Fusion splicer

Abstract

A fusion splice machine (1) according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: an optical fiber holder (10) that holds an optical fiber (F) in a state of protruding a tip (F1) of the optical fiber (F); a rotation mechanism (20) that is disposed on the opposite side to the tip (F1) of the optical fiber (F) with the optical fiber holder (10) therebetween and that rotates the optical fiber holder (10) about an axis extending along the optical fiber (F); and a clamp part (30) that presses down a portion of the tip side of the optical fiber (F) held by the optical fiber holder (10). The rotation mechanism (20) rotates the clamp part (30) together with the optical fiber holder (10).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a fusion connection machine. This application claims priority based on Japanese Application No. 2021-081781 filed on May 13, 2021, and incorporates by reference all the descriptions described in the Japanese application.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes an optical fiber alignment device used when performing fusion connection of optical fibers. An optical fiber holder for holding an optical fiber core wire is attached to the alignment device. The alignment device has a notch portion and an installation base portion. The optical fiber holder is placed on the installation base portion in a state of being inserted into the notch portion of the alignment device. The optical fiber holder has a holding base portion, a core wire holding groove portion formed in the holding base portion, and a cover for closing the core wire holding groove portion. An optical fiber core wire is inserted into the core wire holding groove portion, and the optical fiber is held by closing the cover on the core wire holding groove portion into which the optical fiber core wire is inserted.

[0003] Patent Document 2 describes a fusion connection device including a rotation mechanism that clamps an optical fiber and rotates the optical fiber around the axis of the clamped optical fiber. The fusion connection device includes a V-groove block into which an optical fiber is inserted, a fiber clamp that presses the optical fiber inserted into the V-groove block, a block on which a coated portion of the optical fiber is placed, and a sheath clamp that presses the optical fiber placed on the block. The rotation mechanism rotates the optical fiber set in the V-groove block and the block and pressed by the fiber clamp and the sheath clamp.

[0004] Patent Document 3 describes a fusion splicer for fusion splicing optical fibers. The fusion splicer comprises a main body in which a pair of optical fibers are butted together. The main body comprises a pair of holder bases and a pair of holders that are placed on the holder bases while gripping the optical fibers. Each holder, which grips each of the two optical fibers, is set on each holder base. The fusion splicer comprises a clamp arm that can move up and down relative to the optical fiber and a rotation mechanism that rotates the optical fiber. In this fusion splicer, the rotation mechanism rotates the optical fiber while the clamp arm is separated from the optical fiber. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2004-12799 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 62-272207 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2005-164792 [Overview of the project]

[0006] The fusion splicer according to this disclosure comprises an optical fiber holder that holds an optical fiber with its tip protruding, a rotation mechanism positioned on the opposite side of the optical fiber from the tip of the optical fiber and rotating the optical fiber holder about an axis extending along the optical fiber, and a clamp portion that holds the tip portion of the optical fiber held in the optical fiber holder. The rotation mechanism rotates the clamp portion together with the optical fiber holder. Effects of the invention

[0007] According to this disclosure, it is possible to suppress damage to the optical fiber and to rotate the optical fiber efficiently. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing a fusion splicer according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a schematic side view showing the optical fiber holder, rotation mechanism, and clamp section of a fusion splicer according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view showing the optical fiber holder, rotation mechanism, and clamp section of Figure 2. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a schematic front view showing the optical fiber holder, rotation mechanism, and clamp section of Figure 2. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a schematic side view showing the optical fiber holder, rotation mechanism, and clamp section according to a modified example. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a schematic perspective view showing the optical fiber holder, rotation mechanism, and clamp section of Figure 5. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a schematic side view showing a further modified optical fiber holder, rotation mechanism, and clamp section. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a schematic perspective view showing the optical fiber holder, rotation mechanism, and clamp section of Figure 7. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] In conventional fusion splicers, a clamp arm holds the optical fiber, and a rotation mechanism rotates the optical fiber while keeping the clamp arm away from the optical fiber. Therefore, the operation of each component becomes complex and time-consuming, which can lead to problems in efficiently rotating the optical fiber.

[0010] When rotating an optical fiber held in place by a clamp, there is a concern that the optical fiber may be damaged during rotation. Furthermore, if the clamping force applied to the optical fiber is inappropriate, the desired rotation may not be achieved. In other words, fine-tuning of the clamping force may be necessary to obtain the desired rotation.

[0011] The purpose of this disclosure is to provide a fusion splicer that can suppress damage to optical fibers and efficiently rotate them.

[0012] [Description of Embodiments in this Disclosure] First, the contents of the embodiments of this disclosure will be listed and explained. A fusion splicer according to one embodiment of this disclosure includes an optical fiber holder that holds an optical fiber with its tip protruding, a rotation mechanism positioned on the opposite side of the optical fiber holder from the tip of the optical fiber and rotating the optical fiber holder about an axis extending along the optical fiber, and a clamping part that holds the tip portion of the optical fiber held in the optical fiber holder. The rotation mechanism rotates the clamping part together with the optical fiber holder.

[0013] In this fusion splicer, the optical fiber holder holds the optical fiber with its tip protruding. A rotating mechanism is positioned on the opposite side of the optical fiber holder from the tip of the optical fiber, which rotates the optical fiber holder. The fusion splicer includes a clamp that holds the tip portion of the optical fiber held in the optical fiber holder. The rotating mechanism rotates the clamp together with the optical fiber holder. Since the rotating mechanism rotates the optical fiber while the clamp holds it, the optical fiber can be rotated efficiently. The rotating mechanism rotates the clamp that holds the optical fiber together with the optical fiber holder. Therefore, when the optical fiber rotates, the clamp that holds the optical fiber rotates together with the optical fiber holder, which suppresses damage to the optical fiber during rotation. Because the clamp that holds the optical fiber rotates together with the optical fiber, fine adjustment of the clamping force on the optical fiber is unnecessary. Therefore, the desired rotation can be obtained, and the optical fiber can be rotated more efficiently.

[0014] The optical fiber holder may have a V-groove on which an optical fiber is placed. The clamping portion may have a retaining portion that holds the optical fiber placed in the V-groove. The retaining portion may include an elastic member that is deformable toward the V-groove. In this case, by including an elastic member that extends along the V-groove in the retaining portion that holds the optical fiber, the optical fiber can be held with appropriate force.

[0015] The pressing portion may include an elastic member extending along the V-groove. In this case, since the pressing portion for pressing the optical fiber includes an elastic member extending along the V-groove, the optical fiber can be pressed with an appropriate force.

[0016] The pressing portion may have an arm portion extending along the V-groove and a tip portion provided at one end in the longitudinal direction of the arm portion for pressing the optical fiber. In this case, it becomes possible to configure the pressing portion for pressing the optical fiber by the arm portion and the tip portion extending along the V-groove.

[0017] The above-described fusion splicer may include a holder base that mounts the optical fiber holder and is fixed to the rotation mechanism. The optical fiber holder may be detachable from the holder base. In this case, since the optical fiber holder is detachable from the holder base fixed to the rotation mechanism, the attachment and detachment of the optical fiber to and from the rotation mechanism can be easily performed.

[0018] The holder base may be made of metal. The optical fiber holder has a first end portion located on the side opposite to the rotation mechanism, and the holder base may have a second end portion located on the side opposite to the rotation mechanism. The second end portion may be provided at a position separated from the tip end more than the first end portion. In this case, the second end portion of the metal holder base can be separated from the tip end of the optical fiber more than the first end portion of the optical fiber holder. Therefore, when the tip end of the optical fiber is fusion-spliced by discharge, the influence due to discharge to the metal holder base can be reduced.

[0019] [Details of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] Hereinafter, a specific example of the fusion splicer according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same or corresponding elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted as appropriate. The drawings may be drawn in a simplified or exaggerated manner for ease of understanding, and dimensional ratios and the like are not limited to those described in the drawings.

[0020] First, the configuration of the fusion splicer according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 1. Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating the overview of the fusion splicer according to this embodiment. As shown in Figure 1, the fusion splicer 1 fusion splices a pair of optical fibers F together. The fusion splicer 1 includes an optical fiber holder 10 having a V-groove 11 and a rotating mechanism 20 for rotating the optical fiber holder 10.

[0021] The fusion splicer 1 comprises a pair of optical fiber holders 10 aligned along the Z-axis direction and a pair of rotating mechanisms 20 aligned along the Z-axis direction. The Z-axis direction is the direction in which the V-groove 11, formed in one direction, extends, and is the central axis direction of the optical fiber F that is placed and extends in the V-groove 11. The optical fiber F to be fusion spliced ​​is positioned in the V-groove 11 of each optical fiber holder 10. The optical fiber holder 10 is made of resin, for example. The optical fiber holder 10 holds, for example, the portion of the optical fiber F that has its coating. The optical fiber holder 10 holds the tip F1 of the optical fiber F, where the coating has been removed and the glass fiber is exposed, with the tip protruding in the Z-axis direction.

[0022] A pair of discharge electrodes 2 are positioned where the tips F1 of a pair of optical fibers F face each other. The pair of discharge electrodes 2 are positioned facing each other along a direction intersecting the optical fibers F (for example, the X-axis direction). The optical fiber holder 10 has, for example, a base 12 on which the optical fibers F are placed, which has a V-groove 11 extending in one direction (for example, the Z-axis direction), and a cover 13 which is placed on the base 12. The base 12 and the cover 13 are arranged, for example, along the Y-axis direction which intersects both the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction.

[0023] A pair of discharge electrodes 2 fusion splice the ends F1 of a pair of optical fibers F together by discharge. For example, a fusion splicer 1 has a control unit 3 that controls various parts of the fusion splicer 1. The control unit 3 controls the discharge current and discharge time of the discharge electrodes 2 so that fusion splicing is performed under fusion splicing conditions appropriate to the type of optical fiber F. In the fusion splicer 1, the control unit 3 performs alignment of the pair of optical fibers F.

[0024] The control unit 3 adjusts the position of each optical fiber F in the X-axis and Y-axis directions, and aligns the pair of optical fibers F so that they are aligned in a straight line along the Z-axis direction. In other words, the control unit 3 aligns the pair of optical fibers F in the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis directions. Furthermore, the control unit 3 controls the rotation mechanism 20 and rotates the optical fibers F about the Z-axis, which is the central axis of the optical fibers F and the direction in which the optical fibers F extend, thereby aligning them in the θ direction. The rotation center axis of the optical fiber F may be the same as the Z-axis, or it may be parallel to the Z-axis but different from the Z-axis.

[0025] Optical fiber F is, for example, an optical fiber that requires rotational alignment in a fusion splicer 1. That is, optical fiber F is an optical fiber in which the positions of a pair of optical fibers F in the θ direction must be aligned. Specifically, for example, optical fiber F is a multi-core optical fiber (MCF) or a polarization-maintaining fiber (PMF).

[0026] Figure 2 is a side view showing the optical fiber holder 10 and the rotating mechanism 20 of the fusion splicer 1. Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the optical fiber holder 10 and the rotating mechanism 20 of the fusion splicer 1. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the fusion splicer 1 further includes a clamp portion 30 that holds the tip F1 side of the optical fiber F held in the optical fiber holder 10, and a holder base 40 fixed to the rotating mechanism 20.

[0027] The portion of the optical fiber F held by the clamp portion 30 is, for example, the coated portion of the optical fiber F. In this case, only the portion of the optical fiber F protruding from the optical fiber holder 10 is the portion from which the coating has been removed. However, the portion held by the clamp portion 30 may also be the portion of the optical fiber F from which the coating has been removed (for example, the portion of the optical fiber F where the glass is exposed). The length of the portion of the optical fiber F protruding from the optical fiber holder 10 is, for example, 5 mm or less (3 mm as an example).

[0028] The holder base 40 is made of metal, for example. The holder base 40 has a mounting surface 41 on which the optical fiber holder 10 is mounted. The mounting surface 41 may be equipped with, for example, a light source for observing the end face of the tip F1 of the optical fiber F. The light source emits light from the side onto the pressed optical fiber F. By emitting light from the side onto the pressed portion of the optical fiber F, the core at the end face of the tip F1 of the optical fiber F can be observed. However, the position of the light source is not limited to the mounting surface 41 of the holder base 40 and can be changed as appropriate. For example, the light source may emit light onto the optical fiber F from the end opposite to the tip F1 of the optical fiber F.

[0029] For example, the optical fiber holder 10 is detachably attached to the holder base 40. In this case, the optical fiber holder 10 can be removed from the holder base 40 to hold the optical fiber F, and the optical fiber holder 10 holding the optical fiber F can be mounted on the holder base 40. Furthermore, it is possible to replace the optical fiber holder 10 with one having an appropriate V-groove 11 depending on the diameter (coating diameter or glass diameter) of the optical fiber F.

[0030] The holder base 40 extends from the rotating mechanism 20 in the Z-axis direction. The length of the base 12 of the optical fiber holder 10 in the Z-axis direction is longer than the length of the cover 13 of the optical fiber holder 10 in the Z-axis direction. For example, the base 12 extends beyond the cover 13 to the opposite side of the rotating mechanism 20. In this case, the base 12 has an exposed portion 12b on the side opposite to the rotating mechanism 20 where a part of the V-groove 11 is exposed. The optical fiber F placed on the V-groove 11 exposed in the exposed portion 12b is held in place by the clamp portion 30.

[0031] The optical fiber holder 10 (base 12) has a first end 14 located on the opposite side of the rotating mechanism 20. The holder base 40 has a second end 42 located on the opposite side of the rotating mechanism 20. The second end 42 is positioned further away from the tip F1 than the first end 14. That is, the distance in the Z-axis direction from the rotating mechanism 20 to the second end 42 is shorter than the distance in the Z-axis direction from the rotating mechanism 20 to the first end 14.

[0032] The rotating mechanism 20 is located on the opposite side of the tip F1 of the optical fiber holder 10. The rotating mechanism 20 has, for example, a recess 21 into which the optical fiber F is inserted. The rotating mechanism 20 is cylindrical in shape, for example. The recess 21 is slit-shaped, recessed from the outer circumferential surface 20b of the rotating mechanism 20 along the Y-axis. The rotating mechanism 20 rotates the optical fiber F together with the holder base 40, the optical fiber holder 10, and the clamp part 30 about the central axis of the optical fiber F, for example, the Z-axis, which is an axis extending along the optical fiber F. The rotational central axis of the optical fiber F may be the same as the Z-axis, or it may be parallel to the Z-axis but different from the Z-axis.

[0033] Figure 4 is a front view of the optical fiber holder 10, the rotating mechanism 20, the clamping part 30, and the holder base 40, viewed from the tip F1 side along the Z-axis direction. The rotating mechanism 20 includes, for example, a motor (not shown) and gears (not shown). In this case, the motor of the rotating mechanism 20 is driven, and the rotational driving force of the motor is transmitted to the holder base 40, the optical fiber holder 10, and the clamping part 30 via the gears, causing the holder base 40, the optical fiber holder 10, and the clamping part 30 to rotate together. Since the optical fiber F is inserted into the recess 21 of the rotating mechanism 20 and held by the optical fiber holder 10, the optical fiber F also rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the optical fiber holder 10 by the rotating mechanism 20.

[0034] For example, the rotation mechanism 20 rotates the optical fiber F, the optical fiber holder 10, the clamp portion 30, and the holder base 40 about a Z-axis that extends along the optical fiber F. For example, the clamp portion 30, the holder base 40, and the optical fiber holder 10 are located within a range closer to the central axis than the outer circumference of the rotation mechanism 20 when viewed from the Z-axis direction. In this case, miniaturization can be achieved, which is preferable. The rotational central axis of the optical fiber F may be parallel to the Z-axis and also a different axis from the Z-axis.

[0035] The clamp portion 30 is provided, for example, to stabilize the optical fiber F protruding from the optical fiber holder 10. The clamp portion 30 comprises, for example, a fixing portion 31 fixed to the holder base 40, an extending portion 32 extending from the end of the fixing portion 31 opposite to the holder base 40 in the width direction (for example, the X-axis direction) of the holder base 40, and a pressing portion 33 extending from the extending portion 32 along the V-groove 11.

[0036] The fixing portion 31 is fixed, for example, to the mounting surface 41 of the holder base 40. The height of the fixing portion 31 relative to the mounting surface 41 is higher than the height of the optical fiber holder 10 (lid 13) relative to the mounting surface 41. The extending portion 32 extends from the fixing portion 31 in the width direction of the holder base 40 and faces the lid 13 of the optical fiber holder 10. For example, the clamp portion 30 may be equipped with a swing mechanism (not shown) that swings the tip portion 35 about an axis extending in the Z-axis direction on the mounting surface 41. The "axis extending in the Z-axis direction" may be the Z-axis, or it may be an axis parallel to the Z-axis and different from the Z-axis. In this case, the tip portion 35 can be swung in a direction approaching the V-groove 11 and in a direction moving away from the V-groove 11 (for example, in the Y-axis direction).

[0037] The pressing portion 33 extends, for example, from the extending portion 32 along the Z-axis direction. For example, at least a part of the pressing portion 33 is made of an elastic member. In this case, the pressing portion 33 has elasticity that allows it to bend in the direction approaching the V-groove 11 and in the direction away from the V-groove 11 (for example, in the Y-axis direction). The pressing portion 33 has an arm portion 34 that extends along the V-groove 11 and a tip portion 35 located on the opposite side of the arm portion 34 from the extending portion 32.

[0038] For example, the arm portion 34 is a leaf spring. The arm portion 34 extends from the extension portion 32 along the Z-axis direction. The tip portion 35 is provided at one end of the arm portion 34 in the longitudinal direction (for example, in the Z-axis direction). The tip portion 35 holds the optical fiber F placed in the V-groove 11 at the tip of the arm portion 34 (the end opposite to the extension portion 32). For example, the tip portion 35 protrudes from the arm portion 34 toward the optical fiber holder 10 (base 12). For example, the tip portion 35 has a rectangular shape.

[0039] Next, the effects and advantages obtained from the fusion splicer 1 according to this embodiment will be described. In the fusion splicer 1, the optical fiber holder 10 holds the optical fiber F with its tip F1 protruding. On the opposite side of the optical fiber holder 10 from the tip F1, a rotation mechanism 20 for rotating the optical fiber holder 10 is arranged. The fusion splicer 1 includes a clamp portion 30 that holds the tip F1 side of the optical fiber F held in the optical fiber holder 10. The rotation mechanism 20 rotates the clamp portion 30 together with the optical fiber holder 10. Therefore, since the rotation mechanism 20 rotates the optical fiber F while the clamp portion 30 holds the optical fiber F, the optical fiber F can be rotated efficiently.

[0040] The rotating mechanism 20 rotates the clamp portion 30 that holds the optical fiber F together with the optical fiber holder 10. Therefore, when the optical fiber F rotates, the clamp portion 30 that holds the optical fiber F rotates together with the optical fiber holder 10, which suppresses damage to the optical fiber F during rotation. In other words, because the optical fiber F, the optical fiber holder 10 that holds the optical fiber F, and the clamp portion 30 all rotate together, the optical fiber F does not rub against the parts of the fusion splicer 1 as it rotates, thus preventing damage to the optical fiber F.

[0041] Since the clamp portion 30 that holds the optical fiber F rotates together with the optical fiber F, it becomes unnecessary to fine-tune the pressing force of the clamp portion 30 on the optical fiber F. In other words, the clamp portion 30 only needs to apply enough pressing force to prevent the optical fiber F from coming out of the V-groove 11. Therefore, the desired rotation can be obtained, and the optical fiber F can be rotated more efficiently.

[0042] The optical fiber holder 10 may have a V-groove 11 on which an optical fiber F is placed. The clamp portion 30 may have a pressing portion 33 that holds down the optical fiber F placed in the V-groove 11. For example, the clamp portion 30 may have a magnet. A magnet may be provided in the fixed portion or the extended portion to apply pressing force to the optical fiber F, and the magnetic force between the fixed portion and the extended portion may be used to press down on the optical fiber F. The pressing portion 33 may have a magnet, and the magnetic attraction or repulsion force of this magnet may be used to press down on the optical fiber F. The pressing portion 33 may include an elastic member (for example, an arm portion 34) that extends along the V-groove 11. In this case, by including an elastic member that can deform in the direction toward the V-groove 11 (Y-axis direction) in the pressing portion 33 that holds down the optical fiber F, the pressing portion 33 can be given cushioning properties to hold down the optical fiber F with appropriate force.

[0043] The retaining portion 33 may have an arm portion 34 extending along the V-groove 11 and a tip portion 35 provided at one end of the arm portion 34 in the longitudinal direction for holding the optical fiber F. In this case, the retaining portion 33 for holding the optical fiber F can be composed of an arm portion 34 extending along the V-groove 11 and a tip portion 35.

[0044] The fusion splicer 1 may include a holder base 40 that is fixed to the rotating mechanism 20 and is equipped with an optical fiber holder 10. The optical fiber holder 10 may be detachable from the holder base 40. In this case, since the optical fiber holder 10 is detachable from the holder base 40 fixed to the rotating mechanism 20, the optical fiber F can be easily attached to and detached from the rotating mechanism 20.

[0045] The holder base 40 may be made of metal. The optical fiber holder 10 may have a first end 14 located on the opposite side of the rotating mechanism 20, and the holder base 40 may have a second end 42 located on the opposite side of the rotating mechanism 20. The second end 42 may be positioned further away from the tip F1 than the first end 14. In this case, the second end 42 of the metal holder base 40 can be positioned further away from the tip F1 of the optical fiber F than the first end 14 of the optical fiber holder 10. Therefore, when the tip F1 of the optical fiber F is fusion spliced ​​by discharge, the influence of the metal holder base 40 on the discharge can be reduced.

[0046] The holder base 40 may be made of a non-conductive material, such as resin. In this case, when the tip F1 of the optical fiber F is fusion-spliced ​​by discharge, the influence of the holder base 40 on the discharge can be reduced.

[0047] Next, a modified fusion splicer will be described. Figure 5 is a side view showing the optical fiber holder 10, rotating mechanism 20, clamp section 30A, and holder base 40 of the modified fusion splicer. Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the optical fiber holder 10, rotating mechanism 20, clamp section 30A, and holder base 40. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the configuration of the clamp section 30A of the modified fusion splicer differs from the configuration of the clamp section 30 described above. In the following description, components identical to those in the fusion splicer 1 described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations are omitted as appropriate.

[0048] The clamp portion 30A includes, for example, a fixing portion 31 fixed to the holder base 40, an extending portion 32 extending in the width direction of the holder base 40 from the end of the fixing portion 31 opposite to the holder base 40, and a pressing portion 33A protruding from the extending portion 32 toward the optical fiber holder 10 (base 12). Unlike the pressing portion 33 described above, the pressing portion 33A does not have an arm portion 34. The pressing portion 33A holds down the optical fiber F placed in the V groove 11. The extending portion 32 may include an elastic member. In this case, by including an elastic member that can be deformed in the direction toward the V groove 11 (Y axis direction) in the pressing portion 33A that holds down the optical fiber F, the pressing portion 33A can be given cushioning properties and can hold down the optical fiber F with appropriate force.

[0049] The pressing portion 33A is, for example, rectangular in shape. The clamp portion 30A, for example, is equipped with a swinging mechanism that swings the pressing portion 33A, similar to the clamp portion 30 described above. By swinging the pressing portion 33A with this swinging mechanism, the pressing portion 33A can be swung in a direction approaching the V-groove 11 and in a direction away from the V-groove 11 (for example, in the Y-axis direction).

[0050] In the modified fusion splicer described above, the rotating mechanism 20 rotates the clamp portion 30A together with the optical fiber holder 10. Therefore, since the rotating mechanism 20 rotates the optical fiber F while the clamp portion 30A holds the optical fiber F in place, the optical fiber F can be rotated efficiently. As the clamp portion 30 that holds the optical fiber F rotates together with the optical fiber holder 10 when the optical fiber F is rotated, damage to the optical fiber F during rotation can be suppressed. Therefore, the modified fusion splicer provides the same effects and advantages as the fusion splicer 1 described above.

[0051] Next, a fusion splicer relating to another modification will be described. Figure 7 is a side view showing the optical fiber holder 10B, rotating mechanism 20, clamping section 30B, and holder base 40 relating to this modification. Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the optical fiber holder 10B, rotating mechanism 20, clamping section 30B, and holder base 40. As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the configuration of the optical fiber holder 10B and clamping section 30B in the fusion splicer relating to this modification differs from the configuration of the optical fiber holder 10 and clamping section 30 described above.

[0052] The optical fiber holder 10B comprises a base 12B with a V-groove 11 formed therein and a cover 13. The base 12 of the aforementioned optical fiber holder 10 extended beyond the cover 13 to the opposite side of the rotating mechanism 20. However, the base 12B of the optical fiber holder 10B does not extend beyond the cover 13 to the opposite side of the rotating mechanism 20.

[0053] The clamp portion 30B comprises a fixing portion 31, an extending portion 32, a pressing portion 33A, and a base 36 having a V-groove 37 on which the optical fiber F is placed. For example, the direction in which the optical fiber F extends along the V-groove 37 is the Z-axis direction. The base 36 is fixed to the mounting surface 41 of the holder base 40, for example. The base 36 is positioned such that the V-groove 37 is located on the extension of the V-groove 11 of the base 12. The optical fiber F extending from the V-groove 11 is placed in the V-groove 37.

[0054] In the clamp section 30B, the optical fiber F placed in the V-groove 37 is held in place by the retaining section 33A. In this modified fusion splicer as well, the rotating mechanism 20 rotates the clamp section 30B together with the optical fiber holder 10B. Therefore, since the rotating mechanism 20 rotates the optical fiber F while the clamp section 30B holds it in place, the optical fiber F can be rotated efficiently. Thus, the same effects and advantages as those of the fusion splicer 1 described above can be obtained from this modified fusion splicer as well. As shown in the above modifications, the shape and arrangement of the clamp section can be changed as appropriate.

[0055] The embodiments and various modifications of the fusion splicer according to this disclosure have been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments or modifications described above. That is, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention can be modified and altered in various ways within the scope of the gist described in the claims. The configuration of each part of the fusion splicer can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the gist described above. That is, the shape, size, number, material and arrangement of each part of the fusion splicer according to this disclosure are not limited to the embodiments described above and can be modified as appropriate.

[0056] For example, in the above-described embodiment, an example was given in which the optical fiber holder 10 is detachable from the holder base 40. However, the optical fiber holder does not have to be detachable from the holder base. The fusion splicer does not have to have a holder base 40. In this case, the fusion splicer may be one in which the optical fiber holder 10 is fixed to the rotating mechanism 20. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 1…Fusion splicer 2...Discharge electrode 3…Control Unit 10,10B… Fiber optic holder 11...V groove 12,12B… units 12b...Exposed part 13…Lid 14...First end 20... Rotation mechanism 20b…Outer surface 21…recess 30, 30A, 30B... Clamp section 31...Fixed part 32...Extension part 33,33A...Pressing part 34...Arm section 35...Tip 36 units 37...V groove 40... Holder base 41… Mounting surface 42…Second end F... Optical fiber F1...Tip

Claims

1. An optical fiber holder that holds the optical fiber with its tip protruding, A rotation mechanism is positioned on the opposite side of the optical fiber holder from the tip of the optical fiber, and rotates the optical fiber holder about an axis extending along the optical fiber, A clamp portion that holds the tip portion of the optical fiber held in the optical fiber holder, Equipped with, The rotation mechanism rotates the clamp portion together with the optical fiber holder. The optical fiber holder is mounted on a holder base that is fixed to the rotating mechanism, The rotation mechanism rotates the optical fiber, the optical fiber holder, the clamp portion, and the holder base about a Z-axis extending along the optical fiber. The clamp portion, the holder base, and the optical fiber holder are located within a range closer to the central axis than the outer circumference of the rotation mechanism when viewed from the Z-axis direction. The optical fiber holder has a V-groove on which the optical fiber is placed, and a first end located on the opposite side from the rotating mechanism. The holder base has a second end located on the opposite side from the rotating mechanism, The distance in the direction in which the optical fiber extends from the rotating mechanism to the second end is shorter than the distance in the direction in which the optical fiber extends from the rotating mechanism to the first end. The clamp portion comprises a fixing portion fixed to the holder base, an extending portion extending in the width direction of the holder base from the end of the fixing portion opposite to the holder base, and a pressing portion extending from the extending portion along the V-groove. Fusion splicer.

2. The pressing portion includes an elastic member that can be deformed in the direction toward the V groove, The fusion splicer according to claim 1.

3. The elastic member extends along the V-groove. The fusion splicer according to claim 2.

4. The retaining portion has an arm portion extending along the V-groove and a tip portion provided at one end of the arm portion in the longitudinal direction for holding the optical fiber. The fusion splicer according to claim 3.

5. The optical fiber holder is removable from the holder base. A fusion splicer according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The holder base is made of metal. The fusion splicer according to claim 5.

7. The holder base is made of resin. The fusion splicer according to claim 5.

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