JP4112437B2 - Optical fiber connection unit and optical module - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an optical fiber connection unit and an optical module that are used to switchably connect a terminated optical fiber to a plurality of cable-side optical fibers drawn from an optical fiber cable.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, an optical wiring board or the like is used as the optical fiber connection unit.
FIG. 23 is a (a) front view and (b) side view for explaining an example of a conventional optical wiring board.
In the figure, reference numeral 101 denotes an optical wiring board. The optical distribution board 101 includes an optical module 102 that terminates a cable-side optical fiber 106 drawn from a terminal of an optical fiber cable 105 so that a connector can be connected to a termination optical fiber 107 terminated by an optical connector plug 108. And an optical module storage unit 103 for storing the optical module 102.
[0003]
The optical module 102 is in the form of a thin outer case. On one side of the optical module 102, a cable-side optical fiber 106 drawn into the optical module 102 is terminated so that a connector can be connected to the termination optical fiber 107. A connector adapter 104 is arranged. A plurality of optical modules 102 are arranged in a row in the module storage unit 103 in a vertical arrangement, and the optical connector adapters 104 are stored in the module storage unit 103 with their orientations aligned. In the optical module 102, the extra length of the cable-side optical fiber 106 is stored in a curved manner.
The cable-side optical fiber 106 and the termination optical fiber 107 are connected by selecting the optical connector adapter 104 having the cable-side optical fiber 106 terminated, and connecting the termination optical fiber 107 to the optical connector adapter 104. Made.
As an optical wiring board as described above, for example, there is one disclosed in Patent Document 1.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent No. 3176906
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
23, in order to terminate the cable-side optical fiber 106 drawn from the optical fiber cable 105 with the optical connector adapter 104, the optical module 102 is placed on the working side (the front side of the optical wiring board 101, Since it is necessary to store the connection portion and the connection surplus length in the optical module 102 by drawing out and connecting to the left side in FIG. 23B (generally, fusion connection), it takes time.
In addition, particularly in the case of fusion, it is necessary to secure the length necessary for the fusion work for the connection surplus length. In the configuration in which the connection portion and the connection surplus length are accommodated in the optical module, the optical module is downsized. This is an obstacle to increasing the density of the optical wiring board 101.
[0006]
Further, in order to connect the cable-side optical fiber 106 drawn from the optical fiber cable 105 by adding the optical fiber cable 105, the wiring of the cable-side optical fiber 106 corresponding to the added optical fiber cable 105 is used. In addition to time and effort, it is necessary to carefully proceed this wiring work so as not to affect the cable-side optical fiber 106 stored in the optical module 102 in advance.
If the cable-side optical fiber 106 is not terminated so as to be connectable to the connector, such as when it cannot be directly connected to the optical connector adapter 104 of the optical module 102, connect the optical connector plug connectable to the optical connector adapter 104 with an optical fiber or the like. There is a dissatisfaction that it is necessary to connect to the cable-side optical fiber 106 via the cable, and the labor is increased.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides an optical fiber connection unit that can be miniaturized and densified and that can arrange optical fibers in an orderly manner and has excellent connection workability. This is a problem.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides:An optical fiber connection unit that connects optical fibers in a switchable manner, and includes an optical connector array in which an optical connector adapter to which one optical fiber is connected and an optical connector to which the other optical fiber is connected The other optical connector array portion on which the adapter is arrayed is provided facing the front surface on the operation side via the stepped portion, and the optical connector adapter of the one optical connector array portion and the other optical connector There are a plurality of connection lines formed by connecting the optical connector adapters of the array unit with optical fibers, and one or both of the optical connector array units has an extra length of the optical fiber connected to the optical connector adapter. Provided is an optical fiber connection unit characterized in that a gap functioning as an extra-length storage space is formed in the front face of the operation side. To.
[0010]
In this optical fiber connection unit, the space in which the optical fiber is wired and the gap that forms the extra length storage space can be separated by a partition plate.
The surplus length storage space accommodates a holding member that maintains the surplus length of the optical fiber in which the surplus length is accommodated in the surplus length storage space so that the surplus length is accommodated in a curved state. Can be.
The optical connector array section can be configured by assembling a plurality of flat optical modules having optical connector adapters in the thickness direction in a stacked state. In this case, it is preferable that the optical module has a recess that becomes an extra-length storage space when it is in a stacked state.
[0011]
  Furthermore, the present invention provides one optical connector adapter to which one optical fiber terminated by an optical connector plug is connected, and the other optical connector adapter to which the other optical fiber terminated by the optical connector plug is connected. Are arranged separately on the operation surface of the case, and an optical fiber connecting the one optical connector adapter and the other optical connector adapter is stored in the case,A recess serving as a surplus length storage space for storing the surplus length of the one optical fiber is provided from the optical connector adapter side of the case.An optical module is provided.
[0012]
  In this optical module,in frontThe extra length storage space can contain a holding member that maintains the extra length of the optical fiber in which the extra length is accommodated in the extra length accommodation space in a curved state. .
  In the optical module, one of the one optical connector adapter and the other optical connector adapter may protrude toward the operation surface side of the case with respect to the other.
[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on embodiments.
FIGS. 1-9 is a figure which shows an example of the optical module which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention, and an optical fiber connection unit using the same. In these drawings, the optical fiber connection unit is an example of an optical wiring board, and will be described as an optical wiring board 1A below.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the optical module 4A according to the present embodiment as viewed obliquely from above. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the inside of the optical module 4A. FIG. 3 is a front sectional view showing the inside of the optical module 4A. FIG. 4A is a plan view showing an example of an optical fiber sheet 55 used in the optical module 4A. FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view taken along the cutting line shown in FIG.
5 (a), (b), (c) and FIG. 6 are views showing the optical wiring board 1A of the present embodiment using the optical module 4A, and FIG. 5 (a) is a plan view. b) is a front view, (c) is a side view, and FIG. 6 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing a state in which the door 2a is omitted. 7A and 7B are views showing the termination unit 3A, where FIG. 7A is a front view and FIG. 7B is a bottom view.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the optical module 4A as viewed obliquely from below.
FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view schematically showing the optical wiring board 1A shown in FIGS. In FIG. 9, for the sake of simplicity, the partition plate 9, the stepped portion 40 c, the optical module storage portion 5 </ b> A, the optical fiber cables 10 and 20, etc. are omitted.
[0014]
As shown in FIG. 9, the optical wiring board 1A includes one optical fiber 13 terminated with an optical connector plug 14 (hereinafter, “optical connector plug” may be simply referred to as “optical plug”), The other optical fiber 23 terminated with an optical plug 24 is connected to be switchable. Then, an optical connector array section 6 in which a plurality of optical connector adapters 42 (hereinafter, “optical connector adapter” may be simply referred to as “optical adapter”) to which one optical fiber 13 is connected, and the other optical fiber. The other optical connector array portion 7 in which a plurality of optical adapters 43 to which 23 is connected is arrayed is provided facing the front surface on the operation side of the termination unit 3A.
[0015]
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, in the optical wiring board 1 </ b> A, a termination unit 3 </ b> A, a cable fixing part 11 for fixing the optical fiber cable 10, and a tip part of the optical fiber cable 10 are provided in the housing 2. The bending member 12 that absorbs the surplus length of one optical fiber 13 exposed to the cable, the cord cable fixing portion 21 that fixes the other optical fiber cable (hereinafter referred to as a cord cable) 20, and the cord cable 20 A guide member 22 for guiding the optical fiber 23 terminated by the optical plug 24 is fixedly provided in the housing 2.
An openable / closable door 2a is provided on the operation side (lower side of FIG. 5A) of the housing 2, and the door 2a is closed during normal operation, so that the optical fiber inside is inadvertently contacted. Such inconveniences can be prevented.
[0016]
The optical fiber cable 10 is drawn from an opening 15 at the bottom of the housing 2 and fixed by a plurality of cable fixing portions 11 arranged on the lower right side toward the front of the housing 2. As the cable fixing portion 11, a cable gripping tool 11 a for fixing the jacket 10 a of the optical fiber cable 10 and a tension member fixing tool 11 b provided as necessary are used. The tension member 10b exposed to the end of the optical fiber cable 10 is fixed by the tension member fixture 11b.
[0017]
Here, the optical fiber 13 is an optical fiber (hereinafter referred to as a cable-side optical fiber) such as a multi-core optical fiber ribbon exposed at the tip of the optical fiber cable 10. For example, an optical fiber cord drawn out from a cord cable terminal can be used. The cable side optical fiber 13 is terminated so that a connector can be connected by attaching an optical plug 14 to the tip.
As the optical plug 14, for example, an MPO type optical plug (MPO: Multifiber Push-On) defined in JIS C 5982 or the like is used.
[0018]
The bending member 12 is a reel-like member that protrudes from the housing 2 and is provided in two types, the upper side and the lower side, as shown in FIGS. The upper bending member 12 has an upwardly convex semicircular shape, and the lower bending member 12 has a circular shape.
As the bending member 12, for example, a flexible material such as sponge is used as the core material around which the optical fiber is wound, and a rigid material such as cold rolled steel plate (SPCC) is used as the side plate.
[0019]
The cable-side optical fiber 13 is wired on the right side of the housing 2 and is subjected to a bending process such as hooking an extra length on the bending member 12. The optical plug 14 that terminates the cable-side optical fiber 13 is an optical adapter 42 (FIG. 7 (a), FIG. 7A, FIG. 9).
As shown in FIG. 5C, in order to connect the cable side optical fiber 13 to the optical adapter 42 of the upper optical module 4A, the cable side optical fiber 13 is hooked on the upper bending member 12, Make it hang down so that it curves slightly downward. In order to connect the cable-side optical fiber 13 to the optical adapter 42 of the lower optical module 4A, the cable-side optical fiber 13 is wound around the lower bending member 12 about one turn.
[0020]
The other optical fiber (hereinafter referred to as a terminated optical fiber) 23 connected to the cable-side optical fiber 13 is an optical fiber cord drawn out to the end of the cord cable 20 drawn into the housing 2 here. . This optical fiber cord is a single-core or multi-core optical fiber cord whose end is terminated by an optical plug 24 so that a connector can be connected. However, as the terminated optical fiber 23, an optical fiber cord drawn directly into the housing 2, a jumper cord with connectors terminated at both ends, or the like can also be adopted.
The cord cable 20 is drawn from an opening 25 at the bottom of the housing 2 and fixed to a plurality of cord cable fixing portions 21 arranged on the lower left side of the housing 2. The termination optical fiber 23 is wired on the left side of the housing 2 and is subjected to a bending process by, for example, hooking a surplus length on a rod-shaped guide member 22 protruding from the back side toward the operation side. The optical plug 24 at the tip of is connected to an optical adapter 43 of the termination unit 3A described later.
[0021]
When the termination optical fiber 23 is a single core, as the optical plug 24, for example, an SC-type optical connector (SC) established in JIS C 5973 or a MU-type established in JIS C 5983 or the like. An optical connector plug such as an optical connector (MU: Miniature-Unit coupling) is employed.
It is well known that MPO optical plugs and optical adapters are large, and SC and MU optical plugs and optical adapters are smaller. Further, in the present invention, the optical adapter is a general term for relay parts that position and fix the optical plugs on both sides. Therefore, the optical plugs on both sides connected to the optical adapter are not limited to the same shape. This includes cases where optical plugs of different shapes and configurations can be connected.
[0022]
As shown in FIG. 7, the termination unit 3A is configured by arranging a plurality of optical modules 4A in an optical module storage unit 5A and storing them in a stacked state. Each optical module 4A is arranged in the same size.
The optical module storage unit 5A is provided to extend in the vertical direction on the storage shelf 50, which is a frame-shaped shelf, and on both sides closer to the back of the storage shelf 50 (left and right on the lower side of FIG. 7B). The thing provided with the fixed bar 51 which can be engaged with the clip 41 provided in the rear surface can be used. In this case, the case 40 of the optical module 4A is sequentially placed on the storage shelf 50, and the clip 41 is engaged with the fixing bar 51 so that the optical module 4A can be vertically stacked and detached from the storage shelf 50. Can be stored. That is, in a state where the optical module 4A is stored in the optical module storage portion 5A, the optical module 4A is not easily detached from the fixing bar 51 by the elastic engagement force of the clip 41, and is stably held.
The optical module storage 5A is partitioned by a partition plate 9 so that the space in which the optical module 4A is stored corresponds to each of the optical modules 4A. Here, the partition plate 9 is a shelf plate on which each optical module 4A is placed, and a required number of optical modules 4A can be placed on these shelf plates.
[0023]
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and FIG. 8, the optical module 4 </ b> A includes one optical adapter 42 to which one optical fiber (cable side optical fiber) 13 terminated by the optical plug 14 is connected, and an optical plug 24. And the other optical adapter 43 to which the other optical fiber (terminated optical fiber) 23 terminated is attached to the same side of the case 40, and the one optical adapter 42 and the other optical adapter are attached. The optical fiber 44 that connects to the housing 43 is housed in the case 40. As shown in FIG. 3, the case 40 in this example is made of plastic or the like, and has a two-body structure in which the upper portion of the bottomed case body 53 is covered with a detachable substantially flat lid 54. Yes.
[0024]
In the illustrated optical module 4A, the one optical fiber 13 is a line side (optical fiber cable side) optical fiber (multi-core optical fiber, here, four cores as an example), and the other optical fiber 23 is terminated light. Fiber (single core here). Furthermore, five optical adapters 42 are provided corresponding to the five optical fibers 13. The other optical adapter 43 includes a single-core 16-series optical adapter and a single-core 4-series optical adapter corresponding to the 20 optical fibers 23.
In other words, this optical module 4A is configured to connect five of the four optical fibers 13 and 20 of the single optical fibers 23 per module.
[0025]
The connection line 8 is constituted by the optical fiber 44, one optical adapter 42 connected to one end thereof, and the other optical adapter 43 connected to the other end on the opposite side. By connecting the optical fibers 13 and 23 terminated with the optical connector to such a connection line 8, the optical fiber 13 and the optical fiber 23 can be switched. That is, the optical adapters 42 and 43 function as connection end portions of the connection line 8. The connection line 8 connects the optical adapters 42 and 43 belonging to the connector row of the same optical module 4A.
[0026]
In the example shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the optical fiber 44 is accommodated in the case 40 as an optical fiber sheet 55. As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the optical fiber sheet 55 used here is composed of two thin optical fibers 44 made of soft resin such as polyimide and flame retardant PET resin. The sheets 56 and 56 are integrated with each other by joining the sheets 56 and 56 with an adhesive or the like. As shown in FIG. 3, the optical fiber sheets 55 are laminated with the same structure and shape, and are joined by bonding or the like. As a result, the optical fibers 44 can be arranged in an orderly and high density, and the wiring of the optical fibers 44 is less likely to be biased or disturbed in the case 40, thereby improving the handleability of the optical module 4A.
[0027]
The wiring of the optical fiber 44 to the optical fiber sheet 55 can be freely designed such as a curved shape or a straight shape, but here, a multi-core portion 44b terminated by a multi-core optical plug 44a, Each optical fiber 44 having a single core separated from the core 44b has a single core 44c terminated with a single optical plug 44d, and is arranged on the same side of the optical module 4A (operation side, lower in FIG. 2). In order to enable connector connection with the optical adapters 42, 43, the shape of the sheet 56 in plan view is L-shaped or U-shaped, and the optical plugs 44 a, 44 d at both ends of the optical fiber 44 are connected to both ends of the sheet 56. It extends from the portion toward the same side (downward in FIG. 4A). The optical fiber 44 is connected to the optical adapter 42 via an optical plug 44a and is connected to the optical adapter 43 via an optical plug 44d.
[0028]
When the optical fiber sheet 55 is used in this way, an extra length for wiring the optical fiber 44 in the case 40 is not necessary, and a large number of optical fibers 44 can be wired in an orderly and high density. The optical module 4A can be reduced in size. In addition, since the optical fiber 44 is stably held by the sheet 56, the wiring of the optical fiber 44 is less likely to be biased or disturbed in the case 40, the handling property of the optical module 4A is improved, and the transmission loss is low. The state can be maintained for a long time. Since the sheet 56 is highly flexible, the amount of movement of the optical plugs 44a and 44d can be sufficiently ensured when the optical fiber 44 is connected to the optical adapters 42 and 43 by connectors.
In addition to the optical fiber sheet 55, for example, a fan-out cord can be appropriately used as the optical fiber 44.
[0029]
A pair of optical adapters 42 and 43 connected by the optical fiber 44 is arranged on the operation surface 49 of the optical module 4A, and forms a row side by side in the horizontal direction. The optical adapter 42 to which the cable side optical fiber 13 is connected is attached to one connector attachment portion 40a, and the optical adapter 43 to which the termination optical fiber 23 is connected is attached to the other connector attachment portion 40b. That is, the optical adapter 42 and the optical adapter 43 are arranged in two groups.
The optical adapter 42 of one connector mounting portion 40a is a larger optical adapter than the optical adapter 43 of the other optical connector mounting portion 40b.
Due to the difference in size between the optical adapters 42 and 43, the thickness of the other connector mounting portion 40b is smaller than that of the one connector mounting portion 40a. Further, the other connector mounting portion 40b protrudes from the one connector mounting portion 40a by the dimension S to the operation side of the case 40 (front side in FIG. 1), and there is a difference between the connector mounting portions 40a and 40b. It is part 40c. Thereby, the mistake of the optical adapter 42 of one connector attaching part 40a and the optical adapter 43 of the other connector attaching part 40b is suppressed.
[0030]
As shown in FIG. 8, in the case 40 of the optical module 4A, the lower side of the other connector mounting portion 40b whose thickness is reduced is a recess 45d that is recessed from the bottom surface 40d of the case 40 by a curved wall 45a.
As shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, the space between the recess 45d and the partition plate 9 is a room for storing the surplus length of the terminated optical fiber 23 connected to the other adapter 43 of the optical module 4A. A long storage space 45 is provided. A curved wall 45 a is located on the far side of the extra length storage space 45.
The extra storage space 45 is provided for each optical module 4A. Specifically, the connector rows of the optical module 4A and the extra length storage space 45 are alternately arranged in the vertical direction on the front surface of the termination unit 3A.
The termination optical fiber 23 is inserted into the extra length storage space 45 from the side close to the guide member 22 (left side in FIGS. 5A and 5B). The termination optical fiber 23 can be led out from the extra length storage space 45 to the operation side of the termination unit 3 </ b> A and connected to the optical adapter 43. In the extra length storage space 45, the extra length of the optical fiber 23 connected to the optical adapter 43 of the corresponding optical module 4A is accommodated exclusively.
[0031]
A presser member 46 having a curved side surface 46 a can be placed in the extra length storage space 45. The pressing member 46 may be made of a flexible material such as sponge, plastic, or the like, which is substantially flat and has an appropriate planar shape.
The thickness of the presser member 46 is such that the optical fiber 23 pushed into the extra length storage space 45 by the presser member 46 does not protrude from the gap of the extra length storage space 45. For example, the height of the extra length storage space 45 is (Dimensions in the vertical direction in FIG. 7).
When the pressing member 46 is a flexible material such as sponge, it can be elastically expanded and contracted, so that even if the thickness is slightly larger than the height of the extra length storage space 45, it can be pushed into the extra length storage space 45. Further, in this case, the presser member 46 naturally swells in the extra length storage space 45 after being pushed in, so that friction with the extra length storage space 45 is generated, and it does not easily fall off and becomes a temporary fastening. Of course, it can be easily extracted by pulling it out with fingers.
Of course, the pressing member 46 may be made of an appropriately hard material such as plastic.
[0032]
As shown in FIG. 7, the width of the pressing member 46 (the dimension in the left-right direction in FIG. 7) is smaller than the width of the opening of the extra length storage space 45. Similarly, the depth of the pressing member 46 (the dimension in the depth direction of the drawing in FIG. 7) is smaller than the depth of the extra length storage space 45. Thus, the optical fiber is inserted into the extra length storage space 45 from the side surface of the termination unit 3 </ b> A between the press member 46 and the inner wall of the extra length storage space 45 in a state where the presser member 46 is stored in the extra length storage space 45. 23, an area 45 in the extra length storage space 45 for wiring the optical fiber 23, and an opening 45c for drawing out to the operating side of the termination unit 3A are secured. The side opening 45 b and the front opening 45 c are defined by a pressing member 46. Moreover, the opening 45b is located between one connector mounting part 40a and the other connector mounting part 40b in the left-right position on the front side of the optical module 4A.
[0033]
A knob 46 b is formed at one end of the pressing member 46 so as to protrude. The knob 46b protrudes outward from the extra length storage space 45 (here, to the left in FIG. 7B) when the presser member 46 is stored in the extra length storage space 45, and the presser member 46 is stored in the extra length storage space 45. It is easy to remove from the space 45.
The termination optical fiber 23 is stored in a curved shape between the curved wall 45a and the curved portion 46a on the side surface of the pressing member 46 by pushing the pressing member 46 into the extra length storage space 45, and does not protrude to the operation side. So as to be kept stable.
[0034]
In a state where the optical module 4A is stored in the optical module storage portion 5A, the operation surface 49 of the optical module 4A faces the operation side of the optical wiring board 1A, and one connector mounting portion 40a is closer to the cord cable fixing portion 21. In addition, the other connector mounting portion 40 b is located on the side close to the cable fixing portion 11.
The optical adapters 42 and 43 are two-dimensionally arranged on the operation surface (front surface) side of the termination unit 3A by stacking the optical modules 4A in the vertical direction. , 7 are configured.
As shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, the optical connector array 6 is on the right side (right side of FIG. 7) of the termination unit 3A, and the optical connector array 7 is on the left side of the termination unit 3B (toward FIG. 7). On the left side). Further, the extra length storage space 45 is opened from the front surface 45c on the operation side to the side surface 45b (here, the left side).
[0035]
In order to connect the cable-side optical fiber 13 and the termination optical fiber 23 using the optical distribution board 1A, first, the cable-side optical fiber 13 is connected to an appropriate optical adapter 42 as described above. Thus, the cable side optical fiber 13 is terminated by the optical adapter 43 connected via the optical adapter 42 and the optical fiber 44 of the termination unit 3A so that the connector connection with the termination optical fiber 23 is possible. Therefore, the termination optical fiber 23 can be connected to the target cable side optical fiber 13 by selecting the optical adapter 43 and connecting the termination optical fiber 23 as a connector, and can be performed very easily.
[0036]
The surplus length of the termination optical fiber 23 is curved by, for example, hooking the surplus length on the guide member 22, etc., and drawn into the surplus length storage space 45, and the pressing member 46 is pushed into the surplus length storage space 45. This is done. Thereby, the other optical fiber 23 is wired on the left side of the termination unit 3A.
For switching the connection of the termination optical fiber 23 to the cable side optical fiber 13, the holding member 46 is taken out from the extra length storage space 45 and the desired termination light is selected from the optical fibers stored in the extra length storage space 45. The fiber 23 is selected and taken out together with the extra length necessary for the connection, the connection of the terminated optical fiber 23 to the optical adapter 43 is switched, and the holding member 46 is reinserted into the extra length storage space 45 together with the extra length of the terminated optical fiber 23. It can be done by storing.
At the time of connection switching, the optical adapter 42 to which one optical fiber 13 is connected and the optical adapter 43 to which the other optical fiber 23 is connected belong to the same optical module 4A. Then, by connecting the other optical fiber 23 to the optical adapter 43 by connector, the one optical fiber 13 and the other optical fiber 23 are connected via the connection line 8.
[0037]
The optical adapters 42 and 43 are arranged by the optical module 4A so as to form a connector row with a constant interval in the vertical direction and a narrower pitch in the horizontal direction. Since the optical modules 4A are alternately provided and the extra length can be taken out and stored from the operation side of the termination unit 3A of the optical distribution board 1A, the target termination optical fiber is provided. 23 can be selected for each optical module 4A, and an extra length necessary for connection can be easily secured. Therefore, this optical wiring board 1A can switch the connection of the optical fibers 13 and 23 very efficiently, and is excellent in workability.
[0038]
Thus, in this optical distribution board 1A, one optical fiber 13 and the other optical fiber 23 terminated with connectors can be connected to the optical adapters 42 and 43, so that the cable-side optical fibers 13 and the optical fibers 13 and the optical fibers 13 can be connected. Since the end optical fiber 23 is terminated with a connector, it is not necessary to perform fusion connection or the like, and therefore, it is not necessary to store a connection portion by fusion connection or the like in the optical module 4A.
Therefore, the termination unit 3A can be reduced in size, and the optical wiring board 1A can be reduced in size and density.
[0039]
Further, the optical fiber 44 housed in the optical module 4A is preliminarily wired so as to connect the optical adapters 42 and 43 when facing the operation surface side of the optical wiring board 1A for connection and wiring switching work. In this case, the positions of the optical adapters 42 and 43 do not need to be moved, and the extra length of the optical fiber 23 can be easily pulled out by simply pulling it out from the extra length storage space 45. There is no need to take out the optical module 4A from the termination unit 3A, or to open the case 40 of the optical module 4A and rewire the optical fiber 44. That is, as in a conventional optical distribution board, the optical module, optical wiring case, etc. are pulled out to the operation side, and the lid of the optical module is opened to take out the internal connection and excess length, or to melt the optical fiber. Connection work can be made more efficient because there is no need to make an incoming connection.
[0040]
Further, in this optical wiring board 1A, one optical connector array unit 6 in which the optical adapters 42 to which the cable side optical fibers 13 are connected is arranged, and the optical adapter 43 to which the termination optical fibers 23 are connected are arranged. Since the other optical connector array portion 7 is provided on the front side on the operation side of the termination unit 3A, the connection between the cable side optical fiber 13 and the optical adapter 42 is also performed between the termination optical fiber 23 and the optical fiber. The connection with the adapter 43 can be performed very easily without pulling out or moving the termination unit 3A and without interference from the optical fiber and optical connector on the other side.
Further, in the optical connector arrangement sections 6 and 7, the large optical adapter 42 and the small optical adapter 43 are arranged separately, so that the optical fibers 13 and 14 connected to these optical adapters 42 and 43 are arranged. The group of 23 is also bisected.
Therefore, the cable side optical fiber 13 and the terminated optical fiber 23 are not tangled or contacted, and there is no influence of communication disturbance due to vibration. Needless to say, the cable side optical fiber 13 and the terminated optical fiber 23 can be easily compared.
[0041]
Further, even when the optical fiber cable 10 and the cord cable 20 are added, they are fixed to the cable fixing portion 11 and the cord cable fixing portion 21, respectively, and one optical fiber 13 drawn from each of the cables 10 and 20 and the other light. By connecting the fiber 23 to the respective optical connector array portions 6 and 7, the connection state of the optical fibers 13 and 23 can be easily set to a state where a comparison connection is possible, and the processing can be easily performed. it can.
[0042]
When the termination unit 3A is constituted by the optical module 4A, the optical connector array portion can be formed by stacking the optical modules 4A having excellent handling properties, so that the optical fiber connection unit 1A can be installed easily and in a short time. Can be implemented.
Even when the optical fiber cables 10 and 20 are added, the required number of optical adapters 42 and 43 that increase with the increase in the number of accommodated optical fibers can be easily secured by adding the optical module 4A. .
[0043]
FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view schematically showing a modified example of the optical wiring board 1A. In FIG. 10, for the sake of simplicity, like the case of FIG. 9, illustration of a partition plate, a stepped portion, an optical module housing portion, an optical fiber cable, and the like is omitted.
In the termination unit 93 of the optical distribution board 90, the small optical adapters 43 are arranged slightly offset from the large optical adapters 42 in the respective optical modules 94, and the remaining optical fiber 23 is left behind. The extra storage space 45 for storing the length is disposed in the vicinity immediately above the optical adapter 43. Other configurations can be the same as or similar to those of the optical wiring board 1A shown in FIG.
The surplus length of the other optical fiber 23 connected to the optical adapter 43 belongs to the same optical module 94 and is accommodated in a surplus length storage space 45 located immediately above the optical adapter 43.
Also with such a connection unit 90, the optical fibers 13 and 23 can be connected by the procedure as described above, and the same effect is produced.
[0044]
Next, with reference to FIGS. 11-18, the optical wiring board of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention is demonstrated.
11 (a), (b), (c), (d) and FIG. 12 are diagrams showing the optical wiring board 1B of the present embodiment, in which FIG. 11 (a) is a plan view, and FIG. Front view, (c) is a right side view, (d) is a left side view, and FIG. 12 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing a state in which the door 2a is omitted.
13A is a perspective view and FIG. 13B is a plan view of the cable-side optical fiber wiring portion 60. FIG. FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing the optical module housing part 5B and the terminated optical fiber wiring part 70. FIG. 15 and 16 are perspective views of the optical module 4B.
FIG. 17 is a schematic perspective view schematically showing the optical wiring board 1B shown in FIGS. In FIG. 17, illustration of the partition plate 9, the stepped portion 40 c, the optical module housing portion 5 </ b> B, the optical fiber cables 10 and 20, etc. is omitted for simplification.
[0045]
As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the optical wiring board 1 </ b> B is drawn from the optical fiber cable 10 in the housing 2, the termination unit 3 </ b> B, the cable fixing part 11 for fixing the optical fiber cable 10, and the optical fiber cable 10. One bending member 16 that absorbs the extra length of the cable-side optical fiber 13, a cable-side optical fiber wiring portion 60 provided below the termination unit 3B, and a cord cable fixing portion 21 that fixes the cord cable 20 The other bending member 26 that absorbs the extra length of the terminated optical fiber 23 drawn from the cord cable 20 is fixed to the housing 2. Reference numeral 2a is an openable / closable door, and reference numeral 2b is an opening for drawing the optical fiber cable 10 and the cord cable 20 into the housing 2 from below.
The termination unit 3B is substantially the same as the termination unit 3A described in the first embodiment, and is a thin plate-like optical module 4B having a large number of optical adapters 42 and 43 arranged facing the front surface on the operation side. Are arranged in the thickness direction of the optical module 4B and stored in a shelf-shaped optical module storage unit 5B.
[0046]
As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the optical module 4 </ b> B includes optical adapters 42 and 43 arranged in the vertical direction on the same side of the case 40, and the one optical adapter 42 and the other optical adapter 4 </ b> B. The optical fiber 44 that connects the optical adapter 43 is housed in the case 40. As the optical fiber 44, for example, the above-described optical fiber sheet 55 is used. The optical adapters 42 and 43 are arranged such that the optical adapter 42 on the optical fiber cable 10 side is arranged on the lower side and the optical adapter 43 on the termination optical fiber 23 side is arranged on the upper side.
[0047]
Here, as in the optical module 4A of the first embodiment, one connector mounting portion 40a to which the optical adapter 42 is attached and the other connector mounting portion 40b to which the optical adapter 43 is attached are the case 40. It is provided facing the same side. The other connector mounting portion 40b protrudes from the one connector mounting portion 40a by a dimension s to the near side on the operation side of the case 40, and a gap 40c is formed between these connector mounting portions 40a and 40b. .
Further, the other connector mounting portion 40b has a thickness smaller than the one connector mounting portion 40a by a dimension t, and is stepped on the left side (front side in FIG. 16) of the other connector mounting portion 40b. 45d is formed. On the back side of one connector mounting portion 40 a, the step t is smoothly eliminated by the inclined surface 48. As a result, the inner surface of the end portion 48a of the inclined surface 48 becomes a blunt angle, and side pressure and damage to the optical fiber 44 wired in the case 40 are suppressed.
[0048]
As shown in FIGS. 12 and 16, the space between the recess 45d of the optical module 4B and the partition plate 9 of the optical module housing 5B is terminated with the other adapter 43 of the optical module 4B. An extra length storage space 45 is provided for storing the extra length of the optical fiber 23. As shown in FIG. 17, the surplus length storage space 45 may include a pressing member 46 that presses and maintains the optical fiber in which the surplus length is stored in the surplus length storage space 45. The structure and shape of the pressing member 46 can be the same as the pressing member 46 described in the optical module 4A of the first embodiment.
When the optical modules 4B are arranged in the horizontal direction and stored in the optical module storage section 5B, the optical connector array section 6 in which the optical adapters 42 are arrayed and the optical connector array section 7 in which the optical adapters 43 are arrayed. The termination | terminus unit 3B which has can be comprised.
[0049]
As shown in FIG. 14, the optical module storage unit 5B is attached to the storage shelf 50 on which the optical module 4B is placed and the storage shelf 50, and the optical module 4B is locked by a clip 41 described later. The fixing bar 51 is fixed to the back side plate of the housing 2. The bottom plate 50b of the storage shelf 50 is formed with Dalma-shaped engagement holes 52a and 52b, which can engage with the engagement protrusions 47a and 47b projecting from the lower part of the optical module 4B. The storage shelf 50 is partitioned by the partition plate 9 so that the space in which the optical modules 4B are stored corresponds to each of the optical modules 4B.
[0050]
The optical module 4B can be stored in the optical module storage section 5B by engaging the engaging protrusions 47a and 47b with the engaging holes 52a and 52b and locking the clip 41 to the fixing bar 51. Thereby, the optical module 4B is stably accommodated, and the optical module 4B is prevented from moving backward when connecting the fibers.
[0051]
As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the cable side and the other bending members 16 and 26 are the same as the bending member 12 in the first embodiment. It is provided protruding from the side.
A plurality of cable fixing portions 11 and cord cable fixing portions 21 are arranged on the lower side of the housing 2. The cable fixing part 11 is divided and installed on the side close to the one bending member 16, and the cord cable fixing part 21 is arranged on the side close to the other bending member 26.
[0052]
As shown in FIG. 13, the cable-side optical fiber wiring section 60 distributes the cable-side optical fiber 13 wound around the cable-side bending member 16 to the optical adapter 42 of the termination unit 3B for wiring. A wiring shelf 61, a flat cable clamp 62 provided at the back of the side near the one bending member 16 on the wiring shelf 61, and a plurality of bending members arranged at the back of the wiring shelf 61. 63 and a CKN clamp 64 which is arranged on the operation side on the wiring shelf 61 and binds the cable side optical fibers 13.
[0053]
The wiring shelf 61 is attached to the side plate on the back side of the housing 2, and the operation side edge of the wiring shelf 61 is curved downward.
The flat cable clamp 62 includes a wide and thin U-shaped receiving portion 62a and a pressing portion 62b that presses the opening side of the receiving portion 62a from above. A pressing member 62c is provided inside the receiving portion 62a and the pressing portion 62b. Is fixed.
The flat cable clamp 62 pulls the cable-side optical fiber 13 from the one bending member 16 into the receiving portion 62a and pushes down the holding portion 62b in a state where the holding portion 62b is repelled, whereby the receiving portion 62a and the holding portion 62b. The cable side optical fiber 13 is held so as not to be separated. At this time, since the cable-side optical fiber 13 is directly sandwiched loosely by the pressing member 62c, the cable-side optical fiber 13 is hardly subjected to side pressure, distortion, and the like, and the occurrence of inconvenience such as noise is suppressed.
[0054]
The bending member 63 and the CKN clamp 64 are for distributing the cable-side optical fiber 13 held by the flat cable clamp 62 to the respective optical adapters 42, and are provided in the same number as the optical module 4B. However, for simplification of the drawing, only three bending members 63 are shown in FIG.
[0055]
The bending member 63 is made of plastic or the like, and includes a base portion 63a fixed to the wiring shelf 61, and an arc-shaped protruding wall 63b protruding upward from the base portion 63a. The bending member 63 is configured so that one of the optical fibers 13 is wound around the protruding wall 63b and the direction thereof can be applied.
The CKN clamp 64 has a sponge attached to the inner peripheral surface thereof, so that the cable side optical fiber 13 can be bundled. Since the cable is directly loosely bound by the sponge, the cable-side optical fiber 13 is hardly subjected to side pressure, distortion, and the like, and the occurrence of inconvenience such as noise is suppressed.
[0056]
As shown in FIGS. 11, 12, and 14, a termination optical fiber wiring portion 70 is provided on the operation side of the storage shelf 50. Specifically, a flat cable clamp 71 provided at the left end of the operation side edge of the bottom plate 50b of the storage shelf 50 and a harness lifter 72 provided at the operation side edge of the bottom plate 50b of the storage shelf 50 are provided. ing.
The flat cable clamp 71 has the same configuration as the above-described flat cable clamp 62, that is, has a receiving portion 71 a, a holding portion 71 b, and a sponge 71 c, and the terminated optical fiber 23 drawn from the other bending member 26. Is held so as not to leave.
[0057]
The harness lifters 72 are arranged in the same number as the optical module 4B. Each of the harness lifters 72 has a handle 72a attached to the bottom plate 50b of the storage shelf 50, and a C-shaped hook 72b formed at the tip of the handle 72a. And is composed of.
The handle portion 72a is for separating the termination optical fiber 23 wired to the termination optical fiber wiring portion 70 from the termination unit 3B in order to avoid interference between the cable side optical fiber 13 and the termination optical fiber wiring portion 70. belongs to. The hook part 72b binds and holds the other optical fiber 23 inserted therein.
The cable-side optical fiber 13 drawn from the cable-side optical fiber wiring portion 60 toward the one optical connector array portion 6 is routed between the handle portions 72a.
In addition, as shown in FIG. 11B, the hooking portion 72b is attached in a direction inclined by about 45 degrees in a front view. Thereby, when the harness lifter 72 hooks the termination optical fiber 23 drawn out from the flat cable clamp 71 to the hook portion 72b and naturally curves it, the termination optical fiber 23 is moved toward the extra length storage space 45. It can be made to go.
[0058]
As described above, since the termination optical fiber wiring section 70 is provided on the operation side of one optical connector array section 6, when the termination optical fiber 23 is wired by the termination optical fiber wiring section 70. In addition, it is not preferable that the cable-side optical fiber 13 connected to one optical connector array portion 6 is brought into contact with a hand, the terminated optical fiber 23 or the like, and a disturbance such as bending force or lateral pressure is applied. Therefore, in order to protect the cable side optical fiber 13, it is preferable to attach a protective cover 80 between the harness lifters 72.
[0059]
As shown in FIG. 14, the protective cover 80 includes side walls 81, 81 arranged opposite to each other, and a ceiling wall 82 and a front wall 83 that connect the side walls 81, 81 at a predetermined interval. Further, each side wall 81 is formed with a locking claw 84 that can be locked with a locking hole 85 formed in the edge of the storage shelf 50 at a corner facing the ceiling wall 82 and the front wall 83. ing. A space between the ceiling wall 82 or the front wall 83 of the protective cover 80 and the locking claw 84 is a space through which the cable-side optical fiber 13 passes.
The cable-side optical fiber 13 drawn out from the cable-side optical fiber wiring section 60 is connected to the optical adapter 42 and then fitted with the locking claw 84 of the protective cover 80 in the locking hole 85, so that the protective cover 80 Covered and protected from the operating side.
[0060]
For example, the following procedure can be used to connect the cable-side optical fiber 13 and the termination optical fiber 23 using the optical wiring board 1B.
First, the optical fiber cable 10 is drawn from the opening 2 b at the bottom of the housing 2 and fixed to the cable fixing portion 11. The cable-side optical fiber 13 drawn from the optical fiber cable 10 is bent by, for example, hooking a surplus length on one of the bending members 16, and then drawn into the cable-side optical fiber wiring section 60. Therefore, the cable-side optical fiber 13 is held by the flat cable clamp 62, bent by the bending member 63, bent while being bound by the CKN clamp 64, pulled out to the operation side of the termination unit 3B, and connected to the optical adapter 42. To do. Further, a protective cover 80 is attached to the storage shelf 50 for protection.
As a result, the cable-side optical fiber 13 is terminated so that the connector can be connected by the optical adapter 42 connected via the connector and the optical adapter 43 connected via the optical fiber 44 in the optical module 4B.
[0061]
Next, the termination optical fiber 23 is bent by, for example, hooking an extra length on the other bending member 26 and then drawn into the termination optical fiber wiring portion 70, where it is bundled by the flat cable clamp 71 and the harness lifter 72. Then, it is pulled out to the operation side of the termination unit 3B and connected to the optical adapter 43. The surplus length of the termination optical fiber 23 is processed by being bent and then stored in the surplus length storage space 45.
The termination optical fiber 23 can be connected to the target cable-side optical fiber 13 by selecting the optical adapter 43 and connecting the termination optical fiber 23 as a connector.
[0062]
In the optical distribution board 1B according to the present embodiment, the optical fibers 13 and 23 can be connected by simply connecting the cable-side optical fiber 13 and the terminated optical fiber 23 terminated with connectors to the optical adapters 42 and 43, respectively. As a result, it is not necessary to make a splicing connection for terminating the optical fibers 13 and 23, and the connection work can be made more efficient as in the case of the optical wiring board 1A.
[0063]
In the optical wiring board 1B, one optical connector array portion 6 and the other optical connector array portion 7 are provided separately on the operation side surface of the termination unit 3B. And the optical adapter 43 can be connected without pulling out or moving the optical module 4B and without receiving interference between the cable-side optical fiber 13 and the optical adapter 42.
Therefore, the cable side optical fiber 13 and the terminated optical fiber 23 are not tangled or contacted, and there is no influence of communication disturbance due to vibration. It goes without saying that the cable side optical fiber 13 to be connected and the terminated optical fiber 23 can be easily compared.
[0064]
Next, a third embodiment of the optical fiber connection unit of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In these drawings, the optical fiber connection unit is an example of an optical wiring board, and will be described as an optical wiring board 1C hereinafter.
18 (a), (b), (c) and FIG. 19 are views showing the optical wiring board 1C of the present embodiment, in which FIG. 18 (a) is a plan view, FIG. 18 (b) is a front view, and FIG. FIG. 19 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing a state where the door 2a is omitted.
FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the optical module housing 5C. FIG. 21 is an exploded perspective view of the optical module housing 5C. FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the optical module 4C.
[0065]
As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, in the optical wiring board 1 </ b> C, the termination unit 3 </ b> C, the cable fixing part 11 that fixes the optical fiber cable 10, and the cable side exposed at the tip part of the optical fiber cable 10. One bending member 16 that absorbs the extra length of the optical fiber 13, a cable-side optical fiber wiring portion 60 provided below the termination unit 3C, a cord cable fixing portion 21 that fixes the cord cable 20, and a cord cable The other bending member 26 that absorbs the extra length of the terminated optical fiber 23 drawn out from 20 is fixed to the housing 2.
Reference numeral 2a is an openable / closable door, and reference numeral 2b is an opening for drawing the optical fiber cable 10 and the cord cable 20 into the housing 2 from below.
[0066]
One bending member 16 and the other bending member 26 are, for example, the same as the bending member 12 in the first embodiment, and are provided so as to project from one side and the other side of the housing 2, respectively. It has been.
A plurality of cable fixing portions 11 and cord cable fixing portions 21 are arranged on the lower side of the housing 2. The cable fixing part 11 is divided and installed on the side close to the one bending member 16, and the cord cable fixing part 21 is arranged on the side close to the other bending member 26.
The cable side optical fiber wiring part 60 has the same configuration as that in the optical wiring board 1B of the second embodiment (see FIG. 13), and the cable side optical fiber 13 wound around one bending member 16 is used. Is distributed and wired to each optical module 4C accommodated in the termination unit 3C.
[0067]
As shown in FIG. 22, the optical module 4C includes an optical adapter 43 that connects the termination optical fiber 23 on the operation side, and the optical fiber 44 that connects the optical adapter 42 and the optical adapter 43 is located below the optical module 4C. It is the structure pulled out from the opening part (not shown) provided in.
Further, the optical module 4C includes a clip 41 provided on the back side. The configuration of the clip 41 is the same as that in the second embodiment shown in FIG.
[0068]
As shown in FIG. 21, the optical module storage unit 5 </ b> C includes a storage shelf 50 on which the optical module 4 </ b> C is placed, and a fixed bar that is attached above the storage shelf 50 and that is locked by the clip 41. 51 and an optical connector storage shelf 30 for attaching an optical connector holding panel 31 for holding the optical adapter 42 at the tip of the optical fiber 44 drawn below the optical module 4C.
The storage shelf 50 is formed with a Dalma hole-shaped engagement hole 52 that can be engaged with an engagement protrusion 47 projecting from the lower portion of the optical module 4B.
[0069]
A termination optical fiber wiring section 70 is provided on the operation side of the storage shelf 50. The configuration of the termination optical fiber wiring section 70 is the same as that described above. The storage shelf 50 is provided with an opening 50 a through which the optical fiber 44 is passed.
The optical connector holding panel 31 has an opening 32 through which the optical adapter 42 is passed. The optical connector holding panel 31 has a projection 33 provided at one end of the optical connector holding panel 31 inserted into a long hole 34 provided in the storage shelf 50, and is moved to the operation side of the optical connector storage shelf 30 by the ny latch 35. By attaching, it can be detachably fixed.
[0070]
In order to store the optical module 4C in the optical module storage unit 5C, for example, the optical module 4C is stored in the storage shelf 50, and then the optical fiber 44 is pulled out to the optical connector storage shelf 30 side through the opening 50a. This can be done by holding the optical adapter 42 on the optical connector holding panel 31 and then attaching the optical connector holding panel 31 to the optical connector storage shelf 30.
The extra length of the optical fiber 44 is distributed and stored in the case 40 of the optical module 4C and on the optical connector storage shelf 30.
[0071]
The holding of the optical adapter 42 to the optical connector holding panel 31 is not particularly limited. For example, as shown in FIG. 22, the opening of the optical adapter 42 is provided in the opening 32 provided in the optical connector holding panel 31. This can be done by inserting the housing, and a flange provided around the housing is brought into contact with the end edge 32a of the opening 32 and fixed with a fixing member such as a screw.
In this way, the optical adapter 42 is arranged on the operation side of the optical connector storage shelf 30, whereby one optical connector arrangement portion 6 is formed.
As shown in FIG. 19C, in the state where the optical module 4C is housed in the termination unit 3C, the other optical connector array unit 7 is more than the one optical connector array unit 6 by the dimension S. It is located in a place protruding in front of the operation side.
[0072]
In order to connect one optical fiber 13 and the other optical fiber 23 using the optical distribution board 1C, as described in the second embodiment, one optical fiber 13 is connected to the cable side optical fiber wiring. It is possible to connect the optical fiber 23 to the optical adapter 43 after connecting the optical fiber 23 to the termination optical fiber wiring portion 70 after connecting the optical fiber 23 to the appropriate optical adapter 42.
Thereby, the connection of the other optical fiber 23 to the target one optical fiber 13 can be performed very simply by selecting the optical adapter 43 and connecting the other optical fiber 23 with a connector. Further, the switching connection of the other optical fiber 23 to one optical fiber 13 can be performed very simply by switching the connection of the other optical fiber 23 to the optical adapter 43.
[0073]
In the optical wiring board 1C of the present embodiment, one optical connector array part 6 is provided below the termination optical fiber wiring part 70, so that it is compared with the optical wiring board 1B of the second embodiment. Since the interference between the cable-side optical fiber 13 and the termination optical fiber 23 is prevented in advance, the protective cover 80 is not required, and the cable-side optical fiber 13 can be easily terminated.
[0074]
Furthermore, even when the optical fiber cable 10 is added after the termination optical fiber 23 is connected to the optical adapter 43, the cable side optical fiber 13 can be connected to the optical adapter 42 without any trouble.
Further, it is possible to easily switch the connection by attaching and detaching the cable side optical fiber 13 connected to the optical adapter 42.
In attaching and detaching the cable side optical fiber 13, if the optical connector holding panel 31 is removed from the optical connector storage shelf 30, the optical adapter 42 can be pulled away from the termination optical fiber wiring section 70, so that the work space can be increased. It is possible to reduce the risk of bending the termination optical fiber 23 wired to the termination optical fiber wiring section 70 by mistake.
[0075]
Although the present invention has been described based on the preferred embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.
For example, the optical fiber connection unit of the above embodiment has a configuration including one termination unit, but may include a plurality of termination units. Thereby, the number of corresponding cores of the optical fiber connection unit can be easily increased.
The method of forming the optical connector array portion is not limited to the method using the termination unit in which the optical adapter is two-dimensionally arranged on the front surface on the operation side. For example, a thin optical device in which the optical adapters are arranged in a row is used. A method of arranging a plurality of modules may be used. In this case, since the optical module can be taken out individually, the wiring of the connection line is facilitated.
[0076]
In the above embodiment, only connection within the same connector row or optical module is disclosed as connection between one optical fiber and the other optical fiber. However, as another connection form, two connectors are disclosed. Connections in rows or across optical modules are also possible. In this case, the optical fiber (connection line) already wired in the optical module as in the above embodiment is not used, but the jumper wire connected across the two connector rows or the optical module is connected to the termination unit. It is performed on the reverse side or the inner side opposite to the operation surface.
[0077]
In the above-described embodiment, the optical module is a large optical adapter and a small optical adapter arranged in a line in series, but the present invention is not particularly limited to this. Absent. For example, two or more rows of small optical adapters may be arranged with respect to a row of large optical adapters. Specifically, for example, a large optical adapter may be arranged in a row on the right side of a horizontal optical module, and a small optical adapter may be arranged in two rows on the left side of the optical module. . In this case, there is an effect of increasing the number of optical adapters and increasing the number of optical fiber connections within a limited area.
[0078]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the optical fiber connection unit of the present invention, one connection end and the other connection end are arranged separately and are provided facing the front surface on the operation side. The optical fiber can be prevented from being tangled or touched, and can be wired in an orderly manner. In addition, it is not necessary to affect communication disturbance due to vibration. In addition, the optical fibers to be connected can be easily compared.
[0079]
The connector-terminated cable side optical fiber and the terminated optical fiber can be connected to the optical connector of the cable side and the other optical connector array, so that the fusion connection for optical fiber connector termination etc. Is not required, and a space for storing the connection portion by fusion splicing or the like is not required. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the size and increase the density of the optical fiber connection unit. Further, since the extra length necessary for the optical fiber switching connection can be efficiently stored in the extra length storage space and pulled out, the workability of the switching connection is improved.
[0080]
Since the cable-side and termination-side connector arrangement parts are divided and formed through a stepped portion, the termination optical fiber can be connected without receiving interference from the cable-side optical fiber. The side optical fiber and the terminated optical fiber can be prevented from getting tangled or in contact with each other, and can be wired in an orderly manner. In addition, it is not necessary to affect communication disturbance due to vibration. Moreover, the cable side optical fiber to be connected and the terminated optical fiber can be easily compared.
[0081]
If the holding member for holding the optical fiber in which the extra length is stored is accommodated in the extra length storage space, the optical fiber is less likely to drop out of the extra length storage space.
When the optical connector array portion is configured by assembling a plurality of flat optical modules having optical connectors in the thickness direction, the optical connector array portion can be configured efficiently, and an optical fiber The connection unit can be installed easily and in a short time.
If the space where the optical fiber of the connection line is wired and the gap forming the extra length storage space are separated by a partition plate, the optical fiber of the connection line and the optical fiber stored in the extra length storage space It becomes easier to switch the optical fiber wiring.
[0082]
According to an optical module having a recess that becomes an extra-length storage space when stacked, the optical connector arrangement portion and the extra-length storage space corresponding to the optical connector arrangement portion can be efficiently obtained by simply stacking the optical modules. Can be configured well.
Even when an optical fiber cable is added, the required number of optical adapters that increase with the increase in the number of optical fibers accommodated can be easily secured by adding an optical module.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an optical module according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the inside of the optical module shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a front sectional view showing the inside of the optical module shown in FIG. 1;
4A is a plan view showing an example of an optical fiber sheet used in the optical module shown in FIG. (B) It is sectional drawing which follows the cutting line shown to Fig.4 (a).
5A is a plan view, FIG. 5B is a front view, and FIG. 5C is a right side view of the optical wiring board according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing a state in which the door of the optical wiring board in FIG. 5 is omitted. FIG.
7A is a front view and FIG. 7B is a bottom view of the termination unit of the optical wiring board of FIG. 5;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the optical module shown in FIG. 1 viewed obliquely from below.
9 is a schematic perspective view schematically showing the optical wiring board shown in FIG. 5. FIG.
FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view schematically showing a modified example of the optical wiring board according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
11A is a plan view of an optical wiring board according to a second embodiment, FIG. 11B is a front view thereof, FIG. 11C is a right side view thereof, and FIG.
12 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing a state in which the door of the optical wiring board of FIG. 11 is omitted.
13A is a perspective view and FIG. 13B is a plan view of a cable side optical fiber wiring portion of the optical wiring board of FIG. 11;
14 is a perspective view showing an optical module housing part and a terminated optical fiber wiring part in the optical wiring board of FIG. 11. FIG.
15 is a perspective view of an optical module of the optical wiring board in FIG. 11. FIG.
16 is a perspective view of an optical module of the optical wiring board in FIG. 11. FIG.
FIG. 17 is a schematic perspective view schematically showing the optical wiring board shown in FIG.
18A is a plan view of an optical fiber connection unit according to a third embodiment, FIG. 18B is a front view thereof, and FIG. 18C is a right side view thereof.
FIG. 19 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing a state in which the door of the optical wiring board of FIG. 18 is omitted.
20 is a perspective view of an optical module housing part of the optical wiring board of FIG. 18. FIG.
21 is an exploded perspective view of an optical module housing portion of the optical wiring board in FIG. 18. FIG.
22 is a perspective view of an optical module of the optical wiring board in FIG. 18. FIG.
FIG. 23A is a front view and FIG. 23B is a side view for explaining an example of a conventional optical wiring board.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1A-1C, 90 ... Optical fiber connection unit (optical distribution board), 4A-4C, 94 ... Optical module, 5A-5C ... Optical module storage part, 6 ... One optical connector arrangement part (One connection edge part arrangement part) ), 7 ... the other optical connector array (the other connection end array), 8 ... the connection line, 9 ... the partition plate, 13 ... one optical fiber (cable side optical fiber), 14 ... the optical connector plug (light Plug), 23 ... the other optical fiber (terminated optical fiber), 24 ... optical connector plug (optical plug), 40 ... optical module case, 40a ... one connector mounting portion, 40b ... the other connector mounting portion, 40c ... Stepped portion, 42 ... One optical adapter (one connection end), 43 ... The other optical adapter (the other connection end), 44 ... Optical fiber, 45 ... Extra length storage space, 45d ... Recess, 46 ... push Member, 55 ... optical fiber sheet.

Claims (9)

An optical fiber connection unit that connects one optical fiber (13) and the other optical fiber (23) in a switchable manner,
One optical connector array (6) in which the optical connector adapter (42) to which the one optical fiber is connected is arranged, and the other in which the optical connector adapter (43) to which the other optical fiber is connected is arranged. The optical connector array portion (7) is provided facing the front surface on the operation side via the stepped portion (40c),
A plurality of connection lines (8) formed by connecting the optical connector adapter of the one optical connector array part and the optical connector adapter of the other optical connector array part by an optical fiber (44);
In one or both of the optical connector arrangement portions, a gap functioning as a surplus length storage space (45) for storing the surplus length of the optical fiber connected to the optical connector adapter is opened in the front surface on the operation side. An optical fiber connection unit (1A to 1C) characterized by being formed. The surplus length storage space (45) accommodates a holding member (46) that maintains the surplus length of the optical fiber in which the surplus length is accommodated in the surplus length storage space so that it is stored in a curved state. The optical fiber connection unit according to claim 1 , wherein the optical fiber connection unit is configured as described above. The one and the other optical connector array portions are configured by assembling a plurality of flat optical modules (4A to 4C) having optical connector adapters in the thickness direction in a stacked state. The optical fiber connection unit according to claim 1 or 2 . The optical module is housed in the optical module accommodating portion (5A-5C), the light module housing portion, according to claim 3, characterized in that it comprises a partition plate for separating the optical module to each other (9) Optical fiber connection unit. 5. The optical fiber connection unit according to claim 4 , wherein the optical module has a recess (45 d) that becomes an extra-length storage space (45) when the optical module is in the stacked state. The recess serving as the extra storage space is formed as a portion where the thickness of the case (40) of the optical module is partially reduced, and the extra storage space includes the recess and the partition plate. The optical fiber connection unit according to claim 5 , wherein the optical fiber connection unit is provided between the two. A connector mounting portion (40a) to which one optical connector adapter (42) to which one optical fiber (13) terminated by the optical connector plug (14) is connected is connected to the optical connector plug (24). The connector mounting portion (40b) to which the other optical connector adapter (43) to which the other end optical fiber (23) is connected is connected to the one of the case (40) via the stepped portion (40c). It is divided and arranged on the side,
An optical fiber (44) connecting the one optical connector adapter and the other optical connector adapter is housed in the case,
An optical module (4A, 4B) characterized in that a recess (45d) serving as a surplus length storage space (45) for storing the surplus length of the one optical fiber is provided from the optical connector adapter side of the case. ). The extra length storage space accommodates a presser member (46) for maintaining the extra length of the optical fiber in which the extra length is accommodated in the extra length accommodation space so that the extra length is accommodated in a curved state. The optical module according to claim 7 . One of the connector mounting portion of the one optical connector adapter and the connector mounting portion of the other optical connector adapter protrudes toward the operation side of the case with respect to the other. Item 9. The optical module according to Item 7 or 8 .

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