US 7,991,145 B2 · Drive and positioning method and system for automated switch matrix

Abstract

A method and system for automating a switch matrix board for cross-connecting any line in a set of input lines to any line in a set of output lines, to be used e.g. in automating cross-connects for line pairs in a central office main distribution frame (MDF) of a telecommunication network. The switch matrix (100) comprises a plurality of contact sledges (130) driven by a plurality of sledge positioning screws (120) that slidably engage a plurality of main contact pads (110) to cross-connect the lines. In an embodiment of the invention, two electric motors cooperate to position a lateral drive gear (158) to engage and rotate a selected sledge positioning screw (120), which moves the contact sledge. In another embodiment, a single electric motor operates together with a magnetic clutch assembly (180) to position the lateral drive gear to rotate the sledge positioning screw (120). A controller unit is connected to a position detection system and to the motors to accurately position the contact sledge (130) on the switch matrix board.

Claims14

Dependent claims

An automated switching apparatus for electrically cross-connecting any line or lines in a set of input lines to any line or lines in a set of output lines, said apparatus comprising:

a switch matrix comprising a plurality of sliding contact means for selectively connecting any of the input lines to any of the output lines;
drive means for moving the contact means on the switching apparatus;
position detection means for detecting the position of the contact means on the switching apparatus;
and
control means connected to said drive means and to said position detection means for accurately moving the contact means to a desired position on the switching apparatus wherein,
said switch matrix includes a plurality of electrically conducting main contact pads disposed thereon and arranged in a plurality of contact trains, and
said contact means includes a set of main contact springs that are slidably engageable with said main contact pads for cross-connecting the lines, and
said switch matrix further comprises a first and a second set of detector pads disposed thereon in proximity with said contact trains, and wherein
the contact means further includes corresponding sets of detector springs that are slidably engageable with said first and second set of detector pads for detecting the precise position of the contact means.

6 more elements

A method of automating a switch matrix apparatus for cross-connecting a line or lines in a set of input lines to any line or lines in a set of output lines, said switch matrix comprising a plurality of electrically conducting contact pads disposed thereon, a plurality of contact means driven by a plurality of corresponding contact means positioning screws such that the contact means are slidably engageable with the contact pads for cross-connecting the lines, and position detection means for detecting the position of the contact means on the switch matrix, the method comprising the steps of:

displacing the contact means to engage a predetermined set of contact pads by rotating the contact means positioning screw;
detecting the position of the contact means;
and
adjusting, if necessary, the position of the contact means based on the detected position, wherein
the contact means is accurately positioned on the switch matrix by control means in communication with the position detection means and an electric motor or motors divining the positioning screws, and
the contact means further includes corresponding sets of detector springs that are slidably engageable with a first and a set of detector pads for detecting the precise position of the contact means.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Drive and positioning method and system for automated switch matrix

Life of this patent

Drive and positioning method and system for automated switch matrix

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims14