JPS60212713A - Connecting method of optical fiber - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To decrease the number of parts, and to simplify an assembly work by butting fiber cores of both optical fibers to be connected, in a reinforcing member, fixing this butted part, and also fixing both end parts of the reinforcing member to both the optical fibers. CONSTITUTION:Optical fibers 10, 20 are formed by covering the outside periphery of fiber cores 11, 21 with housings 12, 22 consisting of a resin, etc., respectively. A shape of a metallic tube 30 being a reinforcing member consisting of aluminum or brass, etc. is cylindrical, the inside diameter is a little larger than the outside diameter of the housings 12, 22, the outside periphery of this center part is worked to a recessed shape, and a thin hole part 31 is formed. The inside diameter of the thin hole part 31 is formed a little larger than the outside diameter of the fiber cores 12, 21, and in this part, the fiber cores 11, 12 are positioned. A caulking part 32 is crushed flatly, and it is prevented that the optical 10, 20 fall out.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] (b) Industrial application fields The present invention relates to a method for connecting optical fibers.

(B) Prior Art Conventionally, optical fiber connection methods have been carried out using optical fiber butt connection connectors, etc., and for example, an optical fiber connection section has been proposed in Utility Model Application Publication No. 53-105755.

This configuration is an optical fiber connection portion in which both ends of the optical fibers to be connected are inserted into a sleeve and axially connected, and a reinforcing tube for protection is attached to the outer periphery of the bonded portion. It is characterized in that camps are fitted to both ends of the tube, gaps are formed in the longitudinal direction between each cap and both ends of the reinforcing tube, and adhesive is filled in the gaps and inside the reinforcing tube.

Therefore, the optical fiber connection performed as described above is
The disadvantage is that the number of parts is large due to its structure, and the assembly process is time-consuming.

In order to overcome this drawback, a means for connecting optical fibers using a plastic optical fiber connecting fitting has been proposed in Japanese Utility Model Application No. 58-28807.

In a connecting fitting for interconnecting plastic optical fibers, an opening is provided in the axial direction in a hollow cylinder made of a semi-rigid material, and the distal end is placed radially inward on the opposite end surface of the opening. It is characterized by having a plurality of deformed claws.

However, if the optical fibers are connected using the optical fiber connection fittings configured as described above, the number of parts will be reduced, but the reliability of signal transmission will be reduced due to the intrusion of dirt, water, etc. through the opening. .

(C) Objective The object of the present invention is to provide an optical fiber connection method that allows connection in a simple manner and increases the reliability of disconnection and signal transmission.

(D) Structure The optical fiber connecting method according to the present invention abuts the fiber cores of both optical fibers to be connected within a reinforcing member, fixes this abutted portion, and connects both ends of the reinforcing member to both optical fibers. It is characterized by being fixed.

(e) Example Fugokai 1 FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a connecting portion of an optical fiber formed by a connecting method according to a first embodiment.

10.20 is an optical fiber, and the fiber core 11.21
The outer periphery of each is covered with outer sheaths 12 and 22 made of resin or the like.

Reference numeral 30 designates a metal tube as a reinforcing member made of aluminum, brass, etc., and its shape is cylindrical, with an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the outer sheath 12. A hole 31 is formed.

The inner diameter of this pore portion 31 is formed to be slightly larger than the outer diameter of the fiber core 11.21, and the fiber core 11.12 is positioned in this portion.

Reference numeral 32 denotes a caulked portion, and this caulked portion 32 is pressed flat, and the flat portion is made into an uneven shape to prevent the optical fibers 10 and 20 from coming off.

The method for connecting this optical fiber will be explained.

■ Optical fiber 1o inside the pore 31 of the metal tube 30
, 20 fiber cores 11.21 are butted together.

■By caulking both ends of the metal tube 30 at the same time with appropriate pressure using a jig or the like, the optical fiber 10
．． Fix 20.

Note that the formation of the pore portion 31 of the metal tube 3o as described above is performed by drawing or pressing, and the shape thereof is not limited.

This method uses a guide at the butt portion of the fiber cores of the optical fibers to be connected, thereby eliminating the need for processing the metal tube used in Example I above.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a connecting portion of an optical fiber formed by the splicing force method according to the second embodiment, and the same parts as in FIG. 1 are indicated by the same reference numerals.

30 is a hollow cylindrical metal tube made of aluminum, brass, or the like.

Reference numeral 40 denotes a cylindrical guide made of resin or the like, and the inner diameter of the central portion thereof is approximately the same as the outer diameter of the fiber core 11.21, and the inner diameter of both ends thereof is tapered.

The method for connecting this optical fiber will be explained.

(2) Insert one optical fiber IO into the metal tube 30.

(2) Insert the fiber cores 11 and 21 into the guide 40 and align them against each other for positioning.

(2) By moving the metal tube 30, the guide 40 is positioned at the center of the metal tube 30.

(2) Both ends of the metal tube 30 are caulked with appropriate pressure using a jig or the like to fix the optical fibers 10 and 20.

Note that since the inner diameter of both ends of the guide 40 is widened in a tapered shape, the fiber cores Il, 21 can be inserted smoothly.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a connecting portion of an optical fiber formed by the connecting method according to the third embodiment, and the same parts as in FIG. 1 are indicated by the same reference numerals.

50 is a cylindrical heat shrinkable tube made of resin or the like;
It has the property of shrinking when heated.

The method for connecting this optical fiber will be explained.

(2) Insert one optical fiber 10 into the metal tube 30.

(2) Insert the optical fibers 10 and 20 into the heat shrink tube 50 so as to butt each other.

(2) The heat-shrinkable tube 50 at the abutting portion of the fiber cores 11.21 is heated to an appropriate temperature to shrink the heat-shrinkable tube, thereby positioning the abutting portion of the fiber cores 11.21.

(iii) Locate the abutting portion (iii) at the center of the metal tube 30.

(2) Both ends of the metal tube 30 are caulked simultaneously with appropriate pressure using a jig or the like to fix the optical fibers 10 and 20.

Although the metal tube 30 is fixed by caulking both ends of the metal tube 30 in Example 1, (1) and (2) described above, the present invention is not limited to this, and a method of fixing with adhesive or the like may also be used. .

Further, the caulking pressure is appropriately set depending on the material of the optical fiber.

Further, the fixed shape of both ends of the metal tube 30 in the above-mentioned Examples (1), (2), and (2) may be spiral-shaped or ring-shaped like the sharpening of a wood screw.

Since both ends of the metal tube 30 are caulked in an uneven manner as in the above-described embodiment, the optical fiber 10.
This has the effect of improving the reliability against the omission of the number 20.

Furthermore, the material of the guide 40 used in Example (2) is not limited.

(f) Effects The present invention can reduce the number of parts, so the assembly work can be simplified. Furthermore, since the abutted portions of the fiber cores are sealed, it is possible to prevent dirt, water, etc. from entering.

Furthermore, since both fiber cores are butted against each other within the pore, the positioning of the butted portion of the fiber cores is facilitated. Therefore, the reliability of signal transmission can be improved.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a connecting portion of an optical fiber formed by the connecting method of the first embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a connecting portion of an optical fiber formed by the connecting method of the second example. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the optical fiber connection formed by the connection force method in the third embodiment, and Figure 4 shows the fixed shape of both ends of the metal tube in Examples 1, 2, and 2. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view; 10.20... Optical fiber, 11.21... Fiber core, 30... Metal tube, 40... Guide,
50...Heat shrink tube. Patent Applicant: Ashi Electric Manufacturing Co., Ltd. Agent, Patent Attorney: Takaharu Ohnishi

Claims (4)

[Claims] (1) The fiber cores of both optical fibers to be connected are matched and aligned within the pores formed in the reinforcing member, and then both ends of the reinforcing member are fixed to both optical fibers. Characteristic optical fiber connection method. (2) The method for connecting optical fibers according to claim 1, wherein the pore portion is formed by squeezing a central portion of the reinforcing member. (3) The method for connecting optical fibers according to claim 1, wherein the pore portion is formed in a cylindrical guide. (4) The method for connecting optical fibers according to claim 1, wherein the pores are formed by heating a cylindrical heat-shrinkable tube.