WO2021199736A1 - 収容構造体、牽引端付き光ケーブル及び収容構造体の製造方法 - Google Patents

収容構造体、牽引端付き光ケーブル及び収容構造体の製造方法 Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2021199736A1
WO2021199736A1 PCT/JP2021/005535 JP2021005535W WO2021199736A1 WO 2021199736 A1 WO2021199736 A1 WO 2021199736A1 JP 2021005535 W JP2021005535 W JP 2021005535W WO 2021199736 A1 WO2021199736 A1 WO 2021199736A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
connector
connector unit
tube
group
unit
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/JP2021/005535
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English (en)
French (fr)
Japanese (ja)
Inventor
良一 水戸部
進藤　幹正
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Fujikura Ltd
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Fujikura Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Fujikura Ltd filed Critical Fujikura Ltd
Priority to US17/802,703 priority Critical patent/US12619045B2/en
Priority to JP2022511635A priority patent/JP7636394B2/ja
Publication of WO2021199736A1 publication Critical patent/WO2021199736A1/ja
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/46—Processes or apparatus adapted for installing or repairing optical fibres or optical cables
    • G02B6/50—Underground or underwater installation; Installation through tubing, conduits or ducts
    • G02B6/54—Underground or underwater installation; Installation through tubing, conduits or ducts using mechanical means, e.g. pulling or pushing devices
    • G02B6/545—Pulling eyes
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/44—Mechanical structures for providing tensile strength and external protection for fibres, e.g. optical transmission cables
    • G02B6/4401—Optical cables
    • G02B6/441—Optical cables built up from sub-bundles
    • G02B6/4411—Matrix structure
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/44—Mechanical structures for providing tensile strength and external protection for fibres, e.g. optical transmission cables
    • G02B6/4401—Optical cables
    • G02B6/4429—Means specially adapted for strengthening or protecting the cables
    • G02B6/443—Protective covering
    • G02B6/4432—Protective covering with fibre reinforcements
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/44—Mechanical structures for providing tensile strength and external protection for fibres, e.g. optical transmission cables
    • G02B6/4439—Auxiliary devices
    • G02B6/444—Systems or boxes with surplus lengths
    • G02B6/44528—Patch-cords; Connector arrangements in the system or in the box
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/44—Mechanical structures for providing tensile strength and external protection for fibres, e.g. optical transmission cables
    • G02B6/4439—Auxiliary devices
    • G02B6/4471—Terminating devices ; Cable clamps
    • G02B6/4472—Manifolds

Definitions

  • the present disclosure relates to a housing structure, an optical cable with a traction end, and a method for manufacturing the housing structure.
  • Patent Document 1 describes a cable traction terminal structure used when an optical cable is towed by a traction device.
  • the optical cable By towing the tow part of the optical cable with a tow end, the optical cable is laid from the outside of the station building to the inside of the station building. At this time, if an optical connector is attached to the end of the optical fiber of the optical cable in advance and the optical connector is housed inside the traction terminal structure, it is convenient to lay the optical cable in the station building after traction. be. However, when accommodating a large number of optical connectors, the accommodating body may become large. It should be noted that there is also a demand for miniaturization of not only the housing of the optical cable with a tow end but also the housing of a plurality of optical connectors provided at the end of the optical cable.
  • An object of the present invention is to reduce the size of an accommodating body for accommodating an optical connector.
  • the main first invention for achieving the above object includes an optical cable having a plurality of optical fibers, a plurality of connector units branched from the optical cable, and an accommodating body for accommodating the plurality of connector units, respectively.
  • the connector unit includes a first tube through which a plurality of the optical fibers are inserted, a plurality of second tubes into which optical fibers branched from the first tube are inserted, and an end portion of each of the second tubes. It has a connector group composed of a plurality of optical connectors provided in the above, and the connector group of each of the plurality of connector units has a different position in the longitudinal direction, and the shortest connector unit is referred to as a first connector unit.
  • a main second invention for achieving the above object includes an optical cable having a plurality of optical fibers, a plurality of connector units branched from the optical cable, and an accommodating body for accommodating the plurality of the connector units.
  • Each of the connector units includes a first tube through which the plurality of the optical fibers are inserted, a plurality of second tubes into which the optical fibers branched from the first tube are inserted, and each of the second tubes. It has a connector group consisting of a plurality of optical connectors provided at an end, and each of the connector groups of the plurality of connector units has a different position in the longitudinal direction, and the shortest connector unit is used as the first connector.
  • a plurality of the first tubes of the connector unit other than the first connector unit are present in the region occupied by the connector group of the first connector unit in the longitudinal direction, and the first tube is present.
  • the area occupied by the connector group in the longitudinal direction of the connector unit is the second longest after the connector unit. It is an optical cable with a traction end, characterized in that the second tube of the connector unit is present. Further, in the main third invention for achieving the above object, an optical fiber branched into a plurality of pieces from an optical cable is inserted into a first tube, and an optical fiber branched into a plurality of pieces from the first tube is inserted into a second tube.
  • the shortest connector unit is used as the first connector unit, a plurality of the connector units other than the first connector unit are included in the area occupied by the connector group of the first connector unit in the longitudinal direction.
  • the connector group of the connector unit is arranged in the longitudinal direction.
  • a method for manufacturing a housing structure characterized in that the second tube of the connector unit, which is the second longest after the connector unit, is present in the occupied area.
  • FIG. 1A is an external explanatory view of the optical cable 100 with a traction end according to the present embodiment.
  • FIG. 1B is an explanatory diagram of the internal structure of the optical cable 100 with a traction end according to the present embodiment.
  • FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the optical cable 1.
  • FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the terminal structure 50 of the modified example.
  • FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of the connector unit 20 extending from the outlet portion of the optical cable 1.
  • 5A and 5B are explanatory views of the tip end portion of a certain connector unit 20.
  • FIG. 6A is an explanatory view of the optical connector 10 of the present embodiment.
  • FIG. 6B is an explanatory view of a state in which the cylindrical member 18 of FIG. 6A is removed.
  • FIG. 6C is an explanatory view of a state in which the cylindrical member 18 and the second tube 22 of FIG. 6A are removed.
  • FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the optical connector 10 of the present embodiment.
  • FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of the arrangement of the connector group 23 of the present embodiment.
  • FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of the first comparative example.
  • 10A and 10B are comparative explanatory views of the arrangement of the connector group 23.
  • FIG. 10A shows the arrangement of the connector group 23 of this embodiment.
  • FIG. 10B shows the arrangement of the connector group 23 of the second comparative example.
  • FIG. 11 is a flow chart of a method for manufacturing the optical cable 100 with a traction end according to the present embodiment.
  • FIG. 12A to 12F are explanatory views of the manufacturing state of the optical cable 100 with a traction end according to the present embodiment.
  • FIG. 13 is an explanatory view of laying an optical cable from the outside of the station building into the station building by towing the towing portion of the optical cable with a tow end.
  • a housing structure characterized in that the second tube of the connector unit, which is long in length, is present is revealed. According to such a housing structure, the diameter of the housing can be reduced and shortened, and the size of the housing can be reduced.
  • the connector unit next to the first connector unit is used as the second connector unit, a certain connector unit is used as the Nth connector unit, the connector unit next to the Nth connector unit is used as the N + 1 connector unit, and the first connector unit is used.
  • the second tube of the N + 1 connector unit is present in the area occupied by the connector group of the N connector unit in the longitudinal direction, the connector group of the Nth connector unit and the connector of the N + 1 connector unit are present. It is desirable that the longitudinal distance from the group is shorter than the longitudinal distance between the connector group of the first connector unit and the connector group of the second connector unit. As a result, the housing can be shortened.
  • the second connector unit of the other connector unit occupies a region occupied by the connector group in the longitudinal direction of the connector unit. It is desirable that a tube be present. As a result, the housing can be further shortened.
  • the area occupied by the connector group in the longitudinal direction of the connector unit is next to the connector unit.
  • a braided tube for accommodating the housing body is further provided, a traction portion is provided at an end portion of the braided tube, and an end portion of the braided tube opposite to the side of the traction portion is fixed to the optical cable. It is desirable to have. As a result, the pulling force at the time of traction is applied to the braided tube and does not act directly on the housing, so that the diameter of the housing can be reduced.
  • the optical fiber branched into a plurality of pieces from the optical cable is inserted into the first tube, the optical fiber branched into a plurality of pieces from the first tube is inserted into the second tube, and the optical fiber is inserted into the second tube.
  • the shortest connector unit is the first connector unit
  • a plurality of the first tubes of the connector unit other than the first connector unit are placed in a region occupied by the connector group of the first connector unit in the longitudinal direction. Make it exist In at least one connector unit in which the connector group is arranged on the tip side of the connector group of the first connector unit, the area occupied by the connector group in the longitudinal direction of the connector unit is next to the connector unit.
  • FIG. 1A is an external explanatory view of the optical cable 100 with a traction end according to the present embodiment.
  • FIG. 1B is an explanatory diagram of the internal structure of the optical cable 100 with a traction end according to the present embodiment.
  • the longitudinal direction of the optical cable 100 with a tow end is defined as the "front-back direction”.
  • the side of the tip end portion when viewed from the optical cable 100 with a tow end is referred to as "front”, and the opposite side is referred to as “rear”.
  • the front side may be referred to as the “tip side” and the rear side may be referred to as the "base end side”.
  • the optical cable 100 with a tow end is an optical cable having a tow portion at the end. As shown in FIG. 13, the optical cable 1 can be laid in the station building from the outside of the station building by towing the tow portion of the optical cable 100 with a tow end.
  • the optical cable 100 with a tow end includes an optical cable 1 and a terminal structure 50.
  • FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the optical cable 1.
  • the optical cable 1 is a cable in which a large number of optical fibers 3 are housed inside the outer cover 4.
  • the optical cable 1 has a plurality of optical fiber units 2, a presser foot tape 5, and a jacket 4.
  • the optical fiber unit 2 is a unit in which a plurality of optical fibers 3 are bundled.
  • the optical fiber unit 2 is configured by bundling a plurality of intermittently fixed optical fiber tapes with a bundle material.
  • the optical cable 1 of the present embodiment has 288 optical fiber tapes (optical fiber ribbons) composed of 12 optical fibers 3, and has a total of 3456 optical fibers 3.
  • the number of optical fiber tapes and optical fibers 3 is not limited to this.
  • the plurality of optical fiber units 2 are housed inside the outer cover 4 in a state of being wound around the presser foot winding tape 5.
  • a tension member 6 and a ripcord 7 are embedded in the outer cover 4.
  • optical fibers 3 extend from the outlet of the optical cable 1.
  • 288 optical fiber tapes extend from the outlet portion of the optical cable 1 (note that, in FIG. 1B, the number of optical fiber tapes is drawn small for the sake of simplicity).
  • An optical connector 10 is attached to the end of the optical fiber 3.
  • the optical connector 10 of this embodiment is composed of a 24-core MPO connector. Therefore, 144 optical connectors 10 are attached to the optical cable 1 of the present embodiment (note that the number of optical connectors 10 is drawn in a small number in FIG. 1B for simplification).
  • the optical fiber 3 (optical fiber tape) taken out from the optical cable 1 is inserted into a protective tube (first tube 21, second tube 22) described later.
  • the structure (connector unit 20 including the optical connector 10) extending from the outlet portion of the optical cable 1 will be described later.
  • the terminal structure 50 is a structure provided at the terminal of the optical cable 1.
  • the terminal structure 50 of the present embodiment is a traction terminal structure having a traction portion 50A. Further, the terminal structure 50 of the present embodiment is a structure capable of towing the optical cable 1 while accommodating the connector unit 20 (described later).
  • the towing portion 50A is a portion for towing the optical cable 1.
  • the terminal structure 50 has an accommodating body 51 and a braided tube 55.
  • the accommodating body 51 is an accommodating member that accommodates a plurality of optical connectors 10 (and a connector unit 20 described later).
  • the accommodating body 51 of the present embodiment has an accommodating pipe 52, an accommodating pipe fixing portion 53, and a front member 54.
  • the internal space of the accommodating body 51 is an accommodating space for accommodating the optical connector 10 (and the connector unit 20 described later).
  • the space surrounded by the accommodating pipe 52, the accommodating pipe fixing portion 53, and the front member 54 becomes the accommodating space.
  • a structure composed of an optical cable 1 and an accommodating body 51 accommodating a plurality of optical connectors 10 (and a connector unit 20 described later) may be referred to as an "accommodating structure".
  • the storage tube 52 is a tubular (tube-shaped) member that houses the optical connector 10.
  • the accommodating tube 52 of the present embodiment accommodates the connector unit 20 (described later) extending from the outlet portion of the optical cable 1.
  • the accommodating pipe 52 has a function of protecting the connector unit 20.
  • the accommodating tube 52 is composed of a flexible tube (flexible tube), specifically a corrugated tube.
  • the accommodation pipe 52 may be a pipe different from the corrugated pipe as long as it has flexibility enough to be bent in the underground pipe as shown in FIG.
  • the accommodating tube 52 is arranged inside the braided tube 55.
  • a storage pipe fixing portion 53 is arranged on the rear side of the storage pipe 52.
  • the accommodating pipe 52 is fixed to the optical cable 1 via the accommodating pipe fixing portion 53.
  • a front member 54 is arranged on the front side of the accommodating pipe 52.
  • the accommodating pipe fixing portion 53 is a member for fixing the accommodating pipe 52 to the optical cable 1.
  • the accommodating tube fixing portion 53 is arranged in the vicinity of the outlet portion 1A of the optical cable 1.
  • a storage pipe 52 is attached to the front side of the storage pipe fixing portion 53.
  • the accommodating pipe fixing portion 53 reinforces the accommodating pipe 52 by fitting with the trailing edge of the accommodating pipe 52.
  • the front member 54 is a member that constitutes the front portion of the housing body 51.
  • the front member 54 reinforces the accommodating pipe 52 by fitting with the leading edge of the accommodating pipe 52.
  • the braided tube 55 is a member in which a fiber member is woven into a tube shape.
  • the braided tube 55 is a tube in which fiber members are woven into a mesh shape.
  • the fiber member constituting the braided tube 55 is, for example, a resin fiber or a metal wire (wire).
  • a traction portion 50A is provided at the tip of the braided tube 55.
  • a large tensile force acts on the braided tube 55 when the traction portion 50A is pulled, but the braided tube 55 composed of a large number of fiber members has sufficient durability against the tensile force.
  • the braided tube 55 has flexibility to the extent that it can be bent in an underground pipeline as shown in FIG.
  • An accommodating body 51 is arranged inside the braided tube 55.
  • the braided tube 55 has a function of protecting the accommodating body 51 from friction with the inner wall surface of the underground pipe shown in FIG. Further, the end portion of the optical cable 1 is also housed inside the braided tube 55.
  • the end portion of the braided tube 55 on the base end side is fixed to the optical cable 1 by the tube fixing portion 56.
  • the tube fixing portion 56 is composed of a heat-shrinkable tube, and the braided tube 55 is fixed to the optical cable 1 by sandwiching the trailing edge of the braided tube 55 between the heat-shrinkable tube and the optical cable 1.
  • a traction portion 50A is provided at the distal end of the braided tube 55.
  • the towing portion 50A is a portion towed by a towing device such as a winch.
  • the traction portion 50A is sometimes referred to as a "traction end".
  • the traction portion 50A of the present embodiment is configured by forming an extra length portion at the tip of the braided tube 55 into a ring shape. That is, in the present embodiment, the traction portion 50A is integrally configured with the braided tube 55.
  • the traction portion 50A is not limited to such a configuration, and may be provided on a member different from the braided tube 55.
  • FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the terminal structure 50 of the modified example.
  • the terminal structure 50 of the modified example includes an accommodating body 51. As shown in this modification, the terminal structure 50 does not have to include the above-mentioned braided tube 55.
  • the accommodating body 51 of the modified example has an accommodating pipe 52, an accommodating pipe fixing portion 53, and a front member 54, and the front member 54 is provided with a traction portion 50A. As shown in this modification, the traction portion 50A may not be provided on the braided tube 55, but may be provided on the front portion of the housing 51.
  • the pulling force at the time of traction is directly applied to the braided tube 55 and does not directly act on the accommodating pipe 52. Therefore, in the present embodiment, it is possible to suppress the destruction of the accommodating pipe 52 due to the pulling force acting on the accommodating pipe 52.
  • the pulling force at the time of pulling is applied to the accommodating pipe 52. Since the accommodating pipe 52 composed of the corrugated pipe is relatively weak to the tensile force, it is difficult to reduce the diameter of the accommodating pipe 52 in order to make the structure capable of withstanding the tensile force at the time of traction. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, since the pulling force at the time of pulling does not act on the accommodating pipe 52, it is possible to reduce the diameter of the accommodating pipe 52.
  • a large number of optical connectors 10 here, 144 optical connectors 10 are accommodated in the narrow accommodation space of the accommodating body 51.
  • FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of the connector unit 20 extending from the outlet portion of the optical cable 1.
  • 5A and 5B are explanatory views of the tip end portion of a certain connector unit 20.
  • a plurality of (here, 9 units) connector units 20 are branched and extend from the outlet portion 1A of the optical cable 1.
  • the plurality of connector units 20 are housed in the storage space of the housing body 51.
  • the accommodation space of the accommodation body 51 is drawn in an expanded manner, and a plurality of connector units 20 are drawn at intervals.
  • the ninth connector unit 20I may be referred to in order from the shortest connector unit 20. Therefore, when a certain connector unit 20 (excluding the longest connector unit 20) is the Nth connector unit 20, the connector unit 20 next to the Nth connector unit 20 is the N + 1th connector unit 20.
  • One connector unit 20 includes a plurality of (16 in this case) optical connectors 10, one first tube 21, and the same number of second tubes 22 as the optical connectors 10.
  • the plurality of optical connectors 10 (here, 16 optical connectors 10) of the connector unit 20 may be referred to as "connector group 23". Therefore, in other words, one connector unit 20 includes one first tube 21, a plurality of second tubes 22, and a connector group 23.
  • the first tube 21 is a member arranged on the proximal end side of the plurality of second tubes 22, and is a protective tube that protects the plurality of optical fibers 3.
  • the first tube 21 is sometimes referred to as a "primary tube”.
  • a plurality of optical fibers 3 branched from the optical cable 1 are inserted into the first tube 21.
  • 384 optical fibers 32 12-core optical fiber tapes
  • the number of optical fibers inserted through the first tube 21 is not limited to this.
  • the second tube 22 is a member arranged on the base end side of the optical connector 10 and is a protective tube that protects the optical fiber extending from the optical connector 10. A plurality of optical fibers 3 branched from the first tube 21 are inserted into the second tube 22.
  • the second tube 22 is sometimes referred to as a "secondary tube".
  • the second tube 22 is arranged between the first tube 21 and the optical connector 10. As will be described later, the front end portion of the second tube 22 is attached to the optical connector 10. The rear end portion of the second tube 22 is arranged at a branch portion with the first tube 21.
  • the number of optical fibers inserted into the second tube 22 is the number of optical fibers inserted into the first tube 21. Less than a number.
  • 384 optical fibers (32 12-core optical fiber tapes) inserted through the first tube 21 are branched into 16 and 24 optical fibers (2 12-core optical fibers) are connected to the second tube 22. Fiber optic tape) is inserted.
  • the number of optical fibers inserted through the second tube 22 is not limited to this.
  • one connector unit 20 has 16 second tubes 22.
  • the number of the second tubes 22 (or the number of branches of the optical fiber) of each connector unit 20 is not limited to this.
  • the first tube 21 and the second tube 22 are each composed of braided tubes.
  • the braided tube is a member in which a fiber member is woven into a tube shape.
  • the first tube 21 and the second tube 22 are made of polyester resin fibers.
  • the materials of the first tube 21 and the second tube 22 are not limited to polyester.
  • the first tube 21 and the second tube 22 do not have to be composed of a braided tube.
  • the first tube 21 and the second tube 22 can be made of a silicon tube.
  • the second tube 22 has a smaller inner and outer diameters than the first tube 21 because the number of optical fibers to be inserted is smaller.
  • the number of the second tube 22 is larger than that of the first tube 21, and in the present embodiment, 16 second tubes 22 are provided for each first tube 21.
  • the total cross-sectional area of the plurality of (16 in this case) second tubes 22 in one connector unit 20 is larger than the cross-sectional area of the first tube 21.
  • the cross-sectional area of the bundles of the plurality of (16 in this case) second tubes 22 in one connector unit 20 is larger than the cross-sectional area of the first tube 21.
  • the connector group 23 is an aggregate composed of a plurality of optical connectors 10.
  • the connector group 23 is composed of 16 optical connectors 10 (see FIGS. 5A and 5B).
  • the number of optical connectors 10 constituting the connector group 23 is not limited to 16.
  • the connector group 23 includes four optical connectors 10 having a common position in the longitudinal direction as one set, and is composed of four sets of optical connectors 10 (a total of 16 optical connectors 10).
  • the positions of the optical connectors 10 of each set in the longitudinal direction are gradually different. Specifically, the positions of the optical connectors 10 of each set in the longitudinal direction are stepwise different by the length of about one optical connector 10.
  • the connector group 23 may be composed of eight optical connectors 10 as one set and two sets of optical connectors 10.
  • the accommodating structure of the present embodiment includes an optical cable 1, a plurality of connector units 20 branched from the optical cable 1, and an accommodating body 51 accommodating a plurality of connector units 20.
  • each of the connector units 20 includes a first tube 21 through which a plurality of optical fibers branched from an optical cable are inserted, and a plurality of second tubes 22 into which a plurality of optical fibers branched from the first tube 21 are inserted. It has a connector group 23 including a plurality of (the same number as the second tube 22) optical connectors 10 provided at the end of the second tube 22.
  • FIG. 6A is an explanatory diagram of the optical connector 10 of the present embodiment.
  • FIG. 6B is an explanatory view of a state in which the cylindrical member 18 of FIG. 6A is removed.
  • FIG. 6C is an explanatory view of a state in which the cylindrical member 18 and the second tube 22 of FIG. 6A are removed.
  • FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the optical connector 10 of the present embodiment.
  • the optical connector 10 of this embodiment is a so-called MPO connector (F13 type multi-core optical fiber connector defined in JIS C 5882).
  • the optical connector 10 of the present embodiment includes a ferrule 11, a pin clamp 12, a housing 13, a coupling 14, a spring 15, a spring push 16, and a fixing member 17.
  • the configuration of the optical connector 10 is not limited to this, and a ferrule 11, a housing 13, and a fixing member 17 may be provided.
  • the ferrule 11 is a member that holds the end portion of the optical fiber 3.
  • the ferrule 11 of the present embodiment is a so-called MT ferrule (F12 type multi-core optical fiber connector defined in JIS C 5981).
  • a plurality of fiber holes are provided in the ferrule 11, and an optical fiber 3 is inserted and fixed in each fiber hole.
  • a pin clamp 12 is arranged on the rear side of the ferrule 11. The ferrule 11 is pressed forward from the spring 15 via the pin clamp 12. By contacting the flange portion (flange portion) of the ferrule 11 with a protrusion (not shown) formed on the inner wall surface of the housing 13, the ferrule 11 pressed forward is prevented from coming off.
  • the housing 13 is a member that houses the ferrule 11 so as to be retractable.
  • the housing 13 houses the pin clamp 12, the spring 15, and the spring push 16 together with the ferrule 11.
  • An engaging hole 13A is formed on the side surface of the housing 13.
  • the engaging hole 13A is a hole for engaging the spring push 16 (specifically, the claw portion 161A).
  • the coupling 14 is a member provided on the outside of the housing 13. By sliding the coupling 14 to the rear side, the optical connector 10 can be removed from the adapter (not shown).
  • the spring 15 is an elastic member that presses the ferrule 11.
  • the spring 15 is arranged between the pin clamp 12 and the spring push 16 in a compressed and deformed state.
  • the spring push 16 is a receiving portion (spring receiving member) for fixing the rear end of the spring 15 to the housing 13.
  • the spring push 16 has a pair of arm portions 161 and a fitting portion 162.
  • the arm portion 161 is a portion to be engaged with the housing 13.
  • the spring 15 is arranged between the pair of arm portions 161.
  • a claw portion 161A is formed at the end of the arm portion 161.
  • the spring push 16 is fixed to the housing 13 by engaging the claw portion 161A with the engaging hole 13A of the housing 13.
  • the fitting portion 162 is a portion for fixing the fixing member 17.
  • the fixing member 17 is a member for fixing the end portion of the second tube 22.
  • the fixing member 17 has a fitting portion 17A and a tubular portion 171.
  • the fitting portion 17A is a portion that fits with the fitting portion 162 of the spring push 16.
  • the fixing member 17 is fixed to the housing 13 by fitting the fitting portion 17A with the fitting portion 162 of the spring push 16.
  • the tubular portion 171 is a tubular portion at the rear of the fixing member 17.
  • the tubular portion 171 is formed in a cylindrical shape.
  • the tubular portion 171 may have an elliptical shape or a square tubular shape.
  • a through hole is formed in the fixing member 17 (and the tubular portion 171) along the front-rear direction, and an optical fiber 3 (here, two optical fiber tapes) can be inserted through the through hole.
  • the tubular portion 171 has a protrusion 171A.
  • the protrusion 171A is a portion (pin-shaped portion) protruding outward from the outer peripheral surface of the tubular portion 171.
  • the protrusion 171A can be inserted into the mesh of the second tube 22.
  • the second tube 22 is hooked on the tubular portion 171 so that the second tube 22 is less likely to come off from the tubular portion 171 and the second tube 22 can be fastened to the optical connector 10.
  • the second tube 22 is hard to be detached from the tubular portion 171, the protection of the optical fiber 3 extending from the rear side of the optical connector 10 can be maintained.
  • the length of the optical connector 10 can be easily shortened.
  • the length of the connector group 23 can be shortened, and as a result, the length L0 of the housing 51 can be shortened.
  • the fixing member 17 of the present embodiment further has a cylindrical member 18.
  • the tubular member 18 is a cylindrical member that is separate from the main body of the fixing member 17.
  • the second tube 22 can be sandwiched between the outer peripheral surface of the tubular portion 171 and the inner peripheral surface of the tubular member 18. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the second tube 22 from coming off from the tubular portion 171.
  • the second tube 22 may be fixed to the fixing member 17 without using the cylindrical member 18.
  • the configuration of the optical connector 10 is not limited to the above. However, the cross-sectional area of the optical connector 10 of this embodiment is larger than the cross-sectional area of the second tube 22.
  • FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of the arrangement of the connector group 23 of the present embodiment.
  • FIG. 8 shows an array of the plurality of connector units 20 of the present embodiment.
  • nine (9 units) connector units 20 are housed in the storage space of the housing body 51. Therefore, in the present embodiment, nine (9 groups) connector groups 23 are accommodated in the accommodation space of the accommodation body 51. If the nine connector groups 23 are arranged at the same positions in the longitudinal direction, the cross-sectional area of the optical connector 10 is relatively large (because it is larger than the cross-sectional area of the first tube 21 and the second tube 22). , It becomes difficult to accommodate the connector group 23 in the narrow accommodation space of the accommodation body 51. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the positions of the connector group 23 of each connector unit 20 in the longitudinal direction are gradually changed.
  • the length (dimension in the longitudinal direction) of the housing 51 may increase.
  • the arrangement of the connector group 23 as shown in FIG. 8 is adopted. Hereinafter, the arrangement of the connector group 23 of the present embodiment will be described.
  • the shortest connector unit 20 among the nine connector units 20 is the first connector unit 20A.
  • region A the region occupied by the connector group 23 of the first connector unit 20A in the longitudinal direction.
  • this area A not only the connector group 23 of the first connector unit 20A but also eight first tubes 21 of the other eight connector units 20 are arranged.
  • the connector group 23 of the first connector unit 20A and the first tube 21 of the other eight connector units 20 are arranged, and the second of the other eight connector units 20.
  • the tube 22 is not arranged. Therefore, the total cross-sectional area of the structure occupying the area A is the sum of the cross-sectional area of the connector group 23 of the first connector unit 20A and the cross-sectional area of the first tube 21 for eight tubes.
  • FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of the first comparative example.
  • the connector unit 20 does not include the first tube 21, and the second tube 22 attached to each optical connector 10 extends to the outlet portion 1A of the optical cable 1.
  • the connector group 23 of the first connector unit 20A and a large number of second tubes 22 of the other eight connector units 20 are arranged in the area A. Therefore, the total cross-sectional area of the structure occupying the area A is the cross-sectional area of the connector group 23 of the first connector unit 20A and the cross-sectional area of the second tubes 22 (128 second tubes 22) for eight units. Is the total of.
  • the total cross-sectional area of the plurality of (16 in this case) second tubes 22 in a certain connector unit 20 is larger than the cross-sectional area of the first tube 21. Therefore, when the second tube 22 of the other connector unit 20 is present in the region A as in the first comparative example of FIG. 9, the total cross-sectional area of the structure occupied in the region A increases (as a result, the second tube 22). 1 In the comparative example, it is necessary to increase the accommodation space by increasing the thickness of the accommodation body 51).
  • the present embodiment shown in FIG. 8 since the first tube 21 of eight connector units 20 other than the first connector unit 20A is arranged in the area A, the structure in the area A Cross-sectional area can be suppressed. Thereby, in the present embodiment, the diameter of the accommodating body 51 (specifically, the accommodating pipe 52) can be reduced.
  • the second connector unit 20B does not exist in the area A so that the second tube 22 of the second connector unit 20B (the second longest connector unit 20 after the first connector unit 20A) does not exist.
  • the connector group 23 of the first connector unit 20A is arranged on the tip side of the connector group 23 of the first connector unit 20A.
  • the first tube 21 of the second connector unit 20B exists in the region A.
  • the connector group 23 of the second connector unit 20B is arranged in this way, the first tube 21 of another connector unit 20 longer than the second connector unit 20B exists in the area A.
  • the connector group 23 of the second connector unit 20B is arranged on the tip side in front of the connector group 23 of the first connector unit 20A so that the second tube 22 of the second connector unit 20B does not exist in the area A.
  • the connector group 23 of the first connector unit 20A and the first tube 21 of the other eight connector units 20 are arranged in the area A.
  • the second connector unit 20B also has another connector unit 20 (third connector unit 20C to ninth connector) in the area occupied by the connector group 23 of the second connector unit 20B. Only the first tube 21 of the unit 20I) exists, and the second tube 22 of the other connector unit 20 does not exist. As a result, even in the region occupied by the connector group 23 of the second connector unit 20B, the cross-sectional area of the structure in the region can be suppressed.
  • the third connector unit 20C and the fourth connector unit 20D only the first tube 21 of the other connector unit 20 exists in the area occupied by the connector group 23 of the connector unit 20, and the other The second tube 22 of the connector unit 20 does not exist. As a result, even in the region occupied by the connector group 23 of the third connector unit 20C and the fourth connector unit 20D, the cross-sectional area of the structure in the region can be suppressed.
  • nine connector units 20 (first connector unit) including the connector group 23 of the first connector unit 20A are included in the area A (the area occupied by the connector group 23 of the first connector unit 20A). 20A to 9th connector unit 20I) are present.
  • the cross-sectional area of the structure in the area is reduced. ..
  • eight connector units 20 (second connector unit 20B to ninth connector unit 20I) exist, and the structure of the first connector unit 20A is present.
  • the cross-sectional area of the structure is reduced as compared with the area A.
  • the connector unit 20 in which the connector group 23 is arranged on the tip side has only a smaller number of connector units 20 in the area occupied by the connector group 23 of the connector unit 20, so that the structure in the area is occupied.
  • the cross-sectional area of is further reduced. For example, comparing the area occupied by the connector group 23 of the second connector unit 20B with the area E occupied by the connector group 23 of the fifth connector unit 20E, the area E occupied by the connector group 23 of the fifth connector unit 20E is larger. , The cross-sectional area of the structure in the area is small.
  • the second connector unit 20 in the connector unit 20 in which the connector group 23 is arranged on the tip side, the second connector unit 20 is in the area occupied by the connector group 23 of the connector unit 20. Allows the tube 22 to be present.
  • the second tube 22 of the sixth connector unit 20F (the second longest connector unit 20 after the fifth connector unit 20E) exists in the area E occupied by the connector group 23 of the fifth connector unit 20E.
  • the distance between the connector group 23 of the fifth connector unit 20E and the connector group 23 of the sixth connector unit 20F in the longitudinal direction can be narrowed.
  • the length L0 of the housing body 51 can be shortened.
  • the connector unit 20 (for example, any of the sixth connector unit 20F to the eighth connector unit H) in which the connector group 23 is arranged on the tip side of the connector group 23 of the fifth connector unit 20E, the connector unit 20
  • the second tube 22 of another connector unit 20 exists in the area occupied by the connector group 23 of the sixth connector unit 20F (for example, the sixth connector unit 20F).
  • the distance between the connector groups 23 arranged on the tip side of the connector group 23 of the fifth connector unit 20E in the longitudinal direction can be narrowed, and the length L0 of the housing body 51 can be shortened.
  • FIG. 10A and 10B are comparative explanatory views of the arrangement of the connector group 23.
  • FIG. 10A shows the arrangement of the connector group 23 of this embodiment.
  • FIG. 10B shows the arrangement of the connector group 23 of the second comparative example.
  • the second tube 22 of the other connector unit 20 does not exist in the area occupied by the connector group 23 in the longitudinal direction. That is, in all the connector units 20 except the longest ninth connector unit 20I, the first tube 21 of the other connector unit 20 exists in the region occupied by the connector group 23 in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, in the second comparative example, it is necessary to widen the distance between the connector groups 23 in the longitudinal direction in all the connector units 20. As a result, the distance between the connector group 23 of the fifth connector unit 20E and the connector group 23 of the sixth connector unit 20F in the second comparative example in the longitudinal direction is wider than that of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 10A.
  • the connector of the connector unit 20 in which the connector group 23 is arranged on the tip side of the connector group 23 of the fifth connector unit 20E, the connector of the connector unit 20 The distance between the group 23 and the connector group 23 of the next longest connector unit 20 in the longitudinal direction is wider than that of the present embodiment.
  • the length L1 of the housing body 51 of the second comparative example is longer than the length L0 of the housing body 51 of the present embodiment.
  • the region A occupied by the connector group 23 of the shortest first connector unit 20A in the longitudinal direction includes a plurality of first tubes of the connector units 20 other than the first connector unit 20A. 21 exists.
  • the diameter of the accommodating body 51 can be reduced.
  • the connector group 23 of the connector unit 20 is longitudinal.
  • the second tube 22 of the connector unit 20 (for example, the sixth connector unit 20F), which is the second longest after the connector unit 20, is present in the area occupied in the direction (for example, the area E).
  • a certain connector unit 20 is designated as the Nth connector unit 20
  • the connector unit 20 next to the Nth connector unit 20 is designated as the N + 1th connector unit 20
  • the connector group 23 of the Nth connector unit 20 is designated.
  • the second tube 22 of another connector unit 20 (for example, the N + 2 connector unit 20; the seventh connector unit 20G) exists in the area occupied by the connector group 23 of the sixth connector unit 20F) in the longitudinal direction.
  • FIG. 11 is a flow chart of a method for manufacturing the optical cable 100 with a traction end according to the present embodiment.
  • 12A to 12F are explanatory views of the manufacturing state of the optical cable 100 with a traction end according to the present embodiment.
  • the worker prepares the terminal structure 50 of the present embodiment (S101). Specifically, the operator prepares the above-mentioned braided tube 55 and the accommodating body 51 (for example, the accommodating pipe 52, the accommodating pipe fixing portion, and the front member). In addition, the operator prepares a heat-shrinkable tube constituting the tube fixing portion 56. The operator inserts the heat-shrinkable tube into the optical cable 1 in advance.
  • the operator pulls out the optical fiber 3 from the optical cable 1 (S102; see FIG. 12A). Further, the operator inserts the optical fibers branched into a plurality of pieces from the optical cable into the first tube 21, and inserts the optical fibers branched into a plurality of pieces from the first tube 21 into the second tube 22 (S103).
  • the operator cuts the optical fiber 3 (optical fiber tape) taken out from the optical cable 1 so that the completed connector units 20 each have a predetermined length.
  • the optical fiber 3 may be cut before being inserted into the first tube 21 and the second tube 22, or after being inserted into the first tube 21 and the second tube 22.
  • the operator attaches the optical connector 10 to the end of the optical fiber 3 (optical fiber tape) inserted through the second tube 22 (S104; see FIG. 12B). Further, the operator fixes the end portion of the second tube 22 to the optical connector 10 (S105; see FIGS. 6A to 6C). The operator fixes the opposite end of the second tube 22 to the first tube 21 (not shown). By fixing the optical connectors 10 to the respective ends of all the second tubes 22, the assembly of the plurality of connector units 20 is completed.
  • the first connector unit 20A when a plurality of completed connector units 20 are arranged along the longitudinal direction, the first connector unit 20A is in the region A occupied by the connector group 23 of the shortest first connector unit 20A in the longitudinal direction.
  • the connector group 23 of the connector unit 20 is longitudinal.
  • the second tube 22 of the connector unit 20 (for example, the sixth connector unit 20F), which is the second longest after the connector unit 20, is present in the area occupied in the direction (for example, the area E). The operator cuts the optical fiber taken out from the optical cable to a predetermined length so that the connector units 20 are arranged in this way (see FIG. 12A).
  • the operator After assembling the connector unit 20, the operator assembles the housing 51 (S106; see FIG. 12C).
  • the operator assembles the accommodating body 51 by attaching the accommodating pipe fixing portion to the optical cable and attaching the accommodating pipe and the front member while accommodating the plurality of connector units 20.
  • a housing structure in which a plurality of connector units 20 are housed in the housing body 51 is completed.
  • the production of the optical cable 100 with a tow end is completed at the stage of S105.
  • the accommodating body 51 is accommodated in the braided tube 55 (S107).
  • the operator arranges the accommodating pipe 52 inside the braided tube 55 by covering the braided tube 55 from the front side of the accommodating body 51.
  • the operator arranges the end portion of the braided tube 55 on the outer circumference of the optical cable 1 and covers the end portion of the braided tube 55 with the heat-shrinkable tube previously inserted into the optical cable 1.
  • the end of the braided tube 55 is arranged between the optical cable 1 and the heat shrinkable tube.
  • the operator heats the heat shrinkable tube to secure the end of the braided tube 55 to the optical cable 1.
  • FIG. 12F the production of the optical cable 100 with a traction end is completed.
  • the optical fibers branched into a plurality of pieces from the optical cable are inserted into the first tube 21, and the optical fibers branched into a plurality of pieces from the first tube 21 are respectively inserted into the second tube 22.
  • An optical connector 10 is provided at the end of the optical fiber that has been inserted and inserted into the second tube 22 (S103, S104).
  • a plurality of connector units 20 each having a first tube 21, a plurality of second tubes 22, and a connector group 23 composed of a plurality of optical connectors 10 provided at the ends of the second tubes 22 are provided. It is created by branching from the optical cable.
  • the accommodation structure (or the optical cable 100 with a traction end) is manufactured by accommodating a plurality of connector units 20 in the accommodation body 51. Then, in the manufacturing method of the present embodiment, a plurality of first tubes 21 of the connector units 20 other than the first connector unit 20A are present in the region A occupied by the connector group 23 of the shortest first connector unit 20A in the longitudinal direction. do. Thereby, in the present embodiment, the diameter of the accommodating body 51 can be reduced.
  • the connector group 23 of the connector unit 20 is longitudinal.
  • the second tube 22 of the connector unit 20 (for example, the sixth connector unit 20F), which is the second longest after the connector unit 20, is present in the area occupied in the direction (for example, the area E).
  • the accommodating body 51 can be reduced, but also the accommodating body 51 can be shortened.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Coupling Of Light Guides (AREA)
PCT/JP2021/005535 2020-04-02 2021-02-15 収容構造体、牽引端付き光ケーブル及び収容構造体の製造方法 Ceased WO2021199736A1 (ja)

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US17/802,703 US12619045B2 (en) 2020-04-02 2021-02-15 Efficient alignment structure for multiple connectors branching from a single optical cable
JP2022511635A JP7636394B2 (ja) 2020-04-02 2021-02-15 収容構造体、牽引端付き光ケーブル及び収容構造体の製造方法

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Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20220206229A1 (en) * 2020-12-25 2022-06-30 Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. Cable with connector
WO2023105836A1 (ja) * 2021-12-08 2023-06-15 株式会社フジクラ 光ケーブル構造及び光ケーブル構造の製造方法

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS62134606A (ja) * 1985-12-09 1987-06-17 Nippon Telegr & Teleph Corp <Ntt> 光フアイバケ−ブルのけん引端部構造
JPH0273202A (ja) * 1988-09-08 1990-03-13 Hitachi Ltd 光ファイバケーブルおよびその端末部の形成方法
US20190004273A1 (en) * 2017-06-28 2019-01-03 Corning Research & Development Corporation High fiber count pre-terminated optical distribution assembly

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS62134606A (ja) * 1985-12-09 1987-06-17 Nippon Telegr & Teleph Corp <Ntt> 光フアイバケ−ブルのけん引端部構造
JPH0273202A (ja) * 1988-09-08 1990-03-13 Hitachi Ltd 光ファイバケーブルおよびその端末部の形成方法
US20190004273A1 (en) * 2017-06-28 2019-01-03 Corning Research & Development Corporation High fiber count pre-terminated optical distribution assembly

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20220206229A1 (en) * 2020-12-25 2022-06-30 Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. Cable with connector
US12242115B2 (en) * 2020-12-25 2025-03-04 Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. Cable with connector
WO2023105836A1 (ja) * 2021-12-08 2023-06-15 株式会社フジクラ 光ケーブル構造及び光ケーブル構造の製造方法
JPWO2023105836A1 (https=) * 2021-12-08 2023-06-15
JP7637795B2 (ja) 2021-12-08 2025-02-28 株式会社フジクラ 光ケーブル構造及び光ケーブル構造の製造方法

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