JP2006323055A - Electric/optical outlet and gateway device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an easy-to-use electric/optical outlet and gateway device. <P>SOLUTION: The electric/optical outlet has: a mounting frame attached to a wall face of a building and used to mount a commercial power source connector thereon; and the gateway device fixed to the mounting frame and accommodating an optical fiber cable laid in the building. Wherein, the gateway device includes at least a wireless LAN access point, switching hub, media converter, router, or TA. In addition, the optical fiber cable includes a single mode fiber (Single Mode Fiber:SMF), a multi mode fiber (Multi Mode Fiber: MMF), etc. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a gateway apparatus that accommodates an optical fiber cable and an electrical / optical outlet that accommodates the gateway apparatus.

  With the rapid spread of the Internet and the like, large-capacity data communication such as video contents has been actively performed. Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), which has been widely used in the past, cannot secure a sufficient communication band. In recent years, optical fiber has been drawn up to buildings such as detached houses and apartment houses, and broadband has become difficult. Demand for optical subscriber lines (hereinafter referred to as FTTH (Fiber To The Home)) that provide Internet access services and the like is increasing rapidly.

  In FTTH, an optical fiber drawn into a building is introduced into the living space through an optical outlet disposed on the inner wall surface of the building. In other words, the optical outlet is provided with an optical connector, and the optical connector is connected to an optical connector of a computer such as a personal computer installed in the living space by an optical fiber cable. Data communication such as communication can be realized.

  In recent years, so-called information home appliances that enable data communication by connecting home appliances such as a hard disk / DVD recorder to the Internet in the same manner as the above-described computers have been accelerated. For this reason, a LAN (Local Area Network) is built in the building, and not only computers but also information appliances are connected to the Internet via gateway devices such as switching hubs, media converters, routers, TAs (Terminal Adapters), etc. Demand is also increasing. An example of the configuration of such a conventional home network is shown in FIG.

  The home network shown in FIG. 3 includes an optical outlet 101 disposed on an indoor wall surface, an electrical outlet 102 disposed on an indoor wall surface and provided with a commercial power outlet, and a gateway device installed in a living space. 103 and a terminal device 104 made up of a computer, an information home appliance, and the like that are installed in the living space and connected to the gateway device 103 via the cable 105. Here, the gateway device 103 has a desktop configuration, and is connected to the optical connector 101a of the optical outlet 101 or the commercial power outlet 102a of the electrical outlet 102 via the optical fiber cable 106 or the commercial power cable 107. The

  In such a conventional home network, since the optical fiber cable and the commercial power cable are exposed in the living space, it not only impairs the aesthetics, but also, for example, the user may get caught in these cables. There was a maintenance problem. Recently, a type in which the gateway device is installed on the wall near the optical outlet has appeared, but the optical fiber cable from the optical outlet to the gateway device is still exposed, which causes problems in aesthetics, maintenance, and operation. It has not yet reached a fundamental solution.

  Therefore, an optical outlet that accommodates the gateway device therein has been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1). This optical outlet has a box-shaped switch box and a face plate that covers the opening of the switch box, and together with a gateway device such as a switching hub, media converter, router, and TA, a screw fastening portion that fixes the gateway device. The switch box has a cylindrical termination for processing the extra length of the optical fiber, a commercial power outlet, etc., and the electrical signal converted into the desired protocol is sent from the connector exposed from the faceplate. It has a removable structure. By adopting such a configuration, it is not necessary to install the gateway device in the living space, so that it is possible to fundamentally solve problems in aesthetics, maintenance, and operation.

JP 2004-37846 A

  However, in the conventional optical outlet, not only the gateway device but also the screw fastening portion, the termination portion, the outlet for commercial power supply, etc. are arranged inside the switch box, so that a switch box dedicated to the optical outlet has to be used. . In addition, since the conventional gateway device has a large planar shape, it is difficult to accommodate the gateway device inside the switch box or on the wall side of the building from the opening provided on the wall of the building to provide an electrical outlet. there were. For this reason, the conventional optical outlet has a complicated installation work and is not easy to use.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide an easy-to-use electric / optical outlet and gateway device.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, an electrical / optical outlet according to the present invention is attached to a wall surface of a building, a mounting frame for attaching a connector for commercial power, and a fixing frame attached to the mounting frame. And a gateway device that accommodates the installed optical fiber cable. Here, the gateway device includes at least one of a wireless LAN access point, a switching hub, a media converter, a router, and a TA. The optical fiber cable includes a single mode fiber (SMF), a multimode fiber (MMF), and the like.

  In the electrical / optical outlet, the gateway device photoelectrically converts the first connector through which optical signals are input / output, the second connector through which electrical signals are input / output, and the optical signals and the electrical signals. A circuit module, and each of the circuit modules may be composed of a plurality of stacked substrates on which electronic components are mounted.

  In the electrical / optical outlet, the circuit module may be covered with a shield made of metal. This shield is made of a mesh-like metal. Such a shield may be formed on the inner wall of a cover that houses the circuit module of the gateway device, or a box-shaped shield may be formed to cover the circuit module. Further, the shield may cover only predetermined components included in the circuit module such as an optical module.

  In the electrical / optical outlet, the gateway device may be supplied with power from a commercial power connector. From the commercial power connector, a HOT bar, a COLD bar, and the like are derived, and the gateway device supplies power from these.

  The gateway device according to the present invention includes a first connector for inputting / outputting an optical signal, a second connector for inputting / outputting an electric signal, and a circuit module for photoelectrically converting the optical signal and the electric signal. The circuit module comprises a plurality of substrates stacked with electronic components mounted thereon.

  According to the present invention, since the gateway device can be easily installed by fixing the gateway device to the mounting frame to which the commercial power connector is attached, the usability is improved.

  Further, according to the present invention, since the planar shape of the outer shape of the gateway device is reduced by configuring the circuit module in which a plurality of substrates are laminated, the circuit module is provided on the wall of the building to provide an electrical outlet. From the opening, the gateway device can be accommodated inside the switch box or on the wall side of the building. As a result, the installation work of the gateway device can be easily performed, which improves usability.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of an electrical / optical outlet according to the present embodiment. The electrical / optical outlet 1 according to the present embodiment includes a switch box 11 disposed on the outdoor side of the inner wall W of the building, a mounting frame 12 disposed on the indoor side of the inner wall W, and the mounting frame 12. A plate frame 13 attached to the plate frame 13, a decorative plate 14 attached to the plate frame 13, and a commercial power connector 15 and a gateway device 16 attached to the plate frame 13. The power cable 2 is connected to the commercial power connector 15. Further, the optical fiber cable 3 drawn from the outside of the building is connected to the gateway device 16. The optical fiber cable 3 is composed of a single mode fiber, a multimode fiber, or the like.

  The switch box 11 is composed of a switch box used for a known electric outlet, and has, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped shape having an opening on one side as shown in FIG. The shape of the opening of the switch box 11 corresponds to the opening provided in the wall W. A screw hole 11 a is formed in the opening of the switch box 11. By fastening the screw hole 11a and a screw hole 12a of the mounting frame 12, which will be described later, using fastening means such as screws, bolts, and nuts, the switch box 11 and the mounting frame 12 have the inner wall W sandwiched therebetween. It is fixed to the opening part of the inner wall W. Further, an opening 11b through which the power cable 2 and the optical fiber cable 3 are inserted may be formed on the upper surface of the switch box 11. The position where the opening 11b is formed is not limited to the upper surface of the switch box 11, and can be set as appropriate. Such a switch box 11 may accommodate not only the gateway device 16 but also a metallic cable such as a UTP cable, a telephone line module, a coaxial cable, and the like.

  The mounting frame 12 is composed of a mounting frame used for a known electrical outlet, and has, for example, a substantially rectangular frame shape in plan view as shown in FIG. As described above, the mounting frame 12 is formed with a screw hole 12a for sandwiching the inner wall W in cooperation with the switch box 11. The attachment frame 12 is formed with a screw hole 12b. This screw hole 12b is screwed together with a screw hole 13a of the plate frame 13 described later by fastening means such as screws, bolts and nuts. Thereby, the plate frame 13 is fixed to the mounting frame 12.

  The plate frame 13 has a substantially rectangular frame shape in plan view corresponding to the shape of the mounting frame 12. The plate frame 13 is formed with screw holes 13a as described above. The plate frame 13 includes a fixing portion 13b that fits with a claw 161a formed on a side surface of the gateway device 16 described later, and a fixing portion 13c that fits with a claw 16a formed on the side surface of the commercial power connector 15. Is formed. As long as the gateway unit 16 and the commercial power connector 15 can be fixed to the plate frame 13, the fixing unit 13b, 13c is not limited to the configuration of fitting with the claw as described above. The engaging means such as bolts, nuts and protrusions can be set freely as appropriate. Further, not only the commercial power connector 15 and the gateway device 16 described above, but also a metallic cable such as a UTP cable, a connector such as a telephone line, and a coaxial cable may be fixed to the plate frame 13.

  The decorative plate 14 has a substantially rectangular shape in plan view with an opening 14 a in the center portion, and is fixed to the plate frame 13 by fitting the inner peripheral portion of the outer edge of the decorative plate 14 into the outer edge of the plate frame 13. . When the switch box 11, the mounting frame 12, the plate frame 13 and the decorative plate 14, the commercial power connector 15 and the gateway device 16 described above are fixed at the respective arrangement positions, the commercial power source fixed to the plate frame 13 from the opening 14a. The connector 15 and the connector of the gateway device 16 are exposed. Here, when a metallic cable such as a UTP cable, a connector such as a telephone line, a coaxial cable, or the like is also fixed to the plate frame 13, these connectors are also exposed from the opening 14a.

  The commercial power connector 15 includes a known commercial power connector to which the power cable 2 is connected, and has a rectangular parallelepiped shape as shown in FIG. In such a commercial power connector 15, when the claw 16 a formed on the side surface is fitted to the fixing portion 13 c of the plate frame 13 as described above, the plate frame 13 with the outlet 16 b exposed from the opening of the decorative plate 14. Fixed to. A HOT bar and a COLD bar are led out from the commercial power connector 15, and these are connected to the gateway device 16. As a result, power is supplied to the gateway device.

  The gateway device 16 includes at least one of a wireless LAN access point switching hub, a media converter, a router, a TA, and the like. A box-shaped cover 161 and a circuit module disposed in the cover 161 are provided. 162.

  The cover 161 has a prismatic shape such as a rectangular parallelepiped or a rectangular parallelepiped, and has a claw 161 a for fitting with a fixing portion 13 b of the plate frame 13 formed on a pair of side surfaces, and a side surface exposed from the opening of the decorative plate 14. The connector opening 161b is formed, and an optical connector opening (not shown) to which the optical fiber cable 3 formed on the surface opposite to the surface on which the connector opening 161b is formed is connected. A shield 168, which will be described later, is formed inside the cover 161. The shield 168 is made of a metal mesh. Thereby, the EMI (Electro-Magnetic Interference) characteristic of the gateway device 16 can be improved. In particular, when a telephone line module, a metallic cable, a coaxial cable, a power supply module, etc. are built in the switch box 11, the gateway device 16 is not affected by the noise generated therefrom, and is generated from the gateway device 16. It is important not to give them the influence of electromagnetic noise. For this reason, the influence of each noise can be prevented by providing the shield.

  FIG. 2 is a side view showing the configuration of the circuit module 162. The circuit module 162 has a so-called stacked configuration in which first to third boards 162a to 162c, which are three circuit boards, are stacked and connected. The electrical connection between the boards is made by fitting general-purpose small connectors 162d and 162e with a narrow pitch.

  The first board 162a is disposed closest to the connector opening 161b, that is, the indoor side among the first to third boards 162a to 162c, and is, for example, a connector such as an RJ-45 connector exposed from the connector opening 161b, IEEE802. Various interfaces to be provided on the indoor side, such as wireless LAN antennas such as .11 antennas and display LEDs, are mounted. For example, in the case of FIG. 2, a LAN connector 163 is mounted on the indoor side surface of the first board 162a. The various interfaces mounted on the first board 162a are mainly mounted on the indoor side surface of the first board 162a. Components other than the interface may be mounted on the surface of the first board 162a opposite to the indoor side, that is, on the wall side.

  The second board 162b is disposed between the first board 162a and the third board 163a, and mounts components other than the indoor side and wall side interfaces such as a PHY chip and its peripheral electronic components. For example, in the case of FIG. 2, a transformer 164 and a PHY chip 165 are mounted on the wall-side surface of the second board 162b. The electronic component mounted on the second board 162b may be mounted not only on the wall side surface of the second board 162b but also on the indoor side surface of the second board 162b.

  The third board 162c is disposed on the most wall side among the first to third boards 162a to 162c, and is mounted with an optical device such as a semiconductor laser, a light receiving element, a driver / receiver, and its peripheral circuit components. Further, an optical module such as an optical transceiver in which optical devices are already modularized may be mounted on the third board 162c. For example, in the case of FIG. 2, an optical module 166 that houses the optical fiber cable 3 and an electronic component 167 are mounted on the wall-side surface of the third board 162 c, and these are covered with a shield 168. . The components mounted on the third board 162c are mainly mounted on the wall side surface of the third board 162c, but may be mounted on the indoor side surface of the third board 162c.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the circuit board of the circuit module 162 of the gateway device 16 includes the first to third boards 162a to 162c, and these three circuit boards are stacked. The planar shape of the outer shape of the gateway device 16 can be reduced. As a result, the gateway device 16 can be accommodated inside the switch box or on the wall side of the building from the opening provided in the building wall to provide an electrical outlet. It can be done easily.

  Moreover, according to this Embodiment, the circuit module 162 is comprised from three circuit boards, and replacement | exchange of a circuit board can be performed for every circuit board. As a result, even when a failure occurs in the circuit module 162, it is only necessary to replace the circuit board that caused the failure, thereby realizing cost saving. In particular, since expensive parts such as an optical transceiver are used for the gateway device 16, it is possible to prevent the use of expensive parts that do not have a problem, which is a great advantage from the viewpoint of economy.

  In the present embodiment, the electronic components mounted on the second board 162b of the circuit module 162 are the wall side surface of the first board 162a, the indoor side surface of the third board, or the first board 162a. It may be mounted on the wall side surface and the indoor side surface of the third board. As a result, the second board 162b can be omitted, and the circuit module 162 can be configured from two circuit boards. Thus, not only the gateway device 16 can be further reduced, but also the cost can be reduced by using common parts. Can also be realized.

  In the present embodiment, a frame-like member such as the attachment frame 12 may be used instead of the switch box 11, and the attachment frame 12 may be fixed to the inner wall W by cooperating with this member. In this case, the gateway device 16 and the like are disposed between the inner wall W and the outer wall of the building. Even in such a case, since the gateway device 16 has a small planar shape as described above, the gateway device 16 can be fixed to the plate frame 13 fixed to the mounting frame 12 used for a known electric outlet. , It improves usability.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the shield covers only predetermined parts included in the circuit module 162, like the shield 168 shown in FIG. 2, but the shape of the shield is not limited to this and can be freely set appropriately. Can be set. For example, a metal mesh may be provided on the inner wall of the cover 161 of the gateway device 16, or a box-shaped shield made of mesh-like metal may cover the circuit module 162 inside the cover 161. Even in this case, the EMI characteristics of the gateway device 16 can be improved.

  Further, in this embodiment, the gateway device 16 and the commercial power connector 15 are fixed to the plate frame 13, but may be fixed to the attachment frame 12. In this case, the mounting frame 12 can be realized by providing a fixing portion equivalent to the fixing portions 13 b and 13 c of the plate frame 13.

It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the electrical / optical outlet concerning this Embodiment. 3 is a side view showing a configuration of a circuit module 162. FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the conventional home network.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Electric / optical outlet, 2 ... Power cable, 3 ... Optical fiber cable, 11 ... Switch box, 11a ... Screw hole, 11b ... Opening, 12 ... Mounting frame, 12a, 12b ... Screw hole, 13 ... Plate frame, 13a ... Screw holes, 13b, 13c ... Fixing part, 14 ... Decorative plate, 14a ... Opening, 15 ... Commercial power connector, 15a ... Claw, 15b ... Outlet, 16 ... Gateway device, 161 ... Cover, 161a ... Claw, 161b ... Connector Opening 162, circuit module, 162a ... first board, 162b ... second board, 162c ... third board, 162d, 162e ... small connector, 163 ... connector for LAN, 164 ... transformer, 165 ... PHY chip, 166 ... Optical module, 167 ... electronic component, 168 ... shield.

Claims (5)

A mounting frame that is attached to the wall of the building and attaches a commercial power connector;
An electrical / optical outlet comprising: a gateway device that is fixed to the mounting frame and accommodates an optical fiber cable laid in the building. The gateway device is
A first connector through which optical signals are input and output;
A second connector through which electrical signals are input and output;
A circuit module that photoelectrically converts the optical signal and the electrical signal;
The electrical / optical outlet according to claim 1, wherein each of the circuit modules includes a plurality of stacked substrates on which electronic components are mounted. The electrical / optical outlet according to claim 2, wherein the circuit module is covered with a shield made of metal. The electrical / optical outlet according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the gateway device is supplied with power from the connector for commercial power. A first connector through which optical signals are input and output;
A second connector through which electrical signals are input and output;
A gateway device comprising: a circuit module that photoelectrically converts the optical signal and the electrical signal;
The circuit module includes a plurality of stacked substrates each mounted with an electronic component.

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