Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G02—OPTICS
  • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
  • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
  • G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
  • G02B6/36—Mechanical coupling means
  • G02B6/38—Mechanical coupling means having fibre to fibre mating means
  • G02B6/3801—Permanent connections, i.e. wherein fibres are kept aligned by mechanical means

Definitions

• the present invention relates to an optical transmission line connecting device that mutually connects a pair of optical transmission line units each respectively having an optical fiber.
• optical fiber connecting devices have been known, for example under the name "mechanical splice", that permanently connect a pair of covered optical fibers (that is, optical fibers with jackets) in the state in which jackets have been partially removed in prescribed end lengths and respective end surfaces are made to but against each other coaxially by the use of clamping force of the constituent parts without carrying out fusing or bonding.
• mechanical splice that permanently connect a pair of covered optical fibers (that is, optical fibers with jackets) in the state in which jackets have been partially removed in prescribed end lengths and respective end surfaces are made to but against each other coaxially by the use of clamping force of the constituent parts without carrying out fusing or bonding.
• an optical transmission line connecting device that is provided with a mechanical splice and a pair of holders that fixedly hold the insulating sheaths of a pair of optical cables having mutually connected optical fibers by mechanical splicing so as to resist external forces such as tension or the like on the insulating sheaths.
• an assembly having covered optical fibers and fiber housing members (insulating outer sheaths in optical cables) that at least partially house the covered optical fibers, of optical cables or the like, is collectively called an "optical transmission line unit" in the present patent application.
• Unexamined Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2010-145951 discloses "an optical fiber connecting device 100 that connects the tip parts of optical fibers 1A and IB of optical fiber cables Fl and F2 having sheaths 2A and 2B that are clamped by sheath clamping portions 4 and 5 in a condition in which the tip parts are made to butt against each other; wherein the optical fiber connecting device 100 is provided with a housing 10, a fixing member 7 that clamps the end sections of the tip parts of the optical fibers 1A and IB, a spring member that clamps the fixing member, guides 20 and 30 on which are arranged the sheath clamping portions 4 and 5 and which guide these into the housing 10, restraining covers 60 and 70 that restrain the sheath clamping portions 4 and 5 along with the housing 10, an inserting unit that holds the fixing member in a separated condition and that is arranged along an extension direction of the housing, and locking means that lock the guide 20 in the housing 10 when the sheath clamping section 4 is housed inside the housing 10.
• Patent Literature 1 Unexamined Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2010-145951 (Abstract, Paragraph 0047, and Paragraph 48)
• an optical transmission line connecting device provided with a mechanical splice and a pair of holders, generally, after the connection of a pair of optical fibers has been completed, the distances between the mechanical splice and the pair of holders are maintained at a constant distance. Therefore, in the condition in which the optical fibers are mutually connected permanently by the mechanical splice, when an elongation or contraction of the optical fibers occurs due to
• One aspect of the present invention is an optical transmission line connecting device connecting a pair of optical transmission line units to each other, each optical transmission line unit respectively having a covered optical fiber including a covering applied on an optical fiber and a fiber housing member that at least partially houses the covered optical fiber
• the optical transmission line connecting device including: a mechanical splice movable between an open position where a pair of optical fibers is received and a closed position where these optical fibers are clamped and connected together; a pair of holders capable of respectively holding a pair of fiber housing members; a splice support section capable of supporting the mechanical splice at a predetermined location; a pair of holder support sections capable of respectively supporting the holders at respective predetermined locations so as to arrange the pair of holders in a line relative to the mechanical splice supported on the splice support section; a pair of deflector sections capable of housing the pair of optical fibers, which have a covering that is partially removed in end lengths of a pair of covered optical fibers, in a state having a tip
• an optical transmission line connecting device with respect to a pair of optical transmission line units that are in a pre-connection state, it is possible to position the first shiftable members of a pair of deflector sections at the operative positions at which a minimum deflection within a predetermined deflection range is caused in the intermediate portion of the corresponding covered optical fiber.
• the mechanical splice is moved from the open position toward the closed position and the connection between the optical fibers of the two optical transmission line units is completed, between the mechanical splice and the two holders separated by a prescribed distance, the intermediate portions of the two covered optical fibers are supported by the first shiftable members at the operative positions, and at least a minimum deflection is maintained at each respective intermediate portion.
• the optical transmission line connecting device in the state in which the mechanical splice has permanently connected the optical fibers, when the optical fiber is expanded or contracted in the length direction due to changes in the environmental temperature or the like, since the minimum deflection retained in the intermediate portions of the covered optical fibers absorbs such elongation or contraction, it is possible to prevent in advance breaks in the optical fiber between the mechanical splice and the individual holders.
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view diagram of an optical transmission line connecting device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the optical transmission line connecting device of
• FIG. 3 is an outline cross-sectional view diagram along the line III-III of the optical transmission line connecting device of FIG. 1.
• FIG. 4 is a perspective view diagram showing an example of the optical transmission line unit for which it is possible to use the optical transmission line connecting device of FIG. 1, and FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C show the procedure for attaching a holder to an optical transmission line unit.
• FIG. 5 is a perspective view diagram showing another example of the optical transmission line unit for which it is possible to use the optical transmission line connecting device of FIG. 1, and FIG. 5A to FIG. 5C show the procedure for attaching a holder to an optical transmission line unit.
• FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view diagram along the line III-III of the optical transmission line connecting device of FIG. 1, and shows the condition in which a pair of optical transmission lines and a pair of holders respectively attached thereto are separated.
• FIG. 7 is a perspective view diagram showing the optical transmission line connecting device of FIG. 1 in the pre-connection state in which a pair of holders is respectively attached to a pair of optical transmission line units.
• FIG. 8 is a front view diagram of the optical transmission line connecting device of FIG. 7.
• FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective view diagram showing the first shiftable member of the optical transmission line connecting device of FIG. 1.
• FIG. 10 is partial cross-sectional end surface view diagram of the optical transmission line connecting device of FIG. 1 showing the state in which the holders have been omitted.
• FIG. 11 is a plan view diagram showing a step of the method of optical connection using the optical transmission line connecting device of FIG. 1, and FIG. 11A and FIG. 1 IB show the steps of removing the jacket of the covered optical fiber and of cutting the fiber.
• FIG. 12 is a partially enlarged perspective view diagram showing a step of the optical connection method using the optical transmission line connecting device of FIG. 1
• FIG. 13 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view diagram showing a step of the optical connection method using the optical transmission line connecting device of FIG. 1 , and shows the function of the first shiftable member.
• FIG. 14 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view diagram showing a step of the optical connection method using the optical transmission line connecting device of FIG. 1, and FIG. 14A to FIG. 14C show the function of the second shiftable member.
• FIG. 15 is a perspective view diagram showing a step of the optical connection method using the optical transmission line connecting device of FIG. 1, and FIG. 15A to FIG. 15C show the operations of the splice operator section through the completion of the optical connection.
• FIG. 16 is a partially enlarged perspective view diagram showing a step of the optical connection method using the optical transmission line connecting device of FIG. 1, and FIG. 16A and FIG. 16B show the operation of the first shiftable member through the completion of optical connection.
• FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view diagram of the optical transmission line connecting device according to a modified example showing the state in which the holders have been omitted.
• FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view diagram of the optical transmission line connecting device of FIG. 17 showing the state in which the holders have been attached, and FIG. 18A and FIG. 18B show the operations through the completion of optical connection.
• FIG. 19 is an exploded perspective view diagram of the optical transmission line connecting device according to another modified example showing the state in which the holders have been omitted.
• FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view diagram of the optical transmission line connecting device of FIG. 19 showing the state in which the holders have been attached, and FIG. 20A and FIG. 20B show the operations through the completion of optical connection.
• FIG. 21 is an exploded perspective view diagram of the optical transmission line connecting device according to yet another modified example showing the state in which the holders have been omitted.
• FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view diagram of the optical transmission line connecting device of FIG. 21 showing the state in which the holders have been attached, and FIG. 22A and FIG. 22B show the operations up to the completion of optical connection.
• FIG. 1 to FIG. 3 show an optical transmission line connecting device 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention in a state in which the optical transmission line units to be connected have not been attached.
• FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 show two types of optical transmission line units 12 and 14, respectively, for which it is possible to use the optical transmission line connecting device 10.
• FIG. 6 shows the optical transmission line connecting device 10 in the condition in which a pair of optical transmission line units 12 have been separated.
• FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 show the optical transmission line connecting device 10 in the pre- connection state of the pair of optical transmission line units 12.
• the optical transmission line connecting device 10 is one that can mutually connect a pair of optical transmission line units 12 or 14 (see FIG. 4 or FIG. 5) respectively having a covered optical fiber, consisting of an optical fiber with a jacket, and a fiber housing member that at least partially houses the covered optical fiber.
• a “covered optical fiber” refers to an optical fiber in which a soft jacket is provided on the outer surface of a cladding of the optical fiber
• an “optical fiber” refers to an optical fiber with this jacket removed.
• an “optical cable” refers to a single core or multiple core of covered optical fiber housed along with a tension resisting member inside an insulating sheath, and shall include “optical cords” in a wide sense.
• an “optical transmission line unit” refers to an optical cable or the like having, for example, a covered optical fiber and a fiber housing member (the insulating sheath in the case of an optical cable) that at least partially houses the covered optical fiber.
• the optical transmission line unit 12 shown in FIG. 4 is an optical cable that can be used as a drop optical cable for aerial service lines, and is provided with, a single core covered optical fiber 20 having an optical fiber 16 provided with a jacket 18, and a fiber housing member 22 that houses the entire length of the covered optical fiber 20.
• the fiber housing member 22 of the optical transmission line unit (optical cable) 12 is a plastic insulating sheath having flexibility.
• the covered optical fiber 20, along with a tension resisting member not shown in the figures is housed effectively without any gaps inside the fiber housing member (insulating sheath) 22.
• the optical transmission line unit 14 shown in FIG. 5 is a covered optical fiber 28 which is an optical fiber 24 provided with a jacket 26, and, for example, is provided with one covered optical fiber 28 that has been exposed from the insulating sheath at the end of a multiple core optical cable or the like not shown in the figures, and a fiber housing member 30 that houses a predetermined length of the covered optical fiber 28.
• the fiber housing member 30 of the optical transmission line unit 14 is provided with a fiber clamping section 34 that can receive a covered optical fiber 28 in a slit 32 and can clamp it in a fixed manner, and a boot section 38 that can house in the hollow portion 36 a connection region adjacent to the clamped region of the covered optical fiber 28 that has been clamped by the fiber clamping section 34.
• the fiber clamping section 34 and the boot section 38 can be formed mutually integrally from a material that itself has flexibility such as a thermoplastic elastomer, synthetic rubber, or the like.
• the connection region adjacent to the clamped region of the covered optical fiber 28 is housed via a gap in the hollow portion 36 of the boot section 38.
• an item having a construction similar to that of the fiber housing member 30 of the present invention has been disclosed as a "covered optical fiber supporting member" in Publication No. WO 2011/088016, which is a prior application of the present applicants.
• the optical transmission line connecting device 10 shown in the figures is provided with a mechanical splice 40, which can operate between an open position for receiving the optical fiber 16 or 24 of a pair of the optical transmission line units 12 or 14 and a closed position for clamping and mutually connecting the respective optical fibers 16 or 24, a pair of holders 42, which respectively hold the fiber housing members 22 or 30 of the pair of optical transmission line units 12 or 14, a splice support section 44, which supports the mechanical splice 40 at a predetermined position, and a pair of holder support sections 46, which respectively support the pair of holders 42 at respective predetermined positions, so that the pair of holders 42 is aligned in a line relative to the mechanical splice 40 supported on the splice support section 44.
• the mechanical splice 40 has a hollow rod shaped body 48, bare fiber fixing members 50 that are incorporated inside the body 48 and that can operate in an opening and closing manner in order to clamp the optical fiber 16 or 24, and an operating member 52 that is assembled in a displaceable manner with the body 48 and that causes the opening and closing operation of the bare fiber fixing members (FIG. 2 and FIG. 6).
• the bare fiber fixing members 50 have the shape of a plate shaped member that is made of a ductile material such as aluminum or the like and that is folded in the middle, and the optical fiber 16 or 24 can be clamped in a fixed manner in between the mutually opposing surfaces of a pair of wing portions 50a that are opposite to each other.
• the body 48 is prepared from a suitable plastic material and the bare fiber fixing member 50 can be received in a hollow portion 48a thereof (FIG. 6), such that the bare fiber fixing member 50 is in a state in which it can carry out opening and closing operations.
• the operating member 52 is prepared from a suitable plastic material, and it is possible to receive the two wing portions 50a of the bare fiber fixing member 50, which are received inside the body 48, in the groove portion 52a of the operating member 52 (FIG. 6).
• the two wing portions 50a can be pushed in a direction that brings the wing portions closer together.
• the operating member 52 When the mechanical splice 40 is in the open position, the operating member 52 is arranged in a preparatory position projecting from the body 48 (FIG. 1 to FIG. 3 and FIG. 6 to FIG. 8), and the two wing portions 50a of the bare fiber fixing member 50 received inside the hollow portion 48a of the body 48 are in a state in which the respective clamping surfaces are separated.
• the open position it is possible to smoothly insert or remove the optical fiber 16 or 24 between the two wing portions 50a of the bare fiber fixing member 50 through fiber inserting holes 54 formed at both ends along the longitudinal direction of the body 48.
• the holder 42 is provided with a pressing and holding portion 56 that can hold the end portion 22a (FIG. 4) of the fiber housing member 22 (insulating sheath) of the optical transmission line unit (optical cable) 12, or the fiber clamping section 34 of the fiber housing member 30 of the optical transmission line unit 14 in a state in which a pressing force is applied from outside, and a lid portion 60 that is coupled to the pressing and holding portion 56 via a hinge portion 58 that can be bent repeatedly.
• the pressing and holding portion 56 has a groove shaped recessed location 62 which receives the end portion 22a of the fiber housing member 22 or the fiber clamping section 34 of the fiber housing member 30, and a plurality of saw blade shaped elongated protrusions 64 are formed on mutually facing surfaces of the two walls demarcating the recessed location 62 (FIG. 4 and FIG. 5).
• the end portion 22a of the fiber housing member 22 or the fiber clamping section 34 of the fiber housing member 30 engages with the recessed location 62 of the pressing and holding portion 56 of the holder 42, the plurality of elongated protrusions 64 press the end portion 22a or the fiber clamping section 34, and therefore, the holder 42 is effectively fixed to the fiber housing member 22 or 30 of the optical transmission line unit 12 or 14.
• the pressing force applied by the elongated protrusions 64 of the pressing and holding portion 56 on the fiber clamping section 34 of the fiber housing member 30 has a magnitude sufficiently large for the fiber clamping section 34 to fix and clamp the covered optical fiber 28 to the slit 32.
• the lid portion 60 of the holder 42 can rotate with a hinge portion 58 as an axis between the closed position for closing the top end opening of the recessed location 62 of the pressing and holding portion 56 and the open position for opening the same opening.
• the lid portion 60 operates so as to fix and hold without play the end portion 22a or the fiber clamping section 34 of fiber housing member 22 or 30 of the optical transmission line unit 12 or 14 to the recessed location 62.
• latching elements 66 and 68 are provided respectively that latch the lid portion 60 in a snapping manner in the closed position (FIG. 4 and FIG. 5).
• the holder 42 is further provided with an extended portion 68 that extends toward the outside from the pressing and holding portion 56 along the extension direction of the recessed location 62 of the pressing and holding portion 56.
• the extended portion 68 acts so as to enclose in a non- contacting manner over a predetermined length the exposed portion of the covered optical fiber 20 or 28 that is exposed and extended from the fiber housing member 22 or 30 of the optical transmission line unit 12 or 14 that is held by the pressing and holding portion 56.
• a holder 42 having the above construction can be formed integrally as a whole from a suitable plastic material.
• the optical transmission line connecting device 10 is provided with a base member 72 (FIG. 2) having a splice support section 44 and a pair of holder support sections 46.
• the base member 72 is a plate shaped member with a roughly rectangular shape when viewed planarly, and in addition to the splice support section 44 provided at the center in the longitudinal direction thereof, the holder support sections 46 are provided respectively at both ends in the longitudinal direction.
• the base member 72 can be formed integrally from a suitable plastic material in entirety to include the constituent elements of the splice support section 44 and the holder support sections 46.
• the splice support section 44 has one supporting groove portion 74 formed along an axial line 72b that extends in the longitudinal direction on a top surface 72a of the base member 72, and two sets of supporting wall portions 76 that are formed in close proximity with the two ends in the longitudinal direction of the supporting groove portion 74 on the top surface 72a of the base member 72 (FIG. 1 and FIG. 2).
• the supporting groove portion 74 supports the bottom surface of the body 48 of the mechanical splice 40.
• Each set of supporting wall portions 76 supports a longitudinal end length of the two side faces of the body 48 of the mechanical splice 40.
• the splice support section 44 can support statically the mechanical splice 40 in a position along the axial line 72b of the base member 72, because of the supporting groove section 74 and the supporting wall portions 76.
• Each of the pair of holder support sections 46 has a pair of side plate portions 78 that are provided protruding on sides of the top surface 72a in the longitudinal end lengths of the base member 72 (FIG. 1 and FIG. 2). These side plate portions 78 are positioned roughly parallel to each other along both side edges of the top surface 72a of the base member 72, and the respective mutually opposing surfaces move in coordination with the top surface 72a of the base member 72, and demarcate a recessed location 80 that can house the holder 42 without play.
• An elastic arm 82 that is extended in the form of a cantilever beam is provided in each side plate portion 78, as a part thereof.
• a claw 82a that can engage in a snapping manner with the outer surface of the holder 42 is formed at the tip end (the free end) of the elastic arm 82 (FIG. 2).
• the holder support section 46 can, because of the side plate portions 78 and the elastic arms 82, effectively support the holder 42 statically in the recessed location 80 in a position so as to align in a straight line with the mechanical splice 40 that is supported by the splice support section 44.
• a pair of the fiber housing members 22 (or 30) of the same optical transmission line unit 12 (or 14) are respectively held by a pair of the holders 42 supported by a pair of the holder support sections 46, at parts where the end lengths 20a (or 28a) of these covered optical fibers 20 (or 28) are protruding outward (that is, the end portions 22a of the fiber housing member 22 (or the fiber clamping section 34 of the fiber housing member 30)) (FIG. 7 and FIG. 8).
• the optical transmission line connecting device 10 is further provided with a pair of deflector sections 84 that deflect within a predetermined deflection range an intermediate portion 20b (FIG. 4) (or 28b (FIG. 5)) of that end length 20a (or 28a) of the pair of covered optical fibers 20 (or 28) that extends between the mechanical splice 40 and the pair of holders 42, in the above pre-connection state (FIG. 1 to FIG. 3).
• the deflection range of the intermediate portion 20b (or 28b) of the covered optical fiber 20 (or 28) is determined in advance, based on experiments considering mechanical damage due to bending of the optical fiber 16 (or 24) and signal transmission loss due to temperature change, or the like.
• Each of the pair of deflector sections 84 is provided with a first shiftable member 86 that can move between an operative position contacting the intermediate portion 20b (or 28b) of a respective covered optical fiber 20 (or 28) in the pre-connection state and causing a minimum deflection within the above deflection range in the intermediate portion 20b (or 28b), and an inoperative position not contacting the intermediate portion 20b (or 28b) of the respective covered optical fiber 20 (or 28) (hence not restraining the deflection of the intermediate portion 20b (or 28b)) in the pre-connection state.
• the first shiftable member 86 is provided on the top surface 72a side of the base member 72, between the splice support section 44 and the holder support section 46. The construction is such that a large portion of the first shiftable member 86 is arranged separated farther upward from the top surface 72a of the base member 72 at the operative position compared to at the inoperative position.
• the first shiftable member 86 is a game-piece shaped member having a V-groove shaped recessed portion 88.
• the first shiftable member 86 is constructed so that it can receive the intermediate portion 20b (or 28b) of the pair of covered optical fibers 20 (or 28), which is in the pre-connection state, in the recessed section 88 at the operative position, the inoperative position, and at intermediate positions between the two positions.
• a guide path 90 is formed that guides the optical fiber 16 (or 24) that is exposed in the end length 20a (or 28a) of the covered optical fiber 20 (or 28) toward the mechanical splice 40 supported by the splice support section 44 (particularly toward the fiber insertion hole 54 of the body 48) at the time of the operation of placing the holder 42 holding the fiber housing member 22 (or 30) of the optical transmission line unit 12 (or 14) in the holder support section 46 (FIG. 12).
• FIG. 10 shows an end surface diagram in which the holder 42 is omitted and shows a positional relationship between the guide path 90 and the contact surface 92 of the first shiftable member 86, in the operative position, and the fiber insertion hole 54 of the mechanical splice 40.
• the first shiftable member 86 is positioned on the base member 72 so as to be rotatable between the operative position and the inoperative position.
• a pair of shaft receiving grooves 94 are formed at one end of the guide path 90 that is separated from the fiber introduction end 90a, and additionally, latching grooves 96 are formed on the outer surfaces of the guide path 90 close to the fiber introduction end 90a (FIG. 9).
• a pair of extended plate portions 98 that extend from the pair of side plate portions 78 of each holder support sections 46 toward the splice support section 44 are provided in the base member 72, and on the mutually facing surfaces of these extended plate portions 98, a pair of pivoting shafts 100 are respectively provided in a protruding manner (FIG. 2). These pivoting shafts 100 establish the rotational axis of the first shiftable member 86 so as to be roughly parallel to the top surface 72a of the base member 72.
• the first shiftable member 86 is received in a position such that the pivoting shafts 100 become engaged with the corresponding shaft receiving grooves 94 in a freely rotating manner, and so as to be rotatable between the pair of extended plate portions 98 of the base member 72 around the rotational axis established by the pivoting shafts 100.
• Such a rotating type first shiftable member 86 is positioned, at the operative position, such that a bottom surface 86a thereof is separated from and intersects at an acute angle with the top surface 72a of the base member 72 (FIG. 3), and in the inoperative position, such that the bottom surface 86a is arranged close to and roughly parallel to the top surface 72a of the base member 72 (FIG. 16).
• At least one of the two mutually facing surfaces of the two extended plate portions 98 has a projection 102 formed at a position separated from the pivoting shafts 100 (FIG. 2).
• the projection 102 engages in a snapping manner with the latch groove 96 of the first shiftable member 86 in a manner so as to engage and disengage freely therefrom, and latches the first shiftable member 86 at the operative position in a manner so as to engage and disengage freely therefrom.
• each shiftable member 86 by moving the two shiftable members 86 from the operative position to the inoperative position, it is possible to separate each shiftable member 86 from the intermediate portion 20b (or 28b) of the corresponding covered optical fiber 20 (or 28), and to pass the intermediate portions 20b (or 28b) of the two covered optical fibers 20 (or 28) in the space between the mechanical splice 40 and the two holders 42 in an unrestrained state, while maintaining at least a minimum deflection in each intermediate portion.
• the optical transmission line connecting device 10 in a state in which the mechanical splice 40 has connected the optical fibers 16 (or 24) together permanently, if the optical fibers 16 (or 24) expand or contract in the longitudinal direction due to environmental temperature changes or the like, since the minimum deflection maintained in the intermediate portions 20b (or 28b) of the covered optical fibers 20 (or 28) absorbs such elongations or contractions, it is possible to prevent in advance breaking of the optical fiber 16 (or 24) between the mechanical splice 40 and the individual holders 42.
• the optical fiber 16 (or 24) expands in the longitudinal direction due to environmental temperature changes or the like, since the intermediate portions 20b (or 28b) of the covered optical fibers 20 (or 28) in which at least the minimum deflection has been maintained can further deflect up to a maximum deflection within the prescribed deflection range, it is possible to prevent in advance occurrence of excessive deflection exceeding the prescribed deflection range and signal transmission loss due to the excessive deflection, in the optical fiber 16 (or 24) between the mechanical splice 40 and the individual holders 42.
• the first shiftable member 86 has a guide path 90 that guides the optical fiber 16 (or 24) exposed at the end of the covered optical fiber 20 (or 28) toward the mechanical splice 40, and also has a construction that causes a minimum deflection in the intermediate portions 20b (or 28b) of the covered optical fiber 20 (or 28) due to the contact surface 92 provided in the guide path 90, during the operation of placing the holder 42 holding the fiber housing member 22 (or 30) of the optical transmission line unit 12 (or 14) in the holder support section 46, it is possible to acquire with good reproducibility a minimum deflection in the intermediate portion 20b (or 28b) safely and also certainly, even if the operator is not intent on doing so.
• the form of movement of the first shiftable member 86 between the operative position and the inoperative position is not limited to the rotational movement shown in the figures, but for example, it is also possible to adopt a linear movement to be described later.
• the optical transmission line connecting device 10 As is described later, at the time of the operation of putting a pair of optical transmission line units 12 (or 14) in the aforementioned pre- connection state, while at least a minimum deflection is secured in the intermediate portions 20b (or 28b) of a pair of the covered optical fibers 20 (or 28) due to the function of the corresponding first shiftable member 86, sometimes a difference occurs in amounts of deflections of the two. When this difference in the two amounts of deflections is larger in one of the two intermediate portions 20b (or 28b), there is the possibility that a deflection occurs that exceeds the prescribed deflection range. In view of this, in the optical transmission line connecting device 10, it is possible to provide a second shiftable member 104 in each of the pair of deflector sections 84 that can move independently of the first shiftable member 86 (FIG. 1 to FIG. 3).
• the second shiftable member 104 can move between an operative position contacting the intermediate portion 20b (or 28b) of a respective fiber of the pair of covered optical fibers 20 (or 28) that are in the pre-connection state and causing a maximum deflection within the abovementioned prescribed deflection range in the intermediate portion 20b (or 28b), and an inoperative position not contacting the intermediate portion 20b (or 28b) of the respective fiber of the covered optical fibers 20 (or 28) that are in the pre-connection state (hence not restraining the deflection of the intermediate portion 20b (or 28b)).
• the second shiftable member 104 is installed above the first shiftable member 86 on the top surface 72a side of the base member 72. The construction is such that a large portion of the second shiftable member 104 is arranged separated farther upward from the top surface 72a of the base member 72 at the operative position compared to at the inoperative position.
• the second shiftable member 104 is a lid shaped member that can be arranged to hold fixedly the pair of side plate portions 78 and the pair of extended plate portions 98 of the base member 72.
• the second shiftable member 104 includes integrally a top plate portion 106 that is arranged so that it covers the holder 42 and the first shiftable member 86 from above in the operative position, and a pair of side plate portions 10B that are provided protruding from the top plate portion 106 along the two side edges thereof so as to be roughly parallel to each other and that are respectively close to the outer surfaces of the two side plate portions 78 and the two extended plate portions 98 of the base member 72 in the operative position (FIG. 2).
• a projecting wall 110 that is inserted in the space between the holder 42 and the first shiftable member 86 in the operative position is formed in the top plate portion 106, and a guide groove 112 is formed in roughly the middle of the projecting wall 110.
• This guide groove 112 prevents wandering (deflection in a direction other than the required deflection maintained by the first shiftable member 86) of the intermediate portion 20b (or 28b) of the covered optical fiber 20 (or 28) between the holder 42 supported by the holder support section 46 and the mechanical splice 40 supported by the splice support section 44, (FIG. 1).
• FIG. 10 shows an end surface diagram in which the holder 42 is omitted and shows a positional relationship between the contact surface 114 and the guide path 112 of the second shiftable member 104 in the operative position, between the guide path 90 and the contact surface 92 of the first shiftable member 86, in the operative position, and the fiber insertion hole 54 of the mechanical splice 40.
• the second shiftable member 104 is positioned on the base member 72 so as to be rotatable between the operative position and the inoperative position.
• a latching arm is formed at the other end on a side opposite to that of the shaft receiving hole 116 (FIG. 2).
• a pair of pivoting shafts 120 are provided in a projecting manner respectively on the outer surfaces of the pair of extended plate portions 98 in the base member 72 (FIG. 2).
• pivoting shafts 120 establish the rotational axis of the second shiftable member 104 to be roughly parallel to the top surface 72a of the base member 72 (and therefore, roughly parallel to the rotational axis of the first shiftable member 86).
• the second shiftable member 104 is installed in a position such that the pivoting shafts 120 become engaged with the corresponding shaft receiving holes 116 in a freely rotating manner, and so as to be rotatable between the pair of extended plate portions 98 of the base member 72 around the rotational axis established by the pivoting shafts 120.
• Such a rotating type second shiftable member 104 is positioned, at the operative position, such that the top plate portion 106 thereof is close to and roughly parallel to the top surface 72a of the base member 72 (FIG.
• projections 122 are provided on the outer surfaces of the pair of extended plate portions 78 of the base member 72, formed at positions separated from the pivoting shafts 120 (FIG. 2). The projection 122 engages in a snapping manner with the latching arm 118 of the second shiftable member 104 in a manner so as to engage and disengage freely therefrom, and latches the second shiftable member 104 at the operative position.
• optical transmission line connecting device 10 shown in the figures having a pair of deflector sections 84 respectively having a second shiftable member 104, with respect to the pair of optical transmission line units 12 (or 14) which are in the aforementioned pre-connection state, after placing both second shiftable members 104 in the inoperative positions and acquiring a minimum deflection within the prescribed deflection range in the intermediate portion 20b (or 28b) of the corresponding covered optical fiber 20 (or 28) using the first shiftable members 86, it is possible to position both second shiftable members 104 at the operative positions at which a maximum deflection is formed within the prescribed deflection range in the intermediate portion 20b (or 28b) of the corresponding covered optical fiber 20 (or 28).
• the optical transmission line connecting device 10 it is possible to prevent in advance the occurrence of signal transmission loss due to excessive deflections in the optically connected pair of optical fibers 16 (or 24). Further, since the second shiftable member 104 has a guide groove 112 that prevents wandering in a direction other than the required deflection of the intermediate portion 20b (or 28b) of the covered optical fiber 20 (or 28) extending between the mechanical splice 40 and the holder 42, and also has a construction that causes the maximum deflection of the intermediate portion 20b (or 28b) of the covered optical fiber 20 (or 28) due to the contact surface 114 provided in the guide groove 112, in accordance with the operation of moving the second shiftable member 104 from the inoperative position to the operative position so as to cover the holder 42 arranged in the holder support section 46, it is possible to acquire with good reproducibility the maximum deflection in the intermediate portion 20b (or 28b) safely and also certainly, even if the operator is not intent on doing so.
• the form of movement of the second shiftable member 104 between the operative position and the inoperative position is not limited to the rotational movement shown in the figures, but for example, it is also possible to adopt a linear movement to be described later.
• the optical transmission line connecting device 10 shown in the figures is further provided with holder pressing sections 124 that hold each of the pair of holders 42 in the static state on respective holder support sections 46, when the second shiftable member 104 is in the operative position (FIG. 3).
• the holder pressing sections 124 is constituted to include a first projection 125 provided roughly in the middle of the top surface 72a in the tip portion in the longitudinal direction of the base member 72, the top plate portion 106 and a pair of the side plate portions 108 of the second shiftable member 104, and a second projection 126 provided roughly in the middle of the top plate portion 106 between the latching arms 118 of these side plate members 108.
• the top plate portion 106 of the second shiftable member 104 prevents the holder 42 housed in the recessed location 80 of the holder support section 46 from floating up from the top surface 72a of the base member 72, and operates in a manner so as to maintain a state in which the first projection 125 is received in a depression 56a provided in the pressing and holding portion 56 of the holder 42. Further, when the second shiftable member 104 is in the operative position, the second projection 126 is received in a depression 60a provided in the lid portion 60 of the holder 42 housed in the recessed location 80 of the holder support section 46.
• the pair of side plate portions 108 of the second shiftable member 104 support the elastic arm 82 in particular of the two side plate portions 78 of the base member 72 from the outside, and operate so as to maintain the state in which the claws 82a of the elastic arm 82 are engaged with the outer surfaces of the holders 42 housed in the recessed location 80 of the holder support section 46.
• the holder pressing sections 124 due to the holder pressing sections 124, the holder 42 is prevented from shaking inside the recessed location 80 and from falling out from the recessed location 80.
• the holder pressing section 124 can maintain the holder 42 in a static state on the holder support section 46.
• the optical transmission line connecting device 10 shown in the figures is further provided with a splice pressing section 128 that maintains the mechanical splice 40 in the static state on the splice support section 44, when the second shiftable member 104 is in the inoperative position (FIG. 1 and FIG. 3).
• the splice pressing section 128 is constituted by a projection 128 provided roughly in the middle of the top plate portions 106 between the pair of shaft receiving holes 116 of the second shiftable member 104.
• the tip of the splice pressing section (projection) 128 contacts the top surface of the body 48 of the mechanical splice 40 arranged on the splice support section 44, and operates so as to forcibly maintain the state in which the body 48 of the mechanical splice 40 is supported by the supporting groove portion 74 of the splice support section 44 (FIG. 1).
• the splice pressing section 128 maintains the mechanical splice 40 in a static state on the splice support section 44.
• the optical transmission line connecting device 10 shown in the figures is further provided with, a splice operator section 130 that moves the mechanical splice 40 supported by the splice support section 44 from the open position described above to the closed position, a shiftable member drive section 132 that operates, in accordance with the operation of the splice operator section 130 of operating the mechanical splice 40, so as to move the first shiftable member 86 from the operative position to the inoperative position, and a stopping section 134 that, when the second shiftable member 104 is in the inoperative position, prevents the operation of the splice operator section 130 and the operation of the shiftable member drive section 132 (FIG. 2 and FIG. 7).
• the splice operator section 130 is provided with an operator member 136 that is supported in a freely rotating manner by the base member 72.
• the operator member 136 is a flat plate shaped member which, when viewed planarly, is roughly rectangular, and is coupled rotatably at one of side edge thereof to one side edge of the base member 72.
• the operator member 136 can rotate with respect to the base member 72 between the operative position in which one surface 136a thereof is separated from and is roughly parallel to and opposite to the top surface 72a of the base member 72, and the inoperative position (FIG. 2 or the like) in which the surface 136a is not opposite to the top surface 72a of the base member 72.
• a pressing groove portion 138 is formed in the surface 136a of the operator member 136 opposite to the supporting groove portion 74 of the splice support section 44 in the operative position.
• latching elements 140 and 142 that latch the operator member 136 in a snapping manner at the operative position are provided respectively in the operator member 136 and the base member 72 (FIG. 7).
• a pair of the latching elements 140 is provided in a projecting manner on the surface 136a side.
• latching elements 142 with a protruding shape are respectively provided among the two sets of supporting wall portions 76 of the splice support section 44, on the outside surface of the pair of supporting wall portions 76 on the side that is separated from the side edge coupled to the operator member 136.
• the latching elements 140 and 142 engage with each other in a snapping manner, thereby latching the operator member 136 at the operative position.
• the shiftable member drive section 132 is constituted to have a projection 132 on the surface 136a of the operator member 136 of the splice operator section 130.
• the shiftable member drive section (projection) 132 contacts the apex surface of the first shiftable member 86 positioned at the operative position on the top surface 72 of the base member 72.
• the shiftable member drive section (projection) 132 presses against the apex surface of the first shiftable member 86 and transits the first shiftable member 86 from the operative position to the inoperative position at roughly the same time.
• the stopping section 134 is constituted to include a part of the operator member 136 of the splice operator section 130 and a part of one of the side plate portions 108 of each of the pair of the second shiftable members 104 (the side that is close to the operator member 136).
• the operation of the splice operator section 130 for moving the mechanical splice 40 from the open position to the closed position, and the operation of the shiftable member drive section 132 for moving the first shiftable member 86 from the operative position to the inoperative position are both prevented by the stopping section 134 (the operator member 136 and the side plate portion 108).
• the stopping section 134 is constituted so that the operation of the splice operator section 130 for moving the mechanical splice 40 from the open position to the closed position, and the operation of the shiftable member drive section 132 for moving the first shiftable member 86 from the operative position to the inoperative position are allowed only when both members of the pair of the second shiftable members 104 are in the operative position.
• FIG. 4 FIG. 5, and FIG. 11 to FIG. 16, an example is explained of a method of optically connecting using the optical transmission line connecting device 10 shown in the figures.
• the jacket of the covered optical fiber is removed and the fiber is cut of optical transmission line units 12 or 14 that are to be connected, thereby forming the end length 20a or 28a having a prescribed length of the covered optical fibers 20 (or 28).
• the optical transmission line connecting device 10 while the mechanical splice 40 is supported at a suitable orientation on the splice support section 44, the pair of the holders 42 are detached without being supported on the holder support sections 46.
• the splice pressing section 128 holds the mechanical splice 40 in a static state above the splice support section 44 (FIG. 12).
• optical transmission unit optical cable 12
• fiber housing member firstly the fiber housing member
• the end portion 22a of the fiber housing member 22 where the covered optical fiber 20 is projecting out is engaged inside the recessed location 62 of the pressing and holding portion 56 of the holder 42 that has the lid portion 60 in the open position (FIG. 4B), after which the lid portion 60 is latched in the closed position, and the holder 42 is attached to the optical transmission line unit 12 (FIG. 4C).
• the jacket 18 in the end length of the exposed covered optical fiber 20 is removed over a predetermined length and the optical fiber 16 is exposed by a manual operation using, for example, a special tool not shown in the figures (FIG. 4C).
• the optical fiber 16 exposed at the end length of the covered optical fiber 20 is cut to a predetermined length by a manual operation using, for example, a special tool not shown in the figures (FIG. 4C).
• An end length 20a with a prescribed length is formed in this manner.
• the covered optical fiber 28 is engaged inside the boot section 38 of the fiber housing member 30 and inside the fiber clamping section 34 (FIG. 5A), and the optical fiber cable housing member 30 is arranged at a position at a prescribed length from the tip of the covered optical fiber 28 (FIG. 5B).
• the fiber clamping section 34 of the fiber housing member 30, with a prescribed length of the covered optical fiber 28 protruding, is engaged inside the recessed location 62 of the pressing and holding portion 56 of the holder 42 with the lid portion 60 in the open position (FIG. 5C), after which the lid portion 60 is latched in the closed position, and the holder 42 is attached to the optical transmission line unit 14 (FIG. 5D).
• the jacket 26 in the end length of the exposed covered optical fiber 28 is removed over a predetermined length and the optical fiber 24 is exposed by a manual operation using, for example, a special tool not shown in the figures (FIG. 4C).
• the optical fiber 24 exposed at the end length of the covered optical fiber 28 is cut to a predetermined length by a manual operation using, for example, a special tool not shown in the figures (FIG. 4C).
• An end length 28a with a prescribed length is formed in this manner.
• optical transmission line connecting device 10 shown in the figures can carry out connection between a pair of optical transmission line units 12, between a pair of optical
• the jig 144 has a recessed portion 146 that can receive the holder 42 and a prescribed length before and after it of an optical transmission line unit 12 with the holder 42 attached and stretched along a straight line.
• the recessed portion 146 includes a holder receiving portion 148 that can receive the holder 42 so as to be moveable over a prescribed distance in the longitudinal direction.
• the holder 42 and the prescribed length of the optical transmission line unit 12 are engaged in the recessed portion 146, the front end surface 42a of the holder 42, from which the covered optical fiber is made to protrude, is made to contact the front end surface 148a of the holder receiving portion 148, and the optical transmission line unit 12 is arranged at the front tip position on the jig 144 (FIG. 11A).
• the jacket 18 of the covered optical fiber 20 is removed and the optical fiber 16 is exposed while holding the optical transmission line unit 12 at the front end position, closer to the tip side of a prescribed position P (at a distance p from an outer surface front end 144a), taking the outer surface front end 144a of the jig 144 as a reference.
• the optical fiber 16 is cut while holding the optical transmission line unit 12 at the front end position, at a prescribed position Q (a distance of q (> p) from the outer surface front end 144a), taking the outer surface front end 144a of the jig 144 as a reference.
• An end length 20a is formed in this manner with the fiber exposed length being the distance between PQ (q - p).
• the optical transmission line unit 12 in which the jacket has been removed at the prescribed position P is moved from the front end position in the jig 144 to the back end position where the back end surface 42b of the holder 42, from which the fiber housing member 22 is made to protrude, is contacted against the back end surface 148b of the holder receiving portion 148 (FIG. 1 IB).
• the optical fiber 16 is cut while holding the optical transmission line unit 12 at the back end position, at a prescribed position Q (a distance of q (> p) from the outer surface front end 144a), taking the outer surface front end 144a of the jig 144 as a reference.
• An end length 20a is formed in this manner with the fiber exposed length being the distance between PQ (q - p), to which the distance of movement of the holder 42 inside the holder receiving portion 148 is added.
• the pair or optical transmission lines 12, for which removing of the covered optical fiber jacket and the cutting of the fiber have been completed, is attached to the optical transmission line connecting device 10 so that the holder 42 is supported in an appropriate position by the
• each optical transmission line unit 12 While passing the optical fiber 16 exposed at the end of each optical transmission line unit 12 through the guide path 90 of the first shiftable member 86, which is in the operative position, the holder 42 is inserted in the recessed location 80 of the holder support section 46 along the central axis line 72b from each end in the longitudinal direction of the base member 72 (FIG. 12).
• the optical fiber 16 of each optical transmission line 12 is guided by the guide path 90 of the first shiftable member 86, and is inserted smoothly into the fiber insertion hole 54 of the mechanical splice 40 supported by the splice support section 44.
• the optical fiber 16 is positioned between the two wing portions 50a (FIG. 6) of the fixing member 50 of the mechanical splice 40, which is in the open position.
• both the optical transmission line units 12 are installed in the optical transmission line connecting device 10 according to the above procedure, at the point in time when the respective holders 42 are arranged appropriately in the holder support sections 46, the tips of the pair of optical fibers 16 are abutted against each other in the mechanical splice 40, which is in the open position, and the two optical transmission line units 12 are put in the pre-connection state.
• the intermediate portions 20b of the covered optical fibers 20 of each optical transmission line unit 12 extending between the mechanical splice 40 and the holder 42 is contacted by the contact surface 92 of the first shiftable member 86, and is maintaining a state in which a minimum deflection has occurred within the prescribed deflection range (FIG. 13).
• the intermediate portion 20b of at least one covered optical fiber 20 becomes separated from the contact surface 92 of the first shiftable member 86, and a deflection R2 larger than the minimum deflection Rl within the permissible deflection range is generated (FIG. 14A).
• the amounts of deflection of the pair of intermediate portions 20b will not necessarily be equal, and it is possible that an unintended imbalance is generated.
• the second shiftable member 104 is moved from the inoperative position to the operative position, and is stopped at the base member 72 (FIG. 14B).
• the base member 72 due to the abutting against each other of the optical fibers 16 inside the mechanical splice 40, if the covered optical fiber 20 of at least one optical transmission line unit 12 has a maximum deflection R3 within the permissible deflection range generated in the intermediate portion 20b, the intermediate portion 20b is received by the guide groove 112 of the second shiftable member 104 and is contacted by the contact surface 114.
• both the optical transmission line units 12 due to the length of the end length 20a of the covered optical fiber 20, which is obtained in the step of removing the covered optical fiber jacket and cutting the fiber, being close to the upper limit value within the permissible range, or the like, when the two optical fibers 16 of the two optical transmission line units 12 are abutted against each other, it is possible that a deflection R4 exceeding the prescribed deflection range occur in the intermediate portion 20b of the covered optical fiber 20 of either one of the optical transmission line units 12.
• the guide groove 112 receives the intermediate portion 20b of the covered optical fiber 20 and the contact surface 114 applies a pressing force on the intermediate portion 20b, and therefore, the excessive deflection R4 of the intermediate portion 20b is reduced to the maximum deflection R3 within the permissible deflection range (FIG. 14C).
• This reduction in the deflection (from R4 to R3) is applied to the intermediate portion 20b of the other covered optical fiber 20 in which an excessive deflection has not been generated, and the deflection of that intermediate portion 20b is increased.
• the deflections of the intermediate portions 20b of the two covered optical fibers 20 will go into a state of being effectively balanced and within the permissible deflection range.
• both the intermediate portions 20b of these covered optical fibers 20 are contacted by the contact surface 114 of the second shiftable member 104 and have a maximum deflection R3 generated within the permissible deflection range. Further, since an excessive deflection R4 occurring in the intermediate portions 20b of both covered optical fibers 20 implies that the lengths of the end lengths 20a of the covered optical fibers 20 obtained in the step of removing the covered optical fiber jacket and cutting the fiber have exceeded the permissible range, this can be avoided in advance by not optically connecting such optical transmission line units 12.
• both second shiftable members 104 are arranged in the operative positions, both units of the pair of the optical transmission line units 12 are put in the pre-connection state, which is a state in which a deflection within the permissible deflection range has occurred in the intermediate portions 20b of the covered optical fibers 20 (FIG. 15A and FIG. 16A).
• the stopping section 134 (the operator member 136 of the splice operator section 130 and the side plate portion 108 of the second shiftable member 104) allows the operation of the splice operator section 130 for moving the mechanical splice 40 from the open position to the closed position, and the operation of the shiftable member drive section 132 for moving the first shiftable member 86 from the operative position to the inoperative position.
• the operator member 136 is rotated from the inoperative position toward the operative position (FIG. 15B), and is stopped at the operative position (FIG. 15C). Because of this, a pressing force is applied from the operator member 136 onto the operating member 52 of the mechanical splice 40, the mechanical splice 40 transits from the open position to the closed position, and the pair of optical fibers 16 is connected permanently in the state in which their ends are abutted against each other. Further, the shiftable member drive section (projection) 132 provided in the operator member 136 presses the apex surface of the respective member of the pair of first shiftable members 86, and thereby these first shiftable members 86 transit from the operative position to the inoperative position (FIG. 16B).
• the shiftable member drive section 132 moves the first shiftable member 86 to the inoperative position, the intermediate portion 20b of the covered optical fiber 20 becomes separated from the contact surface 92 of the first shiftable member 86, and while acquiring at least a minimum deflection within the prescribed deflection range, is spread in an unrestricted state in the space between the mechanical splice 40 and the holder 42.
• the optical connection between the optical transmission line units 12 using the optical transmission line connecting device 10 is completed in this manner.
• the movement of the first shiftable member 86 to the inoperative position by the shiftable member drive section 132 is carried out either at the same time as the permanent connection between the pair of optical fibers 16, due to the closing movement of the mechanical splice 40, or else slightly later than the permanent connection, from the point of view of acquiring a deflection within the prescribed deflection range in both of the intermediate portions 20b of the pair of covered optical fibers 20 after the optical connection.
• FIG. 17 and FIG. 18 show an optical transmission line connecting device 10 according to a modified example in which, instead of a rotating type first shiftable member 86, a first shiftable member 86' is provided that moves linearly between the operative position and the inoperative position.
• the bottom surface 86a of the first shiftable member 86', at the operative position, is positioned separated from and roughly parallel to the top surface 72a of the base member 72 (FIG. 18A), and in the inoperative position, is positioned close to (or contacting) and roughly parallel to the top surface 72a of the base member 72 (FIG. 18B).
• a guide structure 150 is provided that guides the first shiftable member 86' linearly in a direction roughly at right angles to the top surface 72a of the base member 72.
• the linearly moving type first shiftable member 86' similar to the rotating type first shiftable member 86, can contact the different intermediate portions 20b of the pair of covered optical fibers 20, and can generate a minimum deflection within the prescribed deflection range in the intermediate portions 20b.
• the linearly moving type first shiftable member 86' is driven by a shiftable member drive section 132 (FIG. 16) provided in the splice operator section 130, and can move from the operative position to the inoperative position.
• FIG. 19 and FIG. 20 show an optical transmission line connecting device 10 according to another modified example in which, instead of a rotating type first shiftable member 86, a first shiftable member 86' is provided that moves linearly between the operative position and the inoperative position, and in addition, instead of a rotating type second shiftable member 104, a second shiftable member 104' is provided that moves linearly between the operative position and the inoperative position.
• the top plate member 106 of the second shiftable member 104' in the operative position, is positioned close to and roughly parallel to the top surface 72a of the base member 72 (FIG. 20B), and in the inoperative position, is positioned separated from and roughly parallel to the top surface 72a of the base member 72 (FIG. 20A).
• a latching structure 152 is provided that not only guides the second shiftable member 104' linearly in a direction roughly at right angles to the top surface 72a of the base member 72, but also latches in the operative position and in the inoperative position.
• the linearly moving type second shiftable member 104' similar to the rotating type second shiftable member 104, in the operative position, can contact the different intermediate portions 20b of the pair of covered optical fibers 20, and can generate a minimum deflection within the prescribed deflection range in the intermediate portions 20b.
• FIG. 21 and FIG. 22 show an optical transmission line connecting device 10 according to a yet another modified example in which, instead of a rotating type first shiftable member 86 and a second shiftable member 104, not only are a first shiftable member 86' and a second shiftable member 104' provided that move linearly between the operative position and the inoperative position, but also, instead of a splice operator section 130 having a rotating type operator member 136, a splice operator section 130' is provided that has an operator member 136 that moves linearly between the operative position and the inoperative position.
• the operator member 136 of the splice operator section 130', at the operative position, is positioned close to and roughly parallel to the top surface 72a of the base member 72 (FIG.
• the linearly moving type splice operator section 130' similar to the rotating type splice operator section 130, in the operative position, moves the mechanical splice 40 to the closed position, and also moves the first shiftable member 86' to the inoperative position due to the shiftable member drive section 132 provided in the operator member 136.
• This modified example can be constructed such that, in accordance with the operation of moving the operator member 136' of the splice operator section 130 from the inoperative position to the operative position, the second shiftable member 104' is made to move from the inoperative position to the operative position. Because of this, it is possible to reduce the number of steps in optical connection work using the optical transmission line connecting device 10.
• a projecting wall 110 FIG. 20
• a projecting wall 154 having a guide groove 112 and a contact surface 114 in the operator member 136.
• the operating member 36 exhibits a function equivalent to the function of the second shiftable member 104 described above, and it is possible to carry out adjustment of the amount of deflection to within the prescribed deflection range in the intermediate portions 20b of the covered optical fibers 20, before the permanent optical connection is made between a pair of optical fibers 16 by the mechanical splice 40.

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• Optics & Photonics (AREA)
• Mechanical Coupling Of Light Guides (AREA)

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• 2011
  • 2011-05-16 JP JP2011109730A patent/JP5711043B2/ja not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2012
  • 2012-04-30 WO PCT/US2012/035747 patent/WO2012158330A2/en active Application Filing

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