JP3171552B2 - Optical fiber connection device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical fiber connecting device for collectively and detachably connecting a plurality of optical fibers arranged in parallel on an optical fiber tape.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In the field of optical communication, an optical fiber tape having a plurality of optical fibers arranged in parallel is widely used. As shown in FIG. 10, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, a plurality of optical fiber tapes are accommodated in slots 50 of an optical cable 49 and arranged in a plurality, and each slot 50 is provided with a number for distinguishing each optical fiber tape. It is.

An optical fiber tape is pulled out from such an optical cable 49 as necessary, and this optical fiber tape is connected to an optical fiber tape of a connection partner. In this connection, connection errors are reliably prevented. In order to perform the operation, the operation of confirming that the optical fiber tape pulled out from the optical cable 49 is the optical fiber tape to be connected, that is, the optical fiber tape is inserted into the slot 50 according to the number attached to the slot 50 of the optical cable 49 A core-contrast operation is required to confirm whether or not it has been accommodated.

[0004] This cord contrast operation is performed as follows. First, as shown in FIG. 9A, a first optical fiber tape 41 connected to a light source 46 is prepared. Then, an optical power meter 45 is connected to the output side 47 of the second optical fiber tape 42 pulled out from the optical cable 49, and the first optical fiber tape 41 is connected to the incident side 40 of the second optical fiber tape 42. I do. When connecting the optical fiber tapes 41 and 42, first, as shown in FIG.
A first holder 5 and a second holder 6 as first and second tape fasteners are provided on the respective connection end surfaces of the first and second connection ends.
As shown in FIG. 8, the first and second optical fiber tapes 4
The first and second optical fibers 43 and 44 are exposed by removing the coating on the connection end surfaces of the first and second optical fibers by a predetermined length, for example, 10 mm. Then, in this state, as shown in FIG. 9B, the connection end faces of the first and second optical fiber tapes 41 and 42 are opposed to each other and set in the optical fiber fusion device 48, and the optical fiber fusion device 48 is set. Dressing device 48
Thus, the first and second optical fibers 43 and 44 are fusion-spliced.

Thereafter, the light from the light source 46 is passed through the first optical fiber tape 41 to the second optical fiber tape 4.
2 and the optical power meter 45 performs optical reception. If the second optical fiber tape 42 is accommodated according to the number attached to the slot 50, the optical power meter 45
When the second optical fiber tape 42 is not accommodated according to the number of the slot 50, optical reception is not performed by the optical power meter 45, so that such operation is performed. , The core wire contrast operation can be reliably performed. After the completion of the optical fiber contrast operation, the fusion spliced portion between the first optical fiber tape 41 and the second optical fiber tape 42 is cut, and the second optical fiber tape 42 is cut.
The optical fiber tape 42 is to be fusion-spliced to the optical fiber tape of the connection partner by the same method as described above.

[0006]

By the way, in connecting the optical fiber tapes, the operation of checking the cords is indispensable and is very important operation. If the connection between the optical fiber tape 41 and the second optical fiber tape 42 is performed using an expensive optical fiber fusion device 48, there is a problem that a high cost is required. When the first and second optical fiber tapes 41 and 42 are connected to each other by using the optical fiber fusion device 48 to perform a core wire contrast operation, the first optical fiber fusion spliced after completion of the core wire contrast operation. Since one end of the fiber tape 41 and the second optical fiber tape 42 must be cut at the connection portion, the second optical fiber tape 42 must be connected to another optical fiber tape of another connection partner. There was also a problem that the operation was very troublesome.

Therefore, the first optical fiber 43 and the second optical fiber 44 are connected without using the optical fiber fusion device 48.
Although connection using a method other than fusion splicing may be considered, generally, the first and second optical fiber tapes 41 and 42 are used.
The lengths of the first and second optical fibers 43 and 44 from which the coating has been removed are not uniform, and if the first optical fiber tape 41 and the second optical fiber tape 42 are simply opposed to each other, a plurality of The first optical fiber 43 and the plurality of second optical fibers 44 cannot be connected collectively and accurately.
That is, long optical fiber pairs (the sum of the lengths of the first optical fiber 43 and the second optical fiber 44) having a long length are in contact with each other. In addition, a gap is generated between the connection end face of the first optical fiber 43 and the connection end face of the second optical fiber 44, and this gap causes a large connection loss. Therefore, conventionally, the optical fiber fusion device 48
In addition, there has not been proposed an optical fiber connecting device capable of reliably connecting the plurality of first and second optical fibers 43 and 44 of the first and second optical fiber tapes 41 and 42 together, as described above. There has been no choice but to perform a core wire contrast operation using the fusion device 48.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide, for example, a plurality of parallelly arranged first optical fiber tapes at the time of performing the above-mentioned optical fiber contrast operation or the like. Connection and disconnection operations between the first optical fiber and the plurality of second optical fibers arranged side by side on the second optical fiber tape can be performed easily, reliably, and collectively and efficiently. An object of the present invention is to provide an optical fiber connection device which has a low cost.

[0009]

Means for Solving the Problems To achieve the above object, the present invention provides means for solving the problems by the following constitution. That is, the present invention has a V-groove arrangement tool in which a plurality of V-shaped grooves are arranged in parallel,
A first optical fiber tape formed by arranging a plurality of first optical fibers in parallel on one side of the V-groove arranging tool so that the V-shaped groove is sandwiched in the longitudinal direction. A first stage for fixing the second optical fiber tape is provided with a plurality of second optical fibers connected in parallel to the first optical fiber on the other side. A second stage for fixing toward the V-shaped groove side is provided, and the first stage positions a first optical fiber in the V-shaped groove parallel direction with respect to the V-shaped groove. A first side-by-side positioning means is provided;
The second stage is provided with a second parallel direction positioning means for positioning the second optical fiber in the V-shaped groove parallel direction with respect to the V-shaped groove, and the optical fiber fixing surface of the first stage and the second parallel direction positioning means are provided. At least one side of the optical fiber fixing surface of the stage is aligned with the V-shaped groove in a direction in which the connection end face side of the optical fiber fixed to the optical fiber fixing surface is inserted into the V-shaped groove from an obliquely upper side of the V-shaped groove. The first stage and the second stage are moved at least one side in the longitudinal direction of the V-shaped groove to form a plurality of first and second optical fiber tapes whose coating is removed. connection end face of the first optical fiber and has also been longitudinally stage moving means for respectively the connection end faces of the plurality covered removal of the optical fiber ribbon a second optical fiber abutting on each V-shaped groove is provided, Were first to be inserted into the V-shaped groove
At least one of the optical fiber and the second optical fiber is V
Fiber holding means for holding from above the U-shaped groove is provided.
And the fiber pressing means is provided with the V-groove arrangement tool.
Between the optical fiber holding position and the optical fiber holding position
Presser moving mechanism to move to the evacuation position
It is characterized by being provided .

[0010] At least one of the first stage and the second stage is provided with a tilt angle changing mechanism for changing the tilt angle of the optical fiber fixing surface with respect to the V-shaped groove side-by-side surface of the V-groove arrangement tool. The present invention is also characterized in that a fiber pressing means for pressing at least one of the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber inserted into the V-shaped groove from above the V-shaped groove is provided. Configuration.

Further , the longitudinal stage moving means has an urging means for urging the moving stage moved by the moving means to the V-groove arranging tool, so that the pressing means moving mechanism moves in the retreat position direction. The present invention is also characterized in that an interlocking mechanism is provided to move the moving stage backward in a direction away from the V-groove arranging tool in opposition to the urging force of the urging means.

Further, a first tape fixing device for fixing the first optical fiber tape to the first stage is detachably provided on the first stage, and the second optical fiber tape is fixed to the second stage. The second tape fixing device to be fixed is the second tape fixing device.
The present invention is also characterized in that the stage is detachably provided on the stage.

[0013] In the present invention having the above-described structure, the first and second optical fibers are connected to each other by the first and second parallel-direction positioning means provided on the first and second stages, respectively.
It is positioned in the V-shaped groove parallel direction to the V-shaped groove of the groove arrangement tool. At least one of the optical fiber fixing surface of the first stage and the optical fiber fixing surface of the second stage is an inclined surface inclined with respect to the V-shaped groove side-by-side surface. Since the connection end face side of the optical fiber fixed to the fixed surface is inclined from the obliquely upper side of the V-shaped groove in the direction to be inserted into the V-shaped groove, the optical fiber fixed to the stage having this inclined surface is V It becomes very easy to insert into the V-shaped groove, and it is securely inserted into the V-shaped groove.

At least one of the first stage and the second stage is moved in the longitudinal direction of the V-shaped groove by the longitudinal stage moving means, and the plurality of first and second optical fiber tape coatings are removed. The connection end faces of the two optical fibers are brought into contact with each other on each V-shaped groove.

In general, the length of a plurality of optical fibers from which the coating of the optical fiber tape has been removed is not uniform, and the first optical fiber tape and the second optical fiber tape are both disposed horizontally and their connection end faces are connected to each other. , And at least one side of the first and second optical fiber tapes is moved in the longitudinal direction, and the connection end face of the first optical fiber whose coating has been removed from the first optical fiber tape and the second optical fiber When the connection end face of the second optical fiber from which the coating of the tape has been removed is brought into contact, only the long optical fiber pair facing the second optical fiber pair comes into contact, and there is a gap between the connection end faces of the other optical fiber pairs. Will occur.

In order to eliminate this gap, at least one of the first and second optical fiber tapes is moved in the longitudinal direction to bring the optical fiber tapes closer to each other.
Although the problem that the optical fiber of the optical fiber pair that abuts first is forcibly bent and buckled occurs, as in the present invention, at least one side of the optical fiber fixing surface of the first and second stages has an inclined surface. When the first and second optical fibers are in contact with each other, at least one side (moving stage) of the first and second stages is further moved in the longitudinal direction, and the first and second optical fibers are moved. When the optical fiber tapes are brought close to each other, the optical fiber fixed to the optical fiber fixing surface of the inclined surface gently bends between the V-shaped groove and the optical fiber fixing surface. There is no buckling.

The first and second optical fiber tapes are moved closer to each other by the movement of the moving stage in the longitudinal direction, so that the optical fibers of the pair of optical fibers having a shorter length come into contact with each other. The plurality of first optical fibers of the optical fiber tape and the plurality of second optical fibers of the second optical fiber tape are respectively connected collectively on each V-shaped groove.

As described above, in the present invention, even if the lengths of the plurality of first and second optical fibers from which the coating of the optical fiber tape is removed are not uniform, the fusion splicing of the optical fibers is used. In addition, the connection between the first and second optical fibers can be easily and reliably performed collectively. And this connection is different from fusion splicing.
If at least one side of the second stage is moved in the longitudinal direction of the V-shaped groove to move the first stage and the second stage away from each other, the connection between the first and second optical fibers can be easily released. It is not necessary to cut the connected optical fibers as in the case of fusion splicing, and the connection and disconnection of the first and second optical fibers are easily and reliably performed.
It is possible to perform the operations collectively and efficiently, and the above problem is solved.

[0019]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the description of the present embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same parts as those in the conventional example, and the overlapping description will be omitted. FIG. 1 shows a main configuration of an optical fiber connection device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 (a) is a plan view thereof, and FIG. 1 (b) is a plan view thereof. Shows a front view thereof (a view as seen from the P direction in FIG. 7A). FIG. 2 shows a rear view of the optical fiber connection device in a state in which components on the near side with respect to line S in FIG. 1A are omitted, and FIG. 4) shows a Q sectional view, and FIG. 4 shows a side view seen from the R direction in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, a cutout 39 is formed at one of the four corners of the base 1, and the cutout 39 is avoided at the lower side of the base 1. The rubber feet 2 for preventing slippage are provided at the positions and at three corners where the notches 39 are not formed. 2 to 4, the rubber feet 2 are omitted.

On the upper side of the base 1, a V-groove block 13 as a V-groove arranging tool is provided on the near side of the center thereof. The V-groove block 13 has a plurality of (eight) V-shaped grooves. Are arranged in parallel. A plurality (four) of first optical fibers 43 (not shown in FIGS. 1 to 4) are juxtaposed on one side of the V-groove block 13 so as to sandwich the V-groove 14 of the V-groove block 13. There is provided a first stage 3 for fixing the first optical fiber tape 41 (not shown in FIGS. 1 to 4) having the connection end face side to the V groove 14 side. , A second optical fiber 4 connected to the first optical fiber 43 on the other side of the V-groove block 13.
4 (not shown in FIGS. 1 to 4), a plurality (four) of second optical fiber tapes 42 (not shown in FIGS. 1 to 4) are arranged side by side. A second stage 4 for fixing toward the V groove 14 is provided.

Each of the first and second stages 3 and 4 is made of a metal such as iron, for example, and is shown in FIG.
As shown in the figure, the first stage 3 has an L-shape. In addition, as shown in FIG. 1B and FIG. 4, a step 28 is formed on each of the first and second stages 3 and 4. As shown in FIG. 4, a second stage 4 has a second optical fiber tape 42 fixed thereto.
The holder 6 is provided so as to be detachable by making the step portion 28 of the second stage 4 abut on the inner wall of the concave portion 33. The first optical fiber tape 41 is attached to the first stage 3. The first holder 5 (not shown) for fixing the
Similarly to the fitting of the second holder 6 to the second stage 4, the second holder 6 is detachably provided on the first stage 3.

In this embodiment, the first and second holders 5
A magnet is provided on the bottom surface 36 of each of the recesses 33 of No. 6,
The magnet and the upper surfaces 34 and 35 of the first and second metal stages 3 and 4 are attracted and stably fixed by a magnetic force, and the first and second surfaces are manually and manually opposed to the magnetic force. 2 Holders 5 and 6 into first and second stages 3
4 so that it can be easily removed. Also,
In the present embodiment, the step 28 formed on the first stage 3 constitutes a first parallel direction positioning means for positioning the first optical fiber 43 with respect to the V groove 14 in the V groove parallel direction. And the step 28 formed on the second stage 4
Constitutes a second parallel direction positioning means for positioning the second optical fiber 44 with respect to the V groove 14 in the V groove parallel direction.

The upper surface 34 of the first stage 3 and the upper surface 35 of the second stage 4 form optical fiber fixing surfaces for fixing the first and second optical fiber tapes 41 and 42, respectively. As shown in FIG. 1B, the upper surface 35 of the second stage 4 is an inclined surface that is inclined with respect to the juxtaposed surface 37 of the V grooves 14 of the V groove block 13. The inclination direction of the upper surface 35 with respect to the V groove side-to-side surface 37 is such that the connection end surface side of the second optical fiber 44 protruding from the distal end side of the fixed second optical fiber tape 42 is obliquely upward of the V groove 14. Is inclined in the direction to be inserted into the V-groove 14 from
This inclination angle is fixed to, for example, 5 °.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first stage 3
The rear end of the set screw 20 is rotatable in the direction of arrow A in the figure around a set screw 20 inserted at the end of the arm 8. The side is inserted and fixed to a fixing block 38 fixed to the base 1. The first stage 3 is rotatable in the direction of arrow A in conjunction with the rotation of the arm 8, and this rotation causes the upper surface 34 of the first stage 3 to move in the V-groove of the V-groove block 13. The inclined surface is inclined with respect to the juxtaposed surface 37, and the inclination angle is variable. The inclination direction is such that the connection end face side of the first optical fiber 43 protruding from the first optical fiber tape 41 fixed to the first stage 3 is V It is inclined in the direction to be inserted into the groove 14, and the variable range of the inclination angle is, for example, 0 to 40 °.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the micrometer head 9 fixed to the L-shaped micrometer head fixture 18 is operated to move the tip 26 of the micrometer head 9. The angle of the arm 8 with respect to the base 1 is adjusted by adjusting the length of the protrusion toward the arm 8 in the range of K to L in the drawing, whereby the V grooves on the upper surface 34 of the first stage 3 are arranged side by side. The inclination angle with respect to the surface 37 can be adjusted. Also, arm 8
A slit 19 is formed in the arm 8, and the arm 8 can be fixed by the frictional force at the adjusted angular position by adjusting the tightening degree of the set screw 20. As described above, in this embodiment, the upper surface 3 of the first stage 3 is provided with the micrometer head 9 and the arm 8.
A variable tilt angle mechanism for changing the tilt angle with respect to the V groove side-to-side surface 37 is formed.

As shown in FIG. 1, the fixed block 38
A fiber pressing part rotating shaft 29 is inserted and fixed to one end side of the fiber pressing part rotating shaft 29, as shown in FIG.
A fiber pressing pressure compression spring 21 is provided on the outer peripheral side of the fiber. The fiber pressing pressure compression spring 21 is formed of, for example, a coil spring. One end of the compression spring 21 is locked to the fiber pressing section rotating shaft 29, and the other end is a fixed block 38.
It is locked to. A top holder 23 is provided on the upper side of the fiber holding section rotating shaft 29, and a fiber holding rotary knob 16 is provided on the upper side of the top holder 23. The top holder 23 is moved up and down by moving the fiber holding rotary knob 16 up and down in the range from G to H in FIG. 1B, and by rotating the fiber holding rotary knob 16 to rotate the fiber holding unit rotating shaft 29. Is rotatable in the direction of arrow B in FIG.
The top holder 23 rotates between the position B and the position B 'in FIG.

At the tip end of the top holder 23, a holding top 15 supported by a top support shaft 30 is provided. The holding top 15 extends in the longitudinal direction of the V groove 14 and the V groove around the top of the top support shaft 30. 14 can be tilted in the parallel direction. The holding piece 15 functions as fiber holding means for holding at least one of the first optical fiber 43 and the second optical fiber 44 inserted into the V-groove 14 from above the V-groove 14, and is a top holder. When the position 23 is at the position indicated by B, the holding top 15 is
When the top holder 3 is turned from the position B to the position B 'in FIG. 3 by the rotation of the top holder 23 accompanying the operation of the fiber holding rotary knob 16 at the upper side of the optical fiber 3, It is designed to be moved to a retreat position which is kept away from the position.

In this embodiment, the frame holder 23
A swing bar 17 is provided at the center of the base 1 so as to protrude downward. The swing bar 17 is inserted into swing bar insertion holes 32a and 32b provided in the base 1. The swing rod insertion holes 32a and 32b are spaced apart from the fixed block 38 by a distance between the front side and the side.
When the swing bar 17 is inserted into the swing bar insertion hole 32a on the front side of the fixed block 38, the top holder 23 is at the position B in the drawing, and the holding top 15 is in the optical fiber holding position. It is in. Then, the fiber holding rotary knob 16 is moved from the position G in FIG.
And lift the swing bar 17 into the swing bar insertion hole 3
2A, the top holder 23 becomes freely rotatable in the direction of the arrow B about the fiber holding portion rotating shaft 29. When the swing rod 17 is inserted into the swing rod insertion hole 32b on the side surface of the fixed block 38, the top holder 23 becomes The fixing piece 15 is fixed at the position B 'in the drawing, and the holding piece 15 is also fixed at the retracted position.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the holding member 15 has the fiber holding rotary knob 16, the top holder 23, the fiber holding portion rotating shaft 29, and the swing rod 17.
Is moved to the optical fiber holding position and the retracted position away from the optical fiber holding position.

As shown in FIG. 4, a slide guide 24 extends below the second stage 4 in the longitudinal direction of the V-shaped groove 14. 24, it is slidable in the forward and backward directions.

The second stage 4 is moved in the longitudinal direction of the V-groove 14 so that the second optical fiber 44 is covered with a plurality of second optical fibers 44. There is provided a longitudinal stage moving means for bringing the connection end face into contact with the connection end faces of the plurality of first optical fibers 43 from which the coating of the first optical fiber tape 41 has been removed by the respective V-grooves 14, The stage 4 is a moving stage that is moved by the longitudinal stage moving means. In this embodiment, the longitudinal stage moving means includes the slide guide 24 and the roller 25, the butt pressure adjusting screw 11, the nut 22, the butt tension spring 12, the slide lever 10, It has a lever rotation shaft 31, a movable lever 52, and an L-shaped bracket 51.

The butting tension spring 12 is formed by a coil spring, one end of which is locked by a nut 22, and the other end of which is fixed to a fixed block 38.
The butting tension spring 12 functions as a biasing unit that biases the second stage 4 toward the V-groove block 13, and adjusts the position of the nut 22 in the reciprocating direction by the butting pressure adjusting screw 11. Thus, the urging force of the second stage 4 toward the V-groove block 13 by the butting tension spring 12 is adjusted. That is, when the nut 22 is brought closer to the fixed block 38 side, the butting tension spring 1
2 is weakened, and conversely, when the nut 22 is moved away from the fixed block 38, the biasing force of the butting tension spring 12 is increased.

The slide lever 10 is rotatable about the lever rotation shaft 31 in the direction of arrow C in FIG. 1A. With the rotation of the slide lever 10, the movable lever 52 is moved. Is turned in the direction of arrow D. Then, when the slide lever 10 is turned from the position C to the position C 'in the same figure, the movable lever 52 is turned with this turning, and comes into contact with the L-shaped fitting 51 so as to contact the L-shaped fitting 5.
1 is moved in the direction of arrow E. And thereby the second
The stage 4 is moved backward in the direction away from the V-groove block 13 against the urging force of the butting tension spring 12. Thus, in the present embodiment, the swing lever 10, the lever rotation shaft 31,
A stage retreat operating means having a movable lever 52 and an L-shaped fitting 51 for retreating the second stage 4 in a direction away from the V-groove block 13 against the urging force of the butting tension spring 12 is constituted. Have been.

The present embodiment is configured as described above. Next, the operation thereof will be described. First, in the present embodiment, the first and second optical fiber fusion devices 48 are attached to the conventional optical fiber fusion device 48.
As shown in FIG. 8, the first and second optical fiber tapes 41 and 42 are fixed to the first and second holders 5 and 6 in the same manner as when the optical fiber tapes 41 and 42 are set. The coating on the connection end face side is removed to expose the first and second optical fibers 43 and 44. The length of the first and second optical fibers 43 and 44 protruding from the distal ends of the first and second holders 5 and 6 is, for example, about 10 mm, and protrudes from the first and second holders 5 and 6. The length of the portion having the coating of the first and second optical fiber tapes 42 and 43 is about 3 m.
m.

Then, the first holder 5 is moved to the first stage 3
And the second holder 6 is inserted along the step 28 of the second stage 4. Then, the bottom surfaces 36 of the first and second holders 5 and 6 are in contact with the upper surfaces 34 and 35 of the first and second stages 3 and 4, and the first holder 5 is attached to the first stage 3 by the second holder 6 is the second stage 4
The first optical fiber 43 of the first optical fiber tape 41 and the second optical fiber 44 of the second optical fiber tape 42 are respectively fixed by magnetic force.
It is positioned with respect to the V groove 14 in the V groove parallel direction. Note that, as in the present embodiment, the V-groove 1 is
8 are formed, and the first and second optical fibers 4
In the case where there are four optical fibers 3 and 44, respectively, the first and second optical fibers 43 and 44 are usually inserted one by one into the four V-grooves 14 arranged side by side at the center. Faced.

At this time, the swing lever 10 is fixed at the position C 'in the figure, the second stage 4 is fixed at a position away from the V-groove block 13, and the top holder 23 is at the position B in the figure. ′, And presser top 15
Is fixed to the retracted position from the optical fiber holding position.

Next, when the arm 8 is operated to rotate the first stage 3 in the direction of arrow A in FIG.
Of the V-groove block 13 is inclined with respect to the V-groove juxtaposed surface 37 of the V-groove block 13, and as shown in FIG.
The first optical fiber 43 is inserted into the V-groove 14 from an obliquely upper side of the V-groove 14, and is inserted into the V-groove 14 while being pressed against the bottom surface of the V-groove 14. On the other hand, since the upper surface 35 of the second stage 4 has an inclination with respect to the V groove side-to-side surface 37 of the V groove block 13 in advance, the second optical fiber 44 is obliquely above the V groove 14 from above. It is inserted and fitted into the V-groove 14.

In this state, the fiber holding rotary knob 16
Is operated, the top holder 23 is moved to the position shown in FIG.
When the swing rod 17 is rotated from the position B 'to the position B, the swing rod 17 is inserted into the swing rod insertion hole 32a, and the top holder 23 is urged by the fiber pressing pressure compression spring 21 to move downward, and The connection end face of the first optical fiber 43 and the connection end face of the second optical fiber 44 are simultaneously pressed from above the V groove 14 by the use piece 15.

Since the holding piece 15 can be tilted about the piece supporting shaft 30 in the longitudinal direction of the V-groove 14 and the arrangement direction of the V-groove 14, the first and second optical fibers 43 are provided. , 44 are pressed against the V-groove 14 side, even if the first and second optical fibers 43, 44 are inserted into the V-groove 14 with some variation. 43, 44 are pressed securely and without any damage to the connection end face side.

Next, when the swing lever 10 is rotated and moved in the direction from the position C 'in FIG. 1A to the position C, the second stage 4 is brought into contact with the tension spring 1 for butt.
With the biasing force of 2, it is brought closer to the V groove block 13 side,
As shown in FIG. 5B, the connection end face of the first optical fiber 43 and the connection end face of the second optical fiber 44 are V-grooves 14.
Abut on.

The first and second optical fibers 43 and 44
In general, the protruding lengths from the first and second optical fiber tapes 41 and 42 have variations, so that the length of the pair of optical fibers facing each other on each V-groove 14 is longer than the length of the pair of optical fibers. Then, the connection end face of the first optical fiber 43 and the connection end face of the second optical fiber 44 abut. In this state, when the second stage 4 is further brought closer to the V-groove block 13 side, the contact is made first. The contacted first and second optical fibers 43,
Of the 44, for example, as indicated by a chain line in FIG.
The first optical fiber 43 is gently bent between the upper surface 34 of the first holder 5 and the V-groove block 13, and this bending absorbs a longer length than the other optical fiber pair, and The connection end faces of the first and second optical fibers 43 of the short optical fiber pair also contact each other.

As a result, the four first optical fibers 43 of the first optical fiber tape 41 and the four second optical fibers 44 of the second optical fiber tape 42 are connected together. The end faces are brought into contact with each other, and the first
The optical connection between the optical fiber 43 and the second optical fiber 44 is performed.

When releasing the optical connection between the first optical fiber 43 and the second optical fiber 44, the top holder 23 is moved from the position B in FIG. ′, And in this state, the slide lever 10 is operated to move the second stage 4 in the retreating direction away from the V-groove block 13 so that the connection end face of the second optical fiber 44 becomes the first end. The optical connection between the first optical fiber 43 and the second optical fiber 44 is released apart from the connection end face of the optical fiber 43.

According to the present embodiment, by the above operation,
The first and second optical fiber tapes 41 and 42 are first and second
And the connecting end faces of the first and second optical fibers 43 and 44 are pressed by the pressing piece 15, and the second stage 4 is slid toward the V-groove block 13 and brought close thereto. Thus, even if the first and second
Even if the protrusion lengths of the optical fibers 43 and 44 vary, the optical connection between the first optical fiber 43 and the second optical fiber 44 can be easily and efficiently performed.

Further, according to the present embodiment, when the optical connection between the first optical fiber 43 and the second optical fiber 44 is released, the second stage 4 is retracted in a direction away from the V-groove block 13. Since the first optical fiber 43 and the second optical fiber 44 are easily fusion-spliced, there is no need to cut the fusion spliced portion as in the case where the first optical fiber 43 and the second optical fiber 44 are fusion-spliced. The optical connection can be easily released.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the arm 8
By rotating the first optical fiber 43 when the first optical fiber 43 is inserted into the V-groove 14, the inclination angle of the upper surface 34 of the first stage 3 with respect to the V-groove juxtaposed surface 37 can be changed by the rotation of The pressing force for inserting the first optical fiber 43 into the V-groove 14 can be changed from an obliquely upper side of the V-groove 14, and the insertion of the first optical fiber 43 into the V-groove 14 can be further facilitated. Also, when the inclination angle can be changed,
When at least one side of the first and second stages is moved in the longitudinal direction of the V-shaped groove, the optical fiber fixing surface of the optical fiber of the long optical fiber pair abutted first, the V-shaped groove, Between the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber can be more easily and reliably connected.

Further, according to this embodiment, since the holding piece 15 for holding the first and second optical fibers 43 and 44 from above the V groove 14 is provided, the first and second optical fibers 43 and 44 are provided. , 44 can be more securely pressed into V-groove 14 and inserted. Further, since the holding piece 15 is provided so as to be movable between an optical fiber holding position above the V-groove 14 and an evacuation position away from the optical fiber holding position by operating the fiber holding rotary knob 16, it is necessary. Accordingly, the first and second optical fibers 43 and 44 can be pressed at appropriate timing.

Further, the holding top 15 is provided with a top support shaft 30.
Can be tilted in both the longitudinal direction and the arrangement direction of the V-grooves 14 around the center, even if the insertion of the first and second optical fibers 43 and 44 into the V-groove 14 varies. The first and second optical fibers 43 and 44 can be reliably pressed by the holding piece 15, and the connection end faces of the first and second optical fibers 43 and 44 are not damaged by the holding piece 15 at all. Thus, the first and second optical fibers 43 and 44 can be properly held.

Further, according to this embodiment, since the second stage 4 is slidably provided via the rollers guided by the slide guide 24, the second stage 4 is The movement can be performed very smoothly both when approaching the V-groove block 13 side and moving in the direction away from the V-groove block 13 along the longitudinal direction of.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the swing bar 17 is provided on the top holder 23 for moving the holding piece 15 in the optical fiber holding position above the V-groove 14 and in the retracting direction away from the optical fiber holding position. The swing bar 17 is inserted into the swing bar insertion holes 32a, 3a.
2b, the holding piece 15 can be reliably fixed at the optical fiber holding position and the retracted position therefrom, so that the first and second optical fibers 43, The pressing operation of 44 can be performed very accurately.

Further, according to the embodiment, the first optical fiber tape 41 is fixed to the first stage 3 by the first optical fiber tape 41.
A holder 5 is provided detachably to the first stage 3, and a second holder 6 for fixing the second optical fiber tape 42 to the second stage 4 is provided detachably to the second stage 4. Therefore, the first and second optical fiber tapes 41 and 42 are fixed to the first and second holders 5 and 6 respectively, and the first and second optical fiber tapes are easily removed in a state where the coating on the connection end surface side is removed. 2 can be mounted on the stages 3 and 4.

In this embodiment, the first,
Since the second holders 5 and 6 are holders used when attaching the first and second optical fiber tapes 41 and 42 to the conventional optical fiber fusion device 48, the first and second optical fiber tapes are used. It is not necessary to newly examine the know-how when removing the coating by fixing the first and second holders 41 and 42 to the first and second holders 5 and 6, and the optical fiber connection device according to the present embodiment is used to control the optical fiber. When the optical fiber tapes are fusion-spliced by the optical fiber fusion device 48 after performing the operation or the like, the first and second holders 5 and 6 are attached to the optical fiber fusion device 48 as they are, An incoming connection can be made.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show the main configuration of an optical fiber connection device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
6A shows a plan view thereof, FIG. 6B shows a front view thereof, FIG. 7A shows a rear view thereof, and FIG. FIG. 7B shows a state in which components on the near side of the line S are omitted, and FIG.
3 is a side view as viewed from the R direction.

The most characteristic point of this embodiment different from the first embodiment is that the stage retreating operation means having the slide lever 10 and the like is omitted, and instead, the holding means moving mechanism having the frame holder 23 is provided. As the interlocking mechanism that moves the second stage 4 as a moving stage away from the V-groove block 13 in opposition to the urging force of the butting tension spring 12 in conjunction with the movement of the second stage 4 in the retreat position direction. That is, the swing bar 17 is made to function.

More specifically, also in the present embodiment, the top holder 23 is provided around the rotation shaft 29 of the fiber pressing section as shown in FIG.
(A) is rotatable in the direction of arrow B, and the swing bar 17 provided on the frame holder 23 is rotated with the rotation of the frame holder 23. When rotating from 32a to the direction of the swing rod insertion hole 32b, the second stage 4 comes into contact with the tip side of the second stage 4 and resists the urging force of the butting tension spring 12 so that the second stage 4 is V-blocked. 13 and move in the retreating direction away from it. With the operation of the swing bar 17, the second stage 4 moves backward in a direction away from the V-groove block 13 in conjunction with the rotation of the top holder 23. When the top holder 23 is rotated to move the swing bar 17 toward the swing bar insertion hole 32a, the force of the swing bar 17 pushing the second stage 4 in the retreating direction is removed, and the second stage 4 projects. It is configured to be urged in the forward direction by the urging force of the aligning tension spring 12.

In this embodiment, the holding piece 15
Unlike the first embodiment, is mounted not on the lower side of the top holder 23 but on the front end side of the top holder 23. Also, in the present embodiment,
Although the rubber legs 2 provided in the first embodiment are not provided, the rubber legs 2 may be provided in the present embodiment. Conversely, the rubber leg 2 can be omitted in the first embodiment.

The structure of the embodiment other than the above is the same as that of the first embodiment.
Since the configuration is almost the same as that of the embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted, and the operation of the embodiment will be described.
In the present embodiment, as in the case of the first embodiment, the first and second optical fiber tapes 41 and 42 (not shown in FIGS. 6 and 7) have their coating end surfaces removed. First
Second optical fibers 43 and 44 (not shown in FIGS. 6 and 7)
Are fixed to the first and second holders 5 and 6 in an exposed state, and are detachably attached to the first and second stages 3 and 4 respectively. 6
Of the first and second stages and the upper surface 3
The first and second optical fibers 43 and 44 are positioned in the V-groove parallel direction with respect to the V-groove 14 by fitting into the V-grooves 4 and 35.

Then, by rotating the arm 8 in the direction of arrow A in FIG.
The inclination angle with respect to the groove juxtaposition surface 37 is adjusted, and the first optical fiber 43 is inserted into the V-groove 14 from an obliquely upper side of the V-groove 14. Similarly, the second optical fiber 44 also has a V-groove 1
4 is inserted into the V-groove 14 from obliquely above. At this time, the frame holder 23 is fixed at the position B 'in FIG.

Also in this embodiment, by operating the fiber holding rotary knob 16 of the holding means moving mechanism, the top holder 23 is moved from the position B 'in FIG.
When the holding top 15 is moved to the optical fiber holding position above the V-groove 14 by rotating toward the position
The optical fibers 43 and 44 are pressed from above the V-groove 14 by the holding top 15, but in the present embodiment, the swing rod is inserted from the side of the swing rod insertion hole 32b of the swing rod 17 accompanying the rotation of the top holder 23. The rotation of the second stage 4 toward the hole 32a causes the butting tension spring 1
The force that pushes back in the reverse direction against the biasing force of 2 is removed.
Stage 4 moves in the forward direction. In this embodiment, as described above, the pressing operation of the first and second optical fibers 43 and 44 by the pressing top 15 and the movement of the second stage 4 in the forward direction toward the V-groove block 13 are performed. Are performed simultaneously.

Note that, in the present embodiment, a plurality of first erasures are performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment by the above-described operation.
Optical fiber 43 and a plurality of second optical fibers 44 abut on respective V grooves, and the first optical fiber 43 and the second
Optical connection with the optical fiber 44 is performed.

In this embodiment, the fiber holder rotating knob 16 is operated to move the top holder 23 to the position shown in FIG.
When the swing bar 17 is withdrawn from the swing bar insertion hole 32a and moved toward the swing bar insertion hole 32b, the swing bar 17 is moved from the position B to the position B '. The second stage 4
Moves in the retreating direction in conjunction with the rotation of the frame holder 23. Then, the swing bar 17 is inserted into the swing bar insertion hole 32b.
When the second stage 4 is inserted, the movement of the second stage 4 in the retreating direction also stops, and the second stage 4 is fixed in this state. Then, with the retreat movement of the second stage 4, the second optical fiber 4
4 is separated from the connection end face of the first optical fiber 43, and the optical connection between the first optical fiber 43 and the second optical fiber 44 is released. At the time of this optical connection release operation,
At the same time, the holding piece 15 is moved from the optical fiber holding position to the retracted position.

According to this embodiment, by the above operation,
The same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the movement of the second stage 4 in the forward direction toward the V-groove block 13 and the movement in the backward direction away from the V-groove block 13 correspond to the rotation of the top holder 23. Since the operations are performed in conjunction with each other, the pressing stage 15 presses the first and second optical fibers 43 and 44 and releases the pressing force, and moves the second stage 4 toward the V-groove block 13. Both the operation of approaching and moving away from the V-groove block 13 can be performed by one action.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can adopt various embodiments. For example,
In each of the above embodiments, the arm 18 and the micrometer head 19 are provided to change the tilt angle of the upper surface 34 of the first stage 3 with respect to the V-groove juxtaposed surface 37 of the V-groove block 13. Although the mechanism is configured, the configuration of the tilt angle variable mechanism does not always include the arm 8 and the micrometer head 9, but is appropriately set.

In the above embodiment, such a tilt angle varying mechanism is provided on the first stage 3 side. However, the tilt angle varying mechanism may be provided on the second stage 4 side. It may be provided on both the stage 3 and the second stage 4. Further, the tilt angle variable mechanism can be omitted.

However, if the tilt angle variable mechanism is provided on at least one of the first stage 3 and the second stage 4,
For example, the upper surfaces 34 and 35 of the first and second stages 3 and 4 (in accordance with the length of protrusion of the first and second optical fibers 43 and 44 from the first and second optical fiber tapes 41 and 42, respectively). The angle of the optical fiber fixing surface can be adjusted, and the insertion of the first and second optical fibers 43 and 44 into the V-groove 14 can be facilitated. Further, when the tilt angle varying mechanism is provided, the plurality of first and second optical fibers 43 are kept in a state where the lengths of the optical fiber pairs of the opposing first optical fiber 43 and second optical fiber 44 are not uniform. When the optical fibers fixing surfaces of the first and second stages 3 and 4 are collectively connected to each other, the inclination angle of the optical fiber fixing surface with respect to the V-groove juxtaposed surface 37 is adjusted. Can be easily adjusted.

Further, in the above embodiment, the inclination angle of the upper surface 34 of the first stage 3 with respect to the V groove side-to-side surface 37 is adjusted, so that the upper surface 34 of the first stage 3 and the second stage 4 can be adjusted. The upper surface 35 is the V of the V-groove block 13.
Although the inclined surface is inclined with respect to the groove side-by-side surface 37, at least one of the upper surface 34 of the first stage and the upper surface 35 of the second stage 4 may be an inclined surface, and the other surface is V The surface may be horizontal to the groove side-by-side surface 37. However, both the upper surfaces 34 and 35 as the optical fiber fixing surfaces are inclined with respect to the V groove side-to-side surface 37, and the first and second optical fibers 43 and 44 are obliquely above the V groove 14. When the first and second optical fibers 43 and 44 are inserted into the V-groove 14 , insertion into the V-groove 14 can be facilitated.

Further, the inclination angle of the inclined surface of the optical fiber fixing surface of the first and second stages 3 and 4 with respect to the V groove side-to-side surface 37 is appropriately set whether the inclination angle is fixed or variable. Is what is done.

Further, in the above embodiment, the holding top 15 is supported by the top support shaft 30 while the top holder 2 is held.
3, the holding piece 15 is tiltable both in the longitudinal direction of the V-groove 14 and in the parallel direction of the V-groove 14. However, the method of attaching the holding piece 15 to the top holder 23 is not particularly limited. However, as in the above-described embodiment, when the holding piece 15 is attached to the top holder 23 while being supported by the top support shaft 30, the holding piece 15 is attached to the V-groove 14 despite a very simple configuration.
Of the first and second optical fibers 43 and 44 into the V-groove 14 on the connection tip side at a very low cost because the first and second optical fibers 43 and 44 can be tilted freely in the longitudinal direction and the juxtaposed direction. The first and second optical fibers 43 and 44 can be reliably pressed toward the V-groove 14 even if there is some variation in the optical fibers.

[0071] Further, in the above embodiment, by the operation of the fiber holder rotating knob 16, by rotating the Komahoruda 23 in the direction of arrow B in the vertical direction and FIG. 1,6, the presser frame 15 of the V groove 14 Although the optical fiber holding position is moved to the upper optical fiber holding position and the retracted position from the optical fiber holding position, the holding means moving mechanism does not necessarily move in both the vertical direction and the rotation direction with the fiber holding unit rotating shaft 29 as the center. It is not always possible to move. For example, the top holder 23 may be moved only in the vertical direction, and the holding top 15 may be moved to the optical fiber holding position and the retracted position. Alternatively, the holding top 15 may be moved to the optical fiber holding position by moving only in the rotation direction. You may make it move to an evacuation position.

[0072] Further, in the above embodiment, by providing the I 12 the tension for butt, but the second stage 4 of the movable stage to constitute a biasing means for biasing the V-groove block 13 side, with the The biasing means is not necessarily a tension spring such as the butting tension spring 12 or the like, but may be appropriately set. For example, a pressing spring that presses the moving stage against the V-groove block 13 may be used.

[0073] Further, in the above embodiment, although a moving stage for moving the second stage 4 in the longitudinal direction of the V grooves 14 may be the first stage in the opposite as the movable stage, also, the first And both the second and third stages 3 and 4 may be moving stages.

[0074] Further, in the above embodiment, the V-groove for V-groove block 13 of the second stage is provided the slide guide 24 and the roller 25 on the lower side of the second stage 4 1
Although the movement direction in the longitudinal direction of 4 is regulated, such a regulation means is not always constituted by providing the slide guide 24 and the roller 25, and is appropriately set.

[0075] Further, in the above-described first embodiment, the slide lever 10, the lever rotating shaft 31, provided with a movable lever 52 and the like, the second stage 4 against the biasing force of the tension spring for butt 12 Although the stage retreat operation means for retreating in the direction away from the V-groove block 13 side is configured,
The stage retreating operation means is not always provided with the slide lever 10 or the like, but is appropriately set. For example, the stage retreating means may be an operating means for directly pulling the second stage 4 away from the V-groove block 13 against the urging force of the urging means such as the butting tension spring 12 or the like.

[0076] Further, in the second embodiment, the fiber holder rotating knob 16, Komahoruda 23, in conjunction with the movement of the retreat position direction of the pressing means moving mechanism having a fiber holding section rotating shaft 29, and the like, butt The swing bar 17 is provided as an interlocking mechanism for moving the second stage 4 backward in a direction away from the V-groove block 13 against the urging force of the tension spring 12 for use. Is not limited and is set as appropriate.

[0077] Further, in the above embodiment, first, second
First and second holders 5 and 6 for fixing the optical fiber tapes 41 and 42 to the first and second stages 3 and 4 respectively are detachably provided on the first and second stages 3 and 4, respectively.
First and second optical fiber tapes 41 and 42 are first
The first and second stages 3 and 4 are fixed by magnetic force while being fixed to the second holders 5 and 6.
The second holders 5 and 6 are not necessarily used as holders for attaching the first and second optical fiber tapes 41 and 42 to the optical fiber fusion device 48, and may be used as another tape fixing tool, a holder, or the like. The method for attaching the tape fixing device to the first and second stages 3 and 4 is not necessarily limited to the method for attaching the tape fixing device by magnetic force. Further, the first and second holders 5 and 6 are omitted, and the first and second optical fiber tapes 41 and
42 may be directly fixed to the first and second stages 3 and 4.

[0078] However, as the above embodiment, first,
First and second optical fiber tapes 4 in second holders 5 and 6
1st and 2nd stages 3 and 4 with 1 and 42 fixed
First and second optical fiber tapes 41 and 42
Is attached, the first and second optical fiber tapes 41,
The lengths of the first and second optical fibers 43 and 44 protruding from the first and second optical fiber tapes 4 and 4 are easily adjusted.
Since it is easy to attach the first and second stages 42 to the first and second stages 3 and 4, the optical fiber connection and disconnection operations using the optical fiber connection device can be performed very efficiently.

Further , as in the above embodiment, the tape fixing tool is constituted by the first and second holders 5 and 6 used in the optical fiber fusion device 48, so that the first and second holders 5 and 6 can be used. First and second optical fiber tape 4
It is not necessary to newly examine the know-how of attaching the optical fibers 1 and 42, and when the optical fibers are fusion-spliced after the optical fiber connecting operation using the optical fiber connecting device, the optical fiber tape is attached to the holder. Since the fusion splicing can be performed by setting the optical fiber to the optical fiber fusion device 48 while being fixed, the fusion splicing operation between the optical fibers can be performed very efficiently.

[0080] Further, first, the second holder 5, 6 first,
When the first and second holders 5 and 6 are detachably attached to the second stages 3 and 4 by magnetic force, the first and second holders 5 and 6 can be attached to the first and second stages 3 and 4 very easily. .

[0081] Further, in the above embodiment, first, second
Each of the stages 3 and 4 is provided with a step 28, and the inner walls of the concave portions 33 of the first and second holders 5 and 6 are fitted into the step 28 so that the first optical fiber 43 is On the other hand, the first parallel direction positioning means for positioning in the V groove parallel direction and the second parallel direction positioning means for positioning the second optical fiber 44 in the V groove parallel direction with respect to the V groove 14 are formed. The configuration of the first and second parallel direction positioning means is not particularly limited, and is appropriately set. For example, a concave portion is formed on the first and second stages 3 and 4 side, a convex portion is formed on the bottom surface 36 side of the first and second holders 5 and 6, and these convex portions and concave portions are fitted. Thus, the first and second optical fibers 43 and 44 may be positioned. Also, the first and second stages 3 and 4
And a fixing means for fixing the positions of the first and second stages 3 and 4 in the V groove parallel direction after positioning by the moving means.

[0082] Further, in the above embodiment, the V-groove block 13 as V groove array device has been a V-groove array device formed by juxtaposed V-shaped grooves 14 of eight, arranged in a V-groove array device The number of V-shaped grooves such as the V-shaped grooves 14 is appropriately set,
It suffices if V-shaped grooves are provided in parallel with the number of optical fiber pairs of the first and second optical fibers 43 and 44 to be optically connected.
Also, the V-shaped groove is not always the V-shaped groove 14,
For example, a U-shaped groove may be used.

[0083] Furthermore, the present invention an optical fiber connection device is not necessarily used only during the core control operation, first, a plurality of juxtaposed in the second optical fiber tape first and second It is widely applied as a device for detachably connecting optical fibers on each V-shaped groove.

[0084]

According to the present invention, the V-shaped grooves of the first and second optical fibers are positioned in the V-shaped grooves in the parallel direction by the first and second parallel-direction positioning means, and the first stage is positioned. At least one of the optical fiber fixing surface and the optical fiber fixing surface of the second stage forms an inclined surface inclined with respect to the V-shaped groove side-by-side surface, and the connection end surface of the optical fiber fixed to the optical fiber fixing surface. Side is inserted into the V-shaped groove from the obliquely upper side of the V-shaped groove, and at least one of the first stage and the second stage is moved in the longitudinal direction of the V-shaped groove to remove the coating of the optical fiber tape. The connection end faces of the first and second optical fibers are brought into contact with each other on each V-shaped groove. Therefore, the optical fibers of the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber facing each other on the V-shaped groove Pair length (opposite Even if the total length of the optical fiber and the second optical fiber are not uniform, the optical fiber fixed to the inclined surface of the long optical fiber pair is fixed to the V-shaped groove and the optical fiber. The optical fiber of the pair of optical fibers having a short length can be brought into contact with each other by gently bending the optical fiber with respect to the surface. Therefore, multiple first
And a plurality of second optical fibers can be collectively connected on each V-shaped groove.

[0085] That is, in general, the length of the plurality of optical fiber coated removal of the optical fiber tapes is irregular,
When both the first optical fiber tape and the second optical fiber tape are disposed horizontally, only the long optical fiber pair facing each other comes into contact, and the other optical fiber pair is connected between the connection end faces. However, when the optical fiber tapes are brought close to each other in order to eliminate this gap, there is a problem that the optical fiber of the optical fiber pair that first comes into contact is forcibly bent and buckled. As in the present invention,
When at least one of the optical fiber fixing surfaces of the first and second stages is an inclined surface, the first and second optical fibers are further brought into contact with each other while the first and second optical fibers are in contact with each other. When the optical fibers are brought closer to each other in the longitudinal direction, the optical fiber fixed to the optical fiber fixing surface of the inclined surface gently bends between the V-shaped groove and the optical fiber fixing surface. Therefore, the optical fibers do not buckle, and the plurality of first optical fibers of the first optical fiber tape and the plurality of second optical fibers of the second optical fiber tape are accurately positioned on the V-shaped groove. Can be connected all at once.

[0086] In addition, this connection is different from the fusion splicing,
The first and second optical fibers can be easily connected by moving at least one side of the first and second stages in the longitudinal direction of the V-shaped groove and moving the first and second stages away from each other. Since the release is performed, there is no need to cut the connected optical fibers as in the fusion splicing. Therefore, according to the present invention, connection and disconnection of a plurality of first and second optical fibers from which the coating of the first and second optical fiber tapes has been removed can be easily, reliably, and collectively and efficiently performed. This makes it possible to provide a very excellent optical fiber connection device with a simple device configuration and low cost.

[0087] Further, according to the present invention, the as, first, by an inclined surface at least one side of the optical fiber fixing surface of the second stage, the optical fiber fixing surface forms an inclined surface Can be very easily inserted into the V-shaped groove, and the insertion of the optical fiber into the V-shaped groove can be ensured.

[0088] Further, according to the present invention, the V-shaped groove
A small number of first and second optical fibers to be inserted;
Fiber presser that presses at least one side from above V-shaped groove
Means are provided, so the fiber holding means
At least one side of the first and second optical fibers is a V-shaped groove.
First and second pressed by pressing from above
More secure insertion of optical fiber into V-shaped groove
It can be.

[0089] Further, according to the present invention, the fiber press
The holding means is an optical fiber holding position on the upper side of the V-groove arrangement tool and the light
Move to the retracted position away from the fiber holding position
Since the holding means moving mechanism is provided, the fiber holding
Means to hold down and release the optical fiber.
Optical fiber tape
Connection end faces of the first and second optical fibers with the coating of the strip removed
The side can be damaged by the fiber holding means.
To ensure that multiple optical fibers are used as fiber holding means
Therefore, it can be pressed to the V-shaped groove side.

[0090] Further, on at least one side of the first stage and the second stage is tiltable mechanism provided for varying the inclination angle of the optical fiber fixing plane for V-shaped Mizonami設面the V groove array device According to the present invention, the tilt angle of the optical fiber fixing surface of the stage provided with the tilt angle changing mechanism is changed, so that the V-shaped groove of the optical fiber fixed to the optical fiber fixing surface is adjusted. The insertion can be further facilitated, and when at least one side of the first and second stages is moved in the longitudinal direction of the V-shaped groove, the optical fiber pair having the longest contact length comes into contact with the first optical fiber pair. It is possible to change the degree of freedom of the amount of bending between the optical fiber fixing surface of the optical fiber and the V-shaped groove, making it easier to optically connect the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber. And surely It can be.

[0091] Further, the longitudinal direction stage moving means has a biasing means for biasing the movable stage is moved by the moving means in the V-groove array device, moving to the retracted position direction of the pressing means moving mechanism According to the present invention, there is provided an interlocking mechanism that retreats the moving stage in a direction away from the V-groove arranging tool in opposition to the urging force of the urging means. The moving stage can be moved backward in the direction away from the V-groove arranging tool against the urging force of the urging means in conjunction with the movement of the optical fiber, so that the optical fiber is pressed and released by the fiber pressing means. And the moving operation of the moving stage can be performed in one action.

[0092] Furthermore, the first tape fastener detachably provided on the first stage for fixing the first optical fiber tape in the first stage, the second optical fiber tape in the second stage The second tape fixing device to be fixed is the second tape fixing device.
According to the present invention, the first and second optical fiber tapes are fixed to the first and second tape fixtures, and are detachably attached to the first and second stages. By doing so, the first and second optical fiber tapes can be fixed to the first and second stages very efficiently.

Further , if the first and second tape fixing devices are, for example, tape fixing devices used in an optical fiber fusion splicing device, the first optical fiber tape and the first optical fiber tape can be connected using the optical fiber connecting device of the present invention. Connect with 2 optical fiber tape,
When the optical fiber tapes are fusion-spliced by the optical fiber fusion device after performing the optical fiber contrast operation or the like, the first and second optical fiber tapes fixed to the tape fixing device are directly fused to the optical fiber. It is also possible to set the apparatus and perform fusion splicing.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a first embodiment of an optical fiber connection device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the embodiment shown in FIG.
It is explanatory drawing shown in the state which omitted the near side.

FIG. 3 is a Q sectional view of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the optical fiber connection device of the embodiment as viewed from a direction R in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram showing a second embodiment of the optical fiber connection device according to the present invention.

FIG. 7A is a rear view of the second embodiment, and FIG.
Explanatory drawing (a) showing a state in which the front side of line S is omitted.
FIG. 7B is a side view (b) viewed from the R direction in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of an optical fiber tape fixed to a holder and having a coating on a connection end surface side removed.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing a conventional cord contrast operation.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an optical cable in which a plurality of optical fiber tapes are arranged in a cross-sectional view.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 3 1st stage 4 2nd stage 8 Arm 9 Micrometer head 10 Slide lever 12 Butt tension spring 13 V-groove block 14 V-groove 15 Holding piece 16 Fiber holding rotary knob 17 Swing rod 23 Comma holder 28 Step section 29 Fiber holding part rotating shaft 34,35 Upper surface 52 Movable lever

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A V-groove arranging device having a plurality of V-shaped grooves arranged side by side, and a V-shaped groove of the V-groove arranging device is sandwiched in a longitudinal direction on one side of the V-groove arranging device. Is a first stage for fixing a first optical fiber tape formed by arranging a plurality of first optical fibers in parallel with its connection end face side toward the V-shaped groove side, and the first stage on the other side. A second stage is provided for fixing a second optical fiber tape formed by arranging a plurality of second optical fibers connected in parallel to the optical fiber with its connection end face side facing the V-shaped groove side. The first stage is provided with first parallel direction positioning means for positioning the first optical fiber in the V-shaped groove parallel direction with respect to the V-shaped groove, and the second stage is provided with a second parallel direction positioning means. Positioning the optical fiber in the V-shaped groove parallel direction with respect to the V-shaped groove. Direction positioning means is provided, and at least one of the optical fiber fixing surface of the first stage and the optical fiber fixing surface of the second stage is connected to the connection end surface side of the optical fiber fixed to the optical fiber fixing surface. V
An inclined surface inclined from a diagonally upper side of the V-shaped groove with respect to the V-shaped groove side-by-side surface in a direction in which the V-shaped groove is inserted into the V-shaped groove;
At least one side of the stage and the second stage is moved in the longitudinal direction of the V-shaped groove to remove the coating of the optical fiber tape like the connection end faces of the plurality of first optical fibers from which the coating of the optical fiber tape has been removed. A longitudinal stage moving means for bringing the connection end faces of the plurality of second optical fibers into contact with the respective V-shaped grooves , and
A first optical fiber and a second light inserted into the V-shaped groove;
Hold at least one of the fibers from above the V-shaped groove
Fiber holding means is provided.
An optical fiber holding means for holding the rivet holding means on the upper side of the V-groove arrangement tool.
Position and the retracted position away from the optical fiber holding position.
An optical fiber connection device comprising a holding means moving mechanism for moving . 2. A tilt angle changing mechanism for changing the tilt angle of the optical fiber fixing surface with respect to the V-shaped groove juxtaposed surface of the V-groove arrangement tool is provided on at least one of the first stage and the second stage. The optical fiber connection device according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The longitudinal stage moving means has an urging means for urging the moving stage moved by the moving means to the V-groove arranging tool, and the retracting position direction of the pressing means moving mechanism. claim 1 or claim moved to in conjunction, characterized in that the interlocking mechanism to retract moving the movable stage against the biasing force of the biasing means in a direction away from the V-groove array device is provided for 3. The optical fiber connection device according to 2. 4. A first tape fixing device for fixing the first optical fiber tape to the first stage is detachably provided on the first stage, and the second optical fiber tape is fixed to the second stage. claim 1 second tape fastener that is characterized by being detachably attached to the second stage
An optical fiber connection device according to claim 2 or claim 3 .