JP3662793B2 - Optical fiber connection switching device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an optical fiber connection switching device that connects optical fiber core wires in a switchable manner.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As a conventional optical fiber connection switching device, for example, the 1995 IEICE General Conference, Communication No. 2. B-1046 high density fiber termination module (FTM) is known. This FTM connects an optical fiber core wire extending from an optical subscriber side optical cable and an optical fiber core wire extending from an intra-office optical cable in a switchable manner via an optical branching module.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above prior art, an optical communication network in which an optical branch module and a module having another function (connection system) are connected in series, for example, a multiplexed communication network in which an optical branch module and an optical splitter module are connected in series. In order to cope with this, it was necessary to install a frame for accommodating the optical splitter module separately. In this case, the occupied space of the apparatus becomes wide and the cost increases. In addition, when two frames that house modules having different functions are installed apart from each other in the building, the number of optical cables routed around the building increases, and the wiring space for the spectral cables, etc. is taken up. .
[0004]
An object of the present invention is to provide an optical fiber connection switching device that can cope with various optical communication networks while reducing the space and cost of station equipment.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention aligns a plurality of first optical fiber cores in an optical fiber connection switching device that connects the first optical fiber core wires and the second optical fiber core wires in a switchable manner. Fiber holding member held in a state, unit housing member arranged on one side of the fiber holding member, first optical fiber core wire and second optical fiber housed in the unit housing member and held by the fiber holding member A plurality of types of optical connection units that connect the core wires, and each type of optical connection unit functions differently because the means for connecting the first optical fiber core wire and the second optical fiber core wire are different. different and is characterized in Rukoto.
[0006]
By storing a plurality of types of optical connection units having different functions in one unit storage member in this way, it is not necessary to separately install a unit storage rack for each type of optical connection unit, thereby saving space for station equipment. It is possible to cope with various optical communication networks corresponding to the function of the optical connection unit while reducing the cost and cost. In addition, when the plurality of first optical fiber cores are held in an aligned state by the fiber holding member, the entanglement of the first optical fiber cores is reduced, whereby the connection of the optical fiber core wires is changed. The desired optical fiber core wire can be easily taken out from the plurality of first optical fiber core wires.
[0007]
Preferably, the unit housing member has a multi-stage structure, and the optical connection units are housed in a state of being distributed to each stage of the unit housing member for each type. As a result, even if the dimensions and the like of each type of optical connection unit are different, these optical connection units can be stored in the unit storage member in a space efficient manner, and high-density storage is possible.
[0008]
Preferably, different types of optical connection units are connected to each other by a third optical fiber core, and the third optical fiber core is held by a fiber holding member. Thereby, different types of optical connection units can be neatly connected in series in one frame.
[0009]
In this case, a first fiber wiring region for routing the second optical fiber core wire between the fiber holding member and the unit storage member, and a third optical fiber core positioned below the first fiber storage region. It is preferable to provide a second fiber wiring region for wiring. Thereby, the tangle between the second optical fiber core wire and the third optical fiber core wire can be reduced.
[0010]
At least one of the optical connection units is preferably a connection board having a plurality of optical connector adapters for connecting the first optical fiber core wire and the second optical fiber core wire. In this case, for example, an optical communication network having a one-to-one transmission apparatus and subscriber can be dealt with.
[0011]
Further, the optical coupler at least one optical connection unit, the optical signal have a demultiplexing optical coupler device, connecting the first optical fiber via the optical coupler device and the second optical fiber It may be a module. In this case, it is possible to cope with an optical communication network that requires an optical fiber test function.
[0012]
At least one of the optical connection unit is configured to have a light splitter element for splitting the light signal, an optical splitter module that connects a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber through the optical splitter element There may be. In this case, it is possible to cope with an optical communication network that requires an optical distribution function.
[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A preferred embodiment of an optical fiber connection switching device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0014]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a front side of an optical fiber connection switching apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a back side of the optical fiber connection switching apparatus. In these drawings, an optical fiber connection switching device 1 includes a plurality of in-house optical fiber cores 3 extending from an in-house optical cable 2 connected to a transmission device (not shown), and an outside optical cable 4 connected to a subscriber side. A plurality of off-site optical fiber core wires 5 extending from the outside are connected so as to be switchable. The in-house optical cable 2 is a bundle of, for example, a plurality of single-core optical cords as the in-house optical fiber core wire 3, and the off-site optical cable 4 is, for example, a single-core optical cord or an optical tape core wire as the off-site optical fiber core wire 5. Is a bundle of a plurality.
[0015]
The optical fiber connection switching device 1 has a frame 7, and cable introduction portions 8 and 9 are formed on the right side (the right side when viewed from the front) of the upper surface of the frame 7. The in-house optical cable 2 is secured to the cable introducing portion 8, and the outside optical cable 4 is retained to the cable introducing portion 9.
[0016]
A fiber holding member 11 including a plurality of alignment elements 10 installed in a stacked state is arranged on the right side in the frame 7. The alignment element 10 holds a predetermined number of in-house optical fiber cores 3 extending from the in-house optical cable 2 (for example, the same number as that accommodated by the in-house optical cable 2) in an aligned state. As described above, since a plurality of in-house optical fiber cores 3 are bundled by the alignment element 10, the in-site optical fiber cores to be connected when the connection of the in-house optical fiber cores 3 is changed in trouble relocation work, failure recovery work, or the like. The line 3 can be easily selected.
[0017]
On the left side in the frame 7, a unit housing member 12 having a multi-stage (here, four-stage) structure is disposed, and a plurality of optical connection units 13 are housed in the unit housing member 12. At the lower part of the front surface of each stage of the unit housing member 12, a wiring tray 14 for placing the in-house optical fiber core wire 3 and the auxiliary optical fiber core wire F (described later) aligned and held by the alignment element 10 is provided. A wiring tray 15 for placing the off-site optical fiber core wire 5 and the auxiliary optical fiber core wire F is provided at the lower rear portion of each stage.
[0018]
There are three types of optical connection units 13: an optical coupler module 17, an optical splitter module 18, and a connection panel 19. The optical coupler module 17 is housed in the uppermost and lowermost stages of the unit housing member 12, the optical splitter module 18 is housed in the second stage from the top of the unit housing member 12, and the connection panel 19 is connected to the unit housing member 12. It is stored in the third row from the top. Since the optical coupler module 17, the optical splitter module 18, and the connection panel 19 are distributed and stored for each stage of the unit storage member 12 in this way, even if the dimensions and structures of the various optical connection units 13 are different, These can be stored in the unit storage member 12 in a space-efficient manner, and high-density storage is possible.
[0019]
An example of the optical coupler module 17 is shown in FIG. In the figure, an optical connector adapter 20 to which an in-house optical fiber core wire 3 or an auxiliary optical fiber core wire F (described later) from the alignment element 10 is connected is provided on the front surface portion (right side in the drawing) of the optical coupler module 17. An optical connector adapter 21 to which the off-site optical fiber core wire 5 is connected is provided on the rear surface (left side in the figure) of the optical coupler module 17. The optical connector adapters 20 and 21 are both 8-unit single-core optical connectors. The optical coupler module 17 is provided with an optical coupler element 22 that multiplexes and demultiplexes an optical signal, and is connected to the optical fiber cores 3 and F connected to the optical connector adapter 20 and the optical connector adapter 21. The optical fiber core wire 5 is connected to the optical fiber 23 for communication, the single-core / multi-core converter 24 and the optical coupler element 22.
[0020]
Further, two test optical fibers 25 are branched from the optical coupler 22. These test optical fibers 25 are taken out from the rear side of the optical coupler module 17 and connected to an optical test apparatus 26 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) installed below the unit housing member 12. The optical coupler module 17 is provided with an optical filter (not shown) that blocks the test light from the optical test apparatus 26 and transmits only the communication light.
[0021]
The optical coupler modules 17 having such a structure are housed side by side in the left-right direction at the uppermost and lowermost stages of the unit housing member 12. The optical coupler module 17 accommodates 8 fibers, but if the single-fiber optical connector adapter is a small MU connector, the optical coupler module can be divided into 16 fibers with approximately the same dimensions as described above. It can also be a high-density module housed.
[0022]
The above-described optical coupler module 17 is one when the off-site optical fiber core wire 5 is a single-core optical cord. However, when the off-site optical fiber core wire 5 is an optical tape core wire, it is shown in FIG. Thus, instead of the single-fiber optical connector adapter, for example, an MT type multi-fiber optical connector adapter 27 is provided in the optical coupler module 17A.
[0023]
An example of the optical splitter module 18 is shown in FIG. In the drawing, an optical connector adapter 28 to which the in-house optical fiber core wire 3 from the alignment element 10 is connected is provided on the front surface portion (right side in the drawing) of the optical splitter module 18, and the rear surface portion (illustrated in the drawing). On the left side, an optical connector adapter 29 to which the off-site optical fiber core wire 5 or the auxiliary optical fiber core wire F (described later) is connected is provided. The optical connector adapter 28 is a single-fiber optical connector, and the optical connector adapter 29 is an 8-unit single-fiber optical connector. Further, in the optical splitter module 18, an optical splitter element 30 with an optical filter that divides one optical signal into eight is provided. The optical fiber core wire 3 connected to the optical connector adapter 28 and the optical connector adapter 29 are provided. Are connected via the optical fiber 31 and the optical splitter element 30.
[0024]
The optical splitter module 18 having such a structure is stored side by side in the left-right direction at the second level from the top of the unit storage member 12. When the off-site optical fiber core wire 5 is an optical tape core wire, a multi-fiber optical connector adapter 27 shown in FIG. In addition, the optical splitter element 30 outputs one input by dividing it into eight, but an optical splitter element for 16 branches or 32 branches can also be used.
[0025]
An example of the connection board 19 is shown in FIG. In the figure, a plurality of optical connector adapters 32 are juxtaposed in the left-right direction on the connection board 19. The optical connector adapter 32 has an in-house connection portion 32a to which the in-house optical fiber core wire 3 is connected on one side and an out-of-office connection portion 32b to which the out-of-site optical fiber core wire 5 is connected on the other side. This is an 8-unit single-fiber optical connector. The optical connector adapter 32 is fixed with screws or the like in a state where the external connection portion 32b is inserted into the through hole 19a formed in the connection board 19.
[0026]
One connection board 19 having such a structure is housed so as to extend in the left-right direction on the third stage from the top of the unit housing member 12. The number of connection boards is not limited to one, and a plurality of connection boards may be stored side by side in a predetermined stage of the unit storage member 12.
[0027]
In the optical fiber connection switching device 1 as described above, as a connection system between the in-house optical fiber core wire 3 and the off-site optical fiber core wire 5,
(1) In-house optical fiber core 3 to optical coupler module 17 to off-site optical fiber core 5
(2) In-house optical fiber core 3 to optical splitter module 18 to off-site optical fiber core 5
(3) In-house optical fiber core 3 to connection panel 19 to off-site optical fiber core 5
(4) In-house optical fiber core 3 to optical splitter module 18 to auxiliary optical fiber core F to optical coupler module 17 to off-site optical fiber core 5
There are four forms.
[0028]
In the connection system (1), the in-house optical fiber core wire 3 is guided to the front side of the optical coupler module 17 via the wiring tray 14 while being aligned and held by the alignment element 10 and connected to the optical connector adapter 20. Is done. The off-site optical fiber core wire 5 is guided to the rear surface side of the optical coupler module 17 through the wiring tray 15 and connected to the optical connector adapter 21. In this case, not only the optical communication but also the optical fiber core wire itself can be inspected by working the test light from the optical test apparatus 26.
[0029]
In the connection system (2), the in-house optical fiber core wire 3 is guided to the front side of the optical splitter module 18 via the alignment element 10 and the wiring tray 14 and connected to the optical connector adapter 28. Further, the off-site optical fiber core wire 5 is guided to the rear surface side of the optical splitter module 18 via the wiring tray 15 and connected to the optical connector adapter 29. In this case, since the optical signal from the in-house optical fiber core wire 3 can be simultaneously sent to a plurality of out-of-site optical fiber core wires 5, it is possible to cope with a multiplexed communication network.
[0030]
In the connection system (3), the in-house optical fiber core wire 3 is guided to the front side of the optical connector adapter 32 of the connection board 19 via the alignment element 10 and the wiring tray 14 and connected to the in-house connection portion 32a. . Further, the off-site optical fiber core wire 5 is guided to the rear surface side of the optical connector adapter 32 of the connection panel 19 through the wiring tray 15 and connected to the off-site connection portion 32b. In this case, it is possible to cope with an optical communication network having a one-to-one transmission apparatus and subscriber with a relatively simple structure.
[0031]
In the connection system (4), the in-house optical fiber core 3 is connected to the optical connector adapter 28 on the front side of the optical splitter module 18 while being aligned and held by the alignment element 10, and the off-site optical fiber core is also connected. 5 is connected to the optical connector adapter 21 on the rear surface side of the optical coupler module 17. In addition, the optical connector adapter 29 on the rear side of the optical splitter module 18 and the optical connector adapter 20 on the front side of the optical coupler module 17 have the same configuration as the in-house optical fiber core wire 3 (here, a single-core optical cord). They are connected by optical fiber core F. At this time, the auxiliary optical fiber core F connected to the optical connector adapter 29 of the optical splitter module 18 is passed through the alignment element 10 and is mixed with the in-house optical fiber core 3 and aligned and held in the alignment element 10. Thus, the optical connector adapter 21 of the optical coupler module 17 is connected. Thereby, the optical splitter module 18 and the optical coupler module 17 are orderly connected in series.
[0032]
By the way, in the connection system (4), since the off-site optical fiber core wire 5 and the auxiliary optical fiber core wire F are wired on the rear surface side of the frame 7, these optical fiber core wires may interfere and get entangled. There is. Therefore, in the space between the fiber alignment member 11 and the unit housing member 12, a first fiber wiring region Sb to wire Outside optical fiber 5, located below the first fiber wiring area Sb Thus, a second fiber wiring region Sa for wiring the auxiliary optical fiber core F is formed (see FIG. 2). As described above, the two fiber wiring regions Sa and Sb are provided on the rear surface side of the frame 7 so that the auxiliary optical fiber core F passes below the off-site optical fiber core 5. 5 and the auxiliary optical fiber core F can be avoided, so that the laying work of the off-site optical fiber core 5 and the auxiliary optical fiber core F which are sequentially added can be easily performed.
[0033]
Thus, since the connection system (4) for connecting the optical coupler module 17 and the optical splitter module 18 in series is provided, it is possible to cope with an optical communication network that requires both an optical fiber test function and an optical distribution function.
[0034]
In addition to the above connection system (4), the above-mentioned connection system (4) is not limited to the in-house optical fiber core 3 to the optical coupler module 17 to the auxiliary optical fiber core F to the optical splitter module 18 to the external optical fiber core. A connection system of line 5 is also conceivable. Also in this case, it is preferable to connect via the alignment element 10 similarly to the above.
[0035]
In the optical fiber connection switching device 1 configured as described above, the optical coupler module 17, the optical splitter module 18, and the connection panel 19 are collectively stored in one unit storage member 12. There is no need to separately provide a storage rack for each of the splitter module 18 and the connection panel 19, and accordingly, an optical cable between the racks is also unnecessary. Thereby, the optical fiber connection switching device can be installed in a space efficient manner, the limited space in the building or the like can be used effectively, and the cost for the optical fiber connection switching device can be reduced. In addition, since a plurality of connection systems for the in-house optical fiber core wire 3 and the out-of-site optical fiber core wire 5 are configured by the three types of optical connection units 13 having different functions, a variety of light can be used while having only one frame 7. Can handle communication networks.
[0036]
At this time, by adjusting the size of the unit storage area in the unit storage member 12 to adjust the difference in the number of the optical connection units 13 due to the difference in the functions of the optical connection units 13, it is possible to store a large density. Specifically, in the connection system (4), since the optical splitter of the optical splitter module 18 divides one input into N outputs, the required number of cores of the optical splitter module 18 is the required core of the optical coupler module 17. In many cases, the number of the optical splitter module 18 is smaller than that of the optical coupler module 17. Therefore, as described above, the unit storage member 12 can be effectively utilized by storing the optical splitter module 18 for one stage and storing the optical coupler module 17 for two stages.
[0037]
Further, since the in-house optical fiber cores 3 are bundled in predetermined units by the alignment element 10, the workability of the optical fiber connection switching work in the trouble relocation work or the failure recovery work is improved. Specifically, when the optical fiber connection is changed, the optical connector provided at the tip of the in-house optical fiber core 3 is removed from the optical connector adapter of the optical connection unit 13, and the in-house optical fiber core 3 is connected to another optical fiber core. Connect to the optical connection unit 13. At this time, in order to take out the in-house optical fiber cores 3 to be connected from the plurality of in-house optical fiber cores 3, the root part of the in-house optical fiber cores 3, that is, the parts emitted from the alignment elements 10. The in-site optical fiber core 3 that has been disconnected is searched for, and the optical connector at the tip of the in-house optical fiber core 3 is pulled out from the entanglement of the in-house optical fiber core 3. By doing in this way, the optical fiber core wire 3 to be connected can be easily taken out from the plurality of in-house optical fiber core wires 3, and the connection time of the optical fiber core wire 3 is shortened. Further, erroneous connection of the optical fiber core wire 3 can be prevented.
[0038]
As mentioned above, although one Embodiment of the optical fiber connection switching apparatus which concerns on this invention has been described, it cannot be overemphasized that this invention is not limited to the said embodiment. For example, in the above embodiment, the auxiliary optical fiber core F connecting the optical coupler module 17 and the optical splitter module 18 is configured to pass through the alignment element 10, but the number of auxiliary optical fiber cores F is small. In the case where the entanglement between the auxiliary optical fiber core F and the other optical fiber cores is small, the optical coupler module 17 and the optical splitter module 18 may be directly connected without passing through the alignment element 10. Good. In this case, the auxiliary optical fiber core F need not have the same configuration as the in-house optical fiber core 3.
[0039]
Moreover, in the said embodiment, although it has a connection system which connects the optical coupler module 17 and the optical splitter module 18 in series, this invention is an optical fiber connection in which the connection of different types of optical connection units does not exist. It can also be applied to a replacement device.
[0040]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, a plurality of types of optical connection units having different connection forms are accommodated in one unit accommodating member, so that various optical communication networks can be dealt with while saving space and cost of station equipment. Can do.
[0041]
In addition, since the plurality of first optical fiber cores are held in an aligned state by the fiber holding member, the first optical fiber core wire to be connected can be easily taken out when the optical fiber connection is changed. This is effective in preventing erroneous connection of the fiber core and shortening the connection time.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a front side of an optical fiber connection switching device according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the back side of the optical fiber connection switching device according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an optical coupler module.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing another configuration of the optical coupler module.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an optical splitter module.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a connection board.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Optical fiber connection switching apparatus, 3 ... In-house optical fiber core wire (1st optical fiber core wire), 5 ... Outside optical fiber core wire (2nd optical fiber core wire), 10 ... Alignment element, 11 ... Fiber holding Members 12, unit housing members, 13 optical connection units, 17 optical coupler modules (optical connection units), 18 optical splitter modules (optical connection units), 19 connection panels (optical connection units), 22 optical couplers Element: 30 ... Optical splitter element, 32 ... Optical connector adapter, F ... Auxiliary optical fiber core wire (third optical fiber core wire), Sb ... First fiber wiring region, Sa ... Second fiber wiring region.

Claims (7)

In the optical fiber connection switching device that connects the first optical fiber core wire and the second optical fiber core wire in a switchable manner,
A fiber holding member for holding a plurality of the first optical fiber core wires in an aligned state;
A unit housing member disposed on one side of the fiber holding member;
A plurality of types of optical connection units that are housed in the unit housing member and connect the first optical fiber core wire and the second optical fiber core wire held by the fiber holding member ;
Wherein each type of optical connection unit, by means for connecting the second optical fiber and said first optical fiber is different, the optical fiber connection sorter characterized that you have different functions from each other .   2. The optical fiber according to claim 1, wherein the unit housing member has a multi-stage structure, and the optical connection unit is housed in a state of being distributed to each stage of the unit housing member for each type. Connection changer.   3. The optical fiber connection according to claim 1, wherein the different types of optical connection units are connected by a third optical fiber core, and the third optical fiber core is held by the fiber holding member. Replacement device.   A first fiber wiring region for routing the second optical fiber core wire between the fiber holding member and the unit housing member, and the third optical fiber positioned below the first fiber housing region 4. The optical fiber connection switching device according to claim 3, further comprising a second fiber wiring region for wiring the core wire.   The at least one of the optical connection units is a connection board having a plurality of optical connector adapters for connecting the first optical fiber core wire and the second optical fiber core wire. The optical fiber connection switching device according to any one of the above. At least one of the optical connection unit, an optical signal have a light coupler device for demultiplexing, connecting the second optical fiber and said first optical fiber through the optical coupler device The optical fiber connection switching device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the optical fiber connection switching device is an optical coupler module. At least one of the optical connection unit includes an optical splitter have a optical splitter element for splitting the light signal, connecting the second optical fiber and said first optical fiber through the optical splitter element It is a module, The optical fiber connection switching apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1-4 characterized by the above-mentioned.

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