JPS6162007A - Treating method of terminal of coated optical fiber - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to a method for terminal processing of coated optical fibers used in splicing connections, connector connections, and the like.

(Prior technology) Connecting coated optical fibers (optical fiber cores) to each other,
Alternatively, when attaching a connector, which is a connection jig, to the end of a coated optical fiber, the coating layer is generally removed from the end of the coated optical fiber, and the end of the bare fiber exposed by the coating removal is cut. be.

Normally, such terminal processing is performed manually on site, but manual processing requires skill and has a high failure rate, so at present, convenient terminal processing tools have been developed.

However, even if a terminal processing tool is used, it is still a manual process, and it is necessary to become familiar with the processing tool, and work efficiency decreases when processing a large number of optical fibers pulled out from an optical cable. It tends to be.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) The present invention aims to improve the unreasonable points of conventional manual processing by providing a method for establishing automation of this type of terminal processing.

(Means for Solving the Problems) The present invention provides a coated optical fiber terminal processing method in which a coating layer is removed from the outer periphery of a terminal portion of a coated optical fiber, and the bare fiber terminal exposed by the coating removal is cut. The end portion of the coated optical fiber is clamped at two points using a first clamp and a second clamp that are arranged adjacent to each other, and after making an incision in the coating layer on the second clamp side, the second clamp is connected to the first clamp. The coated optical fiber is moved in the direction away from the clamp, and the coated optical fiber is pulled in the same direction, and due to the tension at this time, the -1- coating layer is separated from the notch part to expose the bare fiber, and then the coated optical fiber terminal is separated. After clamping the section with a third clamp between the first clamp and the second clamp to make a cut in the longitudinal middle of the bare fiber, the first clamp and the third clamp are cut seven times in a direction intersecting the axis of the fiber. The method is characterized in that both clamps are moved relative to each other to apply bending stress to the bare fiber, and the bare fiber is cut from the cut portion.

(Function) In the method of the present invention, the coated optical fiber end portion can be removed and cut by going through the predetermined steps described above. All the cutting means and the like need only be moved and operated simply. Therefore, each device and each member required for the method can be controlled mechanically, electrically, and electronically easily and without any problems, thereby achieving the desired result. Automation is achieved, and rational termination processing of coated optical fibers can be realized.

(Example) Next, specific examples of the method of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a machine body that also serves as a housing or a mechanical box, and the top surface of this machine body 1 serves as a workbench.

1- On the top surface of the fuselage 1, there are first
Clamp Kl, 2 are arranged in the second clamp, and the first and second clamps K1. A third clamp 3 is disposed between K2.

The first clamp Kl is composed of an upper member 10 and a lower member 11, as shown in FIG.

The upper member IO is formed with an opening accommodating part 12 which is machined from the lower surface toward the inside thereof, and the opening accommodating part 12 has a pusher with a cushioning material 13 made of rubber or synthetic resin affixed to the lower surface. A plate 14 is housed so as to be freely retractable, and the push plate 1
4 is equipped with a spring 15 that provides downward elastic force.

Furthermore, a plurality of pinholes 16 corresponding to guide pins to be described later are bored in the lower surface of the L member 10.

On the other hand, the F member 11 has a plurality of parallel pins 17 erected on its H surface, and these pins 17 fit into the pinhole IB.

The upper member lO1 and the lower member 11 are disposed at the predetermined position of the fuselage l, and a rectangular movable cylinder I8 is provided at that position, and these parts are connected via the movable cylinder 18. Member lO1 lower member 11 is supported.

That is, in FIG. 1, an L-shaped first elevating member 20 protruding from the lower surface of the upper member 10 is inserted into the movable cylinder 18 having an opening 18 formed on the upper surface so as to be vertically movable. In this state, the lower member 1 is attached to the first surface of the movable cylinder 18 across the opening 19 and facing the lower surface of the upper member 10.

In this case, the outer surface of the first elevating member 20 is in mutual contact with the inner surface of the movable cylinder 18, and therefore the part member 1
0 moves up and down via the first elevating member 20 using the inner surface of the movable cylinder I8 as a guide.

As a means for reciprocating the first clamp 1 in the longitudinal direction of the machine body l, a female screw member 21 is fixed to the upper inner surface of the movable cylinder 18. A horizontal screw shaft 2 that can pass through the female screw member 21
2. A first motor 23, a bevel gear 24, 25, etc. installed in the body 1 are provided at predetermined positions, but in this case, one end of the horizontal screw shaft 22 is connected to the first clamp K1. The horizontal screw shaft 22 is rotatably supported by a support wall 2 provided between the third clamp and at the longitudinal center of the fuselage 1.
The bevel gear 24 attached to the other end is the first motor 2
It is closely meshed with a bevel gear 25 attached to the motor shaft of No. 3.

Further, as means for guiding 1 to the first clamp in the longitudinal direction of the machine body l, a pair of guide rails 3 are laid in the front and rear sides of the machine body l, and these guide rails are placed on both the front and rear sides of the movable cylinder body 18. A slide member 2B that engages with is attached.

A second motor 27 and a gear 28 attached to the motor shaft, and a vertical screw shaft 29 and its screw shaft 29 are used as means for moving the first -F section member 10 downward by -L to the first clamp.
The movable cylinder 18 is equipped with a gear 30 and the like attached to the lower end of the movable cylinder 18. In this case, the second motor 27 is attached to the movable cylinder 18, and the female threaded portion 31 of the movable cylinder 18 is in a screwed state. A vertical screw shaft 28 passing through the shaft 28 is rotatably connected to the lower part of the first elevating member 20 with its upper end constrained in the thrust direction, and gears 28 and 30 are meshed with each other.

The second clamp 2 in FIG. 1 also includes an upper member 40 and a lower member 41 shown in FIG. 3.

The upper member 40 in FIG. 3 is formed with three storage sections 42, 43, and 44 each having an open bottom surface, and inside the storage section 42 is a cutter 45 for cutting the coating layer and a cutter 45 facing downward. A spring 46 for applying a resilient force is provided in the housing part 43, a blade 47 for peeling the coating layer and a spring 48 for applying a downward resilient force to the blade 47 are further contained in the housing part 44. A blade 48 for holding down the coating layer and a spring 50 for applying downward elastic force to the blade 48 are housed, respectively.

The lower member 41 in FIG. 3 is formed with two storage sections 51 and 52 each having an open top surface, and one of the storage sections 51 contains a cutter 53 for cutting the coating layer, and the other storage section 51 contains a cutter 53 for cutting the coating layer. A blade 54 for peeling off the coating layer is provided in the portion 52.
are fixed respectively, and a stopper 5 is provided on the front side (left side in the figure) of the storage section 51 on the surface of the lower member 41.
5 is provided protrudingly.

In this case, cutters 45 and 53 and blades 47 and 54 are each a pair.

Of the upper member 40 and the lower member 41 disposed at the predetermined positions of the fuselage l, the upper member 40 is attached to the upper end of the second elevating member 56 that is installed in the fuselage l so as to be vertically movable, and the lower member 41 is also attached to one upper end of the third elevating member 57, which is installed in the fuselage 1 so as to be movable downward, and these two members 40 and 41 are vertically opposed to each other.

A third motor 58 having a gear 58 at the end of the motor shaft serves as a means for vertically moving the second upper member 40 on the second clamp.
is provided in the machine body l, one upper end of a vertical screw shaft 61 having a gear 60 at the lower end is screwed together with the female screw part 62 of the second elevating member 56, and the gears 58 and 80 are meshed with each other. There is.

A fourth motor 64 having a gear 83 at the end of the motor shaft serves as a means for vertically moving the second lower member 41 on the second clamp.
is provided in the body 1, one upper end of a vertical screw shaft 68 having a gear 65 at the lower end is screwed together with the third elevating member 57, and the gears 63 and 65 are meshed with each other.

The third clamp 3 in FIG. 1 includes an upper member 70 and a lower member 71 as shown in FIG.

The upper member 70 in FIG. 4 has two storage sections 72 and 73 whose lower surfaces are open, and one of the storage sections 72 has a cutter 74 for cutting the optical fiber and a downward elastic force is applied to the cutter 74. A spring 75 is housed therein, and the other housing part 73 has a cushion material 7B on the bottom surface.
A blade 77 for holding down the coated optical fiber to which is pasted and a spring 78 for applying a downward elastic force to the blade 77 are housed.

The lower member 71 has a curved surface 78 on one side of its upper surface.

When the third clamp is 3, the upper member 70 is attached to the upper end of the fourth elevating member 80 provided in the fuselage 1 so as to be able to move up and down, and the lower member 71 is connected to the upper member 70 -
It is attached at a predetermined position on the aircraft L facing oppositely under L,
Furthermore, the following means is used to move the two-part member 70 downward by -L.

That is, in FIG. 1, a fifth motor 82 having a gear 81 at the end of the motor shaft is installed in the body 1, and a vertical threaded shaft 85 having a gear 84 at the lower end is attached to the female threaded portion 83 of the fourth elevating member 80. A plurality of gears 86 and 87 are interposed between these gears 81 and 84 so that the power of the fifth motor 82 is transmitted to the vertical screw shaft 85.

In addition, metal, synthetic resin, etc. are used in appropriate materials and in appropriate places as materials for each of the above-mentioned members.
5.53.74 etc., at least the blade part is made of metal made of cemented carbide, and each blade 47.54
．． 77 is made of plastic (for example, polyacetal), the lower member 71 is also made of plastic (for example, nylon), and most of the other members are made of metal.

Next, an example of terminal treatment of a coated optical fiber according to the method of the present invention will be explained.

In FIG. 1, when the first motor 23 is first driven for a predetermined time (in seconds) and the horizontal screw shaft 22 is rotated in the forward direction, screw feeding by the horizontal screw shaft 22 and the acid screw member 21 causes
The movable cylinder 18 carries the first clamp Kl.
Move in the direction of the arrow ■ in the figure by a predetermined amount and then stop.

At this time, the end side of the coated optical fiber F1 is set across the lower member 11 of the first clamp Kl and the second lower member 41 of the second clamp.

Next, the second motor 27 and the third motor 58 are driven to rotate the vertical screw shafts 28 and 61 in the normal direction, respectively.

Due to the forward rotation of the vertical screw shaft 29, the L member 10 of 1 is moved to the first clamp via the first elevating member 20 in the direction indicated by the arrow ■ in FIG.
The lower member 11 cooperates with the lower member 11 to clamp the coated optical fiber F1.

At this time, - the push plate 14 of the upper member lO is pressed against the spring 15
The coated optical fiber F1 is connected to the lower member 11 through the elastic force of
Hold it to the side.

Due to the forward rotation of the vertical screw shaft C1, the second part member 40 of the second cranzo moves down in the direction of the arrow V in FIG. The end side of the optical fiber F1 is clamped, and at this time, the cutters 45 and 53 cut into the coating layer F2 at the same time.

In other words, in the second clamp shown in Fig. 3, the −F
When the lower member 40 descends until it comes into contact with the stopper 55 of the lower member 41, - the cutter 45.53 begins to cut into the coating layer F2 of the coated optical fiber F1, and the blade 48 on the upper member 40 side The upper surface of the lower member 41 clamps the coated optical fiber Fl,
The blade 47.54 also covers the coating layer F2 of the coated optical fiber F1.
It comes to be in pressure contact with.

Thereafter, when the horizontal screw shaft 22 is reversely rotated by the first motor 23 and the movable cylinder 20 carrying the first clamp Kl is moved in the direction of the arrow ■ in FIG. Since 1 moves to the first clamp as described above, a tensile force is applied to the coated optical fiber Fl between both clamps 1 and K2, and due to this tension, the coating layer F2 is separated from the above-mentioned notch. , bare fiber F
3 is exposed.

In other words, the situation is as shown in FIG.

After exposing the bare fiber F3, when the vertical screw shaft 85 is rotated in the forward direction by driving the fifth motor 82, the third clamp
When the upper member 70 of the upper member 70 is lowered in the direction of the arrow (■) in FIG. is clamped, and the cutter 74 cuts the bare fiber F3.

Note that after making a cut in the bare fiber F3, the upper member 70 of the third clamp 3 is slightly raised so that only the cutter 74 excluding the blade 77 is separated from the bare fiber F3. 82 causes the upper member 70 to be raised by a predetermined amount in the direction of the arrow X in FIG. 1.

Next, by forward rotation of each vertical screw shaft 61.6B driven by the third motor 58 and the fourth motor 64, the second upper member 4o and the lower member 41 are synchronized with each other in the second clamp in the state shown in FIG. And synchronously, in the direction of arrow V in Figure 1, ■
When the fiber F3 is lowered in the direction shown in FIG. more disconnected.

That is, as shown in FIG. 6, the bare fiber F3 is cut, leaving a predetermined length of the bare fiber F2 on the terminal side of the coated optical fiber Fl, completing the intended terminal treatment.

After completing the above steps, first. The second and third clamps Kl, F2, and F3 return to their initial positions in the directions of arrows II, ■, ■, ■, and X in Figure 1 by the reverse rotation of each screw shaft by each motor, and then terminal processing.

It should be noted that each step of the method of the present invention described above can be carried out in a series of continuous steps by sequence control mainly based on motor control.
You can combine it with timers, limit switches, etc.

(Effects of the Invention) As explained above, when using the method of the present invention, a plurality of clamps are moved and the coating layer of the coated optical fiber is
Since predetermined terminal processing can be performed simply by cutting into the bare fiber and making a slit, automation of the terminal processing can be established through these clamp controls, and rational work can be carried out.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing one embodiment of the method of the present invention together with a device used therein, FIGS. 2 to 4 are cross-sectional views of each clamp in the method of the present invention, and FIGS. 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the main steps of the inventive method; FIG. Kl...first clamp 1011...upper member 11 of the first clamp...first
2 on the lower member of the clamp...2nd clamp 40...upper member 41 of the 2nd clamp, lower member 45 of the fist Φ2nd clamp...3 on the cutter for the coating layer...3rd clamp 70 ...Third clamp upper member 71...Third clamp lower member 75...Bare fiber cutter Fl...Coated optical fiber F2...Coating layer F3...Bare fiber

Claims (1)

[Claims] A coated optical fiber termination method includes removing a coating layer from the outer periphery of a terminal portion of a coated optical fiber and cutting the bare fiber terminal exposed by the coating removal, wherein the coated optical fiber terminal portions are arranged adjacent to each other. After clamping at two points with the first clamp and the second clamp and making a cut in the coating layer on the second clamp side, the second clamp is moved away from the first clamp to move the coated optical fiber in the same direction. While pulling and moving, the coating layer is separated from the cut portion by the tension at this time to expose the bare fiber, and then the terminal portion of the coated optical fiber is clamped by a third clamp between the first clamp and the second clamp. After making a cut in the middle of the bare fiber in the longitudinal direction,
A coated optical fiber characterized in that the first clamp and the third clamp are moved relative to each other in a direction intersecting the fiber axis to apply bending stress to the bare fiber and cut the bare fiber from the cut portion. terminal processing method.