JP7195708B2 - fusion splicer - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a fusion splicer for fusion splicing optical fibers.

A fusion splicer is used to connect optical fibers. The fusion splicer connects optical fibers held by a pair of holders to each other by arranging them between electrodes and by fusing the ends of the optical fibers with an arc.

Such a fusion splicer has a fusion splicing section and a heat processing section, and further comprises an operation section for operating the fusion splicer and a display section for displaying input various settings and error warnings. is common (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2011-90039 A

The display unit of such a fusion splicer can be used as a touch panel type operation unit. Also, an image picked up at the fused portion can be displayed on the display portion. Therefore, it is convenient for the display unit and the operation unit to have a certain size because they are easy to see and easy to use.

However, the fusion splicing work of optical fibers is not necessarily performed in a place having a sufficient area. For example, there are cases where it is necessary to work on a telephone pole or in a narrow space such as a ceiling. In such cases, a smaller fuser is desirable.

However, it is not efficient to prepare a plurality of fusion splicers and use them properly according to the work place.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a fusion splicer capable of changing the mode of use according to the work place.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a fusion splicer for splicing optical fibers, the fusion splicer comprising a fusion splicing mechanism capable of fusing and heating optical fibers; A fusion splicing unit is detachable and has a function expansion unit capable of operating the fusion splicing unit, and the fusion splicing unit is a fusion splicing unit that fuses optical fibers. a heating unit that heats the splicing portion of the optical fiber; and a first battery capable of supplying power to the fusion splicing unit and the heating unit, wherein the function expansion unit comprises the fusion splicing unit. an operation unit capable of operating the fusion unit and the heating unit when the mechanism unit is attached; and a second battery capable of supplying electric power to the fusion mechanism unit. When the fusion mechanism section is removed from the function expansion section and used, the fusion mechanism section can be driven by the first battery, and the fusion mechanism section is attached to the function expansion section for use. The fusion splicer is characterized in that the fusion mechanism can be driven by the second battery.

The capacity of the second battery is larger than the capacity of the first battery, and the first battery can be charged from the second battery when the fusion mechanism section is attached to the function expansion section. may

The function expansion unit has a charge control unit, and when the function expansion unit is connected to a power supply in a state where the fusion mechanism unit is attached to the function expansion unit, the charge control unit controls the first battery. may be preferentially charged, and charging of the second battery may be started in a state where charging of the first battery is completed for a predetermined amount or more.

The fusion mechanism section has a first storage section, and when the fusion mechanism section is used without being attached to the function expansion section, fusion history information or heating history information is stored in the first storage section. The function expansion unit has a second storage unit, and the second storage unit is capable of accumulating the fusion history information or the heating history information transferred from the first storage unit. good too.

The fusion mechanism section has a first storage section, and the first storage section is capable of storing fusion condition information or heating condition information set by the operation section and transferred from the function expansion section. may

According to the present invention, the fusion mechanism section having the fusion bonding section and the heating section can be detachably attached to the function expansion section having the operation section (including the touch panel type) of the fusion splicer, and the fusion mechanism section can be attached to the fusion mechanism section. By installing one battery, the fusion mechanism can be driven independently. Therefore, when working in a narrow space or at a high place, the fusion mechanism can be used by removing it from the function expansion unit. can work in For this reason, one fusion splicer can be used by changing the mode of use according to the work place.

In addition, since the fusion mechanism section only needs to be able to handle a small number of times of fusion work performed in a narrow working place, the size of the first battery can be reduced. Therefore, the size and weight of the fusing mechanism can be reduced. Further, the capacity of the second battery mounted on the function expansion part is made larger than the capacity of the first battery, and when the fusion mechanism part is mounted on the function expansion part, the second battery can be charged to the first battery. As a result, the fusion mechanism can be charged when not in use. Therefore, even when the worker moves to a plurality of places to perform work, the first battery can be charged while moving.

Further, the function expansion unit is provided with a charge control unit, and when the function expansion unit is connected to the power source with the fusion mechanism attached to the function expansion unit, control is performed so that the first battery is preferentially charged. Therefore, the fusing mechanism can be used alone immediately after charging.

Further, by providing the first storage section in the fusion mechanism section, even when the fusion mechanism section is removed from the function expansion section and used, the fusion history information or the heating history information can be stored in the first storage section. can do. Further, by providing the function expansion unit with a second storage unit and by enabling the information transferred from the first storage unit to be stored in the second storage unit when the fusion mechanism unit is attached to the function expansion unit, the function Each piece of information can be collectively managed in the extended section.

In addition, by providing the fusion mechanism section with the first storage section so that the fusion condition information or the heating condition information transferred from the function expansion section can be stored, the fusion mechanism section can be attached to the function expansion section and the conditions can be set. After performing the above, when the fusion mechanism section is removed from the function expansion section and used, the fusion work can be performed according to the set conditions.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a fusion splicer that can be used in a different manner depending on the work place.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the fusion splicer 1; 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which the fusion mechanism part 3 is removed from the function expansion part 5; FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the fusion splicer 1; FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state in which the function expansion unit 5 is integrated with the case 35;

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a fusion splicer for splicing optical fibers. The fusion splicer 1 includes a fusion mechanism section 3 capable of fusion splicing and heating an optical fiber, and a relatively large size with respect to the fusion mechanism section 3. and a function expansion unit 5 capable of performing the functions.

In the fusion splicer 1, the fusion mechanism section 3 and the function expansion section 5 are detachable. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which the fusion mechanism section 3 is removed from the function expansion section 5. As shown in FIG. A connector (not shown) is arranged on the lower surface of the fusion mechanism section 3 , and can be connected to a connector 15 a provided in the function expansion section 5 .

The fusion splicing unit 3 has a fusion splicing unit 7 that fuses optical fibers and a heating unit 9 that heats the spliced portion of the optical fibers. The function expansion unit 5 includes an operation unit 11 that can operate the fusion unit 7 and the heating unit 9 when the fusion mechanism unit 3 is attached, and a display unit 13 that displays various information. have

When splicing optical fibers using the fusion splicer 1, first, the windshield of the fusion splicing section 7 of the fusion mechanism section 3 is opened, and the pair of holders holding the optical fibers in advance are placed on the holders inside. part. As a result, the tips of the optical fibers protruding from the tip of the holder are brought into contact with each other between the pair of electrodes. In this state, by closing the windshield and generating an arc between the pair of electrodes, the tip of the optical fiber can be melted and joined.

After the optical fibers have been fused together, a reinforcing member is arranged at the connecting portion between the optical fibers and set in the heating section 9 together with the optical fibers. The heating unit 9 heats the reinforcing member arranged at the connecting portion of the optical fiber, so that the heat-shrinkable tube of the reinforcing member shrinks and is fixed to the connecting portion. As described above, the connecting portion of the optical fiber is reinforced, and the connecting work is completed.

Here, the fusion conditions in the fusion splicing section 7 differ according to the type of optical fiber, etc., and the heating conditions in the heating section 9 differ according to the type of the reinforcing member. Therefore, when the fusion mechanism section 3 and the function expansion section 5 are connected, the operation section 11 is used to input the type of the optical fiber to be connected and various condition settings. Further, these setting conditions, error display in connection work, and the like are displayed on the display unit 13 . When the display unit 13 is a touch panel type liquid crystal panel, the display unit 13 and the operation unit 11 may be integrally configured.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the fusion splicer 1. As shown in FIG. The fusion mechanism section 3 includes a first battery 27 capable of supplying electric power to the fusion section 7 and the heating section 9 and a control section 29 (CPU) that controls the fusion section 7 and the heating section 9 . Also, the first storage unit 25 is connected to the control unit 29 . The first storage unit 25 can store fusion condition information, fusion history information, heating condition information, heating history information, etc. of the heating unit 7 .

A simple display unit 31 is provided in the fusing mechanism unit 3 (see FIG. 2). For example, as the display section 31 , a plurality of display lamps are arranged on the front surface of the fusion mechanism section 3 . The display unit 31 can display a power ON display and a remaining battery level when the power (not shown) of the fusion mechanism unit 3 is turned on, and a status such as work in progress, work completed, or an error. Note that the display unit 31 is controlled by the control unit 29 .

The function expansion unit 5 includes a second battery 19 capable of supplying electric power to the fusion mechanism unit 3, a control unit 23 (CPU) for controlling the fusion unit 7, the heating unit 9, the operation unit 11, the display unit 13, and the like. and a charging control unit 21 for controlling charging of the fusion splicer 1 . A second storage unit 17 is also connected to the control unit 23 . The second storage unit 17 can store fusion condition information and fusion history information of the fusion unit 7, heating condition information and heating history information of the heating unit 9, and the like.

Further, as described above, the fusion mechanism section 3 and the function expansion section 5 are connected by the connectors 15a and 15b. The connectors 15a and 15b allow the fusion mechanism section 3 and the function expansion section 5 to exchange power and communicate various information.

Next, functions of the fusion splicer 1 will be described. During normal use, the fusing mechanism 3 is carried and used while being attached to the functional expansion unit 5 . When the fusion mechanism section 3 is attached to the function expansion section 5 and used, the fusion mechanism section 3 can be driven by the second battery 19 . That is, power is supplied from the second battery 19 of the function expansion section 5 to the fusion mechanism section 3 through the connectors 15a and 15b. Note that the second battery 19 has a sufficiently large capacity compared to the first battery 27, and can perform several hundreds of connection operations, for example.

On the other hand, when the fusion mechanism section 3 is removed from the function expansion section 5 and used, the fusion mechanism section 3 can be driven by the first battery 27 . Since the first battery 27 is small, it can only be connected several tens of times. is required.

When the fusion mechanism part 3 is attached to the function expansion part 5 after the fusion mechanism part 3 is removed from the function expansion part 5 and used, the second battery 19 can be charged to the first battery 27 . For example, when the fusion mechanism unit 3 is attached to the function expansion unit 5, the charge control unit 21 charges the first battery 27 from the second battery 19 if the capacity of the first battery 27 is equal to or less than a predetermined value. . Therefore, when moving to the next work place, the first battery 27 is automatically charged. The mechanical section 3 can be driven by the first battery 27 .

The fusion splicer 1 can be used and charged by connecting the function expansion unit 5 to an external power source. Here, when the function expansion unit 5 is connected to the external power supply while the fusion mechanism unit 3 is attached to the function expansion unit 5, the charge control unit 21 detects the remaining capacity of the first battery 27 and the second battery 19. is detected, and control is performed so that the first battery 27 is preferentially charged. Therefore, the fusing mechanism section 3 can be removed for use in a short period of time. The charging control unit 21 starts charging the second battery 19 when the charging of the first battery 27 is completed for a predetermined amount or more. As described above, the first battery 27 and the second battery 19 can be charged.

The second storage unit 17 stores various types of fusion condition information, heating condition information, and the like. It can be carried out. For example, when setting is performed using the operation unit 11 with the fusion mechanism unit 3 attached to the function expansion unit 5 , the control unit 23 transfers each piece of information to the fusion mechanism unit 3 . The control unit 29 temporarily stores the fusion condition information or the heating condition information transferred from the function expansion unit 5 in the first storage unit 25 .

After that, when the fusion mechanism section 3 is removed from the function expansion section 5 and used, the control section 29 sets the fusion conditions and the heating conditions according to the condition information stored in the first storage section 25, and connects. work can be done.

Further, when the fusion bonding mechanism section 3 is removed from the function expansion section 5 to perform fusion bonding and heating work, the control section 29 causes the first storage section 25 to store the fusion history information and the heating history information. The fusion history information includes fusion conditions, times, and images or moving images captured by the internal camera each time fusion is performed. Similarly, the heating history information includes heating conditions, time, and the like each time heating is performed.

After that, when the fusion mechanism section 3 is attached to the function expansion section 5, the control section 29 reads the fusion history information and the heating history information stored in the first storage section and transfers them to the fusion mechanism section. The control unit 23 causes the second storage unit 17 to store the fusion history information and the heating history information transferred from the first storage unit 25 . It should be noted that the communication of the above information may be either the fusion history information or the heating history information.

In this way, the second storage unit 17 can collectively accumulate all information. Therefore, the first storage unit 25 installed in the fusing mechanism unit 3 may have a small capacity.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the fusion mechanism section 3 can be used by removing it from the function expansion section 5 . Therefore, when working in a narrow working place or at a high place, the fusing mechanism section 3 can be removed and carried. At this time, since the fusion mechanism section 3 has the first battery 27 , the connection work can be performed only by the fusion mechanism section 3 .

Further, when the fusion mechanism section 3 is attached to the function expansion section 5 , the first battery 27 can be charged by the large-capacity second battery 19 . For this reason, the capacity of the first battery 27 may be the minimum necessary for performing the connection work in one narrow work place or the like, and the size and weight of the fusion mechanism section 3 can be reduced.

In addition, when the external power source is connected, the charging control section 21 prioritizes charging of the first battery 27, so that the fusion mechanism section 3 can be removed and used immediately after charging. At this time, the second battery 19 can be charged even when the fusion mechanism part 3 is removed.

In addition, since the display unit 13 and the like are arranged in the function expansion unit 5, various types of information can be viewed on a large screen when making various settings or when checking the settings on the screen. In addition, since the operation unit 11 can also have a sufficient size, operations such as setting various conditions are easy.

Further, since the first storage unit 25 is arranged in the fusing mechanism unit 3, various condition information set by the function expansion unit 5 can be stored. Therefore, the conditions for using the fusion splicer 3 alone are set in the function expansion unit 5, and the optical fiber splicing operation can be performed only by the fusion splicer 3 according to these conditions.

In addition, each history information when the fusing work or the heating work is performed is stored in the first storage unit 25, and the history information of the first storage unit 25 is stored in the second storage unit 17 when the function expansion unit 5 is connected. , the second storage unit 17 can collectively manage all the information.

Next, a second embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the fusion splicer 1a. In the following description, the components having the same functions as those of the fusion splicer 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals as in FIGS. 1 to 3, and overlapping descriptions are omitted.

The fusion splicer 1 a has substantially the same configuration as the fusion splicer 1 , but the function expanding section 5 is integrated with the case 35 . In other words, the function expanding section 5 is in the form of a carrying case that can accommodate the fusion mechanism section 3, and by attaching the fusion mechanism section 3 to the function expanding section 5 and closing it, the fusion splicer 1a can be easily operated. can be transported.

The case 35 is provided with a terminal 33 capable of connecting the function expansion unit 5 to an external power source, various cables, USB, etc., and various cables pass through the cushioning material inside the case 35 . Therefore, the function expansion part 5 can be used without removing the function expansion part 5 from the case 35 .

When the work is performed in a normal place, the optical fiber connection work can be performed as it is by opening the case 35 . On the other hand, when working in a narrow space or the like, the fusion mechanism section 3 can be removed and used alone.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained. Moreover, since the function expansion part 5 is integrated with the case 35, it is not necessary to remove the fusion splicer from the case. Further, opening the case 35 requires a large space, but if it interferes with the work, the work can be easily performed by removing the fusing mechanism section 3 .

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, the technical scope of the present invention is not influenced by the above-described embodiments. It is obvious that a person skilled in the art can conceive various modifications or modifications within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims, and these are naturally within the technical scope of the present invention. be understood to belong to

For example, in a state in which the connectors of the fusion mechanism part 3 and the function expansion part 5 are removed, the function expansion part 5 may be connected with another cable. Further, the fusion mechanism section 3 may be provided with a belt or a handle for carrying only the fusion mechanism section 3 .

Also, both the first storage unit 25 and the second storage unit 17 may be detachable memories. Further, an output unit (for example, a USB connector, etc., not shown) may be arranged in the function expansion unit 5 so that the information inside the second storage unit 17 can be taken out to the outside. Also, all information may be collected in the first storage unit 25 .

Also, a wireless communication unit may be arranged in the function expansion unit 5 . In this way, each piece of information can be wirelessly transmitted to other terminals, and software can be wirelessly updated from the Internet. By arranging a wireless communication section in the fusion mechanism section 3, various settings can be performed wirelessly between the function expansion section 5 and the fusion mechanism section 3. FIG. Also, the fusing mechanism section 3 can be remotely operated from another portable terminal.

Reference numerals 1, 1a: fusion splicer 3: fusion mechanism unit 5: function expansion unit 7: fusion unit 9: heating unit 11: operation unit 13: display unit 15a , 15b Connector 17 Second storage unit 19 Second battery 21 Charging control units 23, 29 Control unit 25 First storage unit 27 First Battery 31 …… Display section 33 …… Terminal 35 …… Case

Claims (5)

A fusion splicer for connecting optical fibers,
The fusion splicer has a fusion splicing mechanism capable of fusing and heating an optical fiber, and a fusion splicing mechanism that is detachable and capable of operating the fusion splicing mechanism. a functional extension;
and
The fusion mechanism unit includes a fusion unit that fuses optical fibers, a heating unit that heats the spliced portion of the optical fibers, and a third device capable of supplying power to the fusion unit and the heating unit. 1 battery;
The function expansion unit includes an operation unit capable of operating the fusion unit and the heating unit when the fusion mechanism unit is attached, and a second unit capable of supplying power to the fusion mechanism unit. 2 batteries;
When the fusion mechanism section is removed from the function expansion section and used, the fusion mechanism section can be driven by the first battery, and the fusion mechanism section is attached to the function expansion section. A fusion splicer, wherein the fusion mechanism can be driven by the second battery when in use. the capacity of the second battery is larger than the capacity of the first battery;
2. The fusion splicer according to claim 1, wherein said first battery can be charged from said second battery when said fusing mechanism is attached to said function expansion portion. The function expansion unit has a charge control unit, and when the function expansion unit is connected to a power supply in a state where the fusion mechanism unit is attached to the function expansion unit, the charge control unit controls the first battery. 3. The fusion splicer according to claim 1, wherein the charging of the second battery is started in a state in which charging of the first battery is completed for a predetermined amount or more. The fusion mechanism section has a first storage section, and when the fusion mechanism section is used without being attached to the function expansion section, fusion history information or heating history information is stored in the first storage section. is possible and
The function expansion unit has a second storage unit, and the second storage unit is capable of accumulating the fusion history information or the heating history information transferred from the first storage unit. A fusion splicer according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The fusion mechanism section has a first storage section, and the first storage section can store fusion condition information or heating condition information set by the operation section and transferred from the function expansion section. 5. The fusion splicer according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that:

Images