Optoelectronic Module Latch Assembly with Integrated Arms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optoelectronic module latch mechanisms suffer from high part counts, tolerance stacking, and complexity, leading to increased production costs and reliability issues.
Innovation Solution
A latch assembly with an actuation sleeve and latch arms that can extend and retract, allowing secure engagement and disengagement with a host device, featuring a low part count and simplified assembly process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If typical latch mechanisms are used to connect and disconnect the optoelectronic module, then the module can be retained in the host device, but the part count increases and complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The latch arms are integrated into the housing as a single piece, eliminating the need for separate latch components. The housing includes integrated latch arms that extend into the cage, providing retention functionality without requiring additional parts. This merging of functions reduces part count while maintaining reliable retention.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, houses the optoelectronic components, and includes integrated latch arms for retention. The actuator also serves dual purposes by both releasing the latch arms and facilitating module removal. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components.
2Reliability
If typical latch mechanisms are used to connect and disconnect the optoelectronic module, then the module can be retained in the host device, but the assembly process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The latch arms are formed as an integral part of the housing through injection molding, eliminating separate assembly steps for attaching latch components. The actuator is also molded into the housing, creating a single-piece component that requires no additional fastening or assembly operations. This integration dramatically simplifies the manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch arms are pre-positioned and pre-biased during the housing manufacturing process itself, rather than requiring separate assembly operations. The actuator is pre-integrated into the housing structure, so that when the module is assembled, the retention mechanism is already configured and ready for operation without additional assembly steps.
3Reliability
If typical latch mechanisms are used to connect and disconnect the optoelectronic module, then the module can be retained in the host device, but production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is molded as a single piece that includes integrated latch arms and actuator, eliminating the need for multiple separate components that would require purchasing, inventory management, and assembly. This consolidation reduces material costs, manufacturing costs, and assembly costs while maintaining reliable retention functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing material is selected to provide both structural strength and built-in flexibility for the latch arms. By changing the material parameters (using a flexible yet strong polymer), the latch arms can be molded directly into the housing without requiring separate metal components or complex mechanical assemblies, thereby reducing production costs.
4Ease of manufacture
If a low part count latch assembly is used, then production costs are reduced, but the retention reliability must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The housing material is engineered to have specific mechanical properties (flexibility, strength, elasticity) that enable the integrated latch arms to provide reliable retention. By optimizing material parameters, the single-piece housing can perform the retention function that previously required multiple components, maintaining reliability while reducing part count.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch arms are designed with curved cam surfaces that provide progressive engagement and disengagement. The curved geometry allows the latch arms to smoothly transition between latched and unlatched states, ensuring reliable retention during insertion and easy release during removal, all while being molded as an integral part of the housing.
Data Source
AI summary
A module that includes a housing and a latch assembly at least partially positioned within the housing. The latch assembly has first and second associated states, and includes an actuation sleeve having a first position that corresponds with the first state, and a second position that corresponds with the second state. The latch assembly further includes first and second latch arms operably disposed with respect to the actuation sleeve so that respective first and second cam arrangements are defined where the latch arms are responsive to motion of the actuation sleeve. The latch arms partially extend from the housing when the actuation sleeve is in the first position, and the latch arms are substantially retracted within the housing when the actuation sleeve is in the second position.