Pluggable Transceiver Retainer Prevents Shipping Damage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Optoelectronic modules in network switches often unintentionally disengage from their cages during shipping, leading to potential damage and operational issues due to the activation of release mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A retainer mechanism is introduced, comprising a slider with protrusions that engage resilient tabs in the cage and a bail that can be rotated to actuate the slider, along with a retainer formed of resilient material that occludes the port and abuts the bail's handle to prevent rotation, thereby disabling the release mechanism and maintaining the module in a locked position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the bail is made rotatable to enable easy removal of the module, then the ease of operation is improved, but the module becomes vulnerable to unintentional activation of the release mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer segments the bail's rotational freedom by introducing a controlled constraint. The bail remains rotatable for intentional removal operations, but the retainer creates a distinct segmented state where rotation is blocked during shipping. This segmentation allows the system to have both ease of operation (when needed) and protection against unintentional activation (when shipping).
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 retainer effectively prevents optoelectronic modules from unintentionally disengaging from the network switch cages during shipping, ensuring secure retention and reducing the risk of damage to both the modules and the switch.
Implementation Method 1
The retainer may be formed of a resilient material such that the occlusion member deforms as it is positioned in the port
Data Source
AI summary
An optoelectronic module may include a housing enclosing at least one optical transmitter or receiver and a slider configured to move with respect to the housing. The slider may include at least one protrusion configured to engage a cage sized and shaped to receive the housing. The optoelectronic module may include a bail rotatably coupled to the housing. The bail may be configured to actuate the slider when the bail is rotated. The optoelectronic module may include a retainer including an occlusion member sized and shaped to be positioned inside a port of the optoelectronic module. The retainer may define a surface configured to engage with the bail.