JP2007171824A - Optical fiber holder - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optical fiber holder capable of easily performing single-batch fusion connection by quickly aligning a plurality of single-core coated optical fibers and holding the aligned state, and to provide a single-batch fusion connection method that uses the same. <P>SOLUTION: The optical fiber holder which holds the plurality of single-core coated optical fibers, by arranging them in parallel, is provided with a base stand 1 having an optical fiber alignment groove 5; and a coated optical fiber aligning cover 2, having a pressing member 6 which is openably arranged above the optical fiber alignment groove 5 and presses the coated optical fibers, wherein the optical fiber alignment groove 5 has such a shape as to gradually narrow the width of the top end side, and the pressing member 6 has the shape provided with such a level difference that a gap with the optical fiber alignment groove 5 becomes smaller on the top-end side. In addition, the optical fiber holder can be made into a constitution, having a coated optical fiber fixing member 8 or an adhesive tape, in order to align and hold the plurality of coated optical fibers. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical fiber holder that holds a plurality of optical fiber cores in alignment.

  When a plurality of single-core optical fibers are arranged in parallel and collectively fused, for example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, a plurality of optical fibers are predetermined by a V-groove or a storage groove. Alignment is performed at a pitch, and the aligned state is held and fixed using a terminal fixture to which an adhesive or the like is applied. After this, the coating of the single optical fiber cores that are aligned and held by the terminal fixture is collectively removed, and then the glass fiber exposed by the removal of the coating is collectively cut to a predetermined length. Align. Subsequently, the terminal fixture holding a plurality of single-core optical fibers is set on the fusion splicer as it is, the ends of the optical fibers connected to each other, and the plurality of optical fibers are fused together by arc discharge or the like. Wear and connect. In addition, after the collective fusion connection, a reinforcing member is used to reinforce the fusion-bonded portion where the glass fiber is exposed.

Patent Document 2 discloses a collective aligner that collects and aligns a plurality of single-core optical fibers. This collective alignment tool is formed of plastic or the like and has a shape having a wide entrance into which an optical fiber core is inserted and a narrow exit that aligns the optical fiber core in a close contact state. The optical fiber cores inserted from the wide entrance are automatically aligned in close contact on the exit side and fixed by a method such as injecting an adhesive. It is said that the plurality of optical fiber cores aligned by the collective aligner can be fusion-bonded to a multi-fiber optical fiber ribbon or connected to an optical connector on the exit side.
JP-A-63-194208 Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 62-19604

  When the ends of the optical fiber cores are aligned and fused together, a special fixture or alignment tool is used as disclosed in Patent Document 1 or Patent Document 2 above, and an optical fiber core wire is used with an adhesive. The method of fixing is not a very welcome form of work on site. In addition, if a fixing tool or alignment tool is attached in the vicinity of the fusion splicing part, it is difficult to use a heat-shrinkable reinforcing sleeve for reinforcement after the fusion splicing, and there is a problem that workability is lowered. .

  Recently, with the increasing demand for optical fibers, there are cases where optical fiber cores of various thicknesses are used according to the purpose of use, or when multiple optical fiber cores and optical fiber tape cores are fused together. It is increasing. When a plurality of optical fiber cores and optical fiber tape cores are fusion-spliced together, depending on the coating diameter of the optical fiber cores, it is necessary to match the alignment pitch of the optical fibers, which reduces workability.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and is an optical fiber holder capable of easily performing batch fusion splicing by quickly aligning a plurality of single-core optical fibers and maintaining the aligned state. Offering is an issue.

  An optical fiber holder according to the present invention is an optical fiber holder that holds a plurality of optical fiber cores arranged in parallel, and is arranged to be openable and closable above a base having an optical fiber alignment groove and the optical fiber alignment groove. An optical fiber alignment groove having a shape in which the width on the distal end side is gradually narrowed, and the holding member has a gap with the optical fiber alignment groove on the distal end side. It is the shape which provided the level | step difference so that it might become so small. Moreover, in order to align and hold a plurality of optical fiber core wires, a configuration in which a core wire fixing member or an adhesive tape is provided can be adopted.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to easily align a plurality of optical fiber core wires simply by inserting them into the optical fiber alignment groove of the optical fiber holder, and to hold and fix the alignment state without using an adhesive. be able to. In addition, when performing fusion splicing while holding a plurality of optical fiber cores in the optical fiber holder, the alignment state can be maintained within a predetermined range even if the optical fiber core wires are removed from the optical fiber holder, The reinforcement treatment by the reinforcement sleeve can be efficiently performed after the connection.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a view for explaining an example of an optical fiber holder according to the present invention, FIG. 2 (A) is a plan view in a state where each lid is closed, FIG. 2 (B) is a bb cross-sectional view of the center of the holder, FIG. (C) is an end view as seen from the cc direction, and FIG. 2 (D) is a dd sectional view. In the figure, 1 is a base, 1a is a support shaft portion, 2 is a core wire alignment lid, 3 is a clamp lid, 4 is a holder lid, 5 is an optical fiber alignment groove, 5a is a tip groove, 5b is a conversion groove, and 5c is Parallel grooves, 6 are pressing members, 7a and 7b are rubber pads, 8 is a core wire fixing member, 9 is a core wire fixing member mounting portion, and 10a and 10b are magnets.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an optical fiber holder H according to the present invention opens and closes a core wire alignment lid 2, a clamp lid 3, and a holder lid 4 on a base 1 made of a rectangular block by a support shaft 1a. Constructed pivotally possible. An optical fiber alignment groove 5 for accommodating and aligning a plurality of optical fiber cores is formed on the upper surface of the base 1. The front end side of the optical fiber alignment groove 5 has a front end groove 5a having a width in which optical fiber cores having a predetermined thickness are arranged in a line, and a conversion groove 5b in which the groove width is gradually narrowed toward the front end side, The shape is a parallel groove 5c having a uniform width.

  The core wire alignment lid 2 is provided at a position for pressing the distal end side of the optical fiber alignment groove 5 and is embedded in the base 1 when closed so as to close the open surface on the distal end side of the optical fiber alignment groove 5. The closed state is locked by the magnet 10a. On the inner surface side of the core wire alignment lid 2, a pressing member 6 that holds an optical fiber core wire to be described later is attached by bonding or the like. When the core wire alignment lid 2 is closed on the base 1, the presser member 6 closes the opening surface on the distal end side to form a gap through which the optical fiber core wire is inserted. A plurality of optical fiber core wires are inserted into the gap and aligned so as to be arranged in a line.

  The clamp lid 3 is provided on the rear side of the optical fiber alignment groove 5. When the clamp lid 3 is closed so as to close the open surface on the rear side of the optical fiber alignment groove 5, the clamp lid 3 is closed by the magnet 10 b embedded in the base 1. Locked. Rubber pads 7a and 7b for clamping the optical fiber core wire are attached to the inner surface side of the clamp lid 3 by adhesion or the like, and fixed so that the optical fiber core wire placed in the optical fiber alignment groove 5 does not move in the longitudinal direction. .

  The holder lid 4 is provided adjacent to the core wire alignment lid 2 at a position where the intermediate portion of the optical fiber alignment groove 5 can be pressed, and when the holder lid 4 is closed so as to close the open surface of the optical fiber alignment groove 5, The closed state is locked by the embedded magnet 10a. The holder lid 4 holds a core wire fixing member 8 to be described later on the mounting portion 9, and is configured to be in a closed state when the core wire alignment lid 2 is in a closed state. .

  3A and 3B are diagrams showing an example of the structure of the pressing member. FIG. 3A shows an example in which the pressing surface is formed as an inclined surface, and FIG. 3B shows an example in which the pressing surface according to the present invention is provided with a step. FIG. In the figure, 6a is a pressing surface, 6b is a stepped portion, 11 is an optical fiber core wire, 11a is a glass fiber, 11b is an inner layer coating, 11c is an outer layer coating, and 12 is a gap. Description of other reference numerals is omitted by using the same reference numerals as those used in FIGS.

  The pressing member 6 is attached to the inner surface of the core wire alignment lid 2 by adhesion or the like, and when the core wire alignment lid 2 is closed on the base 1, the opening surface on the distal end side of the optical fiber alignment groove 5 is closed. A gap 12 through which the optical fiber core wire 1 is inserted is formed. The pressing surface 6a of the pressing member 6 is formed so that the thickness decreases from the tip side (left side in the figure) to the inner side (right side in the figure). That is, the gap 12 is narrowed toward the tip side. In FIG. 3 (A), when the optical fiber core wire 11 is inserted into the gap 12 from the right direction to the left direction in a state where the presser surface 6a is a smooth inclined surface and the core wire alignment lid 2 is closed, The optical fiber core wire 11 is smoothly inserted into the gap 12 along the pressing surface 6a.

  FIG. 3B shows an example in which the presser surface 6a according to the present invention is formed with a step. In the optical fiber core 11, for example, a coating that protects the glass fiber 11a is formed by a two-layer coating of an inner layer coating 11b and an outer layer coating 11c, and the outer layer size of the inner layer coating 11b is removed by removing the outer layer coating 11c. You may want to align with. For example, an optical fiber core wire in which the outer diameter of the inner layer coating 11b is 0.25 mm and the outer diameter of the outer layer coating 11c is 0.5 mm or 0.9 mm may be collectively fused and connected to the optical fiber tape core wire. . Since the standard pitch between the optical fibers of the optical fiber ribbon is about 0.25 mm, the outer coating 11c is removed to connect to the optical fiber having an outer coating with an outer diameter exceeding 0.25. Therefore, it is necessary to align the cores in the state of the inner layer coating 11b to match the fiber pitch.

  In such a case, the alignment work can be easily performed if there is a step on the pressing surface 6a of the pressing member 6 as shown in FIG. That is, the outer layer coating 11c on the distal end side of the optical fiber core wire 11 is removed in advance, and the optical fiber core wire 11 is moved from the right direction to the left direction to the gap 12 with the core wire alignment cover 2 closed. Insert. At this time, the removal end of the outer layer coating 11c hits the stepped portion 6b and insertion is restricted, and the distance from the holder tip to the removal end of the outer layer coating 11c can be made constant. As a result, it is possible to accurately perform the coating removal length and the fiber cut length at the time of batch fusion splicing.

  Moreover, what was shape | molded with the synthetic resin can be used for the pressing member 6. FIG. The holding member 6 is for forming a gap 12 through which the optical fiber core wire 11 is inserted, and does not fix the optical fiber core wire 11. Therefore, since it is not necessary to finish the pressing surface with high accuracy, it is desirable to use a synthetic resin that does not damage the optical fiber core wire, has good slippage, and can be manufactured at low cost.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration example for aligning and holding a plurality of optical fiber core wires. FIG. 4A is an enlarged view of a portion surrounded by a circle in FIG. 2D, and is a diagram for explaining an example of the core fixing member, and FIG. 4B shows an example in which an adhesive tape is used for fixing the core. FIG. In the figure, 8a is a U-shaped member, 8b is an adhesive member, 9a is a mounting hole, 9b is a protrusion, and 13 is an adhesive tape. Description of other reference numerals is omitted by using the same reference numerals as those used in FIGS.

  After a plurality of optical fiber cores are aligned and fusion bonded together, it is necessary that the alignment state of the optical fiber cores be maintained within a predetermined range from the fusion spliced portion until the connection portion is reinforced. Since the glass fiber is exposed and the strength of the fusion spliced part of the optical fiber core wire after the fusion splicing is weakened, if the fusion splicing part is broken before the reinforcing treatment, the reinforcing sleeve is covered. Difficult to break. For this reason, in the present invention, even if a plurality of optical fiber cores 11 are accommodated in the optical fiber alignment groove 5 and aligned and then removed from the optical fiber holder H, the alignment state of the optical fiber cores is maintained. I am doing so.

  In FIG. 4A, the optical fiber core wire 11 is aligned and held using the core wire fixing member 8, and the core wire fixing member 8 includes, for example, a U-shaped member 8a and an adhesive member 8b. Composed. The U-shaped member 8a is made of metal or synthetic resin, and an adhesive member 8b is provided on the inner surface of the base portion. For example, a double-sided adhesive tape or a pressure sensitive adhesive is used for the adhesive member 8b. On the base 1 side, there is provided a core wire fixing member mounting portion 9 including mounting holes 9a in which the leg portions on both sides of the U-shaped member 8a are mounted.

  After the optical fiber core wire 11 is housed in the optical fiber alignment groove 5 with the above-described configuration and the longitudinal movement of the optical fiber core wire 11 is fixed by the clamp lid 3 (see FIGS. 1 and 2), The core wire fixing member 8 is mounted on the core wire fixing member mounting portion 9. The adhesive member 8b of the core wire fixing member 8 is in contact with the upper surface of the optical fiber core wire 11 in an aligned state, and bonds and integrates the plurality of optical fiber core wires 11 in a tape shape. The core wire fixing member 8 may be simply pushed into the core wire fixing member mounting portion 9 by hand, but may be pushed in and bonded by closing the holder lid 4. In addition, since the above-described core wire fixing member 8 is in a form that bulges on the outer periphery of the optical fiber core wire, the reinforcing sleeve is inserted through the optical fiber core wire in advance and moved to the fusion connection portion after the fusion connection. Therefore, it is suitable when the other party to be fusion-spliced is an optical fiber ribbon.

FIG. 4B is a diagram for explaining another embodiment in which the optical fiber core wire 11 is aligned and held, and is an example in which the adhesive tape 13 is used. The adhesive tape 13 may be for single-sided bonding, and a core wire fixing member mounting portion 9 including a protrusion 9b for introducing the adhesive tape 13 is provided on the base 1 side.
Further, a protruding member that presses the adhesive tape 13 against the optical fiber core wire 11 may be provided on the inner surface of the holder lid 4.

  In the case of FIG. 4B as well, as in the example of FIG. 4A, after a plurality of optical fiber cores 11 are accommodated in the optical fiber alignment groove 5 and the movement in the longitudinal direction is fixed, The adhesive tape 13 can be bonded and integrated by contacting the upper surface of the optical fiber core wire 11 in an aligned state. In this example, since the adhesive tape 13 is bonded and integrated, the shape does not swell to the outer periphery of the optical fiber core wire as compared with the example of FIG. 4A, and a reinforcing sleeve is inserted in advance on the optical fiber core wire. be able to. Therefore, in the example of FIG. 4B, the present invention can also be applied to a case where a plurality of optical fiber cores are arranged in parallel and collectively fused.

  FIG. 5 is a view for explaining a method of housing and fixing a plurality of optical fiber cores in the optical fiber holder H according to the present invention. FIG. 5A shows a plurality of optical fiber core wires as optical fiber alignment grooves. FIG. 5 (B) is a diagram in which the optical fiber core wire is clamped and fixed in an aligned state. The reference numerals in the figure are the same as those used in FIGS.

  First, as shown in FIG. 5A, only the core wire alignment lid 2 is closed, and a gap serving as an insertion hole for aligning the optical fiber core wires 11 in a line is formed on the tip side of the holder. The optical fiber core 11 is composed of, for example, an inner layer coating and an outer layer coating as shown in FIG. 3B, and the distal end groove of the optical fiber alignment groove 5 is removed with a predetermined length of the outer layer coating on the distal end side. A predetermined number of optical fiber cores 11 are inserted into 5a one by one, for example. The inserted optical fiber cores 11 are guided to the tip groove 5a by the conversion groove 5b, aligned in a line at a fiber pitch narrowed so that the inner layer coatings are in close contact with each other, and parallel to the rear side of the optical fiber alignment groove 5. In the portion of the groove 5c, the outer layer coatings are aligned in a row with a wide fiber pitch in intimate contact with each other.

  After a predetermined number of optical fiber cores 11 are received and aligned in the optical fiber alignment groove 5, as shown in FIG. 5B, the clamp lid 3 is closed and the optical fiber core wires 11 are sealed by the rubber pads 7a and 7b. Is firmly fixed so that it does not move in the longitudinal direction. Next, as described in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the optical fiber core wire 11 is bonded and integrated at the intermediate position with the core wire fixing member 8 or the adhesive tape, and the holder lid 4 is closed, so that the optical fiber is closed. The optical fiber core wire 11 is fixed to the holder H.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a method of collectively fusion-connecting a plurality of optical fiber core wires using the optical fiber holder H described above. In the figure, 14 is an optical fiber ribbon, and 15 is a reinforcing sleeve. Description of other reference numerals is omitted by using the same reference numerals as those used in FIGS.

  6 (A) and 6 (B) are examples in which a plurality of single-core optical fibers are fused together, and the plurality of optical fibers 11 are connected to the optical fiber holder H described with reference to FIGS. Keep aligned. The method of aligning and holding the plurality of optical fiber cores 11 is performed, for example, by the method described with reference to FIG. 5, and the core wire alignment lid 2, the clamp lid 3, and the holder lid 4 are closed, respectively. The optical fiber core wire 11 is fixed in a state where movement in the longitudinal direction is prevented. When the optical fiber core wire 11 is composed of two layers of the inner layer coating 11b and the outer layer coating 11c and is aligned with the outer diameter of the inner layer coating 11b, as described with reference to FIG. 11c is removed and fixed.

  The coating of the optical fiber core wire 11 protruding from the holder tip end side (for example, the inner layer coating 5b) is removed from the predetermined portion by using a sheath removing tool, and the tip end side glass fiber is removed. 11a is exposed. Then, the exposed glass fiber 11a is cut into a predetermined length, and the tips are aligned.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 6A, in a state where the optical fiber core wire 11 is held by the optical fiber holder H, it is set in a fusion splicer (not shown), and the optical fiber fiber connection ends are mutually connected. Make a butt batch fusion connection. When the optical fibers of the other party to be fusion-bonded are a plurality of similar optical fiber cores, they are abutted by using an optical fiber holder having a similar configuration. If the optical fiber holder H shown in the figure is used as the right holder, the optical fiber holder that holds the optical fiber core wire to be connected is of the wrong shape (axisymmetric) as the left holder. .

  After the collective fusion connection is performed, as shown in FIG. 6B, the optical fiber core wire 11 and the plurality of counterpart optical fiber core wires 11 are taken out from the optical fiber holders H and H. When the optical fiber core wire 11 is removed from the optical fiber holder H, the alignment state of the optical fiber core wires 11 that are collectively fused and connected is varied. For this reason, the portions of the glass fiber 11a cross each other to cause scratches, and the reinforcing sleeve 15 is difficult to cover.

  Therefore, it is desirable that the optical fiber core wire 11 is held in a tape-like manner at least in the vicinity of the fusion splicing portion until the above-described reinforcement processing is performed. In the present invention, when the optical fiber core wire 11 is fixed to the optical fiber holder H, the adhesive tape 13 or the like is applied as described with reference to FIG. The above-mentioned inconvenience can be solved.

  Next, the reinforcing sleeve 15 inserted before the fusion bonding of the optical fiber ribbon 11 is moved to cover the fusion spliced portion. The reinforcing sleeve 15 has, for example, a configuration in which a reinforcing rod and a hot-melt adhesive material are placed in a heat-shrinkable tube, and a plurality of optical fibers are bonded and integrated by heating to be reinforced. The reinforcing sleeve 15 is desirably provided so as to cover the outer layer coating 11c of the optical fiber core wire 11 by a predetermined distance L in a finished state after heat shrinkage. In addition, as distance L, 2 mm-4 mm are preferable, and, thereby, the fall of the intensity | strength of an optical fiber and an excessive bending | flexion in a reinforcement sleeve edge part can be reduced.

  As shown in FIGS. 6C and 6D, an optical fiber ribbon 14 can be used as an optical fiber of the other party to be fusion-spliced. In this case, as the optical fiber holder H 'on the optical fiber ribbon 14 side, a general ordinary one can be used. Also in this case, when the optical fiber core wire 11 is removed from the optical fiber holder H after the collective fusion connection is performed, the alignment state of the fusion splicing portion is varied. For this reason, the portions of the glass fiber 11a cross each other to cause scratches, and the reinforcing sleeve 15 is difficult to cover.

  Therefore, until the above-described reinforcement processing is performed, at least in the vicinity of the fusion splicing portion, the optical fiber core wire 11 is held in a tape-like manner in the vicinity of the fusion connection portion. desirable. In the present invention, when the optical fiber core wire 11 is fixed to the optical fiber holder H, the core fiber fixing member 8 or the adhesive tape 13 is provided to keep the optical fiber core wire 11 aligned. And the inconveniences as described above can be solved.

It is a perspective view explaining the outline of the optical fiber holder by this invention. It is a figure which shows the plane, center cross section, and end surface explaining the outline of the optical fiber holder by this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the pressing member used by this invention. In this invention, it is a figure which shows the structural example for hold | maintaining a plurality of optical fiber core wire in alignment collectively. It is a figure explaining the method of accommodating and fixing a some optical fiber core wire to the optical fiber holder by this invention. It is a figure explaining the example which implements collective fusion splicing using the optical fiber holder by this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Base, 1a ... Supporting shaft part, 2 ... Core wire alignment lid, 3 ... Clamp lid, 4 ... Holder lid, 5 ... Optical fiber alignment groove, 5a ... Tip groove, 5b ... Conversion groove, 5c ... Parallel groove, 6 ... Pressing member, 7a, 7b ... Rubber pad, 8 ... Core wire fixing member, 8a ... U-shaped member, 8b ... Adhesive member, 9 ... Core wire fixing member mounting portion, 9a ... Mounting hole, 9b ... Projection, 10a, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10b ... Magnet, 11 ... Optical fiber core wire, 11a ... Glass fiber, 11b ... Inner layer coating, 11c ... Outer layer coating, 12 ... Air gap, 13 ... Adhesive tape, 14 ... Optical fiber tape core wire, 15 ... Reinforcement sleeve

Claims (5)

  An optical fiber holder for holding a plurality of optical fiber cores arranged in parallel, a base having an optical fiber alignment groove, and an openable / closable upper part of the optical fiber alignment groove, for holding the optical fiber core wire The optical fiber alignment groove has a shape in which the width on the distal end side is gradually narrowed, and the clearance between the optical fiber alignment groove and the optical fiber alignment groove becomes smaller toward the distal end side. An optical fiber holder having a step.   The optical fiber holder according to claim 1, wherein the pressing member is made of a synthetic resin material.   The optical fiber holder according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a core wire fixing member mounting portion for mounting a core wire fixing member for aligning and holding the plurality of optical fiber core wires.   The optical fiber holder according to claim 3, further comprising a holder lid for pressing the core wire fixing member.   The optical fiber holder according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising an adhesive tape introducing portion for aligning and holding the plurality of optical fiber core wires.

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