SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DETECTING A PATCH CORD END CONNECTION

• US 20070032124A1
• Filed: 08/07/2006
• Published: 02/08/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/08/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Panduit Corporation
• Original Assignee: Panduit Corporation
• Inventors: Nordin, Ronald, Leshin, Brian
• Granted Patent: US 7,636,050 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/404
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/641 by indicating incorrect coupling; by indicating correct or full engagement
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/7031 Shorting, shunting or bussing of different terminals interrupted or effected on engagement of coupling part, e.g. for ESD protection, line continuity
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/64 for high frequency, e.g. RJ 45
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/136 having patch field management or physical layer management arrangements

Abstract

Systems and methods for detecting a patch cord connection are presented. The insertion of a patch cord into a device jack physically closes a circuit, thereby permitting determination of the patch cord connection. The connection of only one side of a patch cord to a jack is able to be determined. In addition, a particular jack with which a patch cord is connected is able to be determined.

Claims

1. A patch cord system comprising:

a patch cord containing a 9th wire disposed between 9th wire cord contacts; and

a plurality of panels each containing a 9th wire panel contact adapted to accept one of the 9th wire cord contacts, the 9th wire panel contact including first and second portions isolated from each other when the 9th wire cord contact is not disposed therebetween and in electrical contact with each other when the 9th wire cord contact is disposed therebetween.

2. The patch cord system of claim 1 further comprising a connectivity detector connected between the first and second portions of at least one of the panels, the connectivity detector adapted to detect electrical contact between the first and second portions of the 9th wire panel contact of the at least one of the panels.

3. The patch cord system of claim 2 wherein each panel has a separate connectivity detector associated therewith.

4. The patch cord system of claim 1 further comprising a transceiver connected to each panel, the transceivers connected to each other through the patch cord when the patch cord is connected between the panels.

5. The patch cord system of claim 1 wherein the first and second portions comprise a resilient conductive material and are disposed such that the first and second portions exert an inward force against the 9th wire cord contact when the 9th wire cord contact is inserted therebetween.

6. The patch cord system of claim 1 wherein the 9th wire panel contact further comprises a third portion, the first portion disposed between the second portion and third portion.

7. The patch cord system of claim 6 wherein the first, second, and third portions are substantially parallel.

8. The patch cord system of claim 6 wherein the third portion is adjacent to the second portion in a first direction and the second and third portions are adjacent to the first portion in a second direction.

9. The patch cord system of claim 8 wherein the first portion overlaps at least one of the second and third portions in the first direction.

10. The patch cord system of claim 8 wherein the 9th wire cord contact contacts each of the first, second, and third portions when the 9th wire cord contact is inserted into the 9th wire panel contact.

11. The patch cord system of claim 1 wherein the 9th wire cord contact comprises a hole in which the first and second portions are disposed within when the 9th wire cord contact is inserted into the 9th wire panel contact.

12. The patch cord system of claim 11 wherein the first and second portions comprise curved sections disposed such that the curved sections of the first and second portions are disposed within the hole when the 9th wire cord contact is inserted into the 9th wire panel contact.

13. A patch panel comprising:

a 9th wire panel contact having a contact area adapted to accept a 9th wire cord contact; and

a circuit that includes conductors disposed in the contact area, the conductors configured to change a state of electrical contact therebetween upon insertion of the 9th wire cord contact therein thereby changing a state of the circuit.

14. The patch panel of claim 13 wherein the 9th wire panel contact is configured to close an open in the circuit upon insertion of the 9th wire cord contact therein.

15. The patch panel of claim 13 wherein the 9th wire panel contact comprises a resilient conductive material disposed such that the resilient conductive material exerts an inward force against the 9th wire cord contact when the 9th wire cord contact is inserted into the 9th wire panel contact.

16. The patch panel of claim 13 wherein the 9th wire panel contact comprises a resilient conductive material disposed such that the resilient conductive material resists longitudinal motion of the 9th wire cord contact after the 9th wire cord contact has been inserted a predetermined distance into the contact area.

17. The patch panel of claim 13 further comprising a connectivity detector connected between the conductors, the circuit including the connectivity detector and the conductors, the connectivity detector adapted to detect whether the circuit is open or closed.

18. A patch panel comprising:

a contact area adapted to accept a patch cord contact;

conductors disposed within the contact area, the conductors configured to change a state of electrical contact upon insertion of the patch cord contact into the contact area; and

a connectivity detector connected between the conductors to form a circuit, the connectivity detector adapted to detect whether the circuit is open or closed.

19. The patch panel of claim 18 wherein the conductors are configured to close an open in the circuit upon insertion of the patch cord contact therein.

20. The patch panel of claim 18 wherein the conductors are disposed such that the conductors exert an inward force against the patch cord contact when the patch cord contact is inserted into the contact area.

21. The patch panel of claim 18 wherein the conductors are disposed such that the conductors resist longitudinal motion of the patch cord contact after the patch cord contact has been inserted a predetermined distance into the contact area.