WO2011087075A1 - Apparatus for cutting optical fiber - Google Patents
Apparatus for cutting optical fiber Download PDFInfo
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- WO2011087075A1 WO2011087075A1 PCT/JP2011/050505 JP2011050505W WO2011087075A1 WO 2011087075 A1 WO2011087075 A1 WO 2011087075A1 JP 2011050505 W JP2011050505 W JP 2011050505W WO 2011087075 A1 WO2011087075 A1 WO 2011087075A1
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- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
- G02B6/25—Preparing the ends of light guides for coupling, e.g. cutting
Definitions
- the present invention relates to an optical fiber cutting device for cutting an optical fiber.
- the optical fiber It is necessary to cut the optical fiber in order to adjust the length of the optical fiber or to connect the optical fibers. Since the optical fiber is made of a brittle material such as glass, it can be easily cut by scratching with a blade and applying a slight tension. In order to suppress light scattering loss due to the cut surface, a cut surface that is as flat as possible is necessary. However, a relatively good cut surface can be obtained by such a simple method.
- Japanese Patent Application Publication Nos. 2005-173183 and 2000-56140 disclose related technologies related to an optical fiber cutting device.
- An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for cutting an optical fiber that can ensure a long life while being able to form a good cut surface.
- an apparatus for cutting an optical fiber includes a support for supporting the optical fiber, and a cutting edge angle of not less than 75 degrees and not more than 105 degrees, and is made of single crystal diamond. A blade.
- FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram for explaining a process of cutting an optical fiber by the apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and shows a stage before pressing the optical fiber against a blade.
- FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram illustrating a process of cutting an optical fiber, and shows a step of pressing the optical fiber against a blade.
- FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing an enlarged relationship between the blade and the optical fiber in the apparatus.
- FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the overall appearance of the apparatus.
- FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which an optical fiber is placed on the support of the apparatus.
- FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state in which the optical fiber is pressed against the blade by tilting the lever.
- FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram for explaining a process of cutting an optical fiber by the apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and shows a stage before pressing the optical fiber against a blade.
- FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram illustrating a process of cutting
- FIG. 6 is a graph showing the experimental results of examining the influence of the edge angle on the blade life (number of cuttings).
- FIG. 7 is a graph showing experimental results of examining the influence of the edge angle on the angle of the cut surface.
- FIG. 8A is a schematic diagram for explaining a process of cutting an optical fiber according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and shows a stage before the optical fiber is pressed against a blade.
- FIG. 8B is a schematic diagram illustrating a process of cutting an optical fiber according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and shows a step of pressing the optical fiber against a blade.
- FIGS. 1A-8B An exemplary embodiment of the present invention is described below with reference to FIGS. 1A-8B.
- the operation of the optical fiber cutting device 10 can be roughly described as follows with reference to FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 2.
- the optical fiber 1 is supported by an appropriate holder 2, and more preferably by a pair of supports 6 and 7. Between the support bodies 6 and 7, the blade 5 and the pressing member 8 facing the blade 5 are positioned.
- the blade 5 is fixed to the base 4, and the base 4 is preferably supported by the spring 3, so that the blade 5 and the base 4 can move elastically perpendicular to the direction in which the optical fiber 1 travels. Yes.
- FIG. 1B for example, the optical fiber 1 is pressed against the blade 5 by slightly moving the pressing member 8 toward the blade 5. At this time, the optical fiber 1 is scratched and slightly tensioned, so that the optical fiber 1 is cut.
- the holder 2 normally supports the optical fiber 1 in the jacket portion 1G.
- a pair of clamps 6A and 6B and a pair of clamps 7A and 7B may be applied to the supports 6 and 7, respectively, so that the optical fiber 1 can be gripped.
- the blade 5 is preferably fixed by being embedded in the table 4.
- the cutting edge 5 ⁇ / b> A of the blade 5 protrudes upward from the table 4.
- a groove 18 is preferably formed in a portion of the pressing member 8 that faces the cutting edge 5A. The groove 18 prevents the cutting edge 5A from directly interfering with the pressing member 8, and prevents an excessive stress in the width direction from being applied to the optical fiber 1.
- the optical fiber cutting device 10 includes a mechanism 11 for pressing the optical fiber 1 against the blade 5.
- the mechanism 11 includes a base 13, a shaft 14, and a lever 15.
- the lever 15 is rotatable with respect to the base 13 about the shaft 14.
- the base 13 includes lower clamps 6 ⁇ / b> A and 7 ⁇ / b> A that are fixed to the base 13 at intervals and a base 4 that includes the blade 5.
- the base 4 is positioned between the lower clamps 6A and 7A.
- the lever 15 is positioned so as to face the lower clamps 6A, 7A, and the upper clamps 6B, 7B fixed to the lever 15 so as to rotate together, and the pressing member 8 positioned so as to face the blade 5.
- the pressing member 8 may be directly fixed to the lever 15 or may be attached to the lever 15 via an appropriate elastic member.
- the base 13 includes a holder mounting portion 16 adjacent to the lower clamp 6A.
- the holder mounting portion 16 has a recess suitable for fitting the holder 2, and preferably includes a tap for pressing the holder 2 from above so that the holder 2 can be temporarily fixed.
- a guide groove is preferably provided to guide the optical fiber 1.
- a guide groove may be further provided on the holder mounting portion 16 or close to the lower clamp 6A.
- the blade 5 is made of an appropriate hard material and is fixed to the table 4.
- An example of such a hard material is diamond, but if possible, an appropriate hard material such as ruby, sapphire, or cemented carbide may be applied instead of diamond.
- Sintered particles (polycrystals) of these materials may be used, but single crystals are advantageous from the viewpoint of blade stability.
- the cutting edge 5A is sharpened to scratch the optical fiber 1.
- the cutting edge 5A of the blade 5 is given an appropriate cutting edge angle ⁇ as shown in FIG. Although the reason will be described later, the cutting edge angle ⁇ is preferably 75 degrees or more and 105 degrees or less.
- the upper surface 4a of the base 4 includes a groove 17 having a shape suitable for the blade 5 to be fitted.
- the blade 5 is fitted into the groove 17 by being press-fitted into the groove 17, and is fixed to the table 4. From the viewpoint of ensuring a more secure fixation, an adhesive is preferably further applied.
- the blade 5 protrudes upward from the upper surface 4a in a state where the blade 5 is fitted in the groove 17.
- the base 4 is provided with a protrusion 9 so as to overhang the groove 17.
- the protrusion 9 protrudes so as to cover the skirts of the inclined surfaces 5A1 and 5A2 on both sides of the blade edge 5A.
- the base 4 together with the protrusions 9 is preferably suitably hard, but made of a material having a lower hardness than the bare fiber of the optical fiber 1. Examples of such materials include metals such as stainless steel and resins such as polyacetal (POM).
- POM polyacetal
- the base 4 made of such a material prevents the end portions 1a and 1b of the optical fiber 1 from being damaged.
- the protruding height H from the upper surface 4a to the upper end of the cutting edge 5A and the width W from the center of the cutting edge 5A to the root of the protruding portion are both about 0.1 mm.
- the stand 4 is supported by a spring 3 as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. This is advantageous in preventing an excessive load from being applied to the optical fiber 1.
- the lever 15 is attached to the base 13 via the shaft 14 and is rotatable with respect to the base 13 about the shaft 14.
- the lever 15 is shaped to be easily pushed down by the operator's hand.
- the shaft 14 is provided with a return spring that urges the lever 15 in the direction of pushing it up. As a result, the lever 15 is automatically returned to the original position when the lever 15 is released after being pushed down by the hand.
- the lever 15 includes a pressing member 8 positioned so as to face the blade 5. When the lever 15 is pushed down, the pressing member 8 is brought closer to the blade 5 along with the lever 15.
- the lever 15 is provided with an arm for supporting the upper clamps 6B and 7B, although it is hidden and cannot be seen in FIG.
- the arm is preferably attached to the lever 15 so as to be able to rotate, swing or bend, and an elastic member such as a spring is interposed between the lever 15 and the arm.
- an elastic member such as a spring is interposed between the lever 15 and the arm.
- the lever 15 is preferably provided with a stopper for restricting the rotation, swinging or bending of the arm so that the arm is positioned.
- a stopper for restricting the rotation, swinging or bending of the arm so that the arm is positioned.
- the upper clamp 6B comes in contact with the lower clamp 6A before the upper clamp 7B.
- the process of cutting the optical fiber 1 by the optical fiber cutting device 10 is as follows.
- the optical fiber 1 is fixed to the holder 2, and the holder 2 is mounted on the holder mounting portion 16.
- the optical fiber 1 is appropriately positioned and placed on the lower clamps 6A and 7A.
- the cutting edge 5 ⁇ / b> A is at a slightly lower position so as not to contact the optical fiber 1.
- the lever 15 is initially open, but is closed as shown in FIG. 5 by being pushed down by hand.
- the clamp 6 on the side close to the holder mounting portion 16 grips the optical fiber 1 prior to the clamp 7, and then the clamp 7 grips the optical fiber 1.
- FIG. 1A shows this state.
- the lever 15 is further pushed down. Then, the pressing member 8 pushes the optical fiber 1 in the direction of the blade 5 and presses it against the blade edge 5A, whereby the optical fiber 1 is damaged.
- the optical fiber 1 is pressed by the pressing member 8 to be tensioned, and the optical fiber 1 is broken as shown in FIG.
- the end 1a and the end 1b of the optical fiber 1 after cutting do not come into contact with the cutting edge 5A again, and are received by the table 4 on the protrusion 9 as shown in FIG.
- the optical fiber can be cut only by placing the optical fiber on the apparatus and pushing down the lever. That is, the operation is extremely simple and does not require high skill from the operator.
- the blade edge angle ⁇ is preferably relatively small, for example, it was considered that a range of 30 degrees or less is preferable.
- Blades having blade edge angles ⁇ of 60 degrees, 75 degrees, 90 degrees, 105 degrees, and 120 degrees were prepared and attached to the optical fiber cutting device 10 described above, and an experiment for cutting an optical fiber was performed.
- the quality of the cut surface was also examined.
- the cut surface after cutting was examined, and the angle formed by the cut surface (hereinafter referred to as the cutting angle) was measured with respect to the direction orthogonal to the traveling direction of the optical fiber, and the result shown in FIG. 7 was obtained.
- the results are shown in FIG.
- the cutting angle varies, so the maximum value (indicated by x in the figure), minimum value (also-), and average value (also ⁇ ) are measured. Has been.
- the cutting angle is ideally 0 degree, and it is expected that the scattering loss is minimized at this time. Practically, the cutting angle is managed to be 1 degree or less, for example. As understood from FIG. 7, when the blade angle ⁇ is 120 degrees, the maximum cutting angle exceeds 1 degree. However, if the cutting edge angle ⁇ is 105 degrees or less, the cutting angle is less than 1 degree, that is, a sufficiently good cutting surface is obtained.
- the blade edge angle ⁇ is preferably 75 degrees or more, and from the viewpoint of obtaining a good cut surface, the blade edge angle ⁇ is preferably 105 degrees or less. More preferably, the cutting edge angle ⁇ is about 90 degrees.
- the optical fiber is pushed in the direction of the blade, but may be deformed so as to push the blade in the direction of the optical fiber.
- 8A and 8B are diagrams schematically illustrating the second embodiment modified in such a manner.
- the length of the spring 3 is appropriately adjusted in advance so that the blade 5 comes into contact with the optical fiber 1 supported by the clamps 6 and 7.
- a means for locking the table 4 is provided, the table 4 is locked so that the blade 5 does not contact the optical fiber 1 as shown in FIG. 8A, and the spring 3 is compressed.
- the locking means is released, and the blade 5 is pushed up toward the optical fiber 1 by the biasing force of the spring 3.
- FIG. 8B the blade 5 is pressed against the optical fiber 1 to perform cutting.
- a slight tension may be applied to the clamps 6 and 7 in directions away from each other. Such tension promotes cutting of the optical fiber 1.
- the blade edge angle ⁇ is preferably 75 degrees or more from the viewpoint of extending the blade life, and the blade edge angle ⁇ is preferably 105 degrees or less from the viewpoint of obtaining a good cut surface. More preferably, the cutting edge angle ⁇ is about 90 degrees.
- An apparatus for cutting an optical fiber capable of ensuring a long life while being able to form a good cut surface is provided.
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Abstract
Disclosed is an apparatus for cutting an optical fiber, which is provided with: a supporting body that supports the optical fiber; and a blade, which has a blade edge angle of 75 to 105 degrees, and which is composed of a single crystal diamond.
Description
本発明は、光ファイバを切断するための光ファイバ切断装置に関する。
The present invention relates to an optical fiber cutting device for cutting an optical fiber.
光ファイバの長さを調整したり、光ファイバ同士を接続するために、光ファイバを切断する必要が生じる。光ファイバはガラスのような脆性材料よりなるため、刃により傷を付けて僅かに張力を与えれば、これを簡単に切断することができる。切断面による光の散乱損失を抑制するために、できるだけ平坦な切断面が必要であるが、このように簡単な方法によっても比較的に良好な切断面が得られる。
It is necessary to cut the optical fiber in order to adjust the length of the optical fiber or to connect the optical fibers. Since the optical fiber is made of a brittle material such as glass, it can be easily cut by scratching with a blade and applying a slight tension. In order to suppress light scattering loss due to the cut surface, a cut surface that is as flat as possible is necessary. However, a relatively good cut surface can be obtained by such a simple method.
日本国特許出願公開2005-173183号や2000-56140号は、光ファイバ切断装置に関する関連技術を開示している。
Japanese Patent Application Publication Nos. 2005-173183 and 2000-56140 disclose related technologies related to an optical fiber cutting device.
良好な切断面を得るためには、もちろんのこと、鋭利な刃が必要である。また刃先の角度は重要な要素であり、当業者の常識によれば、より小さな刃先角が好ましいと認識されている。例えば上述の2005-173183号は、30度以下の刃先角が好ましいことを報告している(0027段落参照)。
Needless to say, a sharp blade is necessary to obtain a good cut surface. Further, the angle of the blade edge is an important factor, and according to common knowledge of those skilled in the art, it is recognized that a smaller blade edge angle is preferable. For example, the above-mentioned 2005-173183 reports that a cutting edge angle of 30 degrees or less is preferable (see paragraph 0027).
本発明は、良好な切断面の形成が可能でありながら、長寿命を確保できる光ファイバを切断するための装置を提供することを目的とする。
An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for cutting an optical fiber that can ensure a long life while being able to form a good cut surface.
本発明の一局面によれば、光ファイバを切断するための装置は、前記光ファイバを支持するための支持体と、75度以上105度以下の刃先角を有し、単結晶のダイヤモンドよりなる刃と、を備える。
According to one aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for cutting an optical fiber includes a support for supporting the optical fiber, and a cutting edge angle of not less than 75 degrees and not more than 105 degrees, and is made of single crystal diamond. A blade.
本発明の例示的な実施形態を図1Aから8Bを参照して以下に説明する。
An exemplary embodiment of the present invention is described below with reference to FIGS. 1A-8B.
本発明の第1の実施形態によれば、光ファイバ切断装置10の作用は、図1A、1B及び2を参照して、概略的に以下のように説明することができる。
According to the first embodiment of the present invention, the operation of the optical fiber cutting device 10 can be roughly described as follows with reference to FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 2.
図1Aに示すように、光ファイバ1は、適宜のホルダ2により支持され、さらに好ましくは一対の支持体6,7により支持される。支持体6,7の間に、刃5および刃5に対向した押付部材8が位置せしめられている。刃5は台4に固定され、台4は好ましくはバネ3により支持されることにより、刃5は台4とともに、光ファイバ1が走行する方向に対して直交に弾性的に移動可能にされている。図1Bのごとく、例えば押付部材8を刃5に向かって僅かに移動することにより、光ファイバ1が刃5に押し付けられる。この時、光ファイバ1に傷が付けられると共に、僅かに張力が与えられるので、光ファイバ1が切断される。通常、切断の対象となるのは、光ファイバ1のうち外被を除去した部分である。一方、通常、ホルダ2は外被部分1Gにおいて光ファイバ1を支持する。支持体6,7には、それぞれ一対のクランプ6A,6Bおよび一対のクランプ7A,7Bを適用して、光ファイバ1を把持できるようにしてもよい。
As shown in FIG. 1A, the optical fiber 1 is supported by an appropriate holder 2, and more preferably by a pair of supports 6 and 7. Between the support bodies 6 and 7, the blade 5 and the pressing member 8 facing the blade 5 are positioned. The blade 5 is fixed to the base 4, and the base 4 is preferably supported by the spring 3, so that the blade 5 and the base 4 can move elastically perpendicular to the direction in which the optical fiber 1 travels. Yes. As shown in FIG. 1B, for example, the optical fiber 1 is pressed against the blade 5 by slightly moving the pressing member 8 toward the blade 5. At this time, the optical fiber 1 is scratched and slightly tensioned, so that the optical fiber 1 is cut. Usually, what is to be cut is a portion of the optical fiber 1 from which the jacket has been removed. On the other hand, the holder 2 normally supports the optical fiber 1 in the jacket portion 1G. A pair of clamps 6A and 6B and a pair of clamps 7A and 7B may be applied to the supports 6 and 7, respectively, so that the optical fiber 1 can be gripped.
図2を参照するに、刃5は好ましくは台4に埋め込まれることにより固定されている。刃5の刃先5Aは、台4から上方に突出している。押付部材8において刃先5Aと対向する部位には、好ましくは溝18が形成される。溝18は、刃先5Aが押付部材8と直接に干渉することを防止し、また光ファイバ1に過大な幅方向応力を印加することも防止する。
Referring to FIG. 2, the blade 5 is preferably fixed by being embedded in the table 4. The cutting edge 5 </ b> A of the blade 5 protrudes upward from the table 4. A groove 18 is preferably formed in a portion of the pressing member 8 that faces the cutting edge 5A. The groove 18 prevents the cutting edge 5A from directly interfering with the pressing member 8, and prevents an excessive stress in the width direction from being applied to the optical fiber 1.
図3乃至5を参照するに、本実施形態による光ファイバ切断装置10は、光ファイバ1を刃5に押し付けるための機構11を備えている。
3 to 5, the optical fiber cutting device 10 according to the present embodiment includes a mechanism 11 for pressing the optical fiber 1 against the blade 5.
機構11は、ベース13と、軸14と、レバー15とを備える。レバー15は軸14を中心としてベース13に対して回動可能である。ベース13は、間隔をおいてベース13に固定された下クランプ6A,7Aと、刃5を備えた台4とを備える。台4は、下クランプ6A,7Aの間に位置せしめられている。レバー15は、下クランプ6A,7Aと対向するべく位置せしめられ、共に回動するべくレバー15に固定された上クランプ6B,7Bと、刃5に対向するべく位置せしめられた押付部材8とを備える。押付部材8は、レバー15に直接に固定されていてもよいし、適宜の弾性部材を介してレバー15に取り付けられていてもよい。
The mechanism 11 includes a base 13, a shaft 14, and a lever 15. The lever 15 is rotatable with respect to the base 13 about the shaft 14. The base 13 includes lower clamps 6 </ b> A and 7 </ b> A that are fixed to the base 13 at intervals and a base 4 that includes the blade 5. The base 4 is positioned between the lower clamps 6A and 7A. The lever 15 is positioned so as to face the lower clamps 6A, 7A, and the upper clamps 6B, 7B fixed to the lever 15 so as to rotate together, and the pressing member 8 positioned so as to face the blade 5. Prepare. The pressing member 8 may be directly fixed to the lever 15 or may be attached to the lever 15 via an appropriate elastic member.
ベース13は、下クランプ6Aに近接して、ホルダ装着部16を備える。ホルダ装着部16は、ホルダ2を嵌めこむのに適した窪みを有し、好ましくはホルダ2を上方から押さえるタップを備えて、ホルダ2を仮に固定することができる。ホルダ装着部16から遠い側にある下クランプ7Aに近接して、好ましくはガイド溝が設けられ、光ファイバ1を案内する。ホルダ装着部16上に、または下クランプ6Aに近接して、ガイド溝をさらに設けてもよい。
The base 13 includes a holder mounting portion 16 adjacent to the lower clamp 6A. The holder mounting portion 16 has a recess suitable for fitting the holder 2, and preferably includes a tap for pressing the holder 2 from above so that the holder 2 can be temporarily fixed. In the vicinity of the lower clamp 7A on the side far from the holder mounting portion 16, a guide groove is preferably provided to guide the optical fiber 1. A guide groove may be further provided on the holder mounting portion 16 or close to the lower clamp 6A.
刃5は、適宜の硬質材料よりなり、台4に固定されている。このような硬質材料としては、ダイヤモンドが例示できるが、可能ならば、ダイヤモンドに代えて、ルビー、サファイヤ、あるいは超硬合金等の適宜の硬質材料を適用してもよい。これらの材料の粒子を焼結したもの(多結晶)でもよいが、刃の安定性の観点からは単結晶が有利である。
The blade 5 is made of an appropriate hard material and is fixed to the table 4. An example of such a hard material is diamond, but if possible, an appropriate hard material such as ruby, sapphire, or cemented carbide may be applied instead of diamond. Sintered particles (polycrystals) of these materials may be used, but single crystals are advantageous from the viewpoint of blade stability.
刃先5Aは、光ファイバ1に傷を付けるべく、鋭利にされている。刃5の刃先5Aは、図2のごとく適宜の刃先角θを与えられている。理由は後述するが、刃先角θは好ましくは75度以上105度以下である。
The cutting edge 5A is sharpened to scratch the optical fiber 1. The cutting edge 5A of the blade 5 is given an appropriate cutting edge angle θ as shown in FIG. Although the reason will be described later, the cutting edge angle θ is preferably 75 degrees or more and 105 degrees or less.
台4の上面4aは、刃5が嵌合するのに適した形状を有する溝17を備える。刃5は、溝17に圧入されることによりこれと嵌合し、以って台4に固定される。より確実な固定を保証する観点から、好ましくはさらに接着剤が適用される。刃5は、溝17内に嵌め込まれた状態で、その刃先5Aを上面4aから上方に突出させている。
The upper surface 4a of the base 4 includes a groove 17 having a shape suitable for the blade 5 to be fitted. The blade 5 is fitted into the groove 17 by being press-fitted into the groove 17, and is fixed to the table 4. From the viewpoint of ensuring a more secure fixation, an adhesive is preferably further applied. The blade 5 protrudes upward from the upper surface 4a in a state where the blade 5 is fitted in the groove 17.
台4は、溝17上に張り出すように、突起9を備える。突起9は、刃先5Aの両側の傾斜面5A1,5A2の裾部を覆うように、張り出している。突起9とともに台4は、好ましくは適宜に硬く、しかし光ファイバ1のベアファイバよりは低硬度の素材よりなる。そのような素材として、例えばステンレス等の金属や、ポリアセタール(POM)等の樹脂が例示できる。このような素材よりなる台4は、光ファイバ1の端部1a,1bが傷つくことを防止する。上面4aから刃先5Aの上端までの突出高さH、および刃先5Aの中央から突出部分の根元までの幅Wは、ともに0.1mm程度である。
The base 4 is provided with a protrusion 9 so as to overhang the groove 17. The protrusion 9 protrudes so as to cover the skirts of the inclined surfaces 5A1 and 5A2 on both sides of the blade edge 5A. The base 4 together with the protrusions 9 is preferably suitably hard, but made of a material having a lower hardness than the bare fiber of the optical fiber 1. Examples of such materials include metals such as stainless steel and resins such as polyacetal (POM). The base 4 made of such a material prevents the end portions 1a and 1b of the optical fiber 1 from being damaged. The protruding height H from the upper surface 4a to the upper end of the cutting edge 5A and the width W from the center of the cutting edge 5A to the root of the protruding portion are both about 0.1 mm.
台4は、図1A,1Bにおいて示されているように、バネ3により支持されている。これは、光ファイバ1に過大な荷重がかかることを防止するのに有利である。
The stand 4 is supported by a spring 3 as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. This is advantageous in preventing an excessive load from being applied to the optical fiber 1.
レバー15は、軸14を介してベース13に取り付けられており、軸14を中心としてベース13に対して回動可能である。レバー15は、作業者の手で押し下げ易い形状にされている。好ましくは軸14に、レバー15を押し上げる方向に付勢する復帰バネが備えられる。これにより、レバー15は、手で押し下げた後、手を離せば自動的に元の位置に復帰する。
The lever 15 is attached to the base 13 via the shaft 14 and is rotatable with respect to the base 13 about the shaft 14. The lever 15 is shaped to be easily pushed down by the operator's hand. Preferably, the shaft 14 is provided with a return spring that urges the lever 15 in the direction of pushing it up. As a result, the lever 15 is automatically returned to the original position when the lever 15 is released after being pushed down by the hand.
レバー15は、刃5に対向するべく位置せしめられた押付部材8を備える。レバー15が押し下げられると、レバー15に伴って押付部材8が刃5に向かって近接せしめられる。
The lever 15 includes a pressing member 8 positioned so as to face the blade 5. When the lever 15 is pushed down, the pressing member 8 is brought closer to the blade 5 along with the lever 15.
さらにレバー15は、図3では隠れていて見えないが、上クランプ6B,7Bを支持するためのアームを備える。アームは、好ましくはレバー15に対して回動、揺動または屈伸可能に取り付けられ、さらにレバー15とアームとの間にバネのごとき弾性部材が介在している。レバー15が押し下げられると、これに伴って動くアームに取り付けられた上クランプ6B,7Bが、下クランプ6A,7Aに押し付けられる。この際に弾性部材は撓み、適宜の付勢力がクランプ6,7に印加されて、光ファイバ1がクランプ6,7に把持される。
Further, the lever 15 is provided with an arm for supporting the upper clamps 6B and 7B, although it is hidden and cannot be seen in FIG. The arm is preferably attached to the lever 15 so as to be able to rotate, swing or bend, and an elastic member such as a spring is interposed between the lever 15 and the arm. When the lever 15 is pushed down, the upper clamps 6B and 7B attached to the moving arm are pushed against the lower clamps 6A and 7A. At this time, the elastic member bends, an appropriate biasing force is applied to the clamps 6 and 7, and the optical fiber 1 is gripped by the clamps 6 and 7.
レバー15は、好ましくはアームの回動、揺動または屈伸を規制するストッパを備え、以ってアームが位置決めされる。好ましくはアームの位置を若干異ならせることにより、レバー15が押し下げられた時に、上クランプ6Bは上クランプ7Bより先行して、下クランプ6Aに接する。
The lever 15 is preferably provided with a stopper for restricting the rotation, swinging or bending of the arm so that the arm is positioned. Preferably, by slightly changing the position of the arm, when the lever 15 is pushed down, the upper clamp 6B comes in contact with the lower clamp 6A before the upper clamp 7B.
光ファイバ切断装置10による光ファイバ1の切断の工程は、以下のようである。
The process of cutting the optical fiber 1 by the optical fiber cutting device 10 is as follows.
図4を参照するに、光ファイバ1はホルダ2に固定され、ホルダ2はホルダ装着部16に装着される。光ファイバ1は、適宜に位置あわせされて、下クランプ6A,7A上に載せられる。この時、刃先5Aは、光ファイバ1に接しないよう、やや低い位置にある。
Referring to FIG. 4, the optical fiber 1 is fixed to the holder 2, and the holder 2 is mounted on the holder mounting portion 16. The optical fiber 1 is appropriately positioned and placed on the lower clamps 6A and 7A. At this time, the cutting edge 5 </ b> A is at a slightly lower position so as not to contact the optical fiber 1.
レバー15は、当初開いた状態にあるが、手により押し下げられることにより図5に示すように閉じられる。この過程で、ホルダ装着部16に近い側にあるクランプ6は、クランプ7よりも先行して光ファイバ1を把持し、次いでクランプ7が光ファイバ1を把持する。図1Aはこの状態を示している。
The lever 15 is initially open, but is closed as shown in FIG. 5 by being pushed down by hand. In this process, the clamp 6 on the side close to the holder mounting portion 16 grips the optical fiber 1 prior to the clamp 7, and then the clamp 7 grips the optical fiber 1. FIG. 1A shows this state.
光ファイバ1が上述のように支持された状態で、レバー15は更に押し下げられる。すると、押付部材8が光ファイバ1を刃5の方向へ押し、刃先5Aに押圧することにより、光ファイバ1に傷が付けられる。押付部材8に押されて光ファイバ1に張力がかかり、傷を起点として、光ファイバ1は、図1Bのように破断する。切断後の光ファイバ1の端部1aおよび端部1bは、刃先5Aに再び接触することがなく、図2のように突起9上において台4に受け止められる。
In the state where the optical fiber 1 is supported as described above, the lever 15 is further pushed down. Then, the pressing member 8 pushes the optical fiber 1 in the direction of the blade 5 and presses it against the blade edge 5A, whereby the optical fiber 1 is damaged. The optical fiber 1 is pressed by the pressing member 8 to be tensioned, and the optical fiber 1 is broken as shown in FIG. The end 1a and the end 1b of the optical fiber 1 after cutting do not come into contact with the cutting edge 5A again, and are received by the table 4 on the protrusion 9 as shown in FIG.
本実施形態によれば、光ファイバを装置上に置き、レバーを押し下げるだけで、光ファイバの切断が実行できる。すなわち極めて操作が簡便であり、作業者に高い技能を要求しない。
According to this embodiment, the optical fiber can be cut only by placing the optical fiber on the apparatus and pushing down the lever. That is, the operation is extremely simple and does not require high skill from the operator.
既に述べたように、刃先角θは、比較的に小さいほうが好ましく、例えば30度以下の範囲が好ましいと考えられていた。本発明者らは、当業者のこのような常識に反して、60度を超える比較的大きな範囲を探索した。刃先角θが、60度、75度、90度、105度、120度である刃をそれぞれ用意し、上述の光ファイバ切断装置10に取り付け、光ファイバを切断する実験を行った。
As already mentioned, the blade edge angle θ is preferably relatively small, for example, it was considered that a range of 30 degrees or less is preferable. The present inventors searched a relatively large range exceeding 60 degrees contrary to such common knowledge of those skilled in the art. Blades having blade edge angles θ of 60 degrees, 75 degrees, 90 degrees, 105 degrees, and 120 degrees were prepared and attached to the optical fiber cutting device 10 described above, and an experiment for cutting an optical fiber was performed.
切断を繰り返すと次第に刃が鈍り、やがては切断に適さなくなる。刃の寿命が尽きるまでの切断回数を調べたところ、図6に示す結果が得られた。刃先角θが60度では、200~300回程度で刃の寿命が尽きる。刃先角θが75度以上では、急激に刃の寿命が延長される。例えば従来の超硬合金よりなる刃の寿命が1000回程度であるのに比べ、その寿命は著しく長い。
と Repeated cutting gradually makes the blade dull and eventually becomes unsuitable for cutting. When the number of times of cutting until the end of the blade life was examined, the result shown in FIG. 6 was obtained. When the edge angle θ is 60 degrees, the blade life is exhausted after about 200 to 300 times. When the blade edge angle θ is 75 degrees or more, the blade life is abruptly extended. For example, the life of a blade made of a conventional cemented carbide is significantly longer than that of a blade having a life of about 1000 times.
切断面の質についても検討した。切断後の切断面を調べ、光ファイバの走行方向に直交する方向に対して、切断面のなす角(以下、切断角)を測定して、図7に示す結果が得られた。図7に結果が示されている。数多くの切断面を調べると、切断角にはばらつきがあるので、最大値(図中、×印で示されている)、最小値(同じく-印)、および平均値(同じく■印)が測定されている。
The quality of the cut surface was also examined. The cut surface after cutting was examined, and the angle formed by the cut surface (hereinafter referred to as the cutting angle) was measured with respect to the direction orthogonal to the traveling direction of the optical fiber, and the result shown in FIG. 7 was obtained. The results are shown in FIG. When a large number of cut surfaces are examined, the cutting angle varies, so the maximum value (indicated by x in the figure), minimum value (also-), and average value (also ■) are measured. Has been.
切断角は理想的には0度であって、この時に散乱損失が最小となることが期待される。実用的には、切断角は例えば1度以下に管理される。図7より理解されるように、刃先角θが120度の場合には、最大切断角は1度を超えてしまう。しかし刃先角θが105度以下であれば、切断角は1度未満であり、すなわち十分に良好な切断面が得られている。
The cutting angle is ideally 0 degree, and it is expected that the scattering loss is minimized at this time. Practically, the cutting angle is managed to be 1 degree or less, for example. As understood from FIG. 7, when the blade angle θ is 120 degrees, the maximum cutting angle exceeds 1 degree. However, if the cutting edge angle θ is 105 degrees or less, the cutting angle is less than 1 degree, that is, a sufficiently good cutting surface is obtained.
以上の実験より、当業者の常識に反して、60度を超える刃先角であっても、良好な結果が得られることが明らかである。刃の寿命を延長する観点からは、刃先角θは75度以上が好ましく、良好な切断面を得る観点からは、刃先角θは105度以下が好ましい。より好ましくは、刃先角θは90度程度である。
From the above experiments, it is clear that good results can be obtained even with a cutting edge angle exceeding 60 degrees, contrary to the common sense of those skilled in the art. From the viewpoint of extending the life of the blade, the blade edge angle θ is preferably 75 degrees or more, and from the viewpoint of obtaining a good cut surface, the blade edge angle θ is preferably 105 degrees or less. More preferably, the cutting edge angle θ is about 90 degrees.
上述の第1の実施形態では、光ファイバが刃の方向へ押されるが、刃を光ファイバの方向へ押すように変形してもよい。図8Aおよび8Bは、そのように変形された第2の実施形態を模式的に説明する図である。
In the above-described first embodiment, the optical fiber is pushed in the direction of the blade, but may be deformed so as to push the blade in the direction of the optical fiber. 8A and 8B are diagrams schematically illustrating the second embodiment modified in such a manner.
例えば、クランプ6,7に支持された光ファイバ1に、刃5が接する高さとなるよう、バネ3の長さを予め適宜に調整しておく。台4を係止しておく手段を設けて、図8Aのように刃5が光ファイバ1に接しない高さとなるように台4を係止し、バネ3を圧縮しておく。例えばレバー11を押し下げると係止手段が解除され、バネ3の付勢力により刃5が光ファイバ1の方向へ押し上げられる。すると、図8Bのように、刃5が光ファイバ1に押し付けられて、切断が実行される。クランプ6,7には、互いに離れる方向に若干の張力が印加されていてもよい。かかる張力によって、光ファイバ1の切断が促される。
For example, the length of the spring 3 is appropriately adjusted in advance so that the blade 5 comes into contact with the optical fiber 1 supported by the clamps 6 and 7. A means for locking the table 4 is provided, the table 4 is locked so that the blade 5 does not contact the optical fiber 1 as shown in FIG. 8A, and the spring 3 is compressed. For example, when the lever 11 is pushed down, the locking means is released, and the blade 5 is pushed up toward the optical fiber 1 by the biasing force of the spring 3. Then, as shown in FIG. 8B, the blade 5 is pressed against the optical fiber 1 to perform cutting. A slight tension may be applied to the clamps 6 and 7 in directions away from each other. Such tension promotes cutting of the optical fiber 1.
かかる第2の実施形態においても、刃の寿命を延長する観点からは、刃先角θは75度以上が好ましく、良好な切断面を得る観点からは、刃先角θは105度以下が好ましい。より好ましくは、刃先角θは90度程度である。
Also in the second embodiment, the blade edge angle θ is preferably 75 degrees or more from the viewpoint of extending the blade life, and the blade edge angle θ is preferably 105 degrees or less from the viewpoint of obtaining a good cut surface. More preferably, the cutting edge angle θ is about 90 degrees.
本発明を例示的な実施形態を参照して説明したが、本発明は上記実施形態に限定されるものではない。上記開示内容に基づき、本技術分野の通常の技術を有する者が、実施形態の修正ないし変形により本発明を実施することが可能である。
Although the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Based on the above disclosure, a person having ordinary skill in the art can implement the present invention by modifying or modifying the embodiment.
良好な切断面の形成が可能でありながら、長寿命を確保できる光ファイバを切断するための装置が提供される。
An apparatus for cutting an optical fiber capable of ensuring a long life while being able to form a good cut surface is provided.
Claims (3)
- 光ファイバを切断するための装置であって、
前記光ファイバを支持するための支持体と、
75度以上105度以下の刃先角を有し、単結晶のダイヤモンドよりなる刃と、
を備えた装置。 An apparatus for cutting an optical fiber,
A support for supporting the optical fiber;
A blade made of a single crystal diamond having a cutting edge angle of 75 degrees or more and 105 degrees or less;
With a device. - 前記光ファイバを前記刃の方向へ押すべく移動可能に位置せしめられた押付部材を、
さらに備えた請求項1の装置。 A pressing member positioned so as to be movable to press the optical fiber in the direction of the blade;
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: - 前記刃を前記光ファイバの方向へ押すべく移動可能に位置せしめられた弾性部材を、
さらに備えた請求項1の装置。 An elastic member positioned so as to be movable to push the blade toward the optical fiber;
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:
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JP2010005960A JP2011145478A (en) | 2010-01-14 | 2010-01-14 | Optical fiber cutting apparatus |
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Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPS62257108A (en) * | 1986-04-30 | 1987-11-09 | Sumitomo Electric Ind Ltd | Automatic disconnecting device for optical fiber |
JPS638702U (en) * | 1986-07-03 | 1988-01-21 | ||
JPH0431102U (en) * | 1990-07-11 | 1992-03-12 | ||
JP2004101661A (en) * | 2002-09-06 | 2004-04-02 | Hitachi Metals Ltd | Cutter for optical fiber |
-
2010
- 2010-01-14 JP JP2010005960A patent/JP2011145478A/en active Pending
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2011
- 2011-01-14 WO PCT/JP2011/050505 patent/WO2011087075A1/en active Application Filing
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPS62257108A (en) * | 1986-04-30 | 1987-11-09 | Sumitomo Electric Ind Ltd | Automatic disconnecting device for optical fiber |
JPS638702U (en) * | 1986-07-03 | 1988-01-21 | ||
JPH0431102U (en) * | 1990-07-11 | 1992-03-12 | ||
JP2004101661A (en) * | 2002-09-06 | 2004-04-02 | Hitachi Metals Ltd | Cutter for optical fiber |
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