Abstract:
A telecommunications module has a housing with an interior and an exterior and plural contact elements ( 12, 40 ) extending from the interior to the exterior so as to enable the connection of exterior wires and/or the connection of interior or exterior electrical components and/or enable the tapping of contacts of another telecommunications module, wherein at last two of the contact elements ( 12, 14 ) are mutually connected within the interior of the housing by an internal wire ( 28, 32, 40, 42 ).

Description:
FIELD  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to a telecommunications module.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     In telecommunication systems various types of modules are used to connect wires or electrical components with each other, e.g. connection modules are used to connect wires which eventually lead to the subscribers with one end of patch cables or jumper wires. These connection modules can be arranged in distributors, such as distribution frame or racks. The distributors also accommodate connection modules, at which wires that eventually lead to the switch of the telephone company, are connected with the other ends of the patch cables.  
         [0003]     Secondly, various types of protection modules or plugs are known that comprise protection elements and can be mounted to connection modules in a manner to tap the contacts of the connection module. By way of one or more surge arresters, which are arranged in the protection module, any equipment, which is connected with the wires terminated at the connection modules, can be protected from over-voltage or over-current. Those skilled in the art will, furthermore, be familiar with protection modules comprising over-voltage or over-current protectors, which are by way of tapping contacts of the protection module, suitably connected with the contacts of the connection module so as to protect the mentioned equipment from over-current.  
         [0004]     Finally, there are connection modules known in the art that additionally comprise the above-mentioned protection components integrated in a housing of the connection module. In other words, the connection modules accommodate protection components, which by way of suitably designed contact elements, are electrically connected with those contacts, which are exposed outside the connection module to allow wires to be connected thereto. Particularly, in the latter described type of connection modules, the required contact elements can have extremely complicated shapes to realize the necessary electrical connections, taking into account the common shape of protection components as well as the necessity to replace those components after these have been activated. Finally, the shape of the contact elements can be further complicated due to the presence of separation points, at which two contact elements resiliently abut each other in a separable manner. In view of this structure, the contact elements can be electrically separated from each other by way of suitable devices, which can be inserted from outside to break the electrical connection and perform tests or similar actions.  
         [0005]     German utility model DE 20002378 describes a protection module for telecommunications systems in which the contacts can, by way of a special arrangement of the protection components, be configured substantially flat.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0006]     The invention provides a telecommunications module, in which the contact elements can be designed very simple and cross-talk properties can be improved.  
         [0007]     The novel telecommunications module can be of any type. In particular, reference is made to those types of telecommunications modules, which are mentioned in the introduction. Thus, the telecommunications module can be mountable to any type of carrier of any type of distributor and can be adapted to allow any type of wires, patch cables or jumper wires, to be connected therewith. Furthermore, the telecommunications module can have one or more separation points as well as electrical components, which are accommodated therein. The module can, in addition, be connected with other modules containing electrical components such as filters. Furthermore, one or more splitter circuits can be incorporated into the module to provide a so-called splitter module, which can be used in connection with ADSL-, or generally XDSL-technology, to split a combined signal into separate signals. Moreover, test and monitoring devices can be provided within or in connection with the module to allow testing and monitoring of lines, which are connected with the telecommunications module. Furthermore, the telecommunications module can be a module having contacts which are adapted to tap the contacts of a module, to which wires are connected. Such a module can accommodate electrical components such as protection elements and/or filters. The invention is applicable to any of the mentioned types of telecommunications modules as well as any other telecommunications modules which are known in the art.  
         [0008]     The novel telecommunications module has, firstly, a housing with an interior and an exterior or an outside. The housing will typically be formed of insulating, particularly plastic material, and will on the outside be appropriately designed so as to fulfil certain functions. For example, there can be structures to allow the module to be mounted to a carrier. Furthermore, the housing can, on the outside, have suitable elements for guiding the wires or cables, which are connected to the contacts of the module. Moreover, in the case of a protection module, the housing will usually be adapted to be mounted to a connection module.  
         [0009]     The telecommunications module, secondly, includes plural contact elements, which extend from the interior of the housing to the outside. In this context, it is sufficient if the contact elements are exposed so as to be accessible from the outside to allow for the contact elements to be used in any of the manners described below. In other words, it is possible, but not necessary, that the contact elements of the telecommunications module extend from the contour or outline of the housing. Rather, the required functions can be realized also if the contact elements are located within recesses or chambers formed in the housing so as to be exposed for the connection of wires. However, in particular in the case of the telecommunications module forming a protection module, the contact element can also extend from the outline of the housing.  
         [0010]     The contact elements of the telecommunications module, which are at least accessible from the outside, are adapted to perform various functions depending on the type of telecommunications module. Firstly, particularly in the case of a connection module, exterior wires can be connected with the contact elements. For this purpose, the contact elements can be formed as insulation displacement contacts, wire wrap contacts or similar contacts in that part, which is exposed to the outside. Secondly, the contact elements can be adapted to allow the connection of interior or exterior electrical components with the contact elements, e.g. the contact elements can have end sections which are adapted to be electrically connected with electrical components, such as protection elements, filters, splitter circuits, and/or test or monitoring devices, within the housing of the telecommunications module. In particular, in the case of a protection module, these components can be accommodated entirely sealed within the interior of the housing. In the case of a connection module comprising replaceable electrical components, these components can be accessible from the outside. In such a case, those sections of the contact elements, which are adapted to be electrically connected with these components, can be considered to be exposed to the outside.  
         [0011]     Thirdly, the contact elements of the telecommunications module can be adapted to tap the contacts of another telecommunications module. This will particularly be the case with protection modules, which comprise tapping contacts extending from the housing of the module so as to be inserted into a connection module and tap the contact thereof. By way of components such as surge arresters and/or over-current protectors, any equipment which is connected with wires terminated at the connection module, will be protected from over-voltage and/or over-current. As mentioned, the invention is well applicable to such a type of protection module.  
         [0012]     In the telecommunications module, at least two of the contact elements are mutually connected within the interior of the housing by way of an internal wire. In other words, a flexible wire, which was previously merely known to be connected with such a module outside the housing, is used inside the housing of a telecommunications module to connect two contact elements of the telecommunications module. This measure significantly allows the structure of the contact elements to be simplified. As described in the introduction, it is necessary to provide relatively complicated contact elements to allow the formation of separation points and/or electrically connections with electrical components such as protection elements and/or filters.  
         [0013]     In the novel telecommunications module, the contact elements can be simplified so as to constitute “functional contact elements”. This means that a particular contact element performs a single or very few functions so as to allow the internal wire to perform further functions, e.g. in a connection module, simple, flat sheet metal pieces with an insulation displacement section can be used to allow the connection of external wires. In the interior of the telecommunications module, the contact element is connected with one end of the internal wire. The other end of the internal wire is connected with a further functional contact element, which can also be designed comparably simple as it merely needs to perform one further, preferably a single function, e.g. the further contact element can be adapted to allow the connections of outside wires or it can be electrically connected with a protection component.  
         [0014]     By way of the novel internal wiring, the contact elements can be formed “specialized” for the specific function. This improves the specific properties of the contact elements. Furthermore, they can be kept simple because it is no longer necessary to form contact elements which are adapted to perform a first function on a first end and a second function at a second end. This requirement was commonly solved by relatively complicated contact elements. This can be eliminated by providing the internal wire for the necessary electrical connections between the “functional” contact elements which are “specialized” for the specific function to be performed at the particular end of the electrical path.  
         [0015]     The use of an internal wire instead of connection sections of a contact element made of flat sheet metal also improves the cross talk properties. It has been found that these flat sheet metal sections form capacities, which particularly, in the case of high data rate transmissions, cause cross talk between adjacent contact elements. This requires the use of larger distances between adjacent contact elements and/or shielding devices, such as shielding plates between adjacent contact elements. By the use of an internal wire, the contact elements made of flat sheet metal can be formed comparably short, so that the resulting capacities can be remarkably reduced. Furthermore, the internal wire, particularly in the case of the use of a twisted pair, does not form a relevant capacity, so that cross talk between adjacent contact elements, each connected with further contact elements by an internal wire, can be remarkably reduced. In particular, the contact elements can be arranged with a very short distance between them so that the size of the novel telecommunications module can be reduced.  
         [0016]     The telecommunications module can also comprise internal contact elements. Such internal contact elements can perform further connecting functions, similar to the internal wire and can, in certain applications, still be configured comparably simple. These internal contact elements can be mechanically connected with other contact elements, but electrically separated from the latter. Furthermore, the internal contact elements can be connected with the contact elements extending to the outside of the housing by, for example, soldering.  
         [0017]     As mentioned, the contact elements of the telecommunications module can be formed entirely flat. This reduces production costs, as the contact element can be simply stamped from sheet metal. Naturally, the contact elements can also be formed as wire wrap contacts, or they can be constituted by the known LSA+-contacts, which can, moreover, be somewhat tilted or bent about their longitudinal axis.  
         [0018]     Furthermore, the contact elements can comprise a single bend. Also with such a structure, the contact elements are configured comparably simple and can be produced with simple stamping and bending procedures, which merely require bending about one axis. By bending, the contact elements can be provided double-layered, i.e. with a part of the sheet metal being laid on top of another part. Subsequently, a contact slit of an insulation displacement section can be stamped from the contact element formed in this manner. Furthermore, by single bending, the contact elements can be provided with a flexible tab at one end so as to enable a reliable electrical connection with electrical components as desired.  
         [0019]     As regards the structure of the contact elements, these can also comprise plural bendings about axes which are parallel to each other. Also such a contact element can be produced in a cost efficient manner, because the required bending operations are still relatively simple due to the bending axes being parallel to each other. With such a structure of the contact elements, specific requirements with regard to the functions to be performed, can be taken into account. However, with the described structure, the contact elements are still configured remarkably simpler than the known contact elements which are adapted to perform plural functions and require bendings about axes which are not parallel to each other.  
         [0020]     The internal wire can be connected with the contact element by displacing the insulation of the wire. In other words, the contact element can comprise an insulation displacement section within the housing so as to allow a suitable electrical connection of the internal wire.  
         [0021]     Furthermore, it is conceivable to connect the internal wire with the contact element by soldering or other methods.  
         [0022]     In the telecommunications module, the cross-talk properties can be particularly improved when twisted wire pairs are used. As those skilled in the art will be well aware, the wires leading to the subscriber or the switch of telephone companies will usually be provided as wire pairs. The two wires of such a wire pair are connected with two contact elements, which can be called a pair of contact elements. The contact elements of such a pair are commonly called the a-contact and b-contact. As the same signal is transmitted via the contact elements of a pair, cross-talk between these contact elements does not occur. Therefore, the internal wires connected to the contact elements of such a pair can be arranged as close as possible to each other. Furthermore, cross talk with adjacent pairs of contact elements can be remarkably reduced if the internal wires, connected to the contact element of a pair, are twisted about each other. This effect has commonly only been used outside a telecommunications module. However, in the novel telecommunications module, the internal wiring can be performed by twisted wire pairs so as to achieve superior cross talk properties.  
         [0023]     As regards the contact elements, these can be formed as insulation displacement contacts outside the housing of the telecommunications module. However, any other type of contact, such as wire wrap pins, is possible.  
         [0024]     The electrical components, which can be accommodated in the telecommunications module, can be surge arresters, over-current or over-voltage protectors, filters, splitter circuits and/or components for testing and/or monitoring a line. Any other type of electrical components are conceivable in line with the specific requirements. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0025]     In the following, an embodiment of the invention will be described in greater detail with reference to the enclosed drawings, in which:  
         [0026]      FIG. 1  shows a side view of the contact elements and internal wires of an exemplary embodiment of a telecommunications module of the present invention;  
         [0027]      FIG. 2  shows a plan view of the arrangement of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0028]      FIG. 3  shows a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a ground contact provided in the telecommunications module;  
         [0029]      FIG. 4  shows a partially cutaway view of the telecommunications module;  
         [0030]      FIG. 5  shows a detail of  FIG. 4 ; and  
         [0031]      FIG. 6  shows a sectional view of the telecommunications module of  FIG. 4 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0032]      FIG. 1  shows, for the sake of clarity, only the interior of a telecommunications module. However, by the marks  10 , it is indicated that first ends  16  of contact elements  12  and  14  extend outside the housing so as to allow the connection of external wires therewith. As can be taken from  FIG. 2 , the mentioned ends  16  of the contact elements comprise a suitable slit  18  which constitutes an insulation displacement section. In this section, external wires can be connected with the contact elements. For example, wires which eventually lead to the subscriber can be connected with first contact elements  12 , and jumper wires can be connected with second contact elements  14 .  
         [0033]     As can be taken from the right of  FIG. 1 , the interior of the telecommunications module comprises further contact elements which are adapted for the connection with electrical components, such as over-current protectors and/or surge arresters. As can, generally, also be taken from  FIG. 1 , the contact elements  12 ,  14  are, at least partly, connected with the internal contact elements by twisted wire pairs. These will be described in the course of the subsequent description of the electrical path between the first contact element  12  and the second contact element  14 .  
         [0034]     The first contact element  12  is, in the insulation displacement section, formed double-layered by placing a part of the sheet metal, from which the contact element is formed, on another part of the same sheet metal. In the same manner, the second contact element  14 , as a whole, is formed. The electrical path starts at the second contact element  14 , where the signal comes in. On this occasion, it should be noted that the second contact element  14  is mechanically connected with an internal contact element  26 , but electrically separated therefrom. The electrical path continues via internal wires  40  and  42  to internal contact elements  44  and  46 . Each of these internal contact elements  44  and  46  taps one internal wire  40  and  42 , respectively, so as to apply the voltage, which is present, to a (not shown) surge arrester. In the case of an over-voltage, the surge arrester will be activated and the current will be connected with the earth by a suitable contact  50 . The arrangement of internal contact elements  44 ,  46  and the earth contact  50  is adapted for a surge arrester having three poles, with the ground or earth pole located at a centre portion so as to be connected with the ground contact  50 .  
         [0035]     Further along the electrical path, the internal wires  40  and  42  are connected with internal contact elements  38  each, one of which is visible in  FIG. 1 . Adjacent contact elements  38  as well as the mirror image, opposite internal contact elements each form a pair  54  ( FIG. 2 ). As can also be seen in  FIG. 2 , adjacent contact elements of pairs  52  and  54  are connected with further contact elements by twisted wire pairs. The internal contact element  30 , as well as the mirror image opposite internal contact element  38 , are adapted to receive an (not shown) over-current protector. The (not shown) housing of the telecommunications module can be configured so as to allow the insertion of the over-current protector from outside the housing between those sections  34  and  36  of the internal contact elements  30  and  38 , which abut each other in the situation shown in  FIG. 1 . However, when an over-current protector is inserted, the current will flow from the second contact element  14  via the internal wire  40  or  42  to the internal contact element  38 , through the over-current protector to the internal contact element  30 . Because of the fact that an over-current protector is located in the electrical path, this protector will be activated in the case of an over-current so that the electrical connection will be interrupted to prevent the over-current from damaging equipment which is connected with the telecommunications module.  
         [0036]     The electrical path continues from the internal contact elements  30 , which form a pair, via the twisted wire pair consisting of wires  28  and  32 , to the internal contact element  26 , which is mechanically, but not electrically, connected with the second contact element  14 . In this context, it should be mentioned that the first contact element  12  comprises a second section  20  which has plural bendings about axes, which are parallel to each other and comprise a point  22  which forms a first side of a separation point. The second side of the separation point is formed by a corresponding point  24  of the internal contact element  26 . As those skilled in the art will be well aware, the electrical connection between points  22  and  24  can be separated, e.g. for testing purposes, by a suitable separating device, which can be inserted from outside, typically from the left side according to  FIG. 1 .  
         [0037]     In the shown, un-separated state, the electrical path continues, from the right part of the internal contact element  26  to point  22  of the first contact element  12 .  
         [0038]     As can be appreciated on the basis of  FIG. 1 , it is generally possible to design contact elements which perform both the functions of all contact elements shown in  FIG. 1  and the functions of the connecting internal wires therebetween. However, such contact elements have a very complicated structure and require specific measures for enabling the connection with internal contact elements such as  44  and  46 , shown in  FIG. 1 . By the internal wires  28 ,  32 ,  40  and  42 , the contact elements can be kept comparably simple. In particular, they can be formed entirely flat and/or comprise a single bending, such as contact element  14 . All of the other contact elements merely comprise bending about axes, which are parallel to each other. Finally, with the connection via twisted wire pairs, cross-talk properties can be significantly improved.  
         [0039]      FIG. 2  shows the internal arrangement of the plural contact elements and the connections via twisted wire pairs there between in the plan view. The arrangement of  FIG. 2  is applicable to a connection module, which is adapted to allow the connection of ten twisted wire pairs from outside, so that in total twenty first contact elements  12  and twenty second contact element  14  each are required. As can be taken from  FIG. 2 , adjacent contact elements form pairs  52  of contact elements. The contact elements of such a pair  52  are connected with further pairs of contact elements, which are indicated by  54  in  FIG. 2 , by a twisted wire pair. This is possible due to the fact that cross-talk does not occur between contacts of one and the same pair. However, cross-talk between adjacent pairs  52 ,  54  can be significantly reduced by twisted wire pairs in the interior of the telecommunications module.  
         [0040]     As those skilled in the art will realize, a surge arrester having three poles can be used to protect both electrical paths of a pair  52  from over-voltage. In  FIG. 2 , the connection point  56  between a first internal wire  40  and the connection point  58  with a second internal wire  42  is indicated. At these connection points, the internal contact elements  44  and  46  are connected with the respective internal wire  40  and  42 .  
         [0041]     The earth contact  50 , which is not shown in  FIG. 2 , has the structure as shown in  FIG. 3  so as to allow in total ten surge arresters, which are provided for the protection of ten contact pairs, to be connected with the ground to provide over-voltage protection. The ground contact  50  is generally formed as a flat strip of sheet metal, in which plural, approximately trough-shaped recesses  60  are formed so as to accommodate the centre part of a surge arrester having an approximately cylindrical shape. Suitable slits  62  are formed to provide the edges of the troughs  60  with flexibility to achieve a reliable electrical connection with the surge arresters.  
         [0042]      FIG. 4  shows a partially cutaway view of the telecommunications module  64 . The telecommunications module  64  comprises a housing  66 , usually of plastic material. In the case shown, the housing is provided, at each side thereof, with latching devices  68  or other suitable structures to allow the telecommunications module  64  to be mounted to a suitable carrier. Furthermore, the shown embodiment of a telecommunications module comprises in total ten chambers or compartments  70  for receiving surge arresters. These are, as described in more detail below, in contact with the contact elements of the telecommunications module. The telecommunications module  64  is, in the case shown, adapted to receive ten wire pairs at, in total, twenty contact elements  14 . Two adjacent contact elements  14  form a pair  52 . As can be seen in the cutaway part  72  of  FIG. 4 , and as shown in more detail in  FIG. 2 , the contact elements  14  of a particular pair  52  are connected with the contact elements of a further pair  54  by a twisted wire pair consisting of internal wires  40 ,  42 . The arrangement shown in  FIG. 4  essentially corresponds to that shown in  FIG. 2  and described in detail above, so that a further detailed explanation does not appear to be necessary.  
         [0043]     This also applies to  FIG. 5 .  FIG. 5  essentially shows a pair  52  consisting of two contact elements  14  and connected with a further pair  54  of contact elements by the internal wires  40 ,  42 . The arrangement corresponds to that shown in  FIG. 2  with sections of the housing  66  of the telecommunications module  64  added.  FIG. 5  clarifies how the contact elements  12  and the contact elements of the pair  54  are accommodated in the housing  66  in a reliable manner.  
         [0044]     This can additionally be taken from  FIG. 6 . In the case shown, the housing  66  consists of a first, upper part  74 , and a second, lower part  76 . In the upper part  74 , the contact elements  12 ,  14  and the internal contact elements  26  (see also  FIG. 1 ) are located. In the lower part  76 , those internal contact elements  30  and  38 , which are intended to contact an over current protector (not shown) are accommodated. Furthermore, the lower part  76  of the housing comprises, in the case shown, a projection  78 , in which chambers  70  (see  FIG. 4 ) for accommodating surge arresters  80  are formed. Furthermore, internal contact elements  44  and  46 , which contact the surge arresters  80 , the ground contact  50 , and the internal wires  28 ,  32  as well as  40 ,  42  are located. As can be taken from the drawing, the upper part  74  and the lower part  76  of the housing overlap each other in a central region A.