Coating remover

Abstract

A coating remover removes the resin coating located at the front end of an optical fiber having a glass fiber and a resin coating covering the outer periphery of the glass fiber. The coating remover comprises: a first holding portion that holds the resin coating located at the front end; a second holding portion that is arranged relative to the first holding portion in the direction in which the optical fiber core extends and that holds the base end of the optical fiber core adjacent to the front end; and a base portion that is arranged relative to the first holding portion and the second holding portion in a direction intersecting the direction in which the optical fiber core extends and that supports the first holding portion and the second holding portion. The first holding portion comprises: a heater that heats the resin coating located at the front end; and a blade that cuts into the resin coating. The first holding portion is slidably arranged relative to the base portion in the direction in which the optical fiber core extends. The second holding portion is fixed relative to the base portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a coating remover. This application claims priority based on Japanese Application No. 2019-213574 filed on November 26, 2019, and all the contents described in the aforementioned Japanese Application are incorporated herein by reference. Background Art

[0002] Patent document 1 discloses a coating remover. The coating remover has a main body and an optical fiber holder holding part. The main body has an optical fiber loading part and a cover. An optical fiber core wire having a glass fiber and a coating part covering the glass fiber is loaded on the optical fiber loading part. The optical fiber loading part has a first cutting blade for cutting the coating part. The cover is provided to be openable and closable relative to the optical fiber loading part. The cover has a second cutting blade. When the cover is closed relative to the optical fiber loading part, the second cutting blade is opposite to the first cutting blade. The optical fiber holder holding part holds the optical fiber holder holding the optical fiber core wire. The optical fiber holder holding part is connected to one end side of the main body and is provided to be freely slidable in a direction approaching and a direction separating relative to the main body.

[0003] Patent Document 2 discloses a coating removal device. The coating removal device comprises a main body, a holding portion, and a sliding portion. The main body has a blade for coating removal. The holding portion holds the optical fiber. The sliding portion connects the main body and the holding portion so that they can be moved closer and further apart. After the blade cuts into the coating of the optical fiber, the coating removal device separates the main body and the holding portion, removing the coating from the optical fiber.

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-184647

[0005] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-151433 Summary of the Invention

[0006] A coating remover according to one embodiment of the present invention removes a portion of the resin coating located at the front end of an optical fiber having a glass fiber and a resin coating covering the outer periphery of the glass fiber. The coating remover comprises a first holding portion, a second holding portion, and a base portion. The first holding portion holds the portion of the resin coating located at the front end. The second holding portion is arranged relative to the first holding portion in the direction in which the optical fiber core extends, and holds the base end portion of the optical fiber core adjacent to the front end portion. The base portion is arranged relative to the first holding portion and the second holding portion in a direction intersecting the direction in which the optical fiber core extends. The base portion supports the first holding portion and the second holding portion. The first holding portion comprises: a heater that heats the portion of the resin coating located at the front end portion; and a blade that cuts into the portion of the resin coating located at the boundary between the front end portion and the base end portion. The first holding portion is slidably arranged relative to the base portion in the direction in which the optical fiber core extends. The second holding portion is fixed relative to the base portion.

[0007] Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a coating remover that removes a portion of the resin coating located at the distal end of a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber, each of which includes a glass fiber and a resin coating covering the outer periphery of the glass fiber. The coating remover comprises a first holding portion, a second holding portion, a third holding portion, and a base portion. The first holding portion holds the portion of the resin coating located at the distal end of a first optical fiber extending from one side in a predetermined direction, or the portion of the resin coating located at the distal end of a second optical fiber extending from the other side in the predetermined direction. The second holding portion is disposed on one side in the predetermined direction relative to the first holding portion. The second holding portion holds the base end adjacent to the distal end of the first optical fiber. The third holding portion is disposed on the other side in the predetermined direction relative to the first holding portion. The third holding portion holds the base end adjacent to the distal end of the second optical fiber. The base portion is disposed in a direction intersecting the predetermined direction relative to the first, second, and third holding portions. The base portion supports the first holding portion, the second holding portion, and the third holding portion. The first holding portion includes a heater, a first blade, and a second blade. The heater heats the portion of the resin coating of the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber located at the front end. The first blade cuts into the portion of the resin coating of the first optical fiber located at the boundary between the front end and the base end. The second blade cuts into the portion of the resin coating of the second optical fiber located at the boundary between the front end and the base end. The first holding portion is slidably arranged in a predetermined direction relative to the base portion. The second holding portion and the third holding portion are fixed relative to the base portion. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1This is a perspective view showing the appearance of a coating remover according to one embodiment, showing a state in which the cover of the coating remover is closed.

[0009] Figure 2 This is a perspective view showing the appearance of a coating remover according to one embodiment, showing a state in which the cover of the coating remover is opened.

[0010] Figure 3 It is a side view of the optical fiber core.

[0011] Figure 4 It is along Figure 3 The cross-sectional view along line IV-IV of FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the central axis of the optical fiber core.

[0012] Figure 5 It means Figure 1 and Figure 2 An oblique view showing the cover removed.

[0013] Figure 6 This is a perspective view showing the appearance of a coating remover according to a modified example, showing a state in which the cover is opened. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] [Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

[0015] When fusion splicing optical fibers, the resin coating is first removed from the distal ends of the optical fibers to be connected. Then, the distal ends of the optical fibers are butted together and fused together using electrical discharge. After fusion, the removed resin coating is re-covered with a resin tube. A coating remover is used to remove the resin coating from the distal ends of the optical fibers.

[0016] A typical coating remover is composed of a front end holding portion that holds the front end of the optical fiber core and a base end holding portion that holds the base end of the optical fiber core as a separate structure. The front end holding portion cuts into the resin coating and heats the resin coating. Then, by separating the base end holding portion from the front end holding portion, the resin coating at the front end is pulled out from the optical fiber core. However, if the base end holding portion is separated from the front end holding portion, the base end held by the base end holding portion at the optical fiber core will move. Therefore, the operating excess length of the optical fiber core needs to be lengthened, and the operation tends to become cumbersome.

[0017] [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a coating remover capable of shortening the working excess length of an optical fiber without moving the base end holding portion.

[0019] [Description of Embodiments of the Invention]

[0020] First, the embodiments of the present invention will be described. A coating remover according to one embodiment of the present invention removes a portion of the resin coating located at the front end of an optical fiber having a glass fiber and a resin coating covering the outer periphery of the glass fiber. The coating remover comprises a first holding portion, a second holding portion, and a base portion. The first holding portion holds the portion of the resin coating located at the front end. The second holding portion is arranged relative to the first holding portion in the direction in which the optical fiber core extends, and holds the base end portion of the optical fiber core adjacent to the front end. The base portion is arranged relative to the first holding portion and the second holding portion in a direction intersecting the direction in which the optical fiber core extends. The base portion supports the first holding portion and the second holding portion. The first holding portion comprises: a heater that heats the portion of the resin coating located at the front end; and a blade that cuts into the portion of the resin coating located at the boundary between the front end and the base end. The first holding portion is slidably arranged relative to the base portion in the direction in which the optical fiber core extends. The second holding portion is fixed relative to the base portion.

[0021] When using the coating remover, first slide the first holding part, which serves as the front end holding part, and bring it close to the second holding part, which serves as the base end holding part. In this state, the optical fiber core is held by the first holding part and the second holding part. In addition, the portion of the resin coating at the front end of the optical fiber core is heated by a heater. Then, slide the first holding part and separate it from the second holding part. At this time, the resin coating has a cut formed by the blade and is softened by heating. Therefore, it is pulled out from the optical fiber core in accordance with the sliding of the first holding part and removed from the optical fiber core. Then, the holding of the optical fiber core by the first holding part and the second holding part is released.

[0022] In this coating remover, the second holding portion, which holds the base end of the optical fiber, is fixed relative to the base portion, while the first holding portion, which holds the front end of the optical fiber, slides relative to the base portion. Therefore, the second holding portion, which holds the base end, does not move, and the base end held by the second holding portion on the optical fiber does not move. This reduces the remaining length of the optical fiber during operation, making operation easier.

[0023] In the above-mentioned coating remover, the first and second holding portions may include a base and a cover. The optical fiber core is placed on the base. The cover is provided so as to be openable and closable relative to the base. The first and second holding portions hold the optical fiber core by sandwiching the optical fiber core between the base and the cover.

[0024] The coating remover may further include a rotatable shaft, a first mechanism, and a second mechanism. The shaft extends through the first and second holding portions along the extending direction. The first mechanism converts the rotation of the shaft into an opening and closing operation of a cover portion of the first holding portion. The second mechanism converts the rotation of the shaft into an opening and closing operation of a cover portion of the second holding portion.

[0025] In the coating remover described above, the base portion may include a ball screw extending in the extending direction, and the first holding portion may include a portion threadedly engaged with the ball screw and slide in accordance with rotation of the ball screw.

[0026] Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a coating remover that removes a portion of the resin coating located at the distal end of a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber, each of which includes a glass fiber and a resin coating covering the outer periphery of the glass fiber. The coating remover comprises a first holding portion, a second holding portion, a third holding portion, and a base portion. The first holding portion holds the portion of the resin coating located at the distal end of a first optical fiber extending from one side in a predetermined direction, or the portion of the resin coating located at the distal end of a second optical fiber extending from the other side in the predetermined direction. The second holding portion is disposed on one side in the predetermined direction relative to the first holding portion. The second holding portion holds the base end adjacent to the distal end of the first optical fiber. The third holding portion is disposed on the other side in the predetermined direction relative to the first holding portion. The third holding portion holds the base end adjacent to the distal end of the second optical fiber. The base portion is disposed in a direction intersecting the predetermined direction relative to the first, second, and third holding portions. The base portion supports the first holding portion, the second holding portion, and the third holding portion. The first holding portion includes a heater, a first blade, and a second blade. The heater heats the portion of the resin coating of the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber located at the front end. The first blade cuts into the portion of the resin coating of the first optical fiber located at the boundary between the front end and the base end. The second blade cuts into the portion of the resin coating of the second optical fiber located at the boundary between the front end and the base end. The first holding portion is slidably arranged in a predetermined direction relative to the base portion. The second holding portion and the third holding portion are fixed relative to the base portion.

[0027] When removing the coating of a first optical fiber extending from one side in a predetermined direction, the first holding portion, serving as the distal end holding portion, is first slid closer to the second holding portion, serving as the proximal end holding portion. In this state, the first optical fiber is held by the first and second holding portions. Furthermore, the portion of the resin coating at the distal end of the first optical fiber is heated using a heater. The first holding portion is then slid away from the second holding portion. In other words, the first holding portion is brought closer to the third holding portion. At this point, the resin coating has cuts formed by the blades and softens due to the heating. Therefore, it is pulled out of the first optical fiber in response to the sliding of the first holding portion, and removed from the first optical fiber. The first optical fiber, which is held by the first and second holding portions, is then released. When removing the coating of a second optical fiber extending from the other side in the predetermined direction, the first holding portion, serving as the distal end holding portion, is first slid closer to the third holding portion, serving as the proximal end holding portion. In this state, the second optical fiber core is held by the first holding portion and the third holding portion. Furthermore, the portion of the resin coating at the front end of the second optical fiber core is heated by a heater. Then, the first holding portion is slid and separated from the third holding portion. In other words, the first holding portion is brought closer to the second holding portion. At this time, the resin coating has a cut formed by the blade and is softened by the heat, so it is pulled out of the second optical fiber core in response to the sliding of the first holding portion and removed from the second optical fiber core. Then, the retention of the second optical fiber core by the first holding portion and the third holding portion is released.

[0028] In this coating remover, the second and third retaining portions, which respectively hold the base ends of the first and second optical fibers, are fixed relative to the base portion. Furthermore, the first retaining portion, which holds the front ends of the first and second optical fibers, is slid relative to the base portion. Therefore, the second and third retaining portions, which serve as base end retaining portions, do not need to be moved, and the base ends held by the second and third retaining portions at the first and second optical fibers do not move. This shortens the excess length of the first and second optical fibers, making the process easier. Furthermore, the coating remover can remove the coating from both the first optical fiber extending from one side in a predetermined direction and the second optical fiber extending from the other side in the predetermined direction. Therefore, the coating removal operation can be performed without changing the orientation of the pair of optical fibers to be fused, making the series of operations involved in fusion splicing easier. Furthermore, in this coating remover, the second and third holding parts are fixed relative to the base part, and the first holding part, located between the second and third holding parts, is caused to slide. Therefore, compared to a case where the first holding part is fixed and the second and third holding parts are caused to slide, the area required for the sliding operation can be reduced. Consequently, the coating remover can be constructed in a compact manner.

[0029] In the above-mentioned coating remover, the heater may include a first heating zone and a second heating zone. The first heating zone heats the portion of the resin coating located at the distal end of the first optical fiber. The second heating zone is arranged in a predetermined direction relative to the first heating zone and heats the portion of the resin coating located at the distal end of the second optical fiber. As described above, the above-mentioned effect can be achieved even if different heating zones are used for the first optical fiber extending from one side of the predetermined direction and the second optical fiber extending from the other side of the predetermined direction.

[0030] In the above-described de-coating device, the heater may include a heating region for heating the resin coating portions of the first and second optical fibers located at the distal ends. As described above, the heating region for the first optical fiber extending from one side of the predetermined direction may be shared with the heating region for the second optical fiber extending from the other side of the predetermined direction. This reduces the heating region and enables miniaturization of the de-coating device.

[0031] In the aforementioned coating remover, the second holding portion may include a first detection portion for detecting the presence of the first optical fiber core, and the third holding portion may include a second detection portion for detecting the presence of the second optical fiber core. Furthermore, the coating remover may further include a first sensor and a second sensor. The first sensor detects when the first holding portion is positioned near the second holding portion. The second sensor detects when the first holding portion is positioned near the third holding portion. Using these detection portions and sensors, the coating remover can identify the relative positions of the first, second, and third holding portions. For example, when the second holding portion holds an optical fiber core and the first holding portion is positioned near the third holding portion, the coating remover should not begin a series of operations for coating removal. When the third holding portion holds an optical fiber core and the first holding portion is positioned near the second holding portion, the coating remover should also not begin a series of operations for coating removal. According to this coating remover, for example, even if an operator mistakenly operates the coating remover in the above-mentioned state, a safety function can be easily achieved in which a series of operations for coating removal are not automatically started.

[0032] In the above-mentioned coating remover, the first holding portion may include a first base portion for placing the front end portion of the first optical fiber core or the second optical fiber core, and a first cover portion that is freely openable and closable relative to the first base portion. The first holding portion holds the front end portion by sandwiching the front end portion between the first base portion and the first cover portion. The second holding portion may include a second base portion for placing the base end portion of the first optical fiber core, and a second cover portion that is freely openable and closable relative to the second base portion. The second holding portion holds the base end portion of the first optical fiber core by sandwiching the base end portion of the first optical fiber core between the second base portion and the second cover portion. The third holding portion may include a third base portion for placing the base end portion of the second optical fiber core, and a third cover portion that is freely openable and closable relative to the third base portion. The third holding portion holds the base end portion of the second optical fiber core by sandwiching the base end portion of the second optical fiber core between the third base portion and the third cover portion.

[0033] The coating remover may further include a rotatable shaft, a first mechanism, a second mechanism, and a third mechanism. The shaft extends through the first, second, and third holding portions in a predetermined direction. The first mechanism converts the rotation of the shaft into an opening and closing operation of the first cover of the first holding portion. The second mechanism converts the rotation of the shaft into an opening and closing operation of the second cover of the second holding portion. The third mechanism converts the rotation of the shaft into an opening and closing operation of the third cover of the third holding portion.

[0034] In the above-mentioned coating remover, the heater may be provided between the first blade and the second blade in a predetermined direction.

[0035] In the coating remover described above, the base portion may include a ball screw extending in a predetermined direction, and the first holding portion may include a portion threadedly engaged with the ball screw and slide in accordance with rotation of the ball screw.

[0036] [Details of the embodiments of the present invention]

[0037] Specific examples of the coating remover of the present invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention is not limited to these examples but is defined by the appended claims, encompassing all modifications within the scope and equivalents of the appended claims. In the following description, identical elements are denoted by the same reference numerals as in the accompanying drawings, and duplicate descriptions are omitted.

[0038] Figure 1 and Figure 2 It is a perspective view showing the appearance of a coating remover (stripper) 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 The state in which the cover parts 22, 32, 42 of the coating remover 1 are closed is shown. Figure 2 FIG. 2 shows a state where the cover parts 22, 32, and 42 of the coating remover 1 are opened. Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the coating remover 1 has a front end holding portion 2, a base end holding portion 3, a base end holding portion 4, and a base portion 5. The front end holding portion 2 is an example of the first holding portion of the present invention. The base end holding portion 3 is an example of the second holding portion of the present invention. The base portion 4 is an example of the third holding portion of the present invention. The base portion 5 is arranged in a direction intersecting with the extending direction of the optical fiber core wire, that is, the prescribed direction A, relative to the front end holding portion 2 and the base end holding portions 3 and 4. The base portion 5 is connected to the workbench where the coating remover 1 is installed. The base portion 5 acts as a base for supporting the front end holding portion 2 and the base end holding portions 3 and 4. The base portion 5 extends along the prescribed direction A.

[0039] The optical fiber core wire that is the target of coating removal will be described. Figure 3 It is a side view of the optical fiber core 100. Figure 4 It is along Figure 3 Cross-sectional view of line IV-IV. Figure 4 A cross section perpendicular to the central axis of the optical fiber core 100 is shown. The optical fiber core 100 includes a glass fiber 101 and a resin coating 102 covering the glass fiber 101. The cross section of the glass fiber 101 is circular. The glass fiber 101 extends along the central axis of the optical fiber core 100. The diameter D1 of the glass fiber 101 is, for example, 0.125 mm. The diameter D2 of the resin coating 102 is, for example, 0.25 mm. The optical fiber core 100 includes a front end 103 and a base end 104. The front end 103 includes a front end face 105 and has a predetermined length. The base end 104 is located on the base end side of the optical fiber core 100 relative to the front end 103 and is adjacent to the front end 103. Figure 1 and Figure 2 The coating remover 1 shown is a device for removing a portion of the resin coating 102 located at the front end portion 103 of the optical fiber 100 from the optical fiber 100 .

[0040] Refer again Figure 1 and Figure 2. The front end holding portion 2 has a base 21 and a cover 22. The cover 22 is freely opened and closed relative to the base 21 via a folding portion 26. The shaft 61 is rotatably arranged, extends along a predetermined direction A, and penetrates the front end holding portion 2 and the base end holding portions 3 and 4 along the predetermined direction A. The opening and closing action of the cover 22 is performed via a link mechanism that converts the rotation action of the shaft 61 into the opening and closing action of the cover 22. The base 21 has a surface 21a on which the front end portion 103 of the optical fiber core wire 100 is placed. The cover 22 has a surface 22a opposite to the surface 21a. The front end holding portion 2 sandwiches the front end portion 103 of the optical fiber core wire 100 between the surface 21a and the surface 22a in both cases when the optical fiber core wire 100 extends from one side of the predetermined direction A, such as the base end holding portion 3 side, and when the optical fiber core wire 100 extends from the other side of the predetermined direction A, such as the base end holding portion 4 side. As described above, the distal end holding portion 2 sandwiches the distal end portion 103 between the surface 21 a and the surface 22 a , thereby holding the resin coating layer 102 of the distal end portion 103 .

[0041] The front end holding portion 2 has a pair of blades 24 and a pair of blades 25. The pair of blades 24 is an example of the first blade of the present invention. The pair of blades 25 is an example of the second blade of the present invention. The pair of blades 24 is arranged near one end of the front end holding portion 2 in the predetermined direction A. When the optical fiber core 100 extends from one side of the predetermined direction A, such as the side of the base end holding portion 3, the pair of blades 24 cuts into the portion of the resin coating 102 located at the boundary between the front end portion 103 and the base end portion 104. The pair of blades 25 (second blades) is arranged near the other end of the front end holding portion 2 in the predetermined direction A. When the optical fiber core 100 extends from the other side of the predetermined direction A, such as the side of the base end holding portion 4, the pair of blades 25 cuts into the portion of the resin coating 102 located at the boundary between the front end portion 103 and the base end portion 104. The pair of blades 24 has a lower blade 24a and an upper blade 24b. The lower blade 24a is attached to the base 21. The upper blade 24b is attached to the lid 22 and faces the lower blade 24a when the lid 22 is closed. The lower blade 24a and the upper blade 24b extend along a plane perpendicular to the predetermined direction A, with the predetermined direction A being the thickness direction. The lower blade 24a and the upper blade 24b cut into the resin coating 102 by sandwiching the optical fiber 100 therebetween. The pair of blades 25 includes a lower blade 25a and an upper blade 25b. The lower blade 25a is attached to the base 21. The upper blade 25b is attached to the lid 22 and faces the lower blade 25a when the lid 22 is closed. The lower blade 25a and the upper blade 25b extend along a plane perpendicular to the predetermined direction A, with the predetermined direction A being the thickness direction. The lower blade 25a and the upper blade 25b cut into the resin coating 102 by sandwiching the optical fiber 100 therebetween. The lower blades 24a, 25a and the upper blades 24b, 25b are made of metal, for example. The spacing between the lower blades 24a, 25a and the upper blades 24b when the lid 22 is closed and the spacing between the lower blades 25a, 25b when the lid 22 is closed are set so that the lower blades 24a, 25a and the upper blades 24b, 25b can cut into the resin coating 102 without touching the glass fiber 101.

[0042] The front end holding portion 2 also includes a heater 23 for heating the resin coating 102. The heater 23 is composed of, for example, an electric heating wire. The heater 23 is provided between the lower blade 24a and the lower blade 25a on the surface 21a of the base 21. The heater 23 of this embodiment includes a heating region 23a and a heating region 23b. The heating region 23a is an example of the first heating region of the present invention. The heating region 23b is an example of the second heating region of the present invention. The heating regions 23a and 23b are arranged in a predetermined direction A. The heating region 23a is located between the lower blade 24a and the heating region 23b. The heating region 23b is located between the lower blade 25a and the heating region 23a. The heating region 23a heats the resin coating 102 when the optical fiber core wire 100 extends from one side of the predetermined direction A, for example, from the side of the base end holding portion 3. The heating region 23b heats the resin coating 102 when the optical fiber 100 extends from the other side of the predetermined direction A, for example, from the proximal end holding portion 4. The supply of power to the heater 23 is controlled by a heater power switch. The heater power switch is turned on when the cover 22 is closed relative to the base 21 and turned off when the cover 22 is opened relative to the base 21. In other words, the heater 23 generates heat when the cover 22 is closed relative to the base 21.

[0043] The distal end holding portion 2 is provided to be slidable in a predetermined direction A relative to the base portion 5 . Figure 5 It means Figure 1 and Figure 2 The oblique view of the case where the cover 51 is removed is shown. Figure 5 As shown, the base portion 5 has a ball screw 52 extending in a predetermined direction A. The front end retaining portion 2 has a movable plate 27 screwed with the ball screw 52. The movable plate 27 moves along the ball screw 52 in accordance with the rotation of the ball screw 52. That is, if the ball screw 52 rotates in a certain direction, the front end retaining portion 2 slides in a direction approaching the base end retaining portion 3, in other words, in a direction separating from the base end retaining portion 4. If the ball screw 52 rotates in a direction opposite to the direction, the front end retaining portion 2 slides in a direction approaching the base end retaining portion 4, in other words, in a direction separating from the base end retaining portion 3. The movement of the ball screw 52 is controlled by a computer built into the coating remover 1.

[0044] The proximal end holding portion 3 is fixed relative to the base portion 5. The proximal end holding portion 3 is arranged side by side with the distal end holding portion 2 on one side in the predetermined direction A. In other words, when the optical fiber 100 extends from one side in the predetermined direction A, the proximal end of the distal end holding portion 2 is arranged side by side with the distal end holding portion 2 on the proximal side of the direction in which the optical fiber 100 extends. In this case, the proximal end holding portion 3 holds a portion of the proximal end 104 of the optical fiber 100, which is closer to the proximal end than the distal end 103. More specifically, the proximal end holding portion 3 holds a fiber holder that holds a portion of the proximal end 104 of the optical fiber 100. The proximal end holding portion 3 includes a holder mounting portion 31 for mounting the fiber holder and a cover 32. The cover 32 is mounted on the holder mounting portion 31 so that it can be freely opened and closed via a hinged portion 35. The opening and closing of the cover 32 is performed via a linkage mechanism that converts the rotation of the shaft 61 into the opening and closing of the cover 32.

[0045] A magnet is mounted on the lower surface of the optical fiber holder. A metal plate 33 coupled to the magnet of the optical fiber holder is provided on the surface of the holder mounting portion 31 opposite to the cover portion 32. This facilitates the loading operation of the optical fiber holder on the holder mounting portion 31. A rubber plate 34 is mounted on the surface of the cover portion 32 opposite to the holder mounting portion 31. The base end holding portion 3 holds the optical fiber holder mounted on the holder mounting portion 31 by clamping it between the metal plate 33 of the holder mounting portion 31 and the rubber plate 34 of the cover portion 32. By adjusting the loading position of the optical fiber holder relative to the optical fiber core wire 100, the length of the removed portion of the resin coating 102 can be adjusted.

[0046] The proximal end holding portion 4 is fixed relative to the base portion 5. The proximal end holding portion 4 is arranged on the other side of the predetermined direction A relative to the distal end holding portion 2. In other words, when the optical fiber 100 extends from the other side of the predetermined direction A, the proximal end of the distal end holding portion 2 is arranged on the proximal side of the extending direction of the optical fiber 100. In this case, the proximal end holding portion 4 holds a portion of the proximal end 104 of the optical fiber 100, which is closer to the proximal end than the distal end 103. More specifically, the proximal end holding portion 4 holds a fiber holder that holds a portion of the proximal end 104 of the optical fiber 100. The proximal end holding portion 4 includes a holder mounting portion 41 for mounting the fiber holder and a cover 42. The cover 42 is mounted on the holder mounting portion 41 so that it can be freely opened and closed via a hinged portion 45. The opening and closing of the cover 42 is performed via a linkage mechanism that converts the rotation of the shaft 61 into the opening and closing of the cover 42.

[0047] A metal plate 43, which engages with the magnets of the optical fiber holder, is provided on the surface of the holder mounting portion 41 that faces the cover portion 42. This facilitates the placement of the optical fiber holder on the holder mounting portion 41. A rubber plate 44 is attached to the surface of the cover portion 42 that faces the holder mounting portion 41. The base end holding portion 4 holds the optical fiber holder placed on the holder mounting portion 41 by sandwiching the metal plate 43 of the holder mounting portion 41 and the rubber plate 44 of the cover portion 42.

[0048] Each of the proximal end holding portion 3 and the proximal end holding portion 4 includes a detection portion for detecting the presence of the optical fiber 100. Specifically, switches 64 and 65 are provided on the back sides of the metal plates 33 and 43 in the holder mounting portions 31 and 41. Switch 64 is an example of the first detection portion of the present invention. Switch 65 is an example of the second detection portion of the present invention. When a fiber holder is mounted on either of the holder mounting portions 31 and 41, the switch of the holder mounting portion where the fiber holder is mounted is turned on, detecting that the fiber holder is mounted on the holder mounting portion, that is, the presence of the optical fiber 100 on the holder mounting portion.

[0049] The coating remover 1 further includes a sensor 54 and a sensor 55. The sensor 54 is an example of the first sensor of the present invention. The sensor 55 is an example of the second sensor of the present invention. The sensor 54 is provided on the base portion 5 at a position close to the base end holding portion 3. When the movable plate 27 abuts against the sensor 54, the sensor 54 is turned on and detects that the distal end holding portion 2 is located close to the base end holding portion 3. In addition, the sensor 55 is provided on the base portion 5 at a position close to the base end holding portion 4. When the movable plate 27 abuts against the sensor 55, the sensor 55 is turned on and detects that the distal end holding portion 2 is located close to the base end holding portion 4.

[0050] The coating remover 1 also includes a power switch 11, a mode switch 12, a front end retainer movement switch 17, and a removal start switch 18. The coating remover 1 also includes a heating temperature indicator 13, a heating time indicator 14, a mode indicator 15, and a speed indicator 16. The power switch 11 is used by the operator to turn the power of the coating remover 1 on and off. The mode switch 12 is used by the operator to switch the operating mode of the coating remover 1 between automatic mode and semi-automatic mode. The front end retainer movement switch 17 is used to simply move the front end retainer 2 from the base end retainer 3 side to the base end retainer 4 side or vice versa. The removal start switch 18 is used to start coating removal. If the operating mode is set to automatic mode, pressing the removal start switch 18 automatically initiates a series of operations: closing the covers 22, 32, and 42, heating the heater 23, and sliding the front end retainer 2. When the operation mode is set to the semi-automatic mode, if the operator presses the removal start switch 18, the operations other than closing the covers 22, 32, 42, that is, heating by the heater 23 and sliding of the front end holding portion 2 are automatically performed.

[0051] The heating temperature indicator 13 shows the current heating temperature setting value of the heater 23. The heating temperature setting value of the heater 23 can be changed in stages using a switch provided in the heating temperature indicator 13. The heating time indicator 14 shows the current heating time setting value of the heater 23. The heating time setting value of the heater 23 can be changed in stages using a switch provided in the heating time indicator 14. The mode indicator 15 shows the current operation mode. The speed indicator 16 shows the current moving speed setting value of the front end holding unit 2. The moving speed setting value of the front end holding unit 2 can be changed in stages using a switch provided in the speed indicator 16.

[0052] The operation of the coating remover 1 having the above structure will be described. First, the operator operates the front end holding portion movement switch 17, sliding the front end holding portion 2 toward the base end holding portion 3. The operator places a fiber holder on the base end 104 of the optical fiber 100 (first optical fiber) and opens the covers 22, 32, and 42. The operator places the fiber holder on the holder mounting portion 31 of the base end holding portion 3 and places the front end 103 of the optical fiber 100 on the base 21 of the front end holding portion 2. In this state, the optical fiber 100 extends from one side in the predetermined direction A. If the operator operates the removal start switch 18, the covers 22, 32, and 42 close, and the optical fiber 100 is held by the front end holding portion 2 and the base end holding portion 3. Furthermore, the portion of the resin coating 102 of the optical fiber 100 located at the front end 103 is heated by the heating area 23a of the heater 23. Then, the front end retaining portion 2 is slid and separated from the base end retaining portion 3. In other words, the front end retaining portion 2 is brought closer to the base end retaining portion 4. At this time, the resin coating 102 has a cut formed by the blade 24 and is softened by the heat. Therefore, the portion of the resin coating 102 located at the front end portion 103 of the optical fiber 100 is pulled out of the optical fiber 100 in response to the sliding of the front end retaining portion 2 and removed from the optical fiber 100. Then, the covers 22, 32, and 42 are opened again, and the retention of the optical fiber 100 by the front end retaining portion 2 and the base end retaining portion 3 is released. Thus, the removal of the coating of the optical fiber 100 is completed.

[0053] Next, the operator places the base end 104 of another optical fiber 100 (the second optical fiber) on the optical fiber holder. The operator places the optical fiber holder on the holder mounting portion 41 of the base end holder 4 and places the tip end 103 of the optical fiber 100 on the base 21 of the front end holder 2. In this case, the optical fiber 100 extends from the other side of the predetermined direction A. If the operator operates the removal start switch 18, the covers 22, 32, and 42 close, and the optical fiber 100 is held by the front end holder 2 and the base end holder 4. Furthermore, the portion of the resin coating 102 of the optical fiber 100 located at the tip end 103 is heated by the heating area 23b of the heater 23. The front end holder 2 is then slid and separated from the base end holder 4. In other words, the front end holder 2 is brought closer to the base end holder 3. At this point, the resin coating 102 has a cut formed by the blade 25 and is softened by the heat. As a result, the portion of the resin coating 102 at the distal end 103 of the optical fiber 100 is pulled out of the optical fiber 100 in response to the sliding of the distal end holding portion 2, and is removed from the optical fiber 100. The covers 22, 32, and 42 are then opened again, releasing the support provided by the distal end holding portion 2 and the proximal end holding portion 4 for the optical fiber 100. This completes the removal of the coating from the optical fiber 100.

[0054] The effects achieved by the coating remover 1 described above are as follows. In this coating remover 1, the base end retaining portion 3, which holds the base end 104 of the optical fiber 100 extending from one side of the predetermined direction A, and the base end retaining portion 4, which holds the base end 104 of the optical fiber 100 extending from the other side of the predetermined direction A, are fixed relative to the base portion 5. Furthermore, the front end retaining portion 2, which holds the front end 103 of these optical fibers 100, is slid relative to the base portion 5. In this case, the base end retaining portions 3 and 4 do not move. In other words, they remain stationary relative to the location where the coating remover 1 is installed. Therefore, the base end 104 held by the base end retaining portion 3 or the base end retaining portion 4 on each optical fiber 100 does not move. Consequently, the excess length of each optical fiber 100 can be shortened, making operation easier. Furthermore, the coating remover 1 can remove the coating from both the optical fiber 100 extending from one side of a predetermined direction A and the optical fiber 100 extending from the other side of the predetermined direction A. Therefore, the coating removal operation can be performed without changing the orientation of the pair of optical fibers 100 to be fusion-spliced, facilitating the series of operations involved in fusion splicing. For example, while one optical fiber 100, whose coating has been removed, is set in a fusion splicer, the coating removal operation can be performed simultaneously. Furthermore, in the coating remover 1, the base end retaining portions 3 and 4 are fixed relative to the base portion 5, while the front end retaining portion 2, located between the base end retaining portions 3 and 4, slides. Therefore, the area required for the sliding operation can be reduced compared to a case where the front end retaining portion 2 is fixed and the base end retaining portions 3 and 4 slide. Consequently, the coating remover 1 can be constructed in a compact manner.

[0055] As in this embodiment, the heater 23 may include a heating region 23a and a heating region 23b. The heating region 23a heats the resin coating 102 of the optical fiber 100 extending from one side in the predetermined direction A. The heating region 23b is arranged in the predetermined direction A relative to the heating region 23a and heats the resin coating 102 of the optical fiber 100 extending from the other side in the predetermined direction A. As described above, the effects of this embodiment can be achieved even when different heating regions are used for the optical fiber 100 extending from one side in the predetermined direction A and the optical fiber 100 extending from the other side in the predetermined direction A.

[0056] As in this embodiment, the proximal end holding portion 3 may include a switch 64 as a detection unit that detects the presence of the optical fiber 100 extending from one side of the predetermined direction A. The proximal end holding portion 4 may include a switch 65 as a detection unit that detects the presence of the optical fiber 100 extending from the other side of the predetermined direction A. Furthermore, the coating remover 1 may include sensors 54 and 55. Sensor 54 detects when the distal end holding portion 2 is positioned near the proximal end holding portion 3. Sensor 55 detects when the distal end holding portion 2 is positioned near the proximal end holding portion 4. Using these switches 64 and 65 and sensors 54 and 55, the coating remover 1 can identify the relative positions of the distal end holding portion 2 and the proximal end holding portions 3 and 4. For example, when the proximal end holding portion 3 holds the optical fiber 100 and the distal end holding portion 2 is positioned near the proximal end holding portion 4, the coating remover 1 should not begin the series of operations for coating removal. When the base end holding portion 4 holds the optical fiber 100 and the front end holding portion 2 is located close to the base end holding portion 3, the coating remover 1 should not start the series of operations for coating removal. According to the coating remover 1 of this embodiment, even if the operator mistakenly activates the coating remover 1 in this state, for example, a safety function can be easily implemented that prevents the series of operations for coating removal from being automatically started.

[0057] (Variation)

[0058] Figure 6 It is a perspective view showing the appearance of a coating remover 1A according to a modified example of the above-mentioned embodiment. Figure 6 The cover portions 22, 32, and 42 are shown in an open state. This modification differs from the above-described embodiment in the structure of the heater in the front end retaining portion 2; otherwise, the structure is the same as that of the above-described embodiment. The front end retaining portion 2 of this modification includes a heater 28 instead of the heater 23 of the above-described embodiment. The heater 28 includes a heating region 28a. The heating region 28a heats the resin coating 102 when the optical fiber 100 extends from one side of the predetermined direction A. Furthermore, the heating region 28a also heats the resin coating 102 when the optical fiber 100 extends from the other side of the predetermined direction A. In other words, the heater 28 has the same region for heating the resin coating 102 of the optical fiber 100 extending from one side of the predetermined direction A and the region for heating the resin coating 102 of the optical fiber 100 extending from the other side of the predetermined direction A.

[0059] As in this modification, the heating area used for the optical fiber 100 extending from one side of the predetermined direction A can be made common with the heating area used for the optical fiber 100 extending from the other side of the predetermined direction A. In this case, the required heating area can be reduced, thereby miniaturizing the de-coating device.

[0060] The coating remover according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and can be modified in various other ways. For example, while the coating remover 1 of the above-described embodiment and the coating remover 1A of the modified example include two proximal end retaining portions 3 and 4, the coating remover may also include only one proximal end retaining portion 3 or 4. In this case, the remaining length of the optical fiber can be shortened, making the operation easier. In this case, only one heating area of ​​the blade and heater of the distal end retaining portion 2 needs to correspond to the proximal end retaining portion 3 or 4.

[0061] Description of the label

[0062] 1. 1A…Coating remover

[0063] 2…Front end holding part

[0064] 3, 4…base end holding portion

[0065] 5…Abutment

[0066] 11…Power switch

[0067] 12…Mode switch

[0068] 13…Heating temperature indicator

[0069] 14…Heating time indicator

[0070] 15…Mode indicator

[0071] 16…Speed ​​indicator

[0072] 17…Front end holding part movement switch

[0073] 18…Remove the start switch

[0074] 21…base

[0075] 21a...noodles

[0076] 22…Cover

[0077] 22a...noodles

[0078] 23…Heater

[0079] 23a, 23b…heating area

[0080] 24, 25…blade

[0081] 24a, 25a…lower edge

[0082] 24b, 25b…top edge

[0083] 26…Fold

[0084] 27…Mobile board

[0085] 28…Heater

[0086] 28a…Heating area

[0087] 31, 41…cage mounting portion

[0088] 32, 42... cover

[0089] 33, 43…Metal plates

[0090] 34, 44… rubber sheet

[0091] 35, 45…folding part

[0092] 51…Hood

[0093] 52…Ball screw

[0094] 54…Sensor

[0095] 61…Axis

[0096] 100...Fiber optic core

[0097] 101…Fiberglass

[0098] 102…resin coating

[0099] 103…front end

[0100] 104…base end

[0101] 105…front end

[0102] A…Specified direction

[0103] D1, D2...diameter

Claims

1. A coating remover for removing portions of the resin coating located at the distal ends of first and second optical fibers each comprising a glass fiber and a resin coating covering the outer periphery of the glass fiber. The coating remover has: a first holding portion for holding a portion of the resin coating located at the distal end of the first optical fiber core wire extending from one side in a predetermined direction, or a portion of the resin coating located at the distal end of the second optical fiber core wire extending from the other side in the predetermined direction; a second holding portion disposed on one side of the predetermined direction relative to the first holding portion and holding a base end portion of the first optical fiber adjacent to the front end portion; a third holding portion disposed on the other side of the predetermined direction relative to the first holding portion and holding a base end portion of the second optical fiber core wire adjacent to the front end portion; and a base portion provided in a direction intersecting the predetermined direction relative to the first holding portion, the second holding portion, and the third holding portion, and supporting the first holding portion, the second holding portion, and the third holding portion; The first holding portion includes: a heater for heating the portion of the resin coating of the first and second optical fibers located at the tip end; a first blade for cutting into the portion of the resin coating of the first optical fiber located at the boundary between the tip end and the base end; and a second blade that cuts into a portion of the resin coating of the second optical fiber core located at a boundary between the front end portion and the base end portion, wherein the first holding portion is slidably provided relative to the base portion in the predetermined direction. The second holding portion and the third holding portion are fixed relative to the base portion. The heater includes: a first heating region for heating a portion of the resin coating of the first optical fiber located at the front end; and a second heating region for heating a portion of the resin coating of the second optical fiber located at the front end, arranged in the predetermined direction relative to the first heating region. The heater is provided between the first blade and the second blade in the predetermined direction.

2. The coating remover according to claim 1, wherein The heater includes a heating region that heats portions of the resin coating located at the distal ends of the first and second optical fibers.

3. The coating remover according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The second holding portion includes a first detection portion for detecting the presence or absence of the first optical fiber core wire. The third holding portion includes a second detecting portion for detecting the presence or absence of the second optical fiber core wire. The coating remover further includes a first sensor for detecting that the first holding portion is located close to the second holding portion, and a second sensor for detecting that the first holding portion is located close to the third holding portion.

4. The coating remover according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The first holding portion includes a first base portion for placing the front end portion of the first optical fiber core wire or the second optical fiber core wire and a first cover portion that is freely openable and closable relative to the first base portion, and the front end portion is held by sandwiching the front end portion between the first base portion and the first cover portion. The second holding portion includes a second base portion for placing the base end portion of the first optical fiber core wire and a second cover portion that is freely openable and closable relative to the second base portion, and the base end portion of the first optical fiber core wire is held by sandwiching the base end portion of the first optical fiber core wire between the second base portion and the second cover portion. The third holding portion includes a third base portion for placing the base end portion of the second optical fiber core wire and a third cover portion that is freely opened and closed relative to the third base portion. The base end portion of the second optical fiber core wire is held by sandwiching the base end portion of the second optical fiber core wire between the third base portion and the third cover portion.

5. The coating remover according to claim 4, wherein Also features: a rotatable shaft passing through the first holding portion, the second holding portion, and the third holding portion along the predetermined direction; a mechanism for converting the rotational motion of the shaft into an opening and closing motion of the first cover portion of the first holding portion; a mechanism for converting the rotational motion of the shaft into an opening and closing motion of the second cover portion of the second holding portion; and A mechanism for converting the rotational motion of the shaft into an opening and closing motion of the third cover portion of the third holding portion.

6. The coating remover according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The base portion has a ball screw extending in the predetermined direction. The first holding portion includes a portion threadably engaged with the ball screw and slides in accordance with rotation of the ball screw.

Images