JPH0229605A - Branching tool for coated optical fibers of optical fiber tape and method for using same - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To reduce the risk for inflicting a damage on a coated optical fibers and to efficiently allow the coated optical fibers to branch by rotating a block body and giving a bending moment to a side face part of the coated optical fibers. CONSTITUTION:Coated optical fibers of optical fiber tape 14 are contained in a groove 11a of a first block body 11 and a groove 12a of a second block body 12, and positioning of the optical fiber tape 14 is executed. Subsequently, in a state that the optical fiber tape 14 is positioned in the grooves 11a, 12a, one of the first block body 11 and the second block body 12 is fixed, the other is rotated centering around an axis 13, and a bending moment is given to a side face part of the optical fiber tape 14. When the first block body 11 and the second block body 12 are bent relatively at a prescribed angle or above, the optical fiber tape 14 is bent and a part thereof is allowed to branch. Thereafter, in a state that the bending moment has been applied, a branching tool C is moved in the optical axis direction of the optical fiber tape 14, and the branching range is enlarged. In such a way, the optical fibers can be allowed to branch without being damaged.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] This invention is for branching tape-shaped optical fiber coated wires in which at least one optical fiber strand is branched from tape-shaped optical fiber coated wires arranged in a row. It relates to tools and how to use them.

[Conventional technology]

As shown in Fig. 6, the tape-shaped optical fiber core is composed of a plurality of optical fibers 1.1, . This is useful for speeding up optical fiber connections and improving work efficiency.

When connecting these tape-shaped optical fibers, the common sheath 512 has been removed all at once.

However, with the widespread use of optical fibers, due to the flexible wiring construction of optical fibers, it is difficult to connect the middle part of the communication cable containing the optical fiber while the signal light is being transmitted (hereinafter referred to as the "live state"). It became necessary to construct a new branch line (hereinafter referred to as "post-r branch").

FIG. 7 is a process diagram showing branching work. First, the outer sheath 3a of the communication cable 3 is cut with a pipe cutter or the like (FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b)) to expose the inside.

Next, the tension member (not shown) is cut to take out a predetermined tape-shaped optical fiber core 4 (FIG. 4(C)).

Next, a part of the tape-shaped optical fiber core wire 4 is separated and cut (FIG. 2(d)), and the branched optical fiber wire 4 a
The covering of the cut portion of s 4 b is removed (FIG. 4(e)).

Finally, each optical fiber strand 4 a s 4 b
New branch line 7.8 housed in sub cable 5.6
After connecting and reinforcing the branch, the branching work is completed.

At this time, since each optical fiber is independent, a predetermined optical fiber is branched after the live optical fiber and the non-live optical fiber are adjacent to each other. When doing so, the work must be done without damaging the optical fiber cable and without adversely affecting the signal light of the live optical fiber. For this reason, optical fiber cores suitable for post-branching have been devised.

FIG. 8 shows the structure of this type of branching tape-shaped optical fiber (Utility Application No. 117768/1986). Figure (a) shows individual optical fiber cables 1.1.1 for every three fibers.
is covered with a primary coating, and then integrated with a common coating 2 from above. In the same figure (b), there is a recess AS in the center to make it easier to separate the optical fibers every three cores.
A is provided. In the same figure (C), recesses B, BSB, . . . are provided between the individual optical fiber strands so that the individual optical fiber cables can be separated into arbitrary numbers. Figure (d) shows individual optical fiber strands 1 for every two cores.
．． 1 with a primary coating 10.10.10, and then a common wave from above! ! 12 are integrated.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

However, since the tape-shaped optical fiber core wire for branching includes optical fiber strands in a live state, in order to separate these tape-shaped optical fiber core wires, the above-mentioned optical fiber core wires must be bent considerably. Great care must be taken to avoid damage, which has the disadvantage of poor work efficiency. Furthermore, there is a problem in that there is a high risk of causing considerable damage to the optical fiber.

Therefore, the present invention aims to improve work efficiency by providing a branching tool for tape-shaped optical fiber cores that can efficiently and safely branch tape-shaped optical fiber core wires, and a method for using the same. It is something to do.

[Means to solve the problem]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides branching of a tape-shaped optical fiber coated wire in which at least one optical fiber strand is branched from a tape-shaped coated optical fiber coated with a common coating covering the optical fiber strands arranged in a row. The first tool includes a groove for gripping one side of the tape-shaped optical fiber core wire.
a second block body having a groove for gripping the other side surface of the tape-shaped optical fiber core wire; a first block body disposed such that the openings of the grooves face each other; The second block body is configured to include a pivot shaft that fixes the second block body at one end of the opening so that the opening can be rotated while always maintaining a parallel positional relationship.

In addition, the method of using this branching tool includes a first step of positioning the tape-shaped optical fiber core wire in the width and thickness direction within the grooves of the first block body and the second block body; With the core wire positioned in the groove, the first
A second step of rotating the block body and/or the second block body around the pivot axis to apply a bending moment to the side surface of the tape-shaped optical fiber core wire; and a third step of moving the second block body in the optical axis direction of the tape-shaped optical fiber core wire.

Furthermore, the present invention provides a branching tool for tape-shaped optical fibers that branches at least one optical fiber from a tape-shaped optical fiber core that covers optical fiber cables arranged in a row with a common coating. A block body with a groove smaller in width than the width of the tape-shaped optical fiber core, on which the side surface of the tape-shaped optical fiber core is placed, and a block body that is pushed into the groove in a direction substantially perpendicular to the opening surface of the groove. and a plate-like member having a sharp tip for bending the placed tape-like optical fiber core in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement surface.

In addition, the method of using this branching tool involves placing the tape-shaped optical fiber core on the opening of the groove of the block body and positioning the tape-shaped optical fiber core in the width and thickness direction.
a second step of applying a bending moment to the side surface of the tape-shaped optical fiber core by pushing the plate member into the groove in a direction substantially perpendicular to the opening surface of the groove; and a state in which the bending moment is applied. and a third step of moving the block body and the plate member in the optical axis direction of the tape-shaped optical fiber core wire.

[Effect]

Since this invention is configured as described above, it acts to bend the tape-shaped optical fiber core from the optical axis direction, so it is necessary for the optical fiber strands housed in the tape-shaped optical fiber core. No greater bending is applied,
Transmission loss can be kept relatively small.

Furthermore, since there is less risk of damaging the optical fiber, the life of the optical fiber (tape-shaped optical fiber) after branching is extended.

〔Example〕

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of a branching tool for tape-shaped optical fibers according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, in the description, the same number (-n) will be used for the same element, and duplicate description will be omitted.

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a tool for branching tape-shaped optical fibers according to the present invention.

This embodiment basically consists of a first block body 11 and a second block body 12. first block body 1
The second block body 1 has a rectangular groove 11a for gripping one side surface of a tape-shaped optical fiber core (not shown).
2 has a rectangular groove 12a that grips the other side surface of the tape-shaped optical fiber core wire. These first block bodies 1
The first and second block bodies 12 have respective grooves 11a11.
The openings of 2a are arranged so as to face each other, and one end of the opening is fixed to a pivot 13 with a hinge or the like. Therefore,
The block bodies 11 and 12 can be rotated while the openings thereof always maintain a parallel positional relationship.

Note that the first block body 11 and the second block body 12
The shape of the groove does not have to be rectangular, and may be circular, oval, etc., for example.

FIG. 2 is a process diagram showing how to use this embodiment.

Figures (a), (b), and (C1) are cross-sectional views of the branching tool C according to this embodiment, viewed from the optical axis direction of the tape-shaped optical fiber core wire. )
, (C2) is a side view of the tape-shaped optical fiber core as seen from the side.

First, the tape-shaped optical fiber coated wire 14 is housed in the groove 11a of the first block body 11 and the groove 12a of the second block body 12, and the tape-shaped coated optical fiber 14 is positioned (see FIG. 3(a)). ). Next, with the tape-shaped optical fiber core 14 positioned within the groove 11a s 12a,
One of the first block body 11 and the second block body 12 is fixed and the other is rotated around the pivot 13 to apply a bending moment to the side surface of the tape-shaped optical fiber core 14 (FIG. 2(b)). . When the first block body 11 and the second block body 12 are bent relative to each other by a certain angle or more,
The tape-shaped optical fiber core wire 14 is bent and a part thereof is branched. Thereafter, the branching tool C is moved in the optical axis direction of the tape-shaped optical fiber coated wire 14 while a bending moment is applied to expand the branching range. The same figure (C), the same figure (
C2) shows the tape-shaped optical fiber core 14 after being moved in the optical axis direction.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a second embodiment of the branching tool according to the present invention. This embodiment basically includes a block body 15 for positioning a tape-shaped optical fiber coated wire (not shown) in the arrangement direction of the optical fiber strands and a direction perpendicular to the arrangement plane, and a tape-shaped optical fiber coated wire. It is configured to include a plate-like member 16 that is bent along the optical axis.

A rectangular groove 15a having a width smaller than the width of the tape-shaped optical fiber is formed in the block body 15. This rectangular groove 15a must have a size at least large enough to allow the tape-shaped optical fiber core to be inserted as it is in a state where it is bent by the plate member 16. Therefore,
If the thickness of the tape-shaped optical fiber coated wire is t, the width is w1, the width in the arrangement direction of the plate-shaped members 16 (width direction of the tape-shaped optical fiber coated wire) is W1, and the width of the block body 15 is B (the fifth Figure (a
It is desirable to satisfy the relationship w>B≧(2xt+W) (see (bl) in the same figure).

The plate member 16 has a sharp tip and is fixed to an L-shaped block 19 that is slidably attached to two rails 17 and 18 erected on the block 15.

Therefore, the plate member 16 can move in a direction substantially perpendicular to the opening surface of the groove 15a.

Note that the shape of the groove 15a is not limited to a rectangle, but may be a circle, an ellipse, or the like. Furthermore, the tip of the plate member 16 does not have to be linear. What is important is that the plate member 16 is configured so that a bending moment acts on the side surface of the tape-shaped optical fiber, centering on the contact portion with the tape-shaped optical fiber.

FIG. 4 shows a modification of the plate-like member.

Figures (a), (b), and (CI) are perspective views thereof, and Figures (a), (b2), and (C2) are central sectional views thereof.

The plate-like member shown in FIG. 2(a) has a front part and a rear part having curved surfaces so that the tip part can easily move in the optical axis direction. The radius of curvature of this curved surface is set so that the transmission loss imparted to the live optical fiber is minimized.

For example, in the case of a tape-shaped optical fiber core containing a 0.25 mm optical fiber strand, it is desirable to set it to 10 mm or more. The cross-sectional shape of the center is the same as that of the plate member described above. According to this modification, when the plate member is pushed into the groove and shear stress is applied to the tape-shaped optical fiber core, it is possible to minimize the loss due to bending.

In the same figure (bl), the sharp tip is configured not in a straight line in the optical axis direction but in a wavy shape. In this case, the radius of curvature forming each wave is configured with a predetermined limit value, as described above. Since the contact area with the tape-shaped optical fiber coated wire is reduced, bending of the tape-shaped optical fiber coated wire due to stress concentration becomes easier.

The same figure (C1) is formed so that a central cross-sectional shape may become a pentagon (the same figure (C2) 5).

Since this plate-like member is formed into a square shape, it has the advantage of being easy to manufacture.

FIG. 5 is a process diagram showing an example of how to use the branching tool. Figures (a) and (bl) are cross-sectional views of the block body 15 and plate member 16 viewed from the optical axis direction, and figures (a) and (b2) are views of the tape-shaped optical fiber cored wire from the side. It is something.

First, the tape-shaped optical fiber core 16 is placed on the groove 15a of the block body 15, and positioned in the width direction and the thickness direction (FIG. 4(a)).

Next, the plate-like member is pushed in a direction substantially perpendicular to the opening surface of the groove 15a to apply a bending moment to both side surfaces of the tape-shaped optical fiber core 4 (FIG. 3(J)). Due to this bending moment, the tape-shaped optical fiber core wire 14
It is bent from the part where the tips of the parts 6 and 6 are in contact with each other, and a part is branched.

After that, a bending moment was applied ((b,) in the same figure)
Then, the block body 15 and the plate member 16 are moved in the optical axis direction of the tape-shaped optical fiber coated wire 14 to expand the branching range.

Note that the tape-shaped optical fiber core wire 14 is placed on the block body 15.
When positioning, for example, by bringing one side of the tape-shaped optical fiber core 14 into contact with two rails 17 and 18 (see FIG. 3) erected on the block body 15,
It may also facilitate positioning.

〔Effect of the invention〕

Since this invention is configured as explained above,
With a simple configuration, a tape-shaped optical fiber core can be branched at a predetermined position and within a predetermined range without damaging the optical fiber strands.

Moreover, since no more than necessary bending is applied to the live optical fiber strand during the branching operation, loss can be minimized.

Therefore, the tape-shaped optical fiber can be branched efficiently and safely, and work efficiency can be improved.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of a branching tool for tape-shaped optical fiber cores according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a process diagram for explaining how to use the branching tool. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a second embodiment of the tape-shaped optical fiber branching tool according to the present invention, and FIG. 4 shows a modification of the plate member that can be used in the second embodiment. 5 is a process diagram for explaining how to use the second embodiment, FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view from the optical axis direction showing an example of the structure of the tape-shaped optical fiber core wire, and FIG. The figure is a process diagram showing the branching work of the tape-shaped optical fiber coated wire, and FIG. 8 is a sectional view from the optical axis direction showing the structure of the tape-shaped coated optical fiber for branching. 1.4... Optical fiber bare wire 2... Covering 3... Communication cable 5.6... Sub cable 7.8... Branch line 9.10...-Next coating 11... First block body 12... Second block body 13... Pivot 14... Tape-shaped optical fiber core wire 15... Block body 16... Plate member 17.18... Rail 19 ...L-shaped block body

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. For branching a tape-shaped optical fiber coated wire in which at least one optical fiber strand is branched from a tape-shaped coated optical fiber that covers the optical fiber strands arranged in a row with a common coating. The tool includes: a first block body having a groove for gripping one side surface of the tape-shaped optical fiber core; and a second block body having a groove for gripping the other side surface of the tape-shaped optical fiber core. and the first block body and the second block body arranged such that the openings of the grooves face each other can be rotated while maintaining a positional relationship in which the openings are always parallel to each other. and a pivot fixed at one end of the opening, the tool for branching a tape-shaped optical fiber core wire. 2. A first step of positioning the tape-shaped optical fiber core within the grooves of the first block body and the second block body in the width and thickness directions; and positioning the tape-shaped optical fiber core wire within the groove. a second step of rotating the first block body and/or the second block body about the pivot axis in the state in which the optical fiber is in a state of being bent, and applying a bending moment to a side surface of the tape-shaped optical fiber core wire; A third step of moving the first block body and the second block body in the optical axis direction of the tape-shaped optical fiber core while applying the bending moment. How to use the branching tool described. 3. In a tape-shaped optical fiber branching tool for branching at least one optical fiber from tape-shaped optical fiber coated wires arranged in a row, the width is smaller than the width of the tape-shaped optical fiber coated wire. a block body having a groove on which the side surface of the tape-shaped optical fiber core is placed; A tool for branching tape-shaped optical fibers, comprising a plate-like member having a sharp tip for bending the tape-shaped optical fibers in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement surface. 4. A first step of placing the tape-shaped optical fiber core on the opening of the groove of the block body and positioning the tape-shaped optical fiber core in the width and thickness direction; and placing the plate-shaped member in the groove. a second step of applying a bending moment to the side surface of the tape-shaped optical fiber core by pushing it into the groove in a direction substantially perpendicular to the opening surface of the block; 3. A third step of moving the plate-like member in the optical axis direction of the tape-like optical fiber core wire.
How to use the branching tool described.