JP2003114339A - Fiber take-up storage reel and fiber take-up storage method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fiber take-up and storage reel and a take-up and storage method capable of improving workability in winding up extra length fiber and avoiding damage to the extra length fiber in winding up operation. provide. SOLUTION: In a fiber take-up and storage method in which a surplus fiber 34 coming out of a tail cable 15 is wound around a take-up reel 32 and the wound extra-length fiber 34 is housed in a take-up reel housing 31. The take-up reel storage unit 31 is engaged with the pin 33 so as to be able to be stored in the storage unit 31a and can be taken out, and is rotated to wind the extra length fiber 34 outside the storage unit 31a. The take-up reel 32 is wound around the take-up reel 32 and the extra length fiber 34 is wound up, and is stored in the storage section 31 a of the take-up reel storage section 31.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a fiber take-up and storage reel for winding an extra-length fiber (optical fiber) that comes out of a tail cable fixed to an end face plate of a pressure casing constituting an optical submarine repeater, and The present invention relates to a fiber winding and storing method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing the structure of a general optical submarine repeater, which is described in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-205375.

In FIGS. 4A and 4B, 1 is a pressure housing, 2 is a coupler, 3 is an optical fiber, 4 is a repeater circuit,
Reference numeral 5 denotes a heat dissipation / buffer structure. In the pressure housing 1, the end plates 12 are fitted to both ends of the cylinder 11, and the entire circumference of the fitting part is welded to form a hermetically sealed structure. The repeater circuit 4 is accommodated via. Reference numeral 13 denotes a feedthrough which hermetically penetrates the end plate 12, 14 denotes a fiber guide structure inserted in the feedthrough 13, and 1
Reference numeral 5 denotes a tail cable that connects the coupler 2 portion and the feedthrough 13, and the tail cable 15 is a water pressure resistant pipe that also serves as a power supply line and accommodates a plurality of optical fibers.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a conventional method for winding an extra length fiber, (a) is a plan view showing a fiber winding and storing reel for winding an extra length fiber, (b).
Is a sectional view of (a), and (c) is an end face plate 12 of the optical submarine repeater.
FIG. 7 is a structural diagram showing a completed assembly state before fitting the to the cylinder 11. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a fiber guide structure, in which a plurality of optical fibers 3 are hermetically sealed in a metal structure with a glass sealing portion 19 and inserted into the feedthrough 13 shown in FIG. The pressure housing 1 has a closed structure. For assembly, as shown in FIG.
The feedthrough 13 and the tail cable 15 are hermetically introduced into the optical fiber 3, the optical fiber 3 of the fiber guide structure 14 shown in FIG. 6 is inserted into the tail cable 15, and the fiber guide structure 14 is further inserted into the feedthrough 13. After curling the tail cable 15, the tail tip 21 attached to the end of the tail cable 15 is attached to the fiber take-up storage reel 22, and the surplus fiber 23 that has come out of the tail cable 15 is fed to the tail cable 15 as shown in FIGS. 5), the winding portion 22b provided by forming the groove 22a in the fiber winding and storing reel 22 is wound while being pressed by the rubber plug 24, and as shown in FIG. Is fixed to the end face plate 12 by the post 6.

Further, the optical fiber 3 extending from the fiber guide structure 14 to the inside of the end face plate 12 is connected to the repeater circuit 4, and the feeder line (water pressure resistant pipe) of the tail cable 15 and the repeater circuit 4 are connected. Connect electrically.

After that, in order to prevent seawater from entering the inside of the pressure housing 1 and to prevent moisture in the relay circuit 4, the fitting portion between the end plate 12 and the cylinder 11 is welded and hermetically sealed.

[0007]

In the winding of the extra length fiber using the above-mentioned conventional fiber winding and storing reel, several extra lengths are provided in the winding portion provided by the groove formation in the fiber winding and storing reel. There is a problem that the workability is very poor since the extra length of the wound fiber is wound every time the fiber is wound once while being wound with a rubber stopper to prevent it from protruding from the groove.

Further, when the rubber stopper is pressed, the extra length of fiber wound on the side wall surface of the take-up portion rubs, so that there is a problem that the optical fiber is easily damaged.

The present invention solves the above problems, improves the workability in winding the extra fiber, and avoids damage to the extra fiber in the winding operation. A reel and a method for winding and storing a fiber are provided.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A fiber take-up and storage reel according to the present invention has a fiber guide structure in a feedthrough which is hermetically fixed to an end face plate of a pressure housing and a tail cable which is fixed to the feedthrough. In a fiber winding storage reel for binding and inserting a plurality of optical fibers sealed to the body, winding up and storing the extra length fibers of the plurality of optical fibers pulled out from the tail cable,
The fiber take-up and storage reel includes a take-up reel for winding the extra-length fiber and a take-up reel storage section for storing the take-up reel. The take-up reel and the take-up reel storage section are engaging sections. The take-up reels are connected to each other and are engaged with the take-up reel accommodating portions by the engaging portions so that the take-up reels can be accommodated inside the take-up reel accommodating portion and can be taken out to the outside. It is a thing.

Further, the take-up reel is accommodated inside the accommodating portion and taken out to the outside by rotating at the engaging portion.

Further, the take-up reel is provided with a take-up portion and a collar on both sides of the take-up portion.

Further, at least one of the collars is provided so as to be attachable to and detachable from the take-up reel.

Further, the take-up reel is such that a groove having a curvature capable of accommodating an extra length fiber having a diameter in which a plurality of optical fibers are bundled is threaded on the peripheral surface of the take-up portion.

[0015] Further, a fixing means for fixing the accommodated take-up reel to the take-up reel accommodating portion is provided.

In the fiber winding and storing method according to the present invention, the fiber guide structure is sealed in the feedthrough which is hermetically fixed to the end face plate of the pressure housing and the tail cable which is fixed to the feedthrough. In the fiber winding and storing method, the plurality of optical fibers are bundled and inserted, and the extra length fibers of the plurality of optical fibers pulled out from the tail cable are stored in a fiber winding and storing section by winding and storing. The fiber take-up storage unit is configured by a take-up reel that winds the extra length fiber and a take-up reel storage unit that stores the take-up reel, and the take-up reel and the take-up reel storage unit are engaging portions. The take-up reel is connected to the take-up reel accommodating portion by the engaging portion so that the take-up reel can be accommodated inside the take-up reel accommodating portion and can be taken out to the outside. Is intended for accommodating the take-up reel outside the excess length fiber housing portion winding in the take-up reel, the take-up reel winding the 該余 length fibers inside said take-up reel accommodating section.

The take-up reel is rotatably engaged with the engaging portion of the take-up reel accommodating portion, and is rotated to be accommodated inside the accommodating portion and taken out of the accommodating portion. is there.

Further, the take-up reel is provided with a take-up portion and collars on both sides of the take-up portion.

Further, at least one of the collars is provided so as to be attachable to and detachable from the take-up reel.

Further, the take-up reel has a groove on the peripheral surface of the take-up portion, the groove having a curvature capable of accommodating an extra length fiber having a diameter in which a plurality of optical fibers are bundled.

Further, a fixing means for fixing the accommodated take-up reel to the take-up reel accommodating portion is provided.

[0022]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Embodiment 1. 1 is a plan view (a) and a partial cross-sectional view (b) showing a first embodiment of a fiber winding and storing reel according to the present invention. In the figure, 30 is a fiber take-up storage reel, 31 is a take-up reel storage section, the take-up reel storage section 31 has a storage section 31a in the shape of a container, and a part of the storage section 31a wall. Is provided with a take-out port 31b for taking out the tip of the extra-length fiber 34, a female screw 31c is provided at the bottom of the housing 31a, and the other part of the wall of the housing 31a is notched, and the pin 33 is fixed to the notch. Has been done. Reference numeral 36 denotes a tail tip provided at the end portion of the tail cable, which is used to fix the tail cable 15 to the take-up reel storage section 31 with a fixing screw 36a.

Reference numeral 32 is a take-up reel.
Is engaged with a pin 33 fixed to the take-up reel storage portion 31 so as to be rotatable at an engagement portion with the pin 33,
When it is rotated downward, it is stored in the storage portion 31a of the take-up reel storage portion 31, and when it is rotated upward, it stands up and is taken out of the storage portion 31a.

When the extra length fiber 34 is wound up, the take-up reel 32 is erected so as to obstruct the take-up reel 32.
By avoiding from the side wall of No. 1, the take-up reel 32
Since the extra length fiber 34 can be continuously wound in a state where there is no obstacle around the winding portion 32a, the workability at the time of winding operation is improved. Further, after the winding, it is rotated downward to be housed in the winding reel housing portion 31, so that the occupied volume of the fiber winding housing reel 30 can be reduced.

Further, by providing the inner flange 32b and the outer flange 32c on both sides of the winding portion 32a of the take-up reel 32, the extra length fiber 34 is wound between the inner flange 32b and the outer flange 32c. It is possible to prevent the protrusion 32a from protruding outside.

Further, the outer collar 32c provided on the take-up reel 32 is fixed with a collar fixing screw 32d, and the collar fixing screw 32d is fixed.
By making it possible to remove the outer flange 32c by the operation, when the extra length fiber 34 is connected to the customer's submarine cable after factory shipment, the work of taking out the extra length fiber 34 from the take-up reel 32 can be easily performed. . In this case, the inner flange 32b may be removed, or both the inner flange 32b and the outer flange 32c may be removed.

Further, when the take-up reel fixing screw 32e penetrating from the outer side flange 32c side to the inner side flange 32b side is provided and the take-up reel 32 is stored in the take-up reel storing section 31, the storing of the take-up reel storing section 31 is carried out. Female screw 31 provided on the bottom of the portion 31a
The take-up reel 32 can be fixed to the take-up reel accommodating portion 31 by screwing the fixing screw 32e to the c, and the take-up reel 32 can be kept in a stable state in the accommodating portion 31a during transportation or the like. .

As the fixing means for fixing the take-up reel 32 to the take-up reel accommodating portion 31, various means such as a clip having a spring property can be applied.

After the extra length fiber 34 is wound around the take-up reel 32 and the take-up reel 32 is fixed in the take-up reel housing 31, the extra length is taken out from the take-out port 31b. As in the prior art shown in FIG. 5, the fiber take-up storage reel 30 is fixed to the end face plate 12 by the post 6, and the optical fiber 3 that has emerged from the fiber guide structure 14 to the inside of the pressure housing 1 is used as a repeater circuit. 4 and at the same time electrically connect the power supply line (water pressure resistant pipe) of the tail cable 15 to the repeater circuit 4,
Further, in order to prevent seawater from entering the inside of the pressure housing 1 and to prevent moisture in the relay circuit 4, the fitting portion between the end face plate 12 and the cylinder 11 is welded and hermetically sealed.

Embodiment 2. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a second embodiment of the fiber take-up and storage reel according to the present invention, in which the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment indicate the same or corresponding parts.

In this embodiment, the tip of a male screw 35 that is screwed into a female screw 31b provided at the bottom of the storage portion 31a of the take-up reel storage portion 31 is engaged so that the take-up reel 32 does not rotate, and the male screw 35 is engaged. The winding reel 3 is rotated by rotating the screw 34.
2 is raised and lowered.

According to the present embodiment, by rotating the male screw 35 and pushing up the take-up reel 32 to the outside of the accommodating section 31a, the take-up reel accommodating section 31 which is an obstacle to the winding.
Since the extra length fiber 34 can be continuously wound around the winding portion 32a of the winding reel 32 without obstacles around the winding portion 32a, the workability at the time of winding operation is improved. To do. Further, after winding, the male screw 35 is reversed to store the take-up reel 32 in the storage section 31a of the take-up reel storage section 31, and the take-up reel 32 can be fixed to the take-up reel storage section 31. .

Embodiment 3. FIG. 3 is a side view showing a third embodiment of the fiber take-up storage reel according to the present invention, and shows the take-up reel 32 in an enlarged manner. In the figure, the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment indicate the same or corresponding portions.

In the present embodiment, the take-up reel 32
A groove 32f having a predetermined curvature on the peripheral surface of the take-up portion 32a.
Is threaded from the outer flange 32c to the inner flange 32b.

The curvature φD of the groove 32f differs depending on the model of the submarine repeater, but is formed so that φD> φd with respect to the diameter φd of the bundle of optical fibers (surplus length fiber 34) wound in a bundle.

In this embodiment, the extra length fiber 3 is used.
Since No. 4 is wound along the groove 32f and aligned (leveled) on the peripheral surface of the winding portion 32a, excessive bending stress does not act on a specific portion of the extra length fiber 34. In addition, it is possible to suppress the deterioration of the quality due to the damage of the optical fiber or the deterioration of the light propagation characteristics, and
The workability of the winding work is improved.

[0037]

According to the fiber take-up and storage reel according to the present invention, the fiber guide structure is provided in the feedthrough which is hermetically fixed to the end face plate of the pressure housing and the tail cable which is fixed to the feedthrough. In a fiber take-up and storage reel that bundles and inserts a plurality of sealed optical fibers, and winds and stores an extra length fiber of the plurality of optical fibers drawn out from the tail cable. The reel includes a take-up reel that winds the extra length fiber, and a take-up reel storage section that stores the take-up reel. The take-up reel and the take-up reel storage section are connected by an engaging section, and the winding is performed. The take-up reel is engaged with the take-up reel accommodating portion at the engaging portion so that the take-up reel can be accommodated inside the take-up reel accommodating portion and can be taken out to the outside. In, together with the workability can be improved when performing winding work, nor cause abrasion to the excess length fiber (optical fiber). Further, after the winding, the volume is accommodated in the take-up reel accommodating portion, so that the occupied volume of the fiber take-up accommodating reel can be reduced.

Further, since the take-up reel is housed inside the accommodating portion and taken out by rotating the engaging portion, the take-up reel can be easily accommodated in and taken out from the accommodating portion. it can.

Further, since the take-up reel is provided with the take-up portion and the collars on both sides of the take-up portion, the extra length fiber can be stably taken up without protruding from the take-up reel. .

Further, since at least one of the flanges is provided so as to be attachable to and detachable from the take-up reel, it is possible to easily take out from the take-up reel when connecting the extra length fiber to the submarine cable. it can.

The take-up reel has a groove having a curvature capable of accommodating an extra length fiber having a diameter of a plurality of optical fibers bundled on the peripheral surface of the take-up portion. Since it can be wound and aligned along the groove, it prevents excessive bending stress from acting on a specific part of the extra length fiber, and suppresses deterioration of quality due to damage of the optical fiber or deterioration of light propagation characteristics. In addition, the workability of the winding work is improved.

Further, since the take-up reel accommodated is provided with the fixing means for fixing it to the take-up reel accommodating portion, the take-up reel can be kept in a stable state in the accommodating portion.

According to the fiber winding and storing method of the present invention, the fiber guide structure is sealed in the feedthrough which is hermetically fixed to the end face plate of the pressure housing and the tail cable which is fixed to the feedthrough. In the fiber winding and storing method, the plurality of optical fibers are bundled and inserted, and the extra length fibers of the plurality of optical fibers pulled out from the tail cable are stored in a fiber winding and storing section. , The fiber take-up storage section is composed of a take-up reel for taking up the extra length fiber and a take-up reel storage section for storing the take-up reel, and the take-up reel and the take-up reel storage section are engaged with each other. So that the take-up reel can be housed inside the take-up reel storage section and can be taken out to the outside by the engaging section. The extra length fiber is wound around the take-up reel outside the take-up reel storage part, and the take-up reel having the extra-length fiber wound is stored inside the take-up reel storage part. Therefore, the workability when performing the winding operation is improved, and the surplus fiber (optical fiber) is not scratched. Further, after the winding, the volume is accommodated in the take-up reel accommodating portion, so that the occupied volume of the fiber take-up accommodating reel can be reduced.

Further, the take-up reel is rotatably engaged with the engaging portion of the take-up reel accommodating section, and is housed inside the accommodating section by being rotated and taken out from the accommodating section. Therefore, the take-up reel can be easily stored in and taken out from the storage section.

Further, since the take-up reel is provided with the take-up portion and the collars on both sides of the take-up portion, the extra length fiber can be taken up stably without protruding from the take-up reel. .

Further, since at least one of the collars is provided so as to be attachable to and detachable from the take-up reel, it is possible to easily take it out from the take-up reel when connecting the extra length fiber to the submarine cable. it can.

In the take-up reel, a groove having a curvature capable of accommodating an extra length fiber having a diameter of a plurality of optical fibers bundled is threaded on the peripheral surface of the take-up portion. Since it can be wound and aligned along the groove, it prevents excessive bending stress from acting on a specific part of the extra length fiber, and suppresses deterioration of quality due to damage of the optical fiber or deterioration of light propagation characteristics. In addition, the workability of the winding work is improved.

Further, since the take-up reel accommodated is provided with the fixing means for fixing it to the take-up reel accommodating portion, the take-up reel can be kept in a stable state in the accommodating portion.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view (a) and a partial cross-sectional view (b) showing a first embodiment of a fiber winding and storing reel according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a second embodiment of a fiber winding and storing reel according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing a third embodiment of the fiber winding and storing reel according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a general configuration of a submarine repeater.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a conventional method for winding an extra length fiber.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a fiber guide structure.

[Explanation of symbols]

30 fiber take-up storage reel, 31 take-up reel storage section, 31a storage section, 31b take-out port, 31c female screw, 32 take-up reel, 32a take-up section, 32b inner side flange, 32c outer side flange, 32d flange fixing screw, 32e
Take-up reel fixing screw, 32f groove, 33 pin, 34
Extra length fiber, 35 male thread.

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of optical fibers sealed in a fiber guide structure are bundled in a feedthrough which is hermetically fixed to an end face plate of a pressure housing and a tail cable which is fixed to the feedthrough. A fiber take-up and storage reel that winds and stores an extra length fiber of the plurality of optical fibers that is inserted and pulled out from the tail cable, wherein the fiber take-up and storage reel is a take-up reel that winds the extra length fiber. And a take-up reel accommodating section for accommodating the take-up reel, wherein the take-up reel and the take-up reel accommodating section are connected by an engaging section, and the take-up reel is inside the take-up reel accommodating section. A fiber take-up and storage reel, characterized in that the fiber take-up and storage reel is engaged with the take-up reel storage section at the engaging section so that it can be stored and can be taken out to the outside. 2. The fiber take-up and storage reel according to claim 1, wherein the take-up reel is stored inside the storage section and is taken out to the outside by rotating at the engaging section. 3. The fiber take-up storage reel according to claim 1, wherein the take-up reel includes a take-up portion and flanges on both sides of the take-up portion. 4. The fiber take-up storage reel according to claim 3, wherein at least one of the collars is provided so as to be attachable to and detachable from the take-up reel. 5. The take-up reel is characterized in that a groove having a curvature capable of accommodating an extra length fiber having a diameter in which a plurality of optical fibers are bundled is threaded on the peripheral surface of the take-up portion. The described fiber take-up storage reel. 6. The fiber take-up storage reel according to claim 1, further comprising fixing means for fixing the stored take-up reel to a take-up reel storage section. 7. A plurality of optical fibers sealed in a fiber guide structure are bound in a feedthrough fixed airtight to an end face plate of a pressure housing and a tail cable fixed to the feedthrough. In the fiber winding and storing method for storing and storing the extra length fibers of the plurality of optical fibers that are inserted and pulled out from the tail cable in the fiber winding and storing unit, the fiber winding and storing unit includes the extra length. The take-up reel for winding the fiber and a take-up reel housing section for housing the take-up reel are formed, and the take-up reel and the take-up reel housing section are connected by an engaging section, The winding reel storage section is engaged with the engaging section so that the winding reel storage section can be stored in the winding reel storage section and can be taken out of the winding reel storage section. The Kiyocho fiber winding on the take-up reel, fiber winding receiving method characterized by the take-up reel winding the 該余 length fibers housed inside said take-up reel accommodating section. 8. The take-up reel is rotatably engaged at an engaging portion of the take-up reel accommodating portion, and when the take-up reel is rotated, the take-up reel is accommodated inside the accommodating portion and taken out of the accommodating portion. The fiber winding and storing method according to claim 7, wherein 9. The fiber winding and storing method according to claim 7, wherein the winding reel comprises a winding portion and collars on both sides of the winding portion. 10. The fiber winding and storing method according to claim 9, wherein at least one of the collars is provided so as to be attachable to and detachable from the winding reel. 11. The winding reel is characterized in that a groove having a curvature capable of accommodating an extra length fiber having a diameter in which a plurality of optical fibers are bundled is threaded on the peripheral surface of the winding portion. The method for storing and winding the fiber as described. 12. The fiber winding and housing method according to claim 7, further comprising fixing means for fixing the housed winding reel in the winding reel housing portion.