Connector for identifying the end of a fiber optic patch cable.

Abstract

The invention relates to a connection device (1) for a fiber optic patch cable to an optical network, comprising an optical fiber adapted to emit visible light and surrounded at its end by a connection means (2) for the optical fiber (4) to the optical network. Said device (1) further comprises a viewing means (3) surrounding the optical fiber upstream of the connection means (2) and enabling visualization of the visible light emitted by said optical fiber (4) in response to a stimulus. The invention is adapted for detecting the end of a patch cable to the optical fiber. Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Connector for identifying the end of a fiber optic patch cable. FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The technical sector of the present invention is that of fiber optic patch cables and more particularly of connection devices for patch cables allowing identification of one end of the cable. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] Optical fibers are now widely used and also allow for the rapid transmission of light waves, which notably enables fast data transfer. The wavelengths most commonly used in optical fibers are between 1260 nm and 1650 nm for the FTTX data transmission mode.

[0003] Fiber optic communication networks use fiber optic patch cables to flexibly interconnect individual optical networks and operator-managed aggregation centers. A very large number of these cables are also used in office optical distribution frames to interconnect equipment.

[0004] Patch cables generally consist of an optical fiber surrounded by a sheath and connectors located at the ends of the cables. Optical fiber is now primarily used for high-speed data transfer.

[0005] The problem encountered by operators is the congestion of patch cables in shared access points such as operator distribution frames. Indeed, when a patch cable is changed, one end is disconnected, usually on the customer side, while the other end, on the operator side, is never disconnected, which clutters the optical network with unnecessary cables.

[0006] It is therefore necessary to reduce the number of unnecessary cables in the aggregation centers. To do this, it is necessary to identify, from the disconnected end of a patch cable, the end of the patch cable that remains connected to the optical network.

[0007] Currently, the method used consists of connecting a visible light source to the unplugged end of the connector cable, unplugging the other end of the cable, and verifying that the light emanating from the light source is visible. This therefore requires the operator to unplug several cable ends before identifying the one connected to the light source. This method is inefficient, time-consuming, and also disrupts the service of other customers on the optical network by causing short interruptions. service interruptions and possible contamination of optical connections by dust ingress.

[0008] There is therefore a need to be able to easily identify the ends of the connecting cables without disconnecting the end of the cable still connected to the optical network. Description of the invention

[0009] The invention therefore relates to a device for connecting an optical fiber patch cable to an optical network comprising an optical fiber adapted to emit visible light and surrounded at its end by a means for connecting the optical fiber to the optical network, remarkable in that said connection device includes a viewing means surrounding the optical fiber upstream of the connection means and allowing the visible light emitted by said optical fiber to be viewed.

[0010] Advantageously, the optical fiber has a curvature at the level of the viewing means.

[0011] Even more advantageously, the curvature is achieved by surrounding the optical fiber on a pivot.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the invention, the viewing means is represented by a part comprising a cavity through which the optical fiber passes and which is closed by a transparent window allowing the visible light emitted by the optical fiber to be viewed.

[0013] Advantageously, the connection device also includes a sleeve located upstream of the viewing device.

[0014] According to another embodiment of the invention, the viewing means is represented by a transparent sleeve surrounding the optical fiber, located upstream of the connection means and allowing the visible light emitted by the optical fiber to be viewed.

[0015] The invention also relates to an optical fiber patch cable comprising a connection device according to the invention.

[0016] The invention also relates to a method for detecting one end of a connecting cable according to the invention, notable in that a visible light source is connected to the connection device of one end of the connecting cable and the visible light is viewed at the viewing means of the connection device of the other end of the connecting cable.

[0017] Advantageously, the visible light source emits light with a wavelength between 605 nm and 700 nm, preferably 650 nm.

[0018] An advantage of the present invention is that it allows one end of a connector cable to be identified without disconnecting it from the optical network and without causing any additional data loss.

[0019] Another advantage of the present invention lies in the easy identification of the end of a connector cable. Brief description of the drawings

[0020] Other features, advantages and details of the invention will be better understood upon reading the supplementary description that follows in relation to the drawings in which:

[0021] [Fig-1] represents an exploded view of the connection device according to a first mode of the realization of the invention,

[0022] [Fig.2] represents an exploded view of the display means according to the first embodiment of the invention,

[0023] [Fig.3] represents the connection device according to a second embodiment of the invention, and

[0024] [Fig.4] represents a connecting cable according to the invention.

[0025] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT METHODS OF THE INVENTION

[0026] As described previously, the invention relates to a device for connecting an optical fiber patch cable to an optical network.

[0027] An optical network can be defined as a specific or professional installation that allows access to or deployment of fiber optic technologies. Thus, a fiber optic connection cable also allows different optical networks to be linked.

[0028] Usually, a fiber optic patch cable is connected on one side to a professional optical network such as fiber optic deployment drawers and, on the other side, to the optical network of a private individual.

[0029] The invention is particularly well-suited for easily detecting connecting cables that are disconnected on the residential side but still connected on the business side, and vice versa. This also helps to declutter shared distribution cabinets by removing unnecessary cables.

[0030] Figure 1 shows the connection device 1 for a fiber optic patch cable to an optical network according to a first embodiment of the invention. The connection device 1 also allows the patch cable to be connected to the optical network.

[0031] The connection device 1 according to the first embodiment of the invention further comprises a connection means 2 encompassing the optical fiber and enabling its connection to the optical network, and a viewing means 3 encompassing the optical fiber and enabling the viewing of the visible light emitted by said optical fiber. particularly when it is subjected to a stimulus emanating from a visible light source for example and, a sleeve 5 encompassing the optical fiber also allowing it to be protected during the handling of the connecting cable for detection operations.

[0032] The connection means 2 further comprises a first proximal end 23 for connecting the connection device 1 to an optical network. The connection means 2 also comprises a distal end 21 connected to a viewing means 3 and a first intermediate piece 22 receiving, on the one hand, the first distal end 21 and adapted to be inserted into the first proximal end 23.

[0033] The viewing means 3 is located upstream of the connection means 2. The viewing means 3 is in the form of a part 3 comprising a second proximal end 33 connected to the connection means 1 via the first distal end 21 of the connection means 2. The viewing means 3 also comprises a second distal end 31 connected to a sleeve 5 and a transparent window 32 located between the second proximal end 33 and the second distal end 31.

[0034] The transparent window 32 is, for example, made of a material that allows light radiation from the visible spectrum to pass through. It also allows the visible light emitted by the optical fiber to be visualized.

[0035] The sleeve 5 is located upstream of the viewing means 2. It further comprises a third proximal end 53 connected to the second distal end 31 of the viewing means 3, a third distal end 51 connected to the connecting cable and a second intermediate piece 52 located between the third proximal end 53 and the third distal end 51.

[0036] The optical fiber including the protective sheath then comes against the second intermediate piece 52 which allows the optical fiber to be stripped so that it is left without a protective sheath in the viewing means 3.

[0037] Thus, the connection device 1 according to the first embodiment of the invention comprises, in the following order and starting from the first distal end 23 of the connection means 2, a connection means 2, a viewing means 3 and a sleeve 5. The different components of the connection device 1 can, for example, be made of plastic by molding.

[0038] When inserting the optical fiber into the connection device 1, the optical fiber surrounded by a protective sheath is inserted into the sleeve 5 and then the optical fiber is stripped so as to be without a protective sheath in the viewing means 3.

[0039] Figure 2 shows the visualization means 3 according to the first mode of realization of the invention and on which optical fiber 4 is represented.

[0040] The optical fiber 4 is adapted to emit visible light. In particular, the optical fiber 4 is unclad in the viewing means 3 and is adapted to emit visible light in response to a stimulus from a visible light source. The optical fiber 4 may, for example, have a curvature enabling it to emit and view visible light in different directions in space.

[0041] Similarly, the optical fiber 4 must be adapted to transmit and emit visible light. Indeed, in order for the light emitted by the optical fiber to be more easily visible, it is necessary to apply a constraint to the optical fiber, in particular by surrounding the optical fiber 4 on a pivot 35. This makes it possible to reduce the radius of curvature of the optical fiber so that the visible light exits the sheath.

[0042] The problem is not to degrade transmission performance, that is to say, not to introduce an additional loss of data transmitted at other wavelengths by the optical fiber.

[0043] Preferably, a G657B3 type optical fiber is used because it maintains good performance despite constraints, for example, a minimum bend radius of 5 mm. If the bend radius is less than 5 mm in the case of the G657B3 type optical fiber, the data transmitted by the fiber will be corrupted.

[0044] Depending on the types of optical fibers used, the radius of curvature is adapted according to the characteristics of the optical fiber used.

[0045] Thus, the visible light which is in the visible spectrum from 400nm to 800nm ​​will be emitted and visible without the invisible wavelengths undergoing attenuation.

[0046] As shown in [Fig.2], the viewing means comprises a second proximal end 33, a second distal end 31 and a cavity 34 through which the optical fiber 4 passes and which is located between the second distal end 31 and the second proximal end 33. The cavity 34 is closed by the transparent window 32.

[0047] The curvature of the optical fiber 4 can be achieved by surrounding the optical fiber 4 around the pivot 35. This also allows the visible light emitted by the optical fiber 9 to be seen through the transparent window 4.

[0048] Figure 3 shows the connection device 1 according to a second embodiment of the invention. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the viewing means 6 is represented by a transparent sleeve surrounding the optical fiber 4, located upstream of the connection means 2 and allowing visualization of the visible light emitted by the optical fiber 4. As can be seen in Figure 2, the optical fiber 4 has a curve at the transparent sleeve 6.

[0049] Figure 3 shows a connecting cable 7 according to the invention. The connecting cable 7 further comprises an optical cable 8 and is provided at each of its ends with a connection device 2 according to the invention. In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the connecting cable 7 is provided with two connection devices 2 according to the second embodiment of the invention.

[0050] It is understood that the connecting cable 7 may comprise two connection devices 2 according to the first embodiment of the invention, or one connection device 2 according to the first embodiment and one connection device 2 according to the second embodiment. It is also possible to provide a connecting cable 7 comprising only one connection device 2 according to either the first or second embodiment.

[0051] The optical cable 8 is further composed of an optical fiber surrounded by a protective sheath.

[0052] The invention also relates to a method for detecting one end of a connecting cable according to the invention. The method further consists of connecting a visible light source to the connection device at one end of the connecting cable. The optical fiber of the connecting cable then carries the visible light from the connection device connected to the light source to the other connection device. The viewing means of the connecting device then allows the visible light to be viewed at the viewing means of the connection device at the other end of the connecting cable, without disconnecting the connection device from the optical network.

[0053] It is necessary that the light source emit light visible to the naked eye. Therefore, the light source emits light with a wavelength between 605 nm and 700 nm, preferably 650 nm. VFL-type emitting pens are another example of a visible light source.

[0054] The intensity of the light emitted by the light source must be calibrated so that the visible light transmitted through the optical fiber is sufficiently visible, particularly in bright ambient light. The required intensity also depends on the length of the connecting cable used. For example, for a connecting cable length between 1.5 m and 6 m, a light source with a power of 1 mW can be used.

Claims

Demands

1. Connection device (1) of a fiber optic patch cable (7) to an optical network comprising an optical fiber (4) adapted to emit visible light and surrounded at its end by a connection means (2) of the optical fiber (4) to the optical network, a viewing means (3, 6) surrounding the optical fiber (4) upstream of the connection means (2) and enabling the viewing of the visible light emitted by said optical fiber (4), characterized in that the optical fiber (4) has at the level of the viewing means (3, 6) a curvature made by surrounding the optical fiber (4) on a pivot (35).

2. Connection device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the viewing means (3, 6) is represented by a part (3) comprising a cavity (34) through which the optical fiber (4) passes and which is closed by a transparent window (32) allowing the visible light emitted by the optical fiber (4) to be viewed.

3. Connection device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that it also comprises a sleeve (5) located upstream of the viewing device (3).

4. Connection device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the viewing means (3, 6) is represented by a transparent sleeve (6) surrounding the optical fiber (4), located upstream of the connection means (2) and allowing visualization of the visible light emitted by the optical fiber (4).

5. Fiber optic patch cable (7) comprising a connection device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims at each of its ends.

6. A method for detecting one end of a connecting cable (7) according to claim 5, characterized in that a visible light source is connected to the connection device (1) of one end of the connecting cable (7) and the visible light is viewed at the viewing means (3, 6) of the connection device (1) of the other end of the connecting cable (7).

7. A method according to claim 6, characterized in that the light source emits light with a wavelength between 605 nm and 700 nm, preferably 650 nm.

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