Optical fiber connection box

Abstract

The invention relates to an optical fiber connection box (100) having a base housing (110) provided with fastening units such as a DIN rail clip and having a built-in part (120) connectable therewith, with at least one output (OUT) arranged on the built-in part. Such a connection box (100) is furthermore characterized in that at least one GF input (IN) is also arranged on the built-in part (120). In addition to that or in an alternative, the built-in part (120) and the base housing (110) can be form-fittingly coupled such that the built-in part is secured against falling off the base housing at different insertion depths. Furthermore, the built-in part (120) and the base housing (110) can optionally be reversibly fixed to each other by a single fixing element such as a screw (S), for example.

Description

[0001] EKS 127 16.09.2025

[0002] 1

[0003] Representative: Patent Attorney Dr. J. Beckmann, An der Baumschule 23, 57462 Olpe, Tel.: +49 2761 8379880, www.be-patent.de eks Engel FOS GmbH & Co. KG

[0004] Schuetzenstrasse 2

[0005] 57482 Wenden

[0006] Fiber optic connection box

[0007] The invention relates to a fiber optic connection box with at least one fiber optic input and at least one fiber optic output.

[0008] Optical fibers, or fiber optic cables, typically contain a bundle of optical fibers and are increasingly used as carriers of data signals (the term "fiber optic" will be abbreviated as "FI" below). A FI termination box can be used to distribute the transmitted signals. This box receives a fiber optic cable (containing many individual fibers) via a FI input and provides one or more defined FI outputs for further processing or connection. In industrial applications, such termination boxes are frequently mounted in control cabinets. Commercially available termination boxes generally have a two-part design: a base housing, which can be mounted on a DIN rail in a control cabinet and contains the FI input, and an attached component that carries the FI outputs.

[0009] US patent 2010 / 129 028 A1 describes a GF connection box in which an internal part can be swung out of a housing.

[0010] Against this background, the objective of the present invention was to provide a junction box for fiber optic cables that facilitates installation. EKS 127 16.09.2025

[0011] 2

[0012] This problem is solved by a connection box with the features of claim 1, a connection box with the features of claim 2, and a connection box with the features of claim 4. Advantageous embodiments are contained in the dependent claims.

[0013] A connection box according to the invention has at least one fiber optic input and at least one output. In the general case, the output can be configured for processing signals of various types (e.g., optical, electrical). The following discussion, without limiting generality, focuses primarily on the important special case where the output is a fiber optic cable to which a fiber optic cable can be connected. Furthermore, the designation as "input" or "output" is generally arbitrary, since signals can, in principle, be transmitted in both directions. Therefore, within the scope of this application, the roles of fiber optic input and output are generally interchangeable.In many cases, however, a single fiber optic cable with multiple individual fibers will be connected to the fiber optic input. Signals are transmitted over this cable over a longer distance, and multiple outputs, each with a unit for using, processing, or generating the signals, can be connected to it. Typically, the individual fibers of the fiber optic input are each routed to one such unit.

[0014] Furthermore, a connection box according to the present invention essentially consists of two components in its basic structure, namely: a) A first housing part, which is hereinafter referred to as the "base housing" and which has fastening means for attachment to a support. b) A second housing part, which can be connected to the base housing and which is hereinafter referred to as the "mounting part" and on which the at least one output is arranged. EKS 127 16.09.2025

[0015] 3

[0016] In addition to the base housing and the installation component, the connection box can of course also contain other components, which are not relevant or listed here in detail.

[0017] According to a first aspect of the invention, a connection box with this basic structure is further developed by arranging not only the at least one output, but also at least one of the fiber optic inputs on the component. Preferably, all available fiber optic inputs are arranged on the component.

[0018] Furthermore, optionally at least one of the GF inputs can be arranged on a different side face of the component than the at least one output. In particular, all GF inputs can be arranged on different side faces of the component than the one or more outputs. It is especially preferred if all GF inputs are arranged on a first side face and the at least one output is arranged on a different second side face, which can optionally be adjacent to the first side face.

[0019] Positioning a fiber optic input on the mounting component offers the advantage that it can be detached from the base housing along with the component and worked on separately. Since a thicker fiber optic cable is typically connected to the fiber optic input, this provides significant advantages in terms of installation. In particular, the installer can work on all relevant components in an ergonomically convenient location, for example, to splice an incoming fiber optic cable to an outgoing one. In this case, the base housing can preferably be reduced to its bare walls and can be pre-attached to a support (wall, rail in the control cabinet, wall brackets, side mounting, angle brackets, etc.).

[0020] According to a second aspect of the invention, a connection box with the basic structure described above is further developed in that (at least) when the base housing is in its operating position, the associated installation part is inserted into the base housing to a different depth (far). EKS 127 16.09.2025

[0021] 4 can be and is positively secured against falling off the base housing.

[0022] The "operating position" of the base housing refers to a specific orientation relative to gravity, which the base housing assumes in its typical or intended use when mounted. For example, when mounted in a control cabinet, the base housing can project horizontally forward from a vertical wall. This horizontal orientation would then be the "operating position" of the base housing. The base housing will generally provide a specific cavity or receiving space into which the component can be inserted or plugged. In the described embodiment, a certain form-fit coupling exists between the base housing and the component during such insertion over a specific distance (between the final connection position of the base housing and the component and the completely separated position of the base housing and component).This prevents the component from falling off the base housing due to gravity alone. A technician can therefore pull the component out of the base housing only a short distance, gaining access to the components of interest, without the component being completely separated from the base housing or requiring the technician to hold the component continuously. This facilitates the execution of necessary installation steps.

[0023] The described positive-locking coupling between the base housing and the insert can be achieved in various ways. Optionally, such a positive-locking coupling exists with respect to all possible directions of movement between the insert and the base housing (except for the insertion direction along which the insert is plugged into the base housing). Coupling could, for example, be achieved by a guide rod projecting from the base housing in the insertion direction, along which a guide eyelet located on the insert can be moved. According to a preferred embodiment of the positive-locking coupling, this EKS 127 16.09.2025

[0024] 5

[0025] Guide surfaces for the component are arranged on at least two opposite sides of the base housing. The component can then be guided and held between these guide surfaces in a drawer-like manner. Preferably, the base housing has four pairs of opposing guide surfaces that together form a channel extending in the insertion direction, into which the component can be positively inserted.

[0026] According to a third aspect of the invention, a connection box with the basic structure described above is characterized in that the installation part and the base housing can be fixed to each other by a single manipulable fixing element.

[0027] According to the basic design of the connection box, the base housing and the component can be connected. In the simplest case, this connection can be achieved by simply plugging them together, with the fully assembled configuration being secured, for example, by frictional force. Preferably, however, there is an explicit fixing between the base housing and the component in the fully assembled configuration to prevent them from unintentionally separating during normal use. Theoretically, this fixing could be permanent, for example, by gluing or soldering. Preferably, however, it is designed to be reversible, so that it can be released again, if necessary, by appropriate targeted manipulation, and the component can be separated from the base housing.According to the invention, a single, manipulable fixing element is provided for this purpose, so that a user only needs to manipulate (release) this one element to separate the component from the base housing. Compared to the use of several manipulable fixing elements, this significantly reduces assembly time.

[0028] The aforementioned fixing element can be implemented in various ways, for example as a swivel bolt that can be moved with a specific key or tool. (According to EKS 127, dated September 16, 2025)

[0029] In a preferred embodiment, the fixing element is designed as a screw that can engage in a corresponding thread. In this case, the mounting part and the base housing can be firmly fixed together by a single screw. The screw can be located on the mounting part and the corresponding thread (and / or a nut) on the base housing, or vice versa.

[0030] In a further development of the invention, when the fixing element is implemented as a screw, it is captive and connected to the mounting part or the base housing. This has the advantage that it cannot unintentionally fall out during assembly and then need to be searched for or replaced.

[0031] The features of the connection boxes, as described in the three aspects outlined, can be combined in any way. This means that a connection box with the basic structure described can be further developed by at least one of the following features: a) At least one of the fiber optic inputs is located on the mounting component. b) The mounting component is positively secured against falling off the base housing in intermediate positions. c) The mounting component and base housing are fixed together by a single, manipulable fixing element.

[0032] The external shape of the connection box is fundamentally arbitrary. Preferably, however, it has the simple form of a cuboid. The outer surfaces of this cuboid are typically formed partly by the base housing and partly by the mounting component. In particular, two adjacent faces of the cuboid can be formed by the mounting component. In this case, the at least one fiber optic input and the at least one output, which are supported by the mounting component, can be arranged on different faces of the mounting component.

[0033] The fastening device provided on the base housing for attachment to a support can vary depending on the type of support. EKS 127 16.09.2025

[0034] 7. In a preferred embodiment, the fastening means is a DIN rail clip with which the base housing can be reversibly attached to a DIN rail. Such a base housing can be used in industrial applications, particularly in control cabinets.

[0035] The component may, in particular, have a front panel with at least one fiber optic connector as an output. The connector may be designed according to a defined standard for connection to further fiber optic components.

[0036] Additionally or alternatively, the component can include guide elements for guiding and / or holding fiber optic cables (including individual optical fibers). Since fiber optic cables typically must not have sharp kinks, their defined guidance and holding are essential for reliable operation. This is achieved by the guide elements. These guide elements can include, in particular, a splice comb in which splice points (connection points) between individual optical fibers or the crimp splice protector can be fixed.

[0037] According to a further development of the above embodiment, the guide elements can be reversibly separated from the rest of the component, for example by a plug connection. This significantly simplifies splicing work. The guide elements can, in particular, include a so-called splice cassette.

[0038] The fiber optic input on the installation component can, in particular, include a wall penetration that is connected to the edge of the wall via a gap or similar, allowing a cable to be routed from the outside through the gap to the wall penetration. A cable gland can then optionally be attached to the wall penetration. Furthermore, it is preferred that, in the delivered state of the connection box, the penetrations in the wall are only prepared (e.g., by break lines) and are only completed on-site by the installer as needed. EKS 127 16.09.2025

[0039] 8

[0040] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments and the accompanying figures. These figures show:

[0041] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a connection box according to a first embodiment with the component fully removed from the base housing;

[0042] Figure 2 shows the connection box of Figure 1 with the component partially pulled out of the base housing;

[0043] Figure 3 shows the connection box of Figure 2 from a perspective from below;

[0044] Figure 4 shows the connection box in its assembled state.

[0045] Base housing and installation component;

[0046] Figure 5 shows a section through the connection box in the assembled state of the base housing and the installation part;

[0047] Figure 6 shows a separate perspective view of the installation part;

[0048] Figure 7 shows a separate perspective view of the built-in part of a

[0049] Connection box according to a second embodiment;

[0050] Figure 8 shows the built-in part from Figure 7 without additional components;

[0051] Figure 9 shows the base housing belonging to the installation part of Figure 7 in a

[0052] View from below;

[0053] Figure 10 shows the connection box according to the second embodiment with the installed part pulled out (top left) and a third embodiment of a connection box (bottom right) in which a splice cassette can be separated from the rest of the installed part;

[0054] Figure 11 shows a separate perspective view of the splice cassette of the third embodiment of the connection box;

[0055] Figure 12 shows an enlarged detail view of the rear hooking mechanism of the splice cassette; EKS 127 16.09.2025

[0056] 9

[0057] Figure 13 shows an enlarged detail view of the front hooking mechanism of the splice cassette.

[0058] Figures 1-6 show a first embodiment of a connection box 100, and Figures 7-9 show a modified second embodiment of a connection box 200. Figures 10-13 show a third embodiment with a reversibly separable splice cassette.

[0059] The GF connection box 100 shown in Figures 1-6 consists essentially of two basic components, namely a base housing 110 and a mounting part 120 that can be connected or joined to it.

[0060] According to Figure 1, in the exemplary embodiment the base housing 110 is essentially a cuboid-shaped sleeve. Only four of the six side walls of the cuboid are fully formed, namely the right side wall 111, the top 112, the left side wall 113, and the rear wall 116. On the underside, only an edge strip 114 is present, and a front wall is completely absent.

[0061] The two adjacent narrow outer walls missing on the base housing 110 are provided by the separate installation part 120 in the form of a front wall 121 and a bottom side 122.

[0062] In addition to the outer walls, the base housing typically also has fastening means. These can be formed, in particular, by a DIN rail clip (HC in Figure 7) arranged on the rear wall 116, with which the base housing 110 can be reversibly attached to the DIN rail of a control cabinet. Alternatively, other types of fastening means can also be provided, for example, to mount the base housing to a conventional wall.

[0063] Furthermore, Figure 1 shows a grounding screw 118, which is electrically connected to the base housing 110 and can be connected to a DIN rail, for example, for grounding purposes. EKS 127 16.09.2025

[0064] 10

[0065] The essential functional components of the connection box 100 are contained in the installation part 120.

[0066] This includes, firstly, (at least) one fiber optic input (IN) into which a fiber optic cable (not shown), consisting of numerous individual optical fibers (OF), can be inserted into the connection box 100. In the exemplary embodiment, two cable glands 125 are visible, each of which can accommodate an OEF cable and be fixed to the mounting component 120. Furthermore, the mounting component 120 has one or more (six in the illustrated example) OEF outputs (OUT) to which individual or a few optical fibers from the OEF inputs (IN) can be connected. The OEF outputs can be formed, in particular, by standardized couplings 126, to which so-called pigtails (optical fiber sections with connection components on one end) are connected inside the connection box 100.

[0067] The GF outputs OUT are typically located on the front wall 121 and the GF inputs IN are located on the perpendicular underside 122 of the installation part 120.

[0068] According to Figure 6, the internal components of the installation part 120 also include a so-called splice cassette 123, in which the incoming glass fibers and the outgoing pigtails can be guided and held with a sufficient bending radius. Furthermore, the splice points (connections) between the glass fibers can be fixed in splice combs 124, one or more of which can be arranged at different positions within the splice cassette 123.

[0069] Since both the GF inputs IN and the GF outputs OUT are located on the mounting component 120, they can be detached together from the base housing 110 (and thus from the control cabinet or similar) and worked on separately at a convenient location. This significantly simplifies the installer's work.

[0070] Further simplification of assembly is achieved by the fact that the

[0071] Installation part 120 and the base housing 110 only by a single EKS 127 16.09.2025

[0072] The 11 components are fixed together by a manipulable fixing element. In the exemplary embodiment, the fixing element is implemented by a captive screw S attached to the installation part 120, which can engage in a tab 115 with a threaded bore on the base housing 110. Therefore, to remove the installation part 120 from the base housing 110, only a single screw needs to be loosened, which significantly reduces assembly time. Optionally, in addition to the screw, a positive locking connection can be provided, for example, in the form of the locking lug 127 on the installation part and the groove 117 on the base housing (as non-manipulable fixing elements).

[0073] Furthermore, the insert 120 is guided in a drawer-like manner within the cuboid inner cavity of the base housing 110. Therefore, the insert (with a horizontal insertion direction) can, if necessary, be only partially pulled out of the base housing without falling out completely due to gravity. Instead, due to a tilting action between the insert 120 and the base housing 110, the insert remains in an intermediate position in which its components are already partially accessible to the installer (see Figures 2 and 3). To achieve such a positive-locking retention of the insert 120, the upper surface 112 and the opposite edge strip 114 of the base housing 110 act as guide surfaces for the splice cassette 123 and the lower surface 122 of the insert 120, respectively.

[0074] Figures 7-9 show a modified embodiment of a connection box 200. The basic structure is similar to that of the first embodiment and is therefore not described in detail again below (identical or similar components have reference numerals increased by 100).

[0075] Figure 7 shows the installation part 220 of the terminal box 200 with only a single cable gland 225 attached to it. The unused cable insert shows that the circular openings for the threads of the cable glands are connected to the edge by gaps. EKS 127 16.09.2025

[0076] 12

[0077] Specifically, in its delivered state, the junction box 200 has two bore contours (BK) laser-cut into the mounting component 220, each with a diameter of approximately 20.5 mm (for M20). Depending on requirements, the installer can remove one or both bores, including the gap (SP), and then insert a cable gland. A trunk cable is then fed through this gland, and finally, a flat nut (M20) is screwed onto the cable gland from the inside.

[0078] If a cable gland is loosened (by removing the inner flat nut), the trunk cable running through it can simply be guided laterally out of the mounting part 220 through the SP gap. This significantly simplifies installation.

[0079] Figure 7 further shows that the installation component 220 has strain reliefs ZE for the optical fibers from the trunk cable (not shown). A DIN rail clip HC mounted on the rear of the base housing of the connection box is also shown.

[0080] Figure 8 shows the sheet metal walls of the installation part 220 without any additional components attached to it (splice combs, strain reliefs, etc.), and Figure 9 shows the base housing 210 belonging to the installation part 220 from a perspective view from a slant below.

[0081] Figures 10-13 show a third embodiment of a connection box 300. The basic structure is similar to that of the first and second embodiments and is therefore not described in detail again below (identical or similar components bear reference numerals increased by 200 and 100, respectively).

[0082] Figure 10 shows a comparison of a connection box 200 according to the second embodiment and a connection box 300 according to the third embodiment. The special feature of the third embodiment is that the splice cassette 323 is reversibly and tool-free connected to the rest of the component 328. Therefore, the splice cassette 323 can be detached from the front panel without screws, glue, or similar means to perform the splicing process. EKS 127 16.09.2025

[0083] 13. Perform the necessary steps and then carefully insert the fibers into the splice cassette. Afterwards, the cassette can be reattached to the front panel 321 and the device reassembled.

[0084] Figure 11 shows a separate perspective view of the splice cassette 323. Two tabs L1 and L2 are visible at the rear end, and a cam KU is visible at the front end, which allows the splice cassette 323 to be attached to the rest of the component 328. As shown in Figure 12, the tabs L1 and L2 are inserted into corresponding pockets W on the rest of the component 328, and the cam KU is guided around a mushroom-shaped head KN on the front wall.

[0085] The base housing and the mounting component of the 100 and 200 series connection boxes are preferably made of stainless steel, which can optionally be powder-coated. This ensures that no corrosion can occur that could endanger internal components.

[0086] In summary, the invention relates to a fiber optic connection box 100, 200 with a base housing 110, 210, which has fastening means such as a DIN rail clip, and with a connecting component 120, 220, on which at least one output OUT is arranged. It is further characterized in that at least one fiber optic input IN is also arranged on the connecting component. Additionally or alternatively, the connecting component and the base housing can be positively coupled such that the connecting component is secured against falling out of the base housing at various insertion depths. Furthermore, the connecting component and the base housing can optionally be reversibly fixed to one another by a single fixing element such as a screw S.

Claims

EKS 127 16.09.2025 14 Patent claims 1. Connection box (100, 200, 300) for fiber optic (FI) cables with one or more FI inputs (IN) and at least one output (OUT), comprising a) a base housing (110, 210, 310) which has fastening means (HC) for mounting on a support; b) a mounting component (120, 220, 320) connectable to the base housing (110, 210, 310), on which the at least one output (OUT) is arranged; characterized in that at least one of the FI inputs (IN) is also arranged on the mounting component (120, 220, 320).

2. Connection box (100, 200, 300) according to the preamble of claim 1, in particular according to claim 1, characterized in that in the operating position of the base housing (110, 210, 310) the installation part (120, 220, 320) can be inserted into the base housing (110, 210, 310) to different depths and is thereby positively secured against falling off the base housing (110, 210, 310).

3. Connection box (100, 200, 300) according to claim 2, characterized in that the base housing (110, 210, 310) has guide surfaces (112, 114; 111 , 113) for the installation part (120, 220, 320) on at least two opposite sides. EKS 127 16.09.2025 15 4. Connection box (100, 200, 300) according to the preamble of claim 1, in particular according to at least one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by a single manipulable fixing element (S) by which the installation part (120, 220, 320) and the base housing (110, 210, 310) can be reversibly fixed to one another.

5. Connection box (100, 200, 300) according to claim 4, characterized in that the fixing element is a screw (S).

6. Connection box (100, 200, 300) according to claim 5, characterized in that the screw (S) is captive connected to the installation part (120, 220, 320) or the base housing (110, 210, 310).

7. Connection box (100, 200, 300) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has the form of a cuboid, wherein the installation part (120, 220, 320) forms two adjacent side faces (121, 122) of the cuboid.

8. Connection box (100, 200, 300) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the installation part (120, 220, 320) has a front panel (121) with at least one GF coupling (126). EKS 127 16.09.2025 16 9. Connection box (100, 200, 300) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the installation part (120, 220, 320) has guide elements (123, 124, 323) for guiding and / or holding GF cables.

10. Connection box (300) according to claim 9, characterized in that the guide elements (323) are reversibly separable from the rest of the installation part (328).

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