DE102009035423B4 - Method for the automatic fabrication of an optical fiber cable with signal elements; Fiber optic cable and method for identifying optical fiber sections - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a fiber optic cable (3) having at least two activatable display elements on cable partitions in fiber optic cable end regions (1, 2) and an electrical signal line (21), wherein at least one display element (4, 7) at least one signal generator (11 ), the signal generator (11) of a display element (4, 7) via at least one electrical signal line (21) in the optical fiber cable (3) with at least one further signal generator (11) in the display element (7, 4) on the other optical fiber -Cable end is connected so that when energy is fed into the electrical signal line (21) on a display element (4, 7) at least the signal generator (11) on another display element (7, 4) can be activated, a method for the identification of fiber optic cables on the basis of attached display elements and a method for the automatic assembly of a fiber optic cable with electrical signal line with division into pigtails and display element at the division.

Description

The invention relates to methods for the automatic fabrication of a fiber optic cable with electrical signal line and distribution in pigtails and display element on the division; automatically assembled fiber optic cables as well as a method for the identification of fiber optic cable end sections on the basis of attached display elements. Fiber optic cables are subsequently abbreviated, as usual in the art, with fiber optic cable.

Fiber optic links can provide bandwidths greater than 1 THz over long distances at speeds in excess of 10 Gigabit / sec in a single fiber. Among other things, they offer low transmission loss, small size, low weight and relatively low costs. However, fiber optic cable presents operators and manufacturers with challenges in installing, maintaining and operating an optical network over the traditional electrical conductor based network.

In particular, one characteristic of electrically conductive cables that do not have fiber optic cables is that both their course and their end are trackable in the network.

The tracking of cables over long distances and assignment of the cable ends to each other is difficult for multiple connections, such as patch panels. Although color coding is used to distinguish between cables, these are limited due to limited color choice, inadequate in low light conditions, and unintelligible to color blind people. Connectors with RFIDs have already been provided, which then have to be read out expensively via a corresponding reading device - this is too complicated for simple wiring and requires special devices that are not always available. Further, cables with tracking capability of patched terminals are known which comprise a fiber optic fiber extending parallel to the wire bundle. With an external light source, which is plugged onto one end of the patch cable, the cable end associated cable can be determined, because after passing through the plastic fiber optic fiber, the light emerges at the other end of the known patch cable luminous dot. If a laser light source is connected to one end of the known patch cable to cause the other end of the known patch cable by the laser light for punctiform illumination, there is also a risk from the laser radiation

The US Patents 5,265,187 and 5.337400 by Morin et al. disclose a fiber optic cable distribution frame comprising electrical connector and LED connector holders for visually identifying the two ends of a patch cord. The patch cords include internal electrical conductors that provide power for the status indicators. Similarly, that describes U.S. Patent 5,666,453 a fiber optic cable with a pair of insulated electrical conductors and light emitting diodes integrated into fiber optic connectors.

HAPP offers a so-called light tracer patch cord, which comprises a single separate luminous fiber optic fiber with light at the end. From ADC is already in the US 2008/0274844 a fiber optic cable with retracted electrical conductors known, which may have different arrangements and by means of which the course of the fiber optic cable is verifiable, with the disclosure of these references to avoid repetition in its entirety.

From the DE 10 2007 039 294 A1 a fiber optic patch cable has become known which has at least two activatable display elements on the fiber optic Kabelendbereichen and at least one electrical signal line, each display element has at least one Signalber, which activates the second display element on energy input to the electrical signal line on the display element.

That in the DE 10 2007 039294 A1 described identifiable fiber optic cable is described in quite general terms, a simple and safe production of the same is not specified.

A problem with fiber optic cables is the division. The separation point of the fiber optic fibers from the protective cable sheath into pigtails is vulnerable and particularly sensitive to breakage or damage. Therefore, it is common to od this site by pipes, pouring in plastic. Like. Protect.

• – Leuchtmittel an Steckern sind leicht verdeckt, dann nicht sichtbar und aufgrund der kleinen Leuchtfläche schlecht.
• – die LWL Kabel sind unzureichend an den Anzeigeelementen/Aufeilungen gesichert, wodurch Kabelbrüche und sonstige Schäden an den empfindlichen LWL auftreten können.
• – Verfahren zur fehleroptimierten Herstellung sind nicht bekannt.
• Aufgabe der vorliegenden Erfindung ist daher die Bereitstellung eines Kabels, das die Nachteile des Standes der Technik vermeidet.

The known fiber optic patch cables with electrical signal line and display can therefore be improved in this respect:

• - Light bulbs on plugs are easily covered, then not visible and bad due to the small illuminated area.
• - The fiber optic cables are insufficiently secured to the display elements / partitions, which may cause cable breaks and other damage to the sensitive fiber optic cables.
• - Procedures for error-optimized production are not known.
• The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a cable which avoids the disadvantages of the prior art.

According to the invention this object is achieved by a method having the features of claim 1. Furthermore, the invention also relates to a subsequently manufactured automatically assembled fiber optic cable according to claim 4 and a method for the identification vpon fiber optic cable end portions according to claim 14. Advantageous developments emerge from the dependent claims.

The fact that now fiber optic cables are used with electrical signal lines and display elements, the signal strength is largely independent of this at the end of the cable to be detected and the length of the cable and curvatures of the cable is substantially independent and no damping experienced, excellent detectability is ensured where the assembly of the cable is simple, fast, effortless, error-proof and requires only a small number of operations and is therefore particularly cost-effective.

The invention relates to fiber optic cables, in which display elements comprise a division protection, wherein at least one optical or acoustic signal generator is in the display element in electrically conductive connection with the electrical conductors in the fiber optic cable. These signaling devices can then be activated by connecting electrical energy sources, for example. Plug-in batteries, accumulators or capacitors and other power sources.

At least one electrical contact can be provided on the display element housing, via which an external power supply can be reversibly connected and the display element housing is electrically connected on the inside with at least the signal generator of another display element via the signal line.

Suitable signaling devices may be: light bulbs, light-emitting diodes, light emitting diodes LED's or luminescent diodes, which can emit light - for example in the visible wavelength range, but also infrared or ultraviolet radiation when power is supplied. Of course, the signal generator but also, for example, in the form of a buzzer, a piezo-speaker or a vibration generating device or combinations thereof, are present.

It can also be provided that in a display element there is at least one current / or voltage source integrated therein for the purpose of feeding in electrical energy into the electrically conductive connection. Internal display element energy sources can be, for example, batteries, accumulators or capacitors - but they can also be powered by pure induction with energy.

When integrated into two display elements energy sources, each display element may comprise at least one integrated in the circuit electrical switch. For example. For example, the switches may be selected from the group consisting of: push button switches, latching push button switches, magnetic switches, relay switches, toggle switches, resilient latching tongues or resilient latching tongue protection devices.

Mostly, the supply of electrical energy in the signal line via a power and / or voltage source. This can be a constant current source. The electrical energy can also be inductively supplied to the external or internal power supply of the electrically conductive connection can be continuous or clocked.

Finally, the display element may have a plug or socket for electrically conductive connection of the cable to an external live wiring and / or a power supplying device.

In summary, it should be noted that in the context of the present invention, a fiber optic cable with signal line, for example. A data cable or patch cable, is provided, which comprises display elements for identifying, detecting and finding the two ends of the cable and protection of the division, with elaborate protected Lead-out of a sensitive plastic fiber optic fiber can be dispensed with.

Another advantage of the inventive cable is that the signal strength at the cable ends is large and independent of the length of the cable substantially. The inventive cable allows for at least one cable end to be detected an excellent, always easily detectable detectability u. a. because of a - possibly large - illuminated surface of the display element.

Also avoided by a laser source - as in the known cable with display optical waveguide, which is fed via a laser source - basically outgoing accident risk by using an electrically conductive connection - instead of an optically conductive optical waveguide - between the display elements.

Another advantage of the cable according to the invention is its particularly simple, fast, effortless, error-proof and only a few steps requiring and therefore very cost-effective installation.

A particularly favorable producibility of the inventive fiber optic cable with division into Pigtails and display elements results in particular from the fact that each display element of individual modules can be automatically assembled. The modules can be delivered prefabricated to final assembly without much effort.

The electrically conductive compound includes per se known, the skilled person, electrically conductive material, such as one or more metals, copper, silver, gold, platinum or an electrically conductive plastic, or mixtures thereof.

The external power source for powering the electrical signal line via the display elements may be batteries, accumulators, capacitors, power connected transformers, or a combination thereof. In general, a clock can be integrated into the signal circuit.

In embodiments of the cable according to the invention, the display element housings can be designed to be light-conducting, transparent, opaque, opal, fluorescent and / or colored, at least partially-to increase the luminous detection surface and thus to improve the detectability of the display elements. A typical material for the display element housing is plastic, the invention will be explained in more detail by means of embodiments, to which it is by no means limited, and with reference to the accompanying drawings. It shows:

1 a schematic view of an inventive fiber optic cable with designed as a distribution protection luminous display elements;

2 an exploded view of essential parts of a display element with lighting function for external energy sources; and

3 the arrangement of 2 in assembled condition.

As in 1 shown includes a fiber optic cable 3 for the optical identifiability and detectability of its two end regions in each cable end region 1 . 2 one display element each 4 . 7 at its division into pigtails 8th , Each display element 4 . 7 has electrically operated signal generator 11 like LEDs. The signalers 11 are via electrical signal lines 21 in the fiber optic cable 3 connected to electrical energy sources.

Therefore, when feeding electrical energy into the signal line 21 the signalers 11 the two cable end areas 1 . 2 activated. At the in 1 illustrated embodiment are optoelectronic signal generator 11 provided directly in the display element housings, as well as sockets 13 for connecting an external electrical power supply (not shown). The signal generator 11 - shown here as LED with two contact wires - can be used across the sockets 13 electrically conductive for the electrical power supply (via contacts 17 ), installed as out 2 seen.

The display element housing bottom 14 is designed in this embodiment so that on the one hand a cable guide 12 for receiving the cable sheath 22 and on the other hand pigtail shots 15 for the outgoing pigtails 8th are provided here in a single plastic molding, the display element housing floor 14 , are formed. The indicator case bottom 14 has in this embodiment also locking lugs 9b on, if necessary, with corresponding detent openings 9a in the indicator housing cover 16 engage and the display element 4 . 7 close. It is often convenient if both the cable sheath to improve the protection of the sensitive distribution of the fiber optic cable 22 of the incoming cable in the cable sheath receptacle 12 as well as the pigtails if necessary 8th in the respective pigtail recording 15 are glued / poured.

This embodiment can easily be assembled automatically, as explained in more detail below, which minimizes the reject rate during production and improves the manufacturability.

A ready-made display element with attached display element housing cover 16 is in 3 shown. There it can be seen that the display element housing cover 16 and also the display element housing bottom 14 possibly also for advertising purposes can be used.

Overall, by the display element according to the invention 4 . 7 a protection of the distribution of the fiber optic cable 3 in pigtails 8th Given simultaneous cable identification option.

The optical signal transmitter 11 is located in the illustrated embodiment within the display element housing 4 . 7 , So that the light emission via a plastic display element housing takes place, which possibly scatter the light, transform (eg. By fluorescence) or can only pass.

As in 2 . 3 are shown on the display element housing of the display element 4 electrically conductive contacts 17 intended. Especially 2 shows the reversible connection possibility of an external power supply to the contacts 17 , In the display element housing are the contacts 17 at least with the optoelectronic signal generator 11 the other display element 4 . 7 connected via the electrical signal line. 2 shows that the electrically conductive contacts 17 of a display element 4 . 7 via at least one cable-internal electrical signal line 21 can be connected. The display element housing of each display element 4 . 7 is - as in particular in the 2 and 3 illustrated - modular - thus multi-part. The optoelectronic signal generator 11 can be light bulbs, light-emitting diodes, light-emitting diodes (LEDs) or luminescent diodes that emit light in the visible wavelength range, infrared radiation or ultraviolet radiation when power is supplied. The display element housing parts can also be formed in different colors, whereby further identification of the cable is possible, for example. With regard to its technical qualities.

When assigning cable connectors that are permanently installed in a patch panel and to be installed, in the embodiment of the 1 - 3 to proceed according to the invention. At the cable end 1 is over the jacks 13 for power supply an external power supply to the signal line 21 connected. Due to the energy supply, the light-emitting diodes now light up 11 in the display elements over these signal lines 21 are connected to. It now becomes apparent which end of the cable on the patch panel belongs to the fiber optic cable whose power supply has been activated. In embodiments with switch (not shown) instead of the power supply, a current source by means of a switch on the respective display element with the (optical) display 11 This will activate this indicator (lights up).

It is possible to color the display housing parts differently so as to further characterize the cables according to their characteristics. Accordingly, in a luminous display then luminous display elements in different colors can enable further identification of the cables. The display element housing material can also act as an optical filter, partially hide (filter) a light source radiation or transform it (fluorescence, phosphorescence). As a result, the storage of different lamps can be avoided in a simple manner and yet another lighting effect can be achieved.

An automatic assembly of a fiber optic cable with division and display element on the division into pigtails with at least one electrical signal line according to 2 can take place as follows:
It is powered by a fiber optic cable 3 with an electrical signal line 21 , Fiber optic cables and a cable sheath 22 went out. The cable sheath section in the end area of the fiber optic cable 3 will be exposing the pigtails 8th (Here, an embodiment with two pigtails is shown, to which the invention is by no means limited) and the at least one electrical signal line 21 removed at this division. Now it will be in the display case floor 14 in which a cable sheath receptacle 12 , Pigtail shots 15 and signal line recordings and signal transmitter recordings and contact recordings are provided, the division area of the fiber optic cable 3 inserted, so that cable sheath 22 , Pigtails 8th and signal line 21 to be in the respective recordings. Below are the contacts 17 pressed into the contact receptacles, so that they the signal line 21 touch and so od an electrical connection between them without elaborate soldering. Like. Produce. Finally, the LED 11 inserted into the signal transmitter recording so that their leads the contacts 17 in the contacts contact conductive.

The respective cable components such as cable sheath, pigtails and signal cable can in the respective shots -. By gluing, pouring u. similar. - Are attached, whereby a strain relief achieved and the sensitive division area is secured.

Finally, the display element housing cover 16 mounted, in this embodiment, the connection between the display element housing cover 16 and the display element housing bottom 14 by locking the latch 9b on the ground 14 in the latch opening 9a of the indicator housing cover 16 he follows. But according to the invention can also be any other Aneinandefesigen the display element housing parts 16 . 14 be provided to each other, as is familiar to those skilled in the art, such as gluing, pouring, positive engagement, interference fit, welding or combinations thereof.

While various embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, those familiar with the art to which this invention relates will recognize alternative embodiments and embodiments for carrying out the invention. The embodiments described above are intended only to illustrate the invention, which may be modified within the scope of the following claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

cable end

2

cable end

3

Fiber optic cables

4

Display element 3

5

Plug on 8th

7

Display element 3

8th

pigtail

9a

Latching opening in 16

9b

Snap on 14

11

signaler

12

Jacket recording

13

Rifle

14

Display element housing bottom

15

Pigtail shot in 14

16

Display element cover

17

contacts

21

electrical signal line

22

cable sheath

Claims (14)

Method for the automatic fabrication of a fiber optic cable ( 3 ) with at the two cable end regions ( 1 . 2 ) divided into pigtails, which each have at least one activatable display element ( 4 . 7 ), and with at least one electrical signal line ( 21 ), characterized by: presenting a fiber optic cable ( 3 ) with at least one electrical signal line ( 21 ), as pigtails ending optical waveguides ( 8th ) and a cable sheath ( 22 ), Removing a cable sheath portion in the end region ( 1 . 2 ) of the fiber optic cable ( 3 ) exposing at least two pigtails and the at least one electrical signal conductor ( 21 ); Presenting a display element housing bottom ( 14 ) with a fiber optic cable sheath receptacle ( 12 ), Pigtail shots ( 15 ), at least one signal line recording, a signal transmitter recording and contact recording; Impressing the division into the display element housing bottom ( 14 ) by inserting the cable sheath into the cable sheath receptacle ( 12 ), the pigtails in the pigtail recording ( 15 ) and the at least one signal line into the at least one signal line receptacle; Inserting the signal transmitter ( 11 ) into the signal transmitter receptacle and the contacts ( 17 ) into the contacts, whereby the contacts ( 17 ) with the at least one signal line ( 21 ) and the at least one signal generator ( 11 ) are brought into electrically conductive connection; and applying the display element housing cover ( 16 ) on the prefabricated display element base ( 14 ) with inserted cable sheath ( 22 ), Pigtails ( 8th ) and signal line ( 21 ) as well as inserted signaling device and contacts ( 17 ) with attachment of the same display element housing cover ( 16 ) on the display element housing bottom ( 14 ). The method of claim 1, wherein gluing the pigtails and the cable sheath takes place in at least one display housing part. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein attaching the display housing cover to the assembled display case floor is by fasteners selected from the group consisting of: gluing, molding, interference fit, interference fit, welding, or combinations thereof. Automatically assembled fiber optic cable ( 3 ), produced by a method according to claims 1-3, with a fiber optic cable ( 3 ) comprising at least one electrical signal line ( 21 ), a cable sheath ( 22 ) and pigtails ending optical waveguides ( 8th ), and with at least two activatable display elements ( 4 . 7 ) arranged at the two cable end regions ( 1 . 2 ), - each display element ( 4 . 7 ) a display element housing with a display element housing cover ( 16 ) and a display element housing floor ( 14 ) and at least one signal generator ( 11 ) having; - wherein the display element housing floor ( 14 ) a cable sheath receptacle ( 12 ) for inserting the cable sheath, pigtail shots ( 15 ) for inserting the pigtails, at least one signal line receptacle for inserting the at least one signal line ( 21 ), Sounder recordings for pressing the signal generator ( 11 ) and contacts for impressing the contacts ( 17 ), the contacts ( 17 ) with the signal line ( 21 ) and the signal generator ( 11 ) are brought into electrically conductive connection; - And wherein the at least one signal generator ( 11 ) in the display element ( 4 ) at the first fiber optic cable end region via the at least one electrical signal line ( 21 ) in the fiber optic cable ( 3 ) with the at least one further signal generator ( 11 ) in the display element ( 7 ) is connected to the other fiber optic cable end area, so that when energy is fed into the electrical signal line ( 21 ) on one of the two display elements ( 4 . 7 ) is activated. Fiber optic cable according to claim 4, characterized in that the display element housing ( 14 . 16 ) consists at least partially of a translucent or opaque or opalescent or light scattering or reflective or fluorescent material. Fiber optic cable according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the material of the display element housing is at least partially colored. Fiber optic cable ( 3 ) according to one of the preceding claims 4-6, characterized in that the signal generator ( 11 ) are selected from the group consisting of optoelectronic signalers, acoustic signal transmitters, or vibration transmitters Fiber optic cable ( 3 ) according to claim 7, characterized in that the optoelectronic signal generator ( 11 ) are selected from the group consisting of light bulbs, light-emitting diodes (LED's) or luminescence diodes, the optoelectronic signal generator in the visible, infrared in power supply or in the ultraviolet wavelength range. Fiber optic cable ( 3 ) according to any one of claims 4-8, characterized in that in at least one display element ( 4 . 7 ) at least one integrated therein power or voltage source for feeding electrical energy into the electrical signal line ( 21 ) is present. Fiber optic cable ( 3 ) according to claim 9, characterized in that in the display element ( 4 . 7 ) built-in, cable-internal energy sources each display element ( 4 . 7 ) comprises at least one integrated in the circuit electrical switch. Fiber optic cable ( 3 ) according to claim 10, characterized in that the electric circuit integrated in the circuit are selected from the group consisting of: pushbutton, latching pushbutton switch, magnetic switch, relay switch or toggle switch. Fiber optic cable ( 3 ) according to one of the preceding claims 4-11, characterized in that the energy supply into the electrical signal line ( 21 ) is continuous or clocked. Fiber optic cable ( 3 ) according to claim 10-12, characterized in that the integrated, internal cable energy sources are selected from batteries, accumulators or capacitors. Method for identifying cable end areas ( 1 . 2 ) of an automatically assembled fiber optic cable ( 3 ) according to any one of claims 4-13, based on at the cable end regions ( 1 . 2 ) display elements ( 4 . 7 ), characterized by: - presenting an automatically assembled fiber optic cable ( 3 ) according to any one of claims 4-13; - power supply to the two cable end areas ( 1 . 2 ) display elements ( 4 . 7 ) via energy supply in the electrical signal line ( 21 ); - Activation of the signal generator ( 11 ) in the display elements ( 4 . 7 ) of the cable end regions to be identified ( 1 . 2 ) of the automatically assembled fiber optic cable ( 3 ) according to any one of claims 4-13; and identification of the fiber optic cable end regions ( 1 . 2 ) based on the signal of the respectively associated signal generator ( 11 ) of the activated display elements ( 4 . 7 ).

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