Fiber optic modules with de-latching mechanisms having a pull-action

• US 20050117854A1
• Filed: 03/09/2004
• Published: 06/02/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lumentum Operations, LLC (Lumentum Holdings Inc.)
• Original Assignee: JDS Uniphase Corporation (Lumentum Holdings Inc.)
• Inventors: Chiu, Liew C., Dair, Edwin, Tan, Kee S., Pang, Ron C., Sim, Yong P.
• Granted Patent: US 6,974,265 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 385/92
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3825 with an intermediate part, e.g. adapter, receptacle, linking two plugs
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3893 Push-pull type, e.g. snap-in, push-on
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3897 Connectors fixed to housings, casing, frames or circuit boards G02B6/44528 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4246 Bidirectionally operating package structures
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4292 the light guide being disconnectable from the opto-electronic element, e.g. mutually self aligning arrangements

Abstract

Fiber optic modules having a pull-actuator to unlatch and withdraw (i.e. unplug) it from a cage assembly or a module receptacle. The pull-actuator includes a pull-tab, an arm or push rod, and a catch to couple to a pivot-arm actuator. The pivot-arm actuator pivotally latches to the pull-actuator and to the cage assembly or module receptacle. The pull-actuator makes it easy to de-latch and unplug a fiber optic module. A nose grip is further provided to pull the fiber optic module away from the cage or module receptacle. A belly-to-belly mounting configuration is introduced for the pull-release fiber optic modules.

Claims

1. A fiber optic module comprising:

a pull-actuator to disengage and withdraw the fiber optic module from a cage assembly; and

one or more electro-optic transducers to convert optical signals into electrical signals or electrical signals into optical signals.

2. The fiber optic module of claim 1 wherein

the fiber optic module is a small form pluggable (SFP) fiber optic module and the cage assembly is a small form pluggable (SFP) cage assembly.

3. The fiber optic module of claim 1 wherein

the pull-actuator is activated to disengage and withdraw the fiber optic module by a single backward pull action.

4. The fiber optic module of claim 1 wherein

the pull-actuator includes one or more grooves to slideably engage the fiber optic module.

5. The fiber optic module of claim 1 wherein

the fiber optic module includes one or more grooves to slideably engage the pull-actuator.

6. The fiber optic module of claim 1 wherein

the pull-actuator slides to disengage the fiber optic module from the cage assembly.

7. The fiber optic module of claim 1 wherein

the pull-actuator includes,

one or more end-stops to withdraw the fiber optic module as the pull-actuator is pulled.

8. The fiber optic module of claim 1 wherein

the pull-actuator includes

one or more end-stops to prevent the pull-actuator from becoming disengaged from the fiber optic module as it is pulled.

10. The fiber optic module of claim 1 wherein the pull-actuator includes

an orientation indicator to indicate the fiber optic module which the pull-actuator releases.

11. The fiber optic module of claim 1 wherein

the pull-actuator is formed of metal.

12. The fiber optic module of claim 1 wherein

the pull-actuator is formed of a plastic.

24. The fiber optic module of claim 1 wherein the pull-actuator permits arranging multiple fiber optic modules in a belly-to-belly configuration without obstructing adjacent pull-actuators.

25. The fiber optic module of claim 24 wherein with the belly-to-belly configuration, two pull-actuators are located in proximity to each other along a common surface between two fiber optic modules.

9. (canceled)

13-23. -23. (canceled)

26-49. -49. (canceled)

50. A fiber optic module comprising:

means for converting optical signals into electrical signals or electrical signals into optical signals; and

means for disengaging the fiber optic module from a cage assembly by pulling a pull-actuator.

51. The fiber optic module of claim 50 further comprising:

means for slideably engaging the means for disengaging the fiber optic module.

52. The fiber optic module of claim 50 wherein the means for disengaging also provides a means for withdrawing.

53. The fiber optic module of claim 50 further comprising:

means for withdrawing the fiber optic module.

56. The fiber optic module of claim 50 further comprising:

means for indicating the fiber optic module which the means for disengaging releases.

54-55. -55. (canceled)

57. A method for disengaging and withdrawing a fiber optic module from a cage assembly comprising:

pulling a pull-actuator to disengage the fiber optic module from the cage assembly; and

continuing to pull on the pull-actuator to withdraw the fiber optic module from the cage assembly.

58. The method of claim 57 comprising:

releasing the pull-actuator if the fiber optic module has been released from the cage assembly.

59-70. -70. (canceled)

71. A configuration of fiber optic modules having one or more electro-optic transducers, the configuration comprising:

a printed circuit board having a first side and a second side;

a first cage coupled to the first side of the printed circuit board to receive a first fiber optic module; and

a second cage coupled to the second side of the printed circuit board to receive a second fiber optic module, the second cage aligned in parallel to the first cage such that a first belly of the first fiber optic module is adjacent a second belly of the second fiber optic module.

72. The configuration of claim 71 wherein,

the first belly of the first fiber optic module being adjacent to the second belly of the second fiber optic module provides for increased density.

73. The configuration of claim 71, further comprising:

the first fiber optic module having a first pull-actuator with a first orientation indicator;

the second fiber optic module having a second pull-actuator with a second orientation indicator; and

the first pull-actuator and the second pull-actuator each having a pull-tab offset from each other when the first belly is adjacent the second belly.

74. The configuration of claim 73 wherein,

the first orientation indicator indicates the first fiber optic module and the second orientation indicator indicates the second fiber optic module.

75. The configuration of claim 73 wherein,

the pull-tab is a pull button.

76. The configuration of claim 73 wherein,

the pull-tab is a pull knob.

77. The configuration of claim 73 wherein,

the pull-tab is a pull hook.

78. The configuration of claim 73 wherein,

the pull-tab is a pull ring.

79. The configuration of claim 73 wherein,

the pull-tab is a pull square.

80. The configuration of claim 73 wherein,

the pull-tab is a pull mechanism.