Panel system with managed connectivity

Abstract

A panel system includes a chassis holding one or more tray devices, each configured to receive one or more cartridges at two or more compartments. The tray device and the cartridge cooperate to define a cartridge sensor device and a port occupancy sensor device having separate docking points. The cartridge sensor device may include an electronic memory that stores physical layer information about the cartridge. All active components of the port occupancy sensor device are disposed on the tray while the electronic memory of the cartridge sensor device is stored on the cartridge.

Description

[0001] Cross - Reference to Related Applications

[0002] This application was filed as a PCT international application on October 19, 2023, and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 380,462, filed on October 21, 2022; U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 380,515, filed on October 21, 2022; U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 450,871, filed on March 8, 2023; and U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 489,102, filed on March 8, 2023. The disclosures of these applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. Background Art

[0003] Communication panel systems are used to interconnect various communication lines (e.g., telecommunications lines, data center lines, etc.) in one or more rack systems. In various cases, the panel system can support optical lines, electrical lines, and / or hybrid lines. Each panel system includes a plurality of front ports and a plurality of rear ports. In some embodiments, the same number of front cables and rear cables are directly connected together at the front ports and the rear ports. In other embodiments, a cassette is provided at the panel system to communicatively connect one or more rear cables to a different number of front cables. As communication panel systems become more and more dense, it becomes more difficult to accurately identify which ports are available to support additional connections.

[0004] Improvements are desired. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Some aspects of the present disclosure relate to a communication panel system that includes a tray adapted to receive one or more cassettes in a variety of configurations. The cassettes that can be received can vary in size, the number of front ports, the number of rear ports, and / or the type of front ports and / or rear ports. In certain embodiments, the tray holds a first portion of a cassette identification sensor device. In certain embodiments, the tray holds a first portion of a port occupancy sensor device. In certain embodiments, the tray holds both a first portion of a cassette identification sensor device and a first portion of a port occupancy sensor device.

[0006] In certain embodiments, the first portion of the port occupancy sensor device includes a magnetic sensor. In such embodiments, the second portion of the port occupancy sensor device includes a magnetic element (e.g., a magnet, a non - magnetic body with a magnetic coating, a non - magnetic body infused with magnetic particles, etc.). In certain instances, the magnetic sensor includes a Hall element. In certain instances, the magnetic element is carried by a port shutter of the cassette.

[0007] In some embodiments, a first portion of the port occupancy sensor device includes a contact spring. In some instances, the contact spring is disposed at a side of the circuit board opposite the cartridge. In some instances, the contact spring includes an actuation surface that protrudes through the circuit board. Depression of the actuation surface causes a disconnection of an electrical connection between the contact spring and a first contact interface location (e.g., a landing pad) of the circuit board.

[0008] Various additional inventive aspects will be set forth in the following description. The inventive aspects can relate to individual features as well as combinations of features. It should be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are merely exemplary and explanatory and do not limit the broad inventive concept upon which the embodiments disclosed herein are based. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate several aspects of the disclosure. A brief description of the drawings is as follows:

[0010] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary tray device holding two representative cartridges, the tray device and the cartridges being configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0011] Figure 2 is a schematic view of an exemplary cartridge in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, the exemplary cartridge being mounted at the tray device such that a cartridge identifier carried by the cartridge engages or docks with a cartridge sensor of the tray device and an actuator of the cartridge engages or docks with a plug sensor of the tray device.

[0012] Figure 3 is a schematic view of an exemplary panel system including a plurality of chassis holding a plurality of tray devices, each chassis having a communication unit through which signals from a cartridge sensor device and a port occupancy sensor device can be provided to a remote server.

[0013] Figure 4 is a perspective view of an intercepted cross-section of an exemplary cartridge in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, the exemplary cartridge being mounted to an exemplary tray such that a first portion of a first exemplary port occupancy sensor device is aligned with a second portion of the port occupancy sensor device.

[0014] Figure 5 shows a second portion of a port occupancy sensor device mounted to a shutter set in a closed position in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0015] Figure 6 shows a Figure 5 shutter set in an open position in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure and a second portion of a port occupancy sensor device that extends at least partially through a wall of the cartridge toward a circuit board of the cartridge.

[0016] Figure 7 is a perspective view of an exemplary gate including a first exemplary mounting device for holding a magnetic element, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0017] Figure 8 is a front elevation view of an exemplary gate including a second exemplary mounting device for holding a magnetic element, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0018] Figure 9 is according to an embodiment of the present disclosure Figure 8 side elevation view of the gate, magnetic element, and mounting device.

[0019] Figure 10 is a front elevation view of an exemplary gate including a third exemplary mounting device for holding a magnetic element, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0020] Figure 11 is according to an embodiment of the present disclosure including Figure 7 compared to a different orientation setting Figure 7 perspective view of an exemplary gate of the first exemplary mounting device.

[0021] Figure 12 is according to an embodiment of the present disclosure having Figure 11 perspective view of an intercepted cross-section of an exemplary cartridge of the gate.

[0022] Figure 13 is a perspective view depicting a first exemplary adapter including a gate device configured according to the principles of the present disclosure.

[0023] Figure 14 is depicting Figure 13 front perspective view of the first adapter, wherein for ease of viewing, the gate device is removed from the interior of the first adapter.

[0024] Figure 15 is suitable for use with Figure 13 perspective view of an exemplary gate device for the first adapter.

[0025] Figure 16 shows from Figure 15 hinge pins and door springs disassembled outward from the door of the gate device.

[0026] Figure 17 is a top perspective view depicting a second exemplary adapter of a gate device defining a plurality of front ports and including at each port Figure 15 configured according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0027] Figure 18 is Figure 17Bottom perspective view of the second adapter.

[0028] Figure 19 is Figure 17 Perspective view of the axial section of the second adapter.

[0029] Figure 20 Is a perspective view depicting a third exemplary adapter configured in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure and including gate devices disposed at each front port.

[0030] Figure 21 is depicting Figure 20 Perspective view of the third adapter, with the gate device removed for clarity.

[0031] Figure 22 is Figure 20 Bottom perspective view of the third adapter.

[0032] Figure 23 is suitable for use with Figure 20 Perspective view of a portion of the gate device for use with the third adapter, with the hinge pin of the gate device shown disassembled from the gate for ease of viewing.

[0033] Figure 24 is Figure 21 Perspective view of the axial section of the third adapter.

[0034] Figure 25 is Figure 24 Another perspective view of the axial section of the third adapter.

[0035] Figure 26 Is a perspective view depicting a tray device on which an exemplary cartridge according to the principles of the present disclosure is mounted, with the cartridge depicted as including the first, second, and third adapters disclosed herein.

[0036] Figure 27 is Figure 26 Exploded perspective view of the tray device.

[0037] Figure 28 is Figure 26 Magnified view of a portion where the cartridge is visible.

[0038] Figure 29 Is a perspective view of an intercepted section of an exemplary cartridge according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, with the exemplary cartridge mounted to an exemplary tray such that a first portion of a port occupancy sensor device and a second portion of the port occupancy sensor device are aligned.

[0039] Figure 30 is according to an embodiment of the present disclosure Figure 29An enlarged view of a portion of a managed tray, where some portions of the actuating surface of the first portion of the port occupancy sensor device are removed for ease of viewing.

[0040] Figure 31 Is a perspective view of an exemplary contact spring that is part of a first portion of a port occupancy sensor device suitable for use according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0041] Figure 32 Is according to an embodiment of the present disclosure Figure 31 Side elevation view of the contact spring.

[0042] Figure 33 Is a perspective view of a first exemplary type of shutter including an actuator extending from the inner surface of the shutter according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0043] Figure 34 Is a perspective view of a second exemplary type of shutter including an actuator extending from the inner surface of the shutter according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0044] Figure 35 Is a perspective view of an intercepted cross-section of an exemplary cartridge that is mounted to an exemplary tray such that a first portion of a second exemplary port occupancy sensor device is aligned with a second portion of the port occupancy sensor device.

[0045] Figure 36 Is a perspective view of a portion of an exemplary managed tray where the actuating surface of a first portion of a second exemplary port occupancy sensor device protrudes through a circuit board.

[0046] Figure 37 Is a perspective view of an exemplary contact spring that is part of a first portion of a port occupancy sensor device suitable for use according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0047] Figure 38 Is according to an embodiment of the present disclosure Figure 37 Side elevation view of the contact spring.

[0048] Figure 39 Is a depiction of a first exemplary adapter including a shutter device configured according to the principles of the present disclosure Figure 13 Perspective view.

[0049] Figure 40 Is a depiction Figure 39 Perspective view of the front portion of the first adapter, where the shutter device is removed from the interior of the first adapter for ease of viewing.

[0050] Figure 41 Is suitable for use with Figure 39Perspective view of an exemplary gate device for use with a first adapter.

[0051] Figure 42 Shows the hinge pin and door spring disassembled outward from the door of the exemplary gate device from Figure 41 the exemplary gate device.

[0052] Figure 43 Depicts a gate device that defines a plurality of front ports and includes at each port Figure 41 the Figure 17 top perspective view of a second exemplary adapter, the second adapter being configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0053] Figure 44 Is Figure 43 the bottom perspective view of the second adapter.

[0054] Figure 45 Is Figure 43 the perspective view of the axial section of the second adapter.

[0055] Figure 46 Depicts a Figure 20 third exemplary adapter that includes another exemplary gate device configured in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure and disposed at each front port.

[0056] Figure 47 Depicts Figure 46 the perspective view of the third adapter, with the gate device removed for clarity.

[0057] Figure 48 Is Figure 46 the bottom perspective view of the third adapter.

[0058] Figure 49 Is a perspective view of a portion of a gate device adapted to be used with Figure 46 the third adapter, where the hinge pin of the gate device is shown disassembled from the gate for ease of viewing.

[0059] Figure 50 Is Figure 46 the perspective view of the axial section of the third adapter.

[0060] Figure 51 Is Figure 50 another perspective view of the axial section of the third adapter.

[0061] Figure 52 Schematic view of a cross-section of an exemplary port member having a gate carrying a magnetic element and a non-contact (e.g., Hall effect) sensor arranged to sense the magnetic element when the gate is closed and not sense the magnetic element when the gate is open. Detailed Description

[0062] Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary aspects of the present disclosure shown in the accompanying drawings. Whenever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

[0063] The present disclosure relates to a tray device 100 ( Figure 3 for example, see the panel system 101) in a panel system. Figure 1 The tray device 100 can be installed (e.g., fixedly installed, slidably installed, etc.) within a chassis 120 of the panel system 101. As Figure 1 shown, the tray device 100 extends along a depth D between a front portion 102 and a rear portion 104 and along a width W between opposite first and second sides 106 and 108. The tray device 100 is configured to receive one or more cartridges 110 that carry carrier port members 116 and / or other communication devices (e.g., optical connector holders, optical power splitters, wavelength division multiplexers, active components, power amplifiers, etc.). One or more cartridges 110 can be mounted to the tray device 100. Each cartridge 110 carries one or more port members 116, each port member defining one or more front ports configured to receive an adapter, which in turn can be configured to receive a plug. Certain types of port members 116 also define one or more rear ports configured to receive an adapter, which in turn can be configured to receive a plug. Certain types of cartridges 110 carry one or more port members 116 that define at least front ports and one or more port members that define at least rear ports.

[0064] In certain embodiments, the tray device 100 is a managed tray device configured to monitor the occupancy and / or availability of the front ports. The tray device 100 includes at least a first portion of a port occupancy sensor device. When a plug connector is received at a front port of a cartridge 110 mounted to the tray device 100, the port occupancy sensor device generates a signal indicating that the front port is occupied. In certain embodiments, the cartridge 110 includes a second portion of the port occupancy sensor device that cooperates with the first portion to generate the signal. In certain instances, the second portion of the port occupancy sensor device is actuated via movement of a dust shutter disposed at the front port.

[0065] Figure 2An exemplary cartridge 110 mounted to an exemplary tray device 100 having a port occupancy sensor device is schematically shown. In the illustrated example, the tray device 100 includes a circuit board 142 mounted to a tray base 140. The tray device 100 includes a first portion 132 of the port occupancy sensor device. In some instances, the first portion 132 is disposed at the circuit board 142. The cartridge 110 includes a second portion 182 of the port occupancy sensor device. Engagement or other interaction between the first portion 132 and the second portion 182 of the port occupancy sensor device triggers determination that a plug connector has been received at the port.

[0066] In some embodiments, the tray device 100 further includes a first portion 130 of a cartridge sensor device, and the cartridge 110 includes a second portion 180 of the cartridge sensor device. Engagement or other interaction between the first portion 130 and the second portion 180 of the cartridge sensor device triggers determination that the cartridge 110 has been installed at the tray device 100 (e.g., at one or more bays of the tray device 100). In some instances, determination that the cartridge 110 has been installed at the tray device 100 triggers reading of physical layer information carried by the cartridge 110.

[0067] Figure 3 An exemplary panel system 101 configured to receive signals (e.g., raw analog signals or processed digital signals) from the first portion 132 of the port occupancy sensor device and aggregate and / or analyze the signals is shown. In some instances, the communication unit 122 is directly electrically connected to the first portion 132 of the port occupancy sensor device. In other instances, the communication unit 122 is electrically connected to the first portion 132 of the port occupancy sensor device via an intermediate component (e.g., an integrated circuit) disposed on the circuit board 142. As will be discussed in more detail herein, the panel system 101 further includes one or more remote servers 128 that receive signals from the communication unit(s) 122.

[0068] In some embodiments, the panel system 101 is further configured to receive signals (e.g., raw analog signals or processed digital signals) from the first portion 130 of the cartridge sensor device. In some instances, the communication unit 122 is directly electrically connected to the first portion 130 of the cartridge sensor device. In other instances, the communication unit 122 is electrically connected to the first portion 130 of the port occupancy sensor device via an intermediate component (e.g., an integrated circuit) disposed on the circuit board 142.

[0069] In Figure 3In [the example], the exemplary panel system 101 includes two representative chassis 120 mounted to a rack R. In other instances, a greater or fewer number of chassis 120 may be mounted to the rack R, and the panel system 101 may include a greater number of racks. In the illustrated instance, each chassis 120 receives three tray devices 100A, 100B, 100C. In other instances, the chassis 120 may receive a greater or fewer number of tray devices 100 (e.g., one, two, four, five, six, eight, twelve, etc.). Each tray device 100 carries at least one first portion 130 of a cartridge sensor device for detecting cartridges on the tray device 100, and / or at least one first portion 132 of a port occupancy sensor device for detecting port occupancy on the tray device 100. In certain instances, the first portion 130 also reads information (e.g., physical layer information) from any cartridge mounted at a corresponding port.

[0070] Each tray device 100 also carries a tray connector 123 (e.g., a PCBA-to-cable connector) that receives signals from the cartridge occupancy sensor device and / or the port occupancy sensor device of the tray device 100. In certain instances, the tray connector 123 is configured to provide docking between the circuit board 142 and the cable. The tray connector 123 is connected to the cartridge occupancy sensor device and / or the port occupancy sensor device via traces on the circuit board 142 of the tray device 100. In certain instances, the tray connector 123 is mounted at the rear 104 of the tray device 100.

[0071] In certain embodiments, each chassis 120 includes a corresponding communication unit 122 that receives (e.g., via a cable 124) data signals from the connector 123 and optionally aggregates the data signals. In certain instances, the communication unit 122 serves all of the tray devices 100 within the chassis 120 (i.e., the cartridge sensor devices and port occupancy sensor devices of the tray devices 100). In other instances, the communication unit 122 may serve tray devices 100 from multiple chassis 120. In still other instances, multiple communication units 122 may serve the tray devices 100 of one chassis 120. Each communication unit 122 communicates with a remote server 128 via a connection 126 (e.g., a wired connection, a wireless connection, etc.).

[0072] The remote server(s) 128 includes a processor 125 and a memory (e.g., non-volatile memory) 135. In the memory 135, the remote server 128 stores port occupancy data 136 such that the port availability of each tray device 100 can be determined at a remote location. In some instances, the memory 135 may also store cartridge data 134 to determine cartridge occupancy. In some instances, as will be described in more detail herein, the remote server 128 may also store instructions 138 in the memory for indicating (e.g., using an LED or other indicator) a cartridge or port at one of the tray devices in the tray device 100. The memory 135 may also store instructions for determining which cartridges are occupied based on information read from the electronic memory 181 of each cartridge 110. In some embodiments, the remote server 128 may be implemented on a stand-alone computing server. In some embodiments, the remote server 128 may be implemented in a rack-level management device in an Automated Infrastructure Management (AIM) system.

[0073] Return reference Figure 1 , in some embodiments, the tray device 100 includes a plurality of cartridge guides 112 that extend parallel to the depth D of the tray device 100. The cartridge guides 112 are spaced apart along the width W to define a plurality of cartridges 114 in which the cartridges 110 can be mounted. In some embodiments, each cartridge 110 spans at least two cartridges 114. In various instances, each cartridge 110 may span two, three, four, five, six or more cartridges 114. In other embodiments, the cartridge 110 may span a single cartridge 114.

[0074] An exemplary cartridge 110 of a first type may hold a first row of port members 116 that define a front port and a rear port at which a first connectorized media segment and a second connectorized media segment are aligned and connected. In some instances, the cartridge 110 of the first type holds a plurality of single-fiber port members (e.g., LC ports, SC ports, etc.) 116A. In other instances, an exemplary cartridge 110 of the first type may hold a plurality of multi-fiber port members (e.g., MPO ports, SN ports, etc.) 116B. An exemplary cartridge 110 of a second type may hold the first row of port members 116, 116A, 116B and one or more rear port members 116C that define a rear port at which a connectorized media segment can be received. Circuitry (e.g., optical circuitry, electrical circuitry, etc.) within the cartridge 110 connects the rear port members 116C to the rear ports of the front port members 116, 116A, 116B to connect the connectorized media segment received at the front port to the connectorized media segments received at the rear port(s). Other types of cartridges 110 are possible (e.g., cartridges that carry splice holders, splitters, power amplifiers, etc.).

[0075] In certain aspects of the present disclosure, the tray device 100 is configured to enable monitoring of port occupancy and availability at each cartridge 110 mounted to the tray device 100. For example, the tray device 100 can enable monitoring of the occupancy of the front ports of a row of port members 116A, 116B. In certain instances, the tray device 100 can enable monitoring of the occupancy of the rear ports of the rear port member 116C. In certain instances, the tray device 100 can enable monitoring of the occupancy of the rear ports of the front port members 116A, 116B. Port occupancy can be tracked and aggregated at a remote location (e.g., a remote server or server network) 128.

[0076] In certain aspects of the present disclosure, the tray device 100 is configured to enable monitoring of bay occupancy and availability at the tray device 100. In certain instances, bay occupancy can be tracked and aggregated at a remote location (e.g., a remote server or server network) 128.

[0077] Reference Figure 1 and 2 Referring to

[0078] In some embodiments, the first portion 132 of the port occupancy sensor device includes a sufficient number of plug sensors 155 in each bay 114 to accommodate the smallest port type carried by the cartridge 110. For example, each bay 114 may carry a sufficient number of plug sensors 155 to sense the occupancy of each LC port of the plurality of LC ports carried by the cartridge 110. However, as described above, different types of cartridges 110 may carry different numbers and types of ports. Thus, in such embodiments, a plurality of plug sensors 155 may be aligned with one port of the cartridge 110. In some such embodiments, each actuator 186 may be configured to engage or otherwise interface with each plug sensor 155 that aligns with the corresponding port. In other embodiments, the cartridge 110 may carry a plurality of actuators 186 for each port carried by the cartridge 110. In still other embodiments, the electronic memory 181 of the cartridge 110 stores the type (and thus size) of the port. In such embodiments, even if not all of the plug sensors 155 spanning the port are actuated, the communication unit 122 and / or the remote server 128 may use the stored information to determine port occupancy. In other embodiments, plug sensors 155 are provided for each larger-sized port (e.g., MPO port), and it should be understood that smaller-sized ports (e.g., LC ports) act as duplex ports for the distance spanning the larger-sized ports.

[0079] In some embodiments, each cartridge 110 carries a corresponding actuator 186 for each port carried by the cartridge 110. In other embodiments, each cartridge 110 carries a corresponding actuator 186 for each externally-facing port carried by the cartridge 110. For example, the cartridge 110 may carry actuators 186 for each front port of the front port members 116A, 116B. In some instances, the cartridge 110 carries actuators for each front port of the front ports 116. In other instances, the cartridge 110 carries actuators 186 for half of the front ports (e.g., for each duplex front port). In some instances, the cartridge 110 carries actuators 186 for each rear port of each rear port member 116C of the cartridge 110. In other instances, the cartridge 110 carries actuators 186 for the rear ports of the front port members 116A, 116B. In still other instances, the cartridge 110 also carries actuators 186 for internally-facing ports (e.g., the rear ports of the front port members and the front ports of the rear port members). In Figure 2 the illustrated instance, the cartridge 110 carries actuators 186 for the front port of the first port member 116, for the rear port of the front port member 116, and for the rear port of the rear port member 116C.

[0080] According to certain aspects of the present disclosure, the tray device 100 is configured to enable physical layer information to be read from any cassette 110 mounted thereto. Examples of such physical layer information include the type of cassette 110 (e.g., an optical termination cassette carrying an adapter configured to connect a first cable and a second cable, an optical splice cassette configured to carry one or more optical splices, a transition module configured to receive different types of connectors at the front and rear of the cassette, etc.), the size of the cassette 110 (e.g., the number of bays 114 spanned by the cassette), the number and type of port members 116 carried by the cassette 110 (e.g., duplex LC adapters, SC adapters, MPO adapters, SN adapters, MDC adapters, single pair receptacles, etc.), fiber routing for the transition / module cassette, media segment type (e.g., fiber, electrical, hybrid, etc.), and other such information.

[0081] In some embodiments, a corresponding cartridge sensor 156 of the first portion 130 of the cartridge sensor device is disposed in each of at least some of the bays 114. Each cartridge 110 carries a corresponding cartridge identifier 184 that forms a second portion 180 of the cartridge sensor device. As will be discussed in greater detail herein, the cartridge identifier 184 is configured to automatically engage or dock with the cartridge sensor 156 when the cartridge 110 is installed at the bay 114. As described above, in some instances, each cartridge 110 spans two or more of the bays 114. In some embodiments, each cartridge 110 carries a cartridge identifier 184 for each bay 114 that the cartridge 110 spans. However, in some embodiments, each cartridge 110 carries only one cartridge identifier 184 that engages or otherwise interacts with a cartridge sensor 156 in only one of the spanned bays 114.

[0082] In such embodiments, as will be described in greater detail herein, the cartridge identifier 184 includes an electronic memory 181 that stores information about the cartridge 110 (eg, physical layer information) and an interface through which the stored information can be communicated. In an example, the electronic memory 181 forms an I 2 In some instances, the information stored in the electronic memory 181 on the cassette 110 includes the type of cassette 110, the size of the cassette 110 (e.g., the number of bays 114 the cassette spans), the number and type of port members 116 carried by the cassette 110, the internal fiber routing within the cassette, the media segment types, and other such information.

[0083] The cartridge sensor 156 is configured to read (or enable reading by the respective communication unit 122) the electronic memory 181 to obtain stored information. In some such instances, the cartridge identifier 184 is set at a common location relative to the cartridge latching device on each cartridge 110. Thus, the number of bays 114 spanned by the cartridge 110 can be determined (e.g., by the communication unit 122 or by the remote server(s) 128), and thus the particular bay occupied by the cartridge 110 can be identified. Exemplary cartridge latching devices applicable to the cartridge 110 are disclosed in U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 150,840, filed on February 18, 2021, entitled "Cassette Latching Arrangement" [having Attorney Docket No. 02316.8226USP1], the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0084] For example, Figure 1 the cartridge 110A spans two bays 114. Thus, the electronic memory 181 of the cartridge 110A will store the information that the cartridge 110A spans two bays 114. If the cartridge identifier 184 of the cartridge 110A is mounted at Figure 1 the left side of the cartridge 110A in, then the cartridge identifier 184 will engage the cartridge sensor 156 of the leftmost bay 114. In addition, the cartridge sensor 156 of the leftmost bay 114 will read (or permit reading) from the electronic memory 181 of the cartridge 110A via the cartridge identifier 184 the number of bays spanned by the cartridge. Based on this information, it can be determined (e.g., by the communication unit 122 and / or the remote server(s) 128) that the cartridge 110A spans the leftmost bay 114 and the adjacent bay 114. Thus, the occupancy of the two bays 114 will be known.

[0085] In some embodiments, not every bay 114 in the bay has a corresponding cartridge sensor 156. For example, if all cartridges 110 have a cartridge identifier 184 set at the right side of the cartridge 110 and if all cartridges 110 span at least two bays 114, then the leftmost bay 114 will never be aligned with the cartridge identifier 184 of the cartridge 110. Thus, in such an embodiment, the cartridge sensor 156 can be omitted from the leftmost bay 114. Similarly, if the cartridge identifier 184 is always set at the left side of the cartridge 110, then the cartridge sensor 156 can be omitted from the rightmost bay 114.

[0086] In some embodiments, the cartridge sensors 156 are disposed in at least one set of adjacent bays 114 even when all cartridges 110 span at least two bays 114. Although the cartridges 110 span at least two bays 114, some cartridges 110 may span more than two bays 114 (e.g., three bays, four bays, six bays, etc.). Disposing the cartridge sensors 156 in adjacent bays provides flexibility in mounting cartridges 110 of various sizes onto the common tray apparatus 100. For example, returning to reference Figure 1 , a second cartridge 110A mounted adjacent to a first cartridge 110B spans two bays 114. Because the first cartridge 110A spans the first two bays 114 starting from the left side of the tray apparatus 100, the second cartridge 110B spans the third and fourth bays 114 starting from the left side of the tray apparatus 100. If the cartridge identifier 184 of the cartridge 110 is disposed at the left side of the cartridge 110, the cartridge identifier 184 of the second cartridge 110A engages or otherwise interacts with the cartridge sensor 156 in the third bay 114 from the left side of the tray apparatus 100. However, if the first cartridge 110A has spanned three bays instead of two bays (i.e., has spanned the first three bays starting from the left side of the tray), the second cartridge 110B will occupy the fourth and fifth bays 114. In this case, the cartridge identifier 184 of the second cartridge 110B will engage or otherwise interact with the cartridge sensor 156 in the fourth bay 114. Thus, disposing the cartridge sensors 156 in adjacent bays 114 (e.g., in both the third and fourth bays) enables sensing and determining the cartridge position even when the size of the cartridges 110 can vary.

[0087] In some embodiments, the communication unit 122 and / or the remote server 128 use the information obtained from the cartridge identifier 184 to determine which plug sensors 155 of the port occupancy sensor device are to be read. The cartridge identifier 184 includes information regarding the number and type of port members carried by the cartridge 110. Based on this information, the position of the port members 116 can be determined. Then, the communication unit 122 and / or the remote server 128 can ignore the information obtained from the plug sensors 155 that are not properly aligned with the port members 116. For example, a cartridge 110 carrying an MPO-type port member 116 in the front will not activate (i.e., ignore) half of the front plug sensors 155 within the corresponding bay(s) 114 because those plug sensors 155 will be aligned with LC-type port members 116 and are thus only used with LC-type port members. Similarly, a rear port member 116 may or may not be present on the cartridge 110. The physical layer information read from the cartridge identifier 184 notifies the communication unit 122 and / or the remote server 128 whether to read or ignore the signals from the rear plug sensors 155.

[0088] Additional information regarding the panel system including communication unit 122 and / or remote server 128 can be found in PCT Application No. PCT / US2022 / 026171, filed on April 25, 2022, and titled "Panel System with Managed Connectivity", the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0089] Figures 4-6 Illustrated are a first portion 132 and a second portion 182 of an exemplary port occupancy sensor device adapted to be used with Figures 1-3 the tray device 100 and the cartridge 110. In certain embodiments, the first portion 132 of the port occupancy sensor device includes a non-contact sensor 191 mounted to a circuit board 142. Accordingly, the cartridge 110 moves relative to the non-contact sensor 191 when the cartridge 110 is mounted to the tray device 100. In certain embodiments, the non-contact sensor 191 is mounted to a side of the circuit board 142 opposite the cartridge 110. In some embodiments, the non-contact sensor 191 is a magnetic sensor. In certain embodiments, the magnetic sensor 191 is configured to detect a change in magnetism generated by a change in the position of a magnet. In an example, the magnetic sensor 191 includes a Hall element. However, in other examples, other types of magnetic sensors 191 are possible.

[0090] In certain embodiments, the circuit board 142 extends forward beyond the front of the tray 110 such that a portion 142A of the circuit board 142 is disposed in front of the tray 110. In certain examples, the magnetic sensor 191 is mounted to the portion 142A of the circuit board 142. In certain embodiments, a border 190 is mounted to the circuit board 142 to cover the portion 142A. In certain examples, the border 190 covers the magnetic sensor 191.

[0091] The circuit board 142 has a first major side 145 and a second major side 147. In certain embodiments, when the circuit board 142 is mounted to the tray 110, the second major side 147 of the circuit board 142 faces the tray 110 and the first major side 145 faces away from the tray 110. In certain examples, the cartridge 110 is disposed at the first major side 145 of the portion 142A of the circuit board 142 and the sensor 191 is disposed at the second major side 147 of the portion of the circuit board such that the circuit board 142 is disposed between the cartridge 110 and the sensor 191.

[0092] In some embodiments, a second portion 182 of the port occupancy sensor device includes an actuator 186 carried by a shutter 170 of a port of the cartridge 110. In some instances, the actuator 186 includes a magnetic element 192. In some instances, the magnetic element 192 includes a magnet (e.g., a button magnet). In other instances, the magnetic element 192 includes a non-magnetic (e.g., plastic) body having a magnetic coating (e.g., magnetic paint). In still other instances, the magnetic element 192 includes a non-magnetic body infused with magnetic particles. The shutter 170 is configured to move (e.g., pivot or deflect) between a closed position and an open position. In some instances, the shutter 170 is biased to the closed position. In some instances, the shutter 170 is biased closed by a torsion spring 129 having a first end that engages an inner surface 173 of the shutter body 172 and a second end that engages the cartridge 110.

[0093] When in the closed position (e.g., see Figure 5 ), the shutter 170 extends across a corresponding front port and blocks passage from the exterior of the cartridge 110 to the corresponding front port. When in the open position (e.g., see Figure 6 ), the shutter 170 permits passage from the exterior of the cartridge 110 to the front port. When the shutter 170 is set in the closed position, the magnetic element 192 is sufficiently spaced from the magnetic sensor 191 so as not to trigger the sensor 191. When the shutter 170 is set in the open position, the magnetic element 192 is close enough to the magnetic sensor 191 so as to trigger the sensor 191 to generate an occupancy signal. However, in other embodiments, the magnetic sensor 191 may be positioned to be triggered by the magnetic element 192 when the shutter is closed, and opening the shutter 170 moves the magnetic element 192 out of the range of the magnetic sensor 191.

[0094] Now referring to Figure 5 and 6 , in some embodiments, the cartridge 110 includes a body that defines an aperture 115 aligned with the sensor 191 on the circuit board 142. When the shutter 170 moves to the open position, the actuator 186 projects through the aperture 115 of the cartridge 110 toward the circuit board 142. In some instances, when the shutter 170 is set in the open position, the actuator 186 contacts a first side 145 of the circuit board 142. In other instances, when the shutter 170 is set in the open position, the actuator 186 is spaced from the first side 145 of the circuit board 142.

[0095] Figures 7-11 Exemplary embodiments of mounting devices 175 suitable for mounting the magnetic element 192 to the body 172 of the shutter 170 are shown. In some instances, the mounting device 175 is integrally formed with the shutter body 172. Figure 7Shows a first exemplary mounting device 175 including a bracket 174 and a stop tab 176. Figure 8 and 9 Shows a second exemplary mounting device 175 including a snap-fit receiver 193. Figure 10 Shows a third exemplary mounting device 175 including a latch arm 177 extending outwardly from the inner surface of the gate 170. Figure 11 Shows a first exemplary mounting device 175 disposed on a gate 170 of a body 172 having a different shape.

[0096] As Figure 7 shown, the bracket 174 defines a recess into which the magnetic element 192 can slide. For example, the magnetic element 192 can slide along the body 172 of the gate 170 and into the recess. The stop tab 176 defines an inward-facing shoulder and an outward-facing bevel. The shoulder faces the recess. The bevel faces away from the recess. The bevel allows the magnetic element 192 to slide over the stop tab 176 and into the recess. The shoulder engages the magnetic element 192 to hold the magnetic element 192 in the recess.

[0097] As Figure 8 and 9 shown, the snap-fit receiver 193 includes two contoured arms that extend partially around an annular perimeter to define a receiving space. The distal ends of the arms are spaced apart by a gap that is less than the lateral dimension (e.g., diameter) of the magnetic element 192. When the magnetic element 192 slides through the gap into the receiving space, the arms deflect or flex outwardly to allow the magnetic element 192 to pass through. When the magnetic element 192 reaches the receiving space, the arms deflect back to hold the magnetic element 192 in place.

[0098] As Figure 10 shown, two opposing latch arms 177 extend outwardly from the inner surface 173 of the gate body 172. The latch arms 177 can deflect away from each other to receive the magnetic element 192. For example, each latch arm 177 defines a chamfered or otherwise contoured surface to cam the latch arm 177 to an open position when the magnetic element 192 is pressed toward the inner surface 173 of the gate 170. Each latch arm 177 also defines a capture surface that engages the magnetic element 192 to hold the magnetic element 192 at the inner surface 173 of the gate 170.

[0099] As Figure 7 shown, the bracket 174 can be oriented such that the magnetic element 192 slides downward along the height of the gate 170 to mount the magnetic element 192 in the bracket 174. As Figure 11As shown, the bracket 174 can alternatively be oriented such that the magnetic element 192 slides laterally along the width of the shutter 170 to mount the magnetic element 192 at the bracket 174. In some instances, the mounting device 175 is disposed along the central longitudinal axis C of the shutter 170 (e.g., see Figure 7 ). In other instances, the mounting device 175 is disposed offset relative to the central longitudinal axis C. In various instances, the shutter 170 can be configured to be disposed within different types of ports. For example, Figure 7 the shutter body 172 is configured to be mounted within the port of an LC optical adapter, while Figure 11 the shutter body 172 is configured to be mounted within the port of an MPO optical adapter.

[0100] Referring to Figures 14-26 , various adapters 210, 310, 410 are configured in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure to be selectively positioned at the cartridge 110, which can be positioned within one or more bays 114 of the tray device 100. In the Figures 14-17 example shown, the adapter 210 is a simplex MPO adapter. In the Figures 18-20 example shown, the adapter 310 is a duplex MPO adapter. In the Figures 21-26 example shown, the adapter 410 is a quad LC adapter. Other configurations are possible. The adapters 210, 310, 410 can include adapter bodies 268, 368, 468 and one or more shutters 270, 370, 470. In certain embodiments, one or more of the shutters 270, 370, 470 can be operably coupled to the adapter bodies 268, 368, 468 via hinge pins 202, 402. In an embodiment, the adapters 210, 310, 410 can include a portion of or interact with a port occupancy detection feature (as described in connection with Figures 1-13 ).

[0101] The adapter bodies 268, 368, 468 extend along a depth between a front end 203, 303, 403 and a rear end 205, 305, 405. The adapter bodies 268, 368, 468 also extend along a height between a top portion 207, 307, 407 and a bottom portion 209, 309, 409, and along a width between side portions 211, 311, 411. The height, width, and depth are transverse to each other. The adapter bodies 268, 368, 468 define one or more front ports (e.g., spaces configured to receive one or more plug connectors) and a corresponding number of rear ports. For example, the adapter body 268 defines one front port; the adapter body 368 defines two front ports; and the adapter body 468 defines four front ports.

[0102] As Figure 14 ,19 As shown in FIGS. 23, in some embodiments, the adapter bodies 268, 368, 468 may define resilient latch members 219, 319, 419 configured to engage a stop surface on the cartridge 110. In some instances, the resilient latch members 219, 319, 419 are configured to be received within a latch window defined by a portion of the cartridge 110. In some instances, the resilient latch members 219, 319, 419 may include beveled portions 221, 321, 421 and stop portions 223, 323, 423. When the adapter bodies 268, 368, 468 are installed onto the cartridge 110, a force or pressure applied to the beveled portions 221, 321, 421 causes the resilient latch members 219, 319, 419 to deflect inwardly. When the force or pressure applied to the beveled portions 221, 321, 421 is removed, the natural material elasticity of the resilient latch members 219, 319, 419 may cause the resilient latch members 219, 319, 419 to return to their original shape such that the stop portions 223, 323, 423 face the surface of the cartridge 110, thereby inhibiting removal of the adapter bodies 268, 368, 468 from the cartridge 110. In some embodiments, the adapter bodies 268, 368, 468 may further define second stop portions 225, 325, 425 spaced apart from and opposite the first stop portions 223, 323, 423 such that a portion of the cartridge 110 may be positioned between the first stop portions 223, 323, 423 and the second stop portions 225, 325, 425, thereby inhibiting movement of the adapter bodies 268, 368, 468 relative to the cartridge 110 in either a forward or backward direction.

[0103] In some embodiments, the bottom portions 209, 309, 409 of the adapter bodies 268, 368, 468 may define one or more port occupancy sensor device windows 227, 327, 427 (such as Figure 15 、 19as depicted in FIGS. 23). One or more windows 227, 327, 427 extend through the bottom portions 209, 309, 409 between the interior and the exterior of the adapter bodies 268, 368, 468. In some instances, one or more port occupancy sensor device windows 227, 327, 427 may be horizontally offset relative to the centerline (C) of the adapter bodies 268, 368, 468. In some embodiments, one or more port occupancy sensor device windows 227, 327, 427 may be configured such that a portion of the gates 270, 370, 470 can be positioned therein. For example, when the gates 270, 370, 470 are in the open position, the actuators 286, 386, 486 of the gates 270, 370, 470 may be at least partially positioned within the port occupancy sensor device windows 227, 327, 427.

[0104] As Figure 19 and 23 best depicted in FIGS., in some embodiments, the bottom portions 309, 409 of the adapter bodies 368, 468 may define a plurality of port occupancy sensor device windows 327, 427. In some instances, the spacing of the port occupancy sensor device windows 327, 427 corresponds to the spacing of the ports (e.g., front ports). In some instances, the corresponding ports are single fiber ports (e.g., see the ports of adapter 410). In such instances, each window 427 may be configured to receive the actuator 486 of the corresponding shutter 470 at the corresponding port. In other instances, the corresponding ports are multi-fiber ports (e.g., MPO ports). In such instances, a plurality of windows 227, 327 may be provided at each port. The shutters 270, 370 provided at the ports may span a plurality of windows 327, while the corresponding actuators 286, 386 may extend only into one of those windows 327. For example, the width of an MPO port tends to be approximately twice the width of an LC fiber port. Thus, as Figure 19 depicted in FIGS., the first MPO port 349A and the second MPO port 349B may each define two port occupancy sensor device windows 327A, 327B, where only one port occupancy sensor device window 327A is actually used during port occupancy sensing. Thus, as Figure 19 depicted in FIGS., the actuator 386 of the gate 370 extends partially through the first port occupancy sensor device window 327A of the MPO port 349A. In the illustrated instance, the second port occupancy sensor window 327B of the MPO port 349A remains idle even when the corresponding gate 370 is open.

[0105] As Figures 19-20Further depicted in the example, the port occupancy sensor device windows 227, 327, 427 of the adapter bodies 268, 368, 428 can be shaped in size to accommodate various forms of port occupancy sensing. For example, in some embodiments, the port occupancy sensor device windows 227, 327 can include chamfered edges 351. For example, spring contacts can have beveled or profiled portions that project through the windows 227, 327 to be engaged by a plug connector 350 inserted into the port. In some instances, the bevel or profile of the projecting spring contact portion can match or follow the shape or profile of the chamfered edge 351 to address the mounting tolerances of the spring contacts. It should be noted that although the chamfered edges are shown only on the first adapter body 268 and the second adapter body 368, the chamfered edges can also be used at the window 427 of the fourth adapter body 468.

[0106] Now referring to Figure 16 and 23 , in some embodiments, the actuators 286, 386, 486 can include Hall effect elements 250, 450 (e.g., magnetic elements, etc.), the Hall effect elements being configured to interact with a non-contact sensor (e.g., a Hall effect sensor) to indicate the position of the gates 270, 370, 470 when in either the open configuration or the closed configuration. For example, the actuators 286, 386, 486 can be carried by brackets 241, 441 defined at the inner surfaces of the gates 270, 370, 470. The brackets 241, 441 can include at least one resilient stop 243, 443 that enables the Hall effect elements 250, 450 to be inserted into the brackets 241, 441 but inhibits the Hall effect elements 250, 450 from being removed from the brackets 241, 441 after insertion. In other embodiments, the non-contact sensor can be disposed relative to the gate such that the actuators 286, 386, 486 are within the sensing range of the non-contact sensor when the gates 270, 370, 470 are closed and out of the sensing range when the gates 270, 370, 470 are open. For example, in Figure 52In this case, an exemplary port member 1010 is mounted to a support structure 1100 (e.g., a tray, a frame, a drawer, etc.). The port member 1010 has a shutter 1192 that carries an actuator 1192 (e.g., a magnetic element such as a magnet). A circuit board 1042 is mounted (e.g., fastened, latched, snap - fit, etc.) to the port member 1010 opposite to the support structure 1100. A non - contact sensor (e.g., a Hall - effect sensor) 1191 is mounted to the circuit board 1042. Moving the shutter 1170 from a closed position to an open position moves the magnetic element 1192 out of the sensing range of the sensor 1191. In other embodiments, the inner surfaces 239, 439 of the shutters 270, 370, 470 may define actuators 286, 386, 486. For example, the actuators 286, 386, 486 may be configured to actuate spring contacts, thereby causing a disconnection of the electrical connection between the spring contacts and the mating surface, thereby indicating that the shutters 270, 370, 470 are in an open configuration (e.g., this may create an inference that the ports defined by the adapter bodies 268, 368, 468 are occupied).

[0107] Each of the shutters 270, 370, 470 is configured to be pivotally mounted at a respective port of the adapter bodies 268, 368, 468. In some embodiments, a hinge pin 202 extends along a receiving channel 237 of the shutters 270, 370, 470 to secure the shutters 270, 370, 470 to the adapter bodies 268, 368, 468. In some embodiments, door springs 276, 476 (e.g., torsion springs) are secured to the shutters 270, 370, 470 using the hinge pin 202. For example, the hinge pin 202 may extend through turns of the door springs 276, 476, where a first end 277, 477 of the springs 276, 476 biases the shutters 270, 370, 470 and a second end 277, 477 of the springs 276, 476 biases the adapter bodies 268, 368, 468.

[0108] In some embodiments, the adapter bodies 268, 368 include a plurality of shutters 270, 370 disposed at each port socket. When the shutters 270, 370 are in the closed position, the shutters 270, 370 cooperate to block access to the respective ports. When in the open position, the shutters 270, 370 provide access to the respective ports. In Figures 14-20 the example shown, a first (e.g., upper) shutter 270A and a second (e.g., lower) shutter 270B are disposed within each port socket. Each of the shutters 270, 370 is pivotally coupled to the adapter bodies 268, 368 to effect a transition between a closed configuration (e.g., such as the configuration depicted in Figure 14 the example shown) and an open configuration. In Figure 18In the example shown, the first MPO port 349A is unoccupied, such that the shutter 370 is generally in a closed configuration, and the second MPO port 349B is occupied by an MPO-type plug 350 (the outer portion of which is visible in Figure 18 ), such that the shutter 370 is generally in an open configuration. To facilitate viewing of the shutter 370, the plug 350 is omitted in Figure 20 .

[0109] When in the open configuration, the major surfaces of the shutters 270, 370 are substantially parallel to the respective top portions 207, 307 and bottom portions 209, 309 of the adapter bodies 268, 368. In an example, the MPO adapters 210, 310 can be used with port identification and / or port occupancy detection features (as described in connection with Figures 1-13 ). In some examples, only one of the shutters in the shutter 270A of each socket carries a presence sensor actuator 286. When the shutters 270, 370 are set in the open position, the port occupancy actuator 286 (or the portion of the shutter 270, 370 that holds the port occupancy actuator) projects at least partially into the respective windows 227, 327.

[0110] In the closed configuration, the shutters 270, 370 can be angled generally inwardly. In some examples, the hinge connections between the shutters 270, 370 and the adapter bodies 268, 368 are generally located at the front ends 203, 303 of the housing bodies 268, 368, and the pivot free ends of the shutters 270, 370 are generally located behind the front ends 203, 303. This configuration of the doors 270, 370 generally reduces the amount of force required to transition the shutters 270, 370 from the closed configuration to the open configuration to position an MPO plug into the MPO ports 349A, 349B.

[0111] In some embodiments, each of the shutters 270, 370, 470 can define a hinge pin receiving passage 237, 437. The hinge pins 202, 402 are located in the passage 237. In some embodiments, the receiving passage 237 defines a groove (e.g., a partially cylindrical recess) that extends at least partially along an edge of the shutters 270, 370. In some examples, the shutters 270, 370, 470 can define a spring receiving cavity 229 that is axially aligned with the passage 237. In some examples, the groove 233 can extend outwardly from the cavity 229 to receive an end 277 of the door spring 276. In other examples, the end 477 of the door spring 476 extends above the inner surface of the shutter 470.

[0112] In some instances, the ends 245, 247 of the hinge pin 202 extend axially outward from the passageway 237 to engage portions of the adapter bodies 268, 368. For example, the section 238 may be disposed at the central region of the receiving channel 237. Thus, in some embodiments, the adapter bodies 268, 368 may be assembled by positioning the door spring 276 within the torsion spring socket 229 defined by each gate 270, 370. With the torsion spring 276 in place, the hinge pin 202 may be axially slid into the hinge pin receiving channel 237 and slid through the body 275 of the torsion spring 276 such that the hinge pin 202 serves to retain the torsion spring 276 within the torsion spring socket 229.

[0113] In other embodiments, the receiving passageway 437 defines a through passageway extending through one or more pivot ends 438 (e.g., cylindrical structures) of the gate 470. For example, the gate 470 includes two pivot ends 438 projecting outwardly from opposite sides of the gate 470, with each pivot end 438 defining the through passageway 437. In the illustrated instance, the door spring 476 is axially aligned with the through passageway between the pivot ends 438. In certain instances, the gates 270, 370 may define both a channel and a through passageway along the width of the gate plates 270, 370 (e.g., see Figure 16 ). In other embodiments, no portion of the gates 270, 370 completely surrounds the hinge pin 202, which may reduce frictional losses between the hinge pin 202 and the gates 270, 370 during operation. Additionally, less material is required to manufacture such gates 270, 370.

[0114] In certain embodiments, the adapter bodies 268, 368, 468 further define one or more mounting sockets 213, 313, 413 at which the gates 270, 370, 470 are mounted to the adapter bodies 268, 368, 468. In some embodiments, the mounting sockets 213, 313 receive and retain the ends of the hinge pin 202. For example, the ends of the hinge pin 202 may snap fit into the mounting sockets 213, 313 (e.g., see Figure 15 ). In certain such embodiments, the adapter bodies 268, 368 also define grooves 253, 353 or other recesses to accommodate the pivot ends of the gates 270, 370 as the doors 270, 370 pivot between the open and closed positions.

[0115] In some embodiments, one or more of the sockets 213, 313, 413 may include a stop surface against which the ends of the hinge pins 202, 402 may abut to inhibit axial movement of the hinge pins 202, 402 relative to the adapter bodies 268, 368, 468. In other embodiments, one or more of the sockets 213, 313, 413 may define a through-passage through which the hinge pins 202, 402 may extend. In some embodiments, the adapter bodies 268, 368 include mounting sockets 213, 313 at the inner sides of the side walls 211, 311 of the adapter bodies 268, 368. In the illustrated example, the mounting sockets 213, 313 at the side walls 211, 311, 411 include stop surfaces (e.g., the inner sides of the side walls 211, 311, 411). In other examples, the hinge pins 202, 402 may extend through the side walls 211, 311, 411.

[0116] In some instances, the adapter 310 further includes mounting sockets 313 at one or more dividers 312 between the front ports. Thus, the first hinge pin 202 may extend between a mounting socket 313 at the first side wall 311 of the adapter body 368 and a mounting socket 313 at an adjacent divider 312. In some instances, the divider defines a stop surface at the mounting socket 313 such that each divider 312 defines two mounting sockets 313, one on each side. In other instances, the mounting socket 313 extends completely through the divider 312 such that two hinge pins 202 may be received from opposite ends of the same mounting socket 313.

[0117] Reference Figure 15 , in some embodiments, the mounting sockets 213, 313 may include recesses 215 configured to hold one end 245, 247 of the hinge pins 202 of the gates 270, 370. An elastic retainer 217 may also be positioned at the recess 215 (e.g., see Figure 15 ). The retainer 217 is configured to temporarily flex to allow a portion of the hinge pin 202 to be positioned within the recess 215 and then to spring back to its original shape under the natural elasticity of the material to inhibit removal of the hinge pin 202 from the recess 215. In some embodiments, each hinge pin socket 213 includes a chamfered surface 214 leading to the recess 215. For example, the chamfered surface 214 may be directed from the exterior of the adapter bodies 268, 368. In the example, the chamfered surface 214 is wider at the recess 215 than at the opposite end of the chamfered surface 214. The gates 270, 370 may be pivotally coupled to the adapter bodies 268, 368 by snapping the respective first end 245 and second end 247 into the hinge pin sockets 213 defined by the adapter bodies 268, 368.

[0118] In other embodiments, the mounting socket 413 receives and engages the pivot end 438 of the gate 470 (see, e.g., Figure 23 ). For example, as Figure 24 shown, the pivot end 438 may include a hollow cylinder extending outward from the gate. As discussed above, the pivot end 438 may define a passage through which the hinge pin 402 extends. In certain embodiments, the adapter body 468 defines a channel 415 or other recess extending along the width of the adapter body 468. The channel 415 may be accessed from the bottom of the adapter body 468. In some instances, the gap between the lips or longitudinal edges of the channel 415 is less than the lateral dimension (e.g., diameter) of the pivot end 438 of the gate 470, such that the pivot end 438 is retained within the channel 415 by the natural resiliency of the adapter body 468. In some instances, the adapter body 468 includes a single channel 415 that extends along the width of the adapter body 468 and receives the pivot end of each gate of the gates 470. In other instances, the adapter body 468 includes a plurality of channels 415 that are spaced apart between the partitions 412 (see, e.g., Figure 23 ), such that the partitions define a stop surface between adjacent channels 415.

[0119] In some instances, the gates 470 are coupled via one or more hinge pins 402. In some embodiments, each gate 470 is secured to the adapter body 468 using a respective hinge pin 402. In other embodiments, a single hinge pin 402 may span the width of more than a single gate 470, such that multiple gates 470 may be mounted to the same hinge pin 402. Given the small size of the components, mounting multiple gates 470 to the same hinge pin 402 may facilitate assembly. For example, the gates 470 may be assembled onto the hinge pin 402 outside of the adapter body 468 and then installed as a unit within the channel 415. In some instances, a single hinge pin 402 may extend across a majority of the width of the adapter body 468 to engage the mounting socket 413 at opposite sidewalls 411 of the adapter body 468. In other instances, multiple hinge pins 402 cooperate to extend across a majority of the width of the adapter body 468, where each hinge pin 402 spans two or more ports.

[0120] As further depicted, in some embodiments, each of the gates 470 may include one or more limiters 480 configured to engage a portion of the adapter body 468 to inhibit the gate plates 312, 352, 382, 402 from traveling excessively beyond the closed position. Each contoured portion 480 defines a cavity 482. For example, as Figure 21 and 22Best depicted in, certain types of adapter bodies 468 can define a limiter 472 (e.g., an inwardly projecting boss) within the port. When the gate 470 is closed, the boss 472 nests within a recess 482 defined by the gate 470.

[0121] Reference Figures 26-28 , a tray device 100 having port occupancy detection features suitable for use with any of the adapters 210, 310, 410, 710, 810, 910 discussed herein is depicted in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. In certain instances, the tray device 100 also has cartridge identification features. As depicted, the tray device 100 can include a tray base 140 and a circuit board 142. In an embodiment, the tray device 100 can define one or more cartridge guides 112 that define one or more bays 114 for receiving one or more cartridges 110. Each cartridge 110 is configured to hold two or more adapters 210, 310, 410 at the front of the cartridge 110 and one or more adapters 210, 310, 410 at the rear of the cartridge 110.

[0122] In Figure 28 the example depicted in, a quad LC adapter 410 (as Figures 21-26 depicted in) and a duplex MPO adapter 310 (as Figures 18-20 depicted in) are shown mounted to the front of the cartridge 110, and two single - mode MPO adapters 210 (as Figures 14-17 depicted in) are shown mounted to the rear of the cartridge 110; however, the use of other types of adapters is also contemplated. In other embodiments, the cartridge 110 is configured to receive one type of adapter 210, 310, 410 at the front and a different type of adapter 210, 310, 410 at the rear. In Figure 29 an exemplary cartridge 110 suitable for use with any of the adapters 210, 310, 410 disclosed herein is shown.

[0123] The housing 110 defines a window 514 at which the resilient latch members 219, 319, 419 of the adapters 210, 310, 410 engage. For example, the housing 110 may define such a window 514 at a front portion and a rear portion of the housing 110. The housing 110 is configured to space the adapters 210, 310, 410 apart to align bottom windows 227, 327, 427 of the adapters 210, 310, 410 (e.g., front adapters) with port occupancy detection features on the circuit board 142. Thus, when a plug connector is received at the port, the plug connector opens a shutter that carries actuators 186, 286, 386, 486 through the adapter windows 227, 327, 427 and engages or otherwise interacts with the port occupancy detection features. In some embodiments, the housing 110 either has a window or has a recessed bottom surface that exposes the bottom windows 227, 327, 427 of the adapters 210, 310, 410 (e.g., front adapters).

[0124] Figures 29-32 A first portion 132 and a second portion 182 of a second exemplary port occupancy sensor device are shown that are adapted to be used with Figures 1-3 the tray device 600 and the housing 110 as described. Figures 35-38 A first portion 132 and a second portion 182 of a third exemplary port occupancy sensor device are shown that are adapted to be used with Figures 1-3 the tray device 600 and the housing 110 as described.

[0125] In some embodiments, the first portion 132 of the port occupancy sensor device includes contact springs 657, 691 (e.g., see Figure 29 and 35 ) mounted to the circuit board 142. Thus, the housing 110 moves relative to the contact springs 657, 691 when the housing 110 is mounted to the tray device 600. In some embodiments, the contact springs 657, 691 are mounted to a side of the circuit board 142 opposite the housing 110. In some embodiments, portions 660, 693 of the contact springs 657, 691 project through the circuit board 142 to be engaged by an actuator 686 of the housing 110 when a plug is received at a port of the housing 110. In some embodiments, the actuator 686 is carried by a dust shutter 170 at the port.

[0126] The circuit board 142 has a first major side 645 and a second major side 647. In some embodiments, when the circuit board 142 is mounted to the tray device 600, the second major side 647 of the circuit board 142 faces the tray device 600, and the first major side 645 faces away from the tray device 600. In some instances, the cartridge 110 is disposed at the first major side 645, and the contact springs 650 are disposed at the second major side 647 such that the circuit board 142 extends between the cartridge 110 and the contact springs 650. The circuit board 142 includes a contact interface location disposed at the second major side 647. The circuit board 142 defines a window 643 that extends between the first major surface 645 and the second major surface 647.

[0127] The contact springs 657, 691 are fixed to the circuit board 142 at the mounting sections 661, 695 of the contact springs 657, 691. The contact springs 657, 691 extend outwardly from the mounting sections 661, 695 in a cantilever configuration. In some instances, the mounting sections 661, 695 are formed of a material different from the remainder of the contact springs 657, 691. In an example, the mounting sections 661, 695 are overmolded around the remainder of the contact springs 657, 691. In some embodiments, the mounting sections 661, 695 include pins.

[0128] The contact springs 657, 691 have first contact surfaces 658, 692 that are movable (e.g., deflectable or pivotable) between a first position and a second position. When the contact springs 657, 691 are disposed in the first position, the first contact surfaces 658, 692 are aligned with and engage the contact interface location of the circuit board 142. When the contact springs 657, 691 are disposed in the second position, the first contact surfaces 658, 692 are spaced apart from the contact interface location. In some embodiments, the contact springs 657, 691 further include second contact surfaces 663, 697. The contact springs 657, 691 selectively electrically connect a first contact interface location of the circuit board 142 with a second contact interface location via the first contact surfaces and the second contact surfaces.

[0129] In some embodiments, the contact springs 657, 691 are biased toward the first position. In some instances, the contact springs 657, 691 are self-biased toward the first position. In some embodiments, the first position is an undeflected position and the second position is a deflected position of the contact springs 657, 691. In other embodiments, when in the first position, the contact springs 657, 691 are disposed at the contact interface location in a preloaded state (e.g., at least slightly deflected).

[0130] In some embodiments, the second contact surface 663 fixedly engages the second contact interface location of the circuit board 142 (e.g., see Figure 29). For example, another portion of the contact spring 657 may extend cantilevered from the mounting section 661 to extend toward a second contact interface location on the circuit board 142. In some instances, the another portion extends oppositely to the main cantilever portion of the contact spring 657. In Figure 31 In the example shown in, the contact spring 657 further includes wings 659, which also engage the second contact interface location on the circuit board 142 to further ensure a firm electrical connection between the contact spring 657 and the second contact interface location. In other embodiments, the second contact surface 697 is carried by the cantilever portions of the contact springs 657, 691 to move toward and away from the second contact interface location of the circuit board 142 (for example, see Figure 37 ). For example, the first contact surface 692 and the second contact surface 697 may be laterally spaced apart at a common location along the length of the contact spring 691.

[0131] When the contact springs 657, 691 are disposed in the first position, current flows along the contact springs 657, 691 between the first contact interface location and the second contact interface location. When the contact springs 657, 691 are disposed in the second position, the electrical connection between the first contact interface location and the second contact interface location is disconnected. In some embodiments, the circuit board 142 includes a processor configured to detect the disconnection in the circuit and cause the generation of a port detection signal.

[0132] In some embodiments, the contact springs 657, 691 include actuation surfaces 651, 694 configured to engage the actuator 686 of the cartridge 110. In some instances, the protruding portions 660, 693 of the contact springs 657, 691 form the actuation surfaces 651, 694. Depressing the actuation surfaces 651, 694 moves the contact surfaces 658, 692 to the second position by flexing, pivoting, or otherwise moving the contact springs 657, 691 relative to the mounting sections 661, 695.

[0133] In some embodiments, the contact surface 658 is disposed between the actuation surface 651 and the mounting section 661 along the length of the contact spring 657. In other embodiments, the actuation surface 694 is disposed between the contact surfaces 692, 697 and the mounting section 695 along the length of the contact spring 691. In Figure 31 In the example shown in, when the second contact surface 663 is fixedly mounted to the second contact interface location, the contact surface 658 is disposed between the actuation surface 651 and the mounting section 661. However, it should be understood that the actuation surface 651 may be disposed between the contact surface 658 and the mounting section 661 in this configuration. In Figure 37In the example shown, when the second contact surface 697 is movably mounted to the second contact interface position, the actuating surface 694 is disposed between the contact surface 692 and the mounting section 695. However, it should be understood that the contact surface 692 may be disposed between the actuating surface 694 and the mounting section 695 in this configuration.

[0134] Now referring to Figure 29 and 35 , in some embodiments, the cartridge 110 or the corresponding port member 616 includes a body that defines an aperture 615 that is aligned with a window 643 defined in the circuit board 142. When the shutter 170 is moved to the open position, the actuator 686 projects through the aperture 615 of the cartridge 110 toward the window 643 in the circuit board 142. When the shutter 170 is disposed in the open position, the actuator 686 contacts the actuating surfaces 651, 694 of the contact springs 657, 691 to move at least the contact surfaces 658, 692 away from the circuit board 142 to disconnect the electrical connection.

[0135] In some embodiments, the portions 660, 693 of the contact springs 657, 691 that project through the circuit board 142 have forward-facing chamfered or otherwise contoured surfaces 662, 696 and rearward-facing chamfered or otherwise contoured surfaces 664, 698. When the cartridge 110 is mounted to the tray device 600, the cartridge 110 slides above the circuit board 142 (e.g., above the first major surface 645 of the circuit board 142) and above the protruding portions 660, 693. The forward-facing chamfered surfaces 662, 696 deflect the contact springs 657, 691 downward when engaged by the rear end of the cartridge 110 to accommodate the rearward sliding movement of the cartridge 110 when the cartridge 110 is mounted from the front of the tray device 600. The rearward-facing chamfered surfaces 664, 698 deflect the contact springs 657, 691 downward when engaged by the front end of the cartridge 110 to accommodate the forward sliding movement of the cartridge 110 when the cartridge 110 is mounted from the rear of the tray device 600.

[0136] Figure 33 and 34 show a first exemplary actuator and a second exemplary actuator 686 carried by an exemplary shutter 170 configured to be disposed at the front port of the cartridge 110. Figure 33 shows a shutter 170 suitable for use in an LC fiber optic adapter port, and Figure 34Shows a shutter 170 adapted for use in an MPO fiber optic adapter port. The shutter 170 includes a body 172 configured to extend across the front port when in the closed position. The shutter body 172 is configured to move relative to the port member 616 to an open position in which access to the front port is provided. For example, the shutter body 172 may pivot or deflect to the open position. In some instances, the shutter body 172 is biased to the closed position. In some instances, the shutter body 172 is biased closed by a torsion spring 676.

[0137] In some instances, the actuator 686 extends inwardly from the inner surface of the shutter body 172. In some instances, the actuator 686 is disposed along the central longitudinal axis C of the shutter body 172 (e.g., see Figure 33 ). In other instances, the actuator 686 is offset relative to the central longitudinal axis C (e.g., see Figure 34 ). In some instances, the actuator 686 is integrally formed with the shutter body 172. In some embodiments, the actuator 686 spans a majority of the width of the shutter body 172 (e.g., see Figure 33 ). In some embodiments, the actuator 686 is disposed at an end of the shutter body 172 (e.g., see Figure 34 ).

[0138] Reference Figure 29 and 35 , in some embodiments, the circuit board 142 extends forward beyond the front of the tray device 600 such that a portion 142A of the circuit board 142 is disposed in front of the tray device 600. In some instances, the contact spring 650 is mounted to the portion 142A of the circuit board 142. In some embodiments, a bezel 690 is mounted to the circuit board 142 to cover the portion 142A. In some instances, the bezel 690 covers the contact spring 691. The bezel 690 defines a recess or cavity in which the contact springs 657, 691 may move relative to the bezel 690. In other embodiments, the tray device 600 defines a cutout or other recess to accommodate the contact spring 650. In some such embodiments, the tray device 600 may extend forward at least as far as the circuit board 142.

[0139] Reference Figure 30 and 36, in some embodiments, the circuit board 142 defines a plurality of windows 643. Corresponding contact springs 657, 691 may be disposed at one or more of the windows 643. In some instances, the corresponding contact springs 657, 691 may be disposed at each compartment 614. In some instances, a plurality of contact springs 657, 691 may be disposed at each compartment 614. In some instances, the windows 643 are arranged in rows. In some instances, the windows 643 are arranged in rows at the front portion 602 of the tray device 600. In some instances, the contact springs 657, 691 may be disposed at the rows of windows 643 to detect the presence of a plug at a port disposed at the front portion 602 of the tray device 600. In the illustrated instance, the windows 643 are arranged as a first row at the front portion 602 of the tray device 600 and a second row at the rear portion 604 of the tray device 600. In some instances, the contact springs 657, 691 may be disposed at the front row and rear row of windows 643 to detect the presence of a plug at a front port disposed at the front portion 602 of the tray device 600 and a rear port disposed at the rear portion 604 of the tray device 600.

[0140] Reference Figures 39-51 , various adapters 710, 810, 910 are configured in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure to be selectively positioned at the cartridge 110, which may be positioned within one or more compartments 614 of the tray device 600. In Figures 39-42 the illustrated instance, the adapter 710 is a simplex MPO adapter. In Figures 43-45 the illustrated instance, the adapter 810 is a duplex MPO adapter. In Figures 46-51 the illustrated instance, the adapter 910 is a quad LC adapter. Other configurations are possible. The adapters 710, 810, 910 may include adapter bodies 768, 868, 968 and one or more gates 770, 870, 970. In some embodiments, one or more gates 770, 870, 970 may be operably coupled to the adapter bodies 768, 868, 968 via hinge pins 702, 902. In an embodiment, the adapters 710, 810, 910 may include a portion of or interact with a port occupancy detection feature (as described in connection with Figures 29-38 ).

[0141] The adapter bodies 768, 868, 968 extend along a depth between a front end 703, 803, 903 and a rear end 705, 805, 905. The adapter bodies 768, 868, 968 also extend along a height between a top portion 707, 807, 907 and a bottom portion 709, 809, 909, and along a width between side portions 711, 811, 911. The height, width, and depth are transverse to each other. The adapter bodies 768, 868, 968 define one or more front ports (e.g., spaces configured to receive one or more plug connectors) and a corresponding number of rear ports. For example, the adapter body 768 defines one front port; the adapter body 868 defines two front ports; and the adapter body 968 defines four front ports.

[0142] As Figure 39 , 44 and 48 show, in some embodiments, the adapter bodies 768, 868, 968 may define resilient latch members 719, 819, 919 configured to engage a stop surface on the box 110. In some instances, the resilient latch members 719, 819, 919 are configured to be received within a latch window defined by a portion of the box 110. In some instances, the resilient latch members 719, 819, 919 may include beveled portions 721, 821, 921 and stop portions 723, 823, 923. When the adapter bodies 768, 868, 968 are installed onto the box 110, a force or pressure applied to the beveled portions 721, 821, 921 causes the resilient latch members 719, 819, 919 to deflect inwardly. When the force or pressure applied to the beveled portions 721, 821, 921 is removed, the natural material elasticity of the resilient latch members 719, 819, 919 may cause the resilient latch members 719, 819, 919 to return to their original shape such that the stop portions 723, 823, 923 are opposite the surface of the box 110, thereby inhibiting removal of the adapter bodies 768, 868, 968 from the box 110. In some embodiments, the adapter bodies 768, 868, 968 may further define second stop portions 725, 825, 925 that are spaced apart from and opposite the first stop portions 723, 823, 923 such that a portion of the box 110 may be positioned between the first stop portions 723, 823, 923 and the second stop portions 725, 825, 925, thereby inhibiting movement of the adapter bodies 768, 868, 968 relative to the box 110 in either a forward or backward direction.

[0143] In some embodiments, the bottom portions 709, 809, 909 of the adapter bodies 768, 868, 968 may define one or more port occupancy sensor device windows 727, 827, 927 (as Figure 40 ,44 (depicted in FIGS. 48). One or more windows 727, 827, 927 extend through the bottom portions 709, 809, 909 between the interior and the exterior of the adapter bodies 768, 868, 968. In some instances, one or more port occupancy sensor device windows 727, 827, 927 may be horizontally offset relative to the centerline (C) of the adapter bodies 768, 868, 968. In some embodiments, one or more port occupancy sensor device windows 727, 827, 927 may be configured such that a portion of the gates 770, 870, 970 can be positioned therein. For example, when the gates 770, 870, 970 are in the open position, the actuators 786, 886, 986 of the gates 770, 870, 970 may be at least partially positioned within the port occupancy sensor device windows 727, 827, 927.

[0144] As Figure 44 and 48 best depicted in FIGS., in some embodiments, the bottom portions 809, 909 of the adapter bodies 868, 968 may define a plurality of port occupancy sensor device windows 827, 927. In some instances, the spacing of the port occupancy sensor device windows 827, 927 corresponds to the spacing of the ports (e.g., front ports). In some instances, the corresponding ports are single-fiber ports (e.g., see the ports of adapter 910). In such instances, each window 927 may be configured to receive the actuator 986 of the corresponding shutter 970 at the corresponding port. In other instances, the corresponding ports are multi-fiber ports (e.g., MPO ports). In such instances, a plurality of windows 727, 827 may be provided at each port. The shutters 770, 870 provided at the ports may span a plurality of windows 827, while the corresponding actuators 786, 886 may extend only into one of those windows 827. For example, the width of an MPO port is typically about twice the width of an LC fiber optic port. Thus, as Figure 44 depicted in FIGS., the first MPO port 849A and the second MPO port 849B may each define two port occupancy sensor device windows 827A, 827B, where only one port occupancy sensor device window 827A is actually used during port occupancy sensing. Thus, as Figure 44 depicted in FIGS., the actuator 886 of the gate 870 extends partially through the first port occupancy sensor device window 827A of the MPO port 849A. In the illustrated instance, the second port occupancy sensor window 827B of the MPO port 849A remains idle even when the corresponding gate 870 is open.

[0145] As Figures 44-45Further depicted in the examples, the port occupancy sensor device windows 727, 827, 927 of the adapter bodies 768, 868, 928 can be shaped in size to accommodate various forms of port occupancy sensing. For example, in some embodiments, the port occupancy sensor device windows 727, 827 can include chamfered edges 851 that are shaped to facilitate at least partial protrusion of the contact springs 657, 691 of the port occupancy sensor device positioned on the tray into the port occupancy sensor device windows 727, 827 (e.g., see Figure 35 ). For example, the spring contacts can have beveled or contoured portions that protrude through the windows 727, 827 to be engaged by a plug connector 850 inserted into the port. In some instances, the bevel or contour of the protruding spring contact portion can match or follow the shape or contour of the chamfered edge 851 to address the mounting tolerances of the spring contacts. It should be noted that although the chamfered edges are shown only on the first adapter body 768 and the second adapter body 868, the chamfered edges can also be used at the window 927 of the fourth adapter body 968.

[0146] Now referring to Figure 42 and 49 , in some embodiments, the inner surfaces 739, 939 of the gates 770, 870, 970 can define actuators 786, 886, 986. In some embodiments, the actuators 786, 886, 986 can be configured to actuate the spring contacts, thereby causing a disconnection of the electrical connection between the spring contacts and the docking surface, thereby indicating that the gates 770, 870, 970 are in the open configuration (e.g., this may result in an inference that the ports defined by the adapter bodies 768, 868, 968 are occupied). In other embodiments, the actuators 786, 886, 986 include Hall effect elements 750, 950 (e.g., magnetic elements, etc.), which are configured to interact with a non-contact sensor (e.g., a Hall effect sensor) to indicate the position of the gates 770, 870, 970 when in either the open configuration or the closed configuration. For example, in some embodiments, the actuators 786, 886, 986 can be carried by brackets 741, 941, which can include at least one resilient stop 743, 943 that enables the Hall effect elements 750, 950 to be inserted into the brackets 741, 941 but inhibits the Hall effect elements 750, 950 from being removed from the brackets 741, 941 after insertion.

[0147] Each shutter 770, 870, 970 is configured to be pivotally mounted at a respective port of adapter bodies 768, 868, 968. In some embodiments, hinge pin 702 extends along the receiving channels 737 of shutters 770, 870, 970 to secure the shutters 770, 870, 970 to adapter bodies 768, 868, 968. In some embodiments, door springs 776, 976 (e.g., torsion springs) are secured to shutters 770, 870, 970 using hinge pin 702. For example, hinge pin 702 may extend through the turns of door springs 776, 976, where the first ends 777, 977 of springs 776, 976 bias the shutters 770, 870, 970 and the second ends 777, 977 of springs 776, 976 bias the adapter bodies 768, 868, 968.

[0148] In some embodiments, adapter bodies 768, 868 include a plurality of shutters 770, 870 disposed at each port socket. When shutters 770, 870 are in the closed position, shutters 770, 870 cooperate to block access to the respective ports. When in the open position, shutters 770, 870 provide access to the respective ports. In Figures 39-45 the example shown, a first (e.g., upper) shutter 770A and a second (e.g., lower) shutter 770B are disposed within each port socket. Each of the shutters 770, 870 is pivotally coupled to adapter bodies 768, 868 to effect a transition between a closed configuration (e.g., such as Figure 39 the configuration depicted in Figure 43 the example shown, a first MPO port 849A is unoccupied such that shutter 870 is generally in the closed configuration, and a second MPO port 849B is occupied by an MPO-type plug 850 (the outer portion of which is visible in Figure 43 the example shown) such that shutter 870 is generally in the open configuration. To facilitate viewing of shutter 870, plug 850 is omitted in Figure 45 the example shown.

[0149] When in the open configuration, the major surfaces of shutters 770, 870 are substantially parallel to the respective top portions 707, 807 and bottom portions 709, 809 of adapter bodies 768, 868. In an example, MPO adapters 710, 810 may be used with port identification and / or port occupancy detection features (as described in connection with Figures 1-13As described above). In some instances, only one of the gates 770A in each socket carries the presence sensor actuator 786. When the gates 770, 870 are in the open position, the port occupancy actuator 786 (or the portion of the gates 770, 870 that holds the port occupancy actuator) projects at least partially into the respective windows 727, 827.

[0150] In the closed configuration, the gates 770, 870 can be angled generally inwardly. In some instances, the hinge connections between the gates 770, 870 and the adapter bodies 768, 868 are located generally at the front ends 703, 803 of the cartridge bodies 768, 868, and the pivot free ends of the gates 770, 870 are located generally behind the front ends 703, 803. This configuration of the gates 770, 870 generally reduces the amount of force required to transition the gates 770, 870 from the closed configuration to the open configuration to position the MPO plug into the MPO ports 849A, 849B.

[0151] In some embodiments, each of the gates 770, 870, 970 can define a hinge pin receiving passage 737, 937. The hinge pins 702, 902 are located in the passages 737. In some embodiments, the receiving passage 737 defines a groove (e.g., a partially cylindrical recess) that extends at least partially along one edge of the gates 770, 870. In some instances, the gates 770, 870, 970 can define a spring receiving cavity 729 that is axially aligned with the passage 737. In some instances, the groove 733 can extend outwardly from the cavity 729 to receive an end 777 of the door spring 776. In other instances, the end 977 of the door spring 976 extends above the inner surface of the gate 970.

[0152] In some instances, the ends 745, 747 of the hinge pin 702 extend axially outward from the passage 737 to engage portions of the adapter bodies 768, 868. For example, the section 738 can be provided at the central region of the receiving passage 737. Thus, in some embodiments, the adapter bodies 768, 868 can be assembled by positioning the door spring 776 within the torsion spring sockets 729 defined by each of the gates 770, 870. With the torsion spring 776 in place, the hinge pin 702 can be axially slid into the hinge pin receiving passage 737 and slid through the body 775 of the torsion spring 776 such that the hinge pin 702 serves to hold the torsion spring 776 within the torsion spring socket 729.

[0153] In other embodiments, the receiving passage 937 defines a through-passage extending through one or more pivot ends 938 (e.g., cylindrical structures) of the gate 970. For example, the gate 970 includes two pivot ends 938 that project outwardly from opposite sides of the gate 970, and each pivot end 938 defines the through-passage 937. In the illustrated example, the gate spring 976 is axially aligned with the through-passage between the pivot ends 938. In certain instances, the gates 770, 870 may define both a channel and a through-passage along the width of the gate plates 770, 870 (e.g., see Figure 41 ). In other embodiments, no portion of the gates 770, 870 completely surrounds the hinge pin 702, which can reduce frictional losses between the hinge pin 702 and the gates 770, 870 during operation. Additionally, less material is required to fabricate such gates 770, 870.

[0154] In certain embodiments, the adapter bodies 768, 868, 968 further define one or more mounting sockets 713, 813, 913 at which the gates 770, 870, 970 are mounted to the adapter bodies 768, 868, 968. In some embodiments, the mounting sockets 713, 813 receive and retain the ends of the hinge pin 702. For example, the ends of the hinge pin 702 may snap-fit into the mounting sockets 713, 813 (e.g., see Figure 40 ). In certain such embodiments, the adapter bodies 768, 868 also define grooves 753, 853 or other recesses to accommodate the pivot ends of the gates 770, 870 as the gates 770, 870 pivot between the open and closed positions.

[0155] In certain embodiments, one or more of the sockets 713, 813, 913 may include a stop surface against which the ends of the hinge pins 702, 902 may abut to inhibit axial movement of the hinge pins 702, 902 relative to the adapter bodies 768, 868, 968. In other embodiments, one or more of the sockets 713, 813, 913 may define a through-passage through which the hinge pins 702, 902 may extend. In certain embodiments, the adapter bodies 768, 868 include the mounting sockets 713, 813 at the inner sides of the side walls 711, 811 of the adapter bodies 768, 868. In the illustrated example, the mounting sockets 713, 813, 913 at the side walls 711, 811, 911 include stop surfaces (e.g., the inner sides of the side walls 711, 811, 911). In other instances, the hinge pins 702, 902 may extend through the side walls 711, 811, 911.

[0156] In some instances, adapter 810 further includes mounting sockets 813 at one or more dividers 812 between the front ports. Accordingly, first hinge pin 702 can extend between a mounting socket 813 at first sidewall 811 of adapter body 868 and a mounting socket 813 at an adjacent divider 812. In some instances, the divider defines a stop surface at mounting socket 813 such that each divider 812 defines two mounting sockets 813, one on each side. In other instances, mounting socket 813 extends completely through divider 812 such that two hinge pins 702 can be received from opposite ends of the same mounting socket 813.

[0157] Reference Figure 40 , in some embodiments, mounting sockets 713, 813 can include recesses 715 configured to hold an end 745, 747 of hinge pin 702 of gates 770, 870. Elastic retainer 717 can also be positioned at recess 715 (e.g., see Figure 40 ). Retainer 717 is configured to temporarily flex to allow a portion of hinge pin 702 to be positioned within recess 715 and then resiliently snap back to its original shape under the elasticity of the natural material to inhibit removal of hinge pin 702 from recess 715. In certain embodiments, each hinge pin socket 713 includes a chamfered surface 714 leading to recess 715. For example, chamfered surface 714 can be directed from the exterior of adapter bodies 768, 868. In an instance, chamfered surface 714 is wider at recess 715 than at an opposite end of chamfered surface 714. Gates 770, 870 can be pivotally coupled to adapter bodies 768, 868 by snapping respective first end 745 and second end 747 into hinge pin sockets 713 defined by adapter bodies 768, 868.

[0158] In other embodiments, mounting socket 913 receives and engages a pivot end 938 of gate 970 (e.g., see Figure 48 ) For example, as Figure 49As shown, the pivot end 938 may include a hollow cylinder extending outward from the gate. As discussed above, the pivot end 938 may define a passage through which the hinge pin 902 extends. In certain embodiments, the adapter body 968 defines a channel 915 or other recess extending along the width of the adapter body 968. The channel 915 may be accessed from the bottom of the adapter body 968. In some instances, the gap between the lips or longitudinal edges of the channel 915 is less than the lateral dimension (e.g., diameter) of the pivot end 938 of the gate 970, such that the pivot end 938 is retained within the channel 915 by the natural resiliency of the adapter body 968. In some instances, the adapter body 968 includes a single channel 915 that extends along the width of the adapter body 968 and receives the pivot end of each gate in the gate 970. In other instances, the adapter body 968 includes a plurality of channels 915 that are spaced apart between the partitions 912 (e.g., see Figure 48 ), such that the partitions define a stop surface between adjacent channels 915.

[0159] In some instances, the gates 970 are coupled via one or more hinge pins 902. In some embodiments, each gate 970 is secured to the adapter body 968 using a respective hinge pin 902. In other embodiments, a single hinge pin 902 may span the width of more than a single gate 970, such that multiple gates 970 may be mounted to the same hinge pin 902. Given the small size of the components, mounting multiple gates 970 to the same hinge pin 902 may facilitate assembly. For example, the gates 970 may be assembled onto the hinge pin 902 outside of the adapter body 968 and then installed as a unit within the channel 915. In some instances, a single hinge pin 902 may extend across a majority of the width of the adapter body 968 to engage the mounting sockets 913 at the opposite sidewalls 911 of the adapter body 968. In other instances, multiple hinge pins 902 cooperate to extend across a majority of the width of the adapter body 968, where each hinge pin 902 spans two or more ports.

[0160] As further depicted, in some embodiments, each gate in the gates 970 may include one or more limiters 980 configured to engage a portion of the adapter body 968 to inhibit the overtravel of the gate plates 812, 852, 882, 902 beyond the closed position. Each contoured portion 980 defines a cavity 982. For example, as Figure 21 and 22 best depicted, certain types of adapter bodies 968 may define limiters 972 (e.g., inwardly projecting bosses) within the ports. When the gate 970 is closed, the boss 972 nests within the cavity 982 defined by the gate 970.

[0161] Aspects of the present disclosure

[0162] Aspect 1. A communication box, comprising:

[0163] a base extending along a depth between a front portion and a rear portion and along a width between opposite first and second sides;

[0164] a port member carried by the base, the port member defining a front port; and

[0165] a shutter disposed within the front port, the shutter being movable between a first position and a second position to close and open a passage leading to the front port, the shutter carrying a magnet.

[0166] Aspect 2. The communication box according to Aspect 1, wherein the shutter has oppositely facing outer and inner sides, wherein mounting means is provided at the inner side of the shutter, and wherein the magnetic element is held at the mounting means.

[0167] Aspect 3. The communication box according to Aspect 2, wherein the mounting means comprises two latch arms configured to receive the magnetic element when the magnetic element is pressed towards the inner side of the shutter.

[0168] Aspect 4. The communication box according to Aspect 2, wherein the mounting means comprises a bracket and a locking tab, the bracket defining a recess in which the magnetic element is received, and the locking tab having a shoulder facing the recess and a chamfered surface facing away from the recess.

[0169] Aspect 5. The communication box according to any one of Aspects 2 - 4, wherein the mounting means is disposed along a central longitudinal axis of the shutter.

[0170] Aspect 6. The communication box according to any one of Aspects 2 - 4, wherein the mounting means is offset relative to a central longitudinal axis of the shutter.

[0171] Aspect 7. The communication box according to any one of Aspects 1 - 6, wherein the shutter is biased to the first position in which the shutter closes the front port.

[0172] Aspect 8. The communication box according to Aspect 7, wherein the shutter is biased to the first position using a torsion spring.

[0173] Aspect 9. The communication box according to any one of Aspects 1 - 8, wherein the base defines an aperture extending through a thickness of the base, wherein when the shutter is disposed in the second position, the magnetic element projects into the aperture.

[0174] Aspect 10. The communication box according to any one of Aspects 1 - 15, wherein the port member is a first port member provided at the front of the base; wherein the shutter is a first shutter; wherein a second port member is carried by the base at the rear of the base, the second port member defining a rear port; and wherein a second shutter is provided within the rear port, the second shutter being movable between a first position and a second position to close and open a passage leading to the rear port, the second shutter carrying a magnet.

[0175] Aspect 11. The communication box according to any one of Aspects 1 - 10, wherein the port member defines a rear port aligned with the front port.

[0176] Aspect 12. The communication box according to any one of Aspects 1 - 11, wherein the front port of the port member is one of a plurality of front ports defined by the port member.

[0177] Aspect 13. The communication box according to any one of Aspects 1 - 12, wherein the port member is one of a plurality of port members carried by the base.

[0178] Aspect 14. The communication box according to any one of Aspects 1 - 13, wherein the base includes an outer peripheral wall to define an interior.

[0179] Aspect 15. The communication box according to Aspect 14, further comprising a cover mounted to the base to enclose the interior.

[0180] Aspect 16. A communication device, comprising:

[0181] A tray body that extends along a depth between a front and a rear, along a width between opposite first and second sides, and along a height between a top and a bottom, the tray body including a plurality of box guides that extend along the depth of the tray body;

[0182] A circuit board that is mounted to the tray to form a managed tray, the circuit board having opposite first and second main sides, the second main side of the circuit board facing the tray body, the circuit board including a magnetic sensor at the second main side;

[0183] A box, the box being mounted to the managed tray such that a first major side of the circuit board faces the box, the box including a port, a shutter being disposed at the port, the shutter being movable between a closed position and an open position, the shutter carrying a magnetic element, the magnetic element moving with the shutter when the shutter moves between the closed position and the open position, the shutter being configured to move the magnetic element toward the magnetic sensor when the shutter moves to the open position and to move the magnetic element away from the magnetic sensor when the shutter moves to the closed position.

[0184] Aspect 17. The communication device according to aspect 16, wherein the box defines an aperture separated from the port, the aperture being aligned with the magnetic sensor and the magnetic element when the shutter is disposed in the closed position.

[0185] Aspect 18. The communication device according to aspect 16 or aspect 17, wherein the circuit board extends between the magnetic sensor and the magnetic element regardless of the position of the shutter.

[0186] Aspect 19. The communication device according to any one of aspects 16 - 18, further comprising a frame mounted above a second side of the circuit board at a front portion of the tray body, the frame covering the magnetic sensor.

[0187] Aspect 20. The communication device according to any one of aspects 16 - 19, wherein the box guide has a mounting portion extending through the circuit board to the tray body.

[0188] Aspect 21. The communication device according to any one of aspects 16 - 20, wherein the magnetic sensor is a Hall element.

[0189] Aspect 22. The communication device according to any one of aspects 16 - 21, wherein the circuit board includes a portion extending beyond a front portion of the tray body, and wherein the magnetic sensor is disposed at the portion.

[0190] Aspect 23. The communication device according to any one of aspects 16 - 22, wherein the magnetic sensor is a first magnetic sensor disposed at a front portion of the circuit board; and wherein a second magnetic sensor is disposed at a second major side and a rear portion of the circuit board.

[0191] Aspect 24. The communication device according to aspect 23, wherein a second portion of the circuit board extends beyond a rear portion of the tray body; and wherein the second magnetic sensor is disposed at the second portion.

[0192] Aspect 25. A panel system, comprising:

[0193] Define an internal chassis;

[0194] A tray body mounted to the chassis, the tray body extending between a front portion and a rear portion;

[0195] A circuit board having opposite first and second major sides, the second major side of the circuit board being mounted to the tray body to form a managed tray, the circuit board including a magnetic sensor at the second major side, the managed tray configured to receive a cartridge; and

[0196] A frame mounted to the managed tray to cover a second side of a portion of the circuit board.

[0197] Aspect 26. The panel system according to aspect 25, wherein the circuit board includes a portion extending beyond the front portion of the tray body; and wherein the frame is disposed in front of the front portion of the tray body.

[0198] Aspect 27. The panel system according to aspect 25, further including a cartridge defining a front port, the cartridge including a shutter for opening and closing the front port, the shutter carrying a magnet.

[0199] Aspect 28. The communication device according to any one of aspects 25-27, wherein the magnetic sensor is a Hall element.

[0200] Aspect 29. A method of detecting the presence of a plug at a communication device including a support structure, a circuit board, and a port member, the support structure carrying the circuit board such that the circuit board is disposed between the support structure and at least a portion of the port member, the method comprising:

[0201] Insert the plug into a front port of the port member;

[0202] Open the shutter of the port member by inserting the plug, and thereby move a magnetic element from a first position to a second position; and

[0203] Insert the magnetic element into an aperture defined by the port member and leading to the circuit board, wherein the magnetic element moves into and out of the vicinity of the magnetic sensor as the shutter moves.

[0204] Aspect 30. The method according to claim 29, wherein disposing the magnetic element at the aperture causes the magnetic element to enter the operating range of a magnetic sensor mounted to the circuit board.

[0205] Aspect 31. The method according to claim 29, wherein disposing the magnetic element at the orifice places the magnetic element out of the operating range of the magnetic sensor mounted to the circuit board.

[0206] Aspect 32. The communication device according to any one of aspects 29 - 32, wherein the magnetic sensor is a Hall element.

[0207] Aspect 33. The communication device according to aspects 29 - 32, wherein the support structure includes a tray.

[0208] Aspect 34. An optical adapter assembly, comprising:

[0209] An adapter body that extends along a depth between a front end and a rear end, along a height between a top portion and a bottom portion, and along a width between opposite sidewalls, the adapter body defining an aligned front port and a rear port, the bottom portion defining at least one port occupancy sensor device window aligned with the front port, the adapter body defining a mounting socket;

[0210] A port shutter that is mounted to the adapter body at the front port using the mounting socket, the port shutter being pivotally movable between a closed position and an open position, the port shutter further including an actuator bracket integrally formed with the door;

[0211] An actuator that is mounted at the actuator bracket;

[0212] A door spring that is mounted to the port shutter to bias the port shutter to the closed position, the door blocking the front port when the port shutter is disposed in the closed position, the door spring being different from the actuator.

[0213] Aspect 35. The optical adapter assembly according to aspect 34, wherein the door spring is a torsion spring.

[0214] Aspect 36. The optical adapter assembly according to aspect 34, further including a hinge pin coupled to the shutter, the hinge pin having an end that abuts an inner surface of one of the sidewalls of the adapter body, the port shutter being pivotally movable about the hinge pin between the closed position and the open position.

[0215] Aspect 37. The optical adapter assembly according to aspect 36, wherein the door of the port shutter defines a hinge pin receiving channel, the hinge pin extends along the hinge pin receiving channel, and wherein the hinge pin extends through the door spring to hold the door spring to the port shutter.

[0216] Aspect 38. The optical adapter assembly according to aspect 37, wherein the door of the port shutter has a portion that completely surrounds the hinge pin.

[0217] Aspect 39. The optical adapter assembly according to aspect 37 or aspect 38, wherein the door of the port shutter defines a recess that extends outward from the hinge pin receiving channel.

[0218] Aspect 40. The optical adapter assembly according to aspect 36, wherein the door of the port shutter defines a pivot end, the pivot end defines a through passage therethrough, the hinge pin extends along the through passage, and the door spring is disposed between the pivot ends.

[0219] Aspect 41. The optical adapter assembly according to aspect 36, wherein the front port of the adapter body is one of a plurality of front ports, and wherein the port shutter is one of a plurality of port shutters, each port shutter being disposed at a corresponding one of the front ports.

[0220] Aspect 42. The optical adapter assembly according to aspect 41, wherein each of the port shutters is coupled to the hinge pin.

[0221] Aspect 43. The optical adapter assembly according to aspect 41, wherein the hinge pin is one of a plurality of hinge pins that cooperate to span the width of the adapter, each hinge pin being coupled to at least one of the port shutters.

[0222] Aspect 44. The optical adapter assembly according to aspect 41, wherein the adapter body defines a plurality of port occupancy sensor device windows, each port occupancy sensor device window being aligned with a corresponding one of the front ports.

[0223] Aspect 45. The optical adapter assembly according to aspect 44, wherein a plurality of the port occupancy sensor device windows are disposed at a common one of the front ports.

[0224] Aspect 46. The optical adapter assembly according to aspect 45, wherein the actuator is aligned with only one of the port occupancy sensor device windows disposed at the common one of the front ports.

[0225] Aspect 47. The optical adapter assembly according to aspect 36, wherein the mounting socket defines a recess sized to receive an end of the hinge pin.

[0226] Aspect 48. The optical adapter assembly according to aspect 47, wherein the mounting socket defines a bevel leading to the recess.

[0227] Aspect 49. The optical adapter assembly according to aspect 47 or aspect 48, wherein an elastic retainer holds an end of the hinge pin within the recess.

[0228] Aspect 50. The optical adapter assembly according to any one of aspects 34 - 49, wherein the at least one port occupancy sensor device window has a chamfered edge that guides between an interior of the adapter body and an exterior of the adapter body.

[0229] Aspect 51. The optical adapter assembly according to aspect 34, wherein a door of the port shutter includes a pivoting end that snaps into the mounting socket and pivots within the mounting socket.

[0230] Aspect 52. The optical adapter assembly according to aspect 51, wherein the mounting socket extends along a width of the adapter body and defines an opening that is accessible from a bottom of the adapter body through a gap.

[0231] Aspect 53. The optical adapter assembly according to aspect 52, wherein the gap is less than a lateral dimension of the hinge pin at least at a location where the pivoting end of the port shutter is provided.

[0232] Aspect 54. The optical adapter assembly according to aspects 34 - 53, wherein the adapter body is mounted to a cartridge.

[0233] Aspect 55. The optical adapter assembly according to aspect 54, wherein the cartridge is mounted to a tray that carries a circuit board, the tray having a first portion of a port occupancy sensor device, wherein the port occupancy sensor device window is aligned with the first portion of the port occupancy sensor device.

[0234] Aspect 56. The optical adapter assembly according to aspect 55, wherein the first portion of the port occupancy sensor device includes a Hall effect sensor.

[0235] Aspect 57. The optical adapter assembly according to aspect 56, wherein the actuator includes a magnetic element configured to affect the Hall effect sensor when the port shutter is open and not affect the Hall effect sensor when the port shutter is closed.

[0236] Aspect 58. A panel system, comprising:

[0237] A chassis that defines an interior;

[0238] A tray installed to the chassis, the tray extending between a front portion and a rear portion, the tray configured to receive a cartridge;

[0239] A circuit board carried by the tray, the circuit board having opposite first and second major sides, the second major side of the circuit board facing the tray, the circuit board including a contact interface disposed at the second major side, the circuit board defining a window extending between the first and second major sides of the circuit board;

[0240] A contact spring mounted to the circuit board in a cantilever position such that a free end of the contact spring is deflectable away from the circuit board from a first position, the contact spring defining a protrusion aligned with the window such that the protrusion extends through the window from the second major side of the circuit board toward the first major side of the circuit board, the contact spring further defining a contact surface that, when in the first position, is aligned with and contacts the contact interface.

[0241] Aspect 59. The panel system according to aspect 58, wherein the protrusion is formed by a bent portion of the contact spring.

[0242] Aspect 60. The panel system according to any one of aspects 58 - 59, wherein the protrusion defines a front-facing cam surface and a rear-facing cam surface.

[0243] Aspect 61. The panel system according to any one of aspects 58 - 60, wherein the protrusion is disposed between the mounting position of the contact spring and the contact surface.

[0244] Aspect 62. The panel system according to any one of aspects 58 - 60, wherein the contact surface is disposed between the mounting position of the contact spring and the protrusion.

[0245] Aspect 63. The panel system according to any one of aspects 58 - 62, wherein the contact spring extends from a fixed end mounted to the circuit board to the free end.

[0246] Aspect 64. The panel system according to any one of aspects 58 - 62, wherein the contact surface is a first contact surface, wherein the contact spring includes a second contact surface spaced apart from the first contact surface along the length of the contact spring, and wherein the contact spring is mounted to the circuit board at a position intermediate the first contact surface and the second contact surface.

[0247] Aspect 65. The panel system according to any one of claims 58 - 64, wherein the contact spring defines a flat actuation surface.

[0248] Aspect 66. The panel system according to any one of aspects 58 - 64, wherein the contact spring defines a contoured actuation surface.

[0249] Aspect 67. The panel system according to any one of aspects 58 - 66, wherein the circuit board includes a portion that extends beyond the front portion of the tray.

[0250] Aspect 68. The panel system according to aspect 67, further comprising a frame mounted to the tray, the frame extending along the portion of the circuit board in front of the tray such that at least a portion of the contact spring is disposed between the frame and the circuit board.

[0251] Aspect 69. The panel system according to any one of aspects 58 - 68, wherein the protrusion of the contact spring is configured to extend beyond the first major side of the circuit board through the window when in the first position.

[0252] Aspect 70. The panel system according to any one of aspects 58 - 69, further comprising a box mounted to the tray, the box carrying a port member that defines a front port, the port member including a shutter disposed at the front port, the shutter being movable between an open position and a closed position, the shutter including an actuation surface that contacts and depresses the protrusion of the contact spring when the shutter is disposed in the open position, wherein the actuation surface is spaced apart from the contact spring when the shutter is disposed in the closed position.

[0253] Aspect 71. The panel system according to aspect 70, wherein when the actuation surface depresses the protrusion of the contact spring, the contact surface of the contact spring moves away from the contact interface.

[0254] Aspect 72. The panel system according to aspect 70, wherein the actuation surface includes an inward protrusion carried by the shutter.

[0255] Aspect 73. The panel system according to any one of aspects 70 - 72, wherein the shutter is biased to the closed position.

[0256] Aspect 74. The panel system according to any one of aspects 58 - 73, wherein the shutter is biased to the closed position by a torsion spring separate from the contact spring.

[0257] Aspect 75. The panel system according to any one of aspects 58 - 74, wherein the tray is movable relative to the chassis between a retracted position and an extended position.

[0258] Aspect 76. A communication device, comprising:

[0259] A tray that extends along a depth between a front and a rear, a width between opposite first and second sides, and a height between a top and a bottom, the tray including a plurality of cartridge guides extending along the depth of the tray;

[0260] A circuit board disposed at the top of the tray, the circuit board having opposite first and second major sides, the second major side of the circuit board facing the top of the tray, the circuit board including a contact interface disposed at the second major side, the circuit board defining a window extending between the first and second major sides of the circuit board; and

[0261] A contact spring disposed at the second major side of the circuit board, the contact spring defining a protrusion that is aligned with the window such that when the contact spring is disposed in a first position, the protrusion extends through the window, the contact spring further defining a contact surface that contacts the contact interface at the second side of the circuit board when the contact spring is disposed in the first position, the contact surface being movable away from the contact interface.

[0262] Aspect 77. The communication device according to aspect 76, further including a cartridge mounted to the tray using at least two of the cartridge guides, the cartridge carrying a port member that defines an aperture extending between an exterior and an interior of the port member, the aperture at least partially overlapping the window defined by the circuit board when the cartridge is mounted to the tray.

[0263] Aspect 78. The communication device according to aspect 76 or aspect 77, wherein the contact surface of the contact spring is disposed between the mounting position of the contact spring and the protrusion of the contact spring.

[0264] Aspect 79. The communication device according to aspect 76 or aspect 77, wherein the protrusion of the contact spring is disposed between the mounting position of the contact spring and the contact surface of the contact spring.

[0265] Aspect 80. The communication device according to any one of aspects 76-79, wherein the contact spring includes a deflectable metal spring coupled to a plastic base, and wherein the plastic base is mounted to the second major side of the circuit board.

[0266] Aspect 81. The communication device according to any one of aspects 76-80, wherein the circuit board includes a portion that extends beyond the front of the tray, and wherein the contact spring is mounted to the second side of the portion of the circuit board.

[0267] Aspect 82. A method for detecting the presence of a plug at a communication device including a circuit board and a port member, the circuit board including a magnetic sensor, the method including:

[0268] Inserting the plug into a front port of the port member; and

[0269] Opening a shutter of the port member by inserting the plug, and thereby moving a magnetic element from a first position to a second position, wherein when the magnetic element is disposed in the second position, at least a portion of the magnetic element is disposed within an aperture defined by the port member.

[0270] Aspect 83. The method according to aspect 82, wherein the magnetic sensor is disposed relative to the port member such that the magnetic element is within an operating range of the magnetic sensor when disposed in the second position and not within the operating range when disposed in the first position.

[0271] Aspect 84. The method according to aspect 83, wherein the circuit board is mounted between the port member and a support structure.

[0272] Aspect 85. The method according to aspect 84, wherein the support structure includes a tray.

[0273] Aspect 86. The method according to aspect 82, wherein the magnetic sensor is disposed relative to the port member such that the magnetic element is within an operating range of the magnetic sensor when disposed in the first position and not within the operating range when disposed in the second position.

[0274] Aspect 87. The method according to aspect 86, wherein the port member is mounted between the circuit board and a support structure.

[0275] Aspect 88. The method according to aspect 87, wherein the support structure includes a bulkhead frame.

[0276] Aspect 89. An optical adapter assembly, comprising:

[0277] An adapter body extending along a depth between a front end and a rear end, along a height between a top portion and a bottom portion, and along a width between opposing sidewalls, the adapter body defining aligned front and rear ports, the bottom portion defining at least one port occupancy sensor device window aligned with the front port, the adapter body defining a mounting socket;

[0278] A port shutter that is mounted to the adapter body at the front port using the mounting socket, the port shutter being pivotally movable between a closed position and an open position, the port shutter further including an actuator integrally formed with the door;

[0279] A door spring that is mounted to the port shutter to bias the port shutter to the closed position, the door blocking the front port when the port shutter is disposed in the closed position, the door spring being different from the actuator or the actuator bracket.

[0280] Aspect 90. The optical adapter assembly according to aspect 89, wherein the door spring is a torsion spring.

[0281] Aspect 91. The optical adapter assembly according to aspect 89, further including a hinge pin coupled to the shutter, the hinge pin having an end that abuts an inner surface of one of the side walls of the adapter body, the port shutter being pivotally movable about the hinge pin between the closed position and the open position.

[0282] Aspect 91. The optical adapter assembly according to aspect 91, wherein the door of the port shutter defines a hinge pin receiving channel, the hinge pin extending along the hinge pin receiving channel, and wherein the hinge pin extends through the door spring to hold the door spring to the port shutter.

[0283] Aspect 92. The optical adapter assembly according to aspect 92, wherein the door of the port shutter has a portion that completely surrounds the hinge pin.

[0284] Aspect 93. The optical adapter assembly according to aspect 91 or aspect 92, wherein the door of the port shutter defines a groove extending outward from the hinge pin receiving channel.

[0285] Aspect 94. The optical adapter assembly according to aspect 90, wherein the door of the port shutter defines a pivot end, the pivot end defining a through passage therethrough, the hinge pin extending along the through passage, and the door spring being disposed between the pivot ends.

[0286] Aspect 95. The optical adapter assembly according to aspect 90, wherein the front port of the adapter body is one of a plurality of front ports, and wherein the port shutter is one of a plurality of port shutters, each port shutter being disposed at a corresponding one of the front ports.

[0287] Aspect 96. The optical adapter assembly according to aspect 95, wherein each of the port shutters is coupled to the hinge pin.

[0288] Aspect 97. The optical adapter assembly according to aspect 95, wherein the hinge pin is one of a plurality of hinge pins that cooperate to span the width of the adapter, and each hinge pin is coupled to at least one of the port shutters.

[0289] Aspect 98. The optical adapter assembly according to aspect 95, wherein the adapter body defines a plurality of port occupancy sensor device windows, and each port occupancy sensor device window is aligned with a corresponding one of the front ports.

[0290] Aspect 99. The optical adapter assembly according to aspect 98, wherein a plurality of the port occupancy sensor device windows are provided at a common one of the front ports.

[0291] Aspect 100. The optical adapter assembly according to aspect 99, wherein the actuator is aligned with only one of the port occupancy sensor device windows provided at a common one of the front ports.

[0292] Aspect 101. The optical adapter assembly according to aspect 90, wherein the mounting socket defines a recess sized to receive an end of the hinge pin.

[0293] Aspect 102. The optical adapter assembly according to aspect 101, wherein the mounting socket defines an inclined surface leading to the recess.

[0294] Aspect 103. The optical adapter assembly according to aspect 101 or aspect 102, wherein an elastic retainer holds the end of the hinge pin within the recess.

[0295] Aspect 104. The optical adapter assembly according to any one of aspects 89 - 103, wherein the at least one port occupancy sensor device window has a chamfered edge that guides between the interior and the exterior of the adapter body.

[0296] Aspect 105. The optical adapter assembly according to aspect 89, wherein the door of the port shutter includes a pivot end that snaps into the mounting socket and pivots within the mounting socket.

[0297] Aspect 106. The optical adapter assembly according to aspect 105, wherein the mounting socket extends along the width of the adapter body and defines an opening that can be accessed from the bottom of the adapter body through a gap.

[0298] Aspect 107. The optical adapter assembly according to aspect 106, wherein the gap is less than the lateral dimension of the hinge pin at least at the position where the pivot end of the port shutter is provided.

[0299] Aspect 108. The optical adapter assembly according to aspects 89 - 107, wherein the adapter body is mounted to the cartridge.

[0300] Aspect 109. The optical adapter assembly according to aspect 108, wherein the cartridge is mounted to a tray carrying a circuit board, the tray having a first portion of a port occupancy sensor device, and wherein a port occupancy sensor device window is aligned with the first portion of the port occupancy sensor device.

[0301] Aspect 110. The optical adapter assembly according to aspect 109, wherein the first portion of the port occupancy sensor device includes a contact spring that is flexible between a first position and a second position, and when in the first position, the contact spring projects partially through the port occupancy sensor device window.

[0302] Aspect 111. The optical adapter assembly according to aspect 110, wherein when the port shutter is set in the open position, the projecting portion of the contact spring engages the actuator.

[0303] Preferred aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure have been described, and modifications and equivalents of the disclosed concepts can be readily envisioned by those skilled in the art. However, it is intended that such modifications and equivalents be included within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A communication box, comprising: a base that extends along a depth between a front portion and a rear portion and along a width between opposite first and second sides; a port member carried by the base, the port member defining a front port and an orifice that extends at an angle relative to the front port; and a shutter disposed at the front port, the shutter being movable between a first position and a second position to close and open a passage leading to the front port respectively, the shutter carrying a projecting structure that at least partially extends through the orifice when the shutter is disposed in the second position.

2. The communication box according to claim 1, wherein the projecting structure forms part of a mounting means for carrying a magnetic element.

3. The communication box according to claim 2, wherein the shutter has oppositely facing outer and inner sides, and wherein the mounting means is disposed at the inner side of the shutter.

4. The communication box according to claim 2, wherein the mounting means comprises two latch arms configured to receive the magnetic element when the magnetic element is pressed towards the inner side of the shutter.

5. The communication box according to claim 2, wherein the mounting means comprises a bracket and a locking tab, the bracket defining a recess in which the magnetic element is received, and the locking tab having a shoulder facing the recess and a chamfered surface facing away from the recess.

6. The communication box according to any one of claims 2 - 5, wherein the mounting means is disposed along a central longitudinal axis of the shutter.

7. The communication box according to any one of claims 2 - 5, wherein the mounting means is offset relative to a central longitudinal axis of the shutter.

8. The communication box according to any one of claims 1 - 7, wherein the shutter is biased to the first position in which the shutter closes the front port.

9. The communication box according to claim 8, wherein a torsion spring is used to bias the shutter to the first position.

10. The communication box according to any one of claims 1 - 9, wherein the port member is a first port member disposed at a front portion of the base; wherein the shutter is a first shutter; wherein a second port member is carried by the base at a rear portion of the base, the second port member defining a rear port; and wherein a second shutter is disposed within the rear port, the second shutter being movable between a first position and a second position to close and open a passage leading to the rear port, the second shutter carrying a magnet.

11. The communication box according to any one of claims 1 - 10, wherein the port member defines a rear port that is aligned with the front port.

12. The communication box according to any one of claims 1 - 11, wherein the front port of the port member is one of a plurality of front ports defined by the port member.

13. The communication box according to any one of claims 1-12, wherein the port member is one of a plurality of port members carried by the base, and each port member of the plurality of port members defines a corresponding front port.

14. The communication box according to claim 1, wherein the protruding structure has an H shape.

15. A communication device comprising: a tray body extending along a depth between a front portion and a rear portion, a width between opposite first and second sides, and a height between a top and a bottom, the tray body including a plurality of box guides extending along the depth of the tray body; a circuit board mounted to the tray to form a managed tray, the circuit board having opposite first and second main sides, the second main side of the circuit board facing the tray body, the circuit board including a first portion of a port occupancy sensor device disposed at the second main side; a box mounted to the managed tray such that the first main side of the circuit board faces the box, the box including a front port, a shutter being disposed at the front port, the shutter being movable between a closed position and an open position, the shutter including a second portion of the port occupancy sensor device, the second portion moving with the shutter as the shutter moves between the closed position and the open position, the shutter configured to move the second portion of the port occupancy sensor device towards the first portion of the port occupancy sensor device when the shutter moves to the open position, and to move the second portion of the port occupancy sensor device away from the first portion of the port occupancy sensor device when the shutter moves to the closed position.

16. The communication device according to claim 15, wherein the first portion of the port occupancy sensor device includes a magnetic sensor, and the second portion of the port occupancy sensor device includes a magnetic element.

17. The communication device according to claim 16, wherein the magnetic sensor includes a Hall effect sensor; and wherein the magnetic element includes a magnet carried by a mounting structure extending inwards from the shutter.

18. The communication device according to claim 15, wherein the first portion of the port occupancy sensor device includes a pad and a cantilever spring, and the second portion of the port occupancy sensor device includes a protruding actuator.

19. The communication device according to any one of claims 15-18, wherein the front port of the box is formed by a port member carried by the body of the box, wherein the port member defines an orifice separated from the front port, and when the shutter is disposed in the closed position, the orifice is aligned with the first portion of the port occupancy sensor and with the first portion of the port occupancy sensor.

20. The communication device according to any one of claims 15-19, wherein the circuit board extends between the first portion of the port occupancy sensor and the second portion of the port occupancy sensor regardless of the position of the shutter.

21. The communication device according to any one of claims 15 - 20 further includes a frame mounted above the second side of the circuit board at the front of the tray body, the frame covering a first part of the port occupancy sensor device.

22. The communication device according to any one of claims 15 - 21, wherein the cartridge guide has a mounting portion that extends through the circuit board to the tray body.

23. The communication device according to any one of claims 16 - 22, wherein the magnetic sensor is a first magnetic sensor disposed at the front of the circuit board; and wherein a second magnetic sensor is disposed at the second main side and the rear of the circuit board.

24. The communication device according to claim 23, wherein a second part of the circuit board extends beyond the rear of the tray body; and wherein the second magnetic sensor is disposed at the second part.

25. A panel system comprising: a chassis defining an interior; a tray body mounted to the chassis, the tray body extending between a front and a rear; a circuit board having opposite first and second main sides, the second main side of the circuit board being mounted to the tray body to form a managed tray, the circuit board including a magnetic sensor at the second main side, the managed tray configured to receive a cartridge; and a frame mounted to the managed tray to cover a second side of a portion of the circuit board.

26. The panel system according to claim 25, wherein the circuit board includes a portion that extends beyond the front of the tray body; and wherein the frame is disposed in front of the front of the tray body.

27. The panel system according to claim 25 further includes a cartridge defining a front port, the cartridge including a shutter for opening and closing the front port, the shutter carrying a magnet.

28. The communication device according to any one of claims 25 - 27, wherein the magnetic sensor is a Hall element.

29. A method of detecting the presence of a plug at a communication device including a circuit board and a port member, the circuit board including a magnetic sensor, the method comprising: inserting the plug into a front port of the port member; and opening a shutter of the port member by inserting the plug and thereby moving a magnetic element from a first position to a second position, wherein at least a portion of the magnetic element is disposed within an orifice defined by the port member when the magnetic element is disposed in the second position.

30. The method according to claim 29, wherein the magnetic sensor is disposed relative to the port member such that the magnetic element is within the operating range of the magnetic sensor when disposed in the second position and not within the operating range when disposed in the first position.

31. The method according to claim 30, wherein the circuit board is mounted between the port member and a support structure.

32. The method according to claim 31, wherein the support structure includes a tray.

33. The method according to claim 29, wherein the magnetic sensor is arranged relative to the port member such that the magnetic element is within the operating range of the magnetic sensor when arranged in the first position and outside the operating range when arranged in the second position.

34. The method according to claim 33, wherein the port member is mounted between the circuit board and the support structure.

35. The method according to claim 34, wherein the support structure includes a partition frame.

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