US20230146432A1 - Slidable telecommunications tray with cable slack management - Google Patents
Slidable telecommunications tray with cable slack management Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20230146432A1 US20230146432A1 US18/055,653 US202218055653A US2023146432A1 US 20230146432 A1 US20230146432 A1 US 20230146432A1 US 202218055653 A US202218055653 A US 202218055653A US 2023146432 A1 US2023146432 A1 US 2023146432A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- tray
- chassis
- fiber optic
- trays
- assembly
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- Abandoned
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Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/44—Mechanical structures for providing tensile strength and external protection for fibres, e.g. optical transmission cables
- G02B6/4439—Auxiliary devices
- G02B6/444—Systems or boxes with surplus lengths
- G02B6/4452—Distribution frames
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
- G02B6/42—Coupling light guides with opto-electronic elements
- G02B6/4201—Packages, e.g. shape, construction, internal or external details
- G02B6/4274—Electrical aspects
- G02B6/428—Electrical aspects containing printed circuit boards [PCB]
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/44—Mechanical structures for providing tensile strength and external protection for fibres, e.g. optical transmission cables
- G02B6/4439—Auxiliary devices
- G02B6/444—Systems or boxes with surplus lengths
- G02B6/4453—Cassettes
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/44—Mechanical structures for providing tensile strength and external protection for fibres, e.g. optical transmission cables
- G02B6/4439—Auxiliary devices
- G02B6/444—Systems or boxes with surplus lengths
- G02B6/4453—Cassettes
- G02B6/4455—Cassettes characterised by the way of extraction or insertion of the cassette in the distribution frame, e.g. pivoting, sliding, rotating or gliding
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/44—Mechanical structures for providing tensile strength and external protection for fibres, e.g. optical transmission cables
- G02B6/4439—Auxiliary devices
- G02B6/4471—Terminating devices ; Cable clamps
- G02B6/4478—Bending relief means
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
- G02B6/36—Mechanical coupling means
- G02B6/38—Mechanical coupling means having fibre to fibre mating means
- G02B6/3807—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs
- G02B6/3897—Connectors fixed to housings, casing, frames or circuit boards
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/44—Mechanical structures for providing tensile strength and external protection for fibres, e.g. optical transmission cables
- G02B6/4439—Auxiliary devices
- G02B6/4459—Ducts; Conduits; Hollow tubes for air blown fibres
- G02B6/4461—Articulated
Abstract
A fiber optic telecommunications device includes a rack for mounting a plurality of chassis, each chassis including a plurality of trays slidably mounted thereon and arranged in a vertically stacked arrangement. Each tray includes fiber optic connection locations and a cable manager coupled to the tray and also coupled to the chassis, the cable manager for routing cables to and from the fiber optic connection locations and defining a plurality of link arms pivotally connected such that the manager retracts and extends with a corresponding movement of the tray, wherein the link arms pivot relative to each other to prevent cables managed therein from being bent in an arc having a radius of curvature less than a predetermined value, each link arm defining a top wall, a bottom wall, and two oppositely positioned sidewalls, each link arm defining an open portion along at least one of the sidewalls and an open portion along the top wall for receiving cables therein, the open portions along the top wall and the at least one of the sidewalls communicating with each other.
Description
- The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 17/384,473, filed Jul. 23, 2021; which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/935,907, filed Jul. 22, 2020, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,073,672; which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/273,691, filed Feb. 12, 2019, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,732,371; which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/802,083, filed Nov. 2, 2017, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,209,471; which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/363,016, filed Nov. 29, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,810,869; which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/830,009, filed on Aug. 19, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,523,833; which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/169,941, filed on Jan. 31, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,128,262; which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/761,009, filed on Feb. 5, 2013; 61/763,347, filed on Feb. 11, 2013; 61/843,744, filed on Jul. 8, 2013; and 61/843,977, filed on Jul. 9, 2013, which applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.
- The present disclosure relates generally to fiber optic telecommunications equipment. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a slidable fiber optic tray or blade designed for high density applications and a rack or frame configured to support a plurality of such fiber optic trays.
- In telecommunications industry, the demand for added capacity is growing rapidly. This demand is being met in part by the increasing use and density of fiber optic transmission equipment. Even though fiber optic equipment permits higher levels of transmission in the same or smaller footprint than traditional copper transmission equipment, the demand requires even higher levels of fiber density. This has led to the development of high-density fiber handling equipment.
- An example of this type of equipment is found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,591,051 (the '051 patent) assigned to ADC Telecommunications, Inc. This patent concerns a high-density fiber distribution frame and high-density fiber termination blocks (FTBs) which are mounted to the frame. Because of the large number of optical fibers passing into and out of the FTBs, the frame and blocks have a variety of structures to organize and manage the fibers. Some structures are used to aid the fibers entering the back of the frame and FTBs. Other structures are provided for managing the cables leaving the FTBs on the front. The FTBs also include structures for facilitating access to the densely packed terminations. One such structure is a slidable adapter module that is incorporated into the FTBs to allow selective access to the densely packed terminations inside the FTBs.
- Further development in such fiber termination systems is desired.
- The present disclosure relates to fiber optic telecommunications devices. The telecommunications devices include slidable fiber optic connection trays or blades with features for cable slack management and racks or frames supporting panels or chassis that house such slidable trays in stacked arrangements.
- According to one aspect of the disclosure, a fiber optic telecommunications device defines a telecommunications chassis for mounting on a telecommunications frame. The chassis includes a plurality of fiber optic trays slidably mounted on the chassis, the fiber optic trays arranged in a vertically stacked arrangement, each fiber optic tray slidable between a closed storage position and an open access position. Each fiber optic tray includes fiber optic connection locations for connecting cables to be routed through the telecommunications frame and a cable manager coupled at a first end to the fiber optic tray and coupled at a second end to the telecommunications chassis. The cable manager is configured for routing cables to and from the fiber optic connection locations, the cable manager defining a plurality of link arms that are pivotally connected to each other such that the cable manager retracts and extends with a corresponding movement of the tray as the link arms pivot with respect to each other, wherein the link arms are configured to pivot relative to each other to prevent fiber optic cables managed therein from being bent in an arc having a radius of curvature that is less than a predetermined value during the movement of the tray. Each link arm defines a top wall, a bottom wall, and two oppositely positioned sidewalls, wherein each link arm defines an open portion along at least one of the sidewalls and an open portion along the top wall for receiving fiber optic cables therein, the open portions along the top wall and the at least one of the sidewalls communicating with each other.
- According to another aspect of the disclosure, a fiber optic telecommunications device defines a telecommunications rack for mounting a plurality of telecommunications chassis, wherein each chassis includes a plurality of fiber optic trays slidably mounted on the chassis, the fiber optic trays arranged in a vertically stacked arrangement, each fiber optic tray slidable between a closed storage position and an open access position. Each fiber optic tray includes fiber optic connection locations for connecting cables to be routed through the telecommunications frame and a cable manager coupled at a first end to the fiber optic tray and coupled at a second end to the telecommunications chassis, the cable manager configured for routing cables to and from the fiber optic connection locations, the cable manager defining a plurality of link arms that are pivotally connected to each other such that the cable manager retracts and extends with a corresponding movement of the tray as the link arms pivot with respect to each other, wherein the link arms are configured to pivot relative to each other to prevent fiber optic cables managed therein from being bent in an arc having a radius of curvature that is less than a predetermined value during the movement of the tray. Each link arm defines a top wall, a bottom wall, and two oppositely positioned sidewalls, wherein each link arm defines an open portion along at least one of the sidewalls and an open portion along the top wall for receiving fiber optic cables therein, the open portions along the top wall and the at least one of the sidewalls communicating with each other.
- According to another aspect of the disclosure, a fiber optic tray includes first and second slide portions for slidably mounting the tray to a telecommunications fixture and a connection portion located between the first and second slide portions. Fiber optic connection locations are defined by the connection portion of the tray for connecting cables and a cable manager is coupled at a first end to the fiber optic tray and defines a second end for coupling to the telecommunications fixture receiving the tray. The cable manager is configured for routing cables to and from the fiber optic connection locations, the cable manager defining a plurality of link arms that are pivotally connected to each other such that the cable manager retracts and extends with a corresponding movement of the tray with respect to the fixture as the link arms pivot with respect to each other. The link arms are configured to pivot relative to each other to prevent fiber optic cables managed therein from being bent in an arc having a radius of curvature that is less than a predetermined value during the movement of the tray, each link arm defining a top wall, a bottom wall, and two oppositely positioned sidewalls, wherein each link arm defines an open portion along at least one of the sidewalls and an open portion along the top wall for receiving fiber optic cables therein, the open portions along the top wall and the at least one of the sidewalls communicating with each other.
- A variety of additional inventive aspects will be set forth in the description that follows. The inventive aspects can relate to individual features and combinations of features. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the broad inventive concepts upon which the embodiments disclosed herein are based.
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FIG. 1 is a front, right, top partially exploded perspective view of a high-density fiber distribution chassis configured to support a plurality of slidable fiber optic connection trays or blades having features that are examples of inventive aspects in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure mounted in a stacked arrangement thereon; -
FIG. 2 illustrates the high-density fiber distribution chassis ofFIG. 1 in a partially assembled configuration, shown with a main or master controller circuit board of the chassis being slidably mounted thereon; -
FIG. 3 illustrates the first and second tray assemblies of the chassis ofFIG. 1 in a partially exploded configuration, the tray assemblies shown outside of the chassis; -
FIG. 4 illustrates the first and second tray assemblies ofFIG. 3 in an assembled configuration outside of the chassis; -
FIG. 5 illustrates the first tray assembly ofFIG. 3 in an exploded configuration outside of the chassis; -
FIG. 6 illustrates the first tray assembly ofFIG. 5 in an assembled configuration; -
FIG. 7 illustrates the electrical communication pathways via circuit boards for the entire chassis ofFIGS. 1-2 ; -
FIG. 8 illustrates the electrical communication pathways via circuit boards for one of the first trays ofFIG. 6 ; -
FIG. 9 is a close-up view illustrating the routing of a flexible circuit board in the form of a ribbon cable from a mounting block to one of the trays of the first tray assembly; -
FIG. 10 is a top cross-sectional view illustrating the routing of the flexible circuit board in the form of a ribbon cable from the center mounting portion of the tray to the fiber optic connection locations of the tray; -
FIG. 11 is a close-up view of a portion of the flexible circuit board ofFIG. 10 that transitions from the center mounting portion of the tray to the main connection portion of the tray; -
FIG. 12 is a close-up view of another portion of the flexible circuit board ofFIG. 10 within the center mounting portion of the tray; -
FIG. 13 illustrates one of the first trays exploded from the mounting block of the first tray assembly; -
FIG. 14 is a close-up view illustrating the interaction between one of the stop surfaces within one of the channels of the mounting block and one of the stop tabs of a tray of the first tray assembly; -
FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the center mounting portion of one of the trays within one of the channels of the mounting block of the first tray assembly; -
FIG. 16 is a perspective cross-sectional view illustrating the interaction between the stop tab of one of the trays and the stop surface within one of the channels of the mounting block when a tray has been pulled fully forwardly with respect to the mounting block; -
FIG. 17 illustrates a close-up view of the stop tab and the stop surface ofFIG. 16 ; -
FIG. 18 is a partial exploded view showing the cable management portion of one of the first trays of the first tray assembly ofFIG. 3 , the cable management portion defined at least in part by a link arm assembly that connects between the right end support and the tray of the tray assembly, the link arm assembly formed by a plurality of cable management link arms; -
FIG. 19 is a close-up view showing the pivotal coupling of the link arm assembly to the right end support of the tray assembly; -
FIG. 20 is a top, right, front perspective view of the chassis ofFIG. 1 without the top chassis cover mounted thereon to illustrate an example cable routing configuration for one of the first trays within the chassis; -
FIG. 21 is a top view of the chassis ofFIG. 20 without the chassis cover thereon; -
FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the chassis ofFIG. 1 , with one of the trays fully pulled out to an open position, illustrating an example cable routing configuration within the tray; -
FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a managed connectivity rack housing a plurality of 4RU chassis having features similar to those of the 1RU chassis ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the rack ofFIG. 23 , shown without any chassis mounted thereon; -
FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the rack ofFIG. 23 , shown with a number of the cable management features removed therefrom to illustrate the cable path from the rack controller to the individual chassis mounted within the rack; -
FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a managed connectivity rack housing a plurality of 4RU chassis having features similar to those of the 1RU chassis ofFIG. 1 , the second embodiment of the rack having features similar to the rack ofFIGS. 23-25 ; -
FIG. 27 is a perspective view of the rack ofFIG. 26 , shown without any chassis mounted thereon; -
FIG. 28 is a perspective view of the rack ofFIG. 26 , shown with a number of the cable management features removed therefrom to illustrate the cable path from the rack controller to the individual chassis mounted within the rack; -
FIG. 29 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a managed connectivity rack housing a plurality of 4RU chassis having features similar to those of the 1RU chassis ofFIG. 1 , the third embodiment of the rack having features similar to the racks ofFIGS. 23-28 ; -
FIG. 30 is a perspective view of the rack ofFIG. 29 , shown without any chassis mounted thereon; -
FIG. 31 is a perspective view of the rack ofFIG. 29 , shown with a number of the cable management features removed therefrom to illustrate the cable path from the rack controller to the individual chassis mounted within the rack; -
FIG. 32 is a rear, top, left perspective view of a rack similar to one of the racks ofFIGS. 23-31 shown with a bus-bar mounted thereon for grounding an armored cable; -
FIG. 33 is a rear, bottom, left perspective view of the rack ofFIG. 32 ; -
FIG. 34 is a rear view of the rack ofFIG. 32 ; -
FIG. 35 illustrates the rack ofFIG. 33 with the bus-bar removed from the bus-bar support of the rack; -
FIG. 36 illustrates a rear, top, left perspective view of the rack ofFIG. 35 ; -
FIG. 37 illustrates a rear view of the rack ofFIG. 35 ; -
FIG. 38 is a perspective view of one of the rear horizontal troughs of the rack ofFIGS. 32-37 shown in isolation, the horizontal trough configured for mounting the bus-bar support of the rack; -
FIG. 39 is a front perspective view of the bus-bar support and the bus-bar located therein for mounting to the rack ofFIGS. 32-37 ; -
FIG. 40 is a top view of the bus-bar support and the bus-bar ofFIG. 39 ; -
FIG. 41 is a bottom view of the bus-bar support and the bus-bar ofFIG. 39 ; -
FIG. 42 is a front view of the bus-bar support and the bus-bar ofFIG. 39 ; -
FIG. 43 is a rear perspective view of the bus-bar support and the bus-bar ofFIG. 39 ; -
FIG. 44 is a perspective view of a top cover of the bus-bar support of the rack ofFIGS. 32-37 ; -
FIG. 45 is a perspective view of a bottom cover of the bus-bar support of the rack ofFIGS. 32-37 ; -
FIG. 46 is a bottom, front perspective view of the bus-bar of the rack ofFIGS. 32-37 ; -
FIG. 47 is a front view of the bus-bar ofFIG. 46 ; -
FIG. 48 is a bottom view of the bus-bar ofFIG. 46 ; -
FIG. 49 is a front, right, top partially exploded perspective view of one of the 4RU high-density fiber distribution chassis shown removed from the racks ofFIGS. 23-37 ; -
FIG. 50 illustrates the high-density fiber distribution chassis ofFIG. 49 in a partially assembled configuration, shown with a main or master controller circuit board of the chassis being slidably mounted thereon; -
FIG. 51 illustrates the first and second tray assemblies of the chassis ofFIG. 49 in a partially exploded configuration, the tray assemblies shown outside of the chassis; -
FIG. 52 illustrates the first and second tray assemblies ofFIG. 51 in an assembled configuration outside of the chassis; -
FIG. 53 illustrates the first tray assembly ofFIG. 51 in an exploded configuration outside of the chassis; -
FIG. 54 illustrates the first tray assembly ofFIG. 53 in an assembled configuration; -
FIG. 55 illustrates the electrical communication pathways via circuit boards for the entire chassis ofFIGS. 49-50 ; -
FIG. 56 is a partial exploded view showing the cable management portion of one of the first trays of the first tray assembly ofFIG. 51 ; -
FIG. 57 is a close-up view showing the pivotal coupling of the link arm assembly of the first tray to a right end support of the tray assembly ofFIG. 56 ; -
FIG. 58 is a top, right, front perspective view of the chassis ofFIG. 49 without the top chassis cover mounted thereon to illustrate an example cable routing configuration for one of the first trays within the chassis; -
FIG. 59 is a close-up view of the cable management portion of the first tray of the first tray assembly ofFIG. 58 ; -
FIG. 60 is a top view of the chassis ofFIG. 58 without the chassis cover thereon; -
FIG. 61 is a perspective view of the chassis ofFIG. 49 , with one of the trays fully pulled out to an open position, illustrating an example cable routing configuration within the tray; -
FIG. 62 is a front, right, top perspective view of another embodiment of a 1RU high-density fiber distribution chassis configured to support a plurality of slidable fiber optic connection trays or blades having features that are examples of inventive aspects in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure mounted in a stacked arrangement thereon, the chassis ofFIG. 62 including features similar to the 1RU chassis ofFIGS. 1-22 ; -
FIG. 63 is a partially exploded view of the chassis ofFIG. 62 ; -
FIG. 64 is a partially exploded view of the chassis ofFIG. 63 , shown with the top chassis cover removed completely to illustrate the tray assemblies mounted therein, the cable management portions for two of the trays shown exploded off the chassis; -
FIG. 65 illustrates the chassis ofFIG. 64 with the trays shown exploded off the chassis; -
FIG. 66 illustrates the chassis ofFIG. 65 with the ends supports and the center divider assembly of the chassis shown exploded off the chassis; -
FIG. 67 illustrates the center divider assembly of the chassis in an exploded configuration; -
FIG. 68 illustrates the right end support of the chassis in an exploded configuration, the right end support configured to house the main controller or PCB of the chassis; -
FIG. 69 is a side view of the removable end cap of the right end support of the chassis, the end cap shown with the end cap cover removed to illustrate the end cap lever features; -
FIG. 70 illustrates one of the first trays of the first tray assembly of the chassis ofFIGS. 62-65 in isolation with the cable management portion of the tray removed; -
FIG. 71 is a partially exploded view of the tray ofFIG. 70 with the tray PCB cover exploded off the tray; -
FIG. 71A is a close-up view of a portion of the tray ofFIG. 71 ; -
FIG. 72 is a fully exploded view of the tray ofFIG. 70 , with portions of the slide assembly of the tray removed to illustrate the features thereof; -
FIG. 73 is a top view of the slide assembly of the tray with the top cover of the center rail of the slide assembly removed to illustrate the routing of the flexible circuit board in the form of a ribbon cable within the slide assembly; -
FIG. 74 illustrates a partially exploded view of the mounting rail of the slide assembly ofFIG. 72 ; -
FIG. 74A is a close-up view of a portion of the tray ofFIG. 74 ; -
FIG. 75 illustrates the tray ofFIG. 70 removed from the slide assembly ofFIG. 72 , the tray defining a main connection portion, a center mounting portion, and a side mounting portion; -
FIG. 76 illustrates an exploded view of a cable management portion of one of the first trays of the first tray assembly of the chassis ofFIGS. 62-65 ; -
FIG. 77 illustrates a portion of a fully assembled configuration of the cable management portion of the first tray ofFIG. 76 ; -
FIG. 78 illustrates an exploded view of a cable management portion of one of the second trays of the second tray assembly of the chassis ofFIGS. 62-65 ; -
FIG. 79 illustrates the electrical communication pathways via circuit boards for the entire chassis ofFIG. 62 ; -
FIG. 80 illustrates a mounting panel for the top PCB of the chassis, the mounting panel configured to mount the top PCB to the top chassis cover of the chassis ofFIG. 62 . -
FIG. 81 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a pivot door that can be used with the chassis ofFIGS. 62-80 ; -
FIG. 82 is a partially exploded view of the pivot door ofFIG. 81 ; -
FIG. 82A is a close-up view of a portion of the pivot door ofFIG. 82 ; -
FIG. 83 is another exploded view of the pivot door ofFIG. 81 ; -
FIG. 84 is a close-up, rear view of the spring latch mechanism of the door ofFIG. 81 with the cover removed; -
FIG. 85 is a close-up, front view of the spring latch mechanism in isolation removed from the door ofFIG. 81 , the spring latch mechanism shown in a latched position; -
FIG. 86 illustrates the spring latch mechanism ofFIG. 85 in an unlatched or open position; -
FIG. 87 illustrates another version of a link arm assembly including a compression spring assembly provided between a first link arm and a second link arm connected thereto; -
FIG. 87A is a close-up view of a portion of the link arm assembly ofFIG. 87 ; -
FIG. 88 illustrates the link arms ofFIG. 87 from a top view; -
FIG. 89 illustrates the compression spring assembly exploded off the first link arm ofFIG. 87 ; -
FIG. 90 is a perspective view of a spring housing of the compression spring assembly ofFIG. 87 ; -
FIG. 91 is a top view of the spring housing ofFIG. 90 ; -
FIG. 92 is a bottom view of the spring housing ofFIG. 90 ; -
FIG. 93 is a perspective view of a slider of the compression spring assembly ofFIG. 87 ; -
FIG. 94 is another perspective view of the slider ofFIG. 93 ; -
FIG. 95 is a front view of the slider ofFIG. 93 ; -
FIG. 96 illustrates a perspective view of the link arm assembly ofFIG. 87 with a pair of first fanouts mounted on the first link arm; -
FIG. 97 illustrates another perspective view of the link arm assembly ofFIG. 96 ; -
FIG. 98 illustrates a top view of the link arm assembly ofFIG. 96 ; -
FIG. 99 illustrates the first fanouts exploded from the first link arm of the link arm assembly ofFIG. 96 ; -
FIG. 100 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line 100-100 ofFIG. 98 ; -
FIG. 101 illustrates a perspective view of the link arm assembly ofFIG. 87 with a pair of second fanouts mounted on the first link arm; -
FIG. 102 illustrates another perspective view of the link arm assembly ofFIG. 101 ; -
FIG. 103 illustrates a top view of the link arm assembly ofFIG. 96 ; -
FIG. 104 illustrates the second fanouts exploded from the first link arm of the link arm assembly ofFIG. 101 ; -
FIG. 105 illustrates in an exploded configuration one of the second fanouts and a fanout holder used for mounting one of the second fanouts to the first link arm of the link arm assembly ofFIG. 101 ; -
FIG. 106 is a front perspective view of the second fanout and the fanout holder ofFIG. 105 in an assembled configuration; -
FIG. 107 is a rear perspective view of the second fanout and the fanout holder ofFIG. 106 ; -
FIG. 108 is a top view of the second fanout and the fanout holder ofFIG. 106 ; -
FIG. 109 is a bottom view of the second fanout and the fanout holder ofFIG. 106 ; -
FIG. 110 is a side view of the second fanout and the fanout holder ofFIG. 106 ; -
FIG. 111 is a front view of the second fanout and the fanout holder ofFIG. 106 ; -
FIG. 112 is a front perspective view of the fanout holder ofFIG. 105 shown in isolation; -
FIG. 113 is a rear perspective view of the fanout holder ofFIG. 112 ; -
FIG. 114 is a top view of the fanout holder ofFIG. 112 ; -
FIG. 115 is a bottom view of the fanout holder ofFIG. 112 ; -
FIG. 116 is a side view of the fanout holder ofFIG. 112 ; -
FIG. 117 is a front view of the fanout holder ofFIG. 112 ; -
FIG. 118 is a rear view of the fanout holder ofFIG. 112 ; -
FIG. 119 illustrates another embodiment of a slide assembly for mounting a tray such as the tray ofFIG. 70 to a chassis, the slide assembly shown in a partially exploded configuration; -
FIG. 119A illustrates a close-up view of the locking features of the slide assembly ofFIG. 119 for locking the tray at pulled-out positions or at a central position within the chassis; -
FIG. 120 is a top view of the slide assembly ofFIG. 119 with the top cover of the center rail of the slide assembly removed to illustrate the internal locking features thereof; -
FIG. 120A is a close-up view of a front end portion of the slide assembly ofFIG. 120 ; -
FIG. 120B is a close-up view of a rear end portion of the slide assembly ofFIG. 120 ; -
FIG. 121 illustrates the slide assembly ofFIG. 119 when the tray is at a forward, pulled-out position; -
FIG. 121A is a close-up top view of a front end portion of the slide assembly ofFIG. 121 ; and -
FIG. 121B is a close-up top view of a rear end portion of the slide assembly ofFIG. 121 . - Reference will now be made in detail to examples of inventive aspects of the present disclosure which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.
- The fiber optic telecommunications devices shown in
FIGS. 1-48 are high density distribution racks or frames and panels or chassis mounted therein, wherein each chassis or panel is configured to house a plurality of slidable trays or blades. The trays are configured to support multiple fiber optic connections. According to one embodiment, the panels or the racks housing the panels can be managed devices wherein the connections can be monitored to verify that the connectors have been installed into the correct connection locations (e.g., adapters) and have not been disturbed. The panels may be available in 1-rack-unit (1RU) and 4-rack-unit (4RU) sizes. According to one embodiment, the 1RU panels may house 144 mated LC connector pairs, 72 SC connector pairs or 48 MPO connector pairs. The 4RU panels may house four times the number of connections as the 1RU units with the same functionality. - Within each panel and within each tray or blade, the connection locations defined by, for example, an adapter block assembly, which is used to connect fiber optic connectors, may be accessible from both the front and the back of the panel. An adapter block assembly may be installed onto a sliding tray and may reside toward the center portion of the panel. Using a portion of the tray which may define a pull handle or a pull arm, the tray can be slid forward to access the front connections of the adapter block assembly. The cables attached to the front connectors may be managed using a link arm assembly made up of four cable management link arms, which swing forward and out of the way for access to the front of the adapter block assembly. When a technician is done accessing/loading the front connectors, using the aforementioned pull arm, the tray is pushed back to its central location. The tray, as well as a torsion spring located within the link arm that is connected directly to one of the end supports of the tray assembly, pull the cable management link arms back into the panel as the tray is pushed back into place by the technician.
- To access or load the back-side of the adapter block assemblies, a technician can, from the back of the panel, pull the tray out the other side, moving the link arms to manage the cables on the back side as well.
- According to one example embodiment, there may be a total of six trays per 1RU panel, each housing an adapter block assembly capable of holding 24 LC connections, for a total of 6×24=144 connections. According to one example, the trays may be stacked three high on each side (i.e., first side and second side) of the panel. Each tray may use link arms on both the front and back sides to manage incoming and outgoing cables. The link arms are configured to allow cables to be installed and removed from both the tops and the sides of the link arms. The link arms are designed such that, regardless of position of the moving tray, the cables contained therewithin do not violate the minimum bend radius requirements. The longest link arm that is directly attached to one of the end supports of the tray assembly may be designed to hold two fanouts, which are devices that transition fiber from one high-fiber-count cable to multiple single-fiber-count cables.
- On each tray, a technician may attach a 24-port adapter block assembly using a snap fit mounting arrangement on the tray. For managed panels, the adapter block assemblies may include a printed circuit board (PCB) installed thereonto, which connects to each connector installed using contacts within the adapter openings and a chip on each connector. The PCB on the adapter block assembly may connect to the tray using a multi-pin connector on the tray. The connector on the tray may be attached to a flexible circuit formed from a ribbon cable that routes to a central PCB within the chassis. The ribbon cable may be looped within a cavity defined by the pull arm or pull handle of the tray to allow the tray to travel back and forth without disrupting the communication through the ribbon cable between the central PCB and the adapter block assembly PCB. The central PCB may use indicators in the form of light emitting diodes (LEDs) on both the front and back of the panel to communicate to a technician which tray should be accessed. The central PCB then may connect to a main PCB (i.e., a main controller), which is housed within one of the end supports of the tray assembly. The connection is made via another ribbon cable that runs along a top cover of the chassis into the end support. The main PCB or controller is accessible to the technician by removing a front end cap of the applicable end support. The main controller may use a card-edge-style connection at its opposite rear end to connect to the ribbon cable that runs along the cover, allowing the main controller to be a field-replaceable device. The main controller is configured to communicate to a higher-level managed connectivity rack or frame via a connection (e.g., an RJ connection) on the side of the panel. The main controller of the panel may be powered via another connection on the side of the panel.
- The above aspects of the telecommunications device will now be described in further detail below.
- Referring specifically now to
FIGS. 1-6 , the high-density fiber distribution chassis orpanel 10 is shown in various views. InFIG. 1 , thechassis 10 is shown in an exploded view with a plurality of slidable fiber optic connection trays orblades 12 mounted thereon. Thechassis 10 defines abottom plate 14 with upwardly extendingsidewalls 16, atop chassis cover 18, and a pair of mountingbrackets 20 that are configured to be fastened to thesidewalls 16. The mountingbrackets 20 are used for mounting thechassis 10 to other fixtures such as telecommunications racks or frames. Thebottom plate 14, including the upwardly extendingsidewalls 16, and thetop cover 18 definefastener openings 22 for mounting atray assembly 24 within thechassis 10. The mountingbrackets 20 of thechassis 10 are also fastened tofastener openings 22 on thesidewalls 16 of thechassis 10. - In the depicted embodiment, the
chassis 10 is configured as a standard 1RU (rack unit) piece. In other embodiments, thechassis 10 may be configured to have different sizes. According to one example embodiment, thechassis 10 may be configured as a 4RU device. Such an example of a chassis is shown inFIGS. 23-37 as mounted on a telecommunications rack 40, as will be discussed in further detail below. - Still referring to
FIGS. 1-6 , as noted above, eachchassis 10 is configured to housetray assemblies 24. In the depicted embodiment, thetray assemblies 24 may be defined by afirst tray assembly 24 a that is located on the right side of thechassis 10 and asecond tray assembly 24 b that is located on the left side of thechassis 10. Each of thetray assemblies 24 may include a plurality ofslidable trays 12 mounted in a stacked arrangement. For example, thefirst tray assembly 24 a, as shown, may include threefirst trays 12 a to be mounted in a stacked arrangement and thesecond tray assembly 24 b may include threesecond trays 12 b to be mounted in a stacked arrangement, wherein thechassis 10 can house six totalslidable trays 12 in the depicted version. - The first and
second tray assemblies first tray assembly 24 a will be described in detail, with the understanding that the features of thefirst tray assembly 24 a are fully applicable to thesecond tray assembly 24 b except for the noted differences. In addition, in the drawings, only one representativefirst tray 12 a and one representativesecond tray 12 b have been shown for ease of illustration. Thus, in the present disclosure, only one of thefirst trays 12 a will be shown and described in detail, with the understanding that the features of thatfirst tray 12 a are fully applicable to otherfirst trays 12 a that might be mounted in a stacked arrangement therewith or to othersecond trays 12 b that might be mounted on the left side of thechassis 10. - Referring specifically now to
FIGS. 3 and 4 , the first andsecond tray assemblies chassis 10 ofFIGS. 1 and 2 . InFIG. 3 specifically, the first andsecond tray assemblies tray assemblies 24, when mounted together, capture acentral PCB 28 therebetween. Thecentral PCB 28 may include indicators in the form ofLEDs 30 on both the front 32 and theback 34 of thechassis 10 to communicate to a technician whichtray 12 should be accessed. As will be discussed in further detail below, all of thetrays 12 of both thefirst tray assembly 24 a and thesecond tray assembly 24 b electrically connect to thecentral PCB 28. And, thecentral PCB 28 is electrically connected to a main PCB orcontroller 36 of thechassis 10, wherein themain PCB 36 of thechassis 10 is configured to communicate to a higher-level managed connectivity rack or frame 40. - Referring now to
FIG. 5 , the different parts of the first tray assembly are illustrated in an exploded configuration. The first tray assembly includes thecentral PCB 28, a mountingplate 38, a mountingblock 42, afirst tray 12 a, anend support 44, and themain PCB 36 to be mounted to theend support 44. As noted above and as will be described in further detail below, a flexible circuit in the form of aribbon cable 46 provides an electrical connection between thecentral PCB 28 and aPCB 48 located on thetray 12 and anotherribbon cable 50 provides the connection between thecentral PCB 28 and the main PCB orcontroller 36 of thechassis 10. Theribbon cable 50 is configured to run along thetop cover 18 of thechassis 10, and, via thecentral PCB 28, can connect both the first andsecond tray assemblies main PCB 36. - The mounting
plate 38 of thefirst tray assembly 24 a, which along with a mountingplate 38 of thesecond tray assembly 24 b, is configured for capturing thecentral PCB 28 and mounting thecentral PCB 28 and the mounting blocks 42 of thetray assemblies 24 to thechassis 10. The mountingplate 38 definestabs 52 withfastener openings 54 that are aligned withfastener openings 56 of thecentral PCB 28 for mounting thecentral PCB 28 to thebottom plate 14 andtop cover 18 of thechassis 10. The mountingplate 38 also includesfastener openings 58 on a sidewall thereof for fastening the mounting blocks 42 thereto and to thechassis 10. - As will be discussed in further detail, each
tray 12 is configured to be slidably captured between the mountingblock 42 and theend support 44 of thetray assembly 24. For thefirst tray assembly 24 a, for example, theend support 44 definesfastener openings 60 for mounting to theright sidewall 16 of thechassis 10, capturing themain PCB 36 thereagainst. Theend support 44 defines achannel 62 for housing themain PCB 36. As shown inFIG. 2 , themain PCB 36 may be slidably loaded into thechannel 62 of theend support 44. Themain PCB 36 is accessible to a technician by removing afront end cap 64 of theend support 44. Themain controller 36 may use a card-edge-style connection at its opposite rear end to connect to theribbon cable 50 that runs along thechassis top cover 18, allowing themain controller 36 to be a field-replaceable device. Aside cap 68 is used at the rear end of theend support 44 to cover a card-edge-style connector 66. It should be noted that in the depicted embodiment of thechassis 10, since bothtray assemblies 24 are being connected through thecentral PCB 28, only theend support 44 of thefirst tray assembly 24 a defines achannel 62 for supporting themain controller 36, wherein theend support 44 of thesecond tray assembly 24 b is not shown as housing a main controller orPCB 36. This configuration may be modified depending upon the orientation of thechassis 10 within a given rack 40. - Referring now to
FIGS. 5 and 8-14 , eachtray 12 of eachtray assembly 24 defines amain connection portion 70, acenter mounting portion 72, aside mounting portion 74, and acable management portion 76. Thecenter mounting portion 72 of thetray 12 is configured for slidable coupling to the mountingblock 42 that is located generally toward the center of thechassis 10. Theside mounting portion 74 of thetray 12 is configured for slidable coupling to anend support 44 of thetray assembly 24 that is located generally close to one of the sides of thechassis 10. - Both the mounting
block 42 and theend support 44 include longitudinally extending channels provided in a stacked arrangement. Thechannels 78 of the mountingblock 42 are configured to slidably receive thecenter mounting portion 72 of eachtray 12. Thechannels 80 of theend support 44 are configured to receive theside mounting portion 74 of eachtray 12. - Referring now to the interaction between the
side mounting portions 74 of thetrays 12 and thechannels 80 of theend support 44, theside mounting portions 74 and thechannels 80 of theend support 44 define matching dovetail configurations for providing slidable movement and preventing lateral separation. - Regarding the interaction between the
center mounting portions 72 of thetrays 12 and thechannels 78 of thecentral mounting block 42, thecenter mounting portions 72 may define pull handles orarms 82 at both the front and rear ends of thecenter mounting portions 72. Using the pull handles 82, thetrays 12 can be slid forward to access the front connections within thetrays 12 or slid rearward to access the rear connections within thetrays 12. - As shown in detail in
FIG. 13 , both the top andbottom sides center mounting portion 72 of atray 12 definelongitudinal tracks 88. Thetracks 88 receiveguides 90 located within thechannels 78 of the mountingblock 42 for slidably guiding thetrays 12. Theguides 90 are located adjacent the front 92 and the rear 94 of thechannels 78 of the mountingblock 42. - Within the
channels 78 of the mountingblock 42 are also locatedflexible tabs 96 on both the top andbottom walls channel 78. Thetabs 96 cooperate withdepressions 102 located within thetracks 88 of thecenter mounting portion 72 of thetray 12 to provide temporary stops for thetray 12. In this manner, thetrays 12 may be stopped at discrete intermittent positions such as at a center position within thechassis 10 or when pulled forwardly or rearwardly. - In addition, each
channel 78 and thecenter mounting portion 72 of eachtray 12 also define positive stops to prevent removal of thetrays 12 when thetrays 12 are pulled fully forwardly or fully rearwardly. The positive stops are defined first by astop surface 104 adjacent thefront end 92 of thechannel 78 and astop surface 104 adjacent therear end 94 of thechannel 78. The stop surfaces 104 are defined at ends of top and bottomlongitudinal recesses 106 within thechannel 78 as seen inFIG. 15 . The other portion of the positive stops between thetray 12 and the mountingblock 42 are defined on thetrays 12. As shown inFIGS. 13-16 , thecenter mounting portion 72 of eachtray 12 defines astop tab 108 adjacent thefront end 110 of thecenter mounting portion 72 and astop tab 108 adjacent therear end 112 of thecenter mounting portion 72. Thestop tab 108 at thefront end 110 extends outwardly from thetop side 84 of thecenter mounting portion 72 and thestop tab 108 at therear end 112 extends outwardly from thebottom side 86 of thecenter mounting portion 72. - As shown in
FIG. 15 , thestop surface 104 adjacent thefront 92 of thechannel 78 of the mountingblock 42 is positioned toward thebottom wall 100 of thechannel 78 and thestop surface 104 adjacent the rear 94 of thechannel 78 of the mountingblock 42 is positioned toward thetop wall 98 of thechannel 78. Thus, when atray 12 is pulled fully forwardly, the rear stop tab 108 (which is located at the bottom side 86) contacts thefront stop surface 104 within thechannel 78. When atray 12 is pulled fully rearwardly, the front stop tab 108 (which is located at the top side 84) contacts therear stop surface 104 within thechannel 78. As noted above, the top andbottom stop tabs 108 of thecenter mounting portion 72 are normally accommodated by the top and bottomlongitudinal recesses 106 within eachchannel 78 until they encounter the stop surfaces 104 at the respective ends. - The
main connection portion 70 of thetray 12 is located between thecenter mounting portion 72 and theside mounting portion 74 and is configured to defineconnection locations 114 for thetray 12. By stacking a plurality of thetrays 12 on adistribution chassis 10, density of connections for fiber optic transmission can be increased and the slidability of thetrays 12 in either the front direction or the rear direction provides for easy access at both the front and the rear of thedistribution chassis 10. - As shown in
FIGS. 8-9 , the depicted version of themain connection portion 70 of thetray 12 includes amount 116 for mountingfiber optic adapters 118 which define the fiberoptic connection locations 114 in the present embodiment of thetray 12. Specifically, in thetray 12 shown and described in the present application, the fiberoptic connection locations 114 are defined byadapters 118 having an LC type footprint. In the depicted embodiments, twenty-fourLC adapters 118 are mounted to themount 116 via a snap-fit connection defined on themount 116. In the highdensity distribution chassis 10 shown in the present disclosure, sixslidable trays 12 may be mounted on a 1RU of rack space, providing 144 LC connections as noted above. - As noted earlier, other standards of fiber optic adapters 118 (such as SC or MPO adapters) can be mounted to the
mount 116.Fiber optic adapters 118 are only one type of fiber optic equipment that providesconnection locations 114 for thetray 12 and thetray 12 can be used with other types of fiber optic equipment. For example, equipment such as fiber optic splitters, couplers, multiplexers/demultiplexers, or other types of equipment wherein cables may be routed away from theconnection locations 114 may be housed on themain connection portion 70. - If
fiber optic adapters 118 are used, theconnection locations 114 may be defined byadapters 118 individually mounted in themount 116 or may be defined byadapter block assemblies 120 that include integrally formedadapters 118 in block form, as shown in the depicted embodiment. In other embodiments, theconnection locations 114 may be in the form of a cassette that may includefiber optic adapters 118 on one side wherein the opposite side may have a multi-fiber connector or a cable extending outwardly therefrom, with optical fibers normally housed within such a cassette. - Examples of devices that may define the connection locations such as the
adapter block assemblies 120 or cassettes are illustrated and described in further detail in U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,423,570; 9,285,552; and 9,379,501, which are all incorporated by reference in their entireties. - As noted previously, the chassis or panels may be available in 1-rack-unit (1RU) and 4-rack-unit (4RU) sizes. The 1RU panels may house 144 mated LC connector pairs (as shown), 72 SC connector pairs or 48 MPO connector pairs. The 4RU panels may house four times the number of connections as the 1RU units with the same functionality.
- Within each
panel 10 and within eachtray 12, theconnection locations 114 may be accessible from both the front and the back of thepanel 10. For example, as shown, anadapter block assembly 120 may be installed on a slidingtray 12 such that it resides toward the center portion of thepanel 10. Using the pull handles orarms 82 discussed above, thetray 12 can be slid forwardly or rearwardly to access the front connections or the rear connections of theadapter block assembly 120. - Cable management is an important aspect of a high density distribution panel or frame when managing a high density of cables extending from the front and rear ends of the
adapter block assemblies 120 that may be mounted on thetrays 12. - As discussed above, each
tray 12 is configured to include acable management portion 76 for managingcables 122 from theconnection locations 114 to and away from thechassis 10 both for thecables 122 extending from the front ports of theadapters 118 and from the rear ports of theadapters 118. Thecable management portions 76 of thetrays 12 are configured such that they accommodate any cable slack during the forward and rearward slidable movements of thetrays 12, while maintaining minimum bend radius requirements of thecables 122. Also, thecable management portions 76 of thetrays 12 are designed to keep the same length of cabling from theconnection locations 114 to the exterior of thechassis 10 so as to prevent any pulling or pinching of thecables 122 and to limit the need for excess slack cabling. - The
cable management portion 76 of eachtray 12 may be defined by a frontcable management portion 76 a and a rearcable management portion 76 b. It should be noted that the front and rearcable management portions cable management portion 76 a will be discussed herein for ease of description, with the understanding that all of the inventive features of the frontcable management portion 76 a of a giventray 12 are fully applicable to the rearcable management portion 76 b. - Referring now to
FIGS. 13 and 18-22 , the frontcable management portion 76 a is defined by aradius limiter 124 that is located adjacent theside mounting portion 74 of thetray 12 and alink arm assembly 126 made up of four cable management link arms 128, which are attached between theradius limiter 124 and the front of theend support 44 of thetray assembly 24. - The link arms 128 are configured to swing forwardly and out of the way for access to the front of the
adapter block assembly 120 when thetray 12 is pulled forwardly. When a technician is done accessing and/or loading the front connectors, using theaforementioned pull arm 82, thetray 12 is pushed back to its original closed location. - The link arms 128 are defined by four link arms that are pivotally coupled with respect to each other so as to define a limited pivotal movement therebetween. The four link arms include a
first link arm 128 a that is directly pivotally coupled to the front of theend support 44 of thetray assembly 24 via ahinge assembly 130. Thehinge assembly 130 defines ahinge pin 132 that is inserted throughopenings 134 on both theend support 44 and thefirst link arm 128 a for the pivotal coupling. As shown inFIGS. 18 and 19 , thehinge assembly 130 also defines atorsion spring 136, one end of which is inserted into alongitudinal pocket 138 at the front of theend support 44 and a second (perpendicular) end which is inserted into apocket 140 provided on thefirst link arm 128 a. Thetorsion spring 136 is configured to bias thelink arm assembly 126 into its original closed position wherein thetorsion spring 136 pulls the cable management link arms 128 back into thepanel 10 as thetray 12 is pushed back into place by the technician, whether thetray 12 is being pulled forwardly or rearwardly. A similar torsion spring is also provided on the rearcable management portion 76 b of thetray 12 assisting thetorsion spring 136 of the frontcable management portion 76 a in biasing thetray 12 back into a closed position. - In the depicted embodiment, the
cable management portion 76 of thetrays 12 are configured for top and side loading of the cables thereinto. As shown inFIGS. 13, 20 , and 21, theradius limiter 124 defines a generallycurved cable channel 142 with inwardly extendingcable management fingers 144 for retainingcables 122 once therein. In such an example, thecables 122 can be top loaded into theradius limiter 124 as they extend from theconnection locations 114. - The
first link arm 128 a is pivotally connected to theend support 44 such that it can move between a transverse position when thetray 12 is closed to a longitudinal orientation when thetray 12 is fully open as shown inFIG. 22 . Acontact surface 146 defined on thefirst link arm 128 a prevents further movement of thefirst link arm 128 a with respect to theend support 44. The remaining three linkarms 128 b of thelink arm assembly 126 are configured to have the same shape as each other. Each of the threesimilar link arms 128 b is coupled back to back from thefirst link arm 128 a to theradius limiter 124 of thetray 12. Thelink arms 128 b include snap-fit coupling features defined, for example, bycylindrical tabs 148 on a firstmale end 150 andcylindrical receptacles 152 on an opposite secondfemale end 154 for providing the pivotal movement. Each of thelink arms 128 b, as in thefirst link arm 128 a, defines contact surfaces 156 such that they are limited in their pivotal movement with respect to each other. For example, thelink arm 128 b that is directly coupled to thefirst link arm 128 a might define acontact surface 156 to prevent further pivotal movement with respect thereto when thetray 12 is fully open. Each of the link arms 128 including thefirst link arm 128 a is designed such that regardless of position of the movingtray 12, thecables 122 contained therewithin will not violate the minimum bend radius requirements. - According to one example embodiment, as shown in
FIGS. 20 and 21 , the link arms 128 may be designed for top and side loading of thecable 122, whereincable management tabs 158 might be located on the peripheral edges 160. Other configurations are certainly possible for the link arms 128. - The
first link arm 128 a that is directly attached to one of the end supports 44 of thetray assembly 24 may be designed to hold structures such as fanouts, which are devices that transition fiber from one high-fiber-count cable to multiple single-fiber-count cables 122. - Example cable routing configurations have been shown in
FIGS. 20-22 . Thecables 122 lead from both the front andrear connection locations 114 through theradius limiters 124 and through each of the threesimilar link arms 128 b and finally through thefirst link arm 128 a before being directed out of thechassis 10. As noted above, the front link arm assembly 126 a and the rear link arm assembly 126 b are configured to move simultaneously together to manage the cable slack as thetrays 12 are pulled out from either direction. - Referring now to
FIGS. 8, 13, 18, 20, and 21 , thecable management portion 76 of thetrays 12 may also includecable retainers 5 that extend between thecenter mounting portion 72 and theradius limiter 124. Thecable retainers 5 are pivotally coupled to thecenter mounting portion 72 of thetray assembly 24 at afirst end 6 via a hinge assembly 7 defined by both thecenter mounting portion 72 and the first end of thecable retainer 5. Thecable retainer 5 includes a snap-fit tab 8 at asecond end 9 thereof that is configured to be inserted into areceptacle 3 defined adjacent theradius limiter 124 for interlocking thecable retainer 5 at a closed or pivoted-down position with a snap-fit. Thecable retainers 5 are configured to hold or retain cables extending from theconnection locations 114 when in a pivoted-down position. The cable retainers can be pivoted up and out of the way by the technician to access theconnection locations 114. - Referring now to
FIGS. 7-12 , as noted above, in accordance with some aspects, certain types ofadapters 118 that are mounted to thetrays 12 in the form ofadapter block assemblies 120 may be configured to collect physical layer information from one or more fiber optic connectors received thereat. For example, certain types ofadapters 118 of theadapter block assemblies 120 may include a body configured to hold one or more media reading interfaces that are configured to engage memory contacts on the fiber optic connectors. One or more media reading interfaces may be positioned in the adapter body. In certain implementations, the adapter body may define slots extending between an exterior of the adapter body and an internal passage in which the ferrules of the connectors are received. - Certain types of media reading interfaces may include one or more contact members that are positioned in the slots. A portion of each contact member may extend into a respective one of the passages to engage memory contacts on a fiber optic connector. Another portion of each contact member may also extend out of the slot to contact a circuit board that may be positioned on the
adapter block assembly 120. As noted, portions of thetray 12 and thechassis 10 may define conductive paths that are configured to connect the media reading interfaces of theadapters 118 with a main controller orPCB 36 of thechassis 10, which can further communicate with a controller of the rack 40 that is housing thechassis 10. - The
main controller 36 of thechassis 10 or the controller of the rack 40 may include or connect (e.g., over a network) to a processing unit that is configured to manage physical layer information obtained by the media reading interfaces. - According to the depicted example embodiment, on each
tray 12, once a technician attaches a 24-portadapter block assembly 120 using snap features on thetray 12, theadapter block assemblies 120 may plug into the network as discussed above. For such managedpanels 10, for example, the printed circuit boards of theadapter block assemblies 120 may connect to thetray 12 usingmulti-pin connectors 162 on thetray 12 as shown inFIGS. 7, 8, and 10 . Themulti-pin connectors 162 on thetray 12 may be attached to a flexible circuit formed by aribbon cable 46 that routes to acentral PCB 28 within thepanel 10. As shown, the conductive pathway from themulti-pin connectors 162 to theribbon cable 46 is provided by a printedcircuit board 48 that is located at a central divider portion 164 of thetray 12 and also by aportion 45 of theflexible ribbon cable 46 that is positioned horizontally along therear side 166 of themain connection portion 70 of thetray 12. The printedcircuit board 48 and thehorizontal portion 45 of theribbon cable 46 are preferably mounted flush withinrecesses 168 provided on the central divider 164 and therear side 166 of themain connection portion 70 of thetray 12. - A
portion 47 of theribbon cable 46, which is provided in a vertical orientation, may be looped within acavity 170 defined by thecenter mounting portion 72 of thetray 12 as shown inFIGS. 10-12 . Thevertical portion 47 of theribbon cable 46 is configured to move within thecavity 170 to allow thetray 12 to travel back and forth without disrupting the communication through theribbon cable 46 between thecentral PCB 28 andtray PCB 48. Anend 172 of theribbon cable 46 extends through aslot 174 on theleft wall 176 of thecenter mounting portion 72 of thetray 12 to connect to thecentral PCB 28. Anotherslot 178 is provided on theright wall 180 of thecenter mounting portion 72 of thetray 12 to allow a portion of theribbon cable 46 to extend from inside thecavity 170 to themain connection portion 70 of thetray 12, wherein theribbon cable 46 transitions from a vertical orientation to a flat horizontal orientation by a twist of thecable 46. - The
end 172 of theribbon cable 146, after passing though theslot 174 on the left wall of thecenter mounting portion 72 of the tray, extends throughslots 175 on the mountingblock 42 and then slots 177 on the mountingplate 38, before making a connection with aconnector 179 on thecentral PCB 28. - As noted above, the
central PCB 28 may use indicators such asLEDs 30 on both the front 32 and back 34 of thepanel 10 to communicate to a technician whichtray 12 should be accessed. Thecentral PCB 28 then may connect to the main PCB orcontroller 36 of thechassis 10, which is housed within theend support 44 of thetray assembly 24. The connection is made via anotherribbon cable 50 that runs along atop cover 18 of thepanel 10 into theend support 44. Theribbon cable 50 is configured to extend to the card-edge-style connector 66 that is located toward the rear of thechannel 62. Themain controller 36 is accessible to the technician by removing afront end cap 64 of theapplicable end support 44. Themain controller 36 may use a card-edge-style connection with theconnector 66 at its opposite rear end to connect to theribbon cable 50 that runs along thetop cover 18, allowing themain controller 36 to be a field-replaceable device. Themain controller 36 is configured to communicate to a higher-level managed connectivity rack or frame 40 via a connection on the side of thepanel 10. Themain controller 36 of thepanel 10 may be powered via another connection on the side of thepanel 10. - Referring now to
FIGS. 23-31 , three different examples of a managed connectivity racks or frames 40 are shown. In the example embodiments of the racks 40 shown, the racks 40 are configured forhousing chassis 1010 that are 4RU in size. The main controller or PCB of the4RU chassis 1010 is designed to communicate with twenty fourtrays 12 and may be provided at a location different than the location discussed for a 1RU chassis 10 (ofFIGS. 1-22 ) which is designed to communicate with sixtrays 12. In the1RU chassis 10, eachchassis 10 is illustrated as having themain controller 36 embedded in anend support 44 of thechassis 10. According to one example, for the4RU chassis 1010, the main controller may be positioned within a channel located in an end support of the tray assemblies, similar to the 1RU version of thechassis 10, as will be described in further detail with respect toFIGS. 49-61 . Other locations are possible for the chassis main controller. - Still referring to
FIGS. 23-31 , the managed connectivity racks 40 are designed to include arack controller 41 that communicates with eachchassis 1010 mounted within the rack 40. The three different examples of the racks 40 illustrate different methods of routing thecabling 222 from therack controller 41 to theindividual chassis 1010 mounted within the rack 40. - Except for the way the
cabling 222 is routed from therack controller 41 to theindividual chassis 1010, all depicted versions of the racks 40 share certain similar features. Such features will generally be discussed with reference to one of the versions, with the understanding that the features are fully applicable to the other versions. - Referring now to
FIGS. 23-25 , a first embodiment of a managedconnectivity rack 40 a housing a plurality of4RU chassis 1010 having features similar to those of the1RU chassis 10 ofFIG. 1 is shown. As noted above, the first embodiment of therack 40 a shares certain features with the other two versions. InFIG. 24 , therack 40 a is shown without anychassis 1010 mounted thereon and inFIG. 25 , therack 40 a is shown with a number of cable management features removed therefrom to illustrate the cable path from therack controller 41 to theindividual chassis 1010 mounted within therack 40 a. - Still referring to
FIGS. 23-25 , at the front 230, therack 40 a includes front-to reartroughs 232 that communicate with rearhorizontal troughs 234 at the rear 236 of therack 40 a.Cable loops 238 are provided adjacent both the right and leftsides rack 40 a, wherein thecable loops 238 are located within right and left frontvertical cable channels sides chassis 40 a, respectively. In the depicted embodiment, therack 40 a also includes cable slack management spools 249 at theleft side 242 of therack 40 a, wherein thespools 249 are provided in a stacked arrangement along a column at theleft side 242 of therack 40 a, at thefront 230 thereof. - At the rear 236 of the
rack 40 a, therack 40 a defines vertical cable guides orchannels sides rack 40 a extending along the height of therack 40 a. Please seeFIGS. 32 and 34 for the rear view of asimilar rack 40 d. Across-frame trough 252 is provided for each chassis orpanel 1010 and connects the vertical cable guides 248, 250 on the right and leftsides trumpet flare 254 is provided on the left end of thecross-frame trough 252. Asecond trumpet flare 256 is provided below thefirst trumpet flare 254 on theleft side 242 of therack 40 a. At theright side 240 of therack 40 a, a plurality of radius limiters 258 (e.g., spools) is located within the right vertical cable guide orchannel 248. Still referring toFIGS. 23-25 , therack 40 a also includes the rearhorizontal troughs 234 extending between theright side 240 and theleft side 242 of therack 40 a. The front-to-rear troughs 232 provided at each of the right and leftsides rack 40 a provide for the routing ofcables 122 between thefront side 230 and therear side 236 of therack 40 a. - The cable routing within the
rack 40 a forcables 122 extending from thefront connection locations 114 andrear connection locations 114 of thetrays 12 of theindividual chassis 1010 are similar in configuration to those example routings described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,069,150 and 9,057,859, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. - Racks 40 illustrated in
FIGS. 26-31 generally follow the same construction and routing configuration as therack 40 a illustrated inFIGS. 23-25 . - As noted above, the three different versions of the racks illustrated in
FIGS. 23-31 all includecontrollers 41 that are configured to communicate with theindividual chassis 1010 mounted on the racks 40. - In the depicted embodiments of the racks 40, the racks 40 are configured to hold six
4RU chassis 1010. In such an embodiment, theframe controller 41 may contain an 8-port Ethernet switch, one of which may be used to route data from each 4RU chassis main controller to an Infrastructure Configuration Manager (ICM). A local microprocessor may be attached to the Ethernet switch which allows the processor to access an Address Translation Unit of the Ethernet switch and look up the Media Access Control Address of each 4RU chassis main controller connected to the frame 40 by specific ports (e.g., six different ports allowing for sixchassis 1010 to be managed). This allows mapping of each switch port to the Media Access Control Addresses of the attached chassis main controller. Each switch port may relate to a specific location in the frame 40. The Media Access Control Addresses and related Ethernet switch port data can be sent to the Infrastructure Configuration Manager, which may use the data to determine which frame each 4RU chassis main controller is installed in, and the location of each 4RU main controller within the frame 40. An auxiliary Ethernet port may be provided for local access to each 4RU chassis main controller or therack controller 41. A Power over Ethernet powered Wi-Fi access point can optionally be added to allow mobile devices access to each 4RU chassis main controller, or theframe controller 41. Further aspects of the managed connectivity of the rack 40 and thechassis 10/1010 mounted thereon is described in Examples of devices that may define the connection locations such as theadapter block assemblies 118 or cassettes are illustrated and described in further detail in U.S. Pat. No. 9,507,113, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. - Regarding the routing of the cabling 222 from the Ethernet ports of the
controller 41 of the rack 40 to theindividual 4RU chassis 1010, in the first version of therack 40 a shown inFIGS. 23-25 , therack 40 a defines a singlevertical bracket 260 withopenings 262 that allowbreakout points 223 of thecables 222 to extend therethrough. Thevertical bracket 260 is mounted to the rightvertical frame member 264 and is configured to contain thecabling 222 extending from thecontroller 41 as shown in detail inFIG. 25 , wherein therack 40 a is shown with a number of cable management features removed therefrom to illustrate the cable path. Thevertical bracket 260 defines a plurality of mountingflanges 266 for fastening to the rightvertical frame member 264 of therack 40 a. - In the second version of the
rack 40 b shown inFIGS. 26-28 , therack 40 b defines a plurality ofindividual brackets 268 havingcable management tabs 269 that are mounted to the rightvertical frame member 264 of therack 40 b. Thebrackets 268 are configured to providecable breakouts 223 at either the top side or the bottom sides of thebrackets 268. Thebrackets 268 are positioned depending upon where the main controller for each4RU chassis 1010 may be located. - In the third version of the
rack 40 c shown inFIGS. 29-31 , therack 40 c may include a plurality ofclips 270 that are configured to be mounted to cross frame members 272 that extend between the rightvertical frame member 264 of therack 40 c and the leftvertical frame member 274. According to one embodiment, theclips 270 may be adhesively attached. Thecables 222 that are contained by theclips 270 can breakout at the desired locations. - In such a version of the
rack 40 c, therack 40 c does not have to be previously modified (e.g., requiring mounting holes on thevertical frame members 264/274, etc.) and, thus, the routing of the cabling 222 from thecontroller 41 to theindividual chassis 1010 may be characterized as a retrofit arrangement. - Referring now to
FIGS. 32-37 , there is shown an embodiment of arack 40 d similar to those ofFIGS. 23-31 that includes a bus-bar 280 mounted thereon for grounding an armored cable. The cabling coming into a rack 40 from a central office (e.g., an IFC cable) for further distribution might include armored cabling having grounded shielding surrounding the cable bundle. Each of the cables of the bundle may be grounded using the bus-bar 280 mounted on therack 40 d. - According to one example mounting arrangement, the bus-
bar 280 may be housed in a bus-bar support 282 that is mounted to thebottom 233 of the uppermost rearhorizontal trough 234. - The bus-
bar support 282 is shown inFIG. 39-45 . It should be noted that the bus-bar support 282 that is depicted in the application is simply one example structure that may be used. Other support structures or enclosures may be used. In the depicted example, the bus-bar support 282 defines atop cover 284 and abottom cover 286 that is fastened to thetop cover 284. Thetop cover 284 may define mountingflanges 288 that are slidably inserted intoreceptacles 290 defined at the bottom 233 of the uppermost rearhorizontal trough 234. The uppermost rearhorizontal trough 234 is shown in isolation, removed from therack 40 d, inFIG. 38 . Thetop cover 284 of the bus-bar support 282 definesprojections 292 which receive amain plate 294 of the bus-bar 280 and thebottom cover 286 captures the bus-bar 280 with respect to thetop plate 284. - The bus-
bar 280 is shown in isolation inFIGS. 46-48 . Even though the bus-bar 280 is described and shown as being mounted to the uppermost rearhorizontal trough 234, other locations are also possible for the mounting of the bus-bar 280 in therack 40 d. - According to another aspect of the racks 40 discussed in the present application, the racks 40 may include a light source. The light source may provide visual assistance to a technician in locating a rack 40 in an environment where light may be limited. The light source may be provided in various forms and may be positioned at various locations on the rack 40 for illuminating the rack 40 and the
connection locations 114 thereof. - Referring now to
FIGS. 49-61 , one of the 4-rack-unit (4RU)panels 1010 that have been shown mounted on the racks 40 ofFIGS. 23-37 is illustrated in further detail. Except for the differences that will be discussed in detail, the 4RU versions of thepanels 1010 are similar in configuration and functionality to the 1RU versions and are designed to slidably receive the same fiber optic connection devices as the1RU panels 10. For example, as shown inFIGS. 49-61 , the4RU panels 1010 may be sized to fit twenty-four trays 12 (i.e., twelvefirst trays 12 a in a stacked arrangement on the right side of thechassis 1010 and twelvesecond trays 12 b in a stacked arrangement on the left side of the chassis 1010). Within thosetrays 12, whereas the 1RU panels 10 (shown inFIGS. 1-32 ) may house 144 mated LC connector pairs, 72 SC connector pairs or 48 MPO connector pairs, the4RU versions 1010 may house four times the number of connections as the 1RU units with the same functionality. As will be discussed in further detail below, thetrays 12 mounted within the4RU panels 1010 form parts oftray assemblies 1024 similar to thosetray assemblies 24 of1RU panels 10. - As discussed above, the connection locations within the
trays 12 within the4RU panels 1010 may be managed similar to the connection locations within the1RU panels 10. As will be discussed in further detail below, for managed 4RU panels, similar to 1RU panels, a connection between acentral PCB 1028 within thepanel 1010 and a main PCB orcontroller 1036 of thepanel 1010 may be established via ribbon cables that run within thepanel 1010. Similar to the 1RU versions of thepanels 10, in a4RU panel 1010, themain controller 1036 may use a card-edge-style connection 1066 at its opposite rear end to connect to the ribbon cable(s), allowing themain controller 1036 to be a field-replaceable device. As shown inFIGS. 23-31 , themain controller 1036 of the4RU panel 1010, similar to the 1RU version, is configured to communicate to a higher-level managed connectivity rack or frame 40 via a connection 1077 (e.g., an RJ connection) on the side of thepanel 1010. Themain controller 1036 of thepanel 1010 may be powered via anotherconnection 1079 on the side of thepanel 1010. - Further aspects of the
4RU panel 1010 will now be described below with reference toFIGS. 49-61 . - Referring to
FIGS. 49-61 , the high-density fiber distribution chassis orpanel 1010 is shown in various views. InFIG. 49 , thechassis 1010 is shown in an exploded view with a plurality of slidable fiber optic connection trays orblades 12 mounted thereon. Thechassis 1010 defines abottom plate 1014 with upwardly extending sidewalls 1016, atop chassis cover 1018, and a pair of mountingbrackets 1020 that are configured to be fastened to thesidewalls 1016. The mountingbrackets 1020 are used for mounting thechassis 1010 to other fixtures such as telecommunications racks or frames. Thebottom plate 1014, including the upwardly extending sidewalls 1016, and thetop cover 1018 definefastener openings 1022 for mountingtray assemblies 1024 within thechassis 1010. The mountingbrackets 1020 of thechassis 1010 are also fastened to thefastener openings 1022 on thesidewalls 1016 of thechassis 1010. A pair ofspacer plates 1011 are mounted to thebottom plate 1014 of thechassis 1010. Thespacer plates 1011 are positioned underneath thestacked trays 12. The spacer plates cooperatively define anotch 1013 extending from the front to the back of thechassis 1010 for accommodating thecentral PCB 1028 and mountingplates 1038 that are attached at each side of thecentral PCB 1028, which extend further down than thetrays 12. - In the depicted embodiment, the
chassis 1010 is configured as a standard 4RU (4-rack-unit) piece. Thechassis 1010 is configured to house four times asmany trays 12 as the1RU chassis 10 described previously. - Still referring to
FIGS. 49-61 , as noted above, eachchassis 1010 is configured to housetray assemblies 1024. In the depicted embodiment, similar to the1RU chassis 10, thetray assemblies 1024 may be defined by afirst tray assembly 1024 a that is located on the right side of thechassis 1010 and asecond tray assembly 1024 b that is located on the left side of thechassis 1010. Each of thetray assemblies 1024 may include a plurality ofslidable trays 12 mounted in a stacked arrangement. For example, thefirst tray assembly 1024 a, as shown, may include twelvefirst trays 12 a to be mounted in a stacked arrangement and thesecond tray assembly 1024 b may include twelvesecond trays 12 b to be mounted in a stacked arrangement, wherein thechassis 1010 can house twenty-four totalslidable trays 12 in the depicted version. - The first and
second tray assemblies first tray assembly 1024 a will be described in detail, with the understanding that the features of thefirst tray assembly 1024 a are fully applicable to thesecond tray assembly 1024 b except for the noted differences. In addition, in a number of the drawings (e.g.,FIGS. 53-54 ), only one representativefirst tray 12 a has been shown for ease of illustration. Thus, in the present disclosure, only one of thefirst trays 12 a will be shown and described in detail, with the understanding that the features of thatfirst tray 12 a are fully applicable to otherfirst trays 12 a that might be mounted in a stacked arrangement therewith or to othersecond trays 12 b that might be mounted on the left side of thechassis 1010. - Referring specifically now to
FIGS. 51 and 52 , the first andsecond tray assemblies chassis 1010 ofFIGS. 49 and 50 . InFIG. 51 specifically, the first andsecond tray assemblies tray assemblies 1024, when mounted together, capture acentral PCB 1028 therebetween. Thecentral PCB 1028 may include indicators in the form ofLEDs 1030 on both the front 1032 and the back 1034 of thechassis 1010 to communicate to a technician whichtray 12 should be accessed. Similar to the1RU panel 10, all of thetrays 12 of both thefirst tray assembly 1024 a and thesecond tray assembly 1024 b electrically connect to thecentral PCB 1028. And, thecentral PCB 1028 is electrically connected to a main PCB orcontroller 1036 of thechassis 1010, wherein themain PCB 1036 of thechassis 1010 is configured to communicate to a higher-level managed connectivity rack or frame 40. - Referring now to
FIGS. 51-54 , the different parts of thefirst tray assembly 1024 a are illustrated. Thefirst tray assembly 1024 a includes thecentral PCB 1028, a mountingplate 1038, four of the mountingblocks 42 from the 1RU chassis 10 (only one shown), afirst tray 12 a, afirst end support 1044 a, asecond end support 1044 b that is stacked on top of thefirst end support 1044 a, and themain PCB 1036 to be mounted to thefirst end support 1044 a. As noted above, similar to the1RU panel 10, a flexible circuit in the form of theribbon cable 46 provides an electrical connection between thecentral PCB 1028 and thePCB 48 located on thetray 12. And, a pair ofribbon cables central PCB 1028 and the main PCB orcontroller 1036 of thechassis 1010. Theribbon cables trays 12, along the top of one of thespacer plates 1011 of thechassis 1010. Via thecentral PCB 1028, theribbon cables second tray assemblies main PCB 1036. Thecentral PCB 1028 includes afirst connection point 1029 a for theribbon cable 1050 a and asecond connection point 1029 b for theribbon cable 1050 b. - The mounting
plate 1038 of thefirst tray assembly 1024 a, which along with a mountingplate 1038 of thesecond tray assembly 1024 b, is configured for capturing thecentral PCB 1028 and mounting thecentral PCB 1028 and the mounting blocks 42 of thetray assemblies 1024 to thechassis 1010. The mountingplate 1038 definestabs 1052 withfastener openings 1054 that are aligned withfastener openings 1056 of thecentral PCB 1028 for mounting thecentral PCB 1028 to thebottom plate 1014 and to thetop cover 1018 of thechassis 1010. The mountingplate 1038 also includesfastener openings 1058 on a sidewall thereof for fastening the mounting blocks 42 (four in a stacked arrangement on each mounting plate 1038) thereto and to thechassis 1010. - Each
tray 12 is configured to be slidable between the mountingblocks 42 and the end supports 1044 a, 1044 b of thetray assembly 1024. For thefirst tray assembly 1024 a, for example, the end supports 1044 a, 1044 b definefastener openings 1060 for mounting to theright sidewall 1016 of thechassis 1010. Thefirst end support 1044 a defines achannel 1062 for housing themain PCB 1036. As shown inFIG. 50 , themain PCB 1036 may be slidably loaded into thechannel 1062 of thefirst end support 1044 a. Themain PCB 1036 is accessible to a technician by removing afront end cap 1064 of thefirst end support 1044 a. Themain controller 1036 may use a card-edge-style connection at its opposite rear end to connect to theribbon cables main controller 1036 to be a field-replaceable device. Arear end cap 1068 is also positioned at the rear end of thefirst end support 1044 a. As in the1RU panel 10, since bothtray assemblies 1024 are being connected through thecentral PCB 1028, only thefirst end support 1044 a of thefirst tray assembly 1024 a defines achannel 1062 for supporting themain controller 1036. In the depicted embodiment, the end supports 1044 a, 1044 b of thesecond tray assembly 1024 b are not shown as housing a main controller orPCB 1036. This configuration may be modified depending upon the orientation of thechassis 1010 within a given rack 40. - As in the
1RU panel 10, theside mounting portion 74 of thetray 12 is configured for slidable coupling to the end supports 1044 a and 1044 b of thetray assembly 1024. The end supports 1044 a, 1044 b include longitudinally extendingchannels 1080 provided in a stacked arrangement. Thechannels 1080 of the end supports 1044 a, 1044 b are configured to receive theside mounting portion 74 of eachtray 12. As in the1RU panel 10, theside mounting portions 74 and thechannels 1080 of the end supports 1044 a, 1044 b define matching dovetail configurations for providing slidable movement and preventing lateral separation. - The cable management portions of the trays are coupled to the end supports 1044 a and 1044 b in a similar manner to that shown and described for the
1RU panel 10. - Referring now to
FIGS. 56 and 57 , thefirst link arm 128 a is directly pivotally coupled to the front of the end supports 1044 a, 1044 b of thetray assembly 1024 via ahinge assembly 1130. Thehinge assembly 1130 defines ahinge pin 1132 that is inserted throughopenings 1134 on both the end supports 1044 a, 1044 b and thefirst link arm 128 a for the pivotal coupling. As shown inFIGS. 56 and 57 , thehinge assembly 1130 also includes thetorsion spring 136, one end of which is inserted into alongitudinal pocket 1138 at the fronts of the end supports 1044 a, 1044 b and a second (perpendicular) end which is inserted into thepocket 140 provided on thefirst link arm 128 a. As in the1RU chassis 10 described above, thetorsion spring 136 is configured to bias thelink arm assembly 126 into its original closed position wherein thetorsion spring 136 pulls the cable management link arms 128 back into thepanel 1010 as thetray 12 is pushed back into place by the technician, whether thetray 12 is being pulled forwardly or rearwardly. A similar torsion spring is also provided on the rearcable management portion 76 b of thetray 12 assisting thetorsion spring 136 of the frontcable management portion 76 a in biasing thetray 12 back into a closed position. - Example cable routing configurations have been shown in
FIGS. 58-61 for the 4RU chassis. Thecables 122 lead from both the front andrear connection locations 114 through theradius limiters 124 and through each of the threesimilar link arms 128 b and finally through thefirst link arm 128 a before being directed out of thechassis 1010. As noted previously, the front link arm assembly 126 a and the rear link arm assembly 126 b are configured to move simultaneously together to manage the cable slack as thetrays 12 are pulled out from either direction. - As described above with respect to the
1RU chassis 10, portions of thetray 12 and thechassis 1010 may define conductive paths that are configured to connect media reading interfaces ofadapters 118 mounted within thetray 12 with the main controller orPCB 1036 of thechassis 1010, which can further communicate with a controller of the rack 40 that is housing thechassis 1010. - The
main controller 1036 of thechassis 1010 or the controller of the rack 40 may include or connect (e.g., over a network) to a processing unit that is configured to manage physical layer information obtained by the media reading interfaces. - Referring now to
FIGS. 53-55 , according to the depicted example embodiment, on eachtray 12, once a technician attaches a 24-portadapter block assembly 120 using snap features on thetray 12, theadapter block assemblies 120 may plug into the network as discussed above. For such managedpanels 1010, for example, the printed circuit boards of theadapter block assemblies 120 may connect to thetray 12 using themulti-pin connectors 162 on thetray 12 as shown inFIG. 55 . Themulti-pin connectors 162 on thetray 12 may be attached to a flexible circuit formed by theribbon cable 46 that routes to thecentral PCB 1028 within thepanel 1010. As shown, the conductive pathway from themulti-pin connectors 162 to theribbon cable 46 is provided by the printedcircuit board 48 that is located at a central divider portion 164 of thetray 12 and also by aportion 45 of theflexible ribbon cable 46 that is positioned horizontally along therear side 166 of themain connection portion 70 of thetray 12. - As described above for the
1RU panels 10, aportion 47 of theribbon cable 46, which is provided in a vertical orientation, is looped within thecavity 170 defined by thecenter mounting portion 72 of the tray 12 (as shown previously inFIGS. 10-12 ). Thevertical portion 47 of theribbon cable 46 is configured to move within thecavity 170 to allow thetray 12 to travel back and forth without disrupting the communication through theribbon cable 46 between thecentral PCB 1028 and thetray PCB 48. Anend 172 of theribbon cable 46 extends through aslot 174 on theleft wall 176 of thecenter mounting portion 72 of thetray 12 to connect to thecentral PCB 1028. Anotherslot 178 is provided on theright wall 180 of thecenter mounting portion 72 of thetray 12 to allow a portion of theribbon cable 46 to extend from inside thecavity 170 to themain connection portion 70 of thetray 12, wherein theribbon cable 46 transitions from a vertical orientation to a flat horizontal orientation by a twist of thecable 46. - For each
tray 12, theend 172 of theribbon cable 146, after passing though theslot 174 on the left wall of thecenter mounting portion 72 of the tray, extends throughslots 175 on the mounting blocks 42 and then slots 1177 on the mountingplate 1038, before making a connection with aconnector 1179 on thecentral PCB 28. - As noted above, the
central PCB 1028 may use indicators such asLEDs 1030 on both the front 1032 and back 1034 of thepanel 1010 to communicate to a technician whichtray 12 should be accessed. Thecentral PCB 1028 then may connect to the main PCB orcontroller 1036 of thechassis 1010, which is housed within thefirst end support 1044 a of thetray assembly 1024. The connection is made viaribbon cables first end support 1044 a. Theribbon cables style connector 1066 that is located within thechannel 1062 of thefirst end support 1044 a. Themain controller 1036 is accessible to a technician by removing thefront end cap 1064 of thefirst end support 1044 a. Themain controller 1036 may use the card-edge-style connection with theconnector 1066 at its opposite rear end to connect to theribbon cables main controller 1036 to be a field-replaceable device. - As shown in
FIGS. 23-37 , themain controller 1036 is configured to communicate to a higher-level managed connectivity rack or frame 40 via a connection (e.g., connection 1077) on the side of thepanel 1010. Themain controller 1036 of thepanel 1010 may be powered via another connection (e.g., connection 1079) on the side of thepanel 1010. -
FIGS. 62-80 illustrate another embodiment of a 1RU high-density fiber distribution chassis configured to support a plurality of slidable fiber optic connection trays or blades having features that are examples of inventive aspects in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. As will be described in further detail below, thechassis 2010 ofFIGS. 62-80 includes features similar to the 1RU chassis ofFIGS. 1-22 . Thechassis 2010 ofFIGS. 62-80 also includes features that are different than the 1RU chassis ofFIGS. 1-22 , as will be discussed in further detail. For example, thechassis 2010 is configured to house slidable trays or blades that are completely physically and electrically removable from the chassis and replaceable with other trays or blades. - As in the previous examples of devices shown in
FIGS. 1-61 , the fiber optic telecommunications device shown inFIGS. 62-80 is a panel or chassis that is configured to be mounted in a high density distribution rack or frame. The chassis or panel is configured to house a plurality of slidable trays or blades. The trays are configured to support multiple fiber optic connections. According to one embodiment, the panel or the rack housing the panel can be managed devices wherein the connections can be monitored to verify that the connectors have been installed into the correct connections locations (e.g., adapters) and have not been disturbed. Even though the panel described herein and shown inFIGS. 62-80 is a 1-rack-unit (1RU) panel, versions that include 4-rack-unit (4RU) sizes may be provided. - As in the previous 1RU chassis described above and shown in
FIGS. 1-22 , within the panel and within each tray or blade, the connection locations defined by, for example, an adapter block assembly, which is used to connect fiber optic connectors, may be accessible from both the front and the back of the panel. An adapter block assembly may be installed onto a sliding tray and may reside toward the center portion of the panel. Using a portion of the tray which may define a pull or slide lever, the tray can be slid forward to access the front connections of the adapter block assembly. The cables attached to the front connectors may be managed using a link arm assembly made up of five cable management link arms, which swing forward and out of the way for access to the front of the adapter block assembly. When a technician is done accessing/loading the front connectors, using the aforementioned pull or slide lever, the tray is pushed back to its central location. The tray, as well as an extension spring located within the link arm assembly are configured to pull the cable management link arms back into the panel as the tray is pushed back into place by the technician. - To access or load the back-side of the adapter block assemblies, a technician can, from the back of the panel, pull the tray out the other side, moving the link arms to manage the cables on the back side as well.
- As in the previous example 1RU panel, according to one example embodiment, there may be a total of six trays per 1RU panel, each housing an adapter block assembly capable of holding 24 LC connections, for a total of 6×24=144 connections. According to one example, the trays may be stacked three high on each side (i.e., first side and second side) of the panel. Each tray may use link arms on both the front and back sides to manage incoming and outgoing cables. The link arms are configured to allow cables to be installed and removed from both the tops and the sides of the link arms. The link arms are designed such that, regardless of position of the moving tray, the cables contained therewithin do not violate the minimum bend radius requirements. The longest link arm that is directly attached to one of the end supports of the tray assembly may be designed to hold two fanouts, which are devices that transition fiber from one high-fiber-count cable to multiple single-fiber-count cables.
- On each tray, a technician may attach a 24-port adapter block assembly using a snap fit mounting arrangement on the tray. For managed panels, the adapter block assemblies may include a printed circuit board (PCB) installed thereonto, which connects to each connector installed using contacts within the adapter openings and a chip on each connector. The PCB on the adapter block assembly may connect to the tray using multi-pin connectors on the tray. The connectors on the tray may be attached to a flexible circuit in the form of a ribbon cable that routes to a central PCB within the chassis. The ribbon cable may be flexibly routed within a slide assembly of the tray to allow the tray to travel back and forth without disrupting the communication through the ribbon cable between the central PCB and the adapter block assembly PCB. The slide assembly of each tray may house a micro slide PCB that is configured to be electrically connected to the central PCB when the trays are mounted to the chassis. The micro slide PCB of each removable tray may use indicators in the form of light emitting diodes (LEDs) to communicate to a technician which tray should be accessed. The central PCB then may connect to a main PCB (i.e., a main controller), which is housed within one of the end supports of the tray assembly of the chassis. The connection is made via another top PCB that runs along a top cover of the chassis into the end support. The main PCB or controller may be a removable device and may be accessible to the technician by removing a front end cap of the end support. The main controller may use a card-edge-style connection at its opposite rear end to connect to a backplane PCB housed within the end support. The top PCB that runs along the cover connects the central PCB to the backplane PCB and thus to the main controller using card-edge-style connections. The main controller of the chassis is configured to communicate to a higher-level managed connectivity rack or frame via a connection (e.g., an RJ connection) on the side of the panel. The main controller of the panel may be powered via another connection on the side of the panel.
- The above aspects of the telecommunications device will now be described in further detail below.
- Referring specifically now to
FIGS. 62-69 , the high-density fiber distribution chassis orpanel 2010 is shown in various views. Thechassis 2010 is shown with a plurality of slidable fiber optic connection trays orblades 2012 mounted thereon. As will be described in further detail below, thetrays 2012 are configured to be completely removable, both physically and electrically, from thechassis 2010 and replaceable with other similar trays. - The
chassis 2010 defines abottom plate 2014 with upwardly extending sidewalls 2016, atop chassis cover 2018, and a pair of mountingbrackets 2020 that are configured to be fastened to the sidewalls 2016 (seeFIG. 63 ). The mountingbrackets 2020 are used for mounting thechassis 2010 to other fixtures such as telecommunications racks or frames 40. Thebottom plate 2014, including the upwardly extending sidewalls 2016, and thetop cover 2018 definefastener openings 2022 for mounting tray assemblies 2024 within thechassis 2010. The mountingbrackets 2020 of thechassis 2010 are also fastened tofastener openings 2022 on thesidewalls 2016 of thechassis 2010. - In the depicted embodiment, as discussed above, the
chassis 2010 is configured as a standard 1RU (rack unit) piece. In other embodiments, thechassis 2010 may be configured to have different sizes. According to one example embodiment, the chassis may be configured as a 4RU device. Such an example of a chassis is shown inFIGS. 23-37 as mounted on a telecommunications rack 40. - Still referring to
FIGS. 62-69 , as noted above, eachchassis 2010 is configured to house tray assemblies 2024. In the depicted embodiment, the tray assemblies 2024 may be defined by afirst tray assembly 2024 a that is located on the right side of thechassis 2010 and asecond tray assembly 2024 b that is located on the left side of thechassis 2010. Each of the tray assemblies 2024 may include a plurality ofslidable trays 2012 mounted in a stacked arrangement. For example, thefirst tray assembly 2024 a, as shown, may include three first trays 2012 a to be mounted in a stacked arrangement and thesecond tray assembly 2024 b may include three second trays 2012 b to be mounted in a stacked arrangement, wherein thechassis 2010 can house six totalslidable trays 2012 in the depicted version. - As shown in
FIG. 65 , in the depicted embodiment of thechassis 2010, thefirst tray assemblies 2024 a are removable from the front side of the chassis and thesecond tray assemblies 2024 b are removable from the rear side of the chassis. Each tray is slidable both in the forward and the rearward direction with respect to thechassis 2010. - As shown in
FIG. 62 , the chassis defines a pair ofpivot doors 2003 at each of thefront end 2032 and therear end 2034 of thechassis 2010. Thepivot doors 2003 protect the first and second tray assemblies 2024 within thechassis 2010. Both of thepivot doors 2003 at thefront end 2032 and the at therear end 2034 share apivot hinge 2011 and pivot about the same pivot axis to provide access to the tray assemblies 2024 within thechassis 2010. Thepivot doors 2003 definelatches 2013 at the ends opposite from thepivot hinge 2011 for locking thepivot doors 2003 at a closed position. Thelatches 2013 may define flexible portions that are configured to snap intodetents 2015 located at thetop chassis cover 2018 and thebottom plate 2014 of thechassis 2010, adjacent the end supports 2044. -
FIGS. 81-86 illustrate another example of apivot door 3003 that can be used with thechassis 2010 of the present application. Thepivot door 3003 includes aspring latch mechanism 3005 that allows a user to latch and unlatch thedoor 3003. - Referring to
FIGS. 81-86 , at afirst end 3007, thepivot door 3003 defines apivot pin 3009 for cooperating with thepivot hinge 2011 of thechassis 2010 for pivotally opening thedoor 3003 to provide access to the tray assemblies 2024 within thechassis 2010. At asecond end 3011, thepivot door 3003 defines thespring latch mechanism 3005 that allows the user to latch thedoor 3003 at a closed position and unlatch thepivot door 3003 to an open position. - The
spring latch mechanism 3005 includes aslide latch 3013 that is configured to be captured against thesecond end 3011 of thedoor 3003 with acover 3015. Thecover 3015 is fastened to thesecond end 3011 of thedoor 3003 with afastener 3017. Theslide latch 3013 is configured to have limited sliding movement between thecover 3015 and thedoor 3003 and is spring-biased to an extended position (i.e., a closed or a latched position) as will be discussed below. - The
slide latch 3013 definesguide slots 3019 that cooperate withguide tabs 3021 on thedoor 3003 for allowing theslide latch 3013 to slide between the extended position and a depressed position (i.e., an open or an unlatched position). The abutment of theguide tabs 3021 withends 3023 of theguide slots 3019 provide the positive stops in limiting the sliding movement of theslide latch 3013. - Still referring to
FIGS. 81-86 , thespring 3025 providing the biasing force on theslide latch 3013 is positioned within a spring pocket 3027 defined on theslide latch 3013. Thespring 3025 abuts afirst end 3029 of the spring pocket 3027 at afirst end 3031 of thespring 3025 and aspring stop 3033 defined on thedoor 3003 at asecond end 3035 of thespring 3025. In this manner, thespring 3025 is captured between theslide latch 3013 and a structure that is on thedoor 3003 and is able to bias theslide latch 3013 away from thedoor 3003. - The
slide latch 3013 defines a pair ofangled pin tracks 3037 that are configured to receivepins 3039 of two opposinglocking tabs 3041. The lockingtabs 3041 are configured to slidably move in a direction generally perpendicular to that of the movement of theslide latch 3013. The lockingtabs 3041, similar to theslide latch 3013, also includeguide tabs 3045 that slidably fit withinguide slots 3047 defined on thecover 3015 for guiding and limiting the movement of thelocking tabs 3041. Theguide tabs 3045 are located on an opposite face of thelocking tabs 3041 from thepins 3039. - The locking
tabs 3041 include locking ends 3049 with atapered face 3051 and an opposingflat face 3053. The locking ends 3049 are configured to snap into thedetents 2015 located at thetop chassis cover 2018 and thebottom plate 2014 of thechassis 2010, adjacent the end supports 2044. The flat faces 3053 of the locking ends 3049 need to be cleared off thedetents 2015 in order to pivot thedoor 3003 to an open position. - As shown in
FIGS. 85-86 , when theslide latch 3013 is pushed inwardly toward thedoor 3003 and thespring 3025 is depressed, the lockingtabs 3041 are pulled toward theslide latch 3013 due to the camming action between theangled pin tracks 3037 and thepins 3039 of thelocking tabs 3041. When thelocking tabs 3041 have cleared thedetents 2015, thedoor 3003 can be pivoted open. - The
spring 3025 biases theslide latch 3013 outwardly to an extended position. Due to the camming action between theangled pin tracks 3037 and thepins 3039 of thelocking tabs 3041, the lockingtabs 3041 are also pushed outwardly away from theslide latch 3013 due to thespring 3025. When a user needs to close thepivot door 3003, the user can simply push thepivot door 3003 to a closed position and the tapered faces 3051 of the locking ends 3049 of thelocking tabs 3041 allow thelocking tabs 3041 to snap-fit into thedetents 2015 on thechassis 2010. The tapered faces 3051 of the locking ends 3049 abut the front edge of thetop chassis cover 2018 and the front edge of thebottom plate 2014 of thechassis 2010 to provide the slight inward movement needed for thelocking tabs 3041 to clear thetop chassis cover 2018 and thebottom plate 2014 of thechassis 2010 and snap into thedetents 2015. - The
pivot door 3003, although illustrated and described for a 1RU chassis, may be modified for use with a 4RU chassis with a similar spring latch mechanism. - Now referring back to
FIG. 64 , a partially exploded view of thechassis 2010 is shown with thetop chassis cover 2018 removed completely to illustrate the tray assemblies 2024 mounted therein, the cable management portions for two of thetrays 2012 shown exploded off thechassis 2010. - The first and
second tray assemblies first tray assembly 2024 a will be described in detail, with the understanding that the features of thefirst tray assembly 2024 a are fully applicable to thesecond tray assembly 2024 b except for the noted differences. In addition, inFIGS. 70-77 , only one representative first tray 2012 a has been shown for ease of illustration and description, with the understanding that the features of that first tray 2012 a are fully applicable to other first trays 2012 a that might be mounted in a stacked arrangement therewith or to other second trays 2012 b that might be mounted on the left side of thechassis 2010. - Referring specifically now to
FIGS. 65-69 , the first andsecond tray assemblies chassis 2010. As discussed for the previous embodiments of chassis and as will be discussed in further detail below, the two tray assemblies 2024, when mounted together, capture acentral PCB 2028 therebetween. Thecentral PCB 2028 may electrically connect to indicators in the form ofLEDs 2030 on both the front 2032 and the back 2034 of thechassis 2010 to communicate to a technician whichtray 2012 should be accessed. As will be discussed in further detail, theLEDs 2030 may be carried by theremovable trays 2012 and may be electrically connected to thecentral PCB 2028 when thetrays 2012 are slidably mounted on thechassis 2010. - All of the
trays 2012 of both thefirst tray assembly 2024 a and thesecond tray assembly 2024 b are configured to be electrically connected to thecentral PCB 2028. And, thecentral PCB 2028 is configured to be electrically connected to a main PCB orcontroller 2036 of thechassis 2010, wherein themain PCB 2036 of thechassis 2010 is configured to communicate to a higher-level managed connectivity rack or frame 40. - Referring still to
FIGS. 65-69 , the different parts of thefirst tray assembly 2024 a are illustrated in an exploded configuration. Thefirst tray assembly 2024 a is formed from acenter divider assembly 2027 that includes thecentral PCB 2028 and a pair of mountingblocks 2042 that capture thecentral PCB 2028 thereinbetween. Thefirst tray assembly 2024 a also includes the first tray 2012 a, anend support 2044, themain PCB 2036, and abackplane PCB 2066 that are mounted to theend support 2044. As noted above and as will be described in further detail below, a flexible circuit in the form of aribbon cable 2046 provides an electrical connection between thecentral PCB 2028 of thechassis 2010 and atray PCB 2048 located on thetray 2012. Another PCB (i.e., the top PCB) 2050 provides the connection between thecentral PCB 2028 and abackplane PCB 2066. The main PCB orcontroller 2036 of thechassis 2010 is connected to thebackplane PCB 2066 via card-edge-style connections. Thetop PCB 2050 is mounted to a mountingpanel 2007, the mountingpanel 2007 configured to mount thetop PCB 2050 to thetop chassis cover 2018 of thechassis 2010. Thetop PCB 2050, via thecentral PCB 2028, can connect both the first andsecond tray assemblies main PCB 2036. -
FIG. 65 illustrates thechassis 2010 with thetrays 2012 shown exploded off thechassis 2010.FIG. 66 illustrates thechassis 2010 with the ends supports 2044 and thecenter divider assembly 2027 of thechassis 2010 shown exploded off thechassis 2010.FIG. 67 illustrates thecenter divider assembly 2027 of thechassis 2010 in an exploded configuration.FIG. 68 illustrates theright end support 2044 of thechassis 2010 in an exploded configuration, theright end support 2044 configured to house the main controller orPCB 2036 of thechassis 2010.FIG. 69 is a side view of theremovable end cap 2064 of theright end support 2044 of thechassis 2010. - Still referring to
FIGS. 65-69 , the right and left mountingblocks 2042 are configured for capturing thecentral PCB 2028 and mounting thecentral PCB 2028 and thecenter divider assembly 2027 to thechassis 2010. The mountingblocks 2042 definefastener openings 2054 that are aligned withfastener openings 2056 of thecentral PCB 2028 for mounting thecentral PCB 2028 to theblocks 2042. The mountingblocks 2042 also definefastener openings 2055 that are configured to align with fastener openings of thetop chassis cover 2018 for mounting thecenter divider assembly 2027 to thechassis 2010. - As will be discussed in further detail, each
tray 2012 is configured to be slidably captured between the mountingblock 2042 and theend support 2044 of the tray assembly 2024. For thefirst tray assembly 2024 a, for example, theend support 2044 definesfastener openings 2060 for mounting to thetop chassis cover 2018 and thebottom plate 2014. Theright end support 2044 is also configured to capture themain PCB 2036 and thebackplane PCB 2066 against theright sidewall 2016 of thechassis 2010, wherein theright sidewall 2016 is also fastened to thetop chassis cover 2018. Theright end support 2044 defines achannel 2062 for housing themain PCB 2036 and thebackplane PCB 2066. As shown inFIG. 68 and as will be discussed in further detail, themain PCB 2036 may be slidably loaded into thechannel 2062 of theright end support 2044. Themain PCB 2036 is accessible to a technician by removing afront end cap 2064 of theend support 2044. Themain controller 2036 may use a card-edge-style connection 2017 at its opposite rear end to connect to thebackplane PCB 2066 and eventually to thetop PCB 2050 that is mounted to thechassis top cover 2018 via the mountingpanel 2007. As in the previous embodiments discussed, it should be noted that in the depicted embodiment of thechassis 2010, since both tray assemblies 2024 are being connected through thecentral PCB 2028, only one end support 2044 (i.e., the right end support) of thefirst tray assembly 2024 a defines achannel 2062 for supporting themain controller 2036 and thebackplane PCB 2066, wherein theend support 2044 of thesecond tray assembly 2024 b is not shown as housing amain PCB 2036 orbackplane PCB 2066. This configuration may be modified depending upon the orientation of thechassis 2010 within a given rack 40. - Still referring to
FIG. 67 , theright mounting block 2042 defineschannels 2078 for slidably receiving portions of thefirst tray assembly 2024 a and theleft mounting block 2042, similarly defineschannels 2078 for receiving portions of thesecond tray assembly 2024 b. - The
left mounting block 2042 defines threelock levers 2019 at the front end thereof, one for eachtray 2012. Theright mounting block 2042 defines threelock levers 2019 at the rear end thereof, one for eachtray 2012. As will be discussed in further detail below, the lock levers 2019 are configured to cooperate with portions of thetrays 2012 in locking thetrays 2012 with respect to thecenter divider assembly 2027. When thecenter divider assembly 2027 has been formed with thecentral PCB 2028 captured between the mountingblocks 2042, the lock levers 2019 of theleft mounting block 2042 cooperate with the right trays 2012 a in locking the trays 2012 a against slidable movement with respect to thechassis 2010. The lock levers 2019 of theright mounting block 2042 cooperate with the left trays 2012 b in locking the trays 2012 b against slidable movement with respect to thechassis 2010. As discussed before, thechassis 2010 is configured such that the right trays 2012 a are only removable from thefront end 2032 of thechassis 2010 and the left trays 2012 b are only removable from therear end 2034 of thechassis 2010. As will be discussed in further detail below, the lock levers 2019 have to be pivoted away from thecenter divider assembly 2027 before thetrays 2012 can be slidably removed from thechassis 2010. - Referring now to
FIGS. 70-78 , eachtray 2012 of each tray assembly 2024 defines amain connection portion 2070, acenter mounting portion 2072, aside mounting portion 2074, and acable management portion 2076. Eachtray 2012 also defines aslide assembly 2021 that is formed from acenter rail 2023 that is configured to slide with respect to a mountingrail 2025. As shown specifically in the exploded view inFIG. 72 , the mountingrail 2025 defines adovetail portion 2029 that is slidably captured against thecenter rail 2023 by atop cover 2031 of thecenter rail 2023. The mountingrail 2025 also defines agear rack 2033, the purpose of which will be discussed in further detail below. - The
center mounting portion 2072 of thetray 2012 is also configured for slidable coupling to thecenter rail 2023 of theslide assembly 2021. Thecenter mounting portion 2072 of thetray 2012 also defines adovetail profile 2035 that is slidably captured against thecenter rail 2023 by thetop cover 2031 of thecenter rail 2023. Thecenter mounting portion 2072 of thetray 2012 also defines agear rack 2037, the purpose of which will be discussed in further detail below. - The
side mounting portion 2074 of thetray 2012 is configured for slidable coupling to anend support 2044 of the tray assembly 2024 that is located generally close to one of the sides of thechassis 2010. - As noted previously, both the
mounting block 2042 and theend support 2044 include longitudinally extending channels provided in a stacked arrangement. Thechannels 2078 of themounting block 2042 are configured to slidably receive the mountingrail 2025 of theslide assembly 2021 of eachtray 2012. The lock levers 2019 of the mountingblocks 2042 are configured to fix the mountingrails 2025 to the mountingblocks 2042 with a snap fit interlock. In this manner, the mountingrail 2025 of theslide assembly 2021 is stationarily fixed with respect to themounting block 2042, thus, to thechassis 2010. Thecenter rail 2023 slides with respect to the mountingrail 2025. And, thetray 2012 slides with respect to thecenter rail 2023, at twice the speed of thecenter rail 2023 relative to thestationary mounting rail 2025 due to a gear arrangement, as will be discussed. - The channels 2080 of the
end support 2044 are configured to receive theside mounting portion 2074 of eachtray 2012 for supporting the slidable movement of thetray 2012. - Referring now to the interaction between the
side mounting portions 2074 of thetrays 2012 and the channels 2080 of theend support 2044, theside mounting portions 2074 and the channels 2080 of theend support 2044 might also define matching dovetail configurations for providing slidable movement and preventing lateral separation. Other types of support structures may also be used for slidable movement such as shelf type of alignment and support structures. - Regarding the interaction between the
center mounting portions 2072 of thetrays 2012 and the center rails 2023 of theslide assemblies 2021, as discussed above, thecenter mounting portion 2072 of the tray also defines adovetail profile 2035 that is slidably captured against thecenter rail 2023 by thetop cover 2031 of thecenter rail 2023. - Referring now to
FIGS. 74 and 74A , the mountingrail 2025 is illustrated in isolation. As discussed above, the mountingrail 2025 is the portion of theslide assembly 2021 that is configured to be fixedly mounted to themounting block 2042. The mountingrail 2025 is the portion that needs to be removed from thechannels 2078 of themounting block 2042 in removing theentire tray 2012 and theslide assembly 2021 thereof from thechassis 2010. Otherwise, with the mountingrail 2025 fixed in place with respect to themounting block 2042, eachtray 2012 is still free to slide via theslide assembly 2021, without being removed from thechassis 2010. - Referring to the mounting
rail 2025 of one of the first trays 2012 a, the mountingrail 2025 defines adovetail configuration 2041 on theleftmost wall 2043 of the mountingrail 2025 for slidable insertion into one of thechannels 2078 of themounting block 2042. As discussed above, therightmost wall 2045 of the mountingrail 2025 also defines adovetail configuration 2029 for allowing thecenter rail 2023 to slide with respect to the mountingrail 2025. Thegear rack 2033 also defined on therightmost wall 2045 of the mountingrail 2025 is configured to interact with first and second gear wheels 2051 that are positioned on thecenter rail 2023. - As the
center rail 2023 slides with respect to the mountingrail 2025, the gear teeth 2053 of the gear wheels 2051 cause the gear wheels 2051 to spin as they interact with thegear rack 2033 of the mountingrail 2025. As the gear wheels 2051 spin, the wheels 2051 also interact with thegear rack 2037 that is found on thecenter mounting portion 2072 of thetray 2012. Thus, when thecenter rail 2023 slides with respect to thestationary mounting rail 2025, thetray 2012 slides with respect to thecenter rail 2023, at twice the speed of thecenter rail 2023 relative to thestationary mounting rail 2025 due to the gear arrangement. - Still referring to
FIGS. 74 and 74A , the mountingrail 2025 defines anLED mount 2055 at a front end thereof. TheLED mount 2055 is configured to house amicro slide PCB 2057 that is provided with twoLEDs 2030, one on each side thereof. TheLEDs 2030 can be seen through a pair oftransparent lenses 2059 provided at the front of theLED mount 2055. Themicro slide PCB 2057 is captured within aPCB pocket 2061 of theLED mount 2055 with acover 2063. The rear end of themicro slide PCB 2057 defines anedge connection portion 2065 and receives a card-edge-style connector 2067. The card-edge-style connector 2067 at the back end of themicro slide PCB 2057 is configured to electrically connect to one of thefront extensions 2069 defined on thecentral PCB 2028. Thefront extension 2069 of thecentral PCB 2028 extends through aslot 2071 located at the rear end of theLED mount 2055 to electrically connect to themicro slide PCB 2057 via thecard edge connector 2067. - As shown in
FIG. 74A , themicro slide PCB 2057 electrically ties thetray 2012 to thecentral PCB 2028 via a flexible circuit in the form of aribbon cable 2046. Theribbon cable 2046 is configured to be connected to themicro slide PCB 2057 and enters into thePCB pocket 2061 via aside entrance 2073 of theLED mount 2055. - Referring now to
FIGS. 72, 74, and 74A , theflexible circuit 2046 extends through the mountingrail 2025. The mountingrail 2025 defines aflex pocket 2075 that runs longitudinally along the mountingrail 2025 and houses theflexible circuit 2046. Toward the rear end of the mountingrail 2025, the mountingrail 2025 defines aslot 2077 for directing theflexible circuit 2046 out of theflex pocket 2075 into thecenter rail 2023 as will be discussed in further detail below. - As noted above, the mounting
rail 2025 is the portion of theslide assembly 2021 that is configured to be stationarily fixed with respect to themounting block 2042 of thecenter divider assembly 2027. - As discussed previously, the
mounting block 2042 to the left of thecentral PCB 2028 defines threelock levers 2019. The lock levers 2019 of the mountingblocks 2042 are configured to fix the mountingrails 2025 to the mountingblocks 2042 with a snap fit interlock once the mountingrails 2025 have been slidably inserted into thechannels 2078 of the mounting blocks 2042. As shown inFIG. 65 , eachLED mount 2055 defines anexterior lock detent 2079. Thelock detents 2079 flexibly receive the lock levers 2019 with a snap fit. If anentire tray 2012 needs to be removed from thechassis 2010, the lock levers 2019 are pivoted away from thedetents 2079 until they clear thedetents 2079. Once the lock levers 2019 clear thedetents 2079, theentire tray 2012 can be slidably removed from thechassis 2010. - Referring now back to
FIGS. 72-73 , as noted above, thecenter rail 2023 receives the mountingrail 2025 on the left side of thecenter rail 2023 and thecenter mounting portion 2072 of thetray 2012 at the right side of thecenter rail 2023. Thecenter rail 2023 slides with respect to the mountingrail 2025 and also causes thetray 2012 to slide with respect to thecenter rail 2023 due to the gear wheels 2051 that are located within thecenter rail 2023. The gear wheels 2051, therightmost wall 2045 of the mountingrail 2025 and thedovetail profile 2035 of thecenter mounting portion 2072 of thetray 2012 are captured with respect to thecenter rail 2023 via thetop cover 2031. Thetop cover 2031 is fastened to thecenter rail 2023 viafasteners 2081 that are inserted into fastener mounts 2083. The fastener mounts 2083 are located on adivider wall 2085 that is located within thecenter rail 2023. - The first and
second gear wheels wheel pockets 2087 formed within thedivider wall 2085 of thecenter rail 2023. The gear wheels 2051 rotate freely once captured by thetop cover 2031. Each gear wheel 2051 defines a lower portion having the gear teeth 2053 and an upper portion that acts as a ribbon cable guide orpulley 2089. - As shown in
FIG. 73 , once the flexible circuit in the form of theribbon cable 2046 exits thecenter mounting portion 2072 of thetray 2012 and enters thecenter rail 2023, theflexible circuit 2046 runs toward the front of thecenter rail 2023 and is positioned between thecenter mounting portion 2072 of thetray 2012 and the right side of thedivider wall 2085 of the center rail. - Once lead around the
first gear wheel 2051 a, theflex circuit 2046 is directed toward the rear of thecenter rail 2023 and is positioned at the left side of the divider wall 2085 (between thedivider wall 2085 and therightmost wall 2045 of the mounting rail 2025 (please seeFIG. 73 ). As shown inFIG. 72 , thepocket 2087 that receives the gear wheel 2051 defines anotch 2091 that allows theribbon cable 2046 to pass from the right side of thedivider wall 2085 to the left side of thedivider wall 2085. - In this manner, as shown in the top view of
FIG. 73 , as thetray 2012 is moved back and forth with respect to thechassis 2010 via theslide assembly 2021, any slack within theribbon cable 2046 is taken up by thefirst gear wheel 2051 a, which acts as a pulley for theribbon cable 2046. - The portion of the
flexible circuit 2046 that resides within theflex pocket 2087 of the mountingrail 2025 remains generally stationary while the portions of theflexible circuit 2046 that are located at both sides of thedivider wall 2085 of thecenter rail 2023 move back and forth as thetray 2012 moves back and forth. - As noted previously, the mounting
rail 2025 of theslide assembly 2021 is stationarily fixed with respect to themounting block 2042, thus, to thechassis 2010. Thecenter rail 2023 slides with respect to the mountingrail 2025. And, thetray 2012 slides with respect to thecenter rail 2023, at twice the speed of thecenter rail 2023 relative to thestationary mounting rail 2025 due to the gear arrangement. - When the
tray 2012 is in a fully pulled-out position, apivotable slide lever 2093 is used to lock and release thetray 2012. As shown inFIGS. 72 and 73 , thecenter rail 2025 defines alever housing 2095 at a front end thereof. Thelever housing 2095 houses theslide lever 2093. Theslide lever 2093 defines acatch portion 2097 and afinger grip portion 2099. Theslide lever 2093 is pivotally coupled to thelever housing 2095 via apivot hinge 2101 defined by apivot pin 2103. Theslide lever 2093 is laterally biased by aspring 2105 that is within thelever housing 2095. As thelever 2093 is pushed laterally toward the left using thefinger grip portion 2099, thespring 2105 is loaded and biases thelever 2093 back toward the right. Thecatch portion 2097 is configured to interact with anextension latch 2107 defined on thecenter mounting portion 2072 of thetray 2012. - When the
tray 2012 is fully pulled out, theextension latch 2107 locks with thecatch portion 2097 of theslide lever 2093. In order to free thetray 2012 and allow it to slide back, thefinger grip portion 2099 of theslide lever 2093 is pushed, against the bias of thespring 2105, and thecatch portion 2097 is released from theextension latch 2107 of thetray 2012. - Once the
tray 2012 starts sliding into thechassis 2010, the tray also makes temporary stops at discrete positions along its travel path. For this purpose, thecenter rail 2023 defines stopdetents 2109 positioned at discrete locations along thecenter rail 2023. Thedetents 2109 cooperate with aflexible position latch 2111 located on thecenter mounting portion 2072 of thetray 2012. Theposition latch 2111 is located underneath theextension latch 2107 and defines a round profile to facilitate entrance into and removal from thestop detents 2109. - It should be noted that the
center rail 2023 is configured with similar features at both the front end and the rear end, such as theslide lever 2093, so thattrays 2012 can be accessed and slid from both ends of thechassis 2010 in either the forward direction or the rearward direction. - Referring now to
FIGS. 119-121 , another version of aslide assembly 5021 for mounting a tray such as thetray 2012 to a chassis such aschassis 2010 is illustrated. Theslide assembly 5021 includes features similar to slideassembly 2021 ofFIGS. 72-73 but also includes certain differences, which will be discussed in further detail. - Still referring to
FIGS. 119-121 , theslide assembly 5021 includes a further locking arrangement for locking a tray such astray 2012 at the center position within a chassis. - Similar to slide
assembly 2021,slide assembly 5021 defines a mountingrail 5025 that is stationarily fixed with respect to themounting block 2042, thus, to thechassis 2010. Acenter rail 5023 of the slide assembly slides with respect to the mountingrail 5025. And, a tray such as thetray 2012 that is mounted using theslide assembly 5021 slides with respect to thecenter rail 5023, at twice the speed of thecenter rail 5023 relative to thestationary mounting rail 5025 due to the gear arrangement. - The
slide assembly 5021 includes apivotable slide lever 5093 similar to slidelever 2093 ofslide assembly 2021. When a tray is in a fully pulled-out position, thepivotable slide lever 5093 is used to lock and release the tray. As shown inFIGS. 119, 119A, 120, 120A, and 120B , thecenter rail 5023 defines alever housing 5095 at a front end thereof. Thelever housing 5095 houses theslide lever 5093. Theslide lever 5093 defines acatch portion 5097 and afinger grip portion 5099. Theslide lever 5093 is pivotally coupled to thelever housing 5095 via apivot hinge 5101 defined by apivot pin 5103. Theslide lever 5093 is laterally biased by aspring 5105 that is within thelever housing 5095. As thelever 5093 is pushed laterally toward the left using thefinger grip portion 5099, thespring 5105 is loaded and biases thelever 5093 back toward the right. Thecatch portion 5097 is configured to interact with an extension latch such as theextension latch 2107 defined on thecenter mounting portion 2072 of thetray 2012. - When a tray such as
tray 2012 is fully pulled out, theextension latch 2107 locks with thecatch portion 5097 of theslide lever 5093. In order to free thetray 2012 and allow it to slide back, thefinger grip portion 5099 of theslide lever 5093 is pushed, against the bias of thespring 5105, and thecatch portion 5097 is released from theextension latch 2107 of thetray 2012. - Once the
tray 2012 starts sliding into thechassis 2010, the tray also makes temporary stops at discrete positions along its travel path. For this purpose, thecenter rail 5023 defines stopdetents 5109 positioned at discrete locations along thecenter rail 5023. Thedetents 5109 cooperate with aflexible position latch 2111 located on thecenter mounting portion 2072 of thetray 2012. Theposition latch 2111 is located underneath theextension latch 2107 and defines a round profile to facilitate entrance into and removal from thestop detents 5109. - The
center rail 5023 is configured with similar features at both the front end and the rear end, such as theslide lever 5093, so that trays such astrays 2012 can be accessed and slid from both ends of thechassis 2010 in either the forward direction or the rearward direction. - As noted above, in addition to the
stop detents 5109 positioned at discrete locations along thecenter rail 5023, theslide assembly 5021 includes a further locking feature for locking a tray such astray 2012 at the center position within a chassis such aschassis 2010. - As shown in
FIGS. 119-121 , theslide assembly 5021 includes apivot lever 5111 that is pivotally connected to theslide lever 5093. Thepivot lever 5111 includes asecond catch portion 5113 that is configured to fit within adetent 5115 located on the mountingrail 5025 of theslide assembly 5021. When thetray 2012 is positioned at the central position within thechassis 2010, thesecond catch portion 5113 is positioned within thedetent 5115. Since theslide lever 5093 is laterally biased by thespring 5105 toward the right, thepivot lever 5111 is biased to pivot in a counter-clockwise direction and thesecond catch portion 5113 sits within thedetent 5115 under the bias force of thespring 5105. - When the
tray 2012 needs to be moved from the central position and pulled forwardly, thelever 5093 is pushed laterally toward the left using thefinger grip portion 5099 and thespring 5105 is compressed. Pushing thelever 5093 laterally leftwardly pivots thelever 5111 in a clockwise direction and frees thesecond catch portion 5113 from thedetent 5115, allowing the tray to now be slid forwardly. - It should be noted that the
center rail 5023 is configured with similar features at both the front end and the rear end such as thepivot lever 5111, so thattrays 2012 can be accessed and slid from both ends of thechassis 2010 in either the forward direction or the rearward direction as they are released from a central position within thechassis 2010. - As shown in the close-up view in
FIG. 120A , thesecond catch portion 5113 and thedetent 5115 both include complementaryangled faces tray 2012 is pulled from the rear end of thechassis 2010, theangled face 5117 of thesecond catch portion 5113 at the front of the slide assembly can automatically clear thedetent 5115 as thecenter rail 5023 is moved with respect to the mountingrail 5025. - When a
tray 2012 is not at the central position, thesecond catch portions 5113 of the pivot levers 5111 are either not in contact with or simply ride along the surface of the mountingrail 5025 and are not used in locking the tray. Please seeFIGS. 121, 121A, and 121B . When thetray 2012 is at a forward or backward position as shown inFIGS. 121, 121A, and 121B , only theslide lever 5093 is used in locking thetray 2012. -
FIGS. 120, 120A, and 120B illustrate a tray such as thetray 2012 locked in a central position within thechassis 2010, wherein both the front andrear pivot levers 5111 are being used to lock the tray. When moving the tray from the central position either forwardly or rearwardly, thefinger grip portion 5099 of the corresponding slide lever 5093 (either front or back) has to be pressed to move thepivot lever 5111 attached to thatslide lever 5093 in freeing the tray. - Thus, the
slide assembly 5021 includes features that allow locking of the trays, not only in the forward and rearward positions, but also at the central position, wherein the trays will not be accidentally moved from their neutral position without engaging, once again, thefinger grip portions 5099 of the slide levers 5093. - Referring now back to
FIG. 75 , themain connection portion 2070 of thetray 2012 is located between thecenter mounting portion 2072 and theside mounting portion 2074 and is configured to define connection locations for thetray 2012. By stacking a plurality of thetrays 2012 on adistribution chassis 2010, density of connections for fiber optic transmission can be increased and the slidability of thetrays 2012 in either the front direction or the rear direction provides for easy access at both the front or the rear of thedistribution chassis 2010. - As shown in
FIG. 75 , the depicted version of themain connection portion 2070 of thetray 2012 includes amount 2116 for mounting fiber optic adapters which define the fiber optic connection locations in the present embodiment of thetray 2012. Specifically, in thetray 2012 shown and described in the present application, the fiber optic connection locations may be defined by adapters having an LC type footprint. In the depicted embodiments, twenty-four LC adapters may be mounted to themount 2116 via a snap-fit connection defined on themount 2116. In the highdensity distribution chassis 2010 shown in the present disclosure, sixslidable trays 2012 may be mounted on a 1RU of rack space, providing 144 LC connections as noted above. - As noted earlier, other standards of fiber optic adapters (such as SC or MPO adapters) can be mounted to the
mount 2116. Fiber optic adapters are only one type of fiber optic equipment that provides connection locations for thetray 2012 and thetray 2012 can be used with other types of fiber optic equipment. For example, equipment such as fiber optic splitters, couplers, multiplexers/demultiplexers, or other types of equipment wherein cables may be routed away from the connection locations may be housed on themain connection portion 2070. - If fiber optic adapters are used, the connection locations may be defined by adapters individually mounted in the
mount 2116 or may be defined by adapter block assemblies that include integrally formed adapters in block form, as shown in the previously depicted embodiments. In other embodiments, the connection locations may be in the form of a cassette that may include fiber optic adapters on one side wherein the opposite side may have a multi-fiber connector or a cable extending outwardly therefrom, with optical fibers normally housed within such a cassette. - Examples of devices that may define the connection locations such as the adapter block assemblies or cassettes are illustrated and described in further detail in U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,423,570; 9,285,552; and 9,379,501, which have been incorporated by reference in their entireties.
- As noted previously, the chassis or
panels 2010 may be available in 1-rack-unit (1RU) and 4-rack-unit (4RU) sizes. The 1RU panels may house 144 mated LC connector pairs, 72 SC connector pairs or 48 MPO connector pairs. The 4RU panels may house four times the number of connections as the 1RU units with the same functionality. - Within each
panel 2010 and within eachtray 2012, the connection locations may be accessible from both the front 2032 and the back 2034 of thepanel 2010. An adapter block assembly may be installed on a slidingtray 2012 such that it resides toward the center portion of thepanel 2010. Thetrays 2012 can be slid forwardly or rearwardly to access the front connections or the rear connections of an adapter block assembly. - Cable management is an important aspect of a high density distribution panel or frame when managing a high density of cables extending from the front and rear ends of the adapter block assemblies that may be mounted on the
trays 2012. - As discussed above, each
tray 2012 is configured to include acable management portion 2076 for managing cables from the connection locations to and away from thechassis 2010 both for the cables extending from the front ports of the adapters and from the rear ports of the adapters. Thecable management portions 2076 of thetrays 2012 are configured such that they accommodate any cable slack during the forward and rearward slidable movements of thetrays 2012, while maintaining minimum bend radius requirements of the cables. Also, thecable management portions 2076 of thetrays 2012 are designed to keep the same length of cabling from the connection locations to the exterior of thechassis 2010 so as to prevent any pulling or pinching of the cables and to limit the need for excess slack cabling. - The
cable management portion 2076 of eachtray 2012 may be defined by a frontcable management portion 2076 a and a rearcable management portion 2076 b. It should be noted that the front and rearcable management portions cable management portion 2076 a will be discussed herein for ease of description, with the understanding that all of the inventive features of the frontcable management portion 2076 a of a giventray 2012 are fully applicable to the rearcable management portion 2076 b. - Referring now to
FIGS. 71 and 76-78 , the frontcable management portion 2076 a is defined by aradius limiter 2124 that is located adjacent theside mounting portion 2074 of thetray 2012 and alink arm assembly 2126 made up of five cable management link arms 2128, which are attached between theradius limiter 2124 and the front of theend support 2044 of the tray assembly 2024. Theside mounting portion 2074 of thetray 2012 also includes removablecable management fingers 2144 that are snap fit over theradius limiters 2124 to manage the cables therearound. - In the depicted embodiment, the
cable management portion 2076 of thetrays 2012 are configured for top and side loading of the cables thereinto. As shown inFIGS. 71 and 76-78 , theradius limiter 2124 defines a generallycurved cable channel 2142 with the removably-mounted inwardly extendingcable management fingers 2144 for retaining cables once therein. In such an example, the cables can be top loaded into theradius limiter 2124 as they extend from the connection locations. - The link arms 2128 are configured to swing forwardly and out of the way for access to the front of the adapter block assembly 2120 when the
tray 2012 is pulled forwardly. When a technician is done accessing and/or loading the front connectors, thetray 2012 is pushed back to its original closed location. - The link arms 2128 are defined by five link arms that are pivotally coupled with respect to each other so as to define a limited pivotal movement therebetween. All of the link arms 128 include snap-fit coupling features defined, for example, by
cylindrical tabs 2148 on a firstmale end 2150 andcylindrical receptacles 2152 on an opposite secondfemale end 2154 for providing the pivotal movement. - The five link arms include a
first link arm 2128 a that is directly pivotally coupled to the front of theend support 2044 of the tray assembly 2024. Thefirst link arm 2128 a is pivotally connected to theend support 2044 such that it can move between a transverse position when thetray 2012 is closed to a longitudinal orientation when thetray 2012 is fully open, similar to the view shown inFIG. 22 . Acontact surface 2146 defined on thefirst link arm 2128 a prevents further movement of thefirst link arm 2128 a with respect to theend support 2044. Thenext link arm 2128 b of thelink arm assembly 2126 is configured to house anextension spring 2113 that is configured to bias thelink arm assembly 2126 and thus thetray 2012 to a closed position, as will be discussed in further detail below. - The next two
link arms 2128 c are configured to have the same shape as each other. Each of thesimilar link arms 2128 c are coupled back to back from thesecond link arm 2128 b toward afifth link arm 2128 d that is connected to theradius limiter 2124 of eachtray 2012. Each of the link arms 2128, as in thefirst link arm 2128 a, definescontact surfaces 2156 such that they are limited in their pivotal movement with respect to each other. For example, thelink arm 2128 b that is directly coupled to thefirst link arm 2128 a might define acontact surface 2156 to prevent further pivotal movement with respect thereto when thetray 2012 is fully open. Each of the link arms 2128, including thefirst link arm 2128 a, is designed such that regardless of position of the movingtray 2012, the cables contained therewithin will not violate the minimum bend radius requirements. - Referring now specifically to
FIGS. 76-78 , exploded views of a rightlink arm assembly 2126 and aleft link assembly 2126 are shown, illustrating the extension springs 2113 that are configured to bias thelink arm assemblies 2126 and thus thetrays 2012 to a closed position. In thelink arm assembly 2126, thelink arm 2128 b is configured to support aslidable spring mount 2115. Aspring mount cover 2117 captures theslidable spring mount 2115 against thelink arm 2128 b and snaps onto thelink arm 2128 b with snap-fit structures 2119. Thespring mount cover 2117 defines atrack 2121 along which theslidable spring mount 2115 can slide. Theextension spring 2113 is mounted between amount pin 2123 defined on theslidable spring mount 2115 and amount pin 2125 defined on the spring mount cover 2117 (please refer toFIG. 78 ). As theslidable spring mount 2115 slides away from thepin 2125 of thespring mount cover 2117, theextension spring 2113 is extended under a load. When at an extended position, thespring 2113 biases theslidable spring mount 2115 toward its initial position. Theslidable spring mount 2115 is linked to one of thelink arms 2128 c with aspring mount link 2129. Thespring mount link 2129 defines male snap-fit structures in the form ofpins 2131 that are received into female snap-fit structures in the form ofreceptacles 2133 that are provided both on theslidable spring mount 2115 and thelink arm 2128 c. - In this manner, when the
link arm 2128 b and thelink arm 2128 c pivot relative to each other, theslidable spring mount 2115 is slidably moved via thespring mount link 2129. As theslidable spring mount 2115 is moved with respect to thespring mount cover 2117 along itstrack 2121, thespring 2113 extends and is loaded with a biasing force. Thus, when thelink arms spring 2113 biases thelink arms link arm assembly 2126 back into thetray 2012. The initial pull provided by theextension spring 2113 facilitates moving thelink arm assembly 2126 and thetray 2012 back into thechassis 2010. Although only one of thelink arms 2128 b is used with theextension spring 2113, the twolink arms 2128 b are manufactured with the same features, includingreceptacles 2133 for receiving an end of thespring mount link 2129, for manufacturing efficiency purposes. Also, although only one of thelink arm assemblies 2126 has been described herein with respect to having anextension spring 2113, it should be noted that anextension spring 2113 is used on all four corners of thechassis 2010 to facilitate closing of the trays. - Referring now to
FIGS. 87-95 , another feature that facilitates the closing and opening of the link arm assemblies is illustrated. This feature, as illustrated inFIGS. 87-95 , includes acompression spring assembly 4115 that is configured to bias a first link arm away from the adjacent link arm attached thereto. It should be noted that thecompression spring assembly 4115 is shown with an alternative embodiment of alink assembly 4126 that has features similar to thelink assemblies 2126 discussed above. Thelink assembly 4126, which will be discussed in further detail below, includes certain additional features to that of thelink assembly 2126. - Still referring to
FIGS. 87-95 , thecompression spring assembly 4115 is configured bias thefirst link arm 4128 a away from thelink arm 4128 b so as to provide a generally 90-degree angle between the twoarms compression spring assembly 4115 facilitates closing and opening of thelink arm assembly 4126. During opening, thelink arm 4128 b applies a contact force on thespring assembly 4115, which in turn applies a force on thefirst link arm 4128 a to spread the two link arms apart to generally a 90-degree position to help establish a smooth opening motion for thearms link arm 4128 a applies a contact force onlink arm 4128 b through thecompression spring assembly 4115 and forces thelink arm 4128 b away fromlink arm 4128 a to start moving it in the closing direction. - As shown in the exploded view provided by
FIG. 89 , thecompression spring assembly 4115 includes aslider 4117 that is mounted within aspring housing 4119. Theslider 4117 is biased away from thespring housing 4119 via acompression spring 4113 that is captured between theslider 4117 and thespring housing 4119. Theslider 4117 defines a pair oftabs 4121 that slide within opposingtracks 4123 provided in thespring housing 4119. Theslider 4117 is limited in its movement away from thespring housing 4119 due tostops 4125 formed at the ends of thetracks 4123, which are contacted by thetabs 4121 of theslider 4117. Theslider 4117 and thespring housing 4119 include further guiding or keyingfeatures 4131, 4133 for slidably guiding theslider 4117 within thespring housing 4119. The spring housing is shown in isolation inFIGS. 90-92 and the slider is shown in isolation inFIGS. 93-95 . - The
spring housing 4119 includes snap-fit features 4127 for latching thespring housing 4119 to thefirst link arm 4128 a as shown inFIGS. 87-92 . The features provided on thefirst link arm 4128 a, such as snap-fit tabs 4129, are some of the differences provided on the alternative version of thelink assembly 4126 as compared to thelink assembly 2126 discussed earlier. Certain other differences for the version of thelink assembly 4126 will be discussed in further detail below. - Referring now back to
FIGS. 76-78 , according to one example embodiment, as shown inFIGS. 76-78 , all of the link arms 2128 (and link arms 4128) may be designed for top and side loading of the cable, whereincable management tabs 2158 might be located on theperipheral edges 2160. - The
first link arm 2128 a that is directly attached to one of the end supports 2044 of the tray assembly 2024 may be designed to hold structures such as fanouts, which are devices that transition fiber from one high-fiber-count cable to multiple single-fiber-count cables. - The version of the
link arm assembly 4126 that has features similar to linkarm assembly 2126, as shown inFIGS. 96-118 , is illustrated with such features designed to hold equipment such as fanouts. The features for holding equipment such as fanouts are some of the other differences provided on the alternative version of thelink assembly 4126 as compared to thelink assembly 2126 discussed above. - Still referring to
FIGS. 96-118 , in the version of thelink assembly 4126, thefirst link arm 4128 a includes features for holding different sized fanouts. In the depicted embodiment, thefirst link arm 4128 a includes features for holding two different sized fanouts. - In
FIGS. 96-100 , thefirst link arm 4128 a is shown with a pair of first fanouts 4141 (e.g., 2 mm fanouts). Thelink arm 4128 a may be provided withbumps 4143 on the top andbottom walls link arm 4128 a for accepting thefirst fanouts 4141 with a snap-fit interlock. Thefirst fanouts 4141 define cavities orslots 4149 for receiving thebumps 4143 located on the top andbottom walls first link arm 4128 a. As shown inFIGS. 96 and 97 , when the twofanouts 4141 are mounted, one is mounted at an angle to provide aspace 4151 forcables 4153 that are fanned out from therear fanout 4141. Thecables 4153 fanned out from therear fanout 4141 are able to pass by thefront fanout 4141 and are retained by cable management features 4160 defined by the periphery of thelink arm 4128 a. - Referring now to
FIGS. 101-104 , thefirst link arm 4128 a is shown with a pair ofsecond fanouts 4161. Thesecond fanouts 4161 depicted are 900 micron fanouts and are sized smaller than the 2 mmfirst fanouts 4141 discussed above. In mounting thesecond fanouts 4161, thefirst link arm 4128 a utilizes afanout holder 4155 that is configured to receive thesecond fanout 4161 with a snap-fit interlock and also latch to thefirst link arm 4128 a. - The
holder 4155 and thesecond fanout 4161 are shown in an exploded configuration inFIG. 105 . InFIGS. 106-111 , theholder 4155 and thesecond fanout 4161 are shown in a coupled arrangement. Theholder 4155 is shown in isolation inFIGS. 112-118 . - As noted, the
holder 4155 includesflexible cantilever arms 4157 both at the top and bottom sides of theholder 4155. Thecantilever arms 4157 include latchingtabs 4159 that are configured to snap intodetents 4162 provided on the top andbottom walls first link arm 4128 a. Theholder 4155 also includesflexible holding tabs 4164 for mounting thesecond fanout 4161 to theholder 4155. - Thus, with the use of a
holder 4155, thelink arm 4128 a is provided with features for accommodating two different types and sizes of fanouts. - Referring now back to
FIGS. 76-78 , in an example cable routing configuration, cables may lead from both the front and rear connection locations of atray 2012 through theradius limiters 2124 and through each of thelink arms first link arm 2128 a before being directed out of thechassis 2010. As noted above, the front link arm assembly 2126 a and the rear link arm assembly 2126 b are configured to move simultaneously together to manage the cable slack as thetrays 2012 are pulled out from either direction. - Referring now to
FIGS. 70, 71, and 71A , thecable management portion 2076 of thetrays 2012 may also include snap-oncable retainers 2005 located at the main connection portion of eachtray 2012 that extend toward the front and the back of the trays. Thecable retainers 2005 may include snap-fit features for coupling to acentral divider portion 2164 of thetrays 2012. Thecable retainers 2005 are configured to hold or retain cables extending from the connection locations toward thelink arm assemblies 2126. - Referring for example to
FIGS. 75, 79, and 80 , as discussed for previous embodiments, in accordance with some aspects, certain types of adapters that are mounted to thetrays 2012 in the form of adapter block assemblies may be configured to collect physical layer information from one or more fiber optic connectors received thereat. For example, certain types of adapters of the adapter block assemblies may include a body configured to hold one or more media reading interfaces that are configured to engage memory contacts on the fiber optic connectors. One or more media reading interfaces may be positioned in the adapter body. In certain implementations, the adapter body may define slots extending between an exterior of the adapter body and an internal passage in which the ferrules of the connectors are received. - Certain types of media reading interfaces may include one or more contact members that are positioned in the slots. A portion of each contact member may extend into a respective one of the passages to engage memory contacts on a fiber optic connector. Another portion of each contact member may also extend out of the slot to contact a circuit board that may be positioned on the adapter block assembly. As noted, portions of the
tray 2012 and thechassis 2010 may define conductive paths that are configured to connect the media reading interfaces of the adapters with a main controller orPCB 2036 of thechassis 2010, which can further communicate with a controller of the rack 40 that is housing thechassis 2010. - The
main controller 2036 of thechassis 2010 or the controller of the rack 40 may include or connect (e.g., over a network) to a processing unit that is configured to manage physical layer information obtained by the media reading interfaces. - According to the depicted example embodiment, on each
tray 2012, once a technician attaches an adapter block assembly using snap features on thetray 2012, the adapter block assemblies may plug into the network as discussed above. For such managedpanels 2010, for example, the printed circuit boards of the adapter block assemblies may connect to thetray 2012 usingmulti-pin connectors 2162 on thetray 2012 as shown inFIGS. 75 and 79 . Themulti-pin connectors 2162 on thetray 12 may be attached to the flexible circuit formed by theribbon cable 2046 that routes to thecentral PCB 2028 within thepanel 2010. As shown, the conductive pathway from themulti-pin connectors 2162 to theribbon cable 2046 is provided by a printedcircuit board 2048 that is located at thecentral divider portion 2164 of thetray 2012 and also by aportion 2045 of theflexible ribbon cable 2046 that is positioned horizontally along therear side 2166 of themain connection portion 2070 of thetray 2012. The printedcircuit board 2048 and thehorizontal portion 2045 of theribbon cable 2046 are preferably mounted flush withinrecesses 2168 provided on thecentral divider 2164 and therear side 2166 of themain connection portion 2070 of thetray 2012. - A
tray PCB cover 2001 may be snapped on to the tray to protect the printedcircuit board 2048 and thehorizontal portion 2045 of theribbon cable 2046, as shown inFIGS. 71 and 71A . - The
portion 2045 of the flexible circuit or ribbon cable that is positioned horizontally along therear side 2166 is provided with a twist to position it vertically as it passes from thecenter mounting portion 2072 of thetray 2012 to theslide assembly 2021. Thevertical portion 2047 of the ribbon cable passes through aslot 2135 located adjacent the rear end of thecenter mounting portion 2072 of thetray 2012 to the opposite side of thecenter mounting portion 2072 of thetray 2012. As discussed previously, theportion 2047 of theribbon cable 2046, which is provided in a vertical orientation, may then be looped within theslide assembly 2021 of thetray 2012 as shown inFIGS. 72, 73, and 79 . Thevertical portion 2047 of theribbon cable 2046 is configured to move within theslide assembly 2021 to allow thetray 2012 to travel back and forth without disrupting the communication through theribbon cable 2046 between thecentral PCB 2028 andtray PCB 2048. - As shown in
FIG. 73 , once theribbon cable 2046 exits thecenter mounting portion 2072 of thetray 2012 and enters thecenter rail 2023, theribbon cable 2046 runs toward the front of thecenter rail 2023 and is positioned between thecenter mounting portion 2072 of thetray 2012 and the right side of thedivider wall 2085 of thecenter rail 2023. Once lead around thefirst gear wheel 2051 a, theribbon cable 2046 is directed toward the rear of thecenter rail 2023 and is positioned at the left side of the divider wall 2085 (between thedivider wall 2085 and therightmost wall 2045 of the mounting rail 2025 (please seeFIG. 73 ). As thetray 2012 is moved back and forth with respect to thechassis 2010 via theslide assembly 2021, any slack within theribbon cable 2046 is taken up by thefirst gear wheel 2051 a, which acts as a pulley for theribbon cable 2046. - The portion of the
ribbon cable 2046 that resides within theflex pocket 2075 of the mountingrail 2025 remains generally stationary while the portions of theribbon cable 2046 that are located at both sides of thedivider wall 2085 of thecenter rail 2023 move back and forth as thetray 2012 moves back and forth. As discussed previously, anend 2172 of theribbon cable 2046 that is within theflex pocket 2075 connects to themicro slide PCB 2057 housed within theLED mount 2055 of the mountingrail 2025 of theslide assembly 2021. When atray 2012 is slidably mounted to themounting block 2042 and is locked in via thelock lever 2019, thetray 2012 establishes electrical communication with thecentral PCB 2028 via card-edge-style connections between themicro slide PCB 2057 and thefront extensions 2069 of thecentral PCB 2028. - As noted above, the micro slide PCB's 2057 of the
slide assemblies 2021 may use indicators such asLEDs 2030 on both the front 2032 and back 2034 of thepanel 2010 to communicate to a technician whichtray 2012 should be accessed. Thecentral PCB 2028 then may connect to the main PCB orcontroller 2036 of thechassis 2010, which is housed within theend support 2044 of the tray assembly 2024. The connection is made via thetop PCB 2050 that runs along thetop cover 2018 of thepanel 2010 into theend support 2044. Thetop PCB 2050 is configured to extend to thebackplane PCB 2066 located toward the rear of thechannel 2062 via a card-edge-style connection. Themain controller 2036 is accessible to the technician by removing a removablefront end cap 2064 of theapplicable end support 2044. Themain controller 2036 may also use a card-edge-style connection at its opposite rear end to connect to thebackplane PCB 2066, allowing themain controller 2036 to be a field-replaceable device. Themain controller 2036 is configured to communicate to a higher-level managed connectivity rack or frame 40 via a connection on the side of thepanel 2010. Themain controller 2036 of thepanel 2010 may be powered via another connection on the side of thepanel 2010. - The
right end support 2044 is shown in an exploded configuration inFIG. 68 to illustrate the removability feature of theend cap 2064. Theend cap 2064 includes anend cap lever 2137 that needs to be pulled toward the front of thechassis 2010 when removing theend cap 2064. Thelever 2137 slides within anaperture 2139 defined by anend cap cover 2241 that is used to capture thelever 2137 against theend cap 2064. Thelever 2137 defines a pair ofangled pin tracks 2141 that are configured to receive thepins 2143 of two opposinglocking tabs 2145. The lockingtabs 2145 include tapered locking ends 2147 that are configured to snap into upper andlower notches 2149 defined onextensions 2151 provided on theend support 2044. The tapered ends 2147 need to be cleared off thenotches 2149 to pull theend cap 2064 forwardly and remove it from theend support 2044. As shown inFIG. 69 , when thelever 2137 is pulled toward thefront 2032 of thechassis 2010, the lockingtabs 2145 are pulled toward thelever 2137. The tapered ends 2147 that are snapped into thenotches 2149 are pulled out of thenotches 2149 due to the interaction of thepins 2143 and thetracks 2141 and theend cap 2064 can be removed from theend support 2044. Aspring 2153 biases thelever 2137 rearwardly, to keep the lockingtabs 2145 in a locking position. When thelever 2137 is pulled forwardly, thelever 2137 is pulled against the bias of thespring 2153. - Once the
main controller 2036 has been inserted into theend support 2044, theend cap 2064 can be slidably re-inserted onto theend support 2044, with theextensions 2151 of theend support 2044 slidably fitting intoguides 2155 defined on theend cap 2064. The tapered ends 2147 of thelocking tabs 2145 contact theextensions 2151 and eventually clear theextensions 2151 under the bias of thespring 2153 until they snap into thenotches 2149 defined on theextensions 2151. - It should be noted that in the depicted embodiment, only the
front end cap 2064 of theright end support 2044 has been provided with features to make it removable. A similarend cap cover 2141 may be used on all four corners of thechassis 2010 for efficiency in manufacturing. - Although in the foregoing description, terms such as “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “back,” “right,” “left,” “upper,” and “lower” were used for ease of description and illustration, no restriction is intended by such use of the terms. The telecommunications devices described herein can be used in any orientation, depending upon the desired application.
- Having described the preferred aspects and embodiments of the present invention, modifications and equivalents of the disclosed concepts may readily occur to one skilled in the art. However, it is intended that such modifications and equivalents be included within the scope of the claims which are appended hereto.
Claims (25)
1. A fiber optic telecommunications device comprising:
a telecommunications chassis for mounting on a telecommunications frame;
the chassis including:
a plurality of fiber optic trays slidably mounted on the chassis, the fiber optic trays arranged in a vertically stacked arrangement, each fiber optic tray slidable between a closed storage position and an open access position, each fiber optic tray including:
fiber optic connection locations for connecting cables to be routed through the telecommunications frame; and
a cable manager coupled at a first end to the fiber optic tray and coupled at a second end to the telecommunications chassis, the cable manager configured for routing cables to and from the fiber optic connection locations, the cable manager defining a plurality of link arms that are pivotally connected to each other such that the cable manager retracts and extends with a corresponding movement of the tray as the link arms pivot with respect to each other, wherein the link arms are configured to pivot relative to each other to prevent fiber optic cables managed therein from being bent in an arc having a radius of curvature that is less than a predetermined value during the movement of the tray, each link arm defining a top wall, a bottom wall, and two oppositely positioned sidewalls, wherein each link arm defines an open portion along at least one of the sidewalls and an open portion along the top wall for receiving fiber optic cables therein, the open portions along the top wall and the at least one of the sidewalls communicating with each other.
2. A fiber optic telecommunications device according to claim 1 , wherein at least two of the pivotally connected link arms include a compression spring therebetween to bias the link arms away from each other.
3. A fiber optic telecommunications device according to claim 1 , wherein the chassis includes three slidable fiber optic trays arranged in a vertically stacked arrangement, each chassis occupying a 1RU of standard telecommunications rack space.
4. A fiber optic telecommunications device according to claim 3 , wherein the chassis includes three slidable fiber optic trays arranged in a vertically stacked arrangement on a right side of the chassis and three slidable fiber optic trays arranged in a vertically stacked arrangement on a left side of the chassis, each chassis occupying a 1RU of standard telecommunications rack space.
5. A fiber optic telecommunications device according to claim 1 , wherein the chassis includes twelve slidable fiber optic trays arranged in a vertically stacked arrangement, each chassis occupying a 4RU of standard telecommunications rack space.
6. A fiber optic telecommunications device according to claim 5 , wherein the chassis includes twelve slidable fiber optic trays arranged in a vertically stacked arrangement on a right side of the chassis and twelve slidable fiber optic trays arranged in a vertically stacked arrangement on a left side of the chassis, each chassis occupying a 4RU of standard telecommunications rack space.
7. A fiber optic telecommunications device according to claim 1 , wherein the connection locations are defined by fiber optic adapters.
8. A fiber optic telecommunications device according to claim 7 , wherein each adapter includes electrical contacts that are configured to make an electrical connection with a fiber optic connector inserted into the adapter, the electrical contacts communicating with a controller mounted on the chassis, wherein the controller mounted on the chassis is configured to electrically communicate with a connector mounted on the telecommunications frame.
9. A fiber optic telecommunications device according to claim 7 , wherein the fiber optic adapters are mounted to the trays with a snap-fit interlock.
10. A fiber optic telecommunications device according to claim 7 , wherein the fiber optic adapters are LC-format adapters.
11. (canceled)
12. A fiber optic telecommunications device according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of fiber optic trays are removable from the telecommunications chassis via a flexible lever.
13. A fiber optic telecommunications device according to claim 1 , wherein each tray is mounted on the chassis via a slide assembly that includes a gear mechanism.
14. A fiber optic telecommunications device according to claim 13 , wherein the slide assembly houses a flexible printed circuit board that flexes as the tray moves back and forth, the flexible printed circuit board configured to relay information from the fiber optic connection locations on the tray to other parts of the chassis.
15. A fiber optic telecommunications device according to claim 14 , wherein the flexible printed circuit board relays information from the fiber optic connection locations on the tray to a central printed circuit board of the chassis, wherein the connection from a the flexible printed circuit board to the central printed circuit board is made through removable micro printed circuit board that is removably mounted within the slide assembly.
16. A fiber optic telecommunications device according to claim 15 , wherein the micro printed circuit board includes at least one light-emitting diode to identify a particular tray.
17. A fiber optic telecommunications device according to claim 1 , wherein the link arms are pivotally coupled with respect to each other so as to define a limited pivotal movement therebetween, wherein at least some of the link arms include snap-fit coupling features defined by cylindrical tabs on a first male end and cylindrical receptacles on an opposite second female end for providing the pivotal movement therebetween.
18. A fiber optic telecommunications device according to claim 1 , wherein the chassis includes at least one pivot door with a spring-loaded latching mechanism for allowing and limiting access to the plurality of fiber optic trays slidably mounted on the chassis.
19.-36. (canceled)
37. A fiber optic telecommunications tray comprising:
first and second slide portions for slidably mounting the tray to a telecommunications fixture and a connection portion located between the first and second slide portions;
fiber optic connection locations defined by the connection portion of the tray for connecting cables; and
a cable manager coupled at a first end to the fiber optic tray and defining a second end for coupling to the telecommunications fixture receiving the tray, the cable manager configured for routing cables to and from the fiber optic connection locations, the cable manager defining a plurality of link arms that are pivotally connected to each other such that the cable manager retracts and extends with a corresponding movement of the tray with respect to the fixture as the link arms pivot with respect to each other, wherein the link arms are configured to pivot relative to each other to prevent fiber optic cables managed therein from being bent in an arc having a radius of curvature that is less than a predetermined value during the movement of the tray, each link arm defining a top wall, a bottom wall, and two oppositely positioned sidewalls, wherein each link arm defines an open portion along at least one of the sidewalls and an open portion along the top wall for receiving fiber optic cables therein, the open portions along the top wall and the at least one of the sidewalls communicating with each other.
38. A fiber optic telecommunications tray according to claim 37 , wherein at least two of the pivotally connected link arms include a compression spring therebetween to bias the link arms away from each other.
39. A fiber optic telecommunications tray according to claim 37 , wherein the connection locations are defined by fiber optic adapters.
40. A fiber optic telecommunications tray according to claim 39 , wherein the fiber optic adapters are mounted to the tray with a snap-fit interlock.
41. A fiber optic telecommunications tray according to claim 39 , wherein the fiber optic adapters are LC-format adapters.
42. (canceled)
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US201361843977P | 2013-07-09 | 2013-07-09 | |
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US15/363,016 US9810869B2 (en) | 2013-02-05 | 2016-11-29 | Slidable telecommunications tray with cable slack management |
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US18/055,653 US20230146432A1 (en) | 2013-02-05 | 2022-11-15 | Slidable telecommunications tray with cable slack management |
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US18/055,653 Abandoned US20230146432A1 (en) | 2013-02-05 | 2022-11-15 | Slidable telecommunications tray with cable slack management |
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US14/830,009 Active US9523833B2 (en) | 2013-02-05 | 2015-08-19 | Slidable telecommunications tray with cable slack management |
US15/363,016 Active US9810869B2 (en) | 2013-02-05 | 2016-11-29 | Slidable telecommunications tray with cable slack management |
US15/802,083 Expired - Fee Related US10209471B2 (en) | 2013-02-05 | 2017-11-02 | Slidable telecommunications tray with cable slack management |
US16/273,691 Active US10732371B2 (en) | 2013-02-05 | 2019-02-12 | Slidable telecommunications tray with cable slack management |
US16/935,907 Active US11073672B2 (en) | 2013-02-05 | 2020-07-22 | Slidable telecommunications tray with cable slack management |
US17/384,473 Active US11506854B2 (en) | 2013-02-05 | 2021-07-23 | Slidable telecommunications tray with cable slack management |
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JP (1) | JP2016505175A (en) |
KR (1) | KR20150114990A (en) |
CN (1) | CN105074526B (en) |
AU (1) | AU2014215059A1 (en) |
BR (1) | BR112015018718A2 (en) |
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- 2014-02-05 KR KR1020157023819A patent/KR20150114990A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
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KR20150114990A (en) | 2015-10-13 |
MX2015010170A (en) | 2016-03-31 |
US9523833B2 (en) | 2016-12-20 |
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US20140248028A1 (en) | 2014-09-04 |
WO2014124001A3 (en) | 2014-10-30 |
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CL2015002192A1 (en) | 2016-01-08 |
US10209471B2 (en) | 2019-02-19 |
CN105074526B (en) | 2018-07-20 |
US10732371B2 (en) | 2020-08-04 |
CN105074526A (en) | 2015-11-18 |
EP2954363A2 (en) | 2015-12-16 |
US9810869B2 (en) | 2017-11-07 |
US20210382256A1 (en) | 2021-12-09 |
US20160103289A1 (en) | 2016-04-14 |
BR112015018718A2 (en) | 2017-08-22 |
JP2016505175A (en) | 2016-02-18 |
US20180188466A1 (en) | 2018-07-05 |
US20210003799A1 (en) | 2021-01-07 |
WO2014124001A2 (en) | 2014-08-14 |
AU2014215059A1 (en) | 2015-08-20 |
US11073672B2 (en) | 2021-07-27 |
US20190250353A1 (en) | 2019-08-15 |
US9128262B2 (en) | 2015-09-08 |
EP2954363A4 (en) | 2016-08-03 |
US20170146762A1 (en) | 2017-05-25 |
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