JPH02219005A - Conveying device for coated optical fiber - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To speed up and rationalize the connecting work for coated optical fibers by connecting the coated optical fibers by fusion splicing after their tips are peeled, and moving the coated optical fibers to a fusion splicing position, a reinforcement position, and a discharge position by a moving mechanism while adjusting the tension of the coated optical fibers after the fusion splicing by a tension adding mechanism. CONSTITUTION:The moving mechanism 4 is moved to a stand-by position and an optical fiber clamping mechanism 2 is at a fixed position at this time. The tips of the coated optical fibers 1 and 1' to be connected are peeled and put between an upper clamping member 2a and a lower clamping member 2b and fixed. Then the coated optical fibers 1 and 1 are moved to the fusion splicing position by using the mechanism 4 to perform the fusion splicing work and then the tension adding mechanism 3 is used to move the fusion-spliced coated optical fibers 1 and 1' while applying straight proper tension; and the fusion- spliced part of the coated optical fibers 1 and 1' is reinforced at the position and the clamping members 2a and 2b are released at the discharge part to take the optical fiber cores 1 and 1' out. Consequently, the coated optical fibers of a multifiber optical fiber cable are connected fast and efficiently.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION "Industrial Application Field" This invention relates to optical fibers (including multi-core optical fiber aggregates) used in the connection work of optical fibers and optical fibers.
□This relates to a feeding device that is placed on a fixed table, grips the optical fiber in at least two places, and moves the optical fiber in a direction approximately perpendicular to the optical axis to fusion splice, reinforce, and
The present invention relates to a conveying device for optical fibers that are sequentially positioned at respective discharge positions.

``Conventional technology'' When constructing optical fiber cable lines, technology for connecting optical fibers is essential, but recently, when introducing optical fiber cables to general subscribers, Since this method uses an ultra-multi-core cable with several hundred lines or more, the number of connections of optical fibers increases significantly. Therefore, a highly efficient method of connecting optical fibers is desired.

``Problem to be Solved by the Invention'' As a method for splicing optical fibers, fusion splicing is generally used because it is low loss and economical. This fusion splicing method involves (1) terminal treatment of optical fiber core wire;
It consists of (2) a fusion process, and (3) a process of reinforcing the joint. Conventionally, each time the above-mentioned steps are completed, the optical fibers are manually moved and the next step is performed, but this method has the problem that the connection work takes time.

"Means for Solving the Problems" The present invention improves the efficiency of splicing work by providing a conveyance device that automatically moves the optical fiber core in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis to a position where each of the above steps is performed. The purpose is to speed up and streamline the process of connecting optical fibers.

This invention includes an optical fiber gripping mechanism for gripping an optical fiber, a tension applying mechanism for moving the optical fiber in the optical axis direction and applying tension, and a moving mechanism for moving the optical fiber in a direction substantially perpendicular to the optical axis. The two sets of mechanisms are placed opposite each other, the optical fiber gripping mechanism fuses the optical fibers with their tips stripped, and the tension applying mechanism applies tension to the optical fibers after fusion. This is a conveying device for an optical fiber coated wire, which is characterized in that the core wire is moved to a fusion position, a reinforcing position, and a release position by a moving mechanism while adjusting the .

"Operation" The mechanism described above first releases the gripping member of the gripping mechanism, moves the moving mechanism to the standby position, and causes the two optical fibers to be connected to be sandwiched between the gripping members on both sides. A tension applying mechanism is used to adjust the lateral connection position of the optical fiber core to the working position of the fusion position. A moving mechanism is used to move the optical fiber to the fusion position to perform the fusion work, and then a tension applying mechanism is used to straighten the fused optical fiber and apply appropriate tension to the optical fiber. Move the core wire perpendicularly to the reinforced position. At that position, the fused part of the optical fiber is reinforced, the moving mechanism moves the optical fiber to the release position, the gripping member is released, and the optical fiber is taken out, and this work is repeated. This enables efficient fusion splicing of optical fibers.

"Example" FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the optical fiber conveying device of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a movement process of a mechanism for gripping the optical fiber. .

As shown in FIG. 1, an optical fiber gripping mechanism 2 that grips the optical fiber, a tension applying mechanism 3 that applies tension to the optical fiber in the direction of the optical axis, and a tension applying mechanism 3 that moves the optical fiber in a direction substantially perpendicular to the optical axis. Two sets of moving mechanisms 4 are arranged facing each other.

As shown in FIG.
An L-shaped lower grip member 2b that slides up and down is provided on the fixed grip member 2a/, which is movable up and down by being pushed downward by the upper grip member 2a and has no driving source. Further, a follower 2C is fixed to the lower gripping member 2b, and the follower 2c is in contact with an end face cam 2d driven by a motor 2e attached to the fixed gripping member 2a/.
When the end cam 2d rotates, the lower gripping member 2b moves up and down. The cam mechanism may be any mechanism as long as it can move the lower gripping member 2b up and down, and may be a cylindrical cam, a front cam, etc. The cylindrical cam is a positive cam and improves the reliability of the mechanism, and the front cam By using this, the axis of the motor 2e can be provided at right angles to that in the drawing, that is, in the same direction as the optical axis, and the apparatus can be made compact. The optical fiber is held between an upper gripping member 2a and a lower gripping member 2 as shown in FIG.
It is desirable that the portions of both parts that contact the optical fibers are made of an elastic material such as rubber so as not to damage the optical fibers.

The tension applying mechanism 3 is attached so as to slide along a slide base 3a provided on the moving mechanism 4. A manual knob 3e is provided on the tensioning mechanism body 3b, and when the knob 3e is rotated, the tensioning mechanism body 3
b is adapted to move the optical fiber in the optical axis direction. For this lateral movement, it is a good idea to insert a spring to give it some elasticity. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, this is done by moving the female screw block 3f that engages with the screw rod 3d rotated by the knob 3e, and in the gap between the moving mechanism main body 3b and the female screw block 3f, the spring 1 and 3g
It is convenient to provide tension to the fused optical fibers at all times. Although this embodiment shows a combination of a threaded rod and a block, it goes without saying that other mechanisms such as a combination of gears and a rack may also be used.

The tank body 4C is fixed to the device and movably attached to a slide guide 4d provided perpendicular to the optical axis, and a spur gear 4a is provided on one side of the moving mechanism body 4C. As shown in the figure, a shaft 5 is provided between the two sets of mechanisms, and is rotatably supported by a fixed bearing 6 and has a small gear 4b attached to both ends that meshes with a spur gear 4a.
is fitted with a gear 9 driven by a worm gear 7 coupled to a motor 8. When the motor 8 is rotated by this mechanism, the two moving mechanisms 4 are moved in the same phase.

To use the transport device, the moving mechanism 4 is moved to the standby position as shown in FIG. At that time, the optical fiber gripping mechanism 2 is in the position shown in FIG. 2(a).

Peel off the ends of the optical fiber core wires 1 and 1' to be connected, and
: Then insert it between the upper gripping member 2a and the lower gripping member 2b of both optical fiber gripping mechanisms. When the motor 2e is driven, the end cam 2d rotates, and the lower gripping member 2b moves upward to clamp and fix the optical fibers 1, 1' as shown in FIG. 2(b). Next, the knob 3e of the tension applying mechanism 3 is rotated to move the gripping mechanism in the axial direction of the optical fiber, thereby aligning the connecting portions at both ends of the optical fiber to the center position. Using a moving mechanism, the optical fiber is moved in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 2 to the fusion position shown in FIG. 1 (FIG. 2 (C)).

A suitable welding device is provided at this central location and is used to carry out the welding operation. After that, it is preferable to use the tension applying mechanism 3 to straighten the fused optical fiber core wire and apply an appropriate tension. Next, the moving mechanism 4 is used to move the fused optical fiber to the reinforcing position shown in FIG. 1 (the mountain in FIG. 2) in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the optical fiber. The reinforcing device is used to reinforce the fused portion of the optical fiber. After the reinforcement, the moving mechanism moves the optical fiber to the release position shown in Figure 1 (Figure 2 (e)).
) and drives the motor 2e, the end cam 2d rotates, the lower gripping member 2b moves downward, and as shown in FIG. 2(e), the optical fibers 1 and 1' are released and connected. The finished optical fiber is taken out. After taking out the core wire, pull the lower gripping member 2b upward as shown in Fig. 2(f) and move it in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 2 (Fig. 2(f), Fig. 2(g), Fig. 2( 11) ) That is, move to the standby position shown in FIG. Since the upper and lower gripping members are located above, the
Even if there are prepared optical fibers, accidents such as getting caught will not occur. Finally, when the lower gripping member 2b is pulled down, the operation returns to the initial state, and the welding operation is repeated.

``Effects of the Invention'' As explained above, according to the optical fiber core conveying device of the present invention, the process positions required for fusion splicing of optical fibers, such as fusion splicing, reinforcing, and removal, can be moved manually as in the past. It is an effective method that can move the optical fibers sequentially, mechanically and easily, rather than mechanically, and can efficiently connect the fibers of a multi-core optical fiber cable having a large number of fibers. .

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a process diagram showing its operation, and FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a portion of the tension applying mechanism. 1.1': optical fiber core, 2: optical fiber core gripping mechanism, 2a: upper gripping member, 2a': fixed gripping member, 2f spring, 3: tension applying mechanism, 3a' slide base, 3b tension applying mechanism Main body, 3d° threaded rod, 3e: knob, 3f female thread block, 3g = spring, 4: movement mechanism,
4a: Spur gear, 4b: Pinion gear, 4C: Movement mechanism main body, 4d Nislide guide, 5: Shaft, 6: Bearing, 7: Worm gear, 9: Gear. Agent Patent Attorney 1) Rio Naka Figure 3

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. Two optical fibers placed on a fixed table and to be connected (including a multi-core optical fiber assembly) are each held at at least two places in a direction substantially perpendicular to the optical axis. In an optical fiber conveying device that sequentially conveys the optical fiber to a fusion position, a reinforcing position, and a release position by moving the optical fiber, an optical fiber gripping mechanism that grips the optical fiber is used to move the optical fiber to the optical axis. A tensioning mechanism that moves the optical fiber in a direction and applies tension.Two sets of mechanisms, each consisting of a moving mechanism that moves the optical fiber in a direction almost perpendicular to the optical axis, are moved in the same phase in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis of the optical fiber. The optical fiber gripping mechanism is composed of an upper gripping member that is movable up and down and has no driving source, and an L-shaped lower gripping member that is moved up and down by a driving source such as a motor, A conveying device 2 for optical fiber, which is characterized by moving the gripped optical fiber to a fusion position, a reinforcing position, and a release position, is provided with rubber or the like on the surfaces of the upper and lower gripping members that contact the optical fiber. 2. The optical fiber core conveying device 3 according to claim 1, wherein the optical fiber core wire conveying device 3 is made of an elastic material, the upper gripping member being able to move up and down while being pressed downward by a spring, and the lower gripping member being driven by a motor. 3. The optical fiber core conveying device according to claim 1, wherein the optical fiber core wire conveying device is moved up and down by a cam mechanism.