JP5486904B2 - Optical fiber fusion splicing method, optical fiber manufacturing method including optical connector, and optical fiber holder - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a method for fusion splicing two optical fibers and a method for manufacturing an optical fiber including a termination processing unit.

  For example, when an optical fiber is installed in a house or the like and the end of the installed optical fiber is connected to a line terminator, etc., the model of the equipment to be connected to the end of the optical fiber at the connection site Sometimes, an optical connector corresponding to the standard is attached. In this operation, for example, one end is inserted into a ferrule, and a terminated optical fiber that is ready to be assembled into an optical connector is connected to a laid optical fiber.

  Specifically, the connection end side of both optical fibers is in a state where the coating is peeled off and the bare fiber that becomes the optical fiber main body is exposed, the exposed end surfaces are butted together, and the butted portion is heated by arc discharge or the like. Then, both end surfaces are melted and fusion-bonded. An apparatus for performing the above fusion splicing work is an optical fiber fusion splicer.

  13A to 13D show an outline of the procedure of the fusion splicing work. When the two optical fibers (20c, 20) are fusion spliced by an optical fiber fusion splicer, for example, as shown in FIG. In a state of being fixed to the tool (optical fiber holder) 1, the optical fiber fusion splicer is mounted. The optical fiber holder 1 has a substantially flat box shape, and the V groove 7 is formed so as to longitudinally cut the upper surface 2 having a substantially rectangular planar shape in the longitudinal direction (front-rear direction), and the upper surface 2 is opened and closed by a hinge. The clamp part 8 which covers freely is provided. Then, for example, as shown in FIG. 13 (B), after terminating the optical fiber 20c having been subjected to termination along the extending direction of the V-groove 7, as shown in FIG. 8 is closed to fix the optical fiber 20c. The clamp portion 8 is formed of a magnetic metal and is fixed in a closed state by a magnet 9 attached to the upper surface 2 of the optical fiber holder 1. In addition, the connection end side of the terminated optical fiber 20 c, that is, the end (hereinafter, rear end) on the side where the bare fiber 22 is exposed protrudes outward from the rear end surface 3 of the optical fiber holder 1.

  The optical fiber fusion splicer is provided with a guide pin, a guide rail, and the like as a configuration for holding the rear end surfaces 3 of the two optical fiber holders 1 facing each other. The optical fiber holder 1 is formed with a vertical hole 4 through which the guide pin is inserted through the upper and lower surfaces, and a groove (not shown) that engages with the shape of the guide rail on the lower surface. In a state where the terminated optical fiber 20c and other optical fibers 20 such as installed optical fibers are fixed to the respective optical fiber holders 1, these optical fiber holders 1 are used as optical fiber fusion splicers. When attached, as shown in FIG. 13D, the bare fibers 22 of the other optical fibers 20 and the rear end faces of the bare fibers 22 of the terminated optical fibers 20c face each other. Note that the terminated optical fiber 20c in this figure is a so-called “pigtail optical fiber” in which the terminated portion is an optical connector 30c.

  In the optical fiber fusion splicer, two optical fiber holders 1 to which two optical fibers (20c, 20) to be fused and connected to each other are fixed are attached to both optical fibers (20c, 20). When a predetermined operation is performed in a state where the rear end surfaces of the bare fibers 22 are in contact with each other, the rear end surface portions of the bare fibers 22 are melted by arc discharge and the rear end surfaces of both the bare fibers 22 are pushed in. The operation is automatically performed, and the rear end faces of both bare fibers 22 are brought into contact with each other. In addition, the operation | movement which pushes back the rear end surfaces of the bare fiber 22 moves the guide rail itself to the extension direction with the optical fiber holder 1 mounted | worn, and makes the two optical fiber holders 1 approach.

  The optical fiber holder 1 is described in the following Patent Document 1, and the outline of the optical fiber fusion splicer is described in the following Non-Patent Document 1. Non-Patent Document 2 describes an optical fiber fusion splicing method.

JP 2003-329873 A

Fujikura Ltd., [online], [Search August 26, 2009], Internet <URL: http://www.fujikura.co.jp/products/data/fsm-60s_j.pdf> Takuo Kikuchi and Junichi Nishizawa, “FTTH Construction Technology Supporting the Optical Communication Age”, Optronics Co., Ltd., December 22, 2008, 3rd edition, 1st printing, P83-P102

  As is well known, an optical fiber cannot transmit an optical signal when it is bent. Even when the arc is bent, if the radius of the arc is short, the transmission loss of the optical signal increases. For this reason, if an extra length is added to the connection length of the optical fiber, extra length processing is performed to bundle the optical fibers while bending the extra length (extra length) into a circular arc with a sufficiently large radius. Therefore, a large space is required to accommodate the extra length of optical fiber. This space is not a problem outdoors, but cannot be secured sufficiently in a limited indoor space. Further, if the place where the optical fiber is connected is in a housing such as a device or a junction box, it can be said that there is almost no space. Therefore, in the case where a terminated optical fiber is fused and connected to the tip of a laid optical fiber, it is necessary to adjust the optical fiber to the minimum necessary length.

  However, in the conventional fusion splicing method, the length of the terminated optical fiber itself is several tens of centimeters or longer, for example, when it is extended to the immediate vicinity of the equipment to which the installed optical fiber is connected. Cuts the installed optical fiber first, exposes the bare fiber at the cut, and then splices it to the terminated optical fiber, resulting in poor work efficiency. To do. If the distance between the end of the installed optical fiber and the connected device is very short, the terminated optical fiber will be cut. However, at least, the optical fiber holder will be cut vertically, and a ferrule, connector, etc. It is necessary to have a length sufficient to guide the termination processing part to the outside of the optical fiber holder.

  Also, the fusion spliced part has less strength against pulling and bending than other optical fiber parts, and the front and back of the fusion spliced part are inserted into a heat-shrinkable tube (heat-shrinkable sleeve). Is processed to reinforce so as to maintain a straight state. In other words, this reinforcing portion cannot be bent even in an arc shape. And since the reinforcement part exists in the position away from the optical connector, if there is a surplus length at the halfway end, it becomes extremely difficult to process the surplus length itself.

  The present invention has been made in view of the problems mainly related to extra length processing when fusion-bonding a terminated optical fiber and another optical fiber at an optical fiber connection site. An object of the present invention is to provide a fusion splicing method of optical fibers that does not require extra length processing. Other objects of the present invention will be clarified in the following description.

The present invention is an optical fiber fusion splicing method for achieving the above object, the main invention of which is as follows:
Fixing the first optical fiber in a state where the bare fiber is exposed to the rear end side to the first optical fiber holder;
Providing a second optical fiber holder to which the second optical fiber in a state where the bare fiber is exposed on the rear end side is fixed;
The rear end face of the first optical fiber fixed to the first optical fiber holder and the rear end face of the second optical fiber fixed to the second optical fiber holder are brought into contact with each other for fusion splicing. And steps to
Have
The bare fiber is exposed on the rear end side of the optical connector containing the ferrule in which the front end side of the second optical fiber is inserted ,
The optical connector of the optical fiber is formed with a ridge extending on the outer surface thereof in a direction different from the optical connector longitudinal direction,
The second optical fiber holder has a groove structure that engages with the shape of the optical connector , and the protrusion of the optical connector is formed between an inner wall surface of the second optical fiber holder and an elastically deformed latch portion formed therein. by sandwiching the, provided with a groove structure for fixing while positioning the optical connector to a predetermined position, said second optical fiber is engaged said optical connector to said groove structure of said second optical fiber holder And the bare fiber is fixed in a state of protruding from the rear of the second optical fiber holder.

  According to the fusion splicing method of the optical fiber in the present invention, the terminated optical fiber and another optical fiber can be easily fusion spliced, and the extra length processing can be made unnecessary.

It is the schematic of the optical fiber holder in the 1st Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the connector type optical fiber which is a termination | terminus processed optical fiber fixed to the said optical fiber holder. It is a figure which shows the engagement relation of the said optical fiber holder in the said 1st Example, and the said connector type optical fiber. In the said 1st Example, it is a figure which shows the state at the time of fusion-splicing a termination-processed optical fiber and a connection object optical fiber. It is a figure which shows the said optical connector after an assembly. It is a disassembled perspective view of the optical connector after the said assembly. In the said 1st Example, it is the schematic of the jig | tool for moving the said termination | terminus processed optical fiber and the said connection object optical fiber in a fusion splicing state. It is the schematic of the optical fiber with a flange member which is a termination | terminus processed optical fiber in the 2nd Example of this invention. It is a figure of the optical connector in which the said optical fiber with a flange member was integrated. It is a disassembled perspective view of the said optical connector in the said 2nd Example. It is a figure which shows the state by which the said optical fiber with a flange member is fixed to the optical fiber holder in the said 2nd Example. It is a figure which shows the engagement relation of the optical fiber holder in the 3rd Example of this invention, the adapter fixed to the said optical fiber holder, and the optical fiber with a flange member hold | maintained by the said adapter. It is a figure which shows the fusion splicing method of the optical fiber in a prior art example.

=== Embodiment of the Invention ===
In addition to the embodiments corresponding to the main invention, the embodiments of the present invention include embodiments having the following features.

  The termination processing part of the second optical fiber is an optical connector incorporating the ferrule, and the second optical fiber holder has a structure that engages with the shape of the termination processing part, and the optical connector on the upper surface. And a groove structure for engaging the optical connector in a state where the optical connector is positioned at a predetermined position.

The second optical fiber includes a termination processing unit formed by connecting a hollow cylindrical flange member having a flange at the rear end of the ferrule, and a tube is detachably connected to the front end of the ferrule.
The second optical fiber holder has a structure that engages with the shape of the termination processing unit, and integrally includes a clamp unit that covers the upper surface so as to be freely opened and closed, and a recess that houses the termination processing unit, and the tube. A groove formed in a shape to be bent, and a clamp locking structure for fixing the clamp portion in a closed state,
Following the fusion splicing step, the fusion splicing portion of the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber is inserted into a heat shrink sleeve, and the core portion of the first optical fiber and the first optical fiber Holding the tube connected to the second optical fiber and moving the heat-shrinkable sleeve to a position for heat-shrinking.

The second optical fiber includes a termination processing unit formed by connecting a hollow cylindrical flange member having a flange at the rear end of the ferrule,
The second optical fiber holder engages with the shape of the termination processing portion by engaging a groove structure that is engaged with the outer shape of the predetermined optical connector on the upper surface and fixed in a state where the optical connector is positioned at a predetermined position. As a structure, it comes with an adapter,
The adapter has an external shape that engages with the groove structure, and a hole extending in the front-rear direction is formed in a rear surface, and the ferrule of the second optical fiber is inserted into the hole, and the second The optical fiber is fixed while being engaged with the groove structure of the second optical fiber holder while being held.

In an optical fiber fusion splicing method using a second optical fiber holder having a groove structure for fixing an optical connector in a state where the optical connector is positioned at a predetermined position,
Subsequent to the fusion splicing step, the fusion spliced portion of the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber is inserted into a heat-shrink sleeve and fusion spliced using a specific jig. Performing an optical fiber moving step of moving the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber to a position to heat-shrink the heat-shrink sleeve;
The upper surface front end side of the second optical fiber holder includes a hook portion that protrudes upward and bends backward,
The jig includes a grip extending in the front-rear direction in a rod shape, a groove extending in the front-rear direction on the surface of the grip, and a bar having one end attached to the front end side of the front-rear side of the grip. ,
The bar protrudes from the front end of one of the front and rear sides of the grip and extends in the front-rear direction while being spaced apart from the grip in the groove forming surface direction, and extends in the extension direction of the grip at the other end. A ring that opens in a direction facing the end face on one front and rear side of the grip while being orthogonal is formed,
In the optical fiber moving step, the ring of the jig is hooked on the hook portion from the rear end side of the second optical fiber holder in a state where the second optical fiber is fixed, and the first optical fiber is moved. While holding the core portion of the optical fiber in the groove of the grip, the core portion is held by the hand together with the grip in a state where tension is applied to the first and second optical fibers in the fusion spliced state. about.

The present invention also extends to a method of manufacturing an optical fiber including a termination processing unit, and the embodiment corresponding to the manufacturing method includes the first light in a state where the bare fiber is exposed on the rear end side. Securing the fiber to the first optical fiber holder;
Providing a second optical fiber holder to which the second optical fiber in a state where the bare fiber is exposed on the rear end side is fixed;
The rear end face of the first optical fiber fixed to the first optical fiber holder and the rear end face of the second optical fiber fixed to the second optical fiber holder are brought into contact with each other for fusion splicing. And steps to
Have
The second optical fiber includes a termination processing unit in which a front end side is inserted into a ferrule, and the bare fiber is exposed on a rear end side of the termination processing unit,
The second optical fiber holder has a structure that engages with the shape of the termination processing unit, and the second optical fiber has the termination processing unit engaged with the second optical fiber holder. The bare fiber is fixed in a state protruding from the rear of the second optical fiber holder.

  That is, according to the embodiment of the present invention, when a termination-processed optical fiber (terminated optical fiber) is fusion-bonded to another optical fiber (hereinafter referred to as connection target optical fiber), the termination of the terminated optical fiber is performed. It is characterized in that the processing portion is fused while being fixed to the optical fiber holder. Below, mainly each embodiment of the present invention according to the structure of the optical fiber holder is given as a specific example (example) of the present invention. Then, the purpose, action, effect and the like in the embodiment corresponding to each invention will be clarified.

=== First Embodiment ===
FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an optical fiber holder 1a in the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1A, the optical fiber holder 1a has a substantially box-like appearance that is flattened up and down, and its upper surface 2 is related to the shape of the termination portion of the terminated optical fiber. In addition, a groove structure 10a is provided for fixing the termination processing portion in a properly aligned state. Here, in the optical fiber holder 1a, if the surface on the side where the groove structure 10a is opened is defined as the rear surface 3, and the front, back, top, bottom, and left and right directions are defined as shown, As a structure serving as a reference for positioning when being attached to a splicer (hereinafter referred to as a fusion splicer), a vertical hole 4 that connects the upper and lower surfaces is formed, and a concave cross-sectional shape that opens downward on the lower surface is formed. A groove 5 extending forward and backward is formed. As shown in FIG. 1 (B), the guide pin 51 of the fusion splicer is inserted into the vertical hole 4, and the groove 5 on the lower surface has a cross section that protrudes upward in the fusion splicer. And engages with a rail 52 extending in the front-rear direction. The illustrated optical fiber holder 1a is integrally formed with a hook portion 6 that extends upward on the upper surface of the front end and bends toward the rear end.

  FIG. 2 shows a terminated optical fiber (hereinafter referred to as a connector type optical fiber) 20a fixed to the optical fiber holder 1a. The connector-type optical fiber 20a in the first embodiment is substantially an optical connector itself. When the front-rear, top-bottom, and left-right relationships in the optical fiber holder 1a shown in FIG. Reference numeral 20a denotes a plug frame 21a of the SC type optical connector at the termination processing portion, and the bare fiber 22 is exposed from the rear end of the plug frame 21a. The front end of the connector type optical fiber 20 a becomes the end face of the ferrule 23. In addition, the connector type optical fiber 20a shown in the figure is detachably attached at its front end with a cover 24 for protecting the end face of the ferrule 23 from dust and impact.

  By the way, the plug frame 21a engages with the side surface 25 of the rectangular tube-shaped main body with the convex portion 26 that engages with the housing of the optical connector by the latch mechanism, and with the structure inside the housing when housed in the housing. In addition, a rib 27 or the like that extends up and down to fix itself in a correct position is integrally provided. And the complicated groove structure 10a in the upper surface of the optical fiber holder 1a is formed so that it may engage with the shape of the side surface 25 of this plug frame 21a.

  FIG. 3 shows the engagement relationship between the optical fiber holder 1a and the connector type optical fiber. As shown in FIG. 3A, the groove structure 10a formed on the upper surface 2 of the optical fiber holder 1a has a shape that accommodates the rectangular tube-shaped portion of the connector-type optical fiber 20a with the cover 24 attached. The depth of the optical fiber holder 1a is fixed to a predetermined vertical position with respect to the optical fiber holder 1a while horizontally supporting the connector-type optical fiber 20a. The lateral width W of each part in the groove structure 10a is such that the side surface 25 of the rectangular tubular portion of the connector-type optical fiber 20a is sandwiched from the left and right, and the connector-type optical fiber 20a is positioned at a predetermined left-right position relative to the optical fiber holder 1a It is set to be fixed to.

  Further, in the groove structure 10a, as a shape for fixing the connector type optical fiber 20a to a predetermined front and rear position with respect to the optical fiber holder 1a, the rib 27 in the connector type optical fiber 20a is accommodated by projecting left and right. A recess 11 is formed for this purpose. The bottom of the recess 11 is formed with a latch portion 12 that extends upward and has an upper end protruding in a bowl shape forward. The plug frame 21a of the connector-type optical fiber 20a is formed in the groove structure 10a. When stored so as to be engaged, the rib 27 is inserted behind the latch portion 12 in the wing-shaped recess 11. And this latch part 12 urges | biases the connector type optical fiber 20a back via the rib 27 as a leaf | plate spring. The connector-type optical fiber 20a is fixed at a predetermined front-rear position with respect to the optical fiber holder 1a by the rib 27 being sandwiched between the rear inner wall surface 13 and the latch portion 12 in the wing-shaped recess 11.

  FIG. 3B shows a state in which the connector type optical fiber 20a is fixed to the optical fiber holder 1a. In the figure, the connector type optical fiber 20a is shown by hatching of halftone dots so that it can be easily distinguished from the portion of the optical fiber holder 1a. The groove structure 10a is opened at the rear surface 3 of the optical fiber holder 1a, and the connector-type optical fiber 20a has a rear end portion protruding from the open end to the front of the optical fiber holder 1a, and up and down, left and right, The front and rear are fixed so as to be in a predetermined position with respect to the optical fiber holder 1a. Thereby, the rear end surface of the bare fiber 22 exposed at the rear end of the connector-type optical fiber 20a, that is, the position of the fusion splicing point with another optical fiber (hereinafter referred to as connection target optical fiber) is the rear surface of the optical fiber holder 1a. 3 is fixed at a predetermined position.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a fusion splicing method of optical fibers in the first embodiment. First, a connector type optical fiber 20a fixed to the optical fiber holder 1a is prepared, and an operator who performs fusion splicing work fuses the optical fiber holder in a state where the connector type optical fiber 20a is fixed. The end of the optical fiber to be connected where the bare fiber 22 is exposed is fixed to the general optical fiber holder (normal holder) 1 shown in FIG. Attach to the destination device. Here, when the front-rear relationship between the normal holder 1 and the connection target optical fiber 20 is defined to be a mirror surface target with respect to the optical fiber holder 1a and the connector type optical fiber 20a in the first embodiment, two optical fiber holders are provided. When (1a, 1) is attached to the fusion splicer, the rear end faces of the bare fiber 22 in both the connector type optical fiber 20a and the connection target optical fiber 20 are abutted. In this state, the fusion splicer melts and presses the rear end faces of both bare fibers 22 by arc discharge, and fusion splices both optical fibers (20a, 20).

  After fusion splicing, the fusion spliced portion may be reinforced with a heat shrink sleeve and then assembled to the optical connector 30a shown in FIG. The optical connector 30a is, for example, as shown in an exploded perspective view of the optical connector 30a shown in FIG. 6, and a slider 32a for fixing the housing 31a and the plug frame 21a in the housing with the plug frame 21a biased forward. And the optical fiber 20 to be connected extends through the slider 32a and the hollow portion of the boot 33a. Thereby, in the first embodiment, the portion reinforced by the heat shrink sleeve 40 is accommodated in the slider 32a, that is, in the connector 30a, and is maintained in a straight line state without being bent by an external force. The

  Thus, in the first embodiment, only the optical connector 30a can be practically connected to the rear end of the connection target optical fiber 20. Therefore, no extra length processing is required. In addition, in the case of a pigtail optical fiber or the like, it has been necessary to be careful not to bend it when carrying it. However, in the first embodiment, a small optical fiber holder 1a to which a connector type optical fiber 20a is fixed is housed in a case or the like. It is possible to prevent an accident that the optical fiber is bent carelessly at the time of carrying.

  Furthermore, the optical fiber holder 1a can be manufactured at a low cost as an integrally molded product of resin. Therefore, if the connector type optical fiber 20a is provided in a fixed state, the optical fiber holder 1a can be used as a disposable part, and the work of fixing the connector type optical fiber 20a to the optical fiber holder 1a is omitted, and fusion splicing is performed. It is possible to greatly reduce the time and labor required for the work.

<Reinforcing process for fusion spliced part>
Not limited to the first embodiment, the fusion splicing method of the optical fibers includes a process of reinforcing the fusion spliced portion of the two spliced optical fibers using a heat shrink sleeve. Usually, a heat-shrink sleeve is inserted in advance into one of two optical fibers that are connected to each other, and after fusion-bonding, the heat-shrink sleeve is slid to the fusion-bonded portion, and then two The optical fiber is moved to the heating position of the heat shrink sleeve. In this movement, the two optical fibers are moved while being held in a tensioned state by pulling the two optical fibers by hand so that the two optical fibers maintain a linear state before and after the fusion splicing portion.

  However, the terminated optical fiber 20a in the first embodiment is a connector-type optical fiber 20a having a bare fiber portion exposed at the rear end of the plug frame 21a and having no core portion. Moreover, since the plug frame 21a is fixed to the optical fiber holder 1a, after the fusion splicing, the optical fiber holder 1a is removed from the fusion splicer, and the connector type optical fiber 20a is further removed from the optical fiber holder 1a. Removal work is required. For this reason, there is a possibility that the fusion spliced portion that should be maintained in a straight state during bending of the connector type optical fiber 20a is bent. Therefore, for the connector type optical fiber 20a, it is desirable to use a fusion splicing method that does not remove the connector type optical fiber 20a from the optical fiber holder 1a until the reinforcement process is completed.

  Therefore, in the fusion splicing method in the first embodiment, the operation of moving the connector type optical fiber 20a after the fusion splicing is also considered. And the optical fiber holder 1a is provided with the hook part 6 as shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 3 as a structure which considered the movement operation | work. The hook portion 6 is provided on the assumption that a specific jig is used, and FIG. 7 shows the usage state of the jig 60. The jig (optical fiber holder) 60 is composed of a rod-like grip 61 and a bar 63 having one end 62 attached to one tip side of the grip 61. When the extending direction of the grip 61 is the front-rear direction, a groove 64 extending in the front-rear direction is formed on the surface of the grip 61. If the formation surface side of the groove 64 is the upper side and the grip end 65 is the rear end, the bar 63 is attached to the front end side of the grip 61 above the groove 64 of the grip 61 and extends in the forward direction. Further, a ring 68 is formed on the other end 66 of the bar 63, that is, on the front end side, and opens to face the front end surface 67 of the grip 61.

  When the reinforcing process is performed using the jig 60, the front end surface 67 of the grip 61 is opposed to the rear surface 3 of the optical fiber holder 1a, and the ring 68 is hooked on the hook portion 6 of the optical fiber holder 1a. Then, the spliced connection target optical fiber 20 is put in the U-shaped groove 64, and the connection target fiber 20 is held by a hand having a grip 61. At this time, the two optical fibers (20a, 20) in the fusion spliced state are held in tension. As a result, the optical fiber 20 to be connected and the connector type optical fiber 20a fixed to the optical fiber holder 1a are moved to the heating position of the heat shrink sleeve 40 while being held in a moderately pulled state, and the holding is performed. The heat shrink sleeve 40 can be heated while maintaining the state.

=== Second Embodiment ===
In the first embodiment, the terminated optical fiber 20a is a connector-type optical fiber 20a in which the bare fiber 22 is exposed on the rear end side of the plug frame 21a in the optical connector 30a. On the other hand, the terminated optical fiber in the second embodiment of the present invention is an optical fiber having a tip inserted into a ferrule.

  FIG. 8 shows an outline of the terminated optical fiber 20b in the second embodiment. In FIG. 8 as well, the context of the connector-type optical fiber 20a of the first embodiment is adopted. The termination portion 21b of the terminated optical fiber 20b according to the second embodiment is ferruled to a hollow cylindrical member 121 (hereinafter referred to as a flange member) 121 having a shape in which a cylindrical portion 123 is coaxially connected to the rear of the flange 122. 23 and the ferrule 23 protrudes to the front end side, and the terminated optical fiber (hereinafter referred to as an optical fiber with a flange member) 20b in the second embodiment is bare to the rear end side of the flange member 121. The fiber 22 is exposed.

  In the illustrated optical fiber 20b with a flange member, the front end of the ferrule 23 is inserted into a tube 124 (halftone dot in the figure) made of a soft resin material, and the tube 124 extends forward. The tube 124 serves to protect the end face of the ferrule 23 and imitates a core wire.

  The flange member 121 has a shape for engaging the inner shape of an optical connector such as a housing and fixing the ferrule 23 in a correct position when the optical fiber 20b with the flange member is incorporated into the optical connector. And the optical fiber 20b with a flange member shown here shall be integrated in LC connector.

  FIG. 9 shows an example of the LC connector 30b into which the optical fiber 20b with a flange member is incorporated. FIG. 10 shows an exploded perspective view of the LC connector 30b. The optical fiber 20b with a flange member is inserted into the housing 31b with the housing 31b as the front. The optical fiber 20 to be connected is connected to the rear end of the optical fiber 20b with a flange member, and both connection locations are reinforced by the heat shrink sleeve 40.

  The slider 32b is inserted into the housing 31b from the rear of the flange member optical fiber 20b and is connected to the housing 31b by a latch mechanism. The front end of the slider 32b inserted into the housing abuts on the rear surface of the flange 122 of the flange member 121, and biases the optical fiber 20b with the flange member forward. The front end of the flange 122 abuts against the inner surface of the front end of the housing 31b, and the optical fiber 20b with the flange member is fixed in a state of being positioned in the housing 31b. Then, the rear end of the slider 32b is inserted into the front end of the boot 33b.

  FIG. 11 shows a schematic structure of the optical fiber holder 1b to which the optical fiber 20b with a flange member is fixed. Also in FIG. 11, the front / rear, top / bottom, and left / right relationships in the first embodiment are employed. As shown in FIG. 11 (A), the optical fiber holder 1b has a generally flat box-like appearance, and is a clamp portion that covers the portion that becomes the main body 110 of the box and the front portion of the upper surface 2 of the main body 110 so as to be freely opened and closed. 210. A protrusion 111 is integrally formed at the rear end of the main body 110, and a groove structure 10 b is formed on the upper surface 2 of the main body 110 as a space for accommodating the optical fiber 20 b with a flange member and the tube 124. Similarly to the optical fiber holder 1a in the first embodiment, there are also formed a vertical hole 4 and a groove 5 on the lower surface for connecting the upper and lower surfaces used for positioning when being attached to the fusion splice.

  The optical fiber holder 1b according to the second embodiment is an integrally molded product of resin including the clamp part 210. The hinge of the clamp part 210 is connected to the side connecting the side surface and the upper surface 2 behind the box-shaped main body 110. A thin-walled base portion 211 that functions as is connected. The clamp part 210 has a shape that extends in a flat plate shape from the base part 211 toward the tip part 212, then bends in the closing direction, then reverses to draw a V-shape, and reaches the tip part 212. Specifically, in the V-shaped portion 213, the wall surface 214 on the side (outer side) continuous with the distal end portion 212 has a wedge shape that gradually increases in thickness toward the distal end portion 212. At the end, that is, at the tip end 212 side, the thickness is suddenly reduced. The thin portion 215 is bent in the extending direction of the clamp portion 210 to form a tip portion 212. In addition, a protrusion 217 that protrudes bifurcated in the direction of closing the clamp part 210 is formed on the rear end side of the flat plate-like part 216 of the clamp part 210, and a space between the two protrusions 217 is molded in a U shape. Yes. In addition, a shallow and short U-shaped groove 218 continues in front of the protrusion 217.

  On the other hand, the groove structure 10b in the box-shaped main body 110 of the optical fiber holder 1b has a wide groove 112 for turning the tube 124 from the front end toward the rear, and a space that opens greatly upward while the groove 112 is extended. 113, a recess (hereinafter referred to as a flange storage portion) 114 formed by opening the inside of the protrusion 111 protruding from the rear surface 3 of the optical fiber holder 1 b, and the flange storage portion 114 and the space 113 are connected to each other. And a V-groove 115.

  The flange housing portion 114 formed inside the protrusion 111 is a space for housing the flange 122 of the optical fiber 20b with the flange member, and the upper side is open to the rear inner wall surface 117 of the flange housing portion 114. An opening 118 is formed, and the opening 118 communicates the inside and outside of the flange housing portion 114. The left and right width of the opening 118 is substantially equal to the diameter of the cylindrical portion 123 of the flange member 121. When the optical fiber 20b with the flange member is fixed to the optical fiber holder 1b, the rear surface of the flange 122 is located in the rear of the flange housing portion 114. While contacting the wall surface 117, the cylindrical portion 123 and the portion of the bare fiber 22 protrude rearward from the opening 118 formed in the rear inner wall surface 117 of the flange housing portion 114.

  The front of the flange housing portion 114 communicates with a V-groove 115 that extends in the front-rear direction for holding the ferrule 23, and the front end of the V-groove 115 opens to the space 113 that is largely open upward. Further, a concave portion (clamp fixing portion) 116 for engaging with the shape of the V-shaped portion 213 of the clamp portion 210 and fixing the clamp portion 210 in a closed state is formed on the upper surface 2 of the optical fiber holder 1b. ing. When the V-shaped portion 213 of the clamp portion 210 is inserted into the clamp fixing portion 116, the V-shaped portion 213 is bent so that the wall surfaces are close to each other due to the thickness of the wedge portion, and due to the restoring force against the bending, The outer wall surfaces on both sides of the V-shape in the V-shaped portion 213 press the inner wall surface of the clamp fixing portion 116. Thereby, the clamp part 210 is fixed in the closed state.

  FIG. 11B shows a state in which the optical fiber 20b with the flange member is fixed to the optical fiber holder 1b. Here, the portion of the optical fiber 20b with a flange member is indicated by hatching of an oblique lattice. When the optical fiber 20b with the flange member is accommodated along the groove structure 10b of the optical fiber holder 1b and the clamp portion 210 is closed, the tube 124 is moved along the groove 112 extending from the center of the upper surface of the main body 110 to the front end side, While being guided outwardly from the distal end surface of the fiber holder 1b, the flange member 121 and the ferrule 23 are held in a state where movement in the front-rear, left-right, and up-down directions is restricted.

  Specifically, the two protrusions 217 of the clamp part 210 sandwich the boundary portion between the flange 122 and the ferrule 23 of the flange member 121, and the rear surface of the protrusion 217 contacts the front surface of the flange 123 to Energize backwards. The rear surface of the flange 122 abuts against the rear inner wall surface 117 of the flange housing portion 114, and the flange member 121 is restricted from moving back and forth. A shallow U-shaped groove 218 formed in the flat plate-like portion 216 of the clamp part 210 urges the ferrule 23 downward along the V-groove 115. As a result, the ferrule 23 is clamped by the wall surface of the V-groove 115 and the movement to the left and right is restricted. The depth of the flange accommodating portion 114 and the inclination of the wall surface of the V groove 115 in the groove structure 10b are set so as to restrict the vertical movement of the flange member 121 and the ferrule 23 with the clamp portion 210 closed. .

  The optical fiber 20b with a flange member is provided with a tube 124 connected to the front end thereof and fixed to the optical fiber holder 1b. And when this splicing optical fiber 20b with flange member is fusion-connected with the optical fiber 20 to be connected, the optical fiber holder 1b to which the optical fiber 20b with flange member is fixed and the connection are connected, as in the first embodiment. The normal holder 1 to which the target optical fiber 20 is fixed may be attached to the fusion splicer. In addition, after the fusion splicing, the flanged optical fiber 20b and the connection target optical fiber 20 are removed from the respective optical fiber holders (1b, 1), and the heat shrink sleeve 40 is inserted before and after the fusion splicing point. Then, the tube 124 connected to the optical fiber 20b with the flange member and the core wire portion of the optical fiber 20 to be connected may be held by hand and moved to the heating place of the heat-shrinkable sleeve 40 under tension. . That is, in the second embodiment, the tube 124 functions as a function of protecting the end face of the ferrule 23 and a pseudo core wire for a person to hold when moving after the fusion splicing.

  According to the fusion splicing method of optical fibers according to the second embodiment described above, as in the first embodiment, it is possible to effectively connect only the termination processing unit 21b to the connection target optical fiber 20, There is no need to consider long processing. Further, without using a specific jig after the splicing connection, the optical fiber 20b with the flange member in the splicing connection state and the optical fiber 20 to be connected are moved to the heating place of the heat shrink sleeve 40 in a tensioned state. Can be made.

=== Third embodiment ===
In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, different optical fiber holders are used. However, if the same optical fiber holder can be used regardless of the type of the terminated optical fiber, it can be expected to provide the optical fiber holder at a lower cost due to the mass production effect. Therefore, the third embodiment is a fusion splicing method of optical fibers using the same optical fiber holder regardless of the type of the terminated optical fiber.

  In the third embodiment, while using the optical fiber holder (connector optical fiber holder) 1a in the first embodiment, an optical fiber with a flange member for an LC connector that is substantially the same as the second embodiment is used. An example of connection with the fiber 20 will be given. FIG. 12 shows an outline of the fusion splicing method in the third embodiment. Here, too, the front / rear, top / bottom and left / right directions are defined in the same manner as in the above embodiments. In the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12A, the adapter 300 simulating the external shape of the plug frame is attached to the connector optical fiber holder 1a as compared with the first embodiment. Is different. This adapter 300 has a structure for holding the optical fiber 20c with a flange member shown in an enlarged view in FIG. As a result, the optical fiber 20c with the flange member can be fixed in a state of being positioned on the optical fiber holder 1a for connectors.

  The left and right side surfaces 301 of the adapter 300 have substantially the same concavo-convex shape as the side surface 25 of the rectangular tube portion of the plug frame 21, and engage with the groove structure 10a of the connector optical fiber holder 1a. Further, a hole 302 into which the ferrule 23 of the optical fiber 20c with a flange member is inserted is formed in the rear surface of the adapter 300 in the front-rear direction. And behind this hole 302, as a structure for supporting the flange member 321 of the optical fiber 20c with a flange member, a claw portion 303 that sandwiches the flange from the left and right, and a tongue piece 304 that supports the flange below is provided. Yes. When the ferrule 23 of the optical fiber 20c with a flange member is inserted into the hole 302 of the adapter 300, the optical fiber 20c with the flange member is held in a state of being positioned with respect to the adapter 300. The adapter 300 also has a role of protecting the end face of the ferrule 23 by inserting the ferrule 23 into its own hole 302.

  Note that the optical fiber 20c with a flange member in the third embodiment is provided with a termination processing portion 21c in which the ferrule 23 protrudes at the front end of the flange member 321, as in the second embodiment. Is slightly different from the optical fiber 20b with a flange member in the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 12B, in the optical fiber 20c with a flange member in the third embodiment, the two front and rear disk parts (324, 325) are coaxially connected via a cylindrical intermediate part 326. A double flange 322 is provided, and the flange member 321 is securely engaged with the claw portion 303 and the tongue 304 on the rear end side of the adapter 300 by the double flange 322, and the ferrule 23 is inserted into the hole 302 of the adapter 300. Then, the optical fiber 20c with a flange member is held in a state of being positioned with respect to the adapter 300.

  Specifically, a flat portion 327 formed by D-cutting is formed at two axially symmetric positions on the outer periphery of the rear disc portion 324, and a flat portion 327 is formed on the outer periphery of the rear disc portion 324. Concave notches 328 are formed at two positions rotated by 90 ° around the axis with respect to the position. The intermediate portion 326 has a cylindrical shape in which a part of the cylindrical side surface is notched in the front-rear direction continuously to the notch portion 328, and the side surface is flat.

  The optical fiber 20c with the flange member is configured so that the flat portion 327 of the rear disc portion 324 contacts the upper surface of the tongue piece 304 of the adapter 300 when the ferrule 23 is inserted into the hole 302 of the adapter 300. Thereby, the movement of the optical fiber 20c with the flange member in the vertical direction is restricted. At this time, the front surface of the front disc portion 325 of the double flange 322 abuts on the rear periphery of the hole 302 of the adapter 300, and the forward movement of the optical fiber 20c with the flange member is restricted.

  Further, the two claw portions 303 of the adapter 300 are bent so that the rear end sides of the plate-like member 305 extending in the front-rear direction are opposed to each other, and the distal end portion 306 of the claw portion 303 extends from the bent portion 307 to the distal end. The shape is gradually becoming thinner toward. Further, the tip portion 306 of the claw portion 303 is cut out in an arc shape so as to sandwich the intermediate portion 326 connecting the two disc portions (324, 325) in the double flange 322. Then, when the ferrule 23 is inserted into the hole 302 at the rear end of the adapter 300, the claw portion 303 has an edge of the rear disc portion 324 by a notch 328 formed in the disc portion 324 behind the double flange 322. The front end of the claw portion 303 comes into contact with the side surface of the intermediate portion 326 without interfering with the intermediate portion 326, and the intermediate portion 326 is securely clamped. Accordingly, the movement of the optical fiber 20c with the flange member in the left-right direction is restricted by the ferrule 23 inserted into the hole 302 and the intermediate portion 326 sandwiched by the claw portion 303.

  Thus, when the adapter 300 is further fixed to the connector optical fiber holder 1a in a state where the optical fiber 20c with the flange member is held by the adapter 300, the claw portion 303 has a groove structure of the connector optical fiber holder 1a. The bending to the left and right is regulated by 10a. In other words, in a state where the intermediate portion 326 of the double flange 322 is sandwiched by the left and right claw portions 303, the front surface of the claw portion 303 is in contact with the front surface of the front disc portion 325 of the double flange 322. Unless the plate-like member 305 continuing to the portion 303 is bent in the left-right outer direction, the optical fiber 20c with the flange member is maintained in the adapter 300 and does not deviate from the adapter 300. When the adapter 300 is fixed to the groove structure 10a, the bending of the plate member 305 continuous to the claw portion 303 in the left and right outer direction is restricted. As a result, the claw portion 303 optical fiber 20c with a flange member The forward movement of the optical fiber holder 1a is restricted. Thus, the optical fiber 20c with a flange member is fixed to the connector optical fiber holder 1a in a positioned state.

  In the third embodiment, the optical fiber 20c with a flange member is provided in a state of being fixed to the connector optical fiber holder 1a via the adapter 300, and the connector optical fiber holder 1a and the connection target optical fiber are provided. What is necessary is just to perform the fusion splicing operation | work by mounting | wearing the fusion splicer with the normal holder 1 to which 20 was fixed. As for the reinforcing process, the connector optical fiber holder 1a may be moved to the heating position of the heat-shrinkable sleeve 40 using the specific jig 60 as in the first embodiment.

1, 1a, 1b optical fiber holder, 2 optical fiber holder top surface,
3 Rear face of optical fiber holder, 4 Vertical hole for attaching to fusion splicer,
5 Groove for attaching to the fusion splicer, 6 Hook part 7, 115 V groove,
8,210 Clamp part, 10a, 10b Groove structure, 11 recessed part, 12 latch part,
20 connection target optical fiber, 20a to 20c terminated optical fiber,
21a plug frame, 21b, 21c termination processing unit, 22 bare fiber,
23 Ferrule, 24 Cover, 25 Plug frame side, 27 Rib,
30a SC type optical connector, 30b LC type optical connector,
31a, 31b housing, 32a, 32b slider,
33a, 33b boot, 40 heat shrink sleeve, 60 jig, 61 grip,
63 bars, 64 grip grooves, 68 rings,
112 Groove for turning the tube, 114 flange housing,
116 clamp fixing part, 121 flange member, 122 flange,
123, 323 cylindrical portion, 124 tube, 217 protrusion,
322 double flange, 324 rear disc part, 325 front disc part,
326 middle part,
327 Flat part, 328 Notch

Claims (4)

Fixing the first optical fiber in a state where the bare fiber is exposed to the rear end side to the first optical fiber holder;
Providing a second optical fiber holder to which the second optical fiber in a state where the bare fiber is exposed on the rear end side is fixed;
The rear end face of the first optical fiber fixed to the first optical fiber holder and the rear end face of the second optical fiber fixed to the second optical fiber holder are brought into contact with each other for fusion splicing. And steps to
Have
The bare fiber is exposed on the rear end side of the optical connector containing the ferrule in which the front end side of the second optical fiber is inserted ,
The optical connector of the optical fiber is formed with a ridge extending on the outer surface thereof in a direction different from the optical connector longitudinal direction,
The second optical fiber holder has a groove structure that engages with the shape of the optical connector , and the protrusion of the optical connector is formed between an inner wall surface of the second optical fiber holder and an elastically deformed latch portion formed therein. by sandwiching the, provided with a groove structure for fixing while positioning the optical connector to a predetermined position, said second optical fiber is engaged said optical connector to said groove structure of said second optical fiber holder And a fusion splicing method of optical fibers, wherein the bare fibers are fixed in a state of protruding from the rear of the second optical fiber holder. In the fusion splicing method of the optical fiber according to claim 1 ,
Subsequent to the fusion splicing step, the fusion spliced portion of the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber is inserted into a heat-shrink sleeve and fusion spliced using a specific jig. Performing an optical fiber moving step of moving the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber to a position to heat-shrink the heat-shrink sleeve;
The upper surface front end side of the second optical fiber holder includes a hook portion that protrudes upward and bends backward,
The jig includes a grip extending in the front-rear direction in a rod shape, a groove extending in the front-rear direction on the surface of the grip, and a bar having one end attached to the front end side of the front-rear side of the grip. ,
The bar protrudes from the front end of one of the front and rear sides of the grip and extends in the front-rear direction while being spaced apart from the grip in the groove forming surface direction, and extends in the extension direction of the grip at the other end. A ring that opens in a direction facing the end face on one front and rear side of the grip while being orthogonal is formed,
In the optical fiber moving step, the ring of the jig is hooked on the hook portion from the rear end side of the second optical fiber holder in a state where the second optical fiber is fixed, and the first While holding the core portion of one optical fiber in the groove of the grip, the core portion is held together with the grip in a state in which tension is applied to the first and second optical fibers in the fusion spliced state. An optical fiber fusion splicing method. Fixing the first optical fiber in a state where the bare fiber is exposed to the rear end side to the first optical fiber holder;
Providing a second optical fiber holder to which the second optical fiber in a state where the bare fiber is exposed on the rear end side is fixed;
The rear end face of the first optical fiber fixed to the first optical fiber holder and the rear end face of the second optical fiber fixed to the second optical fiber holder are brought into contact with each other for fusion splicing. And steps to
Have
The bare fiber is exposed on the rear end side of the optical connector containing the ferrule in which the front end side of the second optical fiber is inserted ,
The optical connector of the optical fiber is formed with a ridge extending on the outer surface thereof in a direction different from the optical connector longitudinal direction,
The second optical fiber holder has a groove structure that engages with the shape of the optical connector , and the protrusion of the optical connector is formed between an inner wall surface of the second optical fiber holder and an elastically deformed latch portion formed therein. by sandwiching the, provided with a groove structure for fixing while positioning the optical connector to a predetermined position, said second optical fiber is engaged said optical connector to said groove structure of said second optical fiber holder And a method of manufacturing an optical fiber including an optical connector , wherein the bare fiber is fixed in a state of protruding from the rear of the second optical fiber holder.   An optical fiber holder for fixing one optical fiber when the rear ends of two optical fibers are fused and connected by an optical fiber fusion splicer,
  A groove structure that engages with the shape of an optical connector incorporating a ferrule with the front end of the optical fiber inserted therein,
  On the outer surface of the optical connector, a ridge extending in a direction different from the longitudinal direction of the optical connector is formed, and between the inner wall surface of the groove structure and the latch portion that is elastically deformed formed therein, By clamping the protrusion of the optical connector, the optical connector is fixed in a predetermined position with a bare fiber protruding from the rear of the optical fiber holder.
  An optical fiber holder characterized by that.

Images