JP2002236219A - Optical wiring board - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optical wiring board which enables the increased number of optical connecting parts to be stored with high density and which excels in workability. SOLUTION: The optical wiring board is equipped with a tray 21 (22) and a plurality of optical connecting modules 40 in which multiple coated optical fibers 51 are introduced from one end and in which a connecting adaptor 42 is installed on the other end for optical fibers 52 on equipment side. The optical connecting modules 40 are fixed on the tray 21 (22) through a rotary mechanism (hinge 60) so as to hold the connecting adaptor side in a raised state.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical distribution board for branching and connecting an optical fiber cable to another optical fiber. In particular, the present invention relates to an optical wiring board that can accommodate more optical connection parts in a compact manner and is excellent in workability.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There are two types of optical distribution boards: a connector type in which optical connection portions are independently connected for each single core, and a module type using a connection adapter in which a plurality of cores are collectively terminated.

As shown in FIG. 8, the connector type includes a fusion splicing portion tray 5, a center tray 15, and an optical connection portion storage tray 20 in a storage case 10 in order from the bottom. The line-side optical fiber 50 (multi-core optical fiber cable) is introduced from the left side in the figure, and the device-side optical fiber 52 is drawn out from the right side in the figure.

Line-side optical fiber introduced into case 10
50 is introduced into the fusion splice tray 5. In the fusion splicing part tray 5, the line side optical fiber 50 and the non-branch end of the branching optical fiber cord 51 'are fusion spliced and stored with a sufficient extra length before and after this connection part. . Branching optical fiber cord 51 'pulled out of the fusion splicing part tray 5.
Is introduced into the storage tray 20 through the center tray 15 from the left side in the figure. The reason why the branching optical fiber cord 51 ′ is once introduced into the storage tray 20 from the left side of the drawing through the center tray 15 is to separate the device side optical fiber 52 from the line side optical fiber 50 by drawing out the device side optical fiber 52 from the right side of the drawing.

As shown in FIG. 9, the storage tray 20 is formed in two stages, upper and lower, and a rotating shaft located at a front corner of the lower tray.
The upper tray 21 is rotatably connected by 71. Thus, the upper tray 21 is configured to be able to rotate so as to slide and to be pulled out forward of the lower tray 22.

The branching optical fiber cord 51 'is accommodated in the upper and lower trays 21 and 22 with a sufficient extra length, and the branching ends thereof are connected to the single-unit optical fiber through the independent connectors 90. Connected to 52. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-339823 discloses a document that discloses a configuration similar to that of the optical distribution board.

On the other hand, the module type is disclosed in, for example,
There is one described in JP-A-33246. In general, an optical connection module is a thin case, and the module case has a non-branched multi-core optical fiber core wire or a multi-core optical fiber cord introduction hole at one end, and a single-core branched optical connection at the other end. Has an adapter. The multi-core optical fiber core wire (cord) introduced into the module case has a surplus length, is branched into a single core, and connected to the connection adapter. The adapter is configured to be able to connect a device side optical fiber with a connector.

Normally, such modules are arranged vertically, that is, a plurality of connection adapters are arranged in parallel along the vertical direction, and only the module to be worked is pulled forward to insert and remove the optical fiber for equipment. It is configured.

[0009]

However, in the conventional optical wiring board, there is a problem that it is difficult to increase the number of optical connection parts housed in the optical wiring board.

<In the case of connector type> A large extra length of the branching optical fiber cord 51 'is required in the tray, and the extra length space and each connector are inserted and removed in order to accommodate the connector 90 for each single core in the tray. Work intervals are required, and the number of optical connection units to be stored is limited. Also, the fusion splicing section tray 5 and the center tray 15
Storage space is required, and the number of optical connection unit storage trays 20 that can be stored is also an obstacle to high density.

<In the case of module type> The adapter is arranged along the vertical direction so as to be able to be pulled out forward and backward, so that it is necessary to have a sufficient extra length to cope with the pulling-out operation. For this reason, a large extra space is required, and it is difficult to store optical connection parts at high density. Also, in the case of the conventional module type, the point that the fusion splicing portion tray is required is the same as that of the connector type.

Accordingly, it is a main object of the present invention to provide an optical wiring board which can accommodate a larger number of optical connection parts at high density and is excellent in workability.

[0013]

According to the present invention, the above object is achieved by using an optical connection module and devising an arrangement structure of the module in a tray.

That is, the optical wiring board of the present invention includes a tray and an optical connection module. The optical connection module includes a multi-core optical fiber core having a connection adapter that is non-branched at one end and mono-branched at the other end. The optical connection module is characterized in that the connection adapter is fixed in the tray in parallel with the tray bottom surface.

By using the optical connection module, a larger number of optical fiber connection portions can be stored in the tray as compared with the case where connectors for each single core are stored in the tray.

Further, by fixing this module in the tray, it is not necessary to put the module in and out, so that the extra length of the branching optical fiber corresponding to this forward and backward movement can be shortened. Thus, further multi-core storage can be realized. 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a connector-type optical wiring board requires a large extra storage space before and after a fusion splicing portion and before and after a branch point of a branch optical fiber cord. In the optical distribution board of the present invention, by using the optical connection module, the extra length before and after the fusion spliced portion between the line side optical fiber and the multi-core optical fiber core wire can be stored in the tray, and the extra length storage space Can be reduced.

Further, by arranging the modules so that the adapter is horizontal with the bottom surface of the horizontal tray, each tray can be formed thin. The arrangement structure may be either parallel or tandem or a combination of both.

Here, since a single-core device-side optical fiber is connected to the connection adapter by a connector, it is necessary to insert and remove each device-side optical fiber connector from the adapter. To facilitate this work, it is preferable to fix the module with a space between the connection adapter and the tray bottom. This interval is preferably of a size such that a finger can be inserted. This gap is formed by tapering the vertical section of the module bottom so that the connection adapter is higher, by interposing a support member on the module bottom so that the connection adapter is higher, or by forming a recess in the tray bottom. Is mentioned. On the other hand, when the above-mentioned interval is not formed, it is preferable to insert and remove the connection adapter from the connector of the apparatus-side optical fiber by using a jig or the like which engages with the end of the connector.

Preferably, the optical connection module is fixed to the tray via a rotating mechanism so as to hold the connection adapter side up. If the connection adapter side can be raised from the bottom of the tray, a space for inserting a finger below the optical fiber connector on the device side can be formed, and it is easy to insert and remove the connector of the optical fiber side on the device with fingers from above and below. it can. Conversely, when the work is not performed, the module can be brought into close contact with the tray bottom surface to minimize the height of the module in the tray, and the thickness of the tray itself can be reduced.

It is preferable to use a hinge to hold the connection adapter side up. Some of the hinges are set to open and close using elastic material,
There are normal ones that open and close smoothly. In the case where the former is used, the optical connection module can be held in that state by simply raising the optical connection module without using any mechanism. On the other hand, if the latter is used, simply raising the optical connection module will return it to its original collapsed state,
It is preferable to dispose a support leg which can be turned upside down on the lower surface of the module, and hold the module in an upright state by the support leg.

The optical connection module is arranged in a single layer in the tray. This makes it possible to reduce the thickness of one tray and arrange a larger number of trays to enable high-density storage.

Further, it is preferable that the tray has a holder for holding a fusion spliced portion between the line side optical fiber and the multi-core optical fiber core wire. By using the optical connection module, the extra length connected to the fusion splicing portion can be stored in the tray. For this reason, the fusion splicing portion tray and the center tray, which are conventionally required, are also unnecessary, and a tray for accommodating the module is arranged in the space between the fusion splicing portion and the rate center tray, thereby enabling high-density storage. That is, the line-side optical fiber can be directly introduced into the storage tray of the module without passing through the fusion splicing portion tray or the center tray.

The arrangement of the optical connection modules in the optical wiring board of the present invention can be applied to the conventional tray structure in which the switching operation is performed in a state where the horizontally arranged tray is pulled out forward. It is preferable to apply the present invention to a tray having a laminated structure, from the viewpoint of multicore storage and workability.

The tray having the laminated structure includes a main tray,
An auxiliary tray is stacked on the main tray, and each of the two trays accommodates an optical connection module. And it has the following three rotation mechanisms.

A first rotating mechanism having an axis along the rear end of the main tray as a rotation axis so that the front of the main tray rotates vertically. A second rotation mechanism having a rotation axis as a rotation axis so that the auxiliary tray can be rotated forward of the main tray and pulled out. A third rotating mechanism that uses an axis along the front end of the main tray as a rotation axis so that an angle with respect to the main tray can be changed in a state where the auxiliary tray is pulled out in front of the main tray.

With such a laminated tray,
Further high-density storage is realized by making the tray a laminated structure. In addition, it is not necessary to pull out the main tray itself when replacing the optical connection part. At this time, the auxiliary tray is suspended in front of the main tray, that is, the auxiliary tray can be arranged vertically, and workability is not hindered even when the space in front of the main tray is small.

[0027]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. 1 is a front view of the optical wiring board of the present invention with a door opened, FIG. 2 is a side view of the same, FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an optical connection module storage tray, FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the inside of the storage tray, and FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an optical connection module.

As shown in FIG. 1, the optical distribution board has a structure in which a plurality of storage trays 2 are stacked and arranged in a storage case 10. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the storage tray 20 is arranged with its front lower and its rear higher, and extends along the rear end of the storage tray 20 so as to rotate up and down in front of the storage tray 20. It is mounted in a storage case via a first rotation mechanism 30 having a shaft as a rotation axis.

Each storage tray 20 includes a lower main tray 21 and an upper auxiliary tray 22.
An optical connection module case 40 is housed in 2 (FIG. 3). The operations of the main tray 21 and the auxiliary tray 22 will be described later in detail.

The multi-core optical fiber cable (the line-side optical fiber 50) introduced into the storage case 10 is pulled upward as it is, and the main tray 21 of the storage tray is taken from the left side in FIG.
And the device-side optical fiber 52 is pulled out from the left side. FIG. 4 shows how the line-side optical fiber 50, the multi-core optical fiber core wire 51, and the device-side optical fiber 52 are routed inside the storage tray.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a state where the upper auxiliary tray 22 is slid and shifted from the lower main tray 21. On one side wall of the main tray 21, a line-side optical fiber 50 is provided.
Is formed, from which the line side optical fiber 50 is introduced into the main tray. A part of the introduced line-side optical fiber 50 is fusion-spliced to the non-branched end of the multi-core optical fiber core wire 51 in the main tray. The remaining line-side optical fiber 50 has a notch 26 formed in a part of the bottom surface of the auxiliary tray.
, And is similarly fused to the non-branched end of the multi-core optical fiber core wire 51. The holder 24 that holds the fusion splicing portions 53 is provided in the main (auxiliary) tray, and each fusion splicing portion 53 is held by the holder 24. The holder 24 has a configuration in which gutter-shaped grooves are arranged in parallel.
Hold it by fitting it into the groove.

Further, the multi-core optical fiber core wire 51 is
After taking a little extra length in 1 and 22, it is introduced into each optical connection module case 40. In this example, one main (auxiliary) tray 2
Five optical connection module cases 40 were fixed to 1 and 22 in parallel. In the optical connection module case 40, the connection adapter 42 (FIG. 5) is arranged in a direction along the bottom surfaces of the main (auxiliary) trays 21 and 22, that is, in a horizontal position.

FIG. 5 shows the configuration of the optical connection module. The optical connection module is in the form of a thin rectangular case, and a multi-core optical fiber core wire inlet 41 is provided at one end of the module case 40.
And a connection adapter 42 at the other end. Inlet 41
The multi-core optical fiber core wire 51 pulled in from is wound around the annular extra-length storage section 43, is branched into a single core, and is connected to one surface of the connection adapter 42 (inside the module case).
The other surface (outside the module case) of the connection adapter 42 is configured so that the device-side optical fiber 52 can be connected by inserting a connector 54. In the present embodiment, the connection adapter 42 can connect the 8-core device-side optical fiber 52 with a connector. In FIG. 5, only one device-side optical fiber 52 is shown, and the other is omitted.

Here, one end of the optical connection module case 40 is connected to the main (auxiliary) tray 2 via a hinge 60 (rotating mechanism).
Fixed to the bottom of 1,22. The hinge 60 can hold the connection adapter side of the module case 40 at an arbitrary angle (indicated by a two-dot chain line). For example, B-1109-3 manufactured by Takigen Corporation can be used. As a result, the module case 40 is normally stored in the storage tray with the adapter side of the module case 40 down. Further, when the connector 54 of the device side optical fiber is replaced, the connector 54 can be pinched from above and below by raising the connection adapter side at a predetermined angle, and any connector 54 can be replaced with good workability. .

For convenience of explanation, FIG. 5 shows the internal configuration of the module case 40, but the module case 40 is actually covered.

Next, the structure and operation of the storage tray 20 having a two-tiered structure will be described with reference to FIGS. 3, 4, 6, and 7. FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, the storage tray 20 includes a first rotation mechanism 30, but further includes a second rotation mechanism 70 and a third rotation mechanism 80.
It has.

The main tray 21 and the auxiliary tray 22 are
Having a rotation axis in the stacking direction provided at the front corner of
They are connected by a rotation mechanism 70. This second rotation mechanism 70
As a result, the main tray 21 and the auxiliary tray 22 can be held in an overlapping state as shown in FIG. 3, and the auxiliary tray 22 can be slid and rotated to the front of the main tray 21 as shown in FIG. Can be.

Further, a third rotation mechanism 80 having a shaft along the front end of the main tray 21 as a rotation axis so that the angle with respect to the main tray 21 can be changed in a state where the auxiliary tray 22 is pulled out in front of the main tray 21. Equipped. The side portion of the drawn-out auxiliary tray 22 can be hooked on the front portion of the main tray 21 facing the front side by a latch 27 (FIG. 3). Thereby, as shown in FIG. 6, the auxiliary tray 22 can be held in a state of being lowered forward of the main tray 21. Therefore, the work of switching the optical fiber connector 54 can be performed in a state where the auxiliary tray 22 is held in a substantially vertical direction, and the installation location of the optical distribution board is a space such as a passage in front of the storage tray 20. Even if the space is narrow, a sufficient work space can be secured and smooth work can be performed.

When actually performing the work of switching the device side optical fibers to the storage trays other than the uppermost one, as shown in FIG. 7, all the storage trays 20B located above the storage tray 20A where the work is performed are removed. The first rotation mechanism 30 pivots upward and holds it. This holding is performed by rotating a stopper 25 attached to the side surface of the storage tray 20 and hanging it on a stopper (not shown).

When all the storage trays 20B located above the storage tray 20 on which the work is performed are flipped up, the upper surface of the storage tray 20A to be worked is exposed. Therefore, auxiliary tray 2
2 is slid and rotated by the second rotation mechanism 70 and the auxiliary tray 22 is held by the third rotation mechanism 80 in a state of hanging down in front of the main tray 21. A working space can be formed.

In the conventional optical wiring board shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the number of storage trays can be 21 and an optical connection portion (connector) having a maximum of 1000 cores can be stored. Without changing the size (780 x 350 x 2300mm), it is possible to store an optical connection unit (adapter) of up to 2400 cores with 30 storage trays.

[0042]

As described above, according to the optical wiring board of the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

By using the core type optical connection module, a larger number of optical fiber connection portions can be stored in the tray than in the case where connectors for each single core are stored in the tray.

By fixing the optical connection module in the tray, there is no need to move the module back and forth, and the extra length of the multi-core optical fiber core (cord) corresponding to this forward and backward movement can be shortened. And further multi-core storage can be realized.

By arranging the modules in parallel so that the adapter of the optical connection module is horizontal with the bottom surface of the horizontal tray, each tray can be formed thin, which can contribute to high-density storage.

By providing a rotating mechanism so as to hold the connection adapter side of the optical connection module in a raised state, it is possible to form a space where a finger can be inserted below the device-side optical fiber connector connected to the connection adapter, Workability can be improved.

By using the optical connection module, the fusion splicing part can be stored in the tray, and the extra length before and after the fusion splicing part can be stored in the tray. Along with this, the fusion splicing part tray and the center tray, which were conventionally required, are also unnecessary, and the number of trays accommodating the optical connection module can be significantly increased.

The storage tray has a two-stage structure of a main tray and an auxiliary tray.
By performing the slide rotation of the auxiliary tray by the second rotation mechanism and the rotation of the auxiliary tray by the third rotation mechanism, it is possible to secure high-density storage of the optical connection portion and good workability in a space-saving manner.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of an optical wiring board of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the optical wiring board of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an optical connection module storage tray.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the internal configuration of the storage tray.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the optical connection module.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state in which an auxiliary tray is hung forward of a main tray.

FIG. 7 is a partial side view showing a state where an auxiliary tray is hung forward of a main tray.

FIG. 8 is a front view showing a conventional optical distribution board.

FIG. 9 is a plan view showing the inside of a storage tray in a conventional optical wiring board.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Storage case 20 Storage tray 20A Storage tray 20B Storage tray 21 Main tray 22 Auxiliary tray 23 Inlet 24 Holder 25 Stopper 26 Notch 27 Hook 30 First rotating mechanism 40 Optical connection module case 41 Inlet 42 Connection adapter 43 Extra length Housing 50 Line-side optical fiber 51 Multi-core optical fiber core wire 51 'Branching optical fiber cord 52 Device-side optical fiber 53 Fusion splicing part 54 Connector 60 Hinge 70 Second rotating mechanism 80 Third rotating mechanism

Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Yoshihiro Doi 3-3-22 Nakanoshima, Kita-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture Inside Kansai Electric Power Company (72) Inventor Nobuyuki Tanaka 3-2-2, Nakanoshima, Kita-ku, Osaka City, Kansai, Kansai Inside Electric Power Company (72) Inventor Takayuki Sugimoto 3-3-22 Nakanoshima, Kita-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture Inside Kansai Electric Power Company (72) Inventor Keiji Kurimoto 20-2, Toda, Kitagawara, Itami-shi, Itami-shi, Hyogo Inside of Asahi Seiko Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Takashi Shioda 20-2, Toda, Kitagawara, Itami-shi, Hyogo F-term (reference) 2H038 AA22 CA35 CA37 CA38 CA52

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An optical connection module comprising: a tray; and a multi-core optical fiber core wire having a non-branched end and a single-branched connection adapter at the other end, wherein the optical connection module includes a connection adapter. An optical distribution board fixed in the tray in parallel with the bottom of the tray. 2. The optical wiring board according to claim 1, wherein the optical connection module is fixed to the tray via a rotating mechanism so as to hold the connection adapter side up. 3. The optical wiring board according to claim 1, wherein a holder for holding a fusion spliced portion between the line side optical fiber and the non-branched end of the multi-core optical fiber is provided in the tray.