JP2017049400A - Optical fiber connecting method and connecting device - Google Patents

Optical fiber connecting method and connecting device Download PDF

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JP2017049400A
JP2017049400A JP2015171881A JP2015171881A JP2017049400A JP 2017049400 A JP2017049400 A JP 2017049400A JP 2015171881 A JP2015171881 A JP 2015171881A JP 2015171881 A JP2015171881 A JP 2015171881A JP 2017049400 A JP2017049400 A JP 2017049400A
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optical fiber
resin
coating layer
fiber connection
mold
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JP6686332B2 (en
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卓 高崎
Taku Takasaki
卓 高崎
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Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd
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Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optical fiber connecting method and an optical fiber connecting device, capable of reducing the bubble removing work after resin reinforcement.SOLUTION: Disclosed are an optical fiber connecting method and an optical fiber connecting device, in which a coating layer 3 is partially removed to expose an optical fiber 2, two exposed optical fibers are fused and connected to form an optical fiber connection part 6 between respective coating layers, and the optical fiber connection part is arranged in a predetermined molding mold 10 to cover a resin R. The resin is dripped on one of coating layers. Preferably, when the resin is dripped, the optical fiber connection part is inclined so that the coating layer receiving the resin dripped thereon is located upward than the coating layer not receiving the resin dripped thereon.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

本発明は、光ファイバ接続方法および接続装置に関し、詳細には、被覆付き光ファイバの被覆層除去によって露出した光ファイバ同士の接続箇所を樹脂で被覆する、光ファイバ接続方法および接続装置に関する。   The present invention relates to an optical fiber connection method and a connection device, and more particularly, to an optical fiber connection method and a connection device that cover a connection portion between optical fibers exposed by removing a coating layer of a coated optical fiber with a resin.

敷設された被覆付き光ファイバには、光ファイバ同士を接続した箇所（光ファイバ接続部ともいう）が多く存在する。光ファイバ同士の接続には、例えば融着接続やメカニカルスプライスのような、着脱が不可能な永久接続や、着脱が可能なコネクタ接続がある。
上記融着接続は、接続損失が低く信頼性の高い接続方法であるが、この接続箇所を樹脂で補強（再被覆、リコートともいう）する必要がある。例えば、特許文献１には、融着接続した光ファイバ同士をモールド型に配置し、この接続箇所に紫外線硬化樹脂を供給して被覆層と同じ程度の外径を形成させる技術が開示されている。 In the coated optical fiber laid, there are many locations where optical fibers are connected (also referred to as optical fiber connection portions). Examples of connection between optical fibers include permanent connection that cannot be attached and detached, such as fusion connection and mechanical splice, and connector connection that can be attached and detached.
The fusion splicing is a connection method with low connection loss and high reliability, but it is necessary to reinforce (also recoat or recoat) the connecting portion with resin. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique in which optical fibers that are fusion-spliced are arranged in a mold, and an ultraviolet curable resin is supplied to the connection location to form an outer diameter that is the same as that of the coating layer. .

特開昭６４−６３９０５号公報JP-A-64-63905

しかしながら、樹脂を融着接続した光ファイバ接続部や露出した光ファイバに供給すると、この供給位置の下方に気泡が多く発生するので、モールド型から取り出した後に、気泡除去作業が別途必要になるという問題がある。   However, if the resin is supplied to the fused optical fiber connection part or the exposed optical fiber, many bubbles are generated below the supply position, so that it is necessary to separately remove the bubbles after taking out from the mold. There's a problem.

本発明は、上述のような実情に鑑みてなされたもので、樹脂補強後における気泡除去作業を減らすことができる光ファイバ接続方法および接続装置の提供を目的とする。   The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an optical fiber connection method and a connection device that can reduce the bubble removal operation after resin reinforcement.

本発明の一態様に係る光ファイバ接続方法および接続装置は、被覆層を部分的に除去して光ファイバを露出させ、露出した２本の光ファイバを融着接続することにより各被覆層の間に光ファイバ接続部を形成し、該光ファイバ接続部を所定のモールド型に配置して樹脂で被覆する光ファイバ接続方法および接続装置であって、前記樹脂をいずれか一方の前記被覆層に滴下する。   An optical fiber connection method and a connection apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention include a method in which a coating layer is partially removed to expose an optical fiber, and the two exposed optical fibers are fused and connected to each other. An optical fiber connection method and a connection apparatus, in which an optical fiber connection portion is formed on a substrate, and the optical fiber connection portion is disposed in a predetermined mold and covered with a resin, and the resin is dropped on one of the coating layers To do.

上記によれば、樹脂補強後における気泡除去作業を減らすことができる。   According to the above, it is possible to reduce bubble removal work after resin reinforcement.

本発明の一態様に係るモールド型の説明図である。It is explanatory drawing of the mold type | mold which concerns on 1 aspect of this invention. 図１のモールド型の説明図である。It is explanatory drawing of the mold type | mold of FIG. 本発明の一態様に係る光ファイバ接続方法の説明図である。It is explanatory drawing of the optical fiber connection method which concerns on 1 aspect of this invention. 第１実施形態による補強方法の説明図である。It is explanatory drawing of the reinforcement method by 1st Embodiment. 第２実施形態による補強方法の説明図である。It is explanatory drawing of the reinforcement method by 2nd Embodiment.

［本発明の実施形態の説明］
最初に本発明の実施形態の内容を列記して説明する。
本発明の一態様に係る光ファイバ接続方法は、（１）被覆層を部分的に除去して光ファイバを露出させ、露出した２本の光ファイバを融着接続することにより各被覆層の間に光ファイバ接続部を形成し、該光ファイバ接続部を所定のモールド型に配置して樹脂で被覆する光ファイバ接続方法であって、前記樹脂をいずれか一方の前記被覆層に滴下する。光ファイバ接続部をモールド型に配置した場合、光ファイバを覆う被覆層とモールド型との間に形成される空間は、光ファイバ接続部や露出した光ファイバとモールド型との間に形成される空間に比べて狭い。このため、樹脂を被覆層に滴下すれば、この樹脂は被覆層下方の狭い空間に到達し難くなるので、この滴下位置の下方に気泡が残り難くなる。よって、樹脂補強後における気泡除去作業を減らすことができる。 [Description of Embodiment of the Present Invention]
First, the contents of the embodiment of the present invention will be listed and described.
An optical fiber connection method according to an aspect of the present invention includes (1) partially removing a coating layer to expose the optical fiber, and fusion-connecting the two exposed optical fibers to each other between the coating layers. An optical fiber connection method is provided in which an optical fiber connection portion is formed, and the optical fiber connection portion is disposed in a predetermined mold and covered with a resin, and the resin is dropped onto one of the coating layers. When the optical fiber connecting portion is arranged in the mold, the space formed between the coating layer covering the optical fiber and the mold is formed between the optical fiber connecting portion or the exposed optical fiber and the mold. Narrow compared to space. For this reason, if the resin is dropped on the coating layer, it becomes difficult for the resin to reach a narrow space below the coating layer, so that it is difficult for bubbles to remain below the dropping position. Therefore, the bubble removal work after resin reinforcement can be reduced.

（２）前記樹脂を滴下する際に、該樹脂を滴下する前記被覆層が該樹脂を滴下しない前記被覆層よりも上方に位置するように前記光ファイバ接続部を傾斜させる。光ファイバ接続部を傾ければ、被覆層に滴下した樹脂がその周方向や長手方向に分散して細い流れになり、この樹脂が被覆層下方の狭い空間により一層到達し難くなる。また、樹脂は、この樹脂を滴下しない被覆層に向けて流れやすくなることから、補強箇所に対する樹脂の浸透時間を短くできる。
（３）前記光ファイバ接続部の傾斜角度が水平方向に対して４５°以下の範囲である。水平配置の場合には、修正率が１５％に減った。また、傾斜配置の場合には、修正率が５％に減ると共に、樹脂の浸透時間が水平配置の場合の半分程度に短縮できた。
（４）前記被覆層が、前記光ファイバ接続部から離間するに連れて競り上がるテーパ部を有し、前記樹脂を前記テーパ部近傍の前記被覆層に滴下している。滴下位置の真下の空気を別の位置に速やかに逃がすことができる。 (2) When the resin is dropped, the optical fiber connection portion is inclined so that the coating layer to which the resin is dropped is positioned above the coating layer to which the resin is not dropped. If the optical fiber connection portion is tilted, the resin dropped on the coating layer is dispersed in the circumferential direction and the longitudinal direction to form a thin flow, and this resin is more difficult to reach in the narrow space below the coating layer. Moreover, since resin becomes easy to flow toward the coating layer which does not dripping this resin, the penetration time of resin with respect to a reinforcement location can be shortened.
(3) The inclination angle of the optical fiber connection portion is in a range of 45 ° or less with respect to the horizontal direction. In the case of horizontal placement, the correction rate was reduced to 15%. In the case of the inclined arrangement, the correction rate was reduced to 5%, and the resin penetration time could be reduced to about half that in the horizontal arrangement.
(4) The coating layer has a tapered portion that competes as it is separated from the optical fiber connection portion, and the resin is dropped onto the coating layer in the vicinity of the tapered portion. The air immediately below the dropping position can be quickly released to another position.

本発明の一態様に係る光ファイバ接続装置は、（５）被覆層を部分的に除去して光ファイバを露出させ、露出した２本の光ファイバを融着接続することにより各被覆層の間に光ファイバ接続部を形成し、該光ファイバ接続部を所定のモールド型に配置して樹脂で被覆する光ファイバ接続装置であって、前記光ファイバ接続部を有した被覆付き光ファイバを把持する把持部と、前記樹脂をいずれか一方の前記被覆層に滴下する樹脂供給ノズルとを備える。樹脂を被覆層に滴下すれば、この樹脂は被覆層下方の狭い空間に到達し難くなるため、この滴下位置の下方に気泡が残り難くなる。よって、樹脂補強後における気泡除去作業を減らすことができる。
（６）前記樹脂を滴下する際に、該樹脂を滴下する前記被覆層が該樹脂を滴下しない前記被覆層よりも上方に位置するように前記光ファイバ接続部を傾斜させる機構を備える。光ファイバ接続部を傾ければ、被覆層に滴下した樹脂がその周方向や長手方向に分散して細い流れになり、この樹脂が被覆層下方の狭い空間により一層到達し難くなる。また、樹脂は、この樹脂を滴下しない被覆層に向けて流れやすくなるので、補強箇所に対する樹脂の浸透時間を短くできる。 An optical fiber connection device according to an aspect of the present invention includes (5) partially removing the coating layer to expose the optical fiber, and fusion-connecting the two exposed optical fibers to each other between the coating layers. An optical fiber connection device in which an optical fiber connection portion is formed, and the optical fiber connection portion is placed in a predetermined mold and covered with a resin, and the coated optical fiber having the optical fiber connection portion is gripped. A gripping portion and a resin supply nozzle that drops the resin onto any one of the coating layers are provided. If the resin is dropped onto the coating layer, it becomes difficult for the resin to reach a narrow space below the coating layer, so that it is difficult for bubbles to remain below the dropping position. Therefore, the bubble removal work after resin reinforcement can be reduced.
(6) A mechanism for tilting the optical fiber connection portion is provided so that the coating layer for dropping the resin is positioned above the coating layer for not dropping the resin when the resin is dropped. If the optical fiber connection portion is tilted, the resin dropped on the coating layer is dispersed in the circumferential direction and the longitudinal direction to form a thin flow, and this resin is more difficult to reach in the narrow space below the coating layer. Moreover, since resin becomes easy to flow toward the coating layer which does not dripping this resin, the penetration time of resin with respect to a reinforcement location can be shortened.

［本発明の実施形態の詳細］
図面を参照しながら本発明の一態様に係る光ファイバ接続方法および接続装置を説明する。図１，２は、本発明の一態様に係るモールド型の説明図である。図１（Ａ）はモールド型の斜視図であり、図１（Ｂ）は図１（Ａ）のＢ−Ｂ線矢視断面図である。また、図２（Ａ）はモールド型を開いた状態の平面図であり、図２（Ｂ）は図２（Ａ）のＢ−Ｂ線矢視断面図である。 [Details of the embodiment of the present invention]
An optical fiber connection method and connection device according to an aspect of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 and 2 are explanatory diagrams of a mold according to one embodiment of the present invention. 1A is a perspective view of a mold, and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 1A. 2A is a plan view showing a state in which the mold is opened, and FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. 2A.

モールド型１０は例えばゴム製であり、図１，２に示すように、例えば半割り形状の第１型１１ａおよび第２型１１ｂからなる。
第１型１１ａは、例えば下端に設けられた回動軸１２に対して回動自在に構成され、回動軸１２の上方に直線部１６ａが形成されている。直線部１６ａの上端は、配置される被覆付き光ファイバの中心から離間する方向に窪んだ湾曲部１７ａに連なり、湾曲部１７ａの上方には蓋１３ａが形成されている。第２型１１ｂは、第１型１１ａと同じ形状であり、回動軸１２に対して回動自在に構成され、回動軸１２と蓋１３ｂとの間に、直線部１６ｂや湾曲部１７ｂが形成されている。 The mold 10 is made of rubber, for example, and includes, for example, a first mold 11a and a second mold 11b that are halved as shown in FIGS.
The first mold 11 a is configured to be rotatable with respect to a rotating shaft 12 provided at the lower end, for example, and a linear portion 16 a is formed above the rotating shaft 12. The upper end of the straight part 16a is connected to a curved part 17a that is recessed in a direction away from the center of the coated optical fiber to be arranged, and a lid 13a is formed above the curved part 17a. The second mold 11b has the same shape as the first mold 11a and is configured to be rotatable with respect to the rotation shaft 12. A straight portion 16b and a bending portion 17b are provided between the rotation shaft 12 and the lid 13b. Is formed.

図１（Ｂ）に示すように、第１型１１ａの湾曲部１７ａと第２型１１ｂの湾曲部１７ｂは、円柱状の溝を形成可能であり、この溝の内径は、例えば、被覆付き光ファイバの被覆層の外径と略等しく形成されている。また、図２（Ｂ）に示すように、第１型１１ａの直線部１６ａと第２型１１ｂの直線部１６ｂは、Ｖ字状の溝を形成可能である。
図１（Ａ）や図２（Ａ）に示すように、モールド型１０の両端には、被覆付き光ファイバを支持する開口部１４，１５が形成され、開口部１４，１５も被覆付き光ファイバの被覆層の外径と略等しく形成されている。また、本実施形態による光ファイバ接続装置は、後述する樹脂供給ノズルを備えており、モールド型１０の上方から例えば紫外線硬化樹脂を滴下可能に構成されている。 As shown in FIG. 1 (B), the curved portion 17a of the first mold 11a and the curved portion 17b of the second mold 11b can form a cylindrical groove, and the inner diameter of this groove is, for example, coated light It is formed approximately equal to the outer diameter of the fiber coating layer. As shown in FIG. 2B, the straight portion 16a of the first mold 11a and the straight portion 16b of the second mold 11b can form a V-shaped groove.
As shown in FIGS. 1A and 2A, openings 14 and 15 for supporting a coated optical fiber are formed at both ends of the mold 10, and the openings 14 and 15 are also coated optical fibers. The outer diameter of the coating layer is substantially equal. The optical fiber connection device according to the present embodiment includes a resin supply nozzle described later, and is configured to allow, for example, an ultraviolet curable resin to be dropped from above the mold 10.

図３は、本発明の一態様に係る光ファイバ接続方法の説明図である。
被覆付き光ファイバ１は、光導波路をなす光ファイバ２の外側に、被覆層３を設けた構造である。なお、被覆層は、プライマリ樹脂層やセカンダリ樹脂層のような多層で形成されてもよい。また、被覆層の外側に着色層を設けることもある。
まず、図３（Ａ）に示すように、被覆層３の柱状部４を所定幅の砥石３０で研削してテーパ部５を形成する（テーパ形成工程）。テーパ部５は、後述の光ファイバ接続部６や露出した光ファイバ２から離間するに連れて競り上がるテーパ状に形成されている。 FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an optical fiber connection method according to an aspect of the present invention.
The coated optical fiber 1 has a structure in which a coating layer 3 is provided outside an optical fiber 2 that forms an optical waveguide. The covering layer may be formed in multiple layers such as a primary resin layer and a secondary resin layer. Moreover, a colored layer may be provided outside the coating layer.
First, as shown in FIG. 3A, the columnar portion 4 of the coating layer 3 is ground with a grindstone 30 having a predetermined width to form the tapered portion 5 (taper forming step). The tapered portion 5 is formed in a tapered shape that competes as it is separated from an optical fiber connecting portion 6 described later or the exposed optical fiber 2.

次に、テーパ部５の近傍を加熱し、図３（Ｂ）に示すように、被覆付き光ファイバの端部付近の柱状部４を光ファイバ２に対して被覆付き光ファイバ１の長手方向にずらして光ファイバ２を露出する（光ファイバの露出工程）。
続いて、例えば、加傷刃や切断ヘッド（図示省略）を用い、図３（Ｃ）に示すように、露出した光ファイバ２を所定長に切断する（光ファイバの切断工程）。なお、光ファイバ２の切断後、その表面に残存する被覆屑を気散させてもよい。さらに、光ファイバを保護するために、被覆屑を気散させた光ファイバの表面に樹脂を薄く塗布してもよい。また、上記被覆層のテーパ部は、光ファイバ２の切断後に形成することも可能である。あるいは、被覆付き光ファイバの端部を切断後、この端部から所定位置に刃物で切り込みを入れ、加熱して（または加熱しないで）被覆を横にずらして除去し、残った被被覆部の形状を鋭利な刃物で成形してもよい。 Next, the vicinity of the tapered portion 5 is heated, and the columnar portion 4 near the end of the coated optical fiber is placed in the longitudinal direction of the coated optical fiber 1 with respect to the optical fiber 2 as shown in FIG. The optical fiber 2 is exposed by shifting (optical fiber exposure step).
Subsequently, for example, the exposed optical fiber 2 is cut into a predetermined length as shown in FIG. 3C using a scratching blade or a cutting head (not shown) (optical fiber cutting step). In addition, after the optical fiber 2 is cut, coating waste remaining on the surface may be diffused. Furthermore, in order to protect the optical fiber, a resin may be thinly applied to the surface of the optical fiber in which the coating waste is diffused. Further, the taper portion of the covering layer can be formed after the optical fiber 2 is cut. Alternatively, after cutting the end portion of the coated optical fiber, the end portion is cut with a blade at a predetermined position, and heated (or not heated) to remove the coating sideways and remove the remaining coated portion. The shape may be formed with a sharp blade.

次いで、上記のように加工された被覆付き光ファイバ１を２本準備して軸調芯する。その後、図３（Ｄ）に示すように、電極棒３１を用いて、露出した２本の光ファイバ２を融着接続する（光ファイバの融着接続工程）。これにより、図３（Ｅ）に示すように、一方の被覆付き光ファイバ１の被覆層３と他方の被覆付き光ファイバ１の被覆層３との間に、各光ファイバ２の先端を接合した光ファイバ接続部６が形成される。   Next, two coated optical fibers 1 processed as described above are prepared and axially aligned. After that, as shown in FIG. 3D, the two exposed optical fibers 2 are fusion spliced using the electrode rod 31 (optical fiber fusion splicing step). Thereby, as shown in FIG. 3 (E), the tip of each optical fiber 2 was joined between the coating layer 3 of one coated optical fiber 1 and the coating layer 3 of the other coated optical fiber 1. An optical fiber connection 6 is formed.

そして、この光ファイバ接続部６で繋がれた被覆付き光ファイバ１を図２で説明したモールド型１０に配置し、光ファイバ接続部６を樹脂で被覆する（光ファイバ接続工程）。これにより、図３（Ｆ）に示すように、例えば柱状部４の外径と略等しい外径を有した再被覆層７が形成される。   Then, the coated optical fiber 1 connected by the optical fiber connecting portion 6 is placed in the mold 10 described with reference to FIG. 2, and the optical fiber connecting portion 6 is covered with a resin (optical fiber connecting step). Thereby, as shown in FIG. 3F, for example, the re-coating layer 7 having an outer diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of the columnar portion 4 is formed.

図４は、第１実施形態による補強方法の説明図である。なお、この図４は、モールド型１０を第１型１１ａ側（図２（Ａ）の下方）から見た図であるが、樹脂の滴下位置などを明確にするために、第１型１１ａの図示を省略し、第２型１１ｂのみを図示している。また、本実施形態では、モールド型１０を水平に配置することにより、光ファイバ接続部６を水平に配置している。   FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a reinforcing method according to the first embodiment. 4 is a view of the mold 10 viewed from the first mold 11a side (below FIG. 2A). In order to clarify the dropping position of the resin, etc. The illustration is omitted, and only the second mold 11b is shown. Moreover, in this embodiment, the optical fiber connection part 6 is arrange | positioned horizontally by arrange | positioning the mold 10 horizontally.

具体的には、光ファイバ接続部６で繋がれた被覆付き光ファイバを準備し、光ファイバ接続部６を図２で説明した開いた状態のモールド型１０内に配置する。この場合、直線部１６ａ，１６ｂの各上端は回動軸１２を挟んで離間しているので、各被覆層３の柱状部４は、開口部１４，１５にそれぞれ載置され、例えば、第１型１１ａの直線部１６ａと湾曲部１７ａの境界位置や、第２型１１ｂの直線部１６ｂと湾曲部１７ｂの境界位置に支持される。なお、被覆付き光ファイバは、例えば、モールド型１０の外側に配置した把持部１８に把持されているが、開口部１４，１５で把持して把持部１８を省略してもよい。   Specifically, a coated optical fiber connected by the optical fiber connecting portion 6 is prepared, and the optical fiber connecting portion 6 is arranged in the mold mold 10 in the opened state described with reference to FIG. In this case, since the upper ends of the straight portions 16a and 16b are spaced apart from each other with the rotation shaft 12 interposed therebetween, the columnar portions 4 of the respective covering layers 3 are placed on the openings 14 and 15, respectively. It is supported at the boundary position between the straight part 16a and the bending part 17a of the mold 11a and at the boundary position between the straight part 16b and the bending part 17b of the second mold 11b. The coated optical fiber is gripped by, for example, the grip portion 18 disposed outside the mold 10, but may be gripped by the openings 14 and 15 and the grip portion 18 may be omitted.

また、図４に示すように、樹脂供給ノズル２０が、例えば、光ファイバ接続部６よりも図４で見て右方に位置した開口部１５の上方に設置され、この開口部１５近傍に位置する例えば柱状部４とテーパ部５の境界付近に開口している。なお、樹脂供給ノズルからは、予め気泡が除去された樹脂を滴下することも可能である。
ここで、上記のように各被覆層３を開口部１４，１５にそれぞれ載置し、光ファイバ接続部６をモールド型１０に配置した場合、露出した光ファイバ２の下側と湾曲部１７ａ，１７ｂとの間には広い空間が形成されている。 Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the resin supply nozzle 20 is installed, for example, above the opening 15 located on the right side of the optical fiber connection portion 6 in FIG. 4, and is positioned in the vicinity of the opening 15. For example, an opening is formed near the boundary between the columnar portion 4 and the tapered portion 5. In addition, it is also possible to drop the resin from which bubbles have been removed in advance from the resin supply nozzle.
Here, when the respective coating layers 3 are respectively placed in the openings 14 and 15 and the optical fiber connection portion 6 is disposed in the mold 10 as described above, the exposed lower side of the optical fiber 2 and the bending portions 17a, A wide space is formed between 17b.

従来のように、樹脂を光ファイバ接続部や露出した光ファイバに供給すると、光ファイバの周方向に沿って流れた樹脂は、上記広い空間の空気がその周囲に逃げ切る前に、当該空間に回り込むので、樹脂を供給した光ファイバ接続部や光ファイバの下方に気泡が残されてしまうと考えられる。この場合、気泡が生じた部分を削って樹脂を再塗布する、あるいは融着接続からやり直していた。   When the resin is supplied to the optical fiber connection part or the exposed optical fiber as in the past, the resin that flows along the circumferential direction of the optical fiber wraps around the space before the air in the wide space escapes to the surroundings. Therefore, it is considered that bubbles are left below the optical fiber connection portion to which the resin is supplied and the optical fiber. In this case, the part where the bubbles are generated is scraped and the resin is re-applied, or the fusion splicing is performed again.

これに対し、被覆層３の下側と湾曲部１７ａ，１７ｂとの間に形成される空間は、露出した光ファイバ２の下側と湾曲部１７ａ，１７ｂとの間に形成される空間に比べて狭い。このため、樹脂供給ノズル２０からテーパ部５近傍の被覆層３に滴下された樹脂Ｒは、被覆層３の周方向に沿って流れるが、この被覆層下方の狭い空間には回り込み難くなり、その真下に位置した直線部１６ａ，１６ｂに向かう。よって、当該狭い空間の空気はその周囲に逃げ切ることができ、滴下位置の下方に気泡が残り難くなる。なお、樹脂Ｒを被覆層３に滴下すれば、露出した光ファイバ２の下方の空気も樹脂の無い方へ逃げ切れるので、当該下方にも気泡が残らない。   On the other hand, the space formed between the lower side of the coating layer 3 and the curved portions 17a and 17b is compared with the space formed between the lower side of the exposed optical fiber 2 and the curved portions 17a and 17b. Narrow. For this reason, the resin R dropped from the resin supply nozzle 20 onto the coating layer 3 in the vicinity of the taper portion 5 flows along the circumferential direction of the coating layer 3, but it becomes difficult to enter a narrow space below the coating layer. It goes to the straight portions 16a and 16b located directly below. Therefore, the air of the said narrow space can escape to the circumference | surroundings, and a bubble becomes difficult to remain below a dripping position. If the resin R is dropped on the coating layer 3, the air below the exposed optical fiber 2 can escape to the side without the resin, so that no bubbles remain in the lower part.

所定量の樹脂Ｒをモールド型１０内に供給し、図１に示したように、第１型１１ａの蓋１３ａと第２型１１ｂの蓋１３ｂを突き合わせてモールド型１０を閉じると、直線部１６ａ，１６ｂによるＶ字状の溝が無くなり、湾曲部１７ａ，１７ｂによる円柱状の溝が現れる。これにより、Ｖ字状の溝内に達した樹脂が湾曲部１７ａ，１７ｂ内の樹脂と合わさり、光ファイバ接続部６の周囲に、図３（Ｆ）で説明した再被覆層７が形成される。   When a predetermined amount of resin R is supplied into the mold 10 and the lid 13a of the first mold 11a and the lid 13b of the second mold 11b are brought into contact with each other as shown in FIG. , 16b disappears, and a cylindrical groove due to the curved portions 17a, 17b appears. Thereby, the resin that has reached the V-shaped groove is combined with the resin in the curved portions 17 a and 17 b, and the re-coating layer 7 described with reference to FIG. 3F is formed around the optical fiber connection portion 6. .

所定の樹脂浸透時間が経過した後、モールド型の外部から紫外線を照射して樹脂を硬化させ、モールド型１０を開くと、再被覆層７で補強された被覆付き光ファイバを取り出すことができる。なお、再被覆層７に生じたバリなどは拭き取れば除去可能である。
上記のように、樹脂を被覆層３に滴下すれば、樹脂が被覆層下方の狭い空間に到達するまでに時間がかかるので、滴下位置の下方に気泡が残り難くなり、樹脂補強後における気泡除去作業を減らすことができる。より具体的には、従来のように、露出した光ファイバに樹脂を供給していた場合には、気泡除去作業の実施率（気泡修正率ともいう）が９２％であったのに対し、本実施形態の場合には、気泡除去作業の実施率を１５％に減らすことができた。 After a predetermined resin penetration time has elapsed, the coated optical fiber reinforced with the re-coating layer 7 can be taken out when the resin is cured by irradiating ultraviolet rays from the outside of the mold and the mold 10 is opened. In addition, the burr | flash etc. which arose in the re-coating layer 7 can be removed if it wipes off.
As described above, if the resin is dropped onto the coating layer 3, it takes time until the resin reaches the narrow space below the coating layer, so that it is difficult for bubbles to remain below the dropping position, and the bubbles are removed after the resin reinforcement. Work can be reduced. More specifically, when the resin was supplied to the exposed optical fiber as in the past, the bubble removal work implementation rate (also referred to as bubble correction rate) was 92%, whereas In the case of the embodiment, the implementation rate of the bubble removal operation could be reduced to 15%.

また、テーパ部５を、光ファイバ接続部６から柱状部４に向けて競り上がるように形成すれば、滴下位置の下方の空気を別の位置（例えば光ファイバ接続部６の下方やＶ字状の溝）に速やかに逃がすことができ、この点も気泡除去作業の実施率の低下に貢献する。   Moreover, if the taper part 5 is formed so that it may compete from the optical fiber connection part 6 toward the columnar part 4, the air below the dropping position may be moved to another position (for example, below the optical fiber connection part 6 or V-shaped). ), And this point also contributes to a reduction in the rate of air bubble removal.

図５は、第２実施形態による補強方法の説明図である。本実施形態では、モールド型１０を傾けて配置することにより、光ファイバ接続部６も傾けて配置されている。詳しくは、樹脂供給ノズル２０は第１実施形態と同様に開口部１５の上方に設置されているが、本実施形態では、モールド型１０や把持部１８を傾斜させる機構（図示省略）を備えており、開口部１５に載置された被覆層３が開口部１４に載置された被覆層３よりも上方に位置するように、モールド型１０や把持部１８が傾けられている。   FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a reinforcing method according to the second embodiment. In the present embodiment, the optical fiber connection portion 6 is also tilted and disposed by tilting the mold 10. Specifically, the resin supply nozzle 20 is installed above the opening 15 as in the first embodiment. However, in this embodiment, a mechanism (not shown) for tilting the mold 10 and the grip 18 is provided. The mold 10 and the grip 18 are tilted so that the coating layer 3 placed in the opening 15 is positioned above the coating layer 3 placed in the opening 14.

この場合にも滴下位置の下方の空間は被覆層３でほぼ埋まっており、上記第１実施形態と同様に、被覆層３の下側と湾曲部１７ａ，１７ｂとの間に形成される空間は狭い。
そして、本実施形態のようにモールド型１０を傾ければ、被覆層３に滴下した樹脂Ｒが、上記第１実施形態よりも被覆層３の周方向や長手方向に分散して細い流れになる。よって、樹脂が被覆層下方の狭い空間に到達するまでに、当該狭い空間の空気はその周囲に容易に逃げ切ることができ、滴下位置の下方に気泡がより一層残り難くなる。また、モールド型１０を傾ければ、樹脂は、この樹脂を滴下しない被覆層に向けて流れやすくなり、補強箇所に対する樹脂の浸透時間も短くできる。 Also in this case, the space below the dropping position is almost filled with the coating layer 3, and the space formed between the lower side of the coating layer 3 and the curved portions 17a and 17b is the same as in the first embodiment. narrow.
If the mold 10 is tilted as in the present embodiment, the resin R dripped onto the coating layer 3 is dispersed in the circumferential direction and the longitudinal direction of the coating layer 3 in a thinner flow than in the first embodiment. . Therefore, before the resin reaches the narrow space below the coating layer, the air in the narrow space can easily escape to the surroundings, and bubbles are less likely to remain below the dropping position. In addition, if the mold 10 is tilted, the resin can easily flow toward the coating layer where the resin is not dripped, and the penetration time of the resin into the reinforcing portion can be shortened.

より具体的には、図５に示すように、光ファイバ接続部６を配置したモールド型１０の傾斜角度θとすると、θ＝１５°、３０°、４５°に設定した場合には、気泡除去作業の実施率を５％まで大幅に減らすことができた。
さらに、再被覆層７の形成に必要な樹脂の浸透時間については、第１実施形態（θ＝０°）の場合には７分７秒程度を要したのに対し、θ＝１５°に設定した場合には約４分１４秒、θ＝３０°に設定した場合には約３分１２秒、θ＝４５°に設定した場合には約２分５０秒で済み、第１実施形態に比べて半分程度の時間に短縮できた。 More specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, assuming that the inclination angle θ of the mold 10 having the optical fiber connection portion 6 disposed is θ = 15 °, 30 °, 45 °, bubble removal is performed. The implementation rate of the work was significantly reduced to 5%.
Further, the penetration time of the resin necessary for forming the re-coating layer 7 was set to θ = 15 °, while it took about 7 minutes and 7 seconds in the case of the first embodiment (θ = 0 °). In this case, it takes about 4 minutes and 14 seconds, about 3 minutes and 12 seconds when θ = 30 ° is set, and about 2 minutes and 50 seconds when θ = 45 ° is set. The time was reduced to about half.

一方、θ＝５０°に設定した場合には、樹脂が、滴下した被覆層の下方に溜まり難くなり、再被覆層の形状が真円でなくなったことから、θ＝１５°、３０°、４５°に設定した場合に比べて低評価になった。よって、光ファイバ接続部６の傾斜角度は、水平方向に対して０°〜４５°の範囲が好ましいことが分かる。
なお、この第２実施形態ではモールド型を傾けたが、開口部１５を開口部１４よりも上方に設ければ、水平配置のモールド型内で光ファイバ接続部だけを傾けて配置できる。 On the other hand, when θ = 50 ° is set, the resin does not easily accumulate below the dropped coating layer, and the shape of the re-coating layer is not a perfect circle, so θ = 15 °, 30 °, 45 The rating was lower than when it was set to °. Therefore, it can be seen that the inclination angle of the optical fiber connection portion 6 is preferably in the range of 0 ° to 45 ° with respect to the horizontal direction.
In the second embodiment, the mold is tilted. However, if the opening 15 is provided above the opening 14, only the optical fiber connecting portion can be tilted in the horizontal mold.

なお、上記実施形態では、開いた状態のモールド型に樹脂を滴下したが、例えば第１型や第２型の蓋に、湾曲部に連通する樹脂用通路や空気抜き穴などを形成すれば、閉じた状態のモールド型に樹脂を滴下することも可能である。また、上記実施形態では、左右に開くモールド型の例を挙げて説明したが、例えば上下に分割可能なモールド型であってもよい。
今回開示された実施の形態はすべての点で例示であって制限的なものではないと考えられるべきである。本発明の範囲は、上記した意味ではなく、特許請求の範囲によって示され、特許請求の範囲と均等の意味および範囲内でのすべての変更が含まれることが意図される。 In the above embodiment, the resin is dropped on the mold in the open state. However, if the resin passage or the air vent hole communicating with the curved portion is formed on the lid of the first mold or the second mold, the mold is closed. It is also possible to drop the resin on the mold in the wet state. Moreover, although the said embodiment demonstrated and demonstrated the example of the mold type opened to right and left, the mold type which can be divided | segmented up and down, for example may be sufficient.
The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the meanings described above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

１…被覆付き光ファイバ、２…光ファイバ、３…被覆層、４…柱状部、５…テーパ部、６…光ファイバ接続部、７…再被覆層、１０…モールド型、１１ａ…第１型、１１ｂ…第２型、１２…回動軸、１３ａ，１３ｂ…蓋、１４，１５…開口部、１６ａ，１６ｂ…直線部、１７ａ，１７ｂ…湾曲部、１８…把持部、２０…樹脂供給ノズル、３０…砥石、３１…電極棒。 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Coated optical fiber, 2 ... Optical fiber, 3 ... Coating layer, 4 ... Columnar part, 5 ... Tapered part, 6 ... Optical fiber connection part, 7 ... Re-coating layer, 10 ... Mold type | mold, 11a ... 1st type | mold 11b ... second type, 12 ... rotating shaft, 13a, 13b ... lid, 14,15 ... opening, 16a, 16b ... straight part, 17a, 17b ... curved part, 18 ... gripping part, 20 ... resin supply nozzle 30 ... Whetstone, 31 ... Electrode bar.

Claims (6)

被覆層を部分的に除去して光ファイバを露出させ、露出した２本の光ファイバを融着接続することにより各被覆層の間に光ファイバ接続部を形成し、該光ファイバ接続部を所定のモールド型に配置して樹脂で被覆する光ファイバ接続方法であって、
前記樹脂をいずれか一方の前記被覆層に滴下する、光ファイバ接続方法。 The coating layer is partially removed to expose the optical fiber, and the two exposed optical fibers are fusion spliced to form an optical fiber connection between the coating layers. An optical fiber connection method that is arranged in a mold and coated with a resin,
An optical fiber connection method, wherein the resin is dropped onto any one of the coating layers. 前記樹脂を滴下する際に、該樹脂を滴下する前記被覆層が該樹脂を滴下しない前記被覆層よりも上方に位置するように前記光ファイバ接続部を傾斜させる、請求項１に記載の光ファイバ接続方法。   2. The optical fiber according to claim 1, wherein when the resin is dropped, the optical fiber connection portion is inclined so that the coating layer to which the resin is dropped is positioned above the coating layer to which the resin is not dropped. Connection method. 前記光ファイバ接続部の傾斜角度が水平方向に対して４５°以下の範囲である、請求項２に記載の光ファイバ接続方法。   The optical fiber connection method according to claim 2, wherein an inclination angle of the optical fiber connection portion is in a range of 45 ° or less with respect to a horizontal direction. 前記被覆層が、前記光ファイバ接続部から離間するに連れて競り上がるテーパ部を有し、前記樹脂を前記テーパ部近傍の前記被覆層に滴下している、請求項１〜３のいずれか１項に記載の光ファイバ接続方法。   The said coating layer has a taper part which competes as it leaves | separates from the said optical fiber connection part, The said resin is dripped at the said coating layer of the said taper part vicinity, The any one of Claims 1-3 The optical fiber connection method according to the item. 被覆層を部分的に除去して光ファイバを露出させ、露出した２本の光ファイバを融着接続することにより各被覆層の間に光ファイバ接続部を形成し、該光ファイバ接続部を所定のモールド型に配置して樹脂で被覆する光ファイバ接続装置であって、
前記光ファイバ接続部を有した被覆付き光ファイバを把持する把持部と、前記樹脂をいずれか一方の前記被覆層に滴下する樹脂供給ノズルとを備える、光ファイバ接続装置。 The coating layer is partially removed to expose the optical fiber, and the two exposed optical fibers are fusion spliced to form an optical fiber connection between the coating layers. An optical fiber connecting device that is placed in a mold and coated with a resin,
An optical fiber connection device comprising: a grip portion that grips the coated optical fiber having the optical fiber connection portion; and a resin supply nozzle that drops the resin onto one of the coating layers. 前記樹脂を滴下する際に、該樹脂を滴下する前記被覆層が該樹脂を滴下しない前記被覆層よりも上方に位置するように前記光ファイバ接続部を傾斜させる機構を備える、請求項５に記載の光ファイバ接続装置。
The said optical fiber connection part is provided with the mechanism which inclines so that the said coating layer which dripping this resin may be located above the said coating layer which does not dripping this resin when dripping the said resin. Optical fiber connection device.
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