Housing structure for coupling and releasing optical modules

Abstract

A housing structure for coupling and releasing optical modules comprises three housing. A first housing including a distal wall at one end, an opening at the other end, and the opening having a first protrusion part protruding toward inside of the opening. A second housing for receiving and holding an optical module provided in the first housing so as to be slidable. The second housing includes a second protrusion part for engaging with the first protrusion part and the sliding of the second housing being limited by the distal wall of the first housing and the first protrusion part. A third housing for holding an another optical module including holding parts for selectively holding the second housing and a contact part provided at one end of the third housing for touching the second housing. The second housing also includes engaging means for engaging the holding parts of the third housing. In case of coupling the optical modules, the third housing is pushed into the first and second housings, whereby the second housing is pressed by the contact part of the third housing and the second protrusion part of the second housing is displaced across the first protrusion part. In case of releasing the coupling of the optical modules, the third housing is separated from the first and second housings and the second protrusion part of the second housing returns to an initial position thereof over the first protrusion part of the first housing.