Optical cage, optical cage assembly and network device

Abstract

The utility model provides an optical cage, an optical cage assembly and network equipment, and belongs to the technical field of communication. The bottom wall of the optical cage is provided with pins, the pins are provided with pin holes, and the pin holes are used for enabling the pins to deform when the pins are inserted into a circuit board, so that the optical cage is fixed on the circuit board; the pins are further provided with damping structures, and the damping structures are used for preventing the pins from falling off from the circuit board. By adopting the light cage, the damping structure can be barbs and / or a plurality of pinholes, and can prevent the pins from falling off from the circuit board, so that the difficulty of falling off the light cage from the circuit board is increased, and the stability between the light cage and the circuit board is improved.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of communication technology, in particular to an optical cage, an optical cage assembly and a network device. BACKGROUND

[0002] In the field of optical interconnection communication, optical fibers are connected to network devices through optical modules. For example, a network device has optical ports on a panel, an optical module has an electrical connector at one end and an optical interface at the other end, the electrical connector of the optical module is inserted into the optical port of the network device and electrically connected to an electrical signal connector in the optical port, and an optical fiber connector at the end of the optical fiber is inserted into the optical interface of the optical module. The optical module can convert electrical signals transmitted in the network device into optical signals transmitted in the optical fiber, and vice versa, so that different network devices can be interconnected through optical fibers.

[0003] Since the optical module is a precision device, physical impact, dust and moisture from the outside environment can affect signal transmission in the optical module. Therefore, in order to protect the optical module, the electrical signal connector electrically connected to the optical module in the network device is generally placed in a metal shell, which is commonly referred to as an optical cage. The electrical signal connector is placed in the optical cage near the end, and the end of the optical cage away from the electrical signal connector has a socket for inserting the optical module. The socket of the optical cage is located in a port on the panel of the network device. Since the port is arranged with devices for connecting the optical module, it is used to connect the optical fiber externally, so it is commonly referred to as an optical port.

[0004] Since the electrical signal connector is electrically connected to the circuit board of the network device, the optical cage that covers the electrical signal connector is also usually fixed to the circuit board. For example, the bottom wall of the optical cage has fish-eye type pins with pinholes. After the pins are inserted into the holes on the circuit board, the pins are firmly fixed to the circuit board by deforming the pinholes. Since the optical module generates heat during optical-electric and electric-optical conversion, the top wall or bottom wall of the optical cage usually has a heat sink fixed thereto by a fastener.

[0005] However, as the transmission rate of the optical module increases and the bandwidth widens, the heat dissipation demand of the optical module also increases. Therefore, the size of the heat sink also becomes larger and larger. The fixing of the larger heat sink to the optical cage will reduce the stability between the optical cage and the circuit board, and in severe cases, the optical cage will also fall off the circuit board. UTILITY MODEL CONTENT

[0006] The present disclosure provides an optical cage, an optical cage assembly and a network device, which can improve the stability between the optical cage and the circuit board.

[0007] In a first aspect, the disclosure provides a light cage, a bottom wall of the light cage having a needle, the needle having a needle hole, the needle hole being used to deform the needle when the needle is inserted on a circuit board, so that the light cage is fixed on the circuit board;

[0008] The needle also has a damping structure, which is used to hinder the needle from falling off the circuit board.

[0009] In the scheme shown in the disclosure, the needle of the light cage for crimping on the circuit board has a damping structure, which can be a barb and / or multiple needle holes, for example, capable of hindering the needle from falling off the circuit board, thereby increasing the difficulty of the light cage falling off the circuit board. In this case, even if the top wall of the light cage is fixed with a large-sized heat sink, the needle of the present embodiment will be more difficult to fall off the circuit board than the needle of the prior art, thereby improving the stability between the light cage and the circuit board.

[0010] In a possible implementation, the shape of the needle is oval, and the long axis of the needle is parallel to the insertion direction of the needle into the circuit board.

[0011] The damping structure is a barb provided on the outer edge of the needle, and the barb is located in the bulging area of the needle, and the included angle between the tip direction of the barb and the insertion direction of the needle into the circuit board is obtuse, wherein the bulging area of the needle is the area bulging away from the long axis of the needle.

[0012] In the scheme shown in the disclosure, since the included angle between the tip direction of the barb and the insertion direction of the needle into the circuit board is obtuse, after the needle is inserted into the circuit board, the direction of the force of the circuit board on the needle at the position of the barb is opposite to the direction of the force that promotes the needle to fall off the circuit board, so that the barb can hinder the needle from falling off the circuit board.

[0013] In a possible implementation, the number of barbs on the same side of the long axis of the needle is multiple.

[0014] In the scheme shown in the disclosure, the more the number of barbs on the same side of the needle, the greater the force to resist the needle from falling off the circuit board. For example, there are multiple barbs on the left side of the needle, and there are also multiple barbs on the right side of the needle. The directions of the forces of the circuit board on these barbs are consistent, so that the forces are superimposed to be larger, and the direction of the force is opposite to the direction of the force that promotes the needle to fall off the circuit board, thereby further enhancing the effect of hindering the needle from falling off the circuit board.

[0015] In a possible implementation, the damping structure is a barb provided at the insertion end of the pin, and an included angle between a tip direction of the barb and an insertion direction of the pin into the circuit board is an acute angle, and the insertion end of the pin is an end portion away from the bottom wall of the light cage.

[0016] In the scheme shown in the present disclosure, the barb is provided at the insertion end of the pin, and the included angle between the tip direction and the insertion direction is an acute angle, but after the barb is inserted into the circuit board, the left barb is bent to the left, and the right barb is bent to the right, and the direction of the force acting on the barb in the circuit board is opposite to the direction of the force promoting the pin to fall off, so the effect of hindering the pin from falling off the circuit board can also be achieved.

[0017] In a possible implementation, the barb is used to be inserted into the circuit board, or the barb is used to be buckled on a surface of the circuit board facing away from the light cage.

[0018] In the scheme shown in the present disclosure, in the scheme in which the light cage is arranged on both the front surface and the back surface of the circuit board, the barb provided at the insertion end can be inserted into the circuit board, and in the scheme in which the light cage is arranged on a single surface of the circuit board, the barb provided at the insertion end can be buckled on the surface of the circuit board facing away from the light cage. The barb buckled on the surface of the circuit board makes the pin more difficult to fall off the circuit board.

[0019] In a possible implementation, the damping structure is a plurality of pin holes arranged along a length direction of the pin, and the length direction of the pin is parallel to an insertion direction of the pin into the circuit board.

[0020] In the scheme shown in the present disclosure, after the pin is inserted into the circuit board, the pin is deformed and elongated because the pin is hollow at the pin holes, and the outer edge of the pin at the pin holes is tightly abutted on the inner wall of the crimping hole of the circuit board, at this time, the static friction between the outer edge of the pin and the crimping hole is relatively large, thereby hindering the pin from falling off the circuit board. As can be seen, in the insertion direction of the pin into the circuit board, such as the length direction of the pin, the more the number of pin holes, the more positions at which the pin is abutted on the inner wall of the crimping hole, the larger the contact surface between the pin and the crimping hole, and the larger the static friction between the pin and the crimping hole, so the effect of hindering the pin from falling off the circuit board can be enhanced.

[0021] In a possible implementation, a maximum outer diameter of the plurality of pin holes in a width direction of the pin gradually increases from a first pin hole to a last pin hole, and the last pin hole is the pin hole closest to the bottom wall of the light cage.

[0022] In the scheme shown in the present disclosure, the first needle hole that enters into the circuit board first can expand the inner diameter of the crimping hole, but since the maximum outer diameter of the needle hole that enters into the crimping hole later increases in the width direction, the pin can also tightly abut against the inner wall of the crimping hole at the needle hole that enters into the crimping hole later.

[0023] In a possible implementation, the maximum outer diameter of the first needle hole in the width direction of the pin is greater than or equal to the inner diameter of the crimping hole of the circuit board.

[0024] In the scheme shown in the present disclosure, the maximum outer diameter of the first needle hole in the width direction is the minimum among the maximum outer diameters of all the needle holes, so that after the maximum outer diameter of the first needle hole is greater than the inner diameter of the crimping hole, the maximum outer diameters of the remaining needle holes are also greater than the inner diameter of the crimping hole, so that the pin can abut against the inner wall of the crimping hole at any needle hole, thereby enhancing the static friction between the pin and the crimping hole.

[0025] In a second aspect, an optical cage assembly is provided, which comprises the electrical signal connector and the optical cage of any one of the first aspect.

[0026] One end of the optical cage has a socket for inserting an optical module, and the bottom wall of the optical cage has an opening. The electrical signal connector is located in the optical cage and in the opening of the bottom wall, and the electrical interface of the electrical signal connector faces the socket of the optical cage.

[0027] In a third aspect, a network device is provided, which comprises the circuit board and the optical cage assembly of the second aspect. The circuit board has a crimping hole, and the optical cage is crimped on the surface of the circuit board by inserting the pin on the bottom wall into the crimping hole. The electrical signal connector is electrically connected to the circuit board through the opening on the bottom wall of the optical cage. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0028] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the optical cage fixed on the circuit board provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0029] Figure 2 is a structural schematic diagram of an optical cage provided by the prior art;

[0030] Figure 3 is a structural schematic diagram of the pin of the optical cage provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0031] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the pin of the optical cage inserted into the circuit board provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0032] Figure 5This is a schematic diagram of another pin structure of the optical cage provided in an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0033] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 The diagram shows the pins inserted into the circuit board.

[0034] Figure 7 yes Figure 5 Another schematic diagram showing pins inserted into a circuit board;

[0035] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of another pin structure of the optical cage provided in an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0036] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of another pin structure of the optical cage provided in an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0037] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of another pin structure of the optical cage provided in an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0038] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of another pin structure of the optical cage provided in an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0039] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of another pin structure of the optical cage provided in an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure.

[0040] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0041] 1. Plain cage; 11. Stitch; 111. Needle hole; 112. Barb; 113. First stitch arm; 114. Second stitch arm.

[0042] 2. Electrical signal connector.

[0043] 3. Circuit board.

[0044] 4. Auxiliary tools. Detailed Implementation

[0045] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this disclosure clearer, the embodiments of this disclosure will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0046] This embodiment relates to a light cage, such as Figure 1 As shown in the figure, the optical cage is fixed on the circuit board. For ease of explanation, in the figure of this embodiment, the length direction of the optical cage 1 is taken as the y-axis, which is also the insertion and removal direction of the optical module, the width direction of the optical cage 1 is taken as the x-axis, and the thickness direction of the optical cage is taken as the z-axis. The insertion direction of the optical cage 1 into the circuit board 3 is consistent with the negative direction of the z-axis.

[0047] Referring to Figure 1 As shown, the optical cage comprises oppositely positioned top and bottom walls, oppositely positioned two side walls, and an end having a socket for plugging the optical module, and the bottom wall of the optical cage further has an opening. It is to be noted that the wall of the optical cage for fixing on the circuit board is referred to as the bottom wall for the convenience of introduction. Referring to Figure 1 As shown, the electrical signal connector for electrical connection with the optical module is located in the optical cage 1 and in the opening, so that the bottom of the electrical signal connector is fixed and electrically connected on the circuit board, and the electrical interface of the electrical signal connector further faces the socket of the optical cage 1. In this way, the electrical connector of the optical module passes through the socket of the optical cage 1 and extends into the optical cage 1 to be plugged with the electrical signal connector in the optical cage 1.

[0048] The process of assembling the optical cage and the electrical signal connector on the circuit board can be that the bottom of the electrical signal connector is first fixed and electrically connected on the circuit board 3, and then the opening on the bottom wall of the optical cage 1 passes through the electrical signal connector, so that the optical cage 1 covers the electrical signal connector, and the bottom wall of the optical cage 1 is fixedly connected with the circuit board 3.

[0049] The fixed connection mode of the bottom wall of the optical cage 1 with the circuit board 3 is generally welding and pressure connection. In the welding mode, the bottom wall of the optical cage 1 has a plurality of vertical pin-shaped pins (solid, without holes), and after the pins on the bottom wall of the optical cage 1 are inserted into the holes on the circuit board, welding is performed on the surface of the circuit board opposite to the optical cage, so as to fix the optical cage on the circuit board by welding. In the pressure connection mode, as Figure 2 As shown, the bottom wall of the optical cage 1 has a plurality of pins 11 (generally in the shape of an ellipse or a shuttle, having pin holes, also referred to as fish-eye type pins), and when the pins 11 on the bottom wall of the optical cage 1 are inserted into the holes on the circuit board, the pin holes on the pins are deformed, so as to support the pins in the holes on the circuit board, thereby fixing the optical cage on the circuit board by pressure connection.

[0050] In the welding mode of the optical cage and the circuit board, although it is firm, it cannot be arranged on both sides of the circuit board, which is not conducive to the high-density arrangement of the optical ports of the network equipment. Therefore, the common fixing mode at present is that the optical cage is pressure connected on the circuit board by fish-eye type pins.

[0051] Because optical modules require heat dissipation during operation, a heat sink is typically mounted on the outer surface of the top wall of the optical cage. To avoid interfering with the circuit layout on the circuit board, the heat sink is usually fixed to the outer surface of the top wall of the optical cage using fasteners. However, as the transmission rate and bandwidth of optical modules increase, the heat generated during operation also increases. To achieve better heat dissipation, the heat sink has become increasingly larger. A larger heat sink fixed to the outer surface of the top wall of the optical cage reduces the stability between the optical cage and the circuit board. Especially in scenarios where optical cages are mounted on both sides of the circuit board, a large heat sink can easily cause the optical cage, which is fixed below the circuit board, to detach from the circuit board.

[0052] For example, a fiber optic cage is arranged on the front side of a circuit board, with a heat sink fixed to its top wall. A fiber optic cage is also arranged on the back side of the circuit board, with a heat sink fixed to its top wall. Because the bottom wall of the fiber optic cage on the back side is on top of the top wall, and a heat sink is fixed to its top wall, the weight of the heat sink is in the same direction as the force causing the fiber optic cage to detach from the circuit board, making it more prone to detachment. Conversely, the bottom wall of the fiber optic cage on the front side is on top of the bottom wall. In unstable environments such as during transportation and handling, the heat sink on the top wall of the fiber optic cage can easily cause it to detach from the circuit board.

[0053] Therefore, this embodiment provides an optical cage. After the optical cage is pressed onto the circuit board, it can improve the stability between the optical cage and the circuit board and increase the difficulty of the optical cage falling off the circuit board.

[0054] The optical cage is crimped onto the circuit board via pins on its bottom wall, so, as Figure 2 As shown, the bottom wall of the optical cage 1 has multiple pins 11, each pin having a pinhole 111. The pinhole 111 is used to deform the pin 11 when it is inserted into the circuit board 3. For example, a first pin arm 113 and a second pin arm 114 are formed between the outer edge of the pin 11 and the inner wall of the pinhole 111. After the pin 11 is inserted into the crimp hole on the circuit board 3, the first pin arm 113 located to the left of the center line L1 of the pin 11 will be squeezed towards the center line L1, and the second pin arm 114 located to the right of the center line L1 of the pin 11 will also be squeezed towards the center line L1. The pin 11 is stretched and deformed, so that the pin arms on the left and right sides of the pin 11 are supported in the crimp hole on the circuit board 3, increasing the static friction between the outer edge of the pin 11 and the inner wall of the crimp hole, thereby fixing the optical cage 1 onto the circuit board 3. Among them, the center line L1 of pin 11 is a straight line parallel to the insertion direction of pin 11 into circuit board 3, and is usually also parallel to the length direction of pin 11.

[0055] refer to Figure 2As shown, the profile of the outer edge of the pin 11 is narrower in width on the y-axis near the first end and the second end, and wider in the middle portion, and the outer edge of the pin 11 is arc-shaped, wherein the first end and the second end of the pin 11 are the two ends along the z-axis direction. This is configured to make the pin 11 more easily inserted into the press-fit hole on the circuit board and less likely to be pulled out of the circuit board after being inserted into the circuit board.

[0056] Then, with reference to Figure 2 As shown, the shape of the pin 11 (i.e. the shape of the profile of the outer edge of the pin 11) is oval or fusiform. Then, the center line L of the pin 11 is also the major axis of the pin 11.

[0057] The profile shape of the outer edge of the pin 11 is generally consistent with the shape of the pin hole 111. Therefore, with reference to Figure 2 As shown, the shape of the pin hole 111 on the pin 11 is mostly oval, also known as fusiform, so that the pin 11 looks like a fish eye, and therefore the pin 11 with the pin hole 111 is also called a fish eye pin or a fish eye type pin. With reference to Figure 2 As shown, the oval pin hole 111 has its major axis parallel to the z-axis and its minor axis parallel to the y-axis.

[0058] In order to make the pin 11 inserted into the circuit board 3 less likely to be pulled out of the circuit board, the pin 11 has a damping structure, which can hinder the pin from being pulled out of the circuit board after being inserted into the circuit board, thereby enhancing the difficulty of pulling the light cage out of the circuit board.

[0059] In one scheme, the damping structure is a barb 112 provided on the outer edge of the pin 11, which is inserted into the inner wall of the press-fit hole on the circuit board after the pin 11 is inserted into the press-fit hole on the circuit board, and when the pin 11 is subjected to a force (such as a force in the same direction as the positive direction of the z-axis) that causes it to be pulled out, the barb 112 will be subjected to a force (such as a force in the opposite direction of the z-axis) from the circuit board, thereby achieving the effect of hindering the pin 11 from being pulled out of the circuit board and enhancing the stability between the light cage and the circuit board.

[0060] Regarding the features of the barb 112. One barb 112 provided on the outer edge of the pin 11 can refer to Figure 3 As shown, Figure 3 is a structural schematic diagram of a single pin 11. With reference to Figure 3 As shown, the barb 112 is specifically provided on the outer edge of the bulging area of the pin 11, wherein the bulging area is the area of the pin 11 that bulges away from the major axis of the pin hole 111, and the bulging area is usually in the middle area of the pin 11.

[0061] With reference to Figure 3As shown in FIG. 9, the angle between the direction of the tip of the barb 112 and the direction of the insertion of the pin 11 into the circuit board 3 is an obtuse angle.

[0062] For example, referring to Figure 3 As shown in FIG. 9, the outer edge of the bulging region of the pin 11 on the left side of the center line L1 is arranged with a plurality of barbs 112, and the outer edge of the bulging region of the pin 11 on the right side of the center line L1 is also arranged with a plurality of barbs 112. Among them, the center line L1 is a straight line passing through the center of the pin hole 111 and parallel to the z-axis. Then, the angle a between the direction of the tip of the barb 112 on the left side of the center line L1 and the direction of the insertion of the pin 11 into the circuit board 3 is an obtuse angle, and the angle β between the direction of the tip of the barb 112 on the right side of the center line L1 and the direction of the insertion of the pin 11 into the circuit board 3 is also an obtuse angle.

[0063] It should be noted that, referring to Figure 3 As shown in FIG. 9, the barb 112 on the left side of the center line L1 of the pin 11 can be symmetrical to the barb 112 on the right side of the center line L1 of the pin 11 about the center line L1. Of course, the two can also be asymmetrical. This embodiment does not limit this.

[0064] Continuing to refer to Figure 3 As shown in FIG. 9, the number of barbs 112 on the left side of the center line L1 of the pin 11 is a plurality, and the number of barbs 112 on the right side of the center line L1 of the pin 11 is also a plurality. Thus, further increasing the difficulty of the optical cage falling off the circuit board.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 9, it is Figure 4 As shown in FIG. 9, it is Figure 3 The schematic diagram of the insertion of the pin 11 in the circuit board 3, referring to Figure 4 As shown in FIG. 9, after the pin 11 is inserted into the circuit board 3, because the pin 11 is hollow at the pin hole 111, the first pin arm 113 on the left side of the center line L1 and the second pin arm 114 on the right side of the center line L1 are both abutted on the inner wall of the crimping hole. And the barb 112 on the outer edge of the first pin arm 113 and the barb 112 on the outer edge of the second pin arm 114 are all inserted into the inner wall of the crimping hole of the circuit board.

[0066] Because the angle between the direction of the tip of the barb 112 and the direction of the insertion of the optical cage 1 into the circuit board 3 is an obtuse angle, referring to Figure 4 As shown in FIG. 9, when the pin 11 is subjected to an upward pulling force (i.e. a force in the direction consistent with the positive direction of the z-axis), the circuit board 3 will generate a downward force (i.e. a force in the direction consistent with the negative direction of the z-axis) on the barb 112, thereby the barb 112 hinders the upward pulling of the pin 11, increasing the difficulty of the optical cage 1 falling off the circuit board.

[0067] It should be noted that, as shown in Figure 3In the shown solution, at least one barb 112 can also be provided only on the left side of the center line L1, or only on the right side of the center line L1. However, a plurality of barbs 112 are provided on both the left and right sides of the center line L1, further increasing the difficulty of the needle 11 to fall out of the press-fit hole of the circuit board 3.

[0068] Another feature of the barb 112 can be referred to Figure 5 As shown, the barb 112 is provided at the outer edge of the insertion end of the needle 11, wherein the insertion end is also the end away from the bottom wall of the light cage, and is called the insertion end because it is first inserted into the circuit board. For example, the left side of the center line L1 of the needle 11 has a barb 112 at the insertion end position, and the right side of the center line L1 of the needle 11 has a barb 112 at the insertion end position.

[0069] In this solution, the included angle between the tip of the barb 112 and the insertion direction of the needle 11 into the circuit board 3 is an acute angle.

[0070] For example, referring to Figure 5 As shown, the included angle γ between the tip of the barb 112 on the left side of the center line L1 and the insertion direction of the needle 11 into the circuit board 3 is an acute angle, and the included angle θ between the tip of the barb 112 on the right side of the center line L1 and the insertion direction of the needle 11 into the circuit board 3 is also an acute angle.

[0071] It should be noted that, referring to Figure 5 As shown, the barb 112 on the left side of the center line L1 of the needle 11 can be symmetrical to the barb 112 on the right side of the center line L1 of the needle 11 about the center line L1. Of course, the two can also be asymmetrical. This embodiment does not limit this.

[0072] Continuing to refer to Figure 5 As shown, the number of barbs 112 on the left side of the center line L1 of the needle 11 is one, and the number of barbs 112 on the right side of the center line L1 of the needle 11 is also one. Thus, the difficulty of the light cage falling off the circuit board is further increased.

[0073] As shown in Figure 5 The barb 112 shown can be divided into two cases when it is inserted into the circuit board 3, one case is that the barb 112 is inserted into the inner wall of the press-fit hole, and the other case is that the barb 112 is inserted into the surface of the circuit board facing away from the light cage.

[0074] As shown in Figure 6 As shown in Figure 5 A schematic view of the barb 112 inserted into the circuit board is shown. Referring to Figure 6As shown, after pin 11 is inserted into circuit board 3, since pin 11 is hollow at pin hole 111, the first pin arm 113 located to the left of center line L1 and the second pin arm 114 located to the right of center line L1 both abut against the inner wall of the crimping hole. Meanwhile, the barbs 112 on the outer edge of the first pin arm 113 and the barbs 112 on the outer edge of the second pin arm 114 both pierce into the inner wall of the crimping hole of the circuit board.

[0075] In one example, after pin 11 is inserted into the circuit board, to ensure that the barbs 112 are subjected to a force consistent with the negative z-axis direction, an auxiliary tool 4 can be used during the process of pressing the optical cage onto the circuit board. (Refer to...) Figure 6 As shown, the auxiliary tool 4 is placed on the lower surface of the circuit board facing away from the light cage. When the pin 11 is inserted into the circuit board 3, the auxiliary tool 4 causes the barb 112 on the left side of the center line L1 to bend to the left and the barb 112 on the right side of the center line L1 to bend to the right, thereby inserting into the inner wall of the crimping hole.

[0076] like Figure 7 As shown, Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram showing the barbs 112 being upside down on the underside of the circuit board. (Reference) Figure 7 As shown, an auxiliary tool 4 is also placed on the lower surface of the circuit board 3 facing away from the light cage 1. When the pin 11 is inserted into the circuit board 3, the auxiliary tool 4 causes the barb 112 on the left side of the center line L1 to bend to the left and fasten to the lower surface of the circuit board, and the barb 112 on the right side of the center line L1 to bend to the right and fasten to the lower surface of the circuit board 3.

[0077] refer to Figure 7 As shown, the barb 112 is upside down on the surface of the circuit board 3 facing away from the light cage. When the pin 11 is subjected to an upward force in the same direction as the positive z-axis, the entire circuit board 3 will exert a downward force on the barb 112 in the same direction as the negative z-axis, making it difficult for the pin 11 to be pulled out of the circuit board 3.

[0078] It should be noted that, as Figure 6 The assembly method shown, where the barbs 112 are inserted into the circuit board, allows for the arrangement of light cages on both the front and back sides of the circuit board. Figure 7 The assembly method shown, in which the barbs 112 are inverted and attached to the surface of the circuit board, is applied in a scenario where a light cage is arranged on one side of the circuit board.

[0079] In one example, the barb 112 on the outer edge of the stitch 11, see reference. Figure 8 As shown, it can also include both barbs located on the outer edge of the bulging area and barbs located at the insertion end.

[0080] So, if Figure 8After the shown needle pin 11 is inserted into the circuit board 3, on one hand, the first needle pin arm 113 and the second needle pin arm 114 abut against the inner wall of the crimping hole, on the other hand, the barb on the outer edge of the bulging area of the first needle pin arm 113 and the barb on the outer edge of the bulging area of the second needle pin arm 114 are inserted into the inner wall of the crimping hole to resist the force from the direction consistent with the positive direction of the z-axis, and on the other hand, the two barbs on the outer edge of the insertion end are inserted into the inner wall of the crimping hole or are buckled on the surface of the circuit board to resist the force from the direction consistent with the positive direction of the z-axis, thereby greatly increasing the difficulty of the needle pin falling off from the circuit board.

[0081] The above is the scheme in which the damping structure on the needle pin 11 is the barb, and in other examples, the number of needle holes 111 can also be increased as the damping structure.

[0082] As shown in the figure, the damping structure for hindering the needle pin from falling off from the circuit board is specifically a plurality of needle holes 111 arranged along the length direction of the needle pin (i.e., the z-axis direction), and two needle holes 111 are shown in the figure, and of course the number of needle holes 111 can also be more than two. Figure 9 In the scheme in which the needle pin has one needle hole 111, two needle pin arms abut against the inner wall of the crimping hole, and in the scheme in which the needle pin 11 has two needle holes 111, four needle pin arms abut against the inner wall of the crimping hole, so that the increase in the number of needle holes 111 is beneficial to increase the static friction force between the outer edge of the needle pin and the inner wall of the crimping hole, thereby achieving the effect that the needle pin 11 is difficult to fall off from the circuit board.

[0083] In one example, the plurality of needle holes 111 of the needle pin are sequentially distributed along the z-axis direction, and the maximum outer diameter of the needle hole 111 in the width direction of the needle pin 11 (i.e., the y-axis direction) can be equal, and slightly larger than the maximum inner diameter of the crimping hole on the circuit board. In this way, the plurality of needle pin arms of the needle pin 11 abut against the inner wall of the crimping hole, which can increase the static friction force between the needle pin and the circuit board.

[0084] In another example, the maximum outer diameter of the plurality of needle holes 111 of the needle pin in the y-axis direction can gradually increase from the first needle hole to the last needle hole, wherein the first needle hole is the needle hole farthest from the bottom wall of the light cage, and the last needle hole is the needle hole closest to the bottom wall of the light cage. Moreover, the minimum outer diameter in the y-axis direction is equal to or slightly larger than the maximum inner diameter of the crimping hole on the circuit board. As shown in the figure,

[0085] The number of needle holes is two, the maximum outer diameter of the needle hole farthest from the bottom wall of the light cage in the y-axis direction is less than the maximum outer diameter of the needle hole closest to the bottom wall of the light cage in the y-axis direction. Figure 9 As shown in the figure,

[0086] Figure 9 ​As shown, in the process of the pin inserting into the circuit board, the pinhole with the minimum outer diameter along the y-axis enters the crimping hole first, and the two pin arm sides thereof abut against the inner wall of the crimping hole. The pinhole with the maximum outer diameter along the y-axis enters the crimping hole last, and the two pin arm sides thereof abut against the inner wall of the crimping hole, and the abutting force of the pin arm close to the bottom wall of the light cage against the crimping hole is greater than the abutting force of the pin arm away from the bottom wall of the light cage against the crimping hole.

[0087] Reference Figure 9 As shown, even if the pinhole entering the crimping hole first can expand the crimping hole, so that the inner diameter of the crimping hole increases, resulting in a decrease in the abutting force between the pin arm and the crimping hole, but the maximum outer diameter of the last pinhole entering the crimping hole along the y-axis is the largest, and the abutting force between the pin arm on both sides of the pinhole and the inner wall of the crimping hole is still relatively large.

[0088] In one example, the pin 11 can also be combined with the barb 112 described above in the scheme of the pinhole 111 along the z-axis direction. As shown in FIG. 11A, Figure 10 As shown, the pin 11 has a plurality of pinholes 111 along the z-axis direction, and each pinhole 111 is provided with a barb 112 at the outer edge of the bulging region, and the tip of the barb 112 is directed at an obtuse angle with respect to the insertion direction of the pin 11 into the circuit board 3. The number of barbs 112 on the left side of the center line L1 of each pinhole 111 is multiple, and the number of barbs 112 on the right side of the center line L1 is also multiple.

[0089] As shown in FIG. 11B, Figure 11 As shown, the pin 11 has a plurality of pinholes 111 along the z-axis direction, and the first pinhole 111 farthest from the bottom wall of the light cage has a barb 112 at the insertion end thereof, and the tip of the barb 112 is directed at an acute angle with respect to the insertion direction of the pin 11 into the circuit board 3.

[0090] As shown in FIG. 11C, Figure 12 As shown, the pin 11 has a plurality of pinholes 111 along the z-axis direction, and each pinhole 111 is provided with a barb 112 at the outer edge of the bulging region, and the tip of the barb 112 is directed at an obtuse angle with respect to the insertion direction of the pin 11 into the circuit board 3, and the first pinhole 111 farthest from the bottom wall of the light cage has a barb 112 at the insertion end thereof, and the tip of the barb 112 is directed at an acute angle with respect to the insertion direction of the pin 11 into the circuit board 3.

[0091] In one application scenario, the structure of each pin 11 on the inner wall of the light cage 1 is the same as that of the pin shown in Figure 3 As shown in FIG. 1A, Figure 5 As shown in FIG. 1B, or the structure of each pin 11 on the inner wall of the light cage 1 is the same as that of the pin shown in Figure 9The structures of the pins shown are the same, or, are all the same as the pins shown in Figure 10 The structures of the pins shown are the same, or, are all the same as the pins shown in Figure 11 The structures of the pins shown are the same, or, are all the same as the pins shown in Figure 12 The structures of the pins shown are the same, or, are all the same as the pins shown in

[0092] In another scenario, the types of the plurality of pins 11 on the inner wall of the light cage 1 can be at least two of Figure 3 the pins shown in Figure 5 the pins shown in Figure 9 the pins shown in Figure 10 the pins shown in Figure 11 the pins shown in Figure 12 the pins shown in

[0093] Regarding the distribution of the pins on the bottom wall of the light cage, reference is made to Figure 2 shown, the bottom wall of the light cage is distributed with a plurality of pins at the junction with the side wall, and the bottom wall is distributed with a plurality of pins at the junction with the tail end face, wherein the tail of the light cage is the end opposite to the insertion position of the light cage. In this way, in the process of crimping the light cage on the circuit board, pressure can be applied to the light cage directly above the pins, so that the pins are more easily inserted into the circuit board. If the pins are arranged in an area within the edge of the bottom wall, the light cage will be crushed when pressure is applied to the light cage directly above the pins, affecting the insertion of the light module.

[0094] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the pins of the light cage for crimping on the circuit board have a damping structure, for example, a barb and / or a plurality of pinholes, which can hinder the pins from falling off the circuit board, thereby increasing the difficulty of the light cage falling off the circuit board. In this case, even if the top wall outer surface of the light cage is fixed with a heat sink of a larger size, the pins of the present embodiments will be more difficult to fall off the circuit board compared to the pins of the prior art, thereby improving the stability between the light cage and the circuit board.

[0095] The present embodiments also provide a light cage assembly, which comprises a telecommunications signal connector and the light cage described above. The telecommunications signal connector is located in the light cage and in the opening on the bottom wall of the light cage, and the electrical interface of the telecommunications signal connector faces the insertion port of the light cage.

[0096] The features of the light cage can refer to the above description and will not be repeated here.

[0097] The light cage assembly in the embodiment has the light cage as described above, and the pins have damping structures, such as barbs and / or multiple pinholes, which can hinder the pins from falling off the circuit board, thereby increasing the difficulty of the light cage falling off the circuit board. In this case, even if the top wall outer surface of the light cage is fixed with a large heat sink, the pins of the embodiment are more difficult to fall off the circuit board than the pins of the prior art, thereby improving the stability between the light cage and the circuit board.

[0098] The embodiment also provides a network device, which can be any device interconnected by optical fibers, such as a router or a switch. The network device includes a circuit board and the light cage assembly described above. The light cage and the electrical signal connector of the light cage assembly are fixed on the circuit board, and the light cage is crimped in the crimping hole of the circuit board through the pins of the bottom wall. The socket of the light cage is located in the port on the panel of the network device. The electrical signal connector is located in the opening of the bottom wall of the light cage and the electrical interface of the electrical signal connector faces the socket of the light cage. Thus, the electrical signal connector can pass through the opening on the bottom wall of the light cage, be fixed and electrically connected with the circuit board, and the optical module inserted into the light cage can be inserted into the electrical interface of the electrical signal connector to achieve the electrical connection between the optical module and the electrical signal connector.

[0099] The terms used in the embodiments of the present disclosure are only used to explain the embodiments of the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. Unless otherwise defined, the technical terms or scientific terms used in the embodiments of the present disclosure should be understood as the common meanings of the terms to those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure belongs. The terms "first", "second", and similar terms used in the specification and claims of the present disclosure do not indicate any order, number, or importance, but are used to distinguish different components. Similarly, "one" or "a" or similar terms do not indicate a number restriction, but indicate the presence of at least one. The terms "include" or "contain" or similar terms mean that the elements or objects appearing before "include" or "contain" cover the elements or objects listed after "include" or "contain" and their equivalents, and do not exclude other elements or objects. "Up", "down", "left", "right", and the like are only used to indicate relative positional relationships, and when the absolute position of the described object changes, the relative positional relationship may also change accordingly. "Multiple" means two or more, unless otherwise specified.

[0100] The above description is only optional embodiments of the present disclosure, and does not limit the present disclosure. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made within the principles of the present disclosure shall be included in the protection scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A light cage, characterized in that, The bottom wall of the optical cage has a pin (11) with a pinhole (111) for deforming the pin (11) when the pin (11) is inserted on the circuit board (3) to fix the optical cage (1) on the circuit board (3); The pin (11) further has a damping structure for preventing the pin (11) from falling off the circuit board (3).

2. The light cage of claim 1, wherein, The pin (11) is in an elliptical shape, and the long axis of the pin (11) is parallel to the insertion direction of the pin (11) into the circuit board (3); The damping structure is a barb (112) arranged on the outer edge of the pin (11), and the barb (112) is located in the bulging area of the pin (11), and the included angle between the tip of the barb (112) and the insertion direction of the pin (11) into the circuit board (3) is obtuse, wherein the bulging area of the pin (11) is the area bulging away from the long axis of the pin (11).

3. The light cage of claim 2, wherein, The number of barbs (112) located on the same side of the long axis of the pin (11) is multiple.

4. The light cage of claim 1, wherein, The damping structure is a barb (112) arranged on the insertion end of the pin (11), and the included angle between the tip of the barb (112) and the insertion direction of the pin (11) into the circuit board (3) is acute, and the insertion end of the pin (11) is the end away from the bottom wall of the optical cage.

5. The light cage of claim 4, wherein, The barb (112) is used to be inserted into the circuit board (3), or the barb (112) is used to be buckled on the surface of the circuit board (3) facing away from the optical cage (1).

6. The light cage according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, The damping structure is a plurality of pinholes (111) arranged along the length direction of the pin (11), wherein the length direction of the pin (11) is parallel to the insertion direction of the pin (11) into the circuit board (3).

7. The light cage of claim 6, wherein, The maximum outer diameter of the plurality of pinholes (111) in the width direction of the pin (11) gradually increases from the first pinhole (111) to the last pinhole (111), wherein the last pinhole (111) is the pinhole closest to the bottom wall of the optical cage (1).

8. The light cage of claim 7, wherein, The maximum outer diameter of the first pinhole (111) in the width direction of the pin (11) is greater than or equal to the inner diameter of the crimping hole of the circuit board (3).

9. A light cage sub-assembly characterized by, The optical cage assembly comprises a telecommunications signal connector (2) and the optical cage (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8; One end of the optical cage (1) has a socket for inserting an optical module, and the bottom wall of the optical cage (1) has an opening, the telecommunications signal connector (2) is located in the optical cage (1) and in the opening of the bottom wall, and the electrical interface of the telecommunications signal connector (2) faces the socket of the optical cage (1).

10. A network device, comprising: The network device comprises a circuit board (3) and the optical cage subassembly of claim 9, the circuit board (3) has a press contact hole, the optical cage (1) is press contacted on the surface of the circuit board (3) by inserting the pin (11) on the bottom wall into the press contact hole, and the telecommunication signal connector (2) is electrically connected with the circuit board (3) through the opening on the bottom wall of the optical cage (1).

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