DRIVE SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AN AUTOMATED SWITCH MATRIX
First Claim
1. Drive means for automating cross-connects on a switch matrix board, wherein said drive means comprising:
- an electric motor comprising a shaft, that is selectively positionable on the switch matrix board for driving a selected cross-connect;
clutch means coupled to the electric motor for enabling the motor to move itself to a selected position, wherein the clutch means is arranged in a first state to connect the shaft of the motor to a lateral extending gear track and, while in the selected position, engages the motor to drive the cross-connects, wherein the clutch means is arranged in a second state to connect the drive shaft of the motor to a position screw of the matrix board; and
activating means arranged to move the clutch means between the first state and the second state.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention relates to a drive means that implements a single electric motor arrangement (150) for use in automating cross-connect on a switch matrix board (100). The invention is particularly applicable to switch matrix boards used in automated cross-connect systems for automating cross-connects for telephone lines. In an embodiment of the invention, the drive means comprises preferably an electric stepper motor (150) that selectively moves itself on the switch matrix board to a position to make the selected cross-connect. A magnetic clutch assembly (200,300) is coupled to the motor (150) to enable it to move laterally across the board. Once in position, the clutch assembly (200,300) enables the motor to rotatively engage with a positioning screw 120 thereby causing displacement of the corresponding contact means (130) to establish the line cross-connect.
11 Citations
25 Claims
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1. Drive means for automating cross-connects on a switch matrix board, wherein said drive means comprising:
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an electric motor comprising a shaft, that is selectively positionable on the switch matrix board for driving a selected cross-connect; clutch means coupled to the electric motor for enabling the motor to move itself to a selected position, wherein the clutch means is arranged in a first state to connect the shaft of the motor to a lateral extending gear track and, while in the selected position, engages the motor to drive the cross-connects, wherein the clutch means is arranged in a second state to connect the drive shaft of the motor to a position screw of the matrix board; and activating means arranged to move the clutch means between the first state and the second state. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of automating a cross-connect on a switch matrix board using drive means comprising a movable electric motor comprising a shaft, that is selectively positionable on the switch matrix board, a clutch means coupled to the electric motor for enabling movement of the motor and for establishing the cross-connect;
- and activating means to operate the clutch means, the method comprising the steps of;
using the motor to position itself at a selected position on the switch matrix board for making the selected cross-connect via the clutch means, wherein the clutch means is arranged in a first state to connect the shaft of the motor to a lateral extending gear track of the switch matrix board; using the motor to drive and establish the cross-connect via the clutch means, wherein the clutch means is arranged in a second state to connect the shaft of the motor to a position screw of the switch matrix board; and activating the activating means to move the clutch means between the first state and the second state. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
- and activating means to operate the clutch means, the method comprising the steps of;
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22. An automated cross-connect system comprising a switch matrix board for use in cross-connecting telephone lines, said switch matrix board comprising:
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electrically conducting contact pads disposed on said switch matrix apparatus and connected to said lines; positioning screws coupled to contact means that slidably engage with said contact pads for cross-connecting the lines; and drive means for rotating the positioning screws for displacing said contact means comprising; a electric motor comprising a shaft, that selectively moves itself into position on the switch matrix board; clutch means coupled to said motor for enabling movement of the motor, wherein the clutch means is arranged in a first state to connect the shaft of the motor to a lateral extending gear track of the switch matrix board; and
enables rotative engagement of the selected positioning screw for displacing the associated contact means to establish the cross-connect, wherein the clutch means is arranged in a second state to connect the shaft of the motor to a position screw of the matrix board; andactivating means arranged to move the clutch means between the first state and the second state. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25)
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Specification