JP3774184B2

JP3774184B2 - Optical fiber core tape coating removal device and optical fiber core tape coating removal method

Info

Publication number: JP3774184B2
Application number: JP2002310983A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 大悟齋藤; 和宏瀧澤; 幸生林; 安博山内; 正弘橋口; 雅史粟森
Original assignee: Fujikura Ltd; Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corp; NTT Inc USA
Current assignee: Fujikura Ltd; NTT Inc; NTT Inc USA
Priority date: 2002-10-25
Filing date: 2002-10-25
Publication date: 2006-05-10
Anticipated expiration: 2022-10-25
Also published as: JP2004145081A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、テープ心線から単心分離された被覆光ファイバの外装被覆を除去するために用いられる光ファイバ心線テープ被覆除去具に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
図６（ａ）は、従来使用されているテープ心線Ｔの一例を示す断面図である。このテープ心線Ｔは、光ファイバ素線２１ａの周囲に単心被覆２１ｂが設けられた光ファイバ心線（光ファイバ）２１を複数本（図では４本）有しており、これらの光ファイバ２１は、単心被覆２１ｂに密着して形成された外装被覆２２（テープ被覆）により、一括に被覆されている。
【０００３】
このようなテープ心線Ｔの外装被覆２２を除去して光ファイバ２１を露出させる方法としては、図６（ｂ）に示すようにテープ心線Ｔの光ファイバ２１同士の間を刃物で切り分けるなどして、被覆光ファイバ２０（２０Ａ〜２０Ｄ）を単心分離したのち、単心分離された被覆光ファイバ２０を手指などでつまみ、外装被覆２２を剥ぎ取って除去することで光ファイバ２１を露出させる方法がある。
【０００４】
また、対向して配置された一対の刃を有する工具を用い、この工具の刃によって被覆光ファイバ２０を挟み、刃を外装被覆２２に入れた状態で、刃を被覆光ファイバ２０の長手方向に沿って移動させることにより、外装被覆２２を除去する方法などがある（例えば、特許文献１、２参照）。
【０００５】
【特許文献１】
特開平０８−２９２３２７号公報
【特許文献２】
特開昭６１−００７８０６号公報
【０００６】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
ところで、手指などで外装被覆２２を剥ぎ取る方法の場合、テープ心線Ｔの中央側の被覆光ファイバ２０Ｂ、２０Ｃは、該被覆光ファイバ２０Ｂ、２０Ｃの両側にて切断されて分離されているので、外装被覆２２を手指などで容易に剥ぎ取って除去することができる。
しかし、両端の被覆光ファイバ２０Ａ、２０Ｄは、該被覆光ファイバ２０Ａ、２０Ｄの片側のみで切断されて分離されているので、外装被覆２２と光ファイバ２１との付着力が強く、手指では容易に剥ぎ取ることができず、光ファイバ２１に無理な力で曲げや屈曲の力が加わり、光ファイバ２１を痛めてしまうおそれがあった。
【０００７】
また、一対の刃を有する工具を用いる方法では、刃先で光ファイバ２１を傷つけるおそれがある。
【０００８】
本発明は上記事情に鑑みてなされたものであって、光ファイバを傷つけることなく、被覆と光ファイバとの付着力を低下させて被覆を容易に除去できるようにする光ファイバ心線テープ被覆除去具を提供することを課題とする。
【０００９】
【課題を解決するための手段】
前記課題を解決するため、本発明は、一対の可動片を支軸（１３）の枢着により回転自在に支持した鋏形に構成され、各可動片の先端同士を近づけることで、各可動片の先端に取り付けられている把持部材の間に被覆光ファイバを挟み込むようになっており、
両把持部材は、前記支軸の軸線と平行な軸線を有する軸（３ｂ）によって、前記可動片の先端に対して回転自在に取り付けられており、
各把持部材の相手側の把持部材に対する合わせ面には、前記被覆光ファイバに当接される把持用突起が突設されている光ファイバ心線テープ被覆除去具を提供する。
このような光ファイバ心線テープ被覆除去具を用いて、両側の把持部材の把持用突起の間に被覆光ファイバを挟み込んだまま、一対の把持部材および／または被覆光ファイバの移動によって、両側の把持部材の把持用突起による被覆光ファイバの把持位置を前記被覆光ファイバの長手方向に沿って移動させ、被覆光ファイバをしごくことにより、被覆光ファイバにおける外装被覆と光ファイバとの間の付着力を低下させることができるので、外装被覆を容易に剥ぎ取って除去し、光ファイバを露出させることができる。
【００１０】
このような光ファイバ心線テープ被覆除去具においては、前記一対の把持部材の把持用突起の前記被覆光ファイバに当接させる当接面に、一対の把持部材の間に挟み込む前記被覆光ファイバの長手方向に沿った方向に１〜３ｍｍの寸法が確保されていることが好ましい。
また、一方または両方の把持部材の合わせ面には、把持部材同士を接近させたときに把持部材間における被覆光ファイバの収納領域を形成する突起状のファイバガイド部が突設されており、このファイバガイド部によって形成される前記収納領域に収納された光ファイバが、一対の把持部材の把持用突起の間に挟み込まれるようになっていることが好ましい。
【００１１】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、実施の形態に基づいて、本発明を詳しく説明する。
図１は本発明の光ファイバ心線テープ被覆除去具（以下、単に「被覆除去具」ということがある）を示す正面図である。図２は、この被覆除去具の把持部材を示す（ａ）平面図、（ｂ）正面図、（ｃ）底面図、（ｄ）右側面図、（ｅ）左側面図である。図３は、把持部材に被覆光ファイバを載せた状態を示す斜視図である。
図４および図５は把持部材に被覆光ファイバを挟んだ状態を示し、図４は斜視図、図５（ａ）は側面図、図５（ｂ）は正面図である。
【００１２】
図１において、符号１０は被覆除去具である。この被覆除去具１０は、前端部１１ａ（図１における左側）の先端１２に把持部材１が取付けられた１対の可動片１１が、該可動片１１の中途部１１ｂに設けられた支軸１３の枢着により回転自在に支持されて、鋏形とされた構成となっている。
可動片１１は、屈曲した細長形状となっており、可動片１１の前端部１１ａと反対側の後端部１１ｃ（図１における右側）には、握り１４が設けられている。
【００１３】
また、両可動片１１の間には、可動片１１に対して、後端部１１ｃ同士が離間するように付勢するバネ１５が取り付けられている。このバネ１５は、可動片１１の後端部１１ｃを拡開する方向に付勢しており、このバネ１５の弾性力によって、可動片先端１２の把持部材１の間隔が縮小されるようになっている。
ここでは、バネ１５として、コイル部への支軸１３の挿通により可動片１１に対して取り付けられたねじりコイルバネ（トーションバネ）が用いられている。但し、バネ１５の種類は特に限定されるものではなく、圧縮コイルバネや薄板バネなどを用いることもできる。
【００１４】
握り１４を握持して、バネ１５の弾性力に抗して握り１４同士を近付けるように操作力を加えると、把持部材１同士が離間される。ここで、把持部材１間に被覆光ファイバ２０を挿入した状態で、握り１４への操作力を解除すると、バネ１５の弾性力によって、可動片先端１２の把持部材１の間隔が縮小され、被覆光ファイバ２０が把持部材１に挟み込まれて把持される。
ここで、可動片１１の前端部１１ａには、該前端部１１ａ同士が対向する位置に、凹所１６が形成されている。これにより、例えば多心光ファイバから単心分離された被覆光ファイバ２０の外装被覆２２を除去するときでも、当該被覆光ファイバ２０を把持部材１により把持したときに、他の被覆光ファイバ２０を挿通できる空間が凹所１６の間に確保され、他の被覆光ファイバ２０が可動片１１の前端部１１ａに挟み込まれてしまうことが防止される。
【００１５】
バネ１５の弾性力は、把持部材１により被覆光ファイバ２０を挟持したとき、該被覆光ファイバ２０に対して、外装被覆２２を傷つけることなく、光ファイバ２１と外装被覆２２との間の付着力を低下させるのに適度な圧力が働く程度となっている。
【００１６】
把持部材１は、プラスチックなど、被覆光ファイバ２０の表面に傷をつけない程度の硬さの材料からなり、合わせ面２ａを有する把持部材本体２と、この合わせ面２ａと反対側の裏面２ｂに突出するフランジ３を備えている。
把持部材本体２の形状は特に限定されるものではないが、ここでは、把持部材本体２は具体的にはプレート状となっている。
【００１７】
把持部材１は、フランジ３に形成された取付穴３ａに挿通された軸３ｂによって、可動片１１の先端１２に対して、両把持部材１が、互いに平行かつ可動片１１の長手方向に垂直な軸線をもって回転自在となるように、取り付けられている。軸３ｂの軸線は、支軸１３の軸線と平行になっている。
【００１８】
さらに、把持部材本体２の合わせ面２ａ側には、被覆光ファイバ２０に当接される当接面４ａを有する把持用突起４が突設されている。
ここでは、把持用突起４は、合わせ面２ａを横切って延在する突条となっており、当接面４ａは、幅Ｗが１〜３ｍｍ程度、確保されている。
【００１９】
合わせ面２ａの把持用突起４の一端側の延在方向上には、第１のファイバガイド部５ａが突設されており、かつ、把持用突起４の他端側には、第１のファイバガイド部５ａと対向して、第２および第３のファイバガイド部５ｂ、５ｃが、把持用突起４の延在方向の両側に設けられている。
これらのファイバガイド部５ａ〜５ｃは、図４に示すように、把持部材１の合わせ面２ａ側を向き合わせて接合する方向に近づけたとき、被覆光ファイバ２０を合わせ面２ａおよびファイバガイド部５ａ〜５ｃの間に挿通できるように、把持部材１間における被覆光ファイバ２０の収納領域６の周囲に配置されるようになっている。
【００２０】
この把持部材１には、把持部材１を向き合わせて接合させたときに、両把持部材１の把持用突起４が向かい合ったところに配置されるように位置決めする位置決め部材７を設けることが好ましい。ここでは、一方の把持部材１の第１のファイバガイド部５ａが、他方の把持部材１の第２および第３のファイバガイド部５ｂ、５ｃの間に嵌入するところに配置され、ファイバガイド部５ａ〜５ｃが位置決め部材７を兼ねるようになっている。
【００２１】
図２（ａ）に示すように、第２および第３のファイバガイド部５ｂ、５ｃは、軸３ｂの軸線方向（図２（ａ）の上下方向）において、合わせ面２ａの中央部に近づくにつれて、幅（図２（ａ）の左右方向の長さ）が広くなり、収納領域６の幅が狭くなるようになっている。
また、図２（ｂ）に示すように、第２および第３のファイバガイド部５ｂ、５ｃは、把持部材１の幅方向（図２（ｂ）の左右方向）において、合わせ面２ａの中央部に近づくにつれて、合わせ面２ａからの突出高さが低くなるようになっている。
【００２２】
符号８は、マーキングであり、把持部材１の裏面２ｂの適宜位置に、該裏面２ｂに設けられた凹所に彩色された小片を埋め込んだり、適当な塗料を塗布したりすることにより形成されている。
図２（ａ）に示すように、マーキング８は把持用突起４を中心に対向する位置に２個ずつ設けられている。図２（ｂ）に示すように、マーキング８の指示する領域は、収納領域６のほぼ真ん中に位置しており、ここに被覆光ファイバ２０を挿入することにより、収納領域６のほぼ真ん中に被覆光ファイバ２０を収納することができる。
【００２３】
次に、図１の被覆除去具１０を用いて、被覆光ファイバ２０の外装被覆２２を除去する手順の一例を説明する。
まず、図６に示すようなテープ心線Ｔから外装被覆２２（テープ被覆）の切断などにより、被覆光ファイバ２０を単心分離する。ここで、無論、テープ心線Ｔの心数は特に限定されるものではない。
【００２４】
被覆除去具１０の握り１４を握持して、両把持部材１を離間させる。そして、両把持部材１間に形成された収納領域６に、被覆光ファイバ２０を先端から必要な長さだけ挿入する。把持部材１には収納領域６を指示するマーキング８が形成されているので、このマーキング８を標識とすることにより、被覆光ファイバ２０を、把持用突起４に対してほぼ垂直の向きに位置させることができる。
【００２５】
ここで、握り１４への操作力を弱めると、バネ１５の弾性力により、把持部材１が近接する方向に付勢され、把持用突起４の当接面４ａが被覆光ファイバ２０に当接するまで、把持部材１の間隔が縮小する。さらに、バネ１５の弾性力により、被覆光ファイバ２０の側面に適度な圧力が加えられ、被覆光ファイバ２０が安定な姿勢で把持部材１間に挟持されるようになる。
被覆光ファイバ２０の姿勢としては、把持用突起４に挟まれて当接される方向（図５（ａ）の上下方向）がテープ心線Ｔの厚み方向（図６（ａ）の上下方向）と必ずしも一致するものではなく、軸周りに転がった他の姿勢であってもよい。
【００２６】
次いで、把持用突起４の当接面４ａが被覆光ファイバ２０の外装被覆２２に当接する把持位置２３が、当該被覆光ファイバ２０の長手方向に沿って、被覆光ファイバ２０の先端方向に向かって移動し、被覆除去具１０と被覆光ファイバ２０とのいずれか一方または両方を相対的に動かす。
このような操作により、光ファイバ２１と外装被覆２２との間にずれが生じて、光ファイバ２１と外装被覆２２との間の付着力が弱められる。
把持位置２３の移動は、通常、外装被覆２２を除去したい範囲で、被覆光ファイバ２０の先端方向に向かう一方向に、一回のみ行えばよい。一回の操作で光ファイバ２１と外装被覆２２との間の付着力が充分に弱められない場合には、必要に応じて、同様の操作を複数回繰り返すようにしても有効である。
【００２７】
さらに、把持用突起４によってしごかれた部分の外装被覆２２を、手指などで剥ぎ取って除去することにより、光ファイバ２１が露出される。
このとき、把持用突起４によるしごきにより、外装被覆２２には部分的に裂け目や破れた箇所が生じることもあるので、このような箇所を起点にして外装被覆２２を剥ぎ取れば、作業が一層容易となる。
このように、本実施の形態の被覆除去具１０を用いれば、被覆光ファイバ２０の外装被覆２２を容易に除去することができる。光ファイバ２１に無理な力で曲げや屈曲の力が加わらないので、光ファイバ２１を痛めてしまうおそれもない。しかも、把持用突起４は外装被覆２２に切り込まれないので、把持用突起４によって光ファイバ２１が傷つけられるなどの不都合もない。
【００２８】
以上、本発明を好適な実施の形態に基づいて説明してきたが、本発明はこの実施の形態のみに限定されるものではなく本発明の要旨を逸脱しない範囲で種々の改変が可能である。
例えば，上記実施の形態においては、把持部材１は、可動片１１の先端１２に軸３ｂを介して回転可能に連結されていたが、これに限定されるものではない。被覆除去具１０は、把持部材１が可動片１１に対して固定されて構成としてもよく、また、把持部材１が可動片１１と一体に形成された構成としてもよい。
【００２９】
【発明の効果】
以上説明したように、本発明の光ファイバ心線テープ被覆除去具は、一対の可動片を回転自在に支持した鋏形に構成され、各可動片の先端同士を近づけることで、各可動片の先端に取り付けられている把持部材の間に被覆光ファイバを挟み込むようになっており、各把持部材の相手側の把持部材に対する合わせ面には、前記被覆光ファイバに当接される把持用突起が突設されているので、両側の把持部材の把持用突起の間に被覆光ファイバを挟み込んだまま、一対の把持部材および／または被覆光ファイバの移動によって、両側の把持部材の把持用突起による被覆光ファイバの把持位置を前記被覆光ファイバの長手方向に沿って移動させることで、被覆光ファイバにおける前記外装被覆の付着力を低下させることにより、外装被覆を剥ぎ取って除去することが容易に行える。
【００３０】
一対の把持部材の前記把持用突起の前記被覆光ファイバに当接させる当接面に、一対の把持部材の間に挟み込む前記被覆光ファイバの長手方向に沿った方向に１〜３ｍｍの寸法が確保されていることにより、把持用突起から被覆光ファイバに加えられる当接圧力を適度な大きさに調整することができ、把持用突起を被覆光ファイバに当接させたときに、把持用突起が被覆に突き刺さることが防止される。これにより、被覆除去具で被覆光ファイバをしごいたとき、把持用突起による被覆光ファイバの把持位置が、被覆光ファイバの長手方向に沿って滑らかに移動するようになり、当接力が被覆光ファイバの特定箇所に集中して光ファイバを痛める等の不都合が抑制される。
【００３１】
一方または両方の把持部材の合わせ面には、把持部材同士を接近させたときに把持部材間における被覆光ファイバの収納領域を形成する突起状のファイバガイド部が突設されており、このファイバガイド部によって形成される前記収納領域に収納された光ファイバが、一対の把持部材の把持用突起の間に挟み込まれるようになっている。
これにより、被覆光ファイバを把持部材間に挟み込むときや挟み込んだ後、被覆光ファイバをがファイバガイド部によってガイドされるので、被覆光ファイバの位置合わせが容易であり、収納領域から被覆光ファイバがはみ出すなどの不都合が抑制される。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の光ファイバ心線テープ被覆除去具を示す正面図である。
【図２】把持部材を示す（ａ）平面図、（ｂ）正面図、（ｃ）底面図、（ｄ）右側面図、（ｅ）左側面図である。
【図３】把持部材に被覆光ファイバを載せた状態を示す斜視図である。
【図４】把持部材に被覆光ファイバを挟んだ状態を示す斜視図である。
【図５】把持部材に被覆光ファイバを挟んだ状態を示す（ａ）側面図、（ｂ）正面図である。
【図６】（ａ）テープ心線の一例を示す断面図である。（ｂ）被覆光ファイバの一例を示す斜視図である。
【符号の説明】
Ｔ…テープ心線、１…把持部材、２…把持部材本体、２ａ…合わせ面、３…フランジ、３ｂ…軸、４…把持用突起、４ａ…当接面、５ａ〜５ｃ…ファイバガイド部、６…収納領域、７…位置決め部材、８…マーキング、１０…光ファイバ心線テープ被覆除去具（被覆除去具）、１１…可動片、１２…可動片先端、１３…支軸、１４…握り、１５…バネ、１６…凹所、２０、２０Ａ〜２０Ｄ…被覆光ファイバ、２１…光ファイバ、２１ａ…光ファイバ素線、２１ｂ…単心被覆、２２…外装被覆、２３…把持位置。[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an optical fiber core tape coating remover used for removing an outer sheath of a coated optical fiber separated from a tape core.
[0002]
[Prior art]
FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a conventionally used tape core T. FIG. The tape core T has a plurality (four in the figure) of optical fiber cores (optical fibers) 21 in which a single core coating 21b is provided around the optical fiber strand 21a. 21 is collectively covered with an exterior coating 22 (tape coating) formed in close contact with the single-core coating 21b.
[0003]
As a method of exposing the optical fiber 21 by removing the outer sheath 22 of the tape core T, the optical fibers 21 of the tape core T are cut with a blade as shown in FIG. Then, after the coated optical fiber 20 (20A to 20D) is separated into single fibers, the coated optical fiber 20 separated from the single fibers is pinched with fingers, and the outer coating 22 is peeled off and removed to expose the optical fiber 21. There is a way to make it.
[0004]
Further, using a tool having a pair of blades arranged opposite to each other, the coated optical fiber 20 is sandwiched between the blades of this tool, and the blade is placed in the outer sheath 22, and the blade is placed in the longitudinal direction of the coated optical fiber 20. For example, there is a method of removing the outer sheath 22 by moving it along (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 08-292327 A [Patent Document 2]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 61-007806
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, in the case of the method of stripping the outer covering 22 with fingers or the like, the coated optical fibers 20B and 20C on the center side of the tape core T are cut and separated on both sides of the coated optical fibers 20B and 20C. The outer covering 22 can be easily peeled off with fingers or the like.
However, since the coated optical fibers 20A and 20D at both ends are cut and separated only on one side of the coated optical fibers 20A and 20D, the adhesion between the outer sheath 22 and the optical fiber 21 is strong, and it is easy with fingers. There was a possibility that the optical fiber 21 could be damaged by applying a bending or bending force to the optical fiber 21 with an unreasonable force.
[0007]
Further, in the method using a tool having a pair of blades, the optical fiber 21 may be damaged by the blade edge.
[0008]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and removes the coating of an optical fiber core tape that can easily remove the coating by reducing the adhesion between the coating and the optical fiber without damaging the optical fiber. It is an object to provide tools.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention is configured in a bowl shape in which a pair of movable pieces is rotatably supported by pivoting a support shaft (13), and the movable pieces are moved closer to each other by bringing the tips of the movable pieces closer to each other. The coated optical fiber is sandwiched between gripping members attached to the tip of the
Both gripping members are rotatably attached to the tip of the movable piece by an axis (3b) having an axis parallel to the axis of the support shaft,
Provided is an optical fiber core tape stripping tool in which a gripping projection abutting against the coated optical fiber is projected on a mating surface of each gripping member with respect to the gripping member on the other side.
Using such an optical fiber core tape stripping tool, the coated optical fibers are sandwiched between the gripping projections of the gripping members on both sides, and the movement of the pair of gripping members and / or the coated optical fibers is performed. By moving the gripping position of the coated optical fiber by the gripping projection of the gripping member along the longitudinal direction of the coated optical fiber and squeezing the coated optical fiber, the adhesion force between the sheath coating and the optical fiber in the coated optical fiber Therefore, it is possible to easily peel off and remove the outer covering and expose the optical fiber.
[0010]
In such an optical fiber core tape covering / removing tool, the coated optical fiber sandwiched between the pair of gripping members on the contact surfaces of the gripping projections of the pair of gripping members that are in contact with the coated optical fiber. It is preferable that a dimension of 1 to 3 mm is secured in a direction along the longitudinal direction.
Further, on the mating surface of one or both gripping members, there is a protruding fiber guide portion that forms a storage region for the coated optical fiber between the gripping members when the gripping members are brought close to each other. It is preferable that the optical fiber housed in the housing region formed by the fiber guide portion is sandwiched between the gripping protrusions of the pair of gripping members.
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on embodiments.
FIG. 1 is a front view showing an optical fiber ribbon tape coating remover (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as “coating remover”) of the present invention. 2A is a plan view, FIG. 2B is a front view, FIG. 2C is a bottom view, FIG. 2D is a right side view, and FIG. 2E is a left side view. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which the coated optical fiber is placed on the gripping member.
4 and 5 show a state in which the coated optical fiber is sandwiched between gripping members, FIG. 4 is a perspective view, FIG. 5A is a side view, and FIG. 5B is a front view.
[0012]
In FIG. 1, the code | symbol 10 is a coating removal tool. In this covering removal tool 10, a pair of movable pieces 11 each having a gripping member 1 attached to a front end 12 of a front end portion 11 a (left side in FIG. 1) are provided on a support shaft 13 provided in a midway portion 11 b of the movable piece 11. It is supported in a freely rotating manner by the pivotal attachment, and has a configuration of a bowl shape.
The movable piece 11 has a bent elongated shape, and a grip 14 is provided at a rear end portion 11c (right side in FIG. 1) opposite to the front end portion 11a of the movable piece 11.
[0013]
A spring 15 is attached between the movable pieces 11 to urge the movable pieces 11 so that the rear end portions 11c are separated from each other. The spring 15 is biased in the direction in which the rear end portion 11c of the movable piece 11 is expanded, and the elastic force of the spring 15 reduces the interval between the gripping members 1 of the movable piece front end 12. ing.
Here, a torsion coil spring (torsion spring) attached to the movable piece 11 by insertion of the support shaft 13 into the coil portion is used as the spring 15. However, the type of the spring 15 is not particularly limited, and a compression coil spring, a thin plate spring, or the like can be used.
[0014]
When the grip 14 is gripped and an operation force is applied so as to bring the grips 14 close to each other against the elastic force of the spring 15, the gripping members 1 are separated from each other. Here, when the operating force to the grip 14 is released in a state where the coated optical fiber 20 is inserted between the gripping members 1, the elastic force of the spring 15 reduces the distance between the gripping members 1 at the movable piece tip 12, The optical fiber 20 is sandwiched and gripped by the gripping member 1.
Here, a recess 16 is formed in the front end portion 11a of the movable piece 11 at a position where the front end portions 11a face each other. Thus, for example, even when the outer sheath 22 of the coated optical fiber 20 separated from the multi-core optical fiber is removed, when the coated optical fiber 20 is gripped by the gripping member 1, the other coated optical fibers 20 are removed. A space that can be inserted is ensured between the recesses 16, and the other coated optical fiber 20 is prevented from being caught in the front end portion 11a of the movable piece 11.
[0015]
The elastic force of the spring 15 is such that when the coated optical fiber 20 is sandwiched by the gripping member 1, the adhesive force between the optical fiber 21 and the exterior coating 22 is not damaged with respect to the coated optical fiber 20. A moderate pressure works to lower the temperature.
[0016]
The gripping member 1 is made of a material having a hardness that does not damage the surface of the coated optical fiber 20 such as plastic. The gripping member main body 2 having a mating surface 2a and a back surface 2b opposite to the mating surface 2a. A protruding flange 3 is provided.
The shape of the gripping member main body 2 is not particularly limited, but here, the gripping member main body 2 is specifically plate-shaped.
[0017]
The gripping member 1 is parallel to each other and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the movable piece 11 with respect to the tip 12 of the movable piece 11 by the shaft 3b inserted through the mounting hole 3a formed in the flange 3. It is attached so as to be rotatable with an axis. The axis of the shaft 3 b is parallel to the axis of the support shaft 13.
[0018]
Further, on the side of the mating surface 2 a of the gripping member main body 2, a gripping projection 4 having a contact surface 4 a that is in contact with the coated optical fiber 20 is projected.
Here, the gripping projection 4 is a ridge extending across the mating surface 2a, and the contact surface 4a has a width W of about 1 to 3 mm.
[0019]
A first fiber guide portion 5a projects from the extending direction of one end side of the gripping projection 4 on the mating surface 2a, and the first fiber is disposed on the other end side of the gripping projection 4. Opposite to the guide portion 5a, second and third fiber guide portions 5b and 5c are provided on both sides in the extending direction of the gripping projection 4.
As shown in FIG. 4, when the fiber guide portions 5a to 5c are brought close to the joining surface 2a side of the gripping member 1 in the direction of joining, the coated optical fiber 20 is brought into contact with the mating surface 2a and the fiber guide portion 5a. It is arranged around the housing region 6 of the coated optical fiber 20 between the gripping members 1 so that it can be inserted between ˜5c.
[0020]
The gripping member 1 is preferably provided with a positioning member 7 for positioning so that the gripping projections 4 of the gripping members 1 are disposed facing each other when the gripping members 1 are faced to each other and joined. Here, the first fiber guide portion 5a of one gripping member 1 is disposed so as to fit between the second and third fiber guide portions 5b and 5c of the other gripping member 1, and the fiber guide portion 5a. ˜5c also serves as the positioning member 7.
[0021]
As shown in FIG. 2A, the second and third fiber guide portions 5b and 5c become closer to the center portion of the mating surface 2a in the axial direction of the shaft 3b (the vertical direction in FIG. 2A). The width (the length in the left-right direction in FIG. 2A) is widened, and the width of the storage area 6 is narrowed.
Further, as shown in FIG. 2B, the second and third fiber guide portions 5b and 5c are arranged at the center portion of the mating surface 2a in the width direction of the gripping member 1 (left and right direction in FIG. 2B). As the height approaches, the protruding height from the mating surface 2a becomes lower.
[0022]
Reference numeral 8 denotes a marking, which is formed by embedding a small piece colored in a recess provided on the back surface 2b at an appropriate position on the back surface 2b of the gripping member 1 or applying an appropriate paint. Yes.
As shown in FIG. 2A, two markings 8 are provided at positions facing each other with the gripping protrusion 4 as the center. As shown in FIG. 2 (b), the area indicated by the marking 8 is located almost in the middle of the storage area 6. By inserting the coated optical fiber 20 there, the area covered by the marking 8 is almost in the middle. The optical fiber 20 can be accommodated.
[0023]
Next, an example of a procedure for removing the outer sheath 22 of the coated optical fiber 20 using the sheath removal tool 10 of FIG. 1 will be described.
First, the coated optical fiber 20 is separated from the tape core T as shown in FIG. 6 by cutting the outer sheath 22 (tape coating) or the like. Here, of course, the number of cores of the tape core T is not particularly limited.
[0024]
The grip 14 of the covering removal tool 10 is gripped to separate the gripping members 1 from each other. Then, the coated optical fiber 20 is inserted into the storage region 6 formed between the gripping members 1 from the tip by a required length. Since the marking 8 indicating the storage area 6 is formed on the gripping member 1, the coated optical fiber 20 is positioned substantially perpendicular to the gripping projection 4 by using the marking 8 as a marker. be able to.
[0025]
Here, when the operation force to the grip 14 is weakened, the gripping member 1 is biased by the elastic force of the spring 15 until the contact surface 4a of the gripping projection 4 contacts the coated optical fiber 20. The interval between the gripping members 1 is reduced. Furthermore, an appropriate pressure is applied to the side surface of the coated optical fiber 20 by the elastic force of the spring 15, and the coated optical fiber 20 is sandwiched between the gripping members 1 in a stable posture.
As the posture of the coated optical fiber 20, the direction of being sandwiched and abutted by the gripping projection 4 (vertical direction in FIG. 5A) is the thickness direction of the tape core T (vertical direction in FIG. 6A). May not necessarily coincide with other postures, but may be other postures rolled around the axis.
[0026]
Next, the gripping position 23 where the abutment surface 4 a of the gripping projection 4 abuts on the outer sheath 22 of the coated optical fiber 20 is directed toward the distal end of the coated optical fiber 20 along the longitudinal direction of the coated optical fiber 20. It moves and moves either or both of the coating removal tool 10 and the coating optical fiber 20 relatively.
By such an operation, a deviation occurs between the optical fiber 21 and the outer sheath 22, and the adhesive force between the optical fiber 21 and the outer sheath 22 is weakened.
Usually, the gripping position 23 needs to be moved only once in one direction toward the distal end of the coated optical fiber 20 within a range in which the outer sheath 22 is desired to be removed. If the adhesive force between the optical fiber 21 and the outer sheath 22 cannot be sufficiently weakened by a single operation, it is effective to repeat the same operation a plurality of times if necessary.
[0027]
Furthermore, the optical fiber 21 is exposed by peeling off and removing the outer sheath 22 of the portion squeezed by the gripping protrusions 4 with fingers or the like.
At this time, ironing by the gripping protrusions 4 may cause a portion of the outer sheath 22 to be partially split or torn. Therefore, if the outer sheath 22 is peeled off starting from such a location, the work is further performed. It becomes easy.
As described above, when the coating removal tool 10 of the present embodiment is used, the exterior coating 22 of the coated optical fiber 20 can be easily removed. Since the bending or bending force is not applied to the optical fiber 21 with an unreasonable force, there is no possibility of damaging the optical fiber 21. Moreover, since the gripping projection 4 is not cut into the outer sheath 22, there is no inconvenience that the optical fiber 21 is damaged by the gripping projection 4.
[0028]
Although the present invention has been described based on the preferred embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.
For example, in the above-described embodiment, the gripping member 1 is rotatably connected to the tip 12 of the movable piece 11 via the shaft 3b. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The covering removal tool 10 may be configured such that the gripping member 1 is fixed to the movable piece 11, or the gripping member 1 may be formed integrally with the movable piece 11.
[0029]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the optical fiber core tape covering / removing tool of the present invention is configured in a bowl shape that rotatably supports a pair of movable pieces, and by bringing the tips of the movable pieces close to each other, The coated optical fiber is sandwiched between the gripping members attached to the tip, and gripping projections that come into contact with the coated optical fiber are formed on the mating surface of each gripping member with the mating gripping member. Since the protrusion is provided, the covering optical fiber is sandwiched between the gripping protrusions of the gripping members on both sides, and the covering protrusions are covered with the gripping protrusions of the gripping members on both sides by moving the pair of gripping members and / or the covering optical fibers. By moving the gripping position of the optical fiber along the longitudinal direction of the coated optical fiber, the adhesion of the outer coating on the coated optical fiber is reduced, thereby peeling off the outer coating. Easily be removed.
[0030]
A size of 1 to 3 mm is secured in a direction along the longitudinal direction of the coated optical fiber sandwiched between the pair of gripping members on the contact surfaces of the gripping projections of the pair of gripping members that are brought into contact with the coated optical fiber. As a result, the contact pressure applied to the coated optical fiber from the gripping protrusion can be adjusted to an appropriate level, and when the gripping protrusion is brought into contact with the coated optical fiber, the gripping protrusion It is prevented from piercing the coating. As a result, when the coated optical fiber is squeezed with the coating removal tool, the gripping position of the coated optical fiber by the gripping projections moves smoothly along the longitudinal direction of the coated optical fiber, and the contact force is reduced by the coated light. Inconveniences such as damaging the optical fiber by concentrating on a specific portion of the fiber are suppressed.
[0031]
On the mating surface of one or both gripping members, there is a protruding fiber guide portion that forms a storage region for the coated optical fiber between the gripping members when the gripping members are brought close to each other. The optical fiber housed in the housing area formed by the portion is sandwiched between the gripping projections of the pair of gripping members.
Accordingly, when the coated optical fiber is sandwiched between the gripping members or after being sandwiched, the coated optical fiber is guided by the fiber guide portion, so that the alignment of the coated optical fiber is easy, and the coated optical fiber is removed from the storage region. Inconveniences such as protrusion are suppressed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view showing an optical fiber ribbon tape sheath removing tool of the present invention.
2A is a plan view, FIG. 2B is a front view, FIG. 2C is a bottom view, FIG. 2D is a right side view, and FIG. 2E is a left side view.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which a coated optical fiber is placed on a gripping member.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which a coated optical fiber is sandwiched between gripping members.
5A is a side view and FIG. 5B is a front view illustrating a state in which a coated optical fiber is sandwiched between gripping members.
6A is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a tape core wire. FIG. (B) It is a perspective view which shows an example of a coated optical fiber.
[Explanation of symbols]
T ... tape core wire, 1 ... gripping member, 2 ... gripping member body, 2a ... mating surface, 3 ... flange, 3b ... shaft, 4 ... gripping projection, 4a ... contact surface, 5a-5c ... fiber guide part, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 6 ... Storage area | region 7 ... Positioning member 8 ... Marking 10 ... Optical fiber core wire tape coating removal tool (coating removal tool), 11 ... Movable piece, 12 ... Movable piece tip, 13 ... Support shaft, 14 ... Grip, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 15 ... Spring, 16 ... Recess, 20, 20A-20D ... Coated optical fiber, 21 ... Optical fiber, 21a ... Optical fiber strand, 21b ... Single core coating, 22 ... Exterior coating, 23 ... Holding position.

Claims

An optical fiber core tape covering / removing tool used for removing an outer sheath (22) of a coated optical fiber (20) separated from a tape core (T),
A pair of movable pieces (11) is configured in a bowl shape that is rotatably supported by pivotal support of a support shaft (13), and attached to the distal ends of the movable pieces by bringing the distal ends (12) of the movable pieces closer to each other. The coated optical fiber is sandwiched between the gripping members (1),
Both gripping members are rotatably attached to the tip of the movable piece by an axis (3b) having an axis parallel to the axis of the support shaft,
On the mating surface (2a) of each gripping member with respect to the mating gripping member, a gripping projection (4) that abuts against the coated optical fiber is provided so as to protrude between the gripping projections of the gripping members on both sides. With the coated optical fiber sandwiched in between, the gripping position (23) of the coated optical fiber by the gripping projections of the gripping members on both sides is moved in the longitudinal direction of the coated optical fiber by moving the pair of gripping members and / or the coated optical fiber. And the coated optical fiber is squeezed to reduce the adhesive force between the sheath coating and the optical fiber (21) in the coated optical fiber. Tape covering remover (10).

1 to 3 mm in a direction along the longitudinal direction of the coated optical fiber sandwiched between the pair of gripping members on the contact surface (4a) of the gripping projections of the pair of gripping members that is brought into contact with the coated optical fiber The optical fiber core tape covering / removing tool according to claim 1, wherein a dimension is secured.

Projecting fiber guides (5a to 5c) are formed on the mating surfaces of one or both gripping members so as to form a storage region for the coated optical fiber between the gripping members when the gripping members are brought close to each other. The coated optical fiber housed in the housing region (6) formed by the fiber guide portion is sandwiched between gripping protrusions of a pair of gripping members. The optical fiber core tape covering removal tool according to 1 or 2.

The fiber guide portion includes a first fiber guide portion (5a) projecting in an extending direction on one end side of the gripping projection on the mating surface, and the first fiber guide portion on the other end side of the gripping projection. The first to third fiber guide portions are made of second and third fiber guide portions (5b, 5c) provided on both sides in the extending direction of the gripping protrusion 4 so as to face the fiber guide portion. Is provided on the mating surface of both gripping members,
These fiber guide portions are configured such that when both gripping members are faced to each other and joined, the first fiber guide portion of one gripping member is inserted between the second and third fiber guide portions of the other gripping member. In addition, by inserting the first fiber guide portion of the other gripping member between the second and third fiber guide portions of the one gripping member, the gripping projections of both gripping members are arranged facing each other. The optical fiber cable strip remover according to claim 3, which also serves as a positioning member (7) for positioning in such a manner.

An optical fiber core tape coating removal method used for removing an outer sheath (22) of a coated optical fiber (20) separated from a tape core wire (T),
A pair of movable pieces (11) is configured in a bowl shape that is rotatably supported by pivotal support of a support shaft (13), and attached to the distal ends of the movable pieces by bringing the distal ends (12) of the movable pieces closer to each other. The coated optical fiber is sandwiched between the gripping members (1),
Both gripping members are rotatably attached to the tip of the movable piece by an axis (3b) having an axis parallel to the axis of the support shaft,
An optical fiber core tape stripping removal tool (10) in which a gripping projection (4) that abuts against the coated optical fiber protrudes on the mating surface (2a) of each gripping member with respect to the other gripping member Use
While the coated optical fiber is sandwiched between the gripping projections of the gripping members on both sides, the coated optical fiber is gripped by the gripping projections of the gripping members on both sides by moving the pair of gripping members and / or the coated optical fiber (23 ) to move along the longitudinal direction of the coated optical fiber, by squeezing the coated optical fiber, and wherein the allowed to decrease the adhesion between the in coated optical fibers exterior coating and the optical fiber (21) An optical fiber core tape covering removal method.

1 to 3 mm in a direction along the longitudinal direction of the coated optical fiber sandwiched between the pair of gripping members on the contact surface (4a) of the gripping projections of the pair of gripping members that is brought into contact with the coated optical fiber. 6. The optical fiber ribbon tape covering removal method according to claim 5 , wherein dimensions are secured .

Projecting fiber guides (5a to 5c) are formed on the mating surfaces of one or both gripping members so as to form a storage region for the coated optical fiber between the gripping members when the gripping members are brought close to each other. And
When the coated optical fiber is sandwiched between the gripping projections of the gripping members on both sides , the coated optical fiber is stored in the storage region (6) formed by the fiber guide portion , and then the coating stored in the storage region. an optical fiber, the optical fiber ribbon coating removing method according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that sandwiching between the gripping projections of the pair of gripping members.

The fiber guide portion includes a first fiber guide portion (5a) projecting in an extending direction on one end side of the gripping projection on the mating surface, and the first fiber guide portion on the other end side of the gripping projection. The first to third fiber guide portions are made of second and third fiber guide portions (5b, 5c) provided on both sides in the extending direction of the gripping protrusion 4 so as to face the fiber guide portion. Is provided on the mating surface of both gripping members,
When both the gripping members are faced and joined, the first fiber guide portion of one gripping member is fitted between the second and third fiber guide portions of the other gripping member, and the other gripping member By positioning the first fiber guide portion between the second and third fiber guide portions of one gripping member, the positioning is performed so that the gripping projections of both gripping members are arranged to face each other. The optical fiber core tape covering removal method according to claim 7,