DE2833753A1 - METHOD AND DEVICE FOR CUTTING AT LEAST ONE OPTICAL FIBER - Google Patents

Description

P AT Ξ W TA NW P. LT E £

A. GRUNECKER

DlPU-ING.

H. KINKELDEY

OR-ING

W _t STOCKMAlR

K. SCHUMANN

FYR. RER NAT - DIFL-FHVa

P. H. JAKOB

G. BEZOLD

DR. RSINÄH- DH_-CHEM.

8 MUNICH 22

MAXIMILIANSTRASSE 43

F 12 996

Method and device for cutting at least
an optical fiber

The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for cutting glass fibers, and in particular to a method and an apparatus for cutting a plurality of glass fibers simultaneously.

When glass fibers are used as optical transmission lines, it is necessary to connect when installing _r the fibers. In this connection, it is necessary that low transmission losses occur at the connection point and that the method for connecting the optical fibers is inexpensive, accurate and easy to carry out.

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TELEPHONE (OS9) 22 28 62

TELEX OÖ-29 38O

TELECOPER

A traditional way of joining optical fibers together consists of aligning the planar edges of the fibers by placing them in V-shaped grooves or Grooves or used in a connecting part that fulfills the same function. Another conventional method consists in connecting the adjacent planar edges to one another by melting.

The methods described above require planar edges of the fibers that are perpendicular to the axis of the fibers and have a mirror surface, otherwise a gap or air bubbles can arise at the connection point, which the. transmission losses increased.

To get the desired smooth and planar edge surface, Many different attempts have been made in the various cutting processes. With one of these Cutting method is used from the crude fiber, which follows called Rob fiber, the coating is removed and is then the surface of the crude fiber on a Notched or cut where the fiber is to be cut. Then the crude fiber exposed to tensile stress, which causes the fiber to tear at this point. A modification of this procedure consists in cutting the crude fiber under tension.

In practice, however, it is difficult to cut the fiber precisely and to provide the desired smooth mirror surface. Various techniques are used to correct an unsatisfactory interface. Such a thing Method is to grind the cutting edge to polish the surface. In a different procedure will be

Solvents or similar agents used to chemically remove the To remove insufficiently formed areas of the cutting edge.

When connecting a large number of fibers, for example to form a cable with multiple fibers and ribbon fibers, In addition, the cutting edges are an even more important and difficult problem.

The aim of the invention is a method and a device for cutting a large number of raw glass fibers at the same time.

The invention is also intended to provide a method and a device for cutting a large number of raw glass fibers be supplied in such a way that the required smooth and planar mirror surfaces are obtained.

The invention also provides a device, which automatically cuts a large number of raw glass fibers in such a way that the desired smooth and planar mirror surfaces are formed result.

For this purpose, according to the invention, a method and a device are provided for cutting a large number of "glass fibers" at the same time proposed on an 'uncoated end section, the method according to the invention and the mass device smooth and planar mirror cut surfaces deliver. The inventive method consists in that each fiber on both sides of a cutting point is releasably fixed that each of the fixed fibers on one elastic material is arranged, which is provided in the area of the cutting point that the outer surface of each fiber is incised at the cutting point and each fiber is bent into an arc shape between the specified parts.

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to create tension in the axial direction of each fiber, causing the fiber to break at the cutting point.

A first exemplary embodiment of the device according to the invention comprises an elastically flexible element on which An elastic element is provided on the upper surface. A first fastener is at a first end of the resiliently flexible element and has a clamping plate on the top surface to releasably attach each optical fiber to the coated part. A second fastener is located at the second end of the resiliently flexible element and has a clamping plate on the upper surface to releasably securing each optical fiber at the uncoated front end. A cutting element serves to cut the surface cut each optical fiber at the cutting point along the uncoated end portion. Furthermore can be a flexible material along the bottom surface of the clamping plate of the second fastening part and can .. on the upper surface of the second fastening part a plurality of parallel grooves may be formed with their center lines in the direction of the first fastening part get lost.

A second embodiment of the device according to the invention ensures automatic cutting of the glass fibers and includes a device that is attached to its lower part a vertically movable guide shaft is provided. One Base plate is slidably provided in the device and on the upper part of the vertically movable guide shaft attached so that it can move upwards together with the shaft. A leaf spring holder is slidable in the device above the vertically movable guide shaft

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held and separated from the base plate by a plurality of first compression springs. A first fiber retaining element and a second fiber holding elements are slidable in the device over the leaf spring holder at the respective ends the leaf spring holder arranged. The first fiber holding element is attached to the device that it is through a second Spring can be moved vertically while the second spring retaining element is attached to the device that it can be moved vertically by a third spring. A cutting device is located in the device above the leaf spring holder. An element for lifting the cutting knife is firmly attached to the base plate and extends upwards so that it is below the surface the cutter when the base is in its normal lowered position. after the fibers to be cut in an opening in the device are used, the entire sequence of process steps of the inventive method carried out while the vertically movable guide shaft in its farthest raised position moved upwards.

A particularly preferred idea of the invention consists in a method and a device for the simultaneous Cutting a variety of glass fibers on the uncoated end portion to create smooth, planar mirror cut surfaces to deliver. In the method according to the invention, each fiber is detachably fixed on both sides of an interface, each fiber fixed in this way is placed on an elastic material in the area of the interface is provided, the outer surface of each fiber is on cut into the intersection and each fiber is bent in an arc shape between the defined parts in order to run along the

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Axial direction of each fiber to create tension, thereby the fibers break at the cutting point.

Xn following be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, preferred embodiments of the invention:

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of the after

the inventive method and with the Inventive device to be cut fibers.

Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of a first

Äus Ausführungsbeispiels the invention Cutting device which cuts the fibers according to the method according to the invention.

Fig. 3 shows a side view for cutting

on the cutting device shown in Fig. 2 arranged fibers as well as the cutting knife / which cuts into the surface of the uncoated fibers at the cutting point.

Figs. 4 and 5 show the arcuate bending of the in Fig.

shown cutting device to axially on the uncoated fibers after Cutting in to create tension so that the fibers break.

Figures 6 and 7 show cross-sectional views along the lines

A-A and B-B in Fig. 3.

Fig. 8 shows in a front view along the line

J-J in Fig. 9 shows a second embodiment

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the cutting device which cuts the fibers according to the method according to the invention.

Figs. 9, 10, 11 + 12 show cross-sectional views each longitudinally

the lines D-D, E-E, C-C and G-G in Fig. 8? the second embodiment of the cutting device.

13 shows in a schematic view the input opening for the optical to be cut Fiber.

In Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a plurality of fibers 1 to be cut is shown. At one end are those Fibers 1 aligned in a line with one another, the coatings 2 of the respective fibers 1 under the action of heat are connected to each other. The coatings 2 are then removed on the cutting edge side, so that the raw fibers 4 are exposed, the surfaces of which are to be cut.

A perspective view of a first embodiment of a cutting device 5, which according to the invention Cutting method works is shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 3 shows in a side view the fibers in the device shown in FIG. 2 in the cutting position.

The coated sections 3 of the fibers 1 are on a holding part 6 for the coated fibers of the cutting device 5 and fixed there by a clamping plate 7.

The sections of the respective raw fibers 4 are arranged in respective grooves 9, which are parallel to each other in the upper Outer surface of a fastening part 8 are provided for the non-coated part of the fibers. The respective

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Raw fibers are in the grooves 9 by a flexible element 11 held, which is on the lower surface of the clamping plate 1O provided that on the uncoated ,, stipulated Part 8 is clamped, as shown in FIG. Even if the outside diameter of the raw fibers 4 is different is, the flexible element 11 shows a sufficient, non-permanent deformation in order to set the raw fibers 4 to a sufficient extent, as shown in FIG. The flexible element consists for example of rubber, plastic or other synthetic materials. That way the raw fibers 1 are fixed on the cutting device 5.

The fastening parts 6 and 8 of the cutting device are connected to one another via a leaf spring 12, which is an elastic Has element 13, which on its upper outer surface is provided.

As shown in FIG. 3, after the raw fibers 1 have been set, a cutting knife 15, for example made of diamond or ultra-hard steel, brought to pressure against the raw fibers 4 at the desired cutting point 14, whereby all fibers be cut at the pressure points by the cutting knife 15.

The elastic element 13 serves primarily to provide a uniform cutting force of the cutting knife 15 to all To lay surfaces of the fibers 4 at the cutting points, as shown in FIG. The elastic element 13 consists Zweckmassxgerwexse made of rubber or a plastic or a similar material.

If the fibers 1 are directly on a rigid element, for example a metal plate, could be a

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Part of the cutting surface can be damaged if the cutting force is too great for the required incision. if In contrast, when the cutting force is too small, a smooth edge surface cannot be obtained even if the outside diameter of the fibers 1 is the same.

The elastic element 13 serves in the second place to the The cutting force due to the raw fibers is even then to be distributed if the pressure force of the cutting knife is not even. Independent of the handling by the operator or the functional state of the cutting knife, the desired smooth mirror surfaces can thus be obtained will.

It has been found that the required compressive force exerted by the cutting knife 15 for a single uncoated fiber 4 is approximately 10 g in order to achieve the desired To achieve cutting of the surface.

The leaf spring 12 of the cutting device 5 is then bent in an arc to tension the uncoated To produce fibers 4 in the axial direction, as shown in FIG. The tension causes the uncoated fibers to break along the incised areas, so that the required smooth surfaces are obtained, which run perpendicular to the axes of the fibers 4.

Although the above has related to the cutting of a plurality of fibers 1, it can be seen that after the method according to the invention also includes a single fiber 1 can be cut.

Since the elastic element 13 on the upper outer surface of the

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Leaf spring 12 adheres, is independent of the outer diameter ' of the fibers a substantially uniform cutting force on the uncoated fibers. 4. As the leaf spring 12 of the cutting device 5 is also arcuate is bent in order to generate a tension on the non-coated fibers 4 in the axial direction, the desired, perpendicular smooth mirror cut surface at the point can be obtained at which the non-coated fibers 4 have been cut.

In the following a further embodiment of a device is described, which according to the inventive method is working.

This embodiment of the device according to the invention is characterized in that a bracket with a leaf spring is lifted over a guide that is vertically movable and carries the coated and uncoated portions of the optical fiber. The fiber surfaces are then pressed at the cutting points by another lifting of the holder against the cutting knife. One the cutting knife female element is pushed upwards by a lifting element, so that the leaf spring is pressed by a plunger is bent upwards and a tension is generated on the non-coated fibers in the axial direction, so that these break.

This exemplary embodiment of the device according to the invention is described in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 8 to 13.

In FIGS. 8 and 9, reference numeral 30 designates a leaf spring, one end of which is attached to a vertically movable base plate 32 is attached via rivets 34 and 34 ', as shown in FIG. 10

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is shown, and the other end is free. A rubber sheet 36 is attached to the upper outer surface of the leaf spring 30.

As shown in Fig. 9, the vertically movable base plate 32 is with a lower base plate 38 on the side Spacers 40, 40 * in connection. The base plate .32, the spacers 40, 40 'and the lower base plate 38 are collectively referred to as leaf spring mount 42.

In Fig. 8, 44 denotes a stamp which is connected to a base plate 46 and serves to the leaf spring 30 to bend.

^{Compression springs 48, 48 1 are} provided between the base plates 46 and 32 in order to press these base plates alternately in opposite directions.

With 50 is a guide shaft for guiding the base plate 46 along a sleeve 52. With a frame is referred to, which serves to the vertical movement of the leaf spring holder 42 lead. An operating part is denoted by 56. A compression spring 58 is located between the leaf spring holder 42 and the frame 54 to urge the leaf spring retainer 42 downward as shown in Fig. 9. A cutting knife 60 is received in a receiving element 62. The cutting knife 60 is lowered by a spring 64 The receiving element 62 is received in a guide cylinder 66 which is fastened to an upper plate 68 and is pressed down by a spring 70. A fiber holding member 72 is provided with a rubber sheet 74 along it provided on its lower surface. The fiber holding element 72 is attached to guide shafts 76, 76 ′, as is shown in FIG. 6

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is shown, and vertically displaceable in sleeves 78 and 78 *. As shown in Fig. 8, is a compression spring attached between the top plate 68 and the fiber retaining member 72 so that the member 72 is pressed downward will. Similarly, a holding element 82 for the coated Part of the fiber is provided with a rubber plate 84 on the lower surface. As shown in Fig. 11 is the holding element 82 for the coated part of the fibers attached to guide shafts 86, 86 'and in guide sleeves, 88 and 88 'can be moved. A compression spring 90 is located furthermore between the upper holding plate 68 and the holding element 82 for the coated part of the fibers, so that the element. 82 is pushed down. With 92 is a lifting element denotes for the cutting knife, which is attached to the base plate 42 and serves the receiving element 62 for the cutting knife, as shown in FIG.

In Fig. 11, 94 and 94 'denote lifting bars which serve to raise the holding element 82 for the coated part of the fibers to the coated fibers 3 in the last To solve the process step so that the coated fibers 1 can be removed from the device. At 95 there are input openings for the coated fibers 3, as shown in FIG.

The mode of operation of this exemplary embodiment of the cutting device according to the invention is explained in more detail below.

The coated fibers 3, their coatings 2 removed are inserted into the input port 96. Thereafter, the vertically movable guide shaft 50 is raised by that the operating part 56 is pressed up to the

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To raise the base plate 46, so that the leaf spring holder 42 is raised by the action of the compression springs 48 and 48 '.

This leads to the fact that the non-coated fibers 4 by the engagement between the rubber plate 36, which is attached to the Leaf spring 30 is attached, and the rubber plate 74 of the fiber holding element 28 are held. The coated part of the Fibers is made by engaging between the rubber sheet 36 and the rubber plate 86 of the holding element 82 held. Because the resulting force of springs 80 and 64 is less than that resulting force of the springs 48, 48 'become the fiber holding element 72 and the holding element 82 for the coated part of the fibers are raised by pushing further against the operating part 56 is pressed. Immediately thereafter, the tip of the cutting knife 60 hits the non-coated fibers 4, wherein the cutting knife 60 is pressed by the biasing force of the spring 64 against the non-coated fibers 4 to thereby cut the surfaces of the uncoated fibers 4. In that further against the operating part 56 is pressed, the tip of the lifting element 92 for the cutting knife abuts against the lower surface of the receiving element 62 for the cutting knife, whereby the receiving element 62 is raised. Thereafter, the fiber holding element 72 abuts against the Lower surface of the upper plate 68. In this case, the holding element 82 for the coated part of the fibers does not abut against it the upper plate 68. The upward movement of the operating part 56 compresses the springs 48, 48 ', so that the base plate 46 begins to lift while the leaf spring retainer 42 is held in place. That The cutting knife 66 is raised further by the lifting element 92 and the punch 44, in order to bend the leaf spring 30, pushes against the lower surface of the leaf spring 30 in order to bend it upwards. This will break the uncoated

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Fibers 4 along the respective cutting points 14 reached. If the operating part 56 is raised further, the tip hits the lifting rod 94, which holds the holding element 82 for the uncoated Section of the fibers lifts against the lower surface of the retaining element 82 for the uncoated portion of the Fibers, which raises it. This leads to the fact that the coated part of the fibers 3 is detached and the cut off coated fibers 3 can be removed.

The embodiment of the invention described in the above Apparatus for the automatic cutting of optical fibers according to the inventive method can be the series after the following work steps in a single operation by lifting the operating part, namely the Holding the coated fibers 3 and the uncoated fibers 4, cutting the surface of the uncoated Fibers 4 through the cutting knife 60 at the cutting point 14, bending the leaf spring 30 to tension in the axial direction of the uncoated fibers to produce, and the loosening of the coated fibers 3, perform. That means that at In this embodiment, the cutting process of the fibers 1 takes place in a single operation.

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Claims (11)

PATENTANWÄLTE A. GRUNECKER DlFL-ING. H. KlNKELDEY K. SCHUMANN DRRERNAn-DIPU-PHYS P. H. JAKOB dipl-ing. G. BEZOLD DR REH.NÄT- OPL-CHEM. 8 MUNICH 22 MAXIMILIANSTRASSE 43 Aug 1, 1978 P 12 996 ΗΓΡΡΟΪΓ TEA ₁ EGEAPH AED TELEPHONE PUBLIC CORPORATION Ho. 1-6, Uchisaiwai-cho 1-ch.ome, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan SUHITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD. Uo. 15 “Kitahama 5-ch.ome, Higashi-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka, Japan Method and device for cutting at least an optical fiber PATENT CLAIMS Method for cutting at least one non-coated optical fiber, characterized _/ that each non-coated optical fiber is detachably held on both sides of a cutting point "and each retained, non-coated, optical fiber is arranged on an elastic material in the area of the cutting point, so that the outer surface of each non-coated optical fiber is incised at the cutting point and that each uncoated optical fiber is bent into an arc shape between the retained sections 909808/0795 TELEPHONE (Ο8Θ) 222S62 TELEX O5-2S38O TELEQRAMME MONAPAT TELEKOP1ERER iNSPECTED in the axial direction of each uncoated optical fiber to generate a tension, causing the optical fibers to attach break at the cutting point. 2. A method of cutting at least one uncoated optical fiber using a leaf spring with a Fastening part at each end and an elastic material on the upper outer surface of the leaf spring between the fastening parts is provided, characterized in that each non-coated optical Fiber is arranged on the elastic material aligned with the two fastening parts in a line that each uncoated optical fiber is clamped in each fastening part so that the outer surface of each uncoated optical fiber is cut at the cutting point is, and that the leaf spring is bent arcuately in the direction of the elastic material to the outside in the axial direction of each uncoated optical fiber to generate a tension, causing the optical fibers to attach break at the cutting point. 3. Device for cutting at least one optical fiber marked on the uncoated end section by an elastically flexible element (12) with an elastic element (13) on its upper outer surface, wherein the elastically flexible element (12) a first and a having second end, by a first fastening part (6) which is attached to the first end of the elastically flexible element (12) is provided and a clamping plate (7) on the upper Has outer surface which releasably holds each optical fiber on the coated part, and by a second fastening part (8), the one at the second end of the resiliently flexible 909308/0795 Element (12) is provided and a clamping plate (10) the upper outer surface, which each optical fiber releasably adheres to the uncoated front end portion. · 4. Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized by a cutting element (15) for cutting the surface of each optical fiber longitudinally at the cutting point (14) of the uncoated end section. 5. The device according to claim 4, characterized by a flexible material (11) along the lower surface the clamping plate (10) of the second fastening part (8) is provided. 6. The device according to claim 4, characterized by a plurality of parallel grooves (9) in the upper outer surface of the second fastening part (8) are provided and their center line in the direction of the first fastening part (6) runs. 7. Apparatus according to claim 5, characterized by a plurality of parallel grooves (9) in the upper outer surface of the second fastening part (8) is provided and whose center line runs in the direction of the first fastening part (6). 8. Device for cutting at least one optical fiber on the uncoated end section / marked net by a device which is provided on the lower part with a vertically movable guide shaft (50), by a base plate (46) slidably disposed in the device and at the top of the vertical 9G98GS / G79S ⁴ 2 ^ 33753 movable guide shaft (50) is attached so that it moves with the shaft (50) upwards, by a Leaf spring mount (42) slidable in the device over the vertically movable guide shaft (50) is arranged and is separated from the base plate (46) by a plurality of first compression springs (58), by a first fiber retaining element (72) and a second fiber retaining element (82) which are slidable in the device arranged above the leaf spring holder (42) and at the respective ends of the leaf spring holder (42) wherein the first fiber retaining element (72) is attached to the device in a vertically movable manner by a second spring (80) and wherein the second fiber retention member (82) is vertically movable on the device by a third spring (90) is attached, and by a cutting device (60, 62) which is located in the device above the leaf spring holder (42) is located. 9. Apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that that the cutting device (60, 62) is a cutting knife receiving element (62), which is mounted vertically movable in the upper part of the device, and by a fourth spring (70) is pressed down to a lowered position, and has a cutting knife (60) which is slidably mounted on the lower end of the receiving element (62) and usually by a fourth spring (64) is pushed into a lowered position. 10. The device according to claim 9, characterized in that that the base plate (46) has a lifting element (92) for the cutting knife which is fixedly attached thereto is and extends upwards, wherein, the upper end of the 903803/0795 Lifting element (92) is located under the lower surface of the receiving element (62) is when the base plate (46) is in the normal lowered position. 11. The device according to claim 9, characterized in that ch net that the first fiber holding element (72) on his The lower surface is provided with a first rubber plate (74), that the second fiber holding element (82) is provided on its lower surface with a second rubber plate (84), and that the resultant force of the second and third springs (80, 90) is less than the resultant force of the plurality of first compression springs (58) is. 909808 / 079S