WO2021161724A1 - 光ファイバの融着接続機及び光ファイバを融着接続する方法 - Google Patents

光ファイバの融着接続機及び光ファイバを融着接続する方法 Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2021161724A1
WO2021161724A1 PCT/JP2021/001470 JP2021001470W WO2021161724A1 WO 2021161724 A1 WO2021161724 A1 WO 2021161724A1 JP 2021001470 W JP2021001470 W JP 2021001470W WO 2021161724 A1 WO2021161724 A1 WO 2021161724A1
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WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
face
end faces
optical fiber
discharge
optical fibers
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Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/JP2021/001470
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English (en)
French (fr)
Japanese (ja)
Inventor
貴洋 諏訪
和文 上甲
智義 佐々木
一芳 大木
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Sumitomo Electric Optifrontier Co Ltd
Original Assignee
Sumitomo Electric Optifrontier Co Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Sumitomo Electric Optifrontier Co Ltd filed Critical Sumitomo Electric Optifrontier Co Ltd
Priority to JP2022500284A priority Critical patent/JP7758346B2/ja
Priority to KR1020227028878A priority patent/KR20220131303A/ko
Priority to EP21753988.1A priority patent/EP4105697A4/en
Priority to US17/760,210 priority patent/US20230038405A1/en
Priority to BR112022014014A priority patent/BR112022014014A2/pt
Priority to CN202180012309.0A priority patent/CN115039005A/zh
Publication of WO2021161724A1 publication Critical patent/WO2021161724A1/ja
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Priority to JP2025078822A priority patent/JP2025114755A/ja
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

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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
    • G02B6/255—Splicing of light guides, e.g. by fusion or bonding
    • G02B6/2553—Splicing machines, e.g. optical fibre fusion splicer
    • 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
    • G02B6/255—Splicing of light guides, e.g. by fusion or bonding
    • G02B6/2552—Splicing of light guides, e.g. by fusion or bonding reshaping or reforming of light guides for coupling using thermal heating, e.g. tapering, forming of a lens on light guide ends
    • 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
    • G02B6/255—Splicing of light guides, e.g. by fusion or bonding
    • G02B6/2555—Alignment or adjustment devices for aligning prior to splicing

Definitions

  • the present disclosure relates to an optical fiber fusion splicer and a method of fusion splicing an optical fiber.
  • Patent Document 1 discloses a technique relating to an optical fiber fusion splicer.
  • the fusion splicer described in this document is a device for fusion splicing two optical fibers to each other.
  • This device includes imaging means, information extraction means, storage means, selection means, discharge means, and control means.
  • the imaging means obtains a transmitted light image by transmitted light at the ends of the two optical fibers.
  • the information extraction means extracts end face information of each of the two optical fibers by using the brightness distribution of the transmitted light image.
  • the storage means stores a plurality of connection conditions in advance.
  • the selection means selects the connection condition corresponding to the end face information from the plurality of connection conditions.
  • the discharge means generates an arc discharge that is applied to the connecting end faces of the two optical fibers.
  • the control means controls the amount of discharge energy of the arc discharge according to the connection conditions selected by the selection means.
  • the optical fiber fusion splicer includes an image acquisition unit, a condition setting unit, and a fusion splicing unit.
  • the image acquisition unit acquires an image including each end face of the first and second optical fibers in a state where the end faces of the first and second optical fibers to be connected are arranged to face each other.
  • the condition setting unit grasps the state of each end face based on the image and sets the connection condition according to the state of each end face.
  • the fusion splicing unit fuses and connects the first and second optical fibers to each other by electric discharge between the pair of electrode rods according to the connection conditions set by the condition setting unit.
  • connection conditions are the position of each end face before the start of discharge, the distance between each end face before the start of discharge, the preliminary discharge time, the main discharge time, the amount of pushing after each end face comes into contact with each other, and each end face pushed together. Includes at least one of the later pullback amounts.
  • the method of fusion-bonding the optical fibers includes an image acquisition step, a condition setting step, and a fusion-bonding connection step.
  • the image acquisition step acquires an image including each end face of the first and second optical fibers in a state where the end faces of the first and second optical fibers to be connected are arranged to face each other.
  • the condition setting step grasps the state of each end face based on the image, and sets the connection condition according to the state of each end face.
  • the first and second optical fibers are fused and spliced to each other by electric discharge between the pair of electrode rods according to the connection conditions set by the condition setting step.
  • connection conditions are the position of each end face before the start of discharge, the distance between each end face before the start of discharge, the preliminary discharge time, the main discharge time, the amount of pushing after each end face comes into contact with each other, and each end face pushed together. Includes at least one of the later pullback amounts.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the optical fiber fusion splicer according to the embodiment.
  • FIG. 1 shows the appearance of the windshield cover in a closed state.
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the optical fiber fusion splicer according to the embodiment.
  • FIG. 2 shows the appearance of the fusion splicer with the windshield cover opened so that the internal structure of the fusion splicer can be seen.
  • FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of an internal system included in the fusion splicer.
  • FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the fusion control unit.
  • FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the operation of the fusion splicer of one embodiment.
  • FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the operation of the fusion splicer of one embodiment.
  • FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the operation of the fusion splicer of one embodiment.
  • FIG. 8 is a view of the end face of the optical fiber viewed from the optical axis direction.
  • FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically showing an image obtained by a camera that captures an image from a certain direction.
  • FIG. 10 is a view of the end face of the optical fiber viewed from the optical axis direction.
  • FIG. 11 is a diagram schematically showing an image obtained by a camera that captures an image from a certain direction.
  • FIG. 12 is a view of the end face of the optical fiber viewed from the optical axis direction.
  • FIG. 13 is a diagram schematically showing an image obtained by a camera that captures images from another direction.
  • FIG. 14 is a diagram schematically showing the position of each end face before the start of discharge.
  • FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a fusion splicing method according to an embodiment.
  • connection conditions such as discharge power and the position of the tip of the optical fiber are set.
  • the quality of the fusion splicing changes, and the amount of increase in transmission loss (connection loss) in the splicing portion increases or decreases.
  • Suitable connection conditions vary depending on the condition of the end face of the optical fiber.
  • the optical fiber fusion splicer includes an image acquisition unit, a condition setting unit, and a fusion splicer.
  • the image acquisition unit acquires an image including each end face of the first and second optical fibers in a state where the end faces of the first and second optical fibers to be connected are arranged to face each other.
  • the condition setting unit grasps the state of each end face based on the image and sets the connection condition according to the state of each end face.
  • the fusion splicing unit fuses and connects the first and second optical fibers to each other by electric discharge between the pair of electrode rods according to the connection conditions set by the condition setting unit.
  • connection conditions are the position of each end face before the start of discharge, the distance between each end face before the start of discharge, the preliminary discharge time, the main discharge time, the amount of pushing after each end face comes into contact with each other, and each end face pushed together. Includes at least one of the later pullback amounts.
  • the "image including the end face” is not limited to the image obtained by directly capturing the end face, and also includes an image obtained by capturing the portion including the end portion of the optical fiber from the side surface without the end face directly appearing in the image.
  • the method of fusion-bonding the optical fibers includes an image acquisition step, a condition setting step, and a fusion-bonding connection step.
  • the image acquisition step acquires an image including each end face of the first and second optical fibers in a state where the end faces of the first and second optical fibers to be connected are arranged to face each other.
  • the condition setting step grasps the state of each end face based on the image, and sets the connection condition according to the state of each end face.
  • the first and second optical fibers are fused and spliced to each other by electric discharge between the pair of electrode rods according to the connection conditions set by the condition setting step.
  • connection conditions are the position of each end face before the start of discharge, the distance between each end face before the start of discharge, the preliminary discharge time, the main discharge time, the amount of pushing after each end face comes into contact with each other, and each end face pushed together. Includes at least one of the later pullback amounts.
  • the "image including the end face” is not limited to the image obtained by directly capturing the end face, and also includes an image obtained by capturing the portion including the end portion of the optical fiber from the side surface without the end face directly appearing in the image.
  • the connection conditions set according to the state of each end face are the position of each end face before the start of discharge, the distance between each end face before the start of discharge, the preliminary discharge time, and so on. It includes at least one of the main discharge time, the amount of pushing after the end faces are in contact with each other, and the amount of pulling back after pushing each of the end faces.
  • more suitable connection conditions are set according to the state of the end face of the optical fiber. Can be done. Therefore, the quality of the fusion spliced connection can be further improved and the connection loss can be reduced.
  • connection conditions are at least three of the above position, the above interval, the preliminary discharge time, the main discharge time, the push-in amount, and the pull-back amount. May include one.
  • the quality of the fusion splicing can be further improved and the connection loss can be further reduced.
  • the above positions are the positions of the end faces with respect to the line connecting the central axes of the pair of electrode rods at the start of the preliminary discharge.
  • the pre-discharge time may be the time from the start of the arc discharge to the start of the relative movement of the first and second optical fibers in order to bring the end faces into contact with each other.
  • the main discharge time may be the time from when the end faces come into contact with each other until the application of the voltage to the pair of electrode rods is stopped.
  • the pushing amount may be the moving distance when the first and second optical fibers are relatively moved in the same direction during discharging after the end faces are brought into contact with each other.
  • the pull-back amount is the movement when the first and second optical fibers are relatively moved in the direction in which the end faces are separated from each other during the fusion splicing after the end faces are brought into contact with each other and the end faces are further pushed. It may be a distance.
  • the state of each end face may include the position and depth of dents on each end face.
  • the state of each end face may include the position and height of the protrusion at the edge of each end face.
  • the state of each end face may include the direction and angle of inclination of each end face.
  • FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective views showing the appearance of the optical fiber fusion splicer (hereinafter, simply referred to as a fusion splicer) 10 according to the present embodiment.
  • FIG. 1 shows the appearance of the windshield cover in the closed state.
  • FIG. 2 shows the appearance of the fusion splicer 10 in a state where the windshield cover is opened and the internal structure of the fusion splicer 10 can be seen.
  • the fusion splicer 10 is a device for fusion splicing optical fibers to each other by electric discharge.
  • the fusion splicer 10 includes a box-shaped housing 2.
  • a fusion splicing portion 3 for fusing the optical fibers to each other and a heater 4 are provided on the upper portion of the housing 2.
  • the heater 4 heats and contracts the fiber reinforcing sleeve that covers the fused portion of the optical fiber.
  • the fusion splicer 10 further includes a monitor 5, a windshield cover 6, a power switch 7, and a connection start switch 8.
  • the monitor 5 displays various information.
  • the various information includes, for example, the fusion connection status of the optical fibers captured by the camera arranged inside the housing 2.
  • the windshield cover 6 prevents wind from entering the fusion splicing portion 3.
  • the power switch 7 is a push button for switching the power on / off of the fusion splicer 10 according to the operation of the user.
  • the connection start switch 8 is a push button for starting an operation for fusing the optical fibers to each other according to the operation of the user.
  • the fusion splicer 3 has a pair of fiber positioning portions 3a, a pair of electrode rods 3b, and a holder mounting portion on which a pair of optical fiber holders 3c can be mounted. There is.
  • Each of the optical fibers to be fused is held and fixed to the optical fiber holder 3c, and each of the optical fiber holders 3c is placed and fixed to the holder mounting portion.
  • the fiber positioning portion 3a is arranged between the pair of optical fiber holders 3c, and positions the tip end portion of the optical fiber held in each of the optical fiber holders 3c.
  • the electrode rods 3b are arranged between the pair of fiber positioning portions 3a, and the tip of each optical fiber is softened by arc discharge.
  • FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the internal system included in the fusion splicer 10.
  • the fusion splicer 10 includes a fusion control unit 12, a camera 9, and a monitor 5 in addition to the fusion splicing unit 3 described above.
  • the camera 9 is an example of the image acquisition unit in the present embodiment.
  • the camera 9 is arranged inside the housing 2.
  • the camera 9 acquires an image including each end face in a state where the end faces of the two optical fibers to be connected are opposed to each other, and generates image data.
  • FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the fusion control unit 12.
  • the fusion control unit 12 may be configured as a computer including a CPU 12a, a RAM 12b, and a ROM 12c.
  • the fusion control unit 12 reads and writes data to the RAM 12b and the ROM 12c under the control of the CPU 12a while reading and executing the program stored in the ROM 12c in advance.
  • the fusion control unit 12 can realize each function of the fusion control unit 12 by this.
  • the operating status of the fusion control unit 12 is always displayed on the monitor 5 during the operation of the fusion connector 10.
  • the fusion control unit 12 is electrically connected to the connection start switch 8.
  • the fusion control unit 12 receives an electric signal from the connection start switch 8.
  • the fusion control unit 12 includes a basic control unit 13 and a condition setting unit 14.
  • the basic control unit 13 controls the operation of the fusion splicer unit 3.
  • the basic control unit 13 receives an operation of the connection start switch 8 by the user and controls the contact operation between the tips of the optical fibers and the arc discharge in the fusion splicing unit 3.
  • the contact operation between the tips of the optical fibers includes the positioning process of the optical fibers by the fiber positioning unit 3a, that is, the control of the tip position of each optical fiber.
  • Control of arc discharge includes control of discharge power, discharge start timing and discharge end timing.
  • Various connection conditions such as the tip position of the optical fiber and the discharge power are stored in, for example, the ROM 12c.
  • connection condition is set by the condition setting unit 14.
  • the condition setting unit 14 grasps the state of each end face of the two optical fibers based on the image acquired by the camera 9, and sets the connection condition according to the state of each end face.
  • a plurality of connection conditions may be prepared in advance, and one of the connection conditions may be selected according to the state of each end face.
  • the connection condition may be set by calculating from a predetermined approximate expression set in advance using a specific numerical value obtained according to the state of each end face.
  • both may be combined. That is, the reference connection condition prepared in advance is set, and the amount to be changed from the reference connection condition is calculated from a predetermined approximate expression using a specific numerical value obtained according to the state of each end face. It may be set.
  • the operation of the fusion splicer 10 of the present embodiment having the above configuration is as follows. First, as shown in FIG. 5, the user holds the optical fiber F1 (first optical fiber) and the optical fiber F2 (second optical fiber) to be connected in the optical fiber holder 3c, respectively. .. Then, the optical fiber holder 3c is placed on the holder mounting portion. At this time, the end face F1a of the optical fiber F1 and the end face F2a of the optical fiber F2 are arranged so as to face each other. Next, the user instructs the fusion splicer 10 to start the fusion splicing. This instruction is given via the connection start switch 8. In response to this instruction, as shown in FIG.
  • the basic control unit 13 positions the optical fibers F1 and F2 based on the positions of the end faces F1a and F2a set as the connection conditions. After that, as shown in FIG. 7, the basic control unit 13 starts an arc discharge between the pair of electrode rods 3b.
  • the end faces F1a and F2a are separated from each other.
  • the arc discharge corresponds to a preliminary discharge for pre-softening the end faces F1a and F2a before fusion.
  • the basic control unit 13 controls the position of the fiber positioning unit 3a to bring the end faces F1a and F2a closer to each other and bring them into contact with each other. Then, by continuing the arc discharge (main discharge), the end faces F1a and F2a are further softened and fused to each other.
  • FIG. 8 is a view of the end surface F2a of one of the optical fibers F2 as viewed from the front (in the optical axis direction).
  • the arrows MSX and MSY in the figure indicate the observation directions by the camera 9, respectively. That is, in this example, at least two cameras 9 are installed, and the two cameras 9 image the end faces F1a and F2a from the directions MSX and MSY that are orthogonal to each other.
  • the directions MSX and MSY intersect the optical axis directions of the optical fibers F1 and F2, and are orthogonal to each other in one example.
  • a light source 11 for illuminating the optical fibers F1 and F2 is arranged at a position facing the camera 9 with the optical fibers F1 and F2 interposed therebetween.
  • a chip (dent) A is generated at the position shown in FIG. 8 on the end face F2a.
  • the chip A of the end face F2a clearly appears in the image PY obtained by the camera 9 imaged from the direction MSY.
  • the position and size (depth) of the chip A on the end face F2a can be analyzed based on two images obtained from the two cameras 9 taken from the directions MSX and MSY, respectively.
  • the positions and shapes of the optical fibers F1 and F2 are confirmed by the contours of at least one of the core CR and the clad CL.
  • the core CR is brightened by the illumination light from the light source 11
  • the clad CL is darkened by the refraction of the illumination light from the light source 11.
  • FIG. 10 is a view of the end surface F2a of one of the optical fibers F2 as viewed from the front (optical axis direction). It is assumed that a protrusion (lip) B at the edge is generated at the position shown in FIG. 10 on the end surface F2a. Then, as shown in FIG. 11, the lip B protruding from the edge of the end face F2a clearly appears in the image PY obtained by the camera 9 imaged from the direction MSY. The position and size (height) of the lip B on the end face F2a can be analyzed based on two images obtained from the two cameras 9 taken from the directions MSX and MSY, respectively.
  • FIG. 12 is a view of the end surface F2a of one of the optical fibers F2 as viewed from the front (optical axis direction), and the inclination of the end surface F2a in the optical axis direction is represented by shades of color. That is, the darker the color, the farther it is from the opposite end face F1a, and the lighter the color, the closer it is to the opposite end face F1a. In this way, it is assumed that the end face F2a is inclined in the direction shown in FIG. Then, as shown in FIG. 13, the inclination of the end face F2a clearly appears in the image PX obtained by the camera 9 imaged from the direction MSX.
  • the direction and magnitude (angle) of the inclination of the end face F2a can be analyzed based on two images obtained from the two cameras 9 imaged from the directions MSX and MSY, respectively.
  • connection conditions set according to the states of the end faces F1a and F2a of the optical fibers F1 and F2 will be described in detail.
  • the connection conditions set according to the states of the end faces F1a and F2a are (1) the positions of the end faces F1a and F2a before the start of discharge, and (2) the end faces F1a and F2a before the start of discharge.
  • Interval (3) Preliminary discharge time, (4) Main discharge time, (5) Pushing amount after each end face F1a, F2a is in contact, and (6) After pushing each end face F1a, F2a. It contains at least one, more preferably three or more, of the withdrawal amounts.
  • Positions of the end faces F1a and F2a before the start of discharge are the states shown in FIG. 14, that is, the positions of the pair of electrode rods 3b at the start of pre-discharge.
  • the amount of heating increases or decreases as the distance between the discharge center and each of the end faces F1a and F2a changes according to the end face positions X1 and X2.
  • the time required for movement until the end faces F1a and F2a come into contact with each other changes according to the end face positions X1 and X2.
  • the end face positions X1 are predetermined so that there is no abnormality in the predetermined end face reference positions, that is, the end faces F1a and F2a.
  • the end face F1a or F2a having the chip A is brought closer to the discharge center axis E as compared with the optimum value of X2.
  • the end face position X1 or X2 with respect to the discharge center axis E is reduced.
  • the end face position X1 or X2 is set to, for example, about 70% of the end face reference position. Thereby, the connection loss can be reduced.
  • the condition setting unit 14 calculates the end face positions X1 and X2 with respect to the discharge center axis E by a predetermined calculation formula based on the depth of the chip A obtained from the image.
  • the maximum value of the end surface position X1 or X2 of the lip B or the end surface F1a or F2a having an inclination is made to match a predetermined end face reference position. Thereby, the connection loss can be reduced.
  • the condition setting unit 14 calculates the end face position X1 or X2 by a predetermined calculation formula based on the maximum value Xa and the minimum value Xb obtained from the image.
  • the end face spacing reference value is an optimum value of the spacing D, which is predetermined so that there is no abnormality in the end faces F1a and F2a.
  • the interval D is, for example, about 70% of the end face interval reference value.
  • the condition setting unit 14 calculates the interval D by a predetermined calculation formula based on the depth of the chip A obtained from the image.
  • the median value of the difference between the maximum distance Da and the minimum distance Db between the end faces F1a and F2a is determined. Match the end face spacing reference value. Thereby, the connection loss can be reduced.
  • the condition setting unit 14 calculates the interval D by a predetermined formula based on the difference between the maximum interval Da and the minimum interval Db obtained from the image.
  • the pre-discharge time is the relative movement of the optical fibers F1 and F2 in order to bring the end faces F1a and F2a into contact with each other after starting the arc discharge in the state shown in FIG. The time to start.
  • the depth of the chip A shown in FIG. 9 is a predetermined value (for example, 10 ⁇ m) or more, for example, by making the preliminary discharge time longer than the predetermined reference time, the end faces F1a and F2a are chipped when they come into contact with each other.
  • the connection loss can be reduced by making A small (shallow).
  • the reference time is an optimum length of the preliminary discharge time, which is predetermined as assuming that there is no abnormality in the end faces F1a and F2a.
  • the pre-discharge time is, for example, 1.3 times or more and twice or less the reference time.
  • the condition setting unit 14 calculates the preliminary discharge time by a predetermined calculation formula based on the depth of the chip A obtained from the image.
  • the pre-discharge time is made longer than the predetermined reference time.
  • the preliminary discharge time is, for example, 1.3 times or more and 2 times or less the reference time.
  • the condition setting unit 14 calculates the preliminary discharge time by a predetermined calculation formula based on the protrusion amount or the inclination angle of the lip B obtained from the image.
  • the main discharge time is the time from when the end faces F1a and F2a come into contact with each other until the end of the arc discharge.
  • the present discharge time is the time from when the end faces F1a and F2a come into contact with each other until the application of the voltage to the pair of electrode rods 3b is stopped.
  • the pre-discharge and the main discharge are performed continuously in time.
  • the chip A shown in FIG. 9 is present on the end faces F1a or F2a, the axial deviation progresses during the fusion splicing starting from the chip A. Therefore, for example, by making the main discharge time shorter than the predetermined reference time, the amount of shaft misalignment can be reduced and the connection loss can be reduced.
  • the reference time is the optimum length of the main discharge time, which is predetermined as assuming that there is no abnormality in the end faces F1a and F2a.
  • the main discharge time is, for example, 30% or more and 70% or less of the reference time.
  • the condition setting unit 14 calculates the main discharge time by a predetermined calculation formula based on the depth of the chip A obtained from the image. Even when either the lip B shown in FIG. 11 or the end face F2a shown in FIG. 13 is inclined, the outer edge portion farthest from the end face on the other side, in other words, the most retracted outer edge portion on the end face is used as the starting point. Axis misalignment progresses during fusion splicing.
  • the condition setting unit 14 calculates the main discharge time by a predetermined calculation formula based on the protrusion amount or the inclination angle of the lip B obtained from the image.
  • Push-in amount after the end faces F1a and F2a are in contact with each other means that the optical fibers F1 and F2 are relatively moved from the state shown in FIG. It refers to the moving distance when the optical fibers F1 and F2 are relatively moved in the same direction during discharging after the end faces F1a and F2a are brought into contact with each other.
  • the chip A shown in FIG. 9 is present on the end faces F1a or F2a, the axial deviation progresses during the fusion splicing starting from the chip A.
  • the reference push-in amount is an optimum value of the push-in amount, which is predetermined as assuming that there is no abnormality in the end faces F1a and F2a.
  • the pushing amount is, for example, 150% or more of the reference time.
  • the condition setting unit 14 calculates the pushing amount by a predetermined calculation formula based on the depth of the chip A obtained from the image. When either the lip B shown in FIG. 11 or the inclination of the end face F2a shown in FIG. 13 is present, there is a variation in the interval D within the end face.
  • the condition setting unit 14 calculates the pushing amount by a predetermined calculation formula based on the protrusion amount or the inclination angle of the lip B obtained from the image.
  • the calculated push-in amount includes the case where the push-in amount is zero, that is, the case where the push-in is not performed.
  • the pullback amount after pushing the end faces F1a and F2a together is the pullback amount after the end faces F1a and F2a are brought into contact with each other and then the end faces F1a and F2a are further pressed. It refers to the moving distance when the optical fibers F1 and F2 are relatively moved in the opposite direction during the fusion splicing after being pushed in, that is, in the direction in which the end faces F1a and F2a are separated from each other.
  • the above-mentioned pushing amount may become non-uniform in the cross section orthogonal to the central axis of the optical fibers F1 and F2. If it becomes non-uniform, the core portion may be deformed and the connection loss may increase. Therefore, for example, the connection loss can be reduced by pulling back 20% or more of the pushing amount.
  • the condition setting unit 14 calculates the pullback amount by a predetermined calculation formula based on the depth of the chip A obtained from the image. Even when either the lip B shown in FIG. 11 or the end face F2a shown in FIG. 13 is inclined, the above-mentioned pushing amount may be non-uniform in the end face.
  • the condition setting unit 14 calculates the pullback amount by a predetermined calculation formula based on the protrusion amount or the inclination angle of the lip B obtained from the image.
  • the calculated pullback amount includes the case where the pullback amount is zero, that is, the case where the pullback is not performed.
  • connection conditions set according to the states of the end faces F1a and F2a may include the following (7) preliminary discharge power.
  • (7) Preliminary discharge power The pre-discharge power is the relative movement of the optical fibers F1 and F2 in order to bring the end faces F1a and F2a into contact with each other after starting the arc discharge in the state shown in FIG. The arc discharge power in the period until the start.
  • the depth of the chip A shown in FIG. 9 is a predetermined value (for example, 10 ⁇ m) or more, for example, the preliminary discharge power is made larger than the reference value of the predetermined preliminary discharge power.
  • the reference value of the preliminary discharge power is an optimum value of the preliminary discharge power, which is predetermined as assuming that there is no abnormality in the end faces F1a and F2a.
  • the condition setting unit 14 calculates the preliminary discharge power by a predetermined calculation formula based on the depth of the chip A obtained from the image. When either the lip B shown in FIG. 11 or the end face F2a shown in FIG. 13 is inclined, for example, the preliminary discharge power is made larger than the reference value.
  • the condition setting unit 14 calculates the preliminary discharge power by a predetermined calculation formula based on the protrusion amount or the inclination angle of the lip B obtained from the image.
  • the states of the end faces F1a and F2a of the two optical fibers F1 and F2 are analyzed and grasped based on the respective observation images. ..
  • the connection conditions are set according to the states of the end faces F1a and F2a. That is, as a result of analyzing the states of the end faces F1a and F2a, if there is no abnormality in any of the end faces F1a and F2a, a predetermined connection condition as a reference is set.
  • FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a fusion splicing method according to the present embodiment.
  • This fusion splicing method can be suitably realized by using the fusion splicing machine 10 described above.
  • the image acquisition step S1 in a state where the end faces F1a and F2a of the optical fibers F1 and F2 to be connected are arranged to face each other (see FIG. 6), an image including the end faces F1a and F2a is acquired by the camera 9. do.
  • each end face After grasping the state of each end face F1a, F2a, for example, the presence / absence of at least one of the chipped A, the lip B, and the end face inclination and the size thereof based on the acquired image, each end face
  • the connection conditions are set according to the states of F1a and F2a.
  • the connection conditions set according to the states of the end faces F1a and F2a are (1) the positions of the end faces F1a and F2a before the start of discharge, and (2) the end faces F1a and F2a before the start of discharge.
  • connection condition may further include the above-mentioned (7) preliminary discharge power.
  • the states of the end faces F1a and F2a of the two optical fibers F1 and F2 are analyzed and grasped based on the respective observation images. Then, the connection conditions are set according to the states of the end faces F1a and F2a. That is, as a result of analyzing the states of the end faces F1a and F2a, if there is no abnormality in any of the end faces F1a and F2a, a predetermined connection condition as a reference is set.
  • connection condition is different from the standard predetermined connection condition depending on the state of the end face having the abnormality.
  • connection conditions set according to the states of the end faces F1a and F2a are (1) the positions of the end faces F1a and F2a before the start of discharge, and (2). ) The distance between the end faces F1a and F2a before the start of discharge, (3) the preliminary discharge time, (4) the main discharge time, (5) the amount of pushing after the end faces F1a and F2a are in contact with each other, and (6). It includes at least one of the pull-back amounts after pushing the end faces F1a and F2a into each other.
  • connection conditions set according to the states of the end faces F1a and F2a may include at least three of the above (1) to (6). In this case, the quality of the fusion splicing can be further improved and the connection loss can be further reduced.
  • optical fiber fusion splicer and the method for fusion-connecting optical fibers according to the present disclosure are not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various other modifications are possible.
  • three states of chipping, lip, and inclination are exemplified as the end face state of the optical fiber, but various states other than these are used as the end face state of the optical fiber which is a judgment material when setting the connection condition. May be included.
  • the connection conditions set according to the states of the end faces F1a and F2a may include other conditions in addition to at least one of the above (1) to (6).
  • connection conditions include, for example, the relative amount of misalignment of the optical fibers F1 and F2, the time interval between each discharge when intermittently discharging, and the like.
  • This discharge power may be included in the connection conditions, or may be constant regardless of the end face state of the optical fiber.
  • the connection conditions set according to the states of the end faces F1a and F2a of the optical fibers F1 and F2 are the amount of change from the reference connection conditions according to the states of the end faces F1a and F2a together with the reference connection conditions. Including those that set.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Plasma & Fusion (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Coupling Of Light Guides (AREA)
PCT/JP2021/001470 2020-02-13 2021-01-18 光ファイバの融着接続機及び光ファイバを融着接続する方法 Ceased WO2021161724A1 (ja)

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JP2022500284A JP7758346B2 (ja) 2020-02-13 2021-01-18 光ファイバの融着接続機及び光ファイバを融着接続する方法
KR1020227028878A KR20220131303A (ko) 2020-02-13 2021-01-18 광섬유의 융착 접속기 및 광섬유를 융착 접속하는 방법
EP21753988.1A EP4105697A4 (en) 2020-02-13 2021-01-18 Optical fiber fusion splicer and method for fusion splicing optical fiber
US17/760,210 US20230038405A1 (en) 2020-02-13 2021-01-18 Optical fiber fusion splicer and method for fusion splicing optical fiber
BR112022014014A BR112022014014A2 (pt) 2020-02-13 2021-01-18 Splicer de fusão de fibra óptica e método para realizar splicing por fusão de fibra óptica
CN202180012309.0A CN115039005A (zh) 2020-02-13 2021-01-18 光纤的熔接机以及熔接光纤的方法
JP2025078822A JP2025114755A (ja) 2020-02-13 2025-05-09 光ファイバの融着接続機及び光ファイバを融着接続する方法

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JPWO2021161724A1 (https=) 2021-08-19
JP2025114755A (ja) 2025-08-05
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EP4105697A4 (en) 2023-08-02
EP4105697A1 (en) 2022-12-21

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