Fiber optic processing tools

Abstract

To provide a highly efficient optical fiber processing tool. [Solution] The optical fiber processing tool comprises a pair of coating cutting blades that make cuts in the coating of an optical fiber, an upper clamp and a lower clamp that hold the coating located at the end of the optical fiber, a sliding mechanism that slides the upper clamp and the lower clamp, and an optical fiber cutting section that cuts the strands of the optical fiber. The sliding mechanism moves the upper clamp and the lower clamp relative to the pair of coating cutting blades in the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber between a coating cutting position where the pair of coating cutting blades make cuts in the coating, a coating removal position which is further away from the coating cutting blades than the coating cutting position and partially removes the coating from the strands, and a cutting position which is further away from the coating cutting blades than the coating removal position and cuts the strands by the optical fiber cutting section.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an optical fiber processing tool.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a field-assembled optical connector. A field-assembled optical connector is an optical connector that is assembled to an optical fiber at a location where the optical fiber is laid. Such an optical connector is assembled to the end of an optical fiber taken out from an optical fiber cable or the like. Conventionally, a plurality of tools have been used to process the optical fiber and assemble the optical connector. For example, a coating removal tool for removing the coating of the optical fiber, a cutting tool for cutting the bare wire portion of the optical fiber, and the like. <​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​To solve the above problems, an optical fiber processing tool according to embodiment 1 of the present invention comprises a pair of coating cutting blades that make cuts in the coating of an optical fiber, an upper clamp and a lower clamp that hold the coating located at the end of the optical fiber, a sliding mechanism that slides the upper clamp and the lower clamp in the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber, and an optical fiber cutting section that cuts the strand portion of the optical fiber, wherein the sliding mechanism moves the upper clamp and the lower clamp in the longitudinal direction between a coating cutting position in which the pair of coating cutting blades make cuts in the coating, a coating removal position which is further away from the pair of coating cutting blades than the coating cutting position and partially removes the coating from the strand portion, and a cutting position which is further away from the pair of coating cutting blades than the coating removal position and cuts the strand portion by the optical fiber cutting section.

[0007] Aspect 2 of the present invention is an optical fiber processing tool according to aspect 1, wherein the optical fiber cutting section has a cutting blade and a pressing section that presses the strands against the cutting blade, and when the upper clamp and the lower clamp are in the coating removal position, the pressing section retracts below the lower clamp, and when the upper clamp and the lower clamp move from the coating removal position to the cutting position, the pressing section rises and presses the strands against the cutting blade.

[0008] A third aspect of the present invention is an optical fiber processing tool according to aspect 1 or 2, comprising an inner frame and an outer frame that each hold the pair of coating cutting blades, wherein the inner frame and the outer frame move relative to each other so that the pair of coating cutting blades open.

[0009] Aspect 4 of the present invention is an optical fiber processing tool according to any one of aspects 1 to 3, wherein when the upper clamp and the lower clamp are in the cutting position, the lower clamp is separated from the pressing portion in the longitudinal direction.

[0010] Aspect 5 of the present invention is an optical fiber processing tool according to any one of aspects 1 to 4, comprising a grip and a lever, wherein the relative movement of the grip and the lever is linked to the cutting of the coating, the coating is removed, and the strand portion is cut.

[0011] Aspect 6 of the present invention is an optical fiber processing tool according to aspect 5, wherein the pair of coating cutting blades open in conjunction with the relative movement of the grip and the lever.

[0012] Aspect 7 of the present invention is an optical fiber processing tool according to any one of aspects 1 to 6, wherein the sliding mechanism comprises an upper rack, a lower rack, and a gear that meshes with the upper rack and the lower rack, and the gear rotates as it moves relative to the upper rack in the longitudinal direction, causing the upper clamp and the lower clamp to move together with the lower rack between the coating cutting position and the cutting position, and the relative amount of movement of the upper rack and the lower rack in the longitudinal direction is greater than the relative amount of movement of the upper rack and the gear in the longitudinal direction.

[0013] Aspect 8 of the present invention is an optical fiber processing tool according to any one of aspects 1 to 7, further comprising a slide frame that moves relative to the lower clamp in the longitudinal direction, wherein the lower clamp has a pair of elastically deformable elastic parts and a pair of protective layer removal blades protruding from the pair of elastic parts, and at least one of the slide frame and the lower clamp has a pair of inclined surfaces that elastically deform the pair of elastic parts so that the pair of protective layer removal blades move closer to each other when the lower clamp and the slide frame move relative to each other in the longitudinal direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the above aspects of the present invention, a fiber optic processing tool with good work efficiency can be provided. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] [Figure 1]This is a side view of the optical fiber processing tool of the present embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a view of the optical fiber processing tool of FIG. 1 seen from the back side. [Figure 3] This is a view of the optical fiber processing tool of FIG. 1 seen from the upper side. [Figure 4A] This is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow IVA-IVA of FIG. 3. [Figure 4B] This is a side view of the optical fiber processing tool of FIG. 1 with the display of the first main frame omitted. [Figure 4C] This is a perspective view of the optical fiber processing tool of FIG. 1 with an optical fiber set and the display of the first main frame omitted. [Figure 5] This is a perspective view of the slide frame alone of FIG. 4C. [Figure 6] This is a perspective view of the lower clamp alone of FIG. 4C. [Figure 7] This is a diagram for explaining the operation of the optical fiber processing tool of the present embodiment. [Figure 8] This is a diagram showing the process following FIG. 7. [Figure 9] This is a diagram showing the process following FIG. 8. [Figure 10] This is a diagram showing the process following FIG. 9.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] Hereinafter, the optical fiber processing tool of the present embodiment will be described based on the drawings. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the optical fiber processing tool 1 includes a frame 2, a grip 10, a lever 20, a second interlocking link 40, an optical fiber cutting part 50, and a slide mechanism 100.

[0017] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4A, the optical fiber processing tool 1 is equipped with a coating stripper 60. The optical fiber processing tool 1 is used to process the optical fiber F. More specifically, the optical fiber processing tool 1 has a coating removal function and a cutting function. The coating removal function is a function that removes a portion of the coating f2 of the optical fiber F, exposing the strand portion f1. The cutting function is a function that cuts the strand portion f1 of the optical fiber F. The optical fiber processing tool 1 has an insertion opening P for inserting the optical fiber F. The strand portion f1 has a bare portion and a protective layer that covers the bare portion. The bare portion is made of glass, for example. The protective layer is made of UV resin, for example. As an example, the diameter of the bare portion is 125 μm, and the outer diameter of the protective layer is 250 μm. Note that the structure and dimensions of the strand portion f1 described above are examples and can be changed.

[0018] As will be explained in more detail later, the user can perform the above-mentioned sheathing removal and cutting functions by inserting the optical fiber F through the insertion port P and gripping the grip 10 and lever 20 with one hand.

[0019] <Direction definition> In this specification, the direction in which the optical fiber F extends from the insertion port P is referred to as the longitudinal direction X or the front-to-back direction. One direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X is referred to as the orthogonal direction Y. The orthogonal direction Y is also referred to as the left-to-right direction. The direction perpendicular to both the longitudinal direction X and the orthogonal direction Y is referred to as the up-and-down direction Z. A view from the up-and-down direction Z is called a plan view. Viewing from the up-and-down direction Z is called a plan view. A view from the orthogonal direction Y is called a side view. Viewing from the orthogonal direction Y is called a side view. A view from the longitudinal direction X is called a front view. Viewing from the longitudinal direction X is called a front view.

[0020] In the longitudinal direction X, the direction from the insertion port P toward the inside of the optical fiber processing tool 1 (-X side) may be referred to as the rear or proximal end side, and the opposite direction (+X side) may be referred to as the front or tip side. In the vertical direction Z, the direction from the lever 20 toward the grip 10 (+Z side) may be referred to as upward, and the opposite direction (-Z side) may be referred to as downward.

[0021] <Overall Structure> The grip 10 is fixed to the frame 2. The grip 10 extends rearward (towards the -X side) from the frame 2. The lever 20 extends downward from the frame 2. The lever 20 is located in front of the grip 10. The lever 20 is rotatable around the central axis R (see Figure 4A), which will be described later. The optical fiber cutting section 50 is located in front of the grip 10 and the lever 20. The insertion port P is located at the tip (the +X side end) of the optical fiber processing tool 1.

[0022] <frame> As shown in Figure 3, frame 2 has an outer frame 30 and an inner frame 70. The outer frame 30 has a first main frame 31, a second main frame 32, and an upper member 33. The inner frame 70 has a first sub-frame 71, a second sub-frame 72, and a lower member 73 (see Figure 4A). The first main frame 31 and the second main frame 32 are spaced apart in the orthogonal direction Y. The first sub-frame 71 and the second sub-frame 72 are spaced apart in the orthogonal direction Y. The first main frame 31 and the second main frame 32 are located outside the first sub-frame 71 and the second sub-frame 72 in the orthogonal direction Y. In other words, the first sub-frame 71 and the second sub-frame 72 are located between the first main frame 31 and the second main frame 32.

[0023] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the first main frame 31 and the second main frame 32 of the outer frame 30 have similar shapes when viewed from the orthogonal direction Y. Similarly, the first sub-frame 71 and the second sub-frame 72 of the inner frame 70 also have similar shapes when viewed from the orthogonal direction Y. The upper member 33 of the outer frame 30 is sandwiched between the first main frame 31 and the second main frame 32 in the orthogonal direction Y. The upper member 33 is fixed to the first main frame 31 and the second main frame 32.

[0024] The lower member 73 of the inner frame 70 is sandwiched between the first subframe 71 and the second subframe 72 in the orthogonal direction Y. The lower member 73 is fixed to the first subframe 71 and the second subframe 72. As shown in Figure 4A, the upper member 33 and the lower member 73 are spaced apart in the vertical direction Z. The gap between the upper member 33 and the lower member 73 is the insertion opening P for the optical fiber F.

[0025] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a first cam groove 31a is formed in the first main frame 31. A second cam groove 32a is formed in the second main frame 32. The cam grooves 31a and 32a have similar shapes. The cam groove 31a has a first portion 31a1, a second portion 31a2, and a third portion 31a3. The cam groove 32a has a first portion 32a1, a second portion 32a2, and a third portion 32a3. The second portions 31a2 and 32a2 are arc-shaped and concentric with respect to the central axis R. The first portions 31a1 and 32a1 are not concentric with respect to the central axis R. The third portions 31a3 and 32a3 are not concentric with respect to the central axis R.

[0026] A cam C is positioned inside each of the cam grooves 31a and 32a. The cam C is fixed to the lever 20. The grip 10 is fixed to the inner frame 70. When the lever 20 moves relative to the grip 10, the cam C moves along the cam grooves 31a and 32a.

[0027] As shown in Figure 4A, a slide groove 72a is formed in the second subframe 72. As shown in Figure 4B, a slide groove 71a is formed in the first subframe 71. The pair of slide grooves 71a and 72a are formed at the same position in the vertical direction Z and extend in the longitudinal direction X. The central axis R extends in the orthogonal direction Y. Both ends of the central axis R are supported by the first subframe 71 and the second subframe 72.

[0028] <Lever> Lever 20 is positioned between the first subframe 71 and the second subframe 72 in the orthogonal direction Y. Lever 20 is rotatable about the central axis R shown in Figure 4A. More specifically, the central axis R is inserted through a through hole formed at the upper end of lever 20. Lever 20 is biased forward by a biasing member (torsion coil spring) not shown. Therefore, when no external force is applied, cam C is located in the first portions 31a1 and 32a1 of the cam grooves 31a and 32a. When lever 20 is operated, as lever 20 moves backward, cam C passes through the second portions 31a2 and 32a2 and reaches the third portions 31a3 and 32a3. When the operation of lever 20 is released, the biasing force of the biasing member acting on lever 20 causes lever 20 to return to its original position forward. At this time, cam C also moves back to its original state, passing through the second parts 31a2 and 32a2 and returning to the first parts 31a1 and 32a1.

[0029] <Slide mechanism 100> As shown in Figure 4A, the slide mechanism 100 includes a movable rack member 101, a connecting member 102, a gear 103, a fixed rack member 104, a spring 105, a first interlocking link 106, and a slide frame 107. The movable rack member 101 has a groove 101a and a lower rack 101b. An upper clamp 101c is attached to the movable rack member 101. Therefore, the upper clamp 101c moves together with the movable rack member 101 in the longitudinal direction X. Inside the groove 101a is a first slide pin 102c fixed to the connecting member 102.

[0030] A groove 102a is formed in the connecting member 102. Inside the groove 102a is a second slide pin 101d fixed to the movable rack member 101. When the movable rack member 101 moves relative to the connecting member 102 in the longitudinal direction X, the first slide pin 102c is guided by the groove 101a, and the second slide pin 101d is also guided by the groove 102a. The lower rack 101b is located below the gear 103 and meshes with the gear 103.

[0031] Gear 103 is rotatably supported by a support shaft of the connecting member 102. Therefore, gear 103 moves together with the connecting member 102 in the longitudinal direction X. The fixed rack member 104 is located above gear 103 and has an upper rack 104a. The upper rack 104a meshes with gear 103. The fixed rack member 104 is fixed to the slide frame 107. When the connecting member 102 moves in the longitudinal direction X relative to the fixed rack member 104 and the slide frame 107, gear 103 rotates because it is meshed with the upper rack 104a. Since gear 103 is meshed with the lower rack 101b, when gear 103 rotates, a force in the longitudinal direction X is also transmitted to the movable rack member 101. Because gear 103 is involved, the amount of movement of the movable rack member 101 in the longitudinal direction X is approximately twice the amount of movement of the connecting member 102 in the longitudinal direction X.

[0032] The spring 105 is a torsion coil spring and has a first end 105a and a second end 105b. The first end 105a abuts against the first interlocking link 106. The second end 105b abuts against the contact surface 102b of the connecting member 102. The first interlocking link 106 has a connecting portion 106a connected to the lever 20. When the lever 20 rotates about the central axis R, a force acts on the connecting portion 106a in the longitudinal direction X. This force in the longitudinal direction X is transmitted to the first interlocking link 106 via the connecting portion 106a.

[0033] As shown in Figure 4C, the optical fiber F is set inside the lower clamp 63. The lower clamp 63 and the slide frame 107 have the function of partially removing the protective layer of the strand portion f1 of the optical fiber F, exposing the bare portion. More specifically, as shown in Figure 5, the slide frame 107 has a slide frame body 107a, a pair of lower clamp guides 107b, and a pair of inclined surfaces 107c (slide frame side inclined surfaces). The slide frame body 107a is C-shaped in cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X, opening downward (to the -Z side). The slide frame body 107a supports the connecting member 102, etc. (see Figure 4A) so that it can slide.

[0034] As shown in Figure 5, a pair of lower clamp guides 107b are formed at the front end of the slide frame body 107a. The pair of lower clamp guides 107b extend in the longitudinal direction X and are spaced apart in the orthogonal direction Y. A pair of inclined surfaces 107c are formed at the front end of the pair of lower clamp guides 107b. The pair of inclined surfaces 107c are inclined such that the distance between them in the orthogonal direction Y increases as they extend forward.

[0035] As shown in Figure 6, the lower clamp 63 comprises a lower clamp body 63a, a pair of elastic parts 63b, a pair of slits 63c, a pair of connecting parts 63d, and a pair of protective layer removal blades 63e. The lower clamp body 63a is the part connected to the second interlocking link 40 (see Figure 4A). The pair of elastic parts 63b are located above (+Z side) the lower clamp body 63a. The pair of elastic parts 63b extend in the longitudinal direction X and are spaced apart in the orthogonal direction Y. The pair of connecting parts 63d connect the rear (-X side) ends of the pair of elastic parts 63b to the lower clamp body 63a. The pair of slits 63c extend forward from the pair of connecting parts 63d. This structure allows the pair of elastic parts 63b to be elastically deformable in the orthogonal direction Y, with the pair of connecting parts 63d as the pivot point. The pair of elastic parts 63b are positioned inside the pair of lower clamp guides 107b (Figure 5) in the slide frame 107.

[0036] As shown in Figure 6, the pair of protective layer removal blades 63e protrude inward in the orthogonal direction Y from the front ends of the pair of elastic parts 63b. The pair of elastic parts 63b have a pair of inclined surfaces 63b1 (lower clamp side inclined surfaces) formed on them. The pair of inclined surfaces 63b1 are located behind (-X side) the protective layer removal blades 63e. The pair of inclined surfaces 63b1 are inclined such that the distance between them in the orthogonal direction Y increases as they extend forward.

[0037] <Second Link 40> As shown in Figure 4A, the second interlocking link 40 is C-shaped in side view. The first slide shaft 41 is fixed to the first end (upper end) of the second interlocking link 40. The second slide shaft 42 is fixed to the second end (lower end) of the second interlocking link 40. The first slide shaft 41 and the second slide shaft 42 are cylindrical in shape and extend in the orthogonal direction Y. Both ends of the first slide shaft 41 are located inside a pair of slide grooves 71a and 72a of the inner frame 70. Therefore, the first slide shaft 41 is slidable in the longitudinal direction X along which the first slide grooves 71a and 72a extend. Both ends of the second slide shaft 42 are located inside a pair of second slide grooves 51a and 51b of the housing 51. Therefore, the second slide shaft 42 is slidable in the vertical direction Z along which the second slide grooves 51a and 51b extend.

[0038] The first slide shaft 41 is fixed to the lower clamp 63. Therefore, when the lower clamp 63 moves in the longitudinal direction X, the first slide shaft 41 also moves in the longitudinal direction X. Consequently, a moment acts on the second interlocking link 40. For example, when the first slide shaft 41 moves to the -X side, a moment acts on the second interlocking link 40 such that the second slide shaft 42 moves to the +Z side. Furthermore, the second slide shaft 42 is connected to the lifting member 52, and the pressing part 55 is held by the lifting member 52. Therefore, when the lower clamp 63 moves to the -X side, the second interlocking link 40 moves in conjunction, causing the pressing part 55 to move to the +Z side.

[0039] <Optical fiber cutting section 50> As shown in Figure 4A, the optical fiber cutting unit 50 includes a housing 51, a lifting member 52, an optical fiber clamp 53, a clamp biasing member 54, a pressing part 55, and a cutting blade 56. The housing 51 is a rectangular box shape extending in the vertical direction Z. The lifting member 52, the optical fiber clamp 53, the clamp biasing member 54, and the pressing part 55 are housed inside the housing 51. The housing 51 has a pair of second slide grooves 51a that extend in the vertical direction Z. The pair of second slide grooves 51a are spaced apart in the orthogonal direction Y. Both ends of the second slide shaft 42 are located inside the pair of second slide grooves 51a. Therefore, when the second slide shaft 42 moves in the vertical direction Z, the pair of second slide grooves 51a guide the second slide shaft 42.

[0040] The cutting blade 56 is fixed to the slide frame 107. The optical fiber clamp 53, clamp biasing member 54, and pressing part 55 are attached to the lifting member 52. The clamp biasing member 54 biases the optical fiber clamp 53 toward the +Z side. When the lifting member 52 rises (see Figure 9), the pressing part 55 presses the strand portion f1 of the optical fiber F toward the cutting blade 56. This cuts the strand portion f1.

[0041] Next, we will explain the operation of the optical fiber processing tool configured as described above.

[0042] <Initial state> As shown in Figure 4A, in the initial state, the upper clamp 101c is separated upward from the lower clamp 63. This is because the biasing force of the spring 105 acts on the slide mechanism 100, creating a biasing force around the central axis R (counterclockwise in Figure 4A). More specifically, the second end 105b of the spring 105 biases the contact surface 102b. Because the contact surface 102b is inclined, the biasing force of the spring 105 biases the slide mechanism 100 as a whole counterclockwise in Figure 4A. As a result, the slide frame 107 and the like are biased upward as a whole, so the upper clamp 101c is separated upward from the lower clamp 63.

[0043] Furthermore, a biasing force directed forward is applied to the lever 20 by the biasing member shown in the illustration. As a result, the lever 20 is separated forward from the grip 10. The user can grasp the end of the optical fiber F and pass the optical fiber F through the insertion opening P between the coating cutting blades 61 and 62. At this time, since the upper clamp 101c is separated from the lower clamp 63, the end of the optical fiber F can easily enter between the upper clamp 101c and the lower clamp 63.

[0044] <Covered cut> As shown in Figure 7, when the user grips the grip 10 and lever 20, the lever 20 rotates around the central axis R, bringing the grip 10 and lever 20 closer together. At this time, the second end 105b of the spring 105 presses against the contact surface 102b. This force acts to rotate the connecting member 102 downward (clockwise in Figure 4A) around the central axis R. As a result, the upper clamp 101c moves downward, and the optical fiber F is clamped between the lower clamp 63 and the upper clamp 101c. Simultaneously, a force acts to close the coating cutting blades 61 and 62, causing the coating cutting blades 61 and 62 to cut into the coating f2 of the optical fiber F.

[0045] <Removal of coating> When the user further grips the grip 10 and lever 20, as shown in Figure 8, the lever 20 pushes the connecting portion 106a of the first interlocking link 106 toward the rear (-X side). As the connecting member 102 moves backward along with the first interlocking link 106, the gear 103 attached to the connecting member 102 also moves backward. Since the gear 103 is meshed with the upper rack 104a, the gear 103 rotates. As the gear 103 rotates, the lower rack 101b also moves toward the rear. Since the lower clamp 63 and the upper clamp 101c are locked together, the longitudinal X force applied to the upper clamp 101c is also transmitted to the lower clamp 63. As a result, the upper clamp 101c and the lower clamp 63 move backward together while still clamping the optical fiber F. Since the sheathing f2 has been cut by the sheathing cutting blades 61 and 62, the portion of the sheathing f2 located behind the sheathing cutting blades 61 and 62 is pulled backward. As a result, the coating f2 breaks starting from the cut, the coating f2 is partially removed, and the raw wire portion f1 is exposed as shown in Figure 8.

[0046] <Protective layer removal> In the above coating removal operation, as the lower clamp 63 moves backward relative to the slide frame 107, the inclined surface 107c of the slide frame 107 and the inclined surface 63b1 of the lower clamp 63 come into contact, and the pair of elastic parts 63b elastically deform so that they move closer to each other. As a result, the pair of protective layer removal blades 63e grip the strand portion f1 of the optical fiber F, and cuts are made in the protective layer of the strand portion f1. Furthermore, as the lower clamp 63 moves backward relative to the slide frame 107, the protective layer is removed from the bare portion, exposing the bare portion.

[0047] In this embodiment, inclined surfaces 63b1 and 107c are formed on both the lower clamp 63 and the slide frame 107, but the inclined surfaces may be formed on only one of the lower clamp 63 or the slide frame 107. In this case as well, it is possible to elastically deform the pair of elastic parts 63b. In addition, simultaneously with the coating removal operation described above, the protective layer may be removed from the bare part by the coating cutting blades 61 and 62, exposing the bare part. In this case, structures such as the elastic parts 63b and the protective layer removal blades 63e are unnecessary.

[0048] <Cutting the strands> In the above coating removal operation, as the lower clamp 63 moves backward, the first slide shaft 41 also moves backward. As a result, in Figure 8, the second interlocking link 40 rotates counterclockwise, and the second slide shaft 42 rises. Since the second slide shaft 42 is connected to the lifting member 52, the lifting member 52 rises. As a result, the pressing part 55 supported by the lifting member 52 also rises, and the pressing part 55 presses the bare portion of the wire f1 against the cutting blade 56. As a result, as shown in Figure 9, the wire f1 is cut. Even after the wire f1 is cut, the backward movement of the lower clamp 63 and the upper clamp 101c continues.

[0049] <Opening the insertion slot> After the strand portion f1 is cut, when the grip 10 and lever 20 are squeezed again, the cam C moves from the second portion 31a2, 32a2 to the third portion 31a3, 32a3 (see Figures 1 and 2). At this time, the outer frame 30 and the inner frame 70 rotate relative to each other, and as shown in Figure 10, the upper member 33 and the lower member 73 move apart in the vertical direction Z. As a result, the insertion opening P is opened, and the optical fiber F can be easily removed from the optical fiber processing tool 1.

[0050] As described above, the optical fiber processing tool 1 of this embodiment comprises a pair of coating cutting blades 61 and 62 for making cuts in the coating f2 of the optical fiber F, an upper clamp 101c and a lower clamp 63 for gripping the coating f2 located at the end of the optical fiber F, a sliding mechanism 100 for sliding the upper clamp 101c and the lower clamp 63, and an optical fiber cutting section 50 for cutting the strand portion f1 of the optical fiber F. The sliding mechanism 100 moves the upper clamp 101c and the lower clamp 63 relative to the pair of coating cutting blades 61 and 62 in the longitudinal direction X of the optical fiber, between a coating cutting position (Figure 7) where the pair of coating cutting blades 61 and 62 make cuts in the coating f2, a coating removal position (Figure 8) which is further away from the coating cutting position than the coating cutting position and partially removes the coating f2 from the strand portion f1, and a cutting position (Figure 9) which is further away from the coating cutting blades 61 and 62 than the coating removal position and cuts the strand portion f1 by the optical fiber cutting section 50.

[0051] This optical fiber processing tool 1 allows for the removal of the coating f2 and the cutting of the strand f1. In other words, the optical fiber F can be processed without having to switch between multiple tools. Therefore, work efficiency is improved.

[0052] Furthermore, the optical fiber cutting section 50 has a cutting blade 56 and a pressing section 55 that presses the strand portion f1 against the cutting blade 56. When the upper clamp 101c and the lower clamp 63 are in the coating removal position (Figure 8), the pressing section 55 retracts below the lower clamp 63. When the upper clamp 101c and the lower clamp 63 move from the coating removal position to the cutting position (Figure 9), the pressing section 55 rises and presses the strand portion f1 against the cutting blade 56.

[0053] Furthermore, the optical fiber processing tool 1 includes an inner frame 70 and an outer frame 30 that each hold a pair of sheathing cutting blades 61 and 62. The sheathing cutting blades 61 and 62 open as the inner frame 70 and the outer frame 30 move relative to each other. This configuration makes it easy to remove the optical fiber F from the optical fiber processing tool 1 after the strand portion f1 has been cut.

[0054] Furthermore, when the upper clamp 101c and the lower clamp 63 are in the cutting position, they are spaced apart from the pressing portion 55 in the longitudinal direction X. This configuration prevents the upper clamp 101c and the lower clamp 63 from obstructing the cutting of the wire portion f1.

[0055] Furthermore, the optical fiber processing tool 1 is equipped with a grip 10 and a lever 20. The relative movement of the grip 10 and the lever 20 is linked to the cutting of the sheath f2, which is then removed, and the strand f1 is cut. With this configuration, the removal of the sheath f2 and the cutting of the strand f1 can be performed by gripping the grip 10 and the lever 20 with one hand, thus improving convenience.

[0056] Furthermore, the pair of coating-cutting blades 61 and 62 open in conjunction with the relative movement of the grip 10 and lever 20. With this configuration, the coating-cutting blades 61 and 62 can be opened with one hand, further improving convenience.

[0057] Furthermore, the sliding mechanism 100 includes an upper rack 104a, a lower rack 101b, and a gear 103 that meshes with the upper rack 104a and the lower rack 101b. As the gear 103 moves relative to the upper rack 104a in the longitudinal direction X, the gear 103 rotates, and together with the lower rack 101b, the lower clamp 63 and the upper clamp 101c move between the insulation cutting position and the cutting position. The relative movement of the upper rack 104a and the lower rack 101b in the longitudinal direction X is greater than the relative movement of the upper rack 104a and the gear 103 in the longitudinal direction X. With this configuration, the gear 103 amplifies the movement of the upper clamp 101c and the lower clamp 63 in the longitudinal direction X by, for example, about twice. Therefore, the amount by which the user operates the lever 20, etc., to remove the insulation f2 and cut the strand f1 can be reduced.

[0058] The optical fiber processing tool 1 further includes a slide frame 107 that moves relative to the lower clamp 63 in the longitudinal direction X. The lower clamp 63 has a pair of elastically deformable elastic parts 63b and a pair of protective layer removal blades 63e protruding from the pair of elastic parts 63b. One or both of the slide frame 107 and the lower clamp 63 may have a pair of inclined surfaces 63b1, 107c that elastically deform the pair of elastic parts 63b so that the pair of protective layer removal blades 63e move closer to each other when the lower clamp 63 and the slide frame 107 move relative to each other in the longitudinal direction X. In this case, the relative movement of the lower clamp 63 and the slide frame 107 can remove the protective layer from the strand portion f1 and expose the bare portion.

[0059] The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0060] For example, in the above embodiment, the insertion port P was configured to open when the grip 10 and lever 20 were squeezed. However, the function of opening the insertion port P is not essential, and for example, the insertion port P could be opened manually.

[0061] Furthermore, without departing from the spirit of the present invention, the components in the above-described embodiments may be replaced with well-known components as appropriate, and the above-described embodiments and modifications may be combined as appropriate. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0062] 1…Optical fiber processing tool 2…Frame 10…Grip 20…Lever 30…Outer frame 50…Optical fiber cutting section 55…Pressing section 56…Cutting blade 61, 62…Pair of sheathing cutting blades 63…Lower clamp 63b…Elastic section 63b1…Inclined surface 63e…Protective layer removal blade 70…Inner frame 100…Sliding mechanism 101b…Lower rack 101c…Upper clamp 103…Gear 104a…Upper rack 107…Sliding frame 107c…Inclined surface F…Optical fiber f1…Straight strand f2…Sheathing X…Longitudinal direction

Claims

1. A pair of coating-cutting blades that make cuts in the coating of an optical fiber, An upper clamp and a lower clamp that hold the coating located at the end of the optical fiber, A sliding mechanism for sliding the upper clamp and the lower clamp in the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber, The optical fiber cutting unit includes a unit for cutting the strand portion of the optical fiber, The sliding mechanism moves the upper clamp and the lower clamp, The pair of coating cutting blades make cuts in the coating at the coating cutting position, A coating removal position located at a distance from the pair of coating cutting blades from the aforementioned coating cutting position, where the coating is partially removed from the wire portion, A cutting position located further away from the pair of coating cutting blades than the coating removal position, where the strand portion is cut by the optical fiber cutting section, An optical fiber processing tool that moves in the longitudinal direction between the two points.

2. The optical fiber cutting section comprises a cutting blade and a pressing section that presses the strand portion against the cutting blade. When the upper clamp and the lower clamp are in the covering removal position, the pressing part retracts below the lower clamp. The optical fiber processing tool according to claim 1, wherein when the upper clamp and the lower clamp move from the coating removal position to the cutting position, the pressing portion rises and presses the strand portion against the cutting blade.

3. The system comprises an inner frame and an outer frame that each hold the pair of covering cutting blades, The optical fiber processing tool according to claim 1, wherein the inner frame and the outer frame are configured to open the pair of coating cutting blades by relative movement.

4. The optical fiber processing tool according to claim 2, wherein when the upper clamp and the lower clamp are in the cutting position, the lower clamp is separated from the pressing portion in the longitudinal direction.

5. Equipped with grips and levers, An optical fiber processing tool according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the relative movement of the grip and the lever causes the cut in the coating, the coating to be removed, and the strand portion to be cut.

6. The optical fiber processing tool according to claim 5, wherein the pair of coating cutting blades open in conjunction with the relative movement of the grip and the lever.

7. The aforementioned slide mechanism is The upper rack and Lower rack and The upper rack and the lower rack have gears that mesh with each other, As the gear moves relative to the upper rack in the longitudinal direction, the gear rotates, and together with the lower rack, the upper clamp and the lower clamp move between the coating cutting position and the cutting position. The optical fiber processing tool according to claim 1, wherein the relative amount of movement of the upper rack and the lower rack in the longitudinal direction is greater than the relative amount of movement of the upper rack and the gear in the longitudinal direction.

8. The system further comprises a slide frame that moves relative to the lower clamp in the longitudinal direction, The lower clamp has a pair of elastically deformable elastic parts and a pair of protective layer removal blades protruding from the pair of elastic parts, The optical fiber processing tool according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the slide frame and the lower clamp has a pair of inclined surfaces that elastically deform the pair of elastic parts so that the pair of protective layer removal blades move closer to each other when the lower clamp and the slide frame move relative to each other in the longitudinal direction.

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