JPH0246411A - Method of branching tape-like coated optical fiber - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To allow efficient branching of fibers without damaging the fibers by forming a score to the tape-like coated optical fiber and tearing the score in the optical axis direction. CONSTITUTION:The score is formed between the optical fibers to be branched in a part of the common coating of the tape-like coated optical fiber. A pin 12 is inserted into this score and is inclined in the direction orthogonal with the optical fiber; thereafter, the pin 12 is moved in the optical axis direction to branch the fibers. Since the direct contact of a tool with the fibers is obviated, no damages are given to the fibers. Since the branching of the coated fibers with the simple tool is possible, the working time is shortened and the working efficiency is improved.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] This invention forms cuts in a tape-shaped optical fiber core that covers optical fibers arranged in a row with a common coating, and makes the cuts in the optical axis direction. The present invention relates to a method for splitting a tape-shaped optical fiber core into two pieces.

[Conventional technology]

As shown in Fig. 2, the tape-shaped optical fiber core is made up of a plurality of optical fibers 1.1, . This is useful for speeding up optical fiber connections and improving work efficiency.

When connecting these tape-shaped optical fibers, the common coating 2 has been removed all at once.

However, with the widespread use of optical fibers, due to the flexible wiring construction of optical fibers, it is difficult to connect the middle part of the communication cable containing the optical fiber while the signal light is being transmitted (hereinafter referred to as the "live state"). It became necessary to construct a new branch line (hereinafter referred to as "post-branch").

FIG. 3 is a process diagram showing branching work. First, the outer sheath 3a of the communication cable 3 is cut with a pipe cutter or the like (FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b)) to expose the inside.

Next, the tension member (not shown) is cut to take out a predetermined tape-shaped optical fiber core 4 (FIG. 4(C)).

Next, a part of the tape-shaped optical fiber core wire 4 is separated and cut (FIG. 2(d)), and the branched optical fiber wire 4 a
The coating on the cut portion of % 4b is removed (FIG. 4(e)).

Finally, each of the optical fiber strands 4a'-4b is connected and reinforced with a new branch line 7.8 housed in the sub-cable 5.6, and the post-branching work is completed.

At this time, since each optical fiber is independent, a predetermined optical fiber is branched after the live optical fiber and the non-live optical fiber are adjacent to each other. When doing so, the work must be done without damaging the optical fiber, and without adversely affecting the signal light of the live optical fiber. For this reason, optical fiber cores suitable for post-branching have been devised.

FIG. 4 shows the structure of this type of branching tape-shaped optical fiber (Utility Application No. 57117768). In the same figure (a), the individual optical fiber strands 1.1.1 are primary coated for every three cores, covered with 9, and then the common coat 2
It is integrated with. In the same figure (b), there are recesses A and A in the center to make it easier to separate the optical fibers every three cores.
It has been established. In the same figure (C), recesses B, B, B, . . . are provided between the individual optical fiber strands so that the individual optical fiber strands can be separated into arbitrary numbers. In the same figure (d), individual optical fiber strands 1.
1 is covered with a primary coating 1o, 10° 10, and then integrated with a common coating 2 from above.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

However, since the tape-shaped optical fiber core wire for branching includes optical fiber strands in a live state, in order to separate these tape-shaped optical fiber core wires, the above-mentioned optical fiber core wires must be bent considerably. Great care must be taken to avoid damage, which has the disadvantage of poor work efficiency. Furthermore, there is a problem in that there is a high risk of causing considerable damage to the optical fiber.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to improve work efficiency by providing a method for branching tape-shaped optical fibers that can efficiently and safely branch tape-shaped optical fibers.

[Means to solve the problem]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention forms a cut in a tape-shaped optical fiber coated wire that covers optical fiber cables arranged in a row with a common coating, and cuts the cut in the optical axis direction. In the branching method, a cut is formed between a predetermined optical fiber strand and another adjacent optical fiber strand from one surface of the common coating of the tape-shaped optical fiber core in a direction substantially perpendicular to the arrangement surface. a first step, a second step of inserting a pin into the cut and tilting it in a direction substantially perpendicular to the optical axis so as to be substantially parallel to the arrangement surface of the tape-shaped optical fiber core wire; and a third step of moving the pin in the optical axis direction.

[Effect]

Since the present invention is configured as described above, it is possible to efficiently enlarge the cut along the array surface of the tape-shaped optical fiber cores using a simple tool.

In this case, since the tool does not come into direct contact with the optical fiber, there is less risk of damaging the optical fiber, and the life of the post-branched optical fiber (tape-shaped optical fiber) is extended.

〔Example〕

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the method for branching tape-shaped optical fibers according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

FIG. 1 is a process diagram showing an embodiment of a method for branching a tape-shaped optical fiber according to the present invention.

Figures (a) to (dl) are perspective views showing the positional relationship between the tape-shaped optical fiber and the pins;
) to (d2) are cross-sectional views of the tape-shaped optical fiber core as seen from the optical axis direction.

First, a plurality of optical fiber strands 11a% 11b.

... is fixed, and the pin 12, which causes damage, is placed at the cutting position of the tape-like optical fiber 11 (between the optical fiber strand 11c and the optical fiber ld). Install ((a), (a2) in the same figure)
).

(2) In the first step, a cut is formed in the tape-shaped optical fiber coated wire 11 between a predetermined optical fiber strand 11c and another adjacent optical fiber strand lid. Specifically, the pin 12 connects the common coating 11 of the tape-shaped optical fiber core 11.
The pin 12 is passed through from one surface C of g between a predetermined optical fiber strand 11c and another optical fiber strand 11d adjacent thereto in a direction substantially perpendicular to the arrangement surface (see FIG.
), (b2)). The tip of this pin 12 is formed to have a small diameter, and has a structure that allows it to easily penetrate the common coating of the tape-shaped optical fiber core wire.

In the second step, the pins 12 are tilted at about 90 degrees so that they are substantially parallel to the arrangement plane of the tape-shaped optical fibers (FIGS. 3(c) and 3(c)). By rotating the pin 12 on the optical axis layer of the optical fiber strand, a lever action is activated and the cut formed on the arrangement surface is raised by about 90 degrees.

In the third step, the pin 12 is moved in the optical axis direction along the arrangement surface of the tape-shaped optical fiber core 11 in an inclined state ((d), (d, , ) in the same figure).

(2) The cut X is enlarged by this movement of the pin 12, and the tape-shaped optical fiber core 11 is branched at a predetermined position and range.

Note that in the second step in this embodiment, the pins 12 are tilted in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis of the optical fiber strands so as to be substantially parallel to the arrangement plane, but the direction in which the pins 12 are tilted is It is not limited to the direction perpendicular to the axis.

For example, by tilting the pin 12 at 45 degrees with respect to the optical axis, the contact area between the pin 12 and the common coating increases by a factor of 72, stabilizing the movement of the pin 12 in the optical axis direction and facilitating tearing.

In this case, since a component force acts in the direction orthogonal to the optical axis of the tape-shaped optical fiber, the tape-shaped optical fiber
Fix it with a gripping member, etc.

In this embodiment, a pin is used as the method for forming the cut, but the method for forming the cut is not limited to this type of means. For example, the cut may be formed by a pair of blocks movable in a direction substantially perpendicular to the arrangement surface of the tape-shaped optical fiber cores. Alternatively, the cut may be formed by applying a bending moment to both ends of the tape-shaped optical fiber core and bending it. Furthermore, it may be cut with a sharp blade.

〔Effect of the invention〕

Since this invention is configured as explained above,
A tape-shaped optical fiber core can be branched at a predetermined position and within a predetermined range using a simple tool, and the working time can be shortened.

Furthermore, since the tool does not come into direct contact with the optical fiber during the branching operation, the tape-shaped optical fiber can be branched without damaging the optical fiber.

Therefore, the tape-shaped optical fiber can be branched efficiently and safely, and work efficiency can be improved.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a process diagram showing an example of a method for branching a tape-shaped optical fiber according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken from the optical axis direction showing an example of the structure of the tape-shaped optical fiber. , FIG. 3 is a process diagram showing the branching operation of the tape-shaped optical fiber coated wire, and FIG. 4 is a sectional view from the optical axis direction showing the structure of the tape-shaped coated optical fiber for branching. 1... Optical fiber bare wire 2... Covering 3... Communication cable 4.11... Tape-shaped optical fiber core wire 5.6... Sub cable 7.8... Branch line 9.10... ...-Next coating] 2... Pin

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. Branching of a tape-shaped optical fiber coated wire in which a cut is formed in a tape-shaped coated optical fiber that covers the optical fibers arranged in a row with a common coating, and the cut is cut in the optical axis direction. In the method, a first cut is formed between a predetermined optical fiber strand and another adjacent optical fiber strand from one surface of the common coating of the tape-shaped optical fiber core in a direction substantially perpendicular to the arrangement surface. a second step of inserting a pin into the cut and tilting it in a direction substantially perpendicular to the optical axis so as to be substantially parallel to the array surface of the tape-shaped optical fiber core wire; A method for branching a tape-shaped optical fiber, the method comprising a third step of moving a pin in the optical axis direction. 2. In the first step, a pin is formed between a predetermined optical fiber strand and another adjacent optical fiber strand from one surface of the common coating of the tape-shaped optical fiber core in a direction substantially perpendicular to the arrangement surface. 2. The method for branching a tape-shaped optical fiber core according to claim 1, wherein the tape-shaped optical fiber core wire is penetrated through the fiber.