JP4981521B2 - Reinforcing sleeve structure and method for reinforcing fusion splice - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a reinforcing sleeve structure for reinforcing a fusion splicing portion between optical fibers or optical fiber cords, and a method for reinforcing a fusion splicing portion.

  An optical fiber cord having a structure in which a tensile strength material is added to an optical fiber core and a sheath is provided is known.

  When this optical fiber cord is fusion spliced and the fusion spliced portion is reinforced, for example, a reinforcing sleeve structure is put on the spliced spliced portion of the optical fiber cores, and a rod-shaped reinforcement is provided in the vicinity of the reinforcing sleeve structure. Some members are arranged along the longitudinal direction, and a protective pipe made of ABS resin, vinyl chloride resin or the like is placed thereon to reinforce the fusion spliced portion.

Furthermore, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-77766 wraps a spiral tube around a fusion splicing portion between optical fiber cords in such a manner as to extend from the sheath portion of one optical fiber cord to the sheath portion of the other optical fiber cord. The method of covering is proposed.
Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-77766

  In the conventional fusion splicing structure reinforcement structure, since a hard member is generally used as the reinforcing member and the protective pipe, it cannot be bent, which may restrict the layout in the optical device, or work on wiring or the like. There was a problem that it was difficult.

  In order to solve this problem, the technique described in Patent Document 1 has a problem in that it takes a lot of time and effort because it involves many steps of forming a reinforcing member and reinforcing work.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a reinforcing sleeve structure and a method for reinforcing a fusion splicing portion that can be easily formed and can simplify the reinforcing work process.

The reinforcing sleeve structure according to the present invention includes an inner tube for housing a fusion spliced portion in which optical fiber cords including tensile strength members or optical fiber cables are fusion-connected, and an outer wall of the inner tube, Reinforcing strength member disposed so as to extend longer than both sides of the inner tube, an end portion of the optical fiber cord or the fiber optic cable covering, and the inner tube and the strength member are disposed so as to cover The inner tube is made of a heat-meltable member, the outer tube is made of a heat-shrinkable member, and the length of the inner tube is the optical fiber cord before heating and melting. same or the length of the coating-removing portion which includes a connecting portion between each other or an optical fiber cable, shorter than the length of the coating-removing portion After heating and melting, the optical fiber cord or the optical fiber cable, and the tensile body have a length that does not cover the end of the coating of the optical fiber cord or the optical fiber cable, and in the outer tube at the time of thermal melting. It is set to be equal to the volume of space except. It is a reinforcing sleeve structure.

The reinforcing sleeve structure according to the present invention is a reinforcing sleeve structure in which the strength member is substantially equal in length to the outer tube along an end portion of the covering of the optical fiber cord or the optical fiber cable .

In the reinforcing sleeve structure according to the present invention, the strength member is a reinforcing sleeve structure made of resin .

The reinforcing sleeve structure according to the present invention is a reinforcing sleeve structure in which the strength member has a half-moon shape in cross section and a rod shape whose curved surface portion is in contact with the outer tube .

The reinforcing sleeve structure according to the present invention is a reinforcing sleeve structure in which an optical fiber is slidable in the optical fiber cord or the optical fiber cable.

The method of the reinforcing welded portion of the invention, the fusion splice between the optical fiber cord with each other or an optical fiber cable containing the fusion splicing strength member, a heat-meltable, the light before heating and melting the length of the coating-removing portion which includes a connecting portion between the fiber cord or between optical fiber cables and the same or shorter than the length of the coating removal portion after melting by heating, covered the ends of the coating of the optical fiber cord or optical fiber cable not, and covered with the optical fiber cord or optical fiber cable, and length internal tube made equal properly to the volume of the space except the strength members in the outer tube during thermal melting,
The tensile body is disposed so as to extend longer than both sides of the inner tube along the outer wall of the inner tube,
A heat shrinkable outer tube longer than the length of the inner tube is disposed so as to cover the part including the end of the coating of the optical fiber cord or the optical fiber cable, and the inner tube and the strength member. ,
This is a method for reinforcing a fusion spliced portion, in which the inner tube and the outer tube are heated to melt the inner tube and contract the outer tube to integrally reinforce the fusion spliced portion.

  According to the reinforcing sleeve structure of the present invention as set forth in claim 1, the reinforcing strength member for reinforcement is arranged along the outer wall of the inner tube for housing the fusion splicing portion so as to cover the inner tube and the strength member. Since the outer tube is disposed on the outer surface, the reinforcing sleeve structure can be easily formed, and the reinforcing work process can be simplified.

Furthermore, according to the reinforcing sleeve structure of the present invention described in claim 1 , the inner tube is made of a heat-meltable member, the tensile body is made of a resin, and the outer tube is made of a heat-shrinkable member. Therefore, the fusion splicing portion can be integrally reinforced by heat shrinkage quickly and easily.

Further , according to the reinforcing sleeve structure of the present invention described in claim 1 , since the inner tube has a length that does not cover the optical fiber or the optical fiber cord at the time of heat melting, the inner tube is not attached to the optical fiber or the optical fiber cord. Necessary pressure is not applied, and buckling does not occur in the optical fiber or the optical fiber cord.

In addition, according to the reinforcing sleeve structure of the present invention described in claim 1 , since the length of the strength member and the outer tube is longer than the length of the inner tube, the inner tube can be obtained even when heat-shrinking. Therefore, unnecessary pressure is not applied to the optical fiber or the optical fiber cord, and the optical fiber or the optical fiber cord is not buckled.

Furthermore, according to the reinforcing sleeve structure of the present invention as set forth in claim 1 , the inner tube becomes substantially equal to the volume of the space excluding the optical fiber or the optical fiber cord and the strength member in the outer tube at the time of heat melting. Therefore, unnecessary pressure is not applied to the optical fiber or the optical fiber cord, no buckling occurs in the optical fiber or the optical fiber cord, and the reinforcement strength is increased as much as possible. Can do.

According to the fusion splicing portion reinforcing method of the present invention described in claim 5 , the heat longer than the length of the inner tube so as to cover a part of the optical fiber or the optical fiber cord and the inner tube and the tensile body from the outer peripheral surface. Since a shrinkable outer tube is placed and the inner tube and outer tube are heated to melt and shrink, respectively, unnecessary pressure is not applied to the optical fiber or optical fiber cord, and the optical fiber or optical fiber cord is buckled. Will not occur.

Further, according to the fusion splicing portion reinforcing method of the present invention as set forth in claim 5 , since the inner tube is set to a length that does not cover the optical fiber or the optical fiber cord at the time of thermal melting, Unnecessary pressure is not applied to the optical fiber cord, and the optical fiber or the optical fiber cord is not buckled.

Further , according to the fusion splicing portion reinforcing method of the present invention described in claim 5 , the length of the inner tube is the same as that of the space excluding the optical fiber or the optical fiber cord and the tensile member in the outer tube at the time of heat melting. Since the length is set to be approximately equal to the volume, unnecessary pressure is not applied to the optical fiber or the optical fiber cord, and the optical fiber or the optical fiber cord is not buckled and is reinforced. Strength can be increased as much as possible.

  Next, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a reinforcing sleeve structure.

  FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the reinforcing sleeve structure.

  The reinforcing sleeve structure 10 includes a heat-shrinkable outer tube 11, a heat-meltable inner tube 12, and a semi-circular and bar-shaped tensile strength member 13 arranged along the outer wall of the inner tube 12. It is prepared for.

  In this case, the lengths of the outer tube 11 and the strength member 13 are set to be approximately equal, and their length L2 is set to be longer than the length L1 of the inner tube 12.

  The reason why the length is set as described above is that when the outer tube 11 is thermally contracted and the inner tube 12 is thermally melted, unnecessary pressure is applied to the optical fiber or the optical fiber cord to be fused by the inner tube 12. This is to prevent the occurrence of buckling in the optical fiber or the optical fiber cord.

  More preferably, the length L1 of the inner tube 12 is such that the volume of the space excluding the optical fiber to be fused or the optical fiber cord and the strength member 13 in the outer tube 11 during heat melting is substantially equal to the volume of the inner tube. Is set to such a length.

  As a result, the inner tube 12 that melts only the space excluding the optical fiber to be fused or the optical fiber cord and the tension member 13 occupies the outer tube 11 at the time of heat melting. Pressure is not unnecessarily applied to the optical fiber cord, and buckling of the optical fiber or the optical fiber cord can be suppressed. Further, the inside of the outer tube 11 is almost filled with the optical fiber or the optical fiber cord, the strength member 13 and the inner tube 12, and the reinforcing strength can be made as high as possible.

  Next, the method for reinforcing the fusion splicing part of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected about the member same as the reinforcement sleeve structure mentioned above, and detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a procedure for reinforcing the fusion splicing portion. In FIG. 3, a case where an optical fiber cord is used as a fusion target will be described.

  First, the operator passes the reinforcing sleeve structure 10 through one of the two optical fiber cords 21A and 21B, exposes the optical fiber 22A from the optical fiber core wire of the one optical fiber cord 21A, and the other light. The optical fiber 22B is exposed from the optical fiber core of the fiber cord 21B.

  Next, the optical fiber 22A and the optical fiber 22B are fused and connected by an optical fiber fusion splicer (not shown).

  In this state, the reinforcing sleeve structure 10 passed previously is covered so as to cover the fusion spliced portion between the optical fiber 22A and the optical fiber 22B.

  This state is the state shown in FIG. 3A, and there is a gap in the outer tube 11, and the inner tube 12 covers the portions of the optical fiber cords 21A and 21B where the optical fibers 22A and 22B are not exposed. Is located in no position. On the other hand, the outer tube covers the portions of the optical fibers 21A and 21B where the optical fibers 22A and 22B are not exposed.

  When the reinforcing sleeve structure 10 is heated in this state, the outer tube 11 is thermally contracted, the inner tube is thermally melted, the volume is gradually reduced, and the state shown in FIG. 3B is reached.

  In this state, the inner tube 12 that melts only the space excluding the optical fibers 21A and 21B to be fused and the tension member 13 occupies the outer tube 11, so that the optical fibers 21A and 21B to be fused are occupied. Pressure is not applied unnecessarily.

  In addition, since the inner tube 12 does not cover the portions of the optical fibers 21A and 21B where the optical fibers 22A and 22B are not exposed, even after heat melting, unnecessary pressure may be applied to the optical fiber cord. And buckling can be suppressed.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the fusion splicing portion and the optical fiber or the optical fiber cord can be quickly and easily integrated and reinforced, and a sufficiently reinforced fusion splicing portion is formed. .

  Further, since the inner tube does not apply unnecessary pressure to the optical fiber or the optical fiber cord, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of buckling.

  In the above description, an explanation has been given of the case where the inner tube occupies the space except for the optical fiber to be fused or the optical fiber cord and the tensile body in the outer tube. The same effect can be obtained even when the optical fiber to be fused or the coated portion of the optical fiber cord is covered.

  Further, the present invention can be applied not only to an optical fiber cord in which an optical fiber is slidable as in the embodiment described above but also to an optical fiber cord in which the optical fiber cannot slide in the optical fiber cord. In this case, the optical fiber of one optical fiber cord may be covered with the reinforcing sleeve structure 10 in advance, and the optical fibers may be fusion-spliced with the reinforcing sleeve structure 10 covered.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a reinforcing sleeve structure and a method for reinforcing a fusion splicing part that can be easily formed and that can simplify the process of reinforcing work, and the industrial applicability is great.

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a reinforcing sleeve structure. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the reinforcing sleeve structure. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a procedure for reinforcing the fusion splicing portion.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Reinforcement sleeve structure 11 External tube 12 Internal tube 13 Strength body 21A, 21B Optical fiber

Claims (6)

An inner tube for storing a fusion spliced portion in which optical fiber cords including a tensile member or optical fiber cables are fusion-bonded;
A reinforcing tensile body disposed along the outer wall of the inner tube so as to extend longer than both sides of the inner tube;
An end of the coating of the optical fiber cord or the optical fiber cable, and an outer tube disposed so as to cover the inner tube and the strength member,
The inner tube is made of a heat-meltable member, and the outer tube is made of a heat-shrinkable member ,
The length of the inner tube is the same as the length of the coating removal part including the connection part between the optical fiber cords or between the optical fiber cables before heating and melting, or shorter than the length of the coating removal part. A length that does not cover the end of the coating of the optical fiber cord or the optical fiber cable, and the volume of the space excluding the optical fiber cord or the optical fiber cable and the tensile body in the outer tube during heat melting Reinforcement sleeve structure set to be equal.   The reinforcing sleeve structure according to claim 1, wherein the strength member is substantially equal in length to the outer tube along an end of the optical fiber cord or the fiber optic cable sheath.   The reinforcing sleeve structure according to claim 1, wherein the tensile body is made of a resin.   4. The reinforcing sleeve structure according to claim 1, wherein the strength member has a semicircular shape in cross section and a rod shape in which a curved surface portion is in contact with an external tube. 5.   The reinforcing sleeve structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein an optical fiber is slidable in the optical fiber cord or the optical fiber cable. The fusion-bonded portions of the optical fiber cords or the optical fiber cables including the fusion-bonded strength members are heat-meltable, and include the connection portions of the optical fiber cords or the optical fiber cables before the heat-melting. the length of the coating-removing portion and the same or shorter than the length of the coating removal portion after melting by heating, not cover the end of the coating of the optical fiber cord or optical fiber cable, and the optical fiber within the outer tube during thermal melting cord or optical fiber cable, and covered with the inner tube of volume equal properly made the length of the space except the strength member,
The tensile body is disposed so as to extend longer than both sides of the inner tube along the outer wall of the inner tube,
A heat shrinkable outer tube longer than the length of the inner tube is disposed so as to cover the part including the end of the coating of the optical fiber cord or the optical fiber cable, and the inner tube and the strength member. ,
A method of reinforcing a fusion splicing part, comprising heating the inner tube and the outer tube to melt the inner tube and contracting the outer tube to integrally reinforce the fusion splicing part.

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