FR2979438A1 - Coiling device for use in coiling accessory of wall box of connection device for coiling optical fiber, has recess forming space to receive cable to be coiled from coiling station, where device is maintained in opening of multipost support - Google Patents

Abstract

The device (1) has a recess forming a space to receive a cable to be coiled from a coiling station, where the device is adapted to be maintained in an opening of a support of multiposts. Each post includes a centering axis and a surface defining a zone to receive equipment. The recess extends along length of the device according to direction of a spacing above a surface of the coiling station, where the spacing is defined by a distance between axes passing through gravity of center of each of openings of a trim plate. An independent claim is also included for a connection device.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to the field of coaxing accessories for optical fibers and to multi-station recessing boxes. PRIOR ART In the context of the deployment of the optical fiber to the terminal socket, for example of the FTTH or FTTD type, it is necessary to implement solutions making it possible to easily and correctly integrate the connectors. of optical fibers in the recess boxes. The main constraints related to optical fiber are as follows: current fiber optic connectors can reach lengths of 50 mm with respect to mechanical crimp connectors; - The optical fiber, fragile in its construction, requires to respect 15mm curvature radius for G652 fibers, 7.5mm for G657 fibers more efficient. The constraints related to the integration of the connectors and the optical fibers in apparatus are as follows: the standard embedding boxes have a depth of 40 mm; the protrusion formed by the connector should not be too important for design and integration issues in the recess box housing; - the connector must be oriented so as to avoid direct contact between the light beam carried by a fiber and the eye of a user or a child. The fiber optic connectors can also be integrated in equipment mounted on mounting boxes whose depth is greater than 40 mm, the space requirement being in the latter case greater. There are different connection devices described in the prior art including addressing the problem of congestion of such a device. EP 2251728 relates to a junction box with fiberglass plug connector. Such a device allows via an adapter to connect connectors for example to optical fibers. A problem of such a device is that the projecting portion of the connector including the adapter is outside the casing and is protected only by the establishment of a cache. A problem resulting from such a device is that the portion of the optical fiber to be curved is curved with a large radius of curvature in a square section space of the embedding box. In addition, this device is not suitable for a multi-station switchgear box. Another application DE 29922165 describes a single-station switchgear box. The housing is provided with a square section coiling device which does not make it possible to adapt this device to a multi-station switchgear. In addition, it is understood in Figure 2 that the fiber is mechanically stressed during its coiling by a high radius of curvature may be a limitation in terms of performance of the optical fiber. Finally another application EP 939915 describes a dual-station connection device comprising two lugging studs. In this device the fiber optic connectors are connected via an inclined adapter and external to the housing space for coiling the fiber. The size of such a device may be a first disadvantage according to the installed devices.

It is understood in Figure 6 that the fiber, to be coiled, must be curved along a large radius of curvature given the wall located near the connector. Finally, it is understood that the coiling area is common to all the connectors of the device which may be another disadvantage for boxes of multi-station equipment including connectors of different types. In fact, the coiled fiber could be damaged by an Ethernet cable, for example, which would share another connection of the adapter.

The invention aims to solve these disadvantages. OBJECT OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a coiling device and a coiling attachment comprising a coiling device and a multi-station support adapted to cooperate with a coiling device. The invention makes it possible to arrange the coiling device by its geometry and its arrangement vis-à-vis a multi-station support so that part of its length extends beyond the area provided for the The invention further relates to a connecting device comprising a mounting box for cooperating with a trim plate, the connecting device further comprising said trim plate and a coiling accessory. The hub plate comprises at least one opening for accessing connectors. The recess box includes a housing for cooperating for part with the coiling device. The coiling device is arranged so that part of its length extends beyond the opening of the trim plate inside the recess box.

Advantageously, the coiling device is adapted for a station, said coiling station, and comprising a recess forming a space for receiving a cable to lover said coiling station, the coiling device being adapted to be held in an opening of a multi-station support, the coiling station being dedicated to at least one apparatus, each station of the multi-station support comprising a centering axis and a surface defining an area capable of receiving an apparatus, the distance between two consecutive axes defining a center distance. Advantageously, the recess of the coiling device extends along its length in the interaxial direction beyond the surface of the coiling station.

Advantageously, the coiling accessory comprises a multi-station support and a coiling device, the coiling device being held in an opening of the multi-station support and comprising means for attaching an apparatus. Advantageously, the connection device comprises an adapter and at least one crossing cooperating with the adapter so as to allow a connection between, on the one hand, an inner connector 10, a connected cable of which may be coiled in the coiling device and on the other hand. on the other hand an external connector for connection to equipment, the adapter being fixed to the coiling device by fixing means. Advantageously, the connection device comprises a recess box for receiving a coiling accessory, the connection device 15 further comprising a trim plate adapted to cooperate with the support, covering the recess box and having at least one opening . Advantageously, the opening defines the surface of the lovage station. Advantageously, the adapter and at least one bushing are oriented so as to allow at least one connection of a cable at an angle strictly less than 90 ° with the plane of the trim plate. Advantageously, at least a portion of the adapter (31) is immersed in the recess of the coiling box. Advantageously, the coiling device comprises at least one stud for coiling allowing the winding of a cable connected to the inner connector. Advantageously, the crossing allows the connection of an internal optical fiber connector and the cable intended to be coiled is an optical fiber. Advantageously, the trim plate comprising two openings respectively allowing a first access to at least a first optical fiber internal connector inserted into a bushing (32) of an adapter and a second access to a second connector. Advantageously, the center distance is substantially equal to 71mm.

Advantageously, the coiling device comprises at least one housing for at least one fiber splice disposed on an inner face of the recess. Advantageously, the coiling device comprises at least one first lug for holding the fiber disposed on an internal face of the recess. Advantageously, the stud comprises means for retaining the fiber when the latter is wound around said stud. Advantageously, the connection device comprises at least one embellisher for covering at least one opening. Advantageously, the hubcap comprises at least one rotatable shutter on spring to cover the adapter. An advantage of the connecting device of the invention is to benefit from the space in the flush-mounting box between the two openings. This objective is achieved by a coiling device whose length extends in the area of the space of the recess box located between the two openings. The connecting device of the invention makes it possible, by means of the coiling device, its geometry and its arrangement to avoid excessive curvature of the wound fibers, a reduced space requirement because part of the adapter is immersed in the lovage device. An advantage of the connection device of the invention is that it allows to obtain a multi-station device comprising optical fiber connectors and connectors of another type while preserving the optical fiber of another wiring coming from another connector. Another advantage of the connection device of the invention is that the orientation of the fiber optic connector provides security while maintaining convenient access to the connectors. Advantageously, the coiling device is specially designed to save the lost space of a flush-mounting box for multi-terminal equipment forming a multi-connector plug. FIGURES Other features and advantages of the invention will be presented in a detailed description and illustrated by the following figures: with the aid of the description which follows, given with reference to the appended drawings which represent: FIG. 1: a device coiling in 3D view from above; FIG. 2: a coiling device with 3D side view; 3: a connecting device of the invention in an exploded 3D view comprising a coiling device; FIG. 4: a connection device for a partial 2D sectional view; Figure 5: a connection device of the invention in assembled 3D view; FIG. 6: a support for a flush-mounting box allowing the fixing of hubcaps in 3D view; Figure 7: a trim plate of the connecting device of the invention in 3D view; Figure 8: A connector adapter for connectors in 3D view. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In the rest of the description, "coiling" is understood to mean a way of arranging or winding a cable or a fiber around a confined element in a dedicated space. The term "splice" means a fastener or a connection between two optical fibers, called "strands". The splice can be made by juxtaposition or fusion of the two fibers. It is usually final. "Pigtail" means a connector connected to a fiber. Although the connection device of the invention is adapted to any type of cable or fiber of any connector, it remains however particularly suitable for connectors for optical fibers and said optical fibers to lover. In the remainder of the description, the case of unrestricted optical fibers will be detailed from the use of the present invention to other connectors or other fibers / cables. Finally, a station is understood to mean a location defining an area on which an apparatus is specially adapted to equip, for example, a flush-mounting box. It may be an electrical connection such as a socket or a connector. The term "apparatus" is understood to mean any type of connector and / or adapter that can be plugged in, connected to or attached to the support or to the coiling device or to the flush-mounting box by occupying the area of a suitable substation. to receive the equipment. As a general rule, an optical fiber cable is composed of several wires or optical fibers. Thus, for example, an optical fiber cable 10 comprises, in the context of office equipment, at least as many fibers as there are offices to equip, then the separation of each fiber is closer to the office to equip. In the context of this description, it is therefore clear that the device is suitable for managing and handling individual fibers. Figure 1 shows a coiling device 1. The coiling device is a hollow body delimited by a wall surrounding a recess and having at least one inner face. The coiling device comprises at least one stud disposed at the bottom of the recess which allows the winding of at least one fiber of a connector. FIG. 1 represents two studs 10 comprising means 11 making it possible to retain the optical fiber when it is wound around a stud or wound around the two studs, for example by forming an "eight". The fibers are held at the bottom of the box thanks to the lugs 11 present on the studs 25 and lugs 20 on the inner faces of the box. The coiling device 1 is intended to be integrated inside a recess box 34 shown in Figure 3 and detailed below. According to the embodiments, the coiling box 1 is interfaced on its upper part above the recess with a connection adapter 31 and bushings 32 for interfacing on the one hand with internal connectors 40 housed in the recess of the coiling device and outer connectors 42 for routing an optical fiber in a domestic or industrial network to an equipment.

According to the assembly configurations, the coiling device can receive 1 to 4 connectors and can lover a long fiber length. Depending on the diameter and flexibility of the fiber, this length is variable. The device of the invention is particularly suitable for coiling an optical fiber which can store 1 to 2 m of fiber for each connector. The coiling device 1 comprises housings 21 for 10 splices. Figure 1 shows four slots for splices on the two inner side faces of the coiling device. These can be arranged and superimposed between them on an inner face of the space formed by the recess of the coiling device. Each coiling device may comprise groups of 15 splice housings, for example grouped in groups of 4 superimposed housings. A 10mm radius is guaranteed at the splice outlet if the thermoformed sheaths used have a maximum length of 40mm. In the case of using pigtails, if the thermoformed sheaths 20 are longer than 40 mm, the radius of curvature of the fiber at the outlet of the sheath will be less than 10 mm, which can adversely affect the transmission performance. An advantage of the coiling device of the invention is that it makes it possible to respect the usual dimensional constraints of the connectors, in particular optical fiber connectors, and of their integration into apparatus. FIG. 2 represents a coiling device of the invention 1 comprising holding lugs 20 making it possible to prevent a part of a fiber from emerging from the space of the device or getting entangled in this space. Furthermore, the coiling device of Figure 2 shows the splice housing. Apertures 22 are shown on the coiling device of FIG. 2. The openings 22 enable the fibers, for example an optical fiber, of a connector to be able to be introduced into the coiling device in order to be assembled. FIG. 3 shows the various elements, including the coiling device, which are assembled so as to produce an apparatus for fiber optic connectors. The coiling device 1 is inserted in a recess box 34, in which it is held by means of a support 33 making it possible to hold the coiling device and the recess box 10 integral with one of the other when assembled. An adapter 31 for connectors 32 is intended to be fastened to the coiling device by means of fastening means 311. The fastening means 311 are able to cooperate with a part of the coiling device which is specially designed to receive a coaxial adapter. 15 connectors. A trim plate 35 comprises at least one opening for covering the support 33 and the coiling device 1. In an alternative embodiment, the support 33 and the trim plate 35 are made in one piece forming a single piece. In the latter case, the single piece supports the functions of the support 33 and the trim plate 35. Finally, FIG. 3 represents a trim 36 capable of cooperating with the trim plate 35 so as to have a trim interface for accessing the trim pieces. The hubcap 36 comprises, according to one embodiment, at least one flap 38 for covering the adapter 31 when no connector is connected. It will be understood from FIG. 3 that the coiling device makes it possible to gain the space of the recess box 34 corresponding to the internal space situated between the two openings of the plate 35 when these elements are assembled. The coiling device makes it possible to use the space available between two inter-axis stations, the distance between being defined by the distance between the two axes passing respectively through the centers of gravity of each of the openings. The openings are generally circular but may be of different shapes depending on the embodiments. In the case of example of Figure 3, the flush box is a standard format in which the length of the center distance is 71mm. A large number of embedding boxes forming multi-connector plugs comprising two openings have a standardized spacing of 71 mm in length. The coiling device is therefore particularly adapted to be assembled and mounted in this type of flush-mounting box. When the recess box 34 can support two access corresponding to two positions whose spacing is 71mm, the separation space by a spacer in which the space is unused is put to advantage by the coiling device. FIG. 4 represents a sectional view of the coiling device 1 in which a section of the assembly 41, comprising the interlocking of the adapter 31 and the penetrations 32, makes it possible to guide an inner connector 40 and in which a connector outside 42 is connected. The studs 10 allow the optical fiber 43 to wrap around them, as shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 5 is a 3D view of the coiling device 1 recessed and held in the holder 33. The adapter 31 is held in the coiling device 1. An outer connector 42 is connected in the adapter 31 provided with the penetrations 32 forming the assembly 41. The recess box 34 comprises a second space for a second connector 45 whose axis of 25 connection is for example vertical. The nature of the connector 45 may be for example an Ethernet connector, the angle formed between the Ethernet connector and the trim plate 35 being for example 90 °. The connection device of the invention thus makes it possible to combine different types of connections while optimizing the space between the two openings in the interior space of the flush-mounting box. The coiling device 1 of the invention makes it possible to gain the space between the two connectors, in particular by tilting the adapter 41 that is particularly suitable for optical fiber connectors. Indeed, fiber optic connectors require a recoil space 35 because the fiber can not be bent or bent with too large a radius of curvature. The coaxing box 1 makes it possible, by virtue of its geometry and its arrangement in the recess box 34, to gain an unused space located in particular in the zone 60 between the centers shown in FIG.

Figure 6 is a 3D view of the support 33 holding the coiling device 1 on which a trim 36 has been fixed in particular to cover the adapter and the bushings 41. Shutters 38 and a label holder 37 have also been shown.

FIG. 7 shows a trim plate 35 in 3D view covering the support 33 and the embedding box 34. FIG. 8 shows an adapter 31 and the attachment means 311 of the adapter in the coiling device 1.

The coiling device has a first function that provides a depth space in which the optical fiber of the inner connector maintains a radius of curvature preserving all its transmission performance and integrity. The presence of the pads makes it possible to interleave the fiber in a regular manner according to a chosen direction of coiling. The coiling device of the invention has a second function which serves as a spacer for the flush-mounting box 34. The interior space of the flush-mounting box is thus compartmentalized by optimizing the space lost between the accesses to different connectors. .

The coiling device of the invention has a third function which consists in optimally adjusting the length of the fiber during the installation of an inner connector, particularly from the presence of the two pads. Both studs offer a solution to finely adjust the length of fiber to lover. In one embodiment, retention means of the coiled fiber equip the pads. Thus, the fiber is not subject to changes in positions, especially for pre-equipped coiling devices which are brought to be transported for example. The low inclination of the connector frees up space in the bottom of the coiling device and facilitates the organization of coiling of the fiber. -12- This arrangement is compatible with a choice of standard connectors and an adaptation to the use case. Finally the coiling device of the invention allows a slight s inclination of the connector and the adapter for connection to an external connector. The inclination allows, on the one hand, ease of access to a user in particular for connecting a connector and, on the other hand, increases the security of users. In fact, with regard to increased safety, the portion of the connector protruding from the connecting device is reduced, which limits accidental handling or clashes on the connectors. In addition, the connector is oriented to avoid direct contact between the light beam carried by a fiber that is not connected to the end point and the eye of a user or a child. The angle between the median plane formed by the trim plate and the connection axis may advantageously be between 10 ° and 75 °. The adapter is advantageously oriented outward in a direction whose angle with the direction formed by the length of the coiling device extending beyond the opening is greater than 90 °. In an improved embodiment, the latter angle is greater than 120 °.

In addition, an advantage of the coiling device of the invention is that it is compatible with standard embedding boxes. During an installation, whether domestic or industrial, the 25 "communication" functions are generally grouped together at the same point, the jacks and connection devices are confined to the same point of a room or office. As a result, the connection device of the invention makes it possible to integrate in a multi-station apparatus at least one connector for "optical fiber" and other functions such as RJ45 or TV jacks without the optical fiber function reducing the ratio between the number of functions and the number of positions. The connection device comprises a coiling device as described above, an adapter with one or two bushings for connector (s) according to the variant embodiments, a support 33 for a flush-mounting box 34 and a trim plate 35 comprising openings. The support 33 for the recess box 34 makes it possible to hold the coiling device 1 in the recess box 34 and allows the trim plate 35 to be supported. Hubcases 36 make it possible to cover the openings of the embellisher plate 35 and can be equipped with 2 rotating spring flaps and a label holder. The bushing (s) 32 make it possible to connect at least one external connector via the flap 38 to a pre-installed internal connector 10. When the elements of the connection device are assembled, they form a "smart" plug for fiber optic connection and also host other types of connectors.

The coiling device 1, the support 33 for the flush-mounting box, the embellisher plate 35 and the flush-mounting box 34 can be simply assembled by interlocking. During assembly, the fiber to be connected may be inserted through one of the openings 22 made on the periphery of the coiling device 1. The coiling device may then be snapped into the recess box 34. Connector connected to the fiber forming a pigtail, the surplus fiber can be coiled around the studs 10 of cove and the splices 21, when present, placed in the dwellings which are reserved for them. During assembly, the installation of the connector (s) in the "Adapter + Traversée" subassembly is done by connection. This subassembly can then be snapped into the coiling device.

An installer can simply position the plate 35 on the support 33 by interlocking. The subassembly comprising the hubcap 36, the flaps 38 spring and the label holder 37 is simply assembled by fastening means on the hubcap 37. According to the configuration modes of the mounting of the coiling device, the adapters can be assembled with different types of bushings. The adapter is available in three versions that allow four types of configurations depending on the selected bushings: s ^ 2 SC Simplex traverses or; ^ 2 Duplex LC bushings; ^ 1 SC Duplex crossing and 1 LC Duplex crossing. The coiling device by its size and the angle given to the optical fiber connectors can accommodate up to 4 connectors, for example LC type. In the latter case it can lover up to 4m of fiber while respecting a radius of curvature of 10mm for a connector whose length is 50mm. If the connector is shorter, the radius of curvature may be larger.

In a preferred embodiment, the fibers may be coiled around the two lovage studs and they are maintained at the bottom of the box thanks to the lugs on the studs and on the inner faces of the box. The connection device according to the invention making it possible to have an optical crossing plug and comprising a coiling device can advantageously be used in the residential field in any multi-station configuration, especially with a center distance of 71 mm. In particular, the arrangements in multi-stations gathering for example an optical fiber through plug, 1 or 2 RJ45 sockets and 2 TV sockets are conducive to the use of a connection device according to the invention.

Claims (15)

REVENDICATIONS1. Coiling device (1) adapted for a station, said coiling station, and comprising a recess forming a space for receiving a cable to lover said coiling station, the coiling device being adapted to be held in an opening of a multi-station support (33), the coiling station being dedicated to at least one apparatus, each station of the multi-station support comprising a centering axis and a surface defining a zone intended to receive an apparatus, the distance between two consecutive axes defining a center distance, characterized in that the recess of the coiling device (1) extends along its length in the interaxial direction beyond the surface of the coiling station. 2. A coiling accessory comprising a multi-station support (33) and a coiling device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the coiling device is held in an opening of the multi-station support (33) and comprises means for attaching apparatus. 3. Connecting device comprising a mounting box (34) for receiving a coiling accessory according to claim 2, comprising an adapter (31) and at least one penetration (32) cooperating with the adapter so as to allow a connection between on the one hand an inner connector (40) of which a connected cable may be coiled in the coiling device (1) and, on the other hand, an external connector (42) for connection to equipment, the adapter ( 31) being fixed to the coiling device (1) by fixing means (311). 4. Connection device according to claim 3, characterized in that it further comprises a trim plate (35) adapted to cooperate with the support (33) covering the mounting box (34) and having at least one opening , characterized in that the opening defines the surface of the coiling station. 5. Connection device according to claim 4, characterized in that the adapter (31) and at least one passage (32) are oriented to allow at least one connection of a cable at an angle strictly less than 90 ° with the plane of the trim plate (35). 6. Connection device according to any one of claims 4 to 5, characterized in that at least a portion of the adapter (31) is immersed in the recess of the coiling box (1). 7. Connection device according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the coiling device (1) comprises at least one stud (10) for coiling for winding a cable connected to the inner connector. 8. Connection device according to claim 5, characterized in that the passage allows the connection of an internal connector (40) of optical fiber and the cable to be coiled is an optical fiber. 9. Connection device according to any one of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that the trim plate (35) comprises two openings respectively for a first access to at least a first internal connector (40) for optical fiber inserted in a through (32) an adapter (31) and a second port (45) to a second connector. 10.Dispositif connection according to claim 9, characterized in that the spacing is substantially equal to 71mm. 11. Connection device according to any one of claims 3 to 10, characterized in that the coiling device comprises at least one housing (21) for at least one fiber splice disposed on an inner face of the recess. 12.Dispositif connection according to any one of claims 3 to 11, characterized in that the coiling device (1) comprises at least a first holding lug (20) of the fiber disposed on an inner face of the recess . 13. Connection device according to claim 7, characterized in that the stud (10) comprises means for retaining (11) the fiber when the latter is wound around said stud (10). 14.Dispositif connection according to any one of claims 4 to 13, characterized in that it comprises at least one trim (36) for covering at least one opening. 15.Dispositif connection according to claim 14, characterized in that the hubcap comprises at least one rotatable shutter (38) on the spring to cover the adapter (31).