JP3488081B2 - Optical fiber coating removal equipment - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a coating removing device for removing a coating material of an optical fiber fixed to a fiber holder.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, in order to make an optical fiber easy to handle, a plurality of optical fibers are arranged in parallel and in a row, and are collectively coated, and a so-called optical fiber ribbon is widely used. It is used. As the optical fiber ribbon, a thin optical fiber tape having a thinner coating layer is manufactured and used in order to increase the density of the optical fiber.

Conventionally, this kind of optical fiber tape core wire is
It is used by cutting it at a predetermined part to connect it to other optical fibers and devices, but when cutting this optical fiber tape core wire, it is necessary to remove the coating layer to expose the bare fiber . For this coating removal, a coating removal device that collectively removes the coating material of the optical fiber ribbon is often used.

And as a coating removing apparatus of this kind,
For example, an optical fiber tape core wire is sandwiched between a pair of upper and lower cutting blades, a cut is made in the covering material of the optical fiber tape core wire, and the tip side from the cutting blade of the optical fiber tape core wire is previously oxidized by a heater or the like. It is known that a hot plate that is heated to a temperature that does not hold it is placed in a sandwiched state.

In this apparatus, the coating material on the hot plate is melted by heat, and then the optical fiber tape core wire is moved in the direction opposite to the tip side so that the coating material on the tip side from the cutting position is a cutting blade. By restricting the movement, the bare fiber is pulled out and the coating material is removed.

[0006]

However, the conventional optical fiber coating removing device as described above has the following problems. Since a heating device such as a heater for heating the hot plate is required, the size of the device becomes large and power consumption occurs, which is one of the causes of the high cost. Further, since a power source for the heating device is also required, the usable place is limited, and for example, it is unsuitable for use in an outdoor site.

On the other hand, when connecting with other optical fibers or devices as described above in the field, not only the optical fiber tape core wire, but also the work of removing the coating of the non-taped optical fiber single core wire Also occurs a lot. In this case, it is troublesome because it is necessary to prepare a coating removing device corresponding to the width and thickness of the coating material of each core wire.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and is applicable to both single-core optical fiber and multi-core optical fiber, and is small in size and low in running cost. An object of the present invention is to provide an optical fiber coating stripping device that can be used in the field.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention employs the following constitutions. The optical fiber coating removing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the bare fiber and a coating material for coating the bare fiber in a state where one end of the bare fiber is projected .
Fixing the Ranaru optical fiber to the fiber holder, a coating removal apparatus of the optical fiber to remove the coating material of the protruding end side, it has a closable pair of cutter holder, the optical fiber between these cutter holder a support for supporting the one end of the holds the fiber holder detachably, toward and away <br/> in a longitudinal direction of the optical fiber with respect to said support while wearing the fiber holder And a holder holding body that enables positioning of a single-core optical fiber, and a multi-core positioning section that positions the multi-core optical fiber along the length direction. And the cutting blades are arranged in parallel with each other, and the cutting blades are arranged so as to be inclined with the blade tip toward the one end side.
The optical fiber is configured to scrape off the coating material when relatively moving to the other end side in the length direction ,
The single-core optical fiber was fixed to the holder holder.
By fitting the fiber holder, the fiber holder
The single-core optical fiber protruding from the fiber holder
Make sure that it exists at the position where the positioning unit for single core is installed.
A single-core positioning means for positioning, and the multi-core optical fiber.
Mating a fiber holder with a fixed fiber
To project the fiber holder from the fiber holder.
The multi-fiber optical fiber is provided with the multi-fiber positioning section.
Positioning hand for multi-core positioning
And a step for forming the single-core positioning hand.
The step and the multi-core positioning means hold the holder with each other.
It is characterized in that it is formed in a state of being displaced in the width direction of the body . The optical fiber according to claim 2
An apparatus for removing coating of iva is an optical fiber cover removing apparatus according to claim 1.
In the covering removing device, the single-core positioning means is
Lower surface of the fiber holder to which the single-core optical fiber is fixed
It is a single-core fitting groove that fits the ridge protruding from the front
The multi-core optical fiber is fixed to the multi-core positioning means.
The protrusion protruding from the lower surface of the fiber holder
It is characterized in that it is a fitting groove for multiple cores
It

Therefore, in the optical fiber coating removing apparatus of the present invention, first, the fiber holder to which the optical fiber is fixed is attached to the holder holding body, for example, at a position where the holder holding body approaches and abuts on the supporting body. . Here, at least one end of the single-core optical fiber or the multi-core optical fiber protruding from the fiber holder is supported while being positioned between the pair of cutter holders.

At this time, when the optical fiber fixed to the fiber holder is a single-core optical fiber, it is positioned by the single-core positioning section, and when it is a multi-core optical fiber, it is positioned by the multi-core positioning section. , Both the single-core optical fiber and the multi-core optical fiber are positioned in parallel with the single-core positioning section and the multi-core positioning section, respectively.

Then, by closing the pair of cutter holders in this state, the cutting blade cuts into the covering material of the optical fiber with the cutting edge thereof being directed toward one end side of the optical fiber. After that, the holder holding body is moved together with the fiber holder in the other end side of the optical fiber in the length direction, that is, in the direction away from the support body, so that the cutting member inclined to the support body is provided. The blade can scrape off the coating material of the optical fiber. Also, the coating material of the single-core optical fiber is removed.
When using the fiber
Position the holder on the holder holder with the single-core positioning means.
The single-core optical fiber protruding from the fiber holder
One end of can be positioned in the single-core positioning part. Well
Also, when removing the coating material of the multi-core optical fiber,
Position the fiber holder to which the multi-fiber optical fiber is fixed
By positioning the holder on the holder holding means,
Place one end of the multi-fiber optical fiber protruding from the holder
It can be located in the placement section.

An optical fiber coating removing device according to a third aspect is the optical fiber coating removing device according to the first or second aspect , wherein the support guides the single-core optical fiber to the single-core positioning portion. And a multi-fiber guide part for guiding the multi-fiber optical fiber to the multi-fiber positioning part.

Therefore, in the optical fiber coating removing apparatus of the present invention, the single-core optical fiber can be guided by the single-core guide portion when the single-fiber optical fiber is mounted on the single-core positioning portion, and the multi-core optical fiber can be guided by the multi-core optical fiber. When it is attached to the positioning unit, it can be guided by the single-core guide unit.

An optical fiber coating removing device according to a fourth aspect is the optical fiber coating according to any one of the first to third aspects.
In the removal device, the cutting edge is the multi-core positioning section.
And extending in a direction orthogonal to the single-core positioning portion
It is characterized by doing .

[0016]

[0017]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of an optical fiber coating removing apparatus of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. Here, a bare fiber having a diameter of about 125 μm is coated to form a single-core optical fiber (optical fiber single-core wire) having a diameter of about 250 μm, and a bare fiber having a diameter of about 125 μm is used.
The four core multi-fiber optical fibers (optical fiber tape cores) having the bare fibers in parallel are formed as the object of coating removal, and the single-fiber optical fiber and the multi-fiber optical fiber are respectively Description will be made using an example in which it is fixed to a dedicated fiber holder.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 is an optical fiber coating removing device, and reference numeral 2 is a fiber holder. The fiber holder 2 includes a base 3 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape,
It has two plate-like opening / closing members 4 and 4 hinged to the upper surface 3a of the base 3 so as to be openable / closable. A groove (not shown) is formed in the center of the upper surface 3a of the base 3 in the width direction so as to extend in the entire length direction.
This fiber holder 2 has both opening / closing members 4 and 4 on the upper surface 3a.
The multi-core optical fiber (optical fiber tape core wire) 5 is linearly fitted in the groove in a state where the multi-core optical fiber 5 is closed at one end. It is fixed in a protruding state. Moreover, rectangular parallelepiped-shaped projections 6 and 6 are formed in the center in the width direction of both ends in the length direction of the fiber holder 2.

The coating removing device 1 comprises a support 7 and a holder holder 8 connected to the fiber holder 2 side of the support 7 by guide rods 33, 33. As shown in FIG. 2 (a), the holder holding body 8 includes a substrate portion 34 having a substantially rectangular shape in a front view, and a vertical portion with respect to the substrate portion 34 at both end portions in the length direction of the substrate portion 34. However, the locking portions 35 and 35 are formed so as to project upward, and the locking portions 35 and 35 are provided on the opposite side (upper side in FIG. 2A) to the board portion 34. Opened recess 3
6 and 36 are formed respectively.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2 (b), the substrate portion 3
On the upper surface of 4, the single-core positioning means (single-core fitting groove) 51, 51 and the multiple-core positioning means (multi-core fitting groove) 52 along the lengthwise direction with a constant interval. , 52 are formed so as to be displaced from each other. As shown in FIG. 3, the single-core positioning means 51, 51 are fitted with the protrusions 53, 53 protruding from the lower surface 54 of the fiber holder 2a to which the single-core optical fiber 60 described later in FIG. 5 is fixed. The fiber holder 2a is positioned in the width direction, and the lower surface 54 of the fiber holder 2a is positioned relative to the upper surface of the substrate portion 34 when the protrusions 53, 53 are fitted into the positioning means 51, 51 for single core. Are separated from each other.

The multi-core positioning means 52, 52 fits the ridges 56, 56 protruding from the lower surface 55 of the fiber holder 2 to which the multi-fiber optical fiber 5 is fixed, to position the fiber holder 2 in the width direction. However, the ridges 56, 56 are formed narrower than the single-core positioning means 51, 51 and the ridges 53, 53, and the ridges 56, 56 are used for the multi-core positioning means 5.
The lower surface 55 of the fiber holder 2 when fitted to 2, 52
Are separated from the upper surface of the substrate portion 34.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the holder holder 8 is fitted with the fiber holder 2 for fixing the multi-core optical fiber 5 between the engaging portions 35, 35. At this time, the projections 6 and 6 of the fiber holder 2 are fitted into the recesses 36 and 36 of the locking portions 35 and 35, respectively. Here, the fiber holder 2 can perform fitting and disengagement of the fiber holder 2 with respect to the holder holding body 8 by applying an external force to the extent of the operator's hand, and the fitting state is maintained by releasing the external force application. The fitting force is set to.

On the other hand, on both sides in the width direction of the substrate portion 34, fitting holes 37, 37 and grooves 57, 57 having a rectangular shape in plan view are formed along the length direction as shown in FIG. 2 (c). ing. The fitting holes 37, 37 communicate with fitting holes 32, 32 formed in the cutter holder 10, which will be described later, and fit with the other ends T of the guide rods 33, 33 so as to be movable in the length direction. It is a thing. As shown in FIG. 1, the grooves 57, 57 allow the locking portion 38 mounted on the other end side T of the guide rods 33, 33 to move in the length direction.

Here, the guide rods 33, 33 and the fitting holes 37, 37 are the same as the guide rods 33, 33 in the fitting hole 3.
A fitting force is set such that the work piece 7 and 37 are moved by application of an external force to some extent by an operator's hand, and the position is fixed in the fitting holes 37 and 37 by releasing the application of the external force.

Further, on one end side S of the holder holder 8, female screws 41, 41 facing the fitting holes 37, 37 are formed from above so as to be orthogonal to the axes of the fitting holes 37, 37. Has been done. Then, as shown in FIG. 4, ball plungers 42, 42 are screwed onto the female screws 41, 41. Ball plungers 42, 42 fitting hole 3
Balls 43 are held on the sides 7 and 37 so as to be spaced apart from and close to the fitting holes 37 and 37, and urged in a direction toward the fitting holes 37 and 37.

The support 7 has cutter holders 9 and 10 each having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and the cutter holders 9 and 10 can be opened and closed so that the facing surfaces 9a and 10a facing each other are joined. Yoichi side edge 11
It is hinged at. Opposing surface 9a of cutter holder 9
Guide holes 12, 12 are provided on the side opposite to the side edge 11 of the side edge 1.
Two places are formed in the direction along the line 1.

A multi-fiber positioning portion (guide groove) 13 and a single-fiber positioning portion (guide groove) extending along the length direction of the multi-fiber optical fiber 5 are formed at the approximate center in the width direction of the facing surface 9a. 58 are formed in parallel. The multi-fiber positioning part 13 holds one end side of the multi-fiber optical fiber 5 protruding from the fiber holder 2 and positions it in the width direction, and has a rectangular cross-section, and its depth is multi-fiber optical fiber. It is set to about 1/2 of the thickness of 5, for example, 0.2 mm,
The width is set to be slightly larger than the width of the multi-core optical fiber 5, for example, 1.2 mm. Further, recesses 14, 14 are formed at both ends of the multi-core positioning portion 13.

The single-core positioning section 58 holds one end of the single-core optical fiber 60 protruding from the fiber holder 2a and positions it in the width direction. The positioning section 58 has a rectangular cross section and its depth is For example, the width is set to 0.11 mm, and the width is set to be slightly smaller than the diameter of the single-core optical fiber 60, for example, 0.22 mm. Further, in the vicinity of both ends of the single-core positioning portion 58, as shown in FIG.
The character-shaped engaging groove 59 has a single core positioning portion 5 on one slope side.
It is formed so as to open at 8.

A rectangular hole 15 having a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view is provided in the middle of the multi-core positioning part 13 and the single-core positioning part 58 in the length direction so as to be orthogonal to both the positioning parts 13 and 58. The rectangular hole 15 is provided with a cutting blade (cutter) 16 extending in the length direction of the rectangular hole 15.

As shown in FIG. 4, the cutter holder 9 includes
A hole portion 22 having a U-shaped cross section is formed, and the bottom surface 23 of the hole portion 22 faces the facing surface 9a so that the one end side S of the multi-fiber optical fiber 5 protruding from the fiber holder 2 approaches the facing surface 9a. It is inclined at 30 ° with respect to the surface 9a. Also, the hole 22
Has an opening in the facing surface 9a at one end S of the bottom surface 23, and this opening is a rectangular hole 15.

The bottom surface 23 is provided with a recess 24 having a rectangular shape in plan view. The recess 24 has a thin plate-like elasticity and can be removed by scraping off the coating of each optical fiber 60, 5.
Further, the above-mentioned cutting blade 16 formed of, for example, spring steel, which does not damage the bare fiber made of glass, faces the rectangular hole 15 with its cutting edge facing the one end side S, and attaches the mounting screw 26 via the pressing plate 25. It is fixed at.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1, the cutter holder 1
On the side opposite to the side edge 11 of the facing surface 10a of 0, the guide hole 1
Two guide pins 17, 17 are provided in the direction along the side edge 11 to fit the blade holders 2, 12 and position the cutter holders 9, 10. At the center in the width direction of the facing surface 10a, a multi-fiber positioning portion (guide groove) 18 and a single-fiber positioning portion (guide groove) 61 extending along the length direction of the multi-fiber optical fiber 5 are arranged in parallel. In addition, when the cutter holders 9 and 10 are closed, they are formed to face the multi-centered positioning part 13 and the single-centered positioning part 58, respectively.

The multi-fiber positioning section 18 allows the multi-fiber optical fiber 5 to move from the fiber holder 2 when the ridges 56, 56 of the fiber holder 2 are fitted into the multi-fiber positioning means 52, 52 for positioning. Is arranged at a projecting position, holds one end side of the multi-fiber optical fiber 5 projecting from the fiber holder 2 and positions it in the width direction, and has a rectangular cross-section, and its depth is multi-core. About 1 / thickness of optical fiber 5
The width is set to 2, for example, 0.2 mm, and the width is set to be slightly larger than the width of the multi-core optical fiber 5, for example, 1.2 mm.

Further, at positions facing the recesses 14, 14 in the vicinity of both ends of the multi-fiber positioning portion 18, a multi-fiber guide portion (guide pin) protruding from the facing surface 10a with the multi-fiber positioning portion 18 interposed therebetween. Numerals 19 and 19 are provided so as to be slightly larger than the width of the positioning portion 18 for multiple cores. The multi-core guide portions 19 and 19 serve as guides for mounting one end side of the multi-fiber optical fiber 5 on the multi-fiber positioning portion 18.

In the single-core positioning section 61, the ridges 53, 53 of the fiber holder 2a are the single-core positioning means 51, 5.
1 is arranged at a position where the single-core optical fiber 60 projects from the fiber holder 2a when positioned and holds one end side of the single-core optical fiber 60 projecting from the fiber holder 2a. It is positioned in the width direction and has a rectangular cross section, and its depth is, for example, 0.11.
The width is set to mm, and the width is set to be slightly smaller than the diameter of the single-core optical fiber 60, for example, 0.22 mm. One side wall of the single-core positioning section 61 is formed so as to match with one peripheral edge of the multi-core guide section 19.

As shown in FIG. 5, a single-core guide portion (engagement) having an inverted V-shaped cross section is provided at a position facing the engagement grooves 59, 59 near both ends of the single-core positioning portion 61. Projection) 62,
62 is formed so as to incline one slope toward the single-center positioning portion 61. This single-center guide section 62, 6
The reference numeral 2 serves as a guide when the one end side of the single-core optical fiber 60 is attached to the single-core positioning section 61.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, a rectangular hole 20 having a rectangular shape in plan view is provided in the middle in the length direction of the multi-fiber positioning part 18 and the single-fiber positioning part 61. The rectangular hole 20 is provided with a cutting edge 21 extending in the lengthwise direction of the rectangular hole 20.

As shown in FIG. 4, the cutter holder 10 is provided with a hole 27 having a U-shaped cross section, and the hole 2 is formed.
The bottom surface 28 of the optical fiber 7 is inclined by 30 ° with respect to the facing surface 10a so that the one end side S of the multi-fiber optical fiber 5 protruding from the fiber holder 2 approaches the facing surface 10a. Further, the hole portion 27 has the facing surface 1 on the one end side S of the bottom surface 28.
0a, which is a rectangular hole 20.

The bottom surface 28 is provided with a recess 29 having a rectangular shape in plan view. The recess 29 has a thin plate-like elasticity and can be removed by scraping off the coating of each optical fiber 60, 5.
Further, the above-mentioned cutting blade 21 formed of, for example, spring steel, which does not damage the bare fiber made of glass, directs the cutting edge toward the one end side S of the multi-core optical fiber 5 and faces the rectangular hole 20, and presses the pressing plate 30. It is fixed with a mounting screw 31 through. These cutting edges 16 and 21 are located from the center in the thickness direction of the multi-fiber optical fiber 5 positioned by the multi-fiber positioning parts 13 and 18 and the single-core optical fiber 60 positioned by the single-fiber positioning parts 58 and 61. Each is equidistant, for example, about 150 to 2
They are arranged so as to be spaced apart by 00 μm.

Further, the cutter holder 10 is provided with a plurality of (two places) fitting holes 32, 32 at both sides in the width direction along the length direction of the multi-fiber optical fiber 5, respectively. The guide rod 3 is provided in each of the fitting holes 32, 32.
3, 33 are fixed at one end side S of the cutter holder 10. At the tip of the other end T of the guide rods 33, 33,
A large-diameter locking portion 38 is provided, and the guide rod 3
V-shaped grooves 39 and 40, which are V-shaped in cross-section, are formed on the outer peripheral surface on the one end side S from the engaging portions 38 of the shafts 33 and 33 and are spaced from each other around the axis.

In the state where the fiber holder 2 is fitted and held in the holder holding body 8 as described above, the axis of the protruding portion of the fixedly supported multi-core optical fiber 5 is parallel to the axes of the guide rods 33, 33. Then, it is adapted to coincide with the axis of the multi-fiber optical fiber 5 positioned in the width direction by the multi-fiber positioning parts 13, 18 of the cutter holders 9, 10.
Similarly, in the state where the fiber holder 2a is fitted and held in the holder holding body 8, the axis of the protruding portion of the fixedly supported single-core optical fiber 60 is parallel to the axes of the guide rods 33, 33, and the cutter holders 9, 10 are provided. Positioning part 5 for single core
Single-core optical fiber 60 positioned in the width direction by 8, 61
It is designed to coincide with the axis of.

As described above, the holder holding body 8 detachably holds the fiber holders 2 and 2a, and the fiber holders 2 and 2a are attached to the cutter holders 9 and 9 in the mounted state.
Positioned in the width direction of the fixed optical fibers 5, 60 with respect to 10, and moved so as to be able to approach and separate only in the axial direction of each optical fiber 5, 60, that is, in the length direction.

A procedure for removing the coating on the multi-core optical fiber 5 using the coating removing apparatus 1 having the above-described structure will be described below.
First, in a state in which both opening / closing members 4 and 4 of the fiber holder 2 are opened with respect to the base 3, the multi-fiber optical fiber 5 is set on the base 3 and both opening / closing members 4 and 4 are closed. The fiber 5 is fixed with its one end protruding from the fiber holder 2.

Next, with respect to the cutter holder 10 in the state where the cutter holder 9 is open, the projecting multi-fiber optical fiber 5
One end side of the fiber holder 2 is placed on the multi-core positioning part 18 with the multi-core guide parts 19, 19 provided on the cutter holder 10 as a guide, and the fiber holder 2 is held by the locking part 3 of the holder holding body 8.
Fit between 5 and 35. At this time, as shown in FIG. 3, the protrusions 56, 56 of the fiber holder 2 were fixed to the fiber holder 2 by fitting them into the multi-center positioning means 52, 52 formed in the holder holding body 8. The projecting portion of the multi-fiber optical fiber 5 and the multi-fiber optical fiber 5 held by the multi-fiber positioning portion 18 are located on the same axis.

Here, the holder holder 8 is previously brought into contact with the cutter holder 10. At this time, the holder holder 8
The ball 43 of the ball plunger 42, which is screwed onto, is biased and engages with the V groove 39 of the guide rod 33. As a result, the holder holder 8 is positioned so as to come into contact with the cutter holder 10.

Then, the cutter holder 9 hinged to the cutter holder 10 is closed so that the facing surface 9a thereof is joined to the facing surface 10a of the cutter holder 10. At this time, the guide pins 17 and 17 of the cutter holder 10 and the guide holes 12 and 12 of the cutter holder 9 are fitted to each other so that the cutter holders 9 and 10 are positioned with respect to each other, so that the positioning portions 13 and 18 for the multi-cores, and the single-core positioning portions 13 and 18 are separated. The centering positioning portions 58 and 61 and the cutting blades 16 and 21 are accurately positioned so as to face each other.

Thus, as shown in FIG. 5, the multi-fiber optical fiber 5 is held on all sides by the multi-fiber positioning parts 13 and 18 and positioned in the width direction and the thickness direction. In addition,
When the cutter holder 9 is closed, the multi-core guide portions 19, 19
Since the single-center guide portions 62, 62 enter the concave portions 14, 14 of the cutter holder 9 and the engaging grooves 59, 59, respectively, the opening and closing of the cutter holders 9, 10 are not hindered.

On the other hand, the cutter holder 9 is replaced by the cutter holder 10.
Closed against the cutting edges 16, 21 as shown in FIG.
Are cut into the covering material 5b with a slight gap in the bare fiber 5a of the multi-core optical fiber 5. Then, in this state, the holder holder 8 is guided together with the fiber holder 2 from the cutter holder 10 by the guide rods 33, 33.
The multi-core optical fiber 5 is moved to the other end T in the length direction. Thereby, among the coating materials 5b of the multi-core optical fiber 5,
One end side S from the cutting edges of the cutting blades 16 and 21 is
1 is scraped off and removed. The scraped coating material 5b has a hole portion 22 in which the cutting blades 16 and 21 are arranged,
Each is discharged from 27. At this time, the cutting blades 16 and 2
Even when a strong resistance is applied to 1, the cutting edges 16 and 21 are elastically deformed, so that the cutting edges 16 and 21 themselves and the bare fiber are not damaged.

As shown in FIG. 7, in the holder holding body 8, the balls 43 of the ball plunger 42 are engaged with the V grooves 43 of the guide rods 33, 33, and the guide rod 3 is held.
The locking portions 38 of the levers 3, 33 lock the holder holding body 8 to stop the movement thereof. Thus, in the multi-core optical fiber 5, the bare fiber 5a, which is the coating removal portion, is obtained in a state of being positioned with respect to the fiber holder 2.

Thereafter, the multi-core optical fiber 5 from which the coating material 5b has been removed in this manner is removed from the coating removing device 1 while being fixed to the fiber holder 2, and the fiber holder 2 is not shown in the drawing. Attach to the connector to make optical connection.

On the other hand, when removing the coating of the single-core optical fiber 60 by using the coating removing apparatus 1 described above, first, like the multi-core optical fiber 5, first, one end of the single-core optical fiber is projected with the one end protruding. 60 is fixed to the fiber holder 2a.

Next, with respect to the cutter holder 10 in which the cutter holder 9 is open, the single-core optical fiber 6 protruding
The fiber holder 2a is mounted on the single-core positioning part 61 while the one end side of 0 is guided by the peripheral edges of the single-core guide parts 62, 62 provided on the cutter holder 10 and one multi-core guide part 19. The holding member 8 is fitted between the locking portions 35, 35.

At this time, as indicated by the chain double-dashed line in FIG.
The ridges 53, 53 of the fiber holder 2a are holder holders 8
The single-core optical fiber 60 fixed to the fiber holder 2a by fitting into the single-core positioning means 51, 51 formed in the above, and the single-core optical fiber held by the single-core positioning section 61. 60 and 60 will be located on the same axis. Here, since the ridges 53, 53 are wider than the positioning means 52, 52 for multi-core, the positioning means 51 for single-core is surely prevented from being accidentally fitted into the positioning means 52, 52 for multi-core. , 51.

Then, the holder holding body 8 is brought into contact with the cutter holder 10 in advance and positioned by the ball 43 of the ball plunger 42, and the cutter holder 9 is closed. As shown in FIG. The single-core positioning portions 58 and 61 hold the four sides in a soft press-fitted state and position them in the radial direction. Further, when the cutter holder 9 is closed, as shown in FIG. 6, the cutting blades 16 and 21 are respectively cut into the covering material 60b with a slight gap in the bare fiber 60a of the single-core optical fiber 60.

Then, in this state, the holder holder 8 is moved from the cutter holder 10 to the guide rod 3 together with the fiber holder 2a.
With the guides 33 and 33, the single-core optical fiber 60 is moved to the other end T in the length direction. As a result, the one end side S of the coating material 60b of the single-core optical fiber 60 from the cutting edges of the cutting blades 16 and 21 is scraped off and removed by the cutting blades 16 and 21. The scraped coating material 60b is used as the cutting blade 16,
It is discharged from the holes 22 and 27 in which 21 is provided.

After that, the single-core optical fiber 60 from which the coating material 60b is thus removed is removed from the coating removal apparatus 1 while being fixed to the fiber holder 2a.
As it is, the fiber holder 2a is mounted on a connector (not shown) for optical connection.

In the optical fiber coating removing apparatus of the present embodiment, both the single-core positioning parts 58 and 61 and the multi-core positioning parts 13 and 18 are arranged in parallel on the support body 7, It can be applied to both the single-core optical fiber 60 and the multi-core optical fiber 5, and the cutting edges 16 and 21 can cover the single-core optical fiber 60 and the multi-core optical fiber 5.
Since b and 5b are scraped off without being melted by heat, the coating materials 60b and 5b can be removed to expose the bare fibers 60a and 5a without requiring a hot plate or a heating device. Therefore, the device can be downsized and the cost due to power consumption does not occur. Further, since it does not require electric power, it can be easily used even in a field where it is difficult to obtain electric power, such as outdoors.

Further, in the optical fiber coating removing apparatus of the present embodiment, the holder holding body 8 for holding the fiber holders 2a, 2 to which the single-core optical fiber 60 and the multi-core optical fiber 5 are fixed, respectively, are provided. Fiber holders 2a, 2
Since the single-core positioning means 51 and the multi-core positioning means 52 into which are fitted are individually formed and the positioning means 51 and 52 are set to different groove widths, the fiber holders 2a and 2 can be easily formed. In addition, the holder holding body 8 can be reliably positioned at a predetermined position. That is,
In both optical fibers 60, 5, the fiber holder 2a,
2 and two positioning portions 58, 61, 1
It is possible to easily and surely position the parts positioned by 3, 18 on the same axis.

Furthermore, when the single-core optical fiber 60 and the multi-core optical fiber 5 are mounted on the single-core positioning part 61 and the multi-core positioning part 18, respectively, the single-core guide parts 62, 62 are also installed.
Moreover, since the multi-fiber guide portions 19 and 19 guide the optical fibers having a small diameter, they can be easily attached to the positioning portion.

On the other hand, since the cutting blades 16 and 21 are thin and have elasticity, the cutting blades 16 and 21 are elastically deformed when a strong resistance is applied when removing the covering materials 60b and 5b. As a result, it is possible to prevent the bare fibers 60a and 5a from being strongly scratched and scratched. Further, since the cutting blades are provided on the cutter holders 9 and 10, respectively, the covering materials 60b and 5b can be efficiently removed by one removing operation. Then, the removed covering materials 60b, 5b
Is discharged from the holes 22 and 27, respectively, so that it is possible to prevent the coating materials 60b and 5b from remaining in the respective positioning portions and obstructing the next coating removal work.

In the above embodiment, for example, for a bare fiber having a diameter of about 125 μm, the cutting edge spacing is 1
Although the thickness is set to 50 to 200 μm, the thickness of the covering material to be removed can be appropriately changed by appropriately changing the interval between the cutting edges. In addition, the fiber holder 2a,
2 is configured to fix the single-core optical fiber 60 and the multi-core optical fiber 5, respectively, but is not limited to this, and for example, one fiber holder fixes both optical fibers 60 and 5 in parallel, The positioning portions 58, 61 and the multi-fiber positioning portions 13, 18 may be arranged so as to correspond to the positions projecting from the fiber holder.

As a means for positioning the fiber holders 2a, 2 on the holder holder 8, the protrusions of the fiber holders 2a, 2 are fitted to the single-core positioning means 51, 51 and the multi-core positioning means 52, 52. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the fitting groove is formed in the fiber holder and the protrusion is provided on the holder holder, or the fiber holders 2a and 2 are arranged in the width direction. It may be movable and the position in the width direction may be changed for each fiber holder.

Although the fiber holder is moved with respect to the cutter holder, the cutter holder may be moved with respect to the fixed fiber holder. Further, although the cutting blade is provided on both cutter holders, it may be provided on either one. on the other hand,
If the angle of inclination of the cutting edges 16 and 21 is small, it becomes difficult to cut the optical fiber into the covering material when the cutter holder 9 is closed, and if it is large, the covering material is scraped off when the optical fiber is moved. Becomes difficult,
The inclination angle is preferably about 30 ° to 45 °.

[0064]

As described above, in the optical fiber sheath removing apparatus according to the first aspect, a single-core positioning portion for positioning a single-fiber optical fiber on a support body for supporting the optical fiber, and a multi-fiber optical fiber. A multi-fiber positioning part for positioning the fiber is arranged in parallel along the lengthwise direction, and a cutting edge for scraping off the coating material of the optical fiber is arranged so that its cutting edge faces the one end side of the optical fiber. It is configured to be installed.
As a result, the coating removing device for this optical fiber can handle both single-core optical fiber and multi-core optical fiber, and does not require a heating device or the like.
The downsizing of the device and the reduction of the manufacturing cost are realized, and the running cost can be reduced because no electric power is required.
It can be easily used in the field such as outdoors.
Also, in the optical fiber coating removing apparatus according to claim 1,
The holder holder holds the fiber to which the single-core optical fiber is fixed.
By fitting the fiber holder, the fiber holder
Single-core optical fiber protruding from the fiber holder
Positioning so that the placement part is located
The single-fiber positioning means and the multi-fiber optical fiber are fixed.
The fiber holder can be
The multi-core optical fiber protruding from the fiber holder
Position so that the positioning unit for
The positioning means for the multi-core for determining
It This makes the fiber holder easy and secure.
Can be positioned at a predetermined position on the holder holder
With both optical fibers, project from the fiber holder.
The part to be positioned and the part positioned by both positioning parts
In addition, it is possible to surely position them on the same axis.

In the apparatus for removing coating of an optical fiber according to a third aspect of the present invention, the support body guides the single-core optical fiber to the single-core positioning section, and the multi-core optical fiber serves as the multi-core positioning section. It is configured to include a multi-core guide unit for guiding. As a result, in this optical fiber coating removal device,
An effect that even an optical fiber having a small diameter can be easily and surely mounted on the positioning portion can be obtained.

[0066]

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a view showing an embodiment of the present invention, and is an external perspective view of a coating removing device.

FIG. 2 is a view showing an embodiment of the present invention, in which (a) of a holder holding body which constitutes the coating removing apparatus is a front view,
(B) is a plan view, (c) is a left side view of (b), (d) is a right side view of (b).

FIG. 3 is a view showing an embodiment of the present invention and is a cross-sectional view in which a protrusion of a fiber holder fits into a positioning means of a holder holder.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a coating removing device.

FIG. 5 is a view showing an embodiment of the present invention, and is a cross-sectional view in which a single-core optical fiber and a multi-core optical fiber are positioned in a single-core positioning section and a multi-core positioning section, respectively.

FIG. 6 is a view showing an embodiment of the present invention and is a cross-sectional view in which a cutting blade is cut into a covering material.

FIG. 7 is a view showing the embodiment of the present invention, and is a cross-sectional view in which the holder holding body is positioned at a position separated from the cutter holder.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Coating removal apparatus, 2 ... Fiber holder, 5 ... Multi-core optical fiber (optical fiber tape core wire), 5b ... Coating material, 7 ...
Support body, 8 ... Holder holding body, 9, 10 ... Cutter holder,
13, 18 ... Positioning portion (guide groove) for multiple cores, 16, 2
1 ... Cutting blade (cutter), 19 ... Multi-core guide part (guide pin), 51 ... Single-core positioning means (single-core fitting groove), 5
2 ... Multi-core positioning means (multi-core fitting groove), 58, 61
... Single-core positioning part (guide groove), 60 ... Single-core optical fiber (optical fiber single-core wire), 62 ... Single-core guide part (engaging protrusion).

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) Reference JP-A-7-5327 (JP, A) JP-A-4-229009 (JP, A) Actually open 4-77102 (JP, U) Actually open 4- 63403 (JP, U) Actual Kaihei 2-110909 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G02B 6/00 H02G 1/12

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A bare fiber with one end protruding
(60a, 5a) and coating material for coating the bare fiber
(60b, 5b) to secure the optical fiber (60, 5) consisting of a fiber holder (2a, 2), a coating removal apparatus of the optical fiber to remove the coating material of the protruding one end (1) A support body (7) having a pair of openable and closable cutter holders (9, 10) for supporting one end side of the optical fiber between the cutter holders, and the fiber holder while detachably holding the fiber holder. A holder holding body (8) capable of approaching and separating from the support body in the length direction of the optical fiber in a state of being mounted, and a single-core optical fiber (60) is positioned on the support body. The single-core positioning part (58, 61) and the multi-core positioning part (13, 18) for positioning the multi-fiber optical fiber (5) are arranged in parallel along the length direction, and The cutting edge Cutting edge (1
6, 21) is disposed inclined, cutting edge is configured to scrape the coating material when the optical fiber is moved relative to the other end of the length direction, the holder The single-core optical fiber is fixed to the holder.
By fitting the fiber holder,
The optical fiber that projects from the fiber holder
So that it exists at the position where the single-core positioning section is arranged.
, A single-core positioning means (51) for positioning, and a fiber holder to which the multi-core optical fiber is fixed are fitted.
By making the fiber holder,
The multi-fiber optical fiber protruding from the
For multi-core positioning so that it exists at the position where it is installed
Positioning means (52) are respectively formed, and the single-core positioning means and the multi-core positioning means are formed.
A state where the holder holders are displaced from each other in the width direction.
An optical fiber coating removal device, which is characterized in that 2. A device for removing coating of an optical fiber according to claim 1.
Position , the single-core positioning fiber is fixed to the single-core optical fiber.
Protruding from the lower surface (54) of the fiber holder
It is a single-core fitting groove for fitting the protrusion (53),
The multi-core optical fiber is fixed to the positioning means for the core.
A ridge protruding from the lower surface (55) of the fiber holder
(56) is a multi-core fitting groove for fitting
Optical fiber coating removal device. 3. An optical fiber coating according to claim 1 or 2.
In the removing device, the support is configured to position the single-core optical fiber for the single-core positioning.
A single-core guide part (62) for guiding the female part and the multi-core optical fiber for guiding the multi-fiber positioning part.
A light comprising a multi-core guide part (19)
Fiber sheath remover. 4. The optical fiber according to claim 1.
In the coating removing device for a bar, the cutting blade is configured to have the multi-center positioning part and the single-core positioning part.
Characterized by extending in a direction orthogonal to the placement section
Optical fiber coating removal device.