WO2020205365A1

WO2020205365A1 - Telecommunications module with improved fiber management features

Info

Publication number: WO2020205365A1
Application number: PCT/US2020/024695
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bart Mattie Claessens; Roger Joseph ALAERTS
Original assignee: Commscope Technologies Llc
Priority date: 2019-03-29
Filing date: 2020-03-25
Publication date: 2020-10-08

Abstract

Telecommunications modules for managing optical fibers. The modules have an interior and an exterior. The exterior defines a recessed region for storing loops or partial loops of one or more optical fibers that extend into the interior via a fiber routing passage. In some examples, the optical fiber is split at a splitter supported within the interior of the module. In some examples, the fibers extending from the output side of the splitter are connectorized and the connectors held in a patch panel of the module.

Description

TELECOMMUNICATIONS MODULE WITH IMPROVED FIBER

MANAGEMENT FEATURES

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application is being filed on March 25, 2020 as a PCT International Patent Application and claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 62/826,069, filed on March 29, 2019, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Telecommunication applications utilize fiber optic cables that often require optical fiber splicing and optical fiber storage. Telecommunications modules are often used to store, route, and perform various other fiber management operations between one or more nodes in a telecommunications network, such as splicing fibers to together, optically connecting connectorized optical fibers, splitting optical fibers, indexing optical fibers, etc.

[0003] Typically, a given telecommunications module will support multiple fiber management operations in a confined space. The high density of fibers in the module can make it challenging for a technician to perform a particular task.

SUMMARY

[0004] This disclosure relates generally to improvements in telecommunications modules (or“modules”). The telecommunications modules can be used for managing optical fibers in a telecommunications network. In some examples, the modules can be housed in a closure, such as a sealable and re-enterable fiber optic splice closure or terminal. In some examples, the modules can be mounted to a distribution rack. In some examples, such a distribution rack can be housed in a cabinet. In some examples, features of the modules of the present disclosure can facilitate performing a specific fiber management operation, e.g., allowing the specific operation to be performed without interfering with other fiber management functions provided by the module. Non-limiting example fiber management operations that can be provided or otherwise supported by modules of the present disclosure include, e.g., splicing, splitting, indexing, wave division multiplexing, point to point connecting, fiber storage, etc.

[0005] According to certain aspects of the present disclosure, a telecommunications module comprises: a housing having an interior and an exterior, the interior of the housing defining a fiber management volume, and the exterior of the housing defining an exteriorly open recessed region, the recessed region being defined by a support surface and a guide wall extending from, and at least partially surrounding, the support surface, the recessed region being configured to store loops of optical fibers guided by the guide wall and supported by the support surface.

[0006] According to further aspects of the present disclosure, a method of managing one or more optical fibers comprises: providing a telecommunications module, the telecommunications module comprising a housing having an interior and an exterior, the interior of the housing defining a fiber management volume, and the exterior of the housing defining an exteriorly open recessed region, the recessed region being defined by a support surface and a guide wall extending from, and at least partially surrounding, the support surface, the recessed region being configured to store loops of optical fibers guided by the guide wall and supported by the support surface, the housing defining a fiber routing passage leading from the recessed region to the fiber management volume; and routing an optical fiber from the fiber management volume to the recessed region via the fiber routing passage.

[0007] A variety of additional inventive aspects will be set forth in the description that follows. The inventive aspects can relate to individual features and to combinations of features. It is to be understood that both the forgoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the broad inventive concepts upon which the examples disclosed herein are based.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0008] The following drawings are illustrative of particular embodiments of the present disclosure and therefore do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. The drawings are not necessarily to scale and are intended for use in conjunction with the explanations in the following detailed description. Embodiments of the present disclosure will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like numerals denote like elements.

[0009] FIG. l is a perspective view of a telecommunications assembly, including an embodiment of a telecommunications module in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0010] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the telecommunications module of FIG. 1, including connectorized fibers and adapters.

[0011] FIG. 3 is a further perspective view of the telecommunications module of FIG. 1, including connectorized fibers and adapters, and a portion of a schematically

represented looped fiber.

[0012] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the telecommunications module of FIG. 1, including connectorized fibers and adapters.

[0013] FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the telecommunications module of FIG. 1, and including a schematically represented splitter module.

[0014] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a portion of the telecommunications module of FIG. 1.

[0015] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a further portion of the telecommunications module of FIG. 1.

[0016] FIG. 8 is a plan view of the portion of the telecommunications module of FIG. 6

[0017] FIG. 9 is a further perspective view of the portion of the telecommunications module of FIG. 6.

[0018] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a further portion of the telecommunications module of FIG. 1.

[0019] FIG. 11 is a plan view of the portion of the telecommunications module of FIG. 10 [0020] FIG. 12 is a further perspective view of the portion of the telecommunications module of FIG. 11.

[0021] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a telecommunications assembly including a further embodiment of a telecommunications module in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0022] FIG. 14 is a further perspective view of the assembly of FIG. 13.

[0023] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the telecommunications module of FIG. 13, and including a portion of a schematically represented looped fiber.

[0024] FIG. 16 is an exploded view of the telecommunications module of FIG. 13.

[0025] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a portion of the assembly of FIG. 13.

[0026] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a portion of the module of FIG. 13

[0027] FIG. 19 is a further perspective view of the portion the module of FIG. 18.

[0028] FIG. 20 is a view of a lower portion of the assembly of FIG. 1.

PET AIT, ED DESCRIPTION

[0029] Various embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts and assemblies throughout the several views. Reference to various embodiments does not limit the scope of the claims attached hereto. Additionally, any examples set forth in this specification are not intended to be limiting and merely set forth some of the many possible embodiments for the appended claims.

[0030] Referring to FIG. 1, an example assembly 10 includes a telecommunications module 100. The assembly 10 is part of a telecommunications closure. The outer housing of the telecommunications closure is not shown. The assembly includes an organizer 12. Feeder or branch cables 16 and drop cables 18 enter the closure via cable sealing members 14 on opposite sides of the organizer 12. For ease of description only, the feeder or branch cables 16 enter the closure and their fibers are directed to a lower region of the organizer 12, while the drop cables enter the closure and their fibers are directed to an upper region of the organizer 12. Generally, within the closure, and using fiber management features of the assembly 10, fibers from the feeder or branch cables 16 are routed and spliced to fibers of the drop cables 18. Passageways 19 defined by the organizer 12 allow fibers from the lower region to be routed to the upper region. Additional fibers from the feeder or branch cables can be stored in loops in the lower region of the organizer 12.

[0031] In an example fiber routing scheme, a first fiber from the lower region is routed to the upper region via a passageway 19 and then to a splice tray 26, optionally via a guide channel 102 defined by the module 100. The splice tray 26 is one of a stack 24 of splice trays 26 supported by a tray support 27, the tray support 27 including one or more support plates 28 to which the trays 26 are pivotally coupled. Loops or partial loops of the first fiber can be stored in the storage area 32 of the splice tray 26, and the first fiber is spliced to a second fiber in the splice area 30 of the splice tray 26, the splice area 30 including structures for supporting splice bodies. Loops or partial loops of the second fiber can be stored in the storage area 32 of the splice tray 26, and the second fiber is routed to the module 100, where additional loops or partial loops of the second fiber can be stored in an external recessed region of the module 100. The second fiber is then routed into an interior fiber management volume of the module 100 where it enters the input side of a splitter module supported within the fiber management volume of the module 100 and is split into multiple third fibers. (Additional or alternative splicing can occur within the module 100.) The third fibers are stored and/or routed within the fiber management volume of the module 100. The third fibers can be connectorized with first connectors and routed to a patch area 34 where the connectors are held on an interior side of a patch panel of the module 100 and thereby optically connected to fourth fibers 20 that are connectorized with second connectors 22, the second connectors 22 being held on an exterior side of the patch panel in adapters 40. The fourth fibers 20 lead to the drop cables 18. Numerous other routing schemes can be supported by the assembly 10, and it should be appreciated that the assembly 10 can support a variety of different routing schemes for different fibers at the same time.

[0032] Referring now to FIGS. 2-12, the module 100 defines a region 104 that is exterior to the module 100 and a region 106 that is interior to the module 100. The module 100 includes a housing 108. The housing 108 includes a first housing piece 110 and a second housing piece 112. In this example, the first housing piece 110 can be considered a base, and the second housing piece 112 can be considered a cover, but this description is not limiting. In some examples, the first and second housing pieces are fused or permanently adhered together. In other examples, the housing pieces are adapted to lock to each other and unlock from each other to provide a re-enterable and re-closeable module 100. For ease of description, the module 100 can be considered to have a front 114, a back 116, a top 118 and a bottom 120.

[0033] The interior of the housing 108 defines a fiber management volume 122, and the exterior of the cover 112 defines an exteriorly open recessed region 124, the recess being recessed towards the interior fiber management volume. The recessed region 124 is defined by a support surface 126 and a guide wall 128. The guide wall 128 extends from, and at least partially surrounds, the support surface 126. The recessed region 124 is configured to store loops of optical fibers (e.g., the optical fiber 90) guided by the guide wall and supported by the support surface. Discontinuities 130 in the guide wall 128 provide access from the recessed region 124 to fiber routing passages 132 leading from the recessed region 124 to the fiber management volume 122. A plurality of retainer tabs 134 extend from the guide wall 128 to help retain fiber loops between the tabs 134 and the support surface 126. Additional retainer tabs 137 are provided at the routing passages 132 to help retain fibers within the routing passages 132. The routing passages 132 are in communication with gaps 136 in an outer wall 138 of the base 110 leading into the interior volume 122. The gaps 136 are also in communication with fiber guide channels 141, which lead from the gaps 136 to the tray support, such that fibers can be routed from the interior fiber management region to splice trays for splicing.

[0034] Because the loops of the fiber 90 are stored externally, the fiber 90 can be routed externally of the module (e.g., to a splice tray) without interfering with the fibers and fiber management components positioned in the interior fiber management volume of the module 100.

[0035] The interior volume 122 includes a splice region 140 and a splitter region 142. Loops of fibers can be stored in the splice region 140, the loops being guided by guide walls 146, 148 and retained by retainer tabs 144 and routed on a fiber routing surface 156. The fiber routing surface 156 defines structures 152 to support one or more fiber management modules, such as splitter module holders or splice body holder modules. In this example, a splice body holder module 154 is coupled to the routing surface 156 using the structures 152.

[0036] The splitter region 142 includes a splitter module holder 158, which includes structures 160 for holding one or more splitter modules (e.g., the splitter module 199). Retainer tabs 162 can help guide fibers into and out of the splitter(s) on the input and output sides of the splitter(s).

[0037] At the front of the splitter region is a patch panel 164. In some examples, the patch panel 164 is fixed relative to the fiber routing surface 156. In other examples, the patch panel 164 is removably retained by a patch panel retainer 166 that is integrally formed with the fiber routing surface 156. Optionally, the patch panel includes coupling features 176, 178 that are complementary to coupling features 177, 179 defined by the retainer 166 to help hold the patch panel 164 in the retainer 166.

[0038] The patch panel 164 defines any suitable number of apertures 168 to receive connectors, such as the connectors 22 (e.g., via adapters 40). In the example module 100, the patch panel 164 defines sixteen apertures 168. In other examples the patch panel 164 defines more or fewer apertures. The apertures can be sized and configured according to the form factor of the connector (e.g., SC, LC, MPO) they are to receive. In this example, the apertures 168 are arranged in two rows, with the apertures of one of the rows being staggered relative to the apertures in the other of the rows. Via the patch panel 164, connectorized patch cords, e.g., leading from the splitter output side can be connected to connectorized fibers on the exterior of the module 100.

[0039] Access openings 170 in the outer wall 138 are provided on opposite sides of the module 100 and adjacent the patch panel 164. The access openings 170 can provide access to patch cords or their connectors on the interior side 172 of the patch panel. The cover 112 is configured to at least partially nest within the outer wall 138 when the module 100 is assembled. When assembled, the outer wall 174 of the cover 112 at least partially blocks the access openings 170. Latch arms 180 of the cover 112 are resiliently flexible and include ramped latching projections 184 configured to snap into

complementary notches 182 defined by the base 110 to thereby removably lock the cover 112 and the base 110 to each other. As mentioned, in other examples, the module 100 is not re-openable, e.g., no unlocking mechanism is provided to disengage the cover and base from each other.

[0040] Referring to FIG. 9, the base 110 includes an arrangement 190 for pivotally supporting a tray support (e.g., the tray support 27 (FIG. 1)).

[0041] Referring now to FIGS. 12-13 and 17, a further embodiment of a fiber management assembly 70 (or portions thereof) is depicted (in FIG. 17, the cover of the module has been removed). Optionally, the assembly 70 can be housed in a

telecommunications closure.

[0042] The assembly 70 includes an organizer 72, tray support 74 and a fiber organizing module 200. The module 200 and the tray support 74 are both mounted to an upper portion 76 of the organizer 72. Fibers can be routed from a lower portion 78 of the organizer 72 to the upper portion 76 via passageways 80. The fibers can then be led via fiber guides 82, 84 to splice trays pivotally supported by hinge arrangements 86 of the tray support 74.

[0043] Referring now to FIGS. 15-16 and 18-19, the module 200 will be described in greater detail.

[0044] The module 200 defines a region 204 that is exterior to the module 200 and a region 206 that is interior to the module 200. The module 200 includes a housing 208. The housing 208 includes a first housing piece 210 and a second housing piece 212. In this example, the first housing piece 210 can be considered a base, and the second housing piece 212 can be considered a cover, but this description is not limiting. In some examples, the first and second housing pieces are fused or permanently adhered together.

In other examples, the housing pieces are adapted to lock to each other and unlock from each other to provide a re-enterable and re-closeable module 200. For ease of description, the module 200 can be considered to have a front 214, a back 216, a top 218 and a bottom 220

[0045] The interior of the housing 208 defines a fiber management volume 222, and the exterior of the cover 212 defines an exteriorly open recessed region 224, the recess being recessed towards the interior fiber management volume. The recessed region 224 is defined by a support surface 226 and a guide wall 228. The guide wall 228 extends from, and at least partially surrounds, the support surface 226. The recessed region 224 is configured to store loops of optical fibers (e.g., the fiber 92) guided by the guide wall and supported by the support surface. A discontinuity 230 in the guide wall 128 provides access from the recessed region 224 to a fiber routing passage 232 leading from the recessed region 224 to the fiber management volume 222. A plurality of retainer tabs 234 extend from the guide wall 228 to help retain fiber loops between the tabs 234 and the support surface 226. The routing passage 232 is in communication with a gap 236 between an outer wall 238 of the base 210 and the support surface 226.

[0046] Because the loops of the fiber 92 are stored externally, the fiber 92 can be routed externally of the module (e.g. to a splice tray) without interfering with the fibers and fiber management components positioned in the interior fiber management volume of the module 200.

[0047] The interior volume 222 includes a splitter region 240 and a patch region 242. Loops of fibers can be stored in the splitter region 240, the loops being retained by retainer tabs 244 and routed on a fiber routing surface 256. A support platform 250 extends from a side wall 246 into the splitter region 240. The support platform 250 is spaced above the fiber routing surface 256 so that looped fibers can pass between the fiber routing surface 256 and the platform 250.

[0048] The support platform 250 defines structures 252 to support one or more fiber management modules, such as splitter module holders 258 or splice body holder modules. In this example, splitter modules holders 258 are coupled to the support platform 250 (FIG. 17) using the structures 252.

[0049] The patch region 242 is adjacent a patch panel 264. In some examples, the patch panel 264 is fixed relative to the fiber routing surface 256. In other examples, the patch panel 264 is removably retained by a patch panel retainer 266 that is integrally formed with the fiber routing surface 256. Optionally, the patch panel 264 includes coupling features 276 that are complementary to coupling features 277 defined by the retainer 266 to help hold the patch panel 264 in the retainer 266.

[0050] The patch panel 264 defines any suitable number of apertures 268 to receive connectors, such as the connectors 22 (e.g., via adapters 40). In the example module 200, the patch panel 264 defines eight apertures 268. In other examples the patch panel 264 defines more or fewer apertures. The apertures can be sized and configured according to the form factor of the connector (e.g., SC, LC, MPO) they are to receive. In this example, the apertures 268 are arranged in two rows, with the apertures of one of the rows being staggered relative to the apertures in the other of the rows. Via the patch panel 264, connectorized patch cords, e.g., leading from the splitter output side can be connected to connectorized fibers on the exterior of the module 200.

[0051] Access openings 270 in the outer wall 238 are provided on opposite sides of the module 200 and adjacent the patch panel 264. The access openings 270 can provide access to patch cords or their connectors on the interior side 272 of the patch panel 264. The cover 212 is configured to at least partially nest within the outer wall 238 when the module 200 is assembled. When assembled, the outer wall 274 of the cover 212 at least partially blocks the access openings 270. The cover 212 and base 210 can be mated or locked to each other by interference fit. The module 200 can be re-enterable and re- closable (e.g., by disengaging and re-engaging the cover and base from/to each other) or not re-enterable and re-closable (e.g., by permanently adhering the base and cover or by fusing them).

[0052] The various embodiments described above are provided by way of illustration only and should not be construed to limit the claims attached hereto. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize various modifications and changes that may be made without following the example embodiments and application illustrated and described herein, and without departing from the true spirit and scope of the following claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A telecommunications module, comprising: a housing having an interior and an exterior, the interior of the housing defining a fiber management volume, and the exterior of the housing defining an exteriorly open recessed region, the recessed region being defined by a support surface and a guide wall extending from, and at least partially surrounding, the support surface, the recessed region being configured to store loops of optical fibers guided by the guide wall and supported by the support surface.

2. The telecommunications module of claim 1, wherein the housing defines a fiber routing passage leading from the recessed region to the fiber management volume.

3. The telecommunications module of claim 1, wherein the housing defines a pair of spaced apart fiber routing passages leading from the recessed region to the fiber management volume.

4. The telecommunications module of claim 2, wherein the fiber routing passage is partially defined by a discontinuity in the guide wall.

5. The telecommunications module of claim 3, wherein the fiber routing passages are partially defined by discontinuities in the guide wall.

6. The telecommunications module of any preceding claim, wherein the housing includes first and second housing pieces that cooperate to define the fiber management volume, wherein one of the first and second housing pieces defines the exteriorly open recessed region.

7. The telecommunications module of claim 6, wherein the first and a second housing pieces are configured to lock to each other and unlock from each other such that the fiber management volume is re-enterable and re-closable.

8. The telecommunications module of any of claims 1-6, wherein the housing is configured such that the fiber management volume is not re-enterable and not re-closable.

9. The telecommunications module of claim 8, wherein the housing includes first and second housing pieces that cooperate to define the fiber management volume, wherein one of the first and second housing pieces defines the exteriorly open recessed region, and wherein the first and second housing pieces are fused or permanently adhered to each other.

10. The telecommunications module of any preceding claim, comprising a splitter module supported within the fiber management volume.

11. The telecommunications module of any of claims 1-9, wherein the housing includes first and second housing pieces that cooperate to define the fiber management volume, wherein the second housing piece defines the exteriorly open recessed region, and wherein the first housing piece supports a splitter module within the fiber management volume.

12. The telecommunications module of any preceding claim, further comprising a patch panel defining apertures in communication with the fiber management volume, the apertures configured to receive fiber optic connectors.

13. The telecommunications module of claim 12, wherein the housing includes first and second housing pieces that cooperate to define the fiber management volume, wherein the second housing piece defines the exteriorly open recessed region, and wherein the first housing piece defines access openings for accessing an interior side of the patch panel.

14. The telecommunications module of claim 13, wherein the first housing piece at least partially blocks the access openings when the first and second housing pieces are connected to each other.

15. The telecommunications module of any preceding claim, wherein the module is configured to couple to a fiber loop storage organizer.

16. The telecommunications module of any preceding claim, wherein the module is configured to couple to a one or more trays configured to support fiber splices.

17. The telecommunications module of any preceding claim, wherein the one or more trays are pivotally couplable to the module.

18. The telecommunications module of any preceding claim, wherein the module is configured to couple to a tray support, the tray support being configured to support one or more trays configured to support fiber splices.

19. The telecommunications module of claim 18, wherein the tray support is pivotally couplable to the module.

20. The telecommunications module of any preceding claim, wherein the housing includes first and second housing pieces that cooperate to define the fiber management volume, wherein the second housing piece defines the exteriorly open recessed region, and wherein the first housing piece includes one or more fiber guides and a support platform for supporting one or more fiber management modules.

21. The telecommunications module of claim 20, wherein the first housing piece includes a fiber routing surface, and wherein the support platform is spaced from the fiber routing surface such that fibers can be routed on the fiber routing surface and between the fiber routing surface and the support platform.

22. The telecommunications module of claim 21, wherein the support platform extends from a wall of a fiber guide.

23. The telecommunications module of any of claims 20-22, wherein the support platform defines retaining structures for retaining one or more splitter module holders or splice body holders.

24. A method of managing one or more optical fibers, comprising: providing a telecommunications module, the telecommunications module including a housing having an interior and an exterior, the interior of the housing defining a fiber management volume, and the exterior of the housing defining an exteriorly open recessed region, the recessed region being defined by a support surface and a guide wall extending from, and at least partially surrounding, the support surface, the recessed region being configured to store loops of optical fibers guided by the guide wall and supported by the support surface, the housing defining a fiber routing passage leading from the recessed region to the fiber management volume; and routing an optical fiber from the fiber management volume to the recessed region via the fiber routing passage.

25. The method of claim 24, further comprising storing one or more loops and/or partial loops of the optical fiber in the recessed region.

26. The method of any of claims 24-25, wherein the optical fiber extends from a splitter module supported within the fiber management volume.

27. The method of any of claims 25-26, further comprising removing a portion of the optical fiber from the recessed region and splicing the portion of the optical fiber to another optical fiber.