Fusion splicer

Abstract

To provide a fusion splicer capable of suppressing axial deviation.SOLUTION: A fusion splicer according to one embodiment comprises: a base having a main surface on which V-shaped grooves positioning optical fibers are formed; a clamp pressing the optical fibers placed on the V-shaped grooves; a first rotation mechanism enabling rotation of the clamp around a Z-axis extending along the V-shaped grooves; and a second rotation mechanism enabling rotation of the clamp around an X-axis which crosses the Z-axis at a right angle and extends along the main surface.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a fusion splicer. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes an optical fiber fusion splicer. The optical fiber fusion splicer includes a base having a plurality of fiber grooves for accommodating optical fibers, and a fiber clamp member for pressing the optical fibers accommodated in the fiber grooves. The fiber clamp member has a clamp block, and a fiber clamp for pressing the optical fiber is connected to the clamp block via a clamp auxiliary body. The clamp block is movable in the vertical direction relative to the fiber clamp. A clamp spring is provided between the clamp block and the clamp auxiliary body. The pressing load of the fiber clamp on the optical fiber changes depending on the height position of the clamp block.

[0003] Patent Document 2 describes a fusion splicer that fusion-splices a pair of optical fibers. The fusion splicer includes a fiber holder that holds the optical fibers, a groove-formed substrate on which the tip portions of the optical fibers are placed, and a fiber clamp member that holds the optical fibers placed on the groove-formed substrate. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2013-15623 A [Patent Document 2] International Publication No. 2013 / 145474 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Incidentally, in recent years, various types of optical fibers, such as flat ribbon cables or intermittent ribbon fibers, are sometimes fusion spliced. However, depending on the type of optical fiber, an individual axial misalignment may occur when the optical fiber is placed in a V-groove that positions the optical fiber. The optical fiber placed in the V-groove may become adhered with debris that is generated when the coating of the optical fiber is removed, or with dust that has entered from the outside. The adhesion of debris or dust may cause an axial misalignment of the optical fiber.

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a fusion splicer that can suppress axial misalignment. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The fusion splicer according to the present disclosure comprises a base having a main surface in which a V-groove for positioning an optical fiber is formed, a clamp for holding the optical fiber placed in the V-groove, a first rotation mechanism that enables the clamp to rotate about a Z-axis extending along the V-groove, and a second rotation mechanism that enables the clamp to rotate about an X-axis that is perpendicular to the Z-axis and extends along the main surface. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to suppress axial misalignment. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a fusion splicer according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the fusion splicer of FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the table, clamps, and optical fibers of the fusion splicer of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view showing the base, the clamp, and the optical fiber taken along a plane perpendicular to the extending direction of the optical fiber. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the clamp and the support member. [Figure 6]FIG. 6 is a side cross-sectional view showing the clamp, the support member and the mounting member. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the clamp, base, and optical fiber viewed along a direction perpendicular to the main surface of the base. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view that illustrates a first rotation mechanism and a second rotation mechanism according to a modified example. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a perspective view that illustrates a stopper of a fusion splicer according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] [Description of the embodiment of the present invention] First, the contents of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described. A fusion splicer according to one embodiment includes a base having a main surface on which a V-groove for positioning an optical fiber is formed, a clamp for holding the optical fiber placed in the V-groove, a first rotation mechanism for rotating the clamp around a Z-axis extending along the V-groove, and a second rotation mechanism for rotating the clamp around an X-axis that is perpendicular to the Z-axis and extends along the main surface.

[0011] This fusion splicer includes a base having a main surface on which a V groove is formed, and a clamp for holding an optical fiber placed in the V groove, the clamp being rotatable by a first rotation mechanism and a second rotation mechanism. The first rotation mechanism is capable of rotating the clamp about a Z axis extending along the V groove. The second rotation mechanism is capable of rotating the clamp about an X axis perpendicular to the Z axis and extending along the main surface. Since the clamp is rotatable about each of the Z axis and the X axis, the clamp can flexibly change its position when holding the optical fiber. Therefore, even if there is debris or dust on the main surface of the base, the clamp can hold the optical fiber while avoiding the debris or dust, and therefore the optical fiber can be appropriately held down. Thus, axial misalignment of the optical fiber can be suppressed.

[0012] The fusion splicer may further include a third rotation mechanism that can rotate the clamp about a Y-axis that is perpendicular to the main surface. In this case, the clamp is rotatable about the Y-axis that extends in a direction perpendicular to the main surface of the table, in addition to the Z-axis and X-axis. Thus, by making the clamp rotatable about each of the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis, the attitude of the clamp can be changed more flexibly when holding the optical fiber.

[0013] The first and second rotating mechanisms may be integrally formed into a spherical shape. In this case, the first and second rotating mechanisms can be simplified in configuration by being integral. When the first and second rotating mechanisms are integrally formed into a spherical shape, the clamp can be more easily adjusted in position, so that the clamp can be more appropriately pressed against the optical fiber.

[0014] The fusion splicer may include a drive unit that rotates the clamp via a third rotation mechanism. In this case, the drive unit rotates the clamp around the Y axis via the third rotation mechanism. Therefore, even if there is debris or dust on the main surface of the table, the debris or dust can be more reliably avoided by the rotation.

[0015] The fusion splicer may include a limiter that limits the rotation of the clamp via the third rotation mechanism to a certain angle or less, thereby preventing the clamp from rotating too far around the Y axis.

[0016] [Details of the embodiment of the present disclosure] A specific example of a fusion splicer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same or corresponding elements are given the same reference numerals, and duplicated descriptions will be omitted as appropriate. In addition, the drawings may be partially simplified or exaggerated for ease of understanding, and the dimensional ratios and the like are not limited to those shown in the drawings.

[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a fusion splicer 1 according to an embodiment. The fusion splicer 1 has a windshield cover 2 on its upper part. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a schematic state in which the windshield cover 2 of the fusion splicer 1 is opened. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the fusion splicer 1 includes a box-shaped housing 3. On the upper part of the housing 3, a fusion splicing section 4 for fusing optical fibers together and a heater 5 for heating and shrinking a fiber reinforcement sleeve that is placed over the spliced ​​part of the optical fibers fused at the fusion splicing section 4 are provided. The fusion splicer 1 includes a monitor 7 for displaying the state of the fusion splicing between the optical fibers photographed by a microscope (not shown) arranged inside the housing 3. Furthermore, the fusion splicer 1 includes a power switch 8 for switching on / off the power of the fusion splicer 1, and a connection start switch 9 for fusion splicing the optical fibers.

[0018] The fusion splicing unit 4 includes a pair of discharge electrodes 6 that fusion-splices multiple optical fibers together, and a pair of optical fiber holders 10 that hold the multiple optical fibers. For example, in the fusion splicer 1, 12 optical fibers are fusion-spliced ​​to other 12 optical fibers. The pair of discharge electrodes 6 fuse the multiple optical fibers together by discharge. The discharge electrodes 6 and the optical fiber holders 10 are aligned in this order along the Z-axis direction. The Z-axis direction is the direction in which each of the multiple optical fibers to be fusion-spliced ​​extends.

[0019] Fig. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional perspective view of the periphery of the discharge electrode 6 in the fusion splicer 1. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the fusion splicer 1 includes a base 11 on which multiple optical fibers F to be fusion spliced ​​are placed, and a clamp 20 that holds the optical fibers F placed on the base 11. The base 11 has a main surface 12 on which the multiple optical fibers F are placed. The multiple optical fibers F are arranged on the main surface 12 along an X-axis direction that intersects with the Z-axis direction. For example, the X-axis direction is an in-plane direction of the main surface 12 and is perpendicular to the Z-axis direction. A pair of discharge electrodes 6 are arranged on both sides of the multiple optical fibers F in the X-axis direction.

[0020] Fig. 4 is an enlarged side cross-sectional view of the pair of discharge electrodes 6, the base 11, and the clamp 20. As shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, the base 11 has a plurality of V-grooves 13 in its main surface 12 into which the optical fibers F are inserted. For example, the fusion splicer 1 includes a support member 40 that supports the clamp 20. As an example, the support member 40 is made of resin.

[0021] The fusion splicer 1 has a first rotation mechanism 1A that can rotate the clamp 20 around the Z axis. The first rotation mechanism 1A has, for example, a shaft portion 40b of a support member 40. That is, in the first rotation mechanism 1A, the clamp 20 can rotate around the shaft portion 40b of the support member 40 that extends along the Z axis direction. When viewed along the X axis direction, the clamp 20 has a U-shape.

[0022] For example, the clamp 20 has a first portion 20d to which one end of the shaft portion 40b is connected, a second portion 20g to which the other end of the shaft portion 40b is connected, and a pressing portion 20h that connects the first portion 20d and the second portion 20g to each other. Each of the first portion 20d, the second portion 20g, and the pressing portion 20h has, for example, a block shape. The pressing portion 20h extends along the Z-axis direction below the shaft portion 40b.

[0023] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the clamp 20 and the support member 40. As shown in FIG. 5, the support member 40 includes, for example, a support portion 41 that enters the clamp 20 and rotatably supports the clamp 20, a head portion 42 provided above the support portion 41, and an arm portion 43 extending from the head portion 42 along the Z-axis direction. The support portion 41 has, for example, a rod shape extending in the Y-axis direction. The head portion 42 has a main body portion 42b located at the upper portion of the support portion 41, a first protruding portion 42c protruding upward from the main body portion 42b, and a second protruding portion 42d protruding from the main body portion 42b toward the arm portion 43. The arm portion 43 has an upper surface 43b extending in both the Z-axis direction and the X-axis direction, and a side surface 43c extending in both the Y-axis direction and the Z-axis direction.

[0024] Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the clamp 20, the support member 40, and the structure around the support member 40 in the fusion splicer 1. As shown in Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, the fusion splicer 1 includes a second rotation mechanism 1B that supports the clamp 20 rotatably about the X-axis, and a third rotation mechanism 1C that supports the clamp 20 rotatably about the Y-axis. The second rotation mechanism 1B is provided, for example, above the first rotation mechanism 1A.

[0025] The support portion 41 includes a first support portion 41b having an axle portion 40b, and a second support portion 41c extending upward from the first support portion 41b. The second support portion 41c has a recess 41d into which the first support portion 41b fits, and an axle portion 41f extending in the X-axis direction in the recess 41d. The first support portion 41b has a hole 41g into which the axle portion 41f is inserted. For example, the second rotation mechanism 1B is composed of the hole 41g of the first support portion 41b and the axle portion 41f of the second support portion 41c. That is, in the second rotation mechanism 1B, the axle portion 41f fits into the hole 41g, so that the first support portion 41b can rotate around the X-axis relative to the second support portion 41c. Therefore, the clamp 20 can rotate around the X-axis relative to the second support portion 41c.

[0026] The second support portion 41c has an oval shape extending in the Y-axis direction and a slit 41k penetrating in the X-axis direction. The head portion 42 has a recess 42f into which the second support portion 41c is inserted from below and a hole 42j extending in the X-axis direction. Furthermore, the support member 40 has a rod-shaped member 41p inserted into the slit 41k and the hole 42j. The rod-shaped member 41p inserted into the hole 42j is inserted into the slit 41k extending in the Y-axis direction, so that the second support portion 41c can move along the Y-axis direction relative to the head portion 42. For example, the support member 40 has a spring 41q that biases the second support portion 41c downward. The second support portion 41c has, for example, a recess 41r recessed from the upper end of the second support portion 41c. The spring 41q is disposed between a bottom surface 42g of the recess 42f and a bottom surface 41t of the recess 41r, and is capable of expanding and contracting in the Y-axis direction.

[0027] The fusion splicer 1 includes, for example, a mounting member 50 to which the support member 40 is attached. The arm portion 43 has a first hole 43d recessed from the upper surface 43b, a recess 43f located on the opposite side of the head portion 42 as viewed from the first hole 43d, and a second hole 43g recessed from the side surface 43c and extending along the X-axis direction. The recess 43f is formed in the upper surface 43b and extends along the X-axis direction on the upper surface 43b.

[0028] The mounting member 50 has a main body 51 located above the arm 43, a first protrusion 52 protruding downward from the main body 51, a second protrusion 53 protruding downward from the main body 51 at a position on the clamp 20 side of the first protrusion 52, and a rod-shaped portion 54 extending in the X-axis direction in the main body 51. The rod-shaped portion 54 is inserted into the second hole 43g of the arm 43. For example, the length of the second hole 43g in the Y-axis direction is longer than the length of the second hole 43g in the Z-axis direction. The first protrusion 52 contacts the upper surface 43b of the arm 43, and the second protrusion 53 fits into the first hole 43d of the arm 43.

[0029] For example, the third rotation mechanism 1C is configured by the first hole 43d of the arm portion 43 and the second protrusion 53 of the mounting member 50. That is, in the third rotation mechanism 1C, the second protrusion 53 fits into the first hole 43d, thereby allowing the support member 40 to rotate about the Y axis relative to the mounting member 50. As a result, as shown in Fig. 7, the clamp 20 is allowed to rotate about the Y axis relative to the base 11. For example, the mounting member 50 may include a drive unit 55 that rotates the support member 40 and the clamp 20 about the Y axis via the third rotation mechanism 1C.

[0030] Next, the effects and advantages obtained from the fusion splicer 1 according to this embodiment will be described. The fusion splicer 1 includes a base 11 having a main surface 12 on which a V-groove 13 is formed, and a clamp 20 that holds the optical fiber F placed in the V-groove 13, and the clamp 20 is rotatable by a first rotation mechanism 1A and a second rotation mechanism 1B. The first rotation mechanism 1A is capable of rotating the clamp 20 about a Z-axis extending along the V-groove 13. The second rotation mechanism 1B is capable of rotating the clamp 20 about an X-axis that is perpendicular to the Z-axis and extends along the main surface 12.

[0031] The clamp 20 is rotatable about each of the Z-axis and the X-axis, so that the position can be flexibly changed when holding the optical fiber F. Therefore, even if there is debris or dust on the main surface 12 of the base 11, the clamp 20 can avert the debris or dust and hold the optical fiber F, thereby realizing appropriate holding of the optical fiber F. As a result, axial misalignment of the optical fiber F can be suppressed.

[0032] The fusion splicer 1 may further include a third rotation mechanism 1C that can rotate the clamp 20 about a Y-axis that is perpendicular to the main surface 12. In this case, the clamp 20 is rotatable about the Y-axis that extends in a direction perpendicular to the main surface 12 of the base 11, in addition to the Z-axis and X-axis. Thus, by being rotatable about each of the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis, the clamp 20 can more flexibly change its posture when holding the optical fiber F.

[0033] The fusion splicer 1 may include a drive unit 55 that rotates the clamp 20 via the third rotation mechanism 1C. In this case, the drive unit 55 rotates the clamp 20 about the Y axis via the third rotation mechanism 1C. Therefore, even if there is debris or dust on the main surface 12 of the table 11, the debris or dust can be reliably avoided by the rotation.

[0034] Next, a fusion splicer according to a modified example will be described with reference to Figs. 8 and 9. Figs. 8 and 9 are diagrams that show a schematic configuration of a portion of a fusion splicer according to a modified example. As shown in Fig. 8, the fusion splicer may include an integrated spherical first rotation mechanism 61A and a second rotation mechanism 61B. That is, the first rotation mechanism 61A and the second rotation mechanism 61B may be configured as an integrated spherical portion 61. The spherical portion 61, for example, is fixed to the lower surface 80b of the support member 80 and enters a recess 71 formed on the upper surface 70b of the clamp 70. For example, the clamp 70 is rotatable around the Z axis and the X axis with respect to the spherical portion 61.

[0035] As described above, the first rotation mechanism 61A and the second rotation mechanism 61B may be integrally formed into a spherical shape, as in the modified example of Fig. 8. In this case, the first rotation mechanism 61A and the second rotation mechanism 61B are integrally formed, and therefore the configuration of the first rotation mechanism 61A and the second rotation mechanism 61B can be simplified. When the first rotation mechanism 61A and the second rotation mechanism 61B are integrally formed into a spherical shape, the variability of the attitude of the clamp 70 can be further improved, and therefore the clamp 70 can be pressed against the optical fiber F more appropriately.

[0036] 9, the fusion splicer may include a limiter 90 that limits the rotation of the clamp 20 via the third rotation mechanism 1C so that the angle of the rotation is equal to or less than a certain angle. The limiter 90 is provided, for example, at a position facing the side surface of the arm portion 43 of the support member 40. In this case, it is possible to prevent the clamp 20 from rotating too much around the Y axis.

[0037] The above describes the embodiment and modified examples of the fusion splicer according to the present disclosure. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment or modified examples, and can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the gist described in the claims. The shape, size, number, material, and arrangement of each part of the fusion splicer are not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be modified as appropriate.

[0038] For example, in the above embodiment, the fusion splicer 1 including the first rotation mechanism 1A, the second rotation mechanism 1B, and the third rotation mechanism 1C has been described. However, the fusion splicer according to the present disclosure may be a fusion splicer including only the first rotation mechanism 1A and the second rotation mechanism 1B. In addition, in the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the first rotation mechanism 1A is provided on the clamp 20 and the first support portion 41b, the second rotation mechanism 1B is provided on the first support portion 41b and the second support portion 41c, and the third rotation mechanism 1C is provided on the arm portion 43 and the mounting member 50. However, the positions, shapes, and the like of the first rotation mechanism, the second rotation mechanism, and the third rotation mechanism are not limited to the above example and can be appropriately changed. [Explanation of symbols]

[0039] 1...Fusion splicer 1A…First rotating mechanism 1B…Second rotation mechanism 1C…Third rotation mechanism 2…Windshield cover 3. Housing 4…Fusion splice 5...Heating machine 6...Discharge electrode 7. Monitor 8…Power switch 9…Connection start switch 10...Optical fiber holder 11…units 12…Main surface 13...V groove 20…Clamp 20d…Part 1 20g…Second portion 20h…Pressing part 40...Support member 40b…Shaft part 41...Support part 41b...first support part 41c...Second support part 41d…Concave 41f...Shaft part 41g…hole 41k…Slit 41p... Rod-shaped member 41q...Spring 41r…Recess 41t...bottom 42…Head section 42b…Main body 42c...first protrusion 42d...Second protrusion 42f…Recess 42g…Bottom 42j...hole 43…Arm section 43b…Top surface 43c…side 43d…1st hole 43f…Recess 43g…2nd hole 50…Mounting material 51...Main body 52...first protrusion 53...Second protrusion 54...rod-shaped part 55...Drive unit 61...Spherical part 61A…First rotating mechanism 61B…Second rotating mechanism 70…Clamp 70b…Top surface 71…Recess 80...Support member 80b…Bottom surface 90…Limiter F: Optical fiber

Claims

1. a base having a main surface on which a V-groove for positioning an optical fiber is formed; a clamp for holding the optical fiber placed in the V-groove; a first rotation mechanism that rotates the clamp around a Z-axis that extends along the V-groove; a second rotation mechanism that rotates the clamp about an X-axis that is perpendicular to the Z-axis and extends along the main surface; Equipped with Fusion splicer.

2. Further comprising a third rotation mechanism that can rotate the clamp around a Y axis perpendicular to the main surface. The fusion splicer of claim 1.

3. The first rotation mechanism and the second rotation mechanism have an integral spherical shape. The fusion splicer according to claim 1 or 2.

4. a drive unit that rotates the clamp via the third rotation mechanism; The fusion splicer of claim 2.

5. a limiter that limits the rotation of the clamp via the third rotation mechanism so that the angle of the rotation is equal to or less than a certain angle; The fusion splicer according to claim 2 or 4.

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