OPTICAL TERMINAL BOX FOR DISTRIBUTING OPTICAL POWER

Abstract

The box has a cover (2) and a base (1) with internal supports (25) positioning the optical fibers of splitters circumferentially; a support (24a/24b) for an unbalanced optical splitter (242) and a support (24a/24b) for a balanced optical splitter (241); and a support (26) for a set (23) of optical adapters for connectors (230) of optical cables, comprising an adapter for an optical signal input, an adapter for re-distributing the optical signal, and adapters for feeding the optical signal to a consumer unit, in which the unbalanced splitter (242) is fed by the optical signal input connector generating: an optical signal of greater power, feeding the optical signal redistribution connector; an optical signal of lesser power feeding the balanced optical splitter (241) that orients the split optical signals to the supply connectors of a consumer unit.

Claims

1. An optical termination box for optical power distribution comprising a base (1) and a cover (2) that can be fitted, wherein, when the base (1) and the cover (2) are fitted, an access to an interior of the box is made unfeasible, the base (1) comprising internal supports (25) for positioning the fiber optics of splitters circumferentially over the base, forming a single circumferential bundle of fibers; a support (24a/24b) for unbalanced optical splitter (242), and a support (24a/24b) for balanced optical splitter (241) positioned on opposite sides of the base (1); and a support (26) for a set (23) of optical adapters that make connections with connectors (230) of optical cables positioned in the lower portion of the base (1), comprising an adapter for optical signal input, an adapter for optical signal redistribution, and at least two adapters for feeding an optical signal to a consumer unit, wherein the unbalanced splitter (242) is fed by the optical signal input connector generating: a higher power optical signal, feeding the optical signal redistribution connector; and a lower power optical signal feeding the balanced optical splitter (241), and wherein the balanced optical splitter (241) is adapted to equally split the optical signal received from the unbalanced optical splitter (242), and direct the split optical signals to the at least two optical signal feeding connectors to a consumer unit.

2. The optical termination box according to claim 1, wherein the set (23) of optical adapters that make the connection with connectors (230) of optical cables comprises ten optical adapters (230), which are: one for the optical signal input, one for the optical signal redistribution, and eight for feeding an optical signal to a consumer unit.

3. The optical termination box according to claim 1, wherein the base (1) and the cover (2) comprise a snap-fit system, wherein the base (1) comprises three toothed fins (11) on each side adapted to snap-fit into three fitting corresponding grooves (21) on each inner side of the cover (2).

4. The optical termination box according to claim 1, further comprising, a central locking system, wherein the base (1) comprises a central projection (12) with a through hole and the cover (2) comprises a central projection (22) with inner thread, wherein the through hole and the inner thread are aligned, wherein a screw is adapted to exert a locking pressure between the base (1) and the cover.

5. The optical termination box according to claim 1, wherein internal supports (25) of splitter fiber optics of base (1) are composed of at least one of an inverted “L” support, a horizontal clamp, a hook-shaped support, a flat barrier, or a curved barrier.

6. The optical termination box according to claim 1, wherein each support (24a/24b) for an optical splitter (241/242) comprises a fixed bulkhead (24b) and a spring element (24a), wherein the spring element (24a) is adapted to press the optical splitter (24a/24b) against the fixed bulkhead (24b).

7. The optical termination box according to claim 1, wherein the cover (2) comprises means for attaching the optical termination box to a bulkhead, wherein the cover (2) is provided with two side tabs (20) for attaching with holes.

8. The optical termination box according to claim 1, wherein the optical termination box, is made of reinforced polymeric material.

9. The optical termination box according to claim 1, further comprising a mobile cable anchor (3), detached from the main body, comprising: means (30) for anchoring each optical cable connected to each optical cable connector from the optical termination box; and means for attaching (31) the anchor (3) to a bulkhead, wherein the mobile cable anchor (3) is positioned aligned or misaligned with respect to the main body.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0021] The detailed description presented below refers to the attached figures and their respective reference numbers.

[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates a front perspective view of an optional configuration of the optical termination box for optical power distribution assembled of the present utility model.

[0023] FIG. 2 illustrates a rear perspective view of an optional optical termination box configuration for mounted optical power distribution.

[0024] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the base of the optical termination box of FIG. 1, according to an optional configuration of the present utility model.

[0025] FIG. 4 illustrates a front view of the base of the optical termination box of FIG. 1, according to an optional configuration of the present utility model.

[0026] FIG. 5 illustrates a lower perspective view of the base of the optical termination box of FIG. 1, according to an optional configuration of the present utility model.

[0027] FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of the base of the optical termination box of FIG. 3, wherein its main elements are positioned.

[0028] FIG. 7 illustrates a front view of the base of the optical termination box of FIG. 3, wherein its main elements are positioned.

[0029] FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of the cover of the optical termination box of FIG. 1, according to an optional configuration of the present utility model.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE UTILITY MODEL

[0030] Preliminarily, it should be emphasized that the description that follows will start from a preferred embodiment of the utility model. As will be apparent to any technician skilled on the subject, however, the utility model is not limited to that particular embodiment.

[0031] As described above, the description that follows will be based on the figures presented and attached to this specification. Thus, the entire description will be supported by such figures, so that, whenever possible, it will be indicated which figure best enables the visualization of each presented feature.

[0032] More broadly, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the utility model is directed to an optical termination box for optical power distribution comprising a base 1 and a cover 2 that can be fitted, wherein, when the base 1 and the cover 2 are fitted, the access to the inside of the box is made unfeasible.

[0033] The following description can be better observed based on FIGS. 3 to 7, which illustrate different views of the base element 1 of the claimed optical termination box. The utility model also provides for the base 1 to comprise supports 25 to position fiber optics circumferentially over the base 1, forming a single circumferential bundle.

[0034] The base 1 further comprises a support 24a/24b for unbalanced optical splitter 242, and a support 24a/24b for balanced optical splitter 241 positioned on opposite sides of the base 1. Thus, each optical splitter 241/242 is positioned in a side of the device facilitating the distribution of cables inside the distribution box.

[0035] In addition, the base 1 also comprises a support 26 for a set 23 of optical adapters that connect to optical cable connectors 230 positioned in their lower portion, comprising an adapter for optical signal input, an adapter for redistribution of an optical signal, and at least two adapters for feeding the optical signal to a consumer unit.

[0036] Thus, the optical termination box is fed by the optical signal input connector and the optical signal is internally split, so that a part of this optical signal is redirected to a subsequent optical termination box by the optical signal redistribution connector, and the other part is directed to the consumer units by the optical signal feeding connectors on the consumer unit.

[0037] It should be emphasized herein that the number of optical signal feeding connectors to a consumer unit may vary, and two connectors are provided at the very least. The optional configuration illustrated in the figures provides for the use of 8 of these connectors and adapters. However, this number will vary according to each application, so this feature does not represent a limitation to the scope of the utility model.

[0038] The detailed operation of the optical termination box is as follows: the unbalanced optical splitter is fed by the optical signal input connector, generating: a higher power optical signal, feeding the optical signal redistribution connector; and a lower power optical signal feeding the balanced optical splitter.

[0039] In turn, the balanced optical splitter is adapted to equally divide the optical signal received from the unbalanced optical splitter, and direct the split optical signals to the at least two optical signal feeding connectors to a consumer unit. As already described, more than two optical signal feeding connectors to a consumer unit can be adopted; so, preferably, eight are adopted.

[0040] In order for the cover 2 and the base 1 to fit perfectly, it is optionally provided for that the base 1 and the cover 2 comprise a snap-fit system, wherein the base 1 comprises three toothed fins 11 on each side that snap-fit into three corresponding fitting grooves 21 on each inner side of the cover.

[0041] Thus, after assembling the internal elements of the optical termination box on the base, the user simply fits the cover 2 over the base 1, exerting pressure until each toothed fin 11 fits into the respective fitting groove 21, locking the two elements and protecting their interior.

[0042] Optionally, a central screw locking system is also provided for, wherein the base 1 comprises a central projection 12 with a through hole and the cover 2 comprises a central projection 22 with inner thread, wherein the hole and the inner threads are aligned so that a screw exerts a locking pressure between the base 1 and the cover.

[0043] Thus, the utility model as now disclosed provides, in an innovative way, an optical termination box that can be completely sealed, so that there is no need to open the product to carry out optical splices, avoiding internal access for the installation team and providing evidence if the product is tampered with.

[0044] Regarding the optical cable supports 25 of the base, it is emphasized that a series of supports 25 can be adopted, among them, inverted “L” supports, horizontal clamps, hook-shaped supports, and flat or curved barriers. It is important to point out that the type and quantity of adopted supports 25 can vary, as long as the substantially circumferential shape of the fibers is maintained. Thus, this feature does not represent a limitation to the scope of the utility model.

[0045] Optionally, each support 24a/24b for optical splitter 241/242 is composed of a fixed bulkhead 24b and a spring element 24a, wherein the spring element 24a is adapted to press the optical splitter 241/242 against the fixed bulkhead 24b. Other ways of attaching the optical splitter 241/242 can be adopted, such as clamp elements or any other snap-fittings, so that this does not represent a limitation to the scope of the utility model.

[0046] As already described, optionally the set 23 of optical adapters 230 for connection to optical cable connectors comprises a total of ten adapters 230 of optical cable connectors, wherein the same are arranged in two rows with five optical adapters 230 each.

[0047] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 8, it is observed that, optionally, the cover 2 is provided with means for attaching the optical termination box to a bulkhead (usually a wall). In the illustrated configuration, the cover 2 is provided with two side tabs (20) for attachment with holes.

[0048] Optionally, all elements of the optical termination box are made of reinforced polymeric material. However, other materials can be adopted for their manufacture, so this does not represent a limitation on the scope of the utility model.

[0049] Optionally, the utility model also provides for the adoption of a mobile cable anchor 3, detached from the main body, comprising means 31 for anchoring each optical cable connected to each optical cable connector of the optical termination box, and comprising means of attachment 31 of the anchor to a bulkhead, wherein the detached cable anchor 3 can be positioned in an aligned or misaligned way with respect to the assembly.

[0050] Thus, the mobile cable anchor 3 allows the cables to be anchored at different angles as long as the minimum bending radius of the cable is respected. In addition, it can be used beside or below the box, if there is space within the distribution board of the place where it is applied.

[0051] In addition, the main objective of the utility model is achieved, since the optical termination box allows that, from the arrival in the building of a cable of only one fiber (distribution cable), it is possible to make the service of several consumer units without the obligation to have an interconnection box on each floor to carry out distribution. This function is possible due to the optical split ratio of the connectorized optical splitters that are encapsulated in the product.

[0052] In addition, the optical termination box enables a complete installation in a building without the need for fusion. So that all connections are made by field connectorization.

[0053] Thus, for the application of the product, the employee only needs to connect the outer cables to the apparatus, which greatly speeds up the operator's activity, generating great savings for the activity.

[0054] An additional advantage achieved by the box described herein refers to the compact dimension that allows its installation in ducts of small dimension and in congested ducts of buildings, in addition to having a support for mobile anchoring 3 of internal building cables to be used when necessary and be made in a sealed manner to prevent undue internal access.

[0055] Numerous variations within the scope of protection of the present application are allowed. Accordingly, it reinforces the fact that the present utility model is not limited to the particular configurations and embodiments described above.