EP1946172A2

EP1946172A2 - Method and device for coupling optical waveguides

Info

Publication number: EP1946172A2
Application number: EP06806660A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Steffen Laurisch
Original assignee: ADC GmbH
Current assignee: Commscope Technologies LLC
Priority date: 2005-11-07
Filing date: 2006-11-02
Publication date: 2008-07-23
Also published as: WO2007051611A3; CN101300513B; RU2425403C2; US20090148117A1; DE102005052882B4; CN101300513A; RU2008122914A; US8019191B2; DE102005052882A1; WO2007051611A2

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and a device (2; 20) for coupling optical waveguides (8, 9, 12). The device (2; 20) for coupling optical waveguides (8, 9, 12) comprises at least one element (4; 22) for accommodating a cartridge (5; 23). Said cartridge (5; 23) is connected to the at least one accommodating element (4; 22) so as to be movable relative thereto while being provided with at least one mounting element (38) for a coupling element to which at least one of the optical waveguides (8) and at least one other optical waveguide (9) can be connected. The at least one accommodating element (5; 22) is embodied so as to accommodate only said one cartridge (5; 23) while encompassing two guiding mechanisms (30, 31) which allow the at least one optical waveguide (8) and at least one other optical waveguide (9) to be delivered to the cartridge, the two guiding mechanisms (30, 31) allowing the at least one optical waveguide (8) and the at least one other optical waveguide (9) to penetrate into the accommodating element (4; 22) in different directions. In the inventive method, the at least one optical waveguide (8) and the at least one other optical waveguide (9), which run into the at least one accommodating element (4; 22) from different directions, are delivered to the one cartridge (5; 23) via a different of the two guiding mechanisms (30, 31), respectively, and the at least one optical waveguide (8) and the at least one other optical waveguide (9) are connected at the coupling element of the cartridge (5; 23), said coupling element being disposed on the mounting element of the cartridge (5; 23).

Description

Method and device for coupling optical waveguides

The invention relates to a device for coupling optical waveguides according to the preamble of patent claim 1 and a method for coupling optical waveguides with the aid of such a device.

It is known to couple optical fibers in cassettes. Such cassettes for coupling optical waveguides are known, for example, from US Pat. No. 6,282,360 B1, in which case the excessively long optical waveguides can be accommodated by the cassettes for a splice reserve. The cassettes are designed so that the excess lengths of the optical waveguides can be accommodated while maintaining a minimum bending radius. For accessing the optical fibers in a cassette, it is known to make the cassette movable relative to a receiving element.

From DE 102 55 561 A1 discloses a device for coupling of optical waveguides in cassettes is known. In a module designed as a receiving element a plurality of cassettes are arranged such that they are each pivotally and additionally detachably connected to the receiving element relative to the receiving element. This makes it possible to handle the recorded in the cassette excess length or excess length of the / of the optical waveguide and make a connection of the optical waveguide at a specially prepared for this workstation, which is spatially separated from the receiving element.

In the known devices, the receiving element is each designed in a modular manner such that it can accommodate a plurality of cassettes. However, the maximum number of receivable cassettes is not variable. This means that this number of maximum receivable cassettes is set in a production of the receiving element.

In the known module-like receiving elements, it is provided in each case, optical fibers, which are preferably supplied to the receiving element by means of one or more loose tubes, from essentially one Direction to feed. In the aforementioned DE 102 55 561 A1, an opening is provided for this purpose, which opens into a funnel-shaped channel in which light waveguides supplied by means of buffer tubes are singled out and fed to the individual cassettes. A clear organization of the individual optical fibers is difficult in the funnel-shaped channel. This is very disadvantageous in particular during maintenance work in which individual optical waveguides are to be replaced or connected to other optical waveguides after a first installation. The risk of damage to individual optical fibers during such maintenance work, which is not carried out in a targeted manner, is high. Damage to these optical waveguides is usually not noticed by the technician carrying out the maintenance, since not all the optical fibers interconnected in all the cassettes can be checked after a maintenance operation due to the high cost involved.

Although several inlets are provided in the device known from US Pat. No. 6,282,360 B1, these likewise open in a common feed channel, which however has some coarse guide elements and additional guide elements leading to the individual cassettes. Furthermore, an embodiment is described, in which the feed channel just described is formed double, wherein the two formed feed channels are guided parallel to each other. A disadvantage of this embodiment is that the one inner feed channel is covered by the outer feed channel, so that access to the inner feed channel during maintenance is impossible in many cases. In the remaining cases, access is at least not possible without strongly influencing all the optical waveguides which are guided in the receiving element. A high risk of damaging optical fibers is therefore present.

In both known devices it is provided that the one or more loose tubes or the individual optical waveguides are all supplied from the receiving element in substantially one direction. As a result, a clear and easy to maintain construction of a distribution unit, in which these recording elements are commonly used together with the cassettes for coupling optical fibers, difficult or impossible. The invention is based on the technical problem of providing a device and a method for coupling optical waveguides, with which a simpler, more maintenance-friendly and clearer and more flexible structure of a distribution unit, in which optical fibers are connected to one another, is possible.

The technical problem is solved by a device having the features of claim 1 and a method having the features of claim 14. Advantageous embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims.

In a distributor or a distribution unit, clarity can be increased if supplied and removed optical waveguides are fed from different sides of the distribution unit to the device for coupling the optical waveguides. The terms "supply" or "supplied" and "dissipate" or "dissipated" are meant here in the mechanical sense or oriented to a hierarchical network structure, since a message transmission via the optical waveguide is usually bidirectional. The optical waveguides supplied from one side are thus regarded as supplied optical waveguides and the optical waveguides which are guided mechanically on the other side of the distributor are considered as guided optical waveguides. The invention therefore provides an apparatus for coupling optical waveguides, comprising at least one receiving element for receiving a cassette, wherein the cassette is connected relative to the at least one receiving element and the cassette comprises at least one holding element for a coupling element on which at least one the optical waveguide and at least one further of the optical waveguide are connectable, wherein the at least one receiving element is adapted to receive only the one cassette, and two guide devices comprising a supply of at least one of the optical waveguide and at least one further of the optical waveguide to the one Cassette allow, wherein the two guide devices allow entry of the at least one of the optical waveguide and the at least one further of the optical waveguide in different directions in the at least one receiving element. This makes it possible that in the at least one receiving element only one cassette is receivable and at least one of the optical waveguides and the at least one further of the optical waveguides, which run from different directions onto the at least one receiving element, are respectively supplied via different ones of the two guiding devices and the at least one of the optical waveguides and the at least one further of the optical waveguides the coupling element of a cassette are connected and the coupling element is arranged on the support member of a cassette. If, for example, a loose tube with several of the optical waveguides, which are connected to a further distribution unit and are considered as supplied optical waveguides, arrives in a distributor, and a further loose tube with further of the optical waveguides which lead to individual subscribers of an optically formed telephone network and are considered as guided optical waveguides , one loose tube and the other loose tube may be placed on different sides of the manifold. The separated from the two loose tubes fiber optic cables are then fed in each case from different directions to at least one receiving element. When servicing this distribution unit, the search for a particular optical fiber is greatly simplified. In addition to the supply of functionally differently used optical waveguides (for example, on the one hand to form a connection to a further distribution unit and on the other hand to end users) from different directions, the light waveguide supplied to the at least one receiving element or discharged from it via the guide devices are exactly to or away led by the one cassette. A misallocation of optical waveguides can be more easily avoided, so that a false connection or coupling of two of the optical waveguides occurs less frequently or can be excluded. As coupling elements, all connections from the optical waveguides and components used therein for forming the connection and / or protecting the connection are considered. Holding elements can therefore be designed differently. Their purpose is to provide a mount for connected optical fibers in the cassette.

An advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the guide devices formed as channels, each with parallel side walls are. These are designed so that optical fibers are guided in the channels so that a minimum bending radius of the optical waveguide is not undershot at any point. In addition, the guide channels advantageously have lugs or projections, under which the optical waveguides can be held, so that they do not fall out of the channels even in an arrangement in which, for example, gravitational forces act on the optical waveguides. The parallel side walls are preferably true and are not broken to facilitate fiber optic threading.

It is particularly preferred that the optical waveguides not only enter the at least one receiving element from different directions, but also enter this at different side surfaces of the receiving element. Therefore, a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention provides that each of the guide devices comprises an opening and the openings of the guide devices are formed on different side surfaces of the at least one receiving element. These may be opposite side surfaces or side surfaces oriented at a 90 ° angle to each other. For example, the side surfaces may be a side surface and a rear surface of the at least one receiving element.

In addition to fixed connections, which are formed by splicing optical waveguides whose splice connections are received in the cassettes, it is desirable in a distribution unit to additionally provide plug-in connections via which light waveguides can be coupled to one another in the distribution unit easily, quickly and detachably. For this purpose, patch panels are generally provided in a distribution unit, in which optical waveguides which are provided with plug-in elements at one end, can be releasably connected to each other. It is also possible to connect the individual optical fibers in the cassettes by means of plug-in connections. Usually, it is provided that a supplied or dissipated optical waveguide is first coupled in a cassette by means of a splice connection firmly with a further optical waveguide / which is connected at one end to a plug-in element for forming a plug connection. The end connected to the plug element must now usually be guided into another cassette or to a patch panel mentioned above. For a clear structure of a distribution unit, it is advantageous if the guidance of these optical waveguides can be carried out separately from the supplied or discharged optical waveguides. Therefore, a particularly preferred embodiment of a device for coupling optical waveguides provides that the at least one receiving element comprises a recess and guide elements, wherein the recess penetrates the receiving element transversely to guide directions, which are defined by the two guide devices, and the at least one receiving element with others Receiving elements, each also comprising a recess and guide elements and are each connected to a further cassette, can be arranged in a manner to a module that the recesses of the at least one receiving element and the other receiving elements form a guide channel and by means of the guide elements at least one additional Optical waveguide which is guided in the guide channel, to which a cassette of the receiving element can be fed. This means that transversely to the supply and discharge of the optical waveguide on the guide devices of the at least one receiving element, a guide channel is provided over which preferably the optical fibers are guided, which are guided from one cassette to another cassette or from a cassette to the patch panel. It is of course also possible to supply or remove optical waveguides via this channel and thus to separate optical waveguides if two separate loose tubes are supplied or two separate loose tubes are led away from the distributor. Likewise, it is possible and preferred to guide in the guide channel such optical waveguides which are guided between two cassettes in order to be connected to supplied or discharged optical waveguides. The connection in the cassettes can be made by means of a fixed splice connection or by means of a plug connection. The provision of the recess in the at least one receiving element constitutes an independent invention. The fact that several of the receiving elements can be arranged in a module is also inventive in itself and offers the further advantage that a distribution unit can be flexibly adapted and designed. Depending on the requirements, an almost arbitrary number of receiving elements with cassettes can be arranged in the distribution unit in one or more modules. For example, a Module can be subsequently expanded by adding additional receptacles to the module or modules, each comprising a cassette. The receiving elements can be designed differently, for example, be adapted to different sized cartridges that can accommodate a different number of optical fibers.

Particularly advantageous is an embodiment in which the at least one receiving element is formed like a disk. In order to allow a space-saving construction of a distribution unit, it can be provided that the recess in the at least one receiving element is formed so that when arranging a plurality of receiving units for forming the guide channel an angle between an axis of the guide channel and the individual guide directions, which are each determined by the two guide devices of the at least one receiving element results, which deviates from 90 °. As a result, in particular flat distribution units can be produced particularly easily.

A simple construction of the modules is made possible by the fact that the at least one receiving element with at least one of the other receiving elements by means of at least one latching connection is positively connected.

As a particularly cost-effective and easy for the extension, it has proven to form the at least one receiving element and the other receiving elements identical.

In order to protect the optical fibers, which are guided in the guide channel from damage and at the same time to allow access to the optical fibers, for example, for maintenance purposes, is provided in a development that the recess is almost completely enclosed and on one side a flexible, apparent wall includes. The flexible, apparent wall of the recess is formed so that it is preferably easily exposed with a finger. As a result, access to the guided in the guide channel optical fibers during maintenance is possible. Nevertheless, the guided in the guide channel optical fibers are damaged by the flexible Walls are well protected and are reliably retained by them in the canal. The guide channel or the recesses have additional openings in order to be able to lead optical waveguides which are guided in the guide channel out of this and to be able to guide the optical waveguides via the guide elements to the corresponding cassettes.

In order to allow access to the recorded in the cassette and generally interconnected ends of the cassette supplied optical waveguide, the cassette with the at least one receiving element is releasably and / or pivotally connected. In general, it is advantageous to provide that the cassette is first pivoted out of the receiving element and then optionally detached from the receiving element to bring the cassette and a connection point at which the optical waveguides are coupled together, preferably spliced, to a workstation , For this purpose, excess lengths of optical fibers received in the cassette are unwound in order to be able to transport the cassette and the connection point to the workstation, which is generally spatially separated from the receiving element. In the cassette, the optical fibers are guided so that a minimum bending radius can not be undershot. Furthermore, it is provided that the at least one of the optical waveguides and the at least one further of the optical waveguides in the cassette can be guided such that their ends can be connected to one another in a collinear manner on the mounting element for the coupling element. The receiving element and the cassette are preferably designed such that a pivoting movement of the cassette takes place about an axis which is oriented almost perpendicular or perpendicular to the guide directions defined by the guide devices. In a disk-like design of the receiving element exists a plane in which the receiving element has a maximum areal extent. The movement of the cassette is preferably carried out in this plane or parallel to this plane.

In order to obtain both a releasable and pivotable connection of a cassette with the receiving element, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the one cassette is connected to the at least one receiving element by means of a snap connection to which the one Cassette is pivotable in a connected state. A snap connection can be easily solved and also be designed achsförmig, so that a pivoting movement about this axis is executable. Alternatively, the one cassette may be connected to the at least one receiving element by means of any other positive connection. A positive connection is characterized in that a plastically or elastically deformable element exists, which blocks a joining direction in a connected state. For example, the cassette may have a recess provided with an annular hinge element which is attachable to a cylindrical axis located on the receiving element with at least one flattening in a joining position. When attaching the cassette, for example, a locking nose is elastically deformed. When the cassette is pivoted about the axis, the locking tab returns to its original position and prevents the cassette from pivoting to the joining position, in which the recess of the annular hinge element is aligned with the at least one flattening of the axis so that the annular one can be rotated Hinge element and thus the cassette can be released from the axis. Only when the locking lug is again elastically deformed, the cassette can thus be moved to the joining position, in which it is detachable from the axis again. This deformation of the locking lug can preferably be achieved by applying an increased pivoting moment.

In a preferred embodiment of the device, the module is an element of a distribution device of communication technology, in particular telecommunications technology.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the guide elements are designed so that at least one other of the optical waveguide, which is guided in a guide to the direction of at least one additional of the optical waveguide in the guide channel opposite direction in the guide channel to which a cassette can be fed. Assuming without restriction of generality that the individual receiving elements are arranged one above the other to form a module, the guide channel runs through the module from top to bottom. In this preferred Embodiment, both optical fibers that enter the guide channel from below, as well as optical fibers that enter from above into the guide channel, are fed to the one cassette. Here, the guide elements are designed so that a minimum radius of curvature of the optical waveguide is not exceeded. The feeding, for example, of the other of the optical waveguides from "above" and the additional optical waveguide from "below" can take place at the same time, so that, for example, in a distribution unit in which both above and below the module a respective patch field is arranged, for example in a cassette two optical fibers can be connected to each other, which have at their one end in each case a plug-in element for forming a plug connection in the upper patch panel and the lower patch panel.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to a preferred embodiment with reference to a drawing. Hereby show:

Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a distribution unit of

Communications technology;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a device for coupling optical waveguides; FIG.

Fig. 3 is an isometric view of a receiving element of the apparatus for coupling optical fibers of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a side view of the receiving element of Fig. 3;

5 shows a front view of the receiving element according to FIGS. 3 and 4 along a direction indicated by an arrow A in FIG. 4; and

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the receiving element of FIG. 3 to 5 along a direction indicated in Fig. 4 by means of an arrow B. In Fig. 1, a distribution unit 1 of communication technology, in particular telecommunications technology, is shown schematically. In the distribution unit 1, a device 2 for coupling optical waveguides 8, 9, 12 is included. The device 2 comprises a module 3. The module 3 comprises at least one receiving element 4 and preferably further receiving elements 4a, which are each connected to exactly one cassette 5 or a further cassette 5a. The cassette 5 and the further cassettes 5a can each be received in the receiving element 4 or in the other receiving elements 5a. In the distribution unit 1, optical waveguides 8, 9 are supplied or removed via two loose tubes 6, 7. In another embodiment, the optical waveguides bundled in a bundle can be supplied to the distribution unit 1. The loose tubes 6, 7 each comprise a plurality of the optical waveguides 8, 9. In the distribution unit 1 supplied optical waveguide 8, which are combined in the buffer tube 6 and are connected, for example, with one end in another telecommunication device (not shown), with discharged optical waveguides , which are combined in the loose tube 7 and lead, for example, to different end users of a telecommunications network, coupled directly and / or indirectly. For this purpose, the supplied optical waveguides 8 are each supplied from one side from one direction to one of the receiving elements 4, 4a and the discharged optical waveguides 9 respectively supplied to the respective receiving element 4, 4a from another side in a different direction or removed. In the receiving elements 4, the supplied and discharged optical fibers 8 and 9 respectively in two guide devices to the cassettes 5, 5 a, which are connected to the corresponding receiving elements 4, 4 a, guided and guided in the cassettes 5, 5 a, that the ends of the supplied optical waveguide 8 and the discharged optical fiber 9 can be connected colinearly to coupling elements. Overlengths as a working reserve and splice reserve can be recorded in the cassettes 5, 5a. As coupling elements, all connections from the optical waveguides 9 as well as components used for forming the connection and / or protecting the connection are considered.

The connections between the supplied optical waveguides 8 and the discharged optical waveguides 9 are preferably formed as fixed splices on a splice workstation. Such compounds are referred to here direct coupling or connection called. However, it is also possible to connect the ends of the optical waveguides 8, 9, 12 with plug-in elements, which in turn can form a plug connection. In addition, however, it is desirable in the distribution unit 1 to be able to connect individual supplied optical waveguides 8 flexibly with other discharged optical waveguides 9. For this purpose, patch panels 10, 11 are provided in the distribution unit. The patch panels 10, 11 are designed such that so-called patch optical waveguides 12 provided with plug-in elements can be connected to the patch panels 10, 11 simply by means of detachable connections. These compounds are referred to herein as indirect compounds. This allows a high flexibility of the distribution unit. In order to couple optical waveguides to the patch fields 10, 11, it is customary to couple the supplied or removed optical waveguides 8, 9 in one of the cassettes 5, 5a with the so-called patch light waveguides 12, which are connected at one end to a plug element. The Patchlichtwellenleiter 12 are guided in the module 3 by one of recesses of the receiving elements 4, 4a formed guide channel 13, which is shown in dashed lines. The guide channel 13 extends transversely to the feed directions, which are determined by the guide devices of the individual receiving elements 4, 4a for the supplied and discharged optical waveguides 8, 9. This ensures that the different functions perceiving optical waveguide, supplied optical waveguide 8, discharged optical waveguide 9 and patch optical waveguide 12, are well separated from each other in the distribution unit. As a result, a maintenance and subsequent change of couplings between the individual optical waveguides 8, 9, 12 is facilitated.

FIG. 2 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of a device 20 for coupling optical waveguides. The device 20 for coupling optical waveguides comprises a module 21. The module 21 comprises a preferably disk-like receiving element 22. The receiving element 22 is connected to exactly one cassette 23, which can be received in the receiving element 22. The receiving element 22 and further receiving elements 22a, in each of which a further cassette 5a is received, are connected via latching connections 24 in a form-fitting manner to the module 21. Furthermore, the receiving element 22 and the other receiving elements 22 a are connected to a rail 25. The Rail 25 serves to fix the module 21 in a distribution unit similar to that of FIG. The receiving element 22 and the cassette 23 are in the embodiment described here in each case identical to the other receiving elements 22a and further cassettes 23a formed.

The cassettes 23, 23a are connected to the receiving elements 22, 22a via a snap connection 26. The snap connections 26 are designed such that the cassettes 23, 23a are pivotable about these snap connections 26. In a swung-out state, in which the cassette 23 is shown, the snap connection 26 can be released, so that the cassette 23 can be separated from the associated receiving element 22. In an accommodated state in which the cassettes 23a are located, the cassettes 23a are locked in the associated receptacles 22a. For this purpose, the cassettes 23, 23a each comprise a locking mechanism 27, which comprises a spring-mounted nose 28. These resiliently mounted lugs 28 engage in the received state in locking recesses 29 of the corresponding receiving elements 22, 22a.

Each of the receiving elements 22, 22a comprises two guide devices 30, 31, each of which comprises an opening 32, 33. The openings 32 of the guide devices 30 of the receiving elements 22, 22a are each in a side surface 34 and the openings 33 of the guide devices 31 are located in another side surface 35. This makes it possible, by the guide devices 30, 31 optical fibers (not shown) respectively to the cassettes 23, 23a, which enter the receiving elements 22, 22a from different directions. Preferably, these different directions are opposite directions. The guide devices 30, 31 are channel-shaped and comprise parallel side walls 36. The side walls 36 are preferably formed smooth and unbroken. The guiding devices 30, 31 can accommodate optical fibers formed as glass fibers as well as cable cores, ie glass fibers provided with protection. They are preferably designed so that they can accommodate several glass fibers or cable wires. Furthermore, the Guiding devices 30, 31 designed so that a minimum bending radius of the optical waveguide is not reached at any point in the leadership.

The cassettes 23, 23a include cassette guides 37 for guiding the optical fibers fed to the respective cassette 23, 23a in the cassette 23, 23a. The cassette guides 37 are designed such that overlengths of the optical waveguides can be accommodated and the optical waveguides can be guided such that the ends of two optical waveguides can be connected collinearly to mounting elements 38 for coupling elements. The cassettes 23, 23a are formed in the illustrated embodiment to include coupling member retention members 38 for receiving splice connections for each of four unjacketed optical fibers and / or four cable cores. The specific embodiment of the cassette guides 37 and the selection of the number and design of the support members 38 may be adapted to the respective requirements.

The receiving elements 22, 22a further each include a recess 39, which penetrates the receiving element 22, 22a respectively. The recesses 39 of the juxtaposed receiving elements 22, 22a form a guide channel 40, which extends transversely to guide directions, which are defined by the guide devices 30, 31 of the receiving elements 22, 22a. The guide directions each extend in mutually parallel planes, which are spanned by the disk-like receiving elements 22, 22a. The guide channel 40 extends transversely to the planes formed by the disk-like receiving elements 22, 22a. The recesses 39 are each formed on the edge of the receiving elements 22, 22a, but summarizes completely enclosed. A wall of the recesses 39 is advantageously each formed as a flexible, apparent wall 41. The guide channel 40 is thus closed, but can be easily opened for maintenance with a finger at least partially. In addition, the recesses 39 have openings through which optical fibers can be guided to the cassettes 23, 23a.

The receiving elements 22, 22a further comprise guide elements 42. The guide elements 42 of the receiving elements 22, 22a are designed such that they a guide of optical fibers, which are guided in the guide channel 40, to allow the cassettes 23, 23a in such a way that a minimum radius of curvature of the optical waveguide is not exceeded. They are advantageously designed so that both "from the bottom" introduced into the channel optical fiber as well as "from the top" introduced into the channel optical fiber can be guided to the cassettes 23, 23a. The guide elements 42 are designed so that an installation of optical waveguides is easily possible. The guide elements 42 are also accessible when the receiving elements 22, 22a are positively locked together.

FIG. 3 shows an isometric view of the receiving element 22 of the device for coupling optical waveguides according to FIG. 2. The recording element 22 associated with a cassette is removed from the receiving element 22 and not shown. The same technical features are provided in Figures 2 to 6 with the same reference numerals. Good to see the two guide devices 30, 31 and the recess 39, one wall of which is designed as a flexible, apparent wall 41. It can also be seen the locking recess 29 into which engages the spring-mounted nose of the associated cassette in a recorded position of the cassette. Between the guide devices 30, 31, a rail guide recess 43 can be seen. The rail guide recess 43 is designed so that it is adapted to the profile of the rail 25 of FIG. 2, with which a module formed from a plurality of receiving elements 22 can be fastened. The rail guide recess 43 is formed in the illustrated embodiment so that the receiving element 22 can be pushed onto the rail 25 of FIG. An alternative embodiment of the rail guide recess may be configured so that a latching or snap connection can be produced with the rail.

FIG. 4 shows a side view of the receiving element 22 according to FIG. 3. The receiving element 22 is oriented so that it can be pushed over a vertically oriented rail for holding the assembled to a module receiving elements 22. This means that a plane spanned by the disk-like receiving element 22 has a tilt angle with respect to the plane Rail of about 60 °. An extension, which is indicated by a double arrow 44, is thereby reduced compared to an embodiment in which the angle of inclination is 90 °, so that, for example, installation in a distributor unit according to FIG. 1 is possible, which has only a small depth.

In Fig. 5, the front view of the receiving element according to FIGS. 3 and 4 is shown. A viewing direction runs along an arrow A, which is shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 shows a top view, with a viewing direction along an arrow B according to FIG. 4, on the receiving element 22 according to FIGS. 3 to 5. Hatched are the two guide devices 30, 31 and the guide channel 40 formed by the recess 39. Arrows 45 indicate the guiding directions of optical waveguides, with a point in a circle pointing out of the imaging plane and a cross surrounded by a circle pointing an arrow into the imaging plane into it.

The cassettes and receiving elements are preferably each made in one piece. They are preferably made of plastic, for example by means of an injection molding process.

Although not preferred, feeding and discharging the optical fibers to a cassette in a receptacle may be accomplished by one and the same of the two guides or the guide channel.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 distribution unit

2 Device for coupling optical waveguides

3 module

4 receiving element

4a further receiving element

5 cassette

5a more cassette

6 supplied loose tube

7 discharged loose tube

8 supplied optical waveguide

9 dissipated optical fiber

10 patch panel

11 patch panel

12 patch optical waveguides

13 guide channel

20 Device for coupling optical waveguides

21 module

22 receiving element

22a further receiving element

23 cassette

23a more cassette

24 locking connection

25 rail

26 snap connection

27 locking mechanism

28 nose

29 locking recess

30 guide device

31 guide device

32 opening

33 opening

34 side surface other side surface

Side wall

cassette guide

supporting member

recess

Guide channel flexible, reveal wall

guide elements

Rail guide recess

Double arrow to illustrate an extension

Arrows for indicating directions of leadership

Claims

claims

A device (2; 20) for coupling optical waveguides (8, 9, 12) comprising at least one receiving element (4; 22) for receiving a cassette (5; 23), the cassette (5; 23) being relatively movable relative to said cassette (5; at least one receiving element (4, 22) is connected to the latter and the cassette (5, 23) comprises at least one holding element (38) for a coupling element, to which at least one of the optical waveguides (8) and at least one further of the optical waveguide (9) can be connected characterized in that the at least one receiving element (4; 22) is adapted to receive only the one cassette (5; 23) and comprises two guide devices (30,31) which are adapted to supply the at least one of the optical waveguides (8). and at least one further of the optical fibers (9) to the one cassette (5; 23) allow, wherein the two guide devices (30,31) entering the at least one of the optical waveguide (8) and the at least one further of the Lichtwellenlei ter (9) in different directions in the receiving element (4; 22).

2. Device (2; 20) according to claim 1, characterized in that the guide devices (30, 31) are formed as channels, each with parallel side walls.

Device (2; 20) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each of the guide devices (30, 31) comprises an opening (32, 33) and the openings (32, 33) of the guide devices (30, 31) different side surfaces (34, 35) of the at least one receiving element (4; 22) are formed.

4. Device (2; 20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one receiving element (4; 22) comprises a recess (39) and guide elements (42), wherein the recess (39) the receiving element (4; 22) transversely to guide directions, which are defined by the guide devices (30,31) in the at least one receiving element (4; 22), and the at least one Receiving element (4; 22) with further receiving elements (4a; 22a) which likewise each comprise a recess (39) and guide elements (42) and can each be connected to a further cassette (5; 3) can be arranged such that the recesses (39) of the at least one receiving element (4; 22) and the further receiving elements (4a; 22a) form a guide channel (13; 40) and at least one additional of the optical waveguides (42) by means of the guide elements (42). 12) which is guided in the guide channel (13; 40), to which a cassette (5; 23) of the at least one receiving element (4; 22) can be fed.

5. Device (2; 20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one other of the optical waveguides in the guide channel (13; 13) has a direction opposite to a guide direction of the at least one additional one of the optical waveguides (12) in the guide channel. 40), to which a cassette (5; 23) can be fed.

6. Device (2; 20) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one receiving elements (4; 22) formed like a disk.

7. Device (2; 20) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one receiving element (4; 22) with at least one of the further receiving elements (4a; 22a) by means of at least one latching connection (24) is positively connected.

8. Device (2; 20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one receiving element (4; 22) and the further receiving elements (4a; 22a) are formed identically.

Device (2; 20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the recess (39) is completely enclosed and comprises on one side a flexible, openable wall (41).

10. Device (2; 20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the one cassette (5; 23) is detachably and / or pivotably connected to the at least one receiving element (4; 22).

11. Device (2; 20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the one cassette (5; 22) is connected to the at least one receiving element (4; 22) by means of a positive connection.

Device (2; 20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the one cassette (5; 22) is connected to the at least one receiving element (4; 22) by means of a snap connection (26) around which the one cassette (5; 23) is pivotable in a connected state.

13. Device (2; 20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the module (3) is an element of a distribution device (1) of the communication technology, in particular telecommunications technology.

14. A method for coupling optical waveguides (8, 9, 12) by means of a device (2; 20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the at least one receiving element (4, 22) only the one cassette (5, 23 ) and the one cassette (5; 23) of the at least one of the optical waveguides (8) and the at least one further of the optical waveguides (9), which run from different directions to the at least one receiving element (4; the two guide devices (30, 31) are fed and the at least one of the optical waveguides (8) and the at least one further of the optical waveguides (9) are connected to the coupling element and the coupling element is attached to the mounting element (38) of the one cassette (5; ) is arranged.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that additionally or alternatively, the at least one additional of the optical waveguide (12) over the through the recesses (39) formed guide channel (13; 40) of a cassette (5; 23) is supplied.

16. The method according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that the at least one of the optical waveguides (8) and the at least one further of the optical waveguides (9) or the at least one additional of the optical waveguides (12) on one of the at least one receiving unit (4 22) spatially separated workstation are connected, an excess length of the at least one of the optical waveguides (8) and the at least one further of the optical waveguide (9) or the at least one additional of the optical waveguide (12) in the one cassette (5; 23) are stored ,

17. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 16, characterized in that the cassette (5; 23) before connecting the at least one of the optical waveguides (8) and the at least one further of the optical waveguide (9) or the at least one additional of the optical waveguide is released from the at least one receiving device (4; 22) and then reconnected to the at least one receiving device (4; 22).