JP3337874B2 - Optical fiber heating reinforcement device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical fiber heating / reinforcing apparatus for fitting a reinforcing tube for protecting the fusion spliced portion from the outside at the fusion spliced portion of the optical fiber.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As shown in FIG. 3, when connecting optical fibers 12, the coating layers 14, 14 of the optical fibers 12, 12 are stripped off in advance for a predetermined length to expose the optical fibers 12. Thereafter, the exposed optical fibers 12 are butted together, and fusion-spliced by discharge heating. here,
The optical fiber 12 in the fusion spliced portion (hereinafter simply referred to as fusion spliced portion 15) has a thermal effect due to fusion splicing.
Usually, the mechanical strength is lower than other parts.

Therefore, in order to reinforce the fusion splicing portion 15, for example, a reinforcing pipe 16 as shown in FIG.
5 is heated, and is fitted to the fusion splicing portion 15. The reinforcing tube 16 is formed by covering an inner tube 19 made of a heat-fusible resin and a reinforcing member 20 made of a glass or stainless steel rod or the like attached thereto with an outer tube 21 made of a heat-shrinkable resin. And the respective coating layers 1 of the two optical fibers 12 to which the reinforcing tube 16 has been fusion-spliced.
Then, the reinforcing tube 16 is heated to shrink the outer tube 21, and the inner tube 19 is fused to the optical fiber 12.

Conventionally, an optical fiber heating and reinforcing device as shown in FIG. 5 has been used for such an operation. FIG. 5
In practice, as will be described later, the heating upper lid 3 is on the heating table 2, the upper clamp arm 7A of the first clamp 4 is on the clamp table 6A, and the upper clamp arm 7B is on the clamp table 6A.
B are pivotally supported so as to be freely openable and closable, but for ease of explanation, this portion is omitted and is schematically shown.

[0005] As shown in FIG. 5, a heating element 1 for heating the reinforcing pipe 16 is composed of a heating table 2 and a heating upper lid 3. The heating upper lid 3 is connected to the heating table 2. , FIG.
It is supported so that it can be opened and closed in the vertical direction toward.

Here, a groove (not shown) having, for example, a U-shaped cross section is formed on the heating table 2 in a straight line to the left and right as viewed in FIG. 5, and the optical fiber 12 and the optical fiber The reinforcing tube 16 placed on the heating pipe 12 is placed and the heating lid 3 is closed, whereby the reinforcing pipe 16 is gripped between the heating lid 3 and the heating table 2. In this state, the reinforcing tube 16 is heated by a heating unit 17 such as an electric heater provided at a position where the reinforcing tube 16 of the heating base 2 or the heating upper lid 3 is placed.

A first clamp 4 and a second clamp 5 are provided on both sides of the heating element 1, and the direction in which the optical fiber 12 extends from the heating element 1 (the left-right direction in FIG. 5; 12, the second clamp 5, the heating element 1, and the first clamp 4 are arranged in this order from the left side as viewed in FIG. The first clamp 4 and the second clamp 5 have clamp bases 6A, 6B and upper clamp arms 7A, 7B pivotally supported by the clamp bases 6A, 6B, respectively, and extend to both sides of the heating element 1. Optical fiber 1
Hold 2

As described above, the reinforcing tube 16 enclosing the fusion splicing portion 15 by the heating element 1 and the optical fibers 12 extending to both sides of the heating element 1 by the first clamp 4 and the second clamp 5 are provided.
Is heated, the reinforcing body 1 is heated in a state where each is held. At this time, if the optical fiber 12 is slack, the reinforcing tube 16 is fitted to the optical fiber 12 while the optical fiber 12 is bent inside the reinforcing tube 16, and the transmission loss of the optical fiber 12 increases. Cause it. Therefore, usually, the optical fiber 12 is slightly pulled by the first clamp 4 and the second clamp 5 in the direction in which the optical fiber 12 extends, and the reinforcing tube 16 is heated while a small tension (constant tension) is applied to the optical fiber 12. .

For this purpose, for example, a guide is provided on the clamp base 6A of the first clamp 4 in the direction in which the optical fiber 12 extends, and the optical fiber 1 is used as the first clamp 4 as a movable clamp.
(2) It is possible to reciprocate in the extension direction. On the other hand, the second clamp 5 is a fixed clamp, for example, fixed to the heating table 2.

While the reinforcing tube 16 is being heated, a driving means is provided on the first clamp 4 which is a movable clamp for pulling the optical fiber 12 at a constant tension, and the optical fiber 12 extending from the heating body 1 is moved in FIG. Pull to the right of

Conventionally, as this driving means, for example, FIG.
First, the optical fiber 12 is gripped by the first clamp 4 and the second clamp 5 using the electric driving means such as the motor 22 and the heating lid 3 is closed.
2, the first clamp 4 is heated by heating the gear portion 23.
In this case, the reinforcing tube 16 is heated in a state in which the driving force of the motor 22 and the tension of the optical fiber 12 are balanced.

Reference numeral 8 in FIG.
When the power of the motor 22 is turned off after the heating of the reinforcing tube 16 is completed, the spring 8 draws the first clamp 4 toward the heating body 1 and causes the first clamp 4 to return to its original state. To return to the original position.

[0013]

However, when an electric driving means such as the motor 22 is used, an operation part and a power supply part are required in addition to the driving means main body. Had been lost. Also, since it is necessary to supply power to move the driving means,
The use cost was also high. Further, the optical fiber heating and reinforcing device itself becomes complicated, assembling work is troublesome, and there is a risk that the driving means may break down while using this device.

[0014]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an optical fiber heating and reinforcing apparatus which can move an optical fiber by using a simple method without using an electric driving means such as a motor. To provide.

[0015]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an optical fiber heating / reinforcing apparatus in which an optical fiber having a fusion splicing portion and a reinforcing tube for reinforcing the fusion splicing portion of the optical fiber from outside are mounted. A heating base to be placed, and a heating upper lid pivotally supported by the heating base and openable and closable with respect to the heating base, wherein the reinforcing tube is disposed between the heating base and the heating upper lid. A heating body to be gripped and heated, a clamp base and a clamp upper arm pivotally supported by the clamp base and capable of being opened and closed with respect to the clamp base, provided on both sides of the heating body and extending from the heating body. A pair of clamps for gripping the optical fiber, wherein one of the pair of clamps is capable of reciprocating in the optical fiber extending direction, and the other is a fixed clamp. Suitable for optical fiber heating reinforcement equipment The side surface of the first lid side of the heating upper lid, the side surface of the first clamp facing the side surface of the upper lid for heating, or the side surface of the first clamp side of the heating element and the heating. A magnet is provided on a side portion of the upper arm of the first clamp facing the side portion of the body so as to face each other with the same magnetic pole. The optical fiber heating and reinforcing device according to claim 2 of the present application is the optical fiber heating and reinforcing device according to claim 1, wherein both ends of the heating table and the first clamp are provided between the heating table and the first clamp. A spring mechanically connected to the clamp table is provided.

[0016]

According to the optical fiber heating and reinforcing apparatus of the present invention, tension is applied to the optical fiber by the magnetic force.

That is, first, when magnets are provided on the side surface of the heating upper lid on the side of the first clamp and the side surface of the first clamp facing the side surface, respectively, the magnets are provided so as to face the same magnetic poles. The optical fiber and the reinforcing tube covered by the fusion spliced portion of the optical fiber are placed on a heating table, and the optical fibers extending to both sides are gripped by the first clamp and the second clamp. Is closed on the heating base, the magnets respectively provided on the heating upper lid and the clamp base of the first clamp face each other with the same magnetic poles, so that a repulsive force is generated therebetween.

As a result, the first clamp moves in a direction away from the heating element, so that the optical fiber held by the first clamp and the second clamp is pulled straight.

On the other hand, in the case where magnets are provided on the side face of the first clamp side of the heating element and the side face of the upper arm of the clamp of the first clamp opposed thereto, respectively, the magnets are provided so as to face the same magnetic poles. And the reinforcing tube is placed on the heating table in the same manner as above and the heating top lid is closed, and then one end of the optical fiber extending from the heating body is gripped by the second clamp,
After placing the other end of the optical fiber on the clamp base of the first clamp, and closing the clamp upper arm of the first clamp, the magnets respectively provided on the heating base and the upper arm of the first clamp face each other. Against each other, the optical fiber is pulled straight, as in the above case.

If the reinforcing fiber is heated while the optical fiber is pulled straight, the reinforcing fiber is fitted to the optical fiber while the optical fiber remains bent inside the reinforcing fiber. Disappears. Therefore, the optical fiber is not locally bent inside the reinforcing tube, and an increase in optical transmission loss is prevented.

Further, in the optical fiber heating and reinforcing apparatus of the present invention, unlike the conventional apparatus, there is no need to provide a driving means for the electric first clamp such as a motor.
Since the device itself is simplified and miniaturized, the manufacture of the device is facilitated, power for operating the driving means of the first clamp is not required, and furthermore, the problem of failure of the driving means of the first clamp. Is also gone.

In the optical fiber heating and reinforcing apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, when the heating upper lid or the clamp upper arm of the first clamp is closed to generate a repulsive force between the magnets and move the first clamp, the spring is accordingly moved. An elastic force is generated (ie, biased) in a direction in which the heating element and the first clamp approach each other.

Further, the repulsive force between the magnets, the elastic force of the spring,
And the first clamp stops at a position where the tension of the optical fiber is balanced. At this time, the moving distance of the first clamp from the position before pulling the optical fiber (hereinafter, referred to as an initial position) is shorter than that without the spring. Thus, by providing the spring, the moving distance of the first clamp due to the repulsive force of the magnet can be suppressed to some extent, so that the optical fiber is not pulled too much.

Further, if the upper lid for heating or the upper arm of the first clamp is opened, the repulsive force between the magnets is eliminated, and the first clamp returns to the initial position alone by the elastic force of the spring. It is convenient to save the trouble of returning to the initial position.

In the present invention, the initial position of the first clamp must not be too far from the heating element.
This is because if the first clamp and the heating element are too far apart, the repulsive force between the magnets becomes weak, and the first clamp cannot be moved. Therefore, the length and elastic force of the spring connecting the heating element and the first clamp need to be determined with this in mind.

The structure of the heating table for mounting the optical fiber and the reinforcing tube in the present invention is not particularly limited. For example, a cross section whose longitudinal direction coincides with the direction in which the optical fiber extends on this heating table. A V-shaped or U-shaped groove may be provided.

[0027]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the optical fiber heating and reinforcing device of the present invention has a heating body 1, a first clamp 4 and a second clamp 5. These are assembled from components such as metal and plastic. In FIG. 1,
Similarly to FIG. 5, a heating upper lid 3, which will be described later, is attached to the heating table 2 by the upper clamps 7A and 7B of the first clamp 4 and the second clamp 5.
Are pivotally supported by the clamp tables 6A and 6B so as to be openable and closable, however, for ease of explanation, this portion is omitted and schematically shown.

First, the heating element 1 comprises a heating base 2 and a heating upper lid 3. The heating upper lid 3 is supported by the heating base 2 with a shaft (not shown). It can be opened and closed with respect to the table 2. Further, a straight groove having a U-shaped cross section for mounting an optical fiber 12 to be described later is formed on the heating table 2, and this groove forms a reinforcing tube 16 to be described later in the center of the heating table 2. It is formed wide enough to be mounted, and has a heating unit 1 such as an electric heater.
7 are provided.

As shown in FIG. 1, a first clamp 4 and a second clamp 5, which are a pair of clamps, are provided on both sides of the heating element 1, and the second clamp 5 and the heating The body 1 and the first clamp 4 are arranged in this order.

The first clamp 4 and the second clamp 5 are respectively provided with clamp tables 6A and 6B and the clamp tables 6A and 6B.
The optical fiber 12 is supported by the clamp bases 6A and 6B and is capable of being opened and closed with respect to the clamp bases 6A and 6B. The optical fiber 12 is connected to the clamp bases 6A and 6B and the clamp upper arms 7A and 7B.
And can be gripped. Here, the opposing positions of the clamp table 6A and the clamp upper arm 7A of the first clamp 4 and the clamp table 6B and the clamp upper arm 7B of the second clamp 5 respectively have the clamp upper arms 7A and 7B and the clamp table 6A when the optical fiber 12 is sandwiched. , 6B so as not to damage the optical fiber 12.
Is pasted.

Of these clamps, the second clamp 5
Is fixed to the side surface of the heating table 2. A through hole 13 is provided in the clamp base 6A of the first clamp 4, and the guide rod 9 supported by the heating base 2 is provided in the through hole 1A.
3 is inserted. Guided by the guide rod 9, the first clamp 4 can reciprocate with respect to the heating table 2 in the direction in which the optical fiber 12 extends (ie, in the horizontal direction in FIG. 1). Here, a stopper 10 for limiting the moving range of the first clamp 4 is attached to the tip of the guide rod 9. A spring 8 is provided between the heating table 2 and the first clamp 4, and both ends of the spring 8 are mechanically connected to the heating table 2 and the clamp table 6 of the first clamp 4 by stoppers (not shown) or the like. Is provided.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, a side surface of the upper cover 3 for heating and a clamp base 6A of the first clamp 4 opposed thereto.
Magnets 11a and 11b (permanent magnets)
Are mounted, and when the heating lid 3 is closed, the magnets 11a and 11b are positioned so as to face each other with the same magnetic pole (for example, N pole).

Further, the magnet 1
A magnet 11c (for example, S-pole) is provided at a position facing the first magnet 1a.
A suction force acts between 1a and 11c so that the heating upper lid 3 does not open by itself. However, if the magnet 11c is too close to the magnet 11b, the magnets 11b, 11c
Attraction force is also generated between the first clamp 4 and the magnet 1
The repulsive force acting between the magnet 1a and the magnet 11c makes it impossible to move in the rightward direction in FIG.

A procedure for reinforcing the fusion spliced portion 15 of the optical fiber 12 with the reinforcing pipe 16 using such an optical fiber heating and reinforcing apparatus will be described below. First, the optical fiber 12,
Before fusion-splicing the optical fibers 12, one of the optical fibers 12 is passed through an inner tube 19 shown in FIG. Cover at a position slightly away from the connection end. In this state, the optical fibers 12 and 12 are fusion-spliced, and when this is completed, the reinforcing tube 16 is moved onto the fusion splicing portion 15 and
The optical fiber 12 is covered so as to straddle the ends A and B of the coating layer 14 of both optical fibers 12 shown in FIG.

Then, the fusion spliced portion 15 of the optical fiber 12 covered with the reinforcing tube 16 is placed in a groove formed on the heating table 2 of the optical fiber heating and reinforcing device, and the fusion of the optical fiber 12 is performed. Both ends of the connection portion 15 are gripped by the first clamp 4 and the second clamp 5. In this state, the optical fiber 12 has some slack, and the optical fiber 12 is also bent inside the reinforcing tube 16.

Thereafter, the heating lid 3 is closed, and the reinforcing tube 16 is gripped by the heating lid 3 and the heating base 2. At this time, the magnet 11a attached to the heating lid 3 and the magnet 11b attached to the clamp base 6A of the first clamp 4
Are opposed to each other to generate a repulsive force, so that the first clamp 4 slides along the guide rod 9 and moves in a direction away from the heater 1, that is, in a rightward direction in FIG. 1. Accordingly, a tension that is not too strong is applied to the optical fiber 12, and the optical fiber 12 is pulled straight. At the same time, the spring 8 is also pulled and expanded, and acts to bring the heating body 1 and the first clamp 4 closer to each other.

Next, the heating unit 17 is maintained while maintaining this state.
When the reinforcing pipe 16 is heated by the heating method, as shown in FIG.
6, the inner tube 19 is fused to the optical fiber 12, and the outer tube 21 is thermally contracted. In this manner, the reinforcing tube 16 is connected to the coating layer 14 of each of the optical fibers 12 and 12 and the optical fiber 1.
2 can be fitted outside. After that, when the heating upper lid 3 is opened after the heat inside the heating element 1 has been cooled to some extent, the magnets 11a and 11b are no longer facing each other. Reference numeral 4 returns to the initial position before closing the heating lid 3.

When the reinforcing pipe 16 is fitted to the fusion spliced portion 15 of the optical fiber 12 in this manner, the reinforcing pipe 16
The optical fiber 12 remains in a state of being completely stretched straight inside, and an increase in optical transmission loss due to the bending of the optical fiber 12 inside the reinforcing tube 16 does not occur. Reference numeral 20 in FIG. 6 denotes a reinforcing member made of stainless steel, glass, ceramics, or the like, which is provided inside the reinforcing tube 16 and applies a large tension to the optical fiber 12 inside the reinforcing tube 16. Has been prevented.

Here, the configuration of the reinforcing pipe 16 in the present embodiment is not limited to the above, and for example, the reinforcing member 20 may not be required.

The optical fiber 12 protected by one reinforcing tube 16 may be a single-core fiber or a multi-core fiber.

The magnets 11a and 11b in the optical fiber heating and reinforcing apparatus of this embodiment are provided on the heating upper lid 3 and the clamp base 6 of the first clamp 4, for example, as shown in FIG. The magnets 11a and 11b may be provided on the heating table 2 and the upper clamp arm 7A of the first clamp 4, and in other words, the magnet 11 is provided on either the upper lid 3 for heating or the upper clamp arm 7A of the first clamp 4. When the closed side is closed, the heating body 1 or the first clamp 4
It is only necessary that another magnet 11 provided on the side surface of the first magnet 11 and the magnet 11 of the former face each other.

Similarly, the upper arm 7 of the first clamp 4
When the magnet 11 is provided on A, the magnet 11c may be provided on the clamp base 6A of the first clamp 4 as shown in FIG.

However, in the case shown in FIG. 2, if the upper arm 7A of the first clamp 4 is completely closed before the magnet 1
1a, 11b, the first clamp 4
Before the optical fiber 12 is gripped, the first clamp 4 moves in a direction away from the heating body 1. Therefore, when the optical fiber 12 is temporarily fixed on the clamp table 6A in advance and the upper arm 7A of the clamp is then closed, it is better to adopt a structure in which the temporary fix is released and the first clamp moves from the heating body 1.

In the present embodiment, the first clamp 4 is supported on the heating table 2 by the guide rod 9 so as to be reciprocally movable, but is not limited to this.

Further, in the present embodiment, the means for making the first clamp 4 movable is a clamp base 6 of the first clamp 4.
A through hole 13 is provided in the through hole 13 and the heating table 2
However, the means for making the first clamp 4 movable is not limited to the above.

In this embodiment, the first clamp 4 and the second clamp 5 are provided with the rubber plate 18, but the material is not rubber but has some elasticity and does not damage the optical fiber 12 or the coating layer 14. Any material may be used.

[0047]

According to the optical fiber heating / reinforcing apparatus of the present invention, the reinforcing tube can be heated while the optical fiber is pulled straight, so that the optical fiber inside the reinforcing tube is bent while the optical fiber is bent. No reinforcing tube is fitted. Therefore, an increase in optical transmission loss of the optical fiber inside the reinforcing tube is prevented. Further, in the optical fiber heating and reinforcing apparatus of the present invention, unlike the conventional apparatus, it is not necessary to provide a driving means for the first clamp such as a motor. Therefore, the size of the device itself is reduced, and the manufacture of the device is facilitated. In addition, electric power for operating the driving means of the first clamp is not required, and the problem of failure of the driving means of the first clamp is eliminated. Further, claim 2 of the present application
In the optical fiber heating and reinforcing apparatus described above, the application of tension to the optical fiber by the magnet can be moderately reduced. Also,
If the magnets are not facing each other by opening the heating top lid or the clamp upper arm of the first clamp after the heat fitting of the reinforcing tube, the repulsive force between the magnets will be eliminated, and the elastic force of the spring alone will The first clamp returns to the position before pulling the optical fiber. Therefore, the labor for manually returning the first clamp to the above position can be omitted, which is convenient.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an example of an optical fiber heating and reinforcing device of the present invention from the side.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing another example of the optical fiber heating and reinforcing device of the present invention from the side.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a fusion spliced portion of the optical fiber.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of a reinforcing tube which is put on a fusion spliced portion of an optical fiber.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a conventional optical fiber heating and reinforcing device from the side.

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state where a fusion spliced portion of the optical fiber is reinforced by a reinforcing pipe.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Heating body 2 Heating base 3 Heating top lid 4 First clamp 5 Second clamp 6A, 6B Clamp base 7A, 7B Clamp upper arm 8 Spring 9 Guide rod 10 Stopper 11a, 11b, 11c Magnet 12 Optical fiber 13 Through hole 14 Coating Layer 15 Fusion splicing part 16 Reinforcement pipe 17 Heating part 18 Rubber plate 19 Inner pipe 20 Reinforcement member 21 Outer pipe 22 Motor 23 Gear part

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-62-50710 (JP, A) JP-A-6-130243 (JP, A) JP-A-7-281047 (JP, A) JP-A-3- 233413 (JP, A) JP-A-4-101107 (JP, A) JP-A-60-2610 (JP, U) JP-A-3-122406 (JP, U) JP-A-63-199204 (JP, U) 63-5451 (JP, U) (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G02B 6/255

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A heating table on which an optical fiber having a fusion splicing portion and a reinforcing tube for reinforcing the fusion splicing portion from the outside are mounted. A heating body having a heating upper lid that can be opened and closed freely, wherein the heating body grips and heats the reinforcing tube between the heating base and the heating upper lid, and is supported by a clamp base and the clamp base. A pair of clamps having a clamp upper arm that can be opened and closed with respect to a clamp table and provided on both sides of the heating body and gripping the optical fiber extending from the heating body, and one of the pair of clamps; The first clamp is reciprocally movable in the optical fiber extending direction, and the other second clamp is a fixed clamp. And on the side of the heating top lid A magnet is provided on the side of the first clamp facing the first clamp, or on the side of the first clamp side of the heating element and the side of the clamp upper arm of the first clamp facing the side of the heating element. An optical fiber heating and reinforcing device provided so that magnetic poles face each other. 2. A spring is provided between the heating table and the first clamp, both ends of which are mechanically connected to the heating table and the clamp table of the first clamp. The optical fiber heating and reinforcing device according to claim 1.