JPH1152164A - Optical fiber clamping mechanism for optical fiber fusion splicing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optical fiber clamping mechanism of an optical fiber fusion splicing machine pressurizing optical fibers arranged in an optical fiber arranging tool with a proper pressurizing force to clamp them. SOLUTION: A fixing base 11 is provided in the vicinity of an optical fiber arranging tool 10 having V-shaped grooves 9 and a U-shaped clamper base 1 freely rotatable in the arrow directions is provided in the fixing base 11. A pressure impressing spring 4 pressurizing a fiber clamp 3 to an optical fiber side 1 in a state in which optical fibers arranged in the V-shaped grooves 9 are pressed with the fiber clamp 3 while freely slidably engaging the clamp 3 in an escape prevention state with respect to shafts 5 provided projectingly in the clamp base 1 and while abutting the butting part 8 being at the top end part of the base 1 on the upper plane 20 of the optical fiber arranging tool 10 is provided in between the fiber clamp 3 and the clamp base 1.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical fiber fusion splicer for splicing (permanently connecting) optical fibers to each other, which is used for clamping an optical fiber. It concerns the mechanism.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As is well known, an optical fiber fusion splicer is provided with a pair (a pair in the figure) of discharge electrodes 15 for fusing optical fibers as shown in FIG. 8, for example. An optical fiber clamp mechanism for clamping the optical fiber 13 set between the optical fibers 15 and an operation mechanism, a controller, and the like thereof are provided.

[0003] The optical fiber clamping mechanism has, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, an optical fiber arranging tool 10, and an optical fiber arranging groove for aligning the optical fibers 13 is provided on the surface of the optical fiber arranging tool 10. V-groove 9 is formed. The fixed base 1 is located near the optical fiber arrangement tool 10.
The fixed base 11 is provided with a clamp base 1 as an arm member supported by a support shaft 12. The clamp base 1 has a base end side as shown by an arrow A in the drawing. It is rotatably supported on the fixed base. The clamp base 1 has a U-shape, and a fiber clamp 3 pivotally supported by a support shaft 16 is provided on the distal end side of the clamp base 1 so as to be rotatable in the direction of arrow B in the drawing.

A projection 18 is provided on the base end side of the clamp base 1, and a pressure applying spring 4 is provided between the projection 18 and the fixed base 11. The pressure applying spring 4 presses the fiber clamp 3 toward the optical fiber 13 as shown by the arrow C in the figure while the optical fiber 13 is pressed by the fiber clamp 3. The optical fiber fusion splicer is provided with, for example, a pair of optical fiber clamp mechanisms as shown in FIG.

When the optical fibers are fusion-spliced by using the optical fiber fusion splicer, as shown in FIG. The ends of the optical fibers 13a and 13b are held in opposition to each other, whereby the axes of the optical fibers 13a and 13b are aligned.
Discharge heat is applied to the end of the optical fiber 13b, and the ends of the optical fibers 13a and 13b melted by receiving the discharge heat are moved in the direction of the arrow in FIG. Both optical fibers 13a, 1
3b slides on the contact surface of the fiber clamp 3 (not shown in FIG. 8) while moving in the direction of the arrow.

[0006]

By the way, in the optical fiber clamp mechanism of the optical fiber fusion splicer, the stronger the force for pressing the fiber clamp 3 toward the optical fiber 13 is, the smaller the force that fits in the V groove 9 of the optical fiber 13 is. When the optical fiber 13 is fusion-spliced as described above, the optical fiber 13 can be moved by sliding on the contact surface between the V groove 9 and the fiber clamp 3. It is necessary to increase or decrease the pressing force so that the friction between the optical fiber 13 and the V-groove 9 and the fiber clamp 3 does not become too large, and set the pressing force to a delicate value, for example, from several grams to several tens of grams. There is a need.

However, in the conventional optical fiber clamp mechanism as shown in FIG.
A pressure applying spring 4 is provided between the optical fiber 13 and the fixed base 11, and the pressure applying spring 4 urges the clamp base 1 provided with the fiber clamp 3 to apply a pressing force to the optical fiber 13 side. It is necessary to consider the influence of the weight of the clamp 3 and the clamp base 1 and the influence of the magnitude of the friction between the support shaft 12 and the clamp base 1, and it is difficult to delicately set the pressing force.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and provides an optical fiber clamp mechanism of an optical fiber fusion splicer capable of appropriately setting a pressing force for pressing an optical fiber. Is to do.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention has the following structure to solve the problem. That is, the first invention is arranged in an optical fiber fusion splicer provided with a pair of discharge electrodes for fusion splicing optical fibers, and optical fiber fusion splicing for clamping an optical fiber set between the discharge electrodes. An optical fiber clamping mechanism for a machine, comprising: an optical fiber arraying tool having an optical fiber arraying groove formed on a surface thereof; and a fixed base disposed in the vicinity of the optical fiber arraying tool. An arm member whose side is rotatably supported with respect to the fixed base is provided, and an abutting portion projecting toward the optical fiber array tool side is provided at a distal end side of the arm member. A configuration in which the abutting portion abuts on the upper surface of the optical fiber arraying tool avoiding the optical fiber arraying groove with an interval between the optical fiber arraying groove and the arm member by the rotation in the optical fiber arraying tool direction. Do it A shaft protruding from the arm member on the side of the optical fiber arraying groove forming surface of the optical fiber arraying tool, and a fiber clamp for holding the optical fibers arrayed in the optical fiber arraying groove on the shaft prevents the shaft from coming off. The fiber clamp is pressed toward the optical fiber while the optical fiber is held down by the fiber clamp with the abutting portion on the distal end side of the arm member abutting against the upper surface of the optical fiber arraying tool. The pressure applying member is provided between the fiber clamp and the arm member.

Further, the second invention provides an optical fiber fusion splicer having a pair of discharge electrodes for fusion splicing an optical fiber, wherein the optical fiber clamps the optical fiber set between the discharge electrodes. An optical fiber clamping mechanism of a fusion splicer, comprising: an optical fiber array tool having an optical fiber array groove formed on a surface thereof; and a fixed base disposed near the optical fiber array tool. Is provided with an arm member whose base end side is rotatably supported with respect to a fixed base. The arm member has a shaft protruding from the side of the optical fiber arraying tool on which the optical fiber array groove is formed. Is provided on the shaft tip side with a retaining part for retaining the fiber clamp that holds the optical fibers arranged in the optical fiber arrangement groove at the tip of the shaft, and the fiber clamp slides against the shaft in a retaining state. The fiber clamp is pressed against the optical fiber in a state where the locking portion of the shaft is brought into contact with the position avoiding the optical fiber arrangement groove on the optical fiber arrangement tool and the optical fiber is pressed by the fiber clamp. A pressure applying member for pressing the arm member is provided between the fiber clamp and the arm member.

In the first aspect of the present invention, the abutting portion on the distal end side of the arm member is brought into contact with the upper surface of the optical fiber arraying tool, and in the second aspect of the present invention, the distal end of the shaft protruding from the arm member is provided. The locking part on the side is brought into contact with the upper surface of the optical fiber arrangement tool, and the fiber clamp is pressed by the pressing application member provided between the fiber clamp and the arm member while the optical fiber is pressed by the fiber clamp. Press to the fiber side. Therefore, the optical fiber is not affected by the weight of the arm member on the fiber clamp, nor is affected by friction between the arm member and a support shaft for supporting the arm member on the fixed base, and the optical fiber is pressed by the pressure applying member. It is clamped between the fiber clamp and the optical fiber array groove. Therefore, the pressing force for pressing the optical fiber can be set delicately, and the optical fiber can be clamped between the fiber clamp and the optical fiber array groove with an appropriate pressing force. Will be resolved.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the description of the present embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same parts as those in the conventional example, and the overlapping description will be omitted. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of an optical fiber clamping mechanism of an optical fiber fusion splicer according to the present invention. The optical fiber clamping mechanism of the present embodiment also has an optical fiber arraying tool 10 having a V-shaped groove 9 and a fixed base 11 disposed in the vicinity thereof, as in the conventional example. A clamp base 1 whose base end is rotatably supported on a fixed base 11 is provided via a support shaft 12.

The clamp base 1 of the optical fiber clamp mechanism of this embodiment is different from the conventional example in that
An abutting portion 8 protruding toward the optical fiber array device 10 is provided, and the abutting portion 8 avoids the V groove 9 by rotating the clamp base 1 in the direction of the optical fiber array device 10. The upper surface 20 of the fiber array device 10 is configured to be in contact with the V-groove 9 and the clamp base 1 with a space therebetween. The clamp base 1 has two shafts 5 protruding from the optical fiber arraying device 10 on the side of the V groove 9 forming surface, and the shaft 5 has a block shape for holding the optical fibers 13 arranged in the V groove 9. Fiber clamp 3
Are slidably fitted to the shaft 5 in a retaining state.

As shown in FIG. 2, a shaft fitting hole 14 having a step 19 is formed in the fiber clamp 3, and a locking portion 6 formed at the tip of the shaft 5 is provided with a shaft fitting hole. The shaft 5 is fitted into the shaft fitting hole 19 while being locked to the step portion 19 of
As described above, the fiber clamp 3 is in a state of being prevented from falling off with respect to the shaft 5.

A pressure applying spring 4 is provided between the fiber clamp 3 and the clamp base 1.
When the optical fiber 13 is pressed against the optical fiber 13 in a state where the optical fiber 13 is pressed by the fiber clamp 3 while the optical fiber 13 is in contact with the upper surface of the optical fiber arraying tool 10, it functions as a pressure applying member.

The optical fiber clamping mechanism according to the present embodiment is provided with a clamp base driving means (not shown), and the optical fiber 13 is arranged in the V-shaped groove 9 of the optical fiber arrangement tool 10. The clamp base 1 is rotated toward the optical fiber array tool 10 by the clamp base driving means, and the abutting portion 8 on the distal end side of the clamp base 1 is rotated.
Is brought into contact with the upper surface 20 of the optical fiber array tool 10.

The present embodiment is configured as described above. When the optical fiber 13 is clamped by the optical fiber clamp mechanism of the present embodiment, the optical fiber 13 to be fusion-spliced is connected to the optical fiber arrangement tool 10. In this state, the clamp base 1 is rotated by the clamp base driving mechanism toward the optical fiber array device 10 with the support shaft 12 as a fulcrum, and the abutting portion 8 on the distal end side of the clamp base 1 is moved. It is brought into contact with the upper surface 20 of the optical fiber array device 10. Then, as shown in FIG.
3 is clamped between the V-groove 9 of the optical fiber arrangement tool 10 and the fiber clamp 3, and at this time, the fiber clamp 3 is pressed toward the optical fiber 13 by the pressing force of the pressing spring 4, and the optical fiber 13 is It is held by the clamp 3 and the optical fiber alignment tool 10.

According to the present embodiment, as described above, the abutting portion 8 is provided on the distal end side of the clamp base, and the abutting portion 8 is brought into contact with the upper surface 20 of the optical fiber array device 10 so that the fiber clamp 3 is provided. In this state, a pressing spring 4 for pressing the fiber clamp 3 toward the optical fiber 13 is provided between the fiber clamp 3 and the clamp base 1. Since the pressing force is applied to the fiber 13 side, the urging force of the pressing force applying spring 4 is not required without considering the weight of the clamp base 1 and the frictional force between the clamp base 1 and the support shaft 12 as in the conventional optical fiber clamping mechanism. Accordingly, the fiber clamp 3 can be pressed toward the optical fiber 13 to apply a pressing force to the optical fiber 13.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the pressing force applied to the optical fiber 13 can be finely set by finely adjusting the urging force of the pressing application spring 4, and an appropriate pressing force can be set. The optical fiber can be pressed toward the V groove 9 by pressure.

FIG. 3A is a side view showing a second embodiment of the optical fiber clamping mechanism of the optical fiber fusion splicer according to the present invention, and FIG. ,
FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA ′ in a state where the abutting portion 8 of the clamp base 1 is omitted. The present embodiment is configured substantially in the same manner as the first embodiment, and the present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that
That is, two (a pair) of fiber clamps 3 are provided on the clamp base 1 via the shaft 5. Each of the fiber clamps 3 has a width of 2 in the same manner as in the first embodiment.
It is attached to the clamp base 1 via the shaft 5, and a pressure applying spring 4 is provided between each fiber clamp 3 and the clamp base 1.

In this embodiment, the opposing V-grooves 9 of the optical fiber alignment tools 10a and 10b are aligned.

The present embodiment is configured as described above, and this embodiment also functions in the same manner as the first embodiment, and can achieve the same effects. In addition, the first
When the optical fiber clamp mechanism of the embodiment is applied to an optical fiber fusion splicer, two optical fiber clamp mechanisms are provided to hold the optical fiber 13 in an opposed state as shown in FIG. However, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3B, the pair of fiber clamps 3 can hold the ends of the optical fibers 13a and 13b facing each other.

Further, in the present embodiment, the V-groove 9 of the optical fiber arrangement tool 10a and the V-groove 9 of the optical fiber arrangement tool 10b are used.
Are aligned, it is possible to omit the alignment work of the V-groove 9 of the optical fiber arrangement tool necessary when providing a pair of optical fiber clamp mechanisms to the optical fiber fusion splicer, for example. Thus, the number of components required for the optical fiber fusion splicer can be reduced.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a third embodiment of the optical fiber clamping mechanism of the optical fiber fusion splicer according to the present invention. FIG. 5 shows A-
An A 'cross-sectional view is shown. As shown in these figures, the present embodiment is different from the second embodiment in that the clamp base 1 is not provided with the abutment portion 8 on the distal end side, but is provided on the distal end side of the shaft 5. The optical fiber 13 is held down by the fiber clamp 3 by bringing the provided locking portion 6 into contact with the upper surface 20 of the optical fiber arrangement tool 10 avoiding the V groove 9. In the present embodiment, the locking portion 6 of the shaft 5 is located below the optical fiber pressing surface 21 of the fiber clamp 3 (the optical fiber alignment device 1).
(0 side).

The present embodiment is configured as described above. In the present embodiment, the locking portion 6 of the shaft 5 abuts on the upper surface 20 of the optical fiber arrayer 10 at a position avoiding the V groove 9. The fiber clamp 3 is pressed toward the optical fiber 13 by the pressing spring 4 in a state where the optical fiber 13 is pressed by the fiber clamp 3. Is held by the V groove 9 and the fiber clamp 3.

Also in this embodiment, a pressing and applying spring 4 is provided between the fiber clamp 3 and the clamp base 1, and the pressing and pressing spring 4 presses the fiber clamp 3 toward the optical fiber 13. 1. The same effects as those of the second embodiment can be obtained.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can adopt various embodiments. For example, in the second embodiment, a pair of fiber clamps 3 is provided on one clamp base 1, but, for example, as shown in FIG. The fiber clamp 3 may be provided on the base 1 via the shaft 5.

Further, in each of the above embodiments, the fiber clamp 3 is fitted to the two shafts 5 so as not to come off and is attached to the clamp base 1, but the fiber clamp 3 is attached to three or more shafts 5. May be fitted to the clamp base 1 and the fiber clamp 3 may be fitted to one shaft 5 to clamp the base 1.
You may make it attach to. In addition, as described above, 1
When the fiber clamp 3 is fitted to the shaft 5, for example, the pressure applying spring 4 is wound around the shaft 5 so that the optical clamp 13 is pressed by the fiber clamp 3. The spring 4 can press the fiber clamp 3 against the optical fiber 13 with an appropriate pressing force.

Further, in each of the above embodiments, the locking portion 6 is formed on the distal end side of the shaft 5, and the shaft fitting hole 14 of the fiber clamp 3 is formed with the hole having the step portion 19 on the optical fiber pressing surface 21 side. However, when the abutting portion 8 is formed on the distal end side of the clamp base 1 as in the first and second embodiments, for example, as shown by a broken line in FIG. A stopper 6 may be provided and a step may be formed at the center of the fiber clamp 3, as long as the fiber clamp 3 is slidably fitted to the shaft 5 in a state where the fiber clamp 3 does not come off.

Further, in each of the above embodiments, the pressing and applying spring 4 is provided as a pressing and applying member for pressing the fiber clamp 3 toward the optical fiber 13, but the pressing and applying member is constituted by an elastic body other than the spring. You may.

Further, in the first and second embodiments,
The clamp base 1 has a U-shape and has an L-shape in the third embodiment, but the shape of the clamp base 1 is not particularly limited and may be appropriately set.

Further, in each of the above embodiments, the clamp base driving means is provided, and the clamp base 1 is rotated toward the optical fiber array device 10 by the clamp base driving means. However, the clamp base driving means is omitted, and the clamp base driving means is omitted. The rotation of the base 1 may be performed manually or the like.

Further, in each of the above embodiments, the optical fiber clamp mechanism is formed by forming a plurality of V-grooves 9 in the optical fiber arrangement tool 10 and clamping a plurality of optical fibers 13 at one time. An optical fiber clamping mechanism for forming one V-groove 9 in the fiber arrangement tool 10 and clamping one optical fiber may be used. Further, an optical fiber array groove other than the V-shaped groove 9 such as a U-shaped groove may be formed in the optical fiber array tool 10.

[0034]

According to the present invention, a fiber clamp for holding an optical fiber arrayed on an optical fiber array device is slidably fitted to a shaft provided on an arm member in a state where the fiber clamp does not come off. In the above, the abutting portion on the distal end side of the arm member is brought into contact with the upper surface of the optical fiber arrangement tool, and in the second invention, the locking portion on the distal end side of the shaft is brought into contact with the upper surface of the optical fiber arrangement tool, Since the pressure applying member that presses the fiber clamp toward the optical fiber while holding the fiber is provided between the fiber clamp and the arm member, the pressure applying member can be used without considering the weight of the arm member. The pressing force for pressing the fiber clamp toward the optical fiber can be delicately adjusted to set an appropriate value.

Therefore, when the optical fiber clamping mechanism of the present invention is applied to an optical fiber fusion splicer, when the optical fibers are fusion spliced, the gap between the optical fiber arrangement groove of the optical fiber arrangement tool and the fiber clamp is reduced. In this state, the operation of moving the optical fiber in the axial direction of the optical fiber while keeping the optical fiber in contact with the optical fiber arrangement groove and the fiber clamp can be smoothly performed. As a result, the fusion splicing of the optical fibers can be performed reliably and smoothly.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a main part configuration diagram showing a first embodiment of an optical fiber clamping mechanism of an optical fiber fusion splicer according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line AA ′ of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a main part configuration diagram showing a second embodiment of the optical fiber clamping mechanism of the optical fiber fusion splicer according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a main part configuration diagram showing a third embodiment of the optical fiber clamp mechanism of the optical fiber fusion splicer according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line AA ′ of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing another embodiment of the optical fiber clamping mechanism of the optical fiber fusion splicer according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing an optical fiber clamp mechanism of a conventional optical fiber fusion splicer.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing a fusion splicing method of a multi-core optical fiber using an optical fiber fusion splicer.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Clamp base 3 Fiber clamp 4 Press-applying spring 5 Shaft 6 Locking part 8 Butting part 9 V groove 10 Optical fiber arrangement tool 11 Fixed base

Claims (2)

[Claims] An optical fiber of an optical fiber fusion splicer, which is disposed in an optical fiber fusion splicer having a pair of discharge electrodes for fusion splicing optical fibers and clamps an optical fiber set between the discharge electrodes. A clamp mechanism, comprising: an optical fiber arraying tool having an optical fiber arraying groove formed on the surface thereof; and a fixed base disposed near the optical fiber arraying tool. An arm member rotatably supported on the arm member is provided, and an abutting portion protruding toward the optical fiber array tool side is provided at a distal end side of the arm member, and the optical fiber array of the arm member is provided. By rotating in the tool direction, the abutting portion is configured to abut on the upper surface of the optical fiber array tool avoiding the optical fiber array groove with an interval between the optical fiber array groove and the arm member. , The arm A shaft is protruded from the material on the optical fiber array groove forming surface side of the optical fiber array tool, and a fiber clamp for holding the optical fibers arranged in the optical fiber array groove is slid on the shaft in such a manner as to prevent the shaft from coming off. A pressure application, which is movably fitted, presses the fiber clamp toward the optical fiber in a state where the abutting portion on the distal end side of the arm member is brought into contact with the upper surface of the optical fiber arrangement tool and the optical fiber is pressed by the fiber clamp. An optical fiber clamp mechanism for an optical fiber fusion splicer, wherein a member is provided between the fiber clamp and the arm member. 2. An optical fiber of an optical fiber fusion splicer which is disposed in an optical fiber fusion splicer having a pair of discharge electrodes for fusion splicing optical fibers and clamps an optical fiber set between the discharge electrodes. A clamp mechanism, comprising: an optical fiber arraying tool having an optical fiber arraying groove formed on the surface thereof; and a fixed base disposed near the optical fiber arraying tool. An arm member rotatably supported is provided on the arm member, and a shaft protrudes from the arm member on the optical fiber array groove forming surface side of the optical fiber array tool. A locking portion is provided at the distal end of the shaft for retaining and locking the fiber clamp for holding the arranged optical fibers, and the fiber clamp is slidably fitted to the shaft in a retaining state. A pressure applying member that presses the fiber clamp toward the optical fiber in a state where the locking portion of the shaft is brought into contact with the position avoiding the optical fiber arrangement groove on the upper surface of the optical fiber arrangement tool and the optical fiber is pressed by the fiber clamp. An optical fiber clamp mechanism for an optical fiber fusion splicer, which is provided between the fiber clamp and the arm member.