JP2009210624A - Connection structure of optical cable - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a connection structure of an optical cable for performing connection working without any procedure error in small man-hours. <P>SOLUTION: A latch release member 142b is integrally formed on a clip carrying member 14b. When the clip carrying member 14b is rotated so that a clip 3b is positioned adjacent to a clip holder 44b, the latch release member 142b depresses a latch 114b of a base 11 to release engagement of the latch. Since the latch 114b prevents retreat of a cable holder 44b, the cable holder 44b is moved in a direction separated from a mechanical splice 2 by restoring force when a deflecting core wire 41b is returned in the form of a substantially straight line by depressing the latch 114b. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical cable connection structure with a built-in mechanical splice.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, field-installed connection structures incorporating optical cables have been used for laying optical fiber networks such as FTTH (Fiber to the Home). These connection structures incorporate a so-called mechanical splice (a mechanism for permanently connecting the end faces of the core wires from which the sheath has been removed without being fused or bonded). For example, Patent Document 1 discloses “an optical fiber connection jig for a mechanical splice connector used when an optical fiber is inserted into an optical fiber holding groove of a splice member”.

  Generally, in a connection structure having a built-in mechanical splice, the ends of the cores of two drop cables processed on site are abutted against each other. At this time, the drop cable is urged toward the connector so that the core wire is bent somewhat in the vicinity of the mechanical splice in order to ensure a reliable butted state. Using the reaction force due to this bending, the butting of the tips of the two optical fibers is maintained. For example, Patent Document 2 that discloses a connection tool for an optical connector states, “According to the connection tool according to the present invention, it is possible to quantitatively and easily cause fiber bending desired when connecting an optical fiber using a mechanical splice. It is possible to connect with a mechanical splice, and because the fiber can be held in a bent state, both hands are not blocked and the workability is improved. Yes.

  Further, in Patent Document 3, “a pair of clamps 4 for connecting the optical fibers 2 to each other inside the closure sleeve 11 introduced from both sides of the optical fiber 2 and a pair of gripping the optical fibers 2”. And the clamp part 4 is disposed between the holder parts 20, and the holder part 20 is directed toward the clamp part 4 from both ends of the connection base 3. A closure 10 "is disclosed in which the optical fiber 2 held by the holder part 20 can be inserted into the clamp part 4 by sliding.

JP 2003-322762 A JP 2007-121878 A JP 2005-208496 A

  An optical cable or a drop cable used for FTTH is connected using a mechanical splice or other connector in a cabinet installed on a utility pole or the like and wired to each home. Here, if a drop cable is partially broken or damaged at the midpoint from the utility pole to each home, it is usually necessary to remove all the cables leading to each home and start the wiring work again. Has been done. Therefore, instead of starting the wiring work from scratch, it is desired that the drop cable can be inserted at the location where the disconnection or the like has occurred, and therefore the restoration work can be performed without performing the cable removal work.

  When a connection structure is used for FTTH applications, the work is often performed in an unstable place outdoors. Therefore, there is a demand for a connection structure in which members necessary for the work are gathered as much as possible, and the connection work can be performed with less man-hours and without a procedure error.

  Therefore, the present invention provides a connection structure for an optical cable that can be connected without a procedure error with less man-hours.

  To achieve the above object, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a case for accommodating a mechanical splice configured to connect optical fibers of two cables to each other, a case that is provided in the case, and the cable An engaging portion configured to engage at least one cable so as not to leave the mechanical splice more than a predetermined distance in the longitudinal direction of the at least one cable; and An engagement release portion configured to release the engagement between one cable and the engagement portion, and a clip member that fixes the cable to the base member are carried, and the clip member is disposed in the vicinity of the cable. A clip carrying member configured to be movable with respect to the case so as to be positioned on the case. The disengagement portion is formed integrally with the clip carrying member, and when the clip member is positioned in the vicinity of the cable, the disengagement portion is at least one of the engagement portion and the engagement portion. A connection structure is provided that is configured to disengage from the cable.

  According to one embodiment of the present invention, the operation of disposing the clip member in the vicinity of the cable also serves as the operation of releasing the engagement between the engaging portion holding the cable and the cable. Work can be performed without any problem. Further, the use of the clip carrying member that carries the clip member can prevent the clip member from being lost and prevent the clip member from interfering with the work.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of an optical cable connection structure according to the present invention. The connection structure 1 includes a base member 11 that receives two drop cables to be connected, and a cover member 12 that is pivotally attached to the base 11 by a hinge 121. In this embodiment, the base 11 and the cover 12 each have a half-divided shape obtained by dividing a substantially cylindrical shape into two in the axial direction, and form a closed body or a case in cooperation as will be described later. Further, the connection structure 1 is attached to a closing portion or a lever member 13 pivotally attached to the base 11 by a hinge 131 and the drop cables 4a and 4b so that the mechanical splice 2 disposed substantially at the center of the base can be closed. Clip holders 14a and 14b for holding clip members 3a and 3b, which are fixing portions for fixing the cable holders 44a and 44b (see FIG. 2) to the base 11, and the clip holders are hinges 141a and 141b, respectively. Is pivotally attached to the base 11.

  The clip 3a is a member formed by processing a plate-like member into a sheet metal, and is disposed so as to face the substrate 31a and two pairs of the substrate 31a that extend substantially perpendicular to the substrate surface from both ends of the fiber insertion direction of the substrate 31a. A fixed blade 32a and a guide 33a extending from both ends of the substrate 31a in a direction substantially perpendicular to the fiber insertion direction to the same side as the fixed blade with respect to the substrate 31a are provided. Each pair of fixed blades 32a of the substrate 31a holds the cable therebetween. The guide 33a is assembled to the clip carrying member 14a while sandwiching two sides substantially orthogonal to the fiber insertion direction of the clip carrying member 14a. The clip 3b has the same configuration as the clip 3a.

  The clip carrying member 14a is a substantially flat member, and has a slit 143a through which the fixed blade 32a of the clip 3a is inserted near one end portion on the outer side in the fiber insertion direction, and a pair of opposing ends. A recess 144a is provided to guide the side edge of the fixed blade 32a. A recess 145a having substantially the same width as the guide 33a is provided on one side surface of the holding member 14a in contact with the guide 33a of the clip 3a, and an opening 146a is provided on the other side surface (on the hinge 141a side). Yes. The side walls of the recess 144a and the opening 146a of the clip carrying member 14a corresponding to the fixed blade 32a and the guide 33a are respectively connected to the fixed blade 32a and the guide so that the clip 3a is pushed down substantially perpendicularly to the cable as described later. Each end face of 33a is guided. The clip carrying member 14b also has the same configuration as the clip carrying member 14a except for a latch release member 142b described later.

  The lever member 13 is a flat plate-like member, and has a splice contact surface 132 that can contact the splice and an operation surface 133 on the opposite side. In the mechanical splice 2 according to the present embodiment, the built-in core wire holding member (not shown) folded in a V shape is closed by pushing down the cap member 21 toward the main body 22, and the core wire holding member The two core wires are axially aligned and fixed in alignment grooves (not shown) carved on the inner surface.

  The base 11, the cover 12, the lever 13, and the clip holding members 14a and 14b may be separately manufactured and connected, but may be integrally manufactured by resin molding or the like. The clips 3a and 3b can be formed using an arbitrary material having a required strength, and can be made of metal or plastic, for example.

  Hereinafter, the procedure for connecting two drop cables using the connection structure 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. First, as shown in FIG. 1, the mechanical splice 2 is disposed at the approximate center of the base 11. The mechanical splice 2 is sandwiched between splice guides 111a and 111b formed inside the base 11, and can be accurately positioned along these. Next, as shown in FIG. 2, the optical fiber or core wire 41a made of quartz glass and the UV coating 42a are exposed for a predetermined length from the tip, and the cable holder 44a is fixed near the boundary between the UV coating 42a and the jacket 43a. Prepared drop cable 4a. A known coating removal tool and a core wire (glass fiber) cutting tool can be used for the cable processing. As shown in FIG. 2, the cable holder 44a is a member having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape when attached to the cable 4a, and is connected to the main body 441a and the main body 441a via a hinge (not shown). And a lid 442a. The main body has a recess into which the drop cable is inserted, and a plurality of saw blade projections (not shown) are provided on the opposing surfaces of the recess. When the end portion of the drop cable with the core wire exposed is inserted into the recess, the saw blade bites into the outer cover 43a of the drop cable and grips the cable. Further, a core wire passage (not shown) is provided in the main body portion 441a so that the core wire exposed from the covered end portion of the drop cable 4a extends without inclining from the cable axial direction. After the drop cable is mounted in the recess of the main body 441a, the lid 442a is closed, and the cable holder 44a is prevented from being detached from the drop cable 4a.

  A drop cable 4b described later also has the same configuration as the drop cable 4a. The drop cable here means a cable mainly used for wiring between a connection box arranged on a power pole or the like and a user's house. A drop cable is a cable in which a core wire coated with an arbitrary resin such as UV resin and one or a plurality of tensile materials (FRP, metal, etc.) are embedded in an outer sheath such as PVC or PE, and in the axial direction. In many cases, the vertical cross section has a substantially rectangular shape. In general, the outer cover and the core wire are substantially in close contact with each other and the cable is integrally formed. Therefore, if the jacket of the cable is fixed, the core wire can also be fixed indirectly. Further, the connection structure of the present invention is a cable in which the core wire and the jacket are substantially in close contact with each other, even if the cable is other than a drop cable, and the core wire is not substantially moved relative to the jacket. Can also be used. Furthermore, even with a cable called a so-called optical cord in which the jacket and the core are not substantially in close contact with each other, the jacket is narrowed by a saw blade when the cable holder is attached to the cable, so Any wire can be used as long as it can be fixed in a state where the core wire does not substantially move with respect to the jacket. Hereinafter, the term “core wire” will be described with reference to FIG. 2 as including both the front end side of the cable holder 44a or 44b, that is, only the portion of the core wire 41a and the portion where the UV coating 42a is exposed.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 3, the first drop cable 4a is arranged in the base 11 so that the core wire 41a is inserted into the mechanical splice 2 in the cable longitudinal direction. At this time, the core wire 41a extending between the end portion of the mechanical splice 2 and the cable holder 44a is substantially linear. The tip of the core wire 41a is located at a desired position (usually approximately the center in the longitudinal direction) inside the mechanical splice. Here, the base 11 has a core wire guide 112a for guiding the core wire 41a so that the core wire 41a is surely inserted into the mechanical splice 2, and a cable holder guide 113a for positioning the cable holder 44a. The distance between the opposing surfaces of the cable holder guide 113a is configured to be approximately the same as or slightly larger than the width of the cable holder 44a. Therefore, when the cable holder 44a is moved along the guide 113a, the core wire 41a is guided into the mechanical splice 2, so that it is not necessary for the operator to insert the core wire aiming at a small insertion hole of the mechanical splice.

  Further, the base 11 includes a latch 114a (see FIG. 1) that is an engaging portion for preventing the positioned cable holder 44a from moving backward, and a hook-like member 115a (see FIG. 1) for preventing the cable holder 44a from moving upward. ) And are provided. The latch 114a is a flexible member, and is attached to the base 11 at the outer end 1141a with respect to the fiber insertion direction. A protrusion 1142a that engages with the cable holder 44a is provided on the upper surface near the opposite end. Have. Two hook-shaped members 115a are arranged symmetrically with respect to the axial direction of the base 11 and extend upward from the bottom surface of the base 11 (the fitting surface between the base 11 and the cover 12) and face each other at the tip thereof. It has a hook-like protrusion protruding in the direction of the member. The cable holder guide 113a, the latch 114a, and the hook-shaped member 115a may be configured integrally with the base 11, or may be partially or entirely configured as separate parts as necessary.

  The cable 4 a is moved from above toward the base 11 so that the cable holder 44 a is located at the end of the base 11. The cable 4 a is inserted toward the center of the base 11 so that the cable holder 44 a is along the bottom surface of the base 11. As the cable holder 44a approaches the protrusion 1142a of the latch 114a, the cable holder 44a pushes down the protrusion 1142a, the latch 114a bends downward, and the cable holder 44a is allowed to advance further in the center direction. The distal end of the core wire 41a is guided to the insertion opening of the mechanical splice 2 along the slope on the inner surface of the core wire guide 112a, and further inserted into an internal alignment member (not shown). When the cable 4a is advanced to a predetermined position, the latch 114a pushed down returns to the original state by the repulsive force, and the protrusion 1142a is locked to the rear end of the cable holder. At this position, the upper surface of the tip of the cable holder 44a is under the hook-like protrusion of the hook-like member 115a, so that the cable 4a does not float from the base 11 even when the operator releases his hand, and the cable 4a is not mechanically spliced. Moving away from 2 is also prevented.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 4, the clip carrying member 14a pivotally attached to the base 11 via the hinge 141a is rotated, and the clip 3a carried by the clip carrying member 14a is positioned in the immediate vicinity of the cable holder 44a. Like that. Then, as shown in FIG. 5, by pushing the clip 3 a toward the cable 4 a, the clip 3 a grips the cable holder 44 a and the cable 4 a is fixed to the base 11. As described above, the clip 3a has two pairs of fixed blades arranged to face each other, and the clip 3a and the cable 4a are integrated by sandwiching the side surface of the cable holder 44a between the fixed blades facing each other. It becomes. Further, a clip carrying member 14a is interposed between the base 31a of the clip 3a and the cable holder 44a, and the carrying member is fixed in the fiber insertion direction by clips passing through recesses or openings provided on four sides thereof. Is done. Therefore, the cable 4a is fixed to the base 11 via the clip 3a.

  If it is carried out before the mechanical splice is closed, it is possible to prevent the core wire from unexpectedly coming out of the mechanical splice and applying tension to the connected core wire. However, the clip fixing with respect to the cable 4a may be performed after closing the mechanical splice described later. Further, the cable holder 44a of the cable 4a may not be fixed by the clip 3a as long as the latch 114a generates a desired locking force. Unlike the case of the other cable holder 44b described later, the cable holder 44a can be fixed at a desired position, so that it can be fixed without using a clip member. On the other hand, the position where the cable holder 44b described below is fixed may vary to some extent due to variations in the cutting lengths of the two core wires. In order to fix the cable holder without causing excessive bending of the core wire, it is desirable to use a fixing member such as the clip of the present invention. This is because the clip of the present invention can be fixed to the plane of the side surface of the cable holder, so that it can be fixed at any location within the plane, and can cope with variations in the fixing position due to variations in cutting length.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 6, a second drop cable 4b (see FIG. 2) similar to the drop cable 4a is prepared, and the core 41b of the drop cable is connected to the core 41a in the mechanical splice 2 in the longitudinal direction of the cable. The drop cable 4b is arranged in the base 11 so as to be inserted from the opposite side. Here, the base 11 has a core wire guide 112b for guiding the core wire 41b so that the core wire 41b is surely inserted into the mechanical splice 2, and a cable holder guide 113b for positioning the cable holder 44b. As in the case of the cable 4a, the person can easily insert the core wire 41b into the mechanical splice without aiming at a small insertion hole of the mechanical splice.

  FIGS. 7A and 7B are axial sectional views showing how the core wire 41b of the drop cable 4b is inserted into the mechanical splice. First, as shown in FIG. 7A, when the core wire 41b of the cable 4b is inserted into the mechanical splice 2 from the side opposite to the side where the core wire 41a of the cable 4a is inserted, the end surfaces of the core wires are However, in this state, the cable holder 44b of the cable 4b and the core wire guide 112b of the base 11 are not in contact with each other.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7B, when the cable holder 44b is further pushed into the mechanical splice 2 until it comes into contact with the core wire guide 112b, the core wire 41b is bent into a bow shape by a predetermined amount. Retained. Here, since the base 11 is provided with a latch member 114b (see FIG. 1) that engages with the cable holder 44b and prevents its retreat, the rear end portion 443b of the cable holder 44b gets over the latch 114b and latches. By moving the cable holder 44b toward the mechanical splice 2 until it engages with 114b, the core wire 41b is maintained in a bent state even when the operator releases his / her hand.

  In the state of FIG. 7B, the tip of the core wire 41b of the cable 4b is in contact with the tip of the core wire 41a of the cable 4a previously inserted into the mechanical splice 2 in the mechanical splice 2. Is held in an arcuate shape as shown. In other words, the operator can confirm that the tips of the core wires are in contact with each other because the core wire 41b is bent. Further, since the base 11 is provided with a hook-like member 115b (see FIG. 1) that prevents the cable holder 44b from moving upward, the cable holder 44b and the latch 114b are engaged (FIG. 7). Even if the operator removes his / her hand from the cable 4b in (b)), the cable 4b is held without being detached from the base 11 upward.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 8, the operator rotates the lever 13 pivotally attached to the base 11 by the hinge 131 to close the mechanical splice 2 from the state of FIG. As a result, the cores of the cables 4a and 4b are fixed in a state where they abut against each other in the mechanical splice 2, and the two cables are optically connected. In the present embodiment, in the mechanical splice 2 of the type in which the optical fiber is held by a centering member (not shown) bent in a V shape, a pair of centering is performed by pushing the cap member 21 toward the main body 22. Although what closes a member is explained, the mechanical splice which can be used for the present invention is not restricted to this. For example, a mechanical splice in which a pair of aligning members are sandwiched by leaf spring members having a substantially C-shaped cross section can be used. When this type of mechanical splice is used, a wedge-shaped member can be disposed on the contact surface 132 of the lever 13 so as to provide a gap into which the fiber is inserted between the aligning members of the mechanical splice. At the time of fiber insertion, the lever member is rotated and the wedge-shaped member is inserted into the mechanical splice. After both core wires are inserted, the lever is rotated away from the splice to extract the wedge-shaped member and fix the core wire. After the connection with the mechanical splice is completed, the lever can be arranged in the state shown in FIG. 8 by removing or bending the wedge-shaped member from the lever.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 9, the clip carrying member 14b pivotally attached to the base 11 is rotated by the hinge 141b so that the clip 3b carried by the clip carrying member 14b is positioned in the immediate vicinity of the cable holder 44b. . Here, as shown in FIG. 10, an engagement release portion, that is, a latch release member 142b (see FIG. 1) is integrally formed on the clip carrying member 14b. The latch release member 142b is provided at the outer end of the clip carrying member 14b with respect to the fiber insertion direction, and extends substantially vertically from the clip carrying member 14b in the insertion direction of the clip 3b and away from the clip 3b. It is a substantially flat rod-shaped member. When the clip holding member 14b is rotated so that the clip 3b is positioned in the immediate vicinity of the cable holder 44b, the tip of the latch release member 142b pushes down the latch 114b of the base 11 to release the latch. Yes. Since the latch 114b prevents the cable holder 44b from retreating as described above, when the latch 114b is pushed down, the cable holder 44b is moved by the restoring force when the bent core wire 41b tries to return to a substantially linear shape. It moves in the direction away from the mechanical splice 2 and the bent core wire 41b returns to a substantially linear state. Since the base 11 is provided with the hook-shaped member 115b as described above, the release operation of the latch 114b does not cause the cable holder 44b to come off in a direction other than the cable longitudinal direction, thereby deteriorating workability.

  If the optical fiber is excessively bent, a large optical loss occurs in the bent portion, and mechanical reliability is also lowered. Therefore, excessive deflection must be reliably released before the cable is mechanically secured. In the present invention, since the operation of moving the clip carrying member to the closest position of the cable holder also serves as the latch releasing operation, the bending can be reliably released before the clip is fixed, and the work can be performed with less man-hours. Further, since the clip is attached to the clip carrying member, it is possible to prevent the clip from being lost. Furthermore, the clip does not interfere with the work when the cable core is inserted into the mechanical splice. Furthermore, forgetting to cancel the bending of the core wire can be prevented. If such a connection structure is used for FTTH, the cable can be easily added even if the cable is disconnected, and the cable can be used effectively.

  When the cable holder 44b is retracted by the restoring force of the core wire 41b and the bent core wire 41b becomes substantially linear, as shown in FIG. 11, the clip 3b carried by the clip carrying member 14b is moved to the cable holder 44b. The cable holder 44 b is fixed to the base 11. Finally, as shown in FIG. 12, the cover 12 is rotated and fixed to the base 11 so that the cover 12 cooperates with the base 11 to form a substantially cylindrical closed body, and the drop cable is connected. Complete. Protruding objects 122a and 122b (shown only in FIG. 11) configured to push the clips 3a and 3b when the cover 12 rotates are provided on the inner side of the cover 12 (side toward the base). Alternatively, the pushing operation of the clip and the closing operation by the cover can be performed substantially simultaneously.

  The fitting portion between the cover 11 and the base 12 can be provided with waterproof means such as packing as necessary. In addition to or instead of this, waterproofing may be achieved by applying waterproof means, for example, a waterproof tape such as a vinyl tape or a waterproof tube to the entire closed body.

  In the above-described embodiment, when one drop cable 4b is connected, the cable holder is temporarily fixed with a latch so that the core wire bends, and after fixing the core wire, the latch is released and the cable holder is retracted. However, the latch can be fixed and released for both drop cables. In other words, the clip carrying member 14a carrying the clip 3a can be provided with a latch releasing member similar to the latch releasing member 142b, and the operation of placing the clip immediately above the cable holder can also be configured to release the latch. . However, in this case, the two core wires are inserted into the mechanical splice substantially simultaneously so that the core wires of the two drop cables are positioned in the approximate center in the longitudinal direction of the mechanical splice. It is desirable to create a defined amount of deflection. Alternatively, after the two core wires are inserted, the cable position is adjusted so that the amount of bending generated on the left and right of the mechanical splice is approximately equal so that the end of the core wire is positioned at the approximate center of the mechanical splice. It is desirable. Also in this case, a process of releasing excessive fiber bending is performed.

  In the above-described embodiment, the operation of placing the clip in the vicinity of the cable holder also serves as the release operation of the latch. However, in the second embodiment described below with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14, the mechanical splice is closed. The operation of moving the lever is substantially a clip positioning operation and a latch release operation.

  A connection structure 1 ′ according to the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 includes a base member 11 ′ that receives two drop cables 4a ′ and 4b ′ to be connected to a base 11 ′ by a hinge 121 ′. And a cover member 12 'pivotally attached. Further, the connection structure 1 'has a lever member 13' pivotally attached to the base 11 'by a hinge 131' so that the mechanical splice 2 'disposed at the approximate center of the base can be closed. In the second embodiment, the clip holding members 14a 'and 14b' for holding the clips 3a 'and 3b' for fixing the cable holders 44a 'and 44b' attached to the cables 4a 'and 4b' to the base 11 'respectively. The lever 13 'is integrally formed on both sides of the cable axis direction so that the lever operation also serves as a clip positioning operation.

  Each of the clip holding members 14a 'and 14b' guides the cores 41a 'and 41b' of the cables 4a 'and 4b' when the lever 13 'is moved to the position where the mechanical splice 2' is closed. 112a 'and 112b' have protrusions 142a 'and 142b' that can contact the respective parts. The protrusions 142a ′ and 142b ′ are provided between the lever 13 ′ and the supporting members 14a ′ and 14b ′ in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the lever. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 14, the core wire guides 112a ′ and 112b ′ are connected to the base 11 ′ so as to be displaceable in a direction substantially perpendicular to the cable longitudinal direction by connecting portions 1121a ′ and 1121b ′. The latches 114a 'and 114b' for preventing the cable holders 44a 'and 44b' from retreating are connected to the ends opposite to the connecting portions of the core wire guides 112a 'and 112b'. That is, in this embodiment, the fixed ends of the latches 114a ′ and 114b ′ are provided at the end of the latch on the center side in the cable insertion direction, and the core wire guide and the latch are integrally elastically displaced. .

  Next, the operation of the lever 13 'will be described. Even when the connection structure 1 ′ is used, the operation from the insertion of the cable core wire into the mechanical splice and the fixing of the cable holder with the latch may be the same as the case of using the connection structure 1. Next, the lever 13 'is rotated with respect to the base 11', the mechanical splice 2 'is closed, and the core wires 41a' and 41b 'are fixed in contact with each other. In this state, or by pushing the lever 13 'further into the base from this state, the protrusions 142a' and 142b 'of the clip carrying members 14a' and 14b 'push down the core guides 112a' and 112b ', respectively. Along with this, the latches 114a 'and 114b' respectively connected to the core wire guides 112a 'and 112b' are also displaced downward. That is, the protrusions 142a ′ and 142b ′ indirectly displace the latches 114a ′ and 114b ′ downward. As a result, the engagement between the cable holders 44a 'and 44b' and the latches 114a 'and 114b' is released, and the cable holders 44a 'and 44b' are respectively mechanically spliced 2 'by the restoring force of the cores 41a' and 41b '. Move away from the cable axis. In this way, by integrally configuring the core wire guide and the latch, the latch can be easily released by a lever operation. Note that as a modification of the present embodiment, the protrusions can be arranged near the outer end portion of the carrying member. In this case, the projection can be configured to push down the outer tip of the cable holder guide or the latch.

  Next, the cables 4a 'and 4b' are fixed to the base 11 'by pushing the clips 3a' and 3b 'toward the cable holders 44a' and 44b ', respectively. In this embodiment, since the lever operation substantially serves as both the clip positioning operation and the latch release operation, the number of man-hours for the operator can be reduced, and a procedure error can be reduced. Finally, the cover 12 'is rotated and fixed to the base 11' to complete the connection structure 1 '. In this case as well, a projecting object (not shown) or the like configured to push the clips 3a 'and 3b' when the cover 12 'rotates is provided inside the cover 12' (toward the base). It is possible to perform the pushing operation of the clip and the closing operation by the cover at substantially the same time.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the case where the cable holder is attached and connected to the drop cable has been described. However, the cable holder is not essential as long as the outer cover and the core wire are integrally configured. . For example, as schematically shown in FIG. 15, the cable 4 is inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction of the base (not shown) by increasing the reaction force of the latch 114, and the cable 4 is connected to the flange portion 115 or the latch 114. By making contact with the protruding portion 1142 or the like, a necessary frictional force can be generated to hold the cable and maintain the bending of the core wire. Alternatively, the protrusion tip shape of the latch may be sharply configured, and the tip may abut against the cable jacket to lock the cable.

  In another configuration, as schematically shown in FIG. 16, at least one of the mutually facing surfaces of the cable guide 113 is provided with one or more saw blade-like projections 1131, thereby elastically connecting the cable 4. May be gripped. In this case, the cable guide 113 can be configured to be elastically displaceable with the lower end of the cable guide 113 or one end inside or outside in the core wire insertion direction as a fulcrum. Then, when the clip carrying member is rotated, an engagement releasing portion 142 that widens the distance between the opposing surfaces of the cable guide can be provided to release the bending of the core wire 41. In addition, when a cable does not have a cable holder, the opposing space | interval of the fixed blade of a clip is set so that it may act with respect to the jacket of a cable.

It is a perspective view showing a 1st embodiment of a connection structure concerning the present invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the drop cable which can be connected by a connection structure. It is a figure which shows the state which has arrange | positioned the 1st drop cable to the connection structure of FIG. It is a figure which shows the state which has arrange | positioned the clip in the vicinity of the 1st drop cable. It is a figure which shows the state which pushed in the clip and fixed the 1st drop cable. It is a figure which shows the state which has arrange | positioned the 2nd drop cable to the connection structure. (A) It is an axial direction fragmentary sectional view which shows the state before fixing a 2nd drop cable with a latch, (b) It is an axial direction fragmentary sectional view which shows the state after fixing a 2nd drop cable with a latch. is there. It is a figure which shows the state which closed the mechanical splice of the connection structure. It is a figure which shows the state which has arrange | positioned the clip in the vicinity of the 2nd drop cable. It is an axial direction fragmentary sectional view which shows the state which canceled the latch with the latch cancellation | release member of the clip holding member. It is a figure which shows the state which pushed in the clip and fixed the 2nd drop cable. It is a figure which shows the state which closed the cover and the connection structure was completed. It is a perspective view which shows 2nd Embodiment of the connection structure which concerns on this invention. It is an axial sectional view showing a state where the latch is released by pushing the lever. It is a figure which shows typically the structural example around a latch in case a cable does not have a cable holder. (A) It is a figure which shows typically the other structural example of the circumference of a latch in case a cable does not have a cable holder, (b) Engagement of the cable holder guide and cable of (a) is a disengagement part. It is a figure which shows the state cancelled | released by.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Connection structure 2 Mechanical splice 3a, 3b Clip 4a, 4b Drop cable 11 Base 12 Cover 13 Lever 14a, 14b Clip support member 41a, 41b Core wire 44a, 44b Cable holder 112a, 112b Core wire guide 114a, 114b Latch 142b Latch Release member

Claims (7)

A case for housing a mechanical splice configured to connect optical fibers of two cables to each other;
Provided in the case, and configured so that at least one of the cables is engaged with the at least one cable so as not to be separated from the mechanical splice by a predetermined distance or more in the longitudinal direction of the at least one cable. Engaged portions,
An engagement release portion configured to release the engagement between the at least one cable and the engagement portion;
A clip carrying member configured to be movable with respect to the case so as to be able to position the clip member in the vicinity of the cable while carrying a clip member for fixing the cable to the case;
Have
The disengagement part is formed integrally with the clip carrying member, and when the clip member is positioned in the vicinity of the cable, the disengagement part is at least one of the engagement part and the at least one of the engagement part. Configured to disengage from the cable,
Connection structure.   The connection structure according to claim 1, further comprising a lever member movably attached to the case for closing the mechanical splice.   The connection structure according to claim 2, wherein the clip carrying member is formed integrally with the lever member.   The case includes a base member that receives the mechanical splice, and a cover member that is movably attached to the base member and forms a closing body in cooperation with the base member. The connection structure according to any one of the above.   The cover member is configured to project the clip member toward the cable when the cover member moves toward the base member to form a closing body in cooperation with the base member. The connection structure according to claim 4, further comprising an object.   The predetermined distance is defined such that an optical fiber of the at least one cable is held in a state having a predetermined amount of bending between the mechanical splice and the engaging portion. The connection structure according to any one of 1 to 5.   The connection structure according to claim 1, wherein the engagement portion engages with a cable holder attached to the cable.

Images