GB2594014A

GB2594014A - Branching or termination optical box

Info

Publication number: GB2594014A
Application number: GB2109388.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kulczynskyj Michael; Marcelo Stancyk Anderson
Original assignee: Furukawa Electric LatAm SA
Current assignee: Furukawa Electric LatAm SA
Priority date: 2018-12-11
Filing date: 2019-12-11
Publication date: 2021-10-13
Also published as: GB202109388D0; ES2841451R1; DE112019006141T5; MA53693A1; WO2020118402A1; MX2019014915A; CO2021008981A2; BR102018075693A2; AR117305A1; ES2841451A2

Abstract

The box (CX) comprises: a tubular housing (10) with an open end (10b) and a closed end (10a) having an input opening (11); a cover (20) that can be fastened to the open end (10b); and a tray (40). An input adapter (AE) is mounted in the input opening (11) to couple an input connector (CE) of an optical distribution cable (CD) and a link connector (CL) of at least one optical fibre extension (EFO) of the distribution cable (CD). The tray (40) houses an output splitter device (DS) for splitting an optical termination fibre (FT) into user optical fibres (FU), in which the cover (20) is traversed by output adapters (AS), each of which receives a connector (C) of a user optical fibre (FU) and a connector (C) provided at the end of a user terminal cable (CT).

Description

-BRANCHING OR TERMINATION OPTICAL BOX"

Field of invention

[1] This invention refers to an optical junction or airtight termination box, of a type having a housing provided with an input opening, for receiving and retaining an optical distribution cable, consisting of one or more fiber optics, Whereas the housing is provided with an output opening to be closed by a sealed cover provided with output adapters, each having an internal end, connectable to a fiber or fiber splitter of the optical distribution cable by means of unbalanced and/or balanced splitters, and an outer end adapted to receive a connector of a respective user terminal optical cable.

Previous technique [2] An optical termination box is described in the patent application BR 10 2016 029000-7, by the same applicant, featuring multiple outputs for the connection of multiple user-terminated optical cables from a single optical distribution cable to be received in said boxes.

[3] In that former construction, the single fiber optics or each of the multiple fiber optics of the optical distribution cable received in the optical termination box, is connected to a respective output adapter, mounted on a box cover, by means of fiber optics extensions of the distribution cable proper or by means of splitters of at least one fiber optics of the distribution cable that can be, for example, of the "low friction" type.

[4] The aforementioned previous construction was developed to have the receiving and retention operations, without the risk of loosening the multi-fiber or "low friction" distribution optical cable (having only one fiber) and also the connection operations of the optical distribution cable fiber or fibers, with the outlet adapters from the box end cap, performed by the installing operator, outside the termination box installation location and before the end cap is sealed tightly and permanently against the enclosure, preventing the movement of the internal accommodation elements of the fiber optics extension(s) inside the optical termination box housing and preventing the movement of the optical components by vibration or impact.

Summary of the invention

[5] Despite the constructive and operating advantages achieved with the termination optical box developed by the applicant and object of patent application BR 10 2016.029000-7, it may still be provided with means allowing its operation not only as a termination optical box, but also as an optical junction box, capable of receiving a cable or distribution strand, containing one or multiple fiber optics, with only part of balanced or unbalanced splitters of a fiber optics, or part of the multiple fiber optics of the distribution cable, being terminated inside the box, so that each fiber or fiber splitter terminated in the box can be connected to a respective user terminal cable, with the other fiber splitters or other fiber optics of the distribution cable, not terminated inside the box, exiting the latter via an outlet adapter, to be directed to another optical junction and/or termination box by means of a continuation cable or cord.

[6] According to the referred improvement, it is possible to cause the termination optical box presenting advantageous features described in patent application BR 10 2016 029000-7, to be also able to be used as a shunt optical box, allowing, if desired and convenient, to shunt in each optical box of a network, part of the input optical power, according to the need of each application and until there are no more fiber optics to be shunt or until there is not enough power for new shunt of the optical signal from the last box, which now starts to operate solely as an optical termination box.

Brief description of the drawings

[7] The referred invention will be described below, making reference to the attached drawings, given for illustrative purposes only and in which: [8] Figure 1 represents an exploded perspective view of an optical box, operating as a junction box and receiving, via an input adapter, an optical distribution cable formed, in this example, by a single fiber optics that is split to have user fiber optics terminated in the optical housing, each to be connected to a respective user terminal cable, and a continuation fiber optics not terminated inside the housing, exiting the latter through a respective continuation adapter, to be directed to another junction box and/or optical termination box by means of a continuation cable or cord; [9] Figure 2 represents a bottom plan view of the exploded assembly illustrated in Figure 1; [10] Figure 3 represents a longitudinal and enlarged section view of the closed end area of the of the optical tubular housing of Figures 1 and 2, showing the inlet adapter mounting into an inlet opening of the optical housing; [0 I 1] Figure 4 represents a perspective view of the optical junction box cover, as viewed from the outside, showing the assembly in respective holes of the cover: of output adapters with the outer end of each receiving a user terminal cable; of a check valve for the sealed box pressurization; and a continuation adapter to receive, at its inner end, the split and untenninated fiber optics in the optical box, and, at its outer end, a continuation cable or cord leading to another optical, branch or termination box; [12] Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the Figure 4 cover, viewed from the inside, and illustrating the connection of a user fiber optics to the inside end of an output adapter and further the connection of the continuation fiber optics to the inside end of the continuation adapter; and [13] Figure 6 represents a partially cut perspective view, showing the coupling means for locking into the optical housing closed end;

Invention description

[14] As previously mentioned and illustrated in the enclosed drawings, the given invention is applied to the airtight CX optical housing of the type featuring a tubular housing 10, generally in a truncated-conical shape, but not limited to that configuration, and formed from any material suitable for weathering, for example polypropylene, having a closed end 10a, generally of smaller cross-section, and an open end 10b, opposite to the first and larger cross-section, to be closed by a cap 20, preferably sealed and built of any suitable polymer and having an outer side 20a and an inner side 20b that is attachable against the open end 10b of the tubular housing 10. The cover 20 is provided with through holes (not shown), the function of which is commented later on.

[15] The tubular housing 10 has its closed end 10a provided with an inlet opening 11 for receiving an optical distribution cable CD that may be formed by a single fiber optics or by multiple fiber optics, but being connectorized, i.e., having its end provided with a CE input connector to be coupled to the outer end of an AE input airtight adapter, on the input opening 11 of the tubular housing 10, as shown in Figure 3.

[16] According to this invention, a plug for connecting CL is coupled to an inner end of the AE input adapter preferably by pre-connectorization, at least one EFO fiber optics extension that may represent an extension of the single fiber optics of a "single-fiber" DC distribution cable, as shown, or an extension of one of the fiber optics of a "multi-fiber" DC distribution cable, said DC distribution cable providing a preset optical power.

[17] The fiber optics extension EFO is led, inside the tubular housing 10, to a respective input splitting device DE, in which it is split into a continuation fiber FC and a termination fiber optics FT, with unbalanced optical powers, the FTtenninating fiber optics being led, with or without EF fusion splicing of intermediate whips, to a DS output splitter device, in which it is split into multiple FU user fiber optics, each of which is selectively connectable by colmectorization, preferably by pre-connectorization, with respective C-connectors, on inner ends of respective AS output adapters airtight mounted, in the respective holes (not shown) of the optical box CX cover 20, as shown somewhat schematically in figures 2, 4, and 5. Connectors C are provided at the outer ends of the AS output adapters usually by pre-connectorization, at the ends of the respective CT user terminal cables. The FE) user fiber optics may present equal or unbalanced optical powers, to provide different connection points for users with different optical power demands. However, the FT-terminated fiber optics generally has lower optical power than that of the FCcontinuation fiber optics, and is sized according to the needs of the users to be served by it and the fiber optics network topology.

[18] The number of input splitter devices DE and output splitter devices DS may range depending on the constructive characteristics of the distribution cable CD and also on the number of output adapters AS to be provided through the optical box CX cover 20.

[19] As schematically illustrated in Figure 2, the FC continuation fiber optics released from the DE input splitter device, is preferably pre-connectorized with a C-connector that is coupled to an AC continuation adapter provided in a respective hole (not shown) of the optical box CX cover 20. A provided C-connector is connectable at one outer end of the AC continuation adapter, usually by pre-connectorizing, at the end of a DC continuation cable to be routed to a subsequent branch or termination CX optical box in the network or optical box bus.

[20] In the illustrated construction, the cover 20 has on its inner side, a peripheral skirt 21 to be telescopically mounted and secured in a airtight and sealed manner, over a peripheral portion of the open end 10b of the tubular housing 10, whereby each AS output adapter of the junction and termination optical boxes and the AC continuation adapter of the junction optical boxes, being of any suitable construction, pass through a respective through hole of the watertight cover 20. Therewith, at the sealing time (for example, by adhesive or welding) of the cover 20 over the open end 10b of the tubular casing 10, that open end 10b is then completely sealed by the cover 20, which can no longer be detached from the tubular casing 10.

[21] The tubular housing 10 is designed to operate fully airtight after mounting the AE input adapter into the input opening 11 and sealing the lid 20 against the open end 10b of the housing 10, with the lid 20 already carrying the AS output adapters and the AC continuation adapter, the latter being usually only provided in the joint optical boxes.

[22] After the optical box CX installation, with the lid 20 already sealed against the tubular housing 10, the airtight sealed CX optical compartment can be pressurized with a suitable gas, to be introduced inside the CX optical compartment by means of a pressurization valve 25 mounted through a corresponding through-hole (not shown) of cover 20, as shown in figures 4 and 5.

[23] The referred optical box is of a type comprising also a tray 40, built of electrically non-conductive material, for housing the fiber optics extensions EFO, the termination fiber optics FT, the user fiber optics FU, the continuation fiber optics FC, and the input splitter devices DE and output splitter devices DS inside the optical box CX, the tray 40 being housed inside the tubular housing when the cover 20 is attached to it. The tray 40 has a first end 41, to be seated internally against the closed end 10a of the tubular housing 10, and a second end 42 mounted to the inner side 20b of the cover 20, to be moved with it when sealing the cover 20 at the tubular housing 10 open end 10b.

[24] As shown in Figures 1,2 and 3, at the first end 41 of the tray 40, a single-piece tubular extension 50 is incorporated, for example, also made of plastic material and having a base portion 51 to be seated, through the interior of the tubular housing 10, against the closed end 10a of the latter, and a body portion 52 projecting through the interior of the inlet opening 11 and which is externally cooperating with a pulling device 60, operatively associated with the closed end 10a of the tubular housing 10, to keep the base portion 51 of the tubular extension 50 axially pressed tightly against the closed end 10a of the tubular housing 10.

[25] As shown in Figure 3, the tubular extension 50 receives and retains, in its inside and airtight, the AE input adapter into which the CE input connector adapted to the DC distribution or DC continuation optical cable is connected, containing one or more fiber optics.

[26] Figure 3 shows a construction in which the closed end 10a of the tubular housing 10 shows, around the inlet opening 11, an inner ring stop 13, facing the inside of the tubular housing 10. On the other hand, the base portion 51 of the tubular extension 50 is externally provided with a peripheral flange 53 to be tightly pressed by the pulling device 60 against the inner ring stop 13 of the tubular casing 10 and the pulling device 60 is seated against the closed end 10a of the tubular casing 10, from the outside of the latter. Between the peripheral flange 53 and the inner ring stop 13 at least one gasket 54, usually an "0" ring, is provided to ensure complete and secure airtighthess between the tubular extension 50 of the tray 40 and the closed end 10a of the tubular housing 10.

[27] In the illustrated construction, the body portion 52 of the tubular extension 50 is provided with an external thread 55 and the pulling device 60 is defined by a nut 61 to be engaged with the external thread 55 of the body portion 52 and seated against the closed end 10a of the tubular housing 10.

The tightening the nut 61 causes the peripheral flange 53 to be pressed against the inner ring stop 13, compressing the sealing gasket 54 and ensuring the tightness of the tubular extension 50-tubular housing 10 joint.

[28] As we can see in Figure 6, the body portion 52 of the tubular extension 50 incorporates at least one locking means 57, the nut 61 being provided with at least one locking receiving means 67 to be engaged with the locking means 57 to lock the nut 61 against unscrewing, after the latter has reached a final traction position of the tubular extension 50. Thus, after the final fastening of the tubular extension 50, by tightening the nut 61, the latter can no longer be released, keeping the tubular extension definitively fastened to the tubular casing 10.

[29] In the shown construction, the locking means 57 takes the form of an external shoulder 57a incorporated into the body portion 52 of the tubular extension 50 near the base portion 51, but externally to the tubular housing 10, the receiving locking means 67 being set by a slot 67a to be engaged with the shoulder 57a, locking the nut 61 in its final position to pull the tubular extension 50.

[30] As already mentioned, when the CX optical box is used as a termination optical box, the cover 20 can be built with only "n" through holes, each receiving and retaining a respective AS output adapter for each user CT terminal optical cable and also a hole for adapting the pressurization valve 25. In that case, the cover 20 does not need to have an additional hole to the receiving holes of the AS output adapters.

[31] However, for the CX optical boxes with a bypass function, the cover 20 features not only the "n" holes for mounting, in each a respective AS output adapter for a user CT terminal cable and a hole for the pressurization valve 25, as well as an additional hole for mounting an AC continuation adapter to whose outer edge a DC continuation optical cable is attached.

[32] It should be understood that the number "n" of AS output adapters in the lid 20 may vary, considering the construction of the DS output splitter devices and further the network topology in which the CX optical boxes will be installed and the dimensional limitations of the lid 20 of said CX optical boxes.

[33] Although only one embodiment of the referred invention has been presented here, it is to be understood that changes may be made in the shape and arrangement of the various component parts of the optical housing involved with the branching and termination of the fiber optics of an optical distribution cable, without departing from the scope defined in the claim table that accompanies this descriptive report.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Optical junction or termination box, comprising: a tubular housing (10), having an open end (10b) and a closed end (10a) and provided with an inlet opening (11) ; one attachable cover (20) in a sealed manner, against the open end (10b) of the housing (10); and a tray (40) of fiber optic housing internally mounted to the cover (20) and internally seated against the closed end (10a) of the tubular housing (10), the optical box being (CX) characterized by the fact that, at the inlet opening (11) of the tubular housing (10)an airtight input adapter (AE), is mounted to which an input connector (CE) is attachable, from of (10), the tubular casing of an optical distribution cable (CD) formed by one or more fiber optics and, from within the tubular housing (10), a plug connector (CL) of at least one fiber optics extension (EFO) defined by a fiber optics of the distribution cable (CD), whereas the tray (40) houses an output splitter device (DS) in which a terminating fiber optics (FT) , containing all or only an unbalanced part of the optical power of the fiber optic extension (EFO)is split, in balanced or unbalanced mode, into "n" user fiber optics (FU)with the cover being airtight (20) crossed by "n" output adapters (AS)each receiving, inside the tubular casing (10), a connector (C) of a respective user fiber optics (FU) and, on the outside of the tubular housing (10), .a connector (C) fitted at the end with a respective terminal cable (CT) user.
2. Optical housing, according to claim 1 characterized by the fact that the terminating fiber optics (FT), in a termination optical box (CX) , to be a continuation of the fiber optics extension (EFO), showing the same optical power as the latter.
3. Optical box according to any of claims 1 or 2, characterized by the fact that in a junction optical box (CX) , the tray (40) also houses an input splitter (DE) in which the fiber optics extension (EFO) is split in an unbalanced mode, into a continuation fiber optics (FC) and the terminating fiber optics (FT) which is led, with or without fusion splicing (EF) of intermediate whips, to the output splitter (DS), as the cover is (20) overpassed, in Airight mode, by a continuation adapter (AC) receiving, inside the tubular housing (10)a connector (C) of the continuation fiber optics (FC) and, on the outside of the tubular housing (10) a connector (C) fitted at the end of a respective continuation cable (CC) to be led to a subsequent junction (CX) or terrn i n ati on optical box.
4. Optical box, according to any of claims 1, 2 or 3, characterized by the fact that the cover (20) is also to be passed through a pressurization valve (25), of the tubular housing (10)Upon the closure of its inlet opening (11) and its open end (10b).
5. Optical box according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized by the fact that the cover (20) shows a peripheral skirt (21) to be telescopically mounted and fastened, airtight and sealed, on a peripheral portion of the open end (10b) of the tubular housing (10).
6. Optical housing according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterized by the fact that the first end (41) of the tray (40) incorporates a tubular extension (50) having a base portion (51) to be seated, from wi9thin the tubular casing (10), against the closed end (10a) of the latter, and a portion of the body (52) that projects from the inside of the entrance opening (11) and which cooperates externally with a traction device (60) operatively related to the tubular housing (10a) closed end (10), keeping the base portion (51) of the tubular extension (50) axially pressed, watertight, against the closed end (10a) of the tubular housing (10), said tube extension (50) receiving and retaining, in its interior and in an airtight manner, the input adapter (AE) to which the input connector is connected (CE) adapted to the optical distribution cable (CD) or continuation (CC), containing one or more fibers. -
7. Optical box according to claim 6 characterized by the fact that the closed end (10a) of the tubular housing (10) presents, around the input opening (11) an inner ring stop (13)facing the inside of the tubular casing (10) and the base portion being (51) of a tubular extension (50) externally provided with a peripheral flange (53) to be pressed, by the traction device (60) and airtight against the inner ring stop (13) of the tubular housing (10) and the traction device being (60) seated against the closed end (10a) of the tubular housing (10)on the outside of the latter.
8. Optical box according to claim 7 characterized in that it is provided with a sealing gasket (54) between the peripheral flange (53) and the inner ring stop (13).
9. Optical box according to any of claims 7 or 8, characterized by the fact that the body portion (52) of tubular extension (50) be provided with an external thread (55)whereas the traction device (60) is defined by a nut (61) to be engaged with the external thread (55) of the body portion (52) and seated against the outer ring stop (13) from the closed end (10a) of the tubular housing (10) .
10. Optical box, according to claim 9, characterized by the fact that the body portion (52) of the tubular extension (50) incorporate at least one locking means (57), the nut being (61) provided at least with one locking receiving medium (67) to be engaged to the locking means (57), locking the nut (61) from unscrewing, after the latter has reached a final pulling position of the tubular extension (50).II. Optical box, according to claim 10 characterized by the fact that the locking means (57) take the form of an external shoulder (57a) incorporated into the body portion (52) of the tubular extension (50)near the base portion (51), but_extemally to the tubular housing (10)with the latching receiving medium (67) set by a tear (67a) to be engaged with the shoulder (57a), locking the nut (61) in its final pulling position of the tubular extension (50) .