JP2007286599A - Ferrule transporting method and ferrule holder - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a ferrule transporting method and a ferrule holder that facilitate transportation of a ferrule fusion-spliced with an optical fiber to an apparatus for reinforcing a fusion-spliced part and that enables the fusion-spliced part to be reinforced in good condition. <P>SOLUTION: A ferrule, in which one end face of a built-in optical fiber is aligned with a connecting end face and in which the other end face of the built-in optical fiber is arranged so as to project from the opposite end of the connecting end face, and one end of a connecting optical fiber to be connected to the built-in optical fiber are placed and held on the fusion-splicing operation part of a fusion-splicing machine. Then, after the other end of the built-in optical fiber and the one end of the connecting optical fiber are fusion-spliced, the ferrule is transported to the apparatus for reinforcing a fusion-spliced part. In such ferrule transporting method, the cylindrical part of the ferrule is inserted from the connecting end face into the holding part provided in a ferrule holder, and held therein. With a handle part provided extendedly to the opposite side from the holding part of the ferrule holder, and with the handle part and the connecting optical fiber held and clamped, the ferrule is transported. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a ferrule transport method for transporting a ferrule with a built-in optical fiber fused to an optical fiber to a fusion splicing portion reinforcing device, and a ferrule gripping tool for gripping the ferrule.

  In recent years, with the spread of FTTH (Fiber To The Home) and the like, a large number of optical communication networks are used in general homes. As a result, there are various connection methods for assembling optical connectors and connecting optical fibers without performing a polishing process at the connection site. It has been adopted.

  As such an optical connector, one end face of the built-in optical fiber is made to coincide with the connection end face of the ferrule, the other end of the built-in optical fiber is projected from the other end of the ferrule, and a mechanical holding part is provided at the other end of the ferrule. A known mechanical optical connector is known (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 5). This mechanical optical connector is provided with an optical connector at one end of another optical fiber by mechanically holding and connecting the other end of the built-in optical fiber and one end of the other optical fiber so that the axes coincide with each other. Can do.

  In recent years, an optical connector has been provided in which the connection between a built-in optical fiber and another optical fiber is fusion-bonded to improve long-term reliability (see, for example, Patent Document 6).

  FIG. 12 is a partial cross-sectional view schematically showing a conventional optical connector 10 disclosed in Patent Document 6. As shown in FIG. The optical connector 10 includes a ferrule 11, a built-in optical fiber 12, a housing 15, and a coil spring 20, and is fusion-bonded to the optical fiber core wire 14. The fusion-bonded portion is reinforced by a reinforcing body 13. Has been.

  The housing 15 includes a plug housing 16, a stop ring 17, and a boot 18. The plug housing 16 and the stop ring 17 are coupled by engagement of the engagement hole 16 a and the engagement protrusion 17 a, and the boot 18 is attached to the stop ring 17 that forms the rear portion of the housing 15. The boot 18 includes an attachment portion 18a and a bending portion 18b. The coil spring 20 is housed between the ferrule 11 and the stop ring 17 and holds the ferrule 11 so as to be movable in the axial direction.

  The built-in optical fiber 12 is obtained by cutting an appropriate optical fiber core wire into a predetermined length in advance at a manufacturing factory or the like and inserting and fixing it in the ferrule 11. One end face of the built-in optical fiber 12 is subjected to an end face polishing process together with the connection end face of the ferrule 11, and is processed so as not to cause a connection loss with the counterpart optical connector to be connected. On the other hand, the other end of the built-in optical fiber 12 protruding rearward from the ferrule 11 needs to be coated and end-faced for fusion splicing. Is done.

  The optical fiber 14 connected to the optical connector 10 is naturally subjected to removal of the coating and end face processing at the connection site for fusion splicing. Tools for the processing are carried into the connection site.

  FIGS. 13A to 13C are explanatory views for explaining the operation of fusion-connecting the built-in optical fiber 12 inserted into the ferrule 11 and the optical fiber core wire 14. This fusion splicing work is performed at the connection site. Prior to the fusion splicing, the end portion of the built-in optical fiber 12 used for the fusion splicing is a bare optical fiber portion 12b from which the coating 12a has been removed as shown in FIG. And the coating 14a is removed at one end of the optical fiber core wire 14 to expose the bare optical fiber portion 14b. Next, the bare optical fiber portions 12b and 14b are placed on the fusion splicer by a holder that holds them, and after being aligned and clamped on the V-groove on the holder, as shown in FIG. The fusion splicing portion 19 is formed by fusion splicing by discharge heating by the discharge arc A from the discharge electrode 22a. Next, since the coating of the fusion splicing part 19 is removed and the mechanical strength is lowered, the fusion splicing part 19 is transported to a fusion splicing part reinforcing device, which will be described later, where FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the reinforcing member 13 is covered on the fusion splicing portion 19.

  The reinforcing body 13 is a heat-shrinkable tube containing, for example, a reinforcing member such as metal and a thermoplastic resin. The reinforcing body 13 is covered with the fusion splicing portion 19 and conveyed to the fusion splicing portion reinforcing device. 13 is heated and shrunk to cover the fusion splicing portion 19. As a means for protecting the fusion spliced portion, besides using the reinforcing body 13, a recoating method in which a UV curable resin is deposited around the fusion spliced portion and cured to form a coating layer is also used. ing.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a main part of a conventional fusion splicer 21 for fusion splicing of optical fibers, a fusion splicing work section 22 at the center, and a fusion splicer reinforcement at the top. The device 23 is shown. An optical fiber holder H for arranging and fixing the optical fibers F with their end faces facing each other is arranged on the left and right sides of the fusion splicing work section 22, and a discharge electrode 22a for generating a discharge arc is provided at the center. Has been placed. Further, the fusion splicing portion reinforcing device 23 is provided with a long heating chamber 23a extending in a straight line on the left and right, and holders for holding the optical fiber F by applying tension to the spliced optical fibers at both ends. 23b is arranged. Reference numeral 22 b is a lid that covers the fusion splicing work part 22, and reference numeral 23 c is a lid that covers the fusion splicing part reinforcing device 23.

  When the built-in optical fiber 12 attached to the ferrule 11 and the optical fiber core wire 14 are fusion-spliced using the fusion splicer 21, one of the optical fiber holders H is replaced with a ferrule holder.

JP-A-10-206688 JP-A-11-142686 JP-A-11-142687 JP-A-11-160563 JP 2000-347068 A JP 2002-82257 A

  As described above, in order to provide mechanical protection by attaching a reinforcing body to the fusion splice of the ferrule in which the optical fiber and the built-in optical fiber are fusion spliced, the ferrule is fusion spliced by the fusion splicer. It is necessary to convey from a working part to a fusion splicing part reinforcement device. However, since no optical fiber is attached to the connection end face side of the ferrule, it is impossible to grip and convey each of the optical fibers as in the case where the conventional optical fibers are fusion-connected. Therefore, as a conveying method, as shown in FIG. 15, the ferrule 11 and the optical fiber core wire 14 are sandwiched by sandwiching tools 25 having sandwiching portions 25 a and 25 a each having a shape like a clothespin and melted. It is conceivable to transport the welding connection working part 22 to the heating chamber 23a of the fusion splicing part reinforcing device 23. The clamping device 25 is connected by a rod-shaped coupling member 25b having a predetermined length and is arranged so that the clamping portions 25a and 25a have a predetermined interval, and has a structure in which a tensile force is not applied to the fusion splicing portion during transportation. It has become.

  However, in the method of holding the ferrule 11 and the like with the holding tool 25 described above and transporting it, the insertion port of the heating chamber 23a is narrow, so that the fusion splicing portion 19 and the reinforcing body 13 are accommodated in the heating chamber 23a. The holding tool 25 is reduced in size and accommodated in the heating chamber 23a while holding the ferrule 11 or the like, or the holding of the ferrule 11 is released on the heating chamber 23a, and the reinforcing body 13 and the ferrule 11 are placed in the heating chamber 23a. It must be dropped on the surface. However, when the small holding tool 25 is used to accommodate the ferrule 11 and the heating chamber 23a, the lid 23c of the fusion splicing portion reinforcing device 23 cannot be closed. It cannot be shrunk stably within 23a. In addition, it is possible to arrange a device corresponding to a lid around the holding tool 25 and cover it on the heating chamber 23a. However, the workability deteriorates and the number of parts increases, so that the cost is increased. Issue arises. In addition, the method of dropping from the fusion splicing portion reinforcing device 23 may cause the fusion splicing portion 19 to break due to the impact of the drop, and cannot hold the spliced optical fibers straight. There was a problem that the heat shrinkable tube could not be shrunk in a good shape.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and can easily convey a ferrule fused and connected to an optical fiber to a fusion splicing portion reinforcing device and reinforce the fusion splicing portion in a good state. An object of the present invention is to provide a ferrule conveying method and a ferrule gripping tool.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the ferrule transport method according to the present invention makes the one end face of the built-in optical fiber coincide with the connection end face and the other end of the built-in optical fiber is the connection end face. The ferrule arranged so as to protrude from the opposite end and one end of the connection optical fiber connected to the built-in optical fiber are placed on the fusion splicing work section of the fusion splicer, and the built-in optical fiber In the ferrule transport method in which the ferrule is transported to the fusion splicing portion reinforcing device after the other end and the one end of the connection optical fiber are fusion spliced, a gripping portion provided in the ferrule gripping tool is attached to the ferrule gripper. Inserting and gripping the cylindrical portion from the connection end face side, and gripping the ferrule while gripping the connecting optical fiber and the handle portion extending to the opposite side of the gripping portion of the ferrule gripping tool Characterized in that it sent.

  The ferrule gripping tool according to the present invention includes a gripping part for inserting and gripping the ferrule tubular part from the connection end face side of the ferrule, and a handle part extending to the opposite side of the gripping part. It is characterized by that.

  The ferrule gripping tool according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the gripping portion includes a tubular elastic member having an inner diameter slightly smaller than an outer diameter of the cylindrical portion of the ferrule. .

  The ferrule gripping tool according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the tubular elastic member has a slit formed on a side surface.

  In the ferrule gripping tool according to the present invention, in the above invention, the gripping portion includes a tubular member having an inner diameter larger than an outer diameter of the tubular portion of the ferrule, and an inner wall of the tubular member on the ferrule. And a layered elastic member provided so as to form a hole having an inner diameter slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion.

  Further, in the ferrule gripping tool according to the present invention, in the above invention, the gripping portion and the handle portion are integrally formed by a tubular elastic member having an inner diameter slightly smaller than an outer diameter of the cylindrical portion of the ferrule. It is formed.

  The ferrule gripping tool according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the gripping portion is made of a heat insulating material.

  According to the present invention, the ferrule is gripped by the ferrule gripping tool provided with the gripping portion, and the ferrule is conveyed while gripping the handle portion and the connection optical fiber extended to the ferrule gripping tool. The connected ferrule is easily transported to the fusion splicing portion reinforcing device, and the fusion splicing portion can be reinforced in a good state.

  Embodiments of a ferrule transport method and a ferrule gripper according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

(Embodiment 1)
First, the ferrule gripping tool according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described. 1A and 1B are diagrams schematically showing a ferrule gripping tool according to Embodiment 1, wherein FIG. 1A is an exploded view, FIG. 1B is a front view, and FIG. 1C is a partial sectional side view. As shown in FIGS. 1A to 1C, the ferrule gripping tool 30 includes a gripping tool body 31, a gripping part 32, a handle part 33, and a tubular fixing member 34.

  The gripping tool main body 31 has a central part 31c having an outer diameter substantially the same as the outer diameter of the cylindrical part of the ferrule to be gripped, and a front end part 31a and a rear end part 31b having a smaller diameter than the central part 31c. The outer diameter of the tip 31a is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the tubular part of the ferrule to be gripped.

  The grip portion 32 is made of an elastic material, and has a slit 32a in the longitudinal direction, and is formed in a tubular shape so as to have an inner diameter slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the tubular portion of the ferrule to be gripped. Moreover, the handle | pattern part 33 is comprised with a highly flexible string | strand, an inflexible stick | rod, etc. The fixing member 34 is formed so that the inner diameter is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the central portion 31 c of the gripper main body 31.

  The ferrule gripping tool 30 is fixed by a method such as inserting the handle portion 33 into a hole formed in the rear end portion 31b of the gripping tool body 31, and crimping the rear end portion 31b or pouring an adhesive into the hole. By fitting one end of 32 to the distal end portion 31a of the gripping tool main body 31 and attaching a fixing member 34 to at least this fitting portion, the gripping part 32 and the gripping tool main body 31 are fixed so as to be integrated. Can be assembled.

  In this ferrule gripping tool 30, when the cylindrical portion of the ferrule to be gripped is inserted from the distal end portion 32b of the gripping portion 32, the inner diameter of the gripping portion 32 made of an elastic material in which the slits 32a are formed is slightly expanded and repulsive force is generated. As a result, the ferrule can be mechanically gripped. In addition, the handle portion 33 extends on the opposite side of the grip portion 32 in the ferrule gripping tool 30, and is configured so that the ferrule gripping tool 30 can be easily gripped.

  As an example of each of the above-described components, the gripper main body 31 is made of a soft material such as Teflon (registered trademark), the front end portion 31a has an outer diameter of 2.4 mm, the central portion 31c has an outer diameter of 3 mm, and the rear end portion 31b. Is formed with an outer diameter of 2 mm. The grip portion 32 is made of a spring material or the like, has a length of 11 mm, an inner diameter of 2.4 mm, and an outer diameter of 3 mm. The handle portion 33 is made of a material such as a wire, piano wire, or optical fiber core wire. The outer diameter is 0.9 mm and the length is about 20 cm. The fixing member 34 is made of a heat shrinkable tube or the like, and has an inner diameter of about 3 mm and an outer diameter of about 4 mm. As the grip portion 32, a split sleeve used for a connection adapter of an optical connector or the like can be used.

  In addition, since each component is disposed in the heating chamber of the fusion splicing portion reinforcement device when reinforcing the fusion splicing portion, the fusion splicing portion reinforcement device is an apparatus having a structure for heating the heat shrinkable tube. Is made of a material that can withstand a temperature of 230 ° C., which is the heating temperature of the fusion splicing portion reinforcing device 23.

  If the ferrule gripping tool 30 according to the first embodiment is used, the ferrule fused and connected to the optical fiber can be easily conveyed to the fusion splicing portion reinforcing device, and the fusion splicing portion can be reinforced in a good state. . Hereinafter, as a second embodiment of the present invention, a method for conveying a ferrule using the ferrule gripping tool according to the first embodiment will be described.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 2 is an explanatory view for explaining a process of fusion-connecting the ferrule and the connecting optical fiber, which is a pre-process of the ferrule conveying method according to the second embodiment. First, as shown in FIG. 2A, a ferrule gripping tool 30 according to the first embodiment, a ferrule 40 with a built-in optical fiber, and a connecting optical fiber core wire 45 are prepared. The ferrule 40 is arranged so that one end face 43a of the built-in optical fiber 43 coincides with the connection end face 41a of the cylindrical portion 41, and the bare optical fiber portion 43b, which is the other end of the built-in optical fiber 43, is connected to the connection end face 41a. It is disposed so as to protrude from the opposite ferrule end portion 41b, and further includes a flange portion 42 for fixing the ferrule 40 to the optical connector housing. This ferrule 40 is the same as the conventional ferrule 11 shown in FIG. The connection optical fiber core 45 is an optical fiber core wire connected to the built-in optical fiber 43, and, like the conventional optical fiber core wire 14 shown in FIG. The part 45b is exposed.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 2B, the cylindrical portion 41 of the ferrule 40 is inserted from the distal end portion 32 b of the gripping portion 32 of the ferrule gripping tool 30 while the inner diameter of the gripping portion 32 is increased, and the gripping portion 32. Is fitted into the tubular portion 41 of the ferrule 40. As a result, the grip portion 32 mechanically grips the ferrule 40 by the repulsive force whose diameter has been expanded. The gripper body 31 is made of a soft material such as Teflon (registered trademark), so that even if the end surface 43a of the built-in optical fiber 43 hits the gripper body 31 during insertion, the end surface 43a is damaged. It is prevented.

  Next, the ferrule 40 mechanically gripped by the gripping portion 32 and the connecting optical fiber core wire 45 are connected to the end of the bare optical fiber portion 43 b of the built-in optical fiber 43 of the ferrule 40 and the bare light of the connecting optical fiber core wire 45. It arrange | positions in the fusion splicing work part 22 of the conventional fusion splicer 21 shown in FIG. 14 so that the edge part of the fiber part 45b may oppose. The connecting optical fiber 45 is inserted in advance into a heat-shrinkable reinforcing body 48. Next, as shown in FIG. 2 (c), the end of the bare optical fiber portion 43b and the end of the bare optical fiber portion 45b are fused by the discharge arc A generated from the discharge electrode 22a provided in the fusion splicer 21. Incoming connection.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 2 (d), the position of the reinforcing body 48 is moved so as to include the bare optical fiber portions 43 b and 45 b including the fusion splicing portion 49, and the ferrule together with the connecting optical fiber core wire 45 is moved. 40 is conveyed to the fusion splicing portion reinforcing device 23.

  Here, in the ferrule conveying method according to the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the connecting optical fiber core wire 45 and the handle 33 of the ferrule gripping tool 30 that grips the ferrule 40 are gripped. The ferrule 40 is conveyed. As a result, compared to the conventional case, the ferrule 40 can be easily transported and can be housed in the heating chamber 23a of the fusion splicing portion reinforcing device 23 in a stable state.

  Thereafter, in the fusion splicing portion reinforcing device 23, the reinforcing body 48 is heated in the heating chamber 23a and thermally contracted, and is deposited on the fusion splicing portion 49 and the bare optical fiber portions 43b and 45b in good condition. . As a result, the fusion splicing portion 49 is reinforced in a good state and has high reliability.

  By the way, in the above-described second embodiment, when performing fusion splicing using the fusion splicer 21 shown in FIG. 14, one of the optical fiber holders H is replaced with a ferrule holder. FIG. 4 is a perspective view schematically showing an example of a ferrule holder in a state where a ferrule and a ferrule gripping tool are placed.

  The ferrule holder 50 includes a holder base 51 having vertical and horizontal dimensions and a bottom surface shape that can be set in the fusion splicer 21 in place of the optical fiber holder H. A groove 52 is formed in which the tool 30 and the ferrule 40 held by the ferrule gripping tool 30 can be arranged and fixed. The groove 52 is fixed to the side surface of the holder base 51 by a hinge mechanism 53a. A metal lid 53 is disposed so as to cover the ferrule 40 and the ferrule gripping tool 30 disposed on the groove 52 and be fixed by the magnetic force of the magnet 54 embedded in the holder base. As shown in FIG. 4, the ferrule 40 is disposed in the ferrule holder 50, and the ferrule holder 50 is set at the holder disposition position in the fusion splicing work unit 22 of the fusion splicer 21, so that the fusion splicer 21 is surely secured. The ferrule 40 can be disposed in the fusion splicing work part 22.

  As described above, the ferrule gripping tool 30 includes the handle portion 33 at one end and the grip portion 32 that grips the tubular portion 41 of the ferrule 40 at the other end. For this reason, in the state where the built-in optical fiber 43 and the connecting optical fiber core wire 45 are fusion-connected, the conventional optical fiber is that the ferrule 40 is placed on the ferrule holder 50 of the fusion splicer 21. When the conventional optical fibers are fusion-bonded by handling the handle 33 like one optical fiber in the case of fusion-bonding optical fibers, although it is different from the case of performing the work of fusing together. The technique of the transfer method of the fusion splicing part can be applied as it is.

(Embodiment 3)
Next, a method for conveying a ferrule according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention will be specifically described. The ferrule transport method according to the third embodiment transports the ferrule by gripping the connecting optical fiber fusion-bonded to the ferrule and the handle portion of the ferrule gripper that grips the ferrule using the transport arm. This is different from the ferrule transport method according to the second embodiment.

  First, the transfer arm used in the third embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of the transfer arm used in the third embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the transport arm 60 is configured to be rotatable about a fixed arm 61, rotary shaft support portions 62 and 62 disposed at both ends of the fixed arm 61, and the rotary shaft support portions 62 and 62. The movable arm 63 and the holding tools 64 and 64 attached to both ends of the movable arm 63, respectively. As shown in FIG. 7, the transfer arm 60 is attached to the upper portion of the fusion splicer 21 by fixing the fixed arm 61 to the back surface portion of the fusion splicing portion reinforcement device 23.

  Next, a method for transporting a ferrule using the above-described transport arm 60 will be described with reference to FIGS. First, as shown in FIG. 5, the movable arm 63 is rotated so as to be folded on the same side as the fixed arm 61. Then, as in the case of the second embodiment, the ferrule 40 and the connecting optical fiber core wire 45 held by the ferrule gripping tool 30 are connected to the end of the bare optical fiber portion 43b of the built-in optical fiber 43 of the ferrule 40. It arrange | positions in the fusion splicing work part 22 of the fusion splicer 21 so that the edge part of the bare optical fiber part 45b of the connection optical fiber core wire 45 may oppose. Next, the built-in optical fiber 43 and the connecting optical fiber core wire 45 are fusion-connected, and the reinforcing body 48 is placed on the bare optical fiber portion including the fusion-connecting portion.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 6 (a), the movable arm 63 is rotated toward the fusion splicing part working unit 22 side of the fusion splicer 21, and the connecting optical fiber core wire 45 is connected with one holding tool 64. And the handle 33 of the ferrule gripping tool 30 is clamped by the other holding tool 64.

  Next, the movable arm 63 is rotated halfway through the state shown in FIG. 6B, and is rotated halfway toward the fixed arm 61 as shown in FIG. 6C. As a result, the ferrule 40 is transported together with the connecting optical fiber core 45, and the reinforcing body 48 is accommodated in the heating chamber 23a of the fusion splicing portion reinforcing device 23 in a state where the movable arm 63 is rotated halfway.

  Next, the connecting optical fiber core wire 45 and the handle portion 33 of the ferrule gripping tool 30 are held by the holder 23 b provided in the fusion splicing portion reinforcing device 23, and a tensile force is applied to the fusion splicing portion 49 to perform the splicing connection. The part reinforcing device 23 is operated to attach the heat shrinkable reinforcing body 48 to the fusion splicing portion 49.

  In the third embodiment, since the ferrule 40 is transported using the transport arm 60 described above, the ferrule 40 can be transported easily, and the reinforcing body 48 is reliably accommodated in the heating chamber 23a of the fusion splicing portion reinforcing device 23. can do.

  In the second and third embodiments, the heating temperature of the fusion splicing portion reinforcing device 23 is usually 230 ° C. However, since the ferrule 40 is also accommodated in the heating chamber 23 a, There is a possibility that the adhesive for inserting and fixing the built-in optical fiber 43 may melt. In that case, it is preferable that the temperature in the heating chamber 23a is not less than the temperature at which the reinforcing body 48 is thermally contracted and not more than the temperature at which the adhesive melts, for example, 120 to 160 ° C. In the first embodiment, if the gripping portion 32 of the ferrule gripping tool 30 is made of a heat-resistant material such as ceramic, the temperature rise of the ferrule 40 in the heating chamber 23a is suppressed, and the adhesive melts. Is preferable.

  Further, the ferrule gripping tool according to the present invention is not limited to the one according to the first embodiment, and can be implemented in various forms. Hereinafter, other embodiments of the ferrule gripping tool will be described.

  For example, as shown in the perspective view of FIG. 8, the ferrule gripping tool includes a gripping tool main body 71, a tubular gripping part 72 in which no slit is formed, and a handle portion provided at the rear end 71b of the gripping tool main body 71. 73 and a fixing member 74, the gripping portion 72 has a larger inner diameter than the outer diameter of the ferrule tubular portion, a layered elastic member 72c is provided on the inner wall of the gripping portion 72, and the elastic member 72c is a ferrule It may be a ferrule gripping tool 70 in which a hole having an inner diameter slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion is formed. Since the ferrule gripping tool 70 can be gripped by pressing the outer periphery of the tubular portion of the ferrule with the elastic member 72c, the ferrule can be held at an appropriate strength without forming a slit in the gripping portion 72. It can be gripped mechanically.

  Further, as shown in a perspective view of FIG. 9, the gripping tool main body 81, a gripping part 82 in which a slit 82 a is formed, and a handle part 83 provided at the rear end part 81 b of the gripping tool main body 81 are provided. The ferrule gripping tool 80 may be fixed by crimping 82 to the front end (not shown) of the gripping tool main body 81 at the caulking portion 82c. The ferrule gripping tool 80 does not require a fixing member for fixing the gripping portion 82 to the gripping tool main body 81, so that the number of parts can be reduced, the assembly can be simplified, and it is difficult to be affected by heat. .

  Further, as shown in a perspective view in FIG. 10, a ferrule gripping tool 90 including a lid-shaped grip portion 92 having an inner diameter slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the ferrule tubular portion and a string-shaped handle portion 93 is also provided. Good. The string-like handle portion 93 is fixed by a method such as insertion through a hole (not shown) formed in the lid portion 92a of the grip portion 92 and pouring an adhesive into the hole. The ferrule gripping tool 90 can be manufactured at low cost by using a ferrule protective cap made of an elastic material such as plastic, PVC, rubber, etc. attached to a commercially available optical connector, and can also be used as a ferrule protective cap after fusion splicing work. It is preferable because it functions.

  Moreover, as shown in a perspective view in FIG. 11, the ferrule gripping tool 100 in which the grip portion 102 and the handle portion 103 are integrally formed of a tube having an inner diameter slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the ferrule to be gripped may be used. The ferrule gripping tool 100 has a small number of parts and is inexpensive. The material of the tube is not particularly limited as long as it is not deteriorated by the heating temperature in the fusion splicer reinforcement device, and PVC, rubber, heat shrinkable material, or the like can be used. In addition, it is preferable that the handle 103 of the tube constituting the ferrule gripping tool 100 be crushed because it is difficult to be pinched by the windshield cover of the fusion splicer.

It is the figure which showed typically the ferrule holding tool which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing explaining the process of melt-connecting a ferrule and a connection optical fiber. It is explanatory drawing explaining the conveyance method of the ferrule which concerns on this Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a perspective view which shows typically an example of the ferrule holder of the state which mounted the ferrule and the ferrule holding tool. It is a schematic block diagram of the conveyance arm used in Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing explaining the conveyance method of the ferrule using the conveyance arm shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the state which attached the conveyance arm used in Embodiment 3 to the fusion splicer. It is a perspective view which shows typically the ferrule holding tool which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows typically the ferrule holding tool which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows typically the ferrule holding tool which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows typically the ferrule holding tool which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a partial cross section figure which shows the conventional optical connector typically. It is explanatory drawing explaining the operation | work which carries out the fusion | fusion connection of the built-in optical fiber inserted in the ferrule and the optical fiber core wire. It is a figure which shows an example of the principal part of the conventional fusion splicer which melt-connects optical fibers. It is a figure which shows an example of the clamping tool which conveys a ferrule.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 21 Fusion splicer 22 Fusion splicing work part 22a Discharge electrode 23 Fusion splicing part reinforcement apparatus 23a Heating chamber 23b Holder 23c Cover 25 Clamping tool 25a Clamping part 25b Connecting member 30, 70-100 Ferrule gripping tool 31,71,81 Grasping tool main body 31a Tip part 31b, 71b, 81b Rear end part 31c Center part 32, 72-102 Gripping part 32a, 82a Slit 32b Tip part 33-103 Handle part 34, 74 Fixing member 40 Ferrule 41 Cylindrical part 41a Connection end face 41b Ferrule end part 42 collar part 43 Built-in optical fiber 43a End face 43b Bare optical fiber part 45 Connection optical fiber core wire 45a Cover 45b Bare optical fiber part 48 Reinforcement body 49 Fusion splicing part 50 Ferrule holder 51 Holder base 52 Groove 53 Lid 53a Hinge mechanism 54 Magnet 60 Transfer arm 61 Fixed arm 62 Rotating shaft support part 63 Movable arm 64 Nipper 72c Elastic member 82c Caulking part 92a Lid

Claims (7)

A ferrule in which one end face of the built-in optical fiber is made to coincide with the connection end face and the other end of the built-in optical fiber is projected from an end opposite to the connection end face, and connection light connected to the built-in optical fiber One end of the fiber is placed on the fusion splicing unit of the fusion splicer, and the other end of the built-in optical fiber and the one end of the connection optical fiber are fusion spliced, and then the ferrule is fused. In the method of transporting the ferrule to be transported to the connection reinforcement device,
The handle part provided in the ferrule gripping tool is inserted and gripped from the connection end surface side of the tubular part of the ferrule, and the handle part extending to the opposite side of the gripping part of the ferrule gripping tool and the connection light A ferrule transporting method comprising transporting the ferrule while gripping a fiber. A gripping part for inserting and gripping the tubular part of the ferrule from the connection end face side of the ferrule;
A handle portion extending on the opposite side of the grip portion;
A ferrule gripping tool characterized by comprising:   The ferrule gripping tool according to claim 2, wherein the gripping portion includes a tubular elastic member having an inner diameter slightly smaller than an outer diameter of the cylindrical portion of the ferrule.   The ferrule gripping tool according to claim 3, wherein the tubular elastic member has a slit formed on a side surface.   The grip portion has a tubular member having an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion of the ferrule, and an inner diameter of the tubular member has an inner diameter slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the tubular portion of the ferrule. The ferrule gripping tool according to claim 2, further comprising a layered elastic member provided so as to form a hole.   The ferrule according to claim 2, wherein the grip portion and the handle portion are integrally formed by a tubular elastic member having an inner diameter slightly smaller than an outer diameter of the cylindrical portion of the ferrule. Gripping tool.   The ferrule gripping tool according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the gripping portion is made of a heat insulating material.

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