Cable duct with at least two retaining elements for holding a connecting element for an optical fiber in the cable duct

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a cable duct comprising the holding element and an arrangement of at least two such cable ducts.

[0002] Container structures, also known as container buildings, are structures that comprise one or more containers or modules. These containers are typically cuboid-shaped, prefabricated, and have standardized external dimensions. The containers can be arranged next to and / or on top of each other to form the building. Individual or all of the containers can have special functions and features, such as interior fittings with sanitary facilities, electronic data processing systems, or equipment for recreation or office spaces, which then form rooms or at least parts of the rooms of the building. Container buildings are generally only erected for temporary use, such as temporary use as an office building, and are dismantled again after their use has ended. The containers and their interior fittings should be reused as far as possible.

[0003] Each time these container structures are assembled and disassembled, it is necessary to assemble and disassemble any fixtures or interior fittings required for use. In particular, the assembly and disassembly of communication cabling, for example for internal or external telecommunications or data connections, is associated with considerable effort. In order to connect the individual rooms to the communication cabling, essentially continuous cabling of the containers is necessary. Cable ducts are usually laid for the cabling. Document EP 2 523 281 B1 discloses cable ducts that can be easily installed, particularly in container structures. Furthermore, document US 2014 / 341523 A1 discloses cable termination units, which can be used to hold connecting elements for optical fibers at the ends of cable duct systems.

[0004] Furthermore, adaptation to specific spatial requirements is desirable, for example, to provide functions via the communication cabling only in those rooms where they are needed. This requires not only the cabling but also the cable ducts. This individual adaptation generates considerable additional effort.

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide a device for laying communication cables as quickly and as required as possible, in particular in container buildings.

[0006] This problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous further developments are specified in the dependent claims.

[0007] A cable duct comprising at least two holding elements, wherein the holding elements each comprise: a fastening region for fastening the holding element to a fixing rail of the cable duct and a receiving region with at least one receiving recess for receiving the connecting element for the optical fiber. The receiving recess comprises an opening to one end of the receiving region. The fastening region comprises at least one hole for fastening the holding element to the fixing rail and is arranged in a first plane. The receiving region is arranged in a second plane, and the first plane and the second plane intersect. Furthermore, a first end of the receiving region and a first end of the fastening region are connected.

[0008] The connecting element can be a connector as part of a plug-in connection, in particular an LC connector for fiber optic cables. The retaining element can be attached to the fixing rail, in particular with a screw connection through the hole in the fastening area. Thus, with the help of the retaining element, the connecting element with fiber optic cables can be easily installed in the cable duct and the connecting element can be securely held in the cable duct when the cable duct is installed in a container of a container building.

[0009] Preferably, the receiving area protrudes beyond the fastening area at the connection between the receiving area and the fastening area in only one direction. This enables a particularly simple design and manufacture of the holding element.

[0010] It is particularly preferred if the first and second planes are orthogonal to each other. This allows for a particularly simple design of the retaining element.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the receiving recess, in particular the opening of the receiving recess, is arranged at a second end of the receiving region opposite the first end of the receiving region. Thus, the opening points away from the fastening region. This allows for particularly easy insertion of the connecting element into the receiving recess.

[0012] It is advantageous if the fastening area includes a second hole for fastening the holding element to the fixing rail. The holes are arranged, in particular, along a straight line that intersects the plane of the receiving area. This enables a particularly secure, particularly anti-twist, fastening of the holding element to the fixing rail.

[0013] It is particularly advantageous if the opening of the receiving recess includes lugs that each protrude into the opening. It is particularly advantageous if the opening includes lugs on both sides. This narrows the receiving recess at its opening and holds the connecting element particularly securely in the receiving recess.

[0014] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the receiving area comprises at least two holes for connecting the connecting element to the receiving area, and one of the holes is arranged on each side next to the receiving recess. This allows the connecting element to be mechanically locked to the receiving area using screw connections. This holds the connecting element particularly securely in the receiving recess.

[0015] It is particularly advantageous if the fastening area comprises at least one securing area arranged such that at least one optical fiber protruding from the connecting element can be fixed to the securing area when the connecting element is received in the receiving recess. This limits the range of movement of the protruding optical fiber and thus stabilizes the connecting element in the receiving recess.

[0016] It is advantageous if a securing element contacts the securing area and the optical fiber on at least one side and presses the optical fiber against the securing area. The securing element can be a cable tie, for example. This enables particularly secure attachment of the optical fiber to the securing area.

[0017] It is particularly advantageous if the receiving recess is designed such that the connecting element has a clearance fit in the receiving recess. The clearance fit is particularly present between the sides and the lugs of the receiving recess and the connecting element when it is arranged in the receiving recess. This allows for easy insertion of the connecting element into the receiving recess while simultaneously ensuring a secure hold in the receiving recess.

[0018] It is advantageous if the retaining element is made of metal or plastic. This allows for flexible manufacturing of the retaining element.

[0019] It is particularly advantageous if the retaining element includes at least two receiving recesses. This ensures that the cable duct with the retaining element can be used particularly efficiently for laying fiber optic cables.

[0020] It is advantageous if the fixing rail extends through the cable duct from one end of the cable duct to the other end. In particular, the fixing rail extends along a longitudinal axis of the cable duct. This allows for flexible positioning of the retaining element along the fixing rail of the cable duct. The fixing rail is arranged on the rear side of the cable duct and / or within the cable duct, in particular, it is formed integrally within the cable duct.

[0021] It is particularly advantageous if at least one screw fastens the retaining element to the fixing rail, and the screw engages through the first hole of the fastening area into a thread of a threaded element, wherein the threaded element is arranged in the fixing rail in a non-rotatable, i.e., rotationally fixed manner. This enables particularly simple and secure attachment of the retaining element to the fixing rail. Furthermore, it is advantageous if the threaded element is arranged displaceably in the fixing rail. This enables particularly flexible positioning of the retaining element.

[0022] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the cable duct includes a network device for connecting network-capable devices to the fiber optic cables. In particular, the network device enables the easy connection of network-capable devices to a network via the fiber optic cables. For example, the network device is a switch. The network can be an internal data network of the container building or an external data network, such as the Internet.

[0023] It is advantageous if at least two of the optical fibers between the connecting elements comprise a detachable connector, in particular for connecting a network device between them. The two optical fibers are, in particular, two of the optical fibers connected to the same connecting elements. The network device can, in particular, be the switch. This allows for particularly flexible adaptation of the cable duct.

[0024] It is advantageous if the cable duct includes at least one socket that can be connected to an external power grid using a power cable and a plug connection. The external power grid can, for example, be the power grid of the container building. This allows for flexible equipment in the containers, allowing for easy use of electrical devices in the container.

[0025] It is particularly advantageous if the cable duct includes a voltage converter connected to the power cable to supply electrical components within the cable duct. In particular, the network device can be supplied with power this way. This enables particularly simple installation of the cable duct and the devices arranged within it.

[0026] It is particularly advantageous if the cable duct comprises four optical fibers. In particular, each connecting element is connected to two optical fibers. This ensures that the cable duct with the retaining element can be used particularly efficiently for laying optical fibers.

[0027] A third aspect relates to an arrangement of cable ducts for equipping container buildings, comprising: at least two of the cable ducts according to the second aspect. The opposing connecting elements at each of the open ends of the cable ducts are interconnected by means of at least two optical fibers. The combination of several cable ducts, each with individualized equipment, enables modular and flexible equipment of containers of container buildings. The interconnection of the cable ducts enables the rapid installation of the cable ducts and the creation of a communications network in the container building.

[0028] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the connecting elements of one of the cable ducts are connected to one another by means of at least two optical fibers at the open end where the connecting elements are not connected to the connecting elements of the other cable duct. This is particularly true if each end of the cable duct comprises two connecting elements and each cable duct comprises four optical fibers. At the other open end, where the connecting elements are not connected to the connecting elements of another cable duct, the optical fibers can be connected to an external network, for example, via a network router. This makes it possible to create a ring-shaped network topology.

[0029] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the claims and the following description of preferred embodiments, which are described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0030] In the following, embodiments are explained in more detail using the figures.

[0031] They show: Fig. 1 a top view of a holding element for holding connecting elements of optical fibers, Fig. 2 a side view of the holding element according to Figure 1 , Fig. 3 a perspective view of the holding element in a cable duct, Fig. 4 a perspective view of the holding element in the cable duct with two connecting elements for optical fibers, Fig. 5 a schematic representation of the cable duct with two of the holding elements, Fig. 6 a schematic representation of a cable duct according to a second embodiment with a power supply, Fig. 7 a schematic representation of a cable duct according to a third embodiment with a power supply and a network device, and Fig. 8 a schematic representation of an arrangement with two interconnected cable ducts.

[0032] Figure 1shows a plan view of a holding element 100 for holding connecting elements of optical fibers. The holding element 100 comprises a fastening region 102 in a first plane. The first plane extends in Figure 1 in the plane of the page. The fastening region 102 comprises two holes 104 for fastening the holding element. Alternatively, at least one hole 104 can be provided. Furthermore, the fastening region 102 comprises two securing regions 106, which in connection with Figure 4 will be explained in more detail. In other embodiments, the retaining element 100 may not include any of the securing regions 106.

[0033] Figure 2shows a front view of the holding element 100. The holding element 100 further comprises a receiving region 200. The receiving region 200 is arranged in a second plane, wherein the second plane is orthogonal to the first plane of the fastening region 102. Along the straight line at which the first plane intersects the second plane, a first end of the fastening region 102 is connected to a first end of the receiving region 200. At the connection of the regions 102, 200, the receiving region 200 protrudes beyond the fastening region 102 in only one direction. This means that the receiving region 200 is arranged essentially only on one side of the first plane. Likewise, the fastening region 102 is arranged essentially only on one side of the second plane.

[0034] The receiving area 200 further comprises two receiving recesses 202. The receiving recesses 202 can each accommodate a connecting element for an optical fiber. The receiving recesses 202 are open at one end, in particular a second end, of the receiving area 200, wherein the second end is opposite the first end of the receiving area 200. The openings 204 of the receiving recesses 202 thus point away from the fastening area 102. The openings 204 of the receiving recesses 202 each comprise lugs 206, each of which protrudes from one side into the opening 204 and narrows the opening 204. Furthermore, the receiving area 200 comprises holes 208, each of which is arranged on one side next to the receiving recesses 202. In other embodiments, the holding element 100 can also comprise only one receiving recess 202 or more than two, in particular four, receiving recesses 202.

[0035] Figure 3shows a perspective view of the holding element 100 in a cable duct 300. In particular, the holding element 100 is arranged at an open end of the cable duct 300. At a second open end of the cable duct 300, one of the holding elements 100 is also provided and is a mirror image of the one shown in Figure 3shown holding element 100 is arranged in the second end of the cable duct 300. The explanations therefore apply to both holding elements 100. The holding element 100 is fastened to a fixing rail 302 of the cable duct 300 by means of the holes 104 of the fastening region 102. The fixing rail 302 is designed in particular as a so-called C-rail and is integrally formed on the inner rear side of the cable duct 300. Thus, the holding element 100 can be fastened to the fixing rail 302 of the cable duct 300, for example by screws engaging through the holes 104 into the threads of a threaded element 304, wherein the threaded element 304 is arranged non-rotatably and preferably displaceably in the fixing rail 302.

[0036] Figure 4shows a perspective view of the holding element 100 in the cable duct 300 with two connecting elements 400 for optical fibers 402, which are each held in one of the receiving recesses 202 of the holding element 100. The connecting elements 400 are each connected to two of the optical fibers 402. For ease of illustration, two optical fibers 402, each connecting two connecting elements 400, are shown as a line in the schematic figures. With the help of the connecting elements 400, the optical fibers 402 can be easily and reversibly connected to other optical fibers. The connecting elements 400 can, for example, be part of an LC plug connection. Furthermore, Figure 4One of the connecting elements 400 is shown with protective caps 410a, 410b. The protective caps 410a, 410b protect the end surfaces of the optical fibers 402 in the connecting elements 400 from damage, particularly during transport of the cable duct 300.

[0037] To insert one of the connecting elements 400 into one of the receiving recesses 202, the optical fibers 402 of the respective connecting element 400 are first placed through the opening 204 into the corresponding receiving recess 202. The connecting element 400 is then inserted into the receiving recess 202 in a direction orthogonal to the plane of the receiving area 200. The connecting elements 400 have, in particular, a clearance fit in the receiving recesses 202. This means that the receiving recesses 202 are at least so much larger than the connecting elements 400 that the connecting elements 400 have enough clearance in the receiving recesses 202 to insert the connecting elements 400 into the receiving recesses 202. The lugs 206 prevent the connecting elements 400 from being moved out of the openings 204 of the receiving recesses 202, in particular in a direction in the second plane.

[0038] Only additionally, the connecting elements 400 can be fastened by means of screw connections and the respective holes 208 in one of the receiving recesses 202.

[0039] Furthermore, merely additionally, the connecting elements 400 and / or the optical fibers 402 can be secured to the respective securing area 106 using a securing element. The securing element can, for example, be a cable tie that contacts the securing area 106 and the optical fibers 402 and / or the connecting element 400 on at least one side and presses the optical fibers 402 and / or the connecting element 400 against the securing area 106. This enables a particularly secure hold of the connecting element 400 in the holding elements 100.

[0040] As already explained, the cable duct 300 has two open ends. One of the holding elements 100 is arranged at each of the ends of the cable duct 300. In particular, the holding elements 100 are arranged at a distance from the ends of the cable duct 300 in a range of 0 cm to 20 cm, preferably in a range of 5 cm to 10 cm. The holding elements 100 can preferably be arranged at the ends of the cable duct 300 such that the connecting elements 400 do not protrude beyond the ends of the cable duct 300, i.e., the connecting elements 400 do not protrude from the cable duct 300.

[0041] Furthermore, it is possible for the holding element 100 to be fastened to the fixing rail 302 in such a way that the holding element 100, in particular together with the screw and the threaded element 304, can be moved along the fixing rail 302. This makes it possible, for example, to move the holding element 100 during installation, for example, to pull it closer to the opening at the end of the cable duct 300 in order to more easily connect additional optical fibers to the connecting elements 400. Furthermore, this can prevent damage to the connecting elements 400. For example, if the connecting elements 400 protrude from one of the ends of the cable duct 300 and the cable duct 300 is placed with this end on a surface, such as the floor, the connecting elements 400 are pushed together with the holding element 100 along the fixing rail 302 into the cable duct 300.

[0042] The holding element 100 is arranged in the cable duct 300 such that both connecting elements 400 have substantially the same distance from the respective end of the cable duct 300.

[0043] Figure 5shows a schematic representation of the cable duct 300. The cable duct 300 comprises two holding elements 100, each arranged at one of the ends of the cable duct 300. As already described above, the holding elements 100 are fastened to the fixing rail 302. Furthermore, two connecting elements 400 are each arranged in the receiving recesses 202 of the respective holding element 100. The connecting elements 400 of one of the holding elements 100 are each connected by two optical fibers 402 to the corresponding opposite connecting element 400 of the other holding element 100. Furthermore, two of the optical fibers 402, which run between one of the connecting elements 400 of each holding element 100, can be separated from one another by a connector 500. The cable duct 300 is further configured such that it can be installed in a container of a container building.

[0044] Figure 6shows a schematic representation of a cable duct 600, which, in addition to the optical fibers 402 and the features explained in connection with the cable duct 300, includes a power supply. The power supply includes a plurality of sockets 602, which can be designed, in particular, as Schuko sockets. The sockets 602 can be connected to an external power supply via power cables 604 and a plug contact 606 arranged in a wall of the cable duct 600. The plug contact 606 can be designed, for example, as a GST18 plug connection. The external power supply is, in particular, a power supply that is present in containers into which the cable duct 600 can be installed.

[0045] Figure 7shows a schematic representation of a cable duct 700, which comprises the optical fibers 402 already described and the features explained in connection with the cable duct 300, 600. In addition, the cable duct 700 comprises a network device 702, which is looped into two of the optical fibers 402 at the connector 500. Furthermore, the network device 702 can be connected to the power supply, for example via a power supply unit 704, which serves as a voltage converter and in particular provides 48 V for the network device 702. The network device 702 enables the connection of network-capable devices to a network via the optical fibers 402. For example, the network-capable devices can be connected to the network device 702 using Ethernet cables and thus communicate with the network via the optical fibers 402. The network device 702 is also referred to as a switch.

[0046] Figure 8shows a schematic representation of an arrangement 800 for equipping container structures, comprising the cable duct 300 and the cable duct 700. The cable ducts 300, 700 are connected to one another by means of optical fibers 802. Two optical fibers 802 each connect opposite connecting elements 400 of the cable ducts 300, 700. Furthermore, the connecting elements 400 are connected to one another at the other end of the cable duct 300 by means of optical fibers 804. At one end 806 of the cable duct 700, the optical fibers 402 of the cable duct 700 can be connected to a network.

[0047] Alternatively or additionally, at the end of the cable duct 300, one or more further cable ducts 300, 600, 700 can be connected to the cable duct 300 instead of the optical fiber 804. This connection can be implemented, in particular, with the aid of optical fibers 802, in the same way as the connection between the cable duct 700 and 300.

[0048] This makes it possible to form a chain of cable ducts 300, 700, and 600. The sequence or arrangement of the cable ducts 300, 600, and 700 must be tailored to specific on-site requirements. The cable ducts 300, 600, and 700 are particularly suitable for installation in container structures. The individual cable ducts 300, 600, and 700 have predetermined dimensions that allow the cable ducts 300, 600, and 700 to be installed at predetermined positions within the container structures. At the positions where walls or other structural elements of the container structures must be overcome, bridging between individual cable ducts 300, 600, and 700 is provided using optical fibers 802. Thus, individual rooms of the container buildings can be equipped with the necessary functions using the individually combinable arrangement of cable ducts 300, 600, 700.For example, office spaces can be equipped with cable ducts 700 to provide power via sockets 602 and network connections via network devices 702. Other rooms, such as common rooms, which do not require any additional technical equipment, can be equipped with cable ducts 300. This allows the cable ducts 300, 600, 700 to be arranged in a chain, i.e., linked. By linking the individual cable ducts 300, 600, 700, a particularly fast and efficient equipment of the container structures is enabled. In particular, it is possible to provide network connections via network devices 702 at any position in the chain of cable ducts 300, 600, 700. In particular, this makes it possible to individually equip container structures with standardized elements in the form of cable ducts 300, 600, 700. List of reference symbols

[0049] 100 Holding element 102 Fastening area 104 Hole for fastening in the fastening area 106 Securing area 200 Receiving area 202 Receiving recess 204 Opening of the receiving recess 206 Nose 208 Hole for fastening in the receiving area 300, 600, 700 Cable duct 302 Fixing rail / C-rail 304 Threaded element 400 Connecting element 402, 802, 804 Optical fiber 410a, 410b Protective cap 500 Connector 602 Socket 604 Power cable 606 Plug contact 702 Network device 704 Power supply unit 800 Arrangement of cable ducts for container buildings

Claims

1. Cable duct (300, 600, 700) for equipping container structures, comprising: at least two holding elements (100), wherein the holding elements (100) each comprise: a fastening region (102) for fastening the holding element (100) to a fixing rail (302) of the cable duct (300, 600, 700), a receiving region (200) with at least one receiving recess (202) for receiving the connecting element (400) for the optical waveguide (402), wherein the fastening region (102) has at least one hole (104) for fastening the holding element (100) to the fixing rail (302), wherein the fastening region (102) is arranged in a first plane and the receiving region (200) is arranged in a second plane and the first plane and the second plane intersect, and wherein a first end of the receiving region (200) and a first end of the fastening region (102) are connected, wherein the cable duct further comprises: a C-shaped fixing rail (302) formed in such a way that the holding element (100) can be fixed to the fixing rail (302), at least two optical waveguides (402) which are arranged next to each other along the cable duct (300, 600, 700) and are connected at their ends in pairs to a connecting element (400), wherein the cable duct (300, 600, 700) has two open ends, and wherein in each case one of the connecting elements (400) of the optical waveguides (402) is held in one of the receiving recesses (202) of holding elements (100) arranged at opposite ends of the cable duct (300, 600, 700), characterized in that the receiving recesses (202) each have an opening (204) at one end of the receiving region (200), and in each case one of the holding elements (100) is arranged at a distance in a range of from 5 cm to 20 cm from one of the ends of the cable duct (300, 600, 700).

2. Cable duct according to Claim 1, wherein the receiving region (200) projects beyond the fastening region (102) only in one direction at the connection between the receiving region (400) and the fastening region (102).

3. Cable duct according to either of the preceding claims, wherein the receiving recess (202) is arranged at a second end of the receiving region (200) opposite the first end of the receiving region (200) and / or the receiving recess (202) is designed such that the connecting element (400) has a clearance fit in the receiving recess (202).

4. Cable duct according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the opening (204) in the receiving recess (202) comprises lugs (206) which each project into the opening (204).

5. Cable duct according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the receiving region (200) comprises at least two holes (208) for connecting the connecting element (400) to the receiving region (200), and in each case one of the holes (208) is arranged on a side next to the receiving recess (202).

6. Cable duct according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the fastening region (102) comprises at least one securing region (106), which is arranged such that at least one optical waveguide (402) projecting from the connecting element (400) can be fixed to the securing region (106) when the connecting element (400) is received in the receiving recess (202).

7. Cable duct according to Claim 6, wherein a securing element contacts the securing region (106) and the optical waveguide (402) on in each case at least one side and presses the optical waveguide (402) against the securing region (206).

8. Cable duct according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one screw fastens the holding element (100) to the fixing rail (302) and the screw engages into a thread of a threaded element (304) through the first hole (104) in the fastening region (102), wherein the threaded element (304) is arranged in the fixing rail (302) in a non-rotatable manner.

9. Cable duct according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a network device (702) for connecting network-compatible devices to the optical waveguides (402).

10. Cable duct according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least the two of the optical waveguides (402) between the connecting elements (400) comprise a separable plug-in connector (500), in particular in order to connect a network device (702) therebetween.

11. Cable duct according to any of the preceding claims, comprising at least one socket (602), which can be connected to an external power supply system by means of a power cable (604) and a plug-in connection (606).

12. Cable duct according to Claim 11, comprising a voltage transformer (704) connected to the power cable (604) for supplying power to electrical components of the cable duct (300, 600, 700), in particular the network device (702).

13. Arrangement (800) of cable ducts for equipping container structures, comprising: at least two cable ducts (300, 600, 700) according to any of the preceding claims, and wherein the connecting elements (400) of in each case one of the open ends of one of the cable ducts (300, 600, 700) are connected by means of at least two optical waveguides (402) to the respective connecting elements of one of the open ends of the other cable duct (300, 600, 700).

14. Arrangement according to Claim 13, wherein one of the cable ducts (300, 600, 700) at the open end, at which the connecting elements (400) are not connected to the connecting elements (400) of the other cable duct (300, 600, 700), the connecting elements of this end are connected to each other by means of at least two light guides.