The subject matter herein relates generally to connector assemblies, and more particularly to latch assemblies for pluggable modules and/or transceivers.
Various types of fiber-optic and copper based pluggable modules or transceivers that permit communication between electronic host equipment and external devices are known. These pluggable modules may be incorporated into connector assemblies that can be pluggably connected to the host equipment to provide flexibility in system configuration. The pluggable modules may be constructed according to various standards for size and compatibility. The pluggable modules are plugged into a receptacle assembly that is mounted on a circuit board within the host equipment. The receptacle assembly typically includes an elongated guide frame having a front that is open to an interior space, and an electrical connector disposed at the rear of the receptacle within the interior space for mating with the pluggable module. Typically, latch mechanisms are used to secure the pluggable module within the receptacle assembly.
Known latch mechanisms are not without disadvantages, however. For instance, the latch mechanisms typically include an actuator that is slidably mounted in a slot formed in the pluggable module. The actuator includes a ramped portion for engaging and displacing a latch tab on the structure defining the receptacle. The actuator increases the overall size and complexity of the pluggable module. In some known systems; the latch mechanism is not readily accessible and the actuator is positioned behind the front face of the device when the actuator is in both the operative and inoperative positions. Accordingly, a special tool or probe must be inserted into the slot and/or between adjacent modules to access and press the actuator. The requirement of a tool for removing the pluggable module is not only inconvenient, but also prevents an operator from removing the module if he or she does not have a suitable tool at the appropriate time. The requirement of a tool results in increased installation cost and/or repair time.
A need remains for a latch mechanism that is provided in a cost-effective and reliable manner. A need remains for a latch mechanism that may be incorporated within the connector assembly with minimal impact to the overall size of the connector assembly.
In one embodiment, a connector assembly is provided for mating with a pluggable module. The connector assembly includes a receptacle assembly for receiving the pluggable module and an interface connector defining a back of the receptacle. The interface electrical connector is configured to mate with the pluggable module. A guide rail defines a side of the receptacle. The guide rail is configured to guide the pluggable module within the receptacle assembly. The guide rail has a rail body having a cavity and the rail body has a side wall opening open to the cavity. A latch assembly is received in the cavity. The latch assembly includes a latch movable between a latched position and an unlatched position. The latch is configured to extend through the side wall opening to engage the pluggable module when the latch is in the latched position. The latch assembly further includes an actuator that forces the latch from the latched position to the unlatched position.
Optionally, the actuator may engage the latch internal to the rail body such that a portion of the actuator is configured to extend from the rail body and a portion of the latch is configured to extend from the rail body. The latch may lock the pluggable module within the receptacle assembly when the latch is in the latched position. Optionally, the connector assembly may also include a substrate, where the guide rail and the interface connector are mounted to a side of the substrate. Optionally, the electrical connector assembly may also include a second guide rail defining an opposite side of the receptacle, where the second guide rail is substantially identically formed as the other guide rail. The second guide rail may have a first side and a second side, where the first side faces the other guide rail and is configured to guide the pluggable module within the receptacle assembly, and where the second side defines a side of a second receptacle assembly and is configured to guide a second pluggable module within the second receptacle assembly.
Optionally, the guide rail may include a pin extending into the cavity, and the actuator may include an elongated slot that receives the pin. The pin may guide the actuator in a linear actuation direction. The latch may be pivoted between the latched position and the unlatched position about the pin. The latch may include a peg extending outward therefrom, and the actuator may include a ramp surface, where the peg rides along with a ramp surface as the actuator is actuated to move the latch relative to the side wall opening.
In another embodiment, a guide rail for guiding a pluggable module is provided that includes a rail body extending along a rail axis between a front end and a back end. The rail body has a cavity proximate to the front end and the rail body has a side wall opening open to the cavity. A latch assembly is received in the cavity and includes a latch movable between a released position and a latched position. The latch is configured to extend through the side wall opening to engage the pluggable module in the latched position. The latch assembly further includes an actuator that forces the latch from the latched position to the released position.
In a further embodiment, a connector assembly for mating with pluggable modules is provided that includes a substrate having a first side and a second side. The connector assembly also includes interface connectors mounted to the substrate that are configured to mate with the pluggable modules. Guide rails are mounted to the substrate and are configured to guide the pluggable modules to the interface connectors. Each guide rail has a rail body having a cavity and a side wall opening open to the cavity. Latch assemblies are received in corresponding cavities. Each latch assembly includes a latch movable between a latched position and an unlatched position, and each latch is configured to extend through the corresponding side wall opening to engage the corresponding pluggable module. Each latch assembly further includes an actuator that forces the latch from the latched position to the unlatched position.
The connector assembly 10 includes a substrate 20, which is represented in the illustrated embodiment by a circuit board. The substrate 20 includes a first side 22 and a second side 24. The substrate 20 also includes a front edge 26. Optionally, the receptacles 12 may be provided on both sides 22, 24 of the substrate 20, however the receptacles 12 may be provided on only one of the sides 22 or 24 in alternative embodiments. In an exemplary embodiment, the substrate 20 defines a side of each receptacle 12. Alternatively, another component may extend along the substrate 20 and define a portion of the receptacle 12. For example, a frame or housing may be supported by the substrate 20 and define the receptacle 12.
The connector assembly 10 includes a plurality of interface connectors 30 corresponding to respective receptacles 12. The interface connectors 30 may be mounted directly to the substrate 20, or alternatively may be indirectly supported by or positioned proximate to the substrate 20. In an exemplary embodiment, the interface connectors 30 are mechanically and electrically coupled to the substrate 20. Optionally, the interface connectors 30 are positioned along and/or define a back of the respective receptacles 12. The interface connectors 30 mate with the pluggable modules 14 when the pluggable modules 14 are loaded into the receptacles 12.
The connector assembly 10 includes a plurality of guide rails 40. Optionally, the guide rails 40 are mounted directly to the substrate 20, or alternatively may be indirectly supported by or positioned proximate to the substrate 20. The guide rails 40 may be positioned on both sides 22, 24 of the substrate 20. In an exemplary embodiment, a pair of the guide rails 40 define opposite sides of each receptacle assembly 12. The guide rails 40 operate to guide the pluggable modules 14 into the corresponding receptacle assemblies 12. For example, as will be described in further detail below, the pluggable modules 14 engage the guide rails 40 when the pluggable modules 14 are loaded into the receptacle assemblies 12. The guide rails 40 guide the pluggable modules 14 to the corresponding interface connectors 30 in a loading direction along a loading axis, shown generally along the arrow A.
In an exemplary embodiment, the guide rails 40 are configured to have latch assemblies 42 integrated therewith for locking the pluggable modules 14 within the receptacle assemblies 12. The latch assemblies 42 may be operated by a user to release the pluggable modules 14 from the receptacle assemblies 12.
In an exemplary embodiment, the connector assembly 10 includes a frame 50 that supports the other components of the connector assembly 10. The frame 50 has a front face 52 defining a mating interface of the connector assembly 10. The front face 52 has a plurality of openings 54 therethrough. The openings 54 define ports that provide access to the receptacles 12. The pluggable modules 14 are loaded into the receptacles 12 through the openings 54. Optionally, the substrate 20 is mounted to the frame 50 using fasteners 56 and/or standoffs 58. In an exemplary embodiment, at least a portion of the latch assemblies 42 extend through the front face 52 and are accessible by the user. The frame 50 may be coupled to the device such that the front face 52 is exposed and accessible by the user.
The pluggable module 14 includes an inner surface 74 and an outer surface 76. When the pluggable module 14 is loaded into the receptacle assembly 12 (shown in
Guide slots 80 may be formed in one or both of the side surfaces 78. The guide slots 80 extend from, and are open at, the rear mating face 72. Optionally, the guide slots 80 may be chamfered at the rear mating, face 72. As will be explained in further detail below, the guide: slots 80 interact with the guide rails 40 (shown in
In an exemplary embodiment, at least one of the side surfaces 78 include a latch detent 82 formed therein. The latch detent 82 includes a stop surface 84. As will be explained in further detail below, the latch detent 82, and more particularly the stop surface 84, interacts with the latch assembly 42 (shown in
The pluggable module 14 may include a flange 86 extending outward From at least one of the inner surface 74, the outer surface 76 and/or the side surfaces 78. When the pluggable module 14 is loaded into the receptacle 12, the flange 86 engages the frame 50 (shown in
The guide rail 40 includes an inner surface 108 and an outer surface 110. When mounted to the substrate 20, the inner surface 108 generally faces the substrate 20 and the outer surface 110 generally faces away from the substrate 20. Side surfaces 112 extend between the inner and outer surfaces 108, 110. In the illustrated embodiment, the rail body 100 is generally box-shaped, however other shapes are possible in alternative embodiments.
Guide rib(s) 114 may be formed on one or both of the side surfaces 112. The guide rib 114 may extend from the back end 106 generally along the rail axis 102. The guide rib 114 is positioned, sized and/or shaped to fit within a corresponding guide slot 80 of the pluggable module 14 (shown in
In the illustrated embodiment, each receptacle assembly 12 is defined by a pair of guide rails 40 on respective sides of the receptacle assembly 12 and the interface connector 30 defining the back of the receptacle assembly 12. The front of the receptacle assembly 12 is open to provide access to the receptacle assembly 12 for the pluggable module 14 (shown in
Each guide rail 40 may be substantially identical to each other guide rail 40. The guide rails 40 may be used on either side of the receptacle assemblies 12. In an exemplary embodiment, both side surfaces 112 of each guide rail 40 include a guide rib 114. As such, the guide rail 40 may be positioned between two receptacle assemblies 12 and guide two different pluggable modules 14 within the respective receptacle assemblies 12. Each latch assembly 42 is associated with a single receptacle assembly 12. For example, the latch 120 of the latch assembly 42 extends into a single receptacle assembly 12 for engaging a single pluggable module 14. Optionally, some of the guide rails 40 may be mounted to the substrate 20 without a latch assembly 42. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, three of guide rails 40 are provided oh the first side of 22 of the substrate 20, which define two receptacles 12 on the first side 22 of the substrate 20. The right-most guide rail 40 includes a latch assembly 42 with a latch 120 extending into the right-most receptacle assembly 12. The middle guide rail 40 includes a latch assembly 42 with a latch 120 extending into the left-most receptacle assembly 12. The left-most guide rail 40 does not include a latch assembly 42 as no receptacle assembly 12 is provided to the left of the left-most guide rail 40.
Optionally, the connector assembly 10 may include receptacles 12 on both sides 22, 24 of the substrate 20. The receptacle assemblies 12 may be aligned with one another across the substrate 20. In the illustrated embodiment, the substrate 20 is generally horizontally positioned having upper receptacle assemblies 12 arranged on top of the substrate 20 (e.g. on the first side 22) and lower receptacle assemblies 12 arranged on the bottom of the substrate 20 (e.g. on the second side 24). The substrate 20 may have other orientations in alternative embodiments, such as, but not limited to, a vertical orientation. In an exemplary embodiment, pairs of guide rails 40 are positioned directly across the substrate 20 from one another. The fasteners 130 used to secure the guide rails 40 to the substrate 20 may optionally extend through the substrate 20 and engage both guide rails 40, which may reduce the overall number of the fasteners 130 and thus parts used to manufacture the connector assembly 10.
The guide rails 40 provide a modular guidance system for the pluggable modules 14. For example, by using substantially identical guide rails 40 on either side of the receptacle assemblies 12 and/or on either side of the substrate 20, the number of guide rail components used to manufacture the connector assembly 10 may be reduced. Additionally the complexity of the manufacture of the connector assembly 10 may be reduced. By selectively utilizing latch assemblies 42 with the guide rails 40, the overall cost of the system may be reduced as each of the guide rails 40 used within the connector assembly 10 do not necessarily include a latch assembly 42.
The latch assembly 42 includes the latch 120 and the actuator 122. Optionally, the latch assembly 42 may also include a latch spring 146 and an actuator spring 148. As described in further detail below, the latch spring 146 may be captured between a wall of the cavity 132 and the latch 120. Similarly, the actuator spring 148 may be captured between a wall of the cavity 132 and the actuator 122. The latch spring 146 biases against the latch 120, and the actuator spring 148 biases against the actuator 122.
The latch 120 includes a generally planar latch body 150 having an inner surface 152 and an outer surface 154. The inner surface 152 generally faces the plate 140. The latch 120 includes an opening 156 extending therethrough. As will be described in further detail below, the opening 156 receives the pin 134 when the latch 120 is loaded into the cavity 132. The latch 120 includes a peg 158 extending from the outer surface 154. Optionally, the peg 158 may be cylindrical, however the peg 158 may have flat surfaces in alternative embodiments. The latch 120 includes an end wall 160 and a latch portion 162 extending outward from the end wall 160. The latch portion 162 is aligned with, and extends through, the side wall opening 124. The latch portion 162 includes a ramp surface 164 and a stop surface 166 that is generally rearward facing. As will be described in further detail below, the stop surface 166 is configured to engage the stop surface 84 of the latch detent 82 (shown in
The actuator 122 includes an actuator body 170 and a button 172 extending from a front 174 of the actuator body 170. Optionally, the actuator body 170 may include a spring chamber 176 at a rear 178 of the actuator body 170. The spring chamber 176 receives the actuator spring 148. The actuator body 170 includes an elongated slot 180 extending along a longitudinal axis 182 of the actuator 122. The slot 180 extends entirely through the actuator body 170 and receives the pin 134 when the actuator 122 is loaded into the cavity 132. The actuator 122 has a ramp surface 184 used for driving the peg 158 of the latch 120 as the actuator 122 is actuated.
When assembled, the actuator spring 148 generally forces the actuator 122 in an outward direction, represented by the arrow B, to a released position, such as the position illustrated in
The latch 120 may be loaded into the cavity 132 after the actuator 122 is positioned within the cavity 132. In an alternative embodiment, the latch 120 may be loaded into the cavity 132 prior to loading the actuator 122 into the cavity 132. The latch 120 is loaded into the cavity 132 such that the peg 158 is generally aligned with the ramp surface 184. When the button 172 is pressed, and the actuator 122 is driven towards the rear wall 190, the ramp surface 184 engages the peg 158. The translational movement of the actuator 122 and the ramp surface 184 generally forces the peg 158, and thus the latch 120, in an inward direction, represented in
As illustrated in
A connector assembly is thus provided that uses guide rails having integral latch assemblies to lock a pluggable module within a receptacle assembly. The guide rails are modular and may be used on both sides of the receptacle for guidance for the pluggable modules. The guide rails may be provided on both sides of a substrate and secured either to the substrate or to another guide rail on the opposite side of the substrate. The latch assemblies are housed within the guide rail and may have a form factor that is no larger than the form factor of the guide rail, thus having minimal impact on the overall size of the connector assembly. The latch assemblies have a latch and an actuator that moves the latch from a latched position to an unlatched position so that the pluggable module may be removed. The latch is pivoted by the actuator to provide a simple range of motion. The pivoting of the latch also allows the latch to return to the latched state in a reliable manner, such as by using a spring to bias the latch to the latched position. The actuator may also be biased to a normal, released position by a spring. The latching system reduces complexity by limiting the latching components to the guide rail as opposed to the pluggable module. Additionally, the latch assembly may be selectively mounted within the guide rails, such that each guide rail in the connector assembly does not necessarily need to include a latch assembly, which may reduce the overall cost and complexity of the connector assembly.
It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described embodiments (and/or aspects thereof may be used in combination with each other. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from its scope. Dimensions, types of materials, orientations of the various components, and the number and positions of the various components described herein are intended to define parameters of certain embodiments, and are by no means limiting and are merely exemplary embodiments. Many other embodiments and modifications within the spirit and scope of the claims will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. In the appended claims, the terms “including” and “in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and “wherein.” Moreover, in the following claims, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc. are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects. Further, the limitations of the following claims are not written in means—plus-function format and are not intended to be interpreted based on 35 U.S.C. §112, sixth paragraph, unless and until such claim limitations expressly use the phrase “means for” followed by a statement of function void of further structure.