Cable connector disconnection system

A cable connector disconnection system includes a cable having a cable connector, and a computing device. The computing device includes a computing device connector that connects to the cable connector, a cable connector disconnection actuator that is spaced apart from the computing device connector on the computing device and that is configured to move relative to the computing device, and a cable connector engagement subsystem that is located immediately adjacent the computing device connector and that is coupled to the cable connector disconnection actuator. Movement of the cable connector disconnection actuator relative to the computing device when the cable connector is connected to the computing device connector causes the cable connector engagement subsystem to move relative to the computing device connector and into engagement with the cable connector to disconnect the cable connector from the computing device connector.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to information handling systems, and more particularly to disconnecting cable connectors from information handling systems.

Information handling systems such as, for example, networking devices (e.g., co-packaged switch devices) and/or other computing devices known in the art, are often coupled together by cables such as fiber optic cables (e.g., Multi-fiber Push-On (MPO) fiber optic cables), and/or other cables known in the art. For example, conventional MPO fiber optic cables may include an MPO fiber optic connector that is configured to engage a switch port on a co-packaged switch device, and a respective securing latch may be provided adjacent the MPO fiber optic connector and may be configured to engage the co-packaged switch device to secure the MPO fiber optic connector to the switch port. Furthermore, many MPO fiber optic cables include a “pull-tab” release mechanism that is coupled to each of the securing latches and that includes an actuator that extends away from the MPO fiber optic connector, and when the MPO fiber optic connector is engaged with the switch port with the securing latch engaged with the co-packaged switch device to secure the MPO fiber optic connector to the switch port, the actuator on the “pull-tab” release mechanism may be pulled to disengage the securing latch from the co-packaged switch device in order to allow the MPO fiber optic connector to be disengaged from the switch port so that the MPO fiber optic cable may be disconnected from the co-packaged switch device. As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art in possession of the present disclosure, such “pull-tab” release mechanisms are particularly beneficial when MPO fiber optic cables/connectors are densely populated on the co-packaged switch device such that access to the securing latches on any particular MPO fiber optic cable is inhibited by other MPO fiber optic cables/connectors. However, the use of such “pull-tab” release mechanisms on conventional MPO fiber optic cables can raise some issues.

For example, MPO fiber optic cables that are used in co-packaged switch devices provided as testing equipment in data centers, vendor test laboratories, and/or other locations, may be frequently handled and require frequent connection/disconnection from the co-packaged switch devices discussed above, which can result is the actuator on the “pull-tab” release mechanism breaking off of the “pull-tab” release mechanism, particularly when such actuators are provided using very thin plastic materials (e.g., to reduce costs and allow the tab to be positioned between densely populated MPO fiber optic cables/connectors that would otherwise present difficulties with regard to accessing the securing latches as discussed above). This can result in the need to disconnect MPO fiber optic cables with broken “pull-tab” release mechanism actuators from corresponding co-packaged switch devices, which may require an amount of force that can cause damage to the MPO fiber optic cable, the co-packaged switch device, the switch port, and/or other components, and results in support calls, system down time, and/or other costs. As such, MPO fiber optic cables with broken “pull-tab” release mechanism actuators are often discarded, increasing cabling costs as well.

Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide cable connector disconnection system that addresses the issues discussed above.

SUMMARY

According to one embodiment, an Information Handling System (IHS) includes a chassis; a computing device connector that is accessible on the chassis and that is configured to connect to a cable connector; a cable connector disconnection actuator that is spaced apart from the computing device connector on the chassis and that is configured to move relative to the chassis; and a cable connector engagement subsystem that is located immediately adjacent the computing device connector and that is coupled to the cable connector disconnection actuator, wherein the movement of the cable connector disconnection actuator relative to the chassis when the cable connector is connected to the computing device connector causes the cable connector engagement subsystem to move relative to the computing device connector and into engagement with the cable connector to disconnect the cable connector from the computing device connector.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now toFIGS.2A and2B, an embodiment of a cable system200is illustrated. In the illustrated embodiment, the cable system200includes cabling202, a cabling transition element204that covers the cabling202as it transitions to a connection to a connector sleeve206, with a cable connector208extending from the connector sleeve206and including a pair of connectors pin couplings210aand210b. While not called out by element numbers, one of skill in the art in possession of the present disclosure will recognize that the cable connector208includes networking port securing features for securing the cable connector208and connector pin couplings210aand210bto a networking port. Furthermore, one of skill in the art in possession of the present disclosure will appreciate how the connector sleeve206may be configured to move relative to the cable connector208in order to release the cable connector208from a networking port, discussed in further detail below.

With reference toFIG.2C, an embodiment of the cable system200ofFIGS.2A and2Bis illustrated with a conventional pull-tab mechanism212. As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art in possession of the present disclosure, the conventional pull-tab mechanism212may be pulled by a user to move the connector sleeve206relative to the cable connector208in order to release the cable connector208from a networking port but, as discussed above, suffers from a number of deficiencies that are eliminated by the cable connector disconnection system of the present disclosure. However, while the cable system200ofFIGS.2A and2Bis illustrated and described below as being utilized with the cable connector disconnection system of the present disclosure, one of skill in the art in possession of the present disclosure will appreciate how the cable connector disconnection system of the present disclosure may be utilized with cable systems having the conventional pull-tab mechanism212(i.e., while negating the need to use those conventional pull-tab mechanisms) while remaining within the scope of the present disclosure as well.

Furthermore, one of skill in the art in possession of the present disclosure will appreciate how the specific example provided herein illustrates and describes the cable system200as a female Multi-fiber Push-On (MPO) fiber optic cable system, with the cabling202including fiber optic cable, and the cable connector208and connector pin couplings210aand210bprovided by an MPO fiber optic connector and MPO fiber pin couplings, respectively. However, the cable connector disconnection system of the present disclosure may benefit other types of cable systems/cable connectors, and thus its application to other cable systems/cable connectors is envisioned as falling within its scope as well. As such, while a specific cable system200has been illustrated and described, one of skill in the art in possession of the present disclosure will recognize that the cable systems utilized according to the teachings of the present disclosure may include a variety of components and component configurations while remaining within the scope of the present disclosure as well.

Referring now toFIG.3, an embodiment of a networking device300is illustrated that may be configured to connect to and disconnect from the cable system200discussed above with reference toFIG.2. In an embodiment, the networking device300may be provided by the IHS100discussed above with reference toFIG.1and/or may include some or all of the components of the IHS100, and in the specific examples discussed below is provided by a co-packaged switch device. However, while illustrated and discussed as a being provided by a co-packaged switch device300, one of skill in the art in possession of the present disclosure will recognize that the functionality of the networking device300discussed below may be provided by other devices that are configured to operate similarly as discussed below. In the illustrated embodiment, the networking device300includes a chassis301that houses the components of the networking device300, only some of which are illustrated below. For example, the chassis301may house a processing system (not illustrated, but which may include the processor102discussed above with reference toFIG.1) and a memory system (not illustrated, but which may include the memory114discussed above with reference toFIG.1) that is coupled to the processing system and that includes instructions that, when executed by the processing system, cause the processing system to provide a networking engine that is configured to perform any of a variety of networking/switching functionality known in the art.

The chassis301may also house a communication system that is coupled to the networking engine (e.g., via a coupling between the communication system and the processing system) and that may be provided by a Network Interface Controller (NIC), wireless communication systems (e.g., BLUETOOTH®, Near Field Communication (NFC) components, WiFi components, cellular components, etc.), and/or any other communication components that would be apparent to one of skill in the art in possession of the present disclosure. For example, the communication system may include a plurality of networking ports302,304,306,308, and up to310that are included in a first (upper) port row on the chassis301, and a plurality of networking ports312,314,316,318, and up to320that are included in a second (lower) port row on the chassis301. While not called out by element numbers, one of skill in the art in possession of the present disclosure will recognize how each of the networking ports302-320includes a pair of pins that are configured to engage the connector pin couplings210aand210bon the cable connector208of the cable system200discussed above with reference toFIG.2, and may also include cable connector securing features that are configured to engage the cable connector208on the cable system200to secure the cable connector208and connectors pin couplings210aand210bto that networking port. In the specific examples provided herein, the networking ports302-320are illustrated and described as being provided by MPO ports, but other ports are envisioned as falling within the scope of the present disclosure as well.

In the illustrated embodiment, each of the networking ports302-320is provided with a cable connector disconnection subsystem, a portion which is illustrated inFIG.3Afor each networking port302-320, with the entire cable connector disconnection subsystem illustrated for networking ports302and312inFIG.3B. As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art in possession of the present disclosure, features of the networking ports302and320, as well as their cable connector disconnection subsystems, are simplified and exaggerated inFIG.3Bin order to clarify the illustration and discussion of the operation of the cable connector disconnection subsystems. For example, each cable connector disconnection subsystem may include a cable connector disconnection actuator322that, in the examples below, may be provided by a button or other element that is moveable relative to the chassis301(e.g., into and out of a surface of the chassis301via which its corresponding networking port is accessible).

However, while particular “push-button” movement of the cable connector disconnection actuators322is described herein, one of skill in the art in possession of the present disclosure will appreciate how other actuator operations will fall within the scope of the present disclosure as well. In the embodiments provided herein, each cable connector disconnection actuator322includes an integrated cable connector connection indicator322athat is illustrated and described below as being provided by a Light Emitting Device (LED), but that one of skill in the art in possession of the present disclosure will appreciate may be provided by a variety of other types of indicator devices known in the art. While not illustrated, one of skill in the art in possession of the present disclosure will appreciate how the cable connector connection indicator322amay be powered using techniques similar to those used to power conventional LEDs that indicate port status (e.g., by drawing power from a switch power supply via a switch board). One of skill in the art in possession of the present disclosure will appreciate how the cable connector disconnection actuators322with integrated cable connector connection indicators322amay provide particular benefits for high density networking ports on a networking device while also providing relatively easy access to the cable connector disconnection actuators322. However, while a particular (push-button integrated) location of the cable connector connection indicator is described, one of skill in the art in possession of the present disclosure will appreciate how the cable connector connection indicators322amay be provided in different locations while remaining within the scope of the present disclosure as well.

With particular reference toFIG.3B, each cable connector disconnection subsystem may also include a cable connector engagement subsystem that, in the illustrated examples, includes a biasing beam324athat is connected to a resilient member324b(e.g., a spring or other resilient element known in the art) that is configured to bias the biasing beam324(and thus the cable connector disconnection actuator322) out of the chassis301(out of the surface of the chassis301via which its corresponding networking port is accessible). Each cable connector engagement subsystem may also include a rotatable element324cthat is connected to the biasing beam324athat is configured to rotate about a pivot point along its length to translate movement of the biasing beam324a(e.g., caused by the movement of the cable connector disconnection actuator322via a force or the resilient member324bas discussed below) to a translation element that includes translation beams324dand324ethat are connected in a T-shaped structure in the illustrated example. A pair of engagement elements324fand324gextend substantially perpendicularly from opposite ends of the translation beam324eand adjacent opposite sides of their networking port, and are configured to move relative to the chassis301and their networking port in response to movement of the cable connector disconnection actuator322that is translated via the biasing beam324a, the rotatable element324c, and the translation beams324dand324e. However, while specific cable connector disconnection subsystems having particular structures are illustrated and described, one of skill in the art in possession of the present disclosure will appreciate how the functionality of the cable connector disconnection subsystems discussed below may be provided in a variety of manners that will fall within the scope of the present disclosure as well.

In the illustrated embodiment, an indicator actuation system326is provided in the chassis301and coupled to the cable connector connection indicators322ain each of the cable connector disconnection actuators322, and may include a proximity sensor located adjacent each networking port (e.g., in the cable connector disconnection actuator322for that networking port, or in other locations that would be apparent to one of skill in the art in possession of the present disclosure), and a cable connector connection indicator activation subsystem that is coupled to that proximity sensor and the cable connector connection indicator322afor that networking port, which as discussed below allows for the activation of that cable connector connection indicator322awhen that proximity sensor detects a cable connector in that networking port. However, while a specific networking device300has been illustrated and described, one of skill in the art in possession of the present disclosure will recognize that networking devices (or other devices operating according to the teachings of the present disclosure in a manner similar to that described below for the networking device300) may include a variety of components and/or component configurations for providing conventional networking device functionality, as well as the functionality discussed below, while remaining within the scope of the present disclosure as well.

Referring now toFIG.4, an embodiment of a method400for disconnecting a cable connector is illustrated. As discussed below, the systems and methods of the present disclosure provide a cable connector disconnection subsystem for a networking port on a networking device that, when a cable connector on a cable is connected to that networking port, includes a cable connector disconnection actuator that may be actuated to move the cable connector disconnection actuator relative to the networking device, with that movement translated to the cable connector disconnection subsystem such that the cable connector disconnection subsystem extends adjacent the networking port and into engagement with the cable connector to disconnect the cable connector from the networking port. For example, the cable connector disconnection system of the present disclosure may include a cable having a cable connector, and a computing device. The computing device includes a computing device connector that connects to the cable connector, a cable connector disconnection actuator that is spaced apart from the computing device connector on the computing device and that is configured to move relative to the computing device, and a cable connector engagement subsystem that is located immediately adjacent the computing device connector and that is coupled to the cable connector disconnection actuator. Movement of the cable connector disconnection actuator relative to the computing device when the cable connector is connected to the computing device connector causes the cable connector engagement subsystem to move relative to the computing device connector and into engagement with the cable connector to disconnect the cable connector from the computing device connector. As such, issues with conventional “pull-tab” cable connection disconnection/release mechanisms discussed above are eliminated.

The method400begins at block402where a computing device connector on a chassis is connected to a cable connector on a cable. While the cable connector disconnection system of the present disclosure is illustrated and described below as being utilized with the networking port302, one of skill in the art in possession of the present disclosure will appreciate how similar operations may be performed for any of the networking ports304-320while remaining within the scope of the present disclosure as well. With reference toFIGS.5A and5B, in an embodiment of block402, a user of the networking device300/cable system200may position the cable system200adjacent the cable connector302on the networking device300such that the cable connector208is aligned with the networking port302(e.g., with the connector pin couplings210aand210bon the cable connector208aligned with the pins on the networking port302). The user may then move the cable system200in a direction A such that the cable connector208enters the networking port302and the connector pin couplings210aand210bon the cable connector208engage the pins on the networking port302. As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art in possession of the present disclosure, the networking port302and/or the cable connector208may include alignment features that operate to align the connector pin couplings210aand210bon the cable connector208with the pins on the networking port302to ensure their engagement as the cable system200is moved in the direction A, as well as securing features that operate to secure the cable connector208to the networking port302(and the connector pin couplings210aand210bon the cable connector208in the pins on the networking port302) as well.

As illustrated inFIG.5B, in some embodiments the cable connector connection indicator322aon the cable connector disconnection actuator322may illuminate (as indicated by element500inFIG.5B) in response to the connection of the cable connector208/connector pin couplings210a/210bto the networking port302. For example, the proximity sensor provided by the indicator activation system326for the networking port302may detect the coupling/connection of the cable connector208/connector pin couplings210a/210bto the networking port302(e.g., via the proximity of the cable connector208/connector pin couplings210a/210bto that proximity sensor as that coupling/connection occurs) and, in response, may provide a connection signal to the cable connector connection indicator322athat causes it to illuminate and indicate to a user that the cable system200is properly connected to the networking port302. However, as discussed above, while a particular technique for detecting a connection (e.g., proximity) and providing a connection indication (e.g., illumination of an LED) are described herein, one of skill in the art in possession of the present disclosure will appreciate how the connection of the cable system200to the networking port302may be indicated in a variety of manners that will fall within the scope of the present disclosure as well. As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art in possession of the present disclosure, following the connection of the cable system200to the networking port302, the networking device300may utilize the networking port302/cable system200to transmit data to device(s) coupled to networking port302via the cable system200.

The method400then proceeds to block404where a cable connector disconnection actuator for the computing device connector is moved relative to the chassis. With reference toFIGS.5C and5D, in an embodiment of block404, the user of the networking device300/cable system200may wish to disconnect the cable system200from the networking port302on the networking device300. As illustrated inFIG.5C, the user of the networking device300/cable system200may provide a force502on the cable connector disconnection actuator322by pressing a “push-button” cable connector disconnection actuator in this example which, as illustrated inFIG.5D, may cause the cable connector disconnection actuator322to move in a direction B relative to the chassis301. However, as discussed above, other embodiments of the present disclosure may utilize other types of cable connector disconnection actuators that may be actuated in other manners while remaining within the scope of the present disclosure as well.

The method400then proceeds to block406where a cable connector disconnection subsystem for the computing device connector moves in response to movement of the cable connector disconnection actuator, relative to the computing device connector, and into engagement with the cable connector to disconnect the cable connector from the computing device connector. With reference again toFIG.5D, in an embodiment of block406, the force502on the cable connector disconnection actuator322that causes the cable connector disconnection actuator322to move in the direction B relative to the chassis301also moves the biasing beam324aby overcoming the force provided by the resilient member324b(e.g., a spring force or other resilient force known in the art) to move the cable connector disconnection actuator322(and the biasing beam324) into the chassis301(into the surface of the chassis301via which the networking port302is accessible). As can be seen inFIG.5D, movement of the biasing beam324arotates the rotatable element324cabout the pivot point along its length to translate the movement of the biasing beam324a(e.g., caused by the movement of the cable connector disconnection actuator322via the force502) to the translation element that includes translation beams324dand324econnected in the T-shaped structure in the illustrated examples.

Furthermore, movement of the translation element moves the pair of engagement elements324fand324grelative to the networking port302such that they extend from the networking port302and into engagement with the connector sleeve206on the cable system200. As illustrated inFIG.5D, engagement of the engagement elements324fand324gwith the connector sleeve206and continued movement of the engagement elements324fand324gwill provide sufficient force on connector sleeve206to cause the connector sleeve206to move relative to the cable connector208to release the cable connector208from the networking port302, and may further cause the cable system200to move in a direction C and will operate to disconnect the cable connector208/connector pin couplings210a/210bfrom the networking port302. As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art in possession of the present disclosure, the cable connector disconnection subsystem may be configured in a manner that allows the force502(which may not exceed “push-button” force thresholds known in the art) to be translated into a force that is sufficient to move the connector sleeve206relative to the cable connector208and, in some examples, disengage the securing features on the cable connector208and the networking port302in order to allow their disconnection and movement in the direction C illustrated inFIG.5D. As will also be appreciated by one of skill in the art in possession of the present disclosure, the illumination of the cable connector connection indicator322a(illustrated and described above with reference toFIG.5B) may continue as long as the cable connector208and the networking port302are connected, and may cease once they are disconnected and/or moved in the direction C illustrated inFIG.5D. Following the disconnection of the cable connector208and the networking port302, the user of the networking device300/cable system200may continue to move the cable system200in the direction C to remove the cable system200from the networking device300, and may connect that cable system200to another networking port.

Thus, systems and methods have been described that provide a MPO cable connector disconnection subsystem for a switch port on a switch device that, when an MPO cable connector on an MPO cable is connected to that switch port, includes an MPO cable connector disconnection actuator that may be actuated to move the MPO cable connector disconnection actuator relative to the switch device, with that movement translated to an MPO cable connector disconnection subsystem such that the MPO cable connector disconnection subsystem extends adjacent the switch port and into engagement with the MPO cable connector to disconnect the MPO cable connector from the switch port. For example, the MPO cable connector disconnection system of the present disclosure may include an MPO cable having an MPO cable connector, and a switch device. The switch device includes a switch port that connects to the MPO cable connector, an MPO cable connector disconnection actuator that is spaced apart from the switch port on the switch device and that is configured to move relative to the switch device, and an MPO cable connector engagement subsystem that is located immediately adjacent the switch port and that is coupled to the MPO cable connector disconnection actuator. Movement of the MPO cable connector disconnection actuator relative to the switch device when the MPO cable connector is connected to the switch port causes the MPO cable connector engagement subsystem to move relative to the switch port and into engagement with the MPO cable connector to disconnect the MPO cable connector from the switch port. As such, issues with conventional “pull-tab” cable connection disconnection/release mechanisms are eliminated.