Patent Application
20180138635
The subject matter herein relates generally to a device for releasing a latch of a pluggable module.
At least some known communication systems include receptacle assemblies, such as input/output (I/O) connector assemblies, that are configured to receive a pluggable module and establish a communicative connection between the pluggable module and an electrical communication connector of the receptacle assembly. As one example, a known receptacle assembly includes a cage member that is mounted to a circuit board and configured to receive a small form-factor pluggable (SFP) transceiver in an elongated cavity of the cage member. The pluggable module and the electrical connector have respective electrical contacts that engage one another to establish a communicative connection.
To retain the pluggable module in the cage member, the pluggable modules typically include a latch configured to engage the cage member. The latch is released by pushing downward on an actuator or pulling rearward on the actuator, such as using a tether. Conventional latches are not without disadvantages. For instance, some known latches overmold the tether directly to the stamped metal latch. The tether is then integrally secured to the latch and extends from the pluggable module, which may be costly to manufacture and assemble. The tether is pre-assembled to the latch. The tether is unable to be applied to the latch after the latch is assembled to the pluggable module.
A need remains for a latch release device that may be easily assembled to a latch of a pluggable module.
In one embodiment, a pluggable module is provided including a pluggable body extending along a longitudinal axis between a cable end and a mating end opposite the cable end and a latch held by the pluggable body. The latch having an actuation end and a latching end opposite the actuation end. The actuation end has an actuator extending from the cable end and the latching end has a latching tooth configured to latchably secure the pluggable module to a component when the latching tooth is in a latching position. A pull tab device is secured to the actuator. The pull tab device has a handle configured to be pulled away from the pluggable body to release the latch. The pull tab device has a connecting end opposite the handle having a first segment and a second segment. The first segment wraps around the actuator and is secured to the second segment such that the pull tab device is self-secured to the actuator.
In another embodiment, a pluggable module is provided including a pluggable body extending along a longitudinal axis between a cable end and a mating end opposite the cable end and a latch held by the pluggable body. The latch has an actuation end and a latching end opposite the actuation end. The actuation end has an actuator extending from the cable end and the latching end has a latching tooth configured to latchably secure the pluggable module to a component when the latching tooth is in a latching position. A pull tab device is secured to the actuator. The pull tab device has a handle configured to be pulled away from the pluggable body to release the latch. The pull tab device has a connecting end opposite the handle having a button configured to releasably secure the pull tab device to the actuator. The connecting end has a stud provided along a first segment of the pull tab device and the connecting end has a socket along a second segment of the pull tab device. The connecting end wraps around the actuator such that the socket receives and engages the stud to secure the first segment to the second segment around the actuator.
In a further embodiment, a pull tab device is provided for actuating a latch of a pluggable module that includes a molded body extending between a pulling end and a connecting end. The connecting end has a folded-over portion between the pulling end and the connecting end. A handle is provided at the pulling end configured to be pulled away from the pluggable module to release the latch of the pluggable module. A button is provided at the connecting end configured to releasably secure the pull tab device to the latch. The button includes a stud provided along a first segment of the molded body and a socket provided along a second segment of the molded body. The folded-over portion is provided between the first and second segments and is configured to wrap around the latch such that the first segment is stacked with the second segment to align the stud with the socket. The socket receives and engages the stud to secure the first segment to the second segment around the latch.
The receptacle assembly 104 includes a receptacle housing 108 that is mounted to the circuit board 102. The receptacle housing 108 may also be referred to as a receptacle cage. The receptacle housing 108 may be arranged at a bezel or faceplate 109 of a chassis of the system or device, such as through an opening in the faceplate. As such, the receptacle housing 108 is interior of the device and corresponding faceplate and the pluggable module(s) 106 is loaded into the receptacle housing 108 from outside or exterior of the device and corresponding faceplate. Optionally, the receptacle assembly 104 may be provided with heat exchangers for dissipating heat from the pluggable modules 106.
In the illustrated embodiment, the receptacle assembly 104 is illustrated as a single port receptacle assembly configured to receive a single pluggable module 106; however, the receptacle assembly 104 may be a multi-port receptacle assembly in other embodiments configured to receive pluggable modules 106 in multiple ports. For example, the multiple ports of the receptacle assembly 104 may be ganged side-by-side and/or stacked in addition to, or alternative to, ganged ports.
The receptacle housing 108 includes a front end 110 and an opposite back end 112. The front end 110 may be provided at, and extend through an opening in, the faceplate 109. Relative or spatial terms such as “front,” “back,” “top,” or “bottom” are only used to distinguish the referenced elements and do not necessarily require particular positions or orientations in the communication system 100 or in the surrounding environment of the communication system 100. For example, the front end 110 may be located in or facing a back portion of a larger telecommunication system. In many applications, the front end 110 is viewable to a user when the user is inserting the pluggable module 106 into the receptacle assembly 104. In other examples, the top and bottom may be referenced to the circuit board 102 with the bottom positioned closer to the circuit board and the top positioned further from the circuit board. The top may be positioned below the bottom in some orientations. The top and the bottom may be horizontally aligned in other orientations, such as when the circuit board 102 is oriented vertically as opposed to horizontally.
The receptacle housing 108 is configured to contain or block electromagnetic interference (EMI) and guide the pluggable module(s) 106 during a mating operation. To this end, the receptacle housing 108 includes a plurality of housing walls 114 that are interconnected with one another to form the receptacle housing 108. The housing walls 114 may be formed from a conductive material, such as sheet metal and/or a polymer having conductive particles. In the illustrated embodiment, the housing walls 114 are stamped and formed from sheet metal. In some embodiments, the receptacle housing 108 is configured to facilitate airflow through the receptacle housing 108 to transfer heat (or thermal energy) away from the receptacle assembly 104 and pluggable module(s) 106. For example, airflow openings may be provided in the housing walls 114 to allow airflow through the receptacle housing 108. The air may flow from inside the receptacle housing 108 to the external environment or from outside the receptacle housing 108 into the interior of the receptacle housing 108. Fans or other air moving devices may be used to increase airflow through the receptacle housing 108 and over the pluggable module(s) 106.
The receptacle housing 108 defines a module cavity 120 extending between the front and back ends 110, 112. The module cavity 120 receives the pluggable module 106. The housing walls 114 surround and provide shielding for the module cavity 120 and the corresponding pluggable module(s) 106. The module cavity 120 extends lengthwise in a direction that is parallel to the plugging axis of the pluggable module 106. For a multi-port receptacle assembly 104, multiple module cavities 120 or ports are defined for receiving multiple pluggable modules 106. In such embodiments, the module cavities 120 may be stacked vertically and/or ganged horizontally.
The receptacle assembly 104 includes a communication connector 122 (shown in phantom in
The pluggable module 106 is an input/output (I/O) module configured to be inserted into and removed from the receptacle assembly 104. In some embodiments, the pluggable module 106 is a small form-factor pluggable (SFP) transceiver or quad small form-factor pluggable (QSFP) transceiver. The pluggable module 106 may satisfy certain technical specifications for SFP or QSFP transceivers, such as Small-Form Factor (SFF)-8431. In some embodiments, the pluggable module 106 is configured to transmit data signals up to 2.5 gigabits per second (Gbps), up to 5.0 Gbps, up to 10.0 Gbps, or more. By way of example, the receptacle assembly 104 and the pluggable module 106 may be similar to the receptacle cages and transceivers, respectively, which are part of the SFP+product family available from TE Connectivity.
The pluggable module 106 includes a latch 200 for securing the pluggable module 106 in the receptacle housing 108. The latch 200 is releasable, such as by pulling on the latch 200 to release the latch 200 from the receptacle housing 108. A pull tab device 300 is coupled to the latch 200 for actuating the latch 200. In an exemplary embodiment, the pull tab device 300 is removably coupled to the latch 200. The pull tab device 300 may be field installable on the latch 200. For example, the pull tab device 300 is configured to be secured to the latch 200 when the pluggable module 106 is mated with the communication connector 122 without unmating the pluggable module 106 from the communication connector 122. As such, the pull tab device 300 may be retrofit to pluggable modules 106 without interrupting operation of the pluggable module 106 or communication system 100. The pull tab device 300 may be rear loaded onto the latch 200 in situ after the latch 200 is assembled to the pluggable module 106. The pull tab device 300 may be snapably coupled to itself around the latch 200 and is thus capable of being self-secured to the latch 200. The pull tab device 300 may be removed and replaced, such as when the pull tab device 300 is damaged.
The pluggable module 106 is illustrated as a finned pluggable module providing heat dissipating fins for increased heat transfer and cooling of the pluggable module 106; however, other types of pluggable modules 106 may be provided in alternative embodiments. The pluggable body 130 has a first wall or top wall 140 and an opposite second wall or bottom wall 142 with side walls 144, 146 extending between the top and bottom walls 140, 142. The top and bottom walls 140, 142 and the sidewalls 144, 146 extend lengthwise along a length of the pluggable body 130 between the mating end 132 and the cable end 134. The top wall 140, bottom wall 142 and sidewalls 144, 146 define a chamber 150 that holds the internal circuit board 138. The cable 136 may extend into the chamber 150 for connection with the internal circuit board 138. Optionally, the internal circuit board 138 may be exposed at the mating end 132 for mating with the corresponding communication connector 122 (shown in
In an exemplary embodiment, the pluggable body 130 includes a plurality of heat transfer fins 160 extending therefrom. The heat transfer fins 160 increase the surface area of the pluggable body 130 and allow greater heat transfer from the pluggable body 130. The heat transfer fins 160 may extend from any portion of the pluggable body 130, such as from the top wall 140. The heat transfer fins 160 run lengthwise at least partially between the cable end 134 and the mating end 132. Optionally, the heat transfer fins 160 may run substantially the entire length from the cable end 134 to the mating end 132. In the illustrated embodiment, the heat transfer fins 160 are parallel plates that extend continuously between opposite ends of the heat transfer fins 160. The heat transfer fins 160 are separated by channels 162. Optionally, the channels 162 may have a uniform spacing between the heat transfer fins 160. For example, sides of the heat transfer fins 160 may be planar and parallel.
The latch 200 is held by the pluggable body 130. The latch 200 has an actuation end 202 and a latching end 204 opposite the actuation end 202. The latch 200 is received in the pluggable body 130 such that the latching end 204 is located within the chamber 150 and the actuating end 202 is located outside of the pluggable body 130, such as forward of the pluggable body 130. The latch 200 extends from the cable end 134 forward of the pluggable body 130. The latch 200 extends into the chamber 150 such that a portion of the latch 200 is interior of the pluggable body 130 and a portion of the latch 200 is exterior of the pluggable body 130. The actuation end 202 has an actuator 206 configured to be pulled to release the latch 200. In an exemplary embodiment, the pull tab device 300 is coupled to the actuator 206 and provides a pulling feature for a user to actuate the latch 200. The latching end 204 has at least one latching tooth 210 (in an exemplary embodiment, the latch 200 includes two latching teeth 210) configured to latchably secure the pluggable module 106 to a component, such as one of the housing walls 114 (shown in
The pull tab device 300 has a molded body 302 extending between a pulling end 304 and a connecting end 306. A handle 308 is provided at the pulling end 304 and is configured to be pulled away from the pluggable module 106 to release the latch 200. The handle 308 may include gripping features, such as ribs, on the top and/or bottom for grip on the handle 308. A self-securing feature 310 is provided at the connecting end 306 for releasably securing the pull tab device 300 to the latch 200. In the illustrated embodiment, the self-securing feature 310 is in the form of a snapable button; however, other types of self-securing features may be used in alternative embodiments.
The latch 200 includes a latching arm 220 extending rearward from the actuator 206 to the latching end 204. Optionally, the latching arm 220 may be bent or include jogs for positioning the latching tooth 210 relative to the actuator 206. The latching arm 220 may include a pivot joint 222, such as approximately centered between the latching tooth 210 and the actuator 206. The latch 200 may pivot about the pivot joint 222, such as when the actuator 206 is pulled by the pull tab device 300. The latching arm 220 may include a pulling arm 224 between the pivot joint 222 and the actuator 206, and a lifting arm 226 between the pivot joint 222 and the latching tooth 210. Pulling on the pull tab device 300 causes the pulling arm 224 to rotate the lifting arm 226 about the pivot joint 222. The pivot joint 222 transfers pulling movement of the actuator 206 in an actuation direction to unlatching movement of the latching tooth 210 in a releasing direction.
The connecting end 306 has a folded-over portion 320 between a first segment 322 and a second segment 324 of the connecting end 306. The first segment 322 is configured to be coupled to the second segment 324 by the self-securing feature 310. For example, the first segment 322 may be snapably coupled to the second segment 324. The first segment 322 is separable from the second segment 324 for repeatable mating and unmating of the connecting end 306 to itself.
The folded-over portion 320, the first segment 322 and the second segment 324 are integral parts of the molded body 302 of the pull tab device 300. The folded-over portion 320 wraps around the actuator 206 to secure the connecting end 306 to the actuator 206. When assembled, the first segment 322 and the second segment 324 are stacked. For example, the first segment 322 is wrapped under the second segment 324 and both the first segment 322 and the second segment 324 extend forward of the actuator 206. The folded-over portion 320 extends rearward of the actuator 206 when the connecting end 306 is wrapped around the actuator 206.
In an exemplary embodiment, the self-securing feature 310 is a button 330 provided at the connecting end 306 configured to releasably secure the pull tab device 300 to the latch 200. The button 330 includes a stud 332 and a socket 334. The stud 332 is provided along the first segment 322 and the socket 334 is provided along the second segment 324. The stud 332 and the socket 334 are integrally molded with the molded body 302 of the pull tab device 300.
When assembled, the folded-over portion 320 is provided between the first and second segments 322, 324 and is wrapped around the latch 200 such that the first segment 322 is stacked with the second segment 324 to align the stud 332 with the socket 334. The stud 332 may then be snapably secured to the socket 334. For example, the socket 334 receives and engages the stud 332 to secure the first segment 322 to the second segment 324 around the latch 200. The snapable button 330 is used to self-secure the first segment 322 to the second segment 324.
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(f), unless and until such claim limitations expressly use the phrase “means for” followed by a statement of function void of further structure.
