Excess length storage module and optical connection box

Abstract

To provide an excess length storage module capable of accommodating optical wiring at a plurality of locations.SOLUTION: An excess length storage module 1 for storing optical wiring is provided, having a front excess length storage part 11 capable of accommodating optical wiring on a front side, and a groove-like rear excess length storage part 12 capable of accommodating optical wiring on a rear side.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an excess length storage module and an optical connection box. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, optical connection boxes have been used to protect the portion connecting an optical fiber extending from a utility pole and an optical fiber extending from a device such as a media converter installed in an apartment building or a detached house. Generally, the optical fiber and the like installed in the adapter module are routed in the main body and the surplus length is stored. In addition, the optical cord of the optical cable and the surplus length of the optical fiber pulled in from the outside are also stored in the main body. Although the optical fiber is structurally prone to breakage, the adapter module can prevent the optical fiber from coming into contact with other objects.

[0003] For example, when used in an apartment building, an optical fiber cable pulled from a utility pole is input to a free-standing optical connection box and distributed to optical connection boxes on each floor. The optical connection box to which the cable is distributed is connected to a media converter on the floor. In the case of a detached house, for example, an optical fiber pulled from a utility pole and an optical fiber from a media converter are input to an optical connection box installed in the detached house. As described in Patent Document 1, such an optical connection box is known to have a configuration in which a fusion tray and an adapter tray are stacked. Also, as described in Patent Document 2, it is sometimes sold in a form in which optical wiring is stored inside to make on-site installation easier. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2004-20707 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2015-45817 A

[0005] Incidentally, if the manufacturer ships the optical connection box with the optical cord or optical wiring to be connected to the communication device in the house already installed, the pre-installed optical wiring is pulled out and fused to the optical wiring from the utility pole using a fusion machine during installation. Since the pre-wiring optical wiring is simply wound and stored in the surplus length tray at the time of shipment, it is unclear how much optical fiber should be taken out when fusing the optical fiber. In addition, if more optical fiber is taken out than necessary, the optical fiber in the taken out part may break, or the task of rewinding it into the surplus length tray may be troublesome. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The inventors of the present invention have conducted extensive research into these points and other issues. The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an excess length storage module capable of storing optical wiring in a plurality of locations, and to provide an optical connection box having the excess length storage module. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problem, the present invention provides an excess length storage module for storing optical wiring, which has a front excess length storage section on the front side capable of storing optical wiring, and a groove-shaped rear excess length storage section on the rear side capable of storing optical wiring.

[0008] It is also preferable that a wall portion be provided extending from the bottom surface to the front surface along at least a portion of the rear excess length storage portion, and that at least a portion of the wall portion be positioned between the front excess length storage portion and the rear excess length storage portion.

[0009] It is also preferable that the optical fiber cable be provided with a main body into which optical wiring can be introduced from the outside and into which an excess length can be stored, and that the excess length storage module be rotatably attached to the main body.

[0010] It is preferable that the slack storage module has an internal connector on one end and an internal optical wiring on the other end which is a portion to be fused to the external optical wiring to be introduced into the main body, and also has an adapter to which both the external connector introduced from outside the main body and the internal connector stored inside are connected, and that the front slack storage section of the slack storage module stores the portion of the internal optical wiring that faces the internal connector, and the rear slack storage section of the slack storage module is an optical connection box which stores the portion of the internal optical wiring that is fused to the external optical wiring to be introduced into the main body.

[0011] In addition, it is preferable that the rear surface of the excess length storage module is formed approximately flat, and the groove-shaped rear excess length storage section is provided with a regulating piece that prevents the optical wiring from falling out of the rear excess length storage section, and that the regulating piece is formed so as not to protrude from the bottom surface.

[0012] It is also preferable to provide a contact portion for maintaining the slack storage module in an upright position so that the optical wiring can be removed from the rear slack storage portion.

[0013] It is also preferable to provide abutment portions at multiple locations on the main body portion that can abut against the locking portion provided on the slack storage module, and to make it possible to select the angle at which the slack storage module is stood by selecting the abutment portion that abuts against the locking portion.

[0014] It is also preferable to provide an engaging protrusion on an elastic piece that elastically deforms when the slack storage modules are connected to each other horizontally, an engaging groove that can engage with the engaging protrusion formed on the elastic piece of the connected slack storage module, and a spring structure and a regulating part that can hold the branching part that covers the part where the multi-core cord branches into a single core from the front and rear directions, located adjacent to the elastic piece of the slack storage module. Effect of the Invention

[0015] The present invention makes it possible to provide an excess length storage module capable of storing optical wiring in a plurality of locations, and to provide an optical connection box having the excess length storage module. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a slack storage module as viewed from the front side. FIG. [Diagram 2] 1 is a perspective view of an excess length storage module according to an embodiment, seen from the rear side. FIG. [Diagram 3] 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which an excess length storage module is attached to a main body of an optical connection box in an embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] 4 is a perspective view showing an example in which an optical cord as an internal wiring and an optical cable as an external wiring are arranged in the slack storage module shown in FIG. 3. FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a front view of the state shown in FIG. 4. [Figure 6] 13 is a diagram showing the optical wiring being taken out of the rear excess length storage section and fusion-spliced ​​to the optical fiber provided in the optical cable. FIG. [Figure 7] 13 is a diagram showing the state in which the slack storage module is cut near the front slack storage section. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a side view of the cross section shown in FIG. 7. [Figure 9] 9 is a diagram showing an outline of a portion used as a front surplus storage portion and a portion used as a rear surplus storage portion among the portions shown in FIG. 8. FIG. [Figure 10] 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which an optical cable and an external connector are connected to the optical junction box. FIG. [Figure 11] 13 is a diagram showing a state in which an optical cable is connected to an optical connection box with the cover open. FIG. [Figure 12] 1 is a partially enlarged view of the area around the locking portion and the abutting portion, with the slack storage module laid down. [Figure 13] 13 is a diagram showing the locking portion and the abutment portion engaged with each other in a state in which the slack storage module is stood upright so as to extend perpendicularly to the main body portion. FIG. [Figure 14] 14 is a diagram illustrating the engagement between the locking portion and the abutting portion in a state in which the slack storage module is erected at a larger angle than that shown in FIG. 13. FIG. [Figure 15] 1 is a diagram showing an example in which slack storage modules are connected in the left-right direction, with a four-core optical cord extending from a branching portion disposed in one slack storage module being passed to the other slack storage module. [Figure 16] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the right side of the slack storage module. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a partially enlarged view of the area around region XVII in FIG. 16. [Figure 18] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the left side of the slack storage module. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a partially enlarged view of the vicinity of region XIX in FIG. 18. [Figure 20] 16 is a diagram showing changes in state before and after arranging a branch portion with respect to the periphery of the elastic piece in the portion cut along the XX cross section in FIG. 15. FIG. [Figure 21] FIG. [Figure 22] 22 is a diagram showing an example in which an optical cable is attached to the main body shown in FIG. 21 and an optical wiring is wound around the main body. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] An embodiment of the invention will be described below. As can be understood from Fig. 1 to Fig. 6, the slack storage module 1 of this embodiment stores optical wiring. This slack storage module 1 has a front slack storage section 11 capable of storing optical wiring on the front side, and a groove-shaped rear slack storage section 12 capable of storing optical wiring on the rear side. This makes it possible to provide a slack storage module 1 capable of storing optical wiring in multiple places.

[0018] Here, an outline of the slack storage module 1 of the embodiment will be described. The slack storage module 1 of the embodiment is used in a location where an optical cable extending from a utility pole or the like is connected to an optical cord or the like extending from a media converter side. This slack storage module 1 has optical wiring such as optical fibers and optical cords stored inside in advance by the manufacturer, and is provided with a portion for winding up the slack. In the following, the optical wiring such as optical fibers and optical cords stored inside in advance by the manufacturer may be referred to as an internal optical wiring 8. In contrast, an optical cable extending from a utility pole or the like may be referred to as an external optical wiring 91. However, the optical wiring extending from the media converter side is not referred to as an external optical wiring 91.

[0019] The internal optical wiring 8 provided in the slack storage module 1 of the embodiment has an internal connector 81 on one end side and the other end side is a portion to be fused to an external optical wiring 91 introduced into the main body part 51 .

[0020] The slack storage module 1 of the embodiment is called an adapter module, which includes an adapter 13 to which an external connector 93 extending from the media converter side is connected. It is preferable that the internal connector 81 included in the internal optical wiring 8 is connected to this adapter 13 before installation at the site. Note that the external connector 93 and the internal connector 81 are not connected to each other via the adapter 13, but may be directly connected to each other, and the slack storage module 1 may include only a front slack storage section 11 and a rear slack storage section 12, which will be described later.

[0021] The front side of the slack storage module 1 is provided with a front slack storage section 11 capable of storing optical wiring, and in this embodiment, a part of the optical wiring can be stored in the front slack storage section 11 by winding it around.

[0022] The rear side of the slack storage module 1 of the embodiment is provided with a groove-shaped rear slack storage section 12 capable of storing optical wiring. This rear slack storage section 12 can also store a part of the optical wiring by winding it around. Therefore, the slack storage section can be used according to the purpose.

[0023] Incidentally, the internal optical wiring 8 of the embodiment is an optical cord with a coating around the optical fiber at the end on the side fused to the external optical wiring 91. A part of this coating is removed to expose the optical fiber, and the optical fiber provided in the external optical wiring 91 that enables signal exchange with the outside of the building is connected to the exposed part. The internal optical wiring 8 has been described as an optical cord, but it may be in the form of an optical fiber.

[0024] As can be seen from FIG. 6, when performing this task, a portion of the internal optical wiring 8 provided in the slack storage module 1 is removed. However, if only the amount necessary for this removal is stored in the rear slack storage section 12, it is possible to avoid removing more of the internal optical wiring 8 than necessary, improving workability.

[0025] 7 to 9, in the slack storage module 1 of the embodiment, a wall 15 is provided so as to extend from the bottom surface 14 to the front side along at least a portion of the rear slack storage section 12, and at least a portion of the wall 15 is positioned between the front slack storage section 11 and the rear slack storage section 12. This makes it possible to increase the volume of the rear slack storage section 12 and provide a guide for the front slack storage section 11. This eliminates the need to provide a separate guide for the front slack storage section 11, and allows the slack storage module 1 to be configured narrower.

[0026] Incidentally, the slack storage module 1 of the embodiment is housed inside the optical connection box 5. This makes it possible to more effectively protect the portion where the optical fiber introduced from the utility pole side and the optical fiber introduced from the equipment side inside the building are connected.

[0027] 10 and 11 includes a main body 51 and a cover 52, which together form the outline of the outer shape of the optical connection box 5. The cover 52 in the embodiment is attached to the main body 51 so as to be rotatable therewith, but can also be removed from the main body 51.

[0028] The main body 51 of the embodiment is capable of introducing optical wiring from the outside and storing slack. In the embodiment, the slack storage module 1 provided in the main body 51 is rotatably attached to the main body 51 so that the back side of the slack storage module 1 can be easily utilized.

[0029] This slack storage module 1 has an internal connector 81 on one end side and an internal optical wiring 8 on the other end side which is a portion to be fused with an external optical wiring 91 introduced into the main body part 51, and also has an adapter 13 to which both the external connector 93 introduced from the outside of the main body part 51 and the internal connector 81 stored inside are connected. In the example shown in FIG. 11, the adapter 13 is provided on the front side of the slack storage module 1.

[0030] It is preferable that the front slack storage section 11 of the slack storage module 1 stores the portion of the internal optical wiring 8 on the internal connector 81 side, and the rear slack storage section 12 of the slack storage module 1 stores the portion of the internal optical wiring 8 on the side to be fused to the external optical wiring 91 introduced into the main body section 51. In this way, the optical fiber of the length required for fusion can be stored in the rear slack storage section 12, so that the amount required to be taken out during the fusion work can be easily known. In addition, since the slack storage module 1 is rotatable, the removal work can be facilitated.

[0031] Incidentally, it is preferable that the rear surface of the slack storage module 1 is formed substantially flat. In this way, it is possible to prevent the slack storage module 1 from getting caught on the optical fibers or optical cords stored in the main body 51.

[0032] 2, the groove-shaped rear excess length storage section 12 is preferably provided with a restricting piece 16 that restricts the optical wiring from falling out of the rear excess length storage section 12. Furthermore, it is more preferable that this restricting piece 16 is formed so as not to protrude from the bottom surface. In this way, it is possible to restrict the optical wiring from falling out of the rear excess length storage section 12, while suppressing the excess length storage module 1 from getting caught on the optical fiber or optical cord stored in the main body section 51. In the embodiment, a plurality of restricting pieces 16 are provided to make it even more difficult for the optical wiring to fall out of the rear excess length storage section 12.

[0033] Incidentally, the slack storage module 1 attached to the main body 51 can be placed in an upright or lying position by rotating it around the shaft stopper 18, but if the slack storage module 1 can be maintained in an upright position, it becomes easier to take out the optical wiring stored in the rear slack storage section 12. For this reason, in the embodiment, the slack storage module 1 is configured to include an abutment section 54 used to maintain the upright position of the slack storage module 1 so that the optical wiring in the rear slack storage section 12 can be taken out.

[0034] 12 to 14, the locking portion 17 and the abutting portion 54 of the slack storage module 1 are in contact with each other, so that the slack storage module 1 can be maintained in an upright position. This makes it easier to take out optical wiring such as optical fibers from the rear slack storage portion 12.

[0035] In the embodiment, the main body 51 is provided with a plurality of abutment parts 54, so that the angle at which the slack storage module 1 is erected can be selected. Therefore, the erect angle can be adjusted according to the convenience of the work and the devices arranged on the periphery.

[0036] 12 to 14, the locking portion 17 rotates around the shaft locking portion 18 of the slack storage module 1, so that a plurality of abutment portions 54 are provided on the rotation track of the locking portion 17. In this example, the locking portion 17 can be maintained at an angle extending substantially perpendicular to the main body portion 51, and at an angle slightly larger than that, but the angle at which it is erected does not need to be limited to this example.

[0037] In the examples shown in Figures 12 to 14, the excess length storage module 1 can be further rotated by applying an appropriate force from the state in which the excess length storage module 1 is maintained at an angle extending approximately perpendicular to the main body portion 51, and when it is rotated to an appropriate angle, the locking portion 17 abuts against a different abutment portion 54 from the previous one, making it possible to maintain the angle of the excess length storage module 1.

[0038] As can be seen from Fig. 15, the slack storage module 1 of the embodiment can be connected. In order to enable the slack storage modules 1 to be connected to each other, in the embodiment, a first engaging protrusion 21 and a second engaging protrusion 22 are provided on one side surface as shown in Fig. 16 and Fig. 17. In addition, as shown in Fig. 18 and Fig. 19, a first engaged groove 24 capable of restricting movement of the slack storage module 1 by engaging with the first engaging protrusion 21 is provided on a side surface opposite to the side surface provided with the first engaging protrusion 21 and the second engaging protrusion 22, and a second engaged groove 25 capable of restricting movement of the slack storage module 1 by engaging with the second engaging protrusion 22 is provided.

[0039] In the embodiment, the first engaged groove 24 is provided at the front end side of the side surface, and the second engaged groove 25 is provided at the rear end side of the side surface. When connecting the slack storage modules 1 to each other on the left and right, the slack storage module 1 is moved so that the first engaging protrusion 21 is inserted into the first engaged groove 24 provided on the mating slack storage module 1. Note that a part of the first engaging protrusion 21 has a widened tip, which restricts the slack storage modules 1 from moving so as to separate in the left-right direction.

[0040] The second engaging protrusion 22 is formed on an elastically deformable elastic piece 23. While the first engaging protrusion 21 is being inserted into the first engaged groove 24 of the mating slack storage module 1, the second engaging protrusion 22 provided on the elastic piece 23 comes into contact with the side surface of the slack storage module 1, causing the elastic piece 23 to elastically deform toward the inside of the main body 51. When the second engaging protrusion 22 reaches a position corresponding to the second engaged groove 25, the restoring force of the elastic piece 23 causes the second engaging protrusion 22 to be fitted into the second engaged groove 25, and this state is maintained. When it is desired to release the connection between the slack storage modules 1, the elastic piece 23 may be deformed toward the inside before the slack storage module 1 is moved.

[0041] Conversely, if the elastic pieces 23 cannot be sufficiently deformed inward, it is possible to prevent the slack storage modules 1 from becoming disconnected from each other. For this reason, in the embodiment, a multi-core cord formed by covering and bundling a plurality of optical cords can be arranged in a position adjacent to the elastic pieces 23 of the slack storage module 1. By arranging the multi-core cord in this position, it is possible to make it impossible for the elastic pieces 23 to be sufficiently deformed inward.

[0042] More specifically, in the embodiment, the slack storage module 1 is configured to include a spring structure 31 and a regulating portion 32 that can hold a branching portion 82 that covers the portion where the multi-core cord branches into a single core from the front and rear directions, located adjacent to the elastic piece 23 (see Figure 20).

[0043] 21 and 22, in the embodiment, the main body 51 is also configured to store the excess length of the optical wiring, but the main body 51 in the embodiment is provided with an outer peripheral wall 41 and an inner peripheral wall 42 so that the optical wiring can be wound in different ways. If the optical wiring is wound around the outer peripheral wall 41, the optical wiring can be wound in a size as shown by the two-dot chain line in Fig. 22, and if the optical wiring is wound around the inner peripheral wall 42, the optical wiring can be wound in a size as shown by the dashed line in Fig. 22. Therefore, the winding position can be adjusted depending on the type of cord, fiber, etc.

[0044] In the embodiment, the outer peripheral wall 41 and the inner peripheral wall 42 are formed in a plurality of locations with a gap therebetween, and the optical wiring can be routed so as to pass between the outer peripheral wall 41 side and the inner peripheral wall 42 side, which increases the variation in winding. If the inner peripheral wall 42 and the outer peripheral wall 41 are provided with a portion adjacent to each other, a narrow portion can be created as a route for the optical wiring, and the optical wiring can be prevented from spreading. In the example shown in FIG. 22, a portion with a narrow width in the vertical direction is created. In this example, by partially creating a narrow gap between the inner peripheral wall 42 and the outer peripheral wall 41, the optical wiring can be easily routed while preventing the optical wiring from spreading.

[0045] Although the present invention has been described above by taking the embodiment as an example, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and can be embodied in various forms. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] 1 Excess length storage module 5 Optical connection box 8 Internal optical wiring 11 Front extra storage compartment 12 Rear extra length storage area 13 Adapters 14 Bottom 15 Wall 16 Regulatory piece 17 Locking part 21 First engagement protrusion 22 Second engagement protrusion 23 Elastic piece 24 First engaged groove 25 Second engaged groove 31 Spring structure 32 Regulatory Department 51 Main body 54 Contact part 81 Internal Connector 82 Branch 91 External optical wiring 93 External Connector

Claims

1. An excess length storage module for storing optical wiring, The front side is provided with a front excess storage section capable of storing optical wiring, A groove-shaped rear excess storage section capable of storing optical wiring is provided on the rear side, A wall portion is provided so as to extend from the bottom surface to the front surface side along at least a portion of the rear surface extra length storage portion, At least a part of the wall portion extending from the bottom surface to the front surface is located between the front surface extra length storage portion and the rear surface extra length storage portion, The wall portion guides the optical wiring stored in the front length storage portion.

2. 2. The slack storage module according to claim 1, wherein the rear surface is flat.

3. A main body portion is provided to allow optical wiring to be introduced from the outside and to accommodate an excess length, 3. An optical connection box, comprising: an optical fiber connector; and a slack storage module according to claim 1 or 2 rotatably attached to said main body.

4. The slack storage module includes an internal connector at one end and an internal optical wiring at the other end which is a portion to be fused with an external optical wiring introduced into a main body, The device further includes an adapter to which both an external connector introduced from the outside of the main body and an internal connector housed inside the main body are connected, a front surplus length storage section of the surplus length storage module stores a portion of the internal optical wiring on the internal connector side; 4. The optical connection box according to claim 3, wherein a portion of the internal optical wiring that is to be fused to an external optical wiring introduced into a main body is accommodated in the rear slack accommodation portion of the slack accommodation module.

5. The rear surface of the slack storage module is formed to be substantially flat, the groove-shaped rear excess length storage section is provided with a restricting piece for restricting the optical wiring from falling out of the rear excess length storage section; 5. The optical junction box according to claim 3, wherein the restricting piece is formed so as not to protrude from the bottom surface.

6. 6. The optical connection box according to claim 4, further comprising an abutment portion for maintaining the slack storage module in an upright position so that the optical wiring in the slack storage portion on the rear surface can be removed.

7. a plurality of abutment portions are provided on the main body portion, the abutment portions being capable of abutting against the locking portions provided on the slack storage module; 4. The optical connection box according to claim 3, wherein the angle at which the slack storage module is erected can be selected by selecting the abutting portion that abuts against the locking portion.

8. The elastic piece is provided with an engagement protrusion, which is elastically deformed when the surplus length storage modules are connected to each other laterally, a groove formed on the elastic piece of the slack storage module to be connected and capable of engaging with the engaging protrusion; 2. The slack storage module according to claim 1, further comprising a spring structure and a restricting portion, adjacent to the elastic piece of the slack storage module, capable of holding, from the front and rear, a branching portion that covers a portion where a multi-core cord is branched into a single core.

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