JP2006276468A - Optical fiber connector releasing mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain excellent rigidity and releasing stability in an optical fiber connector releasing mechanism which is to be used in a tranceiver module. <P>SOLUTION: This releasing mechanism is equipped with a sliding handle which is operated by a bail with cam. When the bail is released from a lock position, the bail rotates by drawing an arc of about 45 degrees and enters into a 1st stage. When the bail rotates at degrees more than 45 degrees and enters into a 2nd stage, the handle is energized so as to advance the inside of sliding paths on the tranceiver module by the cooperation of a 1st axial pin and a second axial pin. When the handle advances, wedge elements located in last ends of a pair of sliding arms are brought into contact with lock tabs of a cage assembly. When the handle advances the inside of the sliding paths, the wedge elements extrude lock tabs to the outside. When the lock tabs are extruded to the outside, shoulder parts of the tranceiver module are released from fastened states and the tranceiver module becomes freely slidable to the outside of the cage assembly. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

Field of Invention

  The present invention relates generally to electronic connector device technology, and more particularly to an optical fiber connector release mechanism.

Background art description

  Computers and related peripherals, and satellite communication systems have been developing very rapidly in recent years. In these systems, the required data transfer rate is increasing in order to perform the highly complex tasks that drive the system, such as digital signal processing, image analysis, and communications. In order to send signals over short distances and long distances between computers, between two circuit boards within a single computer, and between multiple chips on a single printed circuit board, based on these current needs. An optical coupler is used. The use of high speed optical signals instead of electrical wiring increases the achievable data transfer rate.

  Optical transceiver modules typically include both a light emitting element, such as a surface emitting laser (VCSEL), and a light detection element, such as a photodiode. A driver / receiver circuit module, typically in the form of an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) chip, includes a driver circuit that receives an electrical signal from one element and drives the VCSEL accordingly. The ASIC also includes a receiver circuit that receives signals from the photodiode and processes these signals accordingly to turn them into appropriate outputs. A combination of a VCSEL, a photodiode, and an ASIC circuit is generally called an optical transceiver.

  As optical array density increases, the task of connecting fiber optic cables to an array is becoming increasingly complex. It is very important to align the operating area of each emitter and each detector with the corresponding single fiber of the fiber optic bundle. Therefore, the importance of the mechanical connection means is also increasing accordingly. Therefore, fiber optic connectors are of great interest in current technology. Therefore, it is always welcomed to improve the reliability and ease of manufacture of such connectors.

  In the application that is the subject of the present invention, a pair of LC-type plugs are housed in a pair of bays in a fiber optic transceiver module housed in a cage assembly permanently attached to the PCB. For data integrity, it is essential that the connector means hold the LC plug in place during data transmission / reception. It is equally important to know if the LC plug is in use when the user wants to remove the transceiver module from the cage.

Summary of the Invention

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a connector having a release handle that is formed as an integral structure in order to obtain excellent rigidity and release stability.

  A further object of the present invention is to provide a release mechanism that is very simple to manufacture.

  It is a further object of the present invention to make it very easy to check foolproof so that the transceiver module is not inadvertently removed while the LC plug is in place.

  The present invention is an optical fiber connector release mechanism. This release mechanism is used in a transceiver module housed in a cage assembly that is permanently attached to a printed circuit board. The release mechanism includes a sliding handle that is operated by a bail with a cam. The bail with a cam has two stage running paths (stages). When the bail is released from the locked position, the bail rotates in an arc of about 45 degrees and enters the first stage of the cam slot. As long as the LC plug is not removed from the transceiver module, the bail cannot fully draw this first arc.

  When the bail rotates 45 degrees or more and enters the second stage of the cam slot, the first axial pin attached to the cam slot on the handle and the second axial pin attached to the linear second slot are cooperated. By action, the handle advances in a sliding path on the transceiver module. When the handle begins to advance, a wedge element located at the end of a pair of sliding arms extending rearwardly from the handle includes a locking tab on the cage assembly secured to the shoulder of the locking tab that receives the opening on the transceiver module body. Contact. As the handle advances in the slide path, the wedge element pushes the locking tab outward. When the locking tab is pushed outward, the shoulder of the transceiver module is released and the transceiver module is free to slide out of the cage assembly when the operator pulls on the handle.

  An advantage of the present invention is that the monolithic structure handle provides greater stability than that obtained from prior art multi-part handle structures.

  Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides a precautionary measure so that the transceiver module is not prematurely removed.

  These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the description of the presently known best mode for carrying out the invention as set forth below and shown in the drawings. .

Detailed description of the invention

  The present invention is the optical fiber connector release mechanism shown in FIGS. This release mechanism is typically used in the transceiver module 10 housed in a cage assembly 12 that is permanently attached to a printed circuit board. The release mechanism includes a sliding handle 14 that is actuated by a cammed bail 16. The transceiver module 10 is fixed in the cage 12 by a pair of locking tabs 121 protruding inward from the side surface of the cage 12. The lock tab 121 is accommodated in the sliding path 101 formed on the side surface of the transceiver module housing 103. When the transceiver module 10 is inserted into the cage 12, the flat portion 102 of the transceiver module housing 103 presses the lock tab 121. When the transceiver module 10 is in place in the cage assembly 12, the locking tab 121 repels and enters the sliding path 101 on each side of the module housing 103 and shoulders located at the rear end of the sliding path 101. It contacts the part 104. Accordingly, the transceiver module 10 cannot be removed from the cage assembly 12 when the locking tab 121 is in place.

  The handle 14 is attached to the module housing 103 by an extension arm 141 accommodated in the sliding path 101. The handle 14 is positioned behind the contact portion 105 above the pair of LC plug bays 106. The abutment 105 defines a limit for sliding the handle 14 in the forward direction relative to the module housing 103. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, when the bail 16 and the handle 14 are completely in the locked position, a gap 18 exists between the rear end of the contact portion 105 and the front end of the handle 14.

  At the rear end of the arm 141 is a wedge element 142. Each wedge element 142 has an angled or arcuate surface 1421 that allows the wedge element 142 to push up the locking tab 121 when the release mechanism is activated. After the locking tab 121 is pushed outward, it is placed on the plateau 1422 of the wedge element.

  The actuating element of the release mechanism is a bail 16. The bail 16 is attached to the handle 14 by a first shaft pin 161 received in an eccentric cam slot 143 in the handle 14 and a second shaft pin 162 received in a straight second slot 144. . The upper surface of the bail 16 includes a conveniently shaped finger plate 163 that provides a means for the user to easily hold the bail 16. A tab 165 extending from the rear of the bail 16 defines a slot 164 that receives the tapered boss 145 of the handle 14 so that the bail 16 is secured when the bail 16 is in the locked position shown in FIGS.

  The double rotation shaft of the bail 16 provides the bail 16 with two stage travel paths (stages). When the projection 164 of the bail 16 is removed from the detent 145 and the bail 16 is released from the locked position, the first shaft pin 161 moves on the first stage 1431 of the cam slot 143. At this time, the bail rotates in an arc of about 45 degrees. It should be noted that the bail 16 cannot fully draw this first arc unless the LC plug is removed from the plug bay 106 of the transceiver module 10. This feature provides a fail-safe method that ensures that the transceiver module 10 cannot be removed from the cage assembly 12 while the LC plug is in place, thereby preventing accidental interruption of data transmission. can get.

  When the first shaft pin 161 moves the second stage 1432 of the cam slot 143, the bail 16 rotates 45 degrees or more. The handle 14 advances in the sliding path 101 on the transceiver module 10 by the cooperation of the first shaft pin 161 attached to the cam slot 143 and the second shaft pin 162 attached to the second slot 144. It is energized to do. When the handle arm 141 begins to advance, the angled surface 1421 of the wedge element 142 presses the locking tab 121 of the cage assembly 12 to move the tab 121 out of the sliding path 101. When the arm 14 is fully advanced and the plateau 1422 is located behind the lock tab 101, the lock tab 101 is placed in a position that does not contact the shoulder 104 of the transceiver module 10, so that when the operator continues to pull the handle 14, The transceiver module 10 can freely slide out of the cage assembly 12. At this time, the handle 14 is in the release position shown in FIGS. At this time, the handle 14 is in contact with the contact portion 105 of the transceiver module 10.

  The above disclosure is not limiting. One skilled in the art can readily appreciate that many variations and modifications may be made to the device technology while retaining the teachings of the present invention. Accordingly, the above disclosure should be construed as limited only by the metes and bounds of the appended claims.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a transceiver module having a release mechanism according to the present invention inserted into a cage assembly. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a transceiver module removed from a cage assembly with the bail and handle each in a locked position. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a transceiver module with a bail and handle in a release position. FIG. 6 is a side view of a transceiver module with a bail and handle in a release position.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Transceiver module, 12 ... Cage assembly (cage), 14 ... Handle, 16 ... Bail, 18 ... Gap, 101 ... Sliding path, 102 ... Flat part, 103 ... Module housing, 104 ... Shoulder part, 105 ... Contact 106, plug bay, 121 ... tab, 141 ... arm, 142 ... wedge element, 143 ... cam slot, 144 ... second slot, 145 ... taper boss (detent), 161 ... first shaft pin, 162 ... second Shaft pins, 163... Finger plate, 164... Slot, 165... Tab, 1431... First stage (traveling path), 1432.

Claims (12)

An optical fiber connector release mechanism used for a transceiver module housed in a cage assembly,
A sliding handle and a rotating bail;
The rotating bail is attached to the handle by a first shaft pin received in an eccentric cam slot in the handle and a second shaft pin received in a linear second slot in the handle;
The transceiver module is held in place in the cage assembly by at least one locking tab projecting inwardly from the side of the cage assembly, the locking tab being received in a sliding path formed on the side of the transceiver module housing. And
The handle includes a pair of arms received in the sliding path, the arms including a wedge element at a tip thereof;
When the release mechanism is in the locked position, the handle is at the rearmost position in the sliding path, and the at least one locking tab protrudes into the sliding path to secure the transceiver module. ,
When the bail rotates to the release position, the handle moves to a forward position of the sliding path, the wedge element presses the at least one locking tab, and the at least one locking tab is moved to the sliding path. A release mechanism adapted to move outwardly, thereby releasing the transceiver module from the cage assembly.   The release mechanism of claim 1, wherein each wedge element comprises an angled surface and a plateau.   The release mechanism according to claim 1, wherein each wedge element comprises an arcuate surface and a plateau.   The bail includes a tab that protrudes from the bail, the tab defining a slot that receives a boss protruding from the handle, such that the bail is secured when the bail is in the locked position. The release mechanism according to claim 1, which is configured.   When the bail moves in two stage travel paths and the first shaft pin travels on the first stage of the cam slot, the bail is about 45 degrees without moving the transceiver module from the insertion position. 2. The release mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the bail is further rotated when the first shaft pin moves in the second stage of the cam slot by rotating from a locked position while drawing an arc of the cam.   The transceiver module stays in the insertion position when the bail moves from the locked position in an arc of about 45 degrees, and when a plug is inserted into the plug bay of the transceiver module, the bail is The release mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the arc cannot be completely drawn. An optical fiber connector release mechanism used for a transceiver module housed in a cage assembly,
A sliding handle and a rotating bail;
The rotating bail includes a tab protruding from the rotating bail, the tab defining a slot for receiving a boss protruding from the handle, whereby the bail is secured when the rotating bail is in the locked position. Configured to be
The transceiver module is held in place in the cage assembly by at least one locking tab projecting inwardly from the side of the cage assembly, the locking tab being received in a sliding path formed on the side of the transceiver module housing. And
The handle includes a pair of arms received in the sliding path, the arms having a wedge element at a tip thereof;
When the release mechanism is in the locked position, the handle is at the rearmost position in the sliding path, and the at least one locking tab protrudes into the sliding path to secure the transceiver module. ,
When the bail rotates to the release position, the handle moves to a forward position of the sliding path so that the wedge element presses the at least one locking tab and slides the at least one locking tab. A release mechanism adapted to move out of the way, thereby releasing the transceiver module from the cage assembly.   9. The release mechanism of claim 8, wherein each wedge element comprises an angled surface and a plateau.   9. The release mechanism of claim 8, wherein each wedge element comprises an arcuate surface and a plateau.   The bail is attached to the handle by a first axial pin received in an eccentric cam slot in the handle and a second axial pin received in a straight second slot in the handle. Item 9. The release mechanism according to Item 8.   When the bail has two stage travel paths and the first shaft pin moves to the first stage of the cam slot, the bail has an arc of about 45 degrees without moving the transceiver from the insertion position. 12. The release mechanism of claim 11, wherein the bail is further rotated when drawn and rotated from a locked position and the first shaft pin moves the second stage of the cam slot.   When the bail moves from the locked position in an arc of about 45 degrees, the transceiver module stays in the insertion position and if a plug is inserted into the plug bay of the transceiver module, the bail The release mechanism according to claim 8, wherein the arc cannot be completely drawn.

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