Optical Transceiver Latching Surface Cutout for EMI Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Optical modules in communication systems experience electromagnetic interference (EMI) emissions due to gaps between recesses and slides, leading to interference with other components and limited space for optical components.

Innovation Solution

The optical module features a surface cutout entirely within the EMI gasket of the cage, paired with an independent unlocking tool that reduces EMI leakage and increases available space by eliminating the need for recesses, enhancing the EMI seal and security through a lock-and-key mechanism.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If recesses and slides are used for locking mechanism, then the optical module can be locked in the cage, but EMI emissions increase due to gaps between components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocking reliabilityVSAvoidEMI emissions

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the recesses and slides from the optical module housing, extracting the source of EMI-generating gaps. Instead, a surface cutout is provided that receives a locking tang from the cage, eliminating the need for internal recesses and slides that created EMI issues while maintaining locking functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The locking mechanism is segmented into separate components: the surface cutout in the optical module housing and the locking tang in the cage. This segmentation allows the EMI gasket to be positioned between them, creating EMI shielding while maintaining the locking function through the tang-fit-cutout interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If recesses and slides are used for locking mechanism, then the optical module can be locked in the cage, but the internal volume of the optical module is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocking reliabilityVSAvoidinternal volume

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the recesses and slides from the optical module housing, removing these space-consuming features. The surface cutout requires minimal space compared to traditional recesses and slides, thereby increasing the internal volume available for optical components while maintaining locking reliability through the tang-fit interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Object-generated harmful factors

If the surface cutout is positioned entirely within the EMI gasket, then EMI emissions are reduced, but the unlocking tool must be inserted between the housing and EMI gasket

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveEMI emissionsVSAvoidunlocking operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The unlocking tool acts as an intermediary that is inserted between the housing and EMI gasket to disengage the locking tang from the surface cutout. This intermediary approach allows the surface cutout to remain entirely within the EMI gasket for EMI shielding while providing a mechanism for external unlocking through the gasket interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11609394B2Latching for a transceiver module

Publication Date: 2023.03.21 WELLS FARGO BANK NA

AI summary

An optical transceiver may include a housing including a surface cutout. The surface cutout may be for receiving a locking tang from a cage and for being disengaged by a slide from an unlocking tool wherein the surface cutout is disposed on the housing at a position such that the surface cutout is entirely within the cage with respect to an electromagnetic interference (EMI) gasket of the cage when the optical transceiver is inserted into the cage.