JP2007147876A - Closure for optical cable connection - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a closure for optical cable connection, with which a coated optical fiber can be utilized effectively and with which a faulty location can be detected quickly when a fault has occurred. <P>SOLUTION: The closure is provided, inside the body 12, with at least two splitter modules 21, 22 for branching a coated optical fiber 11 into a number of coated fibers 15a-15c. At least one cable made to enter an optical cable storing part 20 passes via an optical transmission line 14, for which the two splitter modules 21, 22 are connected serially. In addition, among each of the splitter modules 21, 22 are connected by a connector 16, as are between the coated optical fibers 11, 15a-15c and each of the splitter modules 21, 22. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical cable connection closure and, for example, to an optical cable connection closure equipped with an optical cable housing portion for interconnecting optical fiber core wires in an aerial manner.

In recent PON (Passive Optical Network), in order to share one optical fiber with a larger number of users, splitters are widely distributed near the users. That is, as shown in FIG. 8, in this network 100, for example, a communication provider's equipment center 101 and a GE-PON (Gigabit Ethernet (registered trademark) -Passive Optical Network) station 103 are connected by a communication optical fiber 102. Thus, the communication line is branched into four systems by the four-branch splitter 104 equipped in the GE-PON station 103. Further, the communication line branched by the four-branch splitter 104 is connected to the eight-branch splitter 107 provided in the imaginary closure 108 installed near the users 106a, 106b, 106c,. After branching to the system, the 8-branch splitter 107 and the users 106a, 106b, 106c,... Are connected by the drop core 109 to construct an optical communication network. Accordingly, in this example, the 8-branch splitter 107 is distributed and arranged in four systems by the closures 108 installed at four places (only two places in the drawing).
Moreover, in the 8-branch splitter 107, the 8-branch splitter 107 is generally wired ahead regardless of the presence or absence of a user.

FIG. 9 shows an optical cable connection closure having a conventional structure equipped with a splitter as described above (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
In the optical cable connection closure 110 described in Patent Document 1, a drop core wire tray 113 formed by stacking a lower layer tray 111 and an upper layer tray 112 in a vertical manner is inserted into and removed from the insertion shelf of the tray storage case 114. The lower layer tray 111 and the upper layer tray 112 are each provided with a plurality of unillustrated interior trays, and each of the interior trays is provided with an optical fiber core wire lead-in / out portion and a core wire lead-in / out portion. A connector storage unit that stores connectors that connect the core wires that enter each other, a splitter storage unit, and a core wire extra length storage unit that winds and stores the extra core wire length.
JP 2003-215355 A

By the way, in the network 100 as described above, since the eight-branch splitter 107 is usually arranged ahead of each other in each residential area of the user, if the user 106 is not connected, the extra core line is sufficient. There was a problem that it was difficult to turn to other areas.
Moreover, since the 4-branch splitter 104 installed in the GE-PON station 103 and the 8-branch splitter 107 installed in the vicinity of the users 106a, 106b, 106c,... When this occurs, there is an inconvenience that it takes a lot of time and much trouble to investigate the failure point based on the separation work.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and its purpose is to make effective use of surplus core wires and to quickly and easily detect a failure point when a failure occurs. An object of the present invention is to provide a closure for connecting an optical cable.

  In order to achieve the above-described object, a first feature of the optical cable connection closure according to the present invention is an optical cable connection closure equipped with an optical cable housing portion for aerial interconnection of optical fiber core wires. An optical transmission line provided with at least two splitter modules for branching the optical fiber cores into a plurality of cores inside the main body, wherein at least one cable input to the optical cable housing unit is connected in series with the two splitter modules And connecting the optical fiber core wire to each of the splitter modules and the splitter modules.

The optical cable connection closure configured as described above has at least two splitter modules for branching a number of optical fiber cores into a plurality of cores, and at least one cable input to the optical cable housing unit has these two splitter modules connected in series. Since it passes through the connected optical transmission line, the upper splitter module and the lower splitter module are provided in a single optical cable connection closure. As a result, for example, it is possible to easily direct the core wire to the area where the core wire is insufficient in the optical cable connection closure.
In addition, since connectors between the splitter modules and between the core and each splitter module are connected, for example, when a failure occurs in the optical transmission line, the connector connection part is separated into an upper part and a lower part. By measuring the optical transmission line with a measuring instrument such as OTDR, it is possible to easily detect the failure point.

  Further, a second feature of the optical cable connection closure according to the present invention is that, in the first feature of the present invention, the splitter module is mounted on a splitter tray slidably attached to a tray storage case. It is in.

  In the optical cable connection closure configured as described above, since the splitter tray storing the splitter module is slidably attached to the tray storage case, the desired splitter module can be easily pulled out and the workability can be improved. Improvements can be made.

  A third feature of the optical cable connection closure according to the present invention is that, in the first or second feature of the present invention, the splitter module is close to either the input side or the output side in the splitter tray. And is detachably mounted.

  In the optical cable connection closure configured in this way, the splitter module can be attached to either the input side or the output side in the splitter tray, so for example, the wiring connecting the upper splitter module and the lower splitter module. The mounting position can be selected according to the handling state.

  A fourth feature of the optical cable connection closure according to the present invention is that, in any one of the first to third features of the present invention, the splitter module is centered on a rotation fulcrum with respect to the bottom plate of the splitter tray. And the free end side of the splitter module is provided so as to be separated from the bottom plate.

  In the optical cable connection closure configured as described above, the splitter module rotates about the rotation fulcrum and the free end side can be lifted from the bottom plate of the splitter tray. Can be improved.

  A fifth feature of the optical cable connecting closure according to the present invention is that, in the fourth feature of the present invention described above, there is a through-hole for inserting an operator's finger or the like to separate the splitter module from the bottom plate. It exists in being formed in the said baseplate.

  In the optical cable connection closure configured as described above, the operator can easily lift the free end side of the splitter module by inserting a finger or the like from the through hole of the bottom plate of the splitter tray.

  According to a sixth feature of the optical cable connection closure according to the present invention, in the first to fifth features of the present invention described above, the splitter module is cable-connected to the end surface on the free end side. The adapter is provided.

  In the optical cable connection closure configured as described above, since the adapter is provided on the free end side of the rotating splitter module, the connector can be easily attached and detached.

  According to the present invention, since the upper splitter module and the lower splitter module are provided in a single optical cable connection closure, it is possible to easily distribute the cores to the respective districts according to the increase or decrease of users. Also, when a failure occurs in the optical transmission line, it is easy to disconnect the connector connection between the splitter modules and between the core wire and each splitter module and measure the communication line with a measuring instrument such as OTDR. It is possible to detect a failure point.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing the configuration of an optical cable connection closure of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing wiring when a core wire is turned to a user in another district. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the part which is common in what was shown in FIG.8 and FIG.9 mentioned above, and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an optical cable connection closure 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided with an optical cable housing portion 20 that connects optical fiber core wires 11 and 15 a to 15 c in an aerial manner inside a main body 12. In the main body 12, two first and second splitter modules 21 and 22 for branching the optical fiber core 11 into a plurality of cores 15a, 15b and 15c are provided.

  In the present embodiment, one of the optical fiber cores 11 input to the optical cable housing unit 20 is connected to the first splitter module 21 and the second splitter module 22 in series, and is dropped from the optical cable housing unit 20. An optical transmission line that outputs to 15a and 15b is formed.

  Connectors 16 are connected to each other between the splitter modules 21 and 22 and between each of the splitter modules 21 and 22 and the optical fiber core wires 11 and 15a to 15c.

  The splitter modules 21 and 22 are provided with splitters 27 and 28 (described later), a core wire extra length processing unit (not shown), and an adapter 39 (see FIG. 4) serving as a connector connection unit. is there.

  In the present embodiment, the optical cable connection closure 10 is configured by mounting a 4-branch splitter 27 and an 8-branch splitter 28 therein. That is, in the present embodiment, the first splitter module 21 has a configuration in which the 4-branch splitter 27 is mounted, and the second splitter module 22 has a configuration in which the 8-branch splitter 28 is mounted.

  The optical cable connection closure 10 is configured as described above, thereby omitting the four-branch splitter 104 (see FIG. 8) in the GE-PON station 103 shown in the conventional example, and omitting this four-branch splitter. Instead of 104, a four-branch splitter 27 can be provided in a single closure 10 integrally with an eight-branch splitter 28.

For this reason, this optical cable connection closure 10 is attached to a support line such as a messenger wire (not shown) in an aerial position at a substantially intermediate position between the GE-PON station 103 (see FIG. 8) and the user 106.
Each of the splitters 27 and 28 is configured as an optical fiber coupler with a connector or a waveguide type splitter.

  The optical fiber core 11 on the input side is connected to an FO (Fan-Out) cord 19 which is an optical fiber tape cord with a connector at a fusion sleeve 18 of the fusion splicing tray 17. A branch splitter 27 is connected via the connector 16. Similarly, the output side optical fiber core wires (drop core wires) 15 a, 15 b and 15 c are connected to the FO cord 19 connected to the fusion sleeve 18 of the fusion connection tray 17. A branch splitter 28 is connected through the connector 16.

  The four-branch splitter 27 of the first splitter module 21 and the eight-branch splitter 28 of the second splitter module 22 are connected in series by a patch wire 13a having LC connectors at both ends. The other branch line 13 b of the splitter 27 is connected to the fusion sleeve 18 of the fusion splicing tray 17 by the FO cord 19.

In the present embodiment, a part of the first splitter module 21 is connected to the second splitter module 22 in the optical cable connection closure 10, but as described above, the first splitter module 21 is connected to the second splitter module 22. There is also an optical transmission line that is wired directly to the user side without going through the splitter module 22.
Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the case where two first splitter modules 21a and 22b and two second splitter modules 22a and 22b are provided is shown. One or two or more splitter modules 21 and 22 can be provided.

  The optical fiber core 11 on the input side is divided into four branches (two branches in the figure) by the first splitter module 21, and one branched optical transmission line is further connected to the second splitter module 22 and eight branches (shown in the figure). 2 branches), and then connected to the user 106 via the drop cores 15a and 15b on the output side. At this time, as shown in FIG. 2, for example, the second splitter module 22a can allocate one for the user 106a in the A area and the other for the user 106b in the B area. In this case, if the number of users 106a in area A is smaller than planned and the core 15d is left, while the number of users 106b in area B is large and there is a shortage of lines corresponding to the core 15e, As shown in FIG. 2, the core wire 15d of the splitter module 22a for the A district is connected to the connector in the optical cable connection closure 10, and is assigned as the core wire 15e of the splitter module 22b for the B district. I can turn around.

  Further, when a failure occurs in the optical transmission line between the GE-PON station 103 and the user 106, the connector connection portion in the optical cable connection closure 10 is separated to connect the GE-PON station 103 to the optical cable. The faulty point can be easily detected by dividing the upper part between the optical fiber closure 10 and the lower part between the optical cable connection closure 10 and the user 106 and measuring with a measuring instrument such as OTDR. .

  As described above, according to the optical cable connection closure 10 described above, the upper splitter module 21 and the lower splitter module 22 are provided in the single optical cable connection closure 10. For this reason, for example, even if a situation occurs in which a surplus of lines occurs in the splitter module 22a allocated for the A district and a shortage of circuits occurs in the splitter module 22b allocated for the B district, This can be dealt with by changing the connection between the modules 21 and 22, and the core wire can be used effectively.

Next, a specific example of the optical cable connection closure 10 will be described.
3A is a front view of the inside of the optical cable connection closure, FIG. 3B is an end view, FIG. 3C is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC in FIG. 3A, and FIG. 3D is a plan view. 4A is a plan view of the splitter tray, FIG. 4B is a front view, FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state in which the splitter module is lifted with a finger, and FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing a wiring configuration of the storage unit. FIG. 7 is a wiring diagram between the splitter trays. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the site | part which is common in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 mentioned above, and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.

As shown in FIG. 3, the optical cable connecting closure 10 has a main body 12 including a main body frame 12a made of, for example, an aluminum alloy, and left and right (left and right in FIGS. 3B and 3C) including the main body frame 12a. And a substantially box-shaped main body case 12b made of plastic resin.
The main body frame 12a is provided with a fusion splicing tray 17 and a tray storage case 23, which will be described later, constituting the optical cable housing portion 20, and the main body frame 12a is integrally provided with a main body case 12b, which is not shown. Suspension fittings 31 for attaching to a wire are provided on the front and rear sides (left and right in FIG. 3A).
Further, end face plates 12c are provided at both front and rear ends of the main body case 12b.
The end face plate 12c has a plurality of holes through which a support wire (not shown), the optical fiber core wire 11 and the drop core wires 15a, 15b, and 15c are led in and out, and rain, dust and the like enter the inside of the main body 12. To prevent.

The main body frame 12 a is provided with a fusion splicing tray 17, and a tray storage case 23 is provided therebelow.
The tray storage case 23 accommodates the four-branch splitter tray 25 in the uppermost insertion shelf so that it can be pulled out, and eight 8-branch splitter trays 26 are retractably accommodated in the lower insertion shelf. Here, the tray storage case 23 is provided in a shelf structure in which one stage of the four-branch splitter tray 25 and eight stages of the eight-branch splitter tray 26 can be stacked and mounted.

  FIG. 4 shows a four-branch splitter tray 25. Note that the four-branch splitter tray 25 and the eight-branch splitter tray 26 only have different names depending on the splitters to be accommodated, and the overall shape is the same, so only the four-branch splitter tray 25 will be described here. Related parts will be displayed in parentheses in the figure.

The four-branch splitter tray 25 has a rectangular flat plate-shaped bottom plate 34 and a side wall portion 35 erected along the outer peripheral edge of the bottom plate 34, and can store the first splitter module 21 on the bottom plate 34. I have to.
The four-branch splitter tray 25 has either a half (right half in FIG. 4A) close to the output side of the bottom plate 34 or a half close to the input side (left half in FIG. 4A) (FIG. 4). Then, the splitter module 21 can also be arranged in the output half), and the remaining half space in which the splitter module 21 is not arranged can accommodate the excess core wire.

The four-branch splitter tray 25 includes rotation support portions 36 that can rotatably support the splitter module 21 by engaging engagement protrusions 21b formed at the end of the four-branch splitter module 21 at both ends.
As is clear from the above description, the rotation support portion 36 is detachably attached to the locking projection 21b so that the rotation support portion 36 can be selectively attached according to the arrangement position of the four-branch splitter module 21. Yes.
The splitter module 21 is rotatably supported, so that the free end 21 a side is supported so as to be separated from the bottom plate 35.

  The bottom plate 34 is provided with two through holes 37 for pushing up and rotating the splitter module 21. The through holes 37 are provided at positions shifted in both the front and rear directions from the center of the bottom plate 34, so that the splitter module 21 can be pushed up from below the bottom plate 34 regardless of whether the splitter module 21 is attached to the front or rear side of the splitter tray 25. It has become. The through-hole 37 is sized to allow the finger M (see FIG. 5) to enter, and as shown in FIG. 5, the operator can insert the finger M from below the bottom plate 34 without using a tool. Can easily rotate the splitter module 21 upward.

  An adapter 39 for connecting the connector 16 is arranged on the end surface of the splitter module 21 on the free end 21a side. That is, by rotating the splitter module 21 and separating the free end 21a from the bottom plate 34, the connector 16 can be easily connected and workability can be improved.

  6 and 7, a first splitter module 21 having an upper four-branch splitter 27 and a second splitter module 22 having a lower eight-branch splitter 28 connected in series to the four-branch splitter 27 are shown. The connection status of is shown. 7 shows a case where one splitter module 22 is connected to one splitter module 21, but the same applies to the case where a plurality of splitter modules 22 are connected.

  First, the optical fiber core 11 taken out from the optical cable on the input side is connected to the input side FO cord 19 by introducing a partial core branched from the optical fiber core 11 into the fusion splicing tray 17 ( Then, it is drawn into the uppermost four-branch splitter tray 25 of the tray storage case 23 and connected to the first splitter module 21 (indicated by II in FIG. 6). That is, as shown in FIG. 7, the input side optical fiber 11 is connected to the adapter 39 of the splitter module 21 by connecting the connector 16a of the input side FO cord 19 to the four-branch splitter 27 (FIG. 1). Connected).

  Next, one connector 16b of the patch wire 13a is connected to the adapter 39 of the first splitter module 21, and the other connector 16c is mounted on the eight-branch splitter tray 26 located on the lower layer side. By connecting to the adapter 39 of the module 22, the second splitter module 22 is connected in series to the first splitter module 21 (indicated by III in FIG. 6). FIG. 6 shows a case where one first splitter module 21 is connected to two second splitter modules 22, but the required number of second splitter modules 22 are connected. . At this time, as shown in FIG. 7, the patch wire 13 a is wired to the lower 8-branch splitter tray 26 through the outlet 38 formed in the 4-branch splitter tray 25.

  Next, after the connector 16d of the FO cord 19 on the output side is connected to the adapter 39 of the second splitter module 22, the other end of the FO cord 19 is introduced into the fusion splicing tray 17 above the outlet port 39 (in FIG. 6). The other end of the FO cord 19 is connected to the optical fiber core wires 15a and 15b (see FIG. 1) in the fusion splicing tray 17 (indicated by V in FIG. 6).

As described above, the splitter modules 21 and 22 are mounted on the splitter trays 25 and 26 slidably attached to the tray storage case 23, and the predetermined splitter trays 25 and 26 are pulled out from the tray storage case 23. The connection between the splitter modules 21 and 22 can be easily changed according to the excess or deficiency of the line.
Further, since the splitter modules 21 and 22 can be attached at any location in the splitter trays 25 and 26 close to the input side or the output side, the cable introduction direction can be selected and attached according to the wiring situation at the site.
In addition, since the adapters 39 are provided on the end surfaces on the free ends 21a and 22a side where the adapters 39 can be easily lifted, the splitter modules 21 and 22 can be easily attached and detached.

The optical cable connection closure of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and appropriate modifications, improvements, and the like are possible.
For example, in the above-described embodiment, the case where one or more 8-branch splitters 28 are connected in series to one 4-branch splitter 27 has been described. It is also possible to connect one or a plurality of four-branch splitters 27, or to connect one or a plurality of eight-branch splitters 28 to one eight-branch splitter 28.

As described above, the optical cable connection closure according to the present invention has the upper splitter module and the lower splitter module in a single optical cable connection closure. Turning can be easily performed in the optical cable connection closure.
In addition, since the connectors are connected between the splitter modules and between the core wire and each splitter module, for example, when a failure occurs in the optical transmission path, between the splitter modules and between the core wire and each splitter module. By disconnecting the connector connection between them and measuring the optical transmission line with a measuring instrument such as OTDR, it is possible to easily detect the fault point, and a plurality of optical fiber core wires are interconnected in an aerial manner It is useful as a closure for connecting optical cables.

It is explanatory drawing which showed planarly the structure of the closure for optical cable connection concerning this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the wiring in the case of turning a core wire to the user of another district. (A) is a front view of the optical cable connection closure, (B) and (C) are left and right end views, and (D) is a plan view. (A) is a top view of a splitter tray, (B) is a front view. It is a perspective view which shows the state which lifted the splitter module with the finger | toe. It is explanatory drawing which shows the wiring form of a accommodating part. It is a wiring diagram of a splitter tray. It is explanatory drawing of a PON network. It is sectional drawing which shows the closure for the conventional optical cable connection which accommodates a splitter.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Optical cable connection closure 11 Optical fiber core wire 13a Patch wire 13b Branch line 16 Connector 20 Optical cable accommodating part 21 1st splitter module 22 2nd splitter module 21a, 22a Free end 23 Tray storage case 25 4 branch splitter tray 26 8 Branch splitter tray 34 Bottom plate 36 Rotating support 37 Through hole

Claims (6)

An optical cable connection closure equipped with an optical cable housing portion for interconnecting optical fiber core wires in an aerial manner,
Equipped with at least two splitter modules for branching the optical fiber core wires into a plurality of core wires inside the main body, and at least one cable input to the optical cable housing portion is an optical transmission line in which the two splitter modules are connected in series. An optical cable connection closure characterized in that the optical fiber core wire is connected to each splitter module and to each other through a connector.   2. The optical cable connection closure according to claim 1, wherein the splitter module is mounted on a splitter tray slidably attached to a tray storage case.   3. The optical cable connection closure according to claim 1, wherein the splitter module is detachably mounted close to either the input side or the output side in the splitter tray.   2. The splitter module is provided so as to be rotatable about a rotation fulcrum with respect to a bottom plate of the splitter tray, and a free end side of the splitter module is provided so as to be separated from the bottom plate. The closure for optical cable connection in any one of -3.   5. The optical cable connection closure according to claim 4, wherein a through-hole for inserting an operator's finger or the like to separate the splitter module from the bottom plate is formed in the bottom plate.   The optical cable connection closure according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the splitter module is provided with an adapter that is cable-connected to an end face on the free end side.

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