HK1112060B - Duplex plug adapter module - Google Patents

Description

Duplex plug adapter module

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to connector modules that interface network components, and more particularly to an adapter for a monitored fiber plug network connection.

Background

Electronic components are typically connected to an electronic network using an interconnect module that allows for connections between network components. The interconnect module may be secured in a patch panel (patch panel), or any number of other network configurations that interconnect two or more separate network components.

To better operate large electronic networks, sensor systems have been developed to monitor connections between components in the network. The sensor system is typically incorporated into an interconnect module that is secured in a patch panel. A typical interconnect module includes a receptacle at the mating face, similar to a telephone receptacle. The receptacle receives a patch cord connected to the first network component. Each patch cord includes a cable having signal conductors connected at one end to a plug. The plug is received in a corresponding receptacle such that the signal conductors in the cable are electrically connected to signal contacts extending from the rear side of the interconnect module. The signal contacts are thereby connected to a second set of signal conductors extending to a second network component. Thus, the interconnect module electrically connects the first and second network components.

In networks having sensor systems, conventional interconnect modules are combined with a separate sensor structure that enables the network to determine when to engage a plug with a receptacle jack. Typically, a sensor pad is located on the sensor module adjacent each receptacle jack, and the plug includes a probe that connects to the monitoring system. The probe contacts the sensor pad when the plug is inserted into the receptacle and the connection is identified by the monitoring system.

Although wire, or copper, cables typically have multiple strands of conductors, some fiber cables, such as LC duplex cables, have only one fiber conductor per cable. When duplex fiber cables are used, two cables-one for transmitting and one for receiving-are required to complete the connection. The problem is thus that the connection of two fibre cables to the interconnection module can be seen as two connections when it should be seen by the monitoring system as only one connection.

Disclosure of Invention

A solution to this problem is to provide a duplex plug adapter module as disclosed herein. The adapter module includes an insulator housing having a front end and a rear wire receiving end. The housing is configured to mechanically connect to the first signal cable and the second signal cable. The contact is retained within the housing. The contact has a forward mating end and a rearward wire termination end. The housing includes a channel configured to receive a sensor probe shared by the first signal cable and the second signal cable. The contactor is configured to interconnect the sensor probe and the sensor wire.

Drawings

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an interconnection system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the plug shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the adapter module shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an exploded view of the adapter module shown in fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the contactor shown in fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is an end view of the adapter module shown in fig. 3.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the adapter module shown in FIG. 6 taken along line 7-7.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary interconnection system 100. The interconnection system 100 includes a known interconnection module 102 and a plug assembly 104 formed in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

In fig. 1, the interconnect module 102 is viewed from the front side 110. The interconnect module 102 includes a housing 112 having a substantially rectangular face plate 114. Socket slots 116 are formed in the faceplate 114. A plurality of receptacles may be installed in the receptacle slots 116 to provide connectivity to resources on the network. The interconnect module 100 is a modular structure. That is, different types of receptacles may be installed in the interconnect module 100. In fig. 1, the interconnect module 100 has one receptacle 120 mounted in the receptacle slot 116. The interconnect module 100 also includes a plurality of sensor contacts 130, the sensor contacts 130 extending from the panel 114 through slots 136 extending through the housing 112 to a rear side 134 of the interconnect module 100. One of the plurality of slots 136 is positioned adjacent each receptacle 120 mounted in the receptacle slot 116. Each sensor contact 130 includes a sensor pad 138, the sensor pad 138 being parallel to and positioned adjacent to the panel 114. Each receptacle jack 120 is also positioned adjacent one of the sensor pads 138 such that each receptacle jack 120 has a corresponding sensor pad 138.

The interconnect module 102 also includes resilient latch portions 150, the latch portions 150 extending outwardly from opposing sidewalls 152 thereof. The resilient locking portion 150 has a release pad 154 separating a retaining tab 156 and a resistance plate 158. The interconnect module 102 may be inserted into a patch panel, a wall-mounted box, a backplane jack, or any number of other network connection structures (not shown in fig. 1) and retained therein by operation of the latches 150.

The plug assembly 104 includes an adapter module 170 and a pair of plugs 178 mounted in the adapter module 170, the adapter module 170 holding the two plugs as a unit. In the exemplary embodiment, plug 178 is a fiber cable plug and carries signal information. Each plug 178 is connected to a signal cable 182, which signal cable 182 may be a fiber cable in an exemplary embodiment. In a duplex connection, two cables 182-one for transmitting and one for receiving-are required to form the connection. The adapter module 170 includes a sensor probe 190, the probe 190 being connected to a sensor cable 192 that provides signals to a network monitoring system (not shown). In an exemplary embodiment, the sensor probe 190 is common to both plugs 178, that is, the sensor probe 190 is shared by the plugs 178 such that the connection of both plugs 178 to the interconnect module 102 is detectable by the network monitoring system as a single connection to the network. The cable 182 extends to a first network component (not shown), which may be, by way of example only, a server or another interconnect module 102.

The receptacle 120 receives the plug 178. When the plug 178 is fully received in the receptacle jack 120, the sensor probes 190 contact and electrically engage the corresponding sensor pads 138, thereby passing sensor signals in either direction between the plug assembly 104 and the interconnect module 102. The mating of two fiber cable plugs 178 is seen by the monitoring system as one connection on the network.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the plug 178 shown in fig. 1. In the exemplary embodiment, plug 178 is a fiber cable plug. Each fiber optic cable plug 178 includes a plug housing 200, the housing 200 having a mating end 202 and a latching portion 204, the latching portion 204 latching the fiber optic cable plug 178 in the receptacle 120 (fig. 1) of the interconnect module 102 (fig. 1). A fiber tip 206 extends from the mating end 202. The recess 210 extends around the perimeter of the rearward portion of the plug housing 200 for connecting the cable plug 178 to the adapter module 170. The strain relief root 214 extends from the recess 210 and covers a portion of the fiber cable 182.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the adapter module 170. The adapter module 170 includes a housing 220, the housing 220 having a front end 224 and a rear wire receiving end 226. The housing 220 includes a channel 228 that extends through the housing 220 from the front end 224 to the rear wire receiving end 226. The sensor probe 190 is received in the channel 228 adjacent the front end 224 of the housing 220 and extends from the front end 224. A retaining arm 230 is formed on the housing 220 adjacent the front end 224 and extends from a side edge 232 of the housing 220. The clamp post 238 is located between the clamp arms 230. The clamping post 238 and the clamping arm 230 cooperate to define a cable retention slot 242 that can receive the recess 210 in the plug housing 200 (fig. 2) to mechanically connect the fiber cable plug 178, or generally the fiber cable 182, to the adapter module 170. The clamping arms 230 and the clamping posts 238 include retention detents 246, the retention detents 246 securing the plug housing 200 in the retention slots 242. In an exemplary embodiment, the plug housing 200 is retained in the retention slot 242 in a snap-fit manner.

A tubular extension 252 is formed at the rear wire receiving end 226 of the adapter module 170. The tubular extension 252 receives the sensor cable 192 (fig. 1) at the rearward wire receiving end 226 of the housing. The adapter module 170 also includes a recess window 254 in an upper surface 256 of the adapter module 170, the window 254 leading to the channel 228. The chamber 260 formed in the channel 228 opens to the window 254 to provide access to the chamber 260 for testing and troubleshooting electrical connections between the sensor probe 190 and the contact 270 (FIG. 4) in the adapter module 170.

Fig. 4 is an exploded view of the adapter module 170. The adapter module 170 includes a sensor probe 190, a housing 220, and a contact 270, the sensor probe 190 being shared by the fiber cable plug 178 (FIG. 2). The sensor probe 190 includes a body 274, the body 274 having a front end 276 and a rear end 278. A plunger 280 extends from the front end 276. The plunger 280 has a tip 282. The plunger 280 extends from the front end 276 of the body 274 and into the body 274. In other words, pressure on the tip 282 causes the plunger 280 to retract into the body 274. The body 274 includes an internal spring (not shown) that biases the biased plunger 280 in the extended position.

The housing 220 includes a channel 228, the channel 228 extending through the housing 220 along the centerline a. The sensor probe 190 is received in the channel 228 from the housing front end 224. The clamping arm 230 and the clamping post 238 define a cable retention slot 242 that receives the fiber cable plug 178 (fig. 1 and 2). The clamping arm 230 and the clamping post 238 cooperate to retain the fiber cable plug 178 in the retention slot 242 to thereby mechanically connect the fiber cable plug to the housing 220.

The contact 270 includes a front mating end 290 and a wire termination end 292. The sensor probe 192 (fig. 1) is connected to the terminating end 292 of the contactor 270. The contact 270 is received in the housing 220 through the tubular extension 252. The contact 270 is held in a contact chamber (not shown in fig. 4) in the housing 220. The contact 270 is inserted into the housing 220 after being connected or terminated to the sensor cable 192. The sensor probe 190 is then inserted through the front end 224 of the housing 220. The rear end 278 of the sensor body 270 is then engaged with the mating end 290 of the contact 270. In the exemplary embodiment, a rear end 278 of sensor probe body 274 is coupled with a pin and socket type connection in an interference fit.

Fig. 5 shows a detailed perspective view of the contact 270. The contact termination end 292 includes a wire crimp region 300 and an insulation crimp region 302. The contact 270 includes a body portion 304. A plurality of wings 310 are formed in the body portion 304. The wings 310 engage the interior of the adapter housing 220 (fig. 4) to retain the contact 270 in the housing 220, as will be explained.

Fig. 6 is an end view of the adapter module 170. Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the adapter module 170 taken along line 7-7 in fig. 6. In fig. 6 and 7, the contact 270 is loaded into the housing 220 and mated or bonded to the sensor probe 190. In practice, the contact 270 is first terminated to the fiber cable 182, and then the contact 270 and cable 182 are inserted into the rear wire receiving end 226 of the housing 220. The sensor probe 190 is then engaged with the mating end 290 of the contact 270. In an exemplary embodiment, the contactor 270 and the sensor probe 190 are coupled with a pin-and-slot connection. A passage 228 extends through the housing 220 from the front end 224 to the rear wire receiving end 226. A contact chamber 320 is formed in the tubular extension 252 adjacent the trailing wire receiving end 226. The contactor chamber 320 is coextensive with the chamber 260 forward of the chamber 320. The chambers 320 and 260 receive the contactor 270. The contactor chamber 260 includes a shoulder 326, the shoulder 326 having a rear edge of the contactor chamber 260. The wings 310 of the contact 270 expand into engagement with the shoulders 326 to prevent withdrawal of the contact 270 after the contact 270 is loaded into the housing 220. The sensor probe 190 may be detached from the contactor 270 and removed for repair or replacement if desired.

The embodiments thus described provide an adapter module 170 for monitoring a network system to sense network connection activity and report the network connection activity to a monitoring or control station. The adapter module 170 can implement duplex connections to the network to be perceived as a single connection. The two cables 182 of the plug 178 are mechanically connected to the housing 220 of the adapter module 170. The adapter module includes a contactor 270, the contactor 270 electrically connecting the sensor probe 190 to a sensor cable 192, the sensor cable 192 being connected to a network monitoring system. The sensor probe 190 is shared between the two fiber cable plugs 178.

While the invention has been described in terms of various specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the claims.

Claims (8)

1. A duplex plug adapter module (170) comprising:

an insulator housing (220) having a front end (224) and a rear wire receiving end (226), the housing configured to mechanically connect to first and second signal cables (182);

a contact (270) retained within the housing, the contact having a front mating end (290) and a rear wire termination end (292);

wherein the housing includes a channel (228) configured to receive a sensor probe (190) shared by first and second signal cables (182), an

Wherein the contactor is configured to interconnect the sensor probe (190) and the sensor wire (192).

2. The adapter module of claim 1, wherein the channel (228) extends from the front end (224) to the rear wire receiving end (226), and wherein a sensor probe (190) is received in the channel (228) at the front end (224) of the housing (220) and a sensor wire (192) is received in the channel at the rear wire receiving end (226) of the housing (220).

3. The adapter module of claim 1, wherein the housing (220) further includes a tubular extension (252) at the rear wire receiving end (226), the tubular extension receiving the contact (270) and sensor wire (192).

4. The adapter module of claim 1, wherein the housing (220) includes a cavity (260) therein having an interior shoulder (326), and wherein the contact (270) is received in the cavity, the contact including a body (304) having a wing (310) extending therefrom, the wing (310) engaging the shoulder (326) to prevent withdrawal of the contact (270) from the housing (220).

5. The adapter module of claim 1, wherein the housing (220) includes a cavity (260) therein that holds the contacts and an outer surface having windows (254) extending from the outer surface to the cavity that lead to electrical connections between the contacts (270) and the sensor probe (190).

6. The adapter module of claim 1, wherein the contact (270) is connected to the sensor probe (192) in a pin-and-slot connection.

7. The adapter module of claim 1, wherein the housing (220) includes a clamp arm (230) and a clamp post (238) defining a cable retention slot (242) therebetween configured to receive the first and second signal cables (182).

8. The adapter module of claim 1, wherein the housing (220) includes a clamping arm (230) and a clamping post (238) including a latch portion (246) configured to secure the first and second signal cables (182) between the clamping arm (230) and the clamping post (238).