U.S. patent application number 11/321696 was filed with the patent office on 2007-06-28 for splitter modules for fiber distribution hubs.
Invention is credited to Jeff Gniadek, Tom Leblanc, Yu Lu, Keith Millea, Randy Reagan.
Application Number | 20070147765 11/321696 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38193843 |
Filed Date | 2007-06-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070147765 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gniadek; Jeff ; et
al. |
June 28, 2007 |
SPLITTER MODULES FOR FIBER DISTRIBUTION HUBS
Abstract
A splitter module for a fiber distribution hub includes a main
body with a first aperture configured to receive an input fiber
entering the splitter module, and a second aperture configured for
a plurality of distribution fibers exiting the splitter module. The
splitter module also includes a fin configured to be received in a
slot of a splitter tray of a fiber distribution hub, and a pin
configured to engage a hole in the splitter tray. The fin is
received in the slot, and the pin is received in the hole of the
fiber distribution hub to couple the splitter module to the fiber
distribution module.
Inventors: |
Gniadek; Jeff; (Northbridge,
MA) ; Leblanc; Tom; (Fitchburg, MA) ; Lu;
Yu; (Westborough, MA) ; Millea; Keith;
(Sutton, MA) ; Reagan; Randy; (Clinton,
MA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MERCHANT & GOULD PC
P.O. BOX 2903
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55402-0903
US
|
Family ID: |
38193843 |
Appl. No.: |
11/321696 |
Filed: |
December 28, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
385/135 ;
385/134 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G02B 6/4452 20130101;
G02B 6/4453 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
385/135 ;
385/134 |
International
Class: |
G02B 6/00 20060101
G02B006/00 |
Claims
1. A splitter module for a fiber distribution hub, the splitter
module comprising: a main body extending in a longitudinal
direction, the main body defining a first aperture configured to
receive an input fiber entering the splitter module, and a second
aperture configured for a plurality of distribution fibers exiting
the splitter module; a fin configured to be received in a slot
defined in a splitter tray of a fiber distribution hub, wherein the
fin defines a fin body including a first dimension extending in a
same direction as the longitudinal direction of the main body, and
a second dimension extending perpendicularly to the first
dimension, the first dimension being longer than the second
dimension, and the second dimension being sized to fit through the
slot; and a pin configured to engage a hole defined in the splitter
tray; wherein the fin is received in the slot, and the pin is
received in the hole of the fiber distribution hub to couple the
splitter module to the fiber distribution module.
2. The splitter module of claim 1, wherein the fin includes a
tongue sized to be received in the slot and engage the splitter
tray of the fiber distribution hub.
3. The splitter module of claim 1, wherein the pin includes a
collet sized to be received in the hole defined in a wall of the
splitter tray of the fiber distribution hub.
4. The splitter module of claim 3, wherein the pin further includes
a handle coupled to the collet, wherein the collet is configured to
decrease a diameter of the collet as the handle is moved relative
to the collet.
5. The splitter module of claim 4, wherein the collet is configured
to be removed from the hole of the wall of the splitter tray when
the handle is moved relative to the collet to decrease the diameter
of the collet.
6. The splitter module of claim 1, further comprising a strain
relief mechanism surrounding the second aperture, wherein the
strain relief mechanism includes a boot sized to allow the
distribution fibers to extend therethrough, wherein the boot is
flexible to maintain a specified bend radius for the distribution
fibers.
7. The splitter module of claim 1, wherein the second aperture is a
plurality of second apertures, one of the second apertures for each
of the distribution fibers.
8. A fiber distribution hub, comprising: an enclosure; a splitter
tray located at least partially within the enclosure, the splitter
tray defining a slot and an aperture, the slot extending
longitudinally along a surface of the splitter tray; and a splitter
module including a main body extending in a longitudinal direction,
the main body defining a first aperture configured to receive an
input fiber entering the splitter module, and a second aperture
configured for a plurality of distribution fibers exiting the
splitter module, and the splitter module including a fin and a pin;
wherein the fin defines a fin body including a first dimension
extending in a same direction as the longitudinal direction of the
main body, and a second dimension extending perpendicularly to the
first dimension, the first dimension being longer than the second
dimension, and the second dimension being sized to fit through the
slot; and wherein the fin of the module is received in the slot of
the splitter tray, and the pin is received in the hole of the
splitter tray to couple the splitter module to the fiber
distribution module.
9. The fiber distribution hub of claim 8, wherein the fin includes
a tongue that is received in the slot and engages the splitter tray
of the fiber distribution hub to couple the splitter module to the
splitter tray.
10. The fiber distribution hub of claim 8, wherein the pin includes
a collet sized to be received in the hole defined in a wall of the
splitter tray of the fiber distribution hub, wherein the pin
further includes a handle coupled to the collet, wherein the collet
is configured to decrease and increase a diameter of the collet as
the handle is moved relative to the collet.
11. The fiber distribution hub of claim 8, further comprising a
strain relief mechanism surrounding the second aperture of the
splitter module, wherein the strain relief mechanism includes a
boot sized to allow the distribution fibers to extend therethrough,
wherein the boot is flexible to maintain a specified bend radius
for the distribution fibers.
12. The fiber distribution hub of claim 8, wherein the second
aperture of the splitter module is a plurality of second apertures,
one of the second apertures for each of the distribution
fibers.
13. The fiber distribution hub of claim 8, further comprising a
chassis located in the enclosure, wherein the splitter tray is
located on the chassis, and wherein the chassis is coupled to the
enclosure so that the chassis pivots into and out of the
enclosure.
14. The fiber distribution hub of claim 13, wherein the splitter
tray is located on the chassis so that the splitter tray is
accessible when the chassis is pivoted out of the enclosure.
15. A method of coupling a splitter module to a splitter tray of a
fiber distribution hub, the splitter module including a main body
having a first member and a second member coupled thereto the
method comprising: positioning the first member of the splitter
module in a slot defined by a planar surface of the splitter tray
of the fiber distribution hub; sliding the splitter module along
the planar surface of the splitter tray relative to the fiber
distribution hub until the second member of the splitter module is
received in an aperture defined by the splitter tray; and actuating
the second member to couple the splitter module to the splitter
tray of the fiber distribution hub.
16. The method of claim 15, further comprising: actuating the
second member to uncouple the splitter module from the splitter
tray of the fiber distribution hub; and moving the splitter module
relative to the fiber distribution hub until the second member of
the splitter module is removed from the aperture defined by the
splitter tray.
17. The method of claim 15, wherein actuating the second member
further comprises moving a handle of the member relative to a
collet of the member to expand the collet.
18. The method of claim 15, wherein moving the splitter module
relative to the fiber distribution hub further comprises moving the
splitter module until the first member engages the splitter
tray.
19. The method of claim 15, further comprising pivoting the
splitter shelf relative to an enclosure of the fiber distribution
hub to access the splitter shelf.
20. The method of claim 15, further comprising: pivoting the
splitter shelf out of an enclosure of the fiber distribution hub to
access the splitter shelf to add the splitter module to the
splitter shelf; and pivoting the splitter shelf into the enclosure
once the splitter module is added to the splitter shelf.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The principles disclosed herein relate to fiber optic cable
systems.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Passive optical networks are becoming prevalent in part
because service providers want to deliver high bandwidth
communication capabilities to customers. Passive optical networks
are a desirable choice for delivering high speed communication data
because they may not employ active electronic devices, such as
amplifiers and repeaters, between a central office and a subscriber
termination. The absence of active electronic devices may decrease
network complexity and/or cost and may increase network
reliability.
[0003] FIG. 1 illustrates a network 100 deploying passive fiber
optic lines. As shown, the network 100 can include a central office
110 that connects a number of end subscribers 115 (also called end
users 115 herein) in a network. The central office 110 can
additionally connect to a larger network such as the Internet (not
shown) and a public switched telephone network (PSTN). The network
100 can also include fiber distribution hubs (FDHs) 130 having one
or more optical splitters (e.g., 1-to-8 splitters, 1-to-16
splitters, or 1-to-32 splitters) that generate a number of
individual fibers that may lead to the premises of an end user 115.
The various lines of the network can be aerial or housed within
underground conduits.
[0004] The portion of network 100 that is closest to central office
110 is generally referred to as the F1 region, where F1 is the
"feeder fiber" from the central office. The F1 portion of the
network may include a distribution cable having on the order of 12
to 48 fibers; however, alternative implementations can include
fewer or more fibers. The portion of network 100 that includes an
FDH 130 and a number of end users 115 can be referred to as an F2
portion of network 100. The network 100 includes a plurality of
break-out locations 125 at which branch cables are separated out
from main cable lines. Branch cables are often connected to drop
terminals 104 that include connector interfaces for facilitating
coupling the fibers of the branch cables to a plurality of
different subscriber locations.
[0005] Splitters used in an FDH 130 can accept a feeder cable
having a number of fibers and may split those incoming fibers into,
for example, 216 to 432 individual distribution fibers that may be
associated with a like number of end user locations. In typical
applications, an optical splitter is provided prepackaged in an
optical splitter module housing and provided with a splitter output
in pigtails that extend from the module. The splitter output
pigtails are typically connectorized with, for example, SC, LC, or
LX.5 connectors. The optical splitter module provides protective
packaging for the optical splitter components in the housing and
thus provides for easy handling for otherwise fragile splitter
components. This modular approach allows optical splitter modules
to be added incrementally to FDHs 130 as required.
SUMMARY
[0006] Certain aspects of the disclosure relate to fiber optic
cable systems.
[0007] In example systems, a fiber distribution hub includes one or
more optical splitter modules that split an optical signal into two
or more signals. The splitter modules are modular, and a plurality
of splitter modules can be included in the fiber distribution hub.
Splitter modules can be added to or removed from the fiber
distribution hub as needed.
[0008] A variety of additional inventive aspects will be set forth
in the description that follows. The inventive aspects can relate
to individual features and to combinations of features. It is to be
understood that both the forgoing general description and the
following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only
and are not restrictive of the broad inventive concepts upon which
the embodiments disclosed herein are based.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 shows a prior art passive fiber optic network.
[0010] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of an example fiber
distribution hub.
[0011] FIG. 3 shows a front view of an example swing frame chassis
of the fiber distribution hub of FIG. 2.
[0012] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the swing frame chassis
of FIG. 3 with the chassis doors in open positions.
[0013] FIG. 5 shows a front view of the swing frame chassis of FIG.
4.
[0014] FIG. 6 shows a back view of the swing frame chassis of FIG.
3.
[0015] FIG. 7 shows a side view of the swing frame chassis of FIG.
3.
[0016] FIG. 8 shows another side view of the swing frame chassis of
FIG. 3.
[0017] FIG. 9 shows a top view of the swing frame chassis of FIG.
3.
[0018] FIG. 10 shows a bottom view of the swing frame chassis of
FIG. 3.
[0019] FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of the fiber distribution
hub of FIG. 2 with the swing frame chassis swung outward.
[0020] FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing an example cable
routing scheme for the fiber distribution hub of FIG. 2.
[0021] FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of an example optical
splitter module.
[0022] FIG. 14 shows a front view of the optical splitter module of
FIG. 13.
[0023] FIG. 15 shows a side view of the optical splitter module of
FIG. 13.
[0024] FIG. 16 shows a top view of the optical splitter module of
FIG. 13.
[0025] FIG. 17 shows a perspective view of an example pin of the
optical splitter module of FIG. 13 in an unlocked position.
[0026] FIG. 18 shows another perspective view of the pin of the
optical splitter module of FIG. 13 in a locked position.
[0027] FIG. 19 shows a perspective view of a portion of the swing
frame chassis of FIG. 4 with the optical splitter module of FIG. 13
mounted thereto.
[0028] FIG. 20 shows a front view of the swing frame chassis and
the optical splitter module of FIG. 19.
[0029] FIG. 21 shows a cross-sectional side view of a portion of
the swing frame chassis and the optical splitter module of FIG. 19,
with the cross-section through the optical splitter module taken
along line 21-21 of FIG. 14.
[0030] FIG. 21A is an enlargement of a portion of FIG. 21.
[0031] FIG. 22 shows a perspective view of another example optical
splitter module.
[0032] FIG. 23 shows a front view of the optical splitter module of
FIG. 22.
[0033] FIG. 24 shows a side view of the optical splitter module of
FIG. 22.
[0034] FIG. 25 shows a top view of the optical splitter module of
FIG. 22.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0035] Referring now to FIG. 2, an example fiber distribution hub
(FDH) 330 is shown. FDH 330 generally administers connections
between fiber optic cables and passive optical splitters in an
Outside Plant (OSP) environment. FDH 330 provides a
cross-connect/interconnect interface for optical transmission
signals at a location in the network where operational access, and
reconfiguration are desired. For example, as noted above, FDH 330
can be used to splice one or more feeder cables, split the feeder
cables, and terminate the split feeder cables to distribution
cables. In addition, FDH 330 is designed to accommodate a range of
alternative sizes and fiber counts and support factory installation
of pigtails, fanouts and splitters.
[0036] FDH 330 includes an example outer enclosure 301 that houses
internal components, as described further below. In one embodiment,
enclosure 301 includes a top panel 302, a first side panel 304, a
second side panel (not shown), a bottom panel 308, a back panel
(not shown), a first door 310, and a second door 312. In addition,
enclosure 301 can include one or more carry handles 318 for
facilitating deployment of enclosure 301 at a desired location.
First and second doors 310, 312 are each pivotally mounted to
facilitate access to components mounted within enclosure 301.
[0037] Enclosure 301 of FDH 330 is typically manufactured from
heavy gauge aluminum and is NEMA-4X rated. Enclosure 301 is
configured to provide protection against rain, wind, dust, rodents
and other environmental contaminants. At the same time, enclosure
301 remains relatively lightweight for easy installation, and
breathable to prevent accumulation of moisture in the unit. An
aluminum construction with a heavy powder coat finish also provides
for corrosion resistance. Other materials can be used.
[0038] In accordance with example embodiments, FDH 330 is provided
in pole mount or pedestal mount configurations. For example, as
shown in FIG. 2, a bracket 313 mounted to the back panel of FDH 330
can be used to mount FDH 330 to a pole.
[0039] Three sizes of FDH 330 are typically available, for example,
to correspond to three different feeder counts including, for
example, 144, 216, and 432. Alternative sizes for FDH 330 can be
used without limitation. Embodiments of FDH 330 can provide
termination, splicing, interconnection, and splitting in one
enclosure.
[0040] Referring now to FIGS. 2-11, mounted within enclosure 301 of
FDH 330 is a swing frame chassis 322. Chassis 322 includes first
and second doors 375, 377, side panels 372, 374, a bottom panel
399, and a back panel 376. Doors 375, 377 can be swung from a
closed position (FIG. 3) to an open position (FIGS. 4 and 5) to
allow for access to the internal components of chassis 322.
[0041] Generally, chassis 322 includes a front bulkhead 335 with a
feeder cable connection region 356, a splitter shelf 354, and a
distribution cable connection region 352. The chassis 322 also
includes parking panels 379.
[0042] FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing an example cable
routing scheme for the FDH 330. As shown at FIG. 12, a feeder cable
700 is initially routed into the FDH 330 through enclosure 301
(e.g., typically through the back or bottom of the enclosure 301).
An example feeder cable may include 12 to 48 individual fibers
connected to a service provider central office 701. Once within the
enclosure, the fibers of the feeder cable 700 are routed to the
feeder cable connection region 356. At the feeder cable connection
region 356, one or more of the fibers of the feeder cable 700 are
individually connected to separate splitter input fibers 702 routed
from the feeder cable connection region 356 to splitter shelf 354.
At splitter shelf 354, splitter input fibers 702 are connected to
separate splitter modules 500, wherein the input fibers 702 are
each split into a plurality of pigtails 704 having connectorized
ends 706. When pigtails 704 are not in service, connectorized ends
706 can be temporarily stored at one of the connector storage
panels 379. When pigtails 704 are needed for service, pigtails 704
are routed from splitter modules 500 to the distribution cable
connection region 352. At the distribution cable connection region
352, pigtails 704 are connected to the fibers of a distribution
cable 708. A typical distribution cable can form the F2 portion of
a network (see FIG. 1) and typically includes a plurality of fibers
(e.g., 144, 216 or 432 fibers) that are routed from the FDH 330 to
subscriber locations 709.
[0043] Referring to FIGS. 3-6, feeder cable connection region 356
of FDH 330 is located at a bottom portion of the chassis 322. The
fibers of the feeder cable/cables 700 can enter the feeder cable
connection region 356 through an opening 382 formed in the back
panel 376 of the chassis 322 (see FIG. 6). At feeder cable
connection region 356, one or more fibers of the feeder cable 700
are connected to the splitter input fibers 702. The splitter input
fibers 702 can be connected to the fibers of feeder cable 700 by
splices. Alternatively, the fibers of feeder cable 700 and splitter
input fibers 702 may be connectorized and connected to one another
by a spliceless connection at feeder cable connection region 356.
For example, the region 356 can include a patch panel having
adapters for interconnecting connectorized ends of the feeder cable
fibers with connectorized ends of the of splitter input fibers 702.
Splitter input fibers 702 can be routed out the sides of feeder
cable connection region 356 to exit feeder cable connection region
356. Upon exiting feeder cable connection region 356, input fibers
702 can be routed upwardly along side panels 372, 374 of chassis
332 to splitter shelf 354.
[0044] The fibers of the feeder cable 700 can be protected within
the chassis by loose buffer tubes. In certain embodiments, the
fibers of the feeder cable 700 can include ribbon fibers. Fan-out
blocks can be provided at the feeder cable connection region 356
for fanning the ribbon cables into individual separate fibers that
may be connected to the splitter input fibers at the feeder cable
connection region 356. The individual fibers may be connectorized
or unconnectorized.
[0045] Splitter shelf 354 of the FDH 330 can serve to protect,
organize, and secure splitter modules of FDH 330. Splitter shelf
354 can be constructed in various sizes to accommodate different
numbers of splitter modules. Referring to FIGS. 4, 9, and 19,
splitter shelf 354 defines one or more locations sized to accept
one or more optical splitter modules (see, e.g., splitter modules
500 and 600 described below). In the depicted embodiment, splitter
shelf 354 is located at a top portion of the chassis 322 and
includes a generally horizontal shelf member 340. A splitter
mounting region 341 is located above the shelf member 340. A
vertical wall structure 574 projects upwardly from the shelf member
340 and divides splitter mounting region 341 into two halves.
[0046] The splitter input fibers 702 and pigtails 704 are routed
laterally through open sides of splitter shelf 354 to access the
splitter mounting region 341. Radius limiters 342 (see FIGS. 4 and
5) are provided at the open sides for limiting bending of the
fibers as fibers 702, 704 are routed to or from splitter mounting
region 341.
[0047] In example embodiments, the splitter modules are designed to
snap into shelf 354 and therefore can be added incrementally into
splitter mounting region 341 as needed. In one embodiment, the
splitter modules are incrementally loaded into the splitter
mounting region 341 from front to back. To accommodate the splitter
modules, shelf 354 includes structure for supporting/securing the
splitter modules. For example, vertical wall structure 574 includes
a plurality of holes 572 adapted to receive fasteners for securing
the splitter modules to splitter shelf 354. Additionally,
horizontal shelf member 340 includes a plurality of slots 576 for
receiving securing elements (e.g., hooks, tongues, brackets, tabs,
fins or other structures) of splitter modules to secure the modules
to splitter shelf 354. The securement arrangement is adapted to
limit movement of the splitter modules relative to the splitter
shelf after installation so that the fibers routed to the splitter
modules are not disturbed.
[0048] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the distribution cable
connection region 352 of the FDH 330 is depicted as including
termination panels 345 having openings 346 for receiving adapters.
The adapters provide means for interconnecting pigtails 704 to the
fibers of distribution cable 708. In one embodiment, the fibers of
the distribution cable 708 are connectorized so that the adapters
can be used to provide spliceless connections between the
connectorized ends 706 of the pigtails 704 and the connectorized
ends of distribution cable fibers. As shown schematically at FIG.
12, an adapter 347 is depicted at the distribution cable connection
region 352. The adapter 347 is shown providing a connection between
a connectorized end 706 of one of pigtails 704 and a connectorized
end 710 of one of the distribution cable fibers. The connectorized
end 706 of pigtail 704 is inserted into the front end of adapter
347, and connectorized end 710 of a distribution cable fiber is
inserted in the back end of adapter 347. Typically, the front ends
of the adapters are accessible from the front sides of the
termination panels 345, while the back ends of the adapters are
accessible from the back sides of the termination panels 345.
[0049] The fibers of the distribution cable 708 can include first
portions 713 (see FIG. 11) that extend from the connectorized ends
710 to fan-out blocks 715 mounted on shelves 717 (see FIG. 11)
located at the back sides of the termination panels 345. The first
portions 713 may also have extra lengths that are coiled and stored
at the shelves 717. Spools, clips, holders, brackets or other cable
management structures can also be provided at the shelves 717 to
facilitate managing the fibers of the distribution cable.
[0050] Referring still to FIG. 11, the rear sides of the
termination panels 345 are inset relative to the side walls/panels
372, 374 of the chassis 322. Thus, the side panels 372, 374 provide
a protective shroud that extends rearwardly beyond the panels 345
so as to protect/shield connectors 710 terminated to the back side
of the panels 345 from inadvertent contact when the chassis 322 has
been swung open. As shown at FIGS. 9-11, the side panels 372, 374
include inward tapered portions 372', 374' adjacent the back of the
chassis 322 to provide clearance for swinging the chassis 322 in
and out of the enclosure 301.
[0051] In certain embodiments, panels 345 of the distribution cable
connection region 352 can be fully loaded with adapters and
pre-terminated in the factory with a stub cable containing 144
fibers, 216 fibers or 432 fibers. At the factory, connectorized
ends of the stub cable fibers are inserted to the back sides of the
adapters of the termination panel. The other ends of the stub cable
fibers can be spliced or otherwise connected in the field to the
fibers of a distribution cable routed from the FDH to subscriber
locations.
[0052] The chassis 322 includes structure for managing the vertical
routing of optical fibers within the chassis 322. For example, as
shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, chassis 322 includes a plurality of
cable managers 384 (e.g., sleeves or rings) mounted to side panels
372, 374 of chassis 322. Typically, cable managers 384 are used to
define vertical channels adapted to receive and organize splitter
input fibers 702 that are routed vertically between feeder cable
connection region 356 and splitter shelf 354, and also to receive
and organize pigtails 704 that are routed downwardly from the
splitter shelf 354 to connector storage panels 379 and to the
distribution cable connection region 352. The chassis 322 defines
open space between the vertical channels defined by the cable
managers 384 and the front sides of the termination panels 345 so
that the pigtails 704 can readily be laterally/horizontally routed
from the vertical channels to the distribution cable connection
location 352. To promote horizontal cable management, a plurality
of cable management rings/guides 353 are positioned on horizontal
shelves located in front of the termination panels 345.
[0053] As shown at FIGS. 4 and 5, connector storage panels 379 of
FDH 330 are provided on doors 375, 377 of chassis 322. Also
included on doors 375, 377 in the illustrated embodiment are fiber
management channels 358. Cable guides 388 mounted on side panels
372, 374 and doors 375, 377 assist in the routing of the cables
across the hinges of doors 375, 377 into connector storage panels
379. As described further below, currently unused connectorized
fiber optic cables (i.e., cables that are not terminated on the
distribution cable connection region 352) can be routed from one or
more of the splitter modules in splitter shelf 354, through
managers 384, 358, and stored at one of the plurality of adapters
on connector storage panel 379 until needed.
[0054] Referring now to FIG. 11, in the example shown, chassis 322
is mounted to enclosure 301 of FDH 330 using one or more hinges 389
(see FIG. 2). Hinges 389 allow the entirety of chassis 322 of FDH
330, including feeder cable connection region 356, splitter shelf
354, and termination shelves 352, to be swung out of enclosure 301
of FDH 330 so as to cause side 374 of chassis 322 opposing hinge
389 to move away from the interior volume of enclosure 301. In
example embodiments, chassis 322 can be pivoted ninety degrees or
more out of enclosure 301 to allow access to optical components on
the rear of chassis 322 for cleaning, testing, maintenance,
additions, etc. For example, when chassis 322 is in the open
position, as shown in FIG. 11, the rear sides of the termination
panels 345 are accessible. In addition, splitter modules located in
splitter shelf 354 (see FIGS. 19 and 20) are accessible through the
open top of chassis 322 when chassis 322 is swung out of enclosure
301. In contrast, when chassis 322 is in the closed position (see
FIG. 2), only components on front bulkhead 335 are readily
accessible.
[0055] In example embodiments, chassis 322 includes a release latch
326 (see FIGS. 3 and 5) that locks chassis 322 in a closed position
within enclosure 301 of FDH 330 until latch 326 is actuated. Once
latch 326 is actuated, chassis 322 can be pivoted out of enclosure
301. In addition, a pivoting locking member 391 is mounted to rear
panel 376 of chassis 322 to hold chassis 322 in the open position.
For example, member 391 can be configured to automatically pivot
downward into a locked position when chassis 322 is pivoted far
enough so that member 391 clears enclosure 301 (e.g., at ninety
degrees) to maintain chassis 322 in the open position. To close
chassis 322, member 391 can be pivoted upward and chassis 322 swung
back into enclosure 301. Chassis 322, when equipped with member
391, can be referred to as a self-locking chassis.
[0056] In the embodiment shown, the entire chassis 322 is hinged
providing a single point of flex for the fiber cable routed to the
chassis. This hinge point is constructed to control the fiber bend.
In particular, chassis hinge 389 and cable routing hardware (e.g.,
cable guides 388) are designed to ensure that manufacture
recommended bend radii are maintained when the chassis is opened or
closed.
[0057] In one embodiment, enclosure 301 can be configured at a
factory, or plant, so as to have cable bundles dressed around hinge
389. Preconfiguring enclosure 301 reduces the chance that cabling
will be done incorrectly.
[0058] Additional details regarding example fiber distribution hubs
similar to FDH 330 can be found in U.S. patent application Ser. No.
11/203,157 filed on Aug. 15, 2005, the entirety of which is hereby
incorporated by reference.
[0059] Referring now to FIGS. 13-18, an example optical splitter
module 500 is shown. As noted above, splitter module 500 can be
positioned in splitter shelf 354 of FDH 330 and functions to split
a signal from a feeder cable into multiple signals on distribution
fibers. In example embodiments, splitter module 500 can be a 1-to-8
splitter, a 1-to-16 splitter, or a 1-to-32 splitter. Alternative
designs are possible.
[0060] The splitter module 500 includes a housing 502 for enclosing
and protecting an optical component such as a conventional optical
splitter 525 (see FIG. 21). The splitter module 500 also includes a
splitter input fiber 702 and connectorized pigtails 704 that are
all terminated to the splitter 525. The splitter input fiber 702
enters housing 502 at a first pass-through location 527, and the
pigtails 704 (e.g., 8 pigtails, 16 pigtails, 32 pigtails or any
other number of pigtails) exit the splitter housing 502 at a second
pass-through location 529. The splitter 525 functions to split
signals carried by the splitter input fiber 702 to the various
pigtails 704. By way of example, 8, 16 or 32 pigtails can be
terminated to splitter 525.
[0061] As shown at FIG. 21, the splitter input fibers 702 can each
include a single fiber positioned within a buffer tube 900 encased
within a jacket 902. Similarly, as shown best at FIG. 21A, pigtails
704 can each include a single fiber positioned within a buffer tube
900 encased within a jacket 902. Both the pigtail fibers and the
splitter input fibers can be reinforced by strength members 904
such as Kevlar positioned between the jackets 902 and the buffer
tubes 900.
[0062] Referring to FIGS. 13-16, splitter housing 502 has an
envelope-style configuration that is generally rectangular and
relatively narrow. The housing 502 includes opposing top and bottom
walls 530, 532, opposing side walls 534, 536, and opposing end
walls 503, 509. The top and bottom walls 530, 532 have lengths that
extend between the end walls 503, 509, and widths that extend
between side walls 534, 536. The housing 502 side walls 534, 536
define major sides of the housing 502 and include lengths that
extend between the end walls 503, 509, and heights that extend
between the top and bottom walls 530, 532. The end walls 503, 509
include widths that extend between the side walls 534, 536, and
heights that extend between the top and bottom walls 530, 532. End
wall 509 includes a top extension 519 (e.g., a flange or tab) that
projects upwardly beyond the top wall 530.
[0063] Fiber access to the interior of the housing 502 is provided
at end wall 503 of housing 502. For example, as shown at FIGS. 13,
14, and 21, first and second pass-through locations 527, 529 are
provided at end wall 503. The first pass-through location 527
includes a pass-through member 505 mounted to the end wall 503. The
pass-through member 505 includes inner and outer flanges 811, 812
between which a portion of end wall 503 is captured. As shown at
FIG. 21, pass-through member 505 also includes a sleeve 814 that
extends through a slot or other opening in the end wall 503. The
splitter input fiber 702 extends through a fiber access passage 815
defined within the sleeve 814 to gain access to the interior of the
housing 502. As depicted at FIG. 13, the splitter input fiber 702
can be reinforced by a strain relief boot 506 mounted at the end
wall 503. In the illustrated embodiment, the boot 506 mounts over
the outer end of the sleeve 814. Additionally, strength members 904
reinforcing the splitter input fiber can be crimped to the outer
end of the sleeve 814.
[0064] The second pass-through location 529 is also provided at
first end wall 503 of housing 502. As depicted at FIG. 21, second
pass-through location 529 is defined by a rectangular opening 547
defined through end wall 503. A strain relief structure 504 (e.g.,
a boot or sleeve) is mounted at the opening 547. The strain relief
structure 504 defines an interior passage sized to receive a
plurality of separately jacketed fibers that form pigtails 704 of
splitter module 500. The strain relief structure 504 is depicted as
having a tapered, funnel-like configuration with a major end 548
located at the end wall 503 and a minor end 549 spaced outwardly
from the end wall 503. The minor end 549 of the strain relief
structure 504 flares outwardly in a curved manner to facilitate
allowing fibers that pass through the strain relief structure to
comply with minimum bend radius requirements. A groove structure
581 is provided at top and bottom sides of the strain relief
structure 504 for securing the strain relief structure 504 to the
end wall 503.
[0065] As shown at FIG. 21, portions of the end wall 503 fit within
groove 581 to prevent movement of strain relief structure 504
relative to end wall 503. In one embodiment, strain relief
structure 504 to flexes to maintain a specified bend radius for the
fibers extending through strain relief structure 504 as the fibers
are manipulated.
[0066] The second pass-through location 529 also includes a fiber
separator 516 mounted to major end 548 of strain relief structure
504. The separator 516 includes a portion 517 (shown at FIG. 21)
that fits within the interior of the strain relief structure 504.
The separator 516 also includes a central region 510 defining a
plurality of separate holes 521 (shown at FIG. 14) sized for each
receiving separate buffer tubes 900 that surround fibers forming
the pigtails 704. The holes 521 function to separate and provide
cable management for the individual fibers that pass through the
strain relief structure 504. As shown at FIG. 21A, adhesive 906 can
be filled into the outer side of the separator 516 to secure the
jackets, buffer tubes and reinforcing members of the pigtails to
the separator 516.
[0067] In example embodiments, splitter 525 comprises a
conventional passive splitting component configured for splitting a
single optical signal into a plurality of optical signals. As
depicted in FIG. 21, splitter 525 is mounted to bottom wall 532 of
the housing 502.
[0068] The module 500 also includes structure for securing the
module to splitter shelf 354. For example, module 500 includes a
securement hook or fin 834 that projects downwardly from bottom
wall 532 of the housing 502. The fin 834 is sized to fit through
one of slots 576 defined through horizontal shelf member 340 of
splitter shelf 354. Fin 834 includes a catch portion 836 (e.g., a
tab or lip) adapted to slide under a portion of horizontal shelf
member 340 (as shown at FIG. 21) to limit upward movement of the
module relative to shelf 354. The main body of the fin 834 fits in
relatively close tolerance within the sides of the slot 376. This
resists movement of the module 500 in the directions included by
arrows 900, 902 (see FIG. 19), and also resists twisting of the
module 500 about vertical axis 904 (see FIG. 19).
[0069] The module 500 also includes a fastener 507 mounted to top
extension 519 of end wall 509 of the housing 502. As described
below, fastener 507 is adapted to snap within one of openings 572
of vertical wall 574 to secure second end 509 of module 500 to wall
574. In this way, when fastener 507 is locked in place, fastener
507 and wall 574 cooperate to limit sliding movement of the module
504 in the directions indicated by arrows 906, 908 (see FIG.
19).
[0070] Referring to FIGS. 17 and 18, fastener 507 includes a pin
508 having a handle 512 fixed to a portion 515 extending through a
main body 511. A collet 510 is mounted to main body 511. In FIG.
17, handle 512 is shown in an unlocked position wherein handle 512
and portion 515 are pulled away from main body 511. In this
unlocked position, collet 510 is in an unexpanded form. As handle
512 is pushed toward main body 511, portion 515 extends through and
expands (e.g., increases in diameter) collet 510 into a locked
position, as shown in FIG. 18.
[0071] As shown in FIGS. 19-21, portion 515 and collet 510 are
sized to fit into one of the plurality of holes 572 formed in the
wall 574 of splitter shelf 354 when collet 510 is in the unexpanded
form or unlocked position. When placed within a hole 572, handle
512 and portion 515 can be pushed towards main body 511 to expand
collet 510 into its locked form which holds pin 508 within hole
572.
[0072] To install the module 500, the module 500 is manipulated
such that the fin 834 is inserted into one of the slots 576. The
module 500 is then slid in the direction indicated by arrow 906
until the second end 509 of the housing 502 abuts against the wall
574. As so positioned, the fastener 507 fits within a corresponding
one of the openings 572, and the catch portion 836 of the fin 834
projects beyond the end of the slot 576 so as to hook beneath the
under side of the horizontal shelf member 340 (see FIG. 21). In
this way, fin 834 prevents module 500 from being lifted upwardly
relative to the horizontal shelf member 355. To complete the
installation, pin 508 of the fastener 507 is pushed inwardly to
lock the fastener 507 within the corresponding opening 572. It will
be appreciated that the process can be reversed to remove the
module 500 from the splitter shelf 354.
[0073] When the modules 500 are mounted to the splitter shelf 354,
the end walls 503 face toward the sides 372, 374 of the chassis
322. Thus, input fibers 702 and pigtails 704 can be routed directly
laterally outwardly from the modules and then downwardly around the
radius limiters. This type of routing configuration has a
relatively small numbers of bends and allows for the effective use
of fiber length to reach both the storage locations and the
termination panels 345.
[0074] In example embodiments, splitter shelf 354 includes a
plurality of holes 572 and slots 576 to accommodate a plurality of
splitter modules 500 such as, for example, 16 or 32 modules.
Splitter modules 500 can be added and removed from splitter shelf
354 as needed. Alternative designs are possible.
[0075] Referring again to FIGS. 14 and 15, in example embodiments,
module housing 502 can have a width W of about 0.5 to 1 inch, or
about 0.75 inches. Also, a length L can be about 4 to 6 inches, or
about 4 to 5 inches, or about 4.75 inches. Additionally, a height H
can be about 3 to 4 inches, or about 3 to 3.75 inches, or about
3.345 inches. Moreover, in some embodiments, a fastener height
H.sub.1 (shown at FIG. 14) can range from about 3.6 to 3.9 inches,
or about 3.7 to about 3.75 inches, or around 3.725 inches.
Additionally, a dimension D.sub.1 of the module 500 can range from
3.75 to 4.25 inches, or from 3.9 to 4.1 inches, or about 4.04
inches. Further, the fin dimension D.sub.2 can be 0.2 to 0.4
inches, or 0.25 to 0.35 inches, or about 0.3 inches. Additionally,
fin gap spacing D.sub.3 can range from about 0.075 to 0.2 inches,
or about 0.1 to 0.15 inches, or about 0.25 inches. A width D.sub.4
of fin 834 can range from about 0.02 to 0.10 inches, or about 0.04
to 0.08 inches, or about 0.048 inches. In other embodiments,
dimensions other than those specified above can be used.
[0076] Referring now to FIGS. 22-25, another example embodiment of
a splitter module 600 is shown. Splitter module 600 is similar to
splitter module 500 described above and can be coupled to chassis
322 of FDH 330 in a similar manner. However, splitter module 600
includes a plurality of pass-through locations 605 with separate
boots 604 for pigtails 704, instead of a single boot 504 included
with module 500. One of the pass-through locations 527 allows a
splitter input fiber to access the interior of the module. The
remaining pass-through locations 605 and their corresponding boots
604 each corresponds to separate connectorized pigtails 704 that
exit module 600. In the illustrated embodiment, splitter module 600
is configured to split the optical signal on the splitter input
fiber into sixteen signals that exit module 600 through the
connectorized pigtails 704.
[0077] From the forgoing detailed description, it will be evident
that modifications and variations can be made in the devices of the
disclosure without departing from the spirit or scope of the
invention.
* * * * *