Optical fiber processing tools

Abstract

To provide an optical fiber processing tool capable of reducing waste by making it possible to replace only the wedge, which is a consumable item. [Solution] The optical fiber processing tool 1 includes a connector holder 20 that holds an optical connector that butts together and connects a pair of optical fibers, a wedge 50 that is attached to the connector holder 20 so that it can be inserted into and removed from the optical connector and allows the pair of optical fibers to be butted together when inserted into the optical connector, and a remover 60 that detaches the wedge 50 from the connector holder 20.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to optical fiber processing tools. [Background technology]

[0002] The following Patent Document 1 discloses an optical fiber splicing tool for performing splicing work between optical fibers using an optical fiber splicer. This optical fiber splicing tool includes a pair of optical fiber holders each holding two optical fibers, a support base supporting the optical fiber holders and the optical fiber splicer, and first and second inserting members having insert pieces that open the gap between elements of the optical fiber splicer by being inserted between the elements. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5719796 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The first and second inserting members are inserted into the optical fiber connector as wedges to push apart the elements of the optical fiber connector, but they wear out with repeated use, so when the wedges wear out, it is necessary to replace the optical fiber connector with a new one. On the other hand, parts other than the wedges hardly wear out during normal use, so there is a problem that replacing the optical fiber connector with a new one due to the wedges wear out generates a lot of waste.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and has an object to provide an optical fiber processing tool that can reduce waste by making it possible to replace only the wedge, which is a consumable item. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An optical fiber processing tool according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises a connector holder that holds an optical connector that butt-connects a pair of optical fibers, a wedge that is attached to the connector holder so as to be insertable into and removable from the optical connector and that enables the pair of optical fibers to be butted together when inserted into the optical connector, and a remover that detaches the wedge from the connector holder.

[0007] A second aspect of the present invention is an optical fiber processing tool of the first aspect, wherein the connector holder has an engagement portion that engages with the wedge, and the remover has an insertion portion that is inserted into a gap between the wedge and the engagement portion to release the engagement of the engagement portion with the wedge.

[0008] A third aspect of the present invention is an optical fiber processing tool according to the second aspect, wherein the wedge is provided with a protrusion, and the engagement portion is provided with a guide hole that engages with the protrusion and movably guides the wedge between a first position where it can be inserted into the optical connector and a second position where it can be removed from the optical connector, and a tip of the insertion portion is provided with a recess that avoids interference with the protrusion when inserted into the gap between the wedge and the engagement portion.

[0009] A fourth aspect of the present invention is an optical fiber processing tool according to the second or third aspect, wherein the remover may include a gripping portion that grips the wedge when the insertion portion is inserted into the gap between the wedge and the engagement portion.

[0010] A fifth aspect of the present invention is an optical fiber processing tool according to the fourth aspect, wherein the gripping portion has a gripping force capable of detaching the wedge from the connector holder, and when a force exceeding the gripping force is applied, the gripping of the wedge can be released.

[0011] A sixth aspect of the present invention is the optical fiber processing tool according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the connector holder may include a mounting hole for preventing erroneous mounting of the wedge in the wrong direction.

[0012] A seventh aspect of the present invention may be such that, in any one of the first to sixth aspects of the optical fiber processing tool, the tool further comprises a fiber holder that holds one of the pair of optical fibers and extends an end of the one optical fiber toward the optical connector. Effect of the Invention

[0013] According to the above aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide an optical fiber processing tool that can reduce waste by making only the wedge, which is a consumable item, replaceable. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a plan view of an optical fiber processing tool according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a side view of the wedge according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the wedge according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the optical fiber processing tool according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a remover according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the remover according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] 4 is an enlarged view of an attachment groove of the remover according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 10] 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XX in FIG. [Figure 11] 11 is a perspective view showing a state in which a wedge is detached from a connector holder by a remover according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 12] 11 is a perspective view showing a state in which a wedge is detached from a connector holder by a remover according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 13] 11 is a perspective view showing a state in which a wedge is detached from a connector holder by a remover according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the state shown in FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the state shown in FIG. [Figure 16] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a wedge mounting hole according to the first embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 11 is a plan view of an optical fiber processing tool according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] Hereinafter, the optical fiber processing tool of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0016] (First embodiment) Fig. 1 is a plan view of an optical fiber processing tool 1 according to a first embodiment. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in Fig. 2. 1, the optical fiber processing tool 1 includes a fiber holder 10 and a connector holder 20. The fiber holder 10 is capable of holding an optical fiber F. The connector holder 20 is capable of holding an optical connector 100.

[0017] The optical fiber F has a bare portion f1 and a coating f2 that covers the bare portion f1. The bare portion f1 includes a core and a cladding that covers the core. The bare portion f1 is made of, for example, glass. The coating f2 is made of, for example, resin. The optical fiber F is held by the fiber holder 10 such that an end of the optical fiber F extends from the fiber holder 10 by a predetermined length.

[0018] In the following description, an XYZ orthogonal coordinate system is set, and the positional relationship of each component may be described with reference to this XYZ orthogonal coordinate system. As shown in the figure, the X-axis direction is set in the direction in which the end of the optical fiber F extends from the fiber holder 10. The X-axis direction coincides with the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber processing tool 1. The Y-axis direction coincides with the width direction (short side direction) of the optical fiber processing tool 1. The Z-axis direction coincides with the height direction of the optical fiber processing tool 1. In addition, one side of each of the XYZ orthogonal axes is defined as the "+ side" and the opposite side as the "- side".

[0019] 1, the fiber holder 10 holds the optical fiber F with the end of the optical fiber F extended. The fiber holder 10 includes a clamp or the like for clamping the optical fiber F. The fiber holder 10 holds the end of the optical fiber F in a position facing the optical connector 100 in the X-axis direction.

[0020] 2, the optical connector 100 has a ferrule 101, an embedded fiber 102 (optical fiber F), a mechanical splice 103, and a housing 104. The ferrule 101 has a fiber hole through which the embedded fiber 102 is inserted. The embedded fiber 102 is disposed so as to be flush with an end face (connection end face) on the -X side of the ferrule 101. The end face on the -X side of the ferrule 101 is covered with a cap 101a.

[0021] The built-in fiber 102 extends from the ferrule 101 to the +X side. The +X side of the built-in fiber 102 is located inside the mechanical splice 103. An optical fiber F to be connected to the built-in fiber 102 is inserted into the mechanical splice 103 from the +X side. As shown in Fig. 3, the mechanical splice 103 includes a first clamping piece 103A, a second clamping piece 103B, and a clamp 103C.

[0022] The clamp 103C is C-shaped in cross section and is made of an elastic material. The first clamping piece 103A and the second clamping piece 103B are held on the inner surface of the clamp 103C by the elastic restoring force of the clamp 103C and are pressed against each other. An insertion hole 103a is formed in a part of the pressed surface between the first clamping piece 103A and the second clamping piece 103B. The built-in fiber 102 and the optical fiber F are inserted into the insertion hole 103a.

[0023] An expansion portion 103b into which the wedge 50 shown in Fig. 2 can be inserted from below is formed in a portion of the pressure contact surface between the first clamping piece 103A and the second clamping piece 103B. When the wedge 50 is inserted into the expansion portion 103b, the gap between the first clamping piece 103A and the second clamping piece 103B opens against the elastic force of the clamp 103C, and the optical fiber F can be inserted into the insertion hole 103a.

[0024] With the built-in fiber 102 and the optical fiber F butted together inside the mechanical splice 103, the wedge 50 is pulled out from the widened portion 103b, whereby the restoring force of the clamp 103C closes the gap between the first clamping piece 103A and the second clamping piece 103B. This makes it possible to maintain the built-in fiber 102 and the optical fiber F butted together.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 2, the housing 104 accommodates the ferrule 101, the built-in fiber 102, and the mechanical splice 103. The housing 104 is formed with two insertion holes through which the wedge body 51 of the wedge 50 is inserted. In this embodiment, the wedge body 51 is inserted into the mechanical splice 103 from the -Z side. Therefore, the insertion holes of the housing 104 also open downward. The illustrated optical connector 100 has a single built-in fiber 102. However, the optical connector 100 may have multiple built-in fibers 102.

[0026] A mounting hole 21 into which a wedge 50 can be mounted is formed at the bottom of the connector holder 20. The connector holder 20 includes an optical connector holding section 22, a link section 30, and a link actuation section 40. The optical connector holding section 22 holds the optical connector 100, and is attached to the connector holder 20 together with the link section 30 and the link actuation section 40 so as to be relatively movable in the X-axis direction toward the fiber holder 10.

[0027] The link actuation section 40 includes a first member 40A and a second member 40B. The second member 40B is connected to the -X side of the optical connector holding section 22 via a fiber biasing spring 43. The first member 40A is connected to the -X side of the second member 40B via a return spring 44. A link support section 41 is provided on the lower surface side (-Z side) of the second member 40B. The first member 40A and the second member 40B are movable in the X-axis direction relative to the connector holder 20. When the first member 40A moves in the X-axis direction, the second member 40B and the link section 30 also move in the X-axis direction.

[0028] The fiber biasing spring 43 generates a biasing force for pressing the optical fiber F against the built-in fiber 102 inside the mechanical splice 103. The biasing force of the fiber biasing spring 43 is set so as to ensure an optical connection between the built-in fiber 102 and the optical fiber F. The return spring 44 has a role of returning the first member 40A etc. to their original positions after the optical fiber F is connected to the optical connector 100.

[0029] The link portion 30 includes a lever 31 that pushes down the wedge 50. The lever 31 includes a rotation shaft 31a that is journaled on the link support portion 41. The lever 31 is rotatable around the rotation shaft 31a. The first member 40A has an inclined surface 42. The inclined surface 42 faces the lever 31 in the X-axis direction. The inclined surface 42 is inclined toward the +Z side as it approaches the -X side.

[0030] The wedge 50 can be inserted into and removed from the mechanical splice 103 of the optical connector 100, and enables connection between an internal fiber 102 built into the optical connector 100 and an optical fiber F. The wedge 50 includes a wedge body 51 and a wedge holder 52. The bottom surface of the wedge holder 52 is exposed to the outside. A user can move the wedge body 51 upward by pushing up the bottom surface of the wedge holder 52. This allows the wedge body 51 to be inserted into the mechanical splice 103.

[0031] Link unit 30, in conjunction with the movement of link actuation unit 40, removes wedge 50 from mechanical splice 103 of optical connector 100. Specifically, when first member 40A is moved toward the +X side, inclined surface 42 comes into contact with the -X side end of lever 31, and the -X side end of lever 31 rotates upward about pivot shaft 31a. When the -X side end of lever 31 rotates upward, the +X side end of lever 31 rotates downward, pushing wedge holder 52 downward. This allows wedge 50 to move downward.

[0032] The wedge 50 includes two wedge bodies 51 spaced apart in the X-axis direction. The two wedge bodies 51 are each movable in the Z-axis direction relative to the wedge holder 52, but have different movement strokes. The wedge body 51 arranged on the +X side has a longer movement stroke in the Z-axis direction than the wedge body 51 arranged on the -X side. This allows the wedge body 51 arranged on the -X side to be removed first from the mechanical splice 103 when the wedge 50 moves downward. In other words, the portion where the built-in fiber 102 and the optical fiber F are butted together can be closed first.

[0033] When connecting the optical fiber F held by the fiber holder 10 to the built-in fiber 102 built into the optical connector 100, first, the wedge body 51 is inserted into the mechanical splice 103. Next, the optical connector 100 together with the link operating unit 40 is brought closer to the fiber holder 10. As a result, the optical fiber F held by the fiber holder 10 is inserted into the mechanical splice 103 in the optical connector 100.

[0034] As a result, the optical fiber F and the embedded fiber 102 are butted together inside the mechanical splice 103. At this time, the biasing force of the fiber biasing spring 43 acts, and the optical fiber F and the embedded fiber 102 are pressed together with an appropriate force. Next, when the first member 40A is further pressed toward the fiber holder 10, the lever 31 rotates and the wedge 50 is pressed down. When the wedge 50 is removed from the mechanical splice 103, the optical fiber F is fixed to the optical connector 100. With the above, the connection between the optical fiber F and the optical connector 100 is completed.

[0035] Fig. 4 is a side view of the wedge 50 according to the first embodiment. Fig. 5 is a bottom view of the wedge 50 according to the first embodiment. 4, a contact portion 53 against which the lever 31 can contact from the +Z side is provided at the bottom of the wedge holder 52. In addition, a protrusion 54 protruding in the Y-axis direction is provided at the side of the wedge holder 52.

[0036] 5, the contact portion 53 has a rectangular shape that protrudes on both sides in the Y-axis direction relative to the wedge holder 52. The protrusions 54 have a pin shape that protrudes on both sides in the Y-axis direction relative to the wedge holder 52. The protrusions 54 are disposed on both sides in the Y-axis direction of each of the two wedge bodies 51. A total of four protrusions 54 are provided on the wedge holder 52.

[0037] 4, the connector holder 20 has an engagement portion 23 that engages with the wedge 50. The engagement portion 23 has a guide hole 23a that guides the protrusion 54 in the Z-axis direction. The guide hole 23a is an elongated hole extending in the Z-axis direction, and movably guides the wedge 50 between a first position where the wedge body 51 can be inserted into the mechanical splice 103 and a second position where the wedge body 51 can be removed from the mechanical splice 103.

[0038] 5, an opening 55 is formed in the contact portion 53 at a position facing the protrusion 54 in the Z-axis direction. The opening 55 has a size that allows an insertion portion 62 of a remover 60, which will be described later, to be inserted therein. Specifically, the opening 55 opens in the Y-axis direction larger than the sum of the dimension of the protrusion 54 in the Y-axis direction and the dimension of the engagement portion 23 in the Y-axis direction so that the engagement portion 23 can be disengaged from the protrusion 54.

[0039] Fig. 6 is a bottom perspective view of the optical fiber processing tool 1 according to the first embodiment. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the remover 60 according to the first embodiment. Fig. 8 is a plan view of the remover 60 according to the first embodiment. 6, a mounting groove 24 for detachably mounting a remover 60 is formed on the bottom surface of the connector holder 20. The remover 60 is used when attaching or detaching the wedge 50 to or from the connector holder 20.

[0040] As shown in Fig. 7, the remover 60 includes a base portion 61, an insertion portion 62, and a grip portion 63. The base portion 61 has a rectangular plate shape. As shown in Fig. 8, a through hole 61b is formed in the center of the base portion 61. As shown in Fig. 7, the insertion portion 62 is erected on one side of the base portion 61. The insertion portion 62 is inserted into the gap between the wedge 50 and the engagement portion 23, thereby releasing the engagement of the engagement portion 23 with the wedge 50.

[0041] A recess 62a is provided at the tip of the insertion portion 62 to avoid interference with the protrusion 54 when inserted into the gap between the wedge 50 and the engagement portion 23. The recess 62a is formed in a U-shape. In addition, an inclined portion 62b is provided on the outer surface side at the tip of the insertion portion 62 to facilitate insertion into the gap between the wedge 50 and the engagement portion 23. In other words, the thickness of the insertion portion 62 becomes thinner toward the tip.

[0042] Four insertion portions 62 are provided on the base portion 61 corresponding to the four protrusions 54. The insertion portions 62 are provided along the long sides of the base portion 61. A knob portion 61a that protrudes outward is provided at the center of the long side of the base portion 61. The knob portion 61a is a portion on which an operator places his or her finger when attaching or detaching the wedge 50 from the connector holder 20.

[0043] A gripping portion 63 is provided at the center of the short side of the base portion 61 for gripping the wedge 50 when the insertion portion 62 is inserted into the gap between the wedge 50 and the engagement portion 23. The gripping portion 63 is erected on one side of the base portion 61, the same as the insertion portion 62. The gripping portions 63 are disposed on the short side of the base portion 61, and are provided in a pair spaced apart in the long side direction of the base portion 61. The gripping portions 63 are snap fits with inward hooks at their tips. The wedge body 51 of the wedge 50 is provided with a pair of locked portions 56 (see FIG. 5) to which the pair of gripping portions 63 can be locked.

[0044] Fig. 9 is an enlarged view of the mounting groove 24 of the remover 60 according to the first embodiment. Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX shown in Fig. 9. 9, a mounting groove 24 for detachably mounting the remover 60 is formed on the bottom surface of the connector holder 20. The mounting groove 24 is formed in a concave shape facing the +Z side.

[0045] Ribs 24a are provided on inner wall surfaces facing each other in the Y-axis direction of the mounting groove 24. A mounting portion 24b for detachably mounting the remover 60 is provided on the inner wall surface on the +X side of the mounting groove 24. When the remover 60 is mounted on the mounting portion 24b, a gap S is formed between the remover 60 and the inner wall surface on the -X side of the mounting groove 24.

[0046] As shown in Fig. 10, the mounting portion 24b is formed in a rod shape extending to the -X side. The -X side end of the mounting portion 24b is formed in a convex shape toward the +Z side. The -X side end of the mounting portion 24b is inserted into the through hole 61b of the remover 60 and engages with the base portion 61. The rod-shaped portion of the mounting portion 24b is provided with a restricting portion 24c that restricts the movement of the remover 60 on the +X side. This makes it possible to prevent the tip of the insertion portion 62 of the remover 60 from contacting the inner wall surface on the +X side of the mounting groove 24, etc.

[0047] To remove the remover 60 from the mounting portion 24b, the remover 60 is grasped and pulled out to the -X side. A gap S is formed between the remover 60 and the inner wall surface on the -X side of the mounting groove 24, so that the remover 60 can be pulled out to the -X side. When the remover 60 is pulled out to the -X side, the end portion on the -X side of the mounting portion 24b elastically deforms downward, and the engagement between the through-hole 61b of the remover 60 and the mounting portion 24b is released, and the remover 60 can be removed from the mounting portion 24b.

[0048] 11 to 13 are perspective views showing how the wedge 50 is detached from the connector holder 20 by the remover 60 according to the first embodiment. Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the state shown in Fig. 13. Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the state shown in Fig. 12. When removing the wedge 50 from the connector holder 20 by using the remover 60, first, the remover 60 is aligned with the wedge 50 as shown in FIG.

[0049] Next, as shown in Fig. 12, the insertion portion 62 of the remover 60 is inserted into the gap between the wedge 50 and the engagement portion 23. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 15(a), the tip of the insertion portion 62 is inserted into the gap between the wedge holder 52 and the engagement portion 23. Then, as shown in Fig. 15(b), the engagement portion 23 is pushed outward in the Y-axis direction, and the engagement between the protrusion 54 and the engagement portion 23 can be released.

[0050] Finally, as shown in Fig. 13, the remover 60 and the wedge 50 are detached from the connector holder 20. At this time, as shown in Fig. 14, the gripping portion 63 of the remover 60 is locked to the locked portion 56 of the wedge holder 52. The gripping portion 63 grips the wedge 50 with the insertion portion 62 inserted into the gap between the wedge 50 and the engaging portion 23, so that the wedge 50 can be detached by pulling out the remover 60 while the engagement between the protrusion 54 and the engaging portion 23 is released.

[0051] The gripping portion 63 has a gripping force capable of detaching the wedge 50 from the connector holder 20. In other words, by lifting the remover 60, the wedge 50 can also be lifted. When a force exceeding the gripping force is applied to the gripping portion 63, the snap fit is elastically deformed, and the grip of the wedge 50 can be released. In other words, the wedge 50 can be removed from the remover 60 without discarding the remover 60 together with the wedge 50, and can be accommodated again in the mounting groove 24 (reused).

[0052] FIG. 16 is an enlarged view of the mounting hole 21 of the wedge 50 according to the first embodiment. After removing the wedge 50 with the worn wedge body 51, a new wedge 50 is attached to the connector holder 20 as shown in Fig. 16. The connector holder 20 has an attachment hole 21 that prevents the wedge 50 from being attached in the wrong direction. Specifically, the attachment hole 21 opens in a substantially convex shape when viewed from the bottom.

[0053] When wedge 50, which is substantially convex in bottom view, is to be attached to this attachment hole 21, it cannot be attached unless it is oriented in the same direction. If it is attempted to attach wedge 50 in the opposite direction, wedge 50 will come into contact with the periphery of the opening of attachment hole 21, as shown by the two-dot chain line in Fig. 16, and will not be able to be attached to connector holder 20. This allows wedge 50 to be attached in the correct direction, so that when removing wedge 50 from mechanical splice 103, the wedge body 51 on the -X side can be removed first, and then the wedge body 51 on the +X side can be removed, as shown in Fig. 2.

[0054] As described above, the optical fiber processing tool 1 according to this embodiment includes the connector holder 20 that holds the optical connector 100 that butts and connects a pair of optical fibers F, the wedge 50 that is attached to the connector holder 20 so as to be insertable into and removable from the optical connector 100 and allows the pair of optical fibers F to be butted together when inserted into the optical connector 100, and the remover 60 that detaches the wedge 50 from the connector holder 20. With this configuration, only the wedge 50, which is a consumable item, can be replaced, reducing waste.

[0055] Moreover, in this embodiment, the connector holder 20 includes an engagement portion 23 that engages with the wedge 50, and the remover 60 includes an insertion portion 62 that is inserted into a gap between the wedge 50 and the engagement portion 23 to release the engagement of the engagement portion 23 with the wedge 50. According to this configuration, the engagement portion 23 can be pushed apart to release the engagement between the wedge 50 and the engagement portion 23.

[0056] In this embodiment, the wedge 50 is provided with a protrusion 54, the engagement portion 23 is provided with a guide hole 23a that engages with the protrusion 54 and movably guides the wedge 50 between a first position where the wedge 50 can be inserted into the optical connector 100 and a second position where the wedge 50 can be removed from the optical connector 100, and the tip of the insertion portion 62 is provided with a recess 62a that avoids interference with the protrusion 54 when the insertion portion 62 is inserted into the gap between the wedge 50 and the engagement portion 23. With this configuration, the insertion portion 62 can be deeply inserted into the gap between the wedge 50 and the engagement portion 23, making it easier to push the engagement portion 23 apart.

[0057] In this embodiment, the remover 60 includes a gripping portion 63 that grips the wedge 50 with the insertion portion 62 inserted into the gap between the wedge 50 and the engagement portion 23. According to this configuration, the wedge 50 can be easily detached from the connector holder 20 by inserting and pulling the remover 60 into and out of the wedge 50.

[0058] In this embodiment, the gripping portion 63 has a gripping force capable of detaching the wedge 50 from the connector holder 20, and when a force exceeding the gripping force is applied, the gripping portion 63 can release the grip of the wedge 50. According to this configuration, the detached wedge 50 can be removed from the remover 60, and the remover 60 can be reused.

[0059] In this embodiment, the connector holder 20 includes the mounting hole 21 that prevents the wedge 50 from being mounted in the wrong direction. This configuration makes it possible to prevent the wedge 50 from being mounted in the wrong direction when replacing the wedge 50 with a new one.

[0060] In this embodiment, the fiber holder 10 is provided to hold one of the pair of optical fibers F and extend an end of the optical fiber F toward the optical connector 100. This configuration makes it easy to insert the optical fiber F into the optical connector 100.

[0061] Second embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the following description, the same or equivalent configurations as those in the above-described embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be simplified or omitted.

[0062] FIG. 17 is a plan view of the optical fiber processing tool 1 according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 17, the optical fiber processing tool 1 includes a fiber holder 10, a connector holder 20, a base member 110, a coating stripper 120, a handle 130, a stripper support base 140, and a fiber cutting section 150.

[0063] The optical fiber processing tool 1 has a coating removing function, a cutting function, and an assembling function. The coating removal function is a function of partially removing the coating f2 of the optical fiber F from the optical fiber F to expose the bare portion f1. The cutting function is a function of cutting the optical fiber F. The assembling function is a function of assembling the optical fiber F to the optical connector 100. However, the optical fiber processing tool 1 does not necessarily have to have any one of the coating removal function, the cutting function, and the assembling function.

[0064] The fiber holder 10 is attached to the base member 110 so as to be movable in the Y-axis direction. The fiber holder 10 is movable in the Y-axis direction between a position corresponding to the coating stripper 120 and a position corresponding to the connector holder 20. The connector holder 20 is disposed on the rear side (+Y side) of the coating stripper 120.

[0065] The base member 110 supports the fiber holder 10 and the stripper support stand 140. The coating stripper 120 is disposed on the front side (-Y side) of the connector holder 20. The coating stripper 120 removes the coating f2 from the end of the optical fiber F extended from the fiber holder 10. The coating stripper 120 is operated by operating a handle 130.

[0066] The operation of the handle 130 is transmitted via a link mechanism to the coating stripper 120. The stripper support base 140 holds the connector holder 20, the coating stripper 120, and the handle 130. The stripper support base 140 is attached to the base member 110 so as to be movable in the X-axis direction.

[0067] The fiber cutting unit 150 is disposed on the front side (-Y side) of the connector holder 20. The position of the fiber cutting unit 150 in the X-axis direction is fixed with respect to the base member 110. The fiber cutting unit 150 cuts the bare portion f1 of the optical fiber F from which the coating f2 has been removed by the coating stripper 120.

[0068] Next, a working procedure and the function of each part when processing the optical fiber F using the optical fiber processing tool 1 configured as above will be described.

[0069] First, the fiber holder 10 is moved in the Y-axis direction to a position corresponding to the coating stripper 120, and the handle 130 is operated to make a cut in the coating f2 of the optical fiber F. Next, the stripper support base 140 is moved to the -X side relative to the fiber holder 10 to expose the bare portion f1. Next, the fiber cutting unit 150 is moved together with the stripper support base 140, and the bare portion f1 is cut to an appropriate length.

[0070] Next, the fiber holder 10 is moved in the Y-axis direction to a position corresponding to the connector holder 20. The optical connector 100 with the wedge 50 inserted therein is held in the connector holder 20. Next, the optical connector 100 together with the connector holder 20 is brought closer to the fiber holder 10. As a result, the optical fiber F held by the fiber holder 10 is inserted into the mechanical splice 103 in the optical connector 100.

[0071] Thereafter, similar to the first embodiment, the optical fiber F and the embedded fiber 102 come into contact in the mechanical splice 103 shown in FIG. 2. At this time, the fiber biasing spring 43 applies a biasing force, and the optical fiber F and the embedded fiber 102 are pressed against each other with an appropriate force. Next, the first member 40A is pressed toward the fiber holder 10. This rotates the lever 31, and the wedge 50 is pressed down. The wedge 50 is removed from the mechanical splice 103, and the optical fiber F is fixed to the optical connector 100. This completes the connection between the optical fiber F and the optical connector 100.

[0072] Even in the optical fiber processing tool 1 as described above, by removably attaching the above-mentioned remover 60 to the bottom surface of the connector holder 20 or the base member 110, it is possible to remove only the wedge 50 when the wedge body 51 becomes worn.

[0073] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described and illustrated above, it should be understood that they are illustrative of the present invention and should not be considered as limiting. Additions, omissions, substitutions, and other modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Thus, the present invention should not be considered as limited by the foregoing description, but rather by the scope of the claims.

[0074] For example, the optical fiber processing tool 1 may not have the fiber holder 10, and the optical fiber F may be directly inserted into the optical connector 100.

[0075] In addition, within the scope of the spirit of the present invention, 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. [Explanation of symbols]

[0076] 1...optical fiber processing tool, 10...fiber holder, 20...connector holder, 21...mounting hole, 22...optical connector holding portion, 23...engagement portion, 23a...guide hole, 24...mounting groove, 24a...rib, 24b...mounting portion, 24c...regulating portion, 30...link portion, 31...lever, 31a...rotating shaft, 40...link operating portion, 40A...first member, 40B...second member, 41...link support portion, 42...inclined surface, 43...fiber biasing spring, 44...return spring, 50...wedge, 51...wedge body, 52...wedge holder, 53...contact portion, 54...projection portion, 55...opening, 56...engaged portion, 60...remover, 61... Base portion, 61a... knob portion, 61b... through hole, 62... insertion portion, 62a... recess, 62b... inclined portion, 63... grip portion, 100... optical connector, 101... ferrule, 101a... cap, 102... built-in fiber, 103... mechanical splice, 103a... insertion hole, 103A... first clamping piece, 103b... expansion portion, 103B... second clamping piece, 103C... clamp, 104... housing, 110... base member, 120... coating stripper, 130... handle, 140... stripper support, 150... fiber cutting portion, F... optical fiber, f1... bare portion, f2... coating, S... gap

Claims

1. a connector holder for holding an optical connector for butt-connecting a pair of optical fibers; a wedge that is attached to the connector holder so as to be insertable into and removable from the optical connector, and that allows the pair of optical fibers to be butted together when inserted into the optical connector; a remover for removing the wedge from the connector holder. Optical fiber processing tools.

2. the connector holder includes an engagement portion that engages with the wedge, The remover includes an insertion portion that is inserted into a gap between the wedge and the engagement portion to release the engagement portion from the wedge. The optical fiber processing tool of claim 1 .

3. The wedge is provided with a protrusion, a guide hole is provided in the engagement portion, the guide hole engaging with the protrusion and movably guiding the wedge between a first position where the wedge can be inserted into the optical connector and a second position where the wedge can be removed from the optical connector; A recess is provided at a tip of the insertion portion to avoid interference with the protrusion when the insertion portion is inserted into the gap between the wedge and the engagement portion. The optical fiber processing tool of claim 2 .

4. The remover includes a gripping portion that grips the wedge when the insertion portion is inserted into the gap between the wedge and the engagement portion. The optical fiber processing tool according to claim 2 or 3.

5. The gripping portion has a gripping force capable of detaching the wedge from the connector holder, and when a force exceeding the gripping force is applied, the gripping portion can release the gripping of the wedge. The optical fiber processing tool of claim 4.

6. The connector holder has a mounting hole for preventing the wedge from being mounted in the wrong direction. The optical fiber processing tool according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

7. a fiber holder that holds one of the pair of optical fibers and causes an end of the one optical fiber to extend toward the optical connector; The optical fiber processing tool according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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