Coating removal device

Abstract

The coating removal device is a coating removal device that removes the coating of an optical fiber, and includes a pair of blade bodies that include a first blade body and a second blade body, and that make an incision in the coating by clamping the optical fiber between the first blade body and the second blade body in opposing directions, and a stage that is arranged adjacent to the pair of blade bodies in an axial direction that intersects the opposing direction and has a mounting surface on which the optical fiber extending from the pair of blade bodies in the axial direction is placed, and the mounting surface is configured to be movable relatively to the pair of blade bodies in a first adjustment direction that intersects the mounting surface.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a coating removal device.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a coating removal device for removing the coating of an optical fiber. This coating removal device includes a pair of blade bodies that cut into the coating by sandwiching the optical fiber, and a stage (heating-side main body) disposed adjacent to the rear of the pair of blade bodies. The stage has a mounting surface (heater portion) on which the optical fiber is placed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the coating removal device as described above, in order to easily remove the coating, it is desirable that the blade body and the mounting surface have a positional relationship such that the central axis of the optical fiber placed on the mounting surface and the center of the gap between the pair of blade bodies coincide. This is because when the blade body and the mounting surface do not have such a positional relationship, the optical fiber is bent in the vicinity of the blade body, making it difficult to remove the coating. However, for example, when the blade body is replaced for the purpose of accommodating various coating diameters, depending on the shape of the blade body after replacement, the above-described positional relationship may be disrupted.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a coating removal device capable of adjusting the positional relationship between the blade body and the mounting surface of the optical fiber.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above problems, an apparatus for removing coating from an optical fiber according to embodiment 1 of the present invention is an apparatus for removing coating from an optical fiber, comprising: a pair of blades including a first blade and a second blade, which cut into the coating by sandwiching the optical fiber between the first blade and the second blade in opposing directions; and a stage provided adjacent to the second blade in an axial direction intersecting the opposing directions, and having a mounting surface on which the optical fiber extending in the axial direction from the pair of blades is placed, wherein the mounting surface is configured to be movable relative to the pair of blades in a first adjustment direction intersecting the mounting surface.

[0007] According to embodiment 1 of the present invention, the mounting surface can be moved relative to the blade body, and the positional relationship between the blade body and the mounting surface can be adjusted.

[0008] Furthermore, aspect 2 of the present invention is a coating removal apparatus of aspect 1, further comprising a pressing part for pressing the optical fiber against the aforementioned surface, wherein the aforementioned surface is a heater surface that contacts the coating and heats the coating.

[0009] According to aspect 2 of the present invention, even when the pressing part presses against the optical fiber, contact between the blade and the bare wire can be prevented by adjusting the positional relationship between the blade and the mounting surface.

[0010] Furthermore, aspect 3 of the present invention provides a coating removal device according to aspect 1 or aspect 2, further comprising a gripping portion that grips the optical fiber and is movable relative to the pair of blades in the axial direction.

[0011] According to aspect 3 of the present invention, the coating of the optical fiber can be easily removed.

[0012] Furthermore, in embodiment 4 of the present invention, in any one of embodiments 1 to 3 of the coating removal device, at least one of the first blade and the second blade is replaceable.

[0013] According to aspect 4 of the present invention, the coating removal device can be adapted to multiple types of optical fibers having different coating diameters.

[0014] Furthermore, aspect 5 of the present invention is a coating removal device in any one of aspects 1 to 4, further comprising an adjustment member having a first sliding surface and movable in a second adjustment direction intersecting the first adjustment direction, wherein the stage has a second sliding surface that slides with the first sliding surface when the adjustment member moves in the second adjustment direction, and the first sliding surface and the second sliding surface are inclined with respect to the second adjustment direction such that when the adjustment member moves in the second adjustment direction and the first sliding surface and the second sliding surface slide against each other, the aforementioned setting surface moves in the first adjustment direction.

[0015] According to aspect 5 of the present invention, a configuration in which the mounting surface moves in the first adjustment direction can be easily realized.

[0016] Furthermore, aspect 6 of the present invention further comprises an adjustment screw for driving the movement of the adjustment member in the second adjustment direction, in the coating removal device of aspect 5.

[0017] According to aspect 6 of the present invention, it becomes easier to finely adjust the amount of movement of the adjustment member and the mounting surface.

[0018] Furthermore, in embodiment 7 of the present invention, in the coating removal device of embodiment 5 or embodiment 6, when the inclination angle of the first sliding surface with respect to the second adjustment direction is d, d is greater than 0° and 10° or less.

[0019] According to aspect 7 of the present invention, it becomes easier to finely adjust the position of the mounting surface. [Effects of the Invention]

[0020] According to the above embodiment of the present invention, a coating removal device is provided that allows adjustment of the positional relationship between the blade and the optical fiber mounting surface. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0021] [Figure 1] The perspective view which shows the coating removal apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. [Figure 2A] It is sectional drawing which follows the IIA-IIA line shown in FIG. 1, and is a figure which shows the state before adjusting the positional relationship between a blade body and a mounting surface. [Figure 2B] It is a figure which shows the state after adjusting the positional relationship between a blade body and a mounting surface.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0022] Hereinafter, the coating removal apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention is demonstrated based on drawing. As shown in FIG. 1, the coating removal apparatus 1 which concerns on this embodiment includes a pair of blade bodies 10 and 20 (the 1st blade body 10, the 2nd blade body 20), a heating part 30, a base 40, a rotation lid part 50, and a gripping part 60.

[0023] The coating removal apparatus 1 is used for the optical fiber 70 as shown in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B for example. The optical fiber 70 in the example shown in the figure has a bare wire part 71 and a coating 72. The bare wire part 71 has a core and a clad for example. The coating 72 is an epoxy resin or an acrylic resin which covers the bare wire part 71. The coating removal apparatus 1 is an apparatus which removes the coating 72 of the optical fiber 70 by the 1st blade body 10 and the 2nd blade body 20.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2A, and FIG. 2B, each blade body 10 and 20 has a flat plate shape. The 1st blade body 10 has a 1st opposing edge 10a. The 2nd blade body 20 has a 2nd opposing edge 20a.

[0025] The coating removal device 1 (blade bodies 10, 20) according to this embodiment can take on two states: a closed state and an open state. The closed state is when the first opposing edge 10a (first blade body 10) and the second opposing edge 20a (second blade body 20) sandwich the optical fiber 70 (see Figure 2B). The open state is when the first opposing edge 10a and the second opposing edge 20a do not face each other, and the first opposing edge 10a and the second opposing edge 20a do not sandwich the optical fiber 70. In the following, unless otherwise specified, the positional relationship of each component when the coating removal device 1 (blade bodies 10, 20) is in the closed state will be described.

[0026] (direction definition) In this specification, the direction in which the first blade 10 (first opposing edge 10a) and the second blade 20 (second opposing edge 20a) sandwich the optical fiber 70 is referred to as the opposing direction Z. The opposing direction Z is also the direction in which the first blade 10 (first opposing edge 10a) and the second blade 20 (second opposing edge 20a) face each other in the closed state. The opposing direction Z is, for example, a vertical direction parallel to gravity. However, the opposing direction Z may be inclined with respect to the vertical direction. One direction that intersects the opposing direction Z (for example, perpendicular) is referred to as the axial direction X. A direction that intersects both the opposing direction Z and the axial direction X (for example, perpendicular) is referred to as the intersecting direction Y. In this embodiment, the axial direction X is also the thickness direction of the flat blades 10 and 20 (the direction intersecting the blades 10 and 20), and the intersecting direction Y and the opposing direction Z are also the directions in which the blades 10 and 20 extend. Furthermore, the direction from the second blade 20 toward the first blade 10 along the opposing direction Z is referred to as the +Z direction or upward. The direction opposite to the +Z direction is referred to as the -Z direction or downward. One direction along the intersecting direction Y is referred to as the +Y direction or to the right. The direction opposite to the +Y direction is referred to as the -Y direction or to the left. One direction along the axial direction X is referred to as the +X direction or forward. The direction opposite to the +X direction is referred to as the -X direction or backward.

[0027] As shown in Figure 1, a first concave blade portion F1 is formed on the first opposing edge 10a. The first concave blade portion F1 has a shape that is recessed upward from the first opposing edge 10a. When viewed from the axial direction X, the first concave blade portion F1 has, for example, a U-shape (semicircular shape). A second concave blade portion F2 is formed on the second opposing edge 20a. The second concave blade portion F2 has a shape that is recessed downward from the second opposing edge 20a. When viewed from the axial direction X, the second concave blade portion F2 has, for example, a U-shape (semicircular shape). The concave blade portions F1 and F2 sandwich the optical fiber 70 in the opposing direction Z and make a cut in the coating 72.

[0028] In the closed state of the coating removal device 1, the concave blades F1 and F2 face each other in the opposing direction Z, forming a single opening F. In other words, a gap GP is formed between the concave blades F1 and F2, in which the optical fiber 70 is placed. The pair of blades 10 and 20 are formed such that the inner diameter of the opening F (gap GP) is smaller than the coating 72 of the optical fiber 70 and larger than the outer diameter of the bare wire portion 71 (see also Figure 2B).

[0029] As shown in Figures 1, 2A, and 2B, the heating unit 30 according to this embodiment includes a stage 31 and a heating unit base 32. The stage 31 is provided adjacent to the second blade body 20 in the axial direction X. More specifically, the stage 31 is provided adjacent to the rear of the second blade body 20. The upper surface of the stage 31 is a mounting surface 31a. Optical fibers 70 extending axially (rearward) from the pair of blade bodies 10 and 20 are placed on the mounting surface 31a.

[0030] As shown in Figure 1, the heating section base 32 is located above the base 40 and is fixed to the rear end of the base 40. The second blade 20 is fixed to the front surface of the heating section base 32. The means for fixing the second blade 20 to the heating section base 32 are not particularly limited, but for example, screw fastening can be used.

[0031] As shown in Figures 2A and 2B, the stage 31 according to this embodiment includes a heater 31A and a housing section 31B. The housing section 31B houses the heater 31A such that the heater 31A is exposed on the upper surface of the stage 31. The heater 31A heats and softens the coating 72 of the optical fiber 70. In this embodiment, the mounting surface 31a described above is a heater surface that contacts the coating 72 and heats the coating 72.

[0032] The rotating cover portion 50 includes a blade pressing portion 51, a fiber pressing portion (pressing portion) 52, and a cover base 53. The blade pressing portion 51, the fiber pressing portion 52, and the cover base 53 are fixed to each other.

[0033] As shown in Figure 1, the lid base 53 is connected to the heating unit 30 (heating unit base 32) via a shaft A. This allows the rotating lid 50 to rotate relative to the heating unit 30 (heating unit base 32) with the shaft A as the pivot axis. The first blade 10 is fixed to the front surface of the lid base 53. The means for fixing the first blade 10 to the lid base 53 are not particularly limited, but for example, screw fastening can be used. In this embodiment, the rotating lid 50 rotates relative to the heating unit 30, switching between the open state and the closed state described above.

[0034] As shown in Figures 2A and 2B, the fiber pressing portion 52 is fixed to the lower surface of the blade pressing portion 51. The fiber pressing portion 52 presses the optical fiber 70 against the mounting surface 31a. The fiber pressing portion 52 may be, for example, an elastic body (such as a plate-shaped rubber) that elastically presses the optical fiber 70 against the mounting surface 31a. The blade pressing portion 51 is fixed to the front surface of the lid base 53.

[0035] The blade pressing portion 51 presses the first blade 10 toward the second blade 20 (downward). Although detailed illustrations are omitted, the blade pressing portion 51 may have a biasing member that biases the first blade 10 toward downward. In this case, the blade pressing portion 51 applies an elastic downward pressing force (biasing force) to the first blade 10. It is desirable that the blade pressing portion 51 and the first concave blade portion F1 are located in approximately the same position in the intersecting direction Y.

[0036] Furthermore, the blade pressing portion 51 is not necessary if the first blade 10 can be pressed toward the second blade 20 by fixing means (such as the screws mentioned above) that fix the first blade 10 to the lid base 53. However, a configuration in which the blade pressing portion 51 elastically presses the first blade 10 toward the second blade 20 is preferable because it makes it easier to make the force with which the blades 10 and 20 (concave blade portions F1 and F2) grip the optical fiber 70 uniform.

[0037] As shown in Figure 1, the gripping portion 60 grips the optical fiber 70. The gripping portion 60 is positioned in front of the blades 10 and 20. The gripping portion 60 is configured to move linearly in the axial direction X. Thus, the gripping portion 60 is configured to move relative to the blades 10 and 20 in the axial direction X. In this embodiment, the gripping portion 60 moves linearly in the axial direction X along a linear guide GD provided on the upper surface of the base 40. In the illustrated example, the gripping portion 60 has a base portion 61 that moves linearly along the linear guide GD, and a cover portion 62 that grips the optical fiber 70 together with the base portion 61. However, the configuration of the gripping portion 60 can be changed as appropriate.

[0038] Furthermore, at least one of the first blade 10 and the second blade 20 (for example, both the first blade 10 and the second blade 20) may be interchangeable. With this configuration, the shape of the gap GP formed between the blades 10 and 20 can be changed by changing the blades 10 and 20. This makes it possible to adapt the coating removal device 1 to multiple types of optical fibers 70 with different diameters of coating 72.

[0039] When removing the coating 72 from the optical fiber 70 using the coating removal device 1 according to this embodiment, first, as shown in Figures 1 and 2A, the coating removal device 1 is opened. Then, the optical fiber 70, gripped by the gripping part 60, is placed on the second concave blade portion F2 of the second blade body 20. At this time, the portion of the optical fiber 70 that extends rearward from the second blade body 20 is placed on the mounting surface (heater surface) 31a of the stage 31. When gripping the optical fiber 70 with the gripping part 60, it is preferable to ensure that the portion of the optical fiber 70 that contacts the mounting surface 31a is sufficiently long.

[0040] Next, the rotating cover 50 is closed to move the coating removal device 1 to the closed state. When the positional relationship between the blades 10 and 20 and the mounting surface 31a is appropriate, as shown in Figure 2B, the blades 10 and 20 contact only the coating 72 of the optical fiber 70 and make cuts in the coating 72. Note that "when the positional relationship between the blades 10 and 20 and the mounting surface 31a is appropriate" means when the center of the gap GP between the blades 10 and 20 coincides with the central axis O of the optical fiber 70 placed on the mounting surface 31a.

[0041] At this time, the fiber pressing section 52 presses the optical fiber 70 against the mounting surface 31a. As a result, the coating 72 is heated by the mounting surface 31a, which is the heater surface, causing the coating 72 to soften and weakening the adhesion between the coating 72 and the bare wire portion 71. In this state, the gripping section 60 moves away from the blades 10 and 20 in the axial direction X (forward), causing the coating 72 to be torn off at the positions where the blades 10 and 20 made cuts, and the torn-off coating 72 is removed from the optical fiber 70. Then, the bare wire portion 71 is exposed in the area where the coating 72 was removed.

[0042] Here, as shown in Figure 2A, if the positional relationship between the blades 10 and 20 and the mounting surface 31a is not appropriate, when the rotating cover 50 is closed, the optical fiber 70 will be bent by the difference in height between the blades 10 and 20 and the mounting surface 31a. When the optical fiber 70 is bent, it may be difficult to easily remove the coating 72. Note that "if the positional relationship between the blades 10 and 20 and the mounting surface 31a is not appropriate" means that the center of the gap GP between the blades 10 and 20 does not coincide with the central axis O of the optical fiber 70 placed on the mounting surface 31a. In particular, if the blades 10 and 20 are replaceable, the appropriate position of the mounting surface 31a will change depending on the shape of the blades 10 and 20. Therefore, even if the position of the mounting surface 31a is optimized for a certain blade 10 or 20, the position of the mounting surface 31a may become inappropriate for the replaced blades 10 or 20.

[0043] Therefore, in the coating removal device 1 according to this embodiment, an adjustment mechanism M is provided between the housing section 31B and the heating section base 32 in the opposing direction Z to adjust the position of the stage 31 (mounting surface 31a) in the opposing direction Z. In other words, through the action of the adjustment mechanism M, the stage 31 (mounting surface 31a) is configured to be relatively movable in the opposing direction Z with respect to the pair of blades 10 and 20.

[0044] By providing such an adjustment mechanism M, it becomes possible to adjust the positional relationship between the blades 10 and 20 and the mounting surface 31a. Therefore, even when the blades 10 and 20 are interchangeable, it is possible to adjust the position of the mounting surface 31a according to the shape of the blades 10 and 20. The specific configuration of the adjustment mechanism M will be described below.

[0045] The adjustment mechanism M according to this embodiment includes an adjustment member 81, an adjustment screw 82, and a biasing member 83. The adjustment member 81 is configured to be movable in the axial direction X. A first sliding surface 81a is provided on the upper surface of the adjustment member 81. When the adjustment member 81 moves in the axial direction X, it slides against a second sliding surface 31b provided on the lower surface of the stage 31.

[0046] The first sliding surface 81a and the second sliding surface 31b are inclined surfaces that are tilted with respect to the opposing direction Z. More specifically, in this embodiment, the first sliding surface 81a and the second sliding surface 31b are tilted downward as they move forward. With this configuration, when the adjustment member 81 moves axially X, causing the first sliding surface 81a and the second sliding surface 31b to slide, the stage 31 (mounting surface 31a) moves in the opposing direction Z. That is, when the adjustment member 81 moves forward, the stage 31 (mounting surface 31a) moves upward, and when the adjustment member 81 moves backward, the stage 31 (mounting surface 31a) moves downward. In other words, the sliding surfaces 81a and 31b link the movement of the adjustment member 81 in the axial direction X with the movement of the stage 31 (mounting surface 31a) in the opposing direction Z.

[0047] Furthermore, it is preferable that the travel distance of the stage 31 (mounting surface 31a) is sufficiently small compared to the travel distance of the adjustment member 81. This makes it possible to finely adjust the position of the stage 31 (mounting surface 31a) (for example, in units of μm), and to accommodate minute differences in the diameter of the bare wire portion 71, for example. When the inclination angle of the first sliding surface 81a (second sliding surface 31b) with respect to the axial direction X is d, such fine adjustments can be easily performed by setting d to a value greater than 0° and 10° or less.

[0048] The biasing member 83 biases the adjustment member 81 toward the rear. The type of biasing member 83 is not particularly limited, but for example, a coil spring can be used as the biasing member 83. In the illustrated example, the front end of the adjustment member 81 is fixed inside the fixing recess 32b formed in the heating base 32. The adjustment screw 82 is screwed from the rear into a screw hole 32a that opens on the rear surface of the heating base 32. The front end of the adjustment screw 82 is in contact with the rear surface of the adjustment member 81. The adjustment screw 82 drives the movement of the adjustment member 81 in the axial direction X.

[0049] As the adjustment screw 82 is screwed in, the front end of the adjustment screw 82 pushes the adjustment member 81 forward against the elastic restoring force of the biasing member 83. On the other hand, as the adjustment screw 82 is loosened, it retracts. Here, since the adjustment member 81 is biased backward by the elastic restoring force of the biasing member 83, the adjustment member 81 retracts while the front end of the adjustment screw 82 remains in contact with the rear surface of the adjustment member 81. In other words, the biasing member 83 and the screw hole 32a link the rotation of the adjustment screw 82 with the movement of the adjustment member 81 in the axial direction X. By using the adjustment screw 82 in this way, it becomes possible to adjust the amount of movement of the adjustment member 81 and the stage 31 (mounting surface 31a) more precisely.

[0050] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 1, the coating removal device 1 according to this embodiment has an adjustment indicator 84 exposed to the outside of the coating removal device 1. The operator can adjust the position of the mounting surface 31a to a desired position by rotating the adjustment screw 82 while referring to the adjustment indicator 84. In the illustrated example, the adjustment indicator 84 is provided on the side surface (the surface facing the intersecting direction Y) of the heating unit 30 (heating unit base 32). However, the position of the adjustment indicator 84 can be changed as appropriate.

[0051] The adjustment indicator 84 in the illustrated example has a pin 84a and a scale 84b. The pin 84a moves in the axial direction X in conjunction with the rotation of the adjustment screw 82. That is, the movement of the pin 84a is also linked to the movement of the stage 31 (mounting surface 31a) in the opposing direction Z, and the movement of the adjustment member 81 in the axial direction X.

[0052] The scale 84b is provided along the region in which the pin 84a moves (in the illustrated example, the elongated hole extending in the axial direction X into which the pin 84a is inserted). The numbers on the scale 84b may correspond to the outer diameter of the coating 72. For example, when using the coating removal device 1 on an optical fiber 70 with an outer diameter of 500 μm of coating 72, the operator rotates the adjustment screw 82 to align the position of the pin 84a with the line (scale line) marked with the number "500". This adjusts the position of the mounting surface 31a to a position where the coating 72 can be removed effectively on the optical fiber 70 with an outer diameter of 500 μm of coating 72. The configuration of the adjustment indicator 84 can be changed as appropriate, as long as the operator can adjust the position of the mounting surface 31a to a desired position by referring to the adjustment indicator 84. The coating removal device 1 does not necessarily have to have an adjustment indicator 84.

[0053] Preferably, the stage 31 (mounting surface 31a) is movable only in the opposing direction Z, and the adjustment member 81 is movable only in the axial direction X. This configuration prevents the stage 31 (mounting surface 31a) and the adjustment member 81 from moving in unintended directions.

[0054] Furthermore, the adjustment mechanism M described above is merely an example, and can be modified as appropriate as long as the stage 31 (mounting surface 31a) can be moved relative to the pair of blades 10 and 20 in the opposing direction Z. For example, the adjustment mechanism M does not need to have a biasing member 83. In this case as well, for example, a screw hole can be formed in the adjustment member 81, and the adjustment screw 82 can be screwed into the screw hole to finely adjust the position of the adjustment member 81 using the adjustment screw 82. Also, for example, if the elastic restoring force of the biasing member 83 is sufficiently strong, the first sliding surface 81a and the second sliding surface 31b may be inclined to move upward as they move forward.

[0055] Furthermore, in the example described above, the stage 31 (mounting surface 31a) moved in the opposing direction Z, but the direction in which the stage 31 (mounting surface 31a) moves (hereinafter referred to as the first adjustment direction) does not have to be the opposing direction Z. For example, when the blades 10 and 20 sandwich the optical fiber 70 in the horizontal direction (i.e., when the opposing direction Z is horizontal), the first adjustment direction may intersect with the opposing direction Z. The first adjustment direction is not particularly limited as long as it intersects with the mounting surface 31a of the stage 31.

[0056] Similarly, in the example described above, the adjustment member 81 moved in the axial direction X, but the direction in which the adjustment member 81 moves (hereinafter referred to as the second adjustment direction) does not have to be the axial direction X. For example, the second adjustment direction may be the intersecting direction Y. The second adjustment direction is not particularly limited as long as it intersects with the first adjustment direction.

[0057] As described above, the coating removal device 1 according to this embodiment is a coating removal device for removing the coating 72 of an optical fiber 70, and includes a first blade 10 and a second blade 20, a pair of blades 10 and 20 that cut into the coating 72 by sandwiching the optical fiber 70 between the first blade 10 and the second blade 20 in an opposing direction Z, and a stage 31 provided adjacent to the second blade 20 in an axial direction X intersecting the opposing direction Z, and having a mounting surface 31a on which the optical fiber 70 extending from the second blade 20 in the axial direction X is placed, wherein the mounting surface 31a is configured to be relatively movable with respect to the pair of blades 10 and 20 in a first adjustment direction (for example, the opposing direction Z) intersecting the mounting surface 31a. In other words, the coating removal device 1 includes an adjustment mechanism M.

[0058] This configuration allows the mounting surface 31a to be moved relative to the blades 10 and 20, thereby adjusting the positional relationship between the blades 10 and 20 and the mounting surface 31a.

[0059] Furthermore, the coating removal device 1 according to this embodiment further includes a fiber pressing unit (pressing unit) 52 that presses the optical fiber 70 against the mounting surface 31a, and the mounting surface 31a is a heater surface that contacts the coating 72 and heats the coating 72. In a coating removal device in which the optical fiber 70 is pressed against the mounting surface 31a (heater surface), if the positional relationship between the blades 10, 20 and the mounting surface 31a is inappropriate, the possibility of the blades 10, 20 contacting the bare wire portion 71 increases. This is because the pressing force applied to the optical fiber 70 by the fiber pressing unit 52 can act to bring the optical fiber 70 (bare wire portion 71) and the blades 10, 20 closer together. According to the coating removal device 1 according to this embodiment, even when the fiber pressing unit 52 presses the optical fiber 70, contact between the blades 10, 20 and the bare wire portion 71 can be prevented by adjusting the positional relationship between the blades 10, 20 and the mounting surface 31a.

[0060] Furthermore, the coating removal device 1 according to this embodiment further includes a gripping portion 60 that grips the optical fiber 70 and is movable relative to the pair of blades 10 and 20 in the axial direction X. This configuration makes it possible to easily remove the coating 72 from the optical fiber 70.

[0061] Furthermore, at least one of the first blade 10 and the second blade 20 may be replaceable. This configuration allows the shape of the gap GP formed between the blades 10 and 20 to be changed by replacing the blades 10 and 20. This makes it possible to adapt the coating removal device 1 to multiple types of optical fibers 70 with different diameters of coating 72. Also, even if the appropriate position of the mounting surface 31a changes due to the replacement of the blades 10 and 20, the positional relationship between the blades 10 and 20 and the mounting surface 31a can be appropriately adjusted by adjusting the position of the mounting surface 31a.

[0062] Furthermore, the coating removal device 1 according to this embodiment further comprises an adjustment member 81 having a first sliding surface 81a and movable in a second adjustment direction (for example, axial X) intersecting the first adjustment direction, and the stage 31 has a second sliding surface 31b that slides with the first sliding surface 81a when the adjustment member 81 moves in the second adjustment direction, and the first sliding surface 81a and the second sliding surface 31b are inclined with respect to the second adjustment direction such that when the adjustment member 81 moves in the second adjustment direction and the first sliding surface 81a and the second sliding surface 31b slide against each other, the mounting surface 31a moves in the first adjustment direction. With this configuration, a configuration in which the mounting surface 31a moves in the first adjustment direction can be easily realized. In addition, by changing the inclination angle of the sliding surfaces 81a and 31b with respect to the second adjustment direction, it is also possible to adjust the distance the mounting surface 31a moves relative to the distance the adjustment member 81 moves.

[0063] Furthermore, the coating removal device 1 according to this embodiment further includes an adjustment screw 82 that drives the movement of the adjustment member 81 in the second adjustment direction. This configuration makes it easy to finely adjust the amount of movement of the adjustment member 81 and the mounting surface 31a.

[0064] Furthermore, when d is the inclination angle of the first sliding surface 81a with respect to the second adjustment direction, d is greater than 0° and 10° or less. This configuration makes it easy to finely adjust the position of the mounting surface 31a (for example, in units of μm).

[0065] The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0066] For example, the coating removal device 1 may be configured to remove the coating from an optical fiber ribbon (optical fiber tape core) in which multiple optical fibers 70 arranged in a tape shape are coated together with a single coating. In this case, the blades 10 and 20 do not have to have concave blade portions F1 and F2. That is, when viewed from the axial direction X, the opposing edges 10a and 20a of the blades 10 and 20 may extend linearly in the intersecting direction Y. The coating of the optical fiber ribbon core may then be removed by placing the optical fiber ribbon core in the gap GP formed between the linear opposing edges 10a and 20a.

[0067] Furthermore, although the gripping portion 60 in the above embodiment has a base portion 61 and a lid portion 62 and directly grips the optical fiber 70, the configuration of the gripping portion 60 is not limited to this. A portion of the optical fiber 70 may be housed in a box-shaped optical fiber holder, and the gripping portion 60 may be configured to indirectly grip the optical fiber 70 through the holder. With this configuration, an appropriate optical fiber holder can be selected according to the diameter of the covering 72, and the central axis O of the optical fiber 70 in the gripping portion 60 can be aligned with the gap GP between the blades 10 and 20.

[0068] Furthermore, when the optical fiber 70 is pulled out manually, the sheathing removal device 1 does not need to have a gripping portion 60. However, the configuration in which the sheathing removal device 1 has a gripping portion 60 is preferable in that it is less likely to cause contact between the blades 10, 20 and the bare wire portion 71 compared to when the optical fiber 70 is pulled out manually.

[0069] Furthermore, the mounting surface 31a of the stage 31 does not have to be a heater surface for heating the coating 72. In this case, the coating removal device 1 does not have to be equipped with a fiber pressing section 52.

[0070] Furthermore, without departing from the spirit of the present invention, the components in the above-described embodiments may be replaced with well-known components as appropriate, and the above-described embodiments and modifications may be combined as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0071] 1…Coating removal device 10…First blade 20…Second blade 31…Stage 31a…Mounting surface (heater surface) 31b…Second sliding surface 52…Fiber pressing part (pressing part) 60…Gripping part 70…Optical fiber 72…Coating 81…Adjustment member 81a…First sliding surface 82…Adjustment screw

Claims

1. A coating removal device for removing the coating from an optical fiber, A pair of blades comprising a first blade and a second blade, which cut into the coating by sandwiching the optical fiber between the first blade and the second blade in opposing directions, A stage is provided adjacent to the second blade body in the axial direction intersecting the opposing directions, and has a mounting surface on which the optical fibers extending in the axial direction from the pair of blade bodies are placed, The device comprises an adjustment member having a first sliding surface and being movable in a second adjustment direction intersecting the first adjustment direction, The mounting surface is configured to be movable relative to the pair of blades in a first adjustment direction intersecting the mounting surface described above. The stage has a second sliding surface that slides against the first sliding surface when the adjustment member moves in the second adjustment direction. The first sliding surface and the second sliding surface are inclined with respect to the second adjustment direction such that when the adjustment member moves in the second adjustment direction and the first sliding surface and the second sliding surface slide against each other, the aforementioned mounting surface moves in the first adjustment direction. Coating removal device.

2. The optical fiber is further provided with a pressing part that presses it against the aforementioned mounting surface, The mounting surface is a heater surface that contacts the coating and heats the coating. The coating removal device according to claim 1.

3. The optical fiber is gripped and the gripping portion is further movable relative to the pair of blades in the axial direction, The coating removal device according to claim 1.

4. At least one of the first blade and the second blade is replaceable. The coating removal device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The coating removal device according to claim 1, further comprising an adjustment screw for driving the movement of the adjustment member in the second adjustment direction.

6. When the inclination angle of the first sliding surface with respect to the second adjustment direction is d, d is greater than 0° and 10° or less. The coating removal device according to claim 1.

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