MXPA00007046A - Optical fibre assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

A kit of parts for forming an optical fibre assembly comprising:a) two or more panels, including a base panel and one or more further panels, wherein i) the panels can be stacked together;ii) each panel is provided with a plurality of connector-retaining means for securing optical fibre connectors;and iii) each of the said further panels is provided with an opening therein;b) means for stacking the panels relative to each other in such a manner that the connector-retaining means in each panel are offset laterally relative to the connector-retaining means in the adjacent panel(s) and project into the opening in the said adjacent panel.

Description

OPTICAL FIRE SET This invention relates to a group of parts for forming an optical fiber assembly, comprising a stack of two or more panels each of which is provided with retention means for securing connectors for optical fibers, a a set of comprising the panels and connectors installed, as well as a method of making the assembly. In particular, the invention relates to a group of parts and a formed assembly, suitable for use as a stack of temporary connection panels in a housing, cabinet, sub-cabinet or other container, for example in a rack of temporary connections of the exchange cabinet in a telecommunications network. The process of connecting one fiber optic segment to another by means of an intermediate fiber optic span is known in the art as "provisional connection". The intermediate sections of fiber optics are generally in the form of a flexible connection cable and the flexible connection cables are usually found in the panel, known as a "provisional connection panel", to secure them and for protection. A flexible connection cable is an optical fiber that is previously terminated at one or both ends for easy insertion into a connector. When the optical fiber is terminated only at one end, the other end is left free for splicing to a main fiber optic span. A main advantage for using fiber optic intermediate sections in the form of flexible connection cables, in a provisional connection panel for joining main fiber sections, is that it is possible to move or exchange connections between optical fibers to modify a network, without manipulating the main cable sections. This increases the risk of damage to the main cable sections. The short connecting flexible cable sections can easily be replaced if damaged. The use of two or more provisional connecting panels stacked, for example in a sub-cabinet and the use of two or more stacking junction trays in a housing are known. WO-A-95/29418 (Raychem Limited) discloses a plurality of provisional connecting panel trays which are hinged together along their trailing edges to allow access to each tray. Each tray has an edge that extends around its periphery and is provided with a row of vertical projections to hold eight connectors therebetween. Each tray rests on the edge of the adjacent tray. The row of connectors extends from the back to the front of the tray, but neither the connectors nor the vertical projections project in height above the height of the edge around each panel. It is intended that the call trays of WO-A-95/2941 8 be used in groups that are mounted on a structure or support. The support can be a drawer in which the trays are articulated and the drawer itself can be slidably mounted on a shelf in a cabinet. The cabinet and shelf support configuration as described in WO-A-95/29418 is a common configuration in telecommunication networks. Shelves and cabinets generally have a standard size and therefore there are limitations on the size of each panel and for any given panel height, on the number of panels that can be stacked one on top of the other on shelves and cabinets. EP 0 557 187 (A) and U.S. Patent Serial No. 5,363,466 disclose an optical fiber assembly comprising a stack of flat modules, each of which is hingedly connected to a support. The modules are arranged to receive and hold fiber optic connections. We have invented a new group of parts to form a set of fiber optic and the set thus formed, as well as a method to make the set, which allows a greater number of fiber optic connectors to be stored in a stack of panels, without increasing the total size of the stack. In other words, a greater capacity is achieved, without increasing the volume. A first aspect of the present invention provides a group of parts for forming an optical fiber assembly, the group comprising: a) two or more panels, including a base panel and one or more additional panels, each panel having a body and an edge vertical, and b) stacking means for stacking panels, the set of which is characterized in that each of the panels has a plurality of connector retaining means for securing optical fiber connectors, said connector retaining means extending beyond the edge vertical, because each of the panels has an opening or notch in its body, because the stacking means are arranged to stack the panels so that the connector retention means of each panel are projected into the opening or notch in the panel adjacent so that the adjacent panel rests on the vertical edge. Another aspect of the invention provides a group of assembled parts. Therefore, a second aspect of the invention provides an optical fiber assembly comprising two or more panels, including a base panel and one or more additional panels, each panel having a body and a vertical edge, and stacking means for stacking the panel, because each of the panels has a plurality of connector retaining means for securing optical fiber connectors, said connector retaining means extending beyond the vertical edge, characterized in that each of the panels has an opening or notch in its body, because the stacking means are arranged to stack the panels so that the connector retention means of each panel are projected into the opening or notch in the adjacent panel thus allowing the adjacent panel to rest on the vertical edge .

Although the present invention contemplates that the stack of panels could comprise only two panels, there would generally be more panels. ^ A particularly preferred embodiment uses six panels. The present invention relates to a base panel, and additional panels in the base panel. These will usually be on top of the base panel. However, they could be under the base panel, or the base and additional panels may be on the sides. For convenience in this specification, reference can be made to orientations such as above, below, above, below, etc. These will be done with reference to a base panel behind additional panels. What is important are the relative positions of the panels, and the term "base panel" is used to designate the starting point panel, wherever it is (above, below, to the side) relative to the additional panels. The connector retention means in each panel is displaced laterally (i.e., in the plane of each panel) relative to the connector retention means in the adjacent panel. The openings or notches in each panel will also commonly be displaced in the same way. In a preferred embodiment, the connector retaining means comprises projections, e.g. protrusions. These project upwards from the plane of each panel and have a height such that when the panels are stacked they project through the opening in the adjacent panel. The base panel, when it is behind the additional panels, does not have means of retaining projected connectors that attempt to project through and therefore need not contain an opening. However, you can do it and this can be preferred to minimize inventory. Also, as mentioned above, the base panel may be on top of the additional panels and the connector retaining means may project downward instead of upwardly from the plane of each panel. The connector retention means are preferably positioned to be of a height such that they are slightly higher than a connector when inserted. In other embodiments, the connector retention means may comprise an adapter that fits between the projections to improve retention of the connectors. An adapter design is in the form of an open double-ended box, which has one dimension, transverse, longer than the other. The adapter fits, preferably with the help of spring clips, between the retention projections. The adapter is shaped to fit around a known standard connector having a corresponding rectangular cross section. Preferably, the adapter is configured such that its shortest, transverse dimension extends in the plane of each panel. In preferred embodiments, each panel comprises a flange around or near its edge, and when the panels are stacked, each panel is preferably arranged to rest on the flange of the adjacent panel. In these embodiments, when the connector retention means are in the form of projections, the projections in any particular panel preferably extend to a height greater than the height of the rim of that panel. Each panel is preferably rectilinear and has a trailing edge, a leading edge and side edges, and the connector retaining means preferably extends through the panel from the trailing edge to the leading edge in a substantially straight line. The line of connector retaining means preferably extends substantially parallel to the side edges of the substantially rectilinear panel. Other configurations, for example a line of connector retaining means extending diagonally across the panel or in a random configuration are also possible, provided that they are offset relative to those of the adjacent panel., and arranged to project into the opening of the adjacent panel. If necessary, more than one opening in the panels can be provided to accommodate the projecting connector retaining means. The generally rectilinear panel may have round corners. In a particularly preferred embodiment, each panel is substantially rectilinear, with a straight line of connector retention means extending from the back to the front face of the panel to one side of the panel, ie, not through the center of the panel. The opening in the adjacent panel is an elongated opening corresponding to the position of the line of the connector retaining means in the lower panel, to accommodate the portions projecting through. It is especially preferred that each of the additional panels, and optionally also the base panel, be substantially the same size in the stack, and preferably that they be substantially identical. For example, they can be as described in the previous paragraph, each panel rotated 180 ° relative to its neighbor, so that the connector retaining means projecting on each panel aligns with the openings in the adjacent panel. The panels in layers 1, 3, 5, etc. of the stack will be aligned identically. Likewise, the panels in layers 2, 4, 6, etc. of the stack will be aligned identically. The use of substantially identical panels minimizes inventory. In the group of parts according to the invention, the means for stacking the panels may comprise articulated parts in each panel that couple the adjacent panel or may comprise a separate member, which itself attaches to each of the panels. Preferably, the means for stacking the panels, whether they are in each panel or are a separate member, comprise one or more hinges. When the panels are substantially rectilinear, the panels are preferably hinged hinged along their back panels.

The assembly formed in accordance with the invention may also comprise fiber optic connectors fastened in at least one of the connector retaining means. In this case, not only the connector retention means, but also part of the connectors themselves, can be projected through the opening in the adjacent panel. Whether this happens or not depends on the type of connector used. Certain connectors that are commonly used in temporary connection panels are, in cross section, longer in one dimension than in the perpendicular direction. In prior art configurations, in the provisional connection panels, these connectors have traditionally been configured so that the longest dimension extends in the plane of the panel. With this configuration it was possible to place eight connectors through each panel and stack together six panels to fit into a standard shelf in a cabinet. With the present invention, it is possible to use those same connectors and panels of the same dimension, but to accommodate the connectors so that their longer dimension extends substantially perpendicular to the plane of the panel. By doing this, it is possible to fit twelve connectors through each panel. Although the height of each connector is now greater, the height of each panel does not have to be increased, since the part that projects from the connector is now in the plane of the neighboring panel. Therefore, even with the new configuration, it is still possible to fit six panels together on the shelf in the cabinet.

Therefore, the capacity of the six-panel stack is increased from 48 (eight in each panel) in the prior art to 72 (twelve in each panel) in the present invention, without altering the total size of the stack. Additionally, standard components can be used, for example, the same connectors. In certain embodiments according to the invention, modular panels are used. For example, a main body portion may be pre-installed with connector retainer means, and additional modules such as connecting reels, or islands for storage and bending control of flexible connecting cables may be placed on the main body portion . Conveniently, the modules can be inserted by pressing together. The invention also provides a method for forming an optical fiber assembly comprising: a) providing two or more panels, each panel having a body and a vertical edge, and b) stacking the panels, characterized in that - each of the panels has a plurality of connector retaining means for securing fiber optic connectors, whose connector retention means extend beyond the vertical edge, because - each of the panels has an opening or notch in its body, and because the stacking is performed in such a way that the connector retention means of each panel project into the opening or notch in the adjacent panel. The embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a stack of provisional connection panels in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a sectional view taken along line B-B of Figure 1; Figures 3, 4, and 5, are perspective views of three components that can be used together to form a provisional connection panel for use in a second embodiment of a stack of interim connection panels in accordance with the present invention; Figure 6 is a perspective view of an adapter that can be used in conjunction with the part of Figure 3 to secure fiber optic connectors to the interim connection panel; Figure 7 is a sectional side view taken through one of the connector retention projections of Figure 6; and Figure 8 is a perspective view, showing the modular components of Figures 3 to 5, incorporating the adapter of Figures 6 and 7, assembled together. Referring now to the drawings, Figures 1 and 2 show a stack 2 of interim connection panels 4. There are six panels in the stack as shown in Figure 2. Only five panels are shown in Figure 1 for clarity. Each panel 4 is substantially rectilinear, has round corners 6, a trailing edge 8, a front edge 10, and side edges 12. A separate support plate 14 is provided, to which each of the panels is joined by articulation. The support plate 14 acts as a means for stacking the panels 4 relative to each other, and for fixing their relative positions. The support plate 14 contains notches 16, which can couple corresponding sections in the panels to releasably secure each panel in place. Each panel 4 has a flange 18 extending around its edge. It extends substantially completely around the entire panel edge, except for four free spaces 20 that are open to allow the entry or exit of the optical fibers. Two openings 20 are on the front face 10 (one on the right and one on the left of the front face 10) and two openings are on the rear face 8 (one on the right and one on the left of the rear face 8) of each panel 4. This means that there is front and rear access to the panel, and the provisional front and rear connection are possible. Twelve connectors 22 extend in a row through each provisional connection panel 4. They extend in a substantially straight line from the rear face 8 to the front face 10. They are held in place by means of retainer connectors in the form from a strip 24, on which three divider strips depend 26.

The divider strips 26 divide the connectors 22 into four groups of three connectors. Also individual retaining means in the form of small hooks 28, secured to the strip 24 and separate each of the twelve connectors 22 between them, holding each one in place. The retaining strip 24 and individual fasteners 28 extend upwardly from the height of the rim 12 around each panel 4. This is required to securely secure the connectors 22. The retaining strip 24 extends from the rear face 8. to the front face 1 0 of the panel 4 in a direction substantially parallel to the side faces 12 of the panel 4, but displaced to one side of the panel 4. In the panel, the entire surface of which is visible in Figure 1, the strip 24 is displaced to the right of the panel. As can also be seen in Figure 1, the corresponding strip 24 'in the panel below the panel visible in Figure 1 is displaced a similar distance to the left of the panel, while the corresponding strip 24' in the next panel below it is aligned with the strip 24. Therefore, the retaining strips are staggered in alternating layers of the stack 2 of the panels 24. Each panel 4 is provided with an opening 30 through which the retaining strip projects. and the retaining hooks 28. Therefore, although the retaining strip and the retaining hooks 24, 28 extend above the height of the rim surrounding each panel 4, the adjacent panels 4 can still rest on the rim. of the neighboring panel 4, since the additional height that is projected is accommodated in the opening 30 of the neighboring panel. The stepped positioning of the retaining strips 24 and the retaining hooks 28 on adjacent panels, as well as the consequent staggering of the openings 30 in the neighboring panels means that each projecting retaining means is accommodated in an opening. In the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, each of the panels is identical, except that the adjacent panels are rotated by 180 ° relative to each other. The use of identical panels in this way minimizes inventory. Each panel 4 is also provided with islands 32, for fiber storage and fold control for the fiber input and output of the panels 4, and curved sections 34 adjacent the connectors 22 to provide bending control for fibers entering the fibers. connectors 22. Figures 3 to 5 show three component parts of a modular version of a provisional connection panel for use in the present invention. Similar parts, corresponding to parts of the embodiments of Figures 1 and 2, have similar reference numbers. Figure 3 shows the main body 36 of a provisional connection panel which is generally rectilinear with rounded corners as in the embodiment of Figure 1. It comprises a straight row of connector retaining means in the form of rows of projections 38 and 40. These can also act to retain a connector receiving adapter, as will be described below with reference to Figure 7. The body portion 36 of the provisional connecting panel also comprises slots 42 for joining the modular components of Figures 4 and 5. Figure 4 shows a clip module comprising islands 44 for bending control and fiber storage, and bending control curves 46 for fiber entering the connectors. The module comprises a push-fit connector section 48 for coupling the slot 42 in the main body portion of Figure 3. The module of Figure 4 would be particularly suitable for handling flexible connecting cables that enter the connectors. Figure 5 shows a junction connection module comprising junction storage means 50 and a space for junction module 52. As before, the module comprises a pressure insertion connector section 48 for coupling the slot 42 in the main body portion of Figure 3. Figures 6 and 7 show an adapter that can be used with the module of Figure 3 to act as an additional retention means for the connectors. The adapter 54 is formed as an open double ended box and fits between the detent projections 38 and 40. It is additionally held in place by the retaining clips 56., and by means of a retaining shoulder 58 of the neighboring panel 4 '. The adapter 54 is higher than wide. This is required to fit the particular connector for which it is designed. The connector and adapter 54 are known parts.

Figure 8 shows the modules of Figures 3 to 5 fitted together, and the adapter of Figures 6 and 7 in place. In addition twelve connectors can be placed in their retention means, in the adapters 54. As can be seen, the orientation of the adapter 54, so that its longest dimension is perpendicular to the plane of the panel means that it is possible to fit twelve connectors 60 to through the back to the front of the panel 4. The additional height of the retaining means and adapter 54, above the level of the flange 12 surrounding each panel is accommodated by configuring it to project into the opening in the neighboring panel. . As in the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, in the modular mode, all the panel main body modules are preferably substantially identical, with alternating panels rotated 180 ° relative to each other. The embodiments according to the invention can be used to temporarily connect flexible connection cables to flexible connection cables, flexible connection cables to fan outlet strips, etc. The bonding capacity can also be added to the interim connection panel. With a modular design this can be achieved simply with an additional piece as illustrated above with reference to Figure 5. As explained above, the present invention can be used to increase the capacity without increasing the size. Commonly the height of a stack of six panels, each containing twelve connectors is approximately 110 mm.

Claims (14)

1. REVIVAL NAMES 1. A group of parts for forming an optical fiber assembly comprising: a) two or more panels (4), including a base panel and one or more additional panels, each panel having a body (36) and a vertical edge (12) ), and b) stacking means (14) for stacking the panels (4), characterized in that - each of the panels (4) has a plurality of connector retention means (24, 28, 38, 40) to ensure fiber optic connectors (22), said connector retention means extend beyond the vertical edge (12), because each of the panels has an opening or notch (30) in its body (36) and because the Stacking means (14) are arranged to stack the panels (4) so that the connector retention means (24, 28, 38, 40) of each panel (4) project into the aperture or notch (30). ) in the adjacent panel thus allowing the adjacent panel to rest on the vertical edge (1 2).
2. 2. A fiber optic assembly comprising two or more panels (4), including a base panel and one or more additional panels, each panel has a body (36) and a vertical edge (12), and stacking meters (14) to stack the panels (4), characterized because - each of the panels (4) has a plurality of connector retaining means (24, 28, 38, 40) for securing optical fiber connectors (22), said connector retaining means extending beyond the vertical edge (12), because - each of the panels has an opening or notch (30) in its body (36) and because the stacking means (14) are arranged to stack the panels (4) so that the means of retention of connectors (24, 28, 38, 40) of each panel (4) project into the opening or notch (30) in the adjacent panel thus allowing the adjacent panel to rest on the vertical edge (12).
3. 3. An optical fiber assembly according to claim 2, further comprising fiber optic connectors (22) retained in at least some of the connector retention means (24, 28, 38, 40).
4. 4. An optical fiber assembly according to claim 3, wherein part of the connectors (22) is also projected through the opening or notch (30) in the adjacent panel.
5. A group of parts or assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the connector retaining means comprise projections (38, 40) projecting preferably upwardly from the plane of each panel (4).
6. 6. A group of parts or assembly according to claim 5, wherein the connector retaining means comprises an adapter (54) that fits between the projections (38, 40).
7. 7. A group of parts or assembly according to claim 6, wherein the adapter (54) comprises an open double-ended box, which is rectangular in transverse, the adapter is configured so that its largest dimension long, in transverse, extends substantially perpendicular to the plane of each panel (4).
8. 8. A group of parts or assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each panel (4) is substantially rectilinear, has a trailing edge (8), a front edge (10) and side edges (12). ) and the connector retention means (24, 38, 40) extend through each panel, from the trailing edge (8) to the front edge (10) in a substantially straight line.
9. 9. An assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each panel (4) can be formed of two or more modular parts.
10. 10. An assembly according to claim 2, or any claim dependent thereon, wherein each panel (4) is identical, and alternating panels are positioned relative to one another in a rotated 1 80 ° position. eleven .
11. A group of parts or assembly according to claim 2, or any claim dependent thereto wherein the openings or notches (30) in each panel (4) are laterally offset relative to the openings or notches (30) in the adjacent panel.
12. 12. A group of parties in accordance with the claim 1, or any claim dependent on the same, wherein the stacking means for stacking the panels comprises articulated parts in each panel (4) or a separate member (14).
13. 1 3. A method for forming an optical fiber assembly, comprising: a) providing two or more panels (4), each panel having a body (36) and a vertical edge (12), and b) stacking the panels (4). ), characterized in that - each of the panels (4) has a plurality of connector retention means (24, 28, 38, 40) for securing fiber optic connectors, whose connector retention means extend beyond the edge vertical (12), because - each of the panels (4) has an opening or notch (30) on its body, and because - the stacking is carried out in such a way that the connector retention means (24, 28, 38, 40) of each panel (4) project into the opening or notch (30) in the adjacent panel.
14. 14. A method according to claim 13, wherein each panel (4) is substantially identical, and is rotated 180 ° relative to its adjacent panel.