EP4689749A1

EP4689749A1 - Fusion splicer

Info

Publication number: EP4689749A1
Application number: EP24720622.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Akihiro Tokumoto; Hiroyuki Oka
Original assignee: Fujikura Ltd
Current assignee: Fujikura Ltd
Priority date: 2023-04-07
Filing date: 2024-04-02
Publication date: 2026-02-11
Also published as: CN118778178A; WO2024210122A1; JP2026507652A; CN222050523U; KR20250161609A

Abstract

A fusion splicer includes a device main body, a pair of openable and closable coating clamps, a pair of coating holding parts, and an openable and closable windproof cover. The device main body includes a heating part which heats the pair of optical fibers. The pair of coating clamps press coating parts of the pair of optical fibers. The pair of coating holding parts hold the coating parts between the pair of coating holding parts and the pair of coating clamps. The windproof cover covers the pair of coating clamps and the pair of coating holding parts. A lever for opening the coating clamp in conjunction with an operation of opening the windproof cover is provided in the windproof cover.

Description

FUSION SPLICER

　　The present invention relates to a fusion splicer.
　　Priority is claimed on Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-062782 filed on April 7, 2023, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

　　Patent Document 1 discloses a fusion splicer for heating and fusion-splicing optical fibers. This fusion splicer includes a pair of openable and closable coating clamps for holding coating parts of a pair of optical fibers. The fusion splicer further includes an openable and closable windproof cover that covers the coating clamps and the like.

　　When the optical fibers are loaded on the fusion splicer as described above, it is necessary to open both the windproof cover and the coating clamp. A small motor serving as a power source is provided in the fusion splicer described in Patent Document 1. Then, by a torque being transmitted from the small motor to the coating clamp, an opening operation of the windproof cover (an operation of opening the windproof cover) and an opening operation of the coating clamp are interlocked. Thereby, an opening operation required for loading the optical fibers is completed in one step, and workability of fusion splicing is improved.

　　[PTL 1] Japanese Patent No. 5512786

　　However, the configuration as disclosed in Patent Document 1 in which a power source is provided in the fusion splicer may cause an increase in weight of the fusion splicer. Also, when a transmission mechanism for transmitting a torque from the power source to the coating clamp is provided, a structure of the fusion splicer may become complicated.

　　The present invention has been made in consideration of such circumstances, and an objective of the present invention is to provide a fusion splicer capable of improving workability of fusion splicing while increase in weight and complexity of a structure are reduced.

　　In order to solve the above-described problems, a fusion splicer according to aspect 1 of the present invention includes a device main body including a heating part which heats a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber, an openable and closable first coating clamp pressing a first coating part which is a coating part of the first optical fiber, an openable and closable second coating clamp pressing a second coating part which is a coating part of the second optical fiber, a first coating holding part holding the first coating part between itself and the first coating clamp, a second coating holding part holding the second coating part between itself and the second coating clamp, and an openable and closable windproof cover covering the first coating clamp, the second coating clamp, the first coating holding part, and the second coating holding part, in which a first lever for opening the first coating clamp in conjunction with an operation of opening the windproof cover is provided in the windproof cover.

　　According to aspect 1 of the present invention, the coating clamp opens in conjunction with an operation of opening the windproof cover. Therefore, it is possible to improve workability of fusion splicing. Also, in interlocking the opening operations as described above, there is no need to provide a power source such as a motor or a complicated torque transmission mechanism. Therefore, it is possible to reduce increase in weight of the fusion splicer and complexity of a structure of the fusion splicer.

　　Also, according to aspect 2 of the present invention, in the fusion splicer of aspect 1, the first lever is able to perform rotational movement with a rotating axis provided in the windproof cover as a center, and the first lever engages with the first coating clamp so that the first lever performs the rotational movement due to a pressing force from the first coating clamp when the windproof cover is being closed, and the first lever does not perform the rotational movement and opens the first coating clamp when the windproof cover is being opened.

　　According to aspect 2 of the present invention, while making it possible to open the coating clamp due to the lever, it is possible to return the lever to a position at which it is engageable with the coating clamp after the windproof cover is closed.

　　Also, according to aspect 3 of the present invention, in the fusion splicer of aspect 1 or aspect 2, a first claw portion which is able to perform rotational movement with a rotating axis provided in the first coating clamp as a center is provided in the first coating clamp, and the first claw portion engages with the first lever so that the first claw portion performs the rotational movement due to a pressing force from the first lever when the windproof cover is being closed, and the first claw portion does not perform the rotational movement and opens the first coating clamp when the windproof cover is being opened.

　　According to aspect 3 of the present invention, while making it possible to open the coating clamp due to the lever, it is possible to return the lever to a position at which it is engageable with the coating clamp after the windproof cover is closed.

　　Also, according to aspect 4 of the present invention, in the fusion splicer of any one of aspects 1 to 3, a relative position of the first lever with respect to the windproof cover is switchable between an interlocking position in which an operation of opening the windproof cover and an operation of opening the first coating clamp are interlocked, and a non-interlocking position in which an operation of opening the windproof cover and an operation of opening the first coating clamp are not interlocked.

　　According to aspect 4 of the present invention, for example, an operator may arbitrarily switch whether or not to interlock an opening operation of the windproof cover with an opening operation of the coating clamp.

　　Also, according to aspect 5 of the present invention, in the fusion splicer of any one of aspects 1 to 4, a second lever opening the second coating clamp in conjunction with an operation of opening the windproof cover is provided in the windproof cover, in a state in which the windproof cover is closed, a first gap is formed between the first lever and the first coating clamp in an opening/closing direction in which the windproof cover opens and closes, in a state in which the windproof cover is closed, a second gap is formed between the second lever and the second coating clamp in the opening/closing direction, and in the opening/closing direction, a dimension of the first gap and a dimension of the second gap are different from each other.

　　According to aspect 5 of the present invention, when the windproof cover is being opened, a timing at which the first lever comes into contact with the first coating clamp and a timing at which the second lever comes into contact with the second coating clamp are deviated from each other. Thereby, it is possible to reduce a force required to open the windproof cover.

　　Also, according to aspect 6 of the present invention, in the fusion splicer of aspect 5, a first claw portion engaging with the first lever so that the first coating clamp opens when the windproof cover is being opened is provided in the first coating clamp, a second claw portion engaging with the second lever so that the second coating clamp opens when the windproof cover is being opened is provided in the second coating clamp, and in the opening/closing direction, a dimension of the first claw portion and a dimension of the second claw portion are different from each other.

　　According to aspect 6 of the present invention, it is possible to easily realize a configuration in which the dimension of the first gap and the dimension of the second gap are different from each other.

　　According to the above aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a fusion splicer capable of improving workability of fusion splicing while increase in weight and complexity of a structure are reduced.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a fusion splicer according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a windproof cover of FIG. 1 is open. FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating a splicing structure according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a schematic view illustrating the vicinity of an interlocking mechanism according to the present embodiment. FIG. 5A is a perspective view illustrating an example of a first claw portion according to the present embodiment. FIG. 5B is a perspective view illustrating an example of a second claw portion according to the present embodiment. FIG. 6A is a perspective view illustrating an example of the windproof cover according to the present embodiment. FIG. 6B is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 6A, illustrating a state in which a lever according to the present embodiment is at an interlocking position. FIG. 6C is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 6A, illustrating a state in which the lever according to the present embodiment is at a non-interlocking position. FIG. 7A is a schematic view illustrating a state in which the windproof cover of FIG. 4 is being opened. FIG. 7B is a schematic view illustrating a state following FIG. 7A. FIG. 8 is a schematic view illustrating a state in which the windproof cover of FIG. 4 is being closed. FIG. 9 is a schematic view illustrating the vicinity of an interlocking mechanism according to a modified example.

　　Hereinafter, a fusion splicer according to the present embodiment will be described on the basis of the drawings.
　　As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, a fusion splicer 1 is configured to fusion-splice a pair of optical fibers FA and FB (a first optical fiber FA and a second optical fiber FB). The optical fibers FA and FB each have a glass part G and a coating part C that coats the glass part G. Hereinafter, the glass part G and the coating part C of the first optical fiber FA are referred to as a first glass part GA and a first coating part CA, respectively. Similarly, the glass part G and the coating part C of the second optical fiber FB are referred to as a second glass part GB and a second coating part CB, respectively. Each of the coating parts C may be formed of a single layer or may be formed of a plurality of layers. The coating part C in the present embodiment includes a first coating layer C1 and a second coating layer C2 that covers the first coating layer C1 from the outside. The first coating layer C1 and the second coating layer C2 are formed of a resin. Note that, the coating part C may include three or more coating layers.

　　The fusion splicer 1 may be configured to collectively fusion-splice a first optical fiber unit including the first optical fiber FA and a second optical fiber unit including the second optical fiber FB. That is, the fusion splicer 1 may fusion-splice single-core optical fibers FA and FB, or may collectively fusion-splice multi-core optical fiber units. That is, the phrase “fusion-splicing a pair of optical fibers” includes a case of fusion-splicing multi-core optical fiber units.

　　As illustrated in FIG. 1, the fusion splicer 1 has a device main body 2 that has an external appearance of a box shape. A windproof cover 3 is provided on an upper part of the device main body 2. The windproof cover 3 is rotatable around a rotation center 3a. As illustrated in FIG. 2, when the windproof cover 3 rotates around the rotation center 3a, a splicing structure 10 for fusion-splicing the optical fibers FA and FB is exposed. The splicing structure 10 includes a heating part 2a that heats the optical fibers FA and FB. Also, the device main body 2 includes a display part 2b that displays an image, which is captured by a camera incorporated in the device main body 2, or the like.

　　Hereinafter, the splicing structure 10 of the present embodiment will be described using FIG. 3. Note that, in FIG. 3, each member is illustrated in a simplified manner to facilitate understanding of the structure.
　　As illustrated in FIG. 3, the splicing structure 10 includes a pair of movable stages 11, a pair of coating holding parts 31, a pair of glass holding parts 13, a pair of glass clamps 14, and a pair of coating clamps 21. Also, the splicing structure 10 includes a pair of electrode rods 17 (only one of the electrode rods 17 is illustrated in FIG. 3). A direction in which the optical fibers FA and FB are arranged and a direction in which the pair of electrode rods 17 face each other are orthogonal to each other.

(Definition of directions)
　　In the present embodiment, a direction in which the optical fibers FA and FB are arranged is referred to as a left-right direction X and is represented by an X-axis. Also, a direction in which the pair of electrode rods 17 face each other is referred to as a front-rear direction Y and is represented by a Y-axis. A vertical direction Z orthogonal to both the left-right direction X and the front-rear direction Y is represented by a Z-axis. The left-right direction X is also a direction in which the pair of optical fibers FA and FB extend. In the left-right direction X, a side toward the pair of electrode rods 17 is referred to as the inside, and a side away from the pair of electrode rods 17 is referred to as the outside.
　　The splicing structure 10 has a substantially symmetrical structure in the left-right direction X with the pair of electrode rods 17 as a center (excluding claw portions 42A and 42B and gaps dA and dB to be described later).

　　Although not illustrated, the pair of electrode rods 17 are disposed at a distance from each other in the front-rear direction Y. The electrode rods 17 each have a tapered shape in which an outer diameter decreases toward the inside in the front-rear direction Y (a side toward the optical fibers FA and FB). Abutment surfaces of the optical fibers FA and FB are disposed between the electrode rods 17, and discharging is performed toward the abutment surfaces. Thereby, it is possible to heat and fusion-splice distal ends of the optical fibers FA and FB. That is, the heating part 2a of the present embodiment is constituted by the pair of electrode rods 17. Note that, a heater or the like may be used as the heating part 2a instead of the electrode rod 17.

　　The pair of movable stages 11 are disposed at a distance from each other in the left-right direction X and are attached to the device main body 2. The pair of movable stages 11 are each movable in the left-right direction X with respect to the device main body 2. As illustrated in FIG. 3, when viewed from the front-rear direction Y, the pair of movable stages 11 are disposed to sandwich the electrode rods 17 therebetween. That is, it is possible for each movable stage 11 to move forward and backward relative to the electrode rod 17. A power source (such as a motor) (not illustrated) for driving the movable stage 11 is provided inside the device main body 2. Hereinafter, the pair of movable stages 11 may be referred to as a first movable stage 11A and a second movable stage 11B.

　　The pair of coating holding parts 31 are each positioned above the movable stage 11. The pair of coating clamps 21 are each positioned above the coating holding part 31. The coating holding part 31 and the coating clamp 21 are attached to the movable stage 11. Therefore, when the movable stage 11 moves in the left-right direction X, the coating holding part 31 and the coating clamp 21 also move in the left-right direction X. Hereinafter, the coating holding part 31 and the coating clamp 21 attached to the first movable stage 11A may be referred to as a first coating holding part 31A and a first coating clamp 21A, respectively. Similarly, the coating holding part 31 and the coating clamp 21 attached to the second movable stage 11B may be referred to as a second coating holding part 31B and a second coating clamp 21B, respectively.

　　The glass clamp 14 is positioned above the glass holding part 13. The glass clamp 14 may be configured to be manually closed and opened by a user. Alternatively, the glass clamp 14 may be configured to be opened and closed in conjunction with opening and closing operations of the windproof cover 3. Hereinafter, the glass clamp 14 positioned above the first glass holding part 13A may be referred to as a first glass clamp 14A, and the glass clamp 14 positioned above the second glass holding part 13B may be referred to as a second glass clamp 14B.

　　As illustrated in FIG. 3, the glass holding part 13 is positioned between the electrode rod 17 and the coating holding part 31 when viewed from the front-rear direction Y. Hereinafter, the glass holding part 13 that holds the first optical fiber FA may be referred to as a first glass holding part 13A, and the glass holding part 13 that holds the second optical fiber FB may be referred to as a second glass holding part 13B. A V-shaped groove 13a that opens upward is formed on an upper surface of the glass holding part 13. The groove 13a extends in the left-right direction X. The glass part G of the first optical fiber FA is placed in the groove 13a of the first glass holding part 13A, and the glass part G of the second optical fiber FB is placed in the groove 13a of the second glass holding part 13B. Thereby, relative positions of the glass parts G are determined. Note that, a shape of the groove 13a is not limited to the V shape as long as it is possible to determine a position of the glass part G. For example, the groove 13a may be U-shaped or trapezoidal. A material of the glass holding part 13 is a material that is capable of withstanding discharge heating such as, for example, a ceramic.

　　The coating clamp 21 is provided to be rotatable with respect to the coating holding part 31. The coating clamp 21 is capable of opening and closing an upper surface of the coating holding part 31. The coating clamps 21 press the coating parts C of the optical fibers FA and FB from above. Thereby, it is possible for the coating clamps 21 clamp the coating parts C of the optical fibers FA and FB between themselves and the coating holding parts 31. Also, by opening and closing with respect to the upper surface of the coating holding part 31, it is possible to switch the coating clamps 21 between a state of clamping the optical fibers FA and FB and a state of not clamping the optical fibers FA and FB. A portion of the coating clamp 21 that comes into contact with the coating part C is formed of a material having elasticity (for example, rubber). Hereinafter, the coating clamp 21 that presses the first coating part CA may be referred to as the first coating clamp 21A, and the coating clamp 21 that presses the second coating part CB may be referred to as the second coating clamp 21B.

　　As illustrated in FIG. 4, the coating clamp 21 includes a lid member 21a, a compression spring 21b, and a pressing piece 21c. The lid member 21a is rotatable around a rotating axis 21e. The compression spring 21b and the pressing piece 21c are disposed inside the lid member 21a. The pressing pieces 21c come into contact with the optical fibers FA and FB. The compression spring 21b applies a downward biasing force to the pressing piece 21c. Therefore, in a state in which the coating clamps 21 are closed, the pressing pieces 21c press the optical fibers FA and FB with predetermined forces due to the compression springs 21b.

　　A magnet 31a is provided in the coating holding part 31. An adsorption member 21d (an iron material or the like) that is magnetically adsorbed to the magnet 31a is provided in the lid member 21a of the coating clamp 21. Therefore, when the coating clamp 21 is close to the upper surface of the coating holding part 31, a downward force (magnetic force) acts on the coating clamp 21. This magnetic force becomes a force (closing force) for the coating clamp 21 to try to close. When the pressing pieces 21c press the optical fibers FA and FB, the lid members 21a receive upward reaction forces. The magnetic force of the magnet 31a is set to be strong so that the lid member 21a does not open due to the reaction force.

　　A torsion coil spring 21f is disposed around the rotating axis 21e. The torsion coil spring 21f applies a moment around the rotating axis 21e in a direction of opening the coating clamp 21 to the coating clamp 21. However, the force (opening force) by which the torsion coil spring 21f tries to open the coating clamp 21 is smaller than the magnetic force (closing force) in a state in which the magnet 31a and the adsorption member 21d are close to each other. Therefore, in a state in which the magnet 31a and the adsorption member 21d are close to each other, the closing force is larger than the opening force due to the torsion coil spring 21f. Thereby, a state in which the coating clamp 21 is closed is maintained.

　　Here, the fusion splicer 1 of the present embodiment includes an interlocking mechanism 40 for opening the coating clamp 21 in conjunction with an operation of opening the windproof cover 3 as illustrated in FIG. 4. Specifically, the fusion splicer 1 of the present embodiment includes a first interlocking mechanism 40A and a second interlocking mechanism 40B. The first interlocking mechanism 40A is a mechanism for opening the first coating clamp 21A in conjunction with the operation of opening the windproof cover 3. The second interlocking mechanism 40B is a mechanism for opening the second coating clamp 21B in conjunction with the operation of opening the windproof cover 3.

　　The interlocking mechanism 40A and 40B each include a lever 41, a claw portion 42, and a lever holding part 43. Hereinafter, the lever 41, the claw portion 42, and the lever holding part 43 included in the first interlocking mechanism 40A may be referred to as a first lever 41A, the first claw portion 42A, and a first lever holding part 43A, respectively. Similarly, the lever 41, the claw portion 42, and the lever holding part 43 included in the second interlocking mechanism 40B may be referred to as a second lever 41B, the second claw portion 42B, and a second lever holding part 43B, respectively.

　　The lever holding part 43 is provided on an inner surface of the windproof cover 3. The lever holding part 43 extends from the inner surface of the windproof cover 3 toward the inside of the fusion splicer 1. A rotating axis (lever rotating axis) 41a extending in the left-right direction X is provided at a distal end of the lever holding part 43. The rotating axis 41a is provided in the windproof cover 3 via the lever holding part 43. By the lever holding part 43 (and a switching mechanism 50 to be described later), the lever 41 is held by the windproof cover 3 so as not to fall off from the windproof cover 3.

　　The lever 41 is configured to be capable of rotational movement with the rotating axis 41a provided in the windproof cover 3 as a center. In other words, the lever 41 is configured to be able to change a relative angle θ with respect to the lever holding part 43 within a plane parallel to the front-rear direction Y and the vertical direction Z. However, a maximum value (maximum angle) θ0 is set for the relative angle θ that the lever 41 may take. Then, the lever 41 is configured not to open more than the maximum angle θ0 with respect to the lever holding part 43. The maximum angle θ0 is, for example, about 90°.

　　The claw portion 42 is provided (fixed) to the coating clamp 21. In a state in which the coating clamp 21 is closed, the claw portion 42 extends in the front-rear direction Y from the lid member 21a. The claw portion 42 may be formed integrally with the lid member 21a, or may be formed separately from the lid member 21a.

　　In a state in which the coating clamp 21 and the windproof cover 3 are closed, the claw portion 42 overlaps the lever 41 when viewed from the vertical direction Z and is positioned above the lever 41. Hereinafter, such a position of the lever 41 and the claw portion 42 may be referred to as an “engageable position”. In a state in which the coating clamp 21 and the windproof cover 3 are closed, a gap d is formed between the claw portion 42 and the lever 41 in an opening/closing direction (the vertical direction Z in the illustrated example) in which the windproof cover 3 opens and closes. When the windproof cover 3 is being opened, the lever 41 approaches the claw portion 42 to narrow the gap d and comes into contact with the claw portion 42 from below. Then, the lever 41 lifts the coating clamp 21 (the lid member 21a) against the closing force due to the magnet 31a and the adsorption member 21d (see also FIG. 7A). Thereby, the lever 41 (the interlocking mechanism 40) opens the coating clamp 21 in conjunction with the operation of opening the windproof cover 3.

　　Hereinafter, the gap d formed between the first lever 41A and the first claw portion 42A is referred to as the first gap dA, and the gap d formed between the second lever 41B and the second claw portion 42B is referred to as the second gap dB. In the present embodiment, in the above-described opening/closing direction (the vertical direction Z), a dimension of the first gap dA and a dimension of the second gap dB are different. Specifically, the dimensions of the gaps dA and dB are made different by making a shape of the first claw portion 42A and a shape of the second claw portion 42B different as illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B. In the example illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B, dimensions in the opening/closing direction (the vertical direction Z) are different from each other between the first claw portion 42A and the second claw portion 42B. A difference between the dimension of the first gap dA and the dimension of the second gap dB is, for example, 1 to 10 mm. Note that, in the present embodiment, a length (a dimension in the vertical direction Z) of the first lever holding part 43A and a length (a dimension in the vertical direction Z) of the second lever holding part 43B are substantially equal, and a height of the first lever 41A (a position in the vertical direction Z) and a height of the second lever 41B (a position in the vertical direction Z) are substantially equal. However, the phrase “substantially equal” in the present specification also includes a case in which it may be regarded as being equal if manufacturing errors are removed.

　　By making the dimensions of the gaps dA and dB different from each other, when the windproof cover 3 is being opened, a timing at which the first lever 41A and the first claw portion 42A come into contact with each other and a timing at which the second lever 41B and the second claw portion 42B come into contact with each other deviate from each other. If these timings are assumed to be the same as each other, a force (opening force) larger than a resultant force of the magnetic forces (closing forces) generated by the two magnets 31a of the coating holding parts 31A and 31B is required to open the windproof cover 3. By causing the timings to deviate from each other as described above, it is possible to reduce the force required to open the windproof cover 3. That is, as long as it is a force larger than the magnetic force generated by one magnet 31a, it is possible to open the windproof cover 3 even with the force smaller than the resultant force of the magnetic forces generated by the two magnets 31a.

　　FIG. 6A is a perspective view illustrating an example of the windproof cover 3 according to the present embodiment. FIGS. 6B and 6C are partial cross-sectional views taken along line A-A in FIG. 6A. As illustrated in FIGS. 6A to 6C, the windproof cover 3 may include the switching mechanism 50. The switching mechanism 50 in the illustrated example includes an operation part 51, a fitting part 52, and a connection part 53.

　　As illustrated in FIGS. 6B and 6C, the fitting part 52 has a U shape that protrudes outward in the left-right direction X when viewed from the vertical direction Z. A fitting space 3c into which the fitting part 52 is fitted is formed in the windproof cover 3. The fitting space 3c communicates with an opening 3b (see FIG. 6A) formed in a side surface of the windproof cover 3. When the fitting part 52 is fitted into the fitting space 3c, the switching mechanism 50 (and the lever 41) falling off from the windproof cover 3 is restricted.

　　A restriction part 3d is formed inside the fitting space 3c. The restriction part 3d is disposed inside the U-shaped fitting part 52. In the front-rear direction Y, a dimension inside the fitting part 52 is larger than a dimension of the restriction part 3d. Also, in the front-rear direction Y, a dimension outside the fitting part 52 is smaller than a dimension of the fitting space 3c. Thereby, the fitting part 52 is configured to be movable relative to the windproof cover 3 in the front-rear direction Y.

　　The operation part 51 protrudes outward in the left-right direction X from a center portion of the fitting part 52 in the front-rear direction Y. Thereby, the operation part 51 is exposed to the outside of the windproof cover 3 through the opening 3b as illustrated in FIG. 6A.

　　The connection part 53 connects the operation part 51 and the fitting part 52 to the lever 41. Thereby, the operation part 51, the fitting part 52, the connection part 53, and the lever 41 integrally move in the front-rear direction Y. Note that, the fusion splicer 1 may have a switching mechanism (first switching mechanism) connected to the first lever 41A, may have a switching mechanism (second switching mechanism) connected to the second lever 41B, or may have both of them.

　　Due to the switching mechanism 50 as described above, it is possible to switch a relative position of the lever 41 with respect to the windproof cover 3 between an interlocking state illustrated in FIG. 6B and a non-interlocking state illustrated in FIG. 6C. Specifically, for example, when the user operates (operates to slide) the operation part 51 in the front-rear direction Y, the above-described two positions are switched. Here, an “interlocking position” is a position at which an opening operation of the windproof cover 3 and an opening operation of the coating clamp 21 are interlocked. Specifically, this is a position at which the lever 41 and the claw portion 42 overlap when viewed from the vertical direction Z with the windproof cover 3 closed (see also FIG. 4). On the other hand, a “non-interlocking position” is a position at which the opening operation of the windproof cover 3 and the opening operation of the coating clamp 21 are not interlocked. Specifically, this is a position at which the lever 41 and the claw portion 42 do not overlap when viewed from the vertical direction Z with the windproof cover 3 closed.

　　Note that, the fusion splicer 1 may not have the switching mechanism 50. In this case, the lever 41, the rotating axis 41a, and the lever holding part 43 may be fixed to the windproof cover 3.

　　Next, an operation of the fusion splicer 1 configured as above will be described.

　　When the optical fibers FA and FB are fusion-spliced using the fusion splicer 1, the operator first opens the windproof cover 3. At this time, the lever 41 of the interlocking mechanism 40 comes into contact with the claw portion 42 from below. At this time, the lever 41 does not perform rotational movement, and the relative angle θ of the lever 41 with respect to the lever holding part 43 is maintained at the maximum angle θ0. Then, the lever 41 pushes the claw portion 42 upward as illustrated in FIG. 7A. That is, the lever 41 engages with the coating clamp 21 (the claw portion 42) so that the coating clamp 21 opens. Thereby, the lid member 21a rotates around the rotating axis 21e, and a distance between the adsorption member 21d and the magnet 31a increases. As the magnet 31a and the adsorption member 21d are separated from each other, the magnetic force decreases. Therefore, when the coating clamp 21 opens to a certain extent, the opening force due to the coil spring 21f becomes larger than the closing force. Thereby, the coating clamp 21 opens as illustrated in FIG. 7B.

　　Next, the optical fibers FA and FB are placed on the coating clamps 21 and the glass holding parts 13. More specifically, the coating parts C of the optical fibers FA and FB are placed on the coating clamps 21, and the glass parts G thereof are placed in the grooves 13a of the glass holding parts 13. Note that, the optical fibers FA and FB are each in a state in which a portion of the coating part C is removed in advance and the glass part G is exposed. Then, the coating clamp 21 is closed.

　　After the coating clamp 21 is closed, the windproof cover 3 is closed. As illustrated in FIG. 8, when the windproof cover 3 is closed, the lever 41 comes into contact with the claw portion 42 from above. The lever 41 performs rotational movement around the rotating axis 41a due to a pressing force from the claw portion 42 (the coating clamp 21). Specifically, the lever 41 performs rotational movement in a direction in which the relative angle θ with respect to the lever holding part 43 decreases.

　　Here, the lever 41 is configured to get over the claw portion 42 before the windproof cover 3 is completely closed. Thereby, when the windproof cover 3 is completely closed, the lever 41 returns to a position below the claw portion 42 (that is, a position at which it is engageable with the claw portion 42, see FIG. 4). Thereafter, it is possible to open again the coating clamp 21 by opening the windproof cover 3. For example, if the user opens the windproof cover 3 when the fusion-spliced optical fibers FA and FB are taken out, the coating clamp 21 also opens in conjunction therewith. When the operation of opening the windproof cover 3 and the operation of opening the coating clamp 21 are interlocked as described above, workability of fusion splicing can be improved.

　　As described above, the fusion splicer 1 according to the present embodiment includes the device main body 2 having the heating part 2a that heats the first optical fiber FA and the second optical fiber FB, the openable and closable first coating clamp 21A pressing the first coating part CA which is the coating part C of the first optical fiber FA, the openable and closable second coating clamp 21B pressing the second coating part CB which is the coating part C of the second optical fiber FB, the first coating holding part 31A holding the first coating part CA between itself and the first coating clamp 21A, the second coating holding part 31B holding the second coating part CB between itself and the second coating clamp 21B, and the openable and closable windproof cover 3 covering the first coating clamp 21A, the second coating clamp 21B, the first coating holding part 31A, and the second coating holding part 31B, in which the levers 41A and 41B for opening the coating clamps 21A and 21B in conjunction with the operation of opening the windproof cover 3 are provided in the windproof cover 3.

　　According to this configuration, the coating clamps 21A and 21B open in conjunction with the operation of opening the windproof cover 3. Therefore, it is possible to improve the workability of fusion splicing. Also, in interlocking the opening operations as described above, there is no need to provide a power source such as a motor or a complicated torque transmission mechanism. Therefore, it is possible to reduce increase in weight of the fusion splicer 1 and complexity of a structure of the fusion splicer 1.

　　Also, the levers 41A and 41B are able to perform rotational movement with the rotating axes 41a provided in the windproof cover 3 as centers, and the levers 41A and 41B engage with the coating clamps 21A and 21B so that the levers 41A and 41B perform the rotational movement due to a pressing force from the coating clamps 21A and 21B when the windproof cover 3 is being closed, and the levers 41A and 41B do not perform the rotational movement and open the coating clamps 21A and 21B when the windproof cover 3 is being opened. With this configuration, while making it possible to open the coating clamps 21A and 21B due to the levers 41A and 41B, it is possible to return the levers 41A and 41B to a position at which they are engageable with the coating clamps 21A and 21B after the windproof cover 3 is closed.

　　Also, the relative positions of the levers 41A and 41B with respect to the windproof cover 3 are switchable between the interlocking position in which the operation of opening the windproof cover 3 and the operation of opening the coating clamps 21A and 21B are interlocked, and the non-interlocking position in which the operation of opening the windproof cover 3 and the operation of opening the coating clamps 21A and 21B are not interlocked. With this configuration, for example, the operator may arbitrarily switch whether or not to interlock the opening operation of the windproof cover 3 with the opening operation of the coating clamps 21A and 21B.

　　Also, both the first lever 41A and the second lever 41B are provided in the windproof cover 3, in a state in which the windproof cover 3 is closed, the first gap dA is formed between the first lever 41A and the first coating clamp 21A in the opening/closing direction in which the windproof cover 3 opens and closes, in a state in which the windproof cover 3 is closed, the second gap dB is formed between the second lever 41B and the second coating clamp 21B in the opening/closing direction, and in the opening/closing direction, the dimension of the first gap dA and the dimension of the second gap dB are different from each other. With this configuration, when the windproof cover 3 is being opened, a timing at which the first lever 41A comes into contact with the first coating clamp 21A and a timing at which the second lever 41B comes into contact with the second coating clamp 21B are deviated from each other. Thereby, it is possible to reduce a force required to open the windproof cover 3.

　　Also, the first claw portion 42A engaging with the first lever 41A so that the first coating clamp 21A opens when the windproof cover 3 is being opened is provided in the first coating clamp 21A, the second claw portion 42B engaging with the second lever 41B so that the second coating clamp 21B opens when the windproof cover 3 is being opened is provided in the second coating clamp 21B, and in the above-described opening/closing direction, a dimension of the first claw portion 42A and a dimension of the second claw portion 42B are different from each other. Thereby, it is possible to easily realize a configuration in which the dimension of the first gap dA and the dimension of the second gap dB are different from each other.

　　Note that, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications may be made in a range not departing from the meaning of the present invention.

　　FIG. 9 is a schematic view illustrating an interlocking mechanism 140 included in a fusion splicer 101 according to a modified example. Similarly to the above-described embodiment, this interlocking mechanism 140 includes levers 141 (a first lever 141A and a second lever 141B), claw portions 142 (a first claw portion 142A and a second claw portion 142B), and lever holding parts 143 (a first lever holding part 143A and a second lever holding part 143B). However, unlike the embodiment described above, the lever 141 does not perform rotational movement with respect to the lever holding part 143, and the claw portion 142 performs rotational movement with respect to the coating clamp 21 (lid member 21a).

　　Specifically, a rotating axis (claw portion rotating axis) 142a extending in the left-right direction X is provided (fixed) to the lid member 21a of the coating clamp 21. Then, the claw portion 142 is configured to be able to perform rotational movement with the rotating axis 142a as a center. Also, the claw portion 142 engages with the lever 141 so that the claw portion 142 performs the rotational movement due to a pressing force from the lever 141 when the windproof cover 3 is being closed, and the claw portion 142 does not perform the rotational movement and opens the coating clamp 21 when the windproof cover 3 is being opened. Even with such a configuration, it is possible to obtain the same operation and effects as those of the embodiment described above. That is, while making it possible to open the coating clamps 21A and 21B due to the levers 141A and 141B, it is possible to return the levers 141A and 141B to a position at which they are engageable with the coating clamps 21A and 21B after the windproof cover 3 is closed.

　　Also, in the embodiment described above, the dimensions of the gaps dA and dB are made different by making dimensions of the claw portions 42A (142A) and 42B (142B) different, but a method of making the dimensions of the gaps dA and dB different is not limited thereto. For example, the maximum angle θ0 may be made different between the first lever 41A (141A) and the second lever 41B (141B). A length of the first lever holding part 43A (143A) and a length of the second lever holding part 43B (143B) may be made different.

　　Also, the fusion splicer 1 may include only one of the first lever 41A (the first interlocking mechanism 40A) and the second lever 41B (the second interlocking mechanism 40B).

　　In addition, the components in the above-described embodiment may be appropriately replaced with well-known components within a range not departing from the spirit of the present invention, and the above-described embodiment and modified example may be appropriately combined.

　　For example, a fusion splicer in which both the lever 41 and the claw portion 142 are capable of rotational movement may be employed by combining the above-described embodiment and the modified example.

　　1, 101: Fusion splicer
　　2: Device main body
　　2a: Heating part
　　3: Windproof cover
　　21A: First coating clamp
　　21B: Second coating clamp
　　31A: First coating holding part
　　31B: Second coating holding part
　　41A, 141A: First lever
　　41B, 141B: Second lever
　　41a: Rotating axis
　　42A, 142A: First claw portion
　　42B, 142B: Second claw portion
　　FA: First optical fiber
　　FB: Second optical fiber
　　G: Glass part
　　GA: First glass part
　　GB: Second glass part
　　dA: First gap
　　dB: Second gap

Claims

A fusion splicer comprising:
　　a device main body including a heating part which heats a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber;
　　an openable and closable first coating clamp pressing a first coating part which is a coating part of the first optical fiber;
　　an openable and closable second coating clamp pressing a second coating part which is a coating part of the second optical fiber;
　　a first coating holding part holding the first coating part between itself and the first coating clamp;
　　a second coating holding part holding the second coating part between itself and the second coating clamp; and
　　an openable and closable windproof cover covering the first coating clamp, the second coating clamp, the first coating holding part, and the second coating holding part, wherein
　　a first lever for opening the first coating clamp in conjunction with an operation of opening the windproof cover is provided in the windproof cover.
The fusion splicer according to claim 1, wherein
　　the first lever is able to perform rotational movement with a rotating axis provided in the windproof cover as a center, and
　　the first lever engages with the first coating clamp so that:
　　　　the first lever performs the rotational movement due to a pressing force from the first coating clamp when the windproof cover is being closed, and
　　　　the first lever does not perform the rotational movement and opens the first coating clamp when the windproof cover is being opened.
The fusion splicer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein
　　a first claw portion which is able to perform rotational movement with a rotating axis provided in the first coating clamp as a center is provided in the first coating clamp, and
　　the first claw portion engages with the first lever so that:
　　　　the first claw portion performs the rotational movement due to a pressing force from the first lever when the windproof cover is being closed, and
　　　　the first claw portion does not perform the rotational movement and opens the first coating clamp when the windproof cover is being opened.
The fusion splicer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein
　　a relative position of the first lever with respect to the windproof cover is switchable between an interlocking position in which an operation of opening the windproof cover and an operation of opening the first coating clamp are interlocked, and a non-interlocking position in which an operation of opening the windproof cover and an operation of opening the first coating clamp are not interlocked.
The fusion splicer according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein
　　a second lever opening the second coating clamp in conjunction with an operation of opening the windproof cover is provided in the windproof cover,
　　in a state in which the windproof cover is closed, a first gap is formed between the first lever and the first coating clamp in an opening/closing direction in which the windproof cover opens and closes,
　　in a state in which the windproof cover is closed, a second gap is formed between the second lever and the second coating clamp in the opening/closing direction, and
　　in the opening/closing direction, a dimension of the first gap and a dimension of the second gap are different from each other.
The fusion splicer according to claim 5, wherein
　　a first claw portion engaging with the first lever so that the first coating clamp opens when the windproof cover is being opened is provided in the first coating clamp,
　　a second claw portion engaging with the second lever so that the second coating clamp opens when the windproof cover is being opened is provided in the second coating clamp, and
　　in the opening/closing direction, a dimension of the first claw portion and a dimension of the second claw portion are different from each other.