Connection panel and methods for decreasing service time for server rack network devices

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9722381-B1
Application number	US-201514589893-A
Country	US
Kind code	B1
Filing date	Jan 5, 2015
Priority date	Jan 5, 2015
Publication date	Aug 1, 2017
Grant date	Aug 1, 2017

Abstract

A connection panel for enabling quick change over of a network device comprises a body and an engaging device. An exterior side of the body has multiple sockets, each of which can receive a plug connector. The panel is configured for positioning at one end of a rack space for the network device. The panel's interior side has first network device connections configured to mate with second network device connections on the network device. The engaging device has at least one member extending between the network device and the panel, and is repositionable between at least an engaged position in which the network device is moved towards and mechanically coupled to the panel with the second network device connections urged into engagement with and electrically connected to the first connections, and a disengaged position in which the network device is disengaged from the panel and removable from the rack space.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A connection panel for enabling quick change over of plug connectors for a server rack-mounted network device, comprising:
a body having an exterior side, an interior side and upper and lower sides extending between the exterior side and the interior side and defining a depth of the body, the exterior side having multiple sockets, each of the sockets being configured to receive a plug connector inserted from the exterior side, wherein at least some of the sockets extend through the depth of the body from the exterior side to the interior side to define interior socket openings from which respective plug connector ends protrude beyond the interior side, and wherein at least some of the sockets have a recess defined within the body and spaced from the exterior side and the interior side, the recess being shaped to receive a retention element on an inserted plug connector, and
the connection panel being configured for positioning stationarily at one end of a server rack space for the server rack-mounted network device with the interior side facing the server rack-mounted network device and the plug connector ends aligned with corresponding network device connections on the server rack-mounted network device; and
a panel engaging device recess shaped to receive a panel engaging device extending between the server rack-mounted network device and the panel, the panel engaging device recess being configured to cooperate in moving the server rack-mounted network device by camming action towards the panel and into engagement with the protruding plug connectors.

2. The connection panel of claim 1 , wherein the connection panel comprises at least one first alignment feature configured to cooperate with a corresponding second alignment feature on the server rack-mounted network device when the server rack-mounted network device is moved from the second disengaged position to the first engaged position.

3. The connection panel of claim 1 , wherein the panel engaging device comprises at least one ramming member that is manually actuatable from the network device to move the server rack-mounted network device between the engaged position and the disengaged position.

4. The connection panel of claim 1 , further comprising at least one male power socket defined in the exterior side of the panel and a corresponding female power connection at the interior side of the panel.

5. The connection panel of claim 1 , wherein the server rack-mounted network device is a top of rack switch.

6. The connection panel of claim 1 , further comprising at least two guide pins extending from the interior side of the connection panel, the guide pins being positioned to be received in corresponding guide pin sockets on the server rack-mounted network device and having a protruding length greater than the plug connector ends such that the guide pins are received in the guide pin sockets before the plug connector ends are received in the server rack-mounted network device as the server rack-mounted network device is moved into the engaged position.

7. The connection panel of claim 1 , wherein at least some of the sockets on the exterior side of the panel have internal electrical connections extending within the body to circuit board connectors protruding from the interior side.

8. The connection panel of claim 7 , wherein the circuit board connectors are edge connectors formed at ends of circuit board sections.

9. The connection panel of claim 1 , wherein at least some of the sockets on the exterior side of the panel are configured to receive SFP+-type connectors.

Assignees

• Amazon Tech Inc

Inventors

• Moen Michael Jon
• Wishman Max Jesse

Classifications

• H01R43/26

  for engaging or disengaging the two parts of a coupling device (structural association with two-part coupling device H01R13/629) · CPC title

• H01R13/73

  Means for mounting coupling parts to apparatus or structures, e.g. to a wall · CPC title

• H01R24/76 Primary

  with sockets, clips or analogous contacts and secured to apparatus or structure, e.g. to a wall · CPC title

• H01R33/88 Primary

  adapted for simultaneous co-operation with two or more identical counterparts · CPC title

• H05K7/1447

  External wirings; Wiring ducts; Laying cables · CPC title