Optical module and release mechanism thereof

Abstract

An optical module for pluggable insertion into a cage. The optical module includes a housing and a release mechanism. The release mechanism comprises a fastener and a pull handle. The buckling piece is movably arranged on the shell and used for being detachably buckled on a cage. The pull handle is detachably and rotatably arranged on the fastener.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to an optical module, in particular to a pluggable optical module and a release mechanism thereof. Background Art

[0002] In modern high-speed communication networks, optical modules are generally provided to achieve optical communication, and optical modules are usually installed in electronic communication equipment. In order to increase the flexibility of system design and facilitate maintenance, the optical module is pluggable and inserted into a corresponding cage set in the communication equipment. Generally speaking, this cage is set on a circuit board. In order to define the electrical and mechanical interface between the optical transceiver module and the corresponding cage, various standards have been proposed, such as the XFP (10Gigabit Small Form Factor Pluggable) standard for 10GB / s communication rate and the QSFP (Quad Small Form-factor Pluggable) standard.

[0003] Generally speaking, the optical module is provided with a release mechanism, so that when the optical module is inserted into the cage, it can be fixed to the cage via the release mechanism and will not get loose, and when necessary, the optical module can be removed from the cage by releasing the fixation between the optical module and the cage via the release mechanism. The existing release mechanism provides a pull handle that is convenient for the user to operate, and the pull handle is formed on the fastener used to be fixed to the cage through an injection molding process. Since the pull handle is fixed relative to the fastener, when it is necessary to insert or pull out the optical fiber or jumper into or out of the optical module, the pull handle may hinder the user from operating the optical fiber or jumper. In addition, the pull handle is frequently touched by the user and is easily dirty or damaged, but when the pull handle is replaced, the entire release mechanism must be replaced, which has the problem of high cost. Summary of the invention

[0004] The present invention provides a light module and a release mechanism thereof, which are helpful to solve the problem that a pull handle is fixed to a buckle component, thereby hindering user operation and being difficult to replace.

[0005] The optical module disclosed in the present invention is used to be pluggable and inserted into a cage. The optical module includes a housing and a release mechanism. The release mechanism includes a buckle and a handle. The buckle is movably disposed on the housing and is used to be detachably buckled in the cage. The handle is detachably and rotatably disposed on the buckle.

[0006] The present invention further discloses a release mechanism of the optical module, comprising a buckle and a handle. The buckle is used to be detachably buckled in the cage. The handle is detachably and rotatably disposed on the buckle.

[0007] According to the optical module and its release mechanism disclosed in the present invention, the pull handle is detachably and rotatably arranged on the buckle, and the buckle and the pull handle are independent components. When the pull handle is dirty or damaged, only the pull handle can be replaced without replacing the buckle, thereby helping to reduce the maintenance cost of the release mechanism and simplify the maintenance procedure of the release mechanism. In addition, the pull handle can be rotated and lifted to avoid the pull handle interfering with the operation, which helps to insert the optical fiber or jumper into the port of the housing or remove it from the port.

[0008] The above description of the content of the present invention and the following description of the implementation modes are used to demonstrate and explain the spirit and principle of the present invention, and to provide further explanation for the protection scope of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Figure 1 FIG. 4 is a perspective schematic diagram of a cage and a light module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0010] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A partially enlarged cross-sectional schematic diagram of a snap-fit ​​piece of an optical module at a snap-fit ​​position.

[0011] Figure 3 for Figure 1 A partially enlarged cross-sectional schematic diagram of a latch of an optical module in a released position.

[0012] Figure 4 for Figure 1 Exploded diagram of an optical module.

[0013] Figures 5 to 7 for Figure 4 Schematic diagram of assembly of the release mechanism of the optical module.

[0014] Figure 8 for Figure 1 A three-dimensional schematic diagram showing that the handle of the optical module is in a horizontal state.

[0015] Fig. 9 for Figure 8 A partial side view schematic diagram of an optical module.

[0016] Fig.10 for Figure 8 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of a handle of an optical module in a raised state.

[0017] Fig.11 for Fig.10 A partial side view schematic diagram of an optical module.

[0018] [Description of Reference Numerals]

[0019] Optical module 1

[0020] Cage 2

[0021] Flexible arm 21

[0022] Housing 10

[0023] Head 110

[0024] Port 100

[0025] Insertion unit 120

[0026] Release mechanism 20

[0027] Buckle 210

[0028] Extension arm 211

[0029] JACK 212

[0030] Buckle portion 211a

[0031] Incline 2111

[0032] Pull handle 220

[0033] Main body 221

[0034] The first buckle structure 221a

[0035] Rotating shaft 221b

[0036] Groove 221c

[0037] Groove wall 2211

[0038] Rotating part 222

[0039] The second buckle structure 222a

[0040] Opening 222b

[0041] Elastic member 230

[0042] Rotation axis A1

[0043] Axis A2

[0044] Release direction D DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] The detailed features and advantages of the present invention are described in detail in the following embodiments, and the contents are sufficient to enable ordinary technicians in the field to understand the technical content of the present invention and implement it accordingly. According to the contents, protection scope and drawings disclosed in this specification, ordinary technicians in the field can easily understand the relevant purposes and advantages of the present invention. The following examples are to further illustrate the viewpoints of the present invention in detail, but are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention in any way.

[0046] Please refer to Figures 1 to 3 . Figure 1 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a cage and an optical module according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 for Figure 1 A partially enlarged cross-sectional schematic diagram of a snap-in piece of an optical module at a snap-in position, and Figure 3 for Figure 1 The optical module 1 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional schematic diagram of a latch of the optical module in a release position. In this embodiment, the optical module 1 can be inserted into the cage 2 in a pluggable manner. The optical module 1 can include a housing 10 and a release mechanism 20.

[0047] The housing 10 may include a head 110 and an insertion portion 120 connected to each other. The insertion portion 120 is configured to be inserted into the cage 2. The head 110 may have a port 100 to accommodate an optical connector (not shown). The optical connector may be an optical fiber or a patch cord. In addition, the housing 10 may be a single component, or the housing 10 may include an upper shell and a lower shell that are assembled.

[0048] The release mechanism 20 may include a buckle 210 and a handle 220. The buckle 210 may include an extension arm 211, and the extension arm 211 may be movably disposed on the outer side of the housing 10. The buckle 210 of this embodiment may include two extension arms 211 located on opposite sides of the housing 10, but the specific structure and shape of the buckle 210 are not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the buckle 210 may include a single extension arm 211. The extension arm 211 of the buckle 210 may include a buckle portion 211a corresponding to the slot of the cage 2. The buckle 210 may move relative to the housing 10 so that the buckle portion 211a and the slot of the cage 2 are buckled and fixed to each other. The handle 220 may be disposed on the buckle 210.

[0049] In this embodiment, the release mechanism 20 may further include elastic members 230 whose number corresponds to the extension arms 211. The elastic members 230 are disposed on the housing 10 and normally press the locking member 210.

[0050] The locking member 210 can move relative to the housing 10 along the release direction D to have a locking position (see Figure 2 ) and the release position (see Figure 3 ).like Figure 2 As shown, the elastic member 230 pushes against the buckle member 210, so that the buckle member 210 can be maintained at the buckle position, and then the buckle portion 211a is firmly buckled with the cage 2. In this way, the optical module 1 can be easily and reliably inserted into the cage 2.

[0051] like Figures 1 to 3As shown, the user can drive the buckle 210 to move relative to the housing 10 along the release direction D by pulling the handle 220. The buckle portion 211a pushes against the flexible arm 21 of the cage 2, so that the buckle portion 211a slides along its own inclined surface 2111. The buckle portion 211a bends the flexible arm 21 to move the buckle 210 to the release position. When the handle 220 is continuously pulled along the release direction D, the insertion portion 120 of the housing 10 can be pulled out of the cage 2.

[0052] In addition, when the buckle 210 is located at the release position, the elastic member 230 is compressed. When the user releases the pull handle 220, the elastic potential energy stored in the elastic member 230 drives the buckle 210 to return to the buckle position.

[0053] In this embodiment, the handle 220 is detachably disposed on the buckle 210 . Figure 4 for Figure 1 . The handle 220 may include a main body 221 and a rotating portion 222 rotatably connected to the main body 221. The rotation axis A1 of the rotating portion 222 may be substantially parallel to the release direction D of the buckle 210. The main body 221 may include a first buckle structure 221a, and the rotating portion 222 may include a second buckle structure 222a corresponding to the first buckle structure 221a. The first buckle structure 221a may be engaged with the second buckle structure 222a so that the handle 220 can be detachably disposed on the buckle 210. The handle 220 of this embodiment may include two rotating portions 222 respectively located on opposite sides of the buckle 210, but the specific structure and shape of the handle 220 are not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the handle 220 may include a single rotating portion 222. In addition, Figure 4 The first buckle structure 221 a and the second buckle structure 222 a are exemplarily shown as a combination of a pair of buckle hooks and buckle holes, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0054] In this embodiment, the handle 220 is further rotatably disposed on the buckle 210. Figure 4 As shown, the buckle 210 may have an insertion hole 212, and the main body 221 of the handle 220 may include a number of rotating shafts 221b corresponding to the rotating portion 222. The axis A2 of the rotating shaft 221b may be substantially orthogonal to the release direction D of the buckle 210. The rotating shaft 221b may be disposed in the insertion hole 212 so that the handle 220 can be rotatably disposed on the buckle 210.

[0055] In this embodiment, the rotating portion 222 of the handle 220 may further have an opening 222b. When the first buckle structure 221a of the main body 221 is buckled with the second buckle structure 222a of the rotating portion 222, the rotating shaft 221b of the main body 221 may pass through the opening 222b.

[0056] In this embodiment, the main body 221 of the handle 220 may further have a groove 221c. The first buckle structure 221a of the main body 221 may be located outside the groove 221c, and the rotating shaft 221b of the main body 221 and part of the buckle 210 may be located inside the groove 221c. The groove 221c helps to reduce the lateral thickness of the main body 221 of the handle 220.

[0057] The following describes how to assemble the pull handle 220 to the buckle 210 . Figures 5 to 7 for Figure 4 The assembly diagram of the release mechanism of the optical module is shown in FIG. Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the shaft 221b of the main body 221 can be aligned with the insertion hole 212 of the buckle 210, and the shaft 221b can be inserted into the insertion hole 212, so that the groove 221c of the main body 221 receives the end of the buckle 210. Figure 7 As shown, the rotating portion 222 of the handle 220 is rotated to engage the first buckle structure 221 a of the main body 221 with the second buckle structure 222 a of the rotating portion 222 .

[0058] By designing that the pull handle 220 is detachably and rotatably disposed on the fastener 210, the fastener 210 and the pull handle 220 are independent devices. When the pull handle 220 is dirty or damaged, only the pull handle 220 can be replaced without replacing the fastener 210 together, thereby helping to reduce the maintenance cost of the release mechanism 20 and simplify the maintenance procedure of the release mechanism 20. In order to reduce the maintenance cost, the pull handle 220 can be made of a plastic material. In order to obtain sufficient flexibility and service life, the fastener 210 can be made of a metal material. In addition, the pull handle 220 can be rotated and lifted to avoid the pull handle 220 interfering with the operation, which helps to insert the optical fiber or jumper into the port 100 of the housing 10 or pull it out from the port 100.

[0059] The handle 220 may be in a horizontal state. Figure 8 for Figure 1 A three-dimensional schematic diagram showing that the handle of the optical module is in a horizontal state. Fig. 9 for Figure 8 FIG2 is a partial side view of an optical module. When the pull handle 220 is in a horizontal state, the pull handle 220 can protect the optical connector (such as an optical fiber or a jumper, not shown) from dust pollution. In addition, the pull handle 220 in a horizontal state can be pulled to pull the optical module 1 out of the cage. For example, the user can hold the main body 221 of the pull handle 220 and pull the main body 221 along the release direction D of the buckle 210. In this embodiment, the groove wall surface 2211 of the groove 221c of the pull handle 220 can be against the end of the buckle 210, so that the pull handle 220 can be kept in a horizontal state.

[0060] The handle 220 can rotate relative to the buckle 210 at a certain angle (eg, 90 degrees) to move from a horizontal state to a raised state. Fig.10 for Figure 8 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of a handle of an optical module in a raised state. Fig.11 for Fig.10 When the pull handle 220 is in the raised state, the optical fiber or jumper can be inserted into the port 100 of the housing 10 or pulled out from the port 100. In this embodiment, the end of the latch 210 supports the main body 221 of the pull handle 220, so that the pull handle 220 can be kept in the raised state, so that the pull handle 220 does not need to be supported by hand or external force during the installation or removal of the optical fiber or jumper.

[0061] According to the optical module and its release mechanism disclosed in the present invention, the pull handle is detachably and rotatably arranged on the buckle, and the buckle and the pull handle are independent components. When the pull handle is dirty or damaged, only the pull handle can be replaced without replacing the buckle, thereby helping to reduce the maintenance cost of the release mechanism and simplify the maintenance procedure of the release mechanism. In addition, the pull handle can be rotated and lifted to avoid the pull handle interfering with the operation, which helps to insert the optical fiber or jumper into the port of the housing or remove it from the port.

Claims

1. An optical module for pluggable insertion into a cage, characterized in that: The optical module includes: a housing; and Release mechanism, including: A buckle, movably disposed on the housing and used to be detachably buckled on the cage; and The pull handle is detachably and rotatably arranged on the buckle.

2. The optical module according to claim 1, wherein: The buckle is made of metal material, and the pull handle is made of plastic material.

3. The optical module according to claim 1, wherein: The handle includes a main body and a rotating part rotatably connected to the main body, the main body includes a first buckle structure, the rotating part includes a second buckle structure corresponding to the first buckle structure, and the first buckle structure is buckled with the second buckle structure so that the handle is detachably arranged on the buckle.

4. The optical module according to claim 3, characterized in that: The buckle can move relative to the housing along a release direction to release the buckle with the cage, and the rotation axis of the rotating part of the handle is substantially parallel to the release direction.

5. The optical module according to claim 3, characterized in that: The buckle component has an insert hole, the main body of the pull handle comprises a rotating shaft component, and the rotating shaft component is arranged in the insert hole so that the pull handle can be rotatably arranged on the buckle component.

6. The optical module according to claim 5, characterized in that: The rotating portion of the handle has an opening, and when the first buckle structure is buckled with the second buckle structure, the rotating shaft passes through the opening.

7. The optical module according to claim 5, characterized in that: The axis of the rotating shaft is substantially perpendicular to the releasing direction.

8. The optical module according to claim 5, characterized in that: The main body of the handle has a groove, the first buckle structure is located outside the groove, and the rotating shaft and a part of the buckle are located inside the groove.

9. The optical module according to claim 8, characterized in that: The handle can rotate relative to the buckle to be in a horizontal state or a raised state, the groove wall of the groove abuts against the buckle to keep the handle in the horizontal state, and the buckle supports the main body to keep the handle in the raised state.

10. A release mechanism for an optical module, characterized in that: Include: A buckle, used for detachably buckling to the cage; and The pull handle is detachably and rotatably arranged on the buckle.

11. The release mechanism of the optical module according to claim 10, characterized in that: The buckle is made of metal material, and the pull handle is made of plastic material.

12. The release mechanism of the optical module according to claim 10, characterized in that: The handle includes a main body and a rotating part rotatably connected to the main body, the main body includes a first buckle structure, the rotating part includes a second buckle structure corresponding to the first buckle structure, and the first buckle structure is buckled with the second buckle structure so that the handle is detachably arranged on the buckle.

13. The release mechanism of the optical module according to claim 12, characterized in that: The buckle component has an insert hole, the main body of the pull handle comprises a rotating shaft component, and the rotating shaft component is arranged in the insert hole so that the pull handle can be rotatably arranged on the buckle component.

14. The release mechanism of the optical module according to claim 13, characterized in that: The rotating portion of the handle has an opening, and when the first buckle structure is buckled with the second buckle structure, the rotating shaft passes through the opening.

15. The release mechanism of the optical module according to claim 13, characterized in that: The main body of the handle has a groove, the first buckle structure is located outside the groove, and the rotating shaft and a part of the buckle are located inside the groove.

16. The release mechanism of the optical module according to claim 15, characterized in that: The handle can rotate relative to the buckle to be in a horizontal state or a raised state, the groove wall of the groove abuts against the buckle to keep the handle in the horizontal state, and the buckle supports the main body to keep the handle in the raised state.

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