Abstract:
A small footprint plugable (SFP) connector module is provided having a housing carrying contacts at a lead end that are configured to be inserted into a cage. The housing has a rear end configured to be connected to a cable. The housing has a wall with a module latch formed thereon. The module latch is configured to engage a cage latch on a cage. The connector module also includes a lever beam slidably mounted to the wall of the housing. The lever beam is movable to a position proximate the module latch to release the module latch from the cage latch. The connector module also includes a lever arm rotatably mounted to the housing. The lever arm drives the lever beam to the position porximate the module latch when the lever arm is rotated.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to a connector module. More particularly, the present invention relates to a connector module with a lever-activated release mechanism that ejects a connector module from a connector cage. 
     Conventional connector cages are box-shaped and have flexible prongs along a bottom wall that are received in apertures in a circuit board to retain the connector cage thereto. The connector cage also has contact pins that engage electrical traces or contacts on the circuit board. The connector cage has an open end that receives a box-shaped connector module carrying electronic components such as a transmitter or receiver. When the connector module is fully inserted into the connector cage, one end of the connector module extends from the connector cage. The components within the connector module are connected to the contact pins on the connector cage and to an electrical cable that extends from the exposed end of the connector module to join with another component. Thus, when the connector module is fully inserted into the connector cage, the electronic components within the connector module are connected to the circuit board and a remote component. 
     Conventional connector modules have a locking tab extending from a bottom wall thereof. When a connector module is slid into the connector cage, the locking tab slides under a retention spring that extends from a bottom wall of the connector cage. The locking tab is received in a gap in the retention spring to retain the connector module within the connector cage. 
     The connector module also has a release mechanism that is slidably retained by rails on the bottom wall near the exposed end of the connector module. The release mechanism has a ramp with an inclined surface facing the tab and retention spring at one end and a flat rectangular rear wall at an opposite end. The rear wall extends out from beneath the bottom wall of the connector module at the exposed end and serves as a button. In operation, the rear wall, or button, is pushed inward toward the retention spring such that the inclined surface of the ramp slides partially under the retention spring and pushes the retention spring out away from the bottom wall of the connector cage. When the retention spring is moved to a point such that the locking tab is no longer received within the gap, the connector module is then pulled outward away from the retention spring and out of the connector cage. 
     However, conventional connector modules suffer from several drawbacks. First, users may inadvertently push the button that releases the module when not intending to do so. Inadvertently disengaging the connector module may shut down the operation of the computer or cause other electronic complications. Second, users do not find it intuitive to press the button in a first direction and pull the module in an opposite direction to remove the module. Thus, for an operator trying to disengage the connector module, the release mechanism is counter-intuitive. Further, users may not realize the button must be pressed to remove the module. This confusion lends users to attempt to pull the module from the cage without first pushing the button, thereby potentially damaging the module and/or cage. Hence, the counter-intuitive nature of the button leads operators to damage the connector module in an effort to force the release of the connector module in some other inappropriate manner besides pushing the button inward. 
     A need remains for a connector module with a release mechanism that overcomes the above problems and addresses other concerns experienced heretofore. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Certain embodiments of the present invention include a small footprint plugable (SFP) connector module having a housing carrying contacts at a lead end that are configured to be inserted into a cage. The housing has a rear end configured to be connected to a cable. The housing has a wall with a module latch formed thereon. The module latch is configured to engage a cage latch on a connector cage. The connector module also includes a lever beam slidably mounted to the wall of the housing. The lever beam is movable to a position proximate the module latch to release the module latch from the cage latch. The connector module also includes a lever arm rotatably mounted to the housing. The lever arm drives the lever beam to the position proximate the module latch when the lever arm is rotated. 
     The lever arm has a pair of arms pivotally mounted at intermediate points along the arms to opposite sides of the housing. The arms have upper ends joined by a crossbeam and lower ends connected to the lever beam. The lever beam includes an engagement block having cam ears extending from at least one side thereof. The cam ears receive therebetween the lever arm. The lever beam includes a ramp portion having a sloped surface configured to be slid between the wall of the housing and the cage latch to separate the cage and module latches. The actuation lever includes driving arms and the first housing has guide channels. The driving arms are received and rotatable in the guide channels. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 illustrates a partial bottom isometric view of an electrical connector assembly formed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 illustrates a partial bottom isometric view of the connector module formed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 illustrates an isometric view of a ramp beam formed according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 illustrates a partial bottom isometric view of the connector module formed according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 5 illustrates an isometric view of an lever beam that is mounted to the connector module. 
     FIG. 6 illustrates a partial top isometric view of the connector module formed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 7 illustrates a partial side cutaway view of the connector module with the driver arms retaining the ramp beam away from the locking tab. 
     FIG. 8 illustrates a partial side cutaway view of the connector module with the driver arms retaining the ramp beam about the locking tab. 
    
    
     The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of certain embodiments of the present invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings, certain embodiments. It should be understood, however, that the present invention is not limited to the arrangements and instrumentality shown in the attached drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIG. 1 illustrates a partial bottom isometric view of an electrical connector assembly  10 . The connector assembly  10  has a metal connector cage  14  receiving a small footprint plugable (SFP) connector module  18 . The connector module  18  carries electronic components such as a transmitter and a receiver that are connected to electrical contacts  51  on the connector module  18  and a remote component (not shown) by a cable  86  extending from the connector module  18  through a cylindrical cable carrier  88 . The connector cage  14  is box shaped and defined by parallel side walls  22  formed with a top wall  26 . The side walls  22  have latch arms  42  extending from a bottom wall  30  that receive latch projections  46 . The bottom wall  30  is thus fastened to the side walls  22  and held parallel to the top wall  26 . The side walls  22  also have flexible prongs  48  extending downward therefrom. In operation, the connector cage  14  is mounted to a printed circuit board (not shown) by interference fitting the flexible prongs  48  into apertures in the printed circuit board. 
     The connector cage  14  has an open end  34  opposite a rear wall  38 . The open end  34  removably receives the connector module  18  when the connector cage  14  is securely mounted to the printed circuit board. Inside the connector cage  14  a biasing component such as a flexible plate extends from the rear wall  38  toward the open end  34 . The biasing component resistibly engages the connector module  18  when the connector module  18  is inserted into the connector cage  14  through the open end  34  in the direction of arrow A. 
     The bottom wall  30  of the connector cage  14  has a thin metal retention spring  54 . The retention spring  54  is flexible and has a flat plate portion  58  that extends out of, and is resistibly retained in, a slit  62  in the bottom wall  30  and that is generally parallel with the bottom wall  30 . The plate portion  58  is formed with a flat catch plate  66  that extends from the plate portion  58  at an obtuse angle toward the connector module  18 . The catch plate  66  has a triangular gap  70  that receives a triangular locking tab  74  extending downward from the connector module  18 . The catch plate  66  is in turn formed with a flat guide plate  78  that extends from the catch plate  66  at an obtuse angle away from the connector module  18 . 
     In operation, when the connector module  18  is slidably inserted into the connector cage  14  in the direction of arrow A, the locking tab  74  slides against and under the guide plate  78  and pushes the guide plate  78 , and thus the entire retention spring  54 , out away from the connector module  18 . As the locking tab  74  slides into, and is secured within, the gap  70  of the catch plate  66 , the biasing component in the connector cage  14  resists the connector module  18  such that the connector module  18  is limited in axial movement along a longitudinal axis  82 . The connector module  18  is thus fully connected to the connector cage  14 . 
     When the connector module  18  is fully inserted into the connector cage  14 , the electrical contacts  51  of the connector module  18  engage contact pads or traces on the printed circuit board to electrically connect the cable  86  and the printed circuit board. 
     FIG. 2 illustrates a partial bottom isometric view of the connector module  18  formed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The connector module  18  has parallel side walls  90  formed with parallel top and bottom walls  94  and  98 . Retention shoulders  102  are formed with, and extend downward from, the bottom wall  98  and are aligned parallel to each other. The retention shoulders  102  have side walls  118  formed with, and oriented perpendicular to, rail walls  122 . A recessed surface  106  extends along the bottom wall  98  between the retention shoulders  102 . The rail walls  122  extend parallel to the recessed surface  106  to define gaps  103  therebetween. The retention shoulders  102  retain a ramp beam  126  (FIG. 3) along the recessed surface  106  of the connector module  18 . 
     FIG. 3 illustrates an isometric view of the ramp beam  126  formed according to an embodiment of the present invention. The ramp beam  126  has a rectangular center beam  132  formed with a ramp  134  at the front end and a rectangular lever engagement block  138  at the rear end to form an I shape. The ramp  134  has an inclined engagement surface  136 . Planar rails  130  are formed along the center beam  132  between the ramp  134  and the engagement block  138 . 
     FIG. 4 illustrates a partial bottom isometric view of the connector module  18  formed according to an embodiment of the present invention. The retention shoulders  102  slidably receive the rails  130 , and thus the ramp beam  126 , within the gaps  103  (FIG. 2) between the rail walls  122  and the recessed surface  106 . The rail walls  122  have L-shaped cutouts that afford the rails  130  a clearance to slide along the rail walls  122  in the directions of arrows A and B. As shown in FIG. 4, the ramp beam  126  is slid in the direction of arrow B such that the ramp  134  engages ramp contact surfaces  146  of the rail walls  122 . Alternatively, the ramp beam  126  may be slid in the direction of arrow A such that a lever engagement block  138  engages block contact surfaces  154  of the rail walls  122 . 
     The locking tab  74  extends out from an end of the recessed surface  106  where the recessed surface  106  meets the bottom wall  98 . The ramp  134  includes a tab gap  158  defined by two prongs  162  that receives the locking tab  74  when the ramp beam  126  is in an engagement position. The ramp beam  126  is in the engagement position when fully slid in the direction of arrow A until the prongs  162  on the ramp  134  engage the bottom wall  98 . 
     FIG. 5 illustrates an isometric view of a lever beam  170  that is mounted to the connector module  18  (FIG.  4 ). Driver arms  194  are formed with, and extend parallel from, a cross beam  198  to define a U-shape. The crossbeam  198  includes an ergonomic thumb groove  202  to allow an operator to easily manipulate the lever beam  170 . Cylindrical posts  182  extend out from the driver arms  194  away from each other. 
     FIG. 6 illustrates a partial top isometric view of the connector module  18  formed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The rear portion of the top wall  94  includes cut-outs that form guide channels  174 . The connector module  18  carries the lever beam  170  in the guide channels  174  between the side walls  90 . The side walls  90  have post holes  178  that rotatably support the posts  182  of the lever beam  170 . 
     The lever engagement block  138  has first and second triangular cam ears  166  and  168  on opposite ends thereof. The first and second cam ears  166  and  168  on each end of the lever engagement block  138  are separated by a lever gap  186  and have contact tips  190  extending toward each other. The lever gaps  186  each receive a driver arm  194  extending out of a guide channel  174 . When the lever beam  170  is rotated about the posts  182  in the direction of arrow C, the driver arms  194  engage the contact tips  190  of the first cam ears  166  and slidably drive the ramp beam  126  in the direction of arrow A. Alternatively, when the lever beam  170  is rotated about the posts  182  in the direction of arrow D, the driver arm  194  engages the contact tips  190  of the second cam ears  168  and slidably drives the ramp beam  126  in the direction of arrow B. 
     FIG. 7 illustrates a partial side cutaway view of the connector module  18  with the driver arms  194  retaining the ramp beam  126  away from the locking tab  74 . The lever beam  170  is thus in a locked forward position. The crossbeam  198  engages an edge of the top wall  94 , which prevents the lever beam  170  from rotating any further in the direction of arrow D. Thus, the driver arms  194  engage the first cam ears  166  to prevent the ramp beam  126  from sliding further in the direction of arrow B off the rail walls  122 . To slide the ramp beam  126  toward the locking tab  74 , an operator moves the crossbeam  198  of the lever beam  170  in the direction of arrow B such that the driver arms  194  rotate about the posts  182  in the direction of arrow C and push the first cam ears  166  in the direction of arrow A. 
     FIG. 8 illustrates a partial side cutaway view of the connector module  18  with the driver arms  194  retaining the ramp beam  126  about the locking tab  74 . The lever beam  170  is thus in an engagement position. To slide the ramp beam  126  away from the locking tab  74 , an operator moves the crossbeam  198  of the lever beam  170  in the direction of arrow A such that the driver arms  194  rotate about the posts  182  in the direction of arrow D and push the second cam ears  168  in the direction of arrow B. 
     Returning to FIG. 1, the ramp beam  126  is in the forward position and the locking tab  74  is secured in the gap  70  of the retention spring  54 . In operation, the connector module  18  is released from the connector cage  14  by rotating the driver arms  194  about the posts  182  in the direction of arrow C. The driver arms  194  engage the first cam ears  166  and slidably push the ramp beam  126  in the direction of arrow A. As the ramp beam  126  slides in the direction of arrow A, the inclined engagement surface  136  of the ramp  134  engages the guide plate  78  of the retention spring  54  and pushes the guide plate  78  outward away from the recessed surface  106  (FIG. 2) of the connector module  18 . The guide channels  174  support the driver arms  194  and prevent the driver arms  194  from being twisted or flexed as the ramp  134  engages the retention spring  54 . The ramp beam  126  continues in the direction of arrow A and engages the catch plate  66  of the retention spring  54 . The ramp beam  126  pushes the catch plate  66  out away from the recessed surface  106  (FIG. 2) of the connector module  18  until the locking tab  74  is no longer retained in the gap  70  of the catch plate  66 . The connector module  18  may then be slid out of the connector cage  14  in the direction of arrow B and disconnected from the connector cage  14 . 
     Alternatively, to insert the connector module  18  back into the connector cage  14 , the driver arms  194  are rotated about the posts  182  in the direction of arrow D until the driver arms  194  engage the contact tips  190  of the second cam ears  168  and slidably push the ramp beam  126  in the direction of arrow B to the forward position. The connector module  18  may then be slid in the direction of arrow A into the connector cage  14  during which the locking tab  74  slides under the guide plate  78  and is received in the gap  70  in the catch plate  66  of the retention spring  54 . 
     The connector module provides several benefits over the prior art. Because the connector module uses a lever beam that is rotated away from the connector cage to disengage the connector module, the connector module is easier for an operator to disengage from the connector cage. Manipulating a release mechanism in the same direction as the direction of the connector module&#39;s release is more intuitive for an operator. Thus, by having to intuitively rotate the lever beam away from the connector cage to disengage the connector module, an operator is less likely to inadvertently disengage the connector module or damage the connector module or the release mechanism while trying to release the connector module. 
     While the invention has been described with reference to certain embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from its scope. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.