Coating removal device

Abstract

The coating removal device is a coating removal device that removes the coating of an optical fiber, and includes a pair of blade bodies that include a first blade body and a second blade body, and that make an incision in the coating by clamping the optical fiber between the first blade body and the second blade body in opposing directions, and a stage that is arranged adjacent to the pair of blade bodies in an axial direction that intersects the opposing direction and has a mounting surface on which the optical fiber extending from the pair of blade bodies in the axial direction is placed, and the mounting surface is configured to be movable relatively to the pair of blade bodies in a first adjustment direction that intersects the mounting surface.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a coating removal device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a coating removal device that removes the coating from an optical fiber. This coating removal device includes a pair of blades that sandwich the optical fiber to make an incision in the coating, and a stage (heating side main body) that is positioned adjacent to and behind the pair of blades. The stage has a mounting surface (heater unit) on which the optical fiber is placed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6154973 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above-described sheath removal device, it is desirable that the blades and the mounting surface have a positional relationship such that the central axis of the optical fiber mounted on the mounting surface coincides with the center of the gap between the pair of blades. If the blades and the mounting surface do not have such a positional relationship, the optical fiber will be bent near the blades, making it difficult to remove the sheath. However, for example, when replacing the blades to accommodate various coating diameters, the above-described positional relationship may be lost depending on the shape of the replaced blades.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a sheath removal device that is capable of adjusting the positional relationship between the blade body and the optical fiber placement surface. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, a coating removal device according to aspect 1 of the present invention is a coating removal device for removing the coating of an optical fiber, comprising a pair of blade bodies including a first blade body and a second blade body, the pair of blade bodies sandwiching the optical fiber between the first blade body and the second blade body in opposing directions to make an incision in the coating, and a stage arranged adjacent to the second blade body in an axial direction intersecting the opposing direction, and having a mounting surface on which the optical fiber extending from the pair of blade bodies in the axial direction is placed, the mounting surface being configured to be movable relative to the pair of blade bodies in a first adjustment direction intersecting the mounting surface.

[0007] According to the first aspect of the present invention, the mounting surface can be moved relative to the blade body, thereby adjusting the positional relationship between the blade body and the mounting surface.

[0008] Furthermore, in aspect 2 of the present invention, the sheath removal device of aspect 1 further includes a pressing section that presses the optical fiber against the placement surface, and the placement surface is a heater surface that contacts the sheath and heats the sheath.

[0009] According to the second aspect of the present invention, even when the pressing portion presses the optical fiber, contact between the blade and the bare wire portion can be prevented by adjusting the positional relationship between the blade and the placement surface.

[0010] According to a third aspect of the present invention, the sheath removal device of the first or second aspect further comprises a gripping portion that grips the optical fiber and is movable in the axial direction relative to the pair of blades.

[0011] According to the third aspect of the present invention, the coating of the optical fiber can be easily removed.

[0012] A fourth aspect of the present invention is the sheath removing device according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein at least one of the first blade body and the second blade body is replaceable.

[0013] According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the coating removal device can be adapted to handle a plurality of types of optical fibers having different coating diameters.

[0014] Furthermore, aspect 5 of the present invention relates to a coating removal device according to any one of aspects 1 to 4, further comprising an adjustment member having a first sliding surface and movable in a second adjustment direction intersecting the first adjustment direction, wherein the stage has a second sliding surface that slides against the first sliding surface when the adjustment member moves in the second adjustment direction, and the first sliding surface and the second sliding surface are inclined with respect to the second adjustment direction so that the placement surface moves in the first adjustment direction when the adjustment member moves in the second adjustment direction, causing the first sliding surface and the second sliding surface to slide against each other.

[0015] According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to easily realize a configuration in which the placement surface moves in the first adjustment direction.

[0016] A sixth aspect of the present invention relates to the sheath removal device of the fifth aspect, further comprising an adjustment screw that drives the movement of the adjustment member in the second adjustment direction.

[0017] According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, it becomes easy to finely adjust the amount of movement of the adjustment member and the placement surface.

[0018] According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the sheath removing device of the fifth or sixth aspect, when the inclination angle of the first sliding surface with respect to the second adjustment direction is d, d is greater than 0° and equal to or less than 10°.

[0019] According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, it becomes easy to finely adjust the position of the placement surface. [Effects of the Invention]

[0020] According to the above aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a sheath removal device that is capable of adjusting the positional relationship between the blade body and the optical fiber placement surface. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a sheath removal device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2A] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IIA-IIA in FIG. 1, showing a state before the positional relationship between the blade body and the mounting surface is adjusted. [Figure 2B] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state after the positional relationship between the blade and the mounting surface has been adjusted. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A coating removal device according to an embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the sheath removal device 1 according to this embodiment includes a pair of blade bodies 10, 20 (first blade body 10 and second blade body 20), a heating unit 30, a base 40, a rotating lid unit 50, and a gripping unit 60.

[0023] The sheath removal device 1 is used for, for example, an optical fiber 70 as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. In the illustrated example, the optical fiber 70 has a bare wire portion 71 and a coating 72. The bare wire portion 71 has, for example, a core and a cladding. The coating 72 is an epoxy resin or acrylic resin that covers the bare wire portion 71. The sheath removal device 1 is a device that removes the coating 72 from the optical fiber 70 using a first blade body 10 and a second blade body 20.

[0024] 1, 2A, and 2B, each blade body 10, 20 has a flat plate shape. The first blade body 10 has a first opposing edge 10a. The second blade body 20 has a second opposing edge 20a.

[0025] The sheath removal device 1 (blade bodies 10, 20) according to this embodiment can be in two states: a closed state and an open state. In the closed state, the first opposing edge 10a (first blade body 10) and the second opposing edge 20a (second blade body 20) sandwich the optical fiber 70 (see FIG. 2B). In the open state, the first opposing edge 10a and the second opposing edge 20a do not face each other, and the first opposing edge 10a and the second opposing edge 20a do not sandwich the optical fiber 70. Below, unless otherwise specified, the positional relationship of each component when the sheath removal device 1 (blade bodies 10, 20) is in the closed state will be described.

[0026] (direction definition) In this specification, the direction in which the first blade body 10 (first opposing edge 10a) and the second blade body 20 (second opposing edge 20a) sandwich the optical fiber 70 is referred to as the opposing direction Z. The opposing direction Z is also the direction in which the first blade body 10 (first opposing edge 10a) and the second blade body 20 (second opposing edge 20a) face each other in the closed state. The opposing direction Z is, for example, a vertical direction parallel to gravity. However, the opposing direction Z may be inclined with respect to the vertical direction. A direction intersecting (e.g., perpendicular to) the opposing direction Z is referred to as the axial direction X. A direction intersecting (e.g., perpendicular to) both the opposing direction Z and the axial direction X is referred to as the intersecting direction Y. In this embodiment, the axial direction X is also the thickness direction of the blade bodies 10 and 20, which are formed in a flat plate shape (the direction intersecting the blade bodies 10 and 20), and the intersecting direction Y and the opposing direction Z are also directions in which the blade bodies 10 and 20 extend. Additionally, the direction from the second blade body 20 toward the first blade body 10 along the opposing direction Z is referred to as the +Z direction or upward. The direction opposite to the +Z direction is referred to as the -Z direction or downward. One direction along the transverse direction Y is referred to as the +Y direction or rightward. The direction opposite to the +Y direction is referred to as the -Y direction or leftward. One direction along the axial direction X is referred to as the +X direction or forward. The direction opposite to the +X direction is referred to as the -X direction or backward.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 1, a first concave blade portion F1 is formed on the first opposing edge 10a. The first concave blade portion F1 has a shape recessed upward from the first opposing edge 10a. The first concave blade portion F1 has, for example, a U-shape (semicircular shape) when viewed from the axial direction X. A second concave blade portion F2 is formed on the second opposing edge 20a. The second concave blade portion F2 has a shape recessed downward from the second opposing edge 20a. The second concave blade portion F2 has, for example, a U-shape (semicircular shape) when viewed from the axial direction X. The concave blade portions F1 and F2 sandwich the optical fiber 70 in the opposing direction Z and make an incision in the coating 72.

[0028] When the sheath removal device 1 is in a closed state, the concave blade portions F1 and F2 face each other in the facing direction Z, forming a single opening F. In other words, a gap GP in which the optical fiber 70 is disposed is formed between the concave blade portions F1 and F2. The pair of blade bodies 10 and 20 are formed so that the inner diameter of the opening F (gap GP) is smaller than the sheath 72 of the optical fiber 70 and larger than the outer diameter of the bare wire portion 71 (see also FIG. 2B).

[0029] 1, 2A, and 2B, the heating unit 30 according to this embodiment includes a stage 31 and a heating unit base 32. The stage 31 is provided adjacent to the second blade body 20 in the axial direction X. More specifically, the stage 31 is provided adjacent to the rear of the second blade body 20. The upper surface of the stage 31 serves as a mounting surface 31a. An optical fiber 70 extending axially (rearward) from the pair of blade bodies 10, 20 is mounted on the mounting surface 31a.

[0030] 1, the heater base 32 is located above the base 40 and is fixed to the rear end of the base 40. The second blade body 20 is fixed to the front surface of the heater base 32. There are no particular limitations on the means for fixing the second blade body 20 to the heater base 32, but for example, screws can be used.

[0031] 2A and 2B, the stage 31 according to this embodiment includes a heater 31A and a housing portion 31B. The housing portion 31B houses the heater 31A so that the heater 31A is exposed on the upper surface of the stage 31. The heater 31A heats and softens the coating 72 of the optical fiber 70. In this embodiment, the above-mentioned mounting surface 31a is a heater surface that comes into contact with the coating 72 and heats it.

[0032] The pivotable lid 50 has a blade pressing portion 51, a fiber pressing portion (pressing portion) 52, and a lid base 53. The blade pressing portion 51, the fiber pressing portion 52, and the lid base 53 are fixed to one another.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 1, the lid base 53 is connected to the heating unit 30 (heating unit base 32) via the shaft A. This allows the rotating lid 50 to rotate relative to the heating unit 30 (heating unit base 32) around the shaft A as a rotation axis. The first blade 10 is fixed to the front surface of the lid base 53. There are no particular limitations on the means for fixing the first blade 10 to the lid base 53, but screws can be used, for example. In this embodiment, the rotating lid 50 rotates relative to the heating unit 30, switching between the open and closed states described above.

[0034] 2A and 2B, the fiber pressing portion 52 is fixed to the lower surface of the blade pressing portion 51. The fiber pressing portion 52 presses the optical fiber 70 against the mounting surface 31a. The fiber pressing portion 52 may be, for example, an elastic body (such as a plate-shaped rubber) that elastically presses the optical fiber 70 against the mounting surface 31a. The blade pressing portion 51 is fixed to the front surface of the lid base 53.

[0035] The blade pressing portion 51 presses the first blade body 10 toward the second blade body 20 (downward). Although not shown in detail, the blade pressing portion 51 may have a biasing member that biases the first blade body 10 downward. In this case, the blade pressing portion 51 applies a downward elastic pressing force (biasing force) to the first blade body 10. It is desirable that the blade pressing portion 51 and the first concave blade portion F1 are located at approximately the same position in the cross direction Y.

[0036] Note that the blade pressing portion 51 may be omitted if the first blade body 10 can be pressed toward the second blade body 20 by a fixing means (such as the above-mentioned screw) for fixing the first blade body 10 to the cover base 53. However, a configuration in which the blade pressing portion 51 elastically presses the first blade body 10 toward the second blade body 20 is preferable because it makes it easier to uniformize the force with which the blade bodies 10, 20 (concave blade portions F1, F2) clamp the optical fiber 70.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 1 , the gripping portion 60 grips the optical fiber 70. The gripping portion 60 is disposed in front of the blade bodies 10 and 20. The gripping portion 60 is configured to be linearly movable in the axial direction X. As a result, the gripping portion 60 is configured to be movable in the axial direction X relative to the blade bodies 10 and 20. The gripping portion 60 according to this embodiment moves linearly in the axial direction X along a linear guide GD provided on the upper surface of the base 40. The gripping portion 60 in the illustrated example has a base portion 61 that moves linearly along the linear guide GD, and a lid portion 62 that grips the optical fiber 70 together with the base portion 61. However, the configuration of the gripping portion 60 can be modified as appropriate.

[0038] At least one of the first blade body 10 and the second blade body 20 (for example, both the first blade body 10 and the second blade body 20) may be replaceable. With this configuration, the shape of the gap GP formed between the blade bodies 10, 20 can be changed by replacing the blade bodies 10, 20. This allows the coating removal device 1 to be compatible with multiple types of optical fibers 70 having coatings 72 with different diameters.

[0039] When removing the coating 72 from the optical fiber 70 using the coating removal device 1 according to this embodiment, first, the coating removal device 1 is opened, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A. Then, the optical fiber 70 held by the holding unit 60 is placed on the second concave blade portion F2 of the second blade body 20. At this time, the portion of the optical fiber 70 extending rearward from the second blade body 20 is placed on the mounting surface (heater surface) 31a of the stage 31. When the optical fiber 70 is held by the holding unit 60, it is preferable to ensure that the portion of the optical fiber 70 that contacts the mounting surface 31a is sufficiently long.

[0040] Next, the rotating lid 50 is closed to transition the sheath removal device 1 to a closed state. When the positional relationship between the blade bodies 10, 20 and the mounting surface 31a is appropriate, the blade bodies 10, 20 will contact only the coating 72 of the optical fiber 70 and cut an incision in the coating 72, as shown in Fig. 2B. Note that "when the positional relationship between the blade bodies 10, 20 and the mounting surface 31a is appropriate" means that the center of the gap GP between the blade bodies 10, 20 and the central axis O of the optical fiber 70 mounted on the mounting surface 31a is aligned.

[0041] At this time, the fiber pressing unit 52 presses the optical fiber 70 against the mounting surface 31a. As a result, the coating 72 is heated by the mounting surface 31a, which is a heater surface, and the coating 72 softens, weakening the adhesion between the coating 72 and the bare wire portion 71. In this state, the gripping unit 60 moves away from the blades 10, 20 in the axial direction X (forward), causing the coating 72 to be torn off at the positions where the blades 10, 20 made the incisions, and the torn coating 72 is removed from the optical fiber 70. The bare wire portion 71 is exposed in the area where the coating 72 has been removed.

[0042] Here, as shown in FIG. 2A , if the positional relationship between the blade bodies 10, 20 and the mounting surface 31a is inappropriate, the optical fiber 70 will be bent by the difference in height between the blade bodies 10, 20 and the mounting surface 31a when the rotating cover 50 is closed. If the optical fiber 70 is bent, the coating 72 may not be easily removed. Note that "if the positional relationship between the blade bodies 10, 20 and the mounting surface 31a is inappropriate" refers to a case where the center of the gap GP between the blade bodies 10, 20 does not coincide with the central axis O of the optical fiber 70 mounted on the mounting surface 31a. In particular, if the blade bodies 10, 20 are replaceable, the appropriate position of the mounting surface 31a will vary depending on the shape of the blade bodies 10, 20. Therefore, even if the position of the mounting surface 31a is optimized for a certain blade body 10, 20, the position of the mounting surface 31a may become inappropriate for the replaced blade body 10, 20.

[0043] Therefore, in the sheath removing device 1 according to this embodiment, an adjustment mechanism M that adjusts the position of the stage 31 (mounting surface 31a) in the facing direction Z is provided between the accommodation unit 31B and the heating unit base 32. In other words, by the action of the adjustment mechanism M, the stage 31 (mounting surface 31a) is configured to be movable in the facing direction Z relative to the pair of blade bodies 10, 20.

[0044] By providing such an adjustment mechanism M, it is possible to adjust the positional relationship between the blade bodies 10, 20 and the mounting surface 31a. Therefore, even when the blade bodies 10, 20 are replaceable, it is possible to adjust the position of the mounting surface 31a according to the shape of the blade bodies 10, 20. The specific configuration of the adjustment mechanism M will be described below.

[0045] The adjustment mechanism M according to this embodiment has an adjustment member 81, an adjustment screw 82, and a biasing member 83. The adjustment member 81 is configured to be movable in the axial direction X. A first sliding surface 81a is provided on the upper surface of the adjustment member 81. When the adjustment member 81 moves in the axial direction X, it slides against a second sliding surface 31b provided on the lower surface of the stage 31.

[0046] The first sliding surface 81a and the second sliding surface 31b are inclined surfaces inclined with respect to the facing direction Z. More specifically, the first sliding surface 81a and the second sliding surface 31b according to this embodiment are inclined downward as they extend forward. With this configuration, when the adjustment member 81 moves in the axial direction X, causing the first sliding surface 81a and the second sliding surface 31b to slide, the stage 31 (mounting surface 31a) moves in the facing direction Z. That is, when the adjustment member 81 moves forward, the stage 31 (mounting surface 31a) moves upward, and when the adjustment member 81 moves backward, the stage 31 (mounting surface 31a) moves downward. In other words, the sliding surfaces 81a and 31b link the movement of the adjustment member 81 in the axial direction X with the movement of the stage 31 (mounting surface 31a) in the facing direction Z.

[0047] It is preferable that the movement distance of the stage 31 (mounting surface 31a) is sufficiently small compared to the movement distance of the adjustment member 81. This makes it possible to finely adjust the position of the stage 31 (mounting surface 31a) (for example, in the μm range), and to accommodate, for example, minute differences in the diameter of the bare wire portion 71. When the inclination angle of the first sliding surface 81a (second sliding surface 31b) with respect to the axial direction X is d, such fine adjustment can be easily performed by setting d to be greater than 0° and equal to or less than 10°.

[0048] The biasing member 83 biases the adjustment member 81 rearward. There are no particular limitations on the type of biasing member 83, and the biasing member 83 may be, for example, a coil spring. In the example shown, the front end of the adjustment member 81 is fixed inside a fixing recess 32b formed in the heating unit base 32. The adjustment screw 82 is screwed from the rear into a threaded hole 32a that opens into the rear surface of the heating unit base 32. The front end of the adjustment screw 82 is in contact with the rear surface of the adjustment member 81. The adjustment screw 82 drives the movement of the adjustment member 81 in the axial direction X.

[0049] As the adjustment screw 82 is further screwed in, the front end of the adjustment screw 82 advances the adjustment member 81 against the elastic restoring force of the biasing member 83. On the other hand, as the adjustment screw 82 is loosened, the adjustment screw 82 retreats. Here, because the adjustment member 81 is biased rearward by the elastic restoring force of the biasing member 83, the adjustment member 81 retreats while the front end of the adjustment screw 82 remains in contact with the rear surface of the adjustment member 81. In other words, the biasing member 83 and the threaded hole 32a link the rotation of the adjustment screw 82 with the movement of the adjustment member 81 in the axial direction X. By using the adjustment screw 82 in this way, it becomes possible to more precisely adjust the amount of movement of the adjustment member 81 and the stage 31 (mounting surface 31a).

[0050] 1, the sheath removal device 1 according to this embodiment has an adjustment indicator 84 exposed to the outside of the sheath removal device 1. An operator can adjust the position of the mounting surface 31a to a desired position by turning the adjustment screw 82 while referring to the adjustment indicator 84. In the illustrated example, the adjustment indicator 84 is provided on the side surface (surface facing the intersecting direction Y) of the heating unit 30 (heating unit base 32). However, the position where the adjustment indicator 84 is provided can be changed as appropriate.

[0051] In the illustrated example, the adjustment indicator 84 has a pin 84a and a scale 84b. The pin 84a moves in the axial direction X in conjunction with the rotation of the adjustment screw 82. In other words, the movement of the pin 84a is also linked to the movement of the stage 31 (mounting surface 31a) in the facing direction Z and the movement of the adjustment member 81 in the axial direction X.

[0052] The scale 84b is provided along an area where the pin 84a moves (in the illustrated example, a long hole extending in the axial direction X and into which the pin 84a is inserted). The numbers on the scale 84b may correspond to the outer diameter of the coating 72. For example, when using the coating removal device 1 on an optical fiber 70 whose coating 72 has an outer diameter of 500 μm, an operator rotates the adjustment screw 82 to align the position of the pin 84a with the line (scale line) marked with the number "500." This adjusts the position of the mounting surface 31a to a position where the coating 72 of the optical fiber 70 whose coating 72 has an outer diameter of 500 μm can be effectively removed. Note that the configuration of the adjustment indicator 84 can be changed as appropriate as long as the operator can adjust the position of the mounting surface 31a to a desired position by referring to the adjustment indicator 84. Furthermore, the coating removal device 1 does not necessarily have to have the adjustment indicator 84.

[0053] Preferably, the stage 31 (mounting surface 31a) is movable only in the facing direction Z, and the adjustment member 81 is movable only in the axial direction X. This configuration makes it possible to prevent the stage 31 (mounting surface 31a) and the adjustment member 81 from moving in unintended directions.

[0054] Furthermore, the above-described adjustment mechanism M is merely one example, and can be modified as appropriate as long as it can move the stage 31 (mounting surface 31a) relative to the pair of blade bodies 10, 20 in the opposing direction Z. For example, the adjustment mechanism M does not need to have the biasing member 83. Even in this case, for example, by forming a threaded hole in the adjustment member 81 and threading the adjustment screw 82 into the threaded hole, the position of the adjustment member 81 can be fine-tuned by the adjustment screw 82. Furthermore, for example, if the elastic restoring force of the biasing member 83 is sufficiently strong, the first sliding surface 81a and the second sliding surface 31b may be inclined so as to angle upward as they extend forward.

[0055] Furthermore, in the example described above, the stage 31 (mounting surface 31a) moves in the facing direction Z, but the direction in which the stage 31 (mounting surface 31a) moves (hereinafter referred to as the first adjustment direction) does not have to be the facing direction Z. For example, when the blade bodies 10, 20 sandwich the optical fiber 70 horizontally (i.e., when the facing direction Z is horizontal), the first adjustment direction may intersect with the facing direction Z. The first adjustment direction is not particularly limited as long as it is a direction that intersects with the mounting surface 31a of the stage 31.

[0056] Similarly, in the example described above, the adjustment member 81 moves in the axial direction X, but the direction in which the adjustment member 81 moves (hereinafter referred to as the second adjustment direction) does not have to be the axial direction X. For example, the second adjustment direction may be the intersecting direction Y. The second adjustment direction is not particularly limited as long as it is a direction intersecting the first adjustment direction.

[0057] As described above, the sheath removal device 1 according to this embodiment is a sheath removal device that removes the sheath 72 of the optical fiber 70, and includes a pair of blade bodies 10, 20 including a first blade body 10 and a second blade body 20 that sandwich the optical fiber 70 between the first blade body 10 and the second blade body 20 in the facing direction Z to make an incision in the sheath 72, and a stage 31 that is provided adjacent to the second blade body 20 in the axial direction X that intersects the facing direction Z and has a mounting surface 31a on which the optical fiber 70 extending from the second blade body 20 in the axial direction X is mounted, and the mounting surface 31a is configured to be movable relatively to the pair of blade bodies 10, 20 in a first adjustment direction (for example, the facing direction Z) that intersects the mounting surface 31a. That is, the sheath removal device 1 includes an adjustment mechanism M.

[0058] With this configuration, the placement surface 31a can be moved relative to the blade bodies 10, 20, and the positional relationship between the blade bodies 10, 20 and the placement surface 31a can be adjusted.

[0059] Moreover, the sheath removal device 1 according to this embodiment further includes a fiber pressing unit (pressing unit) 52 that presses the optical fiber 70 against the mounting surface 31a. The mounting surface 31a is a heater surface that contacts the sheath 72 and heats the sheath 72. In a sheath removal device in which the optical fiber 70 is pressed against the mounting surface 31a (heater surface), if the positional relationship between the blade bodies 10, 20 and the mounting surface 31a is inappropriate, the blade bodies 10, 20 are more likely to come into contact with the bare wire portion 71. This is because the pressing force applied to the optical fiber 70 by the fiber pressing unit 52 can act to bring the optical fiber 70 (bare wire portion 71) and the blade bodies 10, 20 closer to each other. According to the sheath removal device 1 according to this embodiment, even when the fiber pressing unit 52 presses the optical fiber 70, contact between the blade bodies 10, 20 and the bare wire portion 71 can be prevented by adjusting the positional relationship between the blade bodies 10, 20 and the mounting surface 31a.

[0060] The sheath removal device 1 according to this embodiment further includes a gripping unit 60 that grips the optical fiber 70 and is movable in the axial direction X relative to the pair of blade bodies 10, 20. With this configuration, the sheath 72 of the optical fiber 70 can be easily removed.

[0061] Furthermore, at least one of the first blade body 10 and the second blade body 20 may be replaceable. With this configuration, the shape of the gap GP formed between the blade bodies 10, 20 can be changed by replacing the blade bodies 10, 20. This allows the sheath removal device 1 to be compatible with multiple types of optical fibers 70 having different diameters of the coating 72. Furthermore, even if the appropriate position of the mounting surface 31a changes due to replacement of the blade bodies 10, 20, the positional relationship between the blade bodies 10, 20 and the mounting surface 31a can be made appropriate by adjusting the position of the mounting surface 31a.

[0062] The sheath removal device 1 according to this embodiment further includes an adjustment member 81 having a first sliding surface 81a and movable in a second adjustment direction (e.g., axial direction X) intersecting the first adjustment direction. The stage 31 has a second sliding surface 31b that slides against the first sliding surface 81a when the adjustment member 81 moves in the second adjustment direction. The first sliding surface 81a and the second sliding surface 31b are inclined with respect to the second adjustment direction so that the mounting surface 31a moves in the first adjustment direction when the first sliding surface 81a slides against the second sliding surface 31b as the adjustment member 81 moves in the second adjustment direction. This configuration makes it easy to realize a configuration in which the mounting surface 31a moves in the first adjustment direction. Furthermore, by changing the inclination angle of the sliding surfaces 81a and 31b with respect to the second adjustment direction, it is also possible to adjust the movement distance of the mounting surface 31a relative to the movement distance of the adjustment member 81.

[0063] Moreover, the sheath removing device 1 according to this embodiment further includes an adjustment screw 82 that drives the movement of the adjustment member 81 in the second adjustment direction. This configuration makes it easy to finely adjust the amount of movement of the adjustment member 81 and the mounting surface 31a.

[0064] Furthermore, when the inclination angle of the first sliding surface 81a with respect to the second adjustment direction is d, d is greater than 0° and equal to or less than 10°. This configuration makes it easy to finely adjust the position of the mounting surface 31a (for example, in μm units).

[0065] The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0066] For example, the sheath removal device 1 may be configured to remove the sheath of an optical fiber ribbon (optical fiber ribbon) in which a plurality of optical fibers 70 arranged in a tape shape are collectively coated with a single coating. In this case, the blade bodies 10, 20 may not have the concave blade portions F1, F2. That is, when viewed from the axial direction X, the opposing edges 10a, 20a of the blade bodies 10, 20 may extend linearly in the transverse direction Y. The sheath removal device 1 may then remove the sheath of the optical fiber ribbon by placing it in a gap GP formed between the linear opposing edges 10a, 20a.

[0067] Furthermore, although the gripping portion 60 in the above embodiment has the base portion 61 and the lid portion 62 and directly grips the optical fiber 70, the configuration of the gripping portion 60 is not limited to this. A portion of the optical fiber 70 may be housed in a box-shaped optical fiber holder, and the gripping portion 60 may be configured to indirectly grip the optical fiber 70 via the holder. With this configuration, an appropriate optical fiber holder can be selected depending on the diameter of the coating 72, and the central axis O of the optical fiber 70 in the gripping portion 60 can be aligned with the gap GP between the blades 10 and 20.

[0068] Furthermore, in cases where the optical fiber 70 is manually pulled out, the sheath removal device 1 does not need to include the gripping unit 60. However, a configuration in which the sheath removal device 1 includes the gripping unit 60 is preferable in that it makes it less likely for the blades 10 and 20 to come into contact with the bare wire portion 71 compared to when the optical fiber 70 is manually pulled out.

[0069] Furthermore, the mounting surface 31a of the stage 31 does not have to be a heater surface that heats the coating 72. In this case, the coating removal device 1 does not have to include the fiber pressing unit 52.

[0070] In addition, it is possible to replace the components in the above-described embodiments with well-known components as appropriate, and the above-described embodiments and variations may be combined as appropriate, without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0071] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1... Coating removal device 10... First blade 20... Second blade 31... Stage 31a... Placement surface (heater surface) 31b... Second sliding surface 52... Fiber pressing portion (pressing portion) 60... Grip portion 70... Optical fiber 72... Coating 81... Adjustment member 81a... First sliding surface 82... Adjustment screw

Claims

1. A coating removal device for removing a coating from an optical fiber, a pair of blades including a first blade body and a second blade body, the first blade body and the second blade body sandwiching the optical fiber in opposing directions to make an incision in the coating; a stage provided adjacent to the second blade body in an axial direction intersecting the opposing direction, and having a mounting surface on which the optical fiber extending from the pair of blade bodies in the axial direction is mounted; The mounting surface is configured to be movable relative to the pair of blade bodies in a first adjustment direction intersecting the mounting surface. Coating removal device.

2. a pressing unit that presses the optical fiber against the placement surface, the placement surface is a heater surface that contacts the coating and heats the coating; The coating removal device according to claim 1 .

3. a gripping portion that grips the optical fiber and is movable in the axial direction relative to the pair of blades; The coating removal device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. At least one of the first blade body and the second blade body is replaceable. The coating removal device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. an adjustment member having a first sliding surface and movable in a second adjustment direction intersecting the first adjustment direction; the stage has a second sliding surface that slides against the first sliding surface when the adjustment member moves in the second adjustment direction; the first sliding surface and the second sliding surface are inclined with respect to the second adjustment direction so that, when the adjustment member moves in the second adjustment direction and the first sliding surface and the second sliding surface slide against each other, the placement surface moves in the first adjustment direction. The coating removal device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The sheathing removal device of claim 5 , further comprising an adjustment screw that drives movement of the adjustment member in the second adjustment direction.

7. When an inclination angle of the first sliding surface with respect to the second adjustment direction is d, d is greater than 0° and is not more than 10°.

7. The coating removal device according to claim 5 or 6.

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