JP6426461B2 - Optical module cage and communication device and method of disengaging - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical module cage for detachably fixing an optical module to a communication device.

  There is known an optical transceiver module including a light emitting element and a light receiving element for performing photoelectric conversion in order to perform optical communication by an optical fiber. Among such optical modules, there is a type in which an optical unit including a light emitting element and a light receiving element is incorporated in a case and configured to be detachably mounted in a cage installed on a substrate. . An electrical connector connected to the substrate is provided in the cage, and the connection terminal of the optical module is configured to be connected to the electrical connector when the optical module is mounted in the cage. The optical module configured in this manner enables optical communication by mutually converting an optical signal transmitted to and received from the optical fiber and an electrical signal transmitted to and from the substrate.

  In order to make the optical transceiver module provided by each company compatible, a standard called an MSA (Multi Source Agreement) of a Small Form-factor Pluggable (SFP) transceiver is provided by an industry standardization body. This defines the shape and dimensions of the SFP transceiver and the cage in which it is mounted. According to the MSA standard of the SFP, a projecting lock portion is provided on the bottom surface of the optical transceiver, and a spring plate portion having a locking hole for locking the lock portion is provided in the cage.

  Therefore, when the light module is mounted in the cage, the lock portion of the light module is locked in the locking hole of the cage, and the light module can be locked in the cage. On the other hand, when removing the optical module from the cage, it is necessary to release the lock from the locking hole by some means to perform the unlocking. As a cage for an optical module of this type, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a structure having a mechanism for unlocking.

JP 2005-57128 A

  The cage for an optical module disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a release lever on the side of the gauge as a mechanism for unlocking. By pulling the release lever, the lock portion of the light module can be released from the locking hole of the cage to perform unlocking.

  However, since the release lever is provided on the side surface of the cage, the configuration of Patent Document 1 is applied to a cage for a connected SFP transceiver that performs high density mounting such as arranging a plurality of cages side by side in close contact. I can not do it. In the case where only the insertion port of the optical module of the cage is exposed from the communication device, and the side surface and upper and lower surfaces of the cage are hidden in the housing of the communication device and not exposed to the outside, the release lever is provided on the side surface of the cage When the configuration of Patent Document 1 is applied, in order to operate the release lever, it is necessary to stop the operation of the communication device and remove the housing.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide an optical module cage capable of removing an optical module from a communication device in operation regardless of the mounting density of the optical module. It is.

  The cage for an optical module according to the present invention is provided with an opening for inserting an optical module, an elastic piece having an engagement hole engaged with an engagement convex part of the optical module, and the elastic piece provided in the opening And a release button for releasing the engagement convex portion from the engagement hole, and the release button causes the elastic piece to deflect by a sliding operation along the opening.

  A communication device according to the present invention mounts a cage for an optical module, and the cage for an optical module has an opening for inserting the optical module, and an elasticity having an engagement hole for engaging with an engagement convex portion of the optical module. And a release button provided in the opening to deflect the elastic piece to release the engagement projection from the engagement hole, the release button being along the opening The elastic piece is warped by the sliding action.

  The method for releasing engagement according to the present invention is an opening for inserting the optical module in a method for releasing engagement between an engagement hole of an elastic piece of an optical module cage and an engagement convex portion of the optical module. The release button provided on the slide member is slid along the opening, and the elastic piece is warped by the slide action to release the engagement protrusion from the engagement hole.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a cage for an optical module in which the optical module can be removed from the communication device in operation regardless of the mounting density of the optical module.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the cage for optical modules of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the cage for optical modules of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure which does not show in figure the button for releasing of the cage for optical modules of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the button for releasing of the cage for optical modules of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows a mode that engagement of the cage for optical modules of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention is released. It is a figure which shows the mode of engagement of the cage for optical modules of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows a mode that engagement of the cage for optical modules of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention is released. It is a figure which shows the example of the structure which mounted multiple cages for optical modules of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the communication apparatus of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the communication apparatus of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the cage for optical modules of the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure which does not show in figure the button for releasing of the cage for optical modules of the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the button for releasing of the cage for optical modules of the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the cage for optical modules of the 4th Embodiment of this invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the embodiments described below are technically preferable limitations for carrying out the present invention, but the scope of the invention is not limited to the following.
First Embodiment
FIG. 1 is a view showing the structure of a cage for an optical module according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The optical module cage 1 of the present embodiment includes an opening 2 for inserting an optical module (not shown) and an elastic piece 4 having an engagement hole 3 for engaging with an engagement convex portion of the optical module. The release button 5 is provided in the opening 2 and causes the elastic piece 4 to be warped to release the engagement convex portion from the engagement hole 3. The release button 5 causes the elastic piece 4 to be warped by a sliding operation along the opening 2.

According to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide an optical module cage capable of removing the optical module from the communication device in operation regardless of the mounting density of the optical module.
Second Embodiment
FIG. 2 is a view showing the structure of an optical module cage 1a according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Moreover, FIG. 3 is a figure which shows the structure which does not show in figure the button 5a for cancellation | release of the cage 1a for optical modules of this embodiment. Further, FIG. 4 is a view showing the structure of the release button 5a of the optical module cage 1a of the present embodiment. FIG. 4 shows a perspective view, a front view, a side view, and a top view of the release button 5a.

  The optical module cage 1a has an opening 2a for inserting an optical module (not shown) and an elastic piece 4a having an engagement hole 3a for engaging with an engagement convex part (not shown) of the optical module. A release button 5a is provided in the opening 2a and causes the elastic piece 4a to be warped to release the engagement protrusion from the engagement hole 3a. The release button 5a releases the engagement convex portion by deflecting the elastic piece 4a by the sliding operation along the opening surface of the opening 2a.

  The optical module can be an SFP transceiver. The optical module 10 can also be a 10 Gigabit Small Form Factor Pluggable (referred to as XFP) transceiver or the like.

  The optical module cage 1a is mounted on a printed circuit board or the like (not shown), and the printed circuit board is incorporated in a housing of an apparatus such as a communication apparatus (not shown). The opening 2a can be provided by opening the surface such as the front panel or the side surface of the housing 9a of the device.

  The elastic piece 4a has a first release portion 6a. The release button 5a has a second release portion 7a engaged with the first release portion 6a. The release button 5a causes the elastic piece 4a to be warped through the engagement between the first release portion 6a and the second release portion 7a by a sliding operation along the opening surface of the opening 2a. The first release portion 6a can be a release hole, and the second release portion 7a can be a release convex portion. The first release portion 6a and the second release portion 7a may be engaged with each other. For example, the first release portion 6a may be a convex portion and the second release portion 7a may be a hole.

  The elastic piece 4a is extended downward so that the first release portion 6a is provided at a position which does not hinder the insertion of the optical module when the optical module is inserted. The elastic piece 4a is released from the engagement between the engagement convex portion of the optical module and the engagement hole 3a of the elastic piece 4a by being warped in the opposite direction to the inserted optical module by the sliding operation.

  The opening 2a has a notch 8a. The notch 8a is provided by extending the opening 2a provided in the front panel or the like of the housing 9a. The release button 5a can be configured to sandwich the notch 8a. As shown in FIG. 5, the release button 5a slides up and down along the notch 8a. The sliding action causes the elastic body 4a to be warped through the engagement between the first release portion 6a and the second release portion 7a, and the engagement between the engagement convex portion of the optical module and the engagement hole 3a of the elastic piece 4a. Cancel the match.

  FIG. 6 shows how the engagement hole 3a (not shown) of the elastic piece 4a of the optical module cage 1a is engaged with the engagement convex portion 11 of the optical module 10. Further, FIG. 7 shows that the engagement hole 3a (not shown) of the elastic piece 4a of the optical module cage 1a releases the engagement with the engagement convex portion 11 of the optical module 10.

  The method of releasing the engagement between the engagement hole 3a of the elastic piece 4a of the optical module cage 1a and the engagement convex portion 11 of the optical module 10 is provided in the opening 2a into which the optical module 10 is inserted. The release button 5a is slid along the opening 2a, and the elastic piece 4a is warped by the slide action to release the engagement projection 11 from the engagement hole 3a. The elastic piece 4a has a first release portion 6a, and the release button 5a has a second release portion 7a engaged with the first release portion 6a. The sliding action causes the elastic piece 4a to warp through the engagement of the first release portion 6a and the second release portion 7a. The opening 2a has a notch 8a, and the release button 5a slides along the notch 8a.

  FIG. 8 shows a structure of a coupled optical module cage in which a plurality of optical module cages 1a (illustration of the release button 5a is omitted) are arranged side by side in a high density manner. The optical module cage 1a according to the present embodiment has no structure on the side surface of the cage, and therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, the cages can be closely attached and can be mounted at high density.

  FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the structure of a communication apparatus 20 incorporating a plurality of optical module cages 1a of the present embodiment. The communication device 20 can be provided by exposing the opening 2 a into which the optical module of the optical module cage 1 a is inserted to a surface such as a front panel of a housing of the communication device 20. On the other hand, the side surfaces, upper and lower surfaces, and the back surface of the optical module cage 1a are hidden in the housing of the communication device 20 and not exposed to the outside. Even in such a configuration, since the release button 5a of the optical module cage 1a is provided along the opening 2a (for example, see FIG. 2), the operation of the communication device 20 is stopped and the housing is displayed. The optical module can be removed without removing it.

  FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the structure of a communication device 21 in which a plurality of optical module cages 1a of the present embodiment are incorporated in multiple stages. The communication device 21 can be realized by multi-tiering the substrates 12 on which a plurality of optical module cages 1 a are mounted.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide a cage for an optical module in which the optical module can be removed from the communication device in operation regardless of the mounting density of the optical module.
Third Embodiment
FIG. 11 is a view showing the structure of the optical module cage 1b according to the third embodiment of the present invention. Moreover, FIG. 12 is a figure which shows the structure which does not show in figure the button 5b for cancellation | release of the cage 1b for optical modules of this embodiment. Further, FIG. 13 is a view showing the configuration of the release button 5b of the optical module cage 1b of the present embodiment. FIG. 13 shows a perspective view, a front view, a side view, and a top view of the release button 5b.

  In the optical module cage 1b, the structure of the notch 8b of the opening 2b is different from that of the second embodiment. The notches 8 b are provided at two locations by extending the openings 2 b provided on the front surface of the housing 9 b such as the front panel. At this time, the first release portion 6b (release hole) of the elastic piece 4b is covered by the portion of the housing 9b sandwiched by the two notches 8b. As shown in FIG. 13, the release button 5b has four side walls which are hollow in the vertical direction, and as shown in FIG. 11, surrounds the portion of the housing 9b sandwiched between the two notches 8b. Implemented by

  The release button 5b slides up and down along the notch 8b. This sliding action causes the elastic piece 4b to warp through the engagement between the first release portion 6b (release hole) and the second release portion 7b (release protrusion), and the engagement convex portion of the optical module and The engagement of the elastic piece 4b with the engagement hole 3b is released.

  In the optical module cage 1b of this embodiment, it is possible to select whether or not the release button 5b is to be incorporated. That is, the first release portion 6b (release hole) provided in the elastic piece 4b is covered by the portion of the housing 9b sandwiched by the two notches 8b and is concealed from the outside There is. Thus, for example, when it is desired to remove the optical module from a request such as safety, by not incorporating the release button 5b, the first release portion 6b (release hole) can not be operated from the outside. can do.

  The optical module cage 1b of this embodiment can realize the communication device shown in FIG. 9 and FIG.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide a cage for an optical module in which the optical module can be removed from the communication device in operation regardless of the mounting density of the optical module.
Fourth Embodiment
FIG. 14 is a view showing the structure of the optical module cage 1c according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. In the optical module cage 1c, the structure of the notch 8c of the opening 2c is different from that of the second embodiment. That is, the width of the notch 8c is narrower than the width of the elastic piece 4c, and the first release portion 6c (release hole) can be seen from the outside.

  The release button (not shown) slides up and down along the notch 8c, as in the second embodiment. This sliding action causes the elastic piece 4c to warp through the engagement between the first release portion 6c (release hole) and the second release portion (release projection) (not shown), and the engagement of the optical module The engagement between the joint projection and the engagement hole 3c of the elastic piece 4c is released.

  In the optical module cage 1c of the present embodiment, it can be selected whether or not the release button is incorporated. That is, in the present embodiment, the notch 8c provided in the housing 9c is only in the vicinity of the first release portion 6c (a release hole). Therefore, for example, when it is desired to remove the optical module from the requirement of safety and the like, the operation of the first release portion 6c (release hole) can be made difficult from the outside by not incorporating the release button.

  The optical module cage 1c of this embodiment can realize the communication device shown in FIGS.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide a cage for an optical module in which the optical module can be removed from the communication device in operation regardless of the mounting density of the optical module.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention described in the claims, and they are also included in the scope of the present invention.

  Moreover, although a part or all of the above-mentioned embodiment may be described as the following additional notes, it is not limited to the following.

Appendix (Supplementary Note 1)
An opening for inserting an optical module;
An elastic piece having an engagement hole engaged with an engagement convex portion of the light module;
And a release button provided in the opening to deflect the elastic piece to release the engagement projection from the engagement hole.
The cage for an optical module, wherein the release button warps the elastic piece by a sliding operation along the opening.
(Supplementary Note 2)
The elastic piece has a first release portion,
The release button has a second release portion engaged with the first release portion,
The cage for an optical module according to Appendix 1, wherein the release button causes the elastic piece to warp through engagement of the first and second release parts.
(Supplementary Note 3)
The cage for an optical module according to Appendix 2, wherein the first release portion is a hole, and the second release portion is a convex portion.
(Supplementary Note 4)
The cage for an optical module according to any one of appendices 1 to 3, wherein the opening has a notch, and the release button performs the sliding operation along the notch.
(Supplementary Note 5)
The cage for an optical module according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the optical module comprises an SFP transceiver.
(Supplementary Note 6)
A communication device for mounting the optical module cage according to any one of appendices 1 to 5.
(Appendix 7)
The communication device according to claim 6, further comprising a housing, wherein the opening is provided on a surface of the housing.
(Supplementary Note 8)
The communication device according to appendix 6 or 7, wherein a plurality of the optical module cages are mounted.
(Appendix 9)
In the method of releasing the engagement between the engagement hole of the elastic piece of the optical module cage and the engagement convex portion of the optical module,
Slide a release button provided in an opening into which the optical module is inserted along the opening,
The method for releasing the engagement, in which the elastic piece is warped by the slide operation to release the engagement convex portion from the engagement hole.
(Supplementary Note 10)
The elastic piece has a first release portion,
The release button has a second release portion engaged with the first release portion,
The method according to claim 9, wherein the sliding action causes the elastic piece to warp via engagement of the first and second release parts.
(Supplementary Note 11)
The method according to claim 10, wherein the first release portion is a hole, and the second release portion is a protrusion.
(Supplementary Note 12)
The method according to any one of appendices 9 to 11, wherein the opening has a notch and the sliding action is performed along the notch.
(Supplementary Note 13)
The method of disengaging according to any of clauses 9-12, wherein the light module comprises an SFP transceiver.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 1a, 1b, 1c Optical module cage 2, 2a, 2b, 2c Opening 3, 3a, 3b, 3c Engaging hole 4, 4a, 4b, 4c Elastic piece 5, 5a, 5b Release button 6a, 6b , 6c First release part 7a, 7b Second release part 8a, 8b, 8c Notched part 9a, 9b, 9c Housing 10 Optical module 11 Engagement convex part 12 Substrate 20, 21 Communication device

Claims (10)

An opening for inserting an optical module;
An elastic piece having an engagement hole engaged with an engagement convex portion of the light module;
And a release button provided in the opening to deflect the elastic piece to release the engagement projection from the engagement hole.
The cage for an optical module, wherein the release button warps the elastic piece by a sliding operation along the opening. The elastic piece has a first release portion,
The release button has a second release portion engaged with the first release portion,
The cage for an optical module according to claim 1, wherein the release button warps the elastic piece through engagement of the first and second release parts. The cage for an optical module according to claim 2, wherein the first release portion is a hole, and the second release portion is a convex portion. 4. The cage for an optical module according to claim 1, wherein the opening has a notch, and the release button slides along the notch. 5. The cage for an optical module according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the optical module comprises an SFP transceiver. The communication apparatus which mounts the cage for optical modules of any one of Claim 1 to 5. The communication device according to claim 6, further comprising a housing, wherein the opening is provided on a surface of the housing. The communication device according to claim 6, wherein a plurality of the optical module cages are mounted. In the method of releasing the engagement between the engagement hole of the elastic piece of the optical module cage and the engagement convex portion of the optical module,
Slide a release button provided in an opening into which the optical module is inserted along the opening,
The method for releasing the engagement, in which the elastic piece is warped by the slide operation to release the engagement convex portion from the engagement hole. The elastic piece has a first release portion,
The release button has a second release portion engaged with the first release portion,
The method according to claim 9, wherein the sliding action causes the elastic piece to warp through engagement of the first and second release parts.

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