AU736804B2

AU736804B2 - Outdoor housing for accommodating telecommunications devices and method for supporting outdoor housings

Info

Publication number: AU736804B2
Application number: AU44327/97A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Georges Fadler; Rainer Fechner; Michael Sielaff
Original assignee: Krone GmbH
Current assignee: TE Connectivity Germany GmbH
Priority date: 1996-12-20
Filing date: 1997-11-03
Publication date: 2001-08-02
Anticipated expiration: 2017-11-03
Also published as: BR9706453A; RU2142186C1; TR199701596A2; CN1190325A; GR3036818T3; EP0849850A1; ES2160879T3; KR19980063632A; DE59704008D1; DE19654594A1; ATE203126T1; TR199701596A3; PT849850E; CA2222822A1; JPH10190251A; DK0849850T3; EP0849850B1; AU4432797A

Abstract

The open-air housing (10) has a frame for supporting the telecommunications apparatus, fitted to a socket (2), with a socket base. A further frame with a respective socket and socket base can be combined with the first frame, both enclosed by common housing panels, providing housing sidewalls (8), a roof (11) and access doors (9).

Description

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION NAME OF APPLICANT(S): Krone Aktinrgesell schaf ADDRESS FOR SERVICE: DAVIES COLLISON CAVE Patent Attorneys 1 Little Collins Street, Melbourne, 3000.

INVENTION TITLE: Outdoor housing for accommodating telecommunications devices and method for supporting outdoor housings The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us:- P:I\ope'katW44327-97respos. ,doc-22/05 01 -2- Description The invention relates to an outdoor housing module for accommodating telecommunications devices, comprising a first frame for accommodating the telecommunications devices, a first base and a first base lower part which is arranged underground, as well as a method for converting outdoor housings.

Outdoor housings in which cable junctions are arranged in a frame are known. The frame is connected to a base plate, under which a base is arranged. The base is connected to a base lower part, or the two are constructed integrally together, the base lower part being buried in the ground. The base lower part is used on the one hand for mechanical stabilization of the outdoor housing and, on the other hand, the underground telecommunications cables are passed into the interior of the outdoor housing through the S' base lower part. A disadvantage of the standardized outdoor housings is their limited accommodation capacity.

20 In order to meet the continuously growing information requirement, it is necessary in subscriber connecting areas of telecommunications networks, in particular, to install 0.00 new telecommunications or data networks, or to increase the transmission capacity of existing networks. In this case, o 25 existing double copper wires are preferably upgraded by

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multiple use (multiplexing) or by new transmission techniques (HDSL, ADSL, VDSL), or alternatively new routes are produced by means of glass fibers (FTTC) or radio techniques (WLL). All these techniques result in it being S9T 0 necessary to move more electrical components out of the exchanges or telecommunications buildings to decentralized, local points. This means that outdoor housings are required P:per\ka&44327-97responsc.doc.225ffi -3to an increasing extent for accommodating electrical components, cable terminations and, where necessary, power supply units.

The invention is thus based on the technical problem of providing an outdoor housing for accommodating telecommunications devices, and a method for equipping outdoor housings, such that additional electronic components and power supply units can be accommodated.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for modifying an existing outdoor housing module, comprising an existing housing, existing base, existing base lower part and existing frame for accommodating telecommunications devices, wherein a) the existing housing of the existing outdoor housing module is removed, b) a further frame with a further base is arranged on the existing frame of the outdoor housing structure to form a further module, "0 -J and c) side walls, doors and a roof structure are attached to the frames.

The invention also provides an outdoor housing module for accommodating telecommunications devices, comprising a 25 first frame for accommodating the telecommunications devices, a first base and a first base lower part which is arranged underground, wherein at least one further frame with a further base is arranged on the first frame to form a further module, the frames f.f being housed jointly by means of detachably constructed side walls, doors, and at least one roof structure.

P:operka l44327-97rsponse.doc-22/05/01 -3A- The parallel arrangement of at least one further frame with a base and the common housing of the frame with side walls, doors and at least one roof structure means that the already existing outdoor housing is integrated in the new outdoor housing. In contrast to a separate, new outdoor housing, no additional grounding and splicing work is in consequence required for removing the old outdoor housing, fitting a splice, and laying the main cable into the separate new outdoor housing. Reusing most of the components of the original outdoor housing results in quicker and thus more economic installation, as well as saving materials. Above-ground connections between the individual telecommunications devices mean that no further digging work is required for connecting the electronics. As a result of the modular construction, the outdoor housing can be produced in any desired design variance. The problems involved with constructing an autonomous housing o for the electronics in the immediate vicinity of a cable junction, such as the digging work required for cable connection, and the disfigurement of the landscape by a number of housings of different appearance and possibly tilted with respect to one another, can thus likewise be avoided. Further advantageous refinements of the invention result from the subclaims.

25 The invention will be explained in more detail in the *following text with reference to a preferred exemplary embodiment. In the figures: Fig. 1 shows a perspective illustration with a frame, module housing, base and base lower part, 4 Fig. 2 shows a perspective illustration of an assembly of modules in the installed state, with base cladding, Fig. 3 shows a perspective illustration with the side walls and doors fitted, and Fig. 4 shows a perspective illustration of the complete outdoor housing.

In Fig. 1, a module 1 with a base 2 and a base lower part 3 are illustrated in perspective. The module 1 comprises a module housing 4 and a frame 5, to which the corresponding telecommunications devices are attached. The module housing 4 is constructed such that it can be pushed onto the frame 5. The frame 5 is connected 1 to a base plate 6 which is in turn connected to the base 15 2 arranged underneath it. The pushed-on module housing 4 can, if required, be detachably connected either to the frame 5 and/or to the base plate 6. The base lower part 3 is connected to the base 2, or is manufactured integrally together with it. The base lower part 3 is buried underground and is used as a type of foundation for the outdoor housing. Furthermore, cables laid underground can be passed into the interior of the outdoor housing through a chute 7. If it is intended to convert an already existing outdoor housing, then only the housing 25 is removed from it. The frame 5 with the telecommunications devices, the base plate 6, the base 2 and the base lower part 3 are used again, and the new module housing 4 is just pushed onto the frame 5, as described above.

A perspective illustration of an assembly of modules 1 with base lower parts 3 buried in the ground is illustrated in Fig. 2. Depending on the requirements, further modules 1 with bases 2 and, if required, a base lower part 3 are arranged parallel to the first module 1.

The use of separate module housings 4 allows the -individual modules 1 to be designed to be accessible independently of one another. Thus, for example, the cable 5 connecting area can be accommodated in a module 1, the electronics in the second module 1, and the local power supply in the third module 1. The individual modules 1 may in this case have completely different geometric dimensions. However, they preferably differ only in width, since this makes it easier to acheive the housing described later, and a closed overall visual impression is achieved. The individual module housings 4 make it possible to ensure that, for example, a maintenance technician for the local power supply does not have access to the cable termination area or the electronics.

In a configuration described above, the module 1 of the local power supply is preferably constructed with a base lower part 3 in order, on the one hand, to stabilize the overall structure statically and, on the other hand, to pass power cables laid underground into the interior. The base 2 of the module 1 for the electronics can preferably be used as a battery compartment which can be ventilated.

S•The cable connections required between the end junction and the electronics are made directly from module 1 to module 1, without any circuitous paths through the ground.

Fig. 3 illustrates the assembled modules 1 with the side walls 8 and the doors 9 fitted. The doors 9 are in this case hinged on the module housings 4. The side walls 8 in this case have cavities, which are not illus- S"trated, for adequate ventilation. The side walls 8 can be screwed or latched to module housings 4.

Fig. 4 illustrates the complete outdoor housing 10 with an integral roof structure 11. The problems involved with setting up an autonomous housing for the electronics in the immediate vicinity of an existing cable junction, such as the digging work required for cable connection, and the disfigurement of the landscape by housings of different appearance and possibly tilted with respect to one another, can be avoided with the described outdoor housing 10 and the method for conversion of already existing outdoor housings. If there is no need to control access to the individual modules 1, the P:\opertkat\44327-97responsc.doc-22/05/01 -6separate module housings 4 may be dispensed with. The outdoor housing 10 offers climatic and EMC protection in addition to mechanical protection.

The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that that prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia.

Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

3 0eg 9*

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-7- List of reference symbols 1) Module 2) Base 3) Base lower part 4) Module housing Frame 6) Base plate 7) Chute 8) Side wall 9) Door Outdoor housing 11) Roof structure

Claims

1. A method for modifying an existing outdoor housing module, comprising an existing housing, existing base, existing base lower part and existing frame for accommodating telecommunications devices, wherein a) the existing housing of the existing outdoor housing module is removed, b) a further frame with a further base is arranged on the existing frame of the outdoor housing structure to form a further module, and S: c) side walls, doors and a roof structure are attached to 15 the frames.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein a further o base lower part is arranged on the existing frame to form part of the further module.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein 20 the side walls and/or the doors and/or the roof structure are constructed with a cavity.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1, claim 2, or claim 3, wherein housings are pushed on to the individual frames.

The method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein base cladding is attached to the bases.

6. The method as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein connections of the individual telecommunications devices from module to module are made above ground.

7. An outdoor housing module for accommodating telecommunications devices, comprising a first frame for f? accommodating the telecommunications devices, a first base and a first base lower part which is arranged underground, P:\opcr\kal\44327-97response.doc-22105/01 -9- wherein at least one further frame with a further base is arranged on the first frame to form a further module, the frames being housed jointly by means of detachably constructed side walls, doors, and at least one roof structure.

8. The outdoor housing module as claimed in claim 7, wherein the bases are surrounded by separate base cladding which is detachably connected to the side walls or bases.

9. The outdoor housing as claimed in claim 7 or 8, wherein the or each further base is constructed with a base lower part.

10. The outdoor housing as claimed in one of claims 7 to 9, wherein module housings are pushed onto the individual frames. 15

11. The outdoor housing as claimed in one of claims 7 to wherein the side walls and/or the doors and/or the roof structure are formed with a cavity.

12. The outdoor housing as claimed in one of claims 7 to 11, wherein telecommunications devices in the module and 20 further module are connected to one another above ground from module to module.

13. A method of modifying an outdoor housing module substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. DATED this 22 n d day of May, 2001 KRONE GMBH By its patent attorneys 30 Davies Collison Cave