U.S. patent application number 17/538359 was filed with the patent office on 2022-03-24 for fiber optic management device.
This patent application is currently assigned to COMMSCOPE TECHNOLOGIES LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is COMMSCOPE TECHNOLOGIES LLC. Invention is credited to Min DONG, Hui LI, Guangjun WANG.
Application Number | 20220091354 17/538359 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | |
Filed Date | 2022-03-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220091354 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
DONG; Min ; et al. |
March 24, 2022 |
FIBER OPTIC MANAGEMENT DEVICE
Abstract
The present disclosure relates to a fiber optic closure which
comprises a tray, a fiber optic adapter arranged on the tray, an
output fiber optic connector and an input fiber optic connector
inserted into both sides of the fiber optic adapter, and a fiber
optic management device configured to accommodate an overlength
portion of an output fiber optic connected to the output fiber
optic connector. The fiber optic management device comprises a
closure fixing part and a fiber optic storage which are mutually
connected, the closure fixing part being provided for fixing the
fiber optic storage into the fiber optic closure and the fiber
optic storage being provided for accommodating the overlength
portion of the output fiber optic. The present fiber optic
management device can individually store the overlength portion of
each of the internal optical fibers, thereby preventing the problem
of stacking and entanglement of a plurality of internal optical
fibers. In addition, the present fiber optic management device can
be placed inside the fiber optic closure and no change needs to be
made to the internal structure of the existing fiber optic
closure.
Inventors: |
DONG; Min; (Suzhou, CN)
; LI; Hui; (Shanghai, CN) ; WANG; Guangjun;
(Shanghai, CN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
COMMSCOPE TECHNOLOGIES LLC |
Hickory |
NC |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
COMMSCOPE TECHNOLOGIES LLC
Hickory
NC
|
Appl. No.: |
17/538359 |
Filed: |
November 30, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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16759071 |
Apr 24, 2020 |
11215779 |
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PCT/US2018/057005 |
Oct 23, 2018 |
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17538359 |
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International
Class: |
G02B 6/44 20060101
G02B006/44 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 24, 2017 |
CN |
201710996394.4 |
Claims
1. A fiber optic assembly comprising: a fiber optic management
device including a connector fixing portion and a spool portion,
the connector fixing portion having a first wall and a second wall
opposite the first wall, wherein the first and second walls form a
channel-shaped opening with a back wall extending therebetween, the
first wall, the second wall, and the back wall each having a
proximal end and a distal end; wherein the first and second walls
each include an inner surface with an inwardly inclined slope at
the distal end thereof, and wherein the first and second walls each
include a snap-fit connection arrangement adjacent the inwardly
inclined slope for removably mounting a fiber optic connector
within the connector fixing portion.
2. The fiber optic assembly of claim 1, wherein the snap-fit
connection arrangement includes first and second projections that
extend outwardly from the inner surface of the first and second
walls, respectively, and wherein a recess is respectively defined
in the inner surface of the first and second walls between the
first and second projections.
3. The fiber optic assembly of claim 1, wherein the spool portion
is configured to accommodate an overlength portion of a fiber optic
cable of the fiber optic connector.
4. The fiber optic assembly of claim 3, wherein the spool portion
includes an outer circumferential wall and a drum positioned on an
interior surface of the spool portion for coiling the overlength
portion of the fiber optic cable.
5. The fiber optic assembly of claim 4, wherein the outer
circumferential wall of the spool portion is connected with only
the first wall of the connector fixing portion, the outer
circumferential wall being integrally formed at the proximal end of
the first wall.
6. The fiber optic assembly of claim 4, wherein the interior
surface of the spool portion is integrally formed with the back
wall of the connector fixing portion and extends therefrom such
that the spool portion is not positioned within the channel-shaped
opening of the connector fixing portion.
7. The fiber optic assembly of claim 6, further comprising a
closure plate provided at the distal end of one of the first and
second walls and opposite to the back wall.
8. The fiber optic assembly of claim 7, wherein the drum and the
closure plate generally extend in opposite directions relative to
one another.
9. The fiber optic assembly of claim 7, wherein the connector
fixing portion, the spool portion, and the closure plate are
integrally formed as one piece.
10. The fiber optic assembly of claim 1, wherein the snap-fit
connection arrangement is configured to prevent transverse and
vertical movement of the fiber optic connector relative to the
fiber optic management device.
11. The fiber optic assembly of claim 4, wherein the spool portion
includes a handle on the outer circumferential wall.
12. The fiber optic assembly of claim 4, wherein the spool portion
includes tabs integrally formed on the outer circumferential wall
and the drum to prevent removal of the overlength portion of the
fiber optic cable from the spool.
13. A storage element comprising: a connector fixing portion and a
spool portion; wherein the connector fixing portion has a first
wall and a second wall opposite the first wall, wherein the first
and second walls form a channel-shaped opening with a back wall
extending therebetween, the first wall, the second wall, and the
back wall each having a proximal end and a distal end; wherein the
first and second walls each include an inner surface with an
inwardly inclined slope at the distal end thereof, and a recess
respectively defined in the inner surface of the first and second
walls adjacent the inwardly inclined slope; wherein the first and
second walls each include first and second projections that extend
outwardly from the inner surface of the first and second walls,
respectively, and wherein the first and second projections of the
first and second walls are respectively positioned on opposite
sides of the recess; and wherein the first and second projections
and the recess together define a snap-fit connection arrangement
configured for removably mounting a fiber optic connector within
the connector fixing portion.
14. The storage element of claim 13, wherein the spool portion is
configured to accommodate an overlength portion of a fiber optic
cable of the fiber optic connector and wherein the spool portion
includes an outer circumferential wall and a drum positioned on an
interior surface of the spool portion for coiling the overlength
portion of the fiber optic cable.
15. The storage element of claim 14, wherein the interior surface
of the spool portion is integrally formed with the back wall of the
connector fixing portion and extends therefrom such that the spool
portion is not positioned within the channel-shaped opening of the
connector fixing portion.
16. The storage element of claim 13, wherein the connector fixing
portion and the spool portion are integrally formed as one
piece.
17. The storage element of claim 13, wherein the snap-fit
connection arrangement is configured to prevent transverse and
vertical movement of the fiber optic connector relative to the
storage element.
18. The storage element of claim 14, wherein the spool portion
includes a handle on the outer circumferential wall.
19. The storage element of claim 14, wherein the spool portion
includes tabs integrally formed on the outer circumferential wall
and the drum to prevent removal of the overlength portion of the
fiber optic cable from the spool.
20. A fiber optic management device comprising: a closure fixing
portion and a spool portion; the closure fixing portion being
arranged on an outer circumferential wall of the spool portion, the
closure fixing portion including a tray engaging part that
protrudes outwardly from an outer surface of the outer
circumferential wall; wherein the tray engaging part includes an
engaging body and a protruding portion that protrudes transversely
from a lower part of the engaging body, the protruding portion
being configured to engage a groove of a tray surface of a fiber
optic closure so as to fix the fiber optic management device to the
fiber optic closure.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 16/759,071, filed on Apr. 24, 2020, which is a
National Stage Patent Application of PCT/US2018/057005, filed on
Oct. 23, 2018, which claims the benefit of Chinese Patent
Application No. 201710996394.4, filed on Oct. 24, 2017, the
disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their
entireties. To the extent appropriate, a claim of priority is made
to each of the above disclosed applications.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention generally relates to a fiber optic
closure, and more particularly speaking, the present invention
relates to a fiber optic management device for a fiber optic
closure.
BACKGROUND ART
[0003] In a fiber optic cable communication network, a plurality of
optical fibers of one fiber optic cable are respectively connected
with a plurality of optical fibers of other fiber optic cables in a
manner of fiber optic splicing, so as to form the fiber optic cable
communication network. A fiber optic closure, as an apparatus for
splicing two optical fibers, is widely used in the fiber optic
cable communication network. The fiber optic closure finds
application in installation environments such as aerial fiber optic
cables, pipes and direct embedment, which can protect the fiber
optic cables and can guarantee the communication quality in a harsh
natural environment.
[0004] The fiber optic closure is provided on an internal tray with
a fiber optic splicing means which comprises a fiber optic adapter,
an input fiber optic connector that connects an input optical fiber
and an output fiber optic connector that connects an output optical
fiber. The input fiber optic connector and the output fiber optic
connector are respectively inserted into the fiber optic adapter
from both sides of the fiber optic adapter, so as to realize
splicing between the input optical fiber and the output optical
fiber. The fiber optic adapter is pivotable with respect to the
tray, thereby facilitating plugging of the fiber optic adapter.
[0005] As shown in FIG. 1, in the case where the output optical
fiber o' is a small-diameter optical fiber, the output optical
fiber o' passes through a through-hole 12' on the side wall of a
fiber optic closure 11' to be directly connected to an output fiber
optic connector 13'. As the output optical fiber o' can go through
the through-hole 12' freely, it is unnecessary for the output
optical fiber o' to store an overlong length in the fiber optic
closure 11'.
[0006] In some of the other applications, the output optical fiber
o' can be an outdoor hard cable with a harder sheath and a larger
diameter. As shown in FIG. 2, in order to connect such a hard cable
to the output fiber optic connector, an operator needs to remove a
length of a hard sheath 21' and to expose a certain length of an
internal optical fiber 22'. As shown in FIG. 3, the operator
fixedly engages an end, of which the sheath is not removed, of the
hard cable o', into a through-hole 24' on a side wall of a fiber
optic closure 23', preventing any movement outside the case of the
hard cable from affecting or damaging the exposed internal optical
fiber in the case. Subsequently, the operator connects the internal
optical fiber 22' which passes through the through-hole 24' to the
output fiber optic connector 25'. In field installation, it is
impossible for the operator to accurately control the length of the
removed sheath 21', which often results in the problem that the
exposed optical fiber 22' within the case body is overlong. In this
regard, the operator needs to coil the overlong internal optical
fibers 22' one by one below the output fiber optic connector 25',
so as to form fiber optic coils which are one above another or even
entangled. After the installation, when there is a need for
management and maintenance of a single optical fiber, the operator
has to draw a particular optical fiber from a stack of wound fiber
optic coils. The fiber optic material is relatively fragile, and
thus the entire drawing process poses significant challenges to the
operator, in the aspects of both time and energy.
[0007] To this end, it is necessary to design a novel accessory,
which can be fitted into the fiber optic closure without changing
the existing fiber optic closure structure and can facilitate the
individual management and maintenance of each of the internal
optical fibers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The objective of the present invention is to provide a fiber
optic management device for a fiber optic closure, which can
individually store the overlength portion of each of the internal
optical fibers, thereby preventing the problem of stacking and
entanglement of a plurality of internal optical fibers.
[0009] The fiber optic management device according to the present
invention can be placed inside the fiber optic closure and no
change needs to be made to the internal structure of the existing
fiber optic closure.
[0010] Disclosed herein is a fiber optic closure. The fiber optic
closure comprises a tray; a fiber optic adapter arranged on the
tray; and an output fiber optic connector and an input fiber optic
connector inserted into both sides of the fiber optic adapter. The
fiber optic closure further comprises a fiber optic management
device configured to accommodate an overlength portion of an output
fiber optic connected to the output fiber optic connector. The
fiber optic management device comprises a closure fixing part and a
fiber optic storage which are mutually connected. The closure
fixing part is provided for fixing the fiber optic storage into the
fiber optic closure. The fiber optic storage is provided for
accommodating the overlength portion of the output fiber optic.
[0011] Also disclosed herein is a fiber optic management device for
a fiber optic closure. The fiber optic closure comprises therein a
tray, a fiber optic adapter arranged on the tray, and an output
fiber optic connector and an input fiber optic connector inserted
into both sides of the fiber optic adapter. The fiber optic
management device is configured to accommodate an overlength
portion of an output fiber optic connected to the output fiber
optic connector. The fiber optic management device comprises a
closure fixing part and a fiber optic storage which are mutually
connected. The closure fixing part is provided for fixing the fiber
optic storage into the fiber optic closure. The fiber optic storage
is provided for accommodating the overlength portion of the output
fiber optic.
[0012] Further disclosed herein is a method of operating a fiber
optic management device for a fiber optic closure as disclosed
herein. The method comprises removing a length of a sheath of the
output fiber optic and exposing a certain length of an internal
fiber optic. The method also comprises fixedly engaging an end,
from which the sheath is not removed, of the output fiber optic,
into a through-hole on a side wall of the fiber optic closure. The
method further comprises connecting the internal fiber optic which
passes through the through-hole to the output fiber optic
connector. The method additionally comprises placing an outer
connector housing and a strain relief jacket of the output fiber
optic connector into the closure fixing part of the fiber optic
management device. The method further comprises coiling an
overlength portion of the internal fiber optic which protrudes from
the strain relief jacket in the fiber optic storage. The method
additionally comprises inserting the output fiber optic connector
which is engaged in the fiber optic storage into the fiber optic
adapter.
[0013] Additionally disclosed herein is a fiber optic assembly. The
fiber optic assembly comprises a fiber optic connector having a
fiber optic connected thereto. The fiber optic assembly also
comprises a fiber optic management device configured to accommodate
an overlength portion of the fiber optic connected to the fiber
optic connector and be coupled to an exterior of the fiber optic
connector. The fiber optic management device comprises a connector
fixing part and a fiber optic storage which are mutually connected.
The connector fixing part is provided to be coupled to the exterior
of the fiber optic connector. The fiber optic storage is provided
for accommodating the overlength portion of the fiber optic.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] A variety of aspects and features of the present invention
are described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings,
wherein:
[0015] FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing the connection of the
output optical fiber to a fiber optic closure when the output
optical fiber is a small-diameter optical fiber in the prior
art;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the output optical fiber as a
hard cable;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing the connection of the
output optical fiber to a fiber optic closure when the output
optical fiber is a hard cable in the prior art;
[0018] FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 are perspective views of a fiber optic
closure according to the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a SC fiber optic connector
according to the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a fiber optic adapter
according to the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 8a and FIG. 8b are perspective views of a fiber optic
management device according to the first embodiment of the present
invention;
[0022] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a fiber optic management
device according to the first embodiment of the present invention,
wherein the fiber optic management device is installed in the SC
fiber optic connector; and
[0023] FIG. 10a and FIG. 10b are perspective and front views of a
fiber optic management device according to the second embodiment of
the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0024] The present invention will be described as follows with
reference to the accompanying drawings, in which certain
embodiments of the present invention are shown. However, it is to
be understood that the present invention may be embodied in many
different forms and should not be construed as limited to the
embodiments that are pictured and described herein. Rather, these
embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough
and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to
those skilled in the art. It will also be appreciated that the
embodiments disclosed herein can be combined in any way to provide
many additional embodiments.
[0025] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms
that are used in this disclosure have the same meaning as commonly
understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this
invention belongs. The terminology used in the present description
is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is
not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used in this
disclosure, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to
include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly
indicates otherwise. It will also be understood that when an
element (e.g., a device, circuit, etc.) is referred to as being
"connected" or "coupled" to another element, it can be directly
connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements
may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as
being "directly connected" or "directly coupled" to another
element, there are no intervening elements present.
[0026] Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 4 illustrates an example
of a fiber optic closure 1. As shown in the figure, the fiber optic
closure 1 is used for connecting a plurality of first optical
fibers of a first input fiber optic cable I with second output
optical fibers o in a manner of fiber optic splicing, and comprises
a case body 2, a top cover 3, and a tray 4 arranged between the
case body 2 and the top cover 3. In the following description, the
direction along the width of the fiber optic closure is called
X-direction or transverse direction, the direction along the length
of the fiber optic closure is called Y-direction or longitudinal
direction, and the direction along the height of the fiber optic
closure is called Z-direction or vertical direction.
[0027] The case body 2 is substantially cuboid-shaped, and is
provided on the longitudinal rear side wall thereof with an input
through-hole 21 for entry of the first fiber optic cable I into the
case body 2 and with an output through-hole 22 for entry of the
second optical fibers o into the case body 2. The input
through-hole 21 is positioned vertically below the output
through-hole 22. The bottom surface inside the case body 2 is
provided with a fiber optic cable storage for storing the
overlength portion of the first fiber optic cable I.
[0028] The top cover 3 is pivotably connected, at the longitudinal
front side thereof by means of a hinge or a pivot or other pivoting
mechanisms, to the case body 2, so as to open or close the case
body 2. When the top cover 3 is in an open position, the operator
may access the internal space of the case body 2; when the top
cover 3 is in a closed position, the top cover 3 is engaged with
the case body 2 by a snap fit connection at the left, right and
rear sides, so as to close the internal space of the case body
2.
[0029] In one embodiment, the top cover 3 may be divided into a
first top cover part 3a and a second top cover part 3b. The first
top cover part 3a is pivotably connected, at the longitudinal front
side thereof by means of a hinge or a pivot or other pivoting
mechanisms, to the case body 2, and the second top cover part 3b is
pivotably connected, at the longitudinal front side thereof, to the
longitudinal rear side of the first top cover part 3a. When only
the first top cover part 3a is opened, the operator may access the
rear internal space of the case body 2; when both the first top
cover part 3a and the second top cover part 3b are opened, the
operator may access the entire internal space of the case body 2;
when the first top cover part 3a and the second top cover part 3b
are both in a closed position, the first top cover part 3a and the
second top cover part 3b are engaged with the case body 2 by a snap
fit connection, so as to close the internal space of the case body
2.
[0030] The tray 4 is pivotably connected to the case body 2 by
means of a pivot or a hinge or other mechanisms, and supports a
fiber optic splicing means 5 with its bottom plate. The tray 4 is
rotatable between a storing position of being stored in the case
body 2 and an open position of resting against the open top cover
3, so as to facilitate operations such as fiber optic splicing,
management or maintenance at the front face or rear face of the
tray 4.
[0031] The fiber optic splicing means 5 is arranged on the tray 4
and serves to splice the first optical fibers of the first fiber
optic cable I and the second optical fibers o. As shown in FIG. 5,
the fiber optic splicing means 5 comprises first fiber optic
connectors 51 for the first optical fibers, second fiber optic
connectors 52 for the second optical fibers o, and a plurality of
fiber optic adapters 53 arranged on the bottom plate of the tray 4.
The fiber optic adapters 53 are arranged parallel to one another in
the transverse direction, and the first fiber optic connectors 51
and the second fiber optic connectors 52 are respectively inserted
into the fiber optic adapters 53 from both longitudinal sides of
the fiber optic adapters 53, so as to realize splicing between the
first optical fibers and the second optical fibers o. The fiber
optic adapters 53 are pivotable between a working position (as
shown in FIG. 4), in which the fiber optic adapters 53 are laid
flatly on the bottom plate, and a plugging position (as shown in
FIG. 5), in which the fiber optic adapters 53 is inclined in
relation to the bottom plate, around the transverse pivot thereof
with respect to the bottom plate of the tray 4, so as to facilitate
plugging of the fiber optic connectors by the operator.
[0032] The fiber optic connectors can be categorized into forms
such as FC, SC, ST, LC, D4, DIN, MU and MT, according to the
structural form of joints. A SC fiber optic connector is usually
used for a network device terminal and is a fast connector that can
solve the field wiring very well. Taking the SC fiber optic
connector as an example, the structures of the second fiber optic
connector 52 and of the mating fiber optic adapter 53 in this
embodiment are described as below. It should be clear that a fiber
optic connector in any other form may further be used as the second
fiber optic connector of the present invention. The first fiber
optic connector 51 can be any existing fiber optic connectors that
can be connected to a cable in a factory.
[0033] As shown in FIG. 6, the second fiber optic connector 52
comprises an outer connector housing 52a, an inner connector
housing 52b which is slidably received in the outer connector
housing 52a, and a strain relief jacket 52c which is fastened to
the inner connector housing 52b. A ferrule is received in the inner
connector housing 52b, and the second optical fiber o that is
inserted into the inner connector housing 52b is fixedly connected
to the ferrule. The inner connector housing 52b has detents 52d at
the front sides of the top wall and the bottom wall thereof, the
outer connector housing 52a has cutout portions 52e at the front
sides of the top wall and the bottom wall thereof, so that the
detents 52d are exposed through the cutout portions 52e. The outer
connector housing 52a further comprises slopes 52f in the region of
the cutout portions 52e, and the slopes 52f are positioned to be
adjacent to the detents 52d. The outer connector housing 52a is
provided, at the rear sides of the top wall and the bottom wall,
with a gripping portion 52g and a boss portion 52h in sequence. The
surface of the gripping portion 52g is inclined inwards from the
cutout portion 52e towards the boss portion 52h and presents a
plurality of ridges, so as to make it easy for the operator to
perform a plugging operation by gripping with hands. The boss
portion 52h is located at the end of the outer connector housing
52a, and protrudes outwards from the utmost bottom of the surface
of the gripping portion 52g till being flush with the top surface
of the cutout portion 52e.
[0034] The side, which receives the second fiber optic connector
52, of the fiber optic adapter 53 will be described herein; it
should be understood that the opposite side of the fiber optic
adapter 53 is structurally complementary with the first fiber optic
connector 51 to receive the first fiber optic connector 51. As
shown in FIG. 7, the fiber optic adapter 53 comprises an adapter
housing 53a, and the outer connector housing 52a can be slidably
received in the adapter housing 53a in the axial direction. The
longitudinal middle part of the internal space within the adapter
housing 53a is provided with a sleeve which is used for connecting
the ferrule of the second fiber optic connector 52 and the
corresponding ferrule of the first fiber optic connector 51. The
top wall and the bottom wall of the adapter housing 53a are
provided with cutout portions 53b, and each cutout portion 53b
contains a cantilever clip 53c therein. When the second fiber optic
connector 52 is completely inserted into the fiber optic adapter
53, the cantilever clips 53c is received in the detent 52d, and the
slope 52f of the outer connector housing 52a is opposite to the
cantilever clip 53c. Thus, when the outer connector housing 52a
moves along a direction separating from the inner connector housing
52b, the slope 52f is engaged with the cantilever clip 53c, so as
to move the cantilever clip 53c outwards for releasing the
cantilever clip 53c from the detent 52d, thereby separating the
second fiber optic connector 52 from the fiber optic adapter
53.
[0035] Referring to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the end, of which the sheath
is not removed, of the second optical fiber o, is fixedly engaged
into the output through-hole 22 on a side wall of the fiber optic
closure 1, and the overlength portion of the second optical fiber o
in the case body 2 is stored by a fiber optic management device 6
according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As
shown in FIGS. 8a and 8b, the fiber optic management device 6
comprises a closure fixing part 100 and a fiber optic storage 200
which are mutually connected. The closure fixing part 100 has an
outer profile that is substantially rectangular, and is removably
fixed to the fiber optic closure 1, in particular to the second
fiber optic connector 52 in the case body 2 of the fiber optic
closure 1, so it can be also referred to as the connector fixing
part. The fiber optic storage 200 has an outer profile that is
substantially circular, and is used for coiling and storing the
overlength portion of the second optical fiber o. The closure
fixing part 100 and the fiber optic storage 200 may be integrally
formed from PC, PC/ABS, ABS, PA, PP or other suitable
materials.
[0036] As shown in the figures, the closure fixing part 100 has a
cross section that is substantially channel-shaped, and comprises a
top wall 101 and a bottom wall 102 which are parallel to one
another and a side wall 103 which is perpendicular to the top wall
101 and the bottom wall 102. The closure fixing part 100 comprises,
in the axial direction, an outer connector housing engaging part
110 and a strain relief jacket accommodating part 120. The length
of the closure fixing part 100, calculated along the longitudinal
central axis, is in the range between 30 mm and 50 mm or between 35
mm and 45 mm, or is 40 mm.
[0037] The outer connector housing engaging part 110 is used for
removably engaging the portion, which is positioned outside the
adapter housing 53a, of the outer connector housing 52a. In one
embodiment, the outer connector housing engaging part 110 is used
for removably engaging the gripping portion 52g and the boss
portion 52h of the outer connector housing 52a.
[0038] As shown in FIGS. 8a and 9, the inner surfaces of the top
wall 101 and the bottom wall 102 of the outer connector housing
engaging part 110 are provided axially in sequence with an inwardly
inclined slope 111, a first projection 112, a recess 113 and a
second projection 114. When the gripping portion 52g and the boss
portion 52h are engaged in the outer connector housing engaging
part 110, the slope 111 and the slope surface of the gripping
portion 52g are brought into close contact, and the outer profile
surfaces of the first projection 112, the recess 113, the second
projection 114 and the boss portion 52h are brought into close
contact, and thereby the gripping portion 52g and the boss portion
52h are tightly engaged in the outer connector housing engaging
part 110, and the first projection 112 and the second projection
114 may prevent the longitudinal movement of the boss portion 52h
and the outer connector housing 52a relative to the fiber optic
management device 6. In one embodiment, the outer connector housing
engaging part 110 is further provided at an opening with a closure
plate 104 which is integrally formed therewith, the closure plate
104 being opposite to the side wall 103, wherein one end thereof is
pivotally connected to one of the top wall 101 and the bottom wall
102, while the other end is a free end and may be locked to the
other one of the top wall 101 and the bottom wall 102 by means of a
snap fit connection or the like, so that the outer connector
housing 52a is closed in the space defined by the top wall 101, the
bottom wall 102, the side wall 103 and the closure plate 104, so as
to prevent the transverse and vertical movements of the outer
connector housing 52a relative to the fiber optic management device
6.
[0039] The strain relief jacket accommodating part 120 is used for
accommodating the strain relief jacket 52c of the second fiber
optic connector 52 and is arranged between the outer connector
housing engaging part 110 and the fiber optic storage 200. The
length of the strain relief jacket accommodating part 120 is
essentially equal to or greater than the length of the exposed
portion of the strain relief jacket 52c from the outer connector
housing 52a.
[0040] Referring still to FIGS. 8a and 8b, the fiber optic storage
200 comprises a side wall 203 which is flush with the side wall 103
of the closure fixing part 100, and an inner circumferential wall
201 and an outer circumferential wall 202 which are concentric and
cylindrical, protruding transversely from the side wall 203, and
the overlength portion of the second optical fiber o may be coiled
in the space defined by the side wall 203 and the inner and outer
circumferential walls 201 and 202. In another embodiment, the
cylindrical inner circumferential wall 201 and outer
circumferential wall 202 may be non-concentric. The diameter of the
cylindrical inner circumferential wall 201 of the fiber optic
storage 200 is in the range between 10 mm and 40 mm or between 25
mm and 35 mm, or is 30 mm. The central longitudinal axis of the
closure fixing part 100 is substantially tangent to the central arc
between the cylindrical inner circumferential wall 201 and outer
circumferential wall 202, so as to avoid the second optical fiber o
from over bending in the fiber management device 6.
[0041] It should be understood that the inner and outer
circumferential walls 201 and 202 of the fiber optic storage 200
may be in any other suitable shape, for example substantially
oblong, substantially elliptical, or substantially polygonal, etc.,
so long as over bending of the optical fiber does not occur.
[0042] The fiber optic storage 200 further comprises a stopping
means 204 which prevents disengagement of the coiled portion of the
second optical fiber o from the fiber optic storage 200. In one
embodiment, the stopping means 204 is integrally formed with the
inner and outer circumferential walls 201, 202 and the side wall
203, and comprises a plurality of shielding plates 204a. The
shielding plates 204a are interlacedly arranged at end portions of
the inner circumferential wall 201 and the outer circumferential
wall 202. The shielding plates 204a on the inner circumferential
wall 201 protrude towards the direction of the outer
circumferential wall 202 and are spaced apart from the outer
circumferential wall 202, and the shielding plates 204a on the
outer circumferential wall 202 protrude towards the direction of
the inner circumferential wall 201 and are spaced apart from the
inner circumferential wall 201, so that the operator can fit the
second optical fiber o into the space between the inner and outer
circumferential walls 201 and 202 through the gap between the
shielding plates 204a and the inner and outer circumferential
walls. In another embodiment, the stopping means is separately
formed from the inner and outer circumferential walls 201, 202 and
the side wall 203, and comprises a cylindrical base and shielding
plates extending outwardly from the base. The outer profile of the
base is complementary to the inner profile of the inner
circumferential wall and can be engaged within the inner
circumferential wall.
[0043] In one embodiment, the fiber optic storage 200 may comprise
a handle 205 provided on the outer circumferential wall 202. In the
case where the fiber optic management device 6 is engaged with the
second fiber optic connector 52, the operator can plug the second
fiber optic connector 52 into and out of the fiber optic adapter 53
conveniently with the help of the handle 205.
[0044] In the fiber optic splicing operation, the operator opens
the top cover 3 and the tray 4 of the fiber optic closure 1,
inserts the first fiber optic cable I into the case body 2 through
the input through-hole 21, coils the overlength portion of the
first fiber optic cable I in the fiber optic storage at the bottom
of the case body 2, and introduces the first fiber optic cable I
above the tray 4. Subsequently, the operator inserts a plurality of
the first optical fibers of the first fiber optic cable I into the
fiber optic adapters 53 of the fiber optic splicing means 5 through
the first fiber optic connectors 51. The operator removes a length
of the sheath of the second optical fiber o to expose a certain
length of the internal optical fiber, and fixedly engages an end,
of which the sheath is not removed, of the second optical fiber o,
into the through-hole 22 of the fiber optic closure 1.
Subsequently, the operator connects the internal optical fiber
which passes through the through-hole 22 to the second fiber optic
connector 52, and places the outer connector housing 52a and the
strain relief jacket 52c of the second fiber optic connector 52
into the casing fixing part 100 of the fiber optic management
device 6 and closes the closure plate 104. The operator coils the
overlength portion of the internal optical fiber which protrudes
from the strain relief jacket 52c in the fiber optic storage 200.
Thereafter, the operator inserts the second fiber optic connector
52 which is engaged in the fiber optic management device 6 into the
fiber optic adapter 53, so as to complete the fiber optic
splicing.
[0045] A fiber optic management device 1006 according to the second
embodiment of the present invention will be described below with
reference to FIGS. 10a and 10b. The fiber optic management device
1006 will represent the same or similar structure by adding 1000 to
the reference sign in the fiber optic management device 6. As shown
in FIGS. 10a and 10b, the fiber optic management device 1006
comprises a closure fixing part 1100 and a fiber optic storage
1200.
[0046] The structure of the fiber optic storage 1200 is the same as
that of the fiber optic storage 200, and comprises a side wall 1203
and an inner circumferential wall 1201 and an outer circumferential
wall 1202 which are concentric and cylindrical, protruding
transversely from the side wall 1203, and the overlength portion of
the second optical fiber o may be coiled in the space defined by
the side wall 1203 and the inner and outer circumferential walls
1201 and 1202.
[0047] The fiber optic storage 1200 further comprises a stopping
means 1204 which prevents disengagement of the coiled portion of
the second optical fiber o from the fiber optic storage 1200. The
stopping means 204 is integrally formed with the inner and outer
circumferential walls 1201, 1202 and the side wall 1203, and
comprises a plurality of shielding plates 1204a. The shielding
plates 1204a are interlacedly arranged at end portions of the inner
circumferential wall 1201 and the outer circumferential wall 1202.
The shielding plates 1204a on the inner circumferential wall 1201
protrude towards the direction of the outer circumferential wall
1202 and are spaced apart from the outer circumferential wall 1202,
and the shielding plates 1204a on the outer circumferential wall
1202 protrude towards the direction of the inner circumferential
wall 1201 and are spaced apart from the inner circumferential wall
1201. The fiber optic storage 1200 may further comprise a handle
1205 provided on the outer circumferential wall 1202. In the case
where the fiber optic management device 1006 is engaged with the
second fiber optic connector 52, the operator can plug the second
fiber optic connector 52 into and out of the fiber optic adapter 53
conveniently with the help of the handle 1205.
[0048] The closure fixing part 1100 is arranged on the outer
circumferential wall 1202 of the fiber optic storage 1200, and
comprises a tray engaging part 1130 which protrudes outwards from
the outer surface of the outer circumferential wall 1202. The tray
engaging part 1130 comprises an engaging part body 1131 and a
protruding portion 1132 which protrudes transversely from the lower
part of the engaging part body 1131. The protruding portion 1132
can be engaged into a groove of the tray 4 surface, so as to fix
the fiber optic management device 1006 to the fiber optic closure
1. The operation steps of the fiber optic management device 1006
are essentially similar to those of the fiber optic management
device 6, except that the closure fixing part 1100 of the fiber
optic management device 1006 is fixed to the tray 4, while the
closure fixing part 100 of the fiber optic management device 6 is
fixed to the second fiber optic connector 52.
[0049] It should be pointed out that the fiber optic management
device of the present invention not only can be used for managing
the overlong fiber optic portion within the fiber optic closure,
but also can be used for the overlong fiber optic portion of other
compact fiber optic cabinets.
[0050] The foregoing is illustrative of the present invention and
is not to be construed as limiting thereof. Although exemplary
embodiments of this invention have been described, those skilled in
the art should readily appreciate that many variations and
modifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments without
materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of
this invention. Accordingly, all such variations and modifications
are intended to be included within the scope of this invention as
defined in the claims. The invention is defined by the following
claims, with equivalents of the claims to be included therein.
* * * * *