DE102008046826B3 - Remover pliers for mechanically cutting and removing coating from optical fiber, has end pieces including pair of notches that form openings whose diameters are adapted to outer diameters of optical fiber and/or coating of fiber - Google Patents

Abstract

The pliers have a U-shaped handle (1) at whose free ends cutting- and removing devices are provided for a coating of an optical fiber, where the coating is made of plastic. The handle is made of elastic flat material and formed with end pieces (2a, 3a), which are angularly aligned on each other, as a single piece at free ends of side pieces (2, 3). The end pieces include a pair of notches aligned with each other at end edges of the end pieces. The notches form openings whose diameters are adapted to outer diameters of the fiber and/or the coating of the fiber.

Description

The The invention relates to a fiber stripper for stripping a plastic sheath of optical fibers referred to in the preamble of claim 1 Art.

It is a variety of Faserabstreifzangen for stripping a Plastic existing cladding of optical fibers in communications known.

For example, is from the CA 2 353 371 A1 a Faserabstreifzange known which is bow-shaped, wherein the free ends are provided with interchangeable blade holders in order to achieve an adaptation to optical fibers with different diameters. The stripping pliers consists of a metal strap to which plastic handles are attached.

apart from the relatively complicated structure of such known Faserabstreifzangen these in most cases not for an application in the medical field as they are not autoclavable are and also opposite aggressive media not resistant are. A one-time use is impossible because of the complicated Structure and the correspondingly high production costs.

Of the Invention is based on the object, an autoclavable Faserabstreifzange to create the type mentioned, the simple structure a cost-effective but highly accurate Sheathing of optical fibers with different diameters allows.

These Task is starting from a Faserabstreifzange for removal a plastic sheath of optical fibers, with a U-shaped Handle, at its free ends cutting and stripping for the Sheath are provided according to the invention solved in that the U-shaped Handle made of resilient flat material and in one piece the free ends of its legs with successive angled tails is formed, and that the tails to each other in use engaging end edges are aligned pairs have notches, which together form an opening whose diameter to the outside diameter the respective optical fiber or its sheath is adapted.

According to one preferred embodiment of the invention, the notches on her Circumference opposite the respective tail beveled surfaces to form cutting edges.

The Notches can a semicircular shape or a triangular shape with a coincident with the end edge Have sideline.

In Advantageously, the end edges with mutually complementary recesses or projections provided, which are designed so that when closing the Faserabstreifzange an exact alignment of the respective notches to each other.

The complementary to each other Recesses or projections can preferably be formed substantially triangular.

each End edge may have multiple notches of different dimensions be provided with the opposing notches openings with different diameters for optical fibers with different Form cross sections.

At least one of the openings can be sized so that when closing the Faserabstreifzange the glass cladding of the optical fiber is scribed, leaving a break the optical fiber without the risk of damaging the actual optical fiber core is made possible at the scratched place.

The Faserabstreifzange can preferably in one piece from Edelstall or other autoclavable metals or made of autoclavable plastic be.

By the embodiment of the invention Fiber stripper can do this either for a single use can be used, or it can be autoclaved in a safe manner so that costs for the use of optical fibers are significantly reduced can.

embodiments The invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings explained in more detail.

In show the drawing:

1 a side view of an embodiment of the Faserabstreifzange;

2 an end view of the cutting blades of Faserabstreifzange after 1 ;

3 an enlarged view of the in 2 with a circle surrounded part of Faserabstreifzange;

4 a view along the line BB after 2 ;

5 a perspective view of the Faserabstreifzange after the 1 - 4 ;

6 a modified embodiment of the cutting blade of Faserabstreifzange after 1 ;

7 an enlarged view of the in 6 part surrounded by circle A.

8th a schematic cross-sectional view of a provided with a sheath optical fiber.

In 8th an example of a cross-section of a known optical waveguide is shown. This optical waveguide comprises a preferably made of glass core 10 with a first refractive index and a glass cladding 20 having a second lower refractive index to control the guiding of the light in the core by total internal reflection at the core / cladding interface. On the outer surface of the glass mantle 20 is a sheath 30 applied, optionally with the insertion of a buffer layer, not shown. The core 10 and the glass jacket 20 are commonly referred to herein as optical fiber.

For stripping the jacket 30 it must be notched or cut far enough to peel off the glass jacket 20 to enable.

If the end of the core 10 is damaged, a section of this core must be separated by breaking, this by scoring the glass jacket 20 and breaking at the scratched location can be done.

To remove the sheath 30 In most cases, fiber scrapers are used which mechanically shear and strip the shroud 30 enable.

In 1 is a side view of a first embodiment of a Faserabstreifzange 1 shown, which is made in one piece from bow-shaped curved elastic sheet material, such as plastic or stainless steel. The U-shaped handle 1 the Faserabstreifzange has two legs 2 . 3 on, at their free ends with successive angled tails 2a . 3a are formed. These tails 2a . 3a have notches aligned with one another at their end edges in engagement with each other in use, each of which together has an opening 4 . 5 . 6 ( 3 ) whose diameter is adapted to the outer diameter of the optical fiber.

The individual openings 4 . 5 . 6 in this case have different opening widths, so that they are suitable for processing of optical fibers and their sheath with different diameters. Thus, a separate Faserabstreifzange is not required for each outer dimension of an optical fiber.

Like this from a comparison of 3 and 7 As can be seen, the notches can have different shapes. Thus, the notches in the embodiment according to the 2 and 3 triangular notches, which together form a quadrangular opening, the dimension of which is such that there is sufficient for a stripping notching the casing 30 , or alternatively a scoring of the glass jacket 20 gives, so that at the scratched place a breaking of the core 10 and the glass mantle 20 with a smooth break without the risk of damaging the actual core 10 is possible.

The tails 2a . 3a can either have a very small thickness, so that they form as such even in the region of the notches cutting edges, or the end pieces 2a . 3a can in the in the 3 and 7 indicated way towards the opening 4 sharpened areas 2 B . 3b have, in which in the area of the opening 4 the thickness of the end pieces is reduced to form cutting edges.

Although not shown in the drawings, the end pieces must 2a . 3a not at a right angle to their respective thighs 2 . 3 can be arranged, but they can also be arranged at an angle thereto so that automatically result at the front or rear edge when closing the Faserabstreifzange cutting edges.

Like this from the 2 and 3 It can be seen at the free ends of the tails 2a . 3a at least one recess 7 or a lead 8th provided, which are complementary to each other and engage in closing the Faserabstreifzange, so that there is an automatic exact alignment of the respective notches of the end pieces together. This is a possible risk of damage to the actual optical fiber safely avoided.

These recesses 7 or projections 8th may preferably be triangular, as in the 1 and 2 respectively. 7 however, they may also have other shapes complementary to each other that provide alignment of the end pieces 2a . 3a along their end edges when closing the Faserabstreifzange effect. Examples of this are semicircular or trapezoidal shapes of the recess 7 or the projection 8th ,

How this particular out 2 can be seen, these mutually complementary recesses 7 or projections 8th at each cross-end of the end pieces 2a . 3a be arranged so that even when not absolutely parallel closing the end edges to each other results in a secure alignment of the end pieces.

As further schematic in the 3 respectively. 7 is indicated, are the end edges 2a . 3a each provided with a plurality of notches, the openings in the closed state of Faserabstreifzange 4 . 5 . 6 with different diameters, which are adapted to optical fibers with different diameters. In this way, the fiber stripping pliers for optical fibers of different diameters can be universally used both to remove the sheath 30 as well as for scoring the glass mantle 20 and subsequent breakage of the core 10 be used.

The fiber stripper 1 is preferably made in one piece from stainless steel, wherein the possibly required bevels and sharpening in the region of the notches can be achieved by grinding or embossing. This makes a very simple and cost-effective production of hygienic material possible.

alternative but it is also possible the Faserabstreifzange in one piece made of elastic plastic, but a sufficient Has hardness, to form sharp-edged notches for stripping the casing.

Claims (10)

Faserabstreifzange for removing a plastic sheath ( 30 ) of optical fibers ( 10 . 20 ), with a U-shaped handle ( 1 ), at the free ends cutting and Abstreifeinrichtungen for the sheath ( 30 ) are provided, characterized in that the U-shaped handle ( 1 ) made of resilient flat material and integrally at the free ends of its legs ( 2 . 3 ) with successive angled end pieces ( 2a . 3a ) and that the end pieces ( 2a . 3a ) have mutually aligned pairs of notches at their end edges in engagement with each other, each having an opening ( 4 . 5 . 6 ) whose diameter to the outer diameter of the respective optical fiber ( 10 . 20 ) or their sheath ( 30 ) is adjusted. Faserabstreifzange according to claim 1, characterized in that the notches on its periphery relative to the respective end piece ( 2a . 3a ) beveled surfaces to form cutting edges ( 2 B . 3b ) exhibit. Faserabstreifzange according to claim 1 or 2, characterized characterized in that the notches have a semicircular shape. Faserabstreifzange according to claim 1 or 2, characterized characterized in that the notches have a triangular shape with a have the end edge coincident side line. Faserabstreifzange according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the end edges mutually complementary recesses ( 7 ) or projections ( 8th ) which are formed so as to give an exact alignment of the respective notches with each other when closing the Faserabstreifzange. Faserabstreifzange according to claim 5, characterized in that the mutually complementary recesses ( 7 ) and protrusions ( 8th ) are triangular in shape. Faserabstreifzange according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that each end edge having a plurality of notches with is provided with different dimensions, with the opposite Notches openings with different diameters for optical fibers with different Form cross sections. Faserabstreifzange according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least a pair of the notches in the closed state of the Faserabstreifzange forms an opening with a diameter which is a scoring of the glass jacket ( 20 ) of the optical fiber ( 10 . 20 ). Faserabstreifzange according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the Faserabstreifzange made of stainless steel is made. Faserabstreifzange according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the Faserabstreifzange made of plastic is made.