JP2013019928A - Optical fiber connection member and optical fiber connection method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a connection member of an optical fiber, etc. which is excellent in workability, suppresses generation of waste after a connection work, and furthermore, excellent also in long-term reliability after the connection work.SOLUTION: A locking pawl 19 of a wedge member 10 is engaged into the bottom surface side and the top surface side of a body member 1 to be fixed. In addition, the upper and lower surfaces of the body member 1 are sandwiched by a holding piece 23. Consequently, a position of the wedge member 10 is not shifted, and a wedge 21 does not unintentionally fall out from a wedge insertion part 11. A coated optical fiber is inserted while the wedge 21 is inserted into the wedge insertion part. After insertion of the optical fiber, the wedge member 10 is removed from the body member 1. Namely, the wedge 21 inserted into a mechanical splice 3 is extracted. Next, the wedge member 10 is attached so as to be covered from an upper part of the body member 1. Namely, the wedge member 10 is fixed to the body member 1 from the direction different from the state that the wedge 21 is inserted into the mechanical splice 3.

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical fiber connecting member using a mechanical splice.

  Conventionally, connection by a mechanical splice is known as a technique for connecting optical fibers. In the mechanical splice, the holding plate and the base plate are sandwiched by, for example, a clamp spring having a U-shaped cross section. In this state, the wedge is inserted so as to widen the gap between the pressing plate and the base plate. An optical fiber core wire is inserted from both sides into a V groove which is a holding portion formed on the upper surface of the base plate. By pulling out the wedge in a state where the optical fiber cores are in contact with each other, the optical fiber core wire can be sandwiched and held between the holding plate and the base plate.

  Many such mechanical splices have been developed so far, and optical fiber core wires can be connected with high accuracy (for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2).

JP-A-10-123348 JP 2000-241660 A

  However, the conventional methods such as Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 require the use of a wedge member for holding the above-described pressing plate and base plate in an expanded state. Normally, when connecting optical fiber cores, a wedge member is inserted in advance, and the wedge member is pulled out in a state where the optical fiber core wires are inserted and abutted from both ends.

  For this reason, the wedge member after being pulled out becomes a waste material, and the disposal of the waste material at the work site becomes a problem. In addition, since the work of inserting optical fiber cores is a very fine work, there is a problem that it is difficult to pull out the wedge member in a state where the optical fiber cores are reliably abutted from both ends of the mechanical splice. .

  Further, in order to confirm whether or not the tips of the optical fiber cores are reliably abutted inside the mechanical splice, it is usually necessary to confirm the deflection of the optical fiber core at the upper part of the mechanical splice. However, there is a risk of foreign matter or the like entering the space formed for confirming the deflection of the optical fiber core wire after connection.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and is excellent in workability, suppresses the generation of waste materials after connection work, and further has a long-term reliability after connection work. The purpose is to provide.

  In order to achieve the above-described object, the first invention includes a mechanical splice having a holding portion capable of holding an optical fiber core, and a wedge inserted into the wedge insertion portion of the mechanical splice to expand the holding portion. A wedge member, and the wedge member is capable of fixing the wedge member from one side to the mechanical splice in a state where the wedge is inserted into the wedge insertion portion. The optical fiber connecting member is characterized in that the wedge member can be fixed to the mechanical splice from the other side in a state where the wedge is removed from the wedge insertion portion.

  The mechanical splice is built in the main body member, the wedge insertion portion is formed toward the side of the main body member, and the optical fiber core wire to be connected is visible above the main body member. The wedge member is fixed to the side of the main body member in a state in which the wedge is inserted into the wedge insertion portion, and the wedge member is removed from the wedge insertion portion in the state where the wedge is removed from the wedge insertion portion. It is desirable that the fiber confirmation part be covered by being fixed above the main body member.

  An optical fiber core wire grasped by an outer sheath gripping member from at least one side can be inserted into the main body member, and the outer sheath gripping member can be fixed to at least one end of the main body member. It is desirable to form a fixed part.

  The fixing portions are formed at both end portions of the main body member, and optical fiber core wires held by a sheath holding member can be inserted from both ends of the main body member. The outer gripping member may be fixed, and an optical fiber core wire gripped by the outer gripping member can be inserted into one end of the main body member, and the other end of the main body member In this case, a pigtail to which a connector is connected in advance may be joined, and an optical fiber core wire gripped by a jacket gripping member can be inserted into one end of the body member, and the body member The other end of the connector may be a connector that can be connected to another connector.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a locking structure capable of fixing the wedge member to the mechanical splice regardless of whether the wedge is inserted or removed from the mechanical splice. It is formed. Therefore, until the optical fiber core is inserted, the wedge member is fixed to the mechanical splice with the wedge inserted, and after the optical fiber core is inserted, the wedge member is removed with the wedge removed. It can be fixed to the mechanical splice. Therefore, the wedge member does not become a waste material.

  The mechanical splice of the present invention is not limited to the one in which the optical fiber core wire can be inserted from both directions, and a holding portion such as a V-groove is formed between the upper and lower members, and the optical fiber core disposed in the holding portion. It shall include all those that can sandwich the wire and that can change the gap between the upper and lower members by inserting and removing the wedge.

  Also, the mechanical splice is built into the main body member, and when inserting the wedge, the wedge member is fixed to the side of the main body member, and after removing the wedge, the wedge member is fixed above the main body member to When the fiber core is inserted, the upper part opens, so that the deflection of the optical fiber can be easily seen and the wedge member is fixed above the body member after the optical fiber is inserted. By doing so, the lid is made by the wedge member, and the optical fiber core wire is not exposed to the outside. For this reason, dust and water droplets do not enter the optical fiber core wire. Therefore, an optical fiber connection with excellent long-term reliability is possible.

  Here, in the present invention, fixing the wedge member to the mechanical splice includes fixing the wedge member to the main body member in which the mechanical splice is incorporated.

  In addition, a fixing portion that can fix the outer sheath holding member that holds the optical fiber core wire is formed at least one end of the main body member, so that the optical fiber core wire can be easily inserted into the mechanical splice. Can be held. For this reason, it is excellent in workability.

  In addition, the optical fiber core wire can be inserted from both side ends of the main body portion, and a pair of optical fiber core wires can be connected to each other, or a pigtail is previously joined to one end portion, By connecting the optical fiber core wire from the other end, it can also be used as a connector, and a connector directly connected to the mechanical splice may be provided in the main body member inside the main body member.

  Further, by forming the guide portion at the side end portion of the main body member, the above-described outer covering member can be attached to the main body member along the guide. For this reason, the insertion operation of the optical fiber core wire is easy.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mechanical splice having a holding portion capable of holding an optical fiber core, a wedge member inserted in a wedge insertion portion of the mechanical splice and having a wedge for expanding the holding portion, and the mechanical splice. And the wedge insertion portion is formed toward the side of the main body member, and the wedge member is fixed to the side of the main body member so that the wedge is inserted into the wedge. After inserting the optical fiber core wire held by the jacket gripping member from at least one end in the state inserted into the part, and confirming the deflection of the optical fiber core wire from above the main body member, By removing the wedge member from the side of the body member, the wedge is removed from the wedge insertion portion, and the wedge member is fixed above the body member, An optical fiber connecting method characterized by protecting the serial optical fiber.

  According to the second invention, the wedge member does not become a waste material, and can be used as a lid of the connecting member after use, and an optical fiber connecting method excellent in workability can be obtained.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, it is excellent in workability | operativity, suppresses generation | occurrence | production of the waste material after a connection operation | work, Furthermore, the connection member etc. of the optical fiber which are excellent also in the long-term reliability after a connection operation | work can be provided.

It is a figure which shows the main body member 1, (a) is a top view, (b) is a front view, (c) is a side view. It is a figure which shows the wedge member 10, (a) is a top view, (b) is a front view, (c) is a bottom view, (d) is a side view. It is a figure which shows the state which attaches the wedge member 10 to the main body member 1, (a), (b) is a side view, (c) is a top view. It is a figure which shows the state which inserts the optical fiber core wire 25, (a) is a partial top view, (b) is an enlarged view of the fixing | fixed part 13 vicinity, (c) is the HH sectional view taken on the line of (b). It is a figure which shows the state which inserts the optical fiber core wire 25, (a) is a partial top view, (b) is a figure which shows the state which fixed the optical fiber core wire to both ends. The figure which shows the state which extracts the wedge member 10 and hold | maintains an optical fiber core wire with a mechanical splice. It is a figure which shows the state which attached the wedge member 10 above the main body member 1, (a) is a top view, (b) is a front view, (c) is a front view which shows the state which removed the guide part. The figure which shows the state which fixed the wedge member 10 to the main body member 1a concerning other embodiment. The figure which shows the state which fixed the wedge member 10a to the main body member 1b concerning other embodiment. The figure which shows the state which fixed the wedge member 10b to the mechanical splice 3b concerning other embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1A and 1B are views showing a main body member 1 which is a configuration of a fiber connection member of the present invention. FIG. 1A is a plan view, FIG. 1B is a front view, and FIG. 1A is a side view, and is a B arrow view of FIG. 1A.

  The main body member 1 is a member that incorporates a mechanical splice 3 therein. The body member 1 is made of a resin such as polybutyl terephthalate. The mechanical splice 3 has a wedge insertion portion 9 on the side, and when the wedge is inserted into the gap between the upper and lower pressing plates and the base plate (not shown), the pressing plate and the base plate are opposed to the spring member (not shown). The gap is widened. The base plate is formed with a V-groove (not shown) as a fiber core holding portion in the longitudinal direction, and the optical fiber core can be held in the V-groove.

  That is, in the state where the wedge is inserted, the gap between the holding plate and the base plate is widened, and the optical fiber core wire can be easily inserted into the V-groove, but by removing the wedge, the holding plate is moved by the spring. Pressed against the base plate, the optical fiber core wire is sandwiched between the two members and fixed. In the present invention, members having the above functions are collectively referred to as a mechanical splice.

  Fiber confirmation portions 15 are formed on both sides of the mechanical splice 3 in the longitudinal direction of the main body member 1 (the horizontal direction in FIG. 1A and the connecting direction of the optical fiber core wire). The fiber confirmation part 15 is a part opened upward, and when the optical fiber core wire is inserted, the size of the deflection can be confirmed.

  A Y-shaped guide 5 is formed in the fiber confirmation unit 15 as necessary. The Y-shaped guide 5 has a taper shape that expands upward in a substantially Y shape, and a groove is formed in a substantially central portion. Also, a tapered shape is formed on the end face side of the Y-shaped guide 5 (on the side where the optical fiber core wire is inserted) so as to increase the width of the groove.

  The Y-shaped guide 5 performs a guide function when the optical fiber core wire is inserted. That is, when the optical fiber core wire is inserted from above, the position of the optical fiber core wire can be guided to the approximate center in the width direction of the main body member 1 by the tapered portion above the Y-shaped guide 5. Further, when the optical fiber core wire is inserted from the side end portion, the tip of the optical fiber core wire can be guided to the approximate center in the width direction of the main body member 1 by the tapered portion formed in the groove portion. Further, when the optical fiber core wire is inserted and bent, the Y-guide 5 can guide the optical fiber core wire to bend upward.

  Fixing portions 13 are formed on both sides of the fiber confirmation portion 15. The fixing part 13 is a part for fixing a gripping member for gripping the outer sheath of the optical fiber. That is, an engaging portion (not shown) that can be engaged with a protrusion or a hole formed in the gripping member is formed, and the gripping member can be fixed to the fixing portion 13 by inserting the gripping member into the fixing portion 13. it can. The gripping member and the like will be described later.

  A guide portion 7 is formed at the end of the main body member 1 as necessary. The guide portion 7 guides the above-described gripping member straight with respect to the fixed portion 13. That is, by inserting the gripping member along the guide portion 7, the optical fiber core wire can be inserted straight into the center of the main body member 1 (mechanical splice 3). A groove that is a fracture portion is formed in the base portion of the guide portion 7. Therefore, the guide part 7 can be easily broken and removed.

  As shown in FIG. 1B, the wedge insertion portion 11 is exposed on the side surface (front surface) of the main body member 1. Therefore, the gap between the upper and lower members of the mechanical splice 3 can be widened by inserting the wedge from the wedge insertion portion 11.

  Further, locking projections 9 that are locking structures are formed on both side surfaces (front and back) of the main body member 1. The locking projections 9 are formed at two places on the front and two places on the back. The locking protrusion 9 is a part that engages with a wedge member described later. In addition, a pair of locking portions 11 protruding upward are formed on the upper surface of the main body member 1 at substantially the same position as the locking protrusions 9 in the longitudinal direction of the main body member 1. The locking portion 11 that is a locking structure is formed on the back side of the main body member 1 (the side surface on the back side of the paper in FIG. 1B). The locking portion 11 is a portion that engages with a wedge member described later. In addition, the form of the locking structure (the locking projection 9 and the locking portion 11) is not limited to the illustrated example, and any mode can be used as long as it can be engaged with a wedge member described later.

  Next, the wedge member 10 will be described. 2A and 2B are views showing a wedge member 10 which is a configuration of the fiber connection member of the present invention, in which FIG. 2A is a plan view, FIG. 2B is a front view, and FIG. C view, FIG.2 (c) is a bottom view, D view of FIG.2 (b), FIG.2 (d) is a side view, E view of FIG.2 (a) FIG.

  The wedge member 10 is a member fixed to the main body member 1 (mechanical splice 3) described above. The upper surface of the wedge member 10 is a lid portion 17. A plurality of wedges 21 are formed on the lower surface side of the lid portion 17. The wedge 21 is a portion to be inserted into the wedge insertion portion 11 described above.

  As shown in FIG. 2C, the locking claw 19 and the holding piece 23 are formed on both sides (direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction) of the wedge 21. The locking claw 19 that is a locking structure is a portion that engages with the locking protrusion 9 and the locking portion 11 of the main body member 1 described above. A pair of holding pieces 23 are formed so as to sandwich the main body member 1 when the wedge member 10 is fixed to the main body member 1. The main body member 1 (mechanical splice 3) and the wedge member 10 are collectively referred to as an optical fiber connecting member.

  Next, a fiber connection method using the fiber connection member of the present invention will be described. First, as shown to Fig.3 (a), the wedge member 10 is attached from the side in which the wedge insertion part 11 of the main body member 1 is provided (in the figure arrow F direction).

  FIG. 3B is a side view showing a state in which the wedge member 10 is attached to the main body member 1, and FIG. 3C is a plan view. When the wedge member 10 is fixed to the main body member 1, the wedge 21 is inserted into the wedge insertion portion 11. In other words, in this state, the gap (holding portion) between the upper and lower members of the mechanical splice 3 is expanded.

  In this state, the locking claw 19 of the wedge member 10 is engaged and fixed to the bottom surface side and the top surface side (the locking portion 11 not shown) of the main body member 1. Further, the upper and lower surfaces of the main body member 1 are sandwiched between the holding pieces 23. Therefore, the position of the wedge member 10 is shifted, and the wedge 21 is not unintentionally dropped from the wedge insertion portion 11.

  As shown in FIG. 3C, the fiber check portion 15 is exposed above the main body member 1 when the wedge member 10 is fixed from the side of the main body member 1. In other words, the fiber confirmation portion 15 is not covered by the wedge member 10. In addition, when the wedge member 10 is fixed to the side of the main body member 1 in advance in a factory or the like, the optical fiber can be immediately connected at the work site.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 4A, the optical fiber core wire 25 is inserted into the main body member 1 (optical fiber connecting member) (in the direction of arrow G in the figure). The optical fiber core wire 25 is covered with a jacket. The outer sheath is removed from the tip of the optical fiber core 25, and the fiber coating of a predetermined length is removed.

  A jacket holding member 27 is fixed to the jacket of the optical fiber core wire 25. The jacket gripping member 27 is a member that is fixed to the optical fiber core wire with the jacket sandwiched therebetween.

  FIG. 4B is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the fiber confirmation unit 15. A mark 14 is formed on the bottom surface of the fiber confirming portion 15 so that the strip length and the cut length of the end portion of the optical fiber core can be confirmed as necessary. By aligning the tip of the optical fiber core 25 with a predetermined position of the mark 14, it is possible to confirm whether or not the strip length of the optical fiber core is appropriate.

  FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional view taken along line HH in FIG. As described above, the Y-shaped guide 5 has a tapered shape that expands upward. When inserting the optical fiber core 25 into the main body member 1, for example, by inserting the optical fiber core 25 from above the Y-shaped guide 5 (in the direction of arrow I in the figure), the optical fiber core 25 is connected to the main body member. 1 to a predetermined position in the width direction.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 5A, the jacket holding member 27 is inserted into the fixed portion 13 (in the direction of arrow G in the figure). The outer gripping member 27 has an engagement mechanism with the fixing portion 13 (not shown). For example, elastically deformable locking claws that protrude outwardly are formed on both side surfaces of the outer gripping member, and when the outer gripping member 27 is inserted into the fixed portion 13, both sides of the fixed portion 13 What is necessary is just to make it the said latching claw fit in the hole of a surface.

  As shown in FIG. 5B, the optical fiber core wire 25 is inserted into the main body member 1 by inserting the optical fiber core wire 25 from both ends of the main body member 1, and fixing the respective sheath holding members 27 with the fixing portions 13. Temporarily fixed to the member 1.

  At this time, the fiber checking unit 15 checks the state of the optical fiber core wire 25. When the optical fiber cores 25 come into contact with each other inside the mechanical splice 3, the optical fiber cores 25 bend upward in the respective optical fiber confirmation portions 15. By confirming the presence / absence of the deflection and the balance of the sizes, it is possible to confirm that the optical fiber cores 25 are reliably abutted inside the mechanical splice 3.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 6, the wedge member 10 is removed from the main body member 1 (in the direction of arrow J in the figure). That is, the wedge 21 inserted in the mechanical splice 3 is extracted. By removing the wedge member 10, the upper and lower members of the mechanical splice 3 are pressed against each other by the spring, and the optical fiber core wire 25 inserted into the holding portion is sandwiched. Therefore, the optical fiber core wires 25 are reliably fixed and connected by the mechanical splice 3.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 7A, the wedge member 10 is attached so as to be covered from above the main body member 1 (in the direction of arrow K in the figure). That is, the wedge member 10 is fixed to the main body member 1 from a direction different from the state in which the wedge 21 is inserted into the mechanical splice 3.

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 7B, the locking claw 19 of the wedge member 10 engages with the locking projection 9 of the main body member 1. Further, both side surfaces of the main body member 1 are sandwiched between the holding pieces 23. That is, the wedge member 10 can be fixed from above the main body member 1 as in the case of fixing from the side of the main body member 1. In the present embodiment, the locking claw 19 can fix the body member 1 from the side and the upper two directions, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the wedge member 10 is provided with a plurality of locking structures that can be locked to the locking portion 11 and the locking protrusion 9, respectively, and the wedge member 10 is moved to the side of the main body member 1 (wedge) by one locking structure. 21 may be fixed (with the mechanical splice 3 inserted), and the wedge member 10 may be fixed above the main body member 1 by the other locking structure.

  When the wedge member 10 is attached from above the main body member 1, most of the main body member 1 is covered by the lid portion 17 of the wedge member 10. That is, the optical fiber confirmation unit 15 is covered with the wedge member 10. Therefore, the optical fiber core wire 25 after connection is covered with the lid portion 17 and is not exposed to the outside. The wedge member 10 (lid portion 17) is made transparent so that the wedge member 10 is fixed above the main body member 1 and the optical fiber confirmation portion 15 is covered with the wedge member 10 even after the optical fiber confirmation portion 15 is covered. 15 can be confirmed.

  Thus, the connection of the optical fiber is completed. In addition, when the guide part 7 is formed, as shown in FIG. 7C, the guide part 7 may be broken at the base part of the guide part 7 as necessary (arrow in the figure). L direction). By doing in this way, an optical fiber connection member can be installed compactly also in a place where installation space is limited.

  Note that a plurality of optical fiber connection members (connection structures) that have been connected by the above-described method can be stacked. At this time, the optical fiber connecting member may be accommodated in the laminated case. A screw hole or the like is formed in the laminated case in advance, and the optical fiber bonding member (laminated case) can be fixed in a laminated state on a cabinet or the like to be accommodated.

  As described above, according to the present invention, since the wedge member 10 is fixed to the main body member 1 with the wedge 21 inserted into the mechanical splice 3, it is not necessary to use a separate jig or the like. Further, since the wedge member 10 is used as the lid member of the main body member 1 after the wedge 21 is removed, the wedge member 10 does not become a waste material.

  That is, since the wedge member 10 can be fixed from at least two directions on the side and upper side of the main body member 1, the fixing position of the wedge member 10 can be changed according to the application.

  Further, when the wedge member 10 is fixed as a lid member, the fiber confirmation portion 15 of the main body member 1 can be covered. Therefore, the optical fiber core wire after connection can be protected. For this reason, the optical fiber connection structure which is excellent also in long-term reliability can be obtained.

  Further, by providing the fixing portions 13 at both ends of the main body member 1, the optical fiber core wire 25 gripped by the jacket gripping member 27 can be temporarily fixed to the main body member 1. For this reason, it is excellent in workability. In order to completely fix the optical fiber core 25, the wedge 21 may be removed and the optical fiber core 25 may be completely fixed with the mechanical splice 3.

  Further, by providing the Y-shaped guide 5, the optical fiber core wire 25 can be easily inserted. In addition, by providing the guide portion 7, the optical fiber core wire 25 can be inserted straight into a predetermined position. Therefore, it is excellent in workability. Further, if the guide portion 7 can be easily broken, a compact optical fiber connection structure can be obtained.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described referring an accompanying drawing, the technical scope of this invention is not influenced by embodiment mentioned above. It is obvious for those skilled in the art that various modifications or modifications can be conceived within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims, and these are naturally within the technical scope of the present invention. It is understood that it belongs.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the optical fiber core wires are inserted from both ends of the main body member to connect the optical fiber core wires, but the present invention is not limited to this.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 8, a pigtail 31 may be connected to one end in advance. As described above, the wedge member 10 is attached to the main body member 1a in advance in a factory or the like. At this time, a fiber core wire (pigtail 31) to which the connector 29 is connected is attached to one end. A jacket gripping member 27 a is attached to the jacket of the fiber core of the pigtail 31, and the jacket gripping member 27 a is fixed to the fixing portion 13.

  In this state, since the wedge is inserted into the mechanical splice, the fiber core wire of the pigtail 31 is not fixed by the mechanical splice 3. For this reason, it is desirable to join the outer gripping member 27a in the fixing portion 13 by bonding or the like. What is necessary is just to use the joining member of such a state in a work site, and to connect the optical fiber core wire 25 used as connection object from the other side in the procedure similar to the above-mentioned. That is, the optical fiber core wire 25 and the pigtail 31 can be easily connected in the field. At this time, the wedge member 10 does not become a waste material.

  Moreover, as shown in FIG. 9, you may connect the connector 29a directly to one edge part of the main body member 1b. In this case, in the main body member 1b, one side is the connector 29a, and the fiber core wire inside the connector 29a is inserted into the mechanical splice 3a. By connecting the optical fiber core wire 25 to be connected from the other side in the same procedure as described above, the optical fiber core wire and the connector can be easily connected. At this time, the wedge member 10a does not become a waste material.

  In the present invention, the main body member is not necessarily used. For example, FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment in which the main body member is not used. In this case, first, as shown in FIG. 10A, the wedge member 10b is fixed to the mechanical splice 3b. At this time, the wedge 21 is inserted into the mechanical splice 3b. Note that the wedge member 10b is fixed by, for example, engaging a locking claw 19 on the back side of the mechanical splice 3b. In this state, the optical fiber core wire 25 is inserted from both ends of the mechanical splice 3b.

  Next, after confirming that the optical fiber core wire 25 is securely inserted from both ends and abutted inside the mechanical splice 3b, the wedge member 10b is removed from the mechanical splice 3b as shown in FIG. Arrow M direction in the figure). At this time, the optical fiber core wire 25 is fixed by the mechanical splice 3b.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 10C, the wedge member 10b is fixed to, for example, the upper surface side of the mechanical splice 3b. At this time, the wedge member 10b is fixed by, for example, engaging the locking claw 19 with the bottom surface side of the mechanical splice 3b.

  As described above, in the present invention, the wedge member can be fixed to the mechanical splice (or the main body member incorporating the mechanical splice) in any state before and after connection. That is, the wedge member can be fixed to the mechanical splice before and after the connection operation. Therefore, the wedge member does not become a waste material during work.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 1a, 1b ......... Main body member 3, 3a, 3b ......... Mechanical splice 5 ......... Y-shaped guide 7 ......... Guide part 9 ......... Locking protrusion 10, 10a, 10b ......... Wedge member 11 ......... Locking part 13 ......... Fixing part 14 ......... Mark 15 ......... Fiber confirmation part 17 ......... Cover part 19 ......... Locking claw 21 ......... Wedge 23 ......... Holding piece 25 .... Optical fiber core wires 27, 27a .... Outer gripping portions 29, 29a ... ... Connector 31 ... ... Pigtail

Claims (9)

A mechanical splice having a holding portion capable of holding an optical fiber core;
A wedge member inserted into the wedge insertion portion of the mechanical splice and having a wedge for expanding the holding portion;
Comprising
The wedge member is capable of fixing the wedge member from one side to the mechanical splice with the wedge inserted into the wedge insertion portion.
An optical fiber connecting member, wherein the wedge member can be fixed to the mechanical splice from the other side in a state where the wedge is removed from the wedge insertion portion. The mechanical splice is built in the main body member,
The wedge insertion portion is formed toward the side of the main body member,
With the wedge inserted into the wedge insertion part, the wedge member is fixed to the side of the main body member,
2. The optical fiber connection member according to claim 1, wherein the wedge member can be fixed above the main body member in a state where the wedge is removed from the wedge insertion portion. Above the main body member is formed a fiber confirmation portion that can visually recognize the optical fiber core wire to be connected,
3. The optical fiber connection member according to claim 2, wherein when the wedge member is fixed above the main body member, the fiber confirmation portion can be covered by the wedge member.   An optical fiber core wire grasped by an outer sheath gripping member from at least one side can be inserted into the main body member, and the outer sheath gripping member can be fixed to at least one end of the main body member. The optical fiber connecting member according to claim 2 or 3, further comprising a fixing portion.   The fixing portions are formed at both end portions of the main body member, and optical fiber core wires gripped by a jacket holding member from both ends of the main body member can be inserted. The optical fiber connecting member according to claim 4, wherein the jacket holding member can be fixed.   An optical fiber core wire gripped by a sheath gripping member can be inserted into one end of the main body member, and a pigtail to which a connector has been connected in advance is joined to the other end of the main body member. The optical fiber connecting member according to claim 4, wherein   The optical fiber core wire gripped by the jacket gripping member can be inserted into one end of the main body member, and the other end side of the main body member has a connector portion that can be connected to another connector. The optical fiber connecting member according to claim 4, wherein the optical fiber connecting member is formed. A guide portion is formed at the lower end of at least one end of the main body member,
The guide portion exhibits the guide function of the jacket gripping member when inserting the optical fiber core gripped by the jacket gripping member from the side end portion of the body member,
8. The optical fiber connection according to claim 2, wherein after the outer cover holding member is inserted, the optical fiber connection can be broken at a breaking portion formed at a base portion of the guide portion. 9. Element. A mechanical splice having a holding portion capable of holding an optical fiber core;
A wedge member inserted into the wedge insertion portion of the mechanical splice and having a wedge for expanding the holding portion;
A body member containing the mechanical splice;
Comprising
The wedge insertion portion is formed toward the side of the main body member,
The wedge member is fixed to the side of the body member, and with the wedge inserted into the wedge insertion portion, an optical fiber core held by an outer gripping member is inserted from at least one end. ,
After confirming the deflection of the optical fiber core wire from above the body member,
By removing the wedge member from the side of the body member, the wedge is extracted from the wedge insertion portion,
An optical fiber connecting method, wherein the wedge member is fixed above the main body member to protect the optical fiber core wire.

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