JPS6213041Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Technical Field The present invention relates to an apparatus for mirror-finishing the end face of a plastic optical fiber.

BACKGROUND TECHNOLOGY In a conventional apparatus for processing the end face of a plastic optical fiber by softening and melting it, the plastic optical fiber is brought into contact with a heating element having a large heat capacity and having a mirror surface, and after being heated and melted, the electric power of the heating element is turned off. After the temperature of the heating element has fallen to a temperature at which the end face of the plastic optical fiber is hardened, the plastic optical fiber is separated from the heating element. In such prior art, since the heat capacity of the heating element is large,
It takes time to process the end face, and since the end face of the plastic optical fiber is in contact with a heating element for a relatively long period of time and is heated, there is a problem that the optical characteristics deteriorate.

Purpose The purpose of the present invention is to provide an end face treatment device for plastic optical fibers, which reduces processing time by mirror-finishing the end faces of plastic optical fibers in the shortest possible time and prevents deterioration of optical characteristics. The goal is to provide the following.

Embodiment FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention.
Below the holding member 1 is a heating element 2 with a large heat capacity.
is placed. The heating element 2 includes a heating member 3 made of a material with a large heat capacity, such as metal or glass, and an electric heater 4 that heats the heating member 3. A thin plate body 5 is fixed to the holding member 1. This plate 5 is made of glass, enamel, ferro, or metal such as stainless steel, and has a mirror surface 5a. The heating element 2 is
The surface 5a is opposed to the surface 5b on the opposite side.
The end surface of the plastic optical fiber 6 is in contact with the mirror surface 5a. This plastic optical fiber 6 is
It includes a core 6a and a cladding 6b.

As shown in FIG. 1(1), the end face of the plastic optical fiber 6 is pressed against the surface 5a of the plate 5 while being in contact with it. Next, the electric heater 4 is energized to heat the heating member 3 and keep it heated to a temperature at which the plastic optical fiber 6 softens and melts. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 1 (2), hold the holding member 1 at the arrow 8
The plate body 5 moves downward as shown in FIG. The position of contact between the heating element 3 and the surface 5b of the plate 5 is directly below the end surface of the plastic optical fiber 6. Since the plate 5 is thin, the heat from the heating element 3 is immediately transferred to the end face of the plastic optical fiber 6. Therefore, the end face of the plastic optical fiber 6 is softened and melted in a short period of time, and is brought into close contact with the surface 5a of the plate 5. Therefore, holding member 1
, again as shown in FIG. 1, rising in the opposite direction to the arrow 8. Therefore, the plate 5 is immediately cooled by air. Thereafter, by separating the plastic optical fiber 6 from the plate 5, its end face is mirror-finished.

The plate 5 has a thickness sufficient to ensure that the surface 5a remains flat when the plastic optical fiber 6 is pressed, and is formed thin as described above in order to minimize the heat capacity.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a liquid substance 9 is interposed in order to bring the plate 5 and the heating element 3 into surface contact and improve heat conduction from the heating element 3 to the plate 5. This liquid substance 9 is, for example, silicone grease. The heating member 3 and plate member 5 required to soften and melt the end face of the plastic optical fiber 5 in this manner.
The contact time can be further shortened.

FIG. 3 is a front view of yet another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, thermopaints 12, 13, and 14 are applied to the side walls of the heat generating member 3. When the temperature of the heat generating member 3 reaches 130°C, 140°C and 150°C, the thermo paints 12, 13 and 14
Each color changes. The temperature at which the plastic optical fiber 6 softens and melts is, for example, 140 DEG C., the temperature at which the color change of the thermopaint 13 occurs, so that the heating status of the heating element 2 can be easily determined. Instead of the thermopaints 12, 13, and 14, a temperature display having another configuration may be used, such as displaying changes in bimetallic properties by angular displacement of a pointer.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the heating element 2 and its related electrical configuration in one embodiment of the invention. A power adjustment means 15 is interposed between the electric heater 4 and the power source. This power adjustment means 15 may have a structure that changes the voltage, such as a slider, or may have a structure that controls the conduction angle using a thyristor or the like. Therefore, the temperature of the heat generating member 3 can be controlled.

Effects As described above, according to the present invention, a heating element with a large heat capacity is brought into contact with a thin plate, and the end face of the plastic optical fiber that is pressed against the mirror surface formed on the plate is mirror-finished. This makes it possible to shorten the contact time between the heating element and the plate, thereby shortening the working time and improving work efficiency, as well as preventing deterioration of the optical characteristics of the plastic optical fiber. I can do it.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of yet another embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 4 is a heat generation FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a body 2 and its associated electrical configuration. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1...Holding member, 2...Heating element, 3...Heating member, 4...Electric heater, 5...Plate body, 6...Plastic optical fiber, 9...Liquid substance, 12,1
3, 14...Thermo paint, 15...Power adjustment means.

Claims (1)

[Claims for Utility Model Registration] (1) A heating element with a large heat capacity and a mirror surface for pressing and heating the end face of a plastic optical fiber during heat treatment, and a surface opposite to the mirror surface. and a heating element, the heating element is movable so as to be able to come into contact with and separate from a surface of the plate opposite to the mirror surface. An end face treatment device for plastic optical fiber, characterized in that: (2) The end face treatment device for a plastic optical fiber according to claim 1, wherein a liquid substance is interposed between the heating element and the plate to improve heat conduction. (3) The end face treatment of a plastic optical fiber according to claim 1, wherein the heating element is provided with a temperature display means for displaying the temperature at which the plastic optical fiber softens and melts. Device.