Patch panels are often used to provide an interconnection between telecommunication outlets and active equipment. One difficulty experienced with patch panels is knowing which port of the patch panel is connected to which port on the active equipment. One solution to this problem is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,574,586, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. U.S. Pat. No. 6,574,586 discloses a system in which an adapter jacket having an external contact is placed on the plug. Outlets include an adapter board having a socket contact also referred to as an outlet contact. The socket contacts are wired to an analyzer that then can determine which sockets are connected by patch cords by applying a signal to each socket contact. Pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/037,859, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference, describes a patch panel system in which a screen is provided on a plug to make electrical contact with a conductive tab at an outlet. This electrical connection allows port-to-port connectivity to be monitored.
In the system of U.S. Pat. No. 6,574,586, the spring-loaded pin provided on the plug boot has drawbacks. One problem with the spring-loaded pin is that it is difficult to captivate in relation to the RJ45 or fiber connector. Current methods used to captivate the spring-loaded pin include an overmolded boot, a clip on boot or a boot designed specifically to work with the spring-loaded. These methods are more difficult to assemble than standard patch cords.
Another problem is that the spring-loaded pin is susceptible to damage during manufacture, use, storage and shipping. If the plunger of the spring-loaded pin is bent even slightly it will not function properly. In such a situation the customer would have to replace the cord. The conductor used with patch cords (copper or fiber) must be terminated to the spring-loaded pin. Current methods include soldering or using and IDC which can render manufacturing more difficult.
An embodiment of the invention includes a plug comprising a plug housing; a plug boot surrounding the plug housing; a cable passing through the plug boot; a contact pad being placed in electrical connection with an outlet contact pad in a connectivity detection system; a sensing conductor electrically connected to the contact pad, the sensing conductor running along the cable.
A contact pad 15 is a conductive member (e.g., copper) secured to the plug housing 12 and electrically connected to sensing conductor 14. The contact pad 15 may be formed from a bent piece of conductive sheet material and secured to the plug housing 12 by wrapping the contact pad 15 around the plug housing. Mechanical features on the contact pad (e.g., prongs) may be used to secure the contact pad 15 to the plug housing.
The contact pad 15 is electrically connected to sensing conductor 14 through known techniques such as crimping, soldering, an insulation displacement contact (IDC), etc. Integrally formed with the contact pad 15 is an extension 16, which is a z-shaped element. Extension 16 makes electrical contact with an outlet contact pad (
The contact pad 25 is electrically connected to sensing conductor 14 through known techniques such as crimping, soldering, an IDC, etc. Integrally formed with the contact pad 25 is a coil 27 and an extension 26. Extension 26 makes electrical contact with an outlet contact pad (
The contact pad 35 is electrically connected to sensing conductor 14 through known techniques such as crimping, soldering, an IDC, etc. Conductive arms 36 are in electrical contact with contact pad 35 through conductive member 37. Conductive arms 36 and conductive member 37 may be formed from conductive sheet material (e.g., copper). Conductive arms 36 move relative to plug body 12, while maintaining electrical contact with contact pad 35 through conductive member 37. Arms 36 may travel in a channel formed on the plug housing 12. When the plug 30 is mated with an outlet, the metal arms are then slid by the user towards contacts 11, to make electrical contact with an outlet contact pad (
The contact pad 45 is electrically connected to sensing conductor 14 through known techniques such as crimping, soldering, an IDC, etc. Integrally formed with the contact pad 45 is an extension 46. In contrast with prior embodiments, extension 46 is positioned on the side of plug body 12 rather than on top. Extension 46 makes electrical contact with an outlet contact pad (
The contact pad 55 is electrically connected to sensing conductor 14 through known techniques such as crimping, soldering, an IDC, etc. When the plug 50 is mated with an outlet, the boot 58 may be slid forward towards contacts 11 to place the contact pad 55 in electrical contact with an outlet contact pad (
The contact pad 65 is electrically connected to sensing conductor 14 through known techniques such as crimping, soldering, an IDC, etc. Integrally formed with the contact pad 65 is an extension 66, which includes a z-shaped section 67 to provide spring force. An arcuate section 68 is provided to prevent the plug 60 from snagging on other wires with the plug 60 is pulled through installation areas. Extension 66 makes electrical contact with an outlet contact pad (
Embodiments of the invention improve the strength and durability of the contact with the sensing conductor 14, reducing the possibility of damage to the contact pad. The contact pad is preferably formed from a metal conductive sheet which simplifies the contact and reduces time and cost to manufacture. This eliminates the need for overmolded, clip on or other proprietary plastic boots required to hold a spring-load pin. Embodiments also eliminate the need for solder to connect the sensing conductor. Embodiments of the invention improve manufacturability patch cords and jumpers and reduce cost of patch cords and jumpers versus existing cords using spring-loaded pin technology.
Embodiments have been described with respect to copper connectors having eight contacts such as the RJ-45 type connector. It is understood that other types of wire patch cords (e.g., coaxial cable) having a sensing conductor may be used to detect port connectivity as disclosed herein. Furthermore, non-wire patch cords (e.g., fiber optic connectors) may include a sensing conductor and be used to detect port connectivity as disclosed herein.
All the above described embodiments may be equipped with a strain relief boot as shown in
While the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt to a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed for carrying out this invention.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/771,575 filed Feb. 8, 2006, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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60771575 | Feb 2006 | US |