JP2001311835A - Tray for optical fiber - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a tray for an optical fiber capable of easily performing after-branch-connection. SOLUTION: The connecting part housing tray 3, having in the inside of it connection part housing areas R in which plural holder parts 32 holding the connecting part C between the optical fibers F1, F2 are dispersively arranged, is provided.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical fiber tray suitable for use as an optical fiber storage tray for storing an extra length of an optical fiber and a connection portion between the optical fibers.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in the operation of branching any optical fiber from the middle of an optical fiber cable once laid (so-called post-branching operation), the operation of removing the outer sheath of the optical fiber cable, the operation of drawing the optical fiber cable, and the like. In general, the optical fiber cable is slackened at the work portion, a sufficient extra length is secured from the optical fiber cable, the optical fiber is drawn, and the optical fiber cable is connected to another optical fiber. In addition, a closure is put on the rear branch point, and a connection portion (fusion-spliced portion or the like) between the optical fibers is stored with an extra length in a storage tray stored in the closure.

[0003]

In the post-branching operation as described above, even if the extra length of the optical fiber is secured by drawing the optical fiber cable, the length is limited. If the fiber cable cannot be pulled sufficiently, the surplus length of the optical fiber becomes very short (short surplus length), and there is a concern that it becomes difficult to store the connection portion and the surplus length in the storage tray. Slightly more specifically, the storage tray has a holder portion at the center for holding the connection portion,
Generally, a configuration in which a surplus storage portion for storing the surplus length is disposed opposite to both sides of the holder portion is provided, and the holder portion is generally provided only in a limited area between the surplus length storage portions on both sides. It is a target. Further, an optical fiber introduction port for introducing an optical fiber into the storage tray is generally provided near each extra length storage section.

[0004] In such a storage tray, the holder portion and the extra-length storage portions on both sides thereof are stored in a closure so as to be arranged along an optical fiber cable. Therefore, it is necessary to draw the connection point of the optical fiber drawn out of the optical fiber cable to the central portion of the storage tray, and it may not be possible to cope with short and long lengths. Further, when the connection portion of the optical fiber having a short excess length is stored in the storage tray, the bending length may be larger than the allowable radius of curvature because the excess length to be bent is short. Furthermore, there is a complaint that the space for providing a holder part that can hold the connection part is limited, and the number of holder parts is small (several pieces are common), so that high-density storage cannot be realized.

Further, an optical fiber which is not connected to another optical fiber after being taken out from the optical fiber cable (a holding optical fiber cut for connection after being taken out from the optical fiber cable, or a non-cut optical fiber which is not cut) The optical fiber is generally stored separately from the tray that stores the connection portion using the plurality of storage trays, stored in a storage portion or storage space separately secured in a closure, or passed through. However, in any case, the tray for storing the connection part is stored in a different place from the tray for storing the connection part, so after the connection, the tray for storing the connection part is replaced, and the work is troublesome. . Further, if the moving distance at the time of taking out is long, there is a concern that communication may be affected due to contact with the optical fiber in a live state, so that workability cannot be improved from this point as well. Further, if the above-mentioned storage tray is allocated for storing the reserved optical fiber, there is a problem that the holder portion is in the way and the storage density of the optical fiber cannot be improved.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an optical fiber tray capable of easily performing a post-branch connection.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an optical fiber tray for storing an extra length of an optical fiber and a connection portion between the optical fibers, wherein a holder for holding the connection portion is provided. It is characterized in that a plurality of connection storage areas arranged in a dispersed manner are provided inside.

With this configuration, the position for holding the connection portion can be freely selected within the connection portion storage area in accordance with the difference in the extra connection length required for the connection work. In particular, in a connection operation such as fusion splicing, the extra length of the optical fiber may change due to connection failure. Also,
The surplus length may change due to the switching operation. As described above, even when the surplus length is short and the position for holding the connection portion must be changed due to the change in the surplus length, the position of the holder portion for holding the connection portion is freely and appropriately selected. Further, a large number of connection parts are housed at high density in the connection part storage area.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the optical fiber tray according to the first aspect, wherein the connection section storage tray having the connection section storage area therein, and an extra length storage for storing the extra length of the optical fiber. The tray and the tray are stacked.

[0010] With such a configuration, the extra-length storage tray suitable for storing the extra length and the connection portion storage tray suitable for storing the connection portion are provided, so that the extra length in the connection portion storage tray is provided. The storage space can be greatly reduced, the installation space for the holder part can be sufficiently secured, and the extra length of the optical fiber and the connection part can be separately separated and stored at high density.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the optical fiber tray according to the second aspect, wherein the extra length storage trays are stacked on both sides of the connecting portion storage tray, respectively, and the extra length storage trays are provided. A space communicating with the connection portion storage tray is provided therebetween.

With such a configuration, the optical fiber having the extra length stored in the extra length storage tray is disposed in the space provided between the extra length storage trays and introduced into the connection portion storage tray. Is done.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the optical fiber tray according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the holding optical fiber tray stores an optical fiber which is not connected to another optical fiber. Are stacked on the connection part storage tray or the extra length storage tray.

With this configuration, the holding optical fibers are stored in the holding optical fiber tray, taken out as needed, and used for connecting the optical fibers. Since the holding optical fiber tray is stacked near the extra length storage tray and the connection portion storage tray and provided near these, the take-out operation, the connection operation between the optical fibers, the extra length and the extra length storage of the connection portion are performed. The work of storing in the tray and the connection part storage tray becomes easy.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the optical fiber tray according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the connection portion storage tray has an inlet for introducing an optical fiber opposed thereto. A connection part storage area provided on both sides and having a plurality of holder parts holding the connection part dispersed therein is extended from the vicinity of each introduction port toward the introduction port on the other side. .

This optical fiber tray is suitable for accommodating a connection portion formed by a rear branch connection of an optical fiber cable. In other words, in this optical fiber tray, by arranging the inlets in accordance with both sides of the outer skin removal range accompanying the rear branch of the optical fiber cable, the extra length of the optical fiber drawn out from both sides of the outer skin removal range is reduced. Can be easily stored. Moreover, since the holder portions are dispersedly arranged in the connection portion storage areas extending from the vicinity of each inlet,
The holding position of the connection portion can be freely selected according to the extra length of the optical fiber.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An optical fiber tray according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

3 and 4 show an optical fiber cable K passed through the closure 1 and other optical fiber cables L, L... And FIG. The connecting portions of the optical fibers drawn from these optical fiber cables K, L, L... Are stored in an optical fiber tray A provided in the closure 1 with an extra length.
As the optical fiber, a single-core or multi-core optical fiber core wire or the like is used.

In FIG. 1, the optical fiber tray A is
Connecting part storage tray 3 for storing connecting parts between optical fibers
And extra length storage trays 4 and 4 for storing extra lengths of optical fibers.
And storage optical fiber trays 5 and 5 for storing storage optical fibers that are not connected to another optical fiber. Specifically, a pair of extra-length storage trays 4, 4 are stacked facing each other on the connection storage tray 3, and a pair of reserved optical fiber trays 5, 5 are stacked on each extra-length storage tray 4, 4. Have been. The respective trays are connected by hinges H, H,..., So that opening and closing operations by rotation between the trays are enabled.

As shown in FIG. 2 and FIGS.
The connection portion storage tray 3 provided at the bottom stores the connection portion between optical fibers and the extra length inside the rib-like wall portion 36 raised around the bottom plate 31.
Optical fiber inlets 33, 33 are provided on the side portion 31a on the optical fiber cable K side, and the inlet port 3 is provided on the opposite side portion 31b, on the opposite side wall portions 36 of the connection portion storage tray 3.
4, 34 are respectively opened. Here, inlet 3
As shown in FIG. 4, the introduction ports 34 and 34 are provided with the optical fibers F2 drawn out of the optical fiber cable L so that the optical fibers F1 and the like drawn out of the optical fiber cable K are introduced. Etc. are formed. Further, an optical fiber introduction groove 35 for guiding the optical fiber introduced from the introduction port 34 to the introduction area T is formed to extend from the introduction port 34 along the side portion 31b. The tongue pieces 37, 37,... Extending inward from the wall portion 36 function as holding pieces for holding the optical fibers F1, F2, and the like into the connection portion storage tray 3. Inside the connection part storage tray 3, connection part storage areas R in which a plurality of holder parts 32 for detachably holding the connection parts C are arranged in a dispersed manner are allocated to opposing sides corresponding to the respective optical fiber introduction ports 33. Are located.

In the vicinity of the inlet 33 of each connection portion storage region R, a curved excess length storage portion S for slightly bending and absorbing the short excess length of the short excess length optical fiber is provided. In addition, the introduction region T provided in the region sandwiched between the connection portion storage regions R, R is used for sorting optical fibers routed between the other trays 4, 5 stacked. Here, in order to guide the optical fiber to the introduction region T, optical fiber communication grooves 38 are provided in a portion of the side portion 31b facing the introduction region T.

FIGS. 5 to 9 are enlarged views of a symmetrical one side portion of the connection portion storage tray 3 shown in FIG. As described above, a large number of holder portions 32 are dispersedly arranged in the connection portion storage region R. That is, in the connection part storage region R, a plurality of rows in which a plurality of holder parts 32 are arranged in parallel (the protruding pieces 321 of each holder part 32 are arranged in parallel) are provided in the longitudinal direction. Where each column is
The connection portion storage tray 3 is provided obliquely at a predetermined angle with respect to the longitudinal direction.

One holder section 32 is shown in FIGS.
As shown in (c), it is constituted by a set of projecting pieces 321, 321 projecting from the bottom plate 31. Protruding piece 3
At both ends of 21, holding portions 32 for connecting portions are vertically arranged.
2 and 322 are provided, and are formed so as to extend obliquely toward another protruding piece 321. These protruding pieces 3
Are provided in parallel with each other along the side portion 31a, and the protruding pieces 321, 321...
It is configured such that an optical fiber is inserted between them.

As shown in FIG. 11, the extra length storage tray 4 is formed to be slightly smaller than half of the connection part storage tray 3, and as shown in FIG.
And is stacked thereon so as to cover the respective connection portion storage regions R. Here, the reason why the extra-length storage tray is formed to be slightly smaller than half of the connection-portion storage tray 3 is that the wiring space 7 is formed above the introduction area T so as not to block the introduction area T when being stacked. Is to be ensured. The extra storage tray 4 is rotatably connected to the connection storage tray 3 by a hinge H. An optical fiber inlet 43 and an inlet 44 are provided on the side portion 41b where the hinge portion H is provided. Here, introduction port 4
As shown in FIG. 4, 3 is provided for introducing the optical fiber F2 or the like drawn from the branch optical fiber cables L, L. When the tray A is stored in the closure 1, the tray A is located on the opposite side of the optical fiber cable K. On the other hand, the introduction port 44 is for wiring an optical fiber to the connection part storage tray 3 and is arranged facing the wiring space 7 secured above the introduction area T. . A guide piece 48 is formed to extend from the introduction port 44 so as to give an appropriate curvature to the optical fiber entering and exiting the introduction port 44. At the center of the extra-length storage tray 4, a winding part 45 for bending the introduced optical fiber is provided so as to rise from the bottom plate 41. Further, a wall 46 is provided on the outer edge of the extra length storage tray 4 to be perpendicular to the bottom plate 41 to prevent the optical fibers from dropping. The tongues 47 projecting inward from the wall 46 prevent the optical fibers in the extra length storage tray 4 from jumping out.

As shown in FIG. 12, the holding optical fiber tray 5 has substantially the same outer shape as the extra length storage tray 4 in a plan view, and as shown in FIG.
4, and are rotatably engaged with the extra length storage tray 4 by the hinge portion H. An optical fiber inlet 53 is provided at the side 51b where the hinge H is provided.
Is provided. In the center, a winding part 55 for bending the holding optical fiber is provided so as to rise from the bottom plate 51. Further, a bottom plate 51 is provided on the outer edge of the holding optical fiber tray 5 to prevent the optical fibers from dropping.
Are perpendicularly provided on the wall portion, and tongue pieces 57 project from the wall portion 56 inward. By these tongue pieces 57, 57,...
The inside optical fiber is held down so as not to jump out.

Further, the open side of the holding optical fiber tray 5 is connected to the holding optical fiber tray 5 through a hinge H.
It is opened and closed by the rotation of a lid 6 (see FIG. 13) provided at the.

Optical fiber cable K for rear branch connection
When the optical fiber F1 or the like is taken out and cut, for example, as shown in FIG.
The optical fiber F1 is introduced from the inlet 33 on the left side of the drawing. At this time, the connection part storage tray 3 is lifted such that the excess storage tray 4 (left side in FIG. 14) stacked on the upper part is rotated by the hinge H, and the upper side is open. On the other hand, the optical fiber F2 output from the branching optical fiber cable L is connected to the extra storage tray 4 (FIG. 14) stacked on the connection storage tray 3 from the right side in FIG.
It is inserted into the inlet 43 (on the right side of the paper).

After the optical fiber F1 and the optical fiber F2 are connected by fusion splicing or the like, the connection portion C is held and stored in any one of the holder portions 32 in the connection portion storage region R. At this time, among the plurality of holders 32 arranged in a distributed manner, one having a curved radius of curvature that does not impose a load on the optical fiber F1 when the connecting portion C is accommodated is selected.

When the connection operation is performed by fusion splicing, it is necessary to provide an extra connection length that can be routed to a fusion splicer. Adjusted by S. The extra length of the other optical fiber F2 inserted from the introduction port 43 is wound around the winding portion 45 in the extra length storage tray 4 and absorbed. And introduction port 4
4 and the optical fiber communication groove 38, the wiring is led to the introduction region T, and the extra length is appropriately adjusted by the curvature in the introduction region T.

Since the excess length of the optical fiber F1 is not so large, if the fusion splicing fails and the excess length becomes short, the connection position of the connecting portion so that the optical fiber F1 is appropriately curved is also accompanied by this. Change. If the connection work fails,
If the extra length of the short optical fiber F1 is further shortened, the extra length of the optical fiber F2 is pulled out from the extra length storage tray 4 and the holder 3 close to the inlet 33 is set.
The connection part is stored in 2. In this manner, the most appropriate one of the plurality of holder portions 32 provided in the longitudinal direction of the connection portion storage tray 3 corresponding to various extra lengths is selected, and the storage portion is held. These operations are performed in the same manner when switching optical fibers.

As shown in FIG. 15, for example, as shown in FIG.
In the case where the optical fiber F2 is located on the left side of FIG. 15, the optical fiber F2 is inserted from the introduction port 34 of the connection part storage tray 3. When the optical fiber is wired, the other optical fiber F2 inserted from the introduction port 34 is wired from the optical fiber introduction groove 35 to the introduction region T, and furthermore, the winding portion 4 in the extra length storage tray 4.
5 and the excess length is absorbed. Then, wiring is performed again from the introduction port 44 to the optical fiber communication groove 38, guided to the introduction area T, and the excess length is appropriately adjusted by bending in the introduction area T.

In this way, the short and long optical fibers F1 and F2 are connected, and the connection portion C is stored in the selected holder 32.

The optical fibers that are output from the branch optical fiber cable L and are not connected to other optical fibers are supplied from the inlet 53 to the holding optical fiber trays 5 and 5 stacked on the extra length storage trays 4 and 4. It is inserted, wound around the winding part 55 and stored. When it is necessary to connect the optical fibers, they are taken out without giving vibrations or the like to the other optical fibers in the live state, and the connection work and the like are advanced.

As described above, according to the optical fiber tray A shown in FIGS. 1 to 13, the connecting portion C formed by the rear branch connection can be appropriately stored. That is,
In this optical fiber tray A, an optical fiber cable K
Inlet 3 according to both sides of the hull removal area following the fork
By arranging 3, 33, even if the extra length of the optical fiber F1 pulled out from both sides of the outer skin removal range is short, it can be easily stored. Moreover, since the holders 32, 32,... Are dispersedly arranged in the connection part storage areas R extending from the vicinity of each of the inlets 33, 33, the holding position of the connection part C is set to the extra length of the optical fiber F1. You can choose freely according to your needs.

Since the rows in which the holder portions 32 are provided in parallel are provided obliquely so that the distance from the inlet 33 is different from the longitudinal direction, the connection portion storage position is adjusted according to a slight difference in extra length. Can be selected. Further, when the connecting portions are stored and taken out from the holder portion 32, since the positions are shifted from each other, the connecting portions can be gripped without interfering with the connecting portions stored in the other rows. And workability can be improved. Further, as a visual effect that the rows are provided diagonally, the positions of the rows can be identified by the difference in the positions in the longitudinal direction, so that erroneous wiring can be prevented and the workability can be improved.

Further, a connection portion storage tray 3 for storing the optical fiber connection portion C, and a surplus length storage tray 4 for storing the surplus length.
Are provided separately, the extra-length storage space in the connection portion storage tray 3 can be greatly reduced, and the installation space for the holder portion 32 can be sufficiently ensured. The connection part can be accommodated. As shown in FIG. 10, two connecting portions can be accommodated in the holder by means of holding portions 322, 322,... Further, it can be stored at high density.

Further, since the holding optical fiber storage tray 5 is stacked as a separate body and the holding optical fiber is stored therein, a desired optical fiber can be easily taken out, workability can be improved, and the same tray as that of the above can be used. Since it is not inside, there is no possibility that other optical fibers in the live state will be affected by vibrations or the like during the operation.

In the above-described embodiment, it is assumed that the optical fibers are connected by fusion splicing. However, the connection portion is not limited to the fusion splicing. It goes without saying that the connection may be based on a system connection.

[0039]

The present invention has the following effects. As described above, according to the optical fiber tray according to the first aspect, since the holder for holding the connecting portion is provided inside the connecting portion storage area in which a plurality of holders are dispersedly arranged, the extra length of the optical fiber is different. The storage position of the connection portion can be freely selected in accordance with the above. Furthermore, a large number of connection parts can be stored in the connection part storage area at a high density.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the connection portion storage tray for storing the connection portion of the optical fiber and the extra length storage tray for storing the extra length are provided separately, so that the inside of the connection portion storage tray is provided. Since the extra storage space can be greatly reduced and the installation space for the holder portion can be sufficiently secured, a large number of connection portions can be stored in one connection portion storage tray.

According to the optical fiber tray of the third aspect, when the optical fiber is wired between the extra length storage tray and the connection portion storage tray, the space for communicating the extra length storage tray and the connection portion storage tray. Since the optical fibers are wired to the optical fiber and are not exposed to the outside of the optical fiber tray, it is possible to prevent the optical fibers from being brought into contact with and vibrating during the operation. Further, the optical fiber is, of the extra-length storage trays provided on the opposite sides of the connection portion storage tray,
When the extra length is stored in one of the extra length storage trays, wiring is performed toward the opposite side of the extra length storage tray of the connection portion storage tray, so that excessive bending is not added at the time of wiring.

According to the optical fiber tray according to the fourth aspect, the holding optical fiber storage tray is laminated as a separate body and the holding optical fiber is stored therein, so that the holding optical fiber storage tray can be stored from the holding optical fiber storage tray. The extraction, connection, and extra length processing of the optical fiber can be performed in the same optical fiber tray, and the connection and extra length processing can be efficiently performed without adversely affecting the surrounding optical fibers in a live state.

According to the optical fiber tray according to the fifth aspect, even if the excess length of the optical fiber drawn out from both sides of the outer skin removal range accompanying the rear branch of the optical fiber cable is short, it can be easily stored. In addition, since the holder portions are dispersedly arranged in the connection portion storage area, the holding position of the connection portion can be freely selected according to the extra length of the optical fiber.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a view showing one embodiment of an optical fiber tray according to the present invention, in which (a) is a plan view and (b) is a view;
It is a front view, (c) right side view.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are diagrams showing connection portion storage trays of the optical fiber tray according to the present invention, wherein FIG.
(B) It is a front view.

FIG. 3 is a view showing one embodiment of the optical fiber tray according to the present invention, and is a front view showing a state in which the optical fiber tray is housed in a closure.

FIG. 4 is a view showing an embodiment of the optical fiber tray according to the present invention, and is a plan view showing a state where the optical fiber tray is housed in a closure.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a half of a connection portion storage tray of the optical fiber tray according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a front view showing a half of a connection portion storage tray of the optical fiber tray according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a rear view showing a half of the connection portion storage tray of the optical fiber tray according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a bottom view showing a half of the connection portion storage tray of the optical fiber tray according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along a center line of the connection portion storage tray of the optical fiber tray according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a view showing a holder portion of a connection portion storage tray of the optical fiber tray according to the present invention,
(A) is a plan view, (b) is a front view, and (c) is a right side view.

FIGS. 11A and 11B are diagrams showing extra length storage trays of the optical fiber tray according to the present invention, wherein FIG.
(B) It is a front view.

FIGS. 12A and 12B are views showing a holding optical fiber tray of the optical fiber tray according to the present invention, and are respectively (a) a plan view and (b) a front view.

FIG. 13 is a view showing a cover of the optical fiber tray according to the present invention, which is (a) a plan view, (b) a front view, and (c) a right side view.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of connection between optical fibers using the optical fiber tray according to the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing another example of the connection between optical fibers using the optical fiber tray according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

A: optical fiber tray, K: main optical fiber cable, L: branch optical fiber cable, R ...
Connection part storage area, 3 ... Connection part storage tray, 4 ...
Extra storage tray, 5 ... Reserved optical fiber tray, 7.
..Space, 32 ... holder part, 33 ... inlet

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Kazuya Ogata 1440 Mutsuzaki, Sakura City, Chiba Prefecture Inside Fujikura Sakura Office (72) Inventor Yoshikazu Nomura 1440 Mutsuzaki, Sakura City, Chiba Prefecture Inside Fujikura Sakura Office F-term (reference) 2H036 RA23 RA25 2H038 CA37 CA38

Claims (5)

[Claims] An optical fiber tray for storing an extra length of an optical fiber and a connection portion between optical fibers, wherein a connection portion storage area (32) in which a plurality of holder portions (32) for holding the connection portion are dispersedly arranged. A tray (A) for an optical fiber, wherein the tray (A) is provided therein. 2. The optical fiber tray according to claim 1, wherein the connection part storage tray (3) having the connection part storage area therein, and an extra length storage tray (4) for storing an extra length of the optical fiber. And an optical fiber tray. 3. The optical fiber tray according to claim 2, wherein the extra length storage trays are respectively stacked on opposite sides of the connection portion storage tray, and the connection portion storage tray is provided between the extra length storage trays. An optical fiber tray, wherein a space (7) communicating with the optical fiber is secured. 4. The optical fiber tray according to claim 1, wherein the holding optical fiber tray (5) for storing an optical fiber that is not connected to another optical fiber is provided at the connection portion. An optical fiber tray laminated on a storage tray or the extra-length storage tray. 5. The optical fiber tray according to claim 1, wherein the connection portion storage tray is provided on both sides of the optical fiber introducing port (33) facing the optical fiber. An optical fiber tray, wherein a connection part storage area in which a plurality of holder parts holding the connection parts are dispersedly arranged extends from the vicinity of each introduction port toward the introduction port on the other side. .