JP2004309840A - Optical fiber fusing and reinforcing member and optical fiber management method using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable collation and identification of the coated optical fiber of an optical fiber, by a single worker at only one point on site. <P>SOLUTION: An optical fiber fusing and reinforcing member 7 is composed of a thermal melting resin sleeve 11 for covering a fusion connecting part 5 of the optical fibers 3, a tensile strength part 15 comprising a tension member 17 reinforcing a part covered with the thermal melting resin sleeve 11 and RFID (radio frequency identification) 13 storing identification information incorporated in the tension member 17 for identifying the corresponding optical fiber 3, and a thermal contraction sleeve 9 having thermal contraction so as to surround and integrate the thermal melting resin sleeve 11 and the tensile strength part 15 from the outer periphery. In line switching or the like, collation and identification of the coated optical fiber of the optical fiber 3 is made, by reading the identification information of the optical fiber 3 from RFID 13 of the optical fiber fusion reinforcing member 7, previously attached to each optical fiber by a single worker at only a single point on site. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an optical fiber fusion reinforcing member for covering and reinforcing a fusion spliced portion between optical fibers and an optical fiber management method using the optical fiber fusion reinforcing member. The present invention relates to an optical fiber fusion reinforcing member that can be used and an optical fiber management method using the optical fiber fusion reinforcing member.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Referring to FIG. 4 to FIG. 6, when an optical cable 101 sheathed with an optical fiber core consisting of a plurality of strands or tapes is conventionally laid, as shown in FIG. An intermediate distribution frame (IDF: Intermediate Distribution Frame, hereinafter abbreviated as “IDF”) in which a large number of optical fibers 103 are optical fiber concentrators, and a distribution board (MDF: Main Distribution) as an optical fiber concentrator in a central office. Frames (hereinafter abbreviated as "MDF") are connected by an optical connector or the like.
[0003]
Since the above optical cable 101 has a limited length, another optical cable 101 is connected and extended. At this time, as shown in FIG. 6, the optical fibers 103 of the optical cable 101 are fusion-spliced to each other, and the fusion-spliced portion (fusion fusion portion) is an optical fiber fusion-stiffening sleeve 105 (hereinafter, referred to as “the fusion splice portion”). The cable length is extended by being covered and reinforced by a “reinforcement sleeve”, and further connected and housed in a closure 109 (branch box) in the manhole 107.
[0004]
The optical cable 101 extended as described above is wired underground or via a utility pole 111 as shown in FIG. 4, and each optical fiber 103 of the optical cable 101 is an optical fiber drop cable covering the optical fiber 103. It is deducted to the building or to the subscriber's home 115 of each general home by 113 and connected to the indoor OE converter or termination box.
[0005]
With the passage of several years after the optical cable 101 was laid as described above, the forecast of the initial communication demand and the actual communication demand were different from each other. It is necessary to switch some optical fibers 103 according to the actual supply and demand situation.
[0006]
For example, since the supply / demand situation has changed, the lines that have been in the hot-line state (actual use state) are no longer used, and the number of optical fibers 103 in the non-live-line state (non-use state) increases, and a line to be newly set is set. When the number of spare lines is reduced and the spare line is exhausted, it becomes necessary to provide a new line using the optical fiber 103 in the non-live state (non-use state).
[0007]
In such a case, in order to avoid erroneous cutting of the optical fiber 103 in the live state (actual use state), a non-live state (non-use state) to be switched from among many optical fibers 103 is selected. ) Is required to select the optical fiber 103 and confirm whether or not the optical fiber 103 is in the non-active state.
[0008]
In the above-described conventional line switching operation, an intermediate wiring board (IDF) or a wiring board (MDF) as an optical fiber concentrator is connected by an optical connector or the like as shown in FIGS. The optical fiber 103 in a non-active state (non-use state) is taken out by an operator, and the optical fiber 103 in the non-active state is connected to the stabilized light source 117 by an optical connector or the like. Next, 270 kHz (or 1 kHz) modulated light (light wavelength of 1550 nm or 1650 nm) from the stabilized light source 117 enters the optical fiber 103 as test light.
[0009]
On the other hand, at a site such as inside the manhole 107 where the closure 109 of the optical cable 101 is installed, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, another worker takes out the optical fiber 103 from the closure 109. Next, the optical fiber 103 is bent to a small diameter by using a bending clamp mechanism 121 of an optical fiber comparator 119 (also referred to as an optical fiber discriminator or an optical ID tester). 270 kHz modulated light incident as test light is detected as leaked light. Even if the signal light for communication is superimposed on the leaked light, only the modulated light can be separated through the filter.
[0010]
As described above, since the optical fiber 103 to which the modulated light is transmitted by the IDF or the MDF and the optical fiber 103 in which the modulated light is detected as the leak light at the site correspond one-to-one, the optical fiber identification and identification are performed. Is performed. Therefore, the optical fiber 103 (or connection point) needs to be cut off temporarily for the tape 109, the optical fiber, the element, and the like stored in the closure 109, the connection box, and the like due to the switching of the line. In some cases, in order to prevent erroneous disconnection, the optical fiber 103 is disconnected after the line to be disconnected is confirmed by the above-described operation of comparing and identifying the cords (for example, see Patent Document 1).
[0011]
7A to 7C, as a conventional reinforcing sleeve 105, a hot-melt resin tube 123 and a tensile strength member 125 are provided inside a heat-shrinkable sleeve 127 having heat-shrinkability. The hot melt resin tube 123 covers the fusion spliced portion 129 between the optical fibers 103, and the strength member 125 reinforces the portion covered with the hot melt resin tube 123.
[0012]
Therefore, the optical fiber 103 is inserted into the hot melt resin tube 123 of the reinforcing sleeve 105 and then butted against another optical fiber 103, and the butted portion is fused and connected. Next, the reinforcing sleeve 105 is moved so that the fusion spliced portion 129 of the optical fibers 103 is covered with the hot melt resin tube 123. When the periphery of the heat-shrinkable sleeve 127 is heated, the hot-melt resin tube 123 is melted and the fusion spliced portion 129 is covered, and at the same time, the heat-shrinkable sleeve 127 shrinks to form the hot-melt resin tube 123 and the tensile strength member. 125 and the outer periphery.
[0013]
In addition, also in the case of the optical fiber tape core 131, after the optical fiber tape core 131 is inserted through the hot melt resin tube 123 as shown in FIG. Similarly to the case, the fusion spliced portion 129 of each optical fiber 103 of the optical fiber ribbon 131 is covered with the hot melt resin tube 123, and at the same time, the heat shrinkable sleeve 127 shrinks and the hot melt resin tube 123 is closed. The strength member 125 is integrated from the outer peripheral side.
[0014]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-7-218756.
[0015]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, in the related art, it is necessary to make the modulated light incident on the optical fiber 103 to be compared in order to perform the core wire comparison and the identification. In order to make the modulated light incident, it is necessary to carry out the operation at a place attached to the optical connector in the line, and the place is roughly as shown in FIG. It is a place where the termination is installed. On the other hand, the point to be contrasted and cut is the connection point of the optical fiber 103 such as in the manhole 107. Since the wiring board side (IDF or MDF) and the site such as the inside of the manhole 107 are usually separated by a distance of several tens of meters to several kilometers, two or more workers are required between a plurality of separated points. In addition, there is a problem that the checking operation must be performed while always keeping close contact between the plurality of workers.
[0016]
In addition, when the optical fiber contrast and identification are performed, it is necessary to take out the stored optical fiber optical fiber, so it takes time and effort, and the optical fiber 103 is bent to detect the transmitted modulated light. Since it is necessary to add, the loss increase and fluctuation of the optical fiber 103 occur. For this reason, there has been a problem that the line of the optical fiber 103 in which the above-mentioned loss increase and fluctuation have occurred may be disconnected.
[0017]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and has as its object to provide a single-site optical fiber core at a single site without increasing or changing the optical fiber loss. An object of the present invention is to provide an optical fiber fusion reinforcing member that enables comparison and identification, and an optical fiber management method using the optical fiber fusion reinforcing member.
[0018]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, an optical fiber fusion reinforcing member according to the present invention according to claim 1 is an optical fiber fusion reinforcing member which covers and reinforces a fusion splicing portion between optical fibers, wherein the fusion splicing portion is formed. From a heat-fusible resin sleeve to be coated, a strength member that reinforces the portion covered by the heat-fusible resin sleeve, and an RFID that is built into the strength member and stores identification information for identifying the corresponding optical fiber. And a heat-shrinkable sleeve having a heat-shrinking property so as to surround the heat-meltable resin sleeve and the tensile-strength part from the outer periphery and integrate them.
[0019]
Therefore, an optical fiber fusion reinforcing member provided with an RFID storing information such as a core wire, a line, and construction of the optical fiber is attached in advance to a fusion splicing portion of each optical fiber of the optical cable. At the time of line switching, etc., only one worker reads the identification information of the optical fiber from the RFID of each optical fiber at only one point on the site, without touching the optical fiber carrying the line, Since the required optical fibers are compared and identified, the power consumption can be greatly reduced. In addition, since the conventional optical fiber contrast and discriminator are not used, the loss and fluctuation of the optical fiber are not given.
[0020]
In addition, since the RFID portion is integrated with the tensile strength member incorporated in the tensile strength member, an optimal shape and miniaturization can be achieved.
[0021]
An optical fiber fusion reinforcing member according to a second aspect of the present invention is the optical fiber fusion reinforcing member according to the first aspect, wherein the tensile strength portion is configured by enclosing the RFID with a glass body. Is what you do.
[0022]
Accordingly, since the tensile strength portion is integrated with the RFID sealed in a glass body, it is easy to produce the optimal shape and miniaturization.
[0023]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the optical fiber fusion reinforcing member according to the first or second aspect, wherein the RFID is capable of reading and writing the identification information from outside without contact. It is assumed that.
[0024]
Therefore, the identification information of the optical fiber can be easily written into the RFID, and the written identification information of the optical fiber does not disappear with the passage of time. Easily identified.
[0025]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an optical fiber management method for managing a plurality of optical fiber lines configured by laying an optical cable sheathed with an optical fiber core comprising a plurality of strands or a tape core. In the method,
In advance, for each line of the optical fiber, the optical fiber fusion reinforcing member provided with the RFID storing identification information for identifying the corresponding optical fiber covers and reinforced the fusion spliced portion between the optical fibers. When identifying each of the optical fibers, the line status of each of the optical fibers is managed by comparing and identifying each of the optical fibers by a reader for reading the identification information of the RFID.
[0026]
Therefore, at the time of connection of the optical cable, information such as the core wire, line, and construction of the optical fiber is incorporated in the RFID incorporated in the tensile strength member, and the optical fiber fusion reinforcing member provided with the RFID is used in advance for each optical fiber of the optical cable. Is attached to the fusion splicing part. At the time of line switching, the identification information of the optical fiber is read from the RFID of each optical fiber by only one worker at one point on the site, so that the optical fiber carrying the line is touched. However, it is possible to recognize the required optical fiber. In addition, since only one operator performs optical fiber core identification / identification at one site, significant labor savings can be achieved. In addition, since the conventional optical fiber contrast and discriminator are not used, the loss and fluctuation of the optical fiber are not given.
[0027]
An optical fiber management method according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the optical fiber management method according to the fourth aspect, wherein the optical fiber fusion reinforcing member includes a tensile strength portion having the RFID built therein. It is.
[0028]
Accordingly, since the tensile strength portion is integrated with the built-in RFID, the optimum shape and size are achieved, and the handling is easy even in managing the optical fiber.
[0029]
An optical fiber management method according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the optical fiber management method according to the fourth or fifth aspect, wherein the RFID is capable of reading and writing the identification information from outside without contact. is there.
[0030]
Therefore, the identification information of the optical fiber can be easily written into the RFID, and the written identification information of the optical fiber does not disappear with the passage of time. Easily identified.
[0031]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0032]
Referring to FIGS. 1 (A), 1 (B) and 3, an optical cable 1 according to this embodiment has a sheath of an optical fiber core comprising a plurality of strands or a tape core, in other words. This is a cable in which a plurality or a large number of optical fibers 3 are sheathed. When this optical cable 1 is laid underground or on a utility pole, the length of the optical cable 1 is limited, so that another optical cable 1 is connected and extended.
[0033]
At this time, the optical fibers 3 of the optical cable 1 are fusion-spliced to each other, and the fusion spliced portion 5 is, for example, an optical fiber fusion-stiffening sleeve 7 (hereinafter referred to as a “stiffening sleeve”) as an optical fiber-stiffening reinforcing member of the present embodiment. ") To extend the cable length.
[0034]
The reinforcing sleeve 7 according to the present embodiment covers and reinforces the fusion spliced portion 5 of the optical fiber 3, and includes, for example, a heat-shrinkable tube 9 as a heat-shrinkable heat-shrinkable sleeve and a heat-meltable resin. It comprises, for example, a hot-melt resin tube 11 as a sleeve, and a tensile strength portion 15 containing, for example, an RFID tag 13 (Radio Frequency Identification) as an RFID.
[0035]
The heat-shrinkable tube 9 constitutes the outermost layer of the reinforcing sleeve 7, shrinks in the vicinity of 80 to 100 ° C., and has a tensile strength with the hot-melt resin tube 11 covering the fusion spliced portion 5 of the optical fiber 3. The portion 15 is surrounded from the outer periphery and integrated.
[0036]
The hot-melt resin tube 11 melts when heated at 80 to 100 ° C., and fixes other members when the temperature is returned to room temperature. The tensile strength part 15 is also fixed inside the shrinkable tube 9.
[0037]
The tensile strength part 15 includes a tensile strength member 17 for reinforcing the fusion spliced portion 5 covered with the hot melt resin tube 11 so as to provide a tensile strength against bending, expansion and contraction, and the like, and an RFID tag 13 built in the tensile strength body 17. , Is composed of. In other words, the above-described tensile strength section 15 can also be referred to as an “RFID tag built-in tensile strength body”.
[0038]
More specifically, the heat-shrinkable tube 9 shrinks in the radial direction when heated, but also shrinks in the longitudinal direction at that time, so that the tensile strength member 17 prevents the optical fiber 3 from shrinking in the longitudinal direction. It is for doing. By the way, if the optical fiber 3 contracts in the length direction, micro-bending occurs and the signal light is lost.
[0039]
The main material of the tensile strength member 17 is generally stainless steel if it is a metal, and FRP if it is a non-metal. Further, glass, ceramic, and the like are also used. The strength member 17 has a rod-shaped or plate-shaped outer shape.
[0040]
Referring to FIG. 2, in this embodiment, the tensile strength portion 15 is formed by enclosing the RFID tag 13 in a glass tube (glass body) serving as a tensile strength body 17, and has a rod shape having a rectangular cross section. ing. That is, as the tensile strength portion 15, a tuning capacitor, a power supply capacitor, and an IC chip (Integrated Circuit) storing identification information of the optical fiber 3 are stored in the glass tube 17 having a rectangular cross section. And an antenna coil 21 electrically connected to the IC package 19. The antenna coil 21 plays a role of a minute antenna, and is formed by a straight rod-shaped or plate-shaped magnetic core member 23 and spirally wound around the magnetic core member 23 around the axis of the magnetic core member 23. It consists of a coated copper wire 25 as a coil body.
[0041]
That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the RFID tag 13 transmits a signal from the antenna 31 connected to the RFID reader 27 (lead device or read / writer device) as a reader using electromagnetic induction by the cable 29. The identification information of the optical fiber 3 stored in the IC chip in the IC package 19 via the antenna coil 21 can be read and written by the radio wave transmitted. That is, electromagnetic waves are exchanged between the antenna 31 of the RFID reader 27 and the antenna coil 21 of the RFID tag 13, and the optical fiber 3 to which the RFID tag 13 is fixed can be compared and identified.
[0042]
With the above configuration, when the optical cable 1 is extended, the optical fiber 3 of the optical cable 1 is inserted through the hot-melt resin tube 11 of the reinforcing sleeve 7 and then abuts with the optical fiber 3 of another optical cable 1. The butted portions of the fibers 3 are fused and connected. Next, the reinforcing sleeve 7 is moved to the fusion splicing portion 5 to cover the fusion splicing portion 5 of the optical fiber 3 with the hot melt resin tube 11.
[0043]
Next, by heating the periphery of the heat-shrinkable tube 9 at 80 to 100 ° C., the hot-melt resin tube 11 is melted to cover the fusion spliced portion 5, and at the same time, the heat-shrinkable tube 9 shrinks. Thus, the hot melt resin tube 11 and the tensile strength portion 15 are surrounded and integrated from the outer peripheral side. At this time, since the contraction in the length direction of the optical fiber 3 is prevented by the RFID tag built-in type tension member as the tensile strength portion 15, micro-bending does not occur in the optical fiber 3.
[0044]
The RFID tag 13 provided on the reinforcing sleeve 7 includes identification information such as the core wire, the line, and the construction of the optical fiber 3 to be fixed at the time of the above connection by, for example, a lead / writer device.
[0045]
As described above, each optical fiber 3 of the optical cable 1 is fusion-spliced, whereby the optical cable 1 is extended. Moreover, a reinforcing sleeve 7 having an RFID tag 13 storing identification information of the corresponding optical fiber 3 is attached to the fusion splicing portion 5 of each optical fiber 3.
[0046]
Referring to FIG. 3, there is shown a state of a core wire contrast / identification test of each optical fiber 3 of the optical cable 1 at the site. An 134 kHz electromagnetic wave is radiated to the surroundings as an interrogation signal from an antenna 31 connected to the RFID reader 27 via a cable 29. Note that the above-mentioned electromagnetic wave is usually at or below 135 kHz, but is not limited to this.
[0047]
On the other hand, the reinforcing sleeve 7 accommodating the RFID tag 13 is fixed to the optical fiber 3 to be compared with the core wire, and the RFID tag 13 transmits the 134 kHz electromagnetic wave as an interrogation signal transmitted from the antenna 31. Is stored in the power supply capacitor as an energy source, and then an electromagnetic wave as a response signal including identification information of the optical fiber 3 stored in the IC chip is returned to the antenna 31.
[0048]
As described above, the exchange of the electromagnetic wave between the antenna 31 of the RFID reader 27 and the RFID tag 13 allows the optical fiber 3 to which the RFID tag 13 is fixed to be compared and identified. Therefore, at the time of line switching or the like, the identification information of the optical fiber 3 of the RFID tag 13 is read by the RFID reader 27 (read device or read / writer device), so that the optical fiber 3 on which the line is laid is not touched. The required optical fibers 3 can be recognized, and the line state of each optical fiber 3 can be easily managed.
[0049]
In other words, since the optical fiber 3 can be compared and identified at one point on the site and by one operator, it is possible to save a great deal of labor in managing the line state of the optical fiber 3. . In addition, since the conventional optical fiber control and discriminator are not used, an increase in loss and fluctuation in the optical fiber can be avoided.
[0050]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can be embodied in other modes by making appropriate changes.
[0051]
【The invention's effect】
As can be understood from the above description of the embodiment of the invention, according to the invention of claim 1, the optical fiber fusion reinforcing member provided with the RFID storing the identification information of the optical fiber is provided in advance for each optical cable. It is attached to the fusion splicing part of the optical fiber. At the time of line switching, etc., only one worker can read out the identification information of the optical fiber from the RFID of each optical fiber at only one point on the site, so it is necessary to touch the optical fiber carrying the line Can be compared and identified for the optical fiber, and significant labor saving can be achieved. In addition, since the conventional optical fiber control and discriminator are not used, an increase in loss and fluctuation in the optical fiber can be avoided.
[0052]
In addition, since the tensile strength section is integrated with the RFID element built in the tensile strength member, an optimal shape and miniaturization can be achieved.
[0053]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the tensile strength portion is integrated by enclosing the RFID with a glass body, it can be easily manufactured in order to achieve an optimum shape and miniaturization.
[0054]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, the identification information of the optical fiber can be easily written in the RFID, and the written identification information of the optical fiber does not disappear over time. Can be easily identified in a short time without contact.
[0055]
According to the invention of claim 4, the optical fiber fusion reinforcing member provided with the RFID storing the identification information of the optical fiber is attached to the fusion splicing portion of each optical fiber of the optical cable in advance. At the time of line switching, etc., only one worker can read out the identification information of the optical fiber from the RFID of each optical fiber at only one point on the site, so it is necessary to touch the optical fiber carrying the line Can be compared and identified for the optical fiber, and significant labor saving can be achieved. In addition, since the conventional optical fiber control and discriminator are not used, an increase in loss and fluctuation in the optical fiber can be avoided.
[0056]
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the tensile strength section incorporates and integrates the RFID, it is possible to achieve an optimum shape and a small size, and it is easy to handle the optical fiber in managing the optical fiber.
[0057]
According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the identification information of the optical fiber can be easily written in the RFID, and the written identification information of the optical fiber does not disappear over time. Can be easily identified in a short time without contact.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1A is a longitudinal sectional view of a reinforcing sleeve (optical fiber attaching member) according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1B is a sectional view taken along line II of FIG. FIG.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a tensile strength unit having a built-in RFID tag used in the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a schematic explanatory diagram of an optical fiber management method according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a schematic explanatory diagram of a conventional optical fiber management method.
FIG. 5 is a schematic explanatory diagram on the MDF or IDF side of a conventional optical fiber management method.
FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of a conventional optical fiber management method on the site side.
FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view of a conventional reinforcing sleeve in a longitudinal direction, and FIGS. 7B and 7C are cross-sectional views taken along line VII-VII of FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Optical cable 3 Optical fiber 5 Fusion splicing part 7 Reinforcement sleeve (Optical fiber fusion reinforcing member; Optical fiber fusion fusion sleeve)
9 Heat shrink tube (heat shrink sleeve)
11 Hot melt resin tube (heat melting resin sleeve)
13 RFID tag 15 Tensile part 17 Tensile element 19 IC package 21 Antenna coil 23 Magnetic core member 25 Coated copper wire 27 RFID reader (reader; lead device or lead / writer device)
29 Cable 31 Antenna

Claims (6)

An optical fiber fusion reinforcing member that covers and reinforces a fusion spliced portion between optical fibers, wherein a heat-fusible resin sleeve that covers the fusion spliced portion and a portion covered by the heat-meltable resin sleeve are reinforced. A tensile strength part composed of a tensile strength member to be formed and an RFID built in the tensile strength body and storing identification information for identifying a corresponding optical fiber, and the heat-fusible resin sleeve and the tensile strength portion are surrounded from the outer periphery and integrated. And a heat-shrinkable sleeve having heat-shrinkability. The optical fiber fusion reinforcing member according to claim 1, wherein the tensile strength portion is configured by enclosing the RFID with a glass body. 3. The optical fiber fusion reinforcing member according to claim 1, wherein the RFID is readable and writable from outside without contact. In an optical fiber management method for managing a line of a plurality of optical fibers configured by laying an optical cable sheathed optical fiber core wire consisting of a plurality of strands or a tape core,
In advance, for each line of the optical fiber, the optical fiber fusion reinforcing member provided with the RFID storing identification information for identifying the corresponding optical fiber covers and reinforced the fusion spliced portion between the optical fibers. An optical fiber management method for managing the line state of each optical fiber by identifying and identifying each optical fiber by a reader when identifying each of the optical fibers. The optical fiber management method according to claim 4, wherein the optical fiber fusion reinforcing member includes a tensile strength section containing the RFID. The optical fiber management method according to claim 4, wherein the RFID is readable and writable from outside without contact.

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