JP2011228154A - Method of replacing network device and tool used for the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method of replacing a network device for making it easier to attach/detach a modular plug, as well as a tool used for the same.SOLUTION: A plug block 1 makes it possible to attach and detach a plurality of modular plugs 2a which are connected to a plurality of connectors of a network device at once. The plug block 1 includes a separation case 3 and a detachable cover case 4 which closes all of its opening surface sides. The cover case 4 includes an unlocking mechanism for unlocking the modular plugs 2a. The unlocking mechanism includes a control lever 7 and a release lever which is driven by the operation of the control lever. When the control lever is operated, the release lever presses the unlocking levers 2c of the modular plugs 2a in tandem with the operation and unlocks the modular plugs 2a.

Description

  The present invention relates to a method for quickly replacing a network device (switching hub) in a LAN (Local Area Network) facility that transmits and receives to / from a plurality of computers that process a large amount of data installed on each floor of a data center or building It is related with the jig used for it.

  As the network device, that is, a normal “switching hub”, for example, a type such as 12, 24 or 48 ports (a connection portion of a modular jack) is used according to the amount of data. As for the number of ports, for example, the upper 4-6 ports and the lower 4-6 ports are arranged as one group, and the total of upper and lower ports is 8-12 ports constituting one group. ing. A panel cord (signal line) is connected to each of these ports. As an example of a 24-port switching hub, three blocks of 8 ports are provided in total, each of the upper and lower 4 ports.

  On the other hand, the distance between the centers of the two ports arranged in the horizontal direction is, for example, 1.16 mm, and the distance between the centers of the ports arranged in the vertical direction is, for example, 4.3 mm. Therefore, in the initial stage of wiring, it is relatively easy to connect the panel cord to the switching hub by inserting the modular plug at the tip of the panel cord into each of the plurality of ports. However, when the switching hub is assembled, a large number of panel cords are in close contact with each other in a bundle. Therefore, the operation of pulling out the panel cord from the port in order to replace the switching hub is extremely complicated and requires a considerable amount of time.

  That is, when the panel cords are connected to a large number of ports, the panel cords are densely bundled in a predetermined arrangement in the upper and lower directions, and when the panel cords are manually pulled out one by one, The fingertip is inserted between the two and the release lever of each modular plug is pressed to be extracted from the port. For this reason, the operation of extracting the panel cord is a troublesome and time-consuming operation.

  By the way, switching hubs that are currently used, for example, may deteriorate the switching performance after 5 years and deliver an abnormal signal. Therefore, it is common to replace the switching hub with a new one every 5 years, for example. This switching hub replacement work is to be confirmed in advance by contacting the user who is transmitting and receiving data signals via this device and that "data transmission and reception will be interrupted due to device replacement work". In addition, it was necessary to carry out this work at midnight when the work of the customer was relatively undisturbed.

  For example, when replacing all the switching hubs in a device in which five 32-port switching hubs are installed in one rack, a relay time of about 25 to 35 minutes is required, and a large amount of data is processed. When a personal computer or the like is connected, this relay time becomes a significant communication failure.

  There has been proposed a structure in which an operation lever for releasing the lock of the connector when the modular plug is pulled out (detached) from the connector of such a switching hub is provided in the modular plug. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

JP 2008-10210 A

  However, in Patent Document 1, as a preparatory work for pulling out the modular plug from the switching hub, when a plurality of panel cords are neatly connected to the switching hub again, a plurality of adjacent plural wirings are prevented so that “miswiring” does not occur. It is necessary to organize the panel code so that it is “unbalanced” with the string so that the arrangement order is not changed. After the panel cord is assembled, the individual modular plugs are pulled out of the switching hub, and then the old switching hub is removed and replaced with a new switching hub.

  The modular plug described in Patent Document 1 can easily release the locked state between the connector and the modular plug by advancing the operating lever for releasing the lock and pushing down the unlocking operation lever of the modular plug. . However, the operation for removing the panel cord from the switching hub using the modular plug described in Patent Document 1 and connecting it after a short time is extremely complicated. That is, since a plurality of panel cords are connected to the switching hub in a bundle, individual modular plugs are removed up to those wired in the center, apart from those wired on the side that can be easily removed. The work is complicated and requires a lot of time.

  In other words, even if a modular plug having an unlocking member is used, the replacement work of a switching hub to which a plurality of panel cords are connected is performed by pushing the panel cords separately, which is complicated and considerable. You have to spend time.

  The objective of this invention is providing the replacement | exchange method of the network apparatus which can make the attachment or detachment operation | work of a some modular plug easy, and the jig | tool used therewith.

  In order to achieve the above object, a network device replacement method according to the present invention systematically separates a panel cord between a plurality of panel cords connected to a plurality of connectors of the network device through a plurality of modular plugs. A lid case having a step of arranging a partition case having a partition structure and a lock release mechanism for unlocking a plurality of modular plugs connected to each of the plurality of connectors is provided on the upper and lower opening surface sides of the partition case. A step of assembling a jig provided with the partition case and the lid case by disposing and fixing, and unlocking the modular plug by the unlocking mechanism of the lid case, and A step of detaching the network device in a batch, and exchanging the network device; A step of installing the Tana network device, the plurality of connectors of the new network device, a method of replacing a network device and a step of connecting collectively a plurality of modular plugs housed in the jig.

  Further, the jig used for replacing the network device includes a partition case for separating a plurality of modular plugs at the end of a plurality of panel cords individually corresponding to a plurality of connectors of the network device, and the partition case A lid case provided with an unlocking mechanism for unlocking a plurality of modular plugs connected to each of the plurality of connectors, the unlocking mechanism comprising: an operating lever; and A release lever that is driven by operation of the operation lever. When the operation lever and the release lever are operated, the release lever is interlocked to push the lock release lever of the modular plug to lock. To replace the network device supported by the lid case in a swingable state so as to be released A jig you are.

  Moreover, the jig | tool used for replacement | exchange of said network apparatus is being fixed to the said partition case in the state in which the said cover case is detachable.

  Moreover, the jig | tool used for replacement | exchange of said network apparatus provided the opening part which a part of said release lever is exposed to the said cover case.

  In addition, the jig used for the replacement of the network device is a light that guides display light indicating that the plurality of connectors and the plurality of modular plugs are connected to the surface side of the lid case in the network device. A conductor was provided on the lid case.

  According to the network device replacement method of the present invention, the plurality of modular plugs are disconnected from the plurality of connectors of the network device all at once while maintaining the arrangement state, and are connected to the plurality of connectors of the new network device all at once. Therefore, the modular plug can be easily attached and detached.

It is the perspective view seen from the front side of the plug block which is a jig | tool of embodiment of this invention. It is the perspective view which removed the upper cover case of the plug block of FIG. 1, and showed the inside. It is the perspective view seen from the back side of the plug block of FIG. It is the perspective view seen from the back side of the plug block of FIG. It is a top view of a plug block. It is a rear view of a plug block. It is a side view of a plug block. It is sectional drawing of the AA line of FIG. It is sectional drawing of the AA line of FIG. 5 for demonstrating operation | movement of a plug block. It is a rear view of the switching hub which is a network apparatus. It is a front view of the partition case of a plug block. It is a top view of the opening surface of the partition case of a plug block. It is sectional drawing of the partition case of the CC line of FIG. It is a side view of the partition case seen from the direction of arrow D of FIG. (A) is a top view of the cover case of a plug block, (b) is a side view of a cover case. It is a front view of the lid case of a plug block. It is a rear view of the lid case of a plug block. (A) is a top view of the operation lever of a plug block, (b) is a side view of an operation lever. It is the front view seen from the direction of arrow E of the operation lever of a plug block. FIG. 5 is a rear view of the operation lever of the plug block as viewed from the direction of arrow F. (A) is a top view of the release lever of a plug block, (b) is a side view of a release lever. It is sectional drawing of the plug block of the BB line of FIG. (A) is an enlarged view of the light guide of the plug block, and (b) is a side view of the light guide. It is a principal part expansion perspective view of the part of the light guide of a plug block. It is the principal part expansion perspective view which fractured | ruptured and showed so that the light guide of the plug block could be seen. It is the figure which showed the positional relationship of the light guide of a plug block, and LED for display lights of a switching hub. It is the figure which showed typically a mode that the switching hub, the plug block, the modular plug, and the panel cord at the time of mounting | wearing of a plug block were seen from the side surface side. It is the fragmentary top view which looked at FIG. 27 from the upper surface side. It is the figure which showed typically a mode that the switching hub, plug block, modular plug, and panel code | cord | chord after mounting of a plug block were seen from the side surface side.

  Hereinafter, a jig used for replacing a network device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  1 is a perspective view seen from the front side of a plug block which is a jig according to the present embodiment, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the inside of the plug block shown in FIG. 4 is a perspective view seen from the back side of the plug block of FIG. 2, FIG. 5 is a plan view of the plug block, FIG. 6 is a rear view of the plug block, FIG. Is a side view of the plug block, FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 5, FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 5 for explaining the operation of the plug block, and FIG. 1 shows a rear view of a switching hub.

  In the plug block 1 of the present embodiment, a plurality of modular plugs 2a electrically connected to a plurality of connectors CN of a switching hub SH (see FIG. 10) are simultaneously extracted, and a plurality of connectors CN of a new switching hub SH are obtained. It has a function to be electrically connected all at once.

  When this plug block 1 is used, a plurality of modular plugs 2a can be detached while maintaining the arrangement state of the plurality of modular plugs 2a corresponding to the arrangement state of the plurality of connectors CN of one group G. When replacing the hub SH, the plurality of modular plugs 2a can be easily attached and detached without causing erroneous wiring.

  The modular plug 2a is electrically connected to the tip of the panel cord 2b. 1 to 4 show a state in which one modular plug 2a is inserted into the plug block 1 for easy understanding of the drawings, but actually a plurality of modular plugs 2a are inserted.

  The plug block 1 includes a partition case 3 and a lid case 4. The partition case 3 is formed in a substantially lattice shape when viewed from the front so that the plurality of modular plugs 2a are individually separated corresponding to the plurality of connectors CN of the switching hub SH. By this partition case 3, the modular plug 2a is inserted and the space 5 in which the panel cord 2b is accommodated is formed.

  The lid case 4 is fitted and fixed on both the upper and lower sides of the partition case 3 so as to close the opening surface of the partition case 3. The lid case 4 is provided with a lock release mechanism 6. This unlocking mechanism 6 is a mechanism for unlocking the plurality of modular plugs 2a connected to each of the plurality of connectors CN of the switching hub SH, and is driven by the operation lever 7 and the operation of the operation lever 7. And a release lever 8. The operation lever 7 and the release lever 8 are disposed adjacent to each other in order from the back surface of the plug block 1 to the front surface (connector CN side), and the adjacent end portions thereof partially overlap each other. Then, when the operation lever 7 is operated, the release lever 8 is supported by the lid case 4 in a swingable state so as to push the lock release lever of the modular plug 1 and release the lock.

  The plug block 1 has a structure that can be easily disassembled and assembled as will be described later. Thereby, even in a state where the plurality of modular plugs 2a are already connected to the plurality of connectors CN of the switching hub SH, the plug block 1 can be attached so as to accommodate the plurality of panel cords 2b.

  Further, in order to remove the plurality of modular plugs 2a from the switching hub SH using this plug block 1, as shown in FIG. 9, the upper and lower two operation levers 7 and 7 are picked with fingertips and force is applied in the direction indicated by the arrow P. Add Thereby, the front-end | tip part of the operation levers 7 and 7 moves to the direction shown by the arrow q, and the rear-end part of the cancellation | release lever 8 which overlaps with the operation lever 7 also moves to the direction of the arrow q. Accordingly, the tip of the release lever 8 is pushed in the direction indicated by the arrow r. As a result, the release lever 8 can push down the lock release lever 2c of the modular plug 2a to release the engagement with the connector CN. When the plug block 1 is moved backward in the direction away from the switching hub SH in this state, a group (set) of the plurality of modular plugs 2a can be removed while maintaining the arrangement state.

  Next, “components” of the plug block 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[Partition case]
First, the partition case 3 will be described. 11 is a front view of the partition case 3, FIG. 12 is a plan view of the opening surface of the partition case 3, FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the partition case along the line CC in FIG. 11, and FIG. The side view of the partition case seen from is shown.

  The partition case 3 equally divides between the side plate 3b, the side plate 3b that is provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the substrate unit 3a and perpendicular to the upper and lower surfaces of the substrate unit 3a, and the side plates 3b and 3b. It is integrally provided with three partition plates 3c that are arranged and provided orthogonal to the upper and lower surfaces of the substrate portion 3a.

  Cutout portions 3d and 3e penetrating the upper and lower surfaces of the substrate portion 3a are formed, and cantilever locking plates 3f are formed integrally with the substrate portion 3a on the upper and lower surfaces of the substrate portion 3a. Has been. This locking plate 3 f is a member for fixing the modular plug 2 a to the plug block 1. In each space 5, two from the front to the back of the plug block 1 and 2 in the direction intersecting with this. A total of four are arranged side by side.

  Each locking plate 3f has a function as a leaf spring, and a protrusion projecting toward the space 5 is formed at the tip thereof. As shown in FIG. 9, the modular plug 2 a is fixed to the plug block 1 by fitting the protrusion 2 d on the bottom surface between the protrusions of the two locking plates 3 f and 3 f aligned in the longitudinal direction. . As shown in FIG. 12, the two locking plates 3f arranged in the width direction in each space 5 fix the modular plugs 2a arranged on the upper surface side and the lower surface side of the substrate 3a.

  Further, an engagement edge 3g having a T-shaped cross section is formed integrally with the partition plate 3c at the tip of the partition plate 3c. Moreover, the opening part 3h which penetrates the front and back is formed in a part of the side plate 3b. The engagement edge 3g and the opening 3h are parts for detachably fixing the lid case 2 and the lock release mechanism 6.

[Lid case]
Next, the lid case 4 will be described. 15A is a plan view of the lid case, FIG. 15B is a side view of the lid case, FIG. 16 is a front view of the lid case, and FIG. 17 is a rear view of the lid case.

  The lid case 4 includes a lid plate 4a, side plates 4b provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the lid plate 3a at right angles to the upper and lower surfaces of the lid plate, and gripping protrusions 4c provided on the back surface of the lid plate 4a. It has.

  In the cover plate 4a, an opening 4d penetrating the front and back surfaces of the cover plate 4a is formed for each space 5, from which a part of the release lever 8 can be visually observed. Thereby, it is possible to visually check whether or not the release lever 8 firmly holds the lock release lever 2c of the modular plug 2a.

  The side plate 4b is formed with a protrusion 4e that is fitted into the opening 3h of the side plate 3b of the partition case 3 described above. Further, the engagement edge 3g at the tip of the partition plate 3c of the partition case 3 is fitted into the wedge-shaped recess of the gripping protrusion 4c.

[Control lever]
Next, the operation lever 7 will be described. 18A is a plan view of the operating lever 7, FIG. 18B is a side view of the operating lever 7, FIG. 19 is a front view of the operating lever 7 as viewed from the direction of arrow E, and FIG. The rear view seen from the direction of arrow F is shown.

  In the operation lever 7, for example, four operation portions 7b are integrally formed in a comb shape at the rear portion of the grip portion 7a. A shaft portion 7c for pivotally supporting the operation lever 7 on the lid case 4 is formed at the center in the longitudinal direction of each operation portion 7b. The operation unit 7b includes two levers 7d and a connecting piece 7e that connects them.

[Release lever]
Next, the release lever 8 will be described. FIG. 21A is a plan view of the release lever 8, and FIG. 21B is a side view of the release lever 8.

  The release lever 8 is formed in a substantially U-shaped plane by two arm portions 8a and a connecting piece 8b that connects these end portions. The connecting piece 8b is a portion that holds down the lock release lever 2c of the modular plug 2a.

  A shaft portion 8c for pivotally supporting the release lever 8 on the lid case 4 is formed at the longitudinal center of the two arm portions 8a. Further, on the release lever 8, a stop portion 8 d for restricting the swing angle of the release lever 8 is provided on the side opposite to the connecting piece 8 b.

[Light guide]
Next, the light guide 9 will be described. 22 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 5, FIG. 23A is an enlarged view of the light guide, FIG. 22B is a side view of the light guide in FIG. 23A, and FIG. FIG. 25 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part of the light guide portion, with a part cut away so that the light guide of the plug block can be seen. FIG. 26 is a display of the light guide and switching hub of the plug block. It is the figure which showed the positional relationship with LED for light.

  The light guide 9 is made of transparent acrylic, for example, having a substantially L-shaped (bent) cross-sectional light attenuation, which is smaller than when the plug block 1 is formed of a transparent material. This is a member for guiding the display light Lt from 10 to the surface of the plug block 1 (here, the surface of the cover plate 4a) so as to be visible.

  The light guide 9 is provided for each of the plurality of spaces 5 (for each of the plurality of connectors CN or the plurality of modular plugs 2a) (see FIG. 1 and the like), and each of the first light guide portions faces the back surface of the switching hub SH. 9a and a second light guide portion 9b orthogonal thereto are integrally provided. As shown in FIGS. 23 and 26, the lower part of the second light guide portion 9b of the plug block 1 faces the LED 10 of the switching hub SH when the plug block 1 is attached to the switching hub SH.

  The light guide 9 is fitted in a groove 4f formed in the cover plate 4a of the plug block 1 and fixed with an adhesive. In the cover plate 4a, a part of the groove 4f is left on the side opposite to the tip of the second light guide portion 9b. A reflective layer for reflecting light may be formed on the inner surface of the groove 4f.

  The reason why such a light guide 9 is arranged is that when the plurality of modular plugs 2a are connected to the plurality of connectors CN of the switching hub SH using the plug block 1, the display light L of the switching hub SH is the plug block 1 This is to avoid such a problem because the display light L may not be visible.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 23, the display light Lt emitted from the LED 10 enters from the lower part of the first light guide portion 9b, is reflected by the reflecting surface S1, is guided upward, and is reflected by the reflecting surface S2. The light enters the second light guide portion 9b. A part of the light is reflected by the reflecting surface S3 of the second light guide portion 9b and radiated upward, and a part of the light travels straight and radiated toward the groove 4f. Thereby, since the display light Lt of the switching hub SH can be visually observed, the modular plug 2a can be attached and detached safely and reliably.

  Next, a method for replacing the switching hub SH using the plug block 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 27 is a diagram schematically showing the switching hub SH, the plug block 1, the modular plug 2a, and the panel cord 2b when the plug block 1 is mounted, as viewed from the side, and FIG. 28 shows FIG. 27 from the top side. FIG. 29 is a diagram schematically showing the switching hub SH, the plug block 1, the modular plug 2a, and the panel cord 2b after the plug block 1 is installed as viewed from the side.

  As shown in FIGS. 27 and 28, the plurality of modular plugs 2a are connected to the plurality of connectors CN of the old switching hub SH.

  First, as shown in FIG. 27 and FIG. 28, a partition case 3 disassembled from the plug block 1 is prepared, and the partition case 3 is divided between a plurality of panel cords 2b while being divided into a bundle of a plurality of panel cords 2b. The panel cord 2b is arranged so as to be orderly separated.

  Subsequently, a lid case 4 disassembled from the plug block 1 is prepared, and this is slid to the opening surface side of the partition case 3 and fitted and fixed to the partition case 3. Thereby, the plug block 1 provided with the partition case 3 and the lid case 4 is assembled.

  Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 29, the plug block 1 is slid to the neck of the modular plug 2a. At this time, the protrusion 2d on the bottom surface of the modular plug 2a hits the protrusion of the locking plate 3f on the front side of the plug block 1 and slides while bending the locking plate 3f, and exactly two locking plates in the sliding direction. At a position between the projections 3f and 3f, the front locking plate 3f returns to its original state. As a result, the modular plug 2a is firmly held and fixed to the plug block 1 by being sandwiched between the two locking plates 3f arranged in the longitudinal direction with the protrusions 2d on the bottom surface thereof.

  In this state, as shown in FIG. 9, the operation levers 7 and 7 are grasped by the fingertips, and the modular plug 2a is unlocked, and the plug block 1 is pulled backward, so that a plurality of modular The plugs 2a are detached from the switching hub SH all at once.

  Thereafter, after switching the switching hub SH to a new switching hub SH, the plurality of modular plugs 2a of the plug block 1 are connected to the plurality of connectors CN of the new switching hub SH at the same time. As a result, the plurality of modular plugs 2a can be easily attached and detached without causing erroneous wiring, so that the switching hub SH can be easily replaced.

  Since the jig used for exchanging the network device of the present invention can facilitate the work of attaching / detaching the modular plug, it can be used as a jig used for exchanging a network device such as a LAN.

1 Plug block (jig)
2a Modular plug 2b Panel cord 2c Unlock lever 2d Protrusion 3 Partition case 3a Substrate 3b Side 3c Partition 3d, 3e Cutout 3f Locking plate 3g Engagement edge 3h Opening 4 Lid case 4a Lid 4b Side 4c Holding protrusion 4d Opening 4e Protruding part 4f Groove 5 Space 6 Lock release mechanism 7 Operation lever 7a Holding part 7b Operating part 7c Shaft part 7d Lever 7e Connecting piece 8 Release lever 8a Arm part 8b Connecting piece 8c Shaft part 8d Stopping part 9 Light Conductor 9a First light conductor portion 9b Second light conductor portion 10 LED
SH switching hub (network equipment)
CN connector Lt Display light

Claims (5)

Arranging a partition case having a partition structure for orderly separating the panel cords between a plurality of panel cords connected to a plurality of connectors of the network device through a plurality of modular plugs;
A lid case having an unlocking mechanism for unlocking a plurality of modular plugs connected to each of the plurality of connectors is disposed and fixed on the upper and lower opening surfaces of the partition case, and the partition case and the Assembling a jig comprising a lid case;
Unlocking the modular plug by the lock release mechanism of the lid case and removing the plurality of modular plugs collectively from the network device; and
Replacing the network device and installing a new network device;
And a step of collectively connecting a plurality of modular plugs housed in the jig to a plurality of connectors of the new network device. A partition case for separating a plurality of modular plugs at the end of a plurality of panel cords individually corresponding to each of a plurality of connectors of a network device;
A lid case that closes both opening surfaces of the partition case and includes a lock release mechanism that unlocks a plurality of modular plugs connected to each of the plurality of connectors;
The lock release mechanism includes an operation lever and a release lever that is driven by operation of the operation lever. When the operation lever and the release lever are operated, the release lever is interlocked. A jig used for exchanging a network device supported by the lid case in a swingable state so as to release the lock by pushing the lock release lever of the modular plug.   The jig used for replacement of the network device according to claim 2, wherein the lid case is fixed to the partition case in a detachable state.   The jig used for replacement of the network device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein an opening for exposing a part of the release lever is provided in the lid case.   A light guide for guiding display light to the surface side of the lid case to indicate that the plurality of connectors and the plurality of modular plugs are connected in the network device is provided on the lid case. 4. A jig used for replacing the network device according to 4.

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