Communications bladed panel systems

• US 9,213,363 B2
• Filed: 12/18/2014
• Issued: 12/15/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CommScope Technologies, LLC (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Tyco Electronics Services GmbH (TE Connectivity Ltd. (United Kingdom))
• Inventors: Anderson, Chad, Coffey, Joseph C., Kostecka, Ryan, Stone, David, Wentworth, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu, Jerry
• Application Number:
  US14/574,663
• Publication Number:
  US 20150177780A1
• Time in Patent Office: 362 Days
• Field of Search: 36167901-67903
• 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 6/4453 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. 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 chassis for a bladed panel system, the chassis comprising:

a chassis housing defining an interior accessible through an open front;

a plurality of guides positioned along interior sides of the chassis housing, the guides extending between a front and a rear of the chassis housing, the guides being configured to facilitate sliding of blades through the open front of the chassis housing;

a backplane positioned at an open rear of the chassis, the backplane including a plurality of blade ports facing the interior of the chassis housing and a processor port facing an exterior of the chassis housing;

a chassis processor electrically coupled to the processor port of the chassis backplane, the chassis processor being coupled to a data network; and

a rear cover configured to releasably couple to the chassis housing to at least partially enclose the open rear of the chassis housing, the rear cover cooperating with the rear of the chassis housing to define at least one routing opening through which media segments are routed to the blades from the rear of the chassis housing, the at least one routing opening being located rearward of the backplane.

2. The chassis of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of rear management structures positioned at the rear of the chassis housing.

3. The chassis of claim 2, wherein the rear management structures include a plurality of cable clamps.

4. The chassis of claim 2, wherein the rear management structures include a plurality of fanout arrangements.

5. The chassis of claim 2, wherein the rear management structures include cable spools.

6. The chassis of claim 5, wherein the cable spools are positioned in a management tray that is attached to a rear of the chassis.

7. The chassis of claim 6, wherein the management tray has an open top.

8. The chassis of claim 1, wherein mounting flanges are coupled to sides of the chassis housing, the mounting flanges having portions that extend generally parallel with the open front of the chassis housing.

9. The chassis of claim 8, wherein the mounting flanges extend over a majority of a length of the sides of the chassis housing.

10. The chassis of claim 1, wherein a rear of the chassis includes a rearward extension that forms an enclosure in which the chassis processor is mounted.

11. The chassis of claim 10, wherein guides are provided in the enclosure of the rearward extension to enable sliding movement of the chassis processor relative to the enclosure.

12. The chassis of claim 1, wherein a plurality of latching openings are defined through sidewalls of the chassis housing.

13. The chassis of claim 12, wherein the latching openings are located towards the front of the chassis housing.

14. The chassis of claim 1, wherein the rear cover includes sidewalls extending between a top and a bottom of the rear cover.

15. The chassis of claim 14, wherein the rear cover also includes a rear wall extending between the sidewalls.

16. The chassis of claim 15, wherein the sidewalls extend from a rear of the rear cover towards a front of the rear cover.

17. The chassis of claim 16, wherein at least one of the sidewalls terminates before reaching the chassis housing to define the routing opening.

18. The chassis of claim 15, wherein an exterior of the rear wall defines a plurality of cable ties locations.

19. The chassis of claim 15, further comprising a bracket coupled to the chassis at the open front, the bracket including a curved transition surface located forwardly of the open front of the chassis.