JPS6294803A - Fine adjusting table for optical fiber connection - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To set optical fiber tips at high-precision mutual positions by a simple, inexpensive structure and to connect them together by welding by increasing or decreasing the mutual gap between holding tables which hold a couple of optical fibers finely through the rotation of a cam. CONSTITUTION:The holding tables 3 and 4 which hold the optical fibers 1 and 2 are energized by coil springs 5 and 6 as shown by arrows A. The rotation of a motor 8 and arc discharge are started to rotate the cam 7 gradually as shown by an arrow E, fiber tips 1a and 2a contact each other in a state where the major axis of the cam is slanted and are further pressed in, and the arc discharge is finished at a minor axis position, thereby welding the tip parts together. When the outward appearance of the cam is made nearly circular, the movement distance of the tip parts may be small and arcs are held in the center of the holding tables to weld the tip parts equally. Thus, mutual positions of the optical fibers are set by the simple constitution with high precision and the fibers are welded together.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a fine movement table used for fusion splicing and splicing optical fibers.

[Background of the invention]

Generally, optical fibers are spliced using an optical fiber fusion splicer, and fusion is performed by arc discharge, micro gas torch, COz laser, or the like.

This optical fiber fusion splicer has slight movement due to push-in.
A fine movement table is used that holds a pair of optical fibers to be connected.

More specifically, in the arc discharge type preheating method, for example, a pair of fibers to be connected is set on a fine movement table of an optical fiber fusion splicer. The left and right fibers are moved to the set position manually or by motor drive, and the spacing between both fibers is set to a constant value.

Next, when you insert the switch to start the connection, arc discharge begins, and as one of the fine movement tables moves, the tip of one of the fibers comes close to the other fiber tip, bumps into it, and is pushed in. , it stops almost simultaneously with the end of the discharge.

The fiber movement dimension at this time is several tens of micrometers to several tens of micrometers.
0 μm (!: Very small size.

[Conventional technology and its problems]

As mentioned above, the fine movement table moves minute dimensions along with the discharge,
Conventionally, the configuration was as shown in FIG.

That is, one fixed holding stand a holds one optical fiber b, the other movable holding stand C holds the other optical fiber d, and furthermore, this movable holding stand C controls the rotation of the motor e. Transmission is transmitted to the threaded rod g via the helical gear group f, etc., and the rotational motion of the threaded rod g is converted into a linear reciprocating motion by the threaded engagement of the NAND member and this threaded rod g, and the movable holding table C is moved in the direction of the arrow. The structure was such that the other optical fiber d was fed by reciprocating in minute dimensions as shown in FIG.

Therefore, in determining the minute movement position of the fiber d and the timing of the discharge, errors are likely to occur due to the presence of the threaded part, and in addition, errors are likely to occur in controlling the motor rotation speed, detecting the amount of minute movement, and timing of the discharge. Each mechanical section and control section, such as a control, is complicated, has a large number of parts, and requires precision for each part, making it expensive and difficult to adjust.

[Means for solving problems]

In order to solve these problems, the present invention is configured as follows. In other words, the first invention includes a pair of fiber movable holding stands each holding a pair of optical fibers to be fusion-spliced to each other, and an elastic force that elastically urges the pair of holding stands in a direction toward each other. The apparatus includes a generating member, a cam that is interposed between the pair of holding stands and changes the distance between the holding stands by minute dimensions, and a motor that rotationally drives the cam.

A second invention provides a fiber fixing holder that holds one of a pair of optical fibers to be fused and spliced to each other, a movable fiber moving holder that holds the other, and a fiber moving holder that holds the other; A resilient member that elastically biases the holding base in a direction approaching the holding base, a cam that moves the movable holding base by a minute dimension against the resilient urging force of the resilient member, and a cam that rotationally drives the cam. Equipped with a motor.

[Effect]

In both the first and second inventions, there is no threaded part, and instead a cam is used to constantly maintain contact between the cam and the holding base. The distance between the tips and the amount of push-in can be controlled with high precision, and along with this,
It is also possible to accurately control heating timing such as arc discharge. Furthermore, the mechanism can be simplified.

In the first invention, since the pair of optical fibers moves forward and backward slightly in a symmetrical manner, heating such as arc discharge is uniformly applied to the ends of both fibers, thereby achieving good fusion with high precision.

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, the present invention will be explained in detail based on illustrated embodiments.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, reference numeral 1.2 denotes a pair of optical fibers to be fused and spliced to each other, and the optical fibers 1 and 2 are movable toward and away from each other as shown by arrows A and B (not shown). The fibers are respectively held on fiber movable holding stands 3.4 provided on other members. (Note that means for removably fixing the fibers 1.2 to the holding bases 3.4 for this purpose are omitted from illustration.

) 5.6 is a resilient member that resiliently urges the pair of holding bases 3.4 toward each other in the direction of arrow A, and for example, a compression coil spring may be used.

Reference numeral 7 denotes a cam that is interposed between the pair of holding tables 3.4 and increases or decreases the distance M between the holding tables 3.4 by a minute dimension. Mutual spacing M
It acts to push and spread the spring against the spring force of the spring member 5.6.

Reference numeral 8 denotes a motor that rotationally drives the cam 7, and a highly accurate motor that can control the rotational position is used.

When the cam 7 has an elliptical shape, if drawn on a rectangular coordinate graph in which the horizontal axis represents the rotation angle of the cam 7 and the vertical axis represents the distance M, it becomes a substantially sinusoidal curve. It is desirable to utilize the variation in the interval M of the sine waves in this way. Of course, the shape of the curved surface of the cam 70 determines the manner in which the tips of the fibers 1.2 approach each other and the pushing motion, which will be described later, so the shape of the curved surface can be freely changed depending on the purpose of each operation. .

Therefore, in Figure 1, with the longest outward side of the cam 7 corresponding to the contact surfaces 3a and 4a of the holding table 3.4, use the center plate (abutting plate) 9 or the scale of the microscope, etc. Both optical fibers 1.2 are fixedly held on a holding table 3.4 so that the distance between the tips 1a and 2a of both optical fibers 1.2 is a predetermined value.

Next, when the fusion splicer is turned on to start the connection, the motor 8 shown in FIG. 1 starts rotating and arc discharge also starts. Accompanying this, the cam 7 slowly rotates as indicated by the arrow E in FIG. The motor 8 continues to rotate without stopping, and both optical fibers 1.2 located on the same axis rotate at their tips 1a and 2a.
is pushed in (as shown by arrow A) and the second
It stops as shown in the illustration, and the arc discharge ends almost simultaneously.

Since the total distance of movement of the image leading edges 1a and 2a from Fig. 2 ■ to Fig. 2 ■ is several tens of μm to several hundreds of μm, the difference between the longest diameter and the shortest diameter of the cam 7 mentioned above is equivalent to that. It may be a very small shape, such as an ellipse that is extremely close to a circle.

Thereafter, the fusion-spliced optical fibers 1.2 can be removed from each holding table 3.4.

In this way, both the left and right holding tables 3.4 move by the same minute distance, so the arc only needs to be placed in the center, and the left and right fa-f tips 1a, 2a are evenly welded and connected.

Next, FIG. 3 shows a case where the initial interval for starting arc discharge (interval G in FIG. 3H) is determined without using the center plate 9 or the microscope scale.

That is, as shown in Figure 3, the cam 7 is rotated to a predetermined rotation angle, and the cam 7 is stopped when the major diameter axis is inclined at around 1. In this state, the fiber tips 1a and 2a are rotated.
The fibers 1.2 are held against each other by the holding base 3.
．． Hold it firmly at 4.

Thereafter, when the cam 7 is rotated by the motor 8 in the direction of the arrow E as shown in FIG.
Corresponding to 4a, the maximum distance is 14M. At this time, the interval G is set to the preset initial interval as shown in Fig. 31.
The inclination angle of the major axis of the cam 7 is determined in advance.

At the time shown in Figure 3 (■), arc discharge starts. Then the third
Since FIG. m corresponds to the above-mentioned FIG. 2 H, and FIG. 3 corresponds to FIG.

Note that, instead of the compression coil springs as the pair of resilient members 5 and 6 in FIG. 1, both holding bases 3 as shown in FIG.
．． It is also preferable that the resilient member 10 is a tension coil spring that resiliently draws the members 4 toward each other.

Next, FIGS. 4 and 5 specifically show an embodiment of the second invention, in which one side that holds the optical fiber 1 is used as a fixed holding stand 13, and the other side that holds the optical fiber 2. The latter is attached to a member (not shown) of an optical fiber fusion splicer as a movable holding table 14 so as to be capable of linear reciprocating motion as indicated by arrows A and B.

Direction A in which this movable holding table I4 approaches the fixed holding table I3
An elastic member 10a such as a compression coil spring is provided to elastically bias the spring.

Thus, the cam 7 contacts only one movable holding table 14 and does not contact the other fixed holding table 13. That is, in the case of an elliptical cam, the cam 7, which is rotationally driven by the motor 8, is provided with its axis close to the movable holding table 14, so as to resist the resilient urging force of the resilient member 10a. , only the movable holding table 4 is moved by minute dimensions as shown by arrows A and B.

Sesotiging of the optical fiber 1.2 to the holder 13.14 may be performed as shown in FIG. 2 or 3, similarly to the first invention.

Furthermore, as in another embodiment shown in FIG. 6, by providing a circular cam 7 with its rotating shaft 15 eccentric, it is possible to reciprocate the movable holding table 14 as shown by arrows A and B. Other than this, the cam shape of the cam 7 can be modified in various ways. Note that the figure shows that it is also preferable to use a tension coil spring as the resilient member 10b.

As a heating method, in addition to the above-mentioned arc discharge, it is also preferable to use a micro gas torch or a CO laser, and the present invention is applicable to either method.

〔Effect of the invention〕

The present invention has the above-described configuration and has the following remarkable effects.

■ Since rotational motion is converted into reciprocating motion via the cam 7, rattling does not occur and the optical fiber tips 1a and 2
It has become possible to set and change (along with heating) the mutual positional relationship of a with extremely high precision.

(2) In other words, it becomes easier to control the mutual positional relationship of the optical fiber tips 1a and 2a and the timing of heating with high precision.

■ It has a simple structure, excellent durability, enables stable fiber fusion splicing over a long period of time, and can be manufactured at low cost.

(Note that the first invention has the following additional effects.) (1) Both the left and right fiber tips 1a and 2a can be heated evenly at all times, resulting in a better connection.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a simplified diagram sequentially explaining an operating method, FIG. 3 is a simplified diagram sequentially explaining another operating method, and FIG. 4 is another embodiment. A perspective view showing an example,
FIG. 5 is a plan view of the same, and FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a modification thereof. FIG. 7 is a simplified explanatory diagram showing a conventional example. 1.2... Optical fiber, 3.4.13.14... Holding stand 5.6, l0110a, 10b-elastic member, 7
...Cam, 8...Motor, M...Mutual spacing. Patent applicant: Dainichi Nippon Electric Cable Co., Ltd. Figure 1 Figure 6 Figure 7

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A pair of fiber movable holding stands each holding a pair of optical fibers to be fused and spliced to each other, and an elastic force that elastically biases the pair of holding stands in a direction toward each other. An optical fiber connection characterized by comprising: a generating member, a cam interposed between a pair of holding stands to change the distance between the holding stands in minute dimensions, and a motor for rotationally driving the cam. fine movement table 2, a fiber fixed holding table that holds one of a pair of optical fibers to be fused and spliced to each other, a movable fiber moving holding table that holds the other, and a fiber moving holding table that holds the moving holding table fixedly. A resilient member that elastically biases the base in a direction approaching the base, a cam that moves the movable holding base by a minute dimension against the resilient biasing force of the resilient member, and a motor that rotationally drives the cam. and,
A fine movement table for optical fiber connection.