RU2331908C2 - Device for optic fiber splitting - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: physics.

SUBSTANCE: device includes fixation unit for fixation of fixation element to optic fiber and splitting unit for splitting optic fiber. Fixation unit includes orientation device designed for fixation element orientation in a preliminarily defined direction around longitudinal axis of optic fiber against the splitting unit. Splitting unit is designed to split fiber in such way, that the end surface is not perpendicular to the fiber longitudinal axis. Fixation and splitting units are mounted in such pattern that the fiber end surface cut by the splitting unit was oriented at a given direction against the fixation element. Splitting unit includes a blade designed for fiber notching, forcing the fracture to propagate through the fiber and split it in appropriate direction.

EFFECT: obtaining satisfactory splicing with low optic loss.

14 cl, 23 dwg

Description

The present invention relates to a device for separating an optical fiber and, in particular, to such a device in the form of a hand tool.

When splicing optical fibers mechanically, for example by means of a fiber optic connector, it is generally necessary to prepare the end surfaces of the fibers in order to guarantee the formation of a satisfactory splicing having low optical loss.

U.K. patent application pending no. 0216435.8 (B429), filed by the author of this application, describes a fiber optic connector, in which the splicing of two optical fibers is formed by two couplers inserted into the connector body, each of which is pre-mounted on a corresponding optical fiber in preset orientation relative to the angular end surface of the optical fiber. (The term "angled end surface" used in this application means the end surface of an optical fiber that is not perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the fiber.) The couplings can only be inserted into the connector housing in a predetermined orientation relative to their axes, and therefore relative orientations the two end surfaces of the fibers are predefined to ensure close contact between the end surfaces, with low loss.

International patent application WO 98/54608 describes a tool for angularly separating optical fibers. The tool separates the optical fiber by clamping the fiber under tension by means of two crimp blocks, displacing the fiber between the crimping blocks by supporting it so that the displaced portion of the fiber experiences a shear force, and forms a notch on the fiber. Since a portion of the notched fiber is under tension and shear stress, the fiber is separated at an angle from the perpendicular to the fiber axis. This separation tool can be used to separate an optical fiber that has a coupler attached to it before the fiber is inserted into the tool. In addition, for polarization-support (PM) of optical fibers, a coupler that has been previously attached to such a fiber can be placed in the separation tool in a fixed orientation so that the separation angle is in the correct orientation relative to the polarization axis of the PM optical fiber.

In accordance with a first aspect, the present invention provides a device for separating an optical fiber, comprising a locking mechanism for fixing the locking member to the optical fiber and a separation mechanism for separating the optical fiber.

A second aspect of the present invention provides an apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention, comprising a hand tool.

In at least the broadest aspects of the present invention, the locking element may be any element (or component) that is fixed to the optical fiber by a locking mechanism. For example, the locking member may be an optical fiber connector or part thereof, but this is not so limited in the broadest aspects of the present invention.

It is currently preferred that the locking member is in the form of a coupler. For example, a coupler (or other fixing member) can be used to mount the optical fiber so that the fiber passes through the fixing member. However, in the broadest aspects of the present invention, the fiber does not have to pass through the locking element, being fixed to it.

In the description below, for convenience, the locking member is generally referred to as a coupler. However, it should be obvious that (at least in the broadest aspects of the present invention) the locking element does not necessarily have to include a connector.

The present invention has the advantage that since the device, for example, fixes a fixing element (for example, a connector) on the optical fiber and separates the fiber, two steps can be performed by one device in the process of splicing of optical fibers, simplifying and increasing, thereby splicing process speed.

In at least the broadest aspects of the present invention, the spacer mechanism of the device may separate the optical fiber prior to fixation or substantially simultaneously with the fixation element being fixed to the fiber by the locking mechanism. However, the separation mechanism of the device preferably separates the fiber when the locking element has been fixed to it. More preferably, the separation mechanism of the device is able to separate the fiber only when the locking element is fixed to it.

Since the device preferably separates the fiber as soon as the coupler is fixed to the fiber, this makes it possible to obtain a divided end face of the fiber in a predetermined position along the fiber with respect to the coupler and / or in a predetermined orientation with respect to the coupler. This can be extremely preferable, because it can enable the fast and accurate formation of splicing of the optical fiber with low loss (high loss of reflection) by bringing the angular divided end surfaces of the optical fibers physically into contact in an adjustable orientation. In particular, since the device of the present invention enables such a predetermined positioning and / or orientation of the divided end face of the fiber relative to the coupler, this essentially eliminates the need for high skill and appreciation of the involvement of the technician performing the splicing operation to carry out this operation. Therefore, the present invention can improve the quality and consistency of splices of optical fibers. Optical fibers that have been prepared by means of the device of the present invention, for example, can simply be inserted into a connector housing adapted to ensure that only the insertion of couplers fixed to the fibers by means of the device ensures proper relative positioning of the end surfaces of the fibers to obtain splicing low losses. Such a connector may be, for example, the connector described in UK patent application No. 0216435.8.

The locking mechanism of the device is preferably a crimping mechanism for crimping the coupler (or other locking element) and, accordingly, for fixing it to the fiber.

As indicated above, the locking mechanism and the separation mechanism of the device of the present invention are preferably arranged so that the fiber is separated and, therefore, an end surface of the fiber is formed in a predetermined position along the fiber relative to the coupler.

The separation mechanism can preferably separate the optical fiber so that the end face formed is not oriented at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the fiber.

The locking mechanism and the separation mechanism of the device are preferably mutually arranged so that the end surface of the fiber obtained by the separation mechanism is under a predetermined orientation relative to the coupling. Therefore, the locking mechanism preferably comprises an orientation-determining means arranged to orient the coupling with a predetermined orientation relative to the longitudinal axis of the fiber with respect to the separation mechanism. For example, the orientation determining means may comprise a non-circular hole configured to receive a coupler therein having a corresponding non-circular cross section. The device preferably comprises (first) closure means that closes the non-circular hole when the device is not in operation.

The device may preferably comprise an opening (preferably on the opposite side of the device with respect to the non-circular hole) through which the separated end portion of the divided optical fiber can be removed from the device. The device preferably comprises (second) closing means that closes the hole when the device is not in operation.

Such closure means substantially prevent dust and other contaminants from entering the device, which otherwise could adversely affect performance. In this case, the device may essentially not require maintenance.

The locking mechanism of the device preferably clamps the coupler, while the separation mechanism separates the fiber. For this reason, the locking mechanism preferably clamps the fiber (via a coupler), while the separation mechanism separates the fiber. In addition, fixing the fiber in the coupler by means of a locking mechanism may provide axial resistance of the fiber to traction and resistance to twisting of the fiber.

The spacer mechanism of the device preferably comprises a crimp mechanism that clamps the fiber while the fiber is separated. The crimping mechanism preferably grips the fiber before the fiber is separated and during the fiber separation. The crimping mechanism may more preferably comprise a pair of tapes between which the fiber is clamped, and these tapes are preferably arranged so that each fiber that is separated by the device uses a different position along the tape to clamp the fiber.

The fiber is preferably placed under tension and / or shear by the separation mechanism during fiber separation. The separation mechanism preferably comprises a support that causes the fiber to bend during separation of the fiber. The separation mechanism preferably comprises a notch knife disposed for notching the fiber, causing the crack to propagate through the fiber, separating the fiber accordingly. The notch knife is preferably positioned so that for each fiber that is separated by the device, a different position on the knife is used to notch the fiber.

The device preferably contains a life indicator that indicates the number of partitions that were made by the device after the device setup procedure, and / or the number of partitions remaining for the device, preferably before the device re-setup procedure. The procedure for setting up the device and / or the procedure for reconfiguring the device preferably involves replacing the knife and / or tapes of the separation mechanism.

In at least some preferred embodiments of the present invention, the device is adapted to separate multiple optical fibers substantially simultaneously. Thus, the locking mechanism can preferably be adapted to fix one or more locking elements for a plurality of optical fibers, preferably substantially simultaneously. For example, a plurality of optical fibers may comprise a ribbon-like fiber.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, where

figure 1 - illustration of an embodiment of a device for separating an optical fiber according to the present invention, in the form of a hand tool;

figure 2 - image of the device illustrated in figure 1, at the opposite angle;

figure 3 - image of a part of the inner side of the device illustrated in figures 1 and 2, and illustration of the crimping mechanism;

4 is a detail image of another view of the inner side of the device and an illustration of a crimping mechanism;

figure 5 - image of another detail of the inner side of the device;

6 is a schematic diagram of the basic elements and the functioning of the separation mechanism of the device;

Fig.7 is a detail image of a part of the inner side of the device, illustrating the separation mechanism;

Fig.8 is a view of a detail illustrating the separation mechanism shown in Fig.7, at an opposite angle ;;

Fig.9 is an image of part of the outer side and the inner side of the device, in particular, the separation mechanism;

figure 10 - image of a detail of another part of the separation mechanism of the device, in particular relating to a knife for applying a notch;

11 is an image of an opposite view of a device illustrating part of a mechanism for applying a notch with a knife; and

12 is an illustration of an example of a suitable coupler to be crimped on an optical fiber by means of a device.

Figure 1 shows the appearance of a preferred embodiment of a device 1 (for splitting an optical fiber) according to the present invention. The device 1 is made in the form of a hand tool, manually controlled. The tool comprises a main body 3 and a pair of handles 5a and 5b.

The handles 5a and 5b are sized and shaped to be gripped by the user's hand. Squeezing the handles together drives the crimp mechanism, whereby the coupler is fixed to the optical fiber by squeezing it around the fiber, as described below. The handles 5a and 5b have a non-central cam action, whereby they lock in place when squeezed together at a predetermined angle. Locked handles can be unlocked using the lever 7 off.

The main part 3 of the device 1 contains a sliding external part 9 of the housing, which drives the separation mechanism of the device, whereby the optical fiber on which the coupler is fixed is split to obtain a controlled end surface of the fiber. Subsequently, to actuate the crimp mechanism by squeezing the handles 5a and 5b together, the user moves the sliding part 9 relative to the rest of the device away from the handles (as shown by arrow A). This movement of part 9 causes the separation mechanism of the device to compress and separate the optical fiber, as described below. Part 9 can preferably move (actuating the separation mechanism accordingly) only once the arms 5a and 5b pressed together so that the separation operation can take place only once as soon as the reduction operation is performed.

To carry out these technological operations, the user first inserts the connector in a predetermined orientation into the device and feeds the exposed optical fiber through the connector to the insert hole 11 in the front plate 13 of device 1. The opposite side of the device shown in FIG. 2 has another hole 14, due to wherein the separated end portion of the divided optical fiber can be removed from the device.

The connector, which is inserted into the device, may contain part of the holder assembly — the connector, as described in UK patent application No. 0216435.8, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. An example of a suitable coupler 15 for use with the device of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. The coupler 15, which has a generally circular cross section, has a flat portion 17 on its peripheral surface so that the orientation of the coupler about its axis (and the axis of the optical fiber 19) can be pre-set. In particular, the cross-sectional shape of the front of the coupler is adapted to substantially mate with a non-circular (and preferably generally D-shaped) hole 21 in the plate 23 located behind the front plate 13 of the device (see FIG. 5).

The hole 21 is an orientation-determining device means, as described above, with which the coupling is oriented in a predetermined orientation relative to the separation mechanism of the device. The plate 23 and the hole 21 are shown in FIG. 5 and schematically shown in FIG. 6. Behind the plate 23, there is an additional plate 25 having a hole 27 of smaller diameter, which is essentially coaxial with the D-shaped hole 21. The smaller hole 27 is adapted to provide a stopper for the end of the original coating 29 of the optical fiber, and the coating will be removed from the end region 31 of the fiber 19, as schematically shown in Fig.6. The coupler 15 is inserted into the insertion hole 11 in the front plate 13 of the device and the exposed fiber 19 is fed through the coupler. The front of the coupler 15 is mounted end-to-end with the back of the D-shaped orientation-determining hole 21 of the plate 23, and the front of the removed original fiber coating is installed end-to-end against the hole 27 in the additional plate 25.

As follows from FIGS. 3 and 4, with the coupler 15 and the optical fiber 19, thus inserted into the device 1, the arms 5a and 5b are pressed together until they lock in place. This action causes the crimp blocks 33 to move relatively closer to each other at a predetermined distance, thereby crimping the connector around the fiber with a predetermined force, and thus fixing the connector to the fiber.

After the crimping / fixing step, the sliding external part 9 of the device body is moved by the user from the handles 5a and 5b in the direction indicated by arrow A, as shown in FIG. This sliding movement induces various technological operations of the separation stage to be performed by the device, due to which the optical fiber is separated to obtain a non-perpendicular end surface of the fiber having a predetermined orientation and longitudinal position relative to the coupling.

The initial process step of the separation step involves crimping the optical fiber by means of a crimping mechanism comprising a pair of crimp blocks 35a and 35b and a pair of tapes 37a and 37b wound on a spool that extend over the respective mounting surfaces of the crimp blocks. As can be seen from FIG. 7, the movement of the sliding part 9 in the direction indicated by arrow A causes the upper (as illustrated) crimp block 35a to move downward (as indicated by arrow B) to the lower crimp block 35b due to contact interaction between the upper surface of the upper crimp unit with an inclined surface (that is, inclined relative to the direction of movement of part 9) of the interacting part 39, which moves with part 9. Since the tapes 37a and 37b pass over the corresponding mounting awns crimp blocks 35a and 35b, the optical fiber is trapped between the tapes 37a and 37b (with the optical fiber ribbon and trapped together between the crimping units). The tapes 37a and 37b are preferably polymeric, for example obtained from polyvinyl chloride. The tapes are preferably compressible and preferably provide a high degree of clamping, due to which they clamp the optical fiber in its compressed position.

The use of such tapes has several advantages. Firstly, the high degree of clamping of the optical fiber allows the fiber to be placed under tensile forces for the separation process (described below). The tapes preferably provide axial resistance to pulling force of 2.5-4.0 N. Secondly, the compressive ability of the tapes generally prevents damage to the optical fiber during crimping. Thirdly, the tapes 37a and 37b are preferably fixed so that they have fresh surfaces between the crimp blocks for crimping the optical fiber each time part 9 moves to actuate the separation mechanism. Such indexing of the belts is achieved by means of gears 43a and 43b, as shown in FIG. 8 (wherein a portion of the wheel 43b is visible in FIG. 7). The gears 43a and 43b are connected to the take-up reels 41a and 41b, respectively, and rotate in a pre-set partial rotation by means of a sliding part 9 of the housing, moving back to the handles 5a and 5b (in the direction opposite to the direction indicated by arrow A) after completion of the separation operation . In this case, the tapes are unwound by a pre-set value (from their coils to their receiving bobbins) between each technological operation of fiber separation. Therefore, any dust generated during the separation of the fibers is removed by means of tapes after each technological separation operation, ensuring that each optical fiber separated by the device is subjected to essentially the same compression conditions, thus guaranteeing compatibility (consistency) between the optical fibers.

As soon as the optical fiber is crimped between the tapes 37a, 37b and the crimp blocks 35a, 35b, the continued movement of the sliding part 9 of the body in the direction indicated by arrow A causes the support 45 adjacent to the lower crimp block 35b to rise in the direction opposite to the direction indicated by the arrow B (as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 9). This movement of the support 45 is achieved by another interacting part 47 having an inclined surface that rises upward by a pin 49 which moves with the part 9. Essentially simultaneously with this movement of the support 45, the crimp blocks 35a, 35b, which compress the inserted optical fiber at this stage , together, are slightly moved away from the support in the direction along the fiber axis (i.e., backward from the point of view of Fig. 7). This is achieved by means of an element 51 (as shown in FIG. 8) that slides together with part 9 and interacts with the elastic element 53 to cause the plate 55 to move sideways with respect to the direction indicated by arrow A (i.e. backward from the point of view of FIG. 8) . The crimp blocks 35a and 35b move away from the support due to this movement of the plate 55, and this brings the section of the crimped optical fiber passing between the coupler 15 and the crimp blocks 35a and 35b into tension. The fiber also undergoes a localized shear force due to its displacement by the upward movement of the support 45.

As soon as the compressed optical fiber is under tension and shear, the additional movement of the sliding part 9 in the direction indicated by arrow A induces the first trigger (trigger) element 54 (as shown in FIG. 10) attached to part 9 (only part of which 10), impacting the tooth 58 of the rotatable member 60. This causes the rotatable member 60 to rotate in the direction indicated by arrow E, causing the other tooth 62 of the rotatable member 60 to hit the rotatable member 64 which rotates around pivot point 66; therefore, the element 64 rotates around point 66 in the direction indicated by arrow D. The rotary notch 61 for notching is attached to the rotary element 64, and therefore, turning this element also causes the knife for notching to rotate in the direction indicated by arrow D, causing accordingly, the notch on the optical fiber in a predetermined position along the fiber, where the fiber is under tension and under the action of shear forces. The resulting tensile and shear forces applied to the fiber, together with the notch line of the weak point formed by the notch knife 61, cause the fiber to split substantially along a plane that is not perpendicular to the fiber axis.

The movement of part 9 in the direction indicated by arrow A also causes the second trigger element 56, also attached to part 9 (see FIG. 10), to turn the ratchet wheel 68 and make part of the revolution (preferably one tooth of its gear periphery). The ratchet wheel 68 is connected by a series of teeth with indexing wheels 57 shown in both FIG. 10 and FIG. 11. As shown in FIG. 11, the spiral wheel of the indexing wheels 57 causes the slide bar 59 to move linearly in the direction indicated by arrow C. Each movement of the rod 59 is carried out only by each small working movement of part 9. This movement of the slide bar 59 causes the knife 61 to the notch to move a small distance so that the starting point of rotation of the notch knife is very slightly different each time the device is used to separate the optical Fibers. In this case, the part of the notch knife that notches the optical fiber is “indexed”, that is, the other part of the knife is used each time the optical fiber is split. Therefore, each optical fiber is exposed to an unused portion of the notch knife and, therefore, blunting the knife over time does not cause a change in the separation of the optical fibers through the device over time. It is preferable that the distance the knife moves (in order to have a new starting position) each time the device is used is so small that hundreds or thousands (for example, 5000) of separation operations can be done with one knife. The knife preferably contains a diamond cutting edge.

The subsequent movement of the sliding part 9 of the housing towards the handles 5a and 5b causes the various elements of the separation mechanism of the device to return to their original positions and causes the tapes 37a and 37b to wind the characteristic length so that they provide a fresh surface for the subsequent crimping operation. Pushing the shut-off lever 7 in the direction indicated by arrow A releases the handles 5a and 5b, which preferably open under the action of an elastic element (for example, under the action of a spring, which is not shown), opening the crimp blocks 33 accordingly and allowing the coupling 15 and the divided optical fiber 19, in which it was fixed by crimping, to be removed from the device.

An additional preferred element of the device 1, which should be noted, is a flexible arm 63, shown in Fig.3. A flexible arm allows the device to be attached to another piece of equipment, such as the cover of an optical fiber splicing device. The lever 63 may, for example, be a flexible mounting lever of the type that is used in some microphone stands and is sometimes called a flexible microphone stand.

Thus, it is obvious that the device corresponding to the present invention can be made in the form of a tool (for example, illustrated in this application and described above), which can be a hand tool and driven by hand. Such a tool can be conveniently used by a specialist in the installation / repair of optical fiber in the field, as well as in the factory.

Additional aspects of the present invention relate to improvements through preferred compounds and methods for use with the integrated crimping and separation tool (ICCT) described above.

One improvement is obtained by attaching a positionable flexible stand and clamp to the ICCT (for example, similar to a fixture with a flexible stand) to temporarily connect the ICCT in a comfortable working position on a telecommunication data distribution rack or other device where optical fibers should be connected. The special design of the flexible stand and clamp and the special means of attaching them to the ICCT are not important and do not require additional description. One possible design is illustrated in the above drawing of FIG. 3, and another is shown in this application below.

Another improvement is the ICCT device, in which the holder is connected to the ICCT to hold the connector, wherein when used, a crimp connector will be inserted into the connector and the split optical fiber will be prepared by using ICCT. The connector, hereinafter referred to as the "Centering Sleeve Assembly" (ASA), can thus be conveniently held onto the ICCT by attaching the ASA Holder (ASAH) to insert the coupler and fiber immediately after crimping and separating it with the ICCT. The ASAH will preferably be pivotably coupled to the ICCT to insert the first coupler and fiber at one end of the ASA, then the second coupler and fiber at the other end of the ASA, after turning the ASAH to present the other end for convenient insertion from a substantially similar direction that and the first one.

The crimp coupler into the shared fiber is optionally secured to the ASA by means of a coupler holder, for example, as described in our UK patent applications No. 0216435.8 (B429) and No. 0216434 (B427) in the United Kingdom, both of which are incorporated into this application by as a link. A self-adjusting combination of coupler holder, coupler, and fiber, hereinafter referred to as the “Crimp and Shift Assembly” (SKA), can be moved from the crimp and separation part of the ICCT to the insertion position in the ASA by any means, for example, using a manual assembly described and claimed in our pending patent application No. 0216436.6 (B428) of Great Britain, the description of which is fully incorporated into this application by reference. However, in preferred versions of the present enhancement, the SKA is held in a SKA Holder (SCAN) movably attached to the ICCT. This SCAN holds the SKA during the compression and separation process and is preferably then moved in a controlled manner, for example, by rails or other guides, from the compression and separation position to bring the SKA in alignment with the ASA while being held in the ASAH. Thus, the SCAN is removable to allow insertion and blocking of the SKA in the ASA.

Alternatively, the device of the present invention may be attached to a fastener for directly attaching the coupler and fiber during the crimping and separating process and after the crimping and separating process in the absence of any separate coupler holder. In this case, the device preferably has a transmission means attached to it, according to which the fixing means and the attached crimp connector and the split fiber can be moved preferably guided by means of a guide means attached to the device (i) for bringing the coupling into fibers from the position crimping and separating in combination with the ASA while holding the ASAH during use and (ii) to insert the coupler and fiber into the ASA in the desired orientation ation keyed or without keying formation on the coupling, wherein the fastening means are removable after the coupling has been fixed in the ASA in the required orientation.

The present invention also provides, respectively, a method for connecting optical fibers using such an alternative device configuration, comprising the steps of: (a) directly attaching the coupler and fiber in said fastener during and after the process of crimping and separating in the absence of any separate connector holder couplings, (b) moving the fixed coupler and split fiber (i) to bring the coupler into fibers of crimping and separating in combination with the ASA while holding it in the ASAH during use and (ii) inserting the coupler into the fibers in the ASA in the desired orientation with or without keying on the coupler, (c) fixing the coupler and fiber to ASA in the required orientation and (d) release the fasteners.

Our aforementioned pending British Patent Application No. 0216434.1 (B427) describes the provision of an elastic element (spring) inside the SKA between the end of the clamping sleeve and the inner end of the sleeve of the sleeve to compensate for the changeable length tolerances in two divided fibers, the ends of which aligned when inserted into the ASA. Mass production of such SKA with an internal spring can be undesirably difficult and expensive. For this reason, it is preferable to use a SKA in which the coupling holder and the elastic compressible element are profiled and adapted so that the elastic compressible element is removable from the holder after the holder has been attached to the connector body to hold the coupling in place. The coupler holder and the resiliently compressible member are preferably profiled and adapted to allow reuse of the compressible member by inserting and removing them into and from, respectively, a sequence of similar SKAs for insertion and attachment to ASA connector housings. The insertion and removal of a compressible element through the side openings in the housing of the SKA coupler holder can be convenient in practical use cases.

A further improvement in the ICCT of the present invention comprises a reusable, elastic compressible fiber length tolerance compensation element, preferably mounted in the SKA Holder, as described below, for insertion and subsequent removal from the sequence of respectively profiled and adapted SKAs for insertion into the corresponding ASAs held in an ASAH attached to an ICCT.

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, in which the coupler is attached directly by means of the aforementioned fastening means, elastic compensation for changes in the crimping and separation tolerances can be provided, for example, included in the fastening means in ways that will be apparent to qualified engineers accordingly.

Now, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, embodiments of the above improvements will be described, where

FIG. 13 is an isometric view of ICCT (schematically shown with attached flexible post positioning the clamp and attached SCAN, ASAH and guide rails);

Fig.14-19 is an illustration of successive steps when using attached SCAN and ASAH;

20-23 are illustrations of an aspect of a reusable spring of the present invention.

As follows from the drawings, FIG. 13 schematically shows a flexible post positioning the clip G attached to the ICCT in a different position than is illustrated in the aforementioned drawing in FIG. 3.

13 also shows a guide rail 100, which is secured by two bevelled screws 10 and has two locks (a) for holding the SCAN holder, first aligned with the input of the SKA (which is not visible in the above image) to the compression and separation part of the ICCT and subsequently with ASAH 6 on top (as shown in this example) of ICCT;

SCAN holder 2, which slides vertically up and down on rail 100 and has two latches (b) to lock the SCAN holder in two different positions, placing the SKA (when used) in the compression input and outside the ICCT compression input both in the ASA and outside the ASA ( using);

SCAN 3, which slides horizontally to bring the SKA to / from the specified ICCT input in the specified ASA;

SCAN cover 4, which closes the SKA (if any), thanks to the hinge mount for holding the metal connector in a horizontal position (see Fig. 17);

the SCAN holder stopper module 5, which prevents the SCAN holder 2 from slipping out of the guide rail 100;

ASAH 6, which can be rotated 180 degrees after the installation of the first SKA in the ASA and can be held in place using two elements (c);

ASAH holder 7, which is secured with two screws on top of the ICCT;

ASAH cover 8, which holds the ASA (if equipped), thanks to its hinged mount; and

fixing screws 9 ASAH.

The stages of operation are illustrated in Fig.14-19:

Step 1: Placing the ASA in the ASAH and closing the lid, the design being such that the ASA can only be placed in one orientation and cannot rotate or slide longitudinally in the ASAH.

Stage 2: Slide the SCAN back, open the lid and place the SKA in the SCAN.

Step 3: Cover the SKA with a lid to hold the SKA in place.

Step 4: Slide the SCAN to the ICCT so that the metal coupler enters the ICCT, then insert the optical fiber, crimp the coupler, and split the fiber.

Step 5: Slide the SCAN back to remove the crimped coupler and split fiber from the ICCT, then block the SCAN to prevent horizontal movement that could damage the fiber during the next step.

Step 6: Slide the SCAN up to the ASAH and block the SCAN in this position.

Step 7: Slide the SCAN forward to insert the SKA into the ASA, as far as possible, and lock in this position.

Step 8: Opening the SCAN cover and releasing the SKA by moving the SCAN down.

Step 9: Slide the SCAN back, as indicated by the arrow.

Step 10: Slide the SKA completely into the ASA and lock it by turning the SKA until it reaches the two opposite cylindrical protrusions of the “bayonet mount” after sliding the SCAN down to its original starting position.

Step 11: Turn the ASAH, place the new SKA in the SCAN and repeat all the steps again to fully connect the two split fibers in the ASA with the D-shape (arrow) of the SKA couplings to ensure that the split ends are aligned correctly. Repeating the entire fiber bonding process as many times as required for the number of ASAs in which the fibers are to be bonded.

Now, by way of example, with reference to FIGS. 20-23, one possible construction corresponding to the above aspect of the reusable spring of the present invention will be described. In this example, the compressible member 41 is a bifurcated leaf spring inserted as shown in FIG. 20 by arrow A through a correspondingly profiled side hole 46 extending to opposite sides of the coupling holder 39. Thus, the spring 41 allows the required elastic movement of the coupling 1 in the holder 39 during insertion into the housing (not shown) of the ASA connector in the direction of arrow B. After the coupling holder 39 is twisted (arrow C) in a blocking engagement with the connector, thus bringing the coupler into fixed engagement with the holder of the coupler, as described in our aforementioned pending application 0216434.1, spring 41 is no longer required and may be removed, for example, by means of a schematically shown attached flexible member F.

On Fig illustrates a reusable spring 41, positioned in the SCAN 3 until the SKA is positioned therein (coupler 1, holder 39 and optical fiber O) and closing the cover 4 SCAN. As shown in Fig. 22, the SKA is in position in SCAN 3 with a spring 41 inserted into the aperture 46 in the holder 39 of the SKA, pending closing the cover 4 for attaching the SKA to the SCAN, for subsequent compression by the coupler and separation of the optical fiber O in 1CST (not shown). 23 illustrates the opening (arrow D) of the SCAN cover 4 and lowering (arrow E) of the SCAN 3 to release the SKA after inserting the crimped coupler 1 and the split optical fiber O, since the movement (arrow E2) of the SCAN in the ASA held in ASAH (see FIG. 14). As schematically shown, the flexible member F can be attached to hold the reusable spring 41 on the SCAN 3, an optionally similar structure (not shown) for pulling and pulling the flexible member from the SCAN structure and into the SCAN structure. The flexibility of the pull-out element F allows the SKA with the spring 41 installed in place to compensate for the tolerances on the length of the fiber, as mentioned above, to be fully inserted (arrow E3) in the ASA and rotated (arrow R) to lock it in place, followed by removing the spring 41 and pulling out the flexible element for re-positioning the spring in the SCAN, ready for reuse in the next SKA to be installed.

Claims (14)

1. A device for separating an optical fiber (19), comprising a locking mechanism for fixing the fixing element to the optical fiber and a separating mechanism for separating the optical fiber when the fixing element is fixed on it, characterized in that the fixing mechanism contains an orientation-determining means (21), adapted for orientation of the fixing element (15) in a predetermined orientation around the longitudinal axis of the optical fiber (19) relative to the separation mechanism, the separation m the mechanism is adapted to separate the fiber so that the resulting end surface is oriented at an indirect angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the fiber, and the locking mechanism and the separation mechanism are mutually arranged so that the end surface of the fiber obtained by the separation mechanism is in a predetermined orientation relative to the fixing element, and the fact that the separation mechanism comprises a knife (61) for applying a notch, adapted for applying a notch to the fiber (19), prompting a crack propagating through the fiber, separating the fiber in accordance with this, and the notch (61) for notching is arranged so that for each fiber (19) or set of fibers that are / which are separated by the device, for notching the fiber is used another position on the knife. 2. The device according to claim 1, in which the locking element (15) contains a connecting sleeve. 3. The device according to claim 1 or 2, in which the fixing element (15) is fixed on the optical fiber (19) so that the fiber passes through the fixing element. 4. The device according to claim 1 or 2, containing a hand tool. 5. The device according to claim 1 or 2, in which the separation mechanism of the device is able to separate the fiber (19) only if the locking element (15) is fixed on it. 6. The device according to claim 1 or 2, in which the locking mechanism and the separation mechanism are arranged so that the fiber (19) is separated, and therefore the end surface of the fiber is obtained in a predetermined position along the fiber relative to the locking element (15). 7. The device according to claim 1 or 2, in which the locking mechanism is a crimping mechanism for crimping the locking element (15) and in accordance with this fixing it to the fiber (19). 8. The device according to claim 1 or 2, containing a hole (14) with which the separated end portion of the divided optical fiber (19) can be removed from the device. 9. The device of claim 8, containing closing means that closes the non-circular hole when the device is not in operation. 10. The device according to claim 1 or 2, in which the locking mechanism captures the locking element (15), while the separation mechanism separates the fiber (19). 11. The device of claim 1 or 2, in which the separation mechanism comprises a clamping mechanism that grips the fiber (19), while the fiber is separated. 12. The device according to claim 1 or 2, in which the fiber (19) is located working in tension and / or under the action of shear forces exerted by the separation mechanism, while the fiber is separated. 13. The device according to claim 1 or 2, in which the separation mechanism contains a support (45), which causes the fiber (19) to bend, while the fiber is separated. 14. The device according to claim 1 or 2, containing a life indicator that indicates the number of partitions that were made by the device after the setup procedure of the device, and / or the number of partitions remaining for the device, before the process of resetting the device.

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