Removable coupling of an opto-electronic module into a front access rack
View Patent ↗A system and method to facilitate receipt of an optoelectronic module in a first direction and make an electrical connection by movement of the module in a second direction different from the first direction.
1. A method of connecting an optoelectronic module, having an optical connector and a first electrical connector, the first electrical connector defining a plane substantially perpendicular to a plane defined by the optical connector, to a surface having a second electrical connector configured for mating with the first electrical connector, the method comprising:
inserting the optoelectronic module into a holder along the plane of the second electrical connector;
moving the holder so as to align the first and second electrical connectors with respect to each other; and
connecting the first and second electrical connectors together by moving the optoelectronic module along the plane defined by the optical connector.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the inserting further comprises:
aligning a guide disposed on the optoelectronic module with a complementary guide disposed on the holder.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the moving further comprises:
bringing together an opening, associated with one of the optoelectronic module or holder, and a tapered pin.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
locking the holder in place following the connecting of the first and second electrical connectors together.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
unlocking the holder; and
disengaging the first and second electrical connectors from each other by moving the holder.
6. An apparatus to cause the mating of two complementary electrical connectors each comprising a two dimensional array of connection points, a first connector being located on an optoelectronic module and a second connector being located on a circuit board, the apparatus comprising:
means for receiving the optoelectronic module in a direction substantially along a plane defined by the first connector;
means for bringing the first and second connectors into alignment relative to each other; and
means for moving the first connector in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane and causing the connection points of the first connector to engage the complementary connection points of the second connector.
7. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the means for receiving further comprises:
guide means for controlling the receipt of the optical module.
8. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the guide means comprises one of:
a rail, a post, a channel, an externally extending volume or an internally extending volume.
9. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the means for moving comprises:
a lever, a knob, or a cam.
10. The apparatus of claim 6 , further comprising:
means for maintaining the means for receiving in a normally disengaged position.
11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the means for maintaining comprises a spring.
12. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the spring comprises:
a leaf spring or a torsion spring.
13. A system for connecting a first electrical connector of an optoelectronic module to a second electrical connector of a surface, the system comprising:
a holder;
a first guide on the optoelectronic module, wherein the guide controls a proper insertion of the optoelectronic module into the holder by defining a plane of insertion;
a second guide on the holder, complementary to the first guide; and
a movement mechanism coupled to the holder and constructed to move the holder in a direction perpendicular to the second connector immediately prior to the first electrical connector connecting with the second electrical connector; and
a holder lock that will maintain the holder in a fixed position once the first electrical connector is connected with the second electrical connector.
14. The system of claim 13 , wherein the first guide comprises at least one of:
a rail, a post, a channel, an externally extending volume or an internally extending volume.
15. The system of claim 14 , wherein the second guide comprises:
a rail, a post, a channel, an externally extending volume or an internally extending volume complementary in configuration to the first guide.
16. The system of claim 13 , further comprising:
a tapered alignment pin located on the holder.
17. The system of claim 13 , further comprising:
an alignment boss located on the holder.
18. The system of claim 17 further comprising:
a tapered alignment pin disposed for mating with the alignment boss.
19. A method comprising:
receiving an optoelectronic module in a first direction through an opening in a front panel of a rack; and
coupling an electrical connector of the module to a complementary electrical connector by movement of the module, within the rack, in a second direction different from the first direction.
20. The method of claim 19 further comprising:
maintaining the optoelectronic module in a coupled state following the coupling.
21. A method for connecting an optoelectronic module to a circuit board, the method comprising:
slidingly receiving an optoelectronic module, having an electrical connector including a two dimensional array of electrical connection points defining a plane and an optical connector defining our optical interface surface perpendicular to the plane, by movement of the optoelectronic module along the plane; and
engaging the electrical connector with an electrically complementary connector on a circuit board by movement of the optoelectronic module in a direction perpendicular to the plane immediately prior to the electrical connector at the electrically complementary connector being joined.