US20060223380A1 - Device for testing connectivity of a connector including spring contact pins - Google Patents
Device for testing connectivity of a connector including spring contact pins Download PDFInfo
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- US20060223380A1 US20060223380A1 US11/098,821 US9882105A US2006223380A1 US 20060223380 A1 US20060223380 A1 US 20060223380A1 US 9882105 A US9882105 A US 9882105A US 2006223380 A1 US2006223380 A1 US 2006223380A1
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- contact pins
- spring contact
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- 238000012360 testing method Methods 0.000 title abstract description 13
- 125000006850 spacer group Chemical group 0.000 claims abstract description 20
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 15
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 claims 2
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 claims 2
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 12
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 description 4
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 4
- 238000012545 processing Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000005516 engineering process Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000004044 response Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000013500 data storage Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000008054 signal transmission Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000008859 change Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007796 conventional method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000006855 networking Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007639 printing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000009467 reduction Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000006467 substitution reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000007 visual effect Effects 0.000 description 1
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Classifications
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
- H01R13/64—Means for preventing incorrect coupling
- H01R13/641—Means for preventing incorrect coupling by indicating incorrect coupling; by indicating correct or full engagement
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R2201/00—Connectors or connections adapted for particular applications
- H01R2201/04—Connectors or connections adapted for particular applications for network, e.g. LAN connectors
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R2201/00—Connectors or connections adapted for particular applications
- H01R2201/20—Connectors or connections adapted for particular applications for testing or measuring purposes
Definitions
- IHSs information handling systems
- IHS In addition, IHSs may include a variety of hardware and software components that may be configured to process, store, and communicate information and may include one or more computer systems, data storage systems, and networking systems.
- An IHS typically includes one or more physical interfaces (e.g., connectors) for coupling the IHS to other devices and/or networks.
- a connector is a female connector that includes one or more spring contact pins (e.g., leaf spring contact pins).
- Example types of such connector are board-mounted network connectors (e.g., RJ-45 connectors), modem connectors (RJ-11 connectors), universal serial bus (“USB”) connectors, and serial attached small computer system interface (“SAS”)/serial advanced technology attachment (“SATA”) connectors.
- a male connector is capable of being coupled to a female connector so that a device that is coupled to the male connector (e.g., via a cable) is coupled to the IHS via the female connector.
- a technician uses a mechanical tool (e.g., a mechanical gauge) to determine whether heights of spring contact pins of a female connector are equal to or higher than a predetermined height such that the spring contact pins are capable of being in contact with a male connector's contact pins.
- a mechanical tool e.g., a mechanical gauge
- a method and a device are disclosed.
- the method provides a first connector including a contact pin and a spacer for biasing the contact pin away from a spring contact pin of a second connector, when the first connector is inserted into the second connector.
- the method also provides an indicator, coupled to the contact pin of the first connector, for indicating whether the contact pin of the first connector is in contact with the spring contact pin of the second connector.
- FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an information handling system, according to an illustrative embodiment.
- FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the IHS of FIG. 1 depicting various connectors included in the IHS.
- FIG. 3 is a sectional diagram of a connector, that is representative of one of the connectors of FIG. 2 , coupled to a testing device.
- FIG. 4 is a perspective view diagram of a connector that is representative of the connector of FIG. 3 , according to one embodiment.
- FIG. 5 is a perspective view diagram of a connector that is representative of the connector of FIG. 3 , according to another embodiment.
- FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram of a testing device that is representative of the testing device of FIG. 3 .
- an information handling system may include any instrumentality or aggregate of instrumentalities operable to compute, classify, process, transmit, receive, retrieve, originate, switch, store, display, manifest, detect, record, reproduce, handle, or utilize any form of information, intelligence, or data for business, scientific, control, entertainment, or other purposes.
- an IHS may be a personal computer, a PDA, a consumer electronic device, a network server or storage device, a switch router or other network communication device, or any other suitable device and may vary in size, shape, performance, functionality, and price.
- the IHS may include memory, one or more processing resources such as a central processing unit (CPU) or hardware or software control logic.
- Additional components of the IHS may include one or more storage devices, one or more communications ports for communicating with external devices as well as various input and output (I/O) devices, such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a video display.
- the IHS may also include one or more buses operable to transmit communications between the various hardware components.
- FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an IHS, indicated generally at 100 , according to the illustrative embodiment.
- the IHS 100 includes a processor 105 (e.g., an Intel Pentium series processor) for executing an otherwise processing instructions, input devices 110 for receiving information from a human user, a display device 115 (e.g., a conventional electronic cathode ray tube (“CRT”) device) for displaying information to the user, a storage device 120 (e.g., a non-volatile storage device such as a hard disk drive or other computer readable medium or apparatus) for storing information, a memory device 125 (e.g., random access memory (“RAM”) device and read only memory (“ROM”) device), also for storing information, and a network controller 130 for communicating between the IHS 100 and a network.
- a processor 105 e.g., an Intel Pentium series processor
- input devices 110 for receiving information from a human user
- a display device 115 e.g., a
- the IHS 100 includes various other electronic circuitry for performing other operations of the IHS 100 , such as a print device (e.g., a ink-jet printer or a laser printer) for printing visual images on paper.
- a print device e.g., a ink-jet printer or a laser printer
- the input devices 110 include, for example, a conventional keyboard and a pointing device (e.g., a “mouse”, a roller ball, or a light pen).
- a user operates the keyboard to input alphanumeric text information to the processor 105 , and the processor receives such information from the keyboard.
- a user also operates the pointing device to input cursor-control information to the processor 105 , and the processor 105 receives such cursor-control information from the pointing device.
- FIG. 2 is another block diagram of the IHS 100 depicting various connectors included in the IHS 100 .
- the IHS 100 includes a network connector (e.g., a RJ-45 connector) 205 , a modem connector (e.g., a RJ-11 connector) 210 , an universal serial bus (“USB”) connector 215 , and a serial advanced small computer systems interface (“SAS”)/serial advance technology attachment (“SATA”) interface 220 .
- each of the connectors 205 , 210 , 215 , and 220 is a female connector (e.g., a board-mounted connector).
- each of the connectors 205 , 210 , 215 , and 220 includes one or more spring contract pins as discussed below (in connection with FIG. 3 ).
- FIG. 2 depicts only the four connectors 205 , 210 , 215 , and 220 .
- the IHS 100 includes additional connectors that are substantially similar to the connectors 205 , 210 , 215 , and/or 220 .
- the following discussion references a male connector as a cable-mounted connector and a female connector as a board-mounted connector, although some male connectors are mounted directly on a device (e.g., a USB storage device).
- FIG. 3 is a sectional diagram of a board-mounted connector 305 , that is representative of one of the connectors of FIG. 2 , coupled to a testing device 315 .
- the board-mounted connector 305 for clarity, the following discussions reference the board-mounted connector 305 as being a RJ-45 board-mounted connector.
- the RJ-45 board-mounted connector 305 includes one or more spring contact pins 310 .
- the device 315 includes a cable-mounted connector 320 .
- the cable-mounted connector 320 is similar to a conventional RJ-45 cable-mounted connector, and includes one or more contact pins 325 . However, the cable-mounted connector 320 is modified from a conventional RJ-45 cable-mounted connector as discussed below.
- the cable-mounted connector 320 is modified from a conventional RJ-45 cable-mounted connector so that it includes one or more spacers 330 .
- the cable-mounted connector 320 is modified from a conventional RJ-45 cable-mounted connector (e.g., by “shaving or grinding off” a top portion of such conventional RJ-45 cable-mounted connector) so that a thickness 335 of the cable-mounted connector 320 is less than the thickness of such conventional RJ-45 cable-mounted connector.
- the device 315 is usable (e.g., by a technician) to determine whether the spring contact pins 310 's heights are equal to or higher than a predetermined (e.g., a standard) height.
- the contact pins 325 are biased away from the spring contact pins 310 .
- the contact pins 325 are biased away from the spring contact pins 310 by the spacers 330 and/or reduction in the thickness 335 relative to the thickness of a conventional cable-mounted RJ-45 connector.
- the spacers 330 “lifts” the cable mounted RJ-45 connector 320 away from the bottom portion of the board-mounted RJ-45 connector 305 so that the contact pins 325 are also lifted away from the spring contact pins 310 .
- the device 315 provides a condition for contact that is worse than a standard condition provided by a conventional cable-mounted RJ-45 connector.
- the contact pins 325 are in contact with the spring contact pins 310 when the connector 320 is inserted into the board-mounted RJ-45 connector, it is an indication that heights of the spring contact pins 325 are equal to or greater than a predetermined amount (e.g., an amount determined by thickness of the spacers 330 and/or the thickness 335 ). This is also an indication that the board mounted RJ-45 connector 305 has “passed” the test for connectivity.
- the device 315 includes one or more indicators as discussed below (in connection with FIG. 5 ) for indicating whether the contact pins 325 are in contact with the spring contact pins 310 , when the connector 320 is inserted into the connector 305 .
- each of the board-mounted connector 305 and the cable mounted connector 320 includes the plurality of pins (e.g., the spring contact pins 310 and the contact pins 325 ).
- the connector 305 includes a single contact pin
- the connector 320 includes a single spring contact pin.
- FIG. 4 is a perspective view diagram of a cable-mounted RJ-45 connector 405 that is representative of the cable-mounted RJ-45 connector 320 of FIG. 3 , according to one embodiment.
- the connector 405 includes contact pins 410 .
- the connector 405 includes a spacer 415 and a spacer 420 , each for biasing the contact pins 410 away from spring contact pins of a board-mounted RJ-45 connector as discussed above (in connection with FIG. 3 ).
- each of the spacers 415 and 420 is located on the bottom of the connector 405 as shown.
- the spacer 415 is located on the opposing end of the spacer 420 , and vice versa.
- FIG. 5 is a perspective view diagram of the cable mounted RJ-45 connector 505 that is representative of the cable mounted RJ-45 connector 320 of FIG. 3 , according to another embodiment.
- the connector 505 is similar to the connector 405 of FIG. 4 , and includes contact pins 510 .
- the connector 505 includes a single spacer 515 for biasing the contact pins 510 away from spring contacts of a board-mounted RJ-45 connector.
- the single spacer 515 is located on the bottom of the connector 505 as shown.
- FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram of a testing device 605 that is representative of the testing device 315 of FIG. 3 .
- the device 605 includes a cable-mounted RJ-45 connector 610 , modified from a conventional RJ-45 connector as discussed above in connection with FIGS. 3, 4 , and 5 .
- the connector 605 includes contact pins 615 . Similar to a conventional RJ-45, the connector 610 includes 8 contact pins as shown.
- Each of the contact pins 615 is capable of being in contact with a respective one of a plurality of spring contact pins included in a board-mounted RJ-45 connector. Also, such pins are divisible into four (4) groups, each of the groups including a pair of pins.
- the connector 605 includes a pair of pins 620 , which is included in the contact pins 615 .
- the pair of pins 620 includes a first pin 625 and a second 630 .
- the device 605 includes an indicator (e.g., an optical indicator such as a light emitting diode (“LED”)) 635 , a battery 640 , and a resistor 645 .
- an indicator e.g., an optical indicator such as a light emitting diode (“LED”)
- a battery e.g., a coin battery
- a resistor 645 is coupled to one another, the first pin 625 , and the second pin 630 .
- the first pin 625 and the second pin 630 are capable of being in contact with the board-mounted connector's spring contact pins. More specifically, the first pin 625 and the second pin 630 are capable of being in contact with first and second spring contact pins, respectively, which are included in the board-mounted connector. As discussed above, the first pin 625 and the second pin 630 actually make contact with the first and second spring contact pins if heights of such first and second spring contact pins are equal to or higher than a predetermined height (e.g., predetermined by thickness of the connector 610 and/or one or more spacers included in the connector 610 ).
- a predetermined height e.g., predetermined by thickness of the connector 610 and/or one or more spacers included in the connector 610 ).
- pins within each pair of spring contact pins of a board-mounted RJ-45 connector are coupled to one another (e.g., to provide a “continuity” check).
- a first spring contact pin and a second spring contact pin of a board-mounted RJ-45 connector are coupled to one another.
- the circuit becomes closed.
- the battery 630 supplies power to the indicator 635 , and the indicator 635 activates (e.g., outputs light), indicating that each of the pins 620 have “passed” the test for connectivity.
- the device 605 may include additional indicators coupled to rest of the contact pins 615 .
- the device 605 includes additional indicators, each substantially similar to the indicator 635 , coupled to a second pair, a third pair, and a fourth pair of contact pins included in the contact pins 615 , a battery (e.g., the battery 640 ), and a resistor (e.g., the resistor 645 ).
- a battery e.g., the battery 640
- a resistor e.g., the resistor 645
- Each of such indicators activates in response to its associated pair of pins being in contact with the corresponding spring contact pins of a board-mounted connector, in a manner substantially similar to the manner in which the indicator 635 activates as discussed above.
- each of such indicators outputs light that is different (e.g., different in color) from one another.
Abstract
A device for testing connectivity is provided. The device includes a first connector including a contact pin and a spacer for biasing the contact pin away from a spring contact pin of a second connector, when the first connector is inserted into the second connector. The device also includes an indicator, coupled to the contact pin of the first connector, for indicating whether the contact pin of the first connector is in contact with the spring contact pin of the second connector.
Description
- The description herein relates generally to information handling systems (“IHSs”) and more particularly to testing connectivity of connectors included in such IHSs.
- As the value and use of information continues to increase, individuals and businesses seek additional ways to process and store information. One option is an IHS. An IHS generally processes, compiles, stores, and/or communicates information or data for business, personal, or other purposes. Because technology and information handling needs and requirements may vary between different applications, IHSs may also vary regarding what information is handled, how the information is handled, how much information is processed, stored, or communicated, and how quickly and efficiently the information may be processed, stored, or communicated. The variations in IHSs allow for IHSs to be general or configured for a specific user or specific use such as financial transaction processing, airline reservations, enterprise data storage, or global communications. In addition, IHSs may include a variety of hardware and software components that may be configured to process, store, and communicate information and may include one or more computer systems, data storage systems, and networking systems.
- An IHS typically includes one or more physical interfaces (e.g., connectors) for coupling the IHS to other devices and/or networks. In one example, a connector is a female connector that includes one or more spring contact pins (e.g., leaf spring contact pins). Example types of such connector are board-mounted network connectors (e.g., RJ-45 connectors), modem connectors (RJ-11 connectors), universal serial bus (“USB”) connectors, and serial attached small computer system interface (“SAS”)/serial advanced technology attachment (“SATA”) connectors. A male connector is capable of being coupled to a female connector so that a device that is coupled to the male connector (e.g., via a cable) is coupled to the IHS via the female connector.
- When a female connector is coupled to a male connector, it is important for spring contact pins of the female connector to be in physical contact with associated contact pins of the male connector, to facilitate signal transmission. With a conventional technique, a technician uses a mechanical tool (e.g., a mechanical gauge) to determine whether heights of spring contact pins of a female connector are equal to or higher than a predetermined height such that the spring contact pins are capable of being in contact with a male connector's contact pins. Such technique may cause various problems including problems associated with accuracy and efficiency.
- Accordingly, what is needed is a method and a device for testing connectivity of a connector without the disadvantages discussed above.
- A method and a device are disclosed. The method provides a first connector including a contact pin and a spacer for biasing the contact pin away from a spring contact pin of a second connector, when the first connector is inserted into the second connector. The method also provides an indicator, coupled to the contact pin of the first connector, for indicating whether the contact pin of the first connector is in contact with the spring contact pin of the second connector.
-
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an information handling system, according to an illustrative embodiment. -
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the IHS ofFIG. 1 depicting various connectors included in the IHS. -
FIG. 3 is a sectional diagram of a connector, that is representative of one of the connectors ofFIG. 2 , coupled to a testing device. -
FIG. 4 is a perspective view diagram of a connector that is representative of the connector ofFIG. 3 , according to one embodiment. -
FIG. 5 is a perspective view diagram of a connector that is representative of the connector ofFIG. 3 , according to another embodiment. -
FIG. 6 , is a circuit diagram of a testing device that is representative of the testing device ofFIG. 3 . - For purposes of this disclosure, an information handling system (“IHS”) may include any instrumentality or aggregate of instrumentalities operable to compute, classify, process, transmit, receive, retrieve, originate, switch, store, display, manifest, detect, record, reproduce, handle, or utilize any form of information, intelligence, or data for business, scientific, control, entertainment, or other purposes. For example, an IHS may be a personal computer, a PDA, a consumer electronic device, a network server or storage device, a switch router or other network communication device, or any other suitable device and may vary in size, shape, performance, functionality, and price. The IHS may include memory, one or more processing resources such as a central processing unit (CPU) or hardware or software control logic. Additional components of the IHS may include one or more storage devices, one or more communications ports for communicating with external devices as well as various input and output (I/O) devices, such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a video display. The IHS may also include one or more buses operable to transmit communications between the various hardware components.
-
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an IHS, indicated generally at 100, according to the illustrative embodiment. The IHS 100 includes a processor 105 (e.g., an Intel Pentium series processor) for executing an otherwise processing instructions,input devices 110 for receiving information from a human user, a display device 115 (e.g., a conventional electronic cathode ray tube (“CRT”) device) for displaying information to the user, a storage device 120 (e.g., a non-volatile storage device such as a hard disk drive or other computer readable medium or apparatus) for storing information, a memory device 125 (e.g., random access memory (“RAM”) device and read only memory (“ROM”) device), also for storing information, and anetwork controller 130 for communicating between the IHS 100 and a network. Each of theinput devices 110, thedisplay device 115, thestorage device 120, thememory device 125, and thenetwork controller 130 is coupled to theprocessor 105, and to one another. In one example, the IHS 100 includes various other electronic circuitry for performing other operations of the IHS 100, such as a print device (e.g., a ink-jet printer or a laser printer) for printing visual images on paper. - The
input devices 110 include, for example, a conventional keyboard and a pointing device (e.g., a “mouse”, a roller ball, or a light pen). A user operates the keyboard to input alphanumeric text information to theprocessor 105, and the processor receives such information from the keyboard. A user also operates the pointing device to input cursor-control information to theprocessor 105, and theprocessor 105 receives such cursor-control information from the pointing device. -
FIG. 2 is another block diagram of the IHS 100 depicting various connectors included in the IHS 100. The IHS 100 includes a network connector (e.g., a RJ-45 connector) 205, a modem connector (e.g., a RJ-11 connector) 210, an universal serial bus (“USB”)connector 215, and a serial advanced small computer systems interface (“SAS”)/serial advance technology attachment (“SATA”)interface 220. In the illustrative embodiment, each of theconnectors connectors FIG. 3 ). - For clarity,
FIG. 2 depicts only the fourconnectors connectors -
FIG. 3 is a sectional diagram of a board-mountedconnector 305, that is representative of one of the connectors ofFIG. 2 , coupled to atesting device 315. For clarity, the following discussions reference the board-mountedconnector 305 as being a RJ-45 board-mounted connector. - The RJ-45 board-mounted
connector 305 includes one or morespring contact pins 310. Thedevice 315 includes a cable-mountedconnector 320. The cable-mountedconnector 320 is similar to a conventional RJ-45 cable-mounted connector, and includes one ormore contact pins 325. However, the cable-mountedconnector 320 is modified from a conventional RJ-45 cable-mounted connector as discussed below. - In one example, the cable-mounted
connector 320 is modified from a conventional RJ-45 cable-mounted connector so that it includes one ormore spacers 330. In another example, the cable-mountedconnector 320 is modified from a conventional RJ-45 cable-mounted connector (e.g., by “shaving or grinding off” a top portion of such conventional RJ-45 cable-mounted connector) so that athickness 335 of the cable-mountedconnector 320 is less than the thickness of such conventional RJ-45 cable-mounted connector. - As discussed above, when a conventional cable-mounted RJ-45 connector is inserted into the board-mounted RJ-45
connector 305, it is important that contact pins of such cable-mounted RJ-45 connector are in physical contact with thespring contact pins 310 for appropriate signal transmission. In one example, thespring contact pins 310 being bent downward reduces the pins' heights, and thus also reduces the likelihood that thespring contact pins 310 would be in physical contact with contact pins of a conventional cable-mounted RJ-45 connector that is inserted into the board-mounted RJ-45 connector. For testing such connectivity, thedevice 315 is usable (e.g., by a technician) to determine whether thespring contact pins 310's heights are equal to or higher than a predetermined (e.g., a standard) height. - When the cable mounted RJ-45
connector 320 of thedevice 315 is inserted into the board mounted RJ-45connector 305, thecontact pins 325 are biased away from thespring contact pins 310. As discussed above, thecontact pins 325 are biased away from thespring contact pins 310 by thespacers 330 and/or reduction in thethickness 335 relative to the thickness of a conventional cable-mounted RJ-45 connector. - In more detail, the
spacers 330 “lifts” the cable mounted RJ-45connector 320 away from the bottom portion of the board-mounted RJ-45connector 305 so that thecontact pins 325 are also lifted away from thespring contact pins 310. In this way, thedevice 315 provides a condition for contact that is worse than a standard condition provided by a conventional cable-mounted RJ-45 connector. Accordingly, if thecontact pins 325 are in contact with thespring contact pins 310 when theconnector 320 is inserted into the board-mounted RJ-45 connector, it is an indication that heights of thespring contact pins 325 are equal to or greater than a predetermined amount (e.g., an amount determined by thickness of thespacers 330 and/or the thickness 335). This is also an indication that the board mounted RJ-45connector 305 has “passed” the test for connectivity. In the illustrative embodiment, thedevice 315 includes one or more indicators as discussed below (in connection withFIG. 5 ) for indicating whether thecontact pins 325 are in contact with thespring contact pins 310, when theconnector 320 is inserted into theconnector 305. - In the embodiment discussed above, each of the board-mounted
connector 305 and the cable mountedconnector 320 includes the plurality of pins (e.g., the spring contact pins 310 and the contact pins 325). However, in another embodiment, theconnector 305 includes a single contact pin, and theconnector 320 includes a single spring contact pin. -
FIG. 4 is a perspective view diagram of a cable-mounted RJ-45connector 405 that is representative of the cable-mounted RJ-45connector 320 ofFIG. 3 , according to one embodiment. Theconnector 405 includes contact pins 410. Also, theconnector 405 includes aspacer 415 and aspacer 420, each for biasing the contact pins 410 away from spring contact pins of a board-mounted RJ-45 connector as discussed above (in connection withFIG. 3 ). In this embodiment, each of thespacers connector 405 as shown. Also, thespacer 415 is located on the opposing end of thespacer 420, and vice versa. -
FIG. 5 is a perspective view diagram of the cable mounted RJ-45connector 505 that is representative of the cable mounted RJ-45connector 320 ofFIG. 3 , according to another embodiment. Theconnector 505 is similar to theconnector 405 ofFIG. 4 , and includes contact pins 510. However, theconnector 505 includes asingle spacer 515 for biasing the contact pins 510 away from spring contacts of a board-mounted RJ-45 connector. Thesingle spacer 515 is located on the bottom of theconnector 505 as shown. -
FIG. 6 , is a circuit diagram of atesting device 605 that is representative of thetesting device 315 ofFIG. 3 . Thedevice 605 includes a cable-mounted RJ-45connector 610, modified from a conventional RJ-45 connector as discussed above in connection withFIGS. 3, 4 , and 5. Theconnector 605 includes contact pins 615. Similar to a conventional RJ-45, theconnector 610 includes 8 contact pins as shown. Each of the contact pins 615 is capable of being in contact with a respective one of a plurality of spring contact pins included in a board-mounted RJ-45 connector. Also, such pins are divisible into four (4) groups, each of the groups including a pair of pins. For example, theconnector 605 includes a pair ofpins 620, which is included in the contact pins 615. The pair ofpins 620 includes afirst pin 625 and a second 630. - The
device 605 includes an indicator (e.g., an optical indicator such as a light emitting diode (“LED”)) 635, abattery 640, and aresistor 645. Each of theindicator 635, the battery (e.g., a coin battery) 640, and theresistor 645 is coupled to one another, thefirst pin 625, and thesecond pin 630. - When the
connector 610 is inserted into a board-mounted RJ 45 connector (e.g., the connector 305), thefirst pin 625 and thesecond pin 630 are capable of being in contact with the board-mounted connector's spring contact pins. More specifically, thefirst pin 625 and thesecond pin 630 are capable of being in contact with first and second spring contact pins, respectively, which are included in the board-mounted connector. As discussed above, thefirst pin 625 and thesecond pin 630 actually make contact with the first and second spring contact pins if heights of such first and second spring contact pins are equal to or higher than a predetermined height (e.g., predetermined by thickness of theconnector 610 and/or one or more spacers included in the connector 610). - Moreover, in the illustrative embodiment, pins within each pair of spring contact pins of a board-mounted RJ-45 connector are coupled to one another (e.g., to provide a “continuity” check). For example, a first spring contact pin and a second spring contact pin of a board-mounted RJ-45 connector are coupled to one another. Accordingly, in response to the
first pin 625 and thesecond pin 630 being in contact respectively with a first pin and a second pin of a board-mounted connector, the circuit becomes closed. In response to the circuit closing, thebattery 630 supplies power to theindicator 635, and theindicator 635 activates (e.g., outputs light), indicating that each of thepins 620 have “passed” the test for connectivity. - Although not shown in
FIG. 6 for clarity, thedevice 605 may include additional indicators coupled to rest of the contact pins 615. In one example, thedevice 605 includes additional indicators, each substantially similar to theindicator 635, coupled to a second pair, a third pair, and a fourth pair of contact pins included in the contact pins 615, a battery (e.g., the battery 640), and a resistor (e.g., the resistor 645). Each of such indicators activates in response to its associated pair of pins being in contact with the corresponding spring contact pins of a board-mounted connector, in a manner substantially similar to the manner in which theindicator 635 activates as discussed above. In one example, each of such indicators outputs light that is different (e.g., different in color) from one another. - Although illustrative embodiments have been shown and described, a wide range of modification, change and substitution is contemplated in the foregoing disclosure. Also, in some instances, some features of the embodiments may be employed without a corresponding use of other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be constructed broadly and in manner consistent with the scope of the embodiments disclosed herein.
Claims (22)
1. A device comprising:
a first connector including a first contact pin and a spacer adjacent the first contact pin;
a second connector including a cavity for receiving the first connector, the cavity including a second spring contact pin, the spacer on the first connector biasing the first contact pin away from the second spring contact pin upon insertion of the first connector into the cavity for reducing the likelihood that the second spring contact pin makes physical contact with the first contact pin;
an indicator, coupled to the first contact pin of the first connector, for indicating whether the first contact pin of the first connector is in contact with the second spring contact pin of the second connector when biased by the spacer.
2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the first connector includes a plurality of contact pins and the second connector includes a plurality of spring contact pins, each of the contact pins being provided for contact with a respective one of the spring contact pins.
3. The device of claim 1 , wherein the first connector is a male connector, and the second connector is a female connector.
4. The device of claim 3 , wherein the first connector is a cable-mounted connector, and the second connector is a board-mounted connector.
5. (canceled)
6. The device of claim 4 , wherein the first and the second connectors are RJ-45 connectors.
7. (canceled)
8. (canceled)
9. (canceled)
10. The device of claim 1 , and comprising:
a battery coupled to the indicator.
11. (canceled)
12. A method comprising:
providing a first connector including a first contact pin and a spacer adjacent the first contact pin;
providing a second connector including a cavity for receiving the first connector, the cavity including a second spring contact pin, the spacer on the first connector biasing the first contact Pin away from the second spring contact pin upon insertion of the first connector into the cavity for reducing the likelihood that the second spring contact pin makes physical contact with the first contact pin;
providing an indicator, coupled to the first contact pin of the first connector, for indicating whether the first contact pin of the first connector is in contact with the second spring contact pin of the second connector when biased by the spacer.
13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the first connector includes a plurality of contact pins and the second connector includes a plurality of spring contact pins, each of the contact pins being provided for contact with a respective one of the spring contact pins.
14. The method of claim 12 , wherein the first connector is a male connector, and the second connector is a female connector.
15. The method of claim 12 , wherein the first connector is a cable-mounted connector, and the second connector is a board-mounted connector.
16. (canceled)
17. The method of claim 15 , wherein the first and the second connectors are RJ-45 connectors.
18. (canceled)
19. (canceled)
20. (canceled)
21. The method of claim 12 , and comprising:
providing a battery coupled to the indicator.
22. (canceled)
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11/098,821 US20060223380A1 (en) | 2005-04-05 | 2005-04-05 | Device for testing connectivity of a connector including spring contact pins |
US11/853,234 US7397251B2 (en) | 2005-04-05 | 2007-09-11 | Device for testing connectivity of a connector including spring contact pins |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11/098,821 US20060223380A1 (en) | 2005-04-05 | 2005-04-05 | Device for testing connectivity of a connector including spring contact pins |
Related Child Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US11/853,234 Continuation US7397251B2 (en) | 2005-04-05 | 2007-09-11 | Device for testing connectivity of a connector including spring contact pins |
Publications (1)
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US20060223380A1 true US20060223380A1 (en) | 2006-10-05 |
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Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US11/098,821 Abandoned US20060223380A1 (en) | 2005-04-05 | 2005-04-05 | Device for testing connectivity of a connector including spring contact pins |
US11/853,234 Active US7397251B2 (en) | 2005-04-05 | 2007-09-11 | Device for testing connectivity of a connector including spring contact pins |
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Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US11/853,234 Active US7397251B2 (en) | 2005-04-05 | 2007-09-11 | Device for testing connectivity of a connector including spring contact pins |
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US (2) | US20060223380A1 (en) |
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US20070270016A1 (en) * | 2006-05-22 | 2007-11-22 | Dell Products L.P. | Method and apparatus for coupling a cable to a socket |
CN101937046B (en) * | 2009-06-30 | 2013-12-11 | 鸿富锦精密工业(深圳)有限公司 | Array type connector test device |
US20190341728A1 (en) * | 2018-05-04 | 2019-11-07 | The Ricker Lyman Robotic Company Inc. | Surface-contact ethernet connector, network equipment chassis including the same and operating method thereof |
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US8000110B2 (en) * | 2008-03-24 | 2011-08-16 | Lsi Corporation | Connector hold down and method |
CN101769976A (en) * | 2008-12-26 | 2010-07-07 | 鸿富锦精密工业(深圳)有限公司 | Connector detection system |
US11916327B2 (en) * | 2021-08-10 | 2024-02-27 | Dell Products L.P. | Space-optimized cable connector interface |
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Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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US7397251B2 (en) | 2008-07-08 |
US20070296420A1 (en) | 2007-12-27 |
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AS | Assignment |
Owner name: DELL PRODUCTS L.P., TEXAS Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:KING, JOSEPH D.;FET, BERNARD H.;HAMMER, SHAWN;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:016449/0226;SIGNING DATES FROM 20050323 TO 20050404 |
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STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |