JP2000075161A - Optical fiber arranging jig and optical cable with it - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optical fiber arranging jig for facilitating loading work of an coated optical fiber. SOLUTION: This optical fiber arranging jig 6 is provided with an arranging jig main body part 10 having an arrangement groove 14 opening its front end part 14a and rear end part 14b and a cap part 20 into which the front end part of the arranging jig main body part 10 is inserted and which is slid along the prolonging direction of the arrangement groove 14, and the arranging jig main body part 10 is arranged in the nesting state for the cap part 20.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical fiber aligning jig, and more particularly, to an optical fiber aligning jig configured to collectively bundle a plurality of optical fiber cores. The present invention also relates to an optical cable having the above-described optical fiber alignment jig.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a technique in such a field, there is JP-A-10-133050. The optical fiber alignment jig described in this publication has an alignment tool main body having a plurality of partitions arranged in parallel with each other so as to be spaced at a fixed interval on the bottom plate, and inserted into an alignment groove between the partitions. A lid having elastic claws for manual opening / closing and a cushioning material interposed between the alignment tool main body and the lid are provided to prevent the optical fiber core wire from coming off. Further, this jig is for supporting and fixing the optical fiber cores in an organized state in a device such as an optical distribution board on which a large number of optical fiber cores are mounted. Specifically, four optical fiber cores are inserted into the alignment grooves of the jig fixed to the optical distribution board so as to overlap in the vertical direction, and in that state, the optical fiber cores are pressed by the cushioning material, Attach the lid to the alignment tool body. As a result, the holding of the cushioning material ensures that the optical fiber core is fixed in the desired alignment groove.

[0003]

However, the above-mentioned conventional optical fiber alignment jig has the following problems. That is, the alignment grooves arranged in parallel are formed by the respective partition pieces erected on the bottom plate, and each alignment groove extends along the bottom plate, and the cover is fitted from above the alignment groove to form the optical fiber core. The line is fixed. As a result, if the aligning device main body is not firmly held with respect to the flexible optical fiber core, there is a problem that it is difficult to fit the lid to the aligning device main body and it is difficult to work in a narrow place.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an optical fiber alignment jig which facilitates the work of mounting an optical fiber. Still another object of the present invention is to provide an optical cable having an optical fiber alignment jig in which mounting of an optical fiber is easy.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an optical fiber alignment jig having an alignment groove for aligning and aligning an optical fiber core, wherein a front end and a rear end are provided. An alignment jig main body having an opened alignment groove, and a front end side of the alignment jig main body is inserted, and a lid portion is slid along the extending direction of the alignment groove,
The alignment jig main body is arranged in a nested state with respect to the lid.

In this optical fiber aligning jig, an optical fiber core is inserted from the front end side to the rear end side of the alignment groove of the aligning jig main body, and a lid is attached to the aligning jig main body. While the is sliding, the alignment jig body is nested in the lid. As described above, as a result of sliding the lid along the extending direction of the alignment groove, the lid can be fitted to the alignment jig main body along the extending direction of the optical fiber core wire, and can be used in a narrow place. Work becomes easier. Moreover, since the alignment jig main body has a pull-out structure with respect to the lid, it is easy to insert or remove the optical fiber core wire into or out of the alignment groove of the jig as necessary.
It contributes to work efficiency improvement.

In the optical fiber alignment jig according to the present invention, a pair of right and left columns extending parallel to the alignment groove are provided on both sides of the alignment jig body, and on both sides of the lid. A pair of left and right holding portions that are engaged with the support portion are provided, and an alignment jig is formed by cooperation of a first locking portion provided on the support portion and a second locking portion provided on the holding portion. It is preferable to fix the lid to the main body. As described above, as a result of adopting the structure in which the lid is slid with respect to the alignment jig main body, the lid is fixed to the alignment jig main body until the first locking part and the second locking part are engaged. By keeping the slide mounted,
During operation, the lid can be securely fixed to the alignment jig main body while the optical fiber core wire is prevented from falling off the alignment jig main body by the lid.

[0008] In the optical fiber alignment jig according to the third aspect, it is preferable that a projection fitted into the alignment groove is provided on the back surface of the lid. When such a configuration is adopted, the setting of the number of optical fiber cores that can be loaded in the alignment groove can be appropriately changed by changing the amount of protrusion of the protrusion. In addition, since the protrusion fits into the alignment groove, it is possible to prevent the optical fiber core from being unsteady in the alignment groove.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the alignment groove preferably has a width for aligning the plurality of optical fiber cores in a line in the depth direction of the alignment groove. When such a configuration is employed, the optical fiber cores are reliably aligned in a line in the alignment groove, do not become entangled with each other, contribute to the prevention of breakage of the optical fiber core, and furthermore, the optical fiber core is prevented from being broken. The order of arrangement can always be kept constant.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an optical cable with an optical fiber aligning jig, wherein the optical fiber aligning jig having an alignment groove for aligning and arranging the optical fiber is attached. An alignment jig main body having an alignment groove having an open front end and a rear end, and a lid for inserting the front end side of the alignment jig main body and sliding along the extending direction of the alignment groove. The alignment jig body is disposed in a nested state with respect to the lid, and the optical fiber core has a tensile strength member at the outer periphery of the optical fiber.

In the optical fiber alignment jig applied to this optical cable, an optical fiber core is inserted from the front end side to the rear end side of the alignment groove of the alignment jig main body, and the alignment jig main body is inserted. Then, while sliding the lid, the alignment jig body is nested in the lid. As described above, as a result of sliding the lid along the extending direction of the alignment groove, the lid can be fitted to the alignment jig main body along the extending direction of the optical fiber core wire, and can be used in a narrow place. Work becomes easier. Moreover, since the alignment jig main body has a pull-out structure with respect to the lid, it is easy to insert or remove the optical fiber core wire into or out of the alignment groove of the jig as necessary. It contributes to work efficiency improvement.

In the optical fiber alignment jig according to the present invention, a pair of right and left columns extending parallel to the alignment groove are provided on both sides of the alignment jig body, and on both sides of the lid. A pair of left and right holding portions that are engaged with the support portion are provided, and an alignment jig is formed by cooperation of a first locking portion provided on the support portion and a second locking portion provided on the holding portion. It is preferable to fix the lid to the main body. As described above, as a result of adopting the structure in which the lid is slid with respect to the alignment jig main body, the lid is fixed to the alignment jig main body until the first locking part and the second locking part are engaged. By keeping the slide mounted,
During operation, the lid can be securely fixed to the alignment jig main body while the optical fiber core wire is prevented from falling off the alignment jig main body by the lid.

[0013] In the optical fiber alignment jig according to claim 7, it is preferable that a projection fitted into the alignment groove is provided on the back surface of the lid. When such a configuration is adopted, the setting of the number of optical fiber cores that can be loaded in the alignment groove can be appropriately changed by changing the amount of protrusion of the protrusion. In addition, since the protrusion fits into the alignment groove, it is possible to prevent the optical fiber core from being unsteady in the alignment groove.

In the optical fiber alignment jig according to the present invention, it is preferable that the alignment groove has a width for aligning the plurality of optical fiber cores in a line in the depth direction of the alignment groove. When such a configuration is employed, the optical fiber cores are reliably aligned in a line in the alignment groove, do not become entangled with each other, contribute to the prevention of breakage of the optical fiber core, and furthermore, the optical fiber core is prevented from being broken. The order of arrangement can always be kept constant.

Preferably, the optical fiber alignment jig is disposed between a pair of front and rear stoppers provided on the optical fiber core.
When such a configuration is adopted, the optical fiber alignment jig can be kept free with respect to the optical fiber core, and the optical fiber alignment jig can freely move along the optical fiber core. As a result, the position of the jig can be easily specified even on a very long optical fiber, and the operator can easily find the jig.

In the optical fiber alignment jig according to the present invention, an optical connector is provided at the tip of the optical fiber core, and a stopper is provided in the middle of the optical fiber core. It is preferable to be disposed between the stopper and the stopper. When such a configuration is adopted, the optical fiber alignment jig can be kept free with respect to the optical fiber core, and the optical fiber alignment jig can freely move along the optical fiber core. As a result, the position of the jig can be easily specified even on a very long optical fiber, and the operator can easily find the jig.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of an optical fiber alignment jig and an optical cable with the jig according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a front view showing an optical cable with an optical fiber alignment jig according to the present invention. The optical cable 1 shown in FIG. 1 is used for an optical termination called an optical wiring module (FTM), and a large number of optical fiber cores 2 are led out of the optical cable 1. The optical fiber core 2 has an optical fiber 3 having a diameter of about 0.25 mm at the center, an outer periphery of which is surrounded by a tensile strength member 4 such as Kevlar fiber, and an outermost periphery having a jacket 5 made of nylon, PVC, or the like. (See FIG. 2). As a result, high strength and high durability of the optical fiber core 2 are achieved. The reason why such an optical fiber core wire 2 is employed is that the optical fiber core wire 2 housed in the optical termination may be pulled during work such as switching of an optical connector. Note that FIG.
Although the optical fiber core wire 2 indicated by is a single wire, a tape core wire has the same configuration.

A plurality of optical fiber cores 2 led out of the optical cable 1 are bundled by an optical fiber alignment jig 6 for each desired number. For example, when 128 optical fiber cores 2 are led out from one optical cable 1, the optical fiber
Are bundled every 16 fibers, eight optical fiber alignment jigs 6 are required.

By assigning an identification number or the like to each optical fiber alignment jig 6, a large number of optical fiber cores 2 can be managed for each optical fiber alignment jig 6. That is, the search for the desired optical fiber core 2 is easily achieved by finding the optical fiber alignment jig 6 corresponding to the optical fiber core 2, and the desired optical fiber core 2 is obtained.
Makes it extremely easy to find out.

As described above, if a large number of optical fibers 2 are bundled in a predetermined number by the optical fiber alignment jig 6, the optical fibers 2 can be properly prevented from being entangled with each other. It also contributes to preventing breakage of the optical fiber core wire 2. In addition, the management of the optical fiber cores 2 in each optical fiber alignment jig 6 becomes easy without changing the order of alignment of the optical fiber cores 2. Each optical fiber alignment jig 6 may be fixedly arranged at a predetermined position on the optical termination, or may be mounted on the optical fiber core 2 in a free state.

Here, the optical fiber alignment jig 6 is shown in FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 5, an alignment jig main body 10 having three parallel partition pieces 9 and a front end 10 of the alignment jig main body 10.
a, and a lid 20 for inserting the alignment jig body 10 in a nested state. Each partition 9 of the alignment jig body 10 is fixed to a U-shaped outer frame 13.
Is composed of a pair of right and left columns 11 arranged in parallel to the alignment grooves 14 on both sides of the three partition pieces 9 and a connecting portion 12 bridging between the columns 11. Further, the base end of the partition piece 9 is fixed to the upper surface of the connecting portion 12, and the front end of the partition piece 9 is
It is formed as a free end.

An alignment groove 14 for aligning the optical fiber cores 2 in a line is provided between the partition pieces 9 and between the partition piece 9 and the column 11. Each alignment groove 14
The front end 14a and the rear end 14b are opened, and the alignment grooves 14 are formed.
Has a width for aligning the optical fibers 2 in a row in the depth direction. That is, the width of the alignment groove 14 is formed slightly larger than the diameter of the optical fiber 2. Each of the optical fibers 2 is connected to the front end 14 of the alignment groove 14.
The optical fiber core wire 2 inserted from the side a and inserted into the alignment groove 14 is received by the connecting portion 12. When the optical fiber 2 is a tape, the width of the alignment groove 14 is preferably formed slightly larger than the width of the tape.

The lid portion 20 has a pair of left and right holding portions 21 formed in an L-shaped cross section so as to wrap the pair of left and right column portions 11 from the outside, and a connecting plate 22 extending between the holding portions 21. Having. Each holding portion 21 includes a side plate 23 that contacts the side surface 11a of the support portion 11, and a pair of left and right claw plates 24 that are bent inward at right angles from the side plate 23. Then, each claw plate 24 is attached to the side surface 11 a of the support 11.
Can be slid into the guide groove 15 having an L-shaped cross section extending along the line. In this manner, the cooperation of the holding portion 21 of the lid 20 and the support 11 of the alignment jig main body 10 allows the lid 20 to be moved along the extending direction of the alignment groove 14 of the alignment jig main body 10. Can be slide-fitted. The lid 2
In order to adjust the sliding amount of zero, a stopper surface 15 a is provided at an end of the guide groove 15 in the alignment jig main body 10.

Further, each pillar portion 11 has a hemispherical hooking projection (first locking portion) 16 protruding toward the guide groove 15.
Is provided, and the hooking projection 16 is provided with a front hooking projection 16a.
And a hooking projection 16b on the rear side. On the other hand, in the holding part 21 of the lid part 20, the hooking convex parts 16a, 16b
Is provided with a notch groove (second locking portion) 25 that fits into the notch groove 25. The notch groove 25 includes a front notch groove 25a and a rear notch groove 25b, and forms a pair in front and rear. . When the hooking projection 16 is fitted into the notch groove 25, the lid 20 is fixed to the alignment jig main body 10, and the lid 20 can be prevented from coming off.

On the back surface of the connecting plate 22 of the lid 20,
Four projections 26 are provided that fit into the alignment grooves 14, and each projection 26 extends in the sliding direction of the lid 20, is formed parallel to each other, and slides in the alignment groove 14. It has become. Also, by appropriately changing the amount of protrusion of each projection 26, the number of optical fiber cores 2 that can be loaded into the alignment groove 14 can be changed as appropriate, and the optical fiber core 2 within the alignment groove 14 can be changed. Can be prevented (see FIG. 5).

As described above, the optical fiber aligning jig 6 is composed of two parts, the aligning jig main body 10 and the lid 20.
As shown in FIG. 3, four optical fiber cores 2 are inserted vertically into the alignment groove 14 from the front end 10a side of the alignment jig main body 10, and in this state, the front end of the alignment jig main body 10 is inserted. 1
The cover 20 is fitted so as to slide from the 0a side. At this time, the notch groove 25b of the lid 20 and the hook 16a of the alignment jig main body 10 are once engaged.
Next, as shown in FIG. 7, in order to accommodate the four optical fiber cores 2 along the longitudinal direction of the alignment groove 14,
The optical fiber alignment jig 6 is rotated 90 degrees so as to fall. As a result, the four optical fibers 2 are accommodated in the alignment groove 14 along the extending direction of the alignment groove 14. Then, as shown in FIG. 8, the lid 20 is further slid, and each of the hooking projections 16a and 16b and each of the notch grooves 25 are formed.
a, 25b are fitted to each other, and the lid 20 is firmly fixed to the alignment jig main body 10. Therefore, the optical fiber alignment jig 6 is fixed to the optical cable 1 so as to bundle the four optical fiber cores 2.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, cylindrical stopper parts 30 and 31 are fixed to the front and rear sides of each optical fiber core 2 so as to sandwich the optical fiber alignment jig 6. . Therefore, the movement of the optical fiber alignment jig 6 along the optical fiber core 2 is restricted between the front and rear stopper portions 30 and 31, and as a result, the light on the very long optical fiber core 2 is reduced. The location of the fiber alignment jig 6 can be easily specified, and the operator can easily find the optical fiber alignment jig 6.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above. For example, as shown in FIG. The optical fiber aligning jig 6 may be disposed between the optical connector 33 and the stopper 34. Also, the case where four optical fiber cores 2 are mounted on the optical fiber alignment jig 6 has been described, but it goes without saying that the optical fiber cores 2 may be mounted in all four alignment grooves 14. . In addition, the number of optical fiber core wires 2 to be aligned in the alignment groove 14 can be appropriately changed.

[0030]

The optical fiber aligning jig according to the present invention is configured as described above, and therefore has the following effects. That is, in an optical fiber alignment jig having an alignment groove for aligning and arranging optical fiber core wires, an alignment jig main body having an alignment groove whose front end and rear end are opened, and a front end of the alignment jig main body. The insertion work is performed by arranging the alignment jig main body in a nested state with respect to the lid, the lid being slid along the direction in which the alignment groove extends. Can be facilitated.

Further, since the optical cable according to the present invention has an optical fiber alignment jig which facilitates installation of the optical fiber core, even if the optical cable has a large number of optical fiber cores, the optical fiber alignment jig can be used. Can be easily applied to an optical cable.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of an optical cable with an optical fiber alignment jig according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an optical fiber.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the optical fiber alignment jig according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which a lid is assembled to the alignment jig main body.

5 is a cross-sectional view of the optical fiber alignment jig of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state in which the alignment jig body is slightly inserted into the lid.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a state in which the optical fiber alignment jig is rotated by 90 degrees from the state shown in FIG. 6 so that the optical fiber core is aligned with the alignment groove.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a state in which the alignment jig main body and the lid are completely integrated.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the optical cable according to the present invention.

[Description of Signs] 1 ... optical cable, 2 ... optical fiber core wire, 3 ... optical fiber wire, 4 ... tensile member, 6 ... optical fiber alignment jig, 9 ... partition piece, 10 ... alignment jig main body, 10a ... Front end of the alignment jig body, 11 support column, 14 alignment groove, 14a front end of the alignment groove, 14b rear end of the alignment groove, 16 hooking projection (first locking portion) , 20 ... lid part, 21 ... holding part, 25 ...
Notch groove (second locking portion), 26 ... Projection portion, 30, 3
1, 34: Stopper part, 33: Optical connector.

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. An optical fiber alignment jig having an alignment groove for aligning and aligning an optical fiber core wire, the alignment jig main body having the alignment groove having a front end and a rear end opened, and the alignment jig. A front end side of the fixture body is inserted, and a lid is slid along the extending direction of the alignment groove, and the alignment jig body is disposed in a nested state with respect to the lid. Characteristic optical fiber alignment jig. 2. A pair of right and left columns extending parallel to the alignment groove are provided on both sides of the alignment jig body, and the columns are engaged with the columns on both sides of the lid. A pair of left and right holding portions is provided, and the first locking portion provided on the support portion and the second locking portion provided on the holding portion cooperate with each other to form the alignment jig body. The optical fiber alignment jig according to claim 1, wherein the lid is fixed to the optical fiber. 3. The optical fiber alignment jig according to claim 1, wherein a projection fitted into the alignment groove is provided on a back surface of the lid. 4. The alignment groove according to claim 1, wherein the alignment groove has a width for aligning the plurality of optical fiber cores in a line in a depth direction of the alignment groove. Optical fiber alignment jig. 5. An optical cable to which an optical fiber alignment jig having an alignment groove for aligning and arranging optical fiber core wires is attached, wherein the optical fiber alignment jig has a front end and a rear end opened. An alignment jig main body having a main body, and a lid part for inserting the alignment jig main body from the front end side and sliding along the extending direction of the alignment groove, An optical cable with an optical fiber alignment jig, wherein the alignment jig body is disposed in a nested state, and the optical fiber core has a tensile strength member at the outer periphery of the optical fiber. 6. A pair of left and right columns extending parallel to the alignment groove are provided on both sides of the alignment jig body, and the columns are engaged with the columns on both sides of the lid. A pair of left and right holding portions is provided, and the first locking portion provided on the support portion and the second locking portion provided on the holding portion cooperate with each other to form the alignment jig body. The optical cable with an optical fiber alignment jig according to claim 5, wherein the lid is fixed to the optical fiber. 7. The optical cable with an optical fiber alignment jig according to claim 5, wherein a projection is fitted on the back surface of the lid to fit into the alignment groove. 8. The alignment groove according to claim 5, wherein the alignment groove has a width for aligning the plurality of optical fiber cores in a line in a depth direction of the alignment groove. Optical cable with optical fiber alignment jig. 9. The optical fiber alignment jig according to claim 5, wherein the optical fiber alignment jig is disposed between a pair of front and rear stoppers provided on the optical fiber core wire. Optical cable with optical fiber alignment jig. 10. An optical connector is provided at an end of the optical fiber core, a stopper is provided in the middle of the optical fiber, and the optical fiber alignment jig is provided between the optical connector and the stopper. The optical cable with an optical fiber alignment jig according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the optical cable is provided with a jig.