Fusion splicer

Abstract

The fusion splicer includes a device main body, a pair of openable and closable coating clamps, a pair of coating holders, and an openable and closable windshield cover. The device main body has a heating unit that heats a pair of optical fibers. The pair of coating clamps press the coatings of the pair of optical fibers. The pair of coating holders hold the coatings between the pair of coating clamps. The windshield cover covers the pair of coating clamps and the pair of coating holders. The windshield cover is provided with a lever that opens the coating clamps in conjunction with the opening operation of the windshield cover.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a fusion splicer. This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-062782, filed on April 7, 2023, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a fusion splicer for heating and fusion-splicing optical fibers. This fusion splicer includes a pair of openable and closable coating clamps for holding the coatings of a pair of optical fibers. The fusion splicer further includes an openable and closable windshield cover for covering the coating clamps and other components.

[0003] When loading an optical fiber into the above-described fusion splicer, it is necessary to open both the windshield cover and the coating clamp. The fusion splicer described in Patent Document 1 is provided with a small motor as a power source. Torque is transmitted from the small motor to the coating clamp, linking the opening operation of the windshield cover (opening the windshield cover) with the opening operation of the coating clamp. This allows only one opening operation to be performed to load the optical fiber, improving the workability of fusion splicing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent No. 5512786 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, a configuration such as that of Patent Document 1 in which a power source is provided in the fusion splicer may increase the weight of the fusion splicer, and providing a transmission mechanism for transmitting torque from the power source to the coating clamp may complicate the structure of the fusion splicer.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide a fusion splicer that can improve the workability of fusion splicing while suppressing an increase in weight and an increase in structural complexity. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, a fusion splicer according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a device main body having a heating unit that heats a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber, an openable and closable first coating clamp that presses a first coating portion that is a coating portion of the first optical fiber, an openable and closable second coating clamp that presses a second coating portion that is a coating portion of the second optical fiber, a first coating holding portion that holds the first coating portion between itself and the first coating clamp, a second coating holding portion that holds the second coating portion between itself and the second coating clamp, and an openable and closable windshield cover that covers the first coating clamp, the second coating clamp, the first coating holding portion, and the second coating holding portion, and the windshield cover is provided with a first lever for opening the first coating clamp in conjunction with the opening action of the windshield cover.

[0008] According to the first aspect of the present invention, the jacket clamp opens in conjunction with the opening of the windshield cover. This improves the workability of the fusion splicing. Furthermore, linking the opening operation in this way does not require the provision of a power source such as a motor or a complex torque transmission mechanism. This prevents the fusion splicer from becoming too heavy and complicated in structure.

[0009] Furthermore, in a second aspect of the present invention, in the fusion splicer of the first aspect, the first lever is capable of pivoting around a pivot axis provided on the windshield cover, and when the windshield cover is closed, the first lever performs the pivoting movement due to the pressing force from the first coating clamp, and when the windshield cover is opened, the first lever engages with the first coating clamp so that the first coating clamp opens without performing the pivoting movement.

[0010] According to the second aspect of the present invention, the sheath clamp can be opened by the lever, and after the windshield cover is closed, the lever can be returned to a position where it can engage with the sheath clamp.

[0011] Furthermore, in a third aspect of the present invention, in the fusion splicer of the first or second aspect, the first coating clamp is provided with a first claw portion that is capable of pivoting around a pivot axis provided in the first coating clamp, and the first claw portion performs the pivoting movement by the pressing force from the first lever when the windshield cover is closed, and engages with the first lever so that the first coating clamp opens without performing the pivoting movement when the windshield cover is opened.

[0012] According to the third aspect of the present invention, the lever can be used to open the sheathing clamp, and after the windshield cover is closed, the lever can be returned to a position where it can engage with the sheathing clamp.

[0013] Furthermore, in aspect 4 of the present invention, in the fusion splicer of any one of aspects 1 to 3, the relative position of the first lever with respect to the windshield cover is switchable between an interlocking position in which the opening operation of the windshield cover and the opening operation of the first coating clamp are interlocked, and a non-interlocking position in which the opening operation of the windshield cover and the opening operation of the first coating clamp are not interlocked.

[0014] According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, for example, an operator can arbitrarily switch between linking the opening operation of the windshield cover and the opening operation of the sheathing clamp.

[0015] Furthermore, aspect 5 of the present invention is a fusion splicer according to any one of aspects 1 to 4, wherein the windshield cover is provided with a second lever that opens the second coating clamp in conjunction with the action of opening the windshield cover, and when the windshield cover is closed, a first gap is formed between the first lever and the first coating clamp in the opening / closing direction in which the windshield cover opens and closes, and when the windshield cover is closed, a second gap is formed between the second lever and the second coating clamp in the opening / closing direction, and the dimensions of the first gap and the second gap are different from each other in the opening / closing direction.

[0016] According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when the windshield cover is opened, the timing at which the first lever and the first covering clamp come into contact with each other is offset from the timing at which the second lever and the second covering clamp come into contact with each other, thereby reducing the force required to open the windshield cover.

[0017] Furthermore, aspect 6 of the present invention is a fusion splicer according to aspect 5, wherein the first coating clamp is provided with a first claw portion that engages with the first lever so that the first coating clamp opens when the windshield cover is opened, and the second coating clamp is provided with a second claw portion that engages with the second lever so that the second coating clamp opens when the windshield cover is opened, and the dimensions of the first claw portion and the second claw portion are different from each other in the opening / closing direction.

[0018] According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to easily realize a configuration in which the dimensions of the first gap and the second gap are different. [Effects of the Invention]

[0019] According to the above aspects of the present invention, it is possible to provide a fusion splicer that can improve the workability of fusion splicing while suppressing an increase in weight and an increase in structural complexity. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a fusion splicer according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the windshield cover of FIG. 1 in an open state. [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a connection structure according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing the periphery of a linkage mechanism according to the present embodiment. [Figure 5A] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of a first claw portion according to the present embodiment. [Figure 5B] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of a second claw portion according to the embodiment. [Figure 6A] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a windshield cover according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6B] 6B is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 6A, showing a state in which the lever according to the present embodiment is in an interlocking position. [Figure 6C] 6B is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 6A, showing a state in which the lever according to the present embodiment is in a non-interlocking position. [Figure 7A] FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing the state in which the windshield cover of FIG. 4 is opened. [Figure 7B] FIG. 7B is a schematic diagram showing a state subsequent to FIG. 7A. [Figure 8] FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing the windshield cover of FIG. 4 being closed. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing the periphery of an interlocking mechanism according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] Hereinafter, a fusion splicer according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a fusion splicer 1 is configured to fusion-splice a pair of optical fibers FA and FB (a first optical fiber FA and a second optical fiber FB). Each of the optical fibers FA and FB has a glass portion G and a coating portion C that coats the glass portion G. Hereinafter, the glass portion G and coating portion C of the first optical fiber FA will be referred to as the first glass portion GA and the first coating portion CA, respectively. Similarly, the glass portion G and coating portion C of the second optical fiber FB will be referred to as the second glass portion GB and the second coating portion CB, respectively. Each coating portion C may be composed of a single layer or multiple layers. The coating portion C in this embodiment includes a first coating layer C1 and a second coating layer C2 that coats the first coating layer C1 from the outside. The first coating layer C1 and the second coating layer C2 are formed of resin. Note that the coating portion C may include three or more coating layers.

[0022] The fusion splicer 1 may be configured to fusion-splice a first optical fiber unit including a first optical fiber FA and a second optical fiber unit including a second optical fiber FB all at once. That is, the fusion splicer 1 may fusion-splice single-core optical fibers FA and FB together, or may fusion-splice multi-core optical fiber units together all at once. That is, the phrase "fusion-splicing a pair of optical fibers" also includes the case of fusion-splicing multi-core optical fiber units together.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 1, the fusion splicer 1 has a box-shaped main body 2. A windshield cover 3 is provided on top of the main body 2. The windshield cover 3 is rotatable around a rotation center 3a. As shown in FIG. 2, when the windshield cover 3 rotates around the rotation center 3a, a splicing structure 10 for fusion splicing the optical fibers FA and FB is exposed. The splicing structure 10 includes a heating unit 2a that heats the optical fibers FA and FB. The main body 2 also has a display unit 2b that displays images captured by a camera built into the main body 2.

[0024] The connection structure 10 of this embodiment will be described below with reference to Fig. 3. Note that in Fig. 3, each member is shown in a simplified form to make the structure easier to understand. As shown in Fig. 3, the connection structure 10 has a pair of movable stages 11, a pair of coating holding parts 31, a pair of glass holding parts 13, a pair of glass clamps 14, and a pair of coating clamps 21. The connection structure 10 also has a pair of electrode rods 17 (only one of the electrode rods 17 is shown in Fig. 3). The direction in which the optical fibers FA and FB are arranged and the direction in which the pair of electrode rods 17 face each other are perpendicular to each other.

[0025] (direction definition) In this embodiment, the direction in which the optical fibers FA and FB are arranged is called the left-right direction X and is represented by the X axis. The direction in which the pair of electrode rods 17 face each other is called the front-rear direction Y and is represented by the Y axis. The up-down direction Z, which is perpendicular to both the left-right direction X and the front-rear direction Y, is represented by the Z axis. The left-right direction X is also the direction in which the pair of optical fibers FA and FB extend. In the left-right direction X, the side closer to the pair of electrode rods 17 is called the inside, and the side away from the pair of electrode rods 17 is called the outside. The connection structure 10 has a substantially symmetrical structure in the left-right direction X with the pair of electrode rods 17 at the center (excluding the claw portions 42A, 42B and gaps dA, dB, which will be described later).

[0026] Although not shown in the figures, the pair of electrode rods 17 are arranged at a distance in the front-rear direction Y. Each electrode rod 17 has a tapered shape, with the outer diameter decreasing toward the inside in the front-rear direction Y (the side closer to the optical fibers FA, FB). The abutting surfaces of the optical fibers FA, FB are arranged between the electrode rods 17, and electric discharge is directed toward the abutting surfaces. This allows the tips of the optical fibers FA, FB to be heated and fusion-spliced ​​together. In other words, the heating unit 2a in this embodiment is composed of the pair of electrode rods 17. Note that a heater or the like may be used as the heating unit 2a instead of the electrode rods 17.

[0027] The pair of movable stages 11 are arranged at an interval in the left-right direction X and attached to the device body 2. Each of the pair of movable stages 11 is movable in the left-right direction X relative to the device body 2. As shown in FIG. 3 , when viewed from the front-back direction Y, the pair of movable stages 11 are arranged so that an electrode rod 17 is sandwiched between them. That is, each movable stage 11 is capable of moving forward and backward relative to the electrode rod 17. A power source (such as a motor) (not shown) for driving the movable stage 11 is provided within the device body 2. Hereinafter, the pair of movable stages 11 may be referred to as a first movable stage 11A and a second movable stage 11B, respectively.

[0028] Each of the pair of coating holders 31 is located above the movable stage 11. Each of the pair of coating clamps 21 is located above the coating holder 31. The coating holder 31 and the coating clamp 21 are attached to the movable stage 11. Therefore, when the movable stage 11 moves in the left-right direction X, the coating holder 31 and the coating clamp 21 also move in the left-right direction X. Hereinafter, the coating holder 31 and the coating clamp 21 attached to the first movable stage 11A may be referred to as the first coating holder 31A and the first coating clamp 21A, respectively. Similarly, the coating holder 31 and the coating clamp 21 attached to the second movable stage 11B may be referred to as the second coating holder 31B and the second coating clamp 21B, respectively.

[0029] The glass clamps 14 are located above the glass holding parts 13. The glass clamps 14 may be configured to be manually opened and closed by the user. Alternatively, the glass clamps 14 may be configured to open and close in conjunction with the opening and closing of the windshield cover 3. Hereinafter, the glass clamp 14 located above the first glass holding part 13A may be referred to as the first glass clamp 14A, and the glass clamp 14 located above the second glass holding part 13B may be referred to as the second glass clamp 14B.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 3 , when viewed from the front-rear direction Y, the glass holding portion 13 is located between the electrode rod 17 and the coating holding portion 31. Hereinafter, the glass holding portion 13 holding the first optical fiber FA may be referred to as the first glass holding portion 13A, and the glass holding portion 13 holding the second optical fiber FB may be referred to as the second glass holding portion 13B. A V-shaped groove 13a opening upward is formed on the upper surface of the glass holding portion 13. The groove 13a extends along the left-right direction X. The glass portion G of the first optical fiber FA is placed in the groove 13a of the first glass holding portion 13A, and the glass portion G of the second optical fiber FB is placed in the groove 13a of the second glass holding portion 13B. This determines the relative positions of the glass portions G. Note that the shape of the groove 13a is not limited to a V-shape as long as the positions of the glass portions G can be determined. For example, the groove 13a may be U-shaped or trapezoidal. The glass holding portion 13 is made of a material that can withstand discharge heating, such as ceramic.

[0031] The coating clamp 21 is rotatably provided with respect to the coating holding portion 31. The coating clamp 21 can freely open and close the top surface of the coating holding portion 31. The coating clamp 21 presses the coating portions C of the optical fibers FA, FB from above. This allows the coating clamp 21 to clamp the coating portions C of the optical fibers FA, FB between itself and the coating holding portion 31. Furthermore, by opening and closing the top surface of the coating holding portion 31, the coating clamp 21 can switch between a state in which it clamps the optical fibers FA, FB and a state in which it does not clamp the optical fibers FA, FB. The portion of the coating clamp 21 that comes into contact with the coating portions C is made of an elastic material (e.g., rubber). Hereinafter, the coating clamp 21 that presses the first coating portion CA may be referred to as a first coating clamp 21A, and the coating clamp 21 that presses the second coating portion CB may be referred to as a second coating clamp 21B.

[0032] As shown in Fig. 4, the covering clamp 21 has a cover member 21a, a compression spring 21b, and a pressing piece 21c. The cover member 21a is rotatable around a rotation axis 21e. The compression spring 21b and the pressing piece 21c are disposed inside the cover member 21a. The pressing piece 21c contacts the optical fibers FA and FB. The compression spring 21b applies a downward biasing force to the pressing piece 21c. Therefore, when the covering clamp 21 is closed, the pressing piece 21c presses the optical fibers FA and FB with a predetermined force caused by the compression spring 21b.

[0033] The sheath holding portion 31 is provided with a magnet 31a. The cover member 21a of the sheath clamp 21 is provided with an attraction member 21d (such as an iron material) that is magnetically attracted to the magnet 31a. Therefore, when the sheath clamp 21 is close to the upper surface of the sheath holding portion 31, a downward force (magnetic force) acts on the sheath clamp 21. This magnetic force acts as a force (closing force) that tries to close the sheath clamp 21. When the pressing piece 21c presses the optical fibers FA and FB, the cover member 21a receives an upward reaction force. The magnetic force of the magnet 31a is set strong so that this reaction force does not cause the cover member 21a to open.

[0034] A torsion coil spring 21f is disposed around the pivot shaft 21e. The torsion coil spring 21f applies a moment around the pivot shaft 21e to the sheath clamp 21 in a direction to open the sheath clamp 21. However, the force (opening force) with which the torsion coil spring 21f tries to open the sheath clamp 21 is smaller than the magnetic force (closing force) when the magnet 31a and the attraction member 21d are in close proximity to each other. Therefore, when the magnet 31a and the attraction member 21d are in close proximity to each other, the closing force is greater than the opening force of the torsion coil spring 21f. This keeps the sheath clamp 21 closed.

[0035] 4, the fusion splicer 1 of this embodiment is equipped with an interlocking mechanism 40 for opening the coating clamp 21 in conjunction with the opening of the windshield cover 3. Specifically, the fusion splicer 1 of this embodiment is equipped with a first interlocking mechanism 40A and a second interlocking mechanism 40B. The first interlocking mechanism 40A is a mechanism for opening the first coating clamp 21A in conjunction with the opening of the windshield cover 3. The second interlocking mechanism 40B is a mechanism for opening the second coating clamp 21B in conjunction with the opening of the windshield cover 3.

[0036] Each of the interlocking mechanisms 40A and 40B has a lever 41, a claw portion 42, and a lever holder 43. Hereinafter, the lever 41, the claw portion 42, and the lever holder 43 of the first interlocking mechanism 40A may be referred to as a first lever 41A, a first claw portion 42A, and a first lever holder 43A, respectively. Similarly, the lever 41, the claw portion 42, and the lever holder 43 of the second interlocking mechanism 40B may be referred to as a second lever 41B, a second claw portion 42B, and a second lever holder 43B, respectively.

[0037] The lever holding portion 43 is provided on the inner surface of the windshield cover 3. The lever holding portion 43 extends from the inner surface of the windshield cover 3 toward the inside of the fusion splicer 1. A rotation shaft (lever rotation shaft) 41a extending in the left-right direction X is provided at the tip of the lever holding portion 43. The rotation shaft 41a is provided on the windshield cover 3 via the lever holding portion 43. The lever 41 is held on the windshield cover 3 by the lever holding portion 43 (and a switching mechanism 50, described later) to prevent it from falling off the windshield cover 3.

[0038] The lever 41 is configured to be capable of pivoting about a pivot shaft 41a provided on the windshield cover 3. In other words, the lever 41 is configured to be able to change the relative angle θ with respect to the lever holder 43 in a plane parallel to the front-rear direction Y and the up-down direction Z. However, a maximum value (maximum angle) θ0 is set for the relative angle θ that the lever 41 can take. The lever 41 is configured not to open beyond the maximum angle θ0 with respect to the lever holder 43. The maximum angle θ0 is, for example, approximately 90°.

[0039] The claw portion 42 is provided on (fixed to) the sheath clamp 21. When the sheath clamp 21 is closed, the claw portion 42 extends from the lid member 21a in the front-rear direction Y. The claw portion 42 may be formed integrally with the lid member 21a, or may be formed separately from the lid member 21a.

[0040] When the sheathing clamp 21 and the windshield cover 3 are closed, the claw 42 overlaps with the lever 41 when viewed from the vertical direction Z and is positioned above the lever 41. Hereinafter, this position of the lever 41 and the claw 42 may be referred to as an "engageable position." When the sheathing clamp 21 and the windshield cover 3 are closed, a gap d is formed between the claw 42 and the lever 41 in the opening / closing direction of the windshield cover 3 (the vertical direction Z in the illustrated example). When the windshield cover 3 is opened, the lever 41 approaches the claw 42 to narrow the gap d and abuts against the claw 42 from below. The lever 41 then lifts the sheathing clamp 21 (cover member 21a) against the closing force of the magnet 31a and the attraction member 21d (see also FIG. 7A). As a result, the lever 41 (interlocking mechanism 40) opens the sheathing clamp 21 in conjunction with the opening of the windshield cover 3.

[0041] Hereinafter, the gap d formed between the first lever 41A and the first claw 42A may be referred to as a first gap dA, and the gap d formed between the second lever 41B and the second claw 42B may be referred to as a second gap dB. In this embodiment, the size of the first gap dA and the size of the second gap dB are different in the opening and closing direction (vertical direction Z). Specifically, the sizes of the gaps dA and dB are made different by making the shapes of the first claw 42A and the second claw 42B different as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B. In the example shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the sizes of the first claw 42A and the second claw 42B in the opening and closing direction (vertical direction Z) are different from each other. The difference between the size of the first gap dA and the size of the second gap dB is, for example, 1 to 10 mm. In this embodiment, the length (dimension in the vertical direction Z) of the first lever holding portion 43A and the length (dimension in the vertical direction Z) of the second lever holding portion 43B are approximately equal, and the height (position in the vertical direction Z) of the first lever 41A and the height (position in the vertical direction Z) of the second lever 41B are approximately equal. However, the term "approximately equal" in this specification also includes cases where they can be considered equal if manufacturing errors are removed.

[0042] By making the dimensions of the gaps dA and dB different from each other, when the windshield cover 3 is opened, the timing at which the first lever 41A contacts the first claw 42A and the timing at which the second lever 41B contacts the second claw 42B are shifted. If these timings were the same, a force (opening force) greater than the resultant force of the magnetic forces (closing forces) generated by the two magnets 31a of the cover holding portions 31A and 31B would be required to open the windshield cover 3. By shifting the timings as described above, the force required to open the windshield cover 3 can be reduced. In other words, the windshield cover 3 can be opened with a force greater than the magnetic force generated by one magnet 31a, even if it is smaller than the resultant force of the magnetic forces generated by two magnets 31a.

[0043] Fig. 6A is a perspective view showing an example of the windshield cover 3 according to this embodiment. Figs. 6B and 6C are partial cross-sectional views taken along line AA in Fig. 6A. As shown in Figs. 6A to 6C, the windshield cover 3 may include a switching mechanism 50. The switching mechanism 50 in the illustrated example includes an operating portion 51, a fitting portion 52, and a connecting portion 53.

[0044] 6B and 6C, the fitting portion 52 has a U-shape that is convex outward in the left-right direction X when viewed in the up-down direction Z. A fitting space 3c into which the fitting portion 52 fits is formed in the windshield cover 3. The fitting space 3c communicates with an opening 3b (see FIG. 6A) formed in the side surface of the windshield cover 3. The fitting portion 52 fits into the fitting space 3c, thereby preventing the switching mechanism 50 (and lever 41) from falling off the windshield cover 3.

[0045] A restricting portion 3d is formed inside the fitting space 3c. The restricting portion 3d is disposed inside a U-shaped fitting portion 52. In the front-to-rear direction Y, the inner dimension of the fitting portion 52 is larger than the dimension of the restricting portion 3d. In addition, in the front-to-rear direction Y, the outer dimension of the fitting portion 52 is smaller than the dimension of the fitting space 3c. This allows the fitting portion 52 to move relative to the windshield cover 3 in the front-to-rear direction Y.

[0046] The operating portion 51 protrudes outward in the left-right direction X from the center of the fitting portion 52 in the front-rear direction Y. As a result, the operating portion 51 is exposed to the outside of the windshield cover 3 through the opening 3b, as shown in FIG.

[0047] The connecting portion 53 connects the operating portion 51 and the fitting portion 52 to the lever 41. This allows the operating portion 51, the fitting portion 52, the connecting portion 53, and the lever 41 to move integrally in the front-to-rear direction Y. The fusion splicer 1 may have a switching mechanism (first switching mechanism) connected to the first lever 41A, or may have a switching mechanism (second switching mechanism) connected to the second lever 41B, or may have both of these.

[0048] The switching mechanism 50 described above allows the relative position of the lever 41 with respect to the windshield cover 3 to be switched between an interlocking state shown in FIG. 6B and a non-interlocking state shown in FIG. 6C. Specifically, the two positions are switched by, for example, a user operating (sliding) the operating unit 51 in the front-to-rear direction Y. Here, the "interlocking position" is a position where the opening of the windshield cover 3 and the opening of the covering clamp 21 are interlocked. Specifically, it is a position where the lever 41 and the claw 42 overlap when viewed from the vertical direction Z with the windshield cover 3 closed (see also FIG. 4). On the other hand, the "non-interlocking position" is a position where the opening of the windshield cover 3 and the opening of the covering clamp 21 are not interlocked. Specifically, it is a position where the lever 41 and the claw 42 do not overlap when viewed from the vertical direction Z with the windshield cover 3 closed.

[0049] The fusion splicer 1 does not necessarily have to have the switching mechanism 50. In this case, the lever 41, the rotating shaft 41a, and the lever holder 43 may be fixed to the windshield cover 3.

[0050] Next, the operation of the fusion splicer 1 configured as above will be described.

[0051] When fusion splicing the optical fibers FA and FB using the fusion splicer 1, the operator first opens the windshield cover 3. At this time, the lever 41 of the interlocking mechanism 40 contacts the claw 42 from below. At this time, the lever 41 does not rotate, and the relative angle θ of the lever 41 with respect to the lever holder 43 is maintained at the maximum angle θ0. Then, as shown in FIG. 7A, the lever 41 pushes the claw 42 upward. That is, the lever 41 engages with the coating clamp 21 (claw 42) so as to open the coating clamp 21. As a result, the cover member 21a rotates around the rotation axis 21e, increasing the distance between the attraction member 21d and the magnet 31a. As the magnet 31a and the attraction member 21d move apart, the magnetic force decreases. Therefore, when the coating clamp 21 opens to a certain extent, the opening force of the coil spring 21f becomes greater than the closing force. As a result, the coating clamp 21 opens as shown in FIG. 7B.

[0052] Next, the optical fibers FA, FB are placed on the coating clamp 21 and the glass holding part 13. More specifically, the coating part C of the optical fibers FA, FB is placed on the coating clamp 21, and the glass part G is placed in the groove 13a of the glass holding part 13. Note that the coating part C of the optical fibers FA, FB has been partially removed in advance to expose the glass part G. Then, the coating clamp 21 is closed.

[0053] After the sheathing clamp 21 is closed, the windshield cover 3 is closed. As shown in Fig. 8, when closing the windshield cover 3, the lever 41 comes into contact with the claw portion 42 from above. The lever 41 rotates around the rotation axis 41a due to the pressing force from the claw portion 42 (sheathing clamp 21). Specifically, the lever 41 rotates in a direction that reduces the relative angle θ with respect to the lever holding portion 43.

[0054] Here, the lever 41 is configured to climb over the claw portion 42 before the windshield cover 3 is completely closed. As a result, when the windshield cover 3 is completely closed, the lever 41 returns to a position below the claw portion 42 (i.e., a position where it can engage with the claw portion 42; see FIG. 4). Thereafter, the coating clamp 21 can be opened again by opening the windshield cover 3. For example, when a user opens the windshield cover 3 to remove the fusion-spliced ​​optical fibers FA and FB, the coating clamp 21 also opens in conjunction with it. By linking the operation of opening the windshield cover 3 with the operation of opening the coating clamp 21 in this way, the workability of the fusion splicing can be improved.

[0055] As described above, the fusion splicer 1 according to this embodiment comprises an apparatus main body 2 having a heating unit 2a for heating the first optical fiber FA and the second optical fiber FB, an openable / closable first coating clamp 21A for pressing the first coating portion CA, which is the coating portion C of the first optical fiber FA, an openable / closable second coating clamp 21B for pressing the second coating portion CB, which is the coating portion C of the second optical fiber FB, a first coating holding portion 31A for holding the first coating portion CA between itself and the first coating clamp 21A, a second coating holding portion 31B for holding the second coating portion CB between itself and the second coating clamp 21B, and an openable / closable windshield cover 3 for covering the first coating clamp 21A, the second coating clamp 21B, the first coating holding portion 31A, and the second coating holding portion 31B, and the windshield cover 3 is provided with levers 41A and 41B for opening the coating clamps 21A and 21B in conjunction with the opening operation of the windshield cover 3.

[0056] With this configuration, the jacket clamps 21A, 21B open in conjunction with the opening of the windshield cover 3. This improves the workability of the fusion splicing. Furthermore, linking the opening operations in this manner does not require the provision of a power source such as a motor or a complex torque transmission mechanism. This prevents the fusion splicer 1 from becoming too heavy or too complicated in structure.

[0057] Furthermore, levers 41A and 41B are capable of pivoting about pivot shaft 41a provided on windshield cover 3, and when closing windshield cover 3, levers 41A and 41B perform this pivoting movement due to the pressing force from covering clamps 21A and 21B, and when opening windshield cover 3, levers 41A and 41B engage with covering clamps 21A and 21B so that covering clamps 21A and 21B open without pivoting. With this configuration, it is possible to open covering clamps 21A and 21B with levers 41A and 41B, and after windshield cover 3 is closed, levers 41A and 41B can be returned to a position where they can engage with covering clamps 21A and 21B.

[0058] Furthermore, the relative positions of the levers 41A, 41B with respect to the windshield cover 3 can be switched between an interlocking position where the opening operation of the windshield cover 3 and the opening operation of the covering clamps 21A, 21B are interlocked, and a non-interlocking position where the opening operation of the windshield cover 3 and the opening operation of the covering clamps 21A, 21B are not interlocked. With this configuration, for example, the operator can arbitrarily switch whether or not the opening operation of the windshield cover 3 and the opening operation of the covering clamps 21A, 21B are interlocked.

[0059] The windshield cover 3 is provided with both a first lever 41A and a second lever 41B. When the windshield cover 3 is closed, a first gap dA is formed between the first lever 41A and the first cover clamp 21A in the opening / closing direction of the windshield cover 3. When the windshield cover 3 is closed, a second gap dB is formed between the second lever 41B and the second cover clamp 21B in the opening / closing direction. The dimensions of the first gap dA and the second gap dB are different in the opening / closing direction. With this configuration, when the windshield cover 3 is opened, the timing at which the first lever 41A and the first cover clamp 21A come into contact differs from the timing at which the second lever 41B and the second cover clamp 21B come into contact. This reduces the force required to open the windshield cover 3.

[0060] Furthermore, the first covering clamp 21A is provided with a first claw 42A that engages with the first lever 41A so that the first covering clamp 21A opens when the windshield cover 3 is opened, and the second covering clamp 21B is provided with a second claw 42B that engages with the second lever 41B so that the second covering clamp 21B opens when the windshield cover 3 is opened, and the dimensions of the first claw 42A and the second claw 42B are different from each other in the opening and closing direction. This makes it easy to realize a configuration in which the dimensions of the first gap dA and the second gap dB are different from each other.

[0061] The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0062] 9 is a schematic diagram showing an interlocking mechanism 140 of a fusion splicer 101 according to a modified example. Similar to the above embodiment, this interlocking mechanism 140 has a lever 141 (first lever 141A, second lever 141B), a claw portion 142 (first claw portion 142A, second claw portion 142B), and a lever holder 143 (first lever holder 143A, second lever holder 143B). However, unlike the above embodiment, the lever 141 does not rotate relative to the lever holder 143, but the claw portion 142 rotates relative to the coating clamp 21 (cover member 21a).

[0063] Specifically, a rotation shaft (claw rotation shaft) 142a extending in the left-right direction X is provided (fixed) on the cover member 21a of the cover clamp 21. The claw 142 is configured to be able to rotate about the rotation shaft 142a. When closing the windshield cover 3, the claw 142 rotates due to the pressing force from the lever 141, and when opening the windshield cover 3, the claw 142 engages with the lever 141 so that the cover clamp 21 opens without rotating. This configuration also achieves the same effects as the above-described embodiment. That is, the cover clamps 21A and 21B can be opened by the levers 141A and 141B, and after the windshield cover 3 is closed, the levers 141A and 141B can be returned to positions where they can engage with the cover clamps 21A and 21B.

[0064] In the above embodiment, the gaps dA and dB are made different by making the dimensions of the claws 42A (142A) and 42B (142B) different, but the method for making the gaps dA and dB different is not limited to this. For example, the maximum angle θ0 may be made different between the first lever 41A (141A) and the second lever 41B (141B). The length of the first lever holding portion 43A (143A) and the length of the second lever holding portion 43B (143B) may be made different.

[0065] Furthermore, the fusion splicer 1 may include only one of the first lever 41A (first interlocking mechanism 40A) and the second lever 41B (second interlocking mechanism 40B).

[0066] In addition, it is possible to replace the components in the above-described embodiments with well-known components as appropriate, and the above-described embodiments and variations may be combined as appropriate, without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0067] For example, the above embodiment and the modified example may be combined to adopt a fusion splicer in which both the lever 41 and the claw portion 142 are capable of pivotal movement. [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] 1, 101... fusion splicer 2... device body 2a... heating section 3... windshield cover 21A... first coating clamp 21B... second coating clamp 31A... first coating holding section 31B... second coating holding section 41A, 141A... first lever 41B, 141B... second lever 41a... rotating shaft 42A, 142A... first claw section 42B, 142B... second claw section FA... first optical fiber FB... second optical fiber G... glass section GA... first glass section GB... second glass section dA... first gap dB... second gap

Claims

1. a device body having a heating unit that heats the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber; a first coating clamp that can be opened and closed and presses a first coating portion that is a coating portion of the first optical fiber; a second coating clamp that can be opened and closed and presses a second coating portion that is a coating portion of the second optical fiber; a first covering holding portion that holds the first covering portion between itself and the first covering clamp; a second covering holding portion that holds the second covering portion between itself and the second covering clamp; an openable and closable windshield cover that covers the first covering clamp, the second covering clamp, the first covering holding portion, and the second covering holding portion, The windshield cover is provided with a first lever for opening the first covering clamp in conjunction with an operation of opening the windshield cover. Fusion splicer.

2. the first lever is capable of pivoting about a pivot shaft provided on the windshield cover, the first lever performs the pivoting movement by a pressing force from the first covering clamp when closing the windshield cover, and engages with the first covering clamp so that the first covering clamp opens without performing the pivoting movement when opening the windshield cover. The fusion splicer of claim 1 .

3. the first covering clamp is provided with a first claw portion that is capable of pivoting about a pivot axis provided in the first covering clamp, The first claw portion performs the pivoting movement by a pressing force from the first lever when the windshield cover is closed, and engages with the first lever so that the first covering clamp opens without performing the pivoting movement when the windshield cover is opened.

3. The fusion splicer according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The relative position of the first lever with respect to the windshield cover is switchable between an interlocking position in which the opening operation of the windshield cover and the opening operation of the first covering clamp are interlocked, and a non-interlocking position in which the opening operation of the windshield cover and the opening operation of the first covering clamp are not interlocked. The fusion splicer according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The windshield cover is provided with a second lever that opens the second covering clamp in conjunction with an operation of opening the windshield cover, When the windshield cover is closed, a first gap is formed between the first lever and the first covering clamp in an opening / closing direction in which the windshield cover is opened and closed, When the windshield cover is closed, a second gap is formed between the second lever and the second covering clamp in the opening and closing direction, In the opening and closing direction, the dimension of the first gap and the dimension of the second gap are different from each other. The fusion splicer according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. the first covering clamp is provided with a first claw portion that engages with the first lever so that the first covering clamp opens when the windshield cover is opened, the second covering clamp is provided with a second claw portion that engages with the second lever so that the second covering clamp opens when the windshield cover is opened, In the opening and closing direction, the dimensions of the first claw portion and the second claw portion are different from each other. The fusion splicer of claim 5.

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