U.S. patent application number 11/372230 was filed with the patent office on 2007-09-13 for releasing mechanism of pluggable transceiver from cage.
Invention is credited to Satoshi Yoshikawa.
Application Number | 20070212000 11/372230 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38456823 |
Filed Date | 2007-09-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070212000 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yoshikawa; Satoshi |
September 13, 2007 |
RELEASING MECHANISM OF PLUGGABLE TRANSCEIVER FROM CAGE
Abstract
The optical transceiver configured with a pluggable function
according to the present invention provides new releasing mechanism
of the transceiver from the cage. The transceiver comprises an
optical receptacle, an actuator with a latching projection, a bail
assembled with the receptacle such that, by rotating the bail as
sandwiching the receptacle by the legs thereof, the latching
projection may be released from the cage. The end of the bail comes
in contact to the actuator to make a seesaw motion for the actuator
to draw the latching projection to disengage with the cage.
Inventors: |
Yoshikawa; Satoshi;
(Yokohama-shi, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SMITH, GAMBRELL & RUSSELL
1850 M STREET, N.W., SUITE 800
WASHINGTON
DC
20036
US
|
Family ID: |
38456823 |
Appl. No.: |
11/372230 |
Filed: |
March 10, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
385/88 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G02B 6/3893 20130101;
G02B 6/4201 20130101; G02B 6/4284 20130101; G02B 6/4245 20130101;
G02B 6/4246 20130101; G02B 6/4261 20130101; G02B 6/4292
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
385/088 |
International
Class: |
G02B 6/42 20060101
G02B006/42 |
Claims
1. A pluggable optical transceiver used by installing into a cage
of a host system, comprising; a bail adapted with the optical
receptacle, the bail having a pair of leg portions and abridge
portion connecting the leg portions, the leg portion providing a
sliding projection in a end thereof and a first axial mechanism to
rotate the bail; an optical receptacle providing a second axial
mechanism in both sides thereof to form a rotational center of the
bail by co-operating with the first axial mechanism of the bail,
the leg portions of the bail putting the optical receptacle
therebetween; and an actuator assembled with the receptacle and
including an operating portion, an axial portion, and a body
portion, the operating and body portions sandwiching the axial
portion such that the actuator makes a seesaw motion with the axial
portion as a rotational center, the operating portion forming a
projection to be latched with the cage, the body portion including
a side block, wherein the projection of the bail slides on the side
block of the actuator to make the seesaw motion of the actuator to
release the latching projection in the operating portion of the
actuator from the cage.
2. The optical transceiver according to claim 1, wherein the side
block of the actuator includes a first hollow, a flat surface, and
a arched surface in this order, and wherein the body portion of the
actuator positions in the farthest from the first axial mechanism
of the bail when the sliding projection of the bail comes in
contact to a point connecting the flat surface to the arched
surface of the actuator.
3. The optical transceiver according to claim 2, wherein the side
block further includes another hollow between the first hollow and
the flat surface, the bail being suspended the rotational motion by
setting the projection of the leg portion into the other
hollow.
4. The optical transceiver according to claim 1, wherein the
sliding projection of the bail includes a groove and an edge, and
the side block of the actuator includes a sliding groove and a
guide edge, the groove of the bail receiving the guide edge of the
actuator and the edge of the bail being received in the sliding
groove of the actuator.
5. The optical transceiver according to claim 4, wherein the bail
is made of resin.
6. The optical transceiver according to claim 1, wherein the body
portion of the actuator further includes an elastic bar extending
to the operating portion and isolated therefrom, the elastic bar
making an elevated angle with respect to the body portion.
7. The optical transceiver according to claim 6, wherein the
elevated angle is about 3.5.degree..
8. The optical transceiver according to claim 6, wherein the
elastic bar presses the body portion toward the receptacle such
that a force to recover the bail to an initial position becomes
lighter than a force to rotate the bail from the initial
position.
9. The optical transceiver according to claim 6, wherein the
receptacle further comprising a center partition with a pocket and
a recess, and the elastic bar and the axial portion of the actuator
have a projection and an axial cylinder, respectively, the pocket
receiving the projection of the elastic bar and the recess
receiving the axial cylinder.
10. The optical transceiver according to claim 1, wherein the first
axial mechanism is a projection and the second axial mechanism is
an opening mated with the projection.
11. The optical transceiver according to claim 1, wherein the first
axial mechanism is an opening and the second axial mechanism is a
projection mated with the opening.
12. An optical transceiver for transmitting and receiving optical
signal by mating with an optical connector, comprising: a
transmitting optical subassembly; a receiving optical subassembly;
an optical receptacle including a receptacle portion, a mounting
portion, and a connecting portion, the receptacle portion providing
a pair of openings into which the optical connector is inserted,
the mounting portion mounting the transmitting optical subassembly
and the receiving optical subassembly; a bail assembled with the
optical receptacle, the bail being configured to an U-shape with a
pair of leg portions and a bridge portion connecting the leg
portions, the leg portions putting the receptacle therebetween so
as to expose the openings of the receptacle portion, the leg
portion forming a sliding projection in a end thereof; an actuator
assembled with the optical receptacle, the actuator including a
body portion, an operating portion and an axial portion, the body
portion providing a side block where the sliding projection of the
bail slides thereon to make a seesaw motion in the body portion and
the operating portion with the axial portion as a rotational
center.
13. The optical transceiver according to claim 12, wherein the side
block of the actuator provides a first hollow, a flat surface, and
an arched surface, and wherein the body portion of the actuator
positions in the farthest from the receptacle when the sliding
projection of the bail comes in contact to a point connecting the
flat surface to the arched surface of side block of the
actuator.
14. The optical transceiver according to claim 12, wherein the
sliding projection of the bail includes a groove and an edge, and
the side block of the actuator includes a sliding groove and a
guide edge, the groove of the bail receiving the guide edge of the
actuator and the edge of the bail being received in the sliding
groove of the actuator.
15. The optical transceiver according to claim 12, wherein the body
portion of the actuator further includes an elastic bar extending
to the operating portion and isolated therefrom, the elastic bar
making an elevated angle with respect to the body portion.
16. The optical transceiver according to claim 15, wherein the
elastic bar presses the body portion toward the receptacle such
that a force to recover the bail to an initial position becomes
lighter than a force to rotate the bail from the initial position.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is related to co-pending application Ser.
No. 11/117,695, filed Apr. 29, 2005, entitled "Releasing mechanism
of pluggable transceiver", and assigned to the Assignee of the
present application.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a mechanism of an optical
pluggable transceiver for latching with/releasing from a cage.
[0004] 2. Related Prior Art
[0005] The so-called pluggable transceiver is inserted into the
cage of the host system. The cage is a metal box with one end
thereof opening for the outside. This cage is installed on the host
system such that an electrical connector on the host system is set
in the deep end of the cage, and the opened end is exposed in the
face panel of the host system. Thus, the pluggable transceiver is
inserted into the cage from the face panel and an electrical plug
provided in the rear end of the transceiver is mated with the
electrical connector in the deep end of the cage.
[0006] In particular, the transceiver capable of inserting into or
extracting from the cage without shutting down the host system is
called as a hot pluggable transceiver. The pluggable transceiver is
necessary to provide a mechanism for latching with the cage. It is
necessary for the mechanism that, when the optical connector mates
with the receptacle of the transceiver, the transceiver can not be
released from the cage, and can be released therefrom only when the
receptacle is free from the connector. Various latching mechanisms
have been proposed and disclosed in prior arts.
[0007] The U.S. Pat. No. 6,439,918, has disclosed a latching
mechanism, in which a combination of a bail with a shape of a wire
frame and a pivot block causes a rock pin provided in the end of
the block up-and-down motion to disengage the pin with the cage.
The bail comprises a grip portion to be handled, a shoulder portion
buried in the block, and a body portion connecting the grip portion
to the shoulder portion, these portions configuring the wire
frame.
[0008] A center of the shoulder portion forms a cam by bending the
wire inward, and the shoulder portion including the cam is buried
within the block. The block makes the seesaw motion around the
pivot arm. That is, to rotate the bail causes the cam to be rotated
within the groove to push the receptacle outward by the head of the
cam. Thus, the block makes the seesaw motion, so the rock pin
provided in the position opposite to the cam portion is pulled
within the receptacle to release the engagement between the pin and
the cage. This transceiver provides a fin for supporting the block
from the bottom, accordingly, the block may not dismantled from the
receptacle.
[0009] The United States patent application, published as USP
A-2003-142917, has disclosed another latching mechanism. This
mechanism, although providing the bail and the actuator, the bail
only functions as a grip to slide the actuator frontward and
rearward. The rotation of the bail is not converted into the
longitudinal motion of the actuator or the vertical motion of the
latching projection. The tip end of the actuator forms a wedge that
is received within the pocket formed in the transceiver body when
the transceiver is inserted into and engaged with the cage. The
side of the pocket is a slant surface, on which the wedge slides to
lift up the latching tab of the cage when the transceiver is pulled
out from the cage by handling the bail. Thus, the engagement
between the latching projection of the transceiver and the latching
tab of the cage may be released. The actuator provides a spring
which sets the neutral position of the actuator as the wedge being
received within the pocket.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] According to the present invention, an optical transceiver
having a new mechanism for engaging/disengaging it with a cage on
the host system is provided. The optical transceiver comprises an
optical receptacle, a bail and an actuator. The bail and the
actuator are assembled with the optical receptacle such that the
actuator, with a latching projection provided in one end thereof,
makes a seesaw portion to push out and put in the latching
projection by rotating the bail. The actuator includes a side block
where the bail in an end projection thereof slides thereon as the
rotation of the bail. This side block continuously provides a
hollow, a flat surface, and an arched surface in this order and in
smooth. Synchronizing with the rotation of the bail, the end
projection thereof slides on these surfaces to push out the
actuator and at the same time to pull the latching projection
inward.
[0011] According to the present invention, the engagement between
the transceiver and the cage may be easily released by a simple
mechanism of the bail with the end projection and the actuator with
a combination of sliding surfaces.
[0012] The sliding surfaces may further include another hollow
between the first hollow and the flat surface. By setting the
sliding projection of the bail within the other hollow, the bail
may be temporarily stable during its rotation, which realizes the
so-called double-decker action.
[0013] Moreover, the actuator of the present invention provides an
elastic bar that presses the receptacle when the actuator is
assembled therewith. As a repulsion of this pressure, a portion of
the actuator, where the sliding surface is provided, is drew to the
receptacle. Accordingly, the force to recover the bail to the
initial position may be lighter than the force to rotate the bail
from the initial position, which enables to release the transceiver
from the cage in ease.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective drawing of the optical transceiver
according to the present invention viewed from the bottom
thereof;
[0015] FIGS. 2A and 2B are perspective drawings of the actuator
according to the present invention viewed from directions opposite
to each other, and FIG. 2C is a side view of the actuator;
[0016] FIGS. 3A and 3B are perspective drawings of the receptacle
viewed from different directions;
[0017] FIGS. 4A and 4B are perspective drawings, viewed from
opposite directions, of the bail according to the first type of the
present invention;
[0018] FIGS. 5A and 5B are perspective drawings, viewed from
opposite directions, of the bail according to the second type of
the present invention;
[0019] FIGS. 6A to 6E illustrate the seesaw motion of the actuator
and the vertical motion of the latching projection connected with
the rotational motion of the bail; and
[0020] FIGS. 7A to 7D illustrate processes for assembling the bail
and the actuator with the receptacle.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0021] FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration of a pluggable
transceiver (hereinafter denoted as "transceiver") viewed from the
bottom thereof. The transceiver 1 comprises a bail 10, an actuator
20, a receptacle 30, a cover 40, a substrate 50, and a frame 60.
Here, a direction where the receptacle 30 is provided is called as
the foreside, while the direction, opposite to the receptacle 30
and provided with an electrical plug 51 on the substrate 50, is
called as the rear side for the explanation sake.
[0022] The visible side in FIG. 1, i.e., the side where the
actuator 20 is assembled is the bottom side of the transceiver 1,
while the side opposite thereto, which is hidden in FIG. 1, is
called as the topside. These top and bottom sides are in accordance
with the direction when the transceiver 1 is inserted into the
cage. The rear of the transceiver 1 is inserted into the cage, and
the plug 51 formed in the rear end mates with the connector
installed within the deep end of the cage. The front side of the
receptacle 30 exposes from the opening of the face panel of the
host system, and the optical connector is to be inserted into the
receptacle.
[0023] The transceiver 1 according to the present embodiment
provides the actuator 20 and the receptacle 30 formed by resin
molding, while two types of bail 10, metallic and resin molded one,
are disclosed. Moreover, the cover 40 and the frame 60 have a
structure formed by cutting, bending and tapping of single metal
plate without welding or gluing. Next, the bail 10, the actuator
20, and the receptacle 30 of the present transceiver 1 will be
described in detail.
[0024] Actuator
[0025] FIG. 2A illustrates the actuator 20 viewed from the bottom
thereof, FIG. 2B views from the top, and FIG. 2C is a side view.
The actuator 20 roughly comprises a body portion 21, a fulcrum
portion 22, and an operating portion 23. The body portion 21
includes side blocks 21a, a beam 21d connecting these side blocks
21a, and an elastic bar 24 extending rearward from the beam 21d.
Each side block 21a, in an upper side thereof, provides two sliding
surfaces, 21b and 21e, with a step therebetween and forms a
plurality of curved surfaces, 21i, 21g, 21j and 21k, connected in
smooth to each other. Inner part of this sliding surface is called
as a sliding groove 21b, while the outer part thereof is called as
a guiding edge 21e.
[0026] The sliding groove 21b and the guiding edge 21e forms
hollows, 21i and 21g. As described later relating to FIGS. 4A and
4B, the bail 10 is set in the neutral position, the initial
position such that the hollow 21i receives a projection 11b, while
the bail 10 is in a temporary position for the projection 11b to
set in the hollow 21g. Detailed mechanism between this actuator 20
and the bail 10 will be described later.
[0027] The front of the beam 21d is slightly curved inward to widen
a space to the front end of the receptacle 30, which facilitates to
grip the bail 10. The elastic bar 24 is formed with an elevated
angle of about 3.5.degree. with respect to the upper surface 21m to
raise the tip end portion thereof. This elastic bar 24 is deformed
as the actuator 20 is built with the receptacle 30. Repulsive force
due to this deformation maybe received by the recess 31d of the
receptacle 30, which is illustrated in FIG. 3. Since the recess 31d
and the end of the elastic bar 24 are formed in offset, this
repulsive force makes the front side of the actuator 20 upward.
Accordingly, a projection 211 formed in the beam 21d may come in
point contact to the bottom of the receptacle 30.
[0028] The end of the elastic bar 24 reaches the operating portion
23 passing the fulcrum portion 22, and provides the latching
projection 24a in this end portion, which has a T-shaped horizontal
section and, as explained later, restricts the movement of the
actuator 20 along the longitudinal direction by setting within the
pocket 32f formed in the center wall of the receptacle 30.
Moreover, the elastic bar 24, by rigidly fixing to the receptacle
30, gives the repulsive force to the receptacle 30, as describe
before, even the actuator 20 is forced to move in the seesaw motion
by rotating the bail 10, the actuator 20 automatically recovers the
position shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B due to the resilience of the
elastic bar 24.
[0029] The fulcrum portion 22 forms an axial cylinder 22a. This
axial cylinder 22a is set within the recess 31d formed in the
receptacle 30. Within the recess 31d is processed in cylindrical
and, by smoothly rotating the axial cylinder 22a within the recess
31d, the actuator 20 is able to make the seesaw motion.
[0030] The end of the operating portion 23 forms a latching
projection 23a, a rear side surface of which is slanted, while the
front side surface of which has a steep edge, almost vertical
against the base of the operating portion 23. As the transceiver 1
is inserted within the cage, the slanted surface lifts up the
latching tab of the cage.
[0031] The transceiver 1 provides a mechanism that, once the
latching projection in the steep edge thereof securely engages with
the opening in the latching tab, this engagement is to be unable to
be released without the de-latching mechanism like the present
invention. Moreover, the top of the operating portion 23 forms a
groove 23b that receives the center partition 32d, shown in FIG.
3B, to widen the range of the seesaw motion of the actuator 20 when
the operating portion 23 of the actuator 20 is brought close to the
receptacle 30.
[0032] FIG. 2C is a side view of the actuator 20. The side block
21a continuously forms, from the front thereof, a first hollow 21i,
a second hollow 21g, a flat surface 21j and an arched surface 21k.
As shown later, by sliding the projection 11b of the bail 10 on
these plural surfaces, the rotational motion of the bail 10 maybe
converted into the seesaw motion of the actuator 20. The arched
surface 21k forms an equidistance surface with respect to the
center of the rotation of the bail 10.
[0033] Receptacle
[0034] FIG. 3A is a perspective drawing of the receptacle 30 viewed
from the front bottom and FIG. 3B is a perspective drawing viewed
from the rear bottom. The receptacle 30 is formed by molding resin,
and has a receptacle portion 31, a mounting portion 32, and a
connecting portion 33 from the front side. The receptacle portion
31 forms two openings, 31a and 31b, each corresponding to the
optical transmission and reception, into which the optical
connector is to be inserted. The inner dimensions, the width and
the depth, are determined by the specification of the optical
connector.
[0035] On the outer side thereof is formed with a cylindrical
projection 31c that becomes the rotational center of the bail 10.
On the bottom thereof is formed with the recess 31d, the inner
shape of which traces the outer shape of the axial cylinder 22a of
the actuator 20. The rear end of the receptacle portion 31 forms a
step 31e, the side of the bail 10 abuts against this step 31e to
stop the rotation of the bail 10. This step 31e provides a function
of the stopper for the bail 10.
[0036] The mounting portion 32 mounts a transmitting optical
sub-assembly, TOSA, and a receiving optical subassembly, ROSA,
thereon. The mounting portion 32 has two spaces, 32a and 32b,
within which the TOSA and ROSA are to be installed. The spaces, 32a
and 32b, are partitioned by the side wall 32c and the center
portion 32d, and forms a plurality of grooves and projections to
mount the TOSA and the ROSA. The center partition 32d forms the
pocket 32f in the front end thereof.
[0037] The projection 24a formed in the end of the elastic bar 24
is set within this pocket 32f. The inner shape of the pocket 34f
has a depth gradually shallower to the front, which corresponds to
the outer shape, in other words, the cross section of the
projection 24a, to be led in smooth to the bottom of the receptacle
portion 31. Further, the bottom of the receptacle in both front
sides of the center partition forms a slant surface 32g to widen
the seesaw motion of the actuator 20 around the axial cylinder 22a.
On the outer side wall 32c is formed with the projection 32h to
mate with the opening of the cover to facilitate the assembly of
the cover 40 with the receptacle portion 31.
[0038] The connecting portion 33 is provided for the assembly of
the ground finger 70 with the receptacle 30. The ground finger 70,
as shown in FIG. 1, extrudes from the gap between the receptacle 30
and the cover 40 even after the cover 40 is set to the receptacle
30. Thus, when the transceiver 1 is inserted into the cage, the
ground finger 70 comes in directly contact to the inside of the
cage to secure the ground potential of the transceiver 1.
[0039] While, the ground finger 70 comes in directly contact to the
outside of the TOSA and the ROSA, consequently, the outside of the
TOSA and the ROSA is directly in contact to the case ground. The
ground finger 70 makes the ground potential of the TOSA and the
ROSA stable and enhances the EMI shielding function.
[0040] Bail according to the first embodiment
[0041] FIG. 4A is a perspective drawing of the bail 10 with the
first embodiment viewed from top, while FIG. 4B is a perspective
drawing thereof viewed from the bottom. The bail 10 has the
so-called U-shaped configuration that comprises a pair of legs 11
and a bridge 12 connecting these legs 11. The bail 10 according to
the first embodiment is made of resin. The bridge 12 forms two
hollows, 12a and 12b, that continue two openings, 31a and 31b, each
for the transmission and the reception of the receptacle 30 when
the bail 10 is set in its predetermined position in the receptacle
30. On the top of the bridge 12 is formed with another hollow 12c
to put a label therein.
[0042] Each leg 11 forms a hole 11a, which becomes the center for
rotating the bail 10, and a sliding projection 11b in the inner end
thereof. The former hole 11a mates with the projection 31c formed
in the outside of the receptacle 30. The sliding projection 11b has
a complex shape comprising an edge 11c and a groove 11d. The edge
11c slides within the sliding groove 21b, while the groove 11d
receives the guide edge 21e of the actuator 20.
[0043] This complex structure combined the frame 11c with the
groove 11d and that of the sliding groove 21b with the guide edge
21e of the actuator 20 securely assembles the bail 10 with the
actuator 20. Even if the bail 10 rotates, the legs 11 may be
prevented from extending outward, thereby preventing the bail from
disassembling with the actuator 20.
[0044] The rear end 11e of the leg 11 forms in linear to abut
against the step 31e of the receptacle 30 at the initial position
thereof. Here, the initial position corresponds to a position where
the bridge 12 of the bail 10 is in the topmost. On the other hand,
the end 11f of the leg 11 abuts against the step 31e when the bail
10 is fully rotated to restrict the bail 10 from further
rotating.
Bail According to the Second Embodiment
[0045] FIG. 5A is a perspective drawing viewed from the top of the
bail 110 according to the second embodiment of the invention and
FIG. 5B is a perspective drawing thereof viewed from the bottom.
The bail 110 of the second embodiment is made of metal plate, such
as stainless steel, by cutting and bending. Similar to the bail 10
of the first embodiment, the bail 110 has a pair of legs 111 and a
bridge 112 connecting legs 111, which configures the so-called
U-shape. The leg 110 has a hole 111a that receives the projection
31c of the receptacle 30 and operates as the rotation center of the
bail 110.
[0046] The sliding projection 111b is formed inside of the bail at
the end thereof, which slides, in a side surface thereof, on the
guide edge 21e of the actuator 20. The bail 110 according to the
present embodiment does not have the mechanism that slides within
the sliding groove 21b of the actuator. The end of the leg 111
forms a bent portion 111g in the end thereof, which facilitates to
rotate the bail 10 by pressing it downward. The bent portion 11g is
not always to be provided in both legs 111.
[0047] When the transceiver 1 is inserted within the cage densely
mounted on the host system and the bent portions are provided in
both legs 111, it may occur to handle the other bent portion of the
adjoining transceiver. By forming the bent portion in only one of
legs 111, this subject may be solved.
[0048] The rear end 111e of the leg 111 abuts against the step 31e
of the receptacle 30 at the initial position, and the tip end 111f
thereof abuts thereto at the full rotation of the bail 111, which
is the same mechanism as the first embodiment.
[0049] Rotation of the Bail and the Seesaw Motion of the
Actuator
[0050] FIGS from 6A to 6E explain a relation between the rotation
of the bail 10 and the seesaw motion of the actuator 20. FIG. 6A
shows the initial position of the bail 10. That is, the bridge 12
of the bail 10 is in the topmost of the receptacle 30 to expose two
openings, 31a and 31b. In this position, the sliding projection 11b
of the bail 10 is in the end of the sliding surface of the actuator
20, namely, in the first hollow 21i. The latching projection 23a is
in the most extruded position to mate with the opening of the
cage.
[0051] Rotating the bail 10 from the initial position, the sliding
projection 11b is set within the second hollow 21g of the actuator
at the position shown in FIG. 6B. By preparing this temporal
stopping position, the so-called double decker function can be
realized. In the temporal stopping position, 21g, although the
latching projection 23a is pulled toward the receptacle 30 closer
to the position shown in FIG. 6B, an enough amount of the
projection is secured.
[0052] Further rotating the bail 10, the sliding projection 11b
slides on the flat surface 21j of the sliding surface as shown in
FIG. 6C. A distance from the point where the sliding projection 11b
in contact to the flat surface 21j to the center 31c of the
rotation gradually lengthens as the bail rotates. Therefore, the
sliding projection 11b pushes the actuator 20 outward. Thus, the
latching projection 23a is pulled closer to the receptacle 30 by
the seesaw motion, and finally, as shown in FIG. 6D, the mating
between the latching projection 23b and the latching tab of the
cage is released.
[0053] Even further rotating the bail 10, the sliding projection
11b merely slides on the arched surface 21k of the actuator 20,
which is formed in substantially equidistant to the center of the
rotation, so the actuator 20 does not further cause the seesaw
motion. Finally, as shown in FIG. 6E, the end 11f of the leg 11
abuts against the step 31e of the actuator 30, so the bail 11 may
be prohibited from further rotation.
[0054] Since the cage is made of metal, the individual sizes
thereof are scattered in the strict sense. Moreover, even the cage
is initially formed in accordance with the standard, to iterate the
transceiver inserting into and extracting from the cage causes the
deformation of the cage. Therefore, it is unable to decide in
precise where the latching projection is released from the latching
tab on the sliding surface. However, the sliding projection is in
the rear end of the linear potion 21j, that is, in the position
connecting the flat surface 21j to the arched surface 21k, the
latching projection 23a is necessary to be pulled inward enough to
the receptacle 30.
[0055] Further, even the operating portion 23 of the actuator 20
makes a series of motions as the rotation of the bail 10, the
elastic bar 24 of the actuator 20 is rigidly fixed to the
receptacle 30. Therefore, the repulsive force by the elastic bar 24
to recover the bail 10 from the position shown in FIG. 6E to the
initial position shown in FIG. 6A becomes lighter than the force to
rotate the bail 10 from the initial position in FIG. 6A to the
position shown in FIG. 6E. In particular, when the sliding
projection 11b is in the arched surface 21k, the bail 10
automatically recovers the position shown in FIG. 6D by the
repulsive force of the elastic bar 24.
[0056] Moreover, the actuator 20 does not provide a structure to
prevent the front end 21c thereof from being pressed downward.
Although the elastic bar 24 always presses the body of the actuator
20 against the receptacle 30, to manipulate the front end 21c of
the actuator 20 downward may cause the actuator 20 to move in the
seesaw motion. This mechanism may be quite effective in the
following situation, that is, when a plurality of cages is densely
installed on the host system and cages peripheral to the target one
mate with the optical connectors with the optical cable, these
connectors and cables may disturb the bail of the target
transceiver from being manipulated. When the target transceiver is
released from the cage, the bail 10 is set in the initial position
above the receptacle 30 shown in FIG. 6A, and another cage with a
transceiver is installed just above the target cage, the bail 10 of
the target transceiver can not manipulated.
[0057] Even in such occasion, the front of the receptacle of the
target transceiver is widely opened because the optical connector
is disengaged with and the front end 21c of the actuator 20
provides an enough space. To push the front end of the actuator 21c
downward causes the seesaw motion of the actuator 20 to pull the
latching projection 23a in the rear end thereof inward, thereby
releasing the transceiver from the cage.
[0058] Assembly of the Receptacle with the Bail and the
Actuator
[0059] Next, the assembly of the actuator 20 with the receptacle 30
will be described as referring to figures from FIGS. 7A to 7D.
[0060] First, the body of the transceiver, which builds with the
TOSA and the ROSA, the frame 60, and the cover 40, is assembled
with the bail 10, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B. Since the legs 11 of
the bail 10 may expand to each other by the elasticity inherently
attributed to the bridge portion 12, the projection 31c of the
receptacle 30 may easily mate with the center hole 11a as widening
legs 11, as shown in FIG. 7B.
[0061] Next, the actuator 20 is set by the axial cylinder 22
thereof within the recess 31d by sliding the actuator 20 on the
bottom of the receptacle 30 from the front thereof. In the same
time, the projection 24a in the top of the elastic bar 24 of the
actuator 20 is set within the pocket 32f in the center partition of
the receptacle 30.
[0062] Thus, the actuator 20 can not slide in horizontal, nearly
parallel to the bottom of the transceiver, because the recess 31d
prevent the actuator 20 from moving rearward while the mating
between the projection 24a with the pocket 32f prevent the
frontward motion of the actuator 20. Further, for the vertical
motion of the actuator 20, in addition that the recess 31d covers
the rotational axis 22a, the elastic bar 24 always pushes the body
of the actuator 20 upward by the elastic force thereof. Therefore,
the motion of the actuator 20 in up-and-down direction may be also
prevented. Only the seesaw motion around the axis 22 may be
allowed.
[0063] Thus, the bail 10 and the actuator 20 are assembled with the
receptacle 30. As explained referring to FIGS. from 6A to 6E, the
engagement with the latching projection 23a formed in the rear end
of the actuator 20 may be released from the cage by the vertical
motion originated to the rotation of the bail 10.
[0064] While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the
invention are described herein for illustrative purposes, various
equivalent modifications are possible, as those skilled in the
relevant art will recognize. These modifications can be made to
embodiments of the invention in light of the above detailed
description.
[0065] The terms used in the following claims should not be
construed to limit the invention to the specific embodiments
disclosed in the specification and the claims. Rather, the scope of
embodiments of the invention is to be determined entirely by the
following claims, which are to be construed in accordance with
established doctrines of claim interpretation.
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