JPH07209540A - Method for connecting plastic optical fiber cable - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To use an inexpensive interconnector and to maintain the coupling efficiency of an optical path even if a slight axial shift is caused. CONSTITUTION:The interconnector 1 made of a metallic pipe which has a uniform internal diameter a little larger than the external diameter of a plastic optical fiber cable 1 to be connected is prepared; and the projection end part of a trunk plastic optical fiber cable 2 is inserted into one end of the interconnector 1, and the incidence end part of a plastic optical fiber cable 3 for extension which has a fiber diameter 20% thicker than the fiber diameter of the trunk plastic optical fiber cable is inserted into the other end of the interconnector 1. Then they are made to abut on each other at or nearby the center part of the interconnector, and both end parts of the interconnector 1 wherein the trunk plastic optical fiber cable 2 and plastic optical fiber 3 for extension are made to abut on each other are caulked to fix both the optical fiber cables 2 and 3.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for connecting a plastic optical fiber cable, and more particularly to a method for connecting a basic plastic optical fiber cable to an extension plastic optical fiber cable.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Plastic optical fiber cables are used for various optical transmissions such as optical communication and lighting. Usually, the length of the plastic optical fiber cable is cut to the required length and used, but for example, when the optical fiber photoelectric switch is attached to a device, the length of the optical fiber cable is. In some cases, there may be a shortage. At this time, the same plastic optical fiber cable is used for extension by utilizing the interconnector and is extended.

[0003]

However, when a plastic optical fiber cable having the same diameter is used as an extension and closely fixed, axial misalignment is likely to occur and the coupling efficiency of the optical path is lowered. On the other hand, it has been proposed to precisely form the inner diameter of the interconnector so as to be in close contact with the cable so as not to cause axial misalignment, but the interconnector becomes expensive.

The present invention has been made on the basis of the above-mentioned background, and it is an object of the present invention that an inexpensive interconnector can be used, and the coupling efficiency of the optical path can be improved even if the axis is slightly displaced. It is an object of the present invention to provide a plastic optical fiber cable connection method that does not deteriorate.

[0005]

The above-mentioned problems can be solved by the present invention. That is, the method of connecting to the plastic optical fiber cable according to the present invention is to connect the basic plastic optical fiber cable to the extension plastic optical fiber cable. Step of preparing an interconnector made of a metal pipe having a large uniform inner diameter, inserting the emitting end of the backbone plastic optical fiber cable from one end of the interconnector, while the other is 10 to 30% of the fiber diameter of the backbone plastic optical fiber cable. Thick, preferably 15-25
% The step of inserting the entrance end of a thick plastic optical fiber cable with a fiber diameter from the other end of the interconnector and abutting it at or near the center of the interconnector, the backbone plastic optical fiber cable and the plastic optical fiber for extension. And a step of fixing both optical fiber cables at both ends of the interconnector in which the fiber cables are butted against each other.

[0006]

The method of connecting to the plastic optical fiber cable according to the present invention having the above-described structure operates and operates as follows. First, an interconnector made of a metal pipe having a uniform inner diameter that is the same as or slightly larger than the outer diameter of the plastic optical fiber cable to be connected is prepared. Insert the emitting end of the basic plastic optical fiber cable from one end of the interconnector, and on the other hand, from the fiber diameter of the basic plastic optical fiber cable to 10
The entrance end of a plastic optical fiber cable for extension having a fiber diameter of 30% is inserted from the other end of the interconnector, and is abutted at the center or near the interconnector. Both the optical fiber cables are fixed at both ends of the interconnector where the basic plastic optical fiber cable and the extension plastic optical fiber cable are butted.

Light is transmitted from the entrance end to the exit end of the basic plastic optical fiber cable, and the light is emitted from the exit end with a certain spread. Light is incident on the incident end of the extension plastic optical fiber cable facing the emitting end. At this time, since the fiber diameter of the extension plastic optical fiber cable is 10 to 30% thicker than the fiber diameter of the basic plastic optical fiber cable, optical loss due to axis misalignment is reduced, and a decrease in coupling efficiency due to extension is suppressed. .

[0008]

The present invention will be specifically described with reference to the following examples. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the cable after connecting the method of connecting to the plastic optical fiber cable according to the present invention.
2 and a perspective view of the cable before being fixed, and FIG.

First, an interconnector 1 made of a metal pipe having a uniform inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of a plastic optical fiber cable to be connected is prepared. The output end of the basic plastic optical fiber cable 2 is inserted from one end of the interconnector 1, while the extension plastic optical fiber cable 3 has a fiber diameter 20% larger than the fiber diameter of the basic plastic optical fiber cable 3.
Insert the incident end of the from the other end of the interconnector 1,
Butt at or near the center of the interconnector. The optical fiber cables 2 and 3 are fixed by caulking both ends of the interconnector 1 in which the basic plastic optical fiber cable 2 and the extension plastic optical fiber cable 3 are butted.

The operation of the connected plastic optical fiber cable obtained in the above embodiment will be described. Light is transmitted from the entrance end of the basic plastic optical fiber cable 2 to the exit end, and the light is emitted. Light enters the entrance end of the extension plastic optical fiber cable facing the exit end, and the fiber diameter of the extension plastic optical fiber cable is 20% thicker than the fiber diameter of the backbone cable. There was little light loss.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the fixing is performed by caulking, but it may be fixed by an adhesive or the like.

[0012]

According to the method of connecting to a plastic optical fiber cable of the present invention, an inexpensive interconnector can be used, and the coupling efficiency of the optical path can be maintained even if the axis is slightly displaced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a cable after connection obtained by a plastic optical fiber cable connection method according to the present invention. Figure 1 and perspective view

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cable before being fixed, which is obtained by the method for connecting a plastic optical fiber cable according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Interconnector 2 Core plastic optical fiber cable 3 Extension plastic optical fiber cable

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A step of preparing an interconnector made of a metal pipe having a uniform inner diameter which is the same as or slightly larger than the outer diameter of a plastic optical fiber cable to be connected. Inserted from one end, the other end of the interconnector, the incidence end of the extension plastic optical fiber cable having a fiber diameter 10 to 30% larger than the fiber diameter of the backbone plastic optical fiber cable, and the center of the interconnector. A core plastic optical fiber cable and a step of abutting the optical fiber cables at or near each other, and a step of fixing both optical fiber cables at both ends of the interconnector where the core plastic optical fiber cable and the extension plastic optical fiber cable are abutted. How to connect the Le extension for a plastic optical fiber cable.