JPH06129967A - Optical fiber proof test equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Object] In a conventional device, a pressure sensor is provided on a movable member 16, and an optical fiber 26 is wound around a mandrel 18 and a fixed mandrel 12 directly mounted on the movable member 16 to fix the movable member 16. The optical fiber 26 was directly pressed to apply a specified tension to the optical fiber 26. Therefore, a very large and expensive mechanical pressure sensor is required. To solve this problem. [Structure] The movable member 16 is pushed via a spring 40 to apply tension to the optical fiber and detect the compression force of the spring. Since a compressive force that is approximately equal to the tension applied to the optical fiber is applied to the spring 40, the tension of a specified value can be applied to the optical fiber 26 by detecting the compressive force applied to the spring 40. The compression force of the spring can be detected by a small and simple sensor (for example, a compression type rotocell). If the change in the length (compression amount) of the spring 40 is detected, the pressure sensor becomes unnecessary.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A proof test in which a constant tension is applied to an optical fiber is performed for screening after manufacturing the optical fiber or for testing tensile strength after connection. The present invention relates to a device therefor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 3 shows an example. Reference numeral 12 denotes a fixing member, which is, for example, a mandrel fixed to a frame 14 of the apparatus. Reference numeral 16 denotes the entire movable member, and the mandrel 1
8 and a pressure sensor 22 directly connected to it, and a carriage 24 (for example, movable with wheels) on which they are mounted. The optical fiber 26 is attached to the mandrel 18 and the fixing member 12.
Wrap around the mandrel and fix both ends to the mandrel (not shown).

A movable member 16 is moved in the direction of the optical fiber 26 by a driving mechanism (not shown) to apply tension to the optical fiber 26. The applied tension starts from zero, increases to the specified maximum, and then decreases to zero again. This maximum value varies depending on the type of optical fiber to be tested.

[0004]

The above-mentioned structure has the following problems.
The mandrel 18 is placed directly on the pressure sensor 22 or is directly mechanically connected. Therefore, the pressure sensor 2 is extremely large and has high mechanical strength.
2 is needed. Generally, this pressure sensor is of a type using a strain gauge called a load cell, but such a pressure sensor is very expensive because the entire mechanism is complicated. Since the pressure sensor 22 is in the exposed state, there is a risk of accidentally breaking the mandrel 18, for example, when the mandrel 18 falls.

[0005]

Means for Solving the Problem As shown in FIG. 1, a movable member 16 is pushed and moved via a spring 40 to apply a tension to an optical fiber 26, and a compression force of the spring 40 is detected. To do.

[0006]

[Work]

(1) When the movable member 16 is pushed and moved via the spring 40 to apply tension to the optical fiber 26, a compressive force T ′ that is substantially equal to the tension T applied to the optical fiber 26.
Joins the spring 40. Therefore, by detecting the compressive force applied to the spring 40, the tension of the specified value can be applied to the optical fiber 26. (2) The compression force of the spring 40 can be detected by a small and simple sensor (for example, a semiconductor pressure sensor, a compression type load cell, etc.).

[0007]

First Embodiment As shown in FIG. 1, the movable member 16 is composed of a mandrel 18, a bracket 28, and a carriage 24. In this case, the movable member 16 is not equipped with a pressure sensor. A pressing member 30 is provided separately from the movable member 16. this is,
It consists of a bracket 32 and a carriage 34. Two guide pins 36, for example, are provided between the brackets 28 and 32. One end of the guide pin 36 is attached to the bracket 32 on the left side in the drawing.
And the other end is slidably passed through the bracket 28 on the right side. A slide block 38 is slidably attached to the guide pin 36. A spring 40 is inserted between the slide block 38 and the bracket 28.
A pressure sensor 42 (for example, a compression type load cell) is provided inside the bracket 32. The pressure sensor 42 can be pushed by the convex portion 380 of the slide block 38.

A pressing mechanism (not shown) pushes and moves the pressing member 30 in the direction of arrow 44. Then, the pressing member 30 moves the movable member 16 through the spring 40.
Press to apply tension to the optical fiber 26. The compressive force T ′ exerted on the spring 40 is T ′ = T + F. However, T: tension applied to the optical fiber 26 F: frictional force between the base 46 of the device and the carriage 24. However, because F is much smaller than T,
Can be ignored.

The compression force T'applied to the spring 40 is detected by the pressure sensor 42. When the compressive force T ′ reaches the specified value, the drive mechanism is reversed. In the normal operating range of the spring 40, the compression amount and the compression force are proportional. When the pressing member 30 is moved forward and backward at a constant speed, the compression force of the spring 40 increases and decreases at a constant rate, and the tension applied to the optical fiber 26 also increases and decreases at a constant rate. .

[0010]

As shown in FIG. 2, the movable member 16 is pushed and moved via the spring 40 to apply a tension to the optical fiber 26 and to change the length of the spring 40. To detect.

[0011]

[Operation] When the movable member 16 is pushed and moved via the spring 40 to apply tension to the optical fiber 26,
As described above, the compression force T ′, which is substantially equal to the tension T applied to the optical fiber 26, is applied to the spring 40. The compression force of the spring 40 is proportional to the amount of compression, that is, the change in length. Therefore, by detecting the change in the length of the spring 40, the tension of the specified value can be applied to the optical fiber 26.

[0012]

Second Embodiment The configuration is shown in FIG. In this case, the pressure sensor 42 is not used. The spring 40 is directly inserted between the movable member 16 and the pressing member 30. The limit switch 48 is fixed to the bracket 28 of the movable member 16. Further, the dog 50 is attached to the bracket 32 of the pressing member 30. Allow the amount of protrusion of the dog 50 to be adjusted.

As in the case of the first embodiment, the driving member (not shown) pushes the pressing member 30 in the direction of the arrow 44 to move it, pushes the movable member 16 via the spring 40, and applies tension to the optical fiber 26. . As described above, the spring 40
In the normal operating range of, the compression amount and the compression force are proportional. When the compression force reaches the specified value, the dog 50 strikes the limit switch 48 (thus, the protrusion amount of the dog 50 is adjusted). At that time, the drive mechanism is reversed and the pressing member 3
0 retreats.

[0014]

【The invention's effect】

(1) In the case of the invention according to claim 1, since the movable member is pushed and moved via the spring and the compression force of the spring is detected, as described above, the small and simple pressure sensor is used. Since the tension applied to the optical fiber 26 can be detected, a large and expensive sensor is unnecessary. (2) In the case of the invention according to claim 2, since the movable member is pushed and moved via the spring and the change in the length of the spring is detected, the pressure sensor becomes unnecessary.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a conventional technique.

[Explanation of symbols]

 12 Fixed Member (Fixed Mandrel) 14 Device Frame 16 Movable Member 18 Mandrel 22, 42 Pressure Sensor 24, 34 Truck 26 Optical Fiber 28, 32 Bracket 30 Pressurizing Member 36 Guide Pin 38 Slide Block 380 Convex 40 Spring 46 Device Base 48 Limit switch 50 Dog

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An optical fiber is supported in a fixed state with respect to a frame of a device at one location, and is fixedly mounted on a movable member at a position spaced from the location by a fixed distance. In a proof test device for an optical fiber, in which a movable member is moved in the direction of an optical fiber to apply a tension of a specified value to the optical fiber, the movable member is pushed and moved via a spring, and a compressive force of the spring is applied. An optical fiber proof test device designed for detection. 2. An optical fiber is supported in a fixed state with respect to the frame of the apparatus at one location, and is fixedly mounted on a movable member at a position spaced from the location by a fixed distance. In a proof test device for an optical fiber, in which the movable member is moved in the direction of the optical fiber and a tension of a specified value is applied to the optical fiber, the movable member is moved by pushing it through a spring, and the length of the spring is changed. An optical fiber proof test device that detects changes.