CN1325498A

CN1325498A - A panel for supporting a plurality of fibre optic connectors

Info

Publication number: CN1325498A
Application number: CN 99812758
Authority: CN
Inventors: A·瓦姆贝克; E·R·莱雷曼斯; J·－M·E·诺尔夫; J·M·R·布兰茨
Original assignee: Teich Electronics Raychen S A
Current assignee: Teich Electronics Raychen S A
Priority date: 1998-11-07
Filing date: 1999-11-04
Publication date: 2001-12-05
Also published as: GB9824415D0; EP1127286A1; WO2000028363A1

Abstract

A panel(18)for supporting a plurality of fibre optic connectors(14)is provided with a plurality of apertures(13)for receiving connectors(14)arranged in at least one row. In accordance with the invention, the apertures(13)are oriented such that a connector(14)received therein is inclined to the normal to the panel(18), and the orientation of at least one aperture(13)or group of apertures determining the direction of inclination of at least one connector(14)or group of connectors is selectable prior to installation of the connector or connectors therein.

Description

A kind of panel that is used to support a plurality of joints of optical fibre

The present invention relates to optical fibre management system or configuration center, relate in particular to these systems and in use in the heart patch panel.

Optical fibre management system or configuration center are used for the tissue of optical cable and connector.Such management system can be taked to be positioned on the street or in the rack form of buildings, and is used to separate and organize optical fiber and the optical cable that enters buildings.Optical fibre management system also can take to be placed on centrex, on the shelf in the central telephone switch, and the perhaps apparatus-form on the little shelf in the user house.In such management system, the joints of optical fibre are supported on and are called on the fixedly panel that patches panel.Patch panel and be used for fixing and keep the connector of optical fiber and optical cable, and connector is general in a row or become row to be arranged in patches on the panel.After initial the installation, often need near the single connector that patches on the panel, with the change that those connectors are for example reassigned.At starting point or switch environment place, particularly often to reconfigure, test and expand, for this reason, be important near single connector easily.Yet may be owing to lacking space commonly used and existing the optical fiber and the optical cable that extend to adjacent connector to be hindered in common system near single connector.

Be starved of the capacity that increases rack and shelf by the number that increases connector now, keep enough proximities simultaneously, make and to carry out disconnection subsequently and reconnect operation and do not have excessive difficulty single connector.

It is a kind of that can to improve accessibility and not need the method for greater room be normal slope connector with respect to the general layout of panel.The applicant's early stage European patent EP 0943944 has been described a kind of by providing a panel that is used to support a plurality of joints of optical fibre can improve the method for proximity, this panel is provided with a plurality of holes that are used to hold the connector of lining up at least one row, the part of each connector that is held can be pulled down from the front of panel, wherein this at least one row's hole is arranged like this, that is, the connector that is contained in is wherein dispersed to the place ahead of the front of panel.

The another kind of method that solves the problem of limiting access to property is by guide connected optical fiber or so-called " exit " or " bonding line " (being the fiber segment of the end that has connector to be fitted in to be used for being connected with rack) along the preselected direction away from the panel of carrying connector.

The panel example that patches of prior art discloses in patent document US5530954 and US5363467.Patch in the panel at these, connector is with predetermined location, oblique angle.Another prior art example is open in patent document US5127082, and wherein the connector york piece has the predetermined angle with respect to the normal on the plane of panel, and this arranges it is useful for preferred optical cable.

For economic reasons, wish to make the least possible different parts, simultaneously for the reason of practicality, wish to have other possibility configurations of wide region as far as possible.The present invention is intended to coordinate the requirement of these conflicts, and a kind of panel construction is provided, and is used to be supported with the joints of optical fibre of a plurality of directions, and wherein optical fiber or exit can be drawn and do not need a large amount of different parts away from panel, thereby realize above-mentioned purpose.

Therefore, according to the present invention, a kind of panel that supports a plurality of joints of optical fibre is provided, this panel is provided with a plurality of holes that are used to hold the connector of lining up at least one row, wherein these holes are to be orientated like this, that is, a connector that makes wherein to be held and the normal slope of panel, and determine that the connector that is oriented at least one hole of vergence direction of at least one connector or one group of connector or one group of hole is selectable before installing therein.

In one embodiment, each Kong Youyi frame determines that the plane of this frame and the general layout of panel tilt.The inclination of these frames can realize by the panel that formation has a plurality of linear ripples, these ripples comprise opposite face alternately, perhaps by making each frame determine that one has the hole of two parallel relative frame branches to realize, the branch of these frames tilts with the general layout of panel and is connected by a horizontal frame branch.This configuration of back can realize by be washed into frame branch by sheet metal, perhaps by plastic injection-moulded " plate " that is formed with a plurality of such frames.Preferably these frames can be crooked or tilt to correct orientation.

For the ease of identification, forms a frame that is used to hold the hole of a connector and will be known as " window ", this term will similarly be applicable to this hole or form the frame on every side in this hole.

In one embodiment of this invention, window frame links together on a rectangular or plate, and this rectangular or plate comprises the such frame of at least one row.In this embodiment, panel preferably has one or more be used to hold this or each opening rectangular or plate.Rectangular or the orientation of plate in opening determined the direction of the inclination of window aperture.

The hole that is formed by window frame in a row can all tilt in same direction, and perhaps the hole that replaces that is suitably formed by adjacent frame in a row can in the opposite direction tilt.Certain this inclination can be along the length direction that is parallel to this row or transversal this row's length direction, if and tilt the angle tilts beyond they can become 90 ° perpendicular to this row's length or with this row's length so in transversal this row's direction.

In each embodiment, adjacent window frame tilts along different direction, and the direction of inclination can become non-90 ° angle with this row's length, therefore can have to be parallel to or perpendicular to the component of this row's length.Frame alternately can be in the one-component variation that tilts, and that another component can keep on this row's whole length is constant.

In other embodiment, a plurality of frames in a row are arranged on a connector plate, this connector board can be positioned over one along one of two orientations and support in the opening of panel, thus the direction of the inclination of decision frame.

Supporting panel preferably has a plurality of openings, is used to hold the connector board of a plurality of selected orientations.

In useful improvement of the present invention, the angle of inclination in hole is transformable.Preferably the angle and direction of the inclination in hole all can change.

The present invention also comprises the equipment that patches panel that is used to make a plurality of joints of optical fibre of support, this patches panel and comprises a support panel, this support panel has one or more openings, connector board with corresponding number, connector board has a plurality of holes that are used to hold a row or multi-row connector, the general layout of these holes and this connector board tilts, and to make vergence direction by the orientation of selecting connector board when mounted be optional.

The present invention also comprises a kind of one or more racks that patch panel as described herein that contain.

To with reference to accompanying drawing, describe various embodiment of the present invention in detail by example now, wherein:

Fig. 1 is the perspective schematic view that is suitable for forming an element of the parts that patch panel of the present invention;

Fig. 2 a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e and 2f are respectively the planimetric maps of element shown in Figure 1; The side view of element shown in Figure 1; Such element can be fitted to the planimetric map of a panel wherein; Wherein be fitted with the planimetric map of panel shown in Fig. 2 c of a plurality of elements; The side view of the panel after the assembling of Fig. 2 d; And the side view of a plurality of connectors in place is shown;

Fig. 3 a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e and 3f are corresponding to the figure shown in Fig. 2, show one two row's windows are arranged patch the panel element;

Fig. 4 is a synoptic diagram, shows various configuration, and the panel that patches wherein of the present invention can utilize element shown in Figure 1 to be assembled into;

Fig. 5 a, 5b, 5c and 5d are respectively the planimetric maps of another pattern of element shown in Figure 1, and this element has 12 windows; And three synoptic diagram that various different configurations are shown, the panel that patches wherein of the present invention can utilize such element to be assembled into;

Fig. 6 a, 6b and 6c are respectively planimetric map, end-view and the side views of another embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 7 a, 7b and 7c are respectively planimetric map, end-view and the side views of another embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 8 a, 8b and 8c are respectively planimetric map, end-view and the side views of another embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 9 a, 9b and 9c are respectively the planimetric maps of another embodiment, the end-view of the end-view of this embodiment and the correspondence of the connector that is illustrated in the appropriate location; And

Figure 10 a, 10b, 10c, 10d and 10e are respectively the end-views of another embodiment of the present invention; The enlarged diagram of the part of Figure 10 a; Show the end-view of element shown in Figure 10 a of connector of the appropriate location on first orientation; Be illustrated in the view of the correspondence of the connector on second orientation; With the corresponding views that shows the connector on the 3rd orientation.

Referring now to accompanying drawing, especially Fig. 1 and 2, make elongate strip as 11 the plate of being labeled as generally that patches panel, in this embodiment, it has six upright rectangle frames 12, each frame is determined a rectangular window 13, and connector 14 (Fig. 2 f) can be installed in the window, with an optical cable 15 with have holistic exit 16 interconnection that connect connector.Plate or rectangular 11 can be fitted in the opening 17 of panel 18, and 8 such openings are arranged on the panel, and for this reason, each end of rectangular 11 is provided with

hole

19,20, passes the hole retaining element is entered in the

mating holes

21,22 of the correspondence of selecting opening 17.In this respect, 8 openings 17 are identical from one another, and same, and

fixed orifice

21,22 is also identical, therefore only marked one of them example in Fig. 2 c.

Patch panel 18 and be applicable in the rack, be used for for example before entering buildings or in buildings, separating and organizing the optical fiber of wanting end-to-end link.Patching panel 18 can be supported in the rack by the device (not shown), and this device can move between storage or off-position and approximated position, can form suitable new connection or repairing damaged connection to connector 14 operations the approximated position operator.Shown in Fig. 2 f, the inclination of connector 14, this is decided by the inclination that frame 12 and connector are fitted into window 13 wherein, exit 16 is guided towards a left side, as shown in Figure 2.Like this can by rectangular 11 and panel 18 form a panel that patches that 48 windows 13 that are used to hold corresponding connectors 14 are arranged nearly.By suitably selecting to be fitted to the number of the plate 11 on the panel 18, can obtain the window 13 of lesser number, wherein unit is six.

Fig. 3 shows a similar configuration, and in Fig. 3 and among other figure, identical reference marker is used to identify identical or corresponding components.In this embodiment, rectangular 11 have two rows to determine the frame 12 of two row's windows 13, and panel 18 has four openings 17, are used to hold the rectangular or plate 11 of corresponding number.Tilt at connector shown in Fig. 3 f 14, exit is all guided the right side into.

As shown in Figure 4, utilize the single connector board 11 shown in Fig. 2 a can obtain many different panel configurations that patch.Patch among the panel 18a at first shown in the top of Fig. 4, plate 11 is vertically aimed at and combination in pairs, and their window tilts towards a direction, but adjacent pair of panel 11 in the opposite direction aligns with their window and is orientated.Like this, on top panel 18a, adjacent row's exit 16 is from patching panel and drawing and towards the left side or towards the right side.On next panel 18b, the orientation of plate 11 makes exit 16 arrange towards the left side with two and two rows draw from patching panel towards the configuration on right side.In next panel 18c more, all exits 16 are towards the left side, and in panel 18d all exit 16 towards the right side.At last, first row's exit 16 is shown towards the left side in panel 18e, and remaining is all towards the right side.This has shown that the present invention is provided with the user to patch panel and obtains diversity on the configuration of required connector.

What should emphasize is that in this, term " row " just is used to identify a vertically assembly of the part of alignment, rather than determines the orientation of aligning.Therefore, a row can level, any angle vertical or between this extends.

Fig. 5 a shows the element of plate 11 forms, and it comprises 12 frames of a row, is the twice of the number in Fig. 1 and 2 illustrated embodiment.Except its additional length, the plate 11 of Fig. 5 a have with Fig. 1 in rectangular 11 same configurations.Fig. 5 b shows the configuration that patches panel, and the orientation of wherein adjacent plate 11 in the opposite direction tilts their frame 12, thereby adjacent row's exit 16 is drawn from patching panel in opposite both sides.In Fig. 5 c, all windows 12 are towards left side, and exit 16 is all drawn towards the left side, and all windows 12 tilt towards the right side in Fig. 5 d, and all exits are drawn towards the right side.Should be understood that,, can obtain different tectonic associations when plate 11 is fitted into when patching on the panel by the respective orientation of option board 11 simply.

In another embodiment (not shown), provide two, three, four or the plate of more row's windows.Clearly, in such embodiments, the drawing direction and only can select in groups of exit, the size of group is decided by the number of the window on the plate.Be used to hold patching panel and can being provided with independent hole of these plates, the independent plate of its size coupling, perhaps such hole can be arranged, be its several times that size is a board size, thereby two, three or more plate can be positioned in the same hole, very naturally, select orientation by setter, with the direction of drawing of decision exit or optical fiber.

Fig. 6 shows another embodiment, and wherein plate 11 is provided with the frame 12 of inclination, and each frame is determined three

windows

13,13 ' and 13 ", so plate 11 provides the possible position of 18 connectors 14, these positions all tilt along identical direction, shown in Fig. 6 c.Nature patches panel and can make

window

13,13 ' and 13 by finishing assembling in the hole that plate 11 is fitted into the corresponding size that supports panel " suitably towards a direction or another direction orientation.

Fig. 7 shows another embodiment, replaces that wherein the window frame that stretches out from other flat panel is arranged, and panel 18 self is undulatory, and one group of

linear ripple

23,24 is arranged, and the ripple that replaces has been determined surface 23, and there is one group of hole 13 that holds connector 14 on this surface.The hole 13 that 6 rows of 12 row are arranged in 12 isolated surperficial 23 in the illustrated embodiment.And, by with panel 18 optical fiber is connected on a required direction or other direction and drawing on the orientation or equipped on another orientation, can assemble the whole panel that patches.

Fig. 8 shows another embodiment, wherein the corrugated form panel of embodiment is made by this way as shown in Figure 7, promptly, each has a macropore 13 face 23 (corresponding to the frame 12 of Fig. 2 d) alternately, be used to hold single connector 14, this connector can move along the length of opening 13, disposes to help changing connecting.

Fig. 9 shows a ripple panel 18, it has (preferably alternately tilting)

face

23,24, face 23 has 6 openings 13, each opening is respectively by corresponding frame 12 ', 12 " determine; they relatively tilt mutually; make to be fitted into frame 12 ' and 12 " on connector guide their optical fiber in the opposite direction, this can find out in Fig. 9 c.Like this, plate 18 makes at last level row's (direction shown in the figure) exit or optical fiber and draws towards the left side, and all draws towards the right side at the exit or the optical fiber of next row's connector.And this makes near the maximization of the free space of single connector, and make put and the rack of the optical fiber of arranging in the space obtain optimum utilization.

Among the embodiment shown in Figure 10, plate 11 has a group window 17, and each window is provided with two

relative sides

27,28, and it is useful on the

cavity

29,30 of the

relative plug

31,32 that holds a detachable rectangle frame 12, the size of cavity is suitable for holding connector 16, shown in Figure 10 c, 10d and

10e.Plug

31,32 in

cavity

29,30 can make frame 12 pivot, thereby makes connector 16 can adapt to any obliquity between the end position shown in Figure 10 c and the 10e.

For a person skilled in the art, be to be understood that the embodiment that the invention is not restricted to illustrate, multiple interpolation and remodeling can be arranged, and can not break away from the scope of the present invention that claims are determined.

Claims

1. panel (18) that is used to support a plurality of joints of optical fibre (14), this panel is provided with a plurality of holes (13) that are used to hold the connector (14) of lining up at least one row, it is characterized in that, hole (13) is the location like this, promptly, the connector (14) that makes therein to be held is the normal slope of panel (18) relatively, and determines that the connector that is oriented in this at least one hole (13) of direction of inclination of at least one connector (14) or one group of connector or one group of hole is optional before installing.

2. panel as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, each hole (13) are determined by a frame (12), and the general layout of the relative panel in the plane of this frame (18) tilts.

3. panel as claimed in claim 2 is characterized in that, panel (18) has a plurality of linear ripples (23,24) that comprise opposite face alternately.

4. panel as claimed in claim 2 is characterized in that, determines that each frame (12) in a hole (13) has two parallel relative frame branches, and the general layout of their relative panels (18) tilts and connects by a horizontal frame branch.

5. as each described panel in the claim 2 to 4, it is characterized in that window frame (12) links together in comprising the rectangular or plate (11) of the frame that at least one row is such.

6. panel as claimed in claim 5 is characterized in that, the hole of being determined by frame (12) on one row (13) tilts in identical direction.

7. panel as claimed in claim 5 is characterized in that, the alternately hole of being determined by adjacent frame (12) on one row (13) tilts in the opposite direction.

8. as each described panel in the claim 2 to 7, it is characterized in that frame (12) tilts in the direction of the length that is parallel to one row.

9. as each described panel in the claim 2 to 7, it is characterized in that frame (12) tilts in the direction of the length of arranging perpendicular to one.

10. as each described panel in the claim 2 to 9, it is characterized in that, a plurality of frames in a row (12) are arranged on a connector plate (11), and this connector board can be positioned in the opening of panel (18) on one of two orientations, thus the direction of the inclination of decision frame (12).

11., it is characterized in that panel has a plurality of openings (17) that are used to hold the connector board (11) of a plurality of selected orientations as each described panel in the claim 2 to 10.

13. panel as claimed in claim 12 is characterized in that, the angle and direction of the inclination of hole (13) is variable.

14. one kind is used to form the equipment that patches panel, this patches panel and is used to support a plurality of joints of optical fibre (14), this panel (18) has one or more openings (17) therein, connector board (11) with corresponding number, connector board has a plurality of holes (13) that are used to hold a row or multi-row connector, it is characterized in that, hole (13) tilts with respect to the general layout of connector board (11), and to select the fetch bit of connector board to make vergence direction by time in the opening that is installed to panel (18) at its connector board be selectable.

15. one kind is combined with the rack of the described panel of each claim (18) as described above.