JP2014219622A - Communication light cutoff filter attaching/detaching device and its attaching/detaching method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it possible to easily attach and detach a communication light cutoff filter to and from an optical communication line in order to cut off communication light temporarily or for a short time.SOLUTION: A communication light cutoff filter attaching/detaching device comprises: a filter holder 4 for gripping an optical fiber-shaped communication light cutoff filter 6: first and second optical fiber holders 2, 3 for gripping first and second optical fibers 5, 7 obtained by cutting off an optical fiber forming an optical communication line and performing the alignment of the end faces; a base 1 for gripping the filter holder 4 and for gripping the first and second optical fiber holders 2, 3 at both sides; and springs 8, 9 that bring the end faces of the first and second optical fibers 5, 7 into contact with the end faces of the communication light cutoff filter 6 while the base 1 grips the filter holder 4 and the first and second optical fiber holders 2, 3.

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication light blocking filter attaching / detaching technique for easily temporarily blocking communication light with respect to an optical communication line.

  The optical communication line switching method that realizes the change of the optical communication line while maintaining the optical communication state shifts the transmission line in two stages from the working line to the duplex line (working line and detour line) and from the duplex line to the detour line. Is the method. As a specific configuration of this method, an “optical transmission line duplexing device” having a function of adjusting the optical path length difference between the working line and the detour path in the detour section is proposed. Detection and adjustment of the optical path length difference (delay difference) that is performed as a preliminary preparation for shifting the transmission line from the working line to the duplex line, first, install a communication light blocking filter (hereinafter referred to as “filter”) on the detour line. After being interposed, the transmission path is temporarily duplexed (at this time, the communication light does not flow to the detour path due to the filter). Next, the optical path length difference between the working line and the detour path is detected and adjusted through the test light through the duplex line, the optical path length difference is zeroed, and the detour path filter is removed (by reconnecting the fiber). ), And the procedure of duplexing the transmission path of communication light. For attaching / detaching the filter, methods such as fiber cutting, filter insertion (fusion), filter removal (cutting), fiber cutting (fusion), and the like have been employed.

  More specifically, two optical branching points in the working optical fiber provided between the optical transmission devices that transmit and receive signal light through the working optical fiber between the opposite station side transmission device and the subscriber side transmission device. Detachment that has been used so far in optical transmission line switching devices that configure a detour between couplers, match the transmission time of each path of the working optical fiber and detour, and change the path while making communication redundant As possible communication light blocking filters, connector type and fusion splicing type communication light blocking filters have been proposed (see Non-Patent Document 1). The principle of the communication light blocking filter is, for example, a method of demultiplexing light by selectively reflecting light of some wavelengths by providing a repetition of high and low refractive index in the core of an optical fiber, or an optical waveguide In this method, a dielectric multi-layer filter is installed in the middle of the method to demultiplex the light (see Non-Patent Document 2).

  However, with this method, it is necessary to precisely measure the shortening length of the fiber due to filter removal, and to correct the optical path length difference accordingly. However, for the process of adjusting the optical path length of only about 10 minutes, there is a problem that a cumbersome work of repeating fusion and cutting is required.

  For example, in a connector type communication light blocking filter, in order to attach or detach the communication light blocking filter to or from the optical communication line, it is necessary to apply it to a connector connection part in the optical communication line or attach a connector to the cut communication line. There was a problem that the work was complicated. Also, in optical communication lines, fusion connection rather than connector connection is desirable to prevent communication disruption due to environmental degradation, but the connector type requires a fusion operation after removing the connector, and the work is complicated. there were. Furthermore, in the optical transmission line switching device, it is necessary that the delay difference before and after the communication light blocking filter and the connector are removed is known. It is difficult to know the difference in delay amount before and after removal.

  In addition, in the fusion splicing type communication light blocking filter, in order to interrupt the communication light blocking filter, in order to fuse and connect the communication light blocking filter to the cut optical communication line, and to remove the communication light blocking filter. There is a problem that the work is complicated because the communication line needs to be cut again and fused again. Furthermore, as with the connector type, in the optical transmission line switching device, the delay amount difference before and after removing the communication light blocking filter needs to be known, but when removing the communication light blocking filter and performing fusion splicing It is difficult to know the delay amount difference before and after removing the communication light blocking filter.

"Optical-related general catalog", SEI Optifrontier Corporation, pp.46 Shindohara Hiromichi, “Easy Fiber Optic Communication”, new edition, Telecommunications Association, November 1, 2006, p.112-113

  As described above, in the conventional communication light blocking filter attaching / detaching technology, it is necessary to strictly measure the shortening length and correct the optical path length difference again for the fiber shortening accompanying the filter removal. In addition, the accuracy greatly depends on the technical capabilities of the site, and there is a problem that a cumbersome work of repeating fusion and cutting is necessary for the process of adjusting the optical path length of only about 10 minutes. .

  Therefore, the present invention provides a communication light blocking filter attaching / detaching device and a method for attaching / detaching the communication light blocking filter that can easily connect and remove the communication light blocking filter to / from the optical communication line in order to temporarily or briefly cut off the communication light. With the goal.

  In order to achieve the above object, a first aspect of the present invention includes the following components. That is, the communication light blocking filter attaching / detaching device according to the present invention includes a filter holder that holds an optical fiber-shaped communication light blocking filter, and first and second optical fibers that form an optical communication line by cutting an end face. First and second optical fiber holders for holding the optical fibers, a base for holding the filter holder and holding the first and second optical fiber holders on both sides thereof, and the base on the base Stress generating means for bringing the end faces of the first and second optical fibers into contact with the end faces of the communication light blocking filter while holding the filter holder and the first and second optical fiber holders.

  The base includes a housing portion in which the filter holder is arranged in the center and the first and second optical fiber holders are arranged on both sides of the filter holder, and the stress generating means are respectively provided on both end surfaces in the longitudinal direction of the housing portion. The first and second optical fiber holders are configured to generate a stress that pushes them toward the center.

Here, the filter holder is formed integrally with the base.
Moreover, the 2nd viewpoint of this invention is equipped with the following components. That is, in the communication light blocking filter attaching / detaching method according to the present invention, when the communication light blocking filter is inserted into the optical communication line, the communication light blocking filter is gripped by a filter holder, and the communication light blocking filter is gripped. Holding the holder with a base, cutting the optical communication line and removing the coating of the first optical fiber and the end of the second optical fiber, and removing the coating from the first and second optical fibers, respectively The first and second optical fibers held by the first and second optical fiber holders and held by the first and second optical fiber holders and end faces are abutted on the communication light blocking filter and both sides thereof, respectively. The first and second optical fiber holders holding the first and second optical fibers that have been matched with the communication light blocking filter are formed on the base. When gripping the filter holder on both sides and removing the communication light blocking filter from the optical communication line, remove the first and second optical fiber holders gripped by the base from the base, and The first and second optical fiber holders removed from the base are attached to the fuser, and the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber held by the first and second optical filter holders are fused. .

  Here, further, stress is applied to the first and second optical fiber holders so that the first and second optical fibers are abutted so that there is no gap with the communication light blocking filter. .

  That is, the communication light blocking filter attaching / detaching device and the attaching / detaching method thereof according to the present invention include a first optical fiber holder that holds the first optical fiber, a filter holder that holds the communication light blocking filter, and the second optical fiber. A second optical fiber holder for holding the optical fiber holder, and a base for accommodating and arranging the optical fiber holder and the filter holder so that the first and second optical fibers and the filter are respectively adjusted in the gripped state. Composed. The two optical fiber holders are slidable only in the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber, for example, and the stress in the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber is obtained from the housing inner side surface of the base by, for example, a spring, and the first optical fiber to the filter by the stress. The butting force is applied to the filter from the second optical fiber.

  Therefore, according to the present invention, there is provided a communication light blocking filter attaching / detaching device and a method for attaching / detaching the communication light blocking filter that can easily connect and remove the communication light blocking filter to / from the optical communication line in order to temporarily or briefly block the communication light. Can be provided.

It is a perspective view which shows the structure of one Embodiment of the communication light cutoff filter attachment / detachment apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process of the communication light cutoff filter attachment / detachment method of the said embodiment.

Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of an embodiment of a communication light blocking filter attaching / detaching device according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, a groove 11 is formed on the upper surface of the base 1 to accommodate the first and second holders 3 and 4 having the same width and the same height in the same direction. In the first to third holders 2 to 4, the first optical fiber 5 and the second optical fiber 7 are all arranged in a straight line in the longitudinal direction while being arranged in the groove 11 of the base 1. V-shaped groove portions 21, 31, 41 for arranging the fiber-shaped communication light blocking filters 6 are formed. In addition, in order to hold and fix (that is, hold) the first optical fiber 5, the second optical fiber 7, and the communication light blocking filter 6 in these holders 2 to 4, respectively, in a state where they are arranged in the V-shaped groove portion. The pressing plates 22, 32, 42 are provided.

  The third holder 4 is fixedly disposed at the center of the groove 11 of the base 1, and the first and second holders 2 and 3 are slidably disposed on both sides thereof. The first and second holders 2, 3 are pressed toward the center by springs 8, 9 provided at the longitudinal ends of the groove 11 while being arranged in the groove 11.

  Here, as the communication light blocking filter 6, for example, a type that selectively reflects light of some wavelengths by providing a high and low refractive index in the core of an optical fiber, or a dielectric in the middle of an optical waveguide There are types that install a multilayer filter. In the optical access network, since the test wavelength cutoff filter is installed in front of the transmission devices at both ends, a wavelength conversion element that converts communication light into a test wavelength can be used as the communication light cutoff filter 6.

In order to insert the communication light blocking filter 6 into the communication line, the communication light blocking filter 6 is first installed and gripped in the V-shaped groove 41 of the third holder 4, and then the communication light blocking filter 6 is gripped. The third holder 4 is installed at the center of the groove 11 of the base 1.
Next, the first optical fiber 5 and the second optical fiber 7 are formed by cutting the optical fiber of the communication line and performing end faceting. And the 1st optical fiber 5 which performed end surface placement is installed in the V-shaped groove part 21 of the 1st holder 2, and is held, and then the 1st holder 2 with which the 1st optical fiber 5 was held is held. It arrange | positions in the figure left side of the groove part 11 of the base 1. FIG. At this time, stress acts on the first holder 2 by the action of the spring 8 so that the end face of the first optical fiber 5 comes into contact with the end face of the communication light blocking filter 6.

  Similarly, the second optical fiber 7 subjected to end face placement is placed and held in the V-shaped groove 31 of the second holder 3, and then the second holder 3 holding the second optical fiber 7. Is disposed on the right side of the groove 11 of the base 1 in the figure. At this time, due to the action of the spring 9, stress acts on the second holder 3 so that the end face of the second optical fiber 7 comes into contact with the end face of the communication light blocking filter 6.

  That is, when the communication light blocking filter 6 is to be abutted, the first holder 2 that holds the optical fiber 5 subjected to end face placement is installed on the base 1. At this time, by applying a stress to the first holder 2 with the spring 8, the end face of the first optical fiber 5 and the end face of the communication light blocking filter 6 are abutted so that there is no gap. Similarly, the second holder 3 that holds the second optical fiber 7 that has been end-faced is placed on the base 1. At this time, a stress is applied to the second holder 3 by the spring 9 so that the end face of the second optical fiber 7 and the end face of the communication light blocking filter 6 are abutted so that there is no gap.

  On the other hand, in order to remove the communication light blocking filter 6 inserted from the communication line, first, the first holder 2 that holds the first optical fiber 5 subjected to the end face removal is removed from the base 1. Thereafter, the first holder 2 that holds the removed first optical fiber 5 is installed in the fuser. Similarly, the second holder 3 that holds the second optical fiber 7 that has been end-faced is removed from the base 1. Thereafter, the second holder 3 that holds the removed second optical fiber 7 is installed in the fuser. The first optical fiber 5 held by the first holder 2 and the second optical fiber 7 held by the second holder 3 are fusion-bonded.

Note that a refractive index matching agent may be applied when the first optical fiber 5 and the second optical fiber 7 that have been subjected to the above-described end faceting are butted against the communication light blocking filter 6. Further, the base 1 and the third holder 4 that holds the communication light blocking filter 6 may be integrated.
FIG. 2 shows a flow of a specific implementation method in the configuration shown in FIG.
In FIG. 2, in order to insert the communication light blocking filter 6 into the communication line, first, the communication light blocking filter 6 is held by the third holder 4 (step S1). Next, the third holder 4 holding the communication light blocking filter 6 is held by the base 1 (step S2). Next, the coating of the first optical fiber 5 and the second optical fiber 7 is removed and cleaned with alcohol or the like (step S3). Next, the first optical fiber 5 from which the coating has been removed is gripped by the first holder 2, and similarly, the second optical fiber 7 is gripped by the second holder 3 (step S4).

  Next, the first optical fiber 5 gripped by the first holder 2 and the second optical fiber 7 gripped by the second holder 3 are end-faced with a fiber cutter or the like (step S5). Next, the first optical fiber 5 that has undergone end faceting and the second optical fiber 7 that has undergone end faceting are each butted against the communication light blocking filter 6 (step S6). Next, in order to maintain a butt | matching state, each holder 2 and 3 holding the 1st optical fiber 5 and the 2nd optical fiber 7 which butt | matched with the communication light cutoff filter 6 are used with the base 1. Grasping (step S7). At this time, stress is applied to the first holder 2 by the spring 8, and stress is applied to the second holder 3 by the spring 9, whereby the first optical fiber 5 and the second optical fiber 7 and the communication light are applied. The blocking filter 6 is abutted so that there is no gap. Thereby, the communication light blocking filter 6 can be inserted into the communication line.

  In order to remove the communication light blocking filter 6 after the work is finished, first, the first holder 2 and the second holder 3 held by the base 1 are removed from the base 1 (step S8). Thereafter, the first holder 2 and the second holder 3 removed from the base 1 are attached to the fuser, and the first optical fiber 5 held by the first holder 2 and the second holder 7 respectively. The second optical fiber 7 is fused (step S9). As a result, the communication light blocking filter 6 can be attached and detached in one fusion operation.

  Therefore, according to the configuration of the present embodiment, even when it is desired to attach / detach the communication light blocking filter on the optical communication line, the communication light blocking filter can be inserted on the spot without performing the fusion work. It is possible to attach and detach the blocking filter efficiently, and when the difference in delay before and after removing the communication light blocking filter is known, the communication light blocking is performed to form a temporary or short test optical path. It is possible to provide a communication light blocking filter attaching / detaching device and a method for attaching / detaching it, which can easily connect and remove the filter and the optical fiber.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. Further, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the embodiment. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, you may combine suitably the component covering different embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Base 11 ... Groove 2 ... 1st holder 21 ... V-shaped groove 22 ... Holding plate 3 ... 2nd holder 31 ... V-shaped groove 32 ... Holding plate 4 ... 3rd holder 41 ... V-shaped Groove 42 ... Presser plate 5 ... First optical fiber 6 ... Communication light blocking filter 7 ... Second optical fiber 8 ... Spring 9 ... Spring

Claims (5)

A filter holder for holding an optical fiber-shaped communication light blocking filter;
First and second optical fiber holders that respectively hold the first and second optical fibers that have been cut and cut off the optical fiber forming the optical communication line;
A base for gripping the filter holder and gripping the first and second optical fiber holders on both sides thereof;
Stress generating means for bringing the end faces of the first and second optical fibers into contact with the end faces of the communication light blocking filter in a state where the filter holder and the first and second optical fiber holders are held on the base; A communication light blocking filter attaching / detaching device. The base includes an accommodating portion that arranges the filter holder in the center and the first and second optical fiber holders arranged on both sides thereof,
2. The communication light blocking filter attaching / detaching device according to claim 1, wherein the stress generating means generates stress that pushes the first and second optical fiber holders toward the center on both longitudinal ends of the housing portion.   The communication light blocking filter attaching / detaching device according to claim 2, wherein the filter holder is integrally formed with the base. When inserting a communication light blocking filter in the optical communication line,
Holding the communication light blocking filter with a filter holder;
Grip the filter holder holding the communication light blocking filter with a base,
Removing the coating of the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber cut off the end face of the optical communication line;
The first and second optical fibers from which the coating has been removed are gripped by the first and second optical fiber holders, respectively.
The first and second optical fibers gripped by the first and second optical fiber holders and faced to the end face each other on the communication light blocking filter and both sides thereof,
Gripping the first and second optical fiber holders holding the first and second optical fibers matched with the communication light blocking filter on both sides of the filter holder with the base;
When removing the communication light blocking filter from the optical communication line,
Removing the first and second optical fiber holders gripped by the base from the base;
The first and second optical fiber holders removed from the base are attached to the fuser, and the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber held by the first and second optical filter holders are fused. A method of attaching / detaching a communication light blocking filter to be worn.   5. The stress is applied to the first and second optical fiber holders so that the first and second optical fibers are abutted so that there is no gap with the communication light blocking filter. The communication light blocking filter attaching / detaching method according to claim.

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