JPH0470602A - Optical fiber storage module - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To facilitate wiring operation by stacking and storing an optical fiber which has specific length in a module main body so that the same 8-shaped track is drawn. CONSTITUTION:In the module main body 1 which has a storage space, the optical fiber 2 which has the specific length is stacked and stored drawing the same 8-shaped track, and a lead-out hole 1a through which the optical fiber 2 can pass is formed at the part of the module main body facing the upper end of the stored optical fiber. The upper end terminal 2a of the optical fiber 2 is led out of the lead-out hole 1a and the lower end terminal 2b is projected from the module main body 1 to constitute the optical fiber storage module. Consequently, wiring is performed easily and speedily and the optical fiber 2 neither bends nor twists when drawn out of the module.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to an optical fiber storage module that stores a predetermined length of optical fiber in a drawable manner.

(Conventional technology) With the shift to optical fiber communication lines in recent years, it is becoming more common to use not only relay lines that multiplex multiple signals and transmit and receive them, such as long-distance lines and submarine lines, but also as general lines, and in the near future. It is expected that optical fibers will also be used as drop-in lines for people. In particular, subscriber drop-in lines require a large number of optical fibers to connect a multi-core optical fiber cable side to each subscriber side, and are expected to be in high demand.

By the way, when wiring work to a subscriber's home using conventional metal core wires, the metal core wires wound concentrically are drawn out and cut to the required length, and the cut metal core wires of a predetermined length are used as the main cable. This is done by connecting to the subscriber side.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) However, when wiring an optical fiber as a drop-in wire like a conventional metal core wire, the following problems occur.

Because the length of the lead-in wire varies depending on the construction site, optical fibers require on-site connection work just like conventional metal core wires. However, optical fibers are difficult to cut on-site and require sophisticated connection work, including connector attachment, which increases work time and increases the financial burden on subscribers. Furthermore, it is difficult to ensure not only work efficiency but also safety, especially when working on utility poles or inside manholes.

In addition, since the metal core wire has some curls when it is wound, when the metal core wire is pulled out, bending or twisting is likely to be added due to the curl.This is not a problem with metal core wires, but In optical fibers, this bending and twisting causes increased transmission loss and decreased reliability.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to be able to perform wiring work easily and quickly, and to avoid bending and twisting when pulling out optical fibers in a stored state. There is no optical fiber storage module to provide.

(Means for Solving the Problem) In order to achieve the above object, in claim (1), optical fibers of a predetermined length are stacked so as to draw the same figure-eight trajectory in a module body having a storage space. At the same time, an extraction hole through which the optical fiber can pass is formed in the module main body part facing the upper end of the stored optical fiber, and the upper end of the optical fiber is inserted through the extraction hole, and the lower end is inserted into the module main body. The optical fiber storage module is constructed by protruding from each of the optical fibers.

Moreover, in claim (2), in the optical fiber storage module according to claim (1), a connecting connector is provided at each terminal of the optical fiber.

As described in claims (3) to (6), the above-mentioned optical fiber includes an optical fiber core having a single optical fiber strand, and an optical fiber tape having a plurality of fiber strands arranged in parallel. In the first place, an optical fiber having a tensile strength member along its length or an optical fiber having a small bending sensitivity parameter is preferably used.

(Function) When performing wiring work using the optical fiber storage module described in claim (1) and claims dependent on claim (1), one terminal protruding from the draw-out hole must be Grip it with your fingertips and pull out the optical fiber from the module body.

Since the optical fibers are stacked and housed in a figure-8-shaped trajectory within the module body, the stored optical fibers do not have any particular curls, and therefore the optical fibers that are pulled out do not have any bends. It does not cause twisting or twisting.

After pulling out the optical fiber of the length required for wiring work from the pull-out hole, the pulled-out terminal and the other terminal are connected to, for example, the optical fiber cable side and the subscriber side, respectively.

Further, in the optical fiber storage module described in claim (2) and claims dependent on claim (2), the above connection is performed using a connector.

(Embodiment) FIGS. 1 and 2 show an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a module, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which optical fibers are stored.

In the figure, 1 is a module main body that houses an optical fiber, 2 is an optical fiber of a predetermined length, and 3 is a connecting connector attached to each terminal of the optical fiber.

The module main body 1 is box-shaped and has a rectangular parallelepiped storage space inside. It also has a first pull-out hole 1a that is slightly larger than the cross-sectional shape of the optical fiber 2 at the center of the top surface, and a second pull-out hole 1b of the same shape at the bottom of one side.

The optical fiber 2 is made of a so-called optical fiber core wire, which is a single optical fiber coated with plastic such as nylon, and has a substantially circular cross section.

As shown in FIG. 2, the fibers 2 are stacked and housed in the module main body 1 so as to draw a figure-eight trajectory. Specifically, after one end 2b of the optical fiber 2 is slightly protruded to the outside from the second extraction hole 1b, the remaining optical fiber 2 is inserted into the upper surface of the module main body 1 so that its outer peripheral surface is in contact with the inner wall. Wind it with a figure-8-shaped trajectory when viewed from above, and gradually stack it up while winding the second and subsequent stages so as to draw the same trajectory, and when there is only a little left, the other terminal 2a is made to protrude outside from the first extraction hole 1a. . Further, a gap is formed between the uppermost part of the stored optical fiber 2 and the upper surface of the module main body 1 to allow dynamic deformation that occurs in the uppermost part when the optical fiber 2 is pulled out. . In order to carry out the above-mentioned storage, it is preferable to make the upper surface portion of the module body 1 removable in a lid-like manner.

The connection connector 3 connects the optical fiber 2 to the module body 1.
After being stored in the terminals 2a and 2b, it is attached to each terminal 2a and 2b.

When performing wiring work between the end fiber cable side and the subscriber side using the module configured as described above, first grasp one terminal 2a protruding from the first extraction hole 1a with your fingertips, etc. The optical fiber 2 is pulled up in an appropriate direction, for example vertically, and pulled out from the module body 1.

The optical fiber 2 housed in the module body 1 is
The uppermost part of the drawer is dynamically deformed by the above-mentioned drawer, and is smoothly pulled out through the first drawer hole 1a. In addition, since the optical fibers 2 are stacked and housed in a figure-8-shaped trajectory within the module body 1, the housed optical fibers 2 do not have any particular curl, and therefore can be pulled out. The optical fiber 2 is not bent or twisted.

The optical fiber 2 of the length required for wiring work is inserted into the first extraction hole 1.
After pulling out the terminal 2a, the connector 3 of the terminal 2a is connected to the connector 4 on the optical fiber cable side, and the connector 3 of the other terminal 2 is connected to the connector 5 on the subscriber side. Of course, contrary to the above, the connector 3 of the drawer terminal 21
may be connected to the connector 5 on the subscriber side, and the connector 3 on the other terminal 2 may be connected to the connector 4 on the optical fiber cable side.

According to the above-mentioned module, after pulling out the optical fiber 2 of a required length from the first pull-out hole 1a, either the pull-out terminal 2a or the other terminal 2b is placed on the optical fiber cable side, or Wiring can be done by connecting the other end to the subscriber side, so even if the length of the drop-in wire varies depending on the construction site, the length can be adjusted by the amount of pull-out, eliminating the need for conventional cutting work. Wiring work can be simplified by eliminating the need for

In addition, since the optical fiber 2 is housed in the module main body 1 so as to draw a figure-8-shaped trajectory, the housed end fiber 2 does not have any particular curl.
Therefore, the optical fiber 2 that is drawn out is not bent or twisted, and an increase in transmission loss caused by bending or twisting can be prevented.

Furthermore, each terminal 2a to the optical fiber cable side and the subscriber side
, 2b can be connected by the connector 3, wiring work can be done more easily and quickly, and work on utility poles or inside manpoles can be done easily and safely.

Furthermore, since the stored optical fiber 2 can be pulled out in a non-vertical direction, for example horizontally, the module main body 1
It is possible to stack them in multiple tiers, thereby expanding the range of applications and uses.

In the embodiment, an optical fiber having a single optical fiber core wire was used as the optical fiber housed in the module body, or two optical fiber core wires 12a arranged in parallel as shown in FIG. 3 were used. Plastic tape covering layer 12b
As shown in FIG. 4, the same tape core wire 22a as described above and a tensile strength body 22b such as a steel wire attached to the tape core wire 22a along the longitudinal direction are used as a coating layer. Similar effects can be obtained even when the optical fiber Kerpuru 22, which is constructed by collectively covering the optical fiber 22b, is housed.

By the way, considering that the module is installed on the optical fiber cable or subscriber side to improve workability, it is preferable that the module itself be as small as possible. In this case, the optical fibers must be housed in the module body at a high density, and the diameter of the optical fibers to be housed will naturally become smaller. However, since the transmission loss of commonly used single mode optical fibers increases due to bending, there is a limit to how small the storage diameter can be made. However, the amount of loss increase due to bending of single mode optical fiber is determined by the parameter Q,
The smaller the parameter Q, the less likely the loss due to bending will occur (Study of bending sensitivity parameters of rsM fiber J, 19
(Refer to 1989 Institute of Electronics, Information and Communication Engineers Spring Conference 9) Therefore, by using an optical fiber with a small parameter Q mentioned above, it is possible to reduce the storage diameter of the optical fiber and also significantly increase the transmission distance. Extends.

(Effect of the invention) As detailed above, claim (1) and claim (1)
According to the optical fiber storage module recited in each claim dependent on the above, after pulling out the optical fiber of a required length from the pull-out hole, the wiring is connected by suitably connecting the pulled-out terminal and the other terminal to the connection partner. Therefore, even if the length of the lead-in wire differs depending on the construction site, the length can be adjusted by the amount of lead-out, and the wiring work can be simplified by eliminating the need for the conventional cutting work. can. In addition, since the optical fibers are stored in a stacked manner in a figure-8-shaped trajectory within the module body, the stored optical fibers do not have any particular curls.
Therefore, there is no bending or twisting in the optical fiber that is drawn out, and there is an advantage that increases in transmission loss caused by bending and twisting can be prevented.

Furthermore, if the optical fiber storage module according to claim (2) and each claim dependent on claim (2) is implemented,
Since each terminal can be connected using a connector, wiring work can be done more easily and quickly, and there is an advantage that work can be done easily and safely on utility poles or inside manholes.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1 and 2 show an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a module, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which optical fibers are stored. 3 and 4 are cross-sectional views showing other embodiments of the optical fiber, respectively. In the figure, 1... module body, la, lb... extraction hole, 2... optical fiber, 2a, 2b... optical fiber terminal, 3... connector, 12... optical fiber tape , 22...optical fiber table. External perspective view of the module Figure 1: Module main body la, lb: Output holes 2 Two optical fibers 2a, 2b: Terminal 3: Connector Perspective view showing storage state of optical fiber, W 2b Other examples of optical fibers Cross-sectional view shown

Claims (6)

[Claims] (1) Optical fibers of a predetermined length are stacked and stored in a module body having a storage space so as to draw the same figure-eight locus, and an optical What is claimed is: 1. An optical fiber storage module, characterized in that a pull-out hole through which the fiber can pass is formed, the upper end of the optical fiber projects from the pull-out hole, and the lower end of the optical fiber protrudes from the module main body. (2) The optical fiber storage module according to claim (1), wherein each terminal of the optical fiber is provided with a connecting connector. (3) The optical fiber storage module according to claim (1) or (2), wherein the optical fiber has a single optical fiber strand. (4) The optical fiber storage module according to claim (1) or (2), wherein the optical fiber has a tape shape in which a plurality of optical fiber strands are arranged in parallel. (5) The optical fiber storage module according to any one of claims (1) to (4), wherein the optical fiber includes a tensile strength member along the longitudinal direction. (6) The optical fiber storage module according to any one of claims (1) to (5), wherein the optical fiber has a small bending sensitivity parameter.