Module for selection of power source

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to the field of telecommunications and ore particularly to a power source selection module.

BACKGROUND

Telecommunication networks carry various types of information, e.g., voice, data, or video, between user equipment at diverse locations. A typical telecommunications network includes many components or modules that work together to make a connection between user equipment. For example, a telecommunications network typically includes terminals, access equipment, transport media, switches and other conventional equipment used to create connections for users.

A wide variety of transport media are used in telecommunications networks. Some of these transport media include fiber optic cables, conventional twisted pair lines, coaxial cables, microwave links and infrared links. Access equipment such as service units at a subscriber's location are often designed to receive information over one of the transport media. Further, in some systems, power is provided to components of the access equipment over the transport media. In other systems, power is provided to the access equipment via power at the subscriber's location or battery power. A service technician who travels to a user's location typically accomplishes installation of access equipment. The technician must be equipped to work with the variety of systems that exist from location to location in the network.

Service providers are burdened with stocking and in some instances manufacturing as well as stocking components for their access equipment designed for each transport medium. In addition, service personnel installing the components for the access equipment are required to have readily available components for the access equipment that are designed for use with each transport medium.

For the reasons stated above, and for other reasons stated below which will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the present specification, there is a need in the art for multimode components for access equipment that works with a variety of transport media in telecommunications systems.

SUMMARY

The above mentioned problems with interfacing with multiple transmission media in telecommunications systems and other problems are addressed by embodiments of the present invention and will be understood by reading and studying the following specification. A power selection switch is provided which allows power input from more than one power source and selection between those power sources.

In one embodiment, a sliding power switch is provided. A sliding power switch has been described. The switch includes a power interface module having a first power port, a second power port and a third power port. The switch also includes a shunt adapted to engage with the power interface module in a first position so as to provide a first electrical path from one of the first, second, and third power ports to another one of the first, second, and third power ports and a second position so as to provide a second electrical path from one of the first, second, and third power ports to another of the first, second, and third power ports. The switch further includes a shunt retainer coupled to the shunt and adapted to aid in placing and removing the shunt from the first and second positions and a slide actuator adapted to engage with and enable the shunt retainer to slide from the first position to the second position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1

is an illustration of the components of one embodiment of a sliding power switch according to the teachings of this invention.

FIG. 2

is an illustration of a power interface module for one embodiment of a sliding power switch according to the teachings of this invention.

FIG. 3

is an illustration of a wiring diagram of one embodiment of a power interface module according to the teachings of this invention.

FIG. 4

is an illustration of one embodiment of an integrated service unit that includes one embodiment of a sliding power switch according to the teachings of this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific illustrative embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical, mechanical and electrical changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.

FIG. 1

is an exploded, perspective view that illustrates components of one embodiment of a sliding power switch, shown generally at

100

, constructed according to the teachings of this invention. Power switch

100

is a module for selection of a power source. Power switch

100

includes a sliding engagement mechanism that allows one of two inputs to be connected to an output. In one embodiment, power switch

100

couples to an integrated services unit and enables selection between two power sources.

Power switch

100

includes a power interface module

107

having a first power port

170

, a second power port

122

and a third power port

151

. In one embodiment, first power port

170

is a power input, second power port

122

is a combined power input and power output, and third power port

151

is a power output. In one embodiment, power interface module

107

comprises a printed circuit board, a wire-wrap board, or the like. In one embodiment, power ports

170

,

122

and

151

each comprise one of terminals, screw terminals, insulation displacing connectors, binding posts, pins, screws, plugs, jacks, sockets, contact points, or the like. It is understood that first, second and third power ports

170

,

122

and

151

may include one of a power input, a power output, or a combined power input and power output based on the application.

In one embodiment, power port

151

comprises a set of three poles. The three poles of power port

151

provide an output for power input via power port

170

, in a first mode. And provides an output for power input via power port

122

, in a second mode. In another embodiment, power input via power port

170

is output via power port

122

, in a first mode and power input via power port

122

is output via power port

151

in a second mode.

In one embodiment, power interface module

107

includes a first header

160

and a second header

162

. Headers

160

and

162

comprise pins that are electrically coupled to power interface module

107

. In one embodiment, the pins of header

160

are configured in a first orientation and the pins of header

162

are configured in a second orientation. For example, in one embodiment, header

160

includes 6 pins configured into 3 columns with 2 pins per each column and header

162

includes 4 pins configured into 2 columns with two pins per each column. In one embodiment, each header

160

and

162

is set in a configuration capable of accommodating up to 6 pins each.

In one embodiment, power switch

100

includes shunt

106

. In one embodiment, shunt

106

engages with power interface module

107

via headers

160

and

162

. Shunt

106

includes receptacles that receive the pins of headers

160

and

162

. In one embodiment, shunt

106

is a multi-position shunt and engages with different headers. In one embodiment, shunt

106

separately engages with headers

160

and

162

. In one embodiment, shunt

106

engages with different headers, each header having pins with a different pin configuration. The pins of header

160

and

162

are configured so that when coupled to a shunt, such as shunt

106

, power is allowed to flow through header

160

or

162

, respectively. For example, in one embodiment, header

160

includes six pins configured into three columns of two pins and when engaged with a shunt, such as shunt

106

, power input via power port

170

is allowed to flow to power port

151

. In one embodiment, headers

160

and

162

each comprise receptacles instead of pins and shunt

106

comprises pins instead of receptacles.

When shunt

106

is engaged with power interface module

107

via header

160

, a first electrical path is formed between, e.g. a pair of input terminals of power port

170

and power port

122

. When shunt

106

is engaged with power interface module

107

via header

162

, a second electrical path is formed between, e.g. power port

122

and power port

151

.

In one embodiment, power switch

100

includes a shunt retainer

105

and a slide actuator

103

. The shunt retainer

105

retains shunt

106

and aids in engaging shunt

106

with headers

160

and

162

of power interface module

107

. In one embodiment, shunt retainer

105

includes an extended portion

110

that extends through a slot

109

of slide actuator

103

. The extended portion

110

aids in placing shunt

106

in contact with power interface module

107

and also aids in removing or disconnecting shunt

106

from power interface module

107

. The extended portion

110

of shunt retainer

105

is designed with one or more of a lip, a groove, an indent and/or a set of curves, that aids in grasping the shunt retainer

105

with fingertips or a tool such as tweezers, pliers, pincers or the like. In one embodiment, shunt retainer

105

includes a slot adapted to receive a flat head screwdriver. In one embodiment, the slot includes a fulcrum that aids in leveraging the screwdriver. In one embodiment, the extended portion

110

includes a set of grooves and an edge that allow shunt retainer

105

to be grasped with fingertips. In one embodiment, pulling out on the shunt retainer

105

and pushing in on the shunt retainer

105

, respectively, accomplish engaging and disengaging the shunt

106

with power interface module

107

. Slot

109

of slide actuator

103

acts as a guide and allows the extended portion

110

of shunt retainer

105

to move in and out as it engages and disengages with power interface module

107

. In one embodiment, extended portion

110

is secured in place when shunt

106

is engaged with headers

160

or

162

via a rise such as a bump on extended portion

110

that mates together with a dimple, indent or groove on the inside of slot

109

. In one embodiment, slot

109

is only large enough for the extended portion

110

of shunt retainer

105

to slide in and out but not through slot

109

. Slot

109

prohibits shunt retainer

105

from being completely removed from power switch

100

. By keeping the shunt retainer

105

captive there are no loose parts to be easily lost.

In one embodiment, slide actuator

103

guides shunt retainer

105

, once the shunt

106

is fully disengaged from power interface module

107

, in moving or sliding between headers

160

and

162

. In one embodiment, slide actuator

103

includes a horizontal surface that extends to cover and restrict access or disable the pair of input terminals of power port

170

when slid from header

160

to header

162

. In one embodiment, the horizontal surface of slide actuator

103

extends to cover and restrict access or disable the pair of test terminals

130

-

1

and

130

-

2

when slid from header

162

to header

160

.

In one embodiment, power switch

100

further includes a housing comprised of a bottom portion

101

and a top portion

102

. The top and bottom portions

102

and

101

fit together to form an enclosure around power interface module

107

. The housing allows access to the three poles of power port

151

, the pair of input terminals of power port

170

, shunt retainer

105

and power port

122

. In one embodiment, top portion

102

of the housing includes a pair of testing slots

130

-

1

and

130

-

2

. In one embodiment, top portion

102

of the housing is labeled to indicate the hot and return paths for the pair of input terminals of power port

170

. In another embodiment, top portion

102

of the housing is labeled to indicate hot

130

-

1

and return

130

-

2

test slots. In one embodiment, top portion

102

of the housing is labeled to indicate that the pair of test slots

130

-

1

and

130

-

2

is for coaxial power.

In one embodiment, the horizontal surface of slide actuator

103

includes labels that indicate that slide actuator

103

is in a first position or a second position. When shunt retainer

105

fully disengages shunt

106

from header

160

or

162

slide actuator

103

moves retainer

105

over headers

160

and

162

. When slide actuator

103

moves from a first position over header

160

to a second position over header

162

a first label is revealed while a second label is hidden and when slide actuator

103

moves from the second position to the first position, the second label is revealed as the first label is hidden. The first and second labels indicate which electrical path is being activated. Top portion

102

of the housing hides the labels. In one embodiment, top portion

102

includes a cut out that is aligned with the horizontal surface of slide actuator

103

so that the first label is hidden while the other label is revealed and vice versa.

In one embodiment, slide actuator

103

is labeled to indicate that power switch

100

is providing power from coaxial cabling and is also labeled to indicate that power switch

100

is providing power from twisted pair wiring. In one embodiment, the labeling is comprised of “COAX” and “TWP” indicating power from coaxial cabling and twisted pair wiring, respectively. Only the label indicating which position or type of power being utilized is visible at one time. The other label is not visible so that a mistake in wiring is prohibited.

In one embodiment, power switch

100

includes an actuator retainer

104

that is formed to provide the slide actuator

103

a platform to move from the first position to the second position and vice versa. The actuator retainer

104

acts as a guide for slide actuator

103

, shunt

106

and shunt retainer

105

. Actuator retainer

104

engages with power interface module

107

so that headers

160

and

162

extend into a first compartment

108

and a second compartment

118

of retainer

104

, respectively. In one embodiment, retainer

104

includes a divider

128

that extends between the first and second compartments

108

and

118

that prohibits shunt

106

from engaging with the power interface module

107

in positions other than with header

160

or header

162

individually. For example, the divider

128

prohibits shunt

106

from engaging with a portion of the pins of header

160

and a portion of the pins of header

162

. In addition, divider

128

and the first and second compartments

108

and

118

aid in prohibiting the pins of header

160

and

162

from being bent or damaged when moving the shunt

106

from the first position to the second position or vice versa.

In one embodiment, actuator retainer

104

provides a pair of test slot guides

141

-

1

and

141

-

2

leading from the test slots

130

-

1

and

130

-

2

in the housing to power port

122

of power interface module

107

. In one embodiment, actuator retainer

104

is formed to aid in securing the power interface module

107

, the shunt retainer

105

, and the slide actuator

103

inside of the housing. The actuator retainer

104

is formed with grooves, notches, insets that match or mate with power interface module

107

, shunt retainer

105

, slide actuator

103

and the housing in order to hold these components securely in place.

In one embodiment, the housing that is comprised of the top portion

102

and the bottom portion

101

mated together is environmentally protected from moisture. In one embodiment, the housing is environmentally protected from ultra-violet degradation. In one embodiment, the top and bottom portions

101

and

102

of the housing are made of polyester. In one embodiment, the housing, the slide actuator

103

, the shunt retainer

105

and the actuator retainer

104

are made of polyester. In one embodiment, the polyester is VALOX 357U.

In one embodiment, sliding power switch

100

is operable from −40 to +85 degrees Celsius. In another embodiment, sliding power switch

100

is operable from −35 to +65 degrees Celsius.

FIG. 2

is an illustration of a power interface module

207

for one embodiment of a sliding power switch constructed according to the teachings of this invention. Power interface module

207

enables one of two inputs to be connected to an output. In one embodiment, power interface module

207

comprises a printed circuit board, a wire-wrap board, or the like. Power interface module

207

includes a first power port

270

, a second power port

265

and a third power port

251

. In one embodiment, power port

270

comprises one of input terminals, screw terminals, insulation displacing connectors, binding posts, pins, screws, plugs, jacks or the like.

In one embodiment, power port

265

is a power input. In another embodiment, power port

265

is a power output. In an alternate embodiment, power port

265

is a power input in a first mode and a power output in a second mode. In one embodiment, power ports

265

,

270

and

251

each comprise one of terminals, screw terminals, insulation displacing connectors, binding posts, pins, screws, plugs, jacks, sockets, contact points, or the like. In one embodiment, power port

251

comprises a set of three poles. In one embodiment, the three poles of power port

251

provide an output for power input via power port

270

, in a first mode and provides an output for power input via power port

265

, in a second mode. In one embodiment, the three poles of power port

251

comprises a first and a second output, the first output comprises two out of the three poles and the second power output comprises two different poles out of the three poles. In another embodiment, power input via power port

270

is output via power port

265

, in a first mode and power input via power port

265

is output via power port

251

in a second mode. In one embodiment, power port

270

comprises a pair of screw terminals, power port

265

comprises a pair of receptacles and power port

251

comprises three poles.

In one embodiment, power interface module

207

includes a first set of pins

260

that form a first header and a second set of pins

262

that form a second header. In one embodiment, the first and second headers

260

and

262

are adapted to connect with shunt

206

. Shunt

206

includes receptacles that receive the pins of headers

260

and

262

. The pins of headers

260

and

262

are configured so that when coupled to shunt

206

power is allowed to flow through header

260

or

262

, respectively. In one embodiment, header

260

couples to shunt

206

and produces a first electrical path from power port

270

to power port

265

. In this embodiment, power port

265

is a power output. In another embodiment, header

262

couples to shunt

206

and produces a second electrical path from power port

265

to power port

251

. In this embodiment, power port

265

is a power input. In one embodiment, the shunt

206

is a multi-position shunt that is capable of coupling with a variety of different headers.

In one embodiment, power interface module

207

is operable from −40 to +85 degrees Celsius. In another embodiment, power interface module

207

is operable from 35 to +65 degrees Celsius.

In operation, a power interface module such as

207

is includable in a power switch such as sliding power switch

100

described with respect to FIG.

1

. In one embodiment, a sliding power switch such as

100

is part of a module that interfaces between a network such as the public switched telephone network, a cable network, the Internet, or the like and a subscriber's equipment. The module is powered through the power switch. In one embodiment, power is received over a transmission media such as a twisted pair line, coaxial cabling or the like. In another embodiment, power is received from an auxiliary source such as a battery. Power switch

100

is capable of switching between a first power source and a second power source, such as twisted pair and coaxial over a transmission media or battery power and auxiliary power direct to the power switch.

FIG. 3

is an illustration of a wiring diagram of one embodiment of a power interface module, shown generally at

300

, constructed according to the teachings of this invention. In this embodiment, the power interface module is a printed circuit board

307

and includes power traces on the top face of printed circuit board

307

that are indicated by solid lines and power traces on the bottom face of printed circuit board

307

indicated by dotted lines. In one embodiment, P

1

, P

2

and P

3

represent a set of three poles and operate as a power output; J

1

and J

2

represent a pair of terminals and operate as a power input; J

3

and J

4

represent a pair of terminals and operate as a power output in a first mode and a power input in a second mode; P

10

-P

13

represent a set of pins for a header

362

; P

4

-P

9

represent a set of pins for a header

360

.

In the first mode, the pins of header

360

are engaged with a shunt, such as shunt

106

, described with respect to figure

1

. As a result P

5

is coupled to P

8

, P

6

is coupled to P

9

and P

4

is coupled to P

7

. In the second mode, the pins of header

362

are engaged with a shunt, such as shunt

106

, and P

12

is coupled to P

10

and P

11

is coupled to P

13

. In the first mode, power is input via J

1

and J

2

, J

1

is the hot terminal and J

2

is the return terminal. Power is output via J

3

and J

4

, J

3

is the hot terminal and J

4

is the return terminal. Power in at J

1

is transported to J

3

via P

5

and P

8

when they are coupled together. Power return to J

2

is via J

4

through P

9

and P

6

when they are coupled together. In one embodiment, P

2

and P

1

are shorted together via P

4

and P

7

when P

4

and P

7

are coupled together via a shunt. In the second mode, power is input via J

3

and J

4

, J

3

is the hot terminal, J

4

is the return terminal and header

362

is engaged with a shunt. Power output is via P

2

and P

3

, P

2

is the hot terminal and P

3

is the return terminal. Power in at J

3

is transported to P

2

via P

10

and P

12

when they are coupled together. Power return to J

4

is via P

3

through P

11

and P

13

when they are coupled together. It is understood that wiring diagram

300

is for example only and may comprise one of many different configurations to provide power output based on one of two inputs.

FIG. 4

is an illustration of an integrated service unit (ISU), shown generally at

400

, comprising a sliding power switch

420

that is constructed according to the teachings of this invention. In one embodiment, ISU

400

includes a network interface

415

that receives input from networks such as a telephony network, a cable network, a hybrid fiber-coax network or the like. ISU

400

also includes a subscriber interface

416

for connection to subscriber equipment such as telephones, facsimile machines, computer systems, television sets to include set tops, cable modems and other data receivers and transceivers. In one embodiment, ISU

400

receives data from more than one network over more than one transmission media, for example data transmission over coaxial cable and telephone service over twisted pair. In another embodiment, ISU

400

receives data from more than one network over a single transmission medium, e.g., coaxial cable, hybrid fiber-coax, twisted pair or the like. In one embodiment, ISU

400

is a home-integrated services unit (HISU) designed for a single subscriber location. In one embodiment, the ISU

400

is capable of accommodating up to 2 lines of plain old telephone service (POTS) plus video. In another embodiment, the ISU

400

is capable of accommodating up to 2 additional POTS lines or symmetrical data services can be added. In an alternate embodiment, ISU

400

is a multiple dwelling integrated services unit (MISU) and accommodates a plurality or combination of POTS lines, symmetrical data services, T-

1

lines, E-

1

lines and the like. In a further embodiment, ISU

400

is a business integrated services unit (BISU) and accommodates one or more or a combination of one or more POTS lines, symmetrical data services, T-

1

lines, E-

1

lines and the like. It is understood that ISU

400

is not meant to be limited and may interface with any number of POTS lines, symmetrical data services, cable services, T-

1

lines, E-

1

lines and the like based on the application.

ISU

400

includes an electronics module

418

that communicates data between the network interface

415

and the subscriber interface

416

. In one embodiment, electronics module

418

receives data and power at network interface

415

. In one embodiment, electronics module

418

receives power via power switch

420

. In one embodiment, power switch

420

is a sliding power switch such as sliding power switch

100

described with respect to FIG.

1

. Power switch

420

plugs into the electronics module

418

of ISU

400

. In one embodiment, electronics module

418

receives the three poles of power switch

420

and provides two input pins that extend to interconnect with a power port of power switch

420

such as power port

122

of power switch

100

described with respect to FIG.

1

. In one embodiment, power switch

420

is rated for 250 volts and 3 amps. ISU

400

draws approximately 1 amp and operates on 60 VAC/48VDC. In one embodiment, ISU

400

is powered via the transmission media. Sliding power switch

420

is adapted to provide power to ISU

400

from a twisted pair, coaxial cabling or another power source internal or external to the ISU for example, battery back-up. In one embodiment, power is received over twisted pair by a pair of screw terminals of sliding power switch

420

. The power is input to power switch

420

via the pair of screw terminals and output to the electronics module via a power port such as power port

122

of switch

100

of FIG.

1

. In another embodiment, power is received via coaxial cabling coupled to network interface

415

. The power is input into electronics module

418

and then transmitted to input pins that interface with the power port of power switch

420

when power switch

420

is “plugged into” electronics module

418

. Power switch

420

includes a shunt retainer such as shunt retainer

105

of power switch

100

, the power switch

420

allows selection of power between the input terminals and the power port of power switch

420

. In one embodiment, power switch

420

is adapted to select between power received via twisted pair and coaxial cabling.

CONCLUSION

A sliding power switch has been described. The switch includes a power interface module having a first power port, a second power port and a third power port. The switch also includes a shunt adapted to engage with the power interface module in a first position so as to provide a first electrical path from one of the first, second, and third power ports to another one of the first, second, and third power ports and a second position so as to provide a second electrical path from one of the first, second, and third power ports to another of the first, second, and third power ports. The switch further includes a shunt retainer coupled to the shunt and adapted to aid in placing and removing the shunt from the first and second positions and a slide actuator adapted to engage with and enable the shunt retainer to slide from the first position to the second position.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that any arrangement, which is calculated to achieve the same purpose, may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. For example the sliding power switch may receive power from any number of sources such as transmission media, direct power, auxiliary power, battery power or the like. The sliding power switch may receive power via one or more power ports other than screw terminals or sockets, it is understood that any type of inputs, outputs and power ports can be utilized for this invention. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the present invention. Therefore, it is intended that this invention be limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.