A route search method and device and a route search system

Abstract

The present invention discloses a route search method and device thereof and a route search system, which include emitting detection light to an optical fiber line, collecting overflow light from the ferrule end face of an optical fiber connector on an optical fiber flange adapter of the optical fiber line, and then guiding and propagating the overflow light to the external space of the optical fiber flange adapter. The present invention can be used for route search of optical fiber lines, or for route verification in computer room management. It has low production cost, is easy to install and popularize, can help linemen improve the efficiency of optical fiber line troubleshooting and computer room management, and is conducive to strengthening the maintenance and management of various routing ports in the computer room.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of maintenance of optical fiber communication systems, in particular to a route search method and device thereof and a route search system. Background Art

[0002] With the rapid development of optical fiber communication, the number of optical fiber lines is increasing. Due to the limited technology in the early stage of laying optical cables, scientific optical fiber routing management has not been achieved, resulting in chaos in the routing of optical fiber lines, involving all links from the trunk line to the end user, especially the ODF management (abbreviation of Optical Distribution Frame, optical fiber distribution frame, used for the termination and distribution of the trunk optical cable at the local end of the optical fiber communication system, which can easily realize the connection, distribution and scheduling of optical fiber lines) or OLT management (Optical Line Terminal) in the computer room. Irregular paper labels, loss, inaccurate wiring information, and changes in maintenance personnel have brought great hidden dangers to later maintenance. When a line fails or an error occurs, the search for the line route is very cumbersome, time-consuming and labor-intensive, and it is simply unable to meet the customer's needs for network maintenance. This problem has also become a difficult problem in the optical fiber communication industry. At present, the routing labels on the optical ports in the telecommunications room are mostly recorded by paper labels, which are printed or handwritten. Since the on-site optical port routing is manually jumped, paper labels are made, and then recorded and delivered to a dedicated person to upload to the resource management system, the on-site situation is complicated, the construction personnel write irregularly, and the uploaded data errors cannot be identified. After years of accumulation, the inconsistency rate between the on-site optical port routing information and the routing information of the resource management system is as high as more than 40%. Network troubleshooting requires construction personnel familiar with the room operation, and the troubleshooting time is long, which is in serious conflict with the increasing network maintenance needs. Summary of the invention

[0003] The purpose of this section is to summarize some aspects of embodiments of the present invention and briefly introduce some preferred embodiments. Some simplifications or omissions may be made in this section and the specification abstract and the invention title of this application to avoid blurring the purpose of this section, the specification abstract and the invention title, and such simplifications or omissions cannot be used to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0004] In view of the above and / or existing problems in the management of terminal equipment such as ODF and OLT in the existing computer room, the present invention is proposed.

[0005] Therefore, one object of the present invention is to provide a route search method for route search of an optical fiber line.

[0006] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present invention provides the following technical solutions: a route search method, which includes emitting detection light to the optical fiber line, collecting overflow light from the ferrule end face of the optical fiber connector on the optical fiber flange adapter of the optical fiber line, and then guiding it to propagate to the external space of the optical fiber flange adapter.

[0007] As a preferred solution of the route search method described in the present invention, wherein: the overflow light overflowing from the core end face of the optical fiber connector is collected on the optical fiber flange adapter of the optical fiber line by a first light collecting unit, and the light is guided to the external space of the optical fiber flange adapter by the first light collecting unit; the first light collecting unit is made of light-transmitting material.

[0008] As a preferred solution of the route search method of the present invention, wherein: the first light collecting unit converges the collected overflow light to increase the light intensity; the enhanced overflow light is refracted into the external space of the fiber flange adapter through the outer end of the first light collecting unit.

[0009] As a preferred solution of the routing search method described in the present invention, wherein: the optical fiber flange adapter has a transparent through hole, and the first light collecting unit is fixed in the through hole; the first light collecting unit includes a first end and a second end, the first end extends into the optical fiber flange adapter and faces the outer edge of the ferrule end face of the optical fiber connector to receive the overflow light of the detection light; the second end extends to the outside of the optical fiber flange adapter to emit the overflow light received by the first light collecting unit.

[0010] As a preferred solution of the routing search method of the present invention, the first end or the second end can be a plane or a convex surface, and the first end is a smooth surface.

[0011] As a preferred solution of the route search method described in the present invention, the optical fiber flange adapter is vertically arranged in the fiber splicing tray so that the second end is oriented in the horizontal direction; one side edge of the fiber splicing tray has an opening, and the overflow light from the second end can be emitted from the edge opening on one side of the fiber splicing tray.

[0012] As a preferred solution of the route search method described in the present invention, the optical fiber flange adapter is horizontally arranged in the fiber splicing tray, the top of the fiber splicing tray has a tray cover, the second end is oriented in the vertical direction and faces the inner side surface of the tray cover; a second light collecting unit is fixed on the inner side surface of the tray cover, the second light collecting unit includes an incident surface, and the incident surface faces the second end of the first light collecting unit.

[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide a route search device, which is used for route search of optical fiber lines and has low production cost, is easy to install and popularize.

[0014] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present invention provides the following technical solutions: a routing search device, comprising a fiber optic flange adapter having a transparent through hole thereon; and a first light collecting unit fixed in the through hole, comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end extends into the fiber optic flange adapter and faces the outer edge of the ferrule end face of the fiber optic connector; and the second end extends to the external space of the fiber optic flange adapter.

[0015] As a preferred solution of the route search device of the present invention, the first end or the second end may be a plane or a convex curved surface.

[0016] As a preferred solution of the route search device of the present invention, the first end is a smooth surface; and the end surface of the second end is a frosted surface.

[0017] As a preferred solution of the route search device described in the present invention, it also includes: a second light collecting unit, the second light collecting unit includes an incident surface, and the incident surface is a smooth surface; the incident surface of the second light collecting unit is opposite to the second end of the first light collecting unit, and receives the detection light collected by the first light collecting unit and emitted from the second end.

[0018] As a preferred solution of the route search device of the present invention, the second light collecting unit further comprises an exit surface, and the detection light entering from the incident surface can be emitted from the exit surface after being conducted inside the second light collecting unit.

[0019] Another object of the present invention is to provide a routing search system that is conducive to strengthening the maintenance and management of each routing port in the computer room.

[0020] To solve the above technical problems, the present invention provides the following technical solutions: a routing search system, comprising: an optical fiber flange adapter having a transparent through hole; a first light collecting unit fixed in the through hole, comprising a first end and a second end, the first end extending into the optical fiber flange adapter and facing the ferrule end face of the optical fiber connector to receive overflow light of the detection light; the second end extending to the external space of the optical fiber flange adapter; and a fiber splicing tray, wherein the optical fiber flange adapter is arranged in the fiber splicing tray.

[0021] As a preferred solution of the route search system described in the present invention, the optical fiber flange adapter is vertically arranged in the fiber splicing tray so that the second end is oriented in the horizontal direction; one side edge of the fiber splicing tray has an opening, and the overflow light from the second end can be emitted from the edge opening on one side of the fiber splicing tray.

[0022] As a preferred solution of the route search system described in the present invention, it further includes a second light collecting unit; the optical fiber flange adapter is horizontally arranged in the fiber splicing tray, the top of the fiber splicing tray has a tray cover, the second end is oriented in the vertical direction and faces the inner side surface of the tray cover; the second light collecting unit is fixed on the inner side surface of the tray cover, the second light collecting unit includes an incident surface, the incident surface faces the second end of the first light collecting unit, and receives the detection light collected by the first light collecting unit and emitted from the second end.

[0023] As a preferred solution of the route search system described in the present invention, the second light collecting unit also includes an exit surface, and the detection light entering from the incident surface can be emitted from the exit surface after being transmitted inside the second light collecting unit; the tray cover has a window corresponding to the exit surface, and when the second light collecting unit is fixed to the inner side surface of the tray cover, the exit surface can face the window or protrude from the window.

[0024] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: the present invention can be used for route search of optical fiber lines, or for route verification in computer room management. It has low production cost, is easy to install and popularize, can help linemen improve the efficiency of optical fiber line troubleshooting and computer room management, and is conducive to strengthening the maintenance and management of various routing ports in the computer room. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for describing the embodiments. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative labor. Among them:

[0026] Figure 1 It is an exploded view of the route search device described in the first and second embodiments of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 2 This is a structural diagram of the optical fiber flange adapter described in the first and second embodiments of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the routing search method described in the first and second embodiments of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the first light collecting unit receiving overflow light according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 5 5(a) to 5(c) are structural diagrams of various implementations of the first light collecting unit described in the first and second embodiments of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the convex surface of the first light collecting unit in various implementation modes described in the first and second embodiments of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 7 This is a structural diagram of the first light collecting unit described in the first and second embodiments of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 8 This is a distribution diagram of the implementation of providing convex curved surfaces on both end surfaces of the first light collecting unit described in the first and second embodiments of the present invention.

[0034] Fig. 9 It is a schematic diagram of the refraction principle of the detection light by the frosted surface of the first light collecting unit described in the first and second embodiments of the present invention.

[0035] Fig.10 10(a) is an application scenario diagram of the optical fiber flange adapter described in the first and second embodiments of the present invention being vertically arranged in the fiber splicing tray; 10(b) is an application scenario diagram of the optical fiber flange adapter described in the first and second embodiments of the present invention being horizontally arranged in the fiber splicing tray.

[0036] Fig.11 This is a schematic diagram of the function of the end cover described in the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Fig.12 This is a structural diagram of the end cover and optical fiber flange adapter described in the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] Fig.13 It is a schematic diagram of the optical effect of the bending state of the second light collecting unit described in the first and second embodiments of the present invention.

[0039] Fig.14 It is a schematic diagram of the function when the second light collecting unit described in the first and second embodiments of the present invention is only provided with an incident surface.

[0040] Fig.15 This is an application scenario diagram of the route search method described in the first and second embodiments of the present invention.

[0041] Fig.16 This is a schematic diagram of the function of the second light collecting unit described in the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] Fig.17 Schematic diagrams of two implementation modes of the second light collecting unit described in the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] Fig.18 18(a) and 18(b) are two structural diagrams of the second light collection unit after removing the incident light according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] Fig.19 This is a schematic diagram of the function of the route search device according to the second embodiment of the present invention, in which only the first light collecting unit is provided. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] In order to make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present invention more obvious and easy to understand, the specific implementation methods of the present invention are described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0046] In the following description, many specific details are set forth to facilitate a full understanding of the present invention, but the present invention may also be implemented in other ways different from those described herein, and those skilled in the art may make similar generalizations without violating the connotation of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0047] Secondly, the term "one embodiment" or "embodiment" as used herein refers to a specific feature, structure, or characteristic that may be included in at least one implementation of the present invention. The term "in one embodiment" that appears in different places in this specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor does it refer to a separate or selective embodiment that is mutually exclusive with other embodiments.

[0048] In practice, a plurality of fiber splicing trays 400 are generally arranged in the ODF (optical distribution frame) of the machine room, and a plurality of routing ports are arranged in parallel in each fiber splicing tray 400. The routing port is formed by a fiber flange adapter 100 and a standard fiber connector connected therein to form a vacant socket. A routing port on an ODF can be plugged with a jumper fiber to connect to a routing port on another ODF to form a routing of the optical fiber line. Since there are multiple optical fiber lines in practice, which are complex and chaotic, when a line fails or an error occurs, it is very cumbersome, time-consuming and laborious to find the line routing.

[0049] Reference Figures 1 to 15 , which is the first embodiment of the present invention, and provides a route search method, which needs to first emit detection light to the target optical fiber line (optical cable line route to be searched), and collect the overflow light from the ferrule end face of the optical fiber connector on the optical fiber flange adapter 100 of the optical fiber line, and then guide it to the external space of the optical fiber flange adapter 100, so that the user can directly observe the bright light, thereby directly distinguishing the target routing port (the port where the optical cable is terminated). Therefore, the detection light is visible light, and its wavelength range is 380 to 760nm, preferably 650nm red light.

[0050] Specifically, the present invention can collect the overflow light leaked from the ferrule end face of the optical fiber connector on the optical fiber flange adapter 100 through the first light collecting unit 200, and guide the overflow light to the external space of the optical fiber flange adapter 100 through the first light collecting unit 200, so that the user can directly observe it. Obviously, the first light collecting unit 200 is made of a light-transmitting solid material, such as glass, crystal, resin, acrylic, etc.

[0051] Further, such as Figure 3 , 4 As shown, the first light collecting unit 200 is fixed on the fiber optic flange adapter 100. When the routing port on the outside of the fiber optic flange adapter 100 is plugged with the fiber optic connector, the fiber optic connectors on both sides of the fiber optic flange adapter 100 can be butted, that is, the ferrule end faces of the two fiber optic connectors are in contact with each other. Due to actual errors, it is impossible for the two ferrules and the fiber cores inside to be fully coupled and completely butted. Therefore, when visible detection light is emitted to the optical fiber line, part of the overflow light (light leaked from the butt joint surface) will leak out from the side of the ferrule end face of the fiber optic connector, and finally be received by the first light collecting unit 200 located on the outside of the ferrule end face, and transmitted to the outside of the fiber optic flange adapter 100.

[0052] The first light collecting unit 200 is fixed on the optical fiber flange adapter 100 in the following manner:

[0053] like Figure 1 , 2 The side of the fiber optic flange adapter 100 is provided with a transparent through hole 101, and the first light collecting unit 200 is fixed in the through hole 101. Preferably, the through hole 101 is located at the center of the side. The first light collecting unit 200 includes a first end 201 and a second end 202, both of which are planes, wherein the first end 201 extends into the fiber optic flange adapter 100 and faces the outer edge of the ferrule end face of the optical fiber connector to receive the overflow light of the detection light, and the overflow light can be conducted inside the first light collecting unit 200 after entering the first light collecting unit 200; the second end 202 extends to the outside of the fiber optic flange adapter 100 to emit the overflow light received by the first light collecting unit 200. Figure 5 (a), the first light collecting unit 200 can be directly cylindrical as a whole, and embedded and fixed in the through hole 101.

[0054] like Figure 5 (b) In another embodiment, the first light collecting unit 200 may be similar to an umbrella shape, that is, the cross-sectional dimension of the first end 201 is smaller than the cross-sectional dimension of the second end 202, and the first light collecting unit 200 is reduced in diameter at a certain position in the longitudinal direction to form a step shape. Since the area of ​​the second end 202 is larger, a larger bright visible area can be obtained. Preferably, as Figure 5(c) The first light collecting unit 200 includes a light guide column 203 and a lamp cover 204 which are connected to each other and form an integral body, wherein the light guide column 203 is a cylindrical transparent structure with a smaller outer diameter; the lamp cover 204 is a pancake-shaped transparent structure with a larger outer diameter; the first end 201 is the outer end surface of the light guide column 203, and the second end 202 is the outer end surface of the lamp cover 204. The light guide column 203 is inserted into and fixed in the through hole 101, and the lamp cover 204 is placed outside the through hole 101.

[0055] Furthermore, since the intensity of the overflow light from the end face of the ferrule is weak, it is difficult for people to easily notice it even if it is directly guided out of the fiber flange adapter 100, so the first light collection unit 200 is required to gather the collected overflow light to increase the light intensity. The enhanced overflow light is refracted into the external space of the fiber flange adapter 100 through the outer end of the first light collection unit 200 and is easy to be noticed by people.

[0056] The implementation method is as follows: Figure 6 , 7 , the first end 201 or the second end 202 can be set as a convex surface to form a convex lens. Figure 8 The first end 201 and the second end 202 may have only one side that is a convex curved surface, or both sides may be convex curved surfaces. Therefore, the first light collecting unit 200 as a "convex lens" has the effect of converging and enhancing the received overflow light.

[0057] Furthermore, in order to make the detection light refracted from the second end 202 easier to be observed from all angles, the surface of the second end 202 can be set to a non-smooth frosted surface, so that when the detection light conducted in the first light collecting unit 200 is projected onto the surface of the second end 202, a refraction phenomenon similar to the principle of "diffuse reflection" can occur due to the uneven surface, and refracted from the second end 202 to the external space in a more irregular and balanced refraction path. Fig. 9 As shown, assuming that parallel light is irradiated from the first light collecting unit 200 onto the surface of the second end 202, the parallel light can generate a plurality of irregular broken lines on the frosted surface, so that the bright light of the second end 202 can be observed from all directions outside. However, the first end 201 needs to be a smooth surface in the above.

[0058] In the present invention, Fig.10 The fiber flange adapter 100 is disposed in the fiber splicing tray 400 and is located at the edge opening of the fiber splicing tray 400, so as to form an outward vacant routing port. The routing port can be plugged with the fiber connector of the jumper, or temporarily not plugged with any fiber connector to leave it as a vacant position. However, in both cases, the routing search function can be realized by detecting the injection of light, specifically in the following two situations:

[0059] 1. When the fiber optic connector is not plugged into the router port, Fig.11 , 12 , the end cap 500 can be inserted into the vacant routing port for blocking. The end cap 500 includes a connecting end 501 and a blocking end 502, wherein the connecting end 501 matches the socket size of the routing port, and can be inserted into the routing port to form a fixed protruding structure (fixed by extrusion or friction between itself and the socket to prevent detachment); and the outer frame of the blocking end 502 is larger than the socket size of the routing port, is retained outside the socket, and blocks the routing port. Further, the interior of the connecting end 501 is hollow, and the center of the blocking end 502 is a transparent material (or a mounting hole is reserved in the center of the blocking end 502, and a transparent sheet is embedded in the hole), and the detection light from one end of the fiber optic flange adapter 100 can pass through the connecting end 501 and be emitted from the blocking end 502. Preferably, the center of the blocking end 502 is an integrated convex lens or a convex lens is embedded and fixed, and the outer surface (convex curved surface) of the convex lens is a frosted surface, so that the visible range of the outer surface of the blocking end 502 and the refraction range of the emitted light can be expanded, so that the user can see the luminous blocking end 502 in all directions. Fig.15 As shown, assuming that after a fiber optic connector is unplugged from an ODF or OLT, if you want to clarify which routing port of which ODF the other end of the route where the unplugged fiber optic connector is located is plugged into, you can emit detection light to the unplugged fiber optic connector. When the detection light reaches the target routing port, it can directly illuminate the blocked end 502 at the end for the user to detect.

[0060] 2. When the optical fiber connector is plugged into the routing port, only the first light collecting unit 200 mentioned above can be set to realize routing search. The same process as above is used to emit the detection light, and overflow light can be generated at the two ferrule joint surfaces in the optical fiber flange adapter 100. After the overflow light is passively collected by the first light collecting unit 200, it can be directly projected on the tray cover 401 on the top of the first light collecting unit 200. If the detection light is strengthened by the first light collecting unit 200, the user can observe the inner light when it is irradiated on the tray cover 401. It should be noted that the top of the fiber splicing tray 400 has a tray cover 401, and the tray cover 401 can be covered on the top of the fiber splicing tray 400 to form a partition and protection for the internal lines. At the same time, each optical fiber flange adapter 100 and the first light collecting unit 200 fixed thereon are also covered inside the fiber splicing tray 400.

[0061] Furthermore, when the optical fiber connector is plugged into the routing port, in order to prevent the light intensity from being difficult to penetrate the tray cover 401 when only the first light collecting unit 200 is set, and its size is small and difficult to be easily observed by the user, further optimization can be performed in the following two ways, so that the user can directly observe the overflow light collected by the first light collecting unit 200 from the outside of the fiber splicing tray 400:

[0062] 1. The fiber flange adapter 100 is vertically arranged in the fiber splicing tray 400 and arranged at the edge opening of one side of the fiber splicing tray 400 (when there are multiple fiber flange adapters 100, they are spaced apart from each other), so that the second end 202 (or the through hole 101) is oriented horizontally. Since one side edge of the fiber splicing tray 400 has an opening, the overflow light from the second end 202 can be emitted from the edge opening of one side of the fiber splicing tray 400 to be perceived by the user. Preferably, as Fig.10 (a), each fiber flange adapter 100 is tilted at the edge opening of the splice tray 400 to ensure that the longitudinal direction of each fiber flange adapter 100 maintains a horizontal acute angle with the edge opening direction of the splice tray 400, so that the overflow light from the second end 202 can be directly emitted from the gap between each fiber flange adapter 100 and the adjacent fiber flange adapter 100, which is convenient for users to find. In this embodiment, it is necessary to ensure that the first end 201 of the first light collecting unit 200 is a smooth surface, and the second end 202 can be a frosted surface or a smooth surface (the frosted surface is a preferred embodiment).

[0063] Second, place the fiber optic flange adapter 100 horizontally inside the fiber splicing tray 400, and keep the through hole 101 of the fiber optic flange adapter 100 facing vertically upward. Since the top of the fiber splicing tray 400 has a tray cover 401, the second end 202 is now oriented in a vertical direction and faces the inner side of the tray cover 401. At the same time, a second light collecting unit 300 is fixed on the inner side of the tray cover 401 to assist the first light collecting unit 200 in guiding the optical path and guide the detection light to the outside of the fiber splicing tray 400 for direct observation by the user. At this time, it is necessary to ensure that the first end 201 and the second end 202 of the first light collecting unit 200 are both smooth surfaces. Fig.13The second light collecting unit 300 includes an incident surface 301, and the incident surface 301 is opposite to the second end 202 of the first light collecting unit 200. It can receive the detection light from the first light collecting unit 200, and determine the direction of the light path of the detection light after entering the inside thereof through the extension shape of its own structure (such as a bent shape, a straight shape, a curved shape, etc.). The second light collecting unit 300 also includes an exit surface 302, which is located at the end of the second light collecting unit 300. The detection light entering from the incident surface 301 can be emitted from the exit surface 302 after being transmitted inside the second light collecting unit 300. The second light collecting unit 300 adopts a solid transparent material, which can guide light. The incident surface 301 of the second light collecting unit 300 is a smooth surface for directly receiving the detection light, and the exit surface 302 at the other end leads out of the fiber splicing tray 400 or leads to the edge of the fiber splicing tray 400 (or the tray cover 401) so that the user can observe the light. Specifically, as Fig.10 As shown in (b), the outer edge of the tray cover 401 has a folding plate 401b extending vertically downward, and the folding plate 401b has a transparent window 401a. When the second light collecting unit 300 is fixed to the inner side of the tray cover 401, its exit surface 302 can be directly opposite to the window 401a or can directly protrude from the window 401a. If the detection light is emitted from the exit surface 302, the user can find the light from the outside through the window 401a. The exit surface 302 can be a frosted surface or a smooth surface.

[0064] like Fig.14 , the second light collecting unit 300 may also be provided with only one incident surface 301, and any other surface of the overall outer surface of the second light collecting unit 300 except the incident surface 301 is a frosted surface, so that when the detection light from the first light collecting unit 200 enters the interior of the second light collecting unit 300 from the incident surface 301, it can emit light through the entire second light collecting unit 300. Preferably, the volume of the second light collecting unit 300 is larger than the volume of the first light collecting unit 200, so that the brightness range of the detection light can be increased, making it easier for users to find and detect.

[0065] Reference Figures 1 to 10 , 13 to 19, are the second embodiment of the present invention, which provides a routing search device based on the above-mentioned routing search method.

[0066] The route search device includes the fiber flange adapter 100 and the first light collecting unit 200 in the previous embodiment. The fiber flange adapter 100 has a through hole 101, and the first light collecting unit 200 is fixed in the hole 101. The first light collecting unit 200 includes a first end 201 and a second end 202, the first end 201 extends into the fiber flange adapter 100 and faces the outer edge of the ferrule end face of the optical fiber connector; the second end 202 extends to the external space of the fiber flange adapter 100.

[0067] Specifically, the present invention can collect the overflow light leaked from the ferrule end face of the optical fiber connector on the optical fiber flange adapter 100 through the first light collecting unit 200, and guide the overflow light to the external space of the optical fiber flange adapter 100 through the first light collecting unit 200, so that the user can directly observe it. Obviously, the first light collecting unit 200 is made of a light-transmitting solid material, such as glass, crystal, resin, acrylic, etc.

[0068] Furthermore, the first light collecting unit 200 is fixed on the fiber optic flange adapter 100. When the routing port on the outside of the fiber optic flange adapter 100 is plugged with the fiber optic connector, the fiber optic connectors on both sides of the fiber optic flange adapter 100 can be butted, that is, the ferrule end faces of the two fiber optic connectors are in contact with each other. Due to actual errors, it is impossible for the two ferrules and the fiber cores inside to be fully coupled and completely butted. Therefore, when visible detection light is emitted to the optical fiber line, some overflow light (light leaked from the butt joint surface) will leak out from the side of the ferrule end face of the fiber optic connector, and finally be received by the first light collecting unit 200 located on the outside of the ferrule end face, and transmitted to the outside of the fiber optic flange adapter 100.

[0069] The first light collecting unit 200 is fixed on the optical fiber flange adapter 100 in the following manner:

[0070] like Figure 1 , 2 , the side of the fiber optic flange adapter 100 is provided with a transparent through hole 101, and the first light collecting unit 200 is fixed in the through hole 101. Preferably, the through hole 101 is located at the center of the side. The first light collecting unit 200 includes a first end 201 and a second end 202, both of which can be planes, wherein the first end 201 extends into the fiber optic flange adapter 100 and faces the outer edge of the ferrule end face of the optical fiber connector to receive the overflow light of the detection light, and the overflow light can be conducted inside the first light collecting unit 200 after entering the first light collecting unit 200; the second end 202 extends to the outside of the fiber optic flange adapter 100 to emit the overflow light received by the first light collecting unit 200. Figure 5 (a), the first light collecting unit 200 can be directly cylindrical as a whole, and embedded and fixed in the through hole 101, and the through hole 101 is correspondingly a circular hole.

[0071] like Figure 5 (b) In another embodiment, the first light collecting unit 200 is similar to an umbrella shape, that is, the cross-sectional dimension of the first end 201 is smaller than the cross-sectional dimension of the second end 202, and the first light collecting unit 200 is reduced in diameter at a certain position in the longitudinal direction to form a step shape. Since the area of ​​the second end 202 is larger, a larger bright visible area can be obtained. Preferably, as Figure 5(c) The first light collecting unit 200 includes a light guide column 203 and a lamp cover 204 which are connected to each other and form an integral body, wherein the light guide column 203 is a cylindrical transparent structure with a smaller outer diameter; the lamp cover 204 is a pancake-shaped transparent structure with a larger outer diameter; the first end 201 is the outer end surface of the light guide column 203, and the second end 202 is the outer end surface of the lamp cover 204. The light guide column 203 is inserted into and fixed in the through hole 101, and the lamp cover 204 is placed outside the through hole 101.

[0072] Furthermore, since the intensity of the overflow light from the end face of the ferrule is weak, it is difficult for people to easily notice it even if it is directly guided out of the fiber flange adapter 100, so the first light collection unit 200 is required to gather the collected overflow light to increase the light intensity. The enhanced overflow light is refracted into the external space of the fiber flange adapter 100 through the outer end of the first light collection unit 200 and is easy to be noticed by people.

[0073] The implementation method is as follows: Figure 6 , 7 , the first end 201 or the second end 202 can be set as a convex surface to form a convex lens. Figure 8 The first end 201 and the second end 202 may have only one side that is a convex curved surface, or both sides may be convex curved surfaces. Therefore, the first light collecting unit 200 as a "convex lens" has the effect of converging and enhancing the received overflow light.

[0074] Furthermore, in order to make the detection light refracted from the second end 202 easier to be observed from all angles, the surface of the second end 202 can be set to a non-smooth frosted surface, so that when the detection light conducted in the first light collecting unit 200 is projected onto the surface of the second end 202, a refraction phenomenon similar to the principle of "diffuse reflection" can occur due to the uneven surface, and refracted from the second end 202 to the external space in a more irregular and balanced refraction path. Fig. 9 As shown, assuming that parallel light is irradiated from the first light collecting unit 200 onto the surface of the second end 202, the parallel light can generate a plurality of irregular broken lines on the frosted surface, so that the bright light of the second end 202 can be observed from all directions outside. However, the first end 201 needs to be a smooth surface in the above.

[0075] Furthermore, the route search device further includes a second light collecting unit 300, which can assist the first light collecting unit 200 in guiding the optical path, so as to guide the detection light to a position that is easily perceived by the human eye, such as the front of the ODF, preferably the front exposed after the fiber splice tray 400 is placed in the ODF. The second light collecting unit 300 is made of solid transparent material, which can guide light.

[0076] The second light collecting unit 300 includes an incident surface 301, which is a smooth surface and faces the second end 202 of the first light collecting unit 200. The incident surface 301 can receive the detection light collected by the first light collecting unit 200 and emitted from the second end 202, and determines the direction of the optical path of the detection light after entering the interior thereof (such as a bent shape, a straight shape, a curved shape, etc.) through the extended shape of its own structure.

[0077] The second light collecting unit 300 also includes an exit surface 302, which is located at the end of the second light collecting unit 300. The detection light entering from the incident surface 301 can be emitted from the exit surface 302 after being transmitted inside the second light collecting unit 300. Obviously, the exit surface 302 is oriented in the front direction of the ODF, so that when the user stands in front of the ODF, the detection light from the second light collecting unit 300 can be directly perceived by the human eye after being emitted from the exit surface 302. In the present invention, the exit surface 302 can also be set to a non-smooth frosted surface, or it can be set to a smooth surface.

[0078] like Fig.14 When the second light collecting unit 300 is provided with only one incident surface 301 (and without an exit surface 302), any other surface of the overall outer surface of the second light collecting unit 300 except the incident surface 301 is a frosted surface, so that when the detection light from the first light collecting unit 200 enters the interior of the second light collecting unit 300 from the incident surface 301, it can emit light through the entire second light collecting unit 300. Preferably, the volume of the second light collecting unit 300 is larger than that of the first light collecting unit 200, so that the brightness range of the detection light can be increased, making it easier for users to find and detect.

[0079] In practice, if Fig.10 , the fiber optic flange adapter 100 is arranged in the fiber splicing tray 400 and is located at the edge opening of the fiber splicing tray 400. The top of the fiber splicing tray 400 has a tray cover 401, and the tray cover 401 can be covered on the top of the fiber splicing tray 400 to form a partition and protection for the internal lines. At the same time, each fiber optic flange adapter 100 and the first light collecting unit 200 fixed thereon are also covered inside the fiber splicing tray 400. Therefore, the second light collecting unit 300 in the above-mentioned embodiment can assist the first light collecting unit 200 in guiding the optical path, and guide the detection light to the outside of the fiber splicing tray 400 for direct observation by the user. At this time, it is necessary to ensure that the second end 202 of the first light collecting unit 200 is a smooth plane or a smooth convex surface (frosted surface is not selected).

[0080] like Fig.17(a), the second light collecting unit 300 is bent, preferably at a right angle (i.e., the two sides of the bend are perpendicular to each other), wherein the end facing the first light collecting unit 200 is the incident end 304, and the end emitting the detection light is the exit end 305. The outer end surface of the incident end 304 is the incident surface 301, which faces the second end 202 of the first light collecting unit 200, and the outer end surface of the exit end 305 is the exit surface 302, which faces the opening edge of the fiber splicing tray 400. Therefore, when the detection light is transmitted inside the second light collecting unit 300, it can propagate along the bending direction and emit the fiber splicing tray 400. Furthermore, the bending corner of the second light collecting unit 300 can be set as a chamfer, preferably forming a 45° chamfered reflective surface 303, when the detection light from the incident surface 301 is irradiated onto the reflective surface 303 through the incident end 304, it can be reflected on the reflective surface 303, and finally refracted from the exit surface 302 through the exit end 305. The reflective surface 303 can be a transparent surface or can be set as a plane mirror, which can completely reflect the detection light.

[0081] Better, such as Fig.17 (b), the incident end 304 of the second light collecting unit 300 can be removed (the exit end 305 is directly retained), and the incident surface 301 is set at the corresponding projection position of the bottom surface of the exit end 305. However, in essence, the incident surface 301 and the bottom surface of the exit end 305 are located in the same plane. In this embodiment, the incident surface 301 is a smooth surface, and other surfaces on the second light collecting unit 300 can be smooth surfaces or frosted surfaces. Further, the exit end 305 can be prismatic, such as Fig.18 (a); it can also be cylindrical; it can also be a combination of the two, such as Fig.18 (b).

[0082] Further, as shown in the figure, the second light collecting unit 300 can be fixed on the inner side of the tray cover 401 through the top surface of the exit end 305 (the top surface of the exit end 305 and the inner side of the tray cover 401 can be fixed by glue). The outer edge of the tray cover 401 has a folding plate 401b extending vertically downward, and the folding plate 401b has a transparent window 401a. After the second light collecting unit 300 is fixed to the inner side of the tray cover 401, the exit surface 302 at the end of the exit end 305 can face the window 401a or can directly protrude from the window 401a. If the detection light is emitted from the exit surface 302, the user can search for light from the outside through the window 401a.

[0083] The present invention also includes a route search system, which is based on the route search method in the previous embodiment and the route search device in this embodiment.

[0084] The routing search system includes a fiber flange adapter 100, a first light collecting unit 200 and a fiber splicing tray 400. It can be seen from the above embodiments that the fiber flange adapter 100 has a transparent through hole 101. The first light collecting unit 200 is fixed in the through hole 101, and includes a first end 201 and a second end 202. Among them, the first end 201 extends into the fiber flange adapter 100 and is directly opposite to the ferrule end face of the optical fiber connector to receive the overflow light of the detection light; the second end 202 extends to the external space of the fiber flange adapter 100. The fiber flange adapter 100 in the present invention is arranged in the fiber splicing tray 400. When the routing search system only includes the fiber flange adapter 100 and the first light collecting unit 200, the overflow light can be directly projected onto the tray cover 401 on the top of the first light collecting unit 200 after being passively collected by the first light collecting unit 200. The user can determine the routing port of the target by the light at the corresponding position of the tray cover 401, such as Fig.19 In addition, when the route search device only includes the optical fiber flange adapter 100 and the first light collecting unit 200, after the overflow light is passively collected by the first light collecting unit 200, the method of "vertically arranging the optical fiber flange adapter 100 in the fiber splicing tray 400" in the above embodiment can be used to allow the user to directly observe the light of the first light collecting unit 200. Preferably, as Fig.10 (a) Each fiber optic flange adapter 100 is tilted at the edge opening of the splice tray 400 to ensure that the longitudinal direction of each fiber optic flange adapter 100 maintains a horizontal acute angle with the edge opening direction of the splice tray 400.

[0085] like Fig.10 (b) When the first light collecting unit 200 of the route search system is horizontally arranged in the fiber splicing tray 400, so that its light intensity is difficult to directly penetrate the tray cover 401, the second light collecting unit 300 can be fixed on the inner side of the tray cover 401 to assist the first light collecting unit 200 in guiding the light path and guide the detection light to the outside of the fiber splicing tray 400 for direct observation by the user, such as Fig.16 However, it is necessary to ensure that the second end 202 of the first light collecting unit 200 is a smooth plane or a smooth convex curved surface (frosted surface is not selected).

[0086] In the present invention, the first light collecting unit 200 can also be replaced with a photosensitive diode to capture and collect weak overflow light and provide feedback to the user, thereby forming a photon tag of the routing port and realizing automatic routing search of the optical fiber line.

[0087] It should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention rather than to limit it. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that the technical solutions of the present invention may be modified or replaced by equivalents without departing from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the present invention, which should all be included in the scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A route search method, characterized in that: include, Emitting detection light to the optical fiber line, collecting overflow light from the ferrule end face of the optical fiber connector on the optical fiber flange adapter (100) of the optical fiber line, and then guiding the light to propagate to the external space of the optical fiber flange adapter (100); Collecting overflow light from the ferrule end face of the optical fiber connector on the optical fiber flange adapter (100) of the optical fiber line through a first light collecting unit (200), and guiding the light to an external space of the optical fiber flange adapter (100) through the first light collecting unit (200); The first light collecting unit (200) is made of light-transmitting material; The first light collecting unit (200) comprises a first end (201) and a second end (202), wherein the first end (201) extends into the optical fiber flange adapter (100) and faces the outer edge of the ferrule end face of the optical fiber connector to receive overflow light of the detection light; and the second end (202) extends to the outside of the optical fiber flange adapter (100) to emit the overflow light received by the first light collecting unit (200); The optical fiber flange adapter (100) is vertically arranged in the fiber splicing tray (400) so that the second end (202) is oriented in a horizontal direction; one side edge of the fiber splicing tray (400) has an opening, and overflow light from the second end (202) can be emitted from the edge opening on one side of the fiber splicing tray (400).

2. The routing search method according to claim 1, wherein: The first light collecting unit (200) collects the collected overflow light to increase the light intensity; The enhanced overflow light is refracted into the external space of the optical fiber flange adapter (100) through the outer end of the first light collecting unit (200).

3. The routing search method according to claim 1, wherein: The first end (201) or the second end (202) is a plane or a convex curved surface, and the first end (201) is a smooth surface.

4. The routing search method according to claim 1, wherein: The optical fiber flange adapter (100) is horizontally arranged in a fiber splicing tray (400); the top of the fiber splicing tray (400) is provided with a tray cover (401); the second end (202) is oriented in a vertical direction and faces the inner side of the tray cover (401); A second light collecting unit (300) is fixed on the inner side surface of the tray cover (401), the second light collecting unit (300) comprising an incident surface (301), the incident surface (301) facing the second end (202) of the first light collecting unit (200).

5. A route search device, characterized in that: include, An optical fiber flange adapter (100) having a through hole (101); and, A first light collecting unit (200) is fixed in the through hole (101), comprising a first end (201) and a second end (202), wherein the first end (201) extends into the optical fiber flange adapter (100) and faces the outer edge of the ferrule end face of the optical fiber connector; and the second end (202) extends to the external space of the optical fiber flange adapter (100); The first end (201) or the second end (202) is a plane or a convex curved surface; The first end (201) has a smooth surface; and the end surface of the second end (202) has a frosted surface.

6. The route search device according to claim 5, characterized in that: Also included is a second light collection unit (300), the second light collection unit (300) comprising an incident surface (301), the incident surface (301) being a smooth surface; The incident surface (301) of the second light collecting unit (300) faces the second end (202) of the first light collecting unit (200), and receives the detection light collected by the first light collecting unit (200) and emitted from the second end (202).

7. The route search device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The second light collecting unit (300) further comprises an exit surface (302), and the detection light entering from the incident surface (301) can be emitted from the exit surface (302) after being conducted inside the second light collecting unit (300).

8. A routing search system, characterized in that: include, An optical fiber flange adapter (100) having a through hole (101); a first light collecting unit (200) fixed in the through hole (101), comprising a first end (201) and a second end (202), wherein the first end (201) extends into the optical fiber flange adapter (100) and faces the ferrule end face of the optical fiber connector to receive overflow light of the detection light; and the second end (202) extends to the external space of the optical fiber flange adapter (100); and a fiber splicing tray (400), wherein the optical fiber flange adapter (100) is arranged in the fiber splicing tray (400); The optical fiber flange adapter (100) is vertically arranged in the fiber splicing tray (400) so that the second end (202) is oriented in a horizontal direction; one side edge of the fiber splicing tray (400) has an opening, and overflow light from the second end (202) can be emitted from the edge opening on one side of the fiber splicing tray (400); Also includes a second light collection unit (300); The optical fiber flange adapter (100) is horizontally arranged in a fiber splicing tray (400); the top of the fiber splicing tray (400) is provided with a tray cover (401); the second end (202) is oriented in a vertical direction and faces the inner side surface of the tray cover (401); The second light collecting unit (300) is fixed on the inner side surface of the tray cover (401), and the second light collecting unit (300) comprises an incident surface (301), the incident surface (301) is directly opposite to the second end (202) of the first light collecting unit (200), and receives the detection light collected by the first light collecting unit (200) and emitted from the second end (202).

9. The routing search system as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that: The second light collecting unit (300) further comprises an exit surface (302), and the detection light entering from the incident surface (301) can be emitted from the exit surface (302) after being conducted inside the second light collecting unit (300); The tray cover (401) has a window (401a) corresponding to the exit surface (302), and while the second light collecting unit (300) is fixed to the inner side surface of the tray cover (401), the exit surface (302) can face the window (401a) or protrude from the window (401a).

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