JP5924364B2 - Fiber optic equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical fiber device including an optical fiber that transmits light.

  Conventionally, as an optical fiber device, an optical fiber device including an optical fiber that transmits light and a conductive wire that is energized to detect disconnection of the optical fiber is known (for example, Patent Document 1). In such an optical fiber device, when the optical fiber is disconnected, the laser light leaking from the optical fiber heats and melts the conductive wire. And disconnection of an optical fiber is detected because a conductive wire is disconnected.

  By the way, since the conductive wire is formed of a conductive material such as aluminum or silver, the melting point thereof exceeds 600 ° C. Therefore, when the optical fiber is disconnected, when the conductive wire is not heated to the melting point (for example, when the conductive wire is only heated to about 300 ° C.), the conductive wire is not melted, and thus the disconnection of the optical fiber is detected. I can't.

JP 2003-14579 A

  Therefore, in view of such circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide an optical fiber device that can reliably detect disconnection of an optical fiber.

  An optical fiber device according to the present invention includes: an optical fiber that transmits light; and a disconnection detection unit that is disposed along the optical fiber and that is energized to detect disconnection of the optical fiber. The conductive portion includes a conductive portion that is energized and a support portion that supports the conductive portion, and the melting point of the support portion is lower than the melting point of the conductive portion, and the conductive portion is melted in the support portion. It forms so that it may fracture | rupture with it.

  According to the optical fiber device according to the present invention, the disconnection detection unit disposed along the optical fiber is energized to detect disconnection of the optical fiber. In the disconnection detection unit, the conductive part to be energized is supported by the support part, and the melting point of the support part is lower than the melting point of the conductive part.

  Thereby, when the optical fiber is disconnected, the conductive portion is broken as the laser light leaking from the optical fiber heats and melts the support portion. Therefore, even when the disconnection detection unit is not heated up to the melting point of the conductive part, the conductive part is broken, so that the disconnection of the optical fiber can be reliably detected.

  In the optical fiber device according to the present invention, the disconnection detection unit may be formed in a cylindrical shape and disposed outside the optical fiber so as to cover the optical fiber.

  According to such a configuration, the disconnection detection unit formed in a cylindrical shape is disposed outside the optical fiber, and thus covers the optical fiber. Thereby, since the disconnection detection part can receive the laser beam which leaked from the optical fiber irrespective of the disconnection location of an optical fiber, the disconnection of an optical fiber can be detected still more reliably.

  In the optical fiber device according to the present invention, the conductive portion may be formed in a spiral shape so that adjacent portions in the axial direction of the optical fiber are separated from each other.

  According to such a configuration, since the conductive portion is formed in a spiral shape, in the conductive portion, portions adjacent in the axial direction of the optical fiber are separated from each other and electrically insulated. As a result, a part of the conductive part breaks, so that the conduction from one end part to the other end part of the conductive part is easily interrupted (since the current flowing through the conductive part is likely to be zero), the optical fiber is disconnected. This can be easily detected.

  Further, the optical fiber device according to the present invention may be configured to include a control unit that detects disconnection of the optical fiber based on a value of a current flowing through the conductive unit.

  Moreover, the optical fiber device according to the present invention includes a light source unit that emits laser light and a power supply unit that supplies power to the light source unit, and the control unit detects disconnection of the optical fiber. In this case, the power supply unit may stop supplying power to the light source unit.

  As described above, the optical fiber device according to the present invention has an excellent effect that the disconnection of the optical fiber can be reliably detected.

1 is a schematic overall view of an optical fiber device according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a principal part perspective view of the optical fiber device concerning the embodiment. It is a principal part perspective view of the optical fiber body concerning the embodiment. It is principal part sectional drawing of the optical fiber body which concerns on the embodiment. It is a schematic whole figure of the optical fiber device concerning other embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a schematic overall view of an optical fiber device according to still another embodiment of the present invention. It is principal part sectional drawing of the optical fiber body which concerns on further another embodiment of this invention. It is principal part sectional drawing of the optical fiber body which concerns on further another embodiment of this invention.

<First Embodiment>
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of an optical fiber device according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In each figure (the same applies to FIGS. 5 to 8), the dimensional ratio in the drawing does not necessarily match the actual dimensional ratio.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the optical fiber device 1 according to this embodiment includes a light source unit 11 that emits laser light and an optical system 12 that receives laser light emitted from the light source unit 11. The optical fiber device 1 also includes an optical fiber body 2 having an optical fiber 21 into which light emitted from the optical system 12 is incident. The optical fiber body 2 detects disconnection of the optical fiber 21 that transmits light. In order to do so, a disconnection detector 3 is provided.

  The optical fiber device 1 includes holders 13 and 13 that hold each end of the optical fiber body 2. The optical fiber device 1 includes a power supply unit 14 that supplies power to the light source unit 11, a control unit 15 that detects disconnection of the optical fiber 21, and electric wires 16 and 16 that flow current through the disconnection detection unit 3. It has.

  The control unit 15 sends a current to the disconnection detection unit 3 via the electric wires 16 and 16, and measures a current value of the current measurement unit 15a. A disconnection determination that determines the disconnection of the optical fiber 21 based on the current value. Part 15b. Then, the control unit 15 stops the power supply unit 14 from supplying power to the light source unit 11 when the disconnection of the optical fiber 21 is detected.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the optical fiber body 2 includes cylindrical ferrules 22 and 22 that hold each end portion of the optical fiber 21 therein. Further, the optical fiber body 2 includes a protective tube 23 that accommodates the optical fiber 21 and the disconnection detection unit 3 therein, and connection portions 24 and 24 that connect each ferrule 22 and each end of the protective tube 23. Yes.

  Although not shown, the optical fiber 21 is disposed in the central portion and propagates the light, disposed outside the core, a clad having a lower refractive index than the core, and disposed outside the clad. And a covering portion for covering the surface. The core and the clad are made of quartz glass or resin, and the covering portion is made of a material having a low heat-resistant temperature (for example, resin). Moreover, the connection part 24 is provided with the hole part 24a through which the electric wire 16 is inserted.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the disconnection detection unit 3 includes a conductive unit 31 that is conductive and energized, and a support unit 32 that supports the conductive unit 31. In addition, the disconnection detection unit 3 includes a fixing unit 33 that fixes the support unit 32. In addition, the disconnection detection part 3 has light-shielding property.

  The disconnection detector 3 is disposed along the axial direction of the optical fiber 21. Specifically, the disconnection detection unit 3 is formed in a cylindrical shape and is disposed outside the optical fiber 21 so as to cover the optical fiber 21. That is, the optical fiber 21 is inserted into the disconnection detection unit 3. The disconnection detector 3 is separated from the optical fiber 21 in the radial direction.

  Thereby, although the heat insulation detection part 3 is heated by the light which leaks from the normal optical fiber 21 slightly, it can suppress that the said heat | fever is conducted to the coating | coated part with the low heat-resistant temperature of the optical fiber 21. FIG. Therefore, since it can prevent that the intensity | strength of the optical fiber 21 falls because a coating | coated part fuse | melts, it can prevent that the optical fiber 21 disconnects from the location where the said intensity | strength fell.

  The conductive portion 31 is disposed on the inner peripheral side of the support portion 32 formed in a cylindrical shape. And since the support part 32 has insulation, the electroconductive part 31 is electrically insulated with the protective tube 23 which has electroconductivity by the support part 32. FIG. In addition, as for the electroconductive part 31, each edge part is electrically connected to the electric wire 16, and between the both ends is supplied with electricity.

  Further, the melting point of the support part 32 is lower than the melting point of the conductive part 31. For example, the conductive portion 31 is made of metal, while the support portion 32 is made of resin or the like. In the present embodiment, the conductive portion 31 is made of aluminum (melting point: 660 ° C.), and the support portion 32 is made of polyester (melting point: 245 ° C.).

  The conductive portion 31 is formed with a thickness smaller than that of the support portion 32. Specifically, the conductive portion 31 is formed in a film shape, and the support portion 32 is formed in a plate shape. More specifically, the conductive part 31 is formed by vapor deposition on a flat support part 32. In the present embodiment, the conductive portion 31 has a thickness of about 0.1 μm, and the support portion 32 has a thickness of 0.03 to 0.04 mm. Thereby, since the electroconductive part 31 has small intensity | strength, it fractures | ruptures as the support part 32 currently supported is fuse | melted.

  The conductive portion 31 is formed in a spiral shape so that the portions 31 a and 31 a adjacent to each other in the axial direction of the optical fiber 21 are separated from each other. In the conductive portion 31, there is a gap between the portions 31 a and 31 a adjacent to each other in the axial direction of the optical fiber 21. Thereby, when a part of the conductive portion 31 is broken, the conduction from one end portion of the conductive portion 31 to the other end portion is easily interrupted.

  In this embodiment, the disconnection detection part 3 is formed by fixing the outer peripheral part of the strip | belt material 4 wound helically by the fixing | fixed part 33 which consists of adhesive tapes, for example. The strip 4 includes a conductive conductor 4a and a base material 4b that supports the conductor 4a.

  When the strip 4 is wound spirally, the conductor 4a constitutes the conductive portion 31, and the base material 4b constitutes the support portion 32. In addition, the conductor 4a is arrange | positioned at the surface of the one side of the base material 4b, and is spaced apart from the at least one edge of the base material 4b in the width direction of the base material 4b. In this embodiment, the conductor 4a is spaced apart from both edges of the base material 4b and is disposed at the center in the width direction of the base material 4b. In FIG. 4, the broken line indicates the edge of the strip 4.

  In such an optical fiber device 1, when the optical fiber 21 is disconnected, the conductive portion 31 is broken as the laser light leaking from the optical fiber 21 heats and melts the support portion 32. As a result, conduction between both ends of the conductive portion 31 is interrupted (the electrical resistance value between both ends of the conductive portion 31 becomes infinite), so that the current value measured by the current measuring portion 15a becomes zero. Even when the conduction between both ends of the conductive portion 31 is maintained, the electrical resistance value between both ends of the conductive portion 31 increases, so that the current value measured by the current measuring portion 15a decreases.

  Then, the disconnection determination unit 15 b determines disconnection of the optical fiber 21 based on the value of the current flowing through the conductive unit 31. For example, the disconnection determination unit 15b determines that the optical fiber 21 is disconnected when a state where the value of the current flowing through the conductive unit 31 is equal to or less than the set value continues for a set time or longer. Then, the disconnection determination unit 15 b stops supplying power to the light source unit 11 when the disconnection of the optical fiber 21 is detected.

  As described above, according to the optical fiber device 1 according to the present embodiment, the disconnection detection unit 3 disposed along the optical fiber 21 is energized to detect disconnection of the optical fiber 21. In the disconnection detection unit 3, the conductive unit 31 to be energized is supported by the support unit 32, and the melting point of the support unit 32 is lower than the melting point of the conductive unit 31.

  Thereby, when the optical fiber 21 is disconnected, the conductive portion 31 is broken as the laser light leaking from the optical fiber 21 heats and melts the support portion 32. Therefore, even when the disconnection detection unit 3 is not heated up to the melting point of the conductive part 31, the conductive part 31 is broken, so that the disconnection of the optical fiber 21 can be reliably detected.

  Moreover, according to the optical fiber device 1 according to the present embodiment, the disconnection detection unit 3 formed in a cylindrical shape covers the optical fiber 21 because it is disposed outside the optical fiber 21. Thereby, since the disconnection detection part 3 can receive the laser beam which leaked from the optical fiber 21 irrespective of the disconnection location of the optical fiber 21, the disconnection of the optical fiber 21 can be detected still more reliably.

  Further, according to the optical fiber device 1 according to the present embodiment, since the conductive portion 31 is formed in a spiral shape, the portions 31a and 31a adjacent to each other in the axial direction of the optical fiber 21 in the conductive portion 31 are Separated and electrically insulated. Thereby, since a part of the conductive portion 31 is broken, conduction from one end portion of the conductive portion 31 to the other end portion is easily interrupted (since current flowing through the conductive portion 31 is likely to be zero), the optical fiber It can be easily detected that 21 is disconnected.

Second Embodiment
Next, a second embodiment of the optical fiber device according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Note that, in FIG. 5, the parts denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. 1 to 4 represent the same configurations or elements as those in the first embodiment, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the optical fiber body 2 according to this embodiment includes two optical fibers 21 and 21. The optical fiber body 2 includes the first disconnection detector 3 into which one side (outgoing side) of the two optical fibers 21 and 21 is inserted, and the other side (incident side) of one optical fiber 21 into the optical fiber body 2. The second disconnection detector 3 is provided, and the third disconnection detector 3 into which the other side (incident side) of the other optical fiber 21 is inserted.

  Further, the optical fiber body 2 includes a relay unit 25 disposed at the center of each optical fiber 21. The relay unit 25 divides the two optical fibers 21 and 21 and the junction unit 25a having one hole through which the two optical fibers 21 and 21 are inserted to join the two optical fibers 21 and 21 together. In order to make it possible, the optical fiber 21 is provided with a branch portion 25b having two holes through which the optical fibers 21 are individually inserted.

  And the relay part 25 is equipped with the plate-shaped insulation part 25c which divides an inside in order to prevent that the 1st disconnection detection part 3 and the 2nd and 3rd disconnection detection parts 3 and 3 conduct | electrically_connect. Yes. Note that the relay unit 25 may further include an insulating unit that partitions the inside in order to prevent the second disconnection detection unit 3 and the third disconnection detection unit 3 from conducting.

  The control unit 15 sends current to each disconnection detection unit 3 via the electric wires 16 and 16 and measures current values of the current measurement units 15a, 15a and 15a, and disconnection of the optical fiber 21 based on the current values. A disconnection determination unit 15b. That is, the three disconnection detection units 3, 3, and 3 are connected in parallel by the electric wire 16. Thereby, the disconnection location of the optical fiber 21 can be specified.

  The optical fiber device according to the present invention is not limited to the configuration and operation of the optical fiber device according to the second embodiment described above. For example, the following changes may be made to the optical fiber device according to the above-described second embodiment.

  In the optical fiber device 1 according to the second embodiment, the three disconnection detectors 3, 3, 3 are configured to be connected in parallel by the electric wires 16. However, the optical fiber device according to the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the optical fiber device 1 according to the present invention may have a configuration in which the three disconnection detection units 3, 3, and 3 are connected in series by an electric wire 16. Thereby, simplification of a structure can be achieved.

  The optical fiber device according to the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above-described embodiment, and is not limited to the above-described operation effect. In addition, the optical fiber device according to the present invention can be variously modified without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, the configurations and methods of the plurality of embodiments described above may be arbitrarily adopted and combined (the configurations and methods according to one embodiment may be combined with the configurations and methods according to the other embodiments). Further, it is of course possible to arbitrarily select configurations, methods, and the like according to various modifications described below and adopt them in the configurations, methods, and the like according to the above-described embodiments.

  In the optical fiber device 1 according to the above-described embodiment, the band member 4 is configured to be spirally wound without a gap so as to cover the optical fiber 21 in the axial direction and the circumferential direction. However, the optical fiber device according to the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. For example, in the optical fiber device according to the present invention, as shown in FIG. 7, the strip 4 may be wound spirally with a gap. According to such a configuration, as shown in FIG. 7, even when the strip 4 in which the conductor 4 a is arranged over the entire width direction of the base material 4 b is used, the conductive portion 31 is in the axial direction of the optical fiber 21. Adjacent portions 31a and 31a are formed in a spiral shape so as to be separated from each other.

  Moreover, in the electroconductive part 31 of the optical fiber device 1 which concerns on the said embodiment, since the space | gap has between the site | parts 31a and 31a adjacent in the axial direction of the optical fiber 21, adjacent site | parts 31a and 31a are mutually. It is the structure of separating. However, the optical fiber device according to the present invention is not limited to such a configuration.

  For example, in the conductive portion 31 of the optical fiber device according to the present invention, as shown in FIG. 8, the support portion 32 is interposed between the portions 31 a and 31 a adjacent to each other in the axial direction of the optical fiber 21. A configuration in which adjacent portions 31a and 31a are separated from each other may be employed. According to such a configuration, as shown in FIG. 8, the end portions in the width direction of the band material 4 overlap each other even when the band material 4 in which the conductor 4 a is arranged over the entire width direction of the base material 4 b is used. By being wound in this manner, the conductive portion 31 is formed in a spiral shape so that the portions 31 a and 31 a adjacent to each other in the axial direction of the optical fiber 21 are separated from each other.

  Further, in the optical fiber device 1 according to the above-described embodiment, the conductive portion 31 is configured in a film shape. However, the optical fiber device according to the present invention is not limited to such a configuration.

  For example, in the optical fiber device according to the present invention, a part of the conductive portion 31 is formed to be thin or thin, that is, a breakage starting point portion (fragile portion that has a lower strength than other portions and serves as a starting point for breakage. ) May be formed. In short, the conductive portion 31 breaks as the support portion 32 is melted so that the electrical resistance value between two predetermined points, for example, between both ends increases (including that it becomes “infinite”). What is necessary is just to be formed.

  Further, in the optical fiber device 1 according to the above-described embodiment, the disconnection detection unit 3 is configured to be formed in a cylindrical shape. However, the optical fiber device according to the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. For example, in the optical fiber device according to the present invention, the disconnection detector 3 may be formed in a straight line and disposed along the axial direction of the optical fiber 21. It may be arranged along a part or part of the circumferential direction.

  Further, in the optical fiber device 1 according to the above-described embodiment, the disconnection detection unit 3 is formed in a complete cylindrical body without a gap so as to cover the optical fiber 21 in the axial direction and the circumferential direction. It is. However, the optical fiber device according to the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. For example, in the optical fiber device according to the present invention, the disconnection detection unit 3 may be formed in a cylindrical shape so as to have a gap in the axial direction and the circumferential direction of the optical fiber 21.

  Moreover, in the optical fiber device 1 according to the above-described embodiment, the conductive portion 31 is formed in a spiral shape so that the portions 31a and 31a adjacent in the axial direction of the optical fiber 21 are separated from each other. . However, the optical fiber device according to the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. For example, in the optical fiber device according to the present invention, the conductive portion 31 may be formed in a cylindrical shape so as to be continuously arranged in the axial direction of the optical fiber 21.

  Moreover, in the optical fiber device 1 according to the above embodiment, the conductive portion 31 is arranged on the inner peripheral side of the support portion 32 formed in a cylindrical shape. However, the optical fiber device according to the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. For example, in the optical fiber device according to the present invention, the conductive portion 31 may be disposed on the outer peripheral side of the support portion 32 formed in a cylindrical shape, and on both the inner peripheral side and the outer peripheral side of the support portion 32. The structure of being arranged may be sufficient.

  Further, in the optical fiber device 1 according to the above-described embodiment, the disconnection detection unit 3 is configured to be separated from the optical fiber 21. However, the optical fiber device according to the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. For example, in the optical fiber device according to the present invention, the disconnection detector 3 may be arranged in contact with the optical fiber 21.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Optical fiber apparatus, 2 ... Optical fiber body, 3 ... Disconnection detection part, 4 ... Band material, 4a ... Conductor, 4b ... Base material, 11 ... Light source part, 12 ... Optical system, 13 ... Holder, 14 ... Power supply 15, control unit, 15 a, current measurement unit, 15 b, disconnection determination unit, 16, electric wire, 21, optical fiber, 22, ferrule, 23, protective tube, 24, connection unit, 24 a, hole, 25, relay , 25a ... Merging portion, 25b ... Branching portion, 25c ... Insulating portion, 31 ... Conducting portion, 31a ... Adjacent part, 32 ... Supporting portion, 33 ... Fixing portion

Claims (5)

An optical fiber that transmits light;
A disconnection detector disposed along the optical fiber and energized to detect disconnection of the optical fiber; and
The disconnection detection unit includes a conductive unit that is energized and a support unit that supports the conductive unit,
The melting point of the support part is lower than the melting point of the conductive part,
The conductive portion is an optical fiber device formed so as to be broken as the support portion is melted ,
The disconnection detection unit is formed in a complete cylinder so as to cover the optical fiber in the axial direction and the circumferential direction without a gap, and is disposed outside the optical fiber,
The support portion has an insulating property,
The conductive portion is an optical fiber device disposed on the inner peripheral side of the support portion. The disconnection detection unit is constituted by a strip having a conductive conductor and a base material that supports the conductor on one surface, arranged in a spiral shape,
The conductor constitutes the conductive part,
The base material constitutes the support part,
The conductor is disposed apart from at least one edge of the base material so that the conductive portion is formed in a spiral shape so that adjacent portions in the axial direction of the optical fiber are separated from each other. Item 4. The optical fiber device according to Item 1. The disconnection detection unit is constituted by a strip having a conductive conductor and a base material that supports the conductor on one surface, arranged in a spiral shape,
The conductor constitutes the conductive part,
The base material constitutes the support part,
The strips are arranged in a spiral shape so that the end portions in the width direction overlap each other so that the conductive portions are formed in a spiral shape so that adjacent portions in the axial direction of the optical fiber are separated from each other. The optical fiber device according to claim 1 .   The optical fiber device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a control unit that detects disconnection of the optical fiber based on a value of a current flowing through the conductive unit. A light source that emits light;
A power supply unit for supplying power to the light source unit,
5. The optical fiber device according to claim 1, wherein when the disconnection of the optical fiber is detected, the control unit stops the power supply unit from supplying power to the light source unit. 6.

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