JPH08262239A - Connecting box and connecting method for optical cable - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide a connecting box with a tray with which easy conduction of a connecting operation is possible and the connecting operation is executable without affecting other coated optical fibers. CONSTITUTION: Trays 4 for housing the extra lengths of coated optical fibers and fusion spliced parts are rotatably supported in a rotating shaft part 5. The coated optical fibers 3 from the local side of a wiring optical cable 1 among the coated optical fibers housed in the trays 4 are introduced from a coated optical fiber introducing port 6 and an optical cable 8 for branching is introduced from a coated optical fiber introducing port 7 into the trays 4. Connection is executed in the trays 4. The taking out of the coated optical fibers from the cable core 2 is facilitated by turning all of the trays 4 upward. Only the trays 4 to be subjected to the connecting operation are turned upward, by which the operation is executable without affecting the other trays 4.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a connection box and a connection method for connecting a wiring optical cable and a branching optical cable when the wiring optical cable is dropped to a subscriber's house.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a connection box has been used at a branch point where an optical cable is dropped from a wired optical cable to a subscriber's house. FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an example of a conventional connection box. In the figure, 21 is a wired optical cable, 22 is a support line, 2
3 is a connection box body, 24 is a guide pipe, 25 and 26 are optical fibers, 27 is a branching optical cable, 28 is a stiffener holder,
Reference numeral 29 is a surplus length processing plate, 30 is a bottom plate, and 31 is a cover.
The wired optical cable 21 is supported by a support wire 22 and laid imaginarily. When branching from this wired optical cable to the subscriber's house, it is branched from the connection box. The connection box is
The connecting box main body 23 is hung from the support line 22, and the cover 31 covers the connecting box main body 23. Connection box body 2
The wired optical cable 21 is introduced into the cable 3, and the coating is removed to expose the optical fiber 25. The optical fiber 25 is connected to the optical fiber 26 led from the end of the branch optical cable 27 with a connection extra length. The connecting portion is protected by the stiffener holder 28. The extra connection length is the bottom plate 3 of the connection box main body 23.
It is housed in a surplus length processing plate 29 supported by 0.

In this prior art, a plurality of surplus length processing plates 29 are attached to the bottom plate 30 so as to be closely stacked. Therefore, during the connection work, the extra length processing plate 29 unrelated to the work may be moved. When the optical fiber stored in the extra length processing plate 29 not related to this work is in communication, the optical fiber may be moved to cause communication failure. Further, the space for taking out the extra length processing plate required for the connection work from the extra length processing plate 29 that is densely overlapped and attached is limited, and since it is an imaginary work, the work efficiency is remarkably improved. Absent.

A similar connection terminal box for an optical cable has been developed in Shokai 6
No. 3-74604. The connection box described in this publication uses a storage bag made of a film-like sheet to store the extra length, but since it is in the shape of a bag, the connection work is not easy and the storage state must be careful. , It is necessary to consider that the radius of curvature is not less than a predetermined value.

[0005] Further, the number of dropped cables is drastically changed due to fluctuations in demand and changes in the laying environment when the laid aerial wiring optical cables are dropped to subscribers. In order to cope with this, it is necessary to provide an intermediate post-branch for branching a small number of cores after the wiring cable is laid at the intermediate part or in a practical state.

At the time of such an intermediate post-branch, it is possible to easily take out the optical fiber without affecting other optical fibers (some of which are used) and to drop the optical fiber in the past in order to change the optical wiring. Take out the optical fiber and change the connection,
Etc. are required, and a connection box suitable for post-branch work is required.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and in the connection box, the connection work can be easily performed, and the connection can be made without affecting other optical fibers. It is an object of the present invention to provide a connection box provided with a workable tray and a connection method.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, the optical fiber is taken out from the branch cable by removing the optical fiber, excluding the jacket of the intermediate portion of the wired optical cable. A connecting box for connecting, characterized in that it has a plurality of trays which can be swung and lifted up in a vertical plane with the vicinity of the feeder line side of the jacket removing portion as an axis.

According to the second aspect of the invention, the optical fiber is taken out except for the jacket of the intermediate portion of the wired optical cable,
A connection box for connecting to an optical fiber taken out from a branch cable, characterized by having a plurality of trays that can be swung in a vertical plane about the vicinity of the feeder line side of the jacket removal portion and lowered. Is.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the connection box according to the first or second aspect, the plurality of trays each have a rotation axis along the upper side thereof, and the rotation axis is the center. It is characterized in that the wiring optical cable is opened horizontally when viewed from the cable core of the wiring optical cable.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for connecting a wired optical cable using the connection box according to the first or second aspect, in which the tray is mounted on both sides of the wired optical cable, the When the optical fiber is cut and taken out, all trays on either the left or right side or both sides are swung in a vertical plane to secure a working space on the side surface of the wiring optical cable.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of connecting an optical cable using the connection box according to the first or second aspect, wherein a tray for storing the optical fiber at the time of storing the optical fiber is used. It is characterized in that the tray on the front side is rotated to provide a work space on the front side, and a tray for accommodating the optical fiber is used.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of connecting an optical cable using the connection box according to the first or second aspect, wherein a tray for storing the optical fiber at the time of storing the optical fiber is provided. It is characterized in that the storage operation is performed after the tray is turned so that the other tray does not block the front space.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of connecting an optical cable using the connection box according to the third aspect, wherein a front side of a tray for accommodating the optical fiber during accommodation work of the optical fiber. It is characterized in that the tray is swung to secure a space on the front side, and the tray for accommodating the optical fiber is horizontally opened in the space for work.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of connecting an optical cable using the connection box according to the third aspect, wherein a tray for accommodating the optical fiber is swiveled when the optical fiber is accommodated. Then, the tray for accommodating the optical fibers is opened horizontally, and the optical fiber connecting work is performed after the other tray is not present in front of it.

[0016]

According to the first or second aspect of the present invention, the tray that accommodates the optical fiber can be swung up or down in a vertical plane with the vicinity of the feeder line side of the jacket removing portion as an axis. As a result, the tray in the connection box can be swung to change its position, so that an appropriate working space can be secured. Also, by making it possible to swivel the tray with the vicinity of the feeder line of the jacket removing portion as an axis,
The pivoting operation of the tray only bends the optical fibers in the vicinity of the axis and does not disturb the arrangement of the optical fibers.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the tray can be opened horizontally in the outward direction when viewed from the cable core of the wired optical cable, connection work can be performed from the upper surface of the tray, and workability is improved. Will be better.

According to the invention described in claim 4, a working space can be secured on the side surface of the wired optical cable when the optical fiber in the wired optical cable is cut and taken out, and the work of taking out and cutting the optical fiber is easy.

According to the fifth and sixth aspects of the present invention, since the working space is provided on the front side of the tray for housing the optical fiber when the optical fiber is housed, the housing work is easy.

According to the seventh and eighth aspects of the present invention, at the time of accommodating or connecting the optical fibers, the tray for accommodating the optical fibers can be opened horizontally and the operation can be facilitated. Is.

[0021]

1 is a perspective view of the essential portions of a first embodiment of a connection box according to the present invention. In the figure, 1 is a wired optical cable, 2 is a cable core, 3 is an optical fiber, 4 is a tray, 5 is a rotating shaft portion,
Reference numerals 6 and 7 denote optical fiber introduction ports, and 8 denotes a branch optical cable.
In this embodiment, the wiring optical cable 1 is described as a self-supporting type cable including a tensile strength wire at the center, but it is supported by a supporting wire connected by a connecting member provided at an appropriate interval in the longitudinal direction. It can be applied to an appropriate optical cable that is erected over the air, such as an optical cable. At the branch point, the cable sheath of the wired optical cable 1 is removed, and the branched optical fiber 3 is taken out from the cable core 2. The cable core 2 of this embodiment uses a spacer member having a slot provided in the longitudinal direction on the surface of a cylindrical synthetic resin in which a tensile strength line is arranged in the center,
The optical fiber is accommodated in this slot. The slot is formed in a spiral shape in the longitudinal direction and employs a so-called SZ type shape in which the spiral direction is reversed. However, the cable core 5 is not limited to the SZ type, and is not limited to the one using the spacer member. It may have an appropriate cable structure.

The tray 4 is a thin plastic box which can accommodate the extra connection length and the fusion splicing portion, and is preferably provided with a lid that can be opened and closed. A core wire holder for holding the radius of curvature of the optical core wire for extra length treatment and a holder for the connection part are provided.This holder is used for fusion splicing, and a reinforcement device holder and a connector connection Any one of the connector holders used in this case is provided, but these may be provided side by side.

The tray 4 is rotatably supported by a rotary shaft portion 5. Although the four trays 4 are shown only on one side of the cable core 2 in the drawing, it is preferable to arrange them on both sides in terms of balancing. If the axis of the rotating shaft portion 5 is arranged horizontally, the tray 4 will rotate on a vertical plane. However, the axis line of the rotating shaft portion 5 does not necessarily have to be arranged exactly horizontally. Connect the left and right rotating shaft parts,
The cable core 2 may be straddled. The rotating shaft portion 5 may be directly fixed to the cable core or the supporting wire, or may be supported by the bottom plate of the case, or the like.
The case may be used to indirectly support the cable core or the support wire.

As for the optical cores accommodated in the tray 4, the optical cores 3 from the side of the wired optical cable 1 are guided from the optical core introduction port 6. The optical core line 3 is one optical core line obtained by cutting the optical core line housed in the wired optical cable 1 for branching. The optical core line 3 is a station side optical core line. The left side is the station side. The optical core line from the station side is called the optical fiber line on the feeder line side. Therefore, the rotary shaft portion 5 is arranged near the feeder line side of the jacket removing portion of the wired optical cable 1, and the optical fiber line 3 on the station side is It is introduced into the tray 4 from the line introduction port 6. Since the optical fiber introduction port 6 is introduced from the vicinity of the rotary shaft portion 5, the optical fiber 3 is not stretched around the tray 4, and the arrangement is easy. The branch optical cable 8 is introduced into the tray 4 from the optical fiber introduction port 7 and is connected in the tray.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the connection of the first embodiment. In the figure, the same parts as those in FIG. Reference numeral 9 is a connection box bottom plate, and 10 is a through hole.
The tray 4 has a tip end side attached by the rotary shaft portion 4, and the other end side supported by the connection box bottom plate 9. The optical core of the cable core 2 needs to be accessed when branching or changing the connection of the optical core, but since the multiple trays are arranged along both sides of the cable core 2, When accessing the optical fiber of 2
Gets in the way. Therefore, as shown in the drawing, the tray 4 is rotated in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the rotating shaft portion 5. By rotating all the trays 4 away from the cable cores 2, access work to the cable cores 2 is facilitated, and new optical fiber cores can be taken out or cut.

The extracted optical fiber 3 and branch side optical cable 8
To connect to the optical fiber from the optical fiber and to store it in the tray 4, rotate only the necessary tray as shown in FIG.
By setting the position as shown in FIG. 1, it is possible to perform work on a required tray without being disturbed by other trays.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the essential portions of the second embodiment of the connection box of the present invention. In the figure, the same parts as those in FIG. Reference numeral 11 is a support shaft, and 12 is a support portion. In this embodiment, the support shaft 11 is attached to the rotary shaft portion 5.
Is attached, and the support portion 12 fixed to the upper portion of the tray 4 is rotatably supported by the support shaft 11. Support part 12
May be simply fitted into the support shaft 11, but may be prevented from coming off. The tray 4 has a rotating shaft portion 5
It is possible to rotate upward in a plane perpendicular to the axis line of, and also to rotate around the support shaft 11.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of the operation in the second embodiment, and is a view of the tray as seen from the rear. In the figure, 2 is a cable core and 4 is a tray. It should be noted that the tray 4 is shown only on one side of the cable core 2, and the number of trays 4 is shown as an example, and for convenience of explanation, numbers 1 to 4 are given. FIG. 4A shows a state before the work. Each tray 4 is arranged along the cable core 2 as shown in FIG. Now access the third tray.
In the conventional tray, it is necessary to remove the first and second trays. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG.
Pivot the second and second trays upward in a vertical plane.
Then, as shown in FIG. 4C, the third tray is rotated about the support shaft. Excellent workability because the tray can be placed horizontally.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view in the state of FIG. 4 (C). It shows a state in which the tray on the front side is rotated upward and the third tray is horizontally rotated. The fourth tray does not need to be moved. Even if there is an optical fiber already introduced into the tray that has been rotated upward, the tray with the small radius of curvature will not be bent by the upward rotation of the tray. Even if the optical fibers stored in the tray are communicating, the rotation does not cause a communication failure. Further, the fourth tray that is not rotated is not affected by anything, and there is no problem even if the optical fiber stored in this tray is communicating.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the essential portions of a third embodiment of the connection box of the present invention. In the figure, the same parts as those in FIG. In this embodiment, the tray 4 is supported by setting the support shaft 11 at an oblique lower position. The support portion 12 described in the second embodiment may be provided on the side surface side of the tray 4, but as a result, the thickness is increased and the mounting density is reduced. Therefore, in this embodiment, the support shaft 11 obliquely penetrates the inside of the tray. The through hole formed in the wall portion through which the support shaft 11 penetrates corresponds to the support portion of the second embodiment. Of course, a support portion for the support shaft 11 may be provided inside the tray.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing the relationship between the center line (dotted line) of the support shaft and the rotary shaft portion 5 in the third embodiment. The distance d between the upper surface of the tray 4 and the center of the rotary shaft 5
Is set to approximately half the thickness of the tray 4. Since there is no support shaft on the upper surface of the tray, even if there is another tray on the front side of the work target, it is possible to stack the tray to be worked on in a horizontal state.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory view of the operation in the third embodiment, and is a view of the tray as seen from the rear. In the figure, 2 is a cable core and 4 is a tray. Also in this explanatory diagram, the tray 4 is shown only on one side of the cable core 2, and the number of trays is also four as an example.
Numbered 4 FIG. 8A shows a state before the work. Each tray 4 is arranged along the cable core 2 as shown in FIG. Now access the third tray. As shown in FIG. 8B, the third tray is rotated upward in the vertical plane. Next, as shown in FIG. 8 (C), the third tray is rotated around the support shaft and is stacked on the first and second trays. Also in this embodiment, the work can be performed with the tray in a horizontal state, which is excellent in workability.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view in the state of FIG. 8 (C). It shows a state in which the third tray is stacked horizontally. Since it is not necessary to move the 1st, 2nd and 4th trays, there is no effect even if the optical fibers stored in trays other than the tray to be accessed are communicating. .

FIG. 10 is for explaining the fourth embodiment of the connection box of the present invention. FIG. 10 (A) is a perspective view of a main part, and FIGS. 10 (B) and 10 (C) are support parts. FIG. 12, those parts that are the same as those corresponding parts in FIG. 12 are designated by the same reference numerals, and a description thereof will be omitted. 13 is a notch. Also in this embodiment, the tray on which the work is performed can be stacked on the upper surface of another tray. As shown in FIG. 10 (A), the support portions 12 were displaced in the support axis direction so as not to overlap. Further, the support shaft 12 is provided with a notch 13 so as not to hit the support shaft of at least the tray on the front side. The thickness of the support portion 12 may be set without providing the cutout portion, or the support portion 12 may have a shape that bulges outward so as to avoid the support shaft 12. When the tray is in the horizontal state, as shown in FIG. 10 (C), the support portion of the horizontal tray is not hindered by the support shafts 11 of the other trays arranged in the vertical state. It can take a horizontal position.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory view of the operation in the fourth embodiment, and is a view of the tray as seen from the rear. 2 in the figure
Is a cable core and 4 is a tray. Also in this figure, the tray 4 is shown only on one side of the cable core 2, and the number thereof is also
As an example, the case of four sheets is illustrated and numbers 1 to 4 are attached for convenience of description. FIG. 11A shows a state before the work.
Each tray 4 is arranged along the cable core 2 as shown in FIG. Now access the third tray. As shown in FIG. 11B, the third tray is rotated upward in the vertical plane. Then, as shown in FIG. 11C, the third tray is rotated about the support shaft. Then, the rotary tray is rotated to stack the third tray on the first and second trays, as shown in FIG. Also in this embodiment, the work can be performed with the tray in a horizontal state, which is excellent in workability. Further, similarly to the third embodiment, since it is not necessary to move the first, second, and fourth trays, even if the optical fibers stored in the trays other than the accessed tray are communicating. , Nothing is affected.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the essential portions of the fifth embodiment of the connection box of the present invention. In the figure, the same parts as in FIG.
The same reference numerals are given and the description is omitted. 4a and 4b are trays. In this embodiment, the tray 4 can be rotated downward. For example, by removing or rotating the rear part of the connection box bottom plate, a space where the tray 4 can be positioned downward is created, and the tray is rotated downward to access the cable core 2. You can Further, by rotating the tray 4a on the front side of the accessed tray 4b downward, the accessed tray 4b can be rotated around the support shaft 11 to a horizontal position. The support structure of the support shaft and the tray may be of any suitable structure such as the structure described in the second, third and fourth embodiments, but as in the third embodiment, the support shaft is penetrated into the tray. In the case of such a structure, it is not necessary to make it penetrate obliquely, and it is sufficient to make it penetrate horizontally.

The support shaft 11 may not be provided. In this case, the tray cannot be rotated to the horizontal position. Therefore, only the tray to be accessed is shown in FIG.
By rotating the tray 4a downward like the tray 4a, connection work or the like can be performed in that state.

[0038]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, the cable core can be easily accessed from the side when a new optical fiber is taken out because of the intermediate branch.
Further, there is an effect that the required tray can be pulled out with a small influence on the core wires contained in other trays when the connection of the core wires is changed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a main part of a first embodiment of a connection box of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the connection of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an essential part of a second embodiment of the connection box of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of an operation in the second embodiment.

5 is a perspective view in the state of FIG. 4 (C).

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an essential part of a third embodiment of the connection box of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a support shaft according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of an operation in the third embodiment.

9 is a perspective view in the state of FIG. 8 (C).

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a fourth embodiment of the connection box of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of an operation according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an essential part of a fifth embodiment of the connection box of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an example of a conventional connection box.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Wiring optical cable, 2 ... Cable core, 3 ... Optical fiber,
4, 4a, 4b ... Tray, 5 ... Rotating shaft portion, 6, 7 ... Optical fiber introduction port, 8 ... Branch optical cable, 9 ... Connection box bottom plate, 1
0 ... through hole, 11 ... support shaft, 12 ... support part, 13 ... notch part.

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Hiroki Ishikawa 1 Taya-cho, Sakae-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. Yokohama Works (72) Inventor Shigeru Tanaka 1 Taya-cho, Sakae-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa Sumitomo Electric Ki Kogyo Co., Ltd. Yokohama Works (72) Inventor Shigekazu Hayami 1-1-6 Uchisaiwai-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Nihon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (72) Inventor Yu Nozawa 1-1-6 Uchisai-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo No. Japan Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (72) Inventor Makoto Tominaga 1300 No. 1300, Iruka Shinden, Kita Sotoyama, Komaki City, Aichi Prefecture

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. Excluding the jacket of the intermediate portion of the wired optical cable,
A connection box for taking out the optical fiber and connecting it to the optical fiber taken out from the branch cable.It is a connection box that can be swiveled and lifted in a vertical plane around the feeder side of the jacket removal part as an axis. A connection box characterized by having. 2. Excluding the jacket of the intermediate portion of the wired optical cable,
A connection box for taking out the optical fiber and connecting it to the optical fiber taken out from the branch cable.It is possible to swivel a plurality of trays that can be swung in a vertical plane with the vicinity of the feeder line side of the jacket removal part as an axis. A connection box characterized by having. 3. The plurality of trays each have a rotation axis along the upper side thereof, and the tray opens horizontally outwardly when viewed from the cable core of the wired optical cable about the rotation axis. The connection box according to claim 1. 4. A method for connecting a wired optical cable using the connection box according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the optical fiber cable in the wired optical cable is cut and taken out after the trays are attached to both sides of the wired optical cable. Either side, or
A method for connecting an optical cable, characterized in that all trays on both sides are swung in a vertical plane to secure a working space on the side surface of the wired optical cable. 5. A method of connecting an optical cable using the connection box according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a tray on the front side of the tray for storing the optical fiber is swiveled when the optical fiber is stored. A method for connecting an optical cable, characterized in that a work space is provided on the front side and a tray for accommodating the optical fiber core is used. 6. A method of connecting an optical cable using the connection box according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a tray for storing the optical fiber is swiveled so that another tray is in front when the optical fiber is stored. A method for connecting an optical cable, characterized in that the side space is left unobstructed before the housing work. 7. A method for connecting an optical cable using the connection box according to claim 3, wherein a tray on the front side of the tray for storing the optical fiber is swung to the front side when the optical fiber is stored. A method for connecting an optical cable, characterized in that a space is secured in the space, and a tray for accommodating the optical fiber core is horizontally opened in the space for work. 8. A method of connecting an optical cable using the connection box according to claim 3, wherein a tray for storing the optical fiber is swiveled when the optical fiber is stored, and another tray is provided in front of the tray. A method for connecting an optical cable, characterized in that the optical fiber connection work is performed by horizontally opening the tray that accommodates the optical fiber in a state in which the optical fiber is not present.