Retention and release mechanisms for fiber optic modules

• US 7,118,281 B2
• Filed: 08/03/2004
• Issued: 10/10/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/09/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Lumentum Operations, LLC (Lumentum Holdings Inc.)
• Original Assignee: JDS Uniphase Corporation (Lumentum Holdings Inc.)
• Inventors: Pang, Ron C., Chiu, Liew C., Sim, Yong P., Teo, Tat M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pak, Sung
• Assistant Examiner(s): Wong, Tina M.
• Application Number:
  US10/910,716
• Publication Number:
  US 20060029332A1
• Time in Patent Office: 798 Days
• Field of Search: 385 53- 94
• US Class Current: 385/53
• 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 6/4201 Packages, e.g. shape, construction, internal or external details
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4245 Mounting of the opto-electronic elements
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4246 Bidirectionally operating package structures
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4261 Packages with mounting structures to be pluggable or detachable, e.g. having latches or rails
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4277 Protection against electromagnetic interference [EMI], e.g. shielding means shielding of electric apparatus H05K9/00, of instruments G12B17/00
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/428 containing printed circuit boards [PCB]
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4284 of optical modules with disconnectable electrical connectors latching arms for electrical connectors H01R13/627
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4292 the light guide being disconnectable from the opto-electronic element, e.g. mutually self aligning arrangements

Abstract

A rotate-and-pull mechanism for fiber optic modules. The mechanism having a lever-actuator to unlatch and withdraw a fiber optic module from a cage assembly or a module receptacle. The lever-actuator pivotally couples to the fiber optic module so that when lever-actuator is rotated about its pivot point, the lever-actuator causes a pivot-arm actuator to release the fiber optic module from the cage assembly. The pivot-arm actuator further including a keeper to engage into a latch in the cage assembly. A bracket, which may be coupled to the fiber optic module, provides a flexible arm portion to provide a counteracting force when the pivot-arm actuator rotates to release the fiber optic module from the cage assembly. The bracket may include a slot through which the keeper on the pivot-arm actuator may move through as the pivot-arm actuator pivots.

Claims

1. A de-latch mechanism for fiber optic modules comprising:

a lever-arm actuator with a pivot point; and

a pivot-arm actuator, wherein rotating the lever-arm actuator about its pivot point causes the pivot-arm actuator to rotate and release a fiber optic module from a cage assembly;

wherein the lever-arm actuator includes a cross member coupled to the lever-arm actuator, the cross member including an actuating slot, wherein the actuating slot rotates when the lever-arm actuator is rotated about its pivot point to cause the pivot-arm actuator to rotate and release a fiber optic module from a cage assembly.

2. The de-latch mechanism of claim 1 wherein the actuating slot rotates about the same axis as the lever-arm actuator when the lever-arm actuator is rotated.

3. The de-latch mechanism of claim 1 wherein pulling the lever-arm actuator causes a fiber optic module to withdraw from a cage assembly.

4. The de-latch mechanism of claim 1 further comprising:

a pivot fastener at the pivot point of the lever-arm actuator to rotationally couple the lever-arm actuator to a fiber optic module.

5. The de-latch mechanism of claim 1 further comprising:

a bracket including a flexible arm, the flexible arm to maintain the pivot-arm actuator in an engaged position.

6. The de-latch mechanism of claim 5 wherein the flexible arm portion of the bracket flexes and provides a counteracting force when the pivot-arm actuator rotates to release the fiber optic module from the cage assembly.

7. The de-latch mechanism of claim 5 wherein the bracket acts as a stop for the pivot-arm actuator in one direction.

8. The de-latch mechanism of claim 5 wherein the bracket further includes side panels to couple to an optical module.

9. The de-latch mechanism of claim 8 wherein the bracket further includes rectangular locating tab openings at the side panels to fit over locating tabs on an optical module.

10. The de-latch mechanism of claim 1 wherein the pivot-arm actuator, includes a keeper to fit into a latch in a cage assembly.

11. The de-latch mechanism of claim 10 wherein the keeper of the pivot-arm actuator includes a triangular protrusion.

12. A de-latch mechanism for fiber optic modules comprising:

a lever-arm actuator with a pivot point;

a pivot-arm actuator, wherein rotating the lever-arm actuator about its pivot point causes the pivot-arm actuator to rotate and release a fiber optic module from a cage assembly; and

a bracket including a flexible arm, the flexible arm to maintain the pivot-arm actuator in an engaged position;

wherein the bracket further includes a slot through which a keeper on the pivot-arm actuator may move through as the pivot-arm actuator pivots.

13. A fiber optic module comprising:

a nose receptacle including

a fiber optic cable receptacle to receive one or more fiber optic cable plugs;

a lever-actuator to release the fiber optic module from a cage assembly using a rotational action; and

a pivot-arm actuator coupled to the lever-actuator, the pivot-arm including a keeper which is released from a latch to release the fiber optic module in response to a rotational action on the lever-actuator.

wherein the lever-actuator includes a cross member coupled to the pivot-arm actuator, the cross member including an actuating slot, wherein the actuating slot rotates when the lever-actuator is rotated to cause the pivot-arm actuator to rotate and release the fiber optic module from a cage assembly.

14. The fiber optic module of claim 13 further comprising:

a printed circuit board including one or more electro-optic transducers to convert optical signals into electrical signals or electrical signals into optical signals.

15. The fiber optic module of claim 13 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.

16. The fiber optic module of claim 15 further comprising:

a housing to couple to the nose receptacle and cover the printed circuit board.

17. The fiber optic module of claim 13 wherein the lever-actuator includes one or more pins to rotationally engage the nose receptacle.

18. The fiber optic module of claim 13 wherein the lever-actuator includes one or more holes to rotationally engage the nose receptacle.

19. The fiber optic module of claim 13 wherein the pivot-arm actuator rotates to release the fiber optic module from the cage assembly.

20. The fiber optic module of claim 13 wherein the nose receptacle further includes,

a bracket, the bracket including a flexible arm, the flexible arm to maintain the pivot-arm actuator in an engaged position.

21. The fiber optic module of claim 20 wherein the flexible arm portion of the bracket flexes and provides an opposing spring force when the pivot-arm actuator rotates to release the fiber optic module from the cage assembly.

22. The fiber optic module of claim 20 wherein the bracket acts as a stop for the pivot-arm actuator in one direction.

23. The fiber optic module of claim 20 wherein the bracket further includes side panels to couple to the nose receptacle.

24. The fiber optic module of claim 23 wherein the bracket further includes rectangular locating tab openings at the side panels to fit over locating tabs on the nose receptacle.

25. The fiber optic module of claim 20 wherein the bracket further includes a slot through which the keeper on the pivot-arm actuator may move through as the pivot-arm actuator pivots.

26. The fiber optic module of claim 13 wherein the keeper of the pivot-arm actuator includes a triangular protrusion.