JP5078662B2 - Optical fiber twist prevention aid in fusion splicer - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a fusion splicing technique for connecting optical cores, and in particular, to prevent twisting of optical cores when heat-treating a heat-shrink sleeve that protects a fusion splicing part connected to the optical cores. The present invention relates to an optical fiber twist prevention aid in a connection / connection device.

  When connecting the optical fiber, as shown in the work procedure of FIG. 6 and the fusion splicing device of FIG. 7, in order to expose the glass portion of this optical fiber, Fix to a dedicated holder (not shown). The coating around the optical fiber is removed, and the exposed part is cleaned with alcohol. The end surface of the glass portion where the optical fiber is exposed is cut vertically.

  Next, the optical fiber F is fitted into the fiber holder 52 such that the glass portions of the optical fibers F face each other at the optical fiber connector 53 in the fusion splicing device 51 as shown in FIG. In this state, the connection locations of the two optical fibers F are fused and connected by the fusion splicer 53 by discharge. After the fusion splicing is completed, the fiber holder 52 is opened while the optical fiber F is pulled by hand, and the optical fiber F connected from the fiber holder 52 is taken out. This is because if the work is not performed while pulling the optical fiber F, the fusion splicing part MB may be loaded and broken.

  In order to reinforce the fusion splicing part MB of the optical fiber F, the heat shrink sleeve S already passed through the optical fiber F is moved to the fusion splicing part MB. At this time, the heat shrink sleeve S is gradually moved to the fusion splicing part MB while tilting the optical fiber F pulled by both hands.

  Next, the heat shrinkable sleeve S is stored together with the optical fiber F in the heat reinforcing device 54. The heat shrink sleeve S is shrunk by heating, and is closely fixed to the fusion splicing part MB for protection. Thereby, reinforcement of the fusion splicing part MB is completed.

  Since the optical fiber F has a flat tape structure, if the optical fiber F is twisted when heated by the heating reinforcing device 54, the connection loss increases. When the fixing operation is completed in a twisted state, the optical fiber F may break at a later date due to a load caused by the twist. For example, as shown in FIG. 8A, when the optical fiber F is reinforced in a twisted state, the portion may break with the passage of time. The enlarged front view of FIG. 8B shows an example of a broken portion of the fusion splicing part MB.

  Therefore, conventionally, as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, after the fusion splicing of the optical fiber F is completed, the marking M is attached to the upper part of both the optical fibers F with a writing instrument. The optical fiber F is taken out from the fiber holder 52 of the fusion splicing device 51 so that the optical fiber F is not twisted. At this time, the heat shrink sleeve S is brought close to the vicinity of the fiber holder 52 of the fusion splicing device 51 in advance. The heat shrink sleeve S is moved to the fusion splicing part MB by using the clamp lid 55 of the heat reinforcing device 54.

  The heat-shrink sleeve S is fitted into the center of the heating reinforcing device 54. Check if there is no twist at the connection after completion of shrinkage by heating. As shown in FIG. 9A, when the locations of the markings M are aligned, it means that there is no twist and the left and right coating amounts of the optical fiber F in the heat shrink sleeve S are uniform. However, as shown in FIG. 9B, when one of the marking portions is not visible, it is twisted, which means that the left and right coating amounts of the optical fiber F in the heat shrink sleeve S are not uniform.

Various auxiliary tools have been proposed for use in fusion splicing of such optical fibers. For example, as shown in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-47867 “Auxiliary jig for optical fiber holder and optical fiber connecting method using the auxiliary jig” in Patent Document 1, a fusion splicing device for interconnecting optical fibers. An optical fiber disposed in the groove of the holder main body in order to align at least one optical fiber protruding from the groove of the optical fiber holder with the other optical fiber in a displaceable manner in the holder main body An auxiliary jig for the holder has been proposed.
JP 2006-47867 A

  However, the work of fitting the optical fiber F into the heating reinforcing device 54 while pulling the optical fiber F with both hands as in the prior art has poor workability, and the twist of the optical fiber F cannot be completely eliminated. The optical fiber fused and spliced in this twisted state has a drawback that the connection loss is large. The heat-shrinkable sleeve S that has been twisted while being twisted in this way and fixed to the optical fiber F has a problem that the optical fiber F breaks after a lapse of time.

  In addition, “Auxiliary jig for optical fiber holder and optical fiber connecting method using the auxiliary jig” in Patent Document 1 is an auxiliary tool used when fusion-connecting optical core wires. The fusion spliced part MB was not reinforced with the heat shrink sleeve S.

The present invention has been developed to solve such problems. That is, an object of the present invention is to prevent twisting of the fusion splicing portion of the optical core wire by using an auxiliary tool having a simple structure, and to perform the reinforcement work quickly and easily. An object of the present invention is to provide an optical fiber twist prevention aid in a fusion splicing device.

Prevention aid twisting of the optical core of the present invention, the fusion splicing apparatus (51) for connecting the Hikarikokorosen (F), heat-shrinkable sleeves to protect fusion splice that fusion splicing (MB) (S the), when heated at the heating reinforcing device (54), a Hikarikokorosen (twisting prevention aid twisting of the optical core to prevent the F) (2 1), the fusion splicing apparatus (51 underlying the plate and is the auxiliary device main body of rectangular shape that have a longer total length than the width (2), an end portion of one long side of the assisting tool main (2) and formed so as to protrude outward of) The side member (5) and the lower member (5) are connected so that the front end side and the base end side of the lower member (5) can move in a seesaw shape with the substantially central portion of the lower member (5) as a fulcrum. The upper member (6), which is a plate-like member having a letter-like shape, and the upper member (6) are urged so that the front end side of the lower member (5) is closed. And sexual member (7), a clamping portion for sandwiching optical center line (F) (3) having been the aid notch on the bottom side of the other end portion of one long side of the main body (2) formed The stepped portion (23) is movably pivoted via an elastic member (25) so as to protrude outward and to be urged outward in the longitudinal direction of the auxiliary tool body (2). The lower member (5), which is a plate member, and the lower member (5) are connected so that the distal end side and the proximal end side of the lower member (5) can move in a seesaw shape with the substantially central portion of the lower member (5) as a fulcrum. An upper member (6) which is a plate-like member having a substantially inverted cross-sectional shape, and an elastic member (7) for urging the upper member (6) so that the front end side of the lower member (5) is closed. A sandwiching part (22) for sandwiching the optical fiber (F) having the above, and the sandwiching part (3) and the center part of the other long side of the auxiliary tool body (2) It comprises a rod- like grip (4) provided so as to protrude in the opposite direction to the clamping part (22) .

  A rubber or resin elastic sheet (8) for preventing slipping is attached to a position where the optical core (F) of the lower member (5) and upper member (6) of the clamping part (3) is sandwiched. It is preferable to attach.

  In the twist prevention auxiliary tool (1) having the above-described configuration, the optical fiber connectors 53 of the fusion splicing device (51) are connected to the optical fiber wires (F) fused and connected to both ends of the twist prevention auxiliary tool (1). The optical fiber (F) can be pulled by being pinched so as not to be loosened by the pinching part (3). Then, since the optical fiber (F) cannot be twisted, the heat-shrinkable sleeve (S) can be obtained by removing the twist-preventing auxiliary device (1) from the optical-fiber connector 53 and tilting the twist-preventing auxiliary device (1). Can be easily moved to the fusion splice (MB). The heat shrink sleeve (S) can be heated and shrunk by the heat reinforcing device (54) without twisting the optical fiber (F) at the position of the fusion splicing part (MB) and firmly fixed.

  In the case where the holding part (3) is movably attached to the auxiliary tool body (2) and the elastic member (7) is interposed, the holding part (3) is separated outward in the longitudinal direction of the auxiliary tool body (2). The optical fiber (F) can be pulled more strongly.

  According to the twist prevention auxiliary tool (1) of the present invention, when the optical fiber (F) is fused and connected, the optical fiber (F) is attached to the sandwiching portion (3) of the twist prevention auxiliary tool (1). The optical fiber (F) can be prevented from being twisted by being pinched while being pulled. In addition, the thermal contraction sleeve (S) can be easily moved to the fusion splicing part (MB) simply by tilting the twist prevention auxiliary tool (1), and heating without twisting the optical fiber (F) as it is. It can be fitted into the reinforcing device (54), and a series of operations such as fusion splicing and heating reinforcement can be quickly performed.

  The auxiliary device for preventing twisting of the optical fiber in the fusion splicing device of the present invention, when the heat shrink sleeve that protects the fusion spliced portion that is fusion-bonded is heat-treated in the fusion splicing device that connects the optical fiber. This is an auxiliary tool for preventing twisting of both optical core wires.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating an optical fiber twist prevention aid in the fusion splicing device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is an enlarged side view showing an optical fiber twist prevention aid in the fusion splicing device of the first embodiment.
The optical fiber twist prevention auxiliary tool 1 in the fusion splicing device of the present invention is a heat shrink sleeve that protects the fusion splicing portion MB that is fusion spliced by discharge in the fusion splicing device 51 that connects the optical fiber F. When S is heat-treated, it is an auxiliary tool used when preventing twisting of both optical cores F. This twist prevention auxiliary tool 1 is provided with a holding part 3 for sandwiching each optical fiber F at both ends of an auxiliary tool body 2.

  The auxiliary tool body 2 is a rod-like member having an overall length longer than the lateral width of the fusion splicing device 51 (see FIGS. 3B and 3D). The auxiliary tool main body 2 is made of, for example, an elongated plate made of plastic. The auxiliary tool main body 2 needs to have a length obtained by adding the lateral width of the fusion splicing device 51 and the length of the heat shrink sleeve S. A grip 4 is provided at an intermediate position of the auxiliary tool body 2 so as to facilitate the work.

  Further, since the width of the fusion splicing device 51 may be different, the auxiliary tool body 2 itself can be configured to be extendable and contractible. For example, the fusion splicing device 51 having a long lateral width can be configured to be expanded to the maximum, and conversely, the fusion splicing device 51 having a short lateral width can be contracted.

  The holding parts 3 were provided at both ends of the auxiliary tool body 2 so that the directions in which the optical fiber F was held were the same. The clamping part 3 has a shape of a so-called laundry scissors. The sandwiching portion 3 includes, for example, both end portions of the auxiliary tool body 2 formed in a substantially U shape as lower members 5, and an upper member 6 in which the cross-sectional shape is formed in a substantially inverted character shape above the lower member 5. In the middle, it is movable like a seesaw and is connected through an elastic member 7 such as a coil spring so as to be biased to one side.

  It is preferable to attach a rubber or resin elastic sheet 8 for preventing slipping to a position where the optical fiber F is sandwiched between the lower member 5 and the upper member 6 constituting the holding part 3. In addition, the structure of this clamping part 3 is not limited to the thing of the example of illustration, The thing of a various structure can be utilized if it is a structure of sandwiching the optical fiber F.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are diagrams for explaining a reinforcing method using a twist prevention auxiliary tool. FIG. 3A is a plan view showing a state in which optical cores are fusion-bonded, and FIG. The top view of a state, (c) is a front view of the state which inclines a twist prevention auxiliary tool, (d) is a front view of the state which fits an optical core wire in a heating reinforcement with a twist prevention auxiliary tool.
As shown in FIG. 3A, the reinforcing method using the twist preventing auxiliary tool 1 is as follows. First, the heat shrink sleeve S is inserted into the optical fiber F that has been prepared, and then the fusion splicing device 51 is heated. The optical fiber F is fusion-spliced by discharge at the reinforcing device 53.
As shown in FIG. 3 (b), when the fusion splicing of the optical fiber F is completed, the fusion splicing portion MB is formed between the sandwiching portions 3 at both ends of the rod-shaped assisting device main body 2 constituting the torsion prevention assisting device 1. The optical fiber F is sandwiched between the sandwiching portions 3 so as to be positioned. At this time, after one end of the optical fiber F is sandwiched between one of the sandwiching portions 3, the other end of the optical fiber F is pulled while being pulled by one of the sandwiching portions 3.

Next, as shown in FIG. 3C, the optical fiber F is lifted by the twist prevention assisting tool 1, and the heat shrink sleeve S is moved to the position of the fusion splicing part MB. At this time, the heat-shrink sleeve S is shifted by inclining the twist prevention assisting tool 1 as shown in the figure. Conventionally, the thermal contraction sleeve S was shifted while pulling the optical fiber F with both hands, so that the optical fiber F was easily twisted. However, both ends of the optical fiber F were pulled with the twist preventing aid 1 of the present invention. Therefore, the optical fiber F is not twisted.
Finally, as shown in FIG. 3 (d), the heat-shrink sleeve S is fitted into the heat reinforcing device 54 of the fusion splicing device 51 with the twist preventing aid 1 and the heat-shrink sleeve S is heated.
When the reinforcement work is completed, the twist prevention assisting tool 1 is lifted and the optical fiber F is removed from each clamping part 3 to complete a series of work.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view showing an optical fiber twist prevention aid in the fusion splicing device of the second embodiment. FIG. 5 is an enlarged side view showing an optical fiber twist prevention aid in the fusion splicing device of the second embodiment.
In the optical fiber twist prevention auxiliary device 21 of the second embodiment, the one holding portion 22 is movable to the auxiliary device main body 2 so that the one holding portion 22 is separated outward in the longitudinal direction of the auxiliary device main body 2. Attached to. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, a stepped portion 23 is formed on the bottom surface side of one end of the auxiliary tool body 2, and the lower member 5 of the clamping portion 22 is movably fixed to the stepped portion 23 with a shaft 24. An elastic member 25 such as a leaf spring is latched in the stepped portion 23, and the lower member 5 is moved outward.

  Thus, in the torsion prevention assisting device 21 of the second embodiment, since one of the sandwiching portions 22 is movably attached to the assisting device main body 2 and the elastic member 25 is interposed, the sandwiching portion 22 is the longitudinal direction of the assisting device main body 2. It is urged | biased so that it may space apart in the direction, and the optical fiber F can be pulled more strongly.

  In the present invention, the twist prevention aids 1 and 21 having a simple structure can be used to prevent twisting of the fusion splicing portion MB of the optical fiber F, and the reinforcement work can be performed quickly and easily. Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment of the invention described above, and can be variously modified without departing from the gist of the present invention.

  The optical fiber twist preventing auxiliary tool in the fusion splicing device of the present invention can be used when the fusion splicing portion is heated and reinforced with a heat shrink sleeve simultaneously with the fusion splicing of the optical fiber.

It is a top view which shows the twist prevention prevention tool of the optical fiber in the fusion splicing apparatus of Example 1. It is an expanded side view which shows the twist prevention prevention tool of the optical fiber in the fusion splicing apparatus of Example 1. The reinforcing method using the twist prevention auxiliary tool of the present invention is used, (a) is a plan view of a state in which the optical fiber is fused and connected, and (b) is sandwiched between the optical fiber with the twist prevention aid. The top view of a state, (c) is a front view of the state which inclines a twist prevention auxiliary tool, (d) is a front view of the state which fits an optical core wire in a heating reinforcement with a twist prevention auxiliary tool. It is a bottom view which shows the twist prevention prevention tool of the optical fiber in the fusion splicing apparatus of Example 2. It is an enlarged side view which shows the twist prevention prevention tool of the optical fiber in the fusion splicing apparatus of Example 2. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | work procedure which connects the conventional optical fiber. It is a top view which shows a fusion splicing apparatus. They are the enlarged front view (a) which shows the fusion splicing part which connected the optical fiber, and the enlarged front view (b) which shows the fracture state of a fusion splicing part. It is a front view which shows the state which marked the optical core wire after the fusion splicing completion, (a) is the state where the location of the marking is aligned, (b) is the state where the optical core wire is twisted and one marking is not visible is there.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Optical fiber twist prevention auxiliary tool 2 Auxiliary tool main body 3 Holding part 5 Lower member 6 Upper member 7 Elastic member 8 Elastic sheet 21 Optical fiber twist prevention auxiliary tool 22 Holding part 25 Elastic member F Optical fiber MB Landing connection S Heat shrink sleeve

Claims (2)

In the fusion splicing device (51) for connecting the optical fiber (F), the heat shrink sleeve (S) for protecting the fusion spliced portion (MB) that has been fusion spliced is heat-treated by the heating reinforcing device (54). when the, a Hikarikokorosen prevent aid twisting of the optical core to prevent twisting of the (F) (2 1),
The fusing a plate of rectangular shape that have a longer total length than the width of the auxiliary device main body of the connection device (51) and (2),
An end portion of one long side of the assisting tool main (2), a lower member which is formed to protrude outward (5), said lower as a fulcrum substantially central portion of said lower member (5) An upper member (6), which is a plate-shaped member having a substantially reverse-shaped cross-section, connected so that the distal end side and the proximal end side of the member (5) are movable in a seesaw shape, and the upper member (6), A sandwiching part (3) for sandwiching an optical fiber (F) having an elastic member (7) that biases the front side of the lower member (5) to close;
A stepped portion (23) formed by cutting out on the bottom surface side of the other end portion of one long side of the auxiliary tool body (2) so as to protrude outward and in the longitudinal direction of the auxiliary tool body (2). A lower member (5), which is a plate member that is movably supported by an elastic member (25) so as to be urged outward, and a substantially central portion of the lower member (5) as a fulcrum An upper member (6), which is a plate-like member having a substantially reverse-shaped cross-section, connected so that the distal end side and the proximal end side of the lower member (5) are movable in a seesaw shape, and the upper member (6 ), An elastic member (7) that urges the lower side member (5) to close the tip side, and a sandwiching part (22) for sandwiching the optical fiber (F),
A rod- like grip (4) provided at the central portion of the other long side of the auxiliary tool body (2) so as to protrude in a direction opposite to the clamping portion (22). A twist prevention assisting tool for the optical fiber in the fusion splicing device.   A rubber or resin elastic sheet (8) for preventing slipping is attached to a position where the optical core (F) of the lower member (5) and upper member (6) of the clamping part (3) is sandwiched. The auxiliary device for preventing twisting of the optical fiber in the fusion splicing device according to claim 1.