High density fiber optic distribution frame

• US 20040175089A1
• Filed: 03/05/2003
• Published: 09/09/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Corning Optical Communications LLC (Corning Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Corning Cable Systems LLC (Corning Incorporated)
• Inventors: Reagan, Jason, Segelhorst, Jon, Burns, Jennifer, Davidson, Donald, Menke, Brett, Dagley, Mark, Nored, Lee, Nguyen, Tuy, Rodolfo, Saul, Works, Antwan
• Granted Patent: US 6,819,856 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 385/135
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3897 Connectors fixed to housings, casing, frames or circuit boards G02B6/44528 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4452 Distribution frames

Abstract

A high density fiber optic distribution frame includes a frame assembly, one or more left-hand connector module housings mounted on the frame assembly, one or more right-hand connector module housings mounted on the frame assembly and an Interbay Storage Unit (IBU) positioned on the frame assembly medially between the left-hand connector module housings and the right-hand connector module housings. Each connector module housing includes a mounting frame and at least one connector module having at least one fiber optic adapter for interconnecting optical fibers between connector modules on the distribution frame. The connector module is movable between a stowed position wherein the fiber optic adapter is not accessible and a deployed position wherein the fiber optic adapter is accessible. The distribution frame maintains the minimum bend radius of the optical fiber transitioned between connector modules, and reduces the length of a single length jumper employed on the frame.

Claims

1. A distribution frame for interconnecting optical fiber comprising:

a first fiber connection area comprising at least one connector module movably mounted on the distribution frame, the connector module comprising at least one fiber optic adapter, the connector module movable to provide access to the fiber optic adapter;

a second fiber connection area comprising at least one connector module movably mounted on the distribution frame, the connector module comprising at least one fiber optic adapter, the connector module movable to provide access to the fiber optic adapter; and

a fiber management area medially disposed between the first fiber connection area and the second fiber connection area.

2. A distribution frame according to claim 1 wherein the first fiber connection area further comprises at least one connector module housing fixed to the distribution frame and wherein the at least one connector module is movably mounted within the connector module, the connector module movable in the direction of the fiber management area between a stowed position wherein the fiber optic adapter is not accessible and a deployed position wherein the fiber optic adapter is accessible.

3. A distribution frame according to claim 2 wherein the connector module housing comprises a mounting frame having a rearward end and a forward end and a vertical shaft adjacent the rearward end and wherein the connector module is rotatably attached to the vertical shaft.

4. A distribution frame according to claim 3 wherein the connector module housing further comprises a cover adjacent the forward end for securing the connector module within the connector module housing in the stowed position.

5. A distribution frame according to claim 3 wherein the connector module housing further comprises at least one inner radius guide for transitioning the optical fiber between the connector module and the fiber management area.

6. A distribution frame according to claim 3 wherein the connector module housing comprises a transition box attached to the mounting frame.

7. A distribution frame according to claim 6 wherein the transition box comprises at least one cable strain relief flange for strain relieving a fiber optic cable to the connector module housing.

8. A distribution frame according to claim 6 wherein the transition box comprises at least one routing hub for transitioning the optical fiber into the connector module housing while maintaining the minimum bend radius of the optical fiber.

9. A distribution frame according to claim 6 wherein the transition box comprises at least one lower routing hub for transitioning the optical fiber into the connector module while maintaining the minimum bend radius of the optical fiber and at least one upper routing hub for transitioning the optical fiber into the connector module while maintaining the minimum bend radius of the optical fiber.

10. A distribution frame according to claim 6 wherein the connector module housing further comprises at least one outer radius guide for transitioning the optical fiber between the transition box and the connector module.

11. A distribution frame according to claim 3 wherein the connector module housing further comprises an upper support rail extending between the rearward end and the forward end of the mounting frame and a lower support rail extending between the rearward end and the forward end of the mounting frame, the lower support rail engaging the upper support rail of an adjacent connector module housing to secure the connector module housings together.

12. A distribution frame according to claim 3 wherein the connector module further comprises a support plate having a free end and a tray defining an entrance, an interior compartment and an exit for receiving the optical fiber transitioning through the connector module.

13. A distribution frame according to claim 12 wherein the connector module further comprises a slack storage hub mounted on the support plate within the interior compartment for storing slack lengths of the optical fiber while maintaining the minimum bend radius of the optical fiber.

14. A distribution frame according to claim 2 wherein the connector module further comprises a light emitting diode (LED) associated with the fiber optic adapter and a lens and wherein the LED is visible through the lens when the connector module is in the stowed position.

15. A distribution frame according to claim 1 further comprising at least one vertical routing hub for transitioning the optical fiber between the connector module and the fiber management area while maintaining the minimum bend radius of the optical fiber.

16. A distribution frame according to claim 1 further comprising at least one angled routing hub for transitioning the optical fiber between the connector module and the fiber management area while maintaining the minimum bend radius of the optical fiber.

17. A distribution frame according to claim 1 wherein each upright comprises a curved inner portion for transitioning the optical fiber between the connector module and the fiber management area while maintaining the minimum bend radius of the optical fiber.

18. A distribution frame according to claim 1 wherein the fiber management area comprises an Interbay Storage Unit (IBU), the IBU comprising a vertical member and at least one horizontal IBU hub depending from the vertical member for storing the optical fiber while maintaining the minimum bend radius of the optical fiber.

19. A connector module housing for a distribution frame, the connector module housing comprising:

a mounting frame having a rearward end and a forward end;

a vertical shaft adjacent the rearward end of the mounting frame; and

at least one connector module movably attached to the vertical shaft within the connector module housing, the connector module comprising at least one fiber optic adapter, the connector module movable to provide access to the fiber optic adapter.

20. A connector module housing according to claim 19 wherein the connector module is movable between a stowed position wherein the fiber optic adapter is not accessible and a deployed position wherein the fiber optic adapter is accessible.

21. A connector module housing according to claim 20 further comprising a cover adjacent the forward end for securing the connector module within the connector module housing in the stowed position.

22. A connector module housing according to claim 19 further comprising at least one inner radius guide for transitioning the optical fiber into the connector module.

23. A connector module housing according to claim 19 further comprising a transition box attached to the mounting frame.

24. A connector module housing according to claim 23 wherein the transition box comprises at least one cable strain relief flange for strain relieving a fiber optic cable to the connector module housing.

25. A connector module housing according to claim 23 wherein the transition box comprises at least one routing hub for transitioning the optical fiber into the connector module housing while maintaining the minimum bend radius of the optical fiber.

26. A connector module housing according to claim 23 wherein the transition box comprises at least one lower routing hub for transitioning the optical fiber into the connector module while maintaining the minimum bend radius of the optical fiber and at least one upper routing hub for transitioning the optical fiber into the connector module while maintaining the minimum bend radius of the optical fiber.

27. A connector module housing according to claim 23 further comprising at least one outer radius guide for transitioning the optical fiber between the transition box and the connector module.

28. A connector module housing according to claim 19 further comprising an upper support rail extending between the rearward end and the forward end of the mounting frame and a lower support rail extending between the rearward end and the forward end of the mounting frame, the lower support rail engaging the upper support rail of an adjacent connector module housing to secure the connector module housings together.

29. A connector module housing according to claim 19 wherein the connector module further comprises a support plate having a free end and a tray defining an entrance, an interior compartment and an exit for receiving the optical fiber transitioning through the connector module.

30. A connector module housing according to claim 29 wherein the connector module further comprises a slack storage hub mounted on the support plate within the interior compartment for storing slack lengths of the optical fiber while maintaining the minimum bend radius of the optical fiber.

31. A connector module housing according to claim 20 wherein the connector module further comprises a light emitting diode (LED) associated with the fiber optic adapter and a lens and wherein the LED is visible through the lens when the connector module is in the stowed position.

32. A method of routing optical fiber in the form of single length jumpers on a distribution frame comprising a first fiber connection area, a second fiber connection area and a fiber management area disposed between the first fiber connection area and the second fiber connection area, the method comprising:

transitioning a first single length jumper from the first fiber connection area to an upper portion of the fiber management area;

routing the first single length jumper downwardly and then upwardly within the fiber management area;

transitioning the first single length jumper from the upper portion of the fiber management area to the second fiber connection area;

transitioning a second single length jumper from the first fiber connection area to a lower portion of the fiber management area;

routing the second single length jumper upwardly and then downwardly within the fiber management area; and

transitioning the second single length jumper from the lower portion of the fiber management area to the second fiber connection area.

33. A method according to claim 32 wherein each of the steps of transitioning and routing comprises the additional step of maintaining the minimum bend radius of the optical fiber.

34. A method according to claim 32 wherein the distribution frame further comprises an Interbay Storage Unit (IBU), the IBU comprising a vertical member and at least one horizontal IBU hub depending from the vertical member for storing the first and second single length jumpers while maintaining the minimum bend radius of the optical fiber.

35. A method according to claim 32 wherein the first fiber connection area and the second fiber connection area each comprise a connector module housing mounted on the distribution frame, the connector module housing comprising:

a mounting frame having a rearward end and a forward end;

a vertical shaft adjacent the rearward end of the mounting frame; and

at least one connector module movably attached to the vertical shaft within the connector module housing, the connector module comprising at least one fiber optic adapter, the connector module movable between a stowed position wherein the fiber optic adapter is not accessible and a deployed position wherein the fiber optic adapter is accessible.