JP2012113872A - Plug detection apparatus and electronic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a plug detection apparatus capable of preventing erroneous removal of a modular plug by a simple configuration.SOLUTION: The plug detection apparatus comprises a plurality of insertion detectors 20 for detecting the validity of each of insertion states of modular plugs for a plurality of modular jacks; a plurality of lock detectors 30 for detecting the standing state/laid state of each of lock claws with levers for the plurality of modular jacks; a control unit 10 for determining that the modular plugs are about to be removed from the modular jacks when the insertion states of the modular plugs are detected and the laid states of the lock claws with the levers are detected; and a plurality of prediction information lamps 40 for notifying determination of the control unit 10 about each of a plurality of modular jacks based on the determination of the control unit 10 by emitting light.

Description

  The present invention relates to a plug detection device that is applied to an electronic device such as a switching hub having a plurality of modular jacks into which modular plugs are inserted and removed, and detects a modular plug insertion / removal state with respect to each modular jack.

  As a modular cable having a modular jack and a modular plug at the end, for example, the 8P8C type standardized by US ANSI / TIA-968-A is widely known. There are many electronic devices having this 8P8C modular jack. Examples of devices having a plurality of modular jacks include switching hubs, routers, and telephone exchanges.

  As an electronic device having a plurality of modular jacks, for example, when a switching hub is used, a connection system between the switching hub and another electronic device may be changed. In this case, it is necessary to remove the modular plug inserted into the modular jack of the switching hub, but if multiple modular jacks are formed side by side, work with a modular plug that is different from the modular plug to be removed. Mistakes that can be removed by a person can occur. At this time, if communication is performed via a modular plug that has been mistakenly removed, an unintentional communication disconnection occurs, and therefore a countermeasure for preventing erroneous removal is desired.

  By the way, some switching hubs mainly used for business use correspond to a rack standard commonly called a 19-inch rack or the like standardized by JIS or US EIA, for example. Switching hubs compatible with 19-inch racks have a wide housing with a width of nearly 500 mm. For example, as many as 24 modular jacks are provided in parallel in the width direction of the housing with a slight gap. It has been. On the other hand, there are about 1 to 4 U (units) of height dimensions of electronic devices corresponding to 19-inch racks. Here, 1U is 1.75 inches (44.45 mm) in the case of EIA (1U is 50 mm in the case of JIS). With the recent miniaturization of electronic equipment, as a 19-inch rack switching hub, a low-profile, thin housing with a height of 1U and a plurality of (for example, 24) modular jacks are placed at a slight interval. Some are arranged in two rows in the height direction of the housing. As described above, since the switching hub for 19-inch racks has a large number of modular jacks arranged at a high density with only a slight gap in the width direction and height direction of the housing, the above-described erroneous removal is also more effective. It is easy to happen.

  As a countermeasure against erroneous removal, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for guiding an operator from which jack a plug should be removed by lighting a lamp corresponding to the corresponding jack prior to removal of the plug. ing. Further, in Patent Document 2, prior to the removal of a plug, two lamps sandwiching the corresponding jack are lit to guide the operator from which jack the plug should be removed, and only the corresponding jack is locked against the plug removal. A technique is disclosed that forcibly removes an error that can still occur despite the guidance.

  Further, although there is no countermeasure against erroneous removal itself, Patent Document 3 discloses a process of removing a plug from a jack, that is, immediately before completion of plug removal, the power supply of an electronic device connected via the jack and the plug. Has been disclosed.

  Furthermore, although it is not a measure against accidental removal, Patent Document 4 discloses that a protective cover for holding is properly closed in a clamp connector that is connected to a flat cable and is held so that the flat cable is not unnecessarily removed. A technique is disclosed in which the fact is notified by light emission.

JP-A-11-234710 JP 2010-176990 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-210001 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-42980

  However, even if guidance is provided by light emission that should be removed by the techniques disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2, an electronic device in which a large number of jacks are arranged at high density, such as a 19-inch rack switching hub, for example. In the case of a device, there is a possibility that a plug different from the one being guided will eventually be removed.

  In addition, the technique disclosed in Patent Document 3 cannot prevent the plug from being mistakenly removed, so that if the plug is mistakenly removed, the operator cannot notice the mistaken removal. Moreover, the power supply of the electronic device connected to the plug which should not be removed will be turned off. That is, the power supply of the electronic device that originally does not need to stop communication and operation is turned off.

  In addition, the technique disclosed in Patent Document 4 merely notifies that the flat cable is properly held, and cannot prevent the flat cable from being erroneously removed.

  Furthermore, any of the techniques disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 4 has a complicated configuration or requires a significant structural change in existing jacks and plugs.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a plug detection device that can prevent a modular plug from being mistakenly removed with a simple configuration.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide an electronic apparatus having the plug detection device as described above.

  According to the present invention, the plug detecting device is applied to an electronic apparatus having a plurality of modular jacks into which modular plugs are respectively inserted and removed, and detects a modular plug insertion / removal state with respect to each of the plurality of modular jacks. Each of the modular jacks is engaged with a receiving hole for receiving the plug insulator and a lock claw with a lever. The plug contact is embedded in the plug insulator and the lock claw with a lever is formed so as to extend from the plug insulator. A jack insulator formed with a locking wall surface and a jack contact that is implanted in the jack insulator and connected to a plug contact of the inserted modular plug. On the other hand, it is urged to stand up to keep the modular plug inserted into the hook, while being disengaged from the lock wall surface by being operated so as to fall down when the modular plug is inserted. In a plug detection device that allows removal of a modular plug from a modular jack, a plurality of insertion detections that detect whether the modular plug is inserted into a plurality of modular jacks based on the connection between the jack contact and the plug contact , A plurality of lock detectors for detecting the upright / downward state of the lock claw with the lever of the modular plug inserted into each of the plurality of modular jacks, and the insertion state of the modular plug into the modular jack is the insertion detector Of the locking claw with lever A controller that determines that the modular plug is about to be removed from the modular jack when a fall state is detected by the lock detector; and that the modular plug is about to be removed for each of the plurality of modular jacks. Based on the determination by the control unit, there is obtained a plug detection device having a plurality of extraction prediction lamps for informing that by light emission.

  The electronic device is provided for each of the plurality of modular jacks, and is provided for each of the plurality of modular jacks and a plurality of communication status detection units for detecting a communication status via each jack contact. A plurality of communication indicator lamps for displaying the communication status of each of the plurality of modular jacks by blinking, and the plurality of insertion detectors are configured to be used also as a plurality of communication status detectors. The extraction prediction indicator lamp is also used as a plurality of communication indicator lamps, and based on the determination by the control unit that the modular plug is about to be extracted for each of the plurality of modular jacks, this is the indication of the communication status. You may alert | report by blinking of a different period.

  The control unit obtains the extraction information indicating the modular jack from which the modular plug is to be extracted from the outside, and further determines that the modular plug is about to be removed from the modular jack. It is determined whether or not to perform removal based on the removal relevant information, and the removal prediction indicator lamp determines whether the modular plug is about to be removed and the result of the determination by the control unit and the modular jack. The modular jack should remove the modular plug to indicate that the modular plug is about to be removed based on the result of determination by the control unit whether or not the modular plug should be removed. It distinguishes by blinking with different period depending on whether there is / not, It may be.

  The plurality of lock detectors may be attached to the jack insulator via a support member that is a single member separate from the jack insulator of the modular jack.

  The lock detector is a mechanical switch type that detects the standing / downside state of a lock claw with a lever by contact / separation of a contact that performs mechanical operation, and an optical detection type that detects by decreasing / raising the transmittance of detection light. Alternatively, a pressure detection type detected by a detection signal of a piezoelectric element or a capacitance detection type detected by a change in capacitance may be used.

  In addition, according to the present invention, an electronic apparatus including the plurality of modular jacks and the plug detection device can be obtained.

  The plug detection device according to the present invention can prevent the modular plug from being mistakenly removed with a simple configuration.

It is a front view of the switching hub as an electronic device to which the plug detection device according to the first embodiment of the present invention is applied. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the plug detection apparatus by Example 1 of this invention. (A) And (b) is the front view and sectional drawing which show the principal part of the plug detection apparatus by Example 1 of this invention. (A)-(c) is sectional drawing for demonstrating operation | movement of the plug detection apparatus by Example 1 of this invention. It is a front view of the switching hub as an electronic device with which the plug detection apparatus by Example 2 of this invention was applied. It is sectional drawing which shows the principal part of the plug detection apparatus by Example 2 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the plug detection apparatus by Example 3 of this invention.

  The plug detection device according to the present invention is applied to an electronic device having a plurality of modular jacks into which modular plugs are inserted and removed, and detects the insertion / extraction state of the modular plugs with respect to each of the plurality of modular jacks.

  In particular, the plug detection device includes a plurality of insertion detectors, a plurality of lock detectors, a control unit, and a plurality of removal prediction information lamps.

  Each insertion detector detects whether the modular plug is inserted into the modular jack based on the connection between the jack contact and the plug contact.

  Each lock detector detects an upright / downside state of a lock claw with a lever of a modular plug inserted into a modular jack.

  The control unit removes the modular plug from the modular jack when the insertion state of the modular plug into the modular jack is detected by the insertion detector, and when the locking claw with the lever is detected by the lock detector. Judge that it is going to be done.

  Each removal prediction notification lamp notifies the fact by light emission based on the determination by the control unit that the modular plug is about to be removed.

  The plug detection device according to the present invention turns on the unloading prediction indicator lamp based on the operation to place the lock claw with the lever in a lying state, that is, the operation that must be performed by the operator prior to removing the modular plug. The person can surely know the modular jack he is trying to remove the modular plug. For this reason, it is possible to reliably prevent an erroneous extraction that causes a modular plug different from the modular plug to be extracted to be extracted.

  Moreover, since the modular plug uses the lock claw with a lever that is originally provided to prevent unnecessary removal from the modular jack, it is not necessary to change the structure of the modular plug. As for the jack, only a slight structural change is required so that the lock detector is provided in the jack insulator. Therefore, the structure of the plug detecting device is simple.

  Hereinafter, more specific embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  Referring to FIG. 1, the plug detection device according to the first embodiment of the present invention is applied to a switching hub 100 corresponding to a 19-inch rack as an electronic device, and the same 8P8C type modular plug is inserted into and removed from the 8P8C type modular jack. Is detected.

  The switching hub 100 includes a plurality of modular jacks 60 (A60-1 to 24, B60-1 to 24) into which modular plugs are inserted and removed, and a power lamp that indicates that the switching hub 100 is supplied with power and is operating. 105, a plurality of communication status detection units described later, and a plurality of communication display lamps described later.

  Further, referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B and FIGS. 4A to 4C, the modular plug 70 is formed so as to extend from the plug insulator 71 and the plug contact 72 implanted in the plug insulator 71. And a lock claw 73 with a lever. The lock claw 73 with a lever includes a lever 73a and a lock claw 73b.

  The modular jack 60 includes a jack insulator 61 (A61, B61) formed with a receiving hole 63 for receiving the plug insulator 71 and a lock wall surface 64 with which the lock claw 73b of the lock claw 73 with lever is engaged. A jack contact 62 connected to the plug contact 72 of the inserted modular plug 70 is provided. In this example, as is apparent from FIG. 1, the jack insulator 61 is integrated with the 24 modular jacks A60-1 to 24 arranged in parallel (jack insulator A61). Similarly, 24 modular jacks B60-1 to 24 arranged in parallel are integrated (jack insulator B61). Note that the jack insulator integrated with a plurality of modular jacks is not limited to the form of this embodiment (1 stage × 24 parallel). For example, there are various forms such as 1 stage × 4 parallel, 1 stage × 6 parallel, 2 stages × 4 parallel, and 2 stages × 6 parallel. These are used in combination as appropriate according to the total number of stages and the total number of parallels required by the electronic device.

  On the other hand, the lock claw 73 with a lever of the modular plug 70 is biased to an upright state that engages with the lock wall surface 64 and maintains the insertion state of the modular plug 70 with respect to the modular jack 60 (FIG. 4A). When the lever 73a is operated such that the modular plug 70 is in the overturned state when the modular plug 70 is inserted, the lock claw 73b is disengaged from the lock wall surface 64 (FIG. 4B). The modular plug 70 can be removed from the jack 60 (FIG. 4C).

  The above configuration is the same as the previous configuration.

  Referring further to FIG. 2, in particular, the present plug detection device includes a plurality of insertion detectors 20 (A20-1 to 24, A20-1 to 24) provided for a plurality of modular jacks A60-1 to A60 and B60-1 to 24, respectively. B20-1 to 24) and a plurality of lock detectors 30 (A30-1 to 24, B30-1 to 24) provided for the plurality of modular jacks A60-1 to 24 and B60-1 to 24, respectively. The control unit 10 and a plurality of removal prediction lamps 40 (A40-1 to 24, B40-1 to 24) provided for the plurality of modular jacks A60-1 to 24 and B60-1 to 24, respectively. Have.

  Each insertion detector 20 detects whether the modular plug 70 is inserted into the modular jack 60 based on the connection between the jack contact 62 and the plug contact 72.

  Each lock detector 30 detects the upright / downside state of the lock claw 73 with a lever of the modular plug 70 inserted into the modular jack 60. As a detection method of the standing / downside state of the lock claw 73 with lever of the lock detector 30, a mechanical switch type that detects by contact / separation of a contact that is pushed by the standing lock claw 73 with lever to perform machine operation, An optical detection type in which the standing lock pawl 73 with the lever enters between the detection light emitter and the light receiving sensor to detect when the transmittance of the detection light is lowered / increased. A pressure detection type that is detected by a detection signal of the piezoelectric element to be detected, or a capacitance detection type that is detected by a capacitance that changes when the standing lock claw 73 with a lever enters between two electrodes of the capacitor. Can do. Neither detection method involves changing the structure of the lock claw 73 with lever of the modular plug 70.

  When the insertion state of the modular plug 70 to the modular jack 60 is detected by the insertion detector 20 and the lock state of the locking claw 73 with lever is detected by the lock detector 30, the control unit 10 It is determined that 70 is about to be removed from the modular jack 60.

  Each extraction prediction notification lamp 40 is configured by an LED or the like, and notifies the fact by light emission based on the determination by the control unit 10 that the modular plug 70 is about to be extracted.

  Here, the switching hub 100 includes a plurality of communication jacks A60-1 to 24 and B60-1 to B60-1 to a plurality of communication status detectors, and a plurality of modular jacks A60-1 to A24 and B60--. And a plurality of communication display lamps provided for each of 1 to 24.

  The communication status detection unit detects the communication status via each jack contact for each of the modular jacks A60-1 to 24 and B60-1 to 24. The communication indicator lamp is constituted by an LED or the like, and is provided for each of the plurality of modular jacks A60-1 to 24 and B60-1 to 24, and the communication status of each of the modular jacks A60-1 to 24 and B60-1 to 24 is provided. Is displayed by flashing. In many cases, the communication status detection unit and the communication display lamp are provided even in a conventional switching hub.

  The plurality of insertion detectors 20 are also used as a plurality of communication status detection units. Further, the plurality of removal prediction notification lamps 40 are configured to be used also as a plurality of communication display lamps, and the control unit 10 indicates that the modular plugs are about to be removed for the modular jacks A60-1 to 24 and B60-1 to 24 respectively. Based on the determination by, the fact is notified by blinking with a period different from the display of the communication status.

  Next, the operation of the present plug detection device will be described.

  Now, it is assumed that a modular plug 70 is inserted into a plurality of modular jacks 60 shown as a representative in FIG. 3B, as shown in FIG. In the state shown in FIG. 4A, the insertion detector 20 (FIG. 2) detects the insertion state of the modular plug 70, and the lock detector 30 (FIG. 2) raises the lock claw 73 with a lever. A state is detected. When the modular plug 70 is inserted into the modular jack 60, the communication indicator lamp of the switching hub 100 that also serves as the removal prediction lamp 40 (FIGS. 2 and 1) is connected via the modular jack 60. The signal communication status is indicated by blinking. This blinking corresponds to the communication state of the signal and is periodically indefinite.

  Here, in order to change the connection system of the switching hub 100, an operator tries to remove the modular plug 70 from the modular jack 60, and as shown in FIG. Pick it in a prone state. At this stage, since the jack contact 62 of the modular jack 60 and the plug contact 72 of the modular plug 70 are still connected, the communication state of signals through these contacts is maintained. In the state shown in FIG. 4B, the insertion detector 20 detects the insertion state of the modular plug 70, and the lock detector 30 detects the lying state of the lock claw 73 with a lever. That is, since the insertion state of the modular plug 70 into the modular jack 60 is detected by the insertion detector 20 and the condition that the overturning state of the lock claw 73 with lever is detected by the lock detector 30 is satisfied, The control unit 10 (FIG. 2) determines that the modular plug 70 is about to be removed from the modular jack 60. Then, the unplugging prediction lamp 40 (FIGS. 2 and 1) corresponding to the modular jack 60 is based on the determination by the control unit 10 that the modular plug 70 is about to be unplugged. Notification is made by blinking at a specific cycle different from the communication status display. Since this particular cycle may be erroneously removed, it is preferable to set a cycle suitable for important notification such as a relatively fast cycle within a range that can be visually recognized by humans. . Alternatively, when an LED capable of emitting a plurality of colors is adopted as the extraction prediction lamp 40, light emission of a light emission color (for example, yellow, orange, red) different from the communication status display (for example, green or blue) or You may alert | report by blinking. As a result, the operator can surely know the modular jack on which the modular plug is going to be removed. For this reason, the erroneous extraction which extracts the modular plug different from the modular plug which should be extracted is reliably prevented.

  The operator recognizes that the modular plug 60 is to be removed from the modular plug 70 by light emission (flashing) of the removal prediction indicator lamp 40, and then, as shown in FIG. Then, the modular plug 70 is removed while the lock claw 73 with lever is held. When the modular plug 70 is removed, the modular jack 60 is in the state shown in FIG.

  The plug detection device according to the second embodiment of the present invention is an embodiment in that a plurality of lock detectors are attached to the jack insulator through a support member that is a single member separate from the jack insulator of the modular jack. 1 and different. For this reason, the same or similar parts in the second embodiment as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the plug detection device according to the second embodiment of the present invention is applied to the switching hub 120 corresponding to a 19-inch rack as an electronic device, as in the first embodiment, and is an 8P8C type modular jack. Similarly, the insertion / extraction state of the 8P8C type modular plug is detected.

  The switching hub 120 is operated by supplying power to a plurality of modular jacks 60 ′ (A 60-1 ′ to 24 ′, B 60-1 ′ to 24 ′) through which modular plugs are inserted and removed, and the switching hub 120. A power lamp 105 indicating this, a jack insulator 61 '(A61', B61 '), a support member 50 (A50, B50) which is an individual and single member, a plurality of communication status detectors, and a plurality of communication displays And a lamp.

  In particular, in the second embodiment, the modular jack 60 ′ is a so-called slim type unlike the modular jack 60 of the first embodiment. That is, the modular jack 60 ′ is a thin jack insulator 61 ′ (A 61 ′, B 61) formed with a receiving wall portion for receiving the plug insulator 71 and a lock wall surface 64 ′ with which the lock claw 73 b of the lock claw 73 with lever is engaged. ') And a jack contact 62 which is implanted in the jack insulator 61' and is connected to the plug contact 72 of the inserted modular plug 70. Note that a slim type modular jack having a thin jack insulator has been known to be suitable for downsizing of electronic devices.

  As is apparent from FIG. 6, the thin jack insulator 61 ′ is configured such that when the modular plug 70 is inserted, the lock claw 73 with a lever 73 in the standing state (the lever 73 a) protrudes. As is clear from FIG. 5, the thin jack insulator 61 'is integrated with the 24 modular jacks A60-1' to 24 'arranged in parallel (jack insulator A61'). Similarly, 24 modular jacks B60-1 'to 24' arranged in parallel are integrated (jack insulator B61 ').

  On the other hand, the lock claw 73 with lever of the modular plug 70 is biased to an upright state that engages with the lock wall surface 64 ′ and maintains the insertion state of the modular plug 70 with respect to the modular jack 60 ′. When the lever 73a is operated so as to be in the overturned state in the inserted state, the engagement of the lock claw 73b from the lock wall surface 64 ′ is released, thereby allowing the modular plug 70 to be removed from the modular jack 60 ′. Is.

  Further, referring to FIG. 2 of the first embodiment, the present plug detection device includes a plurality of insertion detections provided for each of the plurality of modular jacks A60-1 ′ to 24 ′ and B60-1 ′ to 24 ′. A plurality of lock detectors 30 (A20-1 to 24, B20-1 to 24) and a plurality of lock detectors 30 (provided for each of the modular jacks A60-1 ′ to 24 ′ and B60-1 ′ to 24 ′). A30-1 to 24, B30-1 to 24), the control unit 10, and a plurality of modular jacks A60-1 ′ to 24 ′ and B60-1 ′ to 24 ′. Lamp 40 (A40-1 to 24, B40-1 to 24).

  Each insertion detector 20 detects whether the modular plug 70 is inserted into the modular jack 60 ′ based on the connection between the jack contact 62 and the plug contact 72.

  Each lock detector 30 detects the upright / downward state of the lock claw 73 with a lever of the modular plug 70 inserted into the modular jack 60 '. As a detection method of the standing / downside state of the lock claw 73 with lever of the lock detector 30, a mechanical switch type that detects by contact / separation of a contact that is pushed by the standing lock claw 73 with lever to perform machine operation, An optical detection type in which the standing lock pawl 73 with the lever enters between the detection light emitter and the light receiving sensor to detect when the transmittance of the detection light is lowered / increased. A pressure detection type that is detected by a detection signal of the piezoelectric element to be detected, or a capacitance detection type that is detected by a capacitance that changes when the standing lock claw 73 with a lever enters between two electrodes of the capacitor. Can do. Neither detection method involves changing the structure of the lock claw 73 with lever of the modular plug 70.

  In particular, in Example 2, as is clear from FIG. 6, the lock detector 30 (A30-1 ′ to 24 ′, B30-1 ′ to 24 ′) is interposed via the support member 50 (A50, B50). It is attached to the jack insulator 61 ′ (A61 ′, B61 ′). As is clear from FIGS. 5 and 6, the support member 50 (A50, B50) is a jack insulator 61 ′ (A61 ′) of the modular jack 60 ′ (A60-1 ′ to 24 ′, B60-1 ′ to 24 ′). , B61 ′) and a single member.

  Referring back to FIG. 2 of the first embodiment, the control unit 10 detects that the insertion state of the modular plug 70 into the modular jack 60 ′ is detected by the insertion detector 20, and the lock claw 73 with lever is overturned. When the state is detected by the lock detector 30, it is determined that the modular plug 70 is about to be removed from the modular jack 60 '.

  Each extraction prediction notification lamp 40 is configured by an LED or the like, and notifies the fact by light emission based on the determination by the control unit 10 that the modular plug 70 is about to be extracted.

  Here, the switching hub 120 includes a plurality of modular jacks A60-1 ′ to 24 ′ and B60-1 ′ to 24 ′, a plurality of communication status detectors, and a plurality of modular jacks A60-1 ′. To 24 ′, and B60-1 ′ to 24 ′, a plurality of communication display lamps.

  The communication status detection unit detects the communication status via each jack contact for each of the modular jacks A60-1 'to 24' and B60-1 'to 24'. The communication indicator lamp is configured by an LED or the like, and is provided for each of the plurality of modular jacks A60-1 ′ to 24 ′ and B60-1 ′ to 24 ′, and the modular jacks A60-1 ′ to 24 ′ and B60-1 are provided. The communication status for each of “˜24” is displayed by blinking. In many cases, the communication status detection unit and the communication display lamp are provided even in a conventional switching hub.

  The plurality of insertion detectors 20 are also used as a plurality of communication status detection units. Further, the plurality of extraction prediction lamps 40 are configured to be used also as a plurality of communication display lamps, and modular plugs are about to be extracted from the modular jacks A60-1 ′ to 24 ′ and B60-1 ′ to 24 ′. Based on the determination by the control unit 10, the fact is notified by blinking with a period different from the display of the communication status.

  Although explanation is omitted, the plug detection device of the second embodiment also operates in the same manner as the first embodiment.

  In the third embodiment, in addition to the necessity of changing the structure of the modular plug, it is also unnecessary to change the structure of the slim type modular jack having a thin jack insulator, which can be easily applied to existing electronic devices.

  The plug detection device according to the third embodiment of the present invention is configured to determine whether or not a modular plug should be removed when the modular plug is about to be removed from the modular jack. This is different from Example 1. For this reason, the same or similar parts in the third embodiment as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  Referring to FIG. 1 showing the first embodiment, the plug detection device according to the third embodiment of the present invention is applied to a switching hub 100 corresponding to a 19-inch rack as an electronic device, as in the first embodiment. Similarly, an 8P8C type modular plug insertion / extraction state is detected with respect to the 8P8C type modular jack.

  The switching hub 100 includes a plurality of modular jacks 60 (A60-1 to 24, B60-1 to 24) into which modular plugs are inserted and removed, and a power lamp that indicates that the switching hub 100 is supplied with power and is operating. 105, a plurality of communication status detection units described later, and a plurality of communication display lamps described later.

  Further referring to FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b) and FIGS. 4 (a) to 4 (c), the modular plug 70 extends from the plug insulator 72 and the plug insulator 71 implanted in the plug insulator 71. And a lock claw 73 with a lever formed as described above. The lock claw 73 with a lever includes a lever 73a and a lock claw 73b.

  The modular jack 60 includes a jack insulator 61 (A61, B61) formed with a receiving hole 63 for receiving the plug insulator 71 and a lock wall surface 64 with which the lock claw 73b of the lock claw 73 with lever is engaged. A jack contact 62 connected to the plug contact 72 of the inserted modular plug 70 is provided. In this example, as is apparent from FIG. 1, the jack insulator 61 is integrated with the 24 modular jacks A60-1 to 24 arranged in parallel (jack insulator A61). Similarly, 24 modular jacks B60-1 to 24 arranged in parallel are integrated (jack insulator B61).

  On the other hand, the lock claw 73 with a lever of the modular plug 70 is biased to an upright state that engages with the lock wall surface 64 and maintains the insertion state of the modular plug 70 with respect to the modular jack 60 (FIG. 4A). When the lever 73a is operated such that the modular plug 70 is in the overturned state when the modular plug 70 is inserted, the lock claw 73b is disengaged from the lock wall surface 64 (FIG. 4B). The modular plug 70 can be removed from the jack 60 (FIG. 4C).

  The above configuration is the same as the previous configuration.

  Further, referring to FIG. 7, the present plug detection device includes a plurality of insertion detectors 20 (A20-1 to 24, B20-) provided for a plurality of modular jacks A60-1 to 24 and B60-1 to 24, respectively. 1-24), a plurality of lock detectors 30 (A30-1-24, B30-1-24) provided for each of the plurality of modular jacks A60-1-24, B60-1-24, and control Section 10 'and a plurality of extraction prediction lamps 40 (A40-1 to 24, B40-1 to 24) provided respectively for the plurality of modular jacks A60-1 to 24 and B60-1 to 24. is doing.

  Each insertion detector 20 detects whether the modular plug 70 is inserted into the modular jack 60 based on the connection between the jack contact 62 and the plug contact 72.

  Each lock detector 30 detects the upright / downside state of the lock claw 73 with a lever of the modular plug 70 inserted into the modular jack 60. As a detection method of the standing / downside state of the lock claw 73 with lever of the lock detector 30, a mechanical switch type that detects by contact / separation of a contact that is pushed by the standing lock claw 73 with lever to perform machine operation, An optical detection type in which the standing lock pawl 73 with the lever enters between the detection light emitter and the light receiving sensor to detect when the transmittance of the detection light is lowered / increased. A pressure detection type that is detected by a detection signal of the piezoelectric element to be detected, or a capacitance detection type that is detected by a capacitance that changes when the standing lock claw 73 with a lever enters between two electrodes of the capacitor. Can do. Neither detection method involves changing the structure of the lock claw 73 with lever of the modular plug 70.

  In particular, in the third embodiment, the control unit 10 ′ is configured to acquire removal information indicating a modular jack from which a modular plug is to be removed from an electronic device or the like connected to the switching hub 100 via a modular cable. Has been. Note that the control unit 10 ′ may be configured to at least temporarily store the acquired extraction relevant information. The control unit 10 ′ also detects when the insertion state of the modular plug 70 into the modular jack 60 is detected by the insertion detector 20 and when the overturning state of the lock claw 73 with the lever is detected by the lock detector 30. It is determined that the modular plug 70 is about to be removed from the modular jack 60. Further, when the control unit 10 'determines that the modular plug is about to be removed from the modular jack, the control unit 10' determines whether or not the modular jack should be removed based on the corresponding information. Determine.

  Each extraction forecasting knowledge lamp 40 is constituted by an LED or the like. In particular, in the third embodiment, each of the removal prediction notification lamps 40 is determined by the control unit 10 'that the modular plug is about to be removed, and whether or not the modular jack should remove the modular plug / Based on the determination result by the control unit 10 ′, whether or not the modular plug is about to be removed indicates whether the modular jack should be removed or whether the period or emission color is different. Distinguish by flashing or flashing.

  In the case of a determination result by the control unit 10 ′ that the modular jack should not be removed, it is preferable to notify the operator as a warning because the modular jack will be erroneously removed if it is removed as it is. For this reason, it is preferable that the extraction prediction lamp 40 is set to a cycle suitable for warning, such as a cycle as fast as possible within a range that can be visually recognized by humans. Alternatively, when an LED capable of emitting a plurality of colors is adopted as the extraction prediction lamp 40, the control unit 10 'indicates that the communication status is displayed and that the modular jack should be removed from the modular plug. In this case, a warning may be given by light emission or blinking of a light emission color (for example, red) different from that of the case (for example, green or blue).

  Next, the operation of the present plug detection device will be described.

  Now, it is assumed that a modular plug 70 is inserted into a plurality of modular jacks 60 shown as a representative in FIG. 3B, as shown in FIG. In the state shown in FIG. 4A, the insertion detector 20 (FIG. 2) detects the insertion state of the modular plug 70, and the lock detector 30 (FIG. 2) raises the lock claw 73 with a lever. A state is detected. When the modular plug 70 is inserted into the modular jack 60, the communication indicator lamp of the switching hub 100 that also serves as the removal prediction lamp 40 (FIGS. 2 and 1) is connected via the modular jack 60. The signal communication status is indicated by blinking. This blinking corresponds to the communication state of the signal and is periodically indefinite.

  Here, in order to change the connection system of the switching hub 100, extraction relevant information indicating a modular jack from which the modular plug is to be extracted is output from an electronic device or the like connected to the switching hub 100 via a modular cable. The control unit 10 ′ acquires the extraction relevant information. Then, an operator tries to remove the modular plug 70 from the modular jack 60, and as shown in FIG. At this stage, since the jack contact 62 of the modular jack 60 and the plug contact 72 of the modular plug 70 are still connected, the communication state of signals through these contacts is maintained. In the state shown in FIG. 4B, the insertion detector 20 detects the insertion state of the modular plug 70, and the lock detector 30 detects the lying state of the lock claw 73 with a lever. That is, since the insertion state of the modular plug 70 into the modular jack 60 is detected by the insertion detector 20 and the condition that the overturning state of the lock claw 73 with lever is detected by the lock detector 30 is satisfied, The control unit 10 ′ (FIG. 7) determines that the modular plug 70 is about to be removed from the modular jack 60. Further, when the control unit 10 'determines that the modular plug is about to be removed from the modular jack, the control unit 10' determines whether or not the modular jack should be removed based on the corresponding information. Determine. Then, the unloading prediction notification lamp 40 (FIGS. 7 and 1) corresponding to the modular jack 60 determines that the modular plug 70 is about to be removed, and the control unit 10 ′ determines that the modular jack is a modular plug. Based on the result of determination by the control unit 10 'whether or not the plug should be removed, whether the modular jack is to be removed indicates that the modular plug is about to be removed / Notification is made by distinguishing light emission or blinking with different periods or emission colors depending on whether or not. Thus, the operator can surely know the modular jack from which the modular plug is to be removed, and can know whether or not the modular plug should be removed from the modular jack. For this reason, the erroneous extraction which extracts the modular plug different from the modular plug which should be extracted is prevented more reliably than Example 1.

  The operator recognizes that the modular plug 60 is to be removed from the modular plug 70 by light emission (flashing) of the removal prediction indicator lamp 40, and then, as shown in FIG. Then, the modular plug 70 is removed while the lock claw 73 with lever is held. When the modular plug 70 is removed, the modular jack 60 is in the state shown in FIG.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the technical scope described in the claims. It goes without saying that there is.

  For example, the present invention is not limited to a switching hub but can be applied to all electronic devices having a plurality of modular jacks such as routers and telephone exchanges. Further, the modular jack in the present invention is not limited to the one standardized by US ANSI / TIA-968-A, and may be any jack having a mechanism for preventing the locking by a locking claw with a lever, such as an LC connector for optical communication. Etc.

10, 10 'control unit 20, A20-1 to A20-24, B20-1 to B20-24 insertion detector 30, A30-1 to A30-24, B30-1 to B30-24 lock detector 40, A40- 1 to A40-24, B40-1 to A40-24 Extraction prediction lamp 50, A50, B50 Support member 60, A60-1 to A60-24, B60-1 to B60-24 Modular jack 60 ', A60-1' ~ A60-24 ', B60-1' ~ B60-24 'Modular jack 61, A61, B61 Jack insulator 62 Jack contact 63 Receiving hole 64, 64' Lock wall 70 Modular plug 71 Plug insulator 72 Plug contact 73 Lock with lever Claw 73a Lever 73b Lock claw 100, 120 Switching hub

Claims (6)

A plug detection device that is applied to an electronic device having a plurality of modular jacks into which each modular plug is inserted and removed, and detects a modular plug insertion / removal state with respect to each of the plurality of modular jacks,
Each modular plug includes a plug contact implanted in the plug insulator, and a lock claw with a lever formed to extend from the plug insulator,
Each modular jack is connected to a jack insulator formed with a receiving hole portion for receiving a plug insulator and a lock wall surface to which a lock claw with a lever is engaged, and a plug contact of a modular plug inserted and inserted in the jack insulator. With jack contacts,
The lock claw with a lever is urged to stand up to engage with the lock wall surface and keep the modular plug inserted into the modular jack, while the modular plug is inserted into the overturned state. In the plug detection device that is disengaged from the lock wall surface by this, thereby allowing the modular plug to be removed from the modular jack.
A plurality of insertion detectors for detecting whether or not the modular plug is inserted into each of the plurality of modular jacks based on the connection between the jack contact and the plug contact;
A plurality of lock detectors for detecting the standing state / depressed state of the lock claws with levers of the modular plugs inserted into the plurality of modular jacks;
When the insertion state of the modular plug into the modular jack is detected by the insertion detector, and the locking state of the locking claw with a lever is detected by the lock detector, the modular plug may be removed from the modular jack. A control unit that determines that
A plug detection device comprising: a plurality of removal prediction notification lamps for notifying by light emission based on the determination by the control unit that a modular plug is about to be removed for each of a plurality of modular jacks. The electronic device is provided for each of the plurality of modular jacks, and is provided for each of the plurality of modular jacks and a plurality of communication status detection units for detecting a communication status via each jack contact. And a plurality of communication indicator lamps for displaying the communication status by flashing for each of the plurality of modular jacks,
The plurality of insertion detectors are configured to serve as a plurality of communication status detection units,
The plurality of removal prediction indicator lamps are configured to be used also as a plurality of communication indicator lamps, and based on the determination by the control unit that the modular plug is about to be removed for each of the plurality of modular jacks, the fact of the communication status is indicated. The plug detection device according to claim 1, wherein the notification is performed by blinking with a period different from the display. The control unit obtains the extraction information indicating the modular jack from which the modular plug is to be extracted from the outside, and further determines that the modular plug is about to be removed from the modular jack. Based on the information corresponding to the removal, it is determined whether or not the removal should be performed,
The removal prediction indicator lamp is a judgment result by the control unit that the modular plug is about to be removed, and a judgment result by the control unit whether or not the modular jack is to be removed. 3 or 2 that the modular plug is about to be removed based on whether the modular jack is to be removed or not according to whether or not the modular plug is to be removed. The plug detection device described in 1.   The plug detection according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the plurality of lock detectors are attached to the jack insulator via a support member that is a single member separate from the jack insulator of the modular jack. apparatus.   The lock detector is a mechanical switch type that detects the standing / downside state of a lock claw with a lever by contact / separation of a contact that performs mechanical operation, and an optical detection type that detects by decreasing / raising the transmittance of detection light. The plug detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which is a pressure detection type detected by a detection signal of a piezoelectric element or a capacitance detection type detected by a change in capacitance.   An electronic apparatus comprising: the plurality of modular jacks; and the plug detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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