JP4293554B2 - Optical fiber terminal processing tool and optical fiber terminal processing method using the same - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical fiber terminal processing technology such as coating removal, surface cleaning, and cutting required when connecting optical fibers.

  In recent years, the number of users who receive broadband services using optical fibers is increasing, and the construction and maintenance of access optical transmission lines has become an urgent task. In order to construct an optical access system, it is necessary to connect many optical fibers, and efficient optical fiber connection is one of the very important issues.

  Here, in order to connect the optical fiber, the terminal processing of (1) coating removal, (2) surface cleaning, (3) cutting (for forming the end face for connection) is performed on the end portion of the optical fiber. After that, (4) (actual) connection processing must be performed (see Non-Patent Document 1).

In other words, conventionally, (1) using a dedicated coat remover, remove the plastic coating around the optical fiber, and (2) impregnate the coating dust remaining on the optical fiber surface after the coating removal with alcohol. It was cleaned using paper or the like, and (3) the optical fiber surface was scratched and cut using a blade to obtain a flat end face necessary for connection. Then, (4) the optical fibers are butted together and connected by a connection method such as mechanical splice or fusion splicing.
Takuo Kikuchi et al. “FTTH Construction Technology Supporting the Optical Communication Age” (Optronics, July 6, 2004, pp. 68-127)

  Thus, conventionally, since each terminal processing step was performed using an individual dedicated tool or the like, it was necessary to set the tool for each step, and the work was complicated and time-consuming. In many cases, the connection work is performed in a narrow place such as on a pillar or in a manhole. Therefore, when a dedicated tool or its setting is required for each process, there is a problem that efficient work is difficult.

  An object of the present invention is that an optical fiber that does not require a dedicated tool for each process and its setting, requires less work and time, and enables efficient work even in a narrow place such as on a pillar or in a manhole. The object is to provide a terminal processing tool and an optical fiber terminal processing method using the tool.

  In order to solve the above problems, in the present invention, it is possible to simplify the process of removing the coating of the optical fiber, cleaning the surface, and cutting with a single tool. That is, the dedicated tool used in each process of removing the coating of the optical fiber, cleaning the surface, and cutting was made one. At that time, in order to simplify the structure of the tool, after removing the coating using a coating removal tool, it was considered to remove the remaining fine coating dust with heat. In other words, dust was removed by applying heat using nichrome wire or the like. Furthermore, for cutting for forming the end face for connection, instead of using a blade to cut the surface of the optical fiber by scratching, the thermal stress is generated by applying heat and quenching, thereby cutting. The method was examined. Specifically, it is a method of applying heat to the optical fiber with a nichrome wire or the like and cutting it. By adopting such a method, the same heat source can be used for surface cleaning and cutting, and the tool can be made compact.

  According to the present invention, (1) terminal removal, (2) surface cleaning, and (3) cutting can be performed with a single tool, and a dedicated tool for each process and its setting are not required, and work can be performed. This simplifies and shortens the time required for work, enables efficient work even in a narrow place such as on a pillar or in a manhole, and improves the efficiency of the entire connection work. Further, since the tool of the present invention can be configured with an inexpensive and easily available tool, the cost of the tool itself can be reduced. Furthermore, when the length for removing the coating is about 3 mm or less, the step of removing the coating using the blade can be omitted, and the terminal processing for connecting the optical fiber can be performed more easily.

  FIG. 1 shows an example of an embodiment of an optical fiber terminal processing tool according to the present invention. FIG. 1 (a) is an overall perspective view of an optical fiber set, and FIG. 1 (b) is an optical fiber set. FIG.

The tool according to the present embodiment includes a first clamping means 10 that holds the end portion of the coated optical fiber 1 and a second clamping means that holds a pair of blades for removing the coating of the coated optical fiber 1. 20, a base 30 supporting the first clamping means 10 and second clamping means 20 movable relative to, dissolve the coating of the coated optical fiber with 1, local to the bare optical fiber after coating removal The main components are heating means 40 for applying heat that can generate a thermal stress and displacement applying means 50 for applying a displacement that can cause local bending of the bare optical fiber after the coating is removed.

  Specifically, the first clamping means 10 includes a holder 11 that securely holds the terminal portion of the coated optical fiber 1, a holder installation portion 12 that mounts the holder 11 on the upper surface thereof, and the holder 11 and the holder installation portion. A clamp base 13 for receiving and holding 12, a clamp part 14 for fixing the holder 11 and the holder installation part 12 to the clamp base 13, and a lever 15 for moving the clamp base 13 on the base 30. It has become.

  Here, the holder 11 is made of a pair of plate members having a V-groove (not shown) on one side thereof. This is a case where the coated optical fiber 1 is a single core, and in the case of a tape core wire, the tape width. A plate material having a plurality of grooves is used. The holder 11 and the holder installation part 12 may be integrated so that they cannot be removed.

  Specifically, the second clamping means 20 is provided on a pair of blades 21 and 22, a clamp base 23 and a clamp portion 24 that hold the pair of blades 21 and 22 so as to face each other, and an upper surface of the clamp base 23. The heater 25 is used to soften the coating of the coated optical fiber 1 and make it easy to remove.

Here, the clamp portion 24 has a first state in which the distance between the pair of blades 21 and 22 is smaller than the diameter of the coated optical fiber 1 and the bare optical fiber after the coating is removed. It is configured to be movable with respect to the clamp table 23 so that it can be changed to a second state larger than the diameter of the clamp base 23. The movement of the clamp portion 24 is realized by an adjusting rod (see FIGS. 2 to 8) 26 that operates in conjunction with the movement of the clamp base 13 of the first clamping means 10.

  The base 30 fixedly supports the clamp base 23 of the second clamp means 20 and holds the clamp base 13 of the first clamp means 10 in a predetermined direction, here the first clamp means 10. The coated optical fiber 1 is supported so as to be capable of reciprocating in a direction that maintains a state in which the axial direction of the coated optical fiber 1 is substantially perpendicular to the pair of blades 21 and 22 held by the second clamp means 20. The movement of the clamp base 13 is realized by a pinion gear (see FIGS. 2 to 8) 31 coupled to the lever 15 and a rack gear (not shown) attached to the base body 30.

Specifically, the heating means 40 is similar to the heater 25 and the nichrome wire 41 that melts the coating of the coated optical fiber 1 and applies heat that can generate local thermal stress to the bare optical fiber after the coating is removed. The heater includes a heater 42 for softening the coating of the coated optical fiber 1 and facilitating removal.

Here, the heating unit 40 is located between the first clamping unit 10 and the second clamping unit 20 and is relatively fixed to the second clamping unit 20, here, in the vicinity of the clamping table 23. The first state in which the nichrome wire 41 does not contact the coated optical fiber 1 held on the first clamp means 10 on the substrate 30 and the bare light after the coating held on the first clamp means 10 is removed. and a second state in which nichrome wire 41 is close to the fiber, as a nichrome wire 41 to the first bare optical fiber after coating removal held by the clamp means 10 can take at least a third state which is in contact, vertical It is mounted so as to be movable in the direction. The vertical movement is realized by a height adjusting plate 43 attached to the clamp base 13 of the first clamping means 10 and an urging means between the heating means 40 and the base 30, here a spring 44. The

Specifically, the displacement applying means 50 includes an impact plate 51 that applies a displacement that can cause local bending of the bare optical fiber after the coating is removed, and a support plate 52 that supports the impact plate 51 so as to be displaceable. Yes.

Here, the support plate 52 is integrally formed on the first clamp means 10 side of the clamp portion 24 of the second clamp means 20, that is, on the side facing the heating means 40, and the impact plate 51 is the support plate 52. The first state in which the coated optical fiber 1 is attached so as to be displaceable in the same direction as the moving direction of the clamp portion 24 and is not held in contact with the coated optical fiber 1 held by the first clamp means 10. At least a second state in which the bare optical fiber after the removal of the held coating is brought into contact and a predetermined displacement is applied can be taken. The displacement of the impact plate 51 is realized by manually pushing down a portion protruding from the upper surface of the support plate 52 (returning by a restoring force such as a spring not shown).

  Reference numeral 61 denotes a power source, here a battery, which supplies electricity to the heater 25 of the second clamping means 20 and the nichrome wire 41 and the heater 42 of the heating means 40 via an electric circuit (not shown). Yes.

  Hereinafter, an optical fiber terminal processing method using this tool will be described with reference to FIG. 2 to FIG. 8 showing each step in a partially cutaway side view of FIG.

  First, as shown in FIG. 2, the end portion of the coated optical fiber 1 is gripped and fixed to the holder 11 so that the tip protrudes the required length, and these are mounted on the holder installation portion 12, and further the clamp base. 13, the clamp portion 14 is set, and is fixedly held by the first clamp means 10. At this time, the second clamping unit 20, the heating unit 40, and the displacement applying unit 50 are in the first state, respectively, and the heater 25, the nichrome wire 41, and the heater 42 are energized, that is, It is in a fever state.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 3, by operating the lever 15 and moving the clamp base 13, the end portion of the coated optical fiber 1 held by the first clamp means 10 is moved to the second clamp means 20. The tip is inserted between the clamp base 23 and the clamp portion 24, more precisely between the pair of blades 21 and 22 through the heating means 40 and the displacement applying means 50.

Then, the clamp base 13 is moved to a predetermined position, the tip of the coated optical fiber 1 is protruded from the pair of blades 21 and 22 by a certain length, and then the lever 15 is slightly returned as shown in FIG. Accordingly, the second clamping means 20 is in the second state (by the action of the clamp adjusting rod 26), that is, the distance between the pair of blades 21 and 22 is smaller than the diameter of the coated optical fiber 1 and the bare light after the coating is removed. The diameter of the fiber is changed to be larger than the diameter of the fiber so that the pair of blades 21 and 22 are not easily covered with the coated optical fiber 1. At this time, the coating of the coated optical fiber 1 is heated by the heaters 25 and 42 and is softened so as to be easily removed.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 5, the coating of the coated optical fiber 1 is removed by further operating the lever 15 and moving the clamp table 13 in the direction toward the original position. At this time, the action of the height adjusting plate 43 and the spring 44 changes the heating means 40 to the second state, that is, the state where the nichrome wire 41 is close to the bare optical fiber after the coating is removed. state, i.e. subjected to surface cleaning by nichrome wire 41 is changed to a state of contacting the bare optical fiber after coating removal, i.e. heating means fine coating dust or the like remaining on the surface of the bare optical fiber after coating removal Dissolve with 40 heat and remove.

Next, as shown in FIG. 6, when the predetermined position of the bare optical fiber , that is, the position to be cut for forming the end face for connection, arrives between the heating means 40 and the displacement applying means 50, the lever 15 is operated. The movement of the clamp base 13 is stopped, and the heating means 40 is maintained for a certain time, in this case, for several seconds, in the state where the nichrome wire 41 is in contact with the bare optical fiber after the coating is removed. 7, the impact plate 51 is pushed down, the displacement applying means 50 is changed to the second state, and the heating means 40 is returned to the first or second state along with this, whereby the bare optical fiber is changed. A local thermal stress is applied to a predetermined position, a local bending is generated, and this is cut.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 8, the clamped portions 14 and 24 are opened, the holder 11 is detached from the holder installation portion 12, and the holder 11 is separated, whereby the terminal-treated optical fiber 1 can be taken out.

FIG. 9 shows the state of the surface of the optical fiber obtained by the above-described optical fiber terminal processing tool of the present invention and the optical fiber terminal processing method using the tool, and when only the coating removal shown in FIG. 10 is performed. It can be seen that the surface is cleaned more cleanly than the surface condition of the bare optical fiber .

  FIG. 11 shows the state of the cut surface of the optical fiber obtained by the above-described optical fiber terminal processing tool of the present invention and the optical fiber terminal processing method using the same, and the conventional optical fiber shown in FIG. It turns out that it is cut | disconnected by the mirror surface similarly to the cut surface by a cutter.

  FIG. 13 shows the measurement results of connection loss when 25 single-coated optical fibers are terminated using the above-described tools and methods and then connected using a mechanical splice. As a result, it can be seen that the connection can be made with a low loss of an average of 0.15 dB or less and a maximum of 0.3 dB or less. Although a single-core coated optical fiber is used here, a four-core optical fiber tape, an eight-core optical fiber tape, or the like is also applicable.

Further, in the optical fiber end processing tool of the present invention, since the surface of the bare optical fiber is cleaned or cut using heat, the coating is removed when the coating removal length is as short as about 3 mm or less. By omitting the step of applying and applying heat from above the coating, it is possible to promote surface cleaning and generation of thermal stress as well as removal of the coating.

That is, the heating means 40 is changed to the second state, that is, the state in which the nichrome wire 41 is in contact with the coating, and the third state, that is, after the coating is removed, with respect to the optical fiber 1 in the coated state. By changing the state so that the nichrome wire 41 is in contact with the bare optical fiber , the coating of the end portion of the optical fiber 1 is removed, and the coating dust remaining on the surface of the bare optical fiber after the coating is removed, and heating means 40 is maintained in a third state, that is, a state in which the nichrome wire 41 is in contact with the bare optical fiber after the coating is removed, and then the heating means 40 is changed to the first or second state and the displacement applying means 50 is changed. the by changing to the second state, can be cut by generating localized bending together provide a localized thermal stresses in place of the bare optical fiber, coating removal, surface Cree Substantially it is possible to perform simultaneously the ring and cutting.

It is a figure which shows an example of embodiment of the tool for optical fiber terminal processing of this invention. FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway side view of FIG. 1 showing a state where a coated optical fiber held by a holder is installed in a holder installation section. FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway side view of FIG. 1 showing a state where a coated optical fiber is installed at a terminal processing work start position. FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway side view of FIG. 1 showing a state in which coating removal is started. FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway side view of FIG. 1 showing a state where surface cleaning is performed along with coating removal. FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway side view of FIG. 1 showing a state in which a heating means is brought into contact with a predetermined position of a bare optical fiber after the coating is removed. FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway side view of FIG. 1 showing a state in which a bare optical fiber is removed by being displaced by a displacement applying means at a predetermined position after being removed from the coating. It is a partially cutaway side view of FIG. 1 which shows the state at the time of taking out the optical fiber after a terminal process from a tool. It is a photograph which shows the surface state of the optical fiber which removed the coating | coated and surface-cleaned with the nichrome wire. It is a photograph which shows the surface state of the optical fiber which removed the coating | coated. It is a photograph which shows the cut surface of the optical fiber cut | disconnected with the tool of this invention. It is a photograph which shows the cut surface of the optical fiber cut | disconnected with the conventional optical fiber cutter. It is a figure which shows the measurement result of the loss at the time of connecting the optical fiber terminal-processed by this invention using the mechanical splice.

1: coated optical fiber 10: first clamping means 11: holder 12: holder mounting base 13: clamp base 14: clamp part 15: lever 20: second clamping means 21, 22: a pair of blades 23: clamp base 24: Clamp part 25: Heater 26: Adjustment rod 30: Base 31: Pinion gear 40: Heating means 41: Nichrome wire 42: Heater 43: Height adjustment plate 44: Spring 50: Displacement applying means 51: Impact plate 52: Support plate 61: battery

Claims (3)

The coating of the coated optical fiber is removed, the coated dust remaining on the surface of the stripped bare optical fiber is dissolved and removed, and the coating is removed and the bare light subjected to the surface cleaning is removed. An optical fiber end processing tool for cutting a fiber,
First clamping means for holding the end of the coated optical fiber;
A pair of blades facing each other for removing the coating of the coated optical fiber held by the first clamping means; a first state in which the distance between the pair of blades is larger than the diameter of the coated optical fiber; Second clamping means for holding at least changeable to a second state smaller than the diameter and larger than the diameter of the bare optical fiber after removal of the coating;
Relative to the first and second clamping means in a direction in which the axial direction of the coated optical fiber held by the first clamping means is maintained substantially perpendicular to the blade held by the second clamping means. A base body movably supported on
Heating means for dissolving the coating of the coated optical fiber and applying heat that can generate local thermal stress in the bare optical fiber after the coating is removed;
A displacement imparting means for imparting a displacement capable of generating a local bend in the bare optical fiber after removal of the coating;
The heating means is provided with a cover held by the first clamp means at a position between the first clamp means and the second clamp means and relatively fixed to the second clamp means. a first state not in contact with the optical fiber, and a second state in proximity to the first bare optical fiber after coating removal held in the clamping means, bare after coating removal held in the first clamping means Arranged so as to be capable of at least a third state in contact with the optical fiber ,
The displacement imparting means does not contact the coated optical fiber held by the first clamp means at a position facing the heating means across the coated optical fiber held by the first clamp means. Arranged so as to be able to take at least a state and a second state that contacts the bare optical fiber after removal of the coating held by the first clamping means and gives a predetermined displacement ;
Further, the heating means performs surface cleaning by dissolving and removing coating dust remaining on the surface of the bare optical fiber after the coating removal under the second or third state,
The heating means is maintained in a third state for a certain period of time, and then the heating means is changed to the first or second state and the displacement applying means is changed to the second state, thereby removing the coating and An optical fiber end processing tool characterized by applying a local thermal stress to a predetermined position of a bare optical fiber whose surface has been cleaned and cutting it by generating a local bend . A method of processing a coated optical fiber end using the optical fiber end processing tool according to claim 1,
Fixing the end of the coated optical fiber to the first clamping means;
By moving the first clamp means and the second clamp means relative to each other while maintaining the second clamp means, the heating means and the displacement applying means in the first state, the first clamp means The end portion of the coated optical fiber held by the second projection means is protruded from the pair of blades held by the second clamp means through the heating means and the displacement applying means by a certain length,
By changing the second clamping means to the second state, changing the heating means to the second or third state, and moving the first and second clamping means relative to each other, Removing the coating on the end portion of the coated optical fiber held by the clamp means 1 and removing the coating dust remaining on the surface of the bare optical fiber after the coating removal;
The relative movement of the first and second clamping means is stopped, the heating means is maintained in the third state for a certain time, and then the heating means is changed to the first or second state and the displacement applying means is changed. An optical fiber terminal processing method characterized by applying a local thermal stress to a predetermined position of the bare optical fiber after the coating is removed and generating a local bend by changing to the second state. . Using the optical fiber end processing tool according to claim 1, a method of processing a coated optical fiber end in a case where the length of removing the coating is 3 mm or less ,
Fixing the end of the coated optical fiber to the first clamping means;
With the heating means and the displacement imparting means maintained in the first state, the first and second clamping means are moved relative to each other so that the covering is held by the first clamping means. The end portion of the optical fiber protrudes a certain length from between the heating means and the displacement applying means ,
By changing the heating means to the second state and further to the third state, the coating of the end portion of the coated optical fiber held by the first clamping means is removed and the bare light after the coating is removed Remove the coating dust remaining on the fiber surface,
The bare optical fiber after removing the coating is maintained by maintaining the heating means in the third state for a certain period of time and then changing the heating means to the first or second state and changing the displacement applying means to the second state. An optical fiber terminal processing method characterized by applying a local thermal stress to a predetermined position and cutting by generating a local bend.