JP3398764B2 - Optical fiber block assembling apparatus and optical fiber block assembling jig - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical fiber of an optical fiber block used for connecting an optical fiber and an optical waveguide chip which are indispensable for constructing an optical transmission line in the field of optical communication or a computer network, or for connecting optical fibers to each other. The present invention relates to a block assembling jig and an optical fiber block assembling apparatus that automatically assembles the block assembling jig.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In optical communication, an optical fiber and an optical waveguide
It is indispensable to connect a chip or an optical transmission line such as an optical fiber and an optical fiber. FIG. 10 shows an example in which an optical waveguide chip used as an optical transmitter / receiver circuit and an optical fiber are connected, FIG. 10 (a) is a plan view, and FIG. 10 (b).
Is a side view. As shown in FIG. 10, the exposed portion 1b of the optical fiber 1 exposed by peeling off the coating on the tip of the tape-shaped optical fiber 1 in which two optical fibers are arranged in parallel and in a plane and covered with the coating is integrated. It is fixed to the optical fiber block 2 at a predetermined pitch. The optical fiber block 2 is fixed to the optical waveguide chip 3 with an adhesive 7. The optical waveguide chip 3 having the core 3b therein has a photodiode 4a for converting an optical signal from the optical fiber 1 into an electric signal.
And a photodiode 4b for converting an electric signal into an optical signal and transmitting the optical signal to the optical fiber 1.

In the connection between the tape-shaped optical fiber 1 and the optical waveguide chip 3, it is extremely important to reduce the connection loss as much as possible. For that purpose, the exposed portion 1b of the optical fiber 1 is required.
It is necessary to align the core 3b of the optical waveguide chip 3 with high precision. The alignment accuracy is required to be 1 μm or less in the single mode, for example. In order to perform alignment with high accuracy, both the alignment accuracy of the exposed portion 1b of the optical fiber 1 on the connection end face of the optical fiber block 2 and the alignment accuracy of the core 3b of the optical waveguide chip 3 must be sufficiently high. In the manufacture of the optical waveguide chip 3, since the core 3b is generally formed by the photolithography technique, the positional accuracy is extremely good. Therefore, the first important point is to accurately form the optical fiber block 2. Further, the optical fiber block 2 is required in large quantities corresponding to each terminal with the development of optical communication. Therefore, it is essential that the optical fiber block 2 can be mass-produced at low cost.

FIG. 11 shows the procedure for assembling the optical fiber block. The optical fiber block 2 (see FIG. 10) includes a tape-shaped optical fiber 1 in which two optical fibers are integrated, and an exposed portion 1b of the optical fiber 1 which is exposed by peeling off the coating of the tape-shaped optical fiber 1. It is composed of a grooved substrate 5 having a V-shaped groove 5b to be inserted, and a pressing plate 6 for fixing the exposed portion 1b of the optical fiber 1 to the grooved substrate 5. As shown in the figure, the tape-shaped optical fiber 1 is placed on the grooved substrate 5 so that the exposed portion 1b of the optical fiber 1 enters the groove portion 5b, and the pressing plate 6 is pressed onto the exposed portion 1b of the optical fiber 1. Next, an ultraviolet curable adhesive is permeated into the gap between the grooved substrate 5 and the pressing plate 6 and irradiated with ultraviolet rays to cure and adhere the grooved substrate 5, the exposed portion 1b of the optical fiber 1 and the pressing plate 6. They are integrated with each other to form the optical fiber block 2. Next, the end surface of the integrated optical fiber block 2 is polished at an angle of 8 ° to cut the reflected light from the joint surface, and the optical fiber block 2 is completed.

FIG. 12 shows a conventional optical fiber block assembling apparatus for assembling such an optical fiber block. The optical fiber block 2 (see FIG.
The method of assembling ( see 0) will be described. First, the grooved substrate 5 is fixed to the upper surface of the rotary fine movement table 8a on the vertical fine movement table 8b by vacuum suction or the like, and then the tape-shaped optical fiber 1 is attached to the vertical fine movement table 9c, the Y axis fine movement table 9b and the X axis. The fixing metal fitting 12 fixes the upper surface of the fine movement table 9a stacked. Then, the microscope 13 visually confirmed while X-axis fine stage 9a, Y-axis fine movement stage 9b, manually by the vertical fine movement stage 9c tape-shaped optical fiber 1 tip of Exposure portion 1b of the grooved substrate 5 close to the groove 5b, the groove 5b at a rotation fine movement stage 8a is aligned to be parallel to the exposed portion 1b of the optical fiber 1, further
The exposed portion 1b of the optical fiber 1 is aligned with the groove portion 5b using the X-axis fine movement table 9a and the Y-axis fine movement table 9b again. Then, the vertical substrate 8b is used to raise the grooved substrate 5, and the exposed portion 1b of the optical fiber 1 is inserted into the groove portion 5b. After visually confirming the insertion, the pressing plate 6 is attached to the tip of the pressing mechanism 11, and the pressing mechanism 11 is moved onto the grooved substrate 5. Then, while visually confirming with the microscope 13, the X-axis fine movement table 10a,
Using the Y-axis fine movement table 10b and the vertical fine movement table 10c, the posture and position of the pressing plate 6 are aligned with the grooved substrate 5, and when they match, the vertical fine movement table 10c pushes down the pressing mechanism 11.
The pressing plate 6 presses the exposed portion 1b of the optical fiber 1. At this time, the position of the vertical fine movement table 10c is adjusted so that a predetermined pressing force is applied to the exposed portion 1b of the optical fiber 1 by the spring force of the pressing mechanism 11. Finally, an ultraviolet curable adhesive is permeated between the pressing plate 6 and the groove portion 5b, and the adhesive is cured by irradiating ultraviolet rays to the optical fiber block 2 (Fig.
(See 10) is completed.

[0006]

As described above,
In the prior art, the assembly of the optical fiber block 2 is manually relied on, and the exposed portion 1b of the optical fiber 1 and the grooved portion are provided .
In order to align the groove portion 5b of the substrate 5 and the position of the pressing plate 6 and the groove portion 5b, it was necessary to manually operate the fine movement table of eight axes. Therefore, the operation becomes complicated and the work efficiency is remarkably inferior.

The diameter of the exposed portion 1b of the optical fiber 1 is usually 125 .mu.m, which is the groove portion 5b of the grooved substrate 5.
In order to insert the optical fiber 1 securely and securely, the exposed portion 1b of the optical fiber 1 and the groove portion 5 of the grooved substrate 5 should be accurately positioned within 30 μm.
It is necessary to match the relative positions of b. Conventionally, this work has been performed visually by using the microscope 13. Therefore, it requires skill to keep the relative position within the required accuracy range, and is not suitable for continuous work for a long time. Due to these problems, the conventional techniques have the drawbacks of extremely poor productivity and high cost.

Therefore, according to the present invention, an optical fiber block assembling jig and an optical fiber block assembling tool which can dramatically improve the productivity and reduce the cost by assembling the optical fiber block by an automatic carrier such as an assembling robot. The purpose is to provide a device.

[0009]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the optical fiber block assembling apparatus of the present invention is configured such that the exposed portion from which the coating of the optical fiber has been peeled off is inserted into the groove portion of the grooved substrate, and the pressing component is used. in fixed optical fiber block assembly apparatus for forming an optical fiber block, for guiding a supply unit for supplying the components of the optical fiber block, a transport mechanism for transporting said component, meter off portion of the optical fiber optical fiber holding member having a tapered groove for guiding the guide member having a guide groove covered portion of the optical fiber, with a gap of placing the grooved substrate, wherein the draft groove of the guide member light and an assembly unit that Te over path grooves of the fiber retaining member is arranged to be positioned on the same straight line, and a turntable for placing at least one pair of said assembly, said structure An adhesive supply unit for applying an adhesive to solidify and integrate the components, an adhesive curing unit for curing the adhesive, and a control unit for controlling the entire optical fiber block assembling apparatus. It is a thing.

Further , the optical fiber block assembling jig of the present invention is an optical fiber block for forming an optical fiber block by inserting the exposed portion from which the coating of the optical fiber has been peeled off into the groove portion of the grooved substrate and fixing it with a pressing component. In the assembly jig,
A base plate holding unit that holds and protrudes a predetermined length for polishing the distal end portion of the grooved substrate, and the optical fiber holding member that have a tapered groove for inserting the covering portion of the optical fiber, the and a Ruga id member having a guide groove for guiding the exposed portions of the optical fibers, plan groove before Kimizo with the substrate before outs id member
So that the groove portion and the tape over path grooves before Symbol optical fiber holding member is located at the same straight line, and configured to place the substrate holder between the guide member and the optical fiber holding member To do.

[0011]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Incidentally, in the description, the conventional
The same components as those in the technology are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate description will be omitted.

The optical fiber block assembling apparatus of the present invention comprises:
Conveyance, alignment, and insertion of optical fiber block components such as grooved substrates, optical fibers, and pressure plates are performed in a series of steps necessary for assembling the optical fiber block, along with an automatic transfer mechanism such as an assembly robot and a simple position. This is a configuration in which a matching mechanism is combined. FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of an optical fiber block assembling apparatus according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the optical fiber block assembling apparatus includes an assembling robot 14 for automatically assembling the optical fiber block, an assembling section 15 for assembling the optical fiber block, and a groove for arranging the components used for the assembly. The substrate supply tray 16a, the optical fiber supply tray 16b, and the component trays such as the pressing plate supply tray 16c are provided. A chucking tool 30 that holds a component by suction or a clamp is attached to the hand tip 14b of the assembly robot 14.

In the assembling operation of the optical fiber block , first, the assembling robot 14 is operated, and the chucking tool 30 is used to make a groove from the grooved substrate supply tray 16a .
The substrate 5 is grabbed and conveyed to the assembling unit 15, and is attached to a predetermined position by suction or the like. Next, similarly, the assembly robot 14
Is operated to pick up the optical fiber 1 from the optical fiber supply tray 16b with the chucking tool 30 and carry it to the assembling part 15, and expose the exposed part 1b of the optical fiber 1 of the tape-shaped optical fiber 1 to the groove part of the grooved substrate 5. Align with 5b,
It is inserted and fixed to the assembly unit 15 in that state. Next, the assembly robot 14 is operated again to press the pressing plate supply tray 16
Grasp the pressing plate 6 from c and convey it to the assembly unit 15,
It is aligned with the groove portion 5b of the grooved substrate 5 and pressed from above, and is fixed to the assembly portion 15 in that state. Subsequently, the ultraviolet curable adhesive is permeated into the gap between the pressing plate 6 and the grooved substrate 5, and the ultraviolet ray is irradiated to cure the ultraviolet curable adhesive to complete the assembly of the optical fiber block.

Next, a set of such optical fiber blocks
A configuration for surely inserting the exposed portion 1b of the optical fiber 1 applied to the standing device into the groove portion 5b of the grooved substrate 5 will be described. FIG. 2 shows the first of the jigs for assembling the optical fiber block of the present invention.
It is an embodiment of. The grooved substrate 5 has a groove portion 5b into which the exposed portion 1b of the optical fiber 1 which is obtained by peeling off the coating of the tape-shaped optical fiber 1 in which the two optical fibers 1 are integrated is exposed. As the guide members 17 guide groove 17b for guiding the exposed portion 1b of the optical fiber 1 is provided with a groove 5b of the <br/> guide groove 17b and the grooved substrate 5 is positioned on the same straight line, grooved It is arranged on the side surface of the substrate 5.

The optical fiber 1 by using the guide member 17
In order to insert the exposed portion 1b of the grooved substrate 5 into the grooved portion 5b of the grooved substrate 5 , first, the exposed portion 1b of the optical fiber 1 is inserted into the grooved substrate 5 from the direction perpendicular to the surface of the grooved substrate 5 on which the groove portion 5b is formed. Approach. As a result, the exposed portion 1 of the optical fiber 1
b is guided by the guide groove 17b of the guide member 17 and descends, and naturally enters the groove portion 5b of the grooved substrate 5. Generally, the exposed portion 1b of the optical fiber 1 has a regular groove portion 5b at the coated end.
Although it coincides with the pitch of No. 1, the pitch error increases as it goes to the tip due to heating and compression during peeling of the coating. Therefore, in the conventional example , the exposed portion 1b of the optical fiber 1 is
There deviated from the groove position, the insertion into the groove 5b is difficult, with the guide groove 17b guide member 17
The exposed portion 1b of the optical fiber 1 can be easily
Moreover, it can be surely inserted into the groove portion 5b of the grooved substrate 5 .

FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the optical fiber block assembling jig of the present invention. The difference of this embodiment from the above-described first embodiment is that it guides the coating portion of the optical fiber 1 in addition to the guide member 17 that guides the exposed portion 1b of the optical fiber 1 of the first embodiment. The holding member 18 is used. 3A is a plan view of the optical fiber block assembling jig, FIG. 3B is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 3A, and FIG. 3C is a sectional view taken along line BB. FIG.3 (d) is sectional drawing of line CC. As illustrated, the holding member 18 of the coated optical fiber 1 has a taper groove 18b for holding the optical fiber 1. The guide member 17 and the optical fiber holding member 18 are arranged such that the guide groove 17b of the guide member 17 and the taper groove 18b of the optical fiber holding member 18 are located on the same straight line with a gap in which the grooved substrate 5 is arranged. It is arranged.

The operation of this optical fiber block assembling jig will be described. First, the grooved substrate 5 is conveyed by the above-mentioned conveying mechanism to guide the guide member 17 and the optical fiber holding member 18.
Between the grooved substrate 5 and the guide member 1.
The guide groove 17b of No. 7 and the taper groove 18b of the optical fiber holding member 18 are installed on the same straight line. next,
Again, the exposed portion 1b of the optical fiber 1 is brought closer to the grooved substrate 5 from the vertical direction with respect to the surface where the grooved portion 5b of the grooved substrate 5 is formed by the transport mechanism. As a result, the guide groove 17b of the guide member 17 guides the exposed portion 1b of the optical fiber 1, and the taper groove 18b of the optical fiber holding member 18 guides the coated portion of the optical fiber 1, so that the groove portion of the grooved substrate 5 is guided. The position of the optical fiber 1 is determined before and after 5b, and the exposed portion 1b of the optical fiber 1 can be reliably inserted into the groove portion 5b of the grooved substrate 5 .

In the first and second embodiments described above,
While using the guide member 17 and the grooved substrate 5 V-shaped groove is formed, the groove is not limited to V-shape, the optimum curvature for guiding or holding an optical fiber 1 Any groove may be used. Further, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which one set of grooves is provided on the grooved substrate 5 to form one set of optical fiber blocks has been described. A fiber block may be formed. In this case, a plurality of sets of grooves may be provided in the guide member 17 and the optical fiber holding member 18 corresponding to the grooved substrate 5.

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the optical fiber block assembling apparatus of the present invention. In this embodiment, an example of assembling an optical fiber block using the guide member and the optical fiber holding member described above will be described.

In this optical fiber block assembling apparatus, assembling sections 20 are arranged at equal intervals on the turntable 19 at points A and B.
It is provided at four points, point C, and point D. Then, the optical fiber block assembling apparatus conveys the grooved substrate 5 to the point A of the assembling section 20 and the automatic carrier 14b for removing the completed optical fiber block from the turntable 19, and the drum 27 around which the optical fiber 1 is wound. A pinch roller 28 that supplies the optical fiber 1, a cutter 29 that cuts the optical fiber 1 to a required length, a holder 30 that holds the optical fiber 1, a peeling portion 31 at the tip of the optical fiber 1, and an optical fiber. 1. A cleaning unit 32 for cleaning the exposed portion 1b of the optical fiber 1, an automatic transporter 14a for transporting the optical fiber 1 having an exposed tip to a point B of the assembly unit 20, a pressure plate feeder 22 for supplying the pressure plate 6, and a pressure plate. Pressing plate fixing jig 21 for pressing 6
And a detaching part 26 for detaching the pressing plate fixing jig 21, an application head 23 for applying an ultraviolet curable adhesive to the optical fiber block, and an ultraviolet curable adhesive dispenser 24.
And an ultraviolet irradiating section 25 for irradiating the optical fiber block to cure the applied ultraviolet curable adhesive.

In the assembly section 20, the guide member 17 and the optical fiber holding member 18 arrange the grooved substrate 5 so that the guide groove 17b of the guide member 17 and the taper groove 18b of the holding member 18 are located on the same straight line. It is arranged at a gap to be. Further, a holding plate fixing jig 21 is placed, and a detachable portion 26 of the holding plate jig 21 is provided at the center of the turntable 19.
Is provided.

Next, the operation of this optical fiber block assembling apparatus will be described. The optical fiber 1 fed from the drum 27 by the pinch roller 28, which was cut to a predetermined length by the cutter 29, the optical fiber 1 is grasped by the holder 30 is inserted into scalped portion 31, stripping the coating of the tip To form the exposed portion 1b of the optical fiber 1. Then, the exposed portion 1b of the optical fiber 1 is washed by the washing portion 32 to remove foreign matters.

On the other hand, at the point A of the assembly portion 20 of the turntable 19, the grooved substrate 5 is provided by using the automatic carrier 14b between the guide member 17 and the optical fiber holding member 18 installed on the assembly portion 20. And the groove portion 5b of the grooved substrate 5 is moved to
The guide groove 17b of the guide member 17 and the taper groove 18b of the holding member 18 are set so as to be positioned on the same straight line. Next, turn the turntable 19 clockwise in FIG.
Rotate it by 0 ° to move the assembly section 20 to point B. The optical fiber 1 from which the coating is peeled off on the assembly portion 20 at the point B and the exposed portion 1b is washed is conveyed by the automatic carrier 14a, and the exposed portion 1b of the optical fiber 1 is formed on the grooved substrate 5 on which the groove portion 5b is formed. Approach from the vertical direction. Thus the guide groove 17b of the guide member 17 guides the exposed portion 1b, and, since the tapered groove 18b of the optical fiber holding member 18 guides the coated portion of the optical fiber 1, the optical fiber 1 before and after the groove 5b Is determined, and the exposed portion 1b of the optical fiber 1 can be reliably inserted into the groove 5b. In this example, since a plurality of sets of groove portions 5b are formed on the grooved substrate 5 and a plurality of sets of optical fiber blocks can be formed at the same time, the groove portions 5b can be formed by the same operation for the required number of optical fibers 1. To insert. After all insertions, turn the turntable 19 90 ° further clockwise .
The assembly unit 20 is rotated to move to the point C.

In the assembly section 20 at the point C, the dispenser 24
And the coating head 23 is driven to apply the ultraviolet curable adhesive.
Exposed portion 1 of the groove 5b and the optical fibers 1 of the grooved substrate 5
It is applied to b and the pressing plate 6 is arranged thereon by the pressing plate feeder 22. Next, the pressing plate fixing jig 21 is placed on the pressing plate 6 by the attaching / detaching part 26 to press the pressing plate 6, and the exposed portion 1b of the optical fiber 1 is firmly fixed to the groove 5b. Next, turn the turntable 19 further clockwise.
The assembly portion 20 is moved to the point D by rotating the assembly portion 90 ° in the direction .
At point D, the UV irradiator 25 irradiates UV light to the grooved substrate.
The groove 5b of the plate 5 and the pressing plate 6 are irradiated to cure the applied adhesive. After the adhesive is hardened, the turntable 19 is further rotated 90 ° in the clockwise direction to move the assembly section 20 to the point A, and the optical fiber block which has been assembled is removed by the automatic carrier 14b.

As described above, the turntable 19 is used in the optical fiber block assembling apparatus, so that the operation scale can be kept extremely compact, and the assembling section A,
Since a series of operations at points B, C and D can be performed in parallel, a large number of optical fiber blocks can be efficiently assembled.

In this embodiment of the optical fiber block assembling apparatus, the assembling portions are provided on the turntable 19 at intervals of 90 ° and the predetermined assembling steps are performed at four positions, but the assembling steps are performed at different positions. also, this can also change the installation location of the assembly in response that. Further, in this embodiment, the assembly of the optical fiber block by the optical fiber block assembling jig using the guide member 17 and the optical fiber holding member 18 is described, but the optical fiber block assembling jig using only the guide member 17 is described. Can also be applied to the assembly by the optical fiber block assembling jig according to the third embodiment described later.

Next, a third embodiment of the optical fiber block assembling jig of the present invention will be described. The optical fiber block assembling jig of this embodiment also serves as a polishing jig used when polishing an optical fiber of a completed optical fiber block. It is different from the assembly jig. 5A and 5B show an assembly / polishing jig for an optical fiber block according to a third embodiment, FIG. 5A is a plan view thereof, and FIG. 5B is a side view thereof. FIG. 6 is a development view of the jig for assembling and polishing the optical fiber block of FIG.

The optical fiber holding member 38 for holding the optical fiber 1 is made of a material such as Teflon which does not adhere to an adhesive and has rigidity and flexibility capable of maintaining its shape. Similar to the optical fiber holding member 18 of the second embodiment, the optical fiber holding member 38 has a taper groove 38b, and the taper groove 38b accurately positions the coating outline of the optical fiber 1 to This is for allowing the exposed portion 1b of the optical fiber 1 to be inserted into the groove portion 35b of the grooved substrate 35. The optical fiber holding member 38 is formed in a U shape, and a fixing portion 41 for fixing the coating portion of the optical fiber 1 is fitted into this gap.

The fixed portion 41 is formed of, for example, a thin plate of a permanent magnet. This fixed part 41 has a light
Tapered groove 38b as many fixing groove 41b of the fiber holding member 38 is provided at the same pitch, when fitted to the optical fiber holding <br/> support member 38, the fixing groove 41b is the <br/> It is arranged so as to be continuous with the tapered groove 38b. And
The adsorber 42 that fixes the covering portion of the optical fiber 1 inserted into the fixing groove 41b of the fixing portion 41 is formed of an iron-based magnetic material. By covering the adsorbent 42 from above the fixing groove 41b containing the optical fiber 1, the optical fiber 1 can be fixed by magnetic attraction with the fixing groove 41b.

A substrate holder 40 for holding the grooved substrate 35.
In order to simplify the structure in this example, the grooved substrate 3
5 so that the part of the tip sticks out and comes in exactly
A part of the fiber holding member 38 is cut out and formed.
Further, the entrance of the substrate holder 40 is tapered so that the grooved substrate 35 can be easily set in the substrate holder 40. Assembly / polishing jig frame 39 (hereinafter,
It is referred to as a combined jig frame 39). ) Is a frame on which the optical fiber holding member 38 and the fixing portion 41 are placed and which is used when assembling and polishing the optical fiber block. In order to maintain the accuracy of assembly and polishing, for example, , Made of metal, and the surface is coated with Teflon to prevent the adhesive from sticking. Reference numeral 43 of the figure
Reference numerals a and 43b are screw holes for fixing the optical fiber block to the jig frame 39 during polishing. Substrate holding unit 40
The grooved substrate 3 so that the amount of protrusion from the dual-purpose jig frame 39 becomes constant only by inserting the grooved substrate 35.
The shapes of the substrate 5 and the substrate holder 40 are processed accurately.

The positional relationship among the substrate holding portion 40, the taper groove 38b, and the fixed groove 41b is such that when the optical fiber 1 is inserted, the exposed portion 1b of the optical fiber 1 and the groove portion 35b of the grooved substrate 35. Are arranged so that and are on the same straight line,
With these as one unit, 10 sets are provided on the jig for both assembly and polishing. The second substrate holder 40 from the left in FIG.
The grooved substrate 3 with the tip protruding
The state of No. 5 is shown. First, the grooved substrates 35 are set in all the substrate holders 40 in such a state. The grooved substrate 35 and the optical fiber 1 are set in the substrate holding portion 40 at the left end of FIG. 5, and the exposed portion 1b of the optical fiber 1 is shown to match the groove portion 35b of the grooved substrate 35.

Here, the difference between the taper groove 38b of the optical fiber holding member 38 and the fixing groove 41b of the fixing member 41 is that the exposed portion 1b of the optical fiber 1 is the groove portion 3 of the grooved substrate 35.
5b is for accurately positioning the coating outline of the optical fiber 1 for accurate insertion into the substrate holding portion 4b.
It is formed with high precision with respect to the position of 0 and the outer shape of the coating of the optical fiber 1. The latter is for holding the optical fiber 1 so as not to shift in cooperation with the adsorber 42,
The geometrical error may be large.

As shown in FIG. 6, the optical fiber holding member 38 is formed of a single sheet of resin such as Teflon, and is high on the combined jig frame 39 with no space between it and the fixed portion 41. The ten optical fiber blocks can be easily removed by inserting and using the optical fiber holding member 38 with a high degree of accuracy when the polishing is completed. Even if the adhesive for fixing each component of the optical fiber block leaks and leaks out to the periphery of the substrate holding portion 40 and hardens, the surfaces of the optical fiber holding member 38 and the combined jig frame 39 are Teflon, so they are not fixed. And light phi
Since the bar holding member 38 can be peeled off, it is possible to easily deal with the seepage of the adhesive. Needless to say, the materials of the fixed portion 41 and the adsorbent 42 may be reversed.

FIG. 7 shows a state in which an optical fiber block assembling jig used together with the assembling / polishing jig of the third embodiment is installed at the time of assembling the optical fiber block, and FIG. 8 shows FIG. It shows a state in which the jig for both assembly and polishing is removed from. Similar to the optical fiber block assembling jig of the first embodiment, the guide member 37 for guiding the exposed portion 1b of the optical fiber 1 is guided at the same pitch as the substrate holding portion 40 on the jig for both assembly and polishing. Grooves 37b are provided and are arranged in a positional relationship so as to be continuous with the groove portions 35b of the grooved substrate 35 set in the substrate holding portion 40.
Stoppers 45a and 45b for abutting and positioning the jig frame 39 are provided on the assembly plate 44, and the guide member 37 is arranged on the stopper 45b. Position fine adjustment screw 4 for adjusting the position of the guide member 37
6 and a guide member fixing screw 47 for fixing the guide member 37.
The grooved substrate 3 set in the substrate holding part 40 using
The groove portion 35b of No. 5 and the guide groove 37b of the guide member 37 are adjusted and fixed so that they are positioned on the same straight line.

Next, the assembly / polishing jig and the assembly of the optical fiber block using the assembly jig will be described. First, the grooved substrates 35 are inserted into all the substrate holders 40 placed on the combined jig frame 39.
Next, the combined jig frame 39 is abutted against the stoppers 45a and 45b on the assembly plate 44 and positioned. This tapered groove 38b of the optical fiber holding member 38, the solid
The fixed groove 41b of the fixed portion 41, the groove portion 35 on the grooved substrate 35
b and the guide groove 37b on the guide member 37 are positioned on the same straight line. Here, when the guide groove 37b of the guide member 37 is displaced, the position of the guide member 37 needs to be adjusted by the position fine adjustment screw 46, but normally this is only the initial adjustment for starting the device. In this state, the assembly plate 4 is used to fix the combined jig frame 39.
4 is fixed by suction using a vacuum suction hole (not shown) provided in 4.

Next, the optical fiber 1 is conveyed and lowered from the upper surface of the grooved substrate 35 to the groove portion 35b. As a result, the guide groove 37b of the guide member 37 is formed in the exposed portion 1b
And the taper groove 3 of the optical fiber holding member 38.
Since 8b guides the coated portion of the optical fiber 1, it has a groove.
Sadamari in the position of the optical fiber 1 before and after the groove 35b of the substrate 35, the exposed portion 1b of the optical fiber 1 can be reliably inserted into the groove 35b. Then, the adsorbent 42 is placed on the fixing portion 41 of the optical fiber 1 and fixed so that the optical fiber 1 does not move. Next, an ultraviolet curable adhesive is applied to the groove 35.
was applied to b and the exposed portion 1b of the optical fiber 1, at a pressing plate 36, and held under a load, it is cured by irradiating the adhesive with ultraviolet rays to the groove 35b and the pressing plate 36. After the adhesive is cured, the optical fiber block polishing process is performed without removing the optical fiber block. The fixing plate 48 (see FIG. 9) of the optical fiber block is passed between the screw holes 43a and 43b, and the screw 43c ( see FIG. 9) .
Also serves as the optical fiber block by irradiation) jig frame 39
Tighten it to prevent it from moving during polishing.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory view of the case where polishing is performed using a jig for both assembly and polishing. As shown in the drawing, the optical fiber block fixing plate 48 is passed between the screws 43c, and all the optical fiber blocks are fastened to the combined jig frame 39 so as not to move during polishing. Then, the combined jig frame 39 is attached to the rotating jig 49, and the attaching surface of the rotating jig 49 has an angle (8 in this example) necessary for processing.
Since it is inclined by (°), it suffices to fix the combined jig frame 39 to the mounting surface. In FIG. 9, two sets of combined jig frames 39 are attached to one rotating jig 49. Then, the rotary jig 49 to which the combined jig frame 39 is attached is placed on the polishing plate 50, and the polishing plate 50
Is rotated to polish the optical fiber block. Here, the rotary jig 49 can be processed so that two or more sets of dual-purpose jig frames 39 can be attached, and at the same time, a larger number of optical fiber blocks can be polished.

Since it is possible to polish a plurality of optical fiber blocks at once without detaching the optical fiber blocks from the jig used in such assembly, it is possible to efficiently assemble a large number of optical fiber blocks. .

[0039]

As described above in detail, according to the optical fiber block assembling jig of the present invention, since the guide member with the guide groove is used, the pitch error becomes closer to the tip due to heating and pressing at the time of peeling the coating. in also the groove is large since the optical fiber
It can be easily and surely inserted into the groove of the attached substrate.

Further, in the optical fiber block assembling jig in which the optical fiber holding member with the tapered groove is used together with the guide member with the guide groove, the guide groove of the guide member guides the exposed portion of the optical fiber and the optical fiber holding member. Since the taper groove guides the coated portion of the optical fiber, the position of the optical fiber is accurately determined before and after the groove portion of the grooved substrate , and the optical fiber can be more easily and securely placed in the groove portion of the grooved substrate. Can be inserted.

Further , according to the assembling jig including the guide member with the guide groove and the optical fiber holding member with the taper groove of the present invention, a plurality of optical fiber blocks are assembled and polished on the same jig. be able to. Therefore, the assembling of the optical fiber block can be easily automated, and a plurality of optical fiber blocks can be polished with one setting, so that the polishing process efficiency is extremely improved. Therefore, the optical fiber block assembling jig and the assembling apparatus of the present invention are
According to the arrangement, a large amount of optical fiber blocks can be produced at low cost.

Further , according to the optical fiber block assembling apparatus of the present invention, a plurality of assembling parts are installed on the turntable, and the assembling process of all the optical fiber blocks is performed on the turntable, so that the assembling is performed automatically. Since it is configured as above, the scale of the assembling apparatus can be extremely compact and economical, and since a series of operations can be performed in parallel, a large number of optical fiber blocks can be efficiently assembled.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view showing the concept of an optical fiber block assembling apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of an optical fiber block assembling jig of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a plan view and a cross-sectional view showing a second embodiment of an optical fiber block assembling jig of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing an embodiment of an optical fiber block assembling apparatus of the present invention.

5 is a plan view and a cross-sectional view showing a third <br/> embodiment of the optical fiber block set Tatsuchi tool of the present invention.

6 is a developed view showing an optical fiber block set Tatsuchi tool of FIG.

[7] Figure 5 of the optical fiber block assembly jig assembling pre
It is a top view which shows the state installed in the board .

8 is a perspective view showing a state of assembly plate from the installation state by removing the optical fiber block set Tatsuchi <br/> device of FIG.

FIG. 9 is a view showing a state in which an optical fiber block is polished by using a jig for assembling and polishing the optical fiber block.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of connection between an optical fiber block and an optical waveguide chip .

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a configuration of an optical fiber block.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a conventional optical fiber block assembling apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Optical fiber 6, 36 ... Press plate 14 ... Assembly robot 15 ... Assembly part 16 ... Supply tray 17, 37 ... Guide member 18, 38 ... Optical fiber holding member 19 ... Turntable 20 ... Assembly part 21 ... Press plate fixing jig Tool 22 ... Pressing plate feeder 23 ... Coating head 24 ... Dispenser 25 ... Ultraviolet irradiation part 26 ... Desorption part 27 ... Drum 28 ... Pinch roller 29 ... Cutter 30 ... Holder 31 ... Peeling part 32 ... Cleaning part 39 ... Combined jig frame 40 ... Substrate holding part 41 ... Fixed part 42 ... Adsorber 49 ... Rotating jig 50 ... Polishing plate

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Kazuki Kudo 3-19-2 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo Nihon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (56) Reference JP-A-5-224065 (JP, A) Kaihei 5-264841 (JP, A) JP 6-67033 (JP, A) JP 6-235840 (JP, A) JP 6-331848 (JP, A) JP 61-278805 ( JP, A) JP 64-46708 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G02B 6/36 G02B 6/00 G02B 6/30

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. An optical fiber block assembling apparatus for forming an optical fiber block by inserting an exposed portion from which a coating of an optical fiber is peeled off into a groove portion of a grooved substrate and fixing the optical fiber block by a pressing component. a supply unit for supplying light having a transport mechanism, a tapered groove for guiding the covered portion of the optical fiber guide member having a guide groove for guiding the exposed portion of said optical fiber to carry the components fiber holding member, with a gap of placing the grooved substrate, draft groove and Te over path grooves of the optical fiber holding member of said guide member is arranged so as to be located on the same straight line An assembly section; a turntable for arranging at least one set of the assembly sections; an adhesive supply section for applying an adhesive for solidifying and integrating the constituent parts; and curing the adhesive. An optical fiber block assembling apparatus comprising: an adhesive curing section; and a control section for controlling the entire optical fiber block assembling apparatus. 2. An optical fiber block assembling jig for forming an optical fiber block by inserting an exposed portion of an optical fiber whose coating has been peeled off into a groove portion of a grooved substrate and fixing the optical fiber block with a pressing component. Yusuke a base plate holding unit that holds and protrudes a predetermined length for polishing a section, a tapered groove for inserting the covering portion of the optical fiber
An optical fiber holding member that includes a Ruga Lee <br/> de member having a guide groove for guiding the Exposed portion of said optical fiber, draft groove before Kimizo with the substrate before outs Id member of the groove section and the previous Symbol
As Te over path grooves of the optical fiber holding member is located at the same straight line, an optical fiber block, which comprises placing the substrate holder between the guide member and the optical fiber holding member Assembly jig.