Systems and methods for detecting a patch cord end connection

• US 7,636,050 B2
• Filed: 08/07/2006
• Issued: 12/22/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/08/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Panduit Corporation
• Original Assignee: Panduit Corporation
• Inventors: Nordin, Ronald A., Leshin, Brian D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mehmood; Jennifer
• Application Number:
  US11/462,895
• Publication Number:
  US 20070032124A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,233 Days
• Field of Search: 340500-502, 340/505, 340/514, 340/635, 340/644, 340/653, 361/686, 361/679.01, 361/679.02, 361/679.6
• US Class Current: 340/635
• 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 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 a first end of the 9th wire cord contact therein thereby changing a state of the circuit while a second end of the ninth wire cord contact remains uninserted, the conductors comprising a first, second, and third overlapping portions wherein the first portion is located between the second and third portions when viewed from a front, a portion of the first conductor crosses a portion of the second conductor when viewed from a top, and the first portion, second portion, and third portion are substantially parallel when viewed from a side.

2. The patch panel of claim 1 wherein the 9th wire panel contact is configured to close an open in the circuit upon insertion of the 9th wire cord contact therein.

3. The patch panel of claim 1 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.

4. The patch panel of claim 1 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.

5. The patch panel of claim 1 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.

6. 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 a first end of the patch cord contact into the contact area while a second end of the ninth wire cord contact remains uninserted, the conductors comprising a first, second, and third overlapping portions wherein the first portion is located between the second and third portions when viewed from a front, a portion of the first conductor crosses a portion of the second conductor when viewed from a top, and the first portion, second portion, and third portion are substantially parallel when viewed from a side; 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.

7. The patch panel of claim 6 wherein the conductors are configured to close an open in the circuit upon insertion of the patch cord contact therein.

8. The patch panel of claim 6 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.

9. The patch panel of claim 6 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.