Core connector and method for splicing a twin core into at least one existing end-subscriber twin core

The invention relates to a core connector (1) for splicing at least one twin core (a2, b2), comprising at least one housing (3, 4), in which core connection contacts are arranged, the core connection contacts being in the form of integral twin contacts (K1-K4), a first contact (K11, K21, K31, K41) of the twin contacts (K1-K4) being accessible from the upper side of the housing (3, 4), and a second contact (K12, K22, K32, K42) of the twin contacts (K1-K4) being accessible from the lower side of the housing (3, 4), at least four twin contacts (K1-K4) being provided, which are opposite one another in pairs, as well as to a method for splicing a twin core (a2, b2) into an existing end-subscriber twin core (a, b).

This application is claims benefit of Serial No. 10 2009 010 930.7, filed 27 Feb. 2009 in Germany and which application is incorporated herein by reference. To the extent appropriate, a claim of priority is made to the above disclosed applications.

BACKGROUND

The invention relates to a core connector for connecting at least one twin core and a method for splicing a twin core into at least one existing end-subscriber twin core.

Owing to the occurrence of new network providers and the trend for the application of “Fiber to the Home”, it is necessary to splice the new copper lines of the new network provider into existing end-subscriber twin cores behind the service point (distribution box) since the replacement of the actual service points is generally not possible for various reasons.

SUMMARY

The invention is based on the technical problem of providing a core connector and a method for splicing a twin core into at least one existing end-subscriber twin core, by means of which the splicing operation can be implemented easily and reliably.

In this regard, the core connector for splicing at least one twin core comprises at least one housing, in which core connection contacts are arranged, the core connection contacts being in the form of integral twin contacts, a first contact of the twin contact being accessible from the upper side of the housing, and a second contact of the twin contact being accessible from the lower side of the housing, at least four twin contacts being provided, which are opposite one another in pairs. In principle, it is not absolutely necessary for the contacts of the twin contacts to be accessible from the upper and lower side, but this does simplify handling of the twin cores. Embodiments are therefore also conceivable in which the first and second contact of a twin contact are accessible from the same side.

In accordance with the method, the splicing of a twin core into at least one existing end-subscriber twin core takes place by means of a jumpering distribution board and at least one core connector, with first of all a first twin core being connected to a first pair of second contacts and a first side of the jumpering distribution board, and a second twin core being connected to a second pair of second contacts and a second side of the jumpering distribution board. Then, the existing end-subscriber twin core is connected to a first pair of first contacts and a second pair of first contacts, which are opposite one another. In this case, in each case one core is connected to a contact of the first and the second pair. Then, the connection at the jumpering distribution board is tested. In the event of a positive test, the end-subscriber twin core is severed between the first pair of first contacts and the second pair of first contacts, with data being fed into the end-subscriber twin core which is connected to the second pair of first contacts, via the second side of the jumpering distribution board.

In a preferred embodiment, the contacts of the twin contacts are in the form of insulation displacement contacts.

In a further preferred embodiment, the core connector is arranged in a housing, the housing having in each case openings for twin cores on a front side and a rear side. In this case, the housing can also be configured in such a way that a plurality of core connectors can be accommodated.

In a further preferred embodiment, the housing, in which the twin contacts are arranged, is formed on the upper side with a wall, which is arranged between the twin contacts, which are opposite one another in pairs, and has apertures for cores. The wall prevents incorrect attachment of a clip-on tool.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1is a schematic illustration of a circuit arrangement for splicing a twin core a2, b2into an existing end-subscriber twin core a, b. The end-subscriber twin core a, b is originally arranged between a service point HAP and a subscriber terminal point TAP (for example a TAE socket). The circuit arrangement comprises a jumpering distribution board RV and an ONT (optical network terminal). The ONT is connected to fiberoptic cables GFK. Furthermore, the ONT is connected to the jumpering distribution board RV via electrical cores or cables K. In the ONT, the optical signals which are transmitted via the fiberoptic cable GFK are converted into electrical signals and passed on via electrical cables. The actual splicing operation takes place by means of a core connector1, which is illustrated schematically inFIG. 1. The core connector1comprises four twin contacts K1-K4. In this case, the twin contacts K1, K2form a first pair, and the twin contacts K3, K4form a second pair. In this case, the twin contacts K1and K3, and K2and K4are opposite one another. Each twin contact K1-K4has first contacts KX1(where x=1 . . . 4) and second contacts KX2, the first contacts KX1serving the purpose of making contact with the end-subscriber twin core a, b. In a first step, a first twin core a1, b1is connected to the second contacts K12, K22of the twin contacts K1and K2of the core connector1, and a first side of the jumpering distribution board RV. Furthermore, the second twin core a2, b2to be spliced is connected to a second side of the jumpering distribution board RV and to the second contacts K32, K42of the twin contacts K3and K4. Then, all of the first contacts K11-K41of the four twin contacts K1to K4are connected to the end-subscriber twin core a, b. In the jumpering distribution board RV, the two twin cores a1, b1; a2, b2are then jumpered through, with the result that the correct connection to the twin core a, b can be checked. If the subscriber now desires data from the ONT, the end-subscriber twin core a, b is severed between the first contacts K11and K31or the first contacts K21and K41, for example by means of a clip-on tool, and jumpered through at the jumpering distribution board RV. The jumpering in this case takes place in such a way that the subscriber only receives data from the ONT. In the preliminary stages, two configurations are possible as long as the end subscriber does not desire any new services. Firstly, the data interchange can take place from the service point HAP further via the twin core a, b, in which case the jumpering-through in the jumpering distribution board RV is preferably interrupted again. Secondly, the data interchange from the service point HAP can also take place via the jumpering-through in the jumpering distribution board RV. However, in this case the twin core a, b can already be severed between the first contacts K11and K31or K21and K41prior to switching over to the ONT, with the result that it is necessary to jumper-through when switching over exclusively at the jumpering distribution board RV.

FIG. 2illustrates a twin contact K1, with the statements relating to K1also applying correspondingly to the other twin contacts K2-K4. The twin contact K1is in the form of a twin insulation displacement contact, the two first and second contacts K11and K12being arranged in mirror-symmetrical fashion. In the center, the twin contact K1has two projections2opposite one another on both sides on the longitudinal sides, by means of which projections the twin contact K1is supported in a housing upper part3(seeFIG. 3) or a housing lower part4(seeFIG. 4).

FIG. 3illustrates a core connector1for two end-subscriber twin cores a, b, with four pairs of twin contacts K1-K4being inserted into a housing upper part3. Two first pairs of twin contacts K1, K2are arranged on the front side V of the core connector1. Two second pairs of twin contacts K3, K4are arranged on the rear side, with in each case only the second contacts KX2of the twin contacts K1-K4of the four pairs being shown. In this case, the first twin contacts K1, K2are set at an angle of 90° with respect to the second twin contacts K3, K4. However, embodiments are also possible in which the contacts K1and K3, and K2and K4which are opposite one another are parallel to one another. In this case, it can also be provided that then adjacent pairs of twin contacts K1, K2and K3, K4are arranged offset through 90° with respect to one another.

FIG. 4illustrates the assembled core connector1with the housing upper part3and the housing lower part4.

InFIG. 5, the core connector1has been inserted into a further housing lower part5of an outer housing6, which is illustrated completely with the housing upper part14inFIG. 6. The housing lower part5is formed with at least one lug7with a bore8in order to fasten the housing6on a wall. Furthermore, the housing6has openings11in each case on a front side9and a rear side10, through which openings twin cores can be guided. In this case, the housing lower part5and the housing upper part14each have a semicircular notch, with the result that a circular opening11is formed in the assembled state (seeFIG. 6). The housing upper part3of the core connector1has a wall12, which is arranged between the opposite twin contacts K1, K2; K3, K4. In this case, the wall12has apertures13, through which the twin cores a, b can be guided. In this case, the wall12has the function of preventing the actuation of an incorrectly applied clip-on tool, with the result that the twin core a, b is not accidentally severed between the twin contacts K3, K4and the TAP (seeFIG. 1) or HAP and K1, K2. Finally, mention is made of the fact that the core connector can also be formed by separate contact rows, with the result that the twin contacts K1, K2and K3, K4are each arranged in a dedicated housing. It is further noted that the core connector can also be filled with gel or is filled with gel in order to protect the contacts against moisture.One aspect of the invention relates to a core connector for splicing at least one twin core, comprising at least one housing, in which core connection contacts are arranged,wherein the core connection contacts are formed as integral twin contacts (K1-K4), a first contact (K11, K21, K31, K41) of the twin contacts (K1-K4) being accessible from the upper side of the housing, and a second contact (K12, K22, K32, K42) of the twin contacts (K1-K4) being accessible from the lower side of the housing, at least four twin contacts (K1-K4) being provided, which are opposite one another in pairs.Another aspect of the invention relates to a method for splicing a twin core (a2, b2) into at least one existing end-subscriber twin core (a, b), by means of a jumpering distribution board (RV) at least one core connector (1), comprising the following method steps:a) connection of a first twin core (a1, b1) to a first pair of second contacts (K12, K22) and a first side of the jumper distribution board (RV),b) connection of a second twin core (a2, b2) to a second pair of second contacts (K32, K42) and a second side of the jumper distribution board (RV),c) connection of the existing end-subscriber twin core (a, b) to a first pair of first contacts (K11, K21) and a second pair of first contacts (K31, K41), which are opposite one another,d) testing of the connection at the jumpering distribution board (RV), ande) severing of the end-subscriber twin core (a, b) between the first pair of first contacts (K11, K21) and the second pair of first contacts (K31, K41), it being possible for data to be fed into the end-subscriber twin core (a, b) which is connected to the second pair of first contacts (K31, K41), via the second side of the jumpering distribution board (RV).

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