Optical cable with auxiliary tool

Abstract

An optical cable (1) with an auxiliary tool comprises: an optical cable (6); a plurality of connectors (100); an auxiliary tool having a first housing (210) and a second housing (220); and a protective member (2). The first housing (210) has a first opening (211) through which the plurality of connectors (100) protrude toward an adapter (3), and a second opening (212) facing the second housing (220). The second housing (220) has a plurality of pressing parts (222-225) that press the plurality of connectors (100). Inside the protective member (2), a space is provided in which an optical fiber unit (300) bends when the plurality of connectors (100) are connected to the adapter (3).

Description

Optical Cable with Auxiliary Tool

[0001] The present invention relates to an optical cable with an auxiliary tool. This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-199822 filed in Japan on November 15, 2024, and incorporates its content herein by reference.

[0002] In recent years, miniaturization and high-density integration of connectors in data centers have been progressing. Along with this, it is desired to improve the work efficiency when connecting or disconnecting connectors by operating a plurality of connectors collectively. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration that can simultaneously connect and disconnect four connectors.

[0003] U.S. Patent Publication No. 2019 / 285806

[0004] In the configuration of Patent Document 1, it is possible to collectively connect and disconnect a plurality of connectors, but it is not possible to collectively connect them. Therefore, in order to perform collective connection, for example, it is necessary to prepare another tool.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an optical cable with an auxiliary tool that can collectively connect a plurality of connectors.

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, Aspect 1 of the present invention is an optical cable with an auxiliary tool that is detachable from an adapter, comprising an optical cable, a plurality of connectors, an auxiliary tool having a first housing and a second housing, and a protective member that protects a plurality of optical fiber units extending from the second housing toward the optical cable. The first housing has a first opening that projects the plurality of connectors toward the adapter and a second opening that faces the second housing. The second housing has a plurality of pressing portions that press the plurality of connectors. Inside the protective member, a space is provided for the optical fiber unit to bend when the plurality of connectors are connected to the adapter.

[0007] Aspect 2 of the present invention is the optical cable with an auxiliary tool according to Aspect 1, wherein in the parallel direction in which the first housing and the second housing are arranged side by side, the positions of the plurality of pressing portions are different from each other.

[0008] Aspect 3 of the present invention is an optical cable with an auxiliary tool according to aspect 1 or 2, wherein the protective member is one of a metal corrugated tube, a spring, or a resin tube.

[0009] Aspect 4 of the present invention is an optical cable with an auxiliary tool according to any one of aspects 1 to 3, wherein a fusion splice for connecting at least a portion of the plurality of optical fiber units and the optical fiber in the optical cable is arranged inside the protective member.

[0010] Aspect 5 of the present invention is an optical cable with an auxiliary tool according to any one of aspects 1 to 3, wherein a plurality of fusion splice connections for connecting at least a portion of the plurality of optical fiber units and optical fibers within the optical cable are arranged inside the protective member, and the plurality of fusion splice connections are arranged at different positions in the parallel direction in which the first housing and the second housing are arranged side by side.

[0011] Aspect 6 of the present invention is an optical cable with an auxiliary tool according to any one of aspects 1 to 5, further comprising a heat-shrinkable tube that covers the rear end of the protective member and the tip of the optical cable.

[0012] According to the above aspect of the present invention, an optical cable with an auxiliary tool that allows multiple connectors to be connected simultaneously can be provided.

[0013] This is a diagram of the optical cable with an auxiliary tool according to this embodiment. This is a perspective view of the area around the auxiliary tool in Figure 1. This is a diagram showing the optical cable with an auxiliary tool in Figure 1 being connected to an adapter. This is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IV-IV in Figure 2. This is a perspective view of the first housing in Figure 1. This is a perspective view of one side of the first housing in Figure 5A, cut along the line VB-VB. This is a perspective view of the second housing in Figure 1. This is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VII-VII in Figure 6. This is a perspective view of a part of the connector in Figure 1. This is a perspective view of the area around the pressing part just before the pressing part of this embodiment presses the connector. This is a perspective view of the area around the pressing part when the pressing part of this embodiment presses the connector. This is a diagram showing the state following Figure 10. This is a perspective view of one side of the first housing, showing a part of the first housing in addition to the second housing in Figure 7. This is a diagram illustrating the operation when removing the optical cable with an auxiliary tool according to this embodiment from the adapter. This is a cross-sectional view of the flexible part of the optical fiber unit arranged in the space of the protective member in Figure 1. This is a cross-sectional view showing the inside of the protective member after maintenance.

[0014] The optical cable with auxiliary tool of this embodiment will now be described based on the drawings. As shown in Figure 1, the optical cable with auxiliary tool 1 comprises a plurality of connectors 100, an auxiliary tool 200, a protective member 2, an optical cable 6, and a heat shrink tube 4. The auxiliary tool 200 has a first housing 210, a second housing 220, and a connecting portion 230.

[0015] The optical cable 6 has a sheath 6a. Inside the sheath 6a are multiple optical fibers, tension members, and intervening materials. The multiple optical fibers in the optical cable 6 are optically connected to the optical fibers in the multiple connectors 100. The optical fibers in the connectors 100 and the optical fibers in the optical cable 6 may be the same. That is, the optical fibers in the optical cable 6 may be inserted directly into the connectors 100. Alternatively, the optical fibers in the connectors 100 and the optical fibers in the optical cable 6 may be separate and fusion spliced ​​together.

[0016] (Direction Definitions) In this embodiment, the direction in which the first housing 210 and the second housing 220 are arranged side by side is referred to as the parallel direction Z. One direction perpendicular to the parallel direction Z is referred to as the first direction X or the up-down direction X. A direction perpendicular to both the parallel direction Z and the first direction X is referred to as the second direction Y or the left-right direction Y. The side of the second housing 220 that faces the first housing 210 is referred to as the +Z direction, the front, or the tip side. The direction opposite to the +Z direction is referred to as the -Z direction, the rear, or the base side. One direction along the first direction X is referred to as the +X direction or the upper side. The direction opposite to the +X direction is referred to as the -X direction or the lower side. One direction along the second direction Y is referred to as the +Y direction or the left side. The direction opposite to the +Y direction is referred to as the -Y direction or the right side. The vertical direction X does not necessarily coincide with the vertical direction. Viewing from the vertical direction X is called a plan view, and viewing from the horizontal direction Y is called a side view.

[0017] In the following description, the multiple connectors 100 may be referred to as connector 100A, connector 100B, connector 100C, and connector 100D, respectively, from the -Y side to the +Y side (see Figure 2). These connectors 100A to 100D have a common structure. For example, each of the connectors 100A to 100D has the same shaped ferrule 110, housing 120, and engaging projection 131, etc. Therefore, when describing the structure of connectors 100A to 100D, they may be simply referred to as connector 100. Although there are four connectors 100 in the illustrated example, the number of connectors 100 provided in the optical cable 1 with auxiliary tools is not limited to four.

[0018] As shown in Figure 2, the connecting portion 230 is positioned on the base end side of the second housing 220 and is fixed to the second housing 220. The connecting portion 230 has the function of connecting the auxiliary tool 200 and the protective member 2. The connecting portion 230 is cylindrical and extends in the parallel direction Z. An opening 231 is provided on the upper end face of the connecting portion 230. The tip of the protective member 2 is inserted into the inside of the connecting portion 230 from the base end side. A fastener 5 is attached to the portion of the protective member 2 that is located inside the connecting portion 230. A part of the fastener 5 protrudes upward through the opening 231. With this configuration, even if the protective member 2 is pulled backward relative to the auxiliary tool 200, the protective member 2 is prevented from falling off the auxiliary tool 200.

[0019] As shown in Figure 3, the optical cable 1 with the auxiliary tool is detachable from the adapter 3. The auxiliary tool 200 is configured to connect and disconnect multiple connectors 100 to and from the adapter 3 all at once. Patch panels (not shown) deployed in data centers and the like often have a large number of adapters 3 that are densely arranged. Therefore, by enabling the connection and disconnection of multiple connectors 100 to and from the adapter 3 all at once using a small auxiliary tool 200, improved work efficiency can be expected.

[0020] The adapter 3 has a first insertion port 3a, a second insertion port 3b, and a plurality of engagement holes 3c. The plurality of engagement holes 3c are used to lock a plurality of connectors 100 to the adapter 3. Connectors 100 are inserted through the first insertion port 3a, and other connectors are inserted through the second insertion port 3b, thereby connecting the connectors 100 and other connectors inside the adapter 3.

[0021] As shown in Figure 4, multiple optical fiber units 300 extend backward from each connector 100A to 100D. Each optical fiber unit 300 contains multiple optical fibers. The optical fiber unit 300 may simply be a bundle of optical fibers. Alternatively, the optical fiber unit 300 may be a so-called optical fiber ribbon. The optical fiber units 300 extending from each connector 100A to 100D pass inside the auxiliary tool 200 and are inserted inside the protective member 2. Although a detailed explanation is omitted, each optical fiber unit 300 is also inserted inside each connector 100A to 100D. When the adapter 3 connects the connectors 100A to 100D to other connectors, the multiple optical fibers contained in the other connectors and the multiple optical fibers contained in the optical fiber unit 300 are optically connected.

[0022] As shown in Figure 4, the heat shrink tubing 4 covers the rear end of the protective member 2 and the tip of the optical cable 6. The heat shrink tubing 4 has the function of protecting the connection between the protective member 2 and the optical cable 6. As will be described in detail later, when the optical cable 1 with auxiliary tools is maintained, the optical fiber inside the protective member 2 may be removed. At this time, the heat shrink tubing 4 is removed, and after the maintenance is completed, a new heat shrink tubing 4 is attached.

[0023] The protective member 2 has the function of protecting the optical fiber unit 300 that extends rearward from the auxiliary tool 200. In this embodiment, the protective member 2 is a metal corrugated tube. For this reason, the surface of the protective member 2 is repeatedly provided with recesses and protrusions in the parallel direction Z. As the protective member 2, other materials with strength and flexibility can be used instead of the metal corrugated tube. For example, the protective member 2 may be a metal or resin spring. Alternatively, the protective member 2 may be a resin (e.g., nylon) tube. Inside the protective member 2, there is a space S for the multiple optical fiber units 300 to bend. The function of the space S will be described later.

[0024] As shown in Figure 5A, the first housing 210 has a first opening 211, a second opening 212, two locking parts 216, and a plurality of release parts 217. The first opening 211 faces the tip side (+Z side). A plurality of connectors 100 protrude from the first opening 211 in the +Z direction. The second opening 212 faces the second housing 220. The plurality of release parts 217 are provided at the lower end of the first housing 210. The number of release parts 217 is the same as the number of connectors 100 attached to the auxiliary tool 200 (four in this embodiment). The release parts 217 extend from the second opening 212 toward the base end. The two locking parts 216 extend toward the base end from both sides of the first housing 210 (the sides facing the +Y side and the -Y side). Each of the two locking portions 216 is provided with a locking projection 216a at its base end, which protrudes inward in the left-right direction Y.

[0025] As shown in Figure 5B, the first housing 210 has a first release section 214a, a second release section 214b, a third release section 214c, and a fourth release section 214d formed in order from the -Y side to the +Y side. The number of release sections 214a to 214d is equal to the number of connectors 100 (four in this embodiment). The release sections 214a to 214d have surfaces facing the base end. The positions of the release sections 214a to 214d in the parallel direction Z are different from each other. The functions of the release sections 214a to 214d will be described later.

[0026] As shown in Figure 6, the second housing 220 has a second main body 221 and a plurality of pressing parts 222 to 225. The second main body 221 is cylindrical with a rectangular cross-section and extends in the parallel direction Z. A plurality of connectors 100 are inserted inside the second main body 221. Two guide grooves 221a are formed in the second main body 221. The guide grooves 221a are recessed inward in the left-right direction Y from both sides of the second main body 221 (the faces facing the +Y side and the -Y side). The guide grooves 221a extend linearly from the end of the second main body 221 in the +Z direction toward the -Z direction. A locking hole 221b is formed on the inner surface of each guide groove 221a. The locking hole 221b penetrates the second main body 221 in the left-right direction Y. The locking hole 221b extends in the parallel direction Z inside the guide groove 221a.

[0027] When the first housing 210 and the second housing 220 are assembled, the locking portion 216 of the first housing 210 fits into the guide groove 221a of the second housing 220. Furthermore, the locking projection 216a fits inside the locking hole 221b. When the first housing 210 and the second housing 220 move relative to each other in the parallel direction Z, the locking portion 216 and the guide groove 221a slide against each other. The presence of the locking projection 216a inside the locking hole 221b restricts the first housing 210 from moving beyond a predetermined range towards the front end of the second housing 220.

[0028] As shown in Figure 7, the pressing portion 222 has two protrusions 222a. Similarly, the pressing portions 223 to 225 each have two protrusions 223a to 225a. Figure 12 is a perspective view of Figure 7, with some components of the first housing 210 also shown, for ease of understanding. That is, Figure 12 is a perspective cross-sectional view of one side showing a part of the first housing in addition to the second housing of Figure 7. As shown in Figure 12, the protrusions 222a to 225a of the pressing portions 222 to 225 protrude upward (towards +X) from the lower end (the -X side end) of the second main body portion 221. The two protrusions 222a provided on the pressing portion 222 are located at the same position in the parallel direction Z. Similarly, the two protrusions 223a on the pressing portion 223 are located at the same position in the parallel direction Z, the two protrusions 224a on the pressing portion 224 are located at the same position in the parallel direction Z, and the two protrusions 225a on the pressing portion 225 are located at the same position in the parallel direction Z.

[0029] The number of pressing sections 222 to 225 is equal to the number of connectors 100 provided on the optical cable 1 with auxiliary tool. In this embodiment, there are four pressing sections 222 to 225 and four connectors 100. Hereinafter, the four pressing sections may be referred to as the first pressing section 225, the second pressing section 224, the third pressing section 223, and the fourth pressing section 222. The positions of the pressing sections 222 to 225 in the parallel direction Z are different from each other. The second pressing section 224 is located closest to the tip. The third pressing section 223 is located second closest to the tip, and the fourth pressing section 222 is located third closest to the tip. The first pressing section 225 is located closest to the base (fourth closest to the tip). However, the order of arrangement of the pressing sections 222 to 225 in the parallel direction Z can be changed.

[0030] As shown in Figure 8, each connector 100 has a housing 120 and a boot 2140. Inside the housing 120 are a ferrule 110 and a biasing member that biases the ferrule 110 toward the tip. The optical fiber included in the optical fiber unit 300 is inserted through the ferrule 110. The boot 2140 is composed of a boot body 2140a and a movable part 2140b. Details are omitted, but the movable part 2140b is movable in the parallel direction Z relative to the boot body 2140a, but only within a predetermined range. The boot 2140 has a contact piece 2141. The contact piece 2141 is provided at the lower end of the boot body 2140a.

[0031] The contact piece 2141 protrudes downward from the lower surface of the boot body 2140a and extends toward the base end. The contact piece 2141 is elastically deformable in the vertical direction X, with the connection portion with the boot body 2140a (the tip end of the contact piece 2141) as the pivot point. The contact piece 2141 is provided with two first contact portions 2141a and one contact release portion 2141b. The first contact portions 2141a protrude from the contact piece 2141 toward both sides in the left-right direction Y. The contact release portion 2141b protrudes downward from the contact piece 2141. The two contact portions 2141a are provided at the same position in the parallel direction Z.

[0032] As shown in Figure 8, the boot 2140 of each connector 100 has a second contact surface 142. The second contact surface 142 is provided at the upper end of the movable portion 2140b of the boot 2140 and faces the tip side. The second contact surface 142 of each connector 100 faces the release portions 214a to 214d (see Figures 5A and 5B) provided inside the first housing 210 in the parallel direction Z. The release portions 214a to 214d have the function of releasing the connection of the connector 100 to the adapter 3. Each release portion 214a to 214d has a surface facing the base end side (-Z side). The release portions 214a to 214d are spaced apart in the left-right direction Y. Each release portion 214a to 214d corresponds to one connector 100.

[0033] The positions of the release parts 214a to 214d in the parallel direction Z are different from each other. Specifically, the first release part 214a is located closest to the tip, and the fourth release part 214d is located second closest to the tip. The third release part 214c is located third closest to the tip, and the second release part 214b is located fourth closest to the tip. However, the order of the arrangement of the release parts 214a to 214d in the parallel direction Z can be changed.

[0034] <Connection Procedure> When performing the connection procedure, the optical cable 1 with the auxiliary tool is brought closer to the adapter 3 from the state shown in Figure 3. More specifically, the second housing 220 is grasped and the multiple connectors 100 are inserted into the first insertion opening 3a of the adapter 3. When the connectors 100 have entered the first insertion opening 3a to a certain extent, the first housing 210 comes into contact with the adapter 3. When the second housing 220 is further pushed toward the adapter 3, the second housing 220 moves toward the tip side relative to the first housing 210. At this time, the locking portion 216 and the guide groove 221a of the first housing 210 slide, guiding the relative movement of the first housing 210 and the second housing 220.

[0035] As the second housing 220 and the first housing 210 move relative to each other, the projection 224a of the second pressing portion 224 (see Figure 12), which is located furthest to the tip among the multiple pressing portions 222 to 225, comes into contact with the first contact portion 2141a of the second connector 100B. Figure 9 shows the state just before the projection 224a and the first contact portion 2141a come into contact. Figure 10 shows the state after the projection 224a and the first contact portion 2141a have come into contact. When the second housing 220 is pushed further, a force directed toward the tip is transmitted to the connector 100B via the first contact portion 2141a. At this point, the first pressing portion 225, the third pressing portion 223, and the fourth pressing portion 222 are separated from the first contact portion 2141a of each connector 100A, 100B, and 100D. In other words, only the second pressing portion 224 presses the second connector 100B toward the tip. Therefore, the operating force that the user applies to the second housing 220 is approximately the same as the force required to push one connector 100 into the adapter 3.

[0036] When the second pressing portion 224 pushes the second connector 100B by a predetermined amount, the engaging projection 131 of the second connector 100B engages with the engaging hole 3c of the adapter 3. This completes the connection between the second connector 100B and the adapter 3. When the user pushes the second housing 220 further, the engagement release portion 217 comes into contact with the contact release portion 2141b, causing the contact piece 2141 to elastically deform towards the +X side (see Figure 11). This releases the contact between the second pressing portion 224 and the first contact portion 2141a.

[0037] Subsequently, the user continues to push the second housing 220 toward the adapter 3. As a result, the third pressing portion 223, which is the second to last among the multiple pressing portions 222 to 225, comes into contact with the first contact portion 2141a of the third connector 100C. Then, as the third pressing portion 223 pushes the third connector 100C, the engaging projection 131 and the engaging hole 3c engage (see Figure 14). Furthermore, the contact between the third pressing portion 223 and the first contact portion 2141a of the third connector 100C is released by the action of the corresponding release portion 217.

[0038] Subsequently, the fourth pressing section 222 and the first pressing section 225 also sequentially push the corresponding fourth connector 100D and first connector 100A toward the tip. This causes the engaging projections 131 of the first connector 100A and the fourth connector 100D to engage with the engaging holes 3c (see Figures 15 and 16). In other words, all four connectors 100 can be connected to the adapter 3 at once with a single operation of pushing the second housing 220. Furthermore, if all four connectors 100 are to be connected simultaneously, the required operating force will be more than four times that of connecting one connector 100. However, in this embodiment, the multiple pressing sections 222 to 225 connect each connector 100 at different timings.

[0039] In other words, with the optical cable 1 with auxiliary tool of this embodiment, by moving the second housing 220 closer to the first housing 210 in the +Z direction, the engaging projections 131 of each connector 100 can be engaged with the engaging holes 3c of the adapter 3. Therefore, by repeatedly applying approximately the same force as for engaging one connector 100 to the adapter 3, all four connectors 100 can be connected to the adapter 3 at once. Thus, the operating force required during the batch connection work can be reduced.

[0040] Here, of the four connectors 100A to 100C, the second connector 100B is connected to the adapter 3 first. Even after the second connector 100B is connected to the adapter 3, the second housing 220 continues to move toward the end in order to connect the remaining connectors 100A, 100C, and 100D. At this time, even though the second connector 100B does not move toward the end, the optical cable 6 will move toward the end. Since the movement of the optical fiber is restricted inside the optical cable 6, as a result the optical fiber unit 300 will bend between the optical cable 6 and the second connector 100B.

[0041] If there is no space to absorb the bending of the optical fiber unit 300, the optical fiber unit 300 will be forcibly bent, leading to increased transmission loss. Furthermore, if the bending is to be absorbed inside the connector 100 or the auxiliary tool 200, the connector 100 and the auxiliary tool 200 will become larger. Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 14, a space S for absorbing the bending of the optical fiber unit 300 is provided inside the protective member 2. The bending portion 301 of the optical fiber unit 300 occurs inside this space S. Since the protective member 2 can be made long in the parallel direction Z, the volume of space S can be increased without increasing the outer diameter of the protective member 2. Therefore, even a large bending portion 301 can be absorbed within space S without increasing the outer diameter of the protective member 2.

[0042] <Disconnection Procedure> When disconnecting connectors 100A to 100D all at once, the following procedure is performed. The user pulls the first housing 210 toward the base end. As the first housing 210 moves toward the base end relative to the adapter 3, the second disconnection part 214b (see Figure 13), which is located furthest toward the base end among the multiple disconnection parts 214a to 214d, makes contact with the second contact surface 142 of the corresponding second connector 100B first. The second disconnection part 214b pushes the second contact surface 142 toward the base end, applying a force toward the base end to the second connector 100B. As a result, the engagement between the engagement projection 131 and the engagement hole 3c is released, and the connection of one connector 100B to the adapter 3 is disconnected.

[0043] Further, when the first housing 210 moves toward the proximal end side, the third release portion 214c, which is second in position toward the proximal end side, abuts against the second contact surface 142 of the corresponding third connector 100C. Then, by the third release portion 214c pushing the connector 100C toward the proximal end side, the connection of the connector 100C is released. Thereafter, the remaining connectors 100A and 100D are sequentially disconnected from the adapter 3. That is, by one operation of pulling the first housing 210, the four connectors 100A to 100D can be collectively disconnected from the adapter 3. Also, if the four connectors 100 are simultaneously disconnected, the required operating force is four times or more that when disconnecting one connector 100. However, in the present embodiment, the plurality of release portions 214a to 214d disconnect the respective connectors 100 at different timings. Therefore, the operating force required during the collective disconnection operation is reduced.

[0044] When performing the disconnection operation individually rather than collectively for the connectors 100A to 100D, first, the second housing 220 is pulled toward the proximal end side with respect to the first housing 210. At this time, since the locking projection 216a of the first housing 210 abuts against the end portion of the locking hole 221b of the second housing 220, the movement of the second housing 220 toward the proximal end side is restricted. Next, for example, the locking portion 216 is elastically deformed outward in the lateral direction Y to release the locking of the locking projection 216a with respect to the locking hole 221b. Thereby, the second housing 220 can move further toward the proximal end side.

[0045] Here, as shown in Figure 5A, the distance in the parallel direction Z from the first opening 211 to the second opening 212 of the first housing 210 is referred to as the first distance D21. Also, as shown in Figure 8, the distance in the parallel direction Z from the connecting end face of the ferrule 110 (the face facing the +Z side) to the rear end of the boot 2140 (the end facing the -Z side) is referred to as the second distance D22. The first distance D21 is shorter than the second distance D22. Therefore, when the second housing 220 is moved sufficiently towards the base end, the boots 2140 of each connector 100 are exposed. Thus, the user can disconnect any connector 100 from the adapter 3 by grasping the boot 2140 of any connector 100 and pulling it towards the base end. In this way, the auxiliary tool 200 is configured to perform both batch disconnection and individual disconnection operations.

[0046] <Maintenance> Maintenance may be performed on the optical cable 1 with auxiliary tools. Maintenance may include, for example, resolving a fault in optical communication connection in some of the connectors 100A to 100D. When performing maintenance, the optical fiber unit 300 may be partially removed. In this embodiment, maintenance can be performed as follows.

[0047] First, the heat shrink tubing 4 is cut open. Next, the optical fiber unit 300 is exposed by cutting off a portion of the protective member 2 or by widening the gap between the protective member 2 and the optical cable 6. Next, the optical fiber unit 300 to be maintained is cut, and an inspection unit (not shown) is connected to the cut optical fiber unit 300 to perform the inspection. Next, the connection between the optical fiber unit 300 and the inspection unit is disconnected, and both ends of the cut optical fiber unit 300 are fusion-spliced ​​again. Next, a new heat shrink tubing 4 is prepared, and the rear end of the protective member 2 and the tip of the optical cable 6 are covered with the heat shrink tubing 4. Next, the heat shrink tubing 4 is heated and shrunk.

[0048] When performing the maintenance work as described above, as shown in FIG. 15, the fusion connection part 302 of the optical fiber unit 300 is provided inside the protection member 2 or inside the heat shrinkable tube 4. Since FIG. 15 shows the case where maintenance has been performed on all the optical fiber units 300, the fusion connection part 302 is provided for all the optical fiber units 300. However, the fusion connection part 302 may be provided only for some of the optical fiber units 300. When providing a plurality of fusion connection parts 302, it is preferable that the positions in the parallel direction Z are different from each other. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the fusion connection part 302 from bulging.

[0049] As described above, the optical cable 1 with an auxiliary tool according to the present embodiment includes an optical cable 6, a plurality of connectors 100, an auxiliary tool 200 having a first housing 210 and a second housing 220, and a protection member 2 that protects a plurality of optical fiber units 300 extending from the second housing 220 toward the optical cable 6. The first housing 210 has a first opening 211 that projects a plurality of connectors 100 toward the adapter 3 and a second opening 212 that faces the second housing 220. The second housing 220 has a plurality of pressing parts 222 to 225 that press a plurality of connectors 100. Inside the protection member 2, a space S is provided where the optical fiber unit 300 flexes when the plurality of connectors are connected to the adapter 3. According to this configuration, the connector 100 can be miniaturized as compared with the case where a space for the optical fiber unit 300 to flex is provided inside the connector 100.

[0050] Also, in the parallel direction Z in which the first housing 210 and the second housing 220 are arranged, the positions of the plurality of pressing parts 222, 223, 224, 225 are different from each other. According to this configuration, since the timings at which the plurality of connectors 100 are pressed toward the adapter 3 are shifted, the maximum value of the operating force is reduced. Therefore, the operability can be improved. Also, even if the amount of deflection of the optical fiber unit 300 increases due to this configuration, the deflection can be absorbed in the space S inside the protection member 2.

[0051] Furthermore, the protective member 2 may be a metal corrugated tube, a spring, or a resin tube. These configurations allow for both strength and flexibility in the protective member 2.

[0052] Furthermore, a fusion splice 302 connecting at least some of the multiple optical fiber units 300 to the optical fiber in the optical cable 6 may be located inside the protective member 2. In this case, the fusion splice 302 can be protected by the protective member 2.

[0053] Furthermore, multiple fusion splice sections 302 that connect at least some of the multiple optical fiber units 300 to the optical fibers in the optical cable 6 may be arranged inside the protective member 2, and the multiple fusion splice sections 302 may be arranged at different positions in the parallel direction Z. With this configuration, the bulkiness of the fusion splice sections 302 can be reduced compared to the case where the fusion splice sections 302 are arranged at the same position in the parallel direction Z. Therefore, the protective member 2 can be made smaller in diameter.

[0054] Furthermore, the optical cable 1 with auxiliary tools may also include a heat-shrinkable tube 4 that covers the rear end of the protective member 2 and the tip of the optical cable 6. In this case, the connection between the protective member 2 and the optical cable 6 can be protected by the heat-shrinkable tube 4.

[0055] Furthermore, the first housing 210 is provided with multiple release parts 214a, 214b, 214c, and 214d that contact each of the multiple connectors 100 when the first housing 210 moves away from the adapter 3. With this configuration, the multiple connectors 100 can be disconnected from the adapter 3 all at once by pulling the first housing 210 backward.

[0056] The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0057] For example, the positions of the release sections 214a to 214d in the parallel direction Z may be the same. In this case as well, it is still possible to disconnect all connections at once. Alternatively, the auxiliary tool 200 does not need to have the release sections 214a to 214d. In other words, it may not have a function for disconnecting all connections at once, but only a function for connecting all connections at once. Also, the structure and shape of the connectors 100A to 100D are merely examples and may be changed. The shape of the auxiliary tool 200 may also be changed to match the structure of the connectors 100A to 100D.

[0058] Furthermore, without departing from the spirit of the present invention, the components in the above-described embodiments may be replaced with well-known components as appropriate, and the above-described embodiments and modifications may be combined as appropriate.

[0059] 1…Optical cable with auxiliary tool 2…Protective component 3…Adapter 4…Heat shrink tubing 100, 100A-100D…Connector 200…Auxiliary tool 210…First housing 211…First opening 212…Second opening 220…Second housing 222-225…Pressing part 231…Opening 300…Optical fiber unit 302…Fusion splice part S…Space Z…Parallel direction

Claims

1. An optical cable with an auxiliary tool that is detachable from an adapter, comprising: an optical cable; a plurality of connectors; an auxiliary tool having a first housing and a second housing; and a protective member that protects a plurality of optical fiber units extending from the second housing toward the optical cable, wherein the first housing has a first opening that causes the plurality of connectors to protrude toward the adapter and a second opening that faces the second housing; the second housing has a plurality of pressing parts that press the plurality of connectors; and a space is provided inside the protective member that allows the optical fiber units to bend when the plurality of connectors are connected to the adapter.

2. The optical cable with an auxiliary tool according to claim 1, wherein the positions of the plurality of pressing portions are different from each other in the parallel direction in which the first housing and the second housing are arranged side by side.

3. The optical cable with auxiliary tool according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the protective member is one of a metal corrugated tube, a spring, or a resin tube.

4. An optical cable with an auxiliary tool according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a fusion splice for connecting at least a portion of the plurality of optical fiber units and an optical fiber in the optical cable is disposed inside the protective member.

5. An optical cable with an auxiliary tool according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a plurality of fusion splice sections for connecting at least a portion of the plurality of optical fiber units and optical fibers in the optical cable are arranged inside the protective member, and the plurality of fusion splice sections are arranged at different positions in the parallel direction in which the first housing and the second housing are arranged side by side.

6. The optical cable with an auxiliary tool according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a heat-shrinkable tube covering the rear end of the protective member and the tip of the optical cable.

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