JP2558958Y2 - Longitudinal cutter for removing coating in the middle of optical fiber - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vertical cutting device for removing a coating on an intermediate portion of an optical fiber. More specifically, the present invention relates to a vertical cutter used to remove the coating in the middle of a single-core optical fiber and expose a bare fiber.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A single-core optical fiber has, for example, a configuration shown in FIG. In FIG. 1, the optical fiber 1 is
It comprises a bare fiber 2 and a covering layer 3 covering the same, and the covering layer 3 is composed of a primary covering layer 4 directly covering the bare fiber 2 and a buffer layer 5 (for example, a covering layer 5). And a secondary coating layer (for example, a nylon layer) covering the buffer layer 5. In the present specification, the primary coating layer and the buffer layer are collectively referred to as a primary coating layer 4a.

[0003] When the bare optical fiber at the desired intermediate portion of the optical fiber having the above configuration is heated to an appropriate temperature to expand the core, or a plurality of bare optical fibers are bundled and melted and stretched. When producing a directional coupler or various couplers, it is necessary to remove the coating of the intermediate portion of the optical fiber and expose the bare optical fiber.

FIG. 2 shows a state in which the coating layer 3 in the middle portion of the optical fiber 1 is removed as described above, and the bare optical fiber 2 is exposed.

[0005] In order to remove the coating of the intermediate portion of the optical fiber as described above, for example, a conventional method shown in FIG.
And (B), at both ends of the coating layer 3 of the intermediate portion 1a from which the coating of the optical fiber 1 is to be removed, in a direction substantially orthogonal to the direction of the optical axis A of the optical fiber 1, An annular transverse cut 7, 8 is formed, and two vertical cuts 9, 10 are formed between the annular cuts 7, 8 in a direction parallel to the direction of the optical axis A of the optical fiber 1. Have been done.

After the horizontal annular cut and the vertical cut are made in the middle portion of the optical fiber as described above, the cut portion of the coating layer is removed from the bare fiber to obtain the exposed portion of the bare fiber shown in the figure. Also, the horizontal and vertical cuts are made only in the secondary coating layer, and the primary coating layer 4a remaining after the removal is removed by a chemical treatment to remove the bare optical fiber exposed portion without any mechanical damage. Obtainable. This method is used for manufacturing optical components that require high reliability.

[0007] However, the conventional vertical cutter used for removing the coating of the middle portion of the optical fiber uses a straight blade or an acute-angled blade, and any of these devices requires precise control of the cutting depth. Is difficult and therefore
It was difficult to work with high reliability.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In the present invention, a coating layer at an intermediate portion of an optical fiber is formed without damaging a bare optical fiber.
An object of the present invention is to provide a vertical cutting device for removing a coating at an intermediate portion of an optical fiber, which cuts accurately in a vertical direction parallel to the optical axis of the optical fiber.

[0009]

Means for Solving the Problems The present inventors have diligently studied to solve the above-mentioned problems, and as a result, in the middle part of the optical fiber, the coating layers on both sides of the bare optical fiber are parallel to the optical axis. By using a blade member having a pair of blades capable of being cut in a vertical direction and a guide member for guiding the blade member in a desired direction, the above-described problem was successfully solved.

[0010] The vertical cutting device of the present invention for removing the coating at the intermediate portion of the optical fiber is characterized in that, at the intermediate portion of the optical fiber composed of the bare optical fiber and the coating layer covering the same, the coating layer is removed. A device for cutting in a vertical direction parallel to an optical axis, wherein one device is arranged parallel to each other and at a desired interval.
A blade body member having a pair of blade bodies and a blade body holder for holding the blade body, and the optical fiber is held linearly, and the movement of the blade body member is held linearly. A blade member having a guide member for guiding in a direction substantially perpendicular to the optical axis direction of the optical fiber and in a direction parallel to the optical axis, wherein each blade body is directed to a coating layer of the optical fiber; And the blade portion is on a plane parallel to the optical axis of the optical fiber, but not intersecting with the bare optical fiber.

[0011]

Operation and Examples In this specification, the longitudinal direction is defined as
The direction parallel to the optical axis of the optical fiber whose cutting layer is to be cut is referred to, and the lateral direction is a direction substantially perpendicular to the optical axis direction of the optical fiber.

FIG. 4A shows an embodiment of the vertical cutting device according to the present invention.
To (C). In FIG. 4A, the vertical cutting device 11 has a vertical cutting blade member 12 and a guide member 13. The guide member 13 is a housing, and accommodates a processed portion of the optical fiber 1 and accommodates the blade member 12 and has an accommodation chamber 14 for guiding the cutting motion thereof, and has both sides thereof. The wall 15 is formed with a guide hole 16 for passing the optical fiber 1 straight through the storage chamber 14. Front and back inner wall surfaces 1 of blade member housing chamber 14
Reference numerals 7 and 18 form guide surfaces for moving the blade member 12 in a horizontal direction B substantially perpendicular to the optical axis direction of the optical fiber 1 and a vertical direction C parallel to the optical axis.

In FIG. 4B, the blade member 12 has a pair of blades 19a and 19b, and a blade holder 20 for holding and fixing the blades. The blade bodies 19a and 19b are arranged parallel to each other and at a desired interval G. The blade bodies 19a and 19b have blade portions 21a and 21b that are directed to the coating layer of the optical fiber 1 to be cut as in the example shown in FIGS. 4B and 4C. This blade 21
a, 21b are parallel to the optical axis of the optical fiber 1, but
It is on a plane that does not intersect with the bare optical fiber 2. Therefore, the blade portions 21a and 21b do not damage the bare fiber 2.

As shown in FIGS. 1 (A), 1 (B) and 1 (C), the blade member 12 is moved in the direction of arrow B, that is, in the lateral direction substantially orthogonal to the optical axis direction of the optical fiber 1. , The blade portions 21a and 21b cut the coating layer portions on both sides of the bare optical fiber 2 of the optical fiber 1 in parallel to the optical axis,
As shown in FIG. 4B, cutting lines 22a and 22b are formed in the coating layer portions 3 on both sides of the bare optical fiber 2. Next, the blade member 12 pierced into the coating layer 3
Is moved in the direction of arrow C shown in FIG. 4C, the coating layer 3 of the optical fiber 1 can be cut on both sides of the bare optical fiber 2 in parallel with its optical axis. A handle 23 for facilitating the moving operation may be attached to the blade member 12.

FIG. 5 shows an example of a situation where the coating layer of the optical fiber is cut in the vertical direction using the vertical cutting device of the present invention. In FIG. 5, the blade body 19a (19b) is pushed down in the direction of arrow B, and the distal end portion thereof is
Penetrates the coating layer portion 3 of the blade, and then the blade body 19a (19b)
In the direction of arrow C by a desired distance,
Is cut by the blade 21a (21b). Then, the coating layer 3 of the optical fiber 1 is vertically cut only in a portion shown by oblique lines in FIG. At this time, the blade body 19a (19
Since b) is not directed to the bare optical fiber of the optical fiber 1, there is no risk of damaging it.

The vertical cutting device of the present invention can be used, for example, in an optical fiber intermediate portion coating removing device shown in FIG. The coating removing device 24 shown in FIG.
Above, in order from the right, a first optical fiber holder 26, a horizontal cutter 27, a second optical fiber holder 28, and a vertical cutter 2
9 and a third optical fiber holder 30, and the first to third optical fiber holders 26, 28, and 30 hold the optical fiber 1 in a linearly extended state.

FIG. 7 shows the structure of one example of the first to third optical fiber holders. The optical fiber holder 26 (28, 30) shown in FIG. 7 includes a base 31 and a lid 32. The base 31 has a linear shape for accommodating and holding an optical fiber (not shown). Optical fiber holding groove 33
Are formed. The lid 32 is connected to a hinge 34 on the base 31 and can pivot in the direction of arrow D. Further, the lid 32 is provided with a holding member 35 for holding and fixing the optical fiber in the holding groove. Further, magnets 35 are provided on the opposing surfaces of the base 31 and the lid 32, respectively.
a, 35b are attached. Lid 3 on base 31
When the two are superimposed, the magnets 35a and 35b are joined to each other to fix them, and the optical fiber in the holding groove 33 is pressed by the holding tool 35 and fixed immovably.

FIGS. 8A to 8C show an example of the transverse cutter and the cutting state of the optical fiber coating layer by the transverse cutter. A horizontal cutter is a device that cuts a coating layer of an optical fiber in an annular shape in a direction substantially perpendicular to the optical axis. In FIG. 8A, a horizontal cutting device 36 includes a rotating cylindrical body 37, and a pair of rotating cylindrical body holders that hold the rotating cylindrical body 37 at both ends so as to be rotatable around its central axis. 38, and a horizontal cutting blade member 39. The blade body 39 is accommodated in the rotating cylinder 37, and the blade body accommodating chamber 4 that guides the reciprocating movement of the arrow F thereof is provided.
0 is formed, and the optical fiber 1 is
Along the central axis of the blade member housing chamber.

The blade member 39 includes a pair of blades 41a and 41.
b and the blade holder 42 holding these blades
And the handle 4 attached to the blade holder 42
And 3. The blades 41a and 41b are formed with a pair of blades facing each other at a desired interval in the same plane. E is arranged to pass through the central axis of the optical fiber.

Before the cutting operation, the blade member 39 is at a position where at least the blade members 41 a and 41 b are separated from the optical fiber 1 disposed through the storage chamber 40. As shown in FIG. 8, when the blade member 39 is pushed down in the downward direction of the vertical arrow F, the coating layer of the optical fiber 1 is formed by the blade portions of the pair of blade bodies 41a and 41b. Cut at right angles to the direction.

That is, by the above operation, as shown in FIG. 8 (B), the coating layer 3 of the optical fiber 1 is cut transversely at right angles to the optical axis with a gap G between the blades. In the figure, the hatched portion remains as a non-cut portion.

Next, while the blade member is held at the above cutting position, the rotating cylinder 37 is moved 90 degrees around its central axis (ie, the optical axis of the optical fiber) in two directions indicated by arrows H, respectively. If rotated more than one degree, the coating layer 3 of the optical fiber 1
Is cut annularly, and the hatched portion in FIG. 8C is left as a non-cut portion around the bare optical fiber 2. Therefore, in the horizontal cutting operation, the horizontal cutting blade does not contact the bare optical fiber and damage it.

The following operation is performed to remove the coating on the intermediate portion of the optical fiber by using the coating removing apparatus having the arrangement shown in FIG. (1) In FIG. 6, the optical fiber holders 26, 28,
30 is opened, and the blade members of the horizontal cutter 27 and the vertical cutter 29 are separated from the optical fiber cutting position.

(2) The optical fiber 1 is stretched linearly and mounted on the optical fiber holders 26, 28, 30. Each holder is closed, and this is held and fixed. At this time, the optical fiber 1 is passed through the guide holes of the optical fiber passages of the horizontal cutter 27 and the vertical cutter 29, and the portion of the optical fiber 1 to be removed is located in the horizontal cutter 27.

(3) As shown in FIG. 8A, the blade body member 39 of the horizontal cutter is pushed down in the direction F as shown in FIG. FIG.
As shown in FIG. 8B, the optical fiber coating layer is cut as shown in FIG. 8C by rotating the rotating cylindrical body 37 containing the blade member. Cut into rings. The above-described transverse cutting operation is performed on both ends of the portion of the optical fiber to be removed. When the horizontal cutting is completed, the blade member is returned to the old position.

(4) Optical fiber holders 26, 28, 3
Then, the intermediate portion of the optical fiber 1 to be uncoated is moved into the vertical cutter, and at the desired position, all the holders are closed to hold the optical fiber 1 in a fixed position.

(5) The vertical cutting blade member 12 is pushed down in the direction B as shown in FIG. 4A, and the blade bodies 19a and 19b are moved as shown in FIG. Piercing the coating layer 3 of the optical fiber 1 (the portion cut transversely by the transverse cutting device), and then moving the blade member 12 in the direction C (to other portions transversely cut by the transverse cutting device); Coating layer 3
Is cut parallel to the optical axis as shown in FIG.
When the cutting is completed, the blade member is returned to the old position.

(6) Open the all-optical fiber holder, take out the optical fiber from which the intermediate coating has been cut, and gently remove the cut portion of the coating layer.

[0029]

The vertical cutting device according to the present invention is capable of cutting the optical fiber coating layer accurately using a pair of blades without damaging the bare optical fiber. By combining this with a suitable cross-cutting device, the coating on the middle part of the optical fiber can be safely and accurately removed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of an optical fiber.

FIG. 2 shows that the coating of the middle part of the optical fiber is removed;
Explanatory drawing which shows the situation in which a part of naked light fiber is exposed.

FIG. 3A is an explanatory front view showing a state in which a coating layer in an intermediate portion of an optical fiber is cut in a horizontal direction and a vertical direction by a conventional technique. FIG. 3B is an explanatory cross-sectional view of the optical fiber of FIG. 3A along line XX.

FIG. 4A is a perspective explanatory view showing a configuration of an example of a vertical cutter according to the present invention. FIG. 4B is an explanatory side view showing a configuration of a main part of an example of a blade member of the vertical cutter according to the present invention and a cutting state of the optical fiber coating layer (the optical fiber is a cross section). FIG. 4C is a partial front view illustrating an example of the blade body of the vertical cutter according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory front view showing an optical fiber cutting state by a blade of an example of the vertical cutting device of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an explanatory plan view showing an arrangement and configuration of an example of an optical fiber intermediate portion removing apparatus using the vertical cutting device according to the present invention;

FIG. 7 is an explanatory perspective view showing a configuration of an example of an optical fiber holder used in the apparatus shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8A is an explanatory side view showing a configuration of an example of a horizontal cutter used in the apparatus of FIG. 6; FIG.
Sectional explanatory drawing which shows the state of the optical fiber which was laterally cut by the horizontal cutting device of (A). FIG. 8C is an explanatory cross-sectional view showing a state of the optical fiber further cut in an annular shape by the horizontal cutting device of FIG. 8A.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Optical fiber 2 ... Bare optical fiber 3 ... Coating layer 4 ... Primary coating layer 4a ... Primary coating layer including a buffer layer 5 ... Buffer layer 6 ... Secondary coating layer 7, 8 ... Horizontal annular cut 9, 10 ... Vertical cut DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Vertical cutting device 12 ... Vertical cutting blade body member 13 ... Guide member 14 ... Housing chamber 15 ... Side wall 16 ... Optical fiber guide hole 17, 18 ... Blade body member guide inner wall surface 19a, 19b ... Blade body 20 ... Blade body holder 21a, 21b ... Blade 22a, 22b ... Cutting line 23 ... Handle 24 ... Optical fiber middle part coating removing device 25 ... Base 26 ... First optical fiber holder 27 ... Horizontal cutter 28 ... Second optical fiber holder 29 ... Vertical Cutting device 30 ... Third optical fiber holder 31 ... Base 32 ... Lid 33 ... Optical fiber holding groove 34 ... Hinge 35 ... Optical fiber presser 35a, 35b ... Magnet 36 ... Horizontal cutting device 37 ... Rotating cylindrical body 38 ... Rolling cylinder holder 39 ... Blade body member 40 ... Blade body member storage chamber 41a, 41b ... Blade body 42 ... Blade body holder 43 ... Handle A ... Optical axis B, C ... Moving direction D ... Revolving direction E ... Middle of the blade section Center line F: Moving direction G: Blade interval H: Rotating direction

Claims (1)

(57) [Scope of request for utility model registration] 1. An apparatus for cutting a coating layer in a longitudinal direction parallel to an optical axis thereof at an intermediate portion of the optical fiber having a bare optical fiber and a coating layer covering the naked optical fiber. A blade member having a pair of blade members arranged in parallel with each other and at a desired interval, and a blade holder for holding the blade member, and the optical fiber being held linearly, and A guide member for guiding movement of the blade member in a direction substantially perpendicular to the optical axis direction of the optical fiber held in a straight line and in a direction parallel to the optical axis; The body having a blade pointing toward the coating layer of the optical fiber, the blade being in a plane parallel to the optical axis of the optical fiber, but not intersecting the bare optical fiber; Characteristic is a vertical cutter for removing the coating in the middle of the optical fiber.