JP2017207594A - Optical cable, and insertion/removal method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optical cable that makes it possible to prevent the congestion of optical cables even when a large number of optical cables are laid, and an insertion/removal method.SOLUTION: An optical cable has a code part 10, a first branched part 20 provided at one end of the code part, a second branched part 20 provided at the other end of the code part, a first branched code part 30 extending from the first branched part, and a second branched code part 30 extending from the second branched part. The code part has a plurality of laminated tape core wires.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical cable.

  As communication traffic increases in capacity, transmission devices are becoming increasingly dense and highly integrated. For example, a high-speed optical transmission technology that realizes a transmission rate of 100 Gbit / s and a transmission device such as a 100 G integrated XC device that integrates a wavelength cross-connect and a packet switch are used.

  In a communication carrier station or user building, the transmission apparatuses are connected by an optical cable. Along with the increase in communication traffic capacity, the amount of optical cable connections has increased. At present, for example, the amount of optical cable connections is several times that of conventional cables. There is a problem that work efficiency decreases. In addition, during maintenance work, for example, it is necessary to insert and remove an optical cable of 1000 cores, so there is a problem that it takes too much time to work with a normal (single-core optical cable) optical cable.

JP 2014-228687A JP 2014-92678 A

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a technique that can suppress congestion of an optical cable even when many optical cables are laid.

  According to an embodiment of the present invention, a cord portion, a first branch portion provided at one end of the cord portion, a second branch portion provided at the other end of the cord portion, and the first An optical cable comprising: a first branch cord portion extending from one branch portion; and a second branch cord portion extending from the second branch portion, wherein the cord portion includes a plurality of laminated tape cores. An optical cable is provided.

  According to the embodiment of the present invention, even when many optical cables are laid, it is possible to suppress congestion of the optical cables.

It is a figure showing the whole optical cable composition in an embodiment of the invention. It is sectional drawing of a code | cord | chord part. It is another example of sectional drawing of a code part. It is sectional drawing of the code | cord | chord part of the conventional optical cable. It is the figure of the part branched from the 2 core code | cord | chord of a branch cord part to 1 core, and sectional drawing of a 2 core cord. It is a perspective view of a double connector with a tab. It is the figure which looked at the double connector with a tab from the side. It is the figure which looked at the double connector with a tab from the top. It is a figure which shows the operation example which pushes in a latch part. It is a figure for demonstrating the insertion / extraction method. It is a figure which shows the image of laying.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment (this embodiment) of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiment described below is only an example, and the embodiment to which the present invention is applied is not limited to the following embodiment. For example, in the optical cable of the present embodiment, a BI (Bend Insensitive) fiber is used as an optical fiber, but this is an example, and the present invention is not limited to the BI fiber but can be applied to various optical fibers. Is possible.

(Configuration of optical cable)
FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of the optical cable in the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the optical cable according to the present embodiment includes a cord portion 10, branch portions 20 provided at both ends of the cord portion 10, and branch cord portions 30 extending from the branch portions 20. In the example shown in FIG. 1, a connector is connected to the tip of each cord constituting the branch cord portion 30, but an optical cable having two branch cord portions 30 to which no connector is connected may be provided.

  FIG. 1 shows the length of each part. In the example of FIG. 1, the length of the cord portion 10 is 1.2 m. The length of each branch cord portion 30 at each end (the straight length from the end of the branch portion 20 on the branch cord portion 30 side to the tip of the connector) is 0.8 m. The length of each branch part 20 is, for example, 10 cm. The length shown here is only an example. The length of each part may be longer or shorter than the length shown here. Hereinafter, each part will be described in more detail.

<Code part 10>
A cross section of the cord portion 10 in the optical cable of the present embodiment is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the cord portion 10 of the present embodiment has a configuration in which two layers of 8-core tape core wires 11 are stacked. Each tape core wire is a core wire in which eight fiber strands are arranged in parallel and are collectively covered with, for example, an ultraviolet curable resin.

As shown in FIG. 2, an aramid fiber 12 is filled around the two-layered 8-core tape core wire 11 and covered with an outer jacket 13 (tube). The jacket 13 is, for example, FRPP (Flame Retardant Polypropylene), but this is an example. For example, PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) may be used. Regarding the outer diameter of the rectangular cross section shown in FIG. 2, the minor axis is about 4 mm and the major axis is about 5 mm. The cross-sectional area is about 20 mm ² . The outer diameter is an example, and may be longer or shorter than the length shown here.

In the example shown in FIG. 2, the eight-core tape core wire 11 has a configuration in which two layers are stacked, but a configuration other than this configuration is also possible. For example, as shown to Fig.3 (a), it is good also as a structure which made the 4 core tape core wire 11 into 2 layers. In the example shown in FIG. 3A, the minor axis is about 3 mm and the major axis is about 4 mm. The cross-sectional area is about 12 mm ² . Moreover, as shown in FIG.3 (b), the structure which uses the single | mono layer 8 core tape core wire 11 may be sufficient. In the example shown in FIG. 3B, the minor axis is about 3 mm and the major axis is about 5 mm. The cross-sectional area is about 15 mm ² .

For reference, an example of a cross section of a conventional 16-core cord is shown in FIG. The diameter of the cross section shown in FIG. 4 is about 13 mm. The cross-sectional area is about 133 mm ² . It can be seen that the cross-sectional area of the cord portion 10 of the optical cable in the present embodiment is significantly smaller than that of the prior art. Moreover, since the cross section of the cord portion 10 of the optical cable in the present embodiment is rectangular, when the cord portions 10 of a plurality of optical cables are bundled, they can be bundled without gaps, and the spatial accommodation efficiency is high.

As an example, when bundling 1024 fibers, consider the cross-sectional area of the bundled cord portions 10. In the configuration shown in FIG. 2, 20 mm ² × 64 = 1280 mm ² . In the configuration shown in FIG. 3 (a), a 12 mm ² × 128 present = 1536mm ^2. In the configuration shown in FIG. 3B, 15 mm ² × 128 lines = 1920 mm ² . In the conventional optical cable shown in FIG. 4, since the cable itself is thick and circular, a gap is generated when bundled, and the cross-sectional area is significantly larger than that of the optical cable of the present embodiment.

  From the viewpoint of bundling a large number of core wires, a configuration in which a plurality of layers are laminated as shown in FIG. 2 is preferable to a single layer. Moreover, the number of layers of the tape core wire in the case of a multi-layer structure is not limited to 2, and may be 3 or more. However, in consideration of bending characteristics, two or three layers are preferable. Further, in the case of adopting a multi-layer configuration, the number of cores (the number of fibers) of one tape core is not limited to 8 or 16. For example, the number may be greater than 8 and less than 16, or may be greater than 16. Also, the number may be smaller than 8.

<Branch unit 20 (fan-out unit), branch code unit 30>
The branch unit 20 and the branch code unit 30 in the present embodiment are provided at both ends of the code unit 10. The configuration of the two “branch unit 20 and branch code unit 30” at both ends is not necessarily the same, but is assumed to be the same in the present embodiment. Unit 30 "will be described. On the other side, a “branch unit 20 and a branch code unit 30” having the same configuration are provided.

  The branch part 20 is a part that branches 16 optical fibers (8-fiber tape × 2) from the cord part 10. The cross section of the branch part 20 may be circular or rectangular. As shown in FIG. 1, the branch code portion 30 is a set of two-core cords from a portion starting from the branch portion 20 to the middle. Each two-core cord becomes a one-core cord from the middle, and a single-core connector (eg, single-core LC connector) is connected to the end of the one-core cord, for example. In this case, the branch cord part 30 (one side) has 16 single-core connectors. Note that 16 is just an example. The number of single-core connectors may be less than 16 or more than 16, depending on the number of optical fibers constituting the cord portion 10. The single core cord portion is made as short as possible, for example, about 20 cm at the end on the connector side. Thereby, the entanglement of the cords can be prevented by taking the two-core cord portion long. However, the length of the single-core cord portion is not limited to this, and for example, it is possible to eliminate the two-core cord portion and use only a single-core cord.

  As will be described later, a tabbed duplex connector may be connected with two single-core cords as a set. In this case, the branch cord portion 30 (on one side) has eight tabbed dual connectors.

  FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view of a two-core cord in the branch cord portion 30. As shown in FIG. 5A, a notch is provided. With this notch, as shown in FIG. 5 (b), it can be divided into two to form a single core cord.

  An example of a method for creating the branch unit 20 from the code unit 10 without the branch unit 20 will be described below. The code part 10 before the branch part 20 is attached has a length including the branch code parts 30 at both ends, for example.

  First, the jacket 13 and the aramid fiber 12 at the end of the cord portion 10 are removed to expose each tape core, and each tape core is separated into a single optical fiber. The length for exposing each tape core wire is, for example, a length obtained by subtracting the length of the connector from the length of the branch cord portion 30. Then, two optical fibers separated into a single core are inserted into a pair of eyeglass-like tubes (reference: FIG. 5A) that can accommodate two optical fibers.

  Subsequently, the tip portion of the cord portion 10 where the core wire is not exposed and the portion where the cord starts to branch (portion where the core wire starts to be exposed) are covered with resin or the like. Thereby, it can protect so that unnecessary force may not be applied to an optical fiber core wire. Moreover, the structure covered with a rectangular box may be sufficient, and the structure covered with a shrinkable tube or molded with resin may be sufficient.

<About color coding>
In the present embodiment, the codes constituting the branch code unit 30 are color-coded for every 4 cores (2 cores × 2). For example, in the left branch code section 30 shown in FIG. 1, each of the four cores indicated by A is yellow, each of the four cores indicated by B is red, each of the four cores indicated by C is indicated by orange, and D The four cores are color-coded such as white. Further, in the right branch code section 30, each of the four cores indicated by E is yellow, each of the four cores indicated by F is red, each of the four cores indicated by G is orange, and each of the four cores indicated by H The code is color coded as white. By distinguishing the colors, the visibility of the codes is improved, and for example, which code corresponds to which adapter can be easily identified.

  The above example is only an example. For example, color coding may be performed for a larger number of codes (eg, 8 cores) instead of every 4 cores, or color coding for a smaller number of codes (eg, 1 core, 2 cores). Good. Also, the type of color is not limited to a specific color. In the above example, the same color-coded pattern is used in the branch code sections 30 on both sides, but different color-coded patterns may be used for the left side and the right side. It should be noted that it is not essential to perform color coding, and color coding may be omitted.

(About double connector with tab)
As described above, a double connector with a tab may be attached to the tip of the branch cord portion 30 for every two single-core cords.

  FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a double connector with tabs. FIG. 7 is a side view of the double connector with tabs. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the double connector with a tab in the present embodiment has two single-core connectors each having a latch portion 43, and the two single-core connectors are accommodated in a frame 42. It is configured. In FIG. 7, a portion hidden in the frame 42 in the latch portion 43 is indicated by a dotted line. A connector strain relief 44 is placed over the PVC sheath.

  The frame 42 surrounds the two single-core connectors. Further, the two single-core connectors can move by a predetermined width in the front-rear direction (the direction in which they are inserted into and removed from the adapter) with respect to the frame 42. That is, the portion indicated by A in the frame in FIG. 7 can move to the portion indicated by B on the cord side. Further, the latch portion 43 is configured to move downward as the frame 42 moves.

  The latch portion 43 has a protrusion. When the connector is pushed into the adapter, the latch portion 43 (the portion in the vicinity of the protruding portion) is once lowered, and then the latch portion 43 returns to the original position and is fixed in the adapter by the protruding portion. Thereafter, the connector cannot be pulled out without pushing down the latch portion 43. Note that fixing the connector to the adapter with the latch mechanism is a conventional technique.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the tab 41 is attached to the frame 42. The tab 41 may be fixedly attached to the frame 42 or may be removable. In the example shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the tab 41 is attached to the protrusion provided in the frame 42 and can be removed. The material of the tab 41 is not limited to a specific material, but for example, the material is a thermoplastic resin.

  FIG. 8 is a top view of the double connector with tabs. In FIG. 8, the latch portion 43 is shaded. However, a portion below the frame 42 is indicated by a dotted line. As shown in FIG. 8, the end of the latch portion 43 on the cord side has a wide portion (this is referred to as a latch push-in portion 44). By the latch push-in portion 44, the frame 42 moves to the cord side, so that the latch portion 43 is lowered.

  This mechanism will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a schematic view of a cross section when the frame 42 is cut along a plane indicated by a dotted line A in FIG. The same figure is obtained when the substrate is cut along the plane indicated by the dotted line B.

  As shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the frame 42 is provided with a slope 46. FIG. 9C is a view when the slope is viewed from the tab side (direction A shown in FIG. 9A). As shown in the figure, the slope 46 is formed on both side portions of the frame 42. Is provided. The inclined surface 46 does not need to be a flat surface, and may be, for example, a convex surface or a concave surface.

  When the frame 42 moves from the state shown in FIG. 9A to the cord side (method of pulling out the connector from the adapter) as shown in FIG. 9B, the latch push-in portion 44 is lowered along the slope 46. Thereby, the latch part 43 is pushed down.

  When the double connector with tabs is inserted into the adapter, the double connector with tabs in the state shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 may be pushed into the adapter. At this time, the insertion operation can be easily performed even if the space is small because there are a lot of optical cables by inserting with holding the end portion of the tab (see FIG. 10B described later).

  Next, as shown in FIG. 10A, an operation example in the case where the connector is pulled out from the state where the connector is inserted into the adapter will be described.

  The tab 41 is started to be pulled from the state shown in FIG. Then, the frame 42 moves to the cord side while the connector is fixed to the adapter by the latch mechanism. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 10B, the latch 43 is lowered by the mechanism described with reference to FIG. 9, so that the fixing by the latch in the adapter is released and the connector can be pulled out. After the extraction, the state returns to the state shown in FIG.

  In this way, the connector can be pulled out simply by pulling the end of the tab 41, so that even when a large number of optical cables exist and the space is small, the pulling out operation can be easily performed.

(Example of connection)
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an image when devices are connected using the optical cable according to the present embodiment. FIG. 11 shows an example in which two devices are connected using one optical cable for convenience of illustration, but in reality, a large number (for example, 64) of optical cables are connected between the devices. In the optical cable according to the present embodiment, since the cord portion 10 is very thin, even when a large number of optical cables are connected, an increase in the thickness of a portion that bundles the cord portions 10 (portion A in FIG. 11) can be suppressed. it can. That is, the congestion of the optical cable can be suppressed.

(Effect of embodiment)
As described above, in the optical cable according to the present embodiment, since the cable intermediate portion (cord portion 10) is configured by laminating a plurality of tape core wires, the outer diameter of the cable is significantly smaller than the conventional one. Even if many are laid, it does not take up space. This prevents congestion and improves work efficiency.

  In the optical cable according to the present embodiment, the optical cord branched from the branching unit 20 has a two-stage branching configuration of “two-core cord (glasses type) → single-core cord × 2”. Thereby, the entanglement of the codes can be prevented.

  Further, the optical cable of the present embodiment has a new configuration in which both ends of the cord portion are branched. With such a configuration, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 11, it is possible to easily realize the connection between the apparatuses using the optical cable.

  In the present embodiment, since the branched optical code is color-coded, each heart can be easily identified. Moreover, maintainability can be improved by using the double connector with a tab of this Embodiment.

(Summary of embodiment)
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the cord portion, the first branch portion provided at one end of the cord portion, and the second branch portion provided at the other end of the cord portion, An optical cable comprising a first branch cord portion extending from the first branch portion and a second branch cord portion extending from the second branch portion, wherein the cord portion includes a plurality of laminated An optical cable comprising a tape core is provided.

  Each of the first branch code portion and the second branch code portion has, for example, a notched two-core cord. The tip portion of the notched two-core cord may be separated into two single-core cords.

  The code portions in the first branch code portion and the second branch code portion may be color-coded in units of a predetermined number of cords.

  Moreover, it is good also as providing the double connector with a tab in the front-end | tip part in each of the said 1st branch code part and the said 2nd branch code part.

  The double connector with tabs includes, for example, two connectors each having a latch portion, a frame that accommodates the two connectors, and a tab attached to the frame, and the frame includes the two connectors. The latch portion is configured to be pushed down by moving toward the cord side.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, it is an insertion / removal method for inserting / removing the above-mentioned double connector with tab in an optical cable into / from the adapter, and the double connector with tab is inserted by pushing the tab into the adapter side. An insertion / extraction method characterized by inserting into an adapter, pulling down the tab in the double connector with tab inserted into the adapter, and pressing down the latch portion to pull out the double connector with tab from the adapter. Provided.

  Although the present embodiment has been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiment, and various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims. Is possible.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Cord part 11 Tape core wire 12 Aramid fiber 13 Jacket | cover 20 Branch part 30 Branch code part 41 Tab 42 Frame 43 Latch part 44 Latch pushing part 46 Slope

Claims (7)

Code part,
A first branch portion provided at one end of the cord portion;
A second branch portion provided at the other end of the cord portion;
A first branch code portion extending from the first branch portion;
An optical cable comprising a second branch cord portion extending from the second branch portion,
The said code | cord part is equipped with the some tape core wire laminated | stacked. The optical cable characterized by the above-mentioned. 2. The optical cable according to claim 1, wherein each of the first branch cord portion and the second branch cord portion has a notched two-core cord. The optical cable according to claim 2, wherein a tip portion of the notched two-core cord is separated into two single-core cords. 4. The code portion in the first branch code portion and the second branch code portion is color-coded in units of a predetermined number of core lines. 5. Optical cable. The optical cable according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a tab-attached double connector is provided at a distal end portion of each of the first branch cord portion and the second branch cord portion. The tabbed duplex connector includes two connectors each having a latch portion, a frame that accommodates the two connectors, and a tab attached to the frame, and the frame is connected to the two connectors. The optical cable according to claim 5, wherein the latch portion is pushed down by moving toward the cord side. An insertion / removal method for inserting / removing the double connector with tab in the optical cable according to claim 6,
By inserting the tab into the adapter side, the double connector with tabs is inserted into the adapter,
The insertion / extraction method characterized by pulling down the said latch part by pulling out the said tab in the said double connector with a tab inserted in the said adapter, and pulling out the said double connector with a tab from the said adapter.

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