Automatic pushing device and method for heat-shrinkable tubing of optical fiber fusion splicer

Abstract

The invention discloses an automatic pushing device and method for a heat-shrinkable sleeve of an optical fiber fusion splicer, and belongs to the technical field of optical fiber fusion splicers. The device comprises an optical fiber fusion splicer, a double-layer disc inner disc and a double-layer disc outer disc, and the double-layer disc inner disc and the double-layer disc outer disc are arranged at the two ends of the optical fiber fusion splicer; the sliding device and the heating furnace are arranged at the top of the optical fiber fusion splicer; and the rotating inner shaft is arranged in the centers of the double-layer disc inner disc and the double-layer disc outer disc. The method comprises the step that the double-layer disc inner disc, the double-layer disc outer disc and the sliding device are used for pushing the heat-shrinkable sleeve to the heating furnace to complete hot joining. The method for automatically pushing the heat-shrinkable sleeve can overcome the defects that an existing heat-shrinkable sleeve pushing device is insufficient in manual pushing and positioning precision, and a fusion point of an optical fiber is prone to deviating from the center of the heat-shrinkable sleeve.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of optical fiber fusion equipment, and particularly relates to an automatic pushing device and method for heat-shrinkable sleeve of an optical fiber fusion machine. BACKGROUND

[0002] In the fields of optical fiber communication and optoelectronic device manufacturing, optical fiber fusion is one of the core processes, and the accurate pushing and processing of the heat-shrinkable sleeve directly determine the mechanical strength and optical performance of the fusion joint.

[0003] The existing heat-shrinkable sleeve processing device of the optical fiber fusion machine generally has the following defects: insufficient positioning accuracy, most devices adopt a single support structure, cannot dynamically adjust the center according to the size difference of the heat-shrinkable sleeve, and are prone to cause the fusion quality to decrease due to the deviation of the sleeve fusion point from the processing center. Low operation efficiency, single-station design, serial processing of fusion, heating and other processes, unable to realize multi-station parallel processing, and the resetting and adjustment of the heat-shrinkable sleeve bracket takes a long time, which is difficult to meet the high-batch production demand. Poor compatibility and adaptability, manual adjustment of device parameters is required for heat-shrinkable sleeves of different lengths and specifications, which is tedious and prone to errors; some devices do not have a redundant heating structure, and the failure of a single heating furnace will cause the entire operation to be interrupted. Insufficient process coordination: the connection between the fusion, heating, fixing and other processes relies on manual intervention or simple mechanical linkage, lacks precise signal linkage and dynamic scheduling mechanism, and is prone to have a long process waiting time. SUMMARY

[0004] The purpose of the present application is to provide an automatic pushing device and method for heat-shrinkable sleeve of an optical fiber fusion machine, which can overcome the defects of the existing heat-shrinkable sleeve pushing device, such as insufficient positioning, easy deviation of the fusion point of the optical fiber from the center of the heat-shrinkable sleeve, by setting a telescopic and rotatable inner disc and outer disc at both ends of the traditional optical fiber fusion machine, setting a sliding device on the top, and pushing the heat-shrinkable sleeve to the heating furnace for heat connection through the cooperation of the inner disc and outer disc and the sliding device. The present application is realized through the following technical solutions.

[0005] In the first aspect, the present application provides an automatic pushing device for heat-shrinkable sleeve of an optical fiber fusion machine, which comprises: an optical fiber fusion machine, double-layer disc inner discs and double-layer disc outer discs arranged at both ends of the optical fiber fusion machine, a sliding device and a heating furnace arranged on the top of the optical fiber fusion machine, and a rotating inner shaft arranged at the center of the double-layer disc inner discs and the double-layer disc outer discs.

[0006] Optionally, a first pressing plate is further arranged on the top of the optical fiber fusion machine for fixing the optical fiber during fusion, and a wind shield is further arranged on the top of the optical fiber fusion machine for dustproof of the first pressing plate.

[0007] Optionally, data holes are formed at both ends of the optical fiber fusion machine, and the double-layer disc inner discs and the double-layer disc outer discs are connected with the optical fiber fusion machine through the rotating inner shaft penetrating the data holes.

[0008] Optionally, the double-layered inner disk includes support cavities embedded at both ends of the fiber optic fusion splicer, a base connected to the support cavities, a first telescopic bracket connected to the base, and a first movable platform connected to the first telescopic bracket. The base provides support for the first movable platform, and the first telescopic bracket provides power for the raising or lowering of the first movable platform.

[0009] Optionally, the double-layer circular outer disk includes a central disk embedded at both ends of the fiber optic fusion splicer, a second telescopic bracket connected to the central disk, a second movable platform connected to the second telescopic bracket, and a flipping shaft and a second pressure plate connected to the second movable platform. The second pressure plate is connected to the second movable platform via a flipping shaft.

[0010] Optionally, a pad is embedded in the center of the second pressure plate and the second movable platform to protect the optical fiber fixed by the second pressure plate and the second movable platform. A first magnet is embedded on one side of the second pressure plate and the second movable platform to assist in closing the second pressure plate. A first support rod is also embedded in the second movable platform to open the second pressure plate.

[0011] Optionally, the sliding device includes a heat shrink tubing holder, a single pull wire, a double pull wire, a first motor, a second motor, a first pulley, and a second pulley. The heat shrink tubing holder is connected to a single pull wire at one end and to a first motor via a first pulley, and to a double pull wire at the other end and to a second pulley via a first motor.

[0012] Optionally, the heat shrink tubing tray has a groove in the middle for holding the heat shrink tubing, and a baffle on one side for moving the heat shrink tubing.

[0013] Optionally, the heating furnace includes a second magnet at both ends, a heating furnace sensor, a protective pad and a second support rod, a heating furnace cover at the top, and a heating furnace cavity connected to the fiber optic fusion splicer.

[0014] Secondly, the present invention provides an automatic pushing method for heat shrink tubing in an optical fiber fusion splicer, employing the automatic pushing device for heat shrink tubing in an optical fiber fusion splicer as described in the first aspect, comprising the following steps: fixing the fused optical fiber inside the heat shrink tubing using a double-layered outer disc; raising the inner and outer discs of the double-layered outer disc to a preset height to provide space for the movement of a sliding device; horizontally pushing the heat shrink tubing by sliding the sliding device until the center of the heat shrink tubing aligns with the optical fiber fusion splice point; lowering the inner disc of the double-layered outer disc to its initial position; returning the sliding device to its original position; and then raising the outer disc of the double-layered outer disc and rotating it by a preset angle to deliver the heat shrink tubing to the heating furnace, completing the heat-splitting operation of the heat shrink tubing. The height at which the outer disc of the double-layered disc continues to rise is the distance from the inner rotating shaft to the center of the heating furnace.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: This invention raises the inner and outer discs of the double-layered circular fusion splice to a certain height to provide sufficient space for the sliding device. The sliding device then pushes the center of the heat-shrinkable tubing to align with the fiber optic splice point, completing the heat-shrinkable tubing splicing operation. During this pushing process, the heat-shrinkable tubing holder can adaptively move horizontally according to the actual length of the heat-shrinkable tubing to be processed, ensuring that the fusion point of the heat-shrinkable tubing is precisely aligned with its center, overcoming the inaccurate positioning defects of existing heat-shrinkable tubing pushing devices. The second rise height of the outer disc is determined by the distance between the rotating inner shaft and the center of the heating furnace, ensuring that the heat-shrinkable tubing is accurately embedded into the heating furnace cavity. Before the fiber optic splice machine completes the fiber optic splicing operation, the pressure plate of the outer disc remains unpressed, providing interference-free space for the fiber pushing action of the splice machine, ensuring that the fiber can move freely during the splicing process and avoiding splicing deviations caused by pressure plate constraints.

[0016] Four movable platforms are set on the outer double-layered disc. After the heat shrink tubing is pushed into the heating furnace, the outer double-layered disc continues to rotate at a constant speed away from the heating furnace. When the rotation angle reaches 90 degrees, the outer double-layered disc stops rotating and enters a standby state, waiting for the next welding push command. The design logic of this rotation action is to transfer the completed welding tubing to the heating station through station switching, while moving the next station to be processed to the welding preparation position, realizing the parallel operation of welding and heating processes. Since the pushing speed is faster than the heating speed, two heating furnaces are set up side by side to improve the heating efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 The image shown is a first-view structural schematic diagram of the automatic heat shrink tubing pusher for an optical fiber fusion splicer in one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 The image shown is a second-view structural schematic diagram of the automatic heat shrink tubing pusher for an optical fiber fusion splicer in one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 The diagram shown is a schematic diagram of the double-layer inner disk structure in one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 The diagram shown is a schematic diagram of a double-layered outer disk structure in one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 The diagram shown is a schematic diagram of the sliding device structure in one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 The diagram shown is a schematic diagram of the heating furnace structure in one embodiment of the present invention; In the diagram: 1-Fiber optic fusion splicer, 2-Double-layer inner disc, 3-Double-layer outer disc, 4-Sliding device, 5-Rotating inner shaft, 6-Heating furnace. 11-Data hole, 12-First pressure plate 21-Support cavity, 22-Base, 23-First telescopic bracket, 24-First movable platform, 31-First magnet, 32-First support rod, 33-Central plate, 34-Second movable platform, 35-Second pressure plate, 36-Pad, 37-Second telescopic bracket, 38-Flip shaft, 41-Heat shrink tubing tray, 42-Single pull wire, 43-Double pull wire, 44-Second motor, 45-First motor, 46-Second pulley, 47-First pulley 61-Heating furnace cavity, 62-Heating furnace cover, 63-Heating furnace sensor, 64-Second magnet, 65-Protective pad, 66-Second support rod. Detailed Implementation

[0018] The following description, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments, provides further details. In this description, it should be understood that the terms "first," "second," etc., are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. Therefore, a feature defined with "first," "second," etc., may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature.

[0019] Example 1 This embodiment describes an automatic heat shrink tubing delivery device for a fiber optic fusion splicer, such as... Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, it includes a fiber optic fusion splicer 1, a double-layer inner disk 2 and a double-layer outer disk 3 disposed at both ends of the fiber optic fusion splicer 1, a sliding device 4 and a heating furnace 6 disposed at the top of the fiber optic fusion splicer 1, and a rotating inner shaft 5 disposed at the center of the double-layer inner disk 2 and the double-layer outer disk 3.

[0020] Example 2 Based on Example 1, this example describes the specific structure of an automatic heat shrink tubing pusher for an optical fiber fusion splicer, such as... Figures 1-6 As shown, it specifically includes the following: In one specific embodiment of the present invention, a first pressure plate 12 is also provided on the top of the fiber optic fusion splicer 1 for fixing the fiber during fiber optic splicing, and a windproof cover 7 is also provided on the top of the fiber optic fusion splicer 1 for dust protection of the first pressure plate.

[0021] The fiber optic fusion splicer 1 has data holes 11 at both ends. The inner double-layer disc 2 and the outer double-layer disc 3 are connected to the fiber optic fusion splicer 1 through the rotating inner shaft 5 passing through the data holes 11.

[0022] In one specific embodiment of the present invention, the double-layer inner disk 2 includes a support cavity 21 embedded at both ends of the optical fiber fusion splicer 1, a base 22 connected to the support cavity 21, a first telescopic bracket 23 connected to the base, and a first movable platform 24 connected to the first telescopic bracket 23. The base 22 provides support for the first movable platform 24, and the first telescopic bracket 23 provides power for the raising or lowering of the first movable platform 24.

[0023] In one specific embodiment of the present invention, the double-layer outer disk 3 includes a central disk 33 embedded at both ends of the optical fiber fusion splicer 1, a second telescopic bracket 37 connected to the central disk 33, a second movable platform 34 connected to the second telescopic bracket 37, a flipping shaft 38 and a second pressure plate 35 connected to the second movable platform 34. The second pressure plate 35 is connected to the second movable platform 34 via a flipping shaft 38.

[0024] The center of the second pressure plate 35 and the second movable platform 34 is respectively embedded with a pad 36 to protect the optical fiber fixed by the second pressure plate 35 and the second movable platform 34. A first magnet 31 is embedded on one side of the second pressure plate 35 and the second movable platform 34 to assist in closing the second pressure plate 35. A first support rod 32 is also embedded on the second movable platform 34 to open the second pressure plate 35.

[0025] In one specific embodiment of the present invention, the sliding device 4 includes a heat shrink tubing holder 41, a single pull wire 42, a double pull wire 43, a first motor 45, a second motor 44, a first pulley 47, and a second pulley 46. The heat shrink tubing holder 41 is connected at one end to a single pull wire 42 and to a first pulley 47 and a first motor 45, and at the other end to a double pull wire 43 and to a second pulley 46 and a first motor 44.

[0026] The heat shrink tubing holder 41 has a groove in the middle for placing the heat shrink tubing, and a baffle on one side for moving the heat shrink tubing.

[0027] In one specific embodiment of the present invention, the heating furnace 6 includes a second magnet 64 disposed at both ends, a heating furnace sensor 63, a protective pad 65 and a second support rod 66, a heating furnace cover plate 62 disposed at the top, and a heating furnace cavity 61 connected to the optical fiber fusion splicer 1.

[0028] Example 3 This embodiment describes an automatic heat shrink tubing delivery method for a fiber optic fusion splicer, employing the automatic heat shrink tubing delivery device for a fiber optic fusion splicer described in Embodiment 1 or 2, and includes the following: The double-layered outer disk 3 fixes the fused optical fiber inside the heat-shrink tubing, ensuring the fiber is fused within the tubing. The double-layered inner disk 2 and outer disk 3 are then raised to a preset height, providing space for the sliding device 4 to move. The sliding device 4 horizontally pushes the heat-shrink tubing until its center aligns with the fiber fusion point. The double-layered inner disk 2 then descends to its initial position, the sliding device 4 returns to its original position, and the double-layered outer disk 3 first rises and then rotates a preset angle to deliver the heat-shrink tubing to the heating furnace 6, completing the heat-splitting operation. The height to which the outer disc 3 of the double-layered disc rises is the distance from the center of the inner rotating shaft 5 to the heating furnace 6.

[0029] In practical applications, when using the automatic heat shrink tubing pushing device for the fiber optic fusion splicer provided by this invention to push the heat shrink tubing, after the fusion splicer 1 completes the fiber optic splicing, it first fixes the fiber in the heat shrink tubing using the second pressure plate 35. Then, the inner and outer double-layer circular discs 2 and 3 are raised to a preset height to allow sufficient space for the sliding device 4 to move. At this time, the first support rod 32 is in a retracted state, and the second pressure plate 35 is closed by the first magnet 31, ensuring that the heat shrink tubing moves towards the fiber optic splice point. The movement of the heat shrink tubing towards the fiber optic splice point is accomplished by the sliding device 4.

[0030] The sliding device 4 pushes the center of the heat shrink tubing to the fiber optic splice point by starting the second motor 44, which rotates to tighten the double pull wire 43, thus moving the heat shrink tubing holder 41 to the right. Figure 4 The heat shrink tubing moves to the right, and the single pull wire 42 and the first motor 45 rotate synchronously until the center of the heat shrink tubing aligns with the fiber optic splice point, completing the horizontal pushing of the heat shrink tubing. After the horizontal pushing of the heat shrink tubing is completed, the second motor 44 and the first motor 45 rotate in opposite directions, the single pull wire 42 and the double pull wire return to their original positions, that is, the sliding device 4 returns to its original position, and at the same time, the inner disk 2 of the double-layer disc descends to its initial position. At this time, the outer disk 3 of the double-layer disc continues to rise, and the rising height is the distance from the inner rotating shaft 5 to the center of the heating furnace 6. After rising to the specified height, it rotates a certain angle to send the heat shrink tubing to the heating furnace 6. In this embodiment, the rotation is 65°-75°.

[0031] Sending the heat shrink tubing to the heating furnace 6 specifically involves sending the heat shrink tubing into the furnace cavity 61. The furnace sensor 63 senses the falling optical fiber, the second support rod 66 descends, and the furnace cover 62 closes by first falling under gravity and then by the magnet 64. At the same time, heating of the heat shrink tubing begins. The optical fiber is fixed in the protective pad 65, which protects the optical fiber in the heat shrink tubing.

[0032] After heating is initiated, the second support rod 32 rises, the first magnet 31 separates, and the heat-shrink tubing and the optical fiber within it remain in their current positions, being heated in the furnace. The double-layer outer disk 3 delivers the heat-shrink tubing into the furnace and continues rotating until it reaches 90 degrees, at which point it stops. The second support rod 32 then descends, and the first magnet 31 closes. The next quarter-position second movable platform 34, along with the second support rod 32 and the first magnet 31, prepares for optical fiber splicing. The double-layer outer disk 3 is equipped with four movable platforms 34, rotating 360 degrees (cyclic rotation). These four platforms enable four pushes of the heat-shrink tubing, achieving multi-station parallel pushing of the heat-shrink tubing, shortening switching time, and improving pushing efficiency.

[0033] Because the pushing speed is faster than the hot-splitting speed, two heating furnaces are set up side by side to improve the hot-splitting efficiency. In practical applications, if the first heating furnace is heating the heat-shrink tubing (containing the spliced ​​optical fiber), and the second heating furnace is idle, the fusion splicer will automatically select the idle heating furnace for heating after the splicing is completed. When the heating furnace is not idle, the pushing device is in a waiting state until the heating furnace is idle.

[0034] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above. The specific embodiments described above are merely illustrative and not restrictive. Those skilled in the art can make many other forms under the guidance of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims. All of these forms are within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An automatic heat shrink tubing delivery device for an optical fiber fusion splicer, characterized in that, include: The fiber optic fusion splicer (1) has a double-layer inner disk (2) and a double-layer outer disk (3) at both ends of the fiber optic fusion splicer (1), a sliding device (4) and a heating furnace (6) at the top of the fiber optic fusion splicer (1), and a rotating inner shaft (5) at the center of the double-layer inner disk (2) and the double-layer outer disk (3).

2. The automatic heat shrink tubing pushing device for an optical fiber fusion splicer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The fiber optic fusion splicer (1) is also equipped with a first pressure plate (12) on top, which is used to fix the fiber during fiber optic splicing. The fiber optic fusion splicer (1) is also equipped with a windproof cover (7) on top, which is used to prevent dust from the first pressure plate (12).

3. The automatic heat shrink tubing pushing device for an optical fiber fusion splicer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The fiber optic fusion splicer (1) has data holes (11) at both ends. The inner disk (2) and outer disk (3) of the double-layer disc are connected to the fiber optic fusion splicer (1) through the rotating inner shaft (5) passing through the data holes (11).

4. The automatic heat shrink tubing pushing device for an optical fiber fusion splicer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The double-layer inner disc (2) includes a support cavity (21) embedded at both ends of the optical fiber fusion splicer (1), a base (22) connected to the support cavity (21), a first telescopic bracket (23) connected to the base, and a first movable platform (24) connected to the first telescopic bracket (23). The base (22) provides support for the first movable platform (24), and the first telescopic bracket (23) provides power for the first movable platform (24) to rise or fall.

5. The automatic heat shrink tubing pushing device for an optical fiber fusion splicer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The double-layer outer disk (3) includes a central disk (33) embedded at both ends of the fiber optic fusion splicer (1), a second telescopic bracket (37) connected to the central disk (33), a second movable platform (34) connected to the second telescopic bracket (37), a flipping shaft (38) connected to the second movable platform (34), and a second pressure plate (35). The second pressure plate (35) is connected to the second active platform (34) via a flip shaft (38).

6. The automatic heat shrink tubing pushing device for an optical fiber fusion splicer according to claim 5, characterized in that, The second pressure plate (35) and the second movable platform (34) are respectively embedded with pads (36) to protect the optical fibers fixed by the second pressure plate (35) and the second movable platform (34). A first magnet (31) is embedded on one side of the second pressure plate (35) and the second movable platform (34) to assist the closing of the second pressure plate (35). A first support rod (32) is also embedded on the second movable platform (34) to open the second pressure plate (35).

7. The automatic heat shrink tubing pushing device for an optical fiber fusion splicer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sliding device (4) includes a heat shrink tubing holder (41), a single pull wire (42), a double pull wire (43), a first motor (45), a second motor (44), a first pulley (47), and a second pulley (46). One end of the heat shrink tubing holder (41) is connected to a single pull wire (42) and is connected to a first pulley (47) and a first motor (45). The other end is connected to a double pull wire (43) and is connected to a second pulley (46) and a first motor (44).

8. The automatic heat shrink tubing pushing device for an optical fiber fusion splicer according to claim 7, characterized in that, The heat shrink tubing tray (41) has a groove in the middle for placing the heat shrink tubing, and a baffle on one side for moving the heat shrink tubing.

9. The automatic heat shrink tubing pushing device for an optical fiber fusion splicer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The heating furnace (6) includes a second magnet (64) at both ends, a heating furnace sensor (63), a protective pad (65) and a second support rod (66), a heating furnace cover plate (62) at the top, and a heating furnace cavity (61) connected to the fiber optic fusion splicer (1).

10. An automatic method for pushing heat shrink tubing in an optical fiber fusion splicer, characterized in that, The automatic heat shrink tubing pushing device for an optical fiber fusion splicer as described in any one of claims 1-9 includes the following steps: fixing the fused optical fiber inside the heat shrink tubing using the outer double-layer disc (3); raising the inner double-layer disc (2) and the outer double-layer disc (3) to a preset height to provide space for the movement of the sliding device (4); horizontally pushing the heat shrink tubing by sliding the sliding device (4) until the center of the heat shrink tubing matches the optical fiber fusion point; lowering the inner double-layer disc (2) to the initial position; returning the sliding device (4) to its original position; and continuing to rise and rotating the outer double-layer disc (3) by a preset angle to deliver the heat shrink tubing to the heating furnace (6), thus completing the heat shrink tubing heat splicing operation. The height at which the outer disc (3) of the double-layered disc continues to rise is the distance from the center of the inner rotating shaft (5) to the heating furnace (6).

Images