Spacer and spacer structure

Abstract

To provide a spacer and a spacer structure that can increase the number of optical branch cables arranged in one cable laying tray.SOLUTION: A spacer comprises a first support part and a second support part, and a first holding plate part. The first support part and the second support part can support the spacer in engagement with a rising part, and can be engaged at different positions in a first direction of the rising part. The first holding plate part is connected to the first support part and the second support part, and extends in parallel with a bottom part when the first support part and the second support part are engaged with the rising part. The distance from the bottom part to the first holding plate part separated therefrom is larger than a distance obtained by adding up the diameter of the main cable and the diameter of a branch cord part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to spacers and spacer structures. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an optical branching cable that connects a server rack group having multiple server racks to a distribution board. The optical branching cable includes a main cable and branch cords that branch off from the main cable and are connected to each server rack.

[0003] Patent Document 2 discloses a cable installation tray and a drop nose. The cable installation tray is configured so that an optical cable can be placed in a groove defined by a bottom portion and a rising portion. The drop nose is installed by engaging with the rising portion. A branch cord passes through the inside of the drop nose and is lowered to the outside of the cable tray. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-083096 [Patent Document 2] U.S. Patent No. 6,625,373 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In order to accommodate server racks of various sizes, it is desirable to increase the number of optical branching cables that can be arranged in one cable installation tray.

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a spacer and a spacer structure that can increase the number of optical branching cables that can be arranged in one cable installation tray. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A spacer according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is a spacer that is installed in a cable laying tray and can accommodate an optical branching cable in a storage section defined by a bottom extending in a first direction and a rising portion rising from an end of the bottom in a direction intersecting the first direction, wherein the optical branching cable comprises a main cable including a plurality of optical fiber cores and a branching cord portion from which at least one optical fiber core is derived from the main cable, and the spacer comprises first and second support portions that can engage with the rising portion to support the spacer, the first and second support portions being engageable at different positions of the rising portion in the first direction, and a first retaining plate portion that is connected to the first and second support portions and extends parallel to the bottom when the first and second support portions are engaged with the rising portion, wherein the optical branching cable can be positioned on top of the first retaining plate portion, and the distance that the first retaining plate portion is separated from the bottom is greater than the sum of the diameter of the main cable and the diameter of the branching cord portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present disclosure, the number of optical branching cables that can be placed in one cable installation tray can be increased. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates an optical communication system according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 illustrates a spacer structure according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 illustrates the first spacer. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 illustrates the second spacer installed in the cable routing tray. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 illustrates an example of the layout of the first layer of optical branching cables. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 illustrates the arrangement of the first spacer. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 illustrates an example of the arrangement of optical branching cables in the second layer. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of part IX in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] (Description of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure) First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described. (1) A spacer according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a spacer that is installed in a cable laying tray and can accommodate an optical branching cable in a storage section defined by a bottom extending in a first direction and a rising portion rising from an end of the bottom in a direction intersecting the first direction, wherein the optical branching cable comprises a main cable including a plurality of optical fiber cores and a branching cord portion from which at least one optical fiber core is led out of the main cable, and the spacer comprises first and second support portions that can engage with the rising portion to support the spacer, the first and second support portions being engageable at different positions of the rising portion in the first direction, and a first retaining plate portion that is connected to the first and second support portions and extends parallel to the bottom when the first and second support portions are engaged with the rising portion, the optical branching cable can be positioned on top of the first retaining plate portion, and the distance that the first retaining plate portion is separated from the bottom is greater than the sum of the diameter of the main cable and the diameter of the branching cord portion.

[0011] According to the above-described spacer, the first holding plate allows the optical branch cable to be placed on top of it, allowing the optical branch cable to be placed in two layers with the first holding plate sandwiched between them. This allows for an increased number of optical branch cables to be accommodated in one cable laying tray. The distance that the first holding plate is separated from the bottom is configured to be greater than the combined diameter of the main cable and the branch cord portion. This prevents the branch cord portion of the optical branch cable placed below the spacer from being compressed by the spacer.

[0012] (2) In the spacer according to (1) above, the first holding plate portion may have a cord insertion passage formed therein through which the branch cord portion of the optical branch cable arranged below the spacer can be inserted.

[0013] According to the above-described spacer, the cord insertion passage is formed in the first holding plate portion, so that the route through which the branch cord portion of the optical branch cable arranged below the spacer passes is shortened.

[0014] (3) In the spacer according to (2) above, the first support portion and the second support portion may have an arm portion rising from the first retaining plate portion and a return portion connected to the arm portion and extending downward, and the arm portion and the return portion may engage with the rising portion.

[0015] According to the spacer, the arm portion and the barb portion engage with the rising portion, so that the spacer is stably installed on the cable routing tray.

[0016] (4) A spacer structure according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a spacer structure including a first spacer that is a spacer according to any one of (1) to (3) above, and a second spacer, wherein the second spacer comprises third and fourth support parts that engage with the rising portion to support the first spacer, the third and fourth support parts engaging with the rising portion at different positions in the first direction of the rising portion, and a second retaining plate part that is connected to the third and fourth support parts and extends parallel to the bottom when the third and fourth support parts are engaged with the rising portion, wherein the second retaining plate part when the third and fourth support parts are engaged with the rising portion is located higher than the first retaining plate part when the first and second support parts are engaged with the rising portion, and the optical branching cable can be placed on top of the second retaining plate part, and the distance that the second retaining plate part is separated from the first retaining plate part is greater than the sum of the diameter of the main cable and the diameter of the branching cord part.

[0017] According to the above-described spacer structure, optical branch cables can be arranged not only on the first holding plate but also on the second holding plate, allowing the optical branch cables to be arranged in three layers, sandwiched between the first and second holding plates. This allows for an increase in the number of optical branch cables that can be accommodated in one cable installation tray. The distance that the second holding plate is separated from the first holding plate is configured to be greater than the combined diameter of the main cable and the branch cord. This prevents the branch cord portion of the optical branch cable, which is arranged between the second spacer and the first spacer, from being compressed by the second spacer.

[0018] (5) In the spacer structure according to (4) above, the distance in the first direction from a third engagement position where the third support portion engages with the rising portion to a fourth engagement position where the fourth support portion engages with the rising portion may be greater than the distance in the first direction from a first engagement position where the first support portion engages with the rising portion to a second engagement position where the second support portion engages with the rising portion.

[0019] According to the above-described spacer structure, the distance in the first direction from the third engagement position to the fourth engagement position is greater than the distance in the first direction to the second engagement position. This allows the second spacer to be positioned so that the third and fourth support portions are not positioned in the rising portion between the first and second support portions, which is likely to be the shortest path for the branch cord portion when it exits the cable installation tray and connects to the server rack.

[0020] (Details of the embodiments of the present disclosure) Specific examples of spacers according to embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to these examples, but is defined by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0021] FIG. 1 illustrates an optical communication system 100 according to this embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the optical communication system 100 includes a distribution board 110 and a plurality of server racks 120. The distribution board 110 is configured to collect and connect optical branching cables 1 used in the optical communication system 100. The server racks 120 house physical servers therein. Optical fiber cores branched from the optical branching cables 1 housed in cable installation trays T are connected to each of the server racks 120.

[0022] The optical branch cable 1 includes a main cable 10 and a branch cord section 20. The main cable 10 includes a plurality of optical fiber cores. The branch cord section 20 is a cord in which at least one optical fiber core is led out from the main cable 10.

[0023] The cable laying tray T has a bottom T1 and a rising portion T2. ​​The bottom T1 extends in a first direction D1. The first direction D1 is a horizontal direction. The rising portion T2 rises from an end of the bottom T1 in a direction intersecting the first direction D1. In this embodiment, two rising portions T2 are formed. The bottom T1 and the rising portions T2 define a housing section for housing the optical branching cable 1. In this embodiment, the housing section is formed as a recessed groove defined by the bottom T1 and the rising portions T2. The main cable 10 is housed in the recessed groove, and the branching cord section 20 passes over the rising portion T2 to be connected to the server rack 120.

[0024] Fig. 2 illustrates a spacer structure 200 according to this embodiment. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along plane III-III in Fig. 2. As illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, the spacer structure 200 is hung on a cable routing tray T. The spacer structure 200 includes a first spacer 210 and a second spacer 220.

[0025] The optical branching cable 1 is arranged to extend in a first direction D1. In this embodiment, the optical branching cables 1 are arranged in parallel in the width direction of the bottom T1 to form a layer of the optical branching cable 1, and are placed on the spacer structure 200 so that three layers are formed in the vertical direction.

[0026] 4 illustrates the first spacer 210. The first spacer 210 includes a first support portion 211, a second support portion 212, and a first retaining plate portion 213. The first support portion 211 and the second support portion 212 can engage with the rising portion T2 to support the first spacer 210. The first support portion 211 and the second support portion 212 can engage with different positions of the rising portion T2 in the first direction D1. In this embodiment, two first support portions 211 and two second support portions 212 are formed at a distance that matches the width of the cable laying tray T (the distance between the two rising portions T2). This allows the first spacer 210 to be installed on the cable laying tray T in a more stable state.

[0027] The first support portion 211 and the second support portion 212 each include an arm portion 214 and a return portion 215. The arm portion 214 is a portion that rises from the first holding plate portion 213. The return portion 215 is a portion that is connected to the arm portion 214 and extends downward. As illustrated in FIG. 3 , the arm portion 214 and the return portion 215 engage with the rising portion T2, thereby placing the first spacer 210 on the cable laying tray T.

[0028] The optical branch cable 1 can be placed on the upper part of the first holding plate 213. The first holding plate 213 is a rectangular plate member having a width that can be accommodated in the cable laying tray T. Two first support portions 211 and two second support portions 212 are provided at the four corners of the first holding plate 213. The first holding plate 213 is a portion that extends parallel to the bottom portion T1 when the first support portions 211 and the second support portions 212 are engaged with the rising portion T2. ​​Here, "extending parallel to the bottom portion T1" means that a tilt of several degrees is allowed with respect to a plane that is completely parallel to the bottom portion T1.

[0029] The first holding plate 213 has a cord insertion passage P formed therein, through which the branch cord portion 20 of the optical branch cable 1 arranged below the first spacer 210 can be inserted. As illustrated by the dashed line in FIG. 4 , a portion of the first holding plate 213 is cut out. The cut-out portion of the first holding plate 213 is formed as the cord insertion passage P. The cord insertion passage P has a dimension that allows the branch cord portion 20 to be inserted therethrough.

[0030] 5 illustrates a second spacer 220 installed on a cable laying tray T. The second spacer 220 includes a third support portion 221, a fourth support portion 222, and a second holding plate portion 223. The third support portion 221 and the fourth support portion 222 can engage with the rising portion T2 to support the second spacer 220. The third support portion 221 and the fourth support portion 222 can engage with different positions of the rising portion T2 in the first direction D1. In this embodiment, two of each of the third support portion 221 and the fourth support portion 222 are formed.

[0031] Like the first spacer 210, the second spacer 220 also has an arm portion 224 and a return portion 225. The arm portion 224 and the return portion 225 of the second spacer 220 engage with the rising portion T2, thereby placing the first spacer 210 on the cable laying tray T. The arm portion 224 of the second spacer 220 has a dimension that is shorter in the vertical direction than the arm portion 214 of the first spacer 210. Therefore, when the first spacer 210 and the second spacer 220 are placed on the cable laying tray T, the second holding plate portion 223 is held above the first holding plate portion 213, as illustrated in FIG.

[0032] The second holding plate 223 allows the optical branch cable 1 to be placed on top thereof. The second holding plate 223 is a rectangular plate member having a width that can be accommodated in the cable laying tray T. Two third support portions 221 and two fourth support portions 222 are provided at the four corners of the second holding plate 223. The second holding plate 223 is a portion that extends parallel to the bottom portion T1 when the third support portion 221 and the fourth support portion 222 are engaged with the rising portion T2. ​​When the third support portion 221 and the fourth support portion 222 are engaged with the rising portion T2, the second holding plate 223 is positioned higher than the first holding plate 213 when the first support portion 211 and the second support portion 212 are engaged with the rising portion T2 (see FIG. 3 ). Similar to the first spacer 210, the second holding plate portion 223 of the second spacer 220 also has a cord insertion passage formed therein through which the branch cord portion 20 of the optical branch cable 1 arranged below the second spacer 220 can be inserted.

[0033] When the second spacer 220 is installed on the cable laying tray T, it has a dimension in the first direction D1 that is larger than that of the first spacer 210. A distance L2 in the first direction D1 from a third engagement position where the third support portion 221 engages with the rising portion T2 to a fourth engagement position where the fourth support portion 222 engages with the rising portion T2 is larger than a distance L1 in the first direction D1 from the first engagement position where the first support portion 211 engages with the rising portion T2 to a second engagement position where the second support portion 212 engages with the rising portion T2.

[0034] Next, the installation of the spacer structure 200 and the arrangement of the optical branching cables 1 will be described. Fig. 6 illustrates the arrangement of the first-layer optical branching cables 1. The first-layer optical branching cables 1 are arranged on the bottom T1. The first-layer optical branching cables 1 are aligned so as to be parallel to each other in the width direction of the bottom T1. The branching cord portion 20 of each optical branching cable 1 is led out from the main cable 10, climbs over the rising portion T2, and is lowered from the cable installation tray T.

[0035] 7 illustrates the arrangement of the first spacer 210. The first spacer 210 is installed on the layer of the first-layer optical branch cable 1. The first spacer 210 is installed so that the first holding plate 213 is located above the branch portion from which the branch cord portion 20 of the first-layer optical branch cable 1 is led out. The first spacer 210 is also provided so that the branch cord portion 20 of the first-layer optical branch cable 1 passes through the cord insertion path P of the first holding plate 213. The branch cord portion 20 that has passed through the cord insertion path P of the first holding plate 213 is routed so as to climb over the rising portion T2.

[0036] 8 illustrates the arrangement of the optical branching cables 1 on the second layer. The optical branching cables 1 on the second layer are arranged on the first holding plate portion 213. The optical branching cables 1 on the second layer are aligned in parallel in the width direction of the bottom portion T1. The branching cord portion 20 of each optical branching cable 1 is led out from the main cable 10, climbs over the rising portion T2, and is lowered from the cable laying tray T.

[0037] Returning to Fig. 5, the second spacer 220 is installed on the layer of the optical branching cable 1 in the second layer. The second spacer 220 is installed so that the second holding plate 223 is located above the branch portion from which the branch cord portion 20 of the optical branching cable 1 in the second layer is led out. The second spacer 220 is also provided so that the branch cord portion 20 of the optical branching cable 1 in the second layer passes through the cord insertion path of the second holding plate 223. The branch cord portion 20 that has passed through the cord insertion path of the second holding plate 223 is routed so as to climb over the rising portion T2.

[0038] Returning to Figure 2, the optical branching cables 1 in the third layer are arranged on the second holding plate portion 223. The optical branching cables 1 in the third layer are aligned in parallel in the width direction of the bottom portion T1. The branching cord portion 20 of each optical branching cable 1 is led out from the main cable 10, climbs over the rising portion T2, and is lowered from the cable installation tray T.

[0039] Next, the positional relationship between the first holding plate 213 and the second holding plate 223 will be described. Fig. 9 is an enlarged view of part IX in Fig. 3. As illustrated in Fig. 9, the first holding plate 213 is located above the bottom T1, and the second holding plate 223 is located above the first holding plate 213. A first-layer optical branching cable 1 is disposed between the bottom T1 and the first holding plate 213, and a second-layer optical branching cable 1 is disposed between the first holding plate 213 and the second holding plate 223.

[0040] Here, the distance H1 between the bottom T1 and the first holding plate 213 is greater than the sum of the diameter Dm of the main cable 10 and the diameter Db of the branch cord portion 20. Therefore, it is possible to arrange the optical branch cable 1 so that the branch cord portion 20 passes above the main cable 10 while the main cable 10 is arranged between the bottom T1 and the first holding plate 213.

[0041] Similarly, the distance H2 between the first holding plate 213 and the second holding plate 223 is greater than the sum of the diameter Dm of the main cable 10 and the diameter Db of the branch cord portion 20. Therefore, it is possible to arrange the optical branch cable 1 so that the branch cord portion 20 passes over the main cable 10 with the main cable 10 being arranged between the first holding plate 213 and the second holding plate 223.

[0042] The branch cord portion 20 passes over the main cable 10 of another optical branch cable 1 and is lowered from the cable laying tray T. This makes it difficult for the first spacer 210 and the second spacer 220 to press against the branch cord portion 20, even when the first spacer 210 and the second spacer 220 are placed on the cable laying tray T.

[0043] According to the first spacer 210 of this embodiment, the optical branching cable 1 can be arranged on top of the first holding plate 213, so that the optical branching cables 1 can be arranged in two tiers with the first holding plate 213 in between. This allows an increase in the number of optical branching cables 1 that can be accommodated in one cable laying tray T. Here, the first holding plate 213 is configured so that the distance H1 that separates it from the bottom T1 is greater than the sum of the diameter Dm of the main cable 10 and the diameter Db of the branching cord portion 20. This prevents the branching cord portion 20 of the optical branching cable 1 that is arranged below the first spacer 210 from being compressed by the first spacer 210.

[0044] According to the first spacer 210, which is the spacer of this embodiment, a cord insertion passage P is formed in the first holding plate portion 213, so that the path along which the branch cord portion 20 of the optical branching cable 1 arranged below the first spacer 210 passes is shortened.

[0045] According to the first spacer 210 of this embodiment, the arm portion 214 and the barbed portion 215 engage with the rising portion T2, so that the first spacer 210 is installed on the cable routing tray T in a stable state.

[0046] According to the spacer structure 200 of this embodiment, the optical branching cables 1 can be arranged not only on the first holding plate 213 but also on the second holding plate 223, so that the optical branching cables 1 can be arranged in three layers, sandwiched between the first holding plate 213 and the second holding plate 223. This allows an increase in the number of optical branching cables 1 that can be accommodated in one cable laying tray T. Here, the distance H2 by which the second holding plate 223 is separated from the first holding plate 213 is configured to be greater than the sum of the diameter Dm of the main cable 10 and the diameter Db of the branching cord portion 20. Therefore, the branching cord portion 20 of the optical branching cable 1, which is arranged between the second spacer 220 and the first spacer 210, can be prevented from being compressed by the second spacer 220.

[0047] 2, the branch cord portion 20 is disposed so as to climb over the rising portion T2 between the first support portion 211 and the second support portion 212. The rising portion T2 between the first support portion 211 and the second support portion 212 may be provided with a drop nose as disclosed in Patent Document 2. For this reason, it is desirable that no components of the spacer structure 200 be disposed on the rising portion T2 between the first support portion 211 and the second support portion 212.

[0048] According to the spacer structure 200 of this embodiment, the distance L2 in the first direction D1 from the third engagement position to the fourth engagement position is greater than the distance L1 in the first direction D1 to the second engagement position. This allows the second spacer 220 to be positioned so that the third support portion 221 and the fourth support portion 222 are not positioned in the rising portion T2 between the first support portion 211 and the second support portion 212, which is likely to be the shortest path for the branch cord portion 20 to exit the cable laying tray T and connect to the server rack 120.

[0049] Although the present disclosure has been described in detail and with reference to specific embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the number, position, shape, etc. of the components described above are not limited to the above embodiments, and can be changed to the number, position, shape, etc. that are suitable for implementing the present disclosure.

[0050] In this embodiment, the spacer structure 200 includes the first spacer 210 and the second spacer 220, but the number of spacers included in the spacer structure may be three or more. [Explanation of symbols]

[0051] 1 Optical branching cable 10 Main Cable 20 Branching code section 100 Optical Communication System 110 Distribution board 120 Server Racks 200 Spacer structure 210 First spacer 211 First support part 212 Second support part 213 First holding plate part 214,224 Arm 215,225 Return part 220 Second spacer 221 Third support part 222 Fourth support part 223 Second holding plate part D1 First direction Db diameter Dm diameter P Cord insertion passage T Cable laying tray T1 bottom T2 Rising part

Claims

1. A spacer that is installed in a cable installation tray and can accommodate an optical branching cable in a housing portion defined by a bottom portion extending in a first direction and a rising portion rising from an end of the bottom portion in a direction intersecting the first direction, The optical branch cable includes a main cable including a plurality of optical fiber cores, and a branch cord portion in which at least one optical fiber core is led out from the main cable, a first support portion and a second support portion that can be engaged with the rising portion to support the spacer, the first support portion and the second support portion being engageable at different positions of the rising portion in the first direction; a first holding plate portion connected to the first support portion and the second support portion and extending parallel to the bottom portion when the first support portion and the second support portion are engaged with the rising portion; the first holding plate portion is capable of arranging the optical branch cable on an upper portion thereof; a distance by which the first holding plate portion is spaced from the bottom is greater than a total distance of a diameter of the main cable and a diameter of the branch cord portion; Spacer.

2. a cord insertion passage through which the branch cord portion of the optical branch cable disposed below the spacer can be inserted is formed in the first holding plate portion; The spacer of claim 1 .

3. The first support portion and the second support portion each include an arm portion rising from the first holding plate portion and a return portion connected to the arm portion and extending downward, The arm portion and the barb portion engage with the rising portion. The spacer of claim 1 .

4. A spacer structure including a first spacer, which is the spacer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, and a second spacer, The second spacer is a third support portion and a fourth support portion that engage with the rising portion to support the first spacer, the third support portion and the fourth support portion engaging with the rising portion at different positions in the first direction; a second holding plate portion connected to the third support portion and the fourth support portion and extending parallel to the bottom portion when the third support portion and the fourth support portion are engaged with the rising portion, the second holding plate portion when the third support portion and the fourth support portion are engaged with the rising portion is located higher than the first holding plate portion when the first support portion and the second support portion are engaged with the rising portion, the second holding plate portion is capable of arranging the optical branch cable on an upper portion thereof, a distance by which the second holding plate portion is spaced from the first holding plate portion is greater than a total distance of a diameter of the main cable and a diameter of the branch cord portion; Spacer structure.

5. a distance in the first direction from a third engagement position where the third support portion engages with the rising portion to a fourth engagement position where the fourth support portion engages with the rising portion is greater than a distance in the first direction from a first engagement position where the first support portion engages with the rising portion to a second engagement position where the second support portion engages with the rising portion; The spacer structure of claim 4 .

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