JPH10311930A - Optical branching module - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enhance a work efficiency and also to enhance the housing efficiency of surpus lengths of optical fibers by enabling a surpus length housing body to be taken out to the outside from the takeoff opened at the side part of a module main body to facilitate connecting works. SOLUTION: At the time of the connection work of optical fibers 44, 110 each other, a surpus housing body 102 is pulled out to the outside of a module main body 101 and fusion splicing parts and connection surpus lengths of the both optical fibers 44, 110 are housed in a desired place and the surpus housing body 102 in which the housing work is completed is housed in the module main body 101 from a takeoff 112. At this time, optical fibers 44 are housed in an area being in the inside of a partition wall 115 from an inserting hole 122 by being made so as not to be twisted. Besides, the optical fiber 110 of an optical coupler 108 is previously housed in an optical branching module 100 at the time of assembling an optical wiring rack 24 and at the time of the fusion work, a surpus length for fusion working which is previously conserved from the surpus housing body 102 taken out from the module main body 101 is unwound to be used and the surpus length is rehoused after the fusion work.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical branching module applied to an optical distribution rack for branching a single-core or multi-core optical fiber into a multi-core optical fiber by an optical coupler.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an optical fiber network, for example, in order to connect an optical cable on a subscriber side to an optical cable inside a station, an optical distribution rack (FTM) which terminates a large number of optical fibers inside and outside the station to form a large group. Is used. FIGS. 9 and 10 show a conventional FTM.
Is a frame, 2 is a terminal plate, 3 is an optical connector, and 4 is an optical branching module in which an optical component such as an optical coupler and an extra connection length are stored.

[0003] The frame 1 is formed in a shelf shape divided into a plurality of steps at equal intervals by horizontally arranged partition plates 5, and a plurality of steps for accommodating the optical branching module 4 are formed. . A terminal plate 2 that substantially covers the opening is fixed to the same side opening of each stage of the frame 1.
The terminal plate 2 has a hole 6 for mounting the optical adapter 3.
A plurality of optical adapters 3 corresponding to the SC type optical connector are arranged and fixed in the hole 6 two by two. On both sides of the optical adapter 3, a plurality of receptacles (plugs) (not shown) each having a single-core optical fiber core 7 terminated are arranged outside, and another optical fiber tape pulled in through the optical branching module 4. A plurality of receptacles (plugs) (not shown) for terminating a single core wire 8b obtained by branching the end of the core wire 8 (hereinafter referred to as a "tape core wire") with a branching device 8a,
It is arranged at a position corresponding to the terminal for the single-core optical fiber core wire 7, and the plugs on both sides are positioned and connected by a positioning ring in the optical adapter 3.

[0004] The optical branching module 4 serves as an extra length storage case for storing the extra length of the tape core wire 8. For example, each stage of the frame 1 has a length of 13.5 m.
Approximately 50 m-widths are provided in one step. As shown in FIG. 11, inside the optical branching module 4, the extra length of the tape core 8 coded by the reinforcing tube, the optical coupler 9 connected to the tape core 8, and the tape cores 8. Connector 10 (Mechanically connected)
Transferable). The extra connection length of the tape core wire 8 is wound in an appropriate number of times and stored in the optical branching module 4.

[0005]

Incidentally, the optical branching module 4 is of a type in which the extra connection length and the optical component are housed in the same case. The connection operation with the tape core 8 is schematically described as follows. 1. The case of the optical branch module 4 is removed from the FTM. 2. Open the lid of the case and take out the stored tape core 8. 3. The connection method may be an optical connector and fusion splicing. In the case of using fusion splicing, a fusion splicer is installed on the working side, and the fusion splicer is used to connect the tape core 8 of the termination cable. And the tape core wire 8 in the case are fusion-spliced. 4. After the fusion splicing, the excess connection length of the tape core wire 8 is stored in the case so as not to be twisted, and the lid is closed. 5. The optical branching module 4 is returned to the original position of the FTM. In the above connection work, since the space between the optical branching modules 4 is narrow and the optical fiber core 8 is congested, the work of taking out and re-storing the case and the work of connecting the core have been extremely careful. , The number of storage cores of the FTM increases,
With this, the mounting density of the optical branching module 4 has been improved, so that a surplus storage method that is simpler in connection work and excellent in workability has been demanded.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and the connection work is easy and the work efficiency can be increased. Further, the storage efficiency of the extra length can be improved. It is an object of the present invention to provide an optical branching module that can reduce the influence on communication as much as possible.

[0007]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, it is formed in an external thin plate shape,
A module main body which is housed in the optical distribution rack in a vertically arranged state and a plurality of modules are arranged side by side, and an optical connector to which an optical fiber is connected from the outside is attached to a side of the module main body; Is provided with an optical coupler, and an extra length storage body for storing an extra connection length generated when the optical fiber on the optical coupler side and another optical fiber are connected at the optical connection unit, and the extra length storage body is provided. The optical branching module is characterized in that the optical branching module can be taken out of the module main body through an outlet opening on a side portion of the module main body.

According to the present invention, during work such as connection of optical fibers or connection switching, the extra length storage body is taken out of the module body, and the extra length storage operation is performed in a place where a sufficient work space can be secured. Thereby, workability of operations such as taking out and storing the extra connection length can be ensured.
The optical connection between the optical fiber on the optical coupler side and another optical fiber is held in either the module body or the extra length storage.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the extra length storage body is formed in an external circle or an elliptical shape, and is rotated or wound outside the module body to wind or unwind the extra connection length. An optical branch module according to claim 1 is a means for solving the problem.

According to the present invention, the extra length of the optical fiber can be quickly wound or unwound by rotating the extra length container taken out of the module body.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, a reel-shaped extra-long winding body, which rotates or unwinds the extra connection length by rotating, is rotatably attached to the extra-length storage body. The optical branch module according to claim 1 or 2 is a means for solving the above problem.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the extra-length storage body is pulled out of the module body, and only the extra-length winding body is rotated while supporting the extra-length storage body, thereby winding up the extra connection length. And unwinding can be performed more quickly. In addition, if there are a plurality of extra-length winding bodies, the extra connection lengths are distributed and wound around these extra-length winding bodies, so that a large number of extra connection lengths can be arranged and stored, and handling workability can be improved. Is improved.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of an optical branch module according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. In the figure, reference numeral 100 denotes an optical branch module, 101 denotes a module main body, and 102 denotes an extra-length storage body. In FIG. 1, the optical branch module 100 has a rectangular thin plate-shaped module main body 10 which is housed vertically and horizontally in a shelf-shaped optical wiring rack 24 divided in multiple stages by a partition plate 23.
1 and an extra-length storage body 102 which is removably stored in the module main body 101.

The module main body 101 is a case made of resin or the like, and has an optical connector 103 (an optical adapter or an optical receptacle) at a front portion (the right rear side in FIG. 1) facing the terminal plate 31 of the optical wiring rack 24. And a positioning engagement claw 104. As shown in FIG. 2, the optical connector 103 is provided with eight receiving ports each having a built-in ring sleeve for positioning, and each receiving port has an SC type terminating a single-core optical cord 25 inside the station. The optical plug 29 is inserted. Eight single-core optical fibers 106 are housed in the module body 101,
The SC ferrules 107 terminating the ends of the optical fibers 106 are inserted into the optical connector 103 from inside the module main body 101. The tip of the ferrule 107 has an ultra-low reflectance by APC polishing (Advanced Physical Contact).

Optical connector 103 and positioning claw 10
4 is inserted into a hole 33 formed in the terminal plate 31 when the optical branching module 100 is inserted into the optical distribution rack 24. At this time, the optical connector 103 protrudes outward from the terminal plate 31, and the positioning engagement claw 104 engages with the terminal plate 31 to restrict the module main body 101 from being pulled out. Note that the positioning engagement claw 104 can manually release the engagement with the terminal plate 31, and the module body 1
Release operation is performed only when 01 is pulled out.

An optical coupler 1 is provided in the module body 101.
08 and a radius maintaining section 109 in which the extra length of the single-core optical fiber 106 connected to the optical coupler 108 is wound with a curvature radius equal to or greater than a specified radius. The optical coupler 108
The single optical fiber 106 is replaced with 32 optical fibers (8
A wavelength-independent quartz substrate waveguide-type star coupler that branches into four optical fiber tape cores 110).
In a state where the optical fibers 106 and 110 are connected, the optical fibers 106 and 110 are fixed and accommodated in a central portion in the module main body 101 by fixing means such as bonding. The optical fiber 106 is coded by a reinforcing tube. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 111 denotes a retaining tool, which is an optical fiber 110 pulled out to the extra length storage body 102 side.
Hold down. Reference numeral 112 denotes an outlet from which the extra length storage 102 is inserted into and out of the module main body 101.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the extra length storage body 102 is formed of a material such as resin into a thin external appearance, and is stored in the lower half of the module body 101 in the form of an elongated thin plate. 113 and a curved wiring portion 114 protruding upward from a rear portion (left side in FIGS. 2 and 3) of the extra length storage portion 113.
And The extra-length storage section 113 includes a partition wall 115 around which the optical fiber 110 drawn out of the module main body 101 is wound with a curved radius larger than a specified value, the optical fiber 110 and the optical fiber 44 (8-fiber optical fiber core) on the subscriber side. And a connecting portion supporting portion 117 for detachably clamping and supporting the fusion splicing portion 116 with the wire. The partition wall 115 is a flange protruding substantially in an elliptical shape along the outer peripheral portion of the extra length storage portion 113, and the extra connection length 48 of the four optical fibers 44 is curved inside the inside thereof with a curvature radius larger than a specified radius. And stored. A radius maintaining portion 118 for maintaining the radius of curvature of the optical fiber 44 is formed at the rear of the inner region of the partition wall 115.

Further, a guide wall 120 is formed at both front and rear ends and a lower portion of the extra length storage body 102 at a substantially constant distance from the partition wall 115, and an optical fiber storage groove 119 is formed between the guide wall 120 and the partition wall 115. Have been. One end of the optical fiber storage groove 119 is opened at the upper part of the extra length storage body 102, from which the optical fiber 110 on the optical coupler 108 side is introduced. The other end of the optical fiber storage groove 119 is opened in an inner region partitioned by the partition wall 115, and the optical fiber 44 on the subscriber side is introduced therefrom. Further, a connection portion support portion 117 is provided in the middle of the optical fiber housing groove 119. The connecting portion support portion 117 has a structure in which the fusion splicing portion 116 is clamped and supported by a plurality of claws projecting from the extra length storage body 102. Also, the partition wall 115 and the guide wall 12
A plurality of holding pieces 121 for holding the optical fibers 44 and 110 housed in the optical fiber housing groove 119 are provided at 0.

An insertion port 122 for inserting the optical fiber 44 into an inner area partitioned by the partition wall 115 is opened at a rear portion of the extra-length storage body 102. Since the insertion port 122 is a slit formed between the partition wall 115 and the guide wall 120, and the optical fiber 44 moves while sliding, the optical fiber 44 may be twisted. To prevent Since the optical fiber 44 on the subscriber side is stored in the receiving gutter 52 provided in the optical distribution rack 24, the desired optical fiber 44 taken out from the receiving gutter 52 is drawn into the extra length storage 102. The receiving gutter 52 is also installed inside the office of the optical wiring rack 24, and here houses the optical cord 25 inside the office.

The curved wiring portion 114 is a curved wall portion, and maintains the radius of curvature of the optical fiber 110 on the optical coupler 108 side to a specified value or more. The optical fiber 110 functions as an extra pull-out length when the extra length storage body 102 is taken in and out of the module main body 101, and the radius of curvature is always maintained by the curved wiring portion 114.

As shown in FIG.
Is provided with a removable lid 123. This lid 12
3, the mounting state is maintained by engaging engagement projections (not shown) with engagement holes 124 formed at a plurality of locations of the module main body 101, as shown in FIG.

Hereinafter, the optical branch module 10 of the present embodiment will be described.
The operation and effect of 0 will be described. According to the optical branch module 100, the extra length storage body 102 is extracted from the module main body 101 inserted into the optical distribution rack 24, and the optical fibers 44 and 110 are placed in a place where a sufficient working space outside the optical distribution rack 24 can be secured. Since the extra length processing is performed, work efficiency of connection between the optical fibers 44 and 110 and connection switching is improved.

For example, when connecting the optical fibers 44 and 110 to each other, the extra length storage
1 and take out both optical fibers 4 at a desired work place.
4, 110, the fusion spliced portion 116 and the extra connection length are stored, and the extra length storage body 102 in which the storage operation is completed is taken out of the outlet 11.
2 is stored in the module main body 101. At this time, the optical fiber 44 on the subscriber side is accommodated in a region inside the partition wall 115 from the insertion port 122 without twisting. On the other hand, the optical fiber 110 on the side of the optical coupler 108 is connected to the optical branch module 1 in advance when the optical distribution rack 24 is assembled.
The extra length for fusion work previously wound and secured from the extra length storage body 102 taken out of the module main body 101 is taken out from the module main body 101 and used. I do. These operations need to be performed with the extra-length storage body 102 laid down. By performing the operations in a place where a sufficient operation space can be secured, the operation efficiency can be greatly improved.

Further, in the optical branching module 100, when the extra length storage body 102 is put in and out of the module main body 101, the optical coupler 108 is held at a fixed position of the module main body 101 so as not to move. Thus, the optical transmission performance of the optical coupler 108 can be stably maintained without the influence of vibration or the like. Optical coupler 10
The optical transmission performance of No. 8 is constantly maintained regardless of before and after the connection and storage work of the optical fibers 44 and 110. further,
Since the extra length of the optical fiber 44 can be accommodated in the whole inside of the partition wall 115, the accommodation amount of the extra length increases, and the number of corresponding cores of the optical branching module 100 can be increased. In addition, since the optical fibers 44 and 110 can be efficiently stored, the size of the optical branch module 100 can be reduced, and the mounting density of the optical branch module 100 on the optical wiring rack 24 can be improved. The number of corresponding cores of the optical wiring rack 24 can be increased.

Hereinafter, an optical branching module 20 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the drawings, the same components as those in FIGS. 1 to 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be simplified. In FIG. 4, an optical branch module 20 has a rectangular thin plate-shaped module main body 21 which is housed vertically and horizontally in a shelf-shaped optical wiring rack 24 divided in multiple stages by a partition plate 23.
And an extra length storage body 22 that is removably stored in the module main body 21.

An optical connector 26 to which a single-core optical cord 25 is connected from the outside is provided in a protruding state at a lower part of a front portion (right rear side in FIG. 4) of the module main body 21. The optical connector 26 is the same as the optical connector 103 of the optical branch module 100 of the first embodiment, has a function of an optical adapter or an optical receptacle, and has an optical cord 25 from the outside to the inside of the office.
Is inserted, and an SC type ferrule 30 terminating the tip of the single-core optical fiber 28 in the module main body 21 from the inside.
Is inserted.

On both sides of the optical connector 26, when the module main body 21 is inserted into the optical wiring rack 24, positioning engaging claws 32 which engage with the terminal plates 31 installed on each stage of the optical wiring rack 24 are provided. It is protruding. When the module main body 21 is inserted into the optical wiring rack 24, the optical connector 26 and the positioning engagement claw 32
3 is inserted. Note that the positioning engagement claw 32 can manually release the engagement with the terminal plate 31.

As shown in FIG. 5, the inner central portion of the module main body 21 is divided into two upper and lower parts by a partition wall 34. The upper side of the partition wall 34 is a coupler storage section 36 for storing the optical coupler 35, and the lower side is a storage body storage section 38 for storing the extra-length storage body 22. The module body 21 has a detachable lid 39 (see FIG. 4). Reference numeral 40 in FIG. 5 denotes an engagement hole for maintaining the state of being attached to the lid 39, and is formed at a plurality of locations of the module main body 21.

The optical coupler 35 is fixed at a fixed position above the coupler housing 36 by a fixing means such as bonding. The optical coupler 35 is composed of eight single-core optical fibers 28 and 32 optical fibers (eight optical fiber tape cores 41).
This is a wavelength-independent quartz substrate waveguide type star coupler that branches into a module body 21 with the optical fibers 28 and 41 connected. The optical fiber 28 is coded by a reinforcing tube.

In FIG. 5, reference numeral 37 denotes an outlet for taking out the extra length storage body 22 from the module main body 21. 42
Is a radius maintaining portion that winds the extra length of the optical fibers 28 and 41 to maintain a curved radius equal to or greater than a specified value, and is a circular protruding portion protruding from the inner surface side of the module body 21. 43
Is a retaining tool for retaining the optical fiber 41 at a fixed position against a tensile force.

The extra-length storage body 22 has an elliptical thin plate shape made of resin such as plastic, and has a fusion spliced portion 45 between the optical fiber 41 on the optical coupler 35 side and the optical fiber 44 on the subscriber side optical line. It has a connecting portion supporting portion 46 to be supported, and a guide wall 49 around which the extra connection lengths 47 and 48 of the optical fibers 41 and 28 are wound with a curved radius equal to or larger than a specified value. The connection portion support portion 46 detachably clamps and supports the fusion connection portion 45 with a plurality of claws projecting from the center of the extra-length storage body 22. The guide wall 49 is composed of a plurality of flange-shaped walls protruding from the extra-length storage body 22, and provides a substantially elliptical optical fiber wiring path along the outer peripheral portion of the extra-length storage body 22 in an inner and outer double. Has formed. Each guide wall 49 has an optical fiber 41 wound along the outside of the guide wall 49,
A large number of holding claws 50 are provided so as to hold the holding member 44 to prevent detachment from the extra length storage body 22.

The extra-length container 22 is stored in the container storage section 38 with the major axis of the ellipse aligned with the longitudinal direction of the module body 21. Also, the optical fiber 41 on the optical coupler 35 side
Is a communication part 51 formed at the rear of the module body 21.
Is drawn from the coupler housing section 36 into the housing body housing section 38 through the opening.

Hereinafter, the optical branching module 20 of this embodiment will be described.
The function and effect of the method will be described. Optical branch module 2
According to 0, the extra connection length 4 between the optical fibers 41 and 44 is
Since the wires 7 and 48 are wound around the extra length storage body 22 that can be taken out of the module main body 21 and processed, the workability of storing and drawing out the extra connection lengths 47 and 48 is improved.

For example, when the optical fibers 41 and 44 are connected to each other, the optical fiber 41 on the side of the optical coupler 35 which is stored before the module main body 21 which is stored in the optical wiring rack 24 is drawn out and the receiving gutter 52 is provided. The optical fiber 44 taken out of the module is fusion-spliced by a fusion splicer installed near the optical wiring rack 24, and the extra connection lengths 47 and 48 are wound around the extra length storage body 22 pulled out from the module body 21 and stored. . At this time, the fusion splicing portion 45 is fixed to the connection portion support portion 46, and the extra length storage body 22 is rotated counterclockwise in FIGS. Since the rollers 47 and 48 are wound around the outside of the guide wall 49, the extra connection lengths 47 and 48 can be easily processed. When the winding of the extra lengths 47 and 48 around the extra length storage body 22 is completed, the extra length storage body 22 is stored in the storage body storage section 38. When the lengths of the extra connection lengths 47 and 48 are different, the winding length is adjusted by appropriately using the inner and outer guide walls 49 so that the whole is not slackened. The inner and outer guide walls 49 can also be used to sort and store the optical fibers 41 and 44.

When the connection between the optical fibers 41 and 44 is switched, the extra length storage body 22 pulled out of the storage body storage section 38 is rotated in the direction opposite to the direction of the winding, and the extra connection length 4 is set.
7, 48 are unwound, and the fusion splicing part 45 is pulled out to perform a connection switching operation. At this time, the unwound optical fibers 41 and 44 are inserted into the module main body 21 and the optical distribution rack 24.
Inconvenience such as entanglement with an optical fiber in the inside can be prevented, and workability is improved. Further, when the new connection is completed, the connection extra lengths 47 and 48 are rotated by the rotation of the extra length storage body 22.
And the extra length storage body 22 is stored in the storage body storage section 38.

Therefore, according to the optical branching module 20 of the present embodiment, the operation of winding and unwinding the extra connection lengths 47 and 48 by rotating the extra length storage body 22 can be performed extremely efficiently. , 44, and the efficiency of operations such as connection switching is improved. In addition, since the extra connection lengths 47 and 48 are wound around the extra length storage body 22 and stored, the extra connection lengths 47 and 48 are routed in the module main body 21 to maintain a curvature radius equal to or greater than a specified value. In comparison, the storage space can be reduced, and the storage amount of the extra connection lengths 47 and 48 increases. Therefore, it is possible to improve the mounting density of the optical branching module 20 on the optical wiring rack 24 and increase the number of cores of the optical wiring rack 24.

Note that the shape of the extra length storage body is the optical fiber 4
The structure is not limited to an elliptical shape as long as the structure can take up and unwind 1,44.

Hereinafter, an optical branch module 60 according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition,
In the figure, the same components as those in FIGS. 1 to 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be simplified. In FIG.
Denotes a module main body, which is made of a resin such as plastic and has a rectangular thin plate-like appearance. On the front side of the module main body 61 (the right rear side in FIG. 6), the optical wiring rack 24 is provided.
A positioning engagement claw 62 that engages with the terminal plate 31 when the optical branching module 60 is inserted into the optical fiber module, and an optical connector 63 to which the single-core optical cord 28 inside the office is connected are provided in a protruding manner. The optical connector 63 is an optical plug 2 that terminates the single-core optical cord 28.
Eight receptacles corresponding to 9 are provided in series, and have a function of an optical adapter or an optical receptacle. An SC ferrule 66 for terminating a single-core optical fiber 65 housed in the module main body 61 is inserted inside the module main body 61 of the optical connector 63.

In FIG. 7, reference numeral 66 denotes an optical coupler, which is fixed to the inner central portion of the module main body 61 by fixing means such as bonding. This optical coupler 66 is a wavelength-independent quartz substrate waveguide type star that branches eight single-core optical fibers 65 into 32 optical fibers (eight optical fiber tape cores 67 are four). Optical fibers 65 and 67
Are stored in the module main body 61 in a connected state. The optical fiber 65 is coded by a reinforcing tube. Reference numeral 68 denotes a radius maintaining unit,
The extra length of 5 is wound with a radius of curvature equal to or greater than a specified value.

The extra length storage body 69 is stored in the rear part of the module main body 61. This extra-length storage body 69 is
In addition, two circular extra-long winding bodies (reels) 71 that can be attached to and detached from the substrate 70 and a fusion spliced portion 72 between the optical fiber 44 and the optical fiber 67 on the subscriber line side are detachably clamped and supported. And a connection portion support portion 73. The extra-length storage body 69 is formed in a thin external shape, and can be put in and out of the module main body 61 through an outlet 74 at the rear end of the module main body 61. In FIG. 8, the extra length wound body 71 is continuously provided in the left and right (horizontal direction),
Each of them is detachably and rotatably supported by a plurality of claws 75 projecting from the substrate 70. Also, the substrate 70
Around the mounting position of each extra length wound body 71 in
A guide wall 76 that regulates the separation of the optical fibers 44 and 67 from the extra-long wound body 71 within a certain range is annularly arranged. An optical fiber 4 is provided between the guide wall 76 and the substrate 70.
A plurality of holding pieces 77 for holding the four and 67 are provided to project inward.

The connecting portion support portion 73 is configured to clamp the fusion splicing portion 72 by a claw protruding from a lower portion of the substrate 70, and is located between the two guide walls 76. Reference numeral 78 denotes a retaining portion, which clamps the optical fiber 67 and applies a tensile force acting on the optical fiber 67 when the extra length storage body 69 is inserted into and removed from the module main body 61.
It is prevented from being transmitted to.

As shown in FIG. 6, the module main body 61 has a detachable lid 79. As shown in FIG. 7, the cover 79 is inserted into engagement holes 80 provided at a plurality of positions in the module main body 61 and engaged with the cover 79 so that the mounted state is maintained. Has become.

Hereinafter, the optical branch module 60 of the present embodiment will be described.
The function and effect of the method will be described. This optical branch module 6
According to No. 0, since the extra length storage body 69 can be pulled out from the module main body 61 and the extra length winding body 71 can be detached from the extra length storage body 69, the optical fibers 44 and 67 The efficiency of storing and drawing out the extra connection lengths 48 and 81 is improved.

That is, when connecting the optical fibers 44 and 67, first, the extra length storage body 69 is pulled out from the inside of the module main body 61 stored in the optical wiring rack 24.
As shown in FIG. 8, the extra-long winding body 7 on the outside (the left side in FIG. 8)
1 is removed from the excess length storage body 69, and the connection excess length 48 of the total of four optical fibers 44 taken out from the receiving gutter 52 is wound without twisting, and then the optical wiring rack 2
4 is fusion-spliced to the optical fiber 67 on the optical coupler 66 side by a fusion splicer installed near the optical fiber 67. Since the extra connection length 81 of the optical fiber 67 on the optical coupler 66 side is previously wound and housed on the inner extra winding body 71, it is unwound during the connection work to take out the connection end, and the fusion splicing is completed. Thereafter, the extra-long wound body 71 is manually rotated and wound. Therefore, the unwinding and winding of the extra connection length 81 can be easily performed in a short time simply by rotating the extra length winding body 71, so that the work efficiency is greatly improved. In addition, the optical fiber 4 on the subscriber side
4 can be wound in a short time simply by rotating the circular extra-long wound body 71, and after winding, as in the case of the optical fiber 67 on the optical coupler 66 side, unwinding and winding are simple. It contributes to improving the efficiency of various operations.

When the extra length storage body 69 is pulled out,
Since the extra-length winding body 71 rotates and the extra connection length 81 is pulled out as the extra drawer length, there is no need to secure a separate extra drawer length or a storage area for the extra drawer length in the module main body 61.
The size of the optical branch module 60 can be reduced.

At the time of connection switching, the extra length storage body 69 is pulled out from the module main body 61, and the fusion spliced portion 72 is taken out from the connection portion support portion 73 while unwinding the extra connection lengths 48 and 81 from the both extra long wound bodies 71. The connection state is released and a new connection operation is performed. After the completion of the new connection operation, the connection extra lengths 48 and 81 can be quickly wound simply by rotating the extra length winding body 71. When all four subscriber-side optical fibers 44 are relocated to another optical branch module 60, the extra long winding body 71 may be relocated to the target optical branch module 60 after disconnection. Is greatly improved.

Therefore, according to the optical branch module 60 of the present embodiment, the extra connection lengths 48 and 81 can be wound and unwound in a short time only by rotating the extra length winding body 71. The efficiency of various operations involving pulling out the extra lengths 48 and 81 can be greatly improved. Also,
At the time of rotation of the extra-long winding body 71, the projecting range of the extra connection lengths 48 and 81 is regulated by the guide wall 76, and the extra connection length 4
Since there is no need to worry that 8, 81 will contact the optical coupler 66, etc.
Work can be performed without affecting the optical transmission performance of the optical line on the optical coupler 66 side, and workability is improved. Further, by the action of the guide wall 76, it is not necessary to define the coupler housing portion by the partition wall or the like in the module main body 61, so that the entire volume of the module main body 61 can be more effectively utilized, and The number can be increased.

Note that the number of extra-long winding bodies installed in the extra-long storage body is not limited to two. If the number of extra-long wound bodies is three or more, it becomes possible to efficiently process a larger number of optical fibers. In addition, it goes without saying that the type of the optical fiber stored in the optical branch module, the shape of the extra length storage body, the type of the optical component stored in the module main body, and the like in each embodiment can be changed.

[0049]

As described above, according to the optical branch module of the first aspect, the extra length storage body for storing the extra connection length of the optical fiber on the optical coupler side and another optical fiber is provided in the module main body. A place where the extra length storage body can be taken out of the module body to secure sufficient working space when connecting or switching between optical fibers, as it can be taken out from the outside through the opening on the side. By performing the work of storing the extra connection length, the workability of operations such as taking out and storing the extra connection length can be secured, and the work efficiency is improved. In addition, the optical coupler is stably supported at a fixed position even when the extra length storage unit is put in and out of the module body, so that the effects of vibrations and the like accompanying work are prevented from acting on the optical coupler, and the optical transmission performance of the optical coupler Can be maintained stably. Furthermore, since the storage efficiency is improved by intensively storing the extra connection length in the extra length storage body, the storage amount of the extra connection length and the number of corresponding cores can be increased, and the entire optical branching module can be downsized. This leads to an excellent effect that the mounting density on the optical wiring rack can be increased.

According to the optical branch module of the second aspect, the extra length of the connection can be quickly wound or unwound by rotating the extra length container taken out of the module body. The efficiency of operations such as connection between fibers and connection switching is improved. Also, winding and storing the extra connection length can reduce the storage space for the extra connection length as compared with the case where the optical fiber is routed while securing a bending radius, so that the extra storage length and the number of cores can be further increased. This leads to an excellent effect that the number of components can be increased and the mounting density on the optical wiring rack can be further improved.

According to the optical branch module of the third aspect, the extra connection length can be rapidly wound or unwound by the reel-shaped extra-length winding member rotatably attached to the extra-length storage body. The efficiency of work such as connection of optical fibers and connection switching is improved, and the space for storing extra connection length can be reduced by winding, so that the extra storage capacity and the number of cores can be further increased. Further, it is possible to further improve the mounting density in the optical wiring rack. In addition, if there are a plurality of extra-length windings, by dividing and winding the extra connection lengths on these extra-length windings, a large number of extra connection lengths can be arranged and stored. An excellent effect is achieved in that the efficiency of operations such as connection between each other and connection switching can be further improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view showing a first embodiment of an optical branch module of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing the optical branch module of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a front view showing an extra length storage body of the optical branching module of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an overall perspective view showing a second embodiment of the optical branch module of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a front view showing the optical branch module of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is an overall perspective view showing a third embodiment of the optical branch module of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a front view showing the optical branch module of FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is an exploded front view showing an extra length storage body of the optical branch module of FIG. 3;

FIG. 9 is a side view showing a conventional FTM.

FIG. 10 is a front view showing a conventional FTM.

FIG. 11 is a front view showing a conventional optical branch module.

[Explanation of symbols]

20: optical branch module, 21: module body, 22
... extra length storage body, 24 ... optical wiring rack, 25 ... optical fiber (single-core optical cord), 26 ... optical connector, 35 ... optical coupler,
37: take-out port, 41: optical fiber (optical fiber ribbon), 44: optical fiber (optical fiber ribbon), 4
7, extra connection length, 48, extra connection length, 60, optical branching module, 61, module body, 63, optical connector, 66, optical coupler, 67, optical fiber (optical fiber tape core),
69: extra length storage body, 71: extra length winding body, 74: take-out port,
81: extra connection length, 100: optical branching module, 101:
Module body, 102: extra length storage body, 103: optical connector, 108: optical coupler, 110: optical fiber (optical fiber ribbon), 112: outlet.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Tatsuhiko Matsuura 3-19-2 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo Within Japan Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (72) Inventor Tetsuya Enomoto 3- 19-2 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo No. Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (72) Naoki Nakao, inventor 3-192-2 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo Japan Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (72) Masato Kuroiwa 3-192, Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo No. Within Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (72) Inventor Shigenori Goto 1-15-5 Botan, Koto-ku, Tokyo Inside Suzuki Giken (72) Inventor Yoshio Kobayashi 1-15-5 Botan, Koto-ku, Tokyo Stock Inside Suzuki Giken (72) Inventor Shuichi Kurihara 1-15-5 Botan Koto-ku, Tokyo Inside Suzuki Giken

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An optical distribution rack (24) for splitting a single-core or multi-core optical fiber (25) into a multi-core optical fiber (44) by an optical coupler (35, 66, 108). Optical branching modules (20, 60,
100), wherein the module main body (2) is formed in a thin external shape, and is housed in the optical distribution rack in a vertically arranged plural side by side.
1, 61, 101), and an optical connector (26, 63, 103) to which an optical fiber is connected from the outside is attached to the side of the module main body, and an optical coupler and the optical coupler are provided inside the module main body. Extra length storage body for storing the extra connection length (47, 48, 81) generated when the optical fiber (41, 67, 110) on the optical coupler side and another optical fiber (25) are connected at the optical connection part. (22,
69, 102), wherein the extra-length storage body can be taken out from an outlet (37, 74, 112) opened to the side of the module body. . 2. The extra length storage body (22) is formed in an external circular or elliptical shape, and is rotated or wound outside the module body to wind up or unwind the extra connection length. The optical branch module according to claim 1, wherein 3. A reel-shaped extra-long winding body (71) for winding or unwinding the extra connection length by rotating.
The optical branching module according to claim 1, wherein the optical branch module is rotatably attached to the extra-length storage body.