JP2004126471A - Tool and method for storing connection excess length of optical fiber - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optical fiber connection excess length storing tool having compact and simple structure and capable of easily storing excess length while storing and holding an connection part of an optical fiber and a method for storing the connection excess length. <P>SOLUTION: Since excess length parts 13a, 13b are collectively wound around a 1st winding part 14 and a different length part is wound around a 2nd winding part 15, an optical fiber 11 can be stored even when the length of the excess length parts 13a, 13b is different from each other. Since a 3rd position regulating means 22 is divided between two 2nd winding shafts 21a, 21b, the excess length part 13 can be wound around the 2nd winding shafts 21a, 21b like an 8-shape, so that the excess length part 13 can be stored so as not to be twisted. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical fiber connection extra length storage device and a storage method for winding and storing an extra length of an optical fiber including the connection portion when connecting and using optical fibers.
[0002]
[Prior art]
When optical fibers are connected to each other by, for example, fusion splicing, and one or a plurality of optical fibers including the connecting portion are used to connect between optical components or optical communication devices, the length of the optical fiber is Connection may be made with a margin. For example, in a case where optical fibers are connected by fusion, the glass portion is fused using a heating unit after removing the resin coating on the outer surface of the optical fiber. Thereafter, the fused glass portion is covered with a resin to protect the glass portion.
[0003]
In this case, if an optical fiber (also referred to as a surplus length of an optical fiber) other than the length required for connecting two optical components (optical communication devices) is left in that state, the connection portion will be replaced by other parts. The optical fibers may get caught on the parts or the optical fibers may be entangled with each other. Therefore, it is necessary to properly collect the extra length of the optical fiber including the connection portion.
[0004]
Patent Literature 1 discloses a technique of a string entanglement device. As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, this publication includes a first limiting plate 100 and a second limiting plate 101. The first limiting plate 100 includes a rotation projection 102, a connecting portion 103, and a winding shaft. It has a piece 104, a coupling shaft piece 105, and a claw 106. The second limiting plate 101 is provided with a circular projection 107, an annular frame 108, a hanging piece 109, and guide surfaces 110 and 111. The string or the like is inserted into the insertion groove 113, and the first limiting plate 100 is rotated in the direction of the arrow 112, thereby being wound and housed in the space formed by the first limiting plate 100 and the second limiting plate 101. It is configured to be.
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Registration No. 2821029 (Page 4, FIG. 1, FIG. 2)
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In recent years, the characteristics of optical fibers have been dramatically improved. For example, the relationship between screening strain (ε _P ) and fatigue coefficient (n) is 1.25 × (6.3 × 10 ⁸ ) ^{1 /} may be used to connect between the optical components of the optical fiber having a satisfactory characteristics ⁿ ≦ ^ε _P ≦ 4.0. Further, for example, an optical fiber having a characteristic that a bending loss at a bending diameter of 10 mm and a wavelength of 1.55 μm is 1.0 dB / turn or less may be used. When an optical fiber having these characteristics is used and the extra length is wound and stored, even if the optical fiber winding diameter is stored using a considerably small optical fiber storage device having a diameter of about 15 mm, The characteristics of the fiber hardly deteriorate.
[0007]
The cord winder disclosed in the above-mentioned publication has a structure in which the windings are relatively rotated. For example, to reduce the diameter of the optical fiber to about 15 mm in diameter and to wind the extra length of the optical fiber , The structure is complicated and there are difficulties in manufacturing.
Further, it is necessary to provide a storage space separately from the optical fiber storage unit, which hinders the efficiency of the storage operation and the storage space.
[0008]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and has as its object to provide a small-sized and simple-structure optical device that can easily store an extra length while storing and holding a connection portion of an optical fiber. An object of the present invention is to provide a fiber extra connection length storage device and a storage method.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the excess connection length storage device for an optical fiber according to the present invention is, as described in claim 1, the additional length portion of the optical fiber including the connection portion where the optical fibers are connected to each other. An optical fiber connection excess storage device for storing, comprising a first winding portion, and first and second diameters provided at both ends of the first winding portion and having a diameter larger than the first winding portion. A first storage space is defined by the position restricting means, and the first position restricting means is provided with a slit communicating with the first storage space and receiving a connection portion of the optical fiber, and the second position restricting means is provided. The means is provided with a second winding portion for winding the optical fiber in a figure eight shape, and is provided with a groove communicating from the first winding portion to the second winding portion.
[0010]
In the optical fiber extra connection length storage device thus configured, the extra length portion is accommodated in the first winding section while the extra length portion is accommodated in the first winding portion, and the extra length from the connection portion is reduced. If different, the longer surplus portion is stored in the second winding section. At this time, in the second winding portion, the extra length is wound in the shape of a figure 8, so that it can be stored without being twisted. Thus, the extra length of the optical fiber can be stored compactly, and the extra length can be easily pulled out.
[0011]
Further, as described in claim 2, in the optical fiber connection extra length storage device according to the present invention, in the optical fiber extra connection length storage device according to claim 1, And a third position restricting means defining a second storage space between the take-up shaft and the second position restricting means, wherein the third position restricting means includes at least the two winding positions. It is characterized by being divided between the axes.
[0012]
In addition, as described in claim 3, in the optical fiber extra connection length storage device according to the present invention, in the optical fiber extra connection length storage device according to claim 1, the first winding portion is formed by the slit. Portion is divided into two first winding portions, and receives the connecting portion in a direction along an inner tangent of the two first winding portions, and receives the connection portion with respect to the two first winding portions. The extra length portion is wound so as to form an oval shape.
[0013]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the optical fiber extra connection length storage device according to the first or third aspect. , Having a shape obtained by combining a substantially rectangular shape and a substantially semicircular shape, wherein the slit portion is formed in a substantially diagonal direction of the substantially rectangular shape.
[0014]
Further, as described in claim 5, the optical fiber extra connection length storage device according to the present invention is the optical fiber extra connection length storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. It is characterized in that it is provided with a restricting portion for restricting the protrusion of the extra length portion stored in the first storage space and the second storage space.
[0015]
With such a configuration, it is possible to prevent the extra length portion that has been taken up from the optical fiber storage device from being unwound or jumping out.
[0016]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the optical fiber connection excess storage device according to the present invention, in the optical fiber extra connection length storage device, the restricting portion may be elastically deformable. It is characterized by being formed.
[0017]
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided the optical fiber extra length storage device according to the fifth or sixth aspect, wherein the restricting portion is detachable. It is characterized by being.
[0018]
Further, according to the present invention, as described in claim 8, the optical fiber extra connection length storage box according to the present invention uses the optical fiber extra connection length storage device according to claims 1 to 7 and includes an optical fiber including a connection portion. It is characterized in that the extra length of the fiber is stored.
[0019]
Further, according to the ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for storing an excess length of an optical fiber for storing an excess length of an optical fiber including a connection portion where optical fibers are connected to each other. A method for storing excess connection length, wherein a connection portion of the optical fiber is stored in a slit provided in a first position regulating means of a first winding portion, and both excess lengths of the optical fiber extending from the connection portion are stored. After winding the portion into the first storage space formed between the first position regulating means and the second position regulating means, at least the longer one of the two extra length parts is It is characterized in that it is wound in a figure eight shape into a second storage space formed between the second position restricting means and the third position restricting means through a groove provided in the two position restricting means.
[0020]
In the optical fiber connection excess length storage method thus configured, the optical fiber connection portion is stored, the excess length portion is stored in the first winding portion, and the excess length from the connection portion is reduced. If different, the extra length in the long direction is stored in the second winding section. At this time, in the second winding portion, the extra length is wound in the shape of a figure 8, so that it can be stored without being twisted.
[0021]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of an optical fiber extra connection length storage tool and a storage method according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0022]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an optical fiber extra connection length storage device according to the present invention as viewed from above, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the optical fiber extra connection length storage device of the present invention with the lower surface facing upward. 3 (a) is a plan view of the extra connection length storage device of the optical fiber as viewed from above, FIG. 3 (b) is a front view, FIG. 3 (c) is a bottom view as viewed from below, and FIG. It is a perspective view of a fiber. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the storage form of the extra length portion of the optical fiber including the connection portion is also drawn so that the excess connection length storage device of the optical fiber according to the present invention can be easily understood.
[0023]
As shown in FIG. 4, the optical fiber 11 accommodated in the optical fiber extra connection length storage device 10 includes a connection portion 12 where the optical fibers are connected to each other, and an extra length portion 13 a extending to both sides from the connection portion 12. 13b.
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the optical fiber extra connection length storage device 10 is for storing the above-described optical fiber 11, and is provided with a first winding on the upper side in FIG. 1 (the lower side in FIG. 2). It has a take-up part 14, and has a second take-up part 15 on the lower side in FIG. 1 (the upper side in FIG. 2).
[0024]
The first winding portion 14 has a first winding shaft 16 at the center, and the first winding shaft 16 has a generally elliptical cross section including a rectangular portion and a semicircular portion. A first position regulating means 17 having a diameter larger than that of the first winding shaft 16 is attached to one end of the first winding shaft 16 (upper side in FIG. 1), and the other end (lower side in FIG. 1). 2), a second position regulating means 18 having a diameter larger than that of the first winding shaft 16 is attached. Accordingly, a first storage space 19 for storing the extra length portions 13a and 13b is formed between the first position restricting means 17 and the second position restricting means 18.
[0025]
The first position restricting means 17 has a generally elliptical shape obtained by combining a substantially rectangular shape and a substantially semicircular shape, and has a slit portion 20 formed in a substantially diagonal direction of the rectangular portion. The slit portion 20 is formed in a diagonal direction of a rectangular portion of the first winding shaft 16 and communicates with the first storage space 19. A slit portion 20 a having a size corresponding to the connection portion is formed at the center of the slit portion 20 to accommodate the connection portion 12 of the optical fiber 11. The boundary between the slit portion 20 and the circular portion of the first winding shaft 16 is formed as a curve having a diameter such that the loss does not increase even when the optical fiber 11 is bent.
[0026]
The first take-up shaft 16 is substantially similar in shape to the first position restricting means 17 and has a small oval shape, and has a slit at the same position as the slits 20 and 20 a provided in the first position restricting means 17. Parts 20, 20a are provided. Therefore, the first winding shaft 16 is divided into the first winding shafts 16a and 16b by the slit portions 20 and 20a.
As a result, the connection portion 12 of the optical fiber 11 can be inserted into the first storage space 19 of the first winding shaft 16 from the slit portions 20 and 20a of the first position regulating means 17, and the extra length portions 13a and 13b Can be wound around the first winding shaft 16 in an oval shape.
[0027]
Below the second position regulating means 18 (below in FIGS. 1 and 3B), a second winding portion 15 is provided. One end surfaces of two second winding shafts 21a and 21b are attached to the second winding portion 15, and third position regulating means 22 is attached to the other end surfaces of the second winding shafts 21a and 21b. ing. Therefore, the second storage space 23 is provided between the second position restricting means 18 and the third position restricting means 22.
[0028]
Grooves 24, 24 for communicating the first storage space 19 and the second storage space 23 are provided in the center portions of the left and right end edges of the second position restricting means 18, without sharply bending the excess length portion 13b. The first storage space 19 can be drawn into the second storage space 23.
On the other hand, the third position regulating means 22 is divided into two between the two second winding shafts 21a and 21b, and covers substantially half of the outside of the two second winding shafts 21a and 21b. ing. Therefore, since the third position regulating means 22 is not provided between the two second winding shafts 21a and 21b, the extra length 13b is set between the two second winding shafts 21a and 21b. It can be wound in the shape of a letter.
[0029]
Next, with reference to FIGS. 5A to 5E, a method for storing the connection portion 12 of the optical fiber 11 and the excess length portions 13a and 13b in the above-described optical fiber connection excess length storage device 10 will be described. .
First, the connection portion 12 and the extra length portions 13a and 13b of the optical fiber 11 are stored in the first storage space 19 of the first winding section 14. That is, as shown in FIG. 5A, the connecting portion 12 is inserted into the large slit portion 20a at the center of the first position restricting means 17, and the extra length portions 13a and 13b are inserted from the slit portion 20 into the first storage space 19. Put in.
Next, as shown in FIG. 5B, one extra length portion 13a (13b) is wound around the first winding shaft 16 and turned toward the other extra length portion 13b (13a). Then, as shown in FIG. 5C, the two extra length portions 13a and 13b are collectively wound around the first winding shaft 16, and the extra length portions 13a and 13b are stored in the first storage space 19. .
[0030]
When there is a difference in length between the two extra length portions 13a and 13b, the extra length portions 13a and 13b are wound together on the first winding shaft 16 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5D, since the longer excess length portion 13b remains without being stored, the excess length portion 13b is drawn out of the groove 24 of the second position regulating means 18 into the second storage space 23.
Then, as shown in FIG. 5 (e), the longer surplus portion 13b is wound around the two second winding shafts 21a and 21b in a figure eight shape.
[0031]
As described above, according to the optical fiber extra connection length storage device and the storage method, the extra length portions 13a and 13b are collectively wound around the first winding portion 14, and the second winding portion is used for portions having different lengths. Since the optical fiber 11 is wound around the optical fiber 11, the optical fiber 11 can be easily stored even when the lengths of the extra length portions 13a and 13b are different.
Further, since the third position regulating means 22 is divided between the two second winding shafts 21a and 21b, the surplus portion 13 can be easily attached to the second winding shafts 21a and 21b. The extra length 13 can be stored without being twisted.
[0032]
Next, FIG. 6 shows a restricting member 26 that restricts the extra length portions 13a and 13b stored in the first storage space 19 or the second storage space 23 from jumping out. The restricting member 26 has a plate-like base 27 having the same shape as the outer shape of the first position restricting means 17, the second position restricting means 18, and the third position restricting means 22, and stands on the outer peripheral end of the base 27. It is composed of a plurality of (here, for example, four) regulating portions 28 provided.
[0033]
The restricting member 26 is attached to the optical fiber connection extra length storage device 10 after the extra length portions 13a and 13b are wound, thereby preventing the wound extra length portions 13a and 13b from jumping out. be able to. When the extra length portions 13a and 13b are used after being wound in this way, the height of the regulating portion 28 is set to a height that covers the first position regulating device 17 to the third position regulating device 22. Is good. Therefore, the regulating member 26 can be attached upward from below the third position regulating means 22 as shown in FIG. 7, or can be attached downward from above the first position regulating means 17.
[0034]
In addition, a method of storing the extra length portion in the extra connection length storage device with the regulating member attached to the extra connection length optical storage device can also be adopted. The restricting member 26A shown in FIG. 8 is for restricting the extra length portions 13a and 13b stored in the first storage space 19 and the second storage space 23 from jumping out. Here, two (for example, two) regulating portions 28A are provided, and these regulating portions 28A are made of a material that can be elastically deformed inward. Further, the regulating member 26A is provided with an engaging piece 27B, and the engaging piece 27B and the base 27A are fitted so as to be sandwiched between the edges of the first position regulating means 17 and the third position regulating means 22. By inserting, the regulating member 26A can be fixed to the first position regulating means 17 and the third position regulating means 22.
[0035]
FIG. 9 shows a state in which the four restricting members 26A are mounted on the excess connection length storage device 10 for optical fibers. The restricting member 26A is formed in a fan shape, and the connecting portion 12 can be inserted into the slit portions 20, 20a with the restricting member 26A fitted in the first position restricting means 17. The winding method of the extra length portions 13a, 13b is as follows. First, two regulating members 26A shown in FIG. Fit more. After inserting the connecting portion 12 into the central slit portion 20a, the extra length portions 13a and 13b are stored by the method shown in FIG. In this storage step, when the extra length portion 13b (13a) comes to the regulating portion 28A, as shown in FIG. 10, the extra length portion 13b (13a) moves the regulating portion 28 to the second storage space 23 (first storage space 23). The extra length 13b (13a) is elastically deformed toward the space 19), and the excess length portion 13b (13a) gets over the regulating portion 28A and is stored in the second storage space 23 (first storage space 19). Therefore, the extra-length portions 13a and 13b can be stored while preventing them from jumping out of the first and second storage spaces 19 and 23. Here, the height of the restricting portion 28A) is set to be equal to or lower than the height from the third restricting means 22 (the first restricting means 17) to the second restricting means 18.
Although the removable regulating member 26A shown in FIG. 8 is described as having a sector shape, the regulating member 26A is not limited to a sector shape.
[0036]
Further, as another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, a regulating portion for preventing the stored extra length portion from jumping out may be fixed to the position regulating means. In FIG. 11A, a plurality of (in this case, six) restricting portions 28C are fixed to the first position restricting means 17. The restricting portion 28B is elastically deformable, and stores the extra length 13a as shown in FIG. In FIG. 11B, a plurality of (four in this case) regulating portions 28C are fixed to the third position regulating means 22, 22, and the extra length portion 13b is stored by the method shown in FIG. Go.
The first position restricting means 17 and the third position restricting means 22 to which the restricting portions 28B and 28C are fixed may be fixed to the second position restricting means 18 or may be detachable.
[0037]
As described above, according to the optical fiber connection extra length storage device and the storage method, by attaching the regulating portions 28, 28A, 28B, and 28C to the optical fiber extra connection length storage device 10, the extra length portion 13a to be wound is provided. , 13b can be prevented from jumping out of the first storage space 19 or the second storage space 23. In particular, when the restricting portions 28A, 28B, 28C are attached at the time of winding, the winding operation can be performed while preventing the extra-length portions 13a, 13b from jumping out of the storage spaces 19, 23 during the winding operation. As a result, the extra length portions 13a and 13b can be reliably taken up.
[0038]
FIG. 12 shows an example of the excess connection length storage box 30 for storing the excess length portions 13a and 13b of the optical fiber 11 including the connection portion 12 using the above-described excess connection length optical storage device 10. .
A multi-core optical fiber cable 31 is introduced into the extra connection length storage box 30 from the outside. The multi-core optical fiber cables 31 are connected to each other using, for example, fusion means in the extra connection length storage box 30, and are branched into a plurality of single-core optical fiber cables 32 and exit. When branching from the multi-core optical fiber cable 31 to the single-core optical fiber cable 32, the extra length portions 13a and 13b including the connection portion 12 are respectively connected to the above-described pair of optical fiber connection length storage devices 10 And the extra length storage device 33, and is held by the holding restricting member 34 of the connection extra length storage box 30.
[0039]
The use of the extra connection length storage box 30 makes it possible to take out the extra length portions 13a and 13b of the optical fiber 11 in a construction work for an optical communication device or the like, and to perform the work without any mistakes.
[0040]
Note that the optical fiber connection length storage tool and storage method of the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiment, and appropriate modifications and improvements can be made.
[0041]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the optical fiber extra connection length storage device and the storage method according to the present invention, the optical fiber connection portion is accommodated, the extra length portion is accommodated in the first winding section, and the connection is established. If the extra length from the portion is different, the longer extra length is stored in the second winding portion, so that even if there is a difference in the length of the extra length portion, it can be stored neatly. At this time, in the second winding portion, the extra length portion is wound in the shape of a figure 8, so that the extra length portion can be stored without being twisted, and the longer extra length portion can be pulled out for easy wiring.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of an optical fiber connection length storage device according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view in which the lower surface of the excess fiber connection length storage device according to the present invention is directed upward.
3 (a) is a plan view of the excess connection length storage device of the optical fiber as viewed from above, FIG. 3 (b) is a front view, and FIG. 3 (c) is a bottom view as viewed from below.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a stored optical fiber.
FIGS. 5 (a) to 5 (e) are plan views or bottom views showing each step of the method for accommodating the extra connection length of the optical fiber according to the present invention.
FIG. 6 is an overall perspective view showing a regulating unit.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a state in which the restricting portion is attached to the extra-fiber-connection storage device of the optical fiber.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a removable regulating member.
9 is a perspective view showing a state in which the restricting member shown in FIG. 8 is attached to the extra connection length storage device.
FIG. 10 is a partial perspective view illustrating a state in which a surplus portion gets over a regulating portion.
FIG. 11A is a perspective view in which a regulating portion is provided in a first position regulating means, and FIG. 11B is a perspective view in which a regulating portion is provided in a third position regulating means.
FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing an example of the extra connection length storage box according to the present invention.
FIG. 13 is a plan view showing a conventional optical fiber connection length storage device.
FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line AA in FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 Extra connection length storage device for optical fiber 11 Optical fiber 12 Connection portion 13a, 13b Extra length portion 14 First winding section 15 Second winding section 17 First position regulating means 18 Second position regulating means 19 First storage space 20, 20a Slit portions 21a, 21b Second winding shaft (winding shaft)
22 third position regulating means 23 second storage space 24 groove 26 regulating member 28, 28A, 28B, 28C regulating section 30 extra-long storage box

Claims (9)

An optical fiber extra connection length storage device for storing an extra length of an optical fiber including a connection portion where the optical fibers are connected to each other,
A first storage space defined by the first winding unit and first and second position regulating means provided on both ends of the first winding unit and having a diameter larger than that of the first winding unit;
A slit portion communicating with the first storage space and receiving a connection portion of the optical fiber is provided in the first position regulating means;
The second position regulating means is provided with a second winding portion for winding the optical fiber in a figure-eight shape, and is provided with a groove communicating from the first winding portion to the second winding portion. Extra length storage device for optical fiber. The second winding unit includes two winding shafts and a third position regulating unit that defines a second storage space between the second winding shaft and the second position regulating unit;
2. The extra-fiber connection storage device for an optical fiber according to claim 1, wherein the third position restricting means is divided at least between the two winding shafts. The first winding portion is divided into two first winding portions by the slit portion, and receives the connection portion in a direction along an inner tangent of the two first winding portions, and 2. The optical fiber connection excess length storage device according to claim 1, wherein the excess length portion is wound around one of the first winding portions so as to form an oval shape. 3. The said 1st position restriction means has the shape which combined the substantially rectangle and the substantially semicircle, The said slit part is formed in the substantially diagonal direction of the said substantially rectangle, The Claim 1 or 3 characterized by the above-mentioned. The storage device for extra length of optical fiber described in (1). The optical fiber connection according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a restricting portion that restricts protrusion of the extra length portion stored in the first storage space and the second storage space. Extra storage device. The storage device according to claim 5, wherein the restricting portion is formed so as to be elastically deformable. 7. The storage device according to claim 5, wherein the restricting portion is detachable. An extra connection length storage box that stores the extra length portion of the optical fiber including the connection portion by using the extra connection length storage device for optical fiber according to claim 1. An optical fiber connection extra length storage method for storing an extra length of an optical fiber including a connection portion where the optical fibers are connected to each other,
A connection portion of the optical fiber is accommodated in a slit provided in the first position regulating means of the first winding portion, and both extra lengths of the optical fiber extending from the connection portion are connected to the first position regulating means and the first portion. After winding in the first storage space formed between the two-position regulating means,
At least a longer one of the two extra length parts is formed between the second position restriction means and the third position restriction means through a groove provided in the second position restriction means. Winding the optical fiber into a figure-eight shape in a second storage space.

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