JPS61112106A - Welding connection device of optical fiber - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To hold two optical fibers to be connected with minimum force and to prevent these fibers from the generation of bend or the like by holding respective fibers with magnetic force and controlling the three-dimensional positions of respective terminal parts. CONSTITUTION:Fixing tools 25, 35 are rotated downwards around respective horizontal shafts 27, 37, their set screws 25a, 35a are engaged with screw holes 242b, 342b, a protecting coat P part is held in supporting grooves 242a, 342a, the lower end surfaces of set screws 26a, 36a of fixing tolls 26, 36 are magnetically attracted to magnets 244, 344, and optical fibers F1, F2 are held in grooves 243a, 243a. The terminal parts of both the fibers F1, F2 are set up in the visual field of a microscope and holders 24, 34 are three-dimensionally moved and adjusted to weld the terminal parts. Since the fiber supporting force is adjusted by the attracting force of the magnets 244, 344 and the optical fibers can be constrained and held with the minimum force required, the optical fibers can be precisely prevented from the generation of bend or the like.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an optical fiber fusion splicing device for melting and bonding the end faces of two optical fibers used as optical information transmission means and the like.

Conventionally, portable optical fiber fusion splicing devices were designed to strip the appropriate lengths of each optical fiber to be spliced, shape the end faces of both optical fibers, bring them into opposing contact, and melt and bond them using discharge heat. Something is publicly known.

However, in this device, as a means of attaching the optical fiber to a holder for positioning and holding, it is configured to clamp and hold using a stop or the elasticity of a spring, so the clamping force on the optical fiber may be excessive. However, inconveniences such as damage to the optical fiber still occur.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a holding section that magnetically holds two optical fibers to be connected, and to An object of the present invention is to provide an optical fiber fusion splicing device characterized by having a pair of optical fiber holders whose positions can be adjusted.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An optical fiber fusion splicing apparatus which is an embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an optical fiber fusion splicing device according to the present invention (hereinafter referred to as the device of the present invention), FIG. 2 is a partially exploded plan view of the same, and FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of an optical fiber holder. This is a perspective view, and numeral 1 in the figure is a rectangular base, and as shown in Figure 1.2, on the base l there is a stage on the left side for aligning the optical fiber on both sides of the base l, sandwiching the left and right center line. 2 and a stage 3 on the right side are arranged to face each other, and a microscope 4 is located on the rear side facing the opposing parts of both stages 2 and 3, and a stage 5 for adjusting the movement of the gas burner is further on the front side. It is arranged.

The left stage 2 has a movable stage 22 mounted on a fixed base 21 provided on a base l in the left and right directions as shown by arrows in FIG.
In other words, the mounting member 23 is disposed movably in the axial direction of the optical fiber and has an inverted L shape when viewed from the front on the moving table 22.
is fixed, and a holder 24 for holding one optical fiber F1 to be connected is fixed to the upper end of this mounting member 23, on the side facing the right stage 3, as shown in FIG. The holder 24 is adjusted to move in the left-right direction in FIG. 2, in other words in the axial direction of the optical fiber, by operating a movement adjustment screw 21a attached to the fixed base 21.

On the other hand, in the stage 3 on the right side, a movable stage 32 is arranged on a fixed base 31 provided on the base l so as to be movable in the front-back direction as shown by the arrow in Fig. 1.2, in other words, in the horizontal direction orthogonal to the optical fiber. The movable table 32 is provided with a direction perpendicular to the plane of paper in FIG. 2 (direction indicated by an arrow in FIG. 1), in other words, a top that is orthogonal to the optical fiber.

An elevating member 33 movable downward is provided, and the other optical fiber F2 to be connected is placed on the upper part of the elevating member 33 on the side facing the left stage 2 (see FIG. 3).
A holder 34 is fixed to set the holder 34.
is a movement adjustment screw 31a attached to the fixed base 31 and a movement adjustment screw 32a attached to the movable base 32.

It is adapted to be moved and adjusted in a downward direction, in other words, in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the optical fiber, and in upward and downward directions.

With the configuration as described above, the left and right stages 2.
Each of the three holders 24, 34 can be moved and adjusted in three-dimensional position relative to the optical fibers FI+F2 held therein. Each of the holders 24 and 34 has approximately the same shape, and as shown in FIG. 3, each holder has a V-shaped guide groove 241a, 3 in the center of the upper surface in the left-right direction for guiding the optical fibers F, F2.
A wall portion 241° 341 equipped with a wall portion 41a is formed one step higher, and on the left side of this wall portion 241 and the right side of the wall portion 341 are optical fibers F r and F2 (a protective liquid 111P portion concentrically coated around the circumference of Q%). The support base portion 242.
342, and on the right side of the wall 241 and the left side of the wall 341 are positioning bases 243, 34 for the optical fibers F, F2.
3 is formed. A support groove 242a having a concave cross section is formed on the upper surface of each support platform 242, 342 from the left end surface of the holder 24 to the left side surface of the wall portion 241, and from the right end surface of the holder 34 to the right side surface of the wall portion 341. A support groove 342a having a concave cross section is formed between the two, and a positioning groove 342a having a V-shaped cross section is formed between the right end surface of the holder 24 and the right side surface of the wall 241 on the upper surface of each positioning base 243,343. 124
A positioning groove 343a having a V-shaped cross section is also formed between the left end surface of the holder 34 and the left side surface of the wall portion 341. Guide groove 241 in the holder 24
a, the longitudinal center line of the positioning groove 243a and the support groove 242a, and the longitudinal center line of the guide groove 341a, the positioning groove 343a, and the support m342a in the holder 34 are all within the same vertical plane, and Bottom of guide groove 241a and positioning tI243a
The bottom of the guide groove 341a and the bottom of the positioning groove 343a of the holder 34 are positioned on the same horizontal line.

Optical fibers F, F2 are usually made by integrally layering a quartz craft layer and a coating layer concentrically around a quartz core at the center, and a protective coating P is further sequentially layered around the outer periphery of the coating layer.
, reinforcing braid, vinyl sheath, etc. to form an optical fiber cord, etc. When connecting optical fibers F, F2, fiber sheath, reinforcing braid, and protective liquid Il!
P, etc. are cut to the required length, and appropriate lengths of the protective coating P and optical fiber Fl+F2 are exposed and guided onto the holder 24.34. , and the right side of the wall part 341, and fit them into the support grooves 242a, 342a of the support base part 242.342, and also put the optical fibers F, , F2 into each holder 24.34.
guide grooves 241a, 341a, positioning 4243a
, 343a, both optical fibers F, , F
Set the end portions of 2 so that they protrude by an appropriate length toward the right end side of the positioning groove 243a and the left end side of the positioning groove 343a, respectively, and position and hold them on the holder 24.34 with the respective fixtures 25, 26, 35, and 36. do.

Each of the fixtures 25, 26, 35, 36 is formed into a substantially rectangular prism, and each base end is connected to a horizontal shaft 27 that extends through the mounting members 241b, 341b that protrude to the rear of the holder 24.34.
, 37 are rotatably supported at both ends thereof, and the tips thereof are free ends, and there are set screws 25a therein.
, 26a, 35a, and 36a are screwed through.

The fixtures 25.35 are rotated from the position shown in FIG. 3 to a position where they are in surface contact with the surface of the support base, and the set screws 25a, 35a are inserted into the screw holes 242b, 34 drilled in the support base 242.342.
2b, the protective coating P portion of the optical fiber cord is held in the support groove 242a, 342a, and each fixture 26.36 is also brought into surface contact with the surface of the positioning portion 243, 343 from the position shown in FIG. The tips of the setscrews 26a and 36a are rotated to the position where the set screws 26a and 36a
The optical fibers F, F2 are attached to the positioning grooves 243 by attracting them to the magnets 244, 344 disposed on the front side of the optical fibers 43, 343, respectively.
A, 343a is designed to maintain a gentle pressure.

On the other hand, a microscope [4] arranged behind the left and right stages 32, 3 so as to face between the opposing end faces of both the holders 24, 3 includes the objective lenses 41, 42 of 2111 and one eyepiece 43. A two-field microscope equipped with
The objective lens 41 is arranged to face between the opposing end faces of the holders 24 and 34 from above, the objective lens 42 is arranged to face from the rear between the opposing end faces of both holders 24 and 34, and the eyepiece 43 is arranged at a required angle. The optical fibers F, F2 to be spliced extend beyond the upper part between the opposing end surfaces of both holders 24 and 34 onto the stage 5 for adjusting the movement of the gas burner in front, and the optical fibers F, F2 to be spliced are connected to the objective lens from two orthogonal directions. 41
．． 42 and is configured so that the upper and lower halves can be seen within the same field of view of the eyepiece lens 43. 44 is a lamp of the microscope.

The stage 5 for adjusting the movement of the gas burner has a movable stage 52 disposed on a fixed base 51 provided on the base 1 so as to be movable in the front and rear directions as shown by arrows in FIGS.
2, another movable table 53 is disposed so as to be movable in the left and right directions as shown by arrows in FIG. Elevating members 54 movable in directions indicated by arrows in the figure) are disposed, and each elevating member 54 is provided with a fixed base 51 . Movement adjustment screw 51 attached to the movement table 52, 53
As shown in FIG. 1, there is a support frame installed on a bracket 54a on the two elevating members 54, which are moved by a, 52a, and 53a and can move and adjust a gas burner 58, which will be described later, to a desired three-dimensional position. 55 is used to attach 57 to the oxygen gas cylinder 56 and butane gas cylinder, and each gas cylinder 56.
While supported by 55c, the upper part is connected to pressure reducing valves 55d and 55d for adjusting the flow fi.

Further, above the stage 5 for adjusting the movement of the gas burner, a support 61 is provided using a support rod 6 erected on the movable table 53.
．． 62.62 is supported. Each support 61°62.
62 are all equipped with concave support grooves 61a, 62a, and 62a that are open at the top in side view, and the support tool 61 is integrally fixed to the upper end of the support rod 6, and the support tool 62.
are attached to both ends of a rod 63 that passes through the base of the support 61 and extends in the left-right direction in FIG. 2, at equal distances from the support 61.

A protective case 7 is inside the support m 61 a of the support 61.
In addition, the protective wave MP portions of the optical fiber cord are fitted and inserted into the supports 162a and 62a of the support tools 62 and 62, respectively.
It is fixed with set screws 61b, 62b, and 62b. The protective case 7 is composed of a case body 71 having a groove 71a with a concave cross section open at both ends, and a lid 72 having a protrusion that fits into the concave groove.
Groove 1? Before use, an uncured resin adhesive such as epoxy is injected into the inside of the case body 71, and the optical fibers F, F2, which have been fusion spliced, are placed inside the case body 71 with their protective coating ends. The cover 72 is fitted into the cover 72 and solidified with adhesive when the cover 72 is closed.

A box 8 is provided with a dry cell battery for igniting the light source 1 and an ignition circuit for the gas burner 58.

Next, the operation of the apparatus of the present invention constructed as described above will be explained according to the operating procedure. First, the left and right stages 2.3 are moved by the movement adjustment screws 21a, 31a, and 32a so that the holders 24 and 34 face each other with an appropriate distance apart.
, 32, the lifting member 33 is adjusted in movement, and each fixture 25, 26, 35, 36 is flipped up and retracted as shown in FIG. The vinyl sheath, reinforcing braid, and protective coating are cut off to expose appropriate lengths of the protective liquid IMP, optical fibers F, and IF2, and both end brackets 32 of both optical fiber cords are guided. Each optical fiber cord is fitted into the support grooves 242a, 342a with the end surface of the protective liquid NflP abutting against the left side surface of the wall section 241 and the right end surface of the wall section 341, respectively, and the optical fibers F, , F2 are guide grooves 241a, 341a
and the positioning grooves 243a and 343a, and the end portion is fitted on the right end surface side of the holder 24 and the holder 3.
4 with the appropriate length protruding from the left end side. The fixture 25.35 is fixedly moved downward around the shaft 27.37, and the setscrews 25a, 35a of the fixture 25.35 are inserted into the screw holes 242b, 342 drilled in the support portion 242.342.
Screw into b and apply protective liquid 11! The P part is connected to the support groove 242a, 3
42a and set screw 2 of fixture 26.36.
The lower end surfaces of 6a and 36a are magnetically attached by the magnetic force of magnets 244 and 344, respectively, and the optical fibers F, F2 are placed in the positioning groove 24.
3a, 343a.

If you look through the eyepiece lens 43 of the microscope 4 in this state, you will see both optical fibers F1. Since the terminal part of F2 can be captured from two directions, upward and backward, by the objective lenses 41 and 42, the stages 2.3 on both the left and right sides are moved and adjusted, respectively.
When the alignment with respect to both optical fibers F, F2 is completed, the gas burner 5
8, ignite the gas burner 58, and monitor the upper ends of the fusion at the joint of the optical fibers F, F2 while looking through the microscope 4. When the fusion is completed, the gas burner 58 is extinguished, and both optical fibers F ,,When the fused portion of F2 has solidified, flip up each fixture 25, 26, 35, 36 and remove it from the holder 24, 34 while holding the optical fiber cord with a slight tension, and then remove the optical fiber cord from the holder 24, 34. Fit the protective liquid 1iIP part of the cord into the support 62, 62 and fix it with set screws 62b, 62b, and also connect the optical fiber FI.

A groove that fits into the groove of the case body 71 between the fusion splicing part of F2 and the ends of the protective coating P on both sides. Adhesive is injected into the inside of the optical fiber FI in advance.

After fitting F2, the protrusion 72a of the lid 72 becomes a groove. l
Close it by fitting it inside a and let it adhere and solidify.

When the solidification is completed, the locking screws 61b, 62b, and 62b are loosened and the protective case 7 is removed together with the optical fiber cord to complete the connection work.

As described above, in the device of the present invention, since each optical fiber is held in the holder using magnetic force whose strength can vary depending on the distance, the supporting strength for the optical fiber can be finely adjusted. The optical fiber can be restrained and held in the holder with the minimum necessary strength without applying excessive clamping force to the fiber.
The present invention has excellent effects, such as being able to reliably prevent breakage of optical fibers.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

The drawings show an embodiment of the present invention, in which Fig. 1 is an overall perspective view, Fig. 2 is the same (partially fragmented plan view), and Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing an enlarged main part of the holder. F,,F2...Optical fiber 4...Microscope 24.
...Holder 34...Holder 41.42...Objective lens 58...Gas burner patent Applicant Dainichi Nippon Electric Cable Co., Ltd. Agent Patent attorney Noboru Kono No support)
4 Minato 2 Figure
1 Written Amendment (formality) December 3, 1985

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An optical fiber characterized by having a pair of optical fiber holders that are equipped with a holding part that magnetically clamps each of the two optical fibers to be connected, and that can adjust the relative three-dimensional position of the ends of both optical fibers. Fiber fusion splicing equipment.