Pull-action de-latching mechanisms for fiber optic modules

• US 6,883,971 B2
• Filed: 04/01/2003
• Issued: 04/26/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Lumentum Operations, LLC (Lumentum Holdings Inc.)
• Original Assignee: JDS Uniphase Corporation (Lumentum Holdings Inc.)
• Inventors: Dair, Edwin, Tan, Kee S., Pang, Ron C., Chiu, Liew C., Sim, Yong P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, John D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WONG, TINA MEI SENG
• Application Number:
  US10/405,578
• Publication Number:
  US 20040047564A1
• Time in Patent Office: 756 Days
• Field of Search: 385 53- 84, 385/134
• US Class Current: 385/53
• 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 pivot-arm actuator for fiber optic modules having one or more electro-optic transducers, the pivot-arm actuator comprising:

a pivot arm rotationally coupled to a fiber optic module, the pivot arm to rotate and release the fiber optic module from a cage assembly in response to a pull-actuator being pulled; and

a pivoting pin coupled to the fiber optic module, the pivoting pin to rotationally couple the pivot arm to the fiber optic module.

2. The pivot-arm actuator of claim 1 wherein the pivot arm includes a first engaging end with a keeper to engage the fiber optic module to the cage assembly.

3. The pivot-arm actuator of claim 1 wherein the pivot arm includes a first engaging end with a latch to engage the fiber optic module to the cage assembly.

4. The pivot-arm actuator of claim 1 wherein the pivot arm includes

a first engaging end to engage the fiber optic module to the cage assembly and to release the fiber optic module there-from, and

a second engaging end opposite the first engaging end, the second engaging end to engage the pivot arm to the pull-actuator.

5. The pivot-arm actuator of claim 1 wherein the pivot arm includes a second engaging end opposite the first engaging end, the second engaging end having a latch to engage the pivot arm to the pull-actuator.

6. The pivot-arm actuator of claim 4 wherein the second engaging end of the pivot arm having a hook to couple into an opening of the pull-actuator.

7. The pivot-arm actuator of claim 4 wherein the first engaging end and the second engaging end of the pivot arm rotate about the pivoting pin with the pivot arm.

8. The pivot-arm actuator of claim 7 wherein the pivoting pin couples to the pivot arm between the first engaging end and the second engaging end.

9. The pivot-arm actuator of claim 8 wherein the pivoting pin is rigidly coupled to the pivot arm and rotationally coupled to the fiber optic module in order to rotationally couple the pivot arm to the fiber optic module.

10. The pivot-arm actuator of claim 8 wherein the pivoting pin i rotationally coupled to the pivot arm and rigidly coupled to the fiber optic module in order to rotationally couple the pivot arm to the fiber optic module.

11. The pivot-arm actuator of claim 8 wherein the pivoting pin is rotationally coupled to the pivot arm and rotationally coupled to the fiber optic module in order to rotationally couple the pivot arm to the fiber optic module.

12. The pivot-arm actuator of claim 4 wherein the pivot arm includes a ramped sliding surface at the first end which causes the pivot arm to rotate when the pull-actuator is pulled thereby releasing the fiber optic module from the cage assembly.

13. The pivot-arm actuator of claim 12 wherein the pivot arm further includes a keeper at a second end opposite the first end, the keeper to couple the fiber optic module to the cage assembly and to release the fiber optic module from the cage assembly in response to the pivot arm being rotated.

14. A pivot-arm actuator for fiber optic modules, the pivot-arm actuator comprising:

a pivot arm having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the pivot arm rotationally coupled to a fiber optic module, the pivot arm to rotate and release the fiber optic module from a cage assembly in response to a movement of a first actuator;

a pivoting pin coupled to the fiber optic module, the pivoting pin coupled to the pivot arm between first end and the second end of the pivot arm, the pivoting pin to rotationally couple the pivot arm to the fiber optic module; and

a keeper coupled to the first end of the pivot arm, the keeper to engage the fiber optic module with the cage assembly.

15. The pivot-arm actuator of claim 14 wherein the keeper to rotate with the pivot arm and release the fiber optic module from the cage assembly in response to the movement of the first actuator.

16. The pivot-arm actuator of claim 15 wherein the second end of the pivot arm to couple to the first actuator.

17. The pivot-arm actuator of claim 15 wherein the keeper of the pivot arm engages a latch of the cage assembly to engage the fiber optic module with the cage assembly.

18. A pivot-arm actuator for fiber optic modules having one or more electro-optic transducers, the pivot-arm actuator comprising:

a pivot arm rotationally coupled to a fiber optic module, the pivot arm to rotate and release the fiber optic module from a cage assembly in response to a movement of a first actuator;

a pivoting pin coupled to the fiber optic module, the pivoting pin to rotationally couple the pivot arm to the fiber optic module; and

the pivot arm having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the pivoting pin between the first end and the second end of the pivot arm, the first end of the pivot arm to engage the fiber optic module with the cage assembly and to release the fiber optic module there-from, the second end of the pivot arm to couple to the first actuator.

19. The pivot-arm actuator of claim 18 wherein the pivoting pin is rigidity coupled to the pivot arm and rotationally coupled to the fiber optic module in order to rotationally couple the pivot arm to the fiber optic module.

20. The pivot-arm actuator of claim 18 wherein the pivoting pin is rotationally coupled to the pivot arm and rigidly coupled to the fiber optic module in order to rotationally couple the pivot arm to the fiber optic module.

21. The pivot-arm actuator of claim 18 wherein the pivoting pin is rotationally coupled to the pivot arm and rotationally coupled to the fiber optic module in order to rotationally couple the pivot arm to the fiber optic module.

22. The pivot-arm actuator of claim 18 wherein the first end and the second end of the pivot arm to rotate with the pivot arm about the pivoting pin.

23. The pivot-arm actuator of claim 18 wherein

the first actuator is a pull-actuator to couple to the second end of the pivot arm, and

the pivot arm rotates and releases the fiber optic module from the cage assembly in response to the pull-actuator being pulled.

24. The pivot-arm actuator of claim 18 wherein the first end of the pivot arm has a keeper to engage the fiber optic module with the cage assembly and to release the fiber optic module from the cage assembly.

25. The pivot-arm actuator of claim 24 wherein the keeper of the pivot arm engages a latch of the cage assembly.

26. The pivot-arm actuator of claim 18 wherein the first end of the pivot arm has a latch to engage the fiber optic module with the cage assembly and to release the fiber optic module from the cage assembly.

27. The pivot-arm actuator of claim 26 wherein the latch of the pivot arm engages a keeper of the cage assembly.