EP2625868A1

EP2625868A1 - Dynamic-junction apparatus for multipairs telephone cables

Info

Publication number: EP2625868A1
Application number: EP11782687.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Gabriele Maria Cirulli
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-10-08
Filing date: 2011-10-10
Publication date: 2013-08-14
Also published as: WO2012046263A1; IT1402154B1; ITRM20100526A1; WO2012046263A9; WO2012046263A8

Abstract

An electromechanical dynamic-junction apparatus or "smart junction" for terminating the cables or individual lines and connecting the copper lines that enter and leave the main distribution frames and/or the junction boxes and/or the distribution boxes of the access network, said junction apparatus being characterized in that to enable remote switching of the incoming telephone pairs towards the outgoing telephone pairs without intervention of staff in the place where the device itself is installed, it envisages means for terminating a number of outgoing pairs greater than the number of incoming pairs and moreover envisages means for remote control of the automatic actuation or automatic modification of a stable switching of any incoming pair with any outgoing pair. In this way, it is possible to perform the dual function of termination of the cables or of the connections themselves and of remote switching of any incoming pair with any outgoing pair, as well as enabling measurements to be made by the main distribution frame of the exchange on all the pairs terminated at the apparatus itself or on the subsequent ones, including the incoming/outgoing ones that have not been switched; wherein each incoming pair is associated to a selector (S), which, once positioned on the desired outgoing pair, performs switching by means of purposely provided lamellae (A and B) with which it is equipped.

Description

DYNAMIC-JUNCTION APPARATUS FOR MULTIPAIR5 TELEPHONE

CABLES

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The present invention relates to the sector of fixed telephony, and in particular regards an electromechanical apparatus aimed at intercepting and switching pairs of metal telephone conductors terminated at the elements for termination and restart (of the pairs themselves) of the distribution network: main distribution frames, junction boxes and/or distribution boxes.

Currently, the pairs are terminated on cumbersome strips that require purposely provided infrastructures (environments or pre-arranged premises, metal or plastic junction boxes, etc.), and in order to perform a switching between an incoming pair and an outgoing pair in an element of network of telephone cables it is necessary to intervene directly in situ to carry out the switchings, both in the case of construction of a new system and in the case of failure/maintenance of the connection.

To do this, it is known that the telephone company that manages the service must send a technician of its own to carry out the intervention in the network elements, with consequent high expenditure in terms of human resources and money.

In certain cases, said switchings must be performed in the horizontal and vertical strips present in the main telephone distribution frames.

Moreover, as has been said, many interventions regard maintenance of the terminations of the telephone pairs, which- become necessary in order to eliminate any oxidation of the contacts on the heads or strips, as well as accumulation of dirt thereon, thus eliminating the consequent low levels of insulation or interruptions. Said interventions must then be followed by operations for checking the effective solution of the problems originally encountered.

The main purpose of the present invention is to overcome the aforesaid problems and disadvantages by providing an innovative junction apparatus, hereinafter also referred to as "smart junction", to be used for connecting the terminations of the incoming and outgoing copper cables or connections in the main distribution frames and/or in the junction boxes and/or in the distribution boxes of the access network, which is designed to carry out and vary remotely switching of the telephone pairs without intervention of staff in the place where the device itself is installed.

The above has been obtained, according to the invention, by providing a junction according to Claim 1.

A better understanding of the invention will be obtained from the ensuing detailed description with reference to the attached drawings, which illustrate, purely by way of non-limiting example, a preferred embodiment .

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of the principle on which operation of the junction apparatus forming the subject of the present invention is based;

Figure 2 represents the overall mechanical structure and the shape of the lamellae of the selector S;

Figures 3 and 4 are schematic side views of a detail of the present invention, regarding the position of the carriage and of the corresponding flange for actuation of the switch of the incoming pairs and of the mechanical block of the pinion to guarantee "fixing" of the switching;

Figure 5 is an electrical diagram of the smart junction that can be obtained via the junction apparatus according to the invention; and

Figure 6 shows a side view and a view, PCB side, of a simplified variant of the selector, in the case where the incoming pairs and the outgoing pairs are connected to two PCBs set on opposite sides of the apparatus itself.

The inventive idea of the present invention basically consists in replacing, at a low cost, the current elements for termination of the incoming and outgoing copper cables or connections in the main distribution frames and/or in the junction boxes of the access network, with the respective junction apparatuses or "smart junctions", which have the dual function of:

- termination of the cables or of the lines/connections themselves; and

- remote-controlled variable switching of any incoming pair with any outgoing pair.

For example, in current main distribution frames, it is possible to replace the horizontal and vertical strips with the junctions according to the present invention, whereas in switching boxes it is possible to replace the incoming and outgoing heads with one or more of said junctions; also the termination heads of the distribution boxes can be replaced by the aforesaid smart junction.

According to a peculiar characteristic of the invention, the junction apparatus that is described normally envisages terminating a number of outgoing pairs greater than the number of incoming pairs (for example, increased by 50%, 100%, etc. : 100 incoming pairs for 150 outgoing pairs, 100 incoming pairs for 200 outgoing pairs, etc.) and moreover envisages the possibility of remote control of automatic actuation or automatic variation of a switching (connection that is stable as long as desired) of any incoming pair with any outgoing pair. It is envisages to provide said junction apparatus or smart junction with a variable modularity: for example, from a minimum of 10x15 pairs to a maximum of 200x400 pairs.

The maximum number of switchings possible is equal to the number of incoming pairs.

Another peculiar function of the junction according to the present invention lies in the fact that it enables measurements to be made (for example, by the main distribution frame of the exchange) on all the pairs terminated at the junction itself or on the subsequent ones, including the incoming/outgoing ones that have not been switched, thus providing remote- controlled setting-up of the connection (one at a time) for testing of each line.

From the standpoint of implementation, the junction apparatus according to the invention has an external metal or plastic shell, which is fluid-tight and pressure-tight and guarantees complete insulation from outside, buffering of the cables, electrical insulation between the conductors of the pairs and of said conductors to ground and substantial non-variation of the diaphonic/noise characteristics of the cable itself .

The incoming and outgoing telephone cables are terminated on purposely provided terminal blocks of the fast-coupling type appropriately pre-arranged within the metal shell of the junction itself and here buffered to guarantee fluid-tightness (compatibility with pressurization systems) and insulation thereof.

The electronic and electromechanical components constituting the junction are purposely produced in order to be able to withstand wide-ranging operating temperatures .

The smart junction that is described can be likened - from certain points of view - to a classic junction between telephone cables, with the difference that the junction between incoming and outgoing pairs is not fixed but can be obtained and modified remotely as required.

As for all junctions of copper telephone cables, the junction according to the invention may be buried, set in a pit, walled, set in a box or on a pole. In addition, it can be used as replacement for telephone- exchange junction boxes thus enabling elimination of the main distribution frame and of the corresponding premises. Likewise, using a buried smart junction, switching boxes can be eliminated from the roads.

With reference to Figure 1 and the subsequent figures, each incoming pair is terminated on terminal blocks of a fast-coupling type connected to a bus, preferably through a line switch (Figures 3 and 4), provided on a printed circuit board (PCB) , sliding on which is a selector "S" (Figure 2) equipped with two contact springs, for the wires "A" and "B", designed to make the switching between the incoming-pair side and the opposite side of the selector where all the outgoing pairs are terminated, on another overlying printed circuit board.

Figure 1 illustrates the principle on which operation of the junction apparatus forming the subject of the present invention is based: each incoming pair is associated to a selector S, which, once positioned on the desired outgoing pair, carries out switching by means of the lamellae A and B.

Figure 2 represents the overall mechanical structure and the shape of the lamellae of the selector S.

In the example illustrated, the selector S is basically constituted by an internal plastic thread fitted on which are two leaf springs, each with triple ' gold sliding contacts, which connect the two PCBs, the bottom one and a top one, of the outgoing pairs and laterally, in a direction orthogonal to the PCBs of the outgoing pairs, the PCBs of the incoming pairs: present alongside the selector, together with . the sliding springs of the incoming pairs, is a leaf spring "C", which controls the exact position of the selector to carry out switching.

Positioning of the selector S is obtained via a threaded shaft set in rotation by a motor assembly "Ms" with speed reducer "G", housed on a carriage.

Also housed on the same carriage is the motor "Mf" with corresponding speed reducer "G", which drives a wormscrew, which in turn causes the cone clutch "F" to slide into a working position and brings it to engage on the pinion "P" of the threaded shaft of the selector.

The clutch "F" is equipped with a flange that, in shifting into a working position, i.e., in a position where it engages on the pinion, draws the switch of the incoming pair into the open-circuit position.

The switches of the incoming pairs are fixed with respect to a purposely provided mechanical detent, which, in the resting position, is pushed by an appropriate spring into contact with the pinion of the threaded shaft of the selectors. The movement of the cone clutch for engaging on the pinion, in addition to opening the circuit of the incoming pair, simultaneously releases the pinion from the mechanical detent, thereby enabling rotation of the threaded shaft and positioning of the selector in the desired switching position.

The function of the mechanical detent is advantageously that of preventing the vibrations, due to various reasons, such as traffic or accidental impact, from causing displacement of the selector S from its given position, thus modifying the switchings.

Represented in the bottom part of Figure 1 is the system for positioning of the carriage, which, like the selector, is actuated by means of a threaded shaft driven by a motor "Mc" with speed reducer "G".

Both for the carriage and for the selectors the correct position is ensured by a control via encoder for each shaft and by purposely provided sliding contacts that verify the correct position on the printed circuit boards.

Each selector slides between the two PCBs, outgoing-network side, and a frame of plastic material that incorporates on one side the PCBs of the incoming network. The plastic frame has the function of spacer for the two PCBs of the outgoing network and for the orthogonal PCBs of the incoming network and of guide for the selector.

Positioned at the two sides of the block constituting the heart of the invention (Figure 1) , comprising the selector unit and the carriage system, are the insulation-displacement connectors (IDCs) where the incoming and outgoing cables of the junction itself are terminated; the ensemble is then enclosed between two metal shells that render it hermetic.

The commands and supply are sent to the smart junction through a service pair; the function of testing on the pairs is performed by assigning to an incoming free position the task of prolonging (one at a time) towards the main distribution frame all the incoming and outgoing terminations. In practice, the selector coming under the pair identified selects sequentially all the switched and non-switched pairs to enable the testing unit - set, for example, at the main distribution, frame - to carry out all the checks required.

In the electrical diagram of the junction according to the present invention shown in Figure 5, the incoming pairs, positioned on the two parallel PCBs, are twisted in order to minimize noise, whereas the outgoing ones are separated by ground planes to obtain the same result.

One of the outgoing pairs is reserved as service pair; in this way, it is possible to assign any incoming pair as service pair or as pair for the test.

Amongst the advantages deriving from the use of the present invention are:

- elimination of the network main distribution frames and their replacement with smart junctions instead of the boxes;

- elimination of the network junction boxes (those usually present along the roads) and their replacement with pits accessible via manholes;

- elimination of the possibility of failure on the network terminations (oxidation, breaking of the wire, short circuits, etc.)

- possibility of repair of any failure by means of operations of pair change that can be performed remotely without any intervention on the part of external staff; and

- possibility of making measurements locally or remotely (via a function that can be remote controlled in a number of ways, which enables connection, by means of a switch inside the apparatus itself, of each incoming or outgoing pair to a measurement bus, accessible also from outside or from an internal pair, or on a termination with known impedance) .

In conclusion, it should be noted that the invention can also be used in junction boxes in which one or more optical-fibre cables are connected to a multiplicity of copper pairs.

Finally, the PCBs of the incoming pairs and the PCBs of the outgoing pairs lie in planes that are not parallel to one another and are preferably perpendicular to one another.

Claims

1. An electromechanical dynamic-junction apparatus or "smart junction" for terminating the cables or individual lines and connecting the copper lines that enter and leave the main distribution frames and/or the junction boxes and/or the distribution boxes of the access network, the junction apparatus being characterized in that to enable remote switching of the incoming telephone pairs towards the outgoing telephone pairs without intervention of staff in the place where the device itself is installed, it envisages means for terminating a number of outgoing pairs greater than the number of incoming pairs and moreover envisages means for remote control of the automatic actuation or automatic modification of a stable switching of any incoming pair with any outgoing pair; thus enabling the dual function of termination of the cables or of the connections themselves and of remote switching of any incoming pair with any outgoing pair to be performed, as well as enabling measurements to be made by the main distribution frame on all the pairs terminated at the apparatus itself or at the subsequent ones, including the incoming/outgoing pairs that have not been switched; wherein each incoming pair is associated to a selector (S) , which, once positioned on the desired outgoing pair, performs the switching by means of purposely provided lamellae (A and B) with which it is equipped; wherein the selector (S) is substantially constituted by a plastic internal thread on which at least two leaf springs are fitted, each with triple gold sliding- contacts, which connect two PCBs, a bottom one and a top one, of the pairs with the lateral PCBs of the- incoming pairs; present alongside the selector (S) together with the sliding springs on the incoming pairs is an additional leaf spring (C) for controlling the exact position of the selector (S) for performing switching .

2. The junction apparatus according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it is designed to be installed as replacement of the current elements for termination of the cables or of the incoming and outgoing copper connections in the main distribution frames and/or in the junction boxes and/or in the distribution boxes of the access network.

3. The junction apparatus according to Claim 1, characterized in that it is equipped with an external fluid-tight and pressure-tight metal or plastic shell, which guarantees - in addition to electrical insulation - complete insulation from outside and buffering of the cables, wherein the incoming and outgoing telephone cables are terminated on purposely provided terminal blocks of a fast-coupling type appropriately prearranged within said metal shell and there buffered to guarantee fluid tightness and insulation thereof; the electronic and electromechanical components constituting the apparatus being produced purposely for being able to withstand a wide range of operating temperatures .

4. The junction apparatus according to Claim 1, characterized in that each incoming pair is terminated on terminal blocks of a fast-coupling type connected to a bus, preferably through a line switch, provided on a printed circuit board (PCB) , sliding on which is the selector (S) equipped with two contact springs (A and B) , for the wires of each pair that are designed to perform switching between the incoming-pair side and the opposite side of the selector where all the outgoing pairs are terminated on another printed circuit board.

5. The junction apparatus according to Claim 1, characterized in that positioning of the selector (S) is obtained via a threaded shaft set in rotation by a motor assembly (Ms) with speed reducer (G) , housed on a carriage .

6. The junction apparatus according to the preceding claim, characterized in that also housed on the same carriage is a motor (Mf) with corresponding speed reducer (G) for actuating a wormscrew that in turn causes a cone clutch (F) to slide in a working position and brings it to engage on a pinion (P) of the threaded shaft of the selector (S) .

7. The junction apparatus according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the clutch (F) is equipped with a flange that, in shifting into a working position, i.e., of engaging on the pinion, draws the switch of the incoming pair into the open- circuit position.

8. The junction apparatus according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the switches of the incoming pairs are fixed with respect to a purposely provided mechanical detent, which, in the resting position, is pushed by an appropriate spring into contact with the pinion of the threaded shaft of the respective selectors (S) ; wherein the movement of the cone clutch to engage on the pinion, in addition to opening the circuit of the incoming pair, is designed to free simultaneously the pinion from the mechanical detent; thus obtaining rotation of the threaded shaft and positioning of the selector (S) in the desired switching position.

9. The junction apparatus according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said mechanical detent is designed to prevent the vibrations, caused for example by traffic or by any accidental impact, from bringing about displacement of the selector (S) from its given position by modifying the switchings.

10. The junction apparatus according to Claim 5, characterized in that to displace said carriage and position it at the desired selector (S) , an internal thread is provided fixed with respect to the carriage, which is always engaged on a threaded shaft driven by a motor (Mc) with speed reducer (G) .

11. The junction apparatus according to Claim 5, characterized in that to verify the correct position of the carriage and of the selectors (S) encoder control means are provided for each shaft, as well as purposely provided sliding contacts that verify the correct position on the printed circuit boards.

12. The junction apparatus according to Claim 1 or Claim 4, characterized in that each selector (S) slides between the two PCBs, outgoing-network side, and a frame of plastic material, which incorporates on one side the PCBs of the incoming network; the plastic frame having, the function of spacer for the two PCBs of the outgoing network and for the orthogonal PCBs of the incoming network and of guide for the selector (S) .

13. The junction apparatus according to Claim 1, characterized in that the commands and the supply are sent through a service pair, whilst the function of testing of the non-switched outgoing pairs is performed by assigning to an incoming free pair the task of prolonging them towards the main distribution frame by envisaging that the selector (S) coming under the pair identified selects sequentially all the switched pairs and not to enable the test unit at the distribution frame to make all the checks required.

14. The junction apparatus according to Claim 1, characterized in that the incoming and outgoing pairs, positioned on the two parallel and/or orthogonal PCBs, are twisted or are separated by surfaces for connection to ground in order to minimize the noise.

15. The junction apparatus according to Claim 1, characterized in that one of the outgoing pairs is reserved as service pair and/or test pair so that it is possible to assign any incoming pair as service pair.