Connector tracing

• US 10,641,973 B2
• Filed: 04/26/2018
• Issued: 05/05/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 04/26/2018
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dell Products LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dell Products LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Inventors: Shenai, Gurudath Harikrishna, Lalgoudar, Praveen S., Golwelkar, Saujanya, Sawal, Vinay
• Primary Examiner(s): Tavlykaev, Robert
• Application Number:
  US15/963,557
• Publication Number:
  US 20190331864A1
• Time in Patent Office: 740 Days
• Field of Search: 385 15, 385 38
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0008 the light being emitted at the end of the fibre
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/001 the light being emitted along at least a portion of the lateral surface of the fibre
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3893 Push-pull type, e.g. snap-in, push-on
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3895 identification of connection, e.g. right plug to the right socket or full engagement of the mating parts keying element on the plug or adapter G02B6/3831; keying element on the ferrule G02B6/3851; keying element for electrical connection H01R13/64
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4416 Heterogeneous cables
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/44529 Optical means for identifying patch-cords

Abstract

According to one embodiment, a system includes a signaling connector comprising one or more wires. Each wire is capable of transmitting signaling between first and second components of an information handling system. A light-pipe is provided with the signaling connector. The light-pipe is capable of conveying light from one end of the signaling connector to another end of signaling connector so that the signaling connector can be traced.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

a signaling connector that includes one or more wires that are each configured to transmit signaling between a first component and a second component that are included in an information handling system;

a light-pipe provided with the signaling connector, wherein the light-pipe is configured to convey light from one end of the signaling connector to another end of signaling connector; and

a termination cap that is configured to couple the signaling connector with the first component that is included in the information handling system, wherein the light-pipe is positioned on the termination cap such that, when the termination cap is coupled with the first component that is included in the information handling system, the light-pipe is located adjacent a light source on the first component that is included in the information handling system in order to allow light from the light source to be conveyed through the light-pipe.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the light-pipe is spirally wound around the signaling connector.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the signaling connector is covered by a jacket, and wherein the light-pipe is incorporated in the jacket of the signaling connector.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the light-pipe is formed of fiberglass.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the light-pipe is formed of plastic.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the termination cap comprises:

a plug for mating with a port in the first component of the information handling system, wherein the port is associated with the light source; and

a boot cap movably attached to the plug for positioning of the light-pipe into or out of alignment with the light source.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the boot cap is movably attached to the plug for positioning of the light-pipe into or out of alignment with the light source while the plug is mated with the port of the first component.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the light source comprises a link light-emitting diode of the first component.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the signaling connector is formed of electrically conductive material.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the signaling connector is formed of fiber optic material.

11. An information handling system comprising:

a first component and a second component;

a signaling connector that is configured to transmit signaling between the first component and the second component;

a light-pipe provided with the signaling connector, wherein the light-pipe is configured to convey light from one end of the signaling connector to another end of signaling connector; and

a termination cap that is configured to couple the signaling connector with the first component, wherein the light-pipe is positioned on the termination cap such that, when the termination cap is coupled with the first component, the light-pipe is located adjacent a light source on the first component in a manner that provides light from the light source to be conveyed through the light-pipe.

12. The information handling system of claim 11, wherein the light-pipe is spirally wound around the signaling connector.

13. The information handling system of claim 11, wherein the signaling connector is covered by a jacket, and wherein the light-pipe is incorporated in the jacket of the signaling connector.

14. The information handling system of claim 11, wherein the light-pipe is formed of fiberglass.

15. The information handling system of claim 11, wherein the light-pipe is formed of plastic.

16. The information handling system of claim 11, wherein the termination cap comprises:

a plug configured to mate with a port in the first component, wherein the port is associated with the light source; and

a boot cap movably attached to the plug for positioning of the termination cap into or out of alignment with the light source.

17. The information handling system of claim 16, wherein the boot cap is movably attached to the plug for positioning of the light-pipe into or out of alignment with the light source while the plug is mated with the port of the first component.

18. The information handling system of claim 11, wherein the light source comprises a link light-emitting diode of the first component.

19. The information handling system of claim 11, wherein the signaling connector is formed of electrically conductive material.

20. The information handling system of claim 11, wherein the signaling connector is formed of fiber optic material.