JPS62254108A - Core fusion splicer for multi-paired optical fiber tape - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent a fiber element wire from having a contact flaw which is a problem of a conventional device by aligning and fusing respective tape cores while clamping clads individually. CONSTITUTION:An (x)-(y)-directional fiber position detection part 28 and a discharging electrode 29 mounted on an arm 30 are moved to end surfaces collision center parts of cores 2-3 and 2-4 of end parts and a fiber position detection part 28 detects the quantity of the mutual axis shift (s, y) between collision parts of optical fiber element wires. Its position detection signal is amplified and transmitted to (x)-and (y)-axial driving motors 31-1and 31-2 for fine moving tables 23-1 and 23-1, which are moved to perform alignment. Then, the discharging electrode and fine moving table 23-2 are driven in a (z)-axial direction and end surfaces of a couple of fibers 2-3 and 2-4 are pushed in by a specific quantity and welded together. At this time, end surfaces of other fiber couples come closer by the quantity of said pushing-in operation because a clamping device is in a hard clamping state. Then, the discharging electrode and the center of the fiber position detection part are moved to the collision parts of an adjacent couple of fibers by a fine moving table 30 with a driving motor.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to an apparatus for fusion splicing multi-core optical fibers.

(Conventional technology) Conventionally, multi-core optical tape (multimode fiber)
The fusion splicing apparatus had a configuration as shown in FIG. 2, for example. In Fig. 2, ■ is a 5-core tape core wire, 2 is a quartz glass fiber strand whose coating has been removed and cut to a predetermined length, 3 is a clamp for the tape core wire, and 4 is a strand of strands arranged at regular intervals. comb teeth to be aligned; 5 is a groove plate with multiple grooves formed with a constant pitch; 6 is a hard clamp for the strands; 7 is a soft clamp for the strands; 8 is for the 5 pairs of connecting fiber strands. For batch centering ■Five grooves of the same pitch as the groove plate 5 ■For alignment formed by integrally machining one pair of left and right grooves 10 is a pair of discharge electrodes placed opposite each other across the center of abutment between the strands, and 11 is a pair of discharge electrodes for discharging fusion of five fibers at once. A fine movement table 12 is a fine movement mechanism of the fine movement table 11 that slightly moves the line in the axial direction. In the conventional device, first, five strands are bent as a whole, and the comb teeth 4, the groove plate 5,
For alignment ■It is housed in the V-groove of the continuous stand 8, and the core wire clamp 3,
The soft clamp 7 is closed and the fine movement mechanism 12 moves the fine movement table 11 in the axial direction until all the end faces of the strands abut against the abutting plate 9 which has already been raised. Note that the cut end surface is slightly irregular due to uneven distribution of tensile force during cutting of the initial wire end surface and slippage between the coated wires. In order to correct this irregularity, the above-mentioned operation is required, and the shortest strand is pushed in until its end surface touches the abutting plate. At this time, the long wire slides on the groove in the soft clamp portion, and the extra length is absorbed between the soft clamp 6 and the core wire clamp 3.

After that, the hard clamp 6 is closed, and the extra length inside the hard clamp is removed from the hard clamp 6 and the core wire clamp 3.
It is absorbed between

Thereafter, the abutting plate 9 is lowered, and the five pairs of wires whose end faces are aligned at a predetermined interval are pushed in a predetermined amount by the fine movement table 11 and fused together at the same time as the discharge starts.

In a conventional device with such a configuration, there are many parts where the strands come into contact, such as the comb teeth 4, the V-groove of the soft clamp, and the V-groove of the hard clamp. This causes many contact scratches on the surface of the wire, causing a significant decrease in the strength of the connection.

Also, the groove in the clamp part has a wire diameter of 125/! Since the diameter is small and the wire arrangement pitch in the tape core is as small as 300μm, it is necessary to form it with high precision.In addition, if dust, chips, etc. adhere to the V-groove part, the specified alignment accuracy may not be achieved. I won't be able to do it.

In addition, with conventional devices, the fiber core wires that can be connected are limited to multimode fibers with large core diameters (50 μm) that only require outer diameter matching, and cannot be used to connect single mode fibers that require core matching.

As described above, the conventional device directly clamps each strand of a multi-core tape core wire, and when the end faces are uneven or when fused, the strands are slid on the V-groove, so there is no contact with the surface of the strands. Scratches are unavoidable, resulting in a significant decrease in the strength of the fiber connection.

In addition, it requires a large number of high-precision multi-line V grooves and is expensive, it is necessary to prevent or remove dust and chips from adhering to these buildings, and since it is a fixed alignment mechanism, for example, It is impossible to connect single-mode fiber tape cores that require core alignment, and the groove arrangement pitch of comb teeth and multi-line V grooves is the same as the arrangement pitch of each core fiber in the tape core wire (0).
, 3 m), so there are problems such as the fact that the same number of fibers m (outer diameter 0.91 mm) as the number of fibers in the tape core wire cannot be connected at once.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) The present invention aims to increase the strength of the connection portion by preventing contact scratches that would cause strength deterioration to the strands of a multi-core optical tape fiber. , single mode fiber connection,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a fiber fusion splicing device for multi-pair optical fiber tape which can also be used to connect single fibers.

(Means for Solving the Problems) The present invention separates each end portion of a pair of multi-fiber tape cores over a predetermined length, one core at a time, and covers the outer covering portion of each separated core wire with soft and Clamp devices capable of hard clamping are provided facing each other, and each clamp device is placed in the axial direction (z-axis direction) of the core wire,
Alternatively, it can be mounted on a fine movement table that can be moved slightly in the axial and radial directions (x, y directions), and the connection end face of each core wire is abutted against the abutment plate provided at the center of the opposing clamp device to correct end face irregularities all at once. After setting the spacing, the fiber position (x, y) detection unit mounted on the fine movement table that moves slightly in the alignment direction, the discharge electrode, the fine movement table that moves slightly in the three axes directions of the X, )I, and Z axes, and the Z With a fine movement table that moves only in the direction of the axis,
Align and fuse each core.

The present invention is fundamentally different from the conventional method in which wire portions from which the coating has been removed are hard or soft fixed to a multi-strip groove surface, aligned and fused all at once.

(Embodiment) FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C are perspective views showing the structure of an embodiment of the fusion splicing device of the present invention, and 20 is a 5
Separate core wires for each l core obtained by separating the end portion of the core tape core wire 1 over a predetermined length, 21 a fine movement table that slightly moves in the z-axis direction corresponding to each of the separated separate core wires 20; Fine movement table 23-1゜23- that moves slightly in the X, )l and z-axis directions
2.23-3 An individual core wire clamping device having a core wire guide groove 24 for clamping the separate core wire 20 provided on the top in a soft (clamp 21-1 state a) and hard (clamp 21-2 state); 25 is a portion 26 where all the end faces of the five pairs of core wires abut against each other, and the end face of the core wire pair at one end abuts against each other.
From there, there is a portion 27 where the end surfaces of the core wire pair at one end abut against each other.
The abutment plate 28 is designed to increase the thickness by a constant amount toward a position detection unit for detecting a position, 29 a pair of discharge electrodes facing each other at a predetermined interval with the connection end surface abutting unit in between; 30;
31-1 is an arm equipped with a position detecting section 28 and a discharge electrode section 29, and is moved along the connecting end surface abutting section of the individual core wire;
゜31-2.31-3 and 31=4 are x and y respectively
, a fine movement table that moves slightly in the z-axis direction, and a drive motor that moves the arm 30 slightly. In FIG. 1(C), arrows indicate the direction of movement.

Next, the operation of the fusion device of the present invention will be explained using a multimode fiber core as an example. The end portion was separated one fiber at a time over a predetermined length, the covering of the end portion was removed, and the end portion was cut to a predetermined length. Each of the individual fiber pairs is collectively held in an individual fiber clamp device 21 in a soft clamp state (clamp 21
-1 state). At this time, the distance between the end faces of the connecting core wires is set to be greater than or equal to the maximum wall thickness of the abutment plate 25 so that the abutment plate 25 can move up and down without coming into contact with these end faces (Fig. 1 (C) (1)). .

After that, the abutting plate 25 rises to a height where the connecting end surfaces of each core wire abut, and the fine movement table 23-3 is slightly moved in two axial directions to bring all the connecting end surfaces of each core wire into contact with the abutting plate (
Figure 1 (C) (II)).

At this time, the cut length of each core wire of the tape core wire is generally uneven due to non-uniform distribution of cutting tension, so the length of the core wire 2-1 with the longest cut length is 5. The shortest core wire 2-2 is slid inside the clamp device in the direction of the arrow until it reaches the end and is pushed back. Also,
The distribution of the thickness of the abutting plate is such that the thinnest part has a spacing da (approximately lOμl11) required for alignment, and the other parts are gradually thickened by the pushing amount db required for fusion bonding, and the maximum thickness is d, +db. After that, all the clamp devices are set to the hard clamp state (clamp 21-2 state), the abutment plate 25 is lowered to a position where it does not collide with the arm 30, and the connection end face of each core wire is separated from the abutment plate. [Fig. 1 (C) II)].

After that, the x- and y-direction fiber position detection unit 28 mounted on the arm 30 and the discharge electrode 29 are connected to the end core wires 2-3°2-4.
is moved to the center where the end faces of the optical fibers abut, and the amount of mutual axis deviation (x, y) of the abutting portions of the optical fibers is detected by the fiber position detection unit 28. This position detection signal is amplified and
1.23-2 x+y axis drive motor 31-1.31-2
is transmitted to move the fine movement table and align it. After this, the discharge and fine movement table 23-3 are driven in two axial directions, and the fiber pair 23-3 is driven in two axial directions.
The end faces of -3 and 2-4 are pushed together by a predetermined amount and fused together [Fig. 1(C)(IV)].

At this time, since the clamping device of the other fiber pairs is a hard clamping device, the end surfaces of all the other fiber pairs come close to each other by this pushing amount. Next, the centers of the discharge electrode and the fiber position detection section are moved to the abutting portions of adjacent fiber pairs by the fine movement stage 30-1 with a drive motor.

Further, the hard clamp of the previously fusion spliced fiber pair is released, and a soft clamp state (clamp 21-1 state) is established. This prevents the pushing force when connecting adjacent fiber pairs from being applied to already connected fiber pairs (FIGS. 1C and 1V).

In this way, alignment and fusion splicing are performed sequentially from the fiber pair at one end to the fiber pair at the other end, and when all the connections are completed, the arm 30 equipped with the fiber position detection unit and the discharge electrode The fine movement table 30-1 returns to the initial position. Thereafter, all the clamp devices 21.3 are opened, and all connected fiber pairs are taken out of the device to complete the connection.

In this way, the device of the present invention clamps the coated portion of each core of an optical tape core individually, either softly or hard, and aligns and
Since it is fused, the strands can be multi-stranded unlike conventional equipment.
It does not cause scratches that cause strength deterioration due to contact with grooves, etc., and eliminates the need for highly accurate and expensive multi-line grooves and comb teeth.

In addition, with this device, the arrangement pitch of each separated fiber can be set appropriately, so for example, the same number of single fibers as individual fibers can be connected at once. Can be used as

Furthermore, single mode fiber core wires can be connected simply by adding a power monitor mechanism. For single-mode fibers, if the clamp length of the outer sheath is 20 mm or more and the hard clamp force is approximately 600 g or more, the inclination of the connection end with a strand length of 5 mm can be reduced to 1.0 degrees or less. can.

(Effects of the Invention) As explained above, the device of the present invention is capable of aligning and welding each core of a tape core while holding the coating separately, which is a problem with conventional devices. It is possible to prevent contact damage to the fiber strands, increase the strength of the connection portion, and eliminate the need for highly accurate and expensive multi-line V-grooves, comb teeth, etc.

Furthermore, it can be used for fusion splicing both single-core and multi-core optical fibers, and has the advantage that it can also be used for splicing multi-core tape cores of single-mode fibers by simply adding a power monitor mechanism.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1(A) is a perspective view showing the configuration of an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1(B) is a tape core in which the end portion is separated over a predetermined length, the coating is removed, and the tape core is cut. Figure 1 (C) is a diagram illustrating the operation of fusion splicing using the device of the present invention, and Figure 2 (^) is a conventional multi-fiber optical tape fiber fusion splice. A perspective view showing an example of the device. FIG. 2(B) is a perspective view showing a tape fiber connection portion fusion spliced using a conventional device. 1...5-core optical tape core 2...Optical fiber strand 2-1...Longest optical fiber strand 2-2 when cut
・・Shortest optical fiber strand 2-3.2-4・
... Optical fiber strands with uneven lengths 3 ... Tape core wire clamp 4 ... Alignment comb teeth 5 ... Multi-thread V-groove plate 6 ...
・Hard clamp for strands 7 ・Soft clamp for strands 8 ・V clear sound for alignment 9 ・Abutment plate 10 ・
...Discharge electrode 11...Axial fine movement table 12.
...Fine movement mechanism 20...Separated individual fibers 21...Individual fiber clamp device 21-1...Clamp 21-2 in soft state...Clamp 22 in hard state...Axis (2 axes) ) Fine movement table 234, 2 that moves slightly in the direction
3-2.23-3...Fine movement table 24 that moves slightly in the x+y+z axis direction...Core guide groove 25...Abutment plate 25-1...Motor 26 that raises and lowers the abutment plate.
...Abutment plate minimum interval setting section 27...Abutment plate maximum interval setting section 28...Fiber position detection section 29...Discharge electrode 30...Arm 30-
1... Fine movement table 31-1.31-2.31-3.31-4... Drive motor (B) 2-3-2-4°゛° length゛ゞ'η aligned゛・9′・1. Indication of Case Patent Application No. 98523 No. 98523 2. Name of Invention Multi-pair Optical Fiber Tape Correlation between fiber fusion splicing device 3 and the case of the person making the amendment Patent applicant (422) Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation, agent 48 Column 1 of “Title of the invention” and “Scope of claims” in the specification, The claims on page 1, line 4 to page 3, line 13 of the book are amended as follows. ``2. Claim 1: A plurality of multi-pair optical fiber tape cores are collectively aligned with each other by using a fiber abutment plate to align the end faces of the optical fibers,
In a multi-pair optical fiber ribbon fusion splicing apparatus that performs fusion splicing by electrical discharge heating, the multi-pair optical fiber tape has clamps for tape cores placed opposite each other for fixing the tape-shaped outer cover of the multi-pair optical fiber tape, and the multi-pair optical fiber tape. Opposed fiber guide grooves into which individual optical fiber cores are inserted at a predetermined pitch by dividing the connecting portion of the optical fiber tape by a predetermined length with the outer sheath still attached; a pair of individual fiber clamping devices disposed opposite each other to abut on the outer sheath of the individual optical fiber core inserted into the fiber guide groove and clamp each optical fiber independently in at least two levels of strength and weakness; , an abutment plate for aligning the end faces of the optical fibers, a fiber position detection unit for detecting misalignment of the two optical fibers to be fusion spliced;
A discharge electrode part that fuses the end faces of the optical fiber strands together, and one of the individual fiber clamp devices to the first fiber are connected to X, V, and Z.
three fine movement tables that slightly move in the axial direction; one fine movement table that moves the pair of individual fiber clamp devices 1, 2, 1 only in the 7-axis direction; the fiber position detection section; A multi-pair optical fiber comprising one fine movement table that slightly moves a discharge electrode part in the X-axis direction, and a drive device that drives each of these fine movement tables, and the fine movement tables are each driven independently. 2. The optical fiber end face alignment abutment plate has one side surface that abuts the optical fibers and is flat, and the opposite surface has a stepped surface along the alignment direction of the individual optical fiber cores. 3. The multi-pair optical fiber cable fusion splicing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the multi-pair optical fiber cable fusion splicing apparatus comprises an optical fiber end face alignment and abutting plate formed so that the thickness increases by a predetermined value. , the fiber position detection section is composed of a fiber position detection section that detects the center position of the optical fiber strand or the core of the optical fiber in the x and v axis directions, and the discharge electrode section includes:
It consists of a pair of opposing discharge electrode parts arranged to sandwich the aligned individual optical fiber bare wire connection parts, and the fiber position detection part and the discharge electrode part are installed at both ends of a U-shaped arm member. 2. The multi-pair assembly according to claim 1, wherein the U-shaped arm member is mounted on a fine movement stage that moves slightly in the X-axis direction, which is the direction in which the end faces of the individual optical fibers are aligned. Optical fiber Qi 1 brill'
ls connection @ device. 2. The title of the invention on page 1, lines 2 to 3 of the specification is corrected as follows. “1. Title of the invention: Multi-pair optical fiber tape core fusion splicer”

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A multi-pair system in which the fibers of a plurality of multi-pair optical fiber tapes are collectively aligned with each other using a fiber abutting plate, and the end faces of the optical fibers are aligned and fusion-spliced by electrical discharge heating. In the fiber fusion splicing device for optical fiber tape, clamps for the tape fibers installed opposite each other for fixing the tape-shaped outer covering portion of the multi-pair optical fiber tape and the splicing portion of the multi-pair optical fiber tape are connected to a predetermined position. Opposed fiber guide grooves into which individual optical fiber cores are inserted at a predetermined pitch with the outer sheath still attached for the length; Individual fiber clamping devices disposed opposite each other to abut on the jacket of the individual optical fibers and clamp each optical fiber independently in at least two levels of strength and weakness; an abutment plate for aligning the end faces of the optical fibers; a fiber position detection unit that detects the amount of axis deviation between the two optical fiber strands to be connected; a discharge electrode unit that fuses the end surfaces of the two optical fiber strands to each other;
three fine movement tables that finely move the individual fiber clamp device in the x, y, and z-axis directions; one fine movement table that finely moves the individual fiber clamp device only in the z-axis direction; and the fiber position detection device. A multi-pair device comprising one fine movement table that finely moves the part and the discharge electrode part in the x-axis direction, and a drive device that drives each of these fine movement tables, and each of the fine movement tables is driven independently. Optical fiber tape core fusion splicing equipment. 2. The abutment plate for aligning the optical fiber end faces has one side surface against which the optical fibers are abutted and is flat, and the opposite side has a predetermined thickness that increases stepwise along the alignment direction of the individual optical fiber cores. 2. The multi-pair optical fiber tape fusion splicing device according to claim 1, comprising a formed abutting plate for aligning the end faces of optical fibers. 3. The fiber position detection unit includes a fiber position detection unit that detects the center position of the optical fiber or the core of the optical fiber in the x and y axis directions, and the discharge electrode unit includes:
It consists of a pair of opposing discharge electrode parts arranged to sandwich the aligned individual optical fiber connection parts, and the fiber position detection part and the discharge electrode part are arranged at both ends of a U-shaped arm member. The U-shaped arm member is installed on a fine movement stage that moves slightly in the x-axis direction, which is the direction in which the end faces of the individual optical fibers are aligned. Optical fiber tape core fusion splicer.