WO2023041408A1

WO2023041408A1 - Terminal wall socket for flush mounting

Info

Publication number: WO2023041408A1
Application number: PCT/EP2022/074940
Authority: WO
Inventors: Georg Schwöppe
Original assignee: Vodafone Gmbh
Priority date: 2021-09-16
Filing date: 2022-09-08
Publication date: 2023-03-23
Also published as: DE102021123961A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a terminal wall socket (1) for flush mounting, in particular for a glass fiber connection, comprising: a frame (2) and a drum unit (4) which is connected to the frame (2) via a connection element (3), the drum unit (4) being in an inclined position relative to the surface of the frame (2).

Description

End device connection box for flush-mounted installation

The present invention relates to a terminal connection box for flush-mounted installation, in particular for a fiber optic connection.

Glass fiber connection boxes for so-called surface-mounted installations are known from the prior art. However, such junction boxes cannot be integrated into existing flush-mounted switch programs. However, large customers such as housing companies as players in the housing industry are increasingly demanding that high-quality fiber optic installations, for example for the so-called "Fibre to the Home" (FTTH), be carried out, especially for new installations and core renovations. This includes, among other things, the demand for FTTH flush-mounted installations, so that flush-mounted switch programs can be used uniformly in a living space.

Corresponding fiber optic connection boxes for flush-mounted installations, for example in cavity wall or switch boxes, are only available on the market in a small selection. The few types available are mostly modular flush-mounting sockets (e.g. keystone frames), which can be used for fiber optic cabling with the appropriate modules (e.g. fiber optic couplings).

The disadvantage of the available models is that they only allow a rudimentary connection to keystone frames and keystones and are not fully equipped with fiber storage, fiber management and splice protection storage. The requirements made by major customers can therefore not be fully implemented.

Against this background, the object of the present invention is to provide a solution that eliminates the aforementioned disadvantages and enables flush-mounted installation for fiber optic connections that is not only compatible with existing flush-mounted switch programs, but also enables effective protection of the fiber optics. According to the invention, this object is achieved by a terminal connection box for flush-mounted installation, in particular for a fiber optic connection, comprising: a frame and a drum unit connected to the frame via a connecting element, the drum unit being arranged at an angle in relation to the surface of the frame.

This solution is based on the finding that the arrangement according to the invention of a cylindrical drum unit suitable for cavity wall boxes or switch boxes for accommodating glass fibers allows the best possible use of the available space. The drum unit is dimensioned just large enough to comply with the minimum bending radii of the glass fibers and yet small enough to be able to arrange the drum unit within a flush-mounted cavity wall box or switch box. Sufficient space remains for the coupling modules of the frame protruding into the cavity wall box or switch box. The inclined position of the drum unit also makes it easier to insert it into a flush-mounted cavity wall box or switch box during assembly and also offers space for the arrangement of further components, for example for an integrated strain relief.

The inclined position between the surface/plane of the drum unit and the surface/plane of the frame is advantageously characterized by an angle in a range from 10° to 30°, preferably 15°.

Preferably, the drum unit has a substantially circular base. This has the advantage that alignment of the same within a cavity wall box or switch box is particularly simplified, since the drum unit has no points that protrude particularly far beyond the same.

Advantageously, the drum unit comprises a peripheral drum wall, wherein at least one glass fiber can be arranged within the drum unit, delimited by the peripheral drum wall. In this way, a fiber tray can be created through which sometimes given assembly reserves of a fiber optic cable can be stowed away.

In a preferred embodiment, the peripheral drum wall comprises at least one inclined opening through which the at least one Glass fiber is feasible. This allows fiber optics to be fed into the drum unit without bending them more than allowable.

The outer diameter of the drum wall is preferably 54 mm at most. Furthermore, the inner diameter of the drum wall is selected in such a way that a bending radius of at least 7.5 mm is made possible. On the one hand, this ensures that the drum unit still fits into the cavity wall or switch box with a little reserve. On the other hand, the minimum bending radius ensures that optical fibers that have already been optimized for bending, e.g. G.657.A2 fibers, are not damaged.

Advantageously, the drum unit includes a peripheral side cover that protrudes beyond the drum wall. This is particularly advantageous when there is a comparatively large assembly reserve that cannot be stowed away completely up to an upper edge of the drum wall. Glass fibers protruding from the drum wall are held in place by the side cover.

According to a preferred embodiment, the side cover comprises at least one inclined opening through which the at least one glass fiber can be guided. This also makes it easier to insert glass fibers into the drum unit.

The side cover preferably has at least one portion directed toward the center of the base. This can prevent glass fibers from detaching from the drum unit and getting into the interior of the cavity wall box or switch box. Nevertheless, the glass fibers are still easily accessible.

The proposed terminal connection socket advantageously comprises a splice protection tray which is arranged on the drum unit and is designed to accommodate the at least one glass fiber. Such a splice protection tray is preferably arranged in the center of the drum unit and is located in the area not covered by the side cover, which is easily accessible.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the splice protection tray is set up to have at least one and at most four crimp splice protectors record. To accommodate the crimp splice protectors, the splice protection tray is designed in the manner of a comb, for example.

Advantageously, the terminal connection socket also includes a strain relief device provided on the drum unit, which is set up to accommodate cables of different diameters. The strain relief is provided, for example, for different fiber optic cables such as those for a "single family unit" (SFU) and/or for armored house installation cables.

The frame of the terminal connection socket is preferably a keystone frame. This enables good integration into existing flush-mounted switch ranges.

In a preferred embodiment, the terminal connection socket comprises at least one coupling module which is arranged on the frame and with which one end of the at least one glass fiber can be connected. For example, duplex LC (“Lucent Connector”) or APC (“Angled Physical Connect”) plug-in couplings are used as couplings.

An unused grounding screw of the frame is advantageously provided as the connecting element. This means that there is no need to provide a separate connecting means between the frame and the drum unit, which would otherwise result in increased material requirements and less space in the interior of a cavity wall box or a switch box.

Further details, features and advantages of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the figures of the drawings.

show:

Fig. 1 in a side view an embodiment of a

Terminal connection box for flush-mounted installation;

Fig. 2 in a front view another embodiment of a

Terminal connection box for flush-mounted installation; and 3 shows an exemplary embodiment of a terminal device connection box for flush-mounted installation in a view from below.

1 shows a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a terminal connection box 1 for flush-mounted installation. In the present case, the terminal connection box 1 is provided for a fiber optic connection. The terminal connection socket 1 comprises a frame 2 and a drum unit 4 connected to the frame 2 via a connecting element 3.

The drum unit 4 is arranged in relation to the surface of the frame 2 in an inclined position according to the angle β. 1 shows that the drum unit 4 is connected to the frame 2 by means of an unused grounding screw of the frame 2 that acts as a connecting element.

In the present case, a glass fiber 7 is guided out of a fiber outlet 15 of the drum unit, at the end of which a connector 14, here an LC-APC connector, is connected. The plug 14 is plugged into a coupling module 12 designed here as an LC-APC duplex plug-in coupling, which in turn is connected to a keystone module 13 of the frame 2 .

2 shows a further exemplary embodiment of a terminal connection box 1 for flush-mounted installation in a front view. It can be seen from this figure that the drum unit 4 has an essentially circular base area 5 .

It can also be seen that the drum unit 4 comprises a peripheral drum wall 6 which delimits two glass fibers 7 so that they are arranged inside the drum unit 4 . In the present case, this peripheral drum wall 6 comprises two inclined openings 8 , the glass fibers 7 being guided through these openings 8 .

In the present case, the outside diameter of the drum wall 6 is chosen to be 54 mm, which results in an inside diameter of the drum wall 6 that enables a bending radius of at least 7.5 mm.

Also visible in Fig. 2 is a peripheral side cover 9 that protrudes beyond the drum wall 6. a respective high point of the “wave” representing a section directed towards the center of the base area.

At the points at which the drum wall 6 has inclined openings 8, the side cover 9 also has corresponding inclined openings through which a glass fiber 7 can be guided.

2 also shows a splice protection tray 10 which is arranged on or in the middle of the drum unit 4 and is designed to accommodate the two glass fibers 7 . This splice protection tray 10 is set up to accommodate four crimp splice protectors, of which only two are occupied by glass fibers 7, however.

A strain relief device 11 provided on the drum unit 4, which is set up to accommodate cables of different diameters, is shown here from the front and is explained in more detail below with reference to FIG.

FIG. 3 shows a view from below of an exemplary embodiment of a terminal connection box 1 for flush-mounted installation. This figure clearly shows that a strain relief device 11 (shown in the upper area of the figure) is provided on the drum unit 4, with this strain relief device 11 being set up to accommodate cables of different diameters. In the present example, a supplied cable is connected to the strain relief device 11 by means of foam rubber padding and a cable tie.

Furthermore, the unused grounding screw of the frame 2, which serves as a connecting element 3, can be seen. The drum unit 4 can be fastened to the frame 2 in the desired inclined position by means of this connecting element 3 .

Finally, FIG. 3 shows four coupling modules 12 that are easily accessible from the outside, in this case LC-APC duplex plug-in couplings, which are arranged in two keystone modules 13 . The exemplary embodiments illustrated in the figures of the drawing and the exemplary embodiments explained in connection with these only serve to explain the invention and are not restrictive for it.

Reference character list:

1 terminal connection box

Frame

fastener

drum unit

Floor space

drum wall

glass fiber

opening

side cover

splice protection tray

strain relief device

Coupling module (LC-APC duplex plug-in coupling)

Keystone module

connector (LC-APC connector)

fiber inlet or fiber inlet

Angle between the plane of the drum unit and the plane of the frame

Claims

Expectations:

1. Terminal connection box (1) for flush-mounted installation, in particular for a fiber optic connection, comprising: a frame (2) and a drum unit (4) connected to the frame (2) via a connecting element (3), the drum unit (4) is arranged in relation to the surface of the frame (2) in an inclined position.

2. terminal connection box (1) according to claim 1, wherein the drum unit (4) has a substantially circular base (5).

3. Terminal connection box (1) according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the drum unit (4) comprises a peripheral drum wall (6), wherein at least one glass fiber (7) delimited by the peripheral drum wall (6) can be arranged within the drum unit (4). .

4. terminal connection box (1) according to claim 3, wherein the peripheral drum wall (6) comprises at least one inclined opening (8), through which the at least one glass fiber (7) can be guided.

5. terminal connection box (1) according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the outer diameter of the drum wall (6) is a maximum of 54 mm and wherein the inner diameter of the drum wall (6) allows a bending radius of at least 7.5 mm.

6. terminal connection box (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the drum unit (4) comprises a peripheral, the drum wall (6) superior side cover (9).

7. terminal connection box (1) according to claim 6, wherein the side cover (9) comprises at least one inclined opening through which the at least one glass fiber (7) can be guided.

9 Terminal connection box (1) according to claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the side cover (9) has at least one portion directed towards the center of the base area. Terminal connection box (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising a on the drum unit (4) arranged splice protection tray (10) which is designed to accommodate the at least one glass fiber (7). Terminal connection socket (1) according to claim 9, wherein the splice protection tray (10) is set up to accommodate at least one and a maximum of four crimp splice protectors. Terminal connection box (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising a on the drum unit (4) provided strain relief device (11) which is set up to accommodate cables of different diameters. Terminal connection box (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the frame (2) is a keystone frame. Terminal connection socket (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 12, further comprising at least one coupling module (12) which is arranged on the frame (2) and with which one end of the at least one glass fiber can be connected. Terminal connection socket according to one of Claims 1 to 13, an unused grounding screw of the frame (2) being provided as the connecting element.