Connection changeover machine and connection changeover method

Abstract

To provide a connection changeover machine that enables line switching even without a power supply.SOLUTION: A connection changeover machine 100 comprises a main connector 10, a secondary connector 20, a communication connector 30, a power receiving connector 40 that receives power from a power source 210, and a changeover part 60 that switches the main connector 10 and the secondary connector 20 and connects the same to the communication connector 30. The changeover part 60 connects the signal pins of the communication connector 30 to the signal pins of the main connector 10 when receiving power from the power source 210 via the power receiving connector 40, connects the signal pins of the communication connector 30 to the signal pins of the auxiliary connector 20 when not receiving power from the power source 210 via the power receiving connector 40. The connection changeover machine 100 performs the connection changeover using only the power supplied via the power receiving connector 40.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a connection switcher and a connection switching method for communication lines. [Background technology]

[0002] There is a communication device in which, when a power outage detection unit detects that the power supply has stopped, a switching unit uses power from a backup power source to switch from communication using the Internet to communication using a public network (paragraphs 0042-0045, Figures 6 and 13 of Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-024820 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The communication device of Patent Document 1 cannot perform a switching operation unless it receives a supply of power from a backup power source such as a battery or a capacitor. The present disclosure aims to enable line switching even without a power supply. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The connection switcher of the present disclosure includes: a main connector having signal pins; a sub-connector having signal pins; a communication connector having signal pins; a power receiving connector for receiving power from an external power source; a switching unit connected to the power receiving connector and the signal pins of the communication connector, for switching between connecting the signal pins of the main connector and the signal pins of the sub-connector to the signal pins of the communication connector; Equipped with The switching unit is When power is being supplied from the power source via the power receiving connector, a signal pin of the communication connector is connected to a signal pin of the main connector; When power is not being supplied from the power source via the power receiving connector, the signal pins of the communication connector and the signal pins of the sub-connector are connected. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present disclosure, even when the switching unit is not receiving power, the signal pin of the communication connector and the signal pin of the sub-connector are connected, so that the line can be switched even without power supply. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a connection switch 100 according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 3 is an operational transition diagram showing a connection switching method of the connection switch device 100 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] 1 is a circuit diagram showing a connection selector 100 according to a first embodiment in a state where no power is being fed. [Figure 4] 1 is a circuit diagram showing a connection selector 100 according to a first embodiment in a state where power is being supplied. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram showing a connection selector 100 according to a second embodiment in a state where power is being supplied. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the present disclosure is not limited to these embodiments. Furthermore, the components described below can be combined as appropriate. Furthermore, when there are multiple embodiments, the respective embodiments can be combined.

[0009] Embodiment 1 Overview of the connection switch 100 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a connection switch 100 according to the first embodiment. The connection switch 100 has a box-shaped housing 90 and a circuit board 80 housed in the housing 90 .

[0010] The connection switch 100 has a main connector 10, a sub-connector 20, a communication connector 30, and a power receiving connector 40. The main connector 10 , the sub-connector 20 , the communication connector 30 , and the power receiving connector 40 are fixed to a substrate 80 . The main connector 10 , the sub-connector 20 , the communication connector 30 , and the power receiving connector 40 are exposed from openings in the housing 90 .

[0011] The connection switch 100 includes a switch unit 60 . The switching unit 60 is mounted on a substrate 80 . The switching unit 60 is connected to the main connector 10 , the sub-connector 20 , and the communication connector 30 . The switching unit 60 is connected to the power receiving connector 40 . The switching unit 60 connects the main connector 10 or the sub-connector 20 to the communication connector 30 . The switching unit 60 includes a coil 71 and a switch 72 . Switch 72 is a single-pole, double-throw switch with one pole and two contacts. The switch 72 is always connected to one of the two paths between the main connector 10 and the sub-connector 20. The switch 72 does not exist in a state where it is not connected to either of the two paths of the main connector 10 and the sub-connector 20.

[0012] The solid line of switch 72 indicates the NORMAL state of switch 72. The NORMAL state refers to a state in which no power is supplied from the power receiving connector 40 and the coil 71 is not energized. In the NORMAL state, the switch 72 connects the communication connector 30 and the sub-connector 20 (NORMAL CLOSE). In the NORMAL state, the switch 72 does not connect the communication connector 30 to the main connector 10 (NORMAL OPEN).

[0013] The dashed line of switch 72 indicates a non-normal state of switch 72. The non-normal state refers to a state in which power is supplied from the power receiving connector 40 and the coil 71 is energized. In the non-normal state, the switch 72 connects the communication connector 30 and the main connector 10 . In the non-normal state, the switch 72 does not connect the communication connector 30 and the sub-connector 20 .

[0014] Overview of operation of the connection switch 100 FIG. 2 is an operational transition diagram showing a connection switching method of the connection switch device 100 according to the first embodiment. The switching unit 60 has two states: a power receiving state and a power not receiving state (NORMAL state).

[0015] The power receiving state (non-normal state) refers to a state in which the switching unit 60 receives power from the power receiving connector 40. The no-power-receiving state (NORMAL state) refers to a state in which the switching unit 60 is not receiving power from the power receiving connector 40.

[0016] In a power receiving state (non-normal state) in which power is being supplied from the power receiving connector 40, the switching unit 60 maintains the connection between the communication connector 30 and the main connector 10. The connection switch 100 connects the communication system (COM) and the first local area network (LAN1) in a power receiving state (non-NORMAL state).

[0017] The switching unit 60 maintains the connection between the communication connector 30 and the sub-connector 20 in a no-power-receiving state (NORMAL state) in which no power is supplied from the power receiving connector 40. The connection switch 100 connects the communication system (COM) and the second local area network (LAN2) in a no-power-receiving state (NORMAL state).

[0018] When the power receiving state of the power receiving connector 40 changes from ON to OFF, the switching unit 60 transitions from a power receiving state to a power not receiving state. When the power receiving connector 40 is turned from OFF to ON, the switching unit 60 transitions from a no-power receiving state to a power receiving state.

[0019] Circuit configuration of the connection switch 100 in the no-power state (NORMAL state) FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram showing the connection switch 100 in a no-power-receiving state (NORMAL state).

[0020] The main connector 10 has a plurality of signal pins. The sub-connector 20 has a plurality of signal pins. The communication connector 30 has a plurality of signal pins. The primary connector 10, the secondary connector 20, and the communication connector 30 each have ten signal pins, which are indicated by the numbers 1 to 10 in FIG. The ten signal pins of the main connector 10, the sub-connector 20, and the communication connector 30 correspond to each other.

[0021] The switching unit 60 switches and connects the signal pins of the communication connector 30 between the corresponding signal pins of the main connector 10 and the corresponding signal pins of the sub-connector 20 . The switching unit 60 is always connected to a plurality of signal pins of the communication connector 30 . The switching unit 60 is always connected to the power line 42 of the power receiving connector 40 . In FIG. 3, the switching unit 60 connects a plurality of signal pins of the sub-connector 20 to a plurality of signal pins of the communication connector 30. In FIG. 3, the switching unit 60 does not connect the signal pins of the communication connector 30 to the signal pins of the main connector 10 .

[0022] The switching unit 60 includes a plurality of relays 62, 64, 66, and 68. A specific example of the relays 62, 64, 66, and 68 is the UD2 series or UC2 series manufactured by KEMET Electronics Corporation, and the UD2-5NU is particularly suitable.

[0023] Each of the plurality of relays 62, 64, 66, 68 has the following eight terminals: power supply terminals 1 and 8 that receive power from a common power line 42; communication terminals 3 and 6 connected to signal pins of the communication connector 30; main terminals 4, 5 connected to signal pins of the main connector 10; Sub-terminals 2 and 7 connected to signal pins of sub-connector 20.

[0024] Each of the relays 62, 64, 66, and 68 has one coil 71 and two switches. One coil 71 switches two switches at the same time. One coil 71 is disposed between power supply terminal 1 and power supply terminal 8 . The two switches 72 are arranged such that the communication terminals 3 and 6 are poles, and the main terminals 4 and 5 and the sub-terminals 2 and 7 are contacts.

[0025] The eight terminals of the relay 62 are connected as follows: Power terminal 1: Power line 42, Power terminal 8: ground, Communication terminal 3: signal pin 1 of communication connector 30; Communication terminal 6: signal pin 2 of communication connector 30; Main terminal 4: signal pin 1 of main connector 10; Main terminal 5: signal pin 2 of main connector 10; Sub-terminal 2: Signal pin 1 of sub-connector 20 Sub-terminal 7: Signal pin 2 of sub-connector 20.

[0026] The relay 62 connects the signal pins 1 and 2 of the communication connector 30 and the signal pins 1 and 2 of the sub-connector 20 in a normal state in which the coil 71 is not energized. In the normal state where the coil 71 is not energized, the relay 62 does not connect the signal pins 1 and 2 of the communication connector 30 to the signal pins 1 and 2 of the main connector 10 . In a non-normal state in which the coil 71 is energized, the relay 62 connects the signal pins 1 and 2 of the communication connector 30 and the signal pins 1 and 2 of the main connector 10 . In the non-normal state in which the coil 71 is energized, the relay 62 does not connect the signal pins 1 and 2 of the communication connector 30 to the signal pins 1 and 2 of the sub-connector 20 .

[0027] The communication terminals, main terminals, and auxiliary terminals of relays 64, 66, and 68 are connected in such a manner that signal pins 1 and 2 of relay 62 are replaced with signal pins 3 and 4, signal pins 5 and 6, and signal pins 7 and 8, respectively. The operation of relays 64, 66, and 68 is the same as that of relay 62.

[0028] In relays 62, 64, 66, and 68 in FIG. 3, power terminals 1 and 8 are not supplied with power, so communication terminal 3 is connected to sub-terminal 2, and communication terminal 6 is connected to sub-terminal 7. When the power receiving connector 40 changes from OFF to ON, the relays 62, 64, 66, and 68 simultaneously disconnect the communication terminal 3 from the sub-terminal 2 and connect the communication terminal 3 to the main terminal 4. Furthermore, at the same time, the relays 62, 64, 66, and 68 simultaneously disconnect the communication terminal 6 from the sub-terminal 7 and connect the communication terminal 6 to the main terminal 5.

[0029] The switching unit 60 operates only with the power supplied from the power receiving connector 40 . The power supplied from the power receiving connector 40 operates only the switching unit 60 . The power supplied from the power receiving connector 40 is not consumed by anything other than the switching unit 60 .

[0030] The connection switch 100 operates only with the power supplied from the power receiving connector 40 . The connection switch 100 does not have any power source other than the power supplied from the power receiving connector 40 . In the connection switcher 100, only the switching unit 60 operates on electric power. The connection switch 100 does not have any electronic components that operate on electricity other than the switching unit 60.

[0031] The connection switch 100 may include a power supply connector 50 . The power supply connector 50 is connected to the power line 42 . The power supply connector 50 supplies the power supplied from the power source 210 via the power receiving connector 40 to the outside of the connection switch 100 .

[0032] Circuit configuration of the connection switch 100 in a power receiving state FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing the connection switch 100 in a power receiving state (non-normal state). FIG. 4 also shows the electronic devices 200, 300, 400 connected to the connection switch 100 and an LED.

[0033] The electronic device 200 is a device that constitutes the LAN 1. A specific example of the electronic device 200 is a router. The electronic device 300 is a device that constitutes the LAN2. A specific example of the electronic device 300 is a router. The electronic device 400 is a device that constitutes a COM. Specific examples of the electronic device 300 include a communication device or a computer.

[0034] The main connector 10 connects the electronic device 200 with a network cable 500 . The sub-connector 20 connects the electronic device 300 via a network cable 500 . The communication connector 30 connects the electronic device 400 with a network cable 500 .

[0035] The main connector 10, the sub-connector 20, and the communication connector 30 are connectors of the same shape. The main connector 10, the sub-connector 20, and the communication connector 30 are each a modular connector for connecting a network cable 500. The main connector 10, the sub-connector 20, and the communication connector 30 are preferably RJ45 (Registered Jack 45) recessed modular jacks. The terminal of the network cable 500 is preferably a convex 8-pole 8-core modular plug that is compatible with RJ45.

[0036] The electronic devices 200, 300, and 400 each have a power supply 210, 310, and 410, respectively. The power supplies 210, 310, 410 each have a power supply 220, 320, 420 that supplies power. The power supplies 210, 310, and 410 each have a power receiving unit 230, 330, and 430 that receives 100V AC power from a commercial power supply.

[0037] The power receiving connector 40 receives power from an external power source. The power receiving connector 40 receives power from a power supply 210 of the electronic device 200 . The power cord 600 connects the power supply unit 220 of the power supply 210 of the electronic device 200 to the power receiving connector 40 . The power supply unit 220 of the power supply 210 of the electronic device 200 supplies DC power of 5V to the connection switch 100 . The connectors of the power receiving connector 40 and the power supply unit 220 are preferably USB (Universal Serial Bus) connectors, and the power cord 600 is preferably a USB cable.

[0038] When the electronic device 400 is supplied with power from the power supply 210, the switching unit 60 connects the plurality of signal pins of the communication connector 30 to the plurality of signal pins of the main connector 10, respectively. When the electronic device 400 is not receiving power from the power supply 210, the plurality of signal pins of the communication connector 30 and the plurality of signal pins of the sub-connector 20 are connected to each other.

[0039] In the relays 62, 64, 66, and 68 in FIG. 4, the power supply terminals 1 and 8 are supplied with power, so the communication terminal 3 and the main terminal 4 are connected, and the communication terminal 6 and the main terminal 5 are connected. When the power receiving connector 40 changes from ON to OFF, the relays 62, 64, 66, and 68 simultaneously disconnect the communication terminal 3 from the main terminal 4 and connect the communication terminal 3 to the sub-terminal 2. Furthermore, at the same time, the relays 62, 64, 66, and 68 simultaneously disconnect the communication terminal 6 from the main terminal 5 and connect the communication terminal 6 to the sub-terminal 7.

[0040] In FIG. 4, an LED is connected to the power supply connector 50. The LED remains lit when power is being supplied from the power supply 210 of the electronic device 400 . The LED remains off when the electronic device 400 is not receiving power from the power supply 210 . The lighting of the LED allows the power receiving connector 40 to be visually confirmed as receiving power.

[0041] As described above, the connection switching method of the connection switching device 100 connects the signal pin of the communication connector 30 and the signal pin of the main connector 10 when power is being supplied via the power receiving connector 40 . Furthermore, when power is not being supplied via the power receiving connector 40, the signal pins of the communication connector 30 and the signal pins of the sub-connector 20 are connected. Furthermore, the connection switch 100 switches the connection using only the power supplied via the power receiving connector 40.

[0042] Effect of the first embodiment The connection switch 100 can maintain the connection between the main connector 10 and the communication connector 30 while the power supply continues. When the state changes from power supply to power loss, the connection switching device 100 can automatically switch from the connection between the main connector 10 and the communication connector 30 to the connection between the sub-connector 20 and the communication connector 30. The connection switch 100 can maintain the connection between the sub-connector 20 and the communication connector 30 even when no power is supplied. When the state changes from no power supply to power supply, the connection switching device 100 can automatically switch from the connection between the sub-connector 20 and the communication connector 30 to the connection between the main connector 10 and the communication connector 30.

[0043] Since the switching unit 60 is configured to receive power from the power supply 210 of the electronic device 200, if an abnormality occurs in the electronic device 200, it can switch from the electronic device 200 connected to the main connector 10 to the electronic device 300 connected to the sub-connector 20.

[0044] The connection switch device 100 can switch the communication route by turning on or off the power reception to the connection switch device 100. The connection switch 100 switches the route from LAN1 to LAN2 when power is cut off, and switches the route from LAN2 to LAN1 when power is supplied, so that the COM can continue communication regardless of the route switch.

[0045] The connection switcher 100 can switch the communication route even if it does not detect a Ping response from the electronic device 200. The connection switcher 100 can switch the communication route without detecting that the communication signal with the electronic device 200 has been cut off.

[0046] The connection switch 100 does not require a central processing unit, a storage device, or software, so that the connection switch 100 can be provided with a simple configuration.

[0047] Other configuration examples of the first embodiment Although four relays are used, each switching two signal pins, eight relays switching one signal pin, two relays switching four signal pins, or one relay switching eight signal pins may also be used.

[0048] The connection switch 100 may use an RJ11 or other connector instead of an RJ45 connector. The number of signal pins of the connector does not have to be eight, as long as it is one or more. The number of signal pins switched by the switching unit 60 does not have to be eight, as long as it is one or more.

[0049] The connection switch 100 does not necessarily need to include the power supply connector 50 . The power supply connector 50 may be eliminated from the connection changeover device 100, and the LED may be permanently mounted on the substrate 80.

[0050] The connection switch 100 does not necessarily have to have the housing 90 . The substrate 80 may be inside a housing (not shown) of the electronic device 400. Alternatively, the substrate 80 may be part of a substrate (not shown) of the electronic device 400.

[0051] Instead of the power supply unit 220 of the electronic device 200 supplying DC power, the power receiving unit 230 of the electronic device 200 may supply AC 100V power to the power cord 600 . Instead of power supply unit 220 of electronic device 200 supplying DC power, 100V AC power may be supplied to power cord 600 from a commercial power source. When supplying 100V AC power to the power cord 600 , an AC-DC converter (AD converter) called an AC adapter is connected to the power cord 600 to generate DC and supply it to the power receiving connector 40 . Alternatively, an AC-DC converter (AD converter) is disposed between the power receiving connector 40 and the power line 42 to generate a direct current and supply it to the power line 42.

[0052] ●Embodiment 2 In the second embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram showing the connection selector 100 according to the second embodiment in a state where power is being supplied. 5 differs from FIG. 4 in that a power supply method is adopted in which power is supplied from the electronic device 200 to the connection switch 100 via a network cable 500. The electronic device 200 supplies communication signals and DC power to the signal lines of the network cable 500 . The electronic device 200 constantly supplies DC power to the signal line of the network cable 500 even when there is no communication signal. Power supply unit 220 supplies communication signals and DC power based on predetermined specifications. Since the communication signals of the network cable 500 are AC and the power is DC, the signal lines of the network cable 500 can carry both communication signals and power.

[0053] In FIG. 5, the main connector 10 also serves as the power receiving connector 40 to receive power from the network cable 500 . In addition, a DC power receiving unit 46 is added, which selects power from the signal pin of the main connector 10 and supplies it to the switching unit 60 .

[0054] The DC power receiving unit 46 receives power from the signal line of the network cable 500 via the main connector 10 and supplies power to the power line 42 for operating the switching unit 60 . The DC power receiving section 46 is connected to a plurality of signal pins of the main connector 10 . The DC power receiving unit 46 passes communication signals from the multiple signal pins to the switching unit 60 . The DC power receiving unit 46 selects only DC power from the multiple signal pins and supplies it to the power line 42 . The DC power receiving unit 46 separates the communication signals and power of the multiple signal pins based on predetermined specifications.

[0055] When the supply of power from the signal line of the network cable 500 is interrupted, the DC power receiving unit 46 is unable to supply power to the power line 42 . When the supply of power from the signal line of the network cable 500 starts, the DC power receiving unit 46 supplies power to the power line 42 .

[0056] A specific example of the power supply method of the second embodiment is PoE power supply. PoE is an abbreviation for "Power over Ethernet" (Ethernet is a registered trademark), and is a technology that simultaneously supplies data and power through a twisted pair cable used in Ethernet (Ethernet is a registered trademark).

[0057] Effect of the second embodiment According to this embodiment, the power cord 600 and the power receiving connector 40 are not required. According to this embodiment, the connection switch 100 and the electronic device 200 can be connected only by the network cable 500. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 1 power terminal, 2 sub-terminal, 3 communication terminal, 4 main terminal, 5 main terminal, 6 communication terminal, 7 sub-terminal, 8 power terminal, 10 main connector, 20 sub-connector, 30 communication connector, 40 power receiving connector, 42 power line, 46 DC power receiving unit, 50 power supply connector, 60 switching unit, 62 relay, 64 relay, 66 relay, 68 relay, 71 coil, 72 switch, 80 circuit board, 90 housing, 100 connection switching device, 200 electronic device, 210 power supply, 220 power supply unit, 230 power receiving unit, 300 electronic device, 400 electronic device, 500 network cable, 600 power cord.

Claims

1. a main connector having signal pins; a sub-connector having signal pins; a communication connector having signal pins; a power receiving connector for receiving power from an external power source; a switching unit connected to the power receiving connector and the signal pins of the communication connector, for switching between connecting the signal pins of the main connector and the signal pins of the sub-connector to the signal pins of the communication connector; Equipped with The switching unit is the switching unit operates using power supplied from the power source via the power receiving connector, When power is being supplied from the power source via the power receiving connector, a signal pin of the communication connector is connected to a signal pin of the main connector; a connection switch that connects the signal pins of the communication connector and the signal pins of the sub-connector when power is not being supplied from the power source via the power receiving connector;

2. the switching unit has a relay, The relay is a power supply terminal that receives power from the power supply via the power receiving connector, a communication terminal that is connected to a signal pin of a communication connector, a main terminal that is connected to a signal pin of a main connector, and a sub-terminal that is connected to a signal pin of a sub-connector; When the power supply terminal is receiving power, the communication terminal and the main terminal are connected to each other; 2. The connection changeover device according to claim 1, wherein the communication terminal and the sub-terminal are connected when the power supply terminal is not receiving power.

3. the switching unit operates only with power supplied from the power source via the power receiving connector, the connection switch operates only with power supplied from the power source via the power receiving connector; 2. The connection changeover device according to claim 1, wherein the connection changeover device does not include any electronic components that operate on electric power other than the switching unit.

4. the main connector connects an electronic device having the power supply; the power receiving connector receives power from the power supply of the electronic device, The switching unit is When the electronic device is receiving power from the power supply, a signal pin of the communication connector is connected to a signal pin of the main connector; 2. The connection changeover device according to claim 1, wherein the connection changeover device connects the signal pins of the communication connector and the signal pins of the sub-connector when the electronic device is not receiving power from the power supply.

5. 2. The connection changeover device according to claim 1, wherein the main connector, the sub-connector, and the communication connector are each a modular connector for connecting a network cable.

6. The main connector also serves as the power receiving connector, 2. The connection changeover device according to claim 1, further comprising a DC power receiving unit that selects power from a signal pin of the main connector and supplies the power to the changeover unit.

7. A connection switching method for a connection switching device having a power receiving connector, a communication connector, a main connector, and a sub-connector, When power is supplied via the power receiving connector, a signal pin of the communication connector is connected to a signal pin of the main connector; When power is not being supplied via the power receiving connector, a signal pin of the communication connector is connected to a signal pin of the sub-connector; A connection switching method in which a connection switching device switches connections using only the power supplied via the power receiving connector.

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