KR101160379B1 - Optical module with handle-less de-latch mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

Optical modules may be latched in the cage. The bale operates a latch mechanism for securing the optical module. Rather than an accessible handle, the pull-tool may be removably attached to the bale. The pull-tool may comprise an approximately U-shaped elastic member comprising a grip portion and may comprise a connecting member for engaging the cam-slots provided in the bale.

Optical Module, Veil, Elastic Member, Connecting Member, Cam-Slot, Latched, De-Latched

Description

OPTICAL MODULE WITH HANDLE-LESS DE-LATCH MECHANISM}

Embodiments of the invention relate to an optical module, and more particularly, to an optical module having a handleless de-latching mechanism.

The spread of optical networks has been essential to the advancement of information technology. From local, wide, metro area networks to cable television networks, optical networks have brought increased service and information access to consumers. Optical networks provide the high bandwidth needed for high capacity and data intensive content with high quality video and audio.

In general, these optical networks rely on an optical fiber backbone, where optical repeaters, amplifiers, and transceivers are connected through the backbone to transmit and receive optical signals. For example, switches and routers use transceivers to control data dissemination and collection in various network environments, such as Ethernet-based networks and larger Internet Service Provider (ISP) networks. Host bus adapters (HBAs), redundant-array-of-independent-disk (RAID) modules, Fiber Channel devices, and other technologies use optical networks in computing environments, enabling high-bandwidth, high-interconnection between computer systems. Access storage system and processor for attribute communication.

As types of networks become more diverse and operations become more complex, more optical components are needed. Sometimes, network designers are required to build complex systems using equipment from many different suppliers. However, while the availability of competing products is useful, such availability results in a lack of device uniformity. Network designers are cautious when choosing an optical module because, depending on the relative dimensions of the module and the network device's mounting cage, the two may or may not match exactly. .

Connectors are not only the main component that couples optical fibers at their ends for optical-optical applications, but also the main component that aligns terminal ends of the fibers to the optoelectronic interface for use in optical-electrical applications. The connectors are responsible for maintaining the axial alignment of the fiber ends in the fiber core while butting the ends of the fibers in specific lateral positions. This can be a difficult task if the fiber diameter is very small diameter, which can be on the order of 9 or 10 micrometers across. Accurate connection is important for low insertion loss and reliable connection.

Some suppliers have implemented standards for optical transceivers to help reduce variability issues. For example, a manufacturer can design a small form-factor pluggable transceiver (SFP) that is compatible with standards from the Small Form Factor Pluggable (SFP) Multi-Source Agreement (MSA) standard (SFP / MSA). This standard is for optical systems such as asynchronous transfer mode (ATM), fiber-distributed data interface (FDDI), fiber channel, Fast Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet, and Synchronous Optical Network (SONET) / Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (SDH) applications. Can be used. The MSA Agreement covers package dimensions, connector system design, host board layout and electrical interfaces, among others. However, such agreements set out guidelines.

Even in the case of SFP / MSA, there is still variation among network device manufacturers. As a result, transceiver manufacturers still have the risk of producing equipment that is incompatible with certain network devices. However, proper optical module engagement may be important for its lifetime. Improperly matched modules also have the risk of leaving network managers and designers reluctant to reuse optical modules that do not form a "good" fit to previously installed devices. Various latching tolerances for current and past cage designs have been particularly problematic for optical transceivers, because typically consumers want optical modules that they can easily insert and remove. .

Although some latch mechanisms have been proposed for optical devices, the design is problematic in that such mechanisms may not perform tight seals, degrade performance or malfunction completely over time. For example, sometimes designs do not have sufficient engagement or moveable parts that can be broken under normal operating forces by the use of the underlying constituent material or the underlying locking configuration. Depends on

The foregoing and a better understanding of the invention may become apparent from the following detailed description and claims of the configuration and exemplary embodiments, with reference to the accompanying drawings which form part of the disclosure of the invention. Although the foregoing description and the disclosure illustrated below focus on disclosing the construction and exemplary embodiments of the invention, it should be clearly understood that the invention is only illustrative and exemplary, and the invention is not limited thereto. .

Various examples of latching mechanisms that can be latched and optionally latched and delated are provided. Such examples can be used with an optical module that can be plugged into a cage, and are described with respect to such an optical module. Exemplary optical modules, such as small form factor pluggable (SFP) optical transceivers, are described, but the disclosure of the present invention is not limited to such exemplary devices. Moreover, while some example implementations are described, those skilled in the art will understand that other implementations may be used and are therefore within the disclosure of the present invention.

As used throughout this specification, "an embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” provided in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Moreover, certain features, structures or features may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

Referring now to FIG. 1, shown is a small form factor pluggable transceiver (SFP) that includes an optical module 1004 with a handle latch design. Examples of optical modules of this kind are described in US Pat. No. 7,083,336 to Kim et al., Jointly assigned to Intel Corporation and incorporated herein by reference. As shown, the unassembled computer board assembly 1000 includes a host board 1002, an optical module 1004, and a cage 1006. Assembly 1000 may be part of a processor-based system such as a switch, router, server, or personal computer. Exemplary standards for such system devices include asynchronous transfer mode (ATM), fiber-distributed data interface (FDDI), fiber channel, Fast Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet, and Synchronous Optical Network (SONET) / Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (SDH) standards. Include them.

The host board 1002 may be able to interface with a microprocessor (not shown). For example, host board 1002 may be part of a motherboard, or host board 1002 may be plugged into an expansion slot (not shown) connected to it. To interface with the optical module 1004, the host board 1002 may include a connector 1008 that connects with an edge connector 1010 on the optical module 1004. Although not shown, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the optical module 1004 may house a printed circuit board (PCB) that includes an edge connector 1010. The PCB may include a controller circuit such as a control circuit for an optical transceiver, including a microprocessor, in communication with the pins on the edge connector 1010 when the optical module 1004 is an optical transceiver. Alternatively, the PCB may include other control circuitry when the optical module 1004 is another optical device. Optical module 1004 is not limited to a particular optical device.

Cage 1006 may be mountable to host board 1002 via adhesive, solder, latch, fastener, press-fit, or other mounting techniques. In the example shown, the cage 1006 has a plurality of slots 1012 aligned with a plurality of holes 1014 in the host board 1002 for mounting two screws. The cage 1006 may be formed of metals such as aluminum, steel, and stainless steel and have dimensions compatible with the Small Form Factor Pluggable (SFP) Multi-Source Agreement (MSA) standard (SFP / MSA). Can be. The optical module may be pluggable into slot 1016 of cage 1006 defined by walls 1018, 1020, 1022, 1024. The wall 1024 includes a latching recess 1026 for receiving and locking in the retractable latch 1028 of the optical module 1004. Retractable latch 1028 is part of a latch mechanism that can be used to selectively latch optical module 1004 to cage 1006 and to latch from cage 1006. In the illustrated configuration, the optical module 1004 may be latched and delatched from cages of different sizes. For example, the amount of extension of the latch 1028 over the top surface 1030 of the optical module 1004 can provide a greater latching range. The larger latch 1028 may engage a cage of larger dimensions measured along the y-axis.

Optical module 1004 may be any pluggable module, for example an optical transceiver that is compatible with the SFP / MSA standard. Module 1004 includes an edge connector 1010, a main housing 1030, and a latching / delatching assembly 1032. The main housing 1030 may be formed of metal or other die-cast materials or plastic or other suitable material and may house the PCB of the module. Latching assembly 1032 includes receptacles 1034 and 1036 for connecting the modules to pluggable fiber connectors 1038 and 1040, respectively. The connectors 1038 and 1040 are shown by way of example only, and as noted above, the receptacle ends 1034 and 1036 may be configured to accept optical fiber connectors for optical transceivers in accordance with small form factor pluggable (SFP) standards. Can be. Although two receptacle ends 1034 and 1036 are shown, the optical module 1004 may include more or fewer receptacle ends.

Referring now to FIGS. 2A and 2B, the SFP transceiver includes a handle 2002 to enable removal of the optical module 1004 from the cage 1006. The handle 2002 may include a pair of support arms 2004 connected with the cross member 2006. The handle may be part of a bail 2008 that includes a slot 2010. The support arm 2004 of the handle 2002 is attached in the slot 2010 on the outside of the bale 2008. When the handle 2002 is rotated inwardly of the bale slot 2010, the optical module 1004 can be delatched and pulled forward to be removed from the cage 1006. FIG. 2A shows the handle 2002 rotated forward by about 45 degrees, and FIG. 2B shows the handle 2002 rotated forward by about 90 degrees to delatch the module 1004 for easy removal.

3 shows an SFP transceiver comprising an optical module 1004 latched in cage 1006. According to one embodiment of the invention, the handle 2002 illustrated in the previous figures has been removed. Here, embodiments include a handleless bale mechanism 3008. As before, the bail 3008 includes a latch mechanism for securing the optical module 1004. Rather than an accessible handle, a pull-tool 3010 may be removably attached to the bale 3008. The pull-tool 3010 may comprise a resilient member, for example made of metal or plastic, formed in a substantially U shape that includes a grip portion 3012 connecting a pair of vertical support members 3014. Can be.

The end of the support member 3014 fits into the veil 3008 within a cam-slot 3018, which may be oblong in shape, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. The connecting member 3016 is designed. When the pull-tool 3010, the support member 3014 are pushed inwardly into each other, they can fit into the groove 3020 in front of the module 1004 by releasing the pull-tool 3010, The tip of the connecting member 3016 will spring back into the bale cam slot 3018 to engage.

5A, 5B, and 5C are side views of the removable bale handle 3010 installed within the cam-slot 3018 of the bale 3008. 5A shows handle 3010 initially inserted into groove 3020 (shown in shadow behind veil 3008). 5B shows the handle 3010 moved in the direction of arrow 5000 that rotated the bale about 45 degrees from the vertically fully latched position. As the handle 3010 is pulled, the connecting member 3016 may initially start near one end of the cam-slot 3018 and traverse to the other end. Similarly, FIG. 5C shows an even more pulled handle that rotates the bale 3008 to about 90 degrees. In this position, the bale causes the latch mechanism 5002 (shown in the shadow) to delatch to allow removal of the optical module 1004 from the cage 1006.

The example shown above is provided merely as an example. The present invention is not limited to a rotatable bale design, but may also be used for pull-type bales. In addition, the delatch tool 3010 for the bale 3008 is not limited to the form shown, and may include different forms that may serve as removable handles.

Therefore, embodiments may open the door by removing the accessible handle from the bale and merely inserting the door knob tool, similar to a door without a door knob. Currently veils on all existing transceivers have handles or accessible extensions as part of the veil so that they can be rotated or pulled to delatch the transceiver from the cage. Often for modules that have not been removed, it may be beneficial to separate the handles from the bale so that they do not attach.

The foregoing description of the illustrated embodiments of the invention, including what is described in the Abstract, is not exhaustive and is not intended to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Certain embodiments and examples of the present invention have been described herein for purposes of illustration, and various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the invention, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

These modifications may be made to the invention in light of the foregoing detailed description. The terms used in the following claims should not be construed as limiting the invention to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims. Rather, the scope of the invention is to be determined entirely by the following claims, and should be interpreted in accordance with the established teachings of the claims interpretation.

1 illustrates an optical transceiver comprising a cage and a latched optical module.

2A and 2B show an optical module including a conventional handle design rotated 45 ° and 90 °, respectively.

3 illustrates a pluggable optical module with a handleless veil in accordance with one embodiment.

4A and 4B show pluggable optical modules with handleless veils with pull-tool attached to delatch the optical module from the cage.

5A, 5B and 5C are side views of the handleless bale with the pull-tool inserted first and rotated 45 ° and 90 °, respectively.

<Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

1000: computer board assembly

1002: host board

1004: optical module

1006: cage

1008: connector

1010: edge connector

1030: main housing

1032: Latching / Delatching Assembly

1034, 1036: receptacle

1038, 1040: connector

2002: handle

3008: veil

3010: full-tool

3012: grip

3014: support member

3016: connecting member

3018: cam slot

3020: Groove

Claims (20)

A cage for housing the optical module; A latch mechanism for latching the optical module in the cage; A handleless bail for operating the latch mechanism between a latched state and a latched state; And Pull-tool insertable and removable from the handleless bale / RTI &gt; The method of claim 1, And a pair of cam-slots in said handleless bale for receiving said pull-tool. 3. The method of claim 2, The pull tool, And a U-shaped member having connecting members at both sides of the U-shaped end to fit within the cam-slots. The method of claim 3, The pull-tool is made of an elastic material. The method of claim 3, And the bale is rotatable when the pull-tool is pulled forward to bring the latch into the de-latched state. The method of claim 3, The pair of cam-slots are oblong in shape and the connecting members are slidable from the first end to the second end of the cam-slots when the pull-tool is pulled. 5. The method of claim 4, The pull-tool comprises a metal. A method for delatching an optical module from a cage, Providing a bale connected to a latch mechanism for securing the optical module to the cage; Squeezing the U-shaped pull-tool together; Inserting the pull-tool into grooves adjacent the bale; Releasing the pull-tool such that connecting members engage a pair of slots in the bale; And Pulling the pull-tool forward to operate the latch mechanism De-latch method comprising a. 9. The method of claim 8, The pulling step is, Rotating the bale from 0 degrees to 90 degrees such that the bale is delatched from the latched state. 10. The method of claim 9, The connecting members move from the first end of the slots to the second end of the slots. 9. The method of claim 8, And manufacturing said pull-tool from an elastic material. 10. The method of claim 9, And pulling the optical module out of the cage. Electronic computer board; A cage mounted to the electronic computer board, the cage having a latch mechanism; An optical module selectively latchable with the cage by the latch mechanism; A handleless veil for operating the latch mechanism between a latched state and a delatted state; And Full-tool insertable and removable from the handleless bale System comprising. 14. The method of claim 13, And a pair of cam-slots in said handleless bale for receiving said pull-tool. The method of claim 14, The pull tool, And a U-shaped member having connecting members on both sides of the U-shaped end to fit within the cam-slots. The method of claim 15, The pull-tool is made of an elastic material. The method of claim 15, The bale is rotatable when the pull-tool is pulled forward to bring the latch into the de-latch state. The method of claim 15, The pair of cam-slots are laterally elongated and the connecting members are slidable from the first end to the second end of the cam-slots when the pull-tool is pulled. The method of claim 16, The pull-tool includes a metal. 14. The method of claim 13, And at least one receptacle at the end of the optical module.

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