TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates in general to information handling systems, and more particularly to systems and methods for providing a mechanical cable release in a transceiver, such as a cable associated with an optical transceiver module.

BACKGROUND

As the value and use of information continues to increase, individuals and businesses seek additional ways to process and store information. One option available to users is information handling systems. An information handling system generally processes, compiles, stores, and/or communicates information or data for business, personal, or other purposes thereby allowing users to take advantage of the value of the information. Because technology and information handling needs and requirements vary between different users or applications, information handling systems may also vary regarding what information is handled, how the information is handled, how much information is processed, stored, or communicated, and how quickly and efficiently the information may be processed, stored, or communicated. The variations in information handling systems allow for information handling systems to be general or configured for a specific user or specific use such as financial transaction processing, airline reservations, enterprise data storage, or global communications. In addition, information handling systems may include a variety of hardware and software components that may be configured to process, store, and communicate information and may include one or more computer systems, data storage systems, and networking systems.

An information handling system may have a network interface or other input/output (I/O) interface configured to receive an optical transceiver module (e.g., a small form-factor pluggable (SFP) transceiver or a quad small form-factor pluggable (QSFP) transceiver of any I/O speed). Such transceiver modules often plug into “cages” disposed on an I/O interface card, which often reside in the rear of the information handling system.

Fiber optic cables (such as Multi-Fiber Push On or “MPO”) are increasingly used in data centers as network speeds are increasing at dramatic rates. The cables used are typically of different makes and models. Existing fiber cables include tabs for removing such cables from transceivers. The cable release may be present only at the cable. Fiber optic cables used in test equipment in data centers, vendor test laboratories, and other locations may require frequent plugging in and removing of the cables from the transceivers. Many problems may occur with frequent removal and plugging in of cables, including:the tabs used to pull out or release the cable often break off easily;frequent handling of cables may increase the likelihood of tabs breaking off;tabs are usually made of plastic, rubber or other materials and are prone to breaking or snapping;removing a cable with a damaged tab from the transceiver often requires force;forcibly removing a cable with a broken tab may cause damage to the cable itself;forcibly removing a cable with a broken tab may cause damage to the transceiver;forcibly removing a cable with a broken tab may cause damage to the transceiver port;damage to the cable, transceiver, or port may result in technical support calls;damage to the cable, transceiver, or port may extend customer down time; andcables with broken tabs may be discarded, increasing cost.

Accordingly, cable and transceiver designs that enable easier removal of cables from a transceiver may be desirable.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure, the disadvantages and problems associated with traditional mechanical cable release mechanisms for an information handling system may be reduced or eliminated.

In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, an active device module may include an active device, a housing configured to house the active device, a slide release latch mechanically coupled to the housing via a spring having a spring force that biases the slide release latch in a first position relative to the housing, and connectivity flaps mechanically coupled to the slide release latch via activation levers, wherein when the slide release latch is in the first position and a cable is inserted into the active device module, the connectivity flaps apply a compressive force to either side of the cable to mechanically maintain the cable within the active device module. The housing, the slide release latch, the activation levers, and the connectivity flaps may be arranged such that, when an external force is applied to the slide release latch to overcome the spring force of the spring to cause the slide release latch to move from the first position to a second position relative to the housing, the slide release latch exerts mechanical force on the activation levers, which in turn applies a force to the connectivity flaps, pulling at least a portion of each connectivity flap away from another connectivity flap, thereby reducing the compressive force retaining the cable between the connectivity flaps.

In accordance with these and other embodiments of the present disclosure, a method for fabricating an active device module may include housing an active device within a housing, mechanically coupling a slide release latch to the housing via a spring having a spring force that biases the slide release latch in a first position relative to the housing, mechanically coupling connectivity flaps to the slide release latch via activation levers, wherein when slide release latch is in the first position and a cable is inserted into the active device module, the connectivity flaps applying a compressive force to either side of the cable to mechanically maintain the cable within the active device module, and arranging the housing, the slide release latch, the activation levers, and the connectivity flaps such that, when an external force is applied to the slide release latch to overcome the spring force of the spring to cause the slide release latch to move from the first position to a second position relative to the housing, the slide release latch exerts mechanical force on the activation levers, which in turn applies a force to the connectivity flaps, pulling at least a portion of each connectivity flap away from another connectivity flap, thereby reducing the compressive force retaining the cable between the connectivity flaps.

In accordance with these and other embodiments of the present disclosure, an information handling system, may include a processor and an active device module communicatively coupled to the processor. The active device module may include an active device, a housing configured to house the active device, a slide release latch mechanically coupled to the housing via a spring having a spring force that biases the slide release latch in a first position relative to the housing, and connectivity flaps mechanically coupled to the slide release latch via activation levers, wherein when the slide release latch is in the first position and a cable is inserted into the active device module, the connectivity flaps apply a compressive force to either side of the cable to mechanically maintain the cable within the active device module. The housing, the slide release latch, the activation levers, and the connectivity flaps may be arranged such that, when an external force is applied to the slide release latch to overcome the spring force of the spring to cause the slide release latch to move from the first position to a second position relative to the housing, the slide release latch exerts mechanical force on the activation levers, which in turn applies a force to the connectivity flaps, pulling at least a portion of each connectivity flap away from another connectivity flap, thereby reducing the compressive force retaining the cable between the connectivity flaps.

Technical advantages of the present disclosure may be readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the figures, description and claims included herein. The objects and advantages of the embodiments will be realized and achieved at least by the elements, features, and combinations particularly pointed out in the claims.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are examples and explanatory and are not restrictive of the claims set forth in this disclosure.

