JP2010072479A - Auxiliary tool for mechanical splice - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an auxiliary tool for a mechanical splice that facilitates inserting an optical fiber into a mechanical splice. <P>SOLUTION: In the auxiliary tool for the mechanical splice, a first positioning recess 5 for positioning the mechanical splice and a guide part 6 which guides an optical fiber of an optical fiber cord to an optical fiber insertion port that is situated at both ends of the mechanical splice positioned in the first positioning recess 5 are provided on the upper surface 4a of a mechanical splice placing part 4 on which the mechanical splice is placed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

   The present invention relates to an auxiliary tool that facilitates use of a mechanical splice.

  Conventionally, an optical fiber connecting jig for a mechanical splice connector having a pair of gripping frames, a splice holder, and a wedge piece is known (see Patent Document 1 below).

  The pair of gripping frames can be displaced toward each other by the gripping operation of the operator.

  The splice holder positions and fixes the splice member of the mechanical splice connector between a pair of gripping frames.

  The wedge piece is provided to face the wedge insertion slit on the side surface of the splice member fixed to the splice holder. The wedge piece is fitted into the wedge insertion slit by the gripping operation of the pair of gripping frames, and pushes the optical fiber holding groove.

  The connection work of the optical fiber cord using the optical fiber connecting jig for the mechanical splice connector is as follows.

  First, a mechanical splice connector is disposed between a pair of gripping frames, and the splice member is positioned and fixed by a splice holder.

  Next, the pair of gripping frames are gripped to approach each other. As a result, the wedge piece fits into the wedge insertion slit of the splice member fixed to the splice holder, and pushes the optical fiber holding groove.

  Thereafter, the optical fiber is inserted into the optical fiber holding groove and abutted against the optical fiber of the mechanical splice connector.

Finally, the gripping force applied to the pair of gripping frames is loosened. As a result, the gap between the pair of gripping frames is widened by the spring force of the spring member, the wedge pieces are pulled out of the wedge insertion slit, the gap between the optical fiber holding grooves is narrowed, and the optical fiber is held in the optical fiber holding groove.
JP 2003-322762 A

  The above-described connecting jig merely allows the optical fiber to be inserted by expanding the optical fiber holding groove, and does not facilitate insertion of the optical fiber into the optical fiber holding groove.

  Because even if the optical fiber holding groove is pushed out with the above-mentioned connecting jig, the size of the optical fiber holding groove is very small, and the optical fiber inserted into the optical fiber holding groove is very thin. This is because it cannot be easily inserted into the optical fiber holding groove.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an auxiliary tool for mechanical splicing capable of easily inserting an optical fiber into the mechanical splice.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, an auxiliary tool for mechanical splice according to the first aspect of the present invention is provided on a mechanical splice placement portion on which a mechanical splice is placed, and on an upper surface of the mechanical splice placement portion. An optical fiber of an optical fiber cord is inserted into an optical fiber insertion port provided at both ends of the mechanical splice positioned at the first positioning portion and provided on the upper surface of the mechanical splice placement portion. And a guide portion for guiding.

  The optical fiber of the optical fiber cord is guided by the guide portion to the optical fiber insertion ports located at both ends of the mechanical splice positioned at the first positioning portion.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the auxiliary tool for mechanical splice according to claim 1, wherein the mechanical splice is movable along a base in which the two optical fiber cords are arranged and a height direction of the base. A center cover mounted at the center of the base, and mounted at both ends of the base so as to be movable between a locked position locked to the base and a temporarily fixed position temporarily fixed to the base. Two side covers that press the optical fiber cord against the base when moved to a position, and each of the center cover and the two side covers of the mechanical splice positioned by the first positioning portion is individually Three pressing pieces that can be pressed against the base part are provided on the mechanical splice mounting part. The features.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the mechanical splice auxiliary tool according to the first or second aspect, a second positioning portion provided on an upper surface of the mechanical splice placement portion for positioning the mechanical splice, and the mechanical splice placement. It is provided with the lock release part provided in the upper surface of a mounting part, and releasing the locked state to the base of the side cover of the side cover of the mechanical splice positioned by the 2nd positioning part.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the auxiliary tool for mechanical splicing according to any one of the first to third aspects, each of the first and second positioning portions is a concave portion.

  The invention according to claim 5 is the auxiliary tool for mechanical splice according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the guide portion is positioned at both ends of the mechanical splice positioned at the first positioning portion. A V-groove leading to the optical fiber insertion port is provided.

  The invention according to claim 6 is the auxiliary tool for mechanical splice according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the unlocking portion is a convex portion.

  According to this invention, an optical fiber can be easily inserted into a mechanical splice.

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

  1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a center cover pressing piece and a side cover pressing piece of an auxiliary tool for mechanical splice according to an embodiment of the present invention are opened, and FIG. 2 is a center cover pressing position of the auxiliary tool for mechanical splice shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the auxiliary tool for mechanical splice shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. 3, and FIG. FIG. 6 is an end view taken along line VI-VI in FIG. 3, FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line VII-VII in FIG. 3, and FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of a portion B in FIG. 7, FIG. 10 is an end view taken along line XX in FIG. 3, and FIG. 11 is a view taken in the direction of arrow C in FIG.

  The auxiliary tool for mechanical splice is, for example, the mechanical splice of Japanese Patent Application No. 2008-027974 (hereinafter referred to as the first mechanical splice) and the mechanical splice of Japanese Patent Application No. 2008-238307 (hereinafter referred to as the second mechanical splicing) filed by the present applicant. This is an auxiliary tool for facilitating the use of a splice).

  The first mechanical splice has a base, a center cover, and two side covers. Two optical fiber cords are arranged on the base. The center cover is attached to the center of the base so as to be movable along the height direction of the base. The side cover is attached to both ends of the base so as to be movable between a locked position locked to the base and a temporary fixed position temporarily fixed to the base, and presses the optical fiber cord against the base when the side cover moves to the locked position.

  Similar to the first mechanical splice, the second mechanical splice has a base, a center cover, and two side covers.

  The center cover of the first mechanical splice is not locked to the base, whereas the center cover of the second mechanical splice is locked to the base at the locked position and temporarily fixed to the base at the temporary fixed position. The center cover is movable between the locked position and the temporary fixing position.

  The side cover of the first mechanical splice moves between the lock position and the temporary fixing position along the height direction of the base, whereas the side cover of the second mechanical splice moves in the height direction of the base. On the other hand, it moves between the locking position and the temporary fixing position along a slightly inclined direction. When the side cover moves from the temporarily fixed position to the locked position, the side cover sends one optical fiber cord to the other optical fiber cord side. The optical fiber cord means an optical fiber composed of a core and a clad formed on the outer peripheral surface of the core and coated with a resin or the like.

  The auxiliary tool for mechanical splice is a tool for facilitating insertion of an optical fiber of an optical fiber cord (not shown) into optical fiber insertion openings located at both ends of a mechanical splice (not shown).

  The auxiliary tool for mechanical splice is integrally formed of synthetic resin, and includes a mechanical splice placement portion 4, a first positioning recess (first positioning portion) 5, a pair of guide portions 6, and center cover pressing pieces (pressing pieces) 8 and 2. Two side cover pressing pieces (pressing pieces) 9 are provided.

  The mechanical splice placement portion 4 is substantially plate-like, and the mechanical splice is placed thereon. A stepped surface 4 b is formed on the rear edge of the upper surface 4 a of the mechanical splice placement portion 4. A concave portion 41 is formed in the central portion of the upper surface 4 a of the mechanical splice placement portion 4. The recess 41 is recessed in a substantially spherical shape. Three concave portions 42, 43, 43 are formed in the central portion of the front surface of the mechanical splice placement portion 4. A claw 44 is formed in the recess 42 and a claw 45 is formed in the recess 43.

  The planar shape of the first positioning recess 5 is a rectangle. The 1st positioning recessed part 5 is formed in the center part of the upper surface of the mechanical splice mounting part 4, and has divided the recessed part 41 into two. First and second support portions 51 and 52 are formed at both ends of the bottom surface of the first positioning recess 5 (see FIG. 4). The first and second support portions 51 and 52 support the mechanical splice positioned in the first positioning recess 5.

  The pair of guide portions 6 are formed in the vicinity of both end portions in the longitudinal direction of the first positioning recess 5 so as to sandwich the first positioning recess 5. The guide portion 6 has a substantially prismatic shape, and the longitudinal direction thereof is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the first positioning recess 5. A V-groove 61 is formed on the upper surface of the guide portion 6.

  The center cover pressing piece 8 has a pressing portion 81, a hinge portion 82, and an engaging portion 83. The pressing part 81 is substantially plate-shaped. The hinge portion 82 connects the pressing portion 81 to the mechanical splice placement portion 4. The hinge part 82 can swing. The pressing part 81 can rotate around the hinge part 82. The engaging portion 83 is substantially plate-shaped and continues to the tip of the pressing portion 81. The engaging portion 83 extends substantially at a right angle with respect to the pressing portion 81. A rectangular engagement hole 83 a is formed in the engagement portion 83. The engaging hole 83a accepts the claw 44 when the pressing portion 81 rotates to the vicinity of the upper surface 4a of the mechanical splice placement portion 4. When the claw 44 engages with the peripheral edge of the engaging hole 83a of the engaging portion 83, the center cover pressing portion 8 is mechanically pressed in a state where the pressing portion 81 presses the center cover of the mechanical splice positioned in the first positioning recess 5. Locked to the splice placement portion 4.

  The two side cover pressing pieces 9 are arranged so as to sandwich the center cover pressing piece 8. The side cover pressing piece 9 includes a pressing portion 91, a hinge portion 92, and an engaging portion 93. The pressing portion 91 is substantially plate-shaped. A concave portion 91 a is formed in the central portion of the pressing portion 91. The hinge portion 92 connects the pressing portion 91 to the mechanical splice placement portion 4. The hinge portion 92 can swing. The pressing part 91 can rotate around the hinge part 92. The engaging portion 93 is substantially plate-shaped and continues to the tip of the pressing portion 91. The engaging portion 93 extends substantially at a right angle with respect to the pressing portion 91. The engaging portion 93 is formed with a rectangular engaging hole 93a. The engagement hole 93a receives the claw 45 when the pressing portion 91 rotates to the vicinity of the upper surface 4a of the mechanical splice placement portion 4. When the claw 45 is engaged with the peripheral edge of the engaging hole 93a of the engaging portion 93, the side cover pressing portion 9 is mechanically pressed with the pressing portion 91 pressing the side cover of the mechanical splice positioned in the first positioning recess 5. Locked to the splice placement portion 4.

  A second positioning recess 12 is formed at one end of the upper surface 4 a of the mechanical splice mounting portion 4. The planar shape of the second positioning recess 12 is rectangular. The second positioning recess 12 extends in parallel with the first positioning recess 5.

  Four pairs of lock release pieces (lock release parts) 13 and 14 are formed on the bottom surface of the second positioning recess 12. The unlocking pieces 13 and 14 have a thin plate shape.

  The unlocking piece 13 enters between the base of the mechanical splice positioned by the second positioning recess 12 and the center cover, and unlocks the center cover locked to the base.

  The unlocking piece 14 enters between the base of the mechanical splice positioned by the second positioning recess 12 and the side cover, and unlocks the side cover locked to the base.

  A measurement groove 15 is formed at the other end portion of the upper surface 4 a of the mechanical splice placement portion 4. The measurement groove 15 has a wide portion 15a and a narrow portion 15b. The wide portion 15a receives the coating portion of the optical fiber cord. The length of the narrow portion 15b is the same as the length of the reference optical fiber. The coated portion of the optical fiber cord is disposed on the wide portion 15a, and the optical fiber of the optical fiber cord (the portion from which the coated portion is removed) is disposed on the narrow portion 15b, and the end surface of the coated portion of the optical fiber cord is disposed on the wide portion 15a. When the length of the optical fiber is compared with the length of the narrow portion 15b in a state where it is in contact with the end face on the narrow portion 15b side, it can be determined whether or not the length of the optical fiber is appropriate.

  Next, the operation of connecting the optical fiber cord to the second mechanical splice using the mechanical splice auxiliary tool of this embodiment will be described.

  First, when the center cover and the side cover of the mechanical splice are in the locked position, the mechanical splice is disposed in the second positioning recess 12 and the mechanical splice is pushed toward the base. As a result, the lock piece 13 enters between the center cover and the base, and the lock piece 14 enters between the side cover and the base, and the center cover and the side cover are unlocked.

  Next, the mechanical splice is taken out from the second positioning recess 12 and inserted into the first positioning recess 5. The mechanical splice inserted into the first positioning recess 5 is supported by the first positioning recess 5 and the first and second support portions 51 and 52, and the position and height direction of the mechanical splice placement portion 5 in the height direction H are supported. Positions in two directions orthogonal to H are determined. As a result, the optical fiber insertion ports located at both ends of the mechanical splice and the bottom of the V groove 61 of the guide portion 6 are aligned.

  Thereafter, the optical fiber of the optical fiber cord is slid toward the mechanical splice while being pressed against the bottom of the V groove 61 of the guide portion 6. Then, the optical fiber is inserted into the optical fiber insertion port by the guide function of the V groove 61.

  In this way, the optical fibers of the two optical fiber cords are respectively inserted into the optical fiber insertion openings, and when the end faces of the optical fibers are butted together in the abutting portion of the mechanical splice, the side cover pressing piece 9 is rotated in the closing direction, The peripheral edge of the engagement hole 93 a of the side cover pressing piece 9 is hooked on the claw 45. As a result, the side cover pressing piece 9 is locked to the mechanical splice placement portion 4. When the side cover pressing piece 9 is closed, the pressing portion 91 of the side cover pressing piece 9 presses the side cover of the mechanical splice, so that the side cover moves from the temporarily fixed position to the locked position. Since the side cover moves obliquely downward, the optical fiber is pushed toward the other optical fiber and the optical fiber is pressed against the base. When the side cover is in the locked position, as a result, the optical fibers are held by the side cover and the base in a state of being butted with a strong force, and the optical fiber outside the butted portion is bent. As a method of operating the two side cover pressing pieces 9, the two side covers may be simultaneously rotated to be locked to the mechanical splice placement portion 4, or the two side covers may be individually rotated.

  Next, the center cover pressing piece 8 is rotated in the closing direction, and the peripheral edge portion of the engagement hole 83 a of the center cover pressing piece 8 is hooked on the claw 44. As a result, the center cover pressing piece 8 is locked to the mechanical splice placement portion 4. When the center cover pressing piece 8 is closed, the pressing portion 81 of the center cover pressing piece 8 presses the center cover of the mechanical splice, so that the center cover moves from the temporary fixing position along the height direction H of the mechanical splice placement portion 4. Move to the locked position. At this time, the engaging portion of the base presses the butting portion provided in the center cover, and the inner surface of the butting portion is in close contact with the outer surface of the optical fiber, so that the butting state of the optical fiber end surfaces is maintained.

  Thereafter, the engaging portion 83 of the center cover pressing piece 8 is removed from the claw 44, and the engaging portion 93 of the side cover pressing piece 9 is removed from the claw 45, and the mechanical splice of the center cover pressing piece 8 and the side cover pressing piece 9 is removed. The lock on the mounting portion 4 is released.

  Finally, the mechanical splice is taken out from the first positioning recess 5. Since the concave portion 41 is formed in the mechanical splice placement portion 4, the operator's fingertip can reach the lower portion of the mechanical splice, and the mechanical splice can be easily taken out from the first positioning concave portion 5.

  The operation for connecting the optical fiber cord to the mechanical splice is completed by the above operation.

  If the auxiliary tool for mechanical splice of this embodiment is used, the optical fiber can be easily inserted into the optical fiber insertion port of the mechanical splice.

  Further, since the center cover pressing piece 8 and the side cover pressing piece 9 are employed in the mechanical splicing auxiliary tool, the center cover pressing piece 8 and the side cover pressing piece 9 can reliably and appropriately use the center cover pressing piece 8 and the side cover pressing piece 9. The side cover can be pressed.

  Furthermore, since the second positioning part 12 and the unlocking pieces 13 and 14 are employed in the mechanical splicing auxiliary tool, even if the center cover and the side cover are locked, the second positioning part 12 and the unlocking piece 13 and 14, the center cover and the side cover can be easily unlocked.

  Moreover, since the measuring groove 15 is employed in the mechanical splicing auxiliary tool, it is possible to easily determine whether or not the length of the optical fiber is appropriate by the measuring groove 15 and to quickly shorten the length of the optical fiber. Can be adjusted.

  Since the center cover and the side cover can be operated with fingers, it is not always necessary to provide the lock release pieces 13 and 14 on the mechanical splice placement portion 4.

  Further, since the lock of the center cover and the side cover with respect to the base can be released by another jig or the like, the second positioning portion 12 and the lock release pieces 13 and 14 are not necessarily provided on the mechanical splice placement portion 4.

  It is not always necessary to provide the measurement groove 15 in the mechanical splice placement portion 4.

  Moreover, although the auxiliary tool for mechanical splices of this embodiment is suitable as an auxiliary tool for the first and second mechanical splices described above, the application target is not limited to these mechanical splices.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a center cover pressing piece and a side cover pressing piece of an auxiliary tool for mechanical splicing according to an embodiment of the present invention are opened. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which the center cover pressing piece and the side cover pressing piece of the auxiliary tool for mechanical splice shown in FIG. 1 are closed. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the auxiliary tool for mechanical splice shown in FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. FIG. 5 is a side view of the auxiliary tool for mechanical splicing shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is an end view taken along line VI-VI in FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line VII-VII in FIG. FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a portion A in FIG. FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of a portion B in FIG. FIG. 10 is an end view taken along line XX of FIG. FIG. 11 is a view taken in the direction of arrow C in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

4 Mechanical splice placement portion 5 First positioning recess (first positioning portion)
6 Guide part 8 Center cover pressing piece (pressing piece)
9 Side cover pressing part (pressing piece)
12 2nd positioning recessed part (2nd positioning part)
13, 14 Unlocking piece (unlocking part)

Claims (6)

A mechanical splice placement portion on which the mechanical splice is placed;
A first positioning portion that is provided on an upper surface of the mechanical splice placement portion and positions the mechanical splice;
A guide portion that is provided on an upper surface of the mechanical splice placement portion and that guides the optical fiber of the optical fiber cord at optical fiber insertion ports positioned at both ends of the mechanical splice positioned at the first positioning portion. An auxiliary tool for mechanical splicing characterized by the above. The mechanical splice includes a base on which the two optical fiber cords are disposed, a center cover mounted on a central portion of the base so as to be movable along a height direction of the base, and a lock locked to the base. Two side covers that are attached to both ends of the base so as to be movable between a position and a temporary fixing position temporarily fixed to the base, and press the optical fiber cord against the base when the base is moved to the locked position. Have
Three pressing pieces capable of individually pressing the center cover and the two side covers of the mechanical splice positioned on the first positioning portion against the base portion are provided on the mechanical splice placement portion. The auxiliary tool for mechanical splicing according to claim 1, wherein: A second positioning portion that is provided on the upper surface of the mechanical splice placement portion and positions the mechanical splice;
A lock release portion provided on an upper surface of the mechanical splice placement portion and for releasing the locked state of the side cover of the side cover of the mechanical splice positioned by the second positioning portion. The auxiliary tool for mechanical splice according to claim 1 or 2.   The auxiliary tool for mechanical splice according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein each of the first and second positioning portions is a concave portion.   The said guide part has V groove | channel which leads to the said optical fiber insertion port located in the both ends of the said mechanical splice positioned by the said 1st positioning part, The Claim 1 characterized by the above-mentioned. Auxiliary tool for mechanical splice.   The auxiliary tool for mechanical splice according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the unlocking portion is a convex portion.

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