MANAGED CONNECTIVITY IN OPTICAL DISTRIBUTION FRAME

• US 20160370552A1
• Filed: 02/14/2014
• Published: 12/22/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Commscope Telecommunications (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Tyco Electronics Company Limited (TE Connectivity Limited), Tyco Electronics UK Limited (TE Connectivity Ltd. (United Kingdom))
• Inventors: LAMBOURN, Stephen, STANDSIH, Ian Miles, COOK, Alan, MATHER, David, HOLLOWAY, Lee, WANG, Junkai
• Granted Patent: US 10,444,457 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3897 Connectors fixed to housings, casing, frames or circuit boards G02B6/44528 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4448 Electro-optic
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4452 Distribution frames
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4455 characterised by the way of extraction or insertion of the cassette in the distribution frame, e.g. pivoting, sliding, rotating or gliding
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/117 Pads along the edge of rigid circuit boards, e.g. for pluggable connectors
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/147 at least one of the printed circuits being bent or folded, e.g. by using a flexible printed circuit H05K1/148 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/148 Arrangements of two or more hingeably connected rigid printed circuit boards, i.e. connected by flexible means
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 3/363 by soldering
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0026 provided with connectors and printed circuit boards [PCB], e.g. automotive electronic control units

Abstract

A connection assembly (100) includes a base structure (110); a backplane (120) coupled to the base structure (110), the backplane (120) including a first circuit board (122); and a tray module (140) configured to couple to the backplane (120). The tray module (140) includes a tray body (160) including a second circuit board (162); and a bridge member (150) to which the tray body (160) is moveably coupled. The tray body (160) moves relative to the backplane (120) while the bridge member (150) remains stationary relative to the backplane (120). Managed connectivity components (250) on the second circuit board (162) remain connected to the first circuit board (122) even while the tray body (160) is pivoting relative to the backplane (120).

Claims

1. A connection assembly (100) comprising:

a. a base structure (110);

b. a backplane (120) coupled to the base structure (110), the backplane (120) including a first circuit board (122);

c. a tray module (140) configured to couple to the backplane (120), the tray module (140) including;

i. a tray body (160) including a second circuit board (162) and at least one managed connectivity component (250); and

ii. a bridge member (150) to which the tray body (160) is moveably coupled so that the tray body (160) is moveable relative to the backplane (120) when the tray module (140) is coupled to the backplane (120), the bridge member (150) being configured to couple to the backplane (120) in a fixed orientation so that the bridge member (150) does not pivot relative to the backplane (120), and the bridge member (150) providing a secure electrical connection between the second circuit board (162) and the first circuit board (122) to connect the managed connectivity component (250) to a data management network even while the tray body (160) is moved relative to the backplane (120).

2. The connection assembly of claim 1, wherein the tray body (160) is configured to pivot relative to the bridge member (150).

3. The connection assembly of claim 2, wherein the tray body (160) is configured to pivot at least about 45°

relative to the backplane (120).

4. The connection assembly of claim 2, wherein the tray body (160) is configured to pivot at least about 60°

relative to the backplane (120).

5. The connection assembly of claim 1, further comprising a connector (195) electrically connected to the second circuit board (162), the connector (195) being configured to mate with the first circuit board (122) to electrically connect the second circuit board (162) to the first circuit board (122).

6. The connection assembly of claim 5, further comprising a flexible circuit arrangement (190) having a first end (192) and a second end (193), the first end (192) of the flexible circuit arrangement (190) being coupled to the second circuit board (162), and the second end (193) of the flexible circuit arrangement (190) being terminated by the connector (195).

7. The connection assembly of claim 6, wherein the connector (195) does not move relative to the bridge member (150).

8. The connection assembly of claim 7, wherein the bridge member (150) defines a first bore (154) and the tray body (160) defines a second bore (164) that aligns with the first bore (154);

and wherein a hinge pin (159) extends through the first and second bores (154, 164) to enable the tray body (160) to pivot relative to the bridge member (150).

9. The connection assembly of claim 6, wherein the bridge member (150) includes a latch pin arrangement (155) that fit with a mounting arrangement (130) disposed on the backplane (120) when the tray module (140) is coupled to the backplane (120);

wherein the connector (195) is configured to connect to the first circuit board (122) when the latch pin arrangement (155) is fitted with the mounting arrangement (130).

10. The connection assembly of claim 9, wherein the latch pin arrangement (155) is disposed at a first side of the bridge arrangement (150) and a second latch pin arrangement (155) is disposed at a second side of the bridge arrangement (150).

11. The connection assembly of claim 9, wherein the mounting arrangement (130) includes a hook area (138) configured to capture the latch pin arrangement (155) if the tray module (140) is accidentally disconnected from the backplane (120).

12. The connection assembly of claim 9, wherein each latch pin arrangement (155) includes a pair of latch pins (155a, 155b), and wherein the mounting arrangement (130) defines a snap-fit region (133) at which one of the latch pins (155a, 155b) of each pair fits and a guide region (136) along which the other of the latch pins (155a, 155b) of each pair travels to align the bridge arrangement (150) with the backplane (120).

13. The connection assembly of claim 1, wherein the base structure (110) includes a drawer.

14. The connection assembly of claim 1, wherein the base structure (110) includes a chassis.

15. The connection assembly of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of optical adapters (200) mounted to the tray body (160), each adapter (200) defining at least one port at which managed connectivity component (250) is disposed.

16. The connection assembly of claim 1, wherein the tray body (160) includes a cable storage region (168).

17. The connection assembly of claim 1, wherein the backplane (120) includes a plurality of contact pads;

and wherein the connection assembly (100) further comprises a plurality of tray modules (140), each tray module (140) including a connector (195) that is configured to touch at least one of the contact pads.

18. The connection assembly of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of tray modules (140) configured to couple to the backplane (120), wherein each tray module (140) is separately removable from the backplane (120).

19. The connection assembly of claim 1, wherein the backplane (120) is angled relative to the base structure (110).

20. The connection assembly of claim 1, further comprising an adapter holder arrangement (170) disposed on the tray body (160) for retaining at least one optical adapter (200), the adapter holder arrangement (170) including latching arms (171) arranged in rows (176) and columns, wherein the latching arms (171) in each column face in a common direction for that column.

21. The connection assembly of claim 20, wherein each optical adapter (200) is held by a latching arm (171) disposed in a first row (176) and facing in a first direction and by a latching arm (171) disposed in a second row (176) and facing in an opposite second direction.

22. A method of accessing a tray (160) at a connection assembly (100) while monitoring PLI at the connection assembly (100), the connection assembly (100) including a plurality of trays (160) attached to a backplane (120) via respective bridge members (150), the backplane (120) including a first circuit board (122), each tray (160) including a second circuit board (162) that is electrically coupled to the first circuit board (122) and on which a media reading interface (255) is disposed, the method comprising:

a. accessing a selected one of the trays (160) including pivoting at least one of the trays (160) without disconnecting the respective second circuit boards (162) from the first circuit board (122), the trays (160) being pivoted relative to the respective bridge members (150) while the bridge members (150) remain stationary relative to the backplane (120); and

b. monitoring PLI associated with optical connectors (210) disposed at the trays (160) by reading the PLI using associated media reading interface (255).

23. The method of claim 22, wherein monitoring the PLI associated with optical connectors (210) disposed at the trays (160) comprises monitoring PLI associated with the optical connector (210) of at least one of the pivoted trays (160) while the tray (160) is being pivoted.

24. The method of claim 22, further comprising:

a. plugging a first optical connector (210) into a first port (202) of an optical adapter (200) disposed on the selected tray (160), the first port (202) being associated with a first media reading interface (255); and

b. monitoring PLI associated with the first optical connector (210) using the first media reading interface (255).

25. The method of claim 24, further comprising:

a. plugging a second optical connector (210) into a second port (204) of the optical adapter (200), the second port (204) aligning with the first port (202), the second port (204) being associated with a second media reading interface (255); and

b. monitoring PLI associated with the second optical connector (210) by reading the PLI using the second media reading interface (255).

26. The method of claim 22, wherein pivoting at least one of the trays (160) does not include pivoting the selected tray (160).

27. The method of claim 22, further comprising removing the selected tray (160) from the backplane (120) by pulling the respective bridge member (150) away from a mounting arrangement (130) at the backplane (120), wherein removing the bridge member (150) from the mounting arrangement (130) disconnects the respective second circuit board (162) from the first circuit board (122) at the backplane (120).

28. A tray module (140) comprising:

a. a tray body (160) on which a circuit board (162) and a plurality of optical adapters (200) are disposed, the circuit board (162) including a plurality of media reading interfaces (255) disposed at ports (202, 204) of the optical adapters (200);

b. a bridge member (150) configured to couple to the tray body (160) so that the tray body (160) is pivotable relative to the bridge member (150), the bridge member (150) including an electrical connector (195); and

c. a flex circuit arrangement (190) extending between a first end (192) and a second end (194), the first end (192) being connected to the media reading interfaces (168) via the circuit board (162), and the second end (194) being terminated by the electrical connector (195), the flex circuit arrangement (190) defining an electrical pathway (191) between the media reading interfaces (168) and the electrical connector (195), the flex circuit arrangement (190) being sufficiently flexible to enable pivotal movement of at least about 45°

between the tray body (160) and the bridge member (150).

29. The tray module of claim 28, further comprising at least one hinge pin (159) extending through at least one bore (154) defined by the bridge member (150) and at least one bore (164) defined by the tray body (160).

30. The tray module of claim 28, wherein the bridge member (150) includes latch pin arrangements (155) disposed at opposite sides of the bridge member (150).

31. The tray module of claim 28, further comprising an adapter holder arrangement (170) disposed on the tray body (160), the adapter holder arrangement (170) including a plurality of latching arms (171) configured to hold at least one optical adapter (200) to the tray body (160).

32. The tray module of claim 31, wherein the latching arms (171) of the adapter holder arrangement (170) are positioned in rows (176), wherein one of the latching arms (171) in each row (176) faces in a first direction and another of the latching arms (171) in each row (176) faces in a second, opposite direction, and wherein the latching arms (171) of adjacent rows (176) cooperate to hold one of the optical adapters (200) to the tray body (160).

33. The tray module of claim 28, wherein the adapter holder arrangement (170) includes a plurality of latching members (175), each latching member (175) including one of the latching arms (171), each latching member (175) also including a support arm (173).

34. The tray module of claim 33, wherein the adapter holder arrangement (170) includes the latching members (175) arranged in rows (176) of two latching members (175), wherein the latching arm (171) of a first of the two latching members (175) of each row (176) faces in a first direction and the latching arm (171) of a second of the two latching members (175) of each row (176) faces in a second, opposite direction.

35. The tray module of claim 34, wherein the support arms (173) of the two latching members (175) are positioned adjacent each other;

and wherein the support arms (173) of adjacent rows (176) are configured to hold flanges (206) on respective optical adapters (200) mounted between the adjacent rows (176).

36. A connection assembly (100) comprising:

a. a base structure (110);

b. a backplane (120) coupled to the base structure (110), the backplane (120) including a first circuit board (122);

c. a mounting arrangement (130) coupled to the backplane (120), the mounting arrangement (130) having a plurality of snap-fit regions (134) defining pairs of slots (135) and a plurality of guide regions (136) including guide surfaces (137), each guide surface (137) being associated with one of the pairs of slots (135).

37. The connection assembly of claim 36, wherein the mounting arrangement (130) including a first mounting member (131) and a second mounting member (132) that is spaced from the first mounting member (131), the first and second mounting members (131, 132) defining aligned snap-fit regions (134) and aligned guide regions (136).

38. The connection assembly of claim 36, wherein the mounting arrangement (130) also includes a plurality of lip members (139) extending upwardly from the guide surfaces (137) to define hook areas (138).

39. The connection assembly of claim 36, wherein the backplane (120) is angled relative to the base structure (110).

40. The connection assembly of claim 36, wherein the base structure (110) includes a chassis.

41. The connection assembly of claim 36, wherein the base structure (110) includes a drawer.

42. The connection assembly of claim 36, wherein the first circuit board (122) defines contact pads.

43. The connection assembly of claim 36, wherein the first circuit board (122) defines electrical connectors.

44. A method of assembling a connection system (100), the method comprising:

a. assembling a tray module (140) by pivotally mounting a tray body (160) to a bridge member (150), the tray body (160) including a circuit board (162);

b. connecting a first end (192) of a flex circuit (190) to the circuit board (162) and connecting a second end (193) of the flex circuit (190) to the bridge member (150), the second end (193) of the flex circuit (190) being terminated by a circuit board connector (195);

c. latching the bridge member (150) to a backplane (120) of the connection system (100) so that the bridge member (150) is disposed at a fixed orientation relative to the backplane (120);

d. connecting the circuit board (162) of the tray body (160) to a circuit board (122) at the backplane (120) via the circuit board connector (195) of the bridge member (150);

e. wherein the tray body (160) is configured to pivot relative to the backplane (120) without disconnecting the circuit board (162) from the backplane (120).

45. The method of claim 44, wherein pivotally mounting the tray body (160) to the bridge member (150) comprises inserting a pivot hinge (159) through a bore (164) defined in the tray body (160) and through a bore (154) defined in the bridge member (150).

46. The method of claim 44, wherein connecting the first end (192) of the flex circuit (190) to the circuit board (162) comprises soldering the first end (192) of the flex circuit (190) to the circuit board (162).

47. The method of claim 44, wherein connecting the second end (193) of the flex circuit (190) to the bridge member (150) comprises soldering the circuit board connector (195) to the second end (193) of the flex circuit (190) and snap-fitting the circuit board connector (195) to the bridge member (150).

48. The method of claim 44, wherein latching the bridge member (150) to the backplane (120) comprises snapping latch pin arrangements (155) at opposite sides of the bridge member (150) into slots (135) defined in a mounting arrangement (130) disposed on the backplane (120).

49. The method of claim 44, wherein connecting the circuit board (162) of the tray body (160) to the circuit board (122) at the backplane (120) is implemented automatically as a result of latching the bridge member (150) to the backplane (120).

50. The method of claim 44, further comprising mounting an optical adapter (200) to the tray module (140) by snap-fitting the optical adapter (200) into an adapter holder arrangement (170) disposed on the tray body (160) of the tray module (140).

51. The method of claim 50, wherein the adapter holder arrangement (170) aligns a port (202, 204) of the optical adapter (200) with a media reading interface (255).

52. An adapter holder arrangement (170) comprising:

a base surface; and

a plurality of latching arms (171) extending upwardly from the base surface, each latching arm (171) including a latching hook extending outwardly from a first side of the latching arm (171), and each latching arm (171) defining a region of reduced thickness at a second side of the latching arm (171) to accommodate flexing of the latching arm (171);

some of the latching arms (171) being disposed in a first column, each latching arm (171) of the first column facing in a first direction;

others of the latching arms (171) being disposed in a second column, each latching arm (171) of the second column facing in an opposite second direction, the second column of latching arms (171) spaced laterally from the first column.

53. The tray module of claim 52, wherein the latching arms (171) are positioned in rows (176), wherein all rows that are disposed between two rows include one of the latching arms (171) from each column (177).

54. The tray module of claim 53, wherein each end row that is not disposed between two rows includes one of the latching arms (171) from only one of the columns (177).

55. The tray module of claim 52, wherein each latching arm (171) is part of a latching member (175), each latching member (175) including one of the latching arms (171) and a support arm (173).