Abstract:
An assembly of a telecommunications module and at least one protection plug containing at least one protection component is characterized in that also the module itself contains at least one protection component.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The invention relates to an assembly of a telecommunications module and at least one protection plug, as is commonly used in the telecommunication systems.  
         [0002]     In telecommunication systems, numerous subscribers are connected with switches, which are operated by the telephone companies, via various distribution means, in order to enable the communication or data transfer to be established between the subscribers. In the distribution means, such as auxiliary or main distribution frames, the wires coming in from the subscribers, outgoing wires, which are connected to the switch, as well as so-called jumper wires are connected with each other via telecommunications modules. In these telecommunication systems, it is necessary to apply over voltage and over current protection means, in order to protect any equipment, which is connected with the wires, which are terminated at the telecommunications module. E.g., a DSLAM, which is connected with the contacts of a telecommunications module provided with a splitter so as to transfer a split signal to the DSLAM, must be protected from over voltage and/or over current. Usually, the protection means used for this purpose, are contained in protection plugs or protection magazines, which contain the necessary protection components.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0003]     WO 01/41272 describes an over voltage protection magazine which is mountable to a telecommunication mounting system.  
         [0004]     A connection component containing contacts for connecting wires can be integrated with the protection magazine.  
         [0005]     EP 0 621 733 B1 describes a protection module which can be connected with a telecommunications module. The protection module comprises two tapping contacts, which are adapted to contact the contacts of the telecommunications module. Furthermore, a grounding contact is provided which can be in the same plane as the tapping contacts. Both the tapping contacts and the grounding contact are connected with a surge arrester in order to protect any equipment which is connected with the module protected by the disclosed protection module, from over voltage.  
         [0006]     DE 39 09 783 A1 discloses a protection plug, which comprises a printed circuit board carrying contacts, which are adapted to contact the contacts of a telecommunications module.  
         [0007]     Finally, DE 100 296 49 C2 discloses a telecommunications module, which contains a print circuit board carrying so-called functional elements.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0008]     The invention provides an assembly of a telecommunications module and at least one protection plug, which has improved properties with regard to the handling of the protection components.  
         [0009]     As described in claim  1 , the assembly of a telecommunications module and at least one protection plug includes, firstly, at least one protection component, which is contained in the protection plug. In addition, also the module itself contains at least one protection component.  
         [0010]     In connection with the present invention, a telecommunications module is any type of module, which is adapted for the connection of wires carrying telecommunications or data transfer signals. Usually, the telecommunications module will have several contacts, which are adapted for the connection of the wires. These contacts can for example be configured as insulation displacement contacts (IDC). As an alternative, the contacts can be configured as wire-wrap pins, around which the exposed end of a wire can be wrapped. Furthermore, the telecommunications module of the inventive assembly can have a strip-like configuration with a row of contacts for incoming wires being formed opposite a row of contact connections of outgoing wires. In an alternative design, the telecommunications module of the inventive assembly can have two rows of contacts, which are formed on opposite sides of the module, e.g. a first row can be formed on a front side and a second row can be formed on a rear side. The telecommunications module can be adapted to be mountable to a telecommunications mounting system of any suitable kind, e.g. a telecommunications rack mount. Furthermore, the telecommunications module can be adapted for being provided indoors, e.g. in a central office, in particular a main distribution frame, as well as outdoors. In particular, the telecommunications module can be provided as a drop-wire module.  
         [0011]     A protection plug is construed to be a member, which can be mounted to a telecommunications module so as to connect tapping contacts of the protection plug with the contacts of the telecommunications module. The protection plug can be mountable to and electrically connectable with the telecommunications module by being inserted from any side of the telecommunications module. E.g., the protection plug can be inserted from a front as well as a back side. The tapping contacts can be configured so as to tap the voltage, which is present at the contacts of the module. By means of a connection of the tapping contacts of the protection plug with one or more surge arresters of the protection plug, any over voltage will be detected and will be connected with ground by means of one or more grounding contacts of the protection plug. By means of this structure, the over voltage will not be present at the “other” side of the telecommunications module so that any equipment which is connected with that side, will be protected from over voltage and over current.  
         [0012]     Furthermore, the protection components of the protection plug and/or the telecommunications module can be configured as over current and surge current protectors. This essentially means that there are components which are activated by over current flowing through the mentioned component which will then change into a state in which the over current is interrupted so that the electrical surroundings, i.e. any equipment which is connected with the module, is protected from the over current.  
         [0013]     The assembly contains protection components both in the module itself and the protection plug. In this way, primary protection functions can be separated from secondary protection functions. The former can be accommodated in the plug, and the latter can be contained in the module. In particular, there are protection components that must be replaced after they have been activated. In other words, these protection components are irreversible. This is typically the case for primary protection components. As examples, a so-called fail-safe or a fuse can be mentioned. The irreversible protection components can be accommodated in the protection plug. In this way, they are easily accessible in order to facilitate removal thereof.  
         [0014]     However, any protection components, which do not need to be replaced, also after they might have been activated, can be accommodated in the module itself. In this way, these reversible protection components are located “remote” from the users&#39; access so that intentional or unintentional manipulation will be prevented. By “reversible” it is meant that it is not intended that the components are destroyed, when they are activated and exhibit their protecting function. Thus, they do not have to be replaced under normal circumstances. However, by locating additional protection components in the protection plug, which is easily assessable, any necessary handling of these protection components can easily performed. Furthermore, there are certain protection components, which are, in the course of regular maintenance, replaced after defined time intervals. Also for this type of replacement, they must be easily accessible, which is ensured by means of the invention by preferably locating protection components, which need replacement, in the protection plug. In summary, the invention enables the accommodation of protection components in two different sections of the assembly consisting of the telecommunications module and the protection plug in order to adjust the position and accessibility of the protection component depending on the handling requirements and similar aspects discussed above.  
         [0015]     As mentioned, it is currently found advantageous that the telecommunications module comprises at least one reversible protection component, and/or the protection plug comprises at least one irreversible protection component. However, it is to be noted that this is in no manner obligatory, and both types of protection components can be arranged both in the module itself, and the protection plug. This also applies to the types of protection components described below.  
         [0016]     For example, the telecommunications module of the inventive assembly can contain a secondary protection component and/or the plug can contain one or more primary protection components. For the former component, it is not necessary to replace the component after it has performed its protection function. Rather, this component can continuously remain in the assembly, so that it is well accommodated in the telecommunications module where it is not usually accessible in order to prevent any type of unintended manipulation thereof. E.g., the telecommunications module can comprise one or more diodes, whereas the protection plug can comprise an irreversible fail-safe device and/or a fuse.  
         [0017]     In accordance with the above-described principle of the invention, the protection plug can contain protection components, which need to be replaced after they have activated, i.e. after they have performed their protection purpose, e.g. a primary protection component.  
         [0018]     In this context, it is conceivable that the telecommunications module contains an over current protection, and/or the protective plug contains an over voltage protector. However, it is to be noted again that any types of protection components can be located both in the module itself and the protection plug.  
         [0019]     In order to provide a convenient carrier for the protection components, both the telecommunications module as such and/or the protection plug can contain a printed circuit board. The printed circuit board can carry the protection components and represents a possibility of providing a cost efficient way of providing the necessary electrical connections between the contact and the protection components.  
         [0020]     As a preferred embodiment of the invention, the telecommunications module can further contain at least one circuit for splitting a signal, which is transmitted by one or more wires connected to the telecommunications module. In this context reference is made to the WO 02/76109, which describes a terminal block, which is adapted to split a combined signal. In particular, with regard to ADSL-technology, which is known to those skilled in the art, a single line, which leads to the subscriber, carries in different bandwidths both a conventional telephone signal and a data signal. In order to separate or “split” the signals, so-called splitter circuits are used which essentially include suitable filters in order to provide the split signal. The related splitter circuits can be integrated with the telecommunications module. In connection with the present invention, these splitter circuits, in particular a printed circuit board carrying these circuits, can be combined with those protection components, which are accommodated in the telecommunications module.  
         [0021]     The assembly can further comprise at least one connection point and/or a circuit for testing and monitoring purposes. In particular, the telecommunications module can have internal connections and/or relays for connecting a test and/or monitoring access with particular contacts of the module.  
         [0022]     The protection plug of the inventive assembly can have strip-like tapping contacts, which are adapted to contact the contacts of the telecommunications module. Furthermore, the protection plug can have at least one grounding contact, which is also shaped as a strip and which is preferably lying in the same plane as at least some of the tapping contacts. With such a structure of the contacts of the protection plug, the protection plug of the inventive assembly can be configured both simple and effective. As described in more detail below, this structure of the protection plug offers a number of preferred embodiments having novel features as compared to the prior art. In this context, it is to be noted that the above-described protection plug is considered a novel product, which can be provided with or without a telecommunications module so as to constitute a combined assembly thereof. This is also the case for the embodiments of the protection plug described below which can be considered novel products vis-à-vis the prior art.  
         [0023]     The protection plug can have the tapping and/or grounding contacts formed on a printed circuit board. In this case, it is particularly simple to provide tapping and grounding contacts, which are situated in one and the same plane and which effectively provide the necessary electrical connections.  
         [0024]     Moreover, the tapping and grounding contacts can be formed on the protection plug in a manner to have an equal spacing between them. It should be mentioned that this enables the grounding contacts to be electrically connected with a contact of the telecommunications module, when the taping contacts are in a position to tap contacts of the telecommunications module, to which wires are connected. In case the grounding contact is electrically connected with a further contact of the telecommunications module, this contact will serve as a grounding contact for ultimately connecting the grounding contact of the protection plug with ground.  
         [0025]     Generally, the protection plug, which may or may not be combined with a telecommunications module, can have numerous tapping contacts in order to provide protection for a telecommunications module which will usually have a strip-like configuration and comprise a number of connection contacts. In such a case, the protection plug could be called a protection magazine. However, the protection plug can also include only two or four tapping contacts and a single grounding contact. In the case of two tapping contacts, at least over voltage protection will be possible. In the case of four tapping contacts, over current protection will also be enabled. The single grounding contact would be sufficient in order to provide the necessary ground connection. The grounding contact can lie in one and the same plane with two of the two or four tapping contacts, which are present.  
         [0026]     As mentioned, the protection plug of the assembly can have plural tapping contacts and constitute a protection magazine. In particular, the protection plug can have a number of tapping contacts, which corresponds to the number of contacts of the module itself.  
         [0027]     As indicated above, the inventive assembly can be configured so as to provide a telecommunications module with a number of contacts, which are intended to remain free from wires connected thereto. These contacts will merely serve as shielding contacts between two contacts, to which wires are connected. Such a shield reduces or avoids crosstalk. In this connection, these shielding contacts of the telecommunications module can simultaneously serve as grounding contacts for providing the necessary ground connection with the protection components. Thus, the protection components which are accommodated in the telecommunications module and/or the protection components of the protection plug, can be connected with the shielding/grounding contact of the telecommunications module, in the case of the protection plug usually via at least one grounding contact. In this case, the contacts of the telecommunications module will alternatingly be used as connection contact (a, b) and as an earth contact(s), which will additionally provide shielding functions. However, such a shielding contact can also be used to connect a wire therewith. Furthermore, certain contacts of the telecommunications module, which may or may not be tapped by contacts of the protection plug, can serve other purposes, such as providing a power supply to the module and/or act as an access for testing and monitoring. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0028]     In the following, an embodiment of the invention will be described in greater detail by means of reference to the enclosed drawings, in which  
         [0029]      FIG. 1  shows an exploded perspective view of a protection plug of the inventive assembly;  
         [0030]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of the protection plug of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0031]      FIG. 3  shows the assembly in a perspective and partially cut view; and  
         [0032]      FIG. 4  shows a second embodiment of the assembly in a perspective and partially cut view. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0033]      FIG. 1  shows the protection plug  10 , which is essentially constituted by a front housing member  12 , a rear housing member  14  and printed circuit board  16 , which in the depicted case, carries a surge arrester  18 . The printed circuit board is configured so as to include three fingers or legs  20 , which carry contacts. Conductors, which are as such not visible in  FIG. 1 , are printed on the legs  20  so as to provide the necessary electrical connections between the tapping contacts as well as the grounding contact and the surge arrester. In this context, it should be mentioned that an electronic fuse can be arranged between the grounding contact of the surge arrester and the grounding contact of the printed circuit board, which is eventually connected with ground. In the depicted case, the right and center leg are used as tapping contacts, whereas the left leg is used as a grounding contact. However, in certain applications, also the right or center leg can be used as the grounding contact. Furthermore, the grounding contact can also be located in a plain, which is not coplanar with the tapping contacts. This is shown in  FIG. 4 . The necessary electrical connection to and from the surge arrester will immediately be evident for the skilled person.  
         [0034]     Correspondingly, it will be readily understood by the skilled person that any other type of protection components are conceivable. According to a preferred embodiment, which renders the manufacture of the protection plug comparably simple, the printed conductors will be formed on one and the same side of the printed circuit board  16 , e.g. that side, which is opposite the search arrester  18 , in order to facilitate the connection work for connecting the search arrester  18  with the conductors. In this manner, all contacts of the protection plug are located in one and the same plane.  
         [0035]     The protection plug shown in  FIG. 1  is assembled by mounting the search arrester  18  to the printed circuit board  16  and subsequently fitting the printed circuit board  16  into the rear-housing element  14 . In order to complete the protection plug, the front housing member  12  is fitted to the rear housing member  14  and is subsequently retained by the engagement of one or more latching hooks  22  formed on the rear housing member  14  and suitable openings or recesses  24  in the front housing member  12 .  
         [0036]     In  FIG. 2 , the final configuration of the box-like protection plug  10  is shown which is obtained by the above-described assembly of the components, which constitute the protection plug.  
         [0037]     In  FIG. 3 , a perspective view of an assembly of a telecommunications module  30  and in the depicted case four protection plugs  10  is shown. As can be taken from the figure, the telecommunications module  30  in this case comprises a housing having means  32  in the form of latch hooks for attaching the telecommunications module to a carrier, e.g. a telecommunications rack mount. Furthermore, in the case shown, wire-guiding troughs are formed in the housing of the telecommunications module on the upper and lower face thereof (the front and back face in  FIG. 3 ). The telecommunications module comprises, in its interior, a printed circuit board, having various electrical components, inter alia protection components. Contacts  34  are exposed at the front side of the housing so as to allow the connection of wires. In the embodiment shown, protection plugs  10  can be inserted from the front side. These protection plugs comprise additional protection components. The protection plugs  10  shown in  FIG. 3  are similar to the protection plugs shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The protection plugs  10  comprise further protection components in order to complete the protection provided by those protection components which are provided in the telecommunications module  30  itself. As regards the accommodation of particular types of protection components in the module and/or the protection plugs, reference is made to the previous explanations.  
         [0038]      FIG. 4  shows a further embodiment of the assembly of a telecommunications module  130  and, in this case, two protection plugs  110 . Firstly, the telecommunications module  130  as such is different from that shown in  FIG. 3 , among others, by the fact that latch hooks  132  are formed in a part of the telecommunications module  130 , which is located farther to the front. Furthermore, wire guides are provided in the form of hooks  136 , which extend in two sideways&#39; directions. Generally a mushroom-like shape is obtained. As regards the interior of the telecommunications module, which is visible in  FIG. 4  through the cut-out, the telecommunications module  130  contains a printed circuit board, on which splitter circuits are formed.  
         [0039]     The protection plug  110  differs from the protection plug  10  shown in  FIG. 3  in that the grounding contact  138 , which is shown in greater detail in the right part of  FIG. 4 , is not coplanar with the tapping contacts. The tapping contacts (not visible) are provided in the vicinity of the contacts  134  of the telecommunications module  130 . In the telecommunications module, a grounding rail  140  is provided offset with regard to the contacts  134 . The grounding rail  140  is adapted to establish electrical contact with a carrier in the field of telecommunications (not shown), which is made of metal. Thus, any current, which is induced in the grounding rail  140 , can be diverted to ground. A straight section  142  of the grounding rail  140  runs along the rows of contacts  134 . As shown in the right part of  FIG. 4 , the grounding contact  138  of the protection plug  110  is in electrical contact with the grounding rail  140  so as to establish the necessary electrical connections. Finally, it should be noted that the telecommunications module  130  has, at the sides thereof, wire guides  144 , into which wires, which are connected to the contacts  134 , can be inserted in order to guide these outside the module  130 .