Anti-backout latch for interconnect system

A method for securing an interconnect system comprising:

• mating an interconnect module with first and second electrical connectors of a host module, the second electrical connector spaced from the first electrical connector in a rearward direction, and the first electrical connector configured to operate at higher data transfer speeds than the second electrical connector, the interconnect module including a module substrate and an optical engine supported by the module substrate, and a module housing mounted to the module substrate and at least partially surrounding the optical engine;
• and
• pivoting an anti-backout latch about the module housing from a disengaged position to an engaged position
• whereby when the anti-backout latch is in the engaged position, 1) a first mechanical interference between the anti-backout latch and the module housing limits movement of the interconnect module in the rearward direction with respect to the anti-backout latch in a rearward direction, 2) a second mechanical interference between the latch and the host module limits movement of the latch in the rearward direction with respect to the first and second electrical connectors, and
• whereby when the anti-backout latch is in the disengaged position, the second mechanical interference is removed, such that the interconnect module is movable in the rearward direction with respect to the first and second electrical connectors a sufficient distance so as to unmate the interconnect module from at least one of the first and second electrical connectors.

An interconnect module comprising:

• a transceiver that includes a module substrate having first and second sides that each extend in a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, the longitudinal direction including a forward direction and a rearward direction that is opposite the forward direction, the transceiver further including an optical engine mounted on the first side of the module substrate, and a transceiver housing that is mounted on the first side of the module substrate and at least partially surrounds the optical engine, wherein the first and second sides are opposite each other along a transverse direction that is perpendicular to the longitudinal and lateral directions, the first side carries electrically conductive lands in a row at a front end of the substrate, and the second side carries electrically conductive lands in a first row at the front end of the substrate and a second row of electrically conductive lands spaced from the first row in the rearward direction;
• and
• an anti-backout latch that is pivotally attached to the transceiver housing so as to be pivotable with respect to the transceiver housing about a pivot axis between an engaged position and a disengaged position, the pivot axis being oriented along the lateral direction, wherein the anti backout latch has a first and second support walls spaced apart in the lateral direction and a cross beam extending in the lateral direction that connects the first and the second support walls, a first finger that extends from the first support wall in the transverse direction when the anti-backout latch is in the engaged position, and a second finger that extends from the second support wall in the transverse direction when the anti-backout latch is in the engaged position, the first and second fingers being disposed between the cross beam and the pivot axis with respect to the longitudinal direction.