AU2013216651A1

AU2013216651A1 - Branching device for hybrid cable

Info

Publication number: AU2013216651A1
Application number: AU2013216651A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Won-Jung Bae; Ho-Soon Lee; Yeong-Seop Lee; Yun-Kyu Lee; Gye-Joon Yoo
Original assignee: Samsung Electronics Co Ltd
Current assignee: Corning Research and Development Corp
Priority date: 2013-07-09
Filing date: 2013-08-15
Publication date: 2015-01-29
Anticipated expiration: 2033-08-15
Also published as: KR20150006712A; AU2013216651B2

Abstract

Provided is a branching device including a closure, at least some side of which is opened, and a plurality of connection ports arranged in the other side of the closure, which is adjacent to the opened side, in which each of the connection ports is connected 5 to any one of cables branched in the closure. Since the branching device opens the side of the closure even when being installed in an aerial line such as a telephone pole, a maintaining or repairing operation may be performed. 46007091 (GHMallers) P94578AU 1508/2013 113 * 127* * * -, 127 113 * -- 131 101 b 127 "11 13 * *17

Description

- 1 BRANCHING DEVICE FOR HYBRID CABLE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention 5 The present disclosure relates to a cable for performing communication or transmitting power, and more particularly, to a branching device for a hybrid cable. Description of the Related Art An optical cable consisting of optical fibers may be used to transmit high 10 volume data by using optical signals. Recently, a line using a hybrid cable in which a power cable is combined with an optical cable to transmit power as well as an optical signal has been configured. The hybrid cable may be used to supply power to an optical splice closure receiving both an optical cable and a power cable or to provide a communication line and a power line to communication facilities of apartment houses 15 or large buildings. Generally, a communication line and a power line are laid in the same route, such that by laying a hybrid cable, the configuration of an aerial line or an underground line may be simplified. When a hybrid cable is branched with a relay equipment of a communication network or a subscriber to lay a separate line (hereinafter, referred to as a 'subscriber 20 line') in a communication network line, a branching device for protecting a branch portion of the hybrid cable. The hybrid cable may be branched into a power cable and an optical fiber cable or unit cables including partial power cables and optical cables in a closure of the branching device. The branched cables may be directly connected by subscriber-premise or relay equipment. If there is an additional subscriber or new 25 relay equipment is added, the cable branched from the hybrid cable may be connected with a cable of the subscriber line. Since the branching device for the hybrid cable, for example, the closure is installed in the aerial line, it is difficult to perform connection between cables for addition of a subscriber or equipment. 30 The above information is presented as background information only to assist with an understanding of the present disclosure. No determination has been made, and 46D769_1 (GHMalters) P94578.AU I 508/2013 -2 no assertion is made, as to whether any of the above might be applicable as prior art with regard to the present disclosure, SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 5 The present disclosure has been made to at least partially solve, alleviate, or remove at least one of problems and/or disadvantages described above. Accordingly, various aspects of the present disclosure provide a branching device for a hybrid cable, which facilitates branching and connecting operations. Various aspects of the present disclosure also provide a branching device for a 10 hybrid cable, which facilitates a maintaining or repairing operation. Other objects to be provided in the present disclosure may be understood by embodiments described below. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a branching device including a closure, at least some side of which is opened, and a plurality of 15 connection ports arranged in the other side of the closure, which is adjacent to the opened side, in which each of the connection ports is connected to any one of cables branched in the closure. Other aspects, advantages, and salient features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which, taken 20 in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses an exemplary embodiment of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The above and other aspects, features and advantages of a certain embodiment 25 of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 illustrates a branching device for a hybrid cable according to various embodiments of the present disclosure; FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a branching device for a hybrid cable 30 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure; FIG. 3 is another exploded perspective view of a branching device for a hybrid 4600789_l (GHMmtlers} PO4578AU 1SM/8/2013 -3 cable according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 4 is a floor plan of a branching structure using a branching device for a hybrid cable according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 5 illustrates a structure of a branching device for a hybrid cable according 5 to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and FIG. 6 illustrates a structure of a branching device for a hybrid cable according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Throughout the drawings, like reference numerals will be understood to refer to like parts, components, and structures. 10 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description of the present disclosure, a detailed description of known functions and configurations 15 incorporated herein will be omitted when it may obscure the subject matter of the present disclosure. Terms used herein are defined for functions in the present disclosure and may vary according to users, intentions of operators, or practice. Thus, the terms should be defined more clearly based on the entire contents of various embodiments of the present disclosure. Although ordinal numbers such as "first", 20 "second", and so forth will be used in an embodiment described below, they are merely intended to distinguish objects having the same name, their order may be set arbitrarily. FIG. I illustrates a branching device 100 for a hybrid cable according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the branching device 100 for a hybrid cable according to various embodiments of the 25 present disclosure. FIG. 3 is another exploded perspective view of the branching device 100 for a hybrid cable according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated in FIGs. 1 through 3, the branching device 100 for a hybrid cable (hereinafter, referred to as a 'cable') according to one of various embodiments of the present disclosure may include a closure 101 and connection ports 113 provided in the 30 closure 101. Each of the connection ports 113 may be connected to one of cables branched in the closure 101. 4000769_ (GHMatters} P94578 AU IS//2013 -4 The closure 101 provides a space 101a for receiving a branch portion of the cable and at least some sides, for example, a side of the closure 101 may be at least partially opened. At least one of the connection ports 113 may be provided on the other side 101b (hereinafter, referred to as a 'connection surface') of the closure 101. 5 For example, the connection ports 113 may be arranged on the connection surface 101 b which is adjacent to the opened side of the closure 101. The connection surface 101 b partially protrudes to form an inclined surface with respect to a longitudinal direction of the closure 101. For example, the connection ports 113 and a connector 109 connected to the connection ports 113 may be disposed inclined with respect to the longitudinal 10 direction of the closure 101. In an embodiment, the branching device 100 may further include a cover 102 for closing the opened side of the closure 101. The cover 102 may be coupled and fixed to the opened side of the closure 101 by an engagement member 129, for example, a screw. The engagement member 129 may pass through the cover 102 to be bound to 15 an engagement hole 127 formed in the closure 101. By coupling the cover 102, the space 101a may be protected. For example, when the maintaining or repairing operation in the closure 101 is required, the cover 102 may be separated from the closure 101 to open the side of the closure 101. In an embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the branching device 100 may 20 further include a sealing member 121 interposed between the closure 101 and the cover 102. The sealing member 121 may be provided in an inner side of the cover 102, and may be formed of an elastic material such as rubber, silicon, or urethane. Once the cover 102 is coupled and fixed to the closure 101 by the engagement member 129, the sealing member 121 is compressed in a way to seal the closure 101 and the cover 102 25 therebetween, thus preventing introduction of moisture or a foreign substance into the closure 101. In an embodiment, the branching device 100 may further include a ground port 119. The ground port 119 may be provided in the form of a connector on a side of the closure 101, for example, the connection surface 101b. For example, in FIGs. 1 30 through 3, the ground port 119 is illustrated as being in the form of a through-hole. When the ground port 119 is provided in the form of a connector, a separate internal 4S00769_1 (GHMallers) F'94578AU I5/C82013 - 5 ground line for connecting an external conductor of a cable and the ground port 119 inside the closure 101 may be provided. Outside the closure 101, an external ground line connected to the ground port 119 may be provided. In an embodiment, the branching device 100 may further include an insertion 5 hole 111 for feeding the cable 103 into the closure 101. The insertion hole 111 may be formed in an end of the closure 101. The cable 103 fed into the closure 101 through the insertion hole 111 is branched in the space 101a to be connected to the connection ports 113. FIG. 4 is a floor plan of a branching structure using the branching device 100 10 for a hybrid cable according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The cable 103 may be in the form of one cable including multiple power cables and multiple optical fiber cables which are covered with outer coating 133. The cable 103 may be fed into the closure 101 through the insertion hole 111. The cable 103 fed into the closure 101 may be branched into the power cables and the optical fiber cables 15 inside the closure 101. In an embodiment, in the closure 101, the cable 103 may also be branched into unit cables 13 1, each of which is a combination of at least one power cable and at least one optical fiber cable. In an embodiment, the branching device 100 may further include a reinforcement member 137 fixed in the insertion hole 111. The reinforcement member 20 137 prevents the cable 103 from directly rubbing against the closure 101, for example, an inner wall of the insertion hole 111, and fixes a predetermined portion of the cable 103 in the closure 101. A cable branched in the closure 101, for example, each unit cable 131 may be connected to one of the connection ports 113. When the unit cables 131 are wired in 25 the closure 101, they may be wired in curved forms. When the unit cables 131 include at least one optical fiber cables, they are wired in curved forms, thus providing smooth transmission of optical signals. In a subscriber line cable 191 connected to the branching device 100, the connector 109 corresponding to the connection port 113 may be provided. An operator 30 may access an aerial line, for example, the closure 101, in a state where the connector 109 is mounted in the subscriber line cable 191 in advance. When accessing the 4000769.1 (GHMatters) P9457.AU 15/08/2013 -6 closure 101, the operator binds the connector 109 to one of the connection ports 113, ) thus connecting the unit cable 131 branched in the closure 101 with the subscriber line cable 191. Simultaneously with instillation of the branching device 100, during operation 5 of the branching device 100 in the line, a permanent ground structure may be provided. The attached drawing (FIG. 4?) shows a structure in which a ground line 135 is disposed to pass through the ground port 119 that is in the form of a through-hole. When the branching device 100 is installed in the aerial line, damage may be caused by lightning, such that the external conductor of the cable 103 may be grounded, and when the 10 closure 101 is made of a metallic material, the closure 101 may also be grounded, thus preventing damage caused by lightning. For example, such grounding may be performed with the separate ground line 135. The ground line 135 may be connected to the cable 103 inside the closure 101, or may be fed out of the closure 101 through the ground port 119. In the ground port 119, a gland 139 is provided, such that the ground 15 line 135 may be wired through the gland 139. The gland 139 pressurizes an outer circumferential surface of the ground line 135 to keep the ground line 135 being fixed in the closure 101. FIG. 5 illustrates a structure of the branching device 100 for a hybrid cable according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 illustrates a structure of 20 the branching device 100 for a hybrid cable according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The branching device 100 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure may be mounted in the aerial line, for example, a telephone pole, such that a side of the closure 101 faces the telephone pole or a wall. For example, when the 25 branching device 100 is mounted, the closure 101 may be mounted and fixed such that a side (hereinafter, referred to as a 'mounting surface') 101c facing the connection surface 101b of the closure 101 faces the telephone pole. In an embodiment, the branching device 100 may further include a bracket 141. The bracket 141 may be directly mounted in the telephone pole, and the closure 101 may be mounted in the bracket 141. 30 In an embodiment, the closure 101 may be provided with a flat-plate type hook 145 and the bracket 141 may be provided with a binding piece 143 corresponding to the hook 4600769._ (GHMatters) P94578.AU 1508/2013 -7 145. For example, as the closure 101 is moved from an upper portion to a lower portion of the bracket 141, the hook 145 is engaged with the binding piece 143, such that the closure 101 is bound to the bracket 141. According to an embodiment, once the closure 101 is mounted on the 5 telephone pole, the connection ports 113 may be positioned on an outer side of the closure 101. The opened side of the closure 101 may be positioned in a side direction between an outer circumferential surface of the telephone pole and a surface on which the connection ports 113 are arranged. Since the opened side of the closure 101 and the cover 102 are exposed outside, when the maintaining or repairing operation, such as 10 rearrangement of wiring in the closure 101, is required, the cover 102 may be opened by being separated from the closure 101. The operator may conduct the maintaining or repairing operation while fixing the closure 101 in the telephone pole. In an embodiment, the branching device 100 may further include a protection cover 147 for protecting the closure 101. A lower end surface or a lower end portion 15 of a surface of the protection cover 147 may be opened. The protection cover 147 includes other hooks 149 bound to the bracket 141, thus being bound to a slit formed in the bracket 141. By mounting the protection cover 147, the closure 101 may be protected from submersion caused by rainy weather or damage caused by wild animals such as birds. 20 While the present disclosure has been particularly illustrated and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, various modifications or changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, some of the connection ports may not be connected with the subscriber line cable. In a particular point in time, to protect the connection ports that 25 are not connected with the subscriber line cable, the branching device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure may further include a cap provided in each of the connection ports. According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the branching device may include the closure, at least some side of which is opened, and the plurality 30 of connection ports arranged in the other side that is adjacent to the opened side, in which each connection port may be connected to any one of the cables branched in the 4600709. (GHMallers) P94576AU 15/0612013 closure. According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the opened side of the closure and the side where the connection ports are arranged may be positioned in adjacent to each other. 5 According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the branching device may further include the ground port formed in one surface of the closure. According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the ground port may be disposed on the side where the connection ports are arranged. According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the branching 10 device may further include the gland provided in the ground port and the ground line connected to the cable in the closure, in which the ground line may be fed out of the closure through the gland. According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the branching device may further include a cover for closing the opened side of the closure. 15 According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the branching device may further include the sealing member interposed between the closure and the cover. According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the branching device may further include the engagement member for binding and fixing the cover to 20 the opened side of the closure. According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the branching device may further include the insertion hole formed in one end of the closure, in which the cable may be wired inside the closure through the insertion hole. According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the cable 25 branched in the closure may be one of a power cable, an optical fiber cable, and a unit cable that is a combination of the power cable and the optical fiber cable. According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the branching device may further include the bracket coupled to face a side of the closure, which faces the side where the connection ports are arranged. 30 According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the branching device may further include the hook formed in the side of the closure, which faces the 46CO769.1 (GHMatters) P94576.AU i508i2013 -9 side where the connection ports are arranged, and the binding piece formed in the bracket, in which the hook is bound to the binding piece to fix the closure to the bracket. According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the branching device may further include the protection cover coupled to the bracket while covering 5 the closure. According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the cable in the subscriber line may be connected to the branching device by using the connector. In addition, even when the branching device is installed in the aerial line such as in the telephone pole, the side of the closure may be opened, thus facilitating the maintaining 10 or repairing operation. In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to 15 preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention. It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country. 20 4600769_1 (GHMallers) P94578 AU 15/05/2013

Claims

1. A branching device comprising: a closure, at least some side of which is opened; and 5 a plurality of connection ports arranged in the other side of the closure, which is adjacent to the opened side, wherein each of the connection ports is connected to any one of cables branched in the closure. 10

2. The branching device of claim 1, wherein the opened side of the closure and the side where the connection ports are arranged are positioned in adjacent to each other.

3. The branching device of claim 1, further comprising a ground port 15 formed on a surface of the closure.

4. The branching device of claim 3, wherein the ground port is disposed on the side where the connection ports are arranged. 20

5. The branching device of claim 3, further comprising: a gland provided in the ground port; and a ground line connected to the cable in the closure, wherein the ground line is fed out of the closure through the gland. 25

6. The branching device of claim 1, further comprising a cover for closing the opened side of the closure.

7. The branching device of claim 6, further comprising a sealing member interposed between the closure and the cover. 30

8. The branching device of claim 6, further comprising an engagement 4B00769_1 (GHMatters) P9457.AU 150512013 - 11 member for binding and fixing the cover to the opened side of the closure.

9. The branching device of claim 1, further comprising an insertion hole formed in one end of the closure, 5 wherein the cable is wired inside the closure through the insertion hole.

10. The branching device of claim 1, wherein the cable branched in the closure is one of a power cable, an optical fiber cable, and a unit cable that is a combination of the power cable and the optical fiber cable. 10

11. The branching device of claim 1, further comprising a bracket coupled to face a side of the closure, which faces the side where the connection ports are arranged. 15

12. The branching device of claim 11, further comprising: a hook formed in the side of the closure, which faces the side where the connection ports are arranged; and a binding piece formed in the bracket, wherein the hook is bound to the binding piece to fix the closure to the bracket. 20

13. The branching device of claim 11, further comprising a protection cover coupled to the bracket while covering the closure, 4600761 (GHMatters) P94578AU 15(08/2013