Patch panel with modules

A patch panel includes a back plane having front mounted pairs of termination locations, and an interconnect location electrically connected to each pair of termination locations. The termination locations connect to two patch cords. The interconnect location defines an access device for selectively accessing the termination locations. An interconnect module interfaces with the interconnect location. The module can include test access, power over Ethernet, or circuit protection features.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure generally relates to devices and assemblies for patch panel systems. More particularly, this disclosure relates to a patch panel with access modules.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Patch panels are used to provide an interconnection between network elements. Patch panels typically include interconnecting circuitry positioned on or within a housing or other panel structure for connecting two telecommunications cables. Conventional interconnecting circuitry includes jacks and other cable interface structures which are electrically connected in order to electrically connect the telecommunications cables.

In general, improvement has been sought with respect to such systems and arrangements to provide additional functionality and usability.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a patch panel including a back plane having a front major surface and a back major surface facing in an opposite direction. A plurality of pairs of termination locations are mounted to the front major surface of the back plane. Each termination location includes a patch cord access device including electrical contacts connected to the back plane for electrically connecting to conductors in the patch cord. A plurality of interconnect locations mounted to the front major surface of the back plane provide access to the termination locations.

Each interconnect location preferably defines a card edge socket with normally connected contact pairs connected to the back plane. Circuitry on the back plane connects each pair of termination locations to one of the interconnect locations.

Under normal conditions, the patch panel electrically connects two telecommunications cables connected at the termination locations. The interconnect location allows selective access to the termination locations.

In one preferred embodiment, an interconnect module defines an edge contact sized for receipt in one of the card edge sockets of the interconnect locations. The interconnect module adds functionality to the circuit, such as test access, power over Ethernet, or circuit protection features.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now toFIGS. 1 and 2, one preferred embodiment of a patch panel10is shown. Patch panel10includes a chassis12which can be rack mounted or mounted to other frames or cabinets. Brackets14are used to mount chassis12to a rack. Patch panel10has a front18, and an opposite back20. Brackets14are located on sides16. As will be described in further detail below, the preferred embodiment is front accessible for the cables connected through patch panel10.

Patch panel10includes a plurality of patching circuits22a. Alternatively, patching circuits22acan be referred to as ports22a. In the illustrated embodiment, 24 patching circuits22aare provided. Other numbers of circuits can be provided as desired.

Patch panel10includes a back plane24having a front major surface26and an opposite facing back major surface28. As will be described below, circuitry30including tracings32(FIG. 4) connect the various elements of patching circuit22a.

Patch panel10can be powerless and without external control features. In some preferred embodiments, power modules34can be provided to introduce power into patch panel10, such as for power over Ethernet functions. The power modules34(two are shown inFIG. 2) can be mounted to back major surface28of back plane24. A CPU module36can also be mounted to back plane24at back major surface28to provide for system control, if desired. The CPU module can be installed for local and remote management for control and status monitoring.

Patch panel10includes pairs of connectors40, also referred to as termination locations40, for connecting to patch cords. Each connector40includes a patch cord access including electrical contacts for electrically connecting to back plane24. Further, the patch cord access electrically connects to conductors in the patch cord. As will be described in greater detail, connectors40can include RJ45 connectors42or insulation displacement contacts (IDC's)46(seeFIGS. 3B,3C and4). Other data connectors can be used, such as DB-9 connectors.

Circuitry30on back plane24connects to the pairs of connectors40. Circuitry30also connects to an interconnect location48associated with each patching circuit22aand the other patching circuits described herein. Interconnect location48defines a selective access location for accessing the electrical connections between the pairs of connectors40. Interconnect location48in the preferred embodiment includes a plurality of normally connected or closed contact pairs connected to the back plane. The normally connected contact pairs can be interrupted by the introduction of an interconnect module56. Preferably, the contact pairs are make before break contact pairs.

Other contact pairs in interconnect location48can be normally open. Such contacts can be dedicated power contacts or control signal contacts.

In one preferred embodiment, interconnect location48defines a card edge socket (FIG. 6). Each interconnect module56includes a card edge for mating with the card edge socket (FIG. 5).

Referring now toFIG. 3A, patching circuit22ais shown schematically. Two connectors40in the form of RJ45 connectors or jacks42are electrically connected through back plane24and interconnect location48. RJ45 jacks42mate with patch cords52. Patch cord52includes plug ends53. Interconnect module56mates with interconnect location48. Module56can be provided with functionality, as desired. For example, interconnect module56can provide test access, in an intrusive manner, or in a non-intrusive manner, as a monitor. Module56could alternatively be provided with circuitry for providing power over Ethernet (PoE) or GR-1089 or other circuit protection. Circuit protection features can include over voltage protection across each pair of connectors40.

Referring now toFIG. 3B, instead of two RJ45 jacks as inFIG. 3A, patching circuit22bincludes one RJ45 jack42, and one insulation displacement contact46for connecting patch cords52,54, respectively. Patch cord54includes individual wires55which are mated to insulation displacement contact46.

Referring now toFIG. 3C, patching circuit22cis provided with two insulation displacement contacts46for connecting two patch cords54.

Referring nowFIG. 4, back plane24is shown with circuitry30linking to the pairs of termination locations40in the form of RJ45 jacks42and insulation displacement contacts46. Circuitry30also links to the contact pairs of interconnect locations48. As shown inFIG. 4, two RJ to RJ patching circuits22a, two RJ to IDC patching circuits22b, and three IDC to IDC patching circuits22care shown.

Referring now toFIG. 6, interconnect location48includes a housing80including a socket82for receiving a card edge of interconnect module56. Contact pairs84include normally closed ends86. Tips88electrically connect to back plane24. Interconnect location48includes 14 contact pairs84.

Referring now toFIG. 7, RJ45 jack42is shown including a housing60defining a socket62. A spring64is positioned such that a spring end66is disposed within socket62for engaging plug53of patch cord52. Tip68electrically connects to back plane24. Typically, RJ45 jack42includes eight springs64.

Referring now toFIG. 8, insulation displacement contact46is shown including a housing70which defines a socket72and holds a contact74. Contact74includes a wire contacting end76for contacting a wire55of patch cord54. An opposite end defines a tip78for electrically connecting to back plane24. In the illustrated embodiment, each insulation displacement contact46includes four contacts74.

Referring back toFIG. 5, module56includes a card edge or edge contact90for receipt in socket82of interconnect location48. A front92includes the desired features for module56, including test access ports. The ports can allow intrusive testing or access, or non-intrusive testing or access, such as a monitor. Module56includes circuit functions94including appropriate tracings and other circuit elements as needed. In the case of power over Ethernet, module56is preferably flippable, to send power out to either connector40. In this manner, DC power can be simplexed with Ethernet data for transmission at one of connectors40.

Patch panel10can be implemented as a patch through panel with access. The modules56can be added in the signal paths without disrupting signal service. If power and control functions are needed later, the modules can be added to back major surface28of back plane24, with appropriately configured circuitry on back plane24to allow the power and control connections.

Referring now toFIGS. 9-14, a further embodiment of a patch panel100is shown. Back plane124includes RJ45 jacks142and interconnect locations148similar to RJ45 jacks42and interconnect locations48noted above. Interconnect locations148receive interconnect modules156. A panel construction160holds back plane124. Fasteners166are received by flanges162of housing construction160. A PEM fastener164with internal threads mounted to flange162can be used to interface with fasteners166.

Referring now toFIGS. 15-20, a still further embodiment of a patch panel200is shown. Back plane224includes insulation displacement contacts246and interconnect locations248similar to insulation displacement contacts46and interconnect locations48noted above. Interconnect locations248receive interconnect modules256. A panel construction260,262holds back plane224. Fasteners264mount panel constructions260,262together. A PEM standoff266with internal threads mounted to panel construction260can be used between back plane224and panel construction260.

Referring now toFIGS. 21-26, a further embodiment of a patch panel300is shown. Back plane324includes insulation displacement contacts346and interconnect locations348. Interconnect locations348receive interconnect modules356. A similar panel construction360,362holds back plane324in a manner as noted above for patch panel200. Instead of insulation displacement contacts246, an alternative embodiment of an insulation displacement contact346is used, including electrical contacts366. Interconnect locations348are similar to interconnect locations48,148,248noted above.

Panel constructions260,262and360,362are similarly arranged. Panel constructions262,362are positioned adjacent to a rear side of back planes224,324, respectively. Rear panel constructions262,362support insulation displacement contacts246,346during the punch down operations to connect them to the individual wires of the patch cords.

Referring now toFIGS. 27-32, interconnect module156is shown in greater detail. Similar constructions for interconnect modules256,356are provided. Interconnect module156includes two identical housings400mated together around a circuit board403. A card edge404is defined by a protruding portion of circuit board403which protrudes outside of housings400. Housings400are identical in shape, so as to reduce manufacturing costs. Tabs406and slots407mate together to snap housings400together. Standoffs408,410position circuit board403between housings400. Standoff408is in the form of a peg or post, and standoff410is in the form of a recess for receiving the post. Posts408are received in holes412through circuit board403. A front402of module156can define the access ports if provided as part of the functionality of the modules.