EP0278423A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for arranging a plurality of coated optical fibers and collective fusion splicing method using the apparatus
Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd
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Filing: 1988-02-05
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2008-02-05
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for arranging a plurality of coated optical fibers (1) in a plane and a collective fusion splicing method using the apparatus , comprising the steps of: arranging two sets of the coated optical fibers (1) in the plane; clamping, in each of the sets, end portions of the coated optical fibers (1) by a clamping device (11); collectively removing, in each of the sets, coatings from the end portions of the coated optical fibers (1) so as to obtain exposed fiber end portions; collectively cutting, in each of the sets, the exposed fiber end portions so as to obtain cut end faces; collectively fusion splicing the two sets of the cut end faces so as to produce joints (5) and collectively reinforcing the joints (5).
Inventors
- 👤 Keiji C/O Yokohama Works Osaka
- 👤 Toru C/O Yokohama Works Yanagi
- 👤 Yasuo C/O Yokohama Works Asano
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 06:41
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/255; G02B6/2558; G02B6/2551; G02B6/2555; G02B6/46; G02B6/56; G02B6/566
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
179 words
A method of fusion splicing a plurality of coated optical fibers (1) with corresponding opposite coated optical fibers (1) collectively, comprising the steps of: arranging a set of a plurality of coated optical fibers (1) independent of one another and another set of a plurality of opposite coated optical fibers (1) independent of one another, in a plane; clamping, in each of the sets, end portions of the coated optical fibers (1) by a clamping device (11); collectively removing, in each of the sets, coatings from the end portions of the coated optical fibers (1) so as to obtain exposed fiber end portions (4) of the coated optical fibers (1), respectively; collectively cutting, in each of the sets, the exposed fiber end portions (4) so as to obtain cut end faces of the exposed fiber end portions (4), respectively; collectively fusion splicing the set of the cut end faces with another set of the cut end faces so as to produce joints (5) of the two sets of the cut end faces, respectively; and collectively reinforcing the joints (5).
Claim 2
Independent Claim
179 words
A method of fusion splicing a plurality of coated optical fibers (1) with corresponding opposite coated optical fibers (1) collectively, comprising the steps of: arranging a set of a plurality of coated optical fibers (1) independent of one another and another set of a plurality of opposite coated optical fibers (1) independent of one another, in a plane; clamping, in each of the sets, end portions of the coated optical fibers (1) by a clamping device (11); collectively removing, in each of the sets, coatings from the end portions of the coated optical fibers (1) so as to obtain exposed fiber end portions (4) of the coated optical fibers (1), respectively; collectively cutting, in each of the sets, the exposed fiber end portions (4) so as to obtain cut end faces of the exposed fiber end portions (4), respectively; collectively fusion splicing the set of the cut end faces with another set of the cut end faces so as to produce joints (5) of the two sets of the cut end faces, respectively; and collectively reinforcing the joints (5).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the joints (5) are collectively reinforced integrally with the clamping devices (11).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
A method as claimed in Claim 1, wherein only the joints (5) are reinforced and then, the clamping devices (11) are removed from the coated optical fibers (1) such that a post handling such as rectification of excessively long ones of the coated optical fibers (1) is performed.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as claimed in Claim 1 or 9, wherein one set of the two sets of the coated optical fibers (1) are integrally contained in a ribbon type multi-fiber optical fiber cable.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
119 words
An apparatus (K1) for arranging a plurality of coated optical fibers (1) in a predetermined plane, comprising: a tape supply means (44a) for supplying an adhesive tape (44) for bonding the coated optical fibers (1) thereto; a tape fixing means (46) for fixing in the predetermined plane the adhesive tape (44) drawn from the tape supply means (44a); and a positioning means (47) for positioning the coated optical fibers (1) so as to secure the coated optical fibers (1) to the adhesive tape (44) fixed by the tape fixing means (46); said positioning means (47) being formed with a slit (47a) for sequentially accommodating the coated optical fibers (1); said slit (47a) being substantially parallel to the predetermined plane.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
119 words
An apparatus (K1) for arranging a plurality of coated optical fibers (1) in a predetermined plane, comprising: a tape supply means (44a) for supplying an adhesive tape (44) for bonding the coated optical fibers (1) thereto; a tape fixing means (46) for fixing in the predetermined plane the adhesive tape (44) drawn from the tape supply means (44a); and a positioning means (47) for positioning the coated optical fibers (1) so as to secure the coated optical fibers (1) to the adhesive tape (44) fixed by the tape fixing means (46); said positioning means (47) being formed with a slit (47a) for sequentially accommodating the coated optical fibers (1); said slit (47a) being substantially parallel to the predetermined plane.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus (K1) as claimed in Claim 5, wherein a width of the slit (47a) can be changed in a direction substantially perpendicular to the predetermined plane.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
An apparatus (K1) as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the tape fixing means (46) is provided in an oblique direction perpendicular to optical axes of the coated optical fibers (1) such that the coated optical fibers (1) are arranged in the oblique direction.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus (K1) as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the adhesive tape (44) is a heat-resistant adhesive tape.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
196 words
An apparatus (K2) for arranging a plurality of coated optical fibers (1) at a predetermined interval in a plane, comprising: a positioning means (52-55, 53ʹ-55ʹ,P1-P12, 59) for positioning the coated optical fibers (1); the positioning means including a slot (52) for placing the coated optical fibers (1) thereon, a guide member (53-55, 53ʹ-55ʹ) for introducing the coated optical fibers (1) into the slot (52), which is provided along the slot (52), a plurality of positioning members (P1-P12) for positioning the coated optical fibers (1), which are provided at one end portion of the slot (52) and a rotational plate (59) for temporarily holding, through sequential rotation thereof, the coated optical fibers (1) accommodated and arranged in the slot (52) by the positioning members (P1-P12); a fixing means (62) for temporarily fixing distal end portions of the coated optical fibers (1) arranged by the positioning means; and a tape supply means (57) for supplying in a direction substantially perpendicular to optical axes of the coated optical fibers (1), an adhesive tape (57a) for securing the coated optical fibers (1) arranged by the positioning means, with an adhesive face of the adhesive tape (57a) confronting the slot (52).
Claim 12
Independent Claim
196 words
An apparatus (K2) for arranging a plurality of coated optical fibers (1) at a predetermined interval in a plane, comprising: a positioning means (52-55, 53ʹ-55ʹ,P1-P12, 59) for positioning the coated optical fibers (1); the positioning means including a slot (52) for placing the coated optical fibers (1) thereon, a guide member (53-55, 53ʹ-55ʹ) for introducing the coated optical fibers (1) into the slot (52), which is provided along the slot (52), a plurality of positioning members (P1-P12) for positioning the coated optical fibers (1), which are provided at one end portion of the slot (52) and a rotational plate (59) for temporarily holding, through sequential rotation thereof, the coated optical fibers (1) accommodated and arranged in the slot (52) by the positioning members (P1-P12); a fixing means (62) for temporarily fixing distal end portions of the coated optical fibers (1) arranged by the positioning means; and a tape supply means (57) for supplying in a direction substantially perpendicular to optical axes of the coated optical fibers (1), an adhesive tape (57a) for securing the coated optical fibers (1) arranged by the positioning means, with an adhesive face of the adhesive tape (57a) confronting the slot (52).
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
76 words
An apparatus (K2) as claimed in Claim 9, wherein the positioning members (P1-P12) are disposed at an interval of at least 10 times an outside diameter (d) of the coated optical fibers (1) in a direction of the optical axes of the coated optical fibers (1) and at an interval equal to the outside diameter (d) of the coated optical fibers (1) in a direction perpendicular to the optical axes of the coated optical fibers (1).
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus (K2) as claimed in Claim 9, wherein the positioning members (P1-P12) are so provided as to become larger in height as the positioning members (P1-P12) come closer to the tape supply means (57).
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus (K2) as claimed in Claim 9, wherein each of the guide member (53-55, 53ʹ-55ʹ) and the positioning members (P1-P12) is formed by a cylindrical member.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus (K2) as claimed in Claim 9, wherein the rotational plate (59) is formed by an equiangular plate having a plurality of angles at least equal, in number, to the coated optical fibers (1).
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
42 words
An apparatus (K2) as claimed in Claim 9, wherein the rotational plate (59) is formed by an eccentric circular plate in which an eccentricity between its rotational axis and its circular center is at least twice a width of the slot (52).
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus (K2) as claimed in Claim 9, wherein the slot (52) has a plurality of V-shaped grooves formed on its bottom at the predetermined interval for arranging the coated optical fibers (1).
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus (K2) as claimed in Claim 9, wherein elastic material is attached to a bottom of the slot (52).
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus (K2) as claimed in Claim 9, wherein the adhesive tape (57a) is a heat-resistant adhesive tape.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus (K2) as claimed in Claim 9, wherein the fixing means (62) is formed by an adhesive tape.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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