JPH10239553A - Fusion-splicing method and splicing device for optical fiber - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fusion-splicing method for optical fibers capable of easily removing the refuse causing the axial drift of the optical fibers mounted on V-grooves. SOLUTION: Optical fibers 1, 2 are advanced and mounted on the V-grooves 5, 6 of mount sections 3, 4. When refuse 7 exists on the V-groove (A), the optical fiber is bent by the refuse 7 when the optical fibers 1, 2 are mounted, and an axial drift occurs (B). The optical fibers 1, 2 are retreated (C) and again advanced (D). When the optical fibers 1, 2 are advanced, the refuse 7 in the V-groove can be pushed away to reduce the axial drift, and fusion splicing improving the splicing characteristic can be made.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a fusion splicing method and a fusion splicing apparatus for fusion splicing optical fibers.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An optical fiber fusion splicing apparatus aligns a central axis of an optical fiber, moves one optical fiber toward the other side at the start of electric discharge, and connects the optical fibers while melting them. 2 to 4 are views for explaining a state of fusion splicing by a conventional fusion splicing apparatus. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a main part schematically showing an example of a fusion splicing apparatus, and FIG. FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of a fusion splicing process. In the figure, 1 and 2 are optical fibers, 3 and 4 are optical fiber mounting portions, 5 and 6 are V grooves, 9 and 10 are optical fiber tapes,
11 and 12 are holders, 13 is a discharge electrode, and 14 is a clamper.

[0003] This fusion splicing device is configured to be capable of connecting an optical fiber tape. The tape coating and the protective coating on the distal end portions of the optical fiber tapes 9 and 10 to be connected are removed to expose the optical fibers 1 and 2, and the holders 11 and 1 are exposed.
Attach to 2. The holders 11 and 12 can be moved back and forth as indicated by arrows, and as shown in FIG. V, like approaching 1, 2
The optical fibers 1 and 2 are placed in the grooves 5 and 6. FIG. 4A shows a plan view of this state. After confirming that there is no displacement between the optical fibers 1 and 2 on both sides, discharge is performed while advancing one optical fiber, the optical fiber 2 on the right in FIG. 4B, as shown in FIG. Confirmation of the positional deviation is performed using an appropriate optical system such as image processing of image data of an image captured by a TV camera. As shown in FIG. 4 (C), the connection state is established when the ends of the optical fibers 1 and 2 on both sides coincide, but the clamper 14 of FIG. , 2 are pressed against the V-groove.

In this fusion splicing technique, what is important is to eliminate the misalignment of the optical fibers to be connected and to align the axes.

In a conventional fusion splicing apparatus, an optical fiber is set in a dedicated V-groove after being subjected to terminal treatments, that is, steps of coating removal, cleaning of removed debris, and cutting. At this time, dust adhering to the optical fiber or dust originally on the surface of the V-groove is sandwiched between the optical fiber and the V-groove. There was a case that it was not possible.

[0006] In such a case, in the prior art, (a)
A method using a fusion splicing device that can correct the axis shift by providing a mechanism for mechanically aligning the cores of the optical fibers. (B) When a certain degree of axis shift occurs, an operator is instructed to start over. There has been a method using a fusion splicer that can be used.

In particular, in the method (b), if the dust on the V-groove is not removed, the situation will be the same even if the process is repeated, so that it is necessary to remove dust on the order of microns which is the positioning accuracy of the optical fiber. . In practice, it is very difficult to remove such invisible garbage. Use a cotton swab dipped in alcohol, the tip of a toothpick or the tip of a blade to clean the V-groove. Was doing.

[0008] The cleaning of the V-groove has been carried out without fail to prevent the misalignment error. However, as described above, the operation must be performed using various tools. Moreover, the pitch of the V-groove is very narrow (for example, 25
0 μm), it is difficult to confirm whether or not the grooves have been cleaned even if the grooves are actually cleaned one by one. There were many things that could happen. Thus V
The cleaning work of the groove was extremely poor in workability.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an optical fiber capable of easily removing dust which causes an axial deviation of an optical fiber placed in a V-groove. It is an object of the present invention to provide a fusion splicing method and a splicing device.

[0010]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an optical fiber fusion splicing method in which an optical fiber to be spliced is positioned in a V groove and fusion spliced. The optical fiber is retracted, and then the optical fiber is advanced on the V-groove and mounted again on the V-groove.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the optical fiber fusion splicing method according to the first aspect, a discharge for cleaning is first performed while the optical fiber is placed in the V-groove. It is a feature.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the optical fiber fusion splicing method according to the first or second aspect, a discharge for cleaning is performed again while the optical fiber is placed in the V groove. It is characterized by the following.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the optical fiber fusion splicing method according to any one of the first to third aspects, the optical fiber is repeatedly moved backward and forward. .

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the optical fiber fusion splicing method according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the axial deviation is measured while the optical fiber is placed in the V-groove. When the amount of axis deviation is not within the specified value, the optical fiber is moved backward and forward.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the method for fusion splicing an optical fiber, when the number of V grooves is larger than the number of optical fibers, the optical fiber is moved in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction thereof, A discharge for advancing and retreating the optical fiber and cleaning for cleaning the optical fiber according to any one of claims 1 to 5 is performed on the other grooves.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a V-groove for positioning an optical fiber to be connected, a clamping means for holding the optical fiber in the V-groove, and a means for applying a discharge to the optical fiber positioned in the V-groove. Discharging means, moving means for gripping the optical fiber and moving the optical fiber in the longitudinal direction,
An optical system for optical fiber observation, and a measuring unit for measuring the axis deviation of the optical fiber by the optical system for optical fiber observation,
In an optical fiber fusion splicing device provided with a control means,
The control means, when the axis deviation measured by the measurement means is not within a predetermined value, retracts the optical fiber, then,
The moving means is controlled so as to move forward.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the optical fiber fusion splicing apparatus according to the seventh aspect, the control means performs a cleaning discharge on the optical fiber mounted in the V-groove. It is characterized by controlling the discharging means.

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is an explanatory view of a fusion splicing method of an optical fiber according to the present invention. In the drawings, the same parts as those in FIGS. 2 to 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. 7 is garbage. Although not shown, the axial deviation of the distal ends of the optical fibers 1 and 2 is measured by a TV camera or the like.

FIG. 1E is a cross-sectional view along the bottom of the V-groove of the mounting portion 3 or 4, and FIG. 1F is a cross-sectional view in a direction perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 1E. 1 (A) to 1 (D), the placement units 3 and 4 are shown in a reduced scale in FIG. 1 (E).

In FIGS. 1A to 1D, the left end of the V groove 5 arranged on the left side is the insertion side of the optical fiber 1, and
The right end of the V-groove 6 disposed on the right side is the insertion side of the optical fiber 1 in the figure. As shown in FIG. 1A, an optical fiber tape is set in a holder (not shown) so that the tips of the optical fibers 1 and 2 are located at the insertion-side ends of the V-grooves 5 and 6.
From this state, the holder is advanced and the optical fibers 1 and 2 are moved.
Are placed in the V-grooves 5 and 6. If dust 7 or the like is present in the V-grooves 5, 6, the optical fibers 1 and 2 get over the dust,
Alternatively, it is placed on an optical fiber or extruded at the tip.

FIG. 1B shows a case in which the optical fiber 1 has passed over the dust 7, so that the tip of the optical fiber 1 is bent upward and the axis of the optical fiber 2 is shifted. When this axis deviation is measured and the value of the axis deviation exceeds a predetermined value, the holder is retracted and the optical fibers 1 and 2 are moved away from each other as shown in FIG. Retreat. The retreat distance is set to a position where the tip of the optical fibers 1 and 2 slightly rides on the end on the insertion side of the V-groove, and the retreat operation is stopped there.

Next, as shown in FIG. 1D, the holder is advanced so that the tips of the optical fibers 1 and 2 are at predetermined positions. The dust 7 existing in the V-groove 5 is pushed out at the tip of the optical fiber 1 this time,
When the axis deviation of No. 2 is measured, the value of the axis deviation becomes within a predetermined value.

When the optical fiber is set at a predetermined position, the process proceeds to the fusion step. As shown in FIG. 4B, dust adhering to the tip of the optical fiber is blown off by the flow of air due to discharge. The fusion splicing is performed without dust.

The above-described embodiment is merely an example, and various changes may be made. A modification example will be described.

The V of the optical fibers 1 and 2 in FIG.
The placement in the grooves 5 and 6 is not limited to the one performed by moving forward from the insertion end side of the V grooves 5 and 6. The optical fibers 1 and 2 are set at appropriate positions of the V-grooves 5 and 6, for example, at positions close to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1C, the vehicle may be moved backward, stopped, and then advanced as shown in FIG. 1D.

When the optical fiber shown in FIG. 1C is retracted, it may be moved upward to retract the optical fiber at a height slightly away from the V-groove. Alternatively, FIG.
As shown in (C), while moving the optical fibers 1 and 2 to the ends of the V-grooves 5 and 6, the optical fibers 1 and 2 may be retracted away from the V-grooves 5 and 6.

When the optical fibers 1 and 2 are retracted to a position above the V-grooves 5 and 6, the optical fibers 1 and 2 are inserted into the insertion-side ends of the V-grooves 5 and 6 while being lowered. After the end is placed, the optical fibers 1 and 2 may be advanced on the V-grooves 5 and 6.

At first, the optical fibers 1 and 2 are
The cleaning discharge may be performed in a state of being placed on the cleaning device 6. The dust attached to the optical fiber can be burned off by the cleaning discharge. The cleaning discharge is performed with a current that does not melt the ends of the optical fibers 1 and 2. The discharge may be intermittent.

As shown in FIG. 1D, a cleaning discharge may be performed with the optical fibers 1 and 2 placed in the V grooves 5 and 6 again. By the cleaning discharge, dust removed from the V grooves 5, 6 by the optical fibers 1, 2 can be burned off.

After the optical fibers 1 and 2 are retracted and advanced, the axis deviation is measured. If there is an axis deviation larger than a specified value, the optical fibers 1 and 2 are further retracted and advanced. Is also good. This repetition may be repeated until the measured value of the axis deviation falls within the specified value. The axis deviation may be measured each time the forward and backward movements are repeated a plurality of times.

When the number of V-grooves of the mounting portions 3 and 4 in FIG. 2 is larger than the number of optical fibers, the holders 11 and 12 are moved in the lateral direction to perform the above-described retreat and advance of the optical fibers. Thus, dust in the V grooves 5 and 6 may be removed.

The method described with reference to FIG. 1 is performed by software such as a control unit of the fusion splicing apparatus and a control program for controlling the operation thereof. In addition, the position information and the arrangement pattern information of the tip of the optical fiber detected by an appropriate optical system can be subjected to image processing to measure the value of the axis deviation. The detailed description is omitted.

[0033]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, the V-groove can be cleaned with the optical fiber to be connected, so that the V-groove filled with fine dust is automatically cleaned. The fusion splicing has the effect of reducing axial misalignment and improving the connection characteristics.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view of a fusion splicing method of an optical fiber according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a main part schematically showing an example of a fusion splicing apparatus.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an optical fiber and a V-groove.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a fusion splicing process.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 2, ... optical fiber, 3, 4, ... optical fiber mounting part, 5,
6 V-groove, 7 Dust, 9, 10 Optical fiber tape, 1
1, 12: Holder, 13: Discharge electrode, 14: Clamper.

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. An optical fiber fusion splicing method in which an optical fiber to be spliced is positioned in a V-groove to perform fusion splicing, wherein the optical fiber placed in the V-groove is retracted.
A fusion splicing method of an optical fiber, wherein the optical fiber is advanced on the V-groove and mounted on the V-groove again. 2. The optical fiber fusion splicing method according to claim 1, wherein a discharge for cleaning is first performed in a state where the optical fiber is placed in the V-groove. 3. The fusion splicing method for an optical fiber according to claim 1, wherein a discharge for cleaning is performed while the optical fiber is placed in the V groove again. 4. The optical fiber fusion splicing method according to claim 1, wherein the optical fiber is repeatedly moved backward and forward. 5. The optical fiber according to claim 1, wherein the optical fiber is placed in the V-groove and the axis deviation is measured, and when the amount of the axis deviation is not within a specified value, the optical fiber is moved backward and forward. 5. The fusion splicing method for an optical fiber according to any one of items 4 to 4. 6. When the number of V-grooves is greater than the number of optical fibers, the optical fiber is moved in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the V-groove, and the V-groove is moved to another groove. 1
9. A method for fusion splicing an optical fiber, comprising performing discharge for advancing and retreating the optical fiber and cleaning for the optical fiber according to the above item. 7. V for positioning an optical fiber to be connected
A groove, clamping means for holding the optical fiber in the V groove,
Discharge means for applying discharge to the optical fiber positioned in the V-groove; moving means for gripping the optical fiber and moving the optical fiber in the longitudinal direction; an optical system for optical fiber observation; In the optical fiber fusion splicing apparatus provided with a measuring unit for measuring the axis deviation of the optical fiber by the optical system, and the control unit, the control unit, when the axis deviation measured by the measuring unit is not within a predetermined value, An optical fiber fusion splicing device, wherein the moving means is controlled so as to retract the optical fiber and then advance the optical fiber. 8. The fusion splicing of an optical fiber according to claim 7, wherein said control means controls said discharging means so as to perform a cleaning discharge on the optical fiber placed in the V-groove. apparatus.