Frame for a patch panel and device comprising such a frame and a support rail

Abstract

Frame for a patch panel and device comprising such a frame and a support rail. Frame (12) for a patch panel, comprising a front portion (20) in and / or on which at least one connector receptacle (22) for an electrical connector can be mounted, at least one lateral portion (24, 28) disposed on the front portion (20), and a cable space (36) extending from the front portion (20) along at least one lateral portion (24, 28), the frame (12) comprising at least one support rail receptacle (26, 30) by means of which a support rail (16) can be mounted along a rear face (40) of the cable space (36) away from the front portion (20). Figure for the abstract: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Frame for a patch panel and device comprising such a frame and a support rail

[0001] The invention relates to a frame for a patch panel as well as a device comprising a frame of this type and a support rail for receiving at least one electrical module.

[0002] Patch panels are known in various forms of embodiments from the prior art, also under the designations "patching field" or "distribution field".

[0003] A patch panel typically has a frame in the front part, from which several sockets are mounted for connecting patch cables by means of plug-in connectors.

[0004] At the rear, it is connected to the sockets of cables which are generally installed in a fixed manner, in particular laying cables.

[0005] Patch panels are usually mounted on shelves or in cabinets for network technology, which are called server cabinets.

[0006] Shelves or cabinets of this type are often subdivided into levels according to a standardized grid, with a patch panel typically sized in accordance with this grid. This system offers the desired advantages in terms of standardization and has proven itself in practice.

[0007] The number of levels available in a cabinet or shelf is, however, limited for reasons of construction space.

[0008] Patch panels are already known from the prior art, which attempt to perform several of the functions of a patch panel on one level. Reference will be made, for example, to EP3 334 176 Bl.

[0009] In addition, patch panels with additional functions are known from US 11 477 545 B2 and US 7 628 644 B1.

[0010] However, so far, there often appears to be a lack of construction space, due to the need for an entire level in a server cabinet or shelf to mount additional components, such as devices to be mounted in series, these components themselves often having relatively small mounting space requirements.

[0011] The object of the invention is to provide a device which allows the mounting of additional components in a server cabinet or shelf which saves mounting space, and which can nevertheless be produced at an advantageous cost.

[0012] The goal is achieved, according to the invention, by a frame for a patch panel, comprising a front part in and / or on which can be mounted at least one connector reception for an electrical connector, at least one side part disposed on the front part, and a cable space extending from the front part along at least one side part, characterized in that the frame includes at least one support rail reception, by means of which a support rail can be mounted along a rear face of the cable space away from the front part.

[0013] Preferably, the frame includes a cable guidance and / or tension relief device mounted in the cable space.

[0014] Preferably, at least one support rail reception is disposed on at least one lateral part.

[0015] Preferably, at least one support rail reception can slide on at least one lateral part.

[0016] Preferably, at least one lateral part includes a stop for the application of at least one support rail reception.

[0017] Preferably, at least one support rail reception can be fixed to at least one side part in a removable, non-destructive manner, preferably by means of a snap-fit ​​connection and / or a screw connection.

[0018] Preferably, at least one support rail reception can be fixed to at least one side part in a non-removable manner, preferably by means of a rivet connection.

[0019] Preferably, at least one support rail reception includes a side part arm for mounting on the at least one side part and a side rail arm for mounting on the support rail.

[0020] Preferably, the frame comprises a first lateral part and a first support rail reception disposed on the first lateral part and a second lateral part disposed opposite the first lateral part and a second support rail reception disposed on the second lateral part.

[0021] The goal is further achieved according to the invention by a device comprising a frame according to the invention, as well as a support rail for receiving at least one electrical connector, the support rail being mounted on the at least one support rail reception and along the rear face of the cable space.

[0022] A frame, according to the invention, for a patch panel comprises a front portion in and / or on which at least one connector reception for an electrical connector can be mounted, at least one side portion disposed on the front portion, and a cable space extending from the front portion along at least one side part. At least one side part is arranged, preferably at a right angle to the front part and / or to one end of the front part.

[0023] The cable space is provided, preferably for receiving permanently installed cables running to the rear of the electrical manifold, or for connection devices for these cables. The frame includes at least one support rail receipt, by means of which a support rail can be mounted along a rear portion of the cable space away from the front portion.

[0024] A frame of this type provides the conditions for additional modules, particularly electrical ones, to be mounted on the rear face of a patch panel.

[0025] By means of this frame, the mounting space available at the frame level can be better utilized in depth. Preferably, the support rail receiver is designed so that the support rail can be mounted directly onto the support rail receiver.

[0026] The frame may include a cable guidance and / or strain relief device mounted in the cable space. The cable guidance and / or strain relief device is preferably provided for cables arranged in the cable space. The cable guidance and / or strain relief device may be mounted on at least one lateral part, thereby making the frame more rigid.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one support rail receiver is mounted on at least one lateral part of the frame. The existing frame structure can thus be used for mounting at least one support rail receiver. No additional support structure is required.

[0028] Preferably, at least one support rail receiver can slide on at least one lateral part. This makes it easier to mount the support rail receiver.

[0029] In a particularly preferred manner, at least one support rail receiver can slide from the rear side of the cable space onto at least one lateral portion. The at least one support cable receiver can include, on at least one section, a C-shaped cross-section having correspondingly curved sections.

[0030] The curved sections can be made in such a way that they surround an upper edge and / or a lower edge of the lateral part.

[0031] The at least one lateral part may include a stop for the application of the at least one support rail reception.

[0032] The position of at least one support rail reception on at least one lateral part can thus be defined. The stop can be made, in particular, by means of a heel on the upper edge and / or lower edge of at least one lateral part. If at least one support rail reception has a C-shaped cross-section, the stop can thus interact with the curved sections of at least one support rail reception.

[0033] At least one support rail reception can be fixed to at least one side part in a removable, non-destructive manner, preferably by means of a snap-fit ​​connection and / or a screw connection.

[0034] A removable fastener can provide, in particular, greater flexibility in the use of the frame for the user. By providing a snap-fit ​​connection in addition to a screw connection, the mounting of at least one support rail receiver can be facilitated.

[0035] At least one support rail receiver can be permanently fixed to at least one side portion, preferably by means of a rivet connection. In particular, to facilitate the mounting of the fixed attachment, the frame may also include a device for the removable attachment of at least one support rail receiver, for example, the snap-fit ​​connection described above.

[0036] The at least one support rail reception may include a side part arm for mounting on the at least one side part and a support rail arm for mounting on the support rail.

[0037] The side part arm and the support rail arm are arranged, preferably at a right angle to each other.

[0038] Preferably, the lateral part branch has a C-shaped cross-section.

[0039] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the frame comprises a first lateral part and a first support rail reception mounted on the first lateral part, as well as a second lateral part mounted opposite the first lateral part and a second support rail reception mounted on the second lateral part.

[0040] The first lateral part and the second lateral part each preferably have the characteristics described above of at least one lateral part. Preferably, the first lateral part is disposed at a first end of the front part and the second lateral part is disposed at a second end of the front part facing the first end.

[0041] The first and second support rail receptions each preferably have the previously described characteristics of at least one support rail reception. Preferably, the frame is made symmetrically with respect to an imaginary plane of symmetry arranged perpendicular to the front part and intersecting the front part at its midpoint.

[0042] A device according to the invention comprises the frame described above and a support rail for receiving at least one electrical module, the support rail being mounted on at least one support rail socket and along the rear face of the cable space. The at least one electrical module can thus be mounted, saving mounting space in the patch panel, on the rear face of the cable space. The support rail is preferably mounted on the support rail arm of the at least one support rail socket. The support rail may be made of a top rail. The at least one electrical module may include, for example, a device to be connected in series.

[0043] The support rail is preferably mounted on the frame in such a way that at least one electrical module can be mounted on the side of the support rail furthest from the cable space. The mounting area at the rear, extending from the frame, can thus be used to house at least one electrical module.

[0044] An example of an embodiment of the invention is explained with reference to the following figure.

[0045] The figure shows:

[0046] [Fig-1] a schematic representation of an example of an embodiment of a device according to the invention.

[0047] The same reference symbols are used for identical parts and the same functions.

[0048] Fig. 1 shows an example of an embodiment of a device 10 comprising a cable 12 for a patch panel and a support rail 16 made of a cap rail 14 for receiving electrical modules 18. The cable 12 includes a front portion 20, in which are arranged a plurality of connector receptions 22 for electrical connectors, which are not shown, in particular sockets.

[0049] The frame 12 comprises a first lateral portion 24 and a first support rail receiver 26 disposed on the first lateral portion 24, as well as a second lateral portion 28 disposed opposite the first lateral portion 24 and a second support rail receiver 30 disposed on the second lateral portion 28. The first lateral portion 24 is disposed at a right angle to the first portion 32 of the front portion 20, and the second portion 28 is disposed at a right angle to a second end 34 of the front portion 20 disposed opposite the first end 32. The frame 12 is symmetrically formed with respect to an imaginary plane 35 of symmetry disposed perpendicular to the front portion 20 and intersecting the front portion 20 at its midpoint.

[0050] The front portion 20, which extends along the lateral portions 24, 28 to the cable space 36, which is intended to receive cables or connection devices leading rearward to the electrical connectors, is generally permanently installed. The frame 12, shown in [Fig. 1], includes a cable guide or strain relief device 38 mounted in the cable space 36, which is intended for the cables arranged in the cable space 36. The cable guidance and tension relief device 38 is mounted on one side on the first lateral part 24 and, on the other side, on the second lateral part 28, which makes the frame 12 more rigid.

[0051] By means of the first support rail 26 and the second support rail 30, the top rail 14 is mounted along a rear face 40 of the cable space 36 away from the front portion 20. The support rail is mounted directly onto the first support rail 26 and the second support rail 30. The electrical connectors 18 can thus be mounted on the rear face of a patch panel at the frame 12.

[0052] The first support rail receiver 26 and the second support rail receiver 30 each have a side arm 42 for mounting on the corresponding side arm 24, 28. Furthermore, the first support rail receiver 26 and the second support rail receiver 30 each have a support rail arm 44 for mounting on the support rail 16. The side arm 42 and the support rail arm 44 are mounted at right angles to each other.

[0053] The first support rail receiver 26 and the second support rail receiver 30 can slide along the associated side arm 42 from the rear face 40 of the cable space 36 onto the corresponding side section 24, 28. The side arms 42 of the support rail receivers 26, 30 each have a C-shaped cross-section with correspondingly curved sections 46. The curved sections 46 are designed so that they can surround an upper and a lower edge of the first side section 24 or the second side section 28.

[0054] As can be seen in [Fig. 1], particularly on the second lateral part 28, the first lateral part 24 and the second lateral part 28 each have a stop 48 for the application of the first support rail reception 26 or the second support rail reception 30. The stop 48 can be formed, in particular, as a heel on the upper and / or lower edge of the associated lateral part 24, 28. The stop 48 can thus interact with the curved sections 46 of the lateral part arm 42.

[0055] In an embodiment shown in [Fig. 1], the arms 42 of the side sections of the support rail receivers 26, 30 are each attached to the side sections 24, 28 in a removable, non-destructive manner by means of a snap-fit ​​connection 50. In particular, this facilitates the mounting of the support rail receivers 26, 30 onto the side section 24, 28. Furthermore, the arm 42 of the side sections of the Support rail receipts 26, 30 are fixed to the lateral parts 24, 28 in a non-removable manner by means of rivet connection 52.

[0056] The cap rail 14 is positioned directly on the arms 44 of the support rail for the receivers 26, 30 of the support rail, such that the electrical module 18 can be mounted on the side of the cap rail 14 away from the cable space 36. The mounting space located on the rear side following the frame 12 can thus be used to house the electrical modules 18. List of reference signs

[0057] 10 device

[0058] 12 frame

[0059] 14 rail in hat

[0060] 16 support rail

[0061] 18 electrical connector

[0062] 20 front part

[0063] 22 connector reception

[0064] 24 first lateral part

[0065] 26 first reception of support rail

[0066] 28 second lateral part

[0067] 30 second support rail reception

[0068] 32 first end

[0069] 34 second end

[0070] 35 plane of symmetry

[0071] 36 cable space

[0072] 38 cable guidance and strain relief device

[0073] 40 rear face

[0074] 42 branch of lateral part

[0075] 44 support rail branch

[0076] 46 curved section

[0077] 48 stop

[0078] 50 snap-fit ​​connection

[0079] 52 rivet connection

Claims

Demands

1. Frame (12) for a patch panel, comprising, • a front portion (20) in and / or on which at least one connector reception (22) for an electrical connector can be mounted, • at least one side portion (24, 28) disposed on the front portion (20), and • a cable space (36) extending from the front portion (20) along at least one side portion (24, 28), characterized in that the frame (12) has at least one support rail reception (26, 30), by means of which a support rail (16) can be mounted along a rear face (40) of the cable space (36) away from the front portion (20).

2. Frame according to claim 1, characterized in that the frame (12) includes a cable guidance and / or tension relief device (38) mounted in the cable space (36).

3. Frame according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one support rail reception (26, 30) is disposed on at least one lateral part (24, 28).

4. Frame according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one support rail receipt (26, 30) can slide on at least one lateral part (24, 28).

5. Frame according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one lateral part (24, 28) comprises a stop (48) for the application of at least one support rail receipt (26, 30).

6. A frame according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one support rail receipt (26, 30) can be attached to at least one side portion (24, 28) in a removable manner non-destructive, preferably by means of a snap-fit ​​connection (50) and / or a screw connection.

7. Frame according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one support rail receipt (26, 30) can be fixed to at least one lateral part (24, 28) in a non-removable manner, preferably by means of a rivet connection (52).

8. Frame according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one support rail receipt (26, 30) comprises a side part arm (42) for mounting on at least one side part (24, 28) and a side rail arm (44) for mounting on the support rail (16).

9. Frame according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the frame (12) comprises a first lateral part (24) and a first support rail reception (26) disposed on the first lateral part (24) and a second lateral part (28) disposed opposite the first lateral part (24) and a second support rail reception (30) disposed on the second lateral part (28).

10. Device (10) comprising a frame (12) according to any one of the preceding claims, and a support rail (16) for receiving at least one electrical connector (18), the support rail (16) being mounted on at least one support rail receipt (26, 30) and along the rear face (40) of the cable space (36).

11. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that the support rail (16) is arranged in such a way on the frame (12) that at least one electrical connector (18) can be mounted on the part of the support rail (16) away from the cable space (36).

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