JPH11237510A - Coated optical fiber tape dividing tool for non-cut cable - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make a dividing tool easily miniaturizable without damaging the function of the tool by making a coated optical fiber tape holding mechanism surely hold a coated optical fiber at a prescribed position before a cutter touches the coated optical fiber. SOLUTION: Without dividing a main body 5 into plural components in the longitudinal direction of a coated optical fiber tape 1, the coated optical fiber tape holding mechanism surely holds the coated optical fiber tape 1 at the prescribed position before the cutter is abutted to the coated optical fiber tape 1. In this tool for the division, a groove 8 is provided on a main body lower part 6', the width of the groove 8 is made slightly larger than the width of the coated optical fiber tape 1 and the coated optical fiber tape 1 is fitted to the groove 8 and is restrained so as not to be freely moved in a width direction in the groove 8. Also, basically, the tool is composed of the main body whose upper and lower parts are composed of main body upper and lower parts 6 and 6' mutually openable and closable with a rotary shaft 10 as a center and an upper blade 9 and a lower blade 9' attached respectively to the upper and lower parts facing each other. Also, the upper blade 9 and the lower blade 9' are made into a symmetrical shape in the longitudinal direction of an optical cable.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a tool for splitting an optical fiber ribbon in a rear branching operation of an optical fiber cable. In detail, the dividing tool of the present invention has an advantage that the main body of the dividing tool can be reduced without dividing the main body into a plurality of parts, and the tape core can be easily divided even in the post-branching operation.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 9 is a schematic view for explaining the structure of one conventional dividing tool. FIG. 10 is a schematic view illustrating the structure of another conventional splitting tool. For example, JP-A-2
JP-A-153305 discloses an optical fiber tape that is rotatably supported by a base 31 having a groove 33 for holding an optical fiber ribbon 32 and a rotating shaft 34 as shown in FIG. It is composed of an upper member 40 of an end pressing member 35 for fixing the end of the core wire to the groove 33 and a central pressing member 38. Further, the upper blade and the lower blade 36 are opposed to the base 31 and the upper member 40. An optical fiber ribbon splitting tool provided with 37 is shown.

In this case, the upper member 40 is divided into three parts, and the center pressing member 38 provided with the blade is closed after the optical fiber ribbon is securely fixed by the left and right end pressing members 35, and then the upper member 40 is closed. Since the structure prevents damage to the core wire due to misalignment, it is difficult to further reduce the size of the dividing tool having this structure. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-75 discloses a tool for dividing a similar multi-core optical fiber tape.
No. 929 is also known. As shown in FIG. 10, in the case of this tool, the upper blade 4 provided on the upper and lower members
5. There are a plurality of lower blades 45 'in accordance with the arrangement pitch of the optical fibers in the optical fiber ribbon, and the installation position of the blades is adjusted by the distance adjusting means 46 between the optical fibers and the arrangement interval between the blades. Means are provided, and a positioning means 48 and a width moving means for the optical fiber ribbon are also shown.

[0004]

In any case, a tool for dividing and branching an optical fiber ribbon into a plurality of pieces has been described. However, these tools are applied only to an optical fiber ribbon having one end opened. For example, it is difficult to apply these conventional splitting tools to a tape core wire that has been passed through in a state where only the coating has been removed without cutting the cable in a post-branching operation or the like. The reason is as follows. For example, except for the SZ twisted optical fiber ribbon, in a normal optical fiber cable, the tape ribbon is twisted in one direction.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a structure of a normal optical fiber ribbon. As shown in FIG. 11, when only the jacket 42 is removed by a post-branching operation or the like, a gap 44 between the tape core wire 41 and the slot (spacer) 43 when the core wire 41 is taken out is small. Requires a device for miniaturization. On the other hand, in the dividing tool described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-153305,
Since the upper member 40 is divided into three parts, the left and right end pressing members 35 and the central pressing member 38, the mechanism is complicated, and it is not easy to reduce the size in the horizontal direction. In addition, Japanese Patent Application No. 6-2
In the dividing tool described in Japanese Patent No. 08628, since the distance adjusting mechanism 46 is on the same line as the blades 45, 45 ', and 45 ", it is not easy to reduce the size in the thickness direction. Since no special consideration is given to the insertion of the dividing tool, it is not suitable for branching work after cutting the cable.

[0006]

As a result of various studies on the above problems, the present inventors have found that a tape core holding mechanism such as a groove provided on the upper and lower portions of a rotatable main body and a secondary coating of the tape core are provided. A pair of upper and lower blades for making a cut in the blade, a screw mechanism for finely adjusting the cutting depth of the blade, and a guide for preventing displacement when the main body is rotated, and the tape core wire holding mechanism makes the blade hit the core wire. A mechanism for securely holding the core wire in a predetermined position beforehand (that is, (a) a leaf spring or an elastic body, (b)
Blade rotating mechanism and / or (c) tape core wire guard mechanism], the main body of the dividing tool can be miniaturized without being divided into a plurality of parts in the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber tape core wire, The present inventor has found that it is possible to easily divide the tape core wire even in the post-branching operation, and has completed the present invention.

That is, the present invention comprises: a vertically rotatable main body, a tape core holding mechanism provided therein, and a pair of upper and lower blades for cutting a secondary coating of the tape core. A core dividing tool composed of a mechanism for finely adjusting the cutting depth of a blade and a guide for preventing displacement when the main body is rotated, wherein the main body is divided into a plurality of parts in a longitudinal direction of the optical fiber tape. Provided is a core wire splitting tool having a structure in which a tape core wire holding mechanism surely holds a core wire at a predetermined position before a blade hits the core wire without splitting. Further, the present invention is characterized in that a fine adjustment mechanism of the cutting depth of the blade is provided in an empty space of the main body, away from the core wire introduction portion.

Another feature is that the cutting edge of the blade can be moved forward and backward by a rotating portion provided on the main body. Another feature is that the mechanism for preventing the tape core from hitting the blade before securely holding the core in a predetermined position is a spring or an elastic body. Another feature is that a movable guard mechanism is provided on the cutting edge. Another feature is that the guard mechanism is provided buried in the lower part of the main body. Also,

The tape core holding mechanism is a groove slightly wider than the tape core and has a depth such that the core does not spill even if the core gets on a holding mechanism such as a spring or an elastic body. It also has features. Another characteristic is that the shape of the pair of upper and lower blades is symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber ribbon.
Another feature is that a core holder is provided at a position on the upper part of the main body where the tape core holding mechanism at the lower part of the main body is fitted.
(10) The present invention is also characterized in that the upper and lower pairs of blades are located at the upper part of the main body and the tape core holding mechanism at the lower part of the main body, respectively. (11) It is also characterized in that a guide mechanism for positioning the cord is provided on the side surface of the main body.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The dividing tool according to the present invention basically has the structure described in FIG. That is, the main body upper and lower parts 6 and 6 ′ that can rotate with each other, the holding mechanism of the tape core 1 such as the groove 8 provided therein, and a pair of upper and lower parts for making a cut in the secondary coating of the tape core 1. And a guide 19 for preventing displacement when the main body 5 is rotated. In FIG. 1, 5 is a main body, 6 and 6 ′ are upper and lower portions of the main body, 7 is a holding member, 8 is a groove, 9, 9 ′ are upper and lower blades, 1
Reference numeral 0 denotes a rotating shaft, 13 denotes a rotating unit, 15 denotes an adjustment screw, and 19 denotes a guide. In the present invention, the size can be easily reduced without deteriorating the function of the dividing tool by devising the above and the following reductions.

[0011]

[Function] (i) The tape core holding mechanism securely holds the core wire in a predetermined position before the blade hits the core wire without dividing the main body into a plurality of parts in the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber tape core wire. Because of the structure, the width direction of the body (longitudinal direction of the core wire)
The size can be reduced (claim 1). (ii) Since the mechanism for finely adjusting the cutting depth of the blade is provided in an empty space of the main body away from the core wire introduction portion, the size can be reduced in the thickness direction of the main body (thickness direction of the core wire). ). (iii) Since the cutting edge of the blade can be moved forward and backward by the rotating portion provided in the main body, the blade can be inserted after confirming that the tape core wire is securely held (claim 3). (iv) Since the mechanism for preventing the tape core from hitting the blade before being securely held is a spring or an elastic body, the mechanism can be reduced in size and integrated with the main body (claim 4).

(V) Since the movable guard mechanism is provided on the cutting edge, the cutting tool can be inserted after confirming that the tape core is securely held (claim 5). (Vi) Since the guard mechanism is buried in the lower part of the main body,
The size can be reduced in the thickness direction (claim 6). (Vii) Since the tape core wire holding mechanism is slightly wider than the tape core wire, and the depth of the groove is such that the core wire does not spill even if the core wire gets on a holding mechanism such as a spring or an elastic body. , The tape core wire fits into the groove, it can not move freely in the width direction, the tape core wire can be fixed securely, and the blade tip does not touch the coating just by introducing the tape core wire into the groove, the main body Only when the spring is pressed by closing the upper part does the lower blade cut into the coating (claim 7).

(Viii) Since the shape of the pair of upper and lower blades is symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal direction of the optical cable, the covering of the tape core wire can be divided in either direction (claim 8). (Ix) Since the core wire press is provided at the upper part of the main body at a position where the core wire is fitted with the tape core wire holding mechanism, the tape core wire is securely fixed (claim 9). (x) Since the pair of upper and lower blades is located at the upper part of the main body and the tape core holding mechanism at the lower part of the main body, the size can be reduced in the longitudinal direction of the tape core. (xi) Since a guide mechanism for preventing displacement is provided on the side of the main body,
It is possible to prevent the blade from hitting a place other than the predetermined position due to the displacement (claim 11).

[0014]

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to Examples.
These examples do not limit the invention. FIG.
FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating an outline of one structure of an optical fiber ribbon splitting tool of the present invention. Fig. 2- (a) shows the cross section of the dividing tool, Fig. 2- (b) shows the shape of the end of the upper part of the main body constituting the dividing tool, and Fig. 2- (c) shows the end of the lower part of the main body. FIG. 2- (d) illustrates the protruding state of the blade to the tape core wire, and FIG. 2- (e) illustrates the mounting position of the upper and lower blades. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a method of using the optical fiber ribbon splitting tool of the present invention.

In FIGS. 2 and 3, 1 is a tape core, 2 is an optical cable, 3 is a slot, 4 is a gap between the tape and the slot, 5 is a main body of a dividing tool, and 6 and 6 'are main bodies. The upper part, the lower part of the body, and 7 are the retainers for fixing the tape core, 8
Is a groove, 9 and 9 ′ are an upper blade, a lower blade, 10 is a main body upper and lower part 6,
This is a rotation shaft for rotating 6 ′.

(A) Regarding the dividing tool: (i) There is a groove 8 in the lower part 6 'of the main body, and the width of the groove 8 is slightly larger than the width of the tape core 1. 8 and a mechanism for restraining the groove 8 from freely moving in the width direction in the groove 8 (claim 7). (ii) As shown in FIG. 2, the present invention basically includes a main body upper and lower portion 6
It comprises a main body 5 made of 6 ', an upper blade 9 and a lower blade 9' which are attached to face each other.

As shown in FIG. 2E, the upper blade 9 and the lower blade 9 'are symmetrical in the longitudinal direction (left-right direction) of the optical cable 2. (iii) The upper part 6 of the main body has a protrusion 7 at a position where the lower part 6 'of the main body is fitted with the groove 8 (claim 9). When the upper and lower sides of the main body 5 are closed, as shown in FIG. 2A, the tape core 1 is confined in a space formed by the groove 8 and the retainer 7. (iv) Upper and lower blades 9 and 9 'are attached to the retainer 7 and the groove 8, respectively. These blades cut the secondary coating of the tape core wire 1 and do not damage the core wire. (Claim 10).

(B) Method of using the dividing tool: FIG. 3 is a schematic view for explaining the method of using the optical fiber ribbon splitting tool of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the splitting tool is designed to be able to divide even in a penetrating tape core where the gap 4 between the slot 3 and the tape core 1 is small during the rear branching operation. Regarding the shape and size of the main body 5,
In the longitudinal direction a of the optical fiber ribbon and the four directions of the gap between the tape core 1 and the slot 3, the dimensions are small enough to allow the lower part 6 'of the splitting tool to enter the gap. Further, it is general that the worker is positioned with the longitudinal portion of the optical cable in the left-right direction, and it is necessary to perform the work by moving the dividing tool according to the present invention in both the left and right directions. Therefore, the main body 5 including the main body upper and lower portions 6 and 6 ′ is elongated in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the optical cable 2.

(C) Other embodiments: (i) Interposition of a leaf spring mechanism or an elastic body such as rubber: In the branching tool of the present invention, it is assumed that a predetermined position is deviated by a tape core wire and a blade hits. In order to prevent this, it is desirable to provide a mechanism (a leaf spring mechanism or the interposition of an elastic body such as rubber) for holding the tape core wire in a predetermined position before the blade touches the tape core wire (claims 1 and 4). . FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing a cross section of the dividing tool for explaining the function of a leaf spring mechanism or an elastic body such as rubber provided at a lower portion of the main body. FIG.
FIG. 4A is a schematic diagram of a cross section of a tool showing a case of a leaf spring, and FIG. In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-153305, which is one of the prior art, as shown in FIG. 6, the function of the end pressing member 35 is integrally provided on the upper portion of the main body 5. . This will be described more specifically.

(Ii) Mechanism for finely adjusting the cutting depth of the blade: FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram for explaining a mechanism for finely adjusting the cutting depth of the blade. As shown in FIG. 7, as a mechanism for finely adjusting the cutting depth of the blade, an adjusting screw 15 is provided in the upper part 6 of the main body, and a contact plate 16 is provided in a place corresponding to the lower part 6 'of the main body. The gap 17 between the body upper part 6 and the lower part 6 '
, The gap 1 between the upper and lower blades 9 and 9 ′ is interlocked.
Change 8 The adjusting screw 15 is desirably provided in a vacant space (gap) 17 of the main body 5 distant from the core wire introduction portion, and is preferably partially embedded in the upper part 6 of the main body as shown in FIG. Claim 2).

(Iii) Movable mechanism of blade: FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining the movable mechanism of the blade. It is possible to employ a mechanism in which the cutting edge of the blade can be moved forward and backward by a rotating portion provided on the main body.
That is, the lower blade 9 ′ attached to the lower body 6 ′ is retracted when the tape core 1 is introduced into the groove 8, and a mechanism is provided in which the blade edge comes out after the upper body 6 is closed. For example, the rotation may be performed by the rotating unit 13 shown in FIG.

(Iv) Guard mechanism: FIG. 6 is a schematic view for explaining the guard mechanism of the blade. As shown in FIG. 6, a movable guard 14 is provided on the cutting edge, guards the cutting edge 9 'when the tape core is introduced, and protects the cutting edge 9' when closing the upper part.
(Claim 5). As shown in FIG. 6, the guard mechanism is desirably provided by being buried in the lower part 6 'of the main body, because it does not require extra space and is small in size.

(V) Tape core wire holding mechanism: The tape core wire holding mechanism such as a groove is slightly wider than the tape core wire, and the depth thereof is such that a core wire is provided on a holding mechanism such as a spring or an elastic body. It is desirable that the groove has a depth that does not spill even when riding. Fig. 4-
The leaf spring mechanism 11 of (a) or the elastic body 12 such as rubber of FIG. 4- (b) is arranged, and the surface position thereof is slightly higher than the tip of the blade. Therefore, at this time, the depth of the groove 8 is
The depth is such that the tape core wire 1 does not spill even if it is laid on the spring 11. Thereby, the blade tip does not touch the coating only by introducing the tape core wire 1 into the groove 8, and the lower blade 9 ′ is not pressed until the spring 11 is pressed by closing the main body upper part 6.
Cut the coating.

(Vi) Installation position of the blade: As shown in FIG. 2E, it is desirable that the shape of the pair of upper and lower blades is symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber ribbon. Claim 8). Further, as shown in FIG. 2- (A) and the like, it is desirable that the pair of upper and lower blades be located at the upper part of the main body and the tape core holding mechanism at the lower part of the main body, respectively. (Vii) Tape core holder: As shown in FIG. 2- (A) and the like, it is desirable to provide a core holder at a position at the upper part of the main body where the tape core holding mechanism at the lower part of the main body fits. Item 9). (Viii) Guide mechanism: FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram for explaining the position guide mechanism for the tape core wire. As shown in FIG. 8, in order to prevent the upper part 6 and the lower part 6 'of the main body from being displaced from each other and to reliably apply the blade to a predetermined position of the tape core 1, a core positioning guide 19 is provided on the side of the main body ( Claim 11).

[0025]

As described above, according to the present invention, a tape core holding mechanism such as a groove provided on the upper and lower portions of a rotatable main body, and a pair of upper and lower blades for making a cut in a secondary coating of the tape core. And a screw mechanism for fine adjustment of the cutting depth of the blade, and a guide for preventing misalignment during rotation of the main body. (A) The tape core wire holding mechanism determines the core wire before the blade hits the core wire. (2) By providing a mechanism (that is, a leaf spring or an elastic body) for securely holding the tool at the position of It is possible to reduce the size of the optical fiber cable without dividing it into parts, and to easily divide the ribbon even in the post-branching operation (ie, the width of the main body is reduced in the longitudinal direction of the optical cable, and the thickness is reduced. And the body is long in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the optical cable. Kill.)

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a basic structure of a dividing tool according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows an optical fiber ribbon splitting tool 1 according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an outline of one structure. Fig. 2- (a) shows the cross section of the dividing tool, Fig. 2- (b) shows the shape of the end of the upper part of the main body constituting the dividing tool, and Fig. 2- (c) shows the end of the lower part of the main body. FIG. 2- (d) illustrates the state of protrusion of the blade to the tape core wire, and FIG. 2- (e) illustrates the mounting position of the upper and lower blades.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a method of using the optical fiber ribbon splitting tool of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing a cross section of a dividing tool for explaining a function of a leaf spring mechanism or an elastic body such as rubber provided at a lower portion of the main body. FIG. 4- (A) is a schematic view of a cross section of a tool showing a case of a leaf spring, and FIG. 4- (B) is a schematic view of a cross section of a tool showing a case of an elastic body.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a movable mechanism of a blade.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view illustrating a guard mechanism of a blade.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating a mechanism for finely adjusting the cutting depth of a blade.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating a position guiding mechanism for a tape core wire.

FIG. 9 is a schematic view illustrating the structure of one conventional splitting tool.

FIG. 10 is a schematic view illustrating the structure of another conventional dividing tool.

FIG. 11 is a schematic view showing the structure of a normal optical fiber ribbon.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 tape core 2 optical cable 3 slot 4 gap between tape core and slot 5 main body of dividing tool 6 main body upper 6 'lower body 7 retainer for fixing tape core 8 groove 9 upper blade 9' lower blade 10 A rotating shaft for rotating the main body upper and lower portions 6, 6 '12 Elastic body such as rubber 13 Rotating portion 14 Movable guard 15 Adjustment screw 17 Gap 18 Gap between upper and lower blades 9, 9' 19 Guide 31 Base 32 Light Fiber core ribbon 33 Groove 34 Rotating shaft 35 End holding member 36 Upper blade 37 Upper blade 38 Center holding member 39 Lower member 40 Upper member 41, 49 Tape core 42 Outer sheath 43 Slot (spacer) 44 Gap 45 Upper knife 45 'Lower knife 46 Distance adjusting means 47 Storage base 48 Positioning means

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Takeo Seike 1 Tayacho, Sakae-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture Inside the Yokohama Works, Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. (72) Inventor Shinichi Tanaka 1 Higashishinmachi, Higashi-ku, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture Inside Chubu Electric Power Company

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A vertically rotatable main body, a tape core holding mechanism provided therein, a pair of upper and lower blades for cutting a secondary coating of the tape core, and a cutting depth of the blades. A core splitting tool comprising a mechanism for finely adjusting the length and a guide for preventing displacement during rotation of the main body, without dividing the main body into a plurality of parts in the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber ribbon. A core wire splitting tool, wherein the tape core wire holding mechanism has a structure for surely holding the core wire at a predetermined position before the blade hits the core wire; 2. The core wire splitting tool according to claim 1, wherein the fine adjustment mechanism of the cutting depth of the blade is provided in an empty space of the main body away from the core wire introduction portion. 3. The cord splitting tool according to claim 1, wherein the cutting edge of the cutting tool is movable forward and backward by a rotating portion provided on the main body. 4. The core wire splitting tool according to claim 1, wherein the mechanism for preventing the tape core wire from hitting the blade before being securely held at a predetermined position is a spring or an elastic body. 5. The core wire splitting tool according to claim 1, wherein a movable guard mechanism is provided on the cutting edge. 6. The cord splitting tool according to claim 5, wherein the guard mechanism is provided so as to be embedded in a lower portion of the main body. 7. The tape core holding mechanism is a groove slightly wider than the tape core and has a depth such that the core does not spill even if the core is placed on a holding mechanism such as a spring or an elastic body. The core wire splitting tool according to claim 4, wherein the tool is provided. 8. The cord splitting tool according to claim 1, wherein the pair of upper and lower blades are symmetric with respect to the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber ribbon. 9. The cord division according to claim 1, wherein a cord presser is provided at a position on the upper part of the main body where the tape core holding mechanism at the lower part of the main body is fitted. tool. 10. The core wire according to claim 1, wherein the pair of upper and lower blades is located at a position of a holding member at an upper portion of the main body and a tape core holding mechanism at a lower portion of the main body, respectively. Split tool. 11. The core wire splitting tool according to claim 1, wherein a guide mechanism for positioning the core wire is provided on a side surface of the main body.