JP4080968B2 - Optical fiber for branching - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a branching optical fiber.
[0001]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, in order to branch connecting the optical fiber cable to other optical fiber cord or other fiber optic cable, optical fiber connection box is used. In an optical fiber connection box, an optical fiber cable drawn from one end of the box is branched for each optical fiber core, and then is connected to another optical fiber cord or other optical fiber cable drawn from the other end of the box. An optical connection may be made by a technique such as optical connector connection.
[0002]
In such an optical fiber connection box, it is considered that the optical fiber cable and other optical fiber cords or other optical fiber cables are optically connected in the following manner instead of direct optical connector connection.
[0003]
A branching optical fiber is provided between the optical fiber cable and another optical fiber cord or another optical fiber cable. The optical fiber cable is provided at one end of the optical fiber for branching, and another optical fiber cord or other optical fiber is provided at the other end. By connecting the optical fiber cables, the optical connection between the two is performed. The branching optical fiber has a structure stored in an optical fiber connection box. (See Patent Document 1)
The schematic configuration and function of the optical fiber connection box will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 3, the reference numeral 100 is attached to the optical fiber connection box.
[0004]
The optical fiber connection box 100 is
Branching out the optical fiber core α from the optical fiber cable A having a tape core β in which a plurality of optical fiber cores α are integrated;
Connect the optical connector 20 to each of the optical fiber cores α taken out,
The optical connector 20 connected to the optical fiber core α is held so as to be connectable to another optical connector 21.
It is a device that demonstrates the function. The other optical connector 21 is attached to the end of another optical fiber cable or another optical fiber cord.
[0005]
In order to exhibit such a connection function, the optical fiber connection box 100 includes a branching optical fiber 110. The branching optical fiber 110 is provided between a connection end of each of the optical fiber cores α extending from the end of the optical fiber cable A and the optical connector 20. The branching optical fiber 110 includes a plurality of optical fiber cores that connect each of the optical fiber cores α drawn from the tape core wire β to the optical connector 20.
[0006]
Specifically, the branching optical fiber 110 includes a tape core wire portion 12 and an optical fiber core wire group 13. The tape core part 12 has a plurality of optical fiber cores ₁₁₁ to _n . The optical fiber cores _{111 to n} are provided in the same number as the total number (for example, 4) of the tape cores β, and are arranged in parallel at the same pitch as that of the optical fiber cores α constituting the tape core β. The In the following description, the number of cores of the tape core β is assumed to be four. Therefore, reference numerals ₁₁₁ to ₄ are assigned to the optical fiber core wires. The tape core portion 12 is configured by integrating optical fiber core wires ₁₁₁ to ₄ arranged in parallel with a resin coating. The thus-configured tape core 12 is fusion-bonded to the tape core β. Since the parallel pitch of the core wire is the same between the tape core wire β and the tape core portion 12, they can be mechanically fused and connected at a time. In FIG. 3, a symbol γ is attached to the fusion splicing portion.
[0007]
The optical fiber core wires _{111 to 4} are branched and extended from the tape core wire portion 12. The optical fiber core group 13 includes optical fiber cores ₁₁₁ to ₄ that branch out from the tape core portion 12 and extend. The optical connector 20 is connected to and connected to the extending tips of the optical fiber cores 111 to ₄ constituting the optical fiber core group 13.
[0008]
The branching optical fiber 110 having the above configuration is connected as follows. First, the tape core portion 12 is fusion-bonded with the tape core wire β drawn from the optical fiber cable A. An optical connector 20 is attached to the ends of the optical fiber cores _{111 to 4} constituting the optical fiber core group 13, and this optical connector 20 is connected to an adapter 8 provided in the optical fiber connection box 100. . The adapter 8 has a configuration in which other optical connectors 21 can be coupled. Further, the adapter 8 has a configuration in which these coupled optical connectors 20 and 21 are optically connected to each other.
[0009]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 7-16902 [0010]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the branching optical fiber 110 that optically connects the optical fiber cable and other optical fiber cords or other optical fiber cables in this way has the following problems.
[0011]
The work site where the branching optical fiber 110 is branched and connected by the optical fiber connection box 100 has various connection forms. That is, if there is a work site where one tape core β is taken out from one optical fiber cable A, the optical fiber core α is pulled out from the tape core β and branched and connected to another optical fiber cable, There is also a site where a plurality of tape cores β are taken out from one or a plurality of optical fiber cables A, and a plurality of optical fiber cores α are drawn out from the tape cores β and branched and connected to other optical fiber cables or the like. is there. In addition, the number of tape cores β requiring branching operations varies depending on the work site.
[0012]
One branching optical fiber 110 basically has a structure corresponding to one tape core β, and in order to branch-connect the tape core β, the branch of the tape core β to be branched is used. A plurality of branching optical fibers 110 corresponding to the number are required.
[0013]
However, as the number of branching optical fibers 110 increases, there is a problem that handling becomes difficult from the time of conveyance to the time of work. In addition, the larger the number, the more difficult it is to store in the optical fiber connection box 100, and there is a problem that the work time required to store well fits.
[0014]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a tape core part in which a plurality of optical fiber cores are arranged in parallel and integrated, and an optical fiber core branched and extended from the tape core part. A branching optical fiber including a line group has the following configuration.
[0015]
First, a plurality of these branching optical fibers are arranged in parallel. Then, Ru provided a resin sheet to hold the batch accommodates the ribbon portion of each of the plurality of the branch optical fiber and the branch site between the optical fiber group therein. The resin sheet includes a pair of resin sheet members that have a size extending over the plurality of branching optical fibers that are collectively held and are attached to each other, and the branch portions are planar. Then, the plurality of branching optical fibers are integrally connected to each other by being sandwiched between the resin sheet materials . Furthermore, the said resin sheet has a division | segmentation auxiliary hole arrange | positioned along the separation line which isolate | separates the said resin sheet for every optical fiber for branching.
[0016]
By providing the above configuration, the present invention makes it easy to handle a plurality of branching optical fibers from the time of conveyance to the time of work by connecting them with a resin sheet. Further, even when the plurality of branching optical fibers are stored in the final storage destination (optical fiber connection box or the like), it is possible to store them in a short working time.
[0017]
Even if the number of branching optical fibers required at each work site varies, the number of branching optical fibers at least equal to or greater than the number of branching optical fibers required at a plurality of work sites is used. What is necessary is just to prepare what was integrated by the single resin sheet. Further, at each work site, by cutting the resin sheet at a predetermined position, the number of branching optical fibers required at the work site is separated from the other branching optical fibers in a state of being connected by the resin sheet. It is also possible. For example, if you prepare as many branching optical fibers as possible integrated with a resin sheet as a branching optical fiber integrated with a resin sheet, any work that requires a different number of branching optical fibers It is possible to respond to the field. This eliminates the need to prepare optical fibers for branching that are connected by resin sheets for each number required at each work site. This leads to an improvement in productivity and a reduction in the stock burden because it is not necessary to stock various numbers of connecting and branching optical fibers. As described above, the present invention has an effect of reducing the installation cost of the optical fiber.
[0019]
In addition, it is possible to protect the branch portion that is difficult to physically protect with the resin sheet, and the physical strength of the branching optical fiber is improved.
[0020]
Further, it is possible to reinforce the mechanical strength of the bifurcation in a relatively simple structure.
[0021]
Furthermore , even when a cutting tool such as a work rod or a cutter knife is used, it is easy to work. In some cases, the resin sheet can be cut only by the operator's manual work, and workability is improved accordingly.
[0022]
In the present invention, it is preferable that an identification mark is provided on at least one of the plurality of tape core portions arranged in parallel or at least one of the optical fiber core wires constituting the optical fiber core group. If it does so, it will become easy to identify the tape core part and optical fiber core wire which the number further increases by connecting a plurality of optical fibers for branching.
[0023]
In addition, it is possible to set the mark by individually setting the surface color of the tape core or the optical fiber core. Similarly, a symbol that can be visually recognized is displayed on the tape core or the optical fiber. It is possible to set the mark by providing it on the surface of the fiber core.
[0024]
The optical fiber for branching according to the present invention exhibits the best effect in the following configuration. The optical fiber core wire is branched and taken out from an optical fiber cable having a tape core wire formed by integrating a plurality of optical fiber core wires, an optical connector is connected to the taken-out optical fiber core wire, and the light In an optical fiber connection box in which a connector is held so as to be connectable to another optical connector, the optical fiber connection box is provided between the connection end of each of the tape core wires extended from the end of the optical fiber cable and the optical connector. In the case where each of the optical fiber core wires drawn out from the tape core wire is optically connected to the optical connector, the present invention is most effective.
[0025]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a configuration of a branching optical fiber 11 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As described above with reference to FIG. 3, the branching optical fiber 11 is provided between the connection end of each of the optical fiber cores α extending from the end of the optical fiber cable A and the optical connector 20. . The branching optical fiber 11 includes a plurality of optical fiber cores that connect each of the optical fiber cores α drawn from the tape core wire β to the optical connector 20. The basic structure of the branching optical fiber 11 is the same as that of the branching optical fiber 110 described above, but will be briefly described below.
[0026]
The branching fiber 11 includes a tape core wire portion 12 and an optical fiber core wire group 13. The tape core part 12 has a plurality of optical fiber cores ₁₁₁ to _n . The optical fiber cores _{111 to n} are provided in the same number as the total number (for example, 4) of the tape cores β, and are arranged in parallel at the same pitch as that of the optical fiber cores α constituting the tape core β. The In the present embodiment, the branching optical fiber 11 is used to branch the tape core β having four cores. Therefore, hereinafter, reference numerals ₁₁₁ to ₄ are attached to the optical fiber core wires. The tape core portion 12 is configured by integrating optical fiber core wires ₁₁₁ to ₄ arranged in parallel with a resin coating. The thus configured tape core portion 12 can be fusion-bonded to the tape core β of the optical fiber cable A.
[0027]
Since the core wire β and the tape core portion 12 have the same parallel pitch of the core wires, they can be fusion-bonded mechanically at a time, thereby improving the efficiency of the connection work. To do.
[0028]
The optical fiber core wires _{111 to 4} are branched and extended from the tape core wire portion 12. The optical fiber core group 13 includes optical fiber cores ₁₁₁ to ₄ that branch out from the tape core portion 12 and extend. The optical connector 20 is connected to and connected to the extending tips of the optical fiber cores 111 to ₄ constituting the optical fiber core group 13.
[0029]
The fiber core wires _{111 to 4} constituting the optical fiber core group 13 have a first protective tube 14A. The optical fiber core wires _{111 to 4} are respectively formed into optical fiber cords by being inserted through the first protective tube 14A, and are physically protected by the first protective tube 14A. The tape core part 12 has a second protective tube 14B made of silicon resin or the like. The tape core wire portion 12 is physically protected by inserting the second protective tube 14B.
[0030]
In the branch site | part (epsilon) between the tape core wire part 12 and the optical fiber core wire group 13, the site | part which is not physically protected by the 1st protection tube 14A arises. This part is covered and physically protected by the resin sheet 15. The resin sheet 15 is configured by sticking and integrating two thin resin sheet materials 15a and 15b, and the tape core wire portion 12 is interposed between the resin sheet materials 15a and 15b to be integrated. By sandwiching the end portion (including the second protective tube 14B) and the end portion (including the first protective tube 14A) of the fiber core wires _{111 to 4} extending from the tape core wire portion 12, Physically protect the branch site ε.
[0031]
The above is the basic configuration of the branching optical fiber 11 of the present embodiment. Next, a configuration that characterizes the branching optical fiber 11 of the present embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, a plurality of branching optical fibers 11 are arranged in parallel. Hereinafter, the plurality of branching optical fibers 11 arranged in parallel are referred to as a branching optical fiber group 2. In each of the branching optical fibers 11, the branch site ε between the tape core portion 12 and the optical fiber core group 13 is integrally connected by a single resin sheet 15. In addition, the code | symbol 17 in a figure is a hole which inserts a fixed screw in the resin sheet 15. FIG.
[0032]
The resin sheet 15 has a dividing auxiliary hole 16. The dividing auxiliary hole 16 is a plurality of perforated holes formed continuously along the separation line A separating the resin sheet 15 for each branching optical fiber 11. In addition, as the division | segmentation auxiliary hole 16, it is good also as a ditch | groove shape formed continuously along the separation line which isolate | separates the resin sheet 15. FIG.
[0033]
In this embodiment, since the branching optical fiber group 2 (the plurality of branching optical fibers 11) is integrally connected by the resin sheet 15, the tape core wire portion 12 and the optical fiber core wire handled in this state are used. The number of 11 _1-4 is very large. Furthermore, even in the state of being accommodated in the optical fiber connection box, the number of the tape core wire portions 12 and the optical fiber core wires _{111 to 4} is increased according to the number of the branching optical fibers 11 accommodated. Therefore, in this embodiment, an identification mark 18 is provided on at least one of these tape core portions 12 and at least one of the optical fiber core wires _{111 to 4} (for example, an optical fiber core wire to be a tracer or a sub-tracer). Provide. Thereby, identification of each tape core part 12 and optical fiber cores _111-4 becomes easy.
[0034]
The mark 18 may be formed by individually setting the surface colors of the optical fiber core wires _{111 to 4} of the tape core wire portion 12, and individually visible symbols may be displayed on the tape core wire portion 12 or the optical fiber core. It may be formed on the surface of the lines 111 to ₄ by printing or stamping. The mark 18 formed by coloring may be provided partially with respect to the optical fiber cores ₁₁₁ to ₄ of the tape core 12 or may be provided over substantially the entire length in the longitudinal direction. In FIG. 1, as an example, it is provided on the ribbon 12 and the optical fiber 11 ₄ constituted indicia 18 by the numbers to be printed, engraved ( "6", "1").
[0035]
The branching optical fiber 11 having the above configuration is handled as follows. At the work site where the branching operation of the optical fiber is performed using the branching optical fiber 11 and the optical fiber connection box 100, the required number of branches of the optical fiber is different. Therefore, the number of branching optical fibers 11 required at the work site varies. However, it is convenient for performing the branching operation that a plurality of necessary branching optical fibers 11 are integrated as one.
[0036]
Therefore, after a large number of branching optical fibers 11 are integrated with a resin sheet 15, they are stocked in a department that manages branching operations. Note that at this time, only one kind of stock made by integrating a large number of branching optical fibers 11 with a resin sheet 15 needs to be stocked, so the stock burden is small.
[0037]
If there is a request for branching work, one of the branching optical fibers 11 in stock is brought to the work site, and as shown in FIG. Are separated from the other branching optical fibers 11. Note that a necessary number of branching optical fibers 11 may be divided in advance in a warehouse or the like where they are in stock and then brought into the work site.
[0038]
Then, a branching operation is performed using the necessary number of branched optical fibers 11 and the optical fiber junction box 100. At that time, since the identification mark 18 is provided on the tape core portion 12 and the optical fiber core portions ₁₁₁ to ₄ , it becomes easy to identify the fiber necessary for the branching operation. In addition, the sheet | seat 15 can be easily performed by the manual operation | work of drawing along the division | segmentation auxiliary hole 16. FIG.
[0039]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, since a plurality of branching optical fibers are integrally connected by the resin sheet, the handling of the branching optical fiber is facilitated from the time of conveyance to the time of operation, and the fit is better. The work time required for storage is also shortened.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a branching optical fiber according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a state in which an arbitrary number of branching optical fibers are separated from the connected branching optical fibers.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a branching structure of an optical fiber using the branching optical fiber according to the embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
α Optical fiber core wire β Tape core wire γ Fusion splice portion ε Branch part A Optical fiber cable 8 Adapter 11 Branching optical fiber 11 _1-4 Optical fiber core wire 12 Tape core portion 13 Optical fiber core group 14A First Protective tube 14B Second protective tube 15 Resin sheet 15a, 15b Resin sheet material 16 Split auxiliary hole 20 Optical connector 21 Optical connector

Claims (6)

A branching optical fiber comprising: a tape core wire portion in which a plurality of optical fiber core wires are arranged in parallel and integrated; and a group of optical fiber core wires branched and extended from the tape core wire portion. ,
A plurality of these branching optical fibers are arranged in parallel,
And providing a resin sheet that accommodates and holds the branch portion between the tape core portion and the optical fiber core group in each of the plurality of optical fibers for branching ,
The resin sheet includes a pair of resin sheet members that have a size extending over the plurality of branching optical fibers that are collectively held and are attached to each other, and the branch portions are planar. In addition, by sandwiching between the resin sheet material, a plurality of the branching optical fibers are integrally connected to each other ,
The resin sheet has a dividing auxiliary hole arranged along a separation line for separating the resin sheet for each branching optical fiber.
A branching optical fiber characterized by that. The branching optical fiber according to claim 1 ,
A mark for identification is provided on at least one of the tape core portions arranged in parallel.
A branching optical fiber characterized by that. The branching optical fiber according to claim 1 or 2 ,
At least one of the optical fiber cores constituting the optical fiber core group is provided with an identification mark.
A branching optical fiber characterized by that. The branching optical fiber according to claim 2 or 3 ,
By setting the surface color of the optical fiber core individually, the mark is set.
A branching optical fiber characterized by that. The branching optical fiber according to claim 2 or 3 ,
By setting individually visible symbols on the surface of the optical fiber core wire, the mark is set.
A branching optical fiber characterized by that. The branching optical fiber according to any one of claims 1 to 5 ,
This branching optical fiber is
After branching out the optical fiber core from the optical fiber cable having a tape core formed by integrating a plurality of optical fiber cores, an optical connector is optically connected to the extracted optical fiber core, and In an optical fiber connection box in which an optical connector is held so as to be optically connectable to another optical connector, between the connection end of each of the tape core wires extended from the end of the optical fiber cable and the optical connector Each of the optical fiber cores provided and optically connected to the optical connector is drawn from the tape core wire.
A branching optical fiber characterized by that.

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