JP2010039002A - Carrying case for fusion splicing machine and method for optical fiber fusion splicing operation using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a carrying case that includes a carrying function and a work base function and that can be used in an optional site. <P>SOLUTION: The carrying case 1 includes a carrying case body 2 that can be carried with a fusion splicing machine and related tools stored therein and a work base 3 that is attachably/detachably mounted on the carrying case body 2. The carrying case body 2 includes a housing part 4 and a lid part 5 with a handle 6 attached on top. The work base 3 includes a fusion splicing machine mounting part 12 and a flat table part 13, and also includes a through-hole 14 for inserting the handle. When the work base 3 is placed on the lid part 5, the handle 6 protrudes from the through-hole 14 to the upper face of the work base, wherein the handle 6 is for carrying the case by hand. The work base 3 is removed from the lid part 5, the fusion splicing machine is mounted on the work base 3, and a table part 13 is also used, and thus a fusion splice operation is performed. The work base 3 is not obstructive to carrying, and the carrying case is easily carried. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical fiber fusion splicer and a carrying case for a fusion splicer that stores related tools, members, auxiliary articles and the like necessary for the fusion splicing operation, and an optical fiber fusion splicing performed using the same. It relates to the working method.

Fusion splicing between optical fibers is performed using a fusion splicer.
When the fusion splicing work is an on-site work, generally, the fusion splicer and related tools, members, auxiliary articles, etc. necessary for the fusion splicing work are stored in the main body of the carrying case and carried to the work site.
When performing the fusion splicing work, a work table on which a fusion splicer can be placed and on which related tools, members, articles, etc. can be placed is necessary.

  When the work site is, for example, in a packet of an aerial work vehicle, a work table having a hook portion that hangs on the upper edge of the packet wall can be used as the work table (Patent Document 1).

  In addition, for example, when the fusion splicing work is performed by simple work on a power pole, a work table that can be attached to an aerial cable may be used (Patent Documents 2 and 3).

In addition, as a workbench to be used in the field where work surfaces for placing the fusion splicer and related tools are not prepared, regardless of whether it is working at high places, it is for mounting the splicer on a base material with a work belt attached. There is a work table for mounting a fusion splicer on which a fixture is attached via a hinge so that the fixture can be rotated at an arbitrary angle. In this case, a fusion splicing operation is performed by a fusion splicer by winding the work belt around the waist of the operator and fixing the base material portion to the waist (Patent Document 4).
This fusion splicer mounting workbench is considered to be carried in some kind of carrying case when it is not carried but simply carried.

Further, as shown in FIG. 10, a main body for storing a fusion splicer and related tools as a carrying case for carrying a fusion splicer or the like and a work table for performing a fusion splicing operation. Part 101 and a lid part 103 that is attached to the main body part 101 via an opening / closing hinge 102 so as to be openable / closable and can be horizontally held by a holding link 104 that can be folded in half. There is a work box 108 in which the inner surface 103a of the lid part is a horizontal work surface that extends in front of the main body part 101. In this case, the shelf board 106 can be provided inside the main body 101 and the fusion splicer can be placed on the shelf board 106. It is also possible to attach the neck belt 107 and work with the work box 108 on the neck with the neck belt 107 (Patent Document 5).
JP-A-11-5695 JP-A-10-282356 JP 10-206652 A JP2007-193097 JP 2006-201305 A

Since the work table of Patent Document 1 is premised on the presence of a packet on which an operator rides, it cannot cope with a case where the work is not in a packet.
Since the work benches of Patent Documents 2 and 3 are limited to the case where the work bench is attached to an aerial cable, the work bench cannot be used in other cases and the versatility is low.
Since the workbench of Patent Document 4 can be attached to an operator, it can be said that it can be used at any work site. However, since it is difficult to provide a flat surface on which a related tool or the like is placed, The actual work is difficult except for the existing site.

The work box 108 of Patent Document 5 is a case that entirely accommodates a fusion splicer, related tools, and the like, and can be used as a work table when the lid 103 is opened. Incoming connection work can be performed. Further, since the flat surface 103a on which the related tool or the like is placed can be easily provided, when the neck belt 107 is attached, it can be used at any site.
However, this work box 108 is a special product with a slightly special structure that the work surface is the inner surface 103a of the lid 103, and is a carrying case for storing a fusion splicer, related tools, and the like. There are some aspects that are slightly insufficient for usability.

  The present invention has been made to eliminate the above-mentioned conventional drawbacks, and can be used at any site with a device carrying function and a workbench function, and is easy to carry while having a workbench. Another object of the present invention is to provide a carrying case that is easy to use and can efficiently perform fusion splicing work, and an optical fiber fusion splicing work method that uses the carrying case.

The carrying case of the invention of claim 1 for solving the above-mentioned problems is
A carrying case main body 2 for storing the fusion splicer, and a work table detachably attached to the main body;
The work table has, on the top surface thereof, a mounting portion for mounting the fusion splicer, a table section partitioned on both sides of the fusion splicer mounting portion, and a through hole for inserting a handle. Is characterized in that the handle of the lid portion of the carrying case body 2 is placed on the upper surface of the lid portion in such a manner that the handle is exposed from the through hole to the upper surface of the work table.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the work table in the carrying case of the first aspect has the mounting portion at the center thereof, the table portion at one or both sides thereof, and the upper surface of the table portion being flat. To do.

  Claim 3 is the carrying case according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the work table is provided with a through bolt insertion hole for fixing the fusion splicer, and inserted into the bolt insertion hole upward from the work table lower surface side. The connecting machine fixing bolt is screwed into a female thread portion provided on the bottom surface of the fusion splicer to fix the fusion splicer to the work table.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the carrying case according to any one of the first to third aspects, a female screw portion is provided in a lid portion of the carrying case, and a bolt insertion hole is provided at a position corresponding to the female screw portion of the work table. The work table fixing bolt inserted downward from the work table upper surface side is screwed into the female thread portion to fix the work table to the lid portion.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the carrying case of the fourth aspect, the fusion splicer fixing bolt itself according to the third aspect is used as a worktable fixing bolt.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the carrying case according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, at least one component mounting portion for mounting a component related to work is provided on a side surface of the work table.

  A seventh aspect of the present invention provides the carrying case according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein a concave portion is formed on the upper surface of the workbench so that the short legs provided on the bottom surface of the carrying case can be fitted when the carrying cases are stacked. It is characterized by that.

Claim 8 is an optical fiber fusion splicing work method for performing fusion splicing between optical fibers using the carrying case according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
A carrying case with a work table mounted on the top of the lid of the main body containing at least the fusion splicer, which was brought into the fusion splicing site,
At the site, the work table is removed from the main body, at least the fusion splicer is taken out from the main body, and then the fusion splicer is mounted on the mounting portion of the work table, and at least the coating removal of the optical fiber and the coating residue are removed. The removal and cleaning process was performed, the tip of the optical fiber was fixed to the optical fiber holder, the optical fiber holder was attached to a predetermined position of the fusion splicer, and the optical fiber was fusion spliced by arc discharge. Later, the optical fiber holder is removed from the predetermined position of the fusion splicer, and the optical fiber is taken out from the optical fiber holder and inserted into the optical fiber beforehand. The reinforcing sleeve is moved over the fusion spliced portion, and then the reinforcing sleeve is heated and contracted to reinforce the fusion spliced portion. .

According to the carrying case of the first aspect of the present invention, since the worktable which can be attached and detached is provided on the upper surface of the lid portion of the carrying case, it is possible to carry out the fusion splicing work at any site simply by carrying the carrying case. be able to.
Since the handle on the upper surface of the lid of the carrying case protrudes from the through hole of the work table, the handle can be held with the work table mounted, and is easy to carry.
Since the work table is mounted as if it is a lid itself, it is easy to carry even though the work table is mounted.
The carrying case itself can be used as it is or with a slight structural change, and the work table can be used in a relatively simple and thin shape. The cost increase associated with the structure that doubles as is small.
Since the carrying case itself may have a general structure, it is easy to use without impairing the usability as a storage box for storing a fusion splicer or related tools.

  As in the work table of claim 2, the structure of the work table having the fusion splicer attachment part at the center and the table parts on both sides thereof is suitable for workability of the fusion splicing work.

  According to the third aspect, the fusion splicer can be easily and stably fixed to the work table with a simple structure.

  According to the fourth aspect, the work table can be fixed to the lid portion of the carrying case with a simple structure.

  Since the fusion splicer fixing bolt for fixing the fusion splicer and the work table fixing bolt for fixing the work table to the lid are not used at the same time, one bolt is fused as in claim 5. It can also be used for fixing the connection machine and for fixing the work table. This is effective in reducing the number of parts and reducing the risk of loss.

  According to claim 6, for example, the other end portion of the clamp that holds the aerial cable at one end side is attached to the component mounting portion on the side surface of the work table so that the work table is supported by the aerial cable, and other various uses. It can be used and is effective for improving workability.

  According to the seventh aspect, when a plurality of carrying cases are laminated and stored, the carrying cases can be stably laminated, which is effective for saving space.

  According to the optical fiber fusion splicing work method of claim 8, the characteristics of the carrying case that can be used at any site and easy to carry can be effectively functioned, and the fusion splicing work can be performed. It becomes easy and workability is improved.

  Hereinafter, a carrying case embodying the present invention and an optical fiber fusion splicing method using the same will be described with reference to the drawings.

  1 is a perspective view of a carrying case 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the carrying case 1 of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which a lid portion of the carrying case 1 is opened. is there. As shown in these figures, this carrying case 1 is capable of storing and carrying a fusion splicer that performs fusion splicing between optical fibers and related tools, members, and auxiliary items necessary for the fusion splicing work. It comprises a carrying case main body 2 and a work table 3 that is detachably mounted on the lid of the carrying case main body 2.

The interior of the carrying case main body 2 is divided into four by a partition wall to form a plurality of storage portions 4 into which a fusion splicer, related tools and the like are placed.
The fusion splicer is stored in the central storage section 4a, and other storage sections appropriately store tools such as coating removal tools and cutters, reinforcing members attached to the spliced connection section, auxiliary items such as alcohol and gauze, etc. To do.
On the upper side of the carrying case body 2, a lid portion 5 having a handle 6 attached to the upper surface is provided, and this lid portion 5 is locked in a closed state by the lock portion 29 to the storage portion 4.
The lid 5 can be opened and closed at the rear edge of the upper end of the storage portion 4 via a hinge 7.

The handle 6 is provided in a shallow concave portion 5 a formed in the center of the lid portion 5.
The handle 6 is U-shaped, and the hinge shafts 6 a at both ends are rotatably attached to the shaft support portion 5 b on the upper surface of the lid portion 5 and can be tilted sideways.
The storage unit 4, the lid unit 5, and the work table 3 are all resin molded products made of ABS or the like, for example, but the inner surface is covered with foamed polystyrene for protecting stored items.

The work table 3 is disposed on the lid 5 of the carrying case body 2.
A central portion of the work table 3 is a recess 11.
The concave portion 11 serves as a fusion splicer attachment portion 12 where a fusion splicer is attached. Flat table portions 13 for temporarily placing tools necessary for fusion splicing work are formed on both sides of the concave portion 11. Has been. The periphery of the table portion 13 is surrounded by a convex wall and is a shallow concave portion so that the placed object does not fall.

A long hole (hereinafter referred to as a through hole) 14 for inserting a handle is formed in the center of the recess 11 of the work table 3, and the handle 6 on the upper surface of the lid portion 5 extends from the through hole 14 as shown in FIG. 7. The head can be raised on the upper surface of the work table 3. In this state, the carrying case 1 is carried by holding the handle 6 by hand.
Further, when not being carried, the handle 6 can be tilted sideways in the recess 11 of the work table 3 as shown in FIG.
Further, when storing, the carrying case 1 can be stacked with the handle 6 in a tilted state.

Four projecting receiving portions 12a for receiving the fusion splicer are provided on the fusion splicer mounting portion 12 of the work table 3.
Further, the fusion splicer attachment portion 12 is provided with a bolt insertion hole 26 through which a work table fixing bolt 21B for fixing the work table 3 to the lid portion 5 of the carrying case body 2 is passed.
A bolt insertion hole 23 corresponding to the bolt insertion hole 26 is provided in the lid portion 5 of the carrying case body 2, and a hexagon nut (female screw portion) 24 is provided in the back (inner surface side) as shown in FIG. 9. Yes. The nut 24 is fitted in a hexagonal recess 5c provided on the inner surface of the lid portion 5 while being prevented from rotating, and is prevented from falling off by, for example, a pressure plate 25 that is bonded and fixed.
The worktable fixing bolt 21B inserted downward into the bolt insertion hole 26 of the worktable 3 from the upper surface side of the worktable is screwed into the nut 24 through the bolt insertion hole 23 of the cover 5 to fix the worktable 3 to the cover 5. can do.
When carrying the carrying case 1, the work table 3 is carried in a state of being fixed to the upper surface of the carrying case body 2 (upper surface of the lid portion 5) with bolts.

In addition, a bolt insertion hole 27a through which a fusion splicer fixing bolt 21A for fixing the fusion splicer 28 to the work table 3 is provided at the center of the four receiving portions 12a in the fusion splicer attachment portion 12. Yes. The bolt insertion hole 27 a is provided in the raised portion 27 formed in the fusion splicer mounting portion 12.
In this case, the fusion splicer fixing bolt 21 </ b> A is screwed into the female thread portion 30 on the bottom surface of the fusion splicer 28 through the bolt insertion hole 27 a from the back side of the work table 3. Thereby, the fusion splicer 28 is fixed to the work table 3.
Thus, the fusion splicer 28 can be easily and stably fixed to the upper surface of the work table 3 with a simple structure.

Component mounting portions 19 and 20 for mounting components related to work are provided on the front and rear side surfaces and the left and right side surfaces of the work table 3. The component mounting portions 19 and 20 in the illustrated example are composed of a plurality of mounting holes.
The component mounting portions 19 and 20 can be used when temporarily fixing the work table to the optical cable. For example, the other end of the clamp that holds the aerial optical cable on one end side can be attached and the work table 3 can be supported by the aerial optical cable. Further, it can be used for various other purposes and is effective for improving workability.

In the vicinity of both ends of the front edge portion (lower edge portion in FIG. 6) of the upper surface of the work table 3, a semicircular notch-shaped recess portion 17 into which the short leg portion 16 on the bottom surface of the carrying case 1 can be fitted is formed. Yes. The concave portion 17 is at the same level (same depth) as the table portion 13.
When a plurality of carrying cases 1 are stored, the carrying cases 1 are stacked and stored. In this case, of the four short legs 16 provided on the bottom surface of the upper carrying case 1 when stacked vertically, the two short legs 16 on the front edge side are connected to the upper front edge of the lower carrying case 1 (work The two short legs 16 on the rear edge side are placed on the table portion 13 on the upper surface of the lower carrying case 1. Thereby, it can pile up stably.

An optical fiber fusion splicing operation will be described using the carrying case 1 described above.
The fusion splicer and related tools, members, auxiliary articles, etc. necessary for the fusion splicing work are stored, the lid 5 is locked, and the carrying case 1 with the work table 3 mounted on the lid 5 is carried to the site. .
At the site, the work table 3 is removed from the carrying case main body 2 and the fusion splicer and related tools, members, auxiliary articles and the like necessary for the fusion splicing work are taken out from the carrying case main body 2.
Next, the fusion splicer 28 is attached to the fusion splicer attachment part 12 of the work table 3, and if necessary, related tools, members, auxiliary articles, etc. necessary for the fusion splicing work are placed on the table part 13 of the work table. Put it on.
The optical fiber coating is removed and other tip processing necessary for fusion is performed, a fusion reinforcing member is inserted into the optical fiber, and the fusion splicer 28 on the fusion splicer attachment portion 12 is operated to connect the optical fibers to each other. Make a fusion splice.
After the fusion splicing is completed, the fusion spliced portion is reinforced with a fusion splicing reinforcing member to complete the fusion splicing.

According to the carrying case 1 described above, the detachable work table 3 is provided on the upper surface of the lid portion 5 of the carrying case body 2, so that the carrying case 1 with the work table can be carried as a single unit. It is not necessary to carry other work auxiliary members other than the case 1.
And since the handle 6 on the upper surface of the lid part of the carrying case body 2 protrudes from the through hole 14 of the work table 3 to the upper surface of the work table 3, the handle 6 can be held with the work table 3 mounted as described above. Easy to carry.
Further, since the work table 3 is mounted as if it is the lid of the carrying case body 2, it is easy to carry even though the work table 3 is mounted.
Since the carrying case body 2 itself can be used as it is or with only a slight structural change, the work table 3 can be used in a relatively simple thin shape as shown in the figure. There is little increase in cost associated with a structure that has both an equal carrying function and a workbench function.
Further, since the carrying case body 2 itself may have a general structure, it is easy to use without impairing the usability as a storage box for storing a fusion splicer, related tools and the like.

When performing the fusion splicing work, the work table 3 is usually used after being detached from the carrying case body 2 as described above. Then, the fusion splicer 28 is fixed to the fusion splicer mounting portion 12 at the center of the work table 3 as shown in FIG. In this case, the fusion splicer fixing bolt 21 </ b> A is screwed into the female thread portion 30 on the bottom surface of the fusion splicer 28 through the bolt insertion hole 27 a from the back side of the work table 3. Thereby, the fusion splicer 28 is fixed to the work table 3. Thus, the fusion splicer 28 can be easily and stably fixed to the work table 3 with a simple structure.
When the fusion splicing work is actually performed on the work table 3, it is placed on an appropriate flat surface or horizontally attached to an appropriate place. In the latter case, as described above, for example, clamps can be attached to the component attaching portions 19 and 20, and the work table 3 can be attached horizontally to the aerial optical cable with this clamp. It is also conceivable to use the component mounting portions 19 and 20 by, for example, mounting them horizontally on the body.

  Note that the fusion splicer fixing bolt 21A for fixing the fusion splicer 28 to the worktable 3 and the worktable fixing bolt 21B for fixing the worktable 3 to the lid 5 are usually used simultaneously. Therefore, the two bolts 21A and 21B can be used both for fixing the fusion splicer and for fixing the work table. This is effective in reducing the number of parts and reducing the risk of loss.

The pre-processing necessary for the fusion splicing operation between the optical fibers is performed on the table unit 13 as described above.
In this case, since the fusion splicer 28 is mounted in the central portion and the table portions 13 are provided on both sides thereof, the workability of the fusion splicing work is good.

It is a perspective view of the carrying case of one Example of this invention. It is a disassembled perspective view of the said carrying case (the perspective view shown in the state which separated the work bench from the carrying case). It is the perspective view shown in the state which opened the cover part of the said carrying case. It is a front view of the said carrying case. It is a left view of the said carrying case. It is a top view of the said carrying case. It is AA sectional drawing about the upper part part of the carrying case shown in the state which raised the handle in FIG. It is sectional drawing shown in the state which mounted | wore the work table removed from the said carrying case with the fusion splicer, and is equivalent to BB sectional drawing of FIG. It is CC sectional drawing of the principal part of FIG. 6 explaining the worktable fixing structure which fixes the worktable in the said carrying case to a cover part with a volt | bolt. It is a perspective view of the conventional carrying case.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Carrying case 2 Carrying case main body 3 Worktable 4 Storage part 5 Lid part 5a Recessed part 5b Shaft support part 5c Recessed part 6 Handle 7 Hinge 11 Recessed part 12 Fusion splicer attachment part 12a Receiving part 13 Table part 14 Through hole 16 Short leg Part 17 Recesses 19, 20 Component mounting part 21A Fusion splicer fixing bolt 21B Worktable fixing bolt 23 Bolt insertion hole 24 Nut (Female thread part)
25 Presser plate 26 Bolt insertion hole 27 Raised part 27a Bolt insertion hole 28 Fusion splicer 29 Lock part 30 Female thread part

Claims (8)

A carrying case main body 2 for storing the fusion splicer, and a work table detachably attached to the main body;
The work table has, on the top surface thereof, a mounting portion for mounting the fusion splicer, a table section partitioned on both sides of the fusion splicer mounting portion, and a through hole for inserting a handle. A carrying case for a fusion splicer, wherein a handle of the lid portion of the carrying case body 2 is placed on the upper surface of the lid portion so as to be exposed from the through hole to the upper surface of the work table.   The carrying case according to claim 1, wherein the work table has the mounting portion at a central portion thereof, has the table portion on one side or both sides thereof, and has a flat upper surface.   A through bolt insertion hole for fixing the fusion splicer is provided in the workbench, and a fusion splicer fixing bolt inserted upward from the work table bottom side is provided in the bottom of the fusion splicer. The carrying case according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the fusion splicer is fixed to the work table by being screwed into the female screw portion.   A female screw part is provided in the lid of the carrying case, a bolt insertion hole is provided at a position corresponding to the female screw part of the work table, and a work table fixing bolt inserted downward from the work table upper surface side into the bolt insertion hole is inserted into the female screw. The carrying case according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the work table is fixed to the lid portion by screwing into the lid portion.   5. The carrying case according to claim 4, wherein the workbench fixing bolt is the fusion splicer fixing bolt itself according to claim 3.   The carrying case according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein at least one part attachment portion for attaching a part related to work is provided on a side surface of the work table.   The carrying according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a concave portion is formed on the upper surface of the workbench so that the short legs provided on the bottom surface of the carrying case can be fitted when the carrying case is stacked. Case. An optical fiber fusion splicing method for performing fusion splicing between optical fibers using the carrying case according to claim 1,
A carrying case with a work table mounted on the top of the lid of the main body containing at least the fusion splicer, which was brought into the fusion splicing site,
At the site, the work table is removed from the main body, at least the fusion splicer is taken out from the main body, and then the fusion splicer is mounted on the mounting portion of the work table, and at least the coating removal of the optical fiber and the coating residue are removed. The removal and cleaning process was performed, the tip of the optical fiber was fixed to the optical fiber holder, the optical fiber holder was attached to a predetermined position of the fusion splicer, and the optical fiber was fusion spliced by arc discharge. Later, the optical fiber holder is removed from the predetermined position of the fusion splicer, and the optical fiber is taken out from the optical fiber holder and inserted into the optical fiber beforehand. The reinforcing sleeve is moved over the fusion spliced portion, and then the reinforcing sleeve is heated and shrunk to reinforce the fusion spliced portion. Optical fiber fusion splicing work methods.

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