Electrical plug with main contacts and retractable secondary contacts
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A connector arrangement comprising:
- a plug body having a front, a back, a first side, and a second side, the plug body including main signal contacts positioned at the front of the plug body, the plug body defining a partial enclosure;
a storage component seated on the plug body at least partially within the partial enclosure, the storage component including memory configured to store physical layer information; and
secondary contacts positioned within the partial enclosure of the plug body and being coupled to the storage component, the secondary contacts being moveable relative to the plug body between extended and retracted positions.
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Abstract
Aspects of the disclosure related to a plug module including main contacts that connect to conductors of an electrical cable and retractable secondary contacts that connect to a storage component installed on the plug module. The secondary contacts may be releasably latched in the retracted position. The secondary contacts may be biased to the extended position. The storage component may move along with the secondary contacts.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A connector arrangement comprising:
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a plug body having a front, a back, a first side, and a second side, the plug body including main signal contacts positioned at the front of the plug body, the plug body defining a partial enclosure; a storage component seated on the plug body at least partially within the partial enclosure, the storage component including memory configured to store physical layer information; and secondary contacts positioned within the partial enclosure of the plug body and being coupled to the storage component, the secondary contacts being moveable relative to the plug body between extended and retracted positions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of connecting a plug to a socket, the socket including at least a primary contact arrangement, the method comprising:
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providing a plug body including main signal contacts that are configured to connect to the primary contact arrangement of the socket, the plug body also including secondary contacts; determining that the socket does not include a media reading interface that is configured to interface with the secondary contacts of the plug body; moving the secondary contacts from an extended position to a retracted position relative to the plug body; and inserting the plug body into the socket. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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19. A plug and socket system comprising:
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a socket including a housing defining a port, the socket also including primary socket contacts and secondary socket contacts arranged within the port; and a plug including a body at which wires of a cable are terminated, the plug also including main signal contacts terminating the wires of a cable, the plug also including a storage component that is slideably connected to the plug body, the storage component being configured to slide along an insertion direction of the plug, the storage component including a memory and secondary contacts that are electrically isolated from the wires and the main signal contacts. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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21. A patch cord comprising:
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a cable having twisted pair wires; a plug module including a housing; a plurality of main contacts positioned on the housing of the plug module, the main contacts being electrically connected to the twisted pair wires of the cable; a storage component positioned on the housing of the plug module, the storage component including memory configured to store physical layer information; and a plurality of secondary contacts positioned on the housing of the plug module, the secondary contacts being electrically connected to the storage component, the secondary contacts being configured to slide axially along the housing of the plug module between extended and retracted positions.
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Specification