Abstract:
An electronic module ( 10 ) includes a housing having a longitudinal body portion and a mounting portion extending rearward from the body portion, with a channel ( 1221 ) defined in a top or bottom section of the mounting portion; an ejector mechanism including a slider member ( 61 ) accommodated in the channel of mounting portion and an actuator member ( 62 ) pivotally engaged with the mounting portion, said actuator member further linked to the slider member for pushing the slider member forwardly moving along the channel; and a spring member ( 8 ) arranged between the slider member and the mounting portion and capable of pushing the slider member rearward moving along the channel.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/900,496, filed on Sep. 12, 2007 and entitled “LATCH MECHANISM WITH SPRING BACK FUNCTION”, now the U.S. Pat. No. 7,402,070; the application also related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/999,403, filed on Dec. 5, 2007 and entitled “ELECTRONIC MODULE WITH SEAMLESS ANTI-EMI DEVICE”, and the aforesaid applications have the same applicant and assignee as the present invention. The disclosure of the related application is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention generally relates to an electronic module, and more particularly to an electronic module with an auto-return ejector mechanism. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    SFP (Small Form-factor Pluggable), X-SFP and QSFP are all modules for fiber optic transmission or ordinary signal transmission. All of the modules are of small size or form factor which is important. The smaller the form factor of the module, the less space taken on a printed circuit board to which it couples. A smaller form factor allows a greater number of modules to be coupled onto a printed circuit board to support additional communication channels. However, the smaller form factor makes it more difficult for a user to handle. 
         [0006]    When such a module embedded in a system fails, it is desirable to replace it, particularly when other communication channels are supported by other modules. To replace a failed module, it needs to be pluggable into a module receptacle. While, plugging in a new module is usually easy, it is more difficult to remove the failed module because of other components surrounding it. Additionally, a user should not attempt to pull on cables of the module in order to try and remove a failed module or else the user might cause damage thereto. 
         [0007]    A typical release method for a pluggable module is to push in on the module itself and then pull out on the module to release it from a cage assembly or module receptacle. It has been determined than this method is not very reliable with users complaining of the difficulty in removing pluggable modules in such manner. Users often complain that traditional methods offer little leverage in getting a sufficient grip on the module when attempting to pull it out of a module receptacle. Another complaint is that traditional actuators used to remove modules are inaccessible or invisible. Other users complain than once released by the traditional method, it is difficult to withdraw the module out of its cage or module receptacle. 
         [0008]    Therefore, designers developed different solutions to solve above problems accounted by the users, such as disclosed by U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,744,963, 6,851,867, 6,749,448, 6,884,097, 6,908,323, 7,052,306, 6,824,416 and 7,090,523. The theories of theses patents are substantially the same, that is each module is received in corresponding cage or module receptacle and comprises a pair of sliders with forward ends engaging with tabs of the cage, and a bail or lever capable of rotating to actuate the sliders linearly to separate forward ends of the sliders from the tabs. The action theory of theses patents successfully solve the problems mentioned above. However, for returning to original position, the latch mechanisms usually adopt bias elements which provide elastic restore force to the latch mechanism. The present invention provides an electronic module with an improved ejector mechanism having self spring back function. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic module having an improved ejector mechanism. 
         [0010]    In order to achieve the object set forth, an electronic module comprising a housing having a longitudinal body portion and a mounting portion extending rearward from the body portion, with a channel defined in a top or bottom section of the mounting portion; an ejector mechanism including a slider member accommodated in the channel of mounting portion and an actuator member pivotally engaged with the mounting portion, said actuator member further linked to the slider member for pushing the slider member forwardly moving along the channel; and a spring member arranged between the slider member and the mounting portion and capable of pushing the slider member rearward moving along the channel. 
         [0011]    Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is an exploded, perspective view of an electronic module in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a view similar to  FIG. 1 , but viewed from another aspect; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is an assembled, perspective view of the electronic module; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a view similar to  FIG. 3 , but viewed from another aspect; and 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a cross-section view taken along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 4 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0017]    Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0018]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-5 , an electronic module  100  comprises a housing (not numbered) including a conductive base portion  1  and a conductive panel portion  2 , a printed circuit board  3 , a cable  4 , a metal gasket  5  and an ejector mechanism (not numbered) for separating the electronic module  10  from a complementary connector (not shown). The electronic module  10  further has a spring member  8  assembled to the ejector mechanism for providing a return force. The housing has a longitudinal body portion (not numbered) and a mounting portion (not numbered) extending rearward from the body portion. The metal gasket  5  is attached to a rear segment of a peripheral surface of the body portion and adjacent to the mounting portion. 
         [0019]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-2 , the base portion  1  is die-cast or other metal plated body, including a primary body portion  11  and a first mounting portion  12  rearward extending from back segment of the primary body portion  11 . The primary body portion  11  has a pair of lateral walls  111 ,  112  and a bottom wall  113  joining to lower sections of the two lateral walls  111 ,  112  to from a receiving space  110  with an upper window (not numbered). Rear sections of the pair of the lateral walls  111 ,  112  define a pair of first depression portions  1110 . A front section of the bottom wall  113  is cut to form an outlet  1131 . A rear section of the bottom wall defines a first channel  1132  located in a middle area thereof, with a lock tab  1135  formed in the front and middle therein. A pair of L-shaped depression portions  1134  are defined in two lateral areas of the rear section of the bottom wall  113 , disposed outward of the first channel  1132 . A pair of tiny posts  1136  are respectively arranged in the pair of L-shaped depression portions  1134  and adjacent to one another. The primary body portion  11  further has beam portion  114  with substantially L-shaped cross-section interconnecting distal portions of the pair of the lateral walls  111 ,  112 . 
         [0020]    The first mounting portion  12  has a pair of side walls  121  and a lower wall  122  to corporately form a first semi-circular cavity  1201  and a deeper first position slot  1202  located in front of the first semi-circular cavity  1201 . A second channel  1221  is defined in a middle area of the lower wall  122  and communicates with the first channel  1132  of the primary body portion  11 . A stop member  1133  is located in a front portion of the second channel  1221  and aligns with the lock tab  1135  along a front-to-back direction. A pair of guiding members  123  are respectively formed on lateral areas of the lower wall  122 . A thin bar member  1231  projects inwardly from an inner surface of a rear portion of each guiding member  123 . A lengthways guiding groove  1232  is located in a middle segment of each guiding member  123  and disposed in front of the bar member  1231 . A pair of pivot members  1211  are respectively formed on upper sections of the outer surfaces of the pair of side walls  121 . A pair of screw holes  1212  are respectively recessed downward from up surfaces of rear sections of the side walls  121 . 
         [0021]    The panel portion  2  is die-cast or metal plated body, including a secondary body portion  21  and a second mounting portion  22  rearward extending from back segment of the secondary body portion  21 . The secondary body portion  21  has a planar board member  213  and a pair of flange members  211 ,  212  formed on lateral sides of the board member  213 . A second depression portion  2130  is defined in a peripheral portion of a rear portion of the board member  213 . A vertical wall  2131  is arranged on an inner side of the front section of the board member  213 . A pair of supporting posts  2133  are located back of the vertical wall  2131 , and each supporting post  2133  further defines a second screw hole  2134  therein. A protrusion portion  2132  extends forwardly form inner surface of a front portion of the board member  213 . 
         [0022]    The panel portion  2  further includes a second mounting portion  22  rearward extending from a back face of the secondary body portion  21 . The second mounting portion  22  also has a pair of side walls  221  and a lower wall  222  to corporately form a second semi-circular cavity  2201  and a deeper second position slot  2202  located in front of the second semi-circular cavity  2201 . A pair of through holes  2211  are respectively defined in a rear section of the side walls  221 . 
         [0023]    The ejector mechanism includes a slider member  61 , an actuator member  62  and a fasten member  63 . 
         [0024]    The slider member  61  has a substantially rectangular shaped body portion  610  and two wedge-shaped tabs  612  extending forward from the body portion  610 . The two tabs  612  space from one another, with a passage  6120  formed therebetween. A cavity  611  is recessed downwardly from an upper surface of a middle segment of the body portion  610 , and two grooves  613  respectively recessed inward from lateral surfaces of a rear segment of the body portion  610 . A circular shape first slot  614  is recessed upwardly from a bottom surface of a rear portion of the slider member  61 , and a rectangular shape second slot  615  is recessed upwardly from a bottom surface of a front portion of the slider member  61 . The first slot  614  is in communication to the second slot  615 . Furthermore, the second slot  615  is larger than the first slot  614 . A rear segment of the spring member  8  is accommodated in the first slot  614 , and a front segment of the spring member  8  projecting into the second slot  615 . 
         [0025]    The actuator member  62  is configured to doorframe-shaped, including a doorhead or transversal beam  621  and two doorjambs or vertical arms  622  connected to ends of the doorhead. A slit  623  is defined in the doorhead  621 . A pair of first positioning holes  6221  are respectively defined in a middle section of the doorjambs  622 , and a pair of mounting holes  6222  are respectively defined through the lower ends thereof. Furthermore, a pull tape  6230  is inserted through the slit  623  of the doorhead and attached thereto. 
         [0026]    The metal gasket  5  includes a number of walls  51  interconnected together to form a frame, and a plurality of spring tabs  52  formed on outer sides of the walls  51 . Two clasp members  53  are connected to ends of the frame and face to one another, and each clasp member  53  defines a hole  54 . 
         [0027]    The printed circuit board  3  includes a substrate  30 , a plurality of first conductive pads  31  arranged on a front section of the substrate  30  and a plurality of second conductive pads  32  located on rear section thereof. A pair of positioning holes  33  are defined in the substrate  30 , proximate a front section thereof. 
         [0028]    The cable  4  includes an outer insulative jacket  40 , a number of wires  41  enclosed in the jacket  40  and insulated from each other. Each of the wires  41  further has an inner conductor  42  for transmitting signal. 
         [0029]    When assembly, the insulative jacket  40  of a front segment of the cable  4  is decorticated and then the wires  41  are exposed outside, and then front section of the inner conductors  42  are made to expose outward, then the inner conductors  42  are soldered to the second conductive pads  32  of the PCB  3 . The PCB  3  is put on the pair of supporting posts  2133  of the panel portion  2 , with the pair of positioning holes  33  thereof aligning with the pair of second screw holes  2134  of the pair of supporting posts  2133 , and then a pair of second screw members  72  are inserted into the pair of positioning holes  33  and the pair of second screw holes  2134  to fix the PCB  3  to the panel portion  2 . The panel portion  2  is assembled to the base portion  1 , with a pair of lateral flange members  211 ,  212  thereof inserted into the receiving space  110 , the protrusion portion  2132  supported by the beam portion  114  of the base portion  1 , Simultaneously, the PCB  3  is received in the receiving space  110 , the pair of through holes  2211  of the panel portion  2  aligning with a pair of screw holes  1212  of the base portion  1 , then a pair of first screw members  71  are inserted into the through holes  2211  and screw holes  1212  to fasten the panel portion  2  and the base portion  1  together. 
         [0030]    The gasket  5  is assembled to an outer surface of the housing, with the walls  51  located in the a pair of first depression portions  1110  of the base portion  1  and the second depression portions  2130  of the panel portion  2 , the clasp members  53  located in the pair of L-shaped depression portions  1134 , the pair of tiny posts  1136  within the depression portions  1134  inserted into a pair of through holes  54  of the pair of mounting members  54  and then soldered thereto. 
         [0031]    The slider member  61  is assembled to the second channel  1221  of the first mounting portion  12 , with the pair of thin bar members  1231  of the two guiding members  123  received in the two grooves  613  thereof, the cavity  611  aligning with guiding grooves  1232  of the two guiding members  123 , the stop member  1133  accommodated in the second slot  615  to prevent the spring member  8  sliding away the slider member  61 , the passage  6120  between the tabs  612  facing to the lock tab  1135  in the first channel  1132 . 
         [0032]    Then, the actuator member  62  is assembled to the first mounting portion  12  of the base portion  1 , with the pair of pivot members  1211  of the first mounting portion received in the pair of first positioning holes  6221  of the doorjambs  622  of the actuator member  62 , the pair of mounting holes  6222  located in the end section of the doorjambs  622  aligning with the cavity  611  and the guiding grooves  1232  of the two guiding members  123 , then the fasten member  63  is inserted through the pair of mounting holes  6222 , the cavity  611  and the guiding grooves  1232 . 
         [0033]    While the electronic module  100  disengages away the complementary connector, just exert a pulling force on the pull tape  6230  to promote the actuator member  62  rotating around the pivot members  1211 , such that the slider member  61  is pushed moving forwardly along the second channel  1221  and the first channel  1132  to urge latch mechanism of the complementary connector deflecting from the lock tab  1135 , such that the electronic module  10  is separated from the complementary connector. Then the spring member  8  pushes the slider member  61  moving rearward to return its original position. 
         [0034]    In comparison with the previous design shown in the copending application Ser. No. 11/999,403 which requires lengthways guiding passages ( 1232 ) to guidably receive the fasten member ( 63 ) and through holes ( 614 ) to receive the fasten member ( 63 ), the instant invention omits such lengthways guiding passages and downwardly exposes the through hole, that ease the manufacturing. It can be noted that in the instant invention the fasten member  3  experiences very minor vertical movement during rotation of the actuating member  62  so as to be efficiently received in the cavity  611  for holding the slider  61  in position and efficiently moving the slider  61  in a front-to-back sliding direction. On the other hand, the instant invention the spring  8  directly imposes the forces upon the slider  61 , assuring the slider  61  to be back to the original position in a stable manner after the pulling force stops. 
         [0035]    It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrated only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.