Optical module

Abstract

This optical module comprises a plurality of adapters into which an optical connector can be inserted, a plurality of optical fibers optically connected to the plurality of adapters, and a housing that accommodates the plurality of adapters and the plurality of optical fibers. The housing has a wall surface in which an opening that exposes the plurality of adapters is formed, and the direction in which an optical connector is inserted or removed is disposed obliquely with respect to the wall surface.

Description

Optical module

[0001] The present invention relates to an optical module. The present application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2025-053297 filed in Japan on March 27, 2025, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an optical module including a plurality of adapters. An optical connector is inserted into each of the adapters. Such an optical module is used for optically connecting a plurality of optical connectors to an optical cable or the like.

[0003] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2019-86696

[0004] In recent years, in data centers and the like, there has been a demand for arranging optical connectors, adapters, and the like at higher density. Conventional optical modules are configured such that optical connectors are inserted into and removed from a substantially rectangular parallelepiped housing in a direction perpendicular to the housing, and there is room for improvement in miniaturization and higher density of optical modules.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an optical module that is more compact and allows optical connectors to be connected at high density.

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, an optical module according to aspect 1 of the present invention comprises: a plurality of adapters into which optical connectors can be inserted; a plurality of optical fibers optically connected to the plurality of adapters; and a housing that accommodates the plurality of adapters and the plurality of optical fibers, wherein the housing has a wall surface formed with an opening that exposes the plurality of adapters, and an insertion / removal direction of the optical connector is inclined with respect to the wall surface.

[0007] Aspect 2 of the present invention is the optical module according to aspect 1, wherein the housing includes a bottom wall, a top wall, and a partition plate positioned between the bottom wall and the top wall, the plurality of adapters are arranged between the partition plate and the top wall, and a storage space for storing a part of the plurality of optical fibers may be provided between the bottom wall and the partition plate.

[0008] A third aspect of the present invention is an optical module according to aspect 2, wherein a guide portion for guiding the wiring path of the optical fiber is arranged in the storage space, and the guide portion may have a guide surface with a radius of curvature larger than the allowable bending radius of the optical fiber.

[0009] Aspect 4 of the present invention is an optical module according to aspect 2 or aspect 3, wherein the housing has an inlet for introducing the plurality of optical fibers into the housing, and the plurality of optical fibers may be wired inside the housing in the order of the inlet, the storage space, and the adapter.

[0010] According to the above aspects of the present invention, it is possible to provide an optical module that is smaller and allows for higher density connection of optical connectors.

[0011] This is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the optical connection structure of the first embodiment. This is an exploded view showing an example of the configuration of the optical cable in Figure 1A. This is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the optical connection structure according to the first modified example. This is a perspective view of the optical module according to the first modified example. This is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the optical connection structure according to the second modified example. This is a diagram showing a rack as the object to be installed. This is a diagram showing an example of the arrangement inside the rack in Figure 4A. This is a perspective view of the optical module of the first embodiment. This is a perspective view of the housing lid removed from Figure 5. This is a perspective view of the housing in Figure 6 further disassembled. This is a cross-sectional view of the optical module in Figure 5. This is a perspective view of the optical module of the second embodiment. This is a perspective view of the optical module, intermediate tube, etc., of the second embodiment. This is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the optical module of the second embodiment. This is a perspective view showing the adapter plate in Figure 11A rotated around the hinge and in the open state. This is a perspective view of the optical module in Figure 9 from a different angle.

[0012] (First Embodiment) The optical connection structure and optical module of the first embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in Figure 1A, the optical connection structure 1 comprises an optical cable 2 and an optical module 100. As shown in Figure 1B, the optical cable 2 has a sheath 2a, a retaining winding 2b, two pairs of tensile strength members 2c, a rip cord 2d, and a plurality of optical fiber units 2e. The retaining winding 2b surrounds the plurality of optical fiber units 2e. The retaining winding 2b and the optical fiber units 2e together are also called the "cable core". The sheath 2a houses the retaining winding 2b and the plurality of optical fiber units 2e. The tensile strength members 2c and the rip cord 2d are embedded in the sheath 2a. The tensile strength members 2c protect the optical fiber units 2e inside the sheath 2a from tension. The rip cord 2d is used to tear the sheath 2a during intermediate branching work, etc. Note that the structure of the optical cable 2 shown in Figure 1B is an example and can be changed.

[0013] Each of the multiple optical fiber units 2e has multiple optical fibers 2e1 and a bundle material 2e2. The bundle material 2e2 bundles the multiple optical fibers 2e1 together. The multiple optical fibers 2e1 may be, for example, intermittently fixed tape fibers. The intermittently fixed tape fibers have a structure in which adjacent optical fibers 2e1 are intermittently connected by multiple connecting parts. Alternatively, in the optical fiber unit 2e, the optical fibers 2e1 may not be tape-formed, but simply bundled by the bundle material 2e2.

[0014] Multiple optical connectors C can be inserted into the optical module 100. The optical connection structure 1 is a structure for optically connecting multiple optical fibers 2e1 contained in the optical cable 2 to multiple optical connectors C. A protective member 4 is provided at the end E of the sheath 2a in the optical cable 2. The protective member 4 covers and protects the end E of the sheath 2a. Optical fibers 2e1 extend from the end E. The optical connection structure 1 also includes an intermediate tube 3. Multiple optical fibers 2e1 extending between the end E of the sheath 2a and the optical module 100 are covered by the intermediate tube 3. The end of a tensile strength member 2c may be fixed to the protective member 4. In this case, the tensile strength member 2c can receive the tension acting on the optical cable 2 upstream of the protective member 4, and the optical fibers 2e1 can be effectively protected.

[0015] <First Modified Example of Optical Connection Structure> As shown in Figure 1A, only one optical module 100 may be connected to the optical cable 2. Alternatively, the first modified example shown in Figure 2A can also be adopted. In the first modified example, multiple optical modules 100 are connected in series to one optical cable 2. More specifically, multiple optical modules 100 are connected downstream of the optical module 100 connected by the intermediate tube 3. The optical modules 100 are connected to each other by connecting tubes 5. The connecting tubes 5 cover multiple connecting fibers F that connect the optical modules 100 to each other. The length, material, thickness, etc. of the connecting tubes 5 may be the same as those of the intermediate tube 3. The connecting fibers F may be the same as the optical fiber 2e1 of the optical cable 2, or they may be other optical fibers fusion-spliced ​​to the optical fiber 2e1.

[0016] Figure 2B is a perspective view showing the shape of the optical module 100 in the first modified example. As shown in Figure 2B, the optical module 100 may have a connection hole 115b for inserting the connecting tube 5. The connection hole 115b may be formed in the side wall 115 or in another location on the optical module 100.

[0017] <Second Modification of Optical Connection Structure> Alternatively, the second modification shown in Figure 3 can also be adopted. In the second modification, multiple optical modules 100 are connected in parallel to a single optical cable 2. More specifically, multiple intermediate tubes 3 are connected to the end E of the sheath 2a of the optical cable 2. Inside each of the multiple intermediate tubes 3 are multiple optical fibers 2e1 branched from the optical cable 2. Focusing on each intermediate tube 3, the upstream end is connected to the optical cable 2, and the downstream end is connected to the optical module 100.

[0018] <Installation Target> Figure 4A shows a rack 200 as an example of an installation target where the optical module 100 will be installed. In the example in Figure 4A, the rack 200 has an upper rack 201 and a lower rack 202. The upper rack 201 is provided with a door 203. The upper rack 201 is provided with a cable entry section 201a. The optical cable 2 is introduced into the inside of the rack 200 through the cable entry section 201a.

[0019] Figure 4B is a schematic diagram of the interior of the rack 200, which is exposed when the door 203 is opened. As shown in Figure 4B, multiple optical devices 204 are arranged inside the rack 200. The optical devices 204 include transceivers and the like that transmit and receive signals propagated by the optical cable 2. The optical devices 204 may also have control units such as a CPU and GPU. As shown in Figure 4B, an optical module 100 is arranged inside the rack 200. The optical module 100 is arranged, for example, in the ladder section located above the rack 200 on the outside of the rack 200, in the upper end section, the side section, near the optical devices 204, etc., on the inside of the rack 200. The multiple optical connectors C of the optical module 100 are connected to the optical devices 204. In this way, by applying the optical connection structure 1 to the rack 200, the bulkiness of cords inside the rack 200 can be reduced and the degree of freedom in the arrangement of optical connectors C can be increased.

[0020] The object on which the optical connection structure 1 is installed is not limited to the rack 200, but can be changed as appropriate. For example, the optical connection structure 1 may be placed on a so-called ladder. Alternatively, the optical connection structure 1 may be placed on a rack of optical communication equipment in a data center or building. The optical equipment 204 may be a so-called server device.

[0021] <Intermediate Tube> The intermediate tube 3 is flexible and more flexible than the optical cable 2. Specifically, the thickness of the intermediate tube 3 is smaller than the thickness of the sheath 2a. For example, the thickness of the sheath 2a is 2 to 4 mm, and the thickness of the intermediate tube 3 is 0.5 to 2 mm. Also, the allowable bending radius of the intermediate tube 3 may be smaller than the allowable bending radius of the optical cable 2. For example, the allowable bending radius of the optical cable 2 is 125 mm, and the allowable bending radius of the intermediate tube 3 is 30 ± 5 mm.

[0022] Inside the intermediate tube 3, multiple optical fibers 2e1 are shuffled. Shuffled wiring is a wiring method in which multiple optical fibers 2e1 contained in one optical fiber unit 2e are branched and connected to multiple optical connectors C. In other words, shuffled wiring refers to grouping or changing the order of multiple optical fibers contained in an optical cable, etc., and connecting them to other cables or connectors, etc. To perform shuffled wiring, the length of the intermediate tube 3 is preferably 10 cm or more. Furthermore, the length of the intermediate tube 3 is more preferably 20 cm or more. The longer the intermediate tube 3, the easier it is to perform shuffled wiring, and the greater the flexibility of the intermediate tube 3. The greater the flexibility of the intermediate tube 3, the greater the freedom of arrangement when housing the intermediate tube 3 and optical module 100 in a rack, etc.

[0023] The intermediate tube 3 may house, for example, 48 or more optical fibers 2e1. As an example, the optical cable 2 houses a total of 864 optical fibers 2e1. In this case, in the structure of Figure 2A, 864 optical fibers 2e1 are housed in the intermediate tube 3. Alternatively, in the structure of Figure 3, 288 optical fibers 2e1 are housed in each of the three intermediate tubes 3. In these cases, one optical module 100 is equipped with a number of adapters 150 (described later) that can connect to 288 optical fibers 2e1.

[0024] Because the intermediate tube 3 is 10 cm or longer, even if 48 or more optical fibers 2e1 are housed inside the intermediate tube 3, shuffled wiring can be performed with ample space within the intermediate tube 3. In conventional technology, shuffled wiring is performed inside the so-called dam section. Since the dam section is generally made of rigid material with no flexibility, making the dam section longer presents the problem of difficulty in housing it inside racks 200, etc. For this reason, the length of the dam section must be shortened, and there is a problem of reduced manufacturing efficiency because shuffled wiring is performed within a short section.

[0025] To address the above issues, in this embodiment, shuffle wiring is performed inside the flexible intermediate tube 3. Specifically, shuffle wiring is performed in the section L shown in Figure 1A. Even if this section L is 10 cm or longer, because the intermediate tube 3 is flexible, the shuffle wiring section can be easily housed in the installation target object such as the rack 200, and further improvements in manufacturing efficiency can be obtained. The protective member 4 in this embodiment is a highly rigid member, similar to the conventional dam section. In this embodiment, the length of the protective member 4 is shorter than that of the intermediate tube 3.

[0026] Furthermore, in conventional configurations, numerous cords branch off from the end E of the sheath 2a of the optical cable 2, which can result in bulky cords. In this embodiment, the optical fibers 2e1 extending from the end E of the sheath 2a are covered collectively by the intermediate tube 3, thereby reducing bulk. Consequently, it becomes easier to place the optical module 100 on an installation target such as a rack 200.

[0027] Furthermore, shuffle wiring may be performed not only within the intermediate tube 3, but also within the housing 100a of the optical module 100. Alternatively, in the structure shown in Figure 2A, shuffle wiring may be performed within the connecting tube 5. The connecting tube 5 may have the same thickness and length as the intermediate tube 3.

[0028] <Optical Module 100> As shown in Figure 5, the optical module 100 includes a housing 100a. The housing 100a has a housing body 110 and a housing cover 120. In this embodiment, the housing 100a has two parts, but the housing 100a may be composed of one or three or more parts. The housing 100a as a whole is a rectangular parallelepiped. Figure 6 shows the state with the housing cover 120 removed. Note that in Figure 6, the optical fiber 2e1 wired inside the optical module 100 is not shown.

[0029] As shown in Figure 6, multiple adapters 150 are housed inside the housing 100a. Multiple optical connectors C can be inserted into each of the multiple adapters 150 from the outside of the housing 100a. Furthermore, the optical fibers 2e1 of the optical cable 2, which are inserted into the intermediate tube 3, are optically connected to each of the multiple adapters 150. In this way, the optical connection structure 1 can optically connect the optical cable 2 and the multiple optical connectors C. Note that the optical fibers 2e1 of the optical cable 2 may be connected directly to the adapter 150, or another optical fiber fusion-spliced ​​to the optical fiber 2e1 may be connected to the adapter 150.

[0030] As shown in Figure 6, the housing body 110 has a bottom wall 111, a front wall 112, an upstream side wall 113, a rear wall 114, and a downstream side wall 115. Figure 7 is a further exploded view of the housing 100a. As shown in Figure 7, an inlet 113a for introducing the intermediate tube 3 is formed in the upstream side wall 113. Multiple optical fibers 2e1 housed in the intermediate tube 3 are also introduced into the housing 100a through the inlet 113a.

[0031] In this specification, the positional relationships and shapes of each structure may be described using the directions represented by the X, Y, and Z axes shown in Figures 6 and 7. The X-axis is the axis along the direction in which the inlet 113a opens. The X-axis also coincides with the longitudinal direction of the intermediate tube 3 inserted through the inlet 113a. Hereinafter, the direction represented by the X-axis may be referred to as the longitudinal direction X. In the longitudinal direction X, the side (-X) toward the optical cable 2 from the inlet 113a may be referred to as the upstream side, and the opposite side (+X) may be referred to as the downstream side. The Y-axis represents one direction perpendicular to the X-axis. Hereinafter, the direction represented by the Y-axis may be referred to as the front-back direction Y. The Z-axis is perpendicular to both the X and Y axes. Hereinafter, the direction represented by the Z-axis may be referred to as the up-down direction Z. In the front-back direction Y, one side (+Y) may be referred to as the rear, and the opposite side (-Y) may be referred to as the front. In some cases, one side of the vertical Z direction (+Z) is referred to as "up," and the opposite side (-Z) is referred to as "down." However, the vertical Z direction does not necessarily have to coincide with the vertical direction.

[0032] As shown in Figure 6, the bottom wall 111 is plate-shaped and extends in the longitudinal direction X and the front-to-back direction Y. The front wall 112 is connected to the front end of the bottom wall 111. The front wall 112 extends upward from the bottom wall 111. The upstream side wall 113 is connected to the upstream end of the bottom wall 111. The upstream side wall 113 extends upward from the bottom wall 111. The rear wall 114 is connected to the rear end of the bottom wall 111. The rear wall 114 extends upward from the bottom wall 111. The downstream side wall 115 is connected to the downstream end of the bottom wall 111. The downstream side wall 115 extends upward from the bottom wall 111.

[0033] The upstream side wall 113 and the downstream side wall 115 face each other in the longitudinal direction X. The front wall 112 and the rear wall 114 face each other in the front-rear direction Y. The upstream side wall 113 and the downstream side wall 115 are plate-shaped and extend in the front-rear direction Y and the up-down direction Z. The front wall 112 and the rear wall 114 are plate-shaped and extend in the longitudinal direction X and the up-down direction Z.

[0034] As shown in Figure 5, the housing lid 120 has a top wall 121 and a lid-side front wall 122. The top wall 121 is plate-shaped and extends in the longitudinal direction X and the front-to-back direction Y. The top wall 121 faces the bottom wall 111 of the housing body 110 in the vertical direction Z. The lid-side front wall 122 extends downward from the front end of the top wall 121. The lid-side front wall 122 is plate-shaped and extends in the longitudinal direction X and the vertical direction Z. The lid-side front wall 122 is located on the same plane as the front wall 112 of the housing body 110.

[0035] Here, the housing lid 120 has a notch 123. Therefore, the dimension of the front wall 122 on the lid side in the longitudinal direction X is shorter than the dimension of the front wall 112 in the longitudinal direction X. The notch 123 forms an opening 100b in the housing 100a. Multiple adapters 150 inside the housing 100a are exposed through the opening 100b. Therefore, it is possible to connect multiple optical connectors C to multiple adapters 150 through the opening 100b.

[0036] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, an adapter plate 130 supporting multiple adapters 150 is arranged inside the housing 100a. The adapter plate 130 has a partition plate 131 and multiple support parts 132. The partition plate 131 is plate-shaped and extends in the longitudinal direction X and the front-to-back direction Y. The partition plate 131 faces the bottom wall 111 in the vertical direction Z. A gap is provided between the bottom wall 111 and the partition plate 131 in the vertical direction Z. This gap functions as a storage space S for storing the excess length portion of the optical fiber 2e1 (see Figure 8) inside the housing 100a. Note that the optical fiber 2e1 inside the housing 100a may be the optical fiber 2e1 of the optical cable 2 itself. Alternatively, the optical fiber 2e1 in the housing 100a may be another optical fiber fused to the optical fiber 2e1 of the optical cable 2.

[0037] As shown in Figure 7, the partition plate 131 has multiple through holes 131a. The number of through holes 131a may be one. Also, the bottom wall 111 has screw fastening portions 118. The adapter plate 130 is fixed to the housing body 110 by tightening screws (not shown) through the through holes 131a into the screw fastening portions 118. Note that the adapter plate 130 may be fixed to the housing body 110 by means other than screws. Multiple support portions 132 extend upward from the partition plate 131. Each support portion 132 has a first support side wall 132a and a second support side wall 132b. Multiple adapters 150 are supported between the first support side wall 132a and the second support side wall 132b in a vertical Z-direction (see Figure 6). The adapters 150 can be set into the support portions 132 from above.

[0038] <Adapter Angle> Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the optical module 100 along the longitudinal direction X and the front-to-back direction Y. In Figure 8, the straight line L1 is the normal to the wall surface 122a of the front wall 122 on the lid side. The straight line L2 is the straight line along the direction in which the optical connector C moves when the optical connector C is inserted into or removed from the adapter 150. Hereinafter, the direction along the straight line L1 may be referred to as the "normal direction L1," and the direction along the straight line L2 may be referred to as the "insertion / removal direction L2." In this embodiment, the normal direction L1 coincides with the front-to-back direction Y. Also, the angle θ between the normal direction L1 and the insertion / removal direction L2 is approximately 45°. That is, the insertion / removal direction L2 does not coincide with the normal direction L1 and is inclined with respect to the normal direction L1. The value of the angle θ is not limited to 45° and may be changed. In this embodiment, the insertion / removal direction L2 is inclined with respect to any outer surface of the housing 100a. However, the insertion / removal direction L2 may coincide with the normal direction L1. In other words, the adapter 150 may be positioned so that the optical connector C is inserted and removed perpendicular to the wall surface 122a.

[0039] <Connection between the intermediate tube and the housing> As shown in Figure 8, the end of the intermediate tube 3 is inserted into the housing 100a. The end of the intermediate tube 3 is fixed to the housing 100a by a fastener 140. The fastener 140 has a screw member 141 and a fixing member 142. The fixing member 142 is fixed to the upstream side wall 113 of the housing 100a. The fixing member 142 is cylindrical and is inserted inside the inlet 113a.

[0040] A female thread is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the fixing member 142. The screwing member 141 is cylindrical and is inserted inside the fixing member 142. A male thread is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the screwing member 141. When the screwing member 141 is rotated relative to the fixing member 142, the male and female threads engage, and the screwing member 141 moves relative to the fixing member 142 in the longitudinal direction X. As this movement occurs, the intermediate tube 3 is tightened by the fixing device 140, and the intermediate tube 3 is fixed to the housing 100a. This structure allows the optical fiber 2e1 inside the intermediate tube 3 to be introduced into the housing 100a, and prevents the intermediate tube 3 from coming out of the housing 100a.

[0041] Furthermore, the inside of the fixing member 142 may be filled with adhesive and cured. In this case, the adhesive can more firmly fix the intermediate tube 3 to the housing 100a.

[0042] <Wiring Route within the Enclosure> As shown in Figure 8, the optical fiber 2e1 in the intermediate tube 3 is introduced into the enclosure 100a through the inlet 113a and then wired to the storage space S below the partition plate 131. Note that in Figure 8, in order to make the wiring route of the optical fiber 2e1 easier to see, instead of showing each optical fiber 2e1 individually, multiple optical fibers 2e1 following the same wiring route are shown as a single bundle. As shown in Figure 7, a first guide section 116 and a second guide section 117 are arranged in the storage space S. The guide sections 116 and 117 are roughly cylindrical and extend upward from the bottom wall 111. The first guide section 116 is located upstream of the second guide section 117. An arc-shaped groove 117a is formed in the second guide section 117.

[0043] The outer peripheral surface 116a of the first guide portion 116, the outer peripheral surface 117b of the second guide portion 117, and the inner surface of the groove 117a function as guide surfaces that guide the wiring path of the optical fiber 2e1. Therefore, the outer peripheral surface 116a, the outer peripheral surface 117b, and the inner surface of the groove 117a have a radius of curvature larger than the allowable bending radius of the optical fiber 2e1. By wiring the optical fiber 2e1 along the outer peripheral surface 116a, the outer peripheral surface 117b, and the groove 117a, it is possible to suppress the optical fiber 2e1 from being bent at a radius smaller than the allowable bending radius. As a result, an increase in connection loss is suppressed.

[0044] Furthermore, in the accommodation space S, the optical fiber 2e1 once heads toward the downstream side (+X side), folds back, and then heads toward the upstream side (-X side). Near the upstream end of the partition plate 131, the optical fiber 2e1 exits the accommodation space S, goes above the partition plate 131, and is connected to the adapter 150. As such a wiring path in the housing 100a, a first path that folds back along the outer peripheral surface 116a of the first guide portion 116, a second path that folds back inside the groove 117a, and a third path that folds back along the outer peripheral surface 117b of the second guide portion 117 can be selected. There are variations in the extra length of the plurality of optical fibers 2e1 extending from the introduction port 113a to the plurality of adapters 150. Therefore, by selecting the first path, the second path, or the third path in the housing 100a, it is possible to obtain a wiring path that matches the extra length.

[0045] <Accommodation density of optical fibers in the housing> For example, 288 optical fibers 2e1 are introduced into the housing 100a. That is, a total of 288 optical fibers 2e1 are optically connected to the adapters 150 in the housing 100a. As an example, the occupied volume of the housing 100a is 250 cm ３ to 660 cm ３ In this example, the accommodation density of the optical fibers 2e1 relative to the occupied volume of the housing 100a is 0.44 to 1.15 fibers / cm ３According to the present embodiment, such a high-density optical module 100 can be realized by, for example, devising the arrangement of the storage space S, wiring paths and the like for the optical fiber 2e1 in the housing 100a, and inclining the orientation of the adapter 150 (that is, the insertion / removal direction L2 of the optical connector C) with respect to the wall surface 122a. The term "occupied volume" refers to the total value of the volume occupied by the housing 100a when it is assumed that all openings of the housing 100a are closed.

[0046] As described above, the optical module 100 of the present embodiment includes a plurality of adapters 150 into which optical connectors C can be inserted, a plurality of optical fibers 2e1 optically connected to the plurality of adapters 150, and a housing 100a that accommodates the plurality of adapters 150 and the plurality of optical fibers 2e1. The housing 100a has a wall surface 122a formed with an opening 100b that exposes the plurality of adapters 150, and the insertion / removal direction L2 of the optical connector C is inclined with respect to the direction in which the wall surface 122a faces (normal direction L1). According to this configuration, even if the dimension of the housing 100a in the front-rear direction Y is small, the plurality of adapters 150 can be arranged, and the optical fiber 2e1 can be curved and arranged with a large bending radius in the housing 100a. Therefore, the housing 100a can be made compact, and the wiring density of the optical fiber 2e1 in the housing 100a can be improved. Accordingly, it is possible to provide the optical module 100 that is more compact and allows optical connectors C to be connected with high density.

[0047] In addition, the housing 100a has a bottom wall 111, a top wall 121, and a partition plate 131 positioned between the bottom wall 111 and the top wall 121. The adapter 150 is arranged between the partition plate 131 and the top wall 121, and a storage space S for storing a part of the optical fiber 2e1 is provided between the bottom wall 111 and the partition plate 131. According to this configuration, extra lengths of different lengths for each optical fiber 2e1 can be compactly stored in the storage space S. In addition, by separating functions between the space above and the space below the partition plate 131, entanglement of the optical fibers 2e1 in the housing 100a can be suppressed.

[0048] Furthermore, guide sections 116 and 117 are arranged in the storage space S to guide the wiring path of the optical fiber 2e1. The guide sections 116 and 117 have guide surfaces (outer surfaces 116a and 117b, and the inner surface of the groove 117a) with a radius of curvature larger than the allowable bending radius of the optical fiber 2e1. With this configuration, the optical fiber 2e1 can be smoothly wired along the guide surface, and it is possible to prevent the optical fiber 2e1 from being bent at a bending radius smaller than the allowable bending radius.

[0049] Furthermore, the housing 100a has an inlet 113a for introducing the optical fiber 2e1 into the housing 100a, and the optical fiber 2e1 is wired inside the housing 100a in the order of inlet 113a, storage space S, and adapter 150. In this way, by routing the optical fiber 2e1 through the storage space S before heading to the adapter 150, the excess length of the optical fiber 2e1 can be stored in the storage space S. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the optical fiber 2e1 from becoming entangled near the adapter 150.

[0050] (Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described, which has the same basic configuration as the first embodiment. For this reason, the same reference numerals are used for similar components, and their descriptions are omitted. Only the differences will be described.

[0051] As shown in Figure 9, the optical module 100' of this embodiment has a different shape from the optical module 100 of the first embodiment. In addition, the optical module 100' of this embodiment is provided with an attachment 300 for mounting to an object such as a rack 200. Since the optical module 100' has a structure similar to the optical module 100 of the first embodiment, corresponding parts will be described by adding an apostrophe ('') to their reference numerals. For example, the housing 100a, housing body 110, and housing lid 120 in the first embodiment correspond to the housing 100a', housing body 110', and housing lid 120' in the second embodiment, respectively.

[0052] As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the intermediate tube 3 of this embodiment has an uneven surface. Although not shown in the illustration, the intermediate tube 3 of this embodiment has a two-layer structure consisting of a corrugated metal tube and a resin outer sheath covering the corrugated metal tube. By including the corrugated metal tube in the intermediate tube 3, it is possible to increase strength while providing flexibility. As an example, the thickness of the corrugated metal tube is 1 ± 0.2 mm, and the thickness including the resin outer sheath is 1.7 ± 0.2 mm.

[0053] Figure 11A is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the optical module 100'. In this embodiment as well, the optical fiber 2e1 (not shown) inserted through the fixing device 140' is introduced into the housing 100a' through the inlet 113a'. As shown in Figure 11B, in this embodiment, the adapter plate 130' and the housing body 110' are rotatably connected by a hinge H. By rotating the adapter plate 130' around the hinge H, the storage space S between the partition plate 131' and the bottom wall 111' can be greatly opened. This makes it easier to wire the optical fiber 2e1 into the storage space S.

[0054] Figure 12 is a view of the optical module 100' of Figure 9 from a different angle. As shown in Figure 12, the attachment 300 has a connecting portion 301, a mounting portion 302, and an attachment body portion 303. The connecting portion 301 is plate-shaped and is the part that connects to the housing 100a'. The connecting portion 301 has a hole (not shown) for inserting a screw 304. The screw 304 is screwed into the housing 100a'. This connects the attachment 300 to the housing 100a'. The mounting portion 302 is plate-shaped and extends in a plane substantially perpendicular to the connecting portion 301. The mounting portion 302 has two mounting holes 302a. The mounting holes 302a are used, for example, to screw the attachment 300 to an object to be installed, such as a rack 200.

[0055] The attachment body 303 connects the connecting portion 301 and the mounting portion 302. A screw 305 is also attached to the attachment body 303. The screw 305 can be used when attaching the attachment 300 to an object to be installed, such as a rack 200. As shown in Figure 9, a hook portion 306 is formed on the attachment body 303. The hook portion 306 can be used to hook the attachment 300 onto an object to be installed, such as a rack 200.

[0056] Thus, the attachment 300 is equipped with multiple means for attaching it to the object to be installed. This increases the degree of freedom in positioning the attachment 300 when attaching it to the object to be installed. Note that the attachment 300 may not be equipped with some of these attachment means, or it may be equipped with other attachment means.

[0057] As described above, the optical connection structure 1 of this embodiment comprises an optical cable 2 having a sheath 2a and a plurality of optical fibers 2e1, an optical module 100' having a plurality of adapters 150 optically connected to the plurality of optical fibers 2e1 and a housing 100a' housing the plurality of adapters 150, an intermediate tube 3 that covers the plurality of optical fibers 2e1 arranged between the end E of the sheath 2a and the housing 100a', and an attachment 300 for attaching the optical module 100' to the object to be installed. With this configuration, the optical module 100 can be easily attached to the object to be installed using the attachment 300. In addition, since the optical fibers 2e1 between the optical cable 2 and the optical module 100 are covered collectively by the intermediate tube 3, bulkiness can be reduced compared to the case where a large number of cords are arranged.

[0058] Furthermore, the attachment 300 may have a hook portion 306 for securing the housing 100a' to the object to be installed. In this case, the housing 100a' can be suspended from the object to be installed using the hook portion 306. Therefore, the housing 100a' can be attached to the object to be installed more easily.

[0059] Furthermore, the attachment 300 may have mounting holes 302a for fixing the housing 100a' to the object to be installed. In this case, the housing 100a' can be screwed to the object to be installed using the mounting holes 302a. Therefore, the housing 100a' can be attached to the object to be installed more easily.

[0060] Furthermore, the object to be installed may be a rack 200. In this case, the optical module 100' can be easily attached to the rack 200 using the attachment 300. In addition, since the optical fiber 2e1 is covered collectively by the intermediate tube 3, the bulkiness can be reduced compared to when many cables are arranged inside the rack 200.

[0061] 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.

[0062] For example, the optical connection structure 1 of the above embodiment includes an optical cable 2, an intermediate tube 3, and an optical module 100, but some of these components may be omitted.

[0063] 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. For example, by combining the first embodiment and the second embodiment, multiple optical modules 100' equipped with attachments 300 as shown in Figure 9 may be connected to a single optical cable 2 as shown in Figure 2A or Figure 3.

[0064] Furthermore, the features of the optical cable 2, intermediate tube 3, optical module 100, etc., described in the first embodiment may be appropriately combined with the optical connection structure of the second embodiment. Examples of such features include the angle of the adapter 150, the connection between the intermediate tube 3 and the housing 100a, the wiring path within the housing 100a, the density of optical fibers within the housing 100a, and shuffled wiring.

[0065] Furthermore, in the embodiments described above, the optical cable 2 includes a plurality of optical fiber units 2e having a plurality of optical fibers 2e1, and the plurality of adapters 150 or optical connectors C include a plurality of optical fibers. In the plurality of optical fiber wiring between the plurality of optical fiber units 2e and the plurality of adapters 150 or optical connectors C, shuffle wiring may be used to optically couple each optical fiber 2e1 constituting at least one optical fiber unit 2e with optical fibers constituting at least two plurality of adapters 150 or optical connectors C. In this case, shuffle wiring means that each optical fiber 2e1 constituting at least one optical fiber unit 2e is optically coupled with optical fibers constituting at least two plurality of adapters 150 or optical connectors C. The optical fibers 2e1 constituting the optical fiber unit 2e may also be inserted into the adapters 150 or optical connectors C and optically connected. In this case, a portion of the optical fibers 2e1 inserted into the adapters 150 or optical connectors C corresponds to "optical fibers included in the adapters 150 or optical connectors C". Alternatively, the adapter 150 or optical connector C may include an optical fiber other than the optical fiber 2e1 that constitutes the optical fiber unit 2e, and the optical fiber 2e1 and the optical fiber included in the adapter 150 or optical connector C may be optically coupled. These two configurations are included in the statement that "each optical fiber constituting at least one optical fiber unit is optically coupled with optical fibers constituting at least two or more adapters or optical connectors."

[0066] According to the above embodiments of the present invention (including modifications), it is possible to provide an optical module that is smaller and allows for higher density connection of optical connectors.

[0067] 2e1...Optical fiber 100, 100'...Optical module 100a, 100a'...Housing 100b...Opening 111, 111'...Bottom wall 113a, 113a'...Inlet 116, 117...Guide section 116a, 117b...Outer surface (guide surface) 121...Top wall 122a...Wall surface 131, 131'...Partition plate 150...Adapter C...Optical connector L2...Insertion / removal direction S...Storage space

Claims

1. An optical module comprising: a plurality of adapters into which optical connectors can be inserted; a plurality of optical fibers optically connected to the plurality of adapters; and a housing that houses the plurality of adapters and the plurality of optical fibers, wherein the housing has a wall surface in which an opening is formed to expose the plurality of adapters, and the insertion and removal direction of the optical connector is inclined with respect to the wall surface.

2. The optical module according to claim 1, wherein the housing has a bottom wall, a top wall, and a partition plate located between the bottom wall and the top wall, the plurality of adapters are arranged between the partition plate and the top wall, and a storage space is provided between the bottom wall and the partition plate for housing a portion of the plurality of optical fibers.

3. The optical module according to claim 2, wherein a guide portion for guiding the wiring path of the optical fiber is arranged in the storage space, and the guide portion has a guide surface with a radius of curvature larger than the allowable bending radius of the optical fiber.

4. The optical module according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the housing has an inlet for introducing the plurality of optical fibers into the housing, and the plurality of optical fibers are wired inside the housing in the order of the inlet, the storage space, and the adapter.

Images