Communications bladed panel systems

• US 9,549,484 B2
• Filed: 11/20/2015
• Issued: 01/17/2017
• 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:
  US14/946,931
• Publication Number:
  US 20160154423A1
• Time in Patent Office: 424 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 refracted (closed) position and at least one extended position. The first blade includes a coupler arrangement for connecting together media segments. The first blade remains electrically connected to the backplane of the chassis when moving between the retracted and extended positions.

Claims

1. A blade comprising:

a base having a front, a rear, a first side, and a second side;

a first circuit board carried by the base, the first circuit board being stationary relative to the base;

a second circuit board carried by the base, the second circuit board being movable relative to the base along a guided path, the second circuit board defining a rearwardly-facing connector;

a connection arrangement carried by the base, the connection arrangement including an electrical cable extending between a first end and a second end, the first end of the electrical cable being electrically connected to the first circuit board, the second end of the electrical cable being electrically connected to the second circuit board, the electrical cable being sufficiently flexible to accommodate movement of the second circuit board relative to the first circuit board;

a plurality of front couplers positioned at the front of the base; and

media reading interfaces disposed at front ports defined by the front couplers, each media reading interface including a plurality of electrical contacts accessible from the respective front port, the electrical contacts being isolated from optical signals carried by any optical connector received at the respective front port.

2. The blade of claim 1, wherein the second circuit board is parallel to the first circuit board.

3. The blade of claim 1, wherein the second circuit board is coplanar with the first circuit board.

4. The blade of claim 1, wherein the second circuit board is slidable relative to the first circuit board.

5. The blade of claim 4, wherein the connection arrangement includes a rail along which the second circuit board slides.

6. The blade of claim 5, wherein the connection arrangement includes a first mounting member coupled to the first circuit board and a second mounting member coupled to the second circuit board, the first mounting member being slidable along the rail relative to the second mounting member.

7. The blade of claim 1, wherein the first circuit board is T-shaped having a first portion that extends across the front of the base and a second portion that extends towards the rear of the base.

8. The blade of claim 1, wherein each front coupler includes one of the media reading interfaces.

9. The blade of claim 8, further comprising a blade processor coupled to the first circuit board, the blade processor being electrically connected to the media reading interfaces of the front couplers via the first circuit board.

10. The blade of claim 9, wherein the front couplers are divided into a first group and a second group, and wherein the blade processor is disposed between the first and second groups.

11. The blade of claim 1, wherein the front couplers are divided into a first group at the first side of the base and a second group at the second side of the base, the second group being spaced a distance from the first group.

12. The blade of claim 1, wherein the front couplers also define rear ports at which incoming media segments are received, the front couplers optically coupling the incoming media segments received at the rear ports to outgoing media segments received at the front ports.

13. The blade of claim 12, wherein the front and rear ports are configured to receive LC-type optical connectors.

14. The blade of claim 12, wherein the front and rear ports are configured to receive MPO-type optical connectors.

15. The blade of claim 1, further comprising:

at least one rear coupler positioned at the rear of the base, the rear coupler defining a rear port at which an incoming media segment is received;

a connecting media segment that carries optical signals between a front port of the rear coupler and a plurality of rear ports of at least some of the front couplers to optically couple the incoming media segment to at least some outgoing media segments.

16. The blade of claim 15, wherein the rear coupler is configured to receive MPO-type optical connectors and the front couplers are configured to receive LC-type optical connectors.

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

18. The blade of claim 17, further comprising a plurality of label panels mounted to distal ends of the cable retention fingers.

19. The blade of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of indicators mounted to the front of the blade, the indicators being electrically coupled to the first circuit board.