JP4446920B2 - Non-reflective processing member for optical fiber - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an anti-reflection treatment member for an optical fiber that is attached to an optical fiber terminal for anti-reflection treatment of the end of an optical fiber.

  For example, in an optical subscriber network, when adopting a system in which a signal from a transmission device in a office building is branched into a plurality of optical fibers by a star coupler and transmitted to individual optical subscriber devices, it is generally used for future use. In this case, the terminal of the spare optical fiber (core wire not dropped by the subscriber) disposed in the optical closure is subjected to the non-reflection treatment as described above. There is a need. In particular, an image-type optical fiber has an adverse effect on the image signal unless it is subjected to antireflection treatment.

There are various methods for the non-reflection treatment of the optical fiber terminal. As a structure for making each optical fiber (optical fiber tape or single-core optical fiber) separately non-reflective, for example, Japanese Patent No. 3253472 As described above, there is a method in which an optical connector is attached to an end of an optical fiber, and a groove is formed in the optical connector so as to obliquely cross the optical path.
Japanese Patent No. 3253472

  The conventional anti-reflection treatment method requires an operation for attaching an optical connector to the tip of an optical fiber and a groove processing operation for forming a groove after the optical connector is attached, and the assembly man-hour and the processing man-hour are very large. There is. In addition, it cannot be used for outdoor work because it requires processing.

  In addition, when a terminal (non-reflective terminal) subjected to such non-reflection treatment is arranged in the optical closure, the arrangement place is a thin case (extra length storage case, optical wiring case, In a predetermined position in the optical module). Generally, the extra length storage case is a plastic molded product. Inside the case, there are a connecting portion, a branching portion, and the like, and an extra length portion in which the extra length of the optical fiber connected to them is stored. It is formed as a built-in partition wall, mandrel, etc. Therefore, the non-reflective terminal portion must also have a shape that can be fixed in a predetermined position such as in the partition.

  The present invention has been made to eliminate the above-mentioned conventional drawbacks, and can easily perform an anti-reflective treatment operation of an optical fiber terminal, and has excellent storage properties in a thin case such as an extra-length storage case. An object of the present invention is to provide a non-reflection treatment member for an optical fiber.

The present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is an optical fiber antireflection treatment member attached to an optical fiber terminal for antireflection treatment of an optical fiber terminal,
An elongated base body in which a matching agent storage portion having a recess for storing a refractive index matching agent and an optical fiber holding portion for holding an optical fiber having a tip advanced into the matching agent storage portion are integrated in series. A lid having a matching agent storage portion side portion covering the alignment agent storage portion and an optical fiber holding portion side portion covering the optical fiber holding portion, and alignment of the matching agent storage portion and lid body of the base body And an engaging means for engaging the agent accommodating portion side portion and an engaging means for engaging the optical fiber holding portion of the base body and the optical fiber holding portion side portion of the lid , The boundary part between the matching agent storage part side and the optical fiber holding part side part can be bent , and only the optical fiber holding part can be opened with the matching agent storage part covering the matching agent storage part of the base body. Oh it is,
The refractive index matching agent is stored in the recess of the matching agent storage portion of the base body, and the matching agent storage portion side portion of the lid body covers the matching agent storage portion and remains in the closed state in which both are engaged. Bend the boundary between the agent container side and the optical fiber holder side part so that only the optical fiber holder side part is opened, and align the tip of the optical fiber along the optical fiber holder Then, the optical fiber holding part side part is closed to cover the optical fiber holding part, and the optical fiber holding part and the optical fiber holding part side part are engaged with each other. The optical fiber is subjected to non-reflective processing by operation .

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the non-reflective processing member for an optical fiber according to the first aspect, the base body has a U-shaped cross section, and the lid body has a downward U-shape that surrounds the upper surface opening and both side plate portions of the base body. It is characterized by.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the nonreflective processing member for an optical fiber according to the second aspect, the engaging claw is provided on the left and right side plate portions of the base body, and the engaging claw is engaged with the left and right side plate portion of the lid body. It is provided.

Claim 4 is the optical fiber holding unit in the non-reflection treatment member for optical fiber according to any one of claims 1 to 3, forms a U-shaped cross section comprising a side plate portion and the left and right bottom in the assembled state, Prior to assembly, the bottom part and the left and right side plate parts are connected to each other via a folding thin-wall part to form a flat shape.
A fifth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the fourth aspect , an optical fiber holding projection for holding the optical fiber is provided on the inner surfaces of the left and right side plate portions of the optical fiber holding portion.

Claim 6 is the non-reflective processing member for an optical fiber according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the end of the alignment agent storage portion of the base body and the end of the alignment agent storage portion side portion of the lid body Are integrated through a thin connecting portion.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the non-reflective processing member for an optical fiber according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the base body and the lid body are separate bodies.

According to the present invention, the refractive index matching agent is accommodated in the matching agent storage portion of the base body, the tip of the optical fiber enters the matching agent storage portion from the optical fiber holding portion side, and then the base body is covered with the lid. The antireflection treatment of the optical fiber can be performed only by a simple operation of engaging, and the antireflection treatment operation becomes extremely simple.
In addition, since the shape of the non-reflective processing member is an elongated shape, it can be stored in a thin case such as an extra-length storage case, and high-density mounting is possible.

In addition, according to the present invention, since the matching agent storage portion side portion of the lid can be opened and closed while the optical fiber holding portion side portion (the portion covering the optical fiber holding portion) is closed while being covered on the matching agent storage portion. For example, the matching agent storage unit may be pre-filled with a refractive index matching agent in a factory and covered in a semi-assembled state, and the other parts may be assembled on site. Therefore, it is not necessary to perform the work of filling the refractive index matching agent in the field. Therefore, the field work is simplified, and the antireflection treatment can be easily performed even in a place with a poor work environment such as an aerial light closure.

According to the sixth aspect , since the whole is integrated, the handleability is excellent, and the antireflection treatment can be easily performed even in a place where the working environment is bad.

  Hereinafter, an anti-reflective member for optical fiber embodying the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an assembled state of an optical fiber non-reflective processing member 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a developed perspective view showing a state before the non-reflective processing member 1 is assembled, and FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an aspect of an assembly stage of the member 1. 4 is a front view of the unreflected processing member 1 in a developed state (the state of FIG. 2), FIG. 5 is a plan view of FIG. 4, FIG. 6 is a bottom view of FIG. It is sectional drawing. 8 is a cross-sectional view at each position of the lid body 7, FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view at each position of the base body 4, and FIG. 10 is a view for explaining an intermediate state of the base body 4, and FIGS. FIG. 4 is a view showing an assembled state.

The non-reflective processing member 1 of the embodiment is a resin integrated molded product made of polypropylene or the like, for example, and includes a matching agent storage portion 2 having a recess 2a for storing a refractive index matching agent and a recess 2a of the matching agent storage portion 2. An elongated base body 4 in which an optical fiber holding portion 3 holding an optical fiber 9 (see FIG. 7, FIG. 13, FIG. A lid 7 having an alignment agent storage portion side portion 5 covering the agent storage portion 2 and an optical fiber holding portion side portion 6 covering the optical fiber holding portion 3, and the base body 4 and the lid body 7 is integrated through a flexible thin connecting portion 8.

Engaging claws 11 projecting to the left and right are provided near the upper edges of the left and right side surfaces of the matching agent storage portion 2 of the base body 4 as shown in FIGS. Further, a through groove 12 a through which the optical fiber passes is formed in the boundary wall 12 between the matching agent storage unit 2 and the optical fiber holding unit 3.
In the unfolded state, the optical fiber holding part 3 is connected in a planar shape with the bottom part 13 and the left and right side plate parts 14 via the thin-fitting part 15 as shown in FIGS. When the left and right bending thin-walled portions 15 are bent at a right angle and raised, the cross-section is generally U-shaped as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 9C, the engaging claw 16 is provided on the lower surface side of the side plate portion 14 in the unfolded state. When the side plate portion 14 is raised at a right angle, the engaging claw 16 is shown in FIG. As shown in (b) and (c), the left and right sides are projected (that is, the engagement claw 11 of the matching agent storage unit 2 is substantially in the same position). Further, on the upper surface side of the side plate portion 14 of the optical fiber holding portion 3 in the unfolded state, the optical fiber 9 is held from the left and right while being positioned on the inner surface of the optical fiber holding portion 3 in the assembled state (see FIG. 14 (a)). A fiber holding projection 17 is provided for this purpose.

  The matching agent storage portion side portion 5 and the optical fiber holding portion side portion 6 of the lid body 7 both have a U-shaped cross section, and the engaging claws 11 and 16 on the base body 4 side engage with the side plate portions 18 and 19. Engaging holes 20 and 21 are provided. Further, a boundary portion between the matching agent storage portion side portion 5 and the optical fiber holding portion side portion 6 of the lid body 7 is a foldable thin portion 22, and as shown in FIG. Only the optical fiber holding part side part 6 can be opened and closed in a closed state where the accommodating part side part 5 is put on the matching agent storage part 2 of the base body 4. Further, a raised portion 5 a is provided on the top surface portion (bottom surface portion in the unfolded state) of the matching agent storage portion side portion 5 of the lid body 7. The raised portion 5a ensures that the engaging claw 11 of the matching agent storage portion 2 does not come out of the engaging hole 20 of the lid body 7 (see FIG. 14C).

-Reflective treatment member 1 described above, for example, start a non-reflective processing such as optical fiber terminal unused in the closure in the optical access network, but is used in anti-reflective treatment of non-use of optical fibers in other cases FIG. 15 schematically shows a place where the antireflective member 1 is used. The optical fiber connected to the transmission device 31 is branched into a plurality of optical fibers by the optical branching device 32, and is connected to the transmission device 33 except for the unused optical fiber, and at the end of the unused optical fiber. The reflection treatment member 1 is attached to constitute the non-reflection terminal 25.

The point which performs the non-reflective process of an optical fiber using said anti-reflective process member 1 is demonstrated.
First, a refractive index matching agent such as silicon resin is filled in the matching agent storage portion 2 of the base body 4.
Next, the lid body 7 is placed on the base body 4 so as to bend the flexible thin-walled connecting portion 8. At this stage, the optical fiber holding part 3 of the base body 4 remains in the unfolded state as shown in FIG. 2 and the like, and the matching agent of the base body 4 is inserted into the engagement hole 20 of the matching agent storage part side part 5 of the lid body 7. It is preferable that the engaging claw 11 of the storage unit 2 is engaged. Therefore, the optical fiber holding part side portion 6 of the lid 7 is only placed on the optical fiber holding part 3 having a planar shape. The assembly work up to this stage should be done at the factory.

For example, when the terminal of the spare optical fiber in the optical closure is subjected to a non-reflection treatment, the spare optical fiber is pulled out by opening the optical closure at the site.
Next, as shown in FIG. 3 and the like, the matching agent storage portion side portion 5 side of the lid body 7 is closed and folded at the thin-walled connecting portion 22 to open the optical fiber holding portion side portion 6 of the lid body 7. A space above the holding unit 3 is opened (that is, the optical fiber holding unit 3 is opened).
Next, the leading end (terminal) of the drawn optical fiber 9 passes through the through groove 12 a along the optical fiber holding portion 3 and enters the refractive index matching agent in the recess 2 a of the matching agent storage portion 2.
Next, the left and right side plate portions 14 of the optical fiber holding portion 3 of the base body 4 are bent inward by the bending thin-wall portions 15 and raised at right angles. The appearance of the optical fiber holding part 3 when the side plate part 14 is raised at a right angle is like the optical fiber holding part 3 shown in FIG.
Next, the optical fiber holding part side portion 6 of the lid body 7 is put on the optical fiber holding part 3 of the base body 4. At this time, the engaging claws 16 on both sides of the optical fiber holding portion 3 engage with the engaging holes 21 in the optical fiber holding portion side portion 6 of the lid body 7, and the entire lid body 7 is fixed to the base body 4. . At the same time, the optical fiber 9 is sandwiched and fixed by the fiber holding protrusions 17 on the inner surface of the optical fiber holding portion side portion 6 (see FIG. 14 (a)), and the end of the optical fiber 9 is shown in FIGS. The optical fiber non-reflective terminal 25 to which the non-reflective processing member 1 is attached is configured.

  In the optical fiber non-reflective terminal 25 configured as described above, the light emitted from the end face of the optical fiber diffuses in the refractive index matching agent 10, so that the light returning to the front end face (outgoing end) of the optical fiber is Almost no attenuation can be ensured. In the illustrated example, the front end inner surface 2b of the recess 2a is inclined, so that the amount of light returning to the emission end is further reduced. Thus, non-reflection of the optical fiber terminal can be realized.

  As described above, the refractive index matching agent 10 is accommodated in the matching agent storage portion 2 of the base body 4, the optical fiber 9 is inserted into the matching agent storage portion 2, and the base body 4 is covered with the lid 7 and engaged. The optical fiber can be processed without reflection with a simple operation. Therefore, the non-reflective processing operation becomes extremely simple as compared with the conventional method that requires a lot of man-hours for assembly and processing. In addition, there is no problem in working outdoors because there is no need for processing.

  Moreover, since the optical fiber holding part side part 6 can be opened and closed in the closed state where the matching agent storage part side part 5 of the lid 7 is put on the matching agent storage part 2, as described above, the matching agent storage part 2 In addition, a semi-assembled state in which a refractive index matching agent is filled in advance at the factory and the lid 7 is put in place is prepared, and the other parts can be assembled on site. Therefore, it is not necessary to perform a refilling operation of a refractive index matching agent such as matching oil or matching jelly on site. Therefore, the field work is simplified, and the antireflection treatment can be easily performed even in a place with a poor work environment such as an aerial light closure.

Moreover, since the antireflective processing member 1 of an Example is the resin integral molding part as a whole, it is excellent in handleability and can perform an antireflective process easily also in a place with a bad working environment.
In addition, when it becomes necessary to use the spare optical fiber to which the antireflection processing member 1 is attached, the unnecessary antireflection processing member 1 is removed, but the antireflection processing member 1 is disassembled and reused. Don't worry, just cut and discard.

The non-reflective terminal 25 formed by attaching the non-reflective processing member 1 to the optical fiber terminal is accommodated in, for example, an extra length storage case in the optical closure.
Generally, the extra-length storage case is an integrally molded product made of plastic. In the case, there are an optical fiber connection part, a branch part, and the like, and an extra length part in which the extra length of the optical fiber is stored, and the case wall. Although it is formed as an integral built-in partition wall, mandrel, or the like, when providing a non-reflective terminal housing in such a case, there is a high need for an elongated space. On the other hand, since the nonreflective processing member 1 has an elongated box shape, it is suitable as a shape corresponding to the nonreflective terminal storage part provided in the extra length storage case. Thus, the non-reflective processing member 1 of the present invention is excellent in storability in a thin case such as an extra-length storage case, and enables high-density mounting.

  Further, when the size of the non-reflective processing member 1 is made the same size as the connection reinforcing member that reinforces the fusion splicing part of the optical fiber, the non-reflective terminal 25 (non-reflective terminal) is formed in the connecting part storage part of the existing extra length storage case. A processing member 1) can be arranged. Therefore, it is not necessary to change the extra length storage case to a new structure, and the existing extra length storage case can be used as it is, which is convenient.

In the above embodiment, since the lid body 7 and the base body 4 are integrated via the thin-wall connecting portion 8, the assembly workability is good, but the lid body 7 and the base body 4 are separated. Also good. Further, even when the lid body 7 and the base body 4 are integrated, they are not limited to those integrally formed with resin, but may be integrated by bonding and fixing separate thin connection members.
Further, the side plate portion 14 of the optical fiber holding unit 3 of the base body 4 in the embodiment, although the pre-assembled state are in a plane, as possible out also be molded from a first box-shaped U-shaped section.
In addition, the optical fiber holding portion of the base body is not limited to the structure sandwiched between the protrusions on the inner surfaces of the left and right side plate portions as in the embodiment, and various design changes can be made. It is good also as a structure fixed with an adhesive agent.

In the above-described embodiments, the antireflection processing member that performs the antireflection processing of the single-core optical fiber has been described. However, the present invention can be applied to a multi-core optical fiber. In this case, if the fusion splicing part storage part of the existing extra length storage case is used as the non-reflective processing member storage part, it is possible to apply up to four optical fiber ribbons. In this case, the tip of the tape core wire is allowed to enter the recess 2a of the matching agent storage unit 2 as it is.
Further, the antireflective member of the present invention is not limited to the case of applying to the antireflective treatment of the spare optical fiber disposed in the optical closure of the optical subscriber network. Applicable to various necessary cases.

It is a perspective view of the assembly state of the non-reflective processing member for optical fibers of one Example of this invention. FIG. 2 is a developed perspective view showing a state before assembly of the non-reflective processing member of FIG. 1. It is a perspective view which shows the one aspect | mode of the assembly stage of the non-reflective processing member of FIG. It is a front view of the unfolded state of FIG. 2 of the non-reflective processing member. FIG. 5 is a plan view of FIG. 4. FIG. 5 is a bottom view of FIG. 4. It is AA sectional drawing of FIG. 4A is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. 4, FIG. 4B is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line CC in FIG. 4, FIG. 4C is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line DD in FIG. -E is an enlarged sectional view. (A) is an FF expanded sectional view of the principal part of FIG. 4, (b) is a GG expanded sectional view of the principal part of FIG. 4, (c) is a HH sectional view of FIG. FIG. 7A shows a state where the side plate portion of the optical fiber holding portion is bent and raised. FIG. 7A is a plan view (a diagram corresponding to FIG. 5), and FIG. (Corresponding drawings) and (c) are JJ enlarged sectional views of (a). It is a front view of the assembly state (FIG. 1) of the said non-reflective processing member. It is a top view of FIG. It is KK sectional drawing of FIG. 11A is an LL enlarged cut end view of FIG. 11, FIG. 11B is an MM enlarged cut end view of FIG. 11, and FIG. 11B is an NN enlarged cut end view of FIG. It is a figure which illustrates typically an example of the use place of the said non-reflective processing member.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Non-reflective processing member 2 Matching agent storage part 2a (base body) Recess 3 Optical fiber holding part 4 (base body) Base body
6 Optical fiber holder side part (of the lid)
5 Matching agent storage portion side portion 7 (of lid) Cover 8 Thin-wall connecting portion 9 Optical fiber 10 Refractive index matching agent 11, 16 Engaging claw 12 Boundary wall 12a Through groove 13 Bottom portion 14 Side plate portion 15 Bending thin-wall portion 17 Fiber holding protrusions 20, 21 Engaging hole 22 Thin-walled connecting portion

Claims (7)

An anti-reflective member for optical fiber attached to an optical fiber terminal for anti-reflective treatment of the end of the optical fiber,
An elongated base body in which a matching agent storage portion having a recess for storing a refractive index matching agent and an optical fiber holding portion for holding an optical fiber having a tip advanced into the matching agent storage portion are integrated in series. A lid having a matching agent storage portion side portion covering the alignment agent storage portion and an optical fiber holding portion side portion covering the optical fiber holding portion, and alignment of the matching agent storage portion and lid body of the base body And an engaging means for engaging the agent accommodating portion side portion and an engaging means for engaging the optical fiber holding portion of the base body and the optical fiber holding portion side portion of the lid , The boundary part between the matching agent storage part side and the optical fiber holding part side part can be bent , and only the optical fiber holding part can be opened with the matching agent storage part covering the matching agent storage part of the base body. Oh it is,
The refractive index matching agent is stored in the recess of the matching agent storage portion of the base body, and the matching agent storage portion side portion of the lid body covers the matching agent storage portion and remains in the closed state in which both are engaged. Bend the boundary between the agent container side and the optical fiber holder side part so that only the optical fiber holder side part is opened, and align the tip of the optical fiber along the optical fiber holder The optical fiber holding part side portion is closed to cover the optical fiber holding part, and the optical fiber holding part and the optical fiber holding part side part are engaged with each other. An antireflective member for optical fiber , which performs an antireflective treatment of an optical fiber by an operation .   2. The non-reflective processing member for an optical fiber according to claim 1, wherein the base body has a U-shaped cross section, and the lid body has a downward U-shape surrounding the upper surface opening and both side plate portions of the base body. .   3. The non-reflective for optical fiber according to claim 2, wherein engaging claws are provided in the left and right side plate portions of the base body, and engaging holes are provided in the left and right side plate portions of the lid body to engage the engaging claws. Processing member.   The optical fiber holding part has a U-shaped cross section composed of a bottom part and left and right side plate parts in an assembled state, and the bottom part and the left and right side plate parts are connected to each other via a folding thin part before assembly. The antireflective member for optical fiber according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the nonreflective member for optical fiber is provided.   The optical fiber non-reflection treatment member according to claim 4, wherein optical fiber holding protrusions for holding the optical fiber are provided on the inner surfaces of the left and right side plate portions of the optical fiber holding portion.   The end part of the matching agent storage part of the base body and the end part of the matching agent storage part side part of the lid body are integrated through a thin-walled connecting part. The antireflective member for optical fibers according to one item.   The said base body and a cover body are separate bodies, The non-reflective processing member for optical fibers as described in any one of Claims 1-5 characterized by the above-mentioned.

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