Heating device and fusion machine for reinforcing sleeves

Abstract

The present invention provides a heating device for reinforcing sleeves that enables efficient heating and allows for easy monitoring of the heating state, and a fusion splicer equipped with the same. [Solution] When the lid 13 is closed, the pressing part 23 rotates in conjunction with the lid 13, pressing the reinforcing sleeve 30 housed in the housing from above. That is, the reinforcing sleeve 30 is pressed against the heater. The width of the pressing part 23 is shorter than the length of the heater, and the pressing part 23 is positioned approximately in the center of the length of the heater. In the lid 13, the transparent window 15 is formed in at least the area other than the pressing part 23, within the range where the reinforcing sleeve 30 is positioned (the range in which the heater is formed).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a heating device for a reinforcing sleeve for reinforcing a connection portion between optical fibers, and a fusion splicer having the same.

Background Art

[0002] For connecting optical fibers to each other, a fusion splicer is used. The fusion splicer abuts optical fibers held by a pair of holders, arranges them between electrodes, and fuses the tips of the optical fibers with an arc to connect the optical fibers to each other.

[0003] Such a fusion splicer generally includes a heating device in addition to the fusion portion. In such a fusion splicer, the optical fibers are fused to each other at the fusion portion, and then, a reinforcing sleeve is arranged at the connection portion of the optical fibers and heated by the heating device, thereby performing the connection operation of the optical fibers.

[0004] Regarding such a heating device for a reinforcing sleeve, in order to shorten the fusion connection operation time, it is required to shorten the heating time and the cooling time. For this reason, a method has been proposed in which the reinforcing sleeve is pressed against a heating heater to bring the reinforcing sleeve and the heater into close contact with each other, thereby efficiently heating the reinforcing sleeve (for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3).

[0005] In addition, in order to heat-shrink the reinforcing sleeve after heating so that no bubbles remain inside, a method has been proposed in which the entire reinforcing sleeve is not uniformly heated, but a temperature distribution is formed in the heater (Patent Document 4).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

[0007] Figure 6(a) shows a reinforcing sleeve 100 for reinforcing the connection part of an optical fiber, and Figure 6(b) is a cross-sectional view of Figure 6(a) along the DD line. The reinforcing sleeve 100 mainly consists of a heat shrink tubing 103, a heat melting member 105, a tensile strength member 107, etc.

[0008] The heat-shrinkable tube 103 is a cylindrical member with a substantially circular cross-section. The heat-meltable member 105 is made of a thermoplastic resin with a substantially circular (elliptical) cross-section and melts at a lower temperature than the heat-shrinkable tube 103. The tensile strength member 107 is a rod-shaped member with a predetermined rigidity, such as a metal, quartz, or ceramic. In order to prevent the tensile strength member 107 and the heat-meltable member 105 from falling off, a crimped portion 101 is formed on a part of the heat-shrinkable tube 103.

[0009] Figures 7(a) to 7(c) illustrate the process of connecting optical fiber cores using a reinforcing sleeve 100. First, as shown in Figure 7(a), in the fusion section of the fusion splicer, the optical fiber cores 109, which are arranged opposite each other, are brought together and fused together by discharge from the electrode 111. At this time, the reinforcing sleeve 100 is moved to the side of one of the optical fiber cores 109.

[0010] Next, as shown in Figure 7(b), the reinforcing sleeve 100 is moved to the connection point between the optical fiber cores 109 (arrow E in the figure). Then, as shown in Figure 7(c), the reinforcing sleeve 100 is heated in the heating device of the fusion splicer, and the reinforcing sleeve 100 and the optical fiber cores 109 are integrated by the melting of the heat-melting member 105 and the shrinking of the heat-shrinkable tube 103. As a result, the connection point between the optical fiber cores 109 is reinforced.

[0011] Figure 8(a) is a conceptual diagram showing the reinforcing sleeve 100 positioned in the heating device. The connection points between optical fiber cores 109 are inserted through the heat-melting member 105 of the reinforcing sleeve 100. The reinforcing sleeve 100 is also positioned on the heater 119.

[0012] In the example shown in Figure 8(a), the heater 119 is roughly U-shaped. When the reinforcing sleeve 100 is placed on such a heater 119, the tensile strength member 107 of the reinforcing sleeve 100 is positioned so that it faces downward due to its own weight. In this case, heating is performed from below the reinforcing sleeve 100 that is in contact with the heater 119. The same applies when the heater 119 is flat instead of U-shaped.

[0013] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 8(b), the pressing portion 123 is positioned opposite the heater 119, as in Patent Document 1, etc. A spring 121 is connected to the pressing portion 123. As shown in Figure 8(c), by pressing the reinforcing sleeve 100 with the pressing portion 123, the reinforcing sleeve 100 is brought into close contact with the heater 119, enabling efficient heating.

[0014] Figure 9(a) is a front view of the reinforcing sleeve 100 being pressed by the pressing part 123, and Figure 9(b) shows the temperature distribution (B in the figure) depending on the position of the heater 119. In the example shown in Figure 9(a), the heater 119 is divided into three parts in the longitudinal direction of the reinforcing sleeve 100, and similar to Patent Document 4, in the initial stages of heating, by raising the temperature of only the central heater 119, the melting of the heat-melting member 105 and the shrinking of the heat-shrinkable tube 103 can be started near the center of the reinforcing sleeve 100.

[0015] Figure 9(c) is a front view of the reinforcing sleeve 100 after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of heating, and Figure 9(d) shows the temperature distribution (B in the figure) depending on the position of the heater 119. After pressing and after a predetermined time has elapsed, as shown in Figure 9(d), the temperature of the heaters 119 on both sides is increased, which allows the melting of the heat-melting member 105 and the shrinking of the heat-shrinkable tube 103 to proceed from near the center of the reinforcing sleeve 100, where the process started earlier, outwards. This suppresses the formation of air pockets inside the reinforcing sleeve 100.

[0016] Incidentally, the heating temperature and heating time in the heating device are set in advance according to the size and type of the reinforcing sleeve to be heated. However, even with reinforcing sleeves of the same size, variations between individual sleeves and variations between manufacturers mean that they are not always heated under consistent conditions. For example, if the sleeve is found to be underheated (insufficient shrinkage of the heat shrink tubing) after being removed, additional heating treatment will be required. Also, if the heating is excessive and the internal heat-melted material leaks out from the end of the heat shrink tubing, the connection process will need to be restarted.

[0017] To more reliably detect such abnormalities, one method is to make the condition of the reinforcing sleeve visible during heating. For example, by providing a transparent window on the top of the heating device, the operator can check the condition of the reinforcing sleeve during heating. However, as mentioned above, if the reinforcing sleeve is pressed against the heater by a pressing part to shorten the heating time, the reinforcing member is hidden by the pressing part and cannot be seen.

[0018] The present invention has been made in view of these problems, and aims to provide a heating device for a reinforcing sleeve that can efficiently heat the sleeve and allows for easy monitoring of the heating state, and a fusion machine having the same. [Means for solving the problem]

[0019] To achieve the above object, a first invention is a heating device for a reinforcing sleeve that reinforces a fusion connection portion of an optical fiber, comprising a main body portion, a lid portion provided to be openable and closable with respect to the main body portion, a housing portion provided in the main body portion where the reinforcing sleeve is disposed, a heater disposed in the housing portion for heating the reinforcing sleeve, and a pressing portion for pressing the reinforcing sleeve housed in the housing portion against the heater when the lid portion is in a closed state. The pressing portion is shorter than the length of the heater, the pressing portion is disposed substantially at the center in the length direction of the heater, and the lid portion is formed of a transparent member at least in a range where the heater is formed except for the pressing portion. The heating device for the reinforcing sleeve is characterized in that.

[0020] The entire heater may be controlled under the same temperature condition.

[0021] It may have an adjustment mechanism capable of changing the pressing force of the pressing portion against the reinforcing sleeve.

[0022] According to the first invention, by pressing the reinforcing sleeve against the heater with the pressing portion, the degree of adhesion between the reinforcing sleeve and the heater can be improved, and the reinforcing sleeve can be efficiently heated.

[0023] Further, by making the length of the pressing portion shorter than the length of the heater and disposing the pressing portion substantially at the center in the length direction of the heater, at least both ends of the reinforcing sleeve disposed on the heater can be exposed to both sides of the pressing portion. Also, by making the lid portion above this portion transparent, it becomes possible to visually recognize the state of the reinforcing sleeve, particularly at the end of the heating process, from the outside of the heating device. Therefore, in the case of insufficient heating, additional heating can be performed as it is without opening the lid portion, and the additional heating time at this time can also be determined while observing the state. Also, when it is likely that excessive heating will occur, heating can be stopped at that point, so heating defects can be suppressed.

[0024] Note that the reinforcing sleeve includes a rigid tensile body. Therefore, even if only the vicinity of the central portion of the reinforcing sleeve is pressed, the pressing force is transmitted to the entire tensile body. For this reason, even in a portion other than the pressing portion, the degree of adhesion between the reinforcing sleeve and the heater can be improved as compared with the case where only the self-weight of the reinforcing sleeve is considered. For this reason, the entire reinforcing sleeve can be efficiently heated.

[0025] On the other hand, since the pressing force applied to the reinforcing sleeve is different between the pressing portion and the non-pressing portion, the pressing force of the reinforcing sleeve against the heater directly below the pressing portion is relatively larger than the pressing force of the reinforcing sleeve against the heater in a portion other than the pressing portion. As a result, heating in the vicinity of the central portion of the reinforcing sleeve can be performed first, and heating in the vicinity of both ends of the reinforcing sleeve can be delayed with respect to the vicinity of the central portion. For this reason, even if the entire heater is controlled under the same temperature condition without providing a temperature distribution of the heater, formation of an air pocket can be suppressed.

[0026] Further, by providing an adjustment mechanism capable of changing the pressing force of the pressing portion against the reinforcing sleeve, the pressing force can be changed according to the type of the reinforcing sleeve or the like, and the reinforcing sleeve can be pressed with an appropriate pressing force. For this reason, for example, it is possible to suppress the remaining of the pressing portion trace in the central portion of the reinforcing sleeve due to excessive pressing.

[0027] A second invention is a fusion machine having a heating device for a reinforcing sleeve according to the first invention, characterized in that a fusion portion capable of performing fusion of optical fibers is provided inside the main body portion.

[0028] According to the second invention, fusion connection between optical fibers and reinforcement of the connection portion can be efficiently performed.

Effects of the Invention

[0029] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a heating device for a reinforcing sleeve capable of efficiently performing heating and easily grasping the heating state, and a fusion machine having the same.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0030] [Figure 1] Perspective view of fusion splicer 1. [Figure 2] A schematic diagram of the heating device 5, where (a) shows the lid 13 in the open state and (b) shows the lid 13 in the closed state. [Figure 3] (a) and (c) are diagrams showing the heating state of the reinforcing sleeve 30, and (b) and (d) are diagrams showing the temperature distribution of the heater 19 in (a) and (c), respectively. [Figure 4] (a) to (c) are conceptual diagrams showing the state of the reinforcing sleeve 30 as seen from above the lid portion 13. [Figure 5] (a) is a conceptual diagram showing an underheated state, and (b) is a conceptual diagram showing an overheated state. [Figure 6] (a) is a side view showing the reinforcing sleeve 100, and (b) is a cross-sectional view of (a) along line DD. [Figure 7] Figures (a) to (c) show the process of heating the reinforcing sleeve 100 in the heating section. [Figure 8] (a) is a diagram showing the state in which the reinforcing sleeve 100 is placed on the heater 119, and (b) and (c) are diagrams showing the process of pressing the reinforcing sleeve 100 with the pressing part 123. [Figure 9] (a) is a diagram showing the state in which the central part of the heater 119 is heated, (b) is a diagram showing the temperature distribution in the state of (a), (c) is a diagram showing the state in which the entire heater 119 is heated, and (d) is a diagram showing the temperature distribution in the state of (c). [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0031] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a fusion splicer 1 for connecting optical fibers. The main body 9 of the fusion splicer 1 includes a fusion splicer 3 capable of splicing optical fibers, a heating device 5 for heating a reinforcing sleeve that reinforces the fusion splice connection of the optical fibers, and an operating unit 7 that can operate the fusion splicer 3 and the heating device 5.

[0032] Inside the main body 9, a fusion section 3 consisting of electrodes and a holder mounting section is provided, and a heating device 5 is positioned adjacent to the fusion section 3. The heating device 5 has a lid 13 that can be opened and closed relative to the main body 9. At least a portion of the lid 13 is provided with a transparent window 15. That is, at least a portion of the lid 13 is made of a transparent material. Further details of the structure of the heating device 5 will be described later.

[0033] When connecting optical fibers using the fusion splicer 1, first, the windbreak of the main body 9 is opened, and a pair of holders, which already hold the optical fibers, are set in the fusion splicing section 3 (holder mounting section) inside the main body 9. This causes the tips of the optical fibers protruding from the tips of the holders to butt against each other between the pair of electrodes. In this state, the windbreak is closed, and an arc is generated between the pair of electrodes, allowing the tips of the optical fibers to be melted and joined.

[0034] Once the fusion splicing of the optical fibers is complete, a reinforcing sleeve is placed at the connection point between the optical fibers and set in the heating device 5. As will be described in detail later, the lid 13 is opened, the reinforcing sleeve is placed in the position of the heater inside, and the lid 13 is closed to start heating the reinforcing sleeve. Heating the reinforcing sleeve melts the heat-melting material of the reinforcing sleeve, and the heat-shrinkable tube shrinks and fixes it to the connection point. As a result, the connection point of the optical fibers is reinforced, and the connection work is completed.

[0035] The fusion splicing conditions in the fusion splicing unit 3 vary depending on the type of optical fiber, and the heating conditions in the heating device 5 vary depending on the type of reinforcing sleeve. Therefore, the type of optical fiber to be connected and various condition settings are input via the operation unit 7. These settings and error indications during the connection process are displayed on the display unit.

[0036] Next, the details of the heating device 5 will be described. Figure 2(a) is a schematic diagram showing the state in which the lid 13 is opened and the reinforcing sleeve 30 and the like are placed in the heating device 5. The reinforcing sleeve 30 has a heat-melting member 33 and a tensile strength member 35 arranged inside a cylindrical heat-shrinkable tube 31, and has the same configuration as the conventional reinforcing sleeve 100 (Figures 6(a) and 6(b)).

[0037] A housing section 17 is provided inside the main body 9 where the reinforcing sleeve 30 is placed. A heater 19 for heating the reinforcing sleeve 30 is placed in the housing section 17. As described above, the reinforcing sleeve 30 is moved to the position of the connection part of the optical fiber core 37, and the optical fiber core 37 and the reinforcing sleeve 30 are placed in the housing section 17. In the illustrated example, the heater 19 is roughly U-shaped, but the shape of the heater 19 is not particularly limited.

[0038] A pressing part 23, which can operate in conjunction with the lid 13, is positioned on the inner surface of the lid 13. The pressing part 23 is connected to the lid 13 by a spring 21. The pressing part 23 has heat resistance to the heater 19 and is made of, for example, flexible rubber. The pressing part 23 may be connected to the lid 13 via another component instead of being directly connected to the lid 13. Furthermore, the pressing part 23 may move up and down above the housing 17 instead of rotating on a pivot axis relative to the main body 9.

[0039] Figure 2(b) shows the closed state of the lid 13. As described above, when the lid 13 is closed, the pressing part 23 rotates in conjunction with the lid 13 and presses the reinforcing sleeve 30 housed in the housing 17 from above. That is, the reinforcing sleeve 30 is pressed against the heater 19. The pressing force on the reinforcing sleeve 30 is set by the spring 21, but it may also be pressed by the weight of the pressing part 23 alone without using the spring 21.

[0040] Furthermore, the pressing force of the spring 21 may be adjustable. That is, the pressing force of the pressing part 23 against the reinforcing sleeve 30 may be changeable. For example, a lever-shaped adjustment mechanism 11 (see Figure 1) may be provided on the lid 13, and by switching the lever, the length of the spring 21 between the lid 13 and the pressing part 23 may be adjusted by a mechanism not shown, thereby adjusting the pressing force on the reinforcing sleeve 30. It is also possible to restrict the operation of the pressing part 23 by the adjustment mechanism 11 so that the pressing part 23 is not used (i.e., the pressing part 23 does not come into contact with the reinforcing sleeve 30 even when the lid 13 is closed).

[0041] Figure 3(a) is a schematic view of the heating device 5 from the front in this state, and Figure 3(b) is a diagram showing the heat distribution depending on the position of the heater 19. When the lid 13 is closed, the reinforcing sleeve 30 is pressed by the pressing part 23, and both sides of the optical fiber core 37 are fixed by clamps (not shown). The heater 19 is the same length as or slightly longer than the reinforcing sleeve 30. That is, the entire reinforcing sleeve 30 is placed on the heater 19. In this state, the heater 19 is controlled to a nearly uniform temperature throughout (A in Figure 3(b)).

[0042] As shown in Figure 3(a), the width of the pressing portion 23 (length in the left-right direction in Figure 3(a)) is shorter than the length of the heater 19, and the pressing portion 23 is positioned approximately in the center of the length of the heater 19. The length of the pressing portion 23 may be, for example, less than or equal to half the length of the heater 19, and may be approximately one-quarter the length of the heater 19.

[0043] Here, the reinforcing sleeve 30 includes a rigid tensile strength member 35. Therefore, when the vicinity of the center of the reinforcing sleeve 30 is pressed, the pressing force is transmitted to the entire tensile strength member 35. As a result, the degree of contact between the reinforcing sleeve 30 and the heater 19 can be improved not only directly below the pressing portion 23, but also over the entire reinforcing sleeve 30, including the parts other than the pressing portion 23. As a result, the entire reinforcing sleeve 30 can be heated efficiently.

[0044] On the other hand, due to the slight flexibility of the heat-shrinkable tube 31 and the heat-melting member 33, and the deformation of the tensile strength member 35, the entire reinforcing sleeve 30 is not pressed against the heater 19 with a uniform load. For example, the pressing force of the reinforcing sleeve 30 against the heater 19 at locations other than the pressing portion 23 (C2 in the figure) is relatively slightly smaller than the pressing force of the reinforcing sleeve 30 against the heater 19 at locations other than the pressing portion 23 (C1 in the figure). In other words, the degree of contact between the reinforcing sleeve 30 and the heater 19 near the center (near the pressing portion 23) is relatively greater than the degree of contact between the reinforcing sleeve 30 and the heater 19 at the ends (locations other than the pressing portion).

[0045] Figure 3(c) is a schematic diagram of the heating device 5 viewed from the front during the initial stages of heating, and Figure 3(d) shows the heat distribution depending on the position of the heater 19. The higher the degree of contact between the reinforcing sleeve 30 and the heater 19, the more efficiently heating can be performed. For this reason, heating can be performed first near the center of the reinforcing sleeve 30 where the degree of contact is higher, and heating can be delayed near both ends of the reinforcing sleeve 30 relative to the center. As a result, the reinforcing sleeve 30 can be heated from the center towards the ends. In other words, even if the entire heater 19 is controlled to the same temperature condition (A in Figure 3(d)) without specifying a temperature distribution for the heater 19, the formation of air pockets can be suppressed.

[0046] Figures 4(a) to 4(c) are conceptual diagrams showing the reinforcing sleeve 30 as visible through the transparent window 15 from the start of heating to the end of heating. In the lid portion 13, the transparent window 15 is formed in at least the area other than the pressing portion 23, and in the area where the reinforcing sleeve 30 is placed (the area where the heater 19 is formed). The entire lid portion 13 may also be made of a transparent material.

[0047] As shown in Figure 4(a), in the initial stages of heating, heating begins first from directly below the pressing portion 23. That is, as described above, in the initial stages of heating, the melting of the heat-melting member 33 and the shrinking of the heat-shrinkable tube 31 proceed first in the vicinity of the pressing portion 23.

[0048] By continuing to heat the reinforcing sleeve 30 from this state, heating progresses from the vicinity of the center toward both ends, as shown in Figure 4(b). That is, the melting of the heat-melting member 33 and the shrinking of the heat-shrinkable tube 31 progress from the center toward both ends.

[0049] As shown in Figure 4(c), the heating process ends when the entire reinforcing sleeve 30 has finished heating and shrinking. That is, heating by the heater 19 ends, and the cooling process by a blower fan or the like begins. After that, the cover 13 is opened, and the optical fiber core 37 to which the reinforcing sleeve 30 is fixed is removed, and the work is completed.

[0050] Here, as shown in Figure 5(a), if the set heating time has elapsed and the heater 19 has turned off, but the shrinkage of both ends of the reinforcing sleeve 30 has not yet been completed, additional heating can be performed without opening the lid 13. After additional heating has started, the condition of the area near the ends of the reinforcing sleeve 30 can be observed through the transparent window 15, and heating can be stopped at a predetermined timing (the state shown in Figure 4(c)).

[0051] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5(b), if the internal heat-melting material 33 leaks out from the end of the heat-shrinkable tube 31 before the set time has elapsed, heating is immediately terminated. This prevents defects caused by excessive heating.

[0052] As described above, according to this embodiment, the reinforcing sleeve 30 is pressed from above by the pressing part 23, and the reinforcing sleeve 30 is pressed against the heater 19, thereby improving the degree of contact between the reinforcing sleeve 30 and the heater 19, and enabling efficient heating of the reinforcing sleeve 30.

[0053] Furthermore, since the length of the pressing portion 23 is shorter than the length of the heater 19, and the pressing portion 23 is positioned approximately in the center of the length of the heater 19, both ends of the reinforcing sleeve 30 positioned on the heater 19 can be exposed on both sides of the pressing portion 23. In addition, since a transparent window 15 is formed in the lid portion 13 above this part, the state of the reinforcing sleeve 30 during the heating process can be viewed from outside the heating device 5 through the transparent window 15.

[0054] For example, when heating the reinforcing sleeve 30, the areas that are particularly problematic in terms of insufficient or excessive heating are near both ends of the reinforcing sleeve 30. Therefore, by placing transparent windows 15 at least at the positions of both ends of the reinforcing sleeve 30 (the positions of both ends of the heater 19), any abnormalities during heating of the reinforcing sleeve 30 can be reliably detected from outside the heating device 5. For this reason, by making only the upper lid portion 13 near both ends of the reinforcing sleeve 30 transparent, the same function as making the entire lid portion 13 transparent can be achieved.

[0055] Furthermore, since the pressing force of the reinforcing sleeve 30 on the heater 19 differs between the area directly below the pressing portion 23 and areas other than the pressing portion 23, heating can be performed first near the center of the reinforcing sleeve 30, and heating can be delayed relative to the center near both ends of the reinforcing sleeve 30. For this reason, even if the entire heater 19 is controlled to the same temperature conditions without providing a temperature distribution for the heater 19, the formation of air pockets can be suppressed.

[0056] Furthermore, by providing an adjustment mechanism 11 that can change the pressing force of the pressing part 23 against the reinforcing sleeve 30, the pressing force can be changed according to the type of reinforcing sleeve 30, etc., and the reinforcing sleeve 30 can be pressed with an appropriate pressing force. This makes it possible to prevent, for example, excessive pressing which would leave a mark on the center of the reinforcing sleeve 30.

[0057] Furthermore, the condition of the sleeve being over-shrunk or under-shrunk can be clearly determined by observing the shrinkage state at both ends through the transparent window 15. The transparent window 15 may extend along the entire length of the lid or be located only at both ends. In addition, a magnifying lens may be provided in the transparent window 15 to improve the visibility of the condition of the reinforcing sleeve 30 through the transparent window 15. A light source capable of illuminating the vicinity of the ends of the reinforcing sleeve 30 may also be provided inside the transparent window 15.

[0058] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the attached drawings, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. It is clear to those skilled in the art that various modifications or alterations can be conceived within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims, and these will naturally also fall within the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0059] 1…Fusion splicer 3……Fusion part 5……Heating device 7……Operation section 9...Main body 11……adjustment mechanism 13……Lid part 15………Transparent window 17... Containment Unit 19... Heater 21... spring 23… Pressing part 30... Reinforcement sleeves 31… Heat shrink tubing 33… Heat-melting components 35……Tensile strength body 37… Fiber optic core 100... Reinforcement sleeves 101... Crimping section 103... Heat shrink tubing 105... Heat-melting components 107……Tensile strength body 109… Optical fiber core 111…… Electrode 119... Heater 121... spring 123... Pressing part

Claims

1. A heating device for a reinforcing sleeve that reinforces the fusion splice of an optical fiber, The main body and A lid portion is provided to the main body portion so as to be openable and closable, The main body is provided with a housing section where a reinforcing sleeve is arranged, A heater is placed in the aforementioned housing section to heat the reinforcing sleeve, When the lid is in the closed position, the pressing portion presses the reinforcing sleeve housed in the housing portion against the heater, It is equipped with, The pressing portion is shorter than the length of the heater, and the pressing portion is positioned approximately in the center of the length of the heater. The heating device for a reinforcing sleeve is characterized in that the lid portion is made of a transparent material in at least the heater formation area excluding the pressing portion.

2. The heating device for a reinforcing sleeve according to claim 1, characterized in that the heater is controlled to maintain the same temperature throughout.

3. The heating device for a reinforcing sleeve according to claim 1, characterized in that it has an adjustment mechanism that can change the pressing force of the pressing portion against the reinforcing sleeve.

4. A fusion splicer having a heating device for a reinforcing sleeve according to any one of claims 1 to 3, A fusion splicer characterized by having a splicing section inside the main body capable of splicing optical fibers.

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