Modular insert and jack including moveable reactance section

• US 7,601,034 B1
• Filed: 05/07/2008
• Issued: 10/13/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/07/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Legrand DPC LLC (Legrand SA)
• Original Assignee: Ortronics Incorporated (Legrand SA)
• Inventors: Martich, Mark E., Aekins, Robert A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Abrams; Neil
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, PHUONG CHI THI
• Application Number:
  US12/116,361
• Time in Patent Office: 524 Days
• Field of Search: 439/676, 439/941, 439/620.11, 439/620.17, 439/620.23
• US Class Current: 439/676
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6464 by adding capacitive elements
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6467 by cross-over of signal conductors
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/64 for high frequency, e.g. RJ 45
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/0228 Compensation of cross-talk by a mutually correlated lay-out of printed circuit traces, e.g. for compensation of cross-talk in mounted connectors balanced signal pairs H05K1/0245
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/0239 Signal transmission by AC coupling
• 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 1/162 incorporating printed capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/10189 Non-printed connector
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/941 Crosstalk suppression

Abstract

An insert device for use in a communication jack includes a housing, and plug interface contacts mounted with respect to the housing. At least one plug interface contact includes a first length extent extending along a first axial path and defining a first reaction surface that includes a first electrically conductive surface. The insert device includes a reactance unit having a reactance circuit operable to reduce or compensate for an electrical noise associated with signals conducted by the plug interface contacts, and a plurality of interconnection elements. At least one interconnection element defines a second reaction surface that includes a second electrically conductive surface. The insert device moves the reactance circuit relative to the plug interface contact by sliding the second reaction surface across the first reaction surface, and presses the second electrically conductive surface against the first electrically conductive surface.

Claims

1. An insert device for use in a communication jack, comprising:

a housing including walls defining an interior space;

a plurality of plug interface contacts mounted with respect to the housing, including wherein at least one plug interface contact of the plurality thereof includes a first length extent extending along a first axial path and defining a first reaction surface that includes a first electrically conductive surface; and

a reactance unit including a reactance circuit at least partially disposed within the interior space of the housing and operable to at least one of reduce and compensate for an electrical noise associated with signals conducted by the plug interface contacts of the plurality thereof, the reactance circuit further including a printed circuit board having an interconnection section including a plurality of interconnection elements and an end section including a plurality of capacitive elements in electrical communication with the interconnection elements of the plurality thereof, including wherein at least one interconnection element of the plurality thereof defines a second reaction surface that includes a second electrically conductive surface;

wherein the insert device is operable to move the reactance circuit, including the interconnection section of the printed circuit board and the end section of the printed circuit board, relative to the at least one plug interface contact, and relative to the housing, by sliding the second reaction surface across the first reaction surface along an axial direction corresponding to the first axial path; and

wherein the insert device is operable to press the second electrically conductive surface against the first electrically conductive surface with a force sufficient to preserve direct electrical communication between the reactance circuit and the at least one plug interface contact.

2. The insert device of claim 1, wherein the interior space of the housing includes a plurality of elongated channels, including wherein at least one elongated channel of the plurality thereof includes walls dimensioned and adapted to receive and guide a movement of a corresponding instance of the first length extent of the at least one plug interface contact.

3. The insert device of claim 1, wherein the interior space of the housing includes a plurality of elongated channels, including wherein at least one elongated channel of the plurality thereof includes walls dimensioned and adapted to receive and guide a movement of a corresponding instance of the at least one interconnection element of the reactance circuit.

4. The insert device of claim 1, wherein the insert device is operable to move the second electrically conductive surface between a first position relative to the first electrical conductive surface in which the function of the reactance circuit to at least one of reduce and compensate for the electrical noise is deactivated and a second position relative to the first electrical conductive surface in which the function of the reactance circuit to at least one of reduce and compensate for the electrical noise is activated.

5. The insert device of claim 1, wherein the insert device is operable to move the second reaction surface between a first position relative to each other the first electrically conductive surface in which the first and second electrically conductive surfaces are electrically isolated and a second position relative to the first electrical conductive surface in which the first and second electrically conductive surfaces are in electrical communication with each other.

6. The insert device of claim 1, wherein the insert device is operable to maintain the first and second reaction surfaces in direct physical communication with each other while moving the second reaction surface between a first position relative to the first reaction surface in which the first and second electrically conductive surfaces are physically isolated from each other, and a second position relative to the first reaction surface in which the first and second reaction surfaces are in direct physical communication with each other.

7. The insert device of claim 1, wherein the insert device is operable to move the second reaction surface between and among a first position relative to the first reaction surface in which the first and second reaction surfaces are physically isolated from each other, a second position relative to the first reaction surface in which the first and second reaction surfaces are in direct physical communication with each other but the first and second electrically conductive surfaces are electrically isolated from each other, and a third position relative to the first reaction surface in which the first and second reaction surfaces are in direct physical combination with each other and the first and second reaction electrically conductive surfaces are in electrical communication with each other.

8. The insert device of claim 1, wherein the housing includes an upper portion and a lower portion that cooperate to capture and support the plug interface contacts of the plurality thereof.

9. The insert device of claim 1, wherein the at least one plug interface contact includes eight (8) plug interface contacts in a side-by-side arrangement at least one end of the housing.

10. The insert device of claim 1, wherein the reactance unit includes a frame for supporting the reactance circuit relative to the at least one plug interface contacts, the frame incorporating at least one of a cantilever spring and a coil spring for so pressing the second electrically conductive surface against the first electrically conductive surface.

11. The insert device of claim 1, wherein the insert device is operable to move the reactance circuit relative to the at least one plug interface contact at least in part by causing the reactance circuit to rotate one of clockwise and counterclockwise in response to the at least one plug interface contact is rotating the other of clockwise and counterclockwise.

12. The insert device of claim 1, wherein the insert device is operable to move the reactance circuit relative to the at least one plug interface contact at least in part by causing the reactance circuit to translate vertically upward in response to the at least one plug interface contact translating vertically downward.

13. The insert device of claim 1, wherein the insert device is operable to move the reactance circuit relative to the at least one plug interface contact at least in part by causing the reactance circuit to rotate vertically upward and rearward in response to the at least one plug interface contact rotating vertically downward.

14. The insert device of claim 1, wherein the reactance circuit is free floating with respect to the plug interface contacts of the plurality thereof.

15. The insert device of claim 14, wherein the reactance circuit is adapted to move relative to the plug interface contacts of the plurality thereof in at least one of the vertical direction, the axial horizontal direction, or both.

16. The insert device of claim 1, wherein the reactance circuit is free floating with respect to the housing.

17. The insert device of claim 16, wherein the reactance circuit is adapted to move relative to the housing in at least one of the vertical direction, the axial horizontal direction, or both.

18. The insert device of claim 1, wherein the printed circuit board is a flexible printed circuit board, and wherein the capacitive elements of the plurality of capacitive elements associated with the end section of the printed circuit board are formed via conductive layers of the flexible printed circuit board.

19. The insert device of claim 18, wherein the capacitive elements of the plurality of capacitive elements associated with the end section of the flexible circuit board include at least one of capacitive pad traces, capacitive plate traces, and capacitive interdigitated traces.

20. The insert device of claim 1, wherein the reactance unit includes a frame for supporting the reactance circuit relative to the at least one plug interface contacts, the frame including a base securely mounted with respect to the housing and a plurality of flexible support elements receiving cantilever-type support from the base and extending outward therefrom, each flexible support element being operable to support an individual one of the at least one interconnection element.

21. The insert device of claim 20, wherein each flexible support element terminates in a rounded distal tip, and wherein each individual one of the at least one interconnection element is form bent to conform to a shape of the rounded distal tip of the corresponding flexible support element.

22. The insert device of claim 1, wherein by sliding the second reaction surface across the first reaction surface along an axial direction corresponding to the first axial path, the insert device operates to adjust an electrical distance along the first axial path between a point of contact of the reactance circuit with the at least one plug interface contact and a point of contact of the at least one plug interface with a corresponding instance of a jack interface blade of a mating communication plug.

23. The insert device of claim 22, wherein the insert device is operable to adjust the electrical distance along the first axial path at least to an extent of at least about 0.030 inches.

24. The insert device of claim 22, wherein the insert device is operable to adjust the electrical distance along the first axial path to an extent falling in a range of between about 0.040 inches and 0.045 inches.

25. The insert device of claim 22, wherein by sliding the second reaction surface across the first reaction surface along an axial direction corresponding to the first axial path, the insert device operates to one of foreshorten the electrical distance along the first axial path, lengthen the electrical distance along the first axial path, or both.

26. A jack assembly, comprising:

a jack housing defining a plug-receiving space; and

an insert device positioned within the jack housing, the insert device including

an insert housing;

a plurality of plug interface contacts mounted with respect to the insert housing, including wherein at least one plug interface contact of the plurality thereof includes a first length extent extending along a first axial path and defining a first reaction surface that includes a first electrically conductive surface; and

a reactance unit including a reactance circuit at least partially disposed within the interior space of the housing and operable to at least one of reduce and compensate for an electrical noise associated with signals conducted by the plug interface contacts of the plurality thereof, the reactance circuit further including a plurality of interconnection elements, and a plurality of capacitive elements in electrical communication with the interconnection elements of the plurality thereof;

including wherein at least one interconnection element of the plurality thereof defines a second reaction surface that includes a second electrically ! conductive surface;

wherein in response to a mating plug being received in the plug receiving space of the jack housing, the insert device is operable to move the plurality of interconnection elements of the reactance circuit and the plurality of capacitive elements of the reactance circuit relative to the at least one plug interface contact and relative to the housing by sliding the second reaction surface across the first reaction surface along an axial direction corresponding to the first axial path, and to press the second electrically conductive surface against the first electrically conductive surface with a force sufficient to preserve direct electrical communication between the reactance circuit and the at least one plug interface contact.

27. The jack assembly of claim 26, wherein in response to a mating plug being received in the plug receiving space of the jack housing, the insert device is operable to move the second electrically conductive surface between a first position relative to the first reaction surface in which the function of the reactance circuit to at least one of reduce and compensate for the electrical noise is deactivated and a second position relative to the first electrically conductive surface which the function of the reactance circuit to at least one of reduce and compensate for the electrical noise is activated.

28. The jack assembly of claim 26, wherein in response to a mating plug being received in the plug receiving space of the jack housing, the insert device is operable to move the second reaction surface between a first position relative to the first reaction surface in which the first and second electrically conductive surfaces are electrically isolated and a second position relative to the first reaction surface in which the first and second electrically conductive surfaces are in electrical communication with each other.

29. The jack assembly of claim 26, wherein the insert device is operable to maintain the first and second reaction surfaces in direct physical communication with each other while moving the second reaction surface between a first position relative to the first reaction surface in which the first and second electrically conductive surfaces are physically isolated from each other, and a second position relative to the first reaction surface in which the first and second reaction surfaces are in direct physical communication with each other.

30. The jack assembly of claim 26, wherein in response to a mating plug being received in the plug receiving space of the jack housing, the insert device is operable to move the second reaction surface between and among a first position relative to each other the first reaction surface in which the first and second reaction surfaces are physically isolated from each other, a second position relative to the first reaction surface in which the first and second reaction surfaces are in direct physical communication with each other but the first and second electrically conductive surfaces are electrically isolated from each other, and a third position relative to the first reaction surface in which the first and second reaction surfaces are in direct physical communication with each other and the first and second electrical conductive surfaces are in electrical communication with each other.

31. The jack assembly of claim 26, wherein the printed circuit board is a flexible printed circuit board, and wherein the capacitive elements of the plurality of capacitive element associated with the end section of the flexible printed circuit board are formed via conductive layers of the flexible circuit board.

32. The jack assembly of claim 26 wherein the insert device is operable to move the reactance circuit relative to the at least one plug interface contact at least in part by causing the reactance circuit to rotate one of clockwise and counterclockwise in response to the at least one plug interface contact is rotating the other of clockwise and counterclockwise.

33. The jack assembly of claim 26, wherein in response to a mating plug being received in the plug receiving space of the jack housing, the insert device is operable to move the reactance circuit relative to the at least one plug interface contact at least in part by causing the reactance circuit to translate vertically upward in response to the at least one plug interface contact translating vertically downward.

34. The jack assembly of claim 26, wherein in response to a mating plug being received in the plug receiving space of the jack housing, the insert device is operable to move the reactance circuit relative to the at least one plug interface contact, and relative to the housing at least in part by causing the printed circuit board to rotate vertically upward and rearward in response to the at least one plug interface contact rotating vertically downward.

35. The jack assembly of claim 26, wherein the reactance circuit is free floating with respect to the plug interface contacts of the plurality thereof.

36. The jack assembly of claim 35, wherein the reactance circuit is adapted to move relative to the plug interface contacts of the plurality thereof in at least one of the vertical direction, the axial horizontal direction, or both.

37. The Jack assembly of claim 26, wherein the reactance circuit is free floating with respect to the insert housing.

38. The jack assembly of claim 37, wherein the reactance circuit is adapted to move relative to the housing in at least one of the vertical direction, the axial horizontal direction, or both.

39. The jack assembly of claim 26, wherein in response to a mating plug being received in the plug receiving space of the jack housing, the insert device is operable to adjust an electrical distance along the first axial path between a point of contact of the reactance circuit with the at least one plug interface contact and a point of contact of the at least one plug interface with a corresponding instance of a jack interface blade of a mating communication plug.

40. The jack assembly of claim 39, wherein the insert device is operable to adjust the electrical distance along the first axial path at least to an extent of at least about 0.030 inches.

41. The jack assembly of claim 39, wherein the insert device is operable to adjust the electrical distance along the first axial path to an extent falling in a range of between about 0.040 inches and 0.045 inches.

42. The jack assembly of claim 39, wherein by sliding the second reaction surface across the first reaction surface along an axial direction corresponding to the first axial path, the insert device operates to one of foreshorten the electrical distance along the first axial path, lengthen the electrical distance along the first axial path, or both.