Abstract:
The present invention relates to the field of telecommunication jacks, and more specifically, to network jacks adapted for operating with more than one type of a plug. In an embodiment, the present invention is a communication connector that includes a housing configured to receive a communication plug, a printed circuit board connected to the housing, and a rocker switch pivotally connected to the housing, the rocker switch configured for actuating the printed circuit board. In a variation of this embodiment, the communication connector could be used in a communication system having communication equipment therein.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/779,806, filed on Mar. 13, 2013, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to the field of telecommunication jacks, and more specifically, to network jacks adapted for operating with more than one type of a plug. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The use of electronic equipment such as personal computers, servers, and other network operable devices has continued to progress over the past decades. This progression has been accompanied by an increased need to transfer large amounts of data at ever-increasing speeds and the resulting requirement of a sufficiently powerful network infrastructure. One particular area of concentration within network infrastructure has been the plug/jack mating region together with the individual plug and jack components. It is within these components that increasing crosstalk often occurs at high bandwidths. 
     As of today, the RJ45 connector has been one of the commonly used standards for making electrical connections within a network. While this standard is widely employed, the physical layout of electrical conductors in an RJ45 connector can cause increasing levels of crosstalk at higher bandwidths. To combat unwanted crosstalk, new plug/jack designs have been implemented. However, to ensure the ability to interface RJ45 components to new networks, it is desirable to have the new plug/jack designed be backwards compatible. 
     One such design is commonly referred to as GG45. A GG45 jack may provide channel backwards compatibility for standard RJ45 plugs where eight conductors are used for Category 6 (CAT6) (100/250 MHz) and Category 6A (CAT6A) (500 MHz) operation. Furthermore, a GG45 connector generally includes four additional conductors (two conductor pairs) in the corners of the plug aperture opposite of the RJ45 plug interface contacts (PICs) that interface with networks such as the high-speed Category 7 (CAT7) 600 MHz and Augmented Category 7 (CAT7A) 1000 MHz, or higher frequency, networks. A CAT6 or CAT6A plug uses the original 1-8 PICs (RJ45 mode), but a CAT7 or CAT7A ARJ45 plug instead uses the two pairs of contacts in the corners of the plug aperture and the 1,2 and 7,8 RJ45 PICs (GG45 mode). A protrusion on the nose of the ARJ45 plug actuates the jack for the alternative contact positions. In RJ45 CAT6A mode compensation circuitry is used in the connector; however, in GG45 mode the compensation circuitry may not be needed because of the separation of the plug interface contacts used in this mode in both the ARJ45 plug and the GG45 jack. 
     Some designs of GG45 jacks are known. However, these designs often exhibit high levels of mechanical complexity which can detract from reliability. Also, known designs exhibit electrical problems such as electrical imbalance (common mode to differential mode conversion and vice versa), relatively high return loss, and relatively high insertion loss for some of the conductor pairs. 
     Thus, there exists a need for a switchable jack with a cost effective and reliable method of actuation between RJ45 and switched high bandwidth modes, which has minimal impact on jack electrical performance. 
     SUMMARY 
     Accordingly, at least some embodiments of the present invention are directed to switchable communication jacks and the components thereof. 
     In one embodiment, the present invention is a communication connector that includes a housing configured for receiving a communication plug, a printed circuit board connected to the housing, and a rocker switch pivotally connected to the housing, the rocker switch configured for actuating the printed circuit board. In a variation of this embodiment, the communication connector could be used in a communication system having communication equipment therein. 
     In another embodiment, the present invention is a method of connecting a communication jack with one of a first type of a plug and a second type of a plug, the first type of a plug being different from the second type of a plug. The method includes providing the communication jack including a housing and plug interface contacts at least partially within the housing having at least a first contact pair and a second contact pair, engaging a coupling circuitry between the first contact pair and the second contact pair when the first type of a plug is inserted into the housing, pivoting a switch connected to the coupling circuitry, and translating the coupling circuitry via the switch from a first position to a second position when the second plug is inserted into the housing. 
     In yet another embodiment, the present invention is a communication connector operable with a first type of a plug corresponding to a first mode of operation and a second type of a plug corresponding to a second mode of operation, the first type of a plug being different from the second type of a plug. The communication connector includes a housing including a plug receiving aperture, a plug interface contact (PIC) support structure connected to the housing, a first plurality of adjacently positioned PICs in the plug receiving aperture and supported by the PIC support structure, the first plurality of PICs having a first subset of first contact pairs and a second subset of first contact pairs, the first subset of first contact pairs configured to interface the first type of a plug and the second type of a plug, the second subset of first contact pairs configured to interface the first type of a plug but not the second type of a plug, a second plurality of PIC positioned non-adjacently to the first plurality of PICs, the second plurality of PICs configured to interface the second type of a plug but not the first type of a plug, and a plurality of ground contacts at least partially within the housing for providing a signal ground for the first subset of first contact pairs when the communication connector is in the second mode of operation, the plurality of ground contacts providing ground balance for each first contact pair of the first subset of first contact pairs. 
     These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description, and any claims that may follow. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a communication jack mated to a communication plug according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a communication jack mated to a communication plug according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4A  illustrates an exploded view of a communication jack according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4B  illustrates a PIC support structure with PICs assembled thereto according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a section view of the plug/jack combination of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a rear isometric view of the plug/jack combination  FIG. 2  with some elements removed. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a section view of the plug/jack combination of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a rear isometric view of the plug/jack combination  FIG. 3  with some elements removed. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates rear isometric view of a jack according to an embodiment of the present invention with rear metal caps removed. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
     In one embodiment, the present invention is a switchable jack with an improved switching mechanism adapted to move a PCB between two different modes of operation, wherein said switching mechanism includes a pivoting rocker switch with an arm to efficiently convert the horizontal insertion and removal of an ARJ45 plug to a vertical motion of the switching PCB. The improved switching mechanism can reduce frictional losses while also improving its ability to accurately position the PCB for both the RJ45 and high bandwidth modes of operation. In at least one embodiment, the switchable jack of the present invention can accept an RJ45 plug or ARJ45 plug and is compliant with IEC 60603-7-7. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an embodiment of the present invention with a copper structured cabling communication system  46  which includes a patch panel  48  with switchable jacks  50 , and corresponding RJ45 plugs  52  and ARJ45 plugs  54 . Respective horizontal cables  56  are terminated to switchable jacks  50 , respective patch cables  58  are terminated to RJ45 plugs  52 , and respective shielded patch cables  60  are terminated to ARJ45 plugs  54 . Once RJ45 plugs  52  or ARJ45 plugs  54  mate with switchable jacks  50  data can flow in both directions through these connectors. Although communication system  46  is illustrated with a patch panel in  FIG. 1 , alternative embodiments can include other active or passive equipment. Examples of passive equipment can be, but are not limited to, modular patch panels, punch-down patch panels, coupler patch panels, wall jacks, etc. Examples of active equipment can be, but are not limited to, Ethernet switches, routers, servers, physical layer management systems, and power-over-Ethernet equipment as can be found in data centers and telecommunications rooms; security devices (cameras and other sensors, etc.) and door access equipment; and telephones, computers, fax machines, printers and other peripherals as can be found in workstation areas. Communication system  46  can further include cabinets, racks, cable management and overhead routing systems, and other such equipment. Cables  56 ,  58 ,  60  can be used in a variety of structured cabling applications including patch cords, zone cords, backbone cabling, and horizontal cabling, although the present invention is not limited to such applications. In general, the present invention can be used in military, industrial, telecommunications, computer, data communications, marine and other cabling applications. 
       FIG. 2  shows a switchable jack  50 , according to one embodiment of the present invention, mated with an RJ45 plug  52 . Note that relative to the orientation from  FIG. 1 , this assembly is rotated 180° about the central axis of cable  56 .  FIG. 3  shows a switchable jack  50 , according to one embodiment of the present invention, mated with an ARJ45 plug  54 . Note that relative to the orientation from  FIG. 1 , this assembly is rotated 180° about the central axis of cable  56 . 
       FIG. 4A  shows an exploded view of the switchable jack  50  according to one embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, switchable jack  50  includes a metal housing  62  and plug grounding tabs  64  which are used to make an electrical bond between a shielded plug and the metal housing  62 . Rocker switch  66  toggles switchable jack  50  between the RJ45 and switched high bandwidth modes of operation based on which type of plug is inserted. The front plug interface contacts (PIC) support structure  68  holds rocker switch  66  via axles  101  (both sides) which protrude into apertures  102 . Support structure  68  also combs PICs  70  with comb elements and helps further constrain PICs  70  as shown particularly in  FIG. 4B . Depending on whether switchable jack  50  is used with an RJ45 plug or an ARJ45 plug, data flows through different sets of conductors. In this particular embodiment, switchable jack  50  includes PICs  70   0 - 70   9  and PICs  72   3 - 72   6 . When switchable jack is operating in the RJ45 mode with an RJ45 plug connected to the jack, data flows between the jack and the plug through PICs  70   1 ,  70   2 ,  70   3 ,  70   4 ,  70   5 ,  70   6 ,  70   7 , and  70   8 , wherein each of the 1-8 subscript numbers corresponds to the 1-8 plug contacts generally found in an RJ45 plug, respectively. In a preferred embodiment, when operating in the RJ45 mode PICs  72   3 - 72   6  are grounded. When switchable jack is operating in the high bandwidth mode with an ARJ45 plug connected to the jack, data flows between the jack and the plug through PICs  70   1 ,  70   2 ,  70   7 ,  70   8 ,  72   3 ,  72   4 ,  72   5 , and  72   6 , wherein each of the 1-8 subscript numbers corresponds to the 1-8 plug contacts generally found in a ARJ45 plug, respectively. In a preferred embodiment, when operating in the high bandwidth mode PICs  70   3 - 70   6  are grounded. 
     While in the presently described embodiment PICs  70   0  and  70   9  are grounded and can be used to balance the ground around PICs  70   1 ,  70   2 ,  70   7 , and  70   8  (as further detailed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/632,211, titled “Backward Compatible Connectivity for High Data Rate Applications”, filed Oct. 1, 2012, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety), other embodiments of the present invention may omit PICs  70   0  and  70   9  all together, or utilize said PICs for other objectives such as, for example, active cable management. 
     Rear PIC support structure  74  further constrains PICs  70  as well as holds PICs  72  and provides guides  104 ,  110  to assist with the positioning of PCB  76 . PCB  76  can include two networks (not shown), or in other words coupling circuitry, one for RJ45 mode and one for high bandwidth mode. These networks can provide compensation for CAT6A requirements such as NEXT, FEXT, return loss and/or others; and signal connections for either CAT6A or higher bandwidth mode, for examples. Examples of such networks can be found in previously mentioned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/632,211. Left insulation displacement contact (IDC)  78  and right IDC  80  assemble to IDC support structure  82  to create IDC subassembly  84 . Four IDC subassemblies  84  are used in the switchable jack  50 . Two IDC isolators  86  separate IDC subassemblies  84  to reduce internal crosstalk among the four signal pairs. Two rear caps  88  assemble to metal housing  62  after horizontal cable  56  is terminated to IDCs  78  and  80  to complete the assembly of switchable jack  50 . In a preferred embodiment, the IDC isolators  86  and caps  88  are metal. The PICs  70  and  72 , PIC support structure  68 , and rear PIC support structure  74  are shown in an assembled state in  FIG. 4B . 
     A sectional view of RJ45 plug  52  inserted into switchable jack  50  taken along section line  5 - 5  in  FIG. 2  is shown in  FIG. 5 . Cables  56  and  58  have been removed for clarity. RJ45 plug  52  is inserted until RJ45 front nose  90  encounters rear PIC support structure  74 . This ensures that RJ45 plug  52  does not touch rocker switch  66 . In the RJ45 mode PCB  76  is positioned such that PICs  70  and  72  make contact with lower contact pads  92 , as shown. Rocker switch  66  controls the vertical positioning of PCB  76 . Arm  94  of rocker switch  66  links and can electrically bond to plated through hole  96  of PCB  76  to provide continuity of ground to PCB  76  if PCB  76  includes a ground plane or other ground structure. Spring arm  98  of rocker switch  66  pushes against shelf  100  of metal housing  62  in order to create a spring force and provide an electrical bond. Rocker switch  66  can pivot about aperture  102 . The spring force generated between spring arm  98  and shelf  100  causes rocker switch  66  to rotate in a counter-clockwise manner (relative to the orientation shown in  FIG. 5 ) about aperture  102 . This moment translates to a vertically upward force onto PCB  76  through arm  94 , which positions PCB  76  accordingly for the RJ45 mode of operation. A rear isometric view of  FIG. 2  is shown in  FIG. 6  with housing and three of the four IDC subassemblies removed to give additional perspective on the switching mechanism. Similar to PICs  70  and  72 , IDCs  78  and  80  make contact with lower contact pads  92  during RJ45 mode of operation. Upper quarter-round features  104  of rear PIC support structure  74  limit the upward vertical and lateral movements, and assist with accurately positioning PCB  76  so that a reliable interface between respective contacts and contact pads can be attained. 
     A sectional view of the ARJ45 plug  54  inserted into switchable jack  50  taken along section line  7 - 7  in  FIG. 3  is shown in  FIG. 7 . Cables  56  and  60  have been removed for clarity. Unlike RJ45 plug  52 , ARJ45 nose  106  of ARJ45 plug  54  slides past rear PIC support structure  74  and contacts rocker switch  66 . As ARJ45 plug  54  continues to insert, rocker switch  66  pivots in a clockwise manner about aperture  102 . This results in arm  94  driving PCB  76  in a vertically downward direction so that PICs  70  and  72  make contact with upper contact pads  108 . Spring arm  98  further drives itself into shelf  100 , creating an increased spring potential. A rear isometric view of  FIG. 3  is shown in  FIG. 8  with housing and three of the four IDC subassemblies removed to give additional perspective on the switching mechanism. Similar to PICs  70  and  72 , IDCs  78  and  80  make contact with upper contact pads  108  when switchable jack  50  is in high bandwidth mode of operation. Lower quarter-round features  110  of rear PIC support structure  74  limit the downward vertical and lateral movements, and assists with accurately positioning PCB  76  so that a reliable interface between respective contacts and contact pads can be attained. 
     Rocker switch  66  is designed so that it drives PCB  76  down to lower-quarter round features  110  as long as rocker switch  66 , front PIC support structure  68 , rear PIC support structure  74 , and PCB  76  are within standard manufacturing tolerances. Rocker switch  66  can elastically deform along beam arms  114  and nose deflection region  116  ( FIG. 4 ) to account for the variation due to manufacturing tolerances. Rocker switch  66  alters the position of PCB  76  by providing the necessary vertical forces to move PCB  76  along the vertical axis. This design permits the horizontal force exerted by the plug to be efficiently translated to vertical force on the PCB, which may help decrease the required insertion force for ARJ45 plug  54  into switchable jack  50 . When ARJ45 plug  54  is removed from switchable jack  50 , the spring potential between arm  98  and shelf  100  is released, causing rocker switch  66  to rotate in a counter-clockwise manner (relative to the orientation shown in  FIG. 7 ) about aperture  102 . This rotation causes arm  94  to move in an upward direction, thereby exerting an upward force on the PCB  76  and causing PCB  76  to return to its default RJ45 mode of operation. 
     A rear isometric view of switchable jack  50  with rear metal caps  88  removed is shown in  FIG. 9 . Individual conductors of horizontal cable  56  are terminated to respective IDC  78  and  80 . In one embodiment, horizontal cable  56  is an S/FTP (shielded/foiled twisted pair) cable, meaning that each conductor pair has its own foil wrap. Flanges  112  on metal IDC isolators  86  extend outwardly so that they make an electrical bond to the individual foil wraps  105  of each conductor  107  pair. This can promote a shielded system by carrying the ground from foil wrap through metal IDC isolators  86  to metal housing  62 . 
     Note that while this invention has been described in terms of several embodiments, these embodiments are non-limiting (regardless of whether they have been labeled as exemplary or not), and there are alterations, permutations, and equivalents, which fall within the scope of this invention. Additionally, the described embodiments should not be interpreted as mutually exclusive, and should instead be understood as potentially combinable if such combinations are permissive. It should also be noted that there are many alternative ways of implementing the methods and apparatuses of the present invention. It is therefore intended that claims that may follow be interpreted as including all such alterations, permutations, and equivalents as fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.