Embodiments of the invention are better understood with reference to the following drawings. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily to scale relative to each other. Like reference numerals designate corresponding similar parts.
In the following Detailed Description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. In this regard, directional terminology, such as “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “back,” “leading,” “trailing,” etc., is used with reference to the orientation of the Figure(s) being described. Because components of embodiments of the present invention can be positioned in a number of different orientations, the directional terminology is used for purposes of illustration and is in no way limiting. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The following detailed description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims.
With the above in mind, in one embodiment coupler 106 is a power and signal coupler that includes a first hermaphroditic electrical connector 120a, a second hermaphroditic electrical connector 120b, and electrical cable 122 coupling and extending between first and second hermaphroditic electrical connectors 120a, 120b. Cable 122 may have one or more electrical conductors, as will be understood from the description below. Coupler 106 can include multiple segments of similar other such couplers connected in an end-to-end fashion. However, it is to be understood that first hermaphroditic electrical connector 120a is configured to mate with and connect to a substantially identical hermaphroditic electrical connector, such as connector 120c; and second hermaphroditic electrical connector 120b is configured to mate with and connect to a substantially identical hermaphroditic electrical connector, such as connector 120d.
End users, homeowners, and others have become accustomed to the availability of plain old telephone service (POTS) connected into their homes or offices that includes some form of a battery backup unit that allows use and operation of the telephone service in the event of a power interruption. Traditionally, the battery backup unit has been provided as part of the network system, and is customarily located outside of the end user's premises. During electrical storms or other interruptions, the battery backup unit provides temporary battery power that enables the POTS service to remain functional until the mainline electrical services are restored.
Lately, end users, homeowners, and others have shown a strong desire for digital services, such as cable TV, broadband Internet services, and other high-speed and broadband digital products. Digital service providers have been racing to meet the needs of homeowners and others in bringing these services into homes. However, the broadband and other high-speed services are generally connected to and through the electrical service entering the home/office, and are not associated with desired backup power features.
Network units in general, and optical network units in particular, are generally provided by a service provider to stage the run of fiber optic cables into a home or office. These network units, such as network unit 104, provide high bandwidth service in addition to simple POTS service for delivery into the home or office. However, to successfully compete with existing telephone service providers, digital service providers have determined that some form of backup power system is strongly desired by the consumers who have come to expect continued service during power outages. For example, after decades of highly reliable battery backup to POTS, consumers have shown a demand that broadband services wired into their homes or offices also include some form of backup system.
With the above in mind, in one embodiment battery backup unit 102 is provided within the end user's dwelling to provide reserve/backup power for the broadband and other high-speed services brought to the dwelling. In one embodiment, battery backup unit 102 is wired into the dwelling and includes a battery 110, an electronic control unit 112, and a connector 108 that is configured to couple to coupler 106. The connection of coupler 106 between network unit 104 and battery backup unit 102 electrically connects the two units and enables a battery backed plug-and-play capability that is staged by the service provider to the dwelling. To this end, coupler 106 is simple to use and quick to install. By interfacing multiple couplers 106 end-to-end, or serially, embodiments of the present invention permit adding a desired cable length by simply plugging one coupler 106 to another coupler 106 in connecting between battery backup unit 102 and network unit 104.
Connector 120c is similar to the other electrical connectors, 120a, 120b, and 120d (
In general, each of the electrical connectors 120a, 120b, 120c, and 120d are hermaphroditic electrical connectors that are configured to mate and align with a second, separate substantially identical such hermaphroditic electrical connector. With this in mind, the following figures will refer to the similar, shared structure of the substantially identical hermaphroditic electrical connectors 120.
As shown and described above, each of the hermaphroditic electrical connectors 120a and 120b includes housing 160 and mating end 162. During use, a service provider would employ one or more of the couplers 106 in electrically connecting battery backup unit 102 to network unit 104 (
In one embodiment, a plurality of male contacts 200 extends from face 190 of first connector relief segment 180, and a male contact 202 extends from face 192 of second connector relief segment 182. In one embodiment, a plurality of female contacts 204 is formed in face 194 of first connector projection segment 184, and a female contact 206 is formed in face 196 of second connector projection segment 186. In general, the plurality of male contacts 200 is configured to mate and align with a plurality of female contacts 204 provided in a second substantially identical electrical connector 120. In a similar manner, male connector 202 is configured to align and mate with female connector 206 provided in a second substantially identical electrical connector.
In this regard, while three male contacts 200 extending from face 190 and three female contacts 204 formed in face 194 are illustrated, it is within the scope of this invention to provide fewer than three such contacts, or more than three such contacts. Likewise, while one male contact 202 extending from face 192 and one female contact 206 formed in face 196 are illustrated, it is within the scope of this invention to provide fewer than one such contact, or more than one such contact.
Mating end 262 defines a second connector relief segment 282 that includes a protective sleeve 198 extending from face 292. Protective sleeve 198 is electrically insulating and provided to prevent undesired contact with male contact 302 during disassembly of two mated connectors 300, for example. In this regard, face 296 of segment 286 includes a relief portion 199 that is configured to receive sleeve 198 when mating with a substantially identical connector 300, such that connector 300 is of a hermaphroditic style. In one embodiment, a thickness of sleeve 198 is between about 0.0001 inch to 0.020 inch, and relief portion 199 of segment 286 is relieved an amount sufficient to enable segment 286 to receive sleeve 198 when two connectors 300 are mated. It is to be understood that the thickness of sleeve 198 is selected to be suited to a size of the connector 300, such that sleeve 198 is relatively thicker for a male contact 302 having a higher amperage rating, for example.
As oriented in
Friction latch 250 can include a bump, a projection, or other suitable variation in the surface of one or more sidewalls of the connector 120. For example, in one embodiment friction latch 250 is a raised wavy pattern, such as a wavy “S” pattern, formed or otherwise molded into sidewall 240. Selectively forming or molding friction latch 250 to project a desired distance off of the surface of sidewall 240 enables tuning of friction latch 250, such that friction latch 250 is an adjustable friction latch. In general, friction latches 250 that project more prominently off of the surface of the sidewall 240 necessitate a greater force when engaging and separating two mated friction latches 250 of two connected hermaphroditic connectors 120. One suitable friction latch 250 is formed to project off of the sidewall 240 between about 0.002 to 0.050 inches, although other suitable dimensions for friction latch are acceptable depending upon a size of the connector 120.
With reference to
In one embodiment, mating end 162 defines a perimeter that is substantially circular (i.e., round) having a diameter D. In one embodiment, diameter D ranges between about 0.25 inch to about 1.25 inch, and preferably diameter D is about ⅜ inch. To this end, mating end 162 is relatively narrow, such that during installation a technician is able to fish or otherwise thread coupler 106 (
In one embodiment, mating end 162′ defines a perimeter that is substantially circular (i.e., round) having a diameter D′. In one embodiment, diameter D′ ranges between about 0.25 inch to about 1.25 inch, and preferably diameter D′ is about ⅜ inch. In this regard, diameter D is similar to diameter D′ and mating end 162 is similar in conformation to mating end 162′.
Referring to mating ends 162 and 162′ of
In a typical network system connection, and with reference to
In contrast, embodiments of the present invention provide electrical connection between network unit 104 and battery backup unit 102 by plugging mated pairs of hermaphroditic electrical connectors 120 between battery backup unit 102 and network unit 104. Employing the above-described electrical connectors 120 in a backup power system is more time efficient, less costly, and less prone to error as compared to the known screw-down termination of wires.
For example, power and signal connector 108 can include an electrical connector 120c as described above. A coupler 106 that includes an opposing pair of hermaphroditic electrical connectors 120a, 120b is configured to be connected directly to electrical connector 120c, and thus between battery backup unit 102 and network unit 104. In particular, electrical connector 120a is configured to hermaphroditically mate and connect with connector 120c, and in a like manner, electrical connector 120b is configured to mate with electrical connector 120d. By this series of electrical connections of similar hermaphroditic electrical connectors 120, battery backup unit 102 can be electrically connected to network unit 104 through a simple “plug-and-play” methodology.
Although the electrical connectors described above have been described as advantageously connected between a battery backup unit and a network unit in a backup power system, one of skill in the electrical arts will readily understand after reading this specification that the above-described electrical connectors may be beneficially employed when connecting between any two general electrical units/lines in either the telecommunications industry, or in industries other than telecommunications.
Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a variety of alternate and/or equivalent implementations may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown and described without departing from the scope of the present invention. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the specific embodiments discussed herein. Therefore, it is intended that this invention be limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.
The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application 60/820,193, filed Jul. 24, 2006.
Number | Date | Country | |
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60820193 | Jul 2006 | US |