Pluggable optical transceiver with pivoting actuator lever

#The present invention relates generally to pluggable optical transceivers. Particularly, the invention relates to a pivoting actuator release lever for quickly and easily removing a small form factor pluggable (SFP) transceiver from a transceiver-receptacle cage assembly.

#Pluggable optical transceivers are known in the art, and have been the subject of various industry standards and sourcing agreements between common vendors. In particular, multiple vendors have entered into a multi-source agreement (MSA) setting forth common standards and specifications for small form factor pluggable (SFP) transceivers. By way of review, an optical transceiver is an integrated fiber optic component including an optical transmitter and an optical receiver. The pluggable transceiver includes a first end with a fiber optic connector and a second end with an electrical connector. For the SFP transceiver, the fiber optical connector is a LC-type duplex connector. The electrical connector is a card edge connector that is received into a female electrical connector housed inside a receptacle. The receptacle assembly is mounted on a daughter card of a host system. A common mechanical and electrical outline for the SFP transceiver is defined by the MSA. However, each individual manufacturer (vendor) is responsible for its own development and manufacturing of the SFP transceiver including developing a method for releasing and removing the transceiver from the receptacle assembly.

#The MSA provides some specifications for securing the transceiver to the receptacle cage. Particularly, the MSA specifies a spring-loaded latching tab in the receptacle that engages a standard locking detent on the bottom surface of the transceiver. When the transceiver is slidably inserted into the receptacle, the detent engages the latching tab and the transceiver is physically retained in place by the interlocking engagement of the detent to the latching tab.

#In the drawings which illustrate the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the present invention:

#FIG. 1 is a perspective top view of a two-part receptacle cage and a transceiver module having an actuator assembly in accordance with the present invention;

#FIG. 2 is a perspective top view of a transceiver module of the present invention showing the actuator assembly in a latched position;

#Referring now to the drawings, the pluggable transceiver module of the instant invention is illustrated and generally indicated at 10 in FIGS. 1-5. As will be hereinafter more fully described, the instant small format pluggable (SFP) transceiver module 10 includes an integrated actuator assembly generally indicated at 12 for disengaging the transceiver 10 from a corresponding receptacle cage generally indicated at 14.

#Referring to FIG. 1, the optical transceiver module 10 is essentially an integrated fiber optic component including an optical transmitter 11 and an optical receiver (not shown). The pluggable transceiver 10 includes a plastic housing frame 16 having a first end 52 with fiber optic connector ports 18 located therein, and an opposite second end 54 with an electrical edge connector 20 projecting therefrom. For the pluggable transceiver 10, the fiber optic connector ports 18 are an LC-type duplex connector.

#The housing 16 of the transceiver 10 includes an upper (top) surface 56 and lower (bottom) surface 58. The lower surface 58 of the housing 16 includes a slide member 34 and a locking detent 32 as illustrated in FIG. 4. The locking detent 32 secures the transceiver 10 within the receptacle cage 14 as described in further detail below. More particularly, the slide member 34 and locking detent 32 are mounted in a channel 60 that extends longitudinally along at least a portion of the bottom surface 58 of the transceiver 10. The locking detent 32 is located at the rear of the longitudinal channel 60 adjacent to the slide member 34.