JP2008175947A - Mechanical splice - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a mechanical splice capable of surely splicing optical fibers to each other and hardly falling off spliced optical fibers. <P>SOLUTION: For the purpose of fixing, to a housing 2, optical fibers 17, 18 housed therein, there is installed in one end of the housing 2 a first slider 8 that is slidable from an optical fiber insertable position to an optical fiber fixing position, while, in the other end of the housing 2, a second slider 9 is installed that is slidable from the optical fiber insertable position to the optical fiber fixing position. When the first slider 8 slides from the optical fiber insertable position to the optical fiber fixing position, the end of the optical fiber 17 is moved to the end of the optical fiber 18 and fixed to the housing 2. When the second slider 9 slides similarly, the end of the optical fiber 18 is moved to the end of the optical fiber 17 and fixed to the housing 2 with projections 81d, 91d. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

   The present invention relates to a mechanical splice that mechanically connects optical fibers.

  Some conventional mechanical splices include a guide groove substrate, a holding substrate, and an optical fiber gripping member that holds these substrates (see the following patent document).

  The guide groove substrate has guide grooves for guiding and aligning the optical fibers facing each other so as to face each other. The guide groove is a V-groove (a groove having a V-shaped cross section).

  The pressing substrate has a pressing surface for pressing the optical fiber inserted into the guide groove.

  The optical fiber gripping member is a leaf spring having a substantially U-shaped cross section.

  The connection work of the optical fiber using this mechanical splice is as follows.

First, the guide groove substrate and the pressing substrate are overlapped so that the guide groove of the guide groove substrate and the pressing surface of the pressing substrate face each other, and both the substrates are sandwiched between optical fiber gripping members. Next, a wedge is inserted between the guide groove substrate and the holding substrate. Thereafter, a pair of optical fibers is inserted into the guide groove, and the end faces of the optical fibers are butted together. Finally, the wedge inserted between the guide groove substrate and the holding substrate is pulled out. As a result, the pair of optical fibers are held by the spring force of the optical fiber gripping member, and the optical fibers are mechanically connected to each other.
JP 2004-264755 A

  The mechanical splice described above has the following problems.

  When the wedge inserted between the guide groove substrate and the holding substrate is pulled out, the end face of the optical fiber may be lifted from the guide groove or the end face of the optical fiber in the guide groove may be retracted. There were times when I couldn't connect.

  Even if the optical fibers are correctly connected to each other, the optical fibers may be easily pulled out when a slight external force is applied to the optical fibers for some reason.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a mechanical splice that can reliably connect optical fibers and is difficult to disconnect the connected optical fibers.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the mechanical splice according to the first aspect of the present invention is the first and second optical fibers in which the end of one optical fiber and the end of the other optical fiber connected thereto are accommodated. A first housing component having an accommodation groove; a second housing component having third and fourth optical fiber accommodation grooves combined with the first and second optical fiber accommodation grooves; and the first and second optical fibers. An optical fiber fixing means for fixing both the optical fibers received in the receiving groove to the first housing component, and the optical fiber fixing means is combined with the first optical fiber receiving groove. An optical fiber housing groove, and is slidably attached to one end of the first housing component in a first direction obliquely intersecting the longitudinal direction of the first housing component; When the first optical fiber is inserted into the one optical fiber housing groove, the first optical fiber can be inserted into the first optical fiber fixing position where the one optical fiber is fixed into the first optical fiber housing groove. A first movable member that sends the end of one optical fiber to the end of the other optical fiber, and a sixth optical fiber receiving groove combined with the second optical fiber receiving groove, and the first housing configuration Second light that is slidably mounted in a second direction that obliquely intersects the longitudinal direction of the first housing component at the other end of the component, and the other optical fiber can be inserted into the second optical fiber receiving groove. When the second optical fiber fixing position for fixing the other optical fiber to the second optical fiber receiving groove is moved from the position where the fiber can be inserted, the end of the other optical fiber is moved to the one side. A second movable member to be sent to the end side of the optical fiber, and the fifth optical fiber housing groove, and when the first movable member is at the first optical fiber fixing position, bites into the one optical fiber. A first protrusion and a second protrusion formed in the sixth optical fiber housing groove and biting into the other optical fiber when the second movable member is at the second optical fiber fixing position. And

  As described above, the optical fiber fixing means is attached to one end of the first housing component so as to be slidable in the first direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the first housing component, and the first along the first direction. A first movable member that, when moved from the optical fiber insertable position to the first optical fiber fixed position, sends the end of one optical fiber to the end of the other optical fiber and fixes it to the first housing component; When the other end of one housing component is slidably mounted in the second direction intersecting the longitudinal direction and moved from the second optical fiber insertable position to the second optical fiber fixed position along the second direction. A second movable member that sends the end of the other optical fiber to the end of the one optical fiber and is fixed to the first housing component, and further includes a first movable member in the fifth optical fiber housing groove. Is first A first protrusion is formed that comes into strong contact with one of the optical fibers when in the optical fiber fixing position, and the sixth optical fiber housing groove has the other when the second movable member is in the second optical fiber fixing position. Since the second protrusion is formed to be in strong contact with the first optical fiber, the first and second movable members can be inserted into the first optical fiber insertion position in a state where both optical fibers are inserted into the first and second optical fiber insertion holes. When the first and second movable members are moved to the optical fiber fixing position, the ends of both optical fibers are reliably abutted by the first and second movable members, and this state is caused by the first and second projections of the first and second movable members. Maintained.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the mechanical splice according to the first aspect, the first optical fiber receiving groove has a first preload space for bending an end of the one optical fiber, and the second The optical fiber housing groove has a second preload space for bending the end of the other optical fiber.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the mechanical splice according to the second aspect, each of the first and second movable members is substantially in the shape of a housing.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the mechanical splice according to the second or third aspect, the sleeve that guides both optical fibers so that the strands of the two optical fibers abut each other is provided with the first preload space portion. And the second preload space.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the mechanical splice according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the first and second movable members have a movable side engaging portion, and the first housing component. Has a fixed-side engaging portion that engages with the movable-side engaging portion and locks the first and second movable members.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the optical fibers can be reliably connected to each other and the connected optical fibers are not easily disconnected.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  1A is a front view of a mechanical splice according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1B is a plan view of the mechanical splice, FIG. 2A is a sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 1B, and FIG. FIG. 3 is a side view of the mechanical splice shown in FIG.

  The mechanical splice includes a housing 2 and first and second sliders (first and second movable members) 8 and 9 provided at both ends of the housing 2 as shown in FIGS.

  The housing 2 includes a first housing component 3 and a second housing component 5.

  4A is a front view of a first housing component of the housing of the mechanical splice of FIG. 1, FIG. 4B is a plan view of the first housing component, FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB of FIG. 5B is a bottom view of the first housing component of FIG. 4, FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. 4A, FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD in FIG. 4A, and FIG. FIG. 6D is a cross-sectional view taken along line FF in FIG. 4A, and FIG. 6E is a side view of the first housing component in FIG. 4.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the first housing component 3 has a substantially prismatic shape, and has four sleeve receiving grooves 30, four first optical fiber receiving grooves 31, and four second optical fibers on its upper surface 3a. A housing groove 32 is formed. The first housing component 3 is formed of a green transparent resin. The four sleeve receiving grooves 30 are located at the center of the upper surface 3a. One end of each of the four first optical fiber accommodation grooves 31 communicates with the sleeve accommodation groove 30, and the other end reaches one end surface of the first housing component 3 in the longitudinal direction L 3. A tapered surface 31b is formed at the other end of the first optical fiber housing groove 31 (see FIG. 11). The tapered surface 31b is colored white by two-color molding. Each first optical fiber housing groove 31 has a first pressurizing space 31c (see FIG. 2). One end of each of the four second optical fiber accommodation grooves 32 leads to the sleeve accommodation groove 30, and the other end reaches the other end surface in the longitudinal direction L <b> 3 of the first housing component 3. A tapered surface 32 b is formed at the other end of the second optical fiber housing groove 32. The tapered surface 32b is colored white like the tapered surface 31b. Each second optical fiber housing groove 32 has a second pressurizing space 31c (see FIG. 2).

  A thin portion 33 is formed at one end of the first housing component 3. The width of the thin portion 33 is narrower than the width of the central portion of the first housing component 3. The height of the thin portion 33 is the same as the height of the central portion of the first housing component 3. A shaft 33a, two projections 33b and 33c, and a recess 33d are formed on the front and back of the thin portion 33, respectively. The shape of the protrusions 33b and 33c when viewed from the longitudinal direction L3 is a triangle. As shown in FIG. 4A, the shaft portion 33a, the protrusion 33b, and the protrusion 33c are arranged along an oblique direction D1 that obliquely intersects the longitudinal direction L3. The oblique direction D1 is inclined by an angle θ with respect to the longitudinal direction L3.

  A thin portion 34 is formed at the other end of the first housing component 3. The width of the thin portion 34 is narrower than the width of the central portion of the first housing component 3. The height of the slender portion 34 is the same as the height of the central portion of the first housing component 3. A shaft portion 34a, two projections 34b and 34c, and a concave portion 34d are formed on the front surface and the back surface of the thin portion 34, respectively. The shape of the protrusions 34b and 34c when viewed from the longitudinal direction L3 is a triangle. As shown in FIG. 4A, the shaft portion 34a, the protrusion 34b, and the protrusion 34c are arranged along an oblique direction D2 that obliquely intersects the longitudinal direction L3. The oblique direction D2 is inclined by an angle θ with respect to the longitudinal direction L3.

  Two recesses 44 are formed on the front surface and the back surface of the first housing component 3, respectively. A protrusion 45 is formed on the bottom surface of each recess 44. The protrusion 45 has an inclined surface 45a (see FIG. 6A).

  7A is a front view of a second housing component of the housing of the mechanical splice of FIG. 1, FIG. 7B is a plan view of the second housing component, FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional view taken along line GG of FIG. Is a bottom view of the second housing component of FIG. 7, FIG. 9A is a cross-sectional view taken along line HH of FIG. 7B, FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view taken along line II of FIG. 7B, and FIG. It is sectional drawing which follows the -J line.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, the second housing component 5 includes a flat plate portion 51 and a protruding piece 52. The second housing component 5 is made of a colorless and transparent resin.

  Four sleeve housing grooves 53, four third optical fiber housing grooves 54, and four fourth optical fiber housing grooves 55 are formed on the lower surface 51 c of the flat plate portion 51. Each of the four sleeve receiving grooves 53 is located at the center of the lower surface 51c. One end of each third optical fiber accommodation groove 54 communicates with the sleeve accommodation groove 53, and the other end reaches one end in the longitudinal direction L 5 of the second housing component 5. One end of each fourth optical fiber accommodation groove 55 communicates with the sleeve accommodation groove 53, and the other end reaches the other end surface in the longitudinal direction L <b> 5 of the second housing component 5.

  The protruding piece 52 is coupled to the flat plate portion 51. A hole 52 a is formed in the protruding piece 52. The protruding piece 52 is accommodated in the recess 44 (see FIGS. 4A and 4B) of the first housing component 3. The hole 52 a receives the protrusion 45 when the protruding piece 52 is accommodated in the recess 44. Thereby, the protruding piece 52 is locked to the first housing component 3, and the second housing component 5 is joined to the first housing component 3.

  10A is a plan view of the first slider of the housing of the mechanical splice of FIG. 1, FIG. 10B is a front view of the first slider, FIG. 10C is a cross-sectional view taken along line KK of FIG. 10A, and FIG. 10E is a side view of the first slider, FIG. 10F is a cross-sectional view taken along line LL in FIG. 10A, and FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view in a state where the first slider of the mechanical splice of FIG. 1 is locked. It is.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the first slider 8 has a pressing plate 81 and two engagement plates 82. The first slider 8 is formed of a green transparent resin.

  Four fifth optical fiber accommodation grooves 81 a are formed on the lower surface 81 c of the pressing plate 81. One end of each fifth optical fiber accommodation groove 81 a communicates with the third optical fiber accommodation groove 54, and the other end reaches one end of the holding plate 81 in the longitudinal direction L 8. A tapered surface 81b is formed at the other end of the fifth optical fiber housing groove 81a. The tapered surface 81b is colored white by two-color molding. A pair of protrusions (first protrusions) 81d are formed on the inner surface of the fifth optical fiber accommodation groove 81a.

  One engagement plate 82 of the two engagement plates 82 is coupled to the front portion of the presser plate 81, and the other engagement plate 82 is coupled to the rear portion of the presser plate 81. Each engagement plate 82 is perpendicular to the presser plate 8. Each engagement plate 82 has three elongated holes 82a, 82b, 82c and one protrusion 82d. The three long holes 82, 82b, 82c are arranged along the oblique direction D1. The long hole 82a is substantially elliptical and accepts the shaft portion 33a so as to be relatively movable in the oblique direction D1. The long hole 82b is rectangular and accepts the protrusion 33b so as to be relatively movable in the oblique direction D1. The long hole 82c has a rectangular shape and accepts the protrusion 33c so as to be relatively movable in an oblique direction.

  Since the second slider 9 has the same configuration as that of the first slider 8, each part of the second slider 9 corresponding to each part of the first slider 8 shown in FIG. The second slider 9 has a presser plate 91 and two engagement plates 92. The first slider 8 is formed of a green transparent resin.

  Four sixth optical fiber receiving grooves 91 a are formed on the lower surface of the pressing plate 91. One end of each sixth optical fiber accommodation groove 91 a communicates with the fourth optical fiber accommodation 55, and the other end reaches one end of the holding plate 91 in the longitudinal direction L 9. A tapered surface 91b is formed at the other end of the sixth optical fiber housing groove 91a. The tapered surface 91b is colored white by two-color molding. A pair of protrusions (second protrusions) 91d are formed on the inner surface of the sixth optical fiber housing groove 91a.

  One of the two engagement plates 92 is coupled to the front portion of the presser plate 91, and the other engagement plate 92 is coupled to the rear portion of the presser plate 91. Each engagement plate 92 is perpendicular to the presser plate 9. Each engagement plate 92 is formed with three long holes 92a, 92b, 92c and one protrusion 92d. The three long holes 92, 92b, 92c are arranged along the oblique direction D2. The long hole 92a is substantially elliptical and accepts the shaft portion 34a so as to be relatively movable in the oblique direction D2. The long hole 92b is rectangular and accepts the protrusion 34b so as to be relatively movable in the oblique direction D2. The long hole 92c is rectangular and accepts the protrusion 34c so as to be relatively movable in the oblique direction D2.

  The first slider 8 and the second slider 9 constitute an optical fiber fixing means.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, the four first optical fiber receiving grooves 31 of the first housing component 3, the four third optical fiber receiving grooves 54 of the second housing component 5, and the four of the first slider 8 are provided. Four first optical fiber insertion holes 11 are constituted by the fifth optical fiber accommodation groove 81a. The first optical fiber insertion hole 11 accommodates the optical fiber 17.

  The four second optical fiber receiving grooves 32 of the first housing component 3, the four fourth optical fiber receiving grooves 55 of the second housing component 5, and the four sixth optical fiber receiving grooves 91 a of the second slider 9. And four second optical fiber insertion holes 12 are formed. The second optical fiber insertion hole 12 accommodates the optical fiber 18.

  Further, the four sleeve receiving grooves 30 of the first housing component 3 and the four sleeve receiving grooves 53 of the second housing component 5 constitute four sleeve insertion holes 13. A metal sleeve (sleeve) 10 is accommodated in the sleeve insertion hole 13. The metal sleeve 10 is formed by rolling, for example. The metal sleeve 10 has a strand accommodating hole 101. The strand accommodating hole 101 is filled with matching oil (not shown). Tapered surfaces 101 a are formed at both ends of the strand receiving hole 101.

  12 shows the operation of the mechanical splice shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 12A is a front view showing a state in which the shaft portion of the first housing component is passed through the long hole of the first slider, and FIG. 12B is the remaining part of the first slider. FIG. 12C is a front view showing a state in which the first slider is slid along an oblique direction. FIG.

  Next, connection work of the optical fiber 17 using the mechanical splice of this embodiment will be described.

  Prior to the connection work, the second housing component 5 is joined to the first housing component 3 in advance. The sleeve 10 is accommodated in the sleeve insertion hole 13. Further, the covering portion (not shown) at the end of the optical fibers 17 and 18 (see FIG. 2A) is removed, and the strands (not shown) are exposed.

  First, the shaft portion 33 a of the housing component 3 is inserted into the long hole 82 a of the first slider 8. At this time, the shaft portion 33a is relatively placed at the end of the elongated hole 82a on the second housing component 5 side (the position of the first slider 8 at this time is set as a position where an optical fiber can be inserted).

  Next, the strand of the optical fiber 17 is inserted into the first optical fiber insertion hole 11, and the strand of the optical fiber 17 is inserted into the strand accommodating hole 101 (see FIG. 1) of the sleeve 10.

  Thereafter, the first slider 8 is rotated in the direction of the arrow about the shaft portion 33a, and the projections 33b and 33c are inserted into the long holes 82b and 82c, respectively, as shown in FIG. 12b.

  Next, the second housing component 5 is slid along the diagonal direction D1 of the first slider 8, and the first slider 8 is moved to a predetermined position (optical fiber fixing position) as shown in FIG. 12c.

  The second slider 9 is mounted on the first housing component 3 in the same manner as the first slider 8, and then rotated and further slid.

  By the above operation, the first and second sliders 8 and 9 send the optical fibers 17 and 18 toward the central portion of the housing 2, respectively. As a result, since the strands of the optical fibers 17 and 18 abut each other, the optical fibers 17 and 18 bend within the first and second preload spaces 15 and 16 (see FIG. 2A), and the end surfaces of the optical fibers 17 and 18 There is a force that pushes each other in between. This preload is a force that always matches the strands.

  When the first and second sliders 8 and 9 are moved to predetermined positions, the projections 82d and 92d of the first and second sliders 8 and 9 engage with the recesses 33d and 34d of the first housing component 3. . At this time, the projections 81d and 91d of the holding plates 81 and 91 of the first and second sliders 8 and 9 strongly press the optical fibers 17 and 18 against the inner surfaces of the optical fiber insertion holes 11 and 12, and the coating of the optical fibers 17 and 18 is performed. The optical fibers 17 and 18 are fixed to the housing 2 and cannot be pulled out easily.

  With the above operation, the connection of the optical fibers 17 and 18 is completed.

  In order to release the connection between the optical fibers 17 and 18, the first and second sliders 8 and 9 may be moved from the optical fiber fixing position to the position where the optical fiber can be inserted.

  According to the mechanical splice of this embodiment, the following operational effects can be obtained.

  When the first and second sliders 8 and 9 are slid from the optical fiber insertable position to the optical fiber fixing position, a force is generated between the end faces of the strands of the optical fibers 17 and 18. A good connection state between the optical fibers 17 and 18 can be maintained without being influenced by a change (temperature change or the like).

  When the first and second sliders 8 and 9 are at the optical fiber fixing position, the protrusions 81d and 91d of the holding plates 81 and 91 of the first and second sliders 8 and 9 are formed on the covering portions of the optical fibers 17 and 18, respectively. Since it bites in, the optical fibers 17 and 18 are securely fixed to the housing 2, and the optical fibers 17 and 18 are hardly pulled out.

  Furthermore, since the first and second housing components 3 and 5 constituting the housing 2 are formed of a transparent resin, the strands of the optical fibers 17 and 18 can be easily inserted into the sleeve 10, Efficiency is improved.

  In this embodiment, the first and second sliders 8 and 9 are employed as the optical fiber fixing means, but the first and second movable members are not limited to the first and second sliders 8 and 9. For example, you may employ | adopt the slider which can reciprocate between an optical fiber insertion possible position and a fiber fixing position along the longitudinal direction of a housing.

  In this embodiment, the metal sleeve 10 is used. However, the wire accommodating hole may be formed in the housing 2 without using the metal sleeve 10.

  In the above-described embodiments, the mechanical splice that connects the four optical fibers is described. However, the present invention can also be applied to a mechanical splice for a single core.

FIG. 1A is a rear view of a mechanical splice according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1B is a plan view of the mechanical splice. 2A is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 1B. FIG. 2B is a side view of the mechanical splice of FIG. FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the mechanical splice of FIG. 4A is a rear view of a first housing component of the housing of the mechanical splice of FIG. FIG. 4B is a plan view of the first housing component. 5A is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 4B. FIG. 5B is a bottom view of the first housing component of FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC of FIG. 4B. 6B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line DD of FIG. 4B. 6C is a cross-sectional view taken along line EE of FIG. 4B. 6D is a cross-sectional view taken along line FF in FIG. 4B. 6E is a side view of the first housing component of FIG. 7A is a rear view of a second housing component of the housing of the mechanical splice of FIG. FIG. 7B is a plan view of the second housing component. 8A is a cross-sectional view taken along line GG in FIG. 7B. 8B is a bottom view of the second housing component of FIG. 9A is a cross-sectional view taken along line HH in FIG. 7B. 9B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II of FIG. 7B. FIG. 9C is a sectional view taken along line JJ in FIG. 7B. 10A is a plan view of a third housing component of the housing of the mechanical splice of FIG. FIG. 10B is a front view of the third housing component. 10C is a cross-sectional view taken along the line KK in FIG. 10A. FIG. 10D is a bottom view of the third housing component. FIG. 10E is a side view of the third housing component. 10F is a cross-sectional view taken along line LL in FIG. 10A. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the lever of the mechanical splice of FIG. 1 is locked. 12A is a plan view of the lever of the mechanical splice of FIG. FIG. 12B is a front view of the lever. FIG. 12C is a front view showing a state in which the first slider is slid along the oblique direction.

Explanation of symbols

3 1st housing component 31 1st optical fiber accommodation groove 31c 1st preload space part 32 2nd optical fiber accommodation groove 32c 2nd preload space part 33d Recessed part (fixed side engaging part)
34d Concave portion (fixed side engaging portion)
5 Second housing component 54 Third optical fiber accommodation groove 55 Fourth optical fiber accommodation groove 8 First slider (first movable member)
81a Fifth optical fiber receiving groove 81d Protrusion (first protrusion)
82d Protrusion (movable engagement member)
9 Second slider (second movable member)
91a Sixth optical fiber receiving groove 91d Protrusion (second protrusion)
92d Protrusion (movable side engaging member)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 1st optical fiber insertion hole 12 2nd optical fiber insertion hole 13 Sleeve insertion hole 17 One optical fiber 18 The other optical fiber

Claims (5)

A first housing component having first and second optical fiber accommodation grooves in which an end of one optical fiber and an end of the other optical fiber connected to the optical fiber are accommodated;
A second housing component having third and fourth optical fiber receiving grooves combined with the first and second optical fiber receiving grooves;
Optical fiber fixing means for fixing both the optical fibers accommodated in the first and second optical fiber accommodation grooves to the first housing component;
The optical fiber fixing means is
A fifth optical fiber receiving groove combined with the first optical fiber receiving groove, and slides in a first direction obliquely intersecting the longitudinal direction of the first housing component at one end of the first housing component; A first optical fiber fixing that allows the one optical fiber to be fixed to the first optical fiber accommodation groove from a position where the first optical fiber can be inserted into the first optical fiber accommodation groove. A first movable member that, when moved to a position, sends an end of the one optical fiber to an end of the other optical fiber;
A sixth optical fiber receiving groove combined with the second optical fiber receiving groove, and in a second direction obliquely intersecting the longitudinal direction of the first housing component at the other end of the first housing component; A second optical fiber that is slidably mounted and that fixes the other optical fiber to the second optical fiber accommodation groove from a second optical fiber insertion position where the other optical fiber can be inserted into the second optical fiber accommodation groove. A second movable member that, when moved to a fixed position, sends the end of the other optical fiber to the end of the one optical fiber;
A first protrusion formed in the fifth optical fiber housing groove and biting into the one optical fiber when the first movable member is at the first optical fiber fixing position;
A mechanical splice comprising: a second protrusion formed in the sixth optical fiber housing groove and biting into the other optical fiber when the second movable member is in the second optical fiber fixing position.   The first optical fiber receiving groove has a first preload space for bending the end of the one optical fiber, and the second optical fiber receiving groove for bending the end of the other optical fiber. The mechanical splice according to claim 1, further comprising a second preload space.   3. The mechanical splice according to claim 2, wherein both the first and second movable members are substantially in the shape of a casing.   A sleeve that guides both optical fibers so that the strands of both optical fibers abut each other is disposed between the first preload space and the second preload space. The mechanical splice according to claim 2 or 3.   The first and second movable members have a movable side engaging portion, and the first housing component engages with the movable side engaging portion and locks the first and second movable members. The mechanical splice according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a fixed-side engaging portion.

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