Optical high-density distribution frame and method for making jumper connections in such a distribution frame

A method for making jumper connections for an optical distribution frame, said method comprising the steps of:

• allowing selective interconnection of optical fiber links by means of jumpers, which also consist of optical fibers, within the context of a telecommunication installation, in which said distribution frame maintains sockets, which are arranged in rows, on parallel support members on the front face of one or more distribution racks defining a two-dimensional matrix structure, and which are equipped with individual connection members for the links, and where each individual connection member of a socket is designed to cooperate with a complementary plug-in connection member with which the end of a jumper is fitted, and which complementary plug-in connection member is placed on the front face of said socket, in which method a jumper is placed between two individual connection members belonging to different sockets of said distribution frame by means of a robotized set of specialized tools which carries out the following succession of operations:
• mounting of a plug on one end of a coiled optical jumper reserve used to form said jumpers;
• positioning of this plug in a first individual connection member of a given socket of a rack;
• fitting of jumper fiber uncoiled from the first individual connection member as far as a second given individual connection member of another socket;
• adjusting of the length and cutting of said uncoiled jumper in order to convert it into a section separated from the still coiled jumper reserve;
• fitting of a plug on one end of said uncoiled jumper section;
• and
• positioning of said newly mounted plug on the end of the section in said second connection member.

A high-density optical distribution frame for selectively interconnecting optical fiber links said distribution frame comprising:

• jumpers, which also consist of optical fibers, within the context of a telecommunication installation in which sockets are arranged in rows on parallel support members in a two-dimensional matrix structure and are provided with individual connection members for the links, and wherein each individual connection member of a socket is designed to cooperate with a complementary connection member with which the end of a jumper is equipped, which complementary connection member is placed on the front face of said socket, said distribution frame having one or more distribution racks on one side of which is provided an area for the jumpers to run, the jumpers being fitted with plug-in connection members on each of their ends so as to each connect an individual junction member of a socket carried by a support member to another individual junction member of another socket carried by another support member, in which distribution frame said socket supports are mounted on the front face of said distribution rack, a cross-connect area being open toward the front in order to receive said jumpers, said distribution frame further maintains a robotized set of special tools for making jumper connections, such that during the process of making jumper connections which is carried out by a robotized set of specialized tools, which is capable of acting, being moved and positioned with respect to said sockets so as:
• to mount a plug on one end of a coiled optical jumper reserve, used for constituting said jumpers;
• to position this plug in a first individual connection member of a given socket of a rack;
• to fit said jumper uncoiled from this first given individual connection member, and through said cross-connect area, as far as a second given individual connection member of another socket;
• to adjust the length of said uncoiled jumper and to cut it, converting it into a section separated from the rest of the still coiled jumper;
• to fit a plug on the cut end of said uncoiled jumper section;
• and
• to position the newly mounted plug on the end of the section in the second connection member;
• and
• wherein said distribution frame maintains linking fibers, connected to said sockets by means of distribution and connection modules housed in said racks in the form of fiber cassettes, individually articulated on individual support members which are each in the form of an arm fixed to at least one parallel support for a row of sockets via one end in which a housing is provided for a socket, each arm carrying articulation means for a cassette at a second end and forming a U-shaped channel for the passage and retention of intermediate linking fibers between said individual connection members of said socket, which is housed in the arm, and the linking fibers, which come from transmission or distribution cables terminating in said distribution frame and which have a coiled end connected by a splice to one of said intermediate linking fibers in the cassette carried by the arm.

A high-density optical distribution frame for selectively interconnecting optical fiber links, said distribution frame comprising:

• jumpers, which also consist of optical fibers, within the context of a telecommunication installation in which sockets are arranged in rows on parallel support members in a two-dimensional matrix structure and are provided with individual connection members for the links, and wherein each individual connection member of a socket is designed to cooperate with a complementary connection member with which the end of a jumper is equipped, which complementary connection member is placed on the front face of said socket, said distribution frame having one or more distribution racks on one side of which is provided an area for the jumpers to run, the jumpers being fitted with plug-in connection members on each of their ends so as to each connect an individual junction member of a socket carried by a support member to another individual junction member of another socket carried by another support member, in which distribution frame said socket supports are mounted on the front face of said distribution rack, a cross-connect area being open toward the front in order to receive said jumpers, said distribution frame maintaining a robotized set of special tools for making jumper connections, such that during the process of making jumper connections which is carried out by a robotized set of specialized tools, which is capable of acting, being moved and positioned with respect to said sockets so as:
• to mount a plug on one end of a coiled optical jumper reserve, used for constituting said jumpers;
• to position this plug in a first individual connection member of a given socket of a rack;
• to fit said jumper uncoiled from this first given individual connection member, and through said cross-connect area, as far as a second given individual connection member of another socket;
• to adjust the length of said uncoiled jumper and to cut it, converting it into a section separated from the rest of the still coiled jumper;
• to fit a plug on the cut end of said uncoiled jumper section;
• and
• to position the newly mounted plug on the end of the section in the second connection member;
• and
• wherein said robotized set of specialized tools on said distribution frame maintains servocontrolled specialized tools carried by a moveable framework, the displacement of which is servocontrolled by a control logic programmed so as to be able to move past the front faces of said racks of said distribution frame where the respective front faces of said sockets, the connection members of which are intended to be connected together by means of optical jumper fibers from point to point, are aligned, said framework carrying at least:
• an optical jumper fiber storage/delivery tool in which a coil of fiber is stored for the purpose of making jumpers one by one, with a specific length determined according to the actual positions of said two connection members to be interconnected;
• a multifunction servocontrolled tool for mounting a plug on a fiber, for carrying out the various operations needed for mounting a connection plug, complementary to a connection member of one of said sockets of said distribution frame, on an end of said fiber coming from said optical jumper fiber storage/delivery tool;
• a fiber handling tool, composed of two subassemblies responsible respectively for delivering said fiber in a defined manner during the various operations associated with making jumper connections and for gripping it, more particularly near one end, in order to orient and/or position this end in a predetermined manner, the first subassembly including a moveable distribution head fitted with a nozzle via which said fiber is delivered, the second subassembly including a gripper which can move vertically and can rotate partly, which is used to grip said fiber so as to displace one of its ends for the purpose of positioning it;
• a plug handling tool for gripping a plug mounted on a fiber, for displacing it and for connecting it by plugging it into a connection member having a given position in said distribution frame in the jumper connection phase, or for extracting it in the withdrawal phase.