wall. The base may extend along the first shroud side wall
and/or the second shroud side wall and/or the shroud top wall. The
base may extend between the shroud and the first side wall and/or
between the shroud and the second side wall. Optionally, the gasket
may have at least one spring finger extending along the first
shroud side wall and/or at least one spring finger extending along
the second shroud side wall and/or at least one spring finger
extending along the shroud top wall. Optionally, the spring finger
along the first shroud side wall may be deflectable in a first
deflection direction nonorthogonal to a second deflection direction
of the nearest spring finger along the top wall.
[0009] Optionally, the top wall may include a panel and the shroud
may extend upward from the panel. The panel of the top wall may
include a first segment between the first shroud side wall and the
first side and a second segment between the second shroud side wall
and the second side. The first and second segments may be coplanar.
Optionally, the top wall may include a first corner connecting the
first segment and the first shroud side wall and a second corner
connecting the second segment and the second shroud side wall. The
top wall may be continuous through the first corner and through the
second corner. Optionally, a gasket may be coupled to the top wall
having a plurality of spring fingers deflectable relative to the
top wall. The gasket may have at least one spring finger extending
along the first segment. The gasket may have at least one spring
finger extending along the first shroud side wall and/or at least
one spring finger extending along the second shroud side wall
and/or at least one spring finger extending along the second
segment.
[0010] Optionally, the first shroud side wall, the second shroud
side wall and/or the shroud top wall may be curved. Optionally, the
shroud may be triangular shaped having the first shroud side wall
meeting the second shroud side wall at the shroud top wall with the
shroud top wall being a point.
[0011] In another embodiment, a receptacle cage is provided
including shielding walls forming a module channel configured to
receive a pluggable module. The shielding walls include first and
second side walls extending from a top wall to form a module
channel configured to receive a pluggable module. The top wall is
non-planar and has a shroud extending therefrom forming a cage
polarization feature. The shroud has a first shroud side wall, a
second shroud side wall and a shroud top wall forming a
polarization feature channel configured to receive a polarization
feature of the pluggable module. The receptacle cage includes a
gasket having a plurality of deflectable spring fingers extending
along the top wall and extending along the shroud.
[0012] In a further embodiment, a receptacle connector assembly is
provided including shielding walls forming a module channel
configured to receive a pluggable module. The shielding walls
include first and second side walls extending from a top wall to
form a module channel configured to receive a pluggable module. The
top wall is non-planar and has a shroud extending therefrom forming
a cage polarization feature. The shroud has a first shroud side
wall, a second shroud side wall and a shroud top wall forming a
polarization feature channel configured to receive a polarization
feature of the pluggable module. The top wall has a front edge at
the front end of the receptacle cage being continuous between the
first side and the second side. The front edge is non-planar
forming the shroud and the cage polarization feature.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a communication system
formed in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of pluggable module of the
communication system in accordance with an exemplary
embodiment.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a front end of a receptacle
cage of the communication system in accordance with an exemplary
embodiment.
[0016] FIG. 4 is a top view of a portion of the receptacle cage at
the front end in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.
[0017] FIG. 5 is a front, partial sectional view of the
communication system in accordance with an exemplary
embodiment.
[0018] FIG. 6 is a perspective, partial sectional view of the
communication system in accordance with an exemplary
embodiment.
[0019] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the communication system in
accordance with an exemplary embodiment showing the receptacle cage
having upper and lower module channels.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0020] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a communication system
100 formed in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. The
communication system includes a host circuit board 102 and a
receptacle connector assembly 104 mounted to the host circuit board
102. A pluggable module 106 (fully shown in FIG. 2) is configured
to be electrically connected to the receptacle connector assembly
104. The pluggable module 106 is electrically connected to the host
circuit board 102 through the receptacle connector assembly
104.
[0021] In an exemplary embodiment, the receptacle connector
assembly 104 includes a receptacle cage 110 and a communication
connector 112 (shown with phantom lines) adjacent the receptacle
cage 110. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the
communication connector 112 is received in the receptacle cage 110.
In other various embodiments, the communication connector 112 may
be located rearward of the receptacle cage 110. In various
embodiments, the receptacle cage 110 is enclosed and provides
electrical shielding for the communication connector 112. The
pluggable modules 106 are loaded into the receptacle cage 110 and
are at least partially surrounded by the receptacle cage 110. In an
exemplary embodiment, the receptacle cage 110 is a shielding,
stamped and formed cage member that includes a plurality of
shielding walls 114 that define one or more module channels for
receipt of corresponding pluggable modules 106. In other
embodiments, the receptacle cage 110 may be open between frame
members to provide cooling airflow for the pluggable modules 106
with the frame members of the receptacle cage 110 defining guide
tracks for guiding loading of the pluggable modules 106 into the
receptacle cage 110.
[0022] In the illustrated embodiment, the receptacle cage 110 is a
single port receptacle cage configured to receive a single
pluggable module 106. In other various embodiments, the receptacle
cage 110 may be a ganged cage member having a plurality of ports
ganged together in a single row and/or a stacked cage member having
multiple ports stacked as an upper port and a lower port. The
receptacle cage 110 includes a module channel 116 having a module
port 118 open to the module channel 116. The module channel 116
receives the pluggable module 106 through the module port 118. In
an exemplary embodiment, the receptacle cage 110 extends between a
front end 120 and a rear end 122. The module port 118 is provided
at the front end 120. Any number of module channels 116 may be
provided in various embodiments arranged in a single column or in
multiple columns (for example, 2X2, 3X2, 4X2, 4X3, 4X1, 2X1, and
the like). Optionally, multiple communication connectors 112 may be
arranged within the receptacle cage 110, such as when multiple rows
and/or columns of module channels 116 are provided.
[0023] In an exemplary embodiment, the walls 114 of the receptacle
cage 110 include a top wall 130, a bottom wall 132, a first side
wall 134 and a second side wall 136 extending from the top wall
130. The bottom wall 132 may rest on the host circuit board 102. In
other various embodiments, the receptacle cage 110 may be provided
without the bottom wall 132. Optionally, the walls 114 of the
receptacle cage 110 may include a rear wall 138 at the rear end
122. The walls 114 define a cavity 140. For example, the cavity 140
may be defined by the top wall 130, the bottom wall 132, the side
walls 134, 136 and the rear wall 138. The cavity 140 includes the
module channel 116. In various embodiments, the cavity 140 receives
the communication connector 112, such as at the rear end 122. Other
walls 114 may separate or divide the cavity 140 into additional
module channels 116, such as in embodiments using ganged and/or
stacked receptacle cages. For example, the walls 114 may include
one or more vertical divider walls between ganged module channels
116. In various embodiments, the walls 114 may include a separator
panel between stacked upper and lower module channels 116. The
separator panel may include an upper panel and a lower panel that
form a space between the upper and lower module channels 116, such
as for airflow, for a heat sink, for routing light pipes, or for
other purposes.
[0024] In an exemplary embodiment, the receptacle cage 110 may
include one or more gaskets 142 at the front end 120 for providing
electrical shielding for the module channels 116. For example, the
gaskets 142 may be provided at the port 118 to electrically connect
with the pluggable modules 106 received in the module channel 116.
Optionally, the pluggable module 106 may include a gasket that
engages the receptacle cage 110 rather than the receptacle cage 110
having a gasket that engages the pluggable module 106. In an
exemplary embodiment, the gaskets 142 may be provided around the
exterior of the receptacle cage 110 for interfacing with a panel
144, such as when the front end 120 of the receptacle cage 110
extends through a cutout 146 in the panel 144. The gaskets 142 may
include spring fingers 148 or other deflectable features that are
configured to be spring biased against the panel 144 to create an
electrical connection with the panel 144.
[0025] Optionally, the receptacle connector assembly 104 may
include one or more heat sinks (not shown) for dissipating heat
from the pluggable modules 106. For example, the heat sink may be
coupled to the top wall 130 for engaging the pluggable module 106
received in the module channel 116. The heat sink may extend
through an opening in the top wall 130 to directly engage the
pluggable module 106. Other types of heat sinks may be provided in
alternative embodiments.
[0026] In an exemplary embodiment, the communication connector 112
is received in the cavity 140, such as proximate to the rear wall
138. However, in alternative embodiments, the communication
connector 112 may be located behind the rear wall 138 exterior of
the receptacle cage 110 and extend into the cavity 140 to interface
with the pluggable module(s) 106. In an exemplary embodiment, a
single communication connector 112 is provided. In alternative
embodiments, the communication system 100 may include multiple
communication connectors 112 (for example, for stacked and/or
ganged receptacle cages) for mating with corresponding pluggable
modules 106.
[0027] In an exemplary embodiment, the pluggable modules 106 are
loaded through the port 118 at the front end 120 to mate with the
communication connector 112. The shielding walls 114 of the
receptacle cage 110 provide electrical shielding around the
communication connector 112 and the pluggable module 106, such as
around the mating interface between the communication connector 112
and the pluggable module 106.
[0028] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the pluggable module
106 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. The pluggable
module 106 has a pluggable body 170, which may be defined by one or
more shells. The pluggable body may be thermally conductive and/or
may be electrically conductive, such as to provide EMI shielding
for the pluggable module 106. The pluggable body 170 includes a
mating end 172 and an opposite front end 174. The mating end 172 is
configured to be inserted into the corresponding module channel 116
(shown in FIG. 1). The front end 174 may be a cable end having a
cable extending therefrom to another component within the
system.
[0029] The pluggable module 106 includes a module circuit board 176
that is configured to be communicatively coupled to the
communication connector 112 (shown in FIG. 1). The module circuit
board 176 may be accessible at the mating end 172. The module
circuit board 176 has a mating edge 178 and mating contacts at the
mating edge 178 configured to be mated with the communication
connector 112. The module circuit board 176 may include components,
circuits and the like used for operating and or using the pluggable
module 106. For example, the module circuit board 176 may have
conductors, traces, pads, electronics, sensors, controllers,
switches, inputs, outputs, and the like associated with the module
circuit board 176, which may be mounted to the module circuit board
176, to form various circuits.
[0030] The pluggable module 106 includes an outer perimeter
defining an exterior of the pluggable body 170. For example, the
outer perimeter may be defined by a top 180, a bottom 182, a first
side 184 and a second side 186. The pluggable body 170 may have
other shapes in alternative embodiments. In an exemplary
embodiment, the pluggable module 106 includes a gasket 188 around
the outer perimeter, such as proximate the front end 174. The
gasket 188 may be provided on the top 180 and/or the bottom 182
and/or the sides 184, 186. The gasket 188 includes deflectable
spring fingers 190 configured to engage the receptacle cage 110.
The spring fingers 190 may be electrically connected to the
interior of the receptacle cage 110 when the pluggable module 106
is plugged into the module channel 116. The spring fingers 190 may
provide electrical shielding (for example, EMI shielding) along the
pluggable body 170, such as at the port 118.
[0031] In an exemplary embodiment, the pluggable module 106
includes a polarization feature 192 at the outer perimeter. The
polarization feature 192 is used to restrict mating of the
pluggable module 106 in an incorrect orientation or with an
incorrect receptacle cage 110. In the illustrated embodiment, the
polarization feature 192 is defined by a protrusion 194 extending
from the pluggable body 170. For example, the polarization feature
192 may be a post or tab extending from the top 180. In an
exemplary embodiment, the polarization feature 192 includes a top
196 and sides 198. Optionally, the polarization feature 192 may be
offset, such as closer to the first side 184. Optionally, multiple
polarization features 192 may be provided. In other various
embodiments, the polarization feature 192 may be provided at other
locations. The polarization feature 192 may be provided at a
predetermined depth from the mating end 172 to ensure that the
mating end 172 and/or the module circuit board 176 does not mate
with the communication connector 112 when plugged into the
receptacle cage 110 with the polarization feature 192 and incorrect
orientation.
[0032] In an exemplary embodiment, the pluggable body 170 provides
heat transfer for the module circuit board 176, such as for the
electronic components on the module circuit board 176. For example,
the module circuit board 176 is in thermal communication with the
pluggable body 170 and the pluggable body 170 transfers heat from
the module circuit board 176. Optionally, the pluggable body 170
may include a plurality of heat transfer fins (not shown) along at
least a portion of the outer perimeter of the pluggable module 106
for dissipating heat from the pluggable body 170.
[0033] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the front end 120 of the
receptacle cage 110 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 3 shows the module port 118 to the module channel 116 open at
the front end 120 configured to receive the pluggable module 106
therein. In the illustrated embodiment, the module channel 116 is
surrounded by the top wall 130, the bottom wall 132, and the side
walls 134, 136.
[0034] In an exemplary embodiment, the receptacle cage 110 includes
a cage polarization feature 200 configured to interface with the
polarization feature 192 of the pluggable module 106. In the
illustrated embodiment, the cage polarization feature 200 is
provided along the top wall 130; however, in alternative
embodiments, the cage polarization feature 200 may be provided
along one or more additional or alternative walls 114 of the
receptacle cage 110. In an exemplary embodiment, the cage
polarization feature 200 includes a polarization feature channel
202 open to the module channel 116. The polarization feature
channel 202 receives the polarization feature 192 of the pluggable
module 106. For example, the polarization feature channel 202 may
be sized and shaped to receive the polarization feature 192 and may
be positioned along the top wall 130 to receive the polarization
feature 192.
[0035] In an exemplary embodiment, the top wall 130 is nonplanar
including a shroud 204 extending therefrom forming the cage
polarization feature 200. The shroud 204 is provided at a front
edge 206 of the top wall 130 and extends rearward from the front
edge 206. In an exemplary embodiment, the shroud 204 is integral
with the top wall 130. For example, the shroud 204 is formed with
the top wall 130, such as being stamped and formed or extruded with
the top wall 130. The shroud 204 is a continuous part of the top
wall 130.
[0036] The shroud 204 includes a first shroud side wall 210, a
second shroud side wall 212 and a shroud top wall 214 extending
between the first shroud side wall 210 and the second shroud side
wall 212. In various embodiments, the shroud walls 210, 212, 214
are planar walls, however; the shroud walls may be curved in other
various embodiments. For example, at least one of the first shroud
side wall 210 and/or the second shroud side wall 212 and/or the
shroud top wall 214 may be curved. In an exemplary embodiment, the
shroud 204 is trapezoidal shaped forming a trapezoidal shaped
polarization feature channel 202. For example, the first shroud
side wall 210 is angled non-perpendicular to the shroud top wall
214 and the second shroud side wall 212 is angled non-perpendicular
to the shroud top wall 214. The first shroud side wall 210 is
angled nonparallel to the second shroud wall 212. The shroud 204
may have other shapes in alternative embodiments. The shroud 204
may include greater or fewer walls in alternative embodiments. For
example, the shroud top wall 214 may be eliminated and the shroud
204 may be triangular-shaped in alternative embodiments. For
example, the shroud 204 may be triangular shaped having the first
shroud side wall 210 meeting the second shroud side wall 212 at the
shroud top wall 214 with the shroud top wall 216 being a point or
having a near zero width.
[0037] In an exemplary embodiment, the top wall 130 includes a
panel 208 defined by a first segment 216 and a second segment 218
with the shroud 204 being formed out of the panel 208 and extending
upward from the panel 208. The first segment 216 extends between
the first shroud side wall 210 and the first side wall 134 of the
receptacle cage 110. The second segment 218 extends between the
second shroud side wall 212 and the second side wall 136 of the
receptacle cage 110. In the illustrated embodiment, the first and
second segments 216, 218 are coplanar and the shroud 204 extends
above the first and second segments 216, 218. Optionally, the first
segment 216 may be narrower than the second segment 218 (and the
second segment 218 may be wider than the first segment 216) such
that the shroud 204 is offset and positioned closer to the first
side wall 134 and further from the second side wall 136. In other
various embodiments, the first and second segments 216, 218 may
have equal widths with the shroud 204 centered between the first
and second side walls 134, 136.
[0038] The top wall 130 includes a first corner 220 connecting the
first segment 216 and the first shroud side wall 210 and a second
corner 222 connecting the second segment 218 and the second shroud
side wall 212. The top wall 130 is continuous through the first
corner 220 and through the second corner 222. For example, the
first segment 216 is continuous with the first shroud side wall 210
and the second segment 218 is continuous with the second shroud
side wall 212. The top wall 130 includes a third corner 224
connecting the first shroud side wall 210 and the shroud top wall
214 and a fourth corner 226 connecting the second shroud side wall
212 and the shroud top wall 214. The top wall 130 is continuous
through the third corner 224 and through the fourth corner 226. For
example, the first shroud side wall 210 is continuous with the
shroud top wall 214 and the second shroud side wall 212 is
continuous with the shroud top wall 214. In an alternative
embodiment, the shroud 204 may be provided at the first side wall
134 or the second side wall 136 such that the top wall 130 does not
include the first segment 216 and corresponding first corner 220
and/or the second segment 218 and corresponding second corner
222.
[0039] In an exemplary embodiment, the front edge 206 of the top
wall 130 is continuous between the first side wall 134 and the
second side wall 136. For example, the top wall 130 extends along
the shroud 204 over the polarization feature channel 202. The front
edge 206 is continuous from the first side wall 134 along the first
segment 216, through the first corner 220 along the first shroud
side wall 210, through the third corner 224 along the shroud top
wall 214, through the fourth corner 226 along the second shroud
side wall 212, through the second corner 222 along the second
segment 218 to the second side wall 136. The top wall 130 is a
continuous piece of metal along such segments and walls. There are
no gaps or slits in the top wall 130 along the front edge 206. The
top wall 130 provides rigid, mechanical stability across the width
of the receptacle cage 110 between the first side wall 134 and the
second side wall 136. The top wall 130 includes an interior surface
230 facing the module channel 116 and the polarization feature
channel 202 and an exterior surface 232 facing the exterior of the
receptacle cage 110. In an exemplary embodiment, there are no
breaks or gaps along the interior surface 230 or the exterior
surface 232 at the front edge 206 even as the top wall 130 forms
the cage polarization feature 200.
[0040] FIG. 4 is a top view of a portion of the receptacle cage 110
at the front end 120. FIG. 4 shows the gasket 142 coupled to the
top wall 130. The gasket 142 includes a base 150 coupled to the top
wall 130. The spring fingers 148 extend from the base 150 of the
gasket 142. In an exemplary embodiment, the base 150 has a
complementary shape as the top wall 130. For example, the base 150
has a complementary shape as, and extends along, the front edge 206
of the top wall 130.
[0041] The gasket 142 extends along the cage polarization feature
200. The base 150 has a shroud segment 152 extending along the
shroud 204 and a panel segment 154 extending along the panel 208.
For example, the panel segment 154 may include a first segment 156
extending along the first segment 216 and a second segment 158
extending along the second segment 218. The shroud segment 152
includes a first shroud side wall segment 160, a second shroud side
wall segment 162 and a shroud top wall segment 164. The shroud
segment 152 and the panel segment 154 may be continuous along the
top wall 130. Optionally, the gasket 142 may be continuous along
the top wall 130 and/or the first wall 134 and/or the second wall
136 and/or the bottom wall 132.
[0042] The spring fingers 148 of the gasket 142 include shroud
spring fingers 166 that extend along the shroud 204 and panel
spring fingers 168 that extend along the panel 208. In an exemplary
embodiment, the gasket 142 includes at least one shroud spring
finger 166 extending along the first shroud side wall 210, at least
one shroud spring finger 166 extending along the second shroud side
wall 212 and at least one shroud spring finger 166 extending along
the shroud top wall 214. In an exemplary embodiment, the gasket 142
includes at least one panel spring finger 168 extending from the
first segment 156 and at least one panel spring finger 168
extending from the second segment 158. The spring fingers 148 are
configured to engage the panel 144 (shown in FIG. 1).
[0043] In an exemplary embodiment, the shroud 204 extends to a rear
240. The top wall 130 may continue rearward of the rear 240 of the
shroud 204. In various embodiments, the polarization feature
channel 202 may be closed or bridged at the rear 240 to limit or
restrict EMI leakage at the rear 240.
[0044] FIG. 5 is a front, partial sectional view of the
communication system 100 in accordance with an exemplary
embodiment. FIG. 6 is a perspective, partial sectional view of the
communication system 100 in accordance with an exemplary
embodiment. FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate the receptacle connector
assembly 104 mounted in the cutout 146 in the panel 144 with the
receptacle cage 110 extending through the cutout 146 and the
gaskets 142 between the receptacle cage 110 and the panel 144.
FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate the pluggable module 106 in the receptacle
cage 110 showing the gaskets 188 of the pluggable module 106
engaging the receptacle cage 110. FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate the
polarization feature 192 of the pluggable module 106 received in
the cage polarization feature 200 of the receptacle cage 110.
[0045] In an exemplary embodiment, the gaskets 142 are provided
circumferentially around the exterior of the receptacle cage 110,
such as along the top wall 130, the bottom wall 132, the first side
wall 134 and the second side wall 136. The spring fingers 148 of
the gaskets 142 are compressed against the panel 144 within the
cutout 146. The cutout 146 includes a notch 147 for the cage
polarization feature 200. In the illustrated embodiment, the notch
147 has a complementary shape as the cage polarization feature 200.
For example, the notch 147 may have a trapezoidal shape having
angled side walls and a top wall. The shroud spring fingers 166
engage the edges of the panel 144 defining the notch 147.
[0046] In an exemplary embodiment, the first and second shroud side
walls 210, 212 are angled relative to the first and second segments
216, 218 to angle the shroud spring fingers 166 upward and outward
toward the panel 144. If the shroud side walls 210, 212 were at
right angles to the shroud top wall 214, the shroud spring fingers
166 would be biased straight outward therefrom making it difficult
to interface with the panel 144. For example, due to the clearance
gap defined by the cutout between the exterior surface 232 of the
receptacle cage 110 and the edge of the panel 144 defining the
cutout 146, there would be very little overlap between the panel
144 and the shroud side walls 210, 212 and thus very little surface
area for the shroud spring fingers 166 to engage. The shroud side
walls 210, 212 could be made taller and the notch 147
correspondingly made taller to increase the amount of overlap, but
that would increase the size of the polarization feature channel
202, which could negatively impact the electrical performance by
creating an EMI leakage location.
[0047] In an exemplary embodiment, the first and second shroud side
walls 210, 212 are angled relative to the first and second segments
216, 218 to angle the shroud spring fingers 166 away from the panel
spring fingers 168. For example, if the shroud side walls 210, 212
were at right angles to the shroud top wall 214, the shroud spring
fingers 166 would be biased straight outward therefrom directly
toward the immediately adjacent panel spring fingers 168. This
would cause the shroud spring fingers 166 to interfere with the
immediately adjacent panel spring fingers 168 or would require the
panel spring fingers 168 to be moved further away decreasing the
shielding performance by moving the contact points between the
receptacle connector assembly 104 and the panel 144 further
apart.
[0048] In an exemplary embodiment, the first and second shroud side
walls 210, 212 are angled to provide stability for the shroud 204.
For example, having the shroud side walls 210, 212 angled provide a
more rigid structure than if the shroud side walls 210, 212 are
parallel. However, the shroud 204 may have other shapes in
alternative embodiments, including shapes having the shroud side
walls 210, 212 parallel to each other, with the shroud 204 being
integral with the top wall 130.
[0049] The pluggable module 106 is received in the module channel
116 and is electrically connected to the communication connector
112 when plugged therein. During mating, the polarization feature
192 is aligned with the cage polarization feature 200. The
protrusion 194 is received in the polarization feature channel 202.
The top 196 may face the shroud top wall 214 and the sides 198 may
face the shroud side walls 210, 212. Optionally, there may be
clearance between the protrusion 194 and the shroud 204 such that
the shroud 204 does not interfere with loading of the pluggable
module 106 into the receptacle cage 110. However, if the pluggable
module 106 were improperly oriented relative to the receptacle cage
110, such as if the polarization feature 192 or misaligned with the
cage polarization feature 200, the polarization features 192, 200
would restrict mating. In an exemplary embodiment, the receptacle
cage 110 provides electrical shielding for the pluggable module
106. In an exemplary embodiment, the gasket 188 of the pluggable
module 106 provides EMI shielding at the front end 120 of the
receptacle cage 110. For example, the spring fingers 190 may engage
the interior surfaces of the walls 114.
[0050] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the communication system 100
in accordance with an exemplary embodiment showing the receptacle
cage 110 having upper and lower module channels 116. The receptacle
cage 110 includes a separator panel 124 between the upper and lower
module channels 116. The separator panel 124 includes a first wall
126 and a second wall 128. The first wall 126 defines a bottom wall
of the upper module channel 116 and the second wall 128 defines a
top wall of the lower module channel 116. The second wall 128
includes a cage polarization feature 200 having a polarization
feature channel 202 in the form of a shroud 204.
[0051] It is to be understood that the above description is
intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the
above-described embodiments (and/or aspects thereof) may be used in
combination with each other. In addition, many modifications may be
made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings
of the invention without departing from its scope. Dimensions,
types of materials, orientations of the various components, and the
number and positions of the various components described herein are
intended to define parameters of certain embodiments, and are by no
means limiting and are merely exemplary embodiments. Many other
embodiments and modifications within the spirit and scope of the
claims will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing
the above description. The scope of the invention should,
therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims,
along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are
entitled. In the appended claims, the terms "including" and "in
which" are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective
terms "comprising" and "wherein." Moreover, in the following
claims, the terms "first," "second," and "third," etc. are used
merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical
requirements on their objects. Further, the limitations of the
following claims are not written in means-plus-function format and
are not intended to be interpreted based on 35 U.S.C. .sctn.
112(f), unless and until such claim limitations expressly use the
phrase "means for" followed by a statement of function void of
further structure.
* * * * *