Optical fiber cutting device and optical fiber cutting method

Abstract

The optical fiber cutting device comprises a first gripping portion that grips the optical fiber, a second gripping portion that grips the optical fiber, a cutting blade that cuts the optical fiber between the first gripping portion and the second gripping portion, a backstop portion that regulates the bending of the optical fiber, a detection means that detects the position of the optical fiber relative to the backstop portion, and a position adjustment means that adjusts the position of the backstop portion based on the position of the optical fiber detected by the detection means.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an optical fiber cutting device and an optical fiber cutting method. This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-197131, filed on December 9, 2022, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, optical fiber cleavers have been known that inflict cuts on an optical fiber and cut the optical fiber by tensile stress. Conventional optical fiber cleavers have a holding plate that prevents the optical fiber from bending when the fiber is cut by a cutting blade (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 6-294914 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] To achieve a good cut, the relative positions of the optical fiber and the holding plate must be properly adjusted when cutting the optical fiber with the cutting blade to prevent excessive bending of the optical fiber. However, in the optical fiber cutting method described in Patent Document 1, the relative positions of the optical fiber and the holding plate are fixed, which makes the cutting quality unstable depending on the diameter of the optical fiber being cut, and can result in poor angle or shape of the cut surface of the optical fiber. Furthermore, even optical fibers with the same specifications can have different diameters due to tolerances, making it difficult to consistently obtain a good cut surface of the optical fiber.

[0005] An object of one aspect of the present invention is to provide an optical fiber cutting device and an optical fiber cutting method that can obtain a good cut surface regardless of the diameter of the optical fiber. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A first aspect of the optical fiber cutting device of the present invention comprises a first gripping portion for gripping an optical fiber, a second gripping portion for gripping the optical fiber, a cutting blade for cutting the optical fiber between the first gripping portion and the second gripping portion, a backstop portion for regulating the bending of the optical fiber, a detection means for detecting the position of the optical fiber relative to the backstop portion, and a position adjustment means for adjusting the position of the backstop portion based on the position of the optical fiber detected by the detection means.

[0007] In the optical fiber cutting device, the position adjusting means adjusts the position of the backstop portion based on the position of the optical fiber detected by the detecting means. Therefore, the position of the backstop portion can be appropriately set relative to the position of the optical fiber. Therefore, a good cut surface of the optical fiber can be obtained regardless of the outer diameter of the optical fiber.

[0008] It is preferable that the backstop portion restricts bending of the optical fiber when the optical fiber is injured by the injury blade. The detecting means preferably has a sensor unit that measures the pressing force that the backstop portion receives from the optical fiber, and a detecting unit that detects the position of the optical fiber based on the measurement value of the sensor unit.

[0009] The position adjusting means preferably includes an electric actuator that moves the backstop portion, and a control unit that controls the electric actuator based on the position of the optical fiber.

[0010] The sensor unit preferably includes an elastic member and a strain gauge for measuring the strain of the elastic member.

[0011] The first gripping portion and the second gripping portion preferably apply tension to the optical fiber.

[0012] The detector preferably detects the position of the outer surface of the optical fiber facing the backstop portion.

[0013] The sensor unit preferably has one or more of the strain gauges.

[0014] The optical fiber cutting device preferably includes a locking mechanism that restricts movement of the backstop portion when the cutting blade is cutting.

[0015] A second aspect of the optical fiber cutting method of the present invention includes a cutting blade that cuts the optical fiber between a first holding portion and a second holding portion that hold the optical fiber, and a backstop portion that regulates the bending of the optical fiber when the optical fiber is cut by the cutting blade, and prior to cutting the optical fiber using the cutting blade, the method includes the steps of detecting the position of the optical fiber facing the backstop portion, and adjusting the position of the backstop portion based on the detected position of the optical fiber.

[0016] According to the optical fiber cutting method, the position of the backstop is adjusted based on the detected position of the optical fiber, so that the position of the backstop can be appropriately set relative to the position of the optical fiber, thereby obtaining a good cut surface of the optical fiber regardless of the outer diameter of the optical fiber. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] One aspect of the present invention provides an optical fiber cleaver and an optical fiber cleaver that can obtain a good cut surface of an optical fiber regardless of the diameter of the optical fiber. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view showing an optical fiber cutting device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a front view showing an optical fiber cutting device according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] 1 is a plan view showing the entire optical fiber cutting device of an embodiment. [Figure 4] 1 is a plan view showing an optical fiber cutting device according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] 1 is a front view showing an optical fiber cutting device according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] 1 is a perspective view showing an optical fiber cutting device according to an embodiment; [Figure 7] 1 is a perspective view showing an optical fiber cutting device according to an embodiment; [Figure 8] 1 is a schematic diagram showing an optical fiber cutting device according to an embodiment; [Figure 9] 5A to 5C are schematic diagrams illustrating the operation of the optical fiber cutting device according to the embodiment. [Figure 10] 5A to 5C are schematic diagrams illustrating the operation of the optical fiber cutting device according to the embodiment. [Figure 11] 5A to 5C are schematic diagrams illustrating the operation of the optical fiber cutting device according to the embodiment. [Figure 12] 5A to 5C are schematic diagrams illustrating the operation of the optical fiber cutting device according to the embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a front view showing a modified example of the optical fiber cutting device of the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] An optical fiber cutting device according to an embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0020] [Optical fiber cleaver] Figures 1 and 2 are front views showing an optical fiber cutting device of an embodiment. Figure 3 is a plan view showing the entire optical fiber cutting device of an embodiment. Figure 4 is a plan view showing an optical fiber cutting device of an embodiment. Figure 5 is a front view showing an optical fiber cutting device of an embodiment. Figures 6 and 7 are perspective views showing an optical fiber cutting device of an embodiment. Figure 8 is a schematic view showing an optical fiber cutting device of an embodiment.

[0021] As shown in Figure 3, the optical fiber cutting device 100 of this embodiment is configured to include a base member 10, a movable gripping portion 20 (first gripping portion), a fixed gripping portion 50 (second gripping portion), a scratch forming portion 40, a driving portion 30, a backstop portion 70, a detection means 80 (detection mechanism; see Figure 8), a position adjustment means 90 (position adjustment mechanism; see Figure 8), a fiber holder holding base 110 (fiber holder holding portion), a base portion 120 (see Figure 1), a support base portion 130 (see Figure 1), and a locking mechanism 140 (see Figure 1).

[0022] The optical fiber cutting device 100 is a cutting device that forms an initial flaw in an optical fiber 1 to which tension is applied, and cuts the optical fiber 1 by growing this initial flaw and cleaving the optical fiber 1. The optical fiber 1 is composed of a glass bare optical fiber 1A and a resin coating 1B that covers the outer surface of the bare optical fiber 1A. The glass bare optical fiber 1A is exposed by removing the coating 1B from the optical fiber 1. The optical fiber 1 is held by the optical fiber cutting device 100 with the bare optical fiber 1A exposed, and is cut at the location of the bare optical fiber 1A. Alternatively, the bare optical fiber 1A is held by the optical fiber cutting device 100 while covered with the coating 1B, and is cut while still covered with the coating 1B.

[0023] The optical fiber cutting device 100 is placed on a placement surface. A view from a direction along the normal to the placement surface is called a plan view. Hereinafter, directions may be referred to using an XYZ Cartesian coordinate system. Two mutually perpendicular axes on the mounting surface are designated as the X-axis and Y-axis. The Z-axis is perpendicular to the X-axis and Y-axis. The Z-axis is normal to the mounting surface. The Y-axis is along the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber cutting device 100 in plan view. The Y-axis coincides with the central axis of the optical fiber 1 held by the optical fiber cutting device 100. The X-axis is along the lateral direction of the optical fiber cutting device 100 in plan view.

[0024] The positive direction on the Y axis (positive Y axis direction) is one of the length directions of the optical fiber 1. The negative direction on the Y axis (negative Y axis direction) is the direction opposite to the positive Y axis direction. The positive direction on the X axis (positive X axis direction) is the direction from left to right when facing the positive Y axis direction. The positive direction on the Z axis (positive Z axis direction) is the upward direction. The negative X axis direction is the direction opposite to the positive X axis direction. The negative Z axis direction is the direction opposite to the positive Z axis direction. When referring to the directions along the X axis, Y axis, and Z axis without particularly distinguishing between the positive and negative directions, they are referred to as the X axis direction, Y axis direction, and Z axis direction, respectively.

[0025] The base member 10 has a rectangular shape in plan view with its longitudinal direction aligned with the Y-axis direction.

[0026] The fixed gripping part 50 determines the position of the optical fiber 1 in the Y-axis direction by gripping the optical fiber 1. The fixed gripping part 50 includes a gripping part main body 51 and a pressing member 52. A guide groove for positioning the optical fiber 1 is formed on the upper surface of the gripping part main body 51. The pressing member 52 grips the optical fiber 1 between itself and the gripping part main body 51. The fixed gripping portion 50 may grip a portion of the optical fiber 1 where the bare optical fiber 1A is exposed, or may grip a portion of the bare optical fiber 1A covered with the coating portion 1B.

[0027] The movable gripping unit 20 determines the position of the optical fiber 1 in the Y-axis direction by gripping the optical fiber 1. The movable gripping unit 20 includes a gripping unit main body 21 and a pressing member 22. A guide groove for positioning the optical fiber 1 is formed on the upper surface of the gripping unit main body 21. The pressing member 22 grips the optical fiber 1 between itself and the gripping unit main body 21. The movable gripping unit 20 is located away from the fixed gripping unit 50 in the negative Y-axis direction. The movable gripping unit 20 is located on the negative Y-axis side with respect to the fiber holder holding base 110. The movable gripping part 20 may grip a part of the optical fiber 1 where the bare optical fiber 1A is exposed, or may grip a part of the bare optical fiber 1A covered with the coating part 1B.

[0028] The movable gripper 20 is movable in the Y-axis direction by a drive mechanism (not shown). The movable gripper 20 applies tension to the optical fiber 1 by moving in a direction away from the fixed gripper 50 (negative Y-axis direction).

[0029] The fiber holder holding base 110 is located at a position away from the fixed gripper 50 in the negative direction of the Y axis. The fiber holder 60 can be placed on the fiber holder holding base 110. The fiber holder holding base 110 holds the fiber holder 60 placed thereon.

[0030] The fiber holder 60 holds the optical fiber 1 between the movable holding portion 20 and the wound forming portion 40. The fiber holder 60 includes a holder base 61 and a pressing member 62. A guide groove for positioning the optical fiber 1 is formed on the top surface of the holder base 61. The pressing member 62 holds the optical fiber 1 between itself and the holder base 61. The pressing member 62 is rotatably connected to the holder base 61. The pressing member 62 can be switched between a mode in which it holds the optical fiber 1 between itself and the holder base 61 and a mode in which it releases the optical fiber 1.

[0031] 5, 6 and 7, the scratch forming unit 40 forms an initial scratch in the bare optical fiber 1A of the optical fiber 1. The scratch forming unit 40 includes a scratching blade holder 41, a scratching blade 42, and a connecting member 43.

[0032] The cutting blade holder 41 is formed in a rectangular column shape. At the tip of the cutting blade holder 41, a mounting portion is formed to which the cutting blade 42 is attached. The scratching blade 42 is attached to the scratching blade holder 41 so as to protrude from the tip of the scratching blade holder 41. The scratching blade 42 is oriented with its thickness direction facing the Y-axis direction. The scratching blade 42 scratches the bare optical fiber 1A of the optical fiber 1 (i.e., forms an initial scratch). Alternatively, for bare optical fiber 1A covered with a coating 1B, the scratching blade 42 penetrates the coating 1B of the optical fiber 1 and scratches the bare optical fiber 1A.

[0033] The connecting member 43 connects the cutting blade holder 41 and the rotating member 33 together. The wound forming unit 40 is connected to the rotating member 33 of the driving unit 30, and therefore rotates around the rotation axis O2 of the rotating member 33 (see FIG. 5).

[0034] 3, the flaw forming unit 40 is located on the negative Y-axis side relative to the fixed gripping unit 50. The flaw forming unit 40 is located on the positive Y-axis side relative to the movable gripping unit 20. Therefore, the flaw forming unit 40 can form a flaw (i.e., an initial flaw) in the optical fiber 1 (more specifically, the bare optical fiber 1A) to which tension is applied by the fixed gripping unit 50 and the movable gripping unit 20, between the fixed gripping unit 50 and the movable gripping unit 20. The flaw forming unit 40 is located on the positive Y-axis side relative to the fiber holder holding base 110.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 5, the driving unit 30 includes a driving source 31, an intermediate gear 32, a rotating member 33, and a support wall . The driving source 31 is, for example, a motor. A plurality of teeth 32a are formed on the outer periphery of the intermediate gear 32. The teeth 32a protrude radially outward from the intermediate gear 32. The intermediate gear 32 is rotatably supported by a support wall 34. The intermediate gear 32 can rotate around a rotation axis O1. The rotation axis O1 is along the Y-axis direction. The intermediate gear 32 is rotated by the driving source 31.

[0036] The rotating member 33 is a fan-shaped plate. A plurality of teeth 33a are formed on the outer periphery of the rotating member 33. The teeth 33a protrude radially outward from the rotating member 33. The rotating member 33 is rotatably supported by a support wall 34. The rotating member 33 can rotate around a rotation axis O2. The rotation axis O2 is along the Y-axis direction. The teeth 33a of the rotating member 33 mesh with the teeth 32a of the intermediate gear 32. The rotating member 33 rotates together with the rotation of the intermediate gear 32. The support wall 34 is parallel to the XZ plane.

[0037] The backstop portion 70 has the function of restricting the bending of the optical fiber 1 when cutting. As shown in Fig. 3, the backstop portion 70 is provided on the opposite side of the optical fiber 1 from the cutting blade 40. That is, in a plan view, the backstop portion 70 is provided on the opposite side of the optical fiber 1 from the cutting blade 42 in the X-axis direction (see Fig. 5).

[0038] 1 and 4, the backstop portion 70 includes a base portion 71, an extension portion 72, and a pressure-receiving wall 73. As shown in Fig. 4, the base portion 71 is a rectangular plate extending along the XY plane. In a plan view, the base portion 71 has a rectangular shape with its longitudinal direction extending along the X-axis direction. The extension portion 72 extends in the negative X-axis direction from the end of the base portion 71 in the negative X-axis direction.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 1, the pressure-receiving wall 73 protrudes upward (in the positive direction of the Z axis) from the end of the extending portion 72 in the extending direction. The pressure-receiving wall 73 is a rectangular plate-like shape along the YZ plane. The pressure-receiving wall 73 faces the optical fiber 1. The outer surface 73a (the surface on the negative direction of the X axis) of the pressure-receiving wall 73 is the contact surface with which the optical fiber 1 contacts. The outer surface 73a of the pressure-receiving wall 73 may be flat, or may be a surface that is curved convexly or concavely.

[0040] The backstop portion 70 is provided at a position spaced apart above (in the positive direction of the Z axis) from the support base portion 130. The support table 130 is placed on the base table 120 so as to be movable in the X-axis direction. As shown in Figures 4 and 7, the support table 130 includes a main body 131 and an extension 132. The extension 132 extends from the main body 131 in the negative direction of the Y-axis.

[0041] 8, the detection means 80 includes a sensor unit 81 and a detection unit 82. The detection means 80 detects the position of the optical fiber 1 relative to the backstop unit 70 (pressure-receiving wall 73). Specifically, the detection means 80 detects the position of the outer surface of the optical fiber 1 facing the backstop unit 70 (pressure-receiving wall 73). The sensor unit 81 measures the pressing force applied to the backstop unit 70 from the optical fiber 1 when the backstop unit 70 is brought into contact with the optical fiber 1 in a detection step described below. The sensor unit 81 includes an elastic member 83 and a strain gauge 84. There may be one or more elastic members 83 and strain gauges. Preferably, a strain gauge is provided for each elastic member 83. In this embodiment, the sensor unit 81 includes two elastic members 83 and one strain gauge 84 provided for each elastic member.

[0042] The elastic member 83 is, for example, an elastic metal or resin leaf spring. The elastic member 83 is plate-shaped with its thickness oriented in the X-axis direction when not bent and deformed. The elastic member 83 is bendable in the X-axis direction. When not bent and deformed, the elastic member 83 extends upward (in the positive direction of the Z-axis) from the support base 130. The pair of elastic members 83 are arranged facing each other with a gap in the X-axis direction.

[0043] A strain gauge 84 is provided on each of the two elastic members 83. The strain gauge 84 is provided on one surface of the elastic member 83. The strain gauge 84 can be provided, for example, on the inner surface of the elastic member 83 (the surface where the two elastic members 83 face each other). The strain gauge 84 measures strain due to deformation of the elastic member 83. More specifically, the strain gauge 84 measures bending strain of the elastic member 83. More preferably, two strain gauges 84 are provided on each of the opposing surfaces of the two elastic members 83, that is, a total of four strain gauges 84, and a bridge circuit is formed by these four strain gauges 84. This allows the bending deformation of the elastic members 83 to be measured with high sensitivity.

[0044] The sensor unit 81 can measure the pressing force applied to the backstop unit 70 from the optical fiber 1 by detecting the bending strain of the elastic member 83 with the strain gauge 84. The detection unit 82 detects the position of the optical fiber 1 based on the measurement value of the strain gauge 84.

[0045] The position adjustment means 90 includes an electric actuator 91 (pressing unit) and a control unit 92. The position adjustment means 90 can adjust the position of the backstop unit 70 based on the position of the optical fiber 1. The electric actuator 91 can move the backstop unit 70 together with the support base unit 130 in the negative X-axis direction by pressing the support base unit 130 in the negative X-axis direction. The electric actuator 91 includes, for example, a micrometer and a motor (drive source) that drives the micrometer.

[0046] The control unit 92 controls the operation of the electric actuator 91 based on the position of the optical fiber 1 obtained by the detection unit 82 .

[0047] As shown in FIG. 1, the locking mechanism 140 includes a locking part 141, a first biasing member 142, and a rotating member 143. The locking component 141 includes a component body 141a, a protrusion 141b, and a pressure-receiving protrusion 141c. The component body 141a is formed in a block shape (for example, a rectangular parallelepiped shape). The locking component 141 is rotatably supported by a support 144 at a first shaft 141d provided on the component body 141a. The locking component 141 can rotate around a rotation axis O3 of the first shaft 141d. The rotation axis O3 is along the Y-axis direction. The protrusion 141b protrudes upward from the upper end surface of the component body 141a. The pressure-receiving protrusion 141c protrudes forward (in the negative X-axis direction) from the front surface (the surface on the negative X-axis direction side) of the lower part of the component body 141a.

[0048] The first biasing member 142 is provided on the rear surface (the surface on the positive X-axis direction side) of the locking component 141. The first biasing member 142 applies a reaction force to the support body 144 and presses the lower part of the component main body 141a forward (in the negative X-axis direction).

[0049] The rotating member 143 includes a coil portion 143a (a pivotal support portion), a first extending portion 143b, and a second extending portion 143c. The coil portion 143a is rotatably supported by a support body 144 at a second shaft portion 143d. The rotating member 143 can rotate about a rotation axis O4 of the second shaft portion 143d. The rotation axis O4 is along the Y-axis direction.

[0050] The first extending portion 143b extends outward from the coil portion 143a. The second extending portion 143c extends outward from the coil portion 143a. The extending direction of the first extending portion 143b is different from the extending direction of the second extending portion 143c. The rotating member 143 is formed of, for example, metal. The rotating member 143 is, for example, a torsion spring. It is preferable that the first extending portion 143b be attracted to the protruding portion 141b of the locking component 141 by magnetic force.

[0051] The backstop portion 70 can be switched between a locked state P1 (see FIG. 1) and an unlocked state P2 (see FIG. 2). The locked state P1 is a state in which the movement of the backstop portion 70 is restricted, thereby restricting the bending of the optical fiber 1. The unlocked state P2 is a state in which the movement of the backstop portion 70 is not restricted.

[0052] Fig. 1 shows the backstop portion 70 in the locked state P1. As shown in Fig. 1, in the locked state P1, the first biasing member 142 presses the lower portion of the component main body 141a forward (in the negative direction of the X axis), causing the protrusion 141b to press the first extension portion 143b of the rotating member 143 backward (in the positive direction of the X axis). When the first extension portion 143b is pressed, the second extension portion 143c of the rotating member 143 presses the pressure-receiving wall 73 of the backstop portion 70 forward (in the negative direction of the X axis).

[0053] 4 and 7, the front surface (the surface on the negative X-axis direction side) of base 71 of backstop portion 70 abuts against restricting member 146, restricting forward movement thereof. This determines the position of backstop portion 70 in the X-axis direction.

[0054] Fig. 2 shows the backstop portion 70 in the released state P2. As shown in Fig. 2, in the released state P2, the rotating member 33 (see Fig. 5) presses the pressure-receiving protrusion 141c rearward (positive direction of the X-axis), causing the locking component 141 to rotate and the protrusion 141b to move forward (negative direction of the X-axis). The pressing force of the protrusion 141b on the first extension portion 143b decreases, and the pressing force of the second extension portion 143c on the pressure-receiving wall 73 decreases. This releases the restriction on the movement of the backstop portion 70, allowing the backstop portion 70 to move rearward (positive direction of the X-axis).

[0055] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, the extension 132 of the support base 130 is biased rearward (in the positive direction of the X-axis) by a second biasing member 133.

[0056] The electric actuator 91 adjusts the position in the X-axis direction of the support base 130. The electric actuator 91 can press the extension 132 of the support base 130 forward (in the negative X-axis direction).

[0057] [Optical fiber cutting method] Next, a description will be given of a method for cutting the optical fiber 1 using the optical fiber cutting device 100. Note that the following description will be made of a method for cutting the optical fiber 1 in a state where the bare optical fiber 1A is exposed. (preparation process) As shown in Fig. 3, an optical fiber 1 is prepared in which a bare optical fiber 1A is exposed at a portion including the tip. A fixed gripping unit 50 grips the bare optical fiber 1A of the optical fiber 1. A movable gripping unit 20 grips, for example, the portion of the optical fiber 1 where a coating 1B is formed. Tension is applied to the optical fiber 1 by moving the movable gripping unit 20 in a direction away from the fixed gripping unit 50 (negative direction of the Y-axis).

[0058] 2 and 5, in the initial state, the rotating member 33 presses the pressure-receiving protrusion 141c rearward (in the positive direction of the X-axis), so that the backstop portion 70 is in the released state P2.

[0059] 8, in the initial state, the optical fiber 1 (bare optical fiber 1A) is separated forward (in the negative direction of the X-axis) from the pressure-receiving wall 73 of the backstop portion 70. Therefore, the elastic member 83 is not bent. The bending strain of the elastic member 83 measured by the strain gauge 84 is small. The control unit 92 can determine from the measurement value of the strain gauge 84 obtained by the detection unit 82 that the bare optical fiber 1A is not pressing against the pressure-receiving wall 73.

[0060] (Detection process) 9, the control unit 92 determines a control value for the electric actuator 91 based on the fact that the outer surface of the bare optical fiber 1A is in a position where it is not pressing against the pressure-receiving wall 73. The control unit 92 operates the electric actuator 91. The electric actuator 91 presses the support base 130 forward (in the negative direction of the X-axis), thereby moving the backstop unit 70 forward (in the negative direction of the X-axis).

[0061] The outer surface 73a of the pressure-receiving wall 73 of the backstop portion 70 abuts against the optical fiber 1. When the electric actuator 91 moves the support base portion 130 further forward (in the negative direction of the X-axis), the forward movement of the backstop portion 70 is restricted by the bare optical fiber 1A.

[0062] Although the forward movement of the backstop portion 70 is restricted, the support base portion 130 moves forward, causing the elastic member 83 to bend backward (in the positive direction of the X-axis). As a result, the bending strain of the elastic member 83 measured by the strain gauge 84 becomes large.

[0063] 10 is a diagram showing the relationship between the position of the support base 130 in the X-axis direction and the bending strain of the elastic member 83. The horizontal axis represents the position of the support base 130 in the X-axis direction. The vertical axis represents the bending strain of the elastic member 83. As shown in FIG. 10, the bending strain increases as the support base 130 moves forward. The point at which the bending strain starts to increase (turning point P) represents the position of the bare optical fiber 1A when it abuts against the pressure-receiving wall 73. Here, the position of the bare optical fiber 1A specifically refers to the position of the portion of the outer circumferential surface of the bare optical fiber 1A that abuts against the pressure-receiving wall 73.

[0064] It is preferable to repeat multiple times the operation of moving the support base 130 and the backstop 70 forward with the electric actuator 91 to increase the bending strain of the elastic member 83. This allows the control unit 92 to obtain a large amount of data on the point at which the bending strain starts to increase (turning point P), and to accurately grasp the position of the bare optical fiber 1A.

[0065] (Position adjustment process) 11, the control unit 92 operates the electric actuator 91 based on the position of the bare optical fiber 1A. The electric actuator 91 places the backstop unit 70 at a position where the pressure-receiving wall 73 abuts against the bare optical fiber 1A. Although the pressure-receiving wall 73 abuts against the bare optical fiber 1A, it is desirable that the pressure-receiving wall 73 hardly applies any forward pressing force to the bare optical fiber 1A. Alternatively, the electric actuator 91 may move the backstop portion 70 from the position where the pressure-receiving wall 73 abuts against the optical fiber 1 in a direction away from the bare optical fiber 1A so that a small gap is created between the pressure-receiving wall 73 and the outer surface of the optical fiber 1. By arranging the backstop portion 70 at an appropriate position, the bending of the bare optical fiber 1A is restricted even if pressure is applied from the cutting blade 42 during cutting, and a good cut surface of the optical fiber 1 can be obtained. The positional relationship between the backstop portion 70 (pressure-receiving wall 73) and the bare optical fiber 1A can be adjusted so as to obtain a preferable cut surface depending on the application.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 5, the driving source 31 is operated to apply a force to the rotating member 33 via the intermediate gear 32 in the rotation direction (counterclockwise in FIG. 5). As shown in FIG. 1, when the rotating member 33 (see FIG. 5) rotates, the pressing force of the rotating member 33 against the locking component 141 is released. Therefore, the backstop portion 70 enters the locked state P1. In the locked state P1, the first biasing member 142 presses the lower portion of the component main body 141a forward (in the negative direction of the X-axis), causing the protruding portion 141b to press the first extending portion 143b of the rotating member 143 backward (in the positive direction of the X-axis). The second extending portion 143c of the rotating member 143 presses the pressure-receiving wall 73 of the backstop portion 70 forward (in the negative direction of the X-axis).

[0067] In the locked state P1, the movement of the backstop portion 70 toward the rear (positive direction of the X-axis) is restricted, thereby restricting the bending of the bare optical fiber 1A. In this way, the locking mechanism 140 can restrict the movement of the backstop portion 70 in the X-axis direction when the cutting blade 42 cuts the bare optical fiber 1A.

[0068] (cutting process) As shown in Figure 12, as the rotating member 33 (see Figure 5) rotates counterclockwise, the scratching blade holder 41 and the scratching blade 42 approach the bare optical fiber 1A. The scratching blade 42 scratches the bare optical fiber 1A of the optical fiber 1 (i.e., forms an initial scratch). The direction in which the scratching blade 42 scratches the bare optical fiber 1A (scratching direction) is the X-axis direction. The initial scratch grows due to the tension applied to the bare optical fiber 1A, and the bare optical fiber 1A is cleaved and cut. The timing at which the bending of the bare optical fiber 1A is restricted by the backstop portion 70 is not limited to when the cutting blade 42 cuts the bare optical fiber 1A. For example, in the locked state P1, the position of the bare optical fiber 1A may be fixed by the backstop portion 70 before or after the cutting blade 42 cuts the bare optical fiber 1A. This makes it possible to more reliably restrict the bending of the bare optical fiber 1A during the cutting process. By the above method, the optical fiber 1 in which the bare optical fiber 1A is exposed can be cut using the optical fiber cutting device 100. Note that the optical fiber 1 in which the bare optical fiber 1A is covered with the coating 1B can also be cut by the same method, because the cutting blade 42 penetrates the coating 1B and cuts the bare optical fiber 1A.

[0069] [Effects of the optical fiber cutting device and optical fiber cutting method according to the embodiment] In the optical fiber cutting device 100 of this embodiment, the position adjusting means 90 adjusts the position of the backstop portion 70 based on the position of the optical fiber 1 detected by the detecting means 80. Therefore, the position of the backstop portion 70 can be appropriately set relative to the position of the optical fiber 1. Therefore, a good cut surface of the optical fiber 1 can be obtained regardless of the outer diameter of the optical fiber 1. For example, even when an optical fiber 1 with a large outer diameter is used, a good cut surface of the optical fiber 1 can be obtained.

[0070] The detection means 80 includes a sensor unit 81 that measures the pressing force from the optical fiber 1, and a detection unit 82 that detects the position of the optical fiber 1 based on the measurement value of the sensor unit 81. The detection means 80 can detect the position of the optical fiber 1 with high accuracy by using the sensor unit 81 and the detection unit 82.

[0071] The position adjustment means 90 includes an electric actuator 91 that moves the backstop portion 70, and a control unit 92 that controls the electric actuator 91 based on the position of the optical fiber 1. The position adjustment means 90 can precisely adjust the position of the backstop portion 70 in the X-axis direction by using the electric actuator 91 and the control unit 92.

[0072] The sensor unit 81 includes an elastic member 83 and a strain gauge 84 that measures the bending strain of the elastic member 83. With this configuration, the sensor unit 81 can accurately measure the pressing force from the optical fiber 1 to the backstop portion 70. The sensor unit 81 may have one or more strain gauges 84.

[0073] The elastic member 83 is a leaf spring, which simplifies the structure of the sensor unit 81. Because the elastic member 83 is a leaf spring, the pressing force from the optical fiber 1 to the backstop unit 70 can be measured with high accuracy by measuring the bending strain.

[0074] The optical fiber cutting device 100 includes a locking mechanism 140, which allows the backstop unit 70 to be in a locked state P1 when the cutting blade 42 of the cut forming unit 40 cuts the optical fiber 1. In the locked state P1, the movement of the backstop unit 70 toward the rear (positive direction of the X-axis) is restricted, thereby restricting the bending of the optical fiber 1. Therefore, the amount of cutting of the optical fiber 1 can be stabilized.

[0075] According to the optical fiber cutting method of this embodiment, the position of the backstop portion 70 is adjusted based on the position of the optical fiber 1 detected by the detecting means 80. Therefore, the position of the backstop portion 70 can be appropriately set relative to the position of the optical fiber 1. Therefore, a good cut surface of the optical fiber 1 can be obtained regardless of the outer diameter of the optical fiber 1. For example, even when an optical fiber 1 with a large outer diameter is used, a good cut surface of the optical fiber 1 can be obtained.

[0076] FIG. 13 is a front view showing a modified example of the optical fiber cutting device of the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 13, the optical fiber cutting device 200 of the modified example differs from the optical fiber cutting device 100 (see FIG. 1) in that it includes a locking mechanism 240 instead of the locking mechanism 140 (see FIG. 1).

[0077] The locking mechanism 240 may be a drive mechanism such as a solenoid or a motor. The position of the locking mechanism 240 is adjustable in the X-axis direction. The locking mechanism 240 can switch between a locked state and an unlocked state of the backstop portion 70 by moving in the X-axis direction. In the locked state, the locking mechanism 240 is located behind the backstop portion 70 (positive direction of the X-axis) and in a position where it can abut against the rear end of the backstop portion 70. This makes it possible to restrict rearward movement of the backstop portion 70 (positive direction of the X-axis). In the unlocked state, the locking mechanism 240 is located further rearward than in the locked state and does not restrict movement of the backstop portion 70 in the X-axis direction. The locking mechanism 240 can restrict the backstop portion 70 from moving in the X-axis direction when the cutting blade 42 cuts the optical fiber 1.

[0078] Since the optical fiber cutting device 200 has a simple structure of the locking mechanism 240, the optical fiber cutting device 200 can be made smaller and less expensive.

[0079] In the optical fiber cutting device 100 of the above embodiment, a sensor unit 81 equipped with multiple (two) elastic members 83 is used, but the number of elastic members is not limited. The number of elastic members may be one or multiple (any number greater than or equal to two). The number of strain gauges may be one or multiple (any number greater than or equal to two). In the optical fiber cutting device 100 of the above embodiment, the sensor unit 81 includes an elastic member 83 and a strain gauge 84, but the configuration of the sensor unit is not particularly limited. The sensor unit may be a pressure sensor that measures the pressing force from the optical fiber to the backstop unit. The sensor unit may also be an optical sensor that optically detects the position of the backstop unit.

[0080] Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. Addition, omission, substitution, and other modifications of the configuration are possible within the scope of the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0081] 1...optical fiber, 1A...bare optical fiber, 1B...coating portion, 20...movable gripping portion (first gripping portion), 40...nicking portion, 42...nicking blade, 50...fixed gripping portion (second gripping portion), 70...backstop portion, 80...detecting means, 81...sensor portion, 82...detecting portion, 83...elastic member, 84...strain gauge, 90...position adjusting means, 91...electric actuator, 92...control portion, 100, 200...optical fiber cutting device, 140, 240...locking mechanism

Claims

1. a first gripping portion that grips the optical fiber; a second gripping portion that grips the optical fiber; a cutting blade that cuts the optical fiber between the first gripping portion and the second gripping portion; a backstop portion that restricts bending of the optical fiber; a detection means for detecting the position of the optical fiber relative to the backstop portion; a position adjusting means for adjusting the position of the backstop portion based on the position of the optical fiber detected by the detecting means; Equipped with Optical fiber cutting device.

2. 2. The optical fiber cutting device according to claim 1, wherein the backstop portion restricts bending of the optical fiber when the optical fiber is injured by the injury blade.

3. The detection means includes a sensor unit that measures a pressing force that the backstop portion receives from the optical fiber, and a detection unit that detects a position of the optical fiber based on a measurement value of the sensor unit.

3. The optical fiber cutting device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The position adjustment means includes an electric actuator that moves the backstop portion, and a control unit that controls the electric actuator based on the position of the optical fiber.

3. The optical fiber cutting device according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The sensor unit includes an elastic member and a strain gauge that measures the strain of the elastic member.

4. The optical fiber cutting device according to claim 3.

6. the first gripping portion and the second gripping portion apply tension to the optical fiber; 3. The optical fiber cutting device according to claim 1 or 2.

7. the detection unit detects the position of the outer surface of the optical fiber facing the backstop unit.

4. The optical fiber cutting device according to claim 3.

8. The sensor unit has one or more of the strain gauges.

6. The optical fiber cutting device according to claim 5.

9. A locking mechanism is provided to restrict movement of the backstop portion when the cutting blade is cutting.

3. The optical fiber cutting device according to claim 1 or 2.

10. Prior to cutting the optical fiber using a cutting blade that cuts the optical fiber between a first holding portion and a second holding portion that hold the optical fiber, and a backstop portion that restricts bending of the optical fiber when cutting with the cutting blade, detecting a position of the optical fiber facing the backstop portion; and adjusting the position of the backstop portion based on the detected position of the optical fiber. Optical fiber cleaving method.

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