I lllll llllllll Ill lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll 111111111111111111111111111111111
`US010101551B2
`
`c12) United States Patent
`Fukui et al.
`
`(IO) Patent No.: US 10,101,551 B2
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Oct. 16, 2018
`
`(54) MULTI-CORE/SINGLE-CORE CONVERSION
`MODULE AND MULTI-CORE/SINGLE-CORE
`CONVERSION APPARATUS
`
`(71) Applicants:SEI Optifrontier Co., Ltd.,
`Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa (JP);
`SUMITOMO ELECTRIC
`INDUSTRIES, LTD., Osaka-shi, Osaka
`(JP)
`
`(72)
`
`Inventors: Junji Fukui, Yokohama (JP);
`Kenichiro Ohtsuka, Yokohama (JP);
`Yuji Suzuki, Yokohama (JP); Hiroyasu
`Toyooka, Yokohama (JP); Takayuki
`Suzuki, Yokohama (JP)
`
`(73) Assignees: SEI OPTIFRONTIER CO., LTD.,
`Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa (JP);
`SUMITOMO ELECTRIC
`INDUSTRIES, LTD., Osaka-shi, Osaka
`(JP)
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term ofthis
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 15/613,368
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Jun. 5, 2017
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2017/0359091 Al
`
`Dec. 14, 2017
`
`(30)
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`Jun. 9, 2016
`
`(JP) ................................. 2016-115487
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`G02B 6126
`G02B 6142
`
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`(Continued)
`
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`CPC ....... G02B 614439 (2013.01); G02B 6102042
`(2013.01); G02B 613825 (2013.01); G02B
`614472 (2013.01); H04B 1103 (2013.01)
`
`(58) Field of Classification Search
`CPC .. G02B 6/3825; G02B 6/4439; G02B 6/4471;
`G02B 6/4472; G02B 6/4475; G02B
`6/02042
`
`(Continued)
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`4,986,762 A *
`
`1/1991 Keith .
`
`6,227,885 Bl*
`
`5/2001 Raviv
`
`(Continued)
`
`G02B 6/3823
`385/76
`HOlR 9/2466
`439/131
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`EP
`WO
`
`2434317 Al * 3/2012
`W0-2010/148325 Al
`12/2010
`
`............... G02B 6/00
`
`Primary Examiner - Robert Tavlykaev
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm - Drinker Biddle & Reath
`LLP
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A multi-core/single-core conversion module is disclosed.
`The multi-core/single-core conversion module includes a
`housing including a first end, a second end and a lateral wall
`defining an inner space between the first end and the second
`end, a first adapter attached to the first end of the housing,
`two or more second adapters attached to the second end of
`the housing, a multi-core optical connector inserted into the
`first adapter from the inner space of the housing, a plurality
`of single-core optical connectors respectively inserted into
`the second adapters from the inner space of the housing, and
`a plurality of optical fibers connecting the multi-core optical
`connector to the plurality of single-core optical connectors
`with each other. The second adapters are arranged on the
`second end across a plurality of tiers. An opening can be
`formed by a part of the lateral wall being detached.
`
`22 Claims, 9 Drawing Sheets
`
`1011,
`
`1.1
`
`

`

`US 10,101,551 B2
`Page 2
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`G02B 6144
`(2006.01)
`G02B 6138
`(2006.01)
`G02B 6102
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`H04B 1103
`( 58) Field of Classification Search
`USPC .................................................... 385/22, 134
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`D759,596 S * 6/2016 Byrne
`9,599,779 B2 * 3/2017 Lee .
`9,625,668 B2 * 412017 Xu .
`2010/0310225 Al* 12/2010 Anderson
`
`2010/0322579 Al* 12/2010 Cooke .
`
`....................... D13/137.2
`G02B 6/3897
`G02B 6/4455
`G02B 6/4455
`385/135
`G02B 6/4452
`385/135
`G02B 6/3869
`385/89
`
`2015/0205060 Al*
`
`7/2015 Chen .
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 16, 2018
`
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`Oct. 16, 2018
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`U.S. Patent
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`Oct. 16, 2018
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`Oct. 16, 2018
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`US 10,101,551 B2
`
`1
`MULTI-CORE/SINGLE-CORE CONVERSION
`MODULE AND MULTI-CORE/SINGLE-CORE
`CONVERSION APPARATUS
`
`CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`This application is based upon and claims the benefit of
`priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2016-115487,
`filed on Jun. 9, 2016; the entire contents of which are 10
`incorporated herein by reference.
`
`2
`the first and second single-core optical connectors with each
`other. The second adapters are arranged on the second end
`of each unit module across a plurality of tiers. The optical
`fiber connecting the multi-core optical connector with the
`second single-core optical connector with each other passes
`through an opening formed on the lateral wall of the first unit
`module and an opening formed on the lateral wall of the
`second unit module.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`The present invention relates to a multi-core/single-core 15
`conversion module and a multi-core/single-core conversion
`apparatus.
`
`The foregoing and other purposes, aspects and advantages
`will be better understood from the following detailed
`description of embodiments of the invention with reference
`to the drawings, in which:
`FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an outer appearance
`of a multi-core/single-core conversion module according to
`an embodiment of the present invention, the multi-core/
`20 single-core conversion module being seen obliquely from
`above,
`FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an outer appearance
`of the multi-core/single-core conversion module according
`to an embodiment of the present invention, the multi-core/
`25 single-core conversion module being seen obliquely from
`below,
`FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an outer appearance
`of the multi-core/single-core conversion module shown in
`FIG. 1 in a state where the single-core optical connector
`30 adapter is detached,
`FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the conversion
`module in a state where a top panel and a shutter are
`detached,
`FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a conversion mod-
`35 ules coupling structure,
`FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an outer appearance
`of a multi-core/single-core conversion apparatus as seen
`obliquely from front,
`FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an outer appearance
`40 of the multi-core/single-core conversion apparatus as seen
`obliquely from back,
`FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the multi-core/single-core
`conversion apparatus in a state where a front lid of a base
`member is open, and
`FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a shape of the base
`member.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`W02010/148325 discloses an apparatus for packing a
`fiber optic cable in a high density. The apparatus includes a
`plurality of fiber optic modules, in which each fiber optic
`module has a housing, an MPO fiber optic adapter provided
`on a rear face of the housing, and a plurality of LC fiber optic
`adapters provided on a front face of the housing. The
`plurality of LC fiber optic adapters is arranged on the front
`face of the housing to be aligned in a direction along a
`bottom face of the housing. Inside the housing, optical fibers
`extends from LC connectors which are inserted into the
`respective LC fiber optic adapters, these optical fibers are
`connected together to an MPO connector, and the MPO
`connector is inserted into the MPO fiber optic adapter.
`
`SUMMARY
`
`As an aspect of the present invention, a multi-core/single(cid:173)
`core conversion module comprises a housing including a
`first end, a second end, and a lateral wall defining an inner
`space between the first end and the second end; a first
`adapter attached to the first end of the housing; two or more
`second adapters attached to the second end of the housing;
`a multi-core optical connector inserted into the first adapter
`from the inner space of the housing; a plurality of single(cid:173)
`core optical connectors respectively inserted into the second 45
`adapters from the inner space of the housing; and a plurality
`of optical fibers connecting the multi-core optical connector
`to the plurality of single-core optical connectors with each
`other. The second adapters are arranged on the second end
`across a plurality of tiers. An opening can be formed by a 50
`part of the lateral wall being detached.
`As another aspect of the present invention, a multi-core/
`single-core conversion module comprises a first and a sec(cid:173)
`ond unit modules each unit module comprising a housing
`including a first end, a second end and a lateral wall defining 55
`an inner space between the first end and the second end, a
`first adapter attached to the first end of the housing, and two
`or more second adapters attached to the second end of the
`housing; a multi-core optical connector inserted into the first
`adapter of the first unit module from the inner space of the 60
`housing; a first single-core optical connector inserted into
`one of the second adapters of the first unit module from the
`inner space of the housing of the first unit module; a second
`single-core optical connector inserted into one of the second
`adapters of the second unit module from the inner space of 65
`the housing of the second unit module; and a plurality of
`optical fibers connecting the multi-core optical connector to
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`Description of Embodiment of the Present
`Application
`
`First, contents of embodiments of the present invention
`are recited and described. A first multi-core/single-core
`conversion module according to an embodiment of the
`present invention comprises a housing including a first end,
`a second end, and a lateral wall defining an inner space
`between the first end and the second end; a first adapter
`attached to the first end of the housing; two or more second
`adapters attached to the second end of the housing; a
`multi-core optical connector inserted into the first adapter
`from the inner space of the housing; a plurality of single(cid:173)
`core optical connectors respectively inserted into the second
`adapters from the inner space of the housing; and a plurality
`of optical fibers connecting the multi-core optical connector
`to the plurality of single-core optical connectors with each
`other. The second adapters are arranged on the second end
`
`

`

`US 10,101,551 B2
`
`4
`increased or decreased depending on the number of cores of
`the multi-core fiber optic cable, the various numbers of cores
`of the multi-core fiber optic cable can be supported.
`The second multi-core/single-core conversion module
`may further comprise a module coupling member having
`one end detachably attached to the lateral wall of the first
`unit module and the other end detachably attached to the
`lateral wall of the second unit module. This allows the first
`and second unit modules to be easily fixed to each other
`10 without obstructing the optical fiber led from the first unit
`module to the second unit module.
`The first and second multi-core/single-core conversion
`modules may further comprise an adapter holder attached to
`the housing so as to be pivotable around an axis line crossing
`a tier direction of the plurality of tiers to hold the second
`connector adapter for each tier. This makes it possible to
`make spaces, when inserting and drawing out the single-core
`optical connector into and from the second adapter for a
`single-core optical connector, between the relevant connec-
`20 tor and the single-core optical connectors locating on upper
`and lower tiers of the relevant connector, allowing a finger
`of a worker to be easily inserted between the tiers to
`facilitate the inserting and drawing out work.
`A multi-core/single-core conversion apparatus according
`25 to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a
`plurality of multi-core/single-core conversion modules
`including at least one of the first multi-core/single-core
`conversion module and the second multi-core/single-core
`conversion module, and a base member supporting the
`30 plurality of multi-core/single-core conversion modules. The
`base member may provide a plurality of areas for placing the
`plurality of multi-core/single-core conversion modules
`thereon, and the plurality of areas may be arranged along a
`first direction. The plurality of multi-core/single-core con-
`35 version modules may be respectively placed on the plurality
`of areas along the first direction in such a way that adjacent
`lateral walls of the plurality of multi-core/single-core con(cid:173)
`version modules are faced with each other. According to the
`multi-core/single-core conversion apparatus, similarly to the
`40 multi-core/single-core conversion module described above,
`the exchange work of the multi-core/single-core conversion
`module can be facilitated and the various numbers of cores
`of the multi-core fiber optic cable can be supported.
`
`Detail of Embodiments of the Present Application
`
`3
`across a plurality of tiers, and an opening can be formed by
`a part of the lateral wall being detached.
`The first multi-core/single-core conversion module has
`two or more second adapters for single-core optical connec(cid:173)
`tors arranged across a plurality of tiers. Since this conversion
`module is different from a configuration where a plurality of
`multi-core/single-core conversion modules are stacked each
`having the single-core optical connector adapters arranged
`on one tier, it is possible to reduce works to draw out the
`module for each tier when the module is exchanged. There(cid:173)
`fore, the exchange work can be facilitated with the above
`multi-core/single-core conversion module.
`In the first multi-core/single-core conversion module, the
`lateral wall is configured so that the opening can be formed
`thereon, and at least one optical fiber of the optical fiber 15
`extending from the multi-core optical connector and the
`optical fiber extending from the single-core optical connec(cid:173)
`tor can be led from the relevant opening to an adjacent
`module. When the number of cores of the multi-core fiber
`optic cable increases, besides the single-core optical con(cid:173)
`nector adapter of the relevant module, the single-core optical
`connector adapter of the adjacent module can be used.
`Therefore, with the multi-core/single-core conversion mod(cid:173)
`ule, the number of the single-core optical connector adapters
`can be easily increased or decreased depending on the
`number of cores of the multi-core fiber optic cable, the
`various numbers of cores of the multi-core fiber optic cable
`can be supported.
`A second multi-core/single-core conversion module
`according to an embodiment of the present invention a first
`and a second unit modules each unit module comprising a
`housing including a first end, a second end and a lateral wall
`defining an inner space between the first end and the second
`end, a first adapter attached to the first end of the housing,
`and two or more second adapters attached to the second end
`of the housing; a multi-core optical connector inserted into
`the first adapter of the first unit module from the inner space
`of the housing; a first single-core optical connector inserted
`into one of the second adapters of the first unit module from
`the inner space of the housing of the first unit module; a
`second single-core optical connector inserted into one of the
`second adapters of the second unit module from the inner
`space of the housing of the second unit module; and a
`plurality of optical fibers connecting the multi-core optical
`connector to the first and second single-core optical con- 45
`nectars with each other. The second adapters are arranged on
`the second end of each unit module across a plurality of tiers.
`The optical fiber connecting the multi-core optical connector
`with the second single-core optical connector with each
`other passes through an opening formed on the lateral wall 50
`of the first unit module and an opening formed on the lateral
`wall of the second unit module.
`Since the second multi-core/single-core conversion mod(cid:173)
`ule has, similarly to the first multi-core/single-core conver(cid:173)
`sion module descried above, two or more second adapters
`for single-core optical connectors arranged across a plurality
`of tiers, the exchange work can be facilitated. Additionally,
`in the second multi-core/single-core conversion module, the
`optical fiber extending from the multi-core optical connector
`passes through the opening formed on the lateral wall of the 60
`first unit module and the opening formed on the lateral wall
`of the second unit module to reach the second single-core
`optical connector. When the number of cores of the multi(cid:173)
`core fiber optic cable decreases, the second unit module can
`be easily removed. In other words, according to the second
`multi-core/single-core conversion module, since the number
`of the single-core optical connector adapters can be easily
`
`A description is given below of concrete examples of the
`multi-core/single-core conversion module and the multi(cid:173)
`core/single-core conversion apparatus according to the
`embodiments of the present invention with reference to the
`drawings. The invention is not limited to the examples, and
`is intended to include the meanings shown by the scope of
`the Claims and equivalent to the scope of the Claims, and all
`changes in the scope thereof. In the following description,
`55 the same components in description of the drawings are
`designated by the same reference signs, and the duplicated
`description is omitted. Note that a common XYZ orthogonal
`coordinate system is shown in each drawing for easy under-
`standing.
`FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are each a perspective view showing an
`outer appearance of a first multi-core/single-core conversion
`module (hereinafter, referred to as conversion module) 10
`according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG.
`1 is a view of the conversion module 10 seen obliquely from
`65 above and FIG. 2 is a view of the conversion module 10 seen
`obliquely from below. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the
`conversion module 10 in the embodiment includes a hollow
`
`

`

`US 10,101,551 B2
`
`5
`housing 11 in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped
`shape extending in a Z direction, a multi-core optical con(cid:173)
`nector adapter 12, and two or more single-core optical
`connector adapters 13. The housing 11 is made of, for
`example, integrally molded resin for the sake of lower cost
`and light weight. The housing 11 includes a rear end lla and
`a front end llb arranged along the Z direction, a pair of
`lateral walls llc and lld in a substantially rectangular shape
`joining the rear end lla and the front end llb, a bottom
`panel lle in a substantially rectangular shape, and a top 10
`panel 11/ in a substantially rectangular shape.
`The multi-core optical connector adapter 12 is an adapter
`for connecting a multi-core optical connector (e.g., an MPO
`connector) having, for example, 12 cores or 24 cores, and 15
`has a pair of openings for respectively accepting two multi(cid:173)
`core optical connectors. The multi-core optical connector
`adapter 12 is attached to the rear end lla of the housing 11.
`Specifically, the multi-core optical connector adapter 12 is
`fixed to penetrate through a rear wall provided to the rear 20
`end lla of the housing 11, and one opening is located inside
`the housing 11 and the other opening is located outside the
`housing 11.
`Each single-core optical connector adapter 13 is an
`adapter for connecting a single-core optical connector (e.g., 25
`an LC connector), and has a pair of openings for respectively
`accepting two single-core optical connectors. The single(cid:173)
`core optical connector adapter 13 is attached to the front end
`llb of the housing 11. Specifically, two or more single-core
`optical connector adapters 13 are arranged on the front end 30
`llb across a plurality of tiers. In the embodiment, four
`single-core optical connector adapters 13 per one tier are
`arranged across three tiers. The plurality of single-core
`optical connector adapters 13 (four in the embodiment) 35
`located on the same tier may be made into one body. A single
`single-core optical connector adapter 13 and the single-core
`optical connector adapters 13 made into one body may be
`present together in combination. One opening of the single(cid:173)
`core optical connector adapter 13 is located inside the 40
`housing 11, and the other opening is located outside the
`housing 11.
`These single-core optical connector adapters 13 are held
`in an adapter socket 14 (adapter holder) provided to the front
`end llb of the housing 11. Here, FIG. 3 is a perspective view 45
`showing a state where the single-core optical connector
`adapter 13 is detached. As shown in FIG. 3, the adapter
`socket 14 is provided by one per one tier, and three adapter
`sockets 14 are provided in the embodiment. These adapter
`sockets 14 each assume a tube having a rectangular section 50
`and each extend in the Z direction, for example.
`These adapter sockets 14 are each attached to the housing
`11 so as to be pivotable around an axis line C crossing a tier
`direction (Y axis direction). For example, columnar protru(cid:173)
`sions are provided on both lateral faces of the adapter socket 55
`14 in the axis lines C, and these protrusions fit with circular
`bores llk formed on the lateral walls llc and lld of the
`housing 11 such that the adapter sockets 14 are pivotable
`around the axis lines C. Note that the lateral walls llc and
`lld are partially cut out around the circular bores llk on a
`lowermost tier to be easily deformable so as to facilitate the
`fit of the protrusions.
`As shown in FIG. 1, the adapter socket 14 on the
`lowermost tier collectively houses four single-core optical
`connector adapters 13 on the lower most tier. The adapter
`socket 14 on a middle tier collectively houses four single(cid:173)
`core optical connector adapters 13 on the middle tier. The
`
`6
`adapter socket 14 on an uppermost tier collectively houses
`four single-core optical connector adapters 13 on the upper(cid:173)
`most tier.
`As shown in FIG. 3, the closer to the lowermost tier, the
`more forward the adapter socket 14 is located. In other
`words, the adapter socket 14 on the middle tier is located
`more forward than the adapter socket 14 on the uppermost
`tier, and the adapter socket 14 on the lowermost tier is
`located more forward than the adapter socket 14 on the
`middle tier. Therefore, the closer to the lowermost tier, the
`more forward the single-core optical connector adapter 13
`locates. In other words, the single-core optical connector
`adapters 13 on the middle tier are located more forward than
`the single-core optical connector adapters 13 on the upper(cid:173)
`most tier, and the single-core optical connector adapters 13
`on the lowermost tier are located more forward than the
`single-core optical connector adapters 13 on the middle tier.
`Note that the adapter sockets 14 (single-core optical con(cid:173)
`nector adapters 13) on the respective tiers may be arranged
`along the same position in the Z direction.
`The lateral walls llc and lld of the housing 11 are each
`configured such that the opening can be formed by a part
`thereof being detached. For example, on each of the lateral
`walls llc and lld of the housing 11, an opening llh closed
`by a detachable shutter 15 is formed. The opening llh is
`formed into a rectangular shape, for example, and in an
`example, is formed from an uppermost portion of each of the
`lateral walls llc and lld (i.e., portion in contact with the top
`panel 11.f) through a lowermost portion of each of the lateral
`walls llc and lld (i.e., portion in contact with the bottom
`panel lle ). When the opening llh is used, the shutter 15 is
`detached from the opening llh.
`FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the conversion
`module 10 in a state where the top panel 11/ and the shutter
`15 are detached. As shown in FIG. 4, a multi-core optical
`connector 16 is inserted into the multi-core optical connector
`adapter 12 from the inner side of the housing 11, and many
`optical fibers Fl extend from the multi-core optical connec(cid:173)
`tor 16. A single-core optical connector 17 is inserted into the
`single-core optical connector adapter 13 from the inner side
`of the housing 11, and one optical fiber Fl extends from the
`single-core optical connector 17. In FIG. 4, these optical
`fibers Fl connect the multi-core optical connector 16 with
`the single-core optical connectors 17 with each other, but the
`opening llh leads, to an adjacent module, at least one optical
`fiber Fl of the optical fibers Fl extending from the multi(cid:173)
`core optical connector 16 and the optical fibers Fl extending
`from the single-core optical connectors 17, as needed.
`The multi-core optical connector attached to a tip end of
`the multi-core fiber optic cable extending from outside the
`conversion module 10 is inserted into the multi-core optical
`connector adapter 12 from the outer side of the housing 11.
`This allows the relevant multi-core optical connector and the
`multi-core optical connector 16 to face to each other inside
`the multi-core optical connector adapter 12 to be optically
`linked to each other. The single-core optical connector
`attached to a tip of the single-core fiber optic cable extending
`from outside the conversion module 10 is inserted into the
`single-core optical connector adapter 13 from the outer side
`60 of the housing 11. This allows the relevant single-core
`optical connector and the single-core optical connector 17 to
`face to each other inside the single-core optical connector
`adapter 13 to be optically linked to each other.
`When assembling the conversion module 10 in the
`65 embodiment having the above configuration, firstly, the
`multi-core optical connector 16 and the plurality of single(cid:173)
`core optical connectors 17 are connected to each other by the
`
`

`

`US 10,101,551 B2
`
`7
`optical fibers Fl. Next, the plurality of single-core optical
`connectors 17 and the optical fibers Fl are divided into three
`sets and the multi-core optical connector 16 is inserted into
`the multi-core optical connector adapter 12, and thereafter,
`the sets of the single-core optical connectors 17 and the 5
`optical fibers Fl are passed through the corresponding
`adapter sockets 14, respectively. Then, each single-core
`optical connector 17 is inserted into the corresponding
`single-core optical connector adapter 13. Subsequently, each
`single-core optical connector adapter 13 is inserted into the 10
`corresponding adapter socket 14 and the respective adapter
`sockets 14 are attached to the housing 11 in order from the
`lowermost tier. The shutter 15 is attached to the housing 11,
`as needed, and the optical fibers Fl are housed inside the
`housing 11. Finally, the top panel 11/ is attached to the 15
`housing 11 to complete the conversion module 10. In this
`way, even in a case where a single conversion module 10 is
`used rather than a plurality thereof coupled to each other, an
`assembling work, particularly, a connecting work of the
`optical fibers Fl inside the housing 11 can be further 20
`facilitated by detaching the shutter 15 in advance and finally
`attaching the shutter 15 to close the opening llh.
`FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a second conversion
`module 20 according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 omits
`showing the top panel 11/ As shown in FIG. 5, the conver- 25
`sion module 20 includes a first unit module lOA and a
`second unit module lOB. Note that configurations of these
`unit modules lOA and lOB are the same as that of the
`conversion module 10 described above. The single-core
`optical connector 17 of the unit module 1 OA is an example
`of the first single-core optical connector, and the single-core
`optical connector 17 of the unit module 1 OB is an example
`of the second single-core optical connector.
`The conversion module 20 further includes a module
`coupling member 21. The module coupling member 21
`spans the opening llh of the unit module lOA and the
`opening llh of the unit module lOB, and has one end on the
`unit module 1 OA side detachably attached to the opening llh
`on the lateral wall llc of the unit module lOA and the other
`end on the unit module lOB side detachably attached to the
`opening llh on the lateral wall lld of the unit module lOB.
`The module coupling member 21 has an open hole 21a
`penetrating from one end to the other end thereof. The open
`hole 2la is formed into, for example, a shape similar to the
`shape of the opening llh (rectangular shape, in an example). 45
`The module coupling member 21 couples the housing 11 of
`the unit module lOA with the housing 11 of the unit module
`lOB to each other, and communicates the opening llh on the
`lateral wall llc of the unit module lOA with the opening llh
`on the lateral wall lld of the unit module lOB with each
`other.
`The optical fibers Fl extending from the multi-core
`optical connector 16 of the first unit module lOA pass
`through the respective openings llh (that is, through the
`module coupling member 21) to be led to the second unit
`module lOB. For example, in FIG. 5, a part of the optical
`fibers Fl extending from the multi-core optical connector 16
`of the unit module lOA pass through the module coupling
`member 21 to be led into the housing 11 of the unit module
`lOB and are connected to the single-core optical connectors
`17 of the unit module lOB. According to such a configura(cid:173)
`tion, the number of cores of the multi-core optical connector
`16 in the unit module lOA can be increased (expanded) more
`than the number of the single-core optical connectors 17 in
`the unit module lOA. In other words, in this example, the 65
`number of cores of the multi-core optical connector 16 can
`be expanded to 24 cores. Further, the expansion can be easily
`
`8
`made by the number of the coupled unit modules such as 36
`cores and 48 cores. Additionally, a plurality of coupled unit
`modules can be dealt with as one body. For this reason, in
`the expansion, it is not necessary to