KR100430776B1 - Hub Device Having Removable Port Units - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a hub device, and more particularly, to a hub device that receives a plurality of communication lines and distributes and aggregates data from the communication lines. In this configuration, a port unit including a port control board for controlling data input and output through the port connected to at least one communication line and a first binding means for binding with the main body; And a main body including a plurality of second binding means detachably attachable to the first fastening means of the plurality of port units, thereby eliminating the need to add the entire hub device. By adding only port units, the number of input and output ports can be easily added or decreased in accordance with the change of the network.

Description

Hub Device Having Removable Port Units

The present invention relates to a hub device, and more particularly, to a hub device that a plurality of port units can be added or removed to the main body detachably.

The hub device acts as an intermediate bridge that collects data from one or more directions into one place in a network environment, or delivers incoming data in one or more directions. It is an essential network device to connect with other networks, connect network devices such as routers, check network status, and amplify signals. Hub devices are generally used to connect each node in a tree structure, and are aimed at simplifying cabling and convenience of movement, as well as integrated line management in a LAN. Among the hub devices, a device called a dummy hub is a device that centralizes each node with a function similar to a repeater for amplifying and reproducing a signal. However, it has been gradually developed and managed using SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol). It is evolving into an intelligent hub that provides functionality and a switching hub that provides port-to-port bridge functionality.

Referring to Fig. 1, a conventional hub device will be described. First, in the conventional hub device 10, the number of port input terminals 12 to which each communication line is connected is determined for the purpose of centralization or distribution of the network. The number of ports provided by the conventional hub device 10 is generally 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24 or 32 ports. Therefore, the user uses the hub device 10 that supports eight ports when eight ports are required, and then uses the hub device 10 that supports eight ports even if only four ports are needed since four ports are not needed. There is a problem in that a port input terminal for the remaining four ports that are not actually used and a port control circuit for amplifying, switching, or bridging the signals coming into each port are inevitably incurred. . For example, in the case of a user using the 16-port hub device 10, when the number of networks increases and 20 ports are required, the 16-port hub device may be replaced with a 24-port hub device or used. If the 16-port hub device is a stackable hub device, the 16-port hub device should be added and used. In this case, as in the above-described example, the user has to bear additional cost.

Second, the case of the conventional hub device 10 is not only the bottom and the upper surface is open as shown in Figure 1, but also the internal substrate 14 for port control and power control (indicated by a broken line in Figure 1) Part) is formed parallel to the bottom of the hub device 10, and therefore is not suitable for use in a rack for communication equipment that convections cooling air through a cooling fan. Network equipment is connected to various equipment such as repeaters, routers, firewalls, etc., so that it is often used in racks for communication equipment to improve management efficiency and prevent complicated wiring. The rack for communication equipment has a cooling fan at the top, and in order for the cooling air generated by the cooling fan to effectively cool the network equipment stored in the rack, the stored network equipment is capable of convection of air through the upper and lower surfaces. It is desirable to have a structure. However, the hub device 10 of the related art is not suitable for use in a rack for communication equipment because the upper part and the bottom are closed as described above, and the internal substrate 14 prevents the convection of the cooling air. Therefore, the conventional hub device 10 is not stored in the rack for communication equipment, and is attached to the side of the rack or installed in a separate place, and thus wiring for connection with other equipment stored in the rack becomes complicated. In the case of an intelligent hub or a switching hub, which generates a large amount of heat, there is a problem that a separate cooling fan must be provided inside.

Lastly, since the hub device 10 receives the input of the general household AC voltage (100V to 220V) 16 as a supply voltage, there is a problem that a -48V DC voltage supplied from the rack cannot be used. The rack for communication equipment prevents the power wiring from being complicatedly connected, and most communication equipment that uses DC power as an internal power supply does not add a power supply that converts AC input voltage to DC voltage through its own power supply. The rack for communication equipment is designed to convert power supplied by AC into direct current through its own power circuit and supply it to the communication equipment stored in the rack. However, the conventional hub device 10 uses AC power as an input power source and includes a DC conversion circuit therein, which is not only suitable for use in a rack for communication equipment, but also increases the production cost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problem, and an object thereof is to provide a hub device capable of freely adding or subtracting a number of support ports by detachably attaching a port unit in which an internal circuit is divided into a control circuit for each port. .

In addition, according to another embodiment of the present invention, by forming an internal circuit perpendicular to the bottom of the main body, by opening part or all of the top and bottom of the main body, to provide a hub device suitable for use in racks for communication equipment Has a different purpose.

Finally, according to another embodiment of the present invention, there is another object to provide a hub device suitable for use in a rack for communication equipment by using a DC power supplied from the rack for communication equipment as the supply power.

1 is a view showing a rear side of a conventional hub device.

2 shows a front side of a hub device according to an embodiment of the invention.

3 shows a rear side of a hub device according to an embodiment of the invention.

4A shows a port unit according to an embodiment of the invention.

4B illustrates a power supply unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a view showing an embodiment in which the hub device according to an embodiment of the present invention is stored in a rack.

<Description of Symbols for Major Parts of Drawings>

10: conventional hub device 20: main body

22: mounting means 26: rack fastening means

30, 32, 34, 36: port unit 38: power supply unit

40: rack for communication equipment 54: port input terminal

56 port control board 58 power input means

64: external power input terminal 66: power control board

68: power output means

In order to achieve the above object, a hub device for accommodating a plurality of communication lines to distribute and aggregate data from the communication lines, the hub device for controlling data input and output through the port connecting to at least one communication line A port unit including a first binding means for binding the control board and the main body; And a main body including a plurality of second binding means that can be detachably attached to the first binding means of the plurality of port units.

The above and other objects and features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

2 and 3 respectively show a front side and a rear side of a hub device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 4A and 4B show a port unit and a power unit, respectively. The hub device according to the present invention comprises a main body 20 and port units 30, 32, 34 and 36 mounted on the main body. The port units 30, 32, 34, 36 include a port control board 56 for controlling one or more ports and first binding means for binding with the main body, and the main body 20 includes a plurality of port units 30. It comprises a plurality of second binding means that can be detachably attached to the first binding means of (32, 34, 36).

The port control board 56 amplifies a data signal input or output through the port input terminal 54 or converts the input signal into a signal suitable for processing by another communication device. Preferably, the port unit 30, 32, 34, 36 further comprises at least one port input terminal for connecting the hub device and the transmission line through which the data controlled by the port control board 56 is input and output. Can be. The port input terminal 54 may be a connector for accommodating other transmission lines including an optical cable and a coaxial cable, as well as a connector for an RJ-45 jack for a TP (twist pair) line shown in the drawing.

In this embodiment, one port unit 30, 32, 34, 36 includes four port input terminals 54, but the number of port input terminals is not limited. In addition, each of the port units 30, 32, 34, and 36 stored in the main body 20 does not have to support the same number of ports. For example, the first port unit 30 may include one port and a first port. The two-port unit 32 is four ports or the like, and the number of ports supported by each port unit 30, 32, 34, 36 may be different.

Preferably, the main body 20 further includes a power supply wiring device 24 for supplying power to the port control board 56 of the port units 30, 32, 34, 36 to be attached, and the port unit ( 30, 32, 34, and 36 may further include power input means 58 connected to the power supply wiring device 24 in a state in which the main body 20 is attached. The power input means 58 and the power supply wiring device 24 are implemented as a means capable of stably maintaining electrical connections, such as female and male connectors. According to the configuration as described above, the internal power output from the power supply device provided in the main body 20, without having to provide a separate power supply device for each port unit (30, 32, 34, 36) Through the power supply wiring device 24 provided in 20, internal power may be supplied through the power input means 58 provided in each of the port units 30, 32, 34, and 36.

More preferably, the power supply device may be configured as a power supply unit 38 in a similar form to the port units 30, 32, 34, and 36. In this case, as shown in FIG. 4B, the power supply unit 38 uses an external input power terminal 64 for receiving external input power and an external input power in each of the port units 30, 32, 34, and 36. A power control board 66 for converting into an internal power source, a third fastening means for coupling with the main body, and a power output means 68 for outputting internal power to the power supply wiring device 24 in a state of being bound with the main body; It is configured to include. In this case, the main body 20 further includes a fourth fastening means capable of detachably attaching to the third fastening means of the power supply unit 38. According to the configuration as described above, by replacing only the power supply unit 38 for direct current to alternating current, there is no need to replace the entire hub device, the supply power of the hub device using the direct current power supply power supply to the AC power supply It can be replaced.

The main body 20 may further include a circuit commonly used in each of the port units 30, 32, 34, and 36 as well as the power supply device. For example, in the case of an intelligent hub or switching hub device, a control circuit for switching or bridging between ports provided in different port units 30, 32, 34, and 36 by controlling data of the entire port is provided. 20) can be provided.

The first fastening means provided in the port units 30, 32, 34 and 36, the third fastening means provided in the power supply unit 38 and the second fastening means and the fourth fastening means provided in the main body 20 are As a means for stably supporting each unit in the main body 20, for example, the unit 30, 32, 34, 36, 38 such as slots and protrusions or bolts and nuts, and the main body 20 stably Implement as a means of fixing.

5 is a view showing an embodiment in which the hub device according to the embodiment of the present invention is stored in the rack 40 for the communication device. Here, the downward arrow indicates the direction in which the port units 30, 32, 34, and 36 are inserted into the main body 20, and the arrow pointing toward the rack 40 for the communication equipment indicates that the hub device is the rack for the communication equipment. Indicates the direction of insertion. However, in order for the cooling air generated in the cooling fan of the rack for communication equipment 40 to be smoothly supplied to each of the stored communication equipment including the hub device, the port control board 56 and the power control board 66 may include a main body ( When stored in 20), it is preferred that the body 20 is formed perpendicular to the bottom of the main body 20, and the main body 20 is open as shown in part or all of the bottom and top surfaces. According to the structure as described above, the hub device does not interfere with the flow of cooling air provided from the rack 40, there is an advantage that can increase the cooling efficiency of the circuit inside the hub device.

More preferably, the hub device further includes a mounting means 22 including a rack fastening means 26 for fastening with the rack 60 for communication equipment and a fifth fastening means for fastening with the main body 20. The main body 20 may further include a sixth binding means for detachably attaching to the mounting means 22. The rack fastening means 26 is implemented as a means for stably fastening the hub device to the rack 40, such as the screw hole and the screw illustrated in FIG. 5, and the fastening of the main body 20 and the mounting means 22 For example, the fifth and sixth binding means may be implemented by detachable binding means such as bolts and nuts. The international standard of the communication equipment rack 40 defines the width of the communication equipment stored in the rack to 19 inches, 21 inches, 23 inches, according to the above configuration, the user, if necessary, 19 inches, 21 inches, 23 By replacing only the mounting means 22 of the inch width, there is an advantage that can be used freely compatible with the rack 40 supporting different widths.

When the rack fastening means 26 is mounted to the front portion as illustrated in FIG. 2, the rack fastening means may further include a communication status display window 28. The communication status display window 28 is formed to pass the light emitted from a light emitting device such as an LED to the outside, the power state and communication status of each port unit through the color or flashing light of the communication status display window 28 You can check

More preferably, the hub device according to the present invention may be supplied to each port unit (30, 32, 34, 36) by receiving the DC power provided from the rack for communication equipment (40). The rack for communication equipment 40 receives a general AC voltage is converted to a -48V DC voltage typically supplied to the communication equipment stored in the rack 40. Therefore, according to the configuration as described above, the hub device does not have a separate DC converter, there is an advantage that the voltage supplied from the rack 40 can be used directly.

As described above, the hub device according to the present invention can flexibly cope with changes in the network by attaching and detaching a port unit to the main body, and can increase the number of supported ports at a lower cost than replacing the entire equipment. It has an effect. In addition, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, by the internal substrate which is formed perpendicular to the bottom surface and the main body of which part or all of the bottom and the top surface is opened, efficiently convection the cooling air provided by the rack for communication equipment and In addition, there is an effect that can increase the cooling efficiency of the hub device. Lastly, according to another embodiment of the present invention, the power supply of the hub device is used directly by the power supplied from the rack, the hub device can be used in the rack, it is necessary to provide a separate DC conversion device If the network equipment is used in combination, there is an effect that can prevent the wiring is complicated.

In addition, preferred embodiments of the present invention are disclosed for the purpose of illustration, those skilled in the art will be able to various modifications, changes, additions, etc. within the spirit and scope of the present invention, such modifications and modifications belong to the scope of the claims You will have to look.

Claims (15)

A hub device for accommodating a plurality of communication lines to distribute and aggregate data from the communication lines, A plurality of port units each including a port control board for controlling data input and output through at least one port connected to the communication line and first binding means for binding with a main body; And And a main body having a plurality of second fastening means capable of being detachably fastened with the first fastening means of the plurality of port units. The method of claim 1, The port unit further comprises at least one port input terminal. The method according to claim 1 or 2, The main body further includes a power supply wiring device for supplying power to the port control board; And the port unit further includes a power input means electrically connected to the power supply wiring device in a state of being attached to the main body. The method of claim 3, wherein The hub device includes an external input power terminal for receiving external input power, a power control board for converting the external input power into internal power used in each of the port units, third binding means for coupling with the main body, and the main body. And a power supply unit including a power output means for outputting the internal power to the power supply wiring device in a state where it is coupled with the power supply wiring device. The main body is a hub device, characterized in that further comprising a fourth fastening means that can be detachably attached to the third fastening means of the power supply unit. The method according to claim 1 or 2, The port control substrate is formed perpendicular to a bottom of the main body when the port control substrate is stored in the main body; The main body is a hub device, characterized in that the bottom surface and the top surface is partially or all open. The method of claim 4, wherein The power supply control substrate is formed perpendicular to a bottom surface of the main body when the main power control substrate is stored in the main body; The main body is a hub device, characterized in that the bottom surface and the top surface is partially or entirely open. The method according to claim 1 or 2, The hub device further includes a mounting means including a rack fastening means for fastening with the rack for communication equipment and a fifth fastening means for fastening with the main body, The main body further comprises a sixth binding means for detachably binding with the mounting means. The method according to claim 1 or 2, The main body is a hub device, characterized in that for supplying the DC power provided by the rack for communication equipment to each of the port units. A hub device for accommodating a plurality of communication lines to distribute and aggregate data from the communication lines, At least one internal circuit board formed perpendicular to the bottom of the body; And a main body which accommodates the internal circuit board and which has at least part of the bottom and top portions thereof open. The method of claim 9, The hub device is a hub device, characterized in that for supplying the DC power provided by the rack for communication equipment to each of the internal circuit board. The method according to claim 9 or 10, The hub device further includes a mounting means including a rack fastening means for fastening with the rack for communication equipment and a seventh fastening means for fastening with the main body; The main body is a hub device, characterized in that it further comprises an eighth binding means for detachably binding with the mounting means. A hub device for accommodating a plurality of communication lines to distribute and aggregate data from the communication lines, Hub device, characterized in that it comprises a power supply for receiving a DC power provided by the rack for communication equipment converted to the internal power used in the internal circuit. The method of claim 12, The DC power supply is a hub device, characterized in that the DC voltage of -5 ~ -48V. The method according to claim 12 or 13, And a mounting means including a rack fastening means for fastening with the rack for communication equipment and a ninth fastening means for detachably fastening with the main body. The method according to any one of claims 7, 11 and 14, The mounting means is a hub device, characterized in that it further comprises a communication status display window for displaying the communication status and power status.