WO2017021116A1

WO2017021116A1 - Fiber management system

Info

Publication number: WO2017021116A1
Application number: PCT/EP2016/066635
Authority: WO
Inventors: Adrian BOOS; Martin Michael Strasser
Original assignee: Huber+Suhner Ag
Priority date: 2015-07-31
Filing date: 2016-07-13
Publication date: 2017-02-09

Abstract

The invention is directed to a fiber management system (1) comprising a first rack (2) having a first depth L1 and comprising a first tray (4) with first connection means (5) for connecting of at least one cassette (10). The fiber management system further comprises a second rack (6) having a second depth L2, which is less then the depth of the first rack and comprising a second tray (8) with second connecting means (9) for connecting of at least one cassette (10). A cassette (10) comprises third connecting means (11) which are compatible to the first and the second connecting means (5, 9), such that the cassette (10) can be connected alternatively to the first or to the second connecting means (5, 9).

Description

FIBER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a fiber management system and a cassette for such a fiber management system according to the preamble of the independent patent claims.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

On the market several fiber management systems are known which address either standard 1 9" solutions or wall mounted solutions. Each of these systems requires a specific cassette for the management of the fibers. This results in additional expenditure regarding the logistics and expenses.

US201 330891 5 was first published in 201 2 in the name of Corning Cable Systems LLC. It describes a port tap fiber optic module and a related system for monitoring optical networks. The port tap fiber optic module includes connections that employ a universal wiring scheme. The universal wiring scheme ensures compatibility of attached monitor devices to permit a high density of both live and tap fiber optic connections and to maintain proper polarity of optical fibers among monitor devices and other devices. In other embodiments, the port tap fiber optic modules are provided as high-density port tap fiber optic modules. The high- density port tap fiber optic modules are configured to support a specified density of live and passive tap fiber optic connections. Providing high-density port tap fiber optic modules can support greater connection bandwidth capacity to provide a migration path for higher data rates while minimizing the space needed for such fiber optic equipment.

US201 0322582 was first published in 201 0 in the name of Corning Cable Systems LLC. It describes a fiber optic apparatus for use with components for managing data. The fiber optic apparatus comprises fiber optic equipment configured to provide optical connectivity for the transmission of data over optical fiber between at least two components. The fiber optic equipment supports the transmission of at least about 7300 terabytes of data per forty-two U shelf spaces. The at least 7300 terabytes of data is the data managing capacity of the at least two components. One of the at least two components may be a data storage facility, a server or a switch . The fiber optic equipment may be mounted in a fiber optic equipment rack in a data center which may be configured to occupy between about 3.20 and about 3.76 square feet of floor space of the data center.

US838571 0 was first published in 201 1 in the name of Panduit Corp. It describes a fiber tray for managing and organizing fiber distribution . The fiber tray includes a housing and a drawer received in the housing . The housing is secured to an equipment rack. The housing includes inner sides with a glide mechanism extending the length of each inner side. The glide mechanism includes a first end and a second end . The glide mechanism also includes at least one curved path located at one of the first end and the second end. The drawer includes a bottom, a first side, a second side, a front and a back. The first and second sides of the drawer have a pin. The pins extending from the sides of the drawer slide within the glide mechanism to enable the drawer to be retracted, extended or removed from the housing.

US6647197B was first published in 2003 in the name of Panduit Corp. It describes a latch and guide rail arrangement that facilitates the insertion and removal of a module into and from a cable management system. This arrangement includes a latch arm assembly provided on a module and a guide rail assembly provided within an enclosure. As the module is inserted into the enclosure, the latch arms of the latch arm assembly mate with the guide rail assembly to engage the module with the enclosure. To remove the module from the enclosure, the latch arms are acted upon to release the arms from their mating relationship with the guides. The latch assembly is provided within the module itself.

W0141 73896A1 was published 201 4 in the name of Tyco Electronics. It is directed to a universal mounting mechanism for mounting a telecommunication chassis to a telecommunication fixture. It includes a mounting bracket defining a rear portion for mounting to the fixture and a front portion for slidably receiving the chassis. The front portion including a latch opening . A locking spring is configured for mounting to the chassis, the spring configured to flex laterally to snap into the latch opening. A release handle is configured to be slidably mounted to the chassis, the release handle defining a deflection tab for moving the locking spring out of the latch opening when the handle is slid . One difficulty of the rack systems from the prior art is that when the cassettes need to be changed, each rack type (e.g . 1 9" as well as wall mounted racks or racks which have a depth of 300mm) require different types of cassettes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to simplify the handling namely of fiber optic rack systems, especially when different types and sizes of racks are required .

One problem which occurs today is that with today's solutions, different cassettes for a 1 9" standard rack solution as well as for e.g. a wall mounted rack system (CDR) need to be maintained and stocked separately because the cassettes are not the same. One reason is that it has to be taken care of the minimum bend radius of the optical fibers.

For the two different racks, e.g. standard 1 9" and wall mounted racks, different chassis are still needed, but the cassettes (except splicing cassette) are the same. This is achieved in that the design of the guiding of the cables allows to feed them from one side at the front to the back of the cassette and from the front of the cassette to the side (still at the front) and still allow to slide the cassette out for modifications. For this the cassette is especially short but still assures the minimum bending radiuses required to assure the performance of the fiber optic cables. A fiber management system according to the invention normally comprises a first rack having a first depth and comprising a first tray with first connection means for connecting of at least one cassette and a second rack having a second depth which is less then the depth of the first rack and comprising a second tray with 5 second connecting means for connecting of at least one cassette. Furthermore it comprises patch cassette (cassette) for fiber optical connections, said cassette comprising third connecting means which are compatible to the first and the second connecting means, such that the cassette can be interconnected alternatively to the first or to the second connecting means of the first or the second rack. i o Depending on the embodiment, the first connecting means and the third connecting means can be interconnected to and/or disconnected from each other in two different ways. Alternatively or in addition, the second and the third connecting means can be interconnected to and/or disconnected from each other in two different ways. Good results are achieved when in a first way the cassette is linear

1 5 inserted in a tray of one of the racks and when in a second way the cassette is latched in a tray from above. If appropriate the tray can be arranged slidable and/or tiltable with respect to the thereto related rack. Thereby, it becomes accessible from above such that the latching of the cassette from above becomes possible.

20 In a variation of the fiber management system, the length of the cassette (dimension of the cassette in depth direction of the rack when mounted in the rack) is less then 50% of the depth of the second rack. Thereby, it can be achieved that the optical fibers are fully operable. In an example, the depth of the rack is 300 mm and the length of the cassette (enclosure without optical inserts) is less then 1 50 mm, namely 1 40 mm.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the follow- 5 ing detailed description present embodiments, and are intended to provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and character of the disclosure. The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding, and are incorporated into and constitute a part of this specification . The drawings illustrate various embodiments, and together with the description serve i o to explain the principles and operation of the concepts disclosed .

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The herein described invention will be more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings which should not be considered limiting to the invention described in the appended claims. The 1 5 drawings are showing :

Fig . 1 A fiber management system comprising a first rack and a second rack shown in a perspective manner from the front and above;

Fig . 2 A first variation of a cassette;

Fig . 3 A second variation of a cassette; Fig . 4 A first variation of a first sub-rack;

Fig . 5 A second variation of a first sub-rack;

Fig . 6 A variation of a second sub-rack.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIME TS

5 Reference will now be made in detail to certain embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all features are shown . Indeed, embodiments disclosed herein may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy i o applicable legal requirements. Whenever possible, like reference numbers will be used to refer to like components or parts.

Figure 1 shows a fiber management system 1 according to the invention in a perspective manner. The fiber management system 1 comprises a first rack 2 having a first depth L1 and comprising a first sub-rack 3 with a first tray 4 with first con- 1 5 nection means 5 for connecting of a cassette 1 0. The fiber management system 1 further comprises a second rack 6 having a second depth L2 which is less then the depth of the first rack 2 and which comprises a second sub-rack 7 with a second tray 8 with second connecting means 9 for connecting of at least one cassette 1 0. Different types of cassettes 1 0 can be used, e.g. a patch cassette, or a splice cas- sette, or a transition cassette, or a double transition cassette having about the double width compared to a normal transition cassette.

The depth L1 of the first rack 2 is significantly deeper then the depth L2 of the second rack 6. The depth L1 of the first rack 2 is normally in the range of 600 mm 5 to 900 mm or any other appropriate dimension . The depth L2 of the second rack 6 is in the shown embodiment in the range of 300 mm. One advantage of this embodiment is that it can e.g . be mounted on a wall or arranged transverse to a first rack 2 in a space saving manner. Both the first and the second rack 2, 6 are having a similar width (dimension in y-direction) . The first and the second rack 2, i o 6 each comprise a front door 1 2 by which the first and the second trays 4, 8 can be accessed from the front. The first rack 4 may comprise a rear door 1 3 by which the first tray 4 can be accessed from the rear side.

In the first and in the second rack 2, 6 several first and second sub-racks 3 , 7 can be arranged, each comprising one or several first, respectively second trays 4, 8 1 5 as described hereinafter. The sub-racks 3, 7 are normally attached to rails 1 4 arranged in vertical direction (z-direction) in the racks 2, 6.

Figure 2 is showing a first type of a cassette 1 0 in a perspective view. Figure 3 is showing a second type of cassette 1 0 in a perspective view, here a double transition cassette) . Each cassette 1 0 comprises a housing 1 5 which can be closed by a 20 cover 1 6. At the front, the cassette 1 0 comprises one or several openings 1 7 to receive (optical) connectors 1 8 (only one shown ) . Depending on the type ( patch cassette and/or splice cassette and/or transition cassette and/or double transition cassette), the cassette 1 0 comprises at its rear end also at least one opening

I 7 for a connector 1 8 or has a different design.

As visible in Figures 2 and 3 the cassettes 1 0 comprise third connecting means

I I which are arranged at their sidewalls . The third connecting means 1 1 comprise a protruding edge 20 which extends along the side wall 1 9 in depth direction (x-direction) of the cassette 1 0. Near the rear end, the housing 1 5 comprises on both sides a recess 2 1 which results from a constriction of the housing 1 5 in this region. Along each recess 2 1 a clip 22 is arranged which comprises a nose 23. In the shown embodiments the protruding edge 20 extends along the clips 22 after an interrupt 24. The protruding edges 20 form part of linear guiding means which allow to displace the cassette 1 0 with respect to the first and/or the second connecting means 5, 9 in linear direction. Each clip 22 comprises at its free end a handle 25, which in x-direction protrudes above the housing 1 5. By pressing the handles 25 together, the noses 23 can be disengaged when engaged e.g . with first or second connecting means 5, 9. The third connecting means 1 1 comprise a stop 26 arranged opposite to the corresponding locking nose 23. Wherein the protruding edge 20 serves as a linear guiding means in x-direction, the nose 23 and the opposite stop 26 prevent unwanted displacement of the cassette 1 0 in x- direction and is appropriate y-direction.

The third connecting means 1 1 arranged at the cassette 1 0 are compatible to the first and the second connecting means 5, 9, such that the cassette 1 0 can be connected alternatively to the first or to the second connecting means 5, 9 arranged in the first or the second rack 2, 6.

Figures 4 is showing a variation of a first sub-rack 3 in a perspective view. The shown variation has a height of one rack unit and is suitable to be mounted in a 5 first rack 2 as shown in Figure 1 . Figure 5 is showing a second variation of a first sub-rack 3 in a perspective view. The second variation has a height of four rack units and is also suitable to be mounted in a first rack 2 as shown in Figure 1 . Each sub-rack 3 at least one first tray 4 which is suitable to receive two cassettes 1 0 arranged next to each other. The trays 4 are arranged slidable with respect to i o the first sub-rack 4 such that they can be pulled out into an outward position . In the outward position, the cassettes 1 0 can be inserted into or removed from the trays in a vertical direction (z-direction) . When inserting or removing, the cassettes 1 0 may be tilted around their transversal direction (y-direction) , such that the third connecting means 1 1 can mate with the first connecting means 5 ar-

1 5 ranged at the first tray 4.

When the first tray 4 is in the first sub-rack 3 , the cassettes can be removed from the first tray from the rear side of the sub-rack 3 by pressing the handles . Therefore, the handles 25 are pressed together until the noses 23 disengage from their corresponding counter parts of the first connecting means 5. Then the cassettes 20 1 0 can be pulled out of their first tray 4 in a rearward direction. Thereby, the protruding edge 20 glides in a corresponding notch 27 of the first connecting means 5. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the Spirit and scope of the invention.

Figure 6 is showing a second sub-rack 7 suitable to inserted into a second rack 6 5 as shown in Figure 1 . The second sub-rack 7 comprises several second trays 8, which can be slid with respect to a tray-housing of the second sub-rack 7 between (in x-direction ) an inward position and an outward position. The second tray 8 is foreseen to receive two cassettes 1 0 arranged next to each other and oriented in the direction of depth of the second sub-rack 7, respectively the sec- i o ond rack 6 (x-direction) . It comprises second connecting means 9 which are foreseen to mate with the third connecting means 1 1 of a cassette 1 0. The inserting of a cassette 1 0 is schematically indicated by dotted lines 28. First at least one nose 23 is inserted into corresponding recesses 29 arranged at the second tray 8. Therefore, the cassette 1 0 is normally slightly tilted as shown. After the at least

1 5 one nose 23 is inserted into the recess 29, at least one stop 26 is pressed down behind an undercut formed by a flexible switch 30. As it can be seen, the second sub-rack 7 offers full access from the front. This means that patch cables 3 1 can be interconnected to the cassette 1 0 from the front and from the back. The second tray 8 comprises on each side a cable conduit 32 for the patch cables 3 1 (on-

20 ly one shown ) running to the front of the cassette 1 0. The cable conduits 32 are shaped such that the second tray 8 can be slid in and out without causing harm to the patch cables 3 1 . As it can be seen, the patch cables 3 1 running to the front are arranged in an S-shape. LIST OF DESIGNATIONS

L1 Depth first rack 18 Connector (cassette)

L2 Depth second rack 19 Side wall (cassette)

1 Fiber management system 20 Protruding edge (third con^¬

5 2 First rack necting means)

3 First sub-rack 25 21 Recess (housing)

4 First tray 22 Clip

5 First connecting means 23 Nose

6 Second rack 24 Interrupt (protruding edge)

10 7 Second sub-rack 25 Handle

8 Second tray 30 26 Stop (protruding edge)

9 Second connecting means 27 Notch (first connecting

10 Cassette means)

11 Third connecting means 28 Dotted line (inserting of cas^¬

15 12 Front door sette)

13 Rear door 35 29 Recess (for nose 23)

14 Rail 30 Flexible switch (second con^¬

15 Housing (cassette) necting means)

16 Cover (cassette) 31 Patch cable

20 17 Opening (cassette) 32 Cable conduit

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

1. Fiber management system ( 1 ) comprising a. a first rack (2) having a first depth (L1 ) and comprising a first tray (4) with first connection means (5) for connecting of at least one cassette (10), b. a second rack (6) having a second depth (L2) which is less then the first depth (L1 ) of the first rack (2) and comprising a second tray (8) with second connecting means (9) for connecting of at least one cassette (10), and c. a cassette (10) comprising third connecting means ( 11 ) which are compatible to the first and the second connecting means (5, 9), such that the cassette (10) can be connected alternatively to the first or to the second connecting means (5, 9).

2. The fiber management system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the first connecting means (5) and the third connecting means (11) are intercon- nectable to each other in two different ways.

3. The fiber management system (1 ) according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the second and the third connecting means (9, 11) are interconnectable to each other in two different ways.

4. The fiber management system ( 1 ) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein a first way is by linear inserting the cassette (10) in a tray (2, 6).

5. The fiber management system ( 1 ) according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein a second way is by latching the cassette in a tray (2, 6) from above.

6. The fiber management system (1 ) according to one of the previous claims, wherein the length of the cassette (10) is less then 50% of the second depth (L2) of the second rack (6).

7. Cassette (10) comprising third connection means (11) compatible to the first connection means (5) of the first rack (2) and the second connection means (9) of the second rack (6).

8. Cassette (10) according to claim 7, wherein the cassette (10) is a patch cassette and/or a splice cassette and/or a transition cassette.