Optical cable connector box convenient to detect

Abstract

The invention provides a convenient-to-detect optical cable connector box, which comprises an optical cable box, a detection box, an optical splitter, a water inlet detection mechanism and a fault detection mechanism, optical cable holes are oppositely formed in two ends of the optical cable box, the detection box is arranged at the top of the optical cable box, and optical cables enter the optical cable box through the optical cable holes. The optical fiber link in the optical cable is divided into a main optical fiber link and a detection loop by the optical splitter; by accessing the optical splitter, the optical fiber link in the optical cable can be divided into the main optical fiber link and the detection loop, the main optical fiber link can be used for fault point detection, and the detection loop is used for water inlet detection in the optical cable box and does not affect normal communication.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of optical cable junction boxes, and in particular to an optical cable junction box that is easy to detect. Background Art

[0002] As core protection equipment in optical communication networks, fiber optic splice closures are widely used for fiber optic cable splicing, branching, and fault isolation. Their core function is to ensure physical protection and environmental sealing at fiber optic splice points. This is particularly true in complex environments such as power systems, submarine communications, and mountain backbone networks, where they must withstand long-term moisture penetration, mechanical vibration, and extreme temperature fluctuations. However, traditional fiber optic splice closures present at least the following issues:

[0003] 1. The fault point cannot be located at one time: In actual work, optical cables are often interrupted due to factors such as damage during construction, gnawing by small animals, vehicle scratches, and human off-slope accidents. To ensure the transmission of production data and stable operation of equipment, timely repairs and restoration are required. Currently, fault point determination requires testing in substations or station buildings. When encountering long-distance optical cables and stations in mountainous areas, the road consumes a lot of time, and it is impossible to locate multiple fault points on a line at one time.

[0004] 2. The process of detecting water ingress in optical cable splice boxes is cumbersome: the existing splice boxes have complex sealing structures, and opening the boxes for inspection requires special tools and is cumbersome, causing trouble for the personnel performing water ingress inspections;

[0005] 3. The sealing structure is simple and the waterproof performance is insufficient: Existing junction boxes mostly rely on single-layer rubber sealing rings or filling putty to achieve cable inlet and outlet sealing. However, under long-term water pressure penetration, temperature difference deformation or external force vibration, the sealing is easily failed due to material aging (such as rubber hardening and putty falling off). After the sealing device fails, there is a lack of timely remedial measures. Summary of the Invention

[0006] (1) Technical issues to be resolved

[0007] In order to solve the above problems in the prior art, the present invention provides an optical cable splice box that is easy to detect.

[0008] (2) Technical solution

[0009] In order to achieve the above objectives, the main technical solutions adopted by the present invention include:

[0010] An optical cable splice box that is easy to detect, comprising an optical cable box, a detection box, an optical splitter, a water ingress detection mechanism, and a fault detection mechanism;

[0011] Optical cable holes are arranged at opposite ends of the optical cable box;

[0012] The detection box is arranged on the top of the optical cable box;

[0013] The optical cable enters the optical cable box through the optical cable hole and is connected to the optical splitter, which divides the optical fiber link in the optical cable into a main optical fiber link and a detection loop;

[0014] The main optical fiber link is connected to the fault detection mechanism, which includes a fusion splice tray and a terminal flange. The main optical fiber link enters the fusion splice tray, and the connection end of the main optical fiber link extends into the detection box and is connected to the optical cable through the terminal flange;

[0015] The detection circuit is connected to the water inlet detection mechanism, which includes a detection seat, a water absorption expansion block, a first fixing clamp, a second fixing clamp and an FC interface;

[0016] A limiting protrusion is provided on the side wall of the detection seat close to the inner wall of the optical cable box, a vertical sliding groove corresponding to the limiting protrusion is opened on the inner wall of the optical cable box, and a mounting groove is provided at the bottom of the detection seat;

[0017] The water-absorbing expansion block is installed in the installation groove;

[0018] The first fixing clip is installed on the top of the detection seat;

[0019] A connecting plate is provided on the top of the inner wall of the optical cable box, and the second fixing clip is mounted on the connecting plate;

[0020] The detection circuit is fixed by the first fixing clip and the second fixing clip in sequence, then extends into the detection box and is fixedly connected to the FC interface. The detection circuit fixed by the first fixing clip and the second fixing clip is bent at 90 degrees.

[0021] Preferably, the water inlet detection mechanism further includes a driving rod, a push ring, a first connecting rod, a second connecting rod, a sealing tube, a sealing ring and an extrusion ring;

[0022] The sealing tubes are provided in two groups, which are arranged on both sides of the inner wall of the optical cable box and are arranged corresponding to the optical cable holes. The inner wall of the sealing tube is provided with an annular sealing groove;

[0023] The sealing ring is installed in the annular sealing groove;

[0024] An annular extrusion groove is provided on a groove wall on one side of the annular sealing groove away from the optical cable box;

[0025] The extrusion ring is installed in the annular extrusion groove, and the extrusion ring is connected to the push ring through the first connecting rod;

[0026] The push ring is rotatably connected to one end of the driving rod through a second connecting rod;

[0027] The other end of the driving rod is rotatably connected to the detection seat.

[0028] Preferably, the optical cable box includes an upper box body and a lower box body, and semicircular interfaces are provided at both ends of the upper box body and the lower box body. When the upper box body and the lower box body are connected, the two semicircular interfaces constitute the optical cable hole, and the openings of the upper box body and the lower box body are both provided with outwardly extending sealing edges, and a sealing wire groove is provided on the sealing edge, and a sealing rubber strip is installed in the sealing wire groove.

[0029] Preferably, a plurality of bolt connection plates are provided on the sealing edge, and the upper box body and the lower box body are fastened and connected by a plurality of bolts.

[0030] Preferably, a sealing cover is threadedly connected to the detection box, and a sealing rubber ring is installed at the bottom of the inner wall of the sealing cover.

[0031] Preferably, a plurality of reinforcing ribs are provided on the surface of the optical cable box.

[0032] Preferably, the distribution ratio of the optical splitter is 95:5, 95% of the optical power is used for communication and distributed to the main optical fiber link, and 5% of the optical power is distributed to the detection loop.

[0033] (3) Beneficial effects

[0034] The beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0035] 1. By connecting an optical splitter, the optical fiber link in the optical cable can be divided into a main optical fiber link and a detection loop. The main optical fiber link can be used to detect fault points, and the detection loop is used to detect water ingress in the cable box without affecting normal communication.

[0036] 2. The water ingress detection mechanism can further compress the detection loop when water enters the cable box, generating additional microbends. This allows both the main optical fiber link and the detection loop to be inspected using an OTDR (Optical Time Domain Reflectometer), enabling multiplexing of the OTDR (Optical Time Domain Reflectometer), reducing inspection costs. Furthermore, the non-invasive inspection method eliminates the need to open the cable box, making inspection quick and convenient.

[0037] 3. When water enters the optical cable box, the water ingress detection mechanism further compresses the detection circuit and moves the push ring toward the extrusion ring through the driving rod, the first connecting rod and the second connecting rod. The push ring pushes the extrusion ring toward the sealing ring through the first connecting rod, thereby squeezing the sealing ring, increasing the contact pressure of the sealing ring, and improving the sealing performance of the sealing ring. It can perform emergency sealing on the optical cable hole when water enters the optical cable box. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of an optical cable splice box that is easy to detect;

[0039] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the internal structure of an optical cable splice box that is easy to detect;

[0040] Figure 3 It is a structural diagram of the water inlet detection mechanism;

[0041] Figure 4 for Figure 3 Enlarged schematic diagram of part A in the middle.

[0042] Description of Reference Numerals

[0043] 1. Upper box body;

[0044] 2. Lower box body;

[0045] 3. Sealing tube;

[0046] 4. Push ring;

[0047] 5. Driving rod;

[0048] 6. Optical splitter;

[0049] 7. Detection seat;

[0050] 8. First fixing clip;

[0051] 9. Welding tray;

[0052] 10. Second connecting rod;

[0053] 11. Test kit;

[0054] 12. Terminal flange;

[0055] 13. FC interface;

[0056] 14. Cover plate;

[0057] 15. Second fixing clip;

[0058] 16. Detection circuit;

[0059] 17. Main optical fiber link;

[0060] 18. Water absorption expansion block;

[0061] 19. Vertical chute;

[0062] 20. Limiting protrusion;

[0063] 21. Sealing ring;

[0064] 22. Extrusion ring;

[0065] 23. First connecting rod. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0066] In order to better explain the present invention and facilitate understanding, the present invention is described in detail below through specific implementation methods in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0067] Please refer to Figures 1 to 4 , the present invention provides an optical cable splice box that is easy to detect, including an optical cable box, a detection box 11, an optical splitter 6, a water ingress detection mechanism and a fault detection mechanism;

[0068] Optical cable holes are arranged at opposite ends of the optical cable box;

[0069] The detection box 11 is arranged on the top of the optical cable box;

[0070] The optical cable enters the optical cable box through the optical cable hole and is connected to the optical splitter 6, which divides the optical fiber link in the optical cable into a main optical fiber link 17 and a detection loop 16;

[0071] The main optical fiber link 17 is connected to the fault detection mechanism, which includes a fusion splice tray 9 and a terminal flange 12. The main optical fiber link 17 enters the fusion splice tray 9, and the connection end of the main optical fiber link 17 extends into the detection box 11, and the optical cable is connected through the terminal flange 12;

[0072] The detection circuit 16 is connected to the water inlet detection mechanism, which includes a detection seat 7, a water absorption expansion block 18, a first fixing clamp 8, a second fixing clamp 15 and an FC interface 13;

[0073] A limiting protrusion 20 is provided on the side wall of the detection seat 7 close to the inner wall of the cable box, and a vertical sliding groove 19 corresponding to the limiting protrusion 20 is opened on the inner wall of the cable box. A mounting groove is provided at the bottom of the detection seat 7;

[0074] The water absorption expansion block 18 is installed in the installation groove;

[0075] The first fixing clamp 8 is installed on the top of the detection seat 7;

[0076] A connecting plate is provided on the top of the inner wall of the cable box, and the second fixing clip 15 is mounted on the connecting plate;

[0077] The detection circuit 16 is fixed by the first fixing clip 8 and the second fixing clip 15 in sequence, extends into the detection box 11, and is fixedly connected to the FC interface 13. The detection circuit 16 fixed by the first fixing clip 8 and the second fixing clip 15 is bent at 90 degrees.

[0078] When performing fault detection, the cover 14 on the top of the detection box 11 is opened, the terminal flange 12 at the optical cable joint is disconnected, and the terminal flange 12 is connected to the OTDR (Optical Time Domain Reflectometer) to perform an openness test of the light source and optical power meter. The fault detection is then performed directly on the optical cable section, thereby reducing the fault testing time. Any connector position on the optical cable route has the test function, which can greatly reduce the troubleshooting time.

[0079] When performing water ingress detection, if water enters the optical cable box, the water absorption expansion block 18 will expand after absorbing water, and push the detection seat 7 upward. Under the fixation of the first fixing clamp 8, the optical fiber of the detection loop 16 is further compressed, resulting in additional micro-bends. After the detection loop 16 is connected to the OTDR (Optical Time Domain Reflectometer) through the FC interface 13, the optical power attenuation of the detection loop 16 is detected, and the loss mutation of the bending section of the detection loop 16 is monitored, thereby determining that water has entered the optical cable box.

[0080] The optical fiber is bent at a 90-degree angle according to the industry standard bending radius (≥30mm). At this time, the natural bending loss is extremely low (about 0.01-0.1dB), which does not affect communication. However, after the detection seat 7 further compresses the optical fiber of the detection loop 16, an additional microbend (bending radius <10mm) is generated, resulting in significant loss (≥0.5dB). After connecting to the OTDR (Optical Time Domain Reflectometer), it is determined that water has entered the cable box.

[0081] This application can reuse OTDR (Optical Time Domain Reflectometer) equipment, reducing detection costs, and adopts a non-invasive detection method without opening the optical cable box, meeting the detection of optical cable faults and water ingress inside the optical cable box, directly reusing existing optical fiber links, and having a lower cost.

[0082] In this embodiment, the water inlet detection mechanism further includes a driving rod 5, a push ring 4, a first connecting rod 23, a second connecting rod 10, a sealing tube 3, a sealing ring 21 and an extrusion ring 22;

[0083] The sealing tubes 3 are provided with two groups, which are arranged on both sides of the inner wall of the cable box and corresponding to the optical cable holes. The inner wall of the sealing tubes 3 is provided with an annular sealing groove;

[0084] The sealing ring 21 is installed in the annular sealing groove;

[0085] An annular extrusion groove is provided on a groove wall on one side of the annular sealing groove away from the optical cable box;

[0086] The extrusion ring 22 is installed in the annular extrusion groove, and the extrusion ring 22 is connected to the push ring 4 through the first connecting rod 23;

[0087] The push ring 4 is rotatably connected to one end of the driving rod 5 through the second connecting rod 10;

[0088] The other end of the driving rod 5 is rotatably connected to the detection seat 7;

[0089] During maintenance, such as repairing or relocating optical cables, pulling force may be applied to the optical cables. This pulling force may cause the optical cables to move inside the junction box, thereby destroying the integrity of the sealing structure inside the optical cable hole, making it easy for moisture to enter the cable box through the optical cable hole.

[0090] During use, when water enters the optical cable box, the water absorption expansion block 18 expands after absorbing water and pushes the detection seat 7 upward, under the action of the driving rod 5, the push ring 4 is moved toward the extrusion ring 22 through the second connecting rod 10, and the push ring 4 pushes the extrusion ring 22 toward the sealing ring 21 through the first connecting rod 23, thereby squeezing the sealing ring 21. When the sealing ring 21 is squeezed, the contact pressure between it and the mating surface will increase. This increased contact pressure can more effectively fill the small gap between the sealing surfaces and prevent the leakage of fluid or gas, thereby improving the sealing performance. The squeezing causes the sealing ring 21 to elastically deform and form a tighter fit with the sealing surface. This tight fit reduces the number and size of leakage channels and further enhances the sealing effect. After water enters the optical cable box, the inside of the optical cable hole is urgently sealed to prevent moisture from further entering the interior of the optical cable box through the optical cable hole.

[0091] In this embodiment, the optical cable box includes an upper box body 1 and a lower box body 2, and both ends of the upper box body 1 and the lower box body 2 are provided with semicircular interfaces. When the upper box body 1 and the lower box body 2 are connected, the two semicircular interfaces constitute the optical cable hole. The openings of the upper box body 1 and the lower box body 2 are both provided with outwardly extending sealing edges, and a sealing wire groove is provided on the sealing edge. A sealing rubber strip is installed in the sealing wire groove. A plurality of bolt connecting plates are provided on the sealing edge, and the upper box body 1 and the lower box body 2 are connected by a plurality of bolts.

[0092] The upper box body 1 and the lower box body 2 are connected by a sealing rubber strip and then fixed by bolts to ensure the sealing of the optical cable box.

[0093] In this embodiment, a sealing cover is threadedly connected to the detection box 11, and a sealing rubber ring is installed at the bottom of the inner wall of the sealing cover to ensure the sealing performance of the sealing cover.

[0094] In this embodiment, a plurality of reinforcing ribs are provided on the surface of the optical cable box, thereby improving the strength of the optical cable box.

[0095] In this embodiment, the distribution ratio of the optical splitter 6 is 95:5, 95% of the optical power is used for communication and is distributed to the main optical fiber link 17, and 5% of the optical power is distributed to the detection loop 16;

[0096] A small amount of optical power in the main optical fiber is distributed to the detection loop 16, and the remaining optical power continues to transmit the main signal, thereby meeting the detection requirements without affecting normal communication.

[0097] The working principle of the present invention is as follows:

[0098] When performing fault detection, the cover 14 on the top of the detection box 11 is opened, the terminal flange 12 at the optical cable joint is disconnected, and the terminal flange 12 is connected to the OTDR (Optical Time Domain Reflectometer) to perform an openness test of the light source and optical power meter. The fault detection is then performed directly on the optical cable section, thereby reducing the fault testing time. Any connector position on the optical cable route has the test function, which can greatly reduce the troubleshooting time.

[0099] When performing water ingress detection, if water enters the optical cable box, the water absorption expansion block 18 will expand after absorbing water, and push the detection seat 7 upward. Under the fixation of the first fixing clamp 8, the optical fiber of the detection loop 16 is further compressed, resulting in additional micro-bends. After the detection loop 16 is connected to the OTDR (Optical Time Domain Reflectometer) through the FC interface 13, the optical power attenuation of the detection loop 16 is detected, and the loss mutation of the bending section of the detection loop 16 is monitored, thereby determining that water has entered the optical cable box.

[0100] The above are merely embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the patent scope of the present invention. Any equivalent transformations made using the contents of the present invention's description and drawings, or directly or indirectly applied in related technical fields, are also included in the patent protection scope of the present invention.

[0101] In addition, it should be understood that although this specification is described in terms of implementation methods, not every implementation method contains only one independent technical solution. This narrative method of the specification is only for the sake of clarity. Those skilled in the art should regard the specification as a whole. The technical solutions in each embodiment can also be appropriately combined to form other implementation methods that can be understood by those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. An optical cable splice box that is easy to detect, characterized in that: Including optical cable box, detection box, optical splitter, water ingress detection mechanism and fault detection mechanism; Optical cable holes are arranged at opposite ends of the optical cable box; The detection box is arranged on the top of the optical cable box; The optical cable enters the optical cable box through the optical cable hole and is connected to the optical splitter, which divides the optical fiber link in the optical cable into a main optical fiber link and a detection loop; The main optical fiber link is connected to the fault detection mechanism, which includes a fusion splice tray and a terminal flange. The main optical fiber link enters the fusion splice tray, and the connection end of the main optical fiber link extends into the detection box and is connected to the optical cable through the terminal flange; The detection circuit is connected to the water inlet detection mechanism, which includes a detection seat, a water absorption expansion block, a first fixing clamp, a second fixing clamp and an FC interface; A limiting protrusion is provided on the side wall of the detection seat close to the inner wall of the optical cable box, a vertical sliding groove corresponding to the limiting protrusion is opened on the inner wall of the optical cable box, and a mounting groove is provided at the bottom of the detection seat; The water-absorbing expansion block is installed in the installation groove; The first fixing clip is installed on the top of the detection seat; A connecting plate is provided on the top of the inner wall of the optical cable box, and the second fixing clip is mounted on the connecting plate; The detection circuit is fixed by the first fixing clip and the second fixing clip in sequence, then extends into the detection box and is fixedly connected to the FC interface. The detection circuit fixed by the first fixing clip and the second fixing clip is bent at 90 degrees.

2. The optical cable splice box according to claim 1, wherein: The water inlet detection mechanism also includes a driving rod, a push ring, a first connecting rod, a second connecting rod, a sealing tube, a sealing ring and an extrusion ring; The sealing tubes are provided in two groups, which are arranged on both sides of the inner wall of the optical cable box and are arranged corresponding to the optical cable holes. The inner wall of the sealing tube is provided with an annular sealing groove; The sealing ring is installed in the annular sealing groove; An annular extrusion groove is provided on the groove wall of the annular sealing groove away from the optical cable box; The extrusion ring is installed in the annular extrusion groove, and the extrusion ring is connected to the push ring through the first connecting rod; The push ring is rotatably connected to one end of the driving rod through a second connecting rod; The other end of the driving rod is rotatably connected to the detection seat.

3. The optical cable splice box according to claim 1, wherein: The optical cable box includes an upper box body and a lower box body. Semicircular interfaces are provided at both ends of the upper box body and the lower box body. When the upper box body and the lower box body are connected, the two semicircular interfaces form the optical cable hole. The openings of the upper box body and the lower box body are both provided with outwardly extending sealing edges, and a sealing wire groove is provided on the sealing edge. A sealing rubber strip is installed in the sealing wire groove.

4. The optical cable splice box according to claim 3, wherein: A plurality of bolt connection plates are provided on the sealing edge, and the upper box body and the lower box body are fastened and connected by a plurality of bolts.

5. The optical cable splice box that is easy to detect according to claim 1, characterized in that: The detection box is threadedly connected with a sealing cover, and a sealing rubber ring is installed at the bottom of the inner wall of the sealing cover.

6. The optical cable splice box that is easy to detect according to claim 1, characterized in that: A plurality of reinforcing ribs are arranged on the surface of the optical cable box.

7. The optical cable splice box that is easy to detect according to claim 1, characterized in that: The distribution ratio of the optical splitter is 95:5, 95% of the optical power is used for communication and is distributed to the main optical fiber link, and 5% of the optical power is distributed to the detection loop.

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