JP2001194536A - Optical connecting box and method for optical splicing - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optical connecting box which is efficient in terms of space and which facilitates a branching/splicing operation. SOLUTION: The optical connecting box 1 of this invention is characteristically equipped inside with plural branching modules 7 for branching a coated optical fiber 8 of optical fiber tape (coated fiber) to an optical connector 13 for each optical fiber, a splicing part storing tray 10 for storing a splicing part 9 between coated fibers 3, 8, a module holding part 12 for holding plural branching modules 7, and a tray holding part 11 for storing the splicing part storing tray 10; each branching module 7 guides to the outside the coated fiber 8 that is spliced to the coated fiber 3, branching, in the inside of the module 7, the coated fiber 8, with each end connected to the optical connector 13, and with the optical connected 13 exposed to the outer side face.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical connection box for branching a plurality of tape-shaped optical fiber cores in an optical fiber cable into single optical fibers, and an optical connection method using the optical connection box. And about.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventional "fusion connection and optical connector connection"
An optical connection box 101 of the type is shown in FIG. Optical connection box 101
Is fixed to an optical fiber cable 103 having a plurality of tape-shaped optical fiber cores 102 therein. Inside the optical connection box 101, the fixed optical fiber cable 10
3, a plurality of tape-shaped optical fiber core wires 102 are taken out. However, FIG. 2 shows only one tape-shaped optical fiber core wire 102 in the optical fiber cable 103 for easy viewing. The end of each of the extracted tape-shaped optical fibers 102 is FO (Fan).
Out) cord-shaped optical fiber core wire 104a of cord 104
Connected to the end of the FIG. 3 shows the FO code 104 alone.

[0003] The FO cord 104 has a tape-shaped optical fiber core wire 104a (four cores in this case) at one end, and is branched into a single-core cord portion 104d at a branch portion 104c via a coating portion 104b. ing. The optical connector 104e is attached to the other end of the FO cord 104 (that is, the end of the single-core cord portion 104d). This FO code 10
By using 4, the multi-core optical fiber ribbon 104a can be branched into a single core. Note that FIG.
3 shows only one of the four single-core cord portions 104d of the FO code 104 for easy viewing of the drawing.

The other end of the optical connector 104e of the FO cord 104 in the optical connection box 101 is connected to each adapter 105a of the adapter section 105 in the optical connection box 101. Here, six rows of adapters 105a are attached.
In each row, four adapters 105a are stacked in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 2, and one row corresponds to one four-core optical fiber ribbon. On the opposite side of the optical connector 104e of each adapter 105a, a single-core optical fiber cord 106 having an optical connector 106a attached to an end.
And an optical cable or the like in which a cord is bundled, which is led out of the optical connection box 101.

[0005] The tape-shaped optical fiber core 102 on the optical fiber cable 103 side and the tape-shaped optical fiber core 104a on the FO cord 104 side are connected by fusion splicing or mechanical splice. In order to perform this connection operation, it is necessary to secure an extra length for the tape-shaped optical fiber core 102 and the tape-shaped optical fiber core 104a.
For this reason, a connection part storage tray 107 for storing the connection part of the tape-shaped optical fiber core wire 102 and the tape-shaped optical fiber core wire 104a and the extra length is prepared in the optical connection box 101. Here, eight connection portions can be stored in each connection portion storage tray 107, and a total of three connection portion storage trays 107 are mounted on the inner wall of the optical connection box 101 in a stacked state.

[0006] In some cases, the connection location of the optical connector 104e attached to each adapter 105a is changed. Also, the optical connector 104e of the FO code 104
Since the FO cord 104 is previously installed in the factory, the length of the FO cord 104 may not be able to correspond to the length adjusted to the optical connection box 101 in some cases. For this reason, the FO code 104 also has an extra length, and a cord holder 108 is attached to the inner surface of the optical connection box 101 to arrange the extra length.

[0007]

However, the conventional optical junction box 101 described above is inconvenient in the following points, and an improvement has been demanded. First, as described above, the extra length must be secured in the FO code 104 and the FO code 104 must be arranged and tidy, so that there is a problem that the branching / connection work in the optical connection box 101 becomes complicated. At the time of the extra length processing, the single-core cord portions 104d are bundled in a coil shape. However, if a plurality of cords are bundled, it is difficult to take out the cord at the back, and in the worst case, a factor that adversely affects the transmission loss. It is possible that Further, since a space for processing the extra length of the FO code 104 is required, the entire optical connection box 101 becomes large, and the space efficiency for installation is deteriorated.

[0008] The adapter section 105 includes an adapter 1
05a are arranged in a matrix.
In order to pinch 4e and make it detachable from each adapter 105a, it is necessary to provide a gap between each adapter 105a. For this reason, the size of the adapter section 105 becomes large, which also causes the optical connection box 101 to be large. Furthermore, even if the above-described gap is provided in the adapter section 105, it is difficult to attach and detach the optical connector 104e on the rear side, which is an obstacle in branching / connection work.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an optical connection box which has good space efficiency and can easily perform branching / connection work, and an optical connection method using this connection box.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An optical connection box according to the present invention is such that a plurality of tape-shaped optical fibers in an optical fiber cable are branched into single optical fibers, respectively. Module for branching the optical fiber into optical connectors for each optical fiber, and a connection receiving tray for storing a connection between a tape-shaped optical fiber core on the optical fiber cable side and a tape-shaped optical fiber core on the branch module side And a module holding portion for holding a plurality of branch modules and a tray holding portion for holding a connection portion storage tray. Each of the branch modules has a tape-shaped optical fiber core for connecting to an optical fiber cable. Along with leading the wire to the outside, the inside of the tape-shaped optical fiber core is branched to connect each end to the optical connector,
It is characterized in that the optical connector is exposed on the outer side surface.

In each of the branch modules, a plurality of optical connectors are exposed to the outer side surface in an aligned state, and are held in a stacked state in a module holding portion so as to be swingable, and the direction of the optical connector is changed by swinging. Preferably it is possible.

Further, an optical connection method according to the present invention uses the above-mentioned optical connection box, and connects a connecting portion between a tape-shaped optical fiber core on the optical fiber cable side and a tape-shaped optical fiber core on the module side. A plurality of connection modules are accommodated in the connection portion accommodation tray, and a plurality of branch modules are associated with the connection portion accommodation tray.

[0013]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of an optical connection box and an optical connection method using the same according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an optical connection box 1 according to this embodiment.
The optical connection box 1 of the present embodiment is for branching six four-core tape-shaped optical fiber cores 3 in an optical fiber cable 2 into twenty-four single-core optical fibers 4. FIG. 1A shows a state in which the lid 1a (see FIG. 1B) of the optical connection box 1 is removed so that the inside can be seen. FIG. 1 (a)
1 shows only one optical fiber core 3 in the optical fiber cable 2 for easy viewing, and also shows only one of the single-core optical fibers 4 branched therefrom.

An optical fiber cable 2 and an inlet / outlet 5 for a single-core optical fiber 4 are provided below the optical connection box 1. Inside the optical connection box 1, a connection portion 9 between the tape-shaped optical fiber core wire 3 taken out of the optical fiber cable 2 and a tape-shaped optical fiber core wire 8 of a branch module 7 described later.
Is stored in the connection portion storage tray 10 for storing the information. The connecting portion 9 may be formed by fusion splicing, or may be formed by using a mechanical splice or the like. The connection portion accommodating tray 10 also has a function of accommodating an extra length necessary for connecting the tape-shaped optical fiber core 3 and the tape-shaped optical fiber core 8. Leaving the extra length of the optical fiber leads to breakage if left as it is, and increases the transmission loss when bending beyond a predetermined bending curvature is applied. Therefore, the extra length portion is accommodated in the connection portion accommodation tray 10 in an organized state.

Each of the connection portion storage trays 10 can store therein eight connection portions 9 and an extra length associated therewith. In the present embodiment, three connection portion storage trays 10 are used.
Are collectively held in the tray holding unit 11 in a stacked state. Each connection portion storage tray 10 has its hinge portion 10a.
Can be swung around. For this reason, the lid connected by the hinge portion 10a is attached to the connection portion storage tray 10 located at the uppermost portion in the stacked state, but the connection portion storage tray 10 positioned at the lower portion in the stacked state is located above the connection portion storage tray 10. The connection portion storage tray 10 functions as a lid. By doing so, the connection portion storage trays 10 in a stacked state
Can be compactly stored in the optical connection box 1.

On the other hand, from each branch module 7, a tape-shaped optical fiber core 8 connected to the tape-shaped optical fiber core 3 in the optical fiber cable 2 is led out. A protective tube for preventing breakage of the tape-shaped optical fiber 8 is attached to the branch module 7 body side of the tape-shaped optical fiber 8. Then, inside each branch module 7, this tape-shaped optical fiber core 8 is branched into single-core optical fiber cores, and optical connectors 13 are attached to the ends of these single-core optical fiber cores, respectively. I have. The optical connector 13 is exposed on the outer surface of the branch module 7 in an aligned state.

In this embodiment, the optical fiber ribbon 8 has four cores, and each branch module 7 has four optical connectors 13. In each branch module 7, the optical connectors 13 are arranged in a line, and the interval between them is made as small as possible. The thickness of each branch module 7 (the thickness of the branch module 7 in the stacking direction) is substantially equal to the thickness of the optical connector 13 (the thickness of the branch module 7 in the stacking direction). In this embodiment,
Six branch modules 7 are collectively held in the module holding unit 12 in a stacked state. In this manner, the stacked branch modules 7 can be compactly stored in the optical connection box 1.

Each of the branch modules 7 is held by the module holding section 12 so as to be swingable about its rotation center 7a (see FIG. 1B). Each branch module 7 swings independently in a plane perpendicular to the stacking direction. As shown in FIG. 1B, each branch module 7 can swing the above-mentioned aligned optical connector 13 to the outside of the optical connection box 1 by swinging. By doing so, when connecting the optical connector 4a of the single-core optical fiber 4 to the optical connector 13,
When removing the optical connector 4a from the optical connector 13,
By swinging the target branch module 7, the work of attaching and detaching the optical connector 4a can be facilitated.

Further, at the time of this attaching / detaching operation, by swinging only the target branch module 7, a space is formed in the vertical direction thereof, and it becomes easy to grasp the target optical connector 4a. However, when the attaching / detaching operation is not performed, the optical connectors 13 (and the optical connectors 4a) are arranged in a high-density state, and the space efficiency is high. In the optical connection box 1, a cord holder 14 for holding an optical fiber core wire, an optical fiber, and the like having a certain radius of curvature or more is attached at an appropriate position.

In order to use the above-described optical connection box 1 to branch the tape-shaped optical fiber core 3 in the optical fiber cable 2 into a single-core optical fiber 4, first, from the end, the tape-shaped optical fiber core 3 The optical fiber cable 2 from which the cable has been taken out is introduced from the introduction outlet 5 into the optical connection box 1. The optical fiber cable 2 introduced from the introduction port 5 into the optical connection box 1 has the tensile strength wire 2 a therein fixed to the holding portion 6 in the optical connection box 1.

Next, the tape-shaped optical fiber core 3 of the optical fiber cable 2 and the tape-shaped optical fiber core 8 of the branch module 7 are connected by fusion splicing or the like. The connecting portion 9 formed at this time is accommodated in the connecting portion accommodating tray 10, and at the same time, the extra length of the tape-shaped optical fiber core wire 3 and the tape-shaped optical fiber core wire 8 is also accommodated in the connecting portion accommodating tray 10. Housed in The outer periphery of the tape-shaped optical fiber core 8 may be covered and protected by a tube or the like. The optical fiber cable 2 may be attached to the optical connection box 1 after connecting the tape-shaped optical fiber core 3 and the tape-shaped optical fiber core 8.

At this time, just by arranging the extra lengths of the tape-shaped optical fiber core 3 and the tape-shaped optical fiber core 8, the space from the optical fiber cable 2 to the branch module 7 is arranged. Conventionally, it was necessary to arrange not only the extra length of the connected optical fiber ribbon but also the extra length of the FO code (see FIG. 2). For this reason, the branching / connection work becomes complicated, and the optical connection box is enlarged to secure a space for storing the extra length of the FO cord. However, the optical connection box 1 of the present embodiment does not have such a thing, and the branching / connection operation can be simplified and the size can be easily reduced. Also,
In the present embodiment, the part that has been configured by the conventional FO cord and the adapter part is reduced in parts as a branch module, and the cost of the optical connection box 1 can be reduced.

Next, the single-core optical fiber 4 is connected to the optical connector 13 of each branch module 7. At this time, the connection operation can be easily performed by swinging only the target branch module 7 as described above. A plurality of single-core optical fibers 4 (only one is shown) are bent and held by the code holder 14 so as to have a bend of a predetermined radius of curvature or more, and from the inlet / outlet 5 to the outside of the optical connection box 1. Derived. Finally, the optical connection box 1 itself is fixed to a predetermined location. Of course, after the optical connection box 1 is fixed, the above-described branching / connection operation may be performed.

In this embodiment, the plurality of branch modules 7 are collectively held in the module holding section 12, and the connection section storage tray 10 is held in the tray holding section 11. For this reason, the optical fiber paths from the optical fiber cable 2 to the connection part storage tray 10 to the branch module 7 can be neatly arranged in the optical connection box 1. In addition, since the branch module 7 and the connection portion storage tray 10 are collectively held in different places, respectively, the space efficiency is good, and the branching / connection work can be easily performed.

For example, when connecting the tape-shaped optical fiber core wire 3 and the tape-shaped optical fiber core wire 8, the connecting part storage tray 10 collectively stored in the tray storage part 11 is used.
Only the branch module 7 need not be touched. On the other hand, when attaching and detaching the optical connector 13 and the optical connector 4a, the user can work only by using the branch module 7 that is collectively held in the module holding unit 12, and does not touch the connection unit storage tray 10. Only needs to be done.

Further, here, the optical fiber cable 2
When the tape-shaped optical fiber core wire 3 in the inside is branched into the single-core optical fiber 4, a plurality of (here, two) branch modules 7 are associated with one connection portion accommodation tray 10. . By doing so, the number of the connection portion storage trays 10 can be reduced as much as possible, and the size of the optical connection box 1 itself can be further reduced. If the optical connection box 1 can be reduced in size, the cost can be suppressed and the degree of freedom in installation can be increased.

The optical connection box of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, in the optical connection box 1 described above, the attached optical fiber cable 2
All of the tape-shaped optical fiber cores 3 are single-core optical fibers 4
Was branched to. However, only a part of the tape-shaped optical fiber in the optical fiber cable connected to the optical connection box is branched into a single-core optical fiber, and the rest is led out as a multi-core optical fiber without passing through a branch module. In some cases.

In such a case, if there is sufficient space, it may be possible to cope with the problem simply by increasing the number of stacking layers of the connection portion storage tray 10. Such a case is indicated by a dotted line in FIG. The unbranched tape-shaped optical fiber core 30 taken out from the optical fiber cable 2 is
It is directly connected to the tape-shaped optical fiber core 31 of the optical fiber cable 20 on the outlet side. Then, the connection portion and the extra length of the tape-shaped optical fiber core 30 and the tape-shaped optical fiber core 31 are accommodated in the additional connection portion accommodating tray 10. The lead-out optical fiber cable 20 is led out from the lead-out port 15 of the optical connection box 1, and the tensile strength line 20 a is held by the holding part 6, similarly to the lead-side optical fiber cable 2.

In the above-described example, the number of stacking stages of the connection portion accommodating tray 10 is increased. Alternatively, the lower part of the optical connection box 1 shown in FIG. A connection portion storage tray for storing a connection portion with the multi-core optical fiber connected thereto and a surplus length portion may be additionally provided.

[0031]

According to the present invention, the optical connection box includes a plurality of branch modules, a connection part storage tray, a module holding part for holding the plurality of branch modules, and a tray holding part for holding the connection part storage tray. The branch module branches the tape-shaped optical fiber core inside the branch module, connects each end to the optical connector, and exposes the optical connector to the outer side surface. For this reason, the optical connection box of the present invention has good space efficiency and can easily perform the branching / connection work.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of an optical connection box of the present invention,
(a) is a front view, and (b) is a plan view in which a lid is partially cut away.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing a conventional optical junction box.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing an FO code used in a conventional optical junction box.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Optical connection box, 2 ... Optical fiber cable, 3 ... Tape-shaped optical fiber core wire, 4 ... Optical fiber, 4a ... Optical connector,
7 ... branch module, 8 ... tape-shaped optical fiber core wire, 9
... Connection part, 10 connection part storage tray, 11 tray holder, 12 module holder, 13 optical connector, 14
... cord holder.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2H036 RA11 2H038 CA38 5G375 AA18 CA02 CA19 DB16 DB23 EA17

Claims (3)

[Claims] An optical connection box for branching a plurality of tape-shaped optical fiber cores in an optical fiber cable into single-core optical fibers, wherein the tape-shaped optical fiber cores are branched into optical connectors for each optical fiber. A plurality of branch modules to be connected, a connection portion storage tray for storing a connection portion between the tape-shaped optical fiber core wire on the optical fiber cable side and the tape-shaped optical fiber core wire on the branch module side, and a plurality of the branch modules. A module holding section for holding the module and a tray holding section for holding the connection section accommodation tray are provided inside. Each branch module leads out a tape-shaped optical fiber core for connecting to the optical fiber cable to the outside. At the same time, the tape-shaped optical fiber core wire is branched therein, and each end is connected to the optical connector. Optical connection box, characterized in that it is exposed to the parts side. 2. Each of the branch modules exposes a plurality of the optical connectors in an aligned state on an outer side surface, and is swingably held by the module holding portion in a stacked state. The optical connection box according to claim 1, wherein the optical connection box can be changed. 3. The optical connection method using the optical connection box according to claim 1, wherein a connecting portion between the tape-shaped optical fiber core on the optical fiber cable side and the tape-shaped optical fiber core on the module side is formed. An optical connection method, wherein a plurality of branch modules are accommodated in the connection part accommodation tray, and a plurality of the branch modules are associated with the connection part accommodation tray.