A flexible brancher and a flexible optical cable

Abstract

The utility model discloses a kind of flexible brancher and flexible optical cable, it includes brancher main body, and internal space, internal space can accommodate multicore optical fiber, the brancher main body further includes deformation part, deformation part can occur elastic deformation or plastic bending deformation according to need.The utility model has the deformation part that can bend deformation on the flexible brancher, deformation part makes brancher occur elastic or plastic bending deformation, so as to allow brancher to have certain flexibility.Again, since optical cable also has flexibility, so the optical cable installed with the flexible brancher of the utility model, still can keep good bending deformation performance, when arranging the optical cable with the flexible brancher of the utility model in narrow complex environment, the bending state of deformation area of brancher can be adjusted at any time according to the use requirement of environment, reduce the difficulty of optical cable wiring, avoid the trouble caused in wiring process by hard brancher.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of optical fiber technology, and in particular to a flexible splitter and a flexible optical cable. Background Technology

[0002] Optical fiber communication uses light as the information carrier and optical fiber as the data transmission medium. It boasts advantages such as large communication capacity, low loss, long transmission distance, and strong resistance to electromagnetic interference. Currently, with the rapid development of optical fiber communication technology, optical communication products are being used more and more widely across various industries. The usage environments are also becoming more complex and diverse. With the rapid expansion of AI and 5G technologies, the market demand for high-density transmission via optical fiber communication is also increasing.

[0003] As a transitional device from trunk optical cable to branch optical cable, the fiber optic splitter can split a multi-core bundled optical cable into a single-core branch optical cable, thereby realizing the split transmission of optical signals.

[0004] In data center server rooms, traditional splitters typically consist of a rigid housing or support structure. This rigid structure provides good support for the internal optical fibers, preventing damage from external forces. However, this rigid part cannot deform. When laying high-density optical cables in confined and complex environments, the rigid part of a traditional splitter can be difficult to arrange properly, leading to cabling difficulties. Utility Model Content

[0005] This invention provides a flexible splitter and a flexible optical cable to solve the problem that traditional rigid splitters are inconvenient for wiring in narrow and complex environments.

[0006] In a first aspect, this utility model provides a flexible splitter, including a splitter body and an internal space, the internal space being able to accommodate multi-core optical fibers. The splitter body also includes a deformable part, which can undergo elastic deformation or plastic bending deformation as needed, and the length of the deformable part is less than the length of the splitter body.

[0007] Furthermore, the flexible splitter includes an inlet end and a branch end, which are located on both sides of the splitter body. The inlet end includes a main cable hole through which the multi-core optical fiber enters the internal space. The branch end includes several branch holes through which each bare optical fiber in the multi-core optical fiber extends out from the branch hole.

[0008] Furthermore, the deformable portion has a deformation notch that extends through the wall thickness direction of the deformable portion.

[0009] Furthermore, the cross-section of the deformable portion on any plane perpendicular to its central axis is circular, and the deformable notch extends along a spiral line, the axis of which is collinear with the central axis.

[0010] Furthermore, it also includes heat shrink tubing and heat fusion tubing. The heat fusion tubing is sleeved around the outer periphery of the deformation notch, and the heat shrink tubing is sleeved around the outer periphery of the heat fusion tubing, covering the outside of the brancher body, the inlet end, and the branch end. After being heated, the heat shrink tubing can hug and fix the brancher body, the inlet end, and the branch end.

[0011] Furthermore, the deformable portion is made of elastic metal.

[0012] Furthermore, the cross-section of the deformable portion on any plane perpendicular to its central axis is circular or square, and the deformation notch includes a plurality of first deformation notches and a plurality of second deformation notches. The first deformation notches and the second deformation notches are arranged in a straight line on the deformable portion, and the first deformation notches and the second deformation notches are arranged symmetrically along the central axis.

[0013] Furthermore, the brancher body includes an upper cover and a base, the upper cover and the base being detachably fixed; the upper cover includes a first main cable groove and a plurality of first branch grooves, the base includes a second main cable groove and a plurality of second branch grooves, after the upper cover and the base are fixedly connected, the first main cable groove and the second main cable groove together form the main cable hole, and the first branch groove and the second branch groove together form the branch hole.

[0014] Secondly, this utility model provides a flexible optical cable, including a multi-core optical fiber and a flexible splitter. The multi-core optical fiber includes several bare optical fibers. The flexible splitter includes a splitter body, a flexible filling part, and a heat-shrinkable part. The splitter body includes a main cable hole, several branch holes, and a deformable part. The deformable part can undergo elastic deformation or plastic bending deformation as needed. The length of the deformable part is less than the length of the splitter body. The multi-core optical fiber enters the flexible splitter through the main cable hole, and the bare optical fiber exits through the branch holes. The heat-shrinkable part wraps around the outside of the splitter body, and the flexible filling part fills the inside of the splitter body.

[0015] Thirdly, this utility model provides a flexible optical cable, including a multi-core optical fiber and a flexible splitter. The multi-core optical fiber includes several bare optical fibers. The flexible splitter includes a splitter body, which includes a main cable hole, several branch holes, and a deformation part. The deformation part can undergo elastic deformation or plastic bending deformation as needed. The length of the deformation part is less than the length of the splitter body. The multi-core optical fiber enters the flexible splitter through the main cable hole, and the bare optical fiber exits through the branch holes. The multi-core optical fiber is fixed to the main cable hole, and the bare optical fiber is fixed to the branch holes.

[0016] Beneficial effects

[0017] The flexible branch of this invention has a deformable part that can be bent and deformed. The deformable part allows the branch to undergo elastic or plastic bending deformation. Such a branch provides good support for the optical fiber installed in its internal space, and also has a certain degree of flexibility, so that the branch can change its external shape according to environmental requirements.

[0018] Furthermore, since optical cables also possess flexibility, optical cables equipped with the flexible brancher of this invention can still maintain good bending and deformation performance. When laying optical cables with the flexible brancher of this invention in confined and complex environments, the bending state of the deformation zone of the brancher can be adjusted at any time according to the usage requirements of the environment, reducing the difficulty of optical cable laying and avoiding the troubles caused by rigid branchers during the laying process. Attached Figure Description

[0019] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments of this utility model will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a specific embodiment of the flexible brancher of this utility model;

[0021] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of another specific embodiment of the flexible brancher of this utility model;

[0022] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a specific embodiment of the flexible optical cable of this utility model;

[0023] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the bending of the flexible optical cable of this utility model;

[0024] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of another specific embodiment of the flexible brancher of this utility model;

[0025] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of another specific embodiment of the flexible optical cable of this utility model;

[0026] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of another specific embodiment of the flexible brancher of this utility model;

[0027] Figure 8 yes Figure 7Schematic diagram of unlocking the flexible branch unit;

[0028] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of another specific embodiment of the flexible brancher of this utility model;

[0029] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of another specific embodiment of the flexible brancher of this utility model.

[0030] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0031] 10. Flexible splitter; 11. Splitter body; 111. Deformation part; 1111. Deformation notch; 1112. First deformation notch; 1113. Second deformation notch; 112. Top cover; 1121. Snap-fit ​​part; 1122. First main cable groove; 1123. First branch groove; 1124. Through hole; 113. Base; 1132. Second main cable groove; 1133. Second branch groove; 1134. Connection hole; 1131. Protrusion; 114. Connection part; 12. Internal space; 13. Inlet end; 131. Main cable hole; 14. Branch end; 141. Branch hole; 15. Heat shrink tubing; 16. Heat fusion tubing; 17. Flexible filling part; 18. Heat shrink part; 20. Multi-core optical fiber; 21. Bare optical fiber; 100. Flexible optical cable. Detailed Implementation

[0032] To make the technical problems solved, technical solutions, and beneficial effects of this utility model clearer, the present utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the present utility model and are not intended to limit the present utility model.

[0033] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the use of "first" and "second" in different embodiments is used to distinguish the same component in different embodiments, and does not necessarily mean that there are other identical components in that embodiment.

[0034] The following describes the various flexible optical cables and flexible splitters of this utility model.

[0035] Example

[0036] This utility model provides a flexible brancher 10, such as Figure 1 As shown, Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a specific embodiment of the flexible splitter of this utility model. It includes a splitter body 11 and an internal space 12, which can accommodate multi-core optical fibers. The splitter body 11 also includes a deformable part 111, which can undergo elastic deformation or plastic bending deformation as needed.

[0037] The length of the deformable part can be the entire length of the branch body or a portion of the branch body. The length of the deformable part can be defined by the designer according to the actual situation. In this embodiment, the length of the deformable part accounts for about 4 / 5 of the length of the branch body, and the deformable part is located in the middle part of the branch body.

[0038] The flexible branch of this invention has a deformable part that can be bent and deformed. The deformable part allows the branch to undergo elastic or plastic bending deformation. Such a branch provides good support for the optical fiber installed in its internal space, and also has a certain degree of flexibility, so that the branch can change its external shape according to environmental requirements.

[0039] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of another specific embodiment of the flexible brancher of this utility model, as shown below. Figure 2 As shown, the flexible splitter 10 also includes an inlet end 13 and a branch end 14. The inlet end 13 and the branch end 14 are located on both sides of the splitter body. The inlet end 13 includes a main cable hole 131, through which the multi-core optical fiber enters the internal space 12. The branch end 14 includes several branch holes 141, through which each bare optical fiber in the multi-core optical fiber extends from a branch hole 141.

[0040] The design of the input and branch ends ensures that each bare fiber in a multi-core fiber will not be knotted together in the splitter, allowing each bare fiber to bend freely. This increases the bending deformation capability of the flexible splitter and avoids excessive bending of the bare fiber during the bending process, which could lead to light leakage.

[0041] Excessive bending of bare optical fiber refers to a bending radius smaller than the minimum bending radius of such fibers. The minimum bending radius of an optical fiber is the smallest radius that the fiber can bend under normal optical signal transmission conditions. In practice, it is the minimum radius of curvature that the fiber can withstand without causing excessive signal loss, modal dispersion, or any other performance degradation. This parameter is usually measured as the shortest distance from the fiber's central axis to the bend, typically in millimeters (mm). The greater the bend, the smaller the radius. The smaller the radius, the more flexible the fiber. Different fibers have different minimum bending radii. Typically, during the design process, depending on the specific fiber used, the bending radius r of the splitter is ≥ 5 mm.

[0042] The deformable part 111 has a deformation notch 1111, which extends through the wall thickness of the deformable part 111. The brancher body is usually a whole with supporting capacity. In order to make it bend and deform, a deformation notch that allows it to bend and deform needs to be provided on the brancher body.

[0043] The deformable portion 111 has a circular cross-section on any plane perpendicular to its central axis, and the deformation notch extends along a spiral line, the axis of which is collinear with the central axis. In this embodiment, the deformable portion is cylindrical with a circular cross-section, and the diameter of this circle is always equal. Such a deformable portion is similar to a spring structure, which not only provides a good support structure to prevent the internal optical fiber from being damaged by the outside, but also facilitates the bending of the branch unit body to increase the portability of the branch unit wiring.

[0044] In other embodiments, the deformable portion may also have other cross-sections that are circular and whose diameter varies, such as a drum shape.

[0045] By installing the multi-core optical fiber 20 into the flexible splitter 10 in this embodiment, a flexible optical cable can be manufactured. Figure 3 This is a structural schematic diagram of a specific embodiment of the flexible optical cable of this utility model. Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the bending of the flexible optical cable of this utility model. (As shown...) Figures 3-4 As shown, the flexible optical cable 100 includes a multi-core optical fiber 20 and a flexible splitter 10. The multi-core optical fiber 20 includes several bare optical fibers 21. Since both the multi-core optical cable and the flexible splitter have a certain degree of flexibility, the resulting flexible optical cable can be bent.

[0046] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of another specific embodiment of the flexible brancher of this utility model, as shown below. Figure 5 As shown, the flexible brancher 10 also includes a heat shrink tube 15 and a heat fusion tube 16. The heat fusion tube 16 is sleeved around the outer periphery of the deformation notch 111, and the heat shrink tube 15 is sleeved around the outer periphery of the heat fusion tube 16, covering the outer side of the brancher body 11, the inlet end 13 and the branch end 14. After being heated, the heat shrink tube 15 can hug and fix the brancher body 11, the inlet end 13 and the branch end 14.

[0047] In this embodiment, when the flexible splitter is heated, the heat-fused tube melts while the heat-shrinkable tube shrinks, pressing the melted heat-fused tube evenly into the internal space of the flexible splitter through the deformation notch, thereby completing the fabrication of another type of flexible optical cable according to this invention.

[0048] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of another specific embodiment of the flexible optical cable of this utility model, as shown below. Figure 6 As shown, the flexible optical cable 100 in this embodiment includes a multi-core optical fiber 20 and a flexible splitter 10. The multi-core optical fiber includes several bare optical fibers 21. The flexible splitter 10 includes a splitter 11, a flexible filling part 17, and a heat-shrinkable part 18. The splitter body includes a main cable hole and several branch holes. The multi-core optical fiber 20 enters the flexible splitter 10 through the main cable hole, and the bare optical fibers 21 exit through the branch holes. The heat-shrinkable part 18 wraps around the outside of the splitter body 11, and the flexible filling part 17 fills the inside of the splitter body 11.

[0049] The flexible filler 17 is formed by melting the heat-fused tubing 16 and allowing it to flow into the internal space 12, followed by cooling; the heat-shrinkable part 18 is formed by shrinking the heat-shrinkable tubing 15. The flexible filler fills the remaining gaps in the internal space 12, providing better fixation and protection for the bare optical fibers in the flexible splitter. Using heat-shrinkable tubing and heat-fused tubing to fix and protect the flexible splitter increases its support and fixation; furthermore, this fixing method is much simpler and more convenient than manually applying adhesive to each branch hole, greatly simplifying operation and improving production efficiency.

[0050] In another specific embodiment, the deformable portion is made of elastic metal. Compared to plastic materials, the deformable portion made of metal can provide better support performance and durability.

[0051] Figure 7 This is a structural schematic diagram of another specific embodiment of the flexible brancher of this utility model. Figure 8 yes Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the unlocking of the flexible branch unit is shown below. Figures 7-8 As shown, the cross-section of the deformable part on any plane perpendicular to its central axis is square. The deformation notch includes three first deformation notches 1112 and three second deformation notches 1113. The first deformation notches 1112 and the second deformation notches 1113 are arranged in a straight line on the deformable part 111, and the first deformation notches 1112 and the second deformation notches 1113 are arranged symmetrically along the central axis.

[0052] The main body of the brancher includes an upper cover 112 and a base 113. The upper cover 112 and the base 113 are detachable and fixed. The upper cover 112 and the base 113 are integrally injection molded. In this embodiment, the main body of the brancher is made of plastic. The upper cover 112 and the base 113 are connected by a connecting part 114. The connecting part 114 itself is a foldable structure. The upper cover 112 has a snap-fit ​​part 1121, and the base 113 has a protrusion 1131. The snap-fit ​​part 1121 and the protrusion 1131 can be snapped together and fixed.

[0053] The top cover 112 includes a first main cable groove 1122 and a first branch groove 1123, and the base 113 includes a second main cable groove 1132 and a plurality of second branch grooves 1133. After the top cover 112 and the base 113 are fixedly connected, the first main cable groove 1122 and the second main cable groove 1132 together form a main cable hole 131, and the first branch groove 1123 and the second branch groove 1133 together form a branch hole 141.

[0054] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of another specific embodiment of the flexible brancher of this utility model, as shown below. Figure 9As shown, the cross-section of the deformable part on any plane perpendicular to its central axis is square. The deformation notch includes three first deformation notches 1112 and three second deformation notches 1113. The first deformation notches 1112 and the second deformation notches 1113 are arranged in a straight line on the deformable part 111, and the first deformation notches 1112 and the second deformation notches 1113 are arranged symmetrically along the central axis.

[0055] The branch unit body includes an upper cover 112 and a base 113, which are detachably fixed. The upper cover 112 and base 113 are separately formed. Through holes 1124 are provided around the upper cover 112, and corresponding connecting holes 1134 are provided around the base 113. In this embodiment, the connecting holes are threaded holes, and the upper cover 112 and base 113 are fixedly connected by screws. In other embodiments, the upper cover and base can be connected by a heat-fused column.

[0056] The top cover 112 includes a first main cable groove 1122 and a first branch groove 1123, and the base 113 includes a second main cable groove 1132 and a plurality of second branch grooves 1133. After the top cover 112 and the base 113 are fixedly connected, the first main cable groove 1122 and the second main cable groove 1132 together form a main cable hole 131, and the first branch groove 1123 and the second branch groove 1133 together form a branch hole 141.

[0057] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of another specific embodiment of the flexible brancher of this utility model, as shown below. Figure 10 As shown, the flexible splitter 10 also includes a splitter body 11, an inlet end 13, and a branch end 14. The inlet end 13 and the branch end 14 are located on both sides of the splitter body. The inlet end 13 includes a main cable hole 131. The cross-section of the deformable part 111 on any plane perpendicular to its central axis is square. The deformable notch includes three first deformable notches 1112 and three second deformable notches 1113. The first deformable notches 1112 and the second deformable notches 1113 are arranged in a straight line on the deformable part 111. The first deformable notches 1112 and the second deformable notches 1113 are arranged symmetrically along the central axis.

[0058] The above-described embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this utility model, and are not intended to limit it. Although this utility model has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model, and should all be included within the protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. A flexible splitter, comprising a splitter body and an internal space, the internal space being capable of accommodating multi-core optical fibers, characterized in that, The brancher body also includes a deformable part, which can undergo elastic deformation or plastic bending deformation as needed, and the length of the deformable part is less than the length of the brancher body.

2. The flexible brancher according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes an inlet end and a branch end, which are located on both sides of the splitter body. The inlet end includes a main cable hole through which the multi-core optical fiber enters the internal space. The branch end includes several branch holes through which each bare optical fiber in the multi-core optical fiber extends out from the branch hole.

3. The flexible brancher according to claim 2, characterized in that, The deformable part has a deformation notch that extends through the wall thickness direction of the deformable part.

4. The flexible brancher according to claim 3, characterized in that, The cross-section of the deformable part on any plane perpendicular to its central axis is circular, and the deformable notch extends along a spiral line, the axis of which is collinear with the central axis.

5. The flexible brancher according to claim 4, characterized in that, It also includes heat shrink tubing and heat fusion tubing. The heat fusion tubing is sleeved around the outer periphery of the deformation notch, and the heat shrink tubing is sleeved around the outer periphery of the heat fusion tubing, covering the outside of the brancher body, the inlet end and the branch end. After being heated, the heat shrink tubing can hug and fix the brancher body, the inlet end and the branch end.

6. The flexible brancher according to claim 4, characterized in that, The deformable part is made of elastic metal.

7. The flexible brancher according to claim 3, characterized in that, The cross-section of the deformable part on any plane perpendicular to its central axis is circular or square. The deformation notch includes a plurality of first deformation notches and a plurality of second deformation notches. The first deformation notches and the second deformation notches are arranged in a straight line on the deformable part and are symmetrically arranged along the central axis.

8. The flexible brancher according to claim 7, characterized in that, The brancher body includes an upper cover and a base, the upper cover and the base being detachably fixed; the upper cover includes a first main cable groove and a plurality of first branch grooves, the base includes a second main cable groove and a plurality of second branch grooves, after the upper cover and the base are fixedly connected, the first main cable groove and the second main cable groove together form the main cable hole, and the first branch groove and the second branch groove together form the branch hole.

9. A flexible optical cable, characterized in that, The device includes a multi-core optical fiber and a flexible branch. The multi-core optical fiber includes several bare optical fibers. The flexible branch includes a branch body, a flexible filling part, and a heat-shrinkable part. The branch body includes a main cable hole, several branch holes, and a deformable part. The deformable part can undergo elastic deformation or plastic bending deformation as needed. The length of the deformable part is less than the length of the branch body. The multi-core optical fiber enters the flexible branch through the main cable hole, and the bare optical fiber exits through the branch holes. The heat-shrinkable part wraps around the outside of the branch body, and the flexible filling part fills the inside of the branch body.

10. A flexible optical cable, characterized in that, The device includes a multi-core optical fiber and a flexible splitter. The multi-core optical fiber includes several bare optical fibers. The flexible splitter includes a splitter body, a main cable hole, several branch holes, and a deformation section. The deformation section can undergo elastic deformation or plastic bending deformation as needed. The length of the deformation section is less than the length of the splitter body. The multi-core optical fiber enters the flexible splitter through the main cable hole, and the bare optical fibers exit through the branch holes. The multi-core optical fiber is fixed to the main cable hole, and the bare optical fibers are fixed to the branch holes.

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