Optical transmission apparatus and method

Abstract

To provide an optical transmission device and method capable of appropriately managing an extra length of an optical fiber.SOLUTION: An optical transmission device includes a housing, an insertion and removal section into and from which an optical adapter that connects a first optical fiber inside the housing and a second optical fiber outside the housing can be inserted and removed, an extra length adjustment section that can adjust an extra length part of the first optical fiber generated inside the housing when the optical adapter is inserted into the insertion and removal section using a part of the housing, and a bending radius ensuring section that ensures a bending radius of the first optical fiber between the extra length adjustment section and the optical adapter to be equal to or larger than a predetermined value inside the housing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to optical transmission devices and methods. [Background technology]

[0002] In an optical transmission device, multiple optical patch cords including optical fibers can be inserted and removed. The optical fibers used include single-core LC optical fibers and multi-core MPO (Multi-fiber Push On) optical fibers. As a related technique, Patent Document 1 describes an optical fiber wiring unit that connects single-core optical fibers and multi-core optical fibers. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-160542 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In an optical transmission device, a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber can be connected by using an optical adapter such as the optical fiber wiring unit of Patent Document 1. When using an optical adapter in an optical transmission device, it is desirable to properly manage the excess length of the optical fiber.

[0005] In view of the above problems, one object of the present disclosure is to provide an optical transmission device and method that can appropriately manage the excess length of optical fiber. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An optical transmission device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a housing, an insertion / removal section into which an optical adapter that connects a first optical fiber inside the housing to a second optical fiber outside the housing can be inserted and removed, a slack adjustment section that can adjust, using a part of the housing, the slack portion of the first optical fiber that occurs inside the housing when the optical adapter is inserted into the insertion / removal section, and a bend radius securing section that secures, inside the housing, a bend radius of the first optical fiber between the slack adjustment section and the optical adapter to a predetermined value or greater.

[0007] A method according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a method for an optical transmission device, which includes inserting an optical adapter that connects a first optical fiber inside a housing to a second optical fiber outside the housing into an insertion / removal section, adjusting the excess length of the first optical fiber that occurs inside the housing using a part of the housing, and ensuring that the bending radius of the first optical fiber between the part of the housing that adjusts the excess length and the optical adapter inside the housing is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present disclosure, the excess length of the optical fiber can be appropriately managed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic top view illustrating a configuration example of a related optical transmission device. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic top view illustrating a configuration example of an optical transmission device according to some embodiments. [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic front view illustrating an example of a configuration of an optical transmission device according to some embodiments. [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic front view illustrating an example of a configuration of an optical transmission device according to some embodiments. [Figure 5] 1 is a schematic top view illustrating a configuration example of an optical transmission device according to some embodiments. [Figure 6] 1 is a schematic front view illustrating an example of a configuration of an optical transmission device according to some embodiments. [Figure 7]1 is a schematic front view illustrating an example of a configuration of an optical transmission device according to some embodiments. [Figure 8] 1 is a schematic front view illustrating an example of a configuration of an optical transmission device according to some embodiments. [Figure 9] 1 is a schematic top view illustrating a configuration example of an optical transmission device according to some embodiments. [Figure 10] 1 is a schematic top view illustrating a configuration example of an optical transmission device according to some embodiments. [Figure 11] 1 is a schematic side view illustrating an example of operation when an LC-MPO adapter is attached to an optical transmission device according to some embodiments. FIG. [Figure 12] 10A and 10B are schematic side views for explaining an example of operation when an LC-MPO adapter is removed from an optical transmission device according to some embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted as necessary.

[0011] (Review of related technologies) 1 is a schematic top view showing an example of the configuration of a related optical transmission device 90. For example, the optical transmission device 90 is an OCI (Open Cable Interface) device that includes multiple functional blocks and accommodates multiple optical fibers. The functional blocks include functions related to communication control and relay between optical fibers, for example.

[0012] The optical transmission device 90 has a plurality of ports (for example, 54 ports) on a front plate 91a on the front surface of a housing 91. An LC-LC adapter 92 is disposed in each port. The LC-LC adapter 92 detachably connects an LC optical fiber F1 outside the housing 91 to an LC optical fiber F2 inside the housing 91. The LC optical fiber is an optical fiber with an LC connector and is a single-core optical fiber. The LC optical fiber is also called an optical patch cord.

[0013] As shown in Figure 1, an LC optical fiber F1 is connected to the LC-LC adapter 92 of each port, and optical communication is performed via the connected LC optical fiber F1. For example, when an optical transmission device experiences a breakdown or malfunction, it may need to be replaced. The LC connectors of the optical patch cords have a locking function, and when removing the associated optical transmission device 90 for replacement, the multiple optical patch cords (LC optical fibers F1) must be unlocked and removed one by one. Furthermore, when reattaching the multiple optical patch cords, they must be inserted one by one, and the end faces must be cleaned accordingly. This results in a problem of the replacement process being complicated and requiring a lot of man-hours.

[0014] One possible solution to this problem is to use an LC-MPO adapter, which connects a single-fiber LC optical fiber and a multi-fiber MPO optical fiber, instead of an LC-LC adapter. However, in this case, the LC-MPO adapter needs to be pluggable, which creates problems with managing the excess optical fiber length when plugging and unplugging the LC-MPO adapter. For example, when installing an LC-MPO adapter, it may not be possible to ensure the proper bend radius for the optical fiber within the housing. Also, when removing the LC-MPO adapter, the optical fiber may be pulled out too far, causing a break.

[0015] (Embodiment 1) Next, a description will be given of a first embodiment. In this embodiment, an outline of the embodiment will be described.

[0016] 2 is a schematic top view showing an example of the configuration of an optical transmission device 10 according to some embodiments. For example, the optical transmission device 10 is an OCI device that includes multiple functional blocks and accommodates multiple optical fibers, similar to the optical transmission device 10 shown in FIG. 1. For example, the optical transmission device 10 will be described as a horizontally placed pizza box-type optical transmission device, but it may also be a vertically placed shelf-type optical transmission device. That is, the up / down (vertical direction) and left / right (horizontal direction) in each drawing are examples for the purpose of explanation, and up / down / left / right may be read as left / right / up / down.

[0017] In the example of FIG. 2, the optical transmission device 10 includes a housing 11, an insertion / removal section 12, an extra length adjustment section 13, and a bending radius securing section 14.

[0018] The housing 11 houses therein a mounting board (not shown) on which each functional block of the optical transmission device 10 is mounted. For example, the mounting board is a board on which optical components and semiconductor devices required for optical communication are mounted. The housing 11 is a horizontally long rectangular parallelepiped housing member. The front plate 11a on the front side of the housing 11 is a surface that has interface ports including optical fibers and is the surface on which a user performs operations and work. For example, an insertion / removal section 12 and an excess length adjustment section 13 are arranged on the front plate 11a. A bending radius securing section 14 is arranged inside the housing 11.

[0019] The insertion / removal section 12 allows the optical adapter 20 to be inserted into or removed from the housing 11. "Removable" means "insertable" or "removable," and can also be described as "attachable" or "detachable." For example, the insertion / removal section 12 may be an opening formed in the front plate 11a. For example, the optical adapter 20 is an LC-MPO adapter (single-core to multi-core conversion adapter) that connects an MPO optical fiber F3 inside the housing 11 with an LC optical fiber F1 outside the housing 11. The MPO optical fiber F3 and the LC optical fiber F1 are examples, and other optical fibers may be used. For example, the MPO optical fiber F3 may be referred to as the "first optical fiber" and the LC optical fiber F1 as the "second optical fiber." The first optical fiber may be, for example, a multi-core optical fiber, but may be any other optical fiber, not limited to an MPO optical fiber. The second optical fiber may be, for example, a single-core optical fiber, but may be any other optical fiber, not limited to an LC optical fiber, such as an SC optical fiber.

[0020] The slack adjuster 13 adjusts the slack of the MPO optical fiber F3 connected to the optical adapter 20. Specifically, the slack adjuster 13 can adjust the slack of the MPO optical fiber F3 generated inside the housing 11 when the optical adapter 20 is inserted into the insertion / removal unit 12, using a part of the housing 11. For example, the part of the housing 11 may be the front plate 11a, but it may also be another part. The slack adjuster 13 may adjust the slack of the MPO optical fiber F3 via the outside of the front plate 11a. That is, the slack adjuster 13 folds the MPO optical fiber F3 drawn from inside the housing 11 (mounting board) in the space outside the front plate 11a, guides it to the optical adapter 20 inserted in the insertion / removal unit 12, and adjusts the slack at the folded-back portion of the MPO optical fiber F3 outside the front plate 11a. For example, the slack adjuster 13 may be an opening such as a slit formed in the front plate 11a.

[0021] The bending radius ensuring unit 14 ensures that the bending radius of the MPO optical fiber F3 between the slack length adjusting unit 13 and the optical adapter 20 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value inside the housing 11. The bending radius ensuring unit 14 may guide the MPO optical fiber F3 connected to the optical adapter 20 from the optical adapter 20 to the slack length adjusting unit 13 while ensuring that the bending radius is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. For example, the bending radius ensuring unit 14 may be a support column arranged vertically inside the housing 11.

[0022] As described above, in this embodiment, an optical adapter that connects a first optical fiber inside a housing to a second optical fiber outside the housing is made insertable and removable in an optical transmission device. For example, an optical adapter that connects a multi-core optical fiber to a single-core optical fiber is made insertable and removable. This reduces the burden of replacement work, etc. Furthermore, by providing an excess length adjustment unit on the front plate or the like and a bending radius securing unit inside the housing, excess length of optical fiber generated inside the housing can be appropriately managed (adjusted).

[0023] (Embodiment 2) Next, a description will be given of a second embodiment. In this embodiment, a specific example of the first embodiment will be described.

[0024] 3 and 4 are schematic front views illustrating an example configuration of an optical transmission device 100 according to some embodiments. Fig. 5 is a schematic top view illustrating an example configuration of an optical transmission device 100 according to some embodiments. Fig. 3 shows the front of the optical transmission device 100 with the LC-MPO adapter removed, and Figs. 4 and 5 show the front and top of the optical transmission device 100 with the LC-MPO adapter attached.

[0025] The optical transmission device 100 is, for example, a pizza box-type optical transmission device, as in the first embodiment. In the example of FIGS. 3 to 5, the optical transmission device 100 allows the LC-MPO adapter 200 to be inserted and removed. For example, two LC-MPO adapters 200-1 and 200-2 are inserted and removed, but any number of LC-MPO adapters 200 may be inserted and removed. The LC-MPO adapter 200 includes an LC receptacle 201 that connects an LC connector of the LC optical fiber F1 and an MPO receptacle 202 that connects an MPO connector of the MPO optical fiber F3. For example, the LC-MPO adapter 200 includes 12 LC receptacles 201 and two MPO receptacles 202, but may include any number of LC receptacles 201 and MPO receptacles 202. For example, the LC-MPO adapter 200 converts optical signals between six single-core LC optical fibers F1 and one six-core MPO optical fiber F3. The LC-MPO adapters 200-1 and 200-2 may be adapters that connect different numbers or types of optical fibers.

[0026] In the example of FIGS. 3 to 5, the optical transmission device 100 includes an insertion slot 120 and a slit 130 on a front plate 111 on the front surface of a housing 110, and includes a support 140 and a chain 150 inside the housing 110.

[0027] The insertion port 120 is an insertion / removal section for inserting and removing the LC-MPO adapter 200. For example, the insertion port 120 is an opening shaped to match the outer shape (cross-sectional shape) of the LC-MPO adapter 200. Other members for attaching and fixing the LC-MPO adapter 200 may also be provided. For example, a support member (such as a socket) for supporting the inserted LC-MPO adapter 200 at a predetermined position may also be provided.

[0028] 3 to 5, insertion ports 120-1 and 120-2 are formed side by side in the center of front plate 111 to insert and remove LC-MPO adapters 200-1 and 200-2. The insertion ports 120-1 and 120-2 are not limited to being formed in the center of front plate 111, but may be formed on the right or left side of front plate 111. Insertion ports 120-1 and 120-2 may also be formed at separate positions (for example, on the right and left sides).

[0029] The slit 130 is a slack length adjusting unit for adjusting (managing) the slack length of the MPO optical fiber F3. For example, the slit 130 is an opening inside the housing 110 that allows the MPO optical fiber F3 connected to the LC-MPO adapter 200 and the MPO optical fiber F3 connected to the mounting board to be inserted and removed. The slit 130 is pulled out through the slit 130 to adjust the slack length of the MPO optical fiber F3 inside the housing 110. The shape and size of the slit 130 are not limited as long as it allows the MPO optical fiber F3 to be inserted and removed. For example, the slit 130 is rectangular, but it may also be circular. For example, the slit 130 is large enough to allow four MPO optical fibers F3 to be inserted and removed. At least two slits 130a and 130b are provided to fold back the MPO optical fibers F3 from inside the housing 110 outside the housing 110. Other members for fixing the pulled-out MPO optical fibers F3 may be provided. For example, a member for bundling the four MPO optical fibers F3 may be provided.

[0030] 3 to 5, slits 130a and 130b are formed side by side on the upper right side of the insertion port 120-2. For example, the slit 130a closer to the insertion port 120-2 leads out the four MPO optical fibers F3 connected to the LC-MPO adapters 200-1 and 200-2 inside the housing 110. The slit 130b further away from the insertion port 120-2 leads out the four MPO optical fibers F3 connected to the mounting board inside the housing 110. The four MPO optical fibers F3 connected between the mounting board and the LC-MPO adapters 200-1 and 200-2 are folded back outside the housing 110 via the slits 130a and 130b.

[0031] As long as the excess length of the MPO optical fiber F3 can be managed (adjusted), there are no limitations on the position or number of the slits 130. The slits 130 may be disposed to the left of the insertion port 120-1, or between the insertion ports 120-1 and 120-2. Furthermore, the slits 130 are not limited to being disposed above the front plate 111, but may also be disposed below. The number of slits 130 is not limited to two, and four or eight slits 130 may be disposed depending on the number of MPO optical fibers F3.

[0032] 6 to 8 show other examples of the slit 130. In the example of FIG. 6, slits 130a and 130b are formed vertically aligned on the right side of the insertion port 120-2. For example, the lower slit 130a leads out four MPO optical fibers F3 connected to the LC-MPO adapters 200-1 and 200-2 inside the housing 110. The upper slit 130b leads out four MPO optical fibers F3 connected to a mounting board inside the housing 110. The slits 130a and 130b may lead out optical fibers in the opposite direction. The four MPO optical fibers F3 connected between the mounting board and the LC-MPO adapters 200-1 and 200-2 are folded back outside the housing 110 via the slits 130a and 130b.

[0033] 7, slits 130a to 130d are formed in the upper and lower right parts of insertion slot 120-2. That is, slits 130a and 130b are formed side by side in the upper right part, and slits 130c and 130d are formed side by side below slits 130a and 130b.

[0034] For example, the upper slit 130a, which is closer to the insertion port 120-2, leads out two MPO optical fibers F3 that are connected to the LC-MPO adapter 200-1 inside the housing 110. The upper slit 130b, which is farther from the insertion port 120-2, leads out two MPO optical fibers F3 that are connected to a mounting board inside the housing 110. The two MPO optical fibers F3 that are connected between the mounting board and the LC-MPO adapter 200-1 are folded back outside the housing 110 via the slits 130a and 130b. Other MPO optical fibers F3 may also be folded back through the slits 130a and 130b.

[0035] Furthermore, the lower slit 130c, which is closer to the insertion port 120-2, leads out two MPO optical fibers F3 that are connected to the LC-MPO adapter 200-2 inside the housing 110. The lower slit 130d, which is farther from the insertion port 120-2, leads out two MPO optical fibers F3 that are connected to a mounting board inside the housing 110. The two MPO optical fibers F3 that are connected between the mounting board and the LC-MPO adapter 200-2 are folded back outside the housing 110 via the slits 130c and 130d. The slits 130c and 130d may also fold back other MPO optical fibers F3. The pair of slits 130a and 130c may fold back any MPO optical fiber F3, and the pair of slits 130b and 130d may fold back any MPO optical fiber F3.

[0036] In the example of FIG. 8, slits 130a and 130b are formed side by side in the upper right portion of insertion slot 120-2, and slits 130c and 130d are formed side by side in the upper left portion of insertion slot 120-1.

[0037] For example, the slit 130a close to the insertion port 120-2 leads out two MPO optical fibers F3 connected to the LC-MPO adapter 200-2 inside the housing 110. The slit 130b away from the insertion port 120-2 leads out two MPO optical fibers F3 connected to a mounting board inside the housing 110. The two MPO optical fibers F3 connected between the mounting board and the LC-MPO adapter 200-2 are folded back outside the housing 110 via the slits 130a and 130b.

[0038] Furthermore, the slit 130c close to the insertion port 120-1 leads out two MPO optical fibers F3 connected to the LC-MPO adapter 200-1 inside the housing 110. The slit 130d away from the insertion port 120-1 leads out two MPO optical fibers F3 connected to a mounting board inside the housing 110. The two MPO optical fibers F3 connected between the mounting board and the LC-MPO adapter 200-1 are folded back outside the housing 110 via the slits 130c and 130d.

[0039] The support 140 is a bend radius ensuring section that ensures the bend radius of the MPO optical fiber F3 between the LC-MPO adapter 200 and the slit 130 inside the housing 110 to be equal to or greater than a predetermined value. The support 140 guides the path of the MPO optical fiber F3 between the LC-MPO adapter 200 and the slit 130 while ensuring the bend radius of the MPO optical fiber F3 to be equal to or greater than a predetermined value. The shape and size of the support 140 are not limited as long as the bend radius of the MPO optical fiber F3 is ensured. For example, the support 140 is a semi-cylinder with a semi-circular cross section, but it may also be a cylinder with a circular cross section. The arc surface of the semi-cylinder or cylinder guides the MPO optical fiber F3 while ensuring its bend radius. Instead of using one support 140, multiple support columns may be arranged to guide the MPO optical fiber F3 while ensuring its bend radius.

[0040] The position of the support pillar 140 changes the path of the MPO optical fiber F3 guided by the support pillar 140 and the bending radius of the MPO optical fiber F3. For this reason, the support pillar 140 is disposed at a position that ensures the bending radius of the MPO optical fiber F3 to be equal to or greater than a predetermined value. Note that the position of the support pillar 140 is fixed, but it may also be movable. For example, the support pillar 140 may be an elastic member, and may move or deform in response to the LC-MPO adapter 200 being pulled out.

[0041] In the example of FIG. 5, the support pillar 140 is disposed near the right end of the insertion port 120-2 and the slit 130a. For example, when viewed from the front, the support pillar 140 is disposed at a position where the support pillar 140 and the slit 130a partially overlap, or where the support pillar 140 and the slit 130a are close to each other. The support pillar 140 guides (leads) the four MPO optical fibers F3 connected to the LC-MPO adapters 200-1 and 200-2 to the slit 130a via the arcuate surface of the support pillar 140 while maintaining the bending radius. In other words, the support pillar 140 guides the four MPO optical fibers F3 from the slit 130a to the LC-MPO adapters 200-1 and 200-2. The support pillar 140 may be disposed to match the position of the slit 130. For example, if the slit 130 is formed on the left side of the insertion port 120-1, the support pillar 140 may be disposed on the left side of the insertion port 120-1.

[0042] 9 and 10 show other examples of the support pillar 140. In the example of FIG. 9, the support pillar 140-1 is disposed near the right end of the insertion port 120-2 and the slit 130a, and the support pillar 140-2 is disposed near the center between the insertion ports 120-1 and 120-2. The support pillar 140-2 guides the two MPO optical fibers F3 connected to the LC-MPO adapter 200-1 to the support pillar 140-1 via the arcuate surface of the support pillar 140-2 while maintaining a proper bending radius. The support pillar 140-1 guides the two MPO optical fibers F3 connected to the LC-MPO adapter 200-2 and the two MPO optical fibers F3 passed through the support pillar 140-2 to the slit 130a via the arcuate surface of the support pillar 140-2 while maintaining a proper bending radius.

[0043] 10, pillars 140-1 and 140-2 are disposed near the right end of insertion port 120-2 and slit 130a, and pillar 140-2 is disposed near the left end of insertion port 120-1 and slit 130c. Pillar 140-1 guides two MPO optical fibers F3 connected to LC-MPO adapter 200-2 to slit 130a via the arcuate surface of pillar 140-1 while maintaining a proper bending radius. Pillar 140-2 guides two MPO optical fibers F3 connected to LC-MPO adapter 200-1 to slit 130c via the arcuate surface of pillar 140-2 while maintaining a proper bending radius.

[0044] The chain 150 is a pull-out prevention unit (limiting unit) that prevents the MPO optical fiber F3 from being pulled out too far when the LC-MPO adapter 200 is removed. The chain 150 physically limits the length of the MPO optical fiber F3 pulled out from the housing 110 (front plate 111) to a predetermined length. For example, the chain 150 connects the housing 110 above the insertion port 120 to the connector at the end of the MPO optical fiber F3 at a predetermined length. In the example of FIGS. 3 to 5, chains 150-1 to 150-4 are provided according to the number of MPO optical fibers F3. Other connecting members may be used instead of chains as long as they can limit the pulled length of the MPO optical fiber F3 to the predetermined length. For example, strings, rubber, etc. may be used. Furthermore, other methods may be used instead of connecting members to prevent the MPO optical fiber F3 from being pulled out too far. For example, a mark (such as tape) may be attached to a predetermined position on the MPO optical fiber F3 to visually indicate that the length of the MPO optical fiber F3 pulled out from the housing 110 (front plate 111) is the predetermined length. This allows the user to know if the MPO optical fiber F3 has been pulled out too far.

[0045] 11 shows an example of an operation when attaching (inserting) an LC-MPO adapter 200 to an optical transmission device 100 according to some embodiments. Note that in the example of FIG. 11, the slits 130a and 130b are arranged vertically, similar to FIG. 6. First, as shown in FIG. 11(a), an LC-MPO adapter 200 to be attached to the optical transmission device 100 is prepared. An LC optical fiber F1 is connected in advance to the LC receptacle 201 of the LC-MPO adapter 200.

[0046] Next, as shown in FIG. 11(b), the internal MPO optical fiber F3 (connected to the chain 150) is removed from the insertion port 120 of the housing 110, and the MPO connector of the removed MPO optical fiber F3 is attached to the MPO receptacle 202 of the LC-MPO adapter 200.

[0047] 11(c), the LC-MPO adapter 200 connected to the MPO optical fiber F3 is inserted and attached to the insertion port 120. Then, as the LC-MPO adapter 200 is inserted, the MPO optical fiber F3 attached to the LC-MPO adapter 200 is pushed in, and excess length is generated in the MPO optical fiber F3 inside the housing 110 (behind the LC-MPO adapter 200).

[0048] 11(d), the MPO optical fiber F3 is pulled out from the slit 130a. This pulls out the MPO optical fiber F3 between the LC-MPO adapter 200 and the slit 130a, and the MPO optical fiber F3 is pulled outward via the support 140. This ensures the bending radius of the MPO optical fiber F3 using the support 140, and eliminates any excess length of the MPO optical fiber F3 inside the housing 110. This completes the installation of the LC-MPO adapter 200.

[0049] Figure 12 shows an example of the operation when the LC-MPO adapter 200 is removed (removed) after being attached in Figure 11. First, in Figure 12(a), the LC-MPO adapter 200 is attached to the optical transmission device 100, as in Figure 11(d). That is, the MPO optical fiber F3 is pulled out from the slit 130a, and there is no excess length of the MPO optical fiber F3 inside the housing 110.

[0050] 12(b), the LC-MPO adapter 200 is removed from the insertion port 120 of the housing 110. As the LC-MPO adapter 200 is pulled out, the MPO optical fiber F3 attached to the LC-MPO adapter 200 is also pulled out from the insertion port 120. At this time, the excess length of the MPO optical fiber F3 outside the slit 130a decreases. Furthermore, when an attempt is made to pull out the LC-MPO adapter 200, the chain 150 restricts the pulling out to a predetermined length, preventing the LC-MPO adapter 200 from being pulled out.

[0051] 12(c), the MPO connector of the MPO optical fiber F3 is removed from the MPO receptacle 202 of the LC-MPO adapter 200. This completes the removal of the LC-MPO adapter 200.

[0052] As described above, optical transmission equipment, which has multiple functional blocks in a single housing, requires multiple patch cords to be connected, which increases the workload when replacing equipment. In this embodiment, an LC-MPO adapter is applied to the optical fiber connection section of the front plate, making the LC-MPO adapter removable. This reduces the workload when replacing equipment, as only the LC-MPO adapter needs to be removed and installed, eliminating the need to remove and install multiple patch cords one by one.

[0053] This embodiment also solves the problem of fiber breakage due to excessive fiber length management and excessive fiber pull-out when inserting and removing an LC-MPO adapter. Specifically, by creating at least two slits at any desired position on the front plate and folding back the internal MPO optical fiber at these slits, the excess fiber length within the housing can be managed from the outside. Furthermore, by providing a pull-out limiting mechanism, such as a chain, between the internal MPO optical fiber connector and the housing, the pull-out distance can be physically limited. Marks or other marks attached to the optical fiber can also prevent excessive fiber pull-out.

[0054] Although the present disclosure has been described above with reference to the embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Various modifications that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present disclosure within the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, each embodiment can be combined with other embodiments as appropriate.

[0055] Each drawing is merely an example for describing one or more embodiments. Each drawing may relate not only to one particular embodiment, but also to one or more other embodiments. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, various features or steps described with reference to any one drawing can be combined with features or steps shown in one or more other drawings to create, for example, an embodiment not explicitly shown or described. Not all features or steps shown in any one drawing are necessary to describe an exemplary embodiment, and some features or steps may be omitted. The order of steps described in any drawing may be changed as appropriate.

[0056] A part or all of the above-described embodiments can be described as, but not limited to, the following supplementary notes.

[0057] (Appendix 1) The housing and an insertion / removal unit into which an optical adapter that connects a first optical fiber inside the housing and a second optical fiber outside the housing can be inserted and removed; an excess length adjusting unit that can adjust, using a part of the housing, an excess length portion of the first optical fiber that occurs inside the housing when the optical adapter is inserted into the insertion / removal unit; a bending radius ensuring unit that ensures a bending radius of the first optical fiber between the extra length adjusting unit and the optical adapter to be equal to or greater than a predetermined value within the housing; An optical transmission device comprising: (Appendix 2) the first optical fiber includes a multi-core optical fiber; the second optical fiber includes a single-core optical fiber; 2. The optical transmission device according to claim 1. (Appendix 3) the insertion / removal portion and the extra length adjustment portion are included in a front plate of the housing; 3. The optical transmission device according to claim 1 or 2. (Appendix 4) the excess length adjusting unit adjusts the excess length of the first optical fiber via the outside of the front plate. 4. The optical transmission device according to claim 3. (Appendix 5) the excess length adjustment unit folds back the first optical fiber drawn from inside the housing in the space outside the front plate and guides it to the optical adapter inserted in the insertion / removal unit, and adjusts the excess length of the first optical fiber at the folded back portion outside the front plate. 5. The optical transmission device according to claim 4. (Appendix 6) The extra length adjustment portion includes a slit formed in the front plate. 4. The optical transmission device according to claim 3. (Appendix 7) the bending radius ensuring unit guides the first optical fiber connected to the optical adapter from the optical adapter to the extra length adjusting unit while ensuring a bending radius of at least a predetermined value. 3. The optical transmission device according to claim 1 or 2. (Appendix 8) a limiting section that limits the length of the first optical fiber connected to the optical adapter that is pulled out from the housing to a predetermined length when the optical adapter is pulled out from the insertion / removal section; 3. The optical transmission device according to claim 1 or 2. (Appendix 9) The limiting portion is configured to physically limit the length of the first optical fiber drawn out from the housing to a predetermined length, or to visually indicate that the length of the first optical fiber drawn out from the housing is a predetermined length. 9. The optical transmission device according to claim 8. (Appendix 10) A method in an optical transmission device, comprising: an optical adapter that connects a first optical fiber inside the housing to a second optical fiber outside the housing is inserted into the insertion / removal section; adjusting an excess length portion of the first optical fiber generated inside the housing by using a part of the housing; inside the housing, a bending radius of the first optical fiber between a part of the housing that adjusts the excess length and the optical adapter is ensured to be equal to or greater than a predetermined value; method.

[0058] Some or all of the elements (e.g., configurations and functions) described in Supplementary Notes 2 to 9 that are dependent on Supplementary Note 1 (apparatus) may also be dependent on Supplementary Note 10 (method) in the same dependency relationship as Supplementary Notes 2 to 9. Some or all of the elements described in any Supplementary Note may be applied to various hardware, software, recording means for recording software, systems, and methods. [Explanation of symbols]

[0059] 10 Optical transmission equipment 11. Housing 11a Front Plate 12 Insertion / extraction section 13 Extra length adjustment section 14 Bending radius securing section 20 Optical adapter 100 Optical transmission equipment 110 Case 111 Front Plate 120, 120-1 to 120-2 insertion slot 130, 130a~130d Slit 140, 140-1~140-2 Post 150, 150-1 to 150-4 chain 200, 200-1 to 200-2 LC-MPO adapters 201 LC receptacle 202 MPO Receptacle F1, F2 LC optical fiber F3 MPO Fiber Optic

Claims

1. The housing and an insertion / removal unit into which an optical adapter that connects a first optical fiber inside the housing and a second optical fiber outside the housing can be inserted and removed; an excess length adjusting unit that is capable of adjusting an excess length of the first optical fiber generated inside the housing when the optical adapter is inserted into the insertion / removal unit, using a part of the housing; a bending radius ensuring unit that ensures a bending radius of the first optical fiber between the extra length adjusting unit and the optical adapter to be equal to or greater than a predetermined value within the housing; An optical transmission device comprising:

2. the first optical fiber includes a multi-core optical fiber; the second optical fiber includes a single-core optical fiber; 2. The optical transmission device according to claim 1.

3. the insertion / removal portion and the extra length adjustment portion are included in a front plate of the housing; 3. The optical transmission device according to claim 1.

4. the excess length adjusting unit adjusts the excess length of the first optical fiber via the outside of the front plate.

4. The optical transmission device according to claim 3.

5. the excess length adjustment unit folds back the first optical fiber drawn from inside the housing in the space outside the front plate and guides it to the optical adapter inserted in the insertion / removal unit, and adjusts the excess length of the first optical fiber at the folded back portion outside the front plate.

5. The optical transmission device according to claim 4.

6. The extra length adjustment portion includes a slit formed in the front plate.

4. The optical transmission device according to claim 3.

7. the bending radius ensuring unit guides the first optical fiber connected to the optical adapter from the optical adapter to the extra length adjusting unit while ensuring a bending radius of the first optical fiber connected to the optical adapter to be equal to or greater than a predetermined value.

3. The optical transmission device according to claim 1.

8. a limiting portion that limits the length of the first optical fiber connected to the optical adapter that is pulled out from the housing to a predetermined length when the optical adapter is pulled out from the insertion / removal portion; 3. The optical transmission device according to claim 1.

9. The limiting portion is configured to physically limit the length of the first optical fiber drawn out from the housing to a predetermined length, or to visually indicate that the length of the first optical fiber drawn out from the housing is the predetermined length.

9. The optical transmission device according to claim 8.

10. A method in an optical transmission device, comprising: an optical adapter for connecting a first optical fiber inside the housing to a second optical fiber outside the housing is inserted into the insertion / removal section; adjusting an excess length portion of the first optical fiber generated inside the housing by using a part of the housing; and inside the housing, ensuring a bending radius of the first optical fiber between the part of the housing that adjusts the excess length and the optical adapter to be equal to or greater than a predetermined value. method.

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