JPH1123879A - Optical fiber holder - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide the optical fiber holder which can have its upper lid opened and closed by single operation, securely hold optical fibers of various clad sizes, and improve operability. SOLUTION: This holder consists of a base 1 which has a groove part for storing an optical fiber, the upper lid 2 which is pivoted on the base 1 in a free opening/closing state and energized in the opening direction with a spring 7, and a lock lever 3 which has a lock claw 3b atop; and the lock lever 3 is always energized with the spring 9 in the direction wherein it is locked to the lock part 2b of the upper lid 2 in the always closed state. Further, when the upper lid 2 is rotated in the closing direction, the lock part 2b of the upper lid 2 presses an inclined cam surface 3c on the top surface of the lock claw 3b to rotate the lock lever 3 in the unlocking direction against the spring 9 and when the upper lid 2 passes by the inclined cam surface 3c, the spring 9 locks the lock claw 3b to the lock part 2b of the upper lid 2.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical fiber holder used for connecting optical fibers.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, when connecting an optical fiber, the ends of the optical fibers to be connected are guided from both sides of the optical axis aligning part and butted, and the optical fiber itself is fused or fused in this state. Basically, the optical fiber connector is fixedly held by an adhesive or a clamp member.

[0003] Even when a plurality of optical fibers are connected at the same time, the connection is made one by one to a plurality of optical axis aligning parts arranged in parallel on the connector body. An optical fiber holder is used as a jig for holding the optical fiber and guiding the optical fiber to the optical axis aligning part of the connector in order to smoothly perform this connection operation on the work table.

As shown in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open Publication No. Sho 62-79209, for example, a conventional optical fiber holder has a base having a plurality of grooves for accommodating optical fibers in a longitudinal direction of an upper surface and a base on the base. The upper lid is pivotally attached to the base plate so as to be freely opened and closed, but the upper lid is kept closed by a magnetic attraction force of a permanent magnet embedded in the base.

[0005]

With the conventional optical fiber holder, when opening the upper lid after connecting the optical fibers, use both hands to hold the base with one hand and hold the upper lid with the other hand. It had to be pulled away from the base and opened against the magnetic attraction of the permanent magnet, which was inconvenient in operation. In addition, the magnetic attraction force of the permanent magnet changes in inverse proportion to the square of the gap between the upper lid and the permanent magnet, and the gap increases for those having different coating thicknesses of the optical fiber to be applied, especially for thick ones. To reduce the magnetic attraction force,
There was a drawback that the holding of the optical fiber became unstable and it was easy to fall out of the groove, resulting in poor workability.

The present invention has been proposed in view of the above-mentioned drawbacks of the conventional holder, and has as its object the purpose of being able to open and close the upper lid with one touch, and to the optical fibers having various coating thicknesses. Another object of the present invention is to provide an optical fiber holder which can be securely held at a fixed position mechanically and can improve workability.

[0007]

To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a base having a groove for accommodating an optical fiber in a longitudinal direction of an upper surface, and is pivotally mounted on the base so as to be freely opened and closed.
An upper cover that is always urged in the opening direction and has an optical fiber pressing member made of an elastic material fixed to the inner surface, and a base that is pivotally connected to the base so as to be rotatable. And a locking lever having a locking claw for holding the upper lid in a closed state, and always urges the locking lever in a direction of locking to a locking portion of the closed upper lid, and When the upper cover is tilted in the closing direction, the locking portion of the upper lid pushes the inclined cam surface on the upper surface of the locking claw to rotate the locking lever in the unlocking direction against the urging. When passing through the surface, the locking claw is locked to the locking portion of the upper lid by the urging.

Accordingly, when the upper lid is in the closed state,
When the locking lever is operated in the unlocking direction of the locking claw against the biasing, the upper lid is opened by the bias acting on the upper lid, so that the opening operation can be performed with one hand by one hand. When the upper lid is closed, the upper lid may be rotated in the closing direction against the bias acting on the upper lid until the upper lid has passed through the inclined cam surface on the upper surface of the locking claw of the locking lever. That is, the locking portion of the upper lid that rotates in the closing direction pushes the inclined cam surface on the upper surface of the locking claw to rotate the locking lever in the unlocking direction against the bias, and the locking portion of the upper lid is After passing through the inclined cam surface, the biasing force causes the locking claw to return and rotate in the locking direction, thereby automatically locking to the locking portion of the upper lid. Therefore, it can be operated with one hand with one touch in the closing direction of the upper lid, and the locked state of the closed state can be automatically performed. The position for holding the closed state of the upper lid is a position mechanically determined by the locking claw and the locking portion of the upper lid, and is always kept at a fixed position even for optical fibers having various coating thicknesses. It can be securely held firmly.

Further, according to the present invention, a holding portion for fitting and holding a plurality of attachments having a groove portion for accommodating an optical fiber formed with a groove width and a depth different for each type of optical fiber is provided on the upper surface of the substrate. Yes, the attachment is exchangeably mounted according to the type of optical fiber.

[0010] Thus, by replacing and attaching only the attachment, one holder can be used to apply to various kinds of optical fibers, and a holder used for connection work of this kind of optical fiber can be provided at low cost.

[0011]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of an optical fiber holder according to the present invention in an open state of an upper cover, FIG. 2A is a sectional view for explaining an attachment which is exchangeably mounted on a base, and FIG. (B) is a cross-sectional view for explaining an example of fixing the attachment to the base, (C) is a side view for explaining the relationship between the upper lid and the opening operation lever, and (D) is the state of the present invention in a state where an optical fiber is held. It is a schematic perspective view of a holder, In these figures, 1 is a base, 2 is a top lid, 3 is a locking lever,
Indicates an attachment.

The base 1 has a concave groove 1a as a holding portion for fitting and holding the attachment 4 over the entire length in the longitudinal direction of the upper surface, and a plurality of the attachments 4 are exchangeably mounted in the concave groove 1a. Then, it is fixed to the base 1 with the set screw 5. Each of the plurality of attachments 4 has a groove 4a for accommodating an optical fiber having a groove width and a groove depth corresponding to a single-core or multi-core optical fiber having various coating thicknesses. FIG. 2A shows an attachment 4 'formed with a single-core optical fiber storage groove 4a', an eight-core optical fiber tape storage groove 4a ", and a four-core optical fiber tape storage groove 4a '". The groove 4a may have a V-shape, a U-shape, a concave shape, or any other appropriate shape. The side surface of each attachment 4 is shown in FIG. As described above, a positioning groove or hole 4b such as a V-shape is formed slightly upward in correspondence with the set screw 5 having a sharp tip, and the set screw 5 is advanced in the direction of the arrow, whereby the concave groove 1a of the attachment 4 is formed. The positioning may be performed by pressing against the opposing surface and the bottom surface.A plurality of types of grooves 4a provided on the attachment 4 may be provided on a plurality of surfaces of one attachment 4, and the optical fiber 10 is guided on both sides of the groove 4a. Lateral shift A guide portion 4c for preventing and facilitating storage may be erected or implanted, and the optical fiber storage groove may be formed directly on the upper surface of the base 1 without using the attachment 4. .

The upper cover 2 is pivotally mounted on the base 1 via a pivot 6 so as to be openable and closable, and a spring 7 mounted on the pivot 6 is provided.
Is always biased in the opening direction. An optical fiber pressing member 2 made of an elastic material such as a rubber plate
a is stuck. Further, a rectangular hole-shaped locking portion 2b is formed in a part of the upper lid 2. The upper lid 2 is shorter in length than the base 1 and is pivotally attached to the left side (or right side) of the base 1 when viewed from the front (in front of the paper surface in FIG. 1). Thus, a portion where the base 1 is exposed without the upper lid 2 is formed on the right side of the base 1. The exposed portion 1b of the base 1 is temporarily held by holding the optical fiber 10 with the right index finger or the like until the optical fiber 10 is housed in the groove 4a of the attachment 4 and the upper cover 2 is closed. (FIG. 2)
(D)). As a means for urging the upper lid 2 in the closing direction, an elastic material or a weight may be used instead of the spring 7.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2C, the locking lever 3 can pivot the base 3a on the base 1 via the pivot 8 at a position corresponding to the locking portion 2b of the upper lid 2. And has a locking claw 3b at its tip for locking to the locking portion 2b of the upper lid 2 in a closed state to hold the upper lid 2 in a closed state.
The locking lever 3 is always urged by a spring 9 in a direction a in which the locking lever 3 is locked to the locking portion 2b of the upper lid 2 in a closed state.
When the upper lid 2 rotates in the closing direction, the locking portion 2b of the upper lid 2 pushes the inclined cam surface 3c on the upper surface of the locking claw 3b to rotate the locking lever 3 in the unlocking direction against the spring 9. When the upper lid 2 passes through the inclined cam surface 3c, the locking claw 3b is locked to the locking portion 2b of the upper lid 2 by the spring 9. In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the locking direction of the locking lever 3 is set so as to face the outside of the base 1 (in FIG. 1, toward the front of the drawing), so that the locking portion 2 b of the upper lid 2 has a square hole shape. However, if the locking direction of the locking lever 3 is set toward the inside of the base 1, the locking portion 2 b of the upper lid 2 does not need to be formed in a hole shape. It can also be locked. Base 1, top lid 2 and clamp member 3
Is made of metal in the embodiment, but may be made of resin.
As a means for urging the locking lever 3 in the locking direction a, an elastic material such as rubber may be used instead of the spring 9.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are an explanatory rear view and a side view showing a preferred example of a pivotal structure of the upper lid 2 with respect to the base 1. As shown in FIG. 3A, the mounted pivot 6 is characterized in that it is curved in an upwardly convex state and both ends are firmly fixed to the shaft holes 1c, 1c of the base 1. . FIG. 3 (A) shows that it is curved in an upwardly convex state.
Represents the central axis of the non-curved linear axis 6 as P-
P, and the central axis of the pivot 6 in the curved state is P′−
It is represented as P '. The amount of vertical deflection at the center and the end of both axes, that is, the amount of eccentricity, is indicated by e.
Also, the shaft hole of the upper lid 2 through which the pivot 6 is inserted is
c and two shaft holes 2d, 2d on both sides, the inner diameter of the central shaft hole 2c is made slightly larger than the outer diameter of the pivot 6, and the inner diameter of both shaft holes 2d, 2d is Another feature is that it is made larger than the outer diameter of No. 6 by a dimension corresponding to the eccentricity e. In this case, the central shaft hole 2c
And the shaft holes 2d on both sides are formed concentrically.

With the above configuration, when the upper lid 2 is opened and closed,
The rotation center is the center O of the central shaft hole 2c in FIG. 3B, and the centers of the shaft holes 2d, 2d on both sides are also at the same position, but correspond to the shaft holes 2d, 2d on both sides. Since the center of the pivot 6 is located at a position eccentric to O ', the shaft holes 2d, 2d on both sides abut on the lower surface of the pivot 6 on the lower surface side and are restrained. As a result, when the upper lid 2 is closed, the upper lid 2 is closed. Can be restrained so as not to rattle on the pivot 6 side, and the action of holding the optical fiber 10 can be made reliable and stable.

The optical fiber holder according to the present invention has the above-described structure. Next, a method of using the same will be described. First, when the locking lever 3 is operated in the unlocking direction of the locking claw 3b against the spring 9 when the upper lid 2 is in the closed state, the upper lid 2 is opened by the spring 7 applied to the upper lid 2. Opening operation can be performed with one hand by one touch. Next, an attachment 4 to be used is selected according to the type of the optical fiber 10 such as a single core or a multiple core, and the selected attachment 4 is mounted in the concave groove 1 a of the base 1, and fixed with the set screw 5. Then, the target optical fiber 10 is stored in the groove 4a of the attachment 4 by hand, and the stored optical fiber 10 is pressed from above the exposed portion 1b of the base 1 with a finger to press the upper lid 2 in the closing direction.

That is, when the upper cover 2 is closed,
The upper lid 2 may be rotated in the closing direction against the spring 7 acting on the upper surface of the locking pawl 3b of the locking lever 3 until the upper lid 2 has passed the inclined cam surface 3c. Thereby, the inclined cam surface 3c on the upper surface of the locking claw 3b is pushed by the locking portion 2b of the upper lid 2 that rotates in the closing direction, and the locking lever 3 is rotated in the locking releasing direction against the spring 9; When the locking portion 2b of the upper lid 2 passes through the inclined cam surface 3c, the locking claw 3b is returned and rotated in the locking direction by the spring 9, and can be automatically locked to the locking portion 2b of the upper lid 2. . Therefore, even with respect to the closing direction of the upper lid 2, it can be operated by one touch with one hand, and
Locking and holding in the closed state can also be performed automatically.

The position for holding the closed state of the upper cover 2 is mechanically determined by the locking claw 3b and the locking portion 2b of the upper cover 2, and the optical fibers 10 having various coating thicknesses are provided.
Is absorbed by the elastic deformation of the optical fiber pressing member 2a on the inner surface of the upper lid 2, and can be always firmly held at a fixed position.

Further, the present invention can be applied to various kinds of optical fibers 10 using one holder by replacing only the attachment 4 with the concave groove 1a of the base 1. Note that a groove for accommodating an optical fiber may be formed directly on the upper surface of the base 1 without using the attachment 4.

[0021]

According to the present invention, when the locking lever is operated in the unlocking direction of the locking claw against the urging when the upper lid is in the closed state, the upper lid is actuated by the urging acting on the upper lid. To release, one-touch opening operation can be performed with one hand. When closing the upper cover, the upper cover is rotated in the closing direction against the bias acting on the upper cover until the upper cover has passed through the inclined cam surface on the upper surface of the locking claw of the locking lever. The latching claw is returned to the locking direction by the bias of, and is automatically locked to the locking portion of the upper lid, so that even with respect to the closing direction of the upper lid, it can be operated with one hand with one touch, In addition, the locked state in the closed state can be automatically performed.
The position for holding the closed state of the upper lid is a position mechanically determined by the locking claw and the locking portion of the upper lid, and is always kept at a fixed position even for optical fibers having various coating thicknesses. It can be securely held firmly.

Further, according to the present invention, the attachment is exchangeably mounted on the upper surface of the base according to the type of the optical fiber, so that only the attachment is exchanged and mounted, and a single holder is used. The present invention can be applied to any kind of optical fiber, and a holder used for connecting this kind of optical fiber can be provided at low cost.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of an optical fiber holder according to the present invention, with an upper lid open.

2A is a cross-sectional view for explaining an attachment that is exchangeably mounted on a base, FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view for explaining an example of fixing the attachment to the base, and FIG. 2C is a relationship between an upper lid and a locking lever; (D) is a schematic perspective view of the holder of the present invention in a state where an optical fiber is held.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are an explanatory rear view and a side view showing an example of a structure of pivotally attaching an upper lid to a base.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Base 2 Top lid 3 Locking lever 4 Attachment 5 Set screw 6 Axis 7 Spring 8 Axis 9 Spring 10 Optical fiber

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Takashi Tsuneoka 2-7-1 Hararashi, Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture Nippon Electric Glass Co., Ltd.

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An optical fiber presser comprising a base having a groove for accommodating an optical fiber in a longitudinal direction of an upper surface, and being pivotally mounted on the base so as to be openable and closable, constantly biased in an opening direction, and an inner surface made of an elastic material. An upper cover to which a member is fixed, a locking lever having a base rotatably pivotally attached to the base, and a locking lever having a locking claw at its tip for locking to a locking portion of the closed upper cover to hold the upper cover in a closed state; The locking lever is always urged in the direction of locking to the locking portion of the upper lid in the closed state, and when the upper lid rotates in the closing direction,
The inclined cam surface on the upper surface of the engaging claw is pushed by the engaging portion of the upper lid, and the engaging lever is rotated in the unlocking direction against the urging. When the upper lid passes through the inclined cam surface, the engaging lever is engaged by the urging. An optical fiber holder characterized in that a locking claw is locked to a locking portion of an upper lid. 2. An optical fiber provided on an upper surface of a base for fitting and holding a plurality of attachments having grooves for accommodating optical fibers formed with different groove widths and depths for each type of optical fiber, 2. The optical fiber holder according to claim 1, wherein the attachment is exchangeably mounted according to the type of the optical fiber holder.