Fusion splicer

Abstract

The fusion splicer comprises a device body having a heating section for heating optical fibers, a base member having a coating holding section for holding the coating section of the optical fiber, a clamp member having a coating clamp for clamping the coating section between itself and the coating holding section and rotating around a clamp pivot axis fixed to the base member, and an operating member rotating around a first pivot axis fixed to the base member, wherein the clamp member rotates toward the base member in conjunction with the rotation of the operating member.

Description

Technical Field

[0005] , , ,

[0001] The present invention relates to a fusion splicer. This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-062777 filed in Japan on April 7, 2023, and incorporates its content herein.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a fusion splicer for heating and fusion-splicing optical fibers to each other. The fusion splicer includes a heating unit that heats a pair of optical fibers, and a coating clamp for holding the coating portions of each optical fiber. The optical fibers are sandwiched by the coating clamp or the like, and the glass portions of the pair of optical fibers are heated by the heating unit to perform fusion splicing.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In order to perform fusion splicing appropriately, it is preferable to close the coating clamp while the optical fiber is in a predetermined position. Here, until the optical fiber is sandwiched by the coating clamp, the optical fiber may float or move from the predetermined position due to its rigidity. For this reason, in a conventional fusion splicer, when sandwiching the optical fiber by the coating clamp, the user holds the optical fiber with one hand and operates the coating clamp with the other hand. That is, both hands were used to sandwich one optical fiber by the coating clamp. Therefore, there is a problem that the fusion splicing work is complicated and time-consuming.

[0005] This invention has been made in consideration of these circumstances, and aims to provide a fusion splicer that can streamline fusion splicing operations without involving complicated procedures. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To solve the above problems, a fusion splicer according to embodiment 1 of the present invention comprises: a device body having a heating unit for heating a pair of optical fibers arranged in the left-right direction; a base member having a coating holding unit for holding the coating of one of the pair of optical fibers; a clamp member having a coating clamp for clamping the coating between itself and the coating holding unit, and rotating around a clamp pivot axis fixed to the base member; and an operating member rotating around a first pivot axis fixed to the base member, wherein the clamp member rotates toward the base member in conjunction with the rotation of the operating member.

[0007] According to Embodiment 1, the covering clamp is closed in conjunction with the operating member, making it easier to clamp the optical fiber with the covering clamp. Therefore, it becomes possible to improve the efficiency of optical fiber fusion splicing work.

[0008] Aspect 2 of the present invention is a fusion splicer according to aspect 1, wherein the covering clamp closes in conjunction with the downward rotation of the operating member.

[0009] According to embodiment 2, the operating part can be easily operated with the fingers while holding the optical fiber and moving it toward the coating holding part. In other words, the coating clamp can be closed while easily holding the optical fiber with one hand. Therefore, the fusion splicing work can be made more efficient.

[0010] A third aspect of the present invention is a fusion splicer according to aspect 1 or 2, comprising a conversion unit that converts the operation of the operating member around the first pivot axis into the operation of the clamp member around the clamp pivot axis.

[0011] According to embodiment 3, a structure can be realized in which the covering clamp closes in conjunction with the operation of the operating part. Furthermore, the operating force of the operating part can be easily changed by changing the shape of the conversion part (for example, the lever ratio).

[0012] A fourth aspect of the present invention is a fusion splicer according to aspect 3, wherein the interlocking unit, which includes the operating member, the clamping member, and the conversion unit, is detachable from the main body of the device.

[0013] According to embodiment 4, the interlocking unit can be replaced depending on the type of optical fiber to be fusion spliced.

[0014] Aspect 5 of the present invention is a fusion splicer according to aspect 3 or 4, wherein the base member further has a second pivot shaft fixed to the base member, the operating member has an operating section and an outer guide section, and an intermediate section, and the conversion section has a first arm and a second arm, and when the operating section and the outer guide section are pressed down, the operating member rotates, the intermediate section pushes down the first arm, the conversion section rotates about the second pivot shaft, and the second arm pushes up the clamp member, thereby acting on the clamp member with a moment about the clamp pivot shaft in a direction that closes the clamp member, and the clamp member rotates in a direction that moves toward the base member. Aspect 6 of the present invention is a fusion splicer according to any one of aspects 1 to 5, comprising a biasing member that biases the covering clamp in the direction of opening.

[0015] According to embodiment 6, as long as the force attempting to close the covering clamp (e.g., magnetic force) does not exceed the biasing force, stopping the operation of the operating part will cause the covering clamp to open due to the biasing force. In other words, the amount of rotation of the covering clamp can be made to follow the amount of rotation of the operating part. Therefore, operability can be further improved. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the above embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to improve the efficiency of fusion splicing work.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017] [Figure 1] It is a perspective view of the fusion connector according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] It is a perspective view of the state where the windshield cover in FIG. 1 is opened. [Figure 3] It is a view simplifying the connection structure of this embodiment. [Figure 4A] It is a perspective view of the interlocking unit of this embodiment, showing the state where the covering clamp is open. [Figure 4B] It is a perspective view showing the state where the covering clamp of the interlocking unit in FIG. 4A is closed. [Figure 5A] It is an exploded perspective view of the interlocking unit in FIG. 4A. [Figure 5B] It is a view of the exploded perspective view in FIG. 5A seen from the rear. [Figure 6A] It is a view for explaining the operation of the interlocking unit in FIG. 4A. [Figure 6B] It is a view for explaining the operation following FIG. 6A.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] Hereinafter, the fusion connector of this embodiment will be described based on the drawings. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the fusion connector 1 is configured to fusion-connect a pair of optical fibers F1 and F2. The optical fibers F1 and F2 each have a glass part G and a covering part C that covers the glass part G. The covering part C may be composed of a single layer or a plurality of layers. The covering part C in this embodiment includes a first covering layer C1 and a second covering layer C2 that covers the first covering layer C1 from the outside. The first covering layer C1 and the second covering layer C2 are formed of resin. Note that the covering part C may include three or more covering layers.

[0019] The fusion splicer 1 may be configured to fusion splice a first optical fiber unit including optical fiber F1 and a second optical fiber unit including optical fiber F2 together. In other words, the fusion splicer 1 may fusion splice single-core optical fibers F1 and F2 together, or it may fusion splice multi-core optical fiber units together. That is, "fusion splicing a pair of optical fibers" also includes fusion splicing multi-core optical fiber units together.

[0020] As shown in Figure 1, the fusion splicer 1 has a box-shaped main body 2. A windbreak cover 3 is provided on the top of the main body 2. The windbreak cover 3 is rotatable around a pivot center 3a. As shown in Figure 2, when the windbreak cover 3 rotates around the pivot center 3a, the connection structure 10 for fusion splicing optical fibers F1 and F2 is exposed. The connection structure 10 includes a heating section 2a for heating the optical fibers F1 and F2. The main body 2 also has a display section 2b that displays images captured by a camera built into the main body 2.

[0021] The connection structure 10 of this embodiment will be described below with reference to Figure 3. Note that in Figure 3, each component is shown in a simplified form to facilitate understanding of the structure. As shown in Figure 3, the connection structure 10 includes a pair of movable stages 11, a pair of coating holders 31, a pair of glass holders 13, a pair of glass clamps 14, and a pair of coating clamps 21. The connection structure 10 also includes a pair of electrode rods 17 (only one electrode rod 17 is shown in Figure 3). The direction in which the optical fibers F1 and F2 are arranged (the direction in which the optical fibers F1 and F2 face each other) and the direction in which the pair of electrode rods 17 face each other are orthogonal to each other.

[0022] (direction definition) In this embodiment, the direction in which the optical fibers F1 and F2 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-back 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-back direction Y, is represented by the Z-axis. The left-right direction X is also the direction in which the pair of optical fibers F1 and F2 extend. In the left-right direction X, the side approaching the pair of electrode rods 17 is called the inside, and the side moving 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 its center.

[0023] Although not shown in the diagram, the pair of electrode rods 17 are spaced apart in the front-to-back direction Y. Each electrode rod 17 has a tapered shape, with its outer diameter decreasing towards the inside (closer to the optical fibers F1 and F2) in the front-to-back direction Y. By placing the abutment surfaces of the optical fibers F1 and F2 between the electrode rods 17 and discharging electricity toward these abutment surfaces, the tips of the optical fibers F1 and F2 can be heated and fused together. In other words, the heating section 2a of this embodiment is composed of a pair of electrode rods 17. Note that a heater or the like may be used instead of the electrode rods 17 as the heating section 2a.

[0024] A pair of movable stages 11 are arranged with a gap between them in the left-right direction X and are attached to the main body 2 of the device. Each of the pair of movable stages 11 is movable in the left-right direction X relative to the main body 2. As shown in Figure 3, when viewed from the front-rear direction Y, the pair of movable stages 11 are arranged so as to sandwich the electrode rod 17 between them. That is, each movable stage 11 is able to move forward and backward relative to the electrode rod 17. A power source (such as a motor), not shown, is provided inside the main body 2 to drive the movable stages 11.

[0025] 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 holders 31. The coating holders 31 and coating clamps 21 are attached to the movable stage 11. Therefore, when the movable stage 11 moves in the left-right direction X, the coating holders 31 and coating clamps 21 also move in the left-right direction X.

[0026] The glass clamp 14 is located above the glass holding portion 13. The glass clamp 14 may be configured to be opened and closed manually by the user. Alternatively, the glass clamp 14 may be configured to open and close in conjunction with the opening and closing operation of the windshield cover 3.

[0027] As shown in Figure 3, when viewed from the front-to-back direction Y, the glass holder 13 is located between the electrode rod 17 and the coating holder 31. A V-shaped groove 13a opening upward is formed on the upper surface of the glass holder 13. The groove 13a extends along the left-to-right direction X. The relative positions of the glass portions G of the optical fibers F1 and F2 are determined by placing them in the grooves 13a of the pair of glass holders 13, respectively. Note that the shape of the groove 13a is not limited to V-shape; any shape that can determine the position of the glass portions G is acceptable. For example, the groove 13a may be U-shaped or trapezoidal. The material of the glass holder 13 is a material that can withstand discharge heating, such as ceramic.

[0028] The coating clamp 21 is rotatably mounted relative to the coating holding portion 31. The coating clamp 21 can open and close the upper surface of the coating holding portion 31. The coating clamp 21 can clamp the coating portion C of the optical fibers F1 and F2 between itself and the coating holding portion 31. Furthermore, the coating clamp 21 can switch between a state in which the optical fibers F1 and F2 are clamped and a state in which they are not clamped by opening and closing its position relative to the upper surface of the coating holding portion 31. The portion of the coating clamp 21 that contacts the coating portion C is made of an elastic material (for example, rubber).

[0029] In this embodiment, the fusion splicer 1 is equipped with a pair of operating parts 41 for closing a pair of sheathing clamps 21. As shown in Figure 3, when the user presses one of the operating parts 41 with their fingers, the sheathing clamp 21 corresponding to that operating part 41 closes. The operating parts 41 are also located near the sheathing holding part 31 on which the optical fibers F1 and F2 are placed. Therefore, the user can place the optical fiber F1 or optical fiber F2 on the sheathing holding part 31 and close the sheathing clamp 21 at the same time. In other words, the action of placing the optical fiber F1 or optical fiber F2 and the action of closing the sheathing clamp 21 to hold the optical fiber F1 or optical fiber F2 can be performed with one hand.

[0030] In this embodiment, the structure for linking the cover clamp 21 to the operating unit 41 is referred to as the "linking unit U". As shown in Figure 3, the fusion splicer 1 is equipped with a pair of linking units U. The pair of linking units U are arranged so as to sandwich the electrode rod 17 between them in the left-right direction X. The pair of linking units U have a substantially symmetrical structure. Therefore, in the following description, the left linking unit U in Figure 3 will be described as representative of the pair of linking units U.

[0031] Figure 4A is a perspective view of the interlocking unit U with the covering clamp 21 in the open position. Figure 4B is a perspective view of the interlocking unit U with the covering clamp 21 in the closed position. As shown in Figures 4A and 4B, the interlocking unit U comprises a clamp member 20 having the covering clamp 21, a base member 30 having the covering holding portion 31, an operating member 40 having the operating portion 41, and a biasing member 60. Figure 5A is an exploded perspective view of the interlocking unit U of Figure 4A. Figure 5B is a view of Figure 5A from the rear. As shown in Figures 5A and 5B, the interlocking unit U further comprises a conversion portion 50.

[0032] As shown in Figure 5A, the clamp member 20 has, in addition to the covering clamp 21, an operating projection 22, a connecting portion 23, a pair of clamp bearing portions 24, and a contact portion 25. The operating projection 22 protrudes from the covering clamp 21. The operating projection 22 is the part operated by the user when opening the covering clamp 21 from a closed state. The pair of clamp bearing portions 24 are spaced apart in the left-right direction X. Each of the pair of clamp bearing portions 24 has a shaft hole 24a. The clamp pivot shaft 36, which is fixed to the base member 30, is inserted through the shaft hole 24a. As a result, the clamp member 20 can rotate about the clamp pivot shaft 36.

[0033] The connecting portion 23 connects the pair of clamp bearing portions 24 to the covered clamp 21. The contact portion 25 is arranged side by side with the pair of clamp bearing portions 24 in the left-right direction X. The contact portion 25 is the part that the conversion portion 50 contacts when the clamp member 20 moves in conjunction with the operation of the operating portion 41.

[0034] As shown in Figure 5A, the base member 30 has a first guide portion 33, a second guide portion 34, and a guide pin 35 in addition to the covering holding portion 31. Also, as shown in Figure 5B, the clamp pivot shaft 36, the first pivot shaft 37, and the second pivot shaft 38 are fixed to the base member 30. The clamp pivot shaft 36 and the first pivot shaft 37 are arranged such that the extending direction of the clamp pivot shaft 36 and the extending direction of the first pivot shaft 37 are in different directions. For example, the clamp pivot shaft 36 and the first pivot shaft 37 may be arranged such that the extending direction of the clamp pivot shaft 36 and the extending direction of the first pivot shaft 37 are perpendicular to each other. The clamp pivot shaft 36 and the second pivot shaft 38 are arranged such that the extending direction of the clamp pivot shaft 36 and the extending direction of the second pivot shaft 38 are in the same direction. For example, the clamp pivot shaft 36 and the second pivot shaft 38 may be arranged such that the extending direction of the clamp pivot shaft 36 and the extending direction of the second pivot shaft 38 are parallel to each other.

[0035] As shown in Figure 5A, the covering holder 31 has an elastic member 31a, a base 31b, and a magnetic member 31c. The elastic member 31a and the magnetic member 31c are fitted into two recesses in the base 31b, respectively. The magnetic member 31c may be a magnet or a metal member that attracts a magnet. The covering clamp 21 is provided with a clamp-side magnetic member 21a that generates a magnetic force (attractive force) with the magnetic member 31c. Therefore, when the clamp member 20 rotates and the distance between the clamp-side magnetic member 21a and the magnetic member 31c decreases, a magnetic force acts in the direction of closing the covering clamp 21. This maintains the covering clamp 21 in a closed state.

[0036] The first guide portion 33 is located inward in the left-right direction X compared to the second guide portion 34. In other words, the first guide portion 33 is located closer to the electrode rod 17 than the second guide portion 34. A first guide groove 33a is formed in the first guide portion 33. The glass portion G is positioned inside the first guide groove 33a. This determines the position of the glass portion G in the vicinity of the electrode rod 17. The second guide portion 34 is located outward in the left-right direction X compared to the first guide portion 33. The second guide portion 34 has a second guide groove 34a. The covering portion C is positioned inside the second guide groove 34a.

[0037] The clamp pivot shaft 36 extends in the left-right direction X. The clamp pivot shaft 36 is the center of rotation of the clamp member 20. Both ends of the clamp pivot shaft 36 are supported by the base member 30. The biasing member 60 is a coil spring, and the clamp pivot shaft 36 is inserted inside the coil portion of the biasing member 60. In other words, the biasing member 60 is attached to the clamp pivot shaft 36. That is, the only place where the biasing member 60 is provided is the clamp pivot shaft 36. The biasing member 60 biases the clamp member 20 in the direction in which the covering clamp 21 opens.

[0038] As shown in Figure 5B, the first pivot shaft 37 extends in the front-rear direction Y. The first pivot shaft 37 is the center of rotation of the operating member 40. Both ends of the first pivot shaft 37 are supported by the base member 30. The second pivot shaft 38 extends in the left-right direction X. The second pivot shaft 38 is the center of rotation of the conversion unit 50. Both ends of the second pivot shaft 38 are supported by the base member 30.

[0039] As shown in Figure 5A, the operating member 40 has an operating section 41, an outer guide section 42, a first bearing section 43, and an intermediate section 44. The operating section 41 is plate-shaped and extends in the front-rear direction Y and the left-right direction X. The operating section 41 is located outward in the left-right direction X from the covering holding section 31 and the second guide section 34 of the base member 30. The outer guide section 42 protrudes upward from the operating section 41. The outer guide section 42 is located outward in the left-right direction X from the second guide section 34. An outer guide groove 42a is formed in the outer guide section 42. The covering sections C of the optical fibers F1 and F2 are housed inside the outer guide groove 42a.

[0040] The first bearing section 43 has a first shaft hole 43a extending in the front-rear direction Y. The first pivot shaft 37 is inserted inside the first shaft hole 43a. As a result, the operating member 40 rotates around the first pivot shaft 37. The intermediate section 44 is located between the first bearing section 43 and the operating section 41. A guide hole 44a is formed in the intermediate section 44. When the interlocking unit U is assembled, the guide pin 35 of the base member 30 is inserted inside the guide hole 44a. This makes it easier to align and assemble the operating member 40 to the base member 30. A gap is provided between the guide pin 35 and the guide hole 44a so as not to hinder the rotation of the operating member 40 around the first pivot shaft 37. As shown in Figure 5B, a housing section 44b is formed on the lower surface of the intermediate section 44. The housing section 44b is a recess that is recessed upwards.

[0041] As shown in Figure 5A, the conversion unit 50 includes a second bearing unit 51, a first arm 52, and a second arm 53. The second bearing unit 51 has a second shaft hole 51a that extends in the left-right direction X. A second pivot shaft 38 is inserted inside the second shaft hole 51a. As a result, the conversion unit 50 rotates around the second pivot shaft 38. The first arm 52 and the second arm 53 extend radially from the second bearing unit 51 to the second shaft hole 51a.

[0042] The first arm 52 is positioned in the housing portion 44b of the operating member 40. When the operating portion 41 is pressed down and the operating member 40 rotates around the first pivot axis 37, the intermediate portion 44 pushes down the first arm 52. In other words, the first arm 52 is the part that contacts the intermediate portion 44 from below. The second arm 53 is the part that presses against the contact portion 25 of the clamp member 20.

[0043] Next, the operation of the fusion splicer 1 configured as described above will be explained.

[0044] Before performing the fusion splicing operation, the interlocking unit U is in the state shown in Figure 4A. That is, the clamp member 20 is in the open position. The biasing member 60 biases the sheathing clamp 21 in the opening direction, and since the clamp-side magnetic member 21a is sufficiently far from the magnetic member 31c, the clamp member 20 is maintained in the open position. When performing fusion splicing, the user grasps the sheathing portion C of the optical fiber F1 or optical fiber F2 with their fingers and places it on the base member 30. At this time, the sheathing portion C is placed inside the second guide groove 34a and the outer guide groove 42a, and the glass portion G is placed inside the first guide groove 33a.

[0045] Next, the user presses down on the operating part 41 with the fingers that are gripping the covering part C. At this time, the outer guide part 42 may also be pressed. When the operating part 41 or the outer guide part 42 is pressed, a moment acts on the operating member 40 about the first pivot axis 37, as shown in Figure 6A. The first arm 52 is positioned inside the housing part 44b of the operating member 40. Therefore, when the operating member 40 rotates downward about the first pivot axis 37, the intermediate part 44 pushes down on the first arm 52. As a result, a moment acts on the conversion part 50 about the second pivot axis 38, as shown in Figure 6B. Consequently, the conversion part 50 rotates about the second pivot axis 38 so that the second arm 53 rotates upward.

[0046] The second arm 53 is in contact with the contact portion 25 of the clamp member 20. Therefore, when the conversion unit 50 rotates, the second arm 53 pushes up the contact portion 25. As a result, a moment acts on the clamp member 20 around the clamp pivot axis 36. This moment acts in the direction of closing the clamp member 20. Due to the lever ratio relationship between the operating member 40 and the conversion unit 50, a small rotation of the operating member 40 can be converted into a large rotation of the clamp member 20. On the other hand, the clamp member 20 is subjected to an opening biasing force by the biasing member 60. Therefore, the clamp member 20 rotates in the closing direction according to the amount the user presses down on the operating unit 41, etc. Also, when the user releases their hand from the operating unit 41, etc., the biasing force of the biasing member 60 causes the clamp member 20 to rotate in the opening direction.

[0047] When the user presses the operating unit 41, etc., the clamp member 20 rotates in the closing direction, reducing the distance between the magnetic member 31c and the clamp-side magnetic member 21a. This increases the magnetic force generated by the magnetic member 31c, etc. Based on the magnetic force and the weight of the clamp member 20, a closing force (a force attempting to close the covering clamp 21) acts on the clamp member 20. When this closing force exceeds the biasing force of the biasing member 60, the linkage between the operating unit 41 and the clamp member 20 is released. In other words, even if the user stops pressing the operating unit 41, etc., the covering clamp 21 remains closed. Furthermore, for the fusion splicer 1 to function as described above, the operating member 40 only needs to have at least one of the operating section 41 and the outer guide section 42, and the intermediate section 44, and the conversion section 50 only needs to have at least the first arm 52 and the second arm 53. In other words, the fusion splicer 1 may be configured such that the base member 30 further has a second pivot shaft 38 fixed to the base member 30, the operating member 40 has an operating section 41 and an outer guide section 42, and an intermediate section 44, and the conversion section 50 has a first arm 52 and a second arm 53, and when one of the operating section 41 and the outer guide section 42 is pressed down, the operating member 40 rotates, the intermediate section 44 pushes down the first arm 52, the conversion section 50 rotates around the second pivot shaft 38, and the second arm 53 pushes up the clamp member 20, thereby acting on the clamp member 20 with a moment around the clamp pivot shaft 36 in a direction that closes the clamp member 20, causing the clamp member 20 to rotate in a direction that moves closer to the base member 30.

[0048] By performing the above procedure on both optical fibers F1 and F2, these optical fibers F1 and F2 can be clamped by a pair of sheathing clamps 21. The glass clamp 14 may be configured to close in conjunction with the sheathing clamps 21. Alternatively, the user may directly close the glass clamp 14 without it being linked to the sheathing clamps 21. With the optical fibers F1 and F2 fixed by the sheathing clamps 21 and the glass clamp 14, fusion splicing can be performed by operating the heating unit 2a. After fusion splicing, the user releases the sheathing clamps 21 from fixing the optical fibers F1 and F2 by pushing up the operating projection 22. This allows the optical fibers F1 and F2 to be removed after fusion splicing.

[0049] The amount of rotation of the clamp member 20 relative to the amount of rotation of the operating section 41 (hereinafter simply referred to as the "lever ratio"), and the operating force when pressing down on the operating section 41 are determined by, for example, the following parameters. The length from the position where the user presses the operating member 40 to the first rotation shaft 37 (see Figure 6A) Length from the first drive shaft 37 to the contact point between the first arm 52 and the intermediate section 44 Length from the second drive shaft 38 to the contact point between the first arm 52 and the intermediate section 44 (see Figure 6B) Length from the second drive shaft 38 to the contact point between the second arm 53 and the contact portion 25 The biasing force acting on the clamp member 20 by the biasing member 60 By changing these parameters, the lever ratio and operating force may be altered.

[0050] The interlocking unit U described above is detachable from the main body 2 of the device. More specifically, the interlocking unit U is detachable from the movable stage 11. Therefore, the interlocking unit U can be replaced depending on the type of optical fiber, etc. However, the main body 2 of the device does not have to have a movable stage 11. In this case, the interlocking unit U can be attached to the main body 2 without going through the movable stage 11. Also, in the above embodiment, the fusion splicer 1 had a pair of interlocking units U. However, the fusion splicer 1 may have only one of the right-hand interlocking unit U and the left-hand interlocking unit U. In other words, the fusion splicer 1 may have only one of the pair of operating units 41.

[0051] As described above, the fusion splicer 1 of this embodiment comprises a device body 2 having a heating section 2a for heating a pair of optical fibers F1 and F2 arranged in the left-right direction X, a base member 30 having a covering holding section 31 for holding the covering section C of one of the pair of optical fibers F1 and F2, a clamp member 20 having a covering clamp 21 for clamping the covering section C between itself and the covering holding section 31, a clamp pivot axis 36 fixed to the base member 30, and an operating member 40 that rotates around a first pivot axis 37 fixed to the base member 30, and in conjunction with the rotation of the operating member 40, the clamp member 20 rotates in a direction toward the base member 30 (in the direction toward closing the covering clamp 21).

[0052] Furthermore, the fusion splicing method of this embodiment includes the steps of: operating the operating unit 41 with a hand that is gripping the optical fiber F1 or optical fiber F2, and closing the covering clamp 21 in conjunction with the operating unit 41, thereby clamping the covering portion C of the optical fiber F1 or optical fiber F2 with the covering clamp 21; and heating the respective glass portions G of the optical fiber F1 and optical fiber F2 to perform fusion splicing.

[0053] With this type of fusion splicer 1 or fusion splicing method, the covering clamp 21 is closed in conjunction with the operation of the operating unit 41, making it easier to clamp the optical fibers F1 and F2 with the covering clamp 21. Therefore, it is possible to streamline the fusion splicing work of optical fibers F1 and F2.

[0054] Furthermore, the sheathing clamp 21 closes in conjunction with the downward rotation of the operating unit 41. In this case, the operating unit 41 can be easily operated with the same fingers while holding the optical fibers F1 and F2 and moving them toward the sheathing holding unit 31. In other words, the sheathing clamp 21 can be easily closed while holding either the optical fiber F1 or the optical fiber F2 with one hand. Therefore, the fusion splicing work can be made more efficient.

[0055] Furthermore, the fusion splicer 1 is equipped with a pair of operating units 41, and a pair of sheathing clamps 21 close in conjunction with the operation of the pair of operating units 41. With this configuration, one operating unit 41 can be operated with one hand to hold the optical fiber F1 with the sheathing clamp 21 (one of the sheathing clamps 21). At the same time, the other operating unit 41 can be operated with the other hand to hold the optical fiber F2 with the sheathing clamp 21 (the other sheathing clamp 21). In other words, the operation of holding the optical fibers F1 and F2 with the pair of sheathing clamps 21 can be performed simultaneously with both hands. Therefore, the fusion splicing work can be made even more efficient.

[0056] Furthermore, the fusion splicer 1 has an operating section 41 and an operating member 40 that rotates around a first pivot shaft 37, a clamp member 20 that has one covering clamp 21 and rotates around a clamp pivot shaft 36, and a conversion unit 50 that converts the operation of the operating member 40 around the first pivot shaft 37 to the operation of the clamp member 20 around the clamp pivot shaft 36. This makes it possible to realize a structure in which the covering clamp 21 closes in conjunction with the operation of the operating section 41. In addition, the operating force of the operating section 41 can be easily changed by changing the shape of the conversion unit 50 (for example, the lever ratio).

[0057] Furthermore, the interlocking unit U, which includes the operating member 40, the clamping member 20, and the conversion unit 50, is detachable from the main body 2 of the device. With this configuration, the interlocking unit U can be replaced depending on the types of optical fibers F1 and F2 to be fusion spliced.

[0058] Furthermore, the fusion splicer 1 is equipped with a pair of biasing members 60 that bias the pair of coating clamps 21 in the direction of opening. With this configuration, as long as the force attempting to close the coating clamps 21 (e.g., magnetic force) does not exceed the biasing force, the coating clamps 21 will open due to the biasing force when the operation of the operating unit 41 is stopped. In other words, the amount of rotation of the coating clamps 21 can be made to follow the amount of rotation of the operating unit 41. Therefore, operability can be further improved.

[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, although the fusion splicer 1 in the above embodiment had a pair of interlocking units U, a fusion splicer 1 having only one of the interlocking units U may also be adopted. The fusion splicer 1 comprises a device body 2 having a heating section 2a for heating an optical fiber F1 or optical fiber F2, a base member 30 having a coating holding section 31 for holding the coating section C of the optical fiber F1 or optical fiber F2, a clamp member 20 having a coating clamp 21 for clamping the coating section C between itself and the coating holding section 31, and a clamp pivot axis 36 fixed to the base member 30, and an operating member 40 that rotates around a first pivot axis 37 fixed to the base member 30, and the clamp member 20 may rotate in a direction toward the base member 30 (in the direction toward closing the coating clamp 21) in conjunction with the rotation of the operating member 40. The structure for closing the covering clamp 21 in conjunction with the operation of the operating unit 41 is not limited to the above embodiment and may be modified. For example, the conversion unit 50 may include multiple members. Also, the operation of the operating member 40 or the conversion unit 50 may be linear rather than rotational.

[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…Fusion splicer 2…Device body 2a…Heating unit 13…Glass holding unit 20…Clamping member 21…Coating clamp 31…Coating holding unit 36…Clamp rotation axis 37…First rotation axis 40…Operating member 41…Operating unit 50…Conversion unit 60…Biasing member C…Coating unit F1,F2…Optical fiber G…Glass unit U…Interlocking unit X…Left and right direction

Claims

1. A device body having a heating section for heating optical fibers, A base member having a coating holding portion for holding the coating portion of the optical fiber, The covering portion is clamped between the covering portion and the covering holding portion, and the clamp member rotates around a clamp pivot axis fixed to the base member, It comprises an operating member that rotates around a first pivot axis fixed to the base member, A fusion splicer in which the clamp member rotates toward the base member in conjunction with the rotation of the operating member.

2. The fusion splicer according to claim 1, wherein the covering clamp closes in conjunction with the downward rotation of the operating member.

3. A fusion splicer according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a conversion unit that converts the operation of the operating member around the first pivot axis into the operation of the clamp member around the clamp pivot axis.

4. The fusion splicer according to claim 3, wherein the interlocking unit including the operating member, the clamping member, and the conversion unit is detachable from the main body of the device.

5. The base member further has a second pivot shaft fixed to the base member, The operating member has an operating section and an outer guide section, and an intermediate section. The conversion unit has a first arm and a second arm, When one of the operating section and the outer guide section is pressed, the operating member rotates, the intermediate section pushes down the first arm, the conversion section rotates about the second pivot axis, and the second arm pushes up the clamp member, thereby acting on the clamp member with a moment about the clamp pivot axis in the direction of closing the clamp member, causing the clamp member to rotate in the direction of approaching the base member, as described in claim 3 or 4.

6. A fusion splicer according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a biasing member that biases the covering clamp in the direction of opening.

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