Communications bladed panel systems

• US 9,532,481 B2
• Filed: 12/14/2015
• Issued: 12/27/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CommScope Technologies, LLC (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: CommScope Technologies, LLC (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Inventors: Anderson, Chad, Coffey, Joseph C., Kostecka, Ryan, Stone, David, Wentworth, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu, Jerry
• Application Number:
  US14/968,398
• Publication Number:
  US 20160212876A1
• Time in Patent Office: 379 Days
• Field of Search: 36167921-67937
• 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 6/428 containing printed circuit boards [PCB]
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4292 the light guide being disconnectable from the opto-electronic element, e.g. mutually self aligning arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4452 Distribution frames
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/44526 Panels or rackmounts covering a whole width of the frame or rack
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/44528 Patch-cords; Connector arrangements in the system or in the box routing arrangements H04Q1/00
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4453 Cassettes
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/16 Constructional details or arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/409 Mechanical coupling back panels H05K7/1438
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/023 using sliding mechanisms for accessing the interior of the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/03 Power distribution arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/06 Cable ducts or mountings specially adapted for exchange installations
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/08 Frames or mounting racks for relays; Accessories therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/13 Patch panels for monitoring, interconnecting or testing circuits, e.g. patch bay, patch field or jack field; Patching modules
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/155 characterised by connection features
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0026 provided with connectors and printed circuit boards [PCB], e.g. automotive electronic control units
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0204 Mounting supporting structures on the outside of casings
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0217 Mechanical details of casings covers, lids, hoods or members for covering apertures H05K5/03
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/14 Mounting supporting structure in casing or on frame or rack
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/1401 comprising clamping or extracting means H05K7/10 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/1487 : Blade assemblies, e.g. blade cases or inner arrangements within a blade
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/1489 : characterized by the mounting of blades therein, e.g. brackets, rails, trays H05K7/1491 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/1491 : having cable management arrangements management of optical cables G02B6/444; in telecommunication cabinets H04Q1/06
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49002 : Electrical device making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 : Assembling or joining

Abstract

A fiber panel system includes a chassis including a backplane; and at least a first blade configured to mount to the chassis. The first blade is moveable relative to the chassis between a retracted (closed) position and at least one extended position. The first blade includes a coupler arrangement for connecting together media segments. Each blade includes a blade processor and a plurality of smart couplers. A chassis processor is electrically coupled to a processor port of the chassis backplane.

Claims

1. A blade comprising

a base having a front and a rear;

a circuit board arrangement carried by the base, the circuit board arrangement including a first circuit board mounted at the front of the base and a second circuit board mounted at the rear of the base, the second circuit board being movable relative to the first circuit board and relative to the base, the first circuit board being stationary relative to the base when mounted at the front of the base;

a processor electrically coupled to the first circuit board of the circuit board arrangement, the processor being positioned at the front of the base;

a plurality of front couplers positioned at the front of the base, each of the front couplers including at least one media reading interface that is accessible by the processor via the first circuit board of the circuit board arrangement, the at least one media reading interface contacting pads on the first circuit board, the front couplers defining a plurality of front ports, the front ports being configured to receive media segments carrying data signals, wherein the processor manages information received from the media reading interfaces and wherein the processor and the first circuit board are isolated from the data signals carried by the media segments.

2. The blade of claim 1, wherein the base includes a plurality of inner flanges that extend rearwardly to distal ends, wherein each inner flange includes a tab at the distal end.

3. The blade of claim 1, wherein the front couplers also define rear ports of the blade.

4. The blade of claim 3, further comprising:

a plurality of incoming media segments having connectorized ends plugged into the rear ports of the blade; and

a plurality of outgoing media segments having connectorized ends plugged into the front ports of the blade, the front couplers optically coupling the incoming media segments to the outgoing media segments.

5. The blade of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of rear couplers positioned at the rear of the base, each of the rear couplers defining a rear port.

6. The blade of claim 5, further comprising:

a plurality of incoming media segments having connectorized ends plugged into the rear ports defined by the rear couplers; and

a plurality of outgoing media segments having connectorized ends plugged into the front ports of the blade; and

a plurality of connecting media segments extending between the rear couplers and the front couplers, the connecting media segments optically coupling the incoming media segments to the outgoing media segments.

7. The blade of claim 1, wherein the base is generally planar.

8. The blade of claim 1, wherein the second circuit board of the circuit board arrangement defines a card-edge connection end.

9. The blade of claim 1, wherein the processor of at least one blade connects to the base using at least one mezzanine connector.

10. The blade of claim 1, wherein the processor of at least one blade connects to the base via s SIM-card type connector.

11. The blade of claim 1, wherein the front couplers are separated into a first group and a second group.

12. The blade of claim 11, wherein the first group is positioned at one side of the processor and the second group is positioned at another side of the processor.

13. The blade of claim 1, wherein each front coupler is configured to receive an MPO-type optical connector.

14. The blade of claim 1, wherein each front coupler is configured to receive an LC-type optical connector.

15. The blade of claim 1, wherein each front coupler is configured to receive an SC-type optical connector.

16. The blade of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of retention fingers extending forwardly of the couplers.

17. The blade of claim 16, wherein the retention fingers support port label members.

18. The blade of claim 1, further comprising a handle extending from the base.

19. The blade of claim 1, further comprising a flexible cable electrically connecting the first circuit board to the second circuit board.

20. The blade of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of latch arms disposed at sides of the base, each latch arm having a distal end that is flexible towards and away from the base, the distal ends defining latching members.