JP2000241630A - Optical module - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Problem] To provide an optical module in which an optical fiber is terminated by an optical connector adapter provided on a side.
There has been a demand for the development of a technology for efficiently connecting an optical fiber to be terminated to an optical fiber in a module. SOLUTION: An optical fiber 29b housed in a case-like module main body 29f is provided with a connector housing cylinder provided with a connector connectable end by a connector 29d at a side protruding from the module main body 29f. 2
9e, an optical module 29 housed so as to be able to be pulled out by an operation from the outside is provided.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical module in which an optical fiber is terminated by an optical connector adapter so that the optical fiber can be connected to another optical fiber through a connector. The present invention relates to an optical module that is connected to the optical connector adapter by being connected to an optical fiber housed in a main body.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, an optical wiring board for connecting a large number of optical fibers in a switchable manner, such as an optical distribution board for branching and connecting an optical fiber on a transmission apparatus side to a large number of optical fibers of an external optical cable. In the case of a board, an optical board using an optical module is provided in view of work for processing excess length of an optical fiber, workability of switching connection, increase in the number of compatible cores, and the like. The optical module is usually in the form of a thin external case, and is housed side by side in a plurality. In each optical module, an optical fiber is terminated by an optical connector adapter attached to one side so that the optical fiber can be connected to a connector, and the extra length of the optical fiber is housed inside. The optical fibers are connected to each other by connecting another optical fiber to the optical connector adapter from the outside.

FIG. 11 shows an example of this type of optical module 1. In FIG. 11, an optical module 1 includes a module main body 2 having a thin external appearance case shape and this module main body 2.
And an optical connector adapter 3 attached to one end of the optical connector. The optical fiber 5 housed in the module body 2 is, for example, a multi-core optical fiber having four cores, eight cores, or the like.
One end is terminated by an optical connector 4 so as to be connectable to a connector, and the other end is branched into a single core and connected to the optical connector adapter 3 respectively. An optical fiber hole 6 is opened at the other end of the module main body 2 facing the optical connector adapter 3, and an optical fiber 7 introduced into the module main body 2 from the optical fiber hole 6 is formed in advance by an optical connector 7a. The terminated end is detachably connected to the optical fiber 5 with a connector. The optical connector adapter 3
When another optical fiber 8 is connected to the connector from the outside, the optical fibers 7 and 8 are optically connected to each other via the optical fiber 5.

[0004]

By the way, in the optical module 1 shown in FIG. 11, in order to connect the optical fibers 5 and 7, the lid 9 on the side of the module body 2 is opened and the optical fiber 5 is connected. After being taken out and connected to the optical fiber 7, the extra connection length of the optical fibers 5, 7 is stored in the module main body 2 together with the optical connectors 4, 7a. However, in order to perform the operation with the lid 9 opened, the optical module 1 is taken out from a predetermined storage position inside the optical distribution board or the like, and after the storage operation of the connected optical connectors 4, 7a and the like is completed, the optical module 1 is removed. It is necessary to store the optical disc 1 in a target storage position of the optical distribution board. When the optical module 1 is taken out of the storage position or re-stored, vibrations adversely affect optical communication by avoiding contact with another adjacent optical module 1 or an optical fiber wired nearby. In order not to
It was necessary to perform the work with great care, and there was a complaint that the workability could not be improved. In addition, the work itself of taking out and re-storing the optical fiber 5 from the optical module 1 also has a complaint that the extra length processing of the optical fiber 5 once taken out of the module main body 2 is troublesome.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and (1) to easily connect an optical fiber in a module main body to another optical fiber without opening or moving the module main body. (2) Even if the optical fiber on the module side is pulled out from the module main body, the connector-terminated end can be easily stored and protected in the connector storage tube without opening the module main body. An object is to provide an optical module.

[0006]

The present invention has the following features to attain the object mentioned above. That is, in the present invention, the optical connector adapter attached to the side of the case-like module main body, the optical fiber housed in the module main body, and the optical fiber An optical module, comprising: a connector storage tube that stores an end portion of the optical connector that can be connected to a connector by the optical connector so that the end portion can be pulled out by operation from outside the module main body. According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the optical module according to the first aspect, at or near the connector storage tube, a retaining means for retaining the end of the optical fiber in the connector storage tube is provided. Claim 3
According to the present invention, in the optical module according to claim 1 or 2, the optical connector at the end of the optical fiber and the optical connector at the tip of another optical fiber connected to the optical fiber are maintained in a connected state. A connector case that can be stored as it is is housed in the connector storage tube so as to be able to be pulled out.

According to the present invention, by pulling out the connector-terminated end of the optical fiber housed in the module main body from the connector housing tube, another optical fiber can be connected to this optical fiber with a connector or connected. Can be canceled. After the connection or disconnection work, push the optical fiber from the connector storage tube into the module main body, and finally store the optical connector in the connector storage tube, so that the optical fiber and optical connector can be connected without opening the module main body. Can be easily stored. In the connector housing, together with the optical connector at the end of the optical fiber on the module side, the optical connector of another optical fiber connected to the end of the optical fiber on the module side is stored while maintaining the connected state. According to the second aspect of the present invention, the end of the optical fiber is retained by the retaining means, so that the end of the optical fiber can be prevented from inadvertently jumping out of the connector storage tube due to its own weight or the like. In addition, various structures such as a clamp for the optical fiber, a clamp for engaging with the optical connector, and a clamp for the optical connector can be adopted as the retaining means. According to the third aspect of the present invention, the optical connector is housed in the connector case that can be pulled out from the connector housing tube, so that the optical connector is prevented from being caught in the connector housing tube and the optical connector can be smoothly pulled out and housed. Can be. In addition, since the connector case can store the pair of optical connectors in the connected state, the work of storing the optical connector after connection can be performed efficiently.

[0008]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described.
This will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, an optical module according to the present invention is embodied in an optical distribution board as an optical module for terminating an end of an optical fiber drawn from an optical cable terminal so as to be connectable to a connector. First, the optical distribution board will be described. 1 (a), (b) and 2 are views showing an optical distribution board 20, wherein FIG. 1 (a) is a front view showing an apparatus side, and FIG. 1 (b) is a view of FIG. 1 (a). FIG. 2 is a rear view showing the cable side of the optical distribution board 20 (although FIG. 2 is enlarged in comparison with FIG. 1). In these figures, this optical distribution board 20
Is composed of a terminated frame 21, an apparatus-side frame 22, and a relay frame 23 arranged between the two frames 21, 22. The cable side of the relay frame 23 (FIG. 1)
(A) The depth side of the paper surface, the near side of the paper surface of FIG. 2) The optical cable 24 on the outside line side is drawn in and fixed to the upper cable introduction portion 25. The cable-side optical fiber 26 pulled out from the terminal of the optical cable 24 hangs in the extra-length storage section 27 provided below the cable introduction section 25 on the same side of the relay frame 23 as the extra length. Are stored in a curved manner. The tip of the cable-side optical fiber 26 is drawn from the cable end of the termination body 21 into the intended one of the termination sections 28 provided in multiple stages in the termination frame 21 up and down. A plurality of optical modules 29 housed in the unit 28 are connected to optical fibers 29b (see FIG. 5, hereinafter referred to as module-side optical fibers) incorporated in the optical module 29. The extra length of the cable-side optical fiber 26 is also stored in an extra length storage box 30 provided for each termination 28, and the wiring length to the target optical module 29 is adjusted. Since the extra-length storage box 30 is opened upward, the extra-length storage box 30 is excellent in workability for storing and taking out the extra length.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing the optical module 29, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the optical module 29. As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 5, the optical module 29 is a case having a thin external appearance, and as shown in FIG. 1A and FIG. In each termination section 28, an optical connector adapter 29a attached to one end of each optical module 29 is arranged on the termination frame 21 apparatus side (the front side in FIG. 1A, the right side in FIG. 3). The optical connector adapters 29a are multiple and are connected to the cable-side optical fibers 26 via the module-side optical fibers 29b (see FIG. 5). The configuration of the optical module 29 will be described later in detail. In the present embodiment, as the cable-side optical fiber 26,
A multi-core optical fiber core or an optical cord is employed. In addition,
A single-core optical fiber core, an optical cord, or the like can be adopted.
Until the cable-side optical fiber 26 reaches the extra-length storage box 30, it is usual that the cable-side optical fiber 26 is reinforced with a spiral tube or the like and then routed inside the relay frame 23.

As shown in FIG. 5, a multi-core cable-side optical fiber 26 and a multi-core module-side optical fiber 2
9b, an optical connector 2 terminating each end.
6a and 29d are detachably connected to each other. The module side optical fiber 29b is connected to the optical connector 29.
Since the end opposite to the end d is single-branched and connected to the optical connector adapter 29a, the cable-side optical fiber 26 is branched into a single-fiber via the module-side optical fiber 29b. Then, it is connected to the optical connector adapter 29a. The optical connectors 26a and 29d connecting the two optical fibers 26 and 29b are housed in a connector housing cylinder 29e of the optical module 29 which protrudes from the other end of the optical module 29 facing the optical connector adapter 29a. As the optical connectors 26a and 29d, for example, JIS C
MT type optical connector (Mecanically
Transferable) is adopted. The optical fiber 2
When the optical fiber 6, 29b is a single-core optical fiber, the MT type optical connector can be applied.
SC type optical connector (Single
It is also possible to adopt fiber coupling (optical fiber connector) or the like. As the cable-side optical fiber 26, there is also a cable whose optical end is not terminated by an optical connector. Housed inside. The module body 29f
Of the module body 29
A part of the f side is inserted.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG.
Then, the device-side optical cable 31, which is an intra-station optical cable connected to the transmission device, is introduced into the device-side introduction portion 32 provided above the device-side frame 22, and the fixing jig 49c is provided.
(See FIG. 1B). This device side optical cable 31 The device side optical fiber 33 pulled out from the terminal
Is generally a single-core optical cord, and the side wall 2 of the device-side frame 22 is moved from the receiving shelf 32 a of the device-side introduction portion 32.
2a is drawn down to the curved storage portion 22b secured along the inner surface side, and from there, via the extra-length absorption shelves 34 provided in multiple stages vertically below the device-side frame 22, the relay frame 23
As shown in FIG. 3, the leading end of the optical connector 35 is pulled into the wiring section 23 a on the device side, further pulled into the target terminal portion 28 from the device side of the terminal frame 21, and terminated by the optical connector 35. The connection is switchably connected to the connector adapter 29a. As shown in FIG. 1A, in the relay frame wiring portion 23 a, the extra length 33 a secured in the device-side optical fiber 33 is provided between the connection end 28 and the extra length absorption shelf 34. The wires are bent downward to absorb the curvature. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 28a denotes an optical fiber storage gutter for storing an optical fiber such as the device-side optical fiber 33 connected to the optical module 29, and 28b denotes a code saddle.

Since the device-side optical fiber 33 is an optical cord, the device-side optical fiber 33 can be freely bent and wired from the device-side introduction portion 32 to the termination portion 28, and can be switched to the optical connector adapter 29a. Do not worry about harm. Optical connector 35 at the end of device side optical fiber 33
As the optical connector adapter 29a, an SC type optical connector is employed. In addition, as the optical connector 35 and the optical connector adapter 29a, it is preferable to adopt a push-on type that is easy to attach and detach in the case of multiple cores. For example, an MPO type optical connector (Multifiber Push) defined in JIS C5982. On) is adopted. This makes it possible to employ a multi-core device-side optical fiber 33,
Contributes to multi-core and high density.

As shown in FIGS. 1 (a), 1 (b) and 4, the extra length absorption shelf 34 is provided with a bottom plate 34a which is provided obliquely, and is provided on the bottom plate 34a. A pair of clamps 34b for removably clamping the optical fiber 33, and R guides disposed between the clamps 34b and arranged in multiple stages (three stages in FIG. 4) on the bottom plate 34a. 34c, and
The extra length can be absorbed by bending the device-side optical fiber 33 in a U-shape or S-shape on the bottom plate 34a by appropriately using the R guide 34c. Further, since the upper portion of the extra length absorption shelf 34 is open and the device-side optical fiber 33 can be easily taken out and re-stored, the wiring route is connected to the optical module 29 in accordance with the switching connection of the device-side optical fiber 33. Can be easily dealt with by rewiring the device-side optical fiber 33 to any of the extra length absorption shelves 34, even if there is a change in the size of the extra length or the amount of extra processing.

An unconnected processing unit 36 provided at the lower part of the terminal frame 21 accommodates the distal end of the unconnected device-side optical fiber 33 which is not connected anywhere. In the vicinity of the unconnected processing unit 36, a pulse tester (so-called OTD)
R) is provided with a test device 37 (“FTU” in FIG. 1) and a cord selection device 38 (“fs” in FIG. 2). In order to test a disconnection or the like of a target optical line related to the cable-side optical fiber 26, for example, an optical coupler is built in the optical module 29, and the cable-side optical fiber 26 and the test optical fiber are connected via this optical coupler. 29c (shown in phantom in FIG. 3), and the tip of the test optical fiber 29c drawn out of the optical module 29 is connected to each of the terminations 28.
A connector is connected to the unit-shaped connecting portion 39 arranged above. The connection section 39 is connected to a core selection device 38 via a connection cable (not shown). This connection 3
9 includes all the optical modules 29 in the termination 28.
In general, the number of corresponding cores that enables the connection of the test optical fiber 29c according to
By inputting test light from the test device 37 while switching the selection of the optical fibers in the optical fiber one by one, disconnection and the like can be sequentially monitored for a large number of optical lines on the optical cable 24 side. If the device-side optical fiber 33 is connected to the optical connector adapter 29a, the disconnection and the like of the device-side optical fiber line can be similarly monitored via the optical coupler. As shown in FIG. 5, the test optical fiber 29c is pulled out from an optical fiber hole 29g opened in the module main body 29f of the optical module 29 near the connector housing cylinder 29e. When a test is not required, it is not necessary to provide an optical coupler or a test optical fiber 29c in the optical module 29, and the test can be omitted.

In FIGS. 1A and 1B, reference numeral 40 denotes a splitter module storage section, which stores a plurality of splitter modules 41 in the form of a thin plate in appearance. In the splitter module 41, the device-side optical fiber 33 is connected to the device-side frame 22 and the optical connector adapter 42 directed toward the device side (in front of the paper surface in FIG. 1A). A plurality of optical fibers 45 (for example, a single-core optical cord; hereinafter, referred to as a “splitter cord”) pulled out from an opening 46 near the optical connector adapter 42 of the splitter module 41 pass through the relay frame 23. , Is switchably connected to the optical connector adapter 29a of the target optical module 29. Thereby, the optical connector adapter 42
The device-side optical fiber 33 connected to the plurality of cable-side optical fibers 26 is connected to the plurality of cable-side optical fibers 26 via an optical splitter built in the splitter module 41, for example, in a one-to-four or one-to-one relationship.
Branch connection can be made to 8 pairs. Each of the splitter cords 45 is connected to a corresponding one of the terminations 2 by using a cord duct 23b provided in multiple stages in the relay frame wiring portion 23a.
It is drawn into 8.

In FIG. 1A, a jumper cord 48 connects between the optical modules 29. Thus, the cable-side optical fibers 26 are connected to each other via the jumper cord 48. Both ends of the jumper cord 48 are respectively connected to an optical connector adapter 29a of each optical module 29 by an optical connector (not shown) having the same configuration as the optical connector 35 of the device-side optical fiber 33 and the optical connector of the splitter cord 45. Are switchably connected to. FIG.
In (a), reference numerals 49a and 49b denote jumper cord storage shelves between frames. This rack jumper cord storage shelf 49a,
49b, the jumper cord drawn into the optical distribution board 20 is also connected to the optical connector adapter 29 of the optical module 29.
a, Optical connector adapter 4 of splitter module 41
2, so that the connector can be switched.

As shown in FIG. 5, the optical module 29
It has a module body 29f in the form of a thin external case, and a module-side optical fiber 29b housed in the module body 29f, and an optical connector adapter 29a attached to one end of the module body 29f (the back side in the drawing in FIG. 5).
And An end of an optical fiber 29b, which can be connected by an optical connector 29d, is housed in a connector housing cylinder 29e provided in a protruding state at the other end of the module main body 29a (on the front side in FIG. 5). ing. Module body 29f and connector storage cylinder 29e
Is formed, for example, from a resin such as plastic.

As shown in FIG. 5, for example, the connector housing cylinder 29e has a rectangular cross section and is inclined by a fixing means (not shown) so that the opening 29m at the front end in the protruding direction is slightly downward. It is fixed to the module body 29f. The connector case 29h stored in the connector storage tube 29e can be pulled out from the opening 29m of the connector storage tube 29e and can be stored again. The connector case 29h includes an elongated rod portion 29i provided to penetrate into the connector storage tube 29e, and the rod portion 29i.
i At the lower end, a pair of holding claws 29n are provided so as to project from each other. The optical connectors 29d and 26a in a connected state can be detachably held between the holding claws 29n, and the connected state can be stably maintained. Connector case 29
The optical fibers 26 and 29b respectively pulled out from the two optical connectors 26a and 29d held by the optical fiber 26h are inserted into the slits 29 for inserting the optical fibers formed in the holding claws 29n.
s.

The connector case 29h is connected to the module side optical fiber 29b by the optical connectors 29d and 26a.
The cable-side optical fiber 26 connected to the connector case 29h or the holding claw 29n at the lower end of the connector case 29h exposed at the connector housing tube opening 29m is easily pulled out from the connector housing tube 29e. be able to. In addition, this connector case 29h
The engagement part (not shown) provided on the upper part of the rod part 29i is provided with an upper stopper 29 of the connector storage cylinder 29e.
j so that the connector storage cylinder 29e
The state in which the vicinity of the holding claw 29n is housed is maintained, and another engagement portion of the rod portion 29i is engaged with the lower stopper 29k, whereby further withdrawal is restricted. The connector case 29h is connected to the optical connector 29d, 2
Even if only the optical connector 29d is held instead of the optical connector 29a, the optical connector 29d is held by the inner wall of the connector housing cylinder 29e.
By pressing d, detachment from the connector case 29h is prevented. The upper stopper 29j functions as retaining means for retaining the end of the optical fiber 29b in the connector housing cylinder 29e.

The structure of the connector housing cylinder is not limited to the above-described structure, and a structure in which the end of the optical fiber 29b can be pulled out by operation from the outside without using the connector case 29h is also adopted. It is possible. That is, it is also possible to adopt a structure having a slit on the side where an operator can insert a finger or a tool, or a structure detachable from the module body 29f. In FIG. 5, reference numeral 29o denotes a protrusion for pulling out the optical module 29 toward the cable of the termination frame 21, and reference numeral 29p denotes a releasable engagement with an engagement piece 28d provided on the termination 28. Matching latch, symbol 29q
Is a lid that can be opened and closed freely. In FIG. 3, this optical module 2
Reference numeral 9 denotes a guide piece 29r that is inserted into the termination part 28 while being positioned by inserting the guide piece 29r attached to the lower part into a guide groove (not shown) of the termination part 28 from the cable side.
When r comes into contact with the innermost part of the guide groove, the insertion is stopped, the latch 29p is engaged with the engagement piece 28d, and the removal is restricted. When the latch 29p is deformed (pressed and deformed downward in FIG. 5) and disengaged from the engagement piece 28d, the optical module 29 can be pulled out from the termination 28 to the cable side (cable side).

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 28e denotes a gutter-shaped wiring portion where the cable-side optical fiber 26 is wired, 28f denotes guide parts provided at a plurality of positions in the wiring portion 28e, 28i
Is a clamp for detachably holding the optical fiber 26 drawn into the wiring portion 28e. Module storage area 2
8c extends along the wiring portion 28e. FIG.
7 is a rear view of the termination section 28 as viewed from the cable of the termination frame 21, FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the termination section 28, and FIG. 8 is a side view showing the vicinity of the optical module 29. 6, 7, and 8
As shown in the figure, the guide part 28f is formed by bending a wire made of an elastic material such as metal or resin, and holds the cable-side optical fiber 26 between the base 28g and the base 28g. Also, this guide part 28f
The opening 28 facing the module storage area 28c
h (see FIG. 8), the optical fiber 26 can be taken out or stored. In addition, the connector case is not limited to the above-described configuration, and various configurations that can be easily pulled out and re-stored in the connector storage cylinders of various shapes can be adopted. For example, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which knobs for pull-out and storage operations are separately provided for the connector storage tube. At this time, various configurations such as a configuration in which the operation knob protrudes from the opening of the connector storage cylinder and a configuration in which the knob is protruded from the side of the connector storage cylinder can be adopted.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a plurality of optical modules 29 are stored vertically and horizontally in a module storage area 28c, and a boundary between adjacent module bodies 29f is a plurality of optical modules 29 in the wiring section 28e. It is located near the guide component 28f provided at the location. Connector storage tube 2
9e is projecting from the side surface of each module main body 29f facing the wiring portion 28e, that is, from the upper end of the other end of the module main body 29f, so that the cable-side optical fiber 26 pulled up from the wiring portion 28e to the connector housing cylinder 29e is: The guide part 28f is detachably engaged with the guide part 28f and is retained.
e and the opening 29m at the end in the protruding direction of e.
Here, since the guide component 28f is not located immediately below the connector storage cylinder 29e but at the boundary between the adjacent module bodies 29f, the cable routed between the guide component 28f and the connector storage cylinder opening 29m. The side optical fibers 26 are wired obliquely, not vertically. In FIG. 6, the optical module 29 is inserted between a large number of flanges 28k protruding from support plates 28j provided on both upper and lower sides of a module storage area 28c.
Stably supported vertically.

FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 show the work of connecting the optical fibers 26 and 29b on the cable side and the module side. In this work, first, as shown in FIG. 8, the connector case 29h is pulled out from the connector housing cylinder 29e, and the extra length secured in the module main body 29f is made to function as the extra length, so that the optical fiber 29b with the optical connector 29d is provided.
Pull out the end and place it on a workbench or a dedicated switching device (MT
The optical fiber connector 26 is connected to the tip of the optical fiber 26 on the cable side. When the connection operation is completed, the optical fiber 29b on the module side is connected to the connector housing 2
9e, it is pushed into the module main body 29f to return the excess length, and as shown in FIG. 9, the optical connectors 26a and 29d are
While maintaining the connection state, the connector case 29h is sandwiched between the holding claws 29n. Then, as shown in FIG.
The connector case 29h is pushed into the connector housing cylinder 29e to complete the entire connection operation.

Therefore, according to the optical module 29, the optical fibers 26, 2
Since the optical modules 9b can be connected to each other, there is no need to take out the optical module 29 from the module storage area 28c, and the operation can be easily performed without moving at all. Therefore, when the optical module 29 is taken out, adverse effects such as vibrations on the adjacent optical module 29 and the optical fiber can be eliminated, and the operation can be performed smoothly in a short time. Further, the optical distribution board 2 to which the optical module 29 is applied.
At 0, without a jumper code in the middle,
Since the device-side optical fiber 33 and the splitter cord 45 are directly connected to the optical connector adapter 29a, comparison with the cable-side optical fiber 26 is easier than when a jumper cord is interposed. The switching connection operation according to the increase / decrease in the number of connection of the cable side optical fibers 26 to the optical module 29 can also be performed quickly and reliably. When the device-side optical fiber 33 is switched and connected to the optical connector adapter 29a, the surplus length to be processed may fluctuate. The adjustment can be easily made by adjusting the excess length absorption amount in the portion 23a.

On the other hand, the work inside the optical module 29 involves opening and closing the module main body 29f, so that it is necessary to take out the optical module 29 from the module storage area 28c. In this case, the optical module 29 is connected to the wiring section 28e.
Pull in the direction. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the cable-side optical fiber 26 connected to the module-side optical fiber 29b by a connector is not vertically downward from the connector storage tube 29e, but obliquely from the connector storage tube opening 29m to the guide component 28f. When the optical module 29 is pulled out, it is easy to escape from the module main body 29f (particularly at the other end), and it is also easy to bend and retract to a position where it does not interfere with the module main body 29f. It can be easily prevented from being caught. further,
Since the connector housing cylinder 29e protrudes from the module main body 29f, the optical fiber 26 wired between the guide component 28f and the connector housing cylinder opening 29m can easily secure a clearance between the optical fiber 26 and the module main body 29f. This also contributes to preventing the module 29 from being caught when pulled out.

When the cable-side optical fiber 26 is pulled vertically downward from the connector housing cylinder 29e, even if the optical fiber 26 is bent in order to avoid interference with the module body 29f, the bending radius is reduced. Becomes extremely small or the draw-out of the optical module 29 is interrupted, and the optical fiber 26 must be bent once after returning to the storage area 28c. In the structure according to the present invention, the bending of the optical fiber 26 is required. It is easy to secure the radius, and there is almost no need to repeat the drawing operation. Also, as shown in FIG. 5, the test optical fiber 29c pulled out from the optical fiber hole 29g is generally pulled up vertically and connected to the connection portion 39, so that the guide component 28f and the connector storage tube are connected. Opening 29m
There is also an advantage that the optical fiber 26 does not easily interfere with the optical fiber 26 which is obliquely wired between the optical fiber 26 and the entanglement.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible. For example, the optical module may be applied to an optical distribution board having a configuration other than that described in the above-described embodiment, or may be an optical connection box or the like other than the optical distribution board. Various optical components such as an optical coupler and an optical splitter can be housed in the optical module. The number of optical fibers housed in the optical module and the number of optical fibers connected to the module-side optical fiber may be either multi-core or single-core. In this case, it goes without saying that the number of stored optical connectors and the number of optical components stored in the module and the number of corresponding cores are also adapted to the number of optical fibers. The shape of the module main body and the like of the optical module is not limited to the shape of a thin plate, but can be changed as appropriate. Further, the mounting positions of the optical connector adapter and the connector storage tube need not be on both sides of the module main body, but may be close to each other on the same side surface of the module main body.

[0028]

As described above, according to the optical module of the present invention, the module main body can be opened only by pulling out the end of the optical fiber with the optical connector from the connector housing protruding from the module main body. Therefore, it is possible to easily connect or disconnect a connector of another optical fiber to this optical fiber. Moreover, by simply pushing the optical fiber into the connector housing, the end of the optical fiber with the optical connector can be easily stored without opening the module body, and the connected optical connector can be stored and protected in the connector housing. It has excellent effects. According to a second aspect of the present invention, when the connector storage tube or the vicinity thereof is provided with a retaining means for retaining the end of the optical fiber in the connector storage tube, the optical fiber end may accidentally jump out of the connector storage tube. And an excellent effect that the end of the optical fiber with the optical connector can be securely stored and protected. As described in claim 3, the connector case capable of housing the optical connector at the end of the optical fiber and the optical connector at the tip of another optical fiber connected to the optical fiber while maintaining a connected state with each other, If it is stored in the connector storage tube so that it can be pulled out,
It is possible to prevent the optical connector from being caught in the connector storage cylinder and to smoothly pull out and store the end of the optical fiber. Further, since the connector case can store the pair of optical connectors in the connected state, there is an excellent effect that the optical connector can be efficiently stored after connection.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an optical distribution board to which an optical module according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied, wherein (a) is a front view showing an apparatus side, and (b) is an AA of (a). It is a line sectional arrow view.

FIG. 2 is a rear view showing the optical distribution board of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view showing the optical module according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a surplus absorption shelf applied to the optical wiring board of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an optical module according to one embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a view showing a storage state of the optical module of FIG. 5 at a termination portion, and is a rear view as viewed from a termination frame cable side.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a termination part of the optical wiring board of FIG. 1;

8 is a view showing a connection operation between the module-side optical fiber and the cable-side optical fiber in the optical module of FIG. 5, showing a step of pulling out the optical connector at the end of the module-side optical fiber from the connector storage tube. FIG.

9 is a view showing a connection operation between the module-side optical fiber and the cable-side optical fiber in the optical module of FIG. 5, wherein an optical connector for connecting optical fibers is housed in a connector case pulled out from a connector housing tube. It is a process drawing showing a process of holding.

10 is a view showing a connection operation between the module-side optical fiber and the cable-side optical fiber in the optical module of FIG. 5, wherein a connector storage case storing and holding an optical connector in a connected state is pushed into a connector storage tube and stored. FIG.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a conventional optical module.

[Explanation of symbols]

26 ... optical fiber (cable side optical fiber), 26a ...
Optical connector, 29: Optical module, 29a: Optical connector adapter, 29b: Optical fiber (module-side optical fiber) housed in module main body, 29d: Optical connector, 29e: Connector storage tube, 29f: Module main body, 29h ... Connector case, 29i ... Taking means (upper stopper).

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Kiyoshi Sato, 1440, Mukurosaki, Sakura City, Chiba Prefecture Inside Fujikura Sakura Plant (72) Inventor Kunihiko Jimbo 1,440, Misaki, Sakura City, Chiba Prefecture Fujikura Sakura Plant ( 72) Inventor Koichi Katayose 1440, Musaki, Sakura-shi, Chiba F-term in Fujikura Sakura Plant (reference) 2H036 NA01 QA01 RA04 RA11 RA31 2H038 CA36 CA38

Claims (3)

[Claims] An optical connector adapter (29a) attached to a side of a case-like module body (29f).
And an optical fiber (2) housed in the module body.
9b) and an end protrudingly provided on the side of the module main body and terminated by the optical connector (29d) of the optical fiber so as to be connectable to a connector, so that the end can be pulled out by an operation from the outside of the module main body. An optical module (29), comprising: a connector storage tube (29e). 2. The optical module according to claim 1, further comprising a retaining means (29j) for retaining the end of the optical fiber in the connector storage tube at or near the connector storage tube. 3. A connector case capable of housing the optical connector at the end of the optical fiber and the optical connector (26a) at the tip of another optical fiber (26) to be connected to the optical fiber while maintaining the connection state therebetween. The optical module according to claim 1 or 2, wherein (29h) is housed in the connector housing so as to be able to be pulled out.