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

• US 6,974,265 B2
• Filed: 03/09/2004
• Issued: 12/13/2005
• 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:
  US10/797,869
• Publication Number:
  US 20050117854A1
• Time in Patent Office: 644 Days
• Field of Search: 385 53- 84
• 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 nose receptacle engageable with a cage assembly;

a pull-actuator to disengage and withdraw the nose receptacle from the cage assembly including;

a de-latch puller slideably coupled to the nose receptacle for pulling in a direction away from the cage assembly; and

a latching actuator engaged with the de-latch puller for disengaging the nose receptacle from the 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 de-latch puller 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 de-latch puller.

6. The fiber optic module of claim 4, wherein the nose receptacle includes rails on which the de-latch puller slides to disengage the fiber optic module from the cage assembly.

7. The fiber optic module of claim 1 wherein the de-latch puller includes, one or more end-stops to withdraw the fiber optic module as the de-latch puller is pulled.

8. The fiber optic module of claim 1 wherein the de-latch puller includes one or more end-stops to prevent the de-latch puller from becoming disengaged from the fiber optic module as it is pulled.

9. 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.

10. The fiber optic module of claim 1 wherein the pull-actuator is formed of metal.

11. The fiber optic module of claim 1 wherein the pull-actuator is formed of a plastic.

12. 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.

13. The fiber optic module of claim 12 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.

14. The fiber optic module of claim 1 wherein the de-latch puller is a pull button.

15. The fiber optic module of claim 1 wherein the de-latch puller is a pull knob.

16. The fiber optic module of claim 1 wherein the de-latch puller is a pull hook.

17. The fiber optic module of claim 1 wherein the de-latch puller is a pull ring.

18. The fiber optic module of claim 1 wherein the de-latch puller is a pull square.

19. The fiber optic module of claim 1 wherein the de-latch puller is a pull mechanism.

20. The fiber optic module according to claim 1, wherein the de-latch puller includes a catch;

and wherein the latching actuator includes a ramped sliding surface at a first end for coupling with the catch, whereby pulling of the de-latch puller causes the latching actuator to rotate.

21. The fiber optic module according to claim 20, wherein the latching actuator includes a latch on a second end thereof for engaging an opening in the cage assembly.

22. The fiber optic module according to claim 21, wherein the catch includes a latching surface with a rounded edge, whereby when the de-latch puller is pulled, the rounded edge of the latching surface moves against the ramped sliding surface causing the latching actuator to rotate and the latch to disengage from the opening in the cage assembly.

23. The fiber optic module according to claim 20, further comprising spring means for maintaining the latching actuator engaged with the cage assembly.