Latch Assembly for Pluggable Electronic Module
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional latch assemblies in pluggable electronic modules, such as SFP modules, often have complex actuating mechanisms and occupy excessive space, leading to potential damage to the latch element and increased module size, which complicates assembly and manufacturing.
Innovation Solution
A latch assembly featuring a lever and yoke assembly that is rotatable between latched and unlatched positions, with a latch element movable between engaged and unengaged positions, utilizing a return spring to ensure secure locking and easy release, while minimizing space and complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional latch assemblies include a lever with a wedge or a rotatable lever with a slide, then the latch element can be moved to release the pin, but the device complexity and space occupation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the wedge and slide components from the actuating mechanism, extracting only the essential lever that directly actuates the latch element. This simplification eliminates unnecessary complexity while preserving the core latch release function.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a wedge to push the latch element or a slide to move it, the patent uses a lever that rotates to directly actuate the latch element in the opposite direction of conventional designs, achieving the same function with fewer parts.
2Reliability
If conventional latch assemblies include a lever with a wedge or a rotatable lever with a slide, then the latch element can be moved to release the pin, but the overall module size increases
Solution Approach 1:
By removing the wedge and slide components, the patent significantly reduces the space required for the actuating mechanism, thereby reducing the overall module size while maintaining the latch release function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the functions of the lever and latch element actuation into a more integrated structure, eliminating the need for separate wedge or slide components, which reduces the overall volume occupied by the latch assembly.
3Ease of operation
If conventional latch assemblies engage the latch element with a wedge or slide, then the latch element can be moved, but damage to the latch element occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the actuation approach by using a lever that rotates to move the latch element in a controlled manner, avoiding the bending forces caused by wedges or slides. This protects the latch element from damage while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The lever is designed to self-align and actuate the latch element through its rotation, eliminating the need for additional components like wedges or slides that could cause damage. The mechanism serves itself by using the lever's natural rotational motion to achieve the desired latch release.
4Ease of operation
If conventional latch assemblies include rotatable lever mechanisms with slides, then the latch can be released, but assembly and manufacturing become more costly
Solution Approach 1:
By removing the slide component and other unnecessary parts, the patent reduces the number of components that need to be assembled and manufactured, thereby lowering assembly and manufacturing costs while preserving the latch release operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a simplified lever mechanism that is easier and cheaper to manufacture compared to complex rotatable lever mechanisms with slides. The inverted design reduces manufacturing steps and assembly complexity, leading to cost savings.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The proposed latch assembly provides a simpler, more compact mechanism for locking and unlocking the module, reducing the risk of damage and assembly costs, while ensuring reliable electrical and mechanical connections.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing a return spring to ensure secure locking and easy release
Data Source
AI summary
A latch assembly for a pluggable electronic module matable with a receptacle assembly includes a lever actuatable between a latched position and an unlatched position, a yoke assembly operatively coupled to the lever, and a latch element coupled to the latch end of the yoke assembly. The yoke assembly has a latch end rotatable between a latched position and an unlatched position. The latch element is movable between an engaged position and an unengaged position as the latch end is rotated between the latched and unlatched positions, respectively. The latch element is configured to engage the receptacle assembly to lock the pluggable electronic module within the receptacle assembly when the latch element is in the engaged position.