JP3774184B2 - Optical fiber core tape coating removal device and optical fiber core tape coating removal method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an optical fiber core tape coating remover used for removing an outer sheath of a coated optical fiber separated from a tape core.
[0002]
[Prior art]
FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a conventionally used tape core T. FIG. The tape core T has a plurality (four in the figure) of optical fiber cores (optical fibers) 21 in which a single core coating 21b is provided around the optical fiber strand 21a. 21 is collectively covered with an exterior coating 22 (tape coating) formed in close contact with the single-core coating 21b.
[0003]
As a method of exposing the optical fiber 21 by removing the outer sheath 22 of the tape core T, the optical fibers 21 of the tape core T are cut with a blade as shown in FIG. Then, after the coated optical fiber 20 (20A to 20D) is separated into single fibers, the coated optical fiber 20 separated from the single fibers is pinched with fingers, and the outer coating 22 is peeled off and removed to expose the optical fiber 21. There is a way to make it.
[0004]
Further, using a tool having a pair of blades arranged opposite to each other, the coated optical fiber 20 is sandwiched between the blades of this tool, and the blade is placed in the outer sheath 22, and the blade is placed in the longitudinal direction of the coated optical fiber 20. For example, there is a method of removing the outer sheath 22 by moving it along (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 08-292327 A [Patent Document 2]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 61-007806
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, in the case of the method of stripping the outer covering 22 with fingers or the like, the coated optical fibers 20B and 20C on the center side of the tape core T are cut and separated on both sides of the coated optical fibers 20B and 20C. The outer covering 22 can be easily peeled off with fingers or the like.
However, since the coated optical fibers 20A and 20D at both ends are cut and separated only on one side of the coated optical fibers 20A and 20D, the adhesion between the outer sheath 22 and the optical fiber 21 is strong, and it is easy with fingers. There was a possibility that the optical fiber 21 could be damaged by applying a bending or bending force to the optical fiber 21 with an unreasonable force.
[0007]
Further, in the method using a tool having a pair of blades, the optical fiber 21 may be damaged by the blade edge.
[0008]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and removes the coating of an optical fiber core tape that can easily remove the coating by reducing the adhesion between the coating and the optical fiber without damaging the optical fiber. It is an object to provide tools.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention is configured in a bowl shape in which a pair of movable pieces is rotatably supported by pivoting a support shaft (13), and the movable pieces are moved closer to each other by bringing the tips of the movable pieces closer to each other. The coated optical fiber is sandwiched between gripping members attached to the tip of the
Both gripping members are rotatably attached to the tip of the movable piece by an axis (3b) having an axis parallel to the axis of the support shaft,
Provided is an optical fiber core tape stripping tool in which a gripping projection abutting against the coated optical fiber is projected on a mating surface of each gripping member with respect to the gripping member on the other side.
Using such an optical fiber core tape stripping tool, the coated optical fibers are sandwiched between the gripping projections of the gripping members on both sides, and the movement of the pair of gripping members and / or the coated optical fibers is performed. By moving the gripping position of the coated optical fiber by the gripping projection of the gripping member along the longitudinal direction of the coated optical fiber and squeezing the coated optical fiber, the adhesion force between the sheath coating and the optical fiber in the coated optical fiber Therefore, it is possible to easily peel off and remove the outer covering and expose the optical fiber.
[0010]
In such an optical fiber core tape covering / removing tool, the coated optical fiber sandwiched between the pair of gripping members on the contact surfaces of the gripping projections of the pair of gripping members that are in contact with the coated optical fiber. It is preferable that a dimension of 1 to 3 mm is secured in a direction along the longitudinal direction.
Further, on the mating surface of one or both gripping members, there is a protruding fiber guide portion that forms a storage region for the coated optical fiber between the gripping members when the gripping members are brought close to each other. It is preferable that the optical fiber housed in the housing region formed by the fiber guide portion is sandwiched between the gripping protrusions of the pair of gripping members.
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on embodiments.
FIG. 1 is a front view showing an optical fiber ribbon tape coating remover (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as “coating remover”) of the present invention. 2A is a plan view, FIG. 2B is a front view, FIG. 2C is a bottom view, FIG. 2D is a right side view, and FIG. 2E is a left side view. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which the coated optical fiber is placed on the gripping member.
4 and 5 show a state in which the coated optical fiber is sandwiched between gripping members, FIG. 4 is a perspective view, FIG. 5A is a side view, and FIG. 5B is a front view.
[0012]
In FIG. 1, the code | symbol 10 is a coating removal tool. In this covering removal tool 10, a pair of movable pieces 11 each having a gripping member 1 attached to a front end 12 of a front end portion 11 a (left side in FIG. 1) are provided on a support shaft 13 provided in a midway portion 11 b of the movable piece 11. It is supported in a freely rotating manner by the pivotal attachment, and has a configuration of a bowl shape.
The movable piece 11 has a bent elongated shape, and a grip 14 is provided at a rear end portion 11c (right side in FIG. 1) opposite to the front end portion 11a of the movable piece 11.
[0013]
A spring 15 is attached between the movable pieces 11 to urge the movable pieces 11 so that the rear end portions 11c are separated from each other. The spring 15 is biased in the direction in which the rear end portion 11c of the movable piece 11 is expanded, and the elastic force of the spring 15 reduces the interval between the gripping members 1 of the movable piece front end 12. ing.
Here, a torsion coil spring (torsion spring) attached to the movable piece 11 by insertion of the support shaft 13 into the coil portion is used as the spring 15. However, the type of the spring 15 is not particularly limited, and a compression coil spring, a thin plate spring, or the like can be used.
[0014]
When the grip 14 is gripped and an operation force is applied so as to bring the grips 14 close to each other against the elastic force of the spring 15, the gripping members 1 are separated from each other. Here, when the operating force to the grip 14 is released in a state where the coated optical fiber 20 is inserted between the gripping members 1, the elastic force of the spring 15 reduces the distance between the gripping members 1 at the movable piece tip 12, The optical fiber 20 is sandwiched and gripped by the gripping member 1.
Here, a recess 16 is formed in the front end portion 11a of the movable piece 11 at a position where the front end portions 11a face each other. Thus, for example, even when the outer sheath 22 of the coated optical fiber 20 separated from the multi-core optical fiber is removed, when the coated optical fiber 20 is gripped by the gripping member 1, the other coated optical fibers 20 are removed. A space that can be inserted is ensured between the recesses 16, and the other coated optical fiber 20 is prevented from being caught in the front end portion 11a of the movable piece 11.
[0015]
The elastic force of the spring 15 is such that when the coated optical fiber 20 is sandwiched by the gripping member 1, the adhesive force between the optical fiber 21 and the exterior coating 22 is not damaged with respect to the coated optical fiber 20. A moderate pressure works to lower the temperature.
[0016]
The gripping member 1 is made of a material having a hardness that does not damage the surface of the coated optical fiber 20 such as plastic. The gripping member main body 2 having a mating surface 2a and a back surface 2b opposite to the mating surface 2a. A protruding flange 3 is provided.
The shape of the gripping member main body 2 is not particularly limited, but here, the gripping member main body 2 is specifically plate-shaped.
[0017]
The gripping member 1 is parallel to each other and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the movable piece 11 with respect to the tip 12 of the movable piece 11 by the shaft 3b inserted through the mounting hole 3a formed in the flange 3. It is attached so as to be rotatable with an axis. The axis of the shaft 3 b is parallel to the axis of the support shaft 13.
[0018]
Further, on the side of the mating surface 2 a of the gripping member main body 2, a gripping projection 4 having a contact surface 4 a that is in contact with the coated optical fiber 20 is projected.
Here, the gripping projection 4 is a ridge extending across the mating surface 2a, and the contact surface 4a has a width W of about 1 to 3 mm.
[0019]
A first fiber guide portion 5a projects from the extending direction of one end side of the gripping projection 4 on the mating surface 2a, and the first fiber is disposed on the other end side of the gripping projection 4. Opposite to the guide portion 5a, second and third fiber guide portions 5b and 5c are provided on both sides in the extending direction of the gripping projection 4.
As shown in FIG. 4, when the fiber guide portions 5a to 5c are brought close to the joining surface 2a side of the gripping member 1 in the direction of joining, the coated optical fiber 20 is brought into contact with the mating surface 2a and the fiber guide portion 5a. It is arranged around the housing region 6 of the coated optical fiber 20 between the gripping members 1 so that it can be inserted between ˜5c.
[0020]
The gripping member 1 is preferably provided with a positioning member 7 for positioning so that the gripping projections 4 of the gripping members 1 are disposed facing each other when the gripping members 1 are faced to each other and joined. Here, the first fiber guide portion 5a of one gripping member 1 is disposed so as to fit between the second and third fiber guide portions 5b and 5c of the other gripping member 1, and the fiber guide portion 5a. ˜5c also serves as the positioning member 7.
[0021]
As shown in FIG. 2A, the second and third fiber guide portions 5b and 5c become closer to the center portion of the mating surface 2a in the axial direction of the shaft 3b (the vertical direction in FIG. 2A). The width (the length in the left-right direction in FIG. 2A) is widened, and the width of the storage area 6 is narrowed.
Further, as shown in FIG. 2B, the second and third fiber guide portions 5b and 5c are arranged at the center portion of the mating surface 2a in the width direction of the gripping member 1 (left and right direction in FIG. 2B). As the height approaches, the protruding height from the mating surface 2a becomes lower.
[0022]
Reference numeral 8 denotes a marking, which is formed by embedding a small piece colored in a recess provided on the back surface 2b at an appropriate position on the back surface 2b of the gripping member 1 or applying an appropriate paint. Yes.
As shown in FIG. 2A, two markings 8 are provided at positions facing each other with the gripping protrusion 4 as the center. As shown in FIG. 2 (b), the area indicated by the marking 8 is located almost in the middle of the storage area 6. By inserting the coated optical fiber 20 there, the area covered by the marking 8 is almost in the middle. The optical fiber 20 can be accommodated.
[0023]
Next, an example of a procedure for removing the outer sheath 22 of the coated optical fiber 20 using the sheath removal tool 10 of FIG. 1 will be described.
First, the coated optical fiber 20 is separated from the tape core T as shown in FIG. 6 by cutting the outer sheath 22 (tape coating) or the like. Here, of course, the number of cores of the tape core T is not particularly limited.
[0024]
The grip 14 of the covering removal tool 10 is gripped to separate the gripping members 1 from each other. Then, the coated optical fiber 20 is inserted into the storage region 6 formed between the gripping members 1 from the tip by a required length. Since the marking 8 indicating the storage area 6 is formed on the gripping member 1, the coated optical fiber 20 is positioned substantially perpendicular to the gripping projection 4 by using the marking 8 as a marker. be able to.
[0025]
Here, when the operation force to the grip 14 is weakened, the gripping member 1 is biased by the elastic force of the spring 15 until the contact surface 4a of the gripping projection 4 contacts the coated optical fiber 20. The interval between the gripping members 1 is reduced. Furthermore, an appropriate pressure is applied to the side surface of the coated optical fiber 20 by the elastic force of the spring 15, and the coated optical fiber 20 is sandwiched between the gripping members 1 in a stable posture.
As the posture of the coated optical fiber 20, the direction of being sandwiched and abutted by the gripping projection 4 (vertical direction in FIG. 5A) is the thickness direction of the tape core T (vertical direction in FIG. 6A). May not necessarily coincide with other postures, but may be other postures rolled around the axis.
[0026]
Next, the gripping position 23 where the abutment surface 4 a of the gripping projection 4 abuts on the outer sheath 22 of the coated optical fiber 20 is directed toward the distal end of the coated optical fiber 20 along the longitudinal direction of the coated optical fiber 20. It moves and moves either or both of the coating removal tool 10 and the coating optical fiber 20 relatively.
By such an operation, a deviation occurs between the optical fiber 21 and the outer sheath 22, and the adhesive force between the optical fiber 21 and the outer sheath 22 is weakened.
Usually, the gripping position 23 needs to be moved only once in one direction toward the distal end of the coated optical fiber 20 within a range in which the outer sheath 22 is desired to be removed. If the adhesive force between the optical fiber 21 and the outer sheath 22 cannot be sufficiently weakened by a single operation, it is effective to repeat the same operation a plurality of times if necessary.
[0027]
Furthermore, the optical fiber 21 is exposed by peeling off and removing the outer sheath 22 of the portion squeezed by the gripping protrusions 4 with fingers or the like.
At this time, ironing by the gripping protrusions 4 may cause a portion of the outer sheath 22 to be partially split or torn. Therefore, if the outer sheath 22 is peeled off starting from such a location, the work is further performed. It becomes easy.
As described above, when the coating removal tool 10 of the present embodiment is used, the exterior coating 22 of the coated optical fiber 20 can be easily removed. Since the bending or bending force is not applied to the optical fiber 21 with an unreasonable force, there is no possibility of damaging the optical fiber 21. Moreover, since the gripping projection 4 is not cut into the outer sheath 22, there is no inconvenience that the optical fiber 21 is damaged by the gripping projection 4.
[0028]
Although the present invention has been described based on the preferred embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.
For example, in the above-described embodiment, the gripping member 1 is rotatably connected to the tip 12 of the movable piece 11 via the shaft 3b. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The covering removal tool 10 may be configured such that the gripping member 1 is fixed to the movable piece 11, or the gripping member 1 may be formed integrally with the movable piece 11.
[0029]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the optical fiber core tape covering / removing tool of the present invention is configured in a bowl shape that rotatably supports a pair of movable pieces, and by bringing the tips of the movable pieces close to each other, The coated optical fiber is sandwiched between the gripping members attached to the tip, and gripping projections that come into contact with the coated optical fiber are formed on the mating surface of each gripping member with the mating gripping member. Since the protrusion is provided, the covering optical fiber is sandwiched between the gripping protrusions of the gripping members on both sides, and the covering protrusions are covered with the gripping protrusions of the gripping members on both sides by moving the pair of gripping members and / or the covering optical fibers. By moving the gripping position of the optical fiber along the longitudinal direction of the coated optical fiber, the adhesion of the outer coating on the coated optical fiber is reduced, thereby peeling off the outer coating. Easily be removed.
[0030]
A size of 1 to 3 mm is secured in a direction along the longitudinal direction of the coated optical fiber sandwiched between the pair of gripping members on the contact surfaces of the gripping projections of the pair of gripping members that are brought into contact with the coated optical fiber. As a result, the contact pressure applied to the coated optical fiber from the gripping protrusion can be adjusted to an appropriate level, and when the gripping protrusion is brought into contact with the coated optical fiber, the gripping protrusion It is prevented from piercing the coating. As a result, when the coated optical fiber is squeezed with the coating removal tool, the gripping position of the coated optical fiber by the gripping projections moves smoothly along the longitudinal direction of the coated optical fiber, and the contact force is reduced by the coated light. Inconveniences such as damaging the optical fiber by concentrating on a specific portion of the fiber are suppressed.
[0031]
On the mating surface of one or both gripping members, there is a protruding fiber guide portion that forms a storage region for the coated optical fiber between the gripping members when the gripping members are brought close to each other. The optical fiber housed in the housing area formed by the portion is sandwiched between the gripping projections of the pair of gripping members.
Accordingly, when the coated optical fiber is sandwiched between the gripping members or after being sandwiched, the coated optical fiber is guided by the fiber guide portion, so that the alignment of the coated optical fiber is easy, and the coated optical fiber is removed from the storage region. Inconveniences such as protrusion are suppressed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view showing an optical fiber ribbon tape sheath removing tool of the present invention.
2A is a plan view, FIG. 2B is a front view, FIG. 2C is a bottom view, FIG. 2D is a right side view, and FIG. 2E is a left side view.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which a coated optical fiber is placed on a gripping member.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which a coated optical fiber is sandwiched between gripping members.
5A is a side view and FIG. 5B is a front view illustrating a state in which a coated optical fiber is sandwiched between gripping members.
6A is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a tape core wire. FIG. (B) It is a perspective view which shows an example of a coated optical fiber.
[Explanation of symbols]
T ... tape core wire, 1 ... gripping member, 2 ... gripping member body, 2a ... mating surface, 3 ... flange, 3b ... shaft, 4 ... gripping projection, 4a ... contact surface, 5a-5c ... fiber guide part, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 6 ... Storage area | region 7 ... Positioning member 8 ... Marking 10 ... Optical fiber core wire tape coating removal tool (coating removal tool), 11 ... Movable piece, 12 ... Movable piece tip, 13 ... Support shaft, 14 ... Grip, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 15 ... Spring, 16 ... Recess, 20, 20A-20D ... Coated optical fiber, 21 ... Optical fiber, 21a ... Optical fiber strand, 21b ... Single core coating, 22 ... Exterior coating, 23 ... Holding position.

Claims (8)

An optical fiber core tape covering / removing tool used for removing an outer sheath (22) of a coated optical fiber (20) separated from a tape core (T),
A pair of movable pieces (11) is configured in a bowl shape that is rotatably supported by pivotal support of a support shaft (13), and attached to the distal ends of the movable pieces by bringing the distal ends (12) of the movable pieces closer to each other. The coated optical fiber is sandwiched between the gripping members (1),
Both gripping members are rotatably attached to the tip of the movable piece by an axis (3b) having an axis parallel to the axis of the support shaft,
On the mating surface (2a) of each gripping member with respect to the mating gripping member, a gripping projection (4) that abuts against the coated optical fiber is provided so as to protrude between the gripping projections of the gripping members on both sides. With the coated optical fiber sandwiched in between, the gripping position (23) of the coated optical fiber by the gripping projections of the gripping members on both sides is moved in the longitudinal direction of the coated optical fiber by moving the pair of gripping members and / or the coated optical fiber. And the coated optical fiber is squeezed to reduce the adhesive force between the sheath coating and the optical fiber (21) in the coated optical fiber. Tape covering remover (10).   1 to 3 mm in a direction along the longitudinal direction of the coated optical fiber sandwiched between the pair of gripping members on the contact surface (4a) of the gripping projections of the pair of gripping members that is brought into contact with the coated optical fiber The optical fiber core tape covering / removing tool according to claim 1, wherein a dimension is secured. Projecting fiber guides (5a to 5c) are formed on the mating surfaces of one or both gripping members so as to form a storage region for the coated optical fiber between the gripping members when the gripping members are brought close to each other. The coated optical fiber housed in the housing region (6) formed by the fiber guide portion is sandwiched between gripping protrusions of a pair of gripping members. The optical fiber core tape covering removal tool according to 1 or 2.   The fiber guide portion includes a first fiber guide portion (5a) projecting in an extending direction on one end side of the gripping projection on the mating surface, and the first fiber guide portion on the other end side of the gripping projection. The first to third fiber guide portions are made of second and third fiber guide portions (5b, 5c) provided on both sides in the extending direction of the gripping protrusion 4 so as to face the fiber guide portion. Is provided on the mating surface of both gripping members,
  These fiber guide portions are configured such that when both gripping members are faced to each other and joined, the first fiber guide portion of one gripping member is inserted between the second and third fiber guide portions of the other gripping member. In addition, by inserting the first fiber guide portion of the other gripping member between the second and third fiber guide portions of the one gripping member, the gripping projections of both gripping members are arranged facing each other. The optical fiber cable strip remover according to claim 3, which also serves as a positioning member (7) for positioning in such a manner. An optical fiber core tape coating removal method used for removing an outer sheath (22) of a coated optical fiber (20) separated from a tape core wire (T),
A pair of movable pieces (11) is configured in a bowl shape that is rotatably supported by pivotal support of a support shaft (13), and attached to the distal ends of the movable pieces by bringing the distal ends (12) of the movable pieces closer to each other. The coated optical fiber is sandwiched between the gripping members (1),
Both gripping members are rotatably attached to the tip of the movable piece by an axis (3b) having an axis parallel to the axis of the support shaft,
An optical fiber core tape stripping removal tool (10) in which a gripping projection (4) that abuts against the coated optical fiber protrudes on the mating surface (2a) of each gripping member with respect to the other gripping member Use
While the coated optical fiber is sandwiched between the gripping projections of the gripping members on both sides, the coated optical fiber is gripped by the gripping projections of the gripping members on both sides by moving the pair of gripping members and / or the coated optical fiber (23 ) to move along the longitudinal direction of the coated optical fiber, by squeezing the coated optical fiber, and wherein the allowed to decrease the adhesion between the in coated optical fibers exterior coating and the optical fiber (21) An optical fiber core tape covering removal method. 1 to 3 mm in a direction along the longitudinal direction of the coated optical fiber sandwiched between the pair of gripping members on the contact surface (4a) of the gripping projections of the pair of gripping members that is brought into contact with the coated optical fiber. 6. The optical fiber ribbon tape covering removal method according to claim 5 , wherein dimensions are secured . Projecting fiber guides (5a to 5c) are formed on the mating surfaces of one or both gripping members so as to form a storage region for the coated optical fiber between the gripping members when the gripping members are brought close to each other. And
When the coated optical fiber is sandwiched between the gripping projections of the gripping members on both sides , the coated optical fiber is stored in the storage region (6) formed by the fiber guide portion , and then the coating stored in the storage region. an optical fiber, the optical fiber ribbon coating removing method according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that sandwiching between the gripping projections of the pair of gripping members.   The fiber guide portion includes a first fiber guide portion (5a) projecting in an extending direction on one end side of the gripping projection on the mating surface, and the first fiber guide portion on the other end side of the gripping projection. The first to third fiber guide portions are made of second and third fiber guide portions (5b, 5c) provided on both sides in the extending direction of the gripping protrusion 4 so as to face the fiber guide portion. Is provided on the mating surface of both gripping members,
  When both the gripping members are faced and joined, the first fiber guide portion of one gripping member is fitted between the second and third fiber guide portions of the other gripping member, and the other gripping member By positioning the first fiber guide portion between the second and third fiber guide portions of one gripping member, the positioning is performed so that the gripping projections of both gripping members are arranged to face each other. The optical fiber core tape covering removal method according to claim 7,

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