JP2006064736A - Structure of excessive length storage part of optical fiber - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a structure of an excessive length storage part of an optical fiber, an inexpensive structure that is excellent in workability and capable of storing the excessive length of a plurality of optical fibers surely and with high density without impairing optical transmissivity of the optical fibers and that also enables the stored optical fibers to be smoothly pulled in and out. <P>SOLUTION: The excessive length storage case 3 of optical fibers are composed of a storage part 3a for storing the excessive part 2c of optical fibers 2, an entrance and exit ports 3c, 3d for the optical fibers 2 to come in and out, and a guide groove D for arraying the optical fibers 2 to be stored in the storage part 3a through the entrance and exit ports 3c, 3d. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a structure of an optical fiber extra length storage unit used in an automatic optical fiber connection switching device or the like for automatically connecting / disconnecting a specified optical fiber cord (hereinafter simply referred to as “optical fiber”).

  Conventionally, in an optical fiber access network and intelligent buildings where optical fibers are wired, the input side optical fiber and the output side optical fiber are connected and disconnected in order to automate the maintenance and operation of the optical fiber wiring. An optical fiber automatic connection switching device is used. This automatic optical fiber connection switching device can insert / remove an alignment panel with a plurality of alignment holes through which the output side optical fibers are inserted, and a plug installed at the end of the optical fiber inserted through the alignment holes. A connection board provided with a plurality of adapters, and a movable board provided between the connection board and the alignment board, and having a finger for holding the plug, pulling out the output optical fiber, and connecting the plug to the adapter. And a robot hand mechanism that connects and disconnects (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

In the automatic optical fiber connection switching device, in order to prevent a plurality of optical fibers from interfering with each other or with the inside of the device, the extra length of the extra optical fiber is removed from the work space. It is stored in the storage section provided. Also, if the connection relationship between the input and output optical fibers of the automatic optical fiber connection switching device is changed by switching the optical fiber connection, the optical fiber wiring length of each line changes, and the required length for wiring Overs and shorts may occur.
In this case, it is necessary to pull out the extra length optical fiber stored in the storage unit. Therefore, the extra length portion of the optical fiber is stored in the storage portion when not needed, and is pulled out when necessary, so that it is necessary to be able to smoothly draw out and retract. From such a point of view, a storage space for storing the extra length of the optical fiber has been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 2).

  FIG. 5 is a side view showing a state in which a front side plate is removed, showing an optical fiber extra length storage case installed in a conventional automatic optical fiber connection switching device. FIG. 6 is an exploded front view of an essential part showing an extra optical fiber length storage case installed in a conventional automatic optical fiber connection switching device.

  Conventionally, in an automatic optical fiber connection switching device, as shown in FIG. 5, an optical fiber extra length storage case (hereinafter simply referred to as “case”) 100 having an accommodating portion 240 for accommodating an extra length portion 510 of the optical fiber 500. Are installed side by side. The case 100 includes a thin box-shaped case main body 200 having a storage portion 240 that is flat in the vertical direction, and a lid member 300 (see FIG. 6) disposed to close the storage portion 240. .

The extra length portion 510 of the optical fiber 500 is drawn from the passage space 210 into the storage portion 240 and makes a U-turn around the island 230 protruding into the storage portion 240 in a substantially semicircular shape. It is wired outside the storage unit 240.
As shown in FIG. 6, a dividing plate 400 is arranged at the center of the storage unit 240 in the longitudinal direction. The storage unit 240 is divided into two on both sides by the dividing plate 400, and the lid member 300 divides the storage unit 240. It is blocked.
The lid member 300 is attached to the case main body 200 by fitting a locking hole 310 formed in the vicinity of the outer peripheral edge into a protrusion 250 provided on the case main body 200.
JP-A-7-318820 (paragraphs 0010 to 0012, FIGS. 1 to 2) JP 2003-255144 A (paragraphs 0022 to 0025, FIGS. 1 and 3)

  However, in the case 100 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the storage portion 240 is divided into two by the dividing plate 400, and the extra length portion of the optical fiber 500 is divided into one in each of the divided storage spaces. 510 is stored. For this reason, when accommodating the surplus length portions 510 of a large number of optical fibers 500, a plurality of cases 100 must be provided side by side, and there is a problem that the overall size increases in the lateral direction.

  When a plurality of cases 100 are arranged side by side in order to increase the number of optical fibers stored, the optical fiber 500 has low bending rigidity, so that the optical fibers cannot be arranged at high density. Therefore, it is necessary to increase the entire distance in the horizontal direction. However, the automatic optical fiber connection switching device has a problem that the cost of the device increases as the size of the entire device increases.

Further, when the thickness of the case 100 is reduced, the rigidity of the case 100 is reduced due to the thinness of the case 100, and the case 100 is easily deformed by an external force or the like, and the storage unit 240 having a stable and uniform rigidity is maintained. Can not do. When the case 100 is deformed, the extra length portion 510 of the optical fiber 500 is pressed against the inner wall of the housing portion 240, and friction is generated between the extra length portion 510 and the inner wall. Due to this friction, the surplus length portion 510 is bent to be less than a predetermined radius of curvature, and the optical transmission property of the optical fiber 500 is impaired. The problem that it cannot be stored in the case may occur.
Due to such problems, it is in a limit state to reduce the thickness of the conventional case 100.

  An object of the present invention is to reliably store the extra length portions of a plurality of optical fibers in a high density without impairing the optical transmission performance of the optical fibers, to improve workability, and to draw out / withdraw the stored optical fibers. An object of the present invention is to provide a structure of a low-cost optical fiber extra-length storage unit that can smoothly perform the above.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the structure of the optical fiber surplus length storage portion according to claim 1 is a structure of an optical fiber surplus length storage portion including an optical fiber surplus length storage case for storing the surplus length portion of the optical fiber. The optical fiber surplus storage case aligns the storage section for storing the surplus length section, the entrance / exit for the optical fiber to / from the storage section, and the optical fiber stored in the storage section from the entrance / exit And a guide groove to be provided.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the optical fiber surplus length storage case includes a storage portion in which the extra length portion of the optical fiber is accommodated. Align by. The extra length portion of the optical fiber stored in the storage portion is stored in a state of being guided and aligned by the guide groove. For this reason, even if the extra length portions of a plurality of optical fibers are accommodated in one accommodation space, the extra length portions are prevented from being entangled with each other. Is done.

  The structure of the optical fiber surplus length storage portion according to claim 2 is the structure of the optical fiber surplus length storage portion according to claim 1, wherein the optical fiber is detachably engaged with the guide groove. It consists of a groove and is arranged in the opening of the entrance / exit.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the guide groove is a groove in which the optical fiber is detachably engaged, so that the optical fiber can be supported so as to be movable in the wiring direction. For this reason, when an external force is applied to the optical fiber, the optical fiber moves and absorbs the external force and is prevented from being broken and broken by the external force.
Further, since the guide groove is provided in the opening of the entrance / exit, the optical fiber is not caught by the entrance / exit, so that the extra length portion of the optical fiber can be pulled out and pulled in smoothly without difficulty. Furthermore, since the extra length portion of the optical fiber can be attached to and detached from the guide groove with one touch, it is easy to engage the extra length portion with the guide groove.

  The structure of the optical fiber surplus length storage part according to claim 3 is the structure of the optical fiber surplus length storage part according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the guide groove extends from the entrance to the storage part. It is characterized in that it is arranged outside the entrance to guide the front part of the optical fiber to be accommodated.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the guide groove is disposed outside the entrance and exits, so that the portion of the optical fiber stored in the storage portion from the entrance and exit is curved with a radius of curvature greater than a desired value. It is possible to guide so as to maintain a good light transmission property.

  The structure of the optical fiber surplus length storage portion according to claim 4 is the structure of the optical fiber surplus length storage portion according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the guide groove is formed by the guide groove. It is characterized in that it is formed on a guide member that is detachably installed at a location for installing the groove.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the guide groove is formed in the guide member that is detachably installed at the place where the guide groove is installed, so that the excess length portions of the plurality of optical fibers are guided by the guide groove. Therefore, the workability at the time of storing the extra length portion in the storage portion is improved.

  The structure of the optical fiber surplus length storage part according to claim 5 is the structure of the optical fiber surplus length storage part according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the opening includes A lid member for guiding the optical fiber is provided.

According to the fifth aspect of the invention, the opening is provided with a lid member that guides a midway portion that is housed in the housing portion of the plurality of optical fibers aligned by the guide groove. This prevents the optical fiber from being detached from the guide groove due to the elastic force of the optical fiber when the optical fiber is taken in and out of the storage portion. In particular, since the optical fiber can be held by the lid member at the location where the optical fiber is bent, the optical fiber can be efficiently fitted into the guide groove even if the guide groove is short. .
The lid member is fitted into the opening and forms the entrance with the inner wall of the opening, and the extra length of the optical fiber is prevented from being bent with a curvature radius less than a predetermined value. It is desirable to form a semicircular convex portion.
By doing in this way, when the extra length part is pulled, it always comes to bend with a radius of curvature of a predetermined value or more, and it is prevented from being broken and broken.

  The structure of the optical fiber surplus length storage portion according to claim 6 is the structure of the optical fiber surplus length storage portion according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the optical fiber surplus length storage portion is disposed outside the opening. The fixing member for supporting the optical fiber stored in the storage portion in a curved state is provided next to the optical fiber.

  According to the sixth aspect of the invention, the fixing member is provided adjacent to the outside of the opening, so that the optical fiber is supported in a curved state by the fixing member and guided to the opening.

  The structure of the optical fiber surplus length storage portion according to claim 7 is the structure of the optical fiber surplus length storage portion according to any one of claims 1 to 6, A plurality of guide pins for restricting the bending of the extra length portion of the optical fiber inserted into the storage portion are arranged.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, a plurality of guide pins for restricting the bending of the extra length portion of the optical fiber inserted into the storage portion are arranged in the storage portion. For this reason, when the extra length portion of the optical fiber is stored in the storage portion, for example, it is suppressed that the optical fiber is bent and deformed sharply like a hairpin curve and the radius of curvature is reduced to less than a predetermined value. For this reason, the extra length portion of the optical fiber can be prevented from being bent and broken by curving and deforming so as to draw a smooth curve with a short radius of curvature in the housing portion. Can be stored.
In addition, the optical fiber extra length storage case can be provided as a support for the optical fiber extra length storage case by providing a guide pin in the storage section. Thus, the entire case can be made into a thin-walled structure.

  The structure of the optical fiber surplus length storage portion according to claim 8 is the structure of the optical fiber surplus length storage portion according to claim 7, wherein the optical fiber surplus length storage case has an inner wall of the storage portion. It is formed from the case main body to form, and the side plate which formed the front and back of the said accommodating part, and was provided with the said guide pin.

  According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the optical fiber extra-length storage case can support the optical fiber by a point with the guide pin and bend and deform the optical fiber to a radius of curvature greater than a desired value. . Since the case body placed around the guide pins can be formed with a thin wall, the material cost is reduced to reduce the cost, and the optical fiber extra length storage case is reduced in weight. be able to. Further, since each guide pin also serves as a column of the side plate, the rigidity of the entire optical fiber extra length storage case can be improved.

  As described above, according to the structure of the optical fiber extra length storage part of the first aspect of the present invention, the extra length part of the optical fiber stored in the storage part is guided and aligned in the guide groove. Can be stored at a high density. As a result, even when the excess length portions of a large number of optical fibers are stored in a storage portion including one storage space, the excess length portions are prevented from being entangled with each other. This can be prevented, and the extra length portions of many optical fibers can be stored in a narrow space.

  According to the structure of the optical fiber extra length storage portion described in claim 2 of the present invention, since the optical fiber can be detachably and movably supported by the guide groove, the optical fiber is bent by an external force. Breaking can be prevented. Furthermore, since the optical fiber can be attached to and detached from the guide groove and supported by one touch, the work of wiring the extra length portion of the optical fiber to the storage portion can be facilitated. Further, the guide groove prevents the optical fiber from being caught by the entrance and exit, and the extra length portion of the optical fiber can be pulled out and pulled in smoothly without difficulty.

  According to the structure of the optical fiber extra-length storage portion described in claim 3 of the present invention, the front portion of the optical fiber stored in the storage portion from the entrance / exit is curved with a radius of curvature greater than a desired value by the guide groove. And can be guided so as to maintain good light transmission.

  According to the structure of the optical fiber surplus length storage portion described in claim 4 of the present invention, the surplus length portions can be accommodated because the surplus length portions of the plurality of optical fibers can be installed in the guide grooves. Workability to be stored in the part can be improved.

  According to the structure of the optical fiber extra-length storage part according to claim 5 of the present invention, the optical fiber is prevented from being detached from the guide groove due to the elastic force of the optical fiber when the optical fiber is taken in and out of the storage part. be able to. In particular, since the optical fiber can be held by the lid member at the portion where the optical fiber is bent, even if the guide groove is short, the work of fitting the optical fiber into the guide groove can be performed efficiently.

  According to the structure of the optical fiber extra-length storage portion according to claim 6 of the present invention, a fixing member is provided adjacent to the outside of the opening, so that the optical fiber has a curvature radius equal to or greater than a predetermined value by the fixing member. It can be supported to be curved and can be guided to the opening.

  According to the structure of the optical fiber surplus length storage portion described in claim 7 of the present invention, the guide pin has a radius of curvature that is less than a predetermined value when the surplus length portion of the optical fiber is stored in the storage portion. It is possible to suppress bending. Therefore, the optical fiber can be prevented from being broken and broken, and the optical fiber can be accommodated at a high density. Further, the optical fiber surplus length storage case is provided with a guide pin in the storage section, whereby the optical fiber surplus length storage case can be reinforced and the entire case can be made thin.

  According to the structure of the optical fiber surplus length storage portion according to claim 8 of the present invention, the optical fiber surplus length storage case supports the optical fiber by a point with a guide pin, and the optical fiber has a radius of curvature greater than a desired value. Can be curved and deformed. In addition, since the guide pins are provided on the side plates that form the front and back surfaces of the storage section, the case body placed around the guide pins can be formed with a thin wall, thus reducing material costs. Thus, the cost can be reduced and the optical fiber extra length storage case can be reduced in weight.

Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 1-4, the structure of the optical fiber extra length accommodating part which concerns on embodiment of this invention is demonstrated.
Hereinafter, as an example of the structure of the optical fiber extra length storage unit, an optical fiber extra length storage case (hereinafter referred to as “optical fiber extra length storage case”) that is used in the automatic optical fiber connection switching device 1 that automatically performs the connection switching operation for connecting / disconnecting the optical fiber 2. The embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to 3).
FIG. 1 is a side view of an optical fiber automatic connection switching device showing an installation state of an optical fiber extra length storage case.

≪Optical fiber automatic connection switching device≫
As shown in FIG. 1, the automatic optical fiber connection switching device 1 is movable in an X-axis direction that is a straight line direction in a horizontal plane, a Y-axis direction that is orthogonal to the X-axis direction, and a Z-axis direction that is a vertical direction. And a moving mechanism (not shown) that automatically moves the robot's hand mechanism 6 to connect and disconnect the optical fiber 2 automatically. This automatic optical fiber connection switching device 1 includes an input side optical fiber 2a, an output side optical fiber 2b, plugs P1 and P2, an adapter A, a connection panel 4, an alignment panel 5, and a robot hand mechanism 6. The winding mechanism 7 and the optical fiber extra length storage case 3 are provided.

≪Optical fiber≫
The optical fiber 2 is a single-core optical fiber cord, and includes an input-side optical fiber 2a, an output-side optical fiber 2b having a surplus length portion 2c, and an external wiring side optical fiber 2d. Two or more optical fibers 2 are wired in a row in the horizontal direction. Hereinafter, a case where eight optical fibers 2 are arranged will be described as an example.

<Input side optical fiber>
A plug P1 for connection connected to the adapter A is installed at the terminal of the input side optical fiber 2a.

<Output side optical fiber>
A plug P2 for connection to be connected to the adapter A is installed at the terminal of the output side optical fiber 2b. The output side optical fiber 2b has a surplus length portion 2c so that the connection switching operation by the hand mechanism 6 can be performed smoothly. The output-side optical fiber 2b is drawn out of the optical fiber automatic connection switching device 1 through an alignment hole (not shown) of the alignment board 5, between the winding rollers of the winding mechanism 7, the case 3 and the connector C. Yes.

<Extra length part>
The extra length portion 2c is accommodated in the accommodating portion 3a of the case 3 while being curved in a substantially U shape from the upper side to the lower side of the opening 3b. For example, when the output side optical fiber 2b is advanced and retracted, the extra length portion 2c is curved so as to expand in the accommodating portion 3a and to be contracted. The surplus length portion 2c is guided to the case 3 so as to be sandwiched between a fixing member 8 and a lid member 9 which will be described later, and in the case 3 by a guide groove D provided in an opening 3b of the case 3 which will be described later. Led.

≪Connection board≫
As shown in FIG. 1, the connection board 4 is composed of a member on which eight adapters A are arranged and held in a horizontal row and the adapter A for connecting the input side optical fiber 2a and the output side optical fiber 2b is installed. .
The adapter A includes an optical connector plug to which the plug P1 of the input side optical fiber 2a and the plug P2 of the output side optical fiber 2b are connected and disconnected.

≪Alignment board≫
The alignment board 5 is a member that holds the output-side optical fiber 2b by arranging and drilling alignment holes (not shown) for aligning and holding the plugs P2 of the output-side optical fiber 2b in one row. It is arranged at a position close to the rear side symmetrical to the board 4.

≪Hand mechanism≫
As shown in FIG. 1, the hand mechanism 6 includes a robot that grips and pulls out the plug P2 with an openable / closable finger (not shown), and automatically connects / disconnects the plug P2 to / from the adapter A. The hand mechanism 6 can move to a designated position by advancing and retreating in the X-axis and Y-axis directions by the X-axis drive mechanism and the Y-axis drive mechanism in the space between the connection board 4 and the alignment board 5 facing each other. In addition, the Z-axis drive mechanism installed in the hand mechanism 6 can be moved in the Z-axis direction.

<Winding mechanism>
The winding mechanism 7 is a device that winds the output-side optical fiber 2b from which the plug P2 is removed from the adapter A, and includes, for example, a winding pulley and a winding roller.

≪Fixing member≫
As shown in FIG. 1, the fixing member 8 is a member for guiding the extra length portion 2 c of the optical fiber 2 wound up by the winding mechanism 7 so as to be U-turned to the case 3 and guiding it to the inlet 3 c. It is formed of a synthetic resin. The fixing member 8 is a substantially semicircular member when viewed from the side, and has an upper end disposed in front of the winding pulley and the winding roller, and a lower end positioned above the opening 3b of the case 3. Is arranged. A passage 8a for inserting the optical fiber 2 is formed in the outer peripheral portion of the fixing member 8 on the lid member 9 side, and a guide groove D described later is formed in the upper end portion and the center portion of the passage 8a. Installation grooves 8b and 8b for attaching the members 10 and 10 are provided.
The fixing member 8 may be formed integrally with the case 3 to be described later, or may be formed so as to be separated and attachable.

≪Lid member≫
The lid member 9 covers and protects the optical fiber 2 wired in the passage 8a of the fixing member 8, and the surplus length portion 2c wired in the storage portion 3a of the case 3 is curved to a curvature radius less than a predetermined value. This is a member for preventing breakage and is made of synthetic resin. Further, the lid member 9 is disposed outside the fixing member 8 to which the optical fiber 2 is wired, thereby supporting and guiding the optical fiber 2 so as to make a U-turn. The lid member 9 is formed at a position facing the fixing member 8, and a semicircular concave portion 9 a that the fixing member 8 is matched with, and a semicircular convex portion 9 b that fits into the opening 3 b of the case 3. A locking projection 9c for locking the lid member 9 to the fixing member 8 is formed.

FIG. 2 is an exploded side view of the case with one side plate removed.
As shown in FIG. 2, the lid member 9 includes a guide member 10 having an upper end (installation groove 8b) and a center (installation groove 8b) of the fixing member 8, and an upper end (installation groove 31c) and a lower end of the opening 3b. The guide members 10 are respectively attached to the portions (installation grooves 31 c), and the optical fibers 2 are engaged with the guide members 10, and the optical fibers 2 are inserted into the passages 8 a of the fixing members 8 and the housing portions 3 a of the case 3. In the wired state, the fixing member 8 is covered with the semicircular concave portion 9a, and the opening 3b is closed with the semicircular convex portion 9b, so that the locking projection 9c is fixed to the locking portion (not shown) of the fixing member 8. ) And is attached.
The semicircular convex portion 9b fitted into the opening 3b forms an inlet 3c and an outlet 3d with the inner wall of the opening 3b, and is less than a predetermined value when the extra length 2c is pulled. It has the function of the conventional island part 230 (refer FIG. 5) which prevents curving with a curvature radius.

≪Case≫
The case 3 is a thin box for storing the extra length portion 2c of the optical fiber 2 taken up by the take-up mechanism 7 (see FIG. 1) in a curved state, and is long in the wiring direction of the optical fiber 2. It is rectangular. The case 3 is installed, for example, below the connection board 4, the alignment board 5, the hand mechanism 6, and the winding mechanism 7 (see FIG. 1). The case 3 mainly includes a case main body 31 having a storage portion 3a and side plates 32 and 33 (see FIG. 3) that are installed on the left and right sides of the case main body 31 and close the storage portion 3a from both sides. . In this case 3, the storage portion 3a, an inlet 3c and an outlet 3d through which the optical fiber 2 enters and exits the storage portion 3a, and a guide for aligning the optical fiber 2 stored in the storage portion 3a from the inlet 3c and the outlet 3d. Grooves D and D are provided.
When the number of the optical fibers 2 is eight or more, the case 3 can accommodate a large number of optical fibers 2 by providing a plurality of cases 3 in the thickness direction.

<Case body>
As shown in FIG. 2, the case main body 31 is a member serving as a skeleton for forming the periphery of the storage portion 3a and the periphery of the opening 3b, and is formed of, for example, a synthetic resin. A plurality of protrusions 31a that are detachably fitted in holes (not shown) formed in the side plates 32 and 33 (see FIG. 3) are formed in the peripheral portion of the opening 3b of the case body 31. .

<Storage section>
The accommodating portion 3a is formed of a rectangular space for accommodating the extra length portion 2c of the optical fiber 2 wound by the winding mechanism 7 (see FIG. 1) in a curved state. The storage portion 3a includes a frame-shaped case main body 31, side plates 32 and 33 (see FIG. 3) disposed on the entire front and back surfaces of the case main body 31, guide pins G described later, and an opening 3b. It is configured. In this storage part 3a, a plurality of (for example, 13) guide pins G are arranged so as to draw a U-shaped curve from the opening 3b toward the back wall 31b with an appropriate interval, It is constructed between the side plates 32 and 33 (see FIG. 3).

<Opening>
Guide members 10 and 10 to be described later are installed in the opening 3b, and a semicircular convex portion 9b of the lid member 9 is inserted. By inserting a semicircular convex portion 9b into the opening 3b, an inlet 3c and an outlet 3d through which the optical fiber 2 enters and exits the storage portion 3a between the opening 3b and the semicircular convex portion 9b. Are formed (see FIG. 1).
The inlet 3c and the outlet 3d correspond to “entrance / exit” described in the claims.

<Side plate>
FIG. 3 is a side view of the case with the optical fiber removed.
The side plates 32 and 33 shown in FIG. 3 are flat plate members for closing the storage portion 3a and the opening 3b (see FIG. 2) from both side surfaces, and are members that form two planes in the front-rear direction of the storage portion 3a. is there. The side plates 32 and 33 are made of, for example, flat thin plate-like resin members installed on both side surfaces of the case main body 31. As shown in FIG. 3, one side plate 32 is integrally formed with a projecting bar 32 a for supporting a hollow guide pin G. The other side plate 33 is formed with a hole (not shown) into which the tip of the protruding rod 32a is inserted, corresponding to the protruding rod 32a.

≪Guide Pin≫
As shown in FIG. 2, when the guide pin G is curved so that the extra length portion 2c bulges outward, the guide pin G is pressed against the upper and lower end portions of the back wall 31b, and the bending deformation thereof is a predetermined value (for example, several tens of times). It is a member for restricting the curvature radius value to be less than about (mm) and restricting the surplus length portion 3a entering the storage portion 3a from the entrance 3c to bend toward the exit 3d. The guide pin G is formed of, for example, a cylindrical member that is rotatably inserted into the projecting rod 32a. The guide pin G is substantially spaced at a desired interval so as to draw a radius of curvature of a predetermined value or more in the vicinity of the inner wall of the storage portion 3a. They are arranged in a U shape (see FIG. 3). By doing so, the guide pin G prevents the extra length portion 2c of the optical fiber 2 housed in the housing portion 3a from being bent below the radius of curvature, thereby reducing the light transmission property or breaking and breaking. is doing.

≪Guide material≫
FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the guide member.
As shown in FIG. 2, the guide member 10 forms eight guide grooves D (see FIG. 4) for supporting the optical fiber 2 so as to be able to advance and retreat, and an upper end portion and an outer central portion of the fixing member 8, The case main body 31 is detachably installed on the inner upper end and the inner lower end of the opening 3b. The guide member 10 is made of, for example, a synthetic resin.

  As shown in FIG. 3, installation grooves 8 b and 31 c for installing the guide member 10 are provided at the upper end portion and the outer central portion of the fixing member 8 and the inner upper end portion and the inner lower end portion of the opening 3 b of the case body 31. Are formed in the installation grooves 8b and 31c, respectively, and locking portions 8c and 31d provided on the guide member 10 and locked by the locking claws 10a are formed.

<Guide groove>
The guide grooves D are eight C-shaped grooves for aligning the eight optical fibers 2 drawn from the inlet 3c (see FIG. 1) into the storage portion 3a at equal intervals so as not to cross and entangle. The optical fiber 2 can be moved back and forth in the wiring direction, and the optical fiber 2 can be attached and detached from the opening of the guide groove D. The guide groove D is formed to be elastically deformed and opened when the optical fiber 2 is attached or detached. The guide groove D is disposed at the upper end portion and the central portion of the fixing member 8, and the inlet 3c and outlet 3d of the opening 3b (see FIG. 1). The guide grooves D arranged at the upper end portion and the central portion of the fixing member 8 are arranged outside the entrance 3c so as to guide the front portion of the optical fiber 2 housed in the housing portion 3a from the entrance 3c. (See FIG. 1). For example, when holding eight optical fibers 2 having a diameter of 0.9 mm, the guide groove D has a width of the guide member 10 of 12 mm, a groove diameter of 0.95 mm, and a groove pitch of 1.25 mm. It is formed so that the fibers 2 can be aligned and guided with high density.
The guide groove D has a function of aligning the optical fibers 2 even if it is directly formed in the fixing member 8 and the case main body 31.

≪Action≫
Next, with reference to FIGS. 1-4, the effect | action of the extra length part 2c of the optical fiber 2 accommodated in case 3 is demonstrated with a wiring procedure.
As shown in FIG. 1, the output side optical fiber 2b of the optical fiber 2 has one plug P2 side connected to the adapter A of the connection board 4 in the optical fiber automatic connection switching device 1, and the other side arranged to the alignment board 5 and winding. It is bent so as to make a U-turn in the passage 8a of the fixing member 8 through the take-off mechanism 7, is drawn into the housing portion 3a of the case 3 from the inlet 3c, and is further bent so as to make a U-turn, thereby exiting the outlet 3d. And is connected to the connector C. That is, the output side optical fiber 2b is bent into a substantially S shape and the extra length portion 2c is wired.

  When the extra length portion 2c of the optical fiber 2 is stored in the storage portion 3a, first, the eight optical fibers 2 are respectively inserted into the guide grooves D of the guide members 10 (see FIG. 4). Then, the eight optical fibers 2 are aligned at equal intervals.

  Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 2, the guide member 10 fitted to the optical fiber 2 is inserted into the installation groove 31c of the case body 31 while being shifted in the wiring direction, and the locking claw 10a is locked to the locking portion 31d. As a result, the guide member 10 is attached to the opening 3b (see FIG. 3).

  Similarly, the guide member 10 fitted to the optical fiber 2 is inserted into the installation groove 8b of the fixing member 8 while being shifted in the wiring direction, and the locking claw 10a is locked to the locking portion 8c, thereby guiding the guide. The member 10 is attached to the fixing member 8 (see FIG. 3). Thereby, the optical fiber 2 wired around the semicircular shape of the fixing member 8 is curved so as to make a U-turn in a semicircular shape along the passage 8 a of the fixing member 8. For this reason, since the optical fiber 2 arranged in the fixing member 8 is deformed only into a curve having a large curvature radius by the semicircular passage 8a, the optical fiber 2 is prevented from being broken and broken by a bending stress.

  In addition, since the guide member 10 has the eight guide grooves D and aligns the optical fiber 2, the workability | operativity at the time of accommodating the optical fiber 2 in the accommodating part 3a can be improved. Moreover, since the guide member 10 can be attached and detached with one click by the locking claw 10a, it can be easily replaced when the guide groove D is damaged.

  Next, the semicircular concave portion 9a of the lid member 9 is made to match the fixing member 8, the semicircular convex portion 9b is inserted into the opening 3b, and the locking projection 9c is locked to the locking portion (not shown) of the fixing member 8. The lid member 9 is attached to the fixing member 8. Then, since the optical fiber 2 wired in the outer peripheral portion of the fixing member 8 and the case 3 is covered with the cover member 9 and does not receive an external force, the optical fiber 2 is prevented from being damaged by an external force or the like. Can do.

  Further, by attaching the lid member 9 to the fixing member 8, the optical fiber 2 is bent into a substantially S shape by the semicircular concave portion 9a and the semicircular convex portion 9b formed continuously, and the lid Housed in member 9. Thereby, the optical fiber 2 is prevented from being detached from the passage 8a when being taken in and out of the storage portion 3a.

  Since the optical fiber 2 is covered with the lid member 9 around the arc shape of the fixing member 8, the length of the guide groove D can be shortened. Further, since the optical fiber 2 is always gently curved by being interposed between the semicircular recess 9a of the lid member 9 and the fixing member 8, the optical fiber 2 is removed from the storage portion 3a. Friction during loading / unloading can be reduced, and smoother loading / unloading of the optical fiber 2 can be realized.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the optical fibers 2 assembled and wired in this way can be moved only in the lateral direction into the storage portion 3a in which the surplus length portion 2c is stored. (See FIG. 3). For this reason, when the output side optical fiber 2b is moved by the hand mechanism 6, the surplus length portion 2c is curved and deformed without shaking in the horizontal direction by the left and right side plates 32 and 33 (see FIG. 3) of the storage portion 3a. .

  Further, when the extra length portion 2c is pushed into the back wall 31b side of the storage portion 3a, the extra length portion 2c is curved so as to swell and comes into contact with the guide pin G, whereby the guide pin G arranged in a curved surface is formed. This prevents the extra length portion 2c from being curved with a radius of curvature less than a predetermined value, thereby reducing the light transmission property or breaking and breaking.

  On the other hand, when the surplus length portion 2c is pulled outward from the storage portion 3a, the surplus length portion 2c is curved so as to contract and comes into contact with the semicircular convex portion 9b, so that the surplus length portion 2c has a curvature less than a predetermined value. It is prevented that the light transmission property is lowered or broken and broken by being curved to a radius.

  As described above, the extra length portion 2c is deformed so as to draw a substantially U-shaped smooth curve in the storage portion 3a, and the curve becomes shorter than a predetermined radius of curvature. It is possible to prevent the 2 from being broken and broken. Since the case 3 having the storage portion 3a can be easily manufactured as a resin molded product, the cost is reduced when a plurality of cases 3 are required for one unit as in the optical fiber automatic connection switching device 1. Can be achieved.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, each output-side optical fiber 2 b in the automatic optical fiber connection switching device 1 is guided in the wiring direction in the guide groove D of the guide member 10 even if it is moved by the hand mechanism 6. Since it moves, it can be smoothly pulled out or retracted from the storage section 3a. Thereby, the automatic optical fiber connection switching device 1 can prevent the optical fiber 2 from being damaged and can improve the reliability of the connection / extraction operation of the optical fiber 2.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the technical idea, and the present invention extends to these modifications and changes. Of course.

  For example, the case 3 shown in FIG. 3 includes a case main body 10 and side plates 32 and 33 installed on both sides of the case main body 10. Either one of the side plates 32 and 33 is connected to the case main body 10. The bottom surface portion of the case 3 may be formed integrally. By doing so, the number of parts and assembly man-hours can be reduced, and the cost can be further reduced.

  The guide pin G serves as an inner wall formed in the case 3 so that the extra length 2c of the optical fiber 2 in the guide pin G arranged in a substantially U shape is curved with a curvature radius of a predetermined value or more. In addition, the guide pin G also serves as a column for supporting the side plates 32 and 33. For this reason, the storage portion 3a is formed by the guide pins G and the side plates 32 and 33, and a portion such as the back wall 31b located outside the guide pins G of the case main body 31 that forms the periphery of the storage portion 3a. It does not have to be. By doing in this way, the structure of case 3 can be further simplified.

It is a side view of the optical fiber automatic connection switching apparatus which shows the installation state of an optical fiber extra length storage case. It is an exploded side view of a case in the state where one side plate was removed. It is a front view of a case in the state where an optical fiber was removed. It is an expansion perspective view of a guide member. It is a figure which shows the optical fiber surplus length storage case installed in the conventional optical fiber automatic connection switching apparatus, and is a side view which shows the state which removed the side plate. It is a principal part exploded front view which shows the optical fiber extra length storage case installed in the conventional optical fiber automatic connection switching apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Optical fiber automatic connection switching apparatus 2 Optical fiber 2c Extra length part 3 Case (Optical fiber extra length storage case)
3a Storage part 3b Opening part 3c Inlet (entrance / exit)
3d Exit (entrance / exit)
8 Fixing member 9 Lid member 10 Guide member 31 Case body 32, 33 Side plate D Guide groove G Guide pin

Claims (8)

In the structure of the optical fiber extra-length storage part provided with the optical fiber extra-length storage case for storing the extra length part of the optical fiber,
The optical fiber surplus length storage case includes a storage portion for storing the surplus length portion;
An entrance through which the optical fiber enters and exits the storage unit;
A structure of an optical fiber extra-length storage section, comprising a guide groove for aligning the optical fibers stored in the storage section from the entrance / exit. 2. The structure of an optical fiber extra length storage portion according to claim 1, wherein the guide groove is a groove into which the optical fiber is detachably engaged, and is disposed in the opening of the entrance / exit. 3. The light according to claim 1, wherein the guide groove is disposed outside the entrance to guide a front portion of the optical fiber accommodated in the accommodation portion from the entrance. Structure of extra fiber length storage.   The optical fiber cable according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the guide groove is formed in a guide member that is detachably installed at a location for installing the guide groove. Long storage structure. 5. The structure of the optical fiber extra length storage portion according to claim 2, wherein a lid member that guides the optical fiber is installed in the opening portion. 6.   6. The fixing device according to claim 2, wherein a fixing member that supports the optical fiber stored in the storage portion in a curved state is provided adjacent to the outside of the opening. 7. The structure of the optical fiber extra length storage part of description.   The guide portion according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a plurality of guide pins for restricting the bending of the extra length portion of the optical fiber inserted into the storage portion are arranged in the storage portion. Structure of the optical fiber extra length storage part. The optical fiber extra storage case includes a case body that forms an inner wall of the storage part,
The structure of the optical fiber extra-length accommodating part according to claim 7, wherein the optical fiber extra-length accommodating part is formed from a side plate on which front and rear surfaces of the accommodating part are formed and the guide pins are provided.

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