Apparatus, system, and method for improving communicative connections between field-replaceable units and telecommunication systems

The disclosed apparatus may include (1) a housing designed to house a field-replaceable unit within a telecommunication system, (2) a connector that is designed to electrically interface the field-replaceable unit with the telecommunication system in the housing, (3) a spring that is coupled to the housing, and (4) a movable injection cam that is coupled to the spring such that, when the field-replaceable unit is installed in the housing by way of an ejection lever that presses against the movable injection cam, the spring applies a force on the movable injection cam that causes the movable injection cam to push the field-replaceable unit toward the connector. Various other apparatuses, systems, and methods are also disclosed.

BACKGROUND

Telecommunication systems (such as routers) are often used to facilitate the flow of traffic within networks. These telecommunication systems may include slots and/or housings for field-replaceable units (such Physical Interface Cards (PICs)) that provide physical communication ports for carrying traffic. For example, a telecommunication system may include a Flexible PIC Concentrator (FPC) that provides slots and/or housings for a certain number of PICs. When a PIC is inserted and/or installed into the FPC, the PIC and the FPC may form a communicative connection that facilitates the flow of traffic across one another.

Unfortunately, in the event that any significant “de-mate” or “under-mate” exists and/or occurs between the PIC and the FPC, the signal integrity of the traffic may diminish as the speed of the traffic increases above a certain level. In this context, the terms “de-mate” and “under-mate” generally refer to any state and/or condition in which an air gap and/or deficient contact interferes with and/or impairs communications transferred at a certain speed across a connection. This diminished signal integrity may lead to errors, misinterpretations, and/or failures in the software and/or firmware of the telecommunication system. As a result, the telecommunication system may experience a decrease in performance and/or reliability when forwarding traffic at high speeds (e.g., at or above 25 gigahertz).

The instant disclosure, therefore, identifies and addresses a need for apparatuses, systems, and methods for improving communicative connections between field-replaceable units and telecommunication systems.

SUMMARY

As will be described in greater detail below, the instant disclosure generally relates to apparatuses, systems, and methods for improving communicative connections between field-replaceable units and telecommunication systems. In one example, an apparatus for accomplishing such a task may include (1) a housing designed to house a field-replaceable unit within a telecommunication system, (2) a connector that is designed to electrically interface the field-replaceable unit with the telecommunication system in the housing, (3) a spring that is coupled to the housing, and (4) a movable injection cam that is coupled to the spring such that, when the field-replaceable unit is installed in the housing by way of an ejection lever that presses against the movable injection cam, the spring applies a force on the movable injection cam that causes the movable injection cam to push the field-replaceable unit toward the connector.

Similarly, a telecommunication system incorporating the above-described apparatus may include (1) a housing designed to house a field-replaceable unit, (2) a connector that is coupled to a unit concentrator and designed to electrically interface the field-replaceable unit with the unit concentrator in the housing, (3) a spring that is coupled to the housing, and (4) a movable injection cam that is coupled to the spring such that, when the field-replaceable unit is installed in the housing by way of an ejection lever that presses against the movable injection cam, the spring applies a force on the movable injection cam that causes the movable injection cam to push the field-replaceable unit toward the connector.

A corresponding method may include (1) coupling a spring to a housing that is (A) designed to house a field-replaceable unit within a telecommunication system and (B) equipped with a connector that is designed to electrically interface the field-replaceable unit with the telecommunication system and (2) coupling a movable injection cam to the spring such that, when the field-replaceable unit is installed in the housing by way of an ejection lever that presses against the movable injection cam, the spring applies a force on the movable injection cam that causes the movable injection cam to push the field-replaceable unit toward the connector.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The present disclosure describes various apparatuses, systems, and methods for improving communicative connections between field-replaceable units and telecommunication systems. As will be explained in greater detail below, embodiments of the instant disclosure may mitigate, decrease, and/or eliminate de-mate or under-mate that exists and/or occurs between field-replaceable units and telecommunication systems. Accordingly, embodiments of the instant disclose may effectively compensate for and/or offset any variation, inconsistency, and/or tolerance resulting from imperfect manufacturing and/or assembly of connectors used to connect field-replaceable units and telecommunication systems with one another. This compensation and/or offset may facilitate maintaining and/or improving the signal integrity of high-speed traffic (e.g., at or above 25 gigahertz) handled by telecommunication systems.

As a result, embodiments of the instant disclosure may enable telecommunication systems to avoid software errors, misinterpretations, and/or failures resulting from poor signal integrity. Embodiments of the instant disclosure may thus improve and/or increase the performance and/or reliability of telecommunication systems when forwarding traffic at high speeds (e.g., at or above 25 gigahertz). The terms “de-mate” and “under-mate,” as used herein with reference to a connection, generally refer to any state and/or condition in which an air gap and/or deficient contact interferes with and/or impairs communications transferred at a certain speed across the connection.

The following will provide, with reference toFIG. 1-8, detailed descriptions of exemplary apparatuses and corresponding implementations that improve communicative connections between field-replaceable units and telecommunication systems. In addition, detailed descriptions of exemplary methods for improving communicative connections between field-replaceable units and telecommunication systems will be provided in connection withFIG. 9.

FIG. 1shows an exemplary apparatus100for improving communicative connections between field-replaceable units and telecommunication systems. As illustrated inFIG. 1, apparatus100may include a housing102designed to house a field-replaceable unit within a telecommunication system110. The term “housing,” as used herein, generally refers to any type or form of slot, receptacle, and/or enclosure that accepts and/or is fitted for a field-replaceable unit within a telecommunication system. In one example, housing102may include and/or represent a slot and/or receptacle within an FPC of telecommunication system110. In this example, housing102may be designed and/or fitted to house a PIC inserted and/or installed into the FPC.

Examples of telecommunication system110include, without limitation, routers (such as provider edge routers, hub routers, spoke routers, autonomous system boundary routers, and/or area border routers), FPCs, switches, hubs, modems, bridges, repeaters, gateways, multiplexers, network adapters, network interfaces, network racks, chasses, servers, computing devices, portions of one or more of the same, combinations or variations of one or more of the same, and/or any other suitable telecommunication system.

As illustrated inFIG. 1, apparatus100may also include one or more connectors, such as connectors104(1) and104(2). The term “connector,” as used herein, generally refers to any type or form of full or partial fastener, fitting, receptacle, and/or coupling that facilitates a communicative connection and/or interface between a field-replaceable unit and a telecommunication system. In one example, connectors104(1) and104(2) may be designed to communicatively interface a PIC with an FPC of telecommunication system110. In this example, connectors104(1) and104(2) may each include and/or represent one side of a connection and/or interface between the PIC and the FPC. In particular, this side of the connection and/or interface may be located on and/or provided by the FPC. The other side of the connection and/or interface may be located on and/or provided by the PIC.

In some examples, connectors104(1) and104(2) may include and/or represent electrical connectors that facilitate communication by way of electrical signals. In other examples, connectors104(1) and104(2) may include and/or represent optical connectors that facilitate communication by way of optical signals.

As illustrated inFIG. 1, apparatus100may further include one or more springs, such as springs106(1) and106(2). The term “spring,” as used herein, generally refers to any type or form of device, object, and/or mechanism that stores and/or discharges mechanical energy and/or force. Examples of springs106(1) and106(2) include, without limitation, tension springs, extension springs, leaf springs, horseshoe springs, torsion springs, compression springs, coil springs, constant-force springs, gas springs, combinations or variations of one or more of the same, and/or any other suitable springs.

In one example, springs106(1) and106(2) may be coupled to housing102within telecommunication system110. In this example, springs106(1) and106(2) may be designed and/or set to apply and/or exert a force that pushes a PIC toward connectors104(1) and104(2). In other words, springs106(1) and106(2) may be designed and/or set to apply and/or exert a force that causes connectors on a PIC to securely and/or sufficiently press against connectors104(1) and104(2), thereby forming and/or creating a secure physical connection between the field-replaceable unit and telecommunication system110so as to maintain the signal integrity of traffic that passes through that physical connection at high speeds (e.g., at or above 25 gigahertz).

As illustrated inFIG. 1, apparatus100may further include one or more movable injection cams, such as movable injection cams108(1) and108(2). The term “movable injection cam,” as used herein, generally refers to any type or form of physical member, object, and/or shaft that movably and/or physically interfaces with an ejection lever of a field-replaceable unit to facilitate securing the filed-replaceable unit to a telecommunication system. Examples of movable injection cams108(1) and108(2) include, without limitation, members, handles, levers, shafts, arms, knobs, portions of one or more of the same, combinations or variations of one or more of the same, and/or any other suitable movable injection cams.

In one example, movable injection cams108(1) and108(2) may be coupled to springs106(1) and106(2). Although often discussed herein as being separate and/or distinct from springs106(1) and106(2), movable injection cams108(1) and108(2) may, in some embodiments, form and/or be considered part of springs106(1) and106(2).

FIG. 2shows an exemplary implementation200of an apparatus for improving communicative connections between field-replaceable units and telecommunication systems. As illustrated inFIG. 2, implementation200may include and/or involve a field-replaceable unit202. The term “field-replaceable unit,” as used herein, generally refers to any type or form of circuit board and/or module designed to be replaceable in and/or removable from a telecommunication system after deployment at a network site. Examples of field-replaceable unit202include, without limitation, PICs, line cards, Switch Interface Boards (SIBS), control boards, routing engines, communication ports, fan trays, connector interface panels, combinations or variations of one or more of the same, and/or any other suitable field-replaceable unit. Although often discussed herein as being separate and/or distinct from telecommunication system110, field-replaceable unit202may alternatively form and/or be considered part of telecommunication system110.

In one example, field-replaceable unit202may be inserted and/or installed into telecommunication system110. For example, a network administrator may insert and/or install field-replaceable unit202into telecommunication system110while telecommunication system110continues to run within a network. Upon insertion and/or installation, connectors on field-replaceable unit202may connect and/or interface with connectors104(1) and104(2). As a result, these connectors may collectively form and/or establish a secure physical and/or communicative connection between field-replaceable unit202and telecommunication system110. Field-replaceable unit202may include ports and/or interfaces that facilitate communication within a network and/or across a plurality of networks.

As illustrated inFIG. 2, implementation200may also include and/or involve a unit concentrator204. The term “unit concentrator,” as used herein, generally refers to any type or form of circuit board and/or module that communicatively connects certain ports and/or interfaces across a plurality of field-replaceable units installed in a telecommunication system. Examples of unit concentrator204include, without limitation, FPCs, backplanes, motherboards of telecommunication systems, combinations or variations of one or more of the same, and/or any other suitable unit concentrator. Although often discussed herein as being separate and/or distinct from telecommunication system110, unit concentrator204may alternatively form and/or be considered part of telecommunication system110.

As illustrated inFIG. 2, field-replaceable unit202may include one or more ejection levers, such as ejection levers206(1) and206(2). The term “ejection lever,” as used herein, generally refers to any type or form of physical member, object, and/or shaft that is coupled to a field-replaceable unit and/or physically interfaces with an injection cam of a telecommunication system to facilitate securing the field-replaceable unit to the telecommunication system. Examples of ejection levers206(1) and206(2) include, without limitation, members, handles, levers, shafts, arms, knobs, portions of one or more of the same, combinations or variations of one or more of the same, and/or any other suitable ejection levers.

In one example, ejection levers206(1) and206(2) may each be coupled to field-replaceable unit202. In this example, ejection levers206(1) and206(2) may each be rotatable about an axis of field-replaceable unit202. For example, upon inserting and/or installing field-replaceable unit202into telecommunication system110, a network administrator may rotate, close, and/or shut ejection levers206(1) and206(2) such that they press against movable injection cams108(1) and108(2), respectively. Accordingly, ejection levers206(1) and206(2) may physically interface with movable injection cams108(1) and108(2), respectively.

Once ejection levers206(1) and206(2) have physically interfaced with movable injection cams108(1) and108(2) in this way, springs106(1) and106(2) may apply and/or exert forces on movable injection cams108(1) and108(2), respectively. These forces may cause movable injection cams108(1) and108(2) to push or pull field-replaceable unit202toward connectors104(1) and104(2) and/or unit concentrator204. By applying such forces on movable injection cams108(1) and108(2) and thus causing movable injection cams108(1) and108(2) to push or pull field-replaceable unit202toward connectors104(1) and104(2) in this way, springs106(1) and106(2) may mitigate and/or decrease the level of de-mate or under-mate that would otherwise exist and/or occur between the connectors of field-replaceable unit202and connectors104(1) and104(2).

Additionally or alternatively, springs106(1) and106(2) may effectively compensate for and/or offset any variation, inconsistency, and/or tolerance resulting from imperfect manufacturing and/or assembly of connectors used to connect field-replaceable unit202and telecommunication system110with one another. This compensation and/or offset provided by springs106(1) and106(2) may facilitate maintaining and/or improving the signal integrity of high-speed traffic (e.g., at or above 25 gigahertz) handled by telecommunication system110. As a result, telecommunication system110and/or field-replaceable unit202may be able to avoid software errors, misinterpretations, and/or failures resulting from poor signal integrity. In this way, springs106(1) and106(2) may improve and/or increase the performance and/or reliability of telecommunication system110and/or field-replaceable unit202when handling traffic at high speeds (e.g., at or above 25 gigahertz).

In one example, the forces applied by springs106(1) and106(2) may cause movable injection cams108(1) and108(2), respectively, to push or pull field-replaceable unit202toward connectors104(1) and104(2) such that the connectors on field-replaceable unit202fully mate with connectors104(1) and104(2). The term “fully mate,” as used herein with reference to a connection, generally refers to any state and/or condition in which no air gap and/or deficient contact interferes with and/or impairs communications transferred across the connection. Accordingly, in the event that the connectors on field-replaceable unit202and connectors104(1) and104(2) are fully mated with one another, any air gap that exists and/or occurs between those connectors will not lead to and/or result in any errors, misinterpretations, and/or failures in the software and/or firmware of telecommunication system110when handling traffic at a certain speed (e.g., at or above 25 gigahertz). In other words, any air gap that exists and/or occurs between connectors on field-replaceable unit202and unit concentrator204when fully mated together may have an insignificant and/or negligible effect on the integrity of signals exchanged between field-replaceable unit202and unit concentrator204via connectors104(1) and104(2).

In some examples, connectors104(1) and104(2) may include conductors that facilitate exchanging signals between field-replaceable unit202and telecommunication system110via unit concentrator204. In such examples, the connectors on field-replaceable unit202may include conductors that interface with the conductors in connectors104(1) and104(2) such that field-replaceable unit202and unit concentrator204fully mate with one another.

In some examples, springs106(1) and106(2) may constitute and/or represent extension and/or tension springs that apply force by way of tension. As a specific example,FIG. 3illustrates an exemplary spring-loaded mechanism that includes spring106(2) coupled to housing102and a series of pivoted links302that connect spring106(2) to movable injection cam108(2). In this example, spring106(2) may constitute and/or represent an extension and/or tension spring that applies tensile force on series of pivoted links302. Series of pivoted links302may connect the extension and/or tension spring to movable injection cam108(2). Additionally or alternatively, series of pivoted links302may transfer tensile force from the extension and/or tension spring to movable injection cam108(2), thereby applying the tensile force to movable injection cam108(2).

Continuing with this example, spring106(2) may pre-load the input link within series of pivoted links302with an input force. Series of pivoted links302may amplify the amplitude of the input force by the linkage mechanical advantage, thereby resulting in a greater output force applied to the output link (which, in this case, is movable injection cam108(2)). Moreover, series of pivoted links302may reduce the amount of motion generated by and/or at movable injection cam108(2) by the linkage gear-ratio. This trade-off may make the spring-loaded mechanism less sensitive to variation, inconsistency, and/or tolerance across connectors. Additionally or alternatively, this trade-off may allow and/or facilitate a pseudo-constant insertion force over a small range of motion.

As another specific example,FIG. 4illustrates an exemplary spring-loaded mechanism that includes spring106(2) coupled to housing102and series of pivoted links302that connect spring106(2) to movable injection cam108(2). In this example, field-replaceable unit202may be inserted and/or installed into housing102by rotating, closing, and/or shutting ejection lever206(2) such that it presses against movable injection cam108(2). Spring106(2) may apply tensile force on movable injection cam108(2). This tensile force may cause movable injection cam108(2) to push or pull on ejection lever206(2), thereby driving and/or thrusting field-replaceable unit202toward the connection point between field-replaceable unit202and unit concentrator204(not illustrated inFIG. 4).

As a further example,FIG. 5illustrates an exemplary spring-loaded mechanism that includes spring106(2) coupled to housing102and series of pivoted links302that connect spring106(2) to movable injection cam108(2). In this example, field-replaceable unit202may be inserted and/or installed into housing102by way of ejection lever206(2). For example, spring106(2) may apply tensile force on movable injection cam108(2). This tensile force may cause movable injection cam108(2) to push or pull on ejection lever206(2), thereby driving and/or thrusting field-replaceable unit202toward the connection point between field-replaceable unit202and unit concentrator204(not illustrated inFIG. 5).

In some examples, springs106(1) and106(2) may constitute and/or represent horseshoe leaf springs that apply force by way of pre-loaded bending. As a specific example,FIG. 6illustrates an exemplary spring-loaded mechanism that includes spring106(2) coupled to housing102. In this example, spring106(2) may constitute and/or represent a horseshoe leaf spring that includes movable injection cam108(2), which represents the portion of the horseshoe leaf spring that interfaces with and/or applies force to ejection lever206(2) of field-replaceable unit202(not illustrated inFIG. 6). Since ejection lever206(2) is coupled to field-replaceable unit202, this force may effectively push or pull field-replaceable unit202toward the connection point between field-replaceable unit202and unit concentrator204(not illustrated inFIG. 6).

Continuing with this example, the horseshoe leaf spring may have one end that is fixed to housing102by a yoke clamp and another end (e.g., movable injection cam108(2)) that is free to move and/or behave in accordance with the spring's output force. As ejection lever206(2) rotates, closes, and/or shuts onto movable injection cam108(2), ejection lever206(2) may grab and/or press against movable injection cam108(2), thereby causing deflection. The spring's pre-load force may increase the deflection on movable injection cam108(2) and thrust or drive the connectors of field-replaceable unit202(not illustrated inFIG. 6) toward connectors104(1) and104(2) of unit concentrator204(not illustrated inFIG. 6). Additionally or alternatively, the spring's output force may keep and/or maintain these connectors in a fully mated state and/or condition.

As another example,FIG. 7illustrates an exemplary spring-loaded mechanism that includes spring106(2) coupled to housing102. In this example, field-replaceable unit202may be inserted and/or installed into housing102by rotating, closing, and/or shutting ejection lever206(2) such that it presses against movable injection cam108(2). Spring106(2) may apply bending force on movable injection cam108(2). This bending force may cause movable injection cam108(2) to push or pull on ejection lever206(2), thereby driving and/or thrusting field-replaceable unit202toward the connection point between field-replaceable unit202and unit concentrator204(not illustrated inFIG. 7).

In some examples, springs106(1) and106(2) may constitute and/or represent torsion springs that apply force by way of pre-loaded twisting. As a specific example,FIG. 8illustrates an exemplary spring-loaded mechanism that includes spring106(2) coupled to housing102. In this example, spring106(2) may constitute and/or represent a torsion spring that includes movable injection cam108(2), which represents the portion of the torsion spring that interfaces with and/or applies force to ejection lever206(2) of field-replaceable unit202(not illustrated inFIG. 8). Since ejection lever206(2) is coupled to field-replaceable unit202, this force may effectively push or pull field-replaceable unit202toward the connection point between field-replaceable unit202and unit concentrator204(not illustrated inFIG. 8).

Continuing with this example, the torsion spring may wrap around a mandrel and have one end that is fixed to housing102. In this example, the other end of the torsion spring may constitute and/or represent movable injection cam108(2), which is free to move and/or behave in accordance with the spring's output force. As ejection lever206(2) rotates, closes, and/or shuts onto movable injection cam108(2), ejection lever206(2) may grab and/or press against movable injection cam108(2), thereby causing deflection. The spring's output force applied to ejection lever206(2) may thrust and/or drive the connectors of field-replaceable unit202(not illustrated inFIG. 8) toward connectors104(1) and104(2) of unit concentrator204(not illustrated inFIG. 8). Additionally or alternatively, the spring's output force may keep and/or maintain these connectors in a fully mated state and/or condition.

FIG. 9is a flow diagram of an exemplary method900for improving communicative connections between field-replaceable units and telecommunication systems. Method900may include the step of coupling a spring to a housing that is (1) designed to house a field-replaceable unit within a telecommunication system and (2) equipped with a connector that is designed to communicatively interface the field-replaceable unit with the telecommunication system (910). This coupling step may be performed in a variety of ways. For example, a telecommunication equipment manufacturer may manufacture telecommunication system110, which includes unit concentrator204. When manufacturing telecommunication system110, the telecommunication equipment manufacturer may manually couple springs106(1) and106(2) to housing102of unit concentrator204.

Additionally or alternatively, the telecommunication equipment manufacturer may utilize computer-controlled and/or automated robotics to couple springs106(1) and106(2) to housing102within telecommunication system110. For example, the telecommunication equipment manufacturer may implement a robotic assembly system that includes certain combinations of hardware, software, and/or firmware. In this example, the robotic assembly system may control a hardware-based robotic tool that physically couples springs106(1) and106(2) to housing102as directed and/or programmed by certain software and/or firmware modules.

Returning toFIG. 9, method900may also include the step of coupling a movable injection cam to the spring such that, when the field-replaceable unit is installed in the housing by way of an ejection lever that presses against the movable injection cam, the spring applies a force on the movable injection cam that causes the movable injection cam to push the field-replaceable unit toward the connector (920). This coupling step may be performed in a variety of ways. For example, a telecommunication equipment manufacturer may manually couple movable injection cams108(1) and108(2) to springs106(1) and106(2), respectively. Additionally or alternatively, the telecommunication equipment manufacturer may implement a robotic assembly system that controls a hardware-based robotic tool that couples movable injection cams108(1) and108(2) to springs106(1) and106(2), respectively, as directed and/or programmed by certain software and/or firmware modules.

As explained above in connection withFIGS. 1-9, a spring-loaded insertion mechanism may mitigate, decrease, and/or eliminate de-mate or under-mate that exists and/or occurs between a field-replaceable unit and a telecommunication system. This spring-loaded insertion mechanism may effectively compensate for and/or offset any variation, inconsistency, and/or tolerance resulting from imperfect manufacturing and/or assembly of connectors used to connect the field-replaceable unit and the telecommunication system with one another. This compensation and/or offset may facilitate maintaining and/or improving the signal integrity of high-speed traffic (e.g., at or above 25 gigahertz) handled by the telecommunication system. As a result, the spring-loaded insertion mechanism may enable the telecommunication system to avoid software errors, misinterpretations, and/or failures resulting from poor signal integrity. Accordingly, the spring-loaded insertion mechanism may improve and/or increase the performance and/or reliability of the telecommunication system when forwarding traffic at high speeds (e.g., at or above 25 gigahertz).

While the foregoing disclosure sets forth various embodiments using specific illustrations, flowcharts, and examples, each illustration component, flowchart step, operation, and/or component described and/or exemplified herein may be implemented, individually and/or collectively, using a wide range of hardware, software, or firmware (or any combination thereof) configurations. In addition, any disclosure of components contained within other components should be considered exemplary in nature since many other architectures can be implemented to achieve the same functionality.