JP5679407B2 - Fusion reinforcement sleeve - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a fusion reinforcing sleeve for covering and reinforcing a fusion splicing portion of an optical fiber core or an optical fiber ribbon.

  Conventionally, in order to cover and reinforce the fusion spliced portion of a single-fiber optical fiber core 1 as shown in FIG. 6A or a 4-fiber optical fiber ribbon 2 as shown in FIG. In addition, a heat-shrinkable fusion reinforcing sleeve is used.

Since such a fusion reinforcing sleeve has a cylindrical structure, the fusion splicing operation of the optical fiber core wire 1 or the optical fiber tape core wire 2 is performed according to the following procedure.
(Procedure 1) An operator inserts the optical fiber core wire 1 or the optical fiber tape core wire 2 into the fusion-bonding reinforcement sleeve (see, for example, paragraph 0004 of Patent Document 1 below).
(Procedure 2) The worker removes the coating of the optical fiber core wire 1 or the optical fiber tape core wire 2 to expose the optical fibers 1a and 2a (see FIGS. 6A and 6B), and then melts them. The optical fibers 1a and 2a are fusion-spliced using the arrival splicer.
(Procedure 3) After moving the fusion reinforcing sleeve to the fusion splicing part, the worker sets the fusion reinforcing sleeve in the heater of the fusion splicing machine, and heat shrinks the fusion reinforcing sleeve.

  Further, in Patent Document 2 below, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, a heat-shrinkable outer tube 111 having a circular cross-sectional shape and a heat melting having an elliptical cross-sectional shape. A fusion reinforcing sleeve 110 including a flexible inner tube 112 and a strength member 113 having a semicircular cross-sectional shape is disclosed.

Here, as shown in FIG. 7B, the tensile body 113 is disposed in the outer tube 111 so that the peripheral surface is in contact with the inner surface of the outer tube 111, and the inner tube 112 is the tensile strength of the outer tube 111. It is arranged in a space on the flat surface of the body 113.
Further, as shown in FIG. 7A, in order to prevent unnecessary pressure from being applied to the optical fiber ribbon 1 by the inner tube 112 when the outer tube 111 is thermally contracted and the inner tube 112 is thermally melted, as shown in FIG. The length (L1) of the outer tube 111 in the axial direction (longitudinal direction) is made slightly longer than the length of the tensile body 113 in the axial direction and longer than the length L2 of the inner tube 112 in the axial direction. The inner peripheral surfaces at both ends are exposed.

  Since this fusion reinforcing sleeve 110 also has a cylindrical structure, the fusion splicing operation of the optical fiber core wire 1 or the optical fiber tape core wire 2 is performed according to the above-described procedure.

JP 2003-207679 A JP 2004-309840 A

However, in the conventional heat-shrinkable fusion reinforcing sleeve, in the procedure 1 described above, an operator can connect the optical fiber 1 or the optical fiber ribbon 2 to the fusion reinforcing sleeve before the optical fibers 1a and 2a are fusion-bonded. If the optical fiber 1a or 2a is forgotten to be inserted, the optical fiber 1a or 2a is disconnected, the optical fiber core 1 or the optical fiber tape core 2 is inserted into the fusion reinforcing sleeve, and then the optical fiber 1a or 2a is melted. There was a problem that the incoming connection had to be made again.
Further, when a plurality of sets of optical fiber cores 1 or optical fiber tape cores 2 are fused and connected, the worker can connect the optical fiber core 1 or the optical fiber ribbon 2 to the fusion reinforcing sleeve for each connection unit. There is a problem that it takes a long time to work.
The same applies to the fusion reinforcing sleeve 110 disclosed in Patent Document 2 described above.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a fusion reinforcing sleeve that does not require insertion of an optical fiber core or an optical fiber ribbon prior to fusion splicing.

The fusion- strengthening sleeve of the present invention covers and reinforces the fusion-bonded portion of the optical fiber core wire (1) having a predetermined diameter (D) or the optical fiber tape core wire (2) having a predetermined height (H). A heat-shrinkable outer tube (21) having a circular cross-sectional shape when the fusion-reinforcing sleeve is closed, and a peripheral surface is an inner surface of the outer tube. A tensile body (23) disposed in the outer tube so as to be in contact with each other and having a semicircular cross-sectional shape when the fusion reinforcing sleeve is closed, and a flat surface of the tensile body of the outer tube A heat-meltable inner tube (22) disposed in the upper space and having an elliptical cross-sectional shape when the fusion reinforcing sleeve is closed, and bisects the strength member The outer tube, the inner tube and The tensile body is cut and the cross-sectional shape is C-shaped. By passing the fusion splicing portion between the cut surfaces of the outer tube, the inner tube and the tensile strength member, the fusion splicing portion is It is inserted into a fusion-reinforced reinforcing sleeve.
Here, the optical fiber core wire or the optical fiber tape core wire is provided, and the interval (I) between the cut surfaces of the inner tube is the predetermined diameter of the optical fiber core wire or the optical fiber tape core wire. It may be larger than the predetermined height.

The fusion-bonding sleeve of the present invention has the following effects.
(1) By making the cross-sectional shape C-shaped, the fusion splicing portion of the optical fiber core wire or the optical fiber tape core wire can be provided even after the optical fiber core wire or the optical fiber tape core wire is fusion spliced. Since it can be inserted into the fusion reinforcing sleeve, it is not necessary to insert the optical fiber core or the optical fiber tape core into the fusion reinforcing sleeve before the fusion connection.
(2) Since there is no need to insert the optical fiber core wire or the optical fiber tape core wire into the fusion reinforcing sleeve before the fusion splicing, it is possible to reduce the operator's work mistakes.
(3) Even when a plurality of sets of optical fiber cores or optical fiber tape cores are fused and connected, it is not necessary to insert the optical fiber cores or the optical fiber tape cores into the fusion reinforcing sleeve for each connection unit. Therefore, the work can be facilitated and the work time can be shortened.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a figure which shows the structure of the fusion | melting reinforcement sleeve 10 by 1st Example of this invention, (a) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view (when cut along the axial direction of the fusion | fusion reinforcement sleeve 10). (B) is a transverse cross-sectional view of the fusion-reinforcing sleeve 10 (cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 4A). It is. It is a figure for demonstrating the procedure which performs the fusion splicing operation | work of the optical fiber core wire 1 using the fusion | fusion reinforcement sleeve 10 shown in FIG. 1, (a) is the fusion splice part of the optical fiber core wire 1. FIG. 6 is a view for explaining a procedure for inserting the inside of the fusion reinforcing sleeve 10, FIG. 5B is a view for explaining a procedure for closing the fusion reinforcing sleeve 10, and FIG. It is a figure which shows the state which closed. It is a figure for demonstrating the procedure of performing the fusion splicing operation | work of the optical fiber tape core wire 2 using the fusion | fusion reinforcement sleeve 10 shown in FIG. 1, (a) fuse | melts the optical fiber tape core wire 2 It is a figure for demonstrating the procedure inserted in the reinforcement sleeve 10, (b) is a figure for demonstrating the procedure which closes the melt | fusion fusion sleeve 10, (c) closed the fusion reinforcement sleeve 10. It is a figure which shows a state. It is a cross-sectional view which shows the structure of the fusion | fusion reinforcement sleeve 20 by the 2nd Example of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the procedure which performs the fusion splicing operation | work of the optical fiber core wire 1 using the fusion | fusion reinforcement sleeve 20 shown in FIG. 4, (a) is a fusion reinforcement sleeve of the optical fiber core wire 1. (B) is a figure for demonstrating the procedure which closes the fusion | melting reinforcement sleeve 20, and (c) is a figure for demonstrating the state which closed the fusion | melting reinforcement sleeve 20. FIG. FIG. It is a figure which shows the structure of the optical fiber core wire 1 and the optical fiber tape core wire 2, (a) is a cross-sectional view of the single-fiber optical fiber core wire 1, (b) is a 4-fiber optical fiber tape core. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of line 2. It is a figure which shows the structure of the conventional melt | fusion reinforcement sleeve 110, (a) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the fusion reinforcement sleeve 110 (When cut along the axial direction of the fusion reinforcement sleeve 110, the fusion reinforcement sleeve 110 is shown. (B) is a transverse cross-sectional view of the fusion reinforcing sleeve 110 (cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of (a)).

  The above object has been realized by making the cross-sectional shape of the fusion reinforcing sleeve C-shaped.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the fusion reinforcing sleeve of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
First, a fusion reinforcing sleeve 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

The fusion-reinforcing sleeve 10 according to the present embodiment is a heat-shrinkable fusion-reinforcing sleeve and is different from the conventional heat-shrinkable fusion-reinforcing sleeve in the following points.
(1) As shown in FIG.1 (b), the cross-sectional shape is made into C shape.
(2) As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, protrusions 10a are formed at both ends of the peripheral surface.

Here, the interval I between the protrusions 10a (that is, the minimum interval between both ends of the circumferential surface of the fusion reinforcing sleeve 10) is the diameter D of the optical fiber core wire 1 (see FIG. 6A) or the optical fiber tape core wire. The height H is greater than 2 (see FIG. 6B).
As a result, the fusion-bonding portion of the optical fiber core wire 1 or the optical fiber tape core wire 2 is projected with the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber core wire 1 or the optical fiber tape core wire 2 parallel to the axial direction of the fusion reinforcing sleeve 10. By passing the space between 10 a, the fusion splicing part of the optical fiber core wire 1 or the optical fiber tape core wire 2 can be inserted into the fusion reinforcing sleeve 10.

Next, a procedure for performing the fusion splicing operation of the optical fiber core wire 1 using the fusion reinforcing sleeve 10 will be described with reference to FIGS.
(Procedure 1) The worker sets the fusion reinforcing sleeve 10 in a heater (not shown) so that the space between the protrusions 10a faces sideways as shown in FIG.
(Procedure 2) The worker removes the coating of the optical fiber core wire 1 to expose the optical fiber 1a, and then fusion-connects the optical fiber 1a using a fusion splicer.
(Procedure 3) As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the operator slides the optical fiber core 1 with the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber core 1 parallel to the axial direction of the fusion reinforcing sleeve 10. Then, the fusion spliced portion of the optical fiber core wire 1 is inserted into the fusion reinforcing sleeve 10 by passing the fusion spliced portion of the optical fiber core wire 1 through the space between the protrusions 10 a.
(Procedure 4) The operator manually pushes the upper portion of the fusion reinforcing sleeve 10 so that the upper projection 10a is directed to the lower projection 10a as shown by the arrow in FIG. After the fusion reinforcing sleeve 10 (the space between the protrusions 10a) is closed as shown in c), the lid of the heater is closed and the fusion reinforcing sleeve is thermally contracted.

Next, a procedure for performing the fusion splicing operation of the optical fiber ribbon 2 using the fusion reinforcing sleeve 10 will be described with reference to FIGS.
(Procedure 1) The worker sets the fusion reinforcing sleeve 10 in a heater (not shown) so that the space between the protrusions 10a faces sideways as shown in FIG.
(Procedure 2) The worker removes the coating of the optical fiber ribbon 2 to expose the optical fiber 2a, and then fusion-connects the optical fiber 2a using a fusion splicer.
(Procedure 3) As shown in FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b), an operator places the optical fiber ribbon 2 with the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber ribbon 2 parallel to the axial direction of the fusion reinforcing sleeve 10. The fusion spliced portion of the optical fiber ribbon 2 is inserted into the fusion reinforcing sleeve 10 by sliding in the width direction and passing the fusion spliced portion of the optical fiber core 1 through the space between the protrusions 10 a.
(Procedure 4) The operator pushes the upper projection 10a shown in the figure toward the lower projection 10a by hand as shown by the arrow in FIG. 3B, and the fusion reinforcing sleeve as shown in FIG. After closing 10 (the space between the protrusions 10a), the lid of the heater is closed to heat-shrink the outer tube 11 and heat-melt the inner tube 12.

  In addition, although the protrusion 10a was formed in the both ends on the peripheral surface of the fusion reinforcement sleeve 10 in order to make it easy to close the fusion reinforcement sleeve 10, the protrusion 10a does not need to be formed.

  In order to close the fusion reinforcing sleeve 10 more completely, the protrusion 10a may be made of an adhesive material, or an adhesive may be applied to the tip of the protrusion 10a.

Next, a fusion reinforcing sleeve 20 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 4, the fusion reinforcing sleeve 20 according to the present embodiment is cut into the outer tube 21, the inner tube 22 and the tensile member 23 so as to divide the tensile member 23 into two equal parts, so that the cross-sectional shape is C-shaped. This is different from the fusion reinforcing sleeve 110 shown in FIGS. 7 (a) and 7 (b).
Here, the interval I between the cut surfaces of the inner tube 22 (that is, the minimum interval between both ends of the peripheral surface of the fusion reinforcing sleeve 10) is the diameter D of the optical fiber core 1 (see FIG. 6A) or light. It is made larger than the height H of the fiber ribbon 2 (see FIG. 6B).
Thus, the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber core wire 1 or the optical fiber tape core wire 2 is made parallel to the axial direction of the fusion reinforcing sleeve 20, and the fusion splicing portion of the optical fiber core wire 1 or the optical fiber tape core wire 2 is externally provided. By passing between the cut surfaces of the tube 21, the tensile body 23, and the inner tube 22, the fusion spliced portion of the optical fiber core wire 1 or the optical fiber tape core wire 2 can be inserted into the fusion reinforcing sleeve 20.

Next, a procedure for performing the fusion splicing operation of the optical fiber core wire 1 using the fusion reinforcing sleeve 20 will be described with reference to FIGS.
(Procedure 1) As shown in FIG. 5A, the worker heats the fusion-reinforcing sleeve 20 so that the cut surfaces on the lower side of the outer tube 21, the inner tube 22, and the strength member 23 are horizontal. Set in a container (not shown).
(Procedure 2) The worker removes the coating of the optical fiber core wire 1 to expose the optical fiber 1a, and then fusion-connects the optical fiber 1a using a fusion splicer.
(Procedure 3) As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, an operator slides the optical fiber core wire 1 with the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber core wire 1 parallel to the axial direction of the fusion reinforcing sleeve 20. Then, the fusion connecting portion of the optical fiber core wire 1 is inserted into the fusion reinforcing sleeve 20 by passing between the cut surfaces of the outer tube 21, the strength member 23 and the inner tube 22.
(Procedure 4) As shown by the arrow in FIG. 5 (b), the operator places the external tube 21 so that the cut surface on the upper side of the outer tube 21, the inner tube 22 and the strength member 23 faces the lower cut surface in the figure. The upper part of the heater is pushed by hand and the fusion reinforcing sleeve 20 (the space between the cut surfaces of the outer tube 21, the inner tube 22 and the strength member 23) is closed as shown in FIG. Close and heat shrink the fusion reinforcement sleeve.

  By using the fusion reinforcing sleeve 20, the fusion splicing work of the optical fiber ribbon 2 can be performed in the same manner.

  In order to close the reinforcing sleeve 20 (the space between the cut surfaces of the outer tube 21, the inner tube 22 and the strength member 23) more completely, an adhesive is applied to the cut surfaces of the outer tube 21, the inner tube 22 and the strength member 23. It may be applied.

  Further, when using a fusion splicer in which the fusion device and the heater are integrated, the optical fiber core wire 1 or the optical fiber tape core wire 2 is removed after the fusion wire fixing device of the fusion device is removed. The heater is positioned so that the fusion splicing portion of the optical fiber core wire 1 or the optical fiber tape core wire 2 can be inserted into the fusion reinforcing sleeves 10 and 20 by sliding toward the heater as it is. You may make it make it.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Optical fiber core wire 2 Optical fiber tape core wire 10, 20, 110 Fusion reinforcement | strengthening reinforcement sleeve 10a Protrusion 21, 111 Outer tube 22, 112 Inner tube 23, 113 Strength body D Diameter H Height I Space | interval L1, L2 Length

Claims (2)

A fusion reinforcing sleeve (20) for covering and reinforcing the fusion spliced portion of the optical fiber core wire (1) having a predetermined diameter (D) or the optical fiber tape core wire (2) having a predetermined height (H). ) And
A heat-shrinkable outer tube (21) having a circular cross-sectional shape when the fusion reinforcing sleeve is closed;
A tensile body (23) disposed in the outer tube so that a peripheral surface is in contact with an inner surface of the outer tube and having a semicircular cross-sectional shape when the fusion reinforcing sleeve is closed;
A heat-meltable inner tube (22) disposed in a space on a flat surface of the strength member of the outer tube and having an elliptical cross-sectional shape when the fusion-reinforcing sleeve is closed; Prepared,
The outer tube, the inner tube, and the strength member are cut so as to divide the strength member into two equal parts, and the cross-sectional shape is C-shaped.
The fusion splicing portion is inserted into the fusion reinforcing sleeve by passing the fusion splicing portion between the cut surfaces of the outer tube, the inner tube, and the strength member.
A fusion-reinforcing sleeve characterized by that. Comprising the optical fiber core or the optical fiber ribbon;
The interval (I) between the cut surfaces of the inner tube is larger than the predetermined diameter of the optical fiber core or the predetermined height of the optical fiber ribbon.
The fusion-reinforcing sleeve according to claim 1 .

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