WO2018225678A1 - Optical fiber covering removal method - Google Patents

Optical fiber covering removal method Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2018225678A1
WO2018225678A1 PCT/JP2018/021352 JP2018021352W WO2018225678A1 WO 2018225678 A1 WO2018225678 A1 WO 2018225678A1 JP 2018021352 W JP2018021352 W JP 2018021352W WO 2018225678 A1 WO2018225678 A1 WO 2018225678A1
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WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
optical fiber
coating layer
coating
core wire
cutting blades
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PCT/JP2018/021352
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French (fr)
Japanese (ja)
Inventor
忍 玉置
寿久 横地
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住友電気工業株式会社
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Application filed by 住友電気工業株式会社 filed Critical 住友電気工業株式会社
Publication of WO2018225678A1 publication Critical patent/WO2018225678A1/en

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    • 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
    • G02B6/245—Removing protective coverings of light guides before coupling

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an optical fiber coating removal method.
  • an optical fiber sheath remover used in such applications, a heating portion that heats the coating portion of the optical fiber, a blade member that cuts the coating portion, and a fixing portion that holds the optical fiber near the heating portion And the covering portion is heated after holding the optical fiber in the vicinity of the heating portion, and the covering portion is removed after being cut into the covering portion (for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). reference).
  • An optical fiber coating removing method includes: An optical fiber core wire whose periphery is covered with a first coating layer is held by an optical fiber fixing portion of a coating remover, and the first coating layer in the vicinity of the end portion of the optical fiber core wire is attached to the optical fiber. Heating is performed by a heating unit included in the coating removing unit provided so as to be able to come in contact with and away from the fixing unit, and the first coating layer is cut by the pair of cutting blades.
  • the glass fiber in the vicinity of the end part is pulled out from the first coating layer in the vicinity of the end part, Disposing an auxiliary medium different from the constituent resin of the first coating layer on the outer periphery of the first coating layer of the optical fiber core wire in a state separable from the first coating layer;
  • the auxiliary medium first contacts the pair of cutting blades before the pair of cutting blades reach the first coating layer at a position where the pair of cutting blades are engaged with each other.
  • the optical fiber coating removal method according to one aspect of the present invention, At least two optical fiber core wires whose glass fibers are covered with the first coating layer are arranged in parallel, and the multi-core tape core wire integrated with the second coating layer is held by the optical fiber fixing portion of the coating remover.
  • the first coating layer and the second coating layer in the vicinity of the end portion of the multicore tape core wire are heated by a heating unit provided in a coating removal unit provided so as to be able to contact and separate from the optical fiber fixing unit.
  • the optical fiber fixing portion is separated from the coating removal portion while being cut by a pair of cutting blades provided in the coating removal portion and the first coating layer and the second coating layer being cut by the pair of cutting blades.
  • an optical fiber coating removing method By pulling out the glass fiber in the vicinity of the end portion from the first coating layer and the second coating layer in the vicinity of the end portion, an optical fiber coating removing method, Disposing an auxiliary medium different from the constituent resin of the second coating layer on the outer periphery of the second coating layer of the multicore tape core wire in a state where it can be separated from the second coating layer;
  • the auxiliary medium first contacts the pair of cutting blades before the pair of cutting blades reach the second coating layer at a position where the pair of cutting blades are engaged with each other.
  • FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a state in which a cover is opened in a state where a shaft of the optical fiber coating remover in FIG. 2 is extended. It is a perspective view of the state which set the optical fiber core wire to the optical fiber coating removal machine of FIG. 2, and removed the coating. It is a schematic diagram of the coating remover main body with which the optical fiber coating remover of FIG. FIG.
  • FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a state in which an optical fiber pressing lid is closed in the sheath remover body shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing of the direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the multi-core tape core wire which can be coat-removed with the optical fiber coating removal method which concerns on this embodiment.
  • the coating removal property is enhanced by heating the coating portion of the optical fiber by the heating portion to weaken the adhesion between the glass fiber and the coating portion.
  • the coating removal property of the optical fiber in the portion where the cutting is made by the blade member.
  • an object of the present invention is to provide an optical fiber coating removal method capable of improving the removal property of the coating layer of the optical fiber core wire or the multicore tape core wire and performing the coating removal work satisfactorily.
  • the removal performance of the coating layer of the optical fiber core wire or the multi-core tape core wire can be improved, and the coating removal operation can be performed satisfactorily.
  • An optical fiber coating removing method includes: (1) An optical fiber core wire whose glass fiber is covered with a first coating layer is held by an optical fiber fixing portion of a coating remover, and the first coating layer in the vicinity of the end of the optical fiber core wire is The first coating is heated by a pair of cutting blades provided in the coating removal unit and heated by a heating unit provided in the coating removal unit provided so as to be able to contact and separate from the optical fiber fixing unit.
  • the optical fiber fixing portion is separated from the coating removal portion while the layer is cut, whereby the glass fiber in the vicinity of the end portion is pulled out from the first coating layer in the vicinity of the end portion.
  • the auxiliary medium first contacts the pair of cutting blades before the pair of cutting blades reach the first coating layer at a position where the pair of cutting blades are engaged with each other.
  • the optical fiber coating removal method (2) At least two optical fiber core wires whose glass fiber is covered with the first coating layer are arranged in parallel, and the multi-core tape core wire integrated with the second coating layer is used as an optical fiber fixing portion of the coating remover.
  • the heating unit is provided with a coating removing unit that is provided so as to be capable of contacting and separating the first coating layer and the second coating layer in the vicinity of the end of the multicore tape core wire with respect to the optical fiber fixing unit.
  • the optical fiber fixing part is removed by coating while the first coating layer and the second coating layer are cut by the pair of cutting blades and heated by the pair of cutting blades provided in the coating removal unit.
  • the auxiliary medium first contacts the pair of cutting blades before the pair of cutting blades reach the second coating layer at a position where the pair of cutting blades are engaged with each other.
  • the outer diameter of the glass fiber may be less than 125 ⁇ m, and the outer diameter of the optical fiber core wire including the first coating layer may be less than 250 ⁇ m.
  • the adhesion between the glass fiber and the sheath is greater than that of general-purpose optical fiber core wires in order to improve the coating removal performance and prevent disconnection during coating removal. It needs to be weakened. Therefore, it is more preferable to remove the coating on the thin optical fiber core by the above-described optical fiber coating removal method.
  • the auxiliary medium may be made of a material that is not cut even when the first coating layer of the optical fiber core wire is cut by the pair of cutting blades. According to the above method, the coating removal property of the optical fiber core wire can be further enhanced.
  • the auxiliary medium may be made of a material that is not cut when the first cover layer and the second cover layer of the multi-core ribbon are cut by the pair of cutting blades. According to the above method, it is possible to further improve the coating removability of the multicore tape core wire.
  • the auxiliary medium may be made of a resin tape or a paper tape.
  • As the auxiliary medium it is particularly preferable to use the above materials.
  • An adhesive layer may be provided between the first covering layer and the auxiliary medium. According to the above method, the coating removal property of the optical fiber core wire can be further enhanced.
  • An adhesive layer may be provided between the second coating layer and the auxiliary medium. According to the above method, it is possible to further improve the coating removability of the multicore tape core wire.
  • FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a single-core optical fiber core 1 that is coated by the optical fiber coating removal method of this example.
  • the optical fiber core wire 1 includes a glass fiber 2 composed of a core 2 a that propagates light and a cladding 2 b that confines the light, and a coating layer 3 composed of a resin material for protecting the periphery of the glass fiber 2. (An example of a first covering layer).
  • the coating layer 3 includes a primary resin layer 3a that covers the periphery of the clad 2b and a secondary resin layer 3b that covers the periphery of the primary resin layer 3a. Further, an ink layer 4 for identification may be added around the covering layer 3 (secondary resin layer 3b). When the ink layer 4 is added, the ink layer 4 is an example of the first covering layer.
  • the resin constituting the primary resin layer 3a and the secondary resin layer 3b for example, polyolefin resin, fluorine resin, urethane (meth) acrylate resin, or the like can be used.
  • the general optical fiber core 1 has, for example, a glass fiber diameter of about 125 ⁇ m and a coating outer diameter (the outer diameter of the optical fiber core 1) including the ink layer 4 of about 250 ⁇ m.
  • the optical fiber core wire 1 having a diameter smaller than a general outer diameter, for example, a glass fiber diameter of 80 to 125 ⁇ m, and the coating outer diameter including the ink layer 4 is used.
  • the optical fiber core wire 1 having an outer diameter of 150 to 250 ⁇ m (the outer diameter of the optical fiber core wire 1) can be suitably removed.
  • the optical fiber sheath remover 11 includes a sheath remover main body 12 and an optical fiber holder fixing portion (an example of an optical fiber fixing portion) 13 connected to one end of the sheath remover main body 12.
  • the optical fiber holder fixing portion 13 has two slide shafts 14 extending to the sheath remover main body 12 side. These slide shafts 14 are slidably inserted into the slide holes 15 of the sheath remover main body 12. Thereby, the optical fiber holder fixing
  • the direction in which the optical fiber holder fixing portion 13 is separated from the sheath remover main body 12, that is, the direction in which the optical fiber core wire 1 is pulled out is referred to as the front of the optical fiber sheath remover 11.
  • the holder holder lid 22 is provided at the top of the optical fiber holder fixing portion 13 so that it can be opened and closed.
  • a holder mounting portion 21 is formed on the upper surface of the portion exposed by opening the holder pressing lid 22.
  • An optical fiber holder 20 holding the optical fiber core wire 1 from above and below is placed on the holder mounting portion 21 (see FIG. 4).
  • the optical fiber holder 20 is mounted at a position slightly away from the vicinity of the end of the optical fiber core wire 1. Then, the optical fiber holder 20 is held by the optical fiber holder fixing portion 13 by closing the holder pressing lid 22 in a state where the optical fiber holder 20 is placed on the holder mounting portion 21. By adjusting the mounting position of the optical fiber holder 20 with respect to the optical fiber core wire 1, the length of the coating removal target portion of the optical fiber core wire 1, which is the portion where the coating layer 3 is desired to be removed, can be determined.
  • the sheath remover body 12 has a sheath removing portion 31 on one end side to which the optical fiber holder fixing portion 13 is connected.
  • An optical fiber pressing cover 32 is provided at the upper portion of the coating removing portion 31 so as to be freely opened and closed.
  • a plate-shaped optical fiber pressing medium 33 is provided at the center of the optical fiber pressing lid 32. The optical fiber holding medium 33 holds the optical fiber core wire 1 between the heater 42 described later.
  • a cutting blade 34A is attached to the upper front surface of the portion exposed by opening the optical fiber holding lid 32 in the coating removing section 31.
  • a cutting blade 34 ⁇ / b> B is attached to the front surface of the optical fiber holding lid 32.
  • the cutting blades 34A and 34B are provided at the central portions of the base bodies 34A1 and 34B1, respectively.
  • the cutting blade 34 ⁇ / b> A is attached to the coating removal unit 31 by fixing the base 34 ⁇ / b> A ⁇ b> 1 with a screw F to the upper front surface of the portion exposed by opening the optical fiber pressing lid 32 in the coating removal unit 31.
  • the cutting blade 34 ⁇ / b> B is attached to the coating removing unit 31 by fixing the base body 34 ⁇ / b> B ⁇ b> 1 to the front surface of the optical fiber holding lid 32 with a screw F.
  • These cutting blades 34A and 34B are for cutting the coating layer 3 and the ink layer 4 of the optical fiber core wire 1 disposed in the coating removing section 31. By closing the optical fiber holding lid 32 with respect to the coating removal portion 31, the cutting blades 34A and 34B are engaged with each other, and only the coating layer 3 (including the ink layer 4) of the optical fiber core wire 1 is cut. .
  • the coating removing unit 31 further has a heating unit 41 on the upper surface of the portion exposed by opening the optical fiber holding lid 32.
  • the heating unit 41 includes a plate heater 42 and a heater support member 43 on which the heater 42 is mounted.
  • the sheath removing unit 31 is provided with a heater energization switch (not shown) that is turned on and off by opening and closing the optical fiber holding lid 32. When the optical fiber holding lid 32 is closed, this heater energization switch is provided. Is turned on, and power is supplied to the heater 42.
  • the sheath remover main body 12 is provided with a power supply unit 75 on the other end side opposite to the connection side with the optical fiber holder fixing unit 13.
  • the power supply unit 75 can accommodate 4 to 8 1.2 to 1.5 volt batteries as internal power supplies.
  • a power cord 81 can be inserted into and removed from the power source 75, and power can be supplied from an external power source by inserting the power cord 81.
  • a lid 76 can be attached to and detached from the power supply unit 75, and a circuit board (not shown) for controlling the supply of current to the heater 42 is accommodated in the power supply unit 75.
  • the power supply unit 75 is provided with an operation unit 77 having various display LEDs such as a heater energization confirmation LED and a temperature display LED, and various switches such as a power switch and a temperature adjustment switch.
  • FIGS. 5 and 6 are schematic views of the optical fiber core wire 1 sandwiched by the coating removal unit 31 in a cross-sectional view in the longitudinal direction.
  • the optical fiber pressing medium 33, the cutting blades 34A and 34B, and the heater 42 in the coating removing unit 31 are illustrated, and the other constituent members of the coating removing unit 31 and the optical fiber holder fixing unit 13 are illustrated. Is omitted.
  • the optical fiber core wire 1 is sandwiched between the optical fiber pressing medium 33 and the heating surface 42 a of the heater 42 and heated by the heater 42.
  • the heater 42 is electrically connected to the circuit board of the power supply unit 75, and the heating temperature of the heater 42 is controlled by the circuit board.
  • the auxiliary medium 5 is pasted.
  • the auxiliary medium 5 is made of a material that is different from the constituent resin of the covering layer 3 (in this example, the ink layer 4), and is easily deformed and hardly cut.
  • the auxiliary medium 5 can be composed of, for example, a resin tape, a paper tape, rubber, metal, or the like. Of these materials, the auxiliary medium 5 is preferably made of a resin tape or a paper tape.
  • An adhesive layer 6 made of an adhesive or the like is provided between the covering layer 3 including the ink layer 4 and the auxiliary medium 5.
  • the outer peripheral surface of the ink layer 4 and the inner peripheral surface of the auxiliary medium 5 are in close contact with the adhesive layer 6.
  • the auxiliary medium 5 is preferably a mending tape, a masking tape, or the like.
  • the auxiliary medium 5 is affixed in a state where it can be easily separated from the coating layer 3 including the ink layer 4, that is, in a state where it can be easily removed from the coating layer 3 including the ink layer 4 without stickiness.
  • the auxiliary medium 5 is attached to the outer periphery of the coating layer 3 including the ink layer 4 by, for example, single winding.
  • the auxiliary medium 5 has a thickness of 50 to 200 ⁇ m, preferably 100 to 200 ⁇ m.
  • the auxiliary medium 5 may be attached to a certain range including at least a portion of the optical fiber core wire 1 from which the coating layer 3 is removed, for example, an end portion of the optical fiber core wire 1.
  • the auxiliary medium 5 should just be affixed at least when the coating layer 3 is removed (a manufacturing process for removing the coating layer 3). After the coating layer 3 is removed, the auxiliary medium 5 remains on the coating removal unit 31 side together with the removed coating layer 3.
  • an operator attaches (adheres) an auxiliary medium 5 made of, for example, a resin tape to a portion of the optical fiber core 1 where the coating layer 3 is to be removed (a certain range including the end of the optical fiber core 1). .
  • the operator slides the optical fiber holder fixing part 13 of the optical fiber sheath remover 11 in the direction of the sheath remover main body 12 and brings the holder pressing lid 22 and the optical fiber close to the sheath remover main body 12. Open the holding lid 32.
  • the operator sets the optical fiber holder 20 to which the optical fiber core wire 1 is attached to the holder mounting portion 21 of the optical fiber holder fixing portion 13.
  • the tip portion (the portion to be removed from which the coating layer 3 is to be removed) disposed behind the optical fiber holder 20 is heated by the heater 42. It is mounted on the surface 42a.
  • the operator closes the holder pressing lid 22 of the optical fiber holder fixing portion 13 and closes the optical fiber pressing lid 32 of the sheath remover main body 12.
  • the pair of cutting blades 34 ⁇ / b> A and 34 ⁇ / b> B come close to each other and the resin tape 5 and the optical fiber core 1 attached to the optical fiber core 1.
  • the coating layer 3 (including the ink layer 4) is cut.
  • the cutting blades 34 ⁇ / b> A and 34 ⁇ / b> B first come into contact with the resin tape 5 attached to the outer periphery of the coating layer 3 before reaching the coating layer 3 of the optical fiber core wire 1.
  • optical fiber core 1 of this example for example, a glass fiber having an outer diameter of 125 ⁇ m, an optical fiber core 1 having an outer diameter of 200 ⁇ m, and an auxiliary medium 5 having a thickness of 100 ⁇ m is used. Further, the distance between the pair of cutting blades 34A and 34B approached by closing the optical fiber holding lid 32 is 140 to 150 ⁇ m.
  • the auxiliary medium 5 is made of the resin tape that is easily deformed and difficult to cut as described above, the auxiliary medium 5 is deformed but not cut even when the cutting blades 34A and 34B are cut. For this reason, only the coating layer 3 of the optical fiber core wire 1 disposed inside the auxiliary medium 5 is cut by the cutting blades 34A and 34B.
  • the heater energization switch is turned on, and the heater 42 is energized.
  • the set heating temperature of the heater 42 is 140 ° C., for example, the center temperature of the heating surface 42 a of the heater 42 is raised to about 140 ° C. For this reason, the coating layer 3 of the coating removal target portion of the optical fiber core wire 1 placed on the heating surface 42a of the heater 42 is heated at high speed by the heater 42 and softens.
  • the operator confirms that the coating layer 3 of the optical fiber core wire 1 has reached the optimum coating removal temperature (for example, 140 ° C.) using the display LED of the operation unit 77. After confirming the optimum temperature, the operator grips the sheath remover main body 12 and the optical fiber holder fixing portion 13 respectively, and separates the optical fiber holder fixing portion 13 from the sheath remover main body 12 (arrow A in FIG. 6). Slide in the direction of.
  • the optimum coating removal temperature for example, 140 ° C.
  • the glass fiber 2 in the vicinity of the end portion of the optical fiber core wire 1 is pulled out of the coating layer 3 and is heated and softened by being heated at the tip side of the cutting portion by the pair of cutting blades 34A and 34B. Only is removed.
  • the resin tape 5 attached to the outer periphery of the optical fiber core wire 1 is in a state where a part thereof is still attached to the coating layer 3 that is a portion to be removed of the optical fiber core wire 1, while the other In a state where a part is peeled off from the coating layer 3 that is not the part to be removed, it is removed together with the coating layer 3 of the part to be removed and remains on the side of the coating remover main body 12.
  • the auxiliary medium 5 made of, for example, a resin tape is disposed on the outer periphery of the coating layer 3 including the ink layer 4, and the cutting blade 34A, 34B is engaged with the cutting blade 34A, 34B. Since the auxiliary medium 5 comes into contact with the cutting blades 34A and 34B before 34A and 34B reach the coating layer 3 of the optical fiber core wire 1, when the cutting blades 34A and 34B are cut, the auxiliary medium 5 5 is not cut
  • the auxiliary medium 5 on the outer periphery of the coating layer 3 including the ink layer 4, the depth at which the cutting blades 34A and 34B can cut as compared with the case where the auxiliary medium 5 is not arranged.
  • the depth can be deepened.
  • the coating layer 3 is removed by the cutting blades 34A and 34B when the glass fiber 2 is pulled out from the coating layer 3.
  • the force to hold down can be increased.
  • the removability of the coating layer 3 of the optical fiber core wire 1 can be improved, and the coating removal operation can be performed satisfactorily.
  • this method does not require modification of the coating remover itself, an existing coating remover can be used.
  • the auxiliary medium 5 is pasted in a state where it can be easily separated from the coating layer 3. For this reason, when the coating layer 3 of the optical fiber core wire 1 is removed by sliding the optical fiber holder fixing portion 13, the auxiliary medium 5 attached to the coating layer 3 that is not the portion to be removed is removed from the coating layer 3. 3 can be easily peeled off and separated. Therefore, the removability of the coating layer 3 of the optical fiber core wire 1 can be improved, and the coating removal operation can be performed more satisfactorily.
  • the optical fiber coating removal method not only the existing optical fiber core wire 1 having an outer diameter, but particularly a smaller diameter than the existing one (for example, the outer diameter of the glass fiber 2 is less than 125 ⁇ m). This is suitable for removing the coating layer 3 of the optical fiber core wire 1 having an outer diameter of the coating layer 3 including the ink layer 4 of less than 250 ⁇ m.
  • coating removal compared to general-purpose optical fiber cores is required to improve coating removal and prevent disconnection during coating removal. It is necessary to remove the coating after weakening the adhesion between the glass fiber 2 and the coating layer 3 at the time. Therefore, it is more preferable to perform the coating removal operation on the thin optical fiber core wire 1 using the optical fiber coating removal method as described above.
  • Example 2 A conventional optical fiber coating removal method (hereinafter referred to as Example 1) in which the auxiliary medium is not attached to the outer periphery of the optical fiber core, and the light according to the embodiment in which the auxiliary medium 5 is attached to the outer periphery of the optical fiber core 1.
  • the fiber coating removal method hereinafter referred to as Example 2
  • the coating removal of the optical fiber core wire was performed, and the success rates were compared.
  • Successful removal of the coating means that only the coating layer 3 can be removed without damaging the glass fiber 2, and no residue of the coating layer 3 is generated around the glass fiber 2 in the vicinity of the cutting position by the cutting blades 34A and 34B. It was decided.
  • a thin optical fiber core wire having an outer diameter of 125 ⁇ m and an optical fiber core wire of 200 ⁇ m was used as an optical fiber core wire to be covered.
  • the thickness of the auxiliary medium 5 was 100 ⁇ m.
  • Example 1 and Example 2 when the coating removal of 100 optical fiber core wires was performed, in the coating removal method of Example 1 in which the auxiliary medium was not attached to the outer periphery of the optical fiber core wire, the number of successful cases was 0, That is, the success rate was 0%. On the other hand, in the coating removal method of Example 2 in which the auxiliary medium 5 is attached to the outer periphery of the fiber core wire 1, the number of successes was 100, and it was confirmed that the success rate could be improved to 100%.
  • the optical fiber coating removal method can be applied to a plurality of optical fiber cores 7 arranged in parallel and integrated as shown in FIG. 7 (hereinafter referred to as multi-core tape core wire 7). It is.
  • the multi-core tape core wire 7 is formed by arranging a plurality of optical fiber core wires 1 in parallel and integrating them with a coating layer 8 (an example of a second coating layer).
  • the cutting blades 34 ⁇ / b> A and 34 ⁇ / b> B are obtained by performing the coating removing process after the auxiliary medium 5 is attached to the outer periphery of the coating layer 8 when removing the coating layer 3 and the coating layer 8.
  • the removability of the coating layer 3 and the coating layer 8 can be improved, and the coating removal operation can be performed satisfactorily.
  • Optical fiber core wire 2 Glass fiber 2a: Core 2b: Clad 3: Coating layer (first coating layer) 3a: Primary resin layer 3b: Secondary resin layer 4: Ink layer 5: Auxiliary medium 6: Adhesive layer 7: Multi-core tape core wire 8: Coating layer (second coating layer) 11: Optical fiber sheath remover 12: Cover remover body 13: Optical fiber holder fixing portion (optical fiber fixing portion) 20: Optical fiber holder 21: Holder mounting part 22: Holder pressing lid 31: Cover removal part 33: Optical fiber pressing medium 34A, 34B: Cutting blade 41: Heating part 42: Heater 42a: Heating surface 43: Heater support member

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Coupling Of Light Guides (AREA)
  • Light Guides In General And Applications Therefor (AREA)

Abstract

In this optical fiber covering removal method, an optical fiber core in which the circumference of a glass fiber is covered with a covering layer is held in an optical fiber fixation part, and the covering layer in the vicinity of an end of the optical fiber core is heated by a heated part and then cut with cutting blades, and the glass fiber is pulled out of the covering layer by separating the optical fiber fixation part from a covering removal instrument body while the covering layer is in a cut state. The optical fiber covering removal method comprises: a step for disposing an auxiliary medium, which is different from a constituent resin of the covering layer of the optical fiber core, on the outer circumference of the covering layer in such a manner as to be separable from the covering layer; and a step for bringing the auxiliary medium into contact with the cutting blades at a position where the cutting blades mesh with each other, before the cutting blades reach the covering layer.

Description

光ファイバ被覆除去方法Optical fiber coating removal method
　本発明は、光ファイバ被覆除去方法に関する。 The present invention relates to an optical fiber coating removal method.
　本出願は、2017年6月8日出願の日本出願第2017-113538号に基づく優先権を主張し、前記日本出願に記載された全ての記載内容を援用するものである。 This application claims priority based on Japanese Application No. 2017-113538 filed on June 8, 2017, and uses all the contents described in the above Japanese application.
　近年、インターネットの急速な普及により高速データ通信の要求が高まっており、各家庭まで光ファイバを布設するＦＴＴＨ（Fiber To The Home）のサービスが拡大している。そのため、一般家庭でも光接続用の光コネクタが取り扱われることが見込まれている。例えば、戸内で光通信機器に接続された光ファイバの被覆部を除去して光コネクタを取り付け、光接続用のアダプタに光コネクタを差し込むことで、家庭内の光通信機器をＦＴＴＨのネットワークに接続させることが多くなっている。
　このような用途で使用される光ファイバ被覆除去器の一例として、光ファイバの被覆部を加熱する加熱部と、被覆部に切り込みを入れる刃部材と、光ファイバを加熱部近傍に保持する固定部と、を備え、光ファイバを加熱部近傍に保持してから被覆部を加熱して、被覆部に切り込みを入れてから被覆部を除去するものが知られている（例えば、特許文献１，２参照）。 In recent years, the demand for high-speed data communication has been increasing due to the rapid spread of the Internet, and the service of FTTH (Fiber To The Home) that installs an optical fiber to each home is expanding. Therefore, it is expected that optical connectors for optical connection will be handled even in general households. For example, by removing the optical fiber covering portion connected to the optical communication device in the door and attaching the optical connector, and inserting the optical connector into the adapter for optical connection, the optical communication device in the home can be connected to the FTTH network. More and more are connected.
As an example of an optical fiber sheath remover used in such applications, a heating portion that heats the coating portion of the optical fiber, a blade member that cuts the coating portion, and a fixing portion that holds the optical fiber near the heating portion And the covering portion is heated after holding the optical fiber in the vicinity of the heating portion, and the covering portion is removed after being cut into the covering portion (for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). reference).
日本国特開２０１０－８８５２号公報Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2010-8852 日本国特開２０００－１１２７９１号公報Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2000-112791
　本発明の一態様に係る光ファイバ被覆除去方法は、
　ガラスファイバの周囲が第１被覆層により覆われた光ファイバ心線を被覆除去器の光ファイバ固定部で保持し、前記光ファイバ心線の端部近傍における前記第１被覆層を、前記光ファイバ固定部に対して接離可能に設けられた被覆除去部が備える加熱部によって加熱するとともに前記被覆除去部が備える一対の切断刃によって切断し、前記一対の切断刃によって前記第１被覆層を切断した状態で、前記光ファイバ固定部を前記被覆除去部から離間させることにより、前記端部近傍のガラスファイバを前記端部近傍の第１被覆層から引き抜く、光ファイバ被覆除去方法であって、
　前記光ファイバ心線の前記第１被覆層の外周に、前記第１被覆層の構成樹脂とは異なる補助媒体を、前記第１被覆層と分離可能な状態で配置するステップと、
　前記一対の切断刃が噛み合う位置において、前記一対の切断刃が前記第１被覆層に到達する前に、前記補助媒体が前記一対の切断刃に先に接触するステップと、を含む。 An optical fiber coating removing method according to an aspect of the present invention includes:
An optical fiber core wire whose periphery is covered with a first coating layer is held by an optical fiber fixing portion of a coating remover, and the first coating layer in the vicinity of the end portion of the optical fiber core wire is attached to the optical fiber. Heating is performed by a heating unit included in the coating removing unit provided so as to be able to come in contact with and away from the fixing unit, and the first coating layer is cut by the pair of cutting blades. In this state, by separating the optical fiber fixing part from the coating removal part, the glass fiber in the vicinity of the end part is pulled out from the first coating layer in the vicinity of the end part,
Disposing an auxiliary medium different from the constituent resin of the first coating layer on the outer periphery of the first coating layer of the optical fiber core wire in a state separable from the first coating layer;
The auxiliary medium first contacts the pair of cutting blades before the pair of cutting blades reach the first coating layer at a position where the pair of cutting blades are engaged with each other.
　また、本発明の一態様に係る光ファイバ被覆除去方法は、
　ガラスファイバの周囲が第１被覆層により覆われた光ファイバ心線が少なくとも２本並列され、第２被覆層により一体化された多芯テープ心線を被覆除去器の光ファイバ固定部で保持し、前記多芯テープ心線の端部近傍における前記第１被覆層および前記第２被覆層を、前記光ファイバ固定部に対して接離可能に設けられた被覆除去部が備える加熱部によって加熱するとともに前記被覆除去部が備える一対の切断刃によって切断し、前記一対の切断刃によって前記第１被覆層および前記第２被覆層を切断した状態で、前記光ファイバ固定部を前記被覆除去部から離間させることにより、前記端部近傍のガラスファイバを前記端部近傍の第１被覆層および第２被覆層から引き抜く、光ファイバ被覆除去方法であって、
　前記多芯テープ心線の第２被覆層の外周に、前記第２被覆層の構成樹脂とは異なる補助媒体を、前記第２被覆層と分離可能な状態で配置するステップと、
　前記一対の切断刃が噛み合う位置において、前記一対の切断刃が前記第２被覆層に到達する前に、前記補助媒体が前記一対の切断刃に先に接触するステップと、を含む。 In addition, the optical fiber coating removal method according to one aspect of the present invention,
At least two optical fiber core wires whose glass fibers are covered with the first coating layer are arranged in parallel, and the multi-core tape core wire integrated with the second coating layer is held by the optical fiber fixing portion of the coating remover. The first coating layer and the second coating layer in the vicinity of the end portion of the multicore tape core wire are heated by a heating unit provided in a coating removal unit provided so as to be able to contact and separate from the optical fiber fixing unit. In addition, the optical fiber fixing portion is separated from the coating removal portion while being cut by a pair of cutting blades provided in the coating removal portion and the first coating layer and the second coating layer being cut by the pair of cutting blades. By pulling out the glass fiber in the vicinity of the end portion from the first coating layer and the second coating layer in the vicinity of the end portion, an optical fiber coating removing method,
Disposing an auxiliary medium different from the constituent resin of the second coating layer on the outer periphery of the second coating layer of the multicore tape core wire in a state where it can be separated from the second coating layer;
The auxiliary medium first contacts the pair of cutting blades before the pair of cutting blades reach the second coating layer at a position where the pair of cutting blades are engaged with each other.
本実施形態に係る光ファイバ被覆除去方法で被覆除去可能な光ファイバ心線の長手方向に直交する方向の断面図である。It is sectional drawing of the direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber core wire which can be coat-removed with the optical fiber coating removal method which concerns on this embodiment. 本実施形態に係る光ファイバ被覆除去方法を用いて光ファイバ心線の被覆除去を行うことが可能な光ファイバ被覆除去器の構成を示す斜視図である。It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the optical fiber coating remover which can perform the coating removal of an optical fiber core wire using the optical fiber coating removal method which concerns on this embodiment. 図２の光ファイバ被覆除去器のシャフトを伸ばした状態で、蓋を開いた状態の斜視図である。FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a state in which a cover is opened in a state where a shaft of the optical fiber coating remover in FIG. 2 is extended. 図２の光ファイバ被覆除去器に光ファイバ心線をセットし、被覆を除去した状態の斜視図である。It is a perspective view of the state which set the optical fiber core wire to the optical fiber coating removal machine of FIG. 2, and removed the coating. 図２の光ファイバ被覆除去器が備える被覆除去器本体の模式図である。It is a schematic diagram of the coating remover main body with which the optical fiber coating remover of FIG. 図５に示す被覆除去器本体において光ファイバ押さえ蓋が閉じられた状態の模式図である。FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a state in which an optical fiber pressing lid is closed in the sheath remover body shown in FIG. 本実施形態に係る光ファイバ被覆除去方法で被覆除去可能な多芯テープ心線の長手方向に直交する方向の断面図である。It is sectional drawing of the direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the multi-core tape core wire which can be coat-removed with the optical fiber coating removal method which concerns on this embodiment.
[発明が解決しようとする課題]
　このような光ファイバ被覆除去装置では、加熱部により光ファイバの被覆部を加熱してガラスファイバと被覆部との密着力を弱めることにより、被覆除去性を高めている。しかしながら、刃部材により切り込みが入れられる部分における光ファイバの被覆除去性には改善の余地があった。 [Problems to be solved by the invention]
In such an optical fiber coating removal apparatus, the coating removal property is enhanced by heating the coating portion of the optical fiber by the heating portion to weaken the adhesion between the glass fiber and the coating portion. However, there is room for improvement in the coating removal property of the optical fiber in the portion where the cutting is made by the blade member.
　そこで、本発明は、光ファイバ心線または多芯テープ心線の被覆層の除去性を向上させ、良好に被覆除去作業を行うことが可能な光ファイバ被覆除去方法を提供することを目的とする。 Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an optical fiber coating removal method capable of improving the removal property of the coating layer of the optical fiber core wire or the multicore tape core wire and performing the coating removal work satisfactorily. .
[発明の効果]
　上記発明の光ファイバ被覆除去方法によれば、光ファイバ心線または多芯テープ心線の被覆層の除去性を向上させ、良好に被覆除去作業を行うことができる。 [The invention's effect]
According to the optical fiber coating removal method of the above invention, the removal performance of the coating layer of the optical fiber core wire or the multi-core tape core wire can be improved, and the coating removal operation can be performed satisfactorily.
[本発明の実施形態の説明]
　最初に本発明の実施態様を列記して説明する。
　本発明の一態様に係る光ファイバ被覆除去方法は、
　（１）ガラスファイバの周囲が第１被覆層により覆われた光ファイバ心線を被覆除去器の光ファイバ固定部で保持し、前記光ファイバ心線の端部近傍における前記第１被覆層を、前記光ファイバ固定部に対して接離可能に設けられた被覆除去部が備える加熱部によって加熱するとともに前記被覆除去部が備える一対の切断刃によって切断し、前記一対の切断刃によって前記第１被覆層を切断した状態で、前記光ファイバ固定部を前記被覆除去部から離間させることにより、前記端部近傍のガラスファイバを前記端部近傍の第１被覆層から引き抜く、光ファイバ被覆除去方法であって、
　前記光ファイバ心線の前記第１被覆層の外周に、前記第１被覆層の構成樹脂とは異なる補助媒体を、前記第１被覆層と分離可能な状態で配置するステップと、
　前記一対の切断刃が噛み合う位置において、前記一対の切断刃が前記第１被覆層に到達する前に、前記補助媒体が前記一対の切断刃に先に接触するステップと、を含む。
　上記方法によれば、光ファイバ心線の被覆層の除去性を向上させ、良好に被覆除去作業を行うことができる。特に、被覆除去器自体の改造を必要としないため、既存の被覆除去器を用いることができる。 [Description of Embodiment of the Present Invention]
First, embodiments of the present invention will be listed and described.
An optical fiber coating removing method according to an aspect of the present invention includes:
(1) An optical fiber core wire whose glass fiber is covered with a first coating layer is held by an optical fiber fixing portion of a coating remover, and the first coating layer in the vicinity of the end of the optical fiber core wire is The first coating is heated by a pair of cutting blades provided in the coating removal unit and heated by a heating unit provided in the coating removal unit provided so as to be able to contact and separate from the optical fiber fixing unit. In the optical fiber coating removal method, the optical fiber fixing portion is separated from the coating removal portion while the layer is cut, whereby the glass fiber in the vicinity of the end portion is pulled out from the first coating layer in the vicinity of the end portion. And
Disposing an auxiliary medium different from the constituent resin of the first coating layer on the outer periphery of the first coating layer of the optical fiber core wire in a state separable from the first coating layer;
The auxiliary medium first contacts the pair of cutting blades before the pair of cutting blades reach the first coating layer at a position where the pair of cutting blades are engaged with each other.
According to the said method, the removal property of the coating layer of an optical fiber core wire can be improved, and a coating removal operation can be performed satisfactorily. In particular, since the coating remover itself does not require modification, an existing coating remover can be used.
　また、本発明の一態様に係る光ファイバ被覆除去方法は、
　（２）ガラスファイバの周囲が第１被覆層により覆われた光ファイバ心線が少なくとも２本並列され、第２被覆層により一体化された多芯テープ心線を被覆除去器の光ファイバ固定部で保持し、前記多芯テープ心線の端部近傍における前記第１被覆層および前記第２被覆層を、前記光ファイバ固定部に対して接離可能に設けられた被覆除去部が備える加熱部によって加熱するとともに前記被覆除去部が備える一対の切断刃によって切断し、前記一対の切断刃によって前記第１被覆層および前記第２被覆層を切断した状態で、前記光ファイバ固定部を前記被覆除去部から離間させることにより、前記端部近傍のガラスファイバを前記端部近傍の第１被覆層および第２被覆層から引き抜く、光ファイバ被覆除去方法であって、
　前記多芯テープ心線の第２被覆層の外周に、前記第２被覆層の構成樹脂とは異なる補助媒体を、前記第２被覆層と分離可能な状態で配置するステップと、
　前記一対の切断刃が噛み合う位置において、前記一対の切断刃が前記第２被覆層に到達する前に、前記補助媒体が前記一対の切断刃に先に接触するステップと、を含む。
　上記方法によれば、多芯テープ心線の被覆層の除去性を向上させ、良好に被覆除去作業を行うことができる。 In addition, the optical fiber coating removal method according to one aspect of the present invention,
(2) At least two optical fiber core wires whose glass fiber is covered with the first coating layer are arranged in parallel, and the multi-core tape core wire integrated with the second coating layer is used as an optical fiber fixing portion of the coating remover. The heating unit is provided with a coating removing unit that is provided so as to be capable of contacting and separating the first coating layer and the second coating layer in the vicinity of the end of the multicore tape core wire with respect to the optical fiber fixing unit. The optical fiber fixing part is removed by coating while the first coating layer and the second coating layer are cut by the pair of cutting blades and heated by the pair of cutting blades provided in the coating removal unit. An optical fiber coating removing method of pulling out the glass fiber near the end portion from the first coating layer and the second coating layer near the end portion by separating from the portion,
Disposing an auxiliary medium different from the constituent resin of the second coating layer on the outer periphery of the second coating layer of the multicore tape core wire in a state where it can be separated from the second coating layer;
The auxiliary medium first contacts the pair of cutting blades before the pair of cutting blades reach the second coating layer at a position where the pair of cutting blades are engaged with each other.
According to the above method, the removability of the coating layer of the multicore tape core wire can be improved, and the coating removal operation can be performed satisfactorily.
　（３）前記ガラスファイバの外径が１２５μｍ未満であり、前記第１被覆層を含む前記光ファイバ心線の外径が２５０μｍ未満であってもよい。
　汎用光ファイバ心線よりも細径の光ファイバ心線については、被覆除去性の向上や被覆除去時の断線防止のため、汎用光ファイバ心線に比べてガラスファイバと被覆との密着力をより弱くする必要がある。そのため、細径光ファイバ心線に対して上記のような光ファイバ被覆除去方法で被覆除去することがより好ましい。 (3) The outer diameter of the glass fiber may be less than 125 μm, and the outer diameter of the optical fiber core wire including the first coating layer may be less than 250 μm.
For optical fiber cores with a diameter smaller than that of general-purpose optical fiber cores, the adhesion between the glass fiber and the sheath is greater than that of general-purpose optical fiber core wires in order to improve the coating removal performance and prevent disconnection during coating removal. It needs to be weakened. Therefore, it is more preferable to remove the coating on the thin optical fiber core by the above-described optical fiber coating removal method.
　（４）前記補助媒体は、前記光ファイバ心線の前記第１被覆層を前記一対の切断刃により切断する際にも切断されない材料により構成されていてもよい。
　上記方法によれば、光ファイバ心線の被覆除去性をさらに高めることができる。 (4) The auxiliary medium may be made of a material that is not cut even when the first coating layer of the optical fiber core wire is cut by the pair of cutting blades.
According to the above method, the coating removal property of the optical fiber core wire can be further enhanced.
　（５）前記補助媒体は、前記多芯テープ心線の前記第１被覆層および前記第２被覆層を前記一対の切断刃により切断する際にも切断されない材料により構成されていてもよい。
　上記方法によれば、多芯テープ心線の被覆除去性をさらに高めることができる。 (5) The auxiliary medium may be made of a material that is not cut when the first cover layer and the second cover layer of the multi-core ribbon are cut by the pair of cutting blades.
According to the above method, it is possible to further improve the coating removability of the multicore tape core wire.
　（６）前記補助媒体が、樹脂テープまたは紙テープにより構成されていてもよい。
　補助媒体としては、特に、上記の材料を用いることが好ましい。 (6) The auxiliary medium may be made of a resin tape or a paper tape.
As the auxiliary medium, it is particularly preferable to use the above materials.
　（７）前記第１被覆層と前記補助媒体との間に、粘着層が設けられていてもよい。
　上記方法によれば、光ファイバ心線の被覆除去性をさらに高めることができる。 (7) An adhesive layer may be provided between the first covering layer and the auxiliary medium.
According to the above method, the coating removal property of the optical fiber core wire can be further enhanced.
　（８）前記第２被覆層と前記補助媒体との間に、粘着層が設けられていてもよい。
　上記方法によれば、多芯テープ心線の被覆除去性をさらに高めることができる。 (8) An adhesive layer may be provided between the second coating layer and the auxiliary medium.
According to the above method, it is possible to further improve the coating removability of the multicore tape core wire.
[本発明の実施形態の詳細]
　以下、本発明に係る光ファイバ被覆除去方法の実施の形態の例を、図面を参照しつつ説明する。
　図１は、本例の光ファイバ被覆除去方法により被覆除去される単心の光ファイバ心線１の断面図である。図１に示すように、光ファイバ心線１は、光を伝搬するコア２ａおよび光を閉じ込めるクラッド２ｂからなるガラスファイバ２と、ガラスファイバ２の周囲を保護するための樹脂材料からなる被覆層３（第１被覆層の一例）とで構成されている。被覆層３は、クラッド２ｂの周囲を覆うプライマリ樹脂層３ａと、プライマリ樹脂層３ａの周囲を覆うセカンダリ樹脂層３ｂとから構成されている。また、被覆層３（セカンダリ樹脂層３ｂ）の周囲には、識別のためのインク層４が付加されていてもよい。なお、インク層４が付加されている場合は、インク層４が第１被覆層の一例となる。プライマリ樹脂層３ａおよびセカンダリ樹脂層３ｂを構成する樹脂としては、例えばポリオレフィン系樹脂、フッ素系樹脂、ウレタン（メタ）アクリレート系の樹脂、等を用いることができる。 [Details of the embodiment of the present invention]
Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of an optical fiber coating removal method according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a single-core optical fiber core 1 that is coated by the optical fiber coating removal method of this example. As shown in FIG. 1, the optical fiber core wire 1 includes a glass fiber 2 composed of a core 2 a that propagates light and a cladding 2 b that confines the light, and a coating layer 3 composed of a resin material for protecting the periphery of the glass fiber 2. (An example of a first covering layer). The coating layer 3 includes a primary resin layer 3a that covers the periphery of the clad 2b and a secondary resin layer 3b that covers the periphery of the primary resin layer 3a. Further, an ink layer 4 for identification may be added around the covering layer 3 (secondary resin layer 3b). When the ink layer 4 is added, the ink layer 4 is an example of the first covering layer. As the resin constituting the primary resin layer 3a and the secondary resin layer 3b, for example, polyolefin resin, fluorine resin, urethane (meth) acrylate resin, or the like can be used.
　一般的な光ファイバ心線１は、例えば、ガラスファイバ径が１２５μｍ程度で、インク層４を含む被覆外径（光ファイバ心線１の外径）が２５０μｍ程度である。なお、本例の光ファイバ被覆除去方法によれば、一般的な外径よりも細径の光ファイバ心線１、例えばガラスファイバ径が８０～１２５μｍであって、インク層４を含む被覆外径（光ファイバ心線１の外径）が１５０～２５０μｍの光ファイバ心線１についても好適に被覆除去可能である。 The general optical fiber core 1 has, for example, a glass fiber diameter of about 125 μm and a coating outer diameter (the outer diameter of the optical fiber core 1) including the ink layer 4 of about 250 μm. According to the optical fiber coating removal method of this example, the optical fiber core wire 1 having a diameter smaller than a general outer diameter, for example, a glass fiber diameter of 80 to 125 μm, and the coating outer diameter including the ink layer 4 is used. The optical fiber core wire 1 having an outer diameter of 150 to 250 μm (the outer diameter of the optical fiber core wire 1) can be suitably removed.
　図２から図４に、本例の光ファイバ被覆除去方法を用いて光ファイバ心線１の被覆を除去可能な光ファイバ被覆除去器１１を示している。光ファイバ被覆除去器１１は、被覆除去器本体１２と、被覆除去器本体１２の一端側に連結された光ファイバホルダ固定部（光ファイバ固定部の一例）１３とを有している。 2 to 4 show an optical fiber coating remover 11 that can remove the coating of the optical fiber core wire 1 by using the optical fiber coating removal method of this example. The optical fiber sheath remover 11 includes a sheath remover main body 12 and an optical fiber holder fixing portion (an example of an optical fiber fixing portion) 13 connected to one end of the sheath remover main body 12.
　図３および図４に示すように、光ファイバホルダ固定部１３は、被覆除去器本体１２側へ延在する２本のスライドシャフト１４を有している。これらのスライドシャフト１４は、被覆除去器本体１２の摺動孔１５内へ摺動可能に挿通されている。これにより、光ファイバホルダ固定部１３は、被覆除去器本体１２に対して接離可能に設けられ、自在にスライドさせることができる。なお、光ファイバホルダ固定部１３を被覆除去器本体１２から離間させる方向、すなわち光ファイバ心線１を引き抜く方向を、光ファイバ被覆除去器１１の前方と呼ぶこととする。 3 and 4, the optical fiber holder fixing portion 13 has two slide shafts 14 extending to the sheath remover main body 12 side. These slide shafts 14 are slidably inserted into the slide holes 15 of the sheath remover main body 12. Thereby, the optical fiber holder fixing | fixed part 13 is provided so that contact / separation is possible with respect to the coating removal body 12, and can be slid freely. The direction in which the optical fiber holder fixing portion 13 is separated from the sheath remover main body 12, that is, the direction in which the optical fiber core wire 1 is pulled out is referred to as the front of the optical fiber sheath remover 11.
　光ファイバホルダ固定部１３は、その上部にホルダ押さえ蓋２２が開閉自在に設けられている。ホルダ押さえ蓋２２を開いて露出した箇所の上面には、ホルダ搭載部２１が形成されている。このホルダ搭載部２１に、光ファイバ心線１を上下から挟んで保持した光ファイバホルダ２０が載置される（図４参照）。 The holder holder lid 22 is provided at the top of the optical fiber holder fixing portion 13 so that it can be opened and closed. A holder mounting portion 21 is formed on the upper surface of the portion exposed by opening the holder pressing lid 22. An optical fiber holder 20 holding the optical fiber core wire 1 from above and below is placed on the holder mounting portion 21 (see FIG. 4).
　光ファイバホルダ２０は、光ファイバ心線１の端部近傍よりもやや離れた位置に装着される。そして、この光ファイバホルダ２０をホルダ搭載部２１に載置した状態で、ホルダ押さえ蓋２２を閉じることにより、光ファイバホルダ２０が光ファイバホルダ固定部１３に保持される。この光ファイバホルダ２０の光ファイバ心線１に対する装着位置を調整することにより、被覆層３を除去したい部分である光ファイバ心線１の被覆除去対象部分の長さを決めることができる。 The optical fiber holder 20 is mounted at a position slightly away from the vicinity of the end of the optical fiber core wire 1. Then, the optical fiber holder 20 is held by the optical fiber holder fixing portion 13 by closing the holder pressing lid 22 in a state where the optical fiber holder 20 is placed on the holder mounting portion 21. By adjusting the mounting position of the optical fiber holder 20 with respect to the optical fiber core wire 1, the length of the coating removal target portion of the optical fiber core wire 1, which is the portion where the coating layer 3 is desired to be removed, can be determined.
　被覆除去器本体１２は、光ファイバホルダ固定部１３が連結された一端側に、被覆除去部３１を有している。この被覆除去部３１には、その上部に、光ファイバ押さえ蓋３２が開閉自在に設けられている。光ファイバ押さえ蓋３２の中央部には、板状の光ファイバ押さえ媒体３３が設けられている。光ファイバ押さえ媒体３３は、後述のヒータ４２との間で光ファイバ心線１を挟持する。 The sheath remover body 12 has a sheath removing portion 31 on one end side to which the optical fiber holder fixing portion 13 is connected. An optical fiber pressing cover 32 is provided at the upper portion of the coating removing portion 31 so as to be freely opened and closed. A plate-shaped optical fiber pressing medium 33 is provided at the center of the optical fiber pressing lid 32. The optical fiber holding medium 33 holds the optical fiber core wire 1 between the heater 42 described later.
　被覆除去部３１における光ファイバ押さえ蓋３２を開いて露出した箇所の上部前面には切断刃３４Ａが取り付けられている。また、光ファイバ押さえ蓋３２の前面には切断刃３４Ｂが取り付けられている。切断刃３４Ａ，３４Ｂは、基体３４Ａ１，３４Ｂ１の中央部にそれぞれ設けられている。切断刃３４Ａは、基体３４Ａ１が被覆除去部３１における光ファイバ押さえ蓋３２を開いて露出した箇所の上部前面にネジＦにより固定されることで、被覆除去部３１に取り付けられている。また、切断刃３４Ｂは、基体３４Ｂ１が光ファイバ押さえ蓋３２の前面にネジＦにより固定されることで、被覆除去部３１に取り付けられている。 A cutting blade 34A is attached to the upper front surface of the portion exposed by opening the optical fiber holding lid 32 in the coating removing section 31. A cutting blade 34 </ b> B is attached to the front surface of the optical fiber holding lid 32. The cutting blades 34A and 34B are provided at the central portions of the base bodies 34A1 and 34B1, respectively. The cutting blade 34 </ b> A is attached to the coating removal unit 31 by fixing the base 34 </ b> A <b> 1 with a screw F to the upper front surface of the portion exposed by opening the optical fiber pressing lid 32 in the coating removal unit 31. The cutting blade 34 </ b> B is attached to the coating removing unit 31 by fixing the base body 34 </ b> B <b> 1 to the front surface of the optical fiber holding lid 32 with a screw F.
　これらの切断刃３４Ａ，３４Ｂは、被覆除去部３１に配置された光ファイバ心線１の被覆層３およびインク層４を切断するものである。被覆除去部３１に対して光ファイバ押さえ蓋３２を閉じることにより、切断刃３４Ａと３４Ｂとが互いに噛み合わされて、光ファイバ心線１の被覆層３（インク層４を含む）だけが切断される。 These cutting blades 34A and 34B are for cutting the coating layer 3 and the ink layer 4 of the optical fiber core wire 1 disposed in the coating removing section 31. By closing the optical fiber holding lid 32 with respect to the coating removal portion 31, the cutting blades 34A and 34B are engaged with each other, and only the coating layer 3 (including the ink layer 4) of the optical fiber core wire 1 is cut. .
　被覆除去部３１は、さらに、光ファイバ押さえ蓋３２を開いて露出した箇所の上面に、加熱部４１を有している。加熱部４１は、板状のヒータ４２と、ヒータ４２を搭載したヒータ支持部材４３とを有している。 The coating removing unit 31 further has a heating unit 41 on the upper surface of the portion exposed by opening the optical fiber holding lid 32. The heating unit 41 includes a plate heater 42 and a heater support member 43 on which the heater 42 is mounted.
　また、被覆除去部３１には、光ファイバ押さえ蓋３２の開閉でスイッチがＯＮ／ＯＦＦされるヒータ通電スイッチ（図示省略）が設けられており、光ファイバ押さえ蓋３２を閉じると、このヒータ通電スイッチがＯＮになり、ヒータ４２へ電力が供給される。 The sheath removing unit 31 is provided with a heater energization switch (not shown) that is turned on and off by opening and closing the optical fiber holding lid 32. When the optical fiber holding lid 32 is closed, this heater energization switch is provided. Is turned on, and power is supplied to the heater 42.
　図２から図４に示すように、被覆除去器本体１２は、光ファイバホルダ固定部１３との連結側と反対の他端側に、電源部７５が設けられている。電源部７５には、内部電源として、４～８本の１．２～１．５ボルト電池が収容可能である。また、この電源部７５には、電源コード８１が挿抜可能であり、この電源コード８１を挿し込むことにより、外部電源からの電力の供給が可能である。 As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the sheath remover main body 12 is provided with a power supply unit 75 on the other end side opposite to the connection side with the optical fiber holder fixing unit 13. The power supply unit 75 can accommodate 4 to 8 1.2 to 1.5 volt batteries as internal power supplies. In addition, a power cord 81 can be inserted into and removed from the power source 75, and power can be supplied from an external power source by inserting the power cord 81.
　また、電源部７５には、蓋体７６が着脱可能とされており、電源部７５の内部には、ヒータ４２への電流の供給を制御する回路基板（図示省略）が収納されている。また、電源部７５には、ヒータ通電確認ＬＥＤ、温度表示ＬＥＤなどの各種表示用ＬＥＤ及び電源スイッチ、温度調整スイッチなどの各種スイッチを有する操作部７７が設けられている。 Further, a lid 76 can be attached to and detached from the power supply unit 75, and a circuit board (not shown) for controlling the supply of current to the heater 42 is accommodated in the power supply unit 75. The power supply unit 75 is provided with an operation unit 77 having various display LEDs such as a heater energization confirmation LED and a temperature display LED, and various switches such as a power switch and a temperature adjustment switch.
　次に、被覆除去器本体１２の被覆除去部３１について、図５および図６に示す模式図を参照して説明する。図５および図６は、被覆除去部３１で挟持される光ファイバ心線１の長手方向における断面視での模式図を示している。これらの模式図では、被覆除去部３１における光ファイバ押さえ媒体３３、切断刃３４Ａ，３４Ｂ、およびヒータ４２を図示し、それ以外の被覆除去部３１の構成部材や光ファイバホルダ固定部１３については図示を省略している。 Next, the coating removal unit 31 of the coating remover body 12 will be described with reference to the schematic diagrams shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 are schematic views of the optical fiber core wire 1 sandwiched by the coating removal unit 31 in a cross-sectional view in the longitudinal direction. In these schematic diagrams, the optical fiber pressing medium 33, the cutting blades 34A and 34B, and the heater 42 in the coating removing unit 31 are illustrated, and the other constituent members of the coating removing unit 31 and the optical fiber holder fixing unit 13 are illustrated. Is omitted.
　図５および図６に示すように、光ファイバ心線１は、光ファイバ押さえ媒体３３とヒータ４２の加熱面４２ａとの間で挟持され、ヒータ４２により加熱される。上述の通り、ヒータ４２は、電源部７５の回路基板に電気的に接続されており、回路基板によりヒータ４２の加熱温度が制御される。 5 and 6, the optical fiber core wire 1 is sandwiched between the optical fiber pressing medium 33 and the heating surface 42 a of the heater 42 and heated by the heater 42. As described above, the heater 42 is electrically connected to the circuit board of the power supply unit 75, and the heating temperature of the heater 42 is controlled by the circuit board.
　被覆除去部３１で挟持される光ファイバ心線１の被覆層３の外周（本例では、被覆層３の外周にインク層４が設けられているため、インク層４の外周）には、補助媒体５が貼り付けられている。補助媒体５は、被覆層３（本例では、インク層４）の構成樹脂とは異なる材料であって、変形しやすく、且つ切断されにくい材料で構成されている。補助媒体５は、例えば、樹脂テープ、紙テープ、ゴム、金属等により構成され得る。補助媒体５は、これらの材料のうち、特に、樹脂テープや紙テープからなることが好ましい。インク層４を含む被覆層３と、補助媒体５との間には、接着剤等からなる粘着層６が設けられている。これにより、インク層４の外周面と補助媒体５の内周面とは粘着層６によって密着されている。 In the outer periphery of the coating layer 3 of the optical fiber core 1 sandwiched by the coating removing unit 31 (in this example, since the ink layer 4 is provided on the outer periphery of the coating layer 3), there is an auxiliary The medium 5 is pasted. The auxiliary medium 5 is made of a material that is different from the constituent resin of the covering layer 3 (in this example, the ink layer 4), and is easily deformed and hardly cut. The auxiliary medium 5 can be composed of, for example, a resin tape, a paper tape, rubber, metal, or the like. Of these materials, the auxiliary medium 5 is preferably made of a resin tape or a paper tape. An adhesive layer 6 made of an adhesive or the like is provided between the covering layer 3 including the ink layer 4 and the auxiliary medium 5. Thus, the outer peripheral surface of the ink layer 4 and the inner peripheral surface of the auxiliary medium 5 are in close contact with the adhesive layer 6.
　具体的には、補助媒体５は、メンディングテープ、マスキングテープ等が好ましい。補助媒体５は、インク層４を含む被覆層３と容易に分離可能な状態、すなわちインク層４を含む被覆層３から、べたつき等がなく容易に剥がすことができる状態で貼り付けられている。補助媒体５は、インク層４を含む被覆層３の外周に例えば一重巻きで貼り付けられている。補助媒体５の厚さは、５０～２００μｍであり、好ましくは１００～２００μｍである。 Specifically, the auxiliary medium 5 is preferably a mending tape, a masking tape, or the like. The auxiliary medium 5 is affixed in a state where it can be easily separated from the coating layer 3 including the ink layer 4, that is, in a state where it can be easily removed from the coating layer 3 including the ink layer 4 without stickiness. The auxiliary medium 5 is attached to the outer periphery of the coating layer 3 including the ink layer 4 by, for example, single winding. The auxiliary medium 5 has a thickness of 50 to 200 μm, preferably 100 to 200 μm.
　補助媒体５は、少なくとも光ファイバ心線１における被覆層３を除去する部分、例えば光ファイバ心線１における端部を含む一定範囲に貼り付けられていればよい。補助媒体５は、少なくとも被覆層３が除去される際（被覆層３を除去する製造工程）に貼り付けられていればよい。補助媒体５は、被覆層３が除去された後は、除去された被覆層３とともに被覆除去部３１側に残留される。 The auxiliary medium 5 may be attached to a certain range including at least a portion of the optical fiber core wire 1 from which the coating layer 3 is removed, for example, an end portion of the optical fiber core wire 1. The auxiliary medium 5 should just be affixed at least when the coating layer 3 is removed (a manufacturing process for removing the coating layer 3). After the coating layer 3 is removed, the auxiliary medium 5 remains on the coating removal unit 31 side together with the removed coating layer 3.
　次に、光ファイバ心線１の端部の被覆層３を除去して、ガラスファイバ２を露出させる光ファイバ被覆除去方法について、図５および図６を参照しつつ説明する。 Next, an optical fiber coating removal method for removing the coating layer 3 at the end of the optical fiber core wire 1 and exposing the glass fiber 2 will be described with reference to FIGS.
　まず、作業者は、光ファイバ心線１において被覆層３を除去したい部分（光ファイバ心線１の端部を含む一定範囲）に、例えば樹脂テープからなる補助媒体５を貼り付ける（沿わせる）。 First, an operator attaches (adheres) an auxiliary medium 5 made of, for example, a resin tape to a portion of the optical fiber core 1 where the coating layer 3 is to be removed (a certain range including the end of the optical fiber core 1). .
　次に、作業者は、光ファイバ被覆除去器１１の光ファイバホルダ固定部１３を被覆除去器本体１２方向へスライドさせ、被覆除去器本体１２に接近させた状態で、ホルダ押さえ蓋２２および光ファイバ押さえ蓋３２を開く。次に、作業者は、光ファイバ心線１を取り付けた光ファイバホルダ２０を、光ファイバホルダ固定部１３のホルダ搭載部２１にセットする。このとき、光ファイバホルダ２０に取り付けられた光ファイバ心線１のうち光ファイバホルダ２０よりも後方側に配置されている先端部分（被覆層３を除去したい被覆除去対象部分）がヒータ４２の加熱面４２ａ上に載置される。 Next, the operator slides the optical fiber holder fixing part 13 of the optical fiber sheath remover 11 in the direction of the sheath remover main body 12 and brings the holder pressing lid 22 and the optical fiber close to the sheath remover main body 12. Open the holding lid 32. Next, the operator sets the optical fiber holder 20 to which the optical fiber core wire 1 is attached to the holder mounting portion 21 of the optical fiber holder fixing portion 13. At this time, of the optical fiber core wire 1 attached to the optical fiber holder 20, the tip portion (the portion to be removed from which the coating layer 3 is to be removed) disposed behind the optical fiber holder 20 is heated by the heater 42. It is mounted on the surface 42a.
　続いて、作業者は、光ファイバホルダ固定部１３のホルダ押さえ蓋２２を閉じるとともに、被覆除去器本体１２の光ファイバ押さえ蓋３２を閉じる。 Subsequently, the operator closes the holder pressing lid 22 of the optical fiber holder fixing portion 13 and closes the optical fiber pressing lid 32 of the sheath remover main body 12.
　光ファイバ押さえ蓋３２が閉じられることで、図６に示すように、一対の切断刃３４Ａと３４Ｂとが互いに近づき、光ファイバ心線１に貼り付けられている樹脂テープ５および光ファイバ心線１の被覆層３（インク層４を含む）に切り込む。このとき、切断刃３４Ａ，３４Ｂは、光ファイバ心線１の被覆層３に到達する前に、被覆層３の外周に貼り付けられている樹脂テープ５に先に接触する。本例の光ファイバ心線１は、例えば、ガラスファイバの外径が１２５μｍ、光ファイバ心線１の外径が２００μｍ、補助媒体５の厚さが１００μｍのものが使用されている。また、光ファイバ押さえ蓋３２が閉じられることで近づいた一対の切断刃３４Ａと３４Ｂとの間隔は１４０～１５０μｍとされている。 When the optical fiber holding lid 32 is closed, as shown in FIG. 6, the pair of cutting blades 34 </ b> A and 34 </ b> B come close to each other and the resin tape 5 and the optical fiber core 1 attached to the optical fiber core 1. The coating layer 3 (including the ink layer 4) is cut. At this time, the cutting blades 34 </ b> A and 34 </ b> B first come into contact with the resin tape 5 attached to the outer periphery of the coating layer 3 before reaching the coating layer 3 of the optical fiber core wire 1. As the optical fiber core 1 of this example, for example, a glass fiber having an outer diameter of 125 μm, an optical fiber core 1 having an outer diameter of 200 μm, and an auxiliary medium 5 having a thickness of 100 μm is used. Further, the distance between the pair of cutting blades 34A and 34B approached by closing the optical fiber holding lid 32 is 140 to 150 μm.
　この場合、補助媒体５は、上述のように変形しやすく且つ切れにくい樹脂テープで構成されているため、切断刃３４Ａ，３４Ｂが切り込まれても変形はするが切断はされない。このため、補助媒体５の内側に配置されている光ファイバ心線１の被覆層３のみが切断刃３４Ａ，３４Ｂによって切断される。 In this case, since the auxiliary medium 5 is made of the resin tape that is easily deformed and difficult to cut as described above, the auxiliary medium 5 is deformed but not cut even when the cutting blades 34A and 34B are cut. For this reason, only the coating layer 3 of the optical fiber core wire 1 disposed inside the auxiliary medium 5 is cut by the cutting blades 34A and 34B.
　また、光ファイバ押さえ蓋３２が閉じられることによってヒータ通電スイッチがＯＮになり、ヒータ４２が通電される。ここで、ヒータ４２の設定加熱温度が例えば１４０℃である場合には、ヒータ４２の加熱面４２ａの中心温度が約１４０℃に昇温される。このため、ヒータ４２の加熱面４２ａ上に載置された光ファイバ心線１の被覆除去対象部分の被覆層３が、ヒータ４２によって高速昇温され軟化する。 Further, when the optical fiber holding lid 32 is closed, the heater energization switch is turned on, and the heater 42 is energized. Here, when the set heating temperature of the heater 42 is 140 ° C., for example, the center temperature of the heating surface 42 a of the heater 42 is raised to about 140 ° C. For this reason, the coating layer 3 of the coating removal target portion of the optical fiber core wire 1 placed on the heating surface 42a of the heater 42 is heated at high speed by the heater 42 and softens.
　続いて、作業者は、光ファイバ心線１の被覆層３が被覆除去最適温度（例えば、１４０℃）に達したことを操作部７７の表示用ＬＥＤによって確認する。最適温度の確認後、作業者は、被覆除去器本体１２と光ファイバホルダ固定部１３とをそれぞれ把持し、光ファイバホルダ固定部１３を被覆除去器本体１２から離間させる方向（図６の矢印Ａの方向）へスライドさせる。 Subsequently, the operator confirms that the coating layer 3 of the optical fiber core wire 1 has reached the optimum coating removal temperature (for example, 140 ° C.) using the display LED of the operation unit 77. After confirming the optimum temperature, the operator grips the sheath remover main body 12 and the optical fiber holder fixing portion 13 respectively, and separates the optical fiber holder fixing portion 13 from the sheath remover main body 12 (arrow A in FIG. 6). Slide in the direction of.
　このようにすると、光ファイバ心線１の端部近傍のガラスファイバ２が被覆層３から引き抜かれて、一対の切断刃３４Ａ，３４Ｂによる切断箇所よりも先端側で加熱されて軟化した被覆層３のみが除去される。光ファイバ心線１の外周に貼り付けられていた樹脂テープ５は、その一部が光ファイバ心線１の除去対象部分である被覆層３に貼り付けられたままの状態である一方、他の一部が除去対象部分ではない被覆層３から剥がされた状態で、除去対象部分の被覆層３とともに除去され、被覆除去器本体１２側に残留される。
　被覆除去作業が終了した時点で、作業者が光ファイバ押さえ蓋３２を開くと、ヒータ通電スイッチがＯＦＦになり、ヒータ４２への通電が停止される。 In this way, the glass fiber 2 in the vicinity of the end portion of the optical fiber core wire 1 is pulled out of the coating layer 3 and is heated and softened by being heated at the tip side of the cutting portion by the pair of cutting blades 34A and 34B. Only is removed. The resin tape 5 attached to the outer periphery of the optical fiber core wire 1 is in a state where a part thereof is still attached to the coating layer 3 that is a portion to be removed of the optical fiber core wire 1, while the other In a state where a part is peeled off from the coating layer 3 that is not the part to be removed, it is removed together with the coating layer 3 of the part to be removed and remains on the side of the coating remover main body 12.
When the worker opens the optical fiber holding lid 32 at the time when the sheath removal operation is completed, the heater energization switch is turned off and the energization to the heater 42 is stopped.
　以上説明したような光ファイバ被覆除去方法によれば、インク層４を含む被覆層３の外周に例えば樹脂テープからなる補助媒体５を配置し、切断刃３４Ａ，３４Ｂが噛み合う位置において、当該切断刃３４Ａ，３４Ｂが光ファイバ心線１の被覆層３に到達する前に、補助媒体５が切断刃３４Ａ，３４Ｂに先に接触するため、切断刃３４Ａ，３４Ｂを切り込ませた際に、補助媒体５は切断されず被覆層３のみを切断することができる。このように、インク層４を含む被覆層３の外周に補助媒体５を配置させておくことで、補助媒体５が配置されていない場合に比べて、切断刃３４Ａ，３４Ｂにより切り込みが入れられる深さを、深くすることができる。そして、一定の厚みを有する補助媒体５を介して、インク層４を含む被覆層３に切り込みを入れることで、ガラスファイバ２を被覆層３から引き抜く際に切断刃３４Ａ，３４Ｂにより被覆層３を押さえておく力を高めることができる。このため、光ファイバ心線１の被覆層３の除去性を向上させることができ、良好に被覆除去作業を行うことができる。特に、この方法では被覆除去器自体の改造を必要としないため、既存の被覆除去器を用いることができる。 According to the optical fiber coating removing method as described above, the auxiliary medium 5 made of, for example, a resin tape is disposed on the outer periphery of the coating layer 3 including the ink layer 4, and the cutting blade 34A, 34B is engaged with the cutting blade 34A, 34B. Since the auxiliary medium 5 comes into contact with the cutting blades 34A and 34B before 34A and 34B reach the coating layer 3 of the optical fiber core wire 1, when the cutting blades 34A and 34B are cut, the auxiliary medium 5 5 is not cut | disconnected but only the coating layer 3 can be cut | disconnected. In this way, by arranging the auxiliary medium 5 on the outer periphery of the coating layer 3 including the ink layer 4, the depth at which the cutting blades 34A and 34B can cut as compared with the case where the auxiliary medium 5 is not arranged. The depth can be deepened. Then, by cutting into the coating layer 3 including the ink layer 4 through the auxiliary medium 5 having a certain thickness, the coating layer 3 is removed by the cutting blades 34A and 34B when the glass fiber 2 is pulled out from the coating layer 3. The force to hold down can be increased. For this reason, the removability of the coating layer 3 of the optical fiber core wire 1 can be improved, and the coating removal operation can be performed satisfactorily. In particular, since this method does not require modification of the coating remover itself, an existing coating remover can be used.
　また、補助媒体５は、被覆層３から容易に分離可能な状態で貼り付けられている。このため、光ファイバホルダ固定部１３をスライドさせて光ファイバ心線１の被覆層３を除去する際に、除去対象部分ではない被覆層３に貼り付けられていた補助媒体５を、当該被覆層３から容易に剥がして分離させることができる。したがって、光ファイバ心線１の被覆層３の除去性を向上させ、さらに良好に被覆除去作業を行うことができる。 Further, the auxiliary medium 5 is pasted in a state where it can be easily separated from the coating layer 3. For this reason, when the coating layer 3 of the optical fiber core wire 1 is removed by sliding the optical fiber holder fixing portion 13, the auxiliary medium 5 attached to the coating layer 3 that is not the portion to be removed is removed from the coating layer 3. 3 can be easily peeled off and separated. Therefore, the removability of the coating layer 3 of the optical fiber core wire 1 can be improved, and the coating removal operation can be performed more satisfactorily.
　また、上記光ファイバ被覆除去方法によれば、既存の外径を有する光ファイバ心線１だけではなく、特に、既存のものよりも細径（例えば、ガラスファイバ２の外径が１２５μｍ未満であり、インク層４を含む被覆層３の外径が２５０μｍ未満）の光ファイバ心線１の被覆層３を除去する場合に好適である。既存の光ファイバ心線（汎用光ファイバ心線）よりも細径の光ファイバ心線については、被覆除去性の向上や被覆除去時の断線防止のため、汎用光ファイバ心線に比べて被覆除去時におけるガラスファイバ２と被覆層３との密着力をより弱くしてから被覆を除去する必要がある。そのため、細径の光ファイバ心線１に対しては、上記のような光ファイバ被覆除去方法を用いて被覆除去作業を行うことがより好ましい。 Further, according to the optical fiber coating removal method, not only the existing optical fiber core wire 1 having an outer diameter, but particularly a smaller diameter than the existing one (for example, the outer diameter of the glass fiber 2 is less than 125 μm). This is suitable for removing the coating layer 3 of the optical fiber core wire 1 having an outer diameter of the coating layer 3 including the ink layer 4 of less than 250 μm. For optical fiber cores with a diameter smaller than that of existing optical fiber cores (general-purpose optical fiber cores), coating removal compared to general-purpose optical fiber cores is required to improve coating removal and prevent disconnection during coating removal. It is necessary to remove the coating after weakening the adhesion between the glass fiber 2 and the coating layer 3 at the time. Therefore, it is more preferable to perform the coating removal operation on the thin optical fiber core wire 1 using the optical fiber coating removal method as described above.
（実施例）
　光ファイバ心線の外周に補助媒体を貼り付けない従来の光ファイバ被覆除去方法（以下、例１とする）と、光ファイバ心線１の外周に補助媒体５を貼り付ける上記実施形態に係る光ファイバ被覆除去方法（以下、例２とする）とにより、光ファイバ心線の被覆除去を行い、その成功率を比較した。被覆除去の成功とは、ガラスファイバ２を傷つけることなく被覆層３のみを除去することができるとともに、切断刃３４Ａ，３４Ｂによる切断箇所近傍においてガラスファイバ２の周囲に被覆層３の残渣が発生しないこととした。なお、被覆除去対象の光ファイバ心線としては、ガラスファイバの外径が１２５μｍ、光ファイバ心線の外径が２００μｍの細径光ファイバ心線を使用した。また、補助媒体５の厚さは１００μｍとした。 (Example)
A conventional optical fiber coating removal method (hereinafter referred to as Example 1) in which the auxiliary medium is not attached to the outer periphery of the optical fiber core, and the light according to the embodiment in which the auxiliary medium 5 is attached to the outer periphery of the optical fiber core 1. By the fiber coating removal method (hereinafter referred to as Example 2), the coating removal of the optical fiber core wire was performed, and the success rates were compared. Successful removal of the coating means that only the coating layer 3 can be removed without damaging the glass fiber 2, and no residue of the coating layer 3 is generated around the glass fiber 2 in the vicinity of the cutting position by the cutting blades 34A and 34B. It was decided. In addition, as an optical fiber core wire to be covered, a thin optical fiber core wire having an outer diameter of 125 μm and an optical fiber core wire of 200 μm was used. The thickness of the auxiliary medium 5 was 100 μm.
　例１および例２について、それぞれ１００本の光ファイバ心線の被覆除去を行ったところ、光ファイバ心線の外周に補助媒体を貼り付けない例１の被覆除去方法では、成功本数が０本、すなわち成功率は０％であった。これに対して、ファイバ心線１の外周に補助媒体５を貼り付ける例２の被覆除去方法では、成功本数が１００本であり、成功率を１００％に向上できることが確認できた。 About Example 1 and Example 2, when the coating removal of 100 optical fiber core wires was performed, in the coating removal method of Example 1 in which the auxiliary medium was not attached to the outer periphery of the optical fiber core wire, the number of successful cases was 0, That is, the success rate was 0%. On the other hand, in the coating removal method of Example 2 in which the auxiliary medium 5 is attached to the outer periphery of the fiber core wire 1, the number of successes was 100, and it was confirmed that the success rate could be improved to 100%.
（変形例）
　上記の実施形態では、単心の光ファイバ心線１の被覆層３（およびインク層４）を除去する場合を例示して説明したが、これに限られない。例えば、上記光ファイバ被覆除去方法は、図７に示すような、並列に配列されて一体化された複数心の光ファイバ心線７（以下、多芯テープ心線７と称す）にも適用可能である。多芯テープ心線７は、複数本の光ファイバ心線１を並列させてこれらを被覆層８（第２被覆層の一例）により一体化させたものである。多芯テープ心線７の場合も、被覆層３および被覆層８を除去する際に、被覆層８の外周に補助媒体５を貼り付けてから被覆除去処理を行うことで、切断刃３４Ａ，３４Ｂによる被覆層３および被覆層８の除去性を向上させ、良好に被覆除去作業を行うことができる。 (Modification)
In the above embodiment, the case where the coating layer 3 (and the ink layer 4) of the single-core optical fiber 1 is removed has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the optical fiber coating removal method can be applied to a plurality of optical fiber cores 7 arranged in parallel and integrated as shown in FIG. 7 (hereinafter referred to as multi-core tape core wire 7). It is. The multi-core tape core wire 7 is formed by arranging a plurality of optical fiber core wires 1 in parallel and integrating them with a coating layer 8 (an example of a second coating layer). Also in the case of the multi-core ribbon 7, the cutting blades 34 </ b> A and 34 </ b> B are obtained by performing the coating removing process after the auxiliary medium 5 is attached to the outer periphery of the coating layer 8 when removing the coating layer 3 and the coating layer 8. The removability of the coating layer 3 and the coating layer 8 can be improved, and the coating removal operation can be performed satisfactorily.
　以上、本発明を詳細にまた特定の実施態様を参照して説明したが、本発明の精神と範囲を逸脱することなく様々な変更や修正を加えることができることは当業者にとって明らかである。また、上記説明した構成部材の数、位置、形状等は上記実施の形態に限定されず、本発明を実施する上で好適な数、位置、形状等に変更することができる。 While the present invention has been described in detail and with reference to specific embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, the number, position, shape, and the like of the constituent members described above are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be changed to a number, position, shape, and the like that are suitable for carrying out the present invention.
　１：光ファイバ心線
　２：ガラスファイバ
　２ａ：コア
　２ｂ：クラッド
　３：被覆層（第１被覆層）
　３ａ：プライマリ樹脂層
　３ｂ：セカンダリ樹脂層
　４：インク層
　５：補助媒体
　６：粘着層
　７：多芯テープ心線
　８：被覆層（第２被覆層）
　１１：光ファイバ被覆除去器
　１２：被覆除去器本体
　１３：光ファイバホルダ固定部（光ファイバ固定部）
　２０：光ファイバホルダ
　２１：ホルダ搭載部
　２２：ホルダ押さえ蓋
　３１：被覆除去部
　３３：光ファイバ押さえ媒体
　３４Ａ，３４Ｂ：切断刃
　４１：加熱部
　４２：ヒータ
　４２ａ：加熱面
　４３：ヒータ支持部材 1: Optical fiber core wire 2: Glass fiber 2a: Core 2b: Clad 3: Coating layer (first coating layer)
3a: Primary resin layer 3b: Secondary resin layer 4: Ink layer 5: Auxiliary medium 6: Adhesive layer 7: Multi-core tape core wire 8: Coating layer (second coating layer)
11: Optical fiber sheath remover 12: Cover remover body 13: Optical fiber holder fixing portion (optical fiber fixing portion)
20: Optical fiber holder 21: Holder mounting part 22: Holder pressing lid 31: Cover removal part 33: Optical fiber pressing medium 34A, 34B: Cutting blade 41: Heating part 42: Heater 42a: Heating surface 43: Heater support member

Claims (8)

  1. 　ガラスファイバの周囲が第１被覆層により覆われた光ファイバ心線を被覆除去器の光ファイバ固定部で保持し、前記光ファイバ心線の端部近傍における前記第１被覆層を、前記光ファイバ固定部に対して接離可能に設けられた被覆除去部が備える加熱部によって加熱するとともに前記被覆除去部が備える一対の切断刃によって切断し、前記一対の切断刃によって前記第１被覆層を切断した状態で、前記光ファイバ固定部を前記被覆除去部から離間させることにより、前記端部近傍のガラスファイバを前記端部近傍の第１被覆層から引き抜く、光ファイバ被覆除去方法であって、
    　前記光ファイバ心線の前記第１被覆層の外周に、前記第１被覆層の構成樹脂とは異なる補助媒体を前記第１被覆層と分離可能な状態で配置するステップと、
    　前記一対の切断刃が噛み合う位置において、前記一対の切断刃が前記第１被覆層に到達する前に、前記補助媒体が前記一対の切断刃に先に接触するステップと、
    を含む、光ファイバ被覆除去方法。     An optical fiber core wire whose periphery is covered with a first coating layer is held by an optical fiber fixing portion of a coating remover, and the first coating layer in the vicinity of the end portion of the optical fiber core wire is attached to the optical fiber. Heating is performed by a heating unit included in the coating removing unit provided so as to be able to come in contact with and away from the fixing unit, and the first coating layer is cut by the pair of cutting blades. In this state, by separating the optical fiber fixing part from the coating removal part, the glass fiber in the vicinity of the end part is pulled out from the first coating layer in the vicinity of the end part,
    Disposing an auxiliary medium different from the constituent resin of the first coating layer on the outer circumference of the first coating layer of the optical fiber core wire in a state where it can be separated from the first coating layer;
    The auxiliary medium first contacts the pair of cutting blades before the pair of cutting blades reach the first coating layer at a position where the pair of cutting blades mesh with each other;
    An optical fiber coating removing method.
  2. 　ガラスファイバの周囲が第１被覆層により覆われた光ファイバ心線が少なくとも２本並列され、第２被覆層により一体化された多芯テープ心線を被覆除去器の光ファイバ固定部で保持し、前記多芯テープ心線の端部近傍における前記第１被覆層および前記第２被覆層を、前記光ファイバ固定部に対して接離可能に設けられた被覆除去部が備える加熱部によって加熱するとともに前記被覆除去部が備える一対の切断刃によって切断し、前記一対の切断刃によって前記第１被覆層および前記第２被覆層を切断した状態で、前記光ファイバ固定部を前記被覆除去部から離間させることにより、前記端部近傍のガラスファイバを前記端部近傍の第１被覆層および第２被覆層から引き抜く、光ファイバ被覆除去方法であって、
    　前記多芯テープ心線の第２被覆層の外周に、前記第２被覆層の構成樹脂とは異なる補助媒体を前記第２被覆層と分離可能な状態で配置するステップと、
    　前記一対の切断刃が噛み合う位置において、前記一対の切断刃が前記第２被覆層に到達する前に、前記補助媒体が前記一対の切断刃に先に接触するステップと、
    を含む、光ファイバ被覆除去方法。     At least two optical fiber core wires whose glass fibers are covered with the first coating layer are arranged in parallel, and the multi-core tape core wire integrated with the second coating layer is held by the optical fiber fixing portion of the coating remover. The first coating layer and the second coating layer in the vicinity of the end portion of the multicore tape core wire are heated by a heating unit provided in a coating removal unit provided so as to be able to contact and separate from the optical fiber fixing unit. In addition, the optical fiber fixing portion is separated from the coating removal portion while being cut by a pair of cutting blades provided in the coating removal portion and the first coating layer and the second coating layer being cut by the pair of cutting blades. By pulling out the glass fiber in the vicinity of the end portion from the first coating layer and the second coating layer in the vicinity of the end portion, an optical fiber coating removing method,
    Disposing an auxiliary medium different from the constituent resin of the second coating layer on the outer periphery of the second coating layer of the multicore tape core wire in a state where it can be separated from the second coating layer;
    The auxiliary medium first contacts the pair of cutting blades before the pair of cutting blades reach the second coating layer at a position where the pair of cutting blades mesh with each other;
    An optical fiber coating removing method.
  3. 　前記ガラスファイバの外径が１２５μｍ未満であり、前記第１被覆層を含む前記光ファイバ心線の外径が２５０μｍ未満である、請求項１または請求項２に記載の光ファイバ被覆除去方法。 3. The optical fiber coating removal method according to claim 1, wherein an outer diameter of the glass fiber is less than 125 μm, and an outer diameter of the optical fiber core wire including the first coating layer is less than 250 μm.
  4. 　前記補助媒体は、前記光ファイバ心線の前記第１被覆層を前記一対の切断刃により切断する際にも切断されない材料により構成されている、請求項１に記載の光ファイバ被覆除去方法。 The optical fiber coating removal method according to claim 1, wherein the auxiliary medium is made of a material that is not cut even when the first coating layer of the optical fiber core wire is cut by the pair of cutting blades.
  5. 　前記補助媒体は、前記多芯テープ心線の前記第１被覆層および前記第２被覆層を前記一対の切断刃により切断する際にも切断されない材料により構成されている、請求項２に記載の光ファイバ被覆除去方法。 The said auxiliary | assistant medium is comprised by the material which is not cut | disconnected when cut | disconnecting the said 1st coating layer and the said 2nd coating layer of the said multi-core tape core wire with a pair of said cutting blade. Optical fiber coating removal method.
  6. 　前記補助媒体が、樹脂テープまたは紙テープにより構成されている、請求項１から請求項５のいずれか一項に記載の光ファイバ被覆除去方法。 The optical fiber coating removal method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the auxiliary medium is made of a resin tape or a paper tape.
  7. 　前記第１被覆層と前記補助媒体との間に、粘着層が設けられている、請求項１または請求項４に記載の光ファイバ被覆除去方法。 The optical fiber coating removal method according to claim 1 or 4, wherein an adhesive layer is provided between the first coating layer and the auxiliary medium.
  8. 　前記第２被覆層と前記補助媒体との間に、粘着層が設けられている、請求項２または請求項５に記載の光ファイバ被覆除去方法。 The optical fiber coating removal method according to claim 2 or 5, wherein an adhesive layer is provided between the second coating layer and the auxiliary medium.
PCT/JP2018/021352 2017-06-08 2018-06-04 Optical fiber covering removal method WO2018225678A1 (en)

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