JP2023111437A

JP2023111437A - Optical power attenuation jig for optical fiber

Info

Publication number: JP2023111437A
Application number: JP2022013297A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 吉弘染矢; Yoshihiro Someya; 武文甲斐; Takefumi Kai; 涼平 ▲高▼野; Ryohei TAKANO; 茂幸正; Shigeru Yukimasa
Original assignee: Qtnet Co Ltd; Kinki Denki Co Ltd
Current assignee: Qtnet Co Ltd; Kinki Denki Co Ltd
Priority date: 2022-01-31
Filing date: 2022-01-31
Publication date: 2023-08-10
Anticipated expiration: 2042-01-31
Also published as: JP7215700B1

Abstract

To provide an optical power attenuation jig for an optical fiber, the jig enabling attenuation of light by easily giving bending loss to the optical fiber regardless of the skill of an operator.SOLUTION: An optical power attenuation jig for an optical fiber comprises: a first operation unit 1 and a second operation unit 2 spaced apart from and opposed to each other; a connection portion 3 directly or indirectly connecting the first operation unit 1 and the second operation unit 2 on the rear end sides thereof; a pressing portion 4 which is projected from the distal end portion of the first operation unit 1 to the inside and comprises an arc-shaped recessed portion 4b recessed toward the outside at the center portion in the width direction; and an arc-shaped receiving portion 5 which is the distal end portion of the second operation unit 2 and is projected from a position opposed to the recessed portion 4b of the pressing portion 4 to the inside.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

本発明は、光ファイバの光パワー減衰治具である。 The present invention is an optical power attenuation jig for an optical fiber.

光ファイバを利用するサービスの開通時や保守運用時には、作業を行う光ファイバが実際に使用されているかといった運用状況を確認する必要がある。この確認作業として、クロージャ内の複数の光ファイバの中から１本を選択し、選択した光ファイバの一部に曲げを与え、当該曲げ部分の光パワーを所定量以上減衰させて行う方法がある。具体的には、例えば、基地局に光通信監視システムを配置し、ここに伝送されてきた光パワーが一定量以上減衰して到達した場合に、その光通信監視システムが作動しエラーを認知できるようにしておく。そして、作業を行っているクロージャ内のいずれかの光ファイバを曲げ、仮に光パワーが所定量以上減衰し、光通信監視システムがエラーを認知したならば、該光ファイバは既に使用されていることが分かる一方、光通信監視システムがエラーを認知しないならば、該光ファイバは使用されていないことが分かる。 When starting up or maintaining a service using optical fibers, it is necessary to check the operational status, such as whether the optical fibers to be worked on are actually being used. As this confirmation work, there is a method of selecting one of the plurality of optical fibers in the closure, bending a portion of the selected optical fiber, and attenuating the optical power of the bent portion by a predetermined amount or more. . Specifically, for example, an optical communication monitoring system is installed in a base station, and when the optical power transmitted to the base station arrives after being attenuated by a certain amount or more, the optical communication monitoring system operates and an error can be recognized. keep it If any optical fiber within the closure being worked on is bent and the optical power is attenuated by more than a predetermined amount and the optical communication monitoring system recognizes the error, then that optical fiber has already been used. is known, but if the optical communication monitoring system does not see any errors, then it is known that the optical fiber is not in use.

そこで、以前から、クロージャ内の光ファイバの運用状況を確認するにあたり、光ファイバの一部に曲げを与えて光パワーを減衰させるという方法が採用されているが、この具体的な手法として、選択した光ファイバを円柱状の棒に巻き付けて曲げ損失を発生させるといったことがなされている。 Therefore, in order to check the operation status of the optical fiber in the closure, a method of bending a portion of the optical fiber to attenuate the optical power has been adopted. The optical fiber is wrapped around a cylindrical rod to generate bending loss.

しかしながら、前述の曲げ損失を与えるために使用する円柱状の棒は、作業者が独自に調達した物が多く、推奨される棒の直径も通信事業者や地域によって異なっているという現状がある。また、光ファイバを棒に１巻き、あるいは２巻きと巻き付けて曲げ損失を発生させるが、作業者の技量によって、水平方向に巻き付けていなかったり、棒に的確に密着させていなかったりすることがある。そのため、光パワーの減衰量が所定量に到達せず、基地局の光通信監視システムがエラーを認知しないという事態が起こってしまうケースがある。この場合、実際には回線として使用されている光ファイバであっても、誤って未使用回線であると判断してしまうことになる。 However, many of the cylindrical rods used to provide the above-mentioned bending loss are procured independently by workers, and the recommended diameter of the rod differs depending on the telecommunications carrier and region. In addition, the bending loss is generated by winding the optical fiber around the rod once or twice. . Therefore, there are cases where the optical power attenuation amount does not reach a predetermined amount and the optical communication monitoring system of the base station does not recognize the error. In this case, even an optical fiber that is actually used as a line is mistakenly determined to be an unused line.

一方、光ファイバに曲げを与えることにより光ファイバの光パワーを減衰させる方法として、下記特許文献１乃至３に示されているようなものが存在している。すなわち、これら特許文献に示されているものは、２つの部材の各々の内側面に光ファイバを挿通する曲線状の溝を設け、当該曲線部分で光パワーを減衰させるといったことが行われている。 On the other hand, as a method of attenuating the optical power of an optical fiber by giving a bend to the optical fiber, there are methods as shown in Patent Documents 1 to 3 below. That is, according to these patent documents, a curved groove for inserting an optical fiber is provided on the inner surface of each of the two members, and the optical power is attenuated in the curved portion. .

特許第３０１７３８８号公報Japanese Patent No. 3017388 特開２００５－２５０７０号公報JP-A-2005-25070 特許第４３９８９５８号公報Japanese Patent No. 4398958

しかしながら、特許文献１乃至３に示されたものは、いずれもその構造が比較的複雑で、前述のクロージャ内での作業に用いるのには適していない。 However, the structures shown in Patent Documents 1 to 3 are all relatively complicated in structure and are not suitable for use in the work inside the aforementioned closure.

そこで、本発明は、上記課題を解決すべく、クロージャ内の作業において、作業者の技量に関係なく、簡単に光ファイバに曲げ損失を与え、しかも光ファイバの光パワーを所定数値以上に確実に減衰させることができるようにした光ファイバの光パワー減衰治具を提供することを目的としている。 Therefore, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention can easily give a bending loss to an optical fiber and increase the optical power of the optical fiber to a predetermined value or more, regardless of the skill of the operator, in the work inside the closure. An object of the present invention is to provide an optical power attenuation jig for an optical fiber capable of attenuation.

前記課題を解決するために本発明に係る光ファイバの光パワー減衰治具は、相対向して離間配置された第１操作部及び第２操作部と、前記第１操作部と前記第２操作部の後端側にてその各々を直接的または間接的に結合する連結部と、前記第１操作部の先端部から内側へ突出すると共にその幅方向中央部に外側へ向かって窪む円弧状の凹部を設けた押当部と、前記第２操作部の先端部であって前記押当部の凹部と対向する位置から内側へ突出させた円弧状の受当部とを備え、前記第１操作部と前記第２操作部が離隔している常態において、前記押当部と前記受当部の間に光ファイバを配置し、その後、前記第１操作部と前記第２操作部を接近させることにより、前記光ファイバに曲げを与え該光ファイバの一部の光パワーを減衰させるようにしたことを特徴としている。 In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an optical power attenuation jig for an optical fiber according to the present invention comprises a first operating section and a second operating section which are arranged facing each other with a space, and the first operating section and the second operating section. and an arcuate portion projecting inward from the tip of the first operating portion and recessed outward in the center portion in the width direction of the first operating portion. and an arcuate receiving portion protruding inward from a position facing the recess of the pressing portion at the tip of the second operation portion, and the first In a normal state in which the operating portion and the second operating portion are separated, an optical fiber is arranged between the pressing portion and the receiving portion, and then the first operating portion and the second operating portion are brought closer to each other. Thus, the optical fiber is bent and the optical power of a part of the optical fiber is attenuated.

また、本発明に係る光ファイバの光パワー減衰治具は、前記第１操作部または前記第２操作部のいずれかの内側面に内側へ突出させた規制凸部を設け、前記第１操作部と前記第２操作部を接近させた際、その接近距離を所定位置に規制し得るようにしたことを特徴としている。 Further, in the optical power attenuation jig for an optical fiber according to the present invention, a regulation convex portion protruding inward is provided on the inner surface of either the first operation portion or the second operation portion, and the first operation portion and the second operation portion, the approach distance can be restricted to a predetermined position.

本発明によれば、クロージャ内の作業において、作業者の技量に関係なく、簡単に光ファイバに曲げ損失を与え、しかも光ファイバの光パワーを所定数値以上に確実に減衰させることができる。 According to the present invention, bending loss can be easily imparted to an optical fiber and the optical power of the optical fiber can be reliably attenuated to a predetermined value or more regardless of the skill of the operator during work inside the closure.

光ファイバの光パワー減衰治具の斜視図。FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an optical power attenuation jig for an optical fiber; 光ファイバの光パワー減衰治具の平面図。FIG. 2 is a plan view of an optical power attenuation jig for an optical fiber; 光ファイバの光パワー減衰治具の底面図。FIG. 4 is a bottom view of an optical power attenuation jig for an optical fiber; 光ファイバの光パワー減衰治具の正面図。FIG. 2 is a front view of an optical power attenuation jig for an optical fiber; 光ファイバの光パワー減衰治具の背面図。FIG. 2 is a rear view of an optical power attenuation jig for an optical fiber; 光ファイバの光パワー減衰治具の右側面図。FIG. 4 is a right side view of an optical power attenuation jig for an optical fiber; 光ファイバの光パワー減衰治具の左側面図。FIG. 3 is a left side view of an optical power attenuation jig for an optical fiber; 光ファイバの光パワー減衰治具の使用状態図。FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the state of use of an optical power attenuation jig for an optical fiber; 光ファイバの光パワー減衰治具の使用状態図。FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the state of use of an optical power attenuation jig for an optical fiber; 光ファイバの光パワー減衰治具の使用状態図。FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the state of use of an optical power attenuation jig for an optical fiber; 光ファイバの光パワー減衰治具の第１操作部１を第２操作部２に押し下げた常態を示す右側面図。FIG. 3 is a right side view showing a normal state in which the first operating portion 1 of the jig for attenuating the optical power of the optical fiber is pushed down to the second operating portion 2;

以下、本発明に係る光ファイバの光パワー減衰治具（以下、単に「光パワー減衰治具」という。）の実施の形態を図面に基づき説明する。図１は光パワー減衰治具の斜視図である。本実施形態の光パワー減衰治具は、相対向して離間配置された第１操作部１及び第２操作部２と、第１操作部１と第２操作部２の後端側にてその各々を結合する連結部３と、第１操作部１の先端部から内側へ突出すると共にその幅方向中央部に外側へ向かって窪む円弧状の凹部３を設けた押当部４と、第２操作部２の先端部であって押当部４の凹部３と対向する位置から内側へ突出させた円弧状の受当部５と、第２操作部２のいずれかの内側面に内側へ突出させた規制凸部６，７によって概略構成されている。なお、この実施の形態で「上」とは、図１に示す光パワー減衰治具の上側、すなわち、第１操作部１側、「下」とは、図１に示す光パワー減衰治具の下側、すなわち、第２操作部２側、「前」とは、図１に示す光パワー減衰治具の左側、すなわち、第１操作部１及び第２操作部２の先端側、「後」とは、図１に示す光パワー減衰治具の右側、すなわち、連結部３側、「内側」とは、第１操作部１の内側面から第２操作部２の内側面の方向、第２操作部２の内側面から第１操作部１の内側面の方向を指すものとして説明する。 An embodiment of an optical power attenuation jig for an optical fiber (hereinafter simply referred to as an "optical power attenuation jig") according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an optical power attenuation jig. The jig for attenuating optical power according to the present embodiment includes a first operating section 1 and a second operating section 2 which are arranged to face each other with a space, and rear end sides of the first operating section 1 and the second operating section 2. a connecting portion 3 connecting them together; a pressing portion 4 having an arc-shaped concave portion 3 protruding inward from the tip portion of the first operating portion 1 and recessed outward in the center portion in the width direction thereof; 2. An arc-shaped receiving portion 5 protruding inward from a position facing the concave portion 3 of the pressing portion 4 at the tip of the second operating portion 2 and an inner surface of one of the second operating portions 2 are provided inwardly. It is roughly constituted by projecting restricting protrusions 6 and 7 . In this embodiment, "upper" means the upper side of the optical power attenuation jig shown in FIG. The lower side, that is, the side of the second operation section 2, "front" means the left side of the optical power attenuation jig shown in FIG. means the right side of the optical power attenuation jig shown in FIG. Description will be made assuming that the direction from the inner surface of the operating portion 2 to the inner surface of the first operating portion 1 is indicated.

前記第１操作部１及び第２操作部２は、いずれも同一の形状であり、且つ同一の大きさに形成されている。具体的には、第１操作部１及び第２操作部２は、いずれも細長略矩形状の平板からなっている。また、第１操作部１及び第２操作部２の外側面には、幅方向に延びる細幅の滑り止め突起１０，１０・・・が複数形成されている。なお、この滑り止め突起１０，１０・・・は、光パワー減衰治具を指で掴んだ際に滑り止めの役割を果たすと共に、光パワー減衰治具を掴む際に指をどこに位置させるのがよいかを把握させる目安としての役割も果たしている。 The first operating portion 1 and the second operating portion 2 have the same shape and the same size. Specifically, each of the first operation portion 1 and the second operation portion 2 is formed of a flat plate having an elongated, substantially rectangular shape. In addition, a plurality of narrow non-slip projections 10, 10, . The non-slip protrusions 10, 10, . It also plays a role as a guide to let you know whether it is good or not.

前記連結部３は、第１操作部１と第２操作部２の各々の後端を直接的に結合している。具体的には、連結部３は、側面視で横向きのＵ字形、すなわち円弧状に湾曲した形状になっており、その両端部の各々が第１操作部１及び第２操作部２の後端に一体的に接続されている。また、この連結部３は、第１操作部１及び第２操作部２よりもやや細幅に形成されている。 The connecting portion 3 directly connects the rear ends of the first operating portion 1 and the second operating portion 2 . Specifically, the connecting portion 3 has a sideways U-shape in a side view, that is, a shape curved in an arc, and both ends of the connecting portion 3 are the rear ends of the first operating portion 1 and the second operating portion 2, respectively. integrally connected to the Also, the connecting portion 3 is formed to have a width slightly narrower than that of the first operating portion 1 and the second operating portion 2 .

上記のように、第１操作部１及び第２操作部２と横向きＵ字形の連結部３が一体的に結合することで、光パワー減衰治具は、物を摘まむ際に用いられるいわゆるトングのような形状になっている。すなわち、第１操作部１及び第２操作部２は、相対向しており、力を加えない状態（常態）では第１操作部１と第２操作部は離隔した状態にあり、第１操作部１及び第２操作部２に対して外方から力を加えるとそれらが互いに接近するようになっている。なお、図１に示されているように、第１操作部１は、常態において、その先端が後端よりも高い位置になっている。すなわち、第２操作部２を水平にした状態において、第１操作部１は先端に向かうに従って上傾するような角度をもって配置されている。これにより、常態において、第１操作部１と第２操作部２の先端部の開放間隔が広くなり、光パワー減衰治具に光ファイバを挟持する際の作業が容易になる。 As described above, by integrally connecting the first and second operating parts 1 and 2 and the sideways U-shaped connecting part 3, the optical power attenuation jig can be a so-called tongs used when picking up an object. It has a shape like That is, the first operating section 1 and the second operating section 2 are opposed to each other, and in a state (normal state) in which no force is applied, the first operating section 1 and the second operating section are separated from each other. When a force is applied to the portion 1 and the second operating portion 2 from the outside, they approach each other. As shown in FIG. 1, the front end of the first operating portion 1 is positioned higher than the rear end in the normal state. That is, in a state in which the second operating portion 2 is horizontal, the first operating portion 1 is arranged at an angle such that it inclines upward toward the tip. As a result, in a normal state, the open space between the distal end portions of the first operating portion 1 and the second operating portion 2 is widened, and the operation of clamping the optical fiber to the optical power attenuation jig is facilitated.

前記第１操作部１の先端には、押当部４が形成されている。この押当部４は、第１操作部１の先端から下側（内側）へ直角に突出させた平板状の垂下片部４ａと、垂下片部４ａの下端であり、その幅方向中央部に上側（外側）に向かって窪ませた円弧状の凹部４ｂとによって概略構成されている。そして、これら垂下片部４ａの下端と凹部４ｂの周縁に沿うように前方へ細幅に膨出させた肉厚部１５が形成されている。また、この肉厚部１５は、垂下片部４ａであり、凹部４ｂの上端位置から第１操作部１の先端までの間にも形成されている。さらに、垂下片部４ａと第１操作部１の先端の境目には、段差部１６が形成されている。また、第１操作部１の内側面の幅方向中央部には、長手方向に沿って補強用リブ１７が延設されている。そして、この補強リブ１７は、高さが低い（内側へ突出する長さが短い）部分とそれよりも高い（内側へ突出する長さが長い）部分が形成されている。具体的には、補強リブ１７の前側部分に下側（内側）へ横長矩形状に突出させた第１突出片部１７ａが、該第１突出片部１７ａよりやや後側に縦長矩形状に突出させた第２突出片部１７ｂが形成されている。 A pressing portion 4 is formed at the tip of the first operating portion 1 . The pressing portion 4 includes a flat plate-like hanging piece portion 4a projecting downward (inward) at right angles from the tip of the first operation portion 1, and the lower end of the hanging piece portion 4a. It is roughly constituted by an arc-shaped concave portion 4b recessed upward (outward). A thick portion 15 bulging forward in a narrow width is formed along the lower end of the hanging piece portion 4a and the peripheral edge of the recessed portion 4b. Moreover, this thick portion 15 is the hanging piece portion 4 a and is also formed between the upper end position of the concave portion 4 b and the tip of the first operating portion 1 . Further, a stepped portion 16 is formed at the boundary between the hanging piece portion 4a and the tip of the first operating portion 1. As shown in FIG. In addition, a reinforcing rib 17 extends along the longitudinal direction at the central portion in the width direction of the inner surface of the first operating portion 1 . The reinforcing rib 17 has a low portion (inwardly protruding length is short) and a higher portion (inwardly protruding length is long). Specifically, a first protruding piece 17a protruding downward (inward) in a horizontally long rectangular shape from the front portion of the reinforcing rib 17 protrudes slightly rearward from the first protruding piece 17a in a vertically long rectangular shape. A second protruding piece portion 17b is formed.

前記第２操作部２の先端部には、第１操作部１を第２操作部２に接近させた際に、押当部４を挿入させる挿入部２０と、挿入部２０の間に形成された受当部５が形成されている。このうち、挿入部２０は、第２操作部２の先端からから上側（内側）へ直角に突出させた平板状の前側壁２０ａと、該前側壁２０ａのやや後ろ側の第２操作部２の内側面から上側（内側）へ直角に突出させた平板状の後側壁２０ｂとによって形成されている。そして、第２操作部２の内側面の幅方向中央部であり、且つ前側壁２０ａと後側壁２０ｂの間に上側（内側）へ円弧状に膨出させた受当部５が形成されている。なお、挿入部２０を形成する後側壁２０ｂは、第１操作部１と第２操作部２を接近させた際、その接近距離を所定位置に規制する規制凸部６としての役割も有している。ちなみに、挿入部２０を形成する前側壁２０ａと後側壁２０ｂの間の内法は、前述した垂下片部４ａの肉厚部１５の厚さよりもほんの僅か広くなっている。また、第２操作部２の内側面の幅方向中央部には、長手方向に沿って補強用リブ２１が延設されている。そして、この補強リブ２１は、高さが低い（内側へ突出する長さが短い）部分とそれよりも高い（内側へ突出する長さが長い）部分が形成されている。具体的には、補強リブ２１の前側部分に上側（内側）へ横向きＬ字形に突出させた第１突出片部２１ａが、該第１突出片部２１ａよりやや後側に縦長矩形状に突出させた第２突出片部２１ｂが形成されている。さらに、第１突出片部２１ａには、前述した第１操作部１の第１突出片部１７ａが嵌まる第１受入窪部２２ａが形成されている。また、第１突出片部２１ａと第２突出片部２１ｂの間の部分は、前述した第１操作部１の第２突出片部１７ｂが嵌まる第２受入窪部２２ｂになっている。さらに、第１突出片部２１ａの後端部であり、その左右両側の各々に位置するように規制凸部７ａ，７ｂが形成されている。具体的には、規制凸部７ａ，７ｂは、縦長矩形状の平板によって形成されており、その一方の短辺が第２操作部２の内側面に接続され、その一方の長辺が第１突出片部２１ａに接続されている。また、これら規制凸部７ａ，７ｂは、互いに前後方向へややずらして位置にするように設けられている。すなわち、右側の規制凸部７ａは、左側の規制凸部７ｂよりもやや前方に配置されている。また、これら規制凸部７ａ，７ｂの上端は、第１突出片部２１ａの上端よりも若干高くなっている。 At the distal end portion of the second operation portion 2, an insertion portion 20 into which the pressing portion 4 is inserted when the first operation portion 1 is brought closer to the second operation portion 2 is formed between the insertion portion 20 and the insertion portion 20. A receiving portion 5 is formed. Of these, the insertion portion 20 is composed of a flat plate-like front wall 20a protruding upward (inward) at right angles from the tip of the second operation portion 2, and the second operation portion 2 slightly behind the front wall 20a. It is formed by a flat plate-shaped rear wall 20b projecting upward (inward) from the inner surface at a right angle. A receiving portion 5 is formed at the center of the inner surface of the second operating portion 2 in the width direction, and bulges upward (inward) in an arc shape between the front wall 20a and the rear wall 20b. . In addition, the rear wall 20b forming the insertion portion 20 also serves as a restricting convex portion 6 that restricts the approach distance to a predetermined position when the first operating portion 1 and the second operating portion 2 are brought closer to each other. there is Incidentally, the inner dimension between the front side wall 20a and the rear side wall 20b forming the insertion portion 20 is slightly wider than the thickness of the thick portion 15 of the hanging piece portion 4a. In addition, a reinforcing rib 21 extends along the longitudinal direction at the central portion in the width direction of the inner surface of the second operating portion 2 . The reinforcing rib 21 has a low portion (inwardly protruding length is short) and a higher portion (inwardly protruding length is long). Specifically, a first protruding piece 21a that protrudes upward (inward) from the front portion of the reinforcing rib 21 in a horizontal L shape protrudes slightly rearward from the first protruding piece 21a in a vertically elongated rectangular shape. A second projecting piece portion 21b is formed. Further, the first projecting piece 21a is formed with a first receiving recess 22a into which the first projecting piece 17a of the first operating portion 1 is fitted. A portion between the first protruding piece 21a and the second protruding piece 21b forms a second receiving recess 22b into which the second protruding piece 17b of the first operating portion 1 is fitted. Further, the rear end portion of the first protruding piece portion 21a is formed with restricting convex portions 7a and 7b so as to be positioned on both left and right sides thereof. Specifically, the restricting protrusions 7a and 7b are formed of vertically long rectangular flat plates, one of the short sides of which is connected to the inner surface of the second operation section 2, and the other of which is the first long side. It is connected to the projecting piece portion 21a. Further, these restricting protrusions 7a and 7b are provided so as to be slightly shifted from each other in the front-rear direction. That is, the right restricting protrusion 7a is arranged slightly forward of the left restricting protrusion 7b. Further, the upper ends of these restricting protrusions 7a and 7b are slightly higher than the upper end of the first projecting piece portion 21a.

次に、上記のように構成された光パワー減衰治具の使用方法について説明する。まず、図８及び図９に示されているように、作業を行うクロージャ内の光通信ケーブルに複数本配設されている光ファイバの中から、作業対象とする光ファイバＡを選択する。そして、光パワー減衰治具の第１操作部１及び第２操作部２のそれぞれの滑り止め突起１０，１０・・・のあたりを指で支持し、選択した光ファイバＡに光パワー減衰治具の前端部を位置させる。具体的には、常態において、光パワー減衰治具の第１操作部１及び第２操作部２の先端は離隔し開放しているので、この開放部分から光パワー減衰治具の前端部を光ファイバＡに挿し入れ、さらに、光ファイバＡが第２操作部２の受当部５の上方に位置するようにする。そして、第１操作部１を第２操作部２に向けて押し下げるように指で力を加える。これにより、図１０に示されているように、第１操作部１の押当部４と第２操作部２の受当部５の間に挟まれた光ファイバＡが、それらの形状に沿うように円弧状に曲げられ、光ファイバＡの光パワーが通常の伝送量に比較して減衰する。この時、光ファイバＡは、押当部４と受当部５の間に略隙間なく挟まれた状態になるので、常に均等な円弧に曲げられる。従って、この作業を誰がやっても簡単に光ファイバＡに曲げ損失を与えることができ、また、光パワーを所定の数値以上に確実に減衰させることができる。そして、光ファイバＡに光パワーが伝送されていたならば、光パワーの減衰によって基地局に設けられている光通信監視システムがエラーを認知するため、この光ファイバＡは既に使用されていることが分かる。他方、仮に光ファイバＡに光パワーが伝送されていないならば、基地局に設けられている光通信監視システムは何ら反応しないことになるため、この光ファイバＡは、未使用であることが分かる。すなわち、光パワー減衰治具を使用することによって、確認した光ファイバの運用状況、具体的には、確認した光ファイバが回線として使用されているのか、あるいは、未使用なのかを判別することができる。そして、この確認が終了した後は、第１操作部１と第２操作部２が閉じる方向に指で加えられていた力を解放する。これによって、接近していた第１操作部１と第２操作部２が再び離隔し、第１操作部１と第２操作部２の先端が開放した常態になる。この時、曲げられていた光ファイバＡは、もとの直線に戻り、光パワーの減衰もなくなる。ちなみに、光ファイバＡは、角のない第１操作部１の押当部４と第２操作部２の受当部５によって円弧状に曲げられていたことから、光ファイバＡに曲げぐせなどの損傷は残らない。従って、光ファイバＡ内の光パワーの伝送量は、元の状態に戻り、光ファイバＡを曲げたことによる回線への影響は何も起こらない。 Next, a method for using the optical power attenuation jig configured as described above will be described. First, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, an optical fiber A to be worked is selected from among the plurality of optical fibers arranged in the optical communication cable in the closure to be worked. . . of each of the first operating portion 1 and the second operating portion 2 of the optical power attenuating jig is supported with a finger, and the selected optical fiber A is attached to the optical power attenuating jig. position the front end of the Specifically, since the ends of the first operating portion 1 and the second operating portion 2 of the optical power attenuation jig are separated and open in a normal state, the front end portion of the optical power attenuation jig passes through the open portion. The optical fiber A is inserted into the fiber A, and the optical fiber A is positioned above the receiving portion 5 of the second operating portion 2 . Then, force is applied with a finger so as to push down the first operation portion 1 toward the second operation portion 2 . As a result, as shown in FIG. 10, the optical fiber A sandwiched between the abutting portion 4 of the first operating portion 1 and the receiving portion 5 of the second operating portion 2 is aligned with those shapes. , and the optical power of the optical fiber A is attenuated compared to the normal transmission amount. At this time, the optical fiber A is sandwiched between the pressing portion 4 and the receiving portion 5 with almost no gap, so that the optical fiber A is always bent in an even circular arc. Therefore, anyone who performs this work can easily impart a bending loss to the optical fiber A, and can reliably attenuate the optical power to a predetermined value or more. If the optical power is transmitted through the optical fiber A, the optical communication monitoring system provided in the base station recognizes an error due to the attenuation of the optical power, so this optical fiber A is already in use. I understand. On the other hand, if no optical power is transmitted through the optical fiber A, the optical communication monitoring system provided in the base station will not react at all. . That is, by using the optical power attenuation jig, it is possible to determine the operation status of the confirmed optical fiber, specifically, whether the confirmed optical fiber is used as a line or not. can. After this confirmation is completed, the force applied by the finger in the direction in which the first operating portion 1 and the second operating portion 2 are closed is released. As a result, the first operating portion 1 and the second operating portion 2 that have been close to each other are separated again, and the leading ends of the first operating portion 1 and the second operating portion 2 are opened. At this time, the bent optical fiber A returns to its original straight line, and the attenuation of the optical power disappears. Incidentally, since the optical fiber A was bent in an arc shape by the abutting portion 4 of the first operating portion 1 and the receiving portion 5 of the second operating portion 2, the optical fiber A was bent. No damage remains. Therefore, the amount of optical power transmitted in the optical fiber A returns to its original state, and the bending of the optical fiber A has no effect on the line.

なお、本実施形態の光パワー減衰治具は、上記した使用過程において、次に述べるような幾つかの優れた作用効果を奏している。１つは、第１操作部１の押当部４と第２操作部２の受当部５の間に光ファイバＡを挟み込んだ際、第１操作部１及び第２操作部２が前後、左右に動いてしまうと、光ファイバＡが押当部４と受当部５の間でずれてしまい、光ファイバＡの光パワーを適正に減衰させることができなくなってしまう。この点、本実施形態の光パワー減衰治具は、まず、第１操作部１を第２操作部２に向けて押し下げて第１操作部１の押当部４を第２操作部２の挿入部２０の間に挿入させた際、押当部４の垂下片部４ａの肉厚部１５が前後方向へのずれを規制している。すなわち、第２操作部２の挿入部２０を形成する前側壁２０ａと後側壁２０ｂの間の内法は、押当部４の垂下片部４ａの肉厚部１５の厚さよりもほんの僅か広くなっているに過ぎない。換言すれば、前側壁２０ａと後側壁２０ｂの間の内法は、押当部４の垂下片部４ａの肉厚部１５がスムーズに挿入できるぎりぎりの寸法に設定されている。従って、一旦、押当部４の垂下片部４ａが挿入部２０内に入り込むと、押当部４の肉厚部１５の厚みによって前後方向へのずれが抑制されることになる。また、本実施形態の光パワー減衰治具は、図１１に示されているように、第１操作部１を第２操作部２に向けて押し下げた際、第１操作部１の第１突出片部１７ａが第２操作部２の第１受入窪部２１ａに、第１操作部１の第２突出片部１７ｂが第２操作部２の第２受入窪部２１ｂに嵌まるようになっているため、これによっても、前後方向へのずれが抑制されることになる。さらに、本実施形態の光パワー減衰治具は、第１操作部１を第２操作部２に向けて押し下げた際、第２操作部２の挿入部２０の後側壁２０ｂ（規制凸部６）が第１操作部１の段差部１６に当接し、また、第２操作部２の規制凸部７ａ，７ｂが第１操作部１の内側面に当接するようになっている。これにより、前後方向のみならず、横方向へのずれも抑制されることになる。特に、後側壁２０ｂ（規制凸部６）と規制凸部７ａ，７ｂは、その高さ（内側方向への突出長さ）を異ならしており、また、規制凸部７ａと規制凸部７ｂは前後に位置を異ならしているため、ずれ防止がより効果的に作用することになる。もう１つの作用として、本実施形態の光パワー減衰治具は、第１操作部１の押当部４と第２操作部２の受当部５の間に光ファイバＡを挟み込んだ際、光ファイバＡに適切な曲げを与えるようになっている。すなわち、押当部４と受当部５の間に挟み込まれた光ファイバＡに過度な力が加わると、光ファイバＡを損傷させてしまったり、場合によっては切断させてしまうことになる。この点、本実施形態の光パワー減衰治具は、前記の問題を第２操作部２の後側壁２０ｂ（規制凸部６）と規制凸部７ａ，７ｂの高さ（内側方向への突出長さ）寸法を調整することによって解決している。すなわち、第１操作部１を第２操作部２に向けて押し下げた際、第２操作部２の挿入部２０の後側壁２０ｂ（規制凸部６）が第１操作部１の段差部１６に当接し、また、第２操作部２の規制凸部７ａ，７ｂが第１操作部１の内側面に当接するようになっている。換言すれば、後側壁２０ｂ（規制凸部６）と規制凸部７ａ，７ｂが、第１操作部１を第２操作部２に押し下げた際の最大押し下げ範囲を規制している。そこで、本実施形態の光パワー減衰治具は、後側壁２０ｂ（規制凸部６）と規制凸部７ａ，７ｂの高さ（内側方向への突出長さ）を光ファイバＡが押当部４と受当部５の間に挟み込まれた際に、若干のゆとりを持たせられる寸法に設定している。 The jig for attenuating optical power according to the present embodiment exhibits several excellent effects as described below in the course of use described above. One is that when the optical fiber A is sandwiched between the abutting portion 4 of the first operating portion 1 and the receiving portion 5 of the second operating portion 2, the first operating portion 1 and the second operating portion 2 move back and forth, If it moves left and right, the optical fiber A will be displaced between the pressing portion 4 and the receiving portion 5, and the optical power of the optical fiber A will not be properly attenuated. In this respect, the optical power attenuating jig of the present embodiment first pushes down the first operating section 1 toward the second operating section 2 to insert the pressing section 4 of the first operating section 1 into the second operating section 2 . When inserted between the portions 20, the thick portion 15 of the hanging piece portion 4a of the pressing portion 4 restricts the displacement in the front-rear direction. That is, the inner dimension between the front side wall 20a and the rear side wall 20b forming the insertion portion 20 of the second operation portion 2 is slightly wider than the thickness of the thick portion 15 of the hanging piece portion 4a of the pressing portion 4. It is nothing more than In other words, the inner dimension between the front side wall 20a and the rear side wall 20b is set to a minimum dimension that allows the thick portion 15 of the hanging piece portion 4a of the pressing portion 4 to be smoothly inserted. Therefore, once the hanging piece portion 4a of the pressing portion 4 enters the insertion portion 20, the thickness of the thick portion 15 of the pressing portion 4 suppresses displacement in the front-rear direction. In addition, as shown in FIG. 11, the jig for attenuating optical power according to the present embodiment has a first protrusion of the first operation part 1 when the first operation part 1 is pushed down toward the second operation part 2. The piece portion 17a fits into the first receiving recess portion 21a of the second operating portion 2, and the second protruding piece portion 17b of the first operating portion 1 fits into the second receiving recess portion 21b of the second operating portion 2. Therefore, this also suppresses the displacement in the front-rear direction. Furthermore, in the optical power attenuation jig of this embodiment, when the first operation portion 1 is pushed down toward the second operation portion 2, the rear wall 20b (regulation convex portion 6) of the insertion portion 20 of the second operation portion 2 is pushed down. contacts the stepped portion 16 of the first operating portion 1 , and the restricting protrusions 7 a and 7 b of the second operating portion 2 contact the inner surface of the first operating portion 1 . As a result, not only the front-rear direction but also the lateral shift is suppressed. In particular, the rear wall 20b (restricting protrusion 6) and the restricting protrusions 7a and 7b have different heights (extending lengths inward), and the restricting protrusions 7a and 7b are Since the positions are different in the front and rear, the prevention of displacement works more effectively. Another function of the optical power attenuation jig of this embodiment is that when the optical fiber A is sandwiched between the pressing portion 4 of the first operating portion 1 and the receiving portion 5 of the second operating portion 2, the light is Fiber A is provided with an appropriate bend. That is, if an excessive force is applied to the optical fiber A sandwiched between the pressing portion 4 and the receiving portion 5, the optical fiber A may be damaged or even cut. In this respect, the optical power attenuating jig of this embodiment solves the above-mentioned problem by increasing the height of the rear wall 20b (restricting convex portion 6) of the second operating portion 2 and the restricting convex portions 7a and 7b (protruding length in the inward direction). It is solved by adjusting the dimensions. That is, when the first operating portion 1 is pushed down toward the second operating portion 2 , the rear wall 20 b (regulating projection portion 6 ) of the insertion portion 20 of the second operating portion 2 touches the stepped portion 16 of the first operating portion 1 . In addition, the restricting projections 7a and 7b of the second operating portion 2 abut against the inner surface of the first operating portion 1. As shown in FIG. In other words, the rear wall 20b (restriction protrusion 6) and the restriction protrusions 7a and 7b restrict the maximum depression range when the first operation section 1 is pushed down to the second operation section 2. FIG. Therefore, in the optical power attenuating jig of this embodiment, the height of the rear wall 20b (restricting convex portion 6) and the restricting convex portions 7a and 7b (length of protrusion in the inward direction) is set by the pressing portion 4. and the receiving part 5, the dimension is set so that there is some leeway.

なお、上記実施形態の光パワー減衰治具は、金型を使用して合成樹脂により一体成形されている。そのため、安価に量産することが可能である。もっとも、本発明の目的を達成し得るのであれば、材質を必ずしも合成樹脂にする必要はなく、他の材質を選択することも可能である。また、上記実施形態では、第１操作部及び第２操作部が連結部と一体的に接続されている例を示したが、これに限られず、間接的、例えば、第１操作部１、第２操作部、連結部をそれぞれ別々に形成し、これらを後から連結させるようにすることも可能である。もっとも、一体成形した方が前述の通り、量産性のメリットを享受できるという点で優れている。 The optical power attenuation jig of the above embodiment is integrally formed of synthetic resin using a mold. Therefore, it can be mass-produced at low cost. However, as long as the object of the present invention can be achieved, the material does not necessarily have to be a synthetic resin, and other materials can be selected. Further, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which the first operation section and the second operation section are integrally connected to the connecting section is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. It is also possible to separately form the two operating parts and the connecting part and connect them later. However, integral molding is superior in terms of being able to enjoy the merits of mass production as described above.

１第１操作部
２第２操作部
３連結部
４押当部
４ｂ凹部
５受当部
６規制凸部（後側壁２０ｂ）
７規制凸部
Ａ光ファイバ 1 First operation part 2 Second operation part 3 Connecting part 4 Pressing part 4b Recessed part 5 Receiving part 6 Regulating convex part (rear wall 20b)
7 Regulation convex part A Optical fiber

Claims

a first operating section and a second operating section that are spaced apart from each other;
a connecting portion that directly or indirectly connects the first operating portion and the second operating portion on the rear end side thereof;
a pressing portion that protrudes inward from the tip portion of the first operating portion and has an arcuate concave portion that is recessed outward in the center portion in the width direction thereof;
an arc-shaped receiving portion protruding inward from a position facing the concave portion of the pressing portion, which is the tip portion of the second operating portion;
In a normal state in which the first operating section and the second operating section are separated, an optical fiber is arranged between the pressing section and the receiving section, and then the first operating section and the second operating section. A jig for attenuating the optical power of an optical fiber, which bends the optical fiber and attenuates the optical power of a part of the optical fiber by bringing the two closer to each other.

A regulating convex portion protruding inward is provided on the inner surface of either the first operating portion or the second operating portion, and when the first operating portion and the second operating portion are brought closer, the approach distance is reduced. 2. A jig for attenuating optical power for an optical fiber according to claim 1, wherein said jig can be regulated at a predetermined position.