JP2003139964A - Media converter and its installing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To attractively install an optical fiber while preventing the optical fiber from having bending loss and damage due to external force as much as possible. SOLUTION: A media converter which has a photoelectric conversion processing substrate 20 in a housing 10 and is characterized in that the optical fiber 2 led in the housing 10 from the outside is properly wound in the housing 10 and then connected to the photoelectric conversion processing substrate 20 is provided with fiber introduction holes 50, reaching the winding part of the optical fiber 2, at a plurality of places of the housing 10.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention comprises a photoelectric conversion processing substrate inside a housing, and an optical fiber introduced from outside is appropriately wound inside the housing and then connected to the photoelectric conversion processing substrate. The present invention relates to a media converter that is designed to do.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a wide band of communication has been rapidly advanced, and FTTH (Fiber To The Home) and FT
Communication technology using optical fibers such as TD (Fiber To The Desk) is becoming popular with individual users. In order to realize communication using such an optical fiber, a media converter is essential. That is, the media converter is interposed between an optical fiber applied in an optical communication system and a metal cable used in a communication terminal such as a personal computer to connect the optical fiber and the metal cable and to convert the optical signal from the optical signal. It is adapted to convert an electric signal or an electric signal into an optical signal.

FIG. 13 shows a general media converter of this type. The media converter is configured by including a photoelectric conversion processing substrate B inside a housing A, and is installed on a wall surface in a house through the housing A.

The housing A comprises a base housing A1 for accommodating the photoelectric conversion substrate B, and a lid housing A2 arranged to be openable and closable with respect to the base housing A1.

The photoelectric conversion substrate B has a function of converting an optical signal into an electric signal or from an electric signal into an optical signal, and various electronic components C are mounted on the upper surface thereof.

Further, a relay optical fiber E for connecting an optical fiber D drawn into the house from the outside is connected to the photoelectric conversion substrate B via an optical connector F, and a communication terminal M (see FIG. A modular connector G for connecting the metal cable L connected to (shown in FIG. 14) is mounted. Normally, the inlet H of the optical fiber D, the modular connector G, and the power cable J are provided at the bottom surface of the housing A installed on the wall surface.

In the media converter configured as described above, the optical fiber D drawn from the outdoors into the house and the optical fiber E for relay are welded or connected to each other via the splicer K, and then these optical fibers D are connected to each other. The extra length processing is performed by appropriately winding inside the housing A, and the housing is installed on the wall surface desired by the user. After that, if the metal cable L is connected to the above-described modular connector G, communication using the optical fiber D becomes possible from the communication terminal M such as a personal computer.

[0008]

By the way, as a method of pulling the optical fiber D into the house from the outside, usually, the lead-in port N of the existing telephone line is often used. The optical fiber D introduced from the telephone line entrance N is led out into the room in which the communication terminal M is installed, after being appropriately laid inside the wall.

Here, as shown in FIG. 14, when the media converter has to be installed below the telephone line entrance N, there are two methods as described below. That is, as shown in FIG.
The optical fiber D is laid inside the wall to a position below the media converter, and then it is pulled out into the house and introduced into the housing A from the fiber introduction port H.
Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 14B, the media is pulled into the house at a position above the media converter, and the wall surface is laid below the media converter, and then introduced into the housing A from the fiber introduction port H.

However, in the method shown in FIG. 14 (a), the optical fiber D must be sharply curved inside the narrow wall, and there is a possibility that the influence of bending loss will be great. .

On the other hand, in the method shown in FIG. 14B, since it is not necessary to bend the optical fiber D sharply,
There is no fear of increasing the bending loss. However, the amount of exposure of the optical fiber D to the home increases,
Not only is it unfavorable in appearance, but also the chance of damaging the optical fiber D by the action of external force is significantly increased.

On the other hand, as a method of holding the optical fiber D in the housing A of the media converter, as shown in FIGS. 15 (a) and 15 (b), the extension of the fiber introduction port H inside the base housing A1 is performed. Pinch groove P1 at the upper position
The holding member P having the
It is general that the lead-in end portion of the optical fiber D is sandwiched and held by the optical fiber 1.

However, the holding groove P of the holding member P is simply used.
When the optical fiber D is sandwiched and held in the optical fiber 1, the optical fiber D may be easily dropped if an external force in the pulling direction acts on the optical fiber D.

In such a situation, the width of the sandwiching groove P1 is made sufficiently smaller than the outer diameter of the optical fiber D, or the optical fiber D is screwed to the housing A.
It may be possible to prevent this by increasing the holding power of the optical fiber D. However, in the former case, an extremely large force is required when mounting the optical fiber D in the sandwiching groove P1, which makes the mounting work considerably complicated. In the latter case, not only the number of parts increases, but also FRP (FiverReinfor
Optical fiber D using non-metallic materials such as ced plastics)
In that case, the tension member may be damaged by screwing.

In addition, the extra length process performed after the optical fiber D and the relay optical fiber E, which have been drawn into the house from the outside, are connected to each other, photoelectric conversion is performed while maintaining the above-described allowable bending radius that minimizes the bending loss. This is performed on the upper surface of the conversion processing substrate B.

However, when various electronic components C are mounted on the upper surface of the photoelectric conversion substrate B, not only the electronic components C interfere with the extra length processing work but also during the work. When the electronic components C are contacted with each other, the electronic components C may have a defect such as a defective connection.

Further, the optical fiber D and the relay optical fiber E
As for the splicer K used for connecting and the connecting tool such as the reinforcing sleeve to be mounted after welding, see FIG.
6 (a) and FIG. 16 (b), the base housing A
The pair of elastic tongues Q provided on the base plate 1 hold it.

However, under the present circumstances, there is no standardized standard for the splicer K and the reinforcing sleeve (hereinafter simply referred to as a connecting tool), and although the individual shapes are similar, the sizes are subtly different. Therefore, FIG.
As shown in (c), when the size of the connecting tool K'is small, a gap is created between the elastic tongue Q and the claw portion Q1 and the connecting tool K'may fall off. As shown in FIG. 16D, when the size of the connector K ″ is large, it is difficult to even hold the connector K ″ by the elastic tongue piece Q.

In view of the above situation, it is an object of the present invention to provide a media converter capable of preventing bending loss and damage of an optical fiber due to an external force as much as possible, and providing a media converter and a method of installing the media converter. And

Further, the present invention provides a media converter capable of reliably holding an optical fiber in a housing without complicating the work, damaging the optical fiber and increasing the number of parts. With the goal.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a media converter which can easily carry out an extra length processing operation of an optical fiber without causing a defect in electronic parts.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a media converter capable of securely holding a connecting tool having a different size even if the connecting tool is applied.

[0023]

A media converter according to claim 1 of the present invention comprises a photoelectric conversion substrate inside a casing, and an optical fiber introduced from outside is appropriately wound inside the casing. After that, the media converter is adapted to be connected to the photoelectric conversion processing substrate, characterized in that a plurality of portions of the housing are provided with fiber introduction ports reaching the winding portion of the optical fiber.

A media converter according to a second aspect of the present invention includes a photoelectric conversion processing substrate inside the housing,
A media converter adapted to be connected to the photoelectric conversion processing substrate after appropriately winding an optical fiber introduced from the outside through a fiber introduction port inside the casing, wherein the optical fiber is wound from the fiber introduction port. A fiber holding means for sandwiching and holding the outer cover of the optical fiber when the outer cover of the optical fiber is inserted in a branched state is provided between the parts.

In the media converter according to claim 3 of the present invention, the fiber holding means described in claim 2 is line-symmetric with respect to the optical fiber extending from the fiber introduction port to the winding portion. It is characterized by being a comb tooth member having a pair of outer skin sandwiching grooves into which the outer skin of a branched optical fiber is inserted in an inclined manner.

Further, a media converter according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is provided with a photoelectric conversion processing substrate and a relay optical fiber inside a casing, and an optical fiber introduced from the outside and the relay optical fiber. A media converter which is connected by a connecting tool and which is connected to the photoelectric conversion processing substrate after appropriately winding the connected optical fiber inside the housing, wherein the housing has a claw portion. The elastic tongue piece is provided, and the elastic member is arranged at a portion facing the claw portion, and the connector is sandwiched between the claw portion of the elastic tongue piece and the elastic member.

Further, a media converter according to a fifth aspect of the present invention comprises a photoelectric conversion processing substrate inside the housing,
A media converter adapted to be connected to the photoelectric conversion processing substrate through a connector after appropriately winding an optical fiber introduced from the outside inside the housing,
While mounting the electronic components required for photoelectric conversion processing on one surface of the photoelectric conversion processing substrate, the connector is arranged so that it can be operated from the other surface side, and further the winding part of the optical fiber It is characterized in that it is formed on the other surface of the photoelectric conversion substrate.

Further, the media converter according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the fifth aspect, the winding portion of the optical fiber is configured in a manner of surrounding the periphery of the connector.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in a method for installing a media converter, a photoelectric conversion processing substrate is provided inside a housing, and the housing has a plurality of fiber introduction ports. A method of installing a media converter in which an optical fiber introduced from the outside through a mouth is appropriately wound inside the housing and then connected to the photoelectric conversion processing substrate, wherein an outdoor optical fiber is drawn into the wall. And install the housing on the wall surface in the house at a position on the extension of the laid optical fiber,
The optical fiber is introduced into the house on the front side of the housing, and then the optical fiber is introduced into the inside of the housing through a fiber introduction port provided at a portion facing the optical fiber.

[0030]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Preferred embodiments of a media converter according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a conceptual plan view showing the internal structure of a media converter according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
A perspective view showing the appearance of the media converter shown in FIG. 1;
3 is an arrow view III in FIG. 2, FIG. 4 is an arrow view IV in FIG. 2, and FIG. 5 is a sectional side view of the media converter shown in FIG. The media converter 1 illustrated here is interposed between an optical fiber applied in an optical communication system and a metal cable used in a communication terminal such as a personal computer installed in a home, and connects the optical fiber and the metal cable. And performing conversion from an optical signal to an electrical signal or from an electrical signal to an optical signal. In the present embodiment,
As shown in FIG. 7, as the optical fiber 2, the one coated with the outer cover 4 together with the pair of tension members 3 made of metal such as steel wire or non-metal such as FRP is applied, and as the metal cable 5, As shown in 2,
Category 5 twisted pair cables shall be applied.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the media converter 1 according to the present embodiment is configured by including a photoelectric conversion processing substrate inside the housing 10. The housing 10 is
Base case 10A for accommodating and holding the photoelectric conversion substrate 20
And a lid casing 10B arranged to be openable and closable with respect to the base casing 10A.
It is molded with a synthetic resin such as S (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene).

The photoelectric conversion processing substrate 20 has a function of converting an optical signal into an electric signal or from an electric signal into an optical signal, and one surface 20a of the photoelectric conversion processing substrate 20 has a surface 20a.
It is held by the base casing 10A in a state of facing the inner bottom wall.

One surface 2 of this photoelectric conversion substrate 20
0a, that is, the surface facing the inner bottom wall of the base casing 10A, as shown in FIG. 5, various electronic components 21 required for the above-described photoelectric conversion processing, specifically, ICs, capacitors, and resistors are mounted. I am doing it. On the other hand, on the other surface 20b of the photoelectric conversion processing substrate 20, as shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of fiber clips 22 are provided in a central portion thereof so as to draw a vertically elongated elliptical shape. An optical link 27 is mounted in the elliptical inner area drawn by the clip 22, while a modular connector (RJ45) 24 for metal cable and an AC power connector 25 are mounted in the elliptical outer area.

The fiber clip 22 is a fiber holder that can easily and surely hold the optical fiber 2 by inserting it from the surface and can easily pull out the optical fiber 2 by removing it from the surface. is there. The minimum radius of the elliptical shape drawn by the plurality of fiber clips 22 is set to be larger than the allowable bending radius of the optical fiber 2.

The optical link 27, as clearly shown in FIG.
On the other surface 20b of the photoelectric conversion substrate 20, a portion slightly above the center of the elliptical shape described above is gradually lowered toward the right, more specifically, in a horizontal line along the left-right direction. The tilted arrangement is such that it has an angle of approximately 40 °. An optical connector 23 and a relay optical fiber 26 are connected to the optical link 27.
The relay optical fiber 26 is wound in a clockwise direction along the inclination direction of the optical connector 23 and surrounding the optical connector 23, and is held by the fiber clip 22 so as to draw the elliptical shape described above. There is.

As shown in FIG. 3, the modular connector 24 has a modular plug fitting portion 24a for detachably fitting the modular plug 5a mounted on the end portion of the metal cable 5, and the modular plug fitting portion 24a is provided. Plug fitting part 24
The photoelectric conversion processing substrate 20 is mounted at a position on the lower left side of the photoelectric conversion substrate 20 in such a manner that a is exposed to the outside of the housing 10.

The AC power connector 25 has a plug mounting hole (not shown) for detachably mounting the plug 6a of the power cable 6, and the plug mounting hole is exposed to the outside of the housing 10. In this mode, the photoelectric conversion substrate 20 is mounted at the right lower end.

On the other hand, in the media converter 1, as shown in FIG. 1, a portion on the lower right side of the base casing 10A which is on the tangent line of the elliptical shape drawn by the fiber clip 22 and on the upper left side by the fiber clip 22. Comb-tooth members 30 are provided at respective portions on the substantially tangential line of the drawn elliptical shape, and the base housing 10A
On the left side edge of the bottom wall of the connector holding means 4
0 is set.

The comb tooth member 30 is shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, respectively.
As shown in FIG. 3, the fiber guide part 31 and the pair of outer skin holding parts 32 are provided, and the base part housing 10A is integrally molded with the base part housing 10A so as to project from the bottom wall of the base part housing 10A. . The fiber guide portion 31 is formed in a plate shape having a guide groove 31a at the projecting end portion, and is arranged in a horizontal manner along the left-right direction. The height of the bottom of the guide groove 31a is set to a position slightly higher than the upper surface of the photoelectric conversion processing substrate 20. The pair of outer skin holding portions 32 are in the form of a plate having outer skin sandwiching grooves 32a at each projecting end portion, and are arranged on both sides of the fiber guide portion 31 in an inclined manner. More specifically, in the comb-tooth member 30 (hereinafter, simply referred to as a lower comb-tooth member) provided at the lower right portion of the bottom wall of the base housing 10A, the fiber guide portion 31 has both right and left ends directed to both sides. A pair of outer skin holding portions 3 so that they gradually become lower.
2, the comb tooth member 30 (hereinafter, simply referred to as the upper comb tooth member) provided at the upper left portion of the bottom wall of the base housing 10A has both sides from the left and right ends of the fiber guide portion 31, respectively. The pair of outer skin holding portions 32 are arranged so as to be gradually downward toward the bottom. In the present embodiment, the left and right are inclined and arranged symmetrically with respect to the horizontal line along the left-right direction at an angle of approximately 25 °.

Guide grooves 31 provided in each fiber guide portion 31
The width a is formed to have a width sufficient to pass only the optical fiber 2 after the outer skin 4 is stripped off. On the other hand, the outer skin sandwiching groove 32a provided in each outer skin holding portion 32 has a width slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the outer skin 4 branched to the left and right so that the outer skin 4 branched to the left and right can be sandwiched and held. It is formed on. Specifically, when the width of the outer skin 4 branched to the left and right is 1.5 mm, the width of the outer skin sandwiching groove 32a is set to 0.
It is formed to have a width of 7 to 1.2 mm.

As shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, the connector holding means 40 has a holding base 41 and a pair of elastic tongues 42, and is integrally formed with the base casing 10A. . The holding base 41 is a trapezoidal portion provided in such a manner as to project from the bottom wall of the base casing 10A, and a holding wall 43 provided in the central portion.
And the peripheral walls 44 provided at the upper and lower end portions are divided into left and right. Each of the peripheral walls 44 has a fiber passage hole 44.
a is provided, and it is possible to pass the optical fiber 2 after the outer skin 4 has been stripped off to the left and right divided parts. The pair of elastic tongues 42 are erected on both sides of the holding base 41 so as to face each other, and as shown by the solid line in FIG. 10, extend in parallel to each other in the normal state, while FIG. As indicated by the chain double-dashed line in the figure, when an external force is applied, they can be elastically deformed in the directions of expanding each other. Each of the elastic tongues 42 is provided with a claw portion 42a at the upper end thereof. The claws 42a are provided so as to project inwardly from each other, and a surface thereof facing the holding base 41 (hereinafter, this surface is referred to as a locking surface 42b) is substantially perpendicular to the extending direction of the elastic tongue 42. Of the elastic tongue 42 on the free end side (hereinafter referred to as the guide surface 42).
(referred to as “c”) is gradually inclined inwardly toward the holding table 41.

The connector holding means 40 is provided with a sponge body 45 as an elastic member in each of the left and right divided portions of the holding base 41. The sponge body 45 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape and has a size that occupies most of the space defined between the left and right divided portions of the holding base 41 and the claw portions 42a of the elastic tongue 42. is doing.

Furthermore, the media converter 1 includes
A fiber introduction port 50 is provided in a portion of the lower peripheral wall of the casing 10 facing the fiber guide portion 31 of the lower comb tooth member 30, and the fiber guide portion 31 of the upper comb tooth member 30 is provided in the upper peripheral wall of the casing 10. A fiber introduction port forming portion 51 is provided at a facing portion. Fiber inlet 5
Reference numeral 0 denotes a hole defined between the base casing 10A and the lid casing 10B, and is configured to have a size sufficient for inserting the optical fiber 2 attached by the outer cover 4. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, the fiber introduction port forming portion 51 is closed in the initial state, but it is easily opened by applying an external force and is attached by the outer cover 4 to the optical fiber 2. This is a portion where the fiber introduction port 50 having a sufficient size for inserting the fiber can be formed. The fiber introduction port bottom portion 50a and the fiber introduction port forming bottom portion 51a are portions for determining the introduction position of the fiber introduction port 50, and the thickness thereof is, for example, that of the smallest wire protector (not shown). It is formed so as to be equivalent to the bottom portion.

A method for realizing optical communication in a home by applying the media converter 1 configured as described above will be described below. In the following, as shown in FIG. 12A, a method of installing the media converter 1 above the drawing-in portion of the optical fiber 2 from the outside will be described.

First, the optical fiber 2 used in the outdoor optical communication system is drawn into the wall through a hole provided in the outer wall 100, for example, a telephone line entrance 100a, and then the wire is laid sequentially upward. In addition, at the upper position, which is an extension of the laid optical fiber 2, the wall surface 10 in the house
The housing 10 of the media converter 1 is installed in the device 1. When the housing 10 is installed on the wall surface 101, as shown in FIG. 1, the modular connector 24 and the AC power connector 2
Take a posture in which the surface exposing 5 to the outside is downward.

Next, on the wall surface 101 in the house, the housing 1
A lead-in hole 101a is formed at a position lower than the installation position of 0, and the optical fiber 2 is led into the house. The optical fiber 2 pulled into the house is peeled off the outer skin 4 and then the housing 10
Through the fiber inlet 50 provided below the housing 10
To be introduced inside.

Then, the introduced optical fiber 2 is welded or connected to the relay optical fiber 26 by applying a splicer, and the extra length of the optical fiber 2 is appropriately wound and held by the fiber clip 22. Align it with an oval shape.

Here, as described above, the elliptical shape drawn by the fiber clip 22 is set so that its minimum radius is larger than the allowable bending radius of the optical fiber 2. Further, the fiber introduction port 50 provided below the housing 10 is arranged at a portion on the substantially tangential line of the elliptical shape drawn by the fiber clip 22. Therefore, the optical fiber 2 introduced into the inside of the housing 10 does not become less than the permissible bending radius, and there is no fear of causing a large bending loss in the optical fiber 2. Further, from the relationship between the height of the bottom of the guide groove 31a and the thickness of the fiber inlet bottom 50a (or fiber inlet forming bottom 51a), the optical fiber protected by the smallest wire protector (not shown) is used. 2 can be easily introduced into the photoelectric conversion substrate 20.

Moreover, on the surface 20b of the photoelectric conversion processing substrate 20 on which the extra length processing is performed, an IC, a capacitor,
The electronic component 21 such as a resistor is not mounted, but only the optical connector 23, the modular connector 24, and the AC power connector 25 are mounted. Therefore, not only the work of winding the optical fiber 2 and holding it by the fiber clip 22 can be performed very easily, but also the electronic component 21 is not touched during the extra length processing work, so that these electronic components 21 are not touched. There is no fear of causing a problem such as poor contact.

On the other hand, a splicer and a reinforcing sleeve for connecting the optical fiber 2 drawn from the outside and the relay optical fiber 26, and a wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) coupler used in the case of the one-fiber bidirectional optical fiber 2. With respect to (hereinafter, simply referred to as connecting tool 60), the above-mentioned fiber clip 22 pulls out from the portion wound in an elliptical shape to the outside, and each is held by the connecting tool holding means 40. Specifically, if the connecting tool 60 is pressed between the elastic tongue 42 and the sandwiching wall 43, the elastic tongue 42 is separated from the sandwiching wall 43 by the tilting action of the guide surface 42c provided on the claw portion 42a. The elastic member is elastically deformed in the direction in which the connecting member 60 is fitted between the elastic tongue piece 42 and the sandwiching wall 43, and the sponge body 45 is elastically deformed appropriately.

As described above, the elastic tongue 42 and the holding wall 4 are
After the connection tool 60 is fitted between the
As shown in FIG. 1 (a), the elastic tongue 42 returns to its normal state by its own elastic restoring force, and the locking surface 42b of the claw 42a restricts the movement of the connector 60 in the falling direction. In addition, the elastic restoring force of the sponge body 45 causes the connector 60 to be constantly pressed against the locking surface 42b of the claw portion 42a. As a result, the connection tool 60 described above is
The elastic tongue 42 is reliably sandwiched between the claw portion 42a of the elastic tongue 42 and the sponge body 45, and there is no risk of accidental disengagement. Moreover, according to the connection tool holding means 40 described above, even if the sizes of the connection tools 60 ′ and 60 ″ are different,
As shown in FIG. 11B, the amount of deformation of the sponge body 45 is appropriately changed to absorb the difference in size between the connectors 60 ′ and 60 ″, so that the connector 60 ′ and 60 ″ can be securely held. It will be possible.

After holding the connector 60, the work of holding the optical fiber 2 in the housing 10 is performed. Specifically, the outer cover 4 of the optical fiber 2 is bifurcated, and the ends of the outer cover 4 are attached to the outer cover sandwiching groove 32a provided in the outer cover holding portion 32 of the lower comb tooth member 30, and the center of the outer cover 4 is attached. The optical fibers 2 derived from the above may be positioned in the guide grooves 31a provided in the fiber guide portion 31, respectively. Here, since the outer skin sandwiching groove 32a of the outer skin holding portion 32 has a width slightly narrower than the outer diameter dimension of the outer skin 4 as described above, a large force is required when mounting the outer skin 4. The work can be easily performed without the need for. Moreover, since the outer cover 4 of the optical fiber 2 is held at a plurality of locations, and the pair of outer cover holding portions 32 are arranged in an inclined state with respect to the introduction direction of the optical fiber 2, Even when an external force in the pulling direction is applied, there is no fear that the optical fiber 2 will easily fall off. Further, in this case, needless to say, the situation in which the number of parts increases and the situation in which the FRP tension member 3 extending inside the outer cover 4 is damaged does not occur.

Finally, by fitting the modular plug 5a of the metal cable 5 into the modular connector 24, the communication terminal 200 such as a personal computer is connected to the optical fiber 2.
It becomes possible to communicate using.

As is clear from FIG. 12A, the media converter 1 is attached to the wall surface 101 in the house as described above.
When the optical fiber 2 is installed, it is not necessary to bend the optical fiber 2 sharply, so that there is no fear that the bending loss will increase. Further, the exposure amount of the optical fiber 2 in the house is extremely small, which is not only preferable in appearance, but also the chance of damaging the optical fiber 2 by the action of external force is significantly reduced.

Moreover, according to the media converter 1 described above, since the optical fiber 2 is wound so as to surround the optical connector 23 in the photoelectric conversion processing substrate 20, the optical conversion processing substrate 20 is wound around the optical fiber 2. Occupies the minimum area, and the media converter 1 can be downsized.

On the other hand, when the media converter 1 configured as described above is installed below the part where the optical fiber 2 is drawn from the outside, first, an external force is applied to the fiber introduction port forming part 51. As a result, this is opened, and a fiber introduction port 50 having a size large enough for inserting the optical fiber 2 in the state of being covered by the outer cover 4 is formed in the upper portion of the housing 10.

Next, as shown in FIG. 12 (b), after the optical fiber 2 used in the outdoor optical communication system is pulled into the inside of the wall from the telephone wire inlet 100a provided in the outer wall 100, Are sequentially laid downward, and the housing 1 of the media converter 1 is mounted on the wall surface 101 in the house at a lower position which is an extension of the laid optical fiber 2.
Set 0. When the housing 10 is installed on the wall surface 101, the modular connector 24 and the AC power supply connector 2
The position to expose the 5 to the outside is downward,
Same as above.

Next, a lead-in hole 101a is formed at a position above the installation position of the housing 10 on the wall of the house,
The optical fiber 2 is pulled into the house. The optical fiber 2 drawn into the house is introduced into the housing 10 through the fiber introduction port 50 formed above the housing 10 after the outer skin 4 is stripped off.

Then, the introduced optical fiber 2 is welded or connected to the relay optical fiber 26 by applying a splicer, and the extra length portion is appropriately wound and held by the fiber clip 22. Connector 6 for connecting the optical fiber 2 drawn from the outside and the optical fiber 26 for relaying as well as forming the elliptical shape
0 is held between the elastic tongue 42 and the sandwiching wall 43.

Further, the outer cover 4 of the optical fiber 2 is bifurcated, and the ends of the outer cover 4 are attached to the outer cover holding grooves 32a provided in the outer cover holding portion 32 of the upper comb tooth member 30, and the center of the outer cover 4 is fixed. The optical fibers 2 derived from the above may be positioned in the guide grooves 31a provided in the fiber guide portion 31, respectively.

As is clear from FIG. 12B, the media converter 1 is attached to the wall surface 101 in the house as described above.
Even in the case where the optical fiber 2 is installed, it is not necessary to bend the optical fiber 2 sharply, so there is no fear that the bending loss will increase. Further, the exposure amount of the optical fiber 2 in the house is extremely small, which is not only preferable in appearance, but also the chance of damaging the optical fiber 2 by the action of external force is significantly reduced.

Moreover, since the fiber introducing port 50 formed above the casing 10 is provided at a portion on the substantially tangential line of the elliptical shape drawn by the fiber clip 22, the casing is provided through the fiber introducing port 50. The optical fiber 2 introduced into the body 10 does not become less than the allowable bending radius, and there is no fear that the optical fiber 2 will suffer a large bending loss.

In the above-described embodiment, the housing is installed on the wall surface, but it is not always necessary to install it on the wall surface, and it is of course possible to mount it on the desk or floor. Further, although two fiber introduction ports are provided in the housing, three or more may be provided. Further, the direction in which the optical fiber is wound inside the housing is not necessarily limited to that of the embodiment, and may be wound in the opposite direction. However, in this case, it is preferable to change the positions of the fiber introduction port and the fiber introduction port forming part so that the optical fiber introduced from the fiber introduction port and the fiber introduction port forming part is along the winding direction.

[0065]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the invention, since the fiber introduction ports leading to the winding portion of the optical fiber are provided at a plurality of positions of the housing, the optical fiber is laid. By selecting the fiber inlet according to the direction, it is not necessary to bend the optical fiber sharply, and it is possible to reduce the amount of exposure to the outside, and it is possible to damage the optical fiber due to bending loss and external force. It is possible to prevent it from happening and to install it in a good appearance.

According to the second aspect of the invention, when the outer cover of the optical fiber is inserted in a branched state between the fiber introduction port and the winding portion of the optical fiber, the fiber is sandwiched and held. Since the holding means is provided,
Even when an external force in the pulling direction acts on the optical fiber, it is possible to prevent the optical fiber from falling off.
In this case, it is not necessary to use a screw or to narrow the width of the portion for holding and holding the outer cover, so that the work is not complicated, the optical fiber is not damaged, and the number of parts is not increased.

Further, according to the invention of claim 3, as the fiber holding means, the optical fibers extending from the fiber introduction port to the winding portion are arranged so as to be line-symmetric with respect to each other.
Moreover, since the comb tooth member having the pair of outer skin sandwiching grooves into which the outer skin of the branched optical fiber is inserted is applied, the optical fiber can be more surely held in the housing.

According to the invention of claim 4, the housing is provided with an elastic tongue having a claw portion, and an elastic member is arranged at a portion facing the claw portion. Since the connecting tool is sandwiched between the elastic member and the elastic member, it is possible to reliably hold the connecting tool in the housing even when the connecting tools of different sizes are applied.

According to the invention of claim 5, the electronic parts required for the photoelectric conversion processing are mounted on one surface of the photoelectric conversion processing substrate, while the connector is arranged so as to be operable from the other surface side. The optical fiber winding part is arranged on the other surface of the photoelectric conversion substrate, so that the extra length of the optical fiber can be easily processed without causing any trouble to the electronic parts. Is possible.

Further, according to the invention of claim 6, since the winding portion of the optical fiber is configured in such a manner as to surround the periphery of the connector, the winding portion of the connector and the optical fiber with respect to the photoelectric conversion substrate is formed. Occupies the smallest area,
It is also possible to reduce the size.

Further, according to the invention of claim 7, the outdoor optical fiber is drawn inside the wall to be laid, and the housing is installed on the wall surface in the house at a position which is an extension of the laid optical fiber, After the optical fiber is pulled into the house on the front side of the housing, the optical fiber is introduced into the housing through the fiber introduction port provided at a portion facing the optical fiber, so that the optical fiber needs to be sharply curved. As a result, the amount of exposure to the outside can be reduced, and the optical fiber can be prevented from being damaged by bending loss and external force as much as possible, and can be installed in a good appearance.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a conceptual plan view showing an internal structure of a media converter according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an appearance of the media converter shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is an arrow view III in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a view on arrow IV in FIG.

5 is a cross-sectional side view of the media converter shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged plan view showing in detail a fiber introduction port portion.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a state where an optical communication cable is held by a comb tooth member.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged plan view showing in detail a portion that holds a connector.

9 is a sectional view taken along line IX-IX in FIG.

10 is a sectional view taken along line XX in FIG.

11A is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a connecting tool is held, and FIG. 11B is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which connecting tools of different sizes are held.

12A and 12B are views showing an installation mode of the media converter shown in FIG. 1, in which FIG. 12A is a sectional view showing a state in which the media converter is installed above an external entrance, and FIG. 12B is an external entrance. It is sectional drawing which shows the state installed also in the downward direction.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view conceptually showing a conventional media converter.

14 (a) and 14 (b) are cross-sectional views showing a state in which the media converter shown in FIG. 13 is installed below an external inlet.

15A is a conceptual diagram showing a holding means of an optical communication cable with respect to a housing, and FIG. 15B is a view XV in FIG. 15A.
It is a figure.

16 (a) is a conceptual diagram showing a holding means for holding a connector with respect to a housing, FIG. 16 (b) is an arrow view XVI in FIG. 16 (a),
(C) is a figure which shows the state which hold | maintains a small size connection tool, (d) is a figure which shows the state which hold | maintains a large size connection tool.

[Explanation of symbols] 1 Media converter 2 optical fiber 3 tension members 4 outer skin 5 metal cable 5a modular plug 6 power cable 6a plug 10 housing 10A base housing 10B lid case 20 Photoelectric conversion processing substrate 21 electronic components 22 fiber clip 23 Optical connector 24 modular connector 24a Modular plug fitting part 25 AC power connector 26 Optical Fiber for Relay 27 Optical link 30 comb teeth 31 Fiber Guide 31a guide groove 32 outer skin holder 32a Enveloping groove 40 connection tool holding means 41 holding table 42 Elastic tongue 42a claw 42b Locking surface 42c guide surface 43 clamping wall 44 Perimeter wall 44a Fiber passage hole 45 sponge body 50 fiber inlet 51 Fiber inlet forming part 60 connection 100 outer wall 100a entrance 101 wall 101a lead-in hole 200 communication terminals

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Kunio Otaka             2-6-1, Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo             Kawa Electric Industry Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 2H038 CA34 CA36 CA37 CA38

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A media converter comprising a photoelectric conversion processing substrate inside a housing, and an optical fiber introduced from outside is appropriately wound inside the housing and then connected to the photoelectric conversion processing substrate. A media converter characterized in that fiber introduction ports leading to a winding portion of the optical fiber are provided at a plurality of positions of the housing. 2. A photoelectric conversion processing substrate is provided inside the housing, and an optical fiber introduced from the outside through a fiber introduction port is appropriately wound inside the housing and then connected to the photoelectric conversion processing substrate. In the media converter described above, a fiber holding means is provided between the fiber introduction port and the winding portion of the optical fiber for sandwiching and holding the outer cover of the optical fiber when the outer cover is inserted in a branched state. A media converter characterized by that. 3. The pair of fiber holding means are arranged so as to be line-symmetric with respect to the optical fiber extending from the fiber introduction port to the winding portion, and the outer cover of the branched optical fiber is inserted. The media converter according to claim 2, which is a comb-toothed member having an outer skin sandwiching groove. 4. A photoelectric conversion substrate and a relay optical fiber are provided inside the housing, and the optical fiber introduced from the outside and the relay optical fiber are connected by a connector, and the connected optical fiber is connected. A media converter adapted to be connected to the photoelectric conversion processing substrate after being appropriately wound inside the casing, wherein the casing is provided with an elastic tongue having a claw portion, and A media converter characterized in that elastic members are arranged at opposing portions, and the connecting tool is sandwiched between the claw portions of these elastic tongue pieces and the elastic members. 5. A photoelectric conversion processing substrate is provided inside the housing, and an optical fiber introduced from the outside is appropriately wound inside the housing, and then connected to the photoelectric conversion processing substrate via a connector. In the media converter described above, the electronic components required for photoelectric conversion processing are mounted on one surface of the photoelectric conversion processing board, while the connector is arranged so that it can be operated from the other surface side. A media converter characterized in that a winding portion of the optical fiber is formed on the other surface of the photoelectric conversion substrate. 6. The media converter according to claim 5, wherein the winding portion of the optical fiber is configured in a manner of surrounding the periphery of the connector. 7. A photoelectric conversion substrate is provided inside the housing, and the housing has a plurality of fiber introducing ports, and an optical fiber introduced from the outside through the fiber introducing ports is provided inside the housing. A method of installing a media converter that is appropriately wound and then connected to the photoelectric conversion processing substrate, in which an outdoor optical fiber is drawn inside a wall and laid, and is an extension of the laid optical fiber. The housing is installed on the wall surface in the house at the position, and the optical fiber is drawn into the house on the front side of the housing, and then the light is introduced into the housing through the fiber introduction port provided in the portion facing the optical fiber. A method for installing a media converter characterized by introducing a fiber.