JP3800264B2 - Optical fiber end face processing method and apparatus, and optical connector assembling method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing an optical connector for connecting an optical fiber for optical communication, and in particular, an optical fiber end face processing apparatus and an optical fiber end face processing method for processing an end face of an optical fiber, as well as these apparatuses and The present invention relates to an optical connector assembling method using the method.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As one of optical fiber connection methods, there is a so-called PC (Physical Contact) connection in which optical fibers are connected by pressing the end faces of two opposing optical fibers together. For example, NTT R & D vol. 45 No. 6 (1996) p. 95-100 In the prior art described in “Fiber PC Optical Connector”, the optical fiber is fixed so as to protrude from the end face of the optical connector, the optical connectors are butted together, the end faces of the optical fiber are butted, and the optical fiber is seated. PC connection is made by bending. The protruding amount of the optical fiber from the end face of the optical connector is a value at which the optical fiber is buckled by the pressing force in the connected state, and the contact pressure is maintained by buckling.
[0003]
In PC connection, if a gap exists between the end faces of the pressed optical fiber, desired characteristics cannot be obtained. Therefore, in the above-mentioned document, end face processing for chamfering the cleaved surface of the optical fiber is performed. However, when grinding is performed as the end face processing, there is a problem that the processing takes time.
[0004]
As another end face processing method, for example, in an optical connector manufacturing method described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-306333, a corner portion at the tip of an optical fiber is processed by a heat processing means to give roundness, It is described that a chemical processing means using a physical processing means or a physical processing means using abrasive grains is used. In addition, the end face processing method of an optical fiber described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 55-138706 is a method in which the end face of an optical fiber is heated by discharge to have a radius that is greater than the radius of the optical fiber. These publications do not describe the PC connection, and no consideration is given to the PC connection. However, the method of treating the end face of the optical fiber by heating with such discharge is also useful for PC connection.
[0005]
FIG. 14 is an explanatory view of an example of a conventional method of manufacturing an optical connector. In the figure, 71a is a bare optical fiber, 71b is a covering portion, 71c is an end face, 71d is a burr, 72 is a discharge electrode, and 73 is an optical connector. As described above, when PC connection is performed, an optical connector is provided at the end of the optical fiber, and the optical connectors are pressed together to perform PC connection of the optical fiber. As a manufacturing method of the optical connector, first, the coating of the tape-shaped optical fiber is removed, the bare optical fiber is exposed, and cut into a predetermined length.
[0006]
FIG. 14A shows the vicinity of the tip of the bare optical fiber 71a from which the coating has been removed cut to a predetermined length. In this example, the four bare optical fibers 71a shown in the figure are optical fibers obtained by removing the coating from the four-core optical fibers. The bare optical fiber 71a is usually cut from one side and separated by cleavage. Therefore, in the cut state, as shown in FIG. 14B, a burr 71d is often generated on the end surface 71c of the bare optical fiber 71a. Even if the PC connection is performed in this state, a gap is formed between the end faces of the bare optical fiber 71a, and desired characteristics cannot be obtained. Therefore, end face processing is performed as the next step.
[0007]
In this example, as shown in FIG. 14C, short-time electric discharge machining is performed to generate heat by causing the discharge electrodes 72 to face each other and discharging between them as shown in FIG. By this electric discharge machining, the end face 71c of the bare optical fiber 71a is somewhat melted. Due to the melting, as shown in FIG. 14D, the end surface becomes a curved surface due to the surface tension, and the R processing is performed. It is preferable that a curved surface is formed. However, when the curved surface has a small radius of curvature, good optical coupling is not performed during PC. In addition, there is a problem that stress concentrates on the tip surface of the core portion, resulting in an increase in loss. Therefore, it is desirable that the radius of curvature of the end face of the optical fiber 71a by the process by electric discharge machining be a curved surface that is larger than the diameter of the optical fiber. Moreover, the effect of burning off and cleaning the dust on the surface of the optical fiber, which is a problem when assembling the optical connector, can be expected.
[0008]
As shown in FIG. 14E, the optical connector 73 is inserted into the tape-shaped optical fiber in which the end face 71c of each bare optical fiber 71a is processed as described above so that the tip of the bare optical fiber 71a protrudes by a predetermined dimension d. Install and fix to complete.
[0009]
In the manufacturing process of such an optical connector, the cutting process and the end face process are conventionally performed separately. Since the bare optical fiber 71a is fixed in the cutting process, the lengths of the bare optical fibers 71a are the same at the time of cutting. However, after the cutting process is finished, when the optical fiber is separated from the tool for cutting, the handleability of the optical fiber is poor, and the length of each bare optical fiber 71a varies, as shown in FIG. Thus, the tip positions are not uniform. The degree of variation is, for example, about 8 to 20 μm. If the end face processing is performed with the tip positions being uneven, problems such as variations in the processing conditions of the bare optical fibers 71a and the inability to determine the position of the discharge electrode 72 for electric discharge machining occur. there were.
[0010]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an optical fiber end surface processing apparatus that can perform processing while maintaining the end surfaces of each optical fiber even when processing the end surfaces of the optical fibers and can perform favorable end surface processing. It is another object of the present invention to provide an optical fiber end face processing method and an optical connector assembling method using these apparatuses and methods.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The invention described in claim 1 Multi-minded Cutting means for cutting the optical fiber; Multi-minded Optical fiber Is fixed with the V-groove and V-groove retainer. In an optical fiber end surface processing apparatus having an end surface processing means for processing the end surface of the optical fiber by electric discharge to process the end surface of the optical fiber so that the radius is rounded more than the radius of the optical fiber, the grip for gripping the optical fiber to be processed And the cutting means and the end face processing means are Multi-minded Cutting and end face processing are performed while the optical fiber is held by the holding means.
[0012]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the optical fiber end surface processing apparatus according to the first aspect, Multi-minded It has a moving means to transfer the optical fiber from the cutting means to the end face processing means while being held by the holding means.
[0013]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the optical fiber end face processing apparatus according to the first aspect, the gripping means does not move, and the cutting means or the end face processing means moves to perform cutting and end face processing. It is characterized by.
[0014]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the optical fiber end surface processing apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, the gripping means is configured to be detachable from the apparatus, and the gripping means is Multi-minded The optical fiber is removed while being held and can be used in the next step.
[0015]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the optical fiber end surface processing apparatus according to the first aspect, the end surface processing means is the processing target. Multi-minded It is characterized by comprising monitoring means capable of displaying or measuring the shape of the end face of the optical fiber.
[0016]
The invention according to claim 6 is the optical fiber end surface processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the end surface processing means is the object to be processed. Multi-minded The end face of the optical fiber is arranged at a position shifted from the center of the electrode for discharging.
[0017]
The invention described in claim 7 Multi-minded The optical fiber cut and cut Is fixed with the V-groove and V-groove retainer. The end face of the Multi-minded In an optical fiber end surface processing method for processing an end surface so that a radius of the end surface of the optical fiber is rounded more than the radius of the optical fiber, Multi-minded The optical fiber is gripped by the gripping means and cut by the cutting means. Multi-minded The end face processing is performed while the optical fiber is held by the holding means.
[0018]
According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the optical fiber end surface processing method according to the seventh aspect, in the end surface processing, the processing target is Multi-minded While observing or measuring the shape of the end face of the optical fiber, the discharge is given until the optimum shape is obtained.
[0019]
According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the optical fiber end surface processing method according to the seventh aspect, in the end surface processing, the object to be processed is shifted to a position shifted from the center of the electrode for discharging. Multi-minded Processing is performed by arranging the end face of the optical fiber.
[0020]
The invention according to claim 10 is an optical connector assembling method according to any one of claims 1 to 6 or an optical fiber according to any one of claims 7 to 9, in an optical connector assembling method. Using the end face processing method Multi-minded An optical connector assembly is manufactured by cutting an optical fiber and processing an end face, and then inserting the optical fiber into an optical connector.
[0021]
The invention according to claim 11 is the optical fiber assembly method according to any one of claims 1 to 6 or the optical fiber according to any one of claims 7 to 9, in an optical connector assembling method. Using the end face processing method Multi-minded After cutting the optical fiber and processing the end face, the gripping means Multi-minded The optical connector assembly is manufactured by inserting the optical fiber into the optical connector while holding the optical fiber.
[0022]
The invention described in claim 12 is an optical fiber assembly method according to any one of claims 1 to 6 or an optical fiber according to any one of claims 7 to 9, in an optical connector assembling method. Using the end face processing method, Multi-minded A gripping means is attached to the optical fiber, and the gripping means Multi-minded While holding the optical fiber, Multi-minded The optical fiber was cut, the optical fiber was inserted into the optical connector, and inserted into the optical connector. Multi-minded An end face of the end face of the optical fiber is processed.
[0023]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
1 and 2 are perspective views showing an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 1 is a cut processing part, 2 is an end face processing part, 3 is an optical fiber core wire, 4 is an optical fiber, 11 is a cutting arm, 12 is an arm rotation shaft, 13 is a push-down knob, 14 is an upper clamp, 15 is Cutting pillow, 16 is a lower clamp, 17 is a magnet, 18 is a magnet catch, 19 is a cutting blade, 20 is a cutting blade slide part, 21 is a discharge electrode rod, 22 is a V groove part, 23 is a V groove holder, and 24 is a discharge setting. , 25 is a discharge button, 31 is a fiber holder receiver, 32 is a slide groove, and 33 is a fiber holder. The optical fiber end face processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 includes a cut processing portion 1 and an end face processing portion 2.
[0024]
In the cutting processing unit 1, a cutting arm 11 is pivotally supported by an arm rotation shaft 12. The cutting arm 11 has an upper clamp 14 for fixing the optical fiber 4 to be cut, a cutting pillow 15 that faces the cutting blade 19 at a cutting portion of the optical fiber 4, and the cutting pillow 15 is pressed against the optical fiber 4. A push-down knob 13 for cleaving the optical fiber 4 is provided. The cutting arm 11 is provided with a magnet catch 18, and when the cutting arm 11 is lowered, the cutting arm 11 is joined to the magnet 17 by a magnetic force to fix the cutting arm 11.
[0025]
Further, the cutting portion 1 is provided with a lower clamp 16 for fixing the optical fiber 4 so as to face the upper clamp 14 when the cutting arm 11 is lowered. The optical fiber 4 is sandwiched between the upper clamp 14 and the lower clamp 16 of the cutting arm 11, and the optical fiber 4 to be cut is fixed. An opening is formed between the lower clamps 16. A cutting blade 19 for cutting the optical fiber 4 is disposed in the opening. The cutting blade 19 is moved in the arrangement direction of the optical fibers 4 by the cutting blade slide portion 20, and cuts a large number of optical fibers 4 during cutting. In actual cutting, the above-described push-down knob 13 is pushed down, the cut optical fiber 4 is pressed and cut by cleavage.
[0026]
The end face processing unit 2 heats the end face of the optical fiber 4 by electric discharge. As described above, the end face of the optical fiber 4 formed by cleavage may have burrs as shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 14C, the end face of the optical fiber 4 is heated and melted by the heat generated by the discharge, and the end face of the optical fiber 4 is processed to have a radius that is greater than the radius of the optical fiber 4. To do. As a configuration for that purpose, a discharge electrode rod 21 for discharging, and a V-groove portion 22 and a V-groove presser 23 for fixing the optical fiber 4 at the processing position are provided. In addition, a discharge setting unit 24 for setting discharge conditions and the like, and a discharge button 25 that discharges only during a pressed time or for a predetermined time after being pressed are provided.
[0027]
The optical fiber core wire 3 to be processed is attached to a fiber holder 33, and the tip end portion of the optical fiber core wire 3 is removed, and the optical fiber 4 is exposed. The coating may be removed before attaching the optical fiber core 3 to the fiber holder, or after attaching the optical fiber core 3 to the fiber holder. In this example, the fiber holder 33 is configured to be detachable from the fiber holder receiver 31. The fiber holder receiver 31 is fitted in a groove portion 32 provided on both sides, and slides with the groove portion 32 as a guide. At this time, if the positions of the grooves 32 on both sides are slightly shifted, the fiber holder receiver 31 does not rotate but can be moved as it is. FIG. 1 shows an example in the course of moving the fiber holder receiver 31 to the position where the end face processing by electric discharge is performed on the end face of the optical fiber 4, and FIG. 2 shows the position of the fiber holder receiver 31 when the optical fiber 4 is cut. An example is shown. For the fiber holder 33, a known gripping jig can be applied. Further, the fiber holder receiver 31 and the fiber holder 33 may be configured integrally and the fiber holder 33 may not be detachable. Furthermore, in this example, the fiber holder receiver 31 has moved between the cutting portion 1 and the end face processing portion 2. Alternatively, the fiber holder 33 may be attached and detached for each process. The movement of the fiber holder receiver 31 or the fiber holder 33 may be manually performed by an operator, or may be automatically moved by a motor or the like.
[0028]
In the configuration shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 described above, the fiber holder receiver 31 is moved between the cutting portion 1 and the end face processing portion 2 to perform cutting and end face processing. For example, a configuration in which the fiber holder receiver 31 is fixed and the cutting unit 1 and the end surface processing unit 2 are moved may be employed. For example, based on the arrangement shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the end surface processing unit 2 is moved up and down to move the cutting unit 1 horizontally, and the end surface processing unit 2 is lowered during the cutting process to perform the cutting process. It can be configured that the portion 1 is processed close to the fiber holder receiver 31 and the end surface processed portion 2 is moved upward by moving the cutting portion 1 away from the fiber holder receiver 31 during end face processing. Of course, the structure which moves both in the left-right direction or moves up and down may be sufficient. Further, in any configuration, the arrangement of the cut processing portion 1 and the end surface processing portion 2 may be determined in consideration of the flow line of the fiber holder receiver 31 or each processing portion at the time of design. Note that the movement of the cutting unit 1 and the end surface processing unit 2 may be performed manually by a worker or automatically by a motor or the like. Furthermore, it is also possible to automate all the series of operations of cutting, moving, and end face processing.
[0029]
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an example of an optical fiber processing method and an optical connector assembling method using the embodiment of the present invention. Here, a multi-core optical fiber is processed. First, in S41, the optical fiber core wire 3 is held by the fiber holder 33. The fiber holder 33 holds the optical fiber cores 3 so that the positions of the individual optical fibers in the longitudinal direction are not shifted by processing or subsequent handling of the optical fiber cores 3. Thereafter, in S42, the covering of the end portion of the optical fiber core wire 3 is removed. Alternatively, the optical fiber core wire 3 from which the end coating is removed may be attached to the fiber holder 33.
[0030]
The fiber holder 33 is attached to the fiber holder receiver 31 in a state where the optical fiber core wire 3 from which the optical fiber 4 is exposed is attached to the fiber holder 33. First, in S43, the optical fiber 4 is cut. For this purpose, the fiber holder receiver 31 and the fiber holder 33 are moved to the cutting portion 1 to obtain the state shown in FIG. In this state, the optical fiber 4 is placed so as to straddle both lower clamps 16. The lower clamp 16 may be formed with a V-groove or the like for regulating the position of the optical fiber 4 in the pitch direction. The cutting arm 11 is rotated, and the magnet 17 and the magnet catch 18 are locked by magnetic force. As a result, the upper clamp 14 faces the lower clamp 16 and sandwiches the optical fiber 4. Then, the cutting blade 19 is moved by the cutting blade slide portion 20, and initial scratches are made on each optical fiber 4. After the initial flaw is made, the cutting pillow 15 is pushed down by pushing down the push-down knob 13, the optical fiber 4 is bent, and the optical fiber 4 is cleaved from the initial flaw. Thereby, the cutting of the optical fiber 4 is completed.
[0031]
Next, in S44, the cut end face of the optical fiber 4 is processed. The cutting arm 11 is rotated to release the clamping by the upper clamp 14 and the lower clamp 16, and the fiber holder receiver 31 is moved to the end face processing unit 2. At this time, the fiber holder 33 may remain attached to the fiber holder receiver 31. When the fiber holder receiver 31 is moved to the end face processing portion 2, the optical fiber 4 is placed so as to straddle the V-groove portion 22. The V-groove presser 23 is rotated and lowered, and each optical fiber 4 is fitted and held in each V-groove of the V-groove portion 22. At this point, the tip of the optical fiber 4 is fixed so as to have a predetermined positional relationship with the axis of the discharge electrode rod 21. At this time, since the optical fiber core wire 3 is fixed by the fiber holder 33, the distal end portions of the respective optical fibers 4 after cutting do not cause misalignment, and the distal end portions of all the optical fibers 4 and the discharge electrodes It can position favorably between the axis lines of the rod 21. Further, since the positional relationship between the fiber holder 33 or the fiber holder receiver 31 and the tip of the optical fiber 4 can be made constant, the discharge electrode rod 21 and each optical fiber 4 can be simply moved by moving the fiber holder receiver 31 to the end face processing section 2. The positional relationship with the end face is also set to a predetermined positional relationship.
[0032]
Then, the discharge button 25 is pressed to cause discharge between the discharge electrode bars 21. The discharge button 25 is continuously pressed until the end surface of the optical fiber 4 has a predetermined shape, or the discharge is performed for a predetermined time after the discharge button 25 is pressed, and the end surface processing is finished. The V-groove presser 23 is released, and the optical fiber core wire 3 is taken out from the fiber holder receiver 31 together with the fiber holder 33.
[0033]
Next, in S45, the fiber holder 33 is removed from the optical fiber core 3, and in S46, the end face processed optical fiber core 3 is inserted into the optical connector, and the optical connector is attached to the optical fiber core 3. Installing. In this way, the optical connector can be assembled.
[0034]
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of another example of the optical fiber processing method and the optical connector assembling method using the embodiment of the present invention. The steps from S41 to S44 are the same as the steps from S41 to S44 described in FIG. In S47, the fiber holder 33 attached with the optical fiber core wire 3 in which the end face of each optical fiber 4 is processed by the steps up to S44 is removed from the fiber holder receiver 31, and the optical fiber core wire 3 is inserted into the optical connector. The optical fiber core wire 3 is attached to the optical connector. In this case, since the tips of the optical fibers 4 are aligned, it is possible to easily align the protruding amounts of the optical fibers 4 from the tips of the optical connectors. Then, what is necessary is just to remove the fiber holder 33 from the optical fiber core wire 3 in S48.
[0035]
FIG. 5 is an explanatory view of still another example of the optical fiber processing method and the optical connector assembling method using the embodiment of the present invention. In this example, the steps from S41 to S43 are the same as the previous two examples. After cutting each optical fiber 4 in S43, in this example, before end face processing, the optical fiber 4 is inserted into the optical connector in S49, and the optical connector is inserted through the optical fiber core wire 3. After that, in S50, end face processing is performed in the same manner as S44 in each of the above examples. By inserting the optical fiber 4 into the optical connector first, the optical fiber 4 can be inserted into the optical connector having a small hole clearance regardless of the shape of the end face processed. Further, after the cut end face is formed at an accurate position in the longitudinal direction, the optical connector end face and the optical fiber end face can be accurately aligned by moving the optical connector by a specified length. Conversely, the end face processing in S50 can be performed without considering insertion into the optical connector. Further, by inserting into the optical connector before processing the end face, it is possible to prevent chipping or scratching of the end face of the optical fiber during insertion. After the end face processing, in S51, the tip of the optical fiber is accurately positioned and fixed with respect to the optical connector end. Thereafter, in S52, the fiber holder 33 may be removed.
[0036]
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of processing variations of the end face curvature of the end face processed optical fiber according to the embodiment of the present invention and the conventional processing. Here, 40 optical fibers 4 are each processed with a target value of curvature 1 / R of the end face being 0.5 (1 / mm), and the actual curvature of the end face after end face processing is measured. 6A shows a case where cutting and end face processing are performed while the optical fiber core wire 3 is held by the fiber holder 33 as in the present invention, and FIG. 6B shows conventional cutting and end face processing. The case where it carries out separately is shown.
[0037]
Conventionally, as shown in FIG. 6B, the curvature of the end face has a large variation, and the convex portion of the graph is gentle. However, in the present invention, as shown in FIG. 6A, the curvature of the end face of the optical fiber 4 is uniform, and the graph forms a steep convex portion. As described above, according to the present invention, since there is little variation in the length of the optical fiber 4 after the cutting process, the position reproducibility with respect to the electrode is good, and the end face processing of the optical fiber can be performed with high accuracy.
[0038]
As described above, the optical connector manufactured according to the present invention has good characteristics, and can be connected well when optically connected by, for example, PC connection. Furthermore, if the other party to be connected is an optical connector manufactured according to the present invention, the end faces having the same curvature are brought into contact with each other, so that the reflection characteristics are further improved.
[0039]
In the above-described embodiment, an apparatus and a method for processing one tape-shaped optical fiber core have been described. However, one set of a plurality of single-core optical fibers attached to one optical connector is used as one set. You may process by attaching to a fiber holder. Further, a plurality of tape-shaped optical fiber cores or a plurality of sets of optical fiber cores can be positioned in parallel or facing each other and processed at a time. For example, work efficiency can be improved by attaching two tape-shaped optical fiber cores to the respective fiber holders and processing them simultaneously.
[0040]
The end face processing of the optical fiber 4 in the end face processing section 2 will be further described. FIG. 7 is a graph showing the relationship between the discharge heating time and the curvature of the end face of the optical fiber. In this example, the end face processing section 2 causes discharge between the discharge electrode rods 21 as described above, and heats and melts the end face of the optical fiber 4 with heat at that time. At this time, the end surface becomes a curved surface due to the surface tension of the optical fiber 4. The radius of curvature R of the end face decreases as the heating amount increases and the optical fiber 4 melts. The amount of heating is related to the time during which discharge is performed, and a curve as shown in FIG. 7A is drawn under certain conditions. Here, the curvature radius R is a radius of a sphere when a curved surface near the center of the end face of the optical fiber 4 is approximated to a spherical surface as shown in FIG. 7B.
[0041]
Further, the curvature of the end face of the optical fiber 4 can also be changed by controlling the discharge current. FIG. 8 is a graph showing the relationship between the discharge current value applied to the discharge electrode rod and the curvature of the end face of the optical fiber when the discharge time is constant. As shown in FIG. 8, when the discharge current is increased with a constant discharge time, the heating amount of the optical fiber 4 increases, and the curvature of the end face of the optical fiber 4 also increases.
[0042]
Furthermore, the curvature of the end face of the optical fiber 4 is also affected by atmospheric pressure. FIG. 9 is a graph showing the relationship between the atmospheric pressure and the curvature of the end face of the optical fiber when the discharge time and the discharge current are constant. In this case, the curvature of the end face of the optical fiber 4 changes as shown in FIG. It is not preferable that the end face machining state change due to such a change in atmospheric pressure, and it is desirable to always obtain a predetermined curvature.
[0043]
One possible method is to perform processing while observing the processing condition of the end face of the optical fiber. FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an example of a monitor portion of the end face processing unit according to the embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 61 is a video camera, 62 is a display circuit, 63 is a display device, and 64 is a light source. In the example shown in FIG. 10A, the light source 64 and the video camera 61 are opposed to each other with the optical fiber 4 interposed therebetween, and the end face shape of the optical fiber 4 is imaged by the video camera 61. In this case, the end face shape of the optical fiber 4 is imaged as a silhouette. The imaged end face shape of the optical fiber 4 is displayed on the display device 63 via the display circuit 62. While observing the end face shape of the optical fiber 4 displayed on the display device 63, the operator operates the discharge button 25 shown in FIG. 1 until a predetermined shape is reached, and stops processing when the desired end face shape is obtained. That's fine.
[0044]
In order to improve the workability of the operator, the display circuit 62 can display a standard end face shape, a limit shape, etc. on the current end face shape in an auxiliary manner as shown in FIG. . In FIG. 10B, for convenience of illustration, the current end face shape is indicated by a solid line, the standard shape is indicated by a one-dot chain line, and the limit shape is indicated by a broken line. The present invention is not limited to this, and various display techniques such as changing colors can be applied.
[0045]
In addition, by displaying the end face shape in this way, it is possible to repel those that cannot obtain a good end face shape even after the end face processing before the end face processing. For example, when the cut end surface of the optical fiber 4 is non-planar or has an angle inclination, the core in the center portion does not protrude even when the end surface is processed by heating, and there is a case where it cannot be connected well during optical connection. . Thus, when it has the cut surface from which a favorable end surface shape is not obtained even if it processes an end surface, this can be found from the end surface shape displayed on the display apparatus 63, and can be removed before end surface processing. The removed optical fiber may be redone from the cutting step or the jacket removing step.
[0046]
In FIG. 10A, the silhouette image of the optical fiber 4 is captured with the light source 64 and the video camera 61 facing each other. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the reflected light is illuminated by the light source 64 from the same side as the video camera 61. An image may be taken. In addition, the captured image is not limited to be displayed on the display device 63 as it is, and for example, the captured image can be displayed by performing various image processing. Furthermore, for example, a difference from a predetermined shape may be calculated using an image recognition technique, or a curvature may be recognized, and the calculation result and the recognition result may be displayed. When image recognition is used, the discharge current and the discharge heating time can be automatically controlled according to the recognition result.
[0047]
Further, as another monitoring method, utilizing the fact that the processed shape of the optical fiber 4 is a curved surface, the interference fringe is imaged from the front end side of the optical fiber 4 by applying the technology of the interference microscope, and the number and interval of the interference fringes, etc. It is possible to measure the current curvature by measuring. For example, when the center of the end face of the optical fiber 4 is black, when the number of black stripes at the peripheral edge is n, the radius of the end face is R, the radius of the optical fiber 4 is r, and the measurement wavelength is λ, generally R = r ² There is a relationship of / nλ. Here, the radius r of the optical fiber 4 is a fixed value, and when the measurement is performed, the measurement wavelength λ is known. Therefore, the radius R of the end face can be obtained from the number n of stripes. FIG. 11 is a table showing an example of the relationship between the number n of stripes and the radius R of the end face. FIG. 11 shows the number n of fringes appearing on the end face of the optical fiber 4, the radius R of the end face of the optical fiber 4, and the curvature 1 when the measurement wavelength λ = 0.632 μm and the radius r of the optical fiber 4 = 62.5 μm. / R is obtained using the above relationship. Thus, the end face radius or curvature can be obtained from the number of the interference fringes by irradiating the end face of the optical fiber 4 whose end face has been processed with light of a predetermined wavelength. Based on this measurement result, the end face of the optical fiber 4 may be processed so as to have a predetermined shape.
[0048]
As another method for avoiding a change in the end face machining state due to a change in the atmospheric pressure or the like, a discharge current and a discharge heating time suitable for the atmospheric pressure are obtained from the atmospheric pressure at the time of machining, and these values are calculated by the discharge setting unit 24. It is possible to set. Alternatively, the atmospheric pressure during processing can be input from the discharge setting unit 24, and the discharge current and the discharge heating time can be automatically set by internal processing. Furthermore, for example, a barometer can be built in and the optimum discharge current and discharge heating time can be automatically set.
[0049]
When the end face processing of the optical fiber 4 of the multi-core optical fiber 3 is performed by discharge heating, processing variations due to the positions of the optical fibers 4 also occur. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of processing variations depending on the position of the optical fiber 4. Consider the four-core optical fiber core 3, and number the cores 1, 2, 3, and 4 in order as shown in FIG. End face processing is performed such that the end face of the optical fiber 4 is arranged on the central axis of the discharge electrode rod 21 and the middle of the center of the second center and the third center is the midpoint between the tips of the discharge electrode bars 21. Do. The end face of each optical fiber 4 is melted according to the discharge heating time, and the curvature of the end face increases. At this time, the increase in the curvature of the end face is larger in the first and fourth cores close to the discharge electrode rod 21 than in the second and third cores near the center of the discharge electrode rod 21. For this reason, the optical fibers 4 having different curvatures are mixed in the same optical fiber core wire 3, which may affect the characteristics at the time of connection.
[0050]
FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of the discharge power. As shown in FIG. 13A, the axis of the discharge electrode rod 21 is orthogonal to the X axis and the X axis, and the extending direction of the optical fiber 4 is the Z axis, and the direction orthogonal to the X axis and the Z axis. The Y axis is assumed. The origin is the intermediate point between the discharge electrode bars 21. At this time, when the equivalent discharge power that can be processed similarly is shown, an equivalent curved surface can be drawn so as to spread around the origin, that is, an intermediate point between the discharge electrode rods 21, as shown in FIG. 13B. . By arranging the end face rows of all the optical fibers 4 in the optical fiber core wire 3 so as to be as parallel as possible to the equivalent curved surface, the processed shapes of the end faces can be made uniform. Since the end face rows of the optical fibers 4 are arranged in the X-axis direction, for example, as shown in FIG. 13B, all the optical fibers 4 can be obtained by slightly shifting the end face rows of the optical fibers 4 in the Y-axis direction. It is possible to arrange the end faces of these in the region of substantially the same equivalent discharge power. Of course, it is the same even if it is slightly shifted in the Z-axis direction.
[0051]
As described above, even in the case of the multi-core optical fiber 3, the end faces of all the optical fibers 4 are arranged at once by arranging the end face rows of the optical fibers 4 slightly shifted in the Y-axis or Z-axis direction. Processing can be performed. Moreover, the positional processing variation of each optical fiber 4 at that time can be reduced, and the same characteristic can be obtained in any optical fiber 4. In the present invention, since the position of the end face of the optical fiber 4 after the cutting process of the optical fiber 4 is not shifted, the discharge electrode rod 21 can be accurately positioned with respect to the end face of the optical fiber 4, so that the end face processing accuracy of the optical fiber 4 is increased. It can be improved significantly.
[0052]
【The invention's effect】
As is clear from the above description, according to the inventions of claims 1 and 7, the object to be processed is Multi-minded After gripping the optical fiber with the gripping means and cutting, Multi-minded The optical fiber is held by the holding means Fix with the V groove and V groove holder Since the end face processing is performed, the end face of the optical fiber does not vary after the cutting process, and the end face processing can be performed with the end faces aligned. In addition, since the cutting and end face processing are performed while the optical fiber is held by the holding means, the positional relationship between the end face of the optical fiber and the holding means is constant, and the alignment with the discharge electrode axis is easy during the end face processing. In addition, it is possible to perform end face processing with little variation for a plurality of optical fibers.
[0053]
For example, the transition from the cutting process to the end face process is as follows. Multi-minded The optical fiber and the gripping means are moved while the optical fiber is gripped by the gripping means, or the gripping means is not moved as in the invention of claim 3, and the cutting means or the end face processing means is moved to perform cutting processing. Further, end face processing may be performed. In the configuration in which the gripping means is not moved, more accurate positioning is possible, the extra length necessary for these processes can be shortened, and the workability on site can be improved.
[0054]
Further, as in the invention according to claim 4, by configuring the gripping means to be detachable from the apparatus, Multi-minded It can be configured by omitting the moving means of the optical fiber and the gripping means, and can be used when attaching an optical connector, for example, in the next process. Multi-minded Since the tips of the optical fibers are aligned, the workability is improved, and the whole can be reduced in size and assembled at low cost as compared with an example in which the insertion jig to the optical connector is configured as a separate device.
[0055]
In the end face processing means, for example, as in the inventions of claims 5 and 8, Multi-minded By performing end face processing while observing or measuring the shape of the end face of the optical fiber with a monitoring means, it is possible to suppress variations in the end face processing shape due to the influence of discharge heating on atmospheric pressure, etc., so that the end face shape is always optimal. Since end face processing can be performed, the characteristics of the optical fiber after processing can be stabilized without depending on the environment. In addition, workability for obtaining an optimum end face shape can be improved. Further, even when the end face shape of the cut optical fiber is defective before the end face processing, it can be excluded by the monitoring means. By monitoring Multi-minded A curved surface can be stably formed on the end face of the optical fiber. Control of discharge heating for obtaining an optimum end face shape can be performed by an operator or can be automated.
[0056]
Further, in the discharge heating in the end face processing means, if the end faces of the plurality of optical fibers are arranged so as to coincide with the axis of the electrode, the heating between the plurality of optical fibers becomes non-uniform, and the resulting end face shape varies. Therefore, in the end face processing means, as in the inventions of claims 6 and 9, for example, the end face of the optical fiber to be processed is disposed at a position shifted from the center of the electrode that discharges during the end face processing. By performing, it is possible to perform more stable heating in a wide space region in each optical fiber. Therefore, the variation between optical fibers can be reduced, and an optical fiber having a uniform end face processed can be obtained. At this time, as described above Multi-minded Since the position of the end face of the optical fiber is uniform, it can be positioned with high accuracy and reproducibility, and processing can be performed.
[0057]
According to invention of Claim 10, using the optical fiber end surface processing apparatus in any one of Claims 1-6, or using the optical fiber end surface processing method in any one of Claims 7-9. , Multi-minded After the optical fiber is cut and the end face is processed, the optical connector assembly can be manufactured by inserting the optical fiber into the optical connector in the same manner as in the prior art. Even in this case Multi-minded The end face of the optical fiber is well-finished, and the dust on the surface is burned off by discharge heating, so that the connection characteristics can be improved by making optical connections using the manufactured optical connector assembly Can do.
[0058]
Moreover, like the invention of Claim 11, the optical fiber end surface processing apparatus in any one of Claims 1-6 is used, or the optical fiber end surface processing method in any one of Claims 7-9 is used. make use of, Multi-minded After cutting the optical fiber and processing the end face, Multi-minded The optical connector assembly can be manufactured by inserting the optical fiber into the optical connector while holding the optical fiber. Also in this case, an optical connector assembly having good connection characteristics can be obtained, and the gripping means can be used as an insertion jig when the optical connector is inserted into the optical connector, thereby improving workability.
[0059]
Further, as in the invention described in claim 12, the gripping means is attached to the optical fiber, and the gripping means is used. Multi-minded The optical fiber was cut while holding the optical fiber, the optical fiber was inserted into the optical connector, and the optical connector was inserted. Multi-minded By processing the end face of the optical fiber, without considering insertion into the optical connector Multi-minded The present invention has various effects such as processing of the end face of the optical fiber and prevention of defects such as chipping and scratching of the end face of the optical fiber when inserted into the optical connector.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an aspect during end face processing in an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an aspect at the time of cutting in an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an example of an optical fiber processing method and an optical connector assembling method using an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of another example of an optical fiber processing method and an optical connector assembling method using an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of still another example of an optical fiber processing method and an optical connector assembling method using an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory view of processing variations according to an embodiment of the present invention and processing variations due to conventional processing of the curvature of an end surface of an optical fiber whose end surface has been processed.
FIG. 7 is a graph showing the relationship between the discharge heating time and the curvature of the end face of the optical fiber.
FIG. 8 is a graph showing the relationship between the discharge current value applied to the discharge electrode rod and the curvature of the end face of the optical fiber.
FIG. 9 is a graph showing the relationship between the atmospheric pressure and the curvature of the end face of the optical fiber.
FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an example of a monitor portion of the end face processing unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a table showing an example of the relationship between the number n of stripes and the radius R of the end face.
FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of processing variations depending on the position of the optical fiber 4;
FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of discharge power.
FIG. 14 is an explanatory view of an example of a conventional method of manufacturing an optical connector.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Cutting process part, 2 ... End surface process part, 3 ... Optical fiber core wire, 4 ... Optical fiber, 11 ... Cutting arm, 12 ... Arm rotating shaft, 13 ... Push-down knob, 14 ... Upper clamp, 15 ... Cutting pillow, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 16 ... Bottom clamp, 17 ... Magnet, 18 ... Magnet catch, 19 ... Cutting blade, 20 ... Cutting blade slide part, 21 ... Discharge electrode rod, 22 ... V groove part, 23 ... V groove holder, 24 ... Discharge setting part, 25 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS ... Discharge button, 31 ... Fiber holder receptacle, 32 ... Slide groove, 33 ... Fiber holder, 61 ... Video camera, 62 ... Display circuit, 63 ... Display apparatus, 64 ... Light source.

Claims (12)

A cutting means for cutting the optical fiber of the multi-fiber, the radius of the multi-core radius optical fiber to the end face of the optical fiber were fixed with V groove and the V-groove presser heated by the discharge end faces of its optical fiber In the optical fiber end face processing apparatus having the end face processing means for processing to have the above roundness, the optical fiber end face processing apparatus has a grip means for gripping the optical fiber to be processed, and the cutting means and the end face processing means include the multi-core An optical fiber end surface processing apparatus that performs cutting and end surface processing while the optical fiber is held by the holding means. 2. The optical fiber end face processing according to claim 1, further comprising moving means for transferring the multi-core optical fiber from the cutting means to the end face processing means while being held by the gripping means. apparatus.   The optical fiber end face processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the gripping means does not move, and the cutting means or the end face processing means moves to perform cutting and end face processing. The gripping means is configured to be detachable from the apparatus, and the gripping means can be removed and used in the next step while gripping the multi- fiber optical fiber. 4. The optical fiber end surface processing apparatus according to any one of items 3 to 3. 2. The optical fiber end face processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the end face processing means includes monitor means capable of displaying or measuring the shape of the end face of the multi-core optical fiber to be processed. 2. The optical fiber end face processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the end face processing means is disposed at a position where an end face of the multi-core optical fiber to be processed is shifted from a center of an electrode for discharging. 3. Cutting the optical fiber of the multi-fiber, cut the multicore radius optical fiber to the end face of the optical fiber were fixed with V groove and the V-groove presser heated by discharge end face of that optical fiber of the multicore of the optical fiber end surface processing method for the end face processed so as to have a radius or rounded, the optical fiber of the multi-core of the processing object is gripped by the gripping means, and cutting by the cutting means, the cutting even after machining the multi A method of processing an end face of an optical fiber, wherein the end face processing is performed in a state in which a core optical fiber is held by the holding means. 8. The optical fiber end face according to claim 7, wherein during the end face processing, electric discharge is applied until an optimum shape is obtained while observing or measuring the shape of the end face of the multi-core optical fiber to be processed. Processing method. 8. The optical fiber according to claim 7, wherein, in the end face processing, the end face of the multi-core optical fiber to be processed is disposed at a position shifted from the center of the electrode to be discharged. End face processing method. The optical fiber end face processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6 or the optical fiber end face processing method according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the multi- fiber optical fiber is cut and end faced. An optical connector assembling method, wherein after processing, an optical connector assembly is produced by inserting the optical connector into the optical connector. The optical fiber end face processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6 or the optical fiber end face processing method according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the multi- fiber optical fiber is cut and end faced. An optical connector assembling method, wherein after processing, the optical connector assembly is manufactured by inserting the multi- fiber optical fiber into the optical connector while the gripping means is gripped. Using the optical fiber end face processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6 or the optical fiber end face processing method according to any one of claims 7 to 9, gripping means is provided on the multi-core optical fiber. mounting and, while holding the optical fiber of the multi-core by gripping means, by cutting the optical fiber of the multi-core, inserting the optical fiber of the multi-fiber optical connector, of the multi-core inserted through the optical connector An optical connector assembling method, characterized in that an end face of an optical fiber is machined.

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