Remote blind mate connector release system for a scalable deep plug cable

A cable trough comprising a rigid trough securing a cable that terminates with a cable connector plug. The cable connector plug has a connector latch operable with a pull tab for selectively latching the cable connector plug to a blind mate connector inside an electronic device. The trough secures the connector plug in axial alignment with the trough and includes a release lever pivotally coupled to the proximal end of the trough. An elongate wire extends within the trough and is coupled between the release lever and the pull tab. Accordingly, the rigid trough may be directed into a guide passage aligned with the blind mate connector for coupling and latching of the connector plug to the blind mate connector. The release lever is pivotally operable to pull the wire and actuate the pull tab to release the connector latch.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the use of scalable deep plug cables to interconnect computer hardware. More specifically, the present invention is an apparatus for coupling a scalable deep plug cable to a blind mate connector.

2. Description of the Related Art

Computer systems have many component parts designed to operate cooperatively and there are various types of connections between the component parts that may be required. For example, server systems will often have several electronic circuit boards that each has electronic components, including a processor, that perform operations in communication with each other. While an electronic circuit board may be connected directly to a connector on a second electronic circuit board, electronic circuit boards are often connected with cables that allow communication there between.

The scalability of certain types of computer systems, including blade servers, facilitates the addition of new components or the reconfiguration of existing components in a data center. Scalability, however, relies upon the ability to interconnect multiple chassis via cables. This interconnection can be complicated due to the fact that the chassis that house blade servers or other computer system components are often configured very close to each other in order to conserve space in a data center environment. Furthermore, even the components within the chassis are very tightly configured to provide a high component density. In fact, some computer components may be positioned in such a manner within a chassis that reaching a desired connector is difficult without removal of numerous components from the chassis.

Some systems that contain difficult to reach components may include a cable interposer, or a run of cable that is connected to a difficult to reach component in order to provide a connector that is more readily accessible. However, the usage of a cable interposer adds undesirable signal losses and a cable connected deep within the chassis will have a latch at the connector that is unreachable by the user.

Still, high speed performance is a critical factor in some computer systems. Therefore, it is desirable to configure components for optimum communication and operational speed. Long runs of communication cable between components can cause signal losses or lags in performance. Consequently, it is often desirable to minimize the length of cable between components in order to optimize performance.

Therefore, there is a need for an apparatus to facilitate a deep plug cable connection with a difficult to reach component having a bind mate connector. It would be desirable if the apparatus also facilitated latching and unlatching of the cable without removal of adjacent components. Furthermore, it would be even more desirable if the apparatus did not require a redesign of exiting scalable cables or connectors for receiving the cables.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of the present invention provides a cable trough comprising a rigid trough securing a cable that terminates with a cable connector plug, wherein the cable connector plug has a connector latch operable with a pull tab for selectively latching the cable connector plug to a blind mate connector inside an electronic device. The trough has a distal end securing the cable connector plug in axial alignment with the trough, a proximal end, and an elongate trough section extending between the proximal and distal ends. The cable trough also includes a release lever pivotally coupled to the proximal end of the trough. An elongate wire extends within the trough and has a first end coupled to the release lever and a second end coupled to the pull tab. Accordingly, the rigid trough may be directed into a guide passage aligned with the blind mate connector for coupling and latching of the cable connector plug to the blind mate connector. The release lever is pivotally operable to pull the wire and actuate the pull tab to release the connector latch. Preferably, the release lever extends beyond a proximal end of the guide passage for accessible operability when the cable connector plug is latched to the blind mate connector. The release lever may form a rocker arm.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus comprising a cable and a rigid trough securing the cable. The cable terminates with a cable connector plug having a connector latch operable with a pull tab for selectively latching the cable connector plug to a blind mate connector inside an electronic device. The rigid trough has a distal end securing the cable connector plug in axial alignment with the trough, a proximal end, and an elongate trough section extending between the proximal and distal ends. The rigid trough also includes a release lever pivotally coupled to the proximal end of the trough. An elongate wire extends within the trough and has a first end coupled to the release lever and a second end coupled to the pull tab. Accordingly, the rigid trough may be directed into a guide passage aligned with the blind mate connector for coupling and latching of the cable connector plug to the blind mate connector. The release lever is pivotally operable to pull the wire and actuate the pull tab to release the connector latch. Preferably, the release lever extends beyond a proximal end of the guide passage for accessible operability when the cable connector plug is latched to the blind mate connector. The release lever may form a rocker arm.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

One embodiment of the present invention provides a cable trough comprising a rigid trough securing a cable that terminates with a cable connector plug, wherein the cable connector plug has a connector latch operable with a pull tab for selectively latching the cable connector plug to a blind mate connector inside an electronic device. The cable may include one or more electronic conductors in various configurations and coupled to various types of connectors. However, the cable trough is preferably suitable for use with a scalability cable, such as a MOLEX iPASS™ interconnect system cable (a trademark of Molex of Lisle, Ill.).

The rigid trough has a distal end securing the cable connector plug in axial alignment with the trough. The cable connector plug may be secured with various fastener configurations and may include both permanent and temporary fasteners. Preferably, the cable connector has a pair of mounting holes on the proximal end of the connector on either side of the cable. The mounting holes on the cable connector preferably cooperate with mounting holes on the distal end of the rigid trough to enable the cable connector to be secured with one or more pins or screws. The rigid trough also an elongate trough section extending between a proximal and distal ends.

The cable trough also includes a release lever pivotally coupled to the proximal end of the trough. An elongate wire extends along the trough and has a first end coupled to the release lever and a second end coupled to the pull tab. The release lever is pivotally operable to pull the wire and actuate the pull tab to release the connector latch. Preferably, the release lever extends beyond a proximal end of the guide passage for accessible operability when the cable connector plug is latched to the blind mate connector. Although the release lever may take various forms and configurations, the lever preferably facilitates easy and accessible operation of one end of the lever, while providing a generally axial displacement of the elongate wire. A particularly preferred release lever forms a rocker arm, such that a downward force on a proximally extending arm causes the proximal displacement of the wire. For example, the two arms of the lever may be at about a right angle relative to the pivot point. Such a lever might also be referred to as a cam. A particular advantage of such a rocker arm is that the latch is released with a downward force, rather than a rearward pulling force, so that there is no rearward force being applied to the latch element while trying to release the latch element. This is especially important when the latch element is a curved hook designed to prevent the connector plug from pulling loose from the blind mate connector, such that any rearward forces can inhibit the hook from releasing.

Accordingly, the rigid trough may be directed into a guide passage aligned with the blind mate connector for coupling and latching of the cable connector plug to the blind mate connector. The guide passage slidably receives the trough and is positioned in a manner to align the cable connector plug and the blind mate connector when the cable trough is inserted within the guide passage. Typically, the guide passage forms a part of a chassis.

In a preferred embodiment, the rigid trough secures the cable along a first side of the elongate trough section and the elongate wire extends along a second side of the elongate trough section. The first and second sides are preferably separated by a dividing wall to prevent interference between the cable and the elongate wire. Furthermore, the trough is substantially open along one wall, such as a top, to receive the cable and couple the wire to the pull tab.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus comprising a cable permanently integrated with a rigid trough. Accordingly, the cable connector may be secured with rivets or other generally permanent fasteners, and the rigid trough may be more or less enclosed since the cable and elongate wire are both permanently received.

FIG. 1is a perspective view of a portion of a computer chassis10have three blind mate connectors12on a motherboard14, three guide channels16aligned with the blind mate connectors12, and a cable trough20inserted in one of the guide channels16for connection of a cable connector plug18with one of the blind mate connectors12. The computer chassis10would ordinarily include components above the top wall19of the guide channels16, such as a second mother board, but these components have been removed to reveal the location of the guide channels16. Furthermore, the top wall19of the guide channels16has been partially cut away to show the individual guide channels16and a cable trough20positioned in one of the channels. In an actual installation, the blind mate connectors12are difficult to access and connecting them with a cable connector plug can require physical removal of numerous components from the chassis10. However, the use of a cable trough and a guide channel allows the connection to be made without removing components from the chassis.

FIG. 2is a perspective view of the cable trough20securing a cable22and the cable connector plug18. The cable trough20includes a rigid trough24having a distal end securing the cable connector plug18in axial alignment with the rigid trough24. A pair of screws26is used to connect the cable connector plug18to the distal end of the rigid trough24. The rigid trough24also has an elongate trough section extending between a proximal end and the distal end. The rigid trough24has a first side that receives the cable22from the center of the connector plug18at the distal end of the trough24and secures the cable22within the trough24as the cable extends to the proximal end of the trough24. The cable is secured with common cable ties28, but could also be secured in other ways known in the art. A second side of the rigid trough24has an elongate wire30passing there through. A distal end of the elongate wire30forms a hook32that is fastened to a pull tab34that extends under a connector latch element38forming part of the cable connector18. A proximal end of the elongate wire30is coupled to a release lever36. The release lever36is pivotally coupled to the trough24and extends rearward for accessible operation, such as by applying a downward force with a user's finger.

FIG. 3is a schematic side view of the cable trough20coupled to the cable connector18with the connector latch element38in a closed position. The closed latch element38hooks a mating latch element40in a blind mate connector12on the motherboard14. Latching of the elements38,40is facilitated by the walls of the guide channel16vertically aligning the male coupling42of the cable connector plug18with the female coupling44of the blind mate connector12. Although not shown in this figure, it should be recognized that the side walls of the guide channel16will serve to horizontally align the couplings42,44.

The release lever36is pivotally coupled to the tough24at a pivot point46. Therefore, a downward force on the rearwardly extending arm of the lever36causes a generally axial displacement (in the rearward or proximal direction; left inFIG. 3) of the elongate wire30. In turn, the axial displacement of the wire30pulls on the pull tab34which is coupled to an enlarged member48. As the enlarged member48slides along the incline50in the body of the connector18, the member48engages the latch element38are flexes the latch element38upward. The latch element38is rigidly coupled at the proximal end52and is preferably self-biased into the latched position. When there is no longer a downward force on the lever36, the enlarged member48returns to its position and the latch element38returns to the latched position.

A pair of mounting holes54on the proximal end of the connector18on either side of the cable22(SeeFIG. 2) are aligned with mounting holes56on the distal end of the rigid trough24to enable the cable connector18to be secured with one or more pins or screws26. Securing the cable connector18on both sides of the cable22with screws26(SeeFIG. 2) keeps the connector18is alignment with the trough24.

FIG. 4is a schematic side view of the cable trough20securing the cable and cable connector with the release lever36actuated to open the connector latch element38. As shown, the release lever has pivoted about point46, the elongate wire30has been displaced generally axially (although slightly transversely), the pull tab34has been pulled in the proximal direction by the same distance, and the enlarged member48has actuated and lifted the latch element38to the open position. This condition is necessary to release the connector18from the blind mate connector12and withdraw the cable trough20from the guide channel16. Optionally, this condition may also be necessary to latch the connector18to the blind mate connector12after inserting the trough20into the guide channel16. However, it is also possible for the latch element38to be self latching, such as by riding up on a sloped region58of the connector12when the latch element38approaches the latch element40. (See alsoFIG. 3).

FIG. 5is a perspective view of the proximal and distal ends of the cable trough20showing greater detail of certain elements of one embodiment, including the release lever36, the pull tab34, and the latch element38. The release lever36is formed as a “rocker arm” with a first accessible lever arm60and second arm62at generally right angles so that a downward force on the first arm60causes a generally axial force on the second arm62. The second arm62pivotally secures the proximal end of the elongate wire30. The hook32in the distal end of the wire30is securely or permanently coupled to the pull tab34which extends through a gap under the latch element38. A pair of sharp latch hooks64is formed on the distal end of the latch element38for cooperating with latch elements in the blind mate connector (not shown). A partial cutaway section reveals the mounting holes54,56that receive screw26for coupling the connector18to the distal end of the rigid trough24. A similar connection is preferably included on the opposing side of the connector in alignment with the other screw26.

The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having,” as used in the claims and specification herein, shall be considered as indicating an open group that may include other elements not specified. The terms “a,” “an,” and the singular forms of words shall be taken to include the plural form of the same words, such that the terms mean that one or more of something is provided. The term “one” or “single” may be used to indicate that one and only one of something is intended. Similarly, other specific integer values, such as “two,” may be used when a specific number of things is intended. The terms “preferably,” “preferred,” “prefer,” “optionally,” “may,” and similar terms are used to indicate that an item, condition or step being referred to is an optional (not required) feature of the invention.