JP2004279665A - Optical fiber holding device, optical fiber butting device and optical fiber fusion connection device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently conduct holding work employing completely same operations even though an optical fiber holding device is used from either the front or the back direction. <P>SOLUTION: In an optical fiber fusion connection device, an optical fiber holding device 9, which holds optical fibers 3 between a holding table 19 and a holding body 21 to butt the fibers 3, is provided in the left and the right of the butting section. Tor example, even though the optical fiber fusion connection device is used from either the front or the back direction, the body 21 is always opened to the back side looking from a worker's side in order to hold optical fibers on the table 19 employing completely same operations and no difference occurs for the workability. Even though the optical fiber 3 which are to be connected are located in either one of the front or the back of the device, efficient work is conducted by only one optical fiber fusion connection device. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an optical fiber gripping device that abuts and grips optical fibers to align and connect optical fibers, an optical fiber butting device including the optical fiber gripping device, and the optical fiber gripping device. The present invention relates to an optical fiber fusion splicer provided with:
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an optical fiber holding device for holding optical fibers by abutting each other is used for an optical fiber butting device (optical fiber axis aligning device), an optical fiber fusion splicing device, and the like. For example, in the optical fiber fusion splicing apparatus 101 shown in FIG. 10, an optical fiber gripping device 105 that grips and fixes the optical fiber 103 or the coating portion of the optical fiber 103 is viewed from the worker side with respect to the butting portion 107. Discharge electrodes 109 are provided on both the left and right sides, and are used for fusion-splicing the optical fibers 103 to each other before and after in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the optical fiber 103 of the butting portion 107. Note that the optical fiber butting apparatus (optical fiber axis aligning apparatus) does not include the above-described discharge electrode 109 and is an apparatus for simply aligning the optical fibers 103 with each other.
[0003]
As the optical fiber gripping device 105, for example, as shown in FIG. 11, a gripper 113 fixed to an apparatus main body 111, and a gripper provided on the gripper 113 so as to be openable and closable via a hinge 115. 117, and the covering portion of the optical fiber 103 is sandwiched between the holding table 113 and the holding body 117.
[0004]
In addition, a magnet 119 that attracts the holding body 117 is embedded in the upper surface of the holding table 113 to hold the clamping force of the holding body 117.
[0005]
In the operation of abutting the optical fibers 103 in the optical fiber fusion splicing apparatus 101 provided with the optical fiber gripping apparatus 105, the operation of fusing and splicing the optical fibers 103 is performed when the optical fiber 103 to be connected is brought from the front side of the apparatus main body 111. , From the rear side of the apparatus main body 111 in some cases. In any of the above cases, in order to easily perform the fusion splicing operation, the optical fiber fusion splicing apparatus 101 has a display monitor (not shown) arranged on the front side or the rear side of the apparatus main body 111 or the like. There is one in which the windshield cover 121 of the fusion splicing part is opened forward or backward (for example, see Patent Document 1).
[0006]
However, in any of the above cases, the holding body 117 of the optical fiber holding device 105 is arranged so as to open backward as viewed from the worker side so as to facilitate work.
[0007]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-2002-243969
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Meanwhile, in the conventional optical fiber fusion splicing apparatus 101, as shown in FIG. 10, a display monitor (not shown) is on the back side, the windshield cover 121 is opened on the back side, and the holding body 117 is on the back side. There are two types, one that opens and one that has a display monitor on the near side, a windshield cover 121 that opens forward, and one that the gripper 127 opens back. When the optical fiber 103 comes from the front side of the apparatus main body 111 due to the positional relationship with the fiber fusion splicing apparatus 101, a display monitor (not shown) is provided on the rear side as shown in FIG. When the optical fiber 103 comes from the rear side of the apparatus main body 111, the display monitor is on the front side, the windshield cover 125 is open on the front side, and the gripper 117 is opened. It is often used properly and so open.
[0009]
However, it is troublesome to prepare two types of optical fiber fusion splicing devices 101 depending on the positional relationship with the optical fiber 103. Therefore, even if only one type of optical fiber fusion splicing device 101 is used, the orientation of the device main body 111 is changed. It can be covered by replacing it before and after. For example, when the latter device is used when the optical fiber 103 is located in front of the device main body 111, it can be covered by installing and using the device main body 111 upside down. In other words, the position of the display monitor and the opening direction of the windshield cover 121 are suitable only by installing the apparatus body 111 upside down. Patent Literature 1 describes changing the mounting angle of the display monitor and rotating the image on the display monitor by 180 degrees in order to match the use change between the former and the latter.
[0010]
However, the gripper 117 that grips the optical fiber 103 has a problem that when the apparatus main body 111 is replaced to the front and rear, the opening direction of the gripper 117 is reversed, and thus the gripping operation of the optical fiber 103 becomes difficult. was there.
[0011]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to use an optical fiber butting apparatus or an optical fiber fusion splicing apparatus from either the front or rear direction, and to use an optical fiber. Provided are an optical fiber gripping device capable of efficiently performing a gripping operation by exactly the same operation, an optical fiber butting device including the optical fiber gripping device, and an optical fiber fusion splicing device including the optical fiber gripping device. It is in.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, an optical fiber gripping device according to the present invention according to claim 1 is an optical fiber gripping device that grips each of the optical fibers so as to abut optical fibers with each other. However, the present invention is characterized in that a gripping mechanism for performing the optical fiber gripping operation by exactly the same operation is provided.
[0013]
Therefore, regardless of whether the apparatus is used from the front or the rear, the optical fiber gripping apparatus can perform the gripping operation of the optical fiber by the gripping mechanism by exactly the same operation, and there is no difference in workability. Therefore, regardless of whether the optical fiber to be connected is located before or after the device, the operation can be efficiently performed only by preparing one device.
[0014]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the optical fiber gripping device according to the first aspect, wherein the gripping mechanism includes a gripper and a gripper, and a first hinge portion and a second gripper are provided before and after the gripper. The grip body includes a third hinge portion that can be replaced with a hinge pin on the first and second hinge portions, and the third hinge portion of the grip body and the first hinge portion or the third hinge portion of the gripper. (2) The grip body is provided so as to be openable and closable from above and below through two hinge portions.
[0015]
Therefore, the gripper can be easily replaced by the hinge pins on the first and second hinge portions in front of and behind the gripper via the third hinge portion. The fiber is always opened to the back side as viewed from the operator side so that the fiber gripping operation can be easily performed.
[0016]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the optical fiber gripping device according to the first aspect, wherein the gripping mechanism includes a gripping table and a gripping body, and the gripping table is provided on one of front and rear sides via a hinge. The grip body is provided so as to be openable and closable, and the grip table is provided so as to be detachable from the apparatus main body by changing its direction back and forth.
[0017]
Therefore, since the gripping table is easily attached to the apparatus main body with the front and rear directions changed, the worker can easily grip the optical fiber regardless of which direction the apparatus is used. It is always opened to the back side as seen from.
[0018]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the optical fiber gripping device according to the first aspect, wherein the gripping mechanism includes a gripper and a gripper, and a first hinge portion, a first hinge portion and a second gripper, respectively, before and after the gripper. A second hinge part provided at the front side of the gripper, and a third hinge part detachably attached to the first hinge part at a front side of the gripper, and a fourth hinge part detachable at the second hinge part at the rear side of the gripper. The gripper is provided on the gripper so as to be openable and closable from above and below, and one of the gripper and the gripper is provided with an electromagnetic device capable of absorbing the gripper to the gripper and controlling the suction force. It is characterized by becoming.
[0019]
Therefore, the gripper is easily connected to the first hinge portion on the front side of the gripper via the third hinge portion with a hinge pin, or to the second hinge portion on the rear side of the gripper with the hinge pin via the fourth hinge portion. Since the gripping body is easily opened and closed to the front and rear sides by being easily connected, the operator can easily grip the optical fiber regardless of whether the apparatus is used from the front or the rear. Always open to the back as seen from the side.
[0020]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the optical fiber holding apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the holding mechanism includes a holding table and a holding body, and the holding body holds the optical fiber on the holding table. And two gripping members provided to be openable and closable in the front-rear direction so as to be gripped by being sandwiched from the front-rear direction.
[0021]
Therefore, since the two gripping members are opened and closed symmetrically in the front-rear direction so as to sandwich the optical fiber from the front-rear direction, the optical fiber holding operation can be efficiently performed by the same operation regardless of whether the apparatus is used from the front or the rear.
[0022]
An optical fiber butting device according to the present invention according to claim 6, wherein optical fiber holding devices for holding the optical fibers are provided on the left and right sides of the butting portion so that the optical fibers are butted at the butting portion. The apparatus is characterized in that it has a gripping mechanism for performing the optical fiber gripping operation by exactly the same operation regardless of whether the optical fiber gripping device is used from any direction.
[0023]
Therefore, regardless of which direction the optical fiber butting apparatus is used, the gripping mechanism of the optical fiber gripping apparatus can perform the gripping operation of the optical fiber in exactly the same operation, and there is no difference in workability. Therefore, regardless of whether the optical fiber to be connected is before or after the optical fiber butting apparatus, the work can be efficiently performed only by preparing one optical fiber butting apparatus.
[0024]
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the optical fiber butting apparatus according to the sixth aspect, the gripping mechanism comprises a gripper and a gripper, and a first hinge portion is provided before and after the gripper. , A second hinge part, and the gripper has a third hinge part which can be replaced with a hinge pin on the first and second hinge parts, and a third hinge part of the gripper and a first hinge of the gripper. The gripping body is provided so as to be openable and closable from above and below with a hinge pin via a portion or a second hinge portion.
[0025]
Therefore, since the gripper can be easily replaced with the hinge pins on the first and second hinge portions before and after the gripper via the third hinge portion, even if the optical fiber butting device is used from either the front or rear direction, The gripping body is always opened to the back side as viewed from the operator side so that the gripping body can easily perform an optical fiber gripping operation.
[0026]
The optical fiber butting apparatus according to the present invention according to claim 8 is the optical fiber butting apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the gripping mechanism comprises a gripper and a gripper, and the gripper has a hinge portion on one of front and rear sides. The gripper is provided so as to be openable and closable, and the gripper is detachably provided in the apparatus main body by changing its direction back and forth.
[0027]
Therefore, since the holding table is easily attached to the apparatus main body by changing its direction back and forth, the holding body can easily perform the work of holding the optical fiber regardless of which direction the optical fiber butting apparatus is used. It is always opened to the back side when viewed from the worker side.
[0028]
According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the optical fiber butting apparatus according to the sixth aspect, the gripping mechanism comprises a gripper and a gripper, and a first hinge portion is provided before and after the gripper. A second hinge part, a third hinge part detachably attached to the first hinge part on the front side of the gripper, and a fourth hinge part detachable from the second hinge part on the rear side of the gripper. An electromagnetic device that is provided so as to be able to open and close the gripper on the gripper from the up and down direction and that one of the gripper and the gripper can adsorb the gripper to the gripper and control the attraction force. It is characterized by being provided.
[0029]
Therefore, the gripper is easily connected to the first hinge portion on the front side of the gripper via the third hinge portion via a hinge pin, or to the second hinge portion on the rear side of the gripper via the fourth hinge portion. By being easily connected, the gripper is opened and closed to the near side and the rear side, so that the gripper can easily perform the gripping operation of the optical fiber regardless of whether the optical fiber butting device is used from the front or the rear. As seen from the operator side.
[0030]
According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the optical fiber butting apparatus according to the sixth aspect, the gripping mechanism comprises a gripper and a gripper, and the gripper is provided on the gripper. It is characterized by comprising two gripping members provided to be openable and closable in the front-rear direction so as to hold the fiber in the front-rear direction.
[0031]
Accordingly, since the two gripping members are opened and closed symmetrically in the front-rear direction so as to sandwich the optical fiber from the front-rear direction, the operation of holding the optical fiber can be performed efficiently by the same operation regardless of whether the optical fiber butt is used from the front or the rear. Often done.
[0032]
The optical fiber fusion splicing device according to the present invention according to claim 11, further comprising optical fiber gripping devices for gripping the optical fibers on both sides of the butting portion so that the optical fibers are butted at the butting portion. In the optical fiber fusion splicing device for fusion splicing the optical fibers of the parts, a gripping mechanism for performing the optical fiber gripping operation by exactly the same operation regardless of whether the optical fiber gripping device is used from any direction is provided. It is characterized by the following.
[0033]
Therefore, regardless of whether the optical fiber fusion splicing device is used from either the front or rear direction, the gripping operation of the optical fiber can be performed in exactly the same operation by the gripping mechanism of the optical fiber gripping device, and there is no difference in workability. Therefore, regardless of whether the optical fiber to be connected is before or after the optical fiber fusion splicing device, the operation can be efficiently performed only by preparing one optical fiber fusion splicing device.
[0034]
According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an optical fiber fusion splicing apparatus according to the eleventh aspect, wherein the gripping mechanism comprises a gripping table and a gripping mechanism. A hinge portion, a second hinge portion, and the gripping body includes a third hinge portion that can be replaced with a hinge pin on the first and second hinge portions, and a third hinge portion of the gripping body and a third hinge portion of the gripping table. The gripping body is provided so as to be openable and closable from above and below with a hinge pin via a first hinge portion or a second hinge portion.
[0035]
Therefore, the gripper can be easily replaced with the first and second hinge portions in front of and behind the gripper via the third hinge portion by the hinge pin, so that the optical fiber fusion splicing device is used from either the front or rear direction. In addition, the gripping body is always opened to the back side as viewed from the operator side so that the holding operation of the optical fiber can be easily performed.
[0036]
An optical fiber fusion splicing apparatus according to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention is the optical fiber fusion splicing apparatus according to the eleventh aspect, wherein the gripping mechanism comprises a gripper and a gripper, and the gripper is hinged to one of front and rear. The grip body is provided so as to be openable and closable via a portion, and the grip table is provided so as to be detachably mounted on the apparatus main body by turning the front and rear directions.
[0037]
Therefore, since the holding table is easily attached to the apparatus body by changing its direction back and forth, the holding body can easily perform the operation of holding the optical fiber regardless of which direction the optical fiber fusion splicing apparatus is used. As seen from the operator side.
[0038]
According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the optical fiber fusion splicing apparatus according to the eleventh aspect, wherein the gripping mechanism includes a gripper and a gripper, and the first and second grippers are respectively provided before and after the gripper. A fourth hinge part comprising a hinge part and a second hinge part, a third hinge part detachably attached to the first hinge part at the front side of the gripper, and a detachable hinge attached to the second hinge part at the rear side of the gripper; The holding body is provided on a holding table so as to be openable and closable from above and below, and the holding body can be attached to one of the holding body and the holding table, and the holding body can be controlled by the electromagnetic force. A device is provided.
[0039]
Therefore, the gripper is easily connected to the first hinge portion on the front side of the gripper via the third hinge portion with a hinge pin, or to the second hinge portion on the rear side of the gripper with the hinge pin via the fourth hinge portion. By being easily connected, the holding body is opened and closed to the near side and the back side, so that the holding body holds the optical fiber even when the optical fiber fusion splicing device is used from either the front or the rear. It is always opened to the back side as viewed from the operator side so as to be easy.
[0040]
An optical fiber fusion splicing apparatus according to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention is the optical fiber fusion splicing apparatus according to the eleventh aspect, wherein the gripping mechanism comprises a gripper and a gripper, and the gripper is mounted on the gripper. And two gripping members provided to be openable and closable in the front-rear direction so as to hold the optical fiber in the front-rear direction.
[0041]
Therefore, since the two gripping members are opened and closed symmetrically in the front-rear direction so as to sandwich the optical fiber from the front-rear direction, the gripping operation of the optical fiber is performed by the same operation regardless of whether the optical fiber fusion splicer is used from either the front or the rear direction. It is performed efficiently.
[0042]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0043]
Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the optical fiber fusion splicing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment is configured such that the optical axes of the pair of optical fibers 3 are aligned at the butting portion 5 and the optical axes are aligned. The end face of the fiber 3 is abutted, and the abutted end faces are melted by discharge heat and connected. On the upper surface of the substantially rectangular parallelepiped device body 7, an optical fiber gripping device 9 provided with a gripping mechanism for gripping and fixing the coating portions of the pair of optical fibers 3 is viewed from the worker side with respect to the butting portion 5. For example, a discharge electrode as a fusion splicing mechanism 11 for fusion splicing the optical fibers 3 before and after orthogonally to the axial direction of the optical fiber 3 of the butting portion 5 is provided on both left and right sides. 13 are provided.
[0044]
In FIGS. 7 and 8, a display monitor (not shown) is provided on the rear side of the main unit so that the operator can perform necessary operations while monitoring the state of fusion splicing by the discharge electrode 13 using the display monitor. It is configured. Furthermore, a windshield cover 15 is provided on the upper surface of the apparatus main body 7 to cover the end of the optical fiber 3 to be fusion-spliced and to protect the end from wind and the like. It is configured to open. This is shown as an optical fiber fusion splicing device 1 of the type used when the optical fiber 3 comes from the front side of the device body 7.
[0045]
Next, an optical fiber holding device 9 constituting a main part of an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The right and left optical fiber holding devices 9 have the same structure.
[0046]
Referring to FIG. 1, an optical fiber holding device 17 (corresponding to the optical fiber holding device 9 in FIG. 7) according to the first embodiment includes a holding table 19 of a holding mechanism fixed to the device main body 7. And a holding body 21 for clamping the covering portion of the optical fiber 3 on the holding table 19.
[0047]
A V-groove 23 is provided on the upper surface of the gripping table 19 for mounting and positioning the coating portion of the optical fiber 3 with the axial direction thereof oriented in the left-right direction. Before and after 19, a first hinge portion 25 and a second hinge portion 27 are provided at positions symmetrical about the position of the V groove 23. Further, a permanent magnet 29 for attracting the holding body 21 is embedded on the upper surface of the holding table 19 in order to hold the clamping force of the holding body 21.
[0048]
Further, a third hinge portion 31 that can be attached to any of the first and second hinge portions 25 and 27 of the gripping base 19 is provided at one end of the gripping body 21, and the other end side of the gripping body 21 is provided. Is provided with a handle portion 33 for opening and closing the gripping body 21. In this embodiment, a hinge pin 35 for connecting the first hinge portion 25 or the second hinge portion 27 to the third hinge portion 31 is inserted and removed to be replaceable. Further, a rubber 39 is provided on the clamp surface 37 of the holding body 21 so as to press the coating portion of the optical fiber 3 so as not to come off from inside the V groove 23 of the holding table 19.
[0049]
With the configuration described above, when the optical fiber fusion splicing apparatus 1 is in the state as shown in FIG. 7, the third hinge portion 31 of the gripping body 21 is connected to the second hinge of the gripping base 19 as shown in FIG. The holding body 21 is mounted on the unit 27, and is disposed so that the gripping body 21 always opens to the rear side when viewed from the lower worker side of the apparatus main body 7.
[0050]
However, when the optical fiber fusion splicing apparatus 1 is used as an operator side in FIGS. 7 and 8, the third hinge portion 31 of the gripper 21 removes the hinge pin 35 from the second hinge portion 27. The third hinge portion 31 is easily replaced with the first hinge portion 25 of the gripping base 19 by the hinge pin 35 and used. Will be. Therefore, in any of the above cases, the gripping body 21 is always viewed from the operator side so that the optical fiber 3 can be gripped on the gripping stand 19 by the same operation as viewed from the working side so that the optical fiber 3 can be easily gripped. It will be easily arranged to open to the back side.
[0051]
Next, an optical fiber holding device 41 (corresponding to the optical fiber holding device 9 in FIG. 7) according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The same members as those of the optical fiber holding device 17 according to the first embodiment will be described with the same reference numerals.
[0052]
Referring to FIG. 2, in the optical fiber holding device 41 of the second embodiment, the holding body 21 is provided on one of the front and rear sides of the holding table 19 via a hinge 43 so as to be freely openable and closable in a vertical direction. Unlike the first embodiment described above, the holding body 21 is not detachable from the holding table 19. The gripping table 19 provided with the gripping body 21 is provided so as to be detachable together with the gripping table 19 by changing the front and rear directions with respect to the gripping apparatus fixing table 45 fixed to the apparatus main body 7. In other words, the holding table 19 itself is configured to be exchanged back and forth in accordance with the use direction of the optical fiber fusion splicer 1.
[0053]
The fitting structure between the holding table 19 and the holding device fixing table 45 includes, for example, as shown in FIG. 2, a convex portion 47 and a concave portion 49 that are symmetrical in FIG. A dovetail-like fitting structure can be provided. Other structures such as the V-groove 23, the permanent magnet 29, and the clamp groove 39 are substantially the same as those of the optical fiber holding device 17 of the first embodiment.
[0054]
With the above configuration, in a state where the optical fiber fusion splicing apparatus 1 is as shown in FIG. 7, the gripping body 21 is always opened backward when viewed from the lower worker side of the apparatus main body 7 in FIG. As shown in (2), the convex portion 47 of the gripping base 19 is in a state of being mounted on the concave portion 49 of the gripping device fixing base 45.
[0055]
However, when the optical fiber fusion splicing apparatus 1 is used so that the upper side is the worker side in FIGS. 7 and 8, as shown in FIG. The convex portion 47 of the gripper 19 is attached to the concave portion 49 of the gripper fixing gantry 45 while turning back and forth. That is, even in this state, the gripping body 21 is disposed so as to always open to the back side when viewed from the worker side. Therefore, in any of the above cases, the gripping body 21 is simply arranged so as to always open to the back side as viewed from the worker side so that the optical fiber 3 can be easily gripped.
[0056]
Referring to FIG. 4, a fitting pin 51 is protrudingly provided on the upper surface of the holding device fixing base 45 at a position symmetrical in FIG. 4 with respect to the position of the V-groove 23, and the fitting pin 51 can be fitted and removed. A suitable fitting hole 53 may be provided on the lower surface of the holding table 19. Or, conversely, the above-mentioned fitting pin 51 may be protruded from the lower surface of the holding table 19, and the above-mentioned fitting hole 53 may be provided on the upper surface of the holding device fixing table 45. In this case, although the holding table 19 and the holding device fixing table 45 are provided with the dovetail-like fitting portion in FIG. 4, the dovetail-like fitting portion may be omitted. Also in this case, the operation shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 is performed.
[0057]
Next, an optical fiber holding device 55 according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The same members as those of the optical fiber holding device 17 according to the first embodiment will be described with the same reference numerals.
[0058]
Referring to FIG. 5, the optical fiber gripping device 55 (corresponding to the optical fiber gripping device 9 in FIG. 7) of the third embodiment is similar to the optical fiber gripping device 17 of the first embodiment. A first hinge portion 25 and a second hinge portion 27 are provided before and after the holding table 19 with the V-groove 23 interposed therebetween so that the replacement of the holding member 21 does not need to be performed. A third hinge portion 31 detachable from the first hinge portion 25 and a fourth hinge portion 57 detachable from the second hinge portion 27 are provided. A hinge pin 59 for connecting to either the first hinge part 25 and the third hinge part 31 or the second hinge part 27 and the fourth hinge part 57 is configured to be insertable and removable. Accordingly, the gripper 21 is provided to be freely openable and closable with respect to the gripper base 19 from above and below from the front side or the rear side.
[0059]
When replacing the hinge pin 59, the first hinge portion 25 and the third hinge portion 31 on the front side are detached when the hinge pin 59 is opened from the front side, and the second hinge portion 27 and the fourth hinge portion 4 on the rear side when the hinge pin 59 is opened from the rear side. It is necessary to make the part 57 come off. However, if the force for fixing the holding body 21 to the holding table 19 is too strong, the holding body 21 will come off from both hinge portions. On the other hand, if the force for fixing the holding body 21 to the holding table 19 is too weak, the holding force on the optical fiber 3 may decrease, and it may not be possible to hold the optical fiber 3 sufficiently.
[0060]
Therefore, a magnet for fixing the holding body 21 to the holding table 19 is configured in an electromagnetic device 65 including a magnetic body 61 and an electromagnet 63, and a current value flowing through the electromagnet 63 is controlled to clamp the holding body 21. (Adsorption force or electromagnetic force) can be varied. When the gripper 21 is opened and closed, the magnetic force is controlled to be weak magnetic force so that the gripper 21 can be easily opened and closed, and the current value is controlled to be strong magnetic force when the optical fiber 3 is gripped. Also in this case, it is used in the same manner as in the above-described example, and has the same operation and effect.
[0061]
In FIG. 5, the magnetic body 61 is embedded in the clamp surface 37 of the holding body 21, and the electromagnet 63 is embedded in the upper surface of the holding table 19 at a position facing the magnetic body 61. May be buried in the upper surface of the holding table 19, and the electromagnet 63 may be provided on the clamp surface 37 of the holding body 21.
[0062]
Next, an optical fiber holding device 67 (corresponding to the optical fiber holding device 9 in FIG. 7) according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The same members as those of the optical fiber holding device 17 according to the first embodiment will be described with the same reference numerals.
[0063]
Referring to FIG. 6, the optical fiber holding device 67 of the fourth embodiment is configured such that the holding body 21 opens and closes in the front-rear direction so as to hold and hold the covering portion of the optical fiber 3 on the holding table 19 from the front-rear direction. And two gripping members 69 movably provided. The two gripping members 69 are provided with, for example, rubber 71 as an elastic body for clamping the covering portion of the optical fiber 3 below the abutting surfaces that abut against each other. An attractive permanent magnet 29 is embedded.
[0064]
According to the above configuration, the two gripping members 69 are configured so that the gripping direction of the coating portion of the optical fiber 3 is not sandwiched in the vertical direction but in the front-rear direction, and thus the first to third embodiments described above. Opening and closing symmetrically in the front and rear differently from the gripping body 21 of the above, there is no difference in workability even when the optical fiber fusion splicing apparatus 1 is used from either front or rear direction. That is, in any case of the optical fiber fusion splicing apparatus 1, the two gripping members 69 hold the optical fiber 3 by the same operation as viewed from the worker side so that the optical fiber 3 can be easily gripped. It is arranged so as to always move to the back side and open when viewed from the worker side so as to be gripped.
[0065]
Next, an optical fiber butting apparatus 73 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The same members as those in the optical fiber fusion splicing apparatus 1 described above are denoted by the same reference numerals and described.
[0066]
Referring to FIG. 9, an optical fiber butting device 73 (an optical fiber shaft aligning device) also has an optical fiber holding device 9 for holding the optical fibers 3 by holding them in a manner similar to the above-described optical fiber fusion splicing device 1. Provided. The optical fiber butting device 73 is a device for simply aligning the optical fibers 3 with each other. The fusion splicing mechanism 11 including the discharge electrode 13 in the optical fiber fusion splicing device 1 described above, A windshield cover 15 for protecting the connection mechanism 11 is not provided. The optical fiber gripping device 9 provided in the optical fiber butting device 73 is the same as the optical fiber gripping devices 17, 41, 55, and 67 of the above-described first to fourth embodiments, and thus will be described in detail. Is omitted.
[0067]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can be embodied in other modes by making appropriate changes.
[0068]
【The invention's effect】
As can be understood from the above description of the embodiment of the invention, according to the invention of claim 1, the optical fiber gripping device can hold the optical fiber by the gripping mechanism regardless of which direction the device is used. The gripping operation can be performed by exactly the same operation, there is no difference in workability, and the optical fiber gripping operation can be easily performed. Regardless of whether the optical fiber to be connected is located before or after the apparatus, it is possible to work efficiently only by preparing one apparatus.
[0069]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the gripper can be easily replaced with the first and second hinge portions on the front and rear sides of the gripper via the third hinge portion with the hinge pins. Even when used, the gripping body is always opened to the back side as viewed from the operator side, so that the work of gripping the optical fiber can be easily performed.
[0070]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, the gripper can be easily attached to the apparatus main body by changing the direction of the gripper, so that the gripper is always viewed from the worker side regardless of which direction the apparatus is used. Opened to the back side, it is easy to grasp the optical fiber.
[0071]
According to the invention of claim 4, the gripper can be easily connected to the first hinge portion on the front side of the gripper with the hinge pin via the third hinge portion, or can be connected to the rear of the gripper with the hinge pin via the fourth hinge portion. Since the gripper can be easily opened and closed to the near side and the rear side because the gripper can be easily connected to the second hinge portion on the side, the gripper is always viewed from the operator side when the apparatus is used from either the front or rear direction. Opened to the side, it is easy to perform the gripping operation of the optical fiber.
[0072]
According to the invention of claim 5, the two holding members are provided so as to open and close symmetrically in the front-rear direction so as to sandwich the optical fiber from the front-rear direction. The grasping operation can be efficiently performed by the same operation.
[0073]
According to the invention of claim 6, even if the optical fiber butting device is used from either the front or rear direction, the gripping operation of the optical fiber can be performed by the gripping mechanism of the optical fiber gripping device in exactly the same operation, and the workability is improved. There is no difference, and the work of holding the optical fiber can be easily performed. Regardless of whether the optical fiber to be connected is before or after the optical fiber butting device, the operation can be efficiently performed only by preparing one optical fiber butting device.
[0074]
According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the gripper can be easily replaced with the first and second hinge portions on the front and rear sides of the gripper with the hinge pins via the third hinge portion. Regardless of which direction is used, the gripping body is always opened to the back side when viewed from the operator side, so that the gripping operation of the optical fiber can be easily performed.
[0075]
According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the gripper can be easily attached to the apparatus body by changing the direction of the gripper, so that the gripper can be moved to the operator side even if the optical fiber butt is used from either the front or the rear. The optical fiber is always opened to the back side when viewed from above, so that the work of gripping the optical fiber can be easily performed.
[0076]
According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the gripper can be easily connected to the first hinge portion on the front side of the gripper via the third hinge portion via the hinge pin, or can be connected to the rear portion of the gripper via the hinge pin via the fourth hinge portion. Since the gripper can be easily opened and closed to the near side and the rear side since the gripper can be easily connected to the second hinge portion on the side, even if the optical fiber butting apparatus is used from either the front or rear direction, the gripper can be moved from the operator side. The optical fiber is always opened to the back side when viewed, so that the work of holding the optical fiber can be easily performed.
[0077]
According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, since the two gripping members are provided so as to be opened and closed symmetrically in the front-rear direction so as to sandwich the optical fiber from the front-rear direction, the optical fiber butt device can be used from either the front or rear direction. In addition, the operation of holding the optical fiber can be efficiently performed by the same operation.
[0078]
According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, regardless of whether the optical fiber fusion splicing device is used from any of the front and rear directions, the gripping operation of the optical fiber can be performed by the gripping mechanism of the optical fiber gripping device in exactly the same operation. There is no difference between them, and the work of holding the optical fiber can be easily performed. Regardless of whether the optical fiber to be connected is before or after the optical fiber fusion splicing apparatus, the operation can be efficiently performed only by preparing one optical fiber fusion splicing apparatus.
[0079]
According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, the holding body can be easily replaced with the first and second hinge parts before and after the holding table with the hinge pin via the third hinge part. Whichever direction is used, the gripping body is opened to the back side when viewed from the working side, so that the gripping operation of the optical fiber can be easily performed.
[0080]
According to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, the gripper can be easily mounted on the apparatus main body by changing the direction of the gripper, so that the operator can hold the gripper regardless of which direction the optical fiber fusion splicer is used. It can be always opened and closed to the back side when viewed from the side, so that the work of holding the optical fiber can be easily performed.
[0081]
According to the invention of claim 14, the gripper can be easily connected to the first hinge portion on the front side of the gripper with the hinge pin via the third hinge portion, or can be connected to the rear of the gripper with the hinge pin via the fourth hinge portion. Since the gripper can be easily opened and closed to the near side and the rear side since the gripper can be easily connected to the second hinge portion on the side, the gripper can be connected to the operator side regardless of which direction the optical fiber fusion splicer is used. The optical fiber is always opened to the back side when viewed from above, so that the work of gripping the optical fiber can be easily performed.
[0082]
According to the invention of claim 15, since the two holding members are provided so as to be opened and closed symmetrically in the front-rear direction so as to sandwich the optical fiber from the front-rear direction, the optical fiber fusion splicer is used from either the front or rear direction. Also, the operation of holding the optical fiber can be efficiently performed by the same operation.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an optical fiber holding device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the optical fiber holding device according to the second embodiment of the present invention, taken along line VII-VII of FIG. 7;
3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII of FIG. 7 when the holding table is turned back and forth from the state of FIG. 2 in the optical fiber holding device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. .
FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line VII-VII of FIG. 7, showing another example of the optical fiber holding device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the optical fiber holding device according to the third embodiment of the present invention, taken along line VII-VII of FIG. 7;
FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the optical fiber holding device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, taken along line VII-VII of FIG. 7;
FIG. 7 is a plan view of the optical fiber fusion splicing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, with a windshield cover opened.
FIG. 8 is a plan view of the optical fiber fusion splicing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, with a windshield cover closed.
FIG. 9 is a plan view of the optical fiber butting apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a plan view of a conventional optical fiber fusion splicing apparatus with a windshield cover opened.
11 is a cross-sectional view of the conventional optical fiber holding device taken along the line XI-XI in FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Optical fiber fusion splicer
3 Optical fiber
5 Butt section
7 Main unit
9 Optical fiber holding device
11 Fusion splicing mechanism
13 Discharge electrode rod
15 Windshield cover
17. Optical fiber holding device (of the first embodiment)
19 gripper
21 Gripping body
25 1st hinge part
27 Second hinge part
31 Third hinge
35 Hinge pin
41 Optical fiber holding device (of the second embodiment)
43 Hinge
45 Gripping device fixing stand
55 Optical Fiber Grasping Device (of Third Embodiment)
57 4th hinge part
59 Hinge pin
63 electromagnet
65 Electromagnetic device
67 Optical Fiber Holding Device (of Fourth Embodiment)
69 gripping member
71 Clamp groove
73 Optical Fiber Butting Device

Claims (15)

An optical fiber gripping device that grips each of the optical fibers so that the optical fibers abut each other has a gripping mechanism that performs the optical fiber gripping operation with exactly the same operation, regardless of whether the device is used from any direction before or after the device. An optical fiber holding device characterized by the above-mentioned. The gripping mechanism includes a gripper and a gripper, and has a first hinge portion and a second hinge portion before and after the gripper, respectively, and the gripper can be replaced with the first and second hinge portions by hinge pins. It is provided with a third hinge portion, and the grip body is provided so as to be openable and closable from a vertical direction via the third hinge portion of the grip body and the first hinge portion or the second hinge portion of the grip base. The optical fiber holding device according to claim 1. The gripping mechanism includes a gripper and a gripper. The gripper is provided on one of the front and rear sides via a hinge so that the gripper can be opened and closed. 2. The optical fiber gripping device according to claim 1, wherein the optical fiber gripping device is provided on the optical fiber holding device. The gripping mechanism includes a gripper and a gripper, and includes a first hinge portion and a second hinge portion before and after the gripper, respectively, and a third hinge detachable from the first hinge portion in front of the gripper. A fourth hinge portion detachably attached to the second hinge portion on the rear side of the gripper, and the gripper is provided on the gripper so as to be openable and closable from above and below, and any of the gripper and the gripper is provided. 2. The optical fiber holding device according to claim 1, further comprising an electromagnetic device that can hold the holding body on a holding table and that can control the suction force. The gripping mechanism includes a gripping table and a gripping mechanism, and the gripping body includes two gripping members provided to be openable and closable in the front-rear direction to grip and hold the optical fiber from the front-rear direction on the gripping table. The optical fiber holding device according to claim 1, wherein In an optical fiber butting device provided with optical fiber holding devices for holding the respective optical fibers on the left and right sides of the butting portion so as to abut the optical fibers with each other at the butting portion, the optical fiber holding device is moved from either front or rear direction. An optical fiber butting device comprising a gripping mechanism for performing an optical fiber gripping operation by exactly the same operation even when used. The gripping mechanism includes a gripper and a gripper, and has a first hinge portion and a second hinge portion before and after the gripper, respectively, and the gripper can be replaced with the first and second hinge portions by hinge pins. It is provided with a third hinge portion, and the grip body is provided so as to be openable and closable from a vertical direction via the third hinge portion of the grip body and the first hinge portion or the second hinge portion of the grip base. The optical fiber butting apparatus according to claim 6. The gripping mechanism includes a gripper and a gripper. The gripper is provided on one of the front and rear sides via a hinge so that the gripper can be opened and closed, and the gripper can be attached to and detached from the apparatus body by turning the gripper back and forth. 7. The optical fiber butting apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the optical fiber butting apparatus is provided. The gripping mechanism includes a gripper and a gripper, and includes a first hinge portion and a second hinge portion before and after the gripper, respectively, and a third hinge detachable from the first hinge portion in front of the gripper. A fourth hinge portion detachably attached to the second hinge portion on the rear side of the gripper, and the gripper is provided on the gripper so as to be openable and closable from above and below, and any of the gripper and the gripper is provided. 7. An optical fiber butting apparatus according to claim 6, wherein an electromagnetic device is provided on one of said holding members for sucking said holding body onto a holding table and capable of controlling the suction force. The gripping mechanism includes a gripper and a gripper, and the gripper includes two gripping members that are openably and closably provided in the front-rear direction to hold the optical fiber on the gripper in the front-rear direction. The optical fiber butting apparatus according to claim 6, wherein: Optical fiber fusion splicing for fusion splicing optical fibers of the butt portion with optical fiber gripping devices for gripping the optical fibers to butt the optical fibers with each other at the butt portion. An optical fiber fusion splicing apparatus, comprising: a gripping mechanism for performing an optical fiber gripping operation by exactly the same operation regardless of whether the optical fiber gripping apparatus is used from the front or the rear. The gripping mechanism includes a gripper and a gripper, and has a first hinge portion and a second hinge portion before and after the gripper, respectively, and the gripper can be replaced with the first and second hinge portions by hinge pins. It is provided with a third hinge portion, and the grip body is provided so as to be openable and closable from a vertical direction via the third hinge portion of the grip body and the first hinge portion or the second hinge portion of the grip base. The optical fiber fusion splicing device according to claim 11. The gripping mechanism includes a gripper and a gripper. The gripper is provided on one of the front and rear sides via a hinge so that the gripper can be opened and closed, and the gripper can be attached to and detached from the apparatus body by turning the gripper back and forth. The optical fiber fusion splicing device according to claim 11, wherein the optical fiber fusion splicing device is provided. The gripping mechanism includes a gripper and a gripper, and includes a first hinge portion and a second hinge portion before and after the gripper, respectively, and a third hinge detachable from the first hinge portion in front of the gripper. A fourth hinge portion detachably attached to the second hinge portion on the rear side of the gripper, and the gripper is provided on the gripper so as to be openable and closable from above and below, and any one of the gripper and the gripper is provided. 12. The optical fiber fusion splicing device according to claim 11, wherein an electromagnetic device is provided on one of the holding members for holding the holding body on a holding table and capable of controlling the holding force. The gripping mechanism includes a gripper and a gripper, and the gripper includes two gripping members that are openably and closably provided in the front-rear direction to hold the optical fiber on the gripper in the front-rear direction. The optical fiber fusion splicing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein:

Images