JP3910886B2 - Mechanical splice - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a mechanical splice for holding a pair or a plurality of pairs of optical fibers facing each other and connecting each other.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The technology for connecting optical fibers can be broadly divided into three types: fusion splicing technology, mechanical splicing technology, and optical connector technology, and each is used properly depending on the application. In particular, mechanical splicing technology is to realize a connection between optical fibers by holding them between the upper and lower bases with a pair or multiple pairs of optical fibers facing each other. Since optical fibers can be connected to each other, they are used in various fields.
[0003]
Typical examples of such mechanical splices include those described in Japanese Patent Application No. 8-137206.
[0004]
Although the optical fiber is normally protected by a covering member, when connecting the optical fibers using a mechanical splice or the like, the core of the optical fiber is exposed by removing a part of the covering member. Then, the tip of the core wire is cut with an optical fiber cutter or the like, the cut surfaces are connected to each other, and the optical fiber is gripped in this state.
[0005]
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the conventional mechanical splice as described above.
The conventional mechanical splice 100 has a configuration in which the optical fiber core wire 111 is gripped by the pressing member 122 and the base member 121 and the optical fiber covering member 112 is gripped by another pressing member 123 and the base member 121. ing. In the drawing, the core wire 111 and the covering member 112 are not gripped by the mechanical splice 100.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the mechanical splice has the following problems to be solved.
First, when the temperature of the external environment surrounding the mechanical splice changes, the degree of thermal expansion or contraction caused by this changes in the pressing member, the base member, the covering member, and the core wire. The position of the tip end portion of the core wire is fluctuated, so that the connection state of the optical fiber core wire cannot be properly maintained, and there is a possibility that the transmission / reception of the optical signal is not performed properly.
[0007]
Second, in the structure in which the core of the optical fiber and the covering member are gripped by separate members, the number of components of the mechanical splice increases, which may increase the manufacturing cost.
[0008]
In view of such circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a mechanical splice in which the number of components is reduced and an optical fiber connection state can always be properly maintained.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
A mechanical splice according to the present invention is a mechanical splice for holding a pair or a plurality of pairs of optical fibers facing each other and connecting each other, and has first and second mechanical splice bodies, The second mechanical splice body has a covering member holding portion for holding a covering member provided with a covering member receiving groove for receiving a covering member for covering the core of each optical fiber, and the covering member is removed. The sheath member and the core wire are interposed between the core wire sandwiching portion for sandwiching the core wire provided with the core wire housing groove for housing the exposed core wire, and the covering member sandwiching portion and the core wire sandwiching portion. A space portion that does not contact the cover member, and the covering member holding portion and the core wire holding portion are integrally formed, and the covering member receiving groove and the core wire receiving groove are continuously formed.
[0012]
In the present invention, since the covering member sandwiching portion and the core wire sandwiching portion are configured integrally, the number of components of the mechanical splice can be reduced.
[0014]
In the present invention, there is provided a space for preventing the position variation of the end portion of the core wire due to the thermal expansion or contraction of the covering member, the core wire, and the mechanical splice body generated by the change of the external temperature. Thus, the connection state of the optical fiber can always be kept appropriate.
[0015]
In the mechanical splice, a mechanical splice body, characterized in that it has a buffering portion provided on at least one of the covering member holding portions and the core wire clamping portion.
[0016]
In the present invention, there is provided a buffer member for preventing the position change of the end portion of the core wire due to the thermal expansion or contraction of the covering member, the core wire, and the mechanical splice body generated by the change of the external temperature. Thus, the connection state of the optical fiber can always be kept appropriate.
[0017]
In the mechanical splice, and having a fixing member for fixing the mechanical splice body in a state where the covering member and the cord is sandwiched.
[0018]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the mechanical splice of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
It should be noted that the following embodiments are merely for explaining the present invention, and do not limit the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, those skilled in the art can employ various embodiments including each or all of these elements, and these embodiments are also included in the scope of the present invention.
In all the drawings for explaining the embodiments, the same elements are given the same reference numerals, and repetitive explanations thereof are omitted.
[0019]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a mechanical splice 1a according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
The mechanical splice 1a is for holding the optical fibers 2 facing each other and connecting them together, and a covering member holding portion for holding a covering member 22 covering the core of the optical fiber 2, and this Mechanical splice bodies 31 and 32 formed integrally with the covering member sandwiching portion and comprising the core wire sandwiching portion for sandwiching the core wire 21 exposed by removing the covering member 22, the covering member 22 and A clamp spring 4 (corresponding to the fixing member in the claims) having a U-shaped cross section for fixing the mechanical splice bodies 31 and 32 in a state where the core wire 21 is sandwiched is provided.
[0020]
The mechanical splice bodies 31 and 32 are formed so as to be continuous with the covering member receiving groove having a V-shaped cross section for receiving the covering member 22 and the covering member receiving groove, and a cross section for receiving the core wire 21. It has the groove part 33 which consists of a core wire accommodation groove | channel whose shape is V shape.
[0021]
The groove portion 33 has its dimensions and the like adjusted strictly in order to oppose the core wires 21 with high accuracy.
[0022]
Also, optical fiber insertion holes 34 for preparing the handling of the optical fiber 2 at the time of assembly are provided at both ends of the mechanical splice bodies 31 and 32, respectively.
[0023]
Further, a step is provided on the surfaces of the mechanical splice bodies 31 and 32 for ensuring engagement with the clamp spring 4.
[0024]
FIG. 2 shows a state in which the mechanical splice bodies 31 and 32 and the clamp spring 4 are assembled and the optical fiber 2 is sandwiched.
[0025]
As described above, the mechanical splice 1a is formed by integrating the covering member holding portion and the core wire holding portion of the mechanical splice bodies 31 and 32, so that the number of components is reduced compared to the mechanical splice 100 of FIG. Yes.
[0026]
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the mechanical splice 1a shown in FIGS.
In the present embodiment, considering that the covering member 22 has a diameter larger than that of the core wire 21 due to, for example, the covering member receiving groove of the groove portion 33 being cut deeper than the core wire receiving groove, mechanical The thickness of the core wire holding portion 311 of the splice 31 and the core wire holding portion 321 of the mechanical splice 32 and the thickness of the covering member holding portion 312 of the mechanical splice body 31 and the covering member holding portion 322 of the mechanical splice body 32 are the core wires 21. And adjusted to the diameter of the covering member 22.
[0027]
In the conventional mechanical splice 100 shown in FIG. 8, when the temperature of the external environment surrounding the mechanical splice changes, the degree of thermal expansion or contraction caused by this changes in the presser member, base member, covering member, and core wire. Since the optical fiber is bent, the position of the tip of the optical fiber is deflected, and the connection state of the optical fiber cannot be properly maintained. As a result, transmission and reception of optical signals cannot be performed properly. The possible points are described above.
[0028]
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a mechanical splice 1b according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and this mechanical splice 1b is for solving the above-mentioned problems.
The mechanical splice body 31 has a space 5 between the core wire sandwiching portion 311 and the covering member sandwiching portion 312, and the mechanical splice body 32 is disposed between the core wire sandwiching portion 321 and the covering member sandwiching portion 322. Has a space 5.
[0029]
The space 5 has a shape change caused by thermal expansion or contraction of the covering member 22, the core wire 21, and the mechanical splice bodies 31 and 32, which is generated when the temperature of the outside world changes, in the connection portion 23 of the core wire. The connection state between the core wires 21 is always maintained.
[0030]
FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a mechanical splice 1c according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
The mechanical splice 1c is provided with a buffer member 6 made of a buffer material in the covering member sandwiching portions 312 and 322 instead of the space portion 5 of FIG.
[0031]
The buffer portion 6 has a shape change due to thermal expansion or contraction of the covering member 22, the core wire 21, and the mechanical splice bodies 31 and 32 generated when the temperature of the outside world changes, and reaches the connecting portion 23 of the core wire. And the connection state between the core wires 21 is always maintained.
[0032]
FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a mechanical splice 1d according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.
The mechanical splice 1d is obtained by providing a shock-absorbing portion 7 made of a shock-absorbing material on the core wire sandwiching portions 311 and 321.
[0033]
In the buffer portion 7, the shape change due to the thermal expansion or contraction of the covering member 22, the core wire 21, and the mechanical splice bodies 31 and 32 generated by the change in the external temperature reaches the connection portion 23 of the core wire. And the connection state between the core wires 21 is always maintained.
[0034]
Further, the mechanical splice bodies 31 and 32 may be configured to have both the buffer parts 6 and 7 described above.
[0035]
Furthermore, the mechanical splice bodies 31 and 32 may have a configuration including at least one of the buffer parts 6 and 7 and the space part 5.
[0036]
FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a mechanical splice 1e according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.
The mechanical splices 1a, 1b, 1c, and 1d in the first to fourth embodiments described above sandwich a single-core optical fiber having only one core wire. These are for holding two multi-fiber tape fibers having a plurality of core wires (in this embodiment, four cases are exemplified) facing each other and connecting each other.
[0037]
The mechanical splice 1e is formed integrally with the covering member holding portion for holding the covering member 82 covering the core wire 81 of the multi-core tape fiber 8, and the covering member holding portion, and the covering member 82 is removed. The mechanical splice bodies 35 and 36 including the core wire holding portion for holding the exposed core wire 81, and the mechanical splice bodies 35 and 36 in a state where the covering member 82 and the core wire 81 are held are fixed. And a clamp spring 7 for the purpose.
[0038]
The mechanical splice bodies 35 and 36 are formed continuously with the covering member receiving groove for receiving the covering member 82 and the covering member receiving groove, and the cross-sectional shape for receiving the core wire 81 is V-shaped. It has a groove portion 37 composed of four core wire receiving grooves of the mold.
[0039]
The groove portion 37 has its dimensions and the like adjusted strictly to make the core wires 81 face each other with high accuracy.
[0040]
Further, optical fiber insertion holes 38 for preparing the handling of the multi-fiber tape fiber 8 at the time of assembly are provided at both ends of the mechanical splice bodies 35 and 36, respectively.
[0041]
Further, a step for ensuring engagement with the clamp spring 7 is provided on the surfaces of the mechanical splice bodies 35 and 36.
[0042]
Such a mechanical splice 1e has at least one of the space part 5 in FIG. 4, the buffer part 6 in FIG. 5, and the buffer part 7 in FIG. 6, as in the above-described embodiment. be able to.
[0043]
In addition, the mechanical splices in all the above embodiments can sandwich a plurality of pairs of single-core optical fibers or multi-fiber tape fibers and connect them to each other.
[0044]
In all of the above embodiments, the case where the mechanical splice body has a clamp spring as a fixing member for fixing the main body with the covering member and the core wire sandwiched is shown. And the groove | channel corresponding to this is provided in the side surface of a mechanical splice main body, and it is good also as a structure which fixes mechanical splice main bodies by engaging these.
[0045]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the mechanical splice of the present invention is configured by integrating the covering member holding portion for holding the covering member with the mechanical splice body and the core wire holding portion for holding the core wire. Therefore, the number of mechanical splice components can be reduced.
[0046]
In addition, since it has a space to prevent position fluctuations of the core wire tip portion due to thermal expansion or thermal contraction of the covering member, the core wire, and the mechanical splice body generated by the change of the external temperature, the connection of the optical fiber The state can always be kept appropriate.
[0047]
In addition, since it has a buffering part for preventing the position variation of the end part of the core wire due to thermal expansion or contraction of the covering member, the core wire, and the mechanical splice body generated by the change of the external temperature, the optical fiber The connection state can always be kept appropriate.
[0048]
In view of the above, it is possible to provide a mechanical splice in which the number of components is reduced and the optical fiber connection state can always be properly maintained.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a mechanical splice according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which the mechanical splice of FIGS. 1 and 2 is assembled.
3 is a cross-sectional view of the mechanical splice of FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a mechanical splice according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a mechanical splice according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a mechanical splice according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a mechanical splice according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a conventional mechanical splice.
[Explanation of symbols]
1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e Mechanical splice 2 Optical fiber 4 Clamp spring 5 Buffer space 6, 7 Buffer portion 8 Multi-fiber tape fiber 21, 81 Core wire,
22, 82 Cover member 23 Connection portion 31, 32, 35, 36 Mechanical splice body 33, 37 Groove portion 34, 38 Optical fiber insertion port 311, 321 Core wire sandwiching portion 312, 322 Cover member sandwiching portion

Claims (3)

A mechanical splice for holding one or more pairs of optical fibers facing each other and connecting each other,
Having first and second mechanical splice bodies;
The first and second mechanical splice bodies are:
A covering member holding portion for holding the covering member provided with a covering member receiving groove for receiving a covering member covering the core of each optical fiber;
A core wire holding portion for holding the core wire provided with a core wire receiving groove for storing the exposed core wire from which the covering member has been removed;
A space where the covering member and the core wire do not contact each other between the covering member holding portion and the core wire holding portion;
The covering member sandwiching portion and the core wire sandwiching portion are configured integrally.
The mechanical splice is characterized in that the covering member receiving groove and the core wire receiving groove are continuously formed. 2. The mechanical splice according to claim 1, wherein the mechanical splice body has a buffer portion provided in at least one of the covering member holding portion and the core wire holding portion. The mechanical splice according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a fixing member for fixing the mechanical splice body in a state where the covering member and the core wire are sandwiched.

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