WO2008003187A1

WO2008003187A1 - Unlocking device for opto-electronic module

Info

Publication number: WO2008003187A1
Application number: PCT/CN2006/003056
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jianfeng Luo; Benqing Quan; Beili Song; Mingsuo Gao
Original assignee: Wuhan Telecommunication Devices Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2006-06-29
Filing date: 2006-11-14
Publication date: 2008-01-10
Also published as: CN200966056Y

Abstract

A simple bail type unlocking device for an opto-electronic module, comprising a bottom housing (1), a top housing (2), an operating unit (3), an elastic member (5) and a briquetting (6), wherein the bottom housing (1) is fixedly connected to the top housing (2); the operating unit (3) is pivotable in the first direction around its pivot shaft (3b); when an external force from the operator is applied on the operating unit (3), the operating unit (3) pivot between a locking position and an unlocking position; the elastic member (5) is provided between the top housing (2) and the operating unit (3); under the effect of the elastic member (5), the operating unit (3) is pivotable in the second direction opposite to the first direction about the pivot shaft (3b); and the briquetting (6) is fixedly connected to the top housing (2) so as to cooperate with the top housing (2) to define the pivot shaft (3b) about which the operating unit (3) pivot. The present invention integrates the rotating device and the stopping device, optimizing the structure, simplifying the working process of the parts, and improving reliability of the parts. The bail can return to the working position automatically without manual operation.

Description

Unlocking Device for Opto-electronic Module

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an unlocking device for a hot-pluggable opto-electronic module in the optical communication field, and more particularly, to a bail type unlocking device for an opto-electronic module with tail fiber and an electrical connection module.

Description of the Related Art

Currently, an unlocking device for a hot-pluggable, tail fiber type opto-electronic module is typically of push-pull type, that is, a push block is inserted above the tube casing; the push block is pushed to eject the locking spring piece of the cage upward so that unlocking operation is achieved. The bail of the push-pull type unlocking device needs a relative large force to be unlocked. Conventional bail structure can not be used with tail fiber type module, because, the bail needs to be pulled up during unlocking operation, but the bail handle is blocked by the tail tube before the bail reaches a unlocking position. As a result,, the unlocking operation can not be achieved at all. Further, the fiber connector must be removed before unlocking the hot-pluggable module of conventional bail structure, which adversely affect the lift time of the fiber connector. Furthermore, the bail in the prior art is complicated in structure and difficult for manufacturing. Therefore, a new ring-like unlocking device is needed to solve the above problems. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to overcome at least one of the above defects and insufficiency existing in the prior art by providing a simple bail type unlocking device for an opto-electronic module, which is simple in assembly and operation and adapted to meet the demand of the development of the communicating device.

The object of the present invention is achieved by the following: the bail and the stopping piece of the structure in the art are integrated to form a new, simple structure of the bail such that a stroke of unlocking rotation can be shortened, a bail structure for a module with tail fiber and an electrical connection module is enabled, and a device for automatic reset is provided.

According to an aspect of the present invention, an unlocking device for an opto-electronic module is provided, which is adapted to unlock the opto-electronic module in a locking position from a cage, the unlocking device comprising:

A bottom housing, a top housing, an operating unit, an elastic member and a briquetting, wherein, the bottom housing is fixedly connected to the top housing ; the operating unit is pivotable about its pivot shaft in a first direction; when an external force from the operator is applied on the operating unit, the operating unit pivots between a locking position where the operating unit engages the cage to lock the operating unit with the cage and an unlocking position where the operating unit disengage the cage to unlock the operating unit from the cage; the elastic member is provided between the top housing and the operating unit; upon biasing operation of the elastic member, the operating unit is pivotable about the pivot shaft in a second direction opposite to the first direction; and the briquetting is fixedly connected to the top housing so as to cooperate with the top housing to define the pivot shaft about which the operating unit pivot.

Preferably, the bottom housing is configured to be a substantially rectangular chamber; the top housing is provided as a substantially rectangular chamber so as to match with the bottom housing . Preferably, the bottom housing and the top housing are fixedly connected to each other by screws .

Preferably, the operating unit is configured to be a semi-closed, square-shaped bail.

Preferably, the bail comprises an elastic member positioning slot ; one end of the elastic member is positioned in the elastic member positioning slot .

Preferably, the bail comprises a latching member, the latching member serving to engage the cage to lock the opto-electronic module in the locking position.

Preferably, the latching member is as adapted to be a latching head . Preferably, the top housing comprises an elastic member positioning slot , the other end of the elastic member being positioned in the elastic member positioning slot .

Preferably, the elastic member is a compression spring.

Preferably, top housing comprises a latching head inserting slot into which the latching head of the bail is inserted.

Preferably, the top housing comprises a connection hole; the bottom housing comprises a connection hole; the screw passes through the connection hole and the connection hole so as to fixedly connectthe bottom housing and the top housing . Preferably, the briquetting comprises a rotor pin positioning slot ; the top housing comprises a rotor pin positioning slot , wherein the rotor pin positioning slot of the briquetting and the rotor pin positioning slot of the top housing cooperatively define a rotor pin hole within which the pivot shaft of the operating unit rotates. Preferably, the top housing and the brequetting are fixedly connected by a screw.

Preferably, the top housing comprises a briquetting fixing screw hole ; the briquetting comprises a screw hole, the screw passes through the briquetting fixing screw hole and the screw hole so as to fixedly connects the top housing and the briquetting.

Preferably, the briquetting is configured to be a substantially rectangular plate, comprising a first surface and a second surface, wherein the rotor pin positioning slot is positioned in the first surface , the second surface serves as a rotation-limiting surface for the operating unit; the operating unit contacts the second surface and stop pivoting when the external force applied on the operating unit is withdrawn.

Preferably, the bail comprises an elastic member positioning slot; the top housing comprises an elastic member positioning slot; one end of the elastic member is positioned in the elastic member positioning slot while the other end of the elastic member is positioned in the elastic member positioning slot .

According to another aspect of the present invention, a bail type unlocking device for an opto-electronic module is provided, the unlocking device comprising: a bottom housing, a top housing , a bail , a screw , a spring , and a briquetting , which are positioned and connected as below: the bottom housing and the top housing are connected by the screw; the spring is positioned in two circular recesses on the top housing and operates between the bail and the top housing; the bail is fixed by the rotor pin through a hole formed by the top housing and the briquetting; the briquetting is fixed on the top housing by the screw ; the bottom housing is a rectangular chamber adapted to cooperate with the top housing ; the top housing is a rectangular chamber formed with holes and slots; the bail is a semi-closed, square-shaped ring; the briquetting is a rectangular plate comprising a lower surface and a bail rotating stop surface.

The operation of the present invention is as below:

When an external force from an operator is applied on the bail, the bail rotates and simultaneously drives the rotation of the latching head of the bail such that the latching head disengages a catching hole of the cage by rotation and the unlocking operation is done. During this process, the bail is subject to a resistance force by the spring all the way. When the bail is unlocked and the external force is withdrawn from the bail, the spring returns the bail to its original position. When the bail contacts the bail rotation stop surface of the briquetting, -it stops and the operation of return to the working position is completed.

The present invention has the following advantageous: 1. The rotating device and the stopping device are integrated together, such that the structure is optimized, the working process of the parts is simplified, and the reliability of the parts is improved.

2. The installation and unlocking operation completely comply with the usual practice of people, and therefore additional identifying and memorizing work are not necessary.

3. The assembly of the module is very simple and the speed of assembly can be guaranteed.

4. The bail may return to its working position automatically without manual operation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The additional objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein similar parts are designated with similar reference numbers. Figure 1 is a structural schematic view of the present invention; Figure 2 is a structural schematic view of the bottom housing 1 ; Figure 3 is a structural schematic view of the top housing 2; Figure 4 is a structural schematic view of the bail 3;

Figure 5 is a structural schematic view of the briquetting 6; Figure 6 is a schematic view showing the initial position of the present invention; and

Figure 7 is a schematic view showing the final position of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present application. It can be appreciated that various modification in many different ways can be made to the following illustrative embodiments of the present invention without departing the principle of the present invention disclosed herein. Therefore, the scope of the present invention will in no way be limited to the special embodiments in the following.

Firstly, description will be made to the structure of the major components of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. It is noted that, not all of the following components or its particular constituent parts are necessary for realizing the purpose of the present invention. The following description to the structure of the major components shall not be interpreted as limiting the protection scope of the present invention.

1. bottom housing 1 As shown in figure 2, the bottom housing 1 is provided as a substantially rectangular chamber adapted to cooperate with the top housing 1. As shown in figure 1 , the bottom housing 1 is provided with connection holes 8, such as screw holes. Correspondingly, at the corresponding positions of the top housing 2 are formed connection holes 2a, such as screw connection holes (as will be described later). The bottom housing 1 is connected to the top housing 2 by screws 7 passing through the connection holes 8 in the bottom housing 1 and the connection holes 2a in the top housing 2.

2. top housing 2

As shown in figure 3, the top housing 2 is provided as a rectangular chamber formed with holes and slots. The top housing 2 is provided at the left upper portion and the right middle portion thereof with screw connection holes 2a, corresponding to the connection holes 8 in the bottom housing 1. As shown in figures 1 and 2, three screws 7 pass through the screw connection holes 2a and the connection holes 8 in the bottom housing 1 to fixedly connect the bottom housing 1 to the top housing 2. Obviously, the number of the screws is not limited to three, but can be any suitable numbers.

As shown in figure 3, the top housing 2 is provided at its left upper surface with a left upper surface 2b. Briquetting fixing screw holes 2e are provided in the left upper surface 2b. Referring to figures 1 and 6, screw holes 6b is provided in the lower surface 6c of the briquetting 6 (as will be described later). The briquetting fixing screw holes 2e correspond to the screw holes 6b. Referring to figures 1 , two screws 4 pass through the briquetting fixing screw holes 2e and the screw holes 6b to fixedly connect the top housing 2 and the briquetting 6 together. The shape and size of the above screws 4 may be identical or not identical with that of the screws 8. Referring to figure 3, bail rotor pin positioning slots 2c, which are substantially semi-circular shaped, are provided at two ends of the left upper surface 2b. Referring to figure 6, the briqueting 6 is provided with bail rotor pin positioning slots 6a (as will be described later). The bail rotor pin positioning slots 2c in the top housing 2 and the bail rotor pin positioning slots 6a of the briquetting 6 cooperate to define pin holes within which the rotor pin rotates.

Referring to figure 3, at the right side surface of the left upper surface 2b is provided a latching head inserting slot 2d. Referring to figure 4, the bail 3 is provided with a latching head 3d extending outward (as will be described later).

The latching head 3d of the bail 3 is extended into the latching head inserting slot

2d.

Further, referring to figure 3, spring positioning slots 2f are provided adjacent to the left upper surface 2b. As shown in figure 1 , one end of the spring 5 as an elastic member is provided in the spring positioning slots 2f.

3. bail 3

As shown in figure 4, the operating unit to which an external force from the operator is applied may be a bail 3. The bail 3 is provided as a closed, square-shaped ring. As shown in figure 4, the bail 3 has two sides to define inner side surfaces 3c therein. Spring positioning slots 3a are disposed at one side adjacent to the inner side surfaces 3c. As described above, one end of the spring 5 is provided in the spring positioning slot 2f, while the other end thereof is provided in the spring positioning slot 3a. Further, a rotor pin 3b is provided at a predetermined position of the inner side surface 3c. As mentioned above, the rotor pin 3b pivots within a pin hole defined by the bail rotor pin positioning slot 2c of the top housing 2 and the bail rotor pin positioning slot 6a of the briquetting 6. Therefore, the bail 3 pivots about the rotor pin 3b as pivot axis in a predetermined direction, that is, in a clockwise direction in figures 1 and 7.

Further, at the same side as the spring positioning slot 3a, the latching head 3d extends from the bail 3 to a predetermined length to engage a cage (not shown) catching the opto-electronic module. In this embodiment, as shown in figure 4, the latching head 3d is configured to have a hook-like shape. Obviously, the latching head may also be provided in other suitable shapes, as long as it can engage the cage to lock the opto-electronic module in the locking position.

4. briquetting 6

As shown in figure 5, the briquetting 6 is provided as a substantially rectangular-shaped plate, comprising a lower surface 6c and a bail rotation stop surface 6d. In this embodiment, as shown in figure 5, the lower surface 6c and the bail rotation stop surface 6d are substantially parallel and adjacent to each other.

At two sides of the lower surface 6c are provided projections, respectively. At the projections are provided bail rotation pin positioning slots 6a respectively. Referring to figure 5, bail rotation pin positioning slots 6a is substantially a 1/4 arc. As mentioned above, bail rotation pin positioning slots 6a of the briquetting 6 and the bail rotor pin positioning slots 2c of the top housing 2 cooperate to define the pin hole within which the rotor pin 3b rotates. Obviously, the bail rotation pin positioning slot 6a may be a curved surface of any shape, as long as it can cooperate with the bail rotor pin positioning slots 2c of the top housing 2 to define the pin hole within which the rotor pin 3b rotates. Further, as shown in figure 5, in the lower surface 6c are provided with screw holes 6b. As mentioned above, the screw holes 6b correspond to the briquetting fixing screw holes 2e. Referring to figure 1 , two screws 4 pass through the briquetting fixing screw holes 2e and the screw holes 6b to fixedly connect the top housing 2 and the briquetting 6 together . Further, the bail rotation stop surface 6d serves to confine the pivot movement of the bail 3 within a certain range. Specifically, when the external force is withdrawn from the bail 3 after the unlocking operation of the bail 3 is completed, under the effect of the elastic force of the spring 5, the bail 3 pivots about its pivot shaft 3b in a reverse direction (that is, in anticlockwise direction in figures 1 and 7) to return to its original position. When the bail 3 contacts the bail rotation stop surface 6d of the briquetting 6, it stops and the movement of returning to the working position is finished. Next, the connection and interaction relationship between the respective constituent parts will be described in detail.

1. cooperation among the top housing 2, the bail 3, the screw 4, the spring 5, and the briquetting 6

The rotor pin 3b of the bail 3 is positioned and fixed by the rotor pin hole formed by the bail rotor pin positioning slot 2c of the briquetting 6 and the bail rotor pin positioning slot 2c. Therefore, the bail 3 pivots about the rotor pin 3b as pivoting axis between the locking position and the unlocking position. The spring 5 is fitted in the spring positioning slot 2f of the top housing 2. One end of the spring 5 acts on the top housing 2 and the other end thereof acts on the spring positioning slot 2f of the bail 3 so as to apply elastic force on the top housing 2 and the bail 3 respectively. The bail rotation stop surface 6d of the briquetting 6 confines the bail 3 in a correct poison in operation state. Specifically, when the external force is withdrawn from the bail 3 after the bail 3 finishes the unlocking movement, under the effect of the elastic force of the spring 5, the bail 3 pivots about its pivot shaft 3b in a reverse direction (that is, in an anticlockwise direction in figures 1 and 7) to return to its working position. When the bail 3 contacts the bail rotation stop surface 6d of the briquetting 6, it stops and the movement of returning to the working position is finished.

Further, the screws 4 pass through the fixing screw hole 2e of the top housing 2 and the screw hole 6b of the briquetting 6 to fixedly connect the top housing 2 and the briqueting 6 together.

2. cooperation between the bottom housing 1 and the top housing 2 As mentioned above, three screws 8 pass through three screw holes 8 of the bottom housing 1 and three corresponding screw holes 2a on the top housing 2 respectively to fasten the bottom housing 1 and the top housing 2.

Below is a description regarding the operation steps of the bail type unlocking device for an opto-electronic module.

As shown in figure 6, a position where the bail 3 locates is an initial position for starting unlocking operation. At this time, the present invention is in a working position, that is, the latching head 3d is in the cage (not shown). At same time, the operator applies a force on the bail 3 to rotate the bail 3. Under the effect of the external force from the operator, the bail 3 pivots about the pivoting pin 3b which rotates within a pin hole defined by the bail rotor pin positioning slot 2c of the top housing 2 and the bail rotor pin positioning slot 6a of the briquetting 6. Specifically, as shown in figures 6 and 7, the bail 3 pivots about the pivoting pin 3b clockwise. Accordingly, the latching head 3d of the bail 3 gradually falls into the bail latching head inserting slot 2d. At the same time, the bail 3 is subject to a resistance force from the spring 5 positioned between the elastic member positioning slot 3a of the bail 3 and the elastic member positioning slot 2f of the top housing 2.

When the bail 3 pivots by a predetermined angle, for example, 15 degree, the latching head 3d of the bail 3 completely falls in to the bail latching head inserting slot 2d, as shown in figures 7 and 8. At this time, the latching head 3d of the bail 3 has disengaged out of the catching hole of the cage, and the module can be removed from the cage by horizontally pulling the bail 3. In other word, at this time, the bail 3 is in an unlocking position. Thereafter, the operator releases the bail 3. The bail 3 returns under the effect of the elastic force of the spring 5, that is, the bail 3 pivots about the pivot shaft 3b in a pivoting direction opposite to the previous pivoting direction. In this embodiment, the bail 3 pivots about the pivot shaft 3b in an anticlockwise direction. In order to ensure that the bail 3 returns to its correct position in operation, the bail 3 stops its movement when contacting the bail rotation stop surface 6d and finishes the automatic return action. In this way, the whole unlocking process is finished. Although a preferred embodiment of the present application has been shown and described above, those skilled in the art will appreciated that, many modifications, substitutions and variations to the present invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The scope of the present invention shall not be limited by the special embodiments shown and described herein but only defined by the appended claims and its functional equivalents.

Claims

Claims:

1. An unlocking device for an opto-electronic module, adapted to unlock the opto-electronic module in a locking position from a cage, the unlocking device comprising: a bottom housing(1), a top housing (2), an operating unit (3), an elastic member (5) and a briquetting (6), wherein, the bottom housing (1) is fixedly connected to the top housing (2); the operating unit (3) is pivotable about its pivot shaft (3b) in a first direction; when an external force from the operator is applied on the operating unit (3), the operating unit (3) pivots between a locking position where the operating unit (3) engages the cage to lock the operating unit (3) and the cage and an unlocking position where the operating unit (3) disengage the cage to unlock the operating unit (3) from the cage; the elastic member (5) is provided between the top housing (2) and the operating unit (3); under the effect of the elastic member (5), the operating unit (3) is pivotable about the pivot shaft (3b) in a second direction opposite to the first direction; and the briquetting (6) is fixedly connected to the top housing (2) so as to cooperate with the top housing (2) to define the pivot shaft (3b) about which the operating unit (3) pivots.

2. The unlocking device according to claim 1 , wherein, the bottom housing (1) is provided as a substantially rectangular chamber; the top housing (2) is configured to be a substantially rectangular chamber to conform with the bottom housing (1).

3. The unlocking device according to claim 2, wherein, the bottom housing (1) and the top housing (2) are fixedly connected to each other by screws (7) .

4. The unlocking device according to claim 1 , wherein, the operating unit (3) is configured to be a semi-closed square-shaped bail.

5. The unlocking device according to claim 4, wherein, the bail (3) comprises an elastic member positioning slot (3a) ; one end of the elastic member (5) is positioned in the elastic member positioning slot (3a).

6. The unlocking device according to claim 4, wherein, the bail (3) comprises a latching member (3d), the latching member (3d) serving to engage the cage to lock the opto-electronic module in the locking position.

7. The unlocking device according to claim 6, wherein, the latching member is configured to be a latching head (3d).

8. The unlocking device according to claim 5, wherein, the top housing (2) includes an elastic member positioning slot (2T), the other end of the elastic member (5) being positioned in the elastic member positioning slot (2f).

9. The unlocking device according to claim 8, wherein, the elastic member is a compression spring(5).

10. The unlocking device according to claim 7, wherein, the top housing (2) further includes a latching head inserting slot (2d) into which the latching head (3d) of the bail (3) is inserted.

11. The unlocking device according to claim 3, wherein, the top housing (2) includes connection holes (2a); the bottom housing (1) includes connection holes (8), the screw (7) passes through the connection holes (2a) and the connection holes (8) to fixedly connect the bottom housing (1) and the top housing (2).

12. The unlocking device according to claim 1 , wherein the briquetting (6) includes a rotor pin positioning slot (6a), the top housing (2) includes a rotor pin positioning slot (2a), wherein the rotor pin positioning slot (6a) of the briquetting (6) and the rotor pin positioning slot (2a) of the top housing (2) cooperatively define a rotor pin hole within which the pivot shaft (3b) of the operating unit (3) rotates.

13. The unlocking device according to claim 12, wherein, the top housing (2) and the brequetting (6) are fixedly connected by a screw (4).

14. The unlocking device according to claim 13, wherein, the top housing (2) includes a briquetting fixing screw hole (2e), the briquetting (6) includes a screw hole (6c), the screw (4) passes through the briquetting fixing screw hole (2e) and the screw hole (6c) to fixedly connect the top housing (2) and the briquetting (6).

15. The unlocking device according to claim 1 , wherein: the briquetting (6) is configured to be a substantially rectangular plate comprising a first surface (6c) and a second surface (6d), wherein, the rotor pin positioning slot (6a) is positioned in the first surface (6d), the second surface (6d) serves as a rotation-limiting surface for the operating unit (3); the operating unit (3) contacts the second surface (6d) and stop pivoting movement when the external force applied on the operating unit (3) is withdrawn..

16. The unlocking device according to claim 15, wherein, the operating unit (3) is configured to be a semi-closed, square-shaped bail.

17. The unlocking device according to claim 15, wherein, the bail (3) comprises an elastic member positioning slot (3a) ; the top housing (2) comprising an elastic member positioning slot (2f), one end of the elastic member (5) is positioned in the elastic member positioning slot (3a) while the other end of the elastic member (5) is positioned in the elastic member positioning slot (2f).

18. The unlocking device according to claim 15, wherein, the bail (3) comprises a latching member (3d), the latching member (3d) serving to engage the cage to lock the opto-electronic module in the locking position.

19. The unlocking device according to claim 18, wherein, the latching member is configured to be a latching head (3d).

20. The unlocking device according to claim 15, wherein, the elastic member is a compression spring (5).

21. A bail type unlocking device for an opto-electronic module, wherein, the unlocking device comprising: a bottom housing (1), a top housing (2), a bail (3), a screw (4), a spring (5), and a briquetting (6), which are positioned and connected as below: the bottom housing (1) and the top housing (2) being connected by the screw

(4); the spring (5) being positioned in two circular recesses on the top housing (2) and operating between the bail (3) and the top housing (2); the bail 3 being fixed by the rotor pin through a hole formed by the top housing 2 and the briquetting (6); the briquetting (6) being fixed on the top housing (2) by the screw (4); the bottom housing (1) being a rectangular chamber adapted to cooperate with the top housing (2); the top housing (2) being a rectangular chamber formed with holes and slots; the bail 3 being a semi-closed, square-shaped ring; the briquetting (6) being a rectangular plate having a lower surface (6c) and a bail rotating stop surface (6d).

22. The unlocking device according to claim 21 , wherein, the bottom housing (1) being a rectangular chamber adapted to cooperate with the top housing (2).

23. The unlocking device according to claim 21 , wherein, the left upper portion of the top housing (2) being provided with screw connection holes (2a), a left upper end face (2b), a bail rotor pin positioning slot (2c), a bail latching head inserting slot (2d), a briquetting fixing screw hole (2e), and a spring positioning slot (2f).

24. The unlocking device according to claim 21 , wherein, the bail (3) being a semi-closed, square-shaped ring; the bail 3 being provided with a spring positioning slot (3a), a rotor pin (3b), an inner side face (3c) and a latching head (3d).

25. The unlocking device according to claim 21 , wherein, the briqueting (6)being a rectangular plate having a lower surface (6c)and a bail rotating stop surface (6d); two ends of the lower surface (6c) being provided with a bail rotor pin positioning slots (6a) respectively; a screw hole (6b) being provided in the middle of the lower surface (6c).