PURPOSE: To automate setting operation by making a groove for optical fiber setting wider in distance from an electrode axis and as wide as a fiber diameter near the electrode axis, and sliding a guide mechanism and setting an optical fiber in the setting groove.
CONSTITUTION: The tip of an optical fiber 1 is not stored in the optical fiber setting groove 13 normally because of vertical or horizontal curvature. For the purpose, the optical fiber guide mechanism consisting of a couple of main members 7 and 7' for optical fiber guidance is moved in the direction of the electrode axis. Consequently, the optical fiber 1 is pressed in the setting groove 13 with the force of a spring 11 by pads 12 which move along the setting groove 13 which are wide in distance from the electrode axis and as wide as the optical fiber diameter near the electrode axis. When the optical fiber guide mechanism reaches the terminal of the guide groove 8 nearby the electrode axis, the optical fiber 1 is all inserted into the setting groove 13, thus completing the setting operation. Thus, the setting operation is secured and automated.
KATAGIRI TOSHIAKI
TACHIKURA MASAO
HAIBARA TADASHI
SATOU MAKOTO
